The second night after Devin had come aboard Refyx entered his cabin to find Devin waiting for him. He sighed. "I was wondering when you were going to come. I'm not even going to ask how you got inside with my traps and the magical locks." He paused. "It's bad, eh? You're here, she's not." The gnome looked at Devin, a tremor in his voice. "The truth, lad. Can you fix it this time?"

Devin lightly touched a finger to his braid and Refyx nodded. That braid was a warning. It meant a magical vow had been taken. It would not come undone until the task was done or Devin was dead, and death would be meted out to any who stood in his way.

Refyx answered Devin's questions to him. He listened carefully as afterwards the half-elf told him exactly what he needed. It would be a challenge, but he would get it done. Refyx glanced out the porthole as Devin vanished. It looked like the Captain would not be the only one not getting sleep tonight.

-----

They had pulled into Monkey Island in the dark of night, slipping into a cove. The next morning Mighty was awoken by Monkey's enthusiastic greeting. On the shore was the entire Mighty Monkeys team, along with the chieftain all cheering and ready to help the great Mighty! The hidden grotto had been cleansed and the Grung Village huts were swiftly renovated and made habitable for the non-spectral Crew. Once the Count's shipwright arrived the Ship would need to be hauled up on shore and tilted for hull reinforcement and repairs and the Crew would not be able to stay aboard. The livestock was offloaded where it could be watched while Pugwash's cow and chickens enjoyed grazing.

Devin had left sometime in the night. Nobody had seen him go, but Argy's list of supplies she had been getting together to send with those leaving had also disappeared. Count Karnstein boarded the smuggler ship Black Emanuelle early that morning and after taking on cargo it was underway by mid-morning. Captain Baldbeard had had Aeshma send a message with one of the birds and a Brethren ship sailed in just before sunset and took him aboard. He had left Aeshma with his promise to track down what he could of the scent and send word or return within a month or slightly after. Durik helped with the Ship for a few days, but finally the worry for his human mother got to be too much, so he also boarded a smuggler ship to go visit her and make sure she was okay.

Meanwhile Aeshma fretted while Captain Aylar whittled beads for Circeana to play with and then turned to carving all over the Ship .... Ten days later she had finally had enough and slipped the sleeping potion vials to Argy. [Tying up the story timeline to Aeshma's and Aylar's previous posts.]

Devin woke from the Dream with gritted teeth and reached for his special wine flask as the tremors tore through his body and his head pounded with the fury of a thousand lightning bolts. He swallowed back the nausea and slugged down another drink. He struggled to piece together the different flows of Dream-space and time to decipher what it was he'd seen. An hour later the tremors had finally stopped and his head was down to a bearable pounding. The weakness in his limbs was passing, but the nausea persisted. There would be no breakfast for him today. He hoped Argy wouldn't take it personally or think he didn't appreciate her craft.

He looked to the porthole and calculated the time. They had arrived at Monkey Island an hour before midnight and it was still a few hours until dawn. The Dream had possessed him swiftly then. He washed the cold sweat from his body and dressed quickly. Pocketing the special items Refyx had made for him the previous day he grabbed his already prepared kit and quietly left his cabin. He wasn't going to get any more sleep anyway. Avoiding the watch, he slipped into the night's mist and vanished.

A few nights later under a waxing moon a black cat twitched its tail as it watched from the shadows of an alleyway. Its green eyes were fixed on a hooded figure being detained by soldiers with heavy crossbows. A finely dressed man came to address the hooded figure. One of the cat's ears swiveled to take in surrounding sounds and monitor for danger while the other ear focused on the group.
The soldiers stepped back and the hooded figure disappeared behind the nearest corner. The cat silently slipped back into the alleyway and vanished.

Devin emerged from The Sirens' Lair brothel as dawn was breaking. He sauntered off down the docks dressed in a scallywag sailor's clothes, his hair and ears hidden under a sailor's scarf, looking for Captain Radaggarb. A short while later he passed over Argy's list with explicit instructions and the coin and items he had earned barding and gambling. He left with more information than he'd had.

Before long Devin was back in his bardic clothing wandering his way through the marketplace. He played his lute with a flirtatious smile and saucy winks for the maids and ladies while listening carefully to various snatches of gossip. His eyes gleamed as he identified a particular maid and that afternoon she met him for some special attention. She was easy to Charm and would only remember a pleasant romp with a soldier she had her eye on, not what he'd whispered into her ear beyond the sweet nothings nor the information she had given him about Commodore Beckett and his mansion where she worked.

Moonlight streamed through the window as Devin silently looked through Commodore Beckett's office, going straight for the hidden safe and using the combination Beckett had unknowingly revealed under the influence of the guided dream. Quietly Devin hummed a Memory tune over the documents and maps he found there. Commodore Beckett did not seem to be highly placed enough to know where the aboleth's base or place of hiding was, but a certain map and letter may lead them to someone who did. Devin quickly dusted a mirror with Refyx's concoction and waited until it vanished, then he adjusted the mirror just barely enough to catch the moonlight better and left.

The next morning Devin exitted The Treasure Chest after enjoying a hearty breakfast with the ladies. He sat on one of the piers in his scallywag clothes, whistling a particular tune. When one of the seabirds answered and came near, Devin passed it a small scroll under the cover of feeding it the last bit of smoked fish. The scroll was written in Elvish and would only unlock and writing appear if used with a rune Devin had taught to Captain Aylar. That done, Devin walked down the dock to find passage on a ship to his next destination.

=========
ooc: Actions taken as allowed by the GM's dice. Thank you Fair One. More to come later. We will hope Devin's luck holds.

