@Kairus: Although it looks the same as your previous amulet of Umberlee, this new one gifted to you by Yulmiath is definitely souring your mood a little bit.

Either remembering it himself or hearing Hun's suggestion from below, Kairus swoops down, collects the prized spyglass, and flies back up. Yulmiath also has a suggestion for the bard while he is nearby, so Kairus aims his lenses at the far-away ship in search of defining features. With the aid of the spyglass, Kairus spots a black flag on the main ship. It depicts the classic pirate skull and bones with a twist: the skull in it has long, sharp, protruding fangs from the lower jaw.

Flying back down, Kairus describes his newest finding to the rest of the group. The party exchanges a few looks but it is obvious that Krodhen has the strongest reaction. At first, he shows disbelief: "No... he came back..." The half-orc's expression then shifts to one of anger. "That is my father's ship. He will die today!"  Krodhen's reaches for his flail, gripping it tightly. 

"Don't think we delved to far into anyone's past before begin washed up here. We've all got a past, but seen as we're on our way to confront yours, Krodhen, do you want to give any background? Is your father a jolly pirate who likes throwing parties or a ruthless, bloodthirsty one?"

"You have interesting relationships in the family. But a pirate is a pirate. Let's move." On the go, however, Kairus took off Umberlee's pendant. "Does not feel the same. Let's just sell the thing with everything else if there is still anyone to buy the stuff."

"Preferably more 'he dies tonight' since we'll probably need the cover, but whatever." Hun quietly groused in response to news. At Kairus actions, the kobold just about says something smart there as well, though more aloud this time. But though his mouth opens, a moment passes without a word being said before all that's let out a little sigh, followed by dismissive shrug. "Onwards then, fellas. Will need to work out somewhere to stash the goods once we're closer, but for now I second Young Blue's sentiments about keeping on." 

"Ahoyhoy's been a good host ta us durin' our stay," Rhogal says with a restrained anger during, "Come Hells or high water, we will repay 'em!"

Krodhen clears his throat before elaborating: "I had a painful upbringing as a half-bred son of an Orc pirate lord; a series of tough and painful lessons time and time again, never being able to do anything that satisfied my father. The relationship was one of fear and duty, lacking any parental care that many other children would receive. My destiny to forever be a disappointing appendage to my father's pirate band upturned when a chance encounter with a stranger in port ended with a horrifying story being shared, one of a human woman being snatched from a ship that was raided, taken captive and ultimately bearing a bastard half-orc son, a gift to my father that was met with her being bound and thrown overboard to drown, knowing that her babe was to be raised by a tyrant, her dying breath beseeching the gods to look favorably on her son and be there when needed the most."

The half-orc is now staring into the sea: "It was only a few days before meeting the rest of the Snack Pack that my mother's wish was granted. After the blame for a failed raid was laid upon me, my father, in a rage, repeated the act that saw my mother's death. As I was being tugged down, I felt the presence of an angel, offering me an alternate path to redemption, one that I instantly accepted. Touched by the divine, I has awoken with a devotion to mete out Tyr's justice on the tyrants of the world, with my father first on the list. I currently find myself looking for a way to begin my journey to redemption, certain of one thing: justice will be forthcoming to my father at my own hands so that no other innocent will be harmed by his deeds from that moment onward."

Looking back at the group, he continues: "This island, The Snout of Omgar, homeland to the tortles, has been kind to each of us. Rhogal found unique spores to take back home, Hun was able to rescue the human scholar he had been seeking (though he might be in danger again), Kairus was given more of the above-water world to explore, and Yulmiath is now helping push the kind of treasure hoard one can retire on. It seems the island has not forgotten me either, as it delivers my father to me for a final confrontation. This pack we have formed might have been one created by chance and opportunity, but I now ask you to help me deliver justice to the Renegade Captain! WHAT SAY YOU?"

Kairus listens intently to the usually silent paladin. Krodhen did not need to ask, the whole story was one loud call for justice even if those pirates did not attack a defenceless village of friendly creatures.

"We are not leaving you, or those turtles undefended, of course. We'll make sure that justice is served, Krodhen. The island gave us a lot. Now, it's our turn to give back and make things right. Your father will face the consequences of his actions."

He looked along the path. "What worries me most, all of these turtles are hunters yet, they could not repel the attack. The enemy has to be strong. What do you say if we leave the loot here and double-time to the village?"

Having not quite expected the speech, but being just curious enough to stop and listen when Krodhen cleared his throat, Hun with rapt attention. Unfortunately, rather than stoking any flames of righteousness in the kobold's heart, Hun slowly but surely began to look more pensive and even annoyed upon sensing the direction of the speech.

