The Harvest Moon Consortium

[Winterhawk99]

The front room of the main building looks like a luxurious living area here. There are couches, a fine carpet, and doors to the left, right, and ahead. Mingzhu converts Enthrall to Cure moderate Wounds and heals Kastelli with it. Her wounds heal about ½ way. Kastelli squeaks with pleasure and says, “Thanks.”

Mingzhu nods and casts Shield of Faith on herself, saying, “I have anti magic spells I can use this battle if anyone wants to know. dispel magic and dismissal. I may go into defensive casting if a mage shows up.”

T’kharr looks over to her. “Got it." She then looks to see if there’s any clues as to what might be behind the doors. They are all open. It seems at a glance they are all living areas, though there is a wall ahead, and possibly some stairs going upwards in the back of the room.

Mingzhu suggests, “Maybe we should bar the door behind us?” Left and right, it's hard to tell at a glance, they see more carpets, tables, chairs, and probably a lot of corsairs moving around now that they've heard what's going on.

"May not be the wisest idea to block our own path back out." T’kharr responds.

"The other team is behind us. That won't be necessary." Jalyndae says. "On the other hand, our foes have likely heard us. We shouldn't stay here long."

"Aye, let’s move in and clear things out so we don't wind up in too much of a sandwich situation. Left room first I reckon." T’kharr intones as she moves to the door on the left. There are a bunch of buccaneers in that room, and they are not terribly happy to see the group. As the group clears the door the Corsairs attack them.

A corsair in the lead goes after Jalyndae, razing the lupine’s side. Nor’vee another hitting him in the back with one of his bolts. Another Corsair moves in to attack Jalyndae. He completely misses the outsider as Jalyndae can raise a natural Blur effect. Silgara uses her bow putting both her arrows in soft spots. He tumbles over a moment in pain and is hurt badly. T’kharr goes after one of the wounded Corsairs but misses with her staff by an inch. Another corsair strikes out at T’kharr wounding her.

Kastelli casts Magic Missile at another knocking him back a step. Another Corsair goes after T’kharr as she’s a gnoll and most likely the heaviest fighter among the crowd. He gives her a grave stab wound with his gauche just under the lung. Jalyndae nearly tears apart one of the men on her. Somehow though he resists going down. Two more come up. One against T’kharr the other against Jalyndae but their timing is so off both seasoned veterans avoid their attacks easily.

Mingzhu casts Hold Person on the corsair that first attacked Jalyndae. He is frozen in place. Nor’vee puts three bolts into the torso of another corsair. The man is still alive but about to drop in the next few moments. The other pirate on Jalyndae tries to slice her up with his cutlass but again she is able to avoid all the strikes. T’kharr cracks her staff down on the skull of the pirate and he nearly drops dead at her feet. Silgara puts an arrow in his chest, ending him for good. Kastelli flanks one of the pirates fighting the pair up front. She thrusts both her weapons into his back. He falls dead without a word.

Jalyndae bites a Corsair, knocking him down. T’kharr immediately breaks his lead as he hits the ground. Jalyndae finishes him off with her rapier. Mingzhu goes after one of the ones left. She stuns him with a vicious tiger punch to his solar plexus. Nor’vee shoots a bolt into the last one standing against Jalyndae.
The corsair keeps attacking her even though now he is badly wounded and manages to wound her with his cutlass. T’kharr strikes out at him but misses. Silgara puts two more arrows into him but not in vital points. Kastelli casts Magic Missile on him. The bolts hit and he is finally downed. Now the single remaining pirate is being held by Mingzhu’s spell. Nor’vee rushes the frozen man putting a quarrel through his head at point blank range.

They search the room. It looks like a map room of sorts. There are charts of nearby waters, trade routes, planned heists and intercepts, seems like none of them are making any attacks in Daimyo Zuodong's holdings, but there's plenty in Kaluso's. Especially his northern heartlands. It would seem like most of their attacks are concentrated there, with a fair number still on the southern holdings, but most of the raids have been on the heartlands. From where they entered, there is another room to their right.

Mingzhu is the first to speak up. “Take the maps and plans everyone. Is anyone hurt and in need of healing?”

“Aye, grab the maps quick like and the notes or diaries you might find too.” T’kharr agrees.

Silgara takes the maps. “We won't have too long to do looting before more enemies are upon us.”

T’kharr casts Cure Light wounds on herself. Mingzhu converts Commune with Lesser Spirit and cures Jalyndae. She completely heals. Once the healing and looting is complete. T’kharr heads for the room on the right saying, “Clear out this wing real quick, then hit the other." She opens the door to find an altar of Umberlee there and several chaplains; Who definitely aren’t in the mood to see them. Mingzhu immediately goes into a defensive casting stance.

Nor’vee shoots first peppering one of the clerics with three bolts. One of the enemy casts Bless upon his group. Another casts Spiritual Weapon on himself and swings his mace at Nor’vee striking the nezumi in the chest. Nor’vee’s armor absorbs most of the blow but not all of it. Mingzhu in the back is watching all that the enemy is casting. Jalyndae charges in and almost instantly on top of one of the chaplains. She misses with her bite attack but sticks him in the belly twice with her rapier. He takes a 5-foot step back and casts magic stone back at her. they bounce off of her harmlessly.

Another cleric casts Summon Monster 2 and conjures a fiendish crab. Mingzhu finally acts casting a Dispel Magic in a 20ft radius burst. It does not dispel the bless, However the crab is dispelled but also Jalyndae’s blur effect. Silgara puts three arrows into one of the clerics killing and pinning his body to a desk. T’kharr steps in and goes after the caster of the Spiritual weapon. She gives him a good smack with her quarterstaff, but he recovers quickly. Meanwhile Mingzhu in the back continues to read the battle and what the enemy is casting.

