NEYA'S ROOM

Litta nods at Neya and agrees: "Yes, please refresh my memory. I have only seen the weapon once." The monk describes it as best as she can and Litta follows up: "Thank you, this will only take a a few seconds." The dragonborn reaches into one of her pouches and pulls out a small, forked twig. Neya realizes that she means to use the twig to cast the spell. Neya sees no holy symbols like Utar's on Litta.

Litta prays a short prayer, holds the twig between her thumbs and forefingers, and allows the object to point toward the window in an attempt to pinpoint Lightbringer's location. A few seconds later, she faces Neya again and shakes her head: "It is not here in the docks. Should we go back downstairs?" 

PAWN SHOP

Doozey and Graxx greet the green dragonborn behind the counter and waste no time talking business. Once she realizes the pair is suddenly ready to buy the Headband of Intellect outright instead of making another partial deposit, her reptilian face lights up and her eyes reflect the bluish metallic hue of the platinum coins. Once the transaction is completed, her mood improves considerably.

When asked about anti-divination tools she informs the duo that she does not have such items in stock at the moment but encourages Doozey to visit often as her inventory changes with some regularity. Regarding home repairs, she tells Doozey and Graxx to reach out to the Labor Guilds in general or to a dwarf named Vondor Thond, the leaders of the carpenters, more specifically. His shop is in the eastern edge of town. 

TAVERN FLOOR 

Aleyd gladly accepts the offered sending stone, knowing very well that her insistence was not very subtle. She then smiles at Utar's proposal to split the bill and hands over a platinum coin to Fat Mar. "This should cover our breakfast and three of your rooms for the night." After the server leaves, she clarifies: "If we are about to act, our group should remain hurdled. I'll sleep here tonight, as will Moneus and Litta." The tiefling laughs and adds: "We are getting the band back together!"

Several minutes pass where the Utar, Moneus, and Aleyd engage in casual conversation, small talk, and some reminiscing. She acknowledges Utar's concern for her other Black Fist responsibilities but insist that she won't be able to get to them if she was murdered. Litta and Neya join in at some point, sadly reporting on their failure. Litta comments: "I can only cast this spell a few times a day. We should be careful where to go for the next casting."

Eventually, Doozey, Biscuit, and Graxx come back into the tavern. The stoutling may or may not be sporting some new bling. 

Graxx is disappointed at hearing the spell didn't find anything.

"Well... I guess that would have been too easy.  I just hope it's still here in town."

Graxx looks out a window.

"I suppose the residential area would make the most sense next.  Then if the magic drains you we should call it a day and save your resources in case we have unexpected visitors."

"I can cast those spells too; we aren't limited to Litta's reserves of energy, I can take some of the strain. We might also want to open lines of communication with Chaab or with Yalek."

Utar rubs his hand across his chin, thinking on whether he might have another trucyk up his sleeve.

"We could even start trying to narrow down where Chaab and Yalek might be hiding in the city..."

(OOC Can I check that locate creature would work on Chaab or Yalek? It's got a bigger range and would work if Lightbringer had been left somewhere.)

The halfling held off on wearing the new purchase during the return. The temptation just did not outweigh the practicality of avoiding painting too big a target on his head. But once there was time to attune, then things would be different.

"If it's gonna be either or, then it best be Chaab. Which your magic is again most suited for. And if all else fails, there's always the temple's magic for more extreme measures some of you eluded to before, I think?" He looks about at the others for confirmation. Biscuit then boofs(big dog bark), grabbing the stoutling's attention for just a moment. "Ah right. There is that, yes.. Uh... I did some asking earlier, and I may know a dwarf that could help fix up our future base of operations. Alternatively, we could speak to the Laborer's guild."

 "Considering we have no clue where Yalek and Chaab may be hiding, any place is as good of a guess. Where, precisely should we have the spell cast, and how will we get there?" Neya asks. "Our immediate company is quite large and would be easy to track. Should we divide into smaller groups? Either choice has its pros and cons: safety in numbers traded, but likely risk alerting them to our actions, or be smaller and mobile, but be more vulnerable."

(OOC: I had to check online a few extra details on how these locate spells works, so some of this is based on that.)

Reunited at the tavern floor, the group of seven humanoids and a mastiff discusses their next steps. When Graxx laments that their first attempt bore no fruit, Litta throws him a lifeline: "I am able to keep the spell going for a few more minutes, so our initial attempt is not quite over yet. If we move fast, we'll be able to cover more ground before having to agree on a second casting."

The others nod in appreciation of Utar's additional magical options, and Moneus confirms Doozey's callback: "Yes, I know they are able to perform a type of divination ritual, but it would cost us a pretty penny."

