Jirel nods her head to the Little One’s suggestion. “Double layer ruse then.” She adds with a grunt. “I haven’t been haulin’ round this silver fer nothin’.” The giantess reminds, taking a moment to give her hips a good shake, and they didn’t lie, jingling the mass of coin they were provided prior to the Little One’s time with them. “Paintin’s or such be the ‘front’, an’ coin in the ‘back’, as our in with the Cult.” That was the original idea wasn’t it?

     "Sounds like a plan," Finn agrees, a bit shocked the group actually came up with one.  "So before the morning we need to buy some paintings and... what?  There anything else we need to get done?"  If they were following the cult then her having found the location of at least one of their hideaways was kind of moot.  Should they drop a hint to the authorities or perhaps the Gauntlet?

     "I need to do a little bit of shopping but it shouldn't take long and almost any place selling clothes would work..."  ((Finn just wants to be 4 or 5 different quick change outfits to help sell the different faces she adopts.  Couple different cloaks and shirts that are easy on and off to give a different look is all...))

Ackyn agrees to help you pass along a message back to Ontharr and the other leaders of the Order of the Gauntlet, if you like.  

He is skeptical of Finn's plan to make the wagon appear to be loaded.  "We'd have to adjust the suspension, and I'm not sure it would make it to Waterdeep if we did that.  Otherwise, we could load it down with extra beams or iron... but that is likely to be nearly as expensive as just filling it up with some trade goods or junk."

[You have about 36 hours.  The wagons for the cult are due to be turned over not tomorrow morning, but the morning after.  So you have the rest of tonight (it is late afternoon right now, and all day tomorrow.]

"Ohhhh so then we get a wagon and we can pretend to be fellow cultists... that's the plan before too." Jararaka nods along as the plan comes together, "other than paintings... could we pretend to be transporting horses? I've seen some of those fancy ponies boxed up on a wagon in the caravan I was with. Saves us the time and effort." She scratches her snout and shrugs, having become apparently attached to those animals.

As they flesh out their plan for their coming travels, she asks Ackyn, "can we know who else is gonna be with this caravan so far? Can't hurt to know more. Don't really wanna pretend to sell the same thing as another merchant; experts got good eyes."

[been busy at work, will post when I can!!]

((I believe there is no official caravan yet... Rather it is just silly to travel as a lone wagon or two so wagons gather until there is a large enough group to make bandits think twice.  We're hoping the cult wagons don't try to go it alone and instead will accept us as part of their caravan along with others...))

((ohhh gotcha!! I think I missed the bit about the previous one having departed not long ago. I thought since the cult is (apparently) waiting for a caravan, there might be others already waiting as well))

First pondering the team's many options, Tylaerys then asks Mr. Selebon if he knows where artwork can be bought in Baldur's Gate, if he has the means to relay images from the bark to Sir Frume, and if he has any way of helping the team out with sleeping arrangements for the coming two nights.

Selebon can have a rider transport the bark pieces to Elturel, if that's what you're looking for.  He doesn't have any magical means of sharing the images, however.  [There is really only one bark message.  The first, with the map, bled out all over itself as part of the vision.  It is now just a big red smear.  The other piece of bark, with the faces, retains its image.]

He tells you that there are several art boutiques in the Upper City, catering to the wealthy patriars, but he knows that isn't what you're looking for.  He suggests, instead, that you check The Wide tomorrow.  The market plaza is often home to would-be artists and portrait makers, trying to kickstart their careers, or just earn enough to feed themselves.  Most of it is cheap junk, but that is kind of the point, right?

He looks uneasy at the request for lodging.  Since you're associates of Ontharr Frume, he admits that he could let you sleep in the back of the wagon shop, if you promise to be low-key about it.  There are no proper beds but it's got a roof and locked doors.

     "We do all have bedrolls and have slept rougher," Finn admits not hating the idea.

     "If we are looking to send the images from the bark to other places, perhaps I could try my hand at reproducing them?  I've not really sketched in ages but copying is easier than creating something new," Finn offers.  (I'm kind of thinking art falls into the purview of a Bard?)  "If I'm not good enough we could always try these market plaza artists.  They may be a likelier chance at getting a reasonable reproduction done, all depends how secret you wish to keep the images..."

