Aeren wants the ship and crew alive, but fears admitting that the helm’s stolen lightning key caused the storm to turn against them.

The party can save the ship, expose the hidden damage, or promise Aeren protection from the ship’s owner.

• Offer to take a dangerous helm station personally.
• Threaten to abandon the ship unless Aeren tells the truth.
• Promise to repair or replace the stolen lightning key.
• Use the party’s knowledge of storms, ships, or the Storm Pillar.
• Put pressure on Aeren by naming the crew members endangered by the ascent.

• Arcana to read leyline pressure and call the next safe tunnel.
• Nature to predict the wind shift before the ship banks.
• Acrobatics to cross the rigging and reach a torn sail.
• Athletics to secure canvas, anchor lines, or a loose control arm.
• Tool use to repair the helm or lift mechanisms.
• Persuasion to make Aeren trust the party with the helm.
• Intimidation to force Aeren to reveal the ship’s real condition.

• On the first success, Aeren gives the party access to the helm controls.
• On a strong success, Aeren follows a risky plan without argument.
• On the first failure, Aeren blames the party’s timing and orders the crew to ignore them.
• On a second failure, Aeren admits the helm is carrying a stolen lightning key.
• On a failed Intimidation check, Aeren locks the helm controls and takes over.
• If the party protects a crew member, Aeren cancels one future failure.