"Hiding in plain sight is more likely to help us remain undetected. We will want to make sure we are not recognized at the party later."
I proposse ssome of uss play the part of guesstss, while otherss, ssuch az mysself, are more sservant materiel. My sslur tendss to be noticed. says Raithwyn matter-of-factly.
Looking over the group, he adds, If that iss agreeable, who would want to be nobless, or part of Gerwin Jelud'ss entourage; and who would want to join me in the livery?
I will play the part of a noble, but we are all delivery folks first, right?
I would not usse the ssame facce for a delivery that I would usse for a noble. Sso if you have the ability to change your faccess, that would enable uss to usse you in more than one of the phassess. he responds.
Turning toward the underling Minion. Do you know if the manor iss hiring additional help for wait sstaff or sserverss during the viewing?
Don't be ridiculous. This is NOT my first engagement, friend. I will be wearing this face when I deliver and quite an elaborate noble disguise when playing the part of our esteemed invitee. Thus, I can participate in both ventures.
It pleassess me that thiss iss not your firsst engagement. I do not know your sskillss. states Raithwyn, holding up his hands to show he meant no offense. Are otherss equally sskilled at changing their faccess?
"I have a few spells at my disposal that could help, including one which will disguise a person from 1 hour, and another to render an individual invisible for a time. I can even create minor illusions which may help distract guards and other observers. "
The man turns to Dash. Jelud used to be a noble from the Court of Silverymoon, until he died in...scandalous circumstances. His family covered it up, and if anyone asks, they simply say that he is away, playing at adventuring, or soldiering, or perhaps sailing. His family would not dare to reveal what truly happened to Jelud- that would destroy them, after all. If they are contacted, they'll probably go along with it, as there is no loss in doing so.
The man looks slightly offended as Raithwyn addresses him as "Minion" Remember, I am hiring you he says under his breath.
He quickly regains his composure, and replies They will likely be hiring servers, butlers, and the like around 15 days before the party. Chefs are being hired, and mercenaries may be hired by certain nobles as personal guards
Shirraj mutters a few words raising a hand and her countenance is replaced with that of a raven-haired half-elven man with short black hair dressed in simple workers clothing: "Changing faces is an easy task." the man says, before the illusion falls apart and gives way to Shirraj's feline appearance once again.
Nice trick, kitty, but my make-up and disguises are only half the battle. I can change my dialect, and I have already passed myself off as a noble for years in this city.
"It will do to impersonate a delivery worker. My specialty is not so much staying out of sight as it is drawing the attention," she pauses for emphasis "away from others."
"My true face is an asset just as much as any mask I may don."
"Well, it appears we have quite the team of liars and deceivers, almost like we've been picked special for a job like this..." Heather smiles at the others. "I can change my face an' hair well enough to not be recognised, though my height I can do little about... and by that I mean with powders and makeup, none of this magical malarkey."
"Since I can't change I'm a gnome though, I'd be a better fit with the staff, precious few gnome nobles around here that could swing a shindig like this. I've spent enough time around though to pass meself of as a servant."
Raithwyn refrains from getting into a semantic battle about who is actually their employer on this job, instead refocusing on the task at hand. Sso it ssoundss like we agree to ssurvey the groundss under the employ of ssupplierss first, with additional invesstigation needed if we learn of unussually troubling thingss. Then, ssome of uss sseek admittancce az wait sstaff, while otherss.. motioning to Jake ..enter az guestss. Am I ccorrect in thiss initial plan? We'll need to do more planning oncce we ssee what exacctly we are up againsst.
"Well then, lets see if we can get ourselves hired to help bring supplies to the island...and then for use who were not invited, we have to get on the serving staff for that evening! Sound good? Now, who is going as "Lord Jelud's" plus one? I could act as an adviser to him, and maybe one more as either a guard, or perhaps a date?"
"Well, I'm off the table as a date, most folks raise an eyebrow if someone brings a date that looks like a kid at first glance. 'cause maybe if your rich enough no-one cares anymore." Heather watches the others, as if waiting to see if there's a reaction.
"Of course any one of you could look pretty enough given the right magic, but I'd rather trust to conventional disguise for that role, rather than have your concentration slip after a glass too much wine."
I would much prefer a secretary or counselor attend me as the noble to the main shindig.
