At the mention of chest, Ban is on the case. Making her way over to the chest, she takes out her trusty lock picks and decides to go with a more angular pick this go around. Wiping off the keyhole and blowing it out, she gets to work.

Unlock: 7

Grol decides to watch Ban work her magic on that box.

After raiding the storage house they we make the way to the port and begin cooking and celebrating on the shores.  Xander makes sure to grab a few weeks of rations for himself and keep all of it in his bag. Xander will sit with his siblings, telling them of his adventures. He also explains that their uncle will be waiting for them in the capital. Once the party starts to die down and they are sleep he will write them a letter explaining the deal he made with a devil.

He made a deal, with the devil within him. In exchange for helping save his siblings he would have to forfeit his body to the devil...

Xander pulls Bam aside with a letter in his hand, Xander's eyes slowly changing colors "I have to leave... I can't hold the patron back for long... Rin, my sister the oldest, give her my share of whatever you found and this letter. I need you to... over them... ugh... I need you  to watch over them... take them to the capital for me.  A wizard name Lucian, he is my uncle he will take over as their guardian. Here this is for them... thank you Ban, I hope you take better care of yourself."

Xander gives her a hug, his body gives off heat as if he has a fever but eventually he lets go taking his pack filled with food and wine. He takes off on the small boats and rows off the island never to be seen again...

Grol, you see Ban has a little trouble with the lock, but with your strength you're both able to break the lock off.

There are magical weapons inside and enough gold for 75 each. It appears to be a cache of all sorts of items.

(The weapons are all uncommon +1)

Inside the chest there are...

A finely crafted steel maul (two-handed)

A wooden crossbow made from oak

Two daggers with ivory handles

A crystal magical wand (not identified)

Under the weapons there is a note, "Make sure all of the outcasts are sold. Use these if you run into trouble.  -Mr. B of BR"

On the ground, the sword the Wight dropped was an uncursed +1 longsword

Ban exclaims, "Just what we needed. There's good stuff in here!" Fawning over the fancy daggers, she'll hold them up to look but then quickly put away in her pack. "These things brought to you by a 'Mr. B of BR.'" Pointedly shrugging her shoulders at the name. "Take the weapons up, if you would Grol. I'll carry the note and the gold," she politely asks. After everything has been removed from the chest, Ban takes a good look around the wood itself for symbols, writing, or maybe a false panel. 

When Xander pulls her aside, she's airing understanding and respect. "I know you wouldn't ask it if it weren't of the most importance. I assure you that they'll be alright. Don't give up. I'm sure there's something you can do. You're the smart one; so you'll have it figured out in no time." As they embrace perhaps for the last time, Ban will lean in deep for the hug. With her abilities in slight of hand, she'll pocket a small paper, folded and marked with a crimson lipstick mark. One last I.O.U. 

When it's all said and done, Ban will go through his leftover things. If there's still something left, but he originally came with a trunk. If she finds anything small and of interest, she'll add it to her rear pouch and keep it with her as part of her standard kit. 

Grol sheathes the fallen wights longsword then scoops up the weapons and follows Ban.

„Well thats a good Story and will make my Own interesting. Thank you for sharing Mister biscuit„ Milo says to Biscuit.

after the others Open the chest he Sees the crossbow „thats a wonderful peace. May i take it? My own one is good but this one Looks great“

After all this exertion, Milo will return to the ship. He seems to be very absorbed in thought. He already seems to be going through the story in his head.

Quote from Hanyouslayer >>

Ban exclaims, "Just what we needed. There's good stuff in here!" Fawning over the fancy daggers, she'll hold them up to look but then quickly put away in her pack. "These things brought to you by a 'Mr. B of BR.'" Pointedly shrugging her shoulders at the name. "Take the weapons up, if you would Grol. I'll carry the note and the gold," she politely asks. After everything has been removed from the chest, Ban takes a good look around the wood itself for symbols, writing, or maybe a false panel. 

 

When Xander pulls her aside, she's airing understanding and respect. "I know you wouldn't ask it if it weren't of the most importance. I assure you that they'll be alright. Don't give up. I'm sure there's something you can do. You're the smart one; so you'll have it figured out in no time." As they embrace perhaps for the last time, Ban will lean in deep for the hug. With her abilities in slight of hand, she'll pocket a small paper, folded and marked with a crimson lipstick mark. One last I.O.U. 

