Silver Mists and Bloody Tides

(Left to Right) Sylvie, Jack, J'Kar Burin, Daxian Byrne. Art by Nebula Robo (https://nebularobo.weebly.com/)

### Number of PCs

4

**This campaign is a prelude to the Mordish Civil War.**

 This campaign documented a trip to the Southern Isles organized by Lord Keel and professor Janie Kerias. They were attempting to find long lost human enchantment rituals. The pirate Jack was hired as their guide. On the trip they followed a True Compass to Karabour where they fought off a siren, found a mosaic of Ghendar and a map of Piyla. After returning to the ship, the group set sail for Crow’s Harbor. On the way they were stopped by Curek the Iron Eye, and fled into the Glass Palace where Li-Shara greeted them and told them to be careful of whatever they found. In Crow’s Harbor, Jack reunited with his daughter Leucy. Then they headed into the jungle where they found a crypt with the human enchantment rituals and a codex predicting the end of the world. Back at sea they fought off Curek and brought the death of the pirate lord in what was later known as Iron Eye's Final Battle.

## Important Characters

### Player Characters

* Daxian Byrne: A mercenary from the Southern Isles, returning to his home for the first time in decades.
* Jack the Loadstar: The trip’s guide who previously was a famous pirate captain, searching the Isles for his daughter.
* J'Kar: A con man who tried to trick his way onboard by pretending to be the son of the noble who organized the trip.
* Sylvie: A student of magic from Cape Red, trying to distinguish herself and hone her craft.

### Important NPCs

* Curek the Iron Eye: The most feared of the Pirate Lords, who has a special hatred for Jack.
* Feerik: The Poi’Mareath first mate of the *Kirinda’s Jewel*.
* Genna: A student of archaeology, brought along by Janie
* Henrus Kline: A renowned Mordish professor of anthropology, now in his late sixties.
* Janie Kerias: A professor of archaeology whose discovery of a True Compass led to this trip.
* Leucy: The daughter of Jack and a deserter from the Roadani Navy.
* Lord Keel: The mysterious Lord who represents the person financing the trip.
* Palo: The student of Henrus Kline.

## Campaign Auxiliary Documents

All documents can be found in the “For Players” drive folder under Session Auxiliary and recordings/Campaign Supplemental/Silver Mists and Bloody Tides. A total of 10 additional documents were created for this game.

### Preludes

Jack’s Journal- A first person account of Loadstar’s escape from captivity and the beginnings of his pirate life. It is told through pages of Jack’s diary. There are 15 pages.

Jack’s Deal- A short prose on Lord Keel working the release of Jack from prison.

Lord Keel’s Letter- The letters written between Lord Keel and his master right before the journey. J’Kar intecrepted them and edited the second letter.

### Midgame Documents

Catalog- A prose about Palo set shortly after the groups return from Piyla. It is set in the hour between Strength, Justice, and Soul and the Fury of the Isles.

Daxian’s Thoughts- Players were asked to write a short reflection after session seven. This is Daxian’s.

Jack’s Last Bottle- Players were asked to write a short reflection after session seven. This is Jack’s. It is in the form of a message written to his wife, which was to be delivered by the tides.

J’Kar’s Reflections- After every session J’Kar wrote a short reflection from his perspective. After Under the Knife and Strength, Justice, and Soul, he co-wrote a conversation between J’Kar and Lord Keel.

Sylvie Felt Tired- Players were asked to write a short reflection after session seven. This is Sylvie’s.

### Epilogue

The Codex of Verin Teval- A transcript of the script found in the angel’s eye on Karabour and the Codex of Verin Teval found on Piyla. It is accompanied with a note written by Janie Kerias.

Before the Hall- A short story set several months after the campaign. It is a conversation between Janie and Keel where they discuss the future of the Mordish rebellion.

## Summary

Daxian, Sylvie, J'Kar, and Lord Keel stood on the docks of Cape Red looking out onto the water. It was the middle of Spring, the first of the month Sharus of the year AeP 446, and the time of the algal bloom. Out to the horizon the ocean was red as sin. The Blood Tides of the cape had long caught the attention of poets and sailors alike. It was easy to see why. The red waters were enthralling in the way the surface twisted and churned in the wakes of ships. Only a day from now the *Kiranda’s Jewel* would be out on the seas setting sail for the mysterious Southern Isles. The exact details of the expedition were so far unclear. They only knew somewhere in the Isles was a treasure trove of ancient relics waiting to be found. The trip was funded by a mysterious patron acting through the cryptic Lord Keel.

The four were on the docks waiting for one more crewman. Keel raised a bronze spyglass to his eye. *“They’re here”* he said simply. From the Southwest came a ship with a black hull and sails to match the tides. It flew high the dragon banner of Roadon. Keel stood with his usual stoic composure, looking down at a small wooden chest in his hands. The others had only known him for a few days but they had yet to see him drop his calm and unsettling demeanor. The other three were an odd assortment themselves. Sylvie was young. Born and raised in Cape Red, she had studied magic all her life. This was her chance to prove her name and find a noble patron. Daxian was a mercenary from the Southern Isles. He had lived most of his life on the mainland. In addition to the generous pay, this would be his chance to learn about his first home. Then there was J’Kar. A young man of high birth none yet knew what to make of.

### Session One: Blood Tide

Shortly the Roadani warship pulled into the harbor. Walking down the gangplank was a pair of soldiers, then an officer in a red robe and a black turban, then a man in simple brown clothes. He was Jack a weathered sailor, and the guide of this trip. Lord Keel handed the box to the Roadani officer. The officer cracked it open, looking inside. All that could be glimpsed before the officer slammed it shut, was a few papers. He nodded and Keel shook his hand, the transaction complete. Lord Keel handed Jack some silver so that he could buy whatever gear he needed, and informed the group that they were to set sail tomorrow morning after a briefing that evening. Before that, he needed them to run an errand. He gave them instructions on where to go to pick up an enchanted ballista. Then he left, ignoring J’Kar’s protests on his way off. J’Kar felt this task was too trivial for him to do. This prompted Jack and Daxian to begin poking fun at him. The taunting only got worse as they followed Jack. The middle aged sailor bought himself clothes and a shave.

Soon they found themselves in the less reputable part of Cape Red. Clearly Lord Keel had purchased the ballista in a way where he could circumvent the Kaiser's tax on enchantment. With a knock on a non-descript door the group entered a dirty and dark warehouse. They were escorted to the back by a tough looking man with a large club strapped to his waist. There they found their ballista as well as four more thugs. Sylvie quickly inspected the weapon, confirming it was properly enchanted. She hurried to the back of the room trying to remain out of sight. To no one's surprise there was a complication. The leader of the thugs informed everyone that it had been a little more expensive than he thought. Some extra money would be needed. As Daxian and Jack began to go for their weapons, J’Kar tried to talk him down. An extra sixty regents were needed. J’Kar laughed at the amount and handed it over with an extra ten for a tarp to cover the weapon. Daxian cringed knowing that since J’Kar exposed his money the thugs might try to take the rest. But it was clear that a fight wasn’t what they wanted. They did not want to cross Lord Keel.

The four headed back to the dock. Sylvie was eager to be done with this clandestine work. About halfway back they had the misfortune to bump into a Mordish patrol. The soldiers asked what they had under the tarp. Before J’Kar could speak up, Daxian simply said “supplies” The guards believed him and with the help of J’Kar were talked away. However J’Kar was bothered by Daxian. J’Kar felt he should handle any talking and quickly let the mercenary know. It was an uncomfortable walk back to the *Kirinda’s Jewel*.

## Feerik, First Mate

Feerik was the first mate aboard the Jewel. He was in charge of battle. Art by https://www.instagram.com/al.docx/

When they reached the ship they pushed the ballista up the ramp and were greeted by the Captain. Melar Peterson was an older well dressed man with an anchor tattoo on his right hand. He greeted them warmly and introduced his first mate Feerik, a Poi’Mareath. Feerik was the most armed person on the ship, passing even Daxian. He took the ballista and went off with some of the crew to install it. Sylvie hurried off to the room she was sharing with the other students on the trip. All three students were from Cape Red University. The others were Palo who studied anthropology under Lord Professor Henrus Kline, and Genna who studied archaeology under Professor Janie Kerias. Meanwhile Jack and Daxian were becoming acquainted with the crew. The two men were sharing a room. This was after Jack had decided to remove all his clothes and take a swim. J’Kar went to speak with Lord Keel. The cryptic noble had taken the captain’s quarters for his room. J’Kar tried to suck up but was quickly shut down by the advice of the ever blunt Lord Keel. J’Kar made a note and went to find his way to his quarters. He was bunking alone in a modest room.

That evening Keel organized a meeting of all the important people on the ship. This included him, the captain, Feerik, Jack, J’Kar, Daxian, the two students, and two scholars. They were the old respected Lord Professor Kline, and the young adventurous Janie Kerias. She was the first to talk at the meeting. She and Genna had discovered an old compass in an ancient ruin in Northern Mordehall. This compass was not pointing North. It was a True Compass pointing to some predetermined location in the Southern Isles. Everyone turned to Jack, who told them it was pointing towards an island called Karabour. He told them stories of the island, stories of boiling water, sixty foot serpents, and giant eagles with feathers of metal. He told them of its three lakes and the people who lived there. Many in the room, especially J'Kar, didn't believe Jack. The young noble even went so far as to openly dismiss his claims, to the ire of Lord Keel.

At first light the sails were set and the journey began. The *Kirinda’s Jewel* slid through the Blood Tide heading South. Jack and Daxian stood on the deck with the crew. They noticed that while Melar was the captain, the crew seemed to follow Feerik. He led them in shanties often singing the raunchiest parts himself. Jack joined in and soon so did Daxian. Sylvie and the other academics got together to discuss what possibly could be found on Karabour.  They all agreed to try and make sure as much as possible got into their hands instead of the hands of the nobility. That night all the VIPs got an invite to dinner from Lord Keel. He was not making it optional.

Dinner was served in the captain’s private mess, fresh bread from the docks, fish along with steamed vegetables, and wine. Though the food was not great it was much better than the normal rations. By the time most got there L.P. Kline was already drunk. Soon everyone was there except Lord Keel. J’Kar began making polite conversation with Kline. J’Kar insisted Kline looked familiar to him. Kline asked where he had studied. J’Kar gave the names of a few universities. Kline exclaimed that his awful ex-wife taught art at one of those and he used to teach there as well. The conversation pivoted as Captain Peterson began to talk about his life and his close encounters with pirates as a member of the Mordish Navy. Though none of his tales were particularly exciting, people listened anyway. The conversation pivoted again as someone asked why exactly J’Kar was on this expedition. He began to say that his father sent him here to offer a different view. Just as he was trying to explain this, Lord Keel walked into the dinner. He assured the rest that J’Kar spoke with his voice, that they were working together. The rest of the dinner passed in conversation about the journey. Although it was made more uncomfortable by the presence of Lord Keel.

Dinner soon wrapped up. As Sylvie, Jack, J’Kar and Daxian went back to their quarters, they saw someone leaving J’Kar’s room. Daxian and Jack took off after him. The mercenary grabbed the man’s foot and Jack quickly punched the back of the man’s head. He was knocked out cold. They dragged him back to J’Kar’s room so they could talk to him privately. It took him a while to wake up. With Daxian flexing behind him to intimidate the crewman, J'Kar conducted the interrogation. It turned out he had been hired in Cape Red to watch J’Kar and investigate him. He had been looking for any sign of who the lord was that sponsored this trip. With this information somehow J’Kar convinced the man they were in fact working together. So they let him go confident he wouldn't be an issue.

