"If it's any difference to you M'lady, Perhaps we can discuss that while we see the healer. I don't think many of us are up to continuing work for now."
Triss hobbles wearily along and glances over at the mix of exhausted Sharks and exhausted Shields. A strangely bemused smile creeping across her face.
A thought gets through to Ozz, quite obvious on his face, his hand still outstretched in Adrien's toast as he thinks. He slowly lowers his hand and glowers to himself before getting distracted by the conversation between Triss and Silvers.
Two of the guards carry out their unconscious comrade. Placing him gently on the ground.
"They kept him alive, from the looks of it." The dwarf says, eyes darting between his Sargent and his prisoners.
Silvers eyes the injured man, and at you three. She quickly sheathes her sword.
"Yeah... Yeah, we're done here." She lets out a tired sigh, and gives you all a warm smile before becoming somber once more and nods at you. "Turn your weapons over, and let's get back to the Tower."
Tease finally bursts out. "What thuh f*&# kept ye, Silvers?! They could've been torn apart!" He fumes.
Having left the knife in the darkness below she waits for the others to follow suit. Afterward she looks at the others, smile still on her lips and she to gaze whimsically toward the sky. Her voice starts in a hum but works its way into a strange and melancholy tune being sung in a jovial tone.
♪♪He played the hero like a child out at play in the rain
Then he lost his life on accident, he was practicing in Vain♪♪
♪♪They were all in fear of nothin', they were weeping like a fountain
It was streamin' like an waterfall comin' down the mountain♪♪
♪♪I don't mind the sun sometimes, the flowers that it grows
I can taste the dew on lips and feel the breeze as it blows♪♪
♪♪Glittering and shimmery are softly spoken lies
You never know just how you look through other people's eyes♪♪
♪♪Some will try in vain pursuit to cover all the watches
Some will cry of absolute while sifting through my ashes♪♪
♪♪Some will fall in love with life and drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche comin' down the mountain♪♪
Afterward she shoots Silvers a smile. "Your boy fought bravely, if a little under talented. Luckily Ozz and Adrien are the best Bogsharks to have on hand when a fiasco breaks out." the grin grows only wider as she finishes the statement. Moments later her stride seems to recover and she gives the others either a smile or a nod.
"Weapons? I don't have any..." Cavell trails off, looking down at the knife clenched so tightly in his hand his knuckles were white.
"Oh, right," he tosses it offhandedly at a nearby stump that had a wood-splitting axe embedded in it.
It turns in the air then sticks with a sharp thunk into the axe's haft, quivering from the force. After a moment the knife wilts to one side and almost falls out, but it's only a little less impressive. It was still enough force and accuracy to kill a man--even manacled and sitting as Cavell was.
He had a relaxed smile as he asked Silvers, "Could really use a drink--and I hear from those with sharper eyes that the cellar was full of it. Pretty please?"
"I'd not trust it..." Ozz says to Adrien's plea for this building's booze.
"Oh Tease...", Silvers responds. "Some of those from yesterday showed up. I had my hands full. In any case, I apologize to you all. Thank you for keeping Spearman Frantious alive..."
She gives a regretful, self-deprecating smile, her sunny, chiming nature shown yesterday morning now wilted with the stresses of the last two days.
The guards notice Adrien's off-handed toss, some showing their amazement in his abilities with an obvious respect and fear, taking Trissae's words to heart.
Silvers approaches you all and starts to tie you back to your partner with the remains of the ropes, the length of each shortened noticeably.
"I promise you, I'll see what I can do when we get back to the Tower. Thank you, again..."
She leads you all through the building to the front, and looks at the still high sun with some contention before looking at all of your wounds once again (though Trissae clearly looks unscathed due to her magics).
"Anyone feeling up to hauling the cart?"
Cavell sighs dramatically to Ozz's comment. "Life just isn't fair."
He waves off Silver's gratitude and Tease's fuming.
