Dues for the Dead (DM Lerus)

"No doubt you have, at least, heard of some strange people who were in Phlan, asking around about a girl and a goat?" Neya begins to add. "They were some of the island folk. Needless to say, the fact that the coven can order them this far from their home to do their bidding is an indication of how far they could spread their influence if left unchecked."

Graxx decides it's time to take the chance.

"Some of the Tribesman were captured and are now in the prison." says Graxx as he nods to Aleyd.

"We need warriors.  They may have lost some of their skills in the prison but if there was anyway for them to work off some of their sentence by coming to the defense of Phlan I believe now is the time.  Is there any chance of that?  I would ensure they return." asks Graxx.

Persuasion:  5

Doozey began rubbing his chin in sincere consideration of the good captain's words. But needing more time to ponder the suggestion anyhow, the stoutling readily welcomed the change in topics to the main points of the get together. And thought both content and grateful even to Utar for taking the brunt of explanations, he would furrow his brow at the cleric at one point, before glancing to the others to see if they too missed the error. When none seem to, and in fact pushed on a little to other topics, the halfling frowns a little, before stepping up to speak himself.

"While Utar here has been pretty on point, some details it seems did get lost in time there. 'cause truth is, it was heavily hinted by our contact we made after the incident, a young-ish bronze dragon by the name of Derranos-..." He pauses for a moment as if considering something, before shaking his head. "-Mn. He, uh, strongly suggested our return when we felt more prepared to deal with the crones, hinting at their being more going on, and that he would keep what I presume was the key to the crones plans safe until then... Unfortunately, we were too late. Derranos was slain, and the key taken back to the isle. We tried still to mount an attack on the island, but our means before left us vulnerable to an infernal creature adapted to the waters. A powerful creature at that, and one I at least suspect is no doubt in league with the crones." He crosses his arms and frowns. "So, it cannot be stressed enough the sorta help we can use for this. Even if-" He looks to Aeyd. "-Some ideas are bit more unsavory."

(OOC: Hoping that gives Graxx advantage on his persuasion check.)

Utar takes Graxx's shift in topic as a hint to step up and delivers a detailed retelling of events, which is then amended by both Neya and Doozey. Aleyd and Dornal listen attentively, with the dwarf being the first to react: "Your initial trip down the Iron Route... That was when I had asked you to rescue a traveling merchant with whom I am acquainted. Thank you for taking that on even when your were clearly traveling for other more important reasons."

Aleyd interrupts: "An empowered coven, a dead dragon, cultists and their many allies, and would-be regular peasants that somehow had a contract with Tiamat and infernal creatures. This all sounds quite grave, and I must confess I am disappointed this is the first time I hear about it in such detail." She looks at Neya at this point before continuing: "I agree that this is of interest to the city of Phlan and its safety. That said, I am afraid the Black Fist holds little power outside the city walls and venturing into the wilderness beyond the farmlands servicing Phlan is not something we can be expected to do. We... The Black Fist is a powerful watch over the city, but we are no military force or group of adventurers." She pauses for a second, clearly ruminating on something while turning her gaze to Dornal and Sagin. She then seems to decide to go ahead with her next comments, even in the presence of these two individuals with whom she has not exactly built a deep relationship yet: "And truth be told, I have plenty of rivals within the Institution. Any such request for direct involvement and deployment of guards would be met with staunch criticism and certain denial. It would give my rivals more arguments to use against me, reducing my influence within the Black Fist, which would be detrimental to all of us." Aleyd has been clearly dealing with some internal conflicts within the Black Fist. This does not seem to be the right time to use whatever political capital she may have, she argues.

Dornal uses the next pause in the conversation to deliver some bad news himself: "The Lords' Alliance presence in Phlan is nothing formidable, I am afraid, and it has only diminished since Keefe's passing. I fear I am in no position to provide you with men and women to join your fight." He forces a smile and turns to a more positive note: "What I do have is some coin. If you indeed plan to hire a boat or ship with a crew, I can offer to cover the costs as long as it is within my means."

"Speaking of a crew, you mentioned mercenaries." Aleyd forces everyone's attention back upon herself. "If I cannot offer the Black Fist and Mr. Whitebeard here cannot provide Lord's Alliance agents, one avenue you could explore is the fairly newly installed mercenary group here in Phlan. I believe they are called the Red Plumes."

