laid back apocalypse

Hoping that the mists will obscure their approach sufficiently, Reghys is slowly creeping forward, toward T and Kerric.

Stealth w advantage?: 21

Bushes be Bustlin'

Xalkas you move forward, very very quiet, and manage to find a good spot next to some stone stairs. Without making a sound, Reghys would soon join you.

With the cookie crunching sounds coming to a stop, it fell completely silent. Ebele would eventually come to find it was too quiet. "Psst... guys...?" She'd kind of turn in place. Clockwise. Counter clockwise.

Stealth: 6
(no adv for her because at this time she'd be unaware of where mostly everyone disappeared to, so she'd doing some guessing.)

Map Update:

Docking Group

The water genasi was quite plump and jovial. From your discussions at the Inn, you're quite certain that must be Shoalar Quanderil. You could see him bounce with laughter as he nudges his business companion and points at you both. The pirate captain laughs along, causing a bit of a chain reaction. "A'ight. A'ight. Let's calm ourselves." Shoalar would put his hands up to calm the group. He'd glance over his shoulder to who you recognize to be Pike, his halfling servant, muttering something before looking back. A psuedodragon familiar takes to the air."So you're looking for us to sign some documents between us and the Township. A'ight." He nods a few times, bringing his hand to his face thoughtfully. "That's fair. As legitimate business men, we can respect a written agreement." Shoalar would look around to the others. "Innit right fellas!?" His response was a mixed bad of nods, mutters, grunts and awkward chuckles. "Ahh but see. They don't sound too sure now do they?" The man would boom. "Yous folks come in here as a pair, no introduction, and start flashing some papers. We don't even know who you are lads! Ya squable like a married couple, I give ya that!" He'd guffaw. "Never seen ya before and we're supposed to take nameless men for their word that they workin' with the town? I'mma need a little more than that." Shoalar would grin widely, tapping his foot.

Hawke finishes up his half of the split cookie when Xalkas and Reghys begin to move themselves closer to where Kerric and T'chal had been conversing with the pirates. He glances over to the confused Ebele, looking like that one John Travolta gif. "Hey," He whispers to her, hoping to grab her attention so he could carefully place his hands on her shoulders to turn her in the correct direction. "There ya go."

Knowing trying to stealth in this form probably wasn't going to be the best idea (considering how he pretty much towered over most things), he decides to shift into a panther and carefully stalk his way to where the other two (and hopefully Ebele) had been.

Stealth: 13

He's trying to both convince, and deceive...a bit of both really....(but since his bonus for both is the same, I'll just roll once with Kerric's help!) 

Persuasion / Deception: 16

 "Well, good sir, I'm very glad to hear you're acquainted with the town's bureaucratic core. Obviously. Seamus hired us on recently. Seems some folk been getting lost and he's a little short staffed. Whatever, it's a job and I could use the coin. So...as to this paperwork, it's a quick matter if you'd be so kind."

(Curious how much of this Xalkas can hear at his new vantage point. He would also try and keep an eye on the pseudodragon. If he should be so lucky as to notice it. Perception: 17)

Bush Bustled and Docked

With Hawke's guidance, Ebele's redirected and the two eventually make their way to the stairs to join the almost imperceptible Xalkas and Reghys. They even left the Kalashstar a spot with the highest point of cover to accommodate his size, while the halfelf butted up against him to avoid blowing the groups cover. There was just enough shadow being cast to obscure you amongst the mist.

Xalkas you're still unable to visibly make out what's going on at the docks, and you lost sight of the pseudodragon.

(Stealth group: Everyone can hear Shaolar because of his voice carries, but not necessarily see him or see/hear the other pirates. Passive perception 15+ can see/hear the pirates on the docks.)

Though, Xalkas, Reghys, Hawke and Ebele were able to catch T'chal'fronack'zcinicker's avoidance of naming the group by name dropping the Sheriff. There was an air of confidence there.

Shoalar looked completed stumped but for a moment, truly not expecting to have run into a literal inspector. Then his brow would pop as he'd let out a boisterous laugh, "Ahh shit boys!" Giving his belly a scratch, he'd bow his head to the Pirate captain to excuse himself. "They actually the real deal." Taking slow methodical steps forward on the dock, you could hear his heavy boots hit the boards and creek beneath him. "A'ight lads. Come on up then." He'd sweep his arm widely towards the keel boat being loaded. The genasi would smile widely. "Come, come." He'd encourage gesturing with his hand. "Lots of light here to see better. And I'm sure one of my lads would lend his back." A wink followed before he'd add. "Or a got a good ol' sturdy box if yous want to change things up!" He'd chuckle.

Kerric:

Following T'chal'fronack'zcinicker's lead, Kerric keeps his guard up and moves with the Tiefling, mumbling something suspiciously to his companion about wharf rats and river pirates--nothing specific, more just a show for the cultists and their sympathizers than any attempt to communicate with his friend.  He does, however, try to keep a wary eye out for anyone trying to sneak around and surround them, or perhaps someone tensed to attack as they approach.

