Captain Andy ponders for a moment "The Flying Elbow and legendary Cap'n Andy Savage part of your story....Ey, that sounds like a deal to me. 30GP per passenger. Any less, and the boys won't be too happy with ye Cap'n Andy."

"Pleasure doing business with you, Cap'n Andy! I'll be sure to work you and the Flying Elbow into one of my songs." Heilamin hands over 30 gp and boards the ship.

Mackenzie follow suit, handing over the 30GP with a faint smile showing "Thank you captain...let us know if we can be of any assistance on the voyage.  How long is the trip expected to take and what sort of conditions are we likely to see?"

Mackenzie will wait for the answer then nod his thanks again and join Heilamin aboard.

Modron is impressed with Heilamin's bargaining skill and hands Captain Savage his entry fee.  "We are grateful for your hospitality.  We will do justice to my friend Heilamin's story, you will see."

Renee hesitantly digs through her coin purse. She hands over the gold. "There ya go, friend," she says, hoping he doesn't count it and notice she only gave him 20 gold. 

I assume that would be sleight of hand: 20

Captain Andy is pleased with the coin he's received, then looks to Brazzak. "Ey, and what have ye big fell'r. Scared of the waters are ye? You're in good hands with Cap'n Andy, I swear on me mums' life." 

Brazzak finally turns his attention to the Captain having been transfixed by the waterfront scenery.

"Scurred? Nah. Ah just never seen no ship afore."'

Seeing the Captain's outstretched hand, he begins patting his pouches.

"Um. Er. Oh dear."

Renee's grin widens as she walks on to the boat. "I bet ya all, five gold the big guy loses his lunch within the hour!"

"I hafta get on tha boat first. Maybe I could heft some cargo fer ya, Captain?"

Mackenzie turns to watch the exchange, interested to see whether Brazzak's offer will be taken up, adding "I've seen him in action, he is strong as an ox, perhaps even stronger!  Give your men some rest and have him earn his passage instead, I am sure he could learn the ropes quick enough...or do some of the more unpleasant tasks on board....and surely you have enough coin from the rest of us".  He leaves it hanging, attempting to persuade the captain into letting Brazzak on board.

Persuasion 17

Captain Andy ponders for a moment. "Aye lad, ye be helpin' on deck during the trip. I thinks the Flying Elbow gets a longer verse in ye song, aight that right lad?"

Captain Andy allows Brazzak's passage with no coin in exchange for help on deck with raising and lowering the mast. After some final preperations, The Flying Elbow is ready to depart. The plank bridge is taken from the dock, anchor raised, and the sails drop half mast as the boat departs from Knotside harbor. Knotside has been a big part of your life to most of the party, after the several month battle with the orcs. Knotside's landscape becomes smaller and smaller and is soon out of sight as you travel on the Fairknot river towards the Omerian Ocean. Captain Andy tells you there's about 120 miles of travel to the Omerian Ocean, so you should be on the high seas in a few days time. 

Feel free to add anything you'd like to do over the 3 day river travel. Other than other merchant ships passing you by, it is an uneventful 3 days on the river. 

Modron spends as much of his time on the deck watching the world go by.  He practices his arcane arts and reviews his spells to make sure he is ready for whatever is coming.

Renee spends the time watching Brazzak to see if he gets sick, all the while trying to hide her own nausea. 

A regimen of hard work is keeping Brazzak very busy.

But, just in case: CON saving throw - 22

Mackenzie will look to stay up on deck and engage any of the crew in conversatoin, looking to see whether any parts of the trip will expose them to danger, as well as learning about what it takes to be a sailor, keen to be of some use should the need arise.

He will also be looking to ask questions roundabout questions to see whether he can flush out any cultists that may be on board.  Not sure if you will accept a generalisation such as this, but just wanting to state intent.  Mackenzie will also discuss this possibility with the others to remind them to keep their eyes and ears open.

Insight  15 -> here is one Insight check just in case.....

Brazzak, though it is hard work you are able to tug ropes that normally would take two sailors. 

Mackenzie, you speak with the whole crew and learn there is not much you could help with other than to stay out of the way of the sailors. The most senior sailor had been on The Flying Elbow for 10 years, and he said the Omerian Ocean holds many great dangers. For the most part, these dangers are pirates and other creatures attracted to boats...but he isn't worried about any trips out to sea.  They do show you how to tie down/untie the sail rope just as a precaution. You know what to look for in these cultist, and everyone seems like a genuine sailor. You do not get the impression that any cultist's are disguised here. 

As you all sleep in the lower deck, you are awoken on the 4th day of travel by the sound of clanking swords. There is something happening on the main deck! You can hear the sailors yelling out to each other from your small room below deck. You all grab your equipment and head up the rickety steps to the main deck. 

The difference in environment is felt as soon as you started to move around and is more prevalent topside. The Flying Elbow is now sailing on the high seas of the Omerian Ocean! There isn't a landmass in sight, the waves of the sea move the boat more than on the river.....and there are dozens of these slick and seaweed covered creatures on deck! The are humanoid but have razor sharp teeth covered by a wide mouth. A dorsel fin on their back, webbed feet, and a tail made for swimming. Most of the sailors are still tending to the ship to keep the boat moving. 4 sailors and the first mate have drawn their swords and are attempting to fight off the creatures...but they are vastly outnumbered. You can see Captain Andy is holding the ships wheel with one hand, his scimitar in the other as he is locked in battle with a similar but larger and more powerful looking creature. The deck is chaos! In total...there are 15  creatures, 5 of which are engaged with sailors and the first mate, and 3 hefty creatures, 2 on the main deck and 1 engaged with Captain Andy.

Combat has started, roll initiative! 

Brazzak: 22
Heilamin: 9
Modron: 11
Mackenzie: 16
Renee: 7

Sailors 1-4: 10
First mate: 3
Captain Andy: 18

Sahuagin 1-5: 15
Sahuagin 6-10: 19
Sahuagin 11-15: 4
Sahuagin Champion 1: 11
Sahuagin Champion 2: 6
Sahuagin Champion 3: 20

Round 1 Initiative order:
Captain Andy
Renee
Sahuagin 11-15
Heilamin
Sahuagin Champion 2
First mate
Modron
Mackenzie
Sahuagin Champion 1
Brazzak
Sahuagin Champion 3
Sailors 1-4
Sahuagin 1-5
Sahuagin 6-10

Captain Andy has his scimitar drawn and is cursing at the slick creatures. "Aye, back into the water with ye. Coated in ye own blood, ye chowder-head!"

Captain Andy: 16 Damage: 8
Captain Andy: 11 Damage: 7

Renee, you're up! Heilamin to follow after some Sahuagin. 

Renne uses cunning action to hide. (Stealth: 10 ) Then she'll use fast action to take out a fuzzy ball of her bag of tricks throwing it at creature #7 (I rolled a 2 on discord) and a ape appears before it.