Aurangh's Savage Tide IC: There's no Honor

[ProudGrognard]

Tefkros


Tefkros listens to the others, absent-mindedly tagging his archer gloves in place.

"So be it. I sense the Lady is holding something close, and that she is stronger than she leads to us to believe. But I have a suggestion, then. When our business here is done, let's leave separately. I will go scout out the ship, and you perhaps learn a bit more from people in the harbor. Let's meet back at Eli's tavern two hours after dark, and exchange information and plans. What do you say?"

[DrK]

Once outside, the tropical night brings the smells of exotic flowers. Your words are not empty, the Vanderboren's taste is truly impressive.

Lavinia accepts the glass, but doesn't drink.

You were only a kid last I saw you Aron. And I don't want to insult you pretending that you would do this work for a petty coin when your family's wealth cannot be measured. But I also know your path and your family has not been the same. You'll forgive me, but I did my due diligence before calling you in.
You must also believe me, I understand what it is to try and become something else instead of just a noble born. If it weren't for the tragedy, I'd leave everything for Vanthus and remained at Greyhawk. My future there was bright.

If I called on you is because I trust the adventuring spirit spurs you more than simple gems.

Aron pauses looking at Lavinia and nods. "It is not the coin you are correct. My family is wealthy, but does nothing with it. They offer nothing to the masses of the city and do nothing with their power beynd sating their own desires. You are right Lavinina, its not something I want. I want to break free of that toxic cycle. I, and I hope Brannick, will help you. Not just because I trust you, but because its the right thing to do. He has more muscles than I do but I have some skills that we hope will be useful."

As he speaks he takes her hand offers a low bow kissing the back of her hand lightly. "We are at the Lady's command."

[Auranghzeb]

Lavinia does not seem impressed by your chivalrous attempts. But she nods gently and allows you to kiss her hand lightly.

Let's go inside then.

Once in the dinning room, she has some words for the others.

Words cannot express my appreciation. My father's ring must be somewhere in the captain quarters in the Blue Nixie. I need to see about a few other business if you may excuse me.

Korra, please, escort them outside when they have finished supper.



She leaves you and slips through a smaller door at the other end of the dinning room.

[BelGareth]

After seeing the lady come back in, he nodded to Tefkros "Seems like a plan to me." he exclaims, "Who wants to join me in the docks to see what people have been sayin?" standing up and checking himself for everything he bought, which was nothing except what was on his person, and perhaps a bag of gemstones.

Spoiler

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Brannick the Bold M LN Human Suel Savant (dragon shaman)
Level 3, Init 3, HP 23/23, Speed 20
AC 18, Touch 13, Flat-footed 15
Fort 4, Ref 4, Will 3
Abilities Str 16, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 11, Wis 10, Cha 15
Condition None

[Rilem]

Eli

Eli drains his wineglass and nods at Brannick’s suggestion. “I haven’t been down there in a time; be nice to see who’s still around. Tekfros, will see you at the Lodestone later.”

He makes a motion of glancing around as he leaves, but he doesn’t have the ranger’s talent for observation … or stealth, so he’s unsure if he’s doing it right.

Spoiler: OOC rolls

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(1d20+2)[13] spot
(1d20+2)[20] hide
(1d20+6)[10] gather info

[DrK]

Aron

A brief scowl flashes across his face at her lack of appreciation before he follows her in. Once she leaves he’ll enjoy the food and to Brannick. “Aye a night out at the docks sounds like a fine plan.”

[Auranghzeb]

You part ways after supper.


Tefrkos:

You make your way through the crates of a port that still is busy, and there are known faces of sailors that you know. But you are not a stranger here, so it is not conspicuous to see you around. Then, moored in the enclosed part of the port, you see three ships of adequate size to be the Blue Nixie. Two are moored close to the docks and there's no light in them, but a third one is moored some 300' into the water and from where you are, you can see the oil lamps burning in deck and inside the captain's quarters.

It is a difficult night to sneak as the moon shines high and clear in the tropical night, casting lowing pale light that doubles your elven vision, but also means that anyone looking at you will have an easier time.