(@Grx: Graxx may roll his persuasion check with advantage. There's plenty of good RPing here that more than counts as the help action. I'll wait for that before giving Aleyd a chance to respond to Graxx's request.)

Utar looks down at the table and then rubs his face. His eyes a little redder than they should be from a few glasses of ale and wine.  He exhales and attempts to explain.

"Our intention was not to mislead, or protect a growing threat, but I can see that in assuming the infernal pact broken we have allowed this to happen.  In not answering the call of our ally swiftly enough, we not only lost them, but likely empowered this growing threat further. Had we the ability to make a different decision, I know I would have chosen our next mission differently."

Looking round to CRAP, Utar's voice becomes more resolute.

"But that was then and this is now, and our past actions and inactions demand that we put this right.  To be clear though, we would not want to leave Phlan without either of you. Aleyd, we need someone within the Black Fist working for something other than petty career advancement.  That person has to be you and I am sorry that this burden has fallen to you.  I would feel much happier if you were able to accompany us back to the island, but that would be selfish.  Phlan needs a staunch protector and the Black Fist need someone who will put the city first and won't run from a fight when the time comes.  When we return from the island, I think it best that we talk, see what help I might be able to offer you.  Dornal, my thanks for the offer to finance the transport.  It is a generous offer and one I think we will need to make use of.  I am glad to count you as a friend.  But I am asking a further favour of both of you and I think we touched on the subject when you mentioned the Red Plumes, Aleyd.  I wondered if we might use your connections to source some mercenaries or adventurers to aid us.  After all, how were we contacted by both of you in the first instance? Where would you each look to try and find such people?  In particular, I am wondering about whether another white haired dwarf named Drazzim might still be in the city?"

OOC: Thank you for advantage!

Graxx holds his breath.

A bead of sweat runs down his cheek.

Persuasion Advantage Roll:  15

Regarding Graxx's request, Aleyd unfortunately simply repeats her previous statement: "I am afraid now is not a good time to use my political capital. Requesting such an arrangement for prisoners would go against protocol and possibly put my neck on the line." She seems disappointed with herself for not being able to offer more, but Utar's show of understanding eases her feelings a bit. "If this subject had been brought up earlier, perhaps I could have done more... I am sorry."

She gives Utar a hopeful look when he offers to perhaps help her later. She looks like she could use the support.

Dornal responds to the mention of mercenaries: "Yes, we all have contacts and those willing to spill their beans for a fee. No faction that prizes itself fails to maintain a network of such contacts and keep themselves abreast of what is happening on the ground. That said, I first heard of CRAP from our late friend Brother Keefe, as you'll recall from our first encounter." He picks his plate. "If you are looking for no more than a few extra pairs of hands, I'll be the first one to volunteer. You have earned my trust and I hope I have earned yours. I can even try to find a spare adventurer here and there through my contacts if you wish. Now, if I may be modest for a moment, no faction agent has a deeper network in this town than a certain Harper we all know by now." He nods knowingly, confirming all around the table, save perhaps Sagin, know who is being referred here. "If you are looking for a specific adventurer, this Drazzim, I would reach out to the Harper."

Aleyd agrees with Dornal and adds a question: "How many additional men and women are you aiming to hire, excluding those employed solely for the purpose of transporting you to the islet? If you are looking for a few specialists, contacts and networks are the way to go, I agree. If you are looking for numbers instead of quality, I'd suggest you reach out to the Red Plumes as I mentioned earlier. They seem about as skilled as your average Black Fist guard, save a few exceptions, I'm sure." She looks up pensively. "Though, to be fair, they seem to have been hiring members with more diverse backgrounds lately, so who knows...

Aleyd's last point sounds a bit familiar to both Neya and Doozey.

Noting the look which Aleyd shot him, Utar makes a note to split his next portion of downtime between his duties at the House of the Hand, his promise to be of service to House Brokengulf and whatever is going on with Aleyd.  Hopefully Sister Ahkt will allow him a little flexibility with his next work rotation - maybe something early in the morning or later in the evening?

Pondering the solutions put forward, and accepting that his own recent bias towards the life of an adventurer may be playing a part, a few trusty adventurers might be better than a cadre of soldiers, although Utar did have to admit that quantity did have a quality all of its own...

"If you'd care to join us on this one, I have no objection to you coming Dornal.  In fact, I would welcome it and if there are any adventurer's you trust, I'd welcome them as well provided they knew what they were signing up for.  I'll also reach out to Harper, see if we can't persuade them to join us or provide us with the names of a few more stout companions.  These Red Plumes, what do we know about them, are they reliable?  We could hire a small number to watch over the boat?"

