Everyone nods and everyone but Xaikon files out, with little of the usual banter or side conversations.
Queshem sighs and pats the stressed young man on the back No easy choices Xiakon I'm afraid. What do ye disagree with more, allying with Beachcomber or tryin' to yank Raffles out o' his home?
The tengu says nothing, as if weighing his words carefully. Slowly he says, 'I will have to pray on it. Out of respect for your mission I will keep helping your ship but I want you to think on this course of action long and hard, Captain." He seems to want to say little else, and there is a good bit of turmoil evident on his face.
Maybe soon we can pray together Queshem says nodding.
Polos and Parcell soon enter, Queshem's fellow tribesmen says, 'What was the meeting about? Everyone seemed rather downcast, bad news?"
Parcell says nothing, just leans against the wall, listening looking toward Xaikon.
Maybe bad news coming up. Certainly won't be anything anybody be dancing fer joy about. What did ye make of our guest... Gnarea... Polos? I wanted to get yer opinion on him why I sent you out to be with him.
Polos considers things and says, "He is a quiet sort, devious almost. But he seems to despise pirates and slavers, that much seems certain. he and Magner seemed to have hit it off..."
Parcell breaks in, 'Too well, if you ask me." the old pirate says, "They have had many long talks in private since they first met, more then the simple selling of a ship should take. And he has little use for former pirates like me, and I doubt that'll change."
Queshem notes this Is that what concerns ye most about him Parcell? His hatred of even former pirates? I noted that ye be wary of him.
Parcell frowns, 'He worships Norgerber and their name is black among the Shackles. They take no prisoners from the ship they take, they sacrifice them on bloody altars. Who knows when he might think I am backsliding and I find myself bent over, screaming?" A moment passes the he says harshly, "Do you mean to ally with them?"
When going up against slavers? And to protect Bag Island? Then yeah I'll probably fight on the same side as that halfling Queshem says, ignoring the venom in Parcell's voice. Will keep it to that though. I don't hold with torture.
Queshem rubs here eyes before pinching her nose. Alright Parcell thank ye fer what ye told me, I'll keep us at more than arm's length from them even while trying to find common cause. There be no right choices here but that'll be the one I'll go with, Abadar judge me lightly. she sighs
Alright thank ye Parcell, Polos stay here while I call in Draflo, Magner, and Gnarea and let's figure this out.
Even as Queshem says this Parcell holds up a hand, "You will regret this, Captain, I know that as surely as I know the sun rises tomorrow. I'll keep my blade sharp for when you'll need it."
Then, everyone filters back in, the cabin feeling cramped and musty after so much body heat.
The dark halfling looks up at Queshem, 'So, what will it be Captain Queshem? Alliance?"
Queshem sighs. Let's start with our mutual enemies, we both don't like slavers, and we both don't like pirates. But Queshem shifts her posture so she's more on Gnarea's level and looks him straight in the eye I don't be holding with torture fer anyone even slavers, and as fer pirates, I believe in second chances which I don't think be something yer methods allow for.
Moving on to the problem I see with an alliance. Queshem continues Ye ain't liked Gnarea. People be terrified of Father Skinsaw, scared of Blackfingers and mistrustful of The King O' Thieves and that ain't going to change. Abdar preserve me that ain't going to change for me
Queshem holds up a hand to prevent any outburst But. From what I can tell ye and yers be the only thing keeping Bag Island safe, it certainly aint' anything in Slipcove doin' it, and I happen to like Bag Island quite a bit. So what I propose is we work together on our mutual interest in not only keeping this island safe as but making it stronger.
In exchange we'd ask for safe harbour and fair dealin' at Beachcomber and ease of meetin' and coordination. If we do find some mission of mutual interest then sharin' of information that be relevant to that mission.
The halfling accepts her words with no outburst or loud words. he seems to calculate something in his mind, and he looks at all the faces in the cabin. Some are openly hostile, others bland and neutral. He lingers on Parcell, a trace of a sneer on his lips.
"Torture? Sacrificing a man to the gods for his crimes is not torture. It is a means to an end, to kill. If he happens to suffer more then strictly required, well, I won't lose any sleep over it. When you have seen the rusty, bloody chains, the starving children...you will see."
"As far you say, I agree to. I would like to have a man or two of mine aboardship however, to see that you are honest with us. You can return the favor with us, if you wish."
I have seen the bloody chains Gnarea. And I've been one of the starving children left an orphan by a pirate raid. Don't mean I hold with skinning anyone alive and leaving them out to die. Queshem admonishes Gnarea. She taps her toes a few times. As fer the final terms o' the deal. Let's put our partnership to a test first. As it is I do have a mission to help Bag Island to see if we can trust each other when our interests align. Ye interested?
The halfling looks up, more then a bit curious, 'What do you have in mind? I don't mind helping but Raffles and his toadies have never been fans of my church."
