"I don't see an outright attack going well," Lusia offers. "I'm equally concerned that they won't listen to us. But maybe a ruse of some sort? Approach demanding payment for our rescue of their 'cargo' perhaps?" She frowns, "I mean, one of you guys that's better with words should try that."
"Hmm... maybe... well, perhaps we could get them to agree to give us one of their prisoners... umm, well whatever you call them... as our payment?" Lusia suggests.
She leans in toward Leif, keeping her voice lowered. "Maybe combine it with some sneaking, in case the ploy doesn't work?"
"I can do that,"Leif says to Lusia. A smile creeps up the sides of his face as someone suggests that he can be helpful. He finishes his work on the bolts and signals he's ready for action.
"I do not expect ze slavers to just turn over zeir slaves, it vill require some convincing." The young knight admits with a small but confident smile. "Vile I do not doubt you vill be able to sneak aboard ze ship Leif, I would very much appreciate if you and ze others zat vill not come vith me vill find hidden positions from vhere you can cover me ja?" He says with an encouraging smile, looking at the halfling, then the half-elf, the gnome and the girl with the lute. "Perhaps you vill come vith me to parley vith zem fräulein Joy." He finishes, leaving Viktor to wait as he marches aboard the Silver Gull as soon as his companions have reached their positions.
Joy listens to the plan unfold, nodding thoughtfully. It made sense to use all their strengths. Cyriel was right—the slavers wouldn’t just hand over their captives. It would take force, trickery, or a mix of both. “I’ll go with you, Cyriel. If they won’t listen to reason, at least we can keep them talking long enough for the others to move into place.”
Before they move, a thought occurs to her. She hesitates for only a moment, then reaches up and pulls a lock of hair from her braid with surprising ease. Holding the strand between her fingers, she murmurs a few words in Sylvan, her voice like a soft breeze through leaves. The hair twists and weaves together, shaping itself into a tiny, doll-like figure, no bigger than a thumb.
She holds it out to Leif, her expression warm but serious. “This is a special ability of mine,” she explains. “As long as you have this, I can send thoughts to you—warnings, directions—if things go bad up here and you need to get out. You won’t be able to talk back, but at least you’ll know if trouble’s coming.” Her smile turns wry. “Not that I think you’ll need the warning—you’re sharper than most. But…better safe than sorry.”
Feeling exceptionally special that Joy chose him to impart this gift, Leifbeams with joy. "Thanks!" he says in a loud whisper. He looks over the tiny doll in his palm. Admiration growing quickly for this interesting woman who makes him feel... happy. It has been long since anyone gave Leif a gift or made him feel this way. He'd had some nice interactions with the Svirfneblin in 'the below' as he called it, especially as they taught him to read and write in their languages, but nothing came close to this gift. He looks back up at Joy as she describes its utility. Leif's smile grows wider than ever before as she compliments him about being "...sharper than most..." He doesn't believe it about himself, but he appreciates her words nonetheless. "Great idea, Joy. Thanks again."
Leiflovingly places the doll in an empty pouch on his tunic.
As much as Cleo wants to go with Cyriel and Joy to confront the slavers directly, she knows that would not be the best use of her talents. Instead, she whispers an incantation, and ten bright red berries appear in her palm.
"Wait, take some of these," she says to the others. "They'll help if you're hurt."
She gives two berries to each of her new companions. "I'll try to find a spot where I can help from range," she tells Cyriel. "Good luck."
As everyone prepares, Aislingextends her palm, and a thin book materializes in her hand. Its covers are pitch black, and the pages look brittle—withered and bleached as if frozen in time. Every time her fingers brush against them, they feel dry and fragile, as though they might crumble at any momen yet they never really do. The changeling exhales softly. Frost and wither. Her patron's signs woven into everything about her.
When she finds the page she seeks, she begins tracing a complex set of sigils, muttering under her breath as she works. After a few minutes, she finishes and glances to her right, where she knows her newly summoned helper waits. It has no form, no visible shape, yet she senses it and is always aware of its presence.
With a quiet motion, she presses her hand against the book’s cover, as if to close it—though the moment she does, it vanishes from sight. “I am ready,”Aisling whispers to her companions.
