We’re on the ship. Many amenities, things to do on the ship. We go to the humidity levels. We’re offered after-breakfast apertifs. Level 6 is the brothel level, also good for adjusting appearances.

Lux goes to the elevator. Lt. Tandra is there. Mentions a rogue on ship. Her day is nearly complete – heading to Avast, a tavern. Podence – the legendary rogue might be there. Says when I’m done, join at Avast. She says she will be departing on level 9. Misty is there on Level 6. We talk garb. She mentions the fee for the Battle Axe Brothel. All access cost is 100 gold. Lux excuses himself to round up his friends.

“The first casualty of war is the plan” – Jartha

We go to the 9^th floor. Lots of commotion, thumping bass beat. Loud and crowded place. We roll in and everyone is there.

Bartender “Avast ye maties, welcome to club avast”

Kex goes to talk to Lady Sash “well look who it is from the Cat People”

They talk, Kex is like this odd. To Kex, looks like Ash and Lady Sasha looks much older, ash has not as nice clothes. They said they’ve only been on the ship for two days.

Beer comes from behind the counter, not from a tap.

Lux approaches Ash – talk about the pleasure cruise. They try to do it every few years. Usually various enchanted pigeons. Lux asks about the strangeness. Ash says it’s from another dimension, owner unknown, captain bajordi has piloted for centuries (ahem, decades).  Ash mentions going to the gladitorium – looking to sponsor combatants. Lux introduces Jartha, who I guess messes up the handshake. Jartha gets weirded out and goes to hang out with Bug. Talk of platinum. 2 per combatant upon victory.

Jartha goes to talk to the new guy (neves). Awkward introductions. Jartha plays up drunk. Neves introduces himself. Re-introduces himself. Talk about how long they’ve been on the ship, tough to tell, 2 or 3 days.

We check out the other room – the atrium, more people.  There’s a raised stage, guy on stage is playing bongos and wearing a dog suit. Singing and howling – people are super into it. Kex jumps on the piano. Bongos guy is unsure at first, but sees Kex and knows who he is. HIS MIND IS BLOWN. Crowd is into but doesn’t recognize Kex.

No familiar faces.

Lady Sasha rolls up on Lux and Jartha. She’s psyched that Dog Person is playing with Cat People. Knows Dog Person from Silver Hall open mic type stuff. They trained him up. Name was Kyle.

She mentions Ash and Neves argue a bit. Mentions Neves is a spiritual man.

Jartha and Sasha start dancing. Kex gaining groupies. Kyle going crazy.

Lux walks back into the bar, Neves and Ash discussing. Neves storms off.

Lux asks about Lt Tandra, Ash says she hangs out after hours. It’s about dinner time.

Lux gets Ash to join in room where music is happening. Kex stops, shakes Dog Person’s hand.

We go back to our rooms and get dressed. We go to the Mess Hall for dinner. Cooks is there! Talking up his nail clipping stew. Be ready in a couple days. Recommends the dinner quiche with mimosas.

We talk to Cooks about it being strange. We eat. Kex has a plate of crickets.

Kex suggests checking out the deck. We agree, go to the top of the ship.

Captain Lordy Bajordi is behind the wheel. Even on the deck of the ship – it seems longer than before. We can tell we’re on the ocean. We see land to the starboard side. Seems appropriate for passage to Winchendon.

Kex asks the captain how long it might be. Probably another day. Lux/Kex notices Lordy’s hands are backwards.  Lordy encourages us to engage in the Gladitorium.

Kex flexes on Bajordi. Bajordi not taking crap from you – you want off this ship you let me know. Kex – you’re of no help. Kex jerks the wheel and runs away.

We go shopping. Blacksmith, Wizardry store.

We go to blacksmith – Icabod’s Crane. Kex shops for some blades. Kex tries trading sapphire gem and claims he got it from a possessed ogre. Says it can posses others. Back and forth bartering. Kex trades some stuff and gets a talking cutlass/scimitar. Icabod will use the gem to power an automaton.

We go back to the Avast and negotiate. Lux gets one platinum, we should receive six upon victory.

We go to the gladitorium level. Tandra is there. I see you’ve chosen to compete. We’re so glad about that. Tandra takes us to the green room. We all sincerely hope for some good entertainment. Good luck.

Then we’re in the arena. Our names are announced. Many people there. Cheering us on. The sound of their clapping sounds muffled.

We hear a large beast being brought in. It’s being held by two wizard types, casting a spell on it.  Beast has large mandibles. Hard exoskeleton.

We get positions. Kex jumps on a column. Jartha throws his beer glass at the beast. It misses.

We fight.

We win, after the fight. We’re offered help. Jartha and Kexyl take out the eyes and teeth of the thing.  We go back to the green room. Health potions scattered amongst the cutty sark.

Kex plays a song, we rest well before the next fight.

We hear knocking on some sort of door. Can you hear me, I’m here to help you. It’s Neves! Tells us we’ve got to get off this boat. Says they’re all vampires. We’re all just puppets. Theyre like humanoid tigers. Neves says he has a skiff. We follow him.

We follow him to the skiff. OGLESBY IS IN THE SKIFF. Lordy Bajordi turns into a tigerman. Also Oglesby’s hands are normal. Kex calls out Lordy on the bullshit. Neves jumps quick come on. We get on a skiff, head to the shore. Ken’s 40^th green dragon joke of the night.

We land on a peninsula near-ish to Winchendon. Neves says he was on the ship for a long time – time seems distorted. Neves says Ogelsby drank (as opposed to dragged) him under the table. We talked about the tiger people. They sucker in travelers. Tells us Ash and Lady Sasha are vampires. We talk about black dragon. Neves asks for the paper. Neves talked about being able to translate the paper.

We head towards Winchendon. Lux huddles up with Kex and Jartha.

We get called out for citizen passes.  This is the area for residents. Tells us to use the docks.

We go to the docks. Halt, state your business. You seem well armed to be refugees. Why are you here, Kex talks about the weird boat. We need a place to rest while we go on our way. We get sent to the Lookup Tavern and Grill. We see a bustling tavern. Kex tells this woman he’s a prince. Gets slightly steamy.

Colleen the bartender, talks about things getting darker/seedier. Says she likes rockskipping, darts, the casino boats, floating casino isn’t actually in water – it’s aground.

Jartha tries to get rid of Neves, says he’ll look at historical tomes. Research the black dragon etc. Jartha makes arrangements with Neves to meet up tomorrow.

We go back into the docks district. Average evening. People going to residential areas.

We visit the Lexland Wood Company.

End game talk of 12/1-ish.