Dues for the Dead (DM Lerus)

@Doozey: Sagin takes the potion of healing and the 10gp, saying only a few words of thanks and displaying his usual aloof facial expression. He fumbles a bit while holding the currency, giving you the impression the kobold has never before handled this amount of gold at once. At the pawn shop, the nameless dragonborn clerk lady charges you 5gp for the spork and another 20gp for the potentially weaponizable firefly.

@Neya: You catch Vondor Thond on his way out of the construction site and ask him about furnishings. He gladly reports that the Carpenters' arm of the Labor Guilds have plenty of mundane furnishing available for sale and are always willing to take up custom orders. They even have contacts outside of Phlan who can imbue some pieces with minor enchantments, but those services can be a bit pricey. You get the impression that CRAP can furnish the Leadstopper House with whatever pieces they feel the need for (with some limitations, of course) as long as they are willing to pay the fee and give it time for orders to be completed. Vondor reminds you that the design of the house includes a kitchen, a lavatory, a dining room, a storage room, and one bedroom, all in the lower floor. The second floor has enough space for another four bedrooms of varying sizes, two living rooms, a study room, and a landing are at the top of the stairs linking the two stories. Those were the designs he has been working with, but the ultimate utility of each room is up to CRAP.

(OOC: I'm allowing some more time here to see if everyone is ready to move on.)

OOC:  Thank you for the feed.  Graxx is ready to move forward in the story.

(OOC: Alright, let us move onward.)

By around sundown, everyone is back at the house. Utar arrives with Fat Mar on a cart full of catering supplies. Graxx ties his new horse on a post nearby. Doozey, Taters, and Sagin come back with the outcomes of their own shopping, while Neya has much to ponder on furnishing the house. 

By the time Aleyd arrives, all is nearly set up for supper. She apologizes: "I realize I said tea time, but it has been a busy day. That said, I am glad I can finish it with some joyful get-together." She waves her half of the sending stones in the air and adds: "Though I realize this may mean more business than merriment." She compliments the group on how the construction work has come along so far and follows the group inside.

-> Feel free to RP here if there is anything you want to tell Aleyd before Dornal arrives.

Dornal arrives some 20 minutes after the Black Fist captain. He is loud and unapologetic: "Where's the beer that was promised? Last time we met like this it was during a banquet hosted by a noble... I expect nothing less." He laughs aloud at his own joke. Waking in while rubbing his belly, the joyful dwarf adds: "I can smell the food already! Is it... turkey?"

Arriving back mid-chuckle following a particularly ribald hear from Far Mar, Utar helps him unload the cart and then agrees on a suitable time for him to collect the furniture tomorrow.

"Not too early but sometime in the morning? I'll help you load up again."

Waving Fat Mar off, Utar waits for their guests to arrive and is a little worried for them until they reach arrive, nervously watching out of a window. Getting them relaxes the half-orc, only then does he help himself to a drink and a bit of pleasant small-talk before dinner.

Graxx pats his new horse Glory and smiles.  He puts his face up against the horse.

"We will ride into battle soon Glory!  You and I will move as one in time.  Thinking as one and breathing as one." says Graxx cheerfully.

Graxx pats the horse one more time and walks to meet Aleyd.

"Hello, Aleyd!  It is great to see you!" says Graxx as he extends his hand for a handshake.

"How have things been since we last met?  Have you heard if my tribesman have been on good behavior in the prison?" asks Graxx.

Doozey is more subued and greets Aleyd in more a curt nod. It is however at that point that, realizing Sagin might no understand some of the signifigance of some of the guest to arrive, that the halfling took the kobold aside to give him the rundown while awaiting the rest.

Where it came to Donral's arrival, the stoutling almost manages a full smile seeing the dwarf. "Good to see you as well, Sir. Can't promise the affair will be quite on par with a noble's feast, I do hope you and the others enjoy it." He said, prior to showing the dwarf to the spread. "Apologies for the short notice on everything. But, the matter at hand isn't one we can sit on for longer... By the way, do you know any good ship captains that don't mind a bit of danger?"

(@Grx: Please give me an animal handling check.)

