Waterdeep: Camel Heist (2020)

Zoria and Strix, you search a corpse and find absolutely no coin whatsover, just his sword.

Incantis, you don't hear any further sounds coming from the storeroom; at least, not at the moment.  Scupper's verse was quite loud, obviously loud enough to be heard by whoever or whatever made the sound.

 In case my verse was unclear or not to yer liking...if'n you don't exit the room quickly, my man Vaz is prepared to make that room hotter than all 600 hells and a few of the planes o' fire. Magically speaking, the lad has a way with the burny bits. Your skin will bubble and then crack before you well cooked muscles slide off yer bones like pork ribs. Step lively...and step humbly or we'll roast ye where ye hide, vermin.

27

There's a pause.  And then a *click*.  Incantis, you see a hidden door, similar to those you saw previously elsewhere in this complex, open inwards and away from you (I3).  My dear fellows, I can see that we have a great deal to discuss. 

Out of the door steps a human male, in his early forties, with long brown hair and a beard; he wears very expensive looking red robes and carries a staff made entirely of glass.  Friends, you are clearly skilled and dangerous fellows; it seems my, um, previous assistants did not fare well against you...  He looks around, but from this angle cannot see what became of the Redbrands you killed.  Won't you join me in my study, and we can discuss business?  He gestures through the secret door, which leads in the direction of the lab that Scupper scouted out previously. 

"We've no interest in your business of slave trading!" Zoria grips her warhammer tightly as electricity jitters around her hand.

Ahh, well, madam, of course.  I have many interests; I'm sure others are more to your liking, hmmm?

Dekhan takes an almost imperceptible deep breath and tightens his grip on his sword, his knuckles creaking with the effort to keep his eyes from blazing and his voice level. Tell us, Mage, what could you offer us that we would let you keep your life? And we will discuss it here, not in your study.  Persuasion 8 try as he might Dekhan can't keep the edge out of his voice, he will ready an action to charge Glasstaff if he makes a move for the door.

But sir, whyever would you seek to end my life, when there is so much we might achieve together.  Come now, a storeroom is hardly the appropriate location for serious men, and lady he nods to Zoria, to settle matters of import.  It is up to you, of course, my friend, but I can hardly fulfil my duties as your host if we remain here.  Come.  He gestures towards the hidden door, though he does not actually move.

Quote from SteveThaiBinh >>

But sir, whyever would you seek to end my life, when there is so much we might achieve together.  Come now, a storeroom is hardly the appropriate location for serious men, and lady he nods to Zoria, to settle matters of import.  It is up to you, of course, my friend, but I can hardly fulfil my duties as your host if we remain here.  Come.  He gestures towards the hidden door, though he does not actually move.

I'd like to roll insight to see if he has ill intentions: 8

Zoria, you don't get the sense that his invitation is an immediate trap; beyond that, you don't know much about his intentions.

"I will listen to your words at a price of 50 gp, but I promise nothing in regards to my actions after words are shared. I also cannot speak for the gentlemen around me. They are not exactly pining for your autograph, Glasstaff."

Varinth is limping his way over to the bridge when all this happens. He is now at around H8, just before the bridge. At the sound of the mages voice he stops. Flashes of the broken children skitter across his mind. He can feel the weight of the severed arm that he knows is just below him in the crevasse. The fear. The fear one man can create.

Varinth will then squeeze past Zoria and Strix Papa always taught me to keep a hand on the donkeys when you walk behind them so they know you're there and wont get surprised and kick ya but surely that don't apply to Zor? I mean... that's her bum... and make his way down the steps to the main entrance to the Wizards lab. He is not sneaking. He is making his way down as though he left his glasses on the bureau and is just popping back in to retrieve them. He will not put his hand on Zorias bottom. He will open the door to the lab if the door is closed.

Just thought I should mention, Vaz will use his Staff of Majestic Nothingness to probe the floor as he picks his footing over the dead Redbrands. He feels he has fallen over enough for one day.

Quote from Tobbence >>

Varinth is limping his way over to the bridge when all this happens. He is now at around H8, just before the bridge. At the sound of the mages voice he stops. Flashes of the broken children skitter across his mind. He can feel the weight of the severed arm that he knows is just below him in the crevasse. The fear. The fear one man can create.

Varinth will then squeeze past Zoria and Strix Papa always taught me to keep a hand on the donkeys when you walk behind them so they know you're there and wont get surprised and kick ya but surely that don't apply to Zor? I mean... that's her bum... and make his way down the steps to the main entrance to the Wizards lab. He is not sneaking. He is making his way down as though he left his glasses on the bureau and is just popping back in to retrieve them. He will not put his hand on Zorias bottom. He will open the door to the lab if the door is closed.

9

As Vaz passes Zoria, she gets surprised and attempts to kick at the air behind her in reflex. Then sighes with relief when she realizes it's her fiery friend.

Dekhan will lower his sword and walk to K4 with his head bowed as if considering Glasstaff's words. Meanwhile he will make eye contact with Scupper or anyone else he can see as if looking for a signal to attack. You must understand our trepidation, Mage, we do not even know your name. I am Dekhan Vale, who are you? Dekhan sheaths his sword and takes out his drinking flask which he has filled with the oil Vaz gave him. He raises the flask to Vaz as if cheersing him, hoping he's sober enough to recall their passed on plan from earlier in the evening. And what is a Lordly man of means and refinement such as yourself doing in a place like this?

As Zoria sees others start to head to the door, "I just want to mention that 50 gp was strictly for me. I will leave it up to each of you to negotiate your own prices."

Not sure if I need a persuasion for the asking of 50gp, but if so I will cast guidance and roll: 11

BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Madam, I'm afraid I do not carry much in the way of coins on my person, the man says apologetically. 

I am Iarno, he says to Dekhan, before bowing formally.  Until this moment, there was not another living soul in this town who knew my true name.  You have power, it is undeniably; I have always worked best with others.  Alas, my current companions - red-cloaked fellows, you may have come upon them - are rather lacking in graces, though they have their merits, to be sure.  But you must forgive me, I can offer you a chair and a glass of wine at the very least.  Please, be my guest.  He turns and walks towards the secret door at I3.  Your servants may stay or go, as it pleases you.

Glasstaff has his hand to the secret door and will push it in a moment.

(Currently I have you here; any changes?)

Varinth will enter the lab/study.

I would say Zoria was at least a little closer to be in view of him, but Zoria will enter chamber I suppose. "No coin huh? How about an unopened bottle of your finest wine then?"

Vaz, you see an empty lab where Scupper scouted.  It is unoccupied, though you see the same full bookshelves around the room, and the worktable in the centre.  With your superior training in Arcana, you are able to recognise that someone has been using this equipment to attempt to create potions, specifically a Potion of Invisibility.  There don't appear to be any successful potions lying around. 

There is another door, to the north east.