Ethel listens silently to Jan's vivid description.  At times she looks ready with a follow up question, but each time she holds her tongue.

At last, she provides bad news.  "None of that is familiar to me."  She frowns.  "I would be tempted to call it a metaphor.  Both dragons and the number five are symbols of power... creeping shadows are a near-universal stand in for unknown danger.  Yet it sounds as though your... patron... has left you with the impression this is a literal event that could potentially occur.  That is unsettling."

She continues, thinking out loud.  "So much of recent events seem tied to Mulhorand.  The sands of your vision could point in that direction.  That's where all the connections I can make end.  I know of no history of undead dragons or great shadows in Mulhorand, though I am far from an expert on that land.  Osiris, their old god... the same - I know of no connection between them and dragons.  Though he was a god of the dead."  She frowns again.  "I can look into this more if we come across a library but otherwise I'm afraid I have to disappoint you.  I just don't know."

Jan fiddles with a book in her hands as she listens to Ethel.

"Yeah, the sands could mean a location... there were rocky hills jutting up from the sands, I tried sketching them as best I could remember, but not sure it's good enough to recognize where. Not disappointed you didn't know, just means you'll be on the alert for any connections you can make."

Jan will approach Lun and Bukril as they're working on idle tasks about the ship. "We'll be making land in Spandeliyon soon. Ship will be needing a full crew, you intend to stay on when we set sail again?" 

She'll also touch base with the other 5 prisoners, seeing if any of the anglers or carpenter have an interest in staying on after making port.

Jan will also confer with Ethel, Marrin, Ava, Ula and Bigge regarding the two in the brig. "Tammer and Slick. They're able hands, but I'd not trust them, and with an intent to take on a new crew, don't want them whispering and causing unrest. My vote, if it comes to it, is that we don't leave Spandeliyon with them on board. I've a contact in the local constabulary, the one who sent me after Godrick to start with. Could be that there is a bounty to be had on two engaged in piracy, and we could turn them over for some coin. Otherwise, the could 'leave' the ship before we even reach port."

"As far as any others that could be painted with the piracy brush, that's not a concern for the locals, and Lun's already served time under the Hargroves. Speaking of painting and brushes, I'm not keen to pull in as the Rose Marie, technically I suppose this is a mutiny, where we killed the Captain and First Mate and raised the quartermaster to the wheel. Anyone find any paint to be able to rename her? Any suggestions? Maybe change her look a bit? Get that carpenter fellow to add some carvings or the like?"   

(Wow guys, this is really good.  I'm struggling finding a way for the barbarian to add anything meaningful....)

Avaria listens to her friends help each other in their unique abilities and it makes her smile.  She hopes they don't separate when they reach Spandeliyon, she's really found a kinship with these girls, something she isn't used to and wants to help it grow.

Unfamiliar with any of the places they are talking about, and not wanting to interrupt, she finally asks Bigge, "You're an experienced sailor, have you ever been to Mulhorand?  If so, what can you tell me about it?  Also, when we get to Spandeliyon, I'm pretty sure we aren't staying there and are probably going to try and figure out these mysteries... do you have plans yourself or did you want to come with us?  That is, once you get a crew you're happy with?"

At one point she heads down to the kitchen, rounds up a bunch of random items and takes them down to the hold.  After not having a decent weapon for so long and feeling so naked without it, she doesn't want that to happen again.  She knows the sword isn't literally connected to her body so the position she was in could happen again.  She takes some time using these random objects as weapons, drawing targets on the wall and doing whatever she can to get stronger.  Grappling potato sacks and the like (New feat - Tavern Brawler)

When Jan asks about the prisoners, Ava doesn't have a strong feeling either way, "I could use them for target practice" she does offer up.  She says it with a joking lilt, but if anyone takes her up on it, she totally means it.

((At some point, after hearing Ava bumping around in the hold, Jan would have headed down to check on her, perhaps initially concerned Tammer or Slick got loose.))

"Think you got that potato sack good, Ava, I think it's tapping out.", Jan says from the stairs with a smile.

"If you're up for something more challenging..."

((Jan would be willing to be a grappling partner for Ava, with a +4 to Acrobatics, she'd be decent at wiggling out, and can shoot sparks, smells and sounds in her friends face to give a bit more of a challenge at holding a grapple under duress.))

Marrin doesn't glance to Adelysia for a minute, hoping the woman will get the drift and drift away. After that she'll give a half annoyed look then do a double take.

"When did...?"

