Session 21: Saltmarsh Above and Below Report

General Summary

On their way back from the ruined church, Virion pulls Mystan aside and asks "what did you think of me?" as in, what was his first impression. Mystan explains that he saw Virion as someone trying to figure out where they stand in the world.

Virion struggles to pick a side, and he is just trying to find a place in this messed up society. It's hard. Virion thanks Mystan, and explains that he just... has a lot on his mind recently. Mystan remarks on how "one would think that, with such clear-cut enemies, it would be a lot easier to fight them. But instead, they have to deal with all of this poking and prodding."

"And failure?" Virion offers.

"Yes. I guess that's the one thing they don't prepare you for."

Virion sighs, "Am I a failure?" he asks. Mystan goes quiet. He reassures Virion that, while they have failed some things, they cannot win every battle - just the war.

During the month, Uk-Thin works with Keledek, as they develop the Passwall spell. He tests it on nearby cliffs (Eliander won't let him test it on the wall). Oceanus helps keep fish away. Uk-Thin notices that letters with no return address come every once in a while, and Keledek seems to be frustrated by them. Uk-Thin doesn't comment on them.

They are also researching the strange cavern; it's limestone, meaning it is Karst geography. The ceiling is remarkably flat, with all the stalactights being relatively young. The river flows atop this section, but water does not fall in. Yet, clearly based on erosion patterns, the river once did sink into this hole! In fact, looking at maps of the overall terrain, it looks like the peninsula the tower is on once connected to the land near the Haunted House; the deep channel the Silver River cuts through the rock indicates more recent erosion.

Afterwards, Keledek and Uk-Thin put on gloves, aprons, and goggles. They set up a magic fume hood and crack open Uk-Thin's glass orb. Out of it squeezes a tiny gelatinous cube, which they trap for later study. Keledek gives Uk-Thin some reports on Rolsar Stronghold, and explains that he has to go for a multi-week sea voyage to investigate an island for a wealthy merchant in Seaton; Aubreck Drallion. In the meantime, an archaeologist/geologist friend of his, Doctor Jenaro Cauce, can help investigate the cavern off the books.

On friday nights, Uk-Thin frequents the Wicker Goat to have a few drinks with Councilwoman Copperlocks. From hanging with Copperlocks - and being in Lankus Kurrid's bar - they learn the following:

• The construction of the watchtower on Abbey Isle has taken away some of the mine's laborers, but brought a profit as stone can be more easily pawned off; no gold has been found yet, only silver. This is especially handy because they've been having equipment issues, slowing their progress.
  
• Lankus Kurrid is quite nosey about the ongoing Primewater Probe. Manistrad Copperlocks knows quite a bit about the investigation, but refuses to tell Kurrid anything on principal.
  
• Copperlocks invites Uk-Thin to the Dwarven Mine and the Miner's Respite tavern within to play a game of darts after this sea devil stuff is all said and done.
  

After turning in his findings to Talon Delmirev, Mystan is called upon by Lt. Johnny to go to the jail and see First Sergeant Stonehorn, he has two prisoners: Olivia and Edguardo (Eva is also still in a cell). The two were caught selling a Cursed Luckstone in Seaton as a Philosopher's Stone. Mystan's Zone of Truth (and questionable interrogation skills) confirm that those two got the Luckstone from the Alchemist, while Melody and Lilian are at large - and their whereabouts unknown. Speaking of, Melody hasn't contacted Mystan in a bit (because she's in the Spirit Realm, but neither the cultists nor Mystan know that).

Mystan starts trying to drive a wedge between them and the others: Edguardo and Olivia were sent on a wild goose chase, while Melody slipped off with her Wife. He implies that Melody did that intentionally, to get the other two caught. That she's disloyal. They see through it: Melody doesn't like them, but Lilian wouldn't leave them.

Edguardo eventually cracks though, explaining that the couple (Lilody) were left at the Haunted House. Mystan decides to pay the Alchemist a visit now that he has legitimate probable cause.

Mystan chats with the Alchemist and confirms that Melody and Lilian aren't there rn, but does not get any information on Fishcod.

Melody returns from the spirit world and casts a bunch of Sending spells, arranging to get her stuff from Virion and talk to Mystan. An arguement with Captain Fireborn ensues, and basically the agreement is that Melody is going to try and hide with Faeryn to sting-operation them.

Melody then asks Virion to keep the Egg and translated notes away from her until the mission is done, no matter what. She then asks for money, and they agree to 50pp at 20% interest (not compound bc we're lazy) to be paid back after Melody gets the bounty, so 60pp of the 1000gp (100pp) bounty.

