Cleaned up notes!

---

Tasked to investigate [[The Daybreaker]], we gather our supplies and head out. It was spotted a few days ago, drifting at sea. We hitched a ride on a small fishing boat to follow the [[Moonstone River]] to the ocean.

The boat is owned by [[Shelby]], a giant man. He has super long, gray braided hair and a beard that reaches the floor. His clothes are standard for the area, with a lot of fishing equipment used to patch up his outfit. His belt is made of old fishing rope, which is very practical. His large figure makes the little fishing boat tilt, but he is very used to rowing his boat to open waters to fish.

The waters are calm with low wind, so he starts rowing the oars. As we get closer to our destination, the fog grows. Twenty minutes later, we cannot see land or sky anymore as the fog has become so dense. We start to approach a large shadow rocking gently in the distance. Shelby has a device to keep track of the direction even in the fog.

We approach an average-sized cargo ship. Two ropes are hanging off the boat, and waves are crashing into the hull rhythmically.

[[Fazak]] wasn't aware that this mission meant being on the sea. He took the job because it needed to be done, and now he is feeling very seasick on the small, rocky boat. The large fishman tilting the boat is not helping. So, he flies up to the deck to search for anything to toss down to his other companions.

Akin to bugs' life, [[Fazak]] flies up shakily. Landing with a thud, he spots a woman fixing a fishing net, her back turned to him. A strong smell of rotting fish covers the whole boat. The sound of a large creature swings through the fog. Landing in front, a deep booming voice calls out, "Hello, there. What brings a land lover like you onto [[The Daybreaker]]?" A large gorilla man greets him.

[[Fazak]] dusting himself off and addressing the man, "My apologies for the sudden introduction. We were sent to see what the situation was. You should have arrived at [[Dawngate]] three days ago."

"There's no trouble, we should be arriving just on time to [[Dawngate]]," says the gorilla man, confused.

Looking around, it seems like a normal trading vessel. Nets, black powder cannons, two doors leading to the cabin, and the cargo area. You know, normal ship things. He can only see two people manning the ship from his spot.

"I have two companions below. Can they come on board and we can all make our way to [[Dawngate]] together?"

"Be careful, the poopdeck is still slippery from last night's storm." There was no storm last night... Letting the incorrect statement pass, [[Fazak]] throws down the rope ladder. [[Zarah]] and [[Maestro]] climb up as [[Shelby]] latches his ship to coast with them.

"I've never been on a boat before" [[Zarah]] cheerfully says.

"I personally think we should present ourselves to the crew." [[Maestro]] says.

"What a fine idea!" From the quarterdeck of the ships steps out a young man. He's visually striking with dark curly hair and vibrant energy. He jumps down from the cabin to greet us. He picks [[Zarah]]'s hand and gives a kiss. "My name is [[Tidas]]. Welcome!"

A bit flabbergasted at his sudden approach. "Uhhh, are you a pirate?" [[Zarah]] questions, as she's only read about pirate adventures on the sea. "That depends, do you like pirates?" He jokes.

Taking their turns to greet themselves:

- "You are looking at [[Maestro|Maestro Anura]], the one an only."

- "[[Fazak]] of the [[Wild Knights]], pleasure." He gives a salute.

- "And I'm [[Zarah]]! From [[Oishi]]." She smiles.

"Welcome aboard my ship. We should be landing in [[Dawngate]] soon." The captain cheers. Thinking back, it took us about an hour to row from [[Dawngate]] to here, but they've supposedly been traveling for three days. Something is not adding up.

[[Zarah]] was a bit stunned by his direct actions; it took her a second to process, but something felt off. Rather it felt like nothing at all! The kiss on the hand had no touch of fingers or lips. She corrals [[Fazak]] and [[Maestro]] to the side, pretending to help a seasick [[Fazak]]. "Something is weird, I didn't feel anything when he touched me." [[Maestro]] looks confused.