"We sharks are used to taking care of each other. Your man was fortunate to fall amidst us, is all."
Though badly wounded, he grins to Ozz and heads to the cart. "No rest for the wicked, no good deed goes unpunished--and all that. Let's take care of it."
Cavell walks with a slight limp, but hides it well enough, keeping his chin up and his usual relaxed smile--he even fixes his hair a bit.
Thieves' Cant, to Tease: "We'll Talk."
"Tease!" Trissae shouts boldly before making a gesture like she's going to snag his whiskers again. "Cart!" She doesn't make another gesture but instead heads to the back of the cart to help push.
As they begin to head back she hums the tune to the music box that Adrien had found before, finding some peace in its chimes. As she does she looks about the mix of people before stopping her gaze on Silvers.
"Silvers, stop it. Lamenting on the chaos that is the Bogsharks is only going to make you very old and grey before your time. As Adrien used to tell me 'There's nothing sadder than a pretty face wasted by worry'. Clearly he doesn't listen to his own advice..." She shoots him a sly smile. "But you can appreciate the wisdom of his words."
She chuckles to herself as she pushes along.
"But.. They've already got it, ya?" He says, gesturing at Ozz and Adrien at the cart's handles.
You get back to the Tower and let into the yard. As you traveled, you were able to see the construction on the eastern wall has taken the form of a small gallows. You are led to your cell, untied, and told that they'll fetch the healer if he is in. A minute passes before the door opens again and Silvers comes in, backed by a couple of guards.
"He isn't in, he's out at the Happy Hall helping out with some sick people. Not sure when he'll be back. I can offer you all a bath, though, to get you clean at the very least, and some minor aid to your wounds. We'll do this one at a time, who first?"
"That was a fist, actually. I never worry." He grins.
Cavell ignores Tease, lifting his handle and pulling with Ozz. He asks the half-orc quietly as they walk, "You looked something dawned on you back there. Able to tell me now or does it have to wait til the cell?"
As they pass the under-construction gallows, he watches it blankly. A physical representation of their time running out.
Once back at their cell, Cavell smiles to Silvers, working the pin out of his uniform sleeve. He walks confidently up to her--past Trissae. "A sponge bath by hand, Silvers? I should fall in a pit of rats more often."
As he passes Trissae he slips the pin smoothly into her hand.
He looks straight in Silver's eyes, smiling only slightly. "I can hardly wait."
"Bootleg operation. The s$&& in that basement would probably blind you as well as get you drunk."
Silvers looks at Adrien, a brief smile showing on her face. "Oh yes, but it is Lieutenant Rast with the first-aid knowledge. He'll be your caretaker." She gestures down at the dwarf guard who had been with you at the abandoned property.
The dwarf man smiles at him. "I'll be real gentle." With that, they lead Adrien away.
Rast unlocks your manacles with a key that he then sets on the small table. "Better hurry before the water has time to cool too much. It was only barely warm to begin with." He takes a seat at the stool and lets you get to washing.
After you've washed in the tub, he has you dry off and sit on the stool. He passes you the mug (ale) and begins to look over your wounds with the healer's kit, cleaning the injuries and bandaging what needs bandaged.
"Well that were a f~**in' mess, ya?" Tease says to the both of you.
Cavell looks down at the dwarf, disappointed. "Beggars can't be choosers I suppose."
Once he's dried off he chugs the ale, looking tremendously relieved to have the drink. "Damn. Thanks for that. Did Silvers arrange it?" he looks at the empty mug appreciatively.
He works for a little while over your wounds. [b]"Those rats can be bastards. We're finding more and more of them around in old buildings, especially near the Dessarin. They like to chew on old, wet wood."
"Wen?" Cavell muses aloud, still looking at the mug. "He wasn't too happy last we spoke. I'm a little surprised."
"Is there a fresh uniform to change into? That one's right f!&~ed."