Two of the clerics cast Summon Monster 2 calling Abyssal crabs. Nor’vee puts two bolts into one priest and 1 into another. The first dies. The second also drops. One of the crabs strikes out at Jalyndae but it’s so slow she easily dodges around it. She goes after the nearest priest. She bites and trips him. Both go down as she starts to ravage him. T’kharr takes a shot at the man. He dies quickly between the two and Jalyndae kicks out taking out yet another priest who is controlling one of the crabs. As he dies the crab suddenly disappears back to whatever plane it came from. T’kharr comments, “"Probably doesn't even taste good, what a waste of crab folks.

Mingzhu yells out, “Take on the Priests. I’ll take on the crabs.”

Kastelli take out yet another priest with a magic missile. Mingzhu casts Dismissal on the other crab. It vanishes from the room. T’kharr comments, “Ever had crab?" to Jalyndae "When it's not all demon-tainted, it's tasty stuff."

There is only one Chaplain left. Kastelli stabs him in the back severing his spinal cord. Jalyndae looks over to T'Kharr. "I don't actually need to eat, so I haven't."

"Ah, fair enough that one of your kind doesn't have to concern themselves so much with mortal matters." T’kharr smirks.

[Winterhawk99]

The group finds shields, tridents, leather armor, holy symbols of Umberlee and some coins in the offering bowl. They leave everything behind. They see a room ahead and a room to their right. The room to the right looks like a central area. Ahead there are stairs going up. Ahead, the room just before the stairs has several tables and chairs. That is all they can glean from a quick glance. They do hear movement all around them.

Mingzhu asks, “does anyone need healing?” No one seems to have taken but scratches in the last fight.

T’kharr says, “Lets clear ahead and then double back, room to the right is a center stair shaft."

In the room ahead, they see tables around. There are cups around, as well as a bar. The tables have dice, cards, and some of the cups are meant to hold dice. This looks like a gaming and recreation room, and gambling. They quickly sweep for doors or hostiles. Theres a room to the right that looks like an entry hall. They don’t see an enemy in the immediate vicinity.

Mingzhu comments, “I could call a fire elemental to burn down this whole wing if you like. It should destroy the building.”

"Not a wise idea at the moment, not with us still inside, and it'd probably make it harder to get to our ultimate quarry." T’kharr says while she checks the entrance hall to the right. It seems pretty similar to where you entered from. There're a few panicking buccaneers running around, but they head to the center room.

Mingzhu shrugs, “Ok.”

"If we're trying to kill the Glabrezu, they're immune to fire. Or at least heavily resistant." Silgara says.

“That as well.” T’kharr agrees.

“I don’t know much about your western Yokai.” Mingzhu explains.

"Ahead we go then, loop back through the other wing then head upstairs." T’kharr commands.

They head right to the entry hall. There are couches, tables, carpets, lying about. Plenty of luxury. To the left goes outside. To the right is the center room. You can see some Buccaneers running up the stairs
Silgara looks over "They might be informing their leaders of our presence here." Ahead is another room.

"T’kharr, do we want to clear out the last room or go upstairs?" Mingzhu asks.

"Let’s head up if they're fleeing upstairs." T’kharr nods.

They go forward to the stairs. First, they move into the central room. There're tables on the outskirts, rugs and carpets along the flooring. A large set of stairs heads up, double parted. Looks like there's at least two ways up. It's pretty extensive. They don't see any hostiles down here, but they definitely hear movement above. T’kharr takes the lead and heads upstairs.

As they hit the last step there is quite the welcoming committee in the first room, Cutlasses, main Gauche, crossbows, and tridents drawn, and there are to Succubi there. “T’kharr immediately screams out, “Get a dismissal on the Succubi and quickly, Mingzhu.”

First to attack is a buccaneer with a heavy crossbow unloading at Silgara, who narrowly misses the mage. Silgara in turn casts Confusion on all of them. Of the crowd defending the room 2 buccaneers, a Corsair and a succubus are completely confused. One of the ones not confused advances on Jalyndae with cutlass and gauche. He puts three light cuts on her as she ducks and dodges.

There is a priest there that casts bless on their group. Another corsair advances on Jalyndae. He gives her another light cut. Kastelli goes to strike one of the corsairs trying to flank him. She gives him two deep wounds in the arm and shoulder. A Buccaneer flees the battle. The confused succubus babbles around some crazed debauchery incoherently.

Mingzhu counters the priest casting Bless on the companions. Two buccaneers shoot their crossbows at Silgara. She takes a quarrel in the knee. The succubus tries to cast a suggestion on Nor’vee however he is protected by a Protection from Evil spell and resists it. A second priest in the room heals the badly wounded corsair from the wounds Kastelli gave him. Jalyndae bites and trips a corsair. She and Kastelli then both draw blood on the man with their swords.

Nor’vee takes aim at the succubus that tried to control him, putting two bolts in her leg and side of her ribs. T’kharr smacks one of the priests in the ribs. A Corsair moves in to help the priest. He manages to stab T’kharr in the liver with his gauche and cut her across her triceps. The corsair that is confused suddenly attacks his own priest, killing the man. Another buccaneer babbles a highly off-key shanty.

Silgara puts an arrow through a corsair’s spleen. He goes down screaming, taking some time to die. The remaining priest casts Protection from Good on one of the Succubi. She becomes unconfused. The corsair still on Jalyndae goes on the offensive. He puts more light cuts on her. T’kharr screams out, “Dismiss the Succubi!” Mingzhu casts dismissal on the one she knows is not protected by spell. It suddenly disappears back to its home plane.

