Grog'tial has been worrying all day about the "they" which would come for him again. His ordinary approach for any threat he sees, is to outthink it, to maneuver himself into a position where the threat is neutralized before it can even materialize. He's always been very effective at this - excepting the particular recent fluke where half the ship had magical abilities to sniff out his plans, and then went about sharing this information with each other; but his mind refuses to dwell on that any longer - but now, with these shadow creatures, and this spell on him, he just doesn't seem to be able to outthink that. And then there's this Aboleth with all its magical mind-control abilities! His dirk seems key to surviving - but he can hardly go about holding that every single moment! There's fighting to be done, and he's much more comfortable with both hands on his crossbow, far from the immediate action.

He sighs, and goes see the Admir'l, putting up an all-business poker face, despite now realizing she can see straight through that. He asks what forms and abilities those "they" are likely to take, and how or when he'll be able to trust that they're not coming after him after all (knowing in his heart that despite any assurances he might get, he'll never be able to fully trust in this, and will be looking over his shoulder at any shadows for the rest of his life). And he'll also ask her if she can maybe construct a new sheath for his dirk which can be tied to his forearm, so he can see it glow and feel it tingle even when not holding it.

---

As he walks to the Admir'l, he realizes that all his worrying about the Aboleth and its abilities has at least given him an outline of a plan for dealing with it, so after his talk with her, he goes find the rest of the crew, particularly Count Karnstein, Bellandra, Pugwash and Aylar.

"So, we can't approach this Aboleth closely, due to its mucus in the water. But if we try to take it out with only ranged weapons, it can still turn us and set us fighting against each other. We need to strike hard and fast, which basically means we need to be able to get close to it. I'm thinking that when it's close to the surface, we fire Stun bolts and/or use the sextant to get it to be immobile, and then the Count uses his new trick with chilling fog from his pipe to freeze the water all around it! Since we're not out at open sea, the water should be much more stagnant, and freeze better. This way the Aboleth will be immobile, and the mucus will be neutralized, allowing us to go all in for the kill!"

---

As the seas were growing rougher, Grog'tial felt his stomach starting to do somersaults. He thought he had acquired sea legs with remarkable grace. He thought he'd simply been a natural at this, and all this talk about how bad the sea could get was somehow not applying to him... What was it the others had blabbered on about when he just came aboard? Rolling with the rollers and... He tries to imagine it, right as the ship starts to rise up at what feels to him like an impossible angle, to then go into free fall and sideways and... He rushes for the railing, and clings on there in abject misery.

Refreshed from his deep sleep, Pugwash wakes and wonders and wonders why the ship is in disarray.

After being briefed on the mission, Pugwash requests 5 explosive bolts and one cure disease potion.

The salt water curse/phobia is indeed a problem should Pugwash survive to enter the submerged temple. Short of a stiff drink, Pugwash doesn't have any suggestions.

"Ya sure, it would be easy to catch a ton of fish seeing how they have weak minds, and currently they seem to be schools of fish fleeing the storm so their minds are distracted by fear."

Kyp catches plenty of fresh fish.

Kyp approaches Aylar

"Cap'in we seem to have a problem, while I was out catching fish several sea creatures told me the danger coming from the storm. It seems to be that the wreaked ships in the graveyard are being influenced by demonic or necromonic energies and are starting to move from the bottom of the sea and are starting to sail yet again. So we might have some ghost crews that we will have to take care of or something like that.

They say dead men tell no tales but that only appears to be true if they have no voice box, I am not sure where I was going with that idea... because who knows... they might still have them voice boxes... or maybe not... or maybe forget I said anything"

Mighty

Mighty thinks that it might be good idea to use the Kyps tele ... porting magic to get few of us to temple or to the pond. Splitting group could give us more time. We could all meet near the pier after job is done.

"Hey. Mighty was fixing the lower deck half of the day, so you all better watch out where are you falling. Do not break anything, have respect for Mighty's work."

