The quick thinking of Drakus and Donagar prevent the fire from spreading beyond the building, but most of the building is gone.
[Cutscene] Vendra is released due to lack of evidence by the Silver Maidens. Vendra stands in the ashes of her establishment and vows revenge on the meddlers of the Guard and their friends, she's seen walking up to a pair of Silver Maidens, talking, crying, and shaking with fury. They escort her into the Castle.[/cutscene]
Drakus hurls his bucket down in disgust.
"That were no accident. I saw that torch lying on the floor in the back room! How the hell did they get by me?"
"It was thrown from the outside, a little glass was found outside the burned out walls, but most of the glass was found inside. I've seen enough broken windows from my time with Lamm, to recognize which direction it came from. Now whether it was planned by Vendra, or was vengeance by upset people, I'd need to put some people to the question."
"Yah kent fault yerself Drakus yah was guardin gainst people gettin in, yah wernt fer knowin a firebomb would be involved."
"Well, NOW what do we do? Ain't none of that crowd goin' to tell us anything about people throwin' torches now. They think we stole their damn cure!" He points to the crowd.
"Which was probably fake anyway!" He shouts to anyone who will listen before turning back.
"I say we go back to the church fer the reward an' then find another line o' approach. We ain't run down the coins yet right?"
"Drakus yer bein a ninny, yah kept yer post, guarded all within yer post, an didnot quit yer post without being properly relieved. Yah did yer duty."
Gregor accepts the summons with respect. He then sends missives to the others of the group, requesting that they join them at breakfast with the Field Marshal. In the missives he adds to Donager a request that the dwarf at least attempt to stifle the alcoholic nature that is common amongst his kind. To Pai he asks that she control her more capricious bent, and that she should try to at least do more to accentuate her human half.
Drakus grunts at the order and nods his acceptance to the courier.
Back at Zellara's place, he will give his armor a quick cleaning and polishing (and anyone else who wants such) and what sleep he can before attending the break fast next morning.
Donagar devout cleric of Cayden Caleen laughs so hard over the request not to drink he falls from his barstool and rolls on the floor.......
Mai shows up in her wearing a red mid Calf length skirt, a white short sleeved shirt and a green bodice that assists with her curvy human like figure,
and a kerchief on her head (effectively covering her ears).
Marra is waiting when you arrive, the little Pseudodragon on on her shoulder. You note that the little dragon has a harness on it now, with what appears to be a message tube attached to it.
"Greeting friends, the Field Marshall awaits us."
The guards at the dining hall, slowly stand to attention. Then reach for the door and open it, the smell of spiced potatoes, cheese, and eggs hits you. The warmth of the fire in the dining hall fire place brushes past your faces.
"Welcome friends, I know you're exhausted by these events, I know I am. With the crimes the Queen's Maidens do to the people, I'm shocked the revolts don't return, luckily I still control the guards, and my own fortunes have been used to help reduce the suffering."
"Please sit...report on what has happened."
Donagar takes a seat and nods to those more adept at giving verbal reports.
Gregor stands at attention as he proceeds to report, in an official capacity to include times, all that has happened since the last time they spoke with her. This means he addresses both the encounter within Racker's alley against vampires and the issue they faced dealing with the false healer Vendra and the subsequent events of her shop's destruction. He delivers his report with as little personal bias as possible, though he cringes a little when mentioning the vampire's draining ability, and allows a sneer to pass at the idea that there wasn't enough evidence to convict the perfumer.
Mai adds to the report with her professional view of the events.
The Field Marshall listens as the reports are given, shuffling papers at the mention of Vendra's name. After the last report, she pushes the paper out to the party.
"Vendra was released to the Silver Maidens before first light. By the Queen's orders..."
"Something's not right, but now I need you to reinvestigate the wreck of the ship which may have started all of this. Except Nik'o...I need you to investigate these Maidens, as I've had reports of your growing ability with shadows, that's just the sort I need to sneak in there."
"Reinvestigate? Is there anything specific you have in mind Ma'am?" Asks Drakus, curious.