Kastelli tumbles across the room and manages to strike the other succubus. She manages to stab the demon but only lightly. One of the confused buccaneers manages to shoot at Silgara and graze her just below the ear. The remaining succubus sees the mage after that and casts Suggestion on her. Silgara falls under the demon’s control.

Two buccaneers shoot back at Nor’vee. They manage to graze him twice. Jalyndae goes after the corsair on her. She takes a chunk of flesh out of his bicep and trips him. She then proceeds to disembowel the man while kicking out at another nearly breaking his thigh. Nor’vee again takes aim at the remaining succubus. All three arrows go into her chest. She falls and melts into a pool of goo.

T’kharr calls out to Mingzhu, “If you can get a protection from evil on Silgara, that'd help." And tries to whack the remaining Chaplain. She breaks two of his ribs. One of the corsairs change direction and goes after the gnoll. He misses his first two strikes but puts a light wound on her face with his cutlass. Another corsair stands babbling about plunder and booty. The singing buccaneer continues to babbly his shanty terribly off key.

Silgara, under a suggestion spell casts Scorching Ray at T’kharr burning her badly. Mingzhu stops casting and goes in after the closest enemy to her. She kicks a corsair between the legs so hard any ambition for him to have children died on the spot. Two buccaneers respond to the attack by shooting at the shamaness. She turns avoiding one bolt and snaps her arm out hitting the shaft of the other deflecting it into the back wall. Jalyndae goes after a corsair on her. She trips him up and hurts him with her rapier. Mingzhu takes advantage of the opportunity taking a swing at him as he goes down, but she misses. Jalyndae follows up with two more stabs and the corsair is dead.

Nor’vee puts three quarrels into a priest. One hits him just above the ear. He falls on the spot becoming room temperature. T’kharr charges Silgara calling out, “Do you need me to dispel, Silgara?” to Mingzhu.

Mingzhu screams out, “I’m fighting at the moment!”

A buccaneer that was confused gains a moment of sense and shoots at Kastelli but misses. Silgara shoots at T’kharr putting an arrow through her shoulder. Mingzhu comes up on a buccaneer and hits him twice in the face. Teeth go flying everywhere. Kastelli stabs another buccaneer giving him a serious wound.

Two buccaneers switch weapons drawing their cutlass and main gauche in place of their crossbows. Jalyndae advances on Silgara now. She grapples and restrains the mage. “I'll hold her until the spell wears off; you can finish off the others!" Nor’vee now aims at one of the buccaneers. He puts all three quarrels into the man. The buccaneer falls dead in a pool of blood.

The only enemy left is a confused buccaneer, a confused corsair and one buccaneer that still has his wits about him. T’kharr goes after latter but in her excitement her blow falls short. The corsair babbles about buried treasure and the singing buccaneer keeps on singing adding some dancing and arm gestures to his tune. Silgara fights with Jalyndae and manages to break the grapple. Mingzhu keeps fighting the one she is on and breaks his jaw. Kastelli comes from behind and finishes him off stabbing him in the back with her short sword.

Jalyndae uses Improved Trip on Silgara, but the mage resists. Nor’vee puts three bolts into the corsair but somehow, he’s still standing. T’kharr finally uses Dispel Magic on Silgara which brings her out of the suggestion she was under. The corsair still keeps babbling with three bolts penetrating him. Meanwhile the last buccaneer tries to flee the scene. He runs past Mingzhu who tries to do a standing front kick to stop him, but she doesn’t have the strength to down him. Silgara backs her up with two shots killing him before he can escape.

Mingzhu tears after the lone corsair. She kicks him in the head and as he falls, she spins kicking him in the neck just as he hits the ground. Everyone can hear the snapping bone. His eyes close for good. She looks at her wraps, “I love these fighting wraps!” With the last of the enemy down the room goes silent a moment. One buccaneer escaped the fight.

[Winterhawk99]

Jalyndae casts Cure Light Wounds on Silgara. T’kharr grips her staff, “Aye the staff has been working out well for me, for that matter.”

Mingzhu looks up, “Who needs healing?”

"I reckon we should regroup a bit at this point though, maybe send a scout ahead?" T’kharr says.

Mingzhu more concerned on every one’s health studies them all. She converts Rebuke and heals Jalyndae. Then she converts Trance to Cure Light Wounds and heals Kastelli. Finally, she converts Speak with Animals and heals Nor’vee. She then converts Endure Elements and heals Silgara.

Looking around the room, they find it's an upstairs foyer, there's a path left, a path right, a path back-left, a path back-right, and a path forward. The path forward seems to be set with a particularly well-made door. "Path forward is probably our ultimate quarry, but we probably should have Nor'vee here check on the other rooms, no?" T’kharr comments as she heals herself a bit more.

Nor'vee squeaks, nodding, "Can check, quickly." He heads off, then returns "So, of those four rooms, one looks like a jail, found an old pirate locked up there." Squeak, "Other rooms, one looked like a tavern, one looked like a storage place, one looked like quarters. Nor'vee only took a fast look, though."

Jalyndae looks forward at the more notable door ahead. Kastelli does too. "I sense some stronger evil presences ahead." Jalyndae says.

Mingzhu frowns, “I’m getting down on spells but still have a Dispel 2 Summons and Order’s
Wrath along with Prayer and Control Water.” She then casts Protection from Elements (acid) on herself. “That was my last personal spell.”

T’kharr says, “Noted.” As she casts Resist Elements (fire) on herself. “If we are going in behind that door let me cast prayer on us.” She then casts Prayer on the group saving Mingzhu from casting hers. "If we don't have any other hostiles on us, it may be our path forward, although we'll be pretty much limited to slugging it out given that we burned up our dispels and dismissals. Unless Silgara has some stuff left on that front?"

"I've been conserving my spells, I expected I might need them for the more difficult battles." Silgara says.

"Fair" T’kharr responds.

