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Satisfied with their hire of the halfling, Sarai does a little shopping before they set out. She purchased a smart new jacket and trousers, along with some new boots. She also purchases some potions and a few scrolls.
She now looks a little more fitting of her elegant former. "Tell me I look splendid," she tells the others as they stride onto the ship. Her small black familiar, Switch, makes a cooing noise.
Thyra makes sure to go over procedures with any new security personnel and the new floor manager before they make their way towards the boat.
The young woman gives Sarai an openly puzzled look at the demand for compliments. "I mean, of course you look pretty, Sarai, but I don't see the appeal to dress up for such an expedition. This is hardly a gala ball or a noble's party. Once we're on that island, there will be dirt and blood and sweat."
"My goodness Sarai!" drawls Cameron, "You're dressed to the nines! As for the blood and gore, isn't that what a prestidigitation spell is for? Granted the occasional mending will be necessary too... Anyway I'm sure you'll make quite the impression on Captain Creesy. Presumably Nessa has dressed for the occasion as well."
Of course with Nessa there was a possibility she thought less was more which would certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons.
Nessa didn't bother with buying much before the expedition. She spent of money on a few healing potions to have on hand from the temple. When she arrived Nessa was in her same usual leather outfit with the heeled boots like cloven hooves approaching with their usual click clacking sound. "Why yes Cameron, that's exactly the kind of thing that spell is for," Nessa said. She spun in place and asked, "Do you think the captain will like it?"
Hedran grabs an opportunity when the group has some privacy - "We should perhaps inform our good master Haffins we have an 'associate' in the Gold Goblin. Zincher may simply drop by unannounced and make a scene, wouldn't you agree?"
b]"I think we might be able to get the Cypher Mages to help us out. If I bring those notes to Samaritha then maybe her Master will be able to get the other mages to work on it and help out."[/b] Nessa, at least, thought that was a good idea, "I don't know if they can come up with anything but it wouldn't hurt to let them try would it?"
"Agreed Nessa. If there is any information to be garnered, they should be the ones to consult with most likely"
"Master Haffins, I will not tell you how to run the business, since we hired you exactly because you should be better than any of us at it" - Hedran nods - "Show us our trust is not misplaced and line our pockets with gold" - he smiles - "But be intelligent and do not take any unnecessary risk. Be well, and we will see you when we return"
The half-orc checks his gear and smiles at both his companions attire - "Sarai, you look indeed splendid" - he nods - "And Nessa, I think the captain and the whole crew will like it very much" - he adds.
Thyra looks up to the sky in a 'why me' kind of look, sighing outwardly in acceptance. But she can't help but smile at her comrades' flamboyant styles, and the attitudes to match. "Let's just hope that the captain is still amiable when some of his crew drops dead from heart attacks at seeing you two." She gives the other women a knowing look as she hefts her massive hammer onto her shoulders draping her arms over the haft casually.
Once you all are ready you head to the ship to join the Captain for a dinner before you depart in the morning. You are shown below deck by some of the crew who are busy at work getting set for the voyage tomorrow and shown to the Captain's cabin, where is awaiting your arrival, writing in his log. As you are shown in her closes his book and stands to welcome you "Welcome back, please have a seat." He eyes Nessa for a moment in her scantly clad leathers, but then quickly shifts his attention toward Sarai who doesn't seem nearly as intimidating and pulls out her chair for her "You look lovely tonight. He notes as he slightly bows his head.
Once everyone is seated he rings a small bell on the table and then goes to take a seat. While drinks and appetizers are brought out he opens up the conversation. "So... why don't you all tell me about yourselves? What brings you to want to journey out to Devil's Elbow, willing to pay my hefty fee? It must be something important, especially to visit an isle such as that cursed, and now I hear recently destroyed."
Cameron was glad to get the opportunity to meet the Captain in advance and made polite small talk, nodding and smiling.
It wasn't an unusual question curiosity was natural and after all, but before answering Cameron considered the captain's tone of voice and body language, wondering if he had an ulterior motive.
As far as Cameron can tell the man just wants to know what kind of people he is going to be transporting.
Cameron replied, "Some I'm sure are heading there for profit, there's all sorts of crazy rumours about skymetal. Me? I was scared *#$&less by that meteor, we came this close to annihilation. I want to know what caused it and see if there's something, anything we can do to prevent it happening again."
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Sarai curtsies to the captain, glad to have some attention.
"Just like old times," she says with a smile. "I'm Sarai Shae, and we're the owners of a profitable business in town. I'm sure you have heard of the Gold Goblin. We are interested in having it remain profitable, and all of this--chaos--is bad for business. We would like to see what's happening and how we can stop it."
