42 - 9/2

With dawn arriving the group met at the Oweland manor and began to discuss preparations for departure north to the port city of Darnagal. At Darnagal, Panic wished to head to the Library School of Brighthallow and meet Scribbles, and old colleague, to find out what she had learned about her wifes affliction. Morrigan sought to bring the corrupted Hand of Saint Sidvala to the Muir temple, and Zelem wished to try to find the mooring records of the ship that brought the cleric from Abey Isle to the mainland. Since Morrigan relied on the coffin for survival, a plan was formed to disguise the party as a funeral procession carrying a body back for burial in the town. Zelem would use feign death and be the corpse, and hopefully hide all the bags of holding should they inspect. With the plan formed, the group grabbed their supplies and departed north.
The long winter with minimal light caked the region in snow, but diligent action from wizards and the soldiers kept the pass relatively clear of snow. Along the way, a group of soldiers were encountered who appeared to be recovering from attack. They lamented how the harsh winter had led horrible winter beasts from the mountains even as far as the coast, and sought help from the group. The soldiers were constructing watchtowers to keep the pass safe, unfortunately some large beast had sent a huge tree down, smashing their progress. Those sent after them failed to return.
Deciding it best to aid their own soldiers, the group make the difficult trek up the snowy hill and sought what danger lie above. In a clearing, a bunch of ice mephits attacked but did little other than explode in icy needles as they were quickly dispatched. Large tracks indicated their prey was hiding in a clearing, but had done a poor job of concealment and the gigantic yeti was clearly visible. With the plan foiled, it lurched out of the snow and battle commenced! While it got a few solid hits on Pink, overwhelming numbers prevailed and the hulking monstrosity was brought to the ground. Ruven imbued a necklace with its eye attack, and a few cloaks were made from its valuable fur.
With the soldiers foe eliminated the group continued to Kennmouth. Here the soldiers had made great progress on patching up the homes, and Pinks own laborers were working on the administrative buildings and dock construction. While it was a bit too militaristic for Zelem, his town was shaping up nicely. The remaining trek was significantly rougher than anticipated, with abandoned roads and fallen trees barring the way, but the group made it through with no hostilities.
Finally the great walls of Darnagal were in sight, and the funeral procession plans were enacted. At the gates, they were inspecting carriages but did not wish to investigate the coffin, and let the group through the gates. The carriage was parked in a nearby ally for safe keeping, and a boat was chartered across the water to Brighthallow. After passing by the imposing Boulders Rock Penitentiary, Panic used her credentials and gained entrance to the library.
Inside Panic introduced the group to Archmage Pescennia Visennis, who was pleased to see her return. With her departure, a gnome named Vinyas happily approached. She wanted to talk and led the party to Embers room. Panics wife had gotten worse, and was nearly unresponsive to any actions. Vinyas knew that Scribbles believed she had found some information, hidden away in a secret part of the library, but it was forbidden to go there. Unfortunately Scribbles thought it imperative to find out what lie within, and left before the group arrived.
Panic had Vinyas agree they never met, and had to find out what Scribbles knew. She led the party to the gate, and after using a variety of spells to bypass the iron bars found the hidden entrance. A large stone door barred the entrance with no visible handle, but when approached a blue face appeared and greeted the group.

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 has headed back to Darnagal with her new friends to 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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Archmage Pescennia Visennis - The headmaster of Brighthallow, the powerful spellcaster is a member of the Dominion Arcane and a learned scholar of the library. She is kind and softspoken, but her words carry weight and she maintains order within her grounds.

Vinyas - A scholar and archeologist, she is a good friend of Scribbles and Panic. Vinyas works for Brighthallow, and often goes out into the field to acquire useful knowledge for the library.

Ember - Panics wife, one day she was struck with a terrible affliction that began to sap at her spirit. She became lethargic and unresponsive and has deteriorated over time.