Come morning J’Kar felt he should tell Lord Keel about the man in his quarters. He went to the noble’s office. Lord Keel promised to look into it. J’Kar also expressed his concerns about their guide. He felt Jack was not trustworthy. Lord Keel wasn’t worried. He expressed his confidence in Jack and his abilities. He also suggested J’Kar talk to Jack. So as Sylvie spent the time looking for sea stones, Jack and J’Kar talked. Jack explained his fondness for over-exaggeration was actually a ploy. When he spoke of the sixty foot serpents on Karabour it was so people wouldn’t be as worried by forty foot snakes. J'Kar, though reluctant, accepted Jack’s methods.

The third day at sea passed without incident. Sylvie continues to look for godstones with no luck. The rest of the crew slowly got acquainted with each other. Jack and Daxian fit right in with the sailors. But as the sun began to set a great grey wall was seen on the horizon. A storm was coming. Lord Keel ushered most of the VIPs down below decks as the crew with some help from J’Kar and Sylvie, began to batten down the hatches. Jack and Daxian stayed above decks to help the crew run the storm. Melar let Jack take the wheel of the ship as the sailor had more experience with this than the captain. Jack needing something to keep the rain out of his eyes asked the captain for his hat. Peterson handed in right over. Feerik barked orders to the crew and they all got ready. Then the storm hit. Violent winds, huge waves, and heavy rain pounded the *Kirinda’s Jewel*. Jack did his best to right the ship. Daxian added his strength to the crew as they swung the sails. There was a loud crack as a bolt of lightning struck the side of the ship, blowing off some boards from a large hartch on the side exposing the lower deck to the raging waters, and lighting a fire on the top deck. Most of the crew had been scattered by the blast but Daxian and Jack hung on. The mercenary noticed the sail flailing wildly. Suddenly one of the booms was swinging right at him. He grabbed it as it passed. It swung out above the water but the combined weight of Daxian and the wooden boom was perfect. Jack turned the ship into an oncoming wave dousing the fire. Below decks this led to a problem. Professor Kline was dazed from the sudden strike of lightning. He was tethering dangerously close to the open hatch. Both Sylvie and J’Kar ran to grab him as the ship turned suddenly. J’Kar was able to pull him back but knocked into Sylvie. She flew right out the hatch into the storming waves below. Immediately realizing what he had done J’Kar grabbed a rope tying it to himself. He called for help so that someone could anchor him. Only Lord Keel was cognizant enough to help. As Keel held the rope J’Kar jumped out to get Sylvie. Fortunately Sylvie was comfortable in water being a skilled ocean mage. Though in a storm even the best swimmers would drown. J’Kar was able to find her and with the help of Keel, get back onboard righting his mistake.

It was a long and uncomfortable night but in the end they made it through with no losses. Jack returned the hat to the captain and went to sleep, happy with his work. In the golden light of the rising sun was an emerald green smudge, the Island of Karabour.

### Session Two: A Dead God Walks These Jungles

By late morning the passengers of the Kirinda’s Jewel were slightly better rested. By having Captain Peterson sail east and west, Janie Kerias determined that the compass was indeed pointing to a spot on Karabour. As the ship sailed around the island, the expedition was organized. Kline was not feeling well after the storm. He decided to stay on the ship. Feerik and some crew would row Jack, J’Kar, Daxian, and the other academics ashore. J’Kar was surprised that Lord Keel wasn’t going himself. He was able to surmise that Keel was testing him in some way.

The trip ashore was smooth. The Poi’Mareath first mate rowed steadily through the blue waves. Everyone tried to guess what would be found. Jack and J’Kar argued. It ended when Jack pushed the other man off the boat then jumped off himself, much to the amusement of Feerik. J’Kar was helped back over by Daxian. Soon the dinghy reached the shore. As people began to climb out they noticed all the crew members of the ship spitting in the ocean when they stepped onto land, an old sailor’s tradition. Feerik informed the group that he would stay here all day and come back every morning. Should the group take longer than a week to return, Lord Keel would decide to stay or not. Just as the expedition group was walking up the white sands into the thick jungle, Feerik called to Sylvie. He had found one of Li-Shara’s godstones in the waves. He tossed it to the young student with the words *“Just lucky I guess”*

Much to the frustration of Jack they did not walk for long. After only half an hour J’Kar and the students were tired and needed a rest. The group sat down to drink. Before they could settle in, they heard people approaching. They swung around to confront whoever it was. A dozen Islanders stepped out from the jungle. They were a disordered group. All wearing various scraps of armor and stone jewelry. Each was armed with a different weapon, likely scavenged from somewhere. The seven explorers found themselves surrounded. The Islanders were angry at the group for landing on Karabour, demanding to know why they were here. J’Kar tried to convince the Islanders they were simply here on a botany expedition. Everyone else slowly went for their weapons knowing they were vastly outnumbered. Fortunately the Islanders bought J’Kar’s story, but Palo spoke up confused, disagreeing with J’Kar. So J’Kar smacked him, yelling for Palo to be quiet. Palo turned to Professor Kerias for support, but she went along with the ruse and told him to be quiet. This convinced the Islanders and they left the group alone. Not wanting to stay longer the explorers left too.

Karabour was an unsettling place. The thick jungle trees were draped in vines, the air humid and full of flies, the ground muddy. Only a few beams of golden light made it through the canopy. Tropical birds sat in the trees and small rodents moved through the underbrush. As of yet there was no sign of the mighty serpents or the steel eagles Jack had mentioned, but the old sailor did notice a normal snake hiding in the lower branches of the trees. With a well thrown rock he knocked it down and quickly killed it. Much to the disgust of everyone else he draped the dead snake over his shoulders. Soon after came a call of a raptor. The Great Eagles of Ghendar had found the group. Three of the birds swooped down on them. They were big, bigger than most birds of prey, with yellow eyes and steel feathers. They dove down slashing with their steel talons. Jack, Daxian, and Sylvie got into a fighting position while J’Kar tried his hardest to help. Janie grabbed a big stick from the ground trying to protect Genna and Palo. One eagle went for Jack slashing at him, another for Daxian, and the last for J’Kar. Daxian threw an axe, Jack and Sylvie tried to strike the eagles with their weapons. J’Kar quickly moved near a tree, grabbing a vine and throwing it near the eagle. It caught the bird tangling it and dropping it to the ground, but not before the monster struck his arm. Quickly the eagle that Daxian was fighting swooped away from him going for the academics. It got past Kerias and swiped at Genna. In a spray of blood she dropped to the ground. Those not engaged with eagles tried to draw the attention away from the injured girl. Jack, who had been struck by one of the eagles, quickly swiped out with his sword killing the first eagle. Daxian ran to the one on the ground beheading it with his axe. The last one flew for him. Sylvie ran up behind the flying bird to strike it with her spear. She fought well for an academic and killed the last eagle.

Everyone ran to check on Genna. Her cut was deep but not life threatening. She had managed to bring up her arm to block the eagle, stopping it from hitting anything vital but leaving her arm mangled. Sylvie tried her best to patch everyone up, but she did not have much medical knowledge and only was able to make sure the wounds didn’t get worse. It was obvious Genna wouldn’t be able to proceed with them, despite her insistence that she could. It was decided to take her back to the Kirinda’s Jewel. After a short argument Jack walked her back to Feerik. He was the only one they trusted to go alone through the jungle. Upon seeing the girl Feerik got worried and helped her into the rowboat to take her back to the ship. Jack walked back alone in the jungle.

By evening the expedition had reached the shore of one of Karabour’s three lakes. The beach was made of small pebbles and steam poured off the surface of the water. Those who felt it found the water to be hot. Not quite boiling but almost painful to touch. In the distance on was an island cloaked in shadow. There the compass pointed. They discussed their goal. The island worried Jack. He spoke of ancient mysteries and dangerous stories surrounding these islands. He was almost on the verge of refusing to go. Some, especially J'Kar, found his stories vague and silly, but none could deny the aura of danger coming from the lake. This was a problem to be decided in the morning.

J’Kar had the first watch. When the others slept he dropped his posture. The watch provided an opportunity to get his thoughts in order. He could almost see what Jack was getting at with his superstition. An alligator crawled from the water. The two looked at each other, neither feeling the need to fight. The reptile walked off into the mist. As J’Kar was getting comfortable again, a horrid shrill scream that sounded of thunder, echoed across the water. It was one of the worst things J’Kar had ever heard. He shivered. Sylvie felt unease on her watch. She was out of her element. She had never left Cape Red before and now found herself here in immediate danger. Sylvie steadied herself, ready to take on what challenges would come. She would prove herself. Daxian on the other hand felt calm. After so many years he was home, and it felt right to him. For the first time he found creedence in his father's stories. Janie thought about her trip here. From finding the compass to the storm and the eagles. She worried for her student and the trip ahead. All her life she had been trying to find something like this. Now it only lay half a mile away. Jack felt comfort being back here. These islands had always brought him peace of mind and fortune. At the end of his watch he heard the horrible echo. It scared him more than anything.

As everyone woke up Jack continued to stare across the ocean. Finally, as people started to make their breakfast, he spoke up. In the waters of the lake before them was a siren. A terrible creation of the old sea god. It was like a woman and a seal with an eagle's beak and insatiable hunger. Sirens were the worst fear of any sailor. Palo, worried by these stories, insisted they turn back and walked off. Daxian followed him, telling Palo that he too was scared of death. Every time he fought he worried, but he bested that fear by fighting. The other four tried to think of anything they could do to stop the siren. They talked long and Janie insisted they go. To turn back now would be for her life’s work to end.

### Session Three: Echoes of the Ancients

The siren posed a serious issue. One scream would be enough to leave them with permanent hearing damage. Even with ear protection it was dangerous. Sirens were known to be strong swimmers and vicious killers. Jack knew of a special type of tree sap the group could stick in their ears to block out as much noise as possible. It smelled foul but would do the job. The second problem could only be lessened. Sylvie tried to think of a spell to halt the advance of the beast. The group also had to make a raft. Janie, Sylvie, and J’Kar found wood and stripped the bark while Jack and Daxian lashed the raft with vines. Palo sat off to the side, no one wanting him in the way. Janie took this opportunity to talk to Sylvie and J’Kar. She asked why they were on this trip and reaffirmed her desire to cross the lake. J’Kar tried to use this opportunity to scare the two others about what Lord Keel would do with the treasure. They all agreed he couldn’t be trusted.

Finally the raft was completed. Sylvie used a sea stone to create protection around the vessel, summoning a current pushing out that could hopefully repel any attacker. After working out a few hand signals, the group put the sap in their ears and began to cross. Steam from the hot lake mixed with the fog, as their paddles splashed water onto the raft without a sound. In the water were several large sharp-toothed fish circling in the current. The island got closer as the minutes ticked by.

