Feldspar writes a short, precise account of all that he witnessed and overheard, including the unprovoked attack on Tania and Jeddick's admission of illegal activity, and those who have been implicated. He assumes responsibility for bringing the man in to the Sheriff's office and signs the report, "By the weight of Torag's Hammer, I swear that all I have stated here is true. Feldspar, the Flamebeard, true defender in Torag's grace."
After neatly folding the pages and placing them on the Sheriff's desk, Feldspar looks to True. "Well it seems that your suspicions have been proven accurate. What would you like to do next? Should we seek out this Captain Manius to have him brought forward to answer for his crimes?"
Idrian and Algus
Idrian pushes past the men, trying desperately to reach Algus and the street not far from here. He feels something strike him in the side of the head, sharp and heavy, almost like he's been hit by a slab of rock.
White light burns behind his eyes momentarily before his vision clears and he realises that the leader of the drunks has just punched him as he ran past. His ear throbs with the force of the blow and he feels a little unsteady on his feet. Still he manages to reach Algus even as the sound of pounding feet comes up behind him.
Turning on the spot, the hunter confronts the three drunks with more confidence. They stand blinking slightly in the brighter light of the main road. With a snarl, the man who led the attack points a thick finger at the two companions. "You was lucky this time you cowards. Best think twice afore you come knocking at the "Feedbag" again."
He turns and leads the men back to the rough tavern, berating them the whole way and cuffing some of them for their lack of ability in taking the new comers.
"You all right, Idrian?", Algus tells him with the usual, hoarse tone that the Mutagen gives him. he quickly puts his mask back on; the Mutagen's effect would still take a bit of time before wearing off, and his feral visage could bring about more unwanted attention.
"We got the location of the Creedy Boys now. I think we should let the others know....but perhaps one of us should scout ahead to that hideout, in case they've already been tipped on our incoming arrival.", He says as he hands Idrian a small recipient with an ointment, for the blow he just took.
As the Sheriff takes Jeddik out of the room, Jo'no whispers softly to his comrades, "I have learnt that the Creedy's have their smuggling operations in Crest's Cove. Chances are, if that's where they are holed up, we might find their link with the Scarnazi's too"
"We do need to deal with the Captain though, but I'm not sure what is best. The Sheriff and his men are the proper authorities, but if the Captain catches wind of what's going down, then he might take off hastily, taking True's mother along with him."
"True, is there any way we can get to your mother and protect her or relocate her to keep her out of the clutches of the Captain, or will she refuse to cooperate without a significant amount of evidence?"
Jo'No then helps him self to some Chuffa, and writes out a quick narrative as to what happen.
Idrian flexes his jaw as he gently touches the side of his face. "Thanks." He takes the poultive Algus offers him. "Tell the others. Good idea." He heads to the Rusty Dragon to await his friends and drink some of the pain away.
True writes a factual account, leaving nothing out. She does not give Jeddik the benefit of the doubt and takes pains to detail his attempts to escape and evade capture and jail.
All
Having completed the task of recording the events for the Sheriff, the group agrees to at least meet up with Algus and Idrian again before making a decision.
When they arrive at The Rusty Dragon, they can see the other two have alredy arrived and are drinking quietly from mugs of ale. Idrians face has a small bruise under the eye, already fading under teh influence of Algus' ointments.
As the the four friends move over to join them, Amiko moves to intercept them. Her face holds a frown, something not often seen on the pretty face of the young woman.
"I understand you're need to search for answers about what's happening here my friends. However, please avoid bringin that trouble into the Dragon again. I cannot afford that type of reputation here."
Having said her piece, she stands back and offers them a seat, before moving to fill their orders for drinks. It's as close to anger as she was likely to get with her old friends.
As they sat and shared their tales, they all realised they had come to a choice. Go after the Creedy's at their hideout, or chase down the lead on the Vestrit and her unsavoury crew.