"Also, I did cast those mage armors, and the darkvision needed for this place." Silgara says "Although the interior here is pretty well lit up."

“I have one more Dispel and can call aid.” Mingzhu informs.

T’kharr looks around. “Check the officer's mess, we can save interrogating the prisoner for later."

The officers mess has some pretty fine stuff here it looks like. Tables, games, dartboard, and what looks like a good stock of rum here. No people around though, at least for now. As they walk in T’kharr adds, “And the quarters too, make sure there isn't notes or such for us to grab"

"Do you think we have long to search? I expect whoever is behind that door might come to us if we take a while..." Silgara says as Mingzhu takes 2 bottles of rum. The strongest that she can find. Silgara smirks as she watches Mingzhu, “Now a pirate may end up going 'Why's the rum gone?' Well, who cares what they think anyways?”

"We definitely don't have long but want to make sure we don't leave anything obvious for evidence on the table even if we are forced to retreat.” T’kharr suggests.

Silgara nods "Right, let’s go then."

They head down to the quarters. It looks like they're probably officers’ quarters, given how luxurious they are. That said, they may not be the most luxurious. Kastelli starts to pick locks. She's able to get 3 of them, one of the locks remains stubbornly closed. Silgara looks around "Hrm, someone of high import lives in these four rooms, but probably not a sailor, but someone... ah..."

Mingzhu looking around says, “We may be able to find a way to get off the island here.”

While looking around they find that of the three rooms they can get into, one belongs to the Quartermaster General, one to the Master Shipwright, one to the Master Sawbones. Silgara pockets some journals. "Don't have time to go over these right now, I'll keep them stored for later."

Kastelli works on picking the lock in the last room while they wait for the other team to come. When Balan and entourage get to them that’s when they will take on the demon.

[Winterhawk99]

While the rest of the group splits off, Balan is left in charge of Zsikhou, Fwangzhu, Xrochdyr, Zarasszia, and Quasziel. He notices Quasziel casting Bless and Shield of Faith on himself. Zarasszia casts Shield and Mirror Image. The group goes around fighting Corsairs. There's a lot of them, some groups, but there's one particular mass led by one of the captains outside the main captain's hall there. It's a pretty rough fight. They notice Zarasszia casting some spells she hadn't before, Fireball and Scorching Ray. Either way, there's some pretty grueling, and constant fighting...

After one particular round of fighting, they eventually come to another building, looks like an inn or watering hole. Their party is able to defeat the Corsairs inside... however in one of them...
They see a barmaid, she looks like she's a hostage, or at least not a pirate. In a near panic... one of the Corsairs gets over the bar before any of your party can reach him, then puts a cutlass to the barmaid's neck, "None of you move closer! None of you move or she gets it!" The barmaid screams. "Quit squealing wench! And you, not a move!"

Fwangzhu snarls, clearly hating this, but he doesn't move... Balan keeps his hands shown, “Easy friend. Don’t need to hurt the lass.” Xrochdyr takes a step back, trying not to flex his claws in a threatening manner. Zarasszia just looks over with that blank gaze of Her’s. Zsikhou looks to the corsair like he just wants to give him a hug a look that could kill... but he doesn't move.

The Corsair shouts, "Back away! Drop your weapons and back away!"

However, Quasziel looks over with that intense stare of his great sword raised. "This mortal is irrelevant. Let’s dispense with this and be done with it." He moves towards the Corsair.

The Corsair tightens his grip. "You think I'm bluffing?! Back off or she gets it."

Quasziel looks over. "I am not bluffing. That mortal's life is irrelevant." He keeps moving closer.

Fwangzhu snarls at Quasziel, "What the FUCK are you doing?!" Quasziel ignores him...

Balan replies to Fwangzhu, “He's falling farther and farther away from the celestial court and he doesn’t care. Ya need to stop Quasziel.” Quasziel doesn't seem to be bothered and just keeps advancing.

Fwangzhu moves to interpose in front of Quasziel. "Back up, damn you!"

Quasziel stares at Fwangzhu. "Do not interfere with me, beast." Xrochdyr hisses but then looks to Balan. Then to the Corsair, then the others around, like he's trying to figure out a way around this.

Balan looks Quasziel square in the eye. “If that lass dies the blood is on your hands do you not understand that?”

Quasziel looks back. "It is of no consequence. She will be of no assistance against the evil here regardless. Stop wasting time with this foolishness, mortal."

The Corsair shouts again, "All of you better start backing away now or she gets it! Drop your weapons and back away!"

Xrochdyr hisses at Quasziel. "Really, Deva? You're going to treat an innocent mortal like that? This is a situation that would call for a negotiation." He looks over to Balan, almost as if silently asking if he has a plan.

Quasziel looks over to Xrochdyr. "It does not do well to bargain with the foul, such as you."

Balan studies the corsair. “I suggest you back down because that one will not stop and will kill you regardless.”

"Oh no! I'm not backing down! You lot drop your weapons and back up or she gets it! I mean it!!" The Corsair shouts at Balan. Xrochdyr looks over to Balan..., perhaps silently waiting for orders. Zsikhou fingers a shuriken, but doesn't attack...

Balan whispers to Zsikhou, “Save the bar maid. Kill the corsair quickly.” Zsikhou nods... and slinks off, hiding. Xrochdyr seems to notice, a quiet word aside to Zarasszia, she looks over to Xrochdyr, giving a nod

"Didn't you hear me? I said drop your weapons and get the hells out of here!" The corsair shouts.

“Easy friend we’re backing away.” Balan nods to the rest. Diva back away please. You can spill blood another time.”

Quasziel looks over. "Pah, so you are willing to let evil go unpunished. You are wasting your time here."

Balan still looking at the corsair says, “No Diva, not unpunished. Don’t worry about that part.”