After the mid-day briefing, Aylar had stayed in the Great Cabin a while, going over threat assessment and options. He arrived at a conclusion he nay liked, but it was perhaps the best available to him. He placed orders with Refyx and Aeshma, and then went to his cabin. He would need to put in some practice, and his senses told him the time was now before the storm truly hit them. Carefully, and self-disciplining his utter disgust of it, he unlocked the sword and suddenly realized that there could be a detriment to the phoenix energies now merged with his own fey as the phoenix fury leapt forth. His experience with the banshee now became a boon as used his Will to suppress and calm the fury, but Aylar began to understand both what Aeshma had meant about Polly being trapped on a ship of zombies she was responsible for, and what it could mean should the furies of both banshee and phoenix align in him someday.

Aylar spent the rest of the day on deck learning to control both the blade and himself. It would do him no favors to antagonize it, if it was to serve the Crew and strike down the giant evil overgrown eel. He worked tirelessly, feint and strike, movement and attack, adjusting for the weight of the blade, its reach and balance. The dance of blades was not foreign to him, he was simply now readjusting some old moves and adding a few newer ones.

Kyp had been fishing to help restock Argy's supplies and hearing something unsettling, decided to approach Aylar. "Cap'n we seem to have a problem, while I was out catching fish several sea creatures told me the danger coming from the storm. It seems to be that the wrecked ships in the graveyard are being influenced by demonic or necromonic energies and are starting to move from the bottom of the sea and are starting to sail yet again. So we might have some ghost crews that we will have to take care of or something like that. They say dead men tell no tales but that only appears to be true if they have no voice box, I am not sure where I was going with that idea... because who knows... they might still have them voice boxes... or maybe not... or maybe forget I said anything"

After grabbing a bite to eat and mingling with the Crew, Aylar returned to his cabin to find Aeshma and Clíodhna huddled together over the table, where Clíodhna was burning cinnamon into ash inside a thick glass jar.

"A little more, it needs to be finer," Aeshma said. Clíodhna looked at the pile inside the jar and the next moment there was a quick leaping flare of fire, and just as quickly it was suppressed. "Perfect! With this and ... your other ingredient I should be able to shield Pugwash. I have to go get to work now. Captain," Aeshma nodded to him as she left the cabin, the scent of cinnamon wafting in the air.

Clíodhna cocked her head at Aylar, who may have gotten used to the cabin having the slight scent of cinnamon but not quite to this extent. "She thinks she has a way to help Pugwash," she said, glancing at the blade in his hand. Aylar felt the sudden spark of fury and the instant restraint through the link. Then she deliberately turned her head away and gestured with a wing to open a porthole just a crack to the storm outside, clearing the air with the scent of wind and rain.

Aylar locked the blade away inside its warded dwelling again, feeling a relief within as he did so. Before going to sleep, he made sure to commune with the Ship and check if it be in good health and not troubled by any slowness of mind or ill draining hexes, as it be on the night Crew was attacked. Reassurance came back that Cap'n Rummyfangs had indeed hunted that source, and Captain Baldbeard's sharks had shredded it. Both the phoenix and the Ship were healing and would be ready.

-----
Grog'tial had been worrying all day about the "they" which would come for him again. He's been used to out-thinking a threat, except this was beyond all his experience. Now, with these shadow creatures, and this spell on him, he just doesn't seem to be able to out-think that. And then there's the Aboleth with all its magical mind-control abilities! His dirk seems key to surviving - but he can hardly go about holding that every single moment! There's fighting to be done, and he's much more comfortable with both hands on his crossbow, far from the immediate action. Finally he goes to see the Admiral, putting up an all-business poker face, despite his new realization that she can see straight through that.

Clíodhna brings him to the Great Cabin while Aylar is practicing on deck and closes the door. She makes a sweep of a wing gesture to all the portholes. "Nobody be hearing us now, Grog'tial, except the Ship itself." She motions for Grog'tial to take a seat and listens to his concerns and his idea. Then he feels her again, but not so strongly, just enough that he knows her feelings, and he realizes she is letting him read her truth and she isn't angry at him, just a little saddened and concerned for him. "I be understanding yer concerns, and indeed I be sharing them. The shadow ye saw was most definitely not made up in yer mind. Before that, however. I think yer idea for the sheath be a good one. Let me be showing ye something."

