"Well we could start by asking the local fishermen they may have seen a rowboat beached up or down the coast. We could also ask around outside of town a lone traveler walking towards the village would have stood out in some folks eyes even asking around to see if anyone new is in town wouldn't hurt."Dren will glance over at the boss and continue, "The big question is do we sneak off now or wait till the bar closes."
"This hour of night, seems everyone we could ask is here. Tomorrow should do, when people are about more..and we should break this little party up before this association becomes the topic of conversation. Perhaps meet at the Lion in the morning."
Slim nods his head in agreement, "Alright then, you meet us for breakfast in the Lion, and we'll be off for the night."
Unless anyone has any further questions, Slim gives a nod to his group and everyone stands up, stretches their arms and legs, and makes for the exit. Within a minute all trace of the sailors is gone, and the bar is back to its old usual self.
If you have anything more to do before the bar closes and I assume everyone goes to sleep, now is the time to talk about it.
Satisfied, by the captain's explanation, Vorian nodded in agreement with others, obviously up to the task. Talison's proposal was sound - they would all meet in the morning.
"'Tis a shame, I was hoping for more song and drink!" he lamented aloud, turning to the others, "I had better take my leave for the night, having sang just one song and with just one drink in my belly. It's been a while since my last venture out of town - I'd best get my things together and catch a wink before the witching hour comes."
With a bow, he would leave the tavern as discreetly as possible making his way towards his mother's inn. He knew his mother would throw a fit once she found out that her only son was going off on another one of his "adventures," so with a swallow, he would retire into his home.
9:00 AM
The bright morning sun shines down generously on the small town, citizens walk the streets performing various tasks and running daily errands to begin their day. The Hungry Lion opens with the rising sun, as is their policy, and each of you know that in order to make the breakfast rush one should show up shortly thereafter. Slim and his crew awaken before dawn, and are seated at a table in the tavern waiting for you when you arrive.
Slim greets you each individually as you arrive at the main room of the lodge-like Hungry Lion. Whether you came from the streets through the front door, or from the guest rooms upstairs via the large winding staircase that deposits near the glowing fireplace, he notices and calls out to you in welcome. An agitation, something you didn't detect the night before, is in his voice and character: some developments have been made, and they seem to have complicated things.
"I'm glad you got here on time, I've got news and it's not necessarily good. There's not a lot of time to explain it, but I think our friend Gerald Gnoxhelm is working for someone. Someone I know. His name is Mace Foru, and he's Captain of another privateer vessel we've worked with, and against, in the past."
"A friend told me that a nosy contact of Captain Foru arrived in town two days ago; some guy named Luchran Jagsin, bookwork type. He has a room here in the Hungry Lion, but didn't come home last night. A few dockworkers told us that they'd seen him leave the town before dawn every morning since he's been here, and come home every evening as the sun set. But last night, he never came out of the forest. That sounds like he found whatever he was looking for out there, and its my bet that the thing he was looking for is Gerald with the bag he stole. If Luchran and Gerald have already met up, their next move is to get out of this town as fast as possible, so we have no time to waste!
"I know you didn't sign on for this last night, but I can pay you extra. Ten platinum coins for each of you, up front." He holds up a leather bag with the money, and jingles the coins. "Your normal jobs can wait for a day, and it'll be well worth your while. We'd do it ourselves, but we've got to get out of here and back to the Venture to alert the rest of the crew. We'll bring the ship around back here into the bay, and then I'll come ashore in case you need any help with getting back the book.
"In the meantime, you need to find Gerald and Luchran, and retrieve that book from their possession--the bag, its contents, and anything else you find is yours to keep. They'll return to town eventually. Remember: if it gets down to a fight, I won't hold it against you if you back down, but I do reward loyalty. They'll be shopping for passenger reservations on some of the long-voyage vessels in the shipyards today, I guarantee it. Slim finishes his request, and looks to the group for a reaction. If everyone is willing and cooperative, he and his crew make haste to the docks where their rowboat awaits.
"I do know something about the art of tracking hopefully i can find their trail at the edge of town. So i'll go have a look around while the others here make their minds up which way out of town did the locals tell you he went?"
Assuming he was given the information Dren will gather his gear and head to the edge of town to look around the area in question looking for tracks that lead off into the forest, tracks that return from the forest and any other signs of passage in the last couple of days.
