Set in

The group descends in their ornithopter onto the barge-like Oceanic Ate, captained by Linus Vargas, whose mixed crew includes magmen, salamanders, a human, and two half-orcs. Hrothulf stresses non-lethal combat unless necessary and shares his father’s slogan, “The Sausage Gravy Must Flow.” Dorinda confirms no ethereal activity during their approach and scans the cramped room below deck for bugs upon landing. The magman “Teeth” greets them and leads them below. Vargas mentions their arrangement with Barlow to transport the group to Old Bae and gives strict instructions not to wander the ship. Along the way, Vargas boasts about the ship’s unmatched durability and mentions its role in hauling materials to build a massive black castle near Cleaveland. Old Bae, northwest of Cleaveland, is a grim area of tension and fear. Hrothulf recounts its history of fishing Magtuna, massive armored fish. The group learns about recent flash flooding in the Mississippi delta caused by a Whidmore Corporation contraption, possibly linked to the castle's construction. Vargas implies it caused destruction but was later destroyed. Passing the castle, they see patrols of black-armored soldiers, some using robotic suits. The castle, surrounded by barren land and fear, contrasts sharply with the area under Hredel’s rule. Zaria, the magman engineer, describes the bots and flying drones as tools for the castle’s regime. She dreams of captaining her own ship but dismisses local issues. The crew discusses the Oceanic Ate’s sturdiness, speculating its materials—glasteel and iron—are similar to the castle’s. The salamanders’ involvement in crafting such technology is hinted at, but the group lacks the language skills to communicate with them. Tensions persist as they scout the waterways, keeping the ominous castle in sight.