Bolsh Thornson

**Bolsh Thornson**, the **Dragonfisher**, was a blue Dragonborn, born in 2782 in the town Lyllon and was one of the founders of the Bane of the Princes along with Raloris and Vala Idrova. Together they fought against the Sea Princes in the Marsh Region and brought about the downfall of the Scarlet Brotherhood's presence in the fishing village Saltmarsh. Bolsh is often regarded as one of the Marsh Region's most famous and powerful sorcerers.

Sometime during Bolsh's childhood, he encountered a powerful magical source that imbued his blood with pure magic. In 2799, Bolsh discovered his innate magic, accidentally causing The Great Transformation and turning the inhabitants of Lyllon to sheep when the adventurer Blep Sakrun provoked him.

Leaving his hometown behind, he travelled westward into the Marsh Region and found himself at Saltmarsh with Raloris. After hearing of the Elf's visions of Saltmarsh's destruction, Bolsh decided to join him on his adventure, starting with investigating the alchemist Salentin Shumul's Haunted House. On the road the two met Vala Idrova, who quickly became a instrumental member of the party. Together they uncovered the house's secret and captured the wizard Sanbalet, before rescuing the vampire Xolec and returning with the Sea Blade marines to put down the Sea Prince's operation. Bolsh contributed to the capture of the *Sea Ghost*, and was rewarded the ship by Eliander Fireborn for his services to the king. After Xolec's departure, he and Vala took down Skerrin Wavechaser and the Scarlet Brotherhood, almost ending its influence entirely. He helped the Bane of the Princes secure an alliance between Saltmarsh and the Lizardfolk, bringing humans into the Council of War to fight against the Sahuagin Empire, and joined the reconnaissance team into the enemy's stronghold. He fought with the Bane of the Princes to make an opening through the stronghold for the Sea Blade marines and killed Baron Kepmak, returning the fort to the lizardfolk. After the Sahuagin Invasion ended, Bolsh settled down in Saltmarsh, and married Penelope Delmiraln in 2806. His children, Emtus and Amivra, were born in 2811 and 2814.

In 2826, the Bane of the Princes returned to adventuring with an attack on Seaton by the Sea Princes. Bolsh sunk many of the Prince's ships during the Battle of Seaton, and continued to pursue their destruction until 2828 when Raloris pushed Bolsh to safety through a teleportation circle, casting Bolsh's own spell *death ray* to wreak destruction of the remaining Sea Prince ships and sacrificing himself in the process. Raloris died, and his body was transformed into a silver tree, bringing the only spell scroll of *death ray* to the grave.

The next few years passed without incident until the wizard Tasres Bantorun came to the Marsh Region in 2849, hoping to investigate Raloris's tree in hopes of finding any clues to replicating of Bolsh's legendary *death ray* spell. Bolsh appeared to defend it from the insane Dwarf, resulting in a magical duel between the two. Bolsh killed Tasres, but was fatally wounded himself. He died next to Raloris's tree, and its magic turned him into a tree as well.

## Appearance and Personality

Bolsh stood at a height of 6'1". He weighed 252 lbs., all of which he said was muscle. He was covered in blue scales and had a deep voice that grew higher when he got angry. During his first incursion into the Haunted House, he stole a floor-length oilskin gentlemen's coat trimmed in green silk from Sanbalet, which became an integral part of his recognition in Saltmarsh, and a *bag of holding* from Shumul's animated skeleton. During the Raid on the *Sea Ghost*, he took a hat from the smuggler's captain Terrin Sungard, and later turned the captain's polar bear skin rug into a secondary coat. On the Snowfall Festival of 2802, Bolsh bought a silver chain shirt from the Dwarven Anvil that he wore under the coat. Before heading into the Sahuagin fortress, he also bought *gloves of missile snaring*. He wore two magical rings, a *ring of protection* and a *ring of water walking*.

Bolsh was casual and laid-back, although he could be loud and demanding. He seemed to consider himself a prankster, and enjoyed his fame as Saltmarsh's Dragonfisher. However, he had a strong sense of justice and believed in doing the right thing, even if others disagreed with his methods. He had an interest in fashion and thought himself incredibly handsome, very much more so than Raloris, as he liked to point out.

