I’ve never liked Grael. Great big walrusy goons usually. Except for this one. The Great Hok. He’s a quick one.

Brigandy Bay is a nasty den of the ocean’s rubbish but just what we needed right now. We had the wood to sell and start our trading careers with the Zephyr. Just needed a buyer.

“Finest wood on the islands.”

“Carroway?”

“Uh, no.”

The Great Hok liked to wear Chinese silk robes and I’m sure he has connections with the Chinese colonies. Someone like that, even a Grael, is worth getting to know. He gives a deal. Market price for wood that isn’t worth it, a dinghy, and all he needs is for us to do him a small favor. What could be simpler?

We killed some time at a dive called the Sundown. My first mate and I spent a little time at the wagering. He was more successful than I though I didn’t mind it that much. It was a diversion. Nigel and Iranthis dared the poxy wenches for a rumble upstairs. Must have been alright. Didn’t hear complaints.

The Great Hok showed up with his favor. Her name was Bella. A real looker until you saw her three ‘brothers’. The men were hard cases and it sort of took the shine off her by association. Still, she was easy on the eyes.

Her story went like this. She and her brothers were on the “Outward Bound”, a ship from Earth recently crossed over. Their father was the captain. Foul weather dashed the ship against reefs near Brigandy Bay when Bella and the boys were in the town getting supplies. All they wanted was to go to the wreck to get family mementos. The favor was to have us take them there.

The sail was fine and we found the reefs without trouble. We took our new dinghy to the wreck and dove to check it out leaving Nigel topside to watch the brothers. Bella was in the water watching us descend.

The wreck was a surprise, in a good way. The hold had seven ingots of Spanish gold! While we were enjoying our luck under the sea, Nigel was dealing with a mutiny as the brothers turned on him. He acquitted himself quite well in the melee though our timely arrival sealed the victory. Needless to say we weren’t in a mood to share the haul from the wreck.

Gold = 7,000 sp
Sea Chest = Earth maps, log explaining that “dear old Dad” was a pirate back on Earth, raiding Spanish colonies.

We also learned about Tressa the Red, the only non-kraken arch-mage in Caribdus. Massaquoni, lives in the Teeth off the southeast corner of the Savage Lands.

Dividing the haul: Spanish Gold + Timber Sale

Ship Funds: 636 + 76 = 713

OFFICERS
Jericho (Captain): 955 + 114 = 1,069 – 50 gambling = 1,019
Brak (First Mate): 636 + 76 = 712
Iranthis (Navigator): 636 + 76 = 712
Asa (Surgeon): 636 + 76 = 712
Equias (Supernumerary): 636 + 76 = 712

CREW
Nigel: 636 (Extra share for Heroism) + 38 = 674
Roqi: 318 + 38 = 356
Sean: 318 + 38 = 356
Other Five Crew (each): 318 + 38 = 356
(Note Caras Cath has Repair skill, might work his way up to be ship’s carpenter).

Nigel: “Whatshisnose… the third.”

Aneiela’s Interlude
Walking on a beach with friend
See old guy in ratty old rich clothes muttering and writing in the sand.
He’s writing names and dates. A lot of them are 12/31/20. Dates started over after the flood and it’s currently the 14th year. So the waters are still rising and Caribdus will drown in six years… if we don’t stop it! :)
Spooky experience. “The Father” is a Massaquoni legend, only wrote Massaquoni names.