The Invitation

The summons had arrived on fine parchment, sealed with a gaudy, oversized wax sigil bearing the unmistakable mark of Volothamp Geddarm—author, explorer, and, depending on who you asked, either a genius of the trade or a charlatan of legendary proportions.

The letter had been delivered by courier to each of you, either at an inn, a guildhall, or a seedy dive where you were minding your own business. It was written in florid, enthusiastic script, practically bursting with excitement:

Esteemed Friend and Future Tycoon,

You, yes you, have been personally selected for an opportunity unlike any other! Yours truly, Volothamp Geddarm, has discovered the trade route of a lifetime, and I require a cadre of intrepid pioneers to bring this visionary enterprise to life!

I shan’t bore you with petty details now, but suffice it to say: fortune and fame await! Join me for dinner at The Plucked Cockatrice at sundown. Bring a healthy appetite, a keen mind, and an open heart!

With boundless enthusiasm,
Volo

Most would dismiss such a letter as another of Volo’s half-baked schemes. However, whispers in the right places suggested that this time was different. Some claimed he had come into an artifact of great value. Others suggested he had finally gambled his way into something over his head.

Whatever the case, curiosity, desperation, or ambition led each of you to The Plucked Cockatrice—an upscale yet disreputable tavern tucked between two merchant halls in Waterdeep’s Castle Ward.

The Pitch

Volo had spared no expense. A lavish feast of roast duck glazed in honey, imported cheeses, and exotic wines flowed freely at a long candlelit table in a private dining room. The man himself sat at the head, resplendent in a new velvet doublet, his signature feathered hat bobbing as he gesticulated wildly.

“My dear, dear friends! You are looking at the future moguls of the trade world! I have made a discovery of unparalleled proportions! Imagine, if you will, a trade route so vast, so unexplored, so absolutely bursting with potential that even the Lords of Waterdeep have no idea it exists! We—you—stand at the threshold of a new era of commerce!”

Volo described the business opportunity in grandiose terms, though his details were infuriatingly vague.

• He spoke of undiscovered markets, exotic goods, and vast fortunes waiting to be claimed.
• He promised exclusive contracts with merchant princes who had “never before set eyes on a Waterdhavian coin!”
• He assured high returns, limited risks, and the full backing of powerful interests.

The only firm details were as follows:

1. The adventurers would sail from Waterdeep aboard a ship called The Azure Fortune, captained by a reliable, if taciturn, old sea dog named Gregor Vance.
2. The ship would carry them beyond the usual trade lanes, to a location where Volo’s own vessel awaited.
3. Once there, they would take possession of a ship that Volo had “acquired through completely legal and legitimate means!”
4. Their task? To establish a thriving trade network under Volo’s guidance and financial backing.

By the end of the meal, Volo had managed to stir their curiosity, excitement, and possibly mild suspicion. But whether out of greed, ambition, or simple desperation for a paying job, each had signed on.

The Journey Begins

Two days later, the adventurers find themselves aboard The Azure Fortune, a sturdy three-masted brigantine with dark blue sails and a crew of rough-handed but professional sailors.

• The captain, Gregor Vance, is a man of few words, with grizzled gray hair, a scarred brow, and a perpetual frown.
• The first mate, Liora Tanneth, is a half-elf with a keen eye for trouble, and made it clear from the outset:

  "I don’t care what Volo promised you. My job is to get you where you’re going, not babysit."

The voyage took them beyond the sight of Waterdeep’s walls, into the rolling blue of the Sea of Swords. The weather was fair but brisk, the ocean air thick with salt and promise.

Yet, as the days passed, questions grew.

• Why did Vance’s crew avoid conversation about their destination?
• What was in the sealed cargo hold that no one was allowed to inspect?
• Why did Volo not provide them a map, instead insisting that their true instructions would come from the next ship’s captain?

((Introduce yourselves and what you may have done to spend the time for the first few days at sea))

Djoser Nickelgazer gives the appearance of a man of discipline and meticulous routine.  He is clad in practical but well-kept robes of muted colors, though upon arriving on the vessel he was seen wearing a slightly more elaborate cloak of scarlet and gold.  Likewise, at all times he wears clipped to his belt an ornate coin purse that looks out of place against the rest of his attire.  He spends his days aboard The Azure Fortune quietly.  He speaks little unless spoken to, yet his presence is often discovered wandering and inspecting the ship and its crew.  He is a human of twenty-six years with an olive complexion, lean, wiry frame, dark eyes that miss nothing, and an expression perpetually set somewhere between deep thought and quiet disapproval.

