”Yalked surely knows we’re coming for him. The longer we wait the further he could be getting from us. For once I wish I knew a wizard that could tell me where he was.”
”Send a message to Chaab. Tell him we want to meet. If he comes, it’s more likely that he didn’t have anything to do with this. If he doesn’t come then it helps confirm our suspicions. I’ll be nice until any lies are detected. Last time we talked he was truthful as far as I could tell.”
”If that fails we can set the trap. I guess we’d just have to go about our business as usual but at night keep our guard up. We just won’t get a nice comfy good nights rest for the foreseeable future.”
"If it comes down to setting a trap, I may have an idea on how to possibly control the information flow so we could dictate roughly when and where to set it," Neya says. "Moneus, your information network brings gossip to you, yes? Then it should work the other way around?"
The group continues to discuss their plan and zero in on pursuing the Zhentarim, and Chaab, more specifically. They converge on a casting of the sending spell, but Utar's question about how to set up a trap and goad the drow into it still hangs in the air.
When Graxx audibly wishes he knew a wizard, he earns a long stare from Litta. She tells him calmly: "We may not have an arcane caster among us, but we have plenty of those favored by the divine. Sending is but one of our options. I can propose a few alternatives that would leave a few wizards' mouths agape. I can offer you an augury, for instance, or perhaps you know of an item this individual carries so I can try to locate it?" Litta does not act cocky when saying this, but she is confident about her skills.
Moneus builds on that point: "And I'm sure Utar could do that as well, and by the looks of it, he could even request more powerful magical favors from Torm." He looks at Litta apologetically: "No offense, Litta." The white dragonborn lady shakes her head from side to side and smiles warmly. Moneus continues: "If not, we could also go to the Temple of the Hand and donate some coins to finance a divination ritual."
Not wanting to be left behind, Aleyd adds: "All of these can help us find the man. Between his fear of Graxx and my ability to demand the truth, we should be set on the interrogation."
Neya adds another alternative to the table. Moneus responds: "Yes, the Welcomers are well versed in spreading rumors."
"I think we should maybe try must those spells. Any extra information would be welcome right now. The question playing on my mind is how strong are the Zhentarim in Phlan right now? We don't want to set a trap, only to have the tables turned at the last moment."
"Yes! The locate object sounds like a solid plan! We could try it in different places around the city and see if we can get a hit! If we could find Utar's stolen weapon then it would surely get us close to those responsible. Should we start in the residential area?"
Moneus comments in response to Utar: "There is no doubt that the Zhentarim are a powerful faction. All we know is that they are not as powerful within Phlan as they used to be. That said, I'd venture we don't have to defeat the whole organization... only those agents that have it out for us. Hopefully, that is a manageable number. If the whole organization was after us, I doubt we'd be alive right now."
Litta follows up after Graxx's words: "I am at your disposal then. I saw Utar's weapon last time we met. Where should we perform the casting? Here in the docks? In the residential district? Around Podol Plaza? Close to the nobles' estates? Near the Temple of the Hand? There are many possibilities."
Nodding along with the planning going on round the table, Utar is glad to be surrounded by friends willing to put themselves in harm's way and call in any number of divine favours.
"I'd say the docks might be a good place to start. Are there any known Zhentarim bases in town? Those might be good to follow up on too, if Yalek has gone to ground, I'd assume that's where he'd go.... Oh! He had a tattoo of a spider. I think it was magical in nature, maybe. That doesn't really help does it?"
”Yes the docks. We should go immediately. Yalek May be trying to escape. If Yaleks not there then we should try the residential area. We will slowly tighten the net.”
"We will need to be careful how we do this, though. While we search, they may be watching as well," Neya warns. "If the Zhentarim are well-versed in information-gathering, they are also likely proficient in thwarting the same."
