Waterdeep: Camel Heist (2020)

Varinth, there are about five large wooden tables, each with three or four chairs, though none look particularly comfortable.

They was here this morning.  Like to start early, these ones.  Then they went out looking for a bit of fun, and I guess that's when they ran into you lot.

She shrugs.  They paid well at the start, but they're driving folk away from town.  Not good business, not in the long term.  

Why don't you sit down, you and your friends.  She still holds the bottle of FIreseed.  If you're buying, that is.

Dario follows along behind Dekhan, Scupper and Incantis as they follow Vaz towards the Sleeping Giant. He hangs in the back, keeping an eye on their rears.

Before they enter the Sleeping Giant Dario goes up to Dekhan and Scupper as whispers, "I'll post up outside," Dario looks up at the buildings next to the inn, "and maybe try to get on one these roofs and keep on eye-out." Dario then  peels off from the group and decides to try to do some sneak reconnaissance around the Sleeping Giant first:

Stealth: 11

Perception: 5

And then will look to see if he can climb up one of the neighboring buildings to set up a stakeout on the Sleeping Giant. 

Acrobatics: 11

If he manages to get on a roof Dario will try to find a position that lets him to get the best angle to look into the Sleeping Giant while also watching the entrance and the paths leading to the Sleeping Giant. 

Dario, you are now perching, reasonably well hidden, on the roof of the building just over the other side of the road from the Sleeping Giant.  It gives you an excellent view of the road headed west back towards the Stonehill Inn and you can see, a little further away, that Soodi has wandered back onto the Town Green, well away from the action.  To the east, you see rising above you the small raised ground that the manor sits upon.  You get your best view yet of the ruins, and will easily see anyone coming down the meandering path between the ruins and the town.  You are able to use the sloping far side of the roof to hide you, you think, from anyone who might be looking down upon you from the manor ruins, and you are certainly not visible to anyone in the street below.  Unfortunately, there isn't really an angle that allows you to see inside the Sleeping Giant itself.

Dario, before heading up to the roof you agree your signals with Dekhan and Scupper.

perhaps it was Dario's caution, but Dekhan is a bit on edge now. He's not sure that he trusts the innkeeper. insight 21

Dekhan, you feel you have a good sense of this dwarven woman, who is used to dealing with rough and rowdy clients but has grown increasingly frustrated at her helplessness over the last few weeks as the Redbrands have got bolder and more violent in their behaviour.  She has a problem and she's looking for a solution.  What she's told you so far is true, and there's more she wants to tell you, if you'll listen.

It would seem we share a problem, please go on, tell us more of these Redbrands.

Are you drinking, or leaving?  She's still holding the bottle of Fireseed.  I've ale if this is too pricey, but it's bad luck to talk without a drink.

Ale will be fine, thank you, spirits may not be the best idea at present Dekhan puts five sp on the counter. A gallon of Ale for my friends and me, please.

The dwarf takes your money, replaces the Fireseed bottle below the bar, and pulls down seven oversized tankards that are hanging up on the back wall.  She fills them one by one with ale, walks out from behind the bar and sets them down on one of the tables.  She sits, inviting you all to join her, and then takes a long drink from one of the tankards.  I'm Grista.  You folks are?  and she looks around.

"A fool at that price but thirsty...And I promised me friend something strong."

He puts down a 2 gold and 4 silver

"Seems an awful fancy rotgut this fireseed. You wouldn't by any chance be friends with Flamebeard and his Firebrandy? Does no one distill normal everyday spirits? How much does a bottle of that go for and how could one possibly afford to get pished on a shot?"

Scupper turns to his mates

"Sorry we missed the rest o the Reddies. Maybe there's a dinner dush or a late brunch?"

Scupper realizes she's not trouble and just wants a feel for the place and the frequency of Redbrands.

"Do they always arrive in number?"

Scupper, the dwarf comes back with three shot glasses and a bottle of obviously very cheap liquor, and pours herself a shot and two that she passes over to you. She takes two silver from you, and then downs her shot before moving straight back to the ale.

They come and go when they feel like it.  No schedule.  Either they're smart and like to keep people nervous, or they're dumb****s with no discipline and no plan.  I know where I'd put my bets.  Sometimes two together, usually more.  Never just one.  They're not that stupid.

You talk like you got an interest in them.  You killed some.  Planning to get the rest?  Or... she looks at Scupper carefully, something else?

Varinth just sips his ale as something deep inside him wants him to slow down. Probably his liver.

We wants em dead. No choice now. Killed five of *hic* of *hic* of them so gotta kill the rest or they'll kill ush. Kill or be killed. Varinth looks into the middle distance for a moment.

Plus they ish Orc Wombles and no mishtake. You alone here?

It's a pleasure to meet you, Grista, I'm Dekhan, my friends and I are interested in what you would see done with the Redbrands. Dekhan takes a sip of his ale.

Dekhan, make a persuasion check please.

Incantis watches in silence for a moment, content to fulfill his usual role in conversations as observer. He gazes out the window at the same street Dario said he'd stake out, but makes no move to leave the tavern.

Perception: 21

Persuasion 16

Incantis, you see, as Dario does, nothing dangerous or concerning on the road outside, at least not at the moment.

You all see as Grista listens to Vaz and Dekhan's words, mulling her thoughts carefully.  Kill or be killed, is it?  Well, 'be killed' doesn't do you much good, so I'm guessing you're going with 'kill' then, is it?  Unless you're open to a... third option.

She leans back in her chair, and focuses her attention on Scupper.  See, these Redbrand boys, they've become a bit of trouble, right enough.  There's folks in this town would say get rid of them - would pay to see if happen, too, but what does that solve?  Just leaves us defenseless, for the next band of thugs that strolls into town.  But who's to say what these Redbrands might do, with a bit of guidance.  Some better... leadership, if you catch my meaning?  

She looks at you all intently, but Scupper most of all, trying to discern how her words are going down.