A14: Jolly Roger with Fangs

[Matt/Lemmy absent]

We sailed into New Bechafen under the safety of daylight, hoping to avoid any undead surprises. We didn’t expect the harbormaster to flee at the sight of Ketterlan, our siren companion, nor did we anticipate her scream would leave Count Harkon’s spokesman permanently deaf. But that’s how the day began.

🏰 The Manor of Madness

Therador’s bleeding ears were barely behind us when we followed Ketterlan up the hill to the Count’s manor. She strode through the courtyard like a storm, indifferent to the stares of townsfolk. Inside, we found Luther curled on a lounge chair, stacking blocks in eerie silence. Wilhelmina (the girlish persona of Luther) warned us: “Daddy does not like to be disturbed.”

Kruger spotted the broken sword we’d come for, but Wilhelmina claimed it was her doll. A tense negotiation followed. Rufus offered his bastardsword in trade, which she accepted with chilling delight: “It is a prettier doll with its head still on.”

We didn’t wait for Daddy to appear. We left the siren behind and sailed south toward Lustria, hoping the elves at the Citadel of Dusk could repair the sword.

🏴‍☠️ ⚔️ Fangs on the Horizon

Three days out, a ship emerged from behind an island—its Jolly Roger bore fangs. Twice our size, bristling with cannons and crew, it fired first... and missed.

Kruger invoked Mann’s Blessing of Doom. Rufus whipped our crew into shape. Tulkir loaded a rowboat with explosives. Dargo blinded their lookout with his mirror. Ranulf’s mortar hit true, tearing into their hull and thinning their ranks. Their Stromfels priest summoned a rogue wave, but Kruger used it to pivot our ship for a devastating starboard cannon blast.

The pirates surged forward, sails filled by dark magic. Tulkir launched his rowboat bomb and detonated it mid-approach. Another mortar hit. They tried to ram us and board—but we were ready.

🪓 Boarding Mayhem

Their priest was our first target. Tulkir fouled their deck with lantern oil. Kruger drowned several pirates with Breath of Water. We cut their grappling ropes and fought off the rest. Bloodied but victorious, we claimed their ship.

💰 Treasure and Terror Below Deck

We transferred 3 of their cannons to our ship, but Dargo had his eye on the hold. Tied off with a rope, he descended into darkness. Four chests waited. He lassoed one and had it hauled up. Then greed took over.

He stepped inside—and screamed. Magical darkness enveloped him. His leg shriveled with atrophy. We yanked him out, battered and bruised. The vampire escaped, slipping into the sea as the burning ship sank.

🌊 Southern Winds and Elven Magic

Kruger cast Blessing of the Albatross, and our journey resumed peacefully. Until we all passed out from sudden vertigo.

We awoke adrift near an island with elegant elven architecture. A human named Helmith helped us dock, explaining that only elven ships—or those granted passage by Princess Aelsabrim Fallenstar —could sail south.

We spent five days in the Southern Bay Winds Inn, enjoying honey beer and succulent meals. When Olora, the princess’s Aid-de-Camp, finally arrived, we explained our quest. He proposed a drinking contest to test our worth. After watching us stumble and slur, he laughed: “I just wanted the entertainment of foolish humans.”

To repair the sword, we’d need Lord Finrian of the Citadel of Dusk. He promised to arrange a meeting—after we recovered from our hangovers.

Rufus raised his mug. “Then another round!”

NEXT SESSION: A15 – Repairing the Sword