"Look at that," a member of the crew calls out as the sand skiff sails passed a shipwreck crackling with electricity! 

The ship itself had large cages on either side shuttered along with the vessel!

"Poachers? Here?" Maanai says looking over the side.

There are serveal figures scrambling out of the wreckage. 

"Shouldn't...we stop, " Adhida says her tone apprehensive as she looks at the figured bloodied and broke in the sands below!

Firebrand looks down at electrified remains below.

"As tempted as I am to say we should move on before the dragon returns... we really should stop. Even if they are poachers, those are people who need help down there."

Glyph glances over the edge at the alleged poachers. "Are we certain they're poachers? I mean, it seems apparent, I suppose with the cages and all, but perhaps the appearances are deceiving? Either way, my dear friend, Firebrand, has a point."

"Surely we cannot let the desert take these folk based upon an assumption," Glyph says, completely aware that the statement completely contradicts the assumptions he made about Anjara mere days before. "Regardless of what circumstances drove these people to become outlaws, it is possible they've got prisoners or innocents aboard."

"If we bring them aboard they can not know who we are or what our destination or task is, " Maanai explains as Adhida comes to her cousin's side and clutches on to them.

"Yes, we should help," Adhida says before turning towards the done. "Captain can we help those people, " she calls out as a voice comes from the dome.

"Yes, but you vouch for them," the captain explains as the skiff lists to the right turning around. 

It takes roughly an hour to get the survivors aboard. Two of them are elves, one is dwarf, and the third, who's badly burned,  looks reasonable human in their remaining features!

Adhida goes below but Maanai remains on deck by the captain.

"Quiet a storm," the dwarf begins shaking off sand from their sweeping blonde beard. "We thank you," he says as the elves, who remain silent, nod. 

The burned human is brought up by the dwarf levitating the body as they clutch a rod arcane focus!

"Where are you headed," the dwarf asks looking around the Harpy curiously his attention slightly distracted by Maanai. 

"Bring the injured man to me," Firebrand says with concern. "I can help to ease his suffering, if he is willing to accept my help."

Firebrand will use Lay on Hands to heal the burned man for 5 HP (assuming that he and his companions are willing to take my character up on his offer).

"Certainly," the dwarven mage says lifting the nearly lifeless body of his companion as the other three just seem a little shell-shocked for a lack of a better word.

Resting the broken human on the deck the dwarf watches in earnest as Firebrand administers his healing touch. 

"Clever man," the dwarf nods as the human starts to heal and breathe a little easier. "Not sure what would of become of us if you hadn't stopped.  Might have all been swallowed up by the desert or worse, " the man says smoothing his slightly singed beard! "Grimore Blazingforge," the dwarf offers Riwakan his hand. "Those are my shipmates the Greenbrier twins Ivy and Thorn," he points to the elves who nod at Riw, "and the burned gentleman is August Kessler," he explains introducing his own party now aboard the Harpy to anyone in earshot. "The...ah masked figure there," he says on a lowered tone siddling up to Riw, "they a tomb hunter," he asks with a cocked eyebrow. 

Jada scrutinizes the supposed poachers as if half expecting more danger. He looks to the dwarf "Are you and your companions poachers. Some of my companions have soft hearts, which is not bad, but I rather know more about who you are and what are you doing out here in the desert"

Glyph watches as the survivors make their way onto the deck of the Harpy, happy to have plucked them from the jaws of the desert. Still, he raises an eyebrow behind the dwarf's back. Something about Grimore's affect seems off to the half-elf. Fixing the winning smile on his face, Glyph makes quite a show of bumping into Riw, as he overhears the dwarf asking the wrong sorts of questions. 

"Pleasure to meet you, my good dwarf, pleasure to meet you," he says, dropping into a very overacted bow. "Glyph Brookstone, at your service."

The half-elf winks at Grimore, pulling a piece of parchment from somewhere. He turns it over to reveal an autographed illustration of himself in a pirouette-style pose on the head of a very confused looking frost giant--he holds Beatrix in one hand, and a thick clump of giant hair in the other. Pressing the portrait into Grimore's hand, regardless of whether he wants it or not, his grin becomes impossibly larger.

"I'm a bit of an adventurer, my friend! Most folk would pay dearly for this type of one-on-one access! I'm writing a book, you see, about nature of this lovely country, its people, and its creatures! I have to say, I'm a bit of a celebrity back home in Dwendalia." The half elf rests one hand on his hip and the other, casually, on Beatrix's hilt. His eyes widen a bit.

"Do you know, good sir, that you remind me of one of the bravest dwarves, I've ever encountered? A real hero he was, a true hero. It all started when I was tasked with clearing out a green hag's den in the swamps of sadness . . ." Glyph recounts the fantastic tale of daring and heroism for what seems like ages. "The real surprise came when Hagatha, the coven's leader, ripped off her cloak, revealing herself to be three goblins standing on each others' shoulders! So, yes, my dear Grimore, you're the spitting image of this hero of the Dwendalian dwarves! I'd daresay there's some shared ancestry!"

