Utar reads through the first note and nods, "I won't ask you to risk Gravy then. We'll find another bird and use that to contact Burrall. My magics got through just fine, thank you, Aleyd asked for a bird, so I suspect there's a lot to fill us in on."

After giving the stoutling a quizzical look, he reads the second note. "Agreed. Let's close up here and be on our way."

IN A SEPARATE ROOM

Doozey disagrees with Utar on employing Gravy as a part of the information gathering efforts, noting that the Black Fist would certainly be in high alert. If this plan is to move forward, it seems that CRAP may have to hire a regular bird for the job, or perhaps find a magical way to do it.

The pair does agree on other steps, it seems. A visit to Ekmong and another to Dornal may be in their plans down the road.

IN THE DINING ROOM

Given the suddenness of the initiative and the clear signs that the conversation is reaching its end, it is little wonder that Raist's rushed efforts deliver a styled version of Branden's map instead of a faithful rendition. The important information is there, but the offer to take the original stands, should the elf be modest enough.

Branden follows all the appropriate etiquette to indicate that he is done with his meal, including exact placement of utensils and kerchief. He politely waits for others to be done with their own meals. "In a time of rationing, your willingness to offer an unexpected guest a generous meal is commendable. It shall not be forgotten."

Utar completes his rounds and satisifd the locks are in place, returns to the dining room to collect the others.

"Are we ready to go, or do we need to further secure your wagon?"

Upon receiving the parchment once more, Doozey quickly jots down another few lines before handing it back off to Utar. Then while his orc blooded compatriot is reading, the stoutling waddled off with the actual intention of securing the house. Namely by making sure the windows were closed and scrapping together what he could for crude and makeshift alarms to alert Sagin on the off chance someone breaks into the house. His first idea being to set up some ball bearings all the sill so that any accidental brushing of them would send them tumbling into the room, doubling potentially as a trip hazard and alarm. But then realizing Sagin could also use said windows to escape OR the windows were liable to be broken into anyways, second thoughts nearly gives him pause to reconsider the idea.

Nearly. Almost. And ultimately when next given the chance, he'd seek out Sagin and coordinate further with him alongside Utar, assuming the cleric hadn't abandon all pretense and returned to the dining area by that point.

Either way, the most recent note to Utar reads as follows:

"Half-surprised she hadn't just sent out her own messenger, bird or otherwise, by now. But if she's being suspected as much as rumors suggest, that probably complicates matters further. Either way, since you know her best, I leave all that business to you. Just try not to make us out to be suspicious ourselves, as I don't fancy being chained up for no good reason. Again. And keep things vague about our lead as well, just in case the message is intercepted, and any enterprising Black Fist decides to muscle in on the job or is conspiring against her."

As all of this is happening a well-fed and perfectly content Taters still sat the table, absent-mindedly watching the exchanging between the others.

"Your gratitude is much appreciated."

When Utar returns, she responds, "Speaking for myself. I'm ready."

Utar, Sagin, and Doozey finish their discussion, but not before the halfling spends some time going around the house and setting up traps and alarms for potential invaders. Sagin follows along, taking note of each hurdle so that he himself does not fall victim to them. Utar's approach is more direct; the orc double-checks every window in the house to make sure they are securely locked. Just before returning to the the dining area, Doozey passes another note to Utar with some cautions regarding the eventual message he plans to deliver to Captain Aleyd.

When they return to the table, Utar wastes little time in spurring the group onward. Neya is ready to go, and Branden confirms that his wagon is appropriately secured in one of two horse stalls that CRAP maintains in their property. The group is well fed and ready to go. Sagin salutes them like a soldier, magical wand in hand.

(OOC: You are ready to go but... where? Are you ready to leave town and go to the jail or are there any stops within the city before you move beyond its walls?)

(OOC: Believe it or not, departing on this mission completes ACT I of Episode 14, titled "Riot in Phlan". This is one of the shortest acts we have played: short and sweet, heavy on RPing and exposition. Each of you should go ahead and add 2,100 XP to your character sheets. More details are available in the OOC channel.)

Utar returns Sagin's salute before turning to the group, "I assume we should head straight to the prison lest the prisoner we want to question be sold away to the higest bidder."

"Mm. Soums Guub!" Said Doozey, already in the process of donning his backpack and securing his cloak. Scarecly had the halfling completed the task did he abruptly need to readjust once more from Taters flying over and trying to settle into the hood of his cloak. "Mm! Mo!" Without missing a beat, Doozey wrangles the hybrid long enough to make space in his backpack for taters to sit and ride along with his head poking out. 

Raist stands staff in hand.  "Now would be as good time as any"   he waves his right hand slightly and mutters. "Sebastian. It's time"      a slight flash and suddenly there's a black as night raven sitting on his shoulder 

"Right. No time like the present," Neya says as she puts gathers her equipment.

After exchanging salutes with Utar, Sagin stays in place, waiting for the party to leave so he can lock the front door.

Branden reacts a bit surprised by the sudden appearance of a raven on Raist's shoulder but quickly composes himself. Tater's sudden movement toward Doozey also catches him a bit unprepared. Nodding at Neya and collecting his belongings, he next addresses the group as a whole: "Right. Have you given any thought to your preferred mode of transportation? If the river barge does not sound like a good idea to you, may I suggest a quick stop by the stables?" 

