Waterdeep: Camel Heist (2020)

Oh make no mistake, love. We'd considered taking them on as apprenticeship and the like. No telling how handy they might be. Problem is they've hired monsters now. So waltzing in and whacking Glasstaff o'r the head ain't likely te be the end of it. Not sure if a couple dozen Redbrands would stick to the side while we fight bugbears and eyeball monsters, which I being an honest lad, am not even sure what it is.

Give us a bottle o the cheap and two shots o the fireseed...so's I'll taste the way the other half lives.

Grista takes a total of 4 gold pieces from you, Scupper - 3 gp for the two shots of Fireseed, and 1 gp for the bottle of Docker's Ale.

Closer to a dozen, I'd say, but there's some who don't come down here to drink; the boys take ale back up with them for their mates, so I can't say for sure. 

If you've no care to take the town or help others do it, then by all means, kill the bastards and take the reward.  Oh, there's no official reward to speak of, but I'll put in fifty gold, and I reckon Elmer Barthen and Linene Graywind'll do the same, maybe others too.  Oh, that's right - and she looks over at Strix - except your shifter friend there pissed Linene off something proper this morning, or so I hear.  She laughs, and you get the sense she doesn't much care for Linene.  Still, she'll pay - they're killing her business as much as everyone else's.

"Vaz! Step lively man and take yer shot. I fear I'll be try to convince yer humpty horse to drag you off the premises.

So, love...have you given much tought te how ye might sway a group o brigands te yer side without having to kill half o them plus monsters and a wizard? We felt we simply HAD to reduce the numbers more in our favor...but mebbe ye heard o some way to get the Redbrands out o the way for a bit? Mebbe all here drinkin' a special free drink night whilst they monsters and leader were dealing with more serious business? I'd put money towards yer cause since it'd likely save my life."

Dario, you can't hear the conversation in the inn, but you do now see two figures exiting the ruined manor on top of the mound to the east, and begin to make their way down towards the town.  You can just see a hint of red suggesting they may be wearing red cloaks. 

Incantis, from your location you can't see them yet.

Does that mean there's a signal of approach from Dario?

Grista shrugs.  Kill Glasstaff.  No idea how.  That's for you to think up.  Or talk to Halia, maybe.  And you didn't hear that from me. 

She takes another long drink of ale.  They're going to notice that five of them are missing soon.  Can't say what their reaction will be.  There's not been much fighting back up to now.  

They jest need to have their minds elsewhere. We need to get a message out and get it out good. Then we'll be fine to go and do what we came to do...'Toughts are formin' in me brain as we speak...

Scupper turns to Grista...

I've jest had an idea that may get us all what we want...and yer gold would do well to reimburse our investment if it works. If not, you've made a good amount o gold, good friends wit our killers, and yer none the worse for it.

He then turns to the team...

Work with me mates. Whenever the next Redbrands arrive...Vaz yer with me...and be ready to spend yer gold and drink, easy part to play for ya...drunk as ever, but now yer a pirate recently wealthy from a good haul on te' Sea Witch. The rest o' ye...be ready to carouse...and look none too threatenin'. Best if they tink' they're the toughest here. Ye don't know Vaz and I, and we've done a decent job o' scarin' ya. So don't get too close te us. You'll need to disappear one by one sooner than later, until Vaz and I can extricate ourselves from the party. That's right...we're havin' a party.

We could jush sit above tha trap door and take em one by one. I'm ashuming theresh a trap door.

Varinth downs the Fireseed shot in one gulp. He burps a cute flame ball which dissipates quickly.

Constitution Save: 7

ARR ME HEARTY. FIDdlE Me WHISKERS!! A PIRATE I BE! atones Varinth, gleefully.

That's te' spirit ya wanker!

The rest o' yea hopefully can follow Appet's directions and scout ahead a bit. Me and Vaz'll get as many as we can proper pissed and join you.

He throws a couple more gold coins on the counter...Do me a favor love and spike the ale with this rotgut. Nothing noticeable but even if they don't drink nottin' but ale, I'd like to make sure they get more than they planned. I'll pay for what they drink and we'll try to convince the first comers to go get more o' them. Soon we'll be happily merrymakin' with the feared Redbrands.

