Dark Squad in the Secrets of Saltmarsh
Session #059: Dark Squad Masters of Administration.
Dark Squad (in alphabetical order, no egos here).
Daktari (played by Haggis) Male Human Uthgardt Sky Pony Barbarian Lvl 7
New Tricks (played by Bear) Male Tabaxi Warlock Lvl 7
Ramshambo (played by Kev) Male Half-Elf Rogue Lvl 7
Vincenzo (played by Haggis) Male Shifter (Wildhunt) Druid Lvl 7
NPCs
*Trapped in the Land of the Bad Dead Ancestors.
Servants/Familiars
Gerald (Bat/Giant Bat) servant/mount of New Tricks
Owly (Owl) Vinnie’s familiar
This is session 59, and the Dark Squad are not really Masters of Administration, but this one was a very quiet session, because it was the denouement of the present adventure and a short session because two of the players were packing to go to a festival on the morrow.
So, we were just getting stuff done here- the admin, as it were.
The date is Eighth-day, 9th Mirtul, 1493 Year of the Purple Dragons
The time is 16:21 PM
But first, last we left the Dark Squad they were still in the Dreadwood, and Vinnie was bargaining hard with a trio of forest maidens in order to get their charmed barbarian back.
“You am love!” Daktari confidently pronounces and gurns some more at the beautiful creature that dances around him.
Just for info the forest maidens are, of course, a trio of dryads.
So, here's what goes on...
Vinnie keeps on bargaining hard, he's direct but extremely polite with it. Then however, Newt finally works out what's going on here- the dryads are trying to 'possess his mind' he states/shrieks, it's always a drama with the tabaxi.
Soon after Vinnie is having to talk down a snarling Newt- who is now making threats, while still trying to convince the dryads to let Daktari go.
The barbarian is still gurning, still dancing... and still in love.
Ram, if you remember, is watching the scene unfold from deep within the foliage (and with a '20' stealth).
He doesn't get involved, unless, well... he has to get involved, and then it usually gets bloody.
Eventually, and its a windy road- eventually, a deal is done- the dryads are gifted sweets, and vials of perfume, all stolen from Granny Frogwart's lair.
The Dark Squad further agree to lend Daktari to the woods-folk, but only for a night.
Just to make clear, the dryads require the services of the barbarian in order, they very sincerely state, to put some shelves up. They need the northern hunk for his DIY skills.
Anyway, a deal is done and the Dark Squad give up their barbarian for the night, Newt conjures a Tiny Hut nearby and the gang shuffle inside for another lonesome overnight in the Dreadwood.
But the Dreadwood has been fixed, or at least this part of it is not as dangerous as it once was, now the lightning worshipping half-orc fools have been put to the spell and sword.
The night passes without incident, although, well two things-
First off, the remainder of the Dark Squad have to relocate their Leomund's Tiny Hut further away from the action.
The reason- every now and then Daktari's cod-Russain voice shatters the night's silence-
“I am hammering good, yes?”
“I have magnificent tool, yes!”
“I have wood!”
And other attempts at the double-entendre.
[Daktari does DIY for the Dryads 300 XP]
Secondly, the remainder of the Squad decide to have a chat about things, actually- or rather very specifically- Vinnie has a chat with Newt, about the summoning of demons.
The chatter goes on a while, and its entirely in character- with Vinnie making a series of speeches, some of them very emotive- and well thought out. About the ethics of the situation, mainly- the folly of bringing demons and devils into the world.
[Vinnie makes a few speeches 200 XP]
Basically, it's not a good idea.
Newt is as quiet as Vinnie with his answers, and as considered, but the tabaxi has an entirely different position.
“A demon/devil is just a tool- to be used and then discarded.”
Also,
“No-one should seek to limit my power!”
Newt's further replies are more subtle, but still strewn with half-evoked threats.
But, y'know, in a very/semi-nice way.
This goes on for a good while- nearly thirty minutes of it (real time), Ram- eventually, gets dragged into the verbal sparring.
The rogue, perhaps, is the voice of reason- or else just a pragmatist.
A precis of Ram's thoughts follows, as addressed to Newt-
“Summon whatever you like, but keep in mind that at some point you are going to mess up, and then we're going to have to deal with an extra potentially nasty enemy.”
“When this happens”, the rogue assures the tabaxi, “there will be consequences- depending on just how much running amok the demon, or devil- whatever it is, gets up to.”
