Campaign summary of Return to Skywall, set in the World of Kiynan (5E compatible, based on Wizard of the Coast’s SRD 5.2.1).

The adventurers boarded the merchant vessel Pride of Freshwater, setting sail eastward from Haven with the salt wind at their backs. Days at sea revealed much of their character. Nines, ever restless, tinkered with stolen powders and fuses, hurling makeshift bombs overboard and making the crew more nervous than any storm could. Shep, far more at ease, found joy among dolphins and seabirds, laughing with sailors and befriending even the ship’s deckhands. Ethain wasted no time in turning his charm upon Syrah, a comely crewmember who soon spent as much time in his quarters as on her duties. Bitoh, discovering a surprising knack for the sea, lent his brawn where needed, and together with Shep founded an impromptu fight club below decks—an outlet for restless fists and louder wagers.

Cards, laughter, and music filled the voyage, but the sea is never so kind for long. Black sails rose on the horizon, cutting swiftly across the waves. A pirate ship closed in, bristling with mercenaries and raiders. The alarm rang out, and the Pride of Freshwater’s crew scrambled below, leaving the adventurers alone to face the onslaught.

The battle was fierce and fiery. Ethain unleashed fireballs that tore through the enemy ship, reducing pirate crews to cinders, and conjured illusions so convincing that enemies who touched them erupted in flame. Nines, exhilarated, darted among foes with knife and bow, hurling bombs into clusters of raiders. Bitoh thundered across the deck, his hammer smashing skulls and finally caving in the pirate captain’s chest in a blow that broke the enemy’s resolve. Shep, ever steady, called upon healing magics, mending wounds as fast as they were dealt, and keeping his companions from being overwhelmed. At last, with their captain slain and their ship aflame, the pirates surrendered.

When the deck was quiet once more, Nines eagerly searched the bodies and locked chests, claiming an eversmoking bottle for himself. Other treasures were divided among the party, with Ethain discovering a flamboyant purple velvet outfit that seemed almost tailor-made for his vanity, while Bitoh took possession of a suit of armor.

At White Tower, the companions disembarked briefly. There, they handed the surviving pirate prisoners over to the authorities, ensuring justice would be carried out. Rejoining the Pride of Freshwater, they sailed on toward Blood Fort.

At Blood Fort, the past came knocking. Among the crowds, Bitoh recognized and approached Daram the Red, another warlock of House Fury. Daram revealed that Bitoh is considered a rogue magician, marked for having departed with Metathiax the Red, another apostate from House Fury. The revelation pierced Bitoh’s fog: he remembered leaving Ornland to find Metathiax, desperate to redeem him. He recalled following his old companion into a cavern in the Gilded Heights—then nothing, only the shroud of amnesia.

With Bitoh’s identity exposed, guards and others moved to seize him. In that tense moment, Nines leapt to action, scattering a smoke bomb and raising a ruckus that bought the party precious seconds. Under cover of confusion, they slipped away and fled back to their ship.

The Pride of Freshwater wasted no time leaving Blood Fort behind, bearing them onward to their true destination: the somber stronghold of Lament.