He sets the empty mug down finally and nods, ready to go back. "By the way...rats, filthy creatures, and I've seen a lot of sick people around. Anything to be worried about? I mean we got gnawed on pretty good. They died with full bellies, I think. I'd like to have washed our wounds out with some strong drink but didn't want to stay in that hell-hole any longer than I had to."
As he's put back in the cell: "Give Wen my thanks," he says to Silvers and the dwarf. Cavell looks better, and grins to Ozz and Triss. "Who's up next?"
Here's a fresh uniform. You're all set, let's get back."
Adrien indeed is brought back to the cell after about 10 minutes.
After Adrien hands her the pin she shudders a bit, just out of view of Silvers as she talks to Adrien. Triss plays it off by stretching, running her hands under her hair and letting it fall. Using this gesture she stows the pin deep within her long Alabaster hair.
After Adrien and the guards leave:
"What do you mean a mess? We found riches, did the town some good, slew a few rats, and even saved the life of a guardsmen. I don't know how it could have gone any better?" She gives Tease a big smile and then sits in the corner for a bit adjusting the pin in her hair trying to make sure it stays firmly but is also well hidden.
"Ozz, come over here yeah? I need help with something." When Ozz gets close she leans in and whispers into his ear. "This thing is magic, I'm sure of it. I'm not sure of what kind but with some time I might be able to find out. It may be of great use to us beyond destroying." She takes his hand and filters his fingers through her hair so he can get a sense for what the pin does at a touch.
afterward she looks back toward Tease. "Something tells me you'll be all the more glad once we're gone. You don't seem to have the stomach for the chaos we bring." she chuckles with a smile.
She spends the rest of the time waiting mostly in contemplation. Still sitting in the corner quietly.
When Adrien returns:
"Wow Adrien! You look quite revitalized." When Adrien asks 'next?' She eyes over to Ozz to guage his reaction.
"Up to you fine sir." She gestures toward him.
"Sure, I'll go next..." Ozz mutters, and follows the Dwarf.
Ozz is led out by the guards, leaving Trissae, Adrien, and Tease alone in the cell.
"Adrien, come here." She gestures for him to come over. When he does she leans in close and whispers.
"I'm sure this pin is magic, what kind or its uses will take some time to discover but it may be more useful than we know..." She runs his hand through her hair to the hidden pin.
She pulls her head back to look him in the eye with a more serious look. "It brought back memories of my mother... I hadn't thought about her for years." She says still whispering. Afterward she pulls his and away and turns her back to him.
"Does it look alright?" She says in a louder tone, displaying her hair to him.
"I felt it too."
He smirks when she turns around, approaching her and running his fingers into her hair. "Hold still. It actually had a carved wooden plate on it. I had to pry it off." Cavell briefly describes the carvings from memory (not very well). After parting her hair and moving the pin close against her scalp, he lets her hair fall back down and musses it with his hand a little.
"It'll do." He turns to Tease. "Now," he says, walking up to the dwarf.
"I saw your contact out there, the human. Good Thieves' Cant by the way. I have contacts in the city myself, Guild contacts. Are you a member or an independent? I'd guess independent."
Cavell crosses his arms, relaxed and cocky.
"You're a smart bastard. You want to get out of here or are you intent on serving your time? I need help from the Guild--and/or your own people, if willing."
"Right ye are, most in Yartar are independ'nt sorts. Not much in thuh way of guildies here. They be out there, true, but in Yartar most go their own way." Tease says, keeping his voice low as to not be heard by any guards outside the slotted window and up the short staircase.
Sounds of practice and horses can be heard from the yard in the afternoon, a bright sunbeam cutting through the darkness of this cell like a knife, casting a shadow of bars on a small bit of wall.
"I figured I were in thuh best position ta turn gettin' caught into profit, so I'm not all too unhappy 'bout bein' in here. I'd PREFER ta be free, mind. Howev', I'm not putting my trust in a bad plan and risk getting a heavier sentence. Let me know what yer thinkin' and I'll tell ye if'n I be in."