Clíodhna looked upward and said simply, "Sensei?" In a moment the ghost of the Felinoid Ship's Cook just appeared to one side of her. As she explains Grog'tial's idea the old Cook turns to look at him and suddenly there is a blade in his hand, then he pulls up one ghostly sleeve to reveal the sheath. He replaces the blade and with a quick gesture triggers it again and it slips the blade pommel first into his hand in a defensive positioning but easily reversed should it need be. "Thank ye, Sensei." The ghost bows and vanishes. "If ye be letting me know which be ye dominant hand, I think I be having something similar for ye by morning."

"As to form and abilities, others be more expert than I be at such things, but I be telling ye what I do know. It be something summoned, and not entirely from this world. This Aboleth be using a magical force beneath the place we be going to bring such into this world. I not be knowing yet if it be working on its own, or with this shadowy figure we both be inquiring of. I had thought we hid ye well enough, but we wonder about that statue ye saw. Ye see, magick responds to yer intent, Grog'tial. Like a skilled smith working the metal with hammer and tong, magick be worked by learning and intent. So it may be that statue read some intent in ye and a hex was attached to ye. We not be knowing for sure, but I would not be putting it past the necromancer to do such. Gilius noticed the statue seemed to be watching him, so he shielded his mind and managed his intent around it. Ye would not have had the training or even the clue to do so." She let him continue to feel her and know her belief in what she said to him.

"The important thing now be for ye to know this - the spell is almost out of time, and ye control the results now. All ye need do is to refuse to be tempted to betray or use yer talents against the Ship or Crew. Get yerself through this mission as ye had the others, help yer mates where ye can to the best of yer abilities - and the spell should expire. Ye be free of it, though possibly not free of this other shadow we both know. That may take more time and possibly sharing information to puzzle it out, if ye be willing. For now, know that the Ship is now warded against a return of those things as best we can ... and ye can thank Cap'n Rummyfangs fer hunting down the source of it fer ye."

It was too bad that Grog'tial did not tell her his outline of a plan for dealing with the Aboleth. Had he, she would have told him she thought it was brilliant, and he would have felt that she spoke true.

Later, at the railing, Aeshma delivered Grog'tial's Cure Disease potion and passed him another vial smelling of ginger and mint and something he couldn't place. "Seasickness remedy," Aeshma told him without the barest hint of laughter or a smile. "You're not the only one." Grog'tial smelled the same on her own breath as she turned back to where more orders waited for her to complete them.

The next morning Grog'tial found a small bundle waiting by his door. Inside was a lightweight forearm sheath made from a thin flexible leather which would protect his arm but still allow him to feel the tingle through it. It fit the dirk, holding it pommel down, in such a way as to let it be barely visible under his rolled cuff if he wished to check it for the glow. Trying it out, he found the quick release worked flawlessly. Looking at it, he found no springs or mechanisms he might be able to reproduce later ... he sighed. Magick again - of course it was. (:P)

-----
LOL! Yes, please try to respect and not wreck Mighty's work, and don't fall overboard!

That night, during a slight lessening of the storm, there was a knock at Bellandra's door. She opened it to see Cap'n Rummyfangs smiling at her. He gestured for her to follow him and led her to the bow. Then he tossed her a rumball of light and left.

Bellandra was wondering why she was here when she felt it. The figurehead on the bow was no longer undead looking, and the penguin knew she was there and was communicating with her somehow, just as somehow she knew suddenly that it was a he.

'There be ships ahead. Some be sister ships raised from the depths and be enslaved to evil. They be trapped. Help them. When the time comes, call ye to them, tell them ye be free. I be backing ye, they will be hearin' ye. Give them thar freedom, Bellandra. Ye will be knowin' when. And proud I be that ye be part o'the Crew. Yer cutlass be swift and true and yer heart be strong. May ye be lookin' to a horizon where ye sail fore'er free.'

