Whisper, as always, has spent a lot of time in silence, looking thoughtful on the latest task at hand. Finally she speaks in her customary small voice. "Perhaps I should ask around, I know a lot of people who see things and maybe he'd be less suspiscious if he hears a young woman is asking about him. If need be I can pretend that I saw him once and am asking because I'm quite smitten. He seems attractive enough from his protrait so I'm sure admirers wouldn't cause much in the way of questions asked and may garner answers if people feel sorry for me.."
"All right; let's split into groups and see what we can find."
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"Sounds good, Finn. Ardanto and I can check out the Azure District; I've got a few ideas where we may find out something." Daurros will also mention any ideas he got for other districts, if any.
Ardanto and Daurros head out to the Azure district, it feels strange for to Ardanto that he is here on business considering how much time he has spent here carousing in the last few weeks.
We will make a whistle tour of the Taverns and Inns in the place, having a quite word with the Inn Keeper and serving staff in each.
First stop "The Empty Grave" Tavern, then onto "The Bloodthirsty Pelican" and finish our Drinking in the very rough whalers tavern "The Drunken Dolphin". If we have not found any info by then we will be "forced" ever so reluctantly to check out one of the many brothels. "The Sasserine Sleigh Ride" is probably a safe bet, as we can drink there as well as enjoy some company.
Ardanto will try to be a discrete as possible, informing those he talks to that they are looking for him at the request of his sister.
I'll splash a bit of gold around to accomplish the task and cover our debauchery. Will 10 gold be enough?
Gather Information Check (Diplomacy) to find info about the Vandenboren brother. (1d20+5=24)
Guard heads out with Finn and Ithaniar in the Champion's District, aiding Ithaniar as good as he can in getting informations of Vanthus residence.
Aid another with Diplomacy (Gather Information): (1d20=11)
Forzakhad and the small woman make an unusual team, but the captain knows when to order around, and when to let others speak. He can try to make Whisper look like his daughter, and he needs to find this guy, as it would definitely help the planning for their emm.. family.
After the groups are decided Ith rises from his corner chair and sets a brisk pace out of the building and onto the streets of Sasserine, where he uses his sperior elven grace and tongue to find out what he needs before quickly moving on to the next person.
With Aid Another its a 25
Ithaniar, Guard, Finn
After a long day of searching , and asking about you have nothing, No one has seen of heard from Vanthaus in this district. By all the info you have found he may have never have been in this district in years..
Ardanto and Daurros
After a long day you have found out form a few different folks that he was seen with a woman named Brissa Santos a pickpocket turned semi legitimate artist. She also has not been seen in a while, at lest a week.
Ardanto (& Keeper)
Thrown off by having someone accompany her Whisper's shyness comes to the fore and she finds it harder than usual to speak to people a distinct blush on her cheeks every time she tries, quite afraid that the older man is judging her every time she opens her mouth.
Whisper and Forzakhad
The people of shadowshore are a closed lip lot and even though you spent the day searching you found out nothing.
Ardanto & Keeper
If Ardanto agrees, Daurros will write the following: Friends, We have determined that Vanthus Vanderboren was last seen in the company of Brissa Santos, a thief-turned-artist. Unfortunately, no one has seen her in about a week's time. Our plan is to continue the search by attempting to find out where Brissa resides, and investigate that location. We will begin our investigation at the Empty Grave tavern in the Azure District in the morning. If anyone has failed to turn up any information and would like to assist, please meet us there. Otherwise, we can plan to meet at Lady Vanderboren's manor the day after next. Your Compatriots-in-Arms, Ardanto Valanto and Daurros Erdai
Daurros will have the note delivered by a courrier; will 5sp be enough to ensure safe delivery?
After an exhaustive day of searching the Champion's District, Finn dashes off to find the others and compare notes.
Ardanto & Keeper
** spoiler omitted **
Ardanto, Keeper
Ardanto obviously had too much to drink while investigating, and actually manages to throw up on a few people. Only Ardanto's quick talking saves a few fights. He agrees to head back and compare notes with everyone.
Ardanto and Daurros
After spending much of the 2nd day with no luck at all a scruffy looking half orc approaches you. "I hear you seek Vanthus Vanderborn" The messy man looks about nervous like. He holds up his dirty hands in a placating manner. " I may know where he is, for a price."
Ardanto, Keeper
We just need to tie up our loose ends in the spoiler above first then we can meet.
Daurros and Keeper
I will deliberately put one hand on my sword hit as I stare at him, that should leave him in no doubt that we are not here for time wasters or charlatans.
Ardanto and Daurros
The man shuffles his feet a bit " I know people, some time I hear things, for 5 gold I can tell ya where vanderborn is."
After bing paid the man looks about before he speaks "He's been holed up for the past few days in and old smuggler complex under parrot isle" With a smirk he goes on " Heh one should watch just who ya insult in som parts o' the city , as he found out"
He looks around a lot and a bit nervously says " For , say 10 gold I can take ya to em tunnels"
Ardanto and Daurros
** spoiler omitted **
Ardanto asks the man to meet him back here in 3 hours, he informs him that he will return at that time with his companions. If he agrees to meet us then, he will be paid the 10 gold after he leads us to the tunnels and not before.