J’Kar noticed all the fish leave. Suddenly there was a horrible cry. It was like the sound from last night amplified to incredible strength. The cry shook everyone’s bones and rattled their minds. Even through the sap the pain was incredible. Janie dropped down, mouth open in a scream no one could hear. Everyone else grabbed at their ears, everyone but Palo. He was walking forward serene, caught in the siren’s trance. He gazed across the water. Ahead of them was a terrible face, disgusting it was a mess of tangled black hair, wrinkled skin, huge yellow eyes and a foul beak. Faster than seemed possible even with Sylvie’s current, the siren streaked towards Palo. J’Kar jumped up, grabbing Palo to prevent him from walking off, but was not strong enough to stop him. Daxian struck Palo in the back of the head, knocking him out and forcing him to slump down at the front of the raft, now with J’Kar in between him and the siren. She leapt from the water hitting J’Kar. Fortunately for him, Jack had managed to deflect most of the blow with his cutlass. The siren landed behind the raft swept away by the current. Those who had gotten a quick look at her noticed she was emaciated and had a jade fragment stuck in her shoulder. Even trapped as she was in this lake, she was strong enough to cut J’Kar deep.

Daxian and Jack frantically rowed for the shore. A minute passed and the shadowy island approached. J’Kar realized what was happening. The siren was going to attack from below. He jabbed his hand down. Sylvie understood and with as much force as she could, pushed down with the current. She felt the siren being carried away. The island was so close now. The ancient horror appeared behind the raft and let out one more scream. It shook everyone again but now they were too close to the island for the siren to follow. They pulled the raft ashore and ran into the dark trees dragging Palo along. Ears ringing, they looked at the environment around them. The shores of the island were littered with bones picked clean and rusted weapons. The trees here leaked shadow, their canopies covering the sky. No birds, animals, or insects lived here. Even when they took the sap out of their ears it was quiet. They took a rest. Sylvie once again tried to help those who were injured. When Palo woke up it was clear he was concussed, but the blow from Daxian had saved his life.

Once they recovered, Janie led them through the forest, guided by the True Compass. It took fifteen minutes for them to reach their goal. Below them was a rusted metal door caked in dirt from thousands of years of rest. With some effort Daxian pried it open to reveal a dark winding staircase. Jack led the way down with a makeshift torch. The whole group was barely through the trapdoor when Palo, still concussed, slipped. He knocked down J’Kar and they almost knocked over Professor Kerias, but she caught them before they could fall on Jack. Everyone yelled at Palo.

Below the stairs was a circular room with three flat stone walls. The compass pointed towards the middle one. Janie told the group this was a common technique. Behind one wall would be the path forward, behind the other two was a reservoir of water. Breaking the wrong wall would flood the room, probably killing them all. As most of the group discussed how to pick a wall, Jack walked up to each one. He placed his hand to the walls and listened. Behind two of the walls he heard the familiar sea. Behind the rightmost wall he heard nothing. He struck that wall before anyone could stop him. It cracked and no water lay on the other side. Despite the rest of the group’s irritation at his rash action they couldn’t argue with the results. The hallway before them was ancient. A broken axe stuck out from the ceiling, meant to swing down at anyone who walked by. Now it was rusted in place, easy to avoid.

The final chamber was dominated by a mosaic on the back wall that was still pristine despite the long years since its creation. The tiny tiles depicted a great scene, in the center a tall dominating man with long white hair, golden armor, and a steel eagle on his shoulder. He held an opal glaive in one hand and a whip in the other. There was something about him that demanded respect even through the mosaic. Flanking him were a man and a woman, each with a set of huge white feathered wings. Their eyes shone in the torchlight and they commanded almost as much attention as their leader. The three stood in a great pillared stone hall, large enough that the walls were lost in shadow. The room had no roof, the sky above writhed in storm clouds sparking with white lighting. Janie held up her torch in awe. It was Ghendar, the first god to die. Flanking him were two people that only existed in stories, angels from myth. Before the mosaic were several bars of iron, a sky stone, rusted weapons, and a map of an island Jack identified as Piyla with an X on the western edge, along with words in an ancient dialect of the elder tongue. Even Janie could not translate it.

The six explorers wandered around the room for a while almost lost in a trance. Janie stared at the mosaic trying to get it all in. Jack decided to sketch it. J’kar looked for more secrets. In one of the Angel’s eyes he found an odd tile. Before any academics could protest he pried it off. Sitting inside the cavity was a small scroll in the same unreadable dialect as the map. That broke the professor from her trance. The treasure they sought was not here, but this was the first step. They had to decide what to do with this. Janie explained how revolutionary this was. This was the second ever discovery of a primary source from before the War of Ascendance. It proved the Old Gods had the secret of human enhancement before the war. What they found on Piyla might radically alter the world. Adding to this was the fact that the runes on the compass talked of enchantment. Sylvie recognized them as such. This worried J’Kar, who suggested they try to keep the discovery from Lord Keel. He revealed to the gathered group that he was not actually the bastard son of a lord, but a con man who forged his way onto the ship. He tried to convince the group to keep most of what they found a secret. He didn’t have trouble convincing Janie. He convinced Daxian by promising him a little extra money. Jack began to redraw the mural with the winged servants as Poi’Mareath. As he did, the group tried to figure out what to do once they found the rituals. Janie and Sylvie refused to destroy them. Even if this secret was harmful it was better than destroying knowledge. Plus Janie suggested someone else might have the secret to human enchantment already. Rumors spoke of a girl in Spring Dale who glowed with the light of day. The group thought about what lay ahead and all promised to not tell Lord Keel. Palo was concussed and would remember none of this. As everyone worked to gather the various relics, J'Kar asked Janie what she suggested they do if they did find these scrolls. She mentioned she had some people she could give them to, scholars in Threnarau who would keep the secret. The exact details she kept vague. J'Kar, somewhat satisfied, left her alone. Janie then pulled Sylvie aside and asked if she was comfortable with this. Sylvie assured her she was. Even so Professor Kerias promised to look after the young student.

After all was gathered and chronicled it was time to leave. They walked back, picking their way through the ancient tunnel and the shadowy forest to their makeshift raft. Sylvie worked another spell, they put the sap back in their ears, and they were off. Again there was silence as they paddled across. For several minutes there was nothing, then another ear-splitting scream hit them, somehow more horrible than the last. In a panic Daxian grabbed one of the ancient axes found in the reliquary. Terrified, he threw the priceless weapon, grazing the Sren’Kana. She howled and dove under the lake. Everyone had been so preoccupied with the beast that they didn’t notice how calm Janie was. She stood up and dove after the siren. Jack made a split second decision, dropped his sword and dove into the hot waters after her.

Below the raft the water was murky and thick. Jack frantically searched for Janie, catching sight of her boot as she disappeared below. He followed, grabbing her foot and trying to pull her up. Coming from the depths was a pale face with a raptor’s beak. The siren grabbed Kerias’s arm, catching the professor. The people on the raft tried to figure out what to do. Sylvie couldn’t push the siren away because her teacher would be caught in the tide. Daxian couldn’t paddle away because it would leave people behind. J’Kar dropped down to try and pull the others onto the raft. Below the lake, Jack struggled with the siren for the life of Janie. The monster was much stronger than the old sailor. He had to try something desperate. With his cestus he threw an underwater punch at the Sren’Kana. Somehow he connected with force. His fist cracked her beak. She let go of the professor and lashed at Jack. Her claw racked his side drawing blood in a serious wound. But that was all J’Kar needed to pull Kerias from the lake. She lay on the raft unconscious. Daxian maneuvered the raft so Jack wasn’t under it and tried to shove the siren away with his oar. Below the water Jack was losing breath and bleeding heavily. Even with a cracked beak the ancient horror was still an incredibly dangerous foe. She struck him again. J’Kar reached back underwater deeper this time to grab Jack. He held the sailor but in the process lost the sap from his right ear. It slipped down into the depths. Sylvie finally was able to push the siren away as she was no longer holding anyone. The beast retreated but Sylvie lost control of the spell once everyone was back on the raft. Ignoring his injuries Jack went to Kerias as Daxian frantically rowed out. She was not breathing. Jack reached down and resuscitated her. Once more the Siren returned. It streaked towards the raft. Onboard the explorers forced themselves up, ready to ward her off. It was Sylvie who saved the day. Using the storm stone, she called down a bolt of lighting right in front of the beast. Letting off one more scream the Siren fled, but J’Kar had lost his hearing protection. With immense pain he grabbed his ear, realizing he couldn’t hear from his right side. With the siren vanquished Sylvie could no longer stay awake. The effort of spellcasting had been too much. She fell asleep next to Janie as Daxian rowed everyone back to the shore.

### Session Four: Under the Knife

The rest on the lakeshore was much needed. Slowly they made their way back to the shore, Daxian supporting Palo. They reached Feerik as the orange sun began to set. The first mate greeted them and offered help. As they rowed back to the Kirinda’s Jewel, Feerik asked them about the trip. They told him of the terror of the siren, as well as the map they found. Seeing their mental state, Feerik offered them rum, which Jack happily took. He had just fended off his worst nightmare. The crewmen remarked that they had heard the siren from here. That was enough to scare them.

Returning to the ship was a relief. Even though the ship rocked in the water, the solid boards were a welcome change from the sand and mud. They found Lord Keel there laughing with Captain Peterson. He greeted them, and briefly made eye contact with J’Kar, smirking ever so slightly. He noticed they were injured and told them he was a proficient doctor, but he needed thirty minutes to set up and Sylvie’s help. Lord Keel had already bandaged Genna’s arm. She was still disappointed she missed the adventure.

By the time Keel was ready for surgery Jack was drunk. He stumbled his way to the makeshift infirmary. It was a small, stark room, with only a table covered with a white cloth and a bag of surgical tools placed upon it. He handed Sylvie a mortar and pestle, showing her a combination of herbs from Mordehall that would produce an anti-infection salve. Lord Keel got to work cleaning the gash on Jack’s side. As he did so he questioned Jack about the reliquary. He pried the old sailor for details without making suggestions. When the surgery was over, Lord Keel dismissed him and told him to find J’Kar. The process repeated. Lord Keel asked the same questions he did to Jack. They kept their stories consistent, not mentioning the scroll found in the angel’s eye a secret or the angels themselves. When Lord Keel finished the second surgery, he turned to Sylvie and asked her to leave the room. She did so without objection. Keel confronted J’Kar, revealing he knew that the other man was a fraud but he was impressed with the quality of the forgery and the fact that he had survived Karabour. However the content in the forged letter J’Kar had given him was wrong. Using that and the con-man’s name, Keel had found him out. Keel offered J’Kar the chance to work with him. The threat was implied if J’Kar said no. J’Kar told Keel he would consider the offer and left.

Jack meanwhile was trying to forget the siren. He raided the stockroom for rum which he found plenty of. He spent most of the night drinking and singing shanties with the crew. Come morning he awoke with a nasty hangover. Crawling his way to the galley he found Feerik who gave him an orange and some more rum. Jack downed the rum and much to the disgust of Daxian, ate the orange without peeling it.

The sun was shining bright that day, burning off some of the mists. The blue waters held tropical fish and dolphins swimming in the ship’s wake. The green island of Karabour was now a smudge in the background. It was slow going moving through the reefs, even with Jack’s guidance. The trip to Piyla had to be plotted. Jack, J’Kar, Sylvie, Daxian, Lord Keel, and Kline gathered in the expedition room to figure out what to do next. It would take five days to get to Piyla if they skirted close to the Glass Palace, home of the goddess Li-Shara the Tide Keeper. All sailors of the South knew of her home and knew her one commandment. Steer clear of the Palace. Breaking the taboo was punishable by death.

