Dory's Warehouse - Ghosts of Saltmarsh, Chapter 73

 

Alot crossed the thick gangplank across the trash-strewn waterway at the bottom of the canyon-like narrows of slums and stacked structures of Jetsam. He approached the bow of an old rotting hulk jutting out from the mass of ramshackle buildings build around and atop it. The deck of the ship was covered in trash.

As he neared the ship the trash shifted. Three figures- vaguely humanoid but with lumpy blubbery translucent skin like that of a disgusting jellyfish - rose from the trash. They lifted cheap javelins which they hurled at Alot. 

Alot nodded and retreated from the bridge. Javelins bounced harmlessly off his thick armor plating. 

"Well, this looks like the place. We should come back at sunset. There's a greater chance more cultists will be here."

The party left and returned to the docks on the outer edge of the slums.

CHAPTER 73

"DORY'S WAREHOUSE"

The Crew of the Sea Ghost:

• Alot Aname - Neutral Good Warforged Fighter, ancient sentinel of a wizard's fortress, spent several decades deactivated underwater, Captain of the Sea Ghost.
• Avastana "Aella" Kádár - Neutral, Half-Elf Outlander and Storm Sorceress from Ket, daughter of the king of the sea elves, deck sorceress and first mate of the Sea Ghost.
• Patriarch Craig "Blunderbuss" Oxworth - Lawful Good Dwarven Priest of St. Ogden (Cleric), sailor and shipwright, bosun of the Sea Ghost.
• Cai'luin Manaan - Chaotic Good Sea-Elf Bard, member of the royal family of the tribe of Manaan. Cook of the Sea Ghost.
• Corvid Ravenson - Neutral Good Fallen Aasimar Paladin of Vengeance and Divine Soul Sorcerer, sent to Oerth to avenge those who wronged his angelic "brother", Auric Ravenson. Second mate of the Sea Ghost.

DM Note-
We begin the mystery of the Styes in earnest. But first, I needed to back up and give the players some more detail about what happened to them during the week they spent in Poniard.

Hopen'er Asylum

On their way to the docks they ran into Constable Jute whom they had met the previous morning. Jute was cordial but professional. She informed the crew that she and the other constables were barred from further inquiries regarding the Ghost Lantern murders and that she was officially obliged to ask them to end their inquiry. She looked around nervously as if she were being watched. 

When asked who gave the constables that order, she informed them that it was Mister Dory of the city council. Alot nodded sagely.

Before saying goodbye, Jute informed the crew that, the night before he was executed, Jarme drew unusual chaotic patterns on the wall of his cell in Hope'ner asylum and further informed them that the cell was scheduled to be painted over today - again on orders from Council-person Dory.

The crew thanked her and hired a gondola to ferry them to the High Quarter. They disembarked and entered the imposing stone structure of Hope'ner Asylum. 

The building was originally built as a prison and it still resembled one architecturally. Several decades ago it was turned into a hospital filled with patients suffering from chemical burns, blindness, and withered limbs caused by pollution from the Alchemist's Quarter and those suffering debilitating mental illness.   

The hospital was woefully understaffed and the crew were unable to summon the attention of someone from the staff. They were eventually greeted by a peculiar individual - a young man with bulging eyes. 

The young man stood in the middle of the room intently staring at them. When Patriarch Craig asked the young man if he could help them, the man just stared in silence with a strange grin. Eventually the young man blurted, "I am Brey!"

Patriarch Craig struggled to keep his polite composure, "Yes, is there anyone around here in charge of-"

Brey blurted, "You want Doctor Trantor! I'll get her!" Before anyone could respond he spun around and ran off into the crowded hospital.

A few minutes later Brey returned dragging a harried woman of middle age wearing a long white robe. She protested Brey's handling of her. Brey dragged her to the crew and blurted, "Trantor! These are the ones! Just like I said."

Doctor Trantor sighed and said, "Yes, thank you Brey." The woman looked tired and overworked. Her face was a picture of stress and compassion. "Hello, I am Doctor Trantor. I oversee this facility. How can I help you?"

