Waterdeep: Camel Heist (2020)

TLDR : Way of Shadows, I choose you!

As always, she runs. He gives chase, as ever. Always just out of reach, her hair streaming out behind her just tantilisingly beyond his fingertips. But this time it's different, the noise - like a punctured bellows working a dying forge.

"Slow... slow down, chum! Haven't *pant* haven't exactly kept up the exercise *phew* regime this last decade or so. On account of, you know, the fence."

Strix says nothing, just keeps running.

"You can't catch her anyway. And not in a metaphorical way. How do I...   Here, look."

The other pushes on ahead a little, one hand outstretched while the other makes some theatrical finger-wiggles at it. A boomerang appears which he flings at her head, knocking her to the ground. Strix cries out and rushes to her aid, but try as he might no matter how far he turns her she's always facing away from him.

"This is really disappointing stuff, Oaf. Junior my-first-dream material. I'm surprised you're not being chased off a cliff through a thick toffee sludge by a backwards-talking dwarf. You can't see her face because you don't know her face. You never caught her because you wouldn't let yourself. But I know."

He reaches out and effortlessly turns her around. Strix does not recognise the woman's impassive, wall-eyed features and there is no flicker of recognition nor any reaction at all.

"Not the cathartic experience you were hoping for? No mama-hugs? Could be worse...."

He pushes Strix aside with a deft hip-swing and steps into his place. Now she reacts, her features twisting with disgust, with revulsion, with hate.

"Me she knows, as you can see. I spent a long time trying to change that look. Even longer hating her for it....  hate grows well in the dark, but.... it burns itself out. Eventually. Eventually is shorter than you think, when you measure time in eternities. Of course she hated me. How could she not? A living, breathing, crying, mewling, ever-demanding daily reminder of... SUJA'S TITS!" 

Not being well disposed to being bum-shoved to the ground at any given time, especially not during pivotal moments of introspection, Strix has spent scant seconds recovering himself before squinting hard at his hand, breaking into a low chant of "...am holding axe, am holding axe, am holding axe." and throwing the resulting form at the other's head before it's even fully formed, interrupting the soul searching and eliciting the aforementioned expletive. Moving faster than even Strix can follow, his quarry twists, snatches the haft of the axe from the air and flings it back at him. Without thinking Strix mirrors the move and it goes back and forth - it's 3 of 4 passes before his tormentor giggles "Is it just me or are you thinking one of us should dress up as an Uthgardt so we can have some quality father-son time playing catch?" . The rage drains out of him. This is stupid. It's pointless to fight himself.

"Exactly! Anger clouds the mind, and turned inwards it becomes your greatest foe. Did you pay no attention to those clerics? There was some quality advice in there - the grasshopper stuff? No? What about 'All men are meat, be like gravy?' - Actually not sure I remember that one right... but the point is KAPOW!" He sends Strix flying through the dark with a hard punch to the solar plexus.

"...Distraction. Distraction is the key. The minds of men are always looking for patterns, always seeking meaning in the meaningless. A man can look into a hole in the ground and see hope in a well or despair in a grave. It takes a lifetime to learn to look into the void and see only the void. Give a man nothing, he will see everything." 

He lunges at Strix again, but the shifter easily dodges the punch - noticing as he does that there's an ant wearing a sombrero perched on his nemesis' fist. Before he can query it, something clatters into the back of his head.

"Focus! There is no ant on my hand. There is no rabbit on my head"

There is. There is totally a rabbit on his OUCH!  

"You have to start taking this seriously. LOOK OUT BEHIND YOU, MAN-EATING SHARK! Better! SHARK-EATING MAN! Ha! SOCKO! Even the most alert mind can be susceptible to the unexpected. Now... lets see what else you've forgotten..."

Quote from FelixFelix006 >>

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!

 OOC: Thanks man! I’m loving the dynamic with Scupper and Dekhan! That they’re helping change each other’s views a little bit. And I love what you’re doing with Scupper, he’s been chosen by the Shadow but he didn’t start stealing babies and twiddling his mustache, it’s just a new aspect of his rich character, well played, sir, well played. This Shadow/Light dichotomy is gonna be real fun to play going forward I think. 

Dekhan rises from his position in front of the tree, sheathes his sword and walks back over to Scupper and Nars. A joy filled smile spreads across his face as he takes in the pastoral scene around them, feeling even more connected to the energies of nature than before. What do you say, men? We make camp here? Perhaps Mister Scupper could join us in our training today, offer some insight on a different style of combat?

Dekhan, you make camp a little way from the tree.  Nars is a little wide-eyed when he looks at you at first, and peppers you with questions.  What happened?  We saw the tree glowing, and then you were glowing too.  Did it speak to you?  We heard the oath, too.  Was it to the Gods?  Tymora?  Or Lathander?

When you start sparring, he quickly focuses on the combat, and does well; he's taking your lessons to heart and not overreaching himself.  Scupper joins in too, if he wishes.

You spend a peaceful night in good company.

