Tyranny in Phlan (DM Lerus)

Retne begins to look worried on top of being afraid. Doozey has a feeling he did, indeed, veer into subjects the man cannot attest to. With one more look at Utar, however, the man tries his best: "Hmm... Hmm... The Cult of the Dragon has two main leaders in the town besides the dragon herself. The first is the cleric Farvnik the Venomous. He is sweeping the streets with a great half-dragon ettin, a minion of the green dragon himself. The second is a powerful Wearer of Purple named Ixusaxa Terrorsong. She is an elf who is often in the company of constructs. Those were the names I was told to listen to. That's what I know."

He recoils a bit, expecting his limited answer to earn him a "kiss" from Utar's mace. 

(@Drache & @Red: Will you lead the rescue of those who are currently in the Laughing Goblin? If so, I'll need skill checks for Neya and Sebastian. You can choose among these options: perception, survival, or stealth. Pick the one that more closely aligns with your approach to retrieving the people you saved and bringing them back to the docks.)

Raist nods.   Pulls out some Parchment and scribbles a note. "Docks clear. Neya will arrive to escort"

"Sebastian.  Take this to the laufhing goblin then await Neya,  once they depart I want you to scout for them"

Perception 19

Neya nods to this rescue plan and starts her way to the Laughing Goblin. 

Stealth: 10

(If needed, Tactical Mind: 3)

Doozey stares at the man with narrowed eyes for at length since he finished saying his latest piece. Then... he closed his eyes and sighs. "Not quite what I was hoping to find out, but... at least that confirms we've already dealt with one of the more dangerous elements of her cult." He admits. "'course if there leader is as sharp a mind as I suspect, won't be long 'fore she'll notice a bishops gone missing. Meaning-" He looks back up to Utar. "We don't got a lotta time. Soon as those folks are here, we'll need to leave things to Dornal and his crew to sort out and ship out almost immediately if at all possible."

The halfling then turned to Retne. "As fer you, you're intel has sounded solid enough to warrant a stay, uhh, of judgement, and subsequently a ticket out of here -- though, you'll be stripped of your armor and any arms you might yet still possess. I just got one last question 'fore you'll be remitted to the tender care of the good captain over yonder." An off handed gesture directs attention back to Dornal's ship. "Where can find this Wearer -- or at least, where was she assigned? And, do you know what /her/ orders are s'pose to be, even if only generally so." Doozey questions while others yet gnawed at the back of his head. But with time being of the essences, the halfling buried them deep and prayed a lack of answers would bite them in the end. 

After Retne answers, Doozey relayed the plan to Dornal, in so far where it related to what was to become of Retne. Sympathy for the man only went so far in the hunter, however. So, if Dornal demanded his execution, then... so be it. He'd see it done had Utar beaten to the punch. Aside from that potential sordid business, Doozey began repatching up what wounds he could (see next post for rolls). 

(OOC: Gonna spend 3 more charges of another healer's kit to regain: 52 with Healer Feat, and another charge of Tireless for 5 Temp Hp.)

After Doozey says something about "shipping out as fast as possible," Dornal concurs: "Worry not, fellow hero. We are getting the ship freed and ready to depart as soon as your charges are on the deck."

"I do not know," Retne admits: "I only heard the name; I did not get orders from her directly." Trying to avoid not having any info on this matter lest he loses his chance to leave town, Retne guesses: "Maybe she'd deeper into town? She'd not been in charge of the docks or the nearby streets, I can say that much. That was Farvnik's turf."

If allowed, Retne will then starts removing his armor. Next, he gradually and, in clear view, shows he still had a last-resort dagger on him. Finally, he then points to his two main weapons already on the floor several paces away: a heavy two-handed blade and an equally heavy crossbow with his allocation of bolts already strapped to its side.

Dornal agrees to take Retne on board, but only as a prisoner. "I'm not one for unjust executions. The man will be judged for his crimes once we re-enter a functioning slice of civilization."

Over the next minutes, Doozey continues to patch his wounds while Utar keeps an eye on Retne with Biscuit's assistance. (Doozey recovers 43 HP and gains 6 temp HP.)

