[PFS] 07-10 The Consortium Compact by DM DoctorEvil

Game Master DM DoctorEvil

Where we will begin the game. Dot in if you are able.

Water laps steadily at the pier as sailors, laborers, and merchants rush busily around Absalom's port. The venture-captain's summons called for a meeting aboard the Sixwing Drake, a sleek sailing ship. The Drake's captain, a Varisian woman and fellow Pathfinder named Zarah Zendrani, stands at the helm of her vessel. "It's not like Valsin to be late," she mutters, furrowing her brow. As if on cue, a tall and meticulously groomed man pushes his way through the crowd and up the gangplank, cursing audibly. "Whoever supervises this mess of a port needs to be dumped in the sea!" he grumbles.

The tall man looks around at those gathered before him. "Just the group I requested. Perfect. I'm Venture Captain Ambrus Valsin, and I took great care in selecting just the right Pathfinders for this assignment." Valsin reaches into his belt pouch and withdraws a small, folded paper before continuing. "A few days ago, I received a curious note from a rather unexpected source. It's not every day that I get a request from an agent of the Aspis Consortium." Captain Zendrani's eyes widen, and Valsin smiles knowingly. "But Magali Delroya does not appear to be your typical Aspis agent. As you surely know, the Aspis Consortium pursues a variety of activities across the Inner Sea that the Pathfinder Society finds abhorrent. It seems that Delroya has been working with them for some time, but can no longer stomach the snakes herself. She wants to stop a shipment of an experimental drug from leaving Diobel later this week. It's bound for a number of locations across the Inner Sea region. According to Delroya, she can't ask the local authorities for help, because the Aspis Consortium has already struck a deal with a faction of the Kortos Consortium, a powerful merchant collective. Her hands are tied, so she's come to us for help. In this note, she outlines three different tasks that would help to disrupt the Aspis long enough for her to move the shipment to a secure location, out of the clutches of the Consortium. Once you accomplish two of these tasks, she's willing to meet with you, but not before."

"Normally, I wouldn't trust an Aspis agent at any hour fo the day. But our sources in Diobel have confirmed the Aspis and Kortos consortia's activities. Everything checks out, so we are presented with a unique opportunity. If we help Delroya, we might not only strike a financial blow against the Aspis Consortium, but we could also reveal the dealings with the Kortos Consortium -- and possibly prevent their arrangement from turning into more of a formal alliance. Furthermore, we hpe to stop this drug from spreading across the Inner Sea region, and if we -- if all of you -- do a good enough job, we might even convince Delroya to join the Society. A turncoat agent woudl be a valuable asset in our ongoing run-ins with the Aspis Consortium."

"Take some time to look over Delroya's note and the tasks she has set for you. If you have any questions, now is the time to ask. Remember the Aspis Consortium is a long-time enemy of the Society, but the Kortos Consortium, while certainly suspicious, is a not our enemy. It is a complex organization with many factions, and we should avoid antagonizing any of them, except when necessary to oppose the Aspis."

Here are the letter and instructions from Magali Delroya, Aspis agent. I attached them for ease of reference in the Campaign Info tab as well.

It is possible, through studying or contacts, you know something about the Kortos Consortium before you begin this operation.

After you have read the notes, Valsin looks at you with concern. "This ship will take you to Diobel, but after you get there, you will only have a day, two at the most, to complete your tasks. I suggest you take some time now and ask whatever questions you have. Then, make a trip back to the shore to gather whatever supplies you think you'll need before setting sail on the Sixwing Drake."

"So are there any questions?"

Even though she is a grown up woman, Lady Naysha looks like a young, teenage girl. She has black hair, a bright smile, and eyes that sparkle with joy. She wears very fancy clothes and jewelry, and always carries around her beloved stuffed rabbit, Miss Whiskers.

When she is given a letter by a messenger to meet for her third assignment, she smiles and claps her hands! Lady Naysha was in her garden, playing with her fairy friends. Pixies, and brownies and fairies and lots of others too! She had waved goodbye and skipped off to prepare for her mission!

"Oh, boy! This one says to meet at the docks! I have never been on a mission outside of Absalom! Won't this be fun, Miss Whiskers?"