Fat Mar is all smiles and has no trouble agreeing to Utar's request. In fact, he has an offer of his own: "Are you sure you don't need a bit of Fat Mar's jolly good presence in your party. The food is cooked and the drink is corked, but I can help serve them either hot or cold, depending on preferences." Utar is wise enough (passive insight) to realize Fat Mar is trying to shirk some work back at the Laughing Goblin and perhaps make extra tips here tonight.

Aleyd seems a bit surprised by Graxx's initial topic: "Surely you did not invite me here to simply ask about the prisoners, but yes, I have heard no trouble from the ones allowed to live since they were taken. Whatever you told them when you visited must have worked its magic." She then shakes her head slightly and preemptively makes a statement about their martial law: "Their good behavior, however, does not exempt them from their sentence."

Sagin pays close attention to Doozey instructions and the hunter gets the impression the kobold is following the lesson well. When approached, Dornal greets Doozey with a hand on the shoulder and a wide smile. Despite his comments, the dwarf is liable to eat and drink whatever is put in front on him. On ship captains, he seems a bit less optimistic: "No captain in particular, I'm afraid. I fear Phlan is a port for merchants, not explorers." He then points at Doozey's coin purse and adds: "But I'm sure you can convince them. If you need any help, I gather the harbormaster can point you in the right direction. Or you can approach House Sokol's representative in their administrative office in the dock area. She has plenty of contacts in the shipping business."

The mentions of "harbormaster" and "House Sokol's administrative office" ring a bell in Utar's, Graxx,'s and Neya's head. The former likely refers to Guard Sergeant Hurn, leader of the Black Fist Guardpost at the docks who has since been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and assumed the post of harbormaster. The usually lazy dwarf had earned an unexpected hero's reputation when he supposedly orchestrated the re-lighting of the lighthouse known as Sokol Keep, which had halted commerce in Phlan while broken. The latter refers to a woman named Liela, who serves as the main administrator for any affairs in Phlan that are of interest to the noble house of the Sokols. House Sokol has all but left Phlan years ago, but Liela ensures any business they still have in the city are profitable. Doozey recalls this administrative office faintly. This is where he sought information when he first arrived in Phlan, and also where he first met Utar, Graxx, and Neya. 

Ushering Fat Mar out of the door, Utar laughs along but is only slightly joking. Unless and until the Teapot is back up and running, the Laughing Goblin is his regular watering hole.

"And I'll be barred from the Laughing Goblin if I keep you here all evening. Best get yourself back or neither of our lives will be worth living!"

Once Fat Mar is safely on his way back, Utar will take on serving duties, making sure the drink is flowing.

"Should we maybe get dinner out of the way first before we reveal our ulterior motive? Or do we make this a working dinner instead?"

Animal Handling:  21

Graxx heart warms for a moment before sinking at the reminding of their sentence.

"No... No... That's not the reason for asking you to come here.  It's just that I think about my tribe every day..." says Graxx as he looks down at the ground.

Graxx forces a smile.

"I'm glad to hear they have been acting right." 

Graxx starts to ask. about paying to reduce their sentences..  Then hesitates...  He decides against his initial thoughts.  His heart hardens... He will free them one day.  But today is not that day.

"Thank you for allowing some to live." says Graxx.

Graxx decides to switch the topic.

"Your guidance has helped me to progress along the Paladin path.  I used the blessings of Tempus recently to heal one of my allies for the first time recently.  It was everything I thought it would be.  I will forever be grateful." says Graxx.

Graxx makes his way over to the table.

"Work is always going to be there waiting for us.  Let us enjoy a meal and be merry with one another before getting down to business." recommends Graxx.

Doozey frowned and opened his mouth as if readying to disagree, but stopped short of uttering a single syllable. Rather, he sighed, nodded, and grinned weakly in defeat. Taters flutters off from his shoulder at that point, taking the halflings acceptance as his cue to find his place and settle in for the meal. Doozey is not far behind, motioning Sagin to follow along back to the table. 

"Let's not spoil the room with serious matters, immediately. From what I hear, it makes for poor appetizer," Neya puts in her two cents.

She takes a seat in preparation of some Laughing Goblin catering.

A FEW MOMENTS AGO

Glory enjoys the show of affection by Graxx. The [stallion/mare?] snorts a warm breath through their nostrils and neighs excitedly.

IN THE HOUSE

Fat Mar laughs along with Utar as he is guided toward the door: "I see you know Imizael well! Hahaha!"

