Waterdeep: Camel Heist (2020)

Scupper takes out his books and decides to give them a thorough reading. Knowing that his party tends to be quick to action... sometimes a little too quick, he chooses to stay up nursing an ale that he keeps cold by freezing some of the water within it. The image of a pirate reading quietly by the fire looks even more ludicrous in his own mind as patrons likely don't know what to think such peaceful repost portends. 

Occasionally, if only to ruin such moments of quiet contemplation, he mutters a string of curses followed by a line from the current page as he scours the writing for any sign of the forge or the lost mine...refusing to admit just yet that the books might just be useless. 

If Incantus is open to the occasional bit of conversation, Scupper will manage to keep half an eye on the book and try to find out more about his own relationship with shadow seeing as it appears to be powerful and through different means.

"So did ye have to pledge some type o' loyalty to a star then? What's a star look for in a pilgrim like yerself? Is it ehhh a tinking star? Does it speak to ye? How IS Zhudun's poetry anyway?"

By morning, a bleary-eyed Scupper manages te keep his eyes open for breakfast and whatever hot drink might wake him up some to keep on reading until it's time to discuss the next plan.

Dekhan enjoys the story with all its embellishments although he is a little embarrassed when he is featured in it. 

In regards to Oggor and the rest of the lads, he’ll say to Tolben. Having fought beside them I can attest to their prowess. Oggor is an honorable leader. Is Sildar in town? I would speak with him.

Yes, replies Tolben, Sildar is here.  And I suspect he will be right here, and very shortly.

Oggor remained outside for the story, but entered the tavern as Dekhan is speaking to Tolben.  There's muttering and an air of wariness around the room, but Tolben, reassured by the party's presence, walks forward:  Greetings, sir.  I'm Tolben, welcome to my inn.

Oggor looks extremely uncomfortable, but nods his head.  Oggor.  I follow Chief Dekhan.  He sits awkwardly in a chair that is a little too small for him.  

Shortly afterwards, a few of the townsfolk start returning with their friends and neighbours.

(The town leaders will want to speak to you, hear about your adventures, and have their say on the plan to have an orc defense force.  Do you want to ask Tolben to put them off until morning, or talk to them now?  If now, then who's joining the conversation?)

OOC...I say morning. We've got characters that have already chosen an early bed time and Scupper definitely wants the opportunity to read through as much of the Netheril book as he can overnight. Plus being able to point out that the orcs made camp near town overnight without raiding might help prove they mean no harm.

Scupper, you settle down to an evening's reading, as Tolben sends word to the townsfolk that there will be no repeat performance tonight, but that tomorrow those who wish to gather can do so.

You read the history of Netherill, a tale of floating cities brought low by the arrogance of human mages.  The book tells of history long past, over a thousand years ago.  Netherill once ruled much of the continent in the first half of what was known as the Age of Humanity.   Its collapse was both sudden and complete, as the floating cities crashed down in a single day, taking the entire ruling class with them.

The author mentions the small outpost at Old Owl Well by name; there is dispute between scholars about its true purpose, either to control the local mines which were a source of rare minerals, or to spy on the elves of the nearby Neverwinter Wood.  There's no specific information about the supposed mines, and no mention of Wave Echo Cave which in any case would seem to date to a much later period.

The following morning, you all awaken and have breakfast in the Stonehill Inn, Oggor joining you after having slept in the stable that Zoria had previously used.  Tolben suggests that if you want to discuss the orc defense force, at some point in the day you should make your way to the Townmaster's Hall where you will find Hester the halfling townmaster, as well as Sildar Hallwinter.

Scupper, if you read through the night, you are about halfway through the book and have one point of exhaustion.

What would you like to do today?

Strix pushes back from the table, wiping the crumbs of breakfast from his chin. While he waits for the party to finish and assemble, he whips out his bone flute (that's not a euphemism) and knocks out a rendition of the Sea Witch shanty which is about the only song he knows. Apart from the other one. But he doesn't sing the other one. Anyway :  performance 1 - after which he concedes that he needs lessons and maybe they should seek out the harpist who tends the shrine? They're headed that way anyway, eventually.

After breakfast Vaz will go see to Soodi if she is about (water, feed and groom as necessary) and then seek out the lady who made his tunic to get it fixed if possible. He will join the others when they head to the Hall.