Assuming he agrees, Ardanto and Daurros will go and collect the rest of the group, compare notes and tell them that they have a positive lead and get every one to tool up and meet us back at the half-orcs location which I believe is in an inn?
To every one:
"After asking around we have been contacted by an unsavoury looking Half-Orc who claims that Master Vanderboren is holed up in an abandoned smugglers complex under Parrot island". "He will lead us there for a small fee which I have promised to pay him when he gets us there."
"As this has every chance of being a trap I assume we should all equip our selves for trouble. It could also just be a scam to get money from us, so a show of strength would not go amiss."
"Unless any one has a better lead, shall we all meet back here in 2 hours and travel together to meet the half-orc?"
Ardanto will then go get his meagre equipment and meet the party.
"I think, we should try out, where this gentleman will lead us. We will give him half first and half and a small bonus afterwards. If it is a dead end, he will also know that we might come looking for him... I know I would."
Daurros also glares at the half-orc. "I warn you, if this is any sort of scam or trap, you will not make it back."
During the downtime, Daurros will retrieve the remainder of his gear from his room.
Keeper
I have the 10gp, so I will knock that off at the appropriate time.
I have the 10gp, so I will knock that off at the appropriate time.
We can split it, or maybe get Lavinia to pony it up? ;-)
We can split it, or maybe get Lavinia to pony it up? ;-)I have the 10gp, so I will knock that off at the appropriate time.
Ardanto looks at it as an investment, she will reward us more when she gets her brother back. I have a bit of spare cash anyhow.
Ardanto looks at it as an investment, she will reward us more when she gets her brother back. I have a bit of spare cash anyhow.We can split it, or maybe get Lavinia to pony it up? ;-)I have the 10gp, so I will knock that off at the appropriate time.
"Captain Forzakhad's advice is wise and I agree."
Finn smiles grimly. "I look forward to getting my hands on Vanthus Vanderboren and teaching him not to mistreat a lady!"
That is the plan.
The next morning the group assembles and meets at a ratty Tavern called the Snakeback bilge. The sink of the place is overwhelming stale ale and urine mingle with sweat and blood and unwashed bodes to make the air thick with a smell you could almost taste. The halforc you seek Shelton rosk sits with his back to the wall scanning the room. He waves you over as you enter "You have my payment? Did you bring your own boats...lot of ye here, hehe long swim to the isle"
Are there any Taxi boats we can hire?
If yes I will charter one of those.
If no I will see if I can hire a fisherman to ferry us over there, wait and ferry us back.
Let me know if you need any rolls and how much it costs?
Daurros' suggests to the others that we withhold payment until we have arrived at our destination. He will assist in any attempts to hire a boat, also.
"Captain Forzakhad, how about your ship's boat?" Finn asks uncertainly.
"Captain Forzakhad, how about your ship's boat?" Finn asks uncertainly.
"I can help crew it if you need, it can't be any harder than sailing an airship onto a cloud giants castle," he winks at Daurros as he offers.
"The boat of the ship will fit for eight persons, though it might get crowded with more. And we need to place Guard in the middle of the boat. If you have been working on air- or sea-going vessels, I'd suggest you take the helm on the boat."
After a short while you travel to the docks and with the rowboat from the Windward Sprite the group makes it's way toward the isle. The isle seems to be little more then an outcropping 30' high cliffs surrounds the isle, except for it's eastern end. This end opens onto a small sandy beach. Shefton leads the group off the beach and into the thicken isle. Soon you can see just how the isle got it's name as the noise of hundreds of the colorful birds makes up the canopy of sounds amidst the over grown vegetation. Soon you come onto a small clearing , shefton looks about as if gaining his bearing he points the the southern end of the clearing and as you move toward it he says.
"There is the entrance, it's hid real good, I brought him some things a few day back" With a crooked smile he says "It does one hiding good to recall who he owes money to" he chuckles and points out the hidden trap door to the party.
Ardanto is lost in a rainbow display of feathers as he tries to get any of the parrots to land on his arm, "Polly want a cracker?" he asks to the nearest one.
He stops and studies the half-orc as they reach the trap door.
Sense motive to see if the Half-Orc is feeding us crap? (1d20=14)
I will assume Ardanto believes him.
"I hope you are a into Ornithology?" remarks Ardanto as he counts out the 10 coins for the Half-orc and offers him his hand. "If you wait here I.. erm I mean we will give you a lift back to town when we have finished, unless you fancy the swim?"
Ardanto will then crouch by the trap door and just before he is about to open it he pauses, looks up at the half-orc and asks "this isn't trapped is it?".
"Whisper, hun, you are the lock expert, any idea if this thing has a loaded crossbow or something wired to it? I would appreciate you having a look before I get blood on my doublet", he tries to keep a straight face as he asks, but the ghost of a smile washes over him. Ardanto is obviously enjoying all this far too much.