Testing journal functions
20th of Edeh (season of conception) 1246 AC. It's the final day of the Stellamanarra festival. Kiri, Buu, Momin, and Callius remain onboard the Finisterre while Digby, Z, and Remus venture to the markets for potions, the latter two in disguise.
Alone in her private room, Kiri casts Scry on her father. Lord Lockhart uncharacteristically reaches for a large fruit to eat for breakfast, almost smiling to himself. He is presumably pleased to not be observed.
Lord Lockhart receives word that a package is to be delivered to his office shortly. A box bearing the Berikann crest arrives packed and delivered in haste, accompanied by a journal presumably scribed by multiple authors over time due to the inconsistent fonts and scripts. Lockhart studies the journal, referring to his own notes before prying open the box. Inside, he finds a very old and shattered lance tip, the blade engraved with a familiar runic script. Lockhart removes the lance tip, sealing it in stone using a spell unfamiliar to Kiri. Lord Lockhart looks as if he has been expecting this item.
The spell ends, Kiri recognises the runes as abyssal, the same script she and Z found in the lower levels of the castle in Esterhalt. Kiri recalls similar runes on Buu and Momin's armour and rushes to speak to them. Buu explains he found the armour in the Esterhalt castle in a room adjacent to the floating crystal.
Digby, Remus, and Z arrive back at the boat with their haul. Kiri rushes to Z to explain what she saw, discussing the logistics of breaking into her father's office to retrieve the item, deciding it's too dangerous and unlikely to be successful. Buu removes the armour for Z to cast Identify, hoping to uncover the meaning of the runes.
Z discovers that both Buu and Momin's armour is resistant to fire, Momin's is both invulnerable to physical attacks and is imbued with Feather Fall. The same Feather Fall enchantments are also on Buu's armour but it's unknown whether the spell will reliably activate. The runes remain indecipherable, Kiri is unable to match the runes she saw on the lance tip with those on Buu and Momin's armour.
Remus gives the star-shaped vial of chaos to Buu and takes the red sparkling "good voyage" potion to the amusement of Digby, Kiri, and Z. He in fact does not have a good voyage, the potion's effects render Remus drunk and disorientated but unable to become nauseous for one week.
Before the ship leaves port, Z requests everyone return the gold coin she gave them on the first day of the festival, asking each a question. Z and Kiri talk girl stuff, Buu respects Momin but doesn't love him, Remus still considers Z his best friend, and Digby doesn't have a special someone.
Upon answering her question, Z gifts her friends small trinkets molded from the gold coin. For Kiri, a intricate but sturdy rose. For Remus, a replica of the Blink Dagger she gave him upon his return. For Buu, a miniature Momin figure. For Digby, an anatomically correct horse's head. Z is confused by the latter, having no reason to believe such a gift would be significant to Digby. Digby remains a mysterious figure.
Having returned to the party recently, Z had not prepared a gift for Callius. Instead, she gave him the Dimensional Shackles she found in the Berikann dungeons to protect against another Kenku attack.
Rustok is the final member to receive his gift, confessing to Z that he had met someone in Highcliffe the day they caught him at the bar. He had a spare drink in his hand for the woman but became distracted when the party asked him to explain the rules of Drink Smash. He wrote her name in the journal he kept, his cousins encouraged him to write a book someday. Unfortunately, his journal was swallowed by the sea during their fall. The woman's name a lost memory from a simpler time before he was a "Callus" man. Rustok makes Z promise not to tell anyone that he was also drunk at the time of the Bonifatius explosion, and such wasn't prepared. Bara told him to always be prepared. He hasn't had a drink since. Rustok appears solemn recalling the event.
The crew ready the ship to leave, Digby notices them speaking in "military" code. the captain concentrates on the path ahead. Digby dons his captain's hat, nodding to Captain Santi James casting his own spell to help the ship along. Shit eating grin. The party leave Highcliffe, Digby sees something large in the water.
Day 1: The party notice more fishing boats than trading ships, merchants appear to be heading south rather than north. The ship makes a short stop, allowing the party a break. Z searches for a journal among the dock merchants to no avail. Buu removes Momin's armour to play fetch on the beach using a large stick. The sight becomes a spectacle among the locals, prompting Captain Santi James to recall them to the ship.