She snorts a laugh, then with a smile and nods and turns back to the town,

"Well done! The only notes I'd give was that she was far too polite!"

She gives another laugh.

---

Marrin keeps her expression neutral as she responds to Jan's question about Slick and Tammer,

"I would prefer we turn them over, if possible. Coin or not."

About changing the Rose,

"I think people will recognize Bigge and Ula, along with most likely Adelysia. I don't know that it is going to be worth hiding? I'm fine being the good captain and staying onboard, most of the time, if we need that."

Jan gives Marrin a grin. 

"Didn't want to go so far that you wanted to put a knife in my ribs and tip me over the side!"

"Perhaps not. And I suppose posing as the dear Captain work counter to getting a trustworthy crew. If we go in as is, perhaps we have a story... ran into a storm and giant sea creatures, only just managed to limp our way back to shore? An element to truth to it at least. Lost the Captain and most of the crew along the way... I suppose Ula's temple ought to know the right of it, but more for any nosy folk asking why we're back so soon?"

Jan does her best to recall and write down everything from her vision the night before. The desert seemed generic but at the same time she’s pretty sure if she saw those rocky hills she’d recognize them. The dragons were so bleached and weather beaten that they were hard to distinguish but if Jan had to put money down on it she’d say each one was a different colour; red, blue, green, black, and she assumes the last one was white as she couldn’t make out any colour. And while the black shadow was menacing, and the stain of corruption and decay it left behind looked real, she can’t decide if it was a literal shadow or it represented a dark entity. Jan wishes this was a one off, but she’s been getting more and more of a feel for her patron, and while there may be some affection there, they still communicate like any other dao – they’ve got things to say but they speak in their own way. If she had to put a name to it, it would be something she’s never felt from her patron before. It might border on fear.

Without the stress of the island and the caves and the constant threat of combat and death to bother them, the two goblins are quite affable and are happy to help Ethel with her mastery of Ghukliak. They seem quite happy to have someone to take to in their own language. They’re also happy to help Marrin expand her vocabulary. But Ethel ends up having to point out that the duo think it’s hilarious to teach Marrin the most crude and suggestive version of every word they can think of. Eventually they get over that and while she still have little more than a beginner’s vocabulary, Marrin’s accent is getting better.

During the time Ethel and Marrin spend with the pair, they both notice that Kriox and Brash are quite tender towards each other.

Lun and Bukril, the two sailors seem to take to the idea of staying with the ship. “Mister Bigge is a decent guy and you don’t get that much on these ships. But who’s the captain of this boat now?”

The rest of the escapees appear to have no interest in staying on board once they reach Spandeliyon. Adelysia Demai has made it clear she’ll take the kidnapping and failure to take her to her destination up with the lord mayor.

Geffroi Desbiens and Hammerdasher have been having lengthy conversations about the dwarf clan’s missing treasure and what might be in there. Geffroi is quite interested in the potential key to a hidden chamber in Gheldaneth that might be in the treasure. He also listened intently to Jan’s description of her vision but he wasn’t able to add much else.

Bigge shakes his head when Avaria asks him about Mulhorand. “It’s hot and dry, but they’ve some amazing wine. I’ve only been to Skuld. I’ve heard you talking about Gheldaneth but as far as I know at least half that city is still ruins.” Bigge says. “The Rose Marie hasn’t been there in a long time, but we did put in at Unthalass a few weeks back. Lots of talk about what was going on across the bay in Mulhorand. A lot of drunken ghost stories but even the soberest of them were clear they weren’t making any plans to get any closer to the desert than they were.”

Bigge made sure that Tammer and Slick were locked up in the brig on the bottom deck and he happily supports anyone willing to argue for tossing them overboard before they get to port.

“Putting a new name on a ship is usually bad luck,” Bigge says. “But this ship could do with shaking its past. And I wouldn’t worry much about anyone throwing mutiny around. You were never crew and they made sure I wasn’t either. No, this was slavers getting what they deserved.”

---------------------------------------------------------------

If you want to rename the ship you’ll have time for that. And is everyone fine with sailing into port, or do you want to send a few people in the rowboat to get the lay of the land?

((Jan would rather scout it first, she's the cautious sort. She'd have mentioned her vision to Geffroi only after Ethel likely inevitably mentioned him as possibly knowing more if Mulhorand is the place. She'd have shared that she suspects that the 5 were each of the chromatic.))

Marrin gives another snort,

"I will have you know I am far less stabby than most recent events would indicated."

