Milk and Tea - IC

[animorte]

Kamp notes the forgery kit making an appearance and thinks about how useful that could be. He gestures toward it and Daniela. "I thought about learning that at some point, but the finesse escapes me. And delaying the arrival sounds great. Nicely put!"

Kamp accepts the tea with a bow to their guest. Then a small swarm of butterflies appear from beneath his sleeves and takes the cup, hovering in a circle around him before they guide it to his mouth and he takes a sip. They continue to do this several times as the discussion is going on.

He takes in the exchange and Forge's concern. "To be honest, I think we all feel safer when you're nearby, Forge. Even if it does have to be at a distance."

He catches a smile on his own face in response to Bota yet again. A well-needed reminder to enjoy the small things. While Aranarei speaks, he confirms from his memory some of the details and is glad to hear in person that she's not going to wait idly by and just let the conflict carry on.

"I think you have a good point Rodrigo. Ara definitely carries the same air of authority, though with better intent as far as I can tell." He offers a brief smile in her direction. Kamp is gaining more respect for this entire group by the minute.

"Oh, it's worth mentioning I have a contact that works down by the docks who can point us exactly where we need to go. I'll take the lead and make sure we look like we know what we're doing."

[Earth Traveler]

Daniela puts the finishing touches on the forged letter and does her best to imitate the wax seal. "Alright, that should be enough to fool anyone who looks at it," says Daniela, pleased with herself.

She waves off Forge's comments. "It'll be better if we stick together, and I think you'll be fine as a member of Aranarei's entourage," she says. "Besides, I don't think you'll have any trouble fitting in," she adds, casting a look around the unlikely-looking group.

Daniela gratefully sips the tea, thanking Clara, as she listens to the others. "Well, that sounds like a plan, we'll rest here for a spell, then head to the docks and hopefully deliver our message without incident," she says, continuing to drink her tea.

[JNAProductions]

Forge smiles, and pats Bota gently. "I appreciate the vote of confidence." She moves to take a seat, but pauses a moment. "Where would the largest poncho be? We should prepare now, so we're not scrambling once it is time to go."

Once her outfit is picked out, she finally takes a seat, and withdraws a small metallic contraption from her pack. It whirs and sputters, doing... Something. Not much, but something.

Spoiler: OOC

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No hit dice need to be spent on this rest for me.
Rolling a Tinker Tools Check, with advantage owing to my Domain and Int as the baseline ability, just to make something cool.

(1d20+2)[19]
(1d20+2)[22] Advantage

Nat 20 baby! Imma make something nifty but not terribly useful with that, if that's alright. :)

As the group takes their relaxation, Forge's hands work quickly and shockingly deftly for how clunky her overall movements are. The contraption takes better form, and by the end of their rest, she's left with a small quadruped of metal. It's able to totter around and make small squeaks-nothing terribly useful, but great for entertaining children.

[Archemist]

Aranarei Kalythross, formerly Captain of Her Majesties 38th Royal Foresters. Current head of the House of Kalythross, though my brother still holds the title of Duke. Poor chap, health in decline. On sabbatical in the dark jungles of Ulicea. The doctors do think that the change in clime will help.

As she speaks she takes out a silver snuffbox embossed with a large calligraphed K with a raven taking flight over it. She opens it and takes a pinch and sniffs it up one of her nostrils.

Rodrigo makes a deep bow, although he grimaces as he straightens back up. He says, "Rodrigo da Silva, at your service, Captain. I knew you looked the most... distinguished, of our little band here. My apologies for wrapping you up in this unsavory business, and also my thanks for your assistance earlier." His tone has switched to all smoothness, surprising after his earlier harried look and his mercenary chat with Forge.

He addresses the group. "If you can convince them the message is from the Milk guildhouse, hopefully the mail ship will take it without too many questions. If you get into trouble, just scatter and go back to whatever else you were doing today and pretend like none of this ever happened. But if you succeed you give us a good chance of another month of peace - and if Tea wins in three weeks, maybe longer." He sighs. "Sorry, it's no time for long speeches. Deixe."

Clara exclaims over the contraption Forge has made while everyone makes preparations, marveling at her skill.

---

With a large striped poncho acquired for Forge, and Bota minus his hat, the party does their best impression of officially escorting Aranarei down towards the docks. Around lunchtime, they stop near a little dockside bar and Kamp ducks in to find his contact Grimfa. "The Left Shark" is a dodgy-looking place, with sticky floors and dim lighting. Grimfa's grey complexion fits right in. He's a duergar who ended up on the surface and found he loved the open skies and nature. Kamp and Grimfa had bonded over finding the absolute weirdest beetle in the alley behind the bar one day.