Who is Gnarea? Queshem asks before moving on
Yer god likes secrets don't he? Do ye know anything 'bout a gnome named Qauil? Attached to Raffles at the hip. Powerful enough caster to animate large statues? I managed to get in to have a talk with Raffles and everytime Qauil whispered in his ear Raffles seemed to get addled. Also Raffles be having no idea that he be sneered at by everyone on Bag Island behind his back so even if there be no magic at the very least he be having very poor advisers who keep him isolated and ignorant. My aim be to get Raffles away from Qauil and have a chat with 'im by a naval landing to grab him and get him on ship. Call it a kidnappin', call it a rescue, call it an intervention. Queshem shrugs The perfect outcome would be we break Raffles out of the spell on him whether it be mundane or magical and we get a friend right on the Pirate's Council and Slipcove goes back to being a force in the Shackles.
Queshem pauses to gauge Gnarea's reaction.
The halfling's face darkens at her first remark but he stays silent. She does note he grabs his holy symbol, rolling it between his callused fingers.
After she states her plan he is silent for a long time, obviously thinking and judging. Finally he says, 'This is a bold plan. I know from stories that Raffles was once a great Breaker of Chains. He too felt the bloody iron.....in his youth."
Another pause then, 'I can help you, Captain Queshem with this, if you wish. But I do not know this Qauil. Raffles or the Greenbarrow's have not visited Beachcomber in many a long year."
Queshem nods But there be some conditions to this. The point o' this be to try and talk Raffles 'round to being a chain breaker and protector of Bag Island again as well as a friendly voice on the Council. All of that won't be happening if we kill anyone in his mansion. That means we try and be as silent as bloody possible and if that fails be non lethal 'gainst any thing livin' and bash our way out with saps. If we do get into a spot that we'd have to kill or be killed then we cut and run and write Slipcove off. Can ye work under those restrictions?
Gnarea sneers, 'Non-lethal. You seek to change the Shackles without blood?" But when he sees Queshem's resolve he backs down slightly. The halfling does add, 'What do we do with him, once we catch him?"
Oh I be having no illusions of needing to shed blood. But only when needed and it'd undermine us here. Queshem responds
As for Raffles we bundle him on the boat we came in on and get him back here. Maybe grab Quail too if we can but that be optional. Then. we talk with Raffles without that blasted gnome present. Maybe examine him fer mind affecting magic. If Raffles still don't care how weak Slipcove has become for his negligence then we dump him back at port and good riddance to him and Slipcove. Otherwise we help him break the Greenbarrow hold on Slipcove and make this place an active force on the Shackles again and him a strong voice on the Council.
Gnarea nods then, 'Sounds like an interesting plan. You have a cunning mind, I like that in my allies."
Alright since this is s'posed to be a stealthy operation we can't have many people actually go in. And we need to protect our escape route also. We'll take two boats in. Magner, Polos, ye two will protect them and cover our escape. Rabbis is a good one fer unarmed combat so he'll come in with me. Draflo, ye got spells to make us harder to detect and stop folks that come after us? Also ye got any thoughts on how to get past alarm spells and anything that might detect magic? Qauil be formidable as he be a caster so I picked up some thunderstones that might help with 'im. Gnarea, where do yer talents lie that could help with this?
All nod and Draflo says, "Dispel Magic should help with any alarms or wards. As for hiding our trail, that isn't my usual area of expertise."
Magner breaks in, "I have some spells that will hide our tracks and other signs. between that and darkness, we should be fine."
Gnarea grins, "You have a good crew, Captain. Well organized. I can help with all of this. I have the blessing of my god and he strengthens my hand and guides my feet. A cleric of Norgerber has many talents. One of which is healing, which may be useful."
Queshem nods Right. I can hide a few of us from sight if we really need it. Xiakon, ye'll be at the beachhead with Magner and Polos. Magner do it be possible to make a scouting sweep of the grounds before we go in? They probably be on higher alert than usual to keep people from seeing Raffles. Also Raffles said that there's been assassination attempts on him so there may be other surprises that we'll have to figure out when we get there. We'll pull out of dock as they want us to but sail around to get close to where the mansion be. The ships will stay out of sight and then we'll take boats to make a landing. That should give us enough time to prepare our spells and whatnot.
Under the eyes of a small crowd of onlookers and Greenbarrow 'militia' men, the two ships sail off out of sight, into the setting sun. Carefully, undetected, they circle back toward the beach. As the world turns to red and gold Parcell finds Queshem and says quietly, "You mean to go through with this?"
I've been told I'm a stubborn one. Mebbe to my detriment. Queshem says to Parcell as she nods. Ye got concerns I take it
Parcell grimaces, "This a tricky business and could easily go wrong. I look for the Norgerber to poke you in the eye at just the wrong time. It might not be pretty." Still uneasy he heads off to ready the boats.
