Escaping the shop with my new bag of holding I managed to shove everything I didn't need to wear into the hole. The Changelings Arsenal slipped onto my right arm. I am going to practice later for now I need to find a ship heading to Brokenbank. The Harbor Sphere is the section of Port Zoon that holds all the naval housing, warehouses, weapon storage, and docks. Best place to look for a ship. If not there I am sure there are taverns nearby with the crews of these ships.

The smell of salt and I think gunpowder filled the air. There was also the slightest hint of human waste. I am ready to leave this town. I walk the docks and look for someone that isn’t busy. “Excuse me. Do you know of any ships heading for Brokenbank that I can book passage on?” I asked a human man moving back and forth with crates.

“Head to tha bar. You’ll find a bunch of captains and workers that might know,” he said.

I thanked the man and did just that. I walked into the dive bar that smelt of sailors that haven’t had a good bath in weeks. I was trying out a permanent increase to my sense of smell with the dire wolf's abilities and I was losing this battle. I went to the barkeep and asked him,” Know of any ships heading to Brokenbank I could purchase passage on?”

“Hmm. Not everyone goes to Brokenbank. It’s usually a stop on the way to Taldori and beyond so you need some that is headed that way right now. Then there's the other kind that heads that way. Don’t usually recommend them,” he said.

“I can handle myself well enough. Anyone in here an option?” I asked

“That woman right there,” he said and pointed to a tabaxi.

The tabaxi was white-furred with darker spots. She reminded me of some of my old cats. Was that racist? Probably so I won't ever be saying that out loud. She had green eyes and was dressed like a captain. I say that because she had a big hat. Obviously, only the important members of ships had hats. I approached and asked,” May I have this seat?”

“Sure,” she purred. Oh boy purred like a cat. Now mentioning that was definitely racist. “And what do you need from Three Earrings?” She asked.

Her name sounds familiar. Not sure why but this might have been a named NPC from the show or the books. I don’t remember the Nein meeting anyone other than pirates. They almost immediately became pirates. It was funny how fast they fucked that up. Meaning the barkeep just pointed me to a pirate. Thanks, dude.

“I need passage to Brokenbank and the barkeep said you sail there,” I said.

“Ah, I see. We can do that. I wouldn’t mind another hand helping with the decks,” she said.

“I’d have to help with the ship?” I asked.

“Of course. Unless you want to pay for a more VIP treatment,” she said.

“I would but I haven’t spent any time at sea. I need to learn the skills,” I said.

“Purfect. The Wavecrasher is on the southern docks. You won’t miss it. Speak with Heidi. She is my first mate,” Three Earrings said. I thanked her and left the building. She is more than likely a pirate and that means this is a pirate crew. I find out who they are tonight.

Finding the Wavecrasher wasn’t hard. It is a simple longship. It has only the deck and the floor beneath it. It has two masts, 4 lifeboats on the side, two little circle things on its back that have small cannons on swivels, and 4 larger cannons, two per side. About 14 people are moving back and forth on the ship. I ask around and find the first mate. She was a dwarven woman without a beard. Dwarves almost always had beards no matter the gender but so chose to forgo facial hair. This dwarf is a stout 4ft woman of impressive build. I don’t underestimate the strength of any race in this world. Especially after I received an ass-kicking from Alamad.

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“Hello. Captain Three Earrings said I should speak with you. I purchased passage aboard the ship so I can head to Brokenbank,” I said.

“Aye I be tha one to talk to. Speak with about ya bunk and bout ya responsibilities,” Heidi said with a medium accent. I have heard some dwarves talk common with accents that make me question if that isn’t a second dwarvish.

The next few hours were spent learning how to tie ropes and what each rope did. They tested my strength and I could easily pull the anchor back in by myself. That got me quite a few stares but that is good. I need to display that I am strong enough to hurt those that fuck with me. Despite the intimidation, I got along with the crew. We spoke of past jobs and our lives before. I told them about killing alligators in the Othemoor and getting my ass kicked by Fetu. I didn’t mention any of my connections to the Zho or my friend's connections. The crew learned that I was a solo adventurer heading for the Gravid Archipelago.

“Why you headed there? Hear about some long-forgotten ruin and its treasure? Need some help carrying all that gold?” A few of them asked.

“Nah nothing like that. I am monster hunting. Rumors speak of a Roc that lives high up in those forests,” I said.