Aella said that they had heard that Jarme, the Ghost Lantern killer, had drawn on his cell wall the night before his execution. He asked if they could study it. She explained that they were a delegation from Saltmarsh and wished to learn more about how someone might become a killer like Jarme.

Trantor said that they'd have to hurry. Council-person Dory had ordered that the cell be cleaned and painted today. Trantor led them down some steps into the underground dungeon. She led them to a long corridor lined with heavy iron cell doors. She explained that they kept the most dangerous subjects in these cells. Jarme didn't seem dangerous but the cell was requested by the city council. 

The smell of sweat and feces and rotting meat was oppressive. Even Trantor held a scented cloth over her nose and mouth. She led them to the last cell. 

The walls of the small cell were covered in smeared drawings and patterns made with charcoal from a burned stick. The drawings were a chaotic mess of swirls and lines and shapes.

Cai'luin knelt down and studied the patterns up close. He said, "Hmmm-"

"What is it?" asked Alot.

"Well, it looks like a mess but its actually three different drawings overlaid on top of each other. See here - these spirals are like flailing arms or tentacles from some octopus with three eyes - or perhaps a fish. Its shackled at the bottom of a deep pit and dragging down these little people. Yes, those are people. These shapes look like buildings, this long one here kind of resembles the old lighthouse, Frother's Lamp - see, these buildings match specific buildings in the Styes - sorry, Poniard. Anyway, over here there are more of those tentacle things and they're destroying the city."

"Aboleths" said Aella.

"What?" said Alot.

"I recognize them. The fish things are called Aboleths."

Rashlen Manor

Outside the hospital, the crew gathered to plan their next move. They decided that they wanted to confront the members of the town council. Aella said, "I think I have an idea on how to do that."

The crew crossed a marble bridge over a canal towards the walled compound belonging to Rashlen, the member of the town council whom Aella had become acquainted with earlier in the week. The villa's ground-level windows had been bricked up so the outer perimeter gave the appearance of a walled fortress. Statues of elven warriors made of terra-cotta stood guard along the roof-line.

It was late morning, towards noon. The elven servant, Cirdaere, answered the door and led Aella and Cai'luin to the sitting room while he summoned Master Rashlen. The rest of Aella's "servants" would have to wait in the servants' area.

Rashlen Manor was once on opulent villa made of fine marble and imported wood. The current state of the manor showed several decades of decay and neglect. It was clear that much of its valuable décor had been long ago sold off leaving a bare almost spartan appearance. It was also clear to those waiting in the servants' area that the villa, once served by a staff of dozens, was reduced to a skeleton crew staff of butler, cook, and scullery maid.

A few moments later, the flamboyant elven aristocrat, Rashlen, burst into the sitting room to greet "Princess" Avastana Kádár and Lord Cai'luin, his "water-breathing elven cousins from Manaan".

Rashlen was friendly and outgoing, lavishing Aella and Cai'luin with personal attention and praise while showing subtle disdain for "the lower classes". He ordered Cirdaere to make tea and finger sandwiches for his guests. Cirdaere sighed and went to the kitchen.

Aella informed Rashlen that she wished to throw a dinner party and hoped Rashlen could host it in his manor. She wanted to invite the wealthy merchants and aristocrats from Poniard and especially wished to invite the members of the city council. 

Rashlen was thrilled at the prospect of hosting a party, especially if he didn't have to pay for it. However, he warned Aella that the other members of the city council would be reticent to attend. Madame Sliris is never seen in the evening, Madame Thornwell detests such frivolities, and Mister Dory, well, he has that skin condition.

Aella and Cai'luin thanked their host for his hospitality and promised to return to see to the party details. Rashlen insisted they take their uneaten sandwiches with them - a suggestion that made the servant Cirdaere subtly wince for he and the remainder of the staff were looking forward to the leftovers - and take a gift bag. Cirdaere reminded Rashlen that they had no gift bags to offer at the moment. Rashlen flashed his servant a stern look of outrage before genially apologizing to his guests. As they were leaving, Aella and Cai'luin were certain that the terra-cotta statues of elven warriors flanking the entrance were not present when they arrived.

Aella and Cai'luin rejoined their "servants" on the street outside the fortified villa. Patriarch Craig eyed the statues on the roofline suspiciously. They huddled in a circle to plan their next move.

