Ghosts Of Saltmarsh

Zmeya nods. They had gone this far. She hated the expression, but it was becoming increasingly applicable to the situation. She's glad to be back outside of a house and in the sunlight, but the need for coin preceded luxury in the world she'd entered. "We've already cut the head off this snake, from what I can see, but the rest needs to stop shaking. I agree. We can ambush them at their next shipping, or we can pursue them. I don't have a preference. 

THE NEXT MORNING

Accepting the employment, you all return to the caves under the haunted mansion. You all discovered the bullseye lantern and and signal instructions from Sanbalet before he was taken away, so you all have a big clue to how the smugglers communicate. Right on time, from the shoreline cave, the Sea Ghost is about a half mile off shore when you spot it. The Sea Ghost gives a signal.

"Is it safe?"

"Should we tell them to hold?  Then maybe sneak out there and lay waist to their ship?"

Wilmot offers a “Huh...so our plan would be to go out to sea using our sailor skills to sneak aboard a ship full of dangerous folk asking us if it is safe? Or, maybe we tell them it’s safe so they don’t suspect an ambush on land...where most of us are, um, accustomed to being?” He offers a shit-eating grin. “I mean...just to review the options.”

"Speak for yourself big fella.  I'm an expert seaman."

Deception:  7

"But I'll do what you guys think is best."

“You’ve proven your mettle as a knife fighter, Archibald, but let’s not tempt fate”, Klaus chuckles, “swashbuckling on a pirate ship may be a stretch even for you.”

Gracy listens to the banter, a distant, unfocused look in his eyes as he speaks  'I'm no expert, but I do know how to handle a small boat, but I concur with Wilmot, let's take as many of them here on dry land as we can.'

He turns and looks about a bit, surveying the space and calculating distances. 'The key is to get them to beach the boat without getting suspicious. That means keeping Hiramat and Wilmot far enough back that they can't be spotted. I, myself typically work better from the shadows. Klaus, perhaps you can hold the lantern and be our lure?'

Klaus responds to Gracy:  "I am happy to assist in any way.  Would it be best I try to wear a cloak or something to hide my armor and garb?"

Hiramat, feeling much better than yesterday, and ready for some revenge, says "I don't mind hiding to draw them in, but I much prefer to fight at the front and let others deal in the shadows."

"Then it sounds like we're agreed," Wilmot says. "We set a trap, signal the smugglers and turn the advantage that they had created with this supposedly haunted house around on them." He slaps Hiramat and Klaus on the back, letting out a sigh of relief while offering a wink to the others. "The makings of a great plan, my friends."

The firbolg hopes his bluster hides the anxiety roiling in his stomach. "I'd say the sooner the better...before they become curious enough to come look for themselves."

Wilmot then waits for the others to tell him where he should station himself and just where this ambush will be sprung.

“I could make myself appear as their former captain and lure them possibly into the cave.  That way the others on the boat won’t be aware of our trap..” 

"Brilliant!" says Klaus.

Archibald will go ahead and use his two sorcery points to convert it to a first level spell slot. 

Ready when you guys are.

Klaus is ready.

(Work’s been kicking me in the ass today - have to check in tomorrow at work too, unfortunately.)

Zmeya calmly nods along with the plans organized by the group, willing to stealthily aid in any ambushing matters.

Wilmot is ready.

Gracy is ready. He’ll take up a position in the shadows, bow ready and arrow notched. 

stealth 22

Zmeya ducks behind a crate, similarly attempting to be stealthy!

Stealth: 13

Archibald stands on the beach, just outside of the cave entrance, in disguise.  He looks out at the water for the incoming boat.