Dues for the Dead (DM Lerus)

Graxx thinks on Utar's words for a moment.

"That's a good point but we're running out of time based on what we know so far."

Graxx paces for a moment.

"What if Neya and I go in search of this Captain and bring them in giving us the option of this second mate."

Graxx nods to Utar.

"Then you and Doozey go in search of another form of transport" says Graxx.

Graxx shakes his head in disagreement.

"I'd rather not involve Aleyd on this one if that's alright.  Aleyd is very firm on not letting my tribesman out even for a good reason like helping us defend Phlan.  I understand her position but I need to explore other Blackfist alternatives.  I'm fine with not using the second mate but I at least want to bring this bully captain in.  Even if Hurn is getting the credit.  I just want him to give me the name of a contact in the Prison that may be able to help me reduce their sentences.  They have been acting well Aleyd said.  That has to count for something" says Graxx.

(On mobile)

”How do we go about this endeavor with the ship captain?” Neya asks. “Does it seem like he might be one public assault from being detained?

IN THE BACK ROOM

DM's Screen:

Sagin is still quite frightened but the sight of regular Doozey does seem to help him calm down a bit. "You... are back? Not a rabid beast anymore? Please... don't kill Sagin." Doozey briefly explains that he has almost full control over the transformation, which itself has some limits. As usual, a chunk of the reasoning behind it all goes over Sagin's head, and for whatever it is worth, the kobold is not unaccustomed to being afraid.

After a few minutes of silence, Sagin stands up from his crouched position and says: "Sagin is ready to go to the comfy room in the tavern now." He begins walking out and states: "Sagin walks alone this time." With that, he leaves.

IN THE MAIN ROOM

While Biscuit licks a few more plates clean, Utar, Neya, and Graxx go over the plan to apprehend Klaven. On the one end of the spectrum, Utar would rather keep things above board and tap known, trustworthy allies for help. On the other end, Graxx shows some willingness to bend a rule here and there to ultimately help his tribesman regain their freedom.

Neya seems to remain neutral for now. Perhaps this Klaven is just about to earn his detention on his own. Perhaps he just needs a little extra push. The trio has yet to arrive at a consensus, but Graxx offers a compromise: they could split up and pull of both threads to see which one pays off first.

(OOC: I'll go make some popcorn and come back to watch how this discussion evolves. 😁)

"Y-yea.. Of course. Uhm... Safe travels." It was all Doozey could muster as the Kobold took his leave. Once well out of sight and earshot, he facepalms, then drags his hand down his face and sighs in defeat. ".... I suppose an apology owed you as well. Though, I hadn't quite expected you to come find me quite so soon." He admits, letting out a weak chuckle as he turned back to Rag.

"I, uhm... I'm not, uh... I'll get right to the point. You see the consumate mercernary type. The kind that doesn't let personal feelings get in the way of whatever you're being paid to do. But, I've seen that type of reaction from earlier before in another. And you don't strike me as the fiend hunter sort. So, I wanted to let you know that I don't want to put you in a position where you, uhm... might be tempted to do some very unwise things if given the chance, if you get my drift." He expressed plainly, trying to meet Rag's eyes with his own understanding look. "I'll see to it that you're at least paid for just coming out here and hearing us out. Won't even touch the money myself, if that matters. But if you think all will be well between us, then..." He shrugs. "Then I suppose we'll see each other again tomorrow, hm?"

Utar considers Graxx's comments and while he'd like to fully agree, he is torn.  He owes a debt to both.  Graxx has saved his life many times over and if the fate of his tribesmen is at the forefront of his mind, he cannot refuse a request to help his friend.  But he wouldn't be where he is right now without Aleyd Burral.

"I think if we could lighten the burden on Aleyd she may be in a position to act with greater authority within the Black Fist.  The reason she cannot is that any move she makes is exploited by others for their own gain at her expense.  When the time comes, we need someone we can trust to do the right thing in command of that rabble.  I believe Aleyd is that person and I think at least making her aware of our movements would be of use.  If we weaken one of her allies we do the city harm, if we remove an obstacle in her path, we move that much closer to her being able to aid your people."

Utar closes his eyes and sighs, clearly unhappy with the compromise he's making.

"If this is something that you need to do, I won't stand in your way.  But I won't be a part of it.  I don't want to strengthen Hurn's hand at the expense of weakening hers.  We'll do as you suggest.  You and Neya can go after this Captain.  I'll go speak to some people at the docks, see if there's another way forward for transport. We can report back tomorrow evening. At that point... we can see where we are."

Rummaging in a pocket, Utar retrieves their sending stone and hands it off to Graxx.

"Remember that Aleyd has its partner. You might still be able to involve her in this somehow and if you can do it with her blessing, you won't do your standing with her any harm, in fact you might just give her the leverage she needs to be more flexible."

