Mist will take off to swim down to find Menon with whoever wants to follow. Whenever it's appropriate for the narrative.

Craig grabs one of his lists and pulls it open, "You see I kind of take things around for other people and sell them, so lets see what all would you be looking for?"

Stuff on the list range from normal to the crazy each one has a few side notes with it. several different pieces of furniture, all saying been used but in great condition.  You see a farm on there with a note that reads, must pay seller inperson, just west of Asharu Desert, sending stone, you see a few horses on the list some claiming to still act like a young horse even though their age, and some young horses with a claim that the owner can no longer afford the horse, one says its got a broken leg but should be great once it heals up.  A hand full of basic weapons, a Bards offering their servaces at any party- sending stone to talk with Twupak or Kursha, wizards offering services that don't seem need, and well over priced "20 gold and your farts will smell of like cinnamon for an hour."  A suit of armor for 200 Platinum "Desigined to look like a Sheep, blood from last owner should be easy to get out."

(The tavern is completely underwater or just partially?)

Just Mostly.  There is a floor above you that is completely out of water, this floor is about 2-3 feet deep in water, but there are floors below this that are fully underwater.  In fact I meant to put this with the last post so I will put it now.

A whistle blows twice, and at the second whistle Sep speaks up, "Prepare to go down."  The tavern starts to shake and slowly you see as the water level rises, you look out the windows, and you see the castle is going deeper into the water.  a short time later you are fully under water, while you are somewhat floating you are also heavier than you thought you would be.

Looking over the items Kraven shakes his head no, "Nothing there calls to me but thank you, if I have a need I will look for you." Then moves to go back to the others.

Craig puts his List away.

Who ever wishes to swims down to the next floor of the castle with Mist.  You are directed to the center tower of the castle, where you would have first seen the water coming in, when the castle was lowering inself further into the water.  There is a stair well around the out side of it, but, there is also the ability to just swim!  You enter the main chamber below and you see a light show.  There are 2 Tritans and a single Water Genasi, on a stage far across from where you came in.  The three individuales each have 2 metal rods, each end of the rods are glowing and the rods are being thrown and twerled in the, air? No, water, yes. It is a wounderful and beautiful light show.  You follow the directions to Menon's office, give a quick knock and hear an old voice yell "COooOME IIIN!"

This fascinating room contains various sketches of the castle during its excavation, rows upon rows of floor to-ceiling filing cabinets on one wall, and an elaborate rolltop desk with numerous compartments.

You enter to see an old male Merfolk, long white hair that almost meets the end of his tail fin.  His skin goes from dark shades of purple to dark shades of blue, except the most edge of his more scaled areas, which are a shade of lighter blue to an almost white.  He wears a belt with pouches and scoll cases hanging from it.  He has a pair of glasses hanging from his neck, and a second pair are on his face, this pair that is many lensed that slide up and down.  He wears a patch work cloak in one hand is a writing utensil the other is some form of parcment that is not being effected by the water, he is looking at an Oar Talismen while taking notes.

"How may I help you all?"

(I'm imagining that since Freb is a swirling cloud of semi-condensed water while above water, he's a strange collection of tiny bubbles while down here. 😅)

Mist swims in and glances around, only halfway out of the bubble cloud which is Freb.

"Nice place ya got here, doc. Folks up top said you'd be the one to talk to if we're lookin' for information about the area. We're actually just headed back out but, in retrospect, 'twould've been smart to check in with locals before puttin' ourselves in harm's way over on the Spire. Hopin' you might have some info that could keep us outta trouble as we continue to pass through the area... and we're always on the lookout for ways to make a bit o' coin while we're about if you know of any." His wink is partially obscured by bubbles as he tries to push them out of his face.

"It would be prudent to ask about the dragon..." comes a voice from just over Mists shoulder.

Mist's head swivels and he has to push more bubbles out of the way but there's nothing to see.

"Hush, ye blasted interloper. We'll be fine. She loves me! And what's not to love??"

He looks back to Menon without an explanation.

"I do not have a lot of information about the area, we dock here every year for a few months, it is one of our two regular spots."  He pauses for a few moments, takes off the many lensed glasses, puts on his normal ones, and he looks everyone over, "Maybe you can help.  About 3 months ago, on our way here, we started to get... well, attacked by a creature.  Now Redbeard has been able to scare the thing off, but by himself he is afraid to try too much of a fight, and well he is a guest, granted I could pay him but to just ask seems a little odd and he is a little older in life, but then again.  I am sorry where was I, Oh yes, Redbeard, he would be a good person to talk to about the beast, that keeps attacking us.  If you could help us with this problem I would be happy to pay you, lets say 100 gold each."

Mist looks to whoever came with him and raises an inquiring eyebrow.

Following the others into the half sunken tavern Druquilla enjoys the feel of being back in the water after their trip up the mountain. When the merrow offer the breathing apparatus she declines it due to her nature of being a child of the sea herself. Looking around at all the sea born folk Druquilla smiles a little remember how her uncle once told her about visiting a tavern very much like this one and how she had always wanted to see one. Once the merfolk waitress comes over with their drinks and asks for orders Druquilla thinks for a moment before answering, "I'll take whatever the catch of the day is with the red seaweed."

