Rhanloi's Romp Through the Sword Coast

On the 2nd day underway, one of the stays snaps! Make a DC15 Dex save or take 16 slashing damage. (If your passive perception is at least 13, roll with advantage.)

This was no accident - somebody tampered with the line to make it fail! Stands in Tar thinks there is a mutiny brewing and asks for your help to discover who is the leader! She thinks it is one of the officers (First mate, Bos'n, the ship's doctor, or the cook.) She asks you to investigate but not to let anyone else know about it - you don't want to spook the culprits! The clues you gather:

• Each officer has been onboard a different amount of time, ranging from 2-5 years.
• Each officer has a unique item that they wear, except one who has a tattoo.
• The wizard wears a magical amulet.
• The officer with the silver bracelet has been onboard one year less than the Bos'n.
• Doc has been onboard less than the officer who has an amulet.
• The officer wearing a magical ring has been onboard for 2 years longer than the Bos'n.
• The captain thinks that the traitor wears a magic item, but is convinced the traitor can't be the newest or longest serving officer.

(If Wakka could try and barter the price of the Dust of Disappearance down, he'd give that a shot (Persuasion if allowed 5).  Otherwise, he won't buy anything for now)  

• DC15 DEX Save: 12 (Fail) (Reroll with advantage due to passive perception of 13: 21 (Succeed!)
• Using Psionic Power: Protective Field as a reaction to reduce the damage by 4+3 = 7 Damage (No longer needed due to successful Save!)

The first few days on the boat went about as well as Wakka could've expected with the group choosing the sail on the Dancing Delight.  The captain was a bit "unusual" to say the least, and probably a bit of a drunk, but otherwise seemed to be more than competent as a captain with the ship making excellent time.  He didn't see Genren or Tallow much during this time while they helped out around the ship and the kitchens.  Not particularly knowledgeable or skilled in seamanship himself, Wakka spent the early portion of the trip either helping out with simple tasks as needed or just generally staying out of the way of crew.  Luckily seasickness wasn't a problem for him!

While minding his own business on the main deck, Wakka was caught off guard by the snapped stray and was nearly slashed in the face as the rope whipped past.  Luckily, since all of this cult business had started, Wakka had been in the habit of leaving his defensives up and ready at a moments notice, just managed to get out of the way by using his Psionic Power.  "A traitor you say?  If they're the ones tried to do that to us, then I'll be glad to help you find them."  Wakka replied to Stands in Tar with an annoyed scowl.

After pondering on the information that Stand in Tar had gathered so far, Wakka scratched his head as he looked to the others.  "Well, I'm pretty sure it's not the Doc.  They wear a Silver Bracelet and I'm pretty sure the traitor wears a Magical Amulet..." (Not sure if we want to RP figuring out the traitor or not?  I'm fine doing it either way.)  

Dex save: 19 (Also was I able to purchase any of the items I mentioned?)

Genren nods after deftly dodging out of the way of the created hazard. "Hmph could be right, I definitely don't think it's the Bos'n either... how would you like to proceed? We can ask some questions, do some investigating to confirm our suspicions? Tallow or Manfred any thoughts?" 

Tallow spent most of the first part of the journey working in the kitchen with the cook.  He had learned a few things about cooking on a ship and keep your prep work from sliding all over the place with the rocking of the boat.  He went onto the deck to get some fresh air just as the line snapped.  Dex Save 12.

The line seems to catch Tallow as it whips past him.  He is flung across the deck and has a large gash across his face. "Owww.  What the fork was that?!?!"  He takes 15 slashing damage.

After hearing from the captain and agreeing to help.  Tallow returns to the kitchen and continues to help the cook.  He asks the cook what he has heard about any type of sabotage and if he knows who might be behind it. Persuasion 15 

So what you got above is all the info you're going to get... This is a slightly modified logic problem - but an easy one! Using the clues above, you can determine what each officer is wearing and how many years they've been on the ship, and from that you can determine who the traitor is. The graph I provided helps to derive the answers. Mwuhahaha! Or you can just make your best guess and report that to the Captain =)

@Sa1nt_Pat - you could get the truffles or an interesting local substitute (as mushrooms/fungus are found everywhere), but these people have no idea what foie gras is and are quite shocked if you try to explain it!

(OOC: Sorry for AWOL - been struggling to deal with work etc)

(OOC 2: The wizard wears magical amulet? Did you mean either Cook, Bosun or First Mate?!)

Manfred sees the incoming snapped stay out of the corner of his eye and nimbly dives out of the way as it whips past him. Brushing off the dust and salt from his clothes, he inspects the ends, seeing signs of tampering, which agrees with the captain's concerns.

'There is indeed sabotage. The Doc has only been onboard 2 years, so I agree with Wakka that he's not the person we're looking for. It's definitely the person with the amulet I think...'