Neya proposes that the group should consider splitting up. Aleyd agrees that the idea has merit, specially if they can communicate easily with the magical stones. She adds a caveat: "But that benefit would only extend to a maximum of two separate groups."

The teams begins to gather their things and prepare to leave, but a few final decisions still need to be made. Doozey uses he lull in the conversation to mention that he has acquired some contractor prospects. 

(OOC: So, one group, or two, or more? If more than one group, who is in which team? If one group is going to the residential district, where is/are the other one/ones going?) 

(OOC: Alright, going off the discussion in the OOC chat.)

The group agrees to Neya's proposition and develop a quick plan for their search party. Utar, Graxx, and Aleyd will try to magically locate Chaab, starting their search right here in the docks. Meanwhile, Neya, Doozey, Moneus and Litta will try to maximize the use of the dragonborn's ongoing spell to try and pinpoint the stolen mace. They will make their way to the residential district of Phlan, in the east side of town.

The first group follows Graxx to his room in the second floor (although it is probably past his check-out time!) After some encouragement from Aleyd, Utar focuses on his pauldron and casts the spell. He hangs on to it for several minutes, hoping for a mental ping within the pure darkness he can see in his mind at the moment. Although the spell is still going, Utar soon realizes that he is getting no hits from his stationary position. With a sad look on his face, he reveals that Chaab does not seem to be in the docks. 

Focused on their own task, the other group exits the tavern and begins to follow Podol Street out of the docks. They make a turn northward-ish to cross the East Bridge, entering the part of town that is reserved for the residences of the powerful, also known as the Nobles' Quarter (that's the "L-shaped" walled-in area right in the middle of the map, where the caved-in Lyceum is also located.) They then begin to walk eastbound, intent on exiting the city wall and entering the residential district. Before they are able to, Biscuit woofs to get Doozey's attention. The stoutling looks back and notices that Litta is several yards behind the group, standing still on the middle of the street and holding her hands in front of her torso. Neya begins to pace toward the dragonborn and stops when she suddenly reopens her eyes: "I have it. I located the mace. It is here in the Noble's Quarter." She points in the direction of a large estate that would have been adjacent to the river were it not for the city wall. Moneus looks at it and, as any Welcomer would know, identifies the location: "That's House Brokengulf's Estate." 

Utar suggests they continue their search for Chaab, heading towards Podol Plaza or the residential streets of the town.

(OOC have spent the required spell slot.)

Doozey's eyes narrows upon the estate. "I was afraid you were going to say that. Dared even to hope fer a bit there, but... this is pretty damning, as they say." He admits, and then holds up the stone to Neya. "Here ya go. Assuming it hasn't been used yet, you should call it in before we doing anything else. I'd do it myself, but think I might've ruffled some feathers with the good captain last time." He admits, grinning faintly towards the end. Biscuit gives exaggerated nods in agreement. Once the stone is passed off he'd look to the others and say, "Question is where do we go from here?"

Graxx nods to Utar.

"Yes, if Chaab isn't at the docks then he would most likely be in the residential area... Unless they have fled town.  Let's go to the Plaza while the spell is still active.  Maybe Chaab will be watching us from the shadows."

 Neya accepts the stone and considers what to say, briefly.

Ash she thinks, she replies to Doozey, " We know where the mace is, now, and I don't think it's going anywhere; I suspect it is a trophy. It being there is the clearest connection between House Brokengulf and the Zhentarim. But that still doesn't say who is behind these incidents. The only thing I can think of right now is that we need to be in the same room as Senitir. Captain Burral's interrogation technique is also necessary."

She activates the stone and says into it:

Knowing he still has several dozen minutes remaining on his spell, Utar calmly tells Aleyd and Graxx that they should do something similar to what Litta is doing. They agree to sweep the town while the spell is still active and leave the tavern at the docks after short preparations. Like the first group, they take Podol Street out of the wharf area. Instead of turning onto the East Bridge, Graxx leads the team toward Podol Plaza first. Alyed keeps checking with Utar as they walk, but the cleric fails to notice any magical pings in his consciousness.  

Meanwhile, Moneus approaches Litta and lends her some literal support. The realization that the plan worked so well came as a bit of a shock to the old dragonborn lady. Doozey, however, wastes no time. He hands his half of the sending stones to Neya and mentions that the monk should do the talking this time. She does some on-the-spot planning and relays a message to Aleyd.

The captain is taken slightly aback by her cellphone buzzing magical stone demanding her attention. She receives the message and replies:

Aleyd informs Graxx and Utar of the other group's discovery and leads the trio back toward the East Bridge. Surely enough, the eight team members reunite just on the other side of said bridge. Biscuit barks as he sees the others approach. Utar's spell still fails to locate Chaab. Moneus asks: "What now?" 

Graxx makes a fist a rises.

