Kessel continues to chat up locals in the taverns around the water front:
Perception: 1st hour
Rolls:
Hour 1
Hour 2
Hour 3
Hour 4
Felicia makes her way back to the others.
Egan's sharp eye and Whisperwing's efforts allow him to notice several things. The House Akkavin pier is very busy. The crates being hauled off are heavy, and have smith markings on many. They are housed in several warehouses hard-by the large pier. The warehouses have no windows, and their large sliding doors are well guarded by tattooed islanders.
Magnus spies a leader (he thinks). A man, more Dragoran in ethnicity than Eastern Islander, he is dressed in a greenish robe. He is only visible for a moment before vanishing into a warehouse.
Iz notes a lot of the folks about the area keep a good distance from the Akkavin pier. Some throw hand symbols at it.
Kessel keeps going through the taverns. He picks up a lot of info.
Kessel:
- House Akkavin is the defacto ruler of Three-Penny Port
- A lot of folk have gone missing recently. Some fear Sahaugin are behind it.
- A lot of folks travel here to explore the ebon sands of the Western Waste, where myriad ancient cities lie waiting to be plundered
- The locals are a taciturn, churlish lot, and are unwilling to give much information
- There is a lot of activity in the town lately, its popularity seems to be increasing
San spends what time he can in the taverns as well, with Citlali. Unfortunately he gets a little tipsy, but he still acts much drunker than he really is, in an attempt to appear non-threatening and harmless. He leans heavily on Citlali, while making his way back to the docks.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Kessel says as he returns to the group, "I have some rather bad news, House Akkavin is indeed in control of this port and so we can expect no help from the local authorities. The locals in general seem rather standoffish, perhaps because of this influx of explorers using the port as a stopping off point on their ways though the ebon sands, perhaps it's because they're on edge because of the missing people, though I'm not sure why they'd be antisocial towards outsiders as the Sahaugin are the prime suspect, but regardless the town seems to be gaining popularity as of late.
"Becoming explorers, set on the ancient cities beyond the western waste seems like a suitable cover while we're here. Now tell me what you've learned and perhaps we can make progress on this mystery we have developing."
The day is fading, and the large sun sinks into a clear sky. The air here is much drier than Opal, and although hot, the grup gets the feeling it cools off quickly at night
"Sounds good Master Kessel. Egan noticed that the locals seem less than impressed with the folk at the Akkavin pier, judging by the number of rude gestures in their direction." MAgnus offers.
"I spotted some who looked like a leader or crew chief of some sort earlier, going into THAT wharehouse. A Dragoran in a greenish robe. At least I presume he was a leader. He was far too clean to be a common laborer."
"Perhaps a closer investigation is in order?" Magnus says with a hopeful, childlike grin.
Kessel rubs his chin.
"Perhaps," he muses, "A better lay of the land might be advisable, but there are shady dealings going on in this town, and seeing as we know the house Akkavin is guilty of piracy it's hard to discount them from other shady dealings, and one might assume that a secure warehouse off an Akkavin pier might be where they'd keep something incriminating. The question is how do we get there?"
Kessel looks about the town and the fading sunlight.
"The other question is where do we stay for the night. Assuming that we're able to sneak over there and have a look around there is a chance that our investigation won't go undetected. It might be nice to have a place to stay, make an alibi, or do we attempt to retake the ship tonight and sail out of the harbor? I feel we may need more crew for such an adventure. Might some of the ship's original crew still be aboard? Could Akkavin be slavers as well as pirates? Does this explain the missing townsfolk? We're far too soon in the investigation to make assumptions but I feel the impending darkness is going to force our hands into some sort of decision."
Magnus nods in agreement with a sigh that isn't TOO theatrical.
"Yes. Twould likely be best to make plans to stay longer than a night. A friendly officer made it quite plain that he would tolerate no 'shenanigans' on his watch. And patience IS a virtue." The elf says, with an expression making it clear that it is not necessarily one of HIS virtues.
There are several options for room rental: Inns, flophouses, hostels, sailor cribs. An Inn boasting a small pub called the Land Crab is near to them
"If we're going to play the part of adventures looking to explore lost cities I'd recommend nothing too fancy, that type usually is on the road looking for adventure because they don't have cash money, and what little coin they do have is re-invested in their gear. Course this leads to a vicious cycle where they're constantly upgrading gear to get money so they can afford to upgrade their gear."
"Yes, but in the plus side,... Shiney!" Magnus says with a wink, patting his favorite blade.
The elf points to a pub visible on the corner, with a hanging board proclaiming it the Land Crab.
"HOw about there? It doesn't look too fancy, and it is close enough to the docks that it will not be out of place for us to be in the area."
Magnus looks torn between living as he thinks he should be accustomed too, and the excitement of 'slumming it' with the locals. He seems to have chosen 'excitement' for the duration.
"I had noticed the inn as well," Kessel says, "And I would have advised the same, but let's do a quick inspection of the rear and see if any of the rooms have rear facing windows, should the need for some subtle late night exploration take us."
Magnus, ever-mercurial, rubs his hands together gleefully.
"How delightfully cloak and dagger!" He grins.
Egan will check out the roof of the building, as he'd like to sleep under the start tonight. He can always tie himself off to a chimney in case of nightmares.
The inn has some rear-facing windows. Elgan notes the roof is pitched, but gently. There are no snows in this area. The roof is a typical Mazatilian red tile job
"I think we have a winner!" Magnus says cheerfully.
"Works for me."
The Land Crab sports a sign with a rather whimsical crab with a beer in its claws, a bit of humor sorely lacking in other spots of this dreary burg.