Separately, Raist sends Sebastian back to the Laughing Goblin. The bird flies in a straight path, and is sure to arrive at the tavern ahead of Neya. In fact, Raist is counting on it. His note will let those at the tavern know that they are about to be escorted to the docks and give them a few moments to prepare. On his way, Sebastian's bird's eye view allows him to spot some civilians in the distance: people are packing to flee the town or running from one neighborhood to another. The general atmosphere is one of panic.

A moment later, Neya nods at the rest of CRAP and begins to backtrack toward the Laughing Goblin. The tavern is not very far, but the direct way there, the one CRAP took to move between the tavern and the docks just moments earlier, is a well-traveled path. It might be a more expedient way to take once she is escorting the civilians back to the docks, but right now, while traveling alone, Neya decides to take a less direct but more obfuscated path. 

As she weaves from narrow streets to alleys, Neya notices that she is getting a bit closer to danger. She passes by some looters who scurry away whether they notice her or not. Then, as she rounds a corner, she sees a street littered with carnage. Men and women dressed in the uniforms of the Black Fist lie in puddles of blood on the cobbles. Several of their own ranks, or so it seems, are moving among the bodies, slitting the throats of the survivors. Neya then notices that she must not have been moving as silently as she had hoped. One of would-be Black Fists points in Neya's direction and loudly shouts, “Stand fast, citizen, and submit to questioning.”

(@Drache: What will Neya do?)

Neya  thinks fast and wraps herself in a bubble of darkness (using 2 focus points) after which, she rides the shadows to a nearby roof and attempts to continue sneaking her way to the Laughing Goblin.

Stealth(if needed): 27

"Mn. Fair enough." Said Doozey, before proceeding to unbind Retne's arms so the man could see to his armor. Though where it came to the dagger once revealed, Doozey promptly confiscates it if Utar hadn't done so immediately himself. The halfling still had half a mind to kick the man's gear into the water once all was said and done. But, knowing that supplies might soon become hard to come by in the coming days, he simple made a mental note to see if Dornal could put it under lock and key on board.

Once Doozey had finished tending to his injuries, he saw to it that Retne would once again have his arms bound behind his back. "Utar? Mind getting him on board while I see if Gravy can let Neya know where on our way?" He asks, but be it then or after personally winding up escorting Retne on board Dornal's ship.  Doozey's next order of business is to call Gravy down from one of the nearby roofs, and after a rather one-sided conversation, seeing as he couldn't waste time weaving spells of understanding, Gravy was to seek out Neya at the Laughing Goblin and deliver a new message. This one to inform her that they were on their way to meet up with her as promised using a quickly scribbled note.

But, just as he's about completed the message, a thought then occurred to him: With so much chaos on the streets, things could -- no, would get messy if Neya was diverted for one reason or another during the return trip, making it difficult, if not downright impossible to ensure a meet up at any halfway juncture. So after a pregnant pause, Doozey closed his eyes muttering a prayer to Arvoreen, hoping beyond hope the halfling god of defense and guardians would see the group safely back to the docks...

(OOC: Since he isn't using the spell and is only friendly to Doozey, if you think Gravy might need a little convincing (ie. persuasion) check, here ya go: 12(25).)

IN THE STREETS

Neya thinks fast and disappears in darkness. She hears the guard's voice get louder with surprise. A moment later, from her perch up in the rooftops and still surrounded in a bubble of darkness, she looks down to see the guard and a few of his companions investigate the area she had just teleported away from. She moves quickly after that, knowing that she has escaped for now but that the guard may now be on the lookout for her.

Neya arrives at the Laughing Goblin to find the group of civilians ready to depart, courtesy of the note delivered to them by Raist's trusty familiar. Villonah and Euripanee await for Neya's command. Imizael, on the the hand, seems reluctant to go, especially knowing that she'll have to leave Mar's body behind. 

ON THE DOCKS

We'll say that Utar takes the dagger and keeps a close eye on Retne as he doffs his armor, since Doozey had to dedicate some time to heal himself a bit more.

Dornal agrees to keep the confiscated gear on the Gilded Treasure, but reminds Doozey that they are not long for Phlan (the gear is likely to leave with them). Is that okay with the halfling? Retne is then led onto Dornal's ship.