Lady Naysha and Miss Whiskers skipped down the road to get to the docks, all of her fey friends followed her. She couldn't see them right now, but even walking through the roads of Absalom she knew they were there!

----

When she see the ship she smiles and hurries aboard. She giggles and jumps up and down on the deck. "Whoah! It' rocking! So much FUN!!"

Lots of sailors turned to look at her. She only looked like a child. They did not think she belonged. But, Lady Naysha did not mind. She knew she did. She was a Pathfinder. And a good one!

When she sees the Captain and the other Pathfinders, Lady Naysha smiles at them, showing off all of her sparkling clean teeth, and curtsies. "Nice to meet you, Captain! I'm Lady Naysha! And THIS is Miss Whiskers!" She holds up a big, stuffed rabbit toy. "She's happy to meet you too!"

The stuffed rabbit doesn't seem to move or anything.

"And these are my fairy friends!" she says pointing behind her. "Come out, fairy friends!"

Nothing seems to come out.

Lady Naysha giggles like it's a real funny joke! "They're very silly." she explains.

Recognizing some of the other Pathfinders, she waves happily. "Hello again!"

---

When the Venture Captain arrives, Lady Naysha waves hello. She listens to him, and read the letters.

"Oh, dear! I have never met someone from the Aspis Consortium, but I have a friend who really hates them! This business with that Whip-drug sounds HORRIBLE! We need to stop them! And luckily, tricks are right up my alley!" Looking behind her--at nothing--she says, "Right guys?"

"Right!" she says with a nods after a few moments of silence.

"Hmmm... Now about these missions... I think we should board the ship. I'm pretty good at disguises, you know. And I also want to get the alchemist put in jail! So we should go find his lab."

She looks at the Venture-Captain. "What can you tell me about Diobel? I've probably been there before, because my family travels a lot, but I'm not very good at remembering which place is which."

"Can you tell us what Magali Delroya looks like? I don't want to be fooled by an imposters!"

Lizbeth strode up onto the deck of the Sixwing Drake with the practised ease of a sailor. She gave the ship a glance, then grinned.

"Finally! I've missed this!"

After a moment she scoffs and adds, "Like I care what you think. You're an idiot. Besides, you should have the decency to stay quiet when you're sheathed. It's only polite, or whatever."

She seems to be talking to herself.

Suddenly she strides across the deck to the Captain. "Hey, Captain! I'm Lizbeth Emander. Mind if I take a gander from the rigging while we wait for the others. I haven't been on a ship this nice in years."

With a nod, Lizbeth climbs up the rigging to the crow's nest, and sits up there, enjoying the rocking of the ship, the view of the ocean, and the smell of the salty--and sweaty and fishy--air.

---

When the other Pathfinders arrive she sighs loudly, and casts a glance over her shoulder at the handle of her big sword. "I hate you."

Then she climbs down to the deck to meet her new 'companions.'

"Hey guys, the names Lizbeth Emander." she offers a hand for a hand shake to each of the other Pathfinders. "I hope you're ready for anything."

Lizbeth is a weather-worn woman with black, jaggedly cut hair, a heavy dose of scars, and an eyepatch over one eye. She has an easy smile, and a slender form. When she shakes your hand you can tell she’s surprisingly strong for her size, and has heavily calloused hands. She wears the typical clothes of a pirate—tight pants, wicked boots, a loose linen shirt, a vest and a few belts and sashes for good measure. But over her clothes she’s got weird foreign armour, and on her back is strapped a Minkaian-style sword way too big for her to wield. Dangling off of her belt is a holy symbol of a skull and crossbones right alongside one of a katana in front of a blazing sun. The symbols of Besmara--goddess of sea monsters and piracy, and Shizuru--Tian goddess of the sun, honour and swordplay.

After meeting Lady Naysha, Lizbeth lets out a loud laugh. "Wow! I am so used to being the weird one, but look at you! A kid talking to stuffed rabbits and invisible fairies..." She grins brightly. "It's nice to meet you both. My sword tries to force me to do nice things. Sometimes it works. His name's Renku, but don't call him that. He doesn't deserve it. He's WAY too much of a pain in my neck."

