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River drakes are about 8' long. They tend to be more cunning than most drakes, and work in packs. They can spew a caustic ball of mucus, and are correspondingly immune to acid.
“Ah yes, River Drakes. They can be rather nasty. While less intelligent than true dragons, they are similar to wyverns in appearance. Also, should we have to fight them they are immune to sleep, paralysis and acid, with a caustic ball of mucus as their breath weapon. If we are unlucky enough to encounter one, they will not likely work alone as they tend to travel in packs.”
The next morning's breakfast is a bowl of warmed grains. After the anchor is pulled up, the entire complement of the ship mans the oars to get the ship underway. Then everyone reports to their chosen duties.
After the ship has been travelling downriver for about an hour. Urul and Giles head to the starboard rail to haul in the dragnets for the first catch of the day. As they pull up the heavy, fish-laden net, the rail suddenly gives way!
Giles manages to recover his balance, but poor Urul isn't as lucky. The half-orc tumbles over the side of the ship, and just manages to keep his head above water in the strong current.
Captain Bloodtusk bellows, "Man overboard!"
He is loud enough for everyone on the ship to hear him.
From her perch, Slei can see that a couple of logs on shore have suddenly moved into the water and are headed towards Urul.
Mannfred moves up and casts entangle, centered between the two logs to get them both in its 40' radius. Reflex DC 15
Mannfred rushes out to see what is happening, and is able to quickly see and identify the danger from the oncoming crocodiles. His spell causes the weeds in the river to writhe to life, and they wrap around one of the large reptiles.
Slei will attack the nearest croc with her sling staff.
Slei's shot splashes into the water.
Grodar will spend his turn loading his crossbow, then moving towards the action.
Grodar heads towards the stairs, drawing his crossbow. He pauses at the bottom of the gangway to load it.
The entangled crocodile struggles against the weeds binding it, and eventually gets free, but remains within the area of the spell.
The other crocodile closes on poor Urul.
Giles activates his hammer to enlarge himself and reaches it out to Urul. “Grab the end so I can pull you back on the ship. And mind them crocs.”
Eldan will keep an eye out for any other threats as he can’t affect this situation.
Zigil will keep sounding, thinking it might be bad to run aground while helping Urul.
Urul grabs on to the proffered hammer.
"Quickly, friend!"
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Mannfred will delay.
The weeds continue to writhe about the crocodiles, but the one threatening Urul remains free.
Giles withdraws his hammer, and the reptile snaps at the departing Urul.
Fortunately, the horrendous teeth come up just short, and the crewman is safely returned to the deck.
The ship carries on past the writhing weeds.
Mannfred grins. "Lucky we didn't have to hurt those crocodiles! Now they can find a more appropriate lunch."
"Sooo, anywayyyy."
Mannfred addresses Captain Bloodtusk: "You should probably get that rail fixed." He looks around. "Are any other parts of the boat liable to fall apart?"
Captain Bloodtusk scowls at the disparagement of his fine vessel.
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Giles will take advantage of his larger size to haul the nets more efficiently.
The rest of the day passes without incident, and the party members are each successful at performing their duties.
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"My mistake. One less than I thought. Still a few though. I think one before you fed me."
"He seems okay, but not a good judge of horses. Cain't tell the diffrence tween me and a plowhorse."
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After the boat has anchored for the night and everyone has had dinner, there is a short opportunity for the heroes to gather on deck with no crew nearby.
"Upon discussing the situation with Lucky, it appears there may be another wild animal on board somewhere. I am not sure of the implications of this"
“That may be troubling but so, I think, is the fact that the railing was sabotaged. I found cut marks along the rail where Giles was fishing. If Urul had not come to help, it very well could have been Giles overboard.”
“Hrm troubling. Wonder who had access to the railing to do this deed? Perhaps we need to keep more of a watch out for ourselves.”
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"Could the other wild animal be a beaver? That would explain the cut marks!" Pausing. "Because otherwise, it means that one of these half-orcs is an orc sympathizer..."
“I guess Slei has a good vantage point from up there to keep an eye out for anybody doing something suspicious.”
“Perhaps we should warn the Captain? He might wish to know someone is trying to kill his passengers.”
"I would agree that it is prudent to alert the captain."
The group head towards the area under the sterncastle, and are told to enter when they knock at the doors there.
They enter a square room mostly filled with an oval table, where Captain Bloodtusk and Coxswain Halrex are seated. The table is covered with charts of the region, a large leather-bound book, and dishes from dinner. On the other side of the room are doors leading to another cabin.
The captain asks, "What do you need?
"Our friend Eldan has found something rather disturbing that he needs to tell you."
Zigil will observe the Coxswain's and the captain's reactions to the news.
“After the incident at the rail this afternoon, I had an opportunity to inspect the railing. During this inspection I noticed that the railing had been tampered with. It seems that someone sabotaged the railing and was attempting to do us harm.”
The captain and coxswain both scowl.
Bloodtusk replies, "I certainly hope that you're not coming in here on your first day and making accusations against long term crewmembers who have proven their loyalty to me."
“I know what I saw, you can inspect it yourself, and see that I speak the truth about the sabotage. We have also uncovered the use of magic by our enemies to disguise themselves and infiltrate Trunau. Perhaps this same magic is employed here and one of your companions is not, in fact, who you think it is.”