Durik had helped where he could with the Ship and repairs, but after they reached Monkey Island and several other Crew left, he kept thinking and dreaming of his mum. What if she saw those papers that said he was wanted for being a bad orc? She would be sad and worried. Durik didn't think he was a bad orc. Ablet was bad, very bad. Ablet's men were bad too, they killed Larissa and Cap'n Rummyfangs and made Captain Aylar angry. Durik needed to visit his moter and explain. He could introduce her to Dakka too. Dakka was heavy and it wouldn't be easy, but Durik needed to try. A few days after the others left, Durik helped unload some supplies that had come for Argy and then said goodbye to the other Crew and boarded the smuggler's ship to go visit his mum.

It took a week and staying hidden in the hold at many ports, but Durik finally made it to the port closest to where his human mum lived. He crept ashore at night and began the walk to home. Durik wondered if his mum would recognise him with his new armor and orc-sized clothing. This became a new worry for him. Surely she would know him, wouldn't she? Dakka assured him that she would. Mum's always recognized their children, Dakka told him. Dakka was proven right when Durik reached home and his mum humie gave him a big hug and a bigger breakfast!

Durik had spent only a day with his mum telling her stories of the Crew and where he'd been when trouble arrived. Soldiers surrounded the house and two of them broke in the door. (roll dice) Durik threw a barrel at one and knocked him out before running to grab his cudgel and slamming the other back out the broken door. They had found him. He yelled for his mum to run and charged out the door ready to fight.

There were many soldiers, and several were half-orcs like him. (roll dice) Durik saw the neighbor farmer's cow and Dakka quickly swallowed it and fired. (roll dice) The cow struck two of the half-orc soldiers, knocking them down and knocking one unconscious when the cow got back up to run kicking the soldier in the face. (roll dice) Durik had killed or knocked out five more soldiers when he heard his humie mum scream. He turned to see a half-orc soldier dragging his mum over to a man on a horse, holding a wicked looking blade to her throat.

"Put your weapon down and come quietly or bad things will happen to her," drawled the voice of the human officer. "First we'll cut off her fingers one by one, then we'll start on other body parts." He grinned evilly and the half-orc soldier nodded.

(roll dice) Durik didn't want his mum humie hurt. He didn't know what else to do, so he dropped his cudgel and let them tie him up, but try as they might they couldn't get Dakka off his back.

"Leave it for now, we have to sail with the tide. Bring the woman too, just so he cooperates," ordered the officer. "We'll release her once he's chained in the hold. Commodore Beckett will be pleased."

Once they were on the ship and he was chained, they threatened his mum until Durik told Dakka to drop from his back. Not trusting it, the officer had the soldiers throw Dakka into the sea. As Dakka sank, the cannon suddenly transformed into a magical archerfish. The fish looked at ship where Durik was captured, then swiftly turned and swam for Monkey Island to tell the Ship and the Captain.

-----
Hopefully I did Durik justice. I'm not used to writing half-orc style. ;)

Glad to see essential lore pieces being put to good use :P

Devin silently stalked away from the scene of the brutal mauling. This human hadn't deserved to live and was easily disposed of without consequences. Beckett had been allowed to live only for his continued potential usefulness - and if too many of the aboleth's more profitable minions went missing or wound up dead without good reason the aboleth would be alerted to their coming and may move or threaten his lady more. He was a patient predator, with his eyes on the target, and so some of the riff raff would live. This one had made the mistake of thinking Devin was his cohort and gloated too much over the pretty prize said to be taken and the things yet to be done with her. It was amazing what the wild beasts of the local forest could do to a body, rendering it completely unidentifiable.

He was one step closer, but he needed to return and pick up another item from the Ship before proceeding, and he had picked up something special for Argy. It was also time he checked in with Captain Aylar. He had more information now, and if the Captain's folk were not adverse then Devin had no problem with 'disappearing' a couple of unworthy souls. They had served their purpose now and Goddess knew he had no further use to be saddled with them. Funny how many times he'd been told someone would do anything, whatever he wanted, to stay the blade and save their miserable life.

A short time later the swift magical cutter Devin had pirated pulled alongside the Ship and he hefted a small pack and headed for the galley. He paused as he overheard Aeshma talking urgently to Argy. When Aeshma exited he swiftly bowed to her with a flirtatious smile as she passed, watching her intently but for a moment. Then he proceeded into the galley to find Argy. He saw Argy quickly secret away a set of vials as he entered, but said nothing. Bowing with another smile, Devin presented the small pack of rare spices to Argy, six of which were halfling grown, three elven, two dwarven favorites and one orcish. "Such an artist as ye should have at her hand exquisite ingredients to march her skill, sweet Argy. I look forward to yer creations." After he left, Devin stopped to grab himself a couple bottles of wine as he decided to forego the grog for that evening.

Devin's eyes roved over the carved wards as he sought out Captain Aylar. This was some serious Work. His gaze fell to the silver runed whittling knife. He knew that knife. The Captain's skill was proving worthy of it. There would be some serious trickery afoot.

Devin restrained a grin, letting the mischievous delight only show in his eyes as he addressed the Captain. "Be ye expecting unwelcome guests, Captain? Should I be staying to help ye entertain them properly?" While asking, Devin also signaled to Aylar that he had news of his task.

Once Captain Aylar had brought him to where they could speak privately, Devin handed him a list of more ports that were now under enemy control. The Brethren safe harbors were starting to fall in the east as well. He spoke lowly in Elvish. "The target's tendrils didst indeed extend through several sea triangle nodes, managed by the sea hags. The sea hag ye seek be still in the Weirding Sea at another node, these be the coordinates once the Ship is fit to cross over. Our target hath moved and I be pursuing that information. There also be fey strings being gathered beyond sea folk, now land folk and fey being enslaved or coerced. Bellandra's kin be a part of that. My next destination should tell that tale. There be another tendril I suspect leadeth to a High Fae connection. Doth not trust anything nor anyone from the Council, Captain. I careth not what the Lady Captain Jac tells ye. She will be loyal as she can and be playing their game just enough to stay loosely leashed, but without the protection of the admiral a leash it still be and there be those among the Council that hath not M'Lady's best interest, nor the Crew's, in their minds."

