Book 2: They Watched the Stars

Chapter 2: Still Waters

Or, Sailing, Take Me Away…

Captain Adney estimates that the ship, which can travel at full speed day and night, will reach Egede in about 4 days. During this time, the group discusses what is to come and Sakuachi’s trip. Hector questions the Captain regarding what to expect in Egede while deciding that the captain isn’t someone he would like to lay with. The captain informs Hector that only pilgrims come through the city now that the war/crusades are done, though he cannot speak on recent events since he is dead. Yoi-ko asks Kalathel about Egede. Kalathel says that most of the pilgrims are ex-crusaders who are dedicated to fixing the world scar. Kalathel also warns that there is a strong sense of mistrust strangers in the city.

Sammakko rests a lot, deciding that it makes sense to hibernate in the cold. Yoi-ko meditates and focuses his mind in preparation for the coming journey and acts as interim cook. Hector occupies himself with getting to know the crew and other party member. Kalathel, enthralled by the magical ship and crew, continues to inspect it all.
Pirates attack! The Red Duchess smells like lilac but is really a memory; it is the evening of the missing memory. Everyone is looking at the glowing gate, including party members who are no longer with them, and they decide to step through.

Pushing aside the delusion, the party is able to see the pirates attack and engage them. Yoi-ko realizes that the pirates are regular sailors who are under some alien control. During the battle Kalathel falls in to the water and is lost.
After eradicating the bewitched crew, the heroes are told by Captain Adney that they have to kill the captain of the Red Duchess or the ship will pursue them constantly. The heroes board the Red Duchess as the captain emerges yelling nonsense and brings minions. The fight for the survival of the Mermaid’s Tears’ crew begins.

The battle is brutal but Hector saves one of the sailors. The captain Kitara Lambossa issued a cryptic warning with her last breath about watching out for bubbles. When Yoi-ko asks Captain Adney if he knows what she meant, he says that there are reports of naturally occurring bubbles which rise from the lake and can cause delusions in sailors. Yoi-ko says that the Red Duchess looks like a pirate ship and Hector says that he has heard that the she is a merchant ship but was probably affected by the gas.

The heroes search the rest of the ship and find that there are more crew who are unresponsive. The useful items are claimed and the ship is scuttled after the group returns to the Mermaid’s Tears. Yoi-ko performs furneral rights before they sail on towards their destination.

After the hallucinations end for the tribesmen, Sakuachi stated that she was confused by the vision that the group all had during the initial hallucination. All of the group, including Shylock and Zephrym, were before the gateway but then all decided to step through. It is a confusing matter which Sakuachi says that she needs to consult the stars to understand what it all means. As she leaves, the air is laden with mistrust and unspoken accusations.

Treasure: Naval pike, hand crossbow, (10) crossbow bolts, (7) daggers, (6) cutlasses, main gauche, +1 scimitar, (2) lesser sea touch elixirs (swim speed 20ft for 10 minutes), (2) lesser mistform elixirs (concealed for 3 rounds), 200 gp.