From the introduction: For several months the fishing vessels of a large and vital town have set sail towards the fishing grounds in the nearby coral reefs, and all have failed to return. Desperate for fresh fish, both to eat and to sell or trade for other goods, the remaining fishing boat captains and owners have decided to hire mercenaries to accompany a ship out to the fishing grounds and attempt to investigate or discover the fates of the missing ships and crews. The party is hired and recruited to join the crew of Captain Lom Harr of the fishing ship Live Bait.