Deeper Underdark

Grin is listening, but starting to feel quite hungry…

"So... The captain has admitted to be dead, both her and her crew. In that she has been fully transparent." Oliver takes a second to laugh at the accidental pun.

"This place is full of surprises. I want to walk around a bit, and see what we can find. Anyone want to tag along? I know, I know, we won't take stuff, and if we find a bar, we won't drink anything, and yada yada security measures."

Grin follows the others around until it’s time to talk to the captain. During their wandering, he asks Brewner to elaborate about the "don’t take anything from the crew" feeling and reluctantly accepts that he won’t be enjoying and vitals of the high-seas.

Brewner doesn't know how to explain it without sounding crazy, he have a chess piece that talks to him..He looks hesitant and embarrass while he talks to Grinfletch and the rest of his companions
"Well..hmm..let's say i had a warning... is difficult to explain, but i believe that if you take something from the ship it will bind you to the curse of the undead, maybe we can ask the Captain when we join her "

Felix had found a dry spot, out of the way, and made himself comfortable. His satchel became a pillow (as it often did) for his head, and as he rested he watched the still water becomes disturbed by the ship. He took a sip from one of his own flasks and shut his eyes.

I'm sure someone, hopefully an alive someone, will give me a kick when I need to get up

Looking at the pier / dock that we passed, who would have a private cove down there? Hum... Could be something interesting down there if we can figure out how to get there.

Ealdwig elbows Grin and points at Felix, how can he just go to sleep? I don't think I'll be doing that.

Thinking about the lake they are on. It must not be a big as we thought. This ship just zig-zags across the water to give the crew something to do. Maybe we can walk to that strange pier around the side of the lake?

Grin nods and whispers back in a matter of fact tone: Big folk are large in stature but small in stomach - they don’t eat enough and get tired too easily. Grin opens his pack and shares some cheese and bread with Ealdwig. He points to Felix: He’ll be missing second breakfast. He winks to Ealdwig and holds a finger to his lips and whispers shhhhh.

The skeletal crewman (crewperson? you don't know what they were in life, and they don't really give any indication) informs the group that it is time to meet Captain Bloodbane. They go roust Felix, then as a group go to the Captain's quarters. On their way there, The King reminds Brewner of his warning.

"Welcome! Please join me so we can tell each other stories!" She motions toward where everyone can sit on the floor around a low round table. While there are no chairs, it is surprisingly comfortable. Each place has some food provided. It looks good, but one wonders how it could have been preserved for so long. Also, each place has glasses available, with an assortment of bottles of alcoholic beverages sitting around. Looking at the bottles present, they look to be well made liquors and they all know that, unlike food, liquor will basically last forever as long as the seals are not compromised. These bottles look pristine.

"Please help yourself to one of the bottles. Most have been accumulated over time from travelers we have ferried across this lake in more active times, but a few are from before we were ever trapped here." She picks up one particularly impressive looking specimen and continues, "This one, for instance, came from one of the best distillers in all of Taverin!" She smiles at their blank faces and lack of recognition. "Taverin was an extremely wealthy, though small maritime kingdom. They were wonderful to raid before the cataclysm sank the whole place beneath the waves. Once this bottle is gone, the last traces of their greatness will finally disappear from history all together."

She places the bottle back on the table. She doesn't react in any particular way if anyone eats or drinks or fails to eat or drink. Her demeanor doesn't change in either case, and she remains the welcoming host throughout. "Being trapped in this lake means we do not have the ability to go and make many new stories of our own. So, every time we do get passengers, I like to get as many stories from them as I can. It helps us deal with the time when there are no passengers. And since you are the first we've had in a long time, I am very eager to hear your stories. Or even your questions, as those can also lead to great stories. But, as the host, I will begin with a story of my own!"

She then starts her story, "I first got involved in piracy when I fell in love with the swashbuckling captain who was called Goldbeard because of his golden locks. (His real name was Charles. I called him Chuck when I wanted to annoy him.) He was an amazingly dashing pirate and set all the girls hearts aflutter. When he chose me to accompany him, I could scarcely believe my incredible fortune! However, I found out that while he was my world, I was just the next one for him. Still, it was great while it lasted and I learned so much during that time. On one fateful day during a raid on Taverin, the loot of which included the case for which that bottle is the last, we were surrounded and about to be captured. My love was about to surrender when I slit his throat for being a coward. This reinvigorated the morale of the crew and we were able to repel the boarders. When I ran their commander through on the poop deck in view of the Taverin ships, they hesitated just enough for us to escape. After that, I was the captain of the ship, and we continued on with much success."If, at any point, Felix makes a motion to either eat or drink anything provided by the Captain, Florian will simply tell Felix, "Don't be an idiot."

Despite having just eaten his second breakfast with Ealdwig, Grin can’t help but be impressed with the spread. His mouth watering, he tries very hard to focus on the story. He uses his Belt of Trickery to create miniature illusory features of the story: characters, ships, etc.

"Grim tale you have madam captain but full of dashing adventure as well, however, i wonder about your present situation as undead, how has that curse befall you?"

Brewner is sitting next to Grinfletch and keeps an eye on him

Oliver is delighted at captain's Bloodbane telling of her story. Though rough and gory, and exciting, the tale has an air of melancholy to him. He is saddened by these kind prisoners of the lake, but he dared not ask why they were there. Which is why Oliver opened his eyes like plates and choked vigorously when Brewner asked the question.

Grin thinks to himself: A curse! Maybe we can help to break the curse?

His hand unconsciously moves slowly towards some of the food in front of him…

Felix listened to Captain Bloodbane's tale, which came across as quite gruesome yet awe inspiring.

I hope we don't also become trapped down here. She mentioned ferrying other people around - if they made it out or across maybe we will too.

The food on offer seemed fishy. The crew clearly didn't need to eat, so where did it come from?

But this booze, booze lasts forever, it's bound to be safe


Felix licked his lips and began to tentatively reach out a hand,

No you don't ya idiot

Florial's voice was in his ear and Felix lost control of his arm briefly. It jerked around, first smacking Grin in the side of the head and following through to smack himself in the face.

Oh! Uhh, that wasn't me Grin, I swear, sorry. Felix said as he rubbed his own nose. I got it Florial, such a killjoy.

The Captain responds to Brewner, "And excellent question! And I will be happy to answer it, but I must hear one of your tales first!" She gives no indication of being insulted by the question. She seems to be actually genuinely glad to answer, but really does want to hear the other's stories, too.

Ow! Grin looks at Felix, then at the Captain. A story - you’re supposed to share a story!
Oh, I, uh… yes I have a story for you. This story is about spiders, goblins and magical crystals!

He launches into a retelling of the story of the psionic crystal all the way from the spider cave to the breaking of the crystal into smaller shards. He uses his belt of trickery to animate the entire retelling with illusory characters, creatures and other visual effects.