By some miracle he'd kept from facepalming at the question. But just as he's about to open his mouth to maybe temper things, Kairus speaks up with the an absolutely horrifying... 'Wait... when did Ilya show up again?' He frowned at the thought, and sono after shook his head dismissing it all together. "Holdon,holdon,holdon! Slow your roll there, Young Blue! There's no need to ditch the loot. It'll still take us some hours to get there, and any of the actual fighting is done. All rushing will do is tire us out, and make us easy pickings. We'll be better off keeping to a fairly quick pace and stashing our loot on the way like a said before." He said.

"Besides, if Krogan's dad is as much of pirate lord that he thinks he is, then odds are he's liable to **** around fer a bit before shipping off. Maybe even interrogate some folks about what the island has to offer. Like, I dunno, the big ass temple with untold treasures, and an experienced party of explorer's being on record for going up and looting the place. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't try to wait for us to return just to jack our shit! Well, mostly Mr. Yully's stuff, but whatever! Or even better yet, if he hears anything about a familiar looking half-orc running about, I'm sure he'd be all too eager to stick around." He explained in a something of a hurry, before finally taking a moment to breath. "So, let's hurry but not rush into anything, okay? We gotta be smart about this. We won't be helping anyone if we rush in half-cocked." 

"Aye, those Tortles have been good to us with little reason other than they're fine folk. We'll stand with them, aunt no question about that."

He sighs and claps Krodhen on the shoulder. "And I'm sorry your father is an arsehole. We'll see about giving him a real hiding all too soon. Before we do, how many crew does your father command? If we're going to bust heads, it's good to know how many."

Kairus was not that hotheaded to not listen to the voice of reason and strategy. He did not run ahead but nodded and walked at the previous pace listening to the answers to more practical questions.

Although their reactions varied along the same spectrum, the Snackers seem to have agreed to fulfill Krodhen's destiny and save the tortle village along the way. Silent for most of this, Kwilgok is the only one who agrees to ditch everything and run to the village, but Hun brings both his and Kairus's enthusiasm down a peg.

Before continuing their many-hour walk to Ahoyhoy, the half-orc answers Yulmiath's question. "Including me, the crew was 18 strong before my... dismissal. That number had always fluctuated a bit. A pirate's life is dangerous, as you know well Yul. Every death was replaceable at the next port, though, so there is no telling how many crew members might make up the Renegade Captain's crew today. I assure you this, though: the captain himself is the one who should be the focus of our concern. As much as it pains me to admit it, I was never even close to his power in a one-to-one fight."

With that warning, the Packers resume their hike, their pace intensified more than just a tad. Four stressful but otherwise mundane hours pass before Kwilgok pipes up again. "We are now some 15 minutes outside Ahoyhoy's south gate. If we approach from the road, they will surely see us from the distance. What is the plan?" 

"Hmm... Mayhaps a diversion may be called for..." Rhogal ponders as takes out his bagpipes. "Made me some friends in the depths of the island. I ken call one or two o' them. They won't fight, but they might be able to help in other ways. Maybe with them an' this lovely noisemaker, we could lure more than a few of them to a diff'rent entrance."

(Basically I'm trying to put this into play)

"Well that's the beautiful thing about having friends, Krodhen, you won't be facing him one on one.  Still, at least 18 hands is big number, best we have a clear idea about what's going on before we strike."

Pointing to Rhogal, Yumiath pumps his fist. "Yes, a diversion, I like it." He then quickly spins to face Kwilgok and points at the Tortle. "Kwilgok, what's the best way to approach Ahoyhoy if we don't want to be seen easily and where's the best place to stash a big pile of loot? That dinosaur is plently dangerous in a fight and we might need them before this is over, I don't think we want them overburdened for what comes next. Problem is, we still don't know what's going on in there," Yulmiath does one more spin, pointing at Kairus this time, "Can you do another fly-over or an invisible sneak about, see if we can't know a little more to bulk this plan out a bit?"

Letting the dust settle on his question barrage, Yulmiath drops a knee and bends down towards Hun, "Did I leave anything out of that?"

"That.. is certainly an option! Of course our Tyr sworn here friend will have to give us the rundown on the viability of any plan we might come up with, seeing as he has history with'em 'n all. The pirates, that is. And Young Green as well on everything else. Unfortunately, as I understand it at least, the power of flight and invisibility through spell weaving is a bit too tricky even for young blue here. Both put too much a strain on the mind and focus, you see." 

"But still! I like where your head is, Mr. Yully and Mossbeard." Hun said with a grin. "We also have a few other options. Which, if only to have all the cards on the table, I'll lay down as well. Some of which we can probably combine, but we'd need to be careful not to make it too complicated, least the whole thing unravels faster than Mr. Yully here falls asleep on watch." He further asserts with a waggle of a finger, prompting Mrs. Thinn to pantomime him in her own way.

