Xan will keep the wizard's spellbook to attempt to copy later. "It looks like this mage was attempting to transmute base materials into gold. If these items are genuine then it appears he may have succeeded. However, I cannot decipher this book."
So into the boat and off to look for pirates? While we're at it, we should probably hope they don't have any Gondsmen aboard with their new-fangled smoke powder and cannons...
Okay, you pack your loot onto the boat and set sail. By daybreak, you haven't found anything, so you reluctantly return to Saltmarsh to get some sleep. With some of the money you found, you rent a house with enough beds to let all of you sleep and get some well=needed shuteye. You sleep all day and wake the next morning to find two village guards guarding your house. Seeing you are awake, one of them bows to you. "Good morning, sirs and madames. The Town Council is meeting after lunch and would like to speak to you."
You all find breakfast to be delicious- eggs and bacon and kippers and toasted bread. After a lunch at the local tavern of spiced fish stew (and the ale the tavern-keeper promised you, you are invited to the largest building in town to meet the town council. Most of them are middle aged and older, and when you enter, smiles wreathe their faces. "So, these are the bold adventurers to whom we owe the debt of gratitude for eliminating the smugglers plaguing the coast?" the leader asks, a distinguished older man of about fifty. "I beg your pardon, sirs and madams. I am Jon Verdun, leader of this council and also the Mayor of Saltmarsh. We have been looking into rumors of smuggling in the area for some time, but you have eliminated our problem for us. As such, we would like to reward you for your efforts in this area."
So were there actually ghosts in the house? Or was it just some Scooby Doo thing the smugglers cooked up to scare people away from their smuggling business?
@Awong124 People saw the smugglers signaling with lanterns and thought the strange lights (not to mention the Magic Mouth traps set over any entrance to the cellars), and conflated it into "The house is haunted, stay away!"
They didn't start the rumors, but they enjoyed the effects.
Branwen smiled, and nodded. She didn't plan to say much, leaving that to the other members. After all, she didn't find them till much later, though she suspected this wasn't the last of those smugglers they would see.
"For your defeat of the smugglers and destruction of their leader here on land, we have voted to give you each 1000 pieces of gold (+1000 exp to each of you). But we also wish to speak with you about another problem." He sighs. "We believe these smugglers are not the only malefactors connected with this group. We think there is a sea-based component of the smugglers, and wish to eliminate them as well. To this end, we are willing to pay you another 500 gold each (+500 exp). Unfortunately, our village can provide no more aid to you than this. But we can buy the goods you find on the ship, at a 25% excise tax. (you get 75% of the money), and I am afraid we also must charge you the excise tax on the goods you have already recovered. on the other hand, this will be a significant boon to both our coffers. Do you agree?"
IC: "You have an interesting proposal. None of us are terribly experienced sailors. Do you have any idea where the seafaring smugglers might originate or where they hang out when they aren't robbing passing ships? Small islands? Secluded coves? Personally, I'm happy to help, but I have no desire to accidentally sail all the way to Rashemen looking for a batch of pirates."
"We have recovered some documents hidden by the leader. They suggest that the pirates sail here at Moon-Dark, when only Selune's Tears are visible. This will occur in three day's time. To assist you, you may have the assistance of two of our excise men to row you out to the ship in silence..."
Minsc was lost with the talk of exercise and coffers. "Less talk, more fight!" It startled the speaker, but it seemed that the companions were more used to such outbursts. "My hamster wiggles in my armor at the thought of evil in the Moon-Dark, right, Boo?"
"I what?" Minsc wasn't sure what he'd agreed to do. "Minsc leads with sword and boot. Boo handles the details." Evil was in need of both sword and boot, and would receive both in liberal measure.
Branwen nodded, "It sounds like an honorable task, I think we should." She said feeling proud to be part of such a worthy band. She knew together they would be able to do many a glorious feat.
Okay. It's agreed. Let me know what, if anything, you are doing to prepare for the battle... spells you are buying on scroll, potions... etc. Or anything else... better equipment... you know the drill. I'll divvy up the gold and tell you how much you get, each.
Okay, in addition to the experience you already got for the fights, for treasure, you get 2248 exp. This means everyone goes up a level- Alora and Imoen go up 2. Let me know where you are putting your 60 thief skill points (and be aware, you are going to have to climb onto the boat, Alora- time to beef up your "Climb Walls" skill.
New hit points- Alora goes up to 12, Branwen to 17, Imoen to 16, Mazzy to 21, Minsc to 16 and Xan to 6. Xan can now memorize 3 first level spells, Branwen 4.
15 points into climbing. 15 points in finding and removing traps. 30 in open lock. I'll spring for studded leather armor, and if someone has a magical set, I'd go for that. I'll keep the dagger, lantern, rope, and thieves' picks that I have. I will also search for a lifejacket or inflatable hippogriff or something to use to help me float since I have the feeling that in the event of naval combat, heavier armor will be a terrible idea. Oooh, if someone had really magic leather armor, that would be better since I could still swim with that on. If there's no magical armor lying about, I'll spring for the two potions of extra healing and donate the rest to a bunch of orphans or something.
Comments
They didn't start the rumors, but they enjoyed the effects.
Is the mayor going to give us a slap-up tea with lashings of ginger beer?
Branwen smiled, and nodded. She didn't plan to say much, leaving that to the other members. After all, she didn't find them till much later, though she suspected this wasn't the last of those smugglers they would see.
IC: "You have an interesting proposal. None of us are terribly experienced sailors. Do you have any idea where the seafaring smugglers might originate or where they hang out when they aren't robbing passing ships? Small islands? Secluded coves? Personally, I'm happy to help, but I have no desire to accidentally sail all the way to Rashemen looking for a batch of pirates."
New hit points- Alora goes up to 12, Branwen to 17, Imoen to 16, Mazzy to 21, Minsc to 16 and Xan to 6. Xan can now memorize 3 first level spells, Branwen 4.