(Regarding the maps, you’re south of #19 on the first map.)

Miwyn and Azghai can’t seem to make out any detail from this distance.

Surge infers from his knowledge of superstition at sea that the patrol would likely shoot arrows into them on sight once they see that undead are the creatures approaching.

He also surmises that the robed figure might be playing some sort of game with their “lives.” It was odd that he said helping them is forbidden. The coins with symbols also suggest a kind of puzzle.

(Our captain needs to roll stealth unless we’re letting that patrol ship spot us.)

(So we are visibly undead then?)

Agug, hearing Surge's news that the royal guard is likely to open fire on them, confirms his Orcish instincts. "Kill the light" Agug whispers.  Agug has always been loud and boisterous.  His silence conveys his sense of dread to the crew. "Azghai, can you help me with these oars?" Agug rows as quietly as he can toward the narrow channel between the two rocky cliffs on the other side of the bay from from Saltmarsh.  "If things go sideways, we might be able to loose them in the narrows." 

(in case Azghai can help, this roll is with advantage: stealth32 )

EDIT: oops, I think it should have been stealth18 

Sorry TurnsWithTides.  Can you sort it out?

(ooc: Relative to us, where is the patrol boat?)

"I can't make anything out on the shore this far out, but if need be, I can create a fog cloud for cover so that patrol boat has a harder time seeing us. My only hesitation would be that it would also affect our own visibility." Miwyn whispers. "And, let me help with the oars."

Stealth 14 (ooc: I'm not 100% sure on the rules, here, so just in case we can use my stealth roll...)

"Ahh yes! a fog cloud." Agug whispers to Miwyn, trying to contain his excitement.  "If you could create a cloud just behind us, between us and them we would be as golden as these 5 coins in our purses." 

(Ooc: not sure if this link will work, but here is a map I put together quickly on roll20 with where I think the boats are, and the path I am suggesting: https://app.roll20.net/join/5636044/wBj8FQ )

(Yes, visibly undead. For reference, you would have some similarity to the picture of your undead type in the Monster Manual.)

(The patrolling ship is a half-mile south of #19 on the map.)

Though some of the crew spotted the magic light already, they lose sight of the rowboat when the light vanishes. The undead veer west before turning north again to silently glide along the narrow waters between the island and the mainland. They have lost the patrol. The fog cloud might still be useful as they near town.

The rowboat creeps between rocks jutting from the shallow water. Sheer cliffs to their sides tower over them, and the spellcasters among them feel something amiss in the weave of magic. It feels as though threads of it have been arranged like lines of music and knotted into notes of an alluring song they can hear in their minds. It seems to be filtering down to them from the unsettled island off the mainland to their right. Still, ahead lies Saltmarsh and their unfinished business.

"If we pull in over there," Miwyn whispers, pointing towards the dock that is jutting out into the water off of the back of a large mansion (#16 on the first map), "then I would be able to look in on the people I need to look in on. Would that work for everyone else?"

(ooc: If we still want a fog cloud, I can still cast that, but I think we've lost the patrol. I would also like to roll Perception (23) to look towards the docks to see if there is anything/anyone that might detect us coming in.)

(ooc: Yikes on that Perception roll...lol. Being pretty new to D&D, I have a passive Wisdom (Perception) of 14. What does that mean? Apologies in advance if that's a dumb question.)

(**Not** a dumb question. Passive Perception is what I would roll Stealth against if trying to have enemies sneak up on you, for instance. A Perception check is when you actively try to perceive.)

Though it’s hard to see much from here, Miwyn notices people stanning idly around the docks. They drink and play dice atop barrels.

"There are people on the docks," Miwyn informs the group, quietly. "I could use thaumaturgy to distract the people on the docks, then conjure the fog cloud to hide us as we disembark the rowboat. Thoughts?"

(Thanks for answering my question.)

(Lol it was supposed to say *not* a dumb question. Sorry that changed to “No It a dumb question.” I only type on mobile, and it’s not a great experience.)

Agug looks at the gold coins in his purse as they pass by the island.  Maybe they have some connection to the apparent magic from the island of the Standing Stones.  There are 5 coins, and 5 party members, Agug muses, perhaps each member is represented by one of these icons.  Agug remembers wrestling with his brothers on that island as a child.  He tries to remember if he has seen the icons on the island.  ( Insight14 I'm having trouble accessing my character sheet, so I don't know what the modifier is.)

Upon hearing Miwyn's request to port at Primewater Mansion, Agug says "Sure, I just row the boat." and adds "But I think we should be careful after our close call.  They don't seem to take kindly to strangers here, especially dead ones."  Agug thinks for a minute.  "Traveling under the cover of darkness is likely wise.  Eventually, we should find a place to make camp before the sun comes up." He rubs his fat lip that Azghai gave him.  "I could use a long rest before we get into a scuffle.  Our magicians could probably use one as well."

"Miwyn, that fog cloud could be useful if we stay in the boat while you take care of your business." 

(Sorry to do this, guys, but I need to bow out. I’ve learned that DMing on forums or in an established D&D setting isn’t for me. Thank you for your interest and effort, and apologies again.)

Well, at least he didn't just abandon us without saying anything

Thanks for your work TurnsWithTides.  You did a nice job running this game.  If it becomes work, it's not fun, and I think a little fun escapism is why we are all here.

Personally, I'd like to keep this going.  I'd be happy to step in as GM if no one else want the roll.

Duplicate post.

Deleted.  Duplicate post.

TurnsWithTides, it's all good. :) Thanks for an intro into this forum. 

If you guys want to keep going with StevenDeeds taking the helm, I'd be down. :)

(I do think DnDBeyond is having server issues in general for a couple of days, now. I can't access my characters or create new ones or anything.)

(Thanks for understanding, everyone. Happy adventures!)