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[Morrow]

I have described this campaign as something of a sequel to the Swashbuckling in Freeport campaign. One might reasonably ask how the two are linked. So for the benefit of our readers I’ll try to call out those links when they appear.

The players are responsible for many of the connections between the two campaigns. The player characters represent the first set of connections, obviously. Garnham and Dexter are the grandsons of Nate Black. Margaret Teech is the granddaughter of Catherine Sullivan and Bill Teech on one side and Miranda Swallows on the other. There have been other references as well. Dexter’s most recent recap references both Lucius the librarian and Brother Egil from the Temple of Tinel, both of whom featured prominently in early Freeport adventures.

I have introduced some non player characters with connections to the first campaign. Arlen Huxley, half-elven captain of the Flying Flying, is the son of Huxley, first mate of the Albers when Bronson, Nate, and Sully come aboard at the beginning of the campaign. Augustus Wendt, first mate of the Bronze Dragon is grandson of Wendt, ship’s cook of the Albers during the same period. Lyle Underfoot, a halfling sailor and carpenter aboard the Bronze Dragon, is a member of the expansive Underfoot clan that has popped up in various games I have played in or DMed.

Other events and organizations connect the two as well. The festival of Empires’ Fall celebrates the destruction of the Empires of Atlantis and Cthonia, both of which featured prominently in Swashbuckling in Freeport. (Long time readers will notice the spelling shift from Thonia to Cthonia. Elyosha’s player suggested it. I rather like it.) The story of the downfall of those two great powers will have to wait for another time. In this campaign the malevolent Scarlet Brotherhood seeks to return Cthonia to its former glory. The Crimson Fleet, which appeared in a single adventure of Swashbuckling in Freeport, promises to take on a more prominent role in Savage Tide.

More connections between the two campaigns will become apparent over the coming months. In addition to my own plans I’m sure the players will continue to introduce connections of their own. For example, does the iron rose design of Emil Black’s sword indicate that it is the work of Kushervrick, Arakel’s lover who crafted her an iron rose amulet before his tragic death? Even I don’t know, but I look forward to finding out.