## Magic and Abilities

During his time as an adventurer, Bolsh wielded a quarterstaff which doubled as his arcane focus, two daggers, and taught himself to use a greatsword. During the reconnaissance mission into the Sahuagin stronghold, Bolsh also took a trident and a warhammer, although he later sold the warhammer at the Dwarven Anvil for a light hammer. Bolsh also had an obsession with obtaining magic items, and during his life collected a *bag of holding*, a *ring of protection*, *gloves of missile snaring*, a *cloak of protection*, a *broom of flying*, and a *ring of water walking*.

Even though his ancestry wasn't the source of Bolsh's magic, it allowed him to breath bolts of lightning from his mouth and become resistant to having lightning used on him.

Bolsh is considered one of the Marsh Region's greatest sorcerers, in acts and in power. Despite being a Dragonborn, his magic does not come from his ancestry (although many still believe so), but instead from his meeting with some source of pure magical essence. Speculation on the origin ranges from a blessing from a god or a dragon to exposure to a demiplane of magic, as Bolsh never revealed how he received his power. However it happened, his source of power was barely controllable to the point where an attempt to cast a spell would go wild and create an unintended effect. At the height of his power, Bolsh could cast *fire bolt*, *poison spray*, *ray of frost*, *shocking grasp*, *minor illusion*, *mage hand*, *charm person*, *burning hands*, *witch bolt*, *cure wounds*, *gust of wind*, *phantasmal force*, *shatter*, *water breathing*, *lightning bolt*, *gaseous form*, *blight*, *wall of fire*, *banishment*, *telekinesis*, and *teleportation circle*. Of these, his favourite was *phantasmal force*.

The intensely powerful magic raging inside Bolsh also changed the way he could use his magic compared to other wizards. He could make the effects of a spell last longer than they should, and sometimes could duplicate the magic to effect multiple targets at once. Perhaps the most extraordinary of these was his uncanny ability to manipulate the use of *phantasmal force*'s illusions to inflict actual injury upon his enemies.

## Relationships

### Raloris

Raloris was Bolsh's first friend after leaving Lyllon, and thus they seemed to share a special connection. The two of them travelled the Marsh Region together during the Sahuagin Invasion, Bolsh following the Elf to help stop his visions of Saltmarsh's destruction from coming true and together creating the Bane of the Princes to eliminate smuggling in the area, believing it to be their primary threat at the time. They aided each other in battle and generally protected each other, although they occasionally got into arguments. Bolsh often teased Raloris about having affections for Vala Idrova, which he always denied until 2804. After Raloris's death, Bolsh strove to protect his tree, directly attacking Tasres Bantorun for attempting to cut it down.

### Vala Idrova

Bolsh and Raloris first met Vala at her campsite on the road to Shumul's haunted house, and she remained with them throughout the Sahuagin Invasion and afterwards once she married Raloris. Bolsh encouraged her song writing, especially the ones that included him, as well as her interest in poetry. Although he teased Raloris about taking an interest in Vala, Bolsh strongly believed she preferred him over Raloris, even though he didn't have any romantic feelings for her.

### Xolec

Bolsh was wary of Raloris's intentions to rescue Xolec from his confinement in Crabber's Cove, believing the vampire would break Raloris's deal as soon as he had left his cage. Once he was sure of Xolec's loyalty, however, Bolsh began to regard him as a powerful ally that was under the control of the Bane of the Princes. After Xolec killed Terrin Sungard and claimed the pirate captain as his own, Bolsh again began to feel wary and even fearful of the vampire. He was sad upon Xolec's departure from Saltmarsh, feeling he had lost a valuable member of the team.

### Oceanus

When the Sea Elf Oceanus was discovered as a prisoner aboard the *Sea Ghost*, Bolsh wasn't sure what to think of him. A language barrier stood between getting to know him well during their first days together, and Bolsh's dislike of the Elf grew until he considered having Oceanus killed of left behind somewhere where he couldn't return to Saltmarsh. Only once Oceanus fought with the Bane of the Princes during the group's trek through the Hool Marshes to kill the beast Thousand Teeth did Bolsh start to register him as a member of the team, and healed the Elf's arm when the fearsome crocodile bit his right forearm off.