Fwangzhu snarls at Quasziel, "You back the fuck up, Quasziel."

Quasziel glares at Balan. "We are wasting time here. There are greater problems here. You are wasting it over needless care for one irrelevant mortal."

“And you are wasting my time by causing more issues than need to be done. This would be over by now if you just managed to be what you were meant to be.” Balan retorts.

"This would have been resolved without needlessly wasting time if this beast had not stopped me. Now we are making things more difficult in dealing with the evil nested here." Quasziel rebukes.

Zsikhou, however, goes to make his assassination strike, trying to take down the Corsair and move his other hand to pull the blade away from the hostage. The assassination works, the Corsair dies instantly, and Zsikhou pulls the blade away, freeing the hostage. Balan gestures over at the dead man, “See ya idiot.” The hostage hyperventilates some, clearly in a panic after that, rushing away with a scream.

Balan facepalms at Quasziel. The angel looks over. “Fine. We are done here. We should keep moving."

The barmaid, however, remains in sight, still clearly in a panic. Balan walks over to her. “Your safe now lass.”

Zsikhou looks over to her, definitely wanting to give her snuggles then moves closer to Balan. "Job's done."

Xrochdyr looks over, a nod. "Well handled, Paladin. And kobold. I had figured that or having Zarasszia enchant them could work, but both plans had risks."

“Aye I just had to think for a moment.” Balan responds. The barmaid just whimpers. The dragonborn pats Zsikhou on the head then kneels by the barmaid. “Lass snap out of it.” Zsikhou very much loves the head pats looks a touch annoyed but doesn't comment. The barmaid keeps shuddering.

Xrochdyr lets a breath out, "She's uninjured at least and there is still a battle going on outside. It might be prudent to leave her here to hide for now and bring her with us whenever we escape from this place."

Balan nods, “I agree that would be best. Shall we then?”

Xrochdyr almost smiles. "And here I never thought I'd be part of a squad lead by a Paladin of Bahamut, but you've done well so far. Regardless, let’s keep moving. I expect the other team is busy making a mess, and we still need to secure the grounds." Though he looks over to the Barmaid. "Mortal, find a place to hide until the fighting stops. Stay here and keep out of sight." The barmaid just hides behind the counter.

Fwangzhu nods, "Yeah, let’s keep knocking skulls."

Quasziel glares, "If you are done wasting time, then yes, there is work to be done."

“Much work to do. She should be safe here.” Balan replies.

The group heads outside again. There are more corsairs to fight, a lot of them, they are individually not too strong but there are so many. Still, they are pretty sure some of the pirates in this cove aren’t rushing out to fight them. They circle back to the main building in the front to check on the other party.

They are about to rejoin Mingzhu and crew when they hear another group coming in. Zsikhou looks over "Looks like there's more coming. But I think the other team might need you now."

“Aye take them out. We will see you soon. Balan replies. He goes inside. Just before the corsairs hit them Jalyndae walks out the door to repel the enemy with them.

[Winterhawk99]

Mingzhu finds a chair and drags it to the jail. She sits down across from the old pirate prisoner and studies him. He is an aged Corsair with an elongated, shaggy beard. His clothing looks like it was once fine, expensive attire that commanded respect. Now it is warn down and dirtied. His hair is long and unkempt. His hat is gone along with his weapons. There is a certain poise he has though that suggest he was a pirate not to be taken lightly. He is securely locked in his cell. The other cells in the brig are empty.

Mingzhu after a short time says, “Greetings and be at peace.”

T’kharr walks over and stands behind Mingzhu, leaning on her staff. "Aye, may the peace of the Maimed God be with you." T'kharr raised one hand, the red cord and medallion about her wrist clearly visible.

The aged pirate looks up to Mingzhu... "Deadlights, I be hearin' the screaming, lass. Ye be a right strange lot o' land lubbers ta be crossin' these seas. Well, whomever ye be, iffin ye be lookin' tae keelhaul me, I can assure ye I got more fight in me than I be lookin' like." He sits up some, trying to look more impressive. "Though readin' tha tides, tha' nay be what ye be after, is it?"

"I’m not here to hurt you at all. I'm just wondering: why are you here instead of with your brothers and sisters?" Mingzhu asks.

He looks over her companions one by one. "I can tell ye nay be one o' Black Rackham's scallywags. Might as well tell ye—listen well, for an old pirate's wisdom be bought dear. Me an' the High Captain parted ways when he chose ambition over the Code. Mark me words: a captain what forgets the Code ain't fit to wear the hat, no matter how many blades he commands. Or in that bilge-rat's case, demons. I be the keeper o'tha code, lass. An' black Rackham figured he nay needs such things anymore." He leans back. "He's forgotten what it truly means ta be a pirate."

"So.....The high captain commands the demon you say?"

"Lass, any scallywag who be thinking ye can command a demon be a Slack-jawed swab. But Black Rackham thinks he can use them fer 'is own yearnin's. Nay truly realize tha' it nay ends well. A thousand tales exist where pirates be thinkin' they can get ahead o'devils, an' a thousand tales say how each one ends miserably." The old pirate replies.

Mingzhu nods. "Did the demon grant yourself a wish?"

"Nay meself, lass." The old pirate shakes his head. "As I said, I be the Keeper o' the Code of the Black. An I be knowin' dealing wit' demons nay ends well for a captain or 'is crew." He shakes his head. "Black Rackham an' is circle o' Captains disagreed. Made bargains wit' a demon, now they're all in deep in dark waters nay one wit' any sense would e'er sail."

