Curse of the Crimson Thread: Escape from Old Korvosa [IC]

[Rithryn]

"If everyone has their potions I can carry the rest and hand them out as needed, that way we can move on to dealing with the matter at hand."
Dane looks around to see what everyone thinks.

[Kvard51]

"While I can easily heal myself, my friend Ridwan should probably carry one of the healing potions. He is far more likely than I to take a serious wound if it comes to combat, as he has been trained to take blows in my stead.", Barris says, looking around in an attempt to gauge the other's usefulness in a fight.

[lostsole31]

Ridwan gets a healing potion, putting it at his belt. Dane takes the other three potions, putting them at his belt as well.

After disposition of the gear is finished, Cressida has duties she has to attend to, and escorts the PCs out of Citadel Volshyenek, wishing them a profitable mission.

Spoiler: Profitable Mission

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It might seem strange for what is not a mercenary affair, but it is a common well-wishing by those that worship Abadar, God of Cities. Presumably, succeeding in this mission will have an end-goal of being profitable for everyone and Korvosa's city health.

Okay, now outside of the Citadel, what is the plan? As a reminder, regarding infiltrating the island, Cressida suggested swimming or taking a skiff from the northern banks of the Jeggare, optimally under the cover of darkness to avoid notice.

[Sienna]

"So, what'll it be?" Runa asks, "I don't mind going for a night swim, personally, but I don't blame you if you'd rather take a boat."

[lostsole31]

Linzi tells Dane that she is fine swimming, but she'd rather take a boat to not be in spashing around in dirty city water.

Barris knows that Ridwan not only does not know how to swim, but is probably terrified at the prospect of having to do so.

[Moriar]

"I am a pretty decent swimmer as well," Vivino says. "Swimming might avoid more eyes. But is there anyone that is not feeling confidant about swimming across?"

[Ason]

Ernak shares, "I am a decent swimmer and even have one scroll for gaining fins, should it come to it, but that won't help the return trip. And wet clothes might draw unwanted attention, while a boat gives us more options if we make it. It even might let us ferry out any new friends or wounded afterwards."

Ernak pauses thoughtfully and scratches an ear. "The other factors are how bright the moon is tonight," at that he looks up at the sky, "for our ability to see and be seen... and how wide the channel will be where we aim to swim versus where we might row. I don't suppose one of you could just make the boat invisible? Or cast some communal spell of swimming or the like?"

[Moriar]

"That is a good point Ernak about the wet clothes or invisible boat. Does anyone have the ability to dry clothes or as Ernak asked make a boat invisible/communal swim spell?" Vivino asks.

[Sienna]

"Why don't we just use the wand of invisibility on the boat?" Runa asks, "No idea if that actually works but it's dumb enough that it just might, eh?"

[Kvard51]

Not wanting to embarass Ridwan in front of their new compatriots, Barris chooses to instead make it about herself, "I am not an adept swimmer, so I vote for a boat."

[Dusk Raven]

Jacintha frowns. "I am... decent at swimming. But from the sounds of it, if one person can't swim, then we may as well take a boat, because someone's going to need it. It'll be harder to avoid detection, but... well, we don't have much choice, do we?"

[Ason]

"Well then," Ernak says, putting his hands on his hips, "It sounds like we're looking for a boat! So, uh... where do we get one? Kroft said we should approach from the north side, I imagine because there'll be fewer eyes there. But did she say how we'd actually get or borrow a skiff without raising suspicions?"

[lostsole31]

(She did not.)

[Moriar]

"A boat it is then," Vivino agrees. "Then lets head to the area north of Old Korvosa and start looking for either a boat to borrow or to convince someone to go across ...at night...and will keep their tongue quiet just in case. If you all wish to convince someone, then I hope one of you gets along with others. If we are borrowing a boat, does someone have passing knowledge of using one? Though if we can get across on a big row boat equivalent I am good there."

[Kvard51]

Barris looks meaningfully at Ridwan, "A skiff would be easiest, as we could just pole across. Perhaps you could locate one for us, my friend?"

[lostsole31]

He nods. "Where shall I return to you that I may report?"

[Kvard51]

Barris looks to the others, "Where shall we wait? Somewhere near the channel, a tavern perhaps?"

