Bath Savage Tide IC

[ShineyDuck]

Ophelia nods at the plan. "When and where shall we meet up after our little searching? Are we thinking evening or afternoon?"

To Teach
Shall we go to the noble district via the armourers in champion? You might as well get the breastplate ordered sooner than later. And that way we will arrive in nobles district in time for a spot of lunch somewhere nice.

And she smiles at her own plan.

[Tombs]

That sounds like a fine plan. Let me change into something more suitable for a day in the Noble District then we can go have some lunch, via a quick side trip to be measured. Do you have any particular desires for lunch?

When we're done, how about we meet back in the Mermaid from last night for a decent stew to see us through the evening. We can swap stories and decide what to do next.

[Luke GG]

Darth will take the path less travelled. Asking the questions in the darker areas of the city.

"Have you seen this man around here."
"Has any one been approach to do any business for this man and who"
[roll1]

[DrK]

Ophelia/Teach

The well dressed pair head towards the noble district. A brief foray into the Champion's district the smithy not taking long. A gruff bearded smith soon taking Teach's measurements. "A breastplate you say. Come back in 2 days Master Teach. She'll be ready fer ye then."

Shortly after Champions the pair stroll into the Noble district where their clean clothes draw little attention and they are free to roam and ask whatever questions they want,

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Please make any relevant skill checks

The Others...

Solomon, Darth and Dirkwood trot off towards the less salubrious Azure district. The dock front bars proving fairly fruitless in their search. A morning visit to the Bloody Pelican giving them a taste of ale and bread as the serving wenches clean the vomit and blood from the previous night off the floor.

Solomon asks' around - a picture of Vanthus in hand but for not much luck

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(1d20+5)[8]

Darth has more success as he skulks in the shadows of the district speaking to fences and thieves. One of them looking at the picture and taking a couple of silvers... "Aye. I see'd that one. E' was with Penkus - a right drunk and thief. Got 'imselves a boat, rope and lamp oil and off they went."

[Mark_L]

Dirkwood will attempt to shake down some info

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Intimidate roll (1d20+6)[17]

[Luke GG]

Darth will relay the info to the others.

"we should go down to the dock area to find out more."

"and where is Dirkwood now! Is he getting his end away again? I thought you would keep an eye this sort of thing?"

"Now we have to wait." "I hate waiting (whispered)"

[ShineyDuck]

Ophelia, dressed well, but staying mostly covered in her expensive cloak to avoid unwanted attention unless they are inside where she will confidently walk around less covered, will stroll around the nobel district with James, being an amicable companion and assisting with anyone they meet that James seeks information from with polite but delving questioning. If James needs to press anyone further (intimidate) she will eye them silently with a powerful stare from under her hood, until they break and yield up what he wishes to know from them.

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Diplomacy check, assisting teach

(1d20+2)[9]

If Intimidate is required on anyone: Intimidate check, assisting

(1d20+2)[10]

Plus evil eye used with -2 to saves or skill checks depending on circumstance.

Sense motive to see if anyone is being especially resiliant to our questions and has more information to give (more from intimidate than diplomacy).

Sense motive check

(1d20+5)[8]

[Tombs]

Teach will escort Ophelia around Noble District, chatting pleasantly about the state of the area, pointing out things that have changed in the last few years and generally treating her like a true noble lady and being charming. He'll head for the Pearl and the Parrot for some lunch and a couple of drinks where he'll drop some gentle questions about House Vandeborn in general, following up with "wasn't there a brother?" type questions if he gets anywhere.

After exhausting the inn, James will take Ophelia to the Musician’s Guildhall to see if there are any minor performances happening and ask similar questions, particularly wondering if anyone has heard of the brother in a while. Next, it's on to the Crystal’s Whisper because he thinks Ophelia will enjoy the curios on sale there before returning to the Pearl and the Parrot for another drink and a few more questions, maybe focusing on any business deals House Vandeborn has been involved with this time around.

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James will stick with Diplomacy for the moment, unless an individual circumstance compels him to change his approach (or unless there is any sass from locals about Ophelia's wings).

I'm assuming one check:
(1d20+6)[26]
+1 if the individual is female or otherwise finds him attractive.

Edit: ooh! a crit!

