(You have to state the number of dice. "1d20" instead of "d20")

Having stopped the fire, Haseren starts to keep watch of the way they came from just in case anyone else was after them. He trusted his companions to do the talking.

(Perception: 7 )

((Almost forgot that sweet, juicy experience. 
Event: Ambush at the Pier
Hounds: 40 x 8 = 320 
Sniper: 80 x 1 = 80 
Total: 400 / 5 = 80xp each

Feel free to modify your own character sheets. 
))

The halfling offers the party a mocking half bow, "Valzu and Bruja," he says by way of a belated introduction.  "We're entrepreneurs, Bruja and I, and we have a nice little business going renting boats across the district and to the Wall's End Tavern," he continues. "We were the first, and a quiet word from Bruja here has encouraged competitors to look elsewhere for their market opportunities. 

He rubs his hands together in an unconscious gesture of concern. "Four nights ago however, we received a message and I have to say... well.... best you see for yourself. Bruja, show them." 

Bruja stomps down the pier, reaching down into one of the larger boats to pull out a package about the size of a large pumpkin, wrapped in black oilcloth and brings it back to the group. You notice the package is bound up in several ropes and seems to be moving of its own volition.  He lowers the package almost to his knee so Valzu can slice through the bindings. 

The water rat which tumbles free from the package and onto the floor of the pier is both very clearly dead, and very clearly moving. Mangy and rotten, with entire chunks of its flesh missing to reveal yellowing bone beneath, the creature nevertheless moves with jerky but determined motions. On its intact flank, almost entirely faded arcane witchlight spells out what were once words but are now fragments: 

##ad Ri###. Co###ol Slip####. Assist#### ###uired.

Keeping the water rat from fleeing by holding it down with one foot Valzu turns to the party saying, "Someone went to a lot of trouble to send this little message, and whoever they are and whatever they're panicking over, it sounds bad for business."

He turns to Valen, shrugging apologetically, "Not that your impassioned plea to risk our lives because you've had a rough night doesn't appeal, but I'm afraid Bruja here can't swim and I... I'm more about handling the business side."

Aio, you take to the skies but are unable to discern anything in the immediate vicinity which could be a threat. The elf is now out of sight and likely long gone, though whether he has allies or reinforcements to call upon you cannot speculate. 

Haseren, your watch spies nothing approaching from the darkness.  

Aio continued to circle above the group, letting the more vocal members of the party work out a deal with the halfling or attack him. 

If they do attack, I hope they're smart enough to put the halfling down first. He may act like the cock of the walk, but he would be the quickest to down. That ogre might prove to be a bit of trouble, though. Maybe they'll work out a deal with him. Regardless, it's just good to be in the sky. The clouds, the wind, the night air. It's pacifying and, though it doesn't actually get rid of my wounds, healing. 

Valen hangs his sword arm over his shield, "If it means getting out of this city intact, we'll help. However, we can't move forward without knowing what we're getting into," he eyes the undead rat with apprehension and contempt, "Like the sender of...that. Are they to be rescued or killed?"

"I can't make out this message... Control slipping assistance required? What was the rest of the message, and why do you think it was intended for you?" Dahme'dre asks as the rat dangles from its tail before her, held aloft by a spectral hand.

Erdan will nod along to Dahme'dre and Valen. 

Erdan will add.  "Any idea where it came from?" Erdan will tilt his head, and rub his chin. "Not to mention, undead are tricky little buggers! If you want us to deal with that for you, I think it's worth a little bit more then just a ride out of town." Erdan will say with a wink. 

Persuasion  17

The halfling seems to smile at Valen's words, though with his mouth obscured it's hard to tell. He shrugs his shoulders, "Listen, do what you want. I'm going to give you a boat, I've shown you the messenger rat, and I suppose I should mention the last three boats I rented for the journey to the Wall's End never made it." 

He pauses, spreading his hands while Bruja scratches at a sizable boil on his jawline. "Now maybe you make for the Wall's End and whatever is sinking my boats takes a crack at you and you kill it. Maybe you find whoever is sending messenger-rats out into the world and they tell you what they did with our boats. Maybe not."