Feldspar bows to Ameiko. "My apologies. I did not give appropriate consideration to you or your customers and will endeavor to keep both in mind in the future."
Once he's sitting at the table with his companions, a large tankard of ale in front of him, Feldspar considers the options before them.
"Both issues are of concern, yet I believe we should focus first on the Vestrit. True's mother is in increased danger as time passes, and should the captain have an opportunity to continue his 'trade'," he speaks that last word with distaste, "the danger to others may be greater as well."
Jo'No nods to Feldspar. "I also believe we should deal with the Vestrit immediately. I don't think it will take too long to get it resolved, one way or another."
Tania simply nods, smiling at the thought of adventure...
"The Creedys could end up leaving their hideout, however. I'm sure that the ruckus me and Idrian caused near the Fatman's Feedbag was enough to startle a few of their friends...", Algus tells the group as he takes a drink from his usual brew. "Like I told Idrian before, one or a couple of us should go and scout their hideout and if possible coax any information out of them. I offer up for that task myself, if needed. from what you've told about the Vestrit situation, it shouldn't be too hard to fix that problem..."
In the back of his head, the foreign thought that clouded his mind still remains, subdued and restrained for the time being. as the rest of the group rests, Algus politely requests a room to Ameiko, in order to brew another dose of Mutagen. the new formula worked well, but he felt that perhaps he'd need a more intimidating presence in the face of the Creedys.
Even though he was no where near here when the trouble happpend, Idrian just knows somehow he'll be the one that gets the 'credit' for it."Going alone is a bad idea. We don't know how many are there or their state of readiness. There's no need to take that chance. Besides the Creedy's will wait a while before making a move. We have plenty of time to help with Tania's concern."
Idrian will take the time to go by a weaponsmithy. He needs to get a back up weapon.
Having agreed to help True first, the group sets to planning their next actions.
Looking at the rest of the group, Tania simply says: "True, we've known each other for so long now. Just let me know how I can be of help..." She then listens to the others to see where they want this to go.
"It's your family, True. I'll follow your lead." Somewhere along the way, Idrian will pick up a light mace.
"There is some danger in this and the captain seems a dangerous opponent. I appreciate what you all have said but what real evidence do we have to assault his vessel? Just the words of Jeddik and a strange shaped and smelling hold perhaps. This smacks of the vigilante and I do not work outside the law. Maybe we can obtain more evidence aboard the Vestrit but ..... I cannot allow my mother's part in this to influence my decision. It is good to have your support but I should discuss this with the sheriff first."
"Meanwhile the Creedy's hideout should be our target."
"I agree with True that's an illegal venture...not that it matters much."Algus says as he returns to the table, seeing how the group may be moving fast. the lack of a Mutagen may difficult things, he thinks, but can be managed.
"What the captain of that ship is doing is wrong, and could also endanger your mother, True. the ends justify the means, in my view...especially when you're going up against possible slave traders or smugglers. whichever the choice, I'll follow, though.", he tells True with the usual calm, soft tone that he has.
"We must abide by the local laws." Feldspar says firmly, nodding in agreement with True. "Therefore speaking with the sheriff is clearly our first course of action, unless a discussion with True's mother is decided on. I've no doubt that the poor woman has been duped by her suitor; once she is informed of the truth, perhaps she will realize she too has some incriminating information that did not seem so out of context."
"If you are absolutely sure, True, we will back off the Vestrit. But you say the word and my bow will be ready."
True shakes her head at Feldspar, "I have spoken to my mother once and her heart lies with Manius. There is no point in trying to change that without some hard facts, my mother is like me in that respect."
True gets up from the table, "please can we let it lie until I have a chance to speak with my cousin? Sandpoint and its people must be our priority over one woman. The Creedy's owe us some explanations so that we can track down the instigator of the goblin attack, before it happens again."
"Ameiko, thank you for such service and I too owe you an apology. Sorry for the disturbance."