Looking behind Lady Naysha, Lizbeth says, "And hello to you to, fairies. Don't play any tricks on me and I'll give you a gift when we're all done here. Yeah?" She nods hopefully, apparently ready to believe that a child has invisible fairies following her around.

---

Lizbeth grins at the sound of the mission briefing. "Well, isn't this an unexpected mission. Lies, betrayal, intrigue, and screwing over a competitor? Sounds like fun!" Suddenly her face looks unimpressed and she rolls her eyes. "As I said, it's FUN."

You're not sure what she's replying to. After another moment she sighs. Then she mutters under her breath, "Yeah, yeah. Good of the Inner Sea. Altruism. Heroes. Whatever. Rusty anchors, you're irritating!"

With her gaze refocused on the group she lets out an awkward chuckle. "Now, about these jobs... You've got good taste, kid. I'm in! Let's do the ship, and the lab. I'll take any excuse to get on a ship, and this Laszo fellow's going to get what's coming to him. Under the gaze of the Empress of Heaven, I vow that his misdeeds shall--"

Suddenly she scowls, bites her lip and crosses her arms. "Ignore that last part. He'll get what's coming to him."

Under her breath she hisses, "No vows. I refuse. ...No! Cut it out."

Looking at Ambrus, she asks, "Who captain's the Blue Dragon's Bite? Any idea what the crew's like, or what kind of cargo they were carrying?"

When Sir Lansle got his summons, he was at his brother's house talking to him. Or, he was trying to talk to him. It was hard to talk to your brother when he couldn't remember he was your brother. Luckily his owl remembered just fine.

"Goodbye, Palad, I'll see you next time. Bye Bobby. Keep an eye on him, alright?"

He looks at the sketchy looking Varisian who is hanging around his brother's house, snoring in a chair. Then he looks at Bobby the owl. "Keep an eye on that f-f-fellow." he stutters nervously. "He seems suspicious..."

Then he left his brother's house and headed down to the docks. He looks at the boat, and then looks at his heavy armour.

"Oh, dear... I hope I d-d-don't fall overboard!"

Shaking with fear, he goes on the boat.

Sir Lansle is a young man in his twenties. His hair is brown, but is starting to go grey on the sides from all of his worrying. He wears sturdy armour, and carries a big metal shield. Both of them have the glowing sword of Iomedae on them in brilliant, bright colours. Around his neck is a holy symbol of Iomedae, as well. He looks like a holy warrior, strong and a true! But, he looks terrified, and his arms and knees shake with fear.

He offers a handshake to the other Pathfinders, and to the stuffed rabbit. "H-h-hi" he stammers nervously.

"I'm S-s-sir Lansle Eine! It's nice to m-m-meet you!" Looking at the captain he asks, "Are y-you sure this boat is safe?"

Looking at Lady Naysha he says, "Hello Lady Naysha, Hello, Miss Whiskers, and hello fairy friends. My brother, Palad. Or, actually he calls himself Fuzzzy.... Anyhow, Palad told me all about you. Well, actually, Bobby told me all about you, because Palad couldn't remember. He can't remember much these days. But don't let that hurt your feelings. He doesn't remember me, either. Death is very traumatizing, you know. Trust me!"

He nods, looking suddenly extra scared.

Looking at the brave pirate lady, he says, "Hello, Lizbeth. I also thought I was the weirdest. But you are very strange. I am h-happy about that..."

Thinking about the mission, Sir Lansle shakes in his boots. "This Laszo is very evil. We need to put a stop to his misdeeds!" He seems certain, even though he is so scared. "I'll have to b-b-be brave!"

"I do not think I will be very good on the ship, but it is for the greater good.... Hmmm... I will t-try my best."

Suddenly Sir Lansle gets down on one knee, pulls out his longsword, and stands it up, point down onto the deck. Holding his sword, he bows his head, and prays, "Brave Iomedae, Shining Inheritor! Give me your blessing on this holy quest!"

Then he stands up, feeling a little bit braver.

Lady Naysha smiles at Lizbeth. "Oh, they won't! They only play tricks on bad guys when they're with me!"