"Captain Moray is the one you want, on the 'Swift.' You'll have to row out to the schooner, though, since they finished loading all the cheese last night and moved out to a harbor anchorage. I was wondering why they hadn't just left yet." He chugs the last of his ale. "Tell you what, I'll take you in the launch and we'll drop off your letter. Can any of your people row?"

Spoiler: OOC

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Let me know if you guys had any last questions for Rodrigo, Grimfa, or things to do before you go. Forge, were you taking your mechanical creation with you or leaving it for Clara's kids?

[JNAProductions]

Forge enjoys the audience while she creates. Once the gizmo is up and running, she lets it wander to Clara, and says "Go ahead and keep it. Its animus should last for a week or two, though if you have access to any kind of magic, it shouldn't be hard to channel energy and top it off. Even once the animus is gone, it'll still be a nice toy-the body works fine."

---

"I've the strength to row, if not the experience. I don't imagine it'd be that hard," she states.

[Lentrax]

As they walk through the street, Ara offers polite smiles for those who say a greeting of all, but she does not speak much, usually just a one or two word reminder to her companions about keeping the group looking proper.

Of course, she thinks, the whole thing would look far better with a coach, but we can’t have it all.

As they stop for lunch, she maintains the appearance by enquiring about a private dining room for herself, and seeming to ignore the happenings around her by removing a novel from her satchel and reading.

Oh, and I don’t suppose there is any chance of a coffee?

[Archemist]

The barkeep glances back at a pot warming near the oven. "Yeah, we got the soot soup, let me strain some out for you, comin' right up. Mug's two copper."

[animorte]

Just as they're leaving, Kamp offers a bow to their host once again. "Your hospitality is greatly appreciated, Clara. You've got a good friend there." He meets Rodrigo's gaze with that last part.

Kamp appreciates the company of an additional friend, and takes a moment show a bit of flashy <mage hand> swarm maneuvering of nearby objects just for Grimfa's entertainment. Then he leans in closer, intentionally making a sort of obvious show that he's getting exchanging some surface gossip. "Say uh, you got any interesting boats floating in lately?"

He grabs a small snack while they're on the way, and just as the barkeep mentions a price, Kamp steps up to intercept the exchange himself with confidence. He sets the necessary money down and as he returns to the group, gives them a smile. "Leader doesn't pay."

Spoiler: OOC

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This is where I would assume my Insight check from earlier to come in. Though I think we've got the juiciest tea going on in these parts at the moment.

Also, hoping my Passive Perception picks up on anything particularly interesting or suspicious during all this.

[Archemist]

Kamp appreciates the company of an additional friend, and takes a moment show a bit of flashy <mage hand> swarm maneuvering of nearby objects just for Grimfa's entertainment. Then he leans in closer, intentionally making a sort of obvious show that he's getting exchanging some surface gossip. "Say uh, you got any interesting boats floating in lately?"

Grimfa is definitely impressed by Kamp's spell, though the barkeep rolls her eyes and just says, "Mind you get all those peanuts back in the bowl when you're done, eh?"

Grimfa uses the distraction of the floating nuts to conspire with Kamp and whisper back, "Well, I did hear the cheese on that ship wasn't all cheese, if you know what I mean? Some of the crates were decidedly heavier than usual. My guess is it's some kind of treasure they're sending back to the old country."

[Ridai]

Bota briefly interrupts his nap to 1) say to Aranarei "Oh. I hope your brother will feel better soon. And that he will, uhm, get his tubas unclogged." Bota says this with absolute sincerity, his eyes quite big and a little watery. He obviously is not sure what the bronchial bit was about, but he gave it his best shot.

He also watches Forge work with equally big, but less watery eyes (and a little exploratory pawing at the finished product).

-----------------------

In the cunning disguise of hat-less, shoulder-perched cat, Bota does his best to be lazy vigilant.

To Grimfa's question about people being able to row, he responds with a "Mrow." He specifically went for a mysterious mrow. Gotta keep people guessing. Also he tried to row with a paddle once and it was really difficult as the paddle was better at pulling Bota into the air than Bota at pulling the paddle towards the boat, so it was also a no, but a disguised one.

Hearing about "soot soup" leads to a confused "M-meow?" That doesn't sound tasty at all, despite having soup in the name! Or like coffee! He could make some coffee. If he had some coffee. He made some coffee in the past! He also tried it once, and he had zoomies through and around the house for an hour straight afterwards, and people didn't want to give him coffee after that, but that is beside the point.