Noted was the absence of Janie Kerias. Genna had the answer to this. She took Sylvie and Jack to the professor's room. Janie was very sick. She had a fever, pale skin, weakness, blurred vision, and was sweating profusely. Jack recognized this as a disease called the White Pox. Jack knew where a cure would be found. In the pirate port of Crow’s Harbor on Piyla. However they needed to make sure she could make it the five days. Sylvie had an idea but needed an ocean stone. With magic she could make sure that Janie would survive the trip. The student convinced Daxian to help find one. Not worrying about the mercenary's safety, Sylvie lowered Daxian off the back of the ship by a rope so he could search the water for a godstone. It wasn’t safe but after a few hours he found one. Sylvie handed him a few regents and rushed down to Janie. She used the godstone to channel the resilience of the ocean. She made Janie more resilient to the disease. It would be enough to get her to Crow’s Harbor. Janie woke up long enough to thank her students and tell them how impressed she was with their work so far.

They traveled south through the day and night. Jack led them through the reefs communicating from the bow of the ship. In the morning they were greeted with an unwelcome sight. The light of day highlighted a pirate ship to the north, getting closer as the hours passed. The ship flew several flags below its own. Jack informed them that these were flags taken from conquered vessels. Someone suggested that beating this ship and taking their flag might deter other pirates. This was overruled and they decided to run. Fortunately the ship was in range of the enchanted ballista. Daxian manned the weapon. With his first shot he cleared the miles between the ships striking their bow, destroying one of their weapons. With his next few he punched holes in the sails slowing it down. This allowed Jack to take the wheel of the Kirinda’s Jewel and turn sharply. The ship slid into the safety of the mists.

They went the next day and most of the one after undisturbed. The mists thickened as they got closer to the Glass Palace. Soon they couldn’t see thirty feet in front of the ship. Directions had to be called out from the bow to Melar, who was steering. Things got quieter and the mood of the crew dampened. Suddenly in the late afternoon a beam of red light burned its way through the mist. On the other end of the beam was Curek the Iron Eye, one of the three Pirate Lords. Jack knew him as a cruel man with a penchant for taking slaves and scuttling ships. The hulking ship he commanded was called Kretyyl’s Breath for the volcano in the south of the Isles. It was said to be enchanted with stronstregnth and unbreakable. He called to them voice magically enchanted

## The flag of Iron Eye

*“I am Curek called the Iron Eye. I am the high priest of the Isles and the Will of the Waves. These tides do not tolerate outsiders. Your ship is forfeit, your cargo is forfeit, and your lives are forfeit. Pray to the Goddess I judge them well.”*

Aboard the Mordish ship there was panic. They couldn’t outrun the ship or outfight it. That left them two choices, try and lose Iron Eye in the mist, or flee to the Glass Palace. Iron Eye would not follow them there, but they would face the wrath of Li-Shara. Many thought the Glass Palace was the way to go. But Jack refused. Then they noticed Feerik standing slack jawed on the bow of the ship. He was the only one not looking towards Kretyyl’s Breath, but instead into the mists towards the home of Li-Shara. Suddenly Jack and Sylvie felt a pull, a turn in the tides leading them inward. Feerik spoke. He believed Li-Shara was calling them into the mists. J’Kar took it as an invitation and Jack reluctantly allowed them to break the Taboo. They turned the sail and left Curek behind.

The mists thickened and the tides carried them through the waves. Soon they pulled up against a stone cliff towering twenty feet above the deck. Emerging from the mists above, were two tall warriors clad head to toe in jade armor, with jade glaives and jade masks. They jumped from the down from the cliff, splintering the deck where they landed. The soldiers stood back to back holding their weapons ready. They demanded to know who dared enter the Glass Palace? The passengers rushed to defend themselves speaking of the welcoming tide. The two jade warriors lowered their weapons to a more passive posture. They said it was indeed true that they had been welcomed. In fact the goddess wished to speak with some aboard. They told Jack, Sylvie, and Feerik to come forth. They then asked if anyone else felt worthy to go. Only Daxian raised his hand. He was accepted as a Son of the Isles. Lord Keel who had rushed to the deck when Curek attacked, for once was left confused and unsure. J’Kar too wished to join. This was met with hostility but when Feerik and the others vouched for him, he was allowed to enter. One of the warriors jumped up to the top of the cliff and threw a rope down. The chosen climbed up and the other warrior jumped after them. They walked in single file through the thickest mists, their guides silent. Soon they reached the edge of a cliff. Below them was a vast archipelago clear of mists. It was surrounded by a circular stone wall two miles in diameter. On the islands below them was a wooden village. The air was warm and smelled of salt. People moved below going about their business fishing, making nets, practicing with weapons, or just lounging. All this was overshadowed by the huge structure in the middle of the ring. It was a mass of jagged rock spiking up into the air hundreds of feet tall in a triangle shape. The lower parts were covered in algae as it was ringed by water. The only way in was a feeble wooden bridge leading to a jagged hole in the walls. This was the Glass Palace. This was the home of the goddess Li-Shara.

The two jade warriors pulled their helmets off to reveal their faces. They were both Poi'Mareath, one man and one woman. They were not Poi’Mareath of the sky like Feerik. They had a blue line on their face instead of a white one. They were beings of the ocean, a bloodline that was supposed to have been wiped out in the War of Ascendance. Everyone here in fact was an ocean Poi’Mareath. The last of their kind. They led the outsiders through the village and towards the wooden bridge, across it and into the Palace. The door was flanked by two more jade warriors. They were led up a set of stone stairs, through a set of metal doors, and into the throne room. Sitting two hundred feet from the doors was Li-Shara, unmoving in her stone chair. They saw her tall and imposing, in the blue dress and golden belt she was known to wear. More than that there was something overpowering about the goddess. She was the depths of the ocean, the rhythm of the tides, the strength of the waves, and the ferocity of the shark. She was all these things and more. The Poi’Mareath bowed and the outsiders followed suit. They looked down below them to see the floor made of glass. It revealed endless swirling dark tides. The rest of the hall was empty save for a few doors and more warriors.

The goddess greeted them calling for them to approach. She let them walk closer before speaking again. She explained that she had called them to her home to warn them of the possible consequences of their trip. She knew what they sought and what they found on Karabour. She told them that they must be careful what they do for this knowledge would change the world. With that she stood up from her throne, leading them outside. She told them of the ocean Poi’Mareath. How they were made by the last god of the seas as soldiers and slaves. They were enchanted and abused. When the old gods grew scared of them, they were slaughtered or left to die. She found them in the Isles in the last years of the war and built them a home here to protect them and right the wrongs of her predecessor. They lived now in peace under her protection. Li-Shara told this as a cautionary tale about the dangers of human enchantment and the strife it would cause. She wouldn’t tell them what to do with the magic or whom to trust with it, only telling them to be careful of people out for themselves. When J’Kar asked if she wanted to protect it she declined. This was not power she felt the gods should have again. Li-Shara then spoke of the gods. They all had weaknesses and were fallible, though most of them did not like to admit this. They alone should not keep this knowledge.

Li-Shara also gave each of them a gift. To Feerik a jade knife and the chance to live here. He accepted the knife, but declined the offer to stay here, preferring instead to continue to sail. To Jack she gave the knowledge he sought. She told him his daughter was in Crow’s Harbor working on a ship called The Razor Grey. To Sylvie she gave a special godstone different and more powerful than normal. To Daxian she gave the name of his people. He was from Sajell and was one of the Twin Folk. Then she put her hand to J’Kar’s ear and healed the damage the siren caused. After that she swore to them secrecy making them promise to never speak of what they saw or learned here. She did not want knowledge of the ocean Poi’Mareath to get out. She also promised there would be dire consequences should they break their vow. Jack then asked her one last question. *“The bottles, were they you?”* he said, speaking of the messages he would throw in the sea to get to his wife. *“Of course*” she responded.

With that she turned back to her throne room. The two guides who had brought them here led them back through the village. When they got to the cliffs they stopped. They elaborated on the promise Li-Shara had made the outsiders take. They offered a personal plea to not tell anyone of their homes. The outsiders all agreed and walked up the cliffs back to their ship.

### Session Five: As the Crow Flies

In the following days the mood on the ship was subdued. Even those who had not gone to see the Tide Keeper had felt her divinity in the waters nearby. That combined with their close brush with death at the hands of Iron Eye, had given everyone enough excitement for the time being. As the days passed, the Kirinda’s Jewel began to make her way out of the deep mists. The fog clung to everyone’s clothes, but they were more relaxed than at any other point of this journey. Until they docked at Crow’s Harbor, Li-Shara would watch over them.

The days were quiet. Sylvie and Genna tended to Janie Kerias.  Daxian stood on the deck trying to be helpful. J’Kar thought about his conversations with Keel and Li-Shara. Still he wavered on Keel’s offer. So J’Kar decided to speak to Jack. He asked the old sailor why he was on this trip, since so far J’Kar had found him somewhat useless. Jack ignored the insult trying to change the topic, but J’Kar pushed. He asked Jack what his life was like before prison. Jack mentioned he was a captain and once had a crew. He also mentioned that he upset Iron Eye. Jack left it there. The more J’Kar pushed, the less Jack said.

The morning before the Kirinda’s Jewel docked, Lord Keel called Jack, J’Kar, Daxian, Sylvie and Genna to his office to figure out how to dock at the pirate port. Jack told them that they would need sponsorship from one of the pirate lords. There was Curek the Iron Eye the most powerful and feared of them all. He was known for his fury and religious zeal. Curek’s name came from his missing eye which he had replaced with iron carved with the elder rune of war. He hated foreigners and given that they had been accosted by his ship earlier, he seemed like a bad choice. There was Commodore March who was known for cutting the tongues from those who displeased him. He wore the jacket of an Iron Tempest Commando. None could say if he stole it or if it was always his. Finally, there was Nyshia Furrel who was known for her love of relics and her penchant for sending her crewmen home floating. She seemed like the best choice given the number of artifacts they had aboard. Keel dismissed everyone but the academics so they could decide what to give. J’Kar insisted on staying. Daxian also decided to listen at the door and couldn’t help but interject. They decided to give away the compass. It had already been used and should Captain Furrel try to follow it, she would encounter the Siren.

By noon they reached the port. The mists had thinned considerably, but as ever the silver fog hung over the waves. Hundreds of ships sat outside the wooden city. To the west, the black smoke of a forge spilled into the air. Just off the coast was a small island entirely covered in a stone temple. The harbor itself was painted in a hodge-podge of colors. One ship broke off from the rest, pulling in front of the Mordish ship. Calling across Captain Peterson told them they wanted to speak with Nyshia Furrel. The ship sailed away and was soon replaced by a dinghy. The sailors rowing the dinghy informed them they were with Furrel and would bring a party to her. Jack, J’Kar, Lord Keel, Sylvie, and Daxian boarded.

The pirates rowing the little boat were raucous, wondering why a group of mainlanders had come to Crow’s Harbor. They laughed at J’Kar’s and Daxian’s clothing and foreign demeanor. The two didn’t help their case. When the pirates turned to Sylvie, Jack shut them down. Something about the old pirate carried authority. As they reached Nyshia Furrel’s mighty ship The Star Queen with it’s golden sails, one of the pirates stopped the conversation. He said he recognized Jack and named him Loadstar. Jack nodded and the others noticed the pirate’s amazement and respect at the name.