Jirel would reach for one of the sacks on her person, then another. Cradling them in the palm of her hand, she gives Finn a nudge, then holds them out to them. They had some heft to them, and the distribution could be up to Finn to decide. One would be Jirel's share for the wagon and oxen so that she can keep her precious steed Widowmaker and the other bag was for the paintings.

When it would come to the discussion of where to stay, Jirel would grunt. Indeed as an outlander she's stayed in significantly worse places. Admittedly, she'd prefer sleeping in the park. However, for the good and comfort of the group, she had no quarrels with sleeping in the back of the wagon shop. They'd just have to deal with her being a giant furnace in a potentially cramped space.

     "Keep your monies for now," Finn whispers to Jirel through a smile.  "We'll settle things after negotiations are done..."  Finn wasn't quite as attached to Chomper but still would rather keep her mount than not so she understood.

     To the party Finn suggests we use the silver for the wagon and oxen.  Jirel is best off keeping a horse which is already accustomed to her size, Jararaka may need their own horse if their going to Blackrim Transport works out, and Tylaerys and Finn could ride on the wagon just fine but if things go south they may need the option to flee fast.  We could pool our money or tap into the silver we were given...

     The goal of the silver was to deceive the cultists into thinking we were of them but that has kind of been blown up with them having Jirel in their sights and possibly recognizing others of us.  Having the silver as a secondary deception seems a longshot.  If they see through our first they will be all the more wary and it would not make much sense for us to have not made contact in the city?

     Speaking of them likely being wary of a Goliath, possibly having some description of us others... Disguises.  We should shop and get some new clothes at least, perhaps change hairstyle and colors as well, for those of you who can't just do such things naturally.  Yeshil should be fine as is but the rest of us...  Finn wants a couple changes of clothes anyway.

     SO... Finn suggests a beauty/fashion session while Jararaka reaches out to Blackrim?  Before or after Finn could also walk us past the Cult hideout she had discovered so that everyone could have a look if they wish.  It sounds like art shopping is best done in the morning so the rest of the current night (it's currently early evening?) could be spent resting...?  

     Tomorrow is the looking for and moving art in the early hours, later hours have the Volo meeting...

     Somewhere around all that Finn will try to reproduce the bark portraits a couple of times IF it is wanted to send them elsewhere?  And we maybe have time to do side missions that also come up?

---

     One thing Finn definitely wants to do is dismiss Misses Binklesworth from existence and then re-summon her into her arms so she can learn whatever the familiar saw while keeping a lookout on the Cultist Hideout.

Finn dismisses and resummons Misses Binklesworth of the Twilight Binklesworths.  The feline arrives with all the grace and poise of one who was not summoned, but came because this happens to be where she desired to be at this particular moment.

((Finn of course shares that with the party...))

Hearing Finn's summary of events, Yeshil gets to wondering how much he saw of the interior, and asks him if he saw anything that might indicate a place to keep prisoners. Perhaps the group collectively had enough tricks and smarts to at least learn whether Frulam Mondath was a captive of her cult, without exposing themselves too much to do so...

OOC:

     “I freely admit I hightailed it out as quickly as I could.  It appeared to me more a ramshackle make-do situation rather than an actual base.  They seemed to be trying to tear down the wall between them and the next building so I assumed theft was the point, not the keeping of hostages.” Finn says along with providing a full description of what she remembers.  

Jararaka is glad the horses don't have to go, and agrees that the group can use the silver they have now to avoid trouble on the roads (not just suspicion from the cult but actual bandits as well... after all, this group was talking of going after the cult's valuables on the road too). "We could use the silver on disguises too, we are in the big city, maybe we can get y'all some better armour or something. Maybe I can use some paint to look like someone else."

From Finn's description, the cultists at the hideout doesn't seem important enough to know much about cult prisoners, but Jararaka does express interest in checking it out a bit later. Maybe they can even snatch a few things back from the cult.

Staying at the back of the wagon shop sounds like as solid plan as anything, more convenient when they need to get going in a few days too.

