Deeper Underdark

Sprawled on the ground, by himself, Grin communicates to the others: What should we do? Are those the dead-looking, yet somehow also friendly-looking sailors?

Brewner looks worried
"I am not sure about dealing with the undead, we may talk with them, but if something looks weird.." He makes a motion with his Warhammer."What do the rest of you think?"

What are you gibbering about Flor’ ? Are you saying you can’t trust your own self now? You’re doing some heavy loitering around my…your…my sword.

Felix receives a message and turns off his head lamp. Examining the boat below, he marvels at the existence of an underground lake.

I cannot believe, I travelled a mile underground, and still managed to find another boat.

Whispering - You guys think those people on that boat are dead? Or undead? I can barely make them out from here. You got some intel I don’t?

Felix squinted at the stony shore below, trying to make out who was piloting the boat.

I wonder where they’re going. I don’t see any Taverns.

Hmmm, a tavern would be nice indeed! Well, let’s get a closer look. Maybe talk to the sailors? Grin prepares his climbing equipment. Oliver, let’s leave an alcohol flask here for you to track so we can find the exit.

Our heroes find that hearing stories of an undead ship on a subterranean lake is one thing, but actually seeing it themselves is quite another, the group hesitates on their perch. While apprehensive about what they might find, they realize that there is no reason to turn back after finding exactly what they were told they would find. With a renewed sense of adventure, they head down to the shore to get a better look.

As they approach the shore, they get a much better look at the ship. It is a sail ship with billowing canvas. As they look, they realize that the air is still. What wind is pushing it? The ship had been out a ways and to your right, but heading in your direction when you first spotted it. As it gets closer, you can see that there are crew on board going about their duties. There are a couple of crew near to the wheel. One seems to point in your direction, and the other then raises what appears to be a spyglass for a better look. Lowering it, he proceeds to wave in your direction.

As they proceed down to the shore, they can now clearly see that the shore is not terribly wide, only about 50 feet side-to-side before it ends into the cavern walls. If they want to progress, they will need access to a boat of some kind. They also note that there is a short pier extending into the water for about 12 feet or so. You have no idea where the wood for the pier ever came from, but while it appears to be ancient, it also appears to be in passable condition.

"True. .. no tavern would appear to be nearby. But then again, that right there is a pier. Let us double check..."
Oliver adjusted his Drunkard Circlet, blinked and pointed in the direction indicated by the circlet.

_________________"And indeed, the closest alcoholic beverage is in that direction, likely a tavern in the surface."
"Ah! You cheeky genius, that's a brilliant idea. Still got a couple wine extracts. Let's put them right away so we don't get lost."

"Now, what about that ship? Part of me is curious to approach, but I'm not sure I would trust otherwordly entities who are not joyful enough to drink alcohol in this gargantuan abyss."

_________________"However, the closest alcoholic beverage is in that direction, so even in this abyss there might be a tavern. Who would have guessed!" Oliver appears to be excited at this prospect.
"Ah! You cheeky genius, that's a brilliant idea. However, I think it's best if we find where the currently tracked alcohol beverage is, rather than messing with our only compass by making wine. What do you say?"

"Regarding that ship... Now I'm a bit less scared of whatever otherwordly entities are in there, considering that they might share the joy of a hearty ale. Let's greet them! What's the worst that could happen?

____________________

Ealdwig uses his command word to turn off the chromacloth head band. He sees the lights on the boat but not much details. At Grin's suggestions he tilts his head, gives the command word again for light and follows him down toward the water.

When he gets to the bottom and the "shore" he picks up a rock. Walking over to the pier, Ealdwig uses his foot to test it, seeing how steady it is before walking on it. He wanders toward the end and drops the rock into the water. Wanting to see if he can get a feel for the depth, any living... or dead, um undead(?) creatures or any unusual characteristics.

The circlet points you to the ship itself.

The pier appears to be sturdy enough. Ealdwig barely causes a flex in the wood. Brewner or Felix will likely elicit some groaning from the wood. However it will support their weights with no issue.

Dropping the rock into the smooth water illicits no response other than the simple splash when it hits the surface. The water below the pier does not appear to be very deep.

Very good, Oli! New friends and a hearty meal! We’ve barely started our adventure and it seems that we’ll be traveling in comfort!

Grin lights up the lantern and wills his cloak, Veilstitch, to make him look extra fancy. Seeing Ealdwig’s experiments with the water, Grin follows him and takes a handful of water in his hand. He smells it, then if it doesn’t smell off, he’ll taste it.

Felix watched Grin - You have a drinking problem, my friend. Not every drop of liquid out there is meant for … sampling.

For his part, Felix licked a finger and lifted it above his head, feeling for any air movement.

I’m not a boat technician, but I do wonder what could be propelling such a craft down here. It’s like a whole separate world.

The ship approached silently, Ahoy there!?

When the ship comes close enough Brewner going to listen again, trying to figure ou if the undead sailors are speaking to each other.
Brewner will also try to perceive how many sailors there is on the ship

The water is fresh water. It does taste a bit odd, like it has too much minerals or sediment in it, but it is not salt water and it is drinkable.

While there was a pretty noticeable breeze up higher where the entrance to the cavern was (because of the temperature and humidity differences), down here by the water, the air is surprisingly still and quiet. There is no air movement. However, since the air is also cool, it is not unpleasant or uncomfortable. Despite all of this the ships sails always seem to be billowing as if there is a strong breeze hitting them.

The ship is far enough that Brewner can't hear anything too specific, but he does clearly hear that they are talking to each other, and that it sounds like normal "ship talk". The only phrases he can hear most clearly are the orders given for heading, sail trimming, or for someone to get their lazy self moving.

The group's efforts to attract the attention of the ship has worked. The ship heads in their direction, but stops a bit away from the pier they are now all standing on. The sails were billowing as they approached, though they go slack once the ship comes to a halt. The ship lowers a rowboat with two people on it, which then rows over to the pier. As the rowboat gets closer, the group is finally able to get a much better look at the two crewmen. They look like two relatively normal sailors, though their clothes are obviously old and out of style, like from a storybook. They are unkempt looking, though not completely out of control. Despite the seeming normality, there is still something completely off-putting about them that you can't put your finger on yet.

"Ahoy!" calls out one of the the crewmen. "Are ye looking for passage to yon farther shore?"

Ealdwig looks around at the group and then at the sailors. Um, yeah I think so. He turns around to the group and in a lower voice asks, right?

Gosh! You’re right, Felix! What if the drink they have is not meant for sampling?! That is a terrible drinking problem!
Grin looks to Ealdwig and shrugs, wishing he had the translator crystal device to speak to these strange sailors.

Loudly and slowly he says:
…Ahey-ho-hoy, boat friend! Forsooth! Uhhh, we do seek passage to Yon on the far shore. We are peaceful explorers from the surface world above. Please, what do you call this place? Are we in Yon now? Is there a tavern here with beverages for drinking?

The crewman not manning the oars says, "It costs one gold coin per person for passage." He looks back at the oarsman, smiles, and turns back to the group. "Sure, we have food and drink we can share back on our ship. The drink is high quality!"