Inside a small common room is filled with adventuring types. A middle-aged man tends bar, dishing out mugs of ale to two young waitresses. A large fire roars in the hearth and the smell of frying fish comes from the kitchens
San keeps further back from the group, still (mostly) acting drunk and leaning on Citlali for effect. His goal is to try and make it seem that the group isn't as large, so any potential enemies might underestimate the team. He'll come in maybe 10 minutes after the others, and grab a seat at the bar.
"Do you rent rooms," Kessel says as he approaches the bar, "It's been a rather long and trying day and my companions and I would like a room for the night, something with a window if that's at all possible. Our scout has a reputation for . . . well, he's not known as the Silent Wind because he's quiet and quick, and he had cabbage for supper. The view isn't important. But ventilation is. Drastically important. On the voyage over we had him sleeping on deck."
The bartender snorts at Kessel's words
"Aye lad, there's a large garret on the top floor with several windows. Gets a nice breeze from the bay. It has bunks, and sleeps up to eight comfy. I let it for 10 gold weights a night."
San and Citali drink at the bar, casing the area as the rest of the party sits elsewhere
"Hmmm, that is rather steep, and especially as we may need the room for a couple of days while we get ready to for this big trek. Let me see if there's anyone else looking for to share . . . though, I find it unlikely that we'll be able to talk someone into sharing our room for more then a night . . ."
perception
DC 15 perception
[Dice=Perception]1d20+10
"Hmmm, that is rather steep, and especially as we may need the room for a couple of days while we get ready to for this big trek. Let me see if there's anyone else looking for to share . . . though, I find it unlikely that we'll be able to talk someone into sharing our room for more then a night . . ."
The barkeep looks thoughtful
"Well, it has been a slow week, and I do need to fill the room. Tell you what. I let you have it for five weights "
"Let me talk to my companions," Kessel says, "I'll be right back."
Kessel returns to the group, "He's got a top floor room with a couple of windows, sleeps eight, and he's asking five gold."
"Sounds good to me."
"Yes, let's get the room."
"Okay," Kessel says, "By the way Izkrael, I've given you the nickname "Wind" should anyone ask. I thought it prudent not to give away too many secrets."
Kessel returns to the barkeep, "Sorry for the delay, but I'm afraid I couldn't speak for my companions, however it's all sorted and we will gladly take the room."
The innkeeper smiles
"Top of the stairs, left door. Would you folks be needing any food or drink? We have some nice grouper tonight, or spiny lobster stew. I brew my own pale ale, but we also have a selection of wines from Opal and Argentum."
Perception.
"I'm in". "The roof should be accessible from there, and I'm itching to sleep under the stars".
"Some stew would be good and some wine as well."
"Wind. I will know to answer."
Magnus nods in agreement to Kessel, enjoying his drink too much to be overly verbose as is his usual. Or perhaps he is staring at that maid,...
Magnus realizes his cup is empty, and waves for a refill.
"Stew sounds excellent! I shall join you!" the elf declares cheerfully.
The group eats and drinks to their saiety.
Elgan murmurs to the others about the watcher. The man gets up after about twenty minutes and walks out of the tavern. The innkeeper gives them a large key
The top of the inn has two rooms, the key opens the left one. Inside is a sloped-roof open-planned room with bunks set neatly along the higher walls. Two large dormer-style windows look out onto small balconies. Outside the windows' wavy glass Three-Penny Port lies in darkness, hugging the harbor.
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Magnus rubs his hands together eagerly.
"A perfect spot to base clandestine operations from! Excellent! What shall be our first nocturnal mission? Investigating the wharehouse?" He asks eagerly.
Magnus is obviously enjoying the idea of being a spy.
San watches the man watching the room as well, and when he gets up and leaves, finishes the rest of his ale (allowing some of the liquid to spill down his front, as any good drunk would do). He gives a quick, almost imperceptible nod of his head to the others as they walk upstairs, trying to indicate to them that he's going to follow the guy a bit. He silently mouthes to Citlali (knowing she can read his lips), "So, shall we see what our observer was looking for?"
If she agrees, he (somewhat loudly and slurring his words) stands up and exclaims, "Guesh its time fer us to head, babe. Yer brudder's prolly wondrin where we're at." He staggers and almost falls, once again bracing himself against her.
Once out of the bar, he quickly scans the area to find the man.
perception
Egan quickly heads up to the room and opens a window stepping out on the roof where Whisperwing awaits. He whispers to the bird, and sends him off to trail the two wanderers from above. (guard). He then settles into a comfortable (For him anyway) nook, ties himself off in case of nightmares or worse, and awaits development.
Kessel inspects the room. Once he's certain no one is listening in he muses:
"Well I suppose we all can't go chasing off after mysterious lurkers, some of us need to stay back here and act as bait" Kessel says as he finds a bunk to his liking, and then lays down crossing his arms behind his head, "It's a hard job but I shall strive to make the most of it."
Magnus gives Kessel a jaunty salute. His own sensibilities are ill-suited to waiting when there is adventure to be found, and he apparently takes the bard's statement seriously.
"You are a credit to your teammates sir." Magnus says, eying the roof, Egan, and the height with a wary eye.
While elves are naturally nimble, Magnus' own predilection was for flamboyancy in the dueling circle, or the dance floor, not acrobatics. But it only takes a moment for his self-confidence to reassure him that he can handle it. Though perhaps a modicum of caution would not be wasted.
"I see if I can follow San and Citlali for a bit. Maybe see what crawls out of that wharehouse at night eh?" He asks with a grin while pulling out a bundle of fine silk rope. He locates a sturdy roof beam to tie the rope off to, checks below to make certain no one is there, and drops the length of silk silently down. The slender silk vanishes almost magically into the darkness below.
Magnus sticks his head out of the window. "Egan, do you fancy a night stroll?" He asks with a mischievous waggle of fine elven eyebrows.