The Hag of Wetport

Wet Tales of Craig and Friends

As the crew continues their voyage to Wetport, they loot the remainder of the Rascal. Charm makes off with a bandana and Captain Ricklin’s Flintlock while Chimney acquires a proper captain’s hat.

Deacon reappears on deck, startling the crew. “I am terribly sorry to disappear on everyone. I intended to help with Captain Ricklin, but I am at extreme risk of being overboarded and could not risk being seen. I promise it will not happen again.”

Deacon turns to Charm. “Charm, do you have the Captain’s Flintlock?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Might I make some modification to it?”

“It is all yours.” Charm hands the flintlock to Deacon. Deacon makes his way to the bow of the ship and sits down, tinkering with the flintlock.

Craig, still tied up on deck darts his eyes around nervously as the crew gathers around.

“What should we do with him?” a party member asks.

“Well he could be useful, he knows how to sail at the very least.” says another.

“I don’t know. How can we trust him?”

“It’s not like he can get up to much. He’s clearly outnumbered and outmatched.”

“Even if he wanted to get away, where’s he to go? Overboard?”

Penny steps forward from the crew. “So… Craig. How old are ya?”

“29”

“And what’s your last name?”

“I don’t have one. I’m an orphan, raised in the streets.”

“No last name, eh?” Penny scowls.

“None, raised in the streets like I said before.”

“Listen here, Craig. We’re not interested in killing you… yet, but give us a reason and we won’t hesitate.”

“Gollee, I wouldn’t dream of stepping on your toes.” gulps Craig.

Chimney steps forward. “Just do as your told and we won’t give you trouble.” He cuts Craig loose.

Craigs face loosens a little. The imminent threat of death seems to have subsided for now.

“Now, Craig. Do you know your way around the kitchen?” Mycena chimes in.

“Anyone that can vouch for my cooking is not in a state to vouch any more, but I can manage.”

“Go below deck and fix us something to eat.” Mycena orders.

Yes, ma’am. Craig limps below deck. The crew hears a knife chopping away. Several minutes later, Craig emerges with several helpings of chopped, salted fish.

“Good, now go below deck and clean up that terrible smell.” Mycena orders.

“But, we only have one cleaning rag and it’s around Charm’s neck.” Craig protests.

Charm’s nose scrunches in disgust as he rips off his “bandana” and throws it to the deck.

“On it!” Craig is scarcely seen before disappearing below deck.

The crew settle in for the remaining few hours of their voyage. All is quiet, and the group takes this time to recover. It is around 5PM as the ship approaches Wetport.

Chimney calls below deck - “Craig!”

Craig hurries up the stairs, clearly tired from his cleaning.

“Yes, captain?”

“Prepare to land.”

“Aye, aye” Craig responds, exasperated.

“On second thought,” starts Chimney, “man the wheel.” Chimney yields control of the captain’s wheel and begins raising the sails and preparing the anchors for landing.

Penny approaches the helm of the ship. “Hey, Craig. I’m going to need a favor from you.”

“I’m happy to help, but I’m following the captain’s orders to prepare to land.” responds Craig.

“Alright, but this is strike one with me.” threatens Penny.

The Island of Lost Children

The crew lands at the weathered docks of Wetport. The dock is quite worn and weathered, but clearly well cared for. There are no gaps in the dock and the wood appears sturdy. “Craig, come with us.” beckons the party. They step onto the docks. Deacon carefully steps near the supports to prevent falling through the docks with his heavy body. Nothing can be seen but trees. The town must be in the forest. The party make their way through the trees, following a deep, commanding voice. Nothing can be made out yet, but as the party approaches, they can make out some words.

“… As those of you who have been around this town a while know, tomorrow is a special day for our town. We begin our dreaded tradition. This occasion brings no joy to my heart as I’m sure it also brings none to you. “ As the party nears the clearing, they can see a group of about 20 townsfolk gathered around a bonfire. A dwarf stands in front of the rest of the townsfolk. One young couple in the crowd looks more uneasy than the rest of the townsfolk. “Tomorrow, we will host a ceremony in one of our townsfolk’s -” he stops suddenly as he notices Chimney and Craig in the trees. “You there! The dwarf squints at the trees.” Come on out, I know you are lurking in the trees.“ Chimnney and Craig walk out from the trees. “Are you alone?”

“No, I am here as well.” Tempest emerges from the underbrush.

“We are here as well.” Charm, Mycena, and Deacon all emerge from the trees as well.

“Ah, very well, so 6 of you?” the Dwarf asks. Penny stays hidden in the thick brush.

“Yes, and we will be part of this festival whether you like it or not.” threatens Chimney.