"You're Fuzzzy's brother? Really? He's a real fun guy! I bet you and I will be good friends!"

Lizbeth chuckles. "On bad guys..? Oh, yeah, well, I'm uh... fine then! Totally fine! Nothing but, uh, good intentions over here! I'm all about charity and junk..."

She doesn't sound very convincing...

Looking at the scared knight, Lizbeth raises an eyebrow. "Wow, you're really shaking in your boots, there, pal. Looks like you're going to soil your armour! What are you, afraid of water?"

She laughs, apparently finding that hilarious.

A short gnome arrives wearing a leather outfit and a tophat. The gnome has a wildly long black moustache and a large bottom lip. The little gnome carries a wicker basket in his arms. On his back is a fine backpack and a very fine glaive. Toban climbs aboard and comments “Ah! It’s been so very very long since I’ve sailed!”

“Hello captain! I’m Toban Tangletop, master chef! This is a very fine ship you have here. Yes very fine!” Toban greets Zarah Zendrani cheerfully.

“Hello! Hello! Very good seeing you again!” Toban will give everyone an enthusiastic handshake. Toban is excited to see some familiar faces among the Pathfinders. “Ah, hello Lady Naysha. And hello Miss Whiskers.” Toban gives his friend a hug.

“Ready for anything? I sure am Lizbeth! I have candied yams, cured venison, sweet sticky buns, and roasted assorted nuts.” Toban proclaims and pats the wicker basket. “Besmara and Shizuru—Tian? How very curious.”

“Your sword makes you do things? Hmmm…” Toban studies Lizbeth with a quirked eyebrow.

“Hello Lansle. It is a pleasure to work with a servant of Iomedae. I serve Shelyn.”

-

“Aspis hey? Hmmm…” Toban taps his large bottom lip with his finger making a popping sound. Pop. Pop. Pop.

“Yes, this whip stuff sounds very rotten.”

Toban strokes his long moustache while he inspects the letters.

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Valsin looks at Lady Naysha as if her antics were getting on his last nerve, but he tries his best to answer her question without letting his irritation show. "Diobel, just down the coast here on the Isle of Kortos, is sometimes called the Doorway to Absalom. Shipments to and from Absalom often go through Diobel which has lower taxes than Absalom. Trade with Diobel is an important part of Absalom's economy -- which is why we must tread lightly around the Kortos Consortium, given their influence in Diobel."

Naysha also wisely asks about the looks of this Delroya. Valsin nods and says: "She is half-Mwangi so her skin is a light chocolate brown. Her hair is lustros and dark and she is surprisingly nimble and light on her feet -- a good hand with a rapier in a fight, as I recall. She has a certain presence about her, pretty in an exotic way, so I think you'll know her when you see her."

This link will take you to a portrait of Delroya. She is a repeating NPC in a few PFS adventures.

As Lizbeth asks about the Blue Dragon's Bite, Valsin scratches his head. "Our knowledge about the current cargo of this ship is limited. Probably crates of foodstuffs or other unnoteworthy cargo since her next mission is likely more illicit, they want to establish her bona fides first. The captain is unknown, the Aspis switch these out frequently, but the first mate is known to us -- a tough old salt named Galdeph Bellarion. Not sure that's helpful, but that's what i know."

Are there any other questions or shopping that needs done before the ship sets sail for Diobel?"

"Oooh! Grub, hey? Is that for everyone?"

With a narrowed glance at Toban, Lizbeth remarks, "It tries."

---

"Galdeph Bellarion, hey? Hmmm."

I've got not more questions.

Sekell walks onto the ship after buying a cimber's kit and and masterwork set of thieve's tools. Due to his shopping he barely makes it to the ship in time to hear the mission briefing. Not wanting to disturb anyone he sneaks on to the ship and listens from some comfortable shadows and pulls down his hoood. stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21
As he listens to the others talk, he takes a minute to set up his new thieves tools in his belt pouch so he'd be able to use them at a moments notice. Once done with that he steps out from the shadows and introduces himself to the other pathfinders. As he steps from the shadows he puts his hood back up to shadow his eyes from the light of the day.
As he walks out, the light reveals a purple skinned half-elf with luminescent cloudy pink eyes. Long black hair flows out from underneath his hood.

