Quote from Weathervision >>

As you chat Lucan pops over to a weapon's stall to purchase some darts. 

Salty as you have been to the docks before you know of a tavern the locals go to call the Siren of Shams built on the waterfront next to the oldest pier. It's not a touristy place but they serve hearty meals, strong drinks, and have lodging for the night. 

 Do you wait for Lucan to return or meet him at the Tavern?

Lucan goes in and asks the attendant, "I'm looking for some darts plain stuff nothing fancy but descent quality.  No junk mind ya.  My life or your could depend on it if I'm saving you in the future and you sell me poor quality darts.  Get my drift.  Hopefully your price and my coin can make an arrangement."

The weapons merchant sells Lucan darts at standard prices.

The bar matron looks to Samir "What will you have this evening?" she says gruffly. 

Salty

Salty rubs his hands together in glee as they enter the tavern.  The mix of smells, good, bad, and otherwise, was like being home.  The salt of the earth, or sea as it were, were Salty's people.   

He makes his way to the bar with Samir.  After Samir procures their first round of drinks Salty slaps five gold pieces on the bar.  "We're fer tryin' the harbor platter, hear'd it was a hot mess o' tasty.  The rest is fer makin' sure me 'n me mates don't get thirsty!"  He helps Samir carry the drinks to an empty table and raises a mug when they are all passed out.  "To yer health, lads.  Sure'n we're in the middle o' a mess now, but we're fer figurin' it out, don't ye doubt. "

Samir places the coin on the counter, "For our first round, ma'am. Thank you" He collects the drinks he can and  goes with Salty find the other two.

Moments later the tavern matron using 1 muscled arm brings a plank laden with food that almost runs the length of the whole table "Here you are boys, now dig in" The food smells incredible and looks perfectly cooked as if the tavern matron somehow recruited, hoodwinked, or captured a famed chef.

on the table is a wooden cup with some mismatched utensils though many of the patrons use their hands as they tear into their supper. 

There is a constant din of chatter, bawdy jokes, and laughter from the other patrons of this tavern. 

Salty 

Salty rubs his hands together as the magnificent spread is placed before them.  He looks at Krakan and says, "OK, big man, we're fer makin' a giant sized dent in yon pile.  Last man fer reachin' the bottom is a rottin' squid." With that the orc got to business.  He favored meats, but gave everything before him a go, methodically working in a small area to clear his way to the plank.  As he was still trying to look like less of a heathen with his new friends, he opted to use a fork.  His technique was more akin to shoveling than the dainty,  pinkey finger pointing out refinery of the nobles.  Salty preferred function over form in most cases.

Quote from Weathervision >>

The weapons merchant sells Lucan darts at standard prices.

 Lucan pays the merchant 6 sp and gets back 5 cp.  

Lucan bows to the merchant, "Thanks you I'll make sure to frequent your establishment in the future too."

Lucan  joins the others on the trip to their desired location.  He gets his darts situated on his belt snug in grooves 6 on each side.

Quote from Weathervision >>

Moments later the tavern matron using 1 muscled arm brings a plank laden with food that almost runs the length of the whole table "Here you are boys, now dig in" The food smells incredible and looks perfectly cooked as if the tavern matron somehow recruited, hoodwinked, or captured a famed chef.

on the table is a wooden cup with some mismatched utensils though many of the patrons use their hands as they tear into their supper. 

There is a constant din of chatter, bawdy jokes, and laughter from the other patrons of this tavern. 

 Lucan takes in the aromas and resigns himself to not over indulge. They are tip toeing around a murder and it's likely to stir up some unwanted attention. He wants to be functional.

"Thanks you Samir and Salty for such a fine feast and nice beverage. I won't over indulge in food or beverage tonight.  I want my wits about me and not loaded down with an over full belly. I will enjoy the atmosphere of the place and some fun chit chat."

Lucan gets small pieces of the food and savors his beverage.

Salty

Salty pauses mid chew, a tentacle of some sort hanging out of his mouth as Lucan speaks of self control.  The words hit the orc like utterings in a foreign tongue.  Momentarily forgetting his new commitment to manners he slurps the protruding part back in like a piece of pasta.  "A full belly's fer adding umph to yer sword arm," he says.  Being as nimble as a three legged cow on a good day, it would be hard for anything short of quicksand to make Salty slower; a full gut ain't fer hurtin'  Salty none.  It may have occurred to him in that moment that some relied on speed and agility like he relied on armor and a strong sword arm, but he was very focused on working a path to the plank in short order.  Considering the matter put to rest, he went back to work on the mountain of food before him, pausing but a heartbeat to check Krakan's progress.

Samir lowers his gaze to the meal before him. Around him, as the others talk, he rests his hands against his thighs beneath the table, feeling the cool weight of his iron holy symbol, the skeletal hand holding balanced scale, against his chest.

Closing his eyes, he bows his head just slightly. His lips move with silent prayer:

"Kelemvor, Lord of the Dead, I thank you for this sustenance that maintains my mortal life. May I use this strength to bring your justice and guide those who pass, without fear or favor. All lives end in your domain; let mine be spent in rightful purpose until that time.”

A quiet certainty settles in his chest, like the stillness of a graveyard at dusk. There is no glow, no outward sign – only the feeling of duty reaffirmed. Samir opens his eyes, lifts his spoon, and begins to eat in silence, respectful of the others’ beliefs, his resolve anchored once more in the quiet mercy and impartiality of his god.