[DrK]

Nobles District

In the Nobles district the curio shop proves to be most curious indeed... As Ophelia and Teach peruse the strange objects, gold heavy in their pouches Teach strikes up casual conversation with the owner - a tall half elf with a smug and self-confident attitude. A few questions about Vanthus and the Vanderboren gets a cautious answer. "I knew the parents well. They were good people and an adventurous pair. Many's a time we shared wine as they bought for their voyages and the sold from their private collections. Their girl was sweet. She would come sometimes. The brother... he scowls somewhat "I have seen him once or twice recently. searching objects of shall we say a darker nature. And some colleagues I know have suggested that he may be involved in shall we say the seedier side of Sasserine. One of the criminal gangs - though I'm not sure which one." As he continues to talk he continues to talk about some of his wares, the entire shop full of strange arts and crafts from bizzare non-humans mixed in with small magical trinkets. "The last I heard of him he was seeking a place to keep things safe. Possibly head down to the docks, I know he was getting a boat from somewhere. Maybe Parrot Island or the corners of Ancestor Island. If not it'll be somewhere out of the City.

Spoiler

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As an aside in the Crystal's Whisper
- gems, artwork, minor magical trinkets
- You can get 10% discount and sell for 10% more
- CRITICAL SKILL

[ShineyDuck]

Ophelia will give the shop a good look over with both her eyes and her arcane sight with detect magic as she examines the various objects. If anything particularly pretty catches her eye she might consider a purchase since she has has some change left over after the wand purchase. A nice fire opal or garnet piece of jewelry would probably get her attention more than most.

She will have insisted on getting lunch since James is being such a gentleman about everything else. She looks very comfortable having him there and seems to be having a lovely day, and will have commented as much as they chatted. Inquiring further to James and his such detailed knowledge of the local city:
How long has this city been a home to you? You seem to know the place like the back of your hand? Or do you simply have the knack of being at home anywhere you are?

After his excellent approach throughout the day in inquiring about the brother, and especially the successful revealed information from the shopkeeper, she will whisper with an impressed hint to her voice
You really are good at this. Are you sure there's not an ambassador hiding under that pirate façade... and she grins cheekily at him giving him a thorough glance up and down with a smirk.

Spoiler

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today's spells as haven't said earlier

1: CLW. CLW

0: detect magic. guidance. spark

Rascal wont be accompanying her and Teach, but will have had an introduction the previous evening.

[Tombs]

I was born in this city, although I have been away for a few years. I learned ... various skills when I was growing up. How to be diplomatic was one of them. It has been useful over the years, although it's not the only way to get someone to cooperate. But what about you? How did you come to live in your current rooms?

[ShineyDuck]

I admit my current lodgings are somewhat simpler to what i grew accustomed to growing up, but its the nicest roof ive had over my head for a while. And i do like the city as a whole. Its got a nice cosmopolitan feel, and i like the buzz and bustle it has.

The reason ive ended up here, if you really want to know, is that my father was trying to marry me off to a very handsome, yet a totally obnoxious turd of a gentleman. Obviously I wasn't in love with the idea of going through with the wedding, and rather than dramatically throw myself into a brook to escape this arranged fiasco I decided to run away.

and with that Ophelia gives James a wry little cheeky smile, knowing she's probably created more questions for him than answers.

[Tombs]

At the mention of arranged marriages, James pulls a face. Everyone should be free to choose their own direction. Being forced into the company of another for profit is an awful thing to happen. Was this locally? Have you escaped your father's reach now?

Anyway, your lodgings are very nice. That said, I spent the past few nights in a cage so I may have a strange perspective on it. He grins at her. More comfortable than that brook, anyway.

[ShineyDuck]

Oh my father is a long way away from here. Though im sure he knows where i am. Father has people far and wide, with eyes and ears open for all sorts, and he wont want anything damaging our proud name so will be keeping tabs on me in case I make a big scandal of myself and he needs to cover it up. If he was that keen on getting me home, id have been escorted back already. I think he's as happy about our current situation as i am. He has got my two very promising brothers to focus on. I really hope he is happy, I truly do. And them. I do miss everyone quite terribly if im honest, but i just had to leave. I needed to have a life i guess

Her smaile showing a hint of sadness, but that fades quickly and she re directs the conversation back at Teach

So...James... this is your home city? I do love it here I have to say. But where else has James Teach been on his travels? One doesn't casually step out of a cage if one hasn't travelled well!

And she grins at you cheekily with a look hoping for tales of excitement.

[Tombs]

Where have I been? Where to begin? I've spent a long time on the seas. Have you heard of the Henrietta Marie? It was a slave ship which worked its trade along this coast, raiding coastal settlements - native and newlanders alike. We tracked that ship for many moons, watching it bring death and suffering wherever it went, before finally we caught it at Lost Soul's Cove.

