Waterdeep: Camel Heist (2020)

Strix, you don't see anything you could use to write on or with.  (You could always ask the others...)

 Strix toys with carving out the bugbears femur and using it as a writing surface but there isn't time to prepare it, and he lacks the chisels. "kneeone got pen?" he asks the group. 

(It's not something he feels strongly enough to delay setting off though)

"Nothing for writing on me, my fair feathered friend. Very probably something back at the cart. Either way that's where we're headed...the cart...then town. Maybe someone has heard o' this Black Spider thereabouts."

Scupper heads to the mouth of the cave and hands the healing potions to Dario. 

"As the moral foundation of our crew, I'm sure you'll fairly prescribe these as the needs arise and when rest is unavailable. Meanwise I'll be practicing the latter on the starboard side of the cart til tis time to weigh anchor."

Mister Sildar, is it okay if we just tell the the people of Phildenear that their goods are in this empty cave ready for pick up? I don't think we are quite up to lugging all this back to the cart. Or should we bring the cart back here? Would we fit all this on the cart? Varinth spirits are obviously picking up now that his big eyed friend is up and about. And the beer isn't hurting.

Varinth also says to Strix Could you please give some of my share of the coin to the goblins that helped us. One should always have a few coins when moving to a new city.

However many goblins are left Varinth will give them 1gp each. Don't spend it all in one place he says with a smile, and as an afterthought And no eating babies!

"While nursemaiding a horse and cart is hardly me normal fare. 10 gold pieces is wanted and earned. I'll be headed to town, less than a day out to do what I been paid to do. If you have some other place to be, Vaz, enlighten the rest of us because sure and we already looked for clues o' any sort what might lead dwarf-wise."

Hey Grumpy Bum, I just weren't sure what we were gunna do with all this stuff in here. Did you need a drink? Varinth offers Scupper a drink from his Arm Keg. And what I do with my money is my choice. Let's go.

Varinth walks past Scupper and says over his shoulder And just so ya know, I never have anyplace I need to be.

"No place to be, 'cept saving my skin from the odd wolf or ambush as a befits a crewmate o' your fiery temper and flammable contents. Jest merely pointing out, Vaz, that you'd be missed, even if we'd be missing a fool for offering gold to allies that already earned their freedom and livelihood."

What can I say, I'm a big softy... with a burning hellfire center he winks

Varinth, Sildar thinks for a while as you are speaking to Scupper, and then finally answers:  I don't rightly know who these goods belong to, but it looks like they do have an owner.  He points to the lion-on-a-shield image that appears on most of the sacks and crates somewhere.  You could bring one of these things along and see if anyone in town recognises it.  He looks around at all the stuff; I don't know if all of this would fit on the cart Gundren sent with you.  He shrugs.

There are a total of eight remaining goblins; the four who fought with you, plus Ko and the three who were too wounded to fight.  How much does Varinth give them in total?

As the group approaches the mouth of the cave, you can see that it's still dark and the moon is still bright.  The five health goblins are standing around, some supporting their wounded friends, as they appear anxious to leave the cave and get started on their journey.  Ika gives a wave to the group;  Bye.  Luck to you.  Then she waves at Klarg's head, bouncing around at Asher's belt;  Bye Klarg.  Have fun as trophy head.  The other goblins laugh, and they set off, Wolfie along with them, headed northwest towards Neverwinter.

The party makes its way back along the trail that you followed to reach the cave, taking care to avoid the various traps.  The night is still and quiet and there is no incident as you return to the main road.  Sildar and Gundren's dead horses are still where they were in the road, untouched, and their eyes have now been pecked out.  You find the cart where you left it; it doesn't appear to have been touched, though you can make an Investigation check to confirm that if you wish.  Not far from the cart, Soodi is munching on some grass; she wanders over as you arrive, and it's clear that the cart's horses have made their peace with the strange camel and are not alarmed by her approach - indeed, one of the horses gives a quiet snort that appears to be welcoming.

Before leaving Varinth will tear off or otherwise take a small box or item that has the logo on it (unless the sack of grain has one).

When they arrive at the cart, Varinth will hand feed some of the grain to Soodi and the horses. He then straps the keg, sack of grain and Staff of Limited Range to the complex belts hanging from Soodis saddle.

 Varinth gives Soodi a long hug. He then clumsily climbs aboard, gets comfy and takes a long swig of Goblin Beer.

Too Philla...near?!

Dekhan gives Soodi a good pat and then pulls himself up next to Vaz How about a bit of that ale, friend? 

Quote from Tobbence >>

Varinth also says to Strix Could you please give some of my share of the coin to the goblins that helped us. One should always have a few coins when moving to a new city.

