S02 - Seeking Solace

Date(s): 11–12 Mistfall 983

Location(s): Aboard the Starlight and Solace Station

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Overview

The crew sets course for Solace Station to assess damage and seek aid. Along the way, they gather what they can find aboard the ship. Unsettling dreams, faint magic, and whispers of deeper faction intrigue begin to stir.

Key Events

• Dream Message: Donny shares a vivid dream featuring the woman sealed in the coffin. She pleads, “I was never supposed to end up like this.”
  
• Captain’s Quarters Search:
  • Tsukihana finds a Potion of Healing, along with 100 gp. She initially pockets the coin but later offers it up when the crew discusses repair costs and shared expenses. (After a strong Deception roll, the remaining party members are thrilled by her generosity.)
  • A sealed parcel addressed to Donny is also discovered: a Heward’s Handy Spice Pouch, accompanied by a note — a Name Day present that Captain Marris never had the chance to give.
• Crew Quarters Search: Prim catalogs several items:
  • Amarra's spellbook, containing both standard and unfamiliar spells.
  • Amarra’s Constellation Mirror — a palm-sized mirror engraved with celestial runes, radiating faint abjuration. Stars appear in its reflection — but only as they would align on Talereth. An inner inscription reads: “No matter how lost, look up.”
  • A mysterious brass key, tucked into the footlocker of Tull Warrock, the suspected thief.
• Arcane Coffin Inspection: Prim magically inspects the Transport Coffin, revealing a complex magical weave layered with abjuration, illusion, enchantment, and necromancy. Its purpose remains uncertain, and the effect does not match any known spell.
  
• Solace Dock Contact: Upon arrival at Dock Nine (“Patch and Pray”), the crew meets Graskel "Grin" Norbit, a seasoned shipwright who recognizes the Starlight and offers discounted repairs in honor of Elion Marris. Even with the discount, the crew will have nearly nothing left after paying for the extensive repairs and forwarding wages of the deceased crew members to their next of kin.

Station Encounter – Scalded Glaive

• At Scalded Glaive, the crew notices a group seated at a corner table — alert, confident, and clearly expecting them.
  • Veyna Dask — a sharp-eyed half-orc in a leather longcoat. She sits with calm authority, clearly in command. Her presence dominates the space.
  • An elven man — ink-dark robes, arcane tattoos winding across his skin. He watches the crew intently, as if cataloging them.
  • A stocky human — buzz cut, armored vest, maul at his side. He remains silent but focused, his demeanor unshakable.
  • A lizardfolk — adorned with jewelry, he arrives bearing a parcel sized just like the one that contained the parasites. He speaks with an unusual cadence and wears a near-constant grin that blurs the line between friendly and predatory.
• Bartender Ketta Brimgul mentions a fifth crew member — "one of them shadowy elves", rarely seen off the ship, believed to be the Brinkhowl's pilot.
• Rynerm and Donny approach the rival crew’s table.

  • Veyna: “Didn’t expect to see you lot still upright. Small stars, huh?”

  • Scales: “They walk like folks still wondering what exploded. That makes them interesting.”

  This sparks a tense exchange — Rynerm and Donny accuse the other crew of attacking the Starlight, but carefully avoid naming the parasites or other specific details. The rival crew offers no admissions, instead implying that both sides may benefit from a deal. Rynerm and Donny reject the idea, offering only veiled threats. The rival crew remains unmoved.
• Later, Tsuki returns alone with a round of drinks. Veyna acknowledges the gesture, but only the lizardfolk actually drinks. Veyna once again floats the idea of a mutual arrangement, but as Finn, Donny and Rynerm rejoin the dialog, the conversation ultimately sours. Our crew departs, with no deal struck — but clear interest in isolating and questioning one of the rival crew alone.
• According to Ketta and Graskel, the Brinkhowl is known for speed and discretion. Veyna, its captain, has a reputation for cool-headed brinkmanship — and "doesn’t bluff unless she’s holding something nasty behind her back."

Clues & Discoveries (items logged here)

• Spellbook: Contains several wizard spells, including Breath Cache, Tenser's Floating Disk, and Thunderwave.
• Mirror: Grants its bearer a one-time effect: when reduced to 0 HP, the mirror can be shattered to remain at 1 HP instead.
• Brass Key: Found in Tull Warrock's footlocker in the crew quarters. The corresponding lock or function remains unknown.
• Coffin: Layered with enchantments and deception magic; clearly not a simple preservation coffin.
• Station Rumors:
  • Veyna mentions a new Drift Council forming and suggests she might crash the party.
  • Black mist has been sighted near volcanic vents on Tarrak-Zhu. Local miners avoid the area.
  • Scales reports unusual storm activity on Talereth, urging the crew to make sure their ship is fully repaired before planetfall. Or is his warning a veiled threat?

Final Notes

• The crew helps Graskel with repairs as they consider possible next steps:
  • Delivering the coffin to Highwater for a much-needed payday.
  • Seeking assistance from the Upper Station in an effort to speak with Corenthia Avae.
  • Tracing the parasite crate’s origin.
  • Investigating the mention of Sunreach Hold in the thieves’ cant note.

Closing Beat

The crew weighs how best to confront the rival team aboard the Brinkhowl — or whether to avoid them entirely. Solace offers rest… but not peace.