"It's not always effective, but I can try and force my way into her mind... if more civilised methods don't work."
"So do you want her freed for your.. questioning?" the Grimshackle brother asks.
He gives the dead dwarf a nervous little kick.
For her help, Ravvek says matter-of-factly, But we have to get this fire under control first.
With the help of the party, the fires are quickly put under control.
Rathene is freed and she bows to you all. You walk out of the prison as the other captives jeer and stare at you. You're only too glad to hear the prison door slamming behind you.
Rathene thanks you for freeing her. "As agreed. I am a half-orc of my word. What do you want to know?"
Tell us all you know of Krulek, where his hideout is, and how many men he has at his disposal. What traps or snares he may have around his hideout. And finally, if he has any connection with the dragonborn character running around attacking caravans.
"Really, tell us everything you know about Krulek and his base of operations, and the Dragonborn and her base of operations."
"As agreed..."
The gangs are meeting soon to discuss a truce at King’s Pyre, a ruined statue that the Gray Patriots use as a hideout. The outlaws plan to sail there on their longship, entering by way of a sea cave.
• Krulek was once a Knight of the Black Fist but was framed after he arrested an influential noble. Other Knights broke him out of Valjevo Castle, and together they turned to banditry to strike back against the merchants.
• There are fourteen outlaws in the gang. Krulek has two lieutenants: a Talashan berserker called Ruse, and a giant Calishite called Little Erik. Ruse is blind in her left eye, and Erik believes he is cursed: a hag once told him that the hoot of a screech owl would foreshadow his death. Krulek also runs with a moon elf archer, Kai Tyran Uviel, who wields a magic bow. All of Krulek’s outlaws wear gray hooded cloaks.
• The dragonborn is called Jeralla. She believes herself to be the Chosen of Tiamat, and has dubbed her gang the Claws of Tiamat. Jeralla’s wild magic has warped her minions, making them strange to behold. They are known for taking captives from their raids, whom they sacrifice to their dark goddess.
• There are at least thirty kobolds in the gang. A winged kobold called Sharrak appears to be Jeralla’s second-in-command; he has two heads, so he’s easy to identify. Recently, Sahnd Krulek received intelligence that Jeralla has some terrible monster in her employ. She is also known to keep a magic book in her wagon, which can dictate messages on command.
Rathene marks the position of King’s Pyre on the player’s map; it is situated on the coastline, about 40 miles west of Phlan.
"That is all I know. I shall leave for Phlan. I suspect that the prison riot just now was meant to free me, which in a way, it did. But I do not want to return to Krulek's service, especially now that he works with the Cult," she says.
"Besides, banditry is at best a short term job, not a career. You'd likely be better of becoming an adventurer."
"If we meet again, I hope it is to share a drink, and not in conflict." Krissina smiles.
When is this meeting taking place? Would we be able to meet with one side before this congregation? Rav looks back toward Phlan. And finally, do you think that Krulek can still be reasoned with, if justice can be achieved?
"I fear it will be soon. Near the night of the full moon. They are already gathered together by now at King's Pyre.
As for Krulek.. if he will go so far as to ally with the Dragon Cult, I think it would be hard to reason with him. He is stubborn and his need for vengeance runs through his blood," she says.
"Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I look forward to sharing a drink with you. Few want to be seen with one such as me," she says.
"Not that this hasn't been a lovely palaver, but we should probably get out of here before they decide to make us permanent residents." says Shoun as he starts making his way towards the exit.
:)
You set off with Rathene back to Phlan. With a bow, she departs into the night.
Branden meets you at the gate and welcomes you.
"How did it go? What did you learn?"
Rav looks away the half-orc's comment about vengeance and mutters under his breath, And that would be my business... just my luck.
The paladin nods his appreciation to the woman and prepares to head off toward the place she indicated, We'd best head out soon, time is not on our side.
EDIT:
The dragonborn and Krulek seem to be meeting soon, perhaps even tonight. It seems that the dragonborn is connected to the Cult of the Dragon, a cult that some of us have run into before. We should not tarry. Where is this King's Pyre?
"King’s Pyre is situated on the coast, about 40 miles west of Phlan. Two days by horse, about half a day to a day by boat if the seas are agreeable. If they are cooperating, then things will get worse. You must stop this!" Braden says.
Ravvek looks up into the sky, As much as I despise the idea of getting on a boat again, time is of the essence.
The paladin looks at the others for confirmation.
Raeva wishes Rathene well on her journey.
"Ravvek, if that's that fastest way, we should take it."
Rav nods, Krissina?