He grins at Erdan's pitch, "A salesman eh? I can appreciate that." He rubs his chin, "I'll tell you what ol' Vazlu will do for you," he says, "If you can get to Wall's End tavern, I'll know this little business is sorted out. You get your flying friend here to fly me back a note from the pier warden out there saying my boat's safe, sound and docked, and Bruja and I will show our gratitude for the restoration of a harmonious business environment." 

((Quick note on how I'll be handling persuasion checks. Very happy you guys are looking to talk your way out of situations and into additional bonuses, but I'm also wary that there are five of you and if like three of you start persuading every post, the game might suffer. So basically, I'm going to judge on both the roll and the argument. If I don't think the argument you're making would be appealing to the person you're talking to, the DC is going to be like 40. If you make a really good point but don't roll, or roll poorly, I might still decide you won them over. So in other words, don't get hung up on the rolls, it's all a bit fluid. ))  

(I like that. I like that a lot.)

"Very well. Expect your message soon." Dahme'dre Blasts the rodent a bit deader then drops it back in its sack.

Then she selects the most sea worthy and darkest black of the boats and hops in (Perception: (2)14)

(About how long is the voyage? Valen is good for hp, but down to 1 spell. Others are in worse shape, but I want to hold off on healing spells if we have a short rest. Also, I just like to check and see if DMs offer any bonus healing through Medicine checks if the character does not have healer's kits and/or thr Healer feat.)

((Sagron, sounds good! ))

((I'm good on health, but I'm out of 1st level spells. Plenty of cantrips, though!))

"You, sir, are a fair and prudent businessman! I will look forward to working with you in the future." 

Erdan will head towards the boat Dahme'dre chooses. He will stop before he boards and motions Aio to land. 

If she lands, he will ask "What else did you see when you scouted the district? Did you see where this tavern is? Anything weird?" 

Aio saw Erdan motioning for her to land but decided it wasn't necessary and kept flying. She would likely fly by the boat and let them know about the creepy building with the magic around it once they got closer. She was enjoying herself too much to land at the moment, however. 

As Dahme'dre boards the craft she looks over the odd pair on the dock. Halfling's are usually true to their word... but they also had an affinity for... cunning activities... She's wary of the prospect of sending Aio alone to collect any potential reward. (Insight: (1)14)

(Dee can definately use a rest. I figured we'd take a break once we're off the shore)

((Harden up kiddos, DMG says 6 encounters between long-rests! Mwahaha. Kidding aside, whether some of you can rest in the boat depends on where you decide to sail it. The district isn't big enough for  it to take more than an hour to row across end to end, so if you're just going to point it at the gates and row, a rest won't be possible. Open to other solutions though.))

Dahme'dre, your blast melts the animated rodent, too much for even whatever energy was keeping it moving to survive through. Bruja pokes at the charred, immobile lump with one finger and then, with an expansive shrug, casts it over his shoulder into the murky water. 

You examine the boats, and while several are serviceable one appears a cut above the rest, with fewer patches and both oars intact. 

Erdan, with Aio soaring majestically and probably annoyingly above your head, you have no choice but to board the boat without hearing from her. 

The rowboat has room, if not ample room, for all five of you. There are two seats nearer the back, by the oars, two seats nearer the front, and one at the very prow. ((Hint to let me know how you arrange yourselves)). 

Aio, as one of your circles above the group takes you in an easterly direction, your eyes spot dozens of torches moving through the streets to the east toward your location. They are still some distance away, but unquestionably getting closer. 

Erdan, realizing that Aio is just going to keep flying around, will shake his head and get in the boat. Erdan, being fairly weak, will sit at the prow. At least then he could help out with his darkvision. 

"We're moving forward blind, I guess." 

Aio caught sight of the torches heading their direction as the boat was pulling out into the water. She swooped down and, as she passed within a few feet of the boat, called out, "Mob headed our way!" before turning around for another pass and calling put, "Follow to magic building."

After relaying her rushed messages to the party, Aio ascended again and slowly made her way to the building she had seen before, circling back when necessary. 

((Sorry, what are you heading toward?))  

((Green brazier and rippling water. Straight at the dangerous boat-sinkers!))

(Between Long Rests would be fine. We need short rests from time to time.)

Dahme'dre takes a seat in the middle lest she make herself a target.