Quote from ZulkRS >>

Can I use the Inspiration to give Ankor advantage on his roll?

 Normally you can only pre emptively provide the advantage, but I'll let you grant it to one of your allies based on what they've rolled.

Nice, thanks ZulkRS & Poke. additional d20+8 for the advantage 13

Previous Roll Total: 8 

(2 passes, 2 fails. Overall success)

With some teamwork, the shoving on the bough and a big heavy giff aiding, the ship slowly dislodges from the side of the ground, bobbing into the water. "Splendid!" The giff exclaims. "With our vessel out on the waters, we will be able to follow the river in a jiffy! Well then, all aboard, Tally-Ho!"

The modron aboard pulls a boarding plank from upon the deck and pushes it out for the group to get aboard, allowing for the group to return to the now buoyant ship. The giff captain calls out several orders that go over people's heads in the terminology as The Hunter walks over last. "Well, I guess we'll see where this water path leads us." She says, the ship slowly bobbing and following the current. It is not swift, so there is time for the party to short rest whilst they travel.

The sailing is calm in the quiet shrouded forest. The Hunter keeps the lantern towards the centre of the deck, safeguarding the ship with its eerie light. She seems to be a little mixed in her expressions, seemingly excited, but also a hint of regret. Cpt. Obaysch keeps at the helm, watching ahead as much as one can when the thick mists envelop the path ahead.

The ship then seems to shudder all of a sudden, "Egads!" The giff captain exclaims as everyone becomes unbalanced (if you want, DC 10 Dexterity Saving Throw to say you kept your balance). The earthen banks seem to be obscured by the mists, as the river appears to have widened enough for the ship, but it felt like it struck something. The captain calls for the group to investigate what that was, check the waters to see if it got suddenly shallow.

Zack's DEX: 6

Zack takes this time to swap between three of his notebooks. He seems to meditate a bit on the most recent battle as well (Arcane recovery: Got a Level 2 Spell slot back). He even stands up and paces about for a bit as well, all while humming a weird tune. It's clear that the tune he's humming might have been good but the way he does it is bad and thus makes the humming sound more obnoxious than was intended.

Ankor [Tooltip Not Found] : 8 

Ankor falls to his knee with the sudden shutter of the ship, He uses the side rail to help himself back up and looks over the front right side of the ship to see what if anything the ship hit. 

investigation : 4 

Tefkae Dex Save(DC 10): 23.

Mr. Pepper's Dex Save(DC 10): 18.

Tefkae kept by the Hunter throughout the trip. They, from time to time, would prod her about the more mundane aspects of life in the mist If however they sense increasing discomfort, the various lines of questioning come to a halt.

Mr. Pepper alighted, catching himself in a few short flaps, as an undisturbed Tefkae held herself at an unnatural angle at the knee from the shake, only to right herself with mechanical ease. "Understood, Captain! Proceeding with investigation. Mr. Pepper?" The Tressym zoomed off and overboard a ways, flying fifteen or so feet above the water while aiding Tefkae in her own investigations.

Investigation: 20. (Guidance included)

The group checks overboard and finds a peculiar sign. The currents seem to have shifted all of a sudden, the water murky with grey dirt (like most thing here, in the monochrome scale) and seems to be fighting the ship back upstream.

For Mr. Pepper:

Zack thinks something is weird about this. He casts Mage Hand and uses it to touch the water where the ship is being pushed back.

"Captain the current seems to be pushing back against us. Anything we can do to counter this?" Ankor asks as he is looking over the side of the boat seeing the water pushing back against the ships bow. 

"Curious. Very curious." Tefkae spent a moment jotting down their findings prior to pass along the news. "It seems whatever malignant force governs the land includes the waterfront as well. Or so I have ascertained at the moment." With that, the construct turns to dog, and tries to gauge their reaction to the whole scenario. "Alternatively, we could test the downriver approach. But, depending on how long that would take, we may yet again be stretched for material."

Please all read the spoiler.

 Zack conjures the spectral hand and it dips into the murky water depths by the side of the ship. Upon checking, the water seems to swirl around the hand, like a current is being constantly changes in a localised position.

The Hunter checks over the side also. "Well I've never seen water act like that." She mentions. "Hope it isn't another mist creature in the waters. Best keep your weapons ready, just in case."

"Well without a proper helm, we have to settle this the manual way." The giff captain locks the rudder in place, moving over to some of the spare timber, taking a pair of the longer poles. "We'll have to push against the river bed to thrust ourselves onwards!"

You may have up to two people working on one pole (two poles total), one person making a Strength (Athletics) check, the other can help to allow for advantage on the check.

Zack stares at the water swirling around the mage hand. Zack shakes his head. He thinks that the Captain's plan to brute force through the current may be a bad idea. Tefkae mentioned that the effect was magical so there's no guarantee that rowing would even work. In addition to that, he has a bad feeling about this. He feels like the protagonist in that story where the gods had laid out the exact path of destiny for one guy and when he tried escaping his destiny by going somewhere else, the whole world kind of pushed him back to prevent him going Out of Bounds.

Staring further at the swirling water Zack thinks about trying something. He draws his rapier and gets his Mage Hand to hold it. Then the tries to see if he can use the large weapon to direct the swirling water away from the ship and thus, "Unblock" their passage.

Zack hands the rapier to the spectral hand, that goes down to jab at the water. Can you please make a Strength Saving Throw as the rapier is buffeted in the water.

STR Save: 17

It is hard to tell (since Zack's senses do not transmit into the mage hand) but it appears almost like the water was attempting to suck the rapier into it. Fortunately the hand manages to save the weapon from being devoured into the depths.

Zack says, "Hey, guys. It feels like the river might be trying suck in anything caught in it. I'm not sure 100% though but it might be something to stay ready for."

Since Victoria doesn't have much for strength she decides to help when needed  "maybe this isn't real water but maybe a water element of some sort?" 

(@DM: Above, though can technically be for all.)

Despite their less than stellar performance in getting the ship into the water, Tefkae is more than willing to take a second shot at things. As she is gearing up to do so however, in acknowledgement of Zack she said, "Then we shall stay vigilant, and force whatever this /is/ to be more proactive if it wishes to stop us. Now, if you would please assist either myself or Ankor, that would be appreciated, Zack." After which they give themselves one added jolt of focusing just in advance of working her Oars.

Athletics: 13+2(15 total), if at advantage(8+2(10)).

Ankor grabs a piece of timber and does as the captain suggests. getting into a better position to push off the bottom of the river and shove off. "Agreed Tefkae. let's shove off together on three. 1...2...3!"

Athletics : 10 If advantage 12

Zack goes over to Tefkae to assist in rowing the boat.