Waterdeep: Camel Heist (2020)

Guess.

Varinth stumbles off Soodi and heads toward the Tavern

Tobbles My Good Man, your finesht fermented liquid!! He yells as he heads toward the door.

Incantis watches mutely as Dekhan takes the now-condemned man off into the woods for execution, his gaze coming to rest on the bandit's head as it rolls free from his shoulders. Stars below what strange customs...He thinks back to the few executions he saw among his people, three potential deserters who were found trying to roam their way out of the caverns of the Children of the Corpse Star, and how they were put into so a deep an arcane slumber their bodies stopped and they never awoke. I suppose everyone has their ways...He starts from his thoughtful reverie as the group begins to make their way back to town, and follows.

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Back at the tavern, Incantis stays close to the party as they make their way through the doors. He watches voicelessly as Vaz greets the barkeep.

Varinth, as you enter the inn, you see that it is empty; there are no customers, though that might be normal at this time of the day.  Tolben the Innkeeper is standing behind the bar, and he freezes for a moment as you enter, before giving a somewhat forced smile; he's not unfriendly, but he's surprised to see you and also nervous about something. 

Hello again, my friend.  You are back.  With your fellows, I assume?  And the most magnificent camel?  Please do come inside, quickly.  As quickly as you can.  He puts down the tankard he was cleaning and hurries to the door, beckoning you all to enter and looking nervously at the street outside.  When you are all inside, he closes and bars the door.

I've heard what you did.  Everyone's talking about it.  Gods preserve us.  When the other Redbrands find out... well, no-one knows what they'll do.  Or rather, everyone is certain what they'll do, but no-one agrees with anyone else.  Some people are talking about leaving town.  

He stops for breath, and looks at you.  I... um... what are you going to do now?

"Do you feel that?" Dario asks no one in particular as they walk down the street towards the inn. 

When they duck into inn and are greeted by Tolben, Dario lingers by the window that gives the best view up and down the street. Without turning from the window Dario asks Tolben, "is there anyway for me to get on top of your roof?"

Perception Looking Out The Window: 15

As he follows Vaz and Dario into the inn Dekhan speaks for the first time since he offered his prayer for the Redbrand's forgiveness, the prayer for his own forgiveness and the guidance on how to proceed was silent and unanswered. We will do what must be done to serve the Light, innkeep. One ale, please. 

Dekhan and Vaz, Tolben gives a start and says, oh, right, of course, ale coming up, no question.  He smiles, apparently the familiarity of serving ale is improving his mood.  A round of ales, on the house, to, um, you and your friends.  He heads behind the bar and starts preparing the drinks.  He still shoots you nervous glances, as if not sure what you're going to do next.

Dario, you find a nice spot at the window giving you a clear view of the street.  It remains as quiet as when you were outside.  You can see very clearly Sister Garaele at the shrine, still standing at the entrance, looking up and down the street; she appears to be looking for trouble, but she doesn't seem to be expecting it imminently, she's just doing what you're doing - keeping a wary eye out.  You still don't see anyone moving around.  You do, however, get a good view of Soodi, who is very visibly standing in front of the inn and looking directly at you, occasionally dipping to munch on some grass.  Yes, replies Tolben.  You could climb up the outside from the first floor window - I've done that when I needed to repair the roof, once or twice.  

Zoria takes a mug of ale, glad she didn't have to pay for it. "I doubt the Redbrands make a move today. I find it doubtful that they come looking for the group only an hour after the strolled into town. They were looking for trouble, and therefore one could probably deduce that there would be nights where they may not come home at all. I think that gives us a day before any more Redbrands come here specifically looking for the group that we....uh....disposed of."

Dario continues to watch out from the window as his comrades in arms order their ales. He looks over at the mugs full and ale and his mouth waters, but he turns back to watching out the window. 

When Tolben tells his about the easy rooftop access Dario looks over to his friends, their upper lips covered in foam, and says, "maybe I should get on the roof and keep a look out up there and one of you can take my spot here by the window. Even if they might not strike us now, or in the hour, or later when the moon is out, I'd still rather be ready with an arrow already notched." Dario thinks to himself, I won't get stuck in another ambush. Not like last time...

I tink Appet said the Redbrands have their own tavern that they prefer. The name escapes me. Dontcha worry yerself too much old man. We know time spent anywhere in town isn't welcome for long given the circumstances. Where's that slop house they frequent and what's the publican's views on their custom or the town in general?

Quote from FelixFelix006 >>

Steve, I'd just like to point out that you are wildly good at this. That execution was dark, sad and haunting. Also, I appreciate (if it hasn't already been said) that you describe combat in a way where not every failed roll is a miss. Some are hits that do no damage. So three cheers and all that for our DM (before he TPKs us with a Beholder 😂)

Will you signal us somehow if you see something, Dario? 

Dekhan drinks his ale and waits for the answer to Scupper's question, relieved at the prospect of something more easily grappled with than rehashing his most recent moral dilemma.

Quote from MarkDmitri >>

Quote from FelixFelix006 >>

Steve, I'd just like to point out that you are wildly good at this. That execution was dark, sad and haunting. Also, I appreciate (if it hasn't already been said) that you describe combat in a way where not every failed roll is a miss. Some are hits that do no damage. So three cheers and all that for our DM (before he TPKs us with a Beholder 😂)

 

Seconded! This is great! Do you do any writing outside of this? So descriptive, I still think about those dreams and the frozen time moment, so Dekhan must really be going through it now...

The Redbrands, well, they mostly hang around the Sleeping Giant, Tolben says, bringing round the ales.  That's Grista's place, just along the street there; he points vaguely east while balancing the tray of tankards easily with his other hand.  Grista's not too fussy about her customers, you might say.  Me, well, I refused to serve them, right from the start.  A lot of us did.  'Course, that was back when they weren't killing or taking people.  The first couple weeks, they just seemed like a bunch of thugs who'd make a fuss and then move on when they got bored.  We didn't know they'd stick around.  I don't know why they have, unless someone's paying them.  But why would they do that?  Who cares about this town?

Anyway, and he seems to realise he's wandered off topic a bit, sorry.  Yes, well, I'm not sure I'd have the courage to turn them away now.  I don't want their kind of trouble; I have a family to look out for.  He looks at Scupper, embarrassed.  And as for Grista, well my guess is she'd be happy to be rid of them, as much as any of us now.  She doesn't say much, but I know that look she gets on her face when there's customers not paying up.  

Zoria finishes her ale swiftly and listens to Tolben, then turns to her compatriots. "Maybe we can set up an ambush here, since it's an empty tavern. We won't have to worry about protecting civilians? Or maybe set it up at Grista's place? I think we'd have to pick one or the other, if we do decide to ambush that it. I fear that even if we get the jump on them, if we split our forces it won't be good for whichever half of us gets involved in that conflict."

Scupper waves off the implication.

"S'alright, Tolben. You tink yer the first pub that got worried about little ol me? Some o them shoulda been more worried. Haha. Water under te bridge. Bridge burnt to timbers."

He turns to the rest of the team. "So now I guess a trip to the Giant is in order eh? Who's likely to mind actin a right bastard with me an havin a drink and a looksies?"

I’m with you, Scupper. Perhaps this Grista could be convinced to aid us in some way, encourage them to over indulge in spirits, perhaps. Make our task a bit easier...

Varinth turns to Scupper with beer in hand.

TAVERN!

Without any further ado, Varinth strides out of the Inn, mug in hand. Due east. Aiming for the largest building in that general direction. He holds his drink aloft as though it a sword and him a general.

To The GIANT!