Episode 13: Getting Our Feet Wet

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**August 12, 2020**

This episode was a series of vignettes more than a cohesive story, so we'll split the summary into scenes.

We began this episode with the party split - Luberos, Ridgely, and Rhistelaboard The Flying Boulder and the rest aboard The Watchers' Eye. Koko Dotharl, Muud, and Dienaar Josephine met with Captain Adwaran, a broad shouldered and serious human, discussing the situation they were in. They decided to convoy together to the Arcanum, stopping to switch members out from the Flying Boulder.

In addition, two gnomish crew members were sent to the Flying Boulder to help with the sailing: Rimwar and Jaket. Ridgely had to work hard to wrest their names from them. Demonstrating a soft-spot he has for gnomish rights, Ridgely emphasized to them that they were now a part of his crew. Luberos and Ridgely offered them some rum to drink, which they initially declined, but after some pressure they eventually took sips. Rhistel went for a swim on that first night at sea, changing himself to a shark and diving as deep as he felt comfortable (ie. until it got dark and he got scared). At which point he resurfaced, and fortunately was able to smell the blood Ridgely had left in the water for him to follow back to the ship.

On the Watchers' Eye Josephine, Muud, and Koko went to the kitchens to get some pick-me-up bacon, where they met the head chef, Olbren, and his sous chef, Melmir. Olbren was the first Loxodon Muud or Koko had ever seen, so they were intrigued by him and asked some questions regarding his background. They also requested some food, which was promptly cooked up and served. Melmir was a dwarf, quiet and subservient to his master, Olbren. The trio moved to a small dining room to eat their food: bacon for Josephine, a nice rigatoni pasta for Muud, and a delightful plate of fried bull testicles for Koko. They had some nice distracting conversation about the food, especially when teasing Koko about the bull testicles (she didn't and still doesn't know what they are). Feeling uncomfortable at Josephine's silence and mourning, Muud excused himself so that Koko could comfort her and so that he didn't have to. He went back to the kitchens and helped the chefs chop some vegetables while grilling them with some questions. Koko continued to chat with Josephine, and in an attempt to distract Josephine from the loss of the Towenaar the conversation turned towards Koko's past and background. We learned about what it was like to live in Koko's world and with her people. Josephine also promised to try to reveal more to Koko once they reached the Arcanum by trying to meet with the Towenaar of Agriculture, who would potentially be most receptive of Koko.

Luberos eventually made his way onto the Watchers' Eye for his shift there, and made a point to talk to Josephine about his map of Frigate. As the map is very old, she recommends that he try to learn more about it at the Arcanum where he can find someone who knows about world history. She recommends the librarian, Volyn, who watches over the archives at the Arcanum - she trades knowledge for knowledge. Luberos asked Josephine how she was feeling after all that had happened in Kirogate. She responded, but it was really the sketch of the Towenaar's face in her open book that revealed to Luberos how sad she really was. He offered her condolences and a drink to the Towenaar, and then bid her goodbye.

Muud found some crewmates to play dice with and talk to about his treasure map. Of course, he did not reveal that he even had a map, but he did ask them pointed questions about a pirate named Fangald since it his his treasure marked on the map. The crew did not have very positive things to say about pirates in general, but one of them did think he'd heard of a Fangald. He told a "story" about a pirate raping, murdering, pillaging, etc. Basically a generic pirate story by someone who hates pirates. Muud was able to gleen one detail that could potentially be helpful - the pirate hailed form near Highgate. In addition he was able to win a bit of silver from the lads, so not a complete loss whatever happens with the treasure.

Ridgely initiated a conversation with Rim and Jak about Captain Adwaran and the gnome situation on the ship. They revealed there are 25 or so gnomes working on the Watchers' Eye, and that Captain Adwaran treats them reasonably well. Providing food, some rest, and good pay. Ridgely pushes further, though, and wants to know if he treats them like equals. They reveal that they don't expect him to since they are not equals. Ridgely insists that while they are on this ship (the boulder) the gnomes are equals with all the rest of the crew. They resist, but eventually they let Ridgely have his way, or at least they agree to let him treat them as equals if that's what he wants to do.

Koko spent some time communing with her dragon stone, attempting to contact the power within. She held the stone close, going into a trance, and she began to emit little blue lights around her. She pushed with her soul towards the stone, feeling the warmth and energy of the power within the stone, but she was unable to break through to the power. After a while of trying, she sighs and returns it to her bag.

On the fifth night of the trip, something spectacular happens in the sky. What started as a sort of small, normal meteor shower, which would already by amazing to see from the deck of a ship out to sea, slowly began to turn into a very heavy one. More and more streaks appeared through the sky made of blue, purple, white and green light. The falling stars became more and more dense, lighting up the sky. And there we stopped.