Most recent journal entry is dated yesterday:

Rushed to get underway on time. Had to accept some clientele I wouldn’t normally consider. Large halfling family and an oblivious gnome, may be tough keeping them alive and happy. The honeymoon couple should be fine though. I suspect the groom is loaded, may be able to get a good tip. Luckily my new crew seems a smart and able-bodied bunch. With their help we should be able to stay on schedule. I’m so close!

Next entry, 2 more days prior:

Hired on and trained the new crew, they seem like good lads. Hopefully a bit more durable than the last bunch, I hate losing good trained staff. Speaking of which, I inspected Faramir and Gillian today, and they’re in fine shape. A little arthritis in the knees elbows and shoulders, but they should hold up well for the upcoming trip.

Another entry, 4 more days prior:

Jenniki has made contact and has finally agreed to my terms! I shall meet her at the waterfall spot in 10 days’ time. Suddenly I’m very busy! The spell scroll is already transcribed, of course, but I need a new crew and some clientele. Finally, after two years in this miserable jungle, the secret of the Kor'koh'a’s magical slumber shall be mine!

OOC:

uh oh

Curious as to what is making Parth so uneasy, he messages him to provide opportunity to explain the situation privately by message.

When Parth finishes to relay the information that he wishes to share, Burt suggests, "I can inform the others but what do you think we should do?" "We're about to get to that waterfall, I guess, and according to what you say the captain is about to meet someone there the day after tomorrow, right?" "Who could be the two elderly that he mentions? I'd say they are responsible for the ship's mysterious propulsion. Who could they be?" "Hey, if we get hold of that scroll you mention that would certainly delay things if all goes south."

Are we waiting for anything?

((Can we assume Burt informed the entire crew about Parth’s findings?))

I was waiting to see if there would be some further player response/discussion

Then I had it in my head that the players weren't very interested

Sure, Burt can have informed everyone

If people want to keep playing then I'm ok with it, if not then I'm also ok with it

Burt, unsure what Parth's findings really mean for them, gets infected by Parth's worry. "Parth, if you think it is so dangerous, maybe we really shouldn't wait at all. Together we can probably take out the captain and see if we can steer the boat back. It will be easier now than when we are at the waterfall already. You didn't see the scroll he mentioned, right?"

( Not sure Gil would have been included in the discussions as the others would have noted how much he seems to hang on the Skippers words and see him as a father figure.)

The captain is wrapping up his amusing anecdote, any more plans or discussions via message or otherwise?

Burt excuses himself from the Captain's presence and goes to find the gnome guest. Trying to pass by him casually as if going after an errant while in deep thought, he mumbles to himself but loud enough that the gnome would understand if he is eavesdropping, "... a fortune! What is the captain thinking? Having this expensive spell scroll lying unlocked in his quarters. I will need to have a ...," he continues the corridor mumbling agitated.

Burt then drops the alarm that he set up in the captain's quarters and hope's that the fish - ahem gnome - bites. He doesn't know whether the scroll is indeed in the quarter, but he imagines that a gnome that is looking for an easy coin is willing to give it a proper search. He then returns to the captain and his story bringing a few refreshments for him and the children. 

At the word “scroll” , Renn’s ears twitch and his head cranes to follow Burt. Renn is indeed following Burt back to the captain’s quarters.

Meanwhile the Captain is finishing up his story. “And that, kids, is why you should never lend money to a monkey! Hahaha!”

The halfling family chortles and laughs with him, and one of the kidlings raises her hand. “Mr Captain, sir? Will we see any monkeys on our trip?”

Burt looks expectantly at the captain, curious to learn whether they will see any. But then he shakes himself free of the spell and continues to hand out refreshments. 'Let's hope for monkeys and nothing worse than that. Monkeys we can manage...,' Burt thinks to himself, then pauses, '... or so I hope.' "Care for a cold fruit blend, captain?"

Burt, you returned to the captain and you notice that Renn is not with you.

The captain says, “Yes, a little refreshment would go nice, make small ones for the little tykes too! A drink for all the guests!”

in the midst of this task, Burt, you notice Renn come back up and join the group. He has a disgruntled look on his face.

"Mr. Crumbleroot, " Burt turns nonchalantly towards Renn, "May I offer you a fruit juice? What happened to you, you look distraught? Take this, it will lift your spirit!" Then, he balances a tray with several more cups over the children's, "Who wants juice? The monkey's milk, I call it. Banana, Orange and a shot of fresh milk. Not all at once... One after the other..."