[Sienna]

"A tavern's as good a place as any," Runa says, "And probably a good bit less conspicuous, yeah? Not that there's anywhere Diva won't kind of stand out."

[lostsole31]

Diva will need to be stabled at any tavern she goes to. She will not be permitted inside.

These are the three main taverns in North Point (your likely disembarkation neighborhood) ...

Laughing Wave Inn in North Point is the oldest on the Mainland, named in honor of the naval hero Keyra 'the Wave' Palin. Korvosan legend states that the ghost of a Shoanti woman known as the Barbarian Princess appears in the Laughing Wave three nights of the year, on the solstices and the Riverwind Festival.

Three Rings Tavern in North Point is run by a former Pathfinder named Theandra Darklight, a good-natured woman (short a few fingers) who is always happy to swap stories of adventure, often offering free drinks to those with the best tall tale. Those who try to get rowdy in her bar, however, will have to answer to her Shoanti bouncer, Tauk Par.

Posh and Turtle in North Point sits at the west end of the mysterious Avenue of Arms, and bears a reputation as the finest tavern and inn in all of Korvosa. The floor of the establishment is glass over an iron latticework, looking down on a wide but shallow sea cave which is home to a 20 foot long sea turtle named Old Tom. The 'Posh' part of the inn's appellation is less obvious. Most think it refers to the high quality furnishings and appointments, but it actually hearkens back to a seedier time in the inn's history, when it was known simply as the Turtle Inn, and was a haven for pesh dealers. The slurred speech of the addict clientele soon corrupted their search for "the pesh in the Turtle" to "Posh and Turtle"

[Rithryn]

Dane speaks up.
"We should head to the three ring tavern, if we're looking to keep a low profile I trust an ex pathfinder to keep our presence quiet."

[Ason]

Ernak smiles a little sheepishly. "It's been a little while, but I have performed at the Three Rings before. Ditto the Laughing Wave. Great places and good enough people. I, uh, can try to keep a low profile there," at that he chuckles at his obviously large frame, "and pray nobody remembers me. But if we want a cover story, I might also be able to say I'm drinking with some friends and scoping for future gigs. That would draw attention, ha, but it might give us a decent cover story for being east side too."

Pursing his lips slightly, the giant of a bard adds, "But I've never been in the Posh and Turtle. The more elite places often don't take kindly to Shoanti acts, so I never bothered."

[Moriar]

"Well," Vivino begins," since Ernak will likely recognized at the rings, let's meet up at the Turtle."

[Sienna]

"It's all the same to me," Runa says with a shrug, "Wherever you all think is best. It'll be my first time there no matter what we pick."

[lostsole31]

So, that's two votes for the Three Rings, one for the Posh & Turtle, and one abstain.

What do others think?

[Dusk Raven]

"I think I've had enough of posh places for one day," Jacintha opines. "The Three Rings Tavern, on the other hand, sounds like a good place."

[lostsole31]

And with that, the party heads to the Three Rings Tavern. Runa, what do you do with your birdy?

[Sienna]

If there's a place to stable him next to the tavern, she'll do that, otherwise she'll find a spot outside the tavern that's out of the way he can chill at for a bit on his own, and failing that she'll just wait outside with him. If she does end up in the tavern, she'll make sure to order something to bring back for him to munch on.

[lostsole31]

So, one of the oddities of a fantasy world is that while yes, strange animal companions are strange .... they are not altogether uncommon. So, the Three Taverns has a pen (sorry) large enough that is used for bears and big cats by the random oddball that visits with such things. For insurance purposes, it must go in the iron-barred pen as animals of Diva's size can ruin wood. That said, if you define feed type (and aren't entirely picky), they are happy to pen Diva and feed her for a total of 55 copper (or, 5 silver, 5 copper). Diva will be fed old meat scraps since she is a carnivore.

Is that acceptable to Runa?

[Sienna]

That's fine! She'll still bring him back something, since she likes to spoil him a bit.

[lostsole31]

Done. Okay, I think the party is filled with more paranoia than necessary. The idea that Ernak could be "recognized" at Three Rings is not an issue .... because he's frequented there, before. Just because you are on a secret mission doesn't mean the world at large knows that yet.

So, what now?