Graxx ponder's Utar's words as he takes the sending stone.

"Maybe we can accomplish both things at the same time... While I am seeking a way to pay official fines to reduce sentences Hurn used the term "greasing palms".  Maybe by helping Hurn we can help identify the corruption within the Blackfist.  We could then let Aleyd be the one to "uncover" this corruption this cleansing some of the corruption from the Blackfist and furthering her ranks?"

Graxx sighs.

"I see no easy path here.  I will think on your words.  I understand what you're saying about Aleyd's hands being tied.  I will be on the lookout for other ways to help Aleyd advance in the ranks.  However... If we do help Aleyd progress and she still refuses to even try to help me free the tribesman I will have to continue to explore other areas of the Blackfist who are more motivated.  I appreciate you letting me do what needs to be done."

Graxx turns to Neya.

"Let us go down to the Docks and search out this Klaven.  From the way Hurn talks he should be easy to spot.  We could leave our weapons especially since you don't need them behind to make us look like easy targets.  Hopefully, this Klaven will see to bully us the way it has been told to us.  We could then knock him around a bit if needed and slap the manacles on him and bring him in.  How does this sound?" says Graxx.

IN THE BACK ROOM

With Sagin now gone, the two halflings have the room for themselves. Surrounded by fewer people, Rag seems to feel more comfortable using his words: "You did not specify when. I assumed 'later' meant soon after you left."

Despite what Doozey is hinting at, Rag refuses to elaborate on his past by implementing his favorite social tool: selective silence. Instead, he simply says: "I like coin and dislike fraternizing. Offer me the first without demanding the second, and we'll be just fine." Judging that to suffice, the slightly shorter but heavier of the two halflings (Rag) turns to leave the room through the window he had entered. Before disappearing into the night, the roguish figure states: "If it makes you feel any better, I am liable to forget your name and appearance soon after the mission is done." With that, he's gone.

(OOC: I assume this conversation happens in Halfling to reduce the chances of successful eavesdropping.)

IN THE MAIN ROOM

Utar and Graxx have a civil conversation about their contrasting preferred approaches but seem to only agree to disagree for now. Graxx tries to recruit Neya into helping him with his plan while Utar chooses to seek an alternative way to book a boat trip to the nameless islet.

Biscuit is now lapping up whatever is left of the ale.

(OOC: As the sending stone is changing hands, please be sure to update your inventories to reflect this decision.)

(@Lerus: E'yup! Just as the conversation with Sagin had been mostly in draconic, if Doozey had by that point gotten the sense the Kobold preferred speaking in it)

Doozey hardly gets out even a syllable, before it then turns into a sigh as Rag vanished into the night. "... And here I started to think I wasn't much of a people person... or really halfling, for that matter." With that and a small chuckle, the stoutling would stand there for another minute more to muse over events, took a deep breath, and then finally stepped back out to join the others(OOC: whenever deemed appropriate for the timing).

"Sorry 'bout that. I -- Biscuit! Why you -- you know that's no good for you!" Forgetting all about any previous intentions, Doozey hustled over to try and wrestle the dog away from the ale. But even with the newfound gauntlets augmenting his strength, the Fey touched Tundra Mastiff's own determination proved to be his match. Eventually abandoning the effort muttering a few half remembered dwarvish curses, Doozey finally looks to the others, noting the tense air about everyone. "Everything alright?"

Sitting back down at the table, Utar tops off a mug and takes a bit gulp.

"I do not want to know the specifics, but if you're doing something with this Klaven it might be best to run through how this might... hypothetically... happen. Graxx, what did Hurn tell you about this guy? Do we know where his boat is docked? Do we know where he's headed tomorrow? Once you have him, where are you taking him?"

Utar drains his mug, fills it again and points to two empty chairs.

"We can catch Doozey up when he gets here. But if you're doing this, do it right. I don't want to launch for that island with either of you inside a Black Fist cell."

 "Well, if his reputation is anything to go by, he is liable to throw the first punch. That is if we don't convince him to take us, himself."

Graxx sits down.

"I asked Hurn for specifics but he didn't give any.  He simply said Klaven would be the loudest one down at the docks and easy to find.  Once he is captured we'll take him to Hurn's office so that Hurn can parade him around since he gave the order to bring him in.  If we cannot locate Klaven then I'll take it as divine intervention that we weren't suppose to capture him."

Graxx nods to Neya.

"I'll make sure he does throw the first punch."

Graxx slowly rolls the sending stone from hand to hand.

"The more you talk Utar the more tempted I am to send a message to Aleyd.  She was present when Dornal brought up the idea of us going to the Harbormaster so it would not be news to her that I went to see Hurn.  Just the arrangement would be news."

