Waterdeep: Camel Heist (2020)

Varinth will sit down attentively and add puffs off flame if he feels it appropriate. He remembers seeing a travelling show in Neverwinter where people would get dressed up and act out scenes of heroism that happened in far off lands or far off times. It never occurred to him that the adventurers could tell the stories themselves.

Maybe that's what we'll do when where old, and our knees have given out and the flame is snuffed. Remember the deeds we do today for a couple of tossed coppers in the future. Gods, that got glum quick.

Scupper, Halia's reply is short.  Candlekeep.  But that's some way south, and they've strict entry requirements.

In the town meeting, could the person (people) doing the telling give me a persuasion or performance check, and everyone else participating give me a performance check.

Strix narrows his eyes, girds his loins and tries as much as possible to make an almost perfect copy of Incantis's illusion fading in and out superimposed over it to imply movement.

Performance : 3

Scupper will use candle fire or water or both to animate scenery so that others can concentrate on the battle with the chief and the battle with zombies and a wizard...

16 perform

So, who is the actual speaker in all of this?  Who is telling the story?

minor illusion - aural - the noise Dekhan makes when he's clearing his throat 

(Ooc edit : re below - also thought Scupper would be speaking as per last night. Or Incantis as the bard. Figure the Chief would speak up if they didn't.)

My persuasion is the same modifier if it's me but I thought someone had already started talking about the situation...

OOC: I was under the impression that it was an Encore performance of last night with Scupper telling the story and back up from The Shadow Players.

That's fine by me...i got confused. The role is the same if that's ok with Steve.

(OOC:  The Shadow Players?   Has definite potential...   And thanks for clearing it up, I wasn't completely sure about the plan.  So it's Scupper on words, Strix and Incantis on visuals, and Varinth on special effects, is that right?  Incantis and Varinth, give me performance checks please, or correct me if I've misunderstood.)

Having only briefly set the scenery with animated fire and water, Scupper realizes he's the one to talk and sets about the tale while Incantus, Strix and Vaz provide visuals...

Alright ye friends: Citizens of Phandalin. You sent us on quests three and we've returned successful...but more tis the reward if ye can see the value past yer nose.

Firstly, twas known that orcs did raid and kill nearby so we was sent te dispatch them with extreme prejudice. We found a scouting group and killed all save one. He would be tortured horribly for information on the tribe. He was most helpful. We discovered that the chief, Brughor, was a sadist and a dictator. He forced the old ways on his tribe, tortured them to keep them mean, starved them to keep them hungry, and belittled them to keep'em angry. This Brughor was the real problem. Sir Dekhan would be our answer.

We approached the tribes camp openly, though a couple o' us did hide to insure victory. Dekhan, honest knight and brave, challenged Brughor to single combat. Incantus spoke in their thoughts to press them on it. Brughor was a beast o' an orc and cruel te the eye. Clearly lusting fer a fight but tinking Dekhan no real threat, he accepted... hefting his great axe and making to attack.

Then Dekahn did show his true heritage. Celestial wings sprouted and eyes glowed blue. The knight drew Talon and it bit deeply into Brughor. A thunderous response as Brughor slammed his mighty axe but Dekhan did deflect. No sooner had it begun, that Dekhan did split Brughor twain. The tribe, recognizing his power, honor, and right, did make Dekhan their new chief.

The undead called and there was little time to waste. With a small army of orc and man, we made for Old Owl Well. Zombies and an evil red wizard from Thay. Death animated by evil magics. The orcs fought bravely alongside man and together we defeated them, Incantus shattered the wizard with a single word. Breaking him to pieces. Fearless Strix still bears his hand.

Finally was a banshee confronted. The orcs understood the need for restraint and held fast as we were taunted and tossed about with powerful magic. Finally an agreement was made and information given. The orcs still loyal to the end would follow us but Dekhan gave wise council. They could prove themselves friend of man in the eyes of all and return home to their city having embraced the new ways and their king who forbids raiding and murder. But how to prove themselves?

This town has seen much, thieves held it under thumb, monsters ate their captives, a dark wizard stole and sold their citizens.

We have eliminated those threats but the town stands naked against any new ones. Here we have loyal orcs who recognize and even hate the old ways, pressed to service with torture and violence. Eager to prove themselves heroes of men. And here we have a town which could use powerful, strong sword hands. Not mercenaries with fickle loyalty, but volunteers who wish for nought but acceptance.

Prove Dekhans faith in you as good people. Show your colors not as bigots but men and women of honor and be rewarded with loyal strong defense...the likes o' which ye could not buy with gold.

With a flash, the minor illusion of Dekhan reappears with a pair of radiant wings. A series of tiny images accompany Scupper's tale, showing the paladin with his sword drawn, then engaged in a still-life battle, then standing triumphant over a twisted orc as the remaining green figures perceptibly lighten in hue.

An image, the Old Owl Well. A series of pictures show the collection of zombies, Harun Kost, and a still shot of the battle in which Incantis makes sure to emphasize just how beset the zombie hoard was by the party's orcen allies. The half-elf tosses a presitiditated coin into the midst, landing on the image of the red wizard of Thay as the figure of Zoria is resummoned with a flash and a victorious look on her face.