### Penelope Delmiraln

Bolsh was instantly smitten with Penelope Delmiraln, another blue Dragonborn, when she came to Saltmarsh in 2803 looking for a place to set up a trading business. The two began fast friends, being the only Dragonborn in town, and Penelope quickly picked up on Bolsh's interest in her. They married in 2806, and Penelope moved into the Bane of the Prince's house while Raloris, Vala, and Oceanus moved out to give her and Bolsh the place to themselves. Their son, Emtus Thornson, was born in 2811, and their daughter Amivra Thornson was born in 2814. Penelope helped provide the Bane of the Princes with weapons and materials during the Sea Princes' Return through her trading business, which became very successful thanks to Bolsh's reputation in the Marsh Region. After Bolsh's death, she continued his legacy by sponsoring aspiring adventurers.

### Emtus and Amivra Thornson

Emtus was Bolsh's son, and he looked up to his father immensely, hoping to one day be just as famous and powerful. However, while Amivra loved her father, she always wished to escape his shadow. Bolsh loved his children and would often step away from his experiments to spend time with them, devoting time and money to their happiness. He encouraged Emtus's dreams of adventuring, as well as Amivra's hopes of studying magical creatures. Once Emtus and Amirva were grown up and left to pursue their careers, Bolsh still sent gold and letters to them in an effort to help. When Emtus was badly injured after encountering a wraith in the Sword Mountains, Bolsh travelled to Stoneshield via *teleportation circle* to heal and take care of him, and later helped Amivra unearth a frozen mammoth from the depths of the Dragon Mountains and promoting her discovery of the newly discovered species.

## History

### Early Life

Not much is known about Bolsh's childhood. Lyllon was a smaller settlement that faded away soon after Bolsh's fame, likely due to the fact that the only people running the town were sheep, so no further clues can be discovered. It is believed that some time during his early years, Bolsh encountered some source of pure magic that gifted him with powerful magical abilities.

#### The Great Transformation

In the year of 2799, when Bolsh was 17 years old, a Human adventurer named Blep Sakrun stopped in Lyllon on his travels searching for adventuring work. Blep antagonised the small town's populace, attempting to order them around and threatening to fight back when his demands were ignored. Although no one in Lyllon liked the adventurer, few actually stood up to him, many believing he would be on his way out of town soon. However, Blep stayed for at least three weeks, and during that time the people refused his orders.

Bolsh was among the few who stood up against Blep, although he tried to stay out of taking too direct of opposition. Blep's anger at the people for not listening to him grew to the point where he got physically violent. After being refused when demanding a bystander buy a drink for him at the tavern *The Ancient Fire*, Blep ran the man through with his longsword, leaving him to bleed out and die. Bolsh called out Blep, who challenged the young Dragonborn to a duel. Bolsh's anger grew until he snapped, and his dormant magic flooded out in an enormous burst of power. The wild magic let loose the spell *polymorph* in a ripple effect, hitting the entire population of Lyllon and magically transforming them into sheep. Now afraid, Blep fled for his life.

Supposedly, Bolsh apprehended the fleeing adventurer by throwing a transformed rival of his at the man, killing Blep. He then apparently kicked the rival into a brick wall, killing him as well. Bolsh's story may not be entirely accurate, as he was prone to exaggerating retellings of his past. Either way, Blep Sakrun somehow vanished, and Bolsh left Lyllon soon after.

### Bane of the Princes

Bolsh wandered east from Lyllon to Saltmarsh over the course of three years (2799 to 2802). His exact route is unknown, but he may have stayed in Stoneshield for a time.

#### Entering Saltmarsh

In Snowfall of 2802, Bolsh found his way up the Marsh Road to Burle. Outside the gate in the early morning, he encountered Raloris training, going through offensive stances with his quarterstaff. Curious, Bolsh asked the Elf what he was doing. Raloris introduced himself, and told Bolsh about his visions of Saltmarh's destruction and how he's been looking for it to save the fishing town. Realising he didn't have anything better to do, Bolsh offered to help Raloris help Saltmarsh.

The two of them approached the gates of Burle together, and Raloris answered the same as he had to Bolsh when the guards asked their purpose in the Marsh Region. Although skeptical, the guards let them in. The two passed many guards and soldiers watching the Dreadwood before coming to Kiara Shadowbreaker's quest board in front of the treat Wander Root's dais. They inspected the quests on the board, finding many reports of criminals hiding the the Hool Marshes and orc packs roaming in the west of Saltmarsh in between Seaton and the Dreadwood, and took one of each. Kiara Shadowbreaker herself took notice of them, and approached them to give thanks for being willing to take quests, as not many adventurers were passing through anymore. They exchanged a short conversation before going their separate ways, and only after Wander Root moved to keep watching Bolsh and Raloris as they passed did the two realise what they thought was a tree was a treant.

