Possible clues to a larger mystery

The harbor of the city of Krakorum is immense. An industrial and militaristic power of the region, the harbor is booming with merchant sailors, naval officers, and craftsmen of all sorts. Ships of all size and measure are docked at the multiple piers, and in the far distance, there's a number of drydocks where more ships are being built. It's a beautifully chaotic mess, something you would never have seen the likes of back home in the Bronzebark forests, with only gentle rivers and brooks flowing through the trees. Humans, for all of their uncivilized behavior, can be incredibly inventive, as well as hardy. While you internally mourn the loss of all the trees and wildlife destroyed to make this sight a possibility, you at least have to recognize that something wondrous was created in the process.

With the size and commotion, it becomes difficult to find the harbormaster's office, and even more difficult to gain his attention. A venerated, easily rankled dwarf holds the position, working alongside a motley crew of accountants, inspectors, enforcers, and shipwrights, to document and care for every bit of activity, tracking every ship, crew member, and crate coming in and out of these ports. It's a tall order, but one he seems capable of doing, even if it be strenuous.

"Wait, you want what now?" The dwarf asked, looking up from his desk through his bifocaled glasses.

"A record of any ships heading eastwards, towards or near the Bastard Isles, or that have already made way in the past day or so."

"Well, that's an interesting request. Should narrow things down pretty well." The harbormaster hopped out form behind his desk, originally made for his human predecessor, and walked to the main area of records, the two of you following along "Most merchant vessels stay clear of that area in recent months. Some big trouble brewing out there by the sounds of it."

You look at Trandal, wondering if he's still so skeptical "What kind of trouble?" He asks

"Hard to tell. Always is dealing with sailors, we hear so many different accounts. What we do know is that a rather ruthless pirate has taken up residence there as a base of sorts. Surprising, given that place is generally thought to be beyond habitation. At any rate, sails out of there and attacks anything in sight. The only way to get away clean is to pledge loyalty."

"You mean, like fealty?"

"Precisely. She's gotten right ambitious, being called the Cutthroat Countess, and the Privateer Princess. We get conflicting stories. Things get stranger from there. Some of the more fortunate ships that have sailed near that area without being attacked have reported seeing some kind of monster under the waves. I'd personally rack it up to an excessive of **** and a deficit of sleep, typical for sea life. That said, if what they claim is true, and there is some kind of monster patrolling those waters, than something's afoot beyond petty piracy."

This does sound distressing "Anything that can be done about it?"

The dwarf shakes his head "Nay. Only way to get near it nowadays is to be sailing a ship that fly's her flag, like the ship we have docked here now."

Trandal jumps first "There's a ship heading to the Bastard Isles? Is it the only one?"

"Settle yourself lad. That ship being the Vigilance. According to her captain, it's not heading to the Isles, at least not directly. There's been but one other ship that sailed in that direction, and it set sail earlier this morning." Trandal's face grew furious, his fists clenched in self-hatred. Seeing where this is going, you try calm him down "Hey, don't get ahead of yourself. There's still a chance. Let's play this out, okay?"

"Okay" The orc responded with a deep breath. You turn back to the harbormaster "What you can tell us about the Vigilance and her captain? why let a captain who openly engages in piracy dock here?"

"Because the ship is owned by the Baron himself, and captained by his favored niece. None of us would dare try to take her in for punishment. I replaced the last person who tried that, I'll let that speak for itself. In my own opinion, it's also not really worth the trouble. Her only offense in our waters is smuggling embargo'd goods from the south, Maiden Tea and the like. We can turn a blind eye to something that benign like that"

"If that's all she is doing than why sail a pirate's colors?" You ask

"Protection, notoriety, anonymity. Those are all prized commodities at sea. If there are multiple ships docking in the Bastard Isles, she could be acting as a fence or go-between, buying and selling between them and reputable ports as this one. Again, if that's all that is occurring, I have no interest in stopping it. Anything more, you'd have to ask the captain herself, but I wouldn't expect a soft reception. She's at the third pier."

