Waterdeep: Camel Heist (2020)

 You complete your short rest, even Strix who after a few minutes on his treadmill of agony and anguish, simply collapses and falls asleep with his face in the dirt.

(Roll hit dice if you wish to)

Sildar rises slowly from the wagon; the rest has done him good, though he is still somewhat hurt and the wound is obviously giving him a great deal of pain.  Among the goods in the back of the wagon are some long, straight rods, and Sildar takes one to use as a staff, holding his weight as he climbs down. 

He speaks to Dario.  I am a fool, and if I die a fool today I would be grateful if you could get word to my sons in Neverwinter.  Make sure you speak only the truth, mind you; Rodik in particular will know if anyone were to lie to him.  Though he’ll forgive you for it too, and more quickly than most would.  He smiles fondly, thinking of his sons.  I am a fool, he repeats.  But that boy.  He grimaces, feeling his wound.  No.  That young man.  Well, he needs to face this or it will twist him inside until it breaks him.  And Helrick would have done the same for one of mine, I reckon.  He grips his makeshift staff tightly, and walks slowly away from the wagon to where Asher is standing. 

Though Asher has been holding his glaive tightly in his hand the whole way since his attack on Sildar, he clips it to his back as he sees the older man approaching, and holds his hands out to show he is not holding a weapon.  Sildar continues to walk up to the tall fighter, stopping perhaps five feet from Asher.  They stand in silence for a moment, and then Sildar begins to speak, his voice low, much too low to carry to the rest of the party.

Sildar and Asher talk. 

Mostly Sildar talks and Asher listens, head down, fingers flexing open and closed, again and again, though his posture seems to relax as the conversation proceed.  Occasionally you see that Asher also speaks, briefly; once or twice he shakes his head vehemently.  A few more minutes pass, and Asher is nodding occasionally.  Then Sildar places a hand on Asher’s shoulder.  Asher doesn’t seem to react at first, and then, he nods once, more firmly than before.  Sildar removes his hand and takes a step back.  They stand still and silent, looking at each other for perhaps half a minute.

Then, for the first time, Asher glances towards you all, the strange group he has travelled with only a few days, and he looks back at Sildar.  They speak a moment longer, then Asher turns, and walks north back along the trail; he seems to have more purpose than before; his back is straight and his steps purposeful.  But he does not spare you all another word or glance.

Sildar watches him leave, and then slowly returns to the wagon.  He climbs up into the back, lays his temporary staff back with the others where he found it, and says nothing.

"That was a fine story, Scupper. Would it be embarrassing if I told you that these elven feet have never set foot on a ship? Not that I wouldn't. Just never had a reason," Dario says. He gets up and pats the dust and grass off his legs and bum. 

When Sildar turns to him, Dario listens, nods, and then grabs Sildar's shoulder and says, "I'll keep your word and not stray from the truth, but I hope to never have to deliver such a message to your boys," and then watches as he walks over to Asher and the two exchange words. When Asher leaves and Sildar starts his slow way back to the party, Dario leans into Dekhan and Scupper and whispers, "what do you think he said to him?"

I tink maybe he helped him understand a bit of that anger what burns so bright in Asher. Sure and we've all been singed by it but I don't know if that lad has ever truly burned someone what didn't deserve it til Sildar. Maybe he gave him a focus for it. Judging by the surety in his step and the direction he walks, maybe he gave him a place to point that anger...but it doesn't appear to be with us.

So we've had our story and our rest and Sildar is still counted among the living. Let's be off and if I ever have to drive another cart, may it be right into the sea. Weigh anchor! Release to topsail!

Strix snaps to with a hearty "aye aye" and prepares to scout ahead. 

Recover 7 hp

Perception 23

The wagon sets sail, so to speak, rumbling slowly back onto the trail and towards Phandalin.  The path bends a little around the hills, and resumes its upwards climb, but as before, it's nothing too steep and the horses don't appear to struggle with it.  Soodi appears to be waiting up ahead, Vaz half-dozing on her back, and she watches you pass before following at a short distance.  