When it's all said and done, Ban will go through his leftover things. If there's still something left, but he originally came with a trunk. If she finds anything small and of interest, she'll add it to her rear pouch and keep it with her as part of her standard kit. 

Inside Xander's chest is:  1 blue quartz = 10gp Pouch of his coins (6gp, 57sp and 107cp), Abacus, Crowbar, Fishing Tackle, Hammer, Healer's Kit x2, Manacles, Parchment x10 (Sheets)

Everyone makes their way back to the docks where Quint and the others left the lifeboat from the ship. As you all take the contents of the secret weapons cache and walk back, there are several small, yet harmless fires that are barely more than embers that are scattered everywhere from the bombardment. There is an occasional severed hand, blood splatter, and hamburger made from unfortunate slavers caught in cannon blasts. Most of the dock is completely destroyed, but everyone gets in the lifeboat and safely makes there way back to the Truth's Tenacity.

The former slaves are in the process of bathing, eating a meal, and sleeping in the hammocks as you make your way on board. There appears to be some damage from a couple cannonballs fired from the slavers in the siege, but the ship is not in danger of sinking.

However, the ship is in need of repairs and is very low on ammunition from the bombardment. Not to mention there are plenty of extra guests on board.

Quint and his son go into his private quarters and spend time together while you all have a meal and a wash.

(OOC: Is there anything else you all wish to do before setting sail?)

Milo will help out on the Ship where he can. At the next meal Milo will use the time to motivate and inspire the Crew again. He's going to put on another little show and give his new story for the best. "High times at low tides" a story about a Gilbert Wanderlust and a group of adventures as they set sail and undo an evil curse on an island created by a Lich. With his illusions and his music, Milo tries to reach the heart of the team. 

Performance: 21

"We've been through so much and we survived. We made new friends and found old ones. I'm telling you, this is the best story life can write. Hooray for all of you! To our fallen comrades and to the found family" And raise his glass towards the Crew, followed by a strong sip.

(OOC: I assume everyone is ok with moving forward)

Milo, the ship has been in good hands while you all were gone. You all see the crew has been making makeshift repairs and preparing the ship for travel, but you are a welcome addition to help caretaking for a few of the weaker slaves that are resting in makeshift hammocks below deck. Malon has her hands full trying to address their medical needs so you assist by helping them drink water, feed them some warm soup, and administering medicine. You get a few feeble inaudible nods of appreciation from them, but overall you're confident they'll all be fine after some rest. The remaining slaves who aren't sick are all sleeping soundly after their meals as if they haven't slept in a very long time.

While in the galley after your entertainment, you do get most of the crew, who are now off duty, to join you in raising a cup of grog and knocking on the tables in approval. They are quite tired from the bombardment so they're mainly there to have a quick meal and drink before resting.

After you all get settled back on the ship and are about to retire for the evening, Quint crutches out of his cabin, shutting the door and leaving a lantern lit inside. He says to you three, "I have to thank you again for your bravery. Definitely will make a good story back in the taverns back home...Leodel will love this one especially. It's a shame that Xander fellow departed, he was a good lad. His siblings will be looked after, but we shouldn't linger here so we'll depart in the morning. Go ahead and get some rest, we'll talk more once we're ready to leave."

The evening is uneventful and you all take a much needed, and deserved, long rest. In the morning after a meal, the makeshift repairs are complete and the crew has the ship ready to sail while the slaves on board either remain sleeping or are relaxing on the stern deck out in the sun. Quint's son remains in the captain's cabin sleeping. There is also a minimal crew on duty because they exerted themselves a lot from the prior night. Those off duty remain in their bunks resting until their shift.

On the main deck, you all see Quint sitting in a wooden chair elevating his amputated leg. He says, "I assume you all slept well? I know there was that monster or something dwelling in that mountain that feeding on the steady supply of people...which is quite terrifying, but was there anything else that you all discovered on the island? Someone significant had to be running that operation. There must have been some kind of lead to go off of. I see you all found some new weapons...they look especially exquisite. No mere criminals would have access to those."

