Waterdeep: Camel Heist (2020)

Varinth will see that the Dwarfen brothers are well fed and ask Dekhan to help with any of their outstanding wounds. 

"Not very good at reading maps, is Phaladin on the way to the mine, Misters?"

The two Rockseeker dwarves have spent the morning speaking quietly with Sildar in the former throne room of King Grol.  They seem in better spirits, though still very tired and in poor health; they are not warriors, not by any means, and they would probably need several days to recover from what they have experienced, at the very least.

Varinth, Nundro answers your question:  The mine is about fifteen miles east of Phandalin; not on the way.  It would add a half a day's journey to go to the town first.  I...

Sildar interrupts, speaking to the two dwarves:  I will escort you to the town; I think I can manage this much.  But I am certain that whatever awaits in the Lost Mine, it is beyond my strength and skills.  You, Varinth, all of you.  It's hard to think you are the same folk who sat in a tavern in Neverwinter and took this job.  Look how far you have come.  You are formidable warriors and adventurers, all of you.  Though the Mine will be a challenge, I believe you can overcome it.   He smiles.  My task here was to bring some measure of peace and prosperity to Phandalin and the region around it, and if I succeed, it will be you I have to thank.  I hope very much that you will continue on, destroy the Black Spider and rescue Gundren if he still lives.  Tell me - what is your plan?

At the mention of the P word, Strix tries not to giggle (Wisdom 5 vs DC 15) and fails miserably, laughing so hard that something that might have once been breakfast comes out of his nose.

We're not really the planning sort and it seems a shame to start now hehe

Good luck Sildar. Don't make us have te rescue you again.

Friendly swat on the bum as he passes.

Dekhan, don't make a liar outta me lad. If there's nothing else bothering you, we should cut her loose and be on our way.

Scupper looks at the spider on Incantus' shoulder. 

Bigger spiders te fry an' all that.

Dekhan nods at Scupper a small smile playing across his lips. I wouldn’t think of it, Scup.  Well, Vyerith, you are free to go. In light of your amicable release we hope you will refrain from contacting the Spider in regards to our plans, as they are. I hope that you find contentment and peace along with whatever else you are searching for. I won’t ask you to walk in the light, but I will ask you to foster that which shines inside you. Be well. With that he turns back and helps Vaz in looking after the dwarves.

Vyerith, still chained and manacled to the shit-covered former owlbear nest, looks on silently as Dekhan walks away and says nothing.

"yoink!" Strix declares, recovering his manacles, the bes 2gp he ever spent. 

Strix, as you release Vyerith and she rubs at her wrists, she stands, leans over to you, and whispers  Do not trust that one.  Her eyes are fixed on Incantis as she speaks.  Without another word, she walks out of her makeshift cell, north to the room with the canvas, out into the forest, and is gone.

Sildar watches her go, his face unreadable.  (Unless someone wants to try an Insight check?)  Once she is gone, he turns and gives you an inquiring look.

The spider is spindly, almost ethereal looking, and Incantis smiles at Strix' reaction as the arthropod scuttles down his arm and seems to blink out of existence.

The half-elf watches the remainder of the conversation, figuring he's contributed enough and that there doesn't seem to be anything more productive he can say to Vyerith. He does not catch her comment to Strix, nor is he sure how he'd react. He's busy thinking about his dream. A raven caws, but there is none to be seen.

With Vyerith's departure, Sildar also takes his leave.  We will set out now, but I doubt we can maintain the same pace as you.  If you wish to escort us to Phandalin, we would welcome the company I'm sure, but I think we can make it there ourselves. 

Tharden adds:  I would feel strange, and dishonest, promising you any particular reward when I've no idea if I have the means to honour it.  All I can say is that if you find us again, in Phandalin or elsewhere, we will pay you as best as we can, and welcome you gladly.  He bows, as does his brother.

And if no-one has anything else to say, then Sildar Hallwinter, Tharden Rockseeker and Nundro Rockseeker set off on the trail through the Neverwinter Wood, back to the Triboar Trail and the road to Phandalin.

Strix tuts, picking up his spurned spear, puzzling out the quadratic negative of not being trusted by a known enemy who's race is known only for their cruelty and general untrustworthiness. Not squared plus 2 not-unnot plus..... Ah screw it. He gives Incantis a big thumbs up that doesn't look suspicious at all. Before they leave, he requests Sildar and the dwarves arm themselves in the hobgoblin barracks and take any spares back to Oggor and Qelline. It's too much weight to be dragging to the mines, and if the town has no need of them and the party survives they can be collected later. 

Seeing no further need to hang about, he packs up his bedroll and prepares to move out.

Dekhan waves to Sildar and the dwarves as they head out. He turns to his companions Are we ready to make our assault on the mine or do we need to go resupply at phandelin?

May as well strike while the ship is wet...errr something like that

Varinth feeds and gets Soodi ready for travel. He scrambled onto her and wonders, not for the first time, why he isn't getting better at it.

To fortune and glory! And all that.

Varinth takes a swig from his wine.

If you're headed off, please let me know a marching order and where you're going.  You're currently in the Neverwinter Wood, not far from the Triboar Trail.  The Wave Echo Cave is fifteen miles east of Phandalin, up in the hills.

Varinth and Soodi will plod along at the rear.

Dekhan will walk in front, shield readied and on the look out for trouble. We’re heading straight for the mine?

So we need to head south, cross the Triboar, skirt the hills and hit the mountain about halfway between Phandelin in the west and Icespire in the east?

Strix let's someone give him pointers from the map then gets busy scouting, surprised at how much more limber he's feeling today. 

Stealth 18 and Perception  25

"I'm in no need of anything from the town at the moment."

Incantis is feeling a little stir-crazy; he accompanies Strix scouting. "Strix, did you have any visions our first time in..." the half-elf pauses, knowing the probable reaction, "Phandalin?"

You walk the day in peace; not long after setting off you pass by Sildar and the dwarves making their way south at a slower pace.  There’s some mild social awkwardness as you pass, for those of you who care about such things, but you pick up the pace afterwards and soon they are far behind you.

You cross the Triboar trail and head south east.  As the day goes on, you find yourself climbing the gentle, and then not so gentle hills.  As far as you could tell from the map, the trip to the Lost Mine’s entrance will take you beyond mere hills and into the lower regions of the mountains, but the Rockseekers didn’t mention a need for specialist climbing gear, so you think you will manage.