"I can explore the dock. Find what ships are taking passengers, which are likely to sail. A shared bottle of rum will make it possible to linger down there and keep an initial watch."
In a lower voice. "Vorian, you think you could get a key to this bloke's room upstairs. Might be worth taking a peak."
@Drendek
Slim nods his head and answers you, "The sailors told me he was spotted entering and leaving from the north end of town, not far from the coast. We figure that's because Gerald was coming in on a rowboat as we passed by. Luchran must have known our schedule, and had previous contact with our thief."
Following Slim's advice, you make your way to the north end of town. As you pass by the town's center, you see that the business day is already in full swing: local farmers sell their produce, fishermen sell their catch from the previous afternoon, and craftsmen are shouting out advertisements for their wares and services. Once you reach the edge of the town, you begin rooting around in the bushes, looking for signs of your quarry.
It doesn't take long before you spot what at first appeared to be a game trail, but you quickly realize it has in fact been traversed by primarily humanoids: booted humanoids. It heads due north, and you spot several different days' worth of trips going both directions. The most recent footprints lead back to town maybe a few hours ago, probably before sunrise, but there is only one pair.
@Talison
Knowledge Local: You know that the majority of the local shipping lines head directly to Almas, the capital of Andoren. If one wanted to go somewhere else, it would require hiring a freelance crew or hopping on one of the less-domestic voyages, most of which go across the Inner Sea and aren't nearly as regular.
You make your way to the docks, where the workers are busy with the early duties of their day. Several different fishing vessels are preparing to cast off, and there is some repair work being done on one end of the dock for a skiff whose mast has started to splinter. The docks are a busy place, but most of the people around you are bustling into town to run an errand, or bustling back toward their ship after running such an errand.
Talison will be asking captains or crew "Are you taking on passengers? When and where do you sail and how much for passage?"
Basically compiling a list of likely boats our quarry might make a break for.
If a ship seems promising, "Would I be the only passenger? Time would pass faster if I had someone to card with, share a drink, or even some company, if she's willing." This question to possibly see if arrangements had been already made.
Talson will thank them for the information and get back to them once he settles his affairs in town.
"Aye, good idea. Perhaps this scoundrel left something behind, something that could tell a tale..." Vorian replied to Talison, as quiet as possible.
As Drendek and Talison took off, assuming that he was in the vicinity, Vorian would approach the owner of the Hungry Lion, one Florence Dino, whom with he was quite familiar. After all, he had shared his songs in the Lion for years.
"Hello Florence - nice day for business, is it not?" After exchanging any pleasantries and small talk with him, Vorian would break out the question, as subtly as possible. "Pardon me, that reminds me, I have a business matter I would like to discuss with you. I am looking for a man named Luchran Jagsin; he apparently had a room here, but went missing recently. Would you be so kind as to offer me a key to his room? I suspect I could find some indication of his whereabouts in there."
@Talison
You find three different shipping vessels on regular schedules that will take passengers for Almas, but none of them have any passengers already booked. It isn't until one young deckhand you speak to mentions hearing something about a skiff that has been moored at the docks for a few days due to passenger complications that you find a potential lead.
The young lass rubs her dirt-smeared cheek and says, "Aye, 'ah am pretty sure that those chaps over there," she points down to the far end of the dock where you see a smaller sailing boat docked, with a few sailors sitting around in a circle on the deck, "said they were stuck in the harbor 'til some city-slicker's ready to leave. Y'might find room on their boat, mister!"
At first glance, the boat she is talking about doesn't seem to be much. It is literally dwarfed by some of the larger boats in the harbor, though probably is still sea-worthy. The men on board seem very disinterested in all that is happening on the docks around them, and instead are very focused on the card game in which they are all participating.
@Vorian
Florence's friendly chatter skips a beat momentarily when you pop the question, he gives you a quizzical look. "Y'mean Mr. Jagsin didn't come back last night?," Realization of what this could mean slowly dawns to him, and his facial expression changes from confusion to concern over the course of a few seconds, "Well, by the gods, we should warn Mr. Framesworth or something! The constable should be able to help us find him. I'll give you the key, but perhaps we should get the authorities involved in this matter."
Kassara accompanies Drendek to the edge of town, sitting herself on a nearby boulder and weaving a necklace out of small flowers as he searches the ground for tracks. Aitos (her falcon) circles majestically high above hunting for fresh meat.