"Hello everyone. It is good to meet you Sir Lansle and Lady Lizbeth. I am Sekell Wriggleroot. " He shakes Lansle's hand and notices him shaking. "My and I thought I was afraid of being on the water. Best make sure you don't go for an accidental dip on our trip then." He shakes Lizbeth's hand next. He gives her a bit of an awkward smile "I agree on your mission choices. The ship would be good, as I could probably sneak on at night and swipe those papers with a little help and a distraction. As for the alchemist, i certainly wouldn't mind a short stint hunting underground. Lord knows i get too much sun on some of these pathfinder missions."

He then looks over at Toban and Naysha. "Good to see you two again. I sure do look forward to some more of your cooking Toban. Certainly can't wait to some of your fairy friends pranks either Naysha."

Lady Naysha gives Toban a big hug. "Oh, it's so good to see you! I brought some sewing tools in case Miss Whiskers gets hurt! And--OOOH! Candied YAMS?! I LOVE YAMS!!!"

At the sight of Sekell, Lady Naysha smiles. "Wow! Where did YOU come from?" She waves happily. "It's nice to see you!"

I have no more questions.

"Whoah, where were you lurking, pal?" Lizbeth asks, as Sekell appears out of nowhere. "You keep that up and you'll have me peeking under beds by the time this mission's done," she jokes.

Sir Lansle nods at Lady Naysha's offer of friendship. "M-m-maybe!" He smiles shyly. "I would like a new friend..."

Sir Lansle's eyes widen. "S-s-soil myself? Dear, no! I'm just s-scared of everything. There is a lot to b-be afraid of, you know. You should really take the danger of drowning more s-s-seriously!"

Sir Lansle nods his head at Toban. "Thank you. You as well."

"AAAAAHHHH!" Sir Lansle shrieks like a little girl as Sekell suddenly appears. Eyes wide in fear, and panting in an attempt to catch his breath, Lansle places a hand over his holy symbol.

"Iomedae give me strength... This is going to be a stressful mission..."

Looking at Sekell, Sir Lansle says, "You frightened me! Oh, my... Oh, dear... That was terrifying..."

“Half-Mwangi? Hmmm…”

“What tries Lizbeth?”

Toban jumps a little at Sir Lansle’s shriek.

“Goodness!”

“Hello hello Sekell. Yes, very good to see you again! It brings me pleasure to have the chance to cook for you again.”

Lizbeth was answering your question, silly!

“Your sword makes you do things? Hmmm…” Toban studies Lizbeth with a quirked eyebrow.

Lizbeth Emander wrote:

With a narrowed glance at Toban, Lizbeth remarks, "It tries."

Toban Tangletop wrote:

“What tries Lizbeth?”

That, Dad!

---

"Wow! That was loud, Sir Lansle!"

"Didn't mean to spook anyone. I just thought that shadowed corner was a nice place to listen in on the briefing."

"So what's a guy gotta do to get purple skin, anyway?" Lizbeth asks without tact. "I thought only gnomes could rock that colour."

As Toban yells "Goodness!":

Lansle lets out another loud shriek! "AAAH!"

"Whoo... Sorry about that. Loud noises scare me!"

I have no more questions, either.

"I wasn't scared! It was funny! Nice joke Sekell! Do it again!"

"Well done Sekell! Our friend Sekell here is very good at sneaking up on monsters and such. Ha!" Toban tells Lizbeth and Lansle.

"Lots and lots of beets can give you a very fine shade of purple Lizbeth. Or if you prefer orange, eat lots and lots of carrots."

Lizbeth suddenly lets out a loud laugh.

"Wow, we are a going to make one eccentric team."

If there are no more questions, and no more shopping to be done, Valsin departs, and Captain Zendrani makes ready to weigh anchor. Not long after you are under way, sailing the short distance from Absalom to Diobel. The trip will take most of the rest of the night, and Zendrani says you should arrive at dawn on Oathday -- the same day that the Blue Dragon's Bite is supposed to start unloading. The meeting between agents of Kortos and Aspis consortia is also scheduled for noon at the Overflowing Oyster.