To access that part of the docks trhour land, you must move through two guards. To make it through the water undetected would be easier, but the only approach possible is across the dock.


eli

You have a drink or two with some old sailors in the port while Tefkros does his thing. Carefully sliding some words here and there, you learn the Blue Nixie is on the secured dock. But you learn little else.

[ProudGrognard]

Tefkros


Realizing that noticing anything from that distance would be impossible, Tefkros decides that he will approach by sea. His goal is to learn how many guards are on board, if any, and to see if there are ways to board the ship unseen.

300ft is not that much for a trained swimmer. Leaving his bow and armor at home, he only takes his dagger and boarding axe with him. He plunges in the water, and as silently and easily as possible, he swims around the ship. He approaches from the direction of the shadow of the ship.

[BelGareth]

Nodding, he matches his lords stride as they leave the Manor, "Where are you thinking? it'll take several hours, and a few coins for drinks I'm sure." he says jingling the bag of gemstones they just acquired, he was slightly surprised only one of the new band asked for their share.

Spoiler

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Gather info - (1d20+2)[22]

Brannick the Bold M LN Human Suel Savant (dragon shaman)
Level 3, Init 3, HP 23/23, Speed 20
AC 18, Touch 13, Flat-footed 15
Fort 4, Ref 4, Will 3
Abilities Str 16, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 11, Wis 10, Cha 15
Condition None

[Auranghzeb]

Tefkros finds a hiding place for his weapons and then dives swiftly and silently into the waters sliding along the stone wall of the small fishing port and diving through to the safe pier, swimming underwater taking small pauses to peek over the surface, Tefkros covers the distance to the Blue Nixie undetected by both people onboard and the uninterested guards far on the port tower.

Finding a loose rope, is soon onboard the Blue Nixie's deck. Hiding then under an upside down raft, he scans the deck. Two sluggish thugs use a pulley to lower crates through an open hatch.


***

Back in the pier district, Brannick spends some gold mingling with sailors. He learns Vrack is preparing to sail tonight with a shipment of exotic creatures.

[BelGareth]

Brannick was rotating the dark liquor in his cup with one hand, watching the liquid swish back and forth around and around. "Sounds like the ole' Cap Vark has a belly full, I'm guessin' we may have some issues with some exotics if we're not careful." he says to his Lord "I'm not hearing much else, want to head down now or wait?"

Spoiler

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Brannick the Bold M LN Human Suel Savant (dragon shaman)
Level 3, Init 3, HP 23/23, Speed 20
AC 18, Touch 13, Flat-footed 15
Fort 4, Ref 4, Will 3
Abilities Str 16, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 11, Wis 10, Cha 15
Condition None
Special: Suel Arcana aura: Senses (+1 Listen, Spot & Initiative)

[ProudGrognard]

Tefkros

Tefkros remains hidden, trying to see and hear if anyone else is on board. Noises, voices, steps, silhouettes, anything he can hear. When he is sure he can hear nothing else, he will go back down the way he came.

[DrK]

Aron

Aron after slowly sipping a couple of (weak) beers and mingling nods to Brannick. "Best head down now before he heads off. Would be awkward to explain to the lady about the ship heading off." He'll nod to Brannik and then head down to the docks winding slowly towards the docks and the Nixie. As they apparoach he'll start to head towards the shadows, pausing there to surveil the ship briefly

Spoiler: Skills

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Hide (1d20+9)[12]
Spot (1d20+5)[14]

[Auranghzeb]

As Aron and Brannick try to be discrete and observe the ship from afar, the see there's some activity onboard indicated by lanterns and lights. But how to get there?

***

Tefkros opts to be still as a mouse. This is what he hears.

Spoiler: DIalogue

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Frag: Avast, Kiril! Pass me another swig of that rum, will ye? This crate's giving me the shivers.

Kiril: Aye, Frag! Here's to the sea and all its mysteries! passes the rum bottle to Frag

Frag: takes a hearty swig Ahh, that's the good stuff. Now, let's get this crate lowered before those beasts decide to stir!

Kiril: Right you are, mate! But watch your step, lest you want to be their next meal! grins and takes a sip of rum

Frag: Ha! I've faced worse than a few scurvy beasts! starts operating the crane to lower the crate

Kiril: Easy there, Frag! We don't want to be waking those creatures too soon.

