Gerrard discovers little else. The temple was clearly made from the hull of a very old ship, but the submerged tunnel is considerably older. He finds no hidden doors, and no graffiti other than the complex spirals carved into the walls, floor, and ceiling of the temple.

His lungs are completely back to normal. His skin condition, however, is unchanged. Still no sign of Kellen, Kei, or Boko.

Gerrard:

Bringing himself fully out of the water, Gerrard coughs and tries to clear his lungs of all the nasty water.  Leaving his skin wet out of necessity, he wraps the voluminous dark cloak around himself and goes to sit in a corner and sulk.

Kellen

Kellen walks back into the temple, looking around to make sure no surprises are waiting. He sees Gerrard sulking in the corner and walks over. Sorry...turns out aboleth curses are outside of my contact's wheelhouse, believe it or not. We might have to sail out of here, Seaton might be our best bet. Unless Kei comes up with a miracle. Kellen shrugs, at a loss, and trying not to stare at the bits of slimy skin still exposed.

Gerrard:

”At least I can breathe the air now,” responds Gerrard, adding “Maybe we should check out the Folly place before we head back to Seaton.”

Kei 

With a concerned look upon his face, Kei enters the temple. He moves quietly in hopes of not surprising any wrongdoer that may have made their way in during his absence. His look lightens a little at the sight of Gerrard on dry land, but it soon fades when he sees the dripping robe wrapped around his friend. He approaches. "Seems this place has slipped to decay more than I ever knew. Not a single priest lives here that can cure your condition, although I'm glad to see you can breathe again". He looks at Kellen, "Any luck with your contacts?"

He then proceeds to tell the group of Refrum's suggestion of Dr Trantor at the asylum, and her solution of letting the curse take hold under her care. Of how she has seen the curse before and that she helps the inflicted live out the remainder of their normal life in comfort before releasing the transformed creature into the sea.

Kellen

Kellen shakes his head, struck out with mine as well, seems the Styes just can't hold on to anything but the lower life forms. He smirks at his last remark, then blanches at the suggestion of letting the curse take hold. That's why I stay away from that area...those people are crazy. Just letting the curse take hold? Not meaning to speak for you friend, but I believe we can sail elsewhere and take care of this at a legitimate temple before it's ah..."too late" as they say. He looks over to Gerrard. I suppose it's up to you, but for me time would be of the essence...if you want to look at the Folly first, it is underwater, and I'll travel with you on the way to get you healed. I can at least get us a boat.

Gerrard:

“Thank you for trying, both of you,” says Gerrard sincerely.  

“I am uncertain of my reception in Seaton after so long an absence, but I have to hope my family would be happy enough to see me alive that they would allow the removal of my curse.  And no, I have no desire to remain this way and let the curse take hold,” he says with disgust at both his own condition and that suggestion.

”How bad are the threats to the Styes, Master Kei?  If the Aboleth who cursed me is but one of the foes threatening the city, we should do our best to thwart or at least slow down these other two before we leave the area completely,” responds Gerrard, adding, “and if the mission is underwater, I can at least be of full use.”

Kei 

Kei listens to Kellen's and then Gerrard's plans. He throws in his two coppers, "Given the unfolding situation" he waves his hand up and down at Gerrard, "perhaps an underwater exploration is in order. In the heat of battle we can't be trying to keep the curse at bay and fight off who knows what. As for what we'll face, I don't know exactly, but if Sgothgah was scared of the other 2 then that's enough warning for me. We need to be as close to full strength as possible. If that means we go in wet, I say we get wet."

Kellen

Glancing apprehensively at the foul pool recently housing the Whisperer, I still say attacking the Folly from above is our best option...sodden up that cloak, Master Gerrard, and we'll move quickly. I'll cash in a favor or two and get us there quick. Kellen will begin moving towards the door, assuming the others will follow.

Gerrard:

”I would rather be uncomfortable than force you two to go back in that muck,” says Gerrard, “At least until we get close—I assume we will have to go underwater to truly explore the Folly.”