He spots a crate on board with a tarp over it. The smell of rotting fish is coming from it. With a careful gaze, he sees an ever slight movement from under it. "My friends, don't look now, but later. There is something FISHY about it. I could maybe distract them while you investigate."

[[Tidas]] has walked back to the helm of the ship, he can see a limited view of the deck. The tarp is behind the center mast. The other two are busy with there own tasks and don't seem to be paying much mind to the new strangers on board.

[[Zarah]] is very interested in what the crate might have to offer. Seeing this, [[Maestro]] gestures her to go ahead/lead the way. [[Zarah]] gets her broom out, still cautious of what might be under. The smell gets stronger with every step closer. Using the end of her broom, she carefully lifts the tarp up revealing oozing, dead fish.

[[Maestro]] remembers a strange "Northern delicacy" that involves strong smelling fermented fish. Though, this just looks like normal sea fish, caught around the area.

Suddenly, while taking a closer look, something jumps out the fish pile on top of [[Zarah]]! A huge manta ray with crab legs, it's round mouth with rows of teeth, with a whipping tail.

### Combat Start:

Whips it's tail at the pinned [[Zarah]]. She takes serve damage, only able to dull the blow by rolling on her side.

[[Zarah]], in a moment of pure instinct, Unleashes Chaos. The blood from her wound blustering her magic, her primal origin guiding the energy. Spectral green light rushes from her chest, to her hands, shocking the creature. It's pushed away from the blast, looking rough.

[[Maestro]] takes his rapier, a bit shocked by the sudden appearance. His slashes go wide, he doesn't like it when the food attacks you back.

With is falter, the stinger on its tail attempts to stab [[Maestro]]. The poisonous tail just misses as he gloats, "I used to be a dancer. My hips don't lie~"

[[Fazak]] looks around at the other crew members, he notices that they haven't even reacted to all the noise. That's Problem B, Problem A is the crab manta. His wings extend, rushing up he yeets his halberd. His grand-paternal instincts to protect [[Zarah]]. It strikes straight into the Ray, the string yo-yoing him to the ray to push the rest of the weapon into the creature's mouth and through the skull. With small twitches, it takes it's final breath. [[Fazak]] standing victorious like superman. "I really don't like seafood." He huffs out.

"You haven't tried my seafood." Suggests [[Maestro]]. "Fine, I'll try yours. You get a pass."

[[Maestro]] has seen this manta ray crab creature before. He recognizes it from a book on the many deep sea creatures that dot the ocean floor. This one is known to it eats dead/decaying fish. A normal monster, maybe a delicacy to some, but the smell is so bad. No special magic detected from it.

[[Zarah]] suggests, "So, the creature came after the fish."

[[Fazak]] shrugging to the crate of old fish, "Is this the delicacy? Who brings a crate of rotten fish for trade"

We're not sure what this vessels was originally carrying. So, we split up, each taking one of the crew.

- [[Maestro]] to the gorilla man

- [[Fazak]] to the woman with a net

- [[Zarah]] to [[Tidas]]

[[Maestro]] approaches in his show-boat manner. "Hello, big fellow! Do you usually repeat yourself a lot like this?" "Do you?" The man snarks back. "Variety is the spice of life! I have many lesson. We can talk all night if you like. What is your name, good sir?" "The name's [[Urchin]]." "That's a special name, my friend." He holds out his hand, but it passes through. "Well, [[Urchin]], this is not so nice. You don't know how to shake a hand?" "I just shook your hand, what do you mean?" Trying to get a read on him, (with his experience reading about big hairy men??), he pushes a little too far. [[Urchin]] sees the tight gaze of the ribbit, "You should bugger off. We should be arriving in [[Dawngate]] any time now. Stay clear of the poopdeck, it's still wet from the storm last night."

[[Maestro]] walks back to his companions with a bit of fear in his eyes. Joking, [[Zarah]] teases "Wow, that was very impressive. The smell of romance (rotting flesh) in the air."