Onboard The Star Queen they were directed to Nyshia Furrel’s chambers. There was a lavish waiting room with luxurious sofas and pillows, as well as old art and fine wine. Nyshia was lounging on one of the sofas. She was accompanied by a huge parrot who stared at the group. Nyshia took a liking to J’Kar as they pleaded their case. J’Kar charmed the pirate lord and when others spoke of the merit of the compass she agreed to let them dock for the relic. She then told them to be gone and not bother her anymore. They left unsure how much she liked them.

It was agreed they had two jobs. The first was to find a cure for Janie and the second was to get the scroll from the angel’s eye translated. The first needed to be done as soon as possible. Jack led the way through the city. Sylvie, Genna, J’Kar and Daxian followed. Feerik went ashore with some crewmen to get supplies. Henrus Kline and Palo grabbed some crewmen so they could explore the city. As they all left the dock on their own way they all couldn't help but notice the many corpses in various states of decay hanging as a warning to those who crossed the pirate lords. Jack led them past the hanged men, deeper into Crow’s Harbor. Though he had a destination in mind, it was also clear he was distracted.

In the heart of the city they found the Exchange. It was a bustling market surprisingly ordered for a pirate port. Stalls were selling various things taken from the mainland or grown on the isles. Pigs and chickens ran through the mud and people called out their wares under signs posting fixed prices. Since regents were hard to come by in the Isles, prices for various items were listed in terms of many other things. The fixed prices here were part of what made the Exchange so popular. With his job done Jack slipped away. Li-Shara had told him that his daughter was here and he was determined to find her. So he went to the one place every pirate goes, the great bar in the center of the city called the Whirlpool. Daxian also split off from the group. In the past few fights they had been in, he wished he had some more versatility. He went to find a bow, sure that finding a weapon would be easy enough here. Daxian found his bow. He went up to the stall and demanded to know it’s price. To trade he offered the metal feathers from the Eagles of Ghendar. The arms merchant presented what Daxian found to be an outrageous price. before he could argue two people spoke up behind him. They were dressed in bright strange furs and leather armor. They had on painted clay jewelry and were well armed. They too found the price to be high.  He agreed to lower it. Daxian handed over the feathers for his new bow and a few arrows. The two people revealed they were from Sajell, the same island as Daxian. Somehow they had recognized Daxian as one of them. Not wanting to get involved in anything, he thanked them and walked away. Meanwhile Sylvie had found a merchant selling a cure for the White Pox. J’Kar went up to the merchant and distracted him by being loud and confusing. Sylvie swiped a vial while he wasn’t looking. They grabbed Daxian and ran back to their ship. J’Kar left them, wanting to learn more about Jack.

They all found the city interesting in their own way. Genna found the makeshift buildings and pirate culture to be cool, Daxian found it strangely familiar, and J’Kar found that people here drank just as much as on the mainland. He went from bar to bar asking people about rumors of the Loadstar. Some called him a hero, some called him a nuisance, some thought he was gone, never to come back. They all said he was a dangerous and daring captain with a loyal crew. J’Kar’s search led him to the Whirlpool. Jack had spent the last hour searching though the massive bar. It had a large central room and two huge wings, neither of which contained his daughter. As J’Kar was about to confront him, they heard a voice behind Jack. It was Iron Eye standing atop the counter. He told Jack, he had learned that a foreign ship docked, the same one he attacked days before. He taunted Jack for coming back and let his anger slip. When he was reminded that Crow’s Harbor was a neutral space he laughed. Suddenly Jack and J’Kar found themselves surrounded by drunk pirates. Iron Eye raised his mug to the two men before his minions attacked them. It was chaos as everyone in the room wanted in. People from different crews started fighting, all eager to prove they were the strongest. Jack and J’Kar made for the door. Jack threw punches, mugs, stools, or whatever else he could find.

As they were about to reach the door, J’Kar found himself face to face with a tall, young woman with long black hair and a white sailors shirt. Something about her seemed familiar, but she was about to throw a punch at J’Kar and he wanted no part in that. He swung around putting Jack in between him and the tall woman. There was a moment of hesitation from both of them before she spoke up. *“Dad?”* she asked, before throwing a punch at Jack. Jack turned sideways, putting J’Kar back in the path of her fist. Jack made for the door and the other two followed him. The woman was Leucy, Jack’s daughter. J’Kar watched as the two made their uncomfortable reunion. Leucy demanded to know why her father had come here. Jack wanted her to leave for home immediately. She was insistent that she didn’t need to. She had a job here on a ship that she didn’t want to give up. He thought it was too dangerous. She was mad that he had disappeared for years without writing. He was mad she left her mother on her own. They could agree on nothing except that they were angry at each other. Still it was obvious they cared for each other and were glad to be together. Eventually Jack made her a promise. He would give her his sword, his most prized possession, if she agreed to go back to his ship with him. Leucy was in awe. She knew the reverence her father had for his blade. Sometimes she suspected he loved it more than anything else. She realized what the reunion meant to him and agreed to go back to the Kirinda’s Jewel.

Meanwhile the other party had made it back to the ship. Sylvie and Genna rushed down to Janie. They gave her a sip from the vial. Immediately color started to return to her face and her breathing normalized. Though she still slept, it was a peaceful sleep. Relief struck both the students. With Janie cured, they needed to do their second task. At the advice of Jack they collected Daxian and went to Temple Island. There they could find a Cleric of Constant Light who might be able to translate the old scroll. Although they were wary of trusting someone else with this secret, they had no choice.

Although the temple was decorated with the Rune of Li-Shara and partially flooded, they were met by Yaerrin’s priest. She introduced herself as Cleric Enva Carriel. She wore an orange robe, had dark skin, and tired eyes under her spectacles. Still she greeted them with enthusiasm, taking them to her office. Sylvie and Daxian realized they had no choice but to tell Genna the secrets as well. Sylvie trusted the other student since they had become friends. Sylvie swore the two to secrecy and without revealing too much showed Enva the scroll. The cleric took the scroll and identified the dialect used. She grabbed a book from her wall and began to translate. As she worked Genna asked questions of Sylvie and Daxian, they answered as best as she could. Enva finally looked up from her book a little bit unsettled. She read the translation

*Heed this warning those who find this text. I know not when but there will come a time when the gods can not help us. When they will stop giving us gifts and protection. When they will forsake all they have promised. As a priest of Ghendar I am privy to many secrets of magic and knowledge hidden to most. I give them to you to find. Keep them safe and know that they will be needed.*

She also offered to help them in the future. She was getting tired of living with pirates. Wary of the priest Daxian turned her down.

When the three of them returned to the ship they found Jack, J’Kar, and Leucy. Jack and Leucy proceeded to argue some more before Jack told everyone there the story of how he and Leucy’s mother met *(for details see Jack’s Journal in the campaign auxiliary documents)*. In the story Jack made a fool of himself which let Leucy lighten up. She agreed to go back to her ship and return in the morning for the sword. They all watched her go with a new understanding of Jack. When Leucy was gone, Sylvie informed the others they let Genna in on the secret, and shared the translation. Sylvie and Genna went to check on Janie again and J’Kar went to speak with Keel. There was a lot left to be done.

### Session Six: An Eye For An Eye

In the earliest hours of the morning, Jack, J’Kar, Daxian, and Sylvie were awoken by a knock on each of their doors. It was a somber Lord Keel. He told them to grab their gear and meet him in his office. In the dark, illuminated by only a few candles he told them that Kline, Palo, and two crewmen hadn’t returned. He wasn’t sure if Kline had collapsed in a drunken stupor or if something worse happened. Either way they couldn’t afford to lose the missing people. He wanted them to be found and asked the group to take Feerik. The Poi’Mareath was a dangerous fighter who could help if they got into a scrap. Feerik was still awake and happy to help. He grabbed his many knives and walked with them into the city.

They agreed that a good place to start would be the Whirlpool. It was where Jack found Leucy, and if Kline had stayed out drinking it was probably where he would be. If not, someone there might know where Kline and the others were. Despite the late hour the large bar was still busy. In fact Jack could never recall a time when the bar was closed. Searching through the wings they found no sign of the missing expedition members, but after talking to the patrons, they heard that the two crewmen had been separated from Kline and Palo. They had come here and gotten in a fight with some of Curek’s sailors. No one knew what happened to them after that. Knowing now why the four hadn’t come back, the people searching felt a new sense of urgency.

With the trail dried out in the bar, Sylve suggested the next logical place to look was the Exchange. Unlike the Whirlpool, the market was nearly empty. The five split up, each taking a different part of the market. They found signs of Kline and Palo and a struggle that took them northwest. This put them on a path for the Chitin Forge. They followed the tracks for an hour, slowly navigating through the shoddily constructed buildings and dirt paths. Eventually the trail seemed to die. The footprints in the dirt roads were lost under all the others who had been that way. Around this time the first ray of sunlight was falling onto Crow’s Harbor. Shining over the waves, through the mist and buildings was a golden ray of light. To most it was a mark of how little they had slept the previous night, but to Jack it was worrying. Remembering that he had agreed to meet his daughter on the *Kirinda’s Jewel* in the morning he knew he had to leave. He excused himself and ran off. Now out of tracks and down a man, the other four had the almost impossible task of finding the kidnapped crew members in a city they didn’t know. They were at a loss, but in the new light Daxian saw something gleam on a wall. He walked over to find an arrow painted in ink. He called the others over to look. Sylvie recognized the ink as Mordish, the kind Palo used. The search was on again.

The arrow led them back to the trail, which led them to a small free-standing house standing in the twisting alleys and confusing architecture of Crow’s Harbor. Lounging outside the door was a pirate, clearly on guard. Daxian, Sylvie, J’Kar, and Feerik hid in a nearby alley watching him and discussing what to do. Their allies might be in here, but so could more guards. A quick scan of the rooftops told them there was no one up there, any other pirates would be inside. The first step would be to take out the man at the door. Sylvie had a plan. Using a daystone she had previously found and trapped, she used incantry to inflame his greed and lose his sense of duty. Then J’Kar stepped out in front of the house. He walked like he was confused and put his coin purse on display. Illuminated by the curse, the pirate could only see the glow of the coins. J’Kar stumbled back into the alley with the pirate close behind. Feerik quickly grabbed the pirate and put his huge clawed hand over the man’s mouth. He shoved the privateer to the ground and began to kick him mercilessly until he was unconscious.

The house was unguarded now. Daxian took the opportunity to approach. He kept low, sneaking up to the door, but as he reached for the handle he heard a familiar sound. From the roof of another building someone had fired a crossbow. The bolt struck Daxian. Immediately everyone sprung into action. Feerik and J’Kar kicked open the door to the building next to them to try and get on the roof, Sylvie readied herself and her magic in case the attacker was not alone, and conveniently Jack and Leucy arrived, but it was Daxian who did the work. He unslung his new bow, calmly knocking an arrow. He aimed and loosed despite the pain he felt. His arrow flew true striking the pirate in her eye. J’Kar burst onto the roof in time to see her collapse. Sylvie looked away, not wanting to be part of the violence.

Daxian opened the door to find the building empty. The unconscious man was dragged in and Jack and Leucy were filled in on what happened. Leucy wanted to help them, if only to stay with her father. Daxian and Feerik secured the surrounding area, while the prisoner was tied up inside. They decided to question him there. Sylvie stepped outside with the two warriors to avoid the interrogation. The pirate was woken up and J’Kar questioned him about the missing crew as Jack encouraged the man with his fists. J’Kar found it a little disturbring how much Luecy and Jack enjoyed the interrogation. The man didn’t break, so they tried their back up plan.