“YOU. Kill a rock? Hahaha. Don’t over-estimate yourself, boy. It will get you killed,” a voice from behind said. It was Captain Three Earrings.

“I know how it looks. To kill a creature that big you need time. I won’t be able to kill it in a fair fight. I know forests and what lives in them. I will weaken the creature over time and strike when the best opportunity presents itself,” I said.

“Still a nearly impossible task for just one man,” She said.

“Isn’t that half the fun? When you see the bird's beak sitting on the docks in Brokenbank you will know I was right,” I said.

The rest of them chuckled and we all went to our duties. I had secured my bag of holding to my side with a few ropes in my pants loops. It can’t be opened unless you untie it. So I am not worried about theft. They can try but it won’t leave my side. Other than that I wasn’t worried about fighting anyone on this ship. They all seemed to be low on the totem pole of the Revelry. They could swing their blades and fire their guns, but when a giant octopus with alligator jaws comes at them they will panic.

It will take 4 days to reach Brokenbank. The crew works in two shifts. I will be helping with the crew during the day and the night was mine to do with what I wish. I considered hunting some sealife but decided to hold off for now. There would be time later. Unless we are attacked or the need is great I haven’t shown off my shapeshifting abilities. I kept the Arsenal on my armor the whole time not willing to let it out of my sight.

I had to share my hammock with another of the crew as they didn’t have the space for more. Honestly, that sounds cheap in my books. I hope that nothing bad happens with this crew. I would like to continue to travel with them. It might be best that I invite them to help with the hunt. I don’t need them to kill the bird but they can help with any poisons and such or they can help with the salvage. I will think about it tonight and ask the captain tomorrow.

……….

I wake up in the dream and am greeted by Clarion. “Sup Clarion. You helping me today?” I asked.

“Of course master. It’s not fair that Rubert gets all your time to himself. I wanted to be the one to help our great master too,” he said.

Haha. I love Clarion. I couldn’t tell if was acting or if this was just how all cats acted. Either way, he was excellent at his job and did everything with a high level of professionalism.

“Right this way Sir. I was watching you today in anticipation and have found the memories you will need. I can also give a report on them now if you would like,” Clarion said.

“Thank you Clarion. Your skills are magnificent. Go ahead,” I said. He was prideful and loved his work. He is also good at it so I had to give my boy his praise.

“You were correct. You do know of Three Earrings. She is a Revelry pirate. She is not a high-ranking member but a pirate nonetheless. Her first mate is also a member. The others are unconfirmed. She is a centerpiece of one of the starter adventures in the Explorers Guide. A group of Saughans destroy the town of Palma Flora with the power of Uk’otoa. Three Earrings knew of their power but not the attack. The heroes of that story are supposed to work with the pirate and help retrieve a magic item the Saughans possess and choose whether to give it to her or not. They have the option of becoming friends with her. She is written to be loyal to her friends and will treat these heroes well. I imagine if you chose to do so she might be a good ally to have in Darktow. She doesn’t possess much power but it’s a good way to gain access to the city. I believe you should do this,” Clarion said.

He was shy about giving his opinions and I liked that. All of the animals of the soul dream had their own opinions. As they had been animals before they died and kinda still are now they have an outsider's opinion on civilizations and laws. Most of them believed,’ If you have the strength you should just take what you need.’ Staunch believers in survival of the fittest, but more open about making and protecting friends.

“I was considering it myself but it's good to hear someone else,” I said.

“You need to make this a profitable deal for the both of you. The archipelago is near the sunken temple of Uk’otoa. We can go check right now to see if there is any treasure that can be obtained there,” Clarion said.

“Lead the way,” I told Clarion. We went on to watch a lot of information. I know this is stealing from the Nein’s future treasure but I can always make sure they get it later. There was one item I saw in the temple I wanted. A stone of good luck. In 5e it gave the user +1 to all ability checks and saves. I don’t know what it does now but I want it. It's a powerful item for its uncommon rarity. I wouldn’t mind it but I will need to hand it over to the Nein later. The rest of the stuff they don’t really use so I can give it to the pirates.

“Well thank you Clarion you have been a great help tonight. Tell everyone I wish them well,” I said.

“Of course master. If you end up having to kill a lot of people Hardok said we are ready for the influx of residents. So don’t worry about how they will be treated once they end up here. We can take care of that,” Clarion said.

I think he actually wanted me to kill more things. Not just the normal amount as well. Well, he does call himself the Lord of Blood and Claw. He really is a cat.