Sebastian perches on a table near Neya, tilts its head and caws

Neya announces her presence by going to the table Sebastian is on and knocks on it, "We have a way out of the city. The dock is clear, but the streets have patrols of the enemy. We will need to move quickly."

Noticing Imizael's hesitation, she approaches and gently places a hand on her shoulder, "Do you think you could take something of his with you? That way, perhaps you have a way to properly mourn?"

Persuasion: 17 (Tactical mind: 4)

"As far as I'm concerned, that gear ain't really for us. But might come in handy for you and yer fellas, even if its only to sell to help pay for the care of the folks on board, wherever it is ya'll wind up." Doozey clarified to Dornal with a half-grin. "And Dornal? Thanks again fer this. I know we're asking quite a bit of you and yer men, but I would've been remiss in not asking, if only for the sake of the innocent caught up in this mess." 

LAUGHING GOBLIN

Raist's familiar helps Neya gather everyone's attention. A few seconds are spared for Imizael, who nods at Neya in agreement and then removes Mar's apron from the man's body. Blood stains the fabric, but Imizael says that having some of Mar for the eventual proper rites will help bring him peace.

With that, the entire group is ready to depart. Sebastian flies up high ahead of the group, helping keep an eye out.

(@Drache: Tactical Mind die not needed. Also, what's the strategy for the return trip? Dashing though the main road or trying to go stealthy. For the former, roll an initiative check to account for speed. For the latter, roll a stealth check. Whichever one you choose, please do so with disadvantage to account for the throng of untrained people following you.)

(@Red: Please roll a fresh perception check for Sebastian.)

AT THE DOCKS

Dornal smiles in appreciation for Doozey's sentiment: "We have supported each other for quite sometime now. It befits us to continuing doing so when support is most needed. I'm not sure yet which city we'll aim for, but we'll certainly go somewhere along the shores of the Moonsea. If you have need for the Lords' Alliance, come find me. I'll do the same should I need CRAP's assistance." 

Sebastian perception. 24

Neya Initiative: 26 (Tactical Mind - if it applies in this case: 10) (28,4)

With a hand placed over his heart, Doozey bowed partway at the waist to Dornal, nearly dislodging a roosting Gravy from his shoulder. "When the time comes, we'll be sure to do so Dornal. 'Till then, may Big Mama Yondalla look out for ya, and may it be some time yet for Moradin need call you to the forges." He said in turn, though would look a touch sheepish afterwards depending on the take about Moradin.

"BOOF!"

Doozey startles, then shoots a glare back at the Mastiff. But in reading something behind the beasts motions back towards the city, the halfling sighs and nods at some unspoken agreement. "Thanks Brother. We need to be prepared fer when they arrive. Gravy?" The crow croaks in response. "New plan! I need'ja over there keep'n an eye out. And if you see a bunch people on their way, give us a signal. Aight?" Gravy caws again, but rather than fly off, he looked expectantly at Doozey. "Wh-wha? Oh, uhh, s'pose one good turn deserves another, so... here." From one of several pouches on his belt, Doozey pulled out some candied bugs he'd been saving for later. Scarcely had he begun to offer it did it get snatched out of his hands by the crow, before Gravy then immediately took off to perch on one of the warehouse roofs overlooking a main thoroughfare to the docks.

"Pfft. Least he's prompt.... Utar? Raist?" He says (or calls, in the case of Raist). "Shall we see if we can get into some position in case Neya winds up coming in hot? Or see if we can help Dornal's men are ready to be underway as soon as they arrive?"

Neya tells her followers to prepare for a dash, giving them no more than a few extra moments to prepare themselves. It is a good thing Sebastian had arrived with the note earlier, such that the eldritch monk's request does not come as a surprise.

Neya opens the damaged doors to the tavern and begins running. She goes as fast as she believes it is feasible, at a pace that allows the townsfolk behind her not to exactly keep up with her, but to at least not lose sight of her. Luckily, the destination is just a hop, a skip, and a jump away if one is following the most direct street there.

From up high, Sebastian is able to spot any potential danger coming close. He sees a group of Black Fists moving around in separate streets in search of someone, but their armors don't let them move as quickly as Neya and her followers. That, and they are not even moving in the right direction. Neya's teleportation antics did not leave them with any indication of what direction to pursue.