As he eats, he takes small portions and sets them aside on a cloth, unspoilt and safe for later consumption. 

Everyone has an enjoyable supper with fine drinks and finer food. 

What do you do next?

Salty

Salty leans back in his chair, downs what's left in his mug, belches (making no extra effort to be loud, manners and all) rubs his belly contentedly.  "I'm fer doin' me best thinkin' with a full gut.  I'm fer feelin' extra smart now."  The orc's armor was working overtime to hild his belly in.

"I'm fer talkin' wit the spice lady what has bandit problems.  Might be we gets some info and a few coins fer guardin' her next shipment.  I'm not fer likin' hard workin' folk gettin' robbed and such."

Lucan's casually looks around a bit off and on through the meal just in case he casually spots anything out of the ordinary. OOC 19 in the game log.

Lucan lowers his voice and covers his mouth like he's preparing to take a bite of something as part of his meal, "Salty, That sounds like a good plan. There might still be some intel in Malik's old room, but there might be too much risk trying to access it now.  We can come back to the room after we do some guard duty."

 Lucan stretches a bit and is nice and comfortable after eating just the right amount of food and washing it down with a nice mug.

Lucan you sense eyes on you and the party. You focus your senses and filter out the noise of the tavern to the searching gaze belonging to a woman 2 tables away. You barely caught her glimpse, but you did, and, in your experience, you have seen calculating eyes like her before. Black eyes that move to each person in the party, there arms, armor and how thick their packs may seem. A second later she goes back to conversing with some drunk sailors. 

This woman is dressed similarly to Lucan wearing dark leathers with no obvious weapons in sight. 

Samir leans forward, fingers steepled, eyes narrowing with interest. "Strangely, Salty, your gut might be on to something," he says with a crooked grin. "If the bandits are bold enough to keep hitting the same shipments, odds are they'll try again. And if we're guarding the next one..."

He lets the thought trail off, tapping the table meaningfully.

"Information, coin, and a real chance to draw 'em out. I say we talk to the spice merchant and see when her next caravan rolls out. Could be the lead we've been waiting for."

Quote from Weathervision >>

Lucan you sense eyes on you and the party. You focus your senses and filter out the noise of the tavern to the searching gaze belonging to a woman 2 tables away. You barely caught her glimpse, but you did, and, in your experience, you have seen calculating eyes like her before. Black eyes that move to each person in the party, there arms, armor and how thick their packs may seem. A second later she goes back to conversing with some drunk sailors. 

This woman is dressed similarly to Lucan wearing dark leathers with no obvious weapons in sight. 

Lucan subtly coughs lightly and again slowly takes a bit using the motion to mask his lips, "We are being watched.  Do not look though. Female in black two table away. She's skill in night time activities probably like me.  To public here. Stay casual and be on alert my friends."
Lucan finishes the bite, "That is tasty my friends.  Delicious I say."

Krakan's fingers twinkle, then he dives into the platter with astounding gusto.  The Goliath can put away some food, and he's all business as they begin, with frequent draughts from his ale, saying merely "I am no rotten squid!"  

As they eventually begin to slow, Krakan finally at last, he starts to rub his belly and a kind smile comes to his face.  "Thank you, that was delicious, and what I needed.  Let's review what we have learned thus far.  Put it out on the table, sort it out like we have that platter.  Here's what I heard back there..."  Krakan relates his experience at the bathhouse, everything he learned from Uncle Basim, his review of the slips in the box, his discussion with the attendant, and all of the rest of their findings thus far.  

"Agree with you about Malik's office.  Maybe the opportunity will present itself.  Agree with you about the spice bandit problems and the trader, all of this seems to revolve around the spice guild and their status.  I have a feeling that Malik found out something that he shouldn't have, and he was eliminated for it.  We need to find out what that is.  There are some common threads here."  

When Lucan speaks up, he says "Undue attention, eh?  Should we see if she follows us when we leave?  How should we play this?  Have we been marked... for asking to many questions?"

Salty

Salty leaned in to grab another piece of meat.  As he leaned in he said, "Lucan's fer givin' us a leg up.  Show it up wit yer boozin'.  We acts drunk then stumbles out later.  If'n a trap is set we're fer givin' that nosy lass a bad day."  With his last word he tossed a bit of food in his mouth and reached for the pitcher.  "We're fer drinkin' tonight boys!" he exclaimed for all to hear.  He tops off everyone's mug and proceeds to chug the rest. In truth, most stopped down his chin and chest.  With a wave to the server he calls for another round.

Lucan takes another ale and will find a way to get rid of 1/2 of it while drinking the other 1/2, "Yeah, drink up my friends."

Lucan whispers Mug up to his mouth, "They might be trying to warn us or they are out to see what we know or they could be an assassin and poisoned our ales."

"Oh may the divines grant me patience and strength!" Samir plays up the ruse with the others "Once again, I must bear the burden of shepherding these three full-grown infants to bed! We've barely arrived and you've drank more than a fish!" 

Samir places his head into his hands acting annoyed for any audience and says only to the table "If they are trying to warn us, why have they not approached us yet? Surely they would be able to give us a message inconspicuously, no?"

Lifting his head out of his hands, he plays up the part of the annoyed designated driver, "If any of you vomit on me like last time, may the gods have mercy on your soul!"