Waterdeep: Camel Heist (2020)

On hearing the commotion, Strix remembers there being a bit of a whiff from the cart when they returned to it, and decides to stay in the shop a while out of harm's way. 

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Scupper stops mid thought as Vaz's whispered suggestion...

By the gods and devils alike, not if you were aimin' te be successful at it.

Scupper runs outside to see if he can catch sight of Sildar and maybe follow him a ways

Did Sildar say where he was going or where he lived?

 

Dekhan brings his items up to the counter. These may come in handy, some caltrops (bag of 20), ball bearings (bag of 1,000), a waterskin, a flask or tankard, and a whetstone it would behoove us to be prepared going forward! Dekhan looks at his provisions and sighs contendly. But then gets the impression that an important discussion is going on and shuts up and listens.

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Then we'll retcon that out as well haha. Am I all caught up? We legally get another 10gp from the shopkeep?

 

Though Elmer is happy to help Dekhan with his purchases, he is still very concerned about his friend Gundren Rockseeker and is distracted as he counts out the money, hoping that the party will give him more news of the dwarf. 

As Varinth is walking out he says to Dekhan Can you catch him up on events Dekhan? I was passed out for a lot of it. I think.

To Scupper he says Dek said "Behoove" *giggles*

Ye wee child Scupper chuckles to Vaz.

Scupper will also be there to relate and try to find out about this lost mine. He knows a map was taken, this Black Spider was likely looking for it.

As Scupper tells what you know of Gundren's capture, Elmer looks gloomier and gloomier.  Oh, goodness me.  Oh, my poor friend, what you have got into.  Well, I can only hope that he is still alive, since you did not find a body.  And I would ask you to keep looking for him, wherever he is.  I don't have much here that I could reward you with if you find him, but I don't doubt that Nundro and Tharden would reward you handsomely.  Gundren's brothers, he adds, out camping in the hills, no doubt surveying something to do with the lost mine.  They're due back in town any day now - they'll need more supplies, they do go through them at an astonishing rate.

Yes, the lost mine.  I suppose you wouldn't have heard of it. It's rather famous round here though.  From the old Phandelver's Pact times.  Well, the Rockseekers say they've found it.  And I don't think they'd lie.  Of course, they're keeping the location secret, until they can secure the claim, as any sensible person would.  Yes, I imagine Gundren would have had a map.  Maybe a map that wasn't too easy for a stranger to read, if you get my drift.  I suppose that might explain why he was kidnapped, though how goblins would know anything of this - or have the brains to act on it - is beyond me.

Elmer wears his familiar perplexed expression when you mention a black spider.  Spider?  There are plenty about of course, and only a few are poisonous.  You say it like it's a person, though.  No, never heard of that.  Sorry.

"Then we'll wait in town for his brothers. Hopefully we can accompany them and see if maybe Gundren had to take him that far...and who knows? Maybe this Black Spider made contact through other means before settling on this course of action. "

Is there anything to be said for seeking the brothers out? Or is it better for us to rest here for a few days? Dekhan is fine either way, he’s just happy to be on his quest. He’ll leave the decision to Scupper and the others.

Varinth will gladly take a long rest and a hot meal but first he will find out what the ruckus is about outside the shop.

Incantis steps forward after listening closely. "And this 'lost mine' you speak of," he begins curiously. "Whom else, besides the brothers, knew of its discovery? And did this mine have any source of pull what might draw ancient powers near?"

Incantis, Elmer seems happy to answer your questions, as he has no other customers at the time.  Well, everyone round here knows of the discovery, I suppose.  The Rockseekers have been bringing supplies in for a few months, taking them off up into the hills to who knows where.  I don't know that they ever announced it as such, but word got around pretty quick - it's a small town.  Ancient powers, you say?  Well, I suppose so.  Ancient powers, new powers, young and old, who wouldn't want access to the legendary Forge of Spells?  That's if it's survived all these years.  I don't know how far into the mine the Rockseeker brothers have been; they didn't mention finding the Forge itself yet.

Vaz, outside the shop you can see that the process of offloading the wagon and transferring the supplies to the back of the shop has temporarily halted while one of Elmer's assistants, previously identified as Anders, is using an old rag and some water to clean his arm and hand of poop, and the other, who must be Thistle, is listing all the people he's going to tell about this.  After a while, Elmer comes to the shop doorway, wrinkles his nose at the smell, and instructs the young men to get on with their work, which they do.  Eventually the wagon is emptied and Anders drives it up the road, turning off to one side, headed somewhere in town.

Scupper, you walk down the street and very quickly come across what seems to be the main town square.  You see a shrine to your right, and behind it the town green.  The door to the building on your left opens, and you hear conversation and laughter coming from inside; it sounds like it might be a tavern, and taking a look, you see a sign that reads 'Stonehill Inn'.

Varinth will be following Scupper. When they come upon the Inn Vaz will take what he needs overnight from Soodi and feeds her an onion. He explains to her that he will be sleeping in the Inn and then points out the Town Green behind the temple. Looks comfy if you want. I'll see you in the morning My Dear. He gives her an affectionate scratch under her chin.

I think a drink is in order. Can I buy you one Mr Scupper?

Due to quite a bit of trial and error over the last year Has it been a year?  Varinth will organize a room for the night first. If need be, he is happy to share with any members of the party.

"Don't mind if you do. haha!"

With Scupper in the lead, you enter the Stonehill Inn, pushing the door inwards as you enter the warm room with strong smells of food and alcohol.  It's still late afternoon, not evening, so the inn is far from full, but there's a few tables of patrons, and staff are busy cleaning and otherwise preparing for the evening's work.  

As you enter, the room swiftly falls silent; people turn from the conversations to look, and then avert their gaze, staring down into their ale and trying not to catch your eye.  Scupper, this is a very familiar experience for you; you're not entirely sure what the specific cause is, after all these it's unlikely that any of these people could actually recognise you from the Sea Witch.  Nevertheless, it happens everywhere you go.  Those of you following immediately after Scupper notice it too, because it's very unfamiliar for you to provoke such a reaction.

From the bar, a short young human steps out hesitantly.  Welcome, err.., sirs, he says with forced enthusiasm, trying to pierce the suddenly tense atmosphere.  Welcome to the Stonehill Inn.  Please take a seat, and allow us to serve you.  He stands, watching you, turning slightly red with embarrassment.

You see two groups of people seated already in the inn; at one table, a dwarf, halfling and human, all male, appear to have arrived only a short time before you and have just received their drinks; at another table, a half-elf woman is talking to another young woman who might be an employee of the inn.  There are three unoccupied tables.  You don't see Sildar.

Strix approaches the bar. Usually people go silent after he starts trying to engage them. This is new! 

"Bar keep! Seek man. Sildar. Old. Grim. Big cut on chest. Said be here. Around? Also, need room maybe. Rates? Oh, and hello! Am Strix! Friends?"

He gurns cheerfully. Charm offensive - tick!