"Zank you fräulein Cleo, let us hope ve vill not need zem, but zey do look very appetizing." The young knight says to the gnome with a grateful smile, then awaiting everyone's preparations with calm confidence. It was clear that his new companions had a lot to contribute to what they were about to do and his confidence that it would be enough grew as he watched them prepare.
"So, Cyriel, Joy, and Aisling will be confronting the slavers?" Lusia asks, looking at the trio. "While Leif sneaks aboard and Cleo keeps at range to support. Where would I best help? While familiar with moving quietly, I'm not sure if I would just give Leif's effort. I'm good with my bow too, so could stay with Cleo."
"Yes, you do zat fräulein Lusia." Cyriel says with a firm nod and a reassuring smile. It was hard to know exactly how the situation would develop once on board the Silver Gull but he had to trust everyone to to their best to work as a cohesive unit.
As everyone signals their readiness, Joy exhales, rolling her shoulders before stepping forward with calm confidence. She strides onto the deck of The Silver Gull beside Cyriel, her shield secured on her arm, her stance steady but unthreatening. She meets the guards’ eyes without hesitation, her voice clear and firm.
“Good evening,”She greets with a small wave and smile, though there’s an unmistakable weight behind her words. “Hope we’re not interrupting anything too important.”
Aislingthanks Cleofor the goodberries, giving one to the unseen servant to hold while keeping the other for herself. Like Lusia, she moves forward, searching for a spot where she can see the scene unfolding, while staying hidden.
More or less here (purple mark)
The invisible presence follows her at first, but then the warlock commands it to follow Cyriel and Joy, as far as the spell's range allows.
The young knight follows the green-skinned pelorian, giving her a reassuring smile before they board the Silver Gull, ready to assist and support her while following her lead, standing confidently by her side as she greets the slavers. He tries to quickly determine if any of the three slavers they´ve spotted are any of the slavers they met earlier.
(Assume that Cyriel will provide help action to any persuasion rolls :-) Perception to spot hidden threats: 20
Leif nods to Cleo as she hands him a berry. He's tempted to eat it right then and there as he realizes how hungry he is. Then Leif sneaks to the edge of the dock and looks for a warping rope that holds the ship close to the dock, looking for a way to climb aboard the ship.
With Cleo keeping with the others heading for the ship, Lusia breaks off with Aisling, trying to keep out of sight behind the building there, but where she can still see those going aboard the ship. (Basically behind Building G)
Joy & Cyriel, Your approach to the ship is largely ignored until you set foot on the jetty.
The men aboard the ship instantly silence their conversation and watch you with piercing stares as you move toward the gangplank.
You remember these two men. They are the same two men who approached and left with the captives and the men who lost their wagon after the rescue. The towering, broad-shouldered man and the gaunt, pale-skinned half-elf with a deep scar across his throat. The large man is wearing a cutlass in his belt and the half-elf is wearing two daggers.
Their eyes follow you as you walk onto the plank, up through the opening in the railing, and onto the deck.
“Good evening,” She greets with a small wave and smile, though there’s an unmistakable weight behind her words. “Hope we’re not interrupting anything too important.”
The large man looks at his companion. The half-elf signs something back with his hands, and they both return to staring at you suspiciously.
"What do ya want?" the large man says gruffly.
Looking around the ship, you notice the following:
There are four shrouds (rope nets for climbing the masts), one on either side of each mast.
The vessel has three square hatches on the starboard side (about two feet below the base of the railing on deck). Only the rear one is propped open. You can't see the port side, but it is fair to assume it also has three.
There are two stairs on either side leading to the fore and aft platforms on the main deck and a set of steep descending stairs in the ship's centre next to the ventilation grates.
There are two ballistas on deck. One on the starboard side of the main deck and one on the bow platform of the ship.
A fellow points a crossbow at you from the aft crow's nest.
Leif, Aisling, Lusia & Cleo,
Leif, let me know your route to where. (I will use your rolls from post #134) Aisling and Lusia, are covering the delegates from behind building G, about 80 feet from the bow of the ship. Cleo, I am not sure where you are?
