Chapter 1: The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh

"I would answer truthfully and spill as many beans as you can. She's pissed, I'm pissed, the Tortle over there that usually always has a smile is pissed- point is: we're all a bit mad at tonight."
Margot says, sauntering up behind Eshe.

Pong scowls at the prisoner. It looks more like something in between a goofy grin and a grimace.

Sanbalet nods, "I am indeed in charge here," he says, "With permission from the master of the house himself. Can I ask what you're doing here?"

You're not in the position to be askin' the questions, Sanbalet. Chulainn says confidently, stepping out of the shadows with bow drawn. You tell me what you're doing here.

Lucan raises his hand, where a flickering firebolt is dancing.

"Pirates who need permission? Isn't that cute."

Pong snickers at Eshe's comment.

Sanbalet sighs, "Well, I think you've got the gist of it. We're pirates. This is our hideout. Not much more to say about it."

"So much for 'haunted,' huh?"

Why don't you give us a tour? Chulainn says, making an ushering motion with his drawn bow.

Eshe nods in agreement with Chulainn's 'suggestion'. "Yes a tour would be good. We'd love to see what you pirate...." The tribes woman grins.

Margot sighs that there was no actual ghost. Well, Terry might haunt the place, but that's another story.
"Tour! Tour! Tour! TOUR! Margot chants from beside Pong.

Sanbalet sighs and nods, "Fine," he says, "If that's what you wish, I shall give you a tour."

He leads you through the rest of the caverns, of which there's not much. You find a couple chambers with several casks of brandy and barrels filled with bolts of silk cloth that are probably worth quite a bit of gold. The most notable thing you are shown is a cave that opens directly to the sea. The tide is out at present, and there is little water in the cave, but there is an obvious high-water mark three feet above the floor. Pulled up onto the sloping cave floor is a small boat, perhaps large enough for eight people, with oars, a step-down mast, and a neatly furled sail. A rope tied to the bow is being held down by a large boulder that serves as an anchor.

After showing you everything, he stands silently, waiting for you to ask further questions.

"This is quite the setup. And rumors of ghosts has given you the privacy you need." It almost sounds as if Pong is thinking about taking over the operation rather than dismantling it.