Graxx tries to hide his disappointment.

"I understand..." simply says Graxx.

Graxx thinks that it may be much harder than he originally anticipated to free his Tribesman.  He needs someone with more power.  Someone higher in the Blackfist than Aleyd.  He moves on to the current topic.

"Numbers instead of quality makes sense to me.  Especially for this mission with no telling how many islanders wanting to get our throats at these Crone's command.  One hundred pecking chickens could take down a much larger foe.  Maybe a mix of both?  Some quality to help us strike at the Crones and some numbers to help fend off any annoyances." says Graxx.

Graxx shakes his head.

"I guess it all comes down to the cost of all this.."

"The Red Plumes are known around the Moonsea," Neya begins, "In most places they are in, they act as the city guard. They are currently in an expansion effort, if i recall correctly."

"I would prefer to go with quality over quantity. The islanders were largely untrained when we were there. I don't know if that has changed in the meantime, but from what we've seen, the crones don't seem to really care about what happens to them. Many died in the battle against the cult and several more lost their lives when they went to attack Derranos."

 Doozey grew pensive at the mention of the plumes, but hadn't the heart at the time to interject and formally reject the notion. When things thankfully move away from notion anyways, a sigh of relief escape the halfling. Still, he couldn't help look a little disappointed not long after hearing Graxx' request wind up rejected, and patted the barbarian on the arm in what Doozey hopped approximated a consoling gesturing. Though regardless, he gets quickly uncomfortable and folds his arms while tunning in more fully to the conversation.

"Numbers or not, I wouldn't exactly trust the Plumes. For as I understand it, they've been getting a bit more mixed up in some unsavory business for the sake of their 'expansion'. And I've known plenty enough fools tempted by darker dealings for profit, if a moment ever appears to present itself." He said, marking the last word with air quotes. "A good few quality skilled hands should be enough, least two great a number of 'less thans' wind up only being fuel for some darker magics that coven might be all the more tempted to employ." An overstuffed Taters laying nearby on the table manages a cutsey belch in agreement. "Mr. Utar. It's probably a long shot, but if you can call on the harpers tonight, and see if they might meet us soon or tomorrow, then the sooner we know the better."

Each CRAPer lays out their arguments for going with either quality or quantity, failing to arrive at a consensus.

In response to Utar and Graxx, Dornal says: "If quality is what you seek, I can try to recruit one or two adventurers I hired in the past. No guarantees they are still in town, though. That said, as I mentioned before, if you have specific adventurers you might have worked with and are looking to rekindle that partnership, then reach out to the Harper. That half-elf has a network like no other in this town." He counts a few fingers on his hand and says: "If you go with my network, I'll cover the hireling fees. If you go with the Harper's, I'll cover transportation. Either way, you should be ready to dish out a pretty penny yourselves." 

Aleyd responds to Neya's and Doozey's comments: "It sounds like you know a few things about the Red Plumes already. That's good to hear. I admit I have been too deep in my own troubles to look into them. I do know they have a presence in other cities around the Moonsea, as Neya mentioned. It seems that they are the opposite of the Black Fist in that they actively seek to gain influence outside their own city walls."

Aleyd then looks at Utar: "Have you reached out to our common Tormite friend who prefers the shadows these days?" She mimics tiefling horns with her hands.

Dornal adds: "Or the noble Houses we worked with recently?"

Sagin has figuratively become a fly on the wall by now.

In response to Doozey's question, Utar shakes his head.

"Any connection I might make to Harper will need to wait until tomorrow morning unless any of us know of another way to make contact?  That might not be so bad if we still require time to prepare though.  I would suggest we agree to meet back here in a few nights time to discuss final preparations? Dornal, I assume you might need time to make contact with your likely candidates, sound them out on the job and more importantly, their price?"

Allowing himself a slight smile at Aleyd's impression of Moneus.

"I did ask if any help could be brought from his end.  I think we might have caused a little friction between him and the rest of his set, so I think he'd rather keep his head down and provide assistance from afar, but I will ask him again, see if he fancies a trip out of the city.  Speaking of fellow Tormites though, has Litta been in touch with you? I think the outcome of last meeting left her unsatisfied and I would like to know that she is at least safe.  There are precious few of us left."