He looks towards Biscuit, "Would you happen to know?"

Biscuit says, "Hey! I was only a greenhorn. They wouldn't give me the time of day if I asked! But no, unfortunately I didn't hear anything about that."

Quint replies, "Oh don't get the wrong idea, I'm not accusing you of anything. Anyway, if you all might know who was running the show or who might know more, then we'll make sure their operation never gets started again. In the meantime, let's get going away from here, it gives me the creeps."

The crew hauls up the anchor, opens the sails, and you all begin moving away from the island as it moves further away until it's a speck on the horizon. The seas are a little rough and some of the slaves are seasick from the ship swaying up and down, but the skies are partly cloudy and visibility is good. Not to mention whatever spirit living in the mountain on the Isle of Despair is far, far away from you all on the open seas.

Quint says, "Well, we need repairs and also to make sure the passengers get ashore safely. I know of a place where we can go that will take them in and send them back to their homes, if they have them. Should be able to get repairs too..."

Back at the ship going through Xander's things, she removes just the blue quartz and gives it a good looking over. Beautiful. I'm sure it'll make a good trinket. Doing her best to shake off Xander's leaving, she returns to the group. When the Captain addresses, she will listen and nod respectfully. A long day for some, yet longer for others. 

The following day on the main deck, Ban states "Captain, we did find something that might point us in the right direction." Taking out the note, she'll pass it over. "This was with the weapon cache, and these weapons should be more useful on that thing than regular ones."

Grol takes a spot at the bow of the ship.  The crisp ocean air is refreshing after the dank, dead fish odor of the island. He's enjoying the spray of the sea and the sound of the sea gulls.

Quint's eyes go wide immediately after reading the note.

"I recognize this handwriting...you all remember the meeting on the first night back in Black Root? A halfling named Mr. Bolger...I'm sure you remember him and his half-orc bodyguard Sogg. This is his handwriting and Mr. B of BR is not exactly being inconspicuous, looks like he got a little too big for his britches. This is worrying...if Black Root is profiting from the slave trade, then we definitely need to find more concrete evidence. We also must not go back to Black Root, especially not with former slaves."

Just as Quint finishes talking, one of Xander's siblings steps forward from resting on the stern deck, with her reclaimed ribbon in her silver hair. "It's true. I don't remember all the details, but the lady who sold us did meet with a halfling that came to visit just outside of the... Boil? They sold us shortly afterwards and we ended up on the Island of Despair. We're... not going back there are we?" she says with a look of fear in her eyes.

Quint says, "No, it is not safe for any of us there. If they find out we were here then we'll be killed without a trace. We need more information, and as I said, some repairs and a place to drop off the passengers. I know just the place. We should get there in 2-3 days."

The teenage girl goes back and rests on the deck. Thankful that you're not going back to Black Root.

Quint orders the helm to the North and you all sail throughout the day, helping on the ship as needed.

OOC: apologies for the delay.

A full day passes and things remain uneventful. As night falls and everyone except the crew on duty remains asleep in their bunks. All seems peaceful as the ship continues on its course.

Suddenly, there are multiple loud banging sounds on the sides of the hull below the waterline in multiple places. Shouts of alarm cry out from the main deck and the sail is raised quickly.

Roll Initiative everyone (including Beasty)

Grol Initiative: 2

OOC: ****.

Ban initiative: 17

Initiative:  18

Initiative: 21

Ban, Milo, and Grol run towards the bow deck and look over the sides to find 3 of these on the hull bashing it below the water!

Once they see you looking at them, they swim upwards, bursting through the water into the air and land on the deck in front of you and move to attack! The crew on deck all flee below deck, leaving just yourselves.

Initiative 4 14 18 (8 avg)

BeastyC, go ahead and introduce your character. You can start your turn when you get on deck and are able to reach the enemies with your movement (if you choose to).

Round 1

Milo, (BeastyC), and Ban are up (take turns at will). Followed by enemies and Grol.

The enemies are in a line, 3 across with a 5ft gap in-between each one.

S1       S2        S3

Ban    Grol      Milo