Accompanying Briga, you find some a city watch patrol and begin asking questions regarding this Black Viper. Most of the patrols you talk to tell you that they are dead and haven't been seen in years, but some others - especially within the Sea Ward of the city, are saying that there have been reports of sightings, but as it is an active investigation they are unable to reveal more information without permission from a magistrate or Masked Lord.
Briga agrees with her allies, "Yeah, we should all go together, I'll introduce you guys, make sure they recognize you. Heck, you're all better with people than me, you'll probably be a relief from my usual bear in a glassware shop approach. None of us are lone wolves anymore, we're a pack now. Gotta let people know the Abandoned Dragons are a thing in Waterdeep, now!"
After getting less than useful information from the watch, she tries to see if any of the patrolmen can be persuaded to at least give the names of any of the victims of burglaries purported to be the Black Viper's doing, so she might speak with them directly. If that is not an option, she'll propose they approach a magistrate, "Unless one of you is a masked lord, of course, in which case, quit holding out," she jokes to her friends.
Briga suggests either Arlon or Tyrus ask the city watch to reveal the names of victims of the recent Black Viper burglaries, she will aid their Persuasion check, if one is needed, with the Help Action for advantage if possible, levering her being an established bounty hunter in Waterdeep.
If they are adamant about not revealing the information without a magistrate's permission, or they don't know, then that will be her next stop.
Arlon will try to appeal to their sense of duty and protection of the innocent. Even if they are nobles. Also he tells the guard who help them that they ll have a special price for their afterwork ale at the inn they are opening. (Seems li'e a good thing to have some Watchmen come to the inn. Just to warn the troublemakers.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Tyrus is happy for Arlon to take the lead here as he is a local while Tyrus is not. Instead, Tyrus will stay in the background and try to use his Insight to see if the people Arlon talks to are holding anything back or perhaps reacting in strange ways (Insight Roll: 14 ). He wouldn't be surprised if members of the Watch weren't going to be totally forthcoming for a whole variety of reasons.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
"I'm afraid the Watch isn't allowed to discuss open investigations" the city watchman replies. "However, you can go to the nearest magistrate" and he gives directions. "I am not able to escort you as I am still on duty for another 6 hours. If you want an escort, come back then." He says, before continuing his patrol around the ward he is assigned.
"Eh, I think we can get to the magistrate on our own, Arlon," Briga says. "They don't tend to be stationed in the worst parts of town if you get my meaning. Let's go." She heads to the magistrate's location as described by the watchman, with her allies.
"'Tis probably better we be making ourselves known to those of the Watch in the areas where this Viper's been operating anyways," says Tyrus to Arlon as they follow Briga. "Maybe we can find where they drink after work and ask our questions there."
Then he directs a question at Briga: "Do the Watch tend to be liking ye bounty hunters?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist) Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon. The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Briga thinks about it uncharacteristically long before responding. "I guess I always assumed they do! Like he said, less crime means less work for them, and we're on the same team, so I would think they like bounty hunters. I haven't been doing it for a long time, not successfully anyway. Some of the higher ups might not like bounty hunters getting credit for things, it might make their jobs feel uncertain, if the city thinks their coin is better spend outsourcing justice to mercenaries basically. It probably just varies, person to person, like most things."
"I don't want to be all cynical, but some city watch aren't that different from gangsters in the Xanathar guild, or Zhentarim agents. They're thugs with a little bit of power to lord over the little people, and theirs happens to be official. They have their reasons they tell themselves. Hardly anyone ever thinks they're a bad person. Even evil cultists have some twisted justification for why evil's good for them, or whatever. But, back to your question, I don't know how much the watch likes me, in particular, since I haven't turned in a lot of bounties myself, honestly."
"I'm not the most cunning person out there, and people don't really open up to me that easily, so it's hard to track down information sometimes. But, even when I did track down a bounty, I've let more than half of them walk. Said they escaped to Freeport, there's no catching them in Undermountain, that kind of junk. Sometimes the 'justice' just seems too harsh. People make mistakes, or do what they have to, to get by, or provide for their families, or whatever. It might mean some money for me, but when I'm turning someone in, I've got to weigh that with wrecking their life, or maybe ending their life, for some crimes."
"Basically the watch doesn't want you to read into the 'whys' of things. They don't want to you bother with why they did what they did, or what their punishment will be for it. Here's a bounty, collect it, end of story - that's how they like it. I just... I think it's not that easy to be a good person. Following any authority blindly doesn't make you good, it just makes you safe, or something."
Making your way to the magistrate's office, you are able to start looking into more information. Arriving without issue, you approach the clerk who gives you the information that is publically available.
Firstly, the Black Viper has been targetting homes in the Sea Ward. These houses are mostly home to nobles of the city. The Sea Ward is also one of the more heavily patrolled areas of the city due to the type of people that live there. There was someone identified as the Black Viper about 10 years ago, but they were caught. There is also a newspaper clipping from the Waterdeep Wazoo that claims the suspect is a noble themselves.