Madame Thornwell

Aella told the others about her conversation with Rashlen and the group brainstormed about the best way to contact Madame Thornwell of the city council.

An unfamiliar voice in the circle replied matter-of-factly, "Madame Thornwell has no interest in parties."

There were a startled moment as everyone suddenly realized an unfamiliar woman had joined their huddle. She was a severe woman with slick straight hair. She wore a black and red leather cape over her black and red leather.

The mystery woman's tone became more accusatory, "While you stand here debating and wasting time, Mister Dory is aware of your investigation and is at his warehouse taking steps to obfuscate his corruption and obstruct your inquiries. Instead of standing around planning a party, you should be stopping the destruction of important evidence." 

Alot, Aella, Cai'luin, and Craig exchanged glances. Corvid never took his eyes off the mysterious woman in red leather.

"Um, who are you?" inquired Alot.

She backed away from the huddle, "That is not important. In fact, I was never here. I never spoke to you. Do you understand?" She walked around the corner of Rashlen Manor and vanished.

"Um, was that Madame Thornwell?" asked Alot.

Aella shrugged, "I- I think so."

Mister Dory's Warehouse

The crew quickly made their way over to the Alchemist's Quarter. They paused around the corner and out of sight from Dory's Warehouse and formulated their plan. They decided to go straight to the boat suspended from a giant crane over the muddy lagoon of the Hemlock Pit. Captain Alot sprinkled a packet of magical dust over them and they became invisible. Alot then wrapped his arms around Aella and Cai'luin while Corvid held on to Patriarch Craig. Alot and Corvid then activated their magical flying boots and zoomed through the mustard yellow sky to land on the deck of the suspended boat.

Their landing caused the boat to rock slightly and kick up some powdery yellow dust. The door to the shack located at the base of the crane opened and a humanoid figure wearing a long coat and wielding a spear emerged. The figure had strange rubbery translucent skin and three red eyes. It left the shack and approached the plank leading from the shack to the deck of the boat. It obviously sensed something was off and it studied the deck intently. Two other translucent creatures, each wearing long coats and hats to hide their identities, warily emerged behind the first. 

DM Note-

I had everyone in the crew make Stealth checks with Advantage. Some wore heavy armor so their rolls were normal. There were some real stinkers, well below the Passive Perceptions of the skum guards on watch duty. So I had the skum come out to make an active roll and they rolled incredibly well! 

Aella used her magical storm powers to create a tidal wave that washed over the three mysterious guards, knocking them back and over. Corvid leaped across the gap to land on the platform surrounding the shack at the base of the crane. He impaled one of the skum on his holy sword - "Faith Keeper".

DM Note-

Natural 20 with smite damage! Total of 55 damage in one attack!

Alot likewise leaped across onto the platform and engaged in the strange guards with his magical sword "Defender". 

The translucent humanoids responded by forcing Alot over the railing. Alot was flung into the air. The other translucent humanoids fought with Corvid and Aella. 

Suddenly Alot rose up in mid-air, rising above the railing on the platform. He was suspended by his magical flying boots. He re-engaged the translucent enemy. 

After an intense battle the three translucent humanoids were eventually defeated. Their bodies raplidly disintegrated into liquid leaving nothing but bare human skeletons.

The Pendent Vessel

By this time all members of the party were now visible but their battle atop the crane platform had gone unnoticed.

Patriarch Craig opened the hatch on the side of the boat leading into its super-structure. A burst of hot steam emerged that stung the eyes. The cabin was located near the stern of the boat and was filled with foggy steam. There was a large metal cauldron placed on top of a gas-flame boiler. Water was constantly delivered into the cauldron via a pipe connected to a nearby building that hung over a grate in the ceiling of the cabin. The walls and floor of the cabin were slick with disgusting slime and mold. The slippery floor was treacherous to cross. Craig entered the cabin and made his way towards the door in the back.

Three naked translucent humanoids emerged from the cauldron and attacked Craig with tridents. 

Patriarch Craig summoned forth a spiritual war-pick to attack the creatures while Aella created a magical swarm of snowballs that pummeled the creatures in the back of the cabin.

