Dinner with the Captain is a more formal affair than the previous evening. The fore decks officers mess was damaged in the dragon attack so the ships galley has been rearranged for the party to be seated. As you all file in the Captain is already seated with Salvas to her right and Torg to her left. You are all left to choose seats either side of the table. Blackfire stands and motions for you all to sit. She uncorks several bottles of wine before handing them round to you.

"After todays events," her eyes flicker briefly toward Randrak and then linger on Uldran, "I thought it best we all meet in a civilised manner to discuss your concerns and fears."

She pours herself a glass of wine as a crewman hands round a plate of small shelled creatures soaked in garlic butter. Thick white loaves have already been laid out on the table, sliced and ready for dipping.

The Captain raises her glass, "To Baldenvelt!" she takes a long sip, "Now who would like to speak first?"

Hitticus purposefully avoids eye contact with a anyone and tries to make sure he's not first.

"Captain, I think there is a lot of confusion and to be honest the group that met in the warehouse do not know each other. Maybe we can start with introductions....I am Uldran, I come from a family of druids but I do not come from the city. I visit on occasion to guide folk through the caverns and make sure they arrive safely. As a druid my concern is for the natural world and the balance that must be maintained. Something is wrong and I plan to find out what. That requires cooperation from all of us here and likely many more along the way. So, what say the rest of you? Can we settle disputes and do this?"

(OOC- Assuming the Captain and I came to an "agreement" earlier but this plea is to the group)

Mercwri looks a bit surprised, "But I thought we were all on the same side already, that the Captain and Randrak had a lovers spat over Uldran?  Am I missing something here?  I mean the dragons were trying to kill all of us, unless my memory is really faulty."

He grins hugely, "I heard t'was a glorious battle that I missed." He casts a sly glance at Uldran. "And that the trophy was rather willing."

Quote from Krivoi_Rog >>

He grins hugely, "I heard t'was a glorious battle that I missed." He casts a sly glance at Uldran. "And that the trophy was rather willing."

 "ROFL bahahahahahaha" 

Torvin glances at the Captain and then to his new friends. He stands and says: "My name is Torvin Thunderheart. I served at the Temple of Moradin as a Cleric. I for one would like to thank you for your hospitality and shelter aboard your ship. I will repay the debt that I owe in any way I can. I know there have been things done aboard your ship that should have Not happened. I do however hope you take into consideration the circumstances that has led us here. Our homes and everything we have known now lie in ruins and we know not if we will ever be able to return home."

Blackfire listens to your suggestion Uldran and nods with knowing approval. After a time she speaks, "Uldran, Torvin, I thank you for your words and master Mercwri I am well used to the humour of gnomes so I will not hang you from the side of the ship to teach you some manners... on this occasion. I am nobodies trophy. My crew have informed me of your name, but tell us,is there anything else you would have us know of you?"

As you complete your starters the plates are removed soon to be replaced by bowls of steaming meat and greens, smothered in a thick smoky sauce. Blackfire speaks again as you being to tuck in.

"I agree with you Uldran that the goblin invasion is a sign of serious imbalance and some hidden force must be behind it which must be discovered for the sake of all Dwarves. To that end I have and will give what ever aid I may. You owe me no debt master Torvin, in times such as these such things are not held to account. We have all lost a great deal, we are all hurt and confused and as such I will not bear a grudge for todays... intrusion. What of the rest of you? I can not believe that master Randrak at least  has nought to say."

Hitticus looks up. "Hitticus Holdhammer. I'm of no importance, carry on."

"Ah, Cap'n," Mercri says. "I am afeared o' heights, so oil trys me bestest t' nae rail you dignitys.  But, since you wish us to place our cards on the table, there is this...," he place the empty vial on the table in front of himself.  "It is of foreign make I believe and renders the imbiber invisible."  He looks around the table quickly searching the visages of all for any sign of surprise, recognition, etc.  "Found it laying on the cargo deck, as if someone drank it and dropped the empty, maybe they were surprised."  He looks at the captain, "Makes one wonder who felt the need to remain unseen, and why?"

