You head down a flight of stairs, and see a door to one side. The stairs continue round the corner, and you have a chance to glimpse the layout of the ship.
Boerth knocks respectfully, and opens the door. As you enter, he follows, closing the door behind you.
The tabaxi captain is hunched over a wide table, puzzling over a map pinned to its surface by a half dozen knives and daggers. Several golden rings glisten on her paws as she traces potential paths through the ocean. She glances up at you with her emerald eyes as you open the door, and her feline face spreads into a sharp-toothed smile that is equal parts cheerful and unsettling.
Ah, welcome, she purrs. The brave heroes from the pretty village, and the saviours of my inebriated navigator. Welcome aboard Wavechaser. I am Three Earrings, its captain for many years now. Come. We have much to discuss about the sinking village - and the treasure we can find if we return.
"Pardon me Captain, but do you think there may be other survivors still on the island?" Keyo looks around to his companions with hope clearly visible across his face. "If there is even a possibility of someone left there we must go back!"
Of course I wish to return, the captain says, a broad smile on her feline face. Where there is danger, there is reward too, yes? Survivors? No. Well, I should say that many of the villagers escaped to the north part of the village, which remains. I imagine they survived, if they were sensible enough to move inland and avoid sahuagin raiders. Or perhaps they are shark dinner. Who can say?
But the southern part, the island itself? That has fallen into the Sharkfeather Abyss, here. She points to a marking on the map, close to the village of Palma Flora. Well, I say 'fallen'. 'Dragged', I should say. Ah, Selachai has grown powerful indeed. it is a mystery how she has mastered such powerful magics. Worth investigating, don't you think? She eyes you in turn.
Silent narrows his eyes and can't stop himself from interjecting. Beg pardon Captain, think I misheard you - you're saying the island was dragged into the bloody ocean?
You did not mishear, friend, the captain replies to Silent. I learned that a sahuagin chief has acquired a powerful magical artifact, and I came here to investigate this. I thought I would have time to poke and prod and listen to the tales of the locals, but I did not. Such is fate. The chief's name is Selachai, and she seems to feel no reluctance about destroying this village. No doubt others will follow, if she is not stopped.
"If this Sahuagin chieftain has such an artifact, it could prove disastrous for many people. Mystical artifacts are deceptively dangerous, and should not be in the hands of such pugnacious creatures."
Keyo eyes the Captain suspiciously, and looks around nervously to his companions for support.
"Is it your aim captain to recover this artifact for your own use?"
I certainly would like a rematch with those sahuagin, but we didn't have the best luck last time. It wouldn't be in either of our interests for us to end up bleeding out on the beach.
Arael looks directly at the captain,
How are you going to help us, and what's in it for us when we retrieve this artifact and kill the Salachai?
Three Earrings replies: I've no interest in using the artifact, no. I do have a few ex-lovers I would happily send to the bottom of the ocean, but an earthquake lacks finesse. I do, however, have a... potential buyer. Some lord in Port Damali wants it for his collection. He's paying good money, and the artifact will just sit in a glass case to be ogled and cooed at by simpering nobles. She grins. A good solution all round, no?
To Arael: I can help you get supplies, so that you can survive, and fight, below the water. I may even accompany you. But certainly you will achieve nothing at all without my aid. And with it, you will earn a fair share of a fine prize.
Fight? Underwater? Pockets asks in a whisper, not expecting an answer. He pulls out his note book and flips to a page for a device he designed. It looks like a headpiece or metal cap that creates a bubble around the wearer’s head. He starts taking notes and muttering. Breathing wouldn’t be a problem. Even without this, there are probably spells, potions...but what about movement? Pockets stops and looks at the Captain directly.
Arael smiles at Three Earrings's mention of sending past lovers to the bottom of the ocean.
All of that sounds more than excellent to me. One last question before I completely agree, what share of the profits are you offering in return for our assistance
(OOC: Can I insight check on her commitment for assistance and claim she doesn't want the orb?)
Silent has been looking increasingly uncomfortable over the course of this conversation and has a deep frown on his face.
Maybe I'm speaking out of turn... but surely there's a way for us to all get what we want without cutting off more heads? You're saying the chief wants this island sunk, but what's in for them? Seems like these beasties ain't just dumb animals - I reckon they must be after something, or they wouldn't be trying to sink an island full o' tasty humans.
He glances at his companions. I'm no stranger to violence but I'd like to avoid it if we can. Might be the chieftain's someone we can reason with... or at least barter with.
