Javet grabs a piece of parchment from a nearby desk and quickly sketches a very basic city map consisting of the city walls, the major rivers and a few points of interest. He hands it to Natasha and says, “This should help you get where you’re going.”

The Benefactor rubs his hands together with anticipation. “Retrieve the key from Creel and return here. Once you do I’ll have more details on the next step of your mission. I look forward to hearing about your adventures.” With that he has Javet usher the party out of the penthouse suite.

(If you guys want to go shopping, assume that the marketplace has all the items, weapons & armor listed in the Player’s Handbook. I’ll have some specialized vendors for you later, but right now let’s keep it simple. Just list the items you bought here in the thread.)

Jacob takes his time in the marketplace, trying to make the most of his money:

5 Oil Flasks (5sp), 1 set of manacles (2gp), 1 crowbar (2gp), 1 potion of healing (50gp)

(Natasha picks up a Potion of Healing for 50gp. Just a reminder, she's still holding on to the 1 tranquilizer arrow and 4 darts. I think they'll come in handy. She is ready to go, looking over the map.)

"I do wonder if it would be best to travel by land or by some sort of river raft or boat?"

(She asks the shopkeepers if there are any ferrymen or people that do that sort of thing around.)

Penny will buy a potion of healing and an extra waterskin.

"I think land would be best, a boat can easily be spotted coming down the river and we don't want the thief to know we are coming, lest he run."

Stone scans the crowd to see if they are being watched or followed.

Perception check - 6

Not seeing anything, Stone speaks quietly to his companions.

"I don't trust that masked man as far as I can throw him. I fear he may have some sinister intent. I say that we play along with him for now, but keep our eyes and ears open, and remain vigilant. This all smells fishy, and I don't mean the docks."

When they arrive at the market Stone buys a potion of healing for 50g.

"Natasha, I'm glad you're thinking creatively, but I have to side with Penelope on this one. With all my armor on I sink like a rock. I would prefer to avoid getting on a boat unless it is extremely stable."

A dwarven shopkeeper with missing teeth and a blue flower in her hair tells Natasha that there are ferries up and down this river that can drop you anywhere the waters go for 1 cp a person. She also informs the party that they could also walk through most of the city, using one of the many bridges that crisscross the rivers.

What do you want to do?

"I vote to walk there."

(Natasha pulls her cloak over her head and starts in the direction of the Old Docks.)

Jacob grunts, thanks the shopkeep, and follows N...

Stone walks with the party to the docks and continues to scan his surroundings for suspicious people and things.

The party leaves the marketplace on foot, following the river north towards the Old Docks. Once the crowded bustle of the city square is behind you, you enter a quieter, well kept residential district. It’s early enough that streets still have people on them, couples and families stroll in the evening air. Penelope can smell the delicious aroma of marinaded meat being cooked over a fire. The smell is coming from a nearby open window, as the party passes the window you see a halfling family happily cooking dinner together. Jacob hears a faint melody coming from a second floor balcony. When you look up you see a tiefling woman singing a lullaby to the baby in her arms.

The party continues through residential Sala. You all notice that the more you walk north, the worse the neighborhood starts to look. At first it’s subtle, Natasha hears the sounds of a man breathing quickly and a woman’s giggle coming from a nearby darkened alley. She smiles to herself and continues walking, happy that someone is having a fun evening. Eventually though, the roughness of the neighborhood around the docks becomes obvious. The closing of the Old Dock must have hit this area harshly. Stone notices a couple sets of eyes watch the group, but no one makes any aggressive moves towards the party. The party is well armed and residents of this part of Sala know well enough to mind their own business. You pass through these slums unmolested.

You turn a corner and then you see it, the Old Docks. What do you want to do?

"There are the old docks. They look like they've seen better days. I think we should all approach the docks together and remain ever vigilant of possible dangers."

Stone checks his armor to make sure it is securely fastened. He then checks his javelins, sword and shield to make sure they ready at hand.

"I'm ready."

(Natasha surveys the scene, looking for any possible scouts, ambush or lookout that might detect their presence.)

Perception: 5

(While looking, Natasha catches a glimpse of her reflection in the river, and is distracted by it, losing interest in the Old Docks for the moment.) 

OOC: LOL

"Perhaps we should try stealth, I still fear he will flee if we are too loud."

"Natasha, is there something in the river?"

Stone looks in to the river to see what Natasha is looking at. Seeing nothing, he waves his hand in front of her face to get her attention.

"Please pay attention Natasha. We may need your stealthy skills. Do you think you would be able to scope out the docs without drawing any attention?"

(Natasha primps her hair as she stares at her reflection.)

"What was that, Stone, dear? Hmm? Oh, oh yes, of course. I think I can do that."

(Natasha scouts ahead, taking care to go along stealthily, and scouts the entrance of the Old Docks.)

Stealth: 13

Stealth: 20

Perception: 7

Jacob it quiet, as usual, trying to keep hits wits about him and his hands on his hilts... "One of us should perhaps scout ahead - staying within line-of-sight or shouting distance. See if we can get a better idea of who and what we're walking into." He then draws the sword Bread and drags it across an exposed bit of his forearm, his eyes close and from beneath the lids a red-orange glow briefly flares up illuminating blood vessels before it fades and he opens them again. He takes a moment to run the blood drawn along the edge of the blade and it sizzles slightly, glows briefly and faintly, then fades.

OOC: That was his crimson rite - until he cancels it, the weapon is separated from him, or he takes a long-rest his HP max is 16 instead of 18, but the weapon does an additional 1d4 fire damage. He can technically do it on Butter as well, but I gotta be a little precious with these low-level HP numbers

Stone and Penelope make a perception check.

Stone's perception check = 3