 Finally with a nod to Garaele, Incantis conjures a small likeness of Agatha, accompanied by a figure of himself with a speech bubble over his head. He then resummons the depiction of the hag, this time with a speech bubble of her own containing the image of a spellbook.

Incantis' illusions subside and Scupper's word are fluroished and accentuated with subtle musical tones to emphasize his last message.

Performance: 13

OOC: Dear god.

The audience is spellbound throughout, mainly because of Scupper's impressive performance as a teller of tales.  There are some incredulous looks at Dekhan when Scupper describes wings sprouting from his back, but some of the more worldly in the group seem to take it in their stride.  There is much consternation at the news of a Red Wizard so near, and some relief that he and his undead have been dealt with.  The audience gets caught up in the story, and can't help nodding along at the suggestion the orcs help out with the defence of the town.  Most of them, that is - Hester scowls and shakes his head, but says nothing.  Barthen eyes Oggor, but also holds his tongue.

The visuals are a bit more mixed, though successful overall.  There's a genuine sense that people are impressed at this form of storytelling.  There are a couple of difficult moments - once or twice, Strix's images are rather grotesque and it's not clear who they represent, but Scupper's able to steer the audience through that.  Incantis, Sister Garaele's face freezes as you show the image of the spellbook, but only for a moment and then she shrugs and relaxes.  There is a bit of a kerfuffle when Varinth accidentally sets some papers on Hester's desk on fire, but he manages to put the fire out before it spreads, though it takes longer for Qelline to stop laughing.

A round of applause follows the performance, and the assembled townsfolk talk and chat for a while, asking you some questions and commenting on the more memorable parts of the story.  

After a while, though, Qelline raises her voice to get everyone's attention.  So, you're proposing that we... look after these orc fellows, she looks up at Oggor, and in return they... look after us, have I got that right?  Her question seems aimed at the party, but not to any one person in particular.

Performance: 6

To Quelline: "Is that not what all in this town do for each other?"

Could you ask for better? Could you offer more? 

Strix turns to Oggor and remarks (in Orc) "You'll have to forgive them, they're good people..." he glares at Linene "...kind of...  but very suspicious of strangers. They've been under the yoke a little, not unlike yourself, and similarly have a little difficulty seeing anything but threats everywhere. You know, it might help if they saw your scars, how much like them you chaps are. Do you mind?"

Quote from SteveThaiBinh >>

After a while, though, Qelline raises her voice to get everyone's attention.  So, you're proposing that we... look after these orc fellows, she looks up at Oggor, and in return they... look after us, have I got that right?  Her question seems aimed at the party, but not to any one person in particular.

"Orc like Phannies. See scars? Slave scars. Brughor slaves - Like Phannies deadbrand slaves. Do told no, get beat, mebbe worse. Orc want be proud. Orc want go home, not slave scars, honour scars. Neewon **** phannies, **** Orc. Orc **** back, hard." 

He pauses, unsure that came across right, frowns and then pulls a diorama from between the floorboards - first of a Redbrand standing laughing over a miniature Phandelver full of cowering figures, then of a laughing Orc standing over a headless Redbrand - on the ground the tiny figures no longer cower and are dancing on the corpse's chest.If any of the villagers are fans of Where's Wally they'll notice that Linene isn't dancing in the diorama, she appears to be eating the body instead. Grudges can cut both ways, Linny-babes!

Performance 4

Incantis, as you think back on the performance, you're not satisfied - you think some of your images were unclear or didn't quite convey the tone you hoped.  However, you're confident that you could get better with practice, if you chose to.

Qelline responds to Incantis;  It's what we need to do, if we're thinking to survive the year, yes.  To Strix, she listens to your words and regards the diorama carefully.  Perception 1  A simple yes would've done.  

Dekhan, you notice again how Strix is able to have a fluent conversation in Orc (as you also speak that language).

Tolben pipes up:  He does seem quite big and... dangerous.  I believe these are good traits in a defender, are they not?  He looks at Oggor, who is trying to maintain a neutral expression.

And what exactly is the nature of this proposed arrangement?  asks Hester, testily.  Will they be paid?  Will they take houses in town?  Shall we invite them all to dinner?  These id... fine people have come without even a sketch of a proposal, and...

That's because it's none of their business, says Qelline firmly.  You want a party of adventures to come with a financial breakdown?  They've presented an option, but it's for us and these orcs to work out the detail.  I presume you are the leader of your band, she says to Oggor, who begins to protest.  No, not him.  She points at Dekhan.  He's not staying around.  He's an adventurer, that's how they are.  So, you're the leader, and the deal is with you.  Oggor hesitates, and nods.

Qelline looks to the party.  Thank you.  Now out, the lot of you.   This is for us to sort out.  Thank you, and all that.  But I'm sure Tolben's inn is still open and serving ale.  So out with you.  Not you, Oggor.  Gods preserve me.  No, you'll stay - we have questions for you.

Sister Garaele laughs and turns to Dekhan apologetically; Sorry, she can be a little abrupt when she's like this, but this is when things actually get done.  If you want us to make this... thing, whatever it is you're proposing... actually work, then leave us to sort it out ourselves.  And come and find me later, I want to hear more about your travels.  She smiles, and the townsfolk usher you out, though you can make parting comments if you wish.