====== Chapter 2: Steadfast ======

==== Plot Outline ====
  * What has gone before
    * An unlikely assortment of strangers end up joining an rescue mission which begins with a harrowing escape from local authorities
  * Goals 
    * Locate and reach the Mystical Island of Vuronu
  * Sub-goals
    * Learn more about Vuronu (building fear and suspense) and the NPCs.
      * Visit at least two more islands of the [[Location:Casaran]] Protectorate.
    * Find a route and/or guide to Vuronu.
      * Recruit [[Pierre Kairau]] on Glupe.
    * Finish supplying The Steadfast for the long journey.
    * Avoid capture by the Ministry.
    * Keep allies back on [[Location:Casaran]] informed of the quest's progress, just in case.
  * DM/Story advancement
    * Disclose the rescue plan, and the nature of Emma's visions.
    * Seed feed of Vuronu - corruptions in the journal and the stories from their stops.
    * Encourage the use of each character's best skills - giving them a chance to develop some team rhythms.
    * Characters gain one level.
  * How this chapter ends
    * A betrayal leads to a crash-landing on Vuronu.


==== Possible Skill Challenges ====
    * Find information about Vuronu at each stop
      * Failure leaves information for the Ministry Pirates to track them.
    * Restock The Steadfast
      * Failure increases prices, leaves them without several important stocks
    * Find a guide or navigation device to reach Vuronu
      * In all cases Pierre Kairau joins the party, but failure means the he starts further down his "madness" mode...
    * Dead Calm or Sargasso Sea?
  
==== Possible Combats ====
    * Avoiding arrest at port (due to failed Get Info challenges)
    * [[Encounter:Privateers]] : A Ship-to-Ship Pirate Battle [they're seeking a bounty on The Steadfast and her Captain.]
    * [[Encounter:Danger From the Deep]]: In the last day's of the journey, and attack by a [[Monster:Hull Cracker]].
      * Fighting only the tentacles (unless someone gets in the water.)
      * The tentacles focus on the masts, steering wheel, and Pierre Kairau
      * The squid is attempting to steer the group away from Vuronu.
    * [[Encounter:Collision with Destiny]]: The final night of the journey is a betrayal - everyone has been drugged and the ship is being piloted by a dominated Pierre.
      * The party can wake up and fight a boss-combat in an attempt to wrest control of the Steadfast away.
      * Pierre's skills have been significantly augmented, and he's using dominated crew members to defend him.
      * The number of rounds it takes to stop him determines how terrible the crash is.
        * How much food
        * How much equipment (weapons, armor, tools) 
        * How much repair must be done (weeks or months or a lost cause.)

==== Pierre's story arch ====
    * He's a bard - he knows many songs to relax the party. He's a pretty good cook too.
      * Use his skill to encourage intra-group talk over meals.
      * Share some [[Location:Casaran]] history, legends of Vuronu, etc.
    * "Vuronu! My wife and I went there a few months ago, I returned here to get certain items not available there - mostly
    refined metals, potions, and magic-tooled implements. Lucky you came along - I was just about to set about looking for passage..."
      * I vision filled lie. He is partially dominated by Sinusovo - though he has been to the island, he was never married and was sent out to bring more visitors.
    * To accomplish his mission, he will poison Cookie and take his place as Chef (after he has built up lots of trust.)
      * On that fateful night, he will add sleeping potion (DC 30 vs. Fort) to the evening meal...
    * Pierre dies either in the combat for control of the ship, or is impaled by a breaking mast when they run aground against a great rock.

==== The Creature ====
    * The [[Monster:Hull Cracker]] was inspired by the [[http://www.wizards.com/dndinsider/compendium/monster.aspx?id=3756|Scyllan]] and the [[http://www.wizards.com/dndinsider/compendium/monster.aspx?id=391|Roper]].