Tania shrugs just a little as True breaks her sweet dreams. She thinks: Oh yeah, illeeegal... Pfff! How about fun, adventurous, dan-dgerous!
She smiles though at the mention of the Creedy boys: "I'm with you True. Plus it sounds FUN, ADVENTUROUS and, especially, DAN-DGEROUS. Life should be worth a song!"
As they move out, she looks at Ameiko: [b]"Dearest Ameiko, my humblest apology. I wish I could make it up to you. Perhaps I could sing one or more nights at the Rusty?"[b]
From what the two groups had learnt from separate sources the Creedy's were not far from town by boat. It was a simple thing to organise the hiring of a small skiff to take them down the coast, given their newfound repuation in town.
As the small party sails out of the bay, they get a good look at the Vestrit for the first time. It is a sleek vessel, definitely of Chelaxian design, with its broad mainsails and well formed figurehead. From the outside, it appeared nothing more than another merchantman in from lands afar, but for all of them in the skiff, it held a more sinister air.
The weather on the ocean is fine, with only a slight swell. Even so, those not so used to travel in this way find themselves a little woozy from teh roll of the boat. Almost before they realise the time has passed, Idrian's sharp eyes point out the lightning blasted tree that marks the bay he and Agus were told about. They had reached their goal.
The bay itself is nicely sheltered and a little concealed from view of the main shipping channel. If it hadn't been for their prior knowledge, it is quite possible that the group may sailed passed it without much thought, thinking it nothing more than slight inlet into the forest covered cliffs of the coast.
"We should go ashore before getting to the hide away. If they have any brains the approach will make us easy to spot and give them time to prepare for our arrival or just flee."
True nods and heads north towards the cliffs.
"I'm with you Idrian."
Algus simply nods at Idrian and follows True towards the cliffs.
Jo'no follows the others.
Idrian makes his way to the bandit hide out.
Perception +2 v Humanoid (goblinoid)
Survival +2 v Humanoid (goblinoid)
Stealth +2 v Humanoid (goblinoid)
Tania helps unload the boat. She gets the climbing gear ready and offers to open the climb up the cliff to set up a rope. She'll then follow Idrian's lead.
Climb:
Perception:
Stealth:
"I'll wait here until you are sure its safe up top. It will give me time to take off this armour for the climb." True begins to unstrap one shoulder of her chainmail.
Feldspar looks at the climb and glances back at True. "I will have to do the same, it seems." Reluctantly, he turns his attention to removing his armor and preparing for the climb.
Jo'no looks up the cliff face to the top, and shakes his head. "As Tania can attest to based on the number of trees I feel out of as a youth, I am not a good climber. I'll wait down here until someone can secure a rope."
The small vessel they travelled in bobbed happily in the low swell while the group gatehred around and prepared to climb the cliff. As Idrian carefully checked their immediate surroundings for trouble, Tania prepared to climb the cliff and secure a rope for her less nimble companions to ascend.
She very quickly ran into trouble though, and found herself clinging to the rocks surface as her foot slipped out from under her part way up the face. Heart racing, hte young bard settled herself to try again, looking briefly down at her companions on the pebble beach below her. Deprressingly enough, there was more cliff to be climbed above her, than what was already passed.
While the others held their breath below, Idrians eyes never stopped scanning the clifftop for signs of trouble. The briefest hint of woodsmoke and cooking meat wafted past, and his very keen senses picked it out from the smell of rotting seaweed and ocean spray. Someone was defnitely in the area, though not overly close.
