Waterdeep Dragon Heist - Campaign Thread (DM: Webgambit)

Phaedra huff, storms over and grabs the dress of Vassa.

"Fine I'm in but you can stop with the hip wriggling right now. By Mystra's light why didn't I foresee that you playing at a bar would turn into some over the top play about a philanderer. And I would get to play one of the women. I bet this dress is even my size, isn't it. I hate you Vassa, I really do but I will do this for the group."

Vassa's grin wavers momentarily at the vehemence of Phae's response, but as the cleric snatches the dress away she does indeed notice it's her size, though perhaps a little incomplete and on the tight side. Relinquishing his hold on the garment, the bard's mischevious demeanor dissapears momentarily as he nods, looks the priestess square in the eyes and leans close to whisper without apparent humour or irreverence for once, "For the group... and all those who've fallen to this bastard, people whose names we'll never know."

The brief sombre moment vanishes as suddenly as it arose, with the once again grinning bard stepping back to clap loudly as he shouts to the whole room, "Excellent! Looks like casting's over, people. We can discuss details along the way, but let's get a move on - we have a SHOW to deliver and a neerdowell to deliver comeuppance to!"

Elon walks in just as everyone is getting ready to leave, "hey, whats going on? We have a plan for tonight? As they are getting ready, he lets them know what he has found out:

Soluun is a sadistic, fanatical bully who has a burning hatred of surface elves and half-elves, having been taught from a young age to kill them as opportunity permits. 

His younger brother, Nar’l, has infiltrated the Xanathar Guild. Soluun considers Nar’l a weakling who turned to arcane magic by way of compensation, and he has never had much faith in his brother or his abilities.

The captain is an Illuskan human named Zardoz Zord. “Captain Zord” is the master of the Sea Maidens Faire, a carnival that travels up and down the Sword Coast

The other two drow are named Fel’rekt Lafeen and Krebbyg Masq’il’yr. Neither are fond of the surface races but nor do they treat them with the contempt of Soluun. These three appear to be body guards for Captain Zord.

No one you spoke with had knowledge of any warrants for Soluun, and everyone was very cautious when talking about him or the others.

"I also found out...."

The Sea Maidens Faire is not the name of the ship your group visited. It's the name of the carnival, which travels in three ships: the Eyecatcher, the Heartbreaker, and the Hellraiser. The ship that your group thought was named Sea Maidens Faire is actually named the Eyecatcher and is Captain Zord's personal ship. The other two vessels, which carry members of the carnival and their parade wagons, are moored in the bay rather than at a dock.

The captain has been meeting with the nobility and other important people trying convince them to make the city of Luskan a member of the Lords’ Alliance. Thus far, it's not going well.

Selinae nodded, " That lines up with what I know. Though the news about the younger brother is new.  And its good to have the names of everyone."

"Wow, how did you find all this out?  So who's the elf hating murderer? Soluun?  And the captain is on it, or not?"

"I don't think the captain is in on it. He wouldn't risk his business like that. As for how I got the info, let's just say I have my connections."

"I see.  Well, nice job. We've also come up with another plan.  Phaedra wants to sacrifice this old cat I found and use him as bait to lure in Gazers for us to hunt."

"So, keep your eyes open, we're going to see some real action any time now, I'm sure."

 Phaedra screams across the bar at Kestrell.

"Under no circumstances Kestrell will we be using that poor cat to catch Gazers. No No no. I said no. I'll let it go. Just stop it!"

Quote from IAmButADream >>

 Phaedra screams across the bar at Kestrell.

"Under no circumstances Kestrell will we be using that poor cat to catch Gazers. No No no. I said no. I'll let it go. Just stop it!"

 Selinae looked across at Phaedra then at Kestrell, " Should I hold Kestrell upside down by their ankles until they promise not to?"

"Alright, alright, ladies.  No need to hang anyone by anything!  Elsa is going to be just fine.  Matter of fact, I'll go check for Gazers now.  Call me when we are ready to go, or if we need to rehearse or something."

Kestrell heads back downstairs, and looks to see if any Gazers have arrived in the basement.  If there aren't any, he will run a whetstone across his blades and tend to his bow while humming a tune for Elsa.

OOC:
Perception: 13
Animal Handling: 7

Vassa sits there listening to Elon's Intel, truly impressed by the breadth of knowledge he has gained on this Soluun. "Kes is right, Elon, great work! Forewarned is forearmed, as my old nan used to say. Still, it shouldn't change our plans, and probably makes it less likely that we'll have to deal with blow-back once we take this scum down. Hard to imagine that his boss and other allies will seek retribution if there's any kind of risk to their diplomatic efforts."

Watching Kes and Phae's shouting match only makes the bard's grin widen further, though all the cheerful half-drow says with a wink is, "Catscrap? Fantastic!"

Vassa goes downstairs in what he considers the unlikely eventuality that gazers come for Elsa... just in case. Afterall, they can't have the Trollskull's new mascot slain by Xanastafarian minnions! If nothing eventuates, he'll lead the party to The Sailors Own, talking everyone through the simple script and choreography as they head over.