“Yer, get me?”
It's one of Ram's longer speeches.
[Chatter about the summoning of Devils/Demons and the like 400 XP]
The discussion levels out after Ram's intrusion, and diverts into more chatter about the state of the plot- the Pact of the Flame, and a variety of other hints and clues the Dark Squad have recently uncovered.
[More chat about the various prophecies 200 XP]
Then, after a good night's rest, early morning- Daktari returns to the fold, alas the barbarian has been 'hammering' all night and so is still very much exhausted.
And so a slow trudge back to the logging camp follows, note Daktari regales his colleagues en route with tails of his handyman exploits-
“I put up shelves real good!”
And so it goes.
But the Dark Squad are on the move, they spend less than ten minutes at the logging camp. A little more chatter with the foreman there, then they gather up their belongings, and their mounts- then with Tarbin Tul and Granny Frogwart's five ex-prisoners head off again- out of the Dreadwood, and all the way back to the Falcon's Nest.
At least that's the plan.
It's a long journey they have ahead, another ten plus hours of travel, but they're soon out of the Dreadwood and back to spring fields and meadows, and very suddenly all is well with the world again.
The Dreadwood does oppresive.
"What's going on here?" Ram spots a bunch of ravens in a clearing in the Dreadwood.
There is however, one strange encounter en route to the Falcon's abode, skirting around the Dreadwood Ram spots a strange act being played out within a small clearing, a little way into the woods. A flock of ravens surrounds a much scruffier member of their number- the chorus squawks, the scraggly raven in the centre squawks back, and on it goes.
Ram stops his colleagues in their tracks and then encourages Vinnie to observe the strange behaviour- what's going on here?
But the druid hasn't a clue.
Low roll.
Suddenly the action goes up a notch- the mob of ravens swoop in on the scruffy individual, but Ram's not having that. The rogue darts in with rapier drawn and manages to grab and thereby rescue the picked-upon raven, but not before the bird has been pecked and gouged, with one wing broken and it's lost an eye.
Remarkably, after the remainder of the ravens have fled, Vinnie steps in and cures the bird, which Ram- a little later, lets free.
Why the above you ask? Simples, a random roll on my Raging Swan Wilderness encounters table- love these. Besides, that may not be the last time the Ram sees this raven.
Maybe.
[Ram saves a raven 400 XP]
Then all the way back to the Falcon's Nest, a long and slow journey that takes ten more hours, it has been a very long day.
Particularly for Daktari who was hammering away all night.
But still time there's time for the Dark Squad to meet up with the Falcon and to tell their story, including the fact that the Talos worshipping boar bastards had summoned Garthok the Thunder Boar, an avatar of the Storm Lord.
Back to the Falcon's Nest, it's reward time.
Of course, the Dark Squad put paid to Garthok and they're the heroes of the hour, this tends to be the way most Dark Squad stories go. Obviously, the adventurers also catch the Falcon up with regard to the sudden appearance of Wildroot.
They also introduce the five ex-prisoners to the Falcon, and get the quintet to tell their story again.
[Talking to the Falcon about the Talos bastards 200 XP]
Then, lots more chatter, but first the Falcon pays the Dark Squad for the foes they have slaughtered in the Dreadwood. That done the Falcon completes her part of their deal, she tells the PCs what she knows about getting to meet Wildroot, and how to find the Goblin's Stair.
But of course the Dark Squad have already met Wildroot, keep reading...
To find the Moon Pool, and Wildroot- the guardian of the place, they must climb Silverhill and be within the circle of standing stones at its peek, at midnight, under the light of the moon. The adventurers must stay within the stone circle until the first rays of dawn strike the stones, and then descend Silverhill into Silverstand (an Elven wood). They must do no harm to any of the flora and fauna there, and make their way to the very centre of the forest, where they will find the Moon Pool. At midnight, under the light of the moon, Wildroot will appear, and answer questions. The Falcon states.
Silverhill to Silverstand.
Note, the PCs have of course already met Wildroot, and he's answered many of their questions, however the Treant has promised to set the Dark Squad to their tasks, this in line with Belphegor's prophecy. That needs to happen at the Moon Pool, and so they needed the info above.
Next up the Falcon tells the PCs all about Rasshold Sharp, an avaricious, mean and miserly gnome who lives in Blackedge. Normally the Falcon would counsel folk to avoid the miserable gnome, however Rasshold wasn't always such a bad fellow. His present demeanour is due to the fact that the poor unfortunate spent a year as a prisoner of Garblegutt, the Goblin King- who rules the Goblin's Stair.