"If we're gonna be working roughly around the dock areas, I hope you don't mind a pitstop then. Got a bit of unfinished business to see to with a local shop." Doozey chimed in briefly. "Other than that, me and Biscuit are good to go. Ain't that right, Brother?" Biscuit "boofs" in approval, before then briefly leaping up to stand on his hindlegs just to start licking the Doozey's face clean of scraps.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
(@MB: Yalek had the tattoo of a crescent moon with a humanoid skull at its center. Through a religion check, Utar had previously recognized it as the symbol of Shargaas, the orcish deity of darkness, night, and obfuscation. He knows that this god is favored by orcs and half-orcs who engage in stealthy and thieving activities, or those with an inclination toward necromancy. We can say this information comes to Utar again now, as a passive religion check.)
Aleyd responds to Utar's question after finishing her last spoonful of porridge: "The Zhentarim are not upfront about their doings, plans, hideouts, or membership. They are the definition of a shadow organization. The fact that you have already met two members who did not see it fit to hide their identities is quite surprising already."
Litta listens to the group narrow their initial search area and states: "Well, this tavern right here is in the docks area, so I can perform the spell right now."
Moneus interrupts and shows his expertise in information gathering and espionage: "Perhaps we need a quieter room than the tavern floor. Your are staying here, right? We should go upstairs to one of your rooms. Doozey here can go take care of his errand while we finish our meals and slowly and unsuspiciously go upstairs. Not all of us, of course. Most of us should stay down here as to not hint urgency to any unwanted observer. Doozey's stroll may also force prying eyes to follow him, instead of keeping tabs on us."
Impressed, Aleyd touches her borrowed half of the Sending Stones and says: "Maybe the hound and his master should take one of these stones. Call us if anyone follows you." She then remembers: "Oh wait, we would need to recharge these stones before that, right... How about that bird you sent my way once?"
Moneus looks around the table, meeting everyone's eyes in turn: "Do we have a plan?"
"I have no idea what bird you're talking about -- but, with Biscuit here, I can handle the trip alone well enough. At least during the day, anyways." He says in-between pushing the maybe fey touched mastiff off him. Once he had, he gives Utar a pointed look, having not forgotten or wholly forgiven the cleric from before. "Anyhow! I have one of the stone, so it should be alright. And as soon as I'm done, unless you lot find something and direct me elsewhere, I'll be back here in a few. Don't quite have enough for what I need, but perhaps I can work out something get the rest of the way."
Doozey clicks his tongue, prompting Biscuit to get bow down so he could climb aboard. "So, if that will be all, I'll be on my way then."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Utar gives Doozey a similarly withering look and slides the other sending stone towards him across the table.
"Just take the stone. Call us if you're getting followed yourself or if things turn nasty. Remember what happened last time out, I'd rather it not happen again. Both of you are to come back safe."
Pausing to let Doozey head off, Utar turns to the rest of the table,
"I think we have the makings of a strong plan. We've still some details to work out, but we can get those together. We have time. Till then, who is sneaking upstairs? Aleyd, I can't help but feel you might have other pressing civic duties? Your welcome to stay but don't let us keep you if need to be elsewhere."
"I will return upstairs. It won't be too odd as I have prepaid for a number of days." Neya says as she knock twice on the table. "Utar's room is next to mine, and Graxx's is the room after that. Do with that information as you will. But, let's be prepared for what's next."
Aleyd looks suspiciously at Doozey: "The bird you sent to my office with a message. The brown raven who then reverted to a stone figurine, which you then politely requested me to hand back to you. Have you forgotten all of this or are you playing coy again?"Before Doozey can respond, Utar pushes one of the sending stones toward the halfling. Doozey clarifies that the stones have already been recharged, and that he carries the other one anyhow. Aleyd shrugs and says: "Well, like I said, having a direct line of contact to your group is quite the perk. I can hold on to the unclaimed stone if you'd allow me, Utar." Doozey and Biscuit then begin to leave to run their errand. Graxx tells them to wait and insists on accompanying them. The trio leaves without further delay.
