Thennek entry #9

A few weeks back, when we captured the Sea Ghost, we discovered the passengers, a group of lizardfolk. The town of Saltmarsh didn’t trust them, so put them up in a secure location. I still don’t think that was a good idea, but finally, the council came to us to head out to the lizardfolks’ home and discuss the situation.

Penelope and Vantiss scarpered off on some hairbrained quest with the druid we’d met in a bar. Then, as part of this diplomatic mission, the dwarves “tricked” us into accepting their royal pains, Mandy and Candy into our party. Being a diplomatic mission, I had concerns on how they’d complicate matters.

On the whole, the trip went fine. We met some bullywugs and turned them back after a bit of violence. We camped outside of the lizardfolks underground bunker, and that turned out to be a good idea. The queen took that to be a sign of respect, and representatives from a number of races were in attendance for a meeting about their mutual threat, the sahaugin. If we could convince them that Saltmarsh posed no threat, and might be a decent ally, we’d reduce the worry over the idea lizardfolk conspiring to attack Saltmarsh.

A part of the plan to do this involved making friends, impressing the locals. The bard did a great job of that with her music. Then we caught word from a returning hunting party. One Thousand Teeth, a venerated giant crocodile, had mauled them. It needed to go. But being sacred, the lizardfolk couldn’t touch it.

Frankly, I am surprised they suggested we go deal with it without a hint of guile about us being allowed to kill it with no repercussions. Not that we go around killing, but simply as a matter of logic that if they can’t kill it, why was it okay to indirectly ask us to do it?

With a small party of observers accompanying us to ensure we didn’t break any other taboos, we found the area known to be a haunt of the great beast. A few dangerous creatures attacked, softened us up, but a short rest allowed us to recover our strength right before the croc attacked. My own contribution was depressingly useless as I failed to hit anything with my spells, but the others slew it handily before it could do much harm.

The observers took care of hauling the meat and head back as a trophy, and the Salted Blades were hailed as heroes. Again, my part in this being meager. I find a common theme in my time with this group is that my abilities and instincts are woefully inadequate.

On return to Saltmarsh, the lizardfolk we’d first rescued were released, and envoys exchanged. So that turned out for the better, finally. We also got paid. Taking that money, plus selling a bit of the surplus random small valuables, I managed to secure potions of water breathing, armor and weapons for some of the original members of our party. Mandy and Candy, being “new,” bought their own equipment, though we did give them potions.

For myself, I went shopping and found a shop, that Mandy had found, with some magic items at a local heroes discount. Inside, a black and red half-cape with an eye embroidered on the back called to me. Like, really, I heard it in my mind. The owner offered it to me for a single copper piece. I studied it to glean its powers. And then I found myself wearing it while the seller dropped a copper into his pocket. I don’t even have any copper coins in my possession.

I feel more nimble, but also, the muscle tone from my college days is gone. In the mirror, I think the symbol on the back of the cape blinked at me.

One thing for certain, if I do not master these coins, the eye, I am cursed.

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