T'kharr nods along to the old pirate's words. The old pirate drones on. "Me attempts to keep our traditions alive got me 'ere. Rackham an' i's circle be thinkin' they nay need such anymore. Now they be damned, set for the darkest trenches of the locker, an' played to a demon's fiddle. Ta be under a demon's thumb means a pirate gives up bein' free. Despite tha's what he be wantin'. Freedom. Power. Plunder, Booty." The old pirate huffs, leaning forward, his age, or perhaps the exhaustion apparent.

"I see and how to they pass the water of this island and into the waters of the world?" Mingzhu asks.

"Tha' be thar demon's gifts. A big four armed one, the one who answers yearning, he be. An' twists it. But part of 'is wanting an unassailable port meant havin' this cove, protected by demon magic." The Keeper shakes his head. "The Circle of Captains can all hand out some kinda magic chime o' some kind. Allows them ta cross the barriers." He pauses, a breath out, before speaking again. "A devil's bargain be like anchorin' in quicksand. Seems steady... till the sea swallows ye whole."

Silgara raises an eyebrow "Awfully... philosophical for a pirate."

He looks over at Silgara. "Lass, the seas can teach many a lesson, wisdom be in learnin tae' listen ta the tides. And some lessons ye can never learn from a book."

Mingzhu pauses thinking then asks, “Has anyone ever stepped in the water or swam in it around the island?”

"Lass, I been here for a while now. I can' tell ye much about all tha' demon barnacles can get ye." He chuckles.

"Ah, I see so you can'na tell me if the water is cursed."

"Och it nay doubt be cursed lass."

Silgara looks aside. "Maybe he knows more about how this all started. Or whom we're up against."

Mingzhu listen to the mage and asks, “Do you know about the fellows and the demon in the back room waiting for us?"

"If ye mean Black Rackham's Circle and he who answers Yearnin,' that I do, lass." He ahems, sitting up.
"Thar be a circle o' high captains. Black Rackham be tha' leader, an' tha' one who be the one who deals wit' he who answers yearning. Wit' 'is circle be captains Ironhand Trelaine, Captain Stormcleaver Morgan, Captain 'Queen Bitch' Alvida, Captain Monsoon Tom, and Captain Hex Bloodworth."

Mingzhu looks up to T'kharr. "Did we take one out already?"

"As fer tha' demon, he be a tempter, tha' one. Knows what ye be wantin' most, an' grants it. Grants it in a way tha' be makin' a pox-rotten cur outta ye." He shakes his head. “As fer iffin ye taken them out, seems unlikely ta me. I expect they still be waitin' ta be crossin’ cutlass wit' ye."

"Is one or two of the captains, singers of inspiration?" The shamaness asks.

"I can tell ye Black Rackham be one o' tha deadliest duelists I be knowin, an he got some strange weapon from tha' demon. Ironhand Trelaine is most skilled wit' cutlass an' main Gauche. Stormcleaver Morgan be a shanty singer, but thar' be magic behind his songs. Queen Bitch Alvida is' a priestess o' tha' bitch Queen, or were, though I know some 'ere 'have been turnin' ta worship a demon o' tha' darkest depths o' tha' sea. Monsoon Tom, he got storm an' sea in' is blood, an can cast em in 'is magic, throwin' gusts o' wind an lightning. An Hex Bloodworth be a righ' scallywag involved in nasty rituals, wit' demons grantin' 'im magic fer em. Sailin' fer blood over booty, tha' one is."

"That'd be consistent at least as far as the demon goes. That said, are you saying that they're all in there holding some sort of moot or council?" T’kharr responds.

"Aye, tha' I be." The old pirate nods.

"Which one owns the crimson Tide?" Mingzhu asks.

Silgara nods aside. "I guess they have more than one bardic practitioner among them, it would seem. That was Captain Grimslade, wasn't it?"

The old pirate nods to Silgara "Tha' lass be right. Captain' Grimslade. Went over wit' Black Rackham's lot. I think he be one o' tha' ones whom were in contact wit' tha' lords o one of these lands. ... Zuodong iffin I be righ'."

"Well, he and his men are at the bottom of the sea with his ship." Mingzhu explains.

He shrugs, "The sea gives, an' the sea takes." The old pirate leans back.

"So Grimshade had a contract with Zuodong. That is interesting. Do you know anything about that contract?" Mingzhu asks.

"Weren' Grimslade 'imself, lass. It were an arrangement all tha' way up ta the Circle o' high captains 'ere." The old pirate says, "There be a world o' difference 'tween sailin' alongside another ship... an' bein' dragged astern by the same sea monster. Were a dark bargain, fer sure." The old pirate says, "They be cooperatin' against some o' tha' lord’s enemies. Don' think it'll last, though." He leans back "A lord'll call ye 'friend' right up 'til ye've outlived yer usefulness. The sea's cruel... but at least she's honest."

"That she is. I think Kaluso's land a nice fat target for that contract." Mingzhu suggests.

The old pirate nods, "The day a pirate bows t' a lord, he stops bein' a pirate an' starts bein' another man's dog." ... He pauses "An' a demon's dog, too."

Silgara looks aside "From... what it sounds like, it would seem likely that the Glabrezu is playing both sides."

"Have you seen a man with a jackal’s head anywhere on the island?" Mingzhu asks.

He shakes his head "Afraid not, lass. Ye lot be tha' first wit' animal 'eads I be seen. Two dogs an' two rats. Interestin' company ye be keepin."

"Aye that we are. Do you know about the attack on the island of Tzukine. If you do..., do you know where most of the people went too?"

"Afraid nay lass. I be locked in 'ere since Rackham took power, an I can only tell ye what I be overhearin’ from some bilge suckin' rats tha' be sayin' too much when they think me old ears cannae be hearin' em." He shakes his head. "Or sometimes Black Rackham gloats ta me 'bout how much more 'e's gotten since 'e abandoned the code."

