Slick Rick nods thoughtfully at that.

"Ah, yes a poop stick. Rick has seen those. Rick also dislikes rocks getting stuck between toes."

He leans in to check,

"You go to a horse foot care person?"

Nodding his acceptance to the guard in the rowboat, Tuck makws a quick introduction - "Tucker's the name. I'll see what I can do to assist, if you'll keep an eye on my pack..." As they approach the foundering vessel,  the little halfling strips down to his breaches, carefully packing his boots, clothes and leather armor and gear into his now bulging backpack, preparing to swim if need be, wrapping the palms of his hands with a bit of twine to help assist any rope climbing needed. He also scans the waterline and just below as best he's able as they near the ship, looking for what might have caused the damage, , anyone in trouble in the water, and/or lurking dangers, given the ship's distress...

Percpetion/Investigation troll: 23

As the boat gets underway, Breldo will run through a check of his crossbow, making sure all the mechanisms are in good working order, that his bolts are tidy and easily accessible, all with practiced hands that don't require directly watching what he is doing. Once he's confirmed it's ready if he needs it, he'll unload it and return it to his back.

Nuria nods to Breldo then looks out towards the ship. She keeps her bow ready as she scans the water for either threats or survivors.

Perception: 19

Soon enough, all the boats have set off in the direction of the ship in need. En route, at least some nice words are shared among some, while in others one wonders about one's naturally oily sheen or the use of a stick for... The sailors on that particular ship try to tune it all out. Or at least pretend to not be listening in with morbid curiosity. While on other approaching vessels the occupants prepares to do their very best to help out. It is perhaps that single-minded focus of Tuck that allows him to be the first to see some of the details as they get closer, although one thing at least would become obvious to everyone as they did. The ship was NOT in a good state.

It's still a decent while out, so no point in swimming just yet, especially in these cold waters, but even now it's become obvious that there are several gaping holes within the ship's hull. None large enough to be critical to the point of quick swimming, but at least some of them are evidently too big to be patched, at least at sea. Presuming just a few of those holes are already under the waterline and given how the ship has by now completely stalled, listing... Do all signs point to "yes", on that front. Tuck and Nuria, and some of the guards too, see at least a few people in the water- People who apparently decided to try and just swim for the city by this point. Some rowboats already diverting course to intercept them.

(Everyone give me an intelligence check.)

Breldo: 12

Intelligence: 9

Khond Intelligence: 2

Quote from Rodgeir >>

"You go to a horse foot care person?"

 "Farriers are quite important, but you have to find one who's good at it, and who'll treat your hooves like a horse's and not like a human's feet.  Some of them get so squeamish about it as soon as their subject can talk."

"Yes, Rick can understand! You have shoes on? How do you sneak with..."

He clops heavily on the deck to simulate clopping.

Intelligence: 19

"Well, I don't really sneak.  I'm more of an...  'announce my presence and draw the crowd' sort of person."

As everyone gazes upon the spectacle it is more than evident that it is weird, of course. After all, who ever sees something like this happen? But while most might look at it with a sense of wonder and some confusion, it is perhaps Slick's straightforward approach to things that makes him realize one very simple matter (And Tuck too, should he roll 15+ at least).

There is no way that this ship managed to sail all the way here in this kind of state. It'd have hours, at most, from taking this level of damage.

But that doesn't make much sense either. For that to be the case there's only two possible options, and both raise only more questions.

Firstly, assuming the damage was only recent... What did it? And how did no one notice until they saw only the ship limping in?

Or secondly, assuming the damage happened a long time ago... Well, the same question- How did people only notice the limping ship until it got so close? And how would it have survived the long trek?

Rick again nods,

"Rick understands that sometimes there is need for a show!"

He straightens to best catch the light on his sheen.

As he is does so he narrows his eyes on the shape of the sinking boat he is going to rescue.

"Horse-" he leans down to check under Khond before straightening and finishing, "Man, Rick thinks that boat should be at the bottom of the water. This boat could go inside holes in that other boat. Rick is not a boat expert but that seems very bad for other boat's floatability. Or very good for its sinkability!"