He has no interest in the idle chatter of sailors, or the pleasantries exchanged between fellow adventurers.  Instead, he passes his time analyzing a seemingly limitless supply of documents he carries with him in a satchel. With a journal and stylus always in hand, he meticulously records observations about the voyage—the ship’s condition, the behavior of the crew, the weather patterns, and even the rations consumed.  

The few times that Djoser is not being quiet, are in the mornings and evenings.  Every dawn and dusk, he conducts ritual invocations to the goddess Waukeen, standing at the bow of the ship without regard for any sailors trying to work in that area.  He loudly delivers prayers from The Golden Edicts and asks for blessings upon the ship, the crew, and its righteous endeavor.  His offerings are not of coin but of tiny scrolls of records he has fashioned out of torn slips of paper and scribed himself, which he burns in one of the ship's lanterns as an act of divine tribute.

Archael Dezlentyr is calm, formal and quite polite, although also somewhat aloof, something one would unfortunately have to expect from any noble. The name of Dezlentyr is well known in Waterdeep as a noble house with interests in trading and exploring. The young noble wears a white long coat with an assortment of ornaments to it and sports a small white beard, as white as his hair and his appearance is quite impeccable. As he came aboard the Azure Fortune he was accompanied by a floating chest with his personal belongings, which he brought to his personal cabin on the ship. Although somewhat formal he tries to make pleasant conversation with the others, hoping to get to know them better to build loyalty within the group but also to assess them and see what would be their respective specialities in this endeavour. He would offer to play Dragonchess with anyone so inclined to pass time, having his own set brought with him. Otherwise he spends much time studying his spellbook but at least once per day he summons a magical hawk that rises on the winds and scouts the seas for approaching threats. He would make frequent use of his invisible servant and at the evening meal he would open a bottle of fine wine to share with his new companions.

Tahlia Willowmere wraps her cloak tightly around her body as she emerges up on the deck of the Azure Fortune to help brace herself from the wind.  She was tall with long blonde hair that she kept in a plat, which was hidden most of the time under the long brown cloak that she wore with the hood up.  The cloak was old and worn, but elegantly embroidered with all the seasons along the edge of it, one running into the next.  When she boarded the ship, she hadn't had her hood up, and the long ears - ears of an elf, were very prevalent.  But from the glances of the crew, she has tried to keep the hood up as this was definitely not the Gilded Thistle.

She was a young elf, around 120 and always carried an old lute case with her wherever she went.  At times she would pull out the well cared for and beautiful instrument to either play a little tune or polish it.  She was almost timid about it when she would start, but then get lost in her own melodies and the music would flood the ship.  She would happily chat up any that was looking to talk, but she wasn't pushy about it and honestly, just being on the ship was overwhelming and thrilling for her at the same time.

The prayers that Djoser engaged in at dawn and dusk intrigued her and staying in the shadows, she observed, wanting to learn more about this Waukeen.  The fact they didn't know where they were going didn't disturb her too much, but the curiosity of what was in the sealed cargo hold wormed it's way in her mind and wouldn't leave.  She went down a couple times and listened at the door.

Vicky Torius is a green eyed, raven haired, tanned human girl in her early 20's.  She's dressed for the venture, with studded leather armor,  soft high boots, and a tricorn hat.  A fine rapier, knife and a whip are always by her side.  She moves smoothly and dextrously across the ship's decks, and gladly assists with trimming and handling the sails and the helm, if asked.    She does not talk much, just goes about the chores as if born to them.

She's apparently quite familiar with ships- as well as being quite strong in spite of her small stature.  

  A careful observer might notice she spends much of her time studying the crew and fellow passengers-  she is subtle about this.  

It is through force of will and her respect for Volo that she resists exploring the secret cargo hold.  She will play dragonchess- but not well.  She does play cards if there is interest.    

After the first couple days, she lets Talia know she speaks some Elvish, but would like to learn more.  

