Lord Dagult Neverember of Neverwinter is a member of an important faction of the Sword Coast; The Lord’s Alliance. This group of noblemen and women work together to prevent threats to their lands becoming more than a petty nuisance. As of late, pirates have been raiding coastal towns and villages with fervour, and many of the Alliance’s troops are stretched thin. This is especially true for Gundarlun. Being an island nation, its few warriors have been outsourced to help protect the cities of the Sword Coast. Only a few days ago, King Olgrave Redaxe of Gundarlun reported a disturbance on the other side of the island but has no resident warriors to investigate.

Our characters are about to set sail from Neverwinter to Gundarlun on a vessel named The Voyage. This caravel is owned by Lord Neverember and has a crew of fifteen guards led by Captain Arveene Greysail. The characters are travelling to Gundarlun as they signed up for the expedition after Lord Neverember’s representatives dispersed fliers asking for volunteers.

Neverwinter, the City of Skilled Hands has only recently got back onto its feet. Following a volcanic eruption, a gaping chasm to the Underdark, and an orcish onslaught, Lord Dagult Neverember has managed to rekindle hope in Neverwinter. The outer walls are being rebuilt, neighbourhoods are being filled in, and life is returning to its former glory which once earned the title Jewel of the North. Unfortunately, things are never perfect. Pirate attacks on trade ships travelling to and from Neverwinter have been plaguing the city causing businesses to fail, important food and military supplies to go missing, and agitating the populace. The city’s army is mostly deployed in warships, hoping to deter, or better, capture the marauders.

Our five adventurers met at The Blind Parrot Tavern for a final drink before heading out in the morning:

• Acanthodoris – Sea Elf Ranger/Rogue
• Evan David – Goliath Barbarian
• Galo Waveborn – Sea Elf Cleric
• Kaelen Veylor – Human Wizard
• Tarin Graves – Human Warlock

After a few pints and shopping for supplies, our adventurers headed for The Voyage. They were welcomed aboard and the crew shared the following rumours:

• Lord Neverember hired Captain Greysail and The Voyage to take a few adventurers to Gundarlun to investigate some disturbance there.
• Apparently one of the jarls of Gundarlun complained to King Olgrave Redaxe that a strange vessel crashed a mile or two away from his hold.
• Gundarlun is ruled by King Redaxe but is divided into fifteen holds, each ruled by a jarl, who owe fealty to the King.
• The journey is to Gundarlun 384 miles, so provided the weather stays fair, we arrive in six days.
• Lord Neverember doesn’t have much time for King Redaxe, viewing him as a minor lord who can’t do much to truly help the Lord’s Alliance.
• Supposedly some strange folk emerged from the wreck and killed a few peasants who came over to see what the disturbance was, hence the need for a military presence.

The party retired for the evening with Captain Greysail informing the party that will depart at the first crack of dawn.

As soon as they left the dock, Captain Greysail ran a few of the party members through their paces by getting them to climb up the rigging and tying and untying knots. Everyone acquitted themselves ok except for Evan David getting caught up in the rigging. Captain Greysail watched their performance intently and then assigned everyone to their positions.

The next few hours passed without incident until a few members of the party noticed a ship pursuing them and gaining on them. Cutting through the waves was a sleek ship with a red painted hull. It quickly becomes clear that the vessel is on an interception course with The Voyage. As it gets closer, you notice a black flag sporting a triangular red symbol flying from the top of the mast.

The prow of the blood red ship is tipped with a vicious iron ram. As the blade slices through the water toward you, you notice two prominent figures standing at the helm. The first is a lumbering ogre who is missing an arm. Forged onto the stump of the missing limb is a huge anchor, which the creature uses to steer the ship’s wheel. Standing just behind the beast is an ashen-skinned tiefling with eyes like glowing embers wearing a tricorn hat.

Kaelen Veylor noticed that the ship was flying a flag that was a symbol of Asmodeus.

The Voyage prepared for battle.