Randrak looks like he is about to say something, then stops himself. He then begins again, but once again stops. Finally, he says,

"So we've got evidence here of more magic? Magic that makes you invisible? Meanwhile there were assassinations back in Baldenvelt before its fall. This can't just be a coincidence."

Freak is happily enjoying his food, glad the attention is anywhere but on him. He is only half focused on the conversation, busy enjoying the different tastes and textures. He does try to attach the names being used to faces, to try to learn everyone's name.

Silence falls around the room Mercwri as the glass vial is placed on the table before you. Salvas peers forward with interest. (Roll insight for reactions round the room). “And how do you know this to be a potion of invisibility?” The old Dwarf asks.

As you sit and talk the plates are taken and a large dish of sugar coated pastries is placed in the centre of the table along with several open casks of honeyed mead. From the nearby crew quarters you can here the muffled sound of music and song filtering through the stone.

Blackfire listens to your words Randrak, “I fail to see your line of reason soldier.” She responds shaking her head, “I quite agree that should this prove to be what the gnome claims it to be it is a concerning puzzle, but how are you linking this to a goblin invasions and assassinations in the city? Are we back to wild accusations and conspiracy theories again or do you have an actual line of thought?” It is clear that the Captain is forcing a polite tongue in an attempt to keep things civil.

”Might I make a study of that?” Salvas asks, pointing toward the vial.

Mercwri will hand the vial to Salvas.

Torvin will listen to what the others have to say and will ask: "Captain, how well known are the assassinations outside of the city? I know they where trying to keep them quite in the city and was just wondering if they where known of outside it and if so how well known?"

Uldran is just assessing everyone's reactions now that he has the conversation going.

Insight- 10

Randrak is quiet for a moment, before speaking, "Call it a conspiracy if you want, but let's look at the facts. There were a number of assassinations on high members of society. The kind of people who are normally well guarded. As far I heard no one was caught. So at least one person was able to get close enough to kill, bypassing guards on the way in and on the way out. That takes some skill, or maybe magic.

Now we find an empty vial that is thought to have held a potion that turns people invisible? That would make it easier for someone to get around guards. If it wasn't you captain, then how much do you trust your crew? How much do you trust the people at this table? How do we know that there is not someone invisible in this room right now?

Maybe I had this wrong, maybe you're not behind the plot. But could you be the next target?"

Whilst waiting for a response from the captain, Randrak takes a moment to examine the room. He listens, smells, and looks for any sign of someone being in the room that shouldn't be.

(Perception: 9)

Seeing everyone's attention in the piece of glass, Freak takes a closer look. Is it something he has seen before?

The Captain sips her mead before answering you Torvin, "The Firehook docked the morning before the attack. We had sailed down from the Northern Reaches to offload our cargo. There was no word of assassination in the north or from within Baldenvelt following out arrival. If there were targeted assassinations before the attack then it once again indicates a power behind the goblins. They are not nearly clever enough to plan such a thing."

She drinks some more while listening to your words Randrak, "Salvas please show our friend Randrak why I would have no use for a potion to make me invisible."

Slavas looks up in surprise from his study of he vial, "What..? Oh right yes.." he clicks his fingers and the Captain vanishes from sight.

"You see I have no need for such a potion with good Salvas around." her voice then sounds from right behind you ear Randrak, "But of course if you are determined to accuse me of treason and murder this may just be the proof you were looking for. Salvas?"

The old Dwarf snaps his finders again and Blackfire reappears  next to you Randrak. "I do not doubt my crew any more than I doubt myself soldier. Any more in fact than I doubt any of you. The coin rubs both ways after all."

"The potion is almost certainly one of invisibility." Salvas announces, "Though its origins elude me. Perhaps if I could run some simple tests..."

Torvin replies to the Captain: "Aye I agree there is a mastermind behind it all. Which brings me to another question......Have you ever seen anything like those collars that seems to keep those Dragons controlled? As you know a lot if not most Arcane magic is frowned upon and I know very little about it. I just assumed as well traveled as you are you might have seen or know something similar."

"Salvas, do you have any way of scanning the ship for an invisible person? And I would also be curious if we could trace the collars back to a specific group that has such magics."