After his near-disastrous attempt to pull Agaban aboard, Lucien fairs much better in attempting to steady the boat.
ICK-ICK-ICK
With powerful thrusts of the flipper, the dolphin picks up speed, quickly leaving behind the fishes as well as the boat, racing towards the shoreline, taking Agaban away.
Lucien manages to keep the boat under control and Agaban gets pulled quickly towards the coast by the dolphin, who blinks away immediately. Agaban has a sufficient lead and makes it the rest of the way to the shore without incident while the others row to shore.
There he shows the others the bracelet he found, which is encrusted rust and decades-hardened grime.
Gara is most obviously glad that someone ended the violent shaking of the boat.
Even more so, once they reach the shoreline.
As Agaban shows them his find, Gara seems not overly impressed.
"Can we sell that?
How much is it worth, what do you think?"
Zaza's magic reveals the rubies set in gold underneath the bracelet.
You recall that the legend said something of a magical property of this bracelet. It was also said that the gems and gold alone were worth a significant amount.
Zaza, you are sure that this bracelet is worth tens of thousands of gold pieces.
"Yes, the gems are definitely worth quite a bit, but as I recall from the legend, it was supposed to be magical as well. I don't know what it does precisely, but it might be a great aid in our missions."
Zaza's enthusiasm is just beginning to attract attention from others on the shore. The old man is happy to see his boat returned in one piece but is starting to look quizzically at the lot of you.
"Hmmm, can't see a heart there.
Can we move back?
Standing around in the open like this, with a valuable thingy does not seem like a good idea."
Zaza detects a faint transmutation aura from the bracelet but can't figure out anything else about it. You all return to the inn.
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Personally feel like we should see if more of our friends come back to drink tonight...Will make it easier to take down the group if they are already down 2+ people.
Kind of an aside.
What did the orders say again...capture everyone...or dismantle the smuggling ring...Would taking out the leader and the majority be enough to succeed.
Looking back at the treasure they recovered earlier.
Do you think we can use an attempt at selling this at the Bazaar as a reason to be there...not sure if they try to keep track of any newcomers...Did you get a chance to scout out the Bazaar's location last night Lucien?
Lucien shakes his head. "No, we spent the whole time watching the warehouse." scratching his head, he points at the bracelet and says "Did we ever figure out what that thing does?"
After the scare with the quippers and swimming the depths of the Pool of Sihbon, you decide to rest in your room in the tavern. You then head down into the tavern for a meal and see the halfling sitting and drinking by himself.
Lucien holds up a hand and takes a half step back. ”I don’t really like the idea of trying on a magical item we don’t know the use of. It could be cursed, for all we know. Let’s figure out what it does first.”
"Don't look at me like that, I won't touch it, let alone wear it.
I would look like an idiot wearing that."
As Zaza dons the bracelet, she feels a surge of competency through her mind, which she then focuses on talking to the halfling. The bracelet seems to adapt to her intent.
The halfling smiles with charm of his own, appreciating Zaza's friendly interest. He takes a long slow sip while watching her over the top of his drink. What's a girl like you doing alone? Where's your scaly friend?
The halfling chuckles smugly to himself and whispers several tales of derring-do to you over his cups. After a few minutes of that, he whispers
Aye lass. But if you want to hear some really good stuff, we should go somewhere private. My best stories aren't for all ears.
He goes up to the bar and asks to get a room for a few hours.
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Seeming to be a little dazed after recovering the bracelet and the harrowing escape from the little quippers.
It maybe worth more than you have had but never been a fan of trying unknown transmutation magics.
Seeing Zaza try on the bracelet anyways Agaban sends up a quick prayer that they aren't going to lose a member before attempting to take on the smugglers.
***
As Zaza approaches the halfling. Agaban whispers to the others.
Lets grab some food and then have yall head back to get ready to take this guy when Zaza gets him alone.
So saying Agaban approaches the bar ordering the same meal he got last night before approaching the same table and repeating his "supposed" absorption in the holy book while Zaza performs her magic.
The halfling winks at Zaza.Ah lass, you don't want to go to my place. This will be much more... Comfortable. He leads her upstairs into a room and latches the door behind him.
Sitting at the table with the others, Garage glances very at Zatnya at regular intervals.
She is good. But ... Does she have a plan?
As the odd couple heads upstairs, Garage will whisper to the others.
I'll head to our rooms, calling IT, I'll need a minute.
Then we should stand ready near their room."
Gara notices the room they enter. It's on the end of hall.
There is nowhere to sit but on the foot of the bed. The halfling takes a drink and encourages you to do likewise. He says
You want to hear one of my REALLY good stories? Now why would a lass like you want to hear something like that?
The halfling smiles broadly. Well then, let me tell you little lass. I'm a wanted man. My crew and I been evading the authorities for a while now. And they're never gonna catch us. We have an escape tunnel that leads out into the desert and my boss keeps a scroll of teleport on hand in case we need it. Sure smarts in the budget but it's proved useful before. He plays with Zaza's hair. This sure is some hair you have, love.
The halfling grins as Zaza starts taking his clothes off, finding many daggers and other hidden weapons in the process. He lays them on the dresser with a wink. I could help you with that. I have connections there. My crew and I... move goods discretely. How about you, love? It's too hot in here to be all robed up.
Distracted by the mutual state of undress, the halfling lies back on the bed and relaxes. Go ahead, Lass. Go ahead.
An undressed Zaza pulls the door to the room open. The halfling is lying naked on the bed with his eyes closed (or mostly closed) and isn't paying much attention.
Lucien does his best to stand casually near the door, trying to listen in without looking too suspicious. He keeps one hand on his rapier, just in case. When Zaza opens the door half dressed, he looks at her for a second, then raising one eyebrow, but doesn't say anything.
Seeing Zatinya walking out - mostly-naked - and interpreting the signs and whisper from Agaban right, Gara sights, and walks into the room like an enraged bull, crashing the door open with a body-check-fueled shield bash - the demon just behind him.
"I KNEW IT!!
I WARN'ED YA, WOMAN, AN HERE YA ARE DOIN IT AGAIN!
AND WITH A HALFLING TO TOP IT ALL!!!
I'M GONNA FEED HIM TO THE LIVING SAND! AND THROW YOU IN AFTERWARDS!
DRESS UP YOU FOOL AND FOLLOW ME OUT, SO WE CAN HAVE A NICE LONG TALK!"
The halfling bolts upright off the bed and leaps over to the table where he snatches up a pair of daggers.
What's going on! What do you want!
He looks quite intimidated and confused.
"DON'T BE STUPID BOY, COME WITH ME AND I'LL TEACH YOU PROPER MANNERS TOWARDS A MARRIED WOMAN!"
Startled, the halfling looks at Zaza then bundles on some of his clothes and closes the door behind him as he follows you out.
The halfling follows you outside the tavern and stands slightly concealed in shadow at the front of the building. He stares hard at Gara, twirling a dagger in his hand.
Now what's this all about? You better have a solid reason to drag me out here!