Waterdeep: Camel Heist (2020)

Scupper always finds himself nearly blushing around Pru. Something about her cavalier attitude, the way she easily accepts his more violent tendencies, and of course the way she ignores or appreciates the frosty cold of his skin. Maybe she was a mortician in a past life. Either way, it has leftScupper enamored and occasionally worried she’s still planning to kill him or double cross him. Ah well...there’s worse ways to go.

Pru, me’ doll, there were flaming floating skulls, giant spiders, back dealing drow wizards, zombies, skeletons, and the usual bugbear or two. It was exhausting but rewarding. Slew the enemy, rescued the flippin’ dwarf, earned some coin, and even managed to find me fair maiden jest now. I’ll tell he all about it if ye think ye can warm me tired bones. Where does a wild independent ting such as yer self get off too...and did ye kill anyone interesting?

Varinth, the week is dull.  Almost nothing happens.  You don't meet anyone interesting.  You don't learn anything new.  Whether this is a good or bad outcome depends on you, but as the week goes on, you are growing restless and your mind turns to your next destination.  You think back on the places in this region you have visited, and start asking questions about the world to peasants who have never been more than ten miles from Phandalin.  

For the period of ten days, please make two WIS saves.

(The d10 was a role for 'complications' from your drinking; only a 1 would result in something.)

Scupper, Pru smiles sweetly and innocently.  Why, I spend my days in the forest, picking flowers and playing the pipes and so on.  Don't you know anything about halflings?  She giggles.  I want to hear about everything, but especially the wizard.  Pru leads you to a barn with a comfortable attic where she and Scupper spend a fair amount of time over the next few days.  You get the feeling that if she wanted to stick a dagger in you she probably could, but she would only do it if you asked nicely.

Wisdom: 16

Wisdom: 14

Dekhan, Nars fills you in on his training, in a tone that suggests he takes it very seriously.  I'm learning a lot, but I'm nowhere near where I need to be.  The orcs are helping; they're really good at fighting, and especially wrestling.  No-one can last five seconds with them, but everyone wants to try.  People are getting used to them being around - well, some of the old farts... sorry, mum, sorry Dekhan, some of the older folks, they still don't trust them too much, but most everyone feels safer because they're on our side.  

Sister Garaele gives you a similar positive assessment of the orcs and their efforts to keep the town safe and win over their support.  Oggor's handling it really well.  Lots of opportunities to make friends, and they make a visible presence; people are getting used to seeing them and feeling reassured.  It's working.  She hasn't received any news via her birds yet, but isn't surprised.  So, are you planning on sticking around, or heading out?  Where does adventure take Sir Dekhan next, she asks smiling as you sit in her little shrine drinking tea.

Strix will spend most of the time standing on a pillar or fencepost, ideally outside of town, trying to mirror his physical balance mentally. On breaks he'll practice with his flute (no lessons so no material improvement) and whittle any bones that come his way

Dekhan listens to Nars’ report seriously chuckling a bit at the mention of “old farts” before clearing his throat and regaining his composure. That’s excellent, Nars, really. I’m very proud of your progress. Oggor and his friends are strong warriors and there’s much you can learn from them. My teacher, Juriti, taught me that there’s no one way to fight and the more styles you learn the better and more adaptable you’ll be. And yes, sometimes the... old folks have trouble accepting change but it’s your job to help them. Show them the truth of Oggor and his friends. Use your light to help them find theirs. 

Taking a sip of his tea as he thinks for a moment before giving a little laugh  Sir Dekhan? Just Dekhan, or Dek if it please you. He pauses again I don’t know exactly, Sister Garaele. From the moment I set foot on the path that led me here I was on a quest I was Oathbound to complete. While I’m beyond happy and honored to have completed it I find myself somewhat lacking direction wise. He looks at her with a smile. I must say, though, I wouldn’t mind staying around Phandelin for a time. I do enjoy these talks with you and after the hardships of the road and battle spending time with someone as kind and beautiful as yourself is a welcome relief.