Rasshold Sharp lives here... Blackedge.
The Falcon further explains that the adventurers are going to have to convince Rasshold to tell them the way to the Goblin's Stair, otherwise- well, they could spend a lifetime and still not find the place.
This, of course, must be done in order to complete Buggles' quest, if you remember-
Ancestor #5-
“I am Golcanz and I am forgotten.
The answer you seek [Golcanz looks directly at Buggles] is at the bottom of the Goblin’s stair/stare.”
Although the Dark Squad are not prioritising this venture atm.
[Info on Wildroot & the Goblin's Stair 400 XP]
Then sleep, because there's yet more chatter to come on the morrow, the Dark Squad- back when they first met the Falcon, asked her to help them to find a fifth member for the party, a hire, an NPC. Just to make clear, we're retro-fitting this bit, the deal is-
Daktari is now being played by Jim, he's not an NPC any longer.
Tarbin Tul, the bard, has retired- he's not cut out for adventuring.
Lastly, Ram is getting really bogged down in combat, he's missing Buggles, keep in mind the wood elf was a stone cold killer.
Therefore we've decided to try a Sidekick, from Tasha's.
And so, the next morning the Dark Squad get to interview four folk that are keen to get a spot in the Dark Squad, they are-
Candidate #1: Nib Addlespur.
“Hi there bigguns, I am Nib Addlespur of Redhill (a halfling village situated between Saltmarsh and the Farhill Mine). I'm a priestess of Yondalla, the matriarch goddess and protector of my people.”
“I've been working here for the Falcon, healing the sick and injured, teaching the children and generally helping out where I can. I've never been adventuring, ever, but I'm brave- and I assure you I am remarkably sturdy. And my spells will, no doubt, help when times are tough.”
“I understand the difference between the law in town, and the law in the wilds. I'm aware that things can get bloody, and nasty, when adventuring- but I think I'm up to the test. As long as the path of good and right is being followed...”
“This is my friend Lil, she's a goldfinch- she travels with me everywhere.”
Vinnie probes Nib- the druid has half-a-dozen questions, Ram and Daktari however have nothing to add.
Newt asks- “Can you see in the dark?”
Alas Nib cannot.
“Thank you for interviewing, you did very well. We'll let you know as soon as we can- we still have a few other people to see. Good luck!” Vinnie concludes.
Left to right, top to bottom- Inverna, Galandro, Donnabella & Nib.
Candidate #2: Galandro Luna.
“Hi there, I'm Galandro Luna- I'm originally from Amn, the merchant kingdom to the south. I came to Burle to find my fortune, maybe a year or so past. But the place seems as adept at stealing a man's future, it's just not as easy as I thought...”
“I have, over the last ten or so years, worked hard at my craft- I'm kinda a jack-of-all-trades. I don't have any spells to offer but I'm good with a sword, and a bow.”
“And I'm very helpful- and with a good range of skills- I'm nimble and stealthy, I can open locks and find traps. I can be very persuasive when I want to be, and love nothing more than entertaining folk with my fiddle.”
“I guess you'd call me an expert, but an expert at what- well, most things.”
Vinnie asks many more questions, Ram and Daktari say nowt, while Newt simply wants to know- “Can you see in the dark?”
Galandro cannot.
“Thank you for interviewing, you did very well. We'll let you know as soon as we can- we still have a few other people to see. Good luck!” Vinnie concludes.
Candidate #3: Donnabella Fiasco
“Hi there, I'm Donnabella Fiasco- I'm a mighty wizard, and I love unicorns. Neigh- Snoooort! They're so cute.”
“I trained in Waterdeep, my family ensured I had the best of tutors. I really do wuv unicorns- do you think we'll find one, in the woods perhaps?”
“I've not been in Burle very long, only a few months- it's a bit dirty, I prefer it here at the Falcon's Nest, it's much nicer.”
“Much more unicorny!”
“I'm an experienced adventurer, I've been in dungeons, and the Underdark, and the wilds- I can take care of myself, and my friends...”
“And any passing unicorns!”
“Yikes, I almost forget- the only thing I love, neaaarrrrlllyy as much as unicorns is...”
“...setting evil creatures on fire.”
Vinnie asks a series of semi-pertinent questions, Ram & Daktari giggle behind their hands, and Newt...
