The search led to Varris’s logging camp and a chamber beneath a coastal watchtower. The black-metal objects now have a name: Tide Keys. Five are needed for a complete arrangement, but its purpose remains unknown.
Hanna Rist's freight wagon was attacked. The party found driver Tomas Reed alive but injured; Perrin Vale was missing. Humanoid tracks led to the stolen chest, while stranger long-toed prints pointed toward the coast. There the party encountered Brine Crawlers.
Bandits using an abandoned fisherman's hut and smuggler passage had taken Hanna's chest. The party recovered and returned it, but the chest had been opened and a stone fragment was gone. A black-metal object bearing a three-circle, curved mark offered another clue.
At Site II, guards connected Varris to a search for old carved stone. Beneath a hut and cellar, a hidden passage reached an ancient round chamber. Its marked pedestal had recently been emptied. A map identified Site I as searched and Site III as confirmed.
The party told the council about signs of occupation but withheld the tunnel, chamber, map, guards, and burned note. Captain Elara Thorn was certain the party knew more, and withheld a reward. The party then left by an indirect route and made a concealed camp about five miles out.
On Vythar's watch, he heard footsteps approaching from an unexpected direction. Two hired searchers asked about black-metal objects marked with three circles and curved lines. The party denied seeing them. The searchers left without finding the concealed camp.
After a full night's rest and breakfast, the party broke camp and followed the route to Site III. Fresh boot prints and wagon tracks led toward old fitted stonework like that at Site II. At least two people and a wagon were present; the party then found four bandits among the ruins.
Sims was spotted near the crates, and the party defeated the four bandits guarding the ruins. They explored the chamber below and learned that their two black-metal objects interact with its ancient mechanism. They now believe five such objects exist. The mechanism is dormant, and its full purpose remains unknown.
The bandit Vythar felled with an unarmed strike survived. Mara gave him one Goodberry, and he answered Sims’s questions. Varris had ordered the crew to secure any black-metal objects rather than sell them. He directs the search from an old logging camp inland, where he keeps maps and papers. The bandit did not know a fourth numbered site, but had heard Varris discuss a “next location” that still needed confirmation.
The surviving bandit gave his name as Edric “Edd” Fenwick. The party spared him and took him along, bound and gagged, toward the logging camp. Along the route they saw repeated wagon and foot traffic, excavation grit at the creek, and the familiar mark on a broken shovel handle.
The party scouted the camp from the southeast. Vythar’s attempt to enter alone drew the guards’ suspicion and the alarm bell sounded. Sims struck a worker with Fire Bolt, Mara restrained a guard with Entangle, and Brunna put the wounded worker to sleep. Brunna freed Edd and paid him 15 gp; he fired a crossbow at a guard. Vythar was wounded while escaping. Varris then called for lowered weapons, and the confrontation became a ceasefire.
Varris had no information about Perrin. After the party showed the genuine mark and described Site III’s mechanism, he called the objects “Tide Keys” and offered a coastal watchtower survey. He returned Vythar’s weapons and supplied a healing potion. After a short rest, the party, Edd, Varris and one guard traveled to the watchtower together.
A hand-operated dial opened a water-driven stone door without a Key. Beyond it, carvings showed five matching components around a central arrangement. Brunna cast Comprehend Languages as a ritual and read surviving instructions: each of five instruments must be in its appointed bearing with marks facing inward before admitting tidal flow. An incomplete arrangement is not proof of safe operation. No additional Key was found.
Sims revealed that the party had found two Keys. Brunna loaned Varris one for examination; he returned it. Varris said Mariel Voss directs his work and that a Key is held under her authority. The party requested an introduction, then returned to the logging camp so he could send a message. Brunna kept both Keys concealed on her person.
Brunna used Comprehend Languages as a ritual in the records room. She touched the broken slate, inscription panel, main chamber diagram and inspection table, then shared the surviving translations with the group. The missing portions remain unreadable.
“…five instruments, each in its appointed bearing…”
“…set the marks toward the heart of the arrangement…”
“…before admitting the tidal flow…”
“…five instruments are required for the complete arrangement…”
“…each mark shall face inward…”
“…confirm the bearings before admitting water…”
“…an incomplete arrangement shall not be taken as proof of safe operation…”
Beside the connecting channels: “Tidal conduits.”
Beside the five-component arrangement: “Appointed bearings.”
Beneath the central design: “Alignment before flow.”
Beside the short orientation notch: “Inward.”
Beside the parallel tracks: “Set bearing.”
The map recovered by the party. Its markings predate the logging-camp and watchtower expedition and show the original route toward Site III.
Open full-size map ↗The party holds two black-metal Tide Keys recovered at Site I and Site II. Brunna carries both. The mark recurs on ancient masonry and tools; its full meaning remains unknown.
A fragment disappeared from Hanna’s chest. Varris’s crew searched old sites. The mechanism at Site III was dormant, and the watchtower held instructions rather than another Key.
Five instruments are required for the complete arrangement. Their marks face inward and their bearings must be confirmed before tidal flow is admitted. An incomplete arrangement is not proof of safe operation. The system’s purpose is still unknown.
Brunna retains the party’s two Keys. Varris says a third is held under Mariel Voss’s authority. The whereabouts of the other two remain unknown to the party.
Hanna's missing freight began the investigation. Captain Elara Thorn commands the local watch; she believes the party concealed important discoveries from the council.
The party met Varris at his logging camp, negotiated a ceasefire and explored the watchtower with him. He returned the Key Brunna loaned him and says Mariel Voss directs his work.
Perrin vanished after the wagon attack. Evidence led toward the shoreline; his whereabouts remain unknown.
Aldren's old journal mentioned stones near Dunwater. Tobren reported strange lights and activity along the coast.
Varris named her as the person directing his work. A Key is held under her authority. He has sent a message requesting an introduction; no reply or meeting is confirmed.
The surviving bandit was spared, escorted to camp, then freed and paid 15 gp to help. He fought briefly beside the party and accompanied the watchtower expedition.
What does the complete five-Key arrangement do?
Who is Mariel Voss, and what does she want?
What happened to Perrin Vale?
Where are the two Keys not held by the party or Mariel’s operation?