"How about an elegant tabaxi lady from a faraway land? You would be the talk of the party." Shirraj sidles up to Jake and hooks under his arm. "Or I would."
"I'd much prefer to be seen. I know how to talk to people and keep their attention."
Well now, I do believe that I can be convinced. You are very persuasive, Shirraj.
Very well, Lord Jelud and hiss Tabaxi lady have been ssettled. Now to ssee about thosse ssupplierss for the initial reconnoiter. replies the elven man, Mini.Err..Masster employer, anything elsse you have learned that would be of import to uss? Alsso, where should we find you for our paymentss. I asssume ssome upfront and the resst on delivery?
For payment, you shall meet near this small tower. He pulls out a small map of Waterdeep, which features a small red "X" near the internal part of the city. Handing the map to you, he says Keep it. Ensure that it is not found by anyone else. Memorize it if you will
Some upfront payment may be given. If it is, it will likely be given shortly, in the form of 50 gold pieces for each of you. Meet back here in 2 days, and we will decide if it is appropriate.
With negotiations not being Raithwyn's strong suit, he accepts the offer and map. Let uss be away to test the waterss regarding the ssupplierss.
The docks of Waterdeep are a busy place. Men and women rush past you in large groups, shoving each other in an effort to get to their destination. You found a small shipping company that is currently hiring people to help ship goods to the island. Your potential employers are on the ship the Weaver, which you have managed to spot among the hustle and bustle. A large, potbellied mean is standing need the ship. He looks a bit nervous, and is holding a piece of parchment with the word hiring in large lettering
Before heading down to the docks, Jake aoplies some make-up to roughen his appearance and dons some common clothes and a dock worker's hat. He speaks in a rough commoner's dialect from the dock ward to complete the disguise.
He approaches the man with the sign.
I'm yer man, mate. Needin' some delivery folks?
Similar to Jake, Raithwyn also takes a moment to roughen his appearance, swap into ragged cloths, and change hair tones before following the half-elf to their destination. Sweeping around the docks to come at the Weaver from a different direction, Raithwyn chimes up Oy, I need a job too. If you're paying, I'm workin!
Jake, you are now indistinguishable from a dock worker :)
Sure...sure.of..of course. He gulps My..my name is Ref... Ref Kerdien. You.. understand the job...yes? Shipping....to the island.. of Borhan? Yes... come this way...
He leads you into the ship, wiping his brow with one hand. He heads into the lower decks, where some papers are tacked onto the wall. Taking a few off, he hands one to each of you. Sign..sign here, please
By signing this contract, you have agreed to work under the employment of Ref Kerdien, and the Captain of the Weaver, Gendur Watersurge. You will be paid 10 gold pieces for every trip to the island, where trip is defined by bringing the cargo to the island, giving it to Rother Borhan, and sailing back to the docks of Waterdeep.After arriving at the property of Rother Borhan, the employees must sign a document stating that they have delivered the cargo. When arriving back at the docks of Waterdeep, they must sign a document stating that they have arrived safely.
By signing this contract, the employee states that the employer is not responsible for any cases of harm, or death, that happen on the job
[/quote
Jake signs with a simple scribble of letters,following a capital J.
Heather joins with the dock crew, she's small, but most work-crews can find uses for someone who can squeeze into small places.
Roughing up her appearance like the others.
Raithwyn scrunches his eyes at the paper, then scrawls a single misshapen X on his before handing it back.
Shirraj, now having the appearance of a calishite woman who has seen a lot of physical labor, looks over the paper before putting down the name Aisha Hareem in simple but curved letters.
Ref grabs the papers, and leads you to the deck. There, a straight-backed, rough looking man stands, staring out at sea. He turns, extending his hand for a handshake. Name's Gendur. Gendur Watersurge. Any of ye work on a ship before? Or, are ye simply looking for some gold and a 'ard days work, eh?
RAithwyn scratches his head a moment Nothin but hauling onto an out of. That bad? he asks, shaking the makes hands as firmly as he can without it turning into a contest of strength.
"Not so much, I know enough o' ropes and knots though, if that's all yer concerned 'bout - and I been on boats enough that I know I don't get sick on 'em."
I've worked on me share, but I'm no sailor, mind ya.
