Tyranny in Phlan (DM Lerus)

(@MB: Yes, I'll let it count as help this time even though Utar is not proficient in persuasion. 😁)

Despite sounding like a veiled threat, Doozey's words do manage to calm the trio down. Their halfling points to CRAP's halfling and repeats his most recent words: "He's not wrong."

The human male of the trio nods at Utar's assertion that they are not splashed in green. "Or purple," he adds in agreement. 

The human lady joins Utar in pointing to his tabbard, her face awash with relief.

Continuing his point as a way to answer Doozey's questions, the male human says: "There are purple-robed folk throughout the town. They seem to have no fear and I saw some of the Black Fist fighting with them. There are kobolds, large lizards, and hobgoblins in the streets. They’re dragging people away to be their servants!"

The lady joins in, still pointing to Utar's tabbard as a point of reference for her claim: "I saw a red-skinned demon walking with a bunch of armored soldiers near the castle. He had a tabbard like this one, but his displayed a flame with eyes above a dragon’s claw."

The halfing then tries to confirm Doozey's other suspicion: "Yes, we are trying to get out of here, and fast! The docks are overrun. They’re dragging the sailors away. There is no escape that way. So we came to these more remote docks here in hopes of finding a boat. And luck is on our side: you arrived with a ship! Shall we sail away?"

The conversation escalates as the trio of civilians respond to each other's comments. Their claims have conflicting details, making it hard to know what might be the truth behind the rumors. It doesn't help that some of the information they are sharing is clearly outdated (see post above.)

Human lady: "Yes! We should leave! The whole town is in chaos! There’s a dragon in the castle and everyone in or near it was killed by poison smoke!"

Human man: "Everyone? Are you sure? I heard that the prisoners in Stojanow Gate have risen up to join with the dragon! They now run the prison and the guards are in the cells instead."

Halfling male: "I doubt that the guards are in the cells, and if they aren't, then I'd advise you all to not trust the Black Fist. Some of them are rallying the people to fight, but others are just killing everyone they see. I'm not willing to put my life on the line just based on whether some guard splashed their breastplate with green paint. If you see any of those so-called knights, flee for your life." 

Whether due to hesitance on the party's part, or getting just out of the boat having occupied their attention, answers might've been delayed but eventually Doozey at least chimed in after helping Villonah out of the boat. "Sounds like mixed news, to the least, huh? Well in any event, unfortunately my team still has business in town... folk that we still need to get out." Doozey admitted with a grim look of determination settling in his veneer towards the end.

"And while we'd, ehh, like to offer the use of the boat while we carry on our way, none of you look exactly like sailors, so... yeah. Be a bit awkward to leave ya to it, only to see you guys sinking the boat minutes later." He chuckled weakly to try and ease tension, but laughing of any kind always ended up a little awkward where it came to the Ranger. Nevertheless, he persevered in talking: "Alternatively, ya'll could come with us and we could provide some protection, and eventually an escort out of town. Choice is yours, but I'd choose quick 'cause we gotta get moving."

"Well," the trio's halfling replies to Doozey, "If you are going in land, I presume you'll be leaving your ship here? We can keep an eye on it for you until you return and are ready to depart. We'll keep our heads low."

Once everyone is off Raist whispers the command word and retrieves the box

<><>"perhaps turn one of<> these houses into<><><> a safe house so we<><> have a place to send rescuees?"

"Well..." Is about all Doozey gets before Raist quite handedly demonstrates the easy retrieval/storage of the boat, prompting the ranger to instead gesture and awkwardly smile at the trio. "As you can see, ain't much need for a watcher. But, as my compatriot here has suggested, if you think of some place close enough nearby to use, I'd recommend that as well. Preferably some place ya'll can secure, but ain't so obviously worth these invaders attention, like a too well to do shop.... Otherwise, I'm afraid there ain't much more we can do fer ya aside from what we suggested. A-at least at the moment."

With mouths agape, the trio receives their response when Raist folds the boat back into his pocket. Thankfully, the elf has an alternate proposal for a waiting spot: a nearby house.

Turning to Doozey, the other halfling stutters: "R-right... W-we'll hole up in a nearby empty house and keep an eye at the dock. Y-you'll leave this way, right? S-so we can hop on that boat of yours then?" 

The trio awaits confirmation before CRAP presumably leaves the residential docks.

Utar catches himself daydreaming, wondering about whether he should add flames to his own tabbard, make Torm's hand stand out a bit.  Might be a popular play with the youth...

Snapping back from his dream of becoming a cool youth pastor, he does ponder who the red-skinned demon might serve.

Religion - 11

"Mn. That's the plan. But even if we can't go by boat, we'll still come back and scoop you guys up, and see if we can get you guys outta here another way." Doozey further assured the halfling. Turning then to the others, he gives them all a weak smile and motions, "Come on. We've gotta a lotta to cover and little time to do it. Even still, let's try to avoid the main thoroughfares as much as possible on our way. Got it?" He waits but a beat, before then starting to mount up on Biscuit's back; only to have a change of heart in spying Villonah out of the corner of his eyes. "Say, uhh, Villie? Ya wanna ride'm instead?" 

@Utar: You easily identify it as the heraldry of the Cult of the Dragon. Not every Cult member brandishes their insignia, but you have seen some of the higher ranking ones (the ones who wear purple) wield it with pride. It comes in a few variations, and it is not their only symbol either. You have learned to recognize other symbols as representing the cult like, for example, five colored claws displayed in a pinwheel formation. However, the one described by the trio brings the following image to mind:

(OOC: I can't seem to be able to post the image here, so refer to the OOC channel instead).

The trio nods and agrees to Doozey's offer. They start moving toward a nearby abandoned house just as CRAP begins to move out as well. As the two groups separate, Villonah accepts Doozey's offer after confirming with Biscuit directly whether he is fine with the idea too.

CRAP advances through rows of homes, many of which have been recently abandoned. The furniture and other objects from within some houses have been spilled out on the streets, likely indicating that the enemies have collected spoils. There are bodies on the streets as well, proof of the carnage led by the Cult of the Dragon and assisted by the Tears of Virulence. Drag marks on soil or spilled blood seem to confirm that the enemies are keen on taking survivors away, most likely for the purposes of servitude if rumors are to be believe. Farvnik himself claimed that this objective was part his mandate, after all.

The carnage on the streets seem to indicate that the Cult and the Tears have already passed by the residential area. However, as CRAP learned at the docks, there is no guaranteed that they haven't left patrols behind to secure the area.

You reach the Leadstopper Residence without trouble, but that is not necessarily a good thing. Much like many other homes in the area, CRAP HQ shows signs of being broken into. The front door is open, windows are smashed, ripped linens and broken furniture are thrown outside. Villonah's mouth drops open as she gasps and a couple of tears fall down her cheek: "My childhood home...." she laments.

"It will see better days again, just as we all will.  When all else seems dark, cling to hope. Let us trust that nothing that cannot be repaired has been damaged."

Utar steps carefully forward and enters the residence.  Quietly he calls out to CRAP's major domo, "Sagin? Are you here?"

Biscuit answer is a cheery sounding "BOOF!" and a long lick upside her face if Villonah wasn't quick on her toes! Afterwards, he'd plop down to ease her climbing aboard, before gently rising once more. But just as soon as he felt her settled into the saddle, the mastiff readily took off to catch up with the others(if that had been the case).

As someone who'd seen his share of devastating scenes in his long travels across Faerun, Doozey appeared largely unshaken and unsurprised by the passing sights. But beneath veneer of calm detachment was a growing fury. For like it or not, Phlan had become his home in many ways.

"... Too slow... We were too slow..." He sadly muttered as the sight of the Leadstopper Residence finally came into view. Yet in the wake of Utar's claim, the halfling snapped out of a downward spiral, and looked to nod sharply in Orc's direction. Turning then to Villonah he says, "His right, ya know. One way or another, we'll set what we can to rights, and what cannot... we'll survive." Biscuit softly "Boofs" in agreement, before putting nose to pavestone and sniff about the area for any signs of Sagin. Doozey, however, began sending out messages in all most all sorts of directions while beginning to circle perimeter, asking where he was in hopes to catch a reply from Sagin.

<>"Sebastian <>a quick<>patrol <>if you please <><> then <>overwatch<>"

Raist sends.the raven to the air

Neya looks around the ransacked residence, "We haven't been here for long. But, it's hard not to feel some attachment to this place and feel its loss."

"But regardless of whether the structure stands at the end of this. This is a home." 

Utar shows wisdom and maturity in quickly comforting Villonah, and perhaps calming Doozey a bit as well. The gnome thanks the pair with a gentle nod of her head, but voices a preference for not going inside: "I'd rather not see what destruction lies within." If it meant she had to dismount Biscuit, she did it with grace.

The damage inside is perhaps as expected. The evil factions taking over Phlan took almost anything that could have some value, wasn't bolted to the ground, and was easy enough to transport. Almost everything else, like furniture or more mundane objects for the day-to-day, were instead damaged. Despite all of the destruction, the Cult's and the Tears' work can not be called thorough to the extreme. As CRAP enters the home to investigate, you notice dropped silverware or left-behind linens that could have easily been taken. It is not out of the realm of possibility that they overlook something useful or valuable in the process.

(OOC: If anyone was storing any of their items in the HQ, now is the time to consider what may have happened to those items. Please let me know if you had anything stored in this location.) 

Whether responding to Utar's call or to Neya's voice, something deep within the house stirs. It causes broken planks of wood to fall and make some noise. The moment of apprehension then passes, and Doozey hears a simple response in his mind: "Yes, Sagin, is here. A bit hurt but happy friends are back." The little kobold makes himself visible after a few more seconds. He is nursing a few cuts and bruises, but nothing too serious. He goes on to explain that he used his Wand of Web to make a hiding spot for himself ("make it look like attic was filled with large spiders, yes?"), that he was ready to "fight to protect home" with his padded armor, shield, and shortsword, and that he called Berry to help when the "bad men" were inside the house. Berry, the gentlemanly dog, then appears from around a broken corner, also sporting some bruises. 

High above, Raist's familiar takes a look around and confirms that the general scene of destruction expands through a good portion, if not all, of the residential district. Sebastian does not see a lot of movement around, indicating that any civilian survivors have either moved out of the area or found a hole to hide in.

(@Red: There may be more to see but I'll ask for a perception check at this point.)

(@MB & @Ori & @Drache: For those of you inside, you may want to roll investigation checks to see if you can either locate any items you may have previously stored in the HQ, or to see if the enemy looters left anything of value behind.) 

Utar approaches Sagin and Berry, kneeling to them both, he offers them each a hand.

"This is good news in dark times and I am gladdened to see you both, can I offer some salve for your wounds?"

Should Sagin and/or Berry accept his offer, Utar will cast cure wounds using a first level spell slot for 2d8+5hp healing for each.

After offering some respite, Utar pokes around the debris left of their former base of operations, he doesn't expect to find too much given the thorough ransacking.

Investigation - 5

Neya moves some stuff around. Partially to clear some space, partially to see if anything was left behind.

Investigation 15

(Tactical Mind: 7)

Raist leans against a wall. Face going blank with vacant eyes staring off into the distance

Perception:  22

Both Doozey and Biscuit share a look, nodded, and then after the former spared Villonah one last sympathetic look, headed on inside leaving Villonah in Biscuit's care. Seeing the extent of the damage inside left Doozey only regretful in not having caved to old habits, and worked alongside Sagin in setting up at least a few rudimentary traps. But as there was little use crying over spilled milk, he carried on with the investigation alongside others, periodically attempting to ping Sagin's potentially location.

A halfling heart practically skips a beat when there's finally an answer and is but a half a step behind the Orc where it came to approaching the pair soon after! "I'm so glad see you two are alright -- m-mostly, alright. Heh... But, man I..." Words failed Doozey at that point, so instead he just went and pulled the kobold into a hug. "Thank you, Sagin, for hanging in there. You did good." He pulls away still grinning from ear to ear.

"But listen, We got at least one more stop to make, but afterwards we're getting out of town fer at least a bit. You still got that potion on ya? If so, keep it close, scavenge what supplies ya can, and then let's all get going. Alright?" He says as much. Even with time pressing, Doozey lingered long enough to see the kobold treated before looking to Berry. Yet before he can say anything, the mastiff says, "Do not worry, good sir. I will continue to endeavor to keep master Sagin safe as we go forward. And if I can be a touch forward sir, I would like if you could procure more of those tasty treat-oos for services rendered." At that, the halfling could but chuckle and nod before hurrying off to check his room and gather his tools. 

-Investigation: 9.

(OOC: Thankfully, Doozey tends to carry what little he does own either with him, or in the bag of holding with but the exception of items listed under 'Home Base' in his inventory. Most of which being innocuous tools with but the exception of his extra sling bullets.)

Utar is the first to reach the emerging kobold-mastiff pair, extending them a hand and an offer to heal their wounds. Berry speaks for both of them, explaining that their light wounds were mainly caused by the rush to hide and some failing debris, as opposed to open battle. Sagin waves a hand, meaning to refuse any magical healing: "Wounds did not pass scales, yes. Sagin tough hide!" With his words, he also shows that he indeed still has the potion CRAP had entrusted him. Utar's focus is chiefly on the duo's health; he does not locate anything worth collecting in the debris (with a 5 investigation check...)

Doozey joins Utar in regrouping with Sagin and Berry. He explains the group is not quite ready to leave town just yet, which springs a question from the kobold: "Sound dangerous. Should Sagin follow or hide more?" After getting a response, Sagin moves around collecting any supplies he can find, as requested by Doozey. When he comes back with no more than four servings of food (which may be considered to be 4 rations), he apologizes for not being able to better protect the house. During his own look-around in his old room, Doozey finds some solace in locating his spare herbalism kit and the 10 hollow sling bullet casings, but everything else he had stashed is unfortunately lost (with a 9 investigation check...)

Neya clears a path for the group to move about more safely, going as far as her own room upstairs (Tactical Mind charge used for a 22 investigation check.) While moving things around, she comes across an old and depleted herbalim kit, which she has since replenished with the new one she now carries. The fact that this old one has been depleted was enough for it not to earn the attention of the ransacking enemies. That is for the best, as Neya finds inside one of her old healing concoctions (common). 

Outside, Raist combines his our vision with that of Sebastian (with a 22 perception check.) As before, the elf pinpoints a couple of enemy patrols still doing their rounds in the general area. Similar to when he spotted patrols around the docks, these patrols in the residential district don't seem to be heading in CRAP's direction, but there is no guarantee that they won't do so given enough time or if their attention is caught by loud noises or similar stimuli.