Carrhae likes none of this. She's outnumbered, has to listen to this intolerable priestess go on and on about false water gods, and it felt like everyone knew what was going on but her. She needed to find out if the delegates were here or not so that they could start working on getting out of this place. And she also needed a drink or two. And then an idea popped into her head. I bet that it's been a while since any of these cultists have had a conversation with a woman who has something to say to them outside of a passionate speech about the deep truths that lie in waters. Perhaps if a pretty young woman had a real conversation with them and established a human connection, they might let me know if they've had any recent run-ins with Mirabarans or heard any rumors about what's next. I hope that these people have useful information. Carrhae enters the mess hall and sits at a table with some other cultists. "Sorry to bother you all, I just couldn't stand being with the family circus for another minute. If you had to put up with those two fighting and dealing with that devil child day in and day out, you'd go mad! The man might be good at his job, but he doesn't know the first thing about running a household. Between his melodramatic trophy wife and his pyromaniac daughter, I never get a moment where I don't feel like clawing my eyes out. Serves me right for deciding to find work in a town like Womford. But enough about me, how about you lot? Do you have any interesting stories to tell an overworked bodyguard?"

Persuasion: 10

Insight:14

You sit down at a table where some cultists are playing a game of cards. They look you up and down for a moment. 

"Yeah." One of the cults says, putting down his cards. "You've pretty brave talking that kind of talk about Shoalar like that. Prolly wouldn't appreciate you yappin' your displeasure like that. So you better be careful he don't hear ya. If we're lucky, after training and indoctrination, we get sent up to the Temple of the Crushing Wave for the big duty. Then you can talk all you want."

"Grimjaw and his gang work with smugglers to move stolen goods on the river. They stage attacks against river boats that refuse to pay protection money, and they actively recruit thugs and monsters to join the Cult of the Crushing Wave.."

"To be honest, it's less Shoalar I'm afraid of than his wife. It's as if the gods flip a coin every morning to determine whether she's going to be a kind mistress or a terror. Speaking of, she's probably wondering where I am at this moment. I should probably get back to her before she gets more angry at me than she already is. Nice speaking to you guys, don't tell Stoalar or Stella that I said any of this." And with that, Carrhae exits the table and returns to the barracks to rejoin the rest of her party, feeling happy that she got some information for once. 

History:14

The cultists at the table watch you leave with a combination of relief mixed with a questionable look.

When Carrhae returns to the barracks, she apologizes to her 'master' for her sudden disappearance and pulls him aside to start explaining herself in Elvish. "These recruits are heading off to a place called the Temple of the Crushing Wave once they've been indoctrinated. It also seems that Grimjaw's work is less than holy, since he and his gang smuggle goods down the river and run a protection racket. Now put on a show by getting angry at me and threatening me if I ever vanish again. It's apparently something that the real Shoalar would do." 

"Shoalar, you scurrilous pirate, you LIED TO ME! I'm always begging you for money to get things for your child, and you're always telling me, 'No, baby, I don't earn that much, I'm just a dockworker, I can't afford anything.' But all this time you're really a boss earning and stealing big sums. You told me those floozy hirelings were paid for by The Crushing Wave, but YOU'RE PAYING out of your own pocket, you skirt chasing slug excrement! You barely give us enough to even survive on, and now look what's happened. I hope Mr. Grimjaw kicks your selfish ass! I'm taking Dawn and Trista to my mother's while you figure out how to make this right. C'mon, you two," and with that, Stella stormed off with Dawn and Trista in tow.

Back at the barracks, it seemed this latest parental feud had further shaken Dawn's fragile equilibrium. Using only the power of her outrage (with a sly assist from Strife's Prestidigitation), she ignited one of the cultist's bedrolls. Stella was able to quickly smother the flames before it really took hold, but the frazzled mom then addressed the group. "I'm so sorry! This is all Shoalar's fault! He will see that you are made whole on your next payday. I just don't know if we can stay here tonight. Dawn is too worked up right now. You, um, don't by any chance have anybody around here in need of torment? A few prisoners or anything of that nature?"

Deception (+7): 10

Perception: 5

Perception: 23

Perception (+1): 18

(OOC: I may be blind, but are YOU?)