While that happens, [[Fazak]] walks up to the woman. "You look like you're having trouble with the nets, allow me to help" "Sure." The katari woman has deep, black fur across her skin, her nails sharp, and her eyes slitted. "Ships aren't my specialty, but" he gestures to his armor, "two heads are better than one." They both fixed the nets, but her hands aren't really doing anything. Her fingers are making the movements, but they pass through the nets with out her noticing.

[[Fazak]] helps to repair the small holes in the fishing net. Not really getting a sense of what's going on here. While talking, she introduces herself as [[Kara]] and that they have to repair the nets because they just caught some fish before the storm. "We're so close to [[Dawngate]], they should still be fresh." "Those fish ain't fresh." "Of course they're fresh, we just caught them an hour ago. We even threw in an ice rune to keep it cool." He nods his head, "I'm sure the traders will look forward to them." He finishes the nets and returns to the group.

"I don't believe our katari friend is aware of what's going on with the ship." "Not Mr. [[Urchin]] either. Something strange is a foot.."

[[Zarah]] walks up the steps to meet with [[Tidas]] who is behind the wheel. "Oh, lovely [[Zarah]], you're back." "Hi, I was just wondering what you guys normally trade." She asks, politely. "Mostly clothing." "Oh, you wouldn't mind if I took a look for myself, would you?" "I must excuse myself, I do have a fiancé. She's down in the captains quarters. Newly engage." "Congratulations! When's the wedding." "Hmmm, any day now."

Sensing she's gotten what she could from the conversation, she heads to the cargo zone with her companions in toe. Many neatly organized crates, though there is a smell of decay. Peaking into the crates, there seem to be middle-to-upper-class clothes with well-made dresses and coats. Rounding the corner to a shocking view. The decomposing body of [[Kara]].

[[Zarah]] goes up to investigate the body tucked between some boxes in the back. Akin to lab dissections she's done, to examine the wounds. Stab marks... no, more like scratches. More marks than necessary to kill her, but not self-inflicted.

[[Fazak]] definitely recognizes the body as [[Kara]]. Same clothes, same fur pattern. He clasts his pin, a chance to give her some last rights before moving on. "We should probably find the rest of their bodies." "The fiancé is in the captain's quarters." "Something's better than nothing."

![[The Dawnbreaker Ship Map.png|224x149]]

Before we head up, [[Maestro]] gives a us all a pep talk. He's feeling a bit scared of the unknown around the corner: "In moments of discomfort, I always tend to go back to one special recipe." He flips open his mother's stew cookbook he points to a homely-looking stew. He reads the recipe, and the love/comfort he's had with this food is apparent. The feeling lingers on.

We head to the captain's quarters, crossing the deck to do so. We open the door with a slight creek. Small corridor leads towards a table with some assorted text. To the left and right are closed doors. There is a magic cystral on the table, a faint magical glow pinging to [[Zarah]], though she's not sure what it is.

She picks it up to inspect it closer and accidently activates it. Out comes a Quasit (a small demon/imp without wings, ugly cute). In a squeaking voice it calls out, "Hello?! Are you my new masters?" [[Maestro]], with great enthusiasm agrees "Yes, we are. What are you doing here?" "I'm the map. My name is [[Mappy]]." "Well, [[Mappy]], who was your previous master?" "His name was uhhh, [[Tim]] (the seller). Are you not the people who bought me? I am to lead someone to a location. Some kind of temple! I can show you, that's the point of having a map. Are we still on the ship?"

[[Zarah]] "Yes, but we should be getting to [[Dawngate]] any time now!" Looking closer there is a letter of purchase on table. [[Sir Francisco Dupont the Explorer]] was the buyer, no other information about the man.

[[Fazak]] quickly peaks into the larger room, slowly opening the door. Inside is a sleeping girl. She looks human, around 18-years-old, with light waves and a wedding gown on, she is quite beautiful. [[Fazak]] waves to get our attention, shushing us.

All three peak over to look at her. Glancing around the room, there's a captain's hat on a hanger, a small bed with an unlit candle to its side. She must be the fiancé. [[Fazak]] walks up to check her, she's breathing. He lightly taps her shoulder, trying to wake her up without spooking her. Though when her eyes open, she's obviously confused about the unknown faces. "Who are you!?"

