Waterdeep: Camel Heist (2020)

Quote from SteveThaiBinh>>

Character sheets and inventory

Please update your character sheets.  Divide up your money and treasure and, if Strix is still keeping a common purse, let me know how much is in it.  You should refer to Nunberry’s posts listing treasure from the Redbrand’s hideout.  Don’t forget that you also received rewards from Sildar and Elmer Barthen when you arrived in town (except Zoria), and some items from the goblin cave

 Following breakfast, Strix counts out his 57 GP from the pouch on the table and goes for a walk around town, looking for an empty barn with a hoist at the front - or alternatively a really sturdy looking protruding tree branch - that he can balance on and practice his form. If there's nothing suitable, he might reconcile himself to serving as a labourer for any reasonably good religious institutions nearby. Practicing form is all well and good but any jelly removed from a mold will puddle in time - and so it is with the unconditioned body!

Wealth fine and dandy but can you see me a prince? Prince Scupper the Wicked! Haha. Freedoms I only meant, in that I'd rather not find myself in a life of beck and call to new mysterious masters. Take a pirate ship... there's a captain. He has the bigger strategy. He knows of the shipping lanes, the latest rumors of treasure galleons...but the crew votes yes or no and any man is free to leave...or return if the ship'll have him back. 

I like me current crewmates. Good reliable lads even when we disagree on methods and sometimes on goals. Mostly, I enjoy a rare sword and a warm body to stick it in. This adventure on land is a bit o' lark for me. But I'm no fool and can have a good time planning other ways to get what I'm after. If the Black likes people what sometimes have similar vision and alliances. People that can handle things....without ordering them about like serving wenches. If an occasional "no" is no hard feelings...then I might be the man you tink I am. I get tings done...if I agree to do them. Secrecy is no small ting. I'm sure you would nay have spoke at all unless you figured on my discretion. Whatever we discuss is jest between us o' course.

augury is a 2nd level cleric spell so I can hold onto that scroll and then when I get 2nd level spells, I can learn it.

I'm down with Zoria trying to fix the patch to make a bejewelled eyepatch. She's not so much a ranged person anyways lol

Other than that, Zoria will spend her free time resting and gambling anywhere she can find a person who's willing to gamble with her.

She will also attend the ceremony holding out some kind of bowl to random people, insinuating the need for money to be thrown into it while obviously referencing she's one of the heroes.

Quote from FelixFelix006 >>

Mark, thanks for bringing that up. Big props to Nunberry for that. I'd be down with offering extra to Nuns for your work. Is anyone opposed to the treasure tracker taking either a set portion of the team loot or an extra share of the split loot? Or some other reward if that's preferred. Because I know I'd have zero if someone hadn't been keeping score. I tend to get disorganized and miss things...for example...what we got from the town is a blur.

 

Scupper, Halia nods a few times as you speak.  "People that can handle things"  Yes, my friend.  That is exactly what we like.  And we don't dictate how, or how much, you work with us.  Some of the Black like to take orders, or to give them; they find a home in our mercenary companies, or work as guards.  Some rise through the ranks to become powerful military commanders.  Others prefer to work as independent contractors, taking those jobs that suit them.  There is no obligation imposed upon you, unless you accept it willingly.  But of course, the more you scratch our backs, the more we scratch yours.  As she has been talking, she has walked over to a cabinet, poured two glasses of wine from the same bottle, and returned, offering one to you.

So, this is how it works.  If you wish to work with us, I will write your name on a piece of paper.  It goes without saying, of course, that it needn't be your real name, though you may find it becomes your real name in time.  She says that with a laugh that seems a little out of place, suggesting there's a story there, but she carries on.  That piece of paper will be sent to Triboar, and copied into a book.  Other papers will be sent to other cities, where the name will be added to many similar books.  I will also give you some names, some addresses, some signs to watch for.  Ways of getting in touch, so to speak, when you first arrive in a new place.  You're under no obligation to do anything at all.  But if you make contact, you'll be able to avail yourself of various services.  You can sell items that might attract unwanted attention.  You can learn about the city, and how to operate there effectively.  And in most cases, there will be tasks you will be offered, which you are free to decline of course.  

Now, then.  Shall I take your name?  She reaches over, takes a pen from her desk, and toys with it in her hand as she continues to watch you.

The first day of ten passes peacefully. 

Incantis, you are able to spend time with your new staff; you discover that it is a Staff of Defense and, frustratingly, you realise that you will be unable to use it, as its magic is too alien to you.  You get the feeling that Varinth could use it, though.

Dekhan, you spend your first day with Mirna and her children, helping clear out their house, which was looted but not trashed by the Redbrands.  She is happy to see you, and very happy to have someone to help with some repairs to the door the Redbrands bashed in.  The daughter Nilsa is still in shock and doesn't say much, but as the day goes on she seems to come out of her shell a little, even helping you in your work a little.  Nars, the younger son, watches you for a while, and then goes to where you have left your sword and armour.  He points at the sword, and asks bluntly.  Can you teach me how to use it?

Strix, you spend the day training, and manage to attract a small crowd of children who seem to enjoy arguing about what exactly it is that you're doing.  