But he also needs to keep up the shoulder cat disguise! Shoulder cats are not known to brew coffee! What a conundrum. Thus, Bota is busy trying to figure out how to make unsooty coffee with none the wiser. Aranarei (and anyone else of the group, really) can practically see the gears turning in the cat's head.

[Lentrax]

Ara still isn’t sure what to make of the cat, so she thanks him for the well wishes. Truth be told, there was no real love lost between her and her brother, but no one here really needs to know that.

At the bar, Ara makes a very contrite attempt to not show the grimace she wants to at the term “soot soup.”

But then she relents. People just don’t understand the subtleties of coffee. And so she turns the page of her novel, continues to read, and awaits her… soup…

[JNAProductions]

<If you're okay, meow once. If something's really troubling you, meow twice,> Forge thinks to Bota. She stays standing near Ara, letting her simple size speak, as befitting a bodyguard.

Spoiler: OOC

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Quick note: My telepathy is one-way. So no thinking back at me! I won't hear it. :P

[Ridai]

Suddenly, there is a voice in Bota's head, and it's not Mama Shanty! The cat's head jerks around, trying to spot where it is coming from, checking the ceiling corners especially, followed by looking at Forge like he just realized she is also there. Naturally, Bota goes back to shoulder lounging, he evaluates how much the soot soup troubles him. It probably doesn't really trouble him, just trouble him, so he goes for a "Meow."

[Earth Traveler]

Daniela hands Ara the forged letter, making sure to thank Clara as the group leaves for the bar to meet with Kamp's contact.

She doesn't bother to conceal her contempt when Ara tries to order coffee at the bar. "Coffee..." she snorts, shaking her head and swallowing words about staying neutral in the middle of a revolution.

Daniela notices Bota looking oddly pensive on Ara's shoulder. She's not sure about him yet... in the alley he was a little reckless, and now she wonders if he's going to do something careless again. She preferred to remain inconspicuous, but one couldn't ignore a perfectly good ally because of a difference in approach. So she just continues keeping an eye on him, until he suddenly seems to be startled, then settle in with a meow.

[animorte]

Kamp nods his head in approval at the information and makes a mental note of it. He allows the nuts to go back in their bowl and whatever else he might have been floating around. "Well, you know I like my cheese."

He looks around at the rest of his comrades, all but one quite bigger than himself. "I think we can manage rowing out. Think Captain Moray is in any hurry?"

Once they get into the boat with a bit more privacy and headed to the 'Swift', Kamp will make it a point to mention his cheese to the rest of the group.

[Lentrax]

She doesn't bother to conceal her contempt when Ara tries to order coffee at the bar. "Coffee..." she snorts, shaking her head and swallowing words about staying neutral in the middle of a revolution.

Yes. Coffee. I find it quite stimulating.

Ara looks about her for a moment, and then with a crook of her finger a small bowl of sugar and a spoon float on unseen energies to rest next to her mug. She then adds a spoonful of sugar and then swirls her finger over the cup, the spoon obeying the magic and stirring for her. Far more so than tea, and I find it’s taste more palatable than most types of alcohol. Have you ever tried it?

[Earth Traveler]

"Actually, yes," replies Daniela. "I was working undercover at a coffee plantation, so I figured I could drink it for a few months. Then I tried it, and it was the worst thing I've ever tasted. After that I faked drinking it and discreetly threw out any I was given. And besides, I'm fully committed to supporting Tea, a guild that hasn't been sitting by during our fight for independence and equality. And has better drinks." Realizing that was a little bit harsh, she continues, "But I do appreciate that at least one coffee planter has finally decided to support our cause."

"Anyway, I hope you enjoy it enough to drink it fast, because we should probably be leaving soon." Daniela turns her eyes to the door, watching for possible intruders.

[Lentrax]

Is this a fight you wish to start right now? Because I can still get up, walk out that door, and go back to my family's plantation. And continue to leave you and your ilk to squabble. Right now, I have only an interest in preventing what sounds like prelude to a massacre. But that is personal to me. But since you feel the need to insult me, and my family, Ara stands up, and on the same invisible flows of power, her staff and hat float over to her. She sets the letter on the table.

She tips her hat to the others as she settles it atop her head.

I bid you all good day.

[animorte]

Kamp notices the tension rising between his activist comrade and the Captain Kalythross.

"That is an interest we all share." He immediately responds to Ara's statement on preventing massacre. "And we're in a position to do it without bringing anybody down on our heads."

