Dacknar |
Standing there nice and clean again, with less of a stench, he fills in the rest of the group of what happened.
"The lady was a no show. Some flunky that went by the name of Rongquan was there. He claimed to be working for the Lady. Since she made no mention of using a flunky and I could not confirm that he was who he said he was. I just told him that when the lady is ready, she can come to us. I did not tell him who we were or where we would be, just in case. So I figure give it a few days before we look for a new buyer. That way it gives the lady sometime to come to us or if she can't, she could be in trouble, and that is of no concern to us. I have learned to stay far away from the poly-ticks, they are worse than pirates. Dacknar smiles.
Bhoors Thistledown |
"Well you handled that well. She said she would meet us there. So if there was an intermediary they are lying or she failed to provide a contingency." Bhoors frowns.
Recognized her as the Open Lord of Waterdeep. He then shamelessly hit on her. Hoping she turned out to be a cougar.
Bhoors Thistledown |
Is there a location that Laurel lives at or is known to work in.
Dacknar |
"The owners might use magic to find the item. Maybe we should move it from place to place to keep them guessing. What do you all think?"
Dacknar's first hiding place would be the item put in a tin, tied with a long string and dropped in the water at the docks with the string tied to a pillar. So you just pull up the string that brings up the tin from the bottom of the docks.
Unmei |
"Yes, and yes... You're right Dacknar. We should expect a search party on our tail, if they have the means, which they likely do. Bhoors, you seemed to know that lady, is that right? If so, perhaps with her name, we can make inquiries. We should keep the item on us and keep moving, as Dacknar suggested. What better way to keep moving than to go out and look for someone!?"
DM - Tareth |
Since this is information you all are likely to know with the possible exception of Dacknar, I'll just put it here in OOC. Being the Open Lord of Waterdeep, Laeral lives and works in the Palace of Waterdeep in the Castle Ward. She is one of the daughters of the goddess Mystra, a mage of extraordinary power, and has ruled other realms in the past. She rarely ventures out of the palace.
Bhoors Thistledown |
"Moving it could work. But more than move it, we want it found . . . or more importantly, we want to have it with us when we are found by the lady who offered us 10 large for its return."
"You were with me when I met her. I only know her as a celebrity." He shrugs, "Of the factions wanting the stone. She is the safest to deal with, not the safest to cross. And probably the one that will mean the less blood on the streets if they get the money that the stone is somehow tied to."
Bhoors Thistledown |
"Biggest city on the coast. they might not want to let us into see her. Why believe us."
"Either something happened and she sent a proxy or the guy claiming to be a proxy beat her there."
Dacknar |
"And that is why I don't deal with flunkies, unless told to do so before hand.
So the question comes down to, do we wait for her to contact us or go looking for her?
Unmei, have your little charges said that any strange happen by or at the theater? Or could you have keep a weathered eye open about it?"
Bhoors Thistledown |
history: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13 Anyone in the city who could actually get a message to Laurel that might be easier to approach.
"Anybody have any influential friends that can help . . . I mean big castles and connected bureaucratical apparatus don't let just anyone talk to the big bosses."
Bhoors Thistledown |
"I had almost forgot. Perhaps if we flash that to the Watch Boss or at the Castle we might get the right attention."
DM - Tareth |
You spend the rest of the day getting clean, watching for any sign of pursuit and generally keeping an ear out while trying to figure out your next move. Fortunately, the rest of the day and night passes uneventfully.
The following morning, the broadsheets are full of tales of minor flooding of several streets in the Southern Ward caused by a severe blockage in the sewers. Civic leaders for the ward claim the incident is just more proof that the lack of maintenance and attention to the Southern Wards needs by the Open Lords government is part of an effort to keep the generally foreign and working class people beholden to the nobility. Others claim a hidden plot by Thay that needs to be rooted out immediately. Still others claim its the fault of gang violence and when will the Open Lord put a stop to these warring factions. Officials for the Ministry of Water and Waste say they are working diligently to clear the issue and will release more information once they have it.
