Waterdeep: Camel Heist (2020)

Incantis and Scupper together take a look at Nezznar's notes and the property documents that appear to have been stolen from Phandalin.  They relate to some claims on distant locations where mines have been started, or planned, in recent years.  You can make an INT check to attempt to figure this out, or perhaps ask someone in town.

 Dekhan, you can deduct 2 silver pieces for each gallon of ale you bring to the orcs, where you get a very warm welcome.  The orcs are determined, and taking good care of each other. You and Oggor have inspired them in their mission to protect the town and win the townsfolks' respect, and though progress is slow, their spirits are still good and they talk of how much they've enjoyed teaching some fighting skills to the villagers when asked.  While yo u are there, there are some visitors from the town - Daran Edermath, discussing trails in the local area, Qelline discussing the militia's training plans, and a couple of miners you don't recognise who seem to be interested in drinking and testing the orcs' endurance.  It doesn't go well for them.

"Thank you Gundren," Incantis replies. "The Cave remains uncleared for the moment; perhaps after our rest we can gather together, finish routing it, and give you what insights I can gleam. Please ask, if there's anything of our extant experience you'd like to inquire. Say, what's your take on this?" Incantis shows Gundren the portion of Nezznar's notes pertaining to other mine properties.

INT: 2

Incantis sits at Nena's table, Zhudala flying outside as a normal looking raven. "I know not, for it feels filled with much more than twice the experience I had starting out." Incantis sups with Nena and her mother and practices with her outside, showing her the uncanny impressions he's been working on. As a trick, he has Zhudala fly to her shoulder and his eyes go white as he speaks through her with his voice of the chain master. "Hello Nena," Sildar's voice says. "Been staying out of trouble?"

Incantis is happy to pour some of his recent liquid assets into Phandalin's pocket. His first stop is the armorsmith, where he browses for some studded leather.

Hmmph, says Gundren, as he studies the documents.  2  Not... certain.  My guess would be, he was planning to forge something.  Make it so it looked like he had a legal claim to the mine.  Not sure why.  Did he want to set himself up in business?  A drow?  Unlikely.  Hmmph.  Strange.  But meaningless.  Our claim is recognised.  Best return these to the Townmaster.  If he's even noticed that they're missing.

I'm always staying out of trouble, says Nena innocently and utterly unconvincingly.  Why, what have you heard?  Who's been talking?  

Linene Graywind at Lionhead Coster looks a little askance, but agrees to serve you. Studded leather costs 45 gold.

Int 14

Scupper, you come to much the same conclusion as Gundren - you suspect Nezznar was attempting to forge himself legal ownership of the mine, though quite why this would be of use to a drow doesn't seem to make much sense.

You could argue, that he was working fer someone else but we ain't seen any letters te anyone above him. If ye do hear he was working fer someone or with someone, give us a hollar. I'd love te pay em a visit for all the troubles they brought us.

Now lads, what say you about our earlier talks. I'm not sure if we could buy a ship jest yet but it'd be a pleasure te have ye all at sea as we continue this adventure. Waterdeep ain't so far off...

Dekhan sets down his 10 gallons of ale and pours for all comers as he talks and laughs with the orcs and the others. Edermath, perhaps you could take some of the lads here with you to walk the trails around Phandelin, help them to familiarize themselves with the region. Qelline, is there anything you could do to aid our friends here with the protection of the town? Some insight or advice? When Dek can get a quiet moment with Oggor he says. Oggor, when you feel the time is right, perhaps you should admit townspeople into your ranks, teach them how to fight.

Already underway, Dekhan, Daran replies.  Some of them have good noses for the business.  Some less so, and he grins at one or two of the orcs who laugh.  It's clear that Daran, Qelline, Sildar and Oggor have been talking and are in the process of becoming something like a council for defence matters, and on one of your less social and more business-like visits, Qelline and Oggor talk you through some of their ideas.  

When the time is right, Oggor agrees.  Not soon, though.  Going slow is working.  People are getting used to us.  He sighs.  Some of the lads want to go faster too, and then I need to remind them of... well, we've done things.  Things these folks don't know everything about.  They might want us gone if we let slip, and that would leave them unprotected.  What we're doing here, it's.... well, we'll take it slow and do it right.

Dekhan smiles and says to Daran and Qelline, It seems the right people are on the case. I thank you.