As arrangements are made, Jararaka would agree to the plans and excuse herself for a quick minute. She gets lost for a bit looking at the dozens of transport and equipper businesses before heading into Blackrim Exports. She has to straighten her back and look over the people's head to find someone who looks like they are directing the hustle. She goes up and hands a Blackrim business card back to them, mentioning the two rogues by name, "they traded me something with a discount and said I just gotta help out if something comes up, so, got anything that needs workin' on? If not, well, let them know I was here, I guess." She scratches her head as she finishes, the promise was a bit vague afterall...

[I like Kaemgen's suggestion of taking a look at the cult hideout tonight, and then maybe all the shopping (paintings and disguises and other misc things) for tomorrow morning, then there's the meeting with Volo in the evening]

While the others continue to make plans, and perhaps practice with makeup, Jararaka steps out to visit the good folk at Blackrim Exports.

As the sun draws close to the horizon, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets of the Blackgate District, Jararaka finds herself standing before Blackrim Exports.  The exterior of the building is unassuming, a two-story structure with a weathered sign that swings gently in the evening breeze.  The facade is adorned with faded murals depicting trading caravans and bustling harbors, signaling the company's role in facilitating commerce.

Stepping inside, she's greeted by a spacious reception area.  The room is adorned with ornate carpets and polished wooden furniture.  A young halfling receptionist busily organizes and stamps the day's paperwork behind a sturdy oak desk.  Behind him, the walls are adorned with framed certificates attesting to the company's legitimacy.  The halfling welcomes you and takes the business card, listening to your explanation. 

"Ok, yeah.  Mm Hmmn.  Great.  Let me just check with the boss and get right back to you."  He swivels out of the chair and drops to the floor, disappearing behind the desk.  A door opens, then closes quickly.

A minute or two passes and then the door opens again.  It stays open longer this time, and you get a glimpse of the room beyond.  Large maps of the Sword Coast adorn the walls, marked with trade routes and strategic locations - or so you imagine.  They're too far away to see clearly.  A large wooden table dominates the room, strewn with parchment, inkwells, and the residue of a day's work.  From inside the room, you can hear the muted clinking of coins and the occasional murmur of hushed conversations.  Out of the door steps a tall, half-elven woman with a deep tan.  She is wearing professional looking pantsuit and her hair is pulled up high and secured with two golden pins.  She looks at, smiles, and shakes your hand.  

She thanks you for stopping in and asks a few questions about the men you met and about yourself.

[We don't need to roleplay all of this out, but I would like to know how much, if anything, you tell her about yourself, your recent history (the events of this campaign) and what your party has planned?]

Jararaka's tail tip flicks a bit restlessly and returns a toothy smile, having found herself in an interview. She tells the half-elven woman about the raiding of Greenest and how she barely managed to get out of that unscathed, leaving out the group's role in fighting against the cult. Though she makes herself seem only marginally involved in the events at Greenest, she makes it clear that she's irritated by the cult's doings. She says that she was separated from her caravan in the chaos, traded with the rogues, and then made her way up to Baldur's Gate for work with some other folks. The work in Baldur's Gate seems fine, but now they have their eyes on what the exotic Waterdeep can offer and is planning to depart for that city in a couple of days.

General insight to get the woman's attitude and what she thinks of the cult, Jararaka expected a quick chat over the front desk but this seems more serious... 11

She discusses your background and past experiences with the cult.  You perceive that she sees the cult as an irritant... a complication that is disrupting trade.

"You are capable, I can see that," she says at last.  "Have you given any thought to broadening your prospects?  Coin is the real power in the Realms, and trade moves the coins.  Blackrim Exports has expanded three-fold in the past decade and we are always looking for new talent.  As it happens, we have a contract to provide security for the next caravan heading for Waterdeep, and I am looking for a sergeant to lead the team.  I think it could be you.  What do you think?"

"Its a two-month trip, and the job pays 8gp per tenday.  The first 8gp is up front, the balance of 40gp upon arrival in Waterdeep."

If Jararaka is interested, she would learn the team will consist of 9 guards that she would be tasked with supervising.  Some of the wagons in the caravan will have their own private security details, while Jararaka's crew would be responsible for defense of the entire caravan, setting nightly watches, etc.

 Tylaerys would agree to make use of the offered lodgings for the night. She would approve of and assist with if she can Finn's effort to reproduce the bark portraits. She would also agree to changing her appearance. She is also ready to follow Finn to the cult hideout, hoping the team would find a lead at least to Frulam Mondath.