Session Overview
Several weeks after establishing peace at Grandma’s pie shop and receiving Elder Forgoth’s estate, the party travels to the port town of Murann to retrieve a mysterious package expected to arrive on the merchant ship Jade Lion. Upon arrival, they discover the ship is over a week late, the docks are eerily quiet due to rumors of sea monsters, and a desperate father’s missing son connects directly to their mission. After a dockside brawl with a sore loser and his hired thugs, the party prepares to sail toward Skyhorn Lighthouse—the last known location of the missing vessel.
Fionn’s Journal Entry
[Written during the short rest aboard the Annabelle Lee, with sketches of dock layouts and a hasty rendering of bear paw prints]
The sea. I have observed it from afar—watched how tidepools cradle their small ecosystems, how shorebirds read the water’s moods. But to venture upon it? The great expanse holds no trees to speak with, no familiar fungi to counsel me. Only salt and depth and the unknown below.
[Sketch of a distant lighthouse, labeled: “Skyhorn - destination”]
Our journey here proved uneventful—the forest path gave way to farmland, then to the salt-tinged air of Murann. A merchant town, busy with trade. Or so it should be. The docks whisper differently now. Fear has settled over the sailors like morning frost on meadow grass. They speak of monsters, though the tales shift with each telling—tentacles become waves become demons. The truth hides somewhere beneath the rumors.
Tiffany moves through this world of commerce like a fish returned to familiar waters. She paid her guild dues to a gnome called Wickle, navigating the strange rituals of coin and membership with practiced ease. I find comfort in her competence with these matters I do not understand. She has offered to manage our collective resources—I suspect she noticed my confusion when numbers larger than “many” entered the conversation.
[Small sketch of coins with a question mark]
A halfling named Benji Frogwater approached us, worry etched into his features like wind-worn bark. His son Raph—barely ten summers old—sailed aboard the Jade Lion to experience the sailor’s life. The same ship carrying our package for Forgoth. The same ship now missing. Coincidence? The forest teaches that connections rarely occur by accident. Perhaps fate has woven our paths together for purpose.
The docks themselves felt wrong. Too still. Like a pond before a storm when all creatures seek shelter. We found Captain Sheila Coppertree—half-elven, sharp-eyed, voice carrying sea shanties across the water—aboard her vessel, the Annabelle Lee. She spoke of seeing the Jade Lion through her telescope, pulled toward the lighthouse by waters moving against wind and current. Unnatural. Worth investigating.
Then violence found us, as it seems to do. A gambler named Gaspar, bitter over losses at something called “Black Tar Dice,” confronted the captain with demands and accusations. Lumina’s diplomatic nature transformed quickly into draconic fury when words failed—fire bloomed from her jaws like a sudden forest blaze. I called upon bear-form, felt the familiar comfort of claws and muscle. Tiffany’s arcane bolts crackled like lightning strikes.
[Rough sketch of a bear mid-leap, annotated: “Effective deterrent”]
The thugs Gaspar summoned with his whistle proved less committed than their employer. Crossbow bolts found their marks—Tiffany took wounds that concerned me—but we prevailed. Gaspar surrendered. Mercy was granted. Tiffany insisted on compensation for the family of the one she felled. Even in conflict, she maintains her code. I find this admirable, if somewhat confusing given her general disdain for social niceties.
Now we rest aboard the Annabelle Lee, waiting for the crew to assemble. Three hours’ sail to Skyhorn Lighthouse. Three hours before we discover what became of the Jade Lion, her crew, young Raph, and Forgoth’s package.
The ocean awaits. I have never been good at swimming.