While in the magistrates' office, Tyrus will try to pick up a couple of copies of the laws of Waterdeep (i.e., the one the guard gave us way back). He wants to keep one for the tavern, but also wants to point out something to the others in the party.
"If we're going to be mixing it with the nobles of Waterdeep, we need to remember that they've got their own set of rules—rules we should take care not to break."
[OOC: I've added a copy of the original below as a reminder.]
[OOC: Apparently the computer says no regarding the image, so here's the text from the relevant section:
I. Crimes against Lords, Officials, and Nobles
Assaulting or impersonating a Lord: death
Assaulting or impersonating an official or noble: flogging, imprisonment up to a tenday, and fine up to 500 gp
Blackmailing an official: flogging and exile up to 10 years
Bribery or attempted bribery of an official: exile up to 20 years and fine up to double the bribe amount
Murder of a Lord, official, or noble: death
Using magic to influence a Lord without consent: imprisonment up to a year, and fine or damages up to 1,000 gp
Using magic to influence an official without consent: fine or damage up to 1,000 gp and edict]
" Just my kind of crowd. I might have a friend or two I could upon and have them look into the Viper problem."
Feature: Position of Privilege
Thanks to your noble birth, people are inclined to think the best of you. You are welcome in high society, and people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. The common folk make every effort to accommodate you and avoid your displeasure, and other people of high birth treat you as a member of the same social sphere. You can secure an audience with a local noble if you need to.
Arlon will use this to get someone to talk to him in the Sea Ward
Accompanying Briga, you find some a city watch patrol and begin asking questions regarding this Black Viper. Most of the patrols you talk to tell you that they are dead and haven't been seen in years, but some others - especially within the Sea Ward of the city, are saying that there have been reports of sightings, but as it is an active investigation they are unable to reveal more information without permission from a magistrate or Masked Lord.
Briga agrees with her allies, "Yeah, we should all go together, I'll introduce you guys, make sure they recognize you. Heck, you're all better with people than me, you'll probably be a relief from my usual bear in a glassware shop approach. None of us are lone wolves anymore, we're a pack now. Gotta let people know the Abandoned Dragons are a thing in Waterdeep, now!"
After getting less than useful information from the watch, she tries to see if any of the patrolmen can be persuaded to at least give the names of any of the victims of burglaries purported to be the Black Viper's doing, so she might speak with them directly. If that is not an option, she'll propose they approach a magistrate, "Unless one of you is a masked lord, of course, in which case, quit holding out," she jokes to her friends.
"Would you accompany us to the magistrate? We'd really like to get to the bottom of whatever is going on here with the Black Viper."
Gash - Lvl14 Goblin Wizard - The High Court of the Aasimar Queen
Semi mechanical/OOC:
Briga suggests either Arlon or Tyrus ask the city watch to reveal the names of victims of the recent Black Viper burglaries, she will aid their Persuasion check, if one is needed, with the Help Action for advantage if possible, levering her being an established bounty hunter in Waterdeep.
If they are adamant about not revealing the information without a magistrate's permission, or they don't know, then that will be her next stop.
Arlon will try to appeal to their sense of duty and protection of the innocent. Even if they are nobles. Also he tells the guard who help them that they ll have a special price for their afterwork ale at the inn they are opening. (Seems li'e a good thing to have some Watchmen come to the inn. Just to warn the troublemakers.)
Persuasion: 16
Tyrus is happy for Arlon to take the lead here as he is a local while Tyrus is not. Instead, Tyrus will stay in the background and try to use his Insight to see if the people Arlon talks to are holding anything back or perhaps reacting in strange ways (Insight Roll: 14 ). He wouldn't be surprised if members of the Watch weren't going to be totally forthcoming for a whole variety of reasons.
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
"I'm afraid the Watch isn't allowed to discuss open investigations" the city watchman replies. "However, you can go to the nearest magistrate" and he gives directions. "I am not able to escort you as I am still on duty for another 6 hours. If you want an escort, come back then." He says, before continuing his patrol around the ward he is assigned.
"Nice fellow....." Arlon says sarcastically.
"Should we wait? Better get there with someone no?"
"Eh, I think we can get to the magistrate on our own, Arlon," Briga says. "They don't tend to be stationed in the worst parts of town if you get my meaning. Let's go." She heads to the magistrate's location as described by the watchman, with her allies.
“Yeah, better not to waste the time. Let’s head out.”
Gash - Lvl14 Goblin Wizard - The High Court of the Aasimar Queen
"'Tis probably better we be making ourselves known to those of the Watch in the areas where this Viper's been operating anyways," says Tyrus to Arlon as they follow Briga. "Maybe we can find where they drink after work and ask our questions there."
