Waterdeep: Camel Heist (2020)

"Ha! Orcs. Fun guys. Punch hard. Displined though - surprise!"

Cards : 9

"Is soldier good? Go with numbers? Hmm...."

Incantis ponders a moment at the dragonborn's question. What do I want? To stall he asks, "This place in particular? Or Waterdeep? I've noticed arcane coalescences as well. I wonder, do you have anything of elven make, or perhaps any magical gems? Or enchanted instruments..." Incantis grins at the Dragonborn, his crooked teeth actually showing through. "To be honest I'd look at anything, especially aught that's caught your eye on its way in."

4 7 17 6 4

One of the men wins four gold, and Scupper and another man win one gold each; Strix, Dekhan and two other men lose one gold each, and one of the men loses two gold.  He scowls at Strix as though it's his fault.

You manage to get a name from the cloaked traveller; Connor.  Eventually, as the game gets going, he seems more willing to talk.  Don't travel much.  This city's the only place I need to be going.  We make decent money here.

With Scupper's nat 20, they do start to loosen up a little, except the guy who loses two gold.  Connor seems to be looking you over, assessing but less hostile than before.  So, you guys got work in the city?  Or are you looking for opportunities?  Me and my buddies, we collect debts.  It's a decent living, and people give you respect.  That's important in a place like this.

(Earlier, in the magic shop)

Incantis, the dragonborn sighs deeply.  The children of the fey know many wonders.  Your own heritage, yes?  The blood of the twilight flows through you, yes?  I can offer these.  She reaches below the counter and pulls out a rather plan set of pan pipes and a horn with silver bands.  The horn can allow an alarm to be sounded, that only one other can hear.  It is a thing of heroes, and battles against the oncoming hoardes.  She stares into the distance for a moment, seemingly lost in the pictures in her mind.  Then she returns with a jolt, and exhales loudly.  The pipes can summon small creatures to your aid; though weak alone, in a group they are powerful and dangerous, an ally of the masters of the arcane.

Debt collectors? Interesting, do you work on behalf of a specific institution or are you freelance?

The man shrugs.  A bit of both.  We're.. affiliated.  It's good work, if you don't mind breaking a few arms.  That your kinda thing?  0

The next round of the game begins.  A d20 roll (plus proficiency if proficient with cards), and a fresh skill check (Persuasion, Deception or intimidation) to extract useful information.  Scupper, you get advantage from the nat 20 on the last roll - you're building up some rapport with this guy.

Dekhan takes his cards 10 Have you had any interesting jobs recently? We’ve heard there’s been some kind of shake up with the nobles recently. Some indication of what you get to do could pique our interest and the idea of sticking it to nobles would appeal to some of our friends persuasion 10

Strix picks up his cards

5

 "Is snap, yes?" He declares joyously.

Then he sets his jaw and makes an effort to be fearsome. 

8 (intimidation)

"Snap like snap of neck. Of ghost. Punched ghost once"

((Yeeeesssss ☝🏼!!!! 👻🤛🏼))

Dekhan, Conner looks uninterested.  Look, you can get yourself hired, same as we did.  I don't know you, can't vouch for you.  We don't have much to do with nobles, though - they don't have to pay their debts.  He scowls as he says this.

Strix, one of the other men (named Furdy) gapes at your story; he hasn't said much all evening, but perks up.  You saw a ghost?  I saw a ghost once!

His friend shakes his head.  Enough with that, Furdy, you know...

I saw a ghost, Furdy insists.  He looks back at Strix.  Didn't punch it though.  Can you punch ghosts?  Don't your fist just, like, go right through it?  You look like you could beat up a ghost good and proper.  He doesn't seem intimidated as such, but more impressed by your presumed prowess.

Cards 19

Debt collection? Doesn't sound very exciting...but I'm glad you boys enjoy yer work. 

Hey, it's good honest work.  Always some stupid merchant or labourer drunk their wages and thinks they can get away with it.  We uphold the law.  Conner grins, and refocuses his attention on the cards.

20 11 17 20 13

Furdy is the big winner this time, taking home five gold, with Scupper and Strix each taking two gold.  The other three regular guys and Dekhan each lose one gold and five silver.

Conner is the big loser, and is down three gold this time.  His good humour evaporates.  One last round, says Furdy, and Conner reluctantly agrees. 

Look, you want to get into this business, fine.  I don't know who runs it, but I can give you my contact.  We get a 'finders fee' if you work out, so... you serious about this?  Or just looking to mess around with some folks in a tavern?

Varinth drifts hazily in and out of consciousness, comfortable for what seems the first time in a very long time.

smfldog he tells the fireplace.

Varinth, the fireplace does not answer, but you feel that it welcomes your presence.  You finally drift off into a comfortable sleep.

Strix looks at his fist and sighs. 

"Hmm. Go through, yes. But kept busy, main thing. Funny ghost. Touchy, but not touch - ha! Goes through." Strix is visibly delighted by his world class wordplay.  "your ghost. Good guy? Or prick, need punch?"

Prick.  Definitely prick.  Needed a punch, maybe, but I wasn't gonna get close enough to try that.  I ran, and so did the others, far as I know.  I ran and I didn't look back.  Ran all the way up to Waterdeep.  Well, I might've rested a few times on the way.  Furdy shakes his head.  Not enough money in the world to pay me to go back.  This city's got everything a man needs.

"Contacting one person alone, interesting," Incantis replies. "How much would you charge for these pipes?"

I'm still trying te figure out jest what tis city is off te give me, just like. Seems a certainty it will take but ah...hard te take back enough te make it all worth it...legal like, anyway. Too bad I can't just yell "Avast!" and throw a line from this tavern te that one and take all she has.

Cards (its three silver each hand yes) 10

(The ante is five silver, and the losses per round are limited to three gold.)

Banditry's a mug's game.  Even before all this shit started up, with the fires.  Conner looks warily at Scupper.  In the city, at least.  There's Watch everywhere, or there can be at a moment's notice.  Maybe different on the seas. I dunno.  Not much of a sailor.

(Earlier, in the magic shop)

Money?  The dragonborn says the word as though the concept is unfamiliar or distasteful.  Yes, gold can purchase these items of wonder.  A trade is better though - have you an item to trade?  She looks you over, hopefully.  The pipes that summon many tiny friends cost two hundred gold and fifty more gold.  The horn that sends a message is valued less in gold, though a scout on the battlefield would value it more.  Nevertheless, it is seventy gold and then five more gold.  Will you pay gold?