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The Inkwell of the Ages: Ambush in Saltmere Shadows
April 15, 2026 - Session 4
Session Outline
Arrival at Saltmere
- The party arrived at Saltmere and observed damage and dejected townsfolk.
- A Dock Worker warned them about the Black Briar Company.
- The worker identified the Old Stone Tower as the occupiers’ base.
Interrogation and Planning
- Jack Dagger interrogated the Watcher, who confessed to aiding the Black Briar Company.
- The party decided to ambush returning patrols instead of confronting the tower.
- They shopped at the Saltmere market before encountering Black Briar guards.
Setting the Ambush
- The party set up an ambush campsite off the East Road and encountered an old couple.
- They prepared for an approaching patrol and hid in positions.
- Sir Jangle Merrigold drew the patrol’s attention, leading to an ambush.
Battle with Black Briar Patrol
- An eight-person Black Briar patrol approached, and Jack Dagger struck first.
- The battle escalated with various attacks exchanged, resulting in injuries.
- Brynnan unleashed a Thunderwave, but was ultimately dropped unconscious by an enemy arcanist.
Session Summary
The party arrived by boat at Saltmere, stepping into a town marked by damage, smoke stains, and quiet, defeated faces along the docks. A Dock Worker warned them about the Black Briar Company, who had taken control of the town and forced the people into servitude. He pointed out the Old Stone Tower as their base of operations. He also noted that two patrol teams were currently out, while additional guards remained at the tower.
A local man lingered nearby, watching. Jack Dagger pulled him aside and pressed for answers. The man, now revealed as a Watcher, admitted he had been feeding information to the Black Briar Company. The interrogation ended with his death, and the party took what coin he carried.
With that, they chose caution over bravado. The tavern was avoided. The tower was left alone, for now. Instead, they decided to ambush one of the returning patrols.
They moved through the Saltmere market, gathering supplies. Two large Black Briar guards crossed their path, forcing the group to disengage before things escalated.
The party left town and set up an ambush site along the East Road. There, they encountered an old couple and warned them about the danger pressing in from the tower.
As night settled, the group prepared positions. When the patrol approached, Sir Jangle Merrigold stepped into the open and drew their attention.
An eight-person Black Briar patrol moved in. From hiding, Jack Dagger struck first.
The fight turned fast and violent. Blows traded. Spells lit the dark. Sir Jangle was dropped, then pulled back from the edge by Bimmie Juffett Thunderhammer. Brynnan answered with a Thunderwave, driving enemies back, but was cut down by a Black Briar Arcanist soon after.
The clash was still unfolding as the session closed, with both sides bloodied and a flare fired into the sky, calling for reinforcements.
Key Moments
Ambush on the Black Briar Patrol
Night settled in as the patrol approached. From cover, Jack Dagger struck an enforcer and vanished back into shadow. The hit landed clean, but the moment hung there. The patrol would regroup. They would search. The choice to stay or slip away pressed hard in that silence.
Interrogation of the Local Informant
Jack’s blade found the man’s side. Close enough to matter.
“Just a townsman?”
Bimmi called on Blackjack, confirming the lie. The truth came out in pieces. Coin changed hands. Names passed along. The town’s safety traded for survival.
Jack didn’t wait long after that.
Arrival at Saltmere: A Town in Ruins
The boat touched dock, wood knocking against wood. Smoke clung to the air. Doors stayed shut. People kept their heads down.
The Dock Worker spoke quietly, but the message carried. The Black Briar Company owned this place now. The tower stood over it all.
The party had a choice sitting right there in the salt air. Push in, or pull back. Either way, the town was watching.
Encounters
Ambush of Black Briar Patrol
- The party set up an ambush off the East Road.
- An eight-person Black Briar patrol approached, including a sergeant and casters.
- Jack Dagger struck first, wounding a patrol member.
- The fight escalated quickly, with injuries on both sides.
Battle Dynamics
- Sir Jangle Merrigold was knocked unconscious under focused attacks.
- Bimmie Juffett Thunderhammer brought him back and slowed enemy movement.
- Brynnan used Thunderwave to push enemies back, then fell unconscious.
Character Highlights
Jack Dagger
Pressed hard when it counted. He forced answers out of the Watcher and ended him when he was done. He also opened the ambush with a clean strike from hiding.
- Pressed a blade to the Watcher to get the truth
- Killed the Watcher and took thirty silver
Sir Jangle Merrigold
Drew attention on purpose, stepping into the open to pull the patrol in. Took the hits that followed and went down before being pulled back into the fight.
- Lit his torch and drew the patrol in
- Fell unconscious, later revived by Bimmie
Bimmi Juffett Thunderhammer
Played it smart. Verified the lie, backed the party with control spells, and kept people on their feet when it mattered.
- Confirmed the Watcher was lying
- Healed Sir Jangle Merrigold and hindered enemies
Key Entities
Black Briar Company
Occupying force controlling Saltmere and its people.
Old Stone Tower
Stronghold used by the Black Briar Company.
Dock Worker
First source of information about the occupation.
Watcher
Local informant who confessed before being killed.
East Road
Ambush location set by the party.
Black Briar Patrol
Eight-person group encountered during the ambush.
Notable Items
- Fishing Pole: Bought at the Saltmere market
- Thirty Pieces of Silver: Taken from the Watcher
- Grease Spell: Cast by Vonmese to disrupt movement
- Faerie Fire Spell: Cast by Bimmie to mark targets
- Thunderwave Spell: Used by Brynnan during the fight
Valuable Information
- The Black Briar Company controls Saltmere
- The Old Stone Tower is their base
- The Watcher was feeding them information
- Patrols consist of mixed roles, including casters
- Teams rotate in groups of seven to eight
- Two patrols were confirmed to be active
- A scout launched a flare, signaling reinforcements
Party Status
The party is still engaged off the East Road, mid-ambush.
- Sir Jangle Merrigold was down but brought back up
- Jack Dagger is in hiding after striking the sergeant
- Brynnan is currently unconscious
- Reinforcements may already be on the way
Next Steps
The fight isn’t over.
The party is holding the line against the patrol while preparing for whatever answers that flare.