Then he directs a question at Briga: "Do the Watch tend to be liking ye bounty hunters?"
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
"It feels like in this town that the less work and crime on their plates the better, is that sort of how it is Brigs?"
Gash - Lvl14 Goblin Wizard - The High Court of the Aasimar Queen
Briga thinks about it uncharacteristically long before responding. "I guess I always assumed they do! Like he said, less crime means less work for them, and we're on the same team, so I would think they like bounty hunters. I haven't been doing it for a long time, not successfully anyway. Some of the higher ups might not like bounty hunters getting credit for things, it might make their jobs feel uncertain, if the city thinks their coin is better spend outsourcing justice to mercenaries basically. It probably just varies, person to person, like most things."
"I don't want to be all cynical, but some city watch aren't that different from gangsters in the Xanathar guild, or Zhentarim agents. They're thugs with a little bit of power to lord over the little people, and theirs happens to be official. They have their reasons they tell themselves. Hardly anyone ever thinks they're a bad person. Even evil cultists have some twisted justification for why evil's good for them, or whatever. But, back to your question, I don't know how much the watch likes me, in particular, since I haven't turned in a lot of bounties myself, honestly."
"I'm not the most cunning person out there, and people don't really open up to me that easily, so it's hard to track down information sometimes. But, even when I did track down a bounty, I've let more than half of them walk. Said they escaped to Freeport, there's no catching them in Undermountain, that kind of junk. Sometimes the 'justice' just seems too harsh. People make mistakes, or do what they have to, to get by, or provide for their families, or whatever. It might mean some money for me, but when I'm turning someone in, I've got to weigh that with wrecking their life, or maybe ending their life, for some crimes."
"Basically the watch doesn't want you to read into the 'whys' of things. They don't want to you bother with why they did what they did, or what their punishment will be for it. Here's a bounty, collect it, end of story - that's how they like it. I just... I think it's not that easy to be a good person. Following any authority blindly doesn't make you good, it just makes you safe, or something."
Making your way to the magistrate's office, you are able to start looking into more information. Arriving without issue, you approach the clerk who gives you the information that is publically available.
Firstly, the Black Viper has been targetting homes in the Sea Ward. These houses are mostly home to nobles of the city. The Sea Ward is also one of the more heavily patrolled areas of the city due to the type of people that live there. There was someone identified as the Black Viper about 10 years ago, but they were caught. There is also a newspaper clipping from the Waterdeep Wazoo that claims the suspect is a noble themselves.
"I guess we're going to go rub elbows with the upper crust of Waterdeep, dudes," Briga says. "Maybe someone there will have more details for us."
While in the magistrates' office, Tyrus will try to pick up a couple of copies of the laws of Waterdeep (i.e., the one the guard gave us way back). He wants to keep one for the tavern, but also wants to point out something to the others in the party.
"If we're going to be mixing it with the nobles of Waterdeep, we need to remember that they've got their own set of rules—rules we should take care not to break."
[OOC: I've added a copy of the original below as a reminder.]
[OOC: Apparently the computer says no regarding the image, so here's the text from the relevant section:
I. Crimes against Lords, Officials, and Nobles
Assaulting or impersonating a Lord: death
Assaulting or impersonating an official or noble: flogging, imprisonment up to a tenday, and fine up to 500 gp
Blackmailing an official: flogging and exile up to 10 years
Bribery or attempted bribery of an official: exile up to 20 years and fine up to double the bribe amount
Murder of a Lord, official, or noble: death
Using magic to influence a Lord without consent: imprisonment up to a year, and fine or damages up to 1,000 gp
Using magic to influence an official without consent: fine or damage up to 1,000 gp and edict]
[OOC: DM, do guards count as officials?]
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
"We'll be on our best behavior, Tyrus," Briga agrees. "We're there to help them protect their valuables, after all."
"Aye, Briga, that'd be good," says Tyrus. "But I worry about that temper of yours getting the best of ye."
---
Tyrus Mountson: Lvl 3 Dwarvish Bard; Waterdeep Campaign (Dragon Heist)
Nanoc the Younger: Semi-retired Lvl 2 Rogue / Level 2 Barbarian Human; The Knuckle, Mror Holds, Ebberon.
The Honourable Jaden Fellan: Level 3 Human Eldritch Knight; Band of Sunswall
AKA: Phillip Berrie: writer, editor and academic thrillseeker—a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
[OOC: Yep, City Watchmen and City Guard are counted as officials.]
Arlon smiles.
" Just my kind of crowd. I might have a friend or two I could upon and have them look into the Viper problem."
Thanks to your noble birth, people are inclined to think the best of you. You are welcome in high society, and people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. The common folk make every effort to accommodate you and avoid your displeasure, and other people of high birth treat you as a member of the same social sphere. You can secure an audience with a local noble if you need to.
Arlon will use this to get someone to talk to him in the Sea Ward