“Yes, well I’m not sure how much help you’ll be but we welcome you. My name is Barrister, I am the mayor of Wetport.”

The party introduce themselves one by one.

“I hope you’ll excuse us, you’ve caught us at somewhat of an unfortunate time. It is getting quite late, and our town has a strict curfew of 8PM, but we’re happy to shelter you for the night. Kray and Briar, would you show our guests your hospitality and let them stay with you tonight?” Two townsfolk step out from the crowd.

“I’m Kray. I would be happy to have 4 of you stay with me.” The other townswoman, presumably Briar says softly “I can take the other 2.” Chimney, Deacon, Charm, and Craig follow Kray, while Mycena and Tempest follow Briar.

As they walk together, Kray continues. “Briar and I share a wall, so you’ll be able to find each other very easily.”

The adventurers split into their respective houses. While they eat their supper, Penny skulks around the town. She feels a probing presence in the air. With her arcana skills, she deciphers its intent. It is searching for living beings that are out past curfew. She makes her way to a nearby shed, picks the lock of the door and makes a bed for the night behind a dinghies.

Back in the houses, Mycena and Tempest look around Briar’s humble abode. With no decorations, sparse furnishings, and a very simple kitchen, the two seem disappointed by their arrangement. Briar fixes soup for the three of them with only a few words of conversation and serves it. After a quiet dinner, and with soup in their bellies, Briar bids them goodnight. Tempest and Mycena do their best to get comfortable on the floor with the couple of blankets that Briar left them.

Kray, Chimney, Charm, and friends on the other hand are welcomed to a comfortably furnished house.

“How do you all feel about fish for dinner?” Kray asks.

“After time on the seas, as long as it’s fresh, we’d be happy to have it.” responds Chimney.

While Kray works in the kitchen, Charm asks him “So, how long have you been in Wetport?”

“13 years” responds Kray. Enough to see the town’s ceremony one time prior. His face sinks with the memory.

“Yes! Isn’t it wonderful?” chimes in Mina. “The possibility that I could be chosen to be sent to the island? Every child in town dreams of being sent! There is candy and sunshine and the other children there! Oh, I hope they pick me at the ceremony tomorrow. And I hope the banquet is served in my honor!”

“Yes, that would be wonderful, wouldn’t it?” says Kray with a sarcastic tone.

Mina doesn’t seem to notice. “Yes, of course it would!”

As dinner wraps up, Kray instructs the party “I only have two rooms, so Chimney, as the biggest man, I’m going to lend you my room. Charm, you may take the guest room. As for you two” - he gestures to Deacon and Craig - “all I can offer you are some blankets and the floor of the living room here.”

“That will all do fine.” responds Charm.

The party make their beds and settle in for the night.

In the morning, Kray and Mina serve breakfast and chat a little. Mina, clearly excited asks “may I go out into town with the other children? I’m sure they will be there! They’re all so excited!”

Kray allows it, and Mina shoots out of the house and into the town.

With Mina gone, Kray’s face becomes stern as he prepares for the more serious conversation. “I’m sure you are all wondering about the details of this ceremony.”

“Well yes, we are.” says Chimney. “What exactly is this ceremony?”

“Well, you see. Our town is subject to the protection of a hag. This hag permits us to stay here and protects us from the other magical presences of the forest in exchange for a child every ten years.” explains Kray. “Unfortunately, my daughter Moira was chosen at the previous ceremony. When we sent her off, my wife was at her wit’s end. She anguished over the loss of our daughter for many years. About three years ago, she could not take the pain any more and left town to live elsewhere.”

“We are terribly sorry to hear that” says Charm. “We will look into this hag and see what we can do.”

Kray smiles sadly. “I appreciate the gesture, but I’m not sure what you could do. I wish you the best in your attempt though.”

Charm, Deacon, Craig, and Chimney bid Kray farewell and head back into town.

Meanwhile, in the shed, Penny hears someone fiddling with the lock. “Oh shit” she thinks to herself. She hides behind the dinghy as someone enters the shed. Penny peeks out from her hiding spot. Fishermen, it would appear. Here for their tools of the trade. The fishermen collect some poles and bait and head out on their way.

As everyone arrives in town, Penny sees her moment and takes it. She quietly makes her way out of the shed and over to the rest of the party. They discuss everything that has happened and decide that they need to venture into the woods in search of the hag. As they begin to make their way towards the woods, Barrister approaches them.

“Good morning, everyone! Where are you off to in such a hurry?” He looks in the direction of the forest. “You’re not thinking about -” he cuts off. “We are not a wealthy town and could not pay your for -. We will be very grateful to you if you can save us from this misery. Go with the gods.”

The party continue into the forest.