Neya then volunteers to accompany Litta upstairs, as to minimize raised suspicions. Litta suggests: "Maybe we should just go to your room then." Moneus looks at the monk as she rises and says: "While you are up there, think on what rumor you want me to scatter about. Make it believable." With that, the two ladies start making their way upstairs.
Aleyd, Moneus and Utar remain at the table. Fat Mar passes by and asks if they want anything else. If not, he prods: "Each porridge bowl and a breakfast drink will cost you a golden coin, so that's 7gp for the whole table." Aleyd begins to reach for her belt pouch. Moneus doesn't.
(@Ori: Are you simply passing by the pawn shop to buy the circlet with some financing help from @Grx? If so, we don't need to RP that purchase. That said, if you'd like to add anything to that interaction, we can certainly do that.)
(@Drache: Is there anything you'd like to do before Litta gets settled to cast Locate Object? You'll be the only one in the room with her, so feel free to give her additional directions.)
Nodding his agreement to Aleyd's suggestion that she take a stone, Utar slides the other stone across the table towards her. Bidding Doozey and Graxx a safe return, he gives Biscuit a little ear scritch.
Watching Aleyd reach for her purse, he mirrors the move, reaching for his own. "Halfsies?"
(@Ori: Are you simply passing by the pawn shop to buy the circlet with some financing help from @Grx? If so, we don't need to RP that purchase. That said, if you'd like to add anything to that interaction, we can certainly do that.)
(@Lerus: Apart from briefly asking about if she had anything to ward someone from divination magic, and half-jokingly if she knew anyone that did home repairs... I got nothing really for a lengthy interaction. That said, deducting the Platinum now(500pp) and adding the item, and I trust @Grx will do the same for the remaining (200pp))
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
When Neya and Litta arrive in her room, she starts, "You can set up anywhere you'd like. I know you said you've seen Utar's mace, but would you like further details, regardless? I haven't handled it myself, but I have seen its use, extensively."
Graxx grunts...
”Yalked surely knows we’re coming for him. The longer we wait the further he could be getting from us. For once I wish I knew a wizard that could tell me where he was.”
”Send a message to Chaab. Tell him we want to meet. If he comes, it’s more likely that he didn’t have anything to do with this. If he doesn’t come then it helps confirm our suspicions. I’ll be nice until any lies are detected. Last time we talked he was truthful as far as I could tell.”
”If that fails we can set the trap. I guess we’d just have to go about our business as usual but at night keep our guard up. We just won’t get a nice comfy good nights rest for the foreseeable future.”
"If it comes down to setting a trap, I may have an idea on how to possibly control the information flow so we could dictate roughly when and where to set it," Neya says. "Moneus, your information network brings gossip to you, yes? Then it should work the other way around?"
Extended Signature
The group continues to discuss their plan and zero in on pursuing the Zhentarim, and Chaab, more specifically. They converge on a casting of the sending spell, but Utar's question about how to set up a trap and goad the drow into it still hangs in the air.
When Graxx audibly wishes he knew a wizard, he earns a long stare from Litta. She tells him calmly: "We may not have an arcane caster among us, but we have plenty of those favored by the divine. Sending is but one of our options. I can propose a few alternatives that would leave a few wizards' mouths agape. I can offer you an augury, for instance, or perhaps you know of an item this individual carries so I can try to locate it?" Litta does not act cocky when saying this, but she is confident about her skills.
Moneus builds on that point: "And I'm sure Utar could do that as well, and by the looks of it, he could even request more powerful magical favors from Torm." He looks at Litta apologetically: "No offense, Litta." The white dragonborn lady shakes her head from side to side and smiles warmly. Moneus continues: "If not, we could also go to the Temple of the Hand and donate some coins to finance a divination ritual."
Not wanting to be left behind, Aleyd adds: "All of these can help us find the man. Between his fear of Graxx and my ability to demand the truth, we should be set on the interrogation."
Neya adds another alternative to the table. Moneus responds: "Yes, the Welcomers are well versed in spreading rumors."