However many goblins are left Varinth will give them 1gp each. Don't spend it all in one place he says with a smile, and as an afterthought And no eating babies!

 In the absence of any writing materials, and on Varinth's bidding, Strix hands Ika a platinum piece and bids her "Find Nevwinter metal leg lady, tell you better Ratter than Strix, job go bad but you help some, now she help you. She good people, you help with sewers she find you work."

When they reach the road where the dead horses are, he makes a mental note of any visible landmarks that aren't dead horses so that they'll be able to find the cave again.

And on to Phandelver! Feeling a little fragile with my 2HP so if there's a goodberry on offer, Strix will gladly take it (they're only good for 24hours so no point hanging on to them. Can take point if necessary. Perception : 18

Varinth, you give one silver piece to each goblin; they seem happy, but also not really aware of the value of money beyond the general idea that it's a good thing to have more of it.  Soodi accepts both the grain and the hug.  The grain sack is rather heavy, and it does bear the lion-on-shield emblem that you saw on all of the goods in the cave.

Ika nods solemnly at Strix's words.  Metal Leg Lady.  Good.  Goblins good ratters, yes.  She smiles at Strix.  You speak good.  Easy understand you.  Opo grunts from the trees and Ika nods.  Bye.  And off they go.

And off you go, too.  It's near to dawn by the time you've reached the road, moved the wagon back onto the road, and just generally arranged yourself.  By the map, you should reach Phandalin in the middle of the afternoon.

"Friends, I should thank you all for saving me back there," Incantis croaks. "I would have been wolf food if it weren't for you. I was headed to Phandalin myself, I would like to accompany you for the time bei--AKGKKKSKAKDss" Incantis' speech is cut short by a hacking cough, and you get the sense that that was the most he's said aloud at one time in a good long while.

Strix, you notice that there's a bend in the road up ahead with a memorably-shaped boulder just off to the side; you might struggle to find the this location if travelling at night, but in broad daylight it would be fine.  You could possibly, depending on your skill at the time, be able to draw the boulder from memory.

Ika accepted the one platinum piece, not really noticing that it was different to the silver pieces.

Before they leave the cave Dario accepts the two potions of healing from Scupper. "I'll be fair with these," Dario tells the halfling as he rolls them up in whatever leftover cloth or skin that can be found to ensure their safety. Dario then scans the room one last time, looking at the violence that occurred in such quick time in such a small space, and hopes to never to return. Looking over at a near dead Strix and wounded Asher only brings back memories of his time as ranger back home and losing close friends to senseless orc raids. I shouldn't grow close to them,"  he thinks to himself, "But without them, Dario, you'd be alone out there again..." He shakes the thought and exits the cavern with his companions.

Back at the cart, Dario checks to make sure nothing has gone missing from their cargo (Investigation: 10) and then walks over to his backpack and gently places them in his bag. He looks around to make sure nothing afoul might be waiting for them as gather themselves and prepare for their next move (Perception: 11). 

Quote from MarkDmitri >>

DEKHAN will Cora’s to Asher and give him the remainder of his LOH pool  If I may? Dek lays his hands on Asher’s shoulders and channels his inner light healing him for 3pts

Lol, yeah, typing at work, got distracted

 

Dekhan's hands start to close wounds on his shoulder as most of his pain subsides. "Thanks, Dekhan." Asher quickly looks away.

When we get back to the cart, Asher can drive.

Animal Handling: 21

Quote from Dcattarina >>

Back at the cart, Dario checks to make sure nothing has gone missing from their cargo (Investigation: 9) and then walks over to his backpack and gently places them in his bag. He looks around to make sure nothing afoul might be waiting for them as gather themselves and prepare for their next move (Perception: 12). 

Dario, nothing has gone missing, but there's a definite smell of excrement in the air around the wagon.  It seems likely that some small animal has crawled into amongst the supplies and relieved itself during your absence.  Sadly, you're not able to track down the source of the smell.  You don't notice any threats in the immediate area.

Asher, you notice the smell right away, but thankfully as soon as the wagon gets underway, you no longer detect it.  Dawn breaks shortly after you get underway, and the sky is dotted with little white clouds; it promises to be a warm, fine day.

You make excellent progress; the horses seem not too upset at having been left alone for a while, and may even have got a good night's sleep; they seem full of energy and Asher controls them skillfully.  You head east, and very soon come upon a signpost indicating the trail leading south towards Phandalin.  It's noticeably less travelled that the Triboar Trail, but you'll still be able to drive the wagon without trouble.

OCC: A natural 20 for driving horses.......I hate those lol