After seeing if Captain Aylar had any further information or questions, Devin told him of the two men he had left in the brig. Both had sworn service to the Fair in exchange for their lives. He gave their service over for Aylar to decide. They had been willing servants of the aboleth's schemes.

That evening Devin watched as Argy fell asleep over her grog while the Captain resumed his Work. When she didn't wake after the dicing, Devin lifted her in his arms and carried her to her cabin. He placed her gently in her berth and softly sang a melodious tune while touching his lips lightly to her brow. He covered her with a light blanket then left to seek out Sensei before seeing Refyx again. In the morning he knew she would wake refreshed, having had wonderful dreams.

=========
ooc: Actions taken as rolled and determined by the GM, including Argy's falling asleep.

Our GM taught me long ago to make use of what I'm given - and I liked the brothel names. Be assured Devin visited them all. :)

Captain Aylar was aggravating Aeshma greatly. The Captain still refused to sleep. Argy had indicated she would be more than happy to try and rescue Aylar from the clutches of Circeana. [Per PM] The halfling cook assured Aeshma the sleeping potion had been administered to his drink, but nothing happened. Well, not true, something had happened. Argy had fallen asleep over her grog or the dicing for three nights straight ... and Captain Aylar carved on. The Captain remained as insomniac and whittle crazed as ever! Could Argy have mistakenly switched the jars? Aeshma swore under her breath and wondered if she could persuade Mighty to simply knock Aylar over the head and put him to bed ... preferably in his old cabin away from that wench of a siren! Maybe it would knock a bit of sense back into the Captain's brain as well. She had once contemplated turning Grog'tial into a frog. Maybe she should turn Aylar into a woodworm. He might even like it, he could eat his way through his carvings, she fumed. Wards were a fine thing, and some of his carving was truly beautiful, but wards and beauty were not going to bring Clíodhna back! And Clíodhna needed to be back before the magic of the Ship could be restored, or else they would have to be reassigned a new admiral and Guide and THAT would quickly see changes all over the Ship ... most likely starting with the Captain being replaced and the Crew shipped off and rendered unable to secure their bodies and their chances at renewed life! What was he thinking? Was he even thinking? Would it be considered mutiny to have an air elemental blow Captain Aylar overboard just enough to dunk him in the sea and maybe bring him to his senses?

And that new half-elf, Devin, didn't do a thing to stop it, instead he encouraged the Captain! She'd noticed that Devin avoided the grog after that day near the galley, drinking instead from a fully sealed bottle of wine he opened for himself while infuriatingly winking at her. Had he known? Did he tell Captain Aylar? He'd disappeared again the next day after carrying a sleeping Argy to her cabin, although Argy had looked happy that morning. What was it with these Fae males? Oh sure, they were dashing, handsome, far too rakish with a bit of wildness within and also quite capable, but did they care that her friend, their admiral and Aylar's familiar was missing?

She sighed. She prided herself on being more free-spirited, but when trouble came so calamitously her Aasimir side emerged. Hers was a magic attuned to the heart and spirit. It had been apparent to her that the magic within the Ship had noted Aylar's talents, and moreover had approved of his growing loyalty to the Admiral. Aeshma had quickly let it be known she would assist him. She had thought the Ship knew something. She had thought he cared. But as she watched Captain Aylar carving day after day and sometimes looking at the stars at night, she began to wonder if she'd been wrong. Why didn't he Call? The Aboleth was a creature of great mental power. It could influence or block the mind, but it didn't fully comprehend the heart or spirit. Could it be Aylar didn't understand to Call with his heart and spirit, not his conscious mind? Clíodhna had accepted him, she had come to his Call allowing the link to be formed. One could not force a phoenix and she was an Ethereal Phoenix, an empath and soul senser. If Clíodhna truly knew Aylar needed her then no power of the Planes would stop her from reaching for him surely. Only death could do so, but Aylar is still sane ... mostly. Even the hells and heavens knew not to try to come between an Ethereal Phoenix and its chosen. Only the Council had been arrogant enough to try once, and from what Aeshma had heard of that fiasco, they would be well advised to take that lesson to heart and not attempt such again.

The Captain needed to sleep, to let the feather's magic and his own spirit to reach to wherever she had gone. Hm. Could it be the phoenix influence was protecting Aylar from her sleeping potions? Two hours later Aeshma carefully capped another vial. It was her strongest distillation yet. This one should put a magically enhanced ogre to sleep. To make sure she'd do it herself this time. Aeshma crept into the empty galley and poured the vial into a specially marked cask. The Captain wouldn't beat her. Let's just see him avoid that potion's effects.

That night Aeshma stared at Captain Aylar as he turned from the bow of the Ship and went back to his carving. Turning, she stormed into her cabin, threw herself on the bed and screamed into her pillow.

-----
Note: This is nothing against Captain Aylar. Just poking fun and posting Aeshma's feelings on the matter, the humorous attempts to get him to sleep (an inside joke considering LordKaylar's work schedule for many months) and setting background for future missions/events and some characters' personal stories. ;)

LOL! Of course he did. Incorrigible rake that he purports to be, this GM also knows where Devin gets some of his best info. :P

Circeana played with more of the whittled beads, pouting. Aylar was still frustratingly absorbed in his arts and crafts when he could be paying attention to her. At least he spoke with her, but always about the Aboleth and the Sea Hag and what Merfolk and sea creatures had they gathered and where would they be. He became interested in the Kraken she had heard rumor of. They had used it to either capture or kill a Sea Dragon, she didn't remember which and never knew where or when it happened. It hadn't mattered to her. Never did he utter a word about Circeana's own beauty or allure. Not ONE! He needed to know these things to help break her curse he said, but she was BORED. She watched him work and gave her most enticing moue with a seductively inviting sigh. He didn't even look. She debated throwing a tantrum, but the last one hadn't gone over well. She had been locked away in her shell for days afterwards. She wasn't even allowed to tempt the male crew or even taunt that pathetic little halfling anymore. Circeana shivered when she recalled the look in the other half-elf's eyes when she had.