They then left Burle and continued down the Marsh Road to Saltmarsh. At the old city gate they encountered Amel Ruranon and Corlin Mordare, the two town guards stationed at the gate to formally allow visitors in. After Raloris repeats his purpose for entering the fishing village to the two guards, Amel gladly let them through, wishing them luck in saving the town. Corlin, however, attempted to halt the two of them for further questioning, leading Bolsh to threaten the Half-Elf. Bolsh and Corlin almost started a duel, but Raloris quickly ushered the Dragonborn into town. The Elf and the Dragonborn spent the next while exploring Saltmarsh, first passing the prison, where Bolsh noted the special cells made to hold spellcasters. They then investigated the Sea Grove of Obad-Hai, meeting the Halfling druid Ferrin Kastilar and his bullfrog companion Lorys. Bolsh quickly decided the druid was crazy, but took an interest in a supposed legend the Halfling mentioned: the legend of the standing stones and how they are the supposed reason for Saltmarsh's plentiful fishing. He dragged a skeptical Rolaris to the small island off the fishing village, and swam to the place himself, although he couldn't find anything odd about the stones there. They then continued down the path past the tower of Keledek the Unspoken and to Eliander Fireborn's mansion, where they discovered that there was a town council meeting in session from one of Fireborn's servants. After being rudely shooed away from the Dwarven Mining Company Headquarters, the two of them travelled across the Sharkfin Bridge into the main area of town, where they found the Snapping Line, their main place of lodging for the next five weeks. From there they overheard whispers of the "Haunted House" to the west, and decided they should look into it. Exploring Saltmarsh until dark, they discovered the Oweland and Solmor houses, as well as the Marine Guildhall and talked with Darrel Goldtalon, who strongly advised them to get to bed.

Heading back to the Snapping Line, they crossed paths with the members of the Saltmarsh Council and volunteered to investigate the Haunted House. The Traditionalists agreed to the compromise and left, while the Loyalists thanked them and explained Saltmarsh's political climate to a curious Raloris. Bolsh claimed to have not heard a word Eliander Fireborn told them about politics, and was most likely telling the truth. After a quick introduction to Ministrad Copperlocks and Tasca Holysworn, Bolsh and Raloris turned in for the night at the Snapping Line.

#### The Haunted House

The next morning, Bolsh and Raloris left the Snapping Line and headed to the Kingfisher River, where Bolsh fished in the icy waters for their breakfast. He managed to catch a few fish, and ate his raw while Raloris cooked his over a campfire. This tradition continued on throughout their stay in Saltmarsh, leading to Bolsh gaining his title of Dragonfisher. After the meal was done, the two prepared to leave. Raloris remembered being told by Eliander about a man in the Weekly Market who had been inside the haunted house and said they should find him before leaving, but Bolsh complained, wanted to just head to the house and get it over with. The Elf dragged a reluctant Bolsh to the market after a quick argument, and after asking around they found the man, Witt, telling a story to a merchant in a neighbouring stall about powerful magic in Crabber's Cove. Raloris and Bolsh interrogated Witt, but the only things they learned was that there was a back door that led to "a very nice kitchen".

After talking with Witt, they headed out of Saltmarsh and west along the Marsh Road towards Shumul's house. After a few hours, they heard singing and music coming from ahead and found Vala Idrova, a bard, practicing on her lute at her camp from the night before. Bolsh offered her the chance to join them and investigate the house together, which she took. They continued onward, Raloris joining Vala in playing music. Bolsh jokingly made fun of Raloris's musical skills, and asked Vala to write songs about him in the future.