He stands back, and she shuffles back. "Don't be afraid child, we mean you no harm." Professes [[Maestro]] "We were sent by the city to locate your ship. You crew is in a bad state." [[Fazak]] says bluntly. "Oh, dear. Is my fiancé alright? [[Tidas]]?" "Last time we saw him, he was on the deck of the ship." Coyly says [[Maestro]].

"Do you know the black fur katari?" "Yes, I know [[Kara]]. Last time I saw her was before I went to bed." "Please prepare yourself, your ship has had a troubled time since you were asleep."

"I should probably go check on [[Tidas]]." [[Fazak]] will gently escort her out the room. As he does, bringer her closer to the others, [[Zarah]] feels a ping of magic.

Shouting in panic, "Wait, don't go." Stopping in place, the to-be bride turns and walks up to her. With direct eye contact, she whispers in her ear. The sense of magic is so strong, it's ugly and horrible. The unknown girl whispers, "You're like me. You're hiding something too. You're hiding how ugly you are!" With a huff, she turns and tries to leave the room leaving [[Zarah]] stunned.

[[Fazak]] interposes the door, but she shouts. "Move, I need to see my fiancé. I need to make sure he's alright." "My friend can sense magic and feels problems with the ship." "You sure there's something wrong with the ship?" Seeing how shocked [[Zarah]] is, he steps aside. Something about this isn't matching up, but he doesn't want to have a confrontation inside. "It's probably that ugly Quasit. You should get rid of it." She slams the door.

[[Maestro]] turns to the small figure, "Don't listen to her. It's on the fleshy inside that counts." "Thank you! You're the best masters I've had."

"I felt her magic. It was weird and twisted. I don't know if she caused this situation, but I think she knows more than she's letting on. Bridezillas are the worst." [[Maestro]] adds, "Yes, I know. I've had five!" (HE'S A HOE!?)

[[Fazak]] turns to [[Mappy]], "Have you been summoned before?" "Before the ship, I was instructed to help Dupont. Don't recognize the woman." [[Zarah]] quickly peaks into the other room. The presumed room of the first mate. Some woman's clothes, so it's probably [[Kara]]'s room.

[[Maestro]], wanting to see her reaction to the crew, will exit the dorms. [[Fazak]] and [[Zarah]] follow.

Up by the steering wheel, The girl is next to [[Tidas]] hanging on his arm, with a love struck expression on both their faces.

As we approach and she sees us, she seems angry at first but quickly smiles. The ship remains silent and still, [[Kara]] still making no progress on the net and [[Urchin]] on the deck.

[[Fazak]], looking up the wheel bluntly says, "Captain [[Tidas]]? We found the dead body of someone who is still working on this deck. I believe an explanation is due." "Well, you can't be working if you're dead. That's just silly." [[Zarah]] attempts to touch his shoulder, but the woman pulls [[Tidas]] back. "What are you doing? You should leave!"

Frustrated, [[Fazak]] walks over to [[Kara]] swinging his Halberd. Nothing. It swishes through her form with no effect. She turns, nonplussed, "Don't break the net."

"It appears I didn't behead your crewmate. I couldn't hit anything. I'm trying to prove a point!" He waves his hand through [[Kara]] to emphasis it. [[Maestro]] jumping through [[Urchin]] to add to the comedy of it all.

[[Tidas]] shaking his head in confusion, "We'll be arriving at [[Dawngate]] soon. You must have had some wrong food and aren't feeling well."

"My name is [[Coral]]. You are no longer in invited to my wedding! It was supposed to be last night, but it was postponed. He's a captain! He can wed us right now!" Her face turns dark with every question [[Maestro]] asks about the details of their engagement. "Well, it wasn't a good time!!!" Her eyes shift to a dark hue until returning to normal.

"Was it because of the storm?" Asks [[Zarah]]. "Yes. Yes it was." [[Coral]] says huffing.

