The Salt-Stained Saint's Black Tide Cache

Beneath loose floorboards in the Salt-Stained Saint lies a narrow cavity concealed under old sawdust, spilled ale, and a warped section of decking. The hiding place was used by a dying courier who crossed the block while pursued, clutching evidence tied to the missing cargo rumor. The tavern keeper saw the courier kneel and lift the boards, but fear and uncertainty kept the keeper from claiming the cache. The Stormglass Idol and Black Tide Ledger were wrapped together in tarred sailcloth, while the courier's purse and spyglass were tucked beneath them. The discovery immediately creates several possible consequences. Selling the cache to the shopkeeper may bring quick coin, but the shopkeeper is likely to alert interested pirates once the sale is made. Surrendering the ledger to the harbor watch could earn official protection and a modest reward, though corrupt names inside the book may cause the evidence to disappear. Keeping the items gives the party leverage over merchants, watch officers, and smugglers, but the distant pirate crew may send agents to recover the idol or silence anyone who has read the ledger. Revealing the contents publicly could ignite a factional crisis in FreeHold, expose the missing cargo route, and make the Salt-Stained Saint a dangerous meeting place for every side involved.