First Jack knocked the pirate out and Feerik grabbed him. The people the guard hadn’t seen were going to pretend to be new recruits of Iron Eye, who rescued the man. In turn he would lead them to the hideout where Kline and Palo were being kept. He woke up several blocks from the hideout. Daxian and Sylvie were able to convince him of the ruse. It helped that Daxian’s arrow wound made it look like they were recently in a fight. The man directed them to a stronghold. It was a long trip, no one talked much. The pirate was still recovering from his beating and none of the others wanted to give their position away. Sylvie dropped back to direct Jack, J’Kar, and Leucy. They kept their distance, but were able to keep up. The walk was going well until a man stepped out in front of Sylvie, trying to stop her. The student decided she didn’t have time for this and kicked him in the crotch before moving on. The three followers carefully stepped over the man in pain, amused, Jack and Leucy arguing as much as ever.

Eventually they reached Chitin Forge. The pirate directed Feerik and Daxian down a street to a closed shop. The injured pirate looked up at Daxian and told him to do the knock. Daxian was momentarily surprised but kept his cool. He reminded the pirate that they were new recruits and had not yet been initiated. The pirate still addled from his wounds, apologized and taught Daxian the knock. Daxian thanked him, then punched him again, putting him unconscious. As they waited for the followers to catch up, Feerik peeked in the window. Inside there were nine pirates and the four prisoners they were looking for. Despite their rough condition, all four prisoners were alive.

Inside the pirates seemed to be unaware anything was wrong. That gave the explorers time to plan their attack. Sylvie, Daxian, and Jack went to a side window. They would jump in when the attack began. J’Kar, Leucy, and Feerik went to the door. J’Kar did the knock. Three pirates answered. Although they were suspicious, J’Kar convinced them to open it. The moment the door opened Feerik hit two with his innate magic. A bolt of lightning came from his hand striking them, burning their skin off. The third looked on in terror as Leucy slipped a knife into his back. At the window Sylvie had picked up a stone from the ground. She put some of her day magic into it, and threw it through the window. Jack and Daxian looked away as the stone exploded in light blinding the remaining pirates. In a moment Jack jumped in, sword drawn. He struck down the leader quickly. Daxian fired two arrows, both killing their marks. The three living pirates had no choice but to surrender. The man outside made four prisoners. They quickly untied the captives, putting the pirates in their place. Palo thanked them while Kline complained the rescue had taken too long. It was clear Palo blamed his mentor for their capture. Feerik checked on his sailors, who were both alright. The members of the expedition quickly took what they could and left. Their prizes included money, a fine black cutlass, pirate clothes which J’Kar took from the leader, and a godstone for Sylvie.

The kidnapping had convinced J’Kar they needed help fighting Iron Eye. They all knew that he wouldn’t let them leave the Isles peacefully. J’Kar also believed that Nyshia would be an issue. After a long argument Jack convinced him that she would leave them alone. Feerik eventually stopped J’Kar and told him they should wait to discuss this with Captain Peterson and Lord Keel.

Despite the events in Crow’s Harbor, *Kirinda’s Jewel* was peaceful. Even Iron Eye wouldn’t dare openly attack a ship which had been granted safe harbor. Kline and Daxian used the opportunity to grab a drink. Meanwhile Sylvie was greeted by a welcome sight. Janie Kerias was walking on the deck. She didn’t look fully healthy yet but she was happy to see the sorcerer. Janie thanked Sylvie for her role in her recovery, and told her that she had finished explaining to Genna what happened on Karabour. As everyone was beginning to relax, Lord Keel made his way up from the lower decks. Tomorrow, he informed them, they would leave to follow the X. He promised them he would deal with Iron Eye. Everyone but Jack dispersed after he spoke. Keel conversed with the old pirate, telling Jack if he trusted Leucy, he should take her to the X.

### Session Seven: Strength, Justice, and Soul

They collected what supplies they needed to make it through the jungle and left at midnight with Kline, Genna, Janie, and Palo. Silently they moved through the empty streets of Crow’s Harbor. Every pirate awake now was either guarding a ship or drinking themselves silly. That was good, fewer people saw them move through the tight streets. Crow’s Harbor had no wall. One moment they were in the city, the next they were in the jungle. It was dark and they lit no torches to not draw attention. After a few hours the group stopped. People pulled out their bedrolls and tried to sleep. It would take another day and a half to get to the marker on the map.

After Leucy’s watch, she woke up Sylvie. The night, Leucy told the other woman, had been uneventful. As Sylvie settled in, she heard Lecuy crying. Sylvie approached, gently asking what was wrong. Leucy sat up teary-eyed. She admitted to Sylvie that she was disturbed about the kidnapping yesterday. In particular she was horrified with herself for killing someone. It was the first time she ever had to do that. Leucy hated it but felt like she had to so her father would like her. Sylvie tried to comfort her. They talked for a bit longer and Leucy made Sylvie promise not to tell Jack.

The next day and a half was brutal. The hike through the thick jungle was slow. They received scrapes, bug bites, and little rest. After many hours in the green jungle, Janie stopped the group. They had arrived at the location on the map. Buried under ferns and dirt, they found a marker. Like the hatch on Karabour it was rusted shut. Prying it open they found a flooded antichamber with stairs leading down to a submerged door. Jack dove into the murky water to gather more information. The sides of the stairs were lined with small stone bricks that had been there for thousands of years. The room was almost preserved, but over the years a section of the wall had degraded, exposing mud on the other side. Through the hole leaked water which filled the room.

Sylvie promised to take care of the water. Jack, Leucy, and J’Kar went to deal with the hole. Jack told them that on an island like this near the ocean there should be clay. As they searched Sylvie prepared an ocean stone to move the water out. She connected with the pool and with a great rush threw all the water out  into the jungle. Jack and Leucy returned with more than enough clay to fill the hole.

A huge circular chasm lay on the other side of the rusted door. In the center was a circular stone platform with a long bridge leading to it from where the group stood. Around the wall at ninety degree separation were three more platforms with large elder runes above them and doors. However none had a platform leading to them. After catching her breath Janie took a moment to identify the runes. From left to right they read Strength, Justice, and Soul. Carefully they made their way to the center platform. Sticking out from the middle was a metal cross that could be twisted. In the floor below were three key slots. They figured that it must direct the platform to the different doors. However when they turned it the platform moved slightly before grinding to a halt. One of the massive gears had gotten stuck. Unsure of what else they could do, they decided to lower Sylvie to fix it. Jack tied one end of a rope to the metal cross and the other to Sylvie, then lowered her down. Dangling above the black chasm with a torch in her hand, held only by the single rope, Sylvie looked at the gears. Immediately she could tell the massive gear needed to be replaced. She knew she could use the last of her day magic to conjure a new gear, but she would need help putting it on. With a sigh and a second rope, Jack lowered himself down. Daxian and Leucy held Sylvie’s rope. The others held Jack’s. Together the two took off the gear. They let the rusted piece of machinery fall down. It was several seconds before they heard the loud echoing clang of it hitting the ground. Sylvie summoned the replacement.

The next instant she realized her mistake. The gear was too heavy. She felt it start to slip and she felt herself falling down. On the platform above Leucy and Daxian tried to plant their feet, but both of them tumbled to the ground. Fortunately they were able to stop Sylvie. Although not all worked out. Daxian’s favorite axe came undone and plummeted off the side. Sylvie watched the blade fall, clinging to the gear. Carefully the others lowered Jack to her level. He grabbed the gear and they slipped it into place. With a satisfying click the platform continued its rotation until it ended at Strength. Jack and Sylvie were pulled up and they all entered.

There was another large room and another chasm before them. Several rocks jutted from the pit in a path that led to a cliff face in the back. At the top of the cliff face was a key in a cage. Daxian stepped forward. He shot an arrow with a rope attached to it, into a crevice on the other side. Using the line as a guide he made the first jump. He slipped, at the last moment grabbing the rock. With his legs dangling into the black below he gripped for his life. J’Kar reached down to help him up. On his second try he made it. He had no difficulties the rest of the way across. They had the first of three keys.

They turned the platform to Justice. This room had five painted life-size statues of warriors, pristine despite the years. Each stood on a decaying stone platform. They were labeled Champion wearing plate armor in gold and red, Assassin with a black cloak and bloody dagger, Mage with a tattooed face and a white robe with an eagle, Archer in blue and green with a single arrow in their quiver, and Angel in orange and grey with white wings. On a pedestal before the warriors was a bronze sheet with a poem chipped in. As Janie translated the others walked around.

*The king lies dead slain in court*

*Five suspects the prince reports*

*The servants of the monarch, trusted all*

*At the time of death in the kings hall*

*First the champion with sword and shield*

*He was present when the fate was sealed*

*Then the assassin with hook and blade*

*He too there when the deed was made*

*There too a mage of sky*

*Was it he who caused the king to die?*

*An archer with only arrows few*

*Did she bring about the coup?*

*And an angel of gods in orange and grey*

*Perhaps it was the king she did slay*

*A believer of the sky god was the king*

*Holy ones his doom would not bring*

*Those who live with the red*

*Would not kill the king in his own bed*

*Strength is needed to proceed*

*Justice must be done for the deed*

After talking about the poem they narrowed the choices down to the Archer or the Mage. Jack was able to convince everyone the killer was the Archer. They smashed the pedestal on which the archer stood revealing a key beneath. They grabbed it. Not wanting to know what lay below the other four statues, left the room.

Soul was the smallest of the three chambers. In the center was a pedestal, upon it a glass box with a key underneath. The glass they soon found out, was enchanted with earthstrength. Around the wall at even intervals were six runes. One for each of the old gods but Nezeril. Five of them were imbued with magic. The only one that wasn’t, was the emotion rune. While everyone else was focused on getting the key Kline made an observation about the six types of magic. Even to the old gods Nezeril was an outsider. Meanwhile everyone else decided that the way to power the rune would be through a great display of emotion. The best way to do that would be to leave Jack and Leucy alone. Everyone else was ushered out, leaving the old sailor and his daughter. That didn’t stop the others from listening through the door.

Jack and Leucy had no idea where to begin, they still felt like strangers and were reluctant to talk. For a few minutes they said nothing more than what had already been discussed. Jack was mad at her for running away from her mother. Leucy was mad at him for leaving and not writing from jail. Sensing it was going nowhere, J’Kar yelled into the room. He reminded them that Jack promised Leucy his sword. She instantly demanded it, but Jack was reluctant to hand it over. He told Lecuy he would give it when the job was done. The conversation was about to turn into pointless shouting. Sylvie had an idea. Left with no choice she entered the room.  Despite the promise she had made to Lecuy in the jungle, she broke the secret. She told Jack that Leucy hadn’t wanted to kill anyone. That seemed to break him. Jack calmed down. Truly hurt, he asked why. Leucy explained that she had wanted to connect with him. It was why she had killed Curek’s man, and why she had come to the Isles. Jack didn’t know what to say. There was silence for a moment. Leucy broke it, asking her father what he would do after this job. Jack thought for a moment before he admitted that he didn’t know. That was not the answer Leucy wanted. Once more raising her voice, she asked him to come home. He had been gone for too long. Despite his daughter’s request Jack couldn’t commit. Leucy asked again. Both she and her mother missed him. Still Jack couldn’t seem to commit. He never wanted to give up the ocean and was worried that being home too long would make it so he could never return. Pulling his sword from its sheath, he told the story of how he got it. He used to be a slave. He was found adrift on a raft and taken in by a man who stole his freedom. It was years before Jack got it back. He led a mutiny, killed the captain, and took his sword and freedom. He fought for years to free more people. The name Loadstar came from the way he brought people to safety. The sea and his sword represented that. Jack turned the blade around. Gripping the blade he handed it to Leucy. Despite his love of the sea he loved his daughter more. He gave her the sword and promised to return home to a future with his family. Leucy held the sword with reverence, stowing it before going to her dad and hugging him. That was enough. The rune on the wall lit up and the shattering glass broke the silence. The last key was free.

