Kristoff Knocks

The party committed to a three-day sea voyage to Rumblecusp, where Captain Forrest's ship and crew awaited orders from Skadraschan, choosing to strike before reinforcements from the Adjacency could arrive.

Three Questions, One Warning

Marnok communed with Tho'Maeus, who finally spoke telepathically in Draconic and delivered three cryptic concepts: "3 questions," "commune," and a warning to be extremely careful [1]. Viktorin recognized the pattern immediately — Tho'Maeus was operating under the constraints of a divine Commune spell, limiting his answers to three per session. The blade's caution hung heavy as the party began planning their next moves.

Dragon Lore and Deadly Prep

Mervyn speed-read through a Book of Dragons, searching for weaknesses in purple dragons and uncovering references to gemstone dragons, particularly amethyst varieties, though detailed information remained scarce. Kithri received a scroll from Perisire via her glowing chest, confirming supplies had been received and that Perisire and Dudger were still watching for Archie. The party debated recruiting allies — Niren, Faden Ilmaris, Meereen, Yusra — and whether to warn them about Cindradel's approaching land army.

Jack Drops the Act

Jaxxeth Fire arrived at the Withered Bird Inn and proposed his usual game of traded drinks and information. The party accepted, and Jack revealed critical intelligence: Skadraschan remained in Nicodranas with his ship, but another vessel under his control sat docked at Rumblecusp in the Mervyn Archipelago, crewed and awaiting orders [2]. Jack then abandoned his drunken persona entirely, revealing himself to be a sapphire dragon operating undercover, and proposed a stealth mission to thin Skadraschan's forces before a direct confrontation. The party shared their own intelligence in return — they had killed the Dark Sun, met Rathacris, and learned that Cassara, an ancient white dragon of thousands of years, likely led the House of Five [3].

Underwater Approach

The party recruited Phaedra via Sending spell, purchased healing potions from Delilah's shop, and set sail that evening from Nicodranas aboard Jack's vessel. The journey to Rumblecusp would take three days. During the voyage, Viktorin entered a meditative void and encountered the Moonweaver, who warned of chaos looming and promised that other divine patrons stood ready to support Viktorin beyond their previous one [4]. Kithri brought Dook aboard, and Phaedra — initially wary of the white wolf — gradually accepted his presence.

Skull Island at Dusk

As darkness fell on the third day, Jack doused the ship's lamps and positioned the vessel offshore. The party ritually cast water breathing and dove into the shallow waters, swimming toward Rumblecusp. A massive skull-shaped lair loomed ahead, its glowing eye sockets illuminating the approach, with Captain Forrest's double-masted ship docked nearby alongside a small dinghy [5]. The party began their underwater advance toward the island as moonlight glinted off the waves above.