Captain AHB nods along with Graxx's words, showing that she is taking them in and respecting the tribesman's stance on the matter regarding the prisoners. When thanked for showing Graxx the paladin ropes, she waves a hand: "The connection between your deity and you is something only the two of you can fully understand. I simply pointed you in a general direction. Your achievements and progress are your own."  

Dornal shouts a big "Hurray!" in response to Graxx's and Neya's words regarding procrastinating work in favor of an enjoyable dinner. If only Fat Mar was here, he'd likely agree too. Doozey can't help but concede. When Sagin is guided to the table, his initial response is to grab a pitcher of previously poured ale and start filling tankards. He finishes a full round of pouring before realizing Doozey might instead be asking him to sit down with them. He stares at the stoutling, as if asking for confirmation.

The next 60 to 120 minutes are nothing but merriment, drinking, eating, catching up, and overall enjoyment. It looks like many around the table were in need of a low-stakes, low-stress evening like this. Dornal is loud as ever, even jumping on the table at some point and belching himself into a song. His display and mannerisms completely fail to match his richly noble attire. The sight fosters much laughter around the table, including the dwarf's own boisterous one.

(OOC: I'll leave it up to you to wrap up this first portion of the evening and jump into business. No rush, though. Feel free to RP this joyful part as much as you'd like. 😀)

Doozey cants his head to the side, not seeming to understand Sagin's meaning initially, but quickly righting himself as the pieces fell into place. "If ya want to get some practice in, then be my guest. But for tonight at least, feel free take a load off with us. Enjoy the meal. And if you got any stories you'd like to share while at it, your more than welcome to." He assured alongside a pat to the shoulder. 

Where it came to the merriment soon to come, Doozey quietly soaked in the atmosphere, but stayed reticent to share in it in quite as excitable ways as others are of mind to.. like a certain dwarf especially. He knew himself too well, and wanted to avoid dampening spirits too soon. Which with that in mind, Doozey placed his trust in the others to know the right moment for that. 

OCC:  Glory will be a mare!

Graxx pulls out his Alchemy Jug from his backpack.

"It's good to take a load off and just enjoy being with each other sometimes.  I believe this calls for a special occasion." says Graxx.

Graxx hesitates for a moment and turns to Dornal.

"What would you like to try Dornal?  Some wizard Beer or some wizard wine?" asks Graxx.

Whichever Dornal chooses Graxx will uncork the jug and name it aloud and pour some for Dornal.

Graxx then turns to the others.

"Would anyone else care for a bit of wizard drink?" asks Graxx

Graxx will pour it for anyone else who asks.

Dornal is more than excited to try Graxx's wizard beer. He finishes his current tankard and then places it in front of Graxx so he can fill it up with his magical contraption. The dwarf is marveled. After he finishes this tankard-full, he places a goblet in front of Graxx and asks for wine. He watches as the tribesman uncorks a different spout on the alchemy jug and fills the goblet. He can't help but ask: "What about the other spouts? What wonders do they hide?"

Aleyd observes how Doozey interacts with Sagin but politely holds her tongue instead of asking about the new acquaintance. Her curiosity is, nonetheless, quite noticeable based on her facial expression.

During the dinner, Utar will take the opportunity to attempt to explain Sagin's presence to Aleyd and also provide some means of introduction.

"His name is Sagin and he's going to be doing some work for us on the cellar and drains of this place hopefully.  We bumped into him a little while ago and it seemed like he needed a break and maybe a few friends as well.  He's pretty nice if you'll excuse him eating the odd bird... We should probably explain the concept of pets to him before we next head out."

He'll also ask Dornal for an update on the wider circle of faction agents within Phlan, try and get a handle on who is still in town, who might have left, who might be pretending to have left but is secretly in town, etc?

At Aleyd's attention, Doozey visibly grows guarded yet looked conflicted, realizing only then the depths of the awkwardness that came by associating with a kobold. When saved by Utar, the stoutling breathed a sigh of relief, and found even the courage to speak to add on to the Half-Orc's assertions. "He'll be also keeping a watch on the place once its finished and business keeps us away for a time. For as rough as our initial meeting might've been-..." He looks to Sagin and grins. "He's been a fairly trustworthy sort...Oh, and-..." He turns back to Aleyd, leveling a more serious look in the woman's direction.