Graxx sighs and throws his headback.

"If I just knew what to do here.  If only I had a future telling wizard around."

Doozey return to the common room just in time to catch Biscuit in the act of self-intoxication. Utar welcomes the stoutling back by catching him up on the conversation they have been having. The half-orc expresses some additional concerns with Graxx's plan for the next morning, but the barbarian, as well as Neya, seems confident that this Klaven will brew trouble all on his own.

Some doubts remain and some improvisation seems to be backed into the plans for the morrow. Letting that be for now, CRAP decides it is time to call it a night. Once again, they camp within the unfurnished building they will soon call home.

(OOC: Another safe night transpires. You may hit that "Long Rest" button and then "Confirm" it.)

Utar nods along as Graxx and Neya unfurl the beginnings of a plan.

"Try to have someone witness things if at all possible and try to have them be halfway respectable. Try to offload him to Hurn as soon as possible and make sure he knows about this witness. If you're going to involve Aleyd, see that she knows your looking out for her interests. Either she approached Klaven as someone with an axe to grind assist Hurn, or she knows that dwarf will do anything to climb the greasy pole of command. Both pieces of information are likely valuable."

Draining his mug, Utar heads for bed.

"I'm happy to wait for Fat Mar again, put in another order for tonight. Then I'll head to the docks. I wish you the best for tomorrow. Good hunting."

Graxx wakes the next morning and pulls the sending stone from his backpack.

Graxx looks down at it and closes his eyes thinking of Utar's words.

Graxx sighs...

Graxx holds the stone up to his mouth and casts sending to Aleyd.

"Morning Aleyd.  Graxx here. Met with Harbormaster Hurn to secure transportation.  Doing favor for Hurn.  Bringing in troublemaker Captain Klaven.  Do you have any advice?" asks Graxx.

Graxx closes his eyes once more.  Hopes me made the right decision and awaits a response.

Once Doozey is eventually brought up to speed on things, the stoutling said nothing on the matter. Yet it's clear in frown worn through much of it, that he shared in Utar's sentiments, if for not the exact the same reasons. Regardless, things are more or less settled for the evening, so without a word he heads to bed, dragging the woozy Mastiff along with him.

When the next day arrives, Doozey sends taters (Biscuit having swapped out of a need for rest) off with Graxx and Neya with standing orders to help in whatever means the pair might need in a pinch. In the meantime, he stuck around with Utar, intending to use the visit to Fat Mar later to check up on Sagin, if albeit indirectly through Mar. 

Utar can't help but give a few more pieces of advice to Graxx and Neya before going to bed. As a newcomer to the conversation, Doozey tries to keep himself from opining on the matter, although his frown reveals which side he would take if forced to share some words. With opinions divided, the group sets their camp indoors for the second night in a row.

It is only when morning arrives that the group realizes they did not set up any precautions for their night. This does not seem to be an issue, though, as there is no indication their night was anything other than restful and safe. A thought comes to mind as they go about their morning routine: it must be nice to be able to get used to a sense of passive overnight safety.

CRAP enjoys some leftovers for breakfast, mostly separate and at their own time. Graxx takes a moment to speak to Aleyd, who sends a short reply back. Without any context regarding the previous evening's discussions, and constrained by the stone limitations, the Black Fist Captain simply says:

Fat Mar arrives with a cart and a helper. He is his jolly self, as usual. His habit of sweating profusely also makes an appearance. "Morning, dear preferred patrons of the eternally brine-scented tavern known as the Laughing Goblin. I am here to collect the soiled dinnerware and retrieve the loaned furniture." He has a big smile on his face but is cursing the day's heat under his breath. It turns out he can have quite the foul mouth when he believes the situation calls for it.

The skies are still overcast, but it is quite the hot day today in Phlan.

"Another morning and I'm back to ask a another favour..."

Utar brightly asks about another food order for the evening and maybe for a little more drink as well, if the furniture is needed back at The Laughing Goblin that maybe just a little of it remain for one more night.

"To sweeten the deal, I can help load and unload the cart, if you'd be willing to take myself and Doozey here down to The Laughing Goblin?"

(OOC Utar will cover food/drink costs again and presumably Fat Mar might like the help. Am I right in thinking he and his family used to live in Sokol Keep? Were they working for Liela at the trading house?)

Graxx feels a wave of relief wash over him as Aleyd gives him her blessing.

"Utar was right..." Graxx says to himself.

Graxx scraps his original plan and takes all his weapons with him on the coming journey.  Graxx goes to find Neya.

"We have Aleyd's blessing.  Let's go find this loudmouth and hopefully catch him in the act.  Maybe we can bring him in with a show of force rather than using force." says Graxx.

Graxx will make his way to the docks.