Once she has had time to enjoy her meal Druquilla joins Mist, partially to see what other work there could be on offer but mostly just taking the chance to explore more of the tavern itself. Druquilla pauses for a moment once she and Mist enter the lower area to watch the show. Upon entering the merfolk's office Druquilla takes up a position to act like Mist's guard, allowing the halfing to do what he does best. When Mist looks back at her Druquilla will give a shrug, "Pay is good, you and I would have an easier time than the others if we have to fight whatever the beast is under the waves. If it is on our way or in the area, I see no reason we can't take up this job."

" An under the water tavern? Are you joking with me? " Gintarou gives an anxious look at the guards and the entrance. The warrior reminds the relationship between him and the sea water. They were not getting along well recently. But Gintarou hates to be left alone. Also he's thirsty and hungry. So in the end, the giant decides to give it a try. And his courage has paid off. The drinks are refreshing and the dishes are good.  When he sees Mist leave the tavern, Gintarou follows the halfling with an armful of food.

" So in short, there is a monster harassing your people. You want us to get rid of them, right? "  Says the warrior, who is still eating his meal. " Sounds like our job. Tell us the creature's look and where it would appear, please. And… Can we borrow these breathing gadgets if we take the job? I don't want to be left on the ship like a useless rock while my friends are fighting under the water."

(they are not gadgets, think like HP Goblet of Fire, you put some plant in your mouth and you can now breath underwater.)

"I have never seen the beast, Redbeard has, but what he told me was that it was like a octopus in a giant sea shell."

Kraven finishes his meaning around the bar looking at interesting things and returns to the table, eating the food and drink and waiting for the others to return.

Keeping an eye on the room and the vendor he just stole from hoping he does not notice.

Mist frowns in thought.

"Well... I s'pose if it's in the neighborhood we could take a look. Couldn't hurt, right? I mean, if it looks like it'll take too much time and keep us from our other responsibilities, we can always just sail away." He shrugs.

"So where can we find this Redbeard fella?"

" Okay, let's pay a visit to Redbeard then. I hope we will not hurt the old man's feelings by taking his job. From what I've heard, Redbeard and I have a lot in common. Especially about food." Gintarou had already finished the meal he was carrying, except for the shells of scallops. . And he would probably eat the shells if they are a bit more tender and tasty.

Before they leave the room, Gintarou pauses and asks the old Merfolk. " I happened to read a journal of a Cyclops wizard. It mentioned about the stones that fell from heaven. They have significant power like turning flesh into stone or raising dead who died decades ago. Have you heard anything about them before?" 

Menon swims to a window that is in his chambers, it is covered with a shutter, he opens the shutter, and calls you over, "Right there."  And he points to a human man, tall, but not of a larger build.  Dressed as a near stereotypical pirate, a fluffy shirt, with a bright red vest, sitting infront of him a brown tricorn hat, trimmed in the same red as his vest, ears pierced with hoops, you can see a neck tatoo, a belt across his chest with a cutless, a dagger and hand crossbow hang from his regular belt. High boots with his tan pants tucked into his high folded boots.  His hair somewhat braided, as his beard, never in your life could you have seen such a ginger of a person.  And he seems to be eating from a small bowl.  "Jake Redbeard, longest top sider to ever be with us, he keeps paying so I keep letting him stay.  Not sure his full story, and not my place to tell it.  He pays his tab, and helps when top siders get too much for the Eels or my other security, so no need to kick him out.  But as a researcher, I do wounder what will happen when he finally does go to the surface again."

"A fallen star, of course, any scholarly person has heard stories about them.  They don't always have the same powers, and I've never seen one." Menon answers

(Sorry I missed your post, I started typing, paused then picked back up and posted.)

What do you all want to do?

"A Sperry, you say?" Mist grins. "Let's go have a chat, shall we? 'S a pleasure, doc. We'll see what can be done about your monster problem."

Not sure of the dimensions of the window but if it's an appropriate size and fully open at this point he'll swim through to get to the fluffy-shirted top sider. If not, he'll follow whatever route seems appropriate.

"Oi! Gingerbeard man! I hear you're the one to talk to about some white whale beasty or some such what's been givin' you folks a spot o' trouble of late... We may be able to help dependin' on the, uh, particular nature of your problem. The name's Mis'tuv but folks call me 'Mist' on account of my bein' so light and pleasant on a hot summer's day." He winks and the oversized bubble that doubles as Freb's right eye also winks 3 feet above Mist's head. "This here's Gin the Bigm'n and Dru the Seawitch. Rest of our crew's back in the bar. So... How can we be of service?"

The man stands to his feat, reaching almost eye to eye with Gintarou, maybe a little wider.  "The name is Redbeard, NOT Ginger! and service to me, there is nothing you could do for me.  The beast that keeps messing with this place, it is, for a lack of better way of putting it little man, is an octpus in a giant sea shell.  I have not tried to engage it, I'm 1 man, and the EES is good at keeping control of unrully guests, trust me I've seen it more than a few times, but in a fight like this they would be pointless.  Every time I am out there when it comes it stays away."