Waterdeep: Camel Heist (2020)

The innkeeper seems very confused and a little put out by the suggestion.  I, um, should pay you?  For sleeping at my inn?  Look, I don't mind, your friends have taken all my rooms anyway, so I'm more than happy for you to sleep in the stable, free of charge.  He yawns, and then yawns again, seemingly unable to stop.  I think I'm going to turn in.  The stable isn't locked, it's just round the back.  Please come in tomorrow and we'll serve a fine breakfast, or possibly lunch.  He heads off to bed.

Scupper takes note of everyone heading to sleep...pulls the sheet from the gong and eyes the instrument. Then wraps himself in the sheet and sleeps beneath it. 

Not a 5 minutes later he wakes to the sound of a horrible gong in his mind and thinks the better of it. He takes the sheet and goes to the woman's mining store. She'll wake him and they can have that talk. He camps out on her store entryway.

"...was worth a shot." Zoria mumbles to herself as she walks out toward the stable, finding a nice little haypatch and kneels down to sleep. Zoria snores gently, however, the snores are neighs. 

You all bed down for the night, except for Scupper who sleeps in the doorway of the Miner's Exchange.  Of course, it's not really night; you awake shortly before noon. 

Scupper, you were allowed to rest fully, but you are awakened by Halia Thornton standing over you and slowly dripping cheap wine from a bottle onto your face.  Wake up.  Why are you blocking my doorway?

(Everyone gets a full long rest)

...what...hey...well at least you didn't waste the good wine.

Wiping off his face, Scupper gets up and gives an exaggerated bow.

Good morrow m'lady. Couldn't help but notice how quiet it will be today. There's a distinct absence of Glasstaff in the air with chances of disappointed Black Spiders.

Scupper, roll an insight check.

Quiet, is it?  I hardly think so.  The whole town is in an uproar.  She invites you into the first room of the Exchange, but does not invite you to sit, nor does she sit herself.  

Hester has been telling us all about it.  Apparently he has eight Redbrands - former Redbrands, I suppose - in his custody, nicely locked away and chained up.  Well done.  You've certainly made a difference to the future of this town.

By morning, Zoria's snoring has become obnoxiously loud.

Strix, Varinth, Dario, Incantis and Dekhan, you are woken in the morning by Tolben the Innkeeper, knocking on your door.  Excuse me, sirs?  There's a group of people who want to see you.  Actually, a lot of people want to see you, but I guess they're first, so... Anyway, please come downstairs as soon as you can.  He sounds tired, and a bit harried.

Zoria, the innkeeper's wife comes and wakes you in the stable, in a similar fashion.

When awakened Zoria screams, then realizes she's no longer sleeping, thanks the wife and goes toward the group.

Insight check 10

Truth be told there were some bugbears that didn't go as quietly... and the wizard was a flighty fellow too. I'm more interested in finding your take on all this. The Redbrands weren't a real threat but you know thugs like that usually cover up something more insidious...or profitable depending on your flexibility. It's this Black Spider I'm interested in.

Varinth wakes (of a sort) and after putting on an invisible jerkin, shuffles down stairs.

whazzit he manages to say through the resounding thumps that his overly loud heart seems to be making this morning.

Scupper, Halia seems mostly pleased that the Redbrands are gone and won't bother the town any more, but also somehow disappointed, as though she had a different outcome in mind.  She's behaving as if she's happy but not overjoyed, which is an honest reaction as far as you can tell.

Halia nods.  Glasstaff.  Dead then?  That's good news.  I'm sure you're right.  Those idiots weren't making enough from fleecing the town to sustain themselves.  Someone else was paying them.  As to who that was, I've no idea.  As to why, well, if the Rockseekers have really found the Wave Echo Mine, then that would be a reason.  The world's full of powerful people chasing powerful magic, and keen to keep their rivals at bay.  

Strix wakes to find himself shaving with the blade of his axe.

"Up so soon? I rather hoped you'd have a lie in. Legs need a stretch. Wait no we need to ta-aaargh!"

He finishes the shave and dresses in his regular garb, folding Glasstaff's robe, then heads down for whatever mean he's contractually entitled to. 

"Food!" He yelps from a table, ignoring the visitors. 

Dekhan comes down into the common room rolling the last aches out of his healing arm. Good morning, all! I’m looking forward to our talk, but to be honest, my friend Strix is right, saving the town is hungry work. What’s for breakfast? And I could just murder a small beer. Or some watered wine. Or some unwatered wine. Whatever’s handy.

Holding his head in one hand Varinth point his other at Dakhan and says Rmklstn in agreement.

"It's also financially exhausting work!" Zoria exclaims.

As you all (except Scupper) make your way one by one into the Common Room, you notice that a small delegation is sitting at one of the tables, consisting of people that you have already met during the time you've spent in town.  There is the Townmaster Hester Groff, Sister Garaele from the temple, and Elmer Barthen the shopkeeper.  When you have gathered and sat together, they stand and come over to your table to greet you, and Tolben the Innkeeper brings chairs so that they can join you.

We’ve come to thank you for dealing with the Redbrands, says Sister Garaele firmly.  For filling up our jail with criminals we’re now responsible for putting on trial grumbles Hester, and it seems he would continue in a similar vein but Elmer puts a warning hand on the halfling’s shoulder and he wisely shuts up.  Elmer chips in: This is thanks from the town, but the town doesn’t have much money really, not in a place like this.  So we asked everyone to contribute, and they did.  Not everyone, just the business owners.  We were the ones who got hit hardest by their ways. 

Sister Garaele turns on him.  Oh, really?  You’d say that to Mirna’s face, would you?  Elmer turns beet red and starts to stammer, but the Sister turns back to face you all and smiles at Dekhan, offering him a large bag of coins.  That’s four hundred gold, from all of us.  For getting rid of them.

"ahem ... FOOOD!" Strix repeats. 

We thank you. I only wish we had gotten here sooner. We will use some of this money to procure provisions from your businesses. How is Mirna? And the children? Oh yes, and food.

Tolben comes rushing to your table with breakfast as the delegation is seated.  It's a more generous breakfast than you paid for; several different kinds of meat, cheese, eggs, as well as fruit, vegetables, breads and porridge, with ale to wash it down.  

Mirna is alive and well, thanks to you.  Sister Garaele looks happy as she says this.  You are heroes, to have brought her and the children from that dark place.  Murderers and slavers and thieves, each one of them.  

Apparently, the breakfast is intended for the three townsfolk as well as you, as Elmer grabs a large piece of bread.  Don't worry, Sister.  There's only a handful of the bastards left, and they'll hang soon enough.