Melody leads you further down the dark bayfront to a section of befouled stone causeways flanked by massive wooden wharves, where larger, deep-sea vessels are tied up. He brings you to his destination, a nondescript merchant ship, Gloom's Wake, perhaps 80 feet or more in length. It looks well-built, seaworthy, if old and well-weathered. Captain Edrik Blackwater, a first mate, a cook, and a crew of seven, you're told. A ballista on the deck hints at its defenses.

Melody soon rouses the captain and has a few quiet words with him. He greets you curtly, rubbing sleep from his face.

"Seaton?" asks Edrik.

Kei 

Kei follows behind Gerrard as they make their way to the deep docks. Walking along the waterfront Kei laments how his city has changed, the evil that seemed to be sinking the city had penetrated near every corner. With a sigh he stops at the side of the Glooms Wake. Apt name he thonks as Melody speaks to the captain. "Let's hope her age is a good sign that she'll make it in one piece" he states.

Gerrard:

”Yes, Seaton, by way of the Tammaraut wreck.  We need to make sure that threat to the city is well in hand before we return to Seaton,” responds Gerrard.

The captain sighs at the name "Tammeraut", and wakes up a little more.

"You going down there? Right now? I can have you there by dawn. You want to get some rest first?"

"You going all the way down to the wreck?" he continues. "We already lost a man down there, so good luck. We just got back in port this afternoon. The diving bell is good to go, no leaks. Fits two, has a mounted harpoon we will load when you're ready to dive."

"Wreck site is cold – colder than ice. We pulled up a slab we can show you." He turns to Kellen. "You read Elvish?"

Kellen

Kellen nods. Naturally...do ye be navigating by the northern stars? Kellen places his words carefully, using his inflection, tone and gestures to speak in Thieve's Cant.

Gerrard:

"Dawn works for me.  I could certainly use some rest tonight," responds Gerrard.

"Let me take a look at that slab," he adds when the Elvish tablet is mentioned.

The captain gives Kellen a curious look, but gives no response in Thieves Cant. "Not many stars visible in these parts. Dead reckoning and experience. Don't worry - we'll get you there." (Kellen may make an Insight or Intelligence check to try to read or place him, if he wants.)

The captain leads you aboard across a gangplank; Melody remains on the wharf. You are brought to your quarters below the forecastle – a cramped, but well-made cabin. A few hammocks hang from the walls; empty chests are bolted to the deck beneath them. A sturdy round table, squat stools, and a hanging lantern fill the rest of the cabin. A single, small porthole behind one of the hammocks gives you a view of just the inky black night outside.

"I'll fetch you when we arrive," instructs Cap'n Edrik. "In the meantime, you can have a look at this."

He brings out a small slab of stone and sets it on the table. It is covered in dried muck and inscribed with ancient runes. The runes are in Elvish. 

In Elvish:

 Edrik translates it for those who do not read Elvish.

"We lost our diver. Do you have means to breathe underwater? If not, you may use our diving bell, which is watertight and armed, at least to see what's down there. Half the wreck is visible – its stern is plunged backward into the seafloor, in a pit, like a spike. The bed around the wreckage is scattered with bones and debris. Dress warm. You should eat and rest, now" 

(Those of you under Boko's Water Breathing spell: it will expire shortly after dawn.) 

Kei 

"Captain, if diving the wreck is so dangerous, can I ask why you were there? I assume not for pleasure but for profit, whose coin wets your sail?" Kei asks of Edrik whilst preparing for rest.

Insight 17

Gerrard:

"Thank you captain," says Gerrard.  He goes to eat and rest, though he makes sure to draw up some seawater first so he can keep himself wet given his unfortunate situation.

He looks curiously at Kei but says nothing, expecting his friend knew what he was doing.  As he understands it, this is likely the group that went to inspect the wreckage given their warning to the councilor about the blue boil undead...

Another sailor, Nilo, a thin little man with a hook nose and scarred, muscular forearms, brings some simple hot food and helps you prepare for your rest. With his help, Gerrard is able to find some cloth to soak and wrap himself in.

"We work for the Council," answers Edrik. "Councillor Thornwell, specifically. We are salaried employees of the city, on the taxpayers' coin. We were asked to investigate rumors that a threat to the city may lurk at the wreck site, and we were given true coordinates. Indeed, something did take the life of one of our own. We are now bereft of one diver. Take heed."

