"I'll come and give you a hand Terin. Although not sure how much brute strength I can give you."
Basically, looking for any excuse at all to avoid the city, full of noisy "big folk" as much as possible, but also genuinely interested in the welfare of the animals, and wanting to check out the park.
"I have some muscle I can lend towards carting animals around, though I do need a bath and a good rest. A drink or two with Seann sounds worthwhile, but I'm afraid I shall have to pass this time. Three bells, then..."
I believe he was gonna concentrate and check the whole boat, but with the gear being foremost.
Fine, Terin casts Detect Magic and scans the boat for emanations, Topside, then below decks quickly giving the Blue Nixie a final once over before preparing to disembark.
Eldin’s scan for magical activity does not discern any signals from within the gathered equipment. You carefully cover the bodies with tarpaulin, and assemble the myriad monkeys.
You board the Low Tide with the scavenged gear and animals, and although it sits treacherously low in the water, you are able to pilot it back to shore without incident. Amidst the bustle of port activity, you see a very frigidity Halfling woman waiting for you at the dock.
Following a brief conversation where you inform her of your success, Kora brightens noticeably, and exclaims, “Well done! I knew we, err, she picked the right people for the job.” My mistress has authorized you all one-day’s free room and board at Ancestor’s Rest in the noble district, so you will be nearby to accompany her to the family vault in the morning . The accommodations are quite nice, and you should be able to relax and freshen yourselves as needed."
“I will make sure this gets to the proper place,” Kora says as she takes the harbormaster’s payment from you. When informed about the bodies and the prisoner, Kora looks irritated for a brief second, then states matter-of-factly, “The Ravens never brought back any prisoners.”
“We don’t want to draw any unwanted attention from certain covetous noble families. Luckily, the harbormaster will owe my Mistress now, and he will wish to keep this equally under the rug. I will have him put some people we can trust to be silent on docking the ship, and once my mistress has reacquired her rightful inheritance, she can assign a crew to clean the ship top to bottom. Disgraceful, what that delinquent Vark has done to her property. As for this recreant, perhaps you may find some not unkind way to deal with him? No need to burden her or the watch with the details.”
On her way off to see to the harbormaster, Kora adds, “You might try Kord’s Market, in the Champion’s district, to discreetly unload those goods. I will have your…ship…stored at my mistress’ berth.”
If the party decides to sell the gear at Kord’s Market, with limited fuss, they can dispose of the items for 130 gold. If you decide to keep any of it, or wish to shop for anything, please let me know.
If the party desires to haggle; with a DC15 Appraise check, or a DC 20 Bluff or Diplomacy check:
The druid's of Sunrise District, overjoyed by the news of your animal liberation, gratefully provide the party with enough healing berries to mend all their assorted injuries. George tearfully hugs Tyndal goodbye, then provides him with a parting gift of the dead woman's four-fingered hand before disappearing into the trees.
You leave the sanctity of the clearing with greatly lightened spirits.
Fine, Terin casts Detect Magic and scans the boat for emanations, Topside, then below decks quickly giving the Blue Nixie a final once over before preparing to disembark.
The party has the rest of the evening to rest, recover spells, talk amongst yourselves, or return to the scene of the crime, as they'd like. You are all fully healed, thanks to the druid's careful ministrations .
The surviving thug has come around sometime in the early afternoon, and is available to converse if you so choose.
"Ah. You're awake. Did you have a nice nap? Forgive me if I stay over here, I'm not overly fond of the smell of... urine."
"So, as you can see, I have chosen not to burn you alive. At least while you're unconcsious. I mean, where would be the fun in that? Anyway, I do wish to inform you now that you are in our posession. As you can see, you are no longer aboard the Blue Nixie, nor are you any longer in the employ of this vile Vark character. No one is, really. See, we've had the bodies of your comrades disposed of. Quietly. Discreetly. No one will ever know what happened to them. For all intents and purposes, they have simply vanished."
"I tell you all this now, to drive home a point: as far as the outside world -- the world outside this room -- is concerned... You. Don't. Exist. I tell you this because it is an important point. At this very moment, it is the most important point of your sad little life thus far, and as such, I think it should inform your answers over the next few minutes. You should keep this little tidbit of information -- that you are a non-person -- foremost in your mind as we converse."
"Now, please, tell me what you all were doing aboard the Nixie. And please, don't leave out any details."
"Now, please, tell me what you all were doing aboard the Nixie. And please, don't leave out any details."
"You've got it all wrong! I'm not a bad guy, I barely even knew Vark ."
"My name is Davrick. My brother and I own a business, and we've been struggling to make ends meet, especially with new competition from the dwarf in Shadowshore, Panchi. As if things weren't bad enough, a month ago this new outfit, Lotus Dragoons, Draggings, Droppins', I dunno, starts leaning on us, hard. Says if we don't pay them protection money, something "bad" might happen. Something like you lot, I'd suppose."
"Me, I got nothing to the world but this shirt and my brother, but he's got a family to look after, and with these Lotus types robbing us blind, we were going to lose the business to back taxes. I went to talk to this dwarf, Panchi about it to see if they were leaning on him too, but he was busy screaming at these two blokes about a rowboat."