"What have you found Drendek? Something interesting I hope?
"Oh, how exciting! Should we follow the ones going back to town or see where they've come from? I think the beacj might be that way. Maybe we'll find another clue?"
Since they get down to business quickly, Pai remains standing so she doesn't have to keep looking up at everyone seated at the table. As plans are made, she nods excitedly at Talison. "I will accompany you, sir, as I am friendly with some of the folk who repair sails and rigging."
After several dead ends, she heads back to where Talison was talking with a deckhand. Seeing the girl pointing to the small ship, Pai breaks into a little jog, her robe clinking and jangling lightly as she catches up with the cleric. She regards the ship, and when they are out of earshot, asks "That thing? Seems smaller than any vessel that would be heading far out to sea. Shall we do this together or do you want to handle it?"
Dren will smile at Kassara and say "For now its best we limit our movement to around the town and see if we can find someone who saw whoever made the trail back perhaps you could have a word with some of the folks here as they are far more likely to talk to you than me Kass."
Dren will try and follow the trail into town but i'm assuming the tracks will vanish as we get to the more heavily traveled parts
Vorian almost frowned a little, not liking where his request for aid had led. Florence was so kind as to offer him the key, but the mention of the authorities... not so good. He was sure that if Captain Slim wanted the authorities' help, he would have asked them for it in the first place. No, he had to convince the man that he was overreacting, lest he draw too much attention to Vorian and his group.
"Now let's not get too hasty," Vorian said, maintaining his composure, "Unless we know the circumstances of his disappearance, we really don't have anything to tell the authorities. Besides, there's no need to draw negative attention to the Lion. I implore you allow me to handle the situation."
@Drendek and Kassara
Indeed, the tracks become impossible to read after a dozen or so steps into the village, though they were heading in the direction of the beach.
@Vorian
The concerned innkeeper looks doubtful, but he nods his head and says, "Well, if you insist. But please keep me updated about what you find up there! If there's any sign of trouble, we need to go immediately to Mr. Framesworth."
"Hiya Pai. Yeah that might be our quarry's refuge. Tell you what, keep an eye on them for the moment. I am going to go get a fly to put in Jagsin's ointment."
Knowing the Lion is open at this hour, Talison returns and purchases two large jugs of rum. He will also see if Florence can provide him a small seal-able box. He will update Vorian if he sees them, then return to the dock.
He approaches the small boat carrying a small box under his arm and two jugs of rum. "Gentlemen! Any sign of our Mr. Jagsin this morning. He asked me to meet him here..said he would be waiting."
"Well in any event, I got what he wanted." Talsion wiggles the box under his arm. "And I got something to make the trip go easier..and well to thank you gentlemen for waiting." And he gives the jugs a shake.
"Tell you what, get this box aboard and we can drink to a successful venture here in town for us, and a successful venture for you and your ship."
Pai nods at Talison's plan. "Okey dokey. I'll do my best to be unobtrusive." She then promptly looks about for some task to appear naturally to be engaged in, which probably appears anything but unobtrusive. Ultimately, she will take a seat somewhere and begin sewing, humming contentedly while glancing up at the small ship every few seconds.
"Thank you, I'll get back to you if I find something overtly suspicious," Vorian said, accepting Luchran's room key. The bard felt a little bad about reassuring Florence as he had, but he felt that getting the authorities involved would merely raise the alarm for the criminals, causing them to flee beyond their reach. Not exactly sure of what to expect, he would make his way towards Luchran's room, and would open the door. Hopefully there was something to be found.
@Talison
One of the brutish sailors looks up at you from their card game, and sizes you up quickly. His eyes narrow, and he says, "Where is Mr. Jagsin? He said he'd be bringin' his friend along when he arrived, an' we haven't seen him in almost two whole days. We was startin' to think he'd backed out on his deal, and made for Almas on one o'the other boats 'round here." He stands up and walks over to you, and you can see a longsword and a dagger sheathed in his belt. "Tell you what, drop off the booze and the box, and we'll handle them. You go find Mr. Jagsin, and don't come back without him, or the deal is goddamn off." The sailors behind him nod their approval, obviously a little annoyed at having to wait so long for their passengers.