Kei 

"Good to know our leaders took the threat seriously. We will indeed take your loss on board in planning our next move" Kei remarks. "Thank you captain, we will take that rest now, unless my companions need something further." He continues to secure his gear in place within the footlocker and takes the hammock with the view through the porthole.

Once they've been alone for a while he listens and looks carefully to see if they are being surveilled. When he deems the coast is clear he speaks softly to the others.

Perception 5 if needed. 

Edrik nods. He departs, as does Nilo, closing the hatch behind him. There are no obvious signs of surveillance, although the ship is cramped and not necessarily soundproof. The waves lap gently against the hull. It is the wee hours of the morning, and the night is pitch black. Your porthole gives you a view of nothing but the void of night.

Kellen

Kellen collapses, exhausted, against the railing at the end of the deck, and immediately starts dozing. His dreams are littered with visions that he can't quite make sense of, but he knows will make sense in time.

(Portent rolls, if we're able to get a full long rest in: 8 18)

(Dawn is just a few hours away. Would you prefer a long rest or a short rest?)

A soft-spoken female human sailor wakes you. "We've arrived," she says. 

Through the small porthole you see something you haven't seen in a long, long time: a sunrise. Blue sky, tinged with small yellow clouds on the horizon. For the first time in months – perhaps longer – the sky is not overcast. The ocean is calm. You cannot see land, at least in this direction. 

You are still at something of a sleep deficit, having only had about four or five hours of rest. You may have a Short Rest, or stay in your cabin for a few more hours to fully recover with a Long Rest.

Gerrard had to awaken a few times during the night to re-moisten his wrappings. As he looks out over the waves, he can feel the ocean calling to him.

Gerrard:

”Thank you,” says Gerrard.  “Please bring us breakfast and give us some time to prepare ourselves for the dive.  If there is any more detailed information you learned from your last visit, please send someone to inform us.”

Gerrard moves to douse himself with water, feeling uncomfortable with the “dry” air, but at the same time being disgusted at his skin.  Though he has always favored the sea, this unnatural calling makes him uncomfortable, though he hopes it means he can still breathe water.

As he waits for the others to rest, he watches the sunrise and puts some of the seawater into a boot, saying an earnest prayer to Procan to bless them today in their attempt to deal with the purported source of the blue boil undead in honor of Janore, the fallen priest.

Quote from Scott_R_Simmons >>

Gerrard:

Remembering the map, Gerrard makes sure they show Thornwell that as well…

”Janore waits in the kitchen, on alert.  "I... I had more visions last night. Something about the halfling's shoes..." – she points to Peri's slippers – "and the sunken Tammeraut, and something about an invasion. One of the things must have dropped a document in their first assault," – she holds up a single piece of damp, crumpled parchment showing barely legible lines and writing. "It's a map, a navigator's map from the Tammeraut, I think. Waterproofed once, although it has clearly spent years in the depths. My vision showed me where to find it – it was in the mess in the larder – and helped me understand it. It shows Firewatch Island, and the nearby coast, and the city – The Styes – and has diagrams that convey a plan for using this island as a staging ground for a full-on assault against the mainland. I think there are more of these dead things. They're coming from the Tammeraut." ”

 (For reference)

Kei 

Reluctantly, Kei wakes from his nap. The blue sky comes as a shock to the man of shadows. "How long since you've seen that? Makes me think the kraken and its torment may well have been the cause of the months of bleak weather." He mulls the thought over as he gets ready for the day ahead. "Food sounds good" before adding; "maybe a stiff drink too while you're at it". He peers a little further out the porthole, looking for nothing in particular, just enamoured by the blue sky.

The grizzled first mate arrives carrying a small case, introducing himself as "Korrin". He has an unnervingly thin frame, his arms covered with skeletal tattoos. With him is a much more cheerful man bearing a full breakfast.

"Fine weather, above. Bitter cold below. The water is very deep here." He opens the case to reveal nine vials of liquid. "I'm told you may need this. Six strong healing potions. Three of water breathing, although the diving bell is prepared for you as well. Fits two."

"The wreck is upright. Some activity was sighted within it. There's evidence of recent digging." 

Kellen

Kellen emerges later than the others, knocked out from not getting a good sleep for months. When he finally comes out, feeling refreshed, he sees the potions but passes on the water breathing. No need for the potion...I've got my cap. So what next?