The bridge from Legend of the Ripper to Coils of Set Part 1:
The party return’s to Jonas the Gnome Gem merchant’s shop. I quickly narrated this part, getting the PCs from the shop to the ship. Jonas has the Black Pearl securely locked away in a lead-lined iron strong box that he hopes will protect him from this curse. Or at least slow it down!
Jonas pays for the party’s passage and I tell them the ladies (played by my wife and Ragnar1965) are not very welcome aboard. Jonas has to pay extra for the bad luck women bring to a respectable ship.

The elven archer and the witch are then shown to a cramped private quarters for themselves. Jonas and Nightwing’s ranger, Greyson, had to share a room down below with two other PCs.
My friend Trevor came over for this session as did my friend and co-worker Paul. Trevor created an elven fighter/magic-user/thief (levels 1/1/1) named Occulus. Paul created a first level rogue named Mouse. So with a group of five the ship set sail.
I described the voyage as peaceful since the ship traveled along a major trade route. I had each roll a Con. check to see if the PCs became sea-sick. I don’t remember who failed, but Nightwing began to find out about some of the subtle qualities that reside within his ranger’s blade called Whisker. With Whisker at his side, Greyson strode about deck like an old sea hand. This was the ranger’s first time aboard a boat larger than a raft and his first sea-voyage. I informed Nightwing that Greyson was completely at home aboard the ship. He became interested in what other features this sword had. He-he.
On the tenth day of the trip, one day away from a stop over on a small island, the half way point, during the late afternoon the mate in the crows nest began yelling about something coming along side the portside of the ship. Several crewmembers raced to the railing, weapons in hand, to be plucked up and overboard by a giant, tentacled, sea-monster. Within moments the ship was on alert and fear spread straight to Jonas. The poor gnome wailed like the doomed. No one had to tell him that such monsters are not seen here (and they aren’t) since he knew full well the curse of the Black Pearl was behind this.
The crew fought against the tentacles as they whipped about the ship, pulling men to their watery grave. JediWife’s elf was first of the PCs to arrive and began firing arrows right and left into the creature’s massive body. The others arrived to aid. Nightwing had his PC pull Whisker and lay-to at any and all the tentacles. Ragnar1965’s spellcaster fired magic-missile at the beast hoping to slay the beast. Both Paul and Trevor’s PCs, being only first level, tried to stay out of harm’s way while using missile weapons.
This beast grasped Greyson and pulled him overboard in an attempt to rid itself of a painful problem. Into the water he went with a tentacle holding onto his leg. Several of the other tentacles began seeking the source of the unerring arrows and the magical attacks. The creature broke the surface of the water and an overpowering smell of fish and foam filled the air. Both the elf and the witch, along with the captain who was fighting to keep the tentacles away from them, saw the massive reddish eye fix its baleful gaze on them. The players got worried.
Nightwing found out his PC seemed to have an incredible ability to hold his breath and even in the churned up water knew exactly which way was up. He also felt buoyant and Whisker seemed fused to his hand and ready for action. He quickly cut himself free from the tentacle. I asked Nightwing what he wanted to do and, without hesitation, he said he wanted to know how many hit points his ranger had. He had lost roughly 12 points leaving him still in the twenties.
“Can Greyson swim while holding Whisker?”
Yes, yes he can. Quite well actually. Are you getting an understanding why Whisker has such an important history with the sea?
Nightwing has his PC swim right at the monster, ready to gut the thing! Meanwhile the captain has ordered his crew to throw everything they have at the thing. JediWife, Paul, and Trevor’s PCs all fire their missiles at the thing. By this point I think Rangar1965’s spellcaster had used most or all of her offensive spells. I think Ragnar than have his lady PC defend the others with a staff. I can’t remember.
They kept asking me if the thing looked like it was dying and I kept saying the wounds are weeping blood and the water is assuredly crimson. (It was in bad shape, but enraged as it wanted the Black Pearl and nothing short of death was going to stop it.)
Greyson made his way to the body of the beast and began stabbing Whisker using both hands. Between several stabs from that magical blade and the accumulated damage from the arrows and spells the foul beast partially rolled over and sank from sight.
The ranger aided the crewmen who had been cast overboard but had not died back aboard. It was a fun battle and Nightwing has a new appreciation of Whisker.
More later. . . .