Joy keeps her expression calm as she takes in the scene—the men watching them like hawks, the daggers and cutlass, the crossbow aimed from above. This was going to be tricky. She focuses first on Leif, sending a quiet thought through their connection.
"Four shrouds, three starboard hatches--rear open. Two staircases fore and aft, central descent by ventilation grates. Two ballistas."
Satisfied that he’s informed, she meets the large man’s gaze and smiles easily—as if the crossbow trained on her doesn’t bother her at all.
“We helped save your shipment earlier today,” she says, her voice steady and warm, as if she were discussing absolutely anything else. She tilts her head slightly, shifting her shield casually but deliberately into view. “As a servant of Pelor, I bring his light of compassion where I can. And right now, I see a golden opportunity.” She gestures vaguely to the city behind them. “You must know by now—slavery is outlawed here. We're more concerned with freeing those people than punishing you. Why not be heroes?” Her smile deepens, but her eyes hold an unwavering weight. “Take the night off. Have a drink. Let this ship sail empty.”
The young knight can't help but smile to himself at the bold but righteous offer to the slavers, he couldn't possibly have put it better and he is glad that he put his faith in the green-skinned hexblood doing the talking. "You vill do vell taking ze fräulein's advice meine herren." He simply chimes in to say with a polite smile and a confident stance.
Cleo follows Aisling and Lusia to the building they are hiding behind. She wants to have a good view of the deck in case a fight breaks out. For a long moment, though, the gnome was tempted to try and follow Leif as he snuck aboard the ship, but she doesn't have much faith in her own ability to remain undetected.
"Please let this work," she whispers, watching as Joy and Cyriel speak to the men aboard the ship.
"I don't see an outright attack going well," Lusia offers. "I'm equally concerned that they won't listen to us. But maybe a ruse of some sort? Approach demanding payment for our rescue of their 'cargo' perhaps?" She frowns, "I mean, one of you guys that's better with words should try that."
"Hmm... maybe... well, perhaps we could get them to agree to give us one of their prisoners... umm, well whatever you call them... as our payment?" Lusia suggests.
She leans in toward Leif, keeping her voice lowered. "Maybe combine it with some sneaking, in case the ploy doesn't work?"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi ||
Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue
"I can do that," Leif says to Lusia. A smile creeps up the sides of his face as someone suggests that he can be helpful. He finishes his work on the bolts and signals he's ready for action.
DM for Tyranny of Dragons and Phandelver and Below, two in-person campaigns that meet weekly on Friday and Saturday nights.
"I do not expect ze slavers to just turn over zeir slaves, it vill require some convincing." The young knight admits with a small but confident smile. "Vile I do not doubt you vill be able to sneak aboard ze ship Leif, I would very much appreciate if you and ze others zat vill not come vith me vill find hidden positions from vhere you can cover me ja?" He says with an encouraging smile, looking at the halfling, then the half-elf, the gnome and the girl with the lute. "Perhaps you vill come vith me to parley vith zem fräulein Joy." He finishes, leaving Viktor to wait as he marches aboard the Silver Gull as soon as his companions have reached their positions.
Joy listens to the plan unfold, nodding thoughtfully. It made sense to use all their strengths. Cyriel was right—the slavers wouldn’t just hand over their captives. It would take force, trickery, or a mix of both. “I’ll go with you, Cyriel. If they won’t listen to reason, at least we can keep them talking long enough for the others to move into place.”
Before they move, a thought occurs to her. She hesitates for only a moment, then reaches up and pulls a lock of hair from her braid with surprising ease. Holding the strand between her fingers, she murmurs a few words in Sylvan, her voice like a soft breeze through leaves. The hair twists and weaves together, shaping itself into a tiny, doll-like figure, no bigger than a thumb.
She holds it out to Leif, her expression warm but serious. “This is a special ability of mine,” she explains. “As long as you have this, I can send thoughts to you—warnings, directions—if things go bad up here and you need to get out. You won’t be able to talk back, but at least you’ll know if trouble’s coming.” Her smile turns wry. “Not that I think you’ll need the warning—you’re sharper than most. But…better safe than sorry.”
