Chapter 1: The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh

You follow the alchemist into the room. A bench runs down the west wall of what seems to be a laboratory. On the bench are jars of powders and liquids and several pieces of chemical apparatus.

There is a table against the south wall, forming an L-shape with the bench. A book is open on the table.

Also on the table is a candlestick, with a tiny stump of unlit candle still in it, and a variety of other items that, even in the dim light, shine with the warmth of pure gold. One of these objects looks like a human skull.

Standing by the table is the alchemist holding a vial of acid in each hand. He easily avoids Eshe's clumsy swing and prepares to throw another vial, "Stop!" he shouts, preparing to attack if you don't stop.

Chulainn comes into the room and quickly leaps to push Lucan's arm up, sending the firebolt into the stone ceiling. What the hell? Let the skele-man talk, for gods' sake, before you burn him to death. Psychopath.

Chulainn manages to push Lucan hand and send the firebolt harmlessly into the sealing. He stares in shock at Chulainn

Chulainn pushes Lucan's arm up just in time to avoid the firebolt hitting the skeletal alchemist. The alchemist straightens up, "What are you doing in my home?" it asks, a bit of annoyance in its voice.

Eshe looks confused. "We were not aware anyone still called this place home, until we came to look around and found pirates here. Who are you and why do you share your home with pirates?"

Yeah, seriously. Why havent you tried to kill the pirates in here before us? I came here for them, unknowingly of course. Chulainn says, watching Lucan out of the corner of his eye.

Margot stays silent. Not only from the fact that this may be the alchemist that used to live here, but the fact that it didn't crack up from her hilarious joke! Then again, it might have met its final death then, sooooo...

"They paid for use of my home," the alchemist replies simply, "Thus they are allowed to be in here."

Eshe clutches her great axe tightly and takes up a stance to swing at the undead alchemist. "I don't know about you all, but I've heard enough from this bag of bones."

The skeleton turns to Eshe, "Is it customary for the Olami peoples to break into people's homes and attack them?"

"If there is some reason we should not put you to rest, then say it now."

"The fact that I've been here for many years and never harmed anyone isn't reason enough?" the skeleton asks, sounding slightly bored by all of this.

"Very well then. We shall leave your home." Eshe bows to the alchemist, looks at the others, and nods as she turns to leave.

For one, he's not trying to kill us. Makes him better than the pirates at least. Plus, imagine what kind of information he could have. Doubt he'd be willing to try anything with that arrow in his head. he looks at the skeleton. How's the fathoming going? Chulainn points at his eye in a mocking manner.See ya, boney. Chulainn points at his own eye where his arrow aced the skeleton.

As you leave, the door closes behind you and you hear nothing else from within.

What does a skeleton need with money anyway? Chulainn asks rhetorically.Right, enough nonsense. We have rats to exterminate. Chulainn moves to the stairs, bow drawn. Pong and barbarian girl should take the front. The musician and the psychopath next. I'll bring up the rear.

Eshe chuckles at her new acquaintance's statement. "Heh. I was thinking the same thing." She nods at his plan.