Triss huffs not being ready for Adrien being done playing with the hair. As Adrien talks with Tease she sneaks over sitting infront of him and directs his fingers back into her hair. She hums to herself quietly as the conversation continues.
Cavell nods, listening. He chuckles in surprise at Trissae, but starts running his fingers through her hair absentmindedly as he goes over his plan with Tease. He keeps his voice low too.
"It's not a whole plan yet, just pieces coming together. First, someone from the outside brings a solid plank and a length of knotted rope. The outer wall is a crumbling mess, so its not hard to get past. They drop the plank over the pit traps, then toss the knotted rope over the inner wall--which is much taller and stronger than the outer one. We'll also need a safe-house once we're clear."
"Second, I'll unlock all our manacles and the cell door. Triss will disguise as one of the Shields and run interference if necessary, while I sneak into the supply room and get our gear out."
"Our outside contacts could ship a few kegs of that bootleg booze to the Shields as a gift from a believable source, that'd make everything easier if possible. Starting a fire somewhere could also make a good distraction if we desperately need it."
"The watch-tower guard is our main issue for making it to the wall and over. If he's watching too close, I can take him out with my bow. Triss can back me up with magic if the shot doesn't kill him."
"If we can't get our escape route over the wall for some reason, I'll have my lockpick kit and can probably get us out a gate, but it'd be riskier."
"Another option is if the outside contact could pull it off, we can take out that watchtower guard, then the contact fires a rope-arrow up there. We tie it off on our end, then zip-line down over the wall and pits."
"However we get out, we head straight for the closest city gate. Either the North Gate or the East Gate depending on where our contact comes from. We knock out the guards and leave the gate open. Then we go back into the city and get to our safe-house. When they hear about it they'll think we've fled the city. From there, you can do whatever you like Tease, but we're going to save our friends from the citadel. If we have time I'd like to burn those gallows down, too. It won't save anyone, but f*+& their theatrics."
Cavell finally sighs, "I'm bringing this to you not just for your contacts, but because you're clever, and I'm not half as clever as I think I am," he says jokingly, but it still wasn't easy for him to admit.
If Tease even slightly glances down he'd notice Trissae has a near comical look of euphoria on her face. As Adrien finishes she chimes in "You could stick with us Tease. You have all the makings of a Bogshark about you. I for one would vote in your favor."
Tease thinks for a moment. "There's also thuh possibility of going in through thuh backdoor ta get yer stuff, 'n then trying ta leave through thuh front door on thuh outside of thuh walls, or even get up ta a higher floor 'n access thuh balcony directly. Not sure how many locked doors 'n guards ye would need to get 'round ta do that, though... 'ts a possibility, anyway."
He notices Trissae's expression. "Woah, careful there Cavell, I think yer melting her brain. What 'bout ye, lady drow? Ye have any ideas or extra bits of info worth sharin'?"
"Move it, Big Blank!" One of Yesterday's Reget's crewmen says to you, trying to get you to either go down the gangplank already or get out of the way for him and several others.
Yesterday's Regret, a smuggling ship captained by a mysterious man in bandages, had been hired by you via Skullport (a teeming hive of evil lying deep beneath Waterdeep on the third underground level of Undermountain, a little black-market city) to try and smuggle you into Athkatla.
Getting into Skullport had been the furthest any of your treks had ever taken you to getting back home safely. Unfortunately, they couldn't take you the whole way. Upon reaching Athkatla, their ship wasn't allowed port, and after some failed negotiations was forced to flee.
They took some extra time to try and sell their cargo off in the Moonshae Isles for a bit of a profit before finally returning you to Skullport, the longest you've ever been away from your Moors, refunding your money back to you for the failed trip.
Big Blank... The nickname some of the crew have given you, referencing the mask you wear when you wish your Bugbear nature to go unnoticed, or at least as unnoticed it would be possible for a 7 foot tall person with bunk to match.