Perception:  20

Insight:  9

Kerric, your diligent watch assures you that everyone you see is accounted for. You also notice that your team members have all shuffled close by and have remained hidden. Though your assessment of Shoalar brings no true insight. The man is just too jolly for you to get heads or tails of his intentions.

Shoalar strides up, bending a bit to squint at the papers. "All that fuss fer this?" He'd pop a brow at the tiefling. The genasi would shrug, lick his thumb and grab the pen with his other hand. He'd jab the nib onto the page, creating a big splotch and bring his wet thumb to it to press into it, rolling his thumb. "Good 'nough!" He'd grin widely, wiping the rest of the ink on his pants as he'd return the pen. "A'ight." Shoalar would reach into his pocket, and flick toss a gold to each of them, one to the elf, and the other to the tiefling. "Good doing business with yous." He'd hook his thumbs into his waistband, watching them both.

T'chal'fronack'zcinicker stands up straight, looking offended, "Of course sir, this is all a matter of procedure. This is not some....'shake down'....."  He quickly rolls the paper up, and tucks it away, catching the coin.  "Thank you very much, yes, a pleasure I'm sure. Oh, by the by, a question, on a more personal note. A friend of mine is very much into books....and he found this dwarven book, all special and....blah blah...something...anyway, it turns out it was purchased by a riverboat captain here in town, and he was bugging me and asking me to find out if I knew if there were any more for sale. Any chance you have anything like that or know if any of the other river captains may?" 

Shoalar would chuckle as he'd watch the tiefling's offended expression. The man would take a step to turn to walk away, thinking their transaction was done when the coin was caught, but then he'd pause to hear him add a personal question. His ears would perk when the books were mentioned. "I was starting to like yous..." Inhaling a deep breath, the genasi would shake his head before exhaling. "Yous had to ask about the books." Shoalar would turn back to face the pair. He'd bring his fingers to his mouth, letting out a sharp whistle.

Initiative!
Everyone on the docks drew their weapons.

Roll call: Everyone!

Water Cultists
Shoalar (SQ): 6 | Pike(RT&F): 7 | RB1: 16 | RB2: 17

River Pirates
Pirate Captain (PC): 16 | Pirate Thug (PT): 7 |  PB1: 16 | PB2: 3 

Map
(Hawke's position is confirmed. I just wanted to keep it saying "EH?")
(Edit: There we go, have the positions adjusted for KT and SQ advance.)

Kerric:

Drawing his blade in response to the sailors drawing theirs, Kerric says, “We have no quarrel with legitimate river traders, but the Water Cultist criminals have just signed their death warrant!”

Initiative:  19

There's a low growl that emits from Panthawke hearing the conversation take a turn for the worse.

Ehnitative: 20

Initiative: 12

Hearing Kerric's declaration and Pawke's growling, Ebele would reach for her staff and crouch ready to follow.

Bellinitiative: 16

Does Reghys get to cast their readied heat metal or would that be their first turn of combat? I hoped I could get that casting in as soon as possible.

Initiative: 8

As the blades are drawn, Reghys targets Shoalar's armour and starts to growl with an infernal quality to their voice, as a savage beat is drummed out by their cloven hooves.

"Ooh, red hot, red hot
Oh, to the top, we are red hot
Red hot, red hot
Oh, to the top, we are red hot

Shout at the devil
We've laughed at your wars
Can't you see we're out for blood?
Run with the pack now
Always ask for more
Can't you see we're out for blood?"

Map Update
(In order to accommodate Reghys' heat metal preparation, I'd rule it would be safe to say that the group continued to stealth forward during T'chal'fronack'zcinicker and Kerric's cunning distractions. Therefore I've plopped you all accordingly. Should you accept... FIGHT!)

FIGHT!

Reghys' tap dance heats up the battlefield, causing Shoalar's dagger on his hip begin glowing red hot.

Shoalar hot potato: 11 fire damage

Initiative

T'chal | PT | Hawke | P&F | Kerric | PB1 | Ebele | RB2 | Xalkas | RB1 | Shoalar | Reghys | PC1 | PB2

Roll Call: T'chal'fronack'zcinicker

Initiative
T'chal | PT | Hawke | P&F | Kerric | PB1 | Ebele | RB2 | Xalkas | RB1 | Shoalar | Reghys | PC1 | PB2

Shoalar sucks air in through his teeth, grumbling under his breath as he latches and drops his heated dagger to the ground. Too busy fussing with his hot weapon, the genasi takes an arrow to the knee.

Initiative
T'chal | PT | Hawke | P&F | Kerric | PB1 | Ebele | RB2 | Xalkas | RB1 | Shoalar | Reghys | PC1 | PB2

The river pirate thug grins widely at the valiant knight declaring that he had no quarrel with them. Didn't mean he didn't have an issue with him. Drawing his crossbow, he'd fire off a shot towards the shiny elf.

On Kerric
Attack: 22 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.

Initiative
T'chal | PT | Hawke | P&F | Kerric | PB1 | Ebele | RB2 | Xalkas | RB1 | Shoalar | Reghys | PC1 | PB2

Roll Call: Pawke