Cai'luin looked inside the cabin and cast a Shatter spell upon the cauldron. There was a tremendously loud bang as the large metal cauldron split down the side. Hot water began to spray out of the crack and fill the cabin. Corvid immediately took the elven bard to task, "That was too loud! What part of stealth mission do you not understand?!" In response, Cai'luin simply smiled and shrugged. As punishment, Corvid ordered Cai'luin to help him pull the gang-way away from the platform, separating the boat from the warehouse.

Alot made his way into the cabin to help defend Craig. A pitched battle ensued with hot water spraying at high pressure against the wall of the cabin. 

Corvid and Cai'luin soon returned. Corvid created a magical bonfire behind the creatures fighting Alot while Cai'luin sang bardic songs of vicious mockery.

After another long and pitched battle, the three translucent creatures were defeated - their bodies rapidly decaying to liquid and bone. 

The Flooded Hold

Alot opened the door in back of the cabin. Water that had flooded the cabin began to pour into the next section. The deck of this section had been removed revealing an open chasm down to the ship's bilge. The entire bilge was flooded ten feet deep with dark cloudy water. The water from the cabin poured into the water of the flooded bilge. A long plank crossed the chasm and connected the door to another door leading into the aft cabin. Once again the air of the section was foggy with acidic steam.

A human body floated face down in the water in one corner of the section. Dark forms swam menacingly under the water.

DM Note-

I rolled Stealth checks for the skum with Advantage but I rolled miserably.

Aella poked her head into the room and created a magical ice storm that whipped up the water and pummeled the area with heavy hailstones. The frost and hail floated on the surface and made the icy plank treacherous to cross.

Patriarch Craig and Alot carefully made their way out onto the plank towards the aft cabin. Translucent hands reached up and grabbed Craig's ankle, pulling him off the plank and into the cloudy water. Craig and his opponent were little more than dark nebulous colors under the surface. Alot jumped into the water and was soon attacked by another translucent enemy. 

The floating body suddenly sprang to life and attempted to assassinate Alot from behind. The assassin soon found Alot's magical armor impenetrable. 

Alot, would had no problems fighting underwater, engaged his two opponents while Craig, wearing a magical helmet that allowed him to breathe normally underwater, fought valiantly against his lone foe. Aella, standing in the doorway, would pepper the  opponents with small attack spells as she could. 

Alot and Craig soon dispatched the two translucent enemies. The human assassin surrendered and begged for mercy!

The assassin said his name was Harid and that he was sent by his dark lord, the Whisperer in the Dark, Servant of Tharizdun, to spy on Dory. His dark lord lacked confidence in Dory and that he was sent to kill Dory if he proved incompetent or disloyal. Harid was willing to sell out the city council if they allowed him to leave. 

He told them that Dory was in the aft cabin packing up. Dory knew about the investigation and was panicking and preparing to leave the city. He told them that Dory was defended by some kind of automaton made of flesh and that he commanded special abilities granted by their dark lord, but he was no spell-caster in the traditional sense. 

Harid then made an attempt to flee past Cai'luin in the forward cabin. Cai'luin, who had not heard the conversation in the flooded hold, whispered a magical incantation and the assassin retreated back into the hold.

Alot swam up to the assassin and knocked him unconscious.

The crew then gathered together and prepared to  open the door to the aft cabin where Mister Dory was waiting.

To Be Continued...

The Strait of Monmurg - Ghosts of Saltmarsh, Chapter 71

 The Sea Ghost sailed southeast from Saltmarsh across Javan Bay. It was unseasonably warm for the month of Planting and raining buckets. Had they continued their current course and speed they would have sailed into the strait of Monmurg at around midnight. 

The strait was less than ten miles wide and contained treacherous rocks. Although they'd be able to slip past the sentry ships of the Principality, it would require expert piloting to navigate the straight in complete darkness. At the end of the day they struck their sails and deployed a sea anchor - essentially a large fabric parachute attached to a line - and held their position halfway between Angler Island and the Tyrant's Rocks. 

The next dawn saw a clear day and more comfortable temperatures. They were sure to be spotted by the sentry ships, but Captain Alot had a plan. They set sail for the strait of Monmurg. 

