"Ship first... That is going to be a hard one."
He says as he hides his face in his mug.
Baer takes the staff back, deciding to purchase it after all. She resumes spinning it happily in one hand while counting out coins with her other hand.
"If you are going to having something enchanted, Quorthos, I will wait. You'll find me in the spar yard. I want to give my new toy a work out. We need to bond...in a way. My hands need to attune to the new weight and shape, let alone unlocking the magic therein."
Baer heads to the spar yard to practice her forms and make herself comfortable with her new staff. She practices until either Quorthos is ready to leave or she tires completely. When she finishes, she will return to the Three Rings Tavern.
Baer returns to the Three Rings Tavern, opening up the door with a brand new staff of which she is very proud of.
"Theandra, I need food. How goes things here? Where is everybody?"
Diana puts the deck away and you continue your dinner, talking about various small things. Eventually, you finish dinner.
"Thank you for cooking, Denario," Diana says. "It certainly did take my mind of things, as you said."
She gives you a concerned look. "Will you be careful out there? I know your work puts you in contact with many people, but... Be careful, yes?"
"Denario is out somewhere. I heard Quorthos was with you," Theandra replies to Baer.
"Good to see you again, Baer," Blythe says. "What do you want to eat?"
After taking Baer's order, Blythe goes back to the kitchen.
Allyph points at a package in front of her, on the table. "These are the items Vencarlo promised us, to help us investigate the ship."
"Thanks for leaving a window open, as always, Theandra!"
He lands on the table the others sit at and starts tearing the imp apart.
"Anyone else wants some?"
Quorthos elects to have his armor enchanted instead, while he thinks about his path forward.
After the process is done, he meets Baer at the yard and watches her practice until she finishes, then accompanies her back to the Tavern.
"Bring me what Majenko is having. Except less imp and more fish. And whatever else you have that might have that's good. I have been living on rations for the past few days. Save for one or two homecooked meals," Baer answers Theandra before turning her gaze to Majenko.
"You look well, Majenko. I will never figure out how you manage to kill an enemy that seems to heal even as you fight it with your tiny claws and mouth," Baer observes dryly. She reaches over and dips a finger in imp blood and brings it to her lips. "I appreciate you sharing your kill with me. Quorthos? You want an imp arm or leg? Try some, youngling, it might put hair on your chest."
While she awaits food, she opens up the package that Allyph offers.
"What has happened since we've been gone, Allyph? I would have thought the plague would have burnt itself out by now. But it seems active still."
Baer opens the package and begins to catalog and examine the contents, offering what she can't identify to Quorthos and Allyph for help.
Denario nods at Diana.
"You're welcome."
Seeing the light of day fading away, Denario takes his leave.
"I'll be careful."
After which he makes his way to the 3 Rings Tavern, avoiding the infected left and right as best he can.
*Kreeeeek, door of tavern*
"Hello all, anything happened here?"
When Baer returns he snapped back to attention and nodded.
"Aye, the ship. We need to explore it. Vencarlo asked it of us first, so we'd need to prioritize it shouldn't we? I am curious to see what clues might be found there."
Mavor scratches his head when Denario returns as well and says.
"Right on time Denario, we were discussing exploring the ship. Also Allyph brought us news of some carters bringing the dead to shadowy alleys. Anybody suspect someone might pay them for it?"
Greetings, Majenko. Good to see you again." Quorthos smiles. "Thanks for the offer, but not today... I find imp to be a little chewy for my flat teeth." He shrugs at Baer, and orders some stew and an ale, glad to eat something warm for the first time in recent days. While waiting for the food he greets his colleagues as they return, and examines the various items from the package.
At the mention of the ship, Quorthos sits up. "Yes, I think we need to do that as soon as possible. It seems to be the only thing linked to the plague's beginning." He scratches his head, suddenly puzzled. "Although... what Mavor suggested troubles me. I wouldn't be surprised if the carters were dumping the bodies in the allies to save effort, but the thought that someone may be paying them to collect the dead... that is an unsettling possibility."