Nodding as he listens to Oggor, Dekhan looks at the Orc with a mixture of pride and admiration Again, Oggor, you are becoming the leader I know you can be. You will do great things, I can feel it.

Seeing that his friends, among the town and the orcs, have things well in hand. Dekhan smiles and gets down to the business of getting drunk. Calling for songs, stories, and tales of valor, feats of strength, dexterity, and constitution, Dekhan spends the night in jovial companionship with his friends.

The ten day is coming to an end.  You visit friends, complete business, tie up loose ends and check in with those who have become close - perhaps you will visit them again in the future.

Two questions remain to be resolved.  Where will your travels take you next?  And what of the Lost Mine?  You have two basic options:

Option 1:  You leave the mine to the brothers.  You sign a contract that gives you each 2% of the mine's profits once it is profitable, which may be months away.  But it leaves you with no further obligation.

Option 2:  You buy into the mine - 2000 gold will get you 20%, or a 4% share of ownership each.  The brothers will still have the controlling share, but when the mine is profitable you will get a higher share of those profits - 4% each.  As co-owners you will have some obligation to help out as the mine gets up and running - this won't require you to stick around Phandalin permanently, but as adventurers they may ask you to come if they uncover a lair of giant spiders for example.  That kind of thing.

((I mean... Dekhan is amenable to either option... 20% stake in the mine could be pretty lucrative... but getting out ASAP is fun too.))

Scupper would never be able to settle down. The money could go toward magic items if the way leads to adventure or toward the someday purchase of a ship in his dreams. 2 percent or 20 is still months away and he'll probably be dead by then...

(Personally I love the idea of part-owning, using ad-hoc questing to build up the mine and the town as a powerbase from which to strike from, being a force to shape the region etc. etc.  but I don't think Strix is that guy generally and he has absolutely no emotional tie to this town, nor the business acumen to see the wisdom in investing in something that with his help would be a sure thing. I'd still like to think they'd send us a pidgeon/owl/raven/stirges if they need help though :D

Option 1 - because "it's just what my character would do" ;) )

Incantis chuckles at Nena's reaction, phasing through a few of Phandalin's notable townsfolk. He stops by to visit a couple more times during the tenday. He also goes to see about getting tailored; he wants to cut a striking figure with his cloak and leathers.

As to what to do with the mine and where to go next, Incantis is happy to concede majority profits to the Rockseeker's in exchange for more freedom with the opportunity to study the forge, but sees the appeal of a home base. But as his star, Incantis must wander. He peers at the sky, tracing Zhudun's movements.

((Dekhan watches his dream of founding the “Dekhan Vale school for Orphans who may be the Chosen One” vanish so that we don’t get “tied down” he gives a wistful little sigh.))

Varinth, a veritable laundryhouse worth of Sheets to the Wind, suddenly interjects;

BoRTLE! We mUSHt fiGHT! FoR Tha lITTLe GuY! *hic* wHat? you can't hAve IT! 

He spins on one foot.

THERESH A OCTOPUSH IN MY WIMPLE! *hic*

He then gets close to one of the dwarfs ears, apparently under the impression it is someone else. It is the loudest whisper you have heard.

TaKe tHa cASHHHHH.......*hic*

WE RIDE!

Varinth runs into the nearest wall knocking himself unconscious. He snores gently.

The decision is made; the contract is drawn up and signed, Sildar, Sister Garaele and the Townmaster acting as witnesses.  There's a good atmosphere, a feeling that the town has a bright future, but also that your business in town is largely done.

Incantis, you can have your armour tailored, and Freda will take a small sum for the job.  It won't have any mechanical impact on the armour's effectiveness, but if you want to post a picture of what you're aiming for, we can work something out. :)

You wake, and come down for breakfast.  You are all here; for once, the brothers and Sildar all seem to be away on their various errands, and even more remarkably, Varinth seems sober and not too badly hungover - almost coherent in fact.  The day, and the future, are yours.

What would you like to do?

Ah lads...so what's it te be? Waterdeep? Daggerford? Be good te smell the sea and the smell of desperation packed into the close quarters of a city...shite...i think is the closest comparison but tis not the same, really.

(I don't know if our next adventure requires a starting city)

Have I been to Waterdeep? Maybe, I have a vague memory of it. I think it was fun. There is a School of Mages there isn't there? We can ask about repowering the forge?

Is Varinths contribution, inbetween gulping down large amounts of water.