CHAPTER 71

"THE STRAIT OF MONMURG"

The Crew of the Sea Ghost:

• Alot Aname - Neutral Good Warforged Fighter, ancient sentinel of a wizard's fortress, spent several decades deactivated underwater, Captain of the Sea Ghost.
• Avastana "Aella" Kádár - Neutral, Half-Elf Outlander and Storm Sorceress from Ket, daughter of the king of the sea elves, deck sorceress and first mate of the Sea Ghost.
• Patriarch Craig "Blunderbuss" Oxworth - Lawful Good Dwarven Priest of St. Ogden (Cleric), sailor and shipwright, bosun of the Sea Ghost.
• Cai'luin Manaan - Chaotic Good Sea-Elf Bard, member of the royal family of the tribe of Manaan. Cook of the Sea Ghost.
• Corvid Ravenson - Neutral Good Fallen Aasimar Paladin of Vengeance and Divine Soul Sorcerer, sent to Oerth to avenge those who wronged his angelic "brother", Auric Ravenson. Second mate of the Sea Ghost.

DM Note-
This week we start the Styes, which we begin with some tedious ship combat as the Sea Ghost sails through the Strait of Monmurg.

Note that my players called the straight "The Sphincter Narrows". I will not be calling it that but they would call me out had I not mentioned it.

Running the Gauntlet

The Sea Ghost entered the strait of Monmurg at mid-morning. The strait was only 8 miles wide with the the island of Jetsam Island to port and the city and harbor of Monmurg to starboard and . Dead ahead in the distance was Helm Rock. 

Two warships flying the flag of the Principality of Monmurg patrolled the strait. The Sea Ghost had the wind at its back and was faster than the warships but all the warships had to do was intercept them, not outrun them.

DM Note-

I described it to the players as runners in football having to get past downfield defensive tackles. 

One of the warships ran up signal flags that conveyed a message to the Sea Ghost to strike its sail and prepare to be boarded. 

Captain Alot assembled his officers for opinions, "Shall we stop, Do we make a run for it, or stand and fight?"

His officers provided several options but ultimately said, "Its your decision, captain."

Alot said, "We're making a run for it. Full sail. Aella, keep directing the wind into our sail. Patriarch Craig, get ready to perform a miracle!"

Aella used her storm sorcery to direct all available wind into the sails of the Sea Ghost.  The Principality Warship raised a signal flag ordering the Sea Ghost to stop what it was doing immediately and moved to intercept. 

As the two vessels grew nearer the warship began launching heavy shot from its mangonels. Most of the shots splashed into the water around the Sea Ghost but a few lucky shots struck the ship's hull and sails.

Alot shouted at Patriarch Craig, "Now!"

Patriarch Craig kneeled in prayer to the Raven King. The Sea Ghost became miraculously caught up in a fast-moving current. The current carried the ship along at tremendous speed. The Sea Ghost cut through the water like a shark.

The two ships were within a hundred feet of each other. Ballistae fired heavy iron bolts at the Sea Ghost, smashing into its hull and sails.

Aella sent a magical bolt of lightning into the sails of the Principality Warship. Cai'luin cast a depth charge into its hull. Corvid cast a spell and the warship's sails burst into a fiery explosion. Craig followed up with a prayer and a massive pillar of flame struck down from heaven onto the deck of the ship.

Craig asked Alot, "Do you want me to sink it?"

Alot thought about it, "No, better not. We're in enough trouble. Lets keep going. How long can we keep this current?"

Craig replied, "Not long, ten minutes at most."

Alot said, "I think that should be enough."

The Sea Ghost sailed past the warship at amazing speed. The warship, its own speed reduced by the damage to its sails, ran out oars and sent some final shots of its mangonels and ballistae towards the Sea Ghost. 

The other warship gave chase but was unable to match the miraculous speed of its quarry. 

The Sea Ghost sailed past Helm Rock and turned south towards Flotsam Island. 

DM Note-

I was unprepared to run this battle. As a result it felt tedious to the players and they never really felt invested. Part of the problem is that there's no real way using current D&D rules to maneuver ships on a bigger scale - such as trying to get past another ship through an eight mile wide  strait. I started off doing things on a big map with 30-foot grid one round at a time but that quickly became stupid. The ships were miles apart.