Thyra doesn't quite relax when they are seated. Her posture betrays the tension that she's feeling about this whole set of circumstances that have led to this point. "It's more than that," she adds. "Everything about this meteor and the strange happenings behind it hide something darker. Something that needs to be discovered before it causes something worse to happen."
The man takes in the various responses so far and nods "So you're business owners, but also adventurers? An interesting combination, though I suppose it explains why you don't mind paying my fee for transport." He shrugs and takes a sip of the wine he has, you each are offered beer, wine or water depending on your preference.
"So, I was out to sea when all the trouble happened. It is busy work trying to set records for the fastest ship in all Avistan. As such, I've only heard rumors of what happened. Since you lot seem to be so invested, maybe you could tell me the actual details?"
The Captain definitely seems to be asking a lot of probing questions. While it doesn't seem he has ulterior motives, his questions may end up leading somewhere you all don't want to talk about if the conversation isn't turned around, maybe helping to improve his attitude toward you would help.
"So, I was out to sea when all the trouble happened. It is busy work trying to set records for the fastest ship in all Avistan. As such, I've only heard rumors of what happened. Since you lot seem to be so invested, maybe you could tell me the actual details?"
The Captain definitely seems to be asking a lot of probing questions. While it doesn't seem he has ulterior motives, his questions may end up leading somewhere you all don't want to talk about if the conversation isn't turned around, maybe helping to improve his attitude toward you would help.
"Thank you for the invitation to join you at dinner - the food is above par, as well as the drink" - Hedran nods - "I am here for knowledge - first on the blot above Riddleport, and now on the strange events we have witnessed" - he explains - "Apart from that, my motives are my own, as I am sure you will understand" - and concludes politely.
The man frowns at Hedran's curt reply. As Sarai tries to say they aren't adventurers the Captain just laughs "Ha! Well... you can keep telling yourself that, but anyone willing to risk their lives to look into something as terrible as what I've been told happened, well you either have to be crazy or an adventurer in my book. Anyone else would leave it up to the adventurers or the authorities..."
He shrugs and looks to Nessa "So what about you? Are you not an adventurer as well? Just looking out for your business?" He starts to eat while he waits for a response from her.
As they were shown into dinner with the Captain aboard ship Nessa noticed how he seated Sarai but not her. Most Calistrians might find this a reason for vengeance but Nessa figured he was just intimidated by here, afterall one only rarely had what seemed to be a succubus come over for dinner, so she took a seat of her own and crossed her knees as she sat forward to make room for her wings and tail.
As they began to eat Nessa listened to the discussion and noticed that her companions were carefully not talking about their real reason for going to the island. Nessa finally nodded in agreement and said, "Yeah, just looking out for the business and my home. I don't want it flattened if another of those came in like that." Her eyes twinkled a little as she said, "Besides, who knows, maybe we'll get lucky and find some star stone and become incredibly wealthy!"
The captain frowns a bit and sighs but nods all the same "Very well, go ahead and enjoy your food." He smiles as he continues "However, do not get used to such finery once the ship is underway." The meal consists of fresh reefclaw and vegetables with warm bread and butter.
The captain is civil but doesn't seem to really initiate anymore conversation but the meal is delicious.
"Of course Captain, I'm used to simple fare when on the trail." replied Cameron. Hearing something he glanced up suddenly and remarked, "Did you hear that? Somebody thumping around up there..." Not thinking anything of it he added jovially, "We'll have to get used to the crew moving about and the creak of the timbers in the swell. Had a couple of long voyages as a boy, I enjoyed the storms the most, not sure I'd enjoy them so much now."
The Captain chuckles at Cameron's comment, obviously he hadn't heard anything and seems focused on his meal.
Sarai heads out of the captains cabin, closing the door behind her.
Before heading off to dinner with the captain, the group takes a ferry across the river to the Cypher Lodge. This grand structure of stone and timber sits perched upon a lonely crag nestled against the very slope of the mountain, and provides a panoramic view of both the gulf and the city. More importantly, it looks directly out over the Cyphergate.
You are greeted at the door and once you have explained your business you are seen inside. You wait awhile, and the place seems rather empty, at least more so than you would have expected. Eventually, an older man comes out to greet you, his name is Elias
Tammerhawk, leader of the Order of the Cypher. When you ask about Samaritha he notes that she and several others of the order have already departed for Devil's Elbow, but he is willing to help you any way he can.