Doozey shook his head, refusing to even entertain the thought of sending off Gravy to try and seek out the Harpers. The rest he continued to listen to without much input to add at that point except a frown at the idea of an extended wait.. But again, quiet would he remain, absently watching the back and forth while waiting for jthe opportunity to make good with another long overdue report.  '

Both Aleyd and Dornal shake their heads when Utar asks if anyone can contact Harper immediately. Aleyd does look at Doozey, however, remembering the hunter did reach out to her once by the way of enchanted raven. She looks like she is about to ask about it but notices that Doozey himself is not volunteering the information, so she decides against it.

Dornal follows his head-shake with a comment: "I have a couple of names in mind. If they are in town, I'll have them here for negotiations tomorrow evening."

Aleyd answers the question directed at her: "No, I have not heard from Litta and I don't expect I will any time soon. This is not the first time she leaves to go on lonely reflection pilgrimages." She adjusts her sitting position on the chair and adds: "We all worship in our own ways."

(OOC: The list discussed in the OOC Chat is very helpful. Who is doing what and in what order? Are you attempting to complete some of the list items tonight or is it time to call it day?)

If Doozey notes the look from Aleyd, he pretends not to if somewhat poorly, and instead took a moment to draw Sagin into a conversation. His goal -- beside avoiding being lured into even an incidental guilt trip -- being to get a read on the kobold's preference for places to stay, as well as ask if Fat Mar's might suffice for the time being until construction on the home based finished at least. He'd of course goes so far as to describe the locale and its staff as much as he knew them. Or if he truly liked digging so much, they could speak to Doomguide Yovir and ask if he could stay on as a gravedigger for a time. In the end, Doozey always takes care to leave the choice up to Sagin, reinforcing the freedom the Kobold had in his future.  For at the end, the things were described were but suggestions. So if in there trek throughout the city something caught the Kobold's eye, he'd be happily to hear, trusting an at least semi-attentive Taters to fill him later on ongoing conversation with everyone else.

But come tomorrow, barring any special request from others, Doozey volunteers for helping Sagin get settled for the day, as well of makes mention of needing time to resupply on making his special ammo as well.

"Thank you Dornal. We could meet here tomorrow night again, hopefully Harper will grace us with his presence. Unless you'd prefer a grander stage?"

Utar lets his question land with Dornal before turning to Aleyd and letting out a sigh.

"She may come back when she is ready I suppose, until then I'll remember her in my prayers. I'll be sure to mention all of you. Aleyd, before you leave there's a little matter I need to make you aware of, may I walk you out when you're ready?"

 "I'll petition the Hoses Brokengulf and Silmerhelve for aid in this effort in the morning." Neya says. "I don't think they would be amenable to listen to warnings so late into the evening."

Doozey has picked up by now on the fact that Sagin has trouble refusing requests and suggestions. His introvert personality defaults to saying 'yes' to any questions directed at him. There have been moments of self-assurance here and there, but this is not one of them. When Doozey asks if a room at the Laughing Goblin would suffice for now, the kobold agrees without putting too much thought into it. A return to Valhingen Graveyard is not even seriously considered by the kobold once he says 'yes' to the initial suggestion.

Dornal accepts to meet CRAP at the same place and time the next day, finishes his tankard or two, and wishes everyone a good evening: "Better start now," he affirms. Waving away any suggestion that a fancier meeting place is needed, the loud dwarf leaves the Leadstopper residence.

Noticing the evening is coming to a close, Neya makes plans to reach out to the noble houses in the morning. Meanwhile, Utar asks for a minute in private with Aleyd. The captain nods in agreement and walks toward the door, expecting the half-orc to follow and deliver whatever message he desires.

Graxx watches Aleyd exit the room and his mind starts thinking about how he will approach Hurn.

Ah yes... Guard Sergeant Hurn... No... No... Lieutenant Hurn thanks to CRAP's role in getting the lighthouse functioning once more.

The smell of his body odor still has a home in Graxx's nose.

How much has changed since CRAP and Hurn last met?  Graxx has changed that's for sure.  Graxx can still recall the urge to cut down the rude Sergeant last time they met.  But Graxx is a different man now.  There are bigger things at play.  How can he use Hurn's desire for power to help free the Sky Ponies?  What trade can be made?

Graxx turns to Doozey and Neya.

"Question... To you all's knowledge is Lieutenant or Captain higher ranking title?" asks Graxx.