“I think we have the fire-thing covered... Can you see in the dark?”
Donnabella cannot.
“Thank you for interviewing, you did very well. We'll let you know as soon as we can- we still have a few other people to see. Good luck!” Vinnie concludes.
Candidate #4: Inverna Nightbreeze.
Is pretty much too cool for skool from the get-go.
“Howdy, I'm Inverna Nightbreeze, a wild elf of the woods- but, this isn't my home patch. I travelled to Burle from the Dessarin Valley.”
“I'm a hire sword, and great with a blade, and nearly as good with a bow. I have my own plate armour and my own weapons- as I say, I've been doing this kind of work for years. Before some of you were even born.”
“Evil humanoids- goblins, hobgoblins, bugbears and particularly orcs- they need to die, they're a disease- I'm the cure.”
“I'm fine following orders, but I wont lead a suicide charge, treat me with respect- tell me what I need to know and I'll get the job done.”
“I don't mind when things get bloody.”
“Oh, and I can see in the dark just fine.”
There are very few questions for Inverna, it would be fair to say that all of the members of the Dark Squad are in agreement.
But, Inverna's not hired yet- that decision comes later, there are more inter-party chats to be had next session.
But, she's the favourite.
[interview for a Sidekick 400 XP]
Then onwards- there's more yet to do today. To Burle, which is a wild and woolly frontier town. The Dark Squad's next next task is to return Granny Frogwart's former prisoners to their homes and/or loved-ones. Four of the five prisoners came from here.
And so, Farley Chipsticks- a fifteen year old lad is returned to his farm worker family, and the folk here are overjoyed- the Dark Squad have made friends for life. The grandfather of the family has a healing potion he insists the adventurers take, and if the PCs ever need anything else- food, a place to stay, anything...
Burle, in all its glory- looks a lot like Greenest... Shhh!
Next up Lucy Cockaleekee is returned to the Pink Pussycat in Burle, a house of relaxation (if you catch my drift). Miss Laura, the madame, gives each of the PCs a free pass for their next visit. Daktari, politely, enquires whether Miss Laura needs any shelves putting up? As it happens she has a whole host of DIY projects that need attention, the big barbarian promises the madame that he will be back, after all- “I hammer good!”
Cpl. Frank Diddles is returned to the Eerie, a fortified keep situated in the centre of Burle, a place the inhabitants can run to in times of trouble. Frank is one of the thirty or so professional soldiers that keeps the peace in the frontier town. His colleagues are very glad to have him back, and the Dark Squad get to interview with a young Captain of the Watch, after it is very clear that they have friends here, should the need arise in the future.
Last on the list is Stig Horsetosser, a big man now in his middle years, Stig spent a good part of his life at sea, but for the last few years he's been working here in Burle, as a chef. The change of occupation he tells Vinnie, has fixed his life. He's a much more mellow man now that he's flipping burgers at the Burger Lord, a fine dining establishment in Burle owned by the halfling, Larry Goldenarches. The Dark Squad are feted at the restaurant, and over the course of the next few hours consume a meal fit for a... Burger Lord!
Burger Lord!
[Rewards for the return of Granny's prisoners 600 XP]
Which brings us to the last bit of Dark Squad admin, which takes a few more hours to sort out, and concludes at Wendall's. Wendall's as it happens is run by Wendall Ubton, a youngish dwarf, the place specialises in manufacturing all manner of armour and swords. Wendall has the contract to supply lots of places in the region, and so there's a wagon heading out of this place more or less every day, and tomorrow there's one making for Saltmarsh.
The Dark Squad persuade Wendall to allow Tarbin Tul and Big Al Kalhoon to also make the journey.
Note, Tarbin Tul has got a big bag of saleable items (the PCs have emptied their bag of holding), these need to be delivered to Winston in Saltmarsh- the halfling is the adventurers favourite fence.
Further note, Big Al promises to reward the Dark Squad when they return to Saltmarsh.
[Wagon to Saltmarsh 200 XP]
That, at last, is what the Dark Squad got up to, more adventure- promise you, next time.
The Dark Squad’s to-do list reads a little like this-
- To the Moon Pool.
- Goblins in the Dreadwood.
- Nightshade in the Dreadwood.
- To Blackedge, find the Goblin Stair.
- Return to Fallowstone Holy for answers- the Witch’s Tor & the Pact of the Flame.
Cheers the Dark Squad and goonalan.