You thank the harbormaster and leave his office promptly. On the outside, you tap Trandal on his broad shoulder "So what now?"

"Each step forward I take feels like a step back. This feels like a dead end, but I'm at least willing to look down the edge of the hill to see what may wait below. If they have left, than I have nothing tying me here, or anywhere. I may as well look into a career change"

"What about me?" You ask, plaintively

"You've been more than enough help, soft-skin. More willing than most to help an angry, ugly orc like me. You're off the hook if there's somewhere you'd rather be."

"Would you like my company? I have nothing to tie me here either. There's a word for bard's who stay in one place and don't venture the world"

"What word is that?"

"Retired" You both laugh quietly, the orc gently pats your shoulder "Well said Elf. Let's go than"

You both make your way to pier three as the harbormaster instructed, and it's not hard to pick out which ship is the Vigilance. It's a modern frigate, larger than the smaller sloops on the pier by far, boasting fourteen guns of varying sizes on either side. Strong oak makes the outer planks, trimmed with gold and brass for an impressive aesthetic. The figurehead was a finely crafted wood sculpture of a mermaid, seemingly in the throes of an orgasm. You suspect that was likely put on after the ships maiden voyage, away from the Baron's eyes. The area on the dock is full of activity, the captain too easily distinguished from the crew. A wiry, olive tanned reed of a woman, wearing a flowing white shirt and tan pantaloons with a red stripe down the legs. A large powder blue coat was worn over the shirt, her long black hair pulled behind her and tucked into her raised collar. Despite her lanky figure, she obviously commanded respect as she bellowed order at her crew, which worked fiercely to follow them. Seeing the two of you, she pulled herself away, the crew working just as hard despite her attention being elsewhere. She reached to shake each of your hands.

"Lady Marriana Gildroy, Captain of the Vigilance. What business may a woodland elf and an orc have with me and my vessel?"

"We were wondering if you had taken on any passengers today, heading for the Bastard Isles? A druid and paladin among them"

"I don't take on passengers. Everyone who steps foot on my ship, works on my ship. I was speaking to another captain last night who had taken on a group like you're describing. Was difficult to make out what the big deal was exactly, but it sounded urgent. Some sort of premonition. A bunch of nonsense if you ask me. Friends of yours?"

"Aye" The orc responded flatly, trying to not despair

"Well, I'm afraid I have bad news and I have good news. The bad news is that your chances of catching them aren't fantastic. The good news is there is a chance. They're only a days sailing away, and my ship is faster. I can catch them easily, and we can try to relay a message between ships."

"That would be great" Trandal responded as he started to head towards the vigilance, before Marriana stopped him "What did I just say? I don't take on passengers. I am looking for a couple of able hands though. You be willing to sail under a pirate's colors, do what a pirate captain commands of you, you can sail on the Vigilance."

You look at each other for confirmation, and both nod your head

"Excellent. I'll be needing your strong back helping with the cargo and the guns. You, my dear elf, I assume are a bard. Your presence will be greatly appreciated, and you may take residence as a guest in my quarters."

You bow slightly in respect "That is most kind Captain"

"Think nothing of it. I wouldn't dare put a woman, an elf no less, in the main cabin of a company of lonely and surly sailors. You wouldn't survive the night."

Her bluntness is appreciated, though it does put a lump in your throat. "How do you survive Captain, if I may ask?"

"First, the crew isn't going to mutiny against the only person aboard the ship who knows how to navigate. They kill me and they doom themselves. Secondly, if they were to make a move against me..." She opens her coat to show two holstered arcane pistols, designed by rare gunslingers to cast channeled spells through their bullets. "They know what will happen if they tried" closing her coat back up, she shakes your hands again "Enough of that, get up on deck and the quartermaster will make use of you both" You start to head that way, until the Captain shouts.

"Elf!" You stop in place and turn back "you aren't...committed, to the orc, are you?"

"No Captain, I'm not."

"Good, because I'd like to have him for myself. Now get going."