It is as you are reading through the latest news that one of Unmei's urchins come into the kitchens looking for a bite to eat and with a bit of other news.
"Were you still looking for that fellow Fenerus, miss?" The boy says to Unmei. "I heard from a pal o' mine who knew the guy and he told me he ain't dead, but arrested for thievin'. Guess he's up at the big courthouse waitin' for his day in front of the judge if you're interested."
DM - Tareth |
You try taking the coin and showing to the Watch Captain on duty at the castle only to have the man look at you with a puzzled frown and shaking his head.
"Look, a scratched up dragon isn't going to get you in to see nobody." He says giving you a deeply skeptical look. "Least of all her Ladyship." He laughs and shakes his head some more. "The very idea of Lady Laeral lurking about the city passing out secret coins to hooligans like yourselves. Not bloody likely."
He waves you away. "Now get your mercenary hides out of here before I see you arrested for loitering or disrupting the peace. We've got enough trouble with the mess among all the foreigners in the Southern Ward. Don't need any more right now."
Dacknar |
Insight: 1d20 ⇒ 4
"Now hold on there. We are not mercenaries, or at least not anymore. We are business people and have a very nice, up scale tavern. Perhaps you might like to come by for a drink on the house some time?"
Dacknar trying not to make a scene.
Been there, done that. And if every one is jailed no one will be there to run the place.
Bhoors Thistledown |
Bhoors smiles, "Mercenary sounds like a paycheck. I am not one for a steady job." He smiles at the captain. "Look I know how it sounds. But her ladyship has lived quite the life and run in circles of all sorts unusual folk. Perhaps we are the right kind of unusual. No one is asking to the key to her bed chamber. Put in a word that we tried to make contact."
Persuasion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Persuasion Adv from Dak's help: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Unmei |
You spend the rest of the day getting clean, watching for any sign of pursuit and generally keeping an ear out while trying to figure out your next move. Fortunately, the rest of the day and night passes uneventfully.
The following morning, the broadsheets are full of tales of minor flooding of several streets in the Southern Ward caused by a severe blockage in the sewers. Civic leaders for the ward claim the incident is just more proof that the lack of maintenance and attention to the Southern Wards needs by the Open Lords government is part of an effort to keep the generally foreign and working class people beholden to the nobility. Others claim a hidden plot by Thay that needs to be rooted out immediately. Still others claim its the fault of gang violence and when will the Open Lord put a stop to these warring factions. Officials for the Ministry of Water and Waste say they are working diligently to clear the issue and will release more information once they have it.
It is as you are reading through the latest news that one of Unmei's urchins come into the kitchens looking for a bite to eat and with a bit of other news.
"Were you still looking for that fellow Fenerus, miss?" The boy says to Unmei. "I heard from a pal o' mine who knew the guy and he told me he ain't dead, but arrested for thievin'. Guess he's up at the big courthouse waitin' for his day in front of the judge if you're interested."
Unmei gives a grand-motherly smile to the urchins and says: "You've done well, lads! Beyond my greatest dreams! I'll look into it."
She mentions this to the others as they make their way to the castle.
When the guard refuses to let them in, she secretly asks Mask what He has in store for her and why he's so indirect about it with His own most faithful servant!
Instead of replying, she turns and takes in their surroundings, see if anyone is taking a particular interest in their conversation.
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
DM - Tareth |
"Sure, I might try to do that. Always interested in finding a new watering hole." He says to Dacknar and the mention of a tavern opening.
When Bhoors presses the issue regarding Laeral, he simply shrugs. "Look, I happen to know one of the assistants to her assistant's assistant. I'll see if she knows anything, but you're probably better off trying to get in during petitioners day." He taps his pen nib lightly on the desk. "They are the First and Twentieth of each month. So you'll only need to wait two days for your next chance to see her."