He squints and says,

"Rick thinks if we are going there in time we better hurry!"

Khond graciously ignores the unsubtle gender check and simply nods, "Yes, well, the ship should sink any time soon, that's why everyone's going out to help."

"Anyone see any crew?"

Breldo Perception: 18

Tuck's Inteligence check - 17

As their rowboat approaches the larger ship listing in the water, Tuck's sharp eyes note the damage to the hull. "That's ... odd," he notes to the guard. "What could have caused that? And I would be on the alert - it's likely that damage was sustained recently; that ship couldn't have sailed far like that - and it looks like more than just hitting an underwater rock or reef, unless there were several; I can't help but wonder if something attacked that vessel - something that might still be in the area..."

Tuck keeps his rapier handy, watching the water as they draw near - looking to assist someone in the water, if need be by offering them a ride, but also alert for any lurking danger beneath the waves - or within the damaged ship[ itself. He takes a closer look at the holes themselves - is there sign of fire or explosives, like blackened wood? or marks of an attack (teth marks, etc.), and the wood around the edges of the holes - is it splintered in - or out...?

Perception: 8

Unaware of the true extent of the ship's damage, or the fact that it should not still be floating. There is something about this ship that has her on even higher alert than she normally is. She knows next to nothing about boats, but by the reaction of those around her, she knows something isn't right. Keeping a tight grip on her bow, Nuria continues to scan the ship and the water for survivors or threats.

Perception: 16

Slowly, one by one the ships are approaching the vessel in question, the occupants of each boat coming to varying levels of conclusions. On one boat there's Nuria and Breldo, joined with the captain as well. On another, Slick and Khond, together with some simple fishermen who are quite convinced this is the oddest pair of folks they've ever had on their boat. And finally Tuck, graciously being escorted in a rowboat by one of the guards.

To which Tuck also remarks that the only sensible explanation for the damage was that it must be recent. The guard looks over his shoulder, takes in the damage, and seems to slowly come to an agreement, albeit being just as confused about the matter as well. 

"Yeah, that... Can't have gone too far, yeah? But it doesn't make sense- We've been watching the ship for a while! Well... I didn't see it originally, people just gathered up when it was already this close, I only came when there was already a crowd. But we should have seen if there was anything, right? You're not suggesting there's a giant sea monster, right?" the guard spoke dubiously. Magic might not be real, but who knew what secret reasons the very rare ship disappearing deep at sea could have as a reason- And the guard gives a few glances over the water, but doesn't at least see anything hidden there. Nor does Tuck, as he investigates the damage more closely, at least as he still can from this slight distance. From what he can see, most of the holes carry with them scorch marks, splintering inward. But he would have to see in a moment if it warranted a thorough investigation.

---

Rick comments on the frankly impossible state of the boat, to which Khond responds with, abbreviated, "Duh." One of the sailors does pipe up in response to the Tabaxi's statement as well.

"Yeah, better be quick, this thing is going to Davey Jones' locker soon enough. Really weird though- Just appeared out of nowhere, feels like,"

"Whatcha mean?"

"Well I mean it wasn't there one moment and then it was! Look out to the ocean and no ships coming in, then five minutes later I saw it! I swear!"

The other fisherman shakes his head softly. Didn't pay attention, clearly. Their brief reverie is interrupted as a person tries to grip on one of the rigging hanging on the side of the ship, crying out for help.

---

On the last ship, Breldo and Nuria look out for survivors in particular. Rewarded as their boat does sway slightly to meet with one of the people in question. The captain quickly tosses out a rope, and soon pull up one exhausted-looking man. The drenched, bearded man quickly slumps down back first on the deck, as panting words slowly begin to escape him.

"Did the city get hit hard..?"

"Hit hard? By what, man? What do you mean?", Breldo asks.

((Has he spotted the centaur he passed on the way in on one of the other boats?))