"I think we should maybe try must those spells. Any extra information would be welcome right now. The question playing on my mind is how strong are the Zhentarim in Phlan right now? We don't want to set a trap, only to have the tables turned at the last moment."
Graxx nods his head.
"Yes! The locate object sounds like a solid plan! We could try it in different places around the city and see if we can get a hit! If we could find Utar's stolen weapon then it would surely get us close to those responsible. Should we start in the residential area?"
Moneus comments in response to Utar: "There is no doubt that the Zhentarim are a powerful faction. All we know is that they are not as powerful within Phlan as they used to be. That said, I'd venture we don't have to defeat the whole organization... only those agents that have it out for us. Hopefully, that is a manageable number. If the whole organization was after us, I doubt we'd be alive right now."
Litta follows up after Graxx's words: "I am at your disposal then. I saw Utar's weapon last time we met. Where should we perform the casting? Here in the docks? In the residential district? Around Podol Plaza? Close to the nobles' estates? Near the Temple of the Hand? There are many possibilities."
Nodding along with the planning going on round the table, Utar is glad to be surrounded by friends willing to put themselves in harm's way and call in any number of divine favours.
"I'd say the docks might be a good place to start. Are there any known Zhentarim bases in town? Those might be good to follow up on too, if Yalek has gone to ground, I'd assume that's where he'd go.... Oh! He had a tattoo of a spider. I think it was magical in nature, maybe. That doesn't really help does it?"
Graxx nods.
”Yes the docks. We should go immediately. Yalek May be trying to escape. If Yaleks not there then we should try the residential area. We will slowly tighten the net.”
Graxx stands ready to go.
"We will need to be careful how we do this, though. While we search, they may be watching as well," Neya warns. "If the Zhentarim are well-versed in information-gathering, they are also likely proficient in thwarting the same."
Extended Signature
"If we're gonna be working roughly around the dock areas, I hope you don't mind a pitstop then. Got a bit of unfinished business to see to with a local shop." Doozey chimed in briefly. "Other than that, me and Biscuit are good to go. Ain't that right, Brother?" Biscuit "boofs" in approval, before then briefly leaping up to stand on his hindlegs just to start licking the Doozey's face clean of scraps.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
(@MB: Yalek had the tattoo of a crescent moon with a humanoid skull at its center. Through a religion check, Utar had previously recognized it as the symbol of Shargaas, the orcish deity of darkness, night, and obfuscation. He knows that this god is favored by orcs and half-orcs who engage in stealthy and thieving activities, or those with an inclination toward necromancy. We can say this information comes to Utar again now, as a passive religion check.)
Aleyd responds to Utar's question after finishing her last spoonful of porridge: "The Zhentarim are not upfront about their doings, plans, hideouts, or membership. They are the definition of a shadow organization. The fact that you have already met two members who did not see it fit to hide their identities is quite surprising already."
Litta listens to the group narrow their initial search area and states: "Well, this tavern right here is in the docks area, so I can perform the spell right now."
Moneus interrupts and shows his expertise in information gathering and espionage: "Perhaps we need a quieter room than the tavern floor. Your are staying here, right? We should go upstairs to one of your rooms. Doozey here can go take care of his errand while we finish our meals and slowly and unsuspiciously go upstairs. Not all of us, of course. Most of us should stay down here as to not hint urgency to any unwanted observer. Doozey's stroll may also force prying eyes to follow him, instead of keeping tabs on us."
Impressed, Aleyd touches her borrowed half of the Sending Stones and says: "Maybe the hound and his master should take one of these stones. Call us if anyone follows you." She then remembers: "Oh wait, we would need to recharge these stones before that, right... How about that bird you sent my way once?"
Moneus looks around the table, meeting everyone's eyes in turn: "Do we have a plan?"
