3.5 Political Adventure [IC]

[sdream]

"Sounds like we should move fast if we want to get to it first, or equally good, get to the folks who got to it first."

"Do you have your scribe kit on you? I need to borrow some strips of vellum and some nice waterproof ink."

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Fade gives this strange request the curious look it deserves, but nonetheless draws a writing desk out of his pack and pulls various supplies from its depths, before handing them over to Seal.

[Starbin]

Caladeran looked at Fade, wondering if he meant that two thieves had left, or if the ship's name was Two Thieves. Either way, it seemed there was legitimacy to Thevya's claims ... and perhaps she was moving forward.

Watching as Sel gathered writing implements, he looked back to Fade. "Did you find out how many minions of Thevya were aboard the ship? And when does the next vessel leave?"

[al'Lan Mandrag]

"Just the two, as far as I can tell, but both of them are excellent at their jobs. They are specialised in breaking in to any place, and retrieving any object, I only wonder why they are being sent to this island? Perhaps the object is heavily guarded?"

"I took the liberty of insuring you have passage on the next ship leaving: it goes in four hours, but you may have to do a few jobs just to keep up your cover whilst you're travelling."

[Starbin]

Glancing at Selena, the elf grunted. "Then we'd best hurry. Can you give us descriptions of the two men?"

[al'Lan Mandrag]

"One of them is a dark skinned vagrant from the far south, and calls himself the Prince of Knives. I believe his true name is Namir Kond, but few would name him that to his face."

"The other appears to be a large woman with greying hair, who professes to be a cook, but I am reliably informed that that is neither her natural face nor her preferred occupation."

[redzimmer]

"Charlatans are they?" Ivor smiles.

"Fear not, small, bookish person. I, Prince Ivor Kahl-Khan shall bring these fiends to justice!"

[sdream]

While they talked, Sel had been busily penning a few copies of the warning Jared had passed on to them, ready to be delivered however the rest of the party deemed best in the short time they had.

"I'd like to stop by a stone shop on our way to the ship. And then there is the matter of these little messages."

[Starbin]

Caladeran glanced around at the motley group assembled. He looked back to Fade, asking in a low voice, "Do you have any contacts worth a crap that can deliver these warnings to the palace? If we must leave four hours AND shop, you'd best find a messenger who can be trusted."

As always, the intent was crystal clear, if the elf's delivery lacked subtely or social grace. Nodding to Selena, he gestured for her to lead the way. "I will join you. You others can follow Aquarius." He figured the mysterious wizard would have some elaborate plans and plots he wished to set in motion before they departed.

[redzimmer]

I fear my welcome in this town is wearing thin anyway, Ivor mused.

"I shall reconnoiter at the docks for these brigands you seek! Pray, scholar, what do they look like?"

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Ivor is ready for the plot jump when and if it happens.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

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PLOT JUMP

Sel departs with Caladeran as support, and contacts a few of her regular dealers who trade in magical items. She finds a few useful psionic rocks, and some gold changes hands, Cal all the while looming behind her, silent as her shadow.

Ivor, Jaret and Aquarius make their way to the docks, the sly prince ranging ahead to make sure things are safe, whilst Aquarius keeps an eye on their new acquisition.

Fade agrees to deliver the notes personally, telling Sel that he has a few tricks yet to try out.

You all reconvene on the docks two hours later, and Fade confirms that the deliveries went without a hitch. He has been able to find out no more about the two thieves that Thevya sent, but has reported that there are already a number of rumours circulating about Aquarius, Seal and Cal, none of them complimentary, and he suggests that Thevya is trying to turn the Guild feelings against them: "Best to get gone for awhile, wait for this to blow over: you don't want some young tough trying to knock you out for reward money."

[Sgt. Cookie]

((OOC: This takes place before Aquarius leaves the temple))

Upon hearing the news, Aquarius takes some paper and ink and writes two identical notes that read: "Here are the details of the contract:

Target: Archa Leane
Reward: Twice your weight in gold
Timeframe: The next few weeks.

The six of you had better do your jobs, otherwise life will get very cluttered for our orginisation." He then seals the letters, cuts them open and then passes a candle flame over the broken seal, to crudely reseal it.

After writing both letters, he goes to Maria. "Miss Shiel, I need you to do something. Take these letters to two of your men, tell them not to open them, but tell them that they are instructions. Tell the first man to wait a day or two before entering the Archa's palace, tell the other to wait a week. Have them put the letters in their belongings, as though they had forgotten about them."

"While there, they are to "have a look around", as it were, get themselves arrested. They might get thrown in jail, but little should happen to them. Understood?"

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Maria nods. "Yes, sorcerer, that is clear. Do you intend to incriminate Thevya? I will do as you ask, I know just the right men."

[Sgt. Cookie]

"No, the goal right now is to keep the Archa alive. Thevya can wait."