The gangplank of the ship, currently berthed on the subterranean river Sargauth, stretches across the gap between Yesterday's Regret and the illicit criminal city, one of the only places it would be 'safe' to do business as a bugbear. Looking upon Skullport, your mission unsatisfied, your brain works to think of the best way back to your Sharks, and your home in the Evermoors.
Cavell nods, "Simple but...probably smart. Alright. We'll still need a safehouse in the city. And I'd prefer we had some kind of outside help in this. Contact Norder at The Cointoss. A f@++-ugly halfling, hard to miss. He'll be able to reach the right people. We need to make our move within two days."
He glances down to Trissae then chuckles, fixing her messed up hair and making sure the pin is still hidden. "She had a rough day. Don't think I helped any." He hesitates like a man about to lift something unbelievably heavy. "Sorry, Triss."
My spells and gear are ready. I sold one of my axes back at 1/2 price since weapon bond makes 2 axes fairly extraneous (even more so than flame bolt does).
He will look about to find a rivership [preferably a cheap one, though discretion is key, of course] to take him up the Dessarin river, saving time and avoiding possible encounters along the road.
GM: is it safe to assume that he can walk about without hiding his bugbear-ness until he leaves Skullport?
Triss barely snaps to when Adrien speaks to her. She looks up at him in a semi-trance haze.
She slowly stands up and rubs her face, glancing first at Tease then back to Adrien. "You have many things to be sorry for Adrien Cavell, but you don't have to be sorry about this." She looks back over at Tease and sighs.
"It's well enough you should be here as well for this. When Ozz returns and I have had my bath.." She pauses for a moment searching her thoughts. Seeming to recall something. "I will unfold my portion of the plan to help us escape." She gives Adrien another glance and her brow bends with sadness that she quickly secrets away, turning toward the door and waiting for Ozz's return.
As Triss stands there she whispers quietly to herself "What a beautiful memory."
"Hey hey! I didn't say that going through thuh tower was a good idea, just AN idea!" Tease says, a bit alarmed.
"Ta be honest, they both sound rather thin. Therrs only so much me people can do without puttin' thuh guard's eye on them, which is why I'm in here ta begin wit'! I'll not risk them gettin' in here as well. That said, I'm sure that they can help with some things. A safehouse is easy, fer example. Norder is a decent fixer, aye, if you don't mind him turning around and sellin' yer info. A desperation man. Stick ta Tease ifn ye need a fixer. He be a bit more invested in this sitch. I'll see what I can get me people ta do durin' tomorrows chores, but I'm curious to hear miss drow's plan first."
After a few more minutes () the guard returns with a cleaner and bandaged Ozz, the smell of ale on his breath, and the dwarf gestures for Triss to follow.
... As Grellik walks the port he spies all sorts of creatures that wouldn't fit in normal cities. Several drow, other goblinoids including a small squad of hobgoblins, and even a minotaur walk free-as-you-please within the underground city. There are some hiding their identities, like the captain of Yesterday's Regret, but probably not for racial reasons.
You come to a small boat with a halfling at the pier. The boat isn't a sea ship, for certain, and looks more to be a one person cargo ship. "Up the Dessarin eh? Yeah, I can do that. How far up the Dessarin? Also, I imagine you'll be wantin' a discretion package to go along..."
The halfling is a hard looking sort, and possesses a braided hair style and an unusual, overly pale complexion.
Adrien opens his mouth to say something but hesitates, sighing with exasperation. "I meant sorry for in the cellar."
"If we can't get a rope over that wall from the outside we'll probably have to, but let's hear Triss."
He waves a hand off dismissively in the vague direction of The Cointoss. "To hell with Norder then."
"I know Adrien..." she says without looking at him.
As the guard returns with Ozz, Trisae walks over to Adrien and pulls the poster out of her waist band and hands it to him. She smiles lightly at him "Don't loose it."
then walks over to meet with the guard. "As you can see I am unharmed, physically. so there won't be much need for a doctor visit. Oh, will I have a chance to write my letter?" She begins to leave as she asks these questions.
