Kal knows that if it did exist, it would be a few miles east as there is a known river in that direction.
Kal leaves a note with Samms for the other officers. It reads: "Going swimming east of town. Should be back in time for Tessa's arrival. Might be cursed. Fun! -Jonah"
Kal sets off on his trek to find these legendary springs. Though even using his innate wilderness skills, it takes him hours to find even a sign of any hot springs. Though come late afternoon, he does see what could be steam.
Kal notices something through the canopy making it's way in his direction.
Kal hardens his resolve and waits to see what will appear.
As it comes into view, Kal can see that the back of this horse-sized boar rises in a steep slope. Its tiny red eyes are crusted with filth and its bristly flank crawls with flies.
It is rooting around in the dirt for something. It does not seem hostile, yet.
Watching the creature closely, Kal frowns and tries to determine what it is and why it's letting flies crawl all over it.
Kal determines it to be some kind of animal and that it has flies presumably because it's dirty.
Kal frowns thoughtfully and looks around to see if it seems feasible to avoid the creature in his journey toward the spring.
The animal seems to be in your way. One way or another you need to deal with it. It seems to be a rather large specimen, whatever it is.
Kal steps slowly out of the underbrush into clear sight, trying not to startle the thing. Once it has seen him, he begins speaking softly to it and watching for some kind of reaction; either that his efforts are working, or that he'd better climb a tree quickly.
The animal looks up at Kal, confusion on it's face. Who was this tuskless furless thing? Kal quickly figures out the poor animal is hungry and he gives it some trail rations to satisfy it. The animal lumbers away leaving Kal free to pursue the hot springs.
Kal smiles to himself and returns to his search.
Kal continues his journey when he reaches his destination! Hidden deep within this forest, is the hot spring that he has only learned legends of. It has a single sign in a very pretty script that he does not understand. The steam from the spring instantly hits his face.
Kal studies the sign for a moment, trying to think if he's seen or heard of anything like it. He then shrugs and slips into the water.
Chubs spends the day moseying around town. He listens in for rumors of other free captains plans and strategies.
Chubs does some information gathering, buying a lot of rum to get people to talk. Some of it, the goblin has heard already such as the bar brawl the day before and something about a minotaur involved using "The Five Moves of Doom" whatever that is. He also hears that the Free Captain’s Regatta is near, the annual sea race is organised by the Free Captains of the Shackles. The course changes each year, but is always a dangerous route among the various reefs and sandbars on the edge of the Eye of Abendego. Many ships fail to survive the course, but there are always a large number of entrants each year. Entrants must be captain of their own ship, and there is an entrance fee of 500 gold pieces. The winner receives the total of all the entrance fees, the grant of a small island or anchorage in the Shackles, and a seat on the Pirate Council. The winner for the last five years has been the enigmatic Master of Gales.
============
Kal feels no ill effect from swimming in the supposedly cursed springs, for now. He does feel refreshed and he gets back to the Sanbalot rather late at night.
Despite her "experience", Alhazrha is not able to keep up with the bull of love, though not for lack of trying with the gusto of two women. Bjorkus finds himself not-fatigued the next day and feeling rather confident.
Yet.
At dinner, Chubs tells the officers about the race.
"Sounds like fun. We've got 500 gold... let's do it!"
”I’m with Kal. That’ll be a good place to show off the Storm and a seat on the Council would help keep Harrigan off of us”, the minotaur says with a snort.
”There’s still a good deal of plunder in the holds. What do you captains say to selling some of it off for upgrades on the ships?”
"I've been wanting upgrades for a while, but isn't that for a few months still?"
"It might take a while to shop around and get the work done", Bjorkus explains.
"I'm in favor of entering our ship in the race. We planning to race just one ship though or more?"
"Yea, that's true. Think about if we win, Chubs can be on the Council!"
"Might as well enter as many as we have crew to man..."