Feeling exceptionally special that Joy chose him to impart this gift, Leif beams with joy. "Thanks!" he says in a loud whisper. He looks over the tiny doll in his palm. Admiration growing quickly for this interesting woman who makes him feel... happy. It has been long since anyone gave Leif a gift or made him feel this way. He'd had some nice interactions with the Svirfneblin in 'the below' as he called it, especially as they taught him to read and write in their languages, but nothing came close to this gift. He looks back up at Joy as she describes its utility. Leif's smile grows wider than ever before as she compliments him about being "...sharper than most..." He doesn't believe it about himself, but he appreciates her words nonetheless. "Great idea, Joy. Thanks again."
Leif lovingly places the doll in an empty pouch on his tunic.
DM for Tyranny of Dragons and Phandelver and Below, two in-person campaigns that meet weekly on Friday and Saturday nights.
As much as Cleo wants to go with Cyriel and Joy to confront the slavers directly, she knows that would not be the best use of her talents. Instead, she whispers an incantation, and ten bright red berries appear in her palm.
"Wait, take some of these," she says to the others. "They'll help if you're hurt."
She gives two berries to each of her new companions. "I'll try to find a spot where I can help from range," she tells Cyriel. "Good luck."
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf - Lvl. 4 Halfling Rogue (The Shattered Obelisk) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan - Lvl. 10 Half-Elf Sorcerer (Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick - Lvl. 4 Aasimar Paladin (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Selene Albion - Lvl. 12 Human Ranger (In-Person Homebrew Campaign) ♦ Phaerdra Tor'viir - Lvl. 3 Drow Wizard (Exandria Sandbox Campaign)
As everyone prepares, Aisling extends her palm, and a thin book materializes in her hand. Its covers are pitch black, and the pages look brittle—withered and bleached as if frozen in time. Every time her fingers brush against them, they feel dry and fragile, as though they might crumble at any momen yet they never really do. The changeling exhales softly. Frost and wither. Her patron's signs woven into everything about her.
When she finds the page she seeks, she begins tracing a complex set of sigils, muttering under her breath as she works. After a few minutes, she finishes and glances to her right, where she knows her newly summoned helper waits. It has no form, no visible shape, yet she senses it and is always aware of its presence.
With a quiet motion, she presses her hand against the book’s cover, as if to close it—though the moment she does, it vanishes from sight. “I am ready,” Aisling whispers to her companions.
Diving deep to the surface ♫ Nessa | Saxa | Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren
"Zank you fräulein Cleo, let us hope ve vill not need zem, but zey do look very appetizing." The young knight says to the gnome with a grateful smile, then awaiting everyone's preparations with calm confidence. It was clear that his new companions had a lot to contribute to what they were about to do and his confidence that it would be enough grew as he watched them prepare.
"So, Cyriel, Joy, and Aisling will be confronting the slavers?" Lusia asks, looking at the trio. "While Leif sneaks aboard and Cleo keeps at range to support. Where would I best help? While familiar with moving quietly, I'm not sure if I would just give Leif's effort. I'm good with my bow too, so could stay with Cleo."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi ||
Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue
"Yes, you do zat fräulein Lusia." Cyriel says with a firm nod and a reassuring smile. It was hard to know exactly how the situation would develop once on board the Silver Gull but he had to trust everyone to to their best to work as a cohesive unit.
As everyone signals their readiness, Joy exhales, rolling her shoulders before stepping forward with calm confidence. She strides onto the deck of The Silver Gull beside Cyriel, her shield secured on her arm, her stance steady but unthreatening. She meets the guards’ eyes without hesitation, her voice clear and firm.
“Good evening,” She greets with a small wave and smile, though there’s an unmistakable weight behind her words. “Hope we’re not interrupting anything too important.”
As Joy steps forward, Lusia looks for a place nearby where she might have cover and still be able to reach those on the ship with her arrows.
(Stealth if needed: 17)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi ||
Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue
Aisling thanks Cleo for the goodberries, giving one to the unseen servant to hold while keeping the other for herself. Like Lusia, she moves forward, searching for a spot where she can see the scene unfolding, while staying hidden.
More or less here (purple mark)
The invisible presence follows her at first, but then the warlock commands it to follow Cyriel and Joy, as far as the spell's range allows.
