“Seems a good plan to me.” Xalkas gives the tiefling a friendly elbow nudge. 

Kerric:

"A good plan.  I will brood like a proper sellsword in the background," says Kerric with a wry smile.

T'chal'fronack'zcinicker nods to the group, "Very well, I have several legitimate questions for them. Ahhh, what is my goal though. To have them sign some paper work, or to have them surrender or give away some key information, or simply to stall while you get into position to jump them?  You know what, I think it may be all of the above.  Very well."  

He heads down towards the water. 

Ebele would nod along with the others in agreement nibbling on her piece of cookie as they walked. She'd fall back a little to stay closer to the group.

The Argent Alliance would continue on passed St. Jeremy's Statue, eventually coming to a stop behind a large set of bushes before the Docks.

"Should I at least suggest the buddy system for our brave investigator?" Ebele would add after she hears T'chal'fronack'zcinicker head down towards the water.

Proposed Path

Orange: Argent Alliance's path from Spitefire Inn to just before the Docks.
Red: T'chal'fronack'zcinicker getting social. With any help?

3 | 18

Kerric:

"I expect they will respect you more if you have a bit of a show of force with you, T'chal'fronack'zcinicker.  I can go with you and be the strong silent type in the background if you like," offers Kerric.

T'chal'fronack'zcinicker nods, "Excellent, every good business man has one of those I've found. Or sometimes two or three...but lets go with one this time." 

Hawke's brows furrow when Snickers tells him about the 'groups resting schedule', looking at him in disbelief. "... You guys have a resting schedule...?" He asks quietly, as if talking to himself, kind of flabbergasted. "If siestas aren't in there, I'm definitely gonna request a change!"

As the druid mutters under his breath, he brings a cookie to his mouth to munch on with his free hand, the other tightening its grip on the sweet treats once he feels a disturbance in the force. He squints down at her, suspicious, but there's a playful smirk tugging at the corner of his lip. "Too perceptive for ya?" He chuckles lowly, eyeing her. "n' maybe it was a little exhaustin'... but I'm not saying I wouldn't wanna do it again." He gives the monk a wink, even if she couldn’t see it, he felt like she would know.

The kalashtar wouldn't be fast enough to stop Ebele from snapping off a piece of cookie for herself. "You could've just asked!" He calls after her as he watches her skip away happily with her piece. He snorts and shakes his head, taking the remaining piece and eating it himself.

"I could turn into a panther if you want me to, Snickers," The druid offers, finishing up his second cookie. "Who would **** with a guy with a pet panther, right? Or maybe you're more of a lion guy..."

The night was crisp, causing a light fog to dance on top the river. As the pair, Kerric and T'chal'fronack'zcinicker leave behind the rest of the Argent Alliance to approach the docks they would confidently stride along and could hear quiet chattering where they expected it. While the two continued their approach, there appeared to be a little more hustle and bustle than originally expected.

In this open area by the water, the wind blew in the mist obscuring the view just slightly. Each step brought Kerric and T'chal'fronack'zcinicker closer to revealing the dark shadows. And as the figures became a little clearer, so did the pair.

A screeching bat like silhouette swoops by the tiefling's head, the updraft from its close pass would cause his hat to lift slightly.

"Aye, boss. We got company." A gruff voice could be heard in the distance ahead.

Perception check!
Is it love at first sight? What do you observe upon arrival?
All shall be revealed.

Docking Party
Roll call: Kerric and T'chal'fronack'zcinicker
Perception: Normal roll, no disadvantage or advantage.

Bush Party
If you want to try to roll to see from afar, you can certainly try.
Roll call: Hawke, Reghys, Xalkas and Ebele
Perception: Roll at disadvantage.

Perception for Reghys: 4

Reghys would ready their pan flute with a song in mind. Something fast and furious, about passion like glowing hot metal. Just in case things turned sour for T and Kerric.