"Sure a second look is worth a shot.....I assume tha ship has been under guard."
Gregor has other concerns, "Under guard is less of my concern, than whether we are investigating what wreckage has been pulled from the water, or the wreckage still in it? As it truly determines what type of preparations we will need to make."
Drakus nods in agreement with Gregor.
We weren't able to secure the ship before, we lost 3 before calling it off. I decided to ask you to investigate the ship, you have proven yourself time and again; I'm afraid I must put you in harm's way once more. I've been holding off because I was acquiring these."
she hands you each a ring made of blue crystal.
Drakus looks at the rings in puzzlement.
"Ah, ma'am, with respect, what exactly are these for?"
Donagar guesses about the ring but casts detect magic just in case.
Mai adds
"So we investigate the wreck and try to find anything suspicious and since it's under water, I think any boxes or anything else that can be opened remain closed until we get to shore to make sure water does not destroy it's contents."
"Aye, Mai, that is exactly what you will be doing. The rings will assist you in the endeavor, granting you the ability to breath underwater"
Donagar is now a stoneplate submarine.......
"I best keep light handy might be dark."
"It will most likely be dark, though I thought dwarves could see in the dark, however, it will also be salt water, so sight could be a problem."
"Yes ma'am. Orders received and understood." Drakus snaps to attention again.
Mai adds in a slightly joking manner
Any chance we can get googles to protect our eyes from the salt water?
"Lights fer these knuckleheads, when it gets dark didn't one o em have no kinda light."
"Hmm...a novel request, in fact, let me know what you need, and within reason, your requests will be granted. I have contacts with the Academy, I'm sure even some minor magic items can be arranged, nothing exotic mind you, as we don't have time."
Would it be possible to take comprehend languages and permancy for 2,500 gold?
I am fond of hiring out NPC spellcasting.
Also want to get a heightened continual flame spell! that's about 330 gold
Mai asks
"So are we doing this operation during the night or during the day?"
after a 1 second pause
"It would also be wise to keep ourselves light while swimming, and swimming with clothes or armour on adds to the difficulty in a swimming as well."
Sgt. Drakus looks at Mai with shock.
"No armor! Are you mad?"
"Obviously tha girl needs a stiff drink if she think's that's gonna happen!"
Mai replies
"I did not say to swim with no armour, just that we should keep ourselves light, and taking only what we need.
If you want to swim with an anchor, it's your choice.
That and wet clothes get heavy and hinder swimming.
Armour is even worse than wet clothes when swimming, so if you want armour I would suggest something light.
And Last time I checked the river, there was some fast predatory fish that swim in it that can bit through armour"
Donagar looks at his stone plate....
"Fish dont eat rocks."
Gregor looks at the two heavily armored ones, "I would have to agree, not do be devoid of armor, but to wear something a little lighter. We may not feel like waiting for those of you dressed like a rock to walk across the bottom."
Mai Adds
"And after this operation, I think it would be a good idea to hit the bath house, since some of the sewage does go into the river."
"More like I'll be waitin on ya'll"
Mai replies
"I don't think you'll be waiting on me, when were in the water.
And that river is going to be cold, so we'll need to make it a quick operation."
After a moment she adds
"The O-sen bath house would be a good place to clean and warm up after this operation, as they have heated baths."
Marra looks lost in thought for a few moments...
"Bathhouse, that sounds nice...though we may want to get the water purified first"
You gather your supplies, and head back to the location of the shipwreck at dawn. Your supplies meet you there. Including a priest to cast Water Breathing
"Thanks chap but tha rings ken handle tha me thinks."
Marching down to the waterfront with the others, Sgt. Drakus slowly changes out of his newly upgraded officers' armor and into a plain Chain Shirt; every fiber of his being screaming in protest.
He courteously waives off the priests offer of Water Breathing while nervously tugging at the chain shirt. He looks like he's on the verge of tearing it off.
"No sir, I don't like it." He mutters to no one in particular.
Marra casts light on her shield.
"It's probably going to be dark down there. I'm more worried about the salt water in my eyes than anything right now, it's going to be very difficult to actually see..."