Diving deep to the surface ♫ Nessa | Saxa | Auriel | Chase | Shenua | Arren
The young knight follows the green-skinned pelorian, giving her a reassuring smile before they board the Silver Gull, ready to assist and support her while following her lead, standing confidently by her side as she greets the slavers. He tries to quickly determine if any of the three slavers they´ve spotted are any of the slavers they met earlier.
(Assume that Cyriel will provide help action to any persuasion rolls :-)
Perception to spot hidden threats: 20
Leif nods to Cleo as she hands him a berry. He's tempted to eat it right then and there as he realizes how hungry he is. Then Leif sneaks to the edge of the dock and looks for a warping rope that holds the ship close to the dock, looking for a way to climb aboard the ship.
DM for Tyranny of Dragons and Phandelver and Below, two in-person campaigns that meet weekly on Friday and Saturday nights.
With Cleo keeping with the others heading for the ship, Lusia breaks off with Aisling, trying to keep out of sight behind the building there, but where she can still see those going aboard the ship. (Basically behind Building G)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi ||
Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue
Joy & Cyriel,
Your approach to the ship is largely ignored until you set foot on the jetty.
The men aboard the ship instantly silence their conversation and watch you with piercing stares as you move toward the gangplank.
You remember these two men. They are the same two men who approached and left with the captives and the men who lost their wagon after the rescue. The towering, broad-shouldered man and the gaunt, pale-skinned half-elf with a deep scar across his throat. The large man is wearing a cutlass in his belt and the half-elf is wearing two daggers.
Their eyes follow you as you walk onto the plank, up through the opening in the railing, and onto the deck.
The large man looks at his companion. The half-elf signs something back with his hands, and they both return to staring at you suspiciously.
"What do ya want?" the large man says gruffly.
Looking around the ship, you notice the following:
A fellow points a crossbow at you from the aft crow's nest.
Leif, Aisling, Lusia & Cleo,
Leif, let me know your route to where. (I will use your rolls from post #134)
Aisling and Lusia, are covering the delegates from behind building G, about 80 feet from the bow of the ship.
Cleo, I am not sure where you are?
Joy keeps her expression calm as she takes in the scene—the men watching them like hawks, the daggers and cutlass, the crossbow aimed from above. This was going to be tricky. She focuses first on Leif, sending a quiet thought through their connection.
"Four shrouds, three starboard hatches--rear open. Two staircases fore and aft, central descent by ventilation grates. Two ballistas."
Satisfied that he’s informed, she meets the large man’s gaze and smiles easily—as if the crossbow trained on her doesn’t bother her at all.
“We helped save your shipment earlier today,” she says, her voice steady and warm, as if she were discussing absolutely anything else. She tilts her head slightly, shifting her shield casually but deliberately into view. “As a servant of Pelor, I bring his light of compassion where I can. And right now, I see a golden opportunity.” She gestures vaguely to the city behind them. “You must know by now—slavery is outlawed here. We're more concerned with freeing those people than punishing you. Why not be heroes?” Her smile deepens, but her eyes hold an unwavering weight. “Take the night off. Have a drink. Let this ship sail empty.”
Persuasion: 19 w help from Cyriel
The young knight can't help but smile to himself at the bold but righteous offer to the slavers, he couldn't possibly have put it better and he is glad that he put his faith in the green-skinned hexblood doing the talking. "You vill do vell taking ze fräulein's advice meine herren." He simply chimes in to say with a polite smile and a confident stance.
Cleo follows Aisling and Lusia to the building they are hiding behind. She wants to have a good view of the deck in case a fight breaks out. For a long moment, though, the gnome was tempted to try and follow Leif as he snuck aboard the ship, but she doesn't have much faith in her own ability to remain undetected.
"Please let this work," she whispers, watching as Joy and Cyriel speak to the men aboard the ship.
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf - Lvl. 4 Halfling Rogue (The Shattered Obelisk) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan - Lvl. 10 Half-Elf Sorcerer (Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick - Lvl. 4 Aasimar Paladin (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Selene Albion - Lvl. 12 Human Ranger (In-Person Homebrew Campaign) ♦ Phaerdra Tor'viir - Lvl. 3 Drow Wizard (Exandria Sandbox Campaign)