------

Marrin thanks Kriox and Brash in the most polite way she knows for their help and says,

"I be most ******* glad if ****** girth to learn more, ******** you both."

Marrin nods along with Bigge,

"I'm fine trying out the truth as well. Spandeliyon isn't lawless. Especially if we spread the word around first what happened. It would look suspicious if anything happens to us, should there be Hargrove sympathizers in town."

She throws out a first name into the pot,

"How about Xanthe's Wish? This ship certainly fulfilled her wish of escape, though unfortunately not for her."

To Lun and Bukril, "I think it's Mister Bigge's if he'll agree. That square with you two?"

 She'll confer with the others of her group, and for any who intend to stay on after Spandelyion, float the idea of naming Bigge to Captain of the vessel, since he's not one likely to claim it himself.

If there is overwhelming support from the crew, she'll second Marrin's name suggestion.

Marrin will nod to Jan's suggestion of making Bigge captain,

"I was already thinking he was! I get the Captain's room for the time being though."

[Ethel would have indeed suggested that Jan talk to Geffroi about the vision... she may have even consulted him herself.]

Ethel raises an eyebrow at talk of Tammer and Slick.  "I had thought Mr. Bigge offered to - what was the word? - 'keelhaul' them for us?  Are they still alive?"  She shakes her head.  "No chance that we leave port again with them on the ship.  Either the people of Spandeliyon hang them for slaving and piracy, or we do it ourselves."

[Just between Jan, Marrin and Avaria...]

"I have no doubt Bigge would make a fine Captain.  He knows the ship and the sea.  Keep in mind, though... the position of Captain is a powerful one.  If we plan to continue sailing on this vessel, we would be under Bigge's command.  That means something, on the open water."  She looks hard at Jan.  "Think about that.  If you recruit some likeable new sailor in town, then later when we are at sea you come to a severe disagreement with 'Captain' Bigge, that same sailor recruit will be obligated to throw you in the brig."  She shrugs.  "Again, I don't disagree with the notion on its face.  I just want you all to realize the full breadth and scope of what naming someone else as Captain would entail."

Ethel shifts uncomfortably at the suggestion of Xanthe's Wish, but says nothing.  She ponders for a moment, just what it was that she disliked about the woman.  By all accounts, she selflessly took care of the other prisoners, and without her healing its possible more of them would have fallen.  She clearly gave her life in the escape.  And yet... Ethel's stomach clenched at the thought of Xanthe.  Unwilling to explore the 'why' of that any further, she turned her mind away from it and went back to her studies.

After another day of clear skies and favourable winds, the newly renamed Xanthe’s Wish, the paint already dry, approaches the mainland as the sun begins to set. Everyone is happy not to have a repeat of the initial voyage and the queasy stomachs that went with it.

Bigge had guided the ship through the Shattered Islands with ease given the calm waters. Through the collection of rocky islands and jagged reefs, everyone on deck could make out Abbey Isle and the collection of buildings on top. While the fire has long since burned out, you can just make out what looks to be a flame damaged roof.

Once past the Shattered Islands, the Xanthe’s Wish made good time to the headland that is home to Spandeliyon.

While Spadeliyon could have harbours on both sides of the peninsula, the town only has one on the north side.

Both Ula and Bigge let everyone else know that the waters are too shallow on the south side, and the winds too strong for it to ever be a good place for a harbor. But it makes a very good place to beach a rowboat.

Once Jan, Avaria and Ula have gotten into the rowboat, those left on deck help lower the craft down to the water.

As they go down, Bigge leans over and calls to them. “We’ll bring the Wish around the headland, just to where we can see the Broken Ore. Flicker a lantern or light or what not three times from the top the floor and we’ll bring the ship in.”

Taking an oar each, Avaria and Ula pull hard and get the rowboat to shore without incident. The trio drag the boat further ashore, far enough that UIa is no longer concerned about it being taken away when the tide comes in. She then leads the trio through some rocky outcroppings until they get to a narrow path that winds back and forth up and over the steep cliffs of the headland.

Once at the top, you can all make out the town below on the other side of the peninsula, the lights just coming on against the approaching evening. To the east of the town you can make out colorful tents being erected and a large fire in the center of them.

As you get closer to town you come across the odd person moving along the roads, but no one pays you any attention. Ula nods greetings to a couple of them.