Climb:
Climb:
Climb:
Climb:
Climb: 1d20+4
Climb: 1d20+4
Climb: 1d20+4
Climb: 1d20+4
Tania manages to reach the top of the cliff after a few false starts. Huffing slightly from the effort, the young woman quickly moves to a sturdy looking tree nearby and secures the rope for her friends to climb. Standing, she looks around and notes a large section of woodlands grows right up to the cliffs at this point, the conifers obviously hardy enough to wtihstand the harsh salty spray from the ocean below. She also notes the small bay curving in from the cliffs just south of her position. A vessel not unlike their own sat mored to a small pier, which led to a pebble beach. A jagged opening in the cliff just above the tide zone showed the location of the Creedy's hideaway, and sure enough, standing out the front was a man Tania recognised from the raid afternoon. He was the one that had started the fight with the dockworkers on the day of teh goblin raid.
Jo'no grabs ahold of the rope, lets out a sigh, and begins the ascent.
Tania signals the others she has seen someone and that they should try to remain as silent as possible. She will make sure that the group stays out of sight, then will draw her shortbow and ready an arrow while keeping an eye on the man in the distance.
Climb
Thank goodness for the rope.
Feldspar, shorn of his armor and feeling dreadfully exposed without it, walks up to the rope, tests it warily and begins the climb.
Pulling himself up over the top, he immediately begins to put the armor back on, moving swiftly but cautiously to ensure everything is in its proper place.
Having spent much of his travels hiking and going through less populated, treacherous paths, the climb feels like a callback to such days to Algus.
True ties the kit onto the rope before the dwarf armour and hers is dragged up to the top. Then she follows last of all on the end of the rope, whispering a silent prayer to duty and honour.
The group regathers at the top of the cliff where Tania points out the man on watch. He looks to be smoking, and from the distinctive mauve colouring of the smoke, it would appear to be Melas, a mildly narcotic weed.
Despite his relaxed appearence though, he has a clear view of the entire bay and the cliffs around it. It would take some careful movememnt to get close enough to tkae him out of the equation.
The only safe way to approach the cave appears to be a trail that doglegs back and forth down the cliff on the far side of the bay. Getting there would be easy, given the think forest of confers and bracken fern. Getting down the cliff trail unoticed would be much harder.
The priestess assesses the lay of the land and listens to the more preceptive members of the party as they point out how well sited the guard is.
"So we only get close to the cave by entering the woods here and staying beyond that guards hearing as we travel round to the far side with the winding path that leads down to the entrance. I'm no woodsman but is that the right of it?"
Tania waves her hand, as if splashing waters over her head and softly intones: "Gadalahazeb Mutandob." And her dark grey pants and vest shed their dust. Her red-brown hair get their life back as the sweat vanishes from her hair and face. Visibly refreshed, she takes a stick lying on the ground and draws a map in the earth, while replying to True: "That's how it looks. Now the tricky part is going down to take care of him. Perhaps Idrian and I should walk down, trying to remain undetected, while you guys remain ready to charge down? I can move pretty fast and Idrian cantake him down from a distance." She turns towards her old friend with a little smile: "Unless Jo'no has a trick up his sleeve?"
Jo'no glances down at the map and nods in agreement. "I am unable to assist in a stealthy approach. Most of my utility magic is only effective within 25 feet. I can assist in a ranged volley, but only at 110 feet."
Idrian nods at Tania's suggestion and moves away from the group as quietly as he can.
Stealth
Tania follows Idrian a few steps behind, doing her best to remain silent.
The small party thread their way carefully through the woods to the point above the Creedy's hideout. As everyone else gets themselves into position, Tania and Idrian carefully decend the pathway to the cave itself. As they move, they can hear the man below them talking quietly to himself, in what seems to be quite an angry manner.
"Damn 'em fer bringin' me out 'ere. Thne they's set me ter watch while they drink it up! Bah.
For a small moment he turns and everyone held their breath, but then he turned and moved off to the waters edge. Placing his cigarette in his mouth, he proceeded to undo the buttons of his pants and urinate noisily into the water "Yeah, that's what I think o' yer plan, ye bastards"
Both of Idrian and Tania quickly take advantage of the situation and come to the bottom of the path where they take up positions in some rocks just beyond the caves view.