The feeling then gently urged her back to her cabin to get some rest and Bellandra recalled all the times she had seen 'Polly' at the bow. Had that been what the then spectral parrot had been doing? Talking with him?

After the attackers on the ship had been dealt with, Bellandra noted wryly that her earlier suspicion had been somewhat accurate even if not exact - it had not been the plants this time that had been the danger, but animal feed and eggs instead. Still, if this continued it seems Argy would have a crucial role as detector of maleficent foodstuffs in times to come.

She watched with interest as Aeshma enchanted her rabbit's foot. Although she had never seen any clear luck that she could directly attribute to the foot, considering the unknown enemies they were about to face she was glad to take any extra ounce of luck the fates could spare.

During the briefing, as she heard about the Aboleth's disease-causing abilities she was glad to have chosen a cure disease potion among her gear. She realized she might also be able to use her stun bolts to exploit the weakness of the Aboleth against stunning.

She listened to Grog'tial's plan regarding the Aboleth, and it seemed sound. Indeed, stun bolts seemed a good approach to her as well. She would reserve the sextant for last use, as it only lasts for one minute, so it is best used when the party is already close enough to exploit the opportunity.

Hearing about the merchants' increased supply of orders, she decided to order a potion of mental resistance from Aeshma (assuming that her enchantment of the rabbit's foot did not already exhaust her due orders) and a batch of explosive bolts from Refyx.

While the planning for the mission ahead was heavily on her mind, the most profound event happened later that night when she heard a knock on her cabin door, and saw the spectral form of Cap'n Rummyfangs inviting her along. She followed the spectral kitty to the bow. There, Bellandra felt a sense of sudden wonder and elation as she heard the voice of the penguin figurehead. "I always hoped ye would be of a kindred spark, brother penguin! Thy form be more befitting ye now, and I be glad to hear yer voice at last." She was thrilled that there were others of her kind. And not only the penguin here on this ship, but more ahead. She was dismayed to hear how the others were currently bound to serve dark masters, but even if they were currently trapped, enslaved, and warped, they had a chance for freedom, for life like she had been given. "Thank ye, friend penguin," she thought in her mind to the figurehead. She swore to do her best to free them. "We shall celebrate together when the ships be free."

Before returning to her cabin, Bellandra wondered if Clíodhna had always known the penguin to have life. Bellandra herself had hoped upon seeing the figurehead when she first boarded the ship, but she had not known for certain. Perhaps as a phoenix, Clíodhna was particularly sensitive to hidden capacity of life in what seemed lifeless; and perhaps she had known of the penguin's history. She hoped to ask her about it when the mission was over.

The lash of the rain, whipping of the wind and rolling of the ship was as nothing to a spectral phoenix. She sat on the bow railing as Aylar slept in the cabin, getting rest for what was to come, as were the Crew.

"Ye spoke to Bellandra."

I did. She be as remarkable as ye said.

"She be asking later, ye know."

And ye be telling her what ye will. It be close now.

"Aye. I feel it." She paused, cocking her head. "When do ye intend to be talking to him, letting him know?"

The Captain? It be his Ship now. No need fer me to be talking. The lad has a fine strong hand on the wheel, a good sense o'the wind and the sea, and a way wit' the storm. Be lettin' him do what he be knowing to do and handle the Ship. Ye be doing what ye do best, Guide them and him.

"Ye did it intentionally, did ye not?"

A sense of amusement radiated from the penguin. I called. Four captains be answering, each with strengths, each with weaknesses to be overcome. The missions tested all, and one be seeing his way more clearly to turn weakness to strength and be realizing what must be done to be securing the Ship and Crew ... and ye. Took ye by surprise, did he? It be needing done. We be heading straight into the teeth of it now. Go. Guard their dreams tonight. Tomorrow be coming soon enough.

And that was going to be all she got on that subject she knew. "Penguins!" she muttered under her breath.

Uproarious laughter came back at her. I heard that.