"A river barge sounds fine to me. But I will bow to the will of the group if folk would prefer to ride on horseback."

Clocking Raist's new animal companion, he adds, "If you would permit me, I wonder if you would be willing to let me make use of your raven to send a message later."

"I see no issue with that.  I would just need to know where he is going"

"Mm. River B. Cosby, bu... Be'er im em." Doozey concludes with a reluctant nod. From his leather fortress/howdah Taters nodded in agreement as well, before settling further into his makeshift seating. While Utar and Raist hash out the finer details of the cleric's message, Doozey stepped outside to wait on the others, though not before calling back into the house and bidding Sagin goodbye. Once everything is truly set, but with little recollection of the barges whereabouts in the moment, Doozey just gives Branden a meaningful look until the nobleman took point or the others stepped up for the job. 

"I'm fine with taking a barge upstream."

Branden looks around, mentally collecting the group's agreement: "Right. To the barge then. I'll lead the way to the port area and we can hire one of the idle barges there." On the way, Utar and Raist agree to send Sebastian on a message delivery mission, the details of which are to be hashed out in the near future.

The walk down to the port area is not exactly a pleasant one. With trade all but halted, many worker loiter around or stand idle in the streets and wharves waiting for a solution to their predicament. Some are taking the opportunity to enjoy the impromptu "holiday", but taverns and inns have limited supplies and prices are rising accordingly. Others seem more indignant; many a soap box are put to good use in the streets as a coping mechanism. Even though an attempted riot was just recently squashed at Podol Plaza, you get a sense that it won't be long before folks take action again.

At the port, Branden steps ahead of the group a bit an approaches a river barge operator. He is being careful not to reveal his association with a noble house unless it is truly needed. It is clear he is trying not to paint a target on his back should revolting townsfolk decide they need whatever resources he might be carrying. From a distance, you notice that Branden's discussion with the barge operator seems to not be a completely smooth one. They seem to be arguing about price. Branden seems frustrated but close to accepting a deal. 

While watching, you bump shoulders with many civilians simply due to the amount of people out and about. 

(OOC: Would you like to attempt anything at this point?)

Utar continues to brief Raist on his potnetial mission for Sebastian.  "Ideally, I would like Sebastian to deliver a message to a contact, wait for their response and then return to us with said response.  I imagine there is a limit to the carrying powers of a raven, so I would be grateful for any guidance you might have there.  The message can wait until we have returned from the Grimshackle Prison though."

While at the docks Utar spends a quick moment searching to see if there are any boats he recognises among the various vessels stuck in port, in particular he is looking for a smallish barge with a stag's antlers at its prow.

perception - 24

(OOC - I guss this is more for Lerus to judge as DM, is there a limit to the length of note Utar can send via Sebastian to Aleyd?  I am thinking that any word limit might be greater than using sending but likely not unlimited.)

Neya keeps an ear out for any hearsay.

Perception: 9

(@MB: I couldn't find much information on this so I am inclined to take a loosey-goosey approach unless someone else has some knowledge on this that they can share. Let's say he can deliver half-a-page worth of words in a single trip. Using that as a reference, as long as we don't go overboard with the length of the message, it should be okay.)  

Utar and Raist discuss a bit more the details of their plan to send Sebastian on a mission, although it sounds like the message itself can wait. Utar considers the size of the piece of parchment the corvid would be able to carry while maintaining all of his aerial maneuverability. Probably not too large, he ponders.

While waiting for Branden to finish his negotiation, the party keeps an eye out. Utar is able to spot the Alces, a small seafaring ship the group contracted once before to reach an islet in the Moonsea. She is captained by a gentle orc sailor named Hulbard, who adorns his shoulders with ink depicting the same antlers that are proudly displayed on the ship's bow. The Alces is moored at port, and Captain Hulbard and his crew (wife and teen-aged son) busy themselves with keeping an eye on the ship or ensuring that it remains clean. Much like the first time CRAP approached Hulbard, the Alces does not seem to be currently contracted. There are no goods on the ship, so it seems that the crowd is leaving her alone.

Meanwhile, Neya tries to pick up on any passing information that might be of interest. She hears complaints about the leadership of the city, the outlaws on the road, and the ships which refuse to come to port at Phlan. One commentator even points to the Alces, adding: "Only the ships with nothing inside are at port!"

Her eavesdropping efforts are then interrupted by a returning Branden, who takes a moment to lament: "You would think they would be willing to take a reasonable price given the lack of goods to barge around, but they are not willing to take on the risk of moving into and out of port unless they are paid handsomely. Anyhow, I have paid for our passage on the barge. The ferryman is ready to go as soon as we are." Branden then catches a glimpse of Utar looking at the Alces and says: "That ship is not designed for faring a river, my friend, and I am afraid we can't reach the jail by traveling solely on seawater."

(OOC: So not to rob you from an opportunity to catch up with Captain Hulbard, or perhaps another port-area NPC you mentioned earlier --Liela of house Sokol-- I'll pause here for now.) 

Knowing the Alces and her crew are safe in port is enough for Utar.  While he'd love to catch up with her crew, he's content just knowing that there is a back-up option should they find themselves stranded upstream.  Responding to Branden, Utar explains, "Ah, I'm not looking for alternative provision, but we've had good relations with the Alces and her crew in the past. It is good to see them, even in these troubling times.  I'm ready to embark if the rest of us are."