The tenday passes quickly and peacefully for Strix.  Most of the villagers have learned to wave and smile and not talk to the strange shifter in their midst, but others do still occasionally approach him for small talk, and a few of the younger villagers who are training to join the militia observe his technique, attempt to imitate it, fall over, try again, fall over again, and eventually ask him to teach them a little.  If some of the days are a little lonely for Strix, the evenings and the mornings when the party gathers are less so, and the three dwarf brothers ask him lots of questions about his background and training, if he cares to answer.

Dekhan, Garaele sips her tea and considers.  You are welcome to stay for a while, but I don't think you are ready to settle down, are you, Sir Dekhan?  There's a slight twitch to her lips when she says 'Sir' this time, as if she's enjoying a joke.

Over the course of the ten days, you spend time with the Sister, and Mirna and her family, as much as you want, the atmosphere welcoming, the friendships becoming very real.  Nars promises to write to you after you leave, though he laughs when he admits he has no idea where to send the letters, but he will try to send them somewhere.

Dekhan smiles at Sister Garaele’s joking but then grows almost wistful. For a while, then. Yes, I fear there is more for me to do. Although my oath is fulfilled and this quest completed, there is more work to be done. But perhaps before I go you could teach me more about our organization or he takes her hand in his. A bit more about yourself?

Dekhan tells Nars that he can always ask Sister Garaele to take his letters on her trips out of town, saying that she knows how to reach his order and where to find him. 

Scupper tells Pru everything about the fights and the fortune and the mine but he keeps going back to stories of the sea...to Pru, to Vaz, to Dekhan, Strix, and Incantus. It's clear he's keeping the ocean on the table so to speak. 

"2000 gold could be a helluva investment in a ship..."

Quote from SteveThaiBinh >>

The tenday passes quickly and peacefully for Strix.  Most of the villagers have learned to wave and smile and not talk to the strange shifter in their midst, but others do still occasionally approach him for small talk, and a few of the younger villagers who are training to join the militia observe his technique, attempt to imitate it, fall over, try again, fall over again, and eventually ask him to teach them a little.  If some of the days are a little lonely for Strix, the evenings and the mornings when the party gathers are less so, and the three dwarf brothers ask him lots of questions about his background and training, if he cares to answer.

 Strix answers the Rockseekers' questions mostly with monosyllables and shrugs, being unwilling to dwell too much on the past - or, in light of this job being completed and his employers apparent attitude towards him, how much of that past lies in his future. Further meditation will be required before answering any questions, and certainly not with the likes of these 3. If they could be trusted to keep a secret, none of this would have happened!

Watching the youths of the village ape his movements starts out amusing, but quickly becomes frustrating and distracting - the anticipation preceding each fall putting him off his own balance. It's easier to fix the problem than to ignore it - eventually he abandons his fence post and begins correcting positions and stance and breathing with a tap of the staff here, a poke in the belly there. He barely accidentally temporarily paralyses any of them.

Dekhan, Sister Garaele smiles but withdraws her hand a little primly.  You are very sweet, but not, I think, likely to stick around a little town like this.  You have... something about you, Dekhan.  I might say you are destined for great things, but I am no fortune teller.  In any case, I hope you will come back and visit sometime.  Many folk will miss you here.  She is reluctant to tell you more, but suggests that you let her know where you are headed before you depart, so that she can inform agents on your way to keep a look out for you; they may have interesting things for you to do.

Strix, you acquire a small but loyal following of around six young Phandalinese who don't mind the occasional knock.  They seem to feel they're learning something at least.  The Rockseekers give up on their questioning after a while, and seem content just to drink and chat amongst themselves.  

A ship?  says Gundren.  That's a fine investment indeed.  More fun than a mine, if fun and adventure are what you're after.  I think we've had enough adventure for three lifetimes, Tharden says and Nundro nods.  Well, it's for you to decide.  If you have any questions, come and talk to us when we're not too far into the drink.  That's be before noon, if you're wise.  Just, let us know how you want things to go. 