Quote from JorvikDave >>

(OOC 2: The wizard wears magical amulet? Did you mean either Cook, Bosun or First Mate?!)

 

(This is what happens when you change parameters on the fly...yes - the cook wears the magical amulet =)

(LOL for a while I thought I was missing something haha!  That definitely clears things up!)  

"Wait, Tallow!  Doesn't the cook wear an Amulet!?!"  Wakka exclaimed suddenly, remembering what the Captain had mentioned previously. 

"Yeah, Wakka, I've seen him with an amulet.  I'm not so good at investigation or anything but if you want me to light him on fire or poison him, I will."

OOC - Tallow has -1 intelligence modifier so he can't figure it out on his own.

(Are you ready to report this to the Captain?)

"Then it's got to be the cook!" Wakka commented after hearing Tallow's confirmation.  "Looks like you'll finally get your chance to take over the kitchen Tallow..." 

Quote from Rhanloi >>

(Are you ready to report this to the Captain?)

(I'm all set if everyone else is!) 

Tallow let’s out a stifled yelp of excitement at Wakka’s words. “Let’s tell the captain and then I’ll fork him up!”

The captain is the coldest you've ever seen her - no emotion in her eyes and no indications of being the least bit drunk.  She stalks out of her cabin like a predator poised to strike with deadly intent. Up on deck, she grabs the cook by his collar and begins to force him towards the railing. He knows in an instant that his subterfuge is over, and he calls for his co-conspirators to come to his rescue.

In the seconds to follow, the crew freezes, looking between the captain, the cook, and you four. Will a fight break out? Or will the crewmen stand down and let the cook be punished alone? Do you do or say anything to sway them to one decision or another?

"Looks like the cook is going for a swim... anyone care to join him?" Wakka will comment dryly to everyone on deck as Stands in Tar drags the traitor away.  In another situation, Wakka might've tried to sway the Captain for a bit of leniency.  But the cook had just tried to kill him and his friends and he wasn't in a very forgiving mood at the moment.

(Persuasion: 29!)

Manfred steps between the captain and crew, holding up his hands placatingly.

'Now now... This miscreant caused damage to the ship that could have seen any one of you injured or dead. What if...' he lowers his voice to draw in his audience 'he'd descended to poisoning the food...' His eyes open in shock, while he looks around, judging his audience, his words flowing with confidence 'The captain, she's treated you well, brought you profits and fair winds, why would you seek to change that, over this wretch...?'

 He turns to give Stands in Tar a brief smile, and a wink, knowing he has this audience well in hand...

The bard's words sway any would-be mutineers, and no one moves to help. Stands in Tar smiles - but a tabaxi smiling without emotion is a truly terrifying thing. She deftly shoves the cook over the side, and you hear a splash a moment later as the ship sails on. 

"Such is the fate of mutineers aboard a ship. This crew is a family, and Cookie was obviously the strange uncle who was never happy.  Never speak of him again. Now back to your stations - we have a contract to fulfill." 

The next day is more subdued as the crew contemplate what happened, a subtle thrum as they quietly discussed who was involved and why they were unhappy. But they were sailors, and things would get back to normal before long. After the drama on the high seas, the ship finally arrives in the vicinity of the Thunder Peaks. The tops of the cliffs are visible for a great distance, long before you can see the caves along the shoreline. However, the captain drops anchor at least a mile offshore, telling your group that the vessel cannot get any closer based on what she knows of the area and rumors of wreckage nearer the shore. The party is welcome to take the large rowboat the rest of the way. The ship will wait here until you return, or for five days, whichever comes first.

Manfred looks at the stronger members of the party, and then jumps up the the prow of the rowboat. 'I'll navigate...' he says, grinning.

Looking around at the other members of the team, Wakka sighed and plopped himself down at the oars and took them in hand; resigned to rowing the rest of the team ashore.  "The lengths I'll go to for my friends..." he adds sarcastically while he waits for the others to board.

After about 15 minutes of rowing, a sudden gust is felt by all as an invisible force slams into the rowboat, almost capsizing it! Any attempts to attack whatever did this is made with disadvantage...

• Make a DC14 Dex saving throw or fall overboard!
• Passive or rolled DC11 Perception check to determine what is happening! 

  An invisible air elemental is attacking your rowboat!

   

Managing to hold on as the rowboat was rocked by a powerful force, Wakka looked around before somehow noting the invisible creature nearby.  "Invisible enemy!"  he called out as he attempted to strike where he thought the enemy was. 

• DEX Saving Throw: 15 (Pass!)
• Perception: 22
• Action: Attack - (Hit 21 & 9 (Nat 1!!))
• Extra Attack - (Hit 25 & 14/ Damage 9 slashing + 1 Cold)