She sighed again. Ironically, she missed Grog'tial. At least he had complimented her, noticed her, and played her surprisingly enchanting music for a dwarf. Why wasn't Aylar noticing her? By now he should be infatuated and falling for her. Using the remembered strains of Grog'tial's music, she started to compose a song about her beauty and love being like the endless sea, only to have Aylar stop her and bring her back to talking about the same things as always. Yes the Sea Hag that had cursed them was one of three sisters that had used the magical nodes as lairs in different seas, but she didn't know where they were. They served the Aboleth, taking ships for new fleets, turning the crews into their servants and slaves. Then they ran into the living Ships and decided to make their own, at first with humans like that Bellandra thing. Then they found out that sea fey and Fae made better and stronger ships due to the innate magic within them. How should she know how they did it? She didn't care. It didn't apply to her. No, she hadn't known what the use of those charms and ingredients she helped sneak aboard were for except to help bring the Aboleth the damn bird. No, she didn't know why the Aboleth wanted that particular phoenix so badly. Maybe it just wanted a pretty bird. She didn't want to talk about the stupid bird anymore!

It was becoming apparent to Aylar that the fat overgrown eel didn't really trust the siren with much information, and wisely so. He had gotten what he could out of her. He would be leaving for the sea wyrdling lair and some much needed rest and recharging of his energies in a few days. Just one more time was left to call upon her, after all. Soon, very soon, he thought with grim satisfaction, his own designs, too, would come to a head.

Devin opened the safe and bypassed the trap. He looked through the documents within. It looked like several of these pertained to what he had heard were Bellandra's kin. There was a diagram and a map, a drawing with a recipe written for forging instructions and some notes. He shuffled through several more files, stopping when he saw one with a sketch of Bellandra's form within. Quickly scanning it, he frowned angrily, then tucked it inside his armored waistcoat. Beautiful Bellandra deserved to know her truth, and he would bring it to her.

Then he snatched an official looking document from the pile. In his hand was a copy of the official orders for the Ship for the mission that had ended with the Ship being portalled to that other place where his Lady of Stars had been taken, 'Polly' had been ensnared and Cap'n B and the previous crew had been lost. An icy fury settled over him. It hadn't been bad luck, fate nor was it coincidence. The aboleth knew things it should not know. The Ship had been sent on a suicide mission unknown to them, and Cap'n B had his orders. Those orders meant he couldn't listen to her warning, and Devin knew she had warned him. Cap'n B had been sacrificed to clear the way for the aboleth. There was no longer any doubt in him. Someone on the Council was working for the monster.

That's what the Dreams had been trying in part to tell him. She had been in their way for centuries, unknowingly interfering with the aboleth's plans and thwarting some on the Council's bid for more power. He had Dreamed of her forging, the sacrifice, merging and rebirth. He'd already known of the Council's deviousness in tying her to an unjust Oath, an outright bid to try to bring her under their control - until Cap'n B had brought a new hindrence to it through his own connections. So they must have planned to get rid of Cap'n B by enslaving him to the Sea Hags' curse of an undead disease. He had Dreamed that too. It was a vile absolute torment for a Phoenix Guardian who couldn't save her Captain. And he had Dreamed of her falling.

Now Devin stared at the drawing and looked again at the recipe. Black iron, it had to be. Iron forged from pieces of a meteor that had almost wiped out all life in this mortal realm eons ago. That meteor had landed in the sea not far from these waters. They had thought any remaining remnants of it was buried far beneath the sea floor by now, but the aboleth must have found some. Black iron could be Worked to sever and entrap the spirit from the body. This must be what the aboleth's minions were using to entrap the living into their ships - and what the aboleth used to try to entrap her to its whims. Horror burned through Devin as he realized at last what must have happened to her. The Ship should have protected her, except the Ship's heart was also gone. It had no heart anymore to help bring her home, or to guard the Crew. She had a new Captain, a new Crew, and the aboleth wanted them. It would use the Council to come for the Ship and for the Crew, and she was no longer there to stop it. Devin quickly put everything back except for the copy of the official orders and the recipe. The orders he would need for proof. The recipe he couldn't leave behind for them to use again, so he forged a copy switching out a key ingredient and did a credible job of altering and complicating a few steps. Then he made sure to leave no trace of his presence.

He left silently, swiftly seeking his lodgings to retrieve his kit. There was no time to lose. He'd departed the Ship after giving Argy sweet dreams and getting what he needed from Refyx five nights ago, leaving behind the small swift cutter ship for Captain Aylar to use on his journey to the sea wyrdling node. Devin couldn't risk this information with anyone else. He needed to find a fast ship that he could trust and that would set sail with him aboard immediately. He had to get back as soon as possible and talk to Cap'n Rummyfangs again. If what he now suspected had happened, he was almost out of time and they could lose her completely.

Gilius could not do much to help repair the Ship, except to have Rocky help where he could. However he could make the Grotto more habitable for the remaining Crew's hidden stay while the Ship was beached for the hull repairs. By the time Gilius was done with it, the Grotto had become like a lush and beautiful garden, with absolutely no trace of the previous brackish waters or the mushrooms that had once been there. Instead the waters of the Grotto ran clear and clean, supplied by the waterfall which cascaded down at one end of the Grotto's walls.