He's not too worried about either of their personal circumstances, as long as they accomplish what needs to be done. "As for the coffee, tea, what-have-you... Each to their own tastes, long as it doesn't hurt anybody else."

In any event, the task at hand is more important than this little squabble. Even though he understands exactly where Daniela is coming from, it's not the time nor place. Kamp moves to pick up the letter himself. "Any extra help is always appreciated."

[Lentrax]

The grimace on Ara’s face grows to a scowl. Then perhaps you should make that help feel welcome, instead of offering it insults and remarks to their character. Which you do not know.

She takes a silver from her purse and places it on the table.

Now. I said good day.

[Archemist]

Grimfa shrugs sheepishly at Kamp and says simply, "I thought you folks would be trying to avoid causing a scene. Let's get a move on."

Daniela stays behind, having noticed a familiar face in the tavern. They chat conspiratorially and she waves the rest of you to continue on without her.

Out on the dock, Grimfa and Forge take the oars of the little launch and head out into the bay. At the "Swift," you find the expected Captain Moray, who is a fierce-looking blue dragonborn. He takes the letter with a grunt. "About time."

Spoiler: OOC - Checks

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Forge should make an Athletics check regarding rowing. Additionally, anyone who wants to can make a mental-based skill check regarding the mini-voyage along with describing your IC activities. Basically, roll an INT, WIS, or CHA skill if you are trying to avoid water hazards, convince Moray of some story, find out about his cargo in a subtle way, or whatever strikes your fancy.

[JNAProductions]

Forge incants a quick spell to better aid herself in the somewhat unfamiliar task, then sets to rowing.

Spoiler: OOC

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(1d20+4)[10] plus (1d4)[3] from Guidance

[Ridai]

Once Bota is done with his totally intended team motivation routine (namely, visibly napping on Forge's shoulder), he feels like he should really sell his essential normal cat-ness by starting to wander around the rowboat, making cat noises, and generally not making himself useful. Maybe he'll even find some secrets squirreled away! A hidden treat stash perhaps, like any civilized person has!

When they speak with the scary dragonman, Bota does his best to stay calm (back on Forge's shoulder). But he does start to look around for escape routes for the team.

Spoiler: OOC

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I'll throw in a WIS check to snoop around the boat for hidden loot, and/or looking for any escape routes. (1d20+1)[12]

[Lentrax]

Ara sits in the boat, her hands resting one atop each other at the top of her staff.

After leaving the dock, but before reaching the ship, Ara turns to Kamp. It is important for us to learn all we can. But you seem to have the best eyes for things unseen. Or at least better than mine. She makes a gesture over Kamps head. Keep an eye open, and see what you can.

Spoiler: Ooc

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Casting Owls wisdom on Kamp. Advantage on Wisdom checks for an hour.

Ah. There is the wit I was told to watch for. Ara says, stepping onto the deck of the Swift.

And from what I was told, I have arrived within a very reasonable amount of time. Especially as things stand ashore.

And make of that what you will, Captain.

[Archemist]

Ah. There is the wit I was told to watch for. Ara says, stepping onto the deck of the Swift.

And from what I was told, I have arrived within a very reasonable amount of time. Especially as things stand ashore.

And make of that what you will, Captain.

Forge does a passable job of rowing, though obviously not as practiced as Grimfa. Thankfully the trip is only a couple hundred meters out to the moored ship.

Bota hops onto the Swift and starts investigating but quickly runs into a ship's cat - a mean tom who seems used to chasing down large rats. The tom hisses at Bota territorially.

The Swift is a two-masted schooner with a crew of fifteen or so. Her hull is painted green and has a bright copper plating below the waterline. Not the largest of ships, but she looks fast. Captain Moray doesn't waste pleasantries with Ara, but he does seem to take her for who she appears to be. "The goings-on ashore are none of my concern. You can tell your boss I left as soon as I got the letter, then. Or are you coming with us to Daelesa, to guard your precious cargo?" He begins to motion you back to the rowboat dismissively, but then his eye seems to be caught by something going on in the harbor beyond.

Spoiler: OOC - Perception checks!

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You should make them if you want. Bota didn't find much in the way of escape routes - assuming he's the sort of cat who doesn't like water, if you're not going to swim for shore then you've pretty much just got to stay on the Swift or go back in your rowboat.

[Ridai]

Bota freezes as he meets the tom, instinctively arcing his back. He knows this kind of foul-tempered cats. Stuck on a boat, which is constantly moving around, constantly under-appreciated, but worst of all is all the sea water. It gets all in your fur, and then it also gets in your mouth when you clean yourself, and you get all salty! Bota knows all about being salty, he was a ship's cat too! The day he discovered mayonnaise was the day he was free of the salt.

