Storm King's Thunder

"Your contact? She was mine first" Matrix mumbles with an uncharacteristic grin as he heads out with ink. "With the group here we could make short work of that hobgoblin problem."

"The Wink and Wisp sounds like a place I should get to know. Just have to change into something more appropriate." Don smiles and his form changes.

// His form is that of a friend of his from when he was younger, a farmer. Gives him advantage if he needs to do any acting or persuasion. :) The form is close to his own which is why he chose it, but his voice is a little deeper and more friendly.//

"There, thats better. Shall we go gentleman?"

"Aye, ah'll pay Rip a visit. Come get me when ye  know where we're goin'"

Crownsguard raises a hand, “May I join you, I would enjoy greeting him once more.”

"Well wait no longer my dwarven friend!" You hear a familiar voice from above you, looking up you see RIP dangerfield slowly descending from the heavens in classic Peter pan pose "for I have come to you!"

Quote from Gimpster >>

"Well wait no longer my dwarven friend!" You hear a familiar voice from above you, looking up you see RIP dangerfield slowly descending from the heavens in classic Peter pan pose "for I have come to you!"

 Crownsguard waves with his new face, which I forget if Rip has seen yet(?), “Hello Rip. It is good to see you again.”

"Well ye  got yerself an entrance! Hail Rip!"

At the Wink and Kiss, the hearth is a warm welcome from the snow-covered streets. A bit too warm, perhaps—the place is packed upstairs and down; every room is full of warm food, foaming drink, and merrymakers. 

Arene eventually finds Ink and the others, bringing you some drinks and northern style meat pies. She’s dressed as a barmaid, suggesting that she’s currently working. She leans over the table as she passes your orders out. 

“Harthal Zymorven,” she says in a low voice, straight to business, “was recently arrested and imprisoned for murdering a man, and his sword...somehow...found its way into the hands of a corrupt watch captain. Goes by the name of Tholzar Brenner. Be careful...” She straightens, winks at Ink, and carries her empty tray back to the kitchen. 

"Well finding him is easy, and with the writ we have we should be able to just talk to Brenner's CO to claim the sword. It wont actually be that easy of course, but it's a two man job... me and Don can handle it if you wanted to enjoy the atmosphere some more Ink"

Don slides a small stone over to Ink. "Here keep this, save you a spell slot and let us contact you as needed and vice versa."

Ink recognizes a sending stone. He sees Don pocket a matching stone. 

"We can go Matrix, but remember words before boom. Let's talk to him first and see if we can get the sword back peacefully. I guess we should see if the lad is innocent too." 

Don rubs his face... "...did I just say Lad? Hanging around with Flint too much I think."

"The keys here are 'corrupt' and 'captain.' I suspect a writ won't do us much good - besides, I think Flint has it. Also, the fact that Arene said we should be careful... I've a feeling it's going to be rough going," comments Ink.

Ink continues, "I also don't buy into the murder accusation. Sorry gents, but this isn't going to just be a smash and grab, we need to look into this murder charge as well."

"Let's find the others."

Ink pockets the sending stone, downs his drink, gets up and waits, expectantly for the other two to do the same.

Matrix "why do you assume I wanted a fight? I meant talk to his superior and have his boss make him turn in the sword. Of course I don't expect that to work, but i prefer to try the path of least resistance first. Hmmm, on that murder charge his betrothed might have been a honeypot. Lure him in, frame him, then take priceless family heirloom. My money is on Brenner being behind it as he now has the sword. If forced to confront him we do it publicly, lots of witnesses to vouch for him starting the fight. Not my first time with this stuff. Do it for a living, remember? If we are lucky Brenner has heard of me and doesn't want to fight." Matrix stands and starts heading out but pauses "... do you have the writ, or did Flint have it?"

"Flint has it. I agree with Ink about that murder charge. The boys father would be a good ally. If we rescue his son from this.. well good friends are always a positive."

He turns toward Matrix, "Why do I assume? Uhm.. I've worked with you before. Let's go and get everyone and then see what's going on."

// I smell the beginnings of a plan. Where are we off to? //

You manage to find each other in snowy Yartar without much trouble. Rip, as it turns out, has opened a book store/bakery called The Baking Book, where he sells tales of his deeds and cookies. His wife and his two children are happily reunited with their grandfather. The children and their grandfather are currently having a snowball fight on the street. 

"Alright then, Matrix... I like your plan," Ink begins, "let's track down Flint to get that writ. He, Don and I will see about recovering the sword through proper channels, while you and Crownsguard investigate this murder charge. We'll see if we can get a hand on an official report on the incident while visiting the Waterbaron."

Ink leaves in search of Flint and Crownsguard with the others. 

Flint isn't sure about the cookies, he's had about 12 and still sampling.

Don will find a guard... one that looks smart but as friendly as possible.

"Hello there friend. I'm looking for whoever would be in charge of investigations. A friend of ours, his son was caught doing something, not sure about the details. We are trying to figure out if his son is not the fine upstanding citizen his father is or if we need to break it to the old man that his son is lost to him. You know how kids can be. Can you point us the right direction?"

//Don's voice is that of the farmer he knew, his inflections more country and "homey". Very friendly and innocently inviting.//

Persuasion: 23

// Changing Don's ability check to Charisma (Investigation) per OOC chat. Everyone else is free to narrate their own attempts at investigation. I'll assume you're all traveling together unless otherwise specified. //

The guard on the street looks to each of you, not sure of your motives, but seems to be put at ease (at least somewhat) by Don's friendly manner—a palpable, we-understand-each-other type of thing. "I'm not sure I take your meaning, sir," the guard says, hesitant. "But if a person is caught committing a crime here in Yartar, we follow the rule of law, no doubt about that. If you're wishing to inquire further, I can point you to the Waterbaron's office or to the jails, though visitors ain't allowed in large groups such as yourselves, and usually only family members are allowed. You know how it is."

"Thanks, I knew you were a standup guy. Come on' fellows. The water baron should be able to help us. Good day sir."

Flint looks up from his cookie feast to see Ink impatiently waiting for him. "Time fer business. Tally up what ah owe ye." Flint grabs a few more "fer th' road" and sets out to find Brenner using insight (cha) to navigate the garrison hierarchy  (background includes garrison duty)

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