Mingzhu smiles, "What else have you heard?"

He looks Mingzhu over, seeming to flex a hand, then a breath out "I be expectin' ye donnae have too much time tae' be chattin' with an old Keeper like me. So, listen ye well. Black Rackham wants wealth, power, ta be feared. Tha' lord 'e's in business wit' is tha' same way. But it be the granter o yearnings who be directin' them, ultimately, even if Rackham thinks he be the one pulling the strings." He pauses, a huff "...They be cut from the same rotten sailcloth. One calls himself High Captain, t'other a lord. Strip away the titles, an' all ye'll find be two bilge rats scramblin' over one another fer a demon's scraps."

"I understand perfectly. Do not worry, we don't want to deal with this demon. We plan to send it home for the next 100 or 1000 years."

Silgara looks aside, "We may need to be more specific in what we ask if we want more information."

Mingzhu frowns for a moment and takes a pause to collect her thoughts then asks, “Do you know how many of the high captains are in the back room?"

"Six o' them, lass." The old pirate says, "Black Rackham 'imself, Ironhand Trelaine, Stormcleaver Morgan, Hex Bloodworth, Queen Bitch Alvida, an' Monsoon Tom."

“Do any of them have a particular weakness? Something unusual?"

"Iffin ye be goin' ta fight em, I say bring cutlass ta Monsoon Tom First, is magic be powerful but he ain' no good wit' a cutlass 'imself." The old pirate says, then he shakes his head. "Lass, they still be men an' women at tha' end o' tha day. They be thinkin' takin' the demons gifts makes ‘em kings or gods, but king or beggar still bleeds when cut open."

"That is very true. Do you know where Black Rackham's hoard is? He ever tell you? Seems like since he was gloat'in you maybe he did."

"Somewhere in' this cove. But I expect tha' high captains keep whatever they wan' most in their personal quarters. An' tha' rest would go ta tha' treasurer's office. He be runnin' a pirate cove, after all, lass." He says. "Though his room where 'e communes wit' tha one who answers yearnings be sealed off from tha' rest o' tha pirates."

"What does Monsoon Tom look like?"

"Strange lad, bluish skin an' hair. Some say 'e 'as gills as well. Prefers 'is outfits light. Eyes tha' resemble a shark's, e's got." The old pirate says.

Silgara looks over. "Sounds like a Water Genasi."

"Or one of my own people." Mingzhu intones.

"Nay lass, me eyes still be workin'. Tha' differences be clear enough. He nay be one o' yers." The old pirate shakes his head. Mingzhu takes her water sack and pours it into her mouth opening her gills and breaths it.

“Sahaugin?” T’kharr questions.

"A shark an' a goldfish 'ave gills, they still be different' things." The old pirate says, then shakes his head "Nay, 'e looks mostly human, jus' wit some weird features."

Mingzhu looks up at T’kharr, “That is a word I know. That's because I am sea spirit folk. If he is Sahuagin he will recognize me for sure. T’kharr, should I use my last dispel on this Monsoon Tom or the demon?"

Silgara looks over. "If our foes have warded up, a dispel should break some of their magical preparations. Same with the demon, though keep in mind, a Glabrezu's is likely to be harder to dispel." She looks over, considering "Wait... how do you know about Zuodong's dealings with the Glabrezu if you've been stuck here?"...

"Probably heard rumors and gloatin' as he said." T’kharr surmises. "That, or the rumblings of the dealings started before he got cast out."

The old pirate chuckles, "Lass, who do ye think set up thar' little arrangement in tha' first place? Rackham would've wanted ta plunder 'im instead, iffin tha' scallywag were left to 'is own devices."
He shrugs "Easy enough ta be chartin' those waters from the tides shown."

“Do you know who owns the merchant company that the pirates deal with on Kurozhan?” Mingzhu asks.

The old pirate shakes his head. "Afraid nay, lass."

Silgara looks aside. "Maybe he'd recognize a particular name better, of the merchant company."

"Have you ever heard of the Fated Winds?" Mingzhu asks.

"Course I be hearin' of them. Any who sail tha' seas be knowin' of em." The old pirate says "Front fer tha' black network. Some o' tha' worst scum lubbers ye be set eyes upon. Could nae tell ye more specifics about thar dealins' round these parts, though. But I knew em by reputation."

Mingzhu nods. "You have been a great help to us, sailor. I thank you. When we are finished taking care of these black hearts, we will release you."

The old pirate nods, then he looks up. "Lass, any good sailor be good at readin' tha tides. I can tell ye this, tha' course ye be on, ye be chartin' right' intae the most stormy o' seas ye be. Though I can tell ye it ain' just about' livin' but also bein' able ta live wit' yerself." He stretches, standing up a bit. "Maybe ye could release me now. I gots tha' feelin ye may nay get another chance, should those stormy seas be findin' ye before ye be ready." The old pirate looks over.

Nor'vee looks over. "Can we trust old pirate?"

"That’s not up to me that is up to the gnoll, myself and the dragonborn that we wait for... If it were up to me. I would do it." Mingzhu turns to the others. “He gave us all the information we asked for. I don’t know if it’s all true, but much does ring true."

Jalyndae looks over "I do sense evil from him, but... I can also tell he is worn and weary. I do not think he will be troublesome towards us."

Silgara looks at Mingzhu. "The other pirates locked him up, I expect he has little loyalty to them now."

Mingzhu shakes her head. “He is safe in the cell when the fighting starts.”

The old pirate huffs "I be the keeper o' tha' code lass. Those scallywags here have abandoned it. A pirate I be, but true tae' the Code o' tha' Black I be as well."

T’kharr says in a low voice, “I wonder if the maze might be a suitable place of refuge for him?"

Mingzhu looks up and back at the gnoll, “Not if he encounters a patrol along the way.”