Sadly, he is unable to enlighten the salty cat, bereft of his jug, and even his treats (un-poncho'd and un-hat'd as he currently is). Worse, ever since Mama Shanty sent him out to become a better cat, talking with other cats has become weirdly difficult, a fact he blames on them being free of the burden of a quest, and lacking familiarity with mayo. So, Bota does his best to channel fundamental catness at the tom (with a bit of diplomatic mrowling and an affable shuffle and wiggle) to let 'em know Bota isn't there to take his place or prey or treats. It is a risky play, for sure, as such behavior may easily be seen as highly suspicious due to being too selfless. But just bopping the tom on the head doesn't sound like a good and enlightened thing to do, since it might make things more difficult for Ara. No matter how much he wants to swat the salt out of the tom's face.

Spoiler: Actions

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Not sure if this is the right thing to roll, but I guess Bota is trying to pacify the ship's cat, or at least make it lose interest.
Animal Handling - (1d20+3)[6]

edit: Diplomacy has failed! Bota exposed as cat poser!

[animorte]

Kamp mirrors Grimfa's shrug with equal concern. Time to move along, yes.

Once they're clear out of ear-shot from the dock he gives a hint to the others about the heavier-than-normal cheese. "If this letter is any indicator, I'm sure it's not the only valuable cargo." He winks at Grimfa.

He responds to Ara's gesture and statement with a knowing nod, and an appreciative smile. "You can count on it."

He remains quiet otherwise, keeping his eyes peeled, even as they step on the ship initially. While the captain strikes an imposing figure, his response to Ara is slightly comforting. "A proper man of business, I like it. He follows the dragonborn's gaze to the harbor. "Speaking of goings-on ashore...

He knows they weren't planning to go along, especially considering the recipient of the letter very likely knows exactly who should be sending it.

Spoiler: OOC

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Perception with advantage!

(1d20+7)[25]
(1d20+7)[17]

Looking for any sign of waiting ambush, notable symbols on visible cargo, familiar faces, the usual. Not to mention potential followers (I know, right?) including the group they snatched the letter from. Especially the safety of the boat for their expected trip back, and harbor obviously.

[Archemist]

Kamp's fine-tuned eyes turn towards the harbor even a second before Captain Moray looks over. Kamp sees a group of small boats is headed quickly in your direction from the dock. A couple are small speedy sailboats, but a couple look to be large canoes. There is some shouting between the craft, which have been crudely and quickly painted with symbols of the halfling tribes of Minas Gerais. But Kamp sees no halflings among the people on board.

Captain Moray exclaims, "Now what is THAT commotion?" He seems to make up his mind quickly and he says to you, "We're getting out of here and cutting your launch loose now with or without you on it."

But his crew responds more slowly, distracted by the beginnings of a cat-fight on the main deck. The mean tom swats at Bota with intent to harm. Its fierceness catches Bota by surprise.

Spoiler: OOC - Bota

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(1d20+2)[22] for 1 damage. I'm not sure the crew has figured out you're not a normal cat just yet but it will likely depend on how you respond - casting a spell, say, might give you away.

Edited to add: I can't believe the tomcat just crit you. Let's call it 2 damage and what could be the beginning of a cool scar near your eye or nick out of your ear, your choice.

Spoiler: OOC - Insight or initiative

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Let me know how you're feeling about resisting either the oncoming group or Captain Moray - Insight checks might tell you the motivations or weak spots of either group.

[Ridai]

While Bota is not the greatest at talking Cat anymore, what he still has is yelling like a cat and bolting straight up after the claws slash across his eye (but thankfully don't cut the eyeball). In the air, he is already fruitlessly scrambling to escape, and accidentally kicks the mean and scary tom. The next moment, Bota has squirreled his way onto nearby barrels, looking down at the other cat with flattened ears, arced back, and trying to sound tough (but it more comes out as a distressed cat being bathed).

Spoiler: Actions

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Unarmed attack at the tom because the claws would be very much overkill. All as nonlethal as possible. Attack - (1d20+2)[14], 1 damage.

Insight vs the tom - (1d20+3)[6]

[Lentrax]

Ah. Yes. This does appear to be trouble of your sort. Well, Captain. I wish you safe journey, bonne chance and all that.

Ara looks about the deck for a moment. Bota! Bota, come! I’ll leave you behind!

She points with her cane to the launch.

Everyone back to our boat. It is time to leave.