Dekhan smiles at Nars’ questions. Not to the Gods, no, Nars, to the Ancients. Spirits that inhabit nature and serve goodness, beauty, and truth. I swore to them that I would always try to do what’s right, and to protect people in need when ever it’s in my power to do so. We can speak more of it, if you like.

As they spar and Dekhan puts Nars through the forms   Scup, why don’t you show Nars a bit with the rapier and dagger? Perhaps if you show how well you listen and learn, we could speak to your mother about getting a dagger for you when we get home.

After dinner Dekhan speaks of himself. Training you, Nars, is reminding me of my own training.   I was trained mostly by an old Rogue named Juriti, he was like a father to me. I lost my parents when I was very young, you see. I don’t really remember them, my mothers smile, the smell of my father’s armor, that’s all. Juriti helped place me in a new home where I was fed and schooled, but he was the closest thing I had to family. He taught me the sword forms and how to use a shield, battle tactics and all that. He was rogue, but he was a gnome first, and his appetite for knowledge made him an excellent teacher. The greatest thing he taught me, though, was to trust in myself, and when things are tough or unclear, to focus on doing what’s right, doing what you must, and letting everything else resolve around that. That may make for difficult situations some times, but that’s why the Light has given me Scupper, and the rest of my companions, to keep me out of too much trouble.

Scupper keeps his end of sparring light and uses surprise and sneak attacks less as a means of "here's what you do..." And more about "here's what to watch out for".

"Always be ready for what an opponent is capable of...most men with swords care little about a fair fight and if you need to survive, honor or no, you'll have to learn to expect the less of your opponent's honor and worry more about where the pointy bits are pointed."

Dekhan, Nars nods along as you speak, listening intently.  He doesn't say much, until the end. I'd like to know more about the light, Dekhan.  Father told me to trust in myself too. I know you'll be travelling on soon.  I hope you'll come back and visit us.  He looks a little sad for a moment, but brightens up as you begin sparring.  You both still have to hold back a lot, but he's progressing faster than most would at his age.  

The morning comes, and you ride the journey back to Phandalin together.

It's your final day of the tenday of downtime.  Some of the party have returned from short trips out of town, others have spent time with the townspeople, teaching, learning, and winning money. It will be a long time before this little town forgets your group.  

In the morning, you all gather at the Stonehill Inn for breakfast, and consider your options.  You’ve learned of a number of quests you might undertake in the local area, for reward or to help out someone in town.  As you are eating, Sildar Hallwinter approaches and speaks to you about your next moves.  Gundren is still missing, and though I know it likely he is beyond saving, I still cling to hope.  I know nothing of where he might be found, but please, if you are travelling nearby, keep an eye out for anything that might lead you to him.  Whoever this Black Spider is, he is still at large and clearly has plans for the town and the region.  And lastly, Gundren’s brothers were due to arrive back in town half a tenday ago, and there is no sign of them.  Many things can happen when travelling through these lands, but from what I know of them from Gundren, they would not be so late if they were free and in good health.  Whatever it is that they found, someone has their eye on it, and that’s the truth of it.

As breakfast comes to a close, Dario speaks up.  You've not really seen him much the last tenday; he's been resting at the inn or in the temple and didn't attend either the execution or the festivities.  Now you sit and speak with him, and he seems strained but calm, as though he's just made a big decision.  He talks a little about his plans, and says that he feels he cannot remain with the group, as something - he's not quite sure what - is calling him to the west.  You speak a little further, but his mind is set, and shortly after breakfast he makes his farewells.  He shakes you all by the hand, some more warmly than others, and Dekhan last.  Dekhan, he asks you to watch over the group and guide them, and hopes that he will see you all again.  

It's only a few minutes later and he walks out of the town, with a small wave and half smile to you, and sets out on his own path.

Zoria sits with her allies, hearing the stories that they're willing to share from the separate time before listening to Sildar. "It seems to be a poor time to be a Rockseeker indeed." Zoria pauses. "Wait, do you think if we had someone pretend to be a Rockseeker, and we started spreading rumors that he was here, that our decoy would be kidnapped and give us a path straight to the Black Spider? Does anyone have magic for this? Other than that, my only lead is a job from Daran about some undead around a thousand year old watchtower, which is cool an all, but the undead probably don't have as much coin as the Rockseeker clan does." Her eyes turn to dollar signs. "And I'm sure they'd pay a pretty penny to be rescued." She rubs her hands together.

Strix rises early and leads the cart around to the Lionhead Coster. 

She won't let you in. You're a weirdo. Just burn them.

Quiet. Have plan. One with darkness.... One with night...

It's the ******* morning! You might as well try to blend in with all 7 of tiamat's heads at once

5

What?

Tiamat. 5 heads.

Well yes, of course. Now. And I think we can both agree she's learned her lesson about respecting my WHAT THE ****?

Impenetrable night falls on the Lionhead Coster.

Um..  ok ... Not plan... But have new plan!

Taking slow careful steps in the inky black, Strix begins to move boxes inside.  (2 ki spent, Darkness)

11

Strix, you speak the phrases you don't know how you learned, and make the gestures that your hands have always seemed to know, but did not know until now.  A large sphere of black engulfs most of Lionhead Coster.  