You all head below to catch some shut-eye (unless you're too afraid to sleep aboard the ship). Shortly before dawn, Zendrani's crew wakes you and you find the captain at the wheel of the Sixwing Drake into the harbor of Diobel. Massive barriers of broken war-barges, crumbling walls, and jetties of iron and wood protect the port of Diobel. "Well here we are," says the captain. "I'll make sure everything is in order with Diobel's inspectors and charter you a barge to the port. You aren't carrying anything particularly valuable, so you shouldn't draw much attention from the inspectors or pilots, so long as you don't run your mouth. My crew and I will wait here with the ship. You can return here to rest, if you need to, but remember -- there isn't much time!"

The barge captain, a man named Markus Karbie, boards and you see Zendarani slip him a handful of gold coins. She asks him to transport you to shore, and to hang out there in the event you need a quick ride back to the Sixwing Drake.

The captain is a stocky, middle-aged man with weather-beaten skin and calloused hands. The barge journey from the barrier to the coast is uneventful. The small boat ties up at a wooden pier. "Good luck, mates. I'll be here when your ready to head back to your boat." He nods and winks, saying nothing more.

Up to you what you do next.

"You get purple skin when your dad is a drow and your mom is a gnome." He says to Lizbeth. "So what task should we complete first. I'm feeling infiltrating the ship at night for the papers would be good. We might be able to disrupt the meeting between agents by telling the guards that the pathfinders have found that the inn keeper of the overflowing oyster is selling artificial pearls on the black market. If they shut down the inn to investigate, then we will be all good. I would say that we go right away and take care of this Laszo and obtain the unrefined whip and his alchemy notes."

"A drow and a gnome? Huh!"

"The ship's in port today, but I'm not sure how long it will be there."

Do we know how long the Blue Dragon's Bite will be at the docks?

You were told that it would be unloading cargo all Oathday (today) and if you didn't slow it down, it would be taking on the new cargo, whip, on Fireday (tomorrow). You were told the unloading would be taking place on the Trawl, the artificial reef where you disembarked, where many other boats large and small are moored.

The meeting at the Oyster is set for noon today, and it is just past dawn.

"Won't people return to the boat at night to sleep?" Lady Naysha asks. "And none of us can see in the dark. That means we'd need lights, and that would certainly draw attention. I think we should check out the Blue Dragon's Bite first. If we can figure out what the Captain looks like I can act like him and just walk aboard. Or we can act like workers or inspectors."

With a shrugs she adds, "We won't know until we see it. But I'm sure we can think of something!"

I have a scroll of obscuring mist. So after I see someone on the ship, like the captain or first mate, I can cast the spell to make it hard to see, and then I can use my assumed form ability to disguise myself as someone I saw, and just walk aboard. I can help you guys with disguises too, or you can just sneak aboard in the mist. After we find the papers we can go above deck, and we can sneak off, or I can use my assumed form again to get people away, or maybe I might have to use my fairy tricks to distract someone, but I think we will be fine to do it now.

Lizbeth nods at Lady Naysha. "Yeah, lets check it out now. If they're unloading cargo there'll be plenty of labourers coming and going. We should be able to slip aboard without too much trouble."

"Oh, I am not very good at s-s-sneaking... Day or night." Sir Lansle admits sadly.

Then he smiles a bit. "B-b-but, I am very good at accusing offenders of breaking the law! If we go to the Blue Dragon's Bite and you need a d-d-distraction, I can make a big ruckus like that. The captain and everyone will come over to deal with me and you can go onto the ship when they are distracted."

Then she suddenly looks a little nervous. "... I hope..."

That evening, Toban shares the food he brought with his companions. From the wicker basket, Toban shares candied yams, cured venison, sweet sticky buns, and roasted nuts. Toban chatters happily with everyone.

—

“Got it. No runny mouths. Nope, not here captain.” Toban winks.

—

“Greetings captain! What a lovely barge! Yes. I’m Toban Tangletop. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Toban shakes the man’s hand.

—

“Great idea Lady Naysha and Lizbeth! Sneak on as dock workers or whatnot. We can carry some crates and such. Yes, I will need help with a disguise. Thank you Lady Naysha.”