Supplies that will help you fight and move underwater, friend, Three Earrings replies to Pockets. As you say, breathing underwater is not so uncommon and I know a few folk who could help. There is a craftsman in Port Damali who can fashion a sort of helmet that covers the head entirely. Would that be of interest to you?
To Arael, she responds: You have a good head for business. I will sell this item for one thousand and five hundred gold. Five hundred will be my share, as well as funding repairs and upkeep for the Wavechaser. Five hundred will be for my crew, who must navigate these dangerous waters. And five hundred for you, to split amongst yourselves as you wish.
To Silent: A, a budding diplomat is it? Noble words, friend, but good diplomacy is backed up with steel. Still, I've no care for violence if more... elegant methods are on offer. And remember: so long as we can get the artifact away from her, she will pose only a limited threat to the villages nearby. If you can do so with words, either false or true, then good for you. The sahuagin, they do not speak the common tongue; have your friends a method of communicating with them?
What do they speak besides their native language? I doubt diplomacy will work, but it knowing their motives should make killing them easier. As far as the money goes, Captain, your plan for splitting the profits from the sale are agreeable. But, gold and treasure from fallen enemies remains ours.
Three Earrings looks approving. For those you kill, yes. If my lads go with you, they keep their own spoils as well. So, do we have a deal?
If you agree to the proposal, the discussion moves onto your next port of call - you need to drop off the other refugees and get some supplies for facing the sahuagin underwater. Three Earrings lays out three options for you:
Bisaft Isle, an island with a small but busy port town, loyal to the Clovis Concord that rules the Menagerie Coast.
Port Damali, where you originally sailed from, a large and thriving city with many exotic goods for sale.
Brokenbank, a town ruled by an eccentric nobleman of the Clovis Concord, it's famous as the first port of call for foreign ships; these are obliged to stop here before entering any of the major coastal cities.
Feel free to discuss, either in character here or out of character on the DM thread, where you would like to go. You can find all three on the map on the campaign page.
Yes, that interests me very much, Captain. Also, I agree with Silent. I’d like to avoid bloodshed if possible, but from what I’ve seen so far I don’t believe these Sahuagin are interested in negotiating.
Pockets puts his notebook back into his voluminous coat. An undersea adventure. I woke up this morning hoping to still be employed by bedtime. I'm in.
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Arael smiles, tilts her head and walks toward the captain's quarters below deck.
Pockets follows.
You head down a flight of stairs, and see a door to one side. The stairs continue round the corner, and you have a chance to glimpse the layout of the ship.
Boerth knocks respectfully, and opens the door. As you enter, he follows, closing the door behind you.
The tabaxi captain is hunched over a wide table, puzzling over a map pinned to its surface by a half dozen knives and daggers. Several golden rings glisten on her paws as she traces potential paths through the ocean. She glances up at you with her emerald eyes as you open the door, and her feline face spreads into a sharp-toothed smile that is equal parts cheerful and unsettling.
Ah, welcome, she purrs. The brave heroes from the pretty village, and the saviours of my inebriated navigator. Welcome aboard Wavechaser. I am Three Earrings, its captain for many years now. Come. We have much to discuss about the sinking village - and the treasure we can find if we return.
Return? You want to go back, Captain?
"Pardon me Captain, but do you think there may be other survivors still on the island?" Keyo looks around to his companions with hope clearly visible across his face. "If there is even a possibility of someone left there we must go back!"
Of course I wish to return, the captain says, a broad smile on her feline face. Where there is danger, there is reward too, yes? Survivors? No. Well, I should say that many of the villagers escaped to the north part of the village, which remains. I imagine they survived, if they were sensible enough to move inland and avoid sahuagin raiders. Or perhaps they are shark dinner. Who can say?
But the southern part, the island itself? That has fallen into the Sharkfeather Abyss, here. She points to a marking on the map, close to the village of Palma Flora. Well, I say 'fallen'. 'Dragged', I should say. Ah, Selachai has grown powerful indeed. it is a mystery how she has mastered such powerful magics. Worth investigating, don't you think? She eyes you in turn.
Silent narrows his eyes and can't stop himself from interjecting. Beg pardon Captain, think I misheard you - you're saying the island was dragged into the bloody ocean?
You did not mishear, friend, the captain replies to Silent. I learned that a sahuagin chief has acquired a powerful magical artifact, and I came here to investigate this. I thought I would have time to poke and prod and listen to the tales of the locals, but I did not. Such is fate. The chief's name is Selachai, and she seems to feel no reluctance about destroying this village. No doubt others will follow, if she is not stopped.