As the ten days pass, you see increased arrival of goods and supplies from Neverwinter, and some armed mercenaries who seem ready to begin the process of clearing out the mine.  Not the skull room, not yet, says Gundren.  From what you say, that will take something special.

Incantis spends much of the journey back to Phandalin lost in thought, practically relying at times upon Zhudala guidance so as not not clobber himself into a tree on his mindless ambling in the rear of the party. His eyes are aloft and a luminous lilac bordering on white. At some point on the journey he remembers the documents he found in the Black Spider's lair and shares them with the others, translating when necessary. "He talks about his business with Glasstaff and Grol, as well as Vyerith." Incantis pauses characteristically while pointing out the pages. "Scup, this might help you out, weren't you hoping to look into the Thay wizards?" He reads on, muttering, "Something else we ought to look into here..."

Incantis bows his head at the sight of the reward, but much more deeply so at the mention of the word 'heroes'. "Gundren, might I inquire as to an additional term? A request. For myself to be allowed to study the Forge? Insofar as I do not disturb you three."

A young halfling plays among the trees, her braided hair whipping wildly. A note, a faint glimmer of music, enters her mind and she spins around with a beam of recognition. "Hello Nena"

Incantis will spend his downtime between practicing with Nena, wandering through the Wave Echo Cave, and researching the Forge of Spells in the party's remaining time in Phandalin. He will also gather what party members might have spare downtime to look into the note Nezznar had about a property in Phandalin. He'll also go shopping!

((OOC sorry for cutting out there guys :/ Incantis also divvies out 38EP, 26GP, and 3PP to everyone. He also has 9 gemstones (10GP each) and a dwarven mug (100GP) for petty))

Dekhan smiles his best winning smile. My apologies, Sister Garaele, but I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself had I not made some attempt. I hope you won’t hold it against me as I’d be even more despondent if I thought I tainted our friendship. His smile remains but he grows more serious Truly, your counsel and friendship have been invaluable. I can’t speak to the greatness of my destiny, but you are right in that I feel pulled from here. And please know, as long as I draw breath you have a friend in me, please don’t hesitate to call on me if ever the need arises.  I will be sure to let you know where we are headed. He stands to leave Thank you, sister, for everything. He bows, low before her and, with a final smile, heads to the tavern to purchase a barrel of ale to take to the orcs, bringing any of his companions or locals who care to join him.

(Is there any reason Strix can't go and have a chat with his old pal Skullivan? I feel a bit bad that we tried to incinerate him and drown him and put him in a bag, and now he's unemployed and probably getting dispelled. Apart from the fireballs he was very polite and patient with us)

 (It's over a day's travel to the Wave Echo Cave and you did not clear it out - there are still dangers likely to result in combat and possible death by ghoul and/or flaming skull.  It's not a viable downtime activity for Strix or Incantis, but you could all head there together at the end of the tenday.)

(Ah he was a decent egg... but not we're not that close :D We gave him plenty of chances.)

Incantis, Gundren shrugs.  You’re welcome to study it, to use it as well.  The wizard warned it may take time to reactivate.  The mine will make a profit almost immediately; it’s still rich in ore, richer than most of the mines that have supported Phandalin, if the stories we know are true.  But the Forge itself, may be a year or more from working.  Any aid you can give us would be welcome.  Your story was… fascinating, and I’m sure whoever comes to work on the Forge will want to know every small detail, but we can’t count on the intervention of any… Power… to restore the Forge in the long term.

As you greet Nena, she smiles, runs up to hug you, and invites you to dinner with her family once again.  People say you’re more a hero than ever.  How come your head isn’t twice as big?  Of course her telepathy hasn't developed much - it's only been a few days since you last met her - but she promises that she's keeping up with her exercises.

Barthen isn’t able to purchase the gems; he’s a bit short on cash at the moment, and he suggests trying Neverwinter or Triboar.  The Rockseekers are buying a lot on credit, and though they have good references, it’s starting to cause a bit of a problem in town – nothing likely to last, but he suggests people would be happy if you spent some money.