Soaking the cloak in the nasty water, Gerrard surrenders his pride and prepares to leave with the other two, heading towards the docks.

Kei 

"Don't come complaining when your itch really starts itching" Kei says like a spoilt child who doesn't get their way. "Let's go then" he finally concedes after his moment of pouting. Before exiting he takes the pouch of goo and throws it in a corner away from the water. "Kellen, you seem to have a certain control of the Weave, can you burn that before we leave? The doctor said to burn it to neutralise it". 

Kellen

Kellen glances back, and nods. He stands over the bag, distaste etched into his face. He raises a hand towards the bag, muttering under his breath, and a concentrated ball of flames erupts from his hand, engulfing the bag.

Gerrard:

“Would that we could burn my curse away so directly,” says Gerrard, following the others in his filthy dripping wet heavy cloak.

They are just a few blocks away from "Squid Row", where lines of charter vessels – in every state of (un)seaworthiness imaginable – await along the crowded wharves on the bay. Their walk is very brief - short enough that Gerrard only has to stop once to dab heavily at his skin with a wet cloth. It is late – almost midnight. 

Here is where vessels wait to be chartered. The listed prices are exorbitant, but Kellen and Kei know who to ask, and how to negotiate (Kei and/or Kellen: Roll an Intelligence or Charisma check to pick out an appropriate vessel.) Some of the charter captains and crew are awake and ready to cast off; other are in various states of intoxication, or somewhere belowdecks, perhaps sleeping. Few of the vessels, if any, look seaworthy enough to get them all the way to Seaton, but most of them could probably take them out to Landgrave's Folly.

Kellen

Kellen looks down the line, shaking his head slightly as he passes over those that he's fairly certain would rob them as soon as they set sail. As he's looking, a strange feeling washes over him, as if he's reliving this moment...suddenly, he knows exactly where to go. He marches forward and sees a captain he knows well, knowing he'd be awake, sober, and ready to take them where they needed to go. Ahoy there! We need a ride out to the Folly. Set sail quickly and I'll give you a discount the next time you need a favor.

(Using portent roll of 19 resulting in a 24 total straight charisma check, 32 persuasion)

The captain, a tall, thin human man of about 65, looks at Kellen flatly and says nothing. He looks down and nods.

(It's Kellen's half-brother, Joell'n. Joell'n doesn't talk much, nor is he close to Kellen – or to anyone – but he does know how to sail better than most. There's an unspoken, if distant, loyalty between them. Kellen well knows that Joell'n won't accept his money, even though he could probably use some.)

He finally speaks. "Folly?" he asks, in confirmation.

Kellen

Aye Kellen nods, and motions to the other two. No idea what we'll be running into there, either...might need you to dally about for the day in case we need a ride back. He pats Joell'n on the shoulder as he walks by, and climbs onto the boat.

Kei 

Kei goes to grabs Gerrard's damp shoulder but stops just before touching him. Instead he steps in front of him and turns to face him. Quietly he says "Are we really getting on this boat with someone we've only known for a few hours and then heading out to sea? Seems a little hasty doesn't it?" The question is mostly rhetorical as he knows what the honourable noble will most likely say. Whatever Gerrard's response, Kei will follow his lead.

Gerrard:

Insight on Kellen:  12

”Helping me in battle goes a long way for me, and his story rings true.  Still, caution is wise.  Let us assess the nature of the threat and not commit to direct action unless it appears we have a good chance of victory,” replies Gerrard.

”Honestly, it is just nice to meet someone who is willing to take risks and act directly to oppose these threats as opposed to the vast majority of people we have met content to sit in their filth and wait for others to help them or their fate to consume them,” he adds with an appreciative tone, “Let’s go scout.”

(Kellen: make a DC19 Persuasion or Deception check!)

Joell'n grunts and pushes off. It's not a large vessel, and it has no crew other than this lanky, grizzled, silent man.

The night is black, without hint of moon nor stars, just a red glow that hangs over the city, and a hint of fresh sea air.