Warm welcome

A few hours go by, and you stand at the stern of the ship, watching the storm as it moves. Ferra is beside you, holding your hand as she watches as well. Even with the slower captured ship, you have been able to stay ahead of the storm, and now it seems to be moving away, though it’s hard to say for sure. Purple and green lightning flickers within the roiling black clouds, and occasionally a bolt will lance down to the ocean in a spectacular light show.

Melora is guiding Captain Ben as best she can, although the nearness of the storm is apparently playing havoc with her powers. Alex finally dragged herself out of bed, but decided to wander around the ship rather than help out. You figured she earned some free time, and besides, Ferra seems happy to be able to spend some quiet time alone with you.

Your thoughts are interrupted by a commotion on the ship, and Melora approaching. “Nicholas, we’re close to land, and…you should see this.”

You turn and head towards the front of the ship, seeing a crowd gathered there. They make way as you and the girls arrive, Alex having heard the noise and joined you. As you reach the bow, you can see land ahead, and a village on the water’s edge. There’s a gathering at the shore as well, and as you get closer, you can see that the villagers are mostly monster girls! Some hold weapons, but for the most part they they simply watch, until a shout goes up from the other ship.

One of the former prisoners is shouting towards shore. He seems to be shouting a name, but you can’t make it out. However, the effect on the people ashore is electric. A woman runs along the shoreline, cradling a baby, shouting back towards the ship and waving. She appears to be some kind of cow girl, and even from here, you can see she’s crying. As both ships drop anchor, the mood on the shore goes from grim to celebrating.

You make your way back along the ship, anxious to get ashore and find out what this place is. You leave instructions for the crew, planning to take only a small party ashore at first, though you expect that will be short lived. Climbing into the small launch you have for these situations, you and the girls, along with a couple others begin to head ashore. You can see a couple boats being launched from the other ship, and you hope everything goes well. You have little control over the released prisoners in this situation.

As your boat approaches shore, you feel many eyes upon you. Climbing from the boat, you look around. “Greetings! Who’s in charge here?”

The crowd parts, and an older woman approaches. She appears to be human, and in good health, possibly in her fifties. She looks at your party and offers a hand, which you shake. With a smile, she gestures in welcome.