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Message: <blockquote data-quote="GMMichael" data-source="post: 9766379" data-attributes="member: 6685730">The Haul Before the StormIngredients:Fast TimesScary StickersRose-Colored GlassesMonstrous CarapaceYuan-ti OilAnte UpBackground:Wothersee is a medieval fishing town, situated in a rocky cove that provides residents and fishermen protection from some of the worst anger of the sea gods.  Its rocky location and an inland rainforest make it an out-of-the-way destination for most travelers and commerce, but the promise of seafood and pearls is motivation enough for hardy traders to find the town.A diverse council, largely self-serving and slow-moving, governs Wothersee.  This council has currently tabled the concern of a certain fishing boat called the Rosey Pearl, captained by Arla Saltbrow, which set sail seven days ago.  Despite a rapidly brewing storm and the ominous predictions of the soothsayers, Arla confidently sailed out for one last haul, only to be marooned by the storm.  When the storm passed, the fishermen of Wothersee resumed their trade, and discovered two things.  One, Arla's boat could be seen outside the cove, damaged and hardly seaworthy.  Someone on the boat weakly waved a flag of distress.  Two, rescuing the Rosey Pearl was beyond the help of the locals, fearing to set sail due to sightings of seaweed hair and barbed tails patrolling the cove.Resolution:The goal of rescuing the Rosey Pearl can be accomplished in several ways, but it must be done quickly (two days max) because the damaged boat has lost important cargo, namely, food and fresh water.  In addition, floating on a damaged vessel is dangerous if a scylla is near!Possible solutions include:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Killing or repelling the scylla.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Distracting the scylla long enough to rescue the fishermen.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Bringing food and water to the Rosey Pearl and attempting to wait out the scylla's visit.</li> </ul>Hooks:PCs can choose from one of many reasons to rescue the Rosey Pearl:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The crew of the Rosey Pearl includes family or friends.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The Rosey Pearl set out to harvest pearls, which might become a payment of gratitude for rescue.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Rescuing the crew might earn the gratitude of the town council.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">A personal vendetta against yuan-ti or seamonsters.</li> </ul>Encounters:Three important Wothersee characters can help the PCs with their choice of resolution: Wrack Hallfell, Old Koot, and Switch of Rimlock.  Additionally, details of the scylla appear here.Wrack Hallfell:Known as the hardiest of Wothersee's fishermen, Wrack has a boat that he'll lend to the PCs, with a solid contract for recompense.  He knows most of the details of the scylla (see "scylla" later), and some tidbits about Arla Saltbrow as well:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Arla is an optimistic young captain who's been rapidly making a name for herself and her boat.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">It's possible that her avarice is tied to gambling debts.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Wrack thinks that Arla had gambling debts coming due, which is the real reason she raced out before the storm.  It was fear of creditors, not optimism.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Scylla are often mistaken for groups of amphibious yuan-ti, due to their long tentacles, and hair-like "beards."</li> </ul>Old Koot:This weathered, hairy old man shambles his way about the docks offering unintelligible advice to the fisherfolk.  A fisherman for most of his life, he went overboard one day, and has never been the same.  One rumor is that he encountered a scylla, and survived.  Old Koot says and repeats, when asked about a scylla:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">"Ante up."  His cryptic advice on confronting a scylla, it means to attack the creature when it raises up, exposing its "front": a soft underbelly.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">"You'n tall."  His way of saying "yuan-ti oil," which he wishes he had during his encounter.</li> </ul>Switch of Rimlock:The oddly-garbed part-time trader, part-time gambler who has earrings that draw her ears upward instead of down.  Switch sells various potions and perfumes.  PCs can ask her about Arla or yuan-ti oil.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">She praises Arla's optimism in both sailing and gambling, which she thinks borderlines on foolishness.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">She sells yuan-ti oil, which does offer poison resistance, but fails in her promises to resist magic and help befriend snakes.</li> </ul>Scylla:A squid-like creature which reveals its presence as long, mermaid-like hair flowing through seawater.  Its rocky carapace makes it futile to attack it from above while it swims.  To feed, it rises up from the surface temporarily to snatch sailors with its six, poisonous, barb-tipped tentacles, and being stung by these makes swimming, and thus survival, very difficult if the creature drags its prey underwater.  The scylla is food-motivated, and will relocate in five days if it cannot feed in the cove.</blockquote>

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