From behind you, you hear a gasp.  It's Anders, one of Elmer Barthen's assistants.  He points at you, and turns to his companion, Thistle; both are standing about fifty feet away.  It's that shifter.  Madam Graywind said he was about to attack her.  He's here to finish the job!

Thistle looks confused.  But he's one of the heroes that...

Never mind that, Anders replies.  Shifter, remember.  I'm gonna get help.  He runs off down the street to the south.  Thistle stares at you, then backs away.

Strix looks back and touches his finger to his lips, then points to the cart and stage-whispers "Li-on box-es!" Before continuing about his business, like a psychotic Santa Claus. 

Strix, you've managed to unload half the boxes and transfer them inside or onto the porch of Lionhead Coster when Anders returns; following him are the Townmaster, Hester Groff, and Sildar Hallwinter.  The townmaster slows to a halt near to where Thistle has been standing and observing you.  What... what is he doing?  he asks.

Making a delivery, it seems, Master Groff, replied Thistle.  

The townmaster looks in horror at the massive black sphere engulfing the area.  Has he... destroyed the shop?  What is that... thing?

Magic, answers Sildar, looking at Strix with curious eyes.  I've seen that wielded in battle.  It's just darkness, but if you are inside it, you can see nothing.

Battle?  says Hester Groff in alarm.  Linene.  Is he attacking Linene?  He calls out, Linene are you there?

(Strix will continue unloading if left unmolested, shhhhing anyone who's shouting. If he finishes unloading he'll mount the cart, cough out a "hoot hooot hoooooot, merry Strixmas!" and ride off back to Elmer's to give the horses back. Next year he might look at changing a few things. Daylight break ins at street level draw too much attention. Maybe a nighttime rooftop infiltration...?)

Strix, Linene Graywind comes round the corner.  I'm here, Hester.  She stands with the others and scowls.  The group talks amongst themselves, watching the show; Linene was in the darkness when it appeared, but got out through a back door.  She, like Sildar, has seen this magic before.

As you stand and shout "Merry Strixmas", the group regards you silently, and they watch as you drive the cart off.  You don't hear what, if anything, is said after you leave.  Elmer Barthen accepts the return of the cart, and the darkness dissipates in time. 

As Sildar finishes speaking Dekhan will grasp his forearm in a warrior’s shake. We will do our best to find your friends, Sildar, you have my word. We will send word if there are any developments. Thank you again for taking over Nars’ training for me. The boy has so much potential, with the right person to guide him he could grow into a great man. I believe you are the right person. I’ll be back to see you and to check on Nars whenever I can. 

Dekhan shakes Dario’s hand warmly May the Light shine on you until we meet again, friend Dario. Your council and friendship will be sorely missed. Please find us again when you have completed your quest. 

He then goes to Elmer’s shop and purchases a dagger, two hand axes, and three flasks of oil. (Coin deducted from CS) 

Before leaving Dekhan will take Nars aside to speak with him. Nars, my young friend, you have incredible potential. Not just your swordplay, though I’ve rarely seen such ability in one so young, there is much, much more to your destiny. You are capable of accomplishing wonderful things. I see the Light that burns inside you, cherish it, nurture it, and listen to your heart. Sildar is a good man, listen to him and he will teach you well. If you ever have questions about the Light and Shadow, speak to Sister Garaele, she is wise and kind and I trust her deeply. And though you must never speak of it to anyone, I’ll have your word, she can reach me if you absolutely need to. Now, as you’re too young for a sword of your own, I’ve left my first one with Sildar, he’ll give it to you when he deems you ready. In the meantime, take this  Dekhan removes the dagger from his belt. This is not a gift I give you, but a responsibility, wield it well and prove worthy of the faith I have in you. I know you will.

Earlier in the week, when Vaz is in a more.. soberific mindset, he will visit Freda and order a jerkin or something similar, hoping to leave her enough time to finish it by the time they head off. (Will take off monies when told how much for the emroided flames)

When sitting about the breakfast table Varinth will put in his two cents

Is the Banshee on the way to where the Rockseer Brothers last were? He cups the warm mead between two hands, giving it a little blow, totally unaware that he is doing the opposite of cooling it down. We could go chat to the ghostie and then keep going to the... were they at a mine or somethin'?

Strix ditches his worthless goblin scimitar, offers Sildar back the map case and approaches Freda the Weaver - he's getting a little weary of having his heritage written on his face. But what if they can't see his face? Ah ha!

(Something between classic ninja hood

https://shop.r10s.jp/ninja/cabinet/item-076.jpg

and lucha libre 

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0949/0080/products/WWC.Mask.front_large.png?v=1465240894

)

If that flies, he'll attempt to purchase caltrops from linene in the guise of the hooded oaf, and cash out our gems.

5xMalachite (15gp each) 2xPeridot (15Gp each) 5xCarnelian (10gp each) Earings w/ Ruby (30gp)

(If Scupper wanted to leave his paramour something to remember him by that isn't an unplanned pregnancy or suspicious rash, ruby earrings are a classy gift!)