Day 2: Smooth sailing with no stops, no notable events.
Day 3: Another short stop. Z again is unsuccessful in finding a replacement journal for Rustok. Buu again removes Momin's armour to play fetch on the beach, this time to a move hostile audience. A number of orcs appear in the crowd, shouting "Buu Kakke Breach-Kin", recalling how Buu held off the invaders during the Battle of Esterhalt fighting alongside the Long Tusk orcs. Buu has become somewhat of a folk hero among the orcs as tales of the battle have travelled beyond the valley. The tone of the onlookers becomes more welcoming. Buu proceeds to roughhouse with Momin as a bonding exercise.
Day 4: The Finisterre overtakes a trading ship heading north, noting two smaller hunting ships patrolling the coast, crewed by orcs.
Day 5: Dawn breaks, the Finisterre comes across a floundering hunting ship being claimed by the sea. Captain Santi James calls his crew to help, rushing to draw a ladder for the remaining four orc crew members still on board the sinking ship. Three climb aboard without issue, the fourth struggles to heave a heavy sack over the ladder but is determined not to leave it behind. Digby casts Thorn Whip to snare the sack, bringing it to the deck for examination. The final crewmember climbs aboard.
The captain of the sinking ship claims to be hunting monsters, beasts, and whales though something small got them first. The sack is opened to reveal a tracking device used to locate the two other ships in their fleet. The main vessel was heading north, last they heard the ship had been swarmed by an unknown creature. The crew were unable to get a good look but insist the ship was heading to the Yonder Isles.
Captain Santi James decides to aid the fleet, casting a spell using his magic hat to pick up speed.
Islands grow in the distance, though they're notably not the Seacrest Isles. A grounded ship is spotted on a set of smaller rocks a few hundred metres offshores, surrounded by sharks. Figures can be seen moving about the deck of the sinking ship, the crew appear to be exhausted, quietly fighting off hostile Sea Spawn unable to retreat any further. Only six orcs remain on the ship, the bodies of the felled crew feed the sharks below. The Finisterre pulls alongside the sinking ship and the party take action.
Z reaches the edge of the ship to cast Mantle of Majesty on four of the six orcs, granting them 5 additional hit points, though they're unable to move without provoking the sharks into an opportunity attack. Digby calls two giant eagles to attack the Sea Spawn.
Round 1:
Z casts Dissonant Whispers on one Sea Spawn to test their strength, the damage isn't enough to knock it down. She steps to the side of the ship's ladder to allow the party to cross.
Buu calls Momin from the lower decks, boarding the sinking ship to attack the Sea Spawn Recklessly. Buu turns into a Grung in the process.
Callius summons a second hand crossbow to dual wield, calling a Shape Creature to accompany him.
Kiri takes position portside, casting Sanctuary on Z to protect her from harm.
Remus follows Buu's lead, still under the effects of the "good voyage" potion. He jumps the distance, landing ungracefully on the deck with a soft "roar" becoming a Werewolf with his Hybrid Form to aid Buu in his attack.
Round 2:
Z casts Shatter on three Sea Spawn still attacking the remaining orc crew, killing two. She crosses the ladder to the sinking ship, turning back to grant Kiri Bardic Inspiration. Z draws her Rapier of Wounding, staring down the last Sea Spawn she left standing. The spawn turns on Z, aiming an attack her way as Rustok jumps to her aid, glancing the blow. Rustok alerts the party to a presence below deck.
Buu hears the last surviving orc crew member shout that there is a woman in need of protecting in the ruins on shore. Buu dashes to her aid, reaching a boulder in the shallows.
Callius and his Shape Creature board the sinking ship, making their way below deck to investigate Rustok's claim. A strange creature pushes past them to emerge on deck. Z fails a wisdom saving throw and becomes stunned. The creature "makes it selection" and disappears from sight. Three Hags appear in its place and attempt to attack.
Rustok knocks the nearby Sea Spawn prone.
Kiri casts Blight on a Sea Spawn.
Remus attempts a claw attack on the Sea Spawn that threw a javelin at him.
Digby casts Blight on the nearest Hag, it's companion uses Counterspell to cancel the spell. He calls his Eagles to attack the Hag using claw attacks.
Round 3:
Z is emotionally compromised from being stunned.