"We go in as a unified front and request an immediate audience with Lord Valero.  We tell him what happened to Utar and that his mace has been taken by someone in his quarters.  If Lord Valero was in on it I feel like they could have taken us all out with their armies instead of using assassins.  We'll have answers one way or another soon."

"There is certainly that approach for sure. Why Ms. Neya here had even broached the topic of your unique set of skills, Ms, er, Cap'n Burrel to try to get the truth of the matter. Assuming we can get Mr. Senetir in the same room as ya and the rest of us." Doozey admits frankly. "Now me personally? I don't rightly have any other suggestion. Haven't really dealt with the nobility much personally in the past. But from the stories I here 'bout their habits and so forth has given plenty of reason to avoid or limit my interactions with the lot... Good payment and food aside."  He admits frankly.

"The only thing I do know  is that however you four and Utar wish to approach this is up to ye. But, I'll back any play you wish as best as I can. I owe that one that much, after all." He gestures with his head over Utar without really looking away from the Captain, Moneus, and Litta. Biscuit meanwhile stands right next to Doozey with his chest slightly puffed out and chin up in a show of solidarity with his keeper's will.

"The spell only told us where, generally it is, it still isn't entirely clear who has it. Though, circumstances are definitely pointing at Senitir. What we do know for certain is the mace is in that building and by what means." Neya adds.

"At this point, we need to speak with people inside that building. However, I suspect whoever has it may have constructed a different story to try and take us off of their trail. Regardless of whether they are forthcoming about having it."

 Captain Aleyd listens to Graxx's suggestion, Doozey's deferral, and Neya's warning. She then looks at Moneus, Litta, and Utar, but noticing that none of her old unit's member have anything to immediately add to the discussion, she takes it upon herself to say a few words: "Your points are well taken. However, this being the estate of one of Phlan's noble families, we are not getting in without an announcement or an invitation. Graxx's idea of requesting an audience is perhaps another way in, but any element of surprise would be given away."

Moneus then adds: "Well, we can always try to sneak in if we want to surprise them but, should we get caught, it would be difficult to explain the righteousness of our intent."

Aleyd nods, thinks, and then asks: "CRAP, do any of you have something up your sleeve? Any plans for this moment? If not, I'm inclined to agree with the only concrete plan we have so far, which is the one proposed by Graxx."

It has seemed a lot simpler back in The Laughing Goblin. Now that they had found Lightbringer, Utar only had more questions and no sure way forward: seek an audience and they could be handing himself, Aleyd, Litta and Moneus over to those who are potentially hunting them down one by one. Not to mention likely putting Neya, Graxx, Doozey and Biscuit in danger if House Brokengulf want to remove witnesses.

On the other hand, House Brokengulf had himself and Aleyd at the mercy of their house guards on three occasions now... And nothing. They had been rewarded well for their work. He wasn't sure how much trust this bought House Brokengulf. He doubted they would have acted in a confrontational manner in front of members of The Harpers, The Emerald Enclave and The Lord's Alliance.

Chaab wasn't in the Brokengulf estate. That didn't mean he hasn't been. It also didn't mean Yalek wasn't there right now. Or Senetir. Senetir had seemed so harmless, benevolent even.

Running his hands over his face and sighing deeply, Utar offers the others a shrug.

"We still need to tread carefully. We know roughly where Lightbringer is, and it doesn't look good for House Brokengulf. That said, it doesn't particularly incriminate them either. It could be that Yalek is in there. All I know is that Chaab isn't. I think we need more information. I'm tempted to try to track Yalek, see if he's there, maybe see if my amulet is there?"

Looking to Litta, Utar continues, "Between the two of us, I'm tempted to see if we can't get some advice from Torm. At least see if he might advise against going on there?"

Turning his attention to the group, he sighs again.

"My main concern though is that we might be walking into a trap and delivering exactly what House Brokengulf are searching for here within Phlan. We can't risk that."

 "I do have a technique of my own that would make it more difficult for us to be detected, if stealth is the preferable route." Neya suggests.

Graxx nods his head.

"It's your all lives they want so I will follow your lead.  I think it's a great idea to see if Yalek is being housed by the nobles.  Of course, they saw him fighting on their side so may be housing him unknowingly.  If he is in there we need to strike."

Doozey shakes his head and mutters under his breath in exasperation at the addressing from Burral, "We really need change the name. Even Carp or Capr would be better." Yet for all of his mild complaining, he did listened carefully, and would eventually pipe with a, "Ms. Neya's suggestion aside, it seemed the softer approach is yet desired by ya, huh, Mr. Utar? If so, mine as well cast whatever miracles or seek whatever council ya can and soon, before they or any possible onlookers start to really pay attention to us all gathered up out here. Its not as if you yourself are in the best condition for if things go a bit south now are ya?"