Currently, the characters have 15 rounds to reach the transponder on the nautiloid. This is regardless of what they do before they arrive at the helm.
I suggest that everything the character does removes one round from the timer. Stop to get Us? 14 rounds. Free Shadowheart? 13 rounds. Kill the comatose cultists or wake them up then kill them? 12 rounds. Go into the room with the victim who can be transformed into a mind flayer? 11 rounds. Transform her? 10 rounds.
And so on.
So a hidden counter to give a penalty to players who dare explore.
Great asshole move to limit the success of the game.