Rolls needed:

Djoser  - 2d6 (for how your prayers are responded to)

Tahlia - Performance check (for your lute playing); Perception check (for listening at the door)

Vicky - Strength (athletics) or Dexterity (acrobatics)check (for your deck work)

Archael - Perception check (for your hawk)

Tahlia:

Performance: 16

Perception: 8

Oculus

Perception: 7

Vicky-

23 Dex

Djoser's test of faith:  5

Djoser: 

Portent: The Weight of Gold

First Djoser dreamt, then crew members have reported to him dreams of being weighed down by gold while the ship drifts off course. The image sticks in the minds of the crew and one can often hear them talking about what it could mean.

Tahlia:

Uplifting Performance

The crew is stern and tight lipped, yet the hearts of even these dour sailors soften as they listen to Tahlia's elven melodies. Images of far off loved ones, far off lands or freedom seem to come to them in the music played each night. This lightening of their souls, makes their work more effective. GROUP: +1 on skill checks for the maneuvering of the ship.

Mysterious Cargo

Tahlia's few attempts to discern by listening at the cargo hold door have gained her no further insight. The sound of the sea and the creaking of the ships timbers are all that she can hear.

Vicky

Gaining the trust of the crew

Vicky quickly proves herself among the crew, tirelessly integrating into their work. Her efforts lighten their load and they come to trust her as a sailor and a companion. She soon finds the crew sharing details with her that are not mentioned to the others of the party. They whisper gossip of the destination vessel, there had been a crew transported to it earlier in the month and a few speak of a ship of foreign make and from a foreign land. They also whisper about other parties being interested in the cargo and the endeavor. Those who tell this tale are always scanning the horizon for pirate ships.

((with such a high roll - Vicky's efforts have significantly improved the efficiency of ship operations - take Advantage on skill checks pertaining to maneuvering the ship))

Archael (Oculus)

Forecast: Limited visibility

On the fourth day of the voyage, with Waterdeep long past the horizon and only the endless blue of the Sea of Swords stretching in every direction, the day begins pleasantly enough. The wind is strong, the sun is high, and Captain Vance—typically a silent, brooding presence—seems to be in a decent mood, even allowing a barrel of salted pork to be cracked open for the crew’s midday meal.

But by mid-afternoon, as Oculus scans the skies, the hawk returns to Archael reporting that a storm has made flight and visibility difficult at best. Sure enough, fast on the tail of the hawk' return the sky darkens as a strange storm builds on the horizon.

• Black storm clouds—unnatural in their formation—are gathering rapidly, and the wind carries an eerie, high-pitched keening sound.
• "Shrieking Gale," Captain Vance mutters, the frown returning to his scarred face. "Bad omen."

This is not just any storm. The Shrieking Gale is a phenomenon known to sailors of the Sea of Swords—a squall that arrives without warning, with winds that howl like banshees and a tendency to drive ships off-course.

Before the storm can fully break, a second problem emerges:

Pirate Pursuit

From the west, barely visible against the rising squall, a dark ship appears—low and fast, cutting through the choppy waves like a shark hunting prey.

• Liora curses. “Black sails, no colors. Pirates.”
• Captain Vance watches, his jaw tightening. “Could be Zhentarim raiders. Could be someone else. Either way, they mean to chase us.”

The ship, known among sailors as The Black Keel, is a raiding vessel—a narrow two-masted caravel, built for speed. It has a sleek, black hull, and no banners, which means its crew answers to coin, not country.

• They're gaining fast, and if The Azure Fortune doesn’t do something, the pirates will board.
• The storm is closing in, adding another layer of danger.

What to do?:

The adventurers must make choices in how they respond:

1. Fight Off the Pirates – The adventurers could hold the deck, fighting off boarders when The Black Keel draws near.
2. Clever Sailing – They could assist the crew in outmaneuvering the pirates, using a mix of navigation, magical assistance, or sabotage to avoid pursuit.
3. Use the Storm – The Shrieking Gale is dangerous, but they could steer into the storm, making it too perilous for the pirates to follow. This could involve a dramatic battle against the elements rather than steel.
4. A Boarding Action? – If they’re feeling particularly bold, they could attempt to board the pirates instead, seizing their ship and turning the tables.

Archeal would send Oculus closer to the black keel to scout, hoping to determine numbers, armaments and spell casters in particular.
Oculus perception: 22

Archael explains to the others that he would prefer avoiding the storm, and choose between clever sailing and a sneaky boarding action depending on the assessed strength of the pirate crew.

As the sky darkens and the first unnatural wails of the Shrieking Gale sweep over the deck, Djoser calmly makes his way to the helm.  His expression is calculated, his dark eyes scanning the encroaching storm, then the black-sailed ship that carves through the waves in pursuit.  The moment does not seem to shake him—every voyage carries risk, every contract has fine print.

