Episode 1: A Helping Hand

Golwen comes to his senses, suddenly aware of the aching pain and the imprint of a rapier sword guard upon his body.

Jandral's Fire Bolt strikes the harpy in the back. She screams, and seems to contemplate abandoning the prospect of a meal for her continued safety.

As Parallel returns to the jolly boat, the melody works its way into his mind like an incessant ear worm. He becomes lost in the sweet and strange tones and feels the urge to bear witness to the singer of this song. The sailor in the jolly boat reaches out with his oar to try and knock the halfling back in. Unfortunately, his position is awkward and the wooden blade sweeps over Parallel's head (Attack 14 vs AC). So eager is Parallel to listen to the music that he doesn't think twice about jumping back into the water and swimming toward the rocky spire.Onboard the Red Cutter, there is a chaotic melee as three sailors attempt to dive overboard. The others, including the first mate, that resisted the enchanting song struggle to keep their shipmates from leaving.

The two sailors already in the water seem distracted enough to withstand the effects of the music, and one manages to reach the netting by the Red Cutter. Meanwhile, the charmed sailor in Tordek's grasp struggles once again to break free as the dwarf drags him through the water back to the ship (Athletics 13). However, even in Tordek's armlock, the sailor's eyes clear and he says, "Wait! What? What's going on?"

The sailor at the rocky spire groans weakly, trying to remove himself from the jagged protrusions. Perhaps sensing how close the man is to death, the harpy swoops down and smashes her club against his temple, before finally applying a fatal slash of her claws through his throat. Satisfied that her meal won't be going anywhere, the harpy flits back around the spire and attempts to move out of view.

The illusory mermaid in the water fades from view, its arcane magic run its course.

The arcane missile impacts against the spire, harmlessly splashing flame into the air.

Golwen's mind is certainly focused, but his vision is still blurred from the dull pain where Rhodrick hit him. His Fire Bolt sails up over the tip of the spire and into the night.