Gilius noticed that something was floating in that water, having evidently fallen into the stream far above which flowed into the waterfall. The floating object slowly rotated around, coming closer until it drifted up almost to the young druid's feet. Gilius stared down as the voodoo doll continued to bob at the edge of the water looking up at him.

-----

Pugwash filled a water skin with the purified water that Argy always kept for him in the specially marked cask in the galley. He was going out to hunt and to gather more fruit to supplement their supplies while exploring more of the island. He had walked quite a long time that day when he found an interesting cave he wanted to check out. Once he got into the cave he stopped to take a drink. Pugwash had drunk only a swallow or two when Aeshma's ultra strong sleeping potion took hold and he fell to the ground in a deep dreamless sleep.

Days later Pugwash awoke to an awful stench and worse singing. Looking around he found he was tied up in the hold of a ship with a number of zombie pirates singing an off-key sea shanty they didn't really know the words to. One of the zombie pirates noticed that Pugwash had finally opened his eyes and grinned at him before going off to get the captain.

The captain of the ship appeared to be a big and ugly brute of a voodoo zombie by the name of LeChuck. He asked the dwarf his name, then asked if Pugwash was a friend of Guybrush since their names sounded so alike to him. When Pugwash said he didn't know a Guybrush, LeChuck hollered back at him. "Threepwood then, Guybrush Threepwood! Ye know where he be?"

Pugwash shook his head, puzzled. No, he didn't know a Guybrush Threepwood. The last he remembered he had taken a drink of his special purified water and fell asleep.

Captain LeChuck then paced about and asked about someone named Elaine. Again Pugwash didn't know who he was asking about.

LeChuck was just about to show Pugwash what the strange little doll in his pocket could make him do when one of the zombie pirates came running up with a piece of paper. It was the wanted poster with Pugwash's likeness on it. LeChuck put it up right next to the dwarf and turned it back and forth, looking at it with one eye and then the other. Pugwash thought it was best not to offer LeChuck his Cursed glass eye to look through and kept quiet.

After a few minutes Captain LeChuck grinned. "We take him to this Beckett and get our phatt reward of filthy lucre, and then I get Elaine a new ring!"

Several days later Pugwash, feeling sick from being held in the hold with stinking zombies and the salty residue from the sea, found himself stood in front of Commodore Beckett. The Commodore looked down his nose at Pugwash then motioned for his accounts man to pay Captain LeChuck. After that was done Commodore Beckett motioned for the guards to place Pugwash in manacles before they took him to another waiting ship.

"I remember you," he drawled haughtily to Pugwash. "You were one of the prisoners along with those others that were supposed to work the cursed mine at the fortress I commanded. You helped them ruin my command." Remembering what he'd read from the files he had been given about the Crew, Commodore Beckett looked at Pugwash with an evil smirk before turning back to the guards. "Put him with that half-orc, Durik. They can both work the salt mines until the Aboleth wants to take charge of them."

Unfortunately the Crew didn't realize Pugwash was missing for almost a week. The dwarf had often been in the habit of taking naps while wandering the island and would sometimes be gone for days before checking back in. It was not until one of the monkeys on the island found Pugwash's feather charm dropped on the ground and gave it to Monkey who showed it to Mighty that they began to search for him. By that time Pugwash was not to be found anywhere and Captain Aylar had already left.

Commodore Beckett stood at the window of the mansion that he had seized from the former governor, hands clasped behind his back. The view overlooked the harbor. Earlier he had watched the ship with the prisoners aboard sail with the evening tide. He had hoped to have more of the Crew shackled and thrown in the brig aboard, but the pirate LeChuck had given false coordinates to a place called Big Whoop and they hadn't had any way to sneak a spy among the zombies. No matter, he would have them all soon, once his new guest undertook her task.

Beckett turned from the window as the door to the room opened and a tall dark haired woman was ushered in. She was seductively beautiful with mesmerizing dark eyes that burned with promises of immortality and lust. A sense of deep mystery surrounded her and she moved with an unnatural grace. "Contessa Rosalba," he greeted her, although his normal confident and superior air was not quite so apparent in her presence. "So nice of you to come."

"Commodore," she replied in deep sultry Eastern European accent that tempted one to think of infinite pleasures. "I understand you have found a fledgling of mine." Her gaze roved over the room and returned to the Commodore. "Although I admit I have not heard of this Count Karnstein you mentioned in your message."

"Ah, Contessa," drawled Beckett. "You would know him as Cage, Nick Cage. I am told our master and benefactor has already made its wishes known and that you know what to do."

"Mmm," the Contessa almost purred. "Yes, my sweet Nicholas. I do believe I remember him. Such a passionate if rather naive boy." She smiled. "He should prove to be no problem."

Beckett poured and offered her a crystal glass of deep blood red liquid, while he himself took a brandy. "Our informant said he's taken an interest in some Aasimir witch now."

"She'll be of no consequence," the Contessa assured him, drinking deeply before her tongue sensually licked the remaining drops from her lips. "After all, what is a silly little Aasimir witch to me, a Queen of the Night?"

Beckett smiled smugly and raised his glass in a toast. If Karnstein would not come to heel and bring the Crew to him voluntarily, then he would do so under the Contessa's will. Either way, Beckett would have them and his reward.

-----

Gilius had done a wonderful job with the Grotto, thought Aeshma. Kyp would be happy to see his turtle buddy was still there. She finished with the last of her own wards and protections and turned to go. She wasn't looking forward to going back to the Ship. The nights were no longer full of camaraderie and song. The musicians were all off somewhere, as was Durik and his wonderful singing voice, and Captain Aylar would no doubt still be carving instead of dicing with the Crew. Refyx stuck mostly to his cabin, Mighty was either with Monkey or the cannibals, and Gilius was mostly with Rocky. It was the girls and the ghosts it seemed. At least the Count should be back soon with his dwarf carpenter. The bells on her belt tinkled and she thought of Captain Baldbeard. She missed Baldbeard and his happy music. Standing on the beach, Aeshma looked out to sea and wondered what Captain Baldbeard was doing now and if he had found anything.