[Note in margin: “Must ask Lumina about her pillow-based financial system”]
Attendees & Status
Present:
- Jinks playing Fionn (he/him) - Level 6 Firbolg Druid
- Sidney playing Lumina (she/her) - Level 6 Dragonborn Paladin
- Erik playing Tiffany (she/her) - Level 6 Warlock
- Justin as Dungeon Master
Status Changes: Party leveled up following the pie shop adventure; beginning new adventure arc with fresh resources (80 gold each)
Discovered/Known Locations
- Murann: Major port town in the County of Amn, approximately one week’s travel south of Baldur’s Gate; second largest port in the county; merchant hub with Merchants Guild presence
- Murann Docks: Western waterfront district; currently eerily quiet with only 4-6 ships moored and roughly 10 people visible where dozens should be working
- The Annabelle Lee: Captain Sheila Coppertree’s vessel; prepared and ready to sail with slip knots for quick departure
- Skyhorn Lighthouse: Located on an island approximately three hours’ sail from Murann; last known location of the Jade Lion
- Merchants Guild Hall (Murann): Where Tiffany paid her dues; run by Wickle the gnome
Key Events
- Party sent by Elder Forgoth to Murann to retrieve an important package arriving on the Jade Lion
- Tiffany pays Merchants Guild dues (20 gold for four months) to Wickle and receives a one-use 10% discount token
- Benji Frogwater hires the party to investigate the missing Jade Lion and rescue his 10-year-old son Raph (200 gold each, plus 200 more upon successful return of crew/cargo)
- Party realizes the ship they’re waiting for and the missing vessel are the same
- Captain Sheila Coppertree describes witnessing the Jade Lion through her telescope being pulled toward Skyhorn Lighthouse by waters moving against wind and current
- Gaspar accuses Captain Coppertree of cheating at Black Tar Dice; combat ensues when intimidation fails
- Combat: Party defeats Gaspar, Nino (half-orc who fled), and four thugs; one thug killed by Eldritch Blast
- Gaspar surrenders; agrees to set up pension for fallen thug’s family and publicly recant cheating accusations
- Party takes short rest aboard the Annabelle Lee while crew assembles
Character History & Reveals
- Tiffany: Revealed her parents owned a brothel; she avoids them when traveling to avoid running into people from her childhood; expressed desire to own ships rather than follow family business (“I’d rather own ships… I can see the world instead of having all the world come to me”)
- Lumina: Mentioned she’s never tried on a dress before; uses pillowcases filled with coins as her banking system (and weapons when heavy enough)
- Fionn: Expressed unfamiliarity with ocean travel but willingness to proceed; learned swimming from watching dogs/wolves; characteristically uninterested in monetary matters
Important NPC Interactions
- Wickle (Gnome): Murann Merchants Guild representative; processed Tiffany’s dues; provided local merchant information; gave Tiffany a one-use 10% discount token; will send word to Waterdeep headquarters
- Benji Frogwater (Halfling): Nervous merchant whose son Raph (nearly 10) sailed as cabin boy on the Jade Lion; offered 200 gold each to investigate, plus 200 more for safe return of crew/cargo; described as unable to go investigate himself
- Captain Sheila Coppertree (Half-Elf, she/her): Captain of the Annabelle Lee; tan, athletic, blonde braided hair, tricorn hat; known for singing loudly and often; witnessed the Jade Lion being pulled toward lighthouse by unnatural waters; personal friend of Captain Aaron Hest; only captain willing to sail out
- Captain Aaron Hest: Captain of the missing Jade Lion (mentioned only)
- Gaspar (Human): Gambler who accused Sheila of cheating; surrendered after combat; agreed to pension and public admission of fair play
- Nino (Half-Orc): Gaspar’s well-groomed companion; fled early after taking breath weapon damage
Loot Acquired
- Party Treasure:
- 80 gold starting funds per character (from pie shop profits and salvage)
- 15 gold from defeated gamblers/thugs (party share)
- 8 gold given to Captain Sheila Coppertree
- Notable Items:
- One-use 10% merchant discount token (held by Tiffany)
- Pending:
- Forgoth’s package (aboard missing Jade Lion)
- 200 gold each from Benji Frogwater (upon investigation)
- Additional 200 gold each (if crew/cargo returned safely)
Notable Quotes
Tiffany: “I fully approve of your son’s desire and of your concern.” (Connecting Benji’s son’s seafaring dreams to her own past)
Lumina: “So if you have a problem with her, then you have a big fucking problem with me.” (Defending Captain Coppertree from Gaspar’s accusations before combat)
Fionn: “I mostly stand through a lot, and then sometimes I swim, but I have to go really far out… I’ve learned from the dogs.” (Explaining his swimming experience with characteristic rambling)
Next Time
- Three-hour sail to Skyhorn Lighthouse aboard the Annabelle Lee
- Investigation of the Jade Lion’s last known location
- Potential encounter with whatever lurks in those waters
- Possible rescue of Raph, Captain Aaron Hest, and the ship’s crew
- Recovery of Forgoth’s mysterious package
Meta-Session Information
- Scheduling: Session ended with party taking short rest; next session picks up departing for Skyhorn Lighthouse
- Campaign Notes: This marks the beginning of a new adventure arc following the conclusion of the Apple Pie Dumpling Gang’s first quest; party now operating from their guild base (Forgoth’s former estate)
- Table Notes: Combat used Roll20 for mapping; party established Tiffany as treasurer for shared funds