The captain nods. Come back tomorrow, and meet the rest of the crew. After that, we will set sail
You wait a day, and, after roughing up your appearance once more, you go down to the docks once more. There, you see Gendur standing upon the Weaver once more. Standing beside them, you see 4 more men. They look like typical dockworkers, with calloused hands, large muscles, and noses broken from multiple bar fights. They introduce themselves as Obel Glarsk, Treth Nightseer, Edif Dredscrod, and Mudron Rivershield.
After about a hour of loading crates onto the Weaver, you leave the docks of Waterdeep, and begin to travel to your destination.
The journey is quite uneventful, and all you are required to do is tie a few knots, and watch the powerful winds blow the ship towards the island.
You finally arrive on the island, and discover a large, ornate building, with a beautiful garden outside. The ship continues past the main entrance, and docks on the northern side of the island. A few ships are already there, along with a dozen other workers milling about. A dwarf dressed in fine silks, and wearing a monocle wanders towards you. He holds out a piece of paper to Gendur, who signs it, then hands it to Deredwell. Sign your name, all of you, then give it back to the dwarf
After you give the paper back to the dwarf and pick up a few crates, he begins to lead you into building. The walls are covered in paintings, depicting noble warriors and kings, most of them depicting someone with a resemblance to Rother. He stops after a minute, then knocks on the wall. A small opening appears, revealing a passage. Kitchen is this way. Waiters will travel throughout the building in this network, until they are ready to go out and serve the guests. He heads down the passage, gesturing for you to follow him. The passage twists and turns and branches off into other passages, but you eventually arrive at a large, sparse room, with several crates. Put your crates here. I'll get a few guards to guide you down the passages With that, two men bearing crossbows enter the room. They stand to attention, and wait for you to exit the room to get more crates.
Heather scrawls something mostly unrecognisable on the paperwork and assists with some of the smaller crates, trying to take in as much as she can while working.
- I presume nothing odd jumps out about the companies' involved with the crates.
Okay no sense in hanging around, may as well go back for more crates... Maybe after a couple of loads the guards will let us find our own way so we can have a quick look around.
Loading the crates will likely take an hour. After around 20 minutes of mindless loading and walking, one of the guards starts to nervously fidget. His cheeks are turning red. The other guard sighs and nods, and the first guard scampers off. The remaining guard mutters That guy is useless. Always has one excuse or another under his breath. He heads forward. Lets go.
5 minutes later, as you leave the passageway once more, to get cargo, you notice the second guard has not returned. Exasperated, the remaining guard says You know what? I don't know why I'm still here. I'm pretty sure I should be on break right now. I'll go find Velun. Another guard should be here in around 10 minutes. He heads off towards the back of the building.
Heather listens for a moment, and then drops off her next crate in the room and promptly 'takes a wrong turn' wondering off down a different corridor.
When Jake sees the gnome venture off, he follows quietly behind het, now that tje guards are absent.
The passage you choose winds in numerous directions. After a few minutes of walking, you come across a branch in the passage way. At the end of one of the passageways are several torches, burning brightly in the darkness. The torch illuminates two more guards, standing fiercely at attention, a crossbow and a shortsword in hand.
Jake manages to blend in perfectly with the shadows, and the guards do not notice him at all.
Focusing himself inward for a moment, Raithwyn then exhales and an invisible pulse of energy passes over the group.
Raithwyn shadows forward, spotting the guards, and examining them from afar for possible weaknesses, sensing at some point, they make need to be taken out.
Moving forward, you can see the shine of metal. Behind the guards is a vault door, with a few runes traced upon it.
As for the guards, they look like they are a cut above the guards (in terms of discipline) that marched you down the passageways. They stand to attention, hold their weapons in a stance that looks quite hard to maintain, and have a fire in their eyes. However, several visible scars show you that they might suffer a small amount of pain from old wounds if they engage in battle. It also occurs to you that, due to the confusing nature of the passageways, some delay may occur when the guards change shifts.
Heather drops back if she's not immediately noticed, she knows her limitations and she's not particularly stealthy...
One passage leads to what appears to be a living area, which is quite bare. A a result, you can not tell who is meant to live there.
The other one leads to a small armory. Crossbows, shortsword, and daggers line the walls. One guard is inside, and appears to be inspecting a shortsword