Glyph doesn't even let the story sink in, turning to look at Grimore and his companions. "What brings noble folk like yourselves to these dangerous and desolate climes, my friend?"

"Can't say I've ever been there but folk say all dwarves look alike," Grimore replies deadpan taking the parchment before bursting out laughing. "You sure sound full of tales my good Mr. Brookstone! Shall we hear more after some ale or wine you have aboard this fine vessel," he exclaims clapping Glyph on the back as he looks to his companions able to move on their own accord. Ivy Greenbrier gives him a pointedly hard look coming over to August's side as Thorn keeps a vigilant gaze on the entire crew standing beside his twin sister. "Ah, yes of course, " Grim says as Ivy smoothes August's signed collar. "Where might August rest while we do the same," he then asks looking to Riw to answer. 

Glyph can't help but smile at the dwarf's sudden outburst of laughter. There's something about dwarves the half-elf thinks to himself--or at least the ones he's met--that always makes him chuckle. The brash sense of humor, perhaps? Regardless, Glyph returns the laugh and says, "I'd be happy to lend my bed and a share of my rations/food to your wounded companion here, Mr. Blazingforge. and I'm guessing you've probably got a tale or two to throw in the mix."

The smile on his face widens as he listens to the others banter, though he employs his psychic whispers power, creating a telepathic link to Jada, Firebrand, Adhida, and Maanai. He nods at the discussion going on around him as his voice whispers in the character's heads. What say you four? He seems really quite happy . . . too happy for my liking . . . almost like it's all a performance. I can never bring myself to trust someone who's so very obviously playing a role. Ideas?

Grim and the others follow Glyph below-deck while Maanai and Adhida call the rest of the group on deck for council. 

 "To leave them to the desert would have been cruel but I don't trust they have honorable intentions before or after the storm," Maanai says as Adhida agrees. 

"Those cages looked magically imbued.  I could see the rune all over them to entrap something otherwise impossible to hold when/if caught, " Adhida weights in. 

"They should be watched," Maanai says to Firebrand and Jada. 

Ophelia nods before she pulls Adhida aside. 

"I...I have been trying to ignore this since before the storm but my....my family is in need of me to return home. Is it possible to leave something with you and hope you'll leave it in Meneptah's tomb for me? All I ask is you do not tell the others or that anyone open this satchel, " the elf explains as Adhida nods slowly. 

"Yes, yes of course, " Adhida agrees taking the satchel. 

"I must depart with you now. I regret the haste in which I must leave.  Please take care and good luck, " Ophelia calls out to those on deck before taking a necklace from beneath her shirt collar and crushing a vibrant blue stone in her hand.

Ophelia is then wreathed in teleaportation spell magic and disappears from the deck of the Hydra! Adhida then turns to the party having stowed away Ophelia's parcel in her own robes.

"We'll make due," Adhida announces as Maanai nods confidently. 

"We will," Maanai agrees as the sand skiff heads north west on its course towards Dendarah!

OOC I can skip ahead or you all can RP what just happened. 

Night falls on the Harpy as the crew and party make due with the additions to their limited space. Only Grim shows up for dinner with the party and captain while his companions remains in the cargo hold where the captain has converted space into accommodations for them. The badly burned man August remains unconscious Grim explains while the Greenbrier twins are still pretty traumatized by the whole ordeal. 

"The desert is a very dangerous place to travel but...it seems to me your ship failed to fend off an attack by a blue dragon," Adhida says a couple glasses of wine into the meal.

"We're traders in exotic animals, yes, but the dragon attacked us not the other way around, " Grim replies to Adhida. "Our job is dangerous but lucrative," he says shrugging drinking more Anjaran wine the captain offered. "Where are you heading," he then asks as the cousins look at one another.

"West," Maanai replies but doesn't elaborate. 

"Ah, well Fareah's Reach is about a days journey West from our current position, " Grim says curtly gesturing at the sky out the window.

Adhida and Maanai look at the captain. 

"It's not far off course," the captain explains without going into detail either and Maanai nods at the aarakocra. 

"Well, west will bring you further into the old kingdom as I'm sure some of the obvious Anjarans will know the less likely you'll find welcoming locals," Grim explains leaning back in his chair. "Looks like quite a motley crew you have here," he adds eyeing Firebrand, Jada, Glyph,  and the cousins.  "Very interesting," he finishes pouring himself yet another glass of wine. 

Jada would usually enjoy a drink or 2, but these newcomers made him wary of their intentions. He eats the meal in quick gulps always having his halberd within arms reach "What creature were you hunting for before you ship was destroyed?" asks Jada.

