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Message: <blockquote data-quote="JollyDoc" data-source="post: 3964633" data-attributes="member: 9546">The border between the Abyssian Ocean and Gaping Maw was a violent, storm-wracked area known as the Maw’s Teeth.  As the Sea Wyvern neared the transition point, the seas turned rough and the sky darkened to black.  Hundreds of water spouts danced and writhed ahead, and the crew quailed in fear.“We’ll never make it through that!”  Urol squeaked as Mandi set their heading directly into the Teeth.  “You forget to whom you speak,” Mandi said, haughtily.  “I am no mere sea dog.  I am a sailor on the Seas of Fate, and I have more than just maps and star charts at my disposal.  Do not fear, good gnome.  I will see you through this safely, but once we reach the shores of Gaping Maw, I promise nothing.”The rain and wind came at them in sheets as the Sea Wyvern traveled a serpentine course among the brutal, spinning columns of water.  Though the journey was harrowing, and on more than one occasion it seemed as if the ship would be swamped or capsized, Mandi’s excellent navigational skills brought them all through to the relatively calm waters of Gaping Maw, which lay on the far side of the Teeth.  Once there, using the coordinates provided to her by the mercanes, Mandi plotted a course for Divided’s Ire, which, if her calculations were correct, lay less than a day’s sail time.When they finally spied the Demogorgon’s island prison, they saw that it was actually two islands.  The eastern-most offered many places for a ship to moor, in the form of coves and deep water inlets.  Its surface was lush and verdant with wild jungle growth, though the winged creatures that circled above the misty canopy looked anything but inviting.  The western island, in contrast, was utterly barren, little more than a naked rock pierced with vents that spewed toxic gas and steam into the air, covering the place in a thick, poisonous fog.  The top of the island was a fiery wound, a caldera that hemorrhaged lava which formed a river that spilled down to the sea, throwing up plumes of caustic steam.  Straddling the peaks of the two islands were three massive buildings, connected by a series of bridges.  The eastern structure was the largest, though in worst shape, structurally, while to the west were two large buildings on either side of the caldera.  Between the eastern and western structures was a drop that descended almost two-thousand feet to the sea below, a gap that left an impossibly thin cliff face along the eastern side of the volcano.  Crossing this gap were two massive bridges.  A fourth, and final structure stood on a small island in the middle of the lava flow.“There’s a ship nearby, anchored on the far side of the eastern island,” Mandi announced as they drew near.  “I can sense it.”“Do you think it’s the Scar?”  Sepoto asked.“Likely, especially since I detect no other vessels within twenty miles,” Mandi replied.  Ordering the helmsman to alter course, she directed the Wyvern around the southeast peninsula of the isle.  In a small cove on the far side they saw a large caravel moored in a lagoon…the Crimson Scar.  It appeared abandoned.  Nothing moved on its decks, and its sails hung in tatters.  Mandi pressed her fingers to her temples and began the words to an incantation.‘Lavinia,’ she Sent telepathically, ‘we are at the prison on the Abyss.  Where does Vanthus hold you?  We will rescue you at all costs!’After several moments, she heard a faint reply in her mind.‘I am in Divided’s Ire,’ came Lavinia’s voice.  ‘I’m no longer held by Vanthus.  I was taken by a rival.  I don’t know my exact location.  Come quickly!’A thorough search of the Crimson Scar showed it to be unmanned and completely picked clean.  Even its wakeportal was missing.“Scuttle it,” Mandi commanded the crew of the Wyvern.  “We’re going ahead to the prison.  Wait here until our return.  If we do not return, may whatever gods you hold dear have mercy upon your souls.”</blockquote>

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