The salty air filled the lungs of the party as they stood on the shore, grateful to have gotten off the sinking ship safely. A sailor approached, offering them a Bortled Favorite as thanks. While searching the beach for more loot, they uncovered an unusual ring, a fine but nonmagical compass, and a small axle. Recognizing the need for recovery, they took a moment to rest, during which Rin treated the party’s wounds. With no one else possessing a healer’s toolkit, Rin lent hers to Juk-Aen, who began to treat himself but ultimately chose to assist Caravaggio, who was more severely injured.
Their respite was shattered when two river snakes attacked. One lunged at Isaac, Sira Antkeep’s summon, but failed to deliver its venom. Sira Antkeep commanded Isaac to retaliate, though he missed. Caravaggio flanked the snake threatening Isaac and dispatched it with a flurry of blows. The second snake bit Caravaggio, inflicting poison, while Sol’andrus Van Diel fired but missed. Juk-Aen closed in and eliminated the remaining snake, settling into his Mountain Stance as the skirmish concluded. Caravaggio fought off the poison, earning praise from Juk-Aen for his bravery. After examining their newfound loot, Sol’andrus Van Diel identified the axle as a Greased Axle Talisman and the ring as a Ring Of Discretion, which he claimed and tested by concealing his rifle. Loading their recovered cargo onto their wagons for the return journey, the Rescued Sailors expressed gratitude for dealing with their cruel captain, warning of potential revenge. Juk-Aen executed The Captured Captain, ensuring their safety.
The journey back to Saringallow took a couple of days, where Maire debriefed the party about their supply run. Though she acknowledged their success, she appeared troubled. Sira Antkeep, with Juk-Aen and Caravaggio, inquired about her distress. Maire revealed that Rhokrag, their goblin companion, had not returned after venturing alone to the Waterspout Inn to meet a contact. Determined to find him, Juk-Aen and Sira Antkeep agreed to start their search at the inn. Before departing, the party sold off spare loot, purchased healing supplies, and Juk-Aen acquired his own healer’s toolkit. After two more days of travel, they arrived at the Waterspout Inn just before dusk, spotting a two-masted ship bearing the Chelaxian flag docked nearby. As they approached the faded blue inn, Juk-Aen used his Mask of Masquerade to disguise himself, allowing the group to enter without drawing immediate suspicion. Inside, they encountered a hostile man who insisted the inn was closed and ordered them to leave. Sira Antkeep urged Juk-Aen to hold back while they assessed their surroundings.
Despite attempts to negotiate, the situation escalated when the man drew a mace and refused to cooperate. Sol’andrus Van Diel stepped outside to scout the area, while Caravaggio attempted to pass the group off as ordinary travelers. The man’s aggression triggered a fight, with gunfire erupting from within the inn. Sol’andrus Van Diel quickly eliminated one gunman, while Caravaggio engaged another in close combat. Juk-Aen rushed upstairs to search for additional threats, while Sira Antkeep subdued the remaining armed man downstairs. After confirming the absence of further armed men upstairs, Juk-Aen returned to assist Sira Antkeep, who was pressing the captive for information. The party learned of Captain Bane, a dangerous figure who had brought trouble to the inn.
Our heroes left the inn towards the moored ship, only to find another group of Chelaxian’s who attacked out heroes, however they proved weak to bullets, a blessing for Sol. It did not take long before our heroes took care of a group outside, before boarding the ship and fighting another two crew members that proved easy to defeat.
Our heroes were weakened, and worried that something might happen with Captain Bane, Sira tried negotation, however the captain immediately began to attack, leading to a fierce battle within the ship’s cabin. Juk-Aen charged in, landing a devastating blow on Captain Bane, but she retaliated fiercely, incapacitating him with a rapier strike.
The fight intensified as Sira Antkeep and Isaac worked together to free themselves from a devil’s webbing, while Sol’andrus Van Diel provided cover fire. Ultimately, Sira Antkeep and Isaac managed to defeat Captain Bane, securing the room and rescuing Rhokrag, who had been tortured for information. Rhokrag revealed that Captain Bane had been seeking information about the Hellbreakers and warned of an impending strike against the rebels. With the ship now under their control, the party decided it was too recognizable to keep and planned to sink it after looting. They found additional supplies, including Bombs, and Juk-Aen treated Rhokrag’s wounds. As they prepared to leave, the innkeeper offered them free room and board for their efforts in dealing with Captain Bane. The party ultimately decided to leave the surviving Chelaxian unconscious, ensuring he could later claim he had been beaten and left behind, as they finalized their plans to destroy the Witchfire and return home with Rhokrag.
Threads to Watch: Rhokrag’s fate; Captain Bane’s connection to the Hellbreakers; the potential revenge of the cruel captain.