Frag: Aye, Kiril, but we can't be keeping them topside forever. Vrak wants them safely stowed away in the hull by dawn.

[ProudGrognard]

Tefkros

Tefkros decides he has seen enough. Drunken sailors are his favorite kind of enemies, but this talk of sleeping beasts is interesting.

But hunters are not afraid of beasts. They can only respect them.

As silently as he came, he lowers himself back down to the sea and swims away from the ship, the same way he came.

[Rilem]

Eli

Eli returns to the Lodestone as the sun sets and stashes his pack behind the bar. It's a quiet night, fortunately; ducking out later wouldn't likely be a problem. He distracts himself cleaning an already-clean bartop as he waits for the others to arrive.

Spoiler: back home and yet one more idea

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Tefkros would have an idea of how sharp the sentries are on the Nixie, but we could probably bribe somebody to cause a ruckus on dockside, then row out and climb up on the other side of the boat

[Auranghzeb]

Tefkros makes it back through the calm moonlit waters with ease and soon is getting his gear back and moves to meet Eli at the Lodestone where he arrives shortly after Brannick and Aron do.

What do yo do?

[DrK]

Aron

Aron nods to the other pair as they approach "So were there many guards on her?" he glances down the dock, "If not we could just approach directly? What are a couple of dock side thugs going to do about it?"

[BelGareth]

Brannick nods, "Agreed, I say we just go direct, maybe have a few hiding and do the sleep thing on them if things go sour? Not sure what to do about the exotics, but maybe thats a bridge we jump when we get to it?"

Spoiler

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Brannick the Bold M LN Human Suel Savant (dragon shaman)
Level 3, Init 3, HP 23/23, Speed 20
AC 18, Touch 13, Flat-footed 15
Fort 4, Ref 4, Will 3
Abilities Str 16, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 11, Wis 10, Cha 15
Condition None
Special: Suel Arcana aura: Senses (+1 Listen, Spot & Initiative)

[Rilem]

Eli shrugs. "Maybe the dock guards will be reasonable," he says, with a grin to show he doesn't fully believe it. "I doubt they even really want to be there, and if we explain we're there to settle payment with Vark — and we are going to settle things — that's good for them."

Spoiler: ooc

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Game to try basic diplomacy, along those lines, maybe with backup sleep if I roll badly? I think Eli's got the best diplomacy modifier

[ProudGrognard]

Tefkros

Taking a seat, Tefkros takes a deep breath before partaking in the discussion.

"I have been aboard the ship. I saw only two guards, and those were already drinking. They mentioned beasts in the holds.

I believe we can take them. I can go and board again, perhaps with one of you, if you can be silent and you are a good swimmer. After the sailors are down, you can come aboard. There is no reason for guards to remember your face after the deed. The town is not so large that someone with our description will not find us. But if you are determined, I will board and wait for you."

[Rilem]

"But we're not doing anything wrong," Eli replies, and shrugs. "Not really wrong, at least. Vark and his cronies don't have any place on that ship, and the guards should know it."

He fishes behind the bar and fishes out an unopened bottle of Oldlaw whiskey — and dropping a handful of coins into the till in exchange. He holds it up and shakes it. "And if they don't, perhaps they'd like a drink." He shoots a look at Aron. "or a nap."

Spoiler: What happens next ?

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Apologies for delay; lunch never happened. Assuming we head to the pier, this is his plan for approaching the guards. (I'm agnostic on whether Tefkros swims out to approach from other side or not.


With Brannick at his side, he strolls leisurely toward the secure area of the dock, softly singing a verse from "Sin With a Scarlet Sister." The song tells the story of a pirate who woos and beds a comely Brotherhood assassin sent to kill his captain. (She winds up poisoning them both; totally worth it, the expiring pirate concludes.)

Raising the bottle in greeting, he salutes the guards, and points to the Blue Nixie. “We’re here to see Vark about the fines for this ship. I imagine he’s probably deep into a bottle of rum at this point. Seems like they’ve started the party without you, though maybe this will help you catch up.”