[[Fazak]], in a stroke of genius, exclaims "I can officiate a wedding as a member of the [[Wild Knights]]." (He is lying.) [[Maestro]] adds, "I have seen it myself."

[[Coral]] turns to her beloved "Is that something you want to do, [[Tidas]]?" "I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Until death do us part." [[Urchin]] and [[Kara]] murmur "until death do us part..."

Rule of cool, we're having a wedding now!

- [[Maestro]] pulls out a theremin, for creepy wedding march. Trying to match the theme.

- [[Zarah]] is on the decoration team. Making her own party poppers from excess paper and pinning clothes/ribbon to the deck.

- [[Fazak]] is trying to write a speech with [[Maestro]] helping with the words of love~

"She seems to be possessed in some way. I think if she gets what she want, she will leave. Why is this written like a cookbook?" "Love is like a kitchen." "I think this metaphor is getting out of hand." Thinking, [[Fazak]]'s mind eventually circles around to happy stomach, happy families. Nodding in confidence, he continues writing.

[[Zarah]], looking for some paper for more decorations, finds some in the log books. Taking some clothes to turn into banners and bows to decorate the ship. The ship starts to get darker as we decorate. The wind has been very still, but it's starting to pick up a little.

[[Coral]] approaches [[Zarah]], asking her to be her maid of honor. "I thought you hated me." "We're friends now. We're so alike after all." "Want me to do your makeup?" She takes out some light makeup to accentuate her beauty. Crushed shells for a shimmer and beetle stain for her lips/cheeks.

[[Maestro]] takes [[Coral]]'s arm, walking her down the isle. Finally, he can be the dad he never was to all his children. (He has children all over [[Tanzeim]].) He really gets into the roll of, tearing up a bit when letting her go to [[Tidas]].

The Quasit is both the ring bearer and flower girl, sporting a new bowtie from [[Zarah]]'s ribbon stash.

Weirdest exorcism in the world...

[[Tidas]] and [[Coral]] stand in front of [[Fazak]], looking at each other with love. [[Fazak]] almost freezes up, the moment suddenly getting him. Slowly, in his head, he replaces [[Tidas]] with himself and [[Coral]] with a woman from his past. Repeating the words he heard at his own wedding, he repeats the words he remembers so dearly. Clasping his folk hero pin, he closes his eyes and prays.

- (BOTH PRAY DICE, RALLEY DICE, FOLK HERO EXPERICE, ADVATAGE, 29 with hope)

It's beautiful. The rings are ribbon.

[[Coral]] "Yes, I do."

[[Tidas]] "Of course, my darling. Why would I ever say anything else. I do."

As they kiss, the wind picks up. As they pull away, her arms drop as he disappears. [[Urchin]] and [[Kara]] disappear from the crowd.

Turning to us she says, "Thank you. Now, he will be with me forever." She walks to the edge of the boat. Her dress starts dripping, her hair clinging to her skin.. "I hope we meet again."

[[Fazak]] asks, "If you see a woman called [[Bazera]] on the other side. Please say hello."

She falls backwards in to water.

The fogs starts to clear and the wind starts to pick up towards [[Dawngate]]. We should be arriving in [[Dawngate]] very soon.

[[Fazak]] shouts down to [[Shelby]] "Hey, want a vessel that fits you better?" "I should probably help you steer." "OH SHIT."

~

Arriving back in [[Dawngate]], we return the ship to the company that owns it. After further investigation into the captains log, we hear the true story.

On there way to [[Dawngate]], they picked up a girl who was floating on some debris. Her clothes were recked, so she put on one of the wedding dresses being shipped. She was flirty with the captain and there are many segments describing her beauty. Before the storm arrives, she said "If you marry me now, I can save you!" After that, the captain says that something feels weird, "I don't know if I can go through with it." He wasn't sure and he didn't get to choose before the storm came. He broke the promise and died in the storm, they all became part of the ship until the promise was kept.

[[Mappy]], the Quasit goes to [[Maestro]].