Teach tells a toned-down version of the tale of the Marie's capture and the horrors encountered on that ship. He tells of the crew being rounded up and of the captain attempting to flee, but being shot down by the first mate. He makes is exciting rather than grim, focusing on the rescued captives and the looted treasure. As Teach speaks he seems to be playing with a strange bracelet he wears around his right wrist, the light around them dims very slightly, the air cools a little and Ophelia will think she notice shapes flickering at the edge of her vision. The strange effects end when Teach finishes his story with the release of all of the slaves and the treasure being split between the liberators and the liberated.

Spoiler

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If she attempts to detect magic, there is no magic involved.

[DrK]

In the DOcks

Solomon, Darth and Dirkwood head down to the docks. Dirkwood receiving much the same information about Penkus. Some 45 minutes later the trio of them are outside a small shack like squat by the water's edge called "Hope Floats". A large dwarf pulling in boats by the water's edge...

Solomon looks at the two pirates, "Who wants to strt with him?"

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I'm enjoying the interplay between Teach and Ophelia. We can meet up once the boat shop is interrogated,

[ShineyDuck]

Ophelia listens to James' tale quite rapt with excitement. Though she can tell he is emphasising the swashbuckling over what she imagines was probably quite a gory story in truth, she appreciates his efforts in keeping his tale fun for her benefit.

The flickering shadows does however disturb her slightly, and she ponders quite what that bracelet is, what its story is and if its cursed. Failing to see any magic (as she would undoubtedly have tried to use detect magic) she is left none the wiser and feeling rather puzzled over it. But thinks asking more about it is probably something best left for another time.

And now you have come full circle back home with all sorts of mischief and mayhem following you like a shadow no doubt! You really are quite an interesting find James Teach, and I like that you have your little mysteries and secrets. It keeps things... interesting.

And with a big smile she takes his arm as they continue to walk, slowly making their way back to the Mermaid via anywhere more information could be sort out.

[Mark_L]

Dirkwood will stroll brazenly up to the dwarf, it being quite clear he is heavily armed with twin pistols in his bandolier and cutlass at hip. He will take out a gold coin and begin idly tossing it in the air and catching it.

"Master dwarf, good day. Quite an interesting little place you have here. Right on the waterfront, I imagine you see all sorts of comings and goings."

(Assuming I have his attention, I'll go on)

"Seems to me you're a smart Dwarf, I'm sure you'll remember these coming and goings."

As he says the word 'smart' Dirkwood will idly play with the butt of a pistol, and as he says comings and goings will gesture from and to the harbor, with the last gesture turning into a finger - pistol pointed at the dwarf.

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Intimidate (1d20+6)[19]

"Tell me master dwarf, would you happen to have noticed the comings and goings of this man"

At this point I'll show him the picture.

[DrK]

As Teach and Ophelia move through the crowds a slightly grubby and weasely man approaches, coughing up small flecks of tobacco stained sputum. "I hearz you be looking for Vanthus eh?". He coughs again, wiping a filthy hand across his mouth.
"For 20 shiny golden crowns I can be taking you to where 'e is hiding?"

[DrK]

"Seems to me you're a smart Dwarf, I'm sure you'll remember these coming and goings."

As he says the word 'smart' Dirkwood will idly play with the butt of a pistol, and as he says comings and goings will gesture from and to the harbor, with the last gesture turning into a finger - pistol pointed at the dwarf.

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Intimidate [roll0]

"Tell me master dwarf, would you happen to have noticed the comings and goings of this man"

At this point I'll show him the picture.

The dwarf looks up at Dirkwood. Obviously a snarled "get lost" dying on his lips. Looking at the pistol, the tough look on Dirkwood's face and then the lingering forms of Darth and Solomon behind him he gulps and looks again at the photo.

"Aye. I may have seen him. What's it worth. A smart man knows his own worth... Why you don't hire this boat my good friend... he gestures at a rowing boat. "For 50 golds I can lend you the boat for an afternoon and suggest a nice picnic spot for you and your friends"

[Mark_L]

".. and a smart man knows the price of a boat. Ye be thinking we'll take this and no return. I'll give you 15 for the information, and 5 for your silence. Otherwise it'll just be the silence.

(Assuming this is covered in the first intimidating)

[Luke GG]

Darth will move to get onto the boat and wait for the scouting trip to begin.

[ShineyDuck]

Ophelia looks at this grubby stranger with an interested smile, eyeing him thoroughly.