"While I'm standing there thinking about if I should leave or not, this ugly mug comes up and says, "You look tough enough, want to make some easy money? Let me buy you a drink."
"Sounded like an easy enough job. 20 gold for a night's work moving some animals. He had some real animals working for him too, but not all of them were a bad sort; a few down on their luck types like myself."
"Look now. I know Vark was likely doing something illegal, but asking questions don't pay the bills, you know? I'm betting you lot don't exactly toe the line either, so what's the harm in letting me go? I can't pay you, obviously, Vark was going to settle up after the job paid off, but maybe I can help you in town somehow so we can call it square? I don't go in the barrel for no sailor though!"
Eldin, who has been sitting silently in the corner of the room, after napping and cleaning himself up, leans over and whispers softly to Anders after the man’s testimonial, “I believe you’ve probably scared him badly enough that he’s telling the truth – or close enough to it. No point in handing him over to the authorities – the gods know that we’ve crossed into an ethical and lawful grey area with our actions last night. If we set him free, maybe even give him a few coins, we may gain an ally. You can never have too many friends.”
Straightening up, and speaking at a more normal level (and in a rather kinder tone than Anders), Eldin says, “Davrick – what business are you and your brother in?”
“Davrick – what business are you and your brother in?”
Hoping he's less likely to be summarily gutted by the religious-looking fellow, Davrick brightens a little.
"Only the finest boat refitters in all of Sassarine. He owns the place, but I handle all the day-to-day. "Ship-shapes," we call it."
Quietly, to Eldin: "Indeed. The poor fool was clearly in the wrong place at the wrong time. Let us see if there is any further information we can get from him."
To Davrick:
"Good, Davrick. Good. You're one step closer to seeing your brother and his family again. Perhaps now you are beginning to see how your ill considered actions have brought you to this place."
"I think you may yet walk out of this room alive and free. Is there anything more you can tell us about these animals? There were some exotic, dangerous, and no doubt illegal, animals in that hold. Did you overhear anything at all about what Vark planned to do with them, or who he was involved with, while you were on board?"
"And while you're at it, please tell us more about these... Lotus people, if you can. It sounds as if you were driven to desperate acts by the depredations of some dangerous people. I doubt you and your brother are alone in that. There may be some useful tidbit of information in anything you can tell us about them. You have already proven yourself surprisingly useful in the last few minutes. Continuing that trend can only help you."
Tyndal whispers in Ander's ear.
"See if you can get him to fix the Low Tide for his freedom. Kord knows none of us have a clue"
I would propose that we have him fix the Low-tide and offer to pay full price. His situation seems desperate and his need high. If we wish to truly gain an ally we shouldn't try to squeeze blood from a stone and I believe we can all afford to pay for a job well done after we help Ms. Lavinia with the familial issues of gaining vault access.
Did you overhear anything at all about what Vark planned to do with them, or who he was involved with, while you were on board?"
"I only know he was stood to make some serious coin, if he was willing to pay all of us that much on short notice. He bought the animals from a contact in the Lotus, but I don't know who they were, or who the buyer we were meeting was, only Vark knew the time and place."
"And while you're at it, please tell us more about these... Lotus people, if you can.
"A few months ago, no one had ever heard of them. Now it seems like they're everywhere. People who ask too much about them have a tendency to end up beaten pretty badly, from what I've seen."
Davrick, running low on information, seems to be growing increasingly fidgety.
"Dragoons, Dabloons, Dragging, Wagon….uhhh…Lotus…blossoms..possums…?"
"And while you're at it, please tell us more about these... Lotus people, if you can."A few months ago, no one had ever heard of them. Now it seems like they're everywhere. People who ask too much about them have a tendency to end up beaten pretty badly, from what I've seen."
Davrick, running low on information, seems to be growing increasingly fidgety.
"Dragoons, Dabloons, Dragging, Wagon….uhhh…Lotus…blossoms..possums…?"
"Thank you Davrick. You've been most helpful. I think we're going to let you live. However.... There is one more thing you can do for us."
"You say you and your brother are boat refitters. It so happens that we have a boat in need of repair and refit. Among other problems with it, someone fell on it last night. If you and your brother were to repair our boat as a sign of good faith, it would go a long way toward convincing us that you have given up your life of crime and returned to legitimate society. Perhaps we can even see about getting the muscle to ease off of you and your brother's business, though that remains to be seen."
It so happens that we have a boat in need of repair and refit. Among other problems with it, someone fell on it last night.
"You mean that Charon's scow you sailed in on? You're joking!"
Blanches slightly
"Hmmm, not joking. Right."
"Well, we are the best, and if you could get the Lotus off our backs, we'd be in business again. I can’t wait to tell my brother. Maybe some good will come out of this fiasco yet."
"Deal! She'll never be pretty, but we can make her one tough old broad. How do I contact you when we’re finished fixing her up?"
"Deal! She'll never be pretty, but we can make her one tough old broad. How do I contact you when we’re finished fixing her up?"
"Oh, you won't have to. We'll know."
And make sure you let us know how it would've cost to get the repairs done. I am curious.
