While Lysander copies the map, Snok spends the next 10 minutes or so searching the cabin finding nothing else of interest, and seems to be fascinated and rather distracted by the sheer number of paintings adorning its walls. Finishing his copy of the map, Lysander joins Snok and searches the room himself. There's little of interest to see and neither the bed nor the desk or chest seem to have anything else to reveal. A little frustrated he studies the small bookcase in the room, curious as to what kind of reading material the Captain Marrow has. The bookshelf is stacked with charts and books, (on navigation at sea and the like).
Bending down he investigates the bottom shelf, stacked with charts, to see if his quarry is amongst the piles of parchment there. That's when he notices the scuffs on the floor of the cabin, leading to the shelf as if it has been moved. It seems the bottom of the shelving has scraped the floor as it is swung out from its position against the wall.
Intrigued, I grasp the side of the bookcase and swing it outward, revealing a concealed, narrow opening beneath it. Heart pounding with anticipation and a touch of apprehension, I squeeze through the gap.
Before me are a set of rickety, creaking wooden steps descending into the ship’s shadowy depths. The air grows cooler and mustier as I venture down. I cast Light to dispel the darkness and I motion for Snok to keep watch at the entrance.
"Who is this Captain? First the dark tome, then a treasure map with 'undead' markers, now a secret chamber," I whisper to myself, ready for anything, well almost anything.
The small room is lined with crates, barrels and chests. Bottles, by the looks of it the captains personal liquor supply judging by the colour of the liquid inside, (probably whisky and rum) line shelves and there is a pile of what seems to be nautical charts lying in a pile in one of the corners.
Of far more interest are the two large chests sitting up against opposite walls.
Walking cautiously over to the two chests, careful to keep the wooden floor beams from creaking, I try to open each chest. Neither seem to me locked from what I can initially see.
The first cheat opens easily. It’s obvious that Captain Marrow had no concerns about his inner sanctum being violated in such a way. Inside is a Captain’s outfit, complete with hat and trimmed in faux gold and silver filigree. The outfit bears a skull and scimitar, a classic pirate insignia.
The second chest opens just as easily. Inside is a key shaped like a skull, very much like the ones annotated on the “treasure” map you found in the cabin above.
"A pirate?" I murmur under my breath, shaking my head. "And one with a dark tome and too many secrets for my liking. Letting him keep this seems dangerous."
I tuck the key in my coat, shut the chests and return to Snok who looks at me with barely contained curiosity.
"We need to speak with the others. Now!"
I shut the bookcase and scan the room to ensure all looks as it was before then Snok and I rush from the room, thanking Zero as we pass him, and head down to the middle level to look for our crew.
Norstaer sees Hama in the passage to the cabins, "The ship has been tossing us about quite a bit today," he comments. "Were you heading somewhere specific, or perhaps just looking to stretch your legs? The decks can be confusing when they're this lively. Maybe I can help you get there more discreetly?" His tone is casual but observant, subtly seeking information about her intentions without coming across as accusatory.
Zero make a small soft smile at the lady. "Yes, ma'am only one. Yes you should leave the adventuring to us, if you were also to begin an adventure we would be left with nothing but crumbs to find" he tried to joke. She was a nice lady and he wished to cheer her up as much as he could.
He couldn't help but cast a quick glance towards the cabin's direction, just to check if the others were already ready to exit. He didn't want to cause Coraline troubles, so he needed to make sure the situation was still under control.
"Ah to be young again," and the elderly Tiefling pats Zero on his arm. "I'm sure you'll find your own adventures to rival mine," she smiles mischievously, "and perhaps exaggerate them even better than I do mine." She laughs. "Though the best bits are true. Stories wouldn't be so exciting without a little creative license, wouldn't you agree?"
Hama licked her lips slightly and shook her head slightly. She pointed to the room behind her. "water closet, right?" She asked her brows furrowing. "I need to go to the restroom" Hama spoke softly.
As Snok and Lysander leave the cabin, the kobold turns and with a quick flourish, almost unseen to the wizard, he inserts his tools into the lock. Almost instantly he turns them there is a soft "click" and he pushes then pulls the unmoving door. Spinning on one foot, he secrets his tools in one fluid motion and begins to walk away from the cabin. The two pass Zero, who is in conversation with Coraline.
The elderly Tiefling breaks off her conversation with Zero and greets you both. "What a delightful evening, is it not, gentlemen?" she croons. "And we are soon to arrive in Havdir as well. I am afraid I will miss your company of an evening once we part ways." She sighs. "There seems to be no sign of my missing charter, still. Might you have had any luck? I'm sure that deplorable captain has it!"
Norstaer nods understandingly as Hama points towards the water closet. "Of course, the restroom is right there. I’ll wait here to ensure you don’t have any trouble with the rocking ship," he offers, positioning himself where he can keep an observant eye on the corridor without encroaching on her privacy.
As Hama steps away, Norstaer turns discreetly to Kythaela, who has been watching the situation unfold. Speaking in a low voice to avoid drawing attention, he shares, "Kythaela, there’s something important about Vrormir you should know. He's in a very serious condition and believes this journey to Havdir is his last. He mentioned a curse affecting his lineage. He asked me to gather everyone in the morning because he want to addeess us all, we should be ready to discuss future actions."
After conferring with Kythaela, Norstaer returns his gaze to the corridor, remaining alert to any further unusual activities. He plans to relay his observations about Hama and the details about Vrormir to the rest of the group later.
Smiling reassuringly at the old woman, I say, "My friend and I are still investigating. We will let you know as soon as we find something."
Continuing on, Snok and I make our way below deck and see Norstaer and Kythaela in the hallway. Rushing over to them, I say under my breathe but stressing urgency.
"We four need to talk. Now."
I gesture to my cabin so we can have some privacy.
Before heading to Lysander’s cabin, Norstaer motions for Lysander, Snok, and Kythaela to gather closer, making sure they're out of earshot of others, especially Hama.
“Before we move this discussion behind closed doors, there’s something you all need to be aware of,” Norstaer speaks in a hushed tone. “Hama was trying to sneak into Coraline’s cabin. We need to keep this in mind”
With this important piece of information shared, Norstaer then turns to Hama, maintaining a non-accusatory tone. “Hama, I noticed you heading towards Coraline’s cabin. Could you explain what you were intending there?”
While Lysander copies the map, Snok spends the next 10 minutes or so searching the cabin finding nothing else of interest, and seems to be fascinated and rather distracted by the sheer number of paintings adorning its walls. Finishing his copy of the map, Lysander joins Snok and searches the room himself. There's little of interest to see and neither the bed nor the desk or chest seem to have anything else to reveal. A little frustrated he studies the small bookcase in the room, curious as to what kind of reading material the Captain Marrow has. The bookshelf is stacked with charts and books, (on navigation at sea and the like).
Bending down he investigates the bottom shelf, stacked with charts, to see if his quarry is amongst the piles of parchment there. That's when he notices the scuffs on the floor of the cabin, leading to the shelf as if it has been moved. It seems the bottom of the shelving has scraped the floor as it is swung out from its position against the wall.
Intrigued, I grasp the side of the bookcase and swing it outward, revealing a concealed, narrow opening beneath it. Heart pounding with anticipation and a touch of apprehension, I squeeze through the gap.
Before me are a set of rickety, creaking wooden steps descending into the ship’s shadowy depths. The air grows cooler and mustier as I venture down. I cast Light to dispel the darkness and I motion for Snok to keep watch at the entrance.
"Who is this Captain? First the dark tome, then a treasure map with 'undead' markers, now a secret chamber," I whisper to myself, ready for anything, well almost anything.
The small room is lined with crates, barrels and chests. Bottles, by the looks of it the captains personal liquor supply judging by the colour of the liquid inside, (probably whisky and rum) line shelves and there is a pile of what seems to be nautical charts lying in a pile in one of the corners.
Of far more interest are the two large chests sitting up against opposite walls.
Walking cautiously over to the two chests, careful to keep the wooden floor beams from creaking, I try to open each chest. Neither seem to me locked from what I can initially see.
The first cheat opens easily. It’s obvious that Captain Marrow had no concerns about his inner sanctum being violated in such a way. Inside is a Captain’s outfit, complete with hat and trimmed in faux gold and silver filigree. The outfit bears a skull and scimitar, a classic pirate insignia.
The second chest opens just as easily. Inside is a key shaped like a skull, very much like the ones annotated on the “treasure” map you found in the cabin above.
"A pirate?" I murmur under my breath, shaking my head. "And one with a dark tome and too many secrets for my liking. Letting him keep this seems dangerous."
I tuck the key in my coat, shut the chests and return to Snok who looks at me with barely contained curiosity.
"We need to speak with the others. Now!"
I shut the bookcase and scan the room to ensure all looks as it was before then Snok and I rush from the room, thanking Zero as we pass him, and head down to the middle level to look for our crew.
Snok tip toes his way to Lysander. “What elf man find? This one get funny paper.”
As we walk down to the middle deck, I turn to Snok and say softly so only he can hear, "You got a funny piece of paper? What is it?"
“Dunno, got little X on big splotch,” He points to the X on Havdir. “Lot of bony heads around too, lot of creepy.”
Norstaer sees Hama in the passage to the cabins, "The ship has been tossing us about quite a bit today," he comments. "Were you heading somewhere specific, or perhaps just looking to stretch your legs? The decks can be confusing when they're this lively. Maybe I can help you get there more discreetly?" His tone is casual but observant, subtly seeking information about her intentions without coming across as accusatory.
"Ah to be young again," and the elderly Tiefling pats Zero on his arm. "I'm sure you'll find your own adventures to rival mine," she smiles mischievously, "and perhaps exaggerate them even better than I do mine." She laughs. "Though the best bits are true. Stories wouldn't be so exciting without a little creative license, wouldn't you agree?"
Kythaela watches the situation, but says nothing. Yet.
Hama licked her lips slightly and shook her head slightly. She pointed to the room behind her. "water closet, right?" She asked her brows furrowing. "I need to go to the restroom" Hama spoke softly.
As Snok and Lysander leave the cabin, the kobold turns and with a quick flourish, almost unseen to the wizard, he inserts his tools into the lock. Almost instantly he turns them there is a soft "click" and he pushes then pulls the unmoving door. Spinning on one foot, he secrets his tools in one fluid motion and begins to walk away from the cabin. The two pass Zero, who is in conversation with Coraline.
The elderly Tiefling breaks off her conversation with Zero and greets you both. "What a delightful evening, is it not, gentlemen?" she croons. "And we are soon to arrive in Havdir as well. I am afraid I will miss your company of an evening once we part ways." She sighs. "There seems to be no sign of my missing charter, still. Might you have had any luck? I'm sure that deplorable captain has it!"
Norstaer nods understandingly as Hama points towards the water closet. "Of course, the restroom is right there. I’ll wait here to ensure you don’t have any trouble with the rocking ship," he offers, positioning himself where he can keep an observant eye on the corridor without encroaching on her privacy.
As Hama steps away, Norstaer turns discreetly to Kythaela, who has been watching the situation unfold. Speaking in a low voice to avoid drawing attention, he shares, "Kythaela, there’s something important about Vrormir you should know. He's in a very serious condition and believes this journey to Havdir is his last. He mentioned a curse affecting his lineage. He asked me to gather everyone in the morning because he want to addeess us all, we should be ready to discuss future actions."
After conferring with Kythaela, Norstaer returns his gaze to the corridor, remaining alert to any further unusual activities. He plans to relay his observations about Hama and the details about Vrormir to the rest of the group later.
Smiling reassuringly at the old woman, I say, "My friend and I are still investigating. We will let you know as soon as we find something."
Continuing on, Snok and I make our way below deck and see Norstaer and Kythaela in the hallway. Rushing over to them, I say under my breathe but stressing urgency.
"We four need to talk. Now."
I gesture to my cabin so we can have some privacy.
Before heading to Lysander’s cabin, Norstaer motions for Lysander, Snok, and Kythaela to gather closer, making sure they're out of earshot of others, especially Hama.
“Before we move this discussion behind closed doors, there’s something you all need to be aware of,” Norstaer speaks in a hushed tone. “Hama was trying to sneak into Coraline’s cabin. We need to keep this in mind”
With this important piece of information shared, Norstaer then turns to Hama, maintaining a non-accusatory tone. “Hama, I noticed you heading towards Coraline’s cabin. Could you explain what you were intending there?”
Snok nods and jumps onto Lysanders back, "Offings to it!"