Dario spends the day resting; Sister Garaele tends to him and seems pleased with his progress.

You all spend the evening of the first day together in the common room of the tavern. Many of the folk you have met in town come and speak with you, though they are mostly interested in smalltalk and passing the time; they are still a little wary of some members of the party, but less so than before and seem determined to treat you as heroes, or at least as welcome guests.

In the morning of the second day, you wake up to the sound of hammering the distance.  A very shaky wooden gallows is being constructed in the nearby square.

Dekhan enjoys the honest work of helping Mirna and the children restore their home. As much as he never thought he'd feel this way, Dekhan enjoys swinging a hammer instead of a sword for the moment. He smiles when he sees Nilsa begin to help and interact with him, but he is careful to let her move at her own pace. When Nars asks about training with the sword Dekhan regards him carefully and says I'll think about it, Nars. The training would be difficult and I must know that you will follow direction, If you can show me how well you listen and mind your instructions from your mother, that will improve the chances of me saying yes.

Mirna, Nars asked me to teach him how to use a sword, I was his age when I began my training, so if you'll allow it, I can show him a little about how to use the weapon. It may give him back some of the agency he's lost over the past few weeks.

At the end of the day Dekhan will find a moment alone with Mirna to ask her the above.

No! says Mirna sharply.  Oh, I'm so sorry Dekhan; she turns red at having shouted at her rescuer.  She sighs and leans against the wall, obviously exhausted; she's been busy all day cleaning and clearing up, probably to take her mind off everything she's been through.  Oh dear.  I don't know.  It's really happening, isn't it.  Right now. 

Mirna goes into the kitchen and returns with a cup of tea, cold from earlier, and drinks some before continuing.  He will learn to fight one day, I know that.  His father and I knew that before... she trails off.  Before.  Well, he's strong and quick and adventurous, and we knew we'd lose him to some band of adventurers or maybe the mercenary companies.  The best we can hope for is that it'll be some nice, reputable group.  Maybe with a uniform.  She smiles, and you get the sense she's replaying a conversation she's had many times, perhaps with her late husband.

It can't hurt for you to teach him a little, maybe.  But I need to find someone in town who'll keep him at it.  Someone who'll stick around, which I'm afraid Dekhan, is not you.  Maybe Daran will take him on.  At least he should learn to fight properly before he goes traipsing off into the world.  

Varinth will spend his first day only semi drunk. The second he will try to get a few things done before the binge rolls over him.

1. Tend to Soodi. Take off her sadle etc and give her a good rub down and check her hooves all that jazz. Make sure she's well fed and happy. Give local kids rides if she's up for it.

2. See if anyone in town has a diamond for sale. He vaguely remembers he needs one for a spell. Roughly 50gp worth. He'll try and remember if any other precious stones can be used or if it's just diamond for Chromatic Orb Arcana : 20

3. If Inky offers him the staff he will take it with gratitude and rather a lot of trepidation. He realizes, intellectually, that it looks like it's made of glass but is much much stronger and will not shatter at the merest touch. However he finds himself holding it away from his body and without thinking, treats it like an explosive. 

4. When the hammering starts on the gallows, the reality of the situation is thrust home with every blow. Varinths young mind is not yet ready for all that comes with capitol punishment and will dive for the bottom of a goblet.

Alright, Mirna I will teach him what I can in the time I have and see if I can't find someone in town who would continue his training. It's as you say, the thirst for adventure can't be denied really, only guided.

On the morning of the second day Dekhan will begin Nars' training, showing him the basics, the parts of the sword and some very low level theory before taking him through a arduous physical workout and a few basic sword forms.

In the afternoon he will go and speak to Sildar.

Oh and Vaz will take the Scroll of Fireball and stuff it into his cummerbund.

Strix wanders down to see how the gallows is coming along, and if both it and a chisel are unattended he carves a series of swirls into the upright that resolve into a tribalistic owl in flight with a staff in its talons. If the workman (person?) is around he will instead inquire as to where he got the tools and then look to acquire some himself. 

Strix, make a check with your (borrowed) Woodcarver's Tools.  That a d20 + your proficiency bonus, but no skill modifier.  The workman will tell you that tools can be purchased at Barthen's Supplies.

Vaz, Soodi has made sort-of-friends with a few children already, and you notice two small children riding her when you approach in the morning.  She seems initially none too impressed to see you.  Make an Animal Handling check.  You know your own spells well enough, and only a diamond will do for Chromatic Orb.  You spend a day inquiring, and eventually find that Halia Thornton has some gems, found by miners in the mountains, though they are very seldom found in the mines near Phandalin.  You can buy them easily from her at the Miner's Exchange.   You can drink happily any day you want; cheap ale is on the house, at least for the moment, and the innkeeper will keep you from getting dangerously drunk.  He will also refill all your wineskins with cheap ale, for free.

Dekhan, make an Athletics check to teach Nars the basics of swordplay.  Later in the day, you meet Sildar in the Townmaster's Hall.  You've certainly been busy, young man.  He smiles, if not entirely warmly, and seems not to have recovered fully from his wounds.  What do you need of me?