What would you have us do? Given your accelerated timeline, I’d say you could use some extra hands on deck.
The mention of an artifact catches Pockets’ interest. He can barely conceal his curiosity.
"If this Sahuagin chieftain has such an artifact, it could prove disastrous for many people. Mystical artifacts are deceptively dangerous, and should not be in the hands of such pugnacious creatures."
Keyo eyes the Captain suspiciously, and looks around nervously to his companions for support.
"Is it your aim captain to recover this artifact for your own use?"
I certainly would like a rematch with those sahuagin, but we didn't have the best luck last time. It wouldn't be in either of our interests for us to end up bleeding out on the beach.
Arael looks directly at the captain,
How are you going to help us, and what's in it for us when we retrieve this artifact and kill the Salachai?
Three Earrings replies: I've no interest in using the artifact, no. I do have a few ex-lovers I would happily send to the bottom of the ocean, but an earthquake lacks finesse. I do, however, have a... potential buyer. Some lord in Port Damali wants it for his collection. He's paying good money, and the artifact will just sit in a glass case to be ogled and cooed at by simpering nobles. She grins. A good solution all round, no?
To Arael: I can help you get supplies, so that you can survive, and fight, below the water. I may even accompany you. But certainly you will achieve nothing at all without my aid. And with it, you will earn a fair share of a fine prize.
Fight? Underwater? Pockets asks in a whisper, not expecting an answer. He pulls out his note book and flips to a page for a device he designed. It looks like a headpiece or metal cap that creates a bubble around the wearer’s head. He starts taking notes and muttering. Breathing wouldn’t be a problem. Even without this, there are probably spells, potions...but what about movement? Pockets stops and looks at the Captain directly.
What kind of supplies?
Arael smiles at Three Earrings's mention of sending past lovers to the bottom of the ocean.
All of that sounds more than excellent to me. One last question before I completely agree, what share of the profits are you offering in return for our assistance
(OOC: Can I insight check on her commitment for assistance and claim she doesn't want the orb?)
Silent has been looking increasingly uncomfortable over the course of this conversation and has a deep frown on his face.
Maybe I'm speaking out of turn... but surely there's a way for us to all get what we want without cutting off more heads? You're saying the chief wants this island sunk, but what's in for them? Seems like these beasties ain't just dumb animals - I reckon they must be after something, or they wouldn't be trying to sink an island full o' tasty humans.
He glances at his companions. I'm no stranger to violence but I'd like to avoid it if we can. Might be the chieftain's someone we can reason with... or at least barter with.
Supplies that will help you fight and move underwater, friend, Three Earrings replies to Pockets. As you say, breathing underwater is not so uncommon and I know a few folk who could help. There is a craftsman in Port Damali who can fashion a sort of helmet that covers the head entirely. Would that be of interest to you?
To Arael, she responds: You have a good head for business. I will sell this item for one thousand and five hundred gold. Five hundred will be my share, as well as funding repairs and upkeep for the Wavechaser. Five hundred will be for my crew, who must navigate these dangerous waters. And five hundred for you, to split amongst yourselves as you wish.
To Silent: A, a budding diplomat is it? Noble words, friend, but good diplomacy is backed up with steel. Still, I've no care for violence if more... elegant methods are on offer. And remember: so long as we can get the artifact away from her, she will pose only a limited threat to the villages nearby. If you can do so with words, either false or true, then good for you. The sahuagin, they do not speak the common tongue; have your friends a method of communicating with them?
Arael looks to Three Earrings and Silent,
What do they speak besides their native language? I doubt diplomacy will work, but it knowing their motives should make killing them easier. As far as the money goes, Captain, your plan for splitting the profits from the sale are agreeable. But, gold and treasure from fallen enemies remains ours.
Three Earrings looks approving. For those you kill, yes. If my lads go with you, they keep their own spoils as well. So, do we have a deal?
If you agree to the proposal, the discussion moves onto your next port of call - you need to drop off the other refugees and get some supplies for facing the sahuagin underwater. Three Earrings lays out three options for you:
Feel free to discuss, either in character here or out of character on the DM thread, where you would like to go. You can find all three on the map on the campaign page.
Yes, that interests me very much, Captain. Also, I agree with Silent. I’d like to avoid bloodshed if possible, but from what I’ve seen so far I don’t believe these Sahuagin are interested in negotiating.
Pockets puts his notebook back into his voluminous coat. An undersea adventure. I woke up this morning hoping to still be employed by bedtime. I'm in.