-----

Captain Baldbeard paced the deck of the ship Whyknot and looked back at his fellow Captain, a Felinoid named Sam No-Bell-On-Me. His fingers played with the bell attached to his harmonica and he listened to the happy tinkle, then stroked his full luxurious beard. He would only be able to call on his shark pack once while he was away from the Ship. He would wait until he was sure they were needed.

It had been weeks, but he had finally picked up a faint scent. It was not the admiral, but it was someone or something that had touched her somewhat recently, so he would track that down in hopes it would lead him either to her, or to where he could catch her scent better.

They tacked into the wind and Captain Baldbeard sniffed deeply as his sensitive nose caught two more familiar scents overlaying the one he was tracking. He searched his mind until he recalled the strong scent of the soap Aeshma had made for Pugwash ... and the other scent was Durik, he remembered it from the old human shirt the half-orc had given him. What were Pugwash and Durik doing aboard the unknown ship they were tracking? Why were they with a probable enemy who had been near their disappeared admiral?

Captain Baldbeard turned and called for more speed and the Brethren crew swiftly leapt to the rigging and sails. He signaled out a slight course correction to Captain Sam and the Felinoid bared his fangs and adjusted the wheel as other crew moved to load the cannons and prepare for action. Their goal had changed, they were no longer going to follow this ship while remaining just out of sight, they would run it down and take it.

-----
So, who is the first Gog Brethrener who can tell me the real world historical names of the pirate ship and its captain in Captain Baldbeard's part of the story? ;)

Devin stood on the deck of the fastest smuggler ship he had been able to find, his eyes on the waxing moon, and wished for more wind in the sails. He'd almost welcome running before an outright gale if it would get him back in time. He had to make it before the full of the moon to stack his chances - and at this point he knew he would need everything he had and could bring, as well as a goddess-blessed amount of luck, to pull off what he intended to do.

His thoughts went over the pieces of the information he had put together and the ways it fit now. Looking at it from different angles brought him to the same result. His plan was daring and bordering on reckless even for him, but it was what he had. Captain Aylar had told him of his plans and when he'd be leaving. By Devin's calculation, he was probably going to just miss him. That may turn out to be better. He had no doubts the Captain was not going to be pleased with him. He fingered his braid. So be it. That is just going to have to be the way it is.

Captain Aylar had acted more jovial and amicable as Devin had appraised his Work and asked if he was needed to help entertain any guests. He had listened intently as Aylar had told him of the events that had happened aboard the Ship before the last mission which had taken her. What wast going on? The dark magic charms, twisted octopi and shadow creatures should not have been able to make it aboard at all. Both she and the Ship's Heart must have already been weakened for such things to happen. Devin transferred his gaze to the stars on the horizon. Why had she not called upon him sooner? These were the kind of things he tracked down and took care of. Didst she think he wouldst not come? He wouldst never not come to her call, his goddess willing. He had nodded once to Captain Aylar, letting him know he understood the concern and need for the wards, but he kept his own thoughts close within. Just how far outside the rules had she been forced to operate now?

The Captain had taken the information regarding the Sea Hags, Bellandra's kin and Beckett's threats and approaching Count Karnstein with grit teeth as he flatly admitted it was fortunate he had replaced the Count's protective charm. It was obvious the news had strained the Captain's control as vengeful anger shone in his eyes. Devin had watched as an inner gale whipped through Aylar's entire being and one of the charms had quivered on that white lock. It told him much. Captain Aylar shared that with his Lady. Neither of them would stand easily by whilst any of their own was menaced, and Captain Aylar had showed that he very much considered the Crew to be under his watch. It was a trait Devin also shared and understood well.

At his mention of possible High Fae involvement and Council schemes, Captain Aylar had become more serious and formal, thanking Devin for the information. Devin had not missed the fact that Aylar was careful around Lady Captain Jac already, as he should be. Nor had he missed the fact that Aylar's pirate accent was totally missing when the Captain spoke easily in Old Elvish. It told him Captain Aylar had some experience with Fae Courts and reason to be wary of Court influences. All to the better, depending on what Devin's sources would soon reveal.

They had left off in a somewhat lighter mood, with the Captain offering Devin some of the carved beads which had evidently not been quite as useful a project as he had hoped in regards to the siren. Aylar had wondered if they may prove useful to him in detecting the scheming thoughts of the aboleth's minions, but Devin graciously declined, saying he had his own methods. He did, but he was also no fool. He had seen Captain Aylar's Work and the charms and knew now of Aylar's talents. There was no way Devin was going to have those beads around himself picking up thoughts and secrets, even if his goddess might allow it. His goddess was rather possessive at times.

Devin's eyes returned to the swiftly waxing moon and he bowed. Only 2 nights to the full moon and his plan. Yes, better not to tempt his own deep secrets, or Her.

=======
ooc: Captain Aylar's actions above were taken from a PM by him.

Aye, I know the ship and captain of which ye speak, but t'is not fair as I already know the lore and that ye were going to use them.

Captain Jac read the last missive and dropped her head. Damn them. The Brethren Court had finally been forced to bow to the High Council, the advisors and ambassadors for the Elder and magical races across many of the planes. There had been an understanding between them for centuries, a tentative working arrangement with the Brethren remaining independent and with only those captains freely willing to work with Guides aboard the magical sentient ships coming under loose scrutiny. But now the Brethren feared the power the enemy wielded over their seas. Harried and harassed by the DRM Alliance, their freedoms vanishing and now with ancient sea creatures rising from the depths, the Court had finally called on the only help they felt was left to them ... for they had long ago bound the Goddess of the Sea in a bid to rule it themselves and she would have no mercy upon them. Their hope had been placed in Captain B, and it had passed with him and the disappearance of the Admiral.

