DM Bloodgargler |
You travel east to Ravounel Road, and then head north through the Rust Gate (paying 2 silver each) into Kintargo. You come to crossroads of the four southern districts. In the green space at the crossroads, you see a figure leaning against a slim tree.. clearly eyeing you. It is a slim dark-haired elven woman in a red and black uniform with light mail. A rapier and a pistol hang from either hip.
As you move past her, she casually follows, and calmly closes the distance.
"Keep your voices low, and keep moving. No spectacle.. Avoid a scene, aye?" She nods forward in the direction you'd intended. "We're off to the docks." and subtly winks.
Idril Ssethan |
Idril, barely glanced at the newcomer.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
"Hm." She said aloud. "A trip to the docks sounds lovely this time of year..." She continued innocuously, moving along on course to the docks now.
DM Bloodgargler |
"Good.. good." She lets out an exaggerated sigh of relief. "I am Lieutenant Elia Nones of the Chelish warship Scourge of Belial. Captain Sargaeta requests the company of those citizens who so ably liberated a certain gathering of imprisoned Hellknights from incarceration. As you may have gleaned... attendance is compulsory.”
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
You do not detect any hidden ill intent (as long as you comply). You believe that she (and apparently her captain) are truly anti-Thrune and his rule.
You notice that she referred to her ship as a Chelish Warship as opposed to the normal introduction of "Her Infernal Majestrix’s warship”. A further (yet subtle) hint that her captain might be dissatisfied with Thrune’s methods.
DM Bloodgargler |
"I think so. I've served with him for five years now. He is.. certainly an individual.. eccentric, but noble and effective. He has the respect of the crew, and he is good to them."
After a quiet moment as you pass the Holding House.
"Seen much of the world out there? .. or are you all native to Kintargo? Is there anywhere I can get a good bottle of wine on the way to the Old Harbor?"
Jacques "Indio Black" Jhaltero |
Indio is unable to suppress a snort of disgust at the "Compulsory" remark, which earns the Lieutenant the full force of his hypnotic glare for just a moment.
He still follows the others, but he lacks his normal jovial air.
News certainly travels fast, and in this case, I do not consider that a good thing.
Stricia |
Not being native, and her accent probably gives it away in any case, Stricia does not engage any further. A Chelish captain being good to his underlings certainly doesn't conform to what she had heard of Chelaxian leadership.
DM Bloodgargler |
After stopping for a few bottles of wine, you reach Old Harbor. Moored at the southernmost pier is the Scourge of Belial. It is a three masted ship which dwarfs even the largest of the fishing vessels around it. You see it appears to be going through extensive repairs at the moment as you make your way up the gangplank. There is quite a bit of activity - crew moving about with tools and materials. Among them, is the man Boabdil who'd accompanied you back from the Holding House.
Lieutenant Nones leads you aftward where you see open double doors of the captain's cabin. A table is set out, and a man in fine Chelish Navy attire bows with tricorne in hand... as others rush to set chairs around. Captain Sargaeta smiles with a twinkle "Welcome friends."
The Captain has light brown hair and a neatly trimmed goatee adorning a well-defined jawline. He sips tea from a delicate porcelain cup decorated with a graceful floral design. There is a superior air about him, and he scrutinizes the group silently with a cool and dispassionate gaze for a moment.
The cabin is large - taking up the rear quarter of the ship, and is is richly appointed, with windows of stained glass and walls hung with seascape paintings and nautical antiques. It smells of pleasant spices and rare incense.
Two colorfully plumed tropical birds perk up in golden cages, and a small monkey in a miniature Chelish sailor’s suit shells peanuts atop a large desk of rare wood.
Three halflings are about the cabin — one plays an elegant piece on a violin, another sews buttons on a white shirt, and a third cuts up a pineapple.
“Tsk... I can’t deny my disappointment. I expected more... towering giants out of myth, someone more... grandiose. Alas, this is what the waves have washed up on my shore." His eyes fall on Bastargrae.. he smiles again. "Wencella, see if our guests would care for some of that delectable fruit.”