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Maria nods: "I won't do any more then."

[sdream]

"While we are away, rumors of Theyva's continued shenanigans should also circulate, given how many know of them by now. Lets focus on coming back with a potent bargaining chip."

Sel studies Fade's notes carefully, in case the information there is needed on short notice.

[Starbin]

Caladeran glanced between Selena and Phaedrus, then spoke quietly. "Watch your back, librarian. Perhaps some time of 'monastic comtemplation' might be in order while we are gone.

And while you stay low, perhaps you can counter a rumor or two, least we return to an even unfriendlier town."

With that, he was ready to board, if not exactly happy with the slection of traveling companions ...

[redzimmer]

With a trail of happy (if slightly less wealthy) wives and daughters and dowager aunts, and one adventurous third-cousin of an Empress, and a Lord Chamberlain who just wouldn't take 'no' for an answer, etc. behind him, Ivor was not at all reluctant to skip town for a while.

Husbands and fathers and brothers are always so vengeful, he mused.

Ivor only hoped he would not get as seasick this time out. None of his new companions looked like a cleric.

"Adventure, my new friends!" he said, jauntily bounding up the gangplank.

"If we cannot find it, by Olidammara I shall make some!"

He also resolved to actually find what exactly this group was doing. Eventually.

[al'Lan Mandrag]

The group strides aboard and is introduced to their captain, who looks rather too nervous and skittish, but Fade assures you that the man is a friend, and he is always nervous just before they sail, in case any officials come snooping. The boat itself seems sturdy enough if not fanciful, but there is a separate room set aside for you in the hull where you can stow all your belongings.
The two hours till the ship sails slide by quickly enough with the group reluctantly socialising and learning more about each other.
The crew hauls anchor soon afterwards and you depart towards the islands.

The night passes with little to interest you, just some creaking noises as sailors walk past your door, and in the morning you wake well rested. The confined conditions of the room force most of you out on deck, where the sun glints brightly, and the sea is bathed in the golden light, but it seems to move oddly as though something or things are beneath the water.

[Sgt. Cookie]

After prepareing his spells for the day, Aquarius looks in the water. "Hm. I don't think the water aught to move like that... Is something there? Hmm, I have an idea."

Aquarius casts Caltrops (Spell Comp, 0 level spell) over the water, as they fall in Aquarius muses "Perhaps that wasn't the best idea, if something is down there, I probably just pissed it off...



Prepared spells:

Wizard:

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1st level:
Orb of Sound, Lesser
Orb of Sound, Lesser
Obscuring Mist

2nd level:
Glitterdust

Cleric:

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1st level:
Summon Monster 1
Magic Weapon
Magic Weapon

2nd level:
Dark Way

[sdream]

Selena had reluctantly come out on deck, but refused to go anywhere near the rail.

"I hate the water. Can't find your footing, can't catch your breath, can't see what's right under you. Brrr...."

"Don't fall overboard, I'm not going in after you."

[redzimmer]

Ivor thinks he sees movement in the dappled lights of the sea.

He peers closer in the hopes of making out what it might be.

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spot (1d20)[10]
I presume it is a new day spellcaster-wise?

[al'Lan Mandrag]

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Yep new spells/slots

Ivor sees a number of separate ripples as though of medium sized creatures swimming just beneath the surface.
Aquarius looks back to where his caltrops sank into the water and sees the water frothing of its own accord.

[Starbin]

Caladeran glanced over the side of the vessel, wondering what might be moving alongside the ship. Perhaps a school of fish, or dolphins he had read about. Hopefully there would be something more worthwhile to do beside watch for wildlife ...

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Spot: (1d20+3)[15]

[al'Lan Mandrag]

Cal sees right below him a sinuous form with the scales of a fish, but as the light hits the water he sees a man's torso, heavily muscled and armed with baroque weapons.
Merfolk!

[Starbin]

"Mermen.". Glancing at any nearby sailors, he nodded to the water. "Is this a common sight?"

He thought back to what he had read of these creatures, trying to remember if their presence was cautionary or in preparation for something else.

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KS (Nature or local): (1d20+8)[9]

EDIT: I guess I should have expected that ...

[al'Lan Mandrag]

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Cal cannot remember any useful knowledge about the habits of merfolk...

[sdream]

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Selena grew up locally: (1d20+5)[8]

As she never liked the water, Selena learned nothing of mermen but wild and contradictory tales told by those who had probably never seen them. She hoped they were not offended by whatever Aquarius had dropped on them.

[redzimmer]

Ivor the Sly is absolutely enchanted by the aquatic folk. It was times like this that did do regret his choice to join the peoples of the city.

"Do they appear to have any females?" he asks, his curiosity piqued.

[Sgt. Cookie]

"Always the same. Ivor, I just dropped enough caltrops stop stop a small army, I doubt they would be interested in any hanky panky goings on."