"No need Selinae, the fool knows not to cross me. Don't annoy the healer before a fight..."

After giving Kestrill another glare, Phaedra would head off upstairs to her room and get changed. She takes a good half an hour and she makes sure she finds a cloak before she comes back down.

"I am ready to go then everyone else is." She holds up a hand and gives Vassa a disapproving look. "I know you planned this and you're having a good laugh. I don't want to hear anything from you unless it involves our plan."

The walk to The Sailor's Own is uneventful. Silver remained unusually quiet during the walk but upon arriving at the bar he lets the party know that he's going to find a place outside to stand watch and promptly disappears down a nearby alley.

Silver Stealth check: 25

Kestrell looks for more cats on their way to The Sailor's Own: Perception: 18

Stepping into the tavern with a flourish of his cloak amidst a shower of sparks, Vassa proceeds to strut confidently over to the grizzled barkeep, nodding a friendly greeting as he says warmly, "No, no... it's quite alright, my good man. No need to worry, for I have arrived to once again dazzle your customers with another Sunstar original. And what's more, this time my friends, who have been practising like you wouldn't believe, are going to add to the show with their own array of nuanced skills and talents! We've got a truly magnificent piece of art to share with your audience tonight, so please pass the word around, for tonight... The Theatre comes to the Sailor's Own!!!

Err. and we'll take our usual refreshments and table, if you would be so kind."

[OOC] Vassa recalls that Soluun knows where they live and a few of their names were mentioned during their last meeting, if the murderous drow didn't already have them. Therefore, he's going to act even MORE conspicuous than usual, dropping his and his companions names constantly, as well as the subject of their play - a lust-filled drow fighter obsessed with ladies of other races. The bard's doing everything he can to try and get word spread about their performance. He'll also suggest eating and drinking for an hour or so before the perfomance, to give time for word to spread and their quarry to hopefully come.

"You don't have to tell me twice, when it comes to eating and drinking!"  Kestrell orders a whiskey, and a plate of snausages and cheese.

Quote from KestrellKestrell >>

Kestrell looks for more cats on their way to The Sailor's Own: Perception: 8

Sorry, no luck finding one.

Quote from vassasunstar >>

Stepping into the tavern with a flourish of his cloak amidst a shower of sparks, Vassa proceeds to strut confidently over to the grizzled barkeep, nodding a friendly greeting as he says warmly, "No, no... it's quite alright, my good man. No need to worry, for I have arrived to once again dazzle your customers with another Sunstar original. And what's more, this time my friends, who have been practising like you wouldn't believe, are going to add to the show with their own array of nuanced skills and talents! We've got a truly magnificent piece of art to share with your audience tonight, so please pass the word around, for tonight... The Theatre comes to the Sailor's Own!!!

Err. and we'll take our usual refreshments and table, if you would be so kind."

The proprietor is visibly nervous. His bar is a seedy joint in the Dock Ward, not some fancy playhouse up in the Sea Ward. But Vassa's done him right so far, so while he does hesitate initially he eventually nods his head. "Aye, food and drink is a coming. If this performance doesn't please my other patrons tomorrow you go back to normal routine, yes?"

Quote from WebGambit >>

The proprietor is visibly nervous. His bar is a seedy joint in the Dock Ward, not some fancy playhouse up in the Sea Ward. But Vassa's done him right so far, so while he does hesitate initially he eventually nods his head. "Aye, food and drink is a coming. If this performance doesn't please my other patrons tomorrow you go back to normal routine, yes?"

 
Understanding the proprietor's trepidation perfectly, the high-spirited bard laughs in a comradely fashion and claps the hesitant man on the shoulder, saying, "Agreed, but don't worry. This will be the kind of theatre your plebeian clientele can readily appreciate, I promise!"

With that, Vassa sits down at their table, but throws his hand out to send a line of multi-coloured lights dancing amongst the rafters. As Vassa doesn't plan to drink much tonight himself, once their refreshments arrive, he will summon Airus and send his portion of the drinks floating amidst the taproom's other tables, strumming his lute as he calls out jovially, "Drink up, friends, and spread the word. Tonight you're all in for a wondrous treat, courtesy of Vassa Sunstar and the Tremendous Trollskull Troupe!

Dropping his over-the-top antics for a moment, the bard leans towards his companions and whispers, "Since Silver's taken up watch outside and myself, Phae, Sel and Bason had best keep preparing for the play, that leaves you Kes and Elon to handle security and look out inside the tavern. Since my last trap plan failed completely, I'm leaving the specifics of the actual apprehending Soluun to all of you, assuming that he shows up this time that is. Me, I'll just focus on putting on a show."

'Er, I was just wondering, Mr.Vassa ... what is my motivation for this role?’

" Should I be running lines with someone?"

Selinae was very, very nervous.  Put her on deck in the middle of a gale and she was fine......this was....nerve-wracking....

She wondered if she'd done enough to stop this Soluun, her earlier actions should at least make his life more difficult.....also he probably thought she was dead...so that would be a surprise for him.