Waterdeep: Camel Heist (2020)

Strix, the leader tosses a pouch of coins; it lands at your feet.  She doesn't break her deals, birdman, you know that.  And she expects the same from others. 

The other man completes his task and walks over to you. 

The leader continues: Finish up whatever you're doing here, then get back to Neverwinter.  You know she doesn't like her...  The other man gives him a warning look, and he continues... her 'helpers' to stray too far.

They mount up, and continue on their way east towards Triboar.  As they pass by, you see the elf looking utterly defeated, tears in his eyes.  

Dekhan listens and reflects as the voices wash over him. As the din becomes one cacophonous roar, he stills his mind and focuses on the one voice that must guide him, his own. As the Green Lady speaks to him again he feels a renewed sense of surety of purpose. I swore to complete Mistweaver’s task because the Druid Ganya had a vision that I would find my quest in that wood. I swore to her because her vision called to her and the mysteries of the Ancients are to be heeded when they call. And I swore to her because I knew in my heart it was the right thing to do.

Dutiful.  He commits to his cause, in word and deed.

Weak.  He walks the path he is sent on and does not choose his own.

Arrogant.  He promises what he cannot deliver.

Faithful.  He trusts the signs, and those who guide him.

Again, the voices pile upon each other until it’s just noise.

The world shifts again.  You see a Redbrand soldier, tied up, helpless.  You see yourself slit his throat and hold him while the life bleeds out from him.

You killed him.  Why?

Dekhan again feels the weight of taking the man’s life. That man, the choices he made were evil. He and the others robbed and murdered without care. Leaving him alive would have jeopardized our mission, put my friends and I, and the people of the town, in danger. I still did not make the decision lightly and would not wash my hands of it. If it was to be done, I would do it, to fully comprehend the consequences of our decisions. I did what I could to make his passing easier. 

Indecisive.  His companions guide him into darkness.

Brutal.  How easily he makes the choice to kill.

Responsible.  He takes the weight of justice upon himself and bears it well.

Merciful.  A quicker death than was deserved.

More voices than before, all speaking at once, but the sound fades.

You stand before the majestic elder tree, and the Green Lady speaks again.  Your decisions are your own, Dekhan Vale.  There are a thousand judgements here, but only yours truly matters.  We trust you.  We accept you. We ask you to accept us.  To swear an oath, if that is your choice.  Will you do so?

Put an axe in his head! He's disrespecting us!

And then? Let elf go? No use to Strix, no good 'lone. Is dead man.  Sides, start fight, Vaz bliged join in. Hardly fair fight, poor thugs. Better like this.  

Outwardly he scoffs a little.

"Helper? Inpendent contractor! 'Trap need service, she call. But 'not stray far' - 'mind her, Strix do Trap favour. This not hol'day. Now shoo. Home, boy!"

He collects his finders fee and moves towards the cart, not making eye contact with the elf.

Varinth wakes with start BANANASMILE!

Wha.. Sorry Mr Strix, mustve drifted off. You're quarry still a no show?

OOC: Jeez guys, I go to sleep and wake up to a novel! 

Strix smiles. 

"All done. Should go. Getting late."

On the cart, Strix moves to count the contents of the pouch, then balks. Vaz can be.... Emotional. He decides to wait till they're back in Phandelin to give him his half, lest misplaced feelings lead to any thugs getting barbecued.

Strix and Varinth, you drive the cart back towards Phandalin, but the sun sets while you are still a good two or three hours away.  Do you continue driving through the early night, or make camp?

The pouch contains the standard fee of five gold pieces for a job of this kind, given that it involved only a capture, not a hunt.

Oh he's already been and gone? Mustn't have given much trouble, that's good.

As Strix looks into purse and looks at Vaz Oh not for me Strix ha I was asleep!

As the sun sets Shall we push on?

Strix scratches at his mutton-chops absently, chewing the decision over.

Stop seem silly. 

He can't prevent the yawn that follows. 

Strix and Varinth, you ride on into the night, but it only takes a few hours to reach the town.  On the way, you do pass by a small group of travellers who have made camp; they look like traders, and have two large wagons drawn by oxen.  They are off to the side of the road, and don't seem to notice you as you pass.

You arrive in town after nightfall, though the inn is obviously still busy.  The cart is piled high with goods, and both Barthen's Provisions (where you got the cart) and Lionhead Coster (where you hope to deliver the goods) are closed.  

What would you like to do?

Strix votes to pull around to the stable by the inn, warn the horses to keep their hooves off Zoria and bed down to guard it (sleep on top of the softest bags using his redbrand cloak as a duvet) - he'll settle up with Tobin in the morning

Zoria, you hear Strix pull up in the cart, and notice him bedding under under his red blanket.  

Strix, you rest and sleep, reflecting on your choice, and the ultimate fate of the unknown elf.  Varinth (I assume) sleeps either in the inn or in the cart.

Strix is now level three.

Sleep? He had a lovely afternoon nap! If there are still people in the Inn, that's where Vaz will be, drinking merrily in the name of any god that comes to mind.

Dekhan bows his head for a moment. When he raises it his eyes are blazing. By the light that flows within me, that binds me to all others, I swear. Where light shines I will protect it, where light has died I will kindle it, where light is threatened I will be its sword and shield, I will be a beacon to all who seek one, a shining light in the tide of darkness, by all that is good in this world, these things I swear. By my living or dying I shall serve the light, I swear this to the Ancients. Thrice sworn, thrice bound. As the blaze fades from Dekhan’s eyes his formerly black eyes are a pale sapphire blue.

The Green Lady speaks. Thank you, Dekhan. We accept your oath.  Know that the light shines upon you, even in the darkest of places.  Know that it shines through you, even into the darkest of souls.

Look now upon the two who have journeyed with you this day. You turn and see Scupper and Nars frozen; you suspect that time and events are passing somewhat differently for them. Two souls bound to you. One walks in the light, but will find that light greatly tested.  One walks in darkness, but may find his way to the light in time.  Their fates lie in their own hands, but also in yours. A contradiction?

A vision of an older woman appears before you now, though she is faint, obscured by mist. She smiles. There are many contradictions. They are the stuff of life. Go now, Dekhan Vale. Know that you have our trust, our hope, and our light. You will do well. The vision fades entirely and the world shifts.

You are on your knees before what is, once again, a very ordinary tree. 

Dekhan is now level three.

OOC: our little knight is all grown up. By the way Dekhan...that oath was both genuine and not too preachy...good on ya. "Where there is no light I will rekindle it" seems like a good way of saying, "I'm not gonna kill every dark soul but I will try to bring em around if I can..." So thanks for not putting the darker souls in the vice of light. You play a good balance of true to your cause without leaning too heavy on other players. I like Dekhan as a moral compass and not a religious flogging. Wooooo! Our very own candle in the wind!

Zoria, upon hearing the stable door open, she grabs her warhammer, ready to defend herself against would be robbers. Then sees Strix and lets out a sigh of relief before returning to sleep.