He leans in toward you just a little and lowers his voice to a whisper. "Of course, you'll want to arrive early enough that morning to give the Lottery Master his due, if you know what I mean. That's if you want to guarantee your number comes up during the day. You can take your chances, but almost nobody has their petition heard if they don't grease the wheels a little before hand."
He leans back and waves a dismissive hand toward you. "Now if you don't mind, there are others who need a bit of my time."
Dacknar |
Giving the man a nod "Thanks for your advice. Will have to put it to good use."
Walking away from the guard. "So where do you lot what to do now? Take a look to see if Nims's friend returned to the temple maybe?"
Dacknar is happy to go where the other want to go
DM - Tareth |
The Watch Captain puts his pen down with a heavy sigh. "Aye, you sign up with the master of the petition lottery that day at the main courthouse. You get a numbered chit. If your chit is called, then you get to plea your case to the Open Lord." He rubs his temples with a scarred, knobby hand. "You ask me, it's all just a lot of show to make folk feel like they've a connection and say in things. But we all know it's those with the gold, the magic, the land holdings, the connections, that all make the big decisions."
He points back at the coin Bhoors flashed earlier. "So if you really know the Open Lord, you'll have no trouble. If not..." He ends with a simple shrug and waves you on again.
Bhoors Thistledown |
"For your trouble captain." Bhoors shakes the man's hand and slips him a couple gold.
Not the marked one.
Bhoors Thistledown |
Is there anyone in town that knows Laurel that is less than official. Volo? Not that I am sure how to contact him.
Bhoors Thistledown |
Investigation: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
"Anybody know anyone with more clout than us. We had a dealing with Volo but I am not sure. I assume an adventurer as storied as Laurel has some allies."
Dacknar |
"Or maybe find out where the lady spends her free time at,and wait there to meet up maybe?"
Soon Dackar will just want to head back to the tavern to get a drink and think things over.
Bhoors Thistledown |
How long till the next petition day that the guard captain mentioned.
Dacknar |
When Bhoors presses the issue regarding Laeral, he simply shrugs. "Look, I happen to know one of the assistants to her assistant's assistant. I'll see if she knows anything, but you're probably better off trying to get in during petitioners day." He taps his pen nib lightly on the desk. "They are the First and Twentieth of each month. So you'll only need to wait two days for your next chance to see her."
Two days it looks like, and that is only a maybe
DM - Tareth |
Bhoors Thistledown |
"A night at the Portal sounds good."
DM - Tareth |
Later that evening you all arrive at the Yawning Portal to try and track down Jalester the Barfly. Like you're previous trips to the popular and boisterous pub, it is full of a variety of rogues, adventurers, townsfolk and slumming nobility. Yagra gives Dacknar a nod and smile as you walk in before she has to intervene with a drunk getting overly pushy on the far side of the room.
Threestrings plays in the corner accompanied by a halfling drummer and stone-faced dwarved piper, who despite his taciturn scowl, makes his brass horn swing and tear through the night with an amazing sense of style, grace, and pure talent.
Through the smoke-filled room you spot a man meeting Unmei's description sitting at the bar, his head hanging over a tall mug, his body leaning heavily against the bar.
Bhoors Thistledown |
Bhoors nods to the musicians. He makes his way over to Jalester. "Evening friend. How are things at the Portal tonight." He smiles, "Last time I was here a troll crawled out the pit." He shrugs, "Waterdeep always keeps it fresh."
"Hoping we can buy you a drink. You are the one called Jalester. I think you can help us set up a meeting with a contact we lost track of."
Persuasion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Bhoors nods to one of the maids and orders a pitcher and a few snacks.
Dacknar |
Dacknar gives Yagra a wink and smile, then has a seat to order his first drink and a bite to eat.
Dacknar keeps an eye on Yagra to make sure she does not get over her head when dealing with issues.
