”I can go along with the group looking for the skiff,” Tragon suggests. ”If nothing else I’m a good rower.” He grins at his understatement.
"Sounds like a plan. I think most of us should look for the skiff. If necessary we could rent the thing. If we get this ring she needs all transgressions are likely to go away with money. I am certain our employer could afford the "rental" should it come to it.
"Now as far as the story for why we are out in the harbor at night? A bunch of drunken friends on a lark? Or something more complicated?"
Taishe holds up a single claw.
"Besst sstoriess are the ssimplesst ones. Lesss to go awry." He says sagely.
"The truth, or at leasst a part of it, iss alwayss besst." he grins predatorily.
Even hooded, Jakun is a tall imposing figure. In a dark alley with the way his horns protrude most beings would consider running into him akin to a nightmare. If the Minotaur knew that he would one day be taking jobs that involved stealth, perhaps he would have focused a bit more on learning some illusion spells. Regardless, the Minotaur has to make due with what he has.
He heads to the docks before the others and sets up a place to sit and observe. Moving about he draws too much attention. Thus he is well placed in the shadows when the others pass by and end up in the Stolen Crown.
The sharp eyed Minotaur sees Nahuatl ti exit though thereafter he loses sight of her. The rest are still within, once they exit, the Minotaur will meet up with them. Jakun wonders if they will try and take this ship tonight...
He spent his free time learning the proper spells for this encounter...
1st - (T) Enlarge Person, Color Spray x2
There are many spots to rent a skiff. The harbor is host to many willing to rent for an hour or two
Nahuatl Ti dives into the waters of the bay. Despite the many vessels moored in the bay, there is little garbage in the water. The met folk take poorly to pollution, and have been known to scuttle ships for it
The group looking for a skiff finds an old fisherman pulling up on the beach near the pier. He is a bit skeptical, but for a 10GP deposit, and a 1GP fee he will rent the skiff for an evening row.
As Nahuatl swims out into the shops, she finds the Nixie moored away from other vessels. She can hear muted talk from the deck, but cannot see anyone
As the group exits, Jakun moves to a position near where they negotiate with the skiff owner. He tries to keep himself hidden away from the man knowing that his appearance in any sort of identification could be problematic.
Once the group is far enough away from the man he hails them with a hand gesture, "Are we to make our move tonight then?"
Taishe looks up, and then up some more, to try and look the Minotaur in the eyes.
"It would sseem sso. Yess."
"The Nixie has been moved from dock to open water. It sseems likely that there iss more at work here than ssimple disspute of mooring feess." The kobold explains in a hushed if sibilant voice.
"Yess. Mosst Curiouss." The little kobold murmurs.
"We investigate tonight for sure," Tragon agrees. "But if the conditions aren't right, there is no need to be hasty with boarding. If it is well-guarded, I would rather regroup and strategize."
Then, sheepishly, he asks, "Do we... pool some gold for the deposit?" He is clearly uncomfortable with the idea of coughing up 10 gold.
"Aye, I'll kick some towards the deposit," Norveg offers, "An' if t'lass can find Nixie, 'y not act now, afore she takes off somewheres?"
Taishe bobs his head at Tragon.
"Ah. 'No man is poor, who has friends.'. Saw that in play once."
The kobold says sagely as he produces 3 gold pieces.
Moving up against the side of the ship, Nahuatl ti quietly utters a brief phrase, conjuring lights in the water beneath her, mimicking the
bioluminecence often found near the shore.
Taking a deep breath, she dives, swimming around the length of the ship looking for any sign of mooring or anchor, her companion Pusaq keeps pace with her.
Narl produces the final 5 gold needed to procure the boat. "Ah Tasishe my friend I think I have seen that same play a good one at that. " Looking then at the old codger. " So good sir we rent your boat for our evening row, many thanks the stars are beautiful this evening." Trying to play up the trip as more of a scholarly jaunt more than anything else.
Moving up against the side of the ship, Nahuatl ti quietly utters a brief phrase, conjuring lights in the water beneath her, mimicking the
bioluminecence often found near the shore.
Taking a deep breath, she dives, swimming around the length of the ship looking for any sign of mooring or anchor, her companion Pusaq keeps pace with her.
The Nixie is moored by a standard anchor on a chain. The chain is at the forward part of the ship and is currently fairly relaxed, as the tide isn’t running strong at the moment and the wind is light above water. The chain disappears into the ship’s hawse. Nahuatl ti can see the anchor firmly lodged in the seabed some 15 meters below
Narl produces the final 5 gold needed to procure the boat. "Ah Tasishe my friend I think I have seen that same play a good one at that. " Looking then at the old codger. " So good sir we rent your boat for our evening row, many thanks the stars are beautiful this evening." Trying to play up the trip as more of a scholarly jaunt more than anything else.
The old fisherman nods, then jerks his thumb towards the boardwalk back of the harbor sands.