In the future, I'll up the time-scales along with the grid scale. 1 minute turns with 30-foot grids. 10 minute turns with 300-foot grids. Then move the pieces on the grid like chess pieces.   

I'll also make the ship's into NPC sheets in Roll20 so their attacks, AC, and hit points are all right there. Now if I can figure out a way to track multiple hit points and Armor Classes on the same token for hull, sails, and weapons. I'll also add spell caster and archery attacks as ship actions. 

Welcome to the Styes

Later that afternoon the coastal city of Poniard came into view. The city was presaged by a large mustard yellow cloud that billowed north. Poniard was uncharitably called the Styes because it is an eyesore on an otherwise lush beautiful semi-tropical island. The city was once a gleaming port clad in white marble. Today it was a slum - the marble facades having been stripped. Wooden catwalks now connected island-like city blocks separated by canals. The once magnificent stone bridges were destroyed by war or collapsed in disrepair. The buildings looked dilapidated and ramshackle. 

The northwestern quadrant of the city was composed of slums. The northeastern quadrant contained factories, tanneries, and alchemical laboratories belching the mustard yellow smoke and draining foul waste products into the canals. The southeastern quadrant contained walled compounds and villas. In the southwestern quadrant was located the city garrison, municipal government buildings, and other official structures. 

They were to meet the alchemist Master Refrum at his laboratory in the industrial quarter. 

DM Note-

I showed the players the map of the Styes and asked them where they'd like to dock. Based purely on the information above, they chose the black building in the industrial quarter which happened to be Master Refrum's laboratory. 

Patriarch Craig used his command over sea currents to direct the Sea Ghost into the harbor with pin-point accuracy without the aid of oared tugs. The damaged Sea Ghost slipped up to a dock and tied itself fast. 

Master Refrum

The large building next to the dock bore a sign that read "Master Refrum, Alchemist and Inventor". Craig said, "That's the place. This is where I brought the Apparatus of the Crab."

The entrance into the alchemist's laboratory contained a shop filled with bottles and phials of various chemicals, concoctions, poultices, and plasters for sale. Strange mechanical and clockwork inventions likewise hung from the ceiling or sat upon pedestals. 

A young girl no more than ten years old introduced herself as Eleanor, the shop keeper. Captain Alot asked to see Master Refrum. The girl scrambled away to a back room and a moment later an older man emerged accompanied by a younger man, barely twenty, both wearing leather aprons, goggles, and gloves.

The older man, balding and somewhat stooped, introduced himself as Master Refrum, proprietor. He the introduced his assistant Jarme, and Jarme's younger sister Eleanor. 

Alot began to introduce himself but was suddenly interrupted by Refrum's abrupt astonishment. The alchemist and inventor was visibly astounded by the magical automaton. Refrum held his glasses before his eyes and examined Alot closely, asking the others technical questions about its manufacture and capabilities.

Alot made an artificial sound like clearing a throat in order to regain Refrum's attention. "Ahem, my name is Captain Alot Aname. I am the captain of the Sea Ghost. I am an intelligent and sentient automaton called a Sentinel. I was created by a wizard over a hundred and fifty years ago as a means of defense. I spent the decades lying dormant under the water and was discovered only a few years ago. I am now a free and independent being with a mind and a soul and you may address me directly."

Refrum was in awe. He apologized and implored Captain Alot to continue.

Alot told the alchemist that they had heard that he was able to install a device onto the figurehead of their ship that would emit poison gas like a green dragon. Refrum confirmed that information but told Alot that such work would require several weeks and the ship would have to be brought into his dry-dock for modifications. Refrum cautiously added that the work would not be inexpensive.

Alot agreed to the price and the conditions. 

Patriarch Craig then spoke up. 

Master Refrum had not noticed the dwarven high priest at first but now he recognized him and greeted him warmly. He informed Craig that the Apparatus he had brought in several months ago had been repaired and was ready. 

Craig asked Master Refrum if he would be willing to purchase the Apparatus. Master Refrum held his hand to his heart and cried, "Oh! What a marvelous opportunity! Yes, yes if I can afford it!"