He shakes his head sadly. “It doesn’t seem right, does it? “Not this, not whatever Vark’s playing at. It’s no way to run a harbor. Can’t imagine Keltar approving, the old Keltar at least. Anyway, I think we can clear things up pretty quickly, if you could give us a minute.”

Spoiler: ooc

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paid 20 gp for whiskey

[Auranghzeb]

[spoiler=apologies]I don't want to derail the game more so I'll speed this a little bit, and Eli's dialogue merits some good interactions plus that 20 gp bottle of whisky also helps.[/roll]


The port guards firs look you warily, but they know you from the tavern and they surely love a good night cap!

Aye, Eli, what are you doing paying some lady's fees? Be it that you got yourself enamored by that fine specimen of a woman? Eh you big fool! Don't mind if you check on old Vrack.

Don't make a fuss about it though. I don't think that smug bastard is going to let you get onboard.


A few minutes later, the guards are escorting you through the port waters with the small boat used to help passengers disembark. They are jolly and merry as they pass the whisky bottle and take good long drinks.

But as you approach the ship, you notice that there's only one light on, a lamp swinging slowly above the main deck and none answer when you call on the ship.

[BelGareth]

Brannick was purely muscle a this point, well that and a handsome winsome smile. He played the part, usually he would maybe be needed for some back and forth banter, or to wear down the targets, but his new companion was well within their realm, and he merely was along for the ride.

He kept a wary out however, that was his job anyway, and it was hard to turn off, even if his ward wasn't present.

Which just felt odd

"Heyup, seems like something changed...want me to swim around and take a look?" he asks with a sly grin, as if it sounded fun to him,

Spoiler

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Brannick the Bold M LN Human Suel Savant (dragon shaman)
Level 3, Init 3, HP 23/23, Speed 20
AC 18, Touch 13, Flat-footed 15
Fort 4, Ref 4, Will 3
Abilities Str 16, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 11, Wis 10, Cha 15
Condition None
Special: Suel Arcana aura: Senses (+1 Listen, Spot & Initiative)

[Rilem]

Eli stares up at the darkened ship, looking for a ladder or similar way up to the deck. "Maybe you'll have to; if he's going to be a jerk about this."

Spoiler: ooc

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Oops, my apologies; I'd assumed the ship was actually docked, rather than simply moored. Didn't realize we'd need the guards to row us out there. Oh well …

[ProudGrognard]

Tefkros

Tefkros has remained silent during the recent interchange. His new companions were doing splendidly. But now, as they near the ship and get no answer, he frowns.

"I will go up. Follow me as you see best"

Nimbly, he goes up the boat, ready to send a rope down.

Spoiler: OOC

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Climb check, I guess
(1d20+5)[9]

[Auranghzeb]

Tefkros climbs with some difficulties using a rope that hung from the side of the ship. Once on board, he notices the deck is empty and the hatch where the drunk sailors were working in open wide.

Spoiler: Rolls

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Thanks for jumping on the ship! Roll spot and Listen please.

[BelGareth]

Brannick frowns, he looks at the ship and watches as his new companion shimmies his way up. "Well ok then." he says out loud.

Without further hesitation, he grabs a hold of what he can, and goes after his colleague.

Spoiler

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Using lucky dice for +1 luck to skill checks
Climb - (1d20+3)[18]

Brannick the Bold M LN Human Suel Savant (dragon shaman)
Level 3, Init 3, HP 23/23, Speed 20
AC 18, Touch 13, Flat-footed 15
Fort 4, Ref 4, Will 3
Abilities Str 16, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 11, Wis 10, Cha 15
Condition None
Special: Suel Arcana aura: Senses (+1 Listen, Spot & Initiative)

[Rilem]

Eli seizes the rope and gives a friendly wave to the guards."Don't drink that too fast, it's the good stuff," he says.

Spoiler: ooc

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(1d20+5)[8] Climb
(1d20+2)[17] spot (if needed)
(1d20+6)[11] listen (if needed)

[Auranghzeb]

Brannick gets on board with ease and helps Eli hop on.

You don't notice anything amiss on the deck on the side where you are, the latch is open. From where you are standing, you have a clear view of a quarter of the deck, the rest is in shadows and concealed by crates, ropes and material. The door of the captain's quarter is ajar.

There's an eerie silence.