Having secured a captain, Cyd and Grym return to the Lionfish with Gultrock.
Down below in the Lionifsh, Mumbuckle is continually assaulted by the party. After the final strike by Middy he raises his arms in surrender and begins to mumble incoherently.
By the time Cyd, Grym and Gultrock return to the ship Mumbuckle has been questioned and bound. He is reluctant to answer many questions, but more or less confirms the information you gleaned from the other crewman.
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Oliver searches Mumbuckle for more potions.
When Gultrock arrives he shows her the flags that where recovered from the warehouse. "Do you know why the pirates would keep these hidden?"
To the rest of the group he says "It might be worth trying to question the Frog about them. Mayhaps they are supposed to rendezvous with the other ship while flying specific colors. I'd ask him, but he doesn't seem to like me beard."
He also asks Gultrock about how long the trip is and if he will have time to rest before they arrive at the destination.
Oliver quite clearly sees two more potions visible on Mumbuckle.
Gultrock considers the flag and shrugs. "Perhaps they were tryin' to be posin' as another ship while approacin' port or another vessel?"
After a quick review of the nautical maps Gultrok states it is a half of a day journey to the cove if the weather cooperates, a full day if not. She states she isn't in any particular hurry if you want to rest here for the night and leave at dawn, she's on your schedule.
"Are we beddin' down here in port for the night or headin' out to sea?"
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Cid measures up Mumbuckle. He grins, not the usual charming grin that has the ladies swooning. But a much more insidious grin.
Cid pokes Mumbuckle with the point of a dagger and glances over his shoulder at Oliver.His voice ever so casual he asksI wonder what it tastes like? Frog is a delicacy where I am from. Have you ever tried it Oliver? He grins again and there is a very dangerous gleam in his eyes as he locks his gaze with Mumbuckle.
In a flat and very serious voice he says It would be in your best interest to cooperate. Do you know anything about those flags? When were you supposed to meet up with the other pirates?
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I believe time is of the essence if we are to make the rendezvous in time. I think we should leave right away. Oliver if you regain spells as I do, you will only need eight hours of rest followed by prayer at the appropriate time. I'm thinking a half day should allow for you to rest enough, assuming the trip is undisturbed.
Saphera begins looking around the ship for some manacles or other restraining device. I think we should restrain the frog and bring him to justice after we complete the mission.
Gultrok nods and heads off, speaking loudly for all to hear as she does so. "Aye. Off we go then. Best you be doin' as I be tellin' ya if we gonna make it quick-like."
Captain Gultrock takes the wheel and begins shouting out orders to everybody. She uses a lot of nautical terminology that most of you have no such knowledge about besides "swabbing the deck" and "hoisting the main sail". Despite her disgruntled face she puts up with your lack of experience and gets you on your way.
The weather is good and the winds are favorable as the Lionfish sails the seas. The group is able to reach their destination by dawn. The only landing point on the rocky islet called Viper Cove seems to be through a cavern entrance that leads to a shallow cove concealed within the island itself. The walls of the cavern are lined intermittently with torch-adorned sconces, and another ship is already moored on the northeastern side of the embankment—Topaz Titan is emblazoned across its hull in orange letters that shine brilliantly even in the limited light. Several hastily-sealed cans of paint, a wood rasp, and sandpaper are barely visible on the ship’s deck. On the eastern side of the large cavern, two exits lead further into the cave complex.
Gultrocks wakes those that are sleeping to inform you that you have arrived at your destination. She asks if you want her to take the ship in or if you are going in another method.
Saphera studies the Titan and the shore around it and sees no immediate sign of movement in sight.
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"Well, I don't see any movement on the ship or the shore. I think we should quietly move in on smaller boats and board the Titan the same way we did this ship. That way we don't risk loosing the Lionfish if things go badly. We could board the Titan then move to shore. What do you guys think?"
Tatiana double checks that the knotted rope and grappling hook are ready and in her pack.
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Oliver says to Saphera "Well, if we do take the smaller boats in, what is the plan if we are spotted before reaching the shore? We'd be sitting ducks out there, rowing a boat trying to dodge arrows. I'm not saying its a bad idea, but I'd like to know the backup plan isn't to take cover in the ocean."
Tatiana double checks that the knotted rope and grappling hook are ready and in her pack.
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Grym puts his hand to his chin, contemplating the options before the party. "From our interrogations, Netrav is expecting the Lionfish to meet her in the cove. If we can see the decks of her ship, she can doubtless espy us as well. Without good reason, failing to rendezvous as expected could raise suspicions and lead us into the predicament Oliver has anticipated.
"We may be better served attempting to masquerade as what she expects. Put Mumbuckle on the deck in sight -- perhaps pose someone as Iatha. I am, of course, amenable to other suggestions. What say you, fellows?"
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Grym nods approvingly at Saphera's plan. "If you can impersonate the grippli, so much the better. That resolves the issue of keeping him from barking a warning. Since the crew of the Lionfish were all human, it might be best for Oliver to remain on the steps out of visual range."
The half-elf turns up his hood to hide his ears and begins milling about the deck.
Once Saphera is all set Gultrocks takes the ship up to the only available docking spot left. Once docked she gives a signal to the party that she's all finished and begins on work to secure the ship.
There is no one immediately visible on the Titan or in the area immediately around the ship. You dock your ship next to the Titan and disembark, leaving Mumbuckle bound and gagged. No guards seems to be on duty.
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Heeding Olivers recommendation, Saphera boards the Titan. Apparently in a hurry, she quickly searches the ship. While conducting her search, she makes not of any rope, chain, or rigging that could be used to secure the ship to the Lionfish.
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Saphera gathers anything she finds that could be used to tie the ship off and begins tying the ship down. Once the Titan is secured Saphera heads towards the north east entrance and takes point. Watching for traps she proceeds carefully.
Saphera gathers anything she finds that could be used to tie off the ship and begins tying it down.
Once the Titan is secure, Saphera heads towards the north east entrance and takes point. Watching for traps, she proceeds carefully.
The party boards the Titan and performs a thorough search of the ship. It's apparent that there are no prisoners, crew or even cargo on board any longer. The party finds enough supplies to tie the ship down and secure it.
Following Saphera's lead the party heads up the northern steps. A series of wooden planks set into the soft sediment of the cavern’s floor provide a steep stairway into the chamber beyond. As she climbs to the top of the steps she sees that an iron gate blocks further access to this passage. The chamber resembles a pit more than anything else, and bones of various kinds of animals—including humanoids—litter the floor near the cages. Several sconces with burning torches adorn the walls, and two empty cages stand at the eastern side of the room.
On the floor two large dogs wander around, so far unaware of the aasimar and the investigator.
The tunnel runs for 20 feet west and opens up into a larger chamber.
As you enter the room you smell food being cooked somewhere in here, perhaps that what was keeping the attention of the dogs in the northeast. Saphera stops suddenly giving the signal to hold up as something catches her attention.
Light flickers into the room from the water out in the cavern's main chamber to the west, and small holes in the ceiling act as skylights, ensuring that the room needs no torches to light it during the day. Several natural stone columns break up the center of the cavern, sending shafts of shadow across the dimly-lit chamber. They also serve to hinder you from being able to see the complete layout of the room.