Bjorkus passes the next couple days while he waits for Tessa’s arrival, shopping around for reputable shipbuilders during the day and then trolling for trouble and tending to his harem (including the newcomer – Alhazrah) during the night.
Two days later, you all arrive at Tessa’s townhouse, her retainers show you into a windowed dining hall with a view overlooking Port Peril’s harbor. "First I have to congratulate you on becoming Free Captains!" Which seems to be the cue for the food to arrive. Servants bring in multiple dishes of varying sizes. From the pineapple glazed steaks to the buttery-encrusted lobsters, it all looks glorius. "Though this is not just a celebratory dinner. I have to ask, what do you know of the politics here in the Shackles?" She takes a seat and is poured a glass of cherry wine.
Bjorkus greedily downs big chunks of the sweetly glazed beef.
”What about ‘em?” the hulking minotaur asks between bites.
"I think it is best to just assume we know nothing and tell us everything."
"Fair enough. Well you have met Kerdak Bonefist, the current Hurricane King. Word is he is not as popular as he likes to think he is and his days may very well be numbered. But that is for another time, I just wanted to see if you knew anything beforehand. The real reason I have you here is I've heard whispers about Cheliax's designs on the Shackles. Cheliax’s
hatred of the pirate isles is nothing new, of course, but lately the rumors have been hinting at another Chelish invasion, which, if successful, could result in the Shackles being annexed into the empire a horrific outcome to any Free Captain, regardless of who wears the Hurricane Crown."She pauses to take a sip from her drink, taking a moment to enjoy it.
"I am convinced that there is truth to these rumors, but I need solid proof to put before the Hurricane King and the rest of the Council so they can form a united front. However, I am too well known to investigate this myself. I also need to remain here in Port Peril to maintain my influence over certain factions within the council. You lot are free agents so to speak, so you have the best chance of uncovering information. You should of course keep our alliance a secret and use discretion when possible."
"What kind of proof do you seek?"
"It could be anything from an incriminating document stating their navy's plans to invade or one of their spies confessing to it in front of Kerdak. I'm sure you can figure it out. If it helps I do have some leads." Tessa then unfurls several beautifully drawn, highly
detailed nautical charts of the Shackles.
“I am convinced that Cheliax has spies and informants working in the Shackles, and I can think of only two places that might have some knowledge of these traitorous informers in our midst. The first is the House of Stolen Kisses in Quent, a temple of Calistria and one of the best information brokerages in the Shackles. Use this note to obtain an audience with the temple’s high priestess. The second is the Temple of the Hidden Name, a secret temple of Norgorber said to operate in the town of Beachcomber on Bag Island. If anyone knows of these spies, it would be the followers of the Reaper of Reputation. I have no contacts with the priests of that temple, so I hope you can convince them to reveal what they know.”
Kal scratches his chin thoughtfully and nods. "That sounds like something we can manage."
He grins slightly at the woman. "I hope you don't mind me saying that I can fully sympathize with your lack of confidence in your men. Were you able to enlighten your guards as to the... subtleties of paying attention on watch? I hope you weren't too hard on them, given the rather... talented nature of the suspect in question."
"Hmm? Oh yes that. Well I let them know to not fail me again. I do have to commend you on that. You take to water like a fish. Are you perhaps related to merfolk?" She asks jokingly.
Kal chuckles. "I assure you that I am fully human, for now... but the ocean awoke something within me the first time I set my eyes upon it. I swam a good deal growing up, but never in the way that I have done these past months."
His smile is friendly, and his eyes twinkle merrily. "These statements should not be taken as any sort of confession, of course. I was, in point of fact, astonished when you told us of your poor ship's experience."
"I would be a poor captain if I was not aware of what was going on with my ship. Even if my guards fail to notice, I make sure to."
Bjorkus snorts excitedly when mention of Chelish aggression comes to light.
"I believe you when you say they're making a move for the Shackles. The Chelish navy sank my last ship and killed her crew. They were the only family I had."
"You've got my horns", Bjorkus says with a shake of his bovine head.