That was it then. The Ship was crippled. It could not truly live without a captain at its Heart, or function without a Guide, and the Ship now lacked both. She had tried to warn Captain Aylar that he needed a Guide and a new one would likely be assigned to him. Captain Jac had not realized at first that Captain Aylar had not been bound to the Ship at its Heart, but it explained much. The silence and the low magical essence meant the Ship was slowly dying, and if not taken care of soon the spirits aboard it would come untethered and lost, all hope of resurrection or another life for the Crew gone. The Ship would soon become nothing more than a true ghost ship.

She had hoped the Aasimir witch was correct, that the Captain could call upon the Admiral. But although she had watched Captain Aylar sometimes look at the stars, whatever he needed did not seem to be there. It had been three weeks, and Captain Aylar had left for some needed leave time and necessary business among the sea wyrdlings before dawn that morning. His new Guide would arrive by the time he returned.

Sighing, with a heavy heart and a shake of her head, Captain Jac signed off on her report and passed it over to her first mate. "See this report gets sent out," she said sadly. "We're done here. The Council is arriving to take control. They will have to assign a new Guide before the Ship can be fully repaired. Hopefully they won't replace the Captain or lose the Crew's spirits in the transfer. There be no more we can do. We have our orders and cannot wait any longer. I held our own ship here beyond what I should have to assist. It be in the Council's hands now."

From the open porthole of Captain Jac's cabin a tiny wisp of a breeze swiftly blew across the water to whisper in Aeshma's ear....

Aeshma listened to the wisp and ran for the deck, only Captain Aylar wasn't there. She made sure to scan the bow, quarterdeck and stern before heading below decks. She didn't see him in the galley, nor the hold. Turning again she sprinted for the officer's quarters and pounded loudly on the Captain's Cabin door. No answer. Going back out on deck she noticed the cutter that had been tied to the side was gone.

"He's gone. The Captain's already left," she whispered, stunned. He hadn't even said goodbye. Her eyes took in the completed carvings and then landed on the figure of Sensei, who looked solemnly at her and nodded. Being a witch, Aeshma could communicate with spirits and the spectral Felinoid let her know that Captain Aylar had left in the quiet darkness before dawn, with only the phantoms to see.

No. Oh, no. Then Aeshma felt her temper flare. Of course he did. Of all the times to leave! Right when I need to tell him the Council is coming! She fumed as she turned and walked to the bow to see if any birds had brought any other news. She stopped in her tracks and stared. There, at the bow where Clíodhna had used to perch was a small carved phoenix figurine. Captain Aylar's work, it had to be. He must have left it here. He knew she would come here as she did every morning to check for the birds. Was this his insane idea of a joke?!

As Aeshma cautiously approached and reached out to touch the figurine the beak opened to reveal a message. Quickly snatching the message she hid it in her pocket and swiftly retreated to her shop to read it....

Aeshma stared at the message and carefully read it through a second time.

"Aeshma -
... I know ye be concerned, but I be unable tae sleep ... it be like a banality ...
The wards will be useful later, but the Work be needed in more ways than the obvious. It kept me going and kept me focus until the Crew be safe, and I hae need to bide me time, to await a certain time. That time be now. If ye be reading this note, I be already gone and back by the next full moon. I be taking the siren with me. No, it's not just a vacation, it's important to relevant matters.
- Aylar"

"Banality?" Aeshma barely choked out, seething as she locked on the word Aylar had used to try to explain. "The Ship's damaged, the Council's coming, Clíodhna's GONE, and he feels like it is all trite and unoriginal as to be BORING?!"

At soon as she spoke the message magically ignited and burned up leaving nothing but a small bit of ash.

-----

The next morning Aeshma woke up staring into the green eyes of a black cat. "Oh. Hello." When did the Ship acquire a cat?

The cat flicked the tip of its tail twice in response while regarding her in that unblinking way cats had. Aeshma realized she must have fallen asleep at her worktable last night. She looked out the open porthole. From the light it was mid-morning already. Then she remembered, Captain Aylar was gone, leaving her a message that really did little to actually explain things and left her wondering why he couldn't have just talked to her. Hadn't she backed him before? Now the Council was on the way and they had no Captain here. Desperate, she had tried to think of something, anything more she could do ... only to wake up now at her own worktable being stared at by a cat.

"He's gone. It's so ... exasperating!" she grumbled to the cat. "I was trying to help him. But no, instead Argy fell asleep while the sleeping potions did nothing at all to him." She looked at the cat and the green eyes seemed to twinkle back at her in feline amusement. "You don't understand, he needed to sleep," she told it. "Since it seemed he wasn't doing it any other way, Captain Aylar needed to sleep so he could Call her back. He's the only one who could, and now he's left."

The cat's eyes locked intensely on her own for a long moment as if searching. Then, seemingly satisfied that she was awake and well, the cat leaped gracefully to the porthole. Giving her one last look over its shoulder, it exited through it.

Aeshma recognized a familiar when she saw one. She wondered if that meant Devin was back. Interesting for a bard to have a familiar. Then she remembered that Captain Jac had said something last night about the Count's ship had been sighted and should be arriving in two days. The Count was also a captain. He would have to take command while Captain Aylar was gone.

Looking back at the porthole the cat had left through she slowly grinned. Then all the pressure and worry she had been under cracked and she started laughing hysterically, holding her sides as the laughter brought tears to her eyes. Count Karnstein would be returning with all of his superstitions. Returning to a Ship which had a red-haired Captain, a red-haired witch, and now a black cat on board ... she couldn't wait to see what the Count would think of this!

-----
Note: Aylar's message taken from PM.