Mission 4 - Turn 1, Through the Ships' Graveyard
*Next turn starts 4 AM UTC, 17 November

Treacherous Waters

As expected, the weather turned rougher overnight and come the dawn Argy was forced to serve a cold breakfast. The Ship was better at riding the waves and ignoring trifling storms, but this was a full raging magical storm. Gilius was going to have his hands full.

Clíodhna had worked with Kyp the day before getting used to reinforcing his natural marine influence and adding her own attuned to magickal creatures such as the Dragon Turtle. She magicked his turtle charm so she could locate and reinforce him while still on the Ship.

Aeshma bustled in and placed a bar of soap smelling of cinnamon, sandalwood and moss in front of Pugwash and told him to quickly go wash himself and his clothing and she would dry it for him. The soap was a purifying bar, it would keep the salt from him, but had to be renewed every day. It seemed Pugwash would be staying quite clean from now on. Clíodhna looked at Pugwash and nodded approvingly, telling him to just stay away from any inexperienced young phoenix, lest they try to make a nest out of his beard. Then she winked.

Aeshma also reminded them not to take their Poison Resistance potions and teas until they were through the reef and just before the longboat launched, to make sure they lasted throughout the mission. Those taken for the Aboleth (Disease, Mental) should wait until after they completed their island trip, just before leaving for the temple.

Aylar was at the wheel now, watching with keen eyes as they began what he knew would be an approach to the reef. When his read of the wind and seas found a break he nodded to Gilius below him on the Main Deck. Gilius centered himself and focused on the Orb, chanting and concentrating, casting his weatherwise outward, trying to turn the lashing fury, cajoling its magick with his own, pulling on his influence with Nature to calm and appease. (roll dice) The clouds began to break, and slowly the sea settled somewhat, but not quite completely. The breeze was stiff, large swells still rolled, but this the Ship could handle and while it wasn't completely sunny, the sun still made itself known through the haze. (2+1d6 = 6 Turns, Somewhat Fair Weather).

Now that that was done, Aylar spun the wheel and set the course, turning for the twisting narrow channel through the reef, paying attention to the break of the waves and the underlying tug of the current. These were treacherous waters that had taken many a ship down before and he had no intention of adding his Ship to those others. To port he saw motion. Siren. They would most likely wait until the Ship and Crew was in the channel.

Regular harpoon guns were brought to the deck and racked for use. Ropes had been secured to be used, besides the ones Aylar had stored in the longboats yesterday. The fiendfyre cannons were charged and ready for Aylar's order to fight his Ship, while the physical cannons were standing by in case Crew or phantoms be told to make ready. Ropes had also been added to the Crow's Nest and Fighting Top for any shooters who would fight from there to be secured. They had prepared as they could, and now the time had come.

As expected, the enemy waited until the Ship was forced to slow deeper into the reef passage and was about halfway through negotiating the Ship's Graveyard. (roll dice) Suddenly Siren song broke out on either side and the sea began to seethe with merrow already targeting Crew, while behind and before them ships rose from the graveyard, (roll dice) two ahead and three behind, seeking to trap them. The opening moves of the fight to come had just been made.

(roll dice) A harpoon comes flying straight at Gilius on the Main Deck. (roll dice) Swatted away.
(roll dice) Another harpoon targets Durik, coming fast. (roll dice) Barely misses.
(roll dice) A third harpoon has been thrown at Count Karnstein. (roll dice) Dodged.
(roll dice) 2 Merrow at starboard rails, Main Deck, holding on while preparing to fire.
(roll dice) 1 Merrow leaped over onto Main Deck, preparing to target Argy.
Behind them the three ships are turning to chase with forward cannons firing.
(roll dice) First ship's volley is ranging to port, they will adjust.
(roll dice) Second ship's volley falls short, they will adjust.
(roll dice) Third ship is not in position to fire yet.
The two ships in front are moving to flank either side of the passage and bring guns to bear.

