Aboard the Star of Nostro

Dengus surveys the room carefully. Among the surgeon's tools he sees an extremely sharp scalple (d4 dmg) and some slender probing tools that might serve as impromptu lockpicks. The vials each contain a medicinal herb, root, leaf, or flower. There is a label on each bottle but the scawl is nonsense to him.

Eugene is more accurate than he knows! As he looks down the rigging toward where Brother Longfoot is climbing, he sees a dark-grey reptilian creature clamber over the edge of the boat, directly behind the half-demon Elix near the mast to the crow's nest. Before Eugene can say anything, the creature lunges and pulls the half-demon over the side of the boat and into the water with a splash.

By the time everyone rushes out, the danger has passed...for now. Anyone looking down sees the half-demon bobbing on the surface of the water, a large hole torn out of his abdoment. A moment later a shark is attracted to the blood and chomps on the body, dragging it under the waves.

Belamina reads one more entry before being distracted by Eugene's cry. "Alkar's Stones! My Steward McCann has been killed! The boy was found eviscerated in his bunk. Gutted like a pig. I've tasked Mr. Connant to find the murdering fiend!"

Bryson lets out a whimper-groan as the others’ refusal to seek shelter. And then he turns his back to them with a shrug and makes his way indoors.

"That way, lad!" Gryff the Elder remarks, pointing an old finger at the unopened door.

"Away from the bodies, don’t you think?"

The baker nods his head and makes for the remaining closed door!

This spacious cabin contains a simple bed, wardrobe, and locker for storing personal effects. On the table is a journal scribed in elegant handwriting. The front of the journal says, "Property of First Mate Connant" The journal has artistic drawings of mermaids, birds, an-chors, and other nautical-themed items on the cover and in the margins.

A hatch on the opposite wall leads to a forward cabin

The ship is little more than a spec with the naked eye, but through the spy glass you can make out that it has changed course and is headed your direction.

On the fo’c’sle, a peculiar dog-like humanoid figure has been carved into the foremast. The creature is approximately 2-feet tall, has a canine face, stands up-right like a halfling, but has webbed hands and feet. It is dressed in traditional sailor’s attire and is holding a hammer and smoking a pipe. It appears to be smiling cheerfully.

On the poop deck, you’re alarmed to find the ship’s wheel has been splintered to pieces. So now, in addition to all the other hardships you’ve endured, you’re also left wondering how you will possibly steer the ship? Near the splintered ruins of the ship’s wheel is a small locker.

---

Belamina reads another entry in the log: "Three more murders! Entrails removed just like with McCann. The crew fear we may have a reef-wraith on board and are now singing to the Klabautermann for protection from dawn to dusk. I brook none of this nonsense. The culprit is a man and we shall unveil the fiend! Doubling the watch. Tempted to light the lanterns at night despite the Ibis risk."

---

Bryson, Gryff, and Dengus look in as the baker opens the door. Entering this large stateroom, you feel like you’ve stepped off the ship and into a cave. The walls have been adorned with clay and rock in such a meticulous and ingenious manner, the cabin resembles an underground cavern.

On one side of the "cavern" is a small sitting ledge with an open scroll and candle. Laying on the floor is Dahut! You recognize her from your farewell dinner with Captain de Keradel the night before departing on your voyage. Dahut’s arms are crossed over her chest and she’s holding an ornate rock pick, but both she and the tool are transformed! Dahut’s flesh is in a state of petrification, half flesh and half stone. It’s as if she’s been gazed upon by a basilisk!