"Do you have any contacts among boat captains Branden? If so, we need to you call in any markers you have so we can get there in time. While you're doing that, the rest of us should purchase whatever we think we'll need for the upcoming battle."
It's a cloudy sky.
"I do have contacts with boat captains. I'll arrange one for you."
"Aye, 'tis not my preferred mode of transport, but needs must."
Braden secures you a boat and you set off at night, after getting a long rest. However, the weather turns rainy, and the boat is pelted. It almost capsizes a few times before the crew, a group of fishermen, manage to regain control of it. The Captain is an old lady who has fishhooks earrings and weathered, pruned skin.
You reach King's Peak in the morning.
The fog swirls aside, revealing the effigy of a king carved into the stone of the cliff face, a full eighty feet tall from toe to crown, seated on a rocky ledge overlooking the sea. Trees sprout from the statue’s lap, moss clings to its weathered surface, and its right hand grasps a goblet.
Tumbling waterfalls flank the statue, bathing its body in glistening spray. Structures of various degrees of permanency surround the statue, coils of smoke winding lazily through the misty air.
To the west, a loose circle of tents surrounds a large covered wagon. Wood smoke drifts from a low cave nearby. Beyond the camp, an overgrown trail cuts through steep woods to the cliff top.
A neat circle of tents makes up the eastern camp. More tunnels dot the rock face behind it, and a great sea cave yawns at the foot of the cliff. A longship bobs in the water near the cave, anchored to the statue’s sunken hand.
"So how do we play this, I mean it sure would be nice if we could convince them to kill each other instead of allying? But I'm not too good at disguise."
Having known the sting of a noble's callous arrogance, I would rather try to help Krulek, see the error of his ways. The Cult of the Dragon, on the other hand needs to be put down, Ravvek says, eyes staring off into a distance that you are not sure can even be seen from here, If we can turn Krulek, even help him find his justice... or vengeance, we will not fight the Cult alone.
"We should get a couple of uniforms or outfits from both factions and then start ambushing patrols and leaving clues that point to the other faction. Do that a couple of times and we should be able to throw them into enough disarray."
"So where do you want me to drop yer lot? Foot of the statue, or the longship, or further ashore and you'll make your way up?" the captain asks.
"Longship should be fine, my good Captain."
"You better be disguised..." the captain says.
She provides you a rowboat and you depart from her boat. She will be around and wait until the morning.
The tide is ascending and the sea shifting. Some of the crew members are betting against any of you returning...
"So I think we should probably disguise ourselves as bandits."
Shoun will disguise himself, then help other people with their disguises.
Rav looks hesitant, but relents and mutters, I guess it is wiser than walking in unannounced.
"Well, I'll try" Krissina runs a finger along one of her slender horns.
NB: I can grant someone inspiration if they're concerned. Alternatively I can still render someone invisible.
You approach the longship, anchored to the statue’s sunken hand. The ship’s mainsail is tightly furled, but its lines are set for a quick cast off. Two gray-cloaked figures patrol the deck.
"Who's that? Get away!" one of the figures says, raising a crossbow.
Blast it, we're late aren't we? It's Grey! Don't ya recognize me? Ain't been that long has it? Rav responds quickly without hesitation.
"You're an idiot Grey. Always running your mouth off, like the time you lost at cards and then said that Ruse was cheating. Man, did you get whupped that day! You guys remember that?"
Rav grumbles apparently in a huff, But he was cheating...
EDIT:
At that point Raeva steps forward boldly. "We were sent to check on things. Make sure there's no double cross. Now let us go about our business before we have to bust your skulls and we go about our business, you lousy bums." His attitude and tone are uncharacteristic for him.
"Liars!" the guards shout, raising their crossbows.
"Of course I am. How nice of you to notice." says Shoun as he summons fire on the pour guy who called them out.
Shoun's firebolt strikes one of the bandits. They fire back, then duck to the sides of the ship for cover.
The one Shoun hit fires back at the rogue, while another fires at Ravvek. The bolt just sinks into the sea in front of Shoun, accompanied by much swearing. Ravvek raises his shield in time to block the bolt flying towards his head.
"Intruders!" one shouts.
Raeva uses Acid Splash against the lead guard.
"Back to the shooting then." Krissina takes a shot with her crossbow while following their opponents example and taking cover.
Shoun again moves forward, apparently not threatened by their archery in the least. Again he points at one of the guards, and again fire lances out at him.
Rav readies his action action this round, once the boat gets close enough to jump to the longship, he will use the dash action to get up to melee with the other bandit.