"I have no idea what bird you're talking about -- but, with Biscuit here, I can handle the trip alone well enough. At least during the day, anyways." He says in-between pushing the maybe fey touched mastiff off him. Once he had, he gives Utar a pointed look, having not forgotten or wholly forgiven the cleric from before. "Anyhow! I have one of the stone, so it should be alright. And as soon as I'm done, unless you lot find something and direct me elsewhere, I'll be back here in a few. Don't quite have enough for what I need, but perhaps I can work out something get the rest of the way."
Doozey clicks his tongue, prompting Biscuit to get bow down so he could climb aboard. "So, if that will be all, I'll be on my way then."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Utar gives Doozey a similarly withering look and slides the other sending stone towards him across the table.
"Just take the stone. Call us if you're getting followed yourself or if things turn nasty. Remember what happened last time out, I'd rather it not happen again. Both of you are to come back safe."
Pausing to let Doozey head off, Utar turns to the rest of the table,
"I think we have the makings of a strong plan. We've still some details to work out, but we can get those together. We have time. Till then, who is sneaking upstairs? Aleyd, I can't help but feel you might have other pressing civic duties? Your welcome to stay but don't let us keep you if need to be elsewhere."
“Wait!” Graxx calls to Doozey as he jogs over.
”Nows not the time for anyone to be alone. I’ll be going with you.”
Graxx turns back to the others.
”If you get a hit. Wait till we get back to move on it.”
Graxx nods.
”Soon.”
"I will return upstairs. It won't be too odd as I have prepaid for a number of days." Neya says as she knock twice on the table. "Utar's room is next to mine, and Graxx's is the room after that. Do with that information as you will. But, let's be prepared for what's next."
Extended Signature
Aleyd looks suspiciously at Doozey: "The bird you sent to my office with a message. The brown raven who then reverted to a stone figurine, which you then politely requested me to hand back to you. Have you forgotten all of this or are you playing coy again?" Before Doozey can respond, Utar pushes one of the sending stones toward the halfling. Doozey clarifies that the stones have already been recharged, and that he carries the other one anyhow. Aleyd shrugs and says: "Well, like I said, having a direct line of contact to your group is quite the perk. I can hold on to the unclaimed stone if you'd allow me, Utar." Doozey and Biscuit then begin to leave to run their errand. Graxx tells them to wait and insists on accompanying them. The trio leaves without further delay.
Neya then volunteers to accompany Litta upstairs, as to minimize raised suspicions. Litta suggests: "Maybe we should just go to your room then." Moneus looks at the monk as she rises and says: "While you are up there, think on what rumor you want me to scatter about. Make it believable." With that, the two ladies start making their way upstairs.
Aleyd, Moneus and Utar remain at the table. Fat Mar passes by and asks if they want anything else. If not, he prods: "Each porridge bowl and a breakfast drink will cost you a golden coin, so that's 7gp for the whole table." Aleyd begins to reach for her belt pouch. Moneus doesn't.
(@Ori: Are you simply passing by the pawn shop to buy the circlet with some financing help from @Grx? If so, we don't need to RP that purchase. That said, if you'd like to add anything to that interaction, we can certainly do that.)
(@Drache: Is there anything you'd like to do before Litta gets settled to cast Locate Object? You'll be the only one in the room with her, so feel free to give her additional directions.)
Nodding his agreement to Aleyd's suggestion that she take a stone, Utar slides the other stone across the table towards her. Bidding Doozey and Graxx a safe return, he gives Biscuit a little ear scritch.
Watching Aleyd reach for her purse, he mirrors the move, reaching for his own. "Halfsies?"
(@Lerus: Apart from briefly asking about if she had anything to ward someone from divination magic, and half-jokingly if she knew anyone that did home repairs... I got nothing really for a lengthy interaction. That said, deducting the Platinum now(500pp) and adding the item, and I trust @Grx will do the same for the remaining (200pp))
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
OOC: Confirmed 200 PP deducted.
When Neya and Litta arrive in her room, she starts, "You can set up anywhere you'd like. I know you said you've seen Utar's mace, but would you like further details, regardless? I haven't handled it myself, but I have seen its use, extensively."
Extended Signature