"Another option would be to try and lure a few out with the promise of treasure in some way. Though, obviously, if the old tusked tooth bastard tends to rule by fear, most might be a bit, uh, wary about skimming any for themself off the top. But, it is another option! Another more, eh, adjacent option would be to set up an ambush while we're at it. We're a few supplies shy of give'm the 'ol Tucker the Kobold treatment, but I'm sure we can scrap something together with the island resources and some of the treasures perhaps." He assured brightly, then deflated somewhat and took a breath as if bracing himself.

"A third option, and in some ways more dangerous one, would be a three prong assault of sort. We'd still be using Mossbeard's plan to try and draw at least some of them towards the north. But while that's happening, some if not all of us could sneak aboard their ship maybe, and **** it royal. Maybe even take out any guards and set it on fire if the angle is just right that there'd be a delay on anyone noticing from the village. And while they're all up in a tizzy trying to double back to deal with that, maybe... maybe others can sneak inside and scatter any prisoners, or at least rally them to attack, assuming there's a way of slipping inside without going through the gates." On that point, Hun looked to Kwilgok and Krodhen.

"I can add one more option. Surely, a ship that big has a few cannons on it, right? Cannons mean gunpowder - something we can explode. A few will die in the explosion, others will be cornered. But even if they don't have gunpowder, I am sure Granpa here can make something we can use to set the ship on flame? I will go there invisible and do it."

"Sure, if you want to keep the ship for yourself, it's not the option. But what if we openly challenge the captain? The ship and the crew will belong to the victor. Krodhen will challenge him as his son, allowing him to choose three mates to make the fight even, we win and take the ship. How is that?"

As a response to Hun's prodding about falling asleep on watch, under his breath Yulmiath adds, "I was just resting my eyes, my body always remains ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.  The drool was only added flavour to sell my deception to the enemy."

The approach into Ahoyhoy forces the group to put on their planning hats. Rhogal offers to cause a distraction on the north gate with some aid from his new myconid friends. Hun suggests luring them out with the treasure hoard that is currently attached to Deadly Treasure and somehow using traps to the Snackers' advantage. Meanwhile, Kairus seems to be a big fan of causing an explosion at the pirate ship.

In response to Yulmiath, Kwilgok says: "Well, the walls are high and the south and north gates are too obvious... I guess the only other way is the one I used to take when sneaking back in as a youngling. Are you up for some angling? If so, we could pull ourselves up the oversized fishing rods hanging over the walls. In the storage area of the city (area 4 of the Ahoyhoy map in the Campaign page) fishing gear and other supplies are stored in crates and barrels, but there are also several long, wooden rods extending out from the walls that we use to catch fish in the shallows. Deadly Treasure is not making it that way, though, and it might even be too fragile an entryway for the heavier folks among us."

"As for stashing the loot," he continues, "I reckon we can just leave it under the thick foliage of the jungle nearby. What are the chances someone will take it away while we are fighting?" He looks a bit embarrassed and frightened now, adding: "On second thought, maybe DT and I stay back and keep an eye on the treasure, just to be safe."

When prodded, Krodhen pitches in again: "My father is quite the combatant. I learned my weapon and armor wielding skills from him... Well, from watching him kill and plunder; there were never formal lessons involved. Not instructive ones, at least. He taught as he leads, by fear." Turning to Kairus, Krodhen adds: "As for a formal challenge, we might be able to taunt him into accepting it, but as a famous helmed warrior once say: 'Kid, never trust a pirate'." 

"Ok, ok. So some of us could do the climb up these ropes and sneak our way into Ahoyhoy? That part of the city is fairly close to the gates we're close to now, so we could open them up from inside and get Deadly Treasure involved that way? Or we could see what's happening to the other tortles inside Ahoyhoy? If they're being held somewhere we could free them, get them away from danger.  If we wanted, we could even bar the way down to the ship? Stop any other pirates from overwhelming us while we go about our business? At the very least, we'd have a better idea on how to move forward and what's going on inside Ahoyhoy."

"Oh, I am sure with proper goading and rallying up, even pirates can be convinced to agree to an honest duel. Surely you know your father well enough, Krodhen, to give a few pointers to some skillful," Kairus bowed as if introducing himself, "storyteller to craft an enticing challenge. Should that storyteller succeed, we would not need to involve turtles in the fight or the more reliable part of the crew. That is, if you do plan to overtake the ship."

"Sounds like we're wreckin' the ship, as well?" Rhogal asks. "Perhaps I ken take some one under the ship, we put more than a few hulls and make it a new fixture to this island's shores?"