Today started much like yesterday with foul weather and frayed tempers all round. The thick mists quickly became fog banks overnight whilst the winds have died away leaving us completely at the mercies of the local tides and currents. With little to do everybody took to playing faro on the ships main deck using what little currency they had for a series of small but tense wagers. By midday the boredom was ended with the cry of �ship ahoy� and sure enough looking starboard through the fog I could just see another ship�s mast and bow piercing through the gray curtain surrounding us. As we slowly drew closer I scanned the ship looking for any heraldry or signal flags but saw none, even the ships sails had been cut to feeble strips that hung limply in the mist. Captain Lerrek identified it as the Brine Wolf missing, until now for some four weeks and captained by a Pig-Eye Pete. Sensing the opportunity for some adventure and scavenging the Alarielle�s row boat was lowered into the water and a scouting party formed. I volunteered without any fuss hoping to acquire some new books to read or find any other kind of distraction for the remainder of the voyage.

As we came closer, I could see that the ship was listing to starboard badly making the ship lie at an awkward angle but with the main deck sea level making our boarding that much easier. Using a grappling hook and rope we secured the row boat to the crippled Brine Wolf lest it floated off in the fog and stranded us. Now tied up we could see the nasty weather had also left the main deck covered by a thin sheen of water making progress treacherous. Proceeding one at a time we boarded carefully gathering near the mast. I was last to leave the safety of the boat and as my foot touched the side it rocked with a bust of sudden, unexpected movement. Momentarily losing my balance I flayed my arms around in panic, but regained my footing. Looking up I could see a horde of manic looking sailors poring onto the deck brandishing their rapiers. The others did not hesitate and drew their weapons to defend themselves. In an astounding blur of flashing blades and furious carnage it was all over before I had even managed to board the ship, having only enough time to shout a few (magical) words of encouragement. We then spread out across the ship and begun to search for any trinkets or useful salvage. After a few minutes checking what little of the ship was above the water line only finding some coin and half a dozen rapiers from the now dead crew, we headed back to the boat.

As I went to leave I spotted a faint glow to the east. Peering through the near solid fog I saw a small light getting gradually nearer and brighter. Calling to my shipmates they too stopped to examine the strange light. A hurried conference decided that we should stay on the �Wolf should the light manage to catch up to our small row boat and attack us. Without the room to dodge or maneuver our chances would be much smaller than staying to fight on the deck of the much bigger �Wolf. We all watched as the light came towards and then through the ships side and ascended to the main deck hovering about a meter up.

We all looked too each other unsure of what to do with the mystery light that had joined us. Geoffrey nodded furiously to me and swallowing my fear I managed to say a simple �Hello.� The light then pulse rapidly and grew into the unmistakable form of a humanoid male. Squinting against the unexpected flashing I could see the form was wearing a long red jacket, black three pointed hat and dark blue waistcoat. �Well, hello there shipmates!� barked the bright nimbus that had now completely faded leaving this mysterious sailor. �I appear to be havin� a spot o� bother.� He added, moving his hand through his own intangible body. Fearing the ghost had evil intent Friar Porpington jumped forward, brandishing his holy symbol and commanded the spirit to return to the afterlife but after a moment or so of strained concentration from our priest the ghost still remained.

Returning to the Alarielle we listened as the ghostly sailor told us his tale of woe. Introducing himself as Ned Fletcher, Captain of the Stingray (now deceased) the ship was attacked and crew killed by a large number of strange fishmen that scuttled his ship and swam in through the flooded sections, surrounding and overwhelming the men with such speed and strength that none survived. When questioned about his cargo Captain Fletcher said they carried only food, fresh water and common repair materials. Suspecting that there was more to the ambush we pressed him for more infomation he reveled that he was returning to Freeport with what he called the �Eye of the Sea Dragon� a large red gem that was one of a pair used by the temple of the pirate god. Captain Fletcher was I no doubt they possessed the gem having seen it taken from his possession moments before expiring in the ship�s cargo hold.

He offered us the remainder of his treasure and any salvage we could find if we could retrieve the gem from the fishmen and recover his body from the wreck of the Stingray. Not wanting to suffer the same fate as his crew we refused and explained that an expedition to the seabed would be a massive undertaking, well beyond our means. Captain Fletcher then detailed the wreck explaining that his ship lay in only thirty feet of water leaving the main forecastle only a few feet below the water line and that inside was a hidden cache of potions allowing us survive underwater for some hours. The fishmen�s lair was also near allowing us to swim inside, retrieve the gem and escape before the potions effect wore off. With this new infomation and a deep suspicion that the Captain would hound us until we did the deed we all agreed to undertake the task. Captain Lerrek was easily convinced when we offered him a cut of the plunder and a chance to rid us of this strange ghostly sailor so that when the fog did finally lift around dusk we set sail for the last position of the Stingray.

By dawn our destination was within sight. To the north was a large island surrounded by tall black, basalt cliffs and crowned by a chain of volcanic mountain tops that spewed smoke and flame into the skies all around. We dropped anchor and looking to port we could see the Stingrays mast poking out of the roll and chop of the clear seas clearly making the position of the wreck. Fearing that the fishmen might discover our foray into their territory we quickly removed our armor and other heavy items and equipped ourselves with weapons more suited to combat below the waves. Veit was first to dive and with the rest of the group waiting on the forecastle above. He disappeared under for about half a minute but submerged carrying a small wooden chest that upon further inspection contained eight potions of water breathing. We quickly quaffed a potion each set about swimming down to the cargo hold to retrieve Captain Fletcher�s corpse. The hold itself was picked clean by the fishmen, the only remaining items where objects to heavy or bulky to remove such as the ship�s cannons. One of these cannons had pinned the now rotted body of Captain Fletcher covered with small parasites feasting on the necrotic flesh of the dead captain. We split into two main groups to lift the cannon, with one group on each side of the cannon with me keeping watch. As the rusted cannon came free from its cradle an octopus bolted from the cannon barrel and went straight for Geoffrey and managed to rap its rubbery legs around his face and neck. We managed to wrench it free and kill it before it could seriously injure Geoffrey but it did manage to draw blood with its sharp beak and claw tipped cups. Seeing Geoffrey�s wounds Friar Porpington took his leave and returned to the surface to heal him before we could proceed to the next stage of our task. With the lifting recommenced the cannon was easily moved aside and the captains� corpse recovered for a dedicated burial. Returning to the Alarielle we weighed anchor and set course for the fishmen�s lair.