Glyph shares more than a few laughs with Grim, some of them genuine, some of them not. He doesn't at all trust this dwarf or his friends, but he's determined not to rock the boat. As the group sits around the table for dinner, the half-elf remains a bit quieter than usual. Grim seems the type who likes to hear himself speak, so Glyph is more than happy to let the dwarf's persona take center stage.

His elvish ears perk up a bit at Jada's question, and he decides to double down. "That's an excellent question, Jada. What sorts of creatures does a, um, hunter like yourself seek in these wild climes? Surely, tradesmen of your caliber--and I can tell by the quality of your ship--are on the trail of some seriously dangerous beasts!"

His mannerisms likely clear to those he's spent time with in the party, Glyph seems to be buttering the dwarf up to get him to spill the beans. Or perhaps to let slip something incriminating. 

(I'm assuming either a deception or persuasion roll? It'll be the same roll either way! 21)

"Ah, well then," Grim exclaims bringing a pack up on to the table and from it retrieving a brilliant blue dragon's egg! "I can only show you for a minute or two before it's mother gets wise," he says pointing at the bag. "It's a bag of holding so the extradimensional space is a perfect place to hide it," he explains grinning proudly! "We also catch some of the wild animals out here that some turn into mounts. The lizardfolk find it highly objectionable of course.  An ancestor I think but they make it through the Scorched Sea better than a horse or a camel. They're much cheaper than a skiff passage and ten times cheaper that anything run on broomstone, " he adds tucking the egg away. Grim then seems to remember himself and looks to Firebrand then sighs. "No offense meant with the lizards," he adds to the dragonborn before taking another drink of wine. "You're traders," he presses. 

Jada looks troubled "Are you responsible for the dragon in the sand storm. Is 1 egg worth the destruction of your ship" These poachers have the wrong priorities

"Yes," Grim replies quite confidently. "Granted we've never had such bad luck but with the fortune this egg will fetch I can buy a fleet of ships and pay someone else to be in harms way for once," the dwarf adds setting down the empty goblet.  He attempts to reach for more but the bottle,  the third he's basically drunk by himself,  is empty. 

"I think that's honestly horrible, " Adhida finally speaks up. "Your crew...that man clinging to life," the young mage shakes her head as Maanai interrupts her. 

"Who's this benefactor that's willing to pay you this fortune your boasting about," Maanai says their masked face cocked to the side. 

The only person onboard that seems to cause Grim any lingering unease seems to be Maanai!

"Ha! You wouldn't believe me if I told you, " Grim smirks.  "Well,  I'm afraid the wine is gone and my lips have been loosen enough.  I bid you all good night," he says pushing up from the table and tottering off towards the cargo hold and his companions.

Once out of earshot Maanai sighs loudly. 

"We need to get that egg and get those criminals to the proper authorities, " Adhida says her tone lowered but no less resolute.

"I just want them off my ship if that eggs mother can sense it," Vanya, the captain,  says nervously.  "Just think of the madness it must take to steal the egg of a blue dragon, " she adds pushing up from the table.  "I suspect you'll be watching our backs as we are watching yours," the aarakocra asks Maanai who nods.

"We'll add to your watch yes," Maanai agrees looking to Jada, Firebrand,  and Glyph. "Gentlemen," they then say. "I think tonight is going to be....interesting, " they add rising up from the table as well as Adhida. 

The cousins go to their shared rooms but Maanai emerges moments later to rejoin the party. 

"Shall we decide watch or do any of you have an idea beyond waiting for trouble to start," Maanai asks their tone somber. 

Firebrand nearly belches out a ball of flame as his eyes widen in shock at the sight of the dragon egg... but he manages to choke back the flames before scorching the deck/onlookers.

"You're telling us that you managed to steal a dragon egg... and that the dragon you stole from just destroyed your ship... and now you've brought the cause of your misfortune onto OUR ship? As strange as this may sound, I am not a huge fan of my larger and more aerodynamic cousins... but I do know what they are capable of and how bad an idea it is to make an enemy of one unnecessarily..."

He clamps his mouth shut after saying his piece and leaves with his companions to discuss the absolute travesty on hand.

"Indeed this is bad news. The only idea I have is being on watch for any danger that may come or confiscate the egg and leave it behind. Although I can guess Grim won't give it up without a fight" says Jada

Even Glyph, master-exaggerator-extraordinaire, displays a look of blank shock as he stares at the shiny, blue egg. Shaking out of his temporary stupor, the half-elf remains silent, narrowing his eyes as the dwarf slumps off to bed. Shaking his head, he responds to Adhida, all the grandiosity and charm gone from his voice. "Yes, we need to confiscate that egg and ensure that this terrorist cannot endanger the lives of others just to support his own wicked lust for gold."

"I'm happy to keep the late watch, Maanai," Glyph says, repeatedly glancing toward the direction Grim went. "I've no issue supporting the crew, but I'd like to strongly suggest that we formulate a plan to bring these brigands to justice before they can ruin any more lives."