Melody then asks Virion to learn Bladesong, even though that breaks... every custom, and she explains she doesn't care about social taboo and stratification if the culture dies. Virion is like "no, that's not something I can just give you. There are people out there still in strong practice" Also like, memory reverie... exists? Melody's belief that bladesong is a dying art is just, not true. They look to the sky while discussing this. Virion is surprisngly understanding of the rationale, though, and appreciates it. But reassures Melody that Bladesong will be fine.

Virion hesitates, but they do shake hands - and Melody leaves.

The party is split - Virion and Melody prefer Maria Primewater, while Uk-Thin supports Lankus Kurrid (Mystan isn't pro-Maria Primewater, he's anti-Lankus Kurrid) - and Virion spreads some doubt about Lankus, while Uk-Thin was all for him.

During this time, Virion sees Aubreck Drallion & his butler, Vertheg, and makes some pleasant conversation with them. Virion's carousing earns him the following contacts:

1. Talon Delmirev Adrex, who asks about the scouting mission, and offers his support.
   
2. Lady Sofía Renovato, who comments on the issues with Anthon. She thinks he ought to be taken down a peg - and that he lacks general sense.
   
3. Guildmistress Elicia Vidarico of the Seaton Mariner's Guild, who is interested in Maria Primewater's offer to arm the Mariner's Guild - and is more than happy to work with Virion.
   

Then, Virion researches with Krag and Eliander and learns the following:

• The Cult of the Crushing Wave appears to originate in a breakaway sect of the Church of Procan. The schism occured centuries ago. The Cult was behind some water-based terrorist attacks in the Cobalt Reconquista that hurt both sides, but otherwise they appear to have been pretty dormant (according to Eliander's records), or at least good at covering their tracks.
  
• The Cult of Zuggtmoy isn't mentioned in any historical records until the 120s PIA, where apparently there were reports of a "demonic mushroom cult" in the town of Phandelin. Phandelin was a mining town established by the Manzanita corporation to explore a crater filled with what would later be known as Daybreak Gems. Apparently a few adventurers hired by the company dealt with it. Eliander's records make no mention of who these adventurers were.
  
• The two cults appear to be unrelated: The Cult of the Crushing Wave worships water as a destructive force. They have no central figures of worship, instead disparetly latching onto various water-associated figures ranging from Procan to Dagon. Zuggtmoy, meanwhile, is a demonlady of the Abyss with origins unknown to Eliander; he does not own much on demonology. The only similarity is an apocalyptic endgoal, which is fairly universal among crazy cults. The Cult of the Crushing Wave has more in common with other elemental organizations, like the ever-frustrating Cult of Black Earth.
  
• The masks are unclear, but they are modern reproductions of very generic storytelling masks from the ancient history of a far off eastern nation in the badlands.
  
• Eliander is friends with Ingo the Drover, and they drink and share war stories sometimes.
  
• Krag and Eliander are totally a thing on the down-low. They keep it a secret for racial reasons.
  
• There's a portrait of a much younger Eliander Fireborn, sitting in uniform with a well-dressed (but not noble) woman sporting a dark black bun, and between them a small baby of indeterminate gender. Searching the cemetary, a headstone for one Esmerelda Ruiz Fireborn, with her death being placed in 189 IA, i.e. during the Cobalt Reconquista. No other Fireborns are found to be in the cemetary. If asked, Eliander says that they both aren't here anymore and doesn't want to talk about it - but he does let drop that the kid is or was his daughter.
  

Eliander does know of some decent sources on demonology. Any dark tome or other record (i.e. the Book of Vile Darkness, the Field Notes of Levardo IV, etc.) could be consulted, but there are two more famous sources: The fabled Demonomicon of Iggwilv or the internal records of anti-demon organizations, such as the Followers of Raan, School of the Dreadnaught, or the White Lodge. The latter two organizations might not actually exist, of course, but this is esoteric and hard to find knowledge.

Finally, on the 20th of Silver - a surprsingly clear day - everybody comes together under Captain Fireborn's orders and goes to Abbey Isle where repartimento laborers have finished the watchtower and docks to greet Lt. Commander Mateo Ravenkeeper.

As the party rows out to Abbey Isle, Captain Fireborn is excited to see his old war buddy again. The soldiers lining the ramp have gleaming armor adorned in patterns akin to the Mariner's Armor or Helm of Aquatic Action, and they announce that the Honorable Lt. Commander will soon be on her way. Fireborn is like "Her?" and then cresting over the boat, is Lt. Commander Ana Fireborn. She curtly greets everybody and says she wants to be gone quickly, and get to the briefing. Captain Fireborn is flabergasted.

Character(s) interacted with

TBA

Notes

Report on Rolsar Stronghold TBA