T’kharr sighs, “True.”

"Then I be goin' out swingin' lass. I be more than a match fer swashbucklin' the lousy curs tha' be callin' themselves pirates 'ere." He says.

Kastelli looks over. "Maybe he can get a ship ready, for when we need to get out of here."

"You know a place to hide when the big fight starts? There will be a lot of magic." Mingzhu stops then says, “Having two ships would be nice. especially with any refugees."

The old pirate scoffs, "Nay. But I be a crusty old salt nay mean I be helpless."

Kastelli looks over. "Refugees?"

Nor'vee looks over. "Oh, right, don't think we mentioned that to her or Jalyndae."

"The people of Tzukine that were enslaved to this island." Mingzhu explains.

Silgara looks over. "You never mentioned that when you were spending time with her?" *She raises an eyebrow incredulously."

Kastelli nods, "Then we'd better get them out of here, for certain. Sounds like we'll need the high captain's chimes for that, though."

"Aye, tha' be true." The old pirate nods.

Nor'vee squeaks, "We get the chimes, run back to get Tzukine's people, then get out on the ships?"

Silgara looks over. "If we can trust the old keeper." She considers looking at Mingzhu and T'Kharr. "What's your call?"

"Anything left I will sink all that I can with a maelstrom." Mingzhu says.

The old pirate looks over at Mingzhu. "Lass, ye'd best be careful bout' lettin' wrath inta ye like tha'. I can see it in yer eyes. Ye be haunted by what ye be comin' across while sailin. Power an' wrath nay be a good mix."

"If they have no ships they can na follow us, can they." Mingzhu responds. She then turns to the others. "I say we trust the old pirate. He’s been forthcoming with his words."

"Nay what I be meanin' lass." The old pirate shakes his head.

Silgara looks over. "We... should probably make a decision soon. What's your call?"

T’kharr frowns in concentration then says, “We take care of business in the room...then get the chimes, get the folks of Tzukine, get out...do you think we should spring the fellow here as well?"

Mingzhu looks at the pirate. "I know what you mean. These last two years have been.... haunting. Then turns to the others. “I say yes on his word he gets a ship ready for the refugees. It’s a fishing village. they will know how to sail."

"A captain whose word means nothin' soon finds his orders mean the same." The old pirate nods to T'Kharr. "I'll get yer ship ready, iffin ye release me now."

"we'll need to lash the refugee ship to ours when we use the chimes I reckon, but aye." T’kharr motions the Nezumi forward to take care of the lock. Nor'vee looks over, shrugging, then a nod to Kastelli. Kastelli goes to pick the lock on the doors. They're soon unlocked.

"They got more than one. Jus' get a bunch o em, ye can 'ave multiple ships get outta this cursed land tha' way." The old pirate says.

"We'll take as many as we can then for salvage." Mingzhu suggests.

"Thank ye kindly, lass." The man moves a bit shakily, like it's the first time he's stretching in a while. "I'd best be leavin ye tae deal wit' tha' circle. I'll go get yer ship ready. Donnae worry bout me none, I can still beat those young scallywags in a good swashbucklin'." He moves off.

Silgara nods aside ... "Right, we'd best get back to it then."

"We need to keep disrupting the Sahuagin so he can't throw spells around." Mingzhu says.

"He said he looks mostly human." Silgara says...

"Do you have another idea on what he is?" Mingzhu asks.

"Sounds like a water Genasi, they're a form of plane touched, in this case, to the plane of water." Silgara says.

Mingzhu thinks a moment then asks, “Is there a chance I could disrupt him with a control water spell?"

"I don't think that's likely, I'm afraid. They're still for the case of most magical effects, still a person." Silgara says. "If I had to guess from the description of the captains though, Monsoon Tom is likely a Sorcerer of some kind. And they've got a Warlock, a Bard, and a cleric." She muses.

Nor'vee looks around, keeping alert while Mingzhu asks, “Who would be the most dangerous, spell wise?”

"He did advise we go after the Sorcerer first." Silgara says.

Mingzhu nods and thinks, “Then that’s what we will do.”

The group waiting for Balan goes to the storeroom. Kastelli picks the lock. It looks like the treasurer's office, and an extensive storehouse on the side. A lot of the various plunder looks rather civilian though. Supplies for various things, notes, there's a lot to go through. "I can take some of the ledgers for later review, though I'm not sure we'll have time for an extensive search now..." Silgara mentions. Mingzhu nods and looks at T'kharr to see where she wants to search first.

"Let’s get their books and ledgers first, the most important stuff is likely to be there." The gnoll replies.

"Right, I'll grab some quickly. Maybe we can figure out their movements later or... contacts. Maybe proof they're working with Zuodong, hopefully, though I expect that is going to be kept a very tight secret the Quartermaster might not know about." Silgara says, as she tries to grab some ledgers.

"There should be other good information there perhaps even which trade company the devil runs." Mingzhu intones. Nor'vee ends up grabbing a bag of gold and tosses it to Mingzhu.

Silgara looks over, rubbing her temples... "We shouldn't spend too long here..." She sighs "Come to think of it, maybe that Abishai knows... we never asked him. Though of course given what he is..." She shakes her head.

"According to my ledgers we now have 2,450 gold." Mingzhu says as she makes a notation in her ledger.

Jalyndae looks over. "This is... probably not a good time to be indulging in that right now."

"Once I add to the ledgers, I stay what we have so all know what is there. it is that simple Jalyndae." Mingzhu comments while she is writing.

"I meant more, the looking through here while there's a battle going on and surrounded by so many hostiles." Jalyndae says.

"Waiting for Balan. He needs to be with us." Mingzhu replies.

"Right, lets hurry then." Jalyndae nods.