Upon first arriving at Shumul's house, Bolsh marched right up to the front porch, determined to show off his bravery to Vala. He almost stepped on a giant weasel who had moved into the garden, causing it to hiss at him and draw the attention of the party. A second weasel attacked Bolsh from behind while they were all distracted, but Raloris knocked it off with his quarterstaff before it could really hurt the Dragonborn, killing the animal. The first weasel attacked, but quickly fled when Bolsh cast *fire bolt* at it. Raloris jumped after it, but it died, the small layer of snow extinguishing the flames. Bolsh continued into the house, followed by the others. They found the entry hall empty, but Raloris noted two sets of footprints in the dust on the floor, and tracked the one going down the west wing of the house. Bolsh didn't follow the trail exactly, and poked around in Shumul's study and library first, finding two vials of *potions of healing* in the study and the books *The Magical Properties of Gemstones* and *The Magical Properties of Herbs and Flowers* in the library, as well as *The Metaphysics of Mathematics*. After a quick scanning through of each book, the only words Bolsh could read in the third book that didn't have water damage obscuring them were "beyond skeletons", leading him and Raloris to ponder its meaning.

From there they went into the grand living room, following the tracks in the dust. Bolsh was surprised the find the tracks disappearing in the middle of the room, and urged Raloris to investigate after the Elf suggested that there might be teleportation magic involved. Finally, Raloris stepped onto the footprints and activated the wizard Sanbalet's *magic mouth*, scaring both Bolsh and Raloris and causing them to flee from the house. Much to Bolsh's embarrassment, he and Raloris sat in the garden for an hour to shake off the terror of hearing the magical voice. When they worked up the courage to enter the house again, Bolsh decided to follow the other set of tracks heading into the north wing of the house. He looked into the dining room, but quickly moved on to a withdrawing room, where he discovered some gold and two pouches of flammable alchemic powders hidden in the fireplace. The next room they found was the kitchen, where Bolsh remarked on how Witt must have been lying about how nice the place was. They followed the tracks into the scullery and down the staircase to the cellar, whereupon Raloris activated the second *magic mouth*, but they expected it, now realising the magic had been there to scare them off.

Bolsh followed Raloris down into the wine cellar, where they found the corpse of the adventurer Kor Ralnem. Bolsh was disturbed by the sight, but quickly moved on by discovering a secret door in the south wall. He opened it and found a startled smuggled, Sarth Fendrad, on the other side washing dishes. Sarth attempted to run to the caverns behind a second secret door, but Raloris caught him and Bolsh pinned him down and tied him up while the Elf questioned him. From Sarth they learned of the smuggling operation, the usage the haunting of the house as a cover, the caverns where the smuggled goods were stored, and the location of Sanbalet's quarters. Raloris went to investigate the room with Vala, and Bolsh dragged the bound smuggler along with them. Raloris opened the door to Sanbalet's room and found the wizard inside, and a fight broke out. Bolsh used *poison spray* and *fire bolt* on the wizard, doing significant injury to the man. Vala cast *sleep* on Sanbalet, unwilling to kill him, which led to her and Raloris agreeing on putting the wizard in prison and Bolsh somewhat reluctantly. Bolsh tied Sanbalet up and joined the others going through the wizard's room, taking Sanbalet's coat as his own, which would later become somewhat iconic amongst the people of Saltmarsh. He also took a book on the tides and coasts of the Marsh Region as well as Sanbalet's spellbook, which Vala discovered but didn't want. The final book contained basic translations between Goblin and Human, which Raloris wanted to gift to Eliander Fireborn, and inside they also found a curious piece of parchment with three codes and translations written on it, seeming to make a short conversation that told the recipient everything was safe.

Raloris planned on leaving the house and returning for the smugglers with the marines, and started heading out but stopped when Bolsh noticed a second door with a damaged bar across it that read "DANGER" in Common. Bolsh persuaded Raloris to check it out, and together they took off the bar and opened the door, revealing a dark chamber where six skeletons began to animate, disturbed by the sudden light. Bolsh quickly casted *fire bolt* and *ray of frost* at the skeletons while Raloris fought them with his quarterstaff. After knocking a few down, Bolsh noticed a blue light coming from a section of the wall, soon opening to reveal Salentin Shumul's animated skeleton, which they quickly defeated. The alchemist carried an empty *bag of holding*, which Bolsh stole and put all the books he'd taken inside, along with Shumul's spellbook, which they found hidden in a drawer. In Shumul's room, they found a book on the creation of a philosopher's stone along with a skull, a rose, and other items turned to gold. Bolsh was excited at finding the golden objects, but quickly realised they were simply painted gold. He put the book in the *bag of holding*, and left the house, taking the bound Sanbalet and Sarth Fendrad with them. Once back in Saltmarsh, they quickly put the two in the prison.