Devin walked into Aeshma's shop and closed the door. He regarded her for a long moment, his eyes taking in her underlying worn and somewhat haggard look. This was not a time for flirtatiousness nor banter he judged. Instead he simply said, "Tell me."

A while later he left Aeshma asleep, the healing dream lightening her heart as her tears still dampened his shirt. He went over what she had told him, which was everything with the aid of the Memory Charm. He pushed away the shock and resentment and concentrated on the task. M'Lady, what hath ye done and why?" His lady must have had a reason or had known or suspected something. It wasn't like her to not plan for the long game, but it was very like her to not tell all she knew while putting contingencies in place. It was also far too much like her to think to sacrifice herself in order to shield those she considered her own. She counted far too much on her immortality. He paused as another thought overcame him. Or couldst it be she didst not care anymore? One scar or memory too many? He would leave that contemplation for another time. She had called him for a reason. Something unforeseen had happened. Black iron. Devin reviewed the new information he had and made a slight alteration to his plan. The next night would bring the first night of the full moon and he must be ready. It would hinge on Cap'n Rummyfangs.

After leaving the witch sleeping, Devin searched out Bellandra and asked her to come with him to the Great Cabin. Once there he shut the door and pulled the file and a small diary from where they were hidden inside his waistcoat. "I found these in a place with other papers about the shipkin," he told her quietly as he opened the file on the table to show her the illustrations of her form. "Ye were human once, fair Bellandra. Ye had a family, a sister and a young brother. It doth not say what happened to yer brother, but yer sister was crafted into a sister ship. Me apologies, I couldst not find her file for ye. Yer father was killed trying to prevent them from taking ye. I knoweth not if this be yer diary or yer sister's, but I thought ye might want it." He sat with her for a bit to see if she had any questions for him before he left her with what he had found.

Late that night Devin, Cap'n Rummyfangs and Sensei met in Aeshma's shop and waited while Aeshma cast the privacy wards. She explained what she had overheard and Devin told them what he had discovered. Then he outlined his plan. The Ship had sailed with four Captains, as if it had known it would need them ... and one Captain was still aboard. He quietly explained to Cap'n Rummyfangs what was required, and the dangers they would face. They both stood and clasped forearms as Cap'n Rummyfangs drew himself up and heartily agreed, then Devin left them as Aeshma lit the candles and began to call on spirits.

Aeshma should have expected him, especially after the cat. But Devin had turned out to be a surprise to her, even after what she had seen and thought she knew of him. He had come in directly, without pretense, concern in his green eyes as he said simply in that wonderful musical voice, "Tell me."

(Roll dice) She needed to tell somebody and there had been something about him, and so she had stumbled over her words as she tried to speak about Clíodhna being Captain Aylar's familiar and how Aylar should be able to Call her but didn't and wouldn't sleep and now the Council was coming to take the Ship and Captain Aylar was gone. He had left her a message but the message had gone up in a flash of fire, turned to ash. She couldn't even show it to Devin to make him believe her as she saw the barest hint of confusion and shock cross his eyes for but a moment.

Devin had taken her very gently by the hand and sat her down making her breathe deeply before asking, "Clíodhna? What does Lady Clíodhna, High Queen of the Banshee, have to do with this?" as his eyes focused intently on hers. (Roll dice)

Finally Aeshma realized where she had heard the name before, and Captain Aylar's inherent magic and background clicked into place. So she told Devin of Polly, who became Clíodhna because of Aylar, and he listened, really listened. but she couldn't remember everything exactly when he asked her to.

(Roll dice - Luck) Devin had told her it was not a problem however and softly sang to her a haunting melody, which made her remember everything. The words Captain Aylar had told her Polly said to him came back to her verbatim.

"... be I for any reason compromised ... then run. That be me last request of ye should it ever come to pass ... take the Ship and shield them as ye can. Use everything ye've wrought and if she be with ye, then everything that Aeshma can give ye ... and take them as yer own and run. Nay try to avenge me, for I be me own vengeance." Then Polly had given Aylar the heart feather. "Should I lose or should I fall, use it. Use it to shield, to ward, to protect as ye can, or use it to turn any perversion from all ye. I cannot tell ye, but I entrust ye with it."

As she remembered it, Aeshma stared into Devin's eyes. "She told him to ... Captain Aylar has been doing what she requested him to do and I ... I blamed him for it."

The realization of her mistake and the worried frustration she had built up had burst like a failing dam and Aeshma was embarrassed as she remembered how she had wept all over his shirt. Devin, though, had just held her soothingly as he let her cry it out. There had been no trace of rakishness, just a calm understanding and his soft lilting voice. When she was done he had gently wiped away her tears, then picked her up and carried her to the small bed in the back and placed her down on it. There he had lightly kissed her brow while humming, and she had fallen asleep and had the most wonderful dreams. She awoke feeling much better. There was hope. It would be all right. Devin was going to take care of it now.

-----
Devin, you charmer. ;) I took your actions as per your PMs and the dice. We'll see if your luck holds.

Kyp had returned successfully from his quest to bury the three Dragon Turtle eggs in the warm sands of their new hatching ground. The Dragon Turtle was happy to see him back and very pleased to know her eggs would now be safer until they could hatch. He had thought to go into town to a local tavern to see if he could overhear any news and to see how expensive the food and drink were. Unfortunately he discovered the cannibal village on Monkey Island was only a village with no tavern, just a cannibal-style tiki bar with homemade Voodoo Vodka made from sweet potatoes, and a coffee and coconut rum concoction called MonkeyNut-lota. He also got the feeling Argy's cooking was likely safer.

Once back on board he found out the news was that Captain Aylar had recently left, Pugwash was missing and Count Karnstein's ship should be arriving in a couple days with a dwarf carpenter aboard. Meanwhile Argy was serving the best grog on board and the Crew had been missing his accordion music.