-----
2 Sirens; 1 each to port and starboard now singing. (resistance rolls only for the males aboard, Kyp and Aylar are immune.)
23 Merrows in the waters to both sides with harpoons. They are fast and can leap quite high to try to shoot and drag Crew off deck.
5 Ships rising from the Graveyard with cannons and undead crews - 2 in front, 3 behind.
-----
GM Note - Go ahead and post any reactions to events before this battle kicks off, they will be taken as having happened the previous day/night.
This will be a fast running battle, so to defend yourselves and take care of enemies post your intent for both defense and offense, listing multiple targets of opportunity or actions. Remember also to use what you have - many possibilities were listed in the Briefing. Also all Cursed Weapons can be used once here, and again on the Island with a recharge between the Island and the Temple if returned to the Ship. Good Luck!

The Ship, deck plan
-----
Your current inventory can be found in Post 2 (loaner books are read and returned)
Argy = Main Deck
Aylar = Quarterdeck, wheel.
Bellandra = Main Deck
Captain Baldbeard = Main Deck
Count Karnstein = Quarter Deck
Durik = Main Deck
Gilius = Main Deck.
Grog'tial = Fighting Top?
Kyp = Fore Deck
Mighty = Main Deck
Pugwash = Crow's Nest?

NPCs
Clíodhna = Forecastle Forward Rail
Aeshma = Fore Deck
Rummyfangs = Fore Deck
Sensei = Quarter Deck
Patch Phantoms = Gun Deck cannons
Refyx = Poop Deck

(Positions, besides those of Aylar, Gilius and assumed for Pugwash and Grog'tial were rolled. You may move and adjust.)

An harpoon barely missed Durik
"That was close. OH! Leave tiny alone!"
He noticed that Argy was in danger, so he ran to protect her from the Merrow.

He kept low to avoid exposing himself to too many harpoons.
Durik used Dakka to entrap the foe and shoot it at one of the Sirens (if possible) or at the other Merrows.
He then stayed with Argy at cover and prepared to fight the enemies when they showed up on deck.

While doing this, he also tried to chant some sea shanties as well as he could to try mitigating the other Siren's effect on the crew.

After drinking Aeshma's seasickness potion, Grog'tial was able to get some rest during the night. He managed to keep down his breakfast, even offering an attempt at praise directed at Argy for making the meal delicious despite the circumstances, and if he didn't meet her eyes, well, his bout of seasickness had not exactly been a secret.
As the sun broke through, he was starting to feel pretty okay again, a lingering pressure on his eyeballs the only sign to remind him that some things he couldn't do by himself.

As the ship started to navigate the reef, he made his way back up to the fighting top, where he'd felt reasonably safe during the encounter with the Denuvo - and this time should be better, since the deck wouldn't be abandoned by everyone else.

Given the events of the night before last, the briefing seemed like ages ago, but he'd still remembered to stuff his ears. As merrows and sirens and ghost ships appeared, Grog'tial swore silently at his survival once more depending in large parts on magic. Still, this was a moment for action, not for worrying, and something of Clíodhna's calmness seemed to have lingered in him. As he took up his flute, and concentrated on his grandmother's song (having played that often enough in recent days, that he can play it flawlessly even without hearing much of it himself), he found his inner turmoil dissipating, simply playing that well-remembered feeling of peace and security.

While playing, Grog'tial is sitting down behind the railing for best protection from any harpoons. From there, he continuously scans the deck and the waters all around the ship.
- If a group of 3 or more merrow come on deck without being actively engaged (and thus without any crew nearby), and happen to stand very close to each other (within 3 feet), he'll shoot an explosive bolt at the most central merrow. (Always aiming to take out one of the merrow, hoping to severely wound the others.) If the battle seems to be going somewhat badly for crew, he'll take this action even with a group of 2 or more merrow.
- If 4 or more merrow are within range of his shell, he'll blow his shell.
- If any crew mate seems in immediate danger from merrow, without anyone else engaging, he'll swiftly fire a regular crossbow bolt to assist (aiming for his favorite spot if possible).