He takes the pages you offer and tells you to come back in a few days. His order will look through it and see if there is anything noteworthy and share anything they may discover.
Thyra frowns when she hears the thud above them, and is about to stand when Sarai beats her to the punch... and the door. She turns back to the captain. "To be honest, sir, I'm not used to such fair as it is. I tend to keep things simple." She accents her point by drawing a good sized drink of the beer that she was served. While doing so, she tries to see if she can detect any further noises like the first.
Sarai pulls out a coin and casts a spell on it causing it to radiate darkness then throws it in the middle of the two groups of closest men, before warning the others.
One of the men shrouded in darkness complains "I can't see a damn thing!" Another responds "So? Just keep spreading the oil!" Another calls out "We'll burn it down with whoever is on board still here, doesn't matter!"
They don't move to do anything with Sarai, but instead continue their work, which isn't really impeeded by the darkness since it is just splash oil all about.
Hearing Sarai yell out, Thyra quickly stands and runs out the door, hammer in hand. She calls out to Torag as she goes, grasping her holy symbol, summoning a field of protective energy as she reaches the top of the stairs. "Hold, interlopers! Stand down, or die!"
Standard Action:
Move Action: Moving to the top of the stairs.
Hearing that they were under attack Nessa quickly began to move towards the stairs. She got to the top and started spotting targets for her spells.
Cameron drops his knife and fork, says "Thanks for dinner!" to the captain before rushes towards the sounds of battle!
Hedran follows after the others in silence, but keeps an eye on the captain.
The rest of the group makes it up the stairs as quickly as they can after hearing Sarai's plea for help. Sarai casts a spell, conjuring an arrow of acid that flies at one of the nearest thugs as eh yells in pain, and does his best to get the acid off of himself.
The remainder, finished emptying their oil out onto the ship, start to move back slowly in the darkness and pull out vials, which (those who can see through the darkness) promptly recognize as alchemists fire, prepared to toss them onto the ship and then disembark.
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Knowing the darkness spell could impair her companions as much as the enemy, Sarai dismisses the effect. It had served its purpose, hopefully slowing the enemy down while her allies arrived.
Her arrow continues to deal damage to the enemy it previously struck.
"They're trying to light the boat on fire! Stop them!"
Thyra moves forward to confront the infiltrators taking a swing at the closest with her hammer.
Move Action: Move 20'.
Swift Action: Judgement (Destruction; +2 Damage).
Standard Action:
Cameron cries, "Lady luck, give us your blessing!" and then he advances into the darkness!
Hedran snarls, then conjures a layer of slippery grease under the feet of the approaching thugs before moving ahead.
Wanting distance between herself and the start of the potential fire Nessa stayed near the far edge of the ship and cast a spell. A pair of energy darts lanced out and slammed into the nearest of the thugs.
The others wait with the darkness obscuring their view of the field of combat, but Sarai realizes this and dismisses her magic. Thyra moves forward to attack one of the men holding the alchemist fire but he dodges the blow. Cameron calls on a blessing of Desna to help the group in the fight ahead while Hedran conjures up a patch of grease under the retreating thugs.
Two of the men slip and fall while the other two maintain their footing. Nessa sends a pair of magical missiles at the nearest one. They slam into the man and cause him to grunt in pain but he stays on his feet.
The men in the back start to retreat, running along the dock and then tossing their alchemist fire into the oil aboard the ship. The one man severly injured by Sarai's acid limps along, looking about ready to fall over and it is all he can do just to get onto the dock.
The other injured man navigates through the grease, but as he turns his back on Thyra she strikes out at him, but he is too quick and moves before she can catch him with her hammer. He too tosses his vial of alchemist fire aboard the ship.
The other man tries to stand up, but Cameron sees and opening and stabs him in the chest, promptly dropping him back to the floor again unconscious.
With the sound of flames in his ears, Cameron does the only sensible thing and takes his cloak off and hurries towards the mast where he starts trying to smother the fire.
Thyra yells back to the others, "Get those fires under control! I'll take care of this one!" She then moves down the ramp towards the thug still holding a vial of alchemists fire.
Move Action: Move 20'.
Standard Action: Attack Purple
With a snarl, the half-orc relents his intentions of pursuing the thugs, and moves to extinguish one of the fires to the best of his ability.
"Try to catch one alive!"
Nessa saw the flames erupt and knew that she had to do something. They couldn't afford to lose this ship. She quickly headed to where Cameron was working on putting out the flames and began to help him. Given she had no cloak Nessa began using her wings to try and help smother the fires, trusting in her innate resistance to fire to protect her flesh from harm.