"The spellbook we recovered has an incantation in it that will allow us to breathe under water for long periods, but it is beyond my magical ability to use," he mentions. "Can anyone else master such a spell?"
"The spellbook we recovered has an incantation in it that will allow us to breathe under water for long periods, but it is beyond my magical ability to use," he mentions. "Can anyone else master such a spell?"
Baer shakes her head.
"I've tried and failed with that one. Maybe I'll get it someday," Baer says, finally seeing Mavor and Denario.
"Mavor, what was that about the carters? They are doing what for what? Allyph? What was this? And where did you learn about it?"
" Allyph just mentioned the some carters dumping dead bodies of people who died of the plague in dark alleys. I thought they might do it for money, though it's a troubling thought at best, it might be worse if it would be used the same as the parts of Thousand Bones his grandson."
"Cressida told me," Allyph says as she looks at Baer. "It involves some of the northern plague carters, which are actually supposed to deliver their bodies to the Gray District. They instead dispose of the bodies in secluded alleys like Racker's Alley."
"But I've told the others who were here before you that the sunken ship probably takes priority. Looters may else visit it before us. That chance increases every day."
You open the package and find it holds six scrolls, twelve potions, and a note.
Dear friends,
Thank you for helping me.
As thanks, here are the
items you requested I'd
get for you. I hope they
will prove useful.
-V
Each of the scrolls and vials has a label hanging from it. The labels on the scrolls reads Water Breathing and those on the potions read Monkey Fish.
"These are what their labels claim. I detect no heightened caster levels, meaning the effect of a scroll will last two hours and that of a potion one minute. Well the two hours of water breathing could be divided among people touched by the caster, but I don't know how long our investigation will take?"
Allyph doesn't bother explaining what the scrolls do, as it's fairly obvious, explain what the potions do to those who wish to know. "The spell monkey fish alters your hands and feet, letting you move slightly more freely when climbing or swimming. It doesn't let you move any faster than you usually would while doing these things, but it'll take you less effort."
Majenko looks up at Baer, pausing his dinner with a piece of imp meat still sticking out of his shut mouth.
"We usually hunt them together and share, but I'm quite good at hunting them solo. It's why friends call me the imp slayer!"
The little dragon gulps down the meat in his mouth and begins tearing off one of the imp's legs.
"I am able to use the spell. Although if I were to cast them myself I would need rest and to commune with my spirit."
He glances at the potions.
"Those don't last very long though...'
Baer roots through the package looking for anything that Allyph missed. She grunts as she looks as she is not looking forward to going underwater.
"This is a generous amount of help," Baer mentions. "However, I'll need a few more supplies as well. I wish I had thought this through. I didn't think it was actually going to happen...but maybe it just might. I'll need to find a better weapon for the underwater."
Baer looks at Mavor.
"Ever try to use a club underwater? Never works right, does it? What are you going to use?" Baer asks Mavor. Then turns to Denario. "You think your cards will fly underwater if we need to fight? No, we'll need to arm ourselves differently."
Baer turns back to her food, still in thought.
"Monkey-fish? Is that what you said of that potion? Hmmpfh. That's fine, I guess. If my readings on it are accurate. I might go get something stronger for the swim though."
Baer grumbles, thinking how she won't be able to truly use her new staff in the exploration...or will she?
Denario shakes his head, slightly smiling.
"Why ask the obvious, Baer? No, i've got a hand axe on me as well."
"Not sure my axe would swing that well underwater, though I will take it with me. I'd think we might want close quarter piercing weapons, daggers, short swords and the like. Water would be in our way to properly swing the larger slashing and bludgeoning weapons. If any of us can fight with tooth and nail that would also be preferred I'd reckon."
Mavor looks at his own armour and shakes his head.
"Good thing I've bought myself a lighter armour, I'm not going to swim in this full plate. Theandra? Might I leave this in our rooms? Could you lock the door for me?"
"Sure you can," Theandra replies to Mavor. "Remember you also have the keys to your rooms. You can lock them yourselves."