When Neya arrives at the docks, Doozey, Raist, Utar and Biscuit are spread out in strategic positions, clearly preparing for a fight. Even Gravy is perched up high so he too can contribute. At first, they might have feared that the monk arrived alone. A good minute goes by before the last of the townsfolk are able to catch up to Neya, and with them are Villonah Leadstopper and Euripanee Thundershield. Aya Glenmiir and Imizael are also with them.

Looking over at the Gilded Treasure, Dornal and his men are ready to depart. This includes the rescued sailors, as well as the captured Tear of Virulence. The dwarf had just recently said his goodbyes to Doozey, and to CRAP by extension, and so has little else to say at this moment. He waves the townsfolk onto his ship, and they do not hesitate. Some of them quickly thank CRAP on their way onto the ship, while others wish them well or grant them the protection of whatever deities they favor (mostly Kelemvor and Torm, but there are a few others sprinkled in there too.)

Imizael, Euripanee, Villonah, and Aya all stop by CRAP, either to say goodbye or to hear the next step in their plan.

(OOC: Please read this last sentence as an invitation to both RP and to add some input on who is staying and who isn't. They have their own considerations, so there are no guarantees here, but feel free to roll CHA-based skill checks if you are so inclined.) 

Though patient by nature, seeing Neya without company would indeed have the halfling immediately on edge. Yet as there hadn't been any cry for aid, thunder of footfalls, or the wing beats of great wings to signal impending danger, Doozey bit his lips to fight back rising fear. A minute of waiting that might as well have been an eternity... But, ground was held up until he saw them.

This time it was Biscuit that showed more professional restraint then the ranger in all only excitedly letting out a "Boof boof!" in seeing everyone from the Tavern. But Doozey? He broke cover barely before the procession began making its way past the makeshift checkpoint just to race to Villonah side. "Ya'll made it! All of ya! I-I'm sorry we didn't all come. There was, uhh.. a bit of snag that needed fussing here -- B-but that's all taken care of now. A-and I'm, er, uhm, well, I-It's good to see you all made it here in one piece." He said to her looking clearly flustered at first, before with a hand over his heart, he took a breath to re-steady himself. "... I'm probably wrong for assuming this, but... I take it there's no way of convincing ya to go with them, is there?" He asks her while gesturing back to the ship.

Villonah looks around the crowd hopping onto the ship to find Doozey, just as he was looking for her. "Yes, we made it. You weren't gone for long but we had to quiet down and remain silent at the tavern for a moment. We heard some guards coming around to check the area, and they lingered for a bit upon seeing the fallen warriors on the ground. Thankfully, they assumed whoever was responsible for it wouldn't have stayed nearby."

Euripanee jumps in: "We were ready for a fight if needed, but keeping the civvies quiet was the best tactic at that point."

Aya adds: "My slight enchantment on the tavern itself helped. The guards felt discouraged from checking inside. But now that we are gone from the Laughing Goblin, there is no time to waste."

The conversation goes on in the background as Villonah and Doozey have a more private moment "hiding in plain sight" (if that makes some sense). "Thank you for securing a way out for these people. In times like these, people look for heroes like the four of you for hope. I do too, though I am looking primarily at you, Mr. Redfoot." She blushes a bit. "My mind and duty tell me to get on that ship. To leave this city so I can live to fight another day. To go and rejoin my fellow members of the Order of the Gauntlet in seeking justice. But my heart tells me to stay. To see that we join forces to save as many people as we can. To stay by your side. So, Doozey Redfoot, If you want me to stay, I shall. You need only say so without hesitation in your voice. But should you agree that the smartest thing to do would be for me to go, then I will leave with nothing but understanding in my heart. I will go and preserve order elsewhere until we can bring justice back to Phlan. I'll leave here alive and with purpose, and pray that you'll follow closely behind." 

Utar addresses Euripanee and Aya, first.  "My sincere thanks for keeping them safe, both at the tavern and on their way here.  There is space on the boats and I suggest you both make use of it.  The townsfolk you sheparded here will be looking to both of you for comfort and security in the days ahead."

Then turning to Imizael he adds, "Mar would not want you to linger here, not with the present danger.  He would want you to go on."