Yet just as it looks as if he might say more, he catches himself, and then simply shake his head. "That's pretty much all there is for now."

Graxx smiles as Dornal enjoys the drink.

"Oh! All sorts of good things my friend!  Things such as honey, mayonnaise, and oil!" says Graxx.

Graxx raises his one free hand to be non-threatening.

"And types of bad things such as vinegar, poison, and acid..." says Graxx.

"But only if I command it to do so so we are safe to drink!" says Graxx.

Graxx then corks the jug.

"Now... Shall we get down to some business now that are bellies are full?" asks Graxx.

Aleyd raises her cup in response to Utar's words: "It is hard to beat a kobold when it comes to digging, so I am sure Sagin is the one for the job." She turns to gaze at Dornal: "No offense to dwarvenkind." Dornal slams his tankard down: "I am no mountain dwarf... no offence taken. Mwahahaha!"

Doozey adds some more details to the relationship they have been developing with the kobold, to which the Black Fist captain says: "Very well. As your custodian, Sagin will need a way of contacting you in an emergency, not just the other way around. I advise you to provide him with such means, much as you did for me. That and perhaps a healthy supply of tasty birds." Not being one for many jokes, Aleyd looks around the table to see if this rare instance was well received.

"Very handy!" Dornal admits after Graxx sheds more light on his magical jug. "Although I am not interested in drinking any of the other possible servings! Mwahahaah!" After a few more laughs, it turns out that Dornal is the first one to respond to Graxx's next suggestion: "Aye, let us talk some business now if you are ready."  

Utar gives Aleyd's attempt at levity a sensible chuckle, but more seriously makes a mental note to seek a method by which Sagin can contact the group while they are away.  He does not ask Aleyd to return her sending stone at this point though.

Looking to the rest of CRAP he provides a little backstory to their current predicament beginning with their meeting with Doomguide Yovir and Aleyd to investigate coastal attacks along the Iron Route.

"In travelling to where we suspected the next attack would take place we encountered some...odd islanders.  Assuming this to be local colour rather than anything else we focussed on the matter at hand and repulsed the initial attack by the Cult of the Dragon.  They were lead by a certain tiefling who mainly wore purple and we met again during the storming of the Cult's stronghold in the Quivering Forest, but we didn't know this yet. Anyway, further waves of Cultists including, but not limited to, bone clad kobolds, barbarian tribesmen, drow, Kuo-Toa and plain, old fashioned cultists."

Utar counts out the waves of combatants they faced on the island on his fingers and shoots a look to Sagin and Graxx in case there is anything further they might want to add at this point.

"Now, I think the cult had disguised themselves in bones to give off the appearance of ghostly pirates on a ghost ship terrorising shipping...But, in fighting these waves of enemies off we discovered a crude shrine within a cave.  These islanders has originally been menaced by pirates sailing on a ship named the Audacity and turns out that they made an infernal deal with Tiamat to send the pirates to the Nine Hells.  Suddenly the behaviour of the islanders and in particular three old crones became a lot more disturbing.  We broke the shrine and it resulted in the fake ghost pirates of the Cult of the Dragon meeting some real ghost pirates.  Long story short, we all nearly died fighting off the remains of the Cult and the ghostly pirates and are lucky to have emerged victorious."

Pausing, Utar takes a drink of ale before he presses on.

"And now we come to the reason we asked you both here.  We received word that the trio of crones on the island has since become a coven, growing in strength and power.  They are making moves off the island and I cannot believe that Phlan will not be challenged at some point if we leave them unchecked.  Now in hindsight, I think it likely that we should have done something at the time, but as I said, we were lucky to leave that cursed place alive and in breaking the cursed shrine to Tiamat, we had thought that broken any power which the crones possessed.  We never thought they would be able to attain power again, we had no idea they would expand."

Utar pauses here, fixing eye contact with both Aleyd and Dornal.

"This is clearly a mess, and one I think we have helped to make.  We need to set it right.  Our concern is that we cannot do this alone.  We think at least we might need use of a ship and one with a brave captain at that.  I also think we might need to ensure we have a little more muscle behind us, maybe those more used to facing infernal threats, but honestly I think we just need to ensure we have some strong bodies to stand at our backs."

He looks to the other members of CRAP, "Does that about cover it?"