Refrum disappeared into his laboratory and returned after a moment. The pair then haggled until a final price was reached, 250 diamonds, each wroth 100 gold pieces. They shook hands to commemorate the arrangement.

DM Note-

The player wanted to haggle. I did not. But I said they did and agreed upon a final price based on what Xendros would buy it for in the book. 

The Ritz

Once their business was concluded with Master Refrum, the crew took a look at the closest inns and hostels available. Those they encountered offered a uniformly disreputable and unpalatable experience so Aella asked around to find the nicest room for rent in Poniard.

Aella was directed to the Ritz in the southeastern quadrant of the city. She informed the others that she and Cai'luin planned to obtain a room there. The other accompanied her to ensure her safety. 

The Ritz was obviously a once fabulous destination though those days were gone. It was definitely better than the frighteningly unsafe inns on the east side of the city but it would still be considered the worst hostel in a city like Niole Dra, capital of Keoland. 

The desk clerk was a surly Iuzian woman who informed Aella and Cai'luin, "Four gold piece a day plus security deposit."

Aella, astonished at the exorbitant rate, asked, "Security deposit?"

"Da." replied the innkeeper, "Man over there in corner is Ivan. Ivan is security. You pay him extra."

Aella sighed and paid.

She turned to Cai'luin, "Okay, lets go back to the ship."

"What?" replied her cousin, "I thought we were staying here?"

"No way!" she exclaimed, "This is just for appearances. I just want the locals to think we're high rollers. I'm not taking my chances in that dump!"

The Asylum

There were still several hours remaining in the day so Alot, Aella, Cai'luin, Craig, and Corvid decided to explore the city of Poniard. 

The entourage crossed a stone bridge to visit the large heavily fortified structure across the canal from the Ritz. The building was once a gaol and dungeon with narrow barred windows and heavily fortified iron doors. A wooden sign outside said "Welcome Home". They entered and found the gaol filled with sick and injured convalescing.  Many appeared to be afflicted by strange chemical burns and other diseases. They also found people suffering from mental illness chained to columns and iron rings in the walls. 

Patriarch Craig managed to get the attention of one of the harried nurses. She told the visitors that they were in Hope'ner Asylum, a hospital set up to treat the many strange illnesses that have plagued the city in recent years. The nurse was in a hurry and apologized before running off to attend to her duties. There were apparently insufficient nurses to tend to the many patients.

The Crematorium

From there they visited a plain brick building from which emerged tall chimneys. The building was completely utilitarian and devoid of ornamentation or affect. It stood alone in a wide cobblestone square as if no one wanted to build another structure so close. 

Patriarch Craig, high priest of the Raven King, judge of the dead, recognized right the purpose of the building - it was a crematorium. He was disgusted by its ugly utilitarian design.

They entered and were met by a slight woman wearing a black dress and veil. She had a large hook nose and oversized front teeth. She carried herself with a noble aristocratic bearing of aloof superiority. She introduced herself as Madame Sliris. 

Madame Sliris asked the visitors if they were there to deliver or to acquire, warning them that business had been slow lately. Alot assured her neither and asked the purpose of the place. Sliris confirmed that they had entered the city mortuary and crematorium. Since the city was built upon pilings and islands in a river, it was impractical to bury the dead. As a result most of the dead in the city were cremated. 

Patriarch Craig asked who performed religious services for the dead. Sliris smiled condescendingly and informed Craig that there was no religion in the Styes. At least, none that she dared speak of. She told Craig that the performance of religious ritual required a license from the city council - and such licenses were both difficult to obtain and expensive. 

Craig was outraged and vowed to bring change to the Styes. Madame Sliris simply smiled. Alot and Corvid ultimately dragged the raging Craig out the door as they left.

Exploring the City

From the crematorium they walked west. They were clearly in a  better part of the city but all things being relative the neighborhood still looked sad and in need of repair. They passed a walled compound that was larger and better kept than the others. They crossed a stone bridge to the west and saw a tall square tower. As they approached the tower they could see magical wards carved into its foundation. They began to feel queasy so decided to give the tower a wide berth. 