With all three keys the group went back to the center platform. One by one they put the keys into their slots. Each one clicked in. As they stood around trying to figure out how to make the platform descend, Palo leaned to rest on the metal cross. With a grinding of rust, the cross lowered into the platform. Slowly the great stone circle began to descend into the dark. The importance of the moment was felt by all but Kline. The professor had begun to yell at his student. Palo had dropped some of Kline’s things when leaning on the cross. Insisting he needed a drink he asked Daxian for some rum. The two reached a deal where Kline paid a ridiculous price for the bottle. Before he could drink from it Jack walked up and smashed it.

With a jolt, the stone platform reached the bottom. In the torchlight they found one last door. It was not impressive except for the fact that it had survived millennia. It was not locked. Daxian grabbed his axe from the floor. It looked only a little damaged. Ready for whatever was on the other side, the group of explorers opened the door. Inside was treasure, stacks of ancient weapons and armor, now rusted relics, a pile of a hundred godstones of the sky and the sea, more iron bars, and a stack of scrolls. As everyone else spread out to see what they could find, Janie read the scrolls. The first one was a story. It’s title read ‘*Verin Teval*’. To the professor it was a strange phrase. Literally, it meant complete sphere. But there was a more poetic meaning than that. Looking up she announced to the gathered group “*Verin Teval means the end of the world.*” This was some sort of doomsday vault. It would take time to decipher all the text. There were several rituals as well. The priest who had set this up had made sure that it would last through time to give anyone who found it the weapons they needed to stop Verin Teval. The first four rituals were enchantments. They included two unknown enchantments. One was for weapons. It was called Thunderous and would leave people struck by it deafened by the noise of storms for minutes. The other new enchantment was called a Levitation Cloak and would allow the wearer to float a few inches from the ground. As great as these were, the last two rituals were by far more impressive. They too were enchantment rituals, but they were meant to act on humans. One gave the enchanted great white wings like the people in the mural on Karabour and the statue above. The other gave the enchanted the strength of a great constricting serpent.

Janie made sure Kline and Palo weren't there by telling them to pack up the other relics, before telling everyone about the human enchantment rituals. J’Kar told Janie to give him the rituals. Amused by his audacity, she refused. Janie stated that frankly she did not trust J’Kar. Neither did anyone else. Janie and J’Kar argued about what to do with the rituals. Though they did most of the talking it was clear that everyone else was also against J’Kar. They decided that Janie would hold onto them and tell Keel they were more enchanting rituals they needed time to decode. J’Kar planned to help Janie make counterfeits that they would give to Keel. Secretly planned to also make copies.

Once the rituals were sorted and everything packed, they returned to the platform. Professor Kline was in an excellent mood. He told l everyone how he planned to write a book about this adventure, sure it would be a hit throughout Mordehall. While he was talking, Palo leaned over to Daxian and Sylvie, upset at Kline. Palo mentioned that he had seen the two of them taking a few godstones but he didn’t mind. He knew they only survived Karabour because of Sylvie’s magic. Looking at Kline, he also mentioned that he regretted going on the trip. When he got back to Cape Red he was going to leave the university so he could get away from Kline.
They quickly left the vault, hurring to the shore. Waiting for them was Feerik and a few crewmen. They looked anxious. He ushered them onto a dinghy and began to row fast. Feerik asked what had happened with the map. They explained the vault but not the human enchantment. Daxian mentioned he wished that he could have helped more. Feerik told him that he would be needed soon enough. As soon as they got aboard the *Kirinda’s Jewel* Melar yelled for the ship to leave. Looking out to sea they saw why everyone was so nervous. Approaching on the horizon was a fleet of fifty ships led by Curek the Iron Eye.

### Interlude

The events of the next hour can be read in Catalog, a short prose found in the campaign auxiliary documents. Without reading it, it is important to know that the *Kirinda’s Jewel* immediately began to flee from Curek’s fleet. About an hour later they came face to face with another armada led by Captain Nyshia Furrel and Commodore March. You can also learn more about this hour by reading the character reflections of Daxian, Sylvie, and J’Kar along with Jack’s last bottle.

### Session Eight: The Fury of the Isles

The first question everyone had was if this fleet would attack them. Lord Keel told them this fleet was here to fight Iron Eye. The *Jewel* would make for the friendly fleet then do an about face. With a new energy, everyone aboard went to wrap up whatever issues they could before the battle. Jack went to the side of the ship calling into the water. From the waves, a dolphin poked its head out. The dolphin was an old friend of his, named Pelorus. Jack could speak to him like he could speak to the sea. Should things go wrong Jack planned to throw Leucy overboard. Pelorus would guide her home. Meanwhile Professor Kerias pulled her students aside. She revealed that after the trip, should she live, she was taking a new job up north, a job with Keel working on what they found in the vault. She wanted her students to join. Surprised and still suspicious of Keel, they were somewhat reluctant. Genna promised to go if Sylvie did. Kerias convinced the girl that if they were going to do good with the rituals, she needed Sylvie’s guiding hand. Trusting her mentor, Sylvie agreed. Meanwhile J’Kar was having a similar conversation with Daxian. He tried to convince the mercenary to work with him after the trip ended. Daxian, still a little suspicious, presented a pre-written contract to J’Kar.

The battle was about to begin so the scholars went below decks. As Janie left, J’Kar ran up to her and revealed they were both working with Keel. Janie was annoyed but not surprised. Leucy and Sylvie stayed above to help fight. The Mordish cargo ship slipped alongside the flagships of March and Furrel. For most of the crew it was their first look at the two pirate lords. The pirate captains peered down from their ships. They greeted Lord Keel warmly, each sure they would take Iron Eye themselves. Now behind the fleet, the *Kirinda’s Jewel* turned around. From behind Captain Peterson, Keel pointed to a ship in Iron Eye’s fleet. He told the gathered crew that it was called *Ocean’s Teeth*. It was the ship of the Barracuda of Vejell, Iron Eye’s number one man. Aboard the ship was massive amounts of Alchemist’s Powder, an explosive compound developed in the Chitin Forge. Using that they could take down the unbreakable hull of Iron Eye’s ship. With that he turned to head for the lower decks, motioning for J’Kar to follow.

Those left scrambled to get in position. Daxian went to the bow to lead the crew fighting there. Feerik took the middle, Jack and Leucy took the stern. Sylvie with the godstones she took from the vault, climbed the mast into the crow’s nest. All aboard the Mordish ship looked out at the two fleets in front of them. Already they were exchanging arrows. The many flags of *Ocean’s Teeth* waved in the gentle sea winds, but the waters were rough. The tides pulled on the hulls of the ship. The mists were thicker, the waters darker. Li-Shara was watching.

Below decks Keel sat in his office. He looked at J’Kar for a moment before speaking. He spoke of waiting and how he had worked to set up this battle, but now it was beyond his control. He asked J’Kar what that meant about who had the power here. After letting J’Kar think for a moment, Keel told him what his job would be. He would need to grab the alchemists powder from the hold of the other ship. J’Kar accepted the task and walked upstairs to Daxian, after dressing himself in the pirate clothes he had taken from Crow’s Harbor. He reached Daxian just as *Ocean’s Teeth* began to shoot back. At the helm, Jack slipped the *Jewel* up alongside the bigger ship and the battle began.

The pirates swarmed, throwing over planks and grappling hooks. Calling upon the strength of the Tide Keeper, Sylvie used an ocean stone to cause the sea between the two ships to erupt. Spouts of saltwater shot up knocking aside many pirates. Daxian shot down several more. Feerik, Jack, and Leucy beat them back with swords. Though several crewmen fell, the first few waves of pirates were halted. The attack continued. J’Kar and Daxian knew that they had to get the alchemist’s powder. They devised a plan where J’Kar would pretend to be a pirate and Daxian would push him back to *Ocean’s Teeth.* As they tried to implement this plan one of the pirates realized J’Kar was a fraud. He attacked J'Kar, striking him. Daxian killed him before he could sound the alarm. J’Kar took his hat, grimaced at his injury, and pushed on.

Jack and Leucy defended the stern. They fought together perfectly. Leucy used the sword of her father. Jack used a cutlass taken from one of the crewmen. Between their blades there was no respite. They pushed back the pirates, ending up well ahead of the crew they fought alongside. Soon they found themselves surrounded. Back to back they fought until one of the pirates struck Leucy. That was enough to make Jack go berserk. He lunged forward without his sword, beating the pirate to death. The remaining pirates fled, none wanting to fight the Loadstar.

On the other side of the ship Daxian pushed J’Kar all the way across a gangplank. With a dramatic flourish J’Kar shoved him away. He took a step of breathing room as pirates swarmed around him. J’Kar grabbed the nearest one and demanded he get the alchemist’s powder. But Daxian and J’Kar noticed that the pirates were attacking with a new ferocity. Though Sylvie was keeping the middle of the ship clear by burning through her godstones, the pirates were mainly attacking the stern. They brought out crossbows, firing on Jack. He dropped down to his knee, motioning for Leucy to take his crossbow from his back. She grabbed it and began to fire. She struck a few pirates including the ones shooting at Jack, but not before he was hit by two bolts. He dropped down barely conscious. As he started to crawl away he felt someone grab him from behind and drag him back. It was Melar Peterson. The captain was no fighter but was helping by taking injured crew to Lord Keel for medical care. Melar said little but handed Jack a bottle of rum. The Loadstar took a swig and fell upon Lord Keel’s operating table.

As Jack’s wounds were being tended to, the battle was heating up above. A pirate ran up to J’Kar with a barrel of powder. As he was about to take it over to the *Jewel*, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Behind him was a huge man wearing heavy armor for someone on a ship. Gesturing to Daxian he said “*Leave this to me”* He drew his greatsword and walked down the gangplank. By the reactions of people nearby it was clear that this man was the first mate. Everyone nearby stopped to watch this great clash, each ship cheering when their champion landed a hit. Hoping to change the odds, the first mate slammed his sword into the gangplank. “*Hope you can swim*” he laughed as he struck it again. The gangplank broke sending them both into the water. Sylvie acted fast. Knowing that Daxian could get lost beneath the waves, she used an earthstone she had found on Piyla and a bit of the clay to create an island. Daxian landed hard but the clay held. Daxian dropped his axe and pulled out his bow. He looked down at the first mate trying to claw his way onto the island. “*Swim in this”* he said as he fired. The arrow slipped through a gap in the armor, landing in his shoulder. With his arm now immobile, the first mate could only sink below to his death.