Varinth, Soodi has already sorted out her own food and water; she is munching grass on the Town Green, occasionally taking a swipe with her tail at a passing child.  She seems content to be groomed, however, and when you have finished, she nudges you with her head before walking off to the other side of the green.

Freda the Weaver takes your jacket and charges one silver for repairs; she'll keep it for a day.

Strix, it's a pretty good performance, and Tolben recognises the tune and looks warily at Scupper sitting reading by the fire.

Dekhan will wake early for breakfast and see if Scupper, Oggor, and or anyone else want to accompany him to check in on Nils and family. Then he will make his way to townhall to speak to Hester and Sildar about the ODF.

(So the plan is to split up and do individual things for a bit, then meet up all together at the Townmaster's Hall around mid-morning to discuss the orc issue.  Have I got that right?)

Sounds right. Scupper pulls Strix aside and mentions that the Harpers while perhaps originally musicians are more or less a faction of power in the realm and probably not necessarily musically inclined now...watching his reaction to see if that makes it through the language barrier of savagery. He then offers his complements on the song amd says, "you're doing jest fine on that there flute. Better than ol' Bastitch Brown with his hurdy gurdy ... and we stopped keel hauling him for playing and even bought him a new one after the other met with a less than noble end."

Incantis lazily watches the goings on of the tavern after finishing the story, paying little mind to Oggor's awkwardness. At a certain point the half-elf grows restless and wanders outside, gazing up at the stars. It's been an interesting period of time; the warlock has grown to like his time in the outside world, the people out here are all so different and vibrant, while the twinkling of his Corpse Star seems dimmer; not out of diminishing but just out of comparison. He returns to the inn, bidding Scupper, Strix and Dekhan good night, and heads to his room. He lays awake for a time, turning his crystalline arcane focus over in his hands repeatedly. 

The next morning Incantis awakes early, watches Dekhan eat breakfast, and heads out into the town, inquiring briefly about as to any craftsmen of particular skill or nuance before heading back and watching the rest of the party eat breakfast.

Incantis, you meet a young woman named Lowi who is happy to talk about the townspeople and their various skills.  From what she says, there were only two people with any crafting skills beyond the most basic; Freda, who is a skilled weaver, and sadly also the woodworker who was recently murdered by the Redbrands, and whose family you rescued.  She can't think of anyone else, and suggests you might find more in Triboar, and of course anything you like can be found in Neverwinter or Waterdeep - she says the cities' names with obvious longing.

Dekhan, Nars and his family are glad to see you.  Mirna is a little wary of Oggor, but Nilsa insists on making him welcome and offers him some light ale that he manages to swallow down.  Nars is eager to hear about your adventures, and to tell you what he's been up to.

Sildar has me training almost every day; today's the first rest day since you left.  He mostly just grunts and points, he's very different to you, but he's a good teacher too, I guess.  Are you back for long?

Strix beams to be so complemented by the halfling, but that leaves him at something of a loss for what to do next. He wanders out onto the town green and looks for an unoccupied spot upon which to train. 

If on the way he should notice an undertakers or butchers, he'll inquire there-in about a decent sized bone. He's seen Incantis eying his flute up, if the opportunity is there he'll take some time to work on a second no-doubt-lesser-but-still-wonderful crafting. 

Strix, Soodi wanders over and watches you train, very intently.

Quote from SteveThaiBinh >>

Strix, Soodi wanders over and watches you train, very intently.

 In turn Strix studies the camel, copying it's motions. All animals have an innate spirit that, once understood and unlocked, could imbue it's practitioner with untold power. Midway through his second mouthful of grass though, he begins to be gnawed by doubt. 

Strix, as the doubt begins to crawl into your mind, Soodi walks right up to you, looks deep into your eyes for a moment, and then gives you a big, long, wet lick all over the face.  She then turns and walks off.

You don't see an undertaker or butcher in such a small town, but you could ask around.

And indeed he does just that once reconciled to ignorance of the elusive mystery that is camel Fu, striding into Elmer's shop and declaring "need big bone! Pleez!"

A... um... a bone, you say?  Like an animal bone?  Elmer Barthen had been in the middle of stacking some tools on a shelf and is a bit flummoxed by Strix's sudden appearance.  His two assistants watch you from the other corner of the shop.