Stealth: 19

(OOC: I am blind, and so are you. ;P )

As the others left the chapel, Mercy slipped into the shadows and around the West side of the yard. She slinked past the barracks to check if the narrow arm of the keep was guarded. 

Perception:17

WILL THE REAL SHOALAR PLEASE STAND UP

Zephyr saw it first. From the window, an object could be seen coming in slowly from the river. A boat. With someone who looks JUST LIKE YOU sailing it into the port. A loud metal clanking noise can be heard as guards lift up the chain. 

It's going to be about 15 minutes before the guards here notice there's TWO Shoalars in the compound.

Mercy: There are two very bored guards meandering about that area of the keep towards the west. You do see a stairway behind the chapel that leads to the upper level. It's POSSIBLE you MIGHT be able to survive a jump down, but it's a 15 foot drop.

Zephyr’s eyes widened once he saw the boat, turning to everyone in the barracks with a panicked look on his face. “The actual Shoalar is here,” he announced to the group running over to where he set down his bag. “We need to go now, as soon as possible.”

He rummaged through his pack and pulled out a long dark green cloak and draped it over himself. “I-I can get us out,” He pulled the hood over his head, just so his mouth could be seen, and slung his bag over his shoulder. “Everyone ready? Let’s go, out out! To the main entrance, I’ll be behind you all.”

Once everyone is out of the barracks and making their way to the entrance, Zephyr shifts into Grimjaw and follows behind the group. Despite him being panicked to all hell, he manages to keep himself composed. One more act.

He pulls down the hood, walking with confidence in his step. “OPEN THE GATES!” He yells to the guards. “These bafoons have driven me mad, I don’t care if they’re Shoalar’s family, they are way to rambunctious. I will not tolerate this anymore!” He made sure to get red in the face as well to play this off, Grimjaw seemed to be the kind to now deal with any tomfoolery. Right?

Deception(if needed): 14

"Thank you, Mr. Grimjaw! Sorry for the, you know, disruptions. But listen when I say you should beware of Shoalar! He's full of tricks and lies! Bye and good luck!" Strife yells through the carriage window, her head poked out to gaze back at the keep. Careful not to snag her horns, she pulls her head back inside.

When the carriage has made it through the gates to the outside, it stops to wait for "Barry".

As the carriage moves outside the keep, Carrhae lets out a huge sigh of relief. "All things considered, I think that went fairly well. We infiltrated the keep, obtained some information about the cult, and escaped with our lives. But I'd really hate to be Shoalar right now. Can you imagine what it's going to be like when he gets confronted by Grimjaw who tells him about how his 'family' appeared in the middle of the night and immediately began to raise hell in the barracks!" Carrhae has a laugh at the thought of his misfortune and bewilderment at the prospect of him having to answer for a family that he didn't know he had.

“I’m going to follow behind them and, uh, make sure they actually leave ... and never come back!” He tells the guards, following behind the carriage. “Close the gates! It will be like I never left.” He gives them a nod and jogs behind the carriage and prays to the Traveller  the guards buy it.

Insight: 3

The guards look at "Grimjaw" with very alarmed and confused faces as the whole "family" is being escorted out. One of the guards spook, makes a terrible connection, and runs downstairs. As you all are leaving in the carriage, looking back, an alarm sounds, a horn, loud, blaring, and long. Grimjaw pokes his head out from the top of the western wall and points a finger.

Within moments, 3 riders on horseback are galloping swiftly towards you all. Three amazonian-type female Crushing Wave warriors wielding shark tooth'ed longswords and shields come trampling after you all. They are all wearing plate mail pants and scale mail bikinis with cloaks - truly, warriors of the sea. They will be upon you within less than a minute.

(OOC: You’re killing me, Smalls.)

As the Crushing Wave warriors close in on her location, Carrhae shakes her head when she sees what the warriors are currently wearing. "Nice armor. You'll be the prettiest corpses on the battlefield. Mine are bigger by the way!"  She then grips her holy symbol and begins praying. Sune, please bestow me with your divine power so that I may bring justice down on these cultists. When she opens her eyes, her sword begins glowing with a holy light. 

(She's using Channel Divinity)

Initiative:3

Carrhae will take her first turn in a few days.

Initiative (+4): 19