The halfing cutting the pineapple begins plating it on a large platinum platter. Lieutenant Nones places the wine in front of Captain Sargaeta - he quickly looks over them, and gives a "pleased enough" expression and nod.
Jacques "Indio Black" Jhaltero |
If there is one thing that Indio tries to display, it's a certain level of class, as such he refuses to rise to the captains bait, instead merely crossing his arms over his chest and sending him an unimpressed look in return.
The best part is that it's genuine, because even if they are standing very much on the captains turf at the moment, anyone who is surely going to ask for something and yet begins with even so biting insults does not rate very highly in Indio's books.
Idril Ssethan |
Perform (Act): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Idril put on her sex kitten act, swaying more than normal as she prowled around the Captain's Cabin; an apparently unarmed, good looking girl.
"Ooooh my! What a magNIFicent cabin Captain! Oh! Look at the stained glass! Oh! What a cute monkey!" She went on and on gushing over the cabins appointments and flattering the servants.
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Then she went over to the Captain with a brilliant smile. She ran her fingers lightly over the mans shoulders.
"And such a dashing, handsome and commanding man!" She husked.
Stepping inside his personal space, she took a deep breath and batted her eyes.
"But what would such an important man want with little old us? Who do you believe we are?" She breathed as she got even closer; her lips slowly approaching his...
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
DM Bloodgargler |
The lieutenant Elia Nones reddens, the three halflings stop in their tracks.. agog. Captain Sargaeta slowly strikes his mustache as he watches Idril with an arched eyebrow. As Idril moves closer to him, he raises a wine bottle and taps the top while glancing back to the monkey in the navy uniform. The monkey snatches a cork-puller from the desk and scrambles over.
As Idril gets intimately close, the captain pushes her lips away with a finger. "Yes. Thank you. Very nice. Perhaps a drink." He clears his throat.. a bit ruffled, and begins to open a bottle. "In any event.. heh.. I do have need of a group of your skills and resources. Lord-Mayor Thrune’s proclamations have, shall I say, impacted my interests in the city. I cannot venture onto land to take care of... well, let’s call it a ‘personal matter.’ I could send my crew to attend this, but I would much prefer sending someone with whom I have plausible deniability, should they fail in their task. Would you be interested in providing me with aid? I daresay that people in your position could stand to benefit from having a captain in the Chelish navy owe you a few favors, hmmm?”
Jacques "Indio Black" Jhaltero |
Indio cannot quite keep a smirk suppressed at Idril's masterful performance manages to catch the captain off guard.
He is also glad someone else broke the ice, because if he had been forced to do it, there would have been biting sarcasms shining a light on the fact that someone wants the help of the ravens, and yet starts the negotiations by insulting them.
This, this was better, and still felt like a small bit of revenge, petty as it might be.
Grumenio "Nio" Venaticus |
Nio, the new one in the group, had hung back to let the others take the lead. He's hard to miss, though, in his lacquered acquatic-themed armor and especially with the blue, three foot tall, ten foot long bird-thing at his side. The would-be Hellknight simply stands back and listens as Idril works the captain.
Sense Motive on the captain: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
What kind of check would one do to know about the navy?
DM Bloodgargler |
"My task is a simple one. I have a friend... Marquel Aulorian whose 'political views' seem to have gotten him into trouble with his prig of a father Auxis - who is fixated upon currying favor with the current leadership. I am unable to set foot in Kintargo due to our dear leader's proclamation.. I am a captain of non-local birth. Therefore I would like you to deliver this."
He produces an envelope with a black wax seal from his jacket.
"Highly preferred for it to reach Marquel directly, and I would like you to return to me with his replay.. verbatim."
He also hands over a slip of paper with directions to the estate in the Greens.
Jacques "Indio Black" Jhaltero |
Can't fail that check.
Salt and silver...no major implications there.
This interest in a verbatim answer on the other hand...
"Even with these hindrances, finding someone more connected to deliver this message should proven no difficulty, and since you lieutenant as much as admitted knowledge of certain..."liberations" recently undertaken, it makes me suspect the verbatim part would best be delivered by the person in question.
Am I right, hmm?"