Grista moves her hand towards the two gold and then hesitates. 

Scupper, make a Persuasion check.

Scupper takes out his coin purse and sets it on the bar (the coin clinkin inside)...no mistake...most of this is yours now...I jest want to make a show of it for whoever needs to see.

Persuasion 11

What we be tellin thar scurvey dogsh when they ask about thier mateys? Says Varinth, pushing his way past an impending belch.

So weez all be on thar shame page!

Vazs pirate accent is like a beholders eyebeams. Varied.

"Well I hope their thirst is greater than their curiosity. Either way... I'd suggest the less we play into those hands the better. Mebbe someone has a better answer but it shouldn't come from me lest it strain credulity."

Scupper, Grista looks at you for a long moment before withdrawing her hand, not taking the money.  I've no need of your coin, son.  I'll drop a bit extra in the Redbrands' drinks, that's easy to do.  I don't reckon your plan will work, mind you; they've killed or driven off every stranger who's come into town, and I don't know that you'll make friends with them anytime soon, not unless you're a real charmer.  

But so's we're clear at the outset:  I'll pay for your work, and make others pay up too.  I'll help you a bit if I can.  But I'll not die for it.  If things get nasty in here, I'm staying well out of the fight.  You can all cut each other up a treat, but someone's got to clear up the mess after.

That be a funny soundin bird and thatsh no lie! Perhaps the others should skoodidle and go find that birdie and make sure it not be tryin ta warn us a somfin. Varinth winks as though he was catching a fly with his eyelashes. In slow motion. And to make sure his persona is not slipping he adds Arrrr.

Scupper gets the signal...

Let's try not to worry, love. Getting drunk with very dangerous people is a bit of a hobby. No hope for me at'all if that is suddenly goin' awry.

When the next Redbrands enter...

Well hello lads! Lookit you in matching outfits and the like! Welcome! Me and me lad Vaz were just celebrating our good fortune. Came into a respectable sum...in less respectable ways if ye get me drift. We love a good merchant ship spilling to the gills with silk and silver. She gave us all she had before she sank to the briny deep.

Scupper addresses everyone in the room. Before these two town guard came in I was jest recounting the tale of our good fortune. Me n' Vaz there (pointing at the already drunk Vaz) recently left the Sea Witch and richer for it. We'll spend our coin afore returning to sea and the Witch always provides for those willing to work if ye heard o the ol girl. That means we're spreaden' the wealth and cheer now, maybe even recruiting a few new sailors if ya have the interest. We've secreted what we aim to keep so don't get any foolish ideas. If ya know the Witch, you know we ain't to be trifled with (intimidation 23 )...but we are here to spend what we aim to lose. So it's yer lucky day!

Scupper makes a show of dropping 25 gold pieces on the counter (slight of hand to make it appear or at least sound like more gold 6)

...And that jest be the start o the tale! I'd made a wager with my new host (waving at Grista) that this pissant town couldn't provide a decent party...rowdy and foul and true! So I said I was buying spirits for every soul that walked through these doors until the next two bells, and for those that make it...all their drinks for the rest o' the night...not the fancy stuff mind you...I'm not that rich. She seems to be confident so what do I know...I guess drinks are on me. Though with jest the two of ye, I 'tink I'll win me bet. Unless she knows you have friends worth drinkin free booze wit. If so? Go get 'em! Who am I te care! You're not likely to able to drink every bottle she has! She's promised on me credit to keep the drinks flowing whether I stay standin' or pass out on the town green.

Turning to the others in the tavern, and you lot are still invited though I can't say yer my usual crowd. Vaz and I are here to celebrate!

Scupper raises a shot of rotgut.

But here's to ya! May yer crewmates respect you, and trouble neglect you. I'll not be the one to rob you...but I can't say I'll protect you! Haha!

Reroll on slight of hand for halfling luck 18. Hopefully they've heard of the Sea Witch for help with Intimidation.