Recovered logs of captain Arthur Higgsbury: The Omen

 December 1st, Year 744 of the Age of Myth

It was the first of December, and sailing the open south sea I was awakened on the cold winter's morn. I had been up all night at the helm, and had only fallen asleep not a half hour ago before being brought back to consciousness rudely by my first mate. I recall very clearly the words spoken to me on that morn.

"Captain, wrecked upon the shore of a snow-covered island, there's a ship with no sailors in sight."

I gave orders to lower the boats as we laid anchor, and strangely enough, a new face aboard The Mordntyver took quick notice of what we were doing and called out to me. She'd a beautiful face, no doubt, and she wanted to help. She's either brave, stupid, or trying to find an opportunity to betray me. Now, on my vessel at this time was a highly skilled Half-Elven Thief by the name of Jade Flamesworth. She'd just become a crucial asset of the crew, as she played a very key part in our previous mission, as she had proven to save my life in this event. Knowing this, when she told me that she trusted the girl I was rather skeptical. I was willing to potentially risk having a problem, considering I could very well use this time to build trust with a valuable asset, as well as using the opportunity to discover more about her in specific. Regardless, I was on edge the entire trip to the island. I never trust a pretty face.

At first the shipwreck seemed uninhabited. No corpses to be seen, no sign of any great battle. There was a deep gash along one side, from which we entered the vessel. I drew both my weapons, not knowing what to expect. The place was utterly deserted. The rest of the crew was outside examining the island itself, leaving me, Jade, and the new girl. I was as cautious about what might be ahead as I was of my companions behind me. We reached the top deck with no incident. At first there was nothing, just signs of a crashed vessel. It wasn't till I stepped up to the mast that I noticed... Dangling from the rigging, there hung a man. I was afraid of what to make of the battered corpse, hanged as if in execution. Just as my senses began to calm, I heard a croaking voice reek it's words from the corpse, as it came to life...

"Beware.. You ignorant... Fools..." It said.

"Do you not know the look... and the sign of a ship...

When she's taken surprise... and asunder she's torn...

Mast, rudder, and plank... As though caught by foul winds...

In a tempest from hell, the most fearsome of storms...

Then up from the deep comes a reeking black stench...

As a thousand dead, rotting old sailors it seems...

And before you can jump ship... And make for safe land...

You are lost... For that smell...

Is the breath... Of the beast..."

And the man ceased to live once more.