DM Bloodgargler |
Captain Sargaeta nods and smirks.. raising his tea cup in acknowledgement... "Very astute... Someone more connected clearly means more easily connected to me.. should things turn sour. Plausible deniability I believe it is called, yes?"
"And yes.. in a perfect world, from his lips to my ears directly would be my preference, but.. alas... we get what we can in the world in which we do exist."
Bastargrae Sweetgulp |
Bastargrae,as obsessed with tea he was, was more focused on the tea in the captain's cup and the tea set he used with an intense interest.
1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15Profession(Tea)
...Aside from my recent activism as a freedom fighter for our dear Kintargo, I am a tea merchant. Tis one of my first loves in life, you see. Aside from mysteries and opposing injustice. What can you tell me of your preferences? What aromas and spices you are most partial to? That blend you have there...
Bastargrae inhaled robustly.
Idril Ssethan |
Hearing the proposal, Idril tried to tell if he was being straight with them.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Then she peeled herself off of the captain and backed up a bit.
"Hm. That seems straightforward enough. But why can't you hire some street urchin to do this? Is there some kind of opposition?" She asked, dropping the sex kitten act.
DM Bloodgargler |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"A freedom fighter and tea merchant! Ha! You have won my heart, good fellow." He raises his tea cup.. "For me.. it must be pungent and distinctive. If it does not require my palate to adapt, it is not worth my time. This... is from Qadira.. it translates to Harpy Claw... its quite peppery with an earthy musk.. Marquel says it smells of soggy boots and radishes." He smiles in the memory for a moment, which begins to turn toward forlorn until Idril speaks up.
"The reason is.. I would like this favor done well.. successfully and - hopefully - discreet. I would not like to hear about his father or some chambermaid gravely wounded or worse should they get in the way. You've been given words of high repute from a man who is hard to please. And as I've seen myself, you are not quick to lash out against provocation."
His demeanor is not a facade exactly - you would guess it to be his normal personality when he is in good spirits, however he is more angry and depressed than he is letting on.
Grumenio "Nio" Venaticus |
Kn:Nobility, DC 10: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Kn:Nobility re: navy, particularly if this captain has any sort of reputation: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 Guess not...
Nio found himself unknowingly agreeing with Stricia's unspoken thoughts. This group is surprisingly well known and easily recognizable. That may be a problem we need to discuss. He remained silent while Idril and Indio led the discussions, every now and then clucking to his odd companion to move away from some curiosity she had found to sniff at.
Erodel Voralius |
"Understood. Although I hope you understand that if it comes down to us having to hurt or even kill someone to escape should this all go sideways we...or at least I won't have an qualms with doing just that." Erodel says, matter-of-factly.
Diplomacy? What's that?
Jacques "Indio Black" Jhaltero |
"There are of course ways to limit the risks involved.
We DO possess a very useful resource for delivering messages, and as such, we could use said resource to alert the man in question and thus co-ordinate a little ahead of time.
An ounce of preparation is worth a tonne of ammunition after all."
Stricia |
Where would he be? Would he be under guard or watch? Do you know of people on his staff that would be helpful to us or to be wary of? What aid can you give us in this? Stircia suddenly says.
DM Bloodgargler |
"I've given you a rough sketch of the west courtyard. There are guard dogs.. or at least a doghouse for them. There is only one window on the first floor to be wary of. I know nothing of his staff, I'm afraid. There have been guards seen at the North and South entrances, but they don't seem to patrol the grounds."
Grumenio "Nio" Venaticus |
Nio speaks up as things seem to be winding down. "So your... friend's father would not be expecting us, but Marquel, he will recognize your name? He won't call his father's guards down on us when he reads your note?"
Idril Ssethan |
Idril turned to his companions.
"I see a letter from Octavio to our good Captain mentioning us as people who could help. On that basis I am inclined to accept this commission.
"What say you all?" She asked
Jacques "Indio Black" Jhaltero |
"Hmm, I believe the task falls within our...capabilities."
Indio has to struggle within himself a bit to speak in accepting tones, his pride still smarted at the attitude of the captain.
And he swore silently to himself that he would find some way to get even, no matter how petty a sentiment it was.
DM Bloodgargler |