You seem awfully keen to pass on this information. Is it just the money, or do you have other motives? And who exactly told you we were looking for Vanthus? I wasnt even aware he was hiding.

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Sense motive check, waiting for anything from that before doing anything else for now
(1d20+5)[22]

[DrK]

".. and a smart man knows the price of a boat. Ye be thinking we'll take this and no return. I'll give you 15 for the information, and 5 for your silence. Otherwise it'll just be the silence.

The dwarf looks at Dirkwood again before nodding and spitting on his hand and proffering it to Dirkwood. "Fair enough. I'll take the gold then. And suggest you and your lads head over to Parrot Island. Said to be some smuggler tunnels under the rocks and you may find what ye be looking for in there.

Solomon watching the interplay nods and gives a grim smile at the dwarf.
"Shall we grab the others before we find a boat?"

Ophelia looks at this grubby stranger with an interested smile, eyeing him thoroughly.

You seem awfully keen to pass on this information. Is it just the money, or do you have other motives? And who exactly told you we were looking for Vanthus? I wasnt even aware he was hiding.

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Sense motive check, waiting for anything from that before doing anything else for now
[roll0]

The man smiles a yellow toothed grin at the Tiefling. "You and him and the other 3 big lads be working for his sister." he spits another bloody gobbet of phlegm on the ground. "Ain't much go unnoticed in this city missy. Well vanthus, he ain't got that many friends in the guild so I'm thinking I take you to him, you do him in and then my other mates be pretty happy with me..."

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While a petty thief and a git he does seem sincere in his intentions to take you to where Vanthus is hiding.

[ShineyDuck]

Ophelia's eyes gleam a little at the filthy thief and his words, her smile growing as she tries summing him and his motivations up.

I'd be lying a little if I said I wasn't a little impressed with your level of information in so short a time, and maybe a little bit wary, but that's just my nature. Your guild certainly has its ear tight to the ground, But it hasn't heard every whisper quite correctly. We weren't looking for him to... "do him in"... as you put it. Well not necessarily. But it doesn't hurt to make a few friends in both the highest and lowest places. Which guild, specifically, are you from? Just in case i need more information at another point, and my coin can speed up the process. And also, if you don't mind me asking, what did Vanthus do to upset so many people in your guild, namely those who would appreciate our assistance. I like to get the true measure of someone by what they have done to others, and how others think of them.

She smiles widely but her eyes bare into the little thief hoping to hear a little more of what he has to say and if he is worth her coin.

[DrK]

The man's beady little eyes narrow at the questions and he chuckles a nervous little laugh. "You ask a lot of questions for a new lady in town. I work for an up and coming guild and there is competition for the big jobs. Vanthus be competing with some others and they pay me more.

Looking around nervously, he obviously doesn't want to tarry too much longer. "You fronting the gold or not missy?"

[Mark_L]

Dirkwood spits and shakes hands with the Dwarf before handing over the gold, and heading back to meet with Teach and Ophelia.

[Luke GG]

Darth will be happy to take the roes if Solomon does not take them off. Dirkwood and navigate as he is the pirate what to be.

[ShineyDuck]

Ophelia smiles at the nasty little theif

Go on then... 20 gold seems a little high for the information, but i am keen to find him sooner than later.

Unhooking her purse with her tail, and pouring a small handful of coin into her hand, her tail re attaching the purse casually as she counts out the 20, she passes them over making sure to drop them into his hands rather than touch him as he is rather grimy.

But just a last note, so we are both very very clear:

and she whispers to him with a dangerous tone to her voice

Upsetting me will have far greater consequences than a simple knife in the dark, unless the prospect of never sleeping soundly again doesn't upset you. This had better be worth my time and coin.

[DrK]

The grubbly oik looks at the witch with a worried expression but eagerly pockets the gold. "I show you eh. Just need to get yerself a boat fer I row you out there."


~1 Hour later...

It takes about an hour or so for the two halves of the party to reassemble. The three men mooring the rickety row boat they've been renting near the Parrot and batching Ophelia and Teachs' eyes from the shore.

As teach and Ophelia approach with the thief in tow Solomon raises an eyebrow, "Who have you managed to find there? We may not need him. We found lead on where Vanthus is hiding, apparently on Parrot Island, a small island in the main harbour."

Looking about at the rest of the party - "Are you ready now or do you need to fetch anything in case we bump into "trouble"?

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Is everyone ready to go to Parrot Island?