Jack lay on the operating table slightly delirious from his wounds. It was the words of Lord Keel that broke him from this. As the lord sewed the cuts, he spoke to Jack, telling him to get back in the fight. He told Jack to do this not for him or the captain or for J’Kar, but for his daughter. Jack pushed himself off the operating table, grabbed his sword, and ran back. He returned in time to see the captain of *Ocean’s Teeth* attack. The Barracuda of Vejell was a short skinny man, with a rough beard and ragged clothes. The Barracuda fought with two katars and an intensity none could match. There was a crazy look in his eyes as he ran across the gangplank slaying two of the crew from the *Kirinda’s Jewel*. His pirates stepped aside as he made his push. Seeing this Feerik stepped in his way. Feerik was an expert with his blades and a Poi’Mareath. The blows they exchanged seemed evenly matched until quick as the winds, the Barracuda of Vejell sliced Feerik’s stomach. The first mate collapsed as his opponent made a beeline for Leucy. Jack could only watch as his daughter fought. He ran towards her knowing he wouldn’t reach her in time. It was clear she was outmatched. Just as it seemed like the fight was going to end, a flash of lightning streaked across the deck. Feerik had used the last of his strength to make a final stand. His innate magic struck the Barracuda of Vejell in the back dropping him down.

With the enemy captain dead, J’Kar and Captain Peterson were able to rally the rest of the crew. As Jack ran to Leucy the crew pushed back the pirates. Since their leaders and many of their allies were dead the pirates had to surrender. Daxian climbed back aboard the *Jewel*. Jack, Luecy, and J’Kar went aboard the other ship. They had a new plan. They packed the front of *Ocean’s Teeth* with the alchemist’s powder to ram it into Curek’s ship. With the two ships side by side they began to sail towards the Iron Eye.

Though the two fleets were of equal size, the rest of the battle was falling in Iron Eye’s favor. What gave Curek the advantage was *Kretyyl’s Breath.* As everyone watched, it rammed through one of March’s ships and set itself on a collision course for the *Jewel*. Seeing there was no choice, Jack put *Ocean’s Breath* between the ships. Jack and Curek raced towards each other, hellbent on each other’s destruction. Moments before the two ships collided Jack swerved right and Leucy dropped the anchor, which pivoted the ship. The explosive packed bow of the ship swung towards the broadside of *Kretyyl’s Breath.* Despite the size of the warship, it was fast. Curek maneuvered his ship out of the way. With moments before the unbreakable ship was about to crush them, it seemed there would be no escape. Then by a miracle, rising from the hot southern ocean came a massive iceberg. From the crow’s nest of the *Jewel* Sylvie has used the godstone given to her by Li-Shara. The young student had acted desperately grabbing at the stone. When she used it, for a brief moment she felt the divinity from Li-Shara’s throne room. She felt the deep touch of the tides and the long stretch of the ocean’s trenches. From there she pulled a great frozen iceberg to knock *Kretyyl’s Breath* into the air beaching it atop the icy spike.

Mere seconds later the hull of *Ocean’s Teeth* swung around striking the side of the iceberg cracking it. As the explosion started, the three explorers aboard leaped across to the *Kirinda’s Jewel.* All the remaining pirates abroad either perished in the explosion or fell into the sea. The explosion shook the iceberg, dropping *Kretyyl’s Breath* back into the waters. It landed sideways with the tallest mast pointing right at the *Jewel*. Though she was no longer seaworthy and was beginning to sink into the waves, many pirates used the mast as a plank to rush the *Jewel*. Shaken by the massive disturbance, all other ships stopped to watch the final confrontation between the Loadstar and the Iron Eye.

Swarms of pirates ran across the mast. Daxian shot many with his bow, but it seemed almost hopeless. The crew already tired from fighting once more drew their cutlasses. Suddenly the pirates stopped. Walking across the mast was Iron Eye. He yelled out, his voice once more amplified by magic.

*“Jack, Jack, Jack, Jack, Jack the Loadstar. When you left us four years ago I knew you would be back. I knew the Roadani couldn’t hold you forever. But I didn’t think you would come back with people like this. Scholars and Lords have no place in my Isles. You know this. You know I have to do this. March and Nyshia can’t stop me. But you can Jack. I’ll give you that chance. One fight, you and me. If I win I will take this ship and her crew as plunder. But I will let your daughter go. If you win, well I will die and my crew will recognize your strength. What do you say Loadstar?”*

Everyone froze waiting for Jack’s response. Leucy turned to look at her father with fear. She reminded him that he promised to not do anymore stupid things. But Jack had to break his promise. He unsheathed the jade knife he had taken when Feerik died and turned his back to Curek so the old pirate wouldn’t see, handed it to Leucy. He agreed to Iron Eye’s challenge. Suddenly Jack saw Lord Keel next to him. The Lord looked angry. He too turned his back to Iron Eye and grabbed Jack by the collar. He yelled at Jack “*You can’t do this Loadstar. You can’t make decisions for all of us”* As he spoke, Jack noticed the lord had slipped a vial into his pocket. Keel winked at him and mouthed *“hit me”* Wasting no time Jack swung a hard punch at Keel, knocking him over. Keel grabbed his face, continuing the ruse by sulking away. All around Jack, sailors and pirates alike had cleared the deck. There was only the Loadstar and Iron Eye. Jack was cut in several places. He could barely stand up. Iron Eye was rested. His real eye burned with hatred, the iron one glowed gold with the rune of war. His grey hair was combed, his blue armor unscratched. Curek held up one arm covered in incantric runes and the other held a sword.

They stared at each other for a moment. Jack acted first. He threw his cutlass in the air so that it would come down near Iron Eye. Curek easily moved out of the way. But Jack had also grabbed the vial from his pocket. He looked at it, identifying it as poison. He threw it right at the real eye. Jack was tired, his aim off. Once more Sylvie came to the rescue. Using another godstone she called the winds to correct his aim. At this point she had used a wealth of magic greater than most people would ever know, all necessary to escape the Isles.

When the poison hit Iron Eye, he dropped screaming. He grasped at his face trying to save his sight. Several of his crew seemed to be about to move to help, but a few words from J’Kar stopped them. Loadstar ran up to his down foe. He sliced Iron Eye with the katar he had taken from the Barracuda of Vejell. As he went to strike again Iron Eye held up his sword. He slashed hitting Jack. Though his eye was bloody and dripping with green poison, his iron one glowed gold. He turned his head towards Jack, somehow still seeing him. He had to be burning through his magic. Jack knew he had to stop it. He struck Iron Eye in the tattooed arm, stopping him from being channelling magic with his hand. Iron Eye hit Jack again. Now each man was a blow from death. From the crow’s nest Sylvie watched. She could still feel a small touch of divinity from her use of the special godstone. Identifying that Iron Eye’s sword was enchanted to be Vampiric, she realized she could disenchant it. Normally this would be impossible but she could use the last sliver of divinity. Reaching out from the top of the mast she cast the spell. It was more powerful than she realized. This was all Sylvie could bear. She had used magic to keep herself awake but with the touch of divinity gone she couldn’t function any longer. She passed out, her mind sluggish. The spell worked. Iron Eye’s sword unenchanted, but because enchantment permanently changes an item, the sword was destroyed. In his hands it melted. Dropping the liquid steel he was now weaponless. Jack saw an opportunity. He tossed the katar at Iron Eye’s feet claiming he wanted to make it a fair fight. Desperate for a weapon, Curek picked it up. Leucy tossed Jack the jade dagger. He grabbed it and threw it at Iron Eye. It struck him in the heart as he bent to pick up the katar. Feeling the effects of the poison and the many cuts, Iron Eye stumbled towards Jack. He pulled the knife from his heart and charged the Loadstar with the last of his strength, knocking them both over. Curek swung the blade down towards Jack’s eye. Jack was too tired. He couldn’t stop the blade. Catching Iron Eye’s arm, he slowed it, but the tip of the jade dagger came down, pushing into Jack's left eye. It was excruciatingly painful. Iron Eye ran out of strength before Jack. He fell slack and Jack shoved him off. He ripped the dagger from Curek’s hand and stabbed him repeatedly. He didn’t stop until Leucy pulled him off.

The pirates were stunned. They could not believe that after all these years the most powerful pirate lord was dead. Only one of them raised her sword to fight on. An arrow from Daxian quickly shut down their hopes. The pirates stood around uncertain until J’Kar ordered them off. Over the silence Melar called for the sails to be turned towards home. The *Kirinda’s Jewel* slipped off back towards Mordehall as they left the Isles to right themselves. Someone climbed the mast to find Sylvie. Others prepared Feerik and the slain crew for a burial at sea. J’Kar and Daxian helped with this. Jack could only stare at the corpse of Iron Eye as his daughter held him. Finally he reached down and pulled the iron eye out and kicked the corpse overboard. When this was done Lord Keel came up to Jack. The first thing he did was apologize for Jack’s lost eye. Then he told Jack, the jade knife wasn’t meant for him. Jack agreed. He tossed the dagger into the waves so it could be reclaimed by the Tide Keeper. In a rare moment, Lord Keel let his emotions slip. Softly he told Jack and Leucy that he would keep his promise. Once everyone was dropped off in Cape Red, he would take Jack anywhere the old pirate wanted to. That included back to the Isles. But he told Jack he thought it was time to go home. Despite his reservations earlier that day Jack agreed. It was time for him and Leucy to go back to Roadon.

At the funeral Palo spoke quickly for Feerik. Melar cried for him and the other dead crew. After the corpses were given to the Tide Keeper, Melar came up to Daxian. He offered Daxian the first mate position. He couldn’t promise it would be exciting or high paying, but it would be reliable. Daxian said he would think about it. J’Kar spoke to Daxian after about a job again. Daxian took J’Kar’s offer, leaving this ship behind.

### Resolution

A week after the battle with Iron Eye, the *Kirinda’s Jewel* docked in Cape Red. It was time for everyone to move on. The ship would leave again the next day for Tel’Mar to bring Jack and Leucy home. Melar immediately started looking for new crew members and a first mate. Palo quietly slipped away. He kept true to his word and quit the university. Jack and Leucy remained aboard. Before everyone else left, Lord Keel called Janie, Sylvie, Genna, J’Kar, and Daxian to his office. All these people were going to continue to work with him. He explained the project. The group he worked with was trying to establish a Mordish republic. They needed these rituals to beat the Iron Tempest Commandos. Janie would take Sylvie, and Genna north to the County of Tasserich. Sylvie still had suspicions but they were calmed by Janie. The young student was permanently damaged by her over use of magic. She was tired and groggy. But still Janie trusted her to help make sure the rituals were used properly and safely. J’Kar and Daxian would go to the Viridian Bog. They would meet another member of the organization there and together they would try and plot a course through the swamp. After that he dismissed everyone. The next day he took Jack and Leucy home.

## Continuation

Several campaigns and events around Var’Tareen were heavily influenced by the events of Silver Mists and Bloody Tides.

Snake in the Sand: A three session campaign that is based off the prelude. In this game, the Roadani used the notes given to them by Lord Keel in exchange for Jack, to find a spy in their Capitol.

### Mordish Civil War

The notes recovered on Piyla played a critical role in the start of the Mordish Civil War.

A Thief Among Traitors: This game followed a group of people allied with Lord Keel and Janie Kerias, in the Mordish Birding Society, in their attempt to recover notes of Janie Kerias, stolen by a rogue Mordish faction. It also included the return of Sylvie as a PC. It also featured Lord Keel in the epilogue.

One Crime at a Time: This game brought the return of J’Kar and Daxian as NPCs.