#### Rescuing Xolec

After locking up Sanbalet and Sarth Fended and informing Eliander Fireborn about the smugglers in Shumul's house, Raloris wanted to investigate Witt's story of magic in Crabber's Cove. Bolsh doubted it and complained to the Elf that the story was obviously fictional and followed Raloris and Vala to the cove only to see them proved wrong. He was very surprised then when Raloris felt a magical aura emanating from the cellar of one of the run-down houses, although none of them knew what was causing it. Bolsh was very wary of what was inside the cellar once Raloris opened it, and his worry deepened when not even the Elf could see through the darkness. He warned the others as soon as Xolec spoke to them, immediately recognising the voice was not to be trusted. Raloris requested the magical darkness be pulled back, and Xolec obliged, allowing the Elf to see the vampire for the first time. When Raloris informed them the speaker was a vampire, Bolsh told the others to stop and leave before they were killed. Xolec asked them to consider freeing him, and he would help them in return, which led Raloris to make qe a deal with him: they would let Xolec out, but he couldn't attack Bolsh and his friends or the people of Saltmarsh. The curse that bound Xolec to his prison wouldn't let him be free until someone with a pure heart led him out, and the vampire requested Bolsh and Vala come down into the cellar, as Raloris had gone down to negotiate the terms of the deal. Xolec claimed he could sense those who could release him, and requested Vala to come down to help him, and Bolsh helped her move down into the darkness. Once Xolec was freed, Bolsh stayed as far away from the vampire as possible until he had proven himself to be trustworthy and helped the party.

#### Raid on the Haunted House

Early in the morning on the day after Bolsh, Raloris, and Vala's initial expedition into the Haunted House, the Council of Saltmarsh agreed to send a force to the site and capture the smugglers and the stolen goods. A messenger from Eliander arrived at Raloris's campfire beside Bolsh's usual fishing spot at Kingfisher River, informing Bolsh, Raloris, Vala, and Xolec that the council decided to send Darrel Goldtalon and Tasca Holysworn with the Sea Blade marines platoon along with them to the house. After breakfast, the four met up with the marines and set off down the Marsh Road, arriving at the place just after noon.

Bolsh led the others straight to the cellar and into the caverns, where the group split and charged down into the caverns. The marines, helmed by Bolsh and his party, rushed through the empty tunnels to the final cave where they found frantic smugglers guarding the remaining smuggled items. Fighting broke out, and Bolsh did a significant amount of damage by repeatedly casting *fire bolt* into their ranks, although his wild magic struck and gave him a third eye for a few minutes, which spread confusion and increased the chaos of the fight. Eventually, all the smugglers in the cave were down, but Vala pointed out an escaping boat full of smuggled goods rowing away across the water. Bolsh realised the goods were lost, but Xolec transformed into a cloud and shot across the water after them before subjecting the smugglers to his will with a charm and forcing them to row back to shore. Bolsh's trust in the vampire was then cemented and the smugglers and their cargo were seized by the marines and brought back to town.

They were given a reward of gold from the mayor Eda Oweland for successfully capturing the smuggled goods and were asked to board the smuggling ship that would come in a three week's time, for which the parchment of code was used.

#### Interrogating Sanbalet

With three weeks left before their next mission, Bolsh and Raloris spent days working on a book of Draconic and Celestial translations to gift to Eliander Fireborn on the coming Snowfall Festival. Bolsh made sure everyone knew that the only reason he helped write the book is because he hoped Fireborn would gift something back in return. They explored Saltmarsh and the surrounding area with Vala and Xolec, and over time the vampire opened up to them more.

During breakfast at the Kingfisher River one day, Bolsh suggested that they visit Sanbalet in prison and see if he can tell them anything about the ship they're planning on raiding and who the smugglers are. Raloris agreed, and the four of them headed to the prison. There they found Kraddok Stonehorn arguing with Nyla Longcut over whether or not Sanbalet should be moved to Neverwinter, accompanied by Calarion and Raydin Vusk. Raloris cut into the conversation to ask permission to interrogate the wizard, and it was put on hold for Kraddok to unlock the door for them. Bolsh and Raloris put their weapons into Bolsh's *bag of holding*, which they gave to Vala. Kraddok instructed them to knock five times on the door for him to open the door for them, and quickly ushered Bolsh and Raloris into the cell, shutting the door behind them.