And make sure you let us know how it would've cost to get the repairs done. I am curious.
And make sure you let us know how it would've cost to get the repairs done. I am curious.
"Tyndal, I know you formed some kind of attachment with that filthy monkey, but if you're going to keep that grizzly thing it gave you, can you take it to the taxidermist and have it stuffed? It's starting to smell."
Edit: Preferably spoken after we let Davrick go.
Aight, assuming the animals were dropped off first (plus temple stops), followed by the interrogation of Davrick; after Davrick gratefully heads home to see him brother, did you want to assume you went to the market and rested for the evening?
I can have Kora come by for you first thing, unless there are some other stops you'd like to make, beers to drink, whatever?
And make sure you let us know how it would've cost to get the repairs done. I am curious.
Eldin nods silently at Terin's question, understanding his intention. He gives the elf a subtle nod.
"You have set your feet on a better path here son," he tells Davrick as the man leaves. "Make this journey a true one."
130gp divided by....how many are we?
130gp divided by....how many are we?
130gp divided by....how many are we?
Someone with more ranks in diplomacy/bluff/etc. should do this.
“Hello again! Glad to see you divested yourselves of your “guest.” I squared things away with Lord Islaran, and he was so remorseful he set a crew onto cleaning and docking my mistress’ ship without delay. Paid them to work through the evening too, apparently. Poor Keltar, I don’t fault him really. He just hasn’t been the same since his two eldest disappeared.”
“Listen to me though! Going on like a magpie; I must be going daft, being the only loyal servant left to my mistress. Let’s be off then, she’s eager to get an early start so you fine folks can be paid what you are due.”
The all pervasive heat and clamminess of a typical Sassarine day has already begun to set in as you step outside to the waiting coach. The dueling scents of horse dung and lilacs linger in the air.
After your arrival at Vanderboren Manor, Kora escorts you inside and upstairs to the receiving room where Lavinia waits, then quickly departs to prepare tea for the gathering.
“Kora informed me yesterday of your triumph; congratulations on your success! I am so pleased to see you all back here relatively unscathed.”
“Shortly after Kora journeyed to gather you, a messenger arrived from the harbormaster. Apparently, while they were removing the remains of a dangerous beast from the hold, this fell from its gullet. It seems it had a portion of the original owner still attached to it at the time, but they were tactful enough not to bring it. It is not my father’s ring, but I thought it might be significant to one of you?”
“I hate to turn directly to business, but I am sure you are all eager to be compensated for your efforts. Were you able to locate my family’s signet ring?”
"Indeed, M'Lady. It was cleverly hidden in the captain's stateroom."
Anders present her with the ring.
“Oh thank goodness. Well done! Very well done indeed.”
“Does your group have any plans for the future once you have received your due from reclaiming my family’s ship? Before you answer yes or no, I would like to present you with a unique opportunity.”
“I have an adventuring group in the employ of our family, The Jade Ravens, whom I believe you have already met on your first visit to the manor. Unfortunately, the missions I require from them are very far ranging, and they can be gone months at a time. What I really require now is a group of private agents and bodyguards, people close by who can look out for my house’s interest.”
“If your group is interested, I will personally pay the fee for your charter with the city, and can give you 100 gold pieces per month as commission. More than simply a job, service to one of the Noble Houses of Sassarine may also open doors previously thought closed to you.”
She serves Lavinia first, then turns and efficiently serves the party.
With a coy wink, she slides a second cake onto Harven's plate.
Before exiting, she leaves a cleaned and pressed article of clothing beside Lavinia.
"Ah yes. I had almost forgotten. Kora is so efficient; I simply do not think I could get along here without her."
"Lord Islaran's men found this dress amongst Vark's personal effects. It was not my mothers, neither is it one of mine, though it is exquisite. It does not appear to fit in with any of his other belongings; do you know to whom it may belong?"
Terin casts detect magic and concentrates on the electrum ring while answering Lavinia, " I really have no idea, Milady, but I would speculate that the attire belongs to someone he takes more than a passing fancy to."
"M'lady, there's summat I happened to hear from one of the, erm, toughs in our mutual acquantance Mr. Vark's employ. He mentioned the Lotus Dragons. From what I've heard, they're some sort of guild. have you or yours heard of them?"
Seann's affectation is slightly different due to the conspicuous absence of alcohol in his bloodstream. (He'd not had time to drain the contents of the local tavern cellar.) More 'culture' I believe is the operative word.
She serves Lavinia first, then turns and efficiently serves the party.
With a coy wink, she slides a second cake onto Harven's plate.
Before exiting, she leaves a cleaned and pressed article of clothing beside Lavinia.
Harven looks at the second cake, looks at his not at all slight frame, and has no idea what is going on. But enjoys the second cake none the less. They are pretty good after all.
To Lavinia: "You can count me in as ready to offer my assistnace."
Terin casts detect magic and concentrates on the electrum ring while answering Lavinia, " I really have no idea, Milady, but I would speculate that the attire belongs to someone he takes more than a passing fancy to."
A faint glow begins to emanate from the ring in your hand.
DC 15 Spellcraft Check: