5e Weird New World

Friday 9/12, seven intrepid outcasts took to the sea, leaving all they knew behind to reach a newly discovered land and find fame and fortune on it's alien shores.

The party consisted of the following:
Max, Human Bard 1 (Yann)
Embara, Wood Elf Fighter 1 (Erica)
Verdt, 1/2 Elf Wizard 1 (John)
Nessendra, Wood Elf Cleric (Erindale)
Kethra, Human Fighter 1 (Nikki)
Riia, Human Ranger 1 (Hanna)
Bach, Dragonborn Warlock 1 (Erik)

For a variety of reasons, these seven characters found themselves on a small cog, sailing toward this new land. Their ultimate destination is the city of Hurren, the largest metropolis on the new land. About a week from their destination, they were sailing along the cost of this new land, keeping the shoreline just in sight. A storm hit very suddenly, and drove the cog toward the coast, and into some rocks near the shore.

The party was below deck to keep out of the storm when the cog hit the rocks. Max the bard took it worst as a splinter of wood speared him in the side. At the same time, there were strange clawing noises on the side of the hull, and the sailors started yelling about boarders.

The party drew their weapons, and headed on deck to find humanoid angler fish climbing over the railing making strange murloc noises. The first round of combat in the wind and rain actually went well. Then the crocodile hauled itself on deck. Only the bard's incredible luck saved him from being critically chomped. The wizards sleep spell put an end to the fight, and the remaining angler-fishmen. Max was rescued from the maw of the beast, and then the ship's captain ordered them back off deck while the sailors tended to their injured ship.

We saw you get washed on the rocks! We're here to help! Ahh! Why are you attacking us?!?!

The next morning the captain sent the crew and passengers off the ship to the little village on stilts to look for anything that might help them repair their ship. The two boats pulled up to the shallow docks, and no human noises greeted them, only the sounds of the swamp that stretched on for miles. The village was abandoned. A quick search found only one man who lay injured and gasping. His face was unnaturally pale, his eyes bulged, and his leg had suffered a compound fracture. After a bit of discussion Max the bard decided that the man was turning into a fish creature, and needed to be brought to the water, so he carried/dragged the gasping man to the docks, and dropped him in. The man sunk the 3 feet to the silty bottom, bubbles rose up, and then a large shrimp-like thing swam out of the man's mouth. Max pulled the man from the water, and discovered that his tongue had been eaten away.

Meanwhile the flighty Embara had spotted something white out beyond the small village, and without telling anyone where she was going, she sped out into the swamp. A young human woman was spearing fish out of the swamp, and when she finally spotted the elf, she ran screaming. Embara kept pace, and almost ran into the woman's 1/2 orc "brother". After calming the woman down, she explained that the fishmen had attacked the village just a couple of days ago, but that she and her brothers were far enough away that they were safe. Embara brought them back to the village with her, and introduced them to the rest of the party. A few wanted to see where she lived, so back out to the swamp they went. The houseboat seemed safe enough, and they stayed for dinner before returning to the village for the night.

The party and the sailors who'd remained ashore stayed in various cabins, finding them all well provisioned.The "zombies" came in the middle of the night, and began by attacking the cabin nearest to the swamp containing Bach, Riia, and Verdt.

Max and Embara heard the commotion next, and looked through the window to see what was going on. Max went down to help, while Embara stayed aloft to use her bow. Nessendra was awoken next by the noise, but it took her a couple of rounds to arrive.

The fight in the cabin with Bach, Riia, and Verdt was very tight due to the limited space and the number of zombies that kept trying to come in. Additionally, something tried bashing it's way in through the shuttered window opposite the door the zombies were coming through. It was one of the brothers!

Around this time Embara spotted the woman in white, and shot at her. The woman shot back with a bolt of magical flame! Max got the attention of a few of the "zombies" while Nessendra ended up going toe to toe with the other 1/2 orc brother. Embara took a pot shot at Nessendra's opponent, but managed to hit Nessendra instead.

In the cabin Riia took some serious damage from the brother she was facing, but the combined arcane might of the warlock and the wizard managed to bring down the last of the zombies attacking their cabin. The "brother" who'd smashed Riia's arm went after the warlock, but Riia grabbed up his crossbow, and lodged a bolt square between the brother's eyes.

Kethra finally heard the commotion over the sound the the sailors' snores, roused them, and began to don  her armor. Max used his rapier, and his rapier wit to take out his zombies, while Embara chased down the woman in white, and then pinned her dead body to the wooden walkway with her arrows.

The last of the "zombies" were killed, and each and every one had their tongues eaten away and replaced with the shrimp things.

Kills: 9 fishmen (kobolds), 1 croc, 1 witch (dark adept), 2 brothers (thugs), 12+ zombies (cultists)
Losses:
Gains: