Tyranny in Phlan (DM Lerus)

"Follow. It's dangerous like ya already figured, but I don't see us necessarily coming this way. And I'd hate to have you two get caught out try'na to meet us elsewhere." Doozey explained. When later Sagin mentions only managing to gather a few things, Doozey simply shakes his head and tells him not to worry. He offers to help Sagin train again, if they should survive current matters in Phlan.

When later all he discovers is less than ideal, the halfling could but only sigh, shrug, and gather up what he could before rejoining the others back outside. From there they'd inform Raist and Villonah on what happened, before suggest the group make for the Docks again, citing it'll still be faster(and arguably still safer) than trying to dodge patrols. For even if they run into fellow Black Fist defenders, odds were that they're hands might be forced with the group trying to conscript them to aid in the defense, rather than trust the random insights of some adventuring band.

"That said, Neya, the Plumes headquarters isn't too, too far from here. Without knowing where they stand, it'a be a dangerous bet. But if whats-her-face hasn't gotten wrapped up in something, been betrayed, or flown the coop already, she could be decent reinforcement." He suggest in a matter of fact tone. "That said, I don't think we're making that meeting on time if take the detour, so... up to ya'll. But, we gotta decide quick and get goin."

Given instruction by Doozey, Sagin sticks close to CRAP, and Berry comes along. Once the party regroups outside, the halfing suggests that they all find their way back to the docks, presumably by ways of folding boat, as opposed to trying to find their way through the treacherous city streets. As if the threat of enemy patrols weren't enough, Sagin ads: "Sagin heards one of the robbers say that they passed by Kuto’s Well, yes-yes. Many new statues there, too many. Statues not right… look real, very real—like folk running, he said, running from sewer hole. Sagin not like that. Feels wrong. Sagin not want to go that way." 

With Sagin's bit now also up for consideration, Doozey adds one more to the pile: Should Neya be interested in searching for Denae, who is currently an agent for the Red Plumes mercenary group, then perhaps CRAP could be able to count on another ally in this dire situation. But, is she alive? And if so, is she still in the city? 

(OOC: Happy to revise this post should the party disagree, but for now, I'll assume everyone is fine with Doozey's suggestion of trekking back to the residential docks.)

With the thought of Denae still permeating their minds, CRAP begins to backtrack towards the docks located at the edge of the residential district. Villonah seems to find relief in no longer having to see her childhood home in its damaged state. Sagin is glad the group is not walking through the dangerous streets closer to the center of town.

By not lingering around and moving fast back the way they came, the party minimizes the changes of being intercepted by patrols. The CRAPers soon finds themselves back where this little side-trip started. The trio from before joins them shortly after. The human male says: "I am glad your mission was a relatively quick one." He looks at Sagin and asks dubiously: "Where you going deeper in to capture one of the enemies, or is this kobold a friend of yours?"

While walking through the side streets, Utar asks Sagin a few further questions about these 'statues':

"Sagin, do you suppose these statues might have been running from the sewers because they were running from something down there? And, did any of them have horns, like a tiefling and did any of them have missing ears?"

When they get back to the residential docks:

"Sagin is a friend. He is to be afforded every courtesy if you are to travel with us. If you are lucky, he will choose to be your friend too."

With Utar broaching the subject of the statues once more, Doozey felt his mind catapulted back to the fight at the docks, and the strange lizard at the beck and call of the kobolds. At the time he'd somewhat dismissed its stare down to be some sinister paralyzing effect. But now? Now he could feel connections begin to come together...

(OOC: Not sure if it would be arcana or nature check, but Doozey would try to recall what he can about the multi-legged lizard we fought at the dock, so here's a flat intelligence roll for now: 22.) (22)

He'd spare Utar a brief look of sympathy over the potential fate of Moneus, but hardly let it weigh in mind. For in spite of the tiefling's less than above board lifestyle, his last communication suggested a far different fate. 

Back at the Docks:

"Aye, a friend and the best darn kobold chelf you'll ever meet to boot. But, I digress. Raist? Mind getting our vessel up and going again? We need to get a move on quick."

On the way back to the docks, Sagin's info piques Utar's and Doozey's interest. Sagin first clarifies that he did not see the statues himself. He only heard about them as the enemies who invaded the Leadstopper Manor discussed the event while ransacking the property. That was enough for the kobold to visualize the scene and become terrified. Utar's first question only serves to heighten the kobold's unease. His second question is not something Sagin can speak to, since he did not see the statues himself. 

Half-listening to the conversation and half lost in his own recollections, Doozey connects some dots and becomes fairly certain that the eight-legged lizards are indeed the most likely culptits. Petrification is a rare power is the mystical-natural world of Faerûn, but it is certainly something that can occur if the beast has the right arcano-anatomy for it. 

Once at the docks, the orc and halfling pair are quick to dispel any doubt about Sagin's allegiances. The trio of civilians can do little but shrug and get ready for the boat ride. At this point, all eyes turn to Raist, though a look or two are still spared Neya's way in case she has something to say regarding Denae and/or the Red Plumes. 

"Utar, if you can spare it, could you try and contact Denae? Even if it is just check on her well-being? It is hard to imagine that she wouls not get caught up in this bedlam."

As.they are walking Raist thinks on what he heard

Arcana 25

Raist does a quick count.  "We should <>all just fit i <><>think.  If not Ive <><>got a little something<><> I think<><>

With that he drops the box in the water and reforms the keelboat

During the walk back to the residential docks, both Neya and Raist had been mostly quiet, lost in their thoughts. The human reveals what had been taking her brainpower when she finally speaks up. She addresses Utar and requests a direct message, should he be able to spare it. The target of such spell is to be Denae, and it looks like Neya wants to confirm her suspicions that her sister-in-training was caught in the mayhem as well.

The elf rummages on the information heard from Sagin, and perhaps Doozey as well. His book-smarts help him push that information just a bit further, arrving at the conclusion that the lizard used by that one kobold as a mount was a specimen of the infamous monstrosities called Basilisks. Rather than chasing prey, these monsters use their supernatural gaze to turn creatures to stone and then consume these victims at their leisure. While Basilisks are most comfortable in subterranean lairs, many are captured and kept by unscrupulous folk seeking guardians for their treasures. Should Raist choose to share this information, much of this would also ring true in Doozey's ears, albeit after the fact only.

Eyes now turn to Utar and the requested spell. A few feet over, Raist begins to unravel his box so it can once again become a boat.

Utar ponders his own divine magical reserves for a moment before responding. "I could contact Danae, you would have 25 words to send to her and she could respond once back to me.  What is your message?"

(OOC FYI - This would use Utar's seventh level spell slot.  He would have two first level and two second level slots left, but none of those can be used for messaging.)

<"<>I think I've figured <><> out those 6 legged<><> reptiles.  Pretty <><>sure they are <><> basilisks <><> their eyes can <><> turn creatures to stone<><>"

"Message from Neya: How dire is the situation on the Red Plumes side of this attack? Do you need assistance?"

As Raist resolves the petrification mystery with the help of Sagin's and Doozey's earlier input, Utar and Neya arrive at an agreement regarding a message to Denae. A response arrives just a moment later:

(OOC: I'm assuming this one will be shared verbatim, so I'll write the reply here in the open.)

Denae: "Glad you safe. Our HQ has crumbled; many dead. Those of us who were already out led many citizens from the residential district out west."

Raist's folding boat is now ready. With CRAP's permission, the civilian trio will board. Villonah, Sagin, and Berry will do the same unless told otherwise.

(OOC: With CRAP, that would be an additional five passengers including Biscuit. This brings the total to a whopping 11. A generous read of the 5.5e/2024 keelboat's capacity allows for a maximum of 7 people on, unchanged from 5e/2014. Is @Red's idea of mounting a mansion on the boat coming into play now, or does the party have another idea?)

If Utar admits the taxing cost of the message prior to making use of it, Doozey would mentally kick himself for ever broaching the subject. Not that he had anyting against Denae in particular. But with the situation being what it was...

He ultimately shook his head and mentally chatized himself for harboring any regret. The mental downward spiral is cut off short with the deployment of the boat. But rather than jump in immediately, he looks to the others and say, "While it's good to hear she's still doing relatively alright, we're gonna have to hope to run into her later. Fer now, we got a different, uhh, issue to deal with. Namely that being we're kind low on room -- But! We got a solution."

With that, he launches into his explanation (see discord) of the varying work arounds, before finally settling on taking a swim, and seeing Berry returned to his statue form. Or more accurately, asking Sagin to do the deed. "It'll be awhile 'fore we can get him back. But, this is far safer than having him try to swim. And Raist, it's up to you if wanna brave the waters yerself or not, but between you and Utar, ya'll gonna need to sort that out as whoever ain't swimming is gonna have to man the siails in all that."

"I've no training in sailing boats, but I've been in plenty and watched those that do.  If Torm wills it, I can always call on some divine aid as well.  That said, I don't mind braving the water either.  What is you're preference, Raist?"