Stepping beside Captain Vance, Djoser places a firm but respectful hand on the grizzled sailor’s shoulder.   His touch is accompanied by a faint golden shimmer of divine magic.  His voice is level, carrying the weight of Waukeen’s wisdom.  "A vessel does not drift upon luck, nor does it yield to the wild tempests of fate.  It is steered by the hands of those who would command it—by design, not by whim."  He leans slightly closer, lowering his voice.  "To throw oneself into the storm is to trust in chance.  You are a man of skill, Captain, are you not?  Outmaneuver them."

He does not wait for a reply. The captain is an experienced man; he will do what he must.  Djoser’s work here is done.

Turning without urgency, he descends below decks.  He does not rush, nor does he fumble as he retrieves his scale mail armor from its neatly secured place.  Piece by piece, he fastens the buckles and straps, the polished metal catching what dim light filters through his cabin window.  The final touch is his ledger, bound in deep crimson leather, which he tucks securely within his satchel.  For what is battle but another form of transaction?  Steel for steel.  Blood for blood.  An agreement, whether spoken or unspoken.  His mace rests beside the armor stand, an instrument of enforcement in both the literal and metaphorical sense.  He lifts it, testing its weight in his palm before setting it at his belt.  If these lawless marauders insist upon disrupting a sanctioned commercial voyage, then they shall learn a harsh truth: The law does not falter, and debts are always paid.

With his preparations complete, Djoser ascends back to the deck, ready to deliver his lord's judgment.

From Oculus's excellent scouting, Archael quickly finds out that there is a smallish but tough looking crew aboard the ship. The ship itself appears to have one two-manned ballista which is currently un manned. Through thick billows of smoke from a caldron of burning oil near the boarding ramp, Oculus makes out a Bosun waiving orders with his sword, a man armed with a boarding crossbow, 4 deck hands armed with flails and a couple swabs armed with light cross bows. Oculus also hears the barking of a dog.

Vicky readies a crossbow and a store of bolts, and  assists with outmaneuvers, until the other ship starts to get in range.  

She studies the chasing ship- looking for any weakness.  when the ship gets close, she hides, steadying her aim at the bosun, pirate captain or one of the larger crew. 

As his familiarus reports back, the white-haired waterdhavian noble relays the information to those present. "They are not many but they still have the capability to damage this vessel. In case our captain won't be able to out-maneuver them we need to somehow protect the ship and it's crew." He says to the others at the poop deck.

If time permits he would cast a mage armour spell and ritually summon an unseen servant to turm over the cauldron of burning oil on the black keel if it comes within 60 feet of the Azure Fortune. Until the  he will hide in full cover, ready to call upon the winds to defeat the insolent pirates.

Tahlia hasn't seen a storm like that, not out on the open water.. seeing this is the first time she's been on open water.  She stares at it and it's grandeur, feeling the electricity in the air.  She has no doubt the Captain can handle this... but then the offending ship comes into view.  The situation makes a shiver of nervousness crawl up her spine.  She takes a few breaths and settles herself as she sees her companions doing things to help the situation the best they can.

She's glad to hear that it isn't a large crew aboard the pirate ship, "Archeal, what a clever bird you have there.  That is handy to be able to garner that kind of information!  Back home there was an old wizard that lived at the outskirts, and he had a familiar, but she was a little weasel.  Couldn't fly and peer in like yours can!"  She then heads over to the captain after Djoser has a word with him.

She steadies herself against the increasingly rocking ship, and to the captain she rhymes, 
"Steady hands and steady heart,
Guide this ship, play your part.
Wind and wave, heed our call,
Let not this vessel fall!"
Giving him some bardic inspiration as she does (1d6)

Once satisfied, she pulls out her crossbow and gets it ready as well, finding a place to hide as they wait for what happens next.

Outmaneuvering the Black Keel

((skill checks: w/Advantage and add +1 - due to your actions with the crew the first few days asail))

Djoser: Persuasion (to see how well the Captain takes his admonition) Guides the captain

Vicky: Investigation (if she sees anything she can use about the chasing ship) 

Archael (mage armor):  Arcana or Nature (if he sees anything about the weather or waves that can be of use - magically or otherwise)

Tahlia: inspires the captain and holds an attack

18 investigation for Vicky