Session 27 - Drawing up a heist Report

Godsday - 8 Ready'reat - dusk

  As the party walks west towards the temple of Osprem within the warrens of Redshore, they discuss potential questions and threats in their future including the vision from Mina's letter. As time slips away during their journey, certain themes keep surfacing, including what are the two unknown shields, who is behind Fireborn's smuggling ring, and how do we defeat the suhaugin.   Continuing Adlia argues, "It's difficult to understand what she might know. Gods are powerful, but not all gods know all things. Ehlonna teaches me about woods all the time, but she'd have difficulty traveling on the ocean. And we only get a one-word answer."   "Yes," explains Kyra, "This is why I think if we ask the last name of a councillor, then we'll get solid information. She should know who has been smuggling on the ocean, so I think we have a good chance here."   Karia adds, "Yea, but what if there is more than one on the council that are smuggling? And what if the councillor doesn't even know?"   As the party transitions from New Town to the warrens, the cobblestone path fades into dirt and dust trail. "We just have to ensure we ask the question right," explains Kyra. "I've been studying the arcane arts a long time and that means I've had practice wording things in a way that is ironclad. I'm sure together we can get the right sentence to find out who needs investigation in Saltmarsh."   As the party nears Redtides Tavern, they step off the dusty trail and into an abandonded courtyard where the dilapidated temple of Osprem stands. As Adlia approaches she feels a calming presence and a voice speaks within her mind, "Welcome back my child. My presence here grows short, have you done as I asked? Have you helped my people?" Adlia approaches the fountain faintly glowing and replies, "Yes. We have cleansed the well for the small town and we also found some gauntlets. We are happy to have helped. You said that we'd get to ask a question and we are troubled by events." Adlia pauses as she composes the question in her mind, then continues, "What is the last name of a Saltmarsh council member who is knowingly involved with the smuggling ring at Saltmarsh?"   "Much darkness do I see there," Osprem answers, "Ah, but yes I see a leader that has smuggled across my domain. Many times this has occurred. Owing land. No that's not right, it's Oweland, that is her name. Thank you again child."   As the voice fades and the glowing begins to flicker, Nar speaks up, "Pardon me! We've done a nice service for you and we are also looking to provide order to your domain. Could you bless us for our travels?"   The goddess laughs with amusement at the halfling's request, "If I were to bless you, then I would need something in return. You must spread my name through your travels. My realm fades as time passes and so I fade as well. Praise my name and my blessings during the travels you have."   "I'll spread your name and cover Adlia's mouth as I do," quips Nar as Adlia stares at her in disbelief.   "This suits us well," intones the goddess, "May your skills be blessed during travel upon my waters."   "So we have a starting point," Kyra states. "Do we go back to Redtides Tavern? Or do we seek a new spot for more information. Wee Jane, you've been here before. Any thoughts?"   Wee Jane muses for a moment before stating, "Well there's the Tipsy Tankard in the copper district across the inlet. Elix the Saint, who works for The Agile Hand often goes there because he likes the bartender, a redhead named Karyssa. Would that work?"   "Who is this Elix the Saint?" asks Karia.   "He's one of Guildmaster Dusk's trusted lieutenants. He often organized missions and he's got a key hanging that definitely unlocks the guildhouse front door and I believe it works for all the doors," explains Jane.   "He's definitely someone we want to see then," says Kyra. "In fact, I've got an idea that will let us learn even more since he likely knows where the painting is stored."   "He won't betray Dusk," Jane states. "He's very loyal to her."   "He won't need to tell us anything," clarifies Kyra. "We just need him to think about it. If you bring up the topic, his mind will flit to it and I'll be able to learn where it is."   "Sounds like we've got a plan," Karia announces. "The sun is setting so let's head there now and check it out." The party heads back toward the inlet and then along the path that parallels it. They pass out of the warrens and back onto cobblestone road that winds northward before bending back westward beside the basin.   As the party leaves the cobblestones to enter the Copper district, Adlia notices a wooden marker. Raising her hand to call attention to it, she says, "I know that sigil. That's a sign for Fharlanghn, the dweller on the far horizon. He might be why Osprem's temple is decaying."   