"I'm heading out. Those of you who don't need to rest, come with me. The others can catch up or they won't. It makes zero difference to me. I never drink enough to get drunk for situations like this." And with that. Aran starts to head out into the rain. With whoever that comes in tow.
Aran knows all the secret paths and back alleys to the Docks Ward, and manages to get Caix, Creach and himself to where the Skewered Dragon is in record time.
The Skewered Dragon looks like a ruin. Both of its front-facing windows are smashed, and a ship’s anchor is lodged in the roof. Through the windows, Creach, Caix and Aran can see a group of haggard patrons drinking from huge tankards.
Knowing that it'd be unwise to come in looking her normal perfectly clean, neat self. She dusts up her appearance some, loosens her hair and rebraids in a basic fashion. She keeps pace with the others alert about them for anyone tailing. As they enter, she stays close to the others, following their lead.
Aran looks like the normal riffraff from the streets even if he's cleaned up. So he doesn't bother with his appearance. Heading straight towards the bartender, he looks around one way, then another, before subtly pulling out two silver pieces. It's unwise to flash money around these parts. So when he does so, he only tries to show the bartender.
"I'm looking for a man. Name's Floon. Had a very poor taste in clothing. Fancy."
Caix understands Aran. Creach on the other hand... to Creach it might sound like Aran is asking about a cat. (Thieves' Cant)
The bartender understands Aran's intentions with the silver and grins. "Floony, eh? I know the guy. Yeah, he was here 'bout two nights ago with that awful braggart, Volo. Two of them were being a real nuisance together. Well Volo heads off on his own rather late, but Floony, he stays and keeps on drinkin'. Not much later, a friend of his comes in out of the rain to join him, an' you'll never guess who it was: noble by the name of Neverember. Not THE Neverember, of course, but his good for nothing son. Here to rub his wealth in our noses no doubt. Anyway, the two of 'em drink and game for a bit til Floony's real drunk like, and the two of 'em walk out together. 'bout that time a couple regulars walked out after 'em, like they were gonna mug them or somethin', and I haven't seen any of 'em since. That satisfy ya?"
Aran tosses the man the two silver coins before pulling out one more. "Did you see which street they walked down?" Again. Using Thieves' Cant.
"Additionally. We may need a mercenary or two. These guys sound like trouble. Take a look at us." He gestures to Craix, Creach and himself. "one fart could knock us over. So we'll need someone to stand in front of us."
"Can't say I'm in the business of rentin' out mercenaries," the bartender admits. "You want one, yer best bet is going to the Zhentarim, if ya've got the coin," he says.
Caix doesn't notice anyone particularly listening in; it's late in the night and most people are either drunk or have gone home.
"Our best bet if we don't have a mercenary is stealth. Luckily, between a street rat, a servant- nobody pays attention to the help- and a hunter, I think we can handle that. It's up to you guys. Should we head back and hire help, or is one of you a merchant, perhaps... I assume that a merchant would know where to get hired guards for their goods..."
"I'm heading out. Those of you who don't need to rest, come with me. The others can catch up or they won't. It makes zero difference to me. I never drink enough to get drunk for situations like this." And with that. Aran starts to head out into the rain. With whoever that comes in tow.
Durnan answers the professor succinctly: "Xanathar Guild holds grudges."
Creach follows Aran and Caix.
Farewell.
Aran knows all the secret paths and back alleys to the Docks Ward, and manages to get Caix, Creach and himself to where the Skewered Dragon is in record time.
The Skewered Dragon looks like a ruin. Both of its front-facing windows are smashed, and a ship’s anchor is lodged in the roof. Through the windows, Creach, Caix and Aran can see a group of haggard patrons drinking from huge tankards.
Meanwhile, the professor, the goliath wizard and the paladin turn in for the night. Go ahead and take a long rest.
Thaddeus nods to Durnan tiredly “Yeah... that figures. Well I better get some rest then. Sounds like it’s going to be a busy few days.”
Noob
Knowing that it'd be unwise to come in looking her normal perfectly clean, neat self. She dusts up her appearance some, loosens her hair and rebraids in a basic fashion. She keeps pace with the others alert about them for anyone tailing. As they enter, she stays close to the others, following their lead.
Aran looks like the normal riffraff from the streets even if he's cleaned up. So he doesn't bother with his appearance. Heading straight towards the bartender, he looks around one way, then another, before subtly pulling out two silver pieces. It's unwise to flash money around these parts. So when he does so, he only tries to show the bartender.
"I'm looking for a man. Name's Floon. Had a very poor taste in clothing. Fancy."
Caix understands Aran. Creach on the other hand... to Creach it might sound like Aran is asking about a cat. (Thieves' Cant)
The bartender understands Aran's intentions with the silver and grins. "Floony, eh? I know the guy. Yeah, he was here 'bout two nights ago with that awful braggart, Volo. Two of them were being a real nuisance together. Well Volo heads off on his own rather late, but Floony, he stays and keeps on drinkin'. Not much later, a friend of his comes in out of the rain to join him, an' you'll never guess who it was: noble by the name of Neverember. Not THE Neverember, of course, but his good for nothing son. Here to rub his wealth in our noses no doubt. Anyway, the two of 'em drink and game for a bit til Floony's real drunk like, and the two of 'em walk out together. 'bout that time a couple regulars walked out after 'em, like they were gonna mug them or somethin', and I haven't seen any of 'em since. That satisfy ya?"
Aran tosses the man the two silver coins before pulling out one more. "Did you see which street they walked down?" Again. Using Thieves' Cant.
"Additionally. We may need a mercenary or two. These guys sound like trouble. Take a look at us." He gestures to Craix, Creach and himself. "one fart could knock us over. So we'll need someone to stand in front of us."
“Why are you asking him about a cat?”
Farewell.
A look to Creach, and Aran does a gesture. "just trust me."
"Yeah, they were headed towards Candle Lane," the barkeep says after checking that the coins are good.
Tossing another coin, Aran goes to question. "And a mercenary?"
Caix stands close by, watching the room to see if anyone seems unusually interested in what the bartender is saying. perception 5
Wondering about Aran's intention of hiring a Mercenary, hoping this is just an investigation mission.
"Can't say I'm in the business of rentin' out mercenaries," the bartender admits. "You want one, yer best bet is going to the Zhentarim, if ya've got the coin," he says.
Caix doesn't notice anyone particularly listening in; it's late in the night and most people are either drunk or have gone home.
"Ugh." Says Aran as he turns to his coconspirators. "On the one hand. I don't want to hire the Zhents. On another. We're not fit for a fight."
"We should get out of here?" Looking back at the bartender, "Candle Lane? Where is that from here?"
Then to the others, "Just to get an idea." If he provides direction, she thanks him and leaves with the others.
"Our best bet if we don't have a mercenary is stealth. Luckily, between a street rat, a servant- nobody pays attention to the help- and a hunter, I think we can handle that. It's up to you guys. Should we head back and hire help, or is one of you a merchant, perhaps... I assume that a merchant would know where to get hired guards for their goods..."
"I think we should head back, meet up with the others in the morning." Caix responds, "We could use the whole group."