“I’ll be at the Laughing Squid when yeh finish up”
He unlocks the skiff and ambles off. The skiff can seat roughly 8 folks, if they crowd. There are oars to propel it, and a simple mast with a tattered-looking canvas sail
Tragon takes a seat at the oars, and waits for the others to board.
"Bah. Furl that sail up tight and cover it if it's got one, wouldya mate? Don't need ta be rowin' around lookin like a bloody ghost." Norvig holds the edge of the little boat so the others can board more securely, not fully trusting landlubbers to handle that simple task.
Taishe nods, grateful that at least one of their group is more than passing familiar with watercraft. His studies have always been more, esoteric than practical.
"Ah. Securing items. THAT, this one can do." Taishe says as he nimbly hops into the boat and looks for a way to cover the sail so it doesn't reflect any light.
The sail is already furled , and the skiff can be set out into the water with a bit of effort.
Taishe notes that the knots already holding the sail were expertly done, and decides against trying to improve upon them.
The kobold drags a scrap of oilcloth over the lighter sail, and makes himself fit more or less comfortably into a narrow niche of the small craft to leave room for the other, unnecessarily larger folks.
Narl steps into the boat while not a great sailor he is no stranger to boats having spent the last 5 to 6 months at sea before arriving in Opal.
He helps out where needed or finds his spot and sticks to it to keep the boat balanced. While doing that he looks for some cloth in which the wrap the oats so they are more quiet.
Jakun steps on the skiff lighter than when he's stepping on land, the Minotaur's balance on the water is uncanny, "You take the left I'll take the right Tragon, that's gets us out there quicker and ensure neither of us is too tired if there is fighting to be done once we arrive".
"Careful, you big 'uns, 'less ya want a salty drink. Taller ain't better on a skiff! Now if t'lass finds our ship an' leads us there, we're all set. Can ya whistle up a mist fer us when th' time comes, mate?" Norveg asks Narl.
"Yes of course. I won't be able to hold it in place longer than a minute or so. So we should keep that in mind."
"I'm always glad for someone to help with the load," Tragon says to Jakun. He puts his back into the oar as the skiff pulls into the harbor.
The skiff pulls smoothly out into the placid waters of Turquoise Bay. The moonslight shines down upon the various dark ships moored. Several other skiffs can be seen going to and fro various ships
Taishe looks around as the skiff pulls into the harbor. He strokes his mustache tendrils thoughtfully.
"That way. Please." He says simply, raising a claw.
He looks around the skiff at the others.
"Iss Elementary. Ship wass likely moved to hide actionss onboard from otherss. That direction hass lesss shipss. More privacy." He explains.
"Move sslowly. Misss Ti should find uss eassily."
After a few passes around the Nixie, Nahuatl ti silently swims away from the ship, keeping a lookout for signs of a boat bearing the others. Hearing the soft stroke of oars over the quiet lapping of the water, she swims in its direction, soon seeing the boat slowly moving through the harbor.
With swift, strong strokes she swims up to the side of the boat. "Found it." she says, treading water.
The ship that Nahuatl ti indicates isn’t too far off. It’s moored alone, no other ship near, but there is a shore boat tied to her aft
"Hmmm. It would appear that ssomeone iss home." Taishe whispers, pointing a small claw at the shore boat behind the Nixie.
"We should approach from front. Can climb anchor rope."
"Yes, I heard voices, though not well enough to know what they were saying." Nahuatl ti replies. "That was my thought as well, the anchor would be a good point for a few to get aboard silently."
"Say, luv," Norveg whispers to Nahuatl ti, "Anyfink you kin do to make a distraction in tha water if'n we needs it? We lost our shore distractions, we did."
Taishe nods. "Yes. 'IF' being key word. I trust our abilities. But have learned not to trust to luck. 'Plan B' is always good idea. I prefer to have at least all way to 'Plan F'. But, sometimes is fun to,... what is term? Ah yes, 'Wing it'."
"Seems a little winging it maybe in order. But if there is a boat tied aft then there maybe "others" who have the same idea we do."
"let's be prepared for the worst as it were."
With that in mind he casts his mage armor upon himself while they are still far enough away that no one would be likely to hear him.
Tragon nods at Narl and leans into the oar as they slowly approach the ship.
Norveg tugs a kerchief from around his neck and swaths his hook with it so as not to clank against the anchor chain or any fittings.
As soon as the boat approaches the anchor, he grabs the chain and holds the boat steady and quiet against it, offering it to one of the stronger party members to keep their boat stable while the boarding part climbs.
As soon as someone else takes it, Norveg starts to ascend the chain, watching and listening for any alarms.
Norveg scales the chain with little difficulty. There is a rat barrier attached, but that’s for Norveg’s smaller cousins
Although stealthy, Norveg has the bad luck to land in front of a human. He is dressed in typical sailor garb, with a few items in his wardrobe that speak towards piracy more than legitimacy. He draws a rapier at the sight of Norveg, and looks about to cry out
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