Before long you find yourself passing several businesses, including Kester’s Leather Goods, the Mariner’s Guildhall, and Jooge’s Barbershop, a string of teeth hanging in the front window of the later, indicating that not only is Jooge a barber, and surgeon but that they also perform dentistry. Finally the group finds themselves in front of the Broken Ore Inn and Tavern. The inn looks out over the main harbor and clearly has views out to sea as well. Warm lights twinkle in the windows and cast orange glows over the growing shadows. The three storey building is clearly well maintained by owners who take great pride in their operation.

Ula leads Jan and Avaria inside, where you have barely time to notice a large fireplace, a long bar, a few occupied tables, a set of stairs going up and a few doorways leading into back rooms before you’re surrounded by shouts and laughter.

Ula introduces Jan and Avaria to her mom and dad; Olek and Maisie Stonecast. They’re soon joined by a younger version of Ula, her sister, Emma. Emma immediately gives Avaria a big hug when she’s introduced to her.

“What happened, Ula?” Olek Stonecast asks. “You’ve not been gone even a fortnight yet.”

Without staring, Jan notice scars on both Olek’s and Maisie’s arms and necks, a king of scarring that they’ve become very familiar with. You’d bet money on the fact that whatever made their scars did the same to Ethel.

Back on the Xanthe’s Wish, Marrin runs through everything she can find in the ex-captain’s personal effects but she finds nothing resembling a deed of ownership. When she raises the issue with Bigge, he smiles, then laughs.

“Who would he have gotten it from?” Bigge asks good-naturedly. “If you’ve got control of a ship like this, it’s yours.”

Adelysia Demai pesters first Bigge then Ethel when she realizes the ship is not going straight to the docks.

“Why are we just sitting here? The port is there.”

When he can get a quiet word with Ethel, Geffroi indicates “Hammerdasher is really sure there the Chronicles of Years to Come was in their treasure house.”

The Xanthe's Wish comes to a rest just around the headland. It rolls in the gentle swells of the sea. Spandeliyon covers the shoreline in the distance. Bigge points out a large building sitting on its own near the main harbour.

"There's the Broken Ore."

Marrin looks a bit incredulous at Bigge,

"Well, that seems a bit shaky for insurance purposes but who am I to judge!"

She'll pass the time playing her lute on deck while watching town. Something upbeat.

((Abbey Isle was not occupied, right? And hard to get to for ships, navigating the rocks? Reachable by rowboat without sinking ourselves?))

Jan will offer small talk praise on the Stonecast family inn, but let Ula share what she wishes of their adventure with her family. She'll tell them how much Ula means to them all, to the point just shy of embarrassing her friend. While she has no plans on impersonating Ula's family, her recent training with Marrin has her taking more careful note of mannerisms and speech, just storing them away as components that she could use in the future.

She won't be so crass as to ask about their scarring upon meeting them, but will make a mental note to ask Ula about it later.

"How have things been in town here? Anything new?"

She's looking to steer the conversation in a round about way to the town guard, and if there is anything new with them before wanting to eventually make contact with Mard to fill him in on the Hargrove job. Basically looking for red flags before seeking him out.

((There was no discussion about whether anyone lived on Abbey Isle or not. Yes, it was very rocky with lots of little islands around so a ship would need to anchor and let a rowboat go in - strong rowing should get you to the island safely))

Ava follows her friends to the Broken Ore, a bit taken a back by the size of it.  She was about to say that to Ula as they entered, but before she could they were immediately greeted by the dwarf's family.  

Seeing the care they have for their daughter was something she wasn't used to seeing and she was happy for her friend.  As Emma gives Avaria a big hug, "Ooof!" she proclaims, startled and makes a show of how the girl almost gets the best of her, "Why hello!  You must be Emma, you're stronger than your sister!"

((Read back to the Abbey stuff, I guess I got the impression it wasn't inhabited from the reactions of the Captain and Bigge, that it was a place best avoided, didn't seem like there were people there to they traded with, etc. Very much 'haunted ruins' or 'evil monastery' vibes.))

Ethel replies with disinterest to Adelysia.  "We are in possession of a ship - one we took by force, killing the captain and first mate in the process.  A landing party has gone ahead to make certain we will not run into any hangups if we bring the vessel into port.  Assuming it is safe,we will bring the ship into port tonight."

Then a curious look passes over her scarred face.  "You were a trader, or am I mistaken?  Pray tell, what has you crossing the Sea of Fallen Stars without goods?" 

Ethel nods to Geffroi.  "It was, apparently.  The same copy Godrick Hargrove now has in his possession.  I saw it myself during the escape."

Marrin turns on Ethel's question to Adelysia,

"Exactly what type of trader are you?"