Aella noted that one could hire a skiff and a pilot to ferry them from point to point across the inner harbor that separated the northern and southern portions of the city. 

They crossed another stone bridge in what was at one time a location of museums, libraries, merchant houses, and embassies. Today many of the buildings were empty. The largest building bore the official seal of the city of Poniard and was clearly the seat of government. It was mostly abandoned with a sparse guard. Patriarch Craig said, "We're not going in there! Not today! I might just kill somebody! License to practice religion my eye!"

The Undead Pepper from the Olman Isles

By this time they had become hungry so they decided to sample the local restaurants in this better part of the city. They found a restaurant that served spicy Olman cuisine and were challenged to try the sauce made from the dreaded Undead Pepper of the Olman Isles. Patriarch Craig was a dwarf and scoffed. He tried the pepper sauce and howled in pain. He tried to quench the burning pain in his mouth with ale but the weak Poniardian brew was insufficient. He bolted from the restaurant and dunked his head inside a horse trough, much to the guffawing delight of his companions.

GM Note-

I had anyone who tried the pepper make a Constitution Save vs. Poison. Dwarves have Advantage on such saves but he rolled a 5 and a 3. No one else dared try the pepper after that. 

The Damaged Bridge

As the day waned the bright yellow haze in the sky was becoming dark brown. A fog was beginning to form on the street. The group decided to return to the Sea Ghost. 

They made their way back and crossed a wide stone bridge that connected the High Quarter in the southeast to the Alchemist Quarter in the northeast where their ship was docked. The stone bridge was covered with tents and shacks and shanties filled with people living in squalor and covered in red blemishes and chemical burns. 

As they crossed the bridge they noticed behind them a group of burly men that had been following them for several blocks approaching quickly. Alot knew right away they were likely pirates looking to steal their ship while it was in port.

Cai'luin turned and played a mesmerizing tune on his lute. His playing so entranced the advancing pirates that half of them stopped in their tracks, lost in a daze.

Two continued to advance but one was stabbed by Corvid's holy sword Faithkeeper and slapped in the face with the flat of  the blade so hard that the pirate fell unconscious. Alot, meanwhile, handily cut the other down with his new magical sword Defender. 

Aella sent a magical tidal wave through the midst of the entranced pirates, bowling them over under the crushing water. 

After that the remaining pirates stood up and fled. Aella, Alot, Corvid, Craig, and Cai'luin allowed them to flee. 

A Week in the Styes

The crew of the Sea Ghost were forced to vacate their vessel for a week while shipwrights performed repairs to the damaged hull and sails and Master Refrum and his assistants began work on the new alchemical weapon. The Sea Ghost was suspended out of the water through the use of heavy cranes on the docks to allow workers the access they needed. It was strange seeing the ship hanging in mid-air from dozens of heavy ropes, but such a sight was common in Poniard.

Patriarch Craig planned to use his week to surreptitiously introduce the worship of the Raven King to the people of the northwest quarter known as Flotsam. He was accompanied by Corvid - his holy knight and defender.

Aella and Cai'luin intended to spend the week carousing and making contact with potentially wealthy patrons in the southeastern High Quarter.

Captain Alot planned on spending his week overseeing repairs to the ship as well as exploring the city looking for additional work for the crew.

A Murder Mystery!

After a few days in which Master Refrum and his assistant failed to show to work on the alchemical weapon, Alot sought out the alchemist. The laboratory looked like it had been closed for several days. He eventually found Master Refrum scurrying down the street covering his head as a group of children were throwing rotten vegetables, trash, and cobblestones at him. The children were shouting insults and accusing Master Refrum of harboring a killer. Onlookers refused to intervene and watched the proceedings with tacit approval.

Alot stepped in and frightened the children away. Master Refrum was in a desperate panicked state and clutching a holy symbol he had previously concealed under his shirt. Alot asked him what happened. Master Refrum explained that his assistant, Jarme, had been arrested by the city guard and accused of multiple murders! He was concerned about his assistant and was confident such a nice boy was incapable of committing the acts for which he was being accused. He was at his wits end and didn't know how to proceed.

Alot reassured him, "You should have come to us. We're here to help."

To Be Continued...