Strix, the trail ahead seems clear, and there are no great spots for an ambush as you head forwards.  After about three hours of the journey, you enter a small wood, passing through the trees; you all keep an eye out for trouble, but soon the wagon rounds a corner, and ahead of you is a small town.

The town of Phandalin consists of a handful of brick buildings in the centre, and around forty or fifty simpler log buildings, some built on old fieldstone foundations. More old ruins — crumbling stone walls covered in ivy and briars — surround the newer houses and shops, showing how this must have been a much larger town in centuries past. Most of the newer buildings are set on the sides of the cart track, which widens into a muddy main street of sorts as it climbs toward a ruined manor house on a hillside at the east side of town.

As you approach, you see children playing on the town green and townsfolk tending to chores or running errands at shops. Many people look up as you approach, but all return to their business as you go by.

Sildar seems to have recovered; the last few miles he walked along side the wagon instead of riding.  As you come to a halt a little way into the town, he speaks:  Gentlemen, thank you for escorting me here.  I doubt I would have survived the trip without your aid.  Despite what happened, I hold your group in esteem, and would like to speak with you again before you leave town.  However, I need to rest for a few days; I am told there is only one inn in town, so I will be headed there.  He reaches into his coat and pulls out a heavy-looking pouch of coins.  He hands ten gold coins to each of you.

 Hit dice: 3

Incantis looks upon Scupper with an increased respect of his wit and experience. Projecting his voice into Scupper's head alone, he says Thank you for that...I've never heard any stories beyond those of my people. 

As the party approaches Phandalin, Incantis begins to grow noticeably awkward and uncomfortable, and he sucks the air through his teeth as the group rounds a bend and the city comes into full view. "So this is a city..." he croaks, surreptitiously looking around at his companions for reassurance. "Do they always smell?"

Dario smells himself and remembers the stank that has been his companion since the start of this adventure and smiles at Incantis's question. "I've smelled worse," Dario says and slaps Incantis on his shoulder. "Come, Incantis, and enjoy the fruits of civilization! I think I might find myself a bath." Dario takes his ten gold and places it in his pouch. 

"kneeone member get paper from druid? Mistweev had papers. Needs papers? For cart?" Strix asks no one in particular, making nervous scrapes on the mud with his feet. He looks for any kind of marking or logo on the cart or goods they're hauling, the scuttles into town looking for a storefront to match. 

As Sildar is trying to find an appropriate spot on Soodi to put the gold Varinth wakes with a start;

BOTTLEBRUSH!! Wha..

He see's Sildar standing by Soodi. 

AAAARRR!! ZOMBIE!

Vaz does a primal backflip off Soodi. Acrobatics 19

The backflip turns into more of a random cartwheel and Vaz lands on his hands and feet awkwardly on the other side of Soodi. Looking about and still obviously a little confused he shouts;

What's going on? Why are you all standing there? Are you all zombies? Where's Ash? Oh Gods DID YOU EAT ASH??

Strix, as you search, you recall that the letter you were given in Neverwinter was for the city guard at the gate, should they ask about it - smuggling is a big problem in the city.  Here, it probably matters less.  You remember that your instructions were to deliver the supplies and wagon to Barthen’s Provisions in Phandalin.  You turn and begin to scan the nearby buildings, and by chance a large building immediately to your left has a wooden sign with ‘Barthen’s Provisions’ painted upon it in yellow letters. 

Vaz, you glance at the lion shield emblem on the bag of grain, recalling that it was on the goods found at the goblin cave, almost all of which you left there.  If you wish to look around to try to find a similar sign, there is nothing in the immediate area, but you can give me a Perception check to look further afield if you like.

"We already been paid, Strix, so if Barthen doesn't want his provisions because we don't have the paper, I imagine we could sell them at market...though I doubt he'll be such a stickler for ceremony."

"We're here, Vaz. Ate Asher last night, aye. You had seconds if'n I recall properly. Kept saying he really was sweeter on the inside."

Delighted, Strix hoots loudly to signal the party then bursts into Barthen's Supplies. 

"Barthen! Attend!" He calls dramatically.