"S&~$!", the dwarf exclaims shortly after walking out of the cell, up the stairs and past a couple of guards who watch the staircase/yard. "I think it slipped Silvers' mind, all things considered. I'll ask her, and if so, have it brought in. Yeah, if you don't need tending to, I'll leave you be for your bath."
He takes you through the tower's backdoor and into the cell they had you change into your white uniforms in, but instead of the usual empty look, there is a wash tub and several buckets of softly steaming water, a wash cloth, a towel, a stool, and a small table with a healer's kit and a mug filled with something dark in it.
Rast moves in, unlocks your manacles, and takes the healer's kit. He points to the mug. "Uhh, for cleaning your wounds, courtesy of Captain Wen." *wink*
With that he leaves. The door is locked behind you, and you can hear another guard answer him as he asks to be let further into the tower instead of back outside. Another door opens and closes, and all you hear is the sound of the passage guard through your slotted window. Hopefully he isn't a peeking type.
Cavell takes the poster, nodding once.
He glances at Ozz, wondering if the half-orc feels the same way.
Ozz nods once, firmly.
"The Boss is a better parent than most, I'd wager."
Then, if Yartar patrols the waters(Yartar is the major city in the area, yes? the others are lesser towns and such?), then:"Just South of Yartar would be fine, I'd rather go on foot than risk an untimely search by the Baron's patrols." if the Waterbaron is not known to patrol the, ah, waters :P then:" Take me to Flint Rock, I will disembark there.
Tease bites onto what Ozz says after nodding solemnly for a moment. "Ah yes, thuh boss of thuh Bogsharks. Y'know, I don't buy thuh Ludo guess like that dwarf from yesterday's mob an' a lot of others... He'd have ta be ancient for one. That an' I doubt some human would well earn thuh respect of some of ye... And a soldier? Hah... You guys are effective, but lack thuh military style. More like an experienced gang than a military crew from what Tease has heard." (Clearly fishing for info).
"It's no worries friend. Only if you have time."'
Before he leaves she tries to stop him.
"I never drink alone.. Would you care to share the mug with me?" She takes a big swig but then holds the mug out toward the dwarf. Either way if if he does or not she leave the mug half full before waiting for him to leave and stripping down.
She takes the full length of the bath (as long as they'll give her) and she sings softly as she does so. If anybody is listening they would notice it is a somber sad song, though her tone isn't sad.
Before leaving, the dwarf is stopped by Triss as she offers him the mug. He hesitates for a moment, before shrugging and downing the rest. A few minutes pass as you bathe, the water warm enough to keep from disappointing even Igna who has a frustrating tolerance (her opinion) towards warm things. Clearly this is a perk for taking a bath so much later than the others, more time to heat water.
Eventually, you hear an opening door, followed by the voice of Spearwoman Torea at your gate. "I've got your writing supplies. Some ink, a quill, and paper. Just leave it all on the table when you're done." She says, and offers the items through the bars of the door.
"Yeh, an' maybe I've got a magic sword up me arse!" Tease chuckles, understanding that the Sharks enjoy the mystery of their boss. "I'll laugh if it turns out that there be no boss, and thuh Sharks be a democracy!"
After chuckling for a moment, Tease grows serious and looks at the door Trissae had exited through. "Y'know Cavell. Three days aint much time ta plan ta break out of captivity, even from a fairly small city like Yartar and its Tower... Ifn I were ye, I'd plan for failing... Just 'n case. Ye gotta judge ifn it's better ta try an get ye all out, riskin' thuh lives of ye all right now, or play for time..."
He looks Adrien dead in the eye, clearly comparing his own situation to a less dangerous version of that of the Sharks. A situation where he sacrificed his own freedom, the least risky option for his crew.
There are indeed boats that work in the river near Yartar, though so long as you don't make port there, little risk of random searches for through traffic.