@Pai
You observe the happenings between Talison and who appears to be that captain of the ship in question. The docks around you are relatively calm, and the sound of the crew's card game is audible over the quiet bustle.
@Vorian
The room is impeccably clean, with only one brown pack visible that marks the room as occupied. After a thorough search of the bag, which is sitting at the foot of the still-made bed, you find only a few changes of clothes and a pair of boots, sized for an adult humanoid. Only the initials L.J. are inscribed on the outside of the pack.
Inside the desk, however, you find a large envelope, with several key pieces of paper inside. The first that catches your eye is a signed and stamped agreement between Jagsin and a ship's captain. The minor details of their deal are convoluted and complicated, but a quick scan informs you that the captain and his crew are to wait until Jagsin and his unnamed partner are ready to leave. The payment, a large sum of 200 platinum crowns, is to be paid upon the arrival at their final destination: the nefarious ports of Katapesh. Jagsin's sponsor, and the one paying for the trip, is listed as Captain Foru (who will, assumedly, be waiting in Katapesh).
Another letter, found underneath the signed contract, is written to Jagsin by Captain Foru, detailing the plan. It summarizes Gnoxhelm's theft and Jagsin's role in finding him, and then transporting them both safely to Katapesh. The letter also explains that upon arrival, the crew they hired will be ambushed and either killed or scared away, so as to avoid paying the hefty sum originally offered.
Taking Kassara's suggestion Dren will head towards the beach if he runs into anybody he knows who is usually about it the early mornings (probably some of the old fishermen who now are retired)he will ask them "Hey! you old timers seen anyone odd 'round here this mornin?"
When arriving at the beach he will look around for any futher signs of unusual activity.
Talison will leave his cargo gladly, tip his hat and head off. As he passes Pai he tips his hat and greets her, "Hello there Lass."
As he makes a show of looking at the work she is doing, more quietly he says, "I will await the others at the Lion. I will send you a messenger to help keep watch and you can send 'im back if you need us. I need to lie low from these blokes."
Back at the Lion, Talison will see if he can wrangle one of Florence's kids (if she has little helpers about), that if they take some food and drink down to Pai at the dock and keep her company, she will send them back with a message and these silver coins can be theirs.
Pai nods at Talison's plan, and giggles, "Naughty boy, what did you do?" After he leaves the docks, she continues to observe the sailors while sewing. Every once in a while, she will get up, stretch, find a random object lying nearby (such as a shell or nail) and incorporate it into her work.
@Drendek
You slip into the loose crowd and make your way toward the docks, searching for a friendly face. You manage to grab one or two bar regulars as they pass by, and they try to help, but they really don't seem to have noticed anything or anyone out of the ordinary. You do, however, spot your friends Talison and Pai standing on the docks, talking rather closely.
@Talison and Pai
As Talison is preparing to leave Pai at the docks, you notice the hulkish frame of your partner Drendek advancing through the crowd.
Talison winks to Pai, "oh, just some rum to help them pass the time. I would like our prey to find a boat of drunken sailors when he is ready to set sail."
"Oh look, here's Drenick and Kassara.....the small boat over there is not much to look at, but it has been hired to wait here for Mr. Jagsin and his friend. ..I supplied them with some rum to pass the time. What have you found?"
"Now what do we have here..." Vorian mumbled with a grin, as he looked through the letters that were in Jagsin's bag. They were particularly incriminating, and said a lot about where Luchran needed to go - but not where he was at the moment. The bard would stow the letters back into the envelope, before tucking it into his jacket. He was sure the others would want to take a look at them.
The half-elf would then make back to the serving area, and wait for his companions. If Florence happened to ask him about Jagsin's room, he would return the key, and inform him that he had left his bag behind.
"Drendek managed to find some tracks. Isn't it exciting! They seemed to come into town but we couldn't follow them far, they seemed to come this way." Kassara pauses, "Where is the boat going, is there any sign of Jagsin?"
As you might have guessed, my life has complicated itself so that updating this on a regular basis at all is not a very realistic goal anymore. So I'll be cancelling the game. I'm very sorry to disappoint any of you, but I'd like to thank you for the experience you've given me. I learned a lot not only about PbP's but about DMing and storytelling in general, even though we never really got off the ground. See you around! (though maybe not for a while, I'm finding it hard to stay active even as a PC in my other two PbP's)