Blythe meanwhile returns and places all the requested food and drinks on the table. "Here you go."
"Why ask the obvious, Baer? No, i've got a hand axe on me as well."
"I thought you'd want a weapon that actually works underwater. A real weapon, like what Mavor's thinking. No matter, I just wonder."
Baer turns his attention to Allyph.
"You know, Allyph, armor will affect our ability to swim down there. Are you coming with us? Would you be willing to lend us your force armors while we dredge?"
* * *
After eating and whatever discussion happens, Baer heads out to buy a scroll of Alter Self and a cold iron longspear. She is happy to buy other things if people need them.
She will be ready to try exploring the wreck on the morrow.
vs. DC 17 Spellcraft
Tural finishes his drink inside the tavern and heads to bed. He wakes early in the morning and is readies his water breathing spells instead of fly spells. After a hearty breakfast he is ready to go.
Allyph shakes her head as she turns to Baer. "I'm coming with you, but I don't know how to cast mage armor without scroll. Though I have a single scroll with me in case I need it. Perhaps those who wish to have mage armor on them could buy a scroll, and then I can cast it on you before you dive into the water?"
------
The next morning Allyph sits at the same table, waiting for the others to get ready. "Morning, Baer. Morning, Tural."
Quorthos is ready to go first thing in the morning.
Denario finds a few fellow patrons to play a short game of poker with.
"See you guys in the morning."
Later that night, having not won nor lost anything, as they played over peanuts, yes peanuts, they were relatively poor people, Denario goes to bed.
Having a dream about the plague scourned city, he wakes a little uneasy.
"That dream sucked. Hopefully the day brings better fortune."
The next day you head to Old Korvosa, to the place from where you saw the ship with the yellow lanterns sink. It takes you a moment to determine where exactly you saw it sink, but after a while you've got a rough estimate of where it should be; about 800 feet into the river from where you're standing.
"We're going to need a bigger boat," Baer says. "Actually, not just a bigger boat, but a boat to get us out there. That's much further away from shore than I thought it would be. C'mon, Quorthos, let's go see about getting us something to handle the 6 of us. We won't need it for long."
If they can get a boat, Baer will take one oar and get the party to the closer to the wreck. When there, she will prep for her dive.
"Maybe we should parcel out the water breathing potions in case we need more when we get down there. No telling how long this will take."
We're going to need a bigger boat
"A small gallion comes to mind, or a cargo ship."
"We could hire a boat, although most captains might be sick by now. It's a real long swim and we still have to dive afterwards."
Tural replies.
"Shall we head over to the docks and ask around?"
Denario tries asking around about buying or borrowing a small ship.
If he got any impression someone would lie about knowing, he tells Baer and/or Mavor. Both are more intimidating than Denario is.
Baer is offering money, not diplomacy to get a boat. And since I assume that there are many sick fishermen, she might be eying untended boats as well.
For some reason everyone distrusts Denario and refuses to help him.
Allyph decides to walk up to some fishermen and see if she can fetch the party a boat. A fisherman she approaches agrees to let you on board and drop you off for ten gold. After some negotiating the man agrees to wait above the sunken ship's wreck and to bring you back to shore, for an additional ten gold that you'll pay when you're done investigating the ship.
Once the ten gold's been paid, the fisherman lets you on his boat and brings you to the sunken ship's location.
"Here you go," Allyph says as she hands the man ten gold. "And ten more when we get back."
Wish I could come with you... Guess I'll just keep a watch on this guy then. I'll make him sleep if he tries to sail away without you!
Once the scrolls of water breathing how been used you all dive into the water.
Obvious scars from fire and trebuchet strikes mar the sunken ship's broken hull, which lies on its side in two pieces amid the splinters of its masts. The ship has broken over a rock outcropping, its bow fallen to one side and a larger section of the stern on the other. Two relatively intact interior decks lie within both halves of the ship, along with the captain's quarters situated at the stern.