“Hmmmm. Nope, Sir Lansle you don’t seem very sneaky. Ha! Your armour is too loud.” Toban strokes his moustache. “Hmmm. What can we do? Hey? Well? We do need to be careful, the dock workers are not wicked like the Aspis. You know, long ago I earned coin as a sailor. And when we were docked in a port we spent most of our time enjoying ourselves in the city.”

“So the ship first, right away? Then that scoundrel who lives in the sewers? Or is it the other way around? Hmmm”

Steering you to the ship, since you are in the neighborhood already.

A maze of broken ships forms an artificial reef blocking Diobel's harbor. This treacherous and erratic terrain teems with laborers, barge masters, pilots, and port inspectors, who busily conduct their business ferrying goods to and from the Bristles. Beyond the Trawl, seagoing ships wait their turn to offload cargo or pick up new goods. One ship stands out among the others -- the freshly touched-up paint of its hull, blue with streaks of white lightning along the hull, marks it as the Blue Dragon's Bite. It sits moored to a dock jutting from the Trawl, with several crates already offloaded nearby, and many more waiting piled on its deck.

The area is teeming with dockworkers who are moving crates from the hold to the deck or from the deck to the Trawl or from the Trawl to a small barge for delivery to the shore. It is quite a chaotic scene!

A man dressed in a mate's uniform stands on the deck, watching the unloading. He seems to arguing with a woman in the official dress of a port customs inspector. You cannot hear their animated conversation, but you can imagine it appears to be a bit heated. The rest of the regular crew of the Blue Dragon's Bite seem to be elsewhere, perhaps enjoying a few moments ashore or R&R.

Map of the ship is linked at the top of the page.

"Well Naysha if you disguise me as a dock worker, i can blend into the crowd and get on the ship. If the door to the captains cabin is locked i shouldn't have much trouble unlocking it either. Might need a bit of a distraction while I grab the papers so i don't get caught."

Lizbeth nods. "Yeah, lets go for it."

Looking at the scared knight, Lizbeth says, "We'll disguise ourselves as labourers, and you can stay out here as... Well, as yourself. If we get in trouble, you cause a big ruckus and accuse them of smuggling and stuff, alright? That port inspector there might listen to you. And even if she doesn't, it should be enough of a distraction for us to sneak belowdecks."

Looking at Naysha, she asks, "So, how good are you actually, with disguises?"

Lizbeth tries her best to make herself look like a dock labourer.

Disguise: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Then she looks at Naysha. "How does it look. Think you can make some improvements?"

Waiting for Naysha to add some aid to my disguise. I think she has a disguise kit, too, that she'll probably offer us use of. Does anyone have a guidance spell or something, to give us an extra +1?

HAH!

Lizbeth's disguise looks pretty amazing to start with.

Lady Naysha pulls out her disguise kit and finds a good hidden place. She lets everyone use her disguise kit. It grants everyone a +2 on your disguise checks.

Lady Naysha wiggles her fingers, and then suddenly looks much different! She looks like a rough and tumble, strong, hard working, lady dockworker! She is average height (which is taller than she used to be), has dirty brown hair, and an average build (which is much older and stronger than she used to look. Her clothes are different now, too, and they look very similar to the other dockworkers clothes. Using assumed form to make a disguise. It works like disguise self. Full details on my profile. The DC is 15 if you need it.

Lady Naysha's Disguise: 1d20 + 10 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 10 = 24

Then Lady Naysha helps everyone else with their disguises, giving suggestions and helping them out.

Lady Naysha is going to roll and AID for everyone's disguises. I did not include the bonus from my disguise kit on these rolls, because they will make their own rolls with my disguise kit, and I did not know if the bonus stacked. it is better they get that +2 than I do.

