Session 22 - Lizardfolk come to Saltmarsh Report

Godsday - 11 Ready'reat

  Nar finishes sharing the letter from Mina and the group decides they should take Bayleaf and the veterans over to Saltmarsh jail via Sharkfin Bridge. On arriving, they see a number of unfamiliar tents in an open field next to Winston's Store newly setup since their departure, two days ago.   Inside the barracks/jail they meet with Kraddok Stonehorn who asks, "Why bring him to me? What Keoland law has he broken?"   The party argues that he was occupying land that the Mariners' Guild needed for their lighthouse. To which Kraddok explains that that island isn't part of Keoland and therefore isn't his area.   "If it's not a national problem," muses Kyra, "then let's bring them to whose problem it is. Let's see what Major Ursa says when we drop them in his lap."   Upon reaching the hall, the knock on Major Ursa's door before entering. "Ah! Good to see you," declares Ursa. "When do you expect to explore Abbey Island?"   Kyra answers, "We've already been and cleared it."   Karia brings Bayleaf forwward while adding, "And we brought back prisoners. This guy probably has some useful information and we think it'd be a bad idea for him to run free, especially before you get started building."   Marjor Ursa asks, "What makes you think it's a bad idea to just let him go?"   Nar chimes in, "Well for one he hits when talking. It seems to be just part of his culture."   Karia questions, "Is it part of his culture or is it his religion?"   "Do all religions solve disputes with genocide?" asks Nar.   "Religion by itself isn't to blame, Ehlonna works with us all," Adlia adds, "but some religions believe that might makes right."   Major Ursa speaks up, "Perhaps that's a discussion for later. You say that you've been to the island. What did you accomplish?"   Kyra responds, "We've made a path through the dunes and the abbey ruins are cleared out." She then passes over a map.   "Well! This is good. Very good." Major Ursa muses. "We'll need to verify your claims before completing payment, but the map itself is worth a partial payout. Here's a bit to tide you over." as he passes over a bag of gold.   Adlia smiles with benovolence, "Ehlonna blesses you."   Major Ursa nods, "It's always wise to wise to please the gods."   Nar adds, "The higher the hair the closer to Istus."   "What? What does that even mean?" replies Major Ursa.   Nar shrugs, "It's something I heard somewhere."   After leaving the Mariner's Guildhall, the party decides to explore the new encampment and head back across Sharkfin bridge and up past Winston's Store toward the motley collection of tents.   The encampment seems deserted when a gruff voice speaks out in Draconic, "Halt! Who comes!"   Kyra answers in draconic, "We are friends to Lizardfolk. We come to speak with Queen Othokent or is Sauriv here instead?"   "Both back at Dunwater, but subchief Irhtos is down by beach. You speak with him."   Heading west, the party passes The Wicker Goat inn and then head down toward a beach with a gathering of twenty or thirty lizardfolk have gathered. Recognizing Irhtos, Kyra leads the group straight toward him.   Seeing the party, Irthos raises a claw in greeting, "Hail good friends! We come to Saltmarsh to train with guard under the command of Capt Fireborn. He feels fighting goes smoother if we learn ahead of battle. However, today is day of worship for humans, so we come to beach for Warrior Trials. We compete friendly to test one another. You join? You compete with us?"   Kyra demurs, but Karia, Adlia, and Nar excitedly join the competition.   "The first event will be an archery competition," explains Irhtos. "We've been training with Capt Fireborn to use this new weapon, so turning it into a competition helps motivate everyone. Each person gets three arrows and the best score will win."   Seven compitetors step up to the shooting line, including Adlia, Nar, and Karia. Each round goes quickly with Adlia struggling, but Karia, Nar, and the Lizardfolk Scaleshield scoring the highest in the first two rounds. The final round has Karia hit the outer ring, the Scaleshield hit the innermost ring and Nar nailing the bullseye amazing the lizardfolk spectators. Irhtos congrulations Narsherekir and asks if she can provide some pointers in the next few days.   Next, Ihrtos points out a path within the surf where contestants will swim outward and then return to the beach. Early on, a Scaleshield has a lead, but taking the turn Karia and Nar pull ahead. As the contestants reach the finish line, the Scaleshield has made up lost ground and just barely gets beated by Nar with Karia finishing third.   Finally, Ihrtos explains the final competition involves hauling a rock from the bottom of the ocean. It's designed to simulate rescuing a comrade. Nar refrains from this competition at the behest of Ihrtos who is still shocked that she won the swimming race. It's a grueling affair with each person struggling to lift the rock off the sea bed, but here the Scaleshield's strength shines with Karia coming in second.   As the events occur, Kyra talks quietly with Ihrtos as she learns how Capt Fireborn suggested that the lizardfolk, along with additional allies, set up camp within town to prepare for the coming war. They also discuss how Fireborn listens to Ihrtos while discussing potential strategies for liberating the Lizardfolk's lair from the Sahuagin.   After the competitions end, the combined groups celebrate together before heading back into town. The lizardfolk depart for their encampment while the party heads back to the Snapping Line for dinner and drinks.   While sipping on a beer Adlia states, "This grinning skull flag that Mina mentions...it may be Iuz's flag. While training to serve Ehlonna, I remember that his bloody reign of terror spread under that flag. He's been dead for a hundred years though and that flag hasn't been since his reign."   Kyra muses, "Didn't Mafera mention Iuz's personal banner while we retreived her anvil?"   The conversation drifts to other topics as the misfits work their way to bed.  

Waterday - 12 Ready'Reat

  As the sun peeks through the window inside the Snapping Line, the party becomes abruptly awake to loud clashing of metal upon metal. Nar sits up stating, "It's my cheese, Leave it alone!"   Looking around, the party quickly dresses to track down the cause of the incessant noise.