While the bow sunk in a way that will allow you easy access to any of its levels, the stern's cleaved to the rocks it fell upon, limiting entrance to its lower decks. Upon the stern section's upper deck, you spot a 10-foot-square main hatch.
There's a 10-foot-diameter hole in the side of the ship's stern.
Tural, before they jump from the boat, refreshes everyone's battle ward charges and dives in. Once near the ship he points at the obvious hole in the ship and swims towards it.
Baer first swims to the front half of the ship, hoping that that smaller section would hold the answers they seek. She carriers her longspear in front of her and assumes the others follow.
Using her darkvision if other light sources are not available, she look about the smaller wreckage, all three levels.
Perception
Perception
Perception
When that is done, she'll move to the hole in the main wreck, and peer there.
Perception
Before entering, she will cast Alter Self ("merman, dad, met-MAN") for a swim speed.
Denario leaves the people be, seeing glances of mistrust paired with words like "He looks healthy, and he's talking ships in these times?"
By the time now, he swims after Baer to the ship.
Quorthos follows Baer into the depths, after reminding everyone we also have potions of monkey fish in case of emergencies, which grant a swim speed for a minute. He also drinks an antiplague, and encourages the others to do so as well before going under, supplying them if need be.
He swims after Baer, keeping his eyes open for any creatures.
Baer first swims to the front portion of the ship, which broke away and landed awkwardly, revealing two splintered decks inside. Its bowsprit shattered and decks filled with debris, the vessel bears an ominous moniker along its fire-scarred hull: Direption. The doors into the forecastle and galley swing open in the current, their interiors wrecked and disordered. You'd have to actually enter this part of the ship to be able to see if there's anything noteworthy in between the mess.
Tural swam straight toward the hole in the ship and is soon joined by the others. The yawning wound in the ship's charred timbers allows murky water to flow easily through this debris-cluttered hold. Loose timbers, small fish, and dozens of identical boxes float eerily in the quiet darkness.
Mavor swims after Baer, holding a dagger in his mouth as he uses his arms to swim deeper.
Not much to be seen here, I think we should explore further.
To that thought, Mavor points towards the opening in the hulk of the sunken ship and mimics to go further.
Baer moves in, swimming to the rear to begin a search.
Perception
She will also try to open a box to see what is inside. If she could speak underwater, because magic, she would mention money is not likely to float, but some liquors would be likely to float in the water.
She feels more certain that the disease came in via alcohols rather than money at seeing the floating boxes.
Tural follows Baer at a safe distance, ready to back her up. He tests his voice to see if he is still able to communicate.
"Fwollowhing yhou Bwaer."
He seems surprised that he is still able to say something.
Spellcasting Underwater: Casting spells while submerged can be difficult for those who cannot breathe underwater. A creature that cannot breathe water must make a concentration check (DC 15 + spell level) to cast a spell underwater (this is in addition to the caster level check to successfully cast a fire spell underwater). Creatures that can breathe water are unaffected and can cast spells normally. Some spells might function differently underwater, subject to GM discretion.
Quorthos continues to follow Baer, and casts detect magic, scanning the wreck and the area around.
As soon as Baer enters the ship's hull, some kind of large fish swims past her with great speed and rams the door in the hull's east wall.
*BUMP*
The fish looks like an ordinary shark from tail to mouth, but the unusual shape of its lower jaw marks it as something else. A whorl of teeth spirals inward, tiny at the center, but long and brutal farther out.
The large shark-like fish turns around and charges Baer.
Not only is Baer hurt badly by the fish's razor sharp teeth, she's also pinned by the animal's whorled jaw while she loses blood at an alarming rate.
Round 1:
Big fish
Mavor
Allyph
Tural
Denario
Quorthos
Baer 20/36 HP (Pinned & Bleeding)
Mavor swims after the creature to help Baer, readies his dagger from his mouth.
Denario follows Mavor through the hole into the ship, grabbing the
Seeing the big shark, Denario aims his finger.
Fighting the current, Quorthos struggles towards the hole in the ship. He draws his dagger as he moves.
"What is that thing?"