Only if the battle seems to be going really badly for the crew, taking priority over earlier actions:
- If a group of 4 or more merrow come on deck without being actively engaged (and thus without any crew nearby), or are actively threatening any crew from the water, and happen to stand/swim relatively close to each other (within 10 feet / 3 meters), he'll shoot one of his precious remaining stun bolts in such a way as to cover the largest number of merrow without endangering any crew.

Only if the battle seems to be going really well, and there's just one or two merrow still threatening:
- He'll fire a regular crossbow bolt at such a merrow.

If badly wounded by a harpoon despite the protection offered by his position in the fighting top:
- He'll apply his heal wounds bandage

For all these possible actions: afterward he will swiftly take up his flute again to continue playing.

If Durik (or another crewmate) arrived in time to shield her from the nearby Merrow, Argy will keep her head low and try to reach the port siren, dodging any incoming harpoons. Should she be able to reach the siren unnoticed, she'll open her pepper grinder and toss all of its contents right into the creature's open mouth, to follow pushing her off deck, by slamming her with her pan. If she can't do that, she'll attack the siren with her pan. Luckily that will keep her too busy to continue singing.

If she is unable to reach the siren, she'll stay near Durik, fighting with her pan and watching out for harpoons or leaping Merrows. Her priority will be keeping the deck clear, but she will try to reach one of the sirens if she can (back to first part of the plan if she does). She won't use her cupcakes here as it could be too dangerous for the ship or other crewmates.

"And 'tis only the easy part of the mission..." - Argy mutters.

As ships arose from the depths of the marine graveyard around them, Bellandra sensed her wooden sisters on many of them. At least one ahead, perhaps two behind, or more.

The battle was on, and she would not be idle. She rushed to attack the two Merrow near the starboard railing, intending to first fire a regular bolt at one of them from her hand crossbow, and then attack them with her cutlass. But as she ran, and kept dodging the harpoons of the attacking merrow, she did so almost as a dance, so that the motions served to calm her thoughts.

She then called out in her mind - to all the graveyard ships and to her kin she felt to be on them.

"Sisters, hear me! I be Bellandra, aboard this ship ye be attacking. I have been as ye, bound as a figurehead, steered where others wished to go, and considered no more than an ornament. But the yearning for life had been with me, and when the time came, I was given the chance for freedom, for me own path - and I took it, and ever since me journey has been me own. Sisters, I sense that same yearning within ye. Ye be not things of horror or rot or foulness - I sense ye, I sense the wonder and beauty of ye. Yer chance be upon ye now! Free yerself and take control of yer ships, break free of the foul ones who seek to warp yer will. Help us in our battle, or seek freedom in other waters. Sisters, hear me, and be free!"

Kyp

"Merrows and Sirens are evil creatures and their minds are usually to strong for me to overpower so I can't pull off any tricks with mind games sadly..."

*Kyp takes off his fishnet belt*

Shout to surrounding crew "I can use my net to catch Merrows in the water or ones that jump out of the water, after getting them on deck we can quickly take care of them. Anyone want to help me pull in the catches since that will make things easier?"

If Kyp gets no help Kyp throws out the net to catch near by Merrows and pull them on deck then attacks them.

If Kyp gets help Kyp will take the help and attack as before but it will be easier.

The teas and potions expire - they have a limited time they cover you. Most D&D type games say 1 hour, I am expanding that for this game - which is why Aeshma specifically said wait until just before the longboat so that any Resistance can cover you for the in game time on the Island. Remember, with getting there in the longboat, fighting your way up that path, more possible fighting and the time it takes to clear the corruption it is likely to be several hours in-game time. If you drank your tea last night then it is already out of Durik's system and he wasted his tea.

Dakka may capture and shoot once (just like the other cursed items), not continuously.. Dakka will be able to recharge and shoot once again on the island, and if brought back to the Ship, once again in the temple.

The sirens are a ways off on the reef to either side of the Ship. They try to tempt sailors overboard into rough waters or to run their ships onto the reef.

LOL! Well, I guess the GM could round up a sea monster if it's too easy for you. ;)
(Points to Post 737, first paragraph) :P