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As winter continued on, the group came to grips with their new positions of power. Gellan Primewater called the group together to discuss future problems. It seemed that Bards Gate did not recognize the Akadian Pact as legitimate, and referred to the region as the "rebel realms". They issued a trade embargo on Saltmarsh, which could be devastating for the towns continued prosperity. Now that Bards Gate and the Foere crowns territories were hostile he sought to seek out a third party, traders from Oceanus, to establish a partnership into Saltmarsh. He believed their neutrality and strength of their navy would discourage Bards Gate from attacking them, and should hostilities occur it would drag an entire nation into the war. The party debated this, knowing that Oceanus was one of the last realms that participated in slavery was repulsive, but seeing few other choices agreed with Gellans plan.
Before the winter was over, a friend of Panics from back in Darnagal by the name of Scribbles contacted her and claimed to have a possible lead on how to help her wife Ember. She discussed the plan with the others, and seeing a few opportunities within the city decided a covert trip to the enemies stronghold was in order.
Finally after months of twilight and darkness, the sun finally peared out from behind the clouds. While only for a short time, it seemed the sun would be returning at a steady pace until things finally returned to normal.
Through her subordinate cleric Sandara, Pink messaged Zelem and informed the group she was sailing to the mainland. Deciding that the new pirate lord should probably exercise caution in Saltmarsh, she was to head north to the safehouse the group had liberated long ago and come ashore. The group met her here, and the new pirate lord with her wonderful new jewelry, outfit and lavishly colored ship arrived. The new members of the group also got the opportunity to meet the tenacious Nessali, a yuan-ti child who was convinced the sun had been devoured by Aepep the Devourer. Panic carefully explained it was simply an eclipse, though the child proved to confident and stubborn.
Ruven received word from her spies about the goings on around the region. Most had dug in for the winter, unwilling to play their hands while the sun was out. The most interesting report came from the south at Leafton. It seemed that the Conclairs had financial problems and lacked the funds to pay their artisans. One of Leaftons noble families had perished, and the remainder was set to wed the son of the Conclairs to establish the alliance. The group did not want this to happen, and decided to hire adventures to investigate and break this up. A few promising individuals were found, and after briefing them on the details set them about their goal.
While discussing the trip to Darnagal, concern was brought up over Morrigans vampirism and the return of the sun. Confident in her new ability, as the sun peered out from behind the darksister, Morrigan stepped into the light. As if pooling on her form, the golden rays harmlessly fell off and streaked to the ground. While an impressive display, it was far from subtle and the group would still need to be cautious to not draw attention to themselves. At the least it seemed Morrigan was no ordinary vampire, and had some sort of ability to resist the full light of the sun.

Important Characters

Morrigan Oweland - Morrigan is a noble from the town of Saltmarsh. She serves the dark goddess Hecate who has transformed her servant into a fearsome creature of darkness, a unique form of Vampire. Upon return to Saltmarsh she has now reclaimed her position and is one of only two noble families in charge of the port city. Morrigan has formed the Akadian Pact and an alliance of towns in the Plains of Mayfurrow

Zelem - Tiefling, conman and swindler. He has numerous alter-egos and a strange dark patron. Recently a mysterious tortle has given him a quest to find a powerful artifact, which seems to have been taken by a Priest of Muir. After his disguise was outed, he is now a famed hero of Saltmarsh and revered by the guard, much to his dismay. He has spent much time and money in turning the former town of kennmouth (now, Fortune's Crossing) into a haven for his criminal enterprises.

Panic - A tiefling more like a moth than a devil, the charming Druid joined the group in an effort to save her beloved from a terrible affliction. She is weary about some of her new companions, but hopes that together they can help her. Now that the winter is over, Panic seeks to head back to Darnagal and learn what she can about aiding her wife, Ember.

Ruven - A trusty half-elf that has worked with Zelem in the past, after her adventures with the Snake God in the south she has ventured to the north with her friend Panic in an effort to aid her on her quest. She seems distrustful of the significantly more evil companions Zelem has found himself in the company of, but has reluctantly continued to journey with them. Upon return to Saltmarsh she has taken up the role of Spymaster and seeks to further the parties goals by learning as much as she can of the nearby regions.

Pink - After exacting revenge on her mutinous crew, she has reclaimed her title as Captain of the Lady Matilda and is now Pirate Lord of the Pinnacle of Freedom Isles. With the assassinations from the Stoneheart Company she has continued on to conquer the remaining ports, and rallied them to her side. She has now returned to Saltmarsh to aid her companions in their endeavors.

Danta - The Half-elf Bard has aided the Owelands in the past and is a friend of Morrigan. Having met an untimely death in the mysterious caves now controlled by Hector, the party has managed to resurrect their old friend who know has joined them on their adventures. He has taken to personally leading the task of forming an entertainment district in Saltmarsh.

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Gellan Primewater - A traditionalist council member of Saltmarsh, he is involved in shady activities throughout the town. He does not wish Bards Gate to expand their influence and wants to keep the town small so he maintains his influence in it. He and Morrigan Oweland now co-run the town of Saltmarsh.

Sandara Quinn - Healer and friend to the new pirate lord Pink, she now serves as first mate of the Lady Matilda while Pink is on the mainland.

Nessali - The self-important Yuan-ti snake child seems to be food motivated, and has aided the group in the past in various adventures. They are now staying at the safe-house to the north of Saltmarsh, at least until the food runs out.