Kerric:

Perception:  22

T'chal'fronack'zcinicker Perception : 18

Xalkas does his best to peer through the bushes and keep an eye on the pair. (How far are the bushes from Kerric and T'chal'fronack'zcinicker)

perception: 11

Bush Party

Reghys, you're enjoying your tune up so much, you sense absolutely nothing amiss.

Xalkas, even when you finally push a stubborn branch out of the way, you feel as though the mist is obscuring your view just enough, you can't really see exactly where they are.

Ebele: 6

Docking Group

Kerric and T'chal'fronack'zcinicker, you eyes both adjust for the scene to open up to you. It doesn't take long for you both to conclude that you're stumbling in on a little business transaction. The keel boat at the far side sported a crew lead by a water genasi, as expected. What you didn't anticipate was a crew of river pirates that were docked along with them. And as you scan the individuals before you, you also noticed the lackeys started working with a little extra haste when you were announced.

The water genasi stood near the end of the dock with what looked to be the pirate captain. Both their heads were turned in your direction. The man to be Shoalar would tilt his chin and narrow his eyes as he'd scrutinize the pair for a silent moment. Then he'd begin to raise his hands up slowly. His face would brighten and his mouth would pull into a wide grin. "And how can I help you fine gentlemen this evening? If all the rooms are booked at the inn, I got a nice boat yous can rock next door." His voice boomed in a surprisingly enchanting voice.

Cookie Perception: 22

With the perception of a cookie, the druid offers to split the last one with anyone interested in it. 

Xalkas takes Hawke up on the cookie offer. Trying not to leave crumbs everywhere. While nibbling on his cookie, he looks for a better vantage point with good concealment from those on the docks.

T'chal'fronack'zcinicker smiles back at him with a wave, "Ahh, good evening gentlemen. I don't mean to interrupt your business transaction here, I'm just wondering if you've got all the appropriate paperwork worked out to be handling transaction at the docks here."  He pulls a scroll out of his bag and a pen, and moves closer to the end of the dock, "I've got a standard use contract here, which needs to be written up between the township of Womford and either one of you, who might be the primary business owner. This little contract, plus of course a reasonable processing fee will permit you to continue your business unbothered by....whatever sort of bother you might otherwise encounter."

He turns to Kerric, "Turn around you good for nothing elf so I might use that armor for something useful....as a firm writing surface." 

Reghys would groan at seeing T taking out a contract and going the official route with a bunch of clearly less than savoury characters. Still, the satyr remains quiet and inches forward to make sure that any person that could threaten their party members were within hearing range.

OOC: Heat metal has a range of 60 ft, so Reghys would be in range as of now? Also, I assume even given the bad perception roll, I would be able to tell if any of the two bosses were wearing metal armour, correct?

Bush Party
(You are 60+ feet away from Kerric and T'chal'fronack'zcinicker, who are approximately 60+ feet away from the sea men, making you 120+ feet from them.)

None of you can see, or tell what Kerric and T'chal'fronack'zcinicker are saying or doing, due to the mist. But should your eager curiosity edge you forward to get closer to them, you may.

Do the Shuffle!
Off to see the tiefling and elf. Do you stealth?

Investigation Check:
To see if you can spot some cover
Roll Call: All who wish to look for cover closer to the Docking Group

Stealth Check:
Shneaky Shneaky?
Roll Call: All who wish to sneak closer to the Docking Group

Docking Party

Social Check!
Are you trying to deceive them? Or persuade them?

Roll call: T'chal'fronack'zcinicker, Kerric can help
Deception or Persuasion: Depending on which approach you’re taking
Advantage: Roll with advantage if Kerric plays along.

Investigation: 18

stealth: 10

Xalkas looks as carefully as he can for a suitable position a little closer to the contract specialist. (If he didn’t see anything suitable he will stay in the bushes.)

Kerric:

Grunting and folding his arms, Kerric says darkly, “I am here to keep you from getting murdered, bureaucrat, not act as your scribing desk, I don’t care what your contracts say.”

Calling up ahead, Kerric says, “Answer the question, sailor.  If your business here is legitimate, you have no cause for concern.”

Using the Help action...