DM - Tareth |
"What?! Oh...hello." The man jumps a bit, surprised by Bhoors approach, but the quickly calms. "Oh yes. Things are always coming and going from that devilish pit." He says with a grim chuckle and slight slur of someone who's had one too many drinks.
"I'm Jalester....wait...you already knew that didn't you. Well, never mind. I'd certainly welcome a drink." He says waving a hand toward the ever present Durnan at the other end of the bar. Waiting for the barkeep to make his way, the man tries to focus his blue eyes on Bhoors and Unmei. "Do I know you from somewhere? You ever been to the Nightstone Inn up north? Or maybe it was that roach infested pit in Mulmaster? Can't remember the name now? Pipple Pops...no, The Ugly Unicorn....no...the Swinging Lizard, no that's somewhere in Chult I think."
He pushes his feathered hat back in his head, revealing a hairline that is already receding despite the fact he looks to be no more than maybe thirty years old. A simple, but well-kept longsword dangles at his hip, although its currently partially caught in the rungs of his stool. His jacket is tailored and of reasonable quality, but appears to have been slept in for several days.
"Ah well...doesn't matter I guess. What matters is your offer of another round." He smacks his lips together after quickly guzzling the half a mug of ale he'd been nursing.
"There you are Durnan, my good man." He says as the bartender approaches. "This fine gentleman..." He throws an arm across Bhoor's shoulders, suddenly leaning heavily on the bard. "Has offered another round. And the fine lady there wishes to partake of your wine selection."
Durnan grunts and pours another mug for the weaving Jalester, and the rest of you while he sends Holly for Unmei's wine. Taking another long drink from his refreshed mug, Jalester leans back toward Bhoors breathing a cloud of alcohol infused breath directly in his face.
"So what can I do for you friend? You say you lost something? I'm good at finding things. Good at lots of stuff." He taps a long finger into the side of his hat, bending the already bedraggled feather. "Got to keep your eyes and mind open when you want to find things. Can't be hindered by expec...except...ex...expectations."
Bhoors Thistledown |
Bhoors smiles, "Fond memories of Chult. Never the Swinging Lizard though." Bhoors cuts to the chase. "Well we have need of getting the ear of a powerful Lady friend of yours." He explains, "We were asked to look into a matter rather discretely. However the intended meet up when we were completed didn't go as expected. Not trusting the situation we played it safe. But we have very limited means of contacting our patron. Her many levels of security and bureaucracy are unaware she asked our help."
Bhoors frowns and swallows, "We need to get to see Lady Laurel Silverhand, Open Lord of Waterdeep."
DM - Tareth |
Jalester nearly chokes mid-gulp at the mention of Lady Laeral. His rapidly blinking eyes quickly flick to those sitting, standing, and jostling each other nearby to see if any may have overheard. Breathing a heavy sigh at the apparent lack of attention, since most people are watching with amused looks as Yagra slams a fist into a mouthy elf on the far side of the room. There are a few cheers as the obnoxious sell sword crumples to the floor in seconds generating several exchanges of coin and not a few unhappy looks toward the fallen braggart.
Satisfied nobody overheard, Jalester turns back to the bard. He slowly, carefully places his mug back on the bar and then sucks his teeth softly before he starts to laugh quietly.
"Hahah. Ho boy! You really had me going for a second there friend." He says speaking a bit softer than before. "Thinking I know...her." He adds still chuckling. "What makes you think I know her at all, better yet, well enough to get you an introduction?"
He leans in toward Bhoors a little further. "Better yet, why would folk such as you need to see the Open Lord of Waterdeep?"
Bhoors Thistledown |
insight: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Bhoors sighs "Well it was a long shot. Just heard you were in the know. Sorry to . . . oh us we met her by chance and finished our work for her. But she wasn't at the rendezvous once we completed our work. Naturally we didn't trust anyone else. She gave us a marker if we ran into trouble . . ah sorry to burn your time."