Shrugging Kyra says, "One god is as worse as another lost god. Long live the King." Continuing onward, the party hears racuous laughter ahead as Kyra pulls everyone down an alleyway. She places a finger on her lips that silences everyone before she traces symbols and patterns in the dust below. Ten minutes later she stands and says, "Now I'll be able to understand everyone, regardless of what language they speak."   Entering the tavern, the party gets overwelmed with the sounds and smells of the crowded venue. Folks of all types are present ranging from ratty sailors on the western wall to a group of refined elves in the southeast. Stretching across the center northern wall runs a full service bar with a leather-clad redhead rapidly refilling drinks behind it.   Kyra nudges Jane while asking, "See anyone you recognize?"   Jane shakes her head while replying, "No, well I mean Karyssa's behind the bar, but Elix isn't here. I'm sure he'll be along later, so let's settle down at a table."   Everyone settles down at an open table in the corner. Nar looks over at the elves and says, "I wonder if they know the elves who brought me to Saltmarsh. I want to say hi! Maybe they know the ship that brought me to Saltmarsh."   "Umm, I'll come with you," chirps Karia.   As they reach the table Nar calls out, "Greetings! I was once on a ship run by elves. It's the   Uwedhen Falf . Have you heard of it?"   "Aye," the lead elf nods, "It runs from Dorakaa to various ports along the northern Azure Sea. Why does it matter little friend?"   "I woke up there and they were very kind to me," begins Nar, "They said my name was 'Nar Sherekir', but I don't remember my past. Have you heard of me or where I come from?"   The three elves chuckle as their leader responds, "That is not a name little friend. It's more a title. It means nameless halfling. They apparently didn't know you, so they give you the title of what you are."   Nar's voice softens and quavers as she asks, "You mean they weren't my friends?"   "You could still be their friend, little one," the elf responds kindly, "But it seems they didn't know you before you woke so they gave you a title. They meant no harm by it."   Karia pulls Nar close while saying, "It's fine. You are part of our family." Together they head back toward the party's table as a new person walks into the bar.   "That's him. That's Elix the Saint," whispers Jane to Kyra.   Kyra reveals her plan to the group, "Alright. Jane, you know him yes? Why don't you head over to him and strike up a conversation."   "He won't want to talk to me," replies Jane. "He'll think I'll be asking about the money they owe me."   Kyra responds, "Be good natured, offer to buy him a drink, and make it seem like you wish to work with them again. In fact, once you settle in to a conversation, ask if they intend to swipe any art. It'll make him think of the painting, if he knows anything about it at all."   "If you say so," responds Jane as she shuffles over to the bar. "Hey Elix! I thought that was you. Let me buy you a pint."   "Umm," Elix hesitates, "Sure. I've seen you before, right?"   "Sure! We've done a few errands together," continues Jane. Meanwhile, Kyra whispers and subtly weaves her fingers in somatic gestures summoning the arcane energies to her. She then stumbles awkardly, seemingly as if she's drunk, toward the bar to order another pint from the bartender.   Jane still in conversation with Elix asks, "So word on the street says you acquired a special painting of our King. I'm around if you need a bit of extra muscle when moving it."
Elix looks stunned, then suspicious before responding, "I'm not sure what you mean here." However, Kyra hears his thoughts, "How'd she know about the portrait? Oh well, doesn't matter it's safe on the third floor above Dusk's private quarters." Kyra slurs a thank you to Karyssa, the bartender as she picks up her pint and stumbles away.   As Elix focuses on Karyssa, Jane takes her leave too, "Well, good to see you again. I'm always looking for side jobs."   Elix grunts a goodbye as Karyss slides another tankard toward him.   After several hours, a drunk Elix heaves himself up and stumbles out the exit.   Karia moves up to the bar and puts and asks, "Have you seen this sigil before?" as she slides over a crude outline of a fin slicing through water.   Karyssa looks at it a moment, then states, "I think it's some shark god. Don't know much though."   Feeling a rush, Karia then draws out a four-pointed wavy star asking, "What about this one. Have you seen it before?"   "Uh, I've never seen it's like," responds Karyssa. "Is there anything else?" Karyssa then addresses Kyra and Jane who are approaching, "What can I get you ladies?"   "Another round please," replies Kyra, "That guy is rather overbearing. Don't you agree?"   Agreeing with her, Jane adds, "Yea. He's some piece of work."   Karyssa quickly fills two more tankards before replying, "He's in here all the time. I can handle him."   "Sure," responds Kyra, "You seem quite capable. But what if we could help you? We're quite capable ourselves."   "Well, I'm starting to run low on wine. There's an infestation of undead in the wine cellar," answers Karyssa. "If you can handle that, then we'll talk about what I know of Elix."