Sanbalet immediately recognised Bolsh and Raloris, but was smart enough not to attack them. Bolsh chose to sit back and let Raloris do the talking, only getting involved if a fight broke out. The Elf started by asking Sanbalet if he was the leader of the smuggling operation, to which the wizard revealed he was the leader of a branch of the Sea Princes. Further questioning led Bolsh and Raloris to discover that the Sea Princes were still around and operating in the Delakar Sea, a large revelation considering they had supposedly been eliminated in 2789 during the First Sea Prince War. Bolsh and Raloris quickly left the cell with this information, and gave it to the council before beginning preparations for boarding the Sea Prince ship in the coming weeks.

#### Capturing the *Sea Ghost*

After the three week's time had passed, Bolsh spent the day preparing for the raid on the smuggler's ship. The Saltmarsh Council provided the Bane of the Princes with a rowboat to sail to the Haunted House and to the ship. Ilka Veden and Quintus Conell, two members of the Saltmarsh town guards, were sent with them to row the boat, but were ordered not to follow the adventurers aboard. Bolsh doubted Ilka would remain on the rowboat once they were in position, noting her impulsive attitude. They sailed along the coast towards the house after another tradition fish breakfast, and set up a small camp on the shore. Raloris and Ilka delved back into the Haunted House to retrieve the hooded lantern they saw in Sanbalet's quarters, now recognising it to be used in singling the ship. The six of them waited in the camp until nightfall, and Bolsh caught many fish with Quintus to serve for lunch and dinner.

Late at night, Raloris spotted a ship approaching in the distance flashing the first signal written on Sanbalet's code. Bolsh replied using the second code written on the parchment, and the ship sent the third back, signalling it was safe to board. They all got in the rowboat and set off across the water, Ilka and Quintus steering them around through the shadows to the opposite side of the ship, where the pirates wouldn't be looking.

Quietly, they made their way up to the hull of the ship, the *Sea Ghost*, undetected, and Raloris managed to climb up the side. Bolsh quickly followed, and both of them saw a pirate watching the Haunted House with the ship's first mate, Bloody Bjorn. Bolsh climbed over the railing and attempted to sneak up on the two, but unfortunately his presence was alerted. As the pirates spun around, Raloris jumped into the battle as Vala, Xolec, and Ilka clambered aboard after them. Bjorn drew his longsword as the pirate lunged at Bolsh with a knife, but the Dragonborn quickly cast *gust of wind* and sent the man flying overboard. Raloris beat at Bjorn with his quarterstaff as the man slashed at him with his blade, but Bolsh finished him off with *firebolt*. Suddenly, a crossbow bolt shot from the forecastle at Bolsh, barely missing him. Xolec summoned a funnel of bats that flapped around the pirate shooting at them, picking him up and throwing him into the waters. Bolsh stopped what he was doing to gape at the sight of hundreds at bats flying over the waves, and almost missed two more pirates shooting crossbows at the vampire. Both missed, one striking Ilka on accident. One of the pirates and the ship's captain, Terrin Sungard, rushed towards the stairs down to the main deck to join the battle, and Bolsh and Raloris ran to meet them. A bright green arrow flew passed their heads, and they quickly realised there was a remaining pirate unaccounted for who was a spellcaster. Ilka threw her spear at the pirate remaining on deck, and killed him as it stabbed through his chest. Bolsh killed the pirate on the stairs with *poison spray* while Raloris duelled Terrin. Xolec turned into a puff of mist and transformed back behind the captain, biting the man and draining his life. Bolsh was horrified and attempted to stop Terrin from becoming a vampire spawn, thinking it wouldn't be bound by Xolec's deal. Xolec assured them it would be, and they let the vampire kill Terrin. The spellcaster, Punketah, cast *witch bolt* at a now unarmed Ilka, wracking her with lightning and killing her almost instantly. Bolsh felt a flash of anger at the wizard, and cast *phantasmal force*, making her believe she was standing on the surface of the sun. Punketah suddenly froze before screaming and disintegrating into ashes. Raloris thanked Ilka's spirit, and set her body into the rowboat for Quintus to look after.

Bolsh decided to start heading through the ship to check for valuables, first entering the captain's quarters. He went straight for the man's locked chest, believing it to be full of treasure. In an attempt to hastily open it, the chest's trap activated and a blade swung out, slicing Bolsh across the chest. Breaking the box open, he was disappointed to find a few ingots of electrum.