Disguise to AID Lizbeth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Disguise to AID Sekell: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Disguise to AID Toban: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

All of her attempts to aid you worked, so everyone gets a +2 on their disguise check from my help, and a +2 for using my disguise kit, which makes a +4 bonus I give to everyone. I am marking off the uses from my disguise kit, so if you decide not to use it for some reason, tell me! I have to keep track of that!

disguise: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Sekell's disguise is not great, but it should be enough for him to blend with the crowd. He'll work his way through the crowd as sneakily as possible and try to get to the door of the captain's cabin.
stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

Naysha tries out her disguise, which seems very solid, and sees that Lizbeth is also well-disguised. She offers her kit and expertise to the others. Sir Lansle does not try the disguise, but agrees to stay back on shore and cause a disruption if things go south.

Soon, the others are ready to move up the gangplank. Trying their best to fit in, Toban (in a big coat trying to look like a dwarf), Lizbeth (covered with tattoos and her hair tied in a bandana), and Naysha (assumed a shape of matronly dockworker), move aboard the ship. Sekell realizes his purple skin will never be disguised, so he deftly moves on the leeward side of those who are carrying boxes down the gangplank, dashing in between them, until he is able to slip below at the second deck.

The others successfully disguise themselves and are also able to slip below the deck of the Blue Dragon's Bite without notice in all the chaos above.

After a bit of hurried searching, you find yourselves outside the Captain's cabin on the third deck, facing a locked door.

Toban Disguise, kit, aid: 1d20 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 1 + 2 + 2 = 16

Lansle looks a little nervous about what Toban will pull out of his basket, but then sighs in relief when he sees it is just easy food. He east with very nice manners, and talks with Toban politely.

"Th-thank you! That was delicious! I haven't had such tasty food in... forever! They don't give you very tasty food in the..."

Suddenly, Sir Lansle shivers. He doesn't finish his sentence.

---

As the others put on their disguises, Sir Lansle looks very worried. When they leave, he almost shakes with fear.

"B-b-be c-c-caref-f-ful!" she stammers nervously.

After they are gone he watches the ship, ready to cause a commotion if they seem to be in trouble.

"Oh, yes, this is lovely! Yes, yes, lovely!" Toban exclaims as he pats his fine dwarven disguise. "I've always wanted to be broader! Means you can fit more fine food in the tummy! Mmmm, mmm, mmm!"

Looking at Lady Naysha he says, "This is an ART, Lady Naysha, and YOU are and artist! You are indeed! Why didn't you say so? You know, I once knew an entertainer who could do wonders with a tube of white faceprint, three raspberries and a lilac! Best clown I've even laid eyes on! Yes, yes, yes." He taps his lip, POP, POP, POP, then straightens his coat.

"Lead the way, my friends. And don't worry, Sir Lansle. All will be well. I'll make you some chamomile tea with honey when we have a free moment. Does wonders for the nerves, you know. Calm you right down!"

After he slips below decks, Toban smiles and strokes his moustache, surprised to find it much bigger and bushier. "Ah! I forgot I was a dwarf!" he whispers. "Wonderful."

"One moment, Sekell."

Toban quietly casts detect magic and then examines the captain's door for magical auras.

If he finds one:
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Lizbeth moves to pull out her thieve's tools before she realizes that Sekell said he'd handle it. (Sekell's Disable Device is better than mine, so I'll let him handle the lock.)

Instead she keeps watch for trouble.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Sekell waits for Toban's go ahead for magical traps.
"Let me know what you see Toban."
Once he gets the all clear he gets to work on the lock.
disable device: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Toban finds now magical auras on the door of the captain's cabin, but when Sekell uses his picks and files, he cannot pop the lock, letting out an exasperated sigh.

Lizbeth sees no one coming in this part of the ship just now but that could change at any moment.

You may try again, need a DC 20 Disable check to make it work.

Sir Lansle keeps up his nervous observation of the ship. He also tries to hear what the mate and the port lady are arguing about.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

But he cannot hear from this far away.

Lady Naysha smiles at Toban. ”Thank you! That’s very nice to say!

”Try again, Sekell. You can do it! I know you can!”

"Nope, nothing magical."

Toban waits nervously and remains alert.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

disable device: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Sekell fails to crack the lock once again to everyone's frustration. This time, heavy footfalls seem to indicate someone coming along the passage towards you. Judging by the sound, you have time for one more crack at the lock and to get everyone inside, but if you fail, there's bound to be some embarrassing moments.

Try or flee or something else?