Slowly time passes and eventually the ship comes just off shore. Above the dunes and a few rolling hills, Queshem can spot the Raffles's mansion, hidden among the waving brush.
Parcell, despite keeping an eye on Gnarea, has the boats ready and everyone is in place.
'Shall we?" Polos says, who apparently has the best morale of everyone.
Queshem nods We go in slow and silent, and keep a watch for lookouts. Once we get close to the beach Magner send out yer friendly scouts to see what be happening
Polos nods and soon the two whale boats are bobbing in the calm, warm water. Xaikon, Polos and Magner in one boat, with Queshem, Gnarea, Draflo and Rabbis in the other. Rabbis heaves on the oars with casual strength that still shocks Queshem, and both boats are soon slicing through the water easily. The night is a warm, tropical velvet, broken only by the crashing waves and a few calls of distant seabirds.
Quickly, Queshem sees the water change to a dark green and they run aground on the beach, sand grating. Everyone piles out, silent and stealthy. The ones staying behind nod and Xaikon inclines his head in a brief benediction for all.
Then Gnarea looks up, 'Shall we, then?"
Magner, what can ye tell of what be happening in there?
The druid looks at Queshem and nods, "One animal a day, are you all right using that now?" he says, not questioningly, just making sure she understands. "If you need a giant bear at your side in an hour, I won't be able to deliver."
Hrm.. that be true. Still we need to know what we be getting into and mebbe call this whole thing off right now. Can a summoned animal do the job? If not then go ahead and use it up fer the day. Then Gnarea, Rabbis ye two are in front, Draflo yer with me not much behind. We'll be detectin' fer magic, ye two keep yer eyes peeled and go slow and stealthy
Magner smiles, "Unless you know an animal that speaks Common?" Then he shimmers into the form of a great sea owl and vanishes silently into the black night.
The other take their place, quietly. Rabbis eyes Gnarea with an unreadable expression, and Queshem realizes she hasn't heard what the former oarsman thinks of her newest 'ally'.
Finally Magner comes back, swooping down.
"The place is quiet but well guarded. I think you were right, they half-expect us. They have two large patrols making the rounds, apart from the guards at the front gate and the main door. A few windows had lights on, but most were dark. I didn't see any statues or anything roaming around. I can't be sure, but I didn't see any obvious magic."
Queshem nods. We go up slow, wait fer one patrol to pass and then go in. Gnarea, Draflo, Rabbis any of ye have ideas of how to quietly get through a window?
Draflo speaks first, "Knock is a silent spell and will open any non-magically barred window. That should let us get in without detection..." It sounds odd, hearing the language of theft from the female wizard.
The halfling merely nods, a dark shape in the shadows.
How quickly were the guards makin' their patrols? want to see how much time we have to work with. Queshem asks.
Maganer shrugs, 'It was a big place and only two patrols. I'd say you have about ten minutes or so between them. They weren't carrying lanterns though. "
'Smart." Polos says,a dding, "Lanterns would just have blinded them and made them easier to spot coming."
Queshem nods Alright, let's go. Gnarea, Rabbis, stay 50 feet or so ahead of Draflo and me, no need to rush. If we hear a patrol coming we hide. Remember all of ye, No deaths and we stick together. We will withdraw rather than make this a bloody night. Ganrea I'm sure ye can detect magic as well as Draflo and I as well as any traps that might be about so we be relying on yer talents there
She pats Rabbis on the back before taking a knee before Gnarea to look him at level Either way this be a true test of whether ye and I can work together Gnarea. This be a quest of my initiative and if it goes how I wish it, whether it succeed or fail, you'll find me a fast ally. Yeah?
The dark halfling eyes Queshem, "I understand what you say. I will be a help but I am not one of your crew. Remember that."
Slowly the group covers the dark, sandy distance from beach to mansion. They encounter nothing except a few rabbits and several large bats.
Soon Queshem can see the dark shape of the wrought iron fence against the blackness of night. Just coming around the corner is a patrol, silent and walking close together.
Queshem waves to everyone to get down to the ground to wait for the patrol to pass.
Queshem motions to Draflo to stop her detecting as they go to ground.
She watches the patrol hopefully pass by without seeing them.
Draflo nods and stops her muttering.
The patrol seems to be heavily armed halflings, with a large angry looking dog. Queshem judges they are a group of local thugs, hired off the docks that evening, dressed in laborers rough clothes. Still,t hey are quiet and serious about their work, keeping eyes peeled for danger.
The party easily avoids the patrol, who walk past, and soon vanish around the corner of the compound. As far as Queshem can tell there is no sign of anyone else. At her side she can see Draflo waiting, nervously, in the darkness.
Queshem takes a deep sigh and makes a sign to everyone to move on, quicker now, until they come close to the mansion.