The 15 gnomes (including the party- can be fighters, rangers, or monks if they desire) depart from Doughnut on their next adventure for gold. They come across an island that has clearly been hit by the slavers. Slavers will steal what they can, but they’re typically under a time restraint to grab the captives and roll before their rescuers can arrive. Knowing that, Rocco directs his crew to the island of Penne to have a closer look.

When they get there, it has been completely cleaned out of people, so far as they can tell. They move into the houses to stay for the night. They are awakened by shouts of “Fire!” Their ship goes down in flames.

Rocco suspects it’s one of the crew, but who? Why? Some characters will have an alibi and some will not. The ones who do not have an alibi will be tied up, or isolated in some way. Todd suggests torturing people- if someone decides it’s a good idea, he does things like tickles feet with feathers, chews loudly in their ears, or starts singing “99 bottles of beer.” If that doesn’t work, he gets the actual torture tools out.

Someone will call for help, and as everyone runs outside, Dingo is in shock. A monster grabbed one of their company (not sure who) and consumed the gnome right in front of him. When he cried out, it ran off behind some of the ruins of Penicillin City. They pop around the corner, ready to fight, when they find Nobu taking a piss behind the house. Nobu accuses One-Eyed Dan of burning the ship because he saw Dan walking away from it while it was on fire. Distrust for everyone ensues.

Depending on how it goes from there, someone may reveal themselves to be the secret monster. If not, there will be another opportunity to try and get the other party members. The party will battle the monster, but it has to get each of them, or they take off into the fungal forest and die from the fumes. Perhaps we can come up with a plausible way for those characters to disappear without them dying- though, they feel expendable.

Their next order of business is to build a new ship. That’s when the fire storm comes blowing through and they have to seek cover. Then they will begin building an amazing ship very, very quickly. It will have propellers powered by everyone cycling their legs. It will also have sails and enough oars for everyone, making it the perfect cardio workout for all of them. But that will probably appear in Episode 1.

Well, logistically speaking, are you pirates? I figured you picked up a contract from the Ugly Man. The city of Penicillin was raided by Ketos and everyone was taken. You are hunting a sword that is in the town (previous campaign) of great value to someone. Return it to the ugly man and he will pay your crew handsomely.

It would be cool to have an “I know a guy” feature. Basically, anywhere we go I have a contact on the ground who can give us an exposition dump. But I always owe the person. Maybe they want to do me bodily harm, even. Sometimes even Rokko isn't sure what he promised in the past.

I like that a lot. The “I know a guy” mechanic.

Here is my narrative snafu. All ships are being seized and/or drafted for the Carb Navy. So… how do you get to the island? I suppose you could have stolen a ship and when the fire storm hits the island it destroys the ship? So then you need to make a new one. That's how everyone gets off the island at the end of the first arc.

Another tidbit between you and me- you know the dock master of the doughnut island. He gives people a hard time but is easy to persuade when coin gets involved. He is definitely going to give you a hard time about returning to the island.

I love it! A whole adventure could be Rokko trying to learn more about that guy.

I'm down with that! I picture him as fat, pompous, and open to bribes.