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Previously on Call from the Deep
Starring:
Gotwald Ironhorn, level 2 minotaur Fighter
Mac, level 2 tortle Ranger
Savra Akkedis, level 2 lizardfolk School of Necromancy Wizard
Torrel, level 2 kenku Fathomless Warlock
Beneath the sinister house of Saltmarsh, in the dank caverns beyond the cellar, the party battles a gang of smugglers. Thanks to Mac’s assertive exploration, he alerts the rest of the smugglers in the caves even while his allies are cleaning up the skeletal foes in a back room.
But Mac is far from blundering, deceiving the first foes he meets, and killing two before they know what hit them.
The third smuggler shoots their bow and strikes a grazing hit on the brazen tortle. Mac retreats back through the northern tunnel, calling for his own reinforcements. Then shoot-out in the tunnels continues, with Mac scoring a critical hit, and earning his third kill.
The others are still hurrying to join him, crossing the large cellar-turned-barracks, all of them heavily wounded from the skeletal battle.
Before leaving the undead-infested room, Torrel checks out the hidden laboratory, looting some alchemical supplies, sacks of gold, a spellbook, a Bag of Holding, and an amber-colored gemstone.
He tosses the spellbook to Savra, who eagerly flips through it as Mac finally rejoins them with enemies hot on his tail.
They don’t see a way of closing the secret door. The party briefly debates retreating and short resting in another room, when the voice of Sanbalet rings out from the tunnel.
The greasy smuggler is willing to negotiate!
He’s seen at least three of his crew killed by Mac. And since the party made it this far, they must have taken out the others in the cellar.
But Sanbalet isn’t willing to simply surrender. He wants to cut a deal. They walk away with their lives, and no one more bloodshed need occur.
The smuggling leader emerges from the tunnel with some of his crew for a proper discussion of terms.
The party is skeptical at first. And still quite pissed about Ned, who nearly killed Torrel, and did kill the dead body back in the wine cellar.
Sanbalet points out that Mac already killed three people just moments ago!
The party insists on turning over Ned as part of the terms. Sanbalet agrees to disavow his actions, blaming Ned for being more aggressive and wild in his defense of their secret operations (Sanbalet prefers using the reputation of the house and his magic mouth spells to ward off intruders).
But Sanbalet doesn’t control Ned or know of his whereabouts. After growing surprisingly chummy, the party has another idea — they can all work together.
Sanbalet knows a lot of local pirates and activities, and they already have a base of operations. Sanbalet is more than willing to turn over information, especially as his clients have grown increasingly demanding, unsettling, and downright creepy.
In fact, the next pirate ship is due to arrive later this night!
It’s settled: the party will officially join forces with Sanbalet’s crew and transform the haunted house into a Church of the Fathomless (per Torrel’s amendment). The DM is delightfully shocked.
Sanbalet shares the signaling system they use to communicate with the ships. Then the party heads upstairs for an afternoon long rest.
During the rest, Torrel attunes to the mysterious gem. It’s a Luckstone! But it’s cursed, grafting itself onto Torrel’s palm, and delivering a jolt of piercing damage every time he fails a check or save. Ouch!
Waking up at midnight, the party spots a light in the sea, and respond accordingly with the hooded lantern. They head back down to the caverns, where Sanbalet takes them to the small dinghy and the crates of weapons they’re to deliver.
Now they just need a plan.
Sanbalet knew there was a ship coming, but has never actually worked with them before. Many of his most recent clients have been first-timers. His reputation as a trustworthy smuggler is what attracts newcomers.
The party could bring Sanbalet with them directly. Or they could have him cast magic mouth all over the boat.
Suddenly it dawns on them — Torrel is a kenku! He can mimic any voice he hears. By “recording” simple phrases such as “Yes,” “No,” and “I understand,” Torrel becomes an organic playback device.
Savra casts dancing lights on the front of the ship to help bathe them in shadow as they load up a crate and set off into the dark waters.
After about 15 minutes of rowing, a medium-size sailing ship comes into view. The name “Sea Ghost” is painted on the side.
The party aren’t trying to hide, coming up right alongside the starboard side. A crewmember of the ship calls out, and Torrel, using Sanbalet’s phrases, responds.
Their dinghy is invited to dock alongside, and a rope ladder is brought down.
While another pirate lowers a rope and winch for the crate, Gotwald climbs up the ladder.
One of the pirates gasps and announces the minotaur’s presence. That draws the attention of the ship captain, who walks over to the railing as the others clamor aboard.
Captain “Snake Eyes” Sigurd recognizes Gotwald immediately. Gotwald sees his former mentor-turned-enemy, and his fists begin to clench. He remarks that Snake Eyes is apparently a captain now, and the older man reveals that all who serve The Black Armada are rewarded for their loyalty.
He admits that he never expected to see Gotwald here (assuming he had died in Gotwald’s failed mutiny). Though Gotwald disagrees, Snake Eyes says this isn’t personal as he and his crew pull out their weapons. They never had any intention of paying Sanbalet’s crew.
Time for a ship battle!
MVPC – Gotwald
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