Thren looks hard and thinks “tex is right we can’t openly do it does anyone know why that serpent was chasing us” thinking why 

History check 14 in game log 

Thren, you recall hearing of these creatures. Swavain Basilisk. They roam the Swavain Islands in the Menagerie Coast. Hunting by the cover of night. 

Zane, while on lookout duty you notice the storm is softening, the rain still falls but the winds have slowed and the thunder and lightning have ceased.

Rel nods.  "Vale, we are listening to you.  I do like the idea of trying to keep this as quiet as possible and even opening the crate in such a way that it is not obvious we have done it.  And I think before we agree to open the crate, we have to let our companions and the captain know."

An pained edge comes into her voice and she keeps her gaze level, avoiding Tex's eyes.  "I wonder if the captain even knows he is transporting a body.  Or a living slave.  Shall we all go above decks to talk to Zane, Bellamy and Captain Flame on Water?  We may have to wait until the storm abates."

She doesn't mention the disquieting thought that the body may be diseased or dead.  Or if it can survived in a closed crate, even undead.

Zane calls out, "Captain, is it passing already? Are we still on course? Any help needed?"

Tex nods, "You can go upstairs, I just finish calibrating this sensor and I'll join you. I want to make sure that there's no magic around that might fool us like an illusion or so. This little gadget lets me probe the vicinity for magic from different disciplines," he waves a tiny object with two small antennas and several blinking lights in front of them. I'll let you know what I find, "At least it's a non-intrusive method. No one will be able to tell that we checked the crate with this. But might be there's nothing magical inside... Well, then that would be one theory to discard at least."

Vale looks very curiously at Tex as he tinkers with the device, "Sorry Rel, I think I want to stay here and watch what happens with this. Maybe it will give some clue as to what is going on here. I will wait for you to return from speaking with the Captain."

Tex, you finish calibrating your device and looking through it, you can see an aura of enchantment magic permeating from within the crate. The aura is about the size of a human body. 

Vale waits eagerly to hear more about the device and what it sees.

Zane: The captain shouts out to you "I believe we are on course once again. Looks like the end of the storm is here. Hopefully we can have some calm waters now for the rest of the journey. Thanks again for handling that serpent. Saved my crew and my boat you did. I owe you and your friends a round of drinks once we make it to Port Damali."

"Interesting," Tex exclaims holding his device up for everyone to see. "Indeed, it does look like there is a human body inside this crate and something odd there, wait..." He pauses to get a better reading of the type of magic. "it appears to be enchanted. Or wears something enchanted, who can tell for sure. Certainly there's magic in form a human body from the school of Enchantment in this box. Anyone an idea what that could mean? I'm not really too familiar with this arcane art myself." Tex looks hopeful to Vale and those who remained with him. "I think we should tell my companions, might be someone has a good idea what this is about. I know Bellamy studied this, he might know."

Tex isn't willing to let Vale alone around the crate as she might do something they will regret, so he leans out the door and calls, his voice as strong as he can muster, "BELLAMY! Can you hear me? Could you come over for a moment?" 

Bellamy waddles out of his cabin thoroughly displeased at being wet. He comes over to Tex near the cargo. "Yes. What is it? Did something happen?"

Excited, Tex shares the news that there is something enchanted inside the crate. "Would you look at that?" he points the device at the crate and points out various blinking lights, "It clearly indicates that there is enchantment magic in there and when I walk along and hover up and down, it must be in the shape of a human body. And, that's actually what Vale here suggested, that her brother is inside this thing. Only, now I can tell that he appears to be enchanted. Would you, Bellamy, happen to know what kind of enchantments are used on humanoids? Quite possibly dead humanoids? Or is there a chance that he's still alive? Any ideas?"

Zane wanders down below as well, "The storm is letting up, we might still survive this thing."

He looks around at what's happening. "What do we have here?"

(Zane is proficient in Arcana in case it's needed)

"Hmm... let me think" says Bellamy. He strokes his mustache and think back to see if he knows of any enchantment that might fit what he is seeing.

Arcana Check

15

Bellamy will then place he ear against the cargo to se if he can hear anything.

Perception Check

18

Bellamy

Bellamy shares his thought on the matter. "I say we open it, but we have to be clever. Can anyone check for traps or hidden devises?"

After briefing Zane on the situation, Tex turns to Vale, "Didn't you say your brother lost possession of a family heirloom and that is why he ... well... why we find him in his current situation? Is there anything you remember about the first time that this heirloom was mentioned to you, maybe a legend where it came from, an old ghost story how it saved someone, or how it inspired bravery in a knight in shiny armour? Anything you can tell us?" Tex regards the crate, "I can certainly try to find any hidden mechanisms." He picks up his thieves' tools and begins to investigate the crate with them and his magic detector. First he observes how it is meant to be opened and whether or not it would even be possible to open it that way without damaging it, commenting his findings out loud. Then, he walks around it with soft knocks here and there to find out how robust it is all around and if there are any spots that sound more hollow or differently than others. Lastly, he asks for help to lift the crate up and he inspects the bottom. 

"I like your thinking, companions."  Rel smiles but looks worried.

"Before we actually open the cratee and potentially (I hope not) loose something harmful on this ship such as disease or undead, I think we should let Captain Flame on Water know our plans.  And find out if there are any clues from his communication with Sir Agustin prior to the voyage."

She starts to head above decks, leaving the others to it with the warning not to open the crate quite yet.  "Zane, you seem quite persuasive.  Would you like to come with me to speak with the Captain?  I think we may be able to convince him if we are all agreed ourselves.  Even once we decide to open it, I would not mind a short rest to ready ourselves in case of a worst case scenario where we are forced to fight something."

Zane says, "Hold on! We were specifically instructed to not open the chest. Just because we are bored doesn't mean we should go and do the exact thing we were paid not to do."

He looks around and then stops at Vale, "Besides, there is very little we can do for your brother right now. Would it not be better if we let this play out, get paid, and then follow the chest to where ever it is going? It also sounds like various authorities would be interested in these types of practices and would be interested and helpful in putting a stop to it."

Quote from Winenose >>

Zane says, "Hold on! We were specifically instructed to not open the chest. Just because we are bored doesn't mean we should go and do the exact thing we were paid not to do."

He looks around and then stops at Vale, "Besides, there is very little we can do for your brother right now. Would it not be better if we let this play out, get paid, and then follow the chest to where ever it is going? It also sounds like various authorities would be interested in these types of practices and would be interested and helpful in putting a stop to it."

 

 Thren speaks up after thinking hard “Zane right we can’t just open up the chest mid way through are journey, plus if they’re are magic sealing the box im there a safe bet that lord will know if it’s been opened” he pause for a minute “but we must be careful who we inform as a lord can influence a lot of political issues as well as minor issues” 

"Alright, I agree with you," Tex says as he continues to inspect the crate, "We shouldn't open it. At least not with the little information that we have so far. But I think we can have a good look and collect as much information as we can without compromising our agreement. After all, I think it falls to us to inspect the crate for potential damage after our encounter with the sea monster. Our instructions are not to open it and to defend it." 

He holds still for a moment, pondering an idea, then with a flash in his eye he says, "I think I heard the crate crashing into the side of the hold when that creature impacted with the ship. Might be it got damaged, don't you think that's possible? We did our best that it didn't end up on the sea floor, so that's our part of the agreement."

Bellamy's curiosity was almost sated. "Fine I will leave the cargo alone" says Bellamy a bit glumly. He takes one more look before heading back to his cabin ready to continue the journey.