[Game Thread] Chapter 1: There Is No Honour

[HarpyBane]

Vain and selfish. They moved the boat out off of this dock for a reason....don't you want to find out why? I thought wizards were curious about this sort of thing. Jules keeps his voice leveled and controlled, except for a note of contempt, pointed towards the wizard.

[Barark]

Herb buts in, "How about we leave them the boat and swim out ourselves?"

[HarpyBane]

Jules tilts his head slightly, thinking. Sure. Dusk is approaching anyways, and a boat can slip unnoticed through the water during these times. But our employer did ask us to avoid violence....I wonder, how smooth is your tongue?

[Prometheus]

The day's happenings had fallen into place all around Boar, as the dwarf prefers. He had remained quiet, followed, and listened when he thought something might interest him, but for the better part of the time he had spent on the job, he had simply waited, content with his role. At least until water got involved.

"Ah dun swim." He grumbles, looking nervous and unsteady since he saw the glorified raft, doubly so once he got on it. Large ships were alright, once you got used to the rocking, but dwarves carrying an excess of 70 lbs. of metal on their person do not tend to get along with oceans, or flimsy, crowded rowboats. "Y'go ahead and feed yerself to th'sharks. Ah'll jus' wait here 'til y'need somethin' broken."

[Redoak]

"Perhaps the three of us could approach them by rowboat, posing as a Merchant and his guards." he motions towards himself, Boar, and Kevot.

"That would allow you two to slip onto the ship while they are busy dealing, ahh I mean speaking with us." now motioning towards Herb and Jules.

"It is a simple plan, but as you say why try and make it harder than it needs be."

[HarpyBane]

Jules nods his assent. "We'll have to be careful...Perhaps we'll wait for a signal from the 'mechants' before boarding? Just something as simple as a whistle, and we'll pop up onto deck. Otherwise, we'll investigate below decks."

[Avelestar]

Whilst the group discussed tactics a little way down from pier five, the sun quickly set and a younger lad came along the street, lighting the lamps. After half an hour or so Sasserine was pitch black, except for the lit lamps in the nicer districts. The Merchants District is well lit, a post on every corner to let the drunken nobles get home without getting lost. However looking out towards the piers you can see that the Blue Nixie has several lit lamps on deck, and there seems to be a fair amount of activity going on. From here you can't tell what, but the peaceful scene from before has been replaced by a chaotic workforce, hurrying to get something done.

You set out in the row boat, just barely enough room for the five of you. Using the lights on the Blue Nixie as a guide, you row quietly to about 100ft away (on the side opposite the pier). Your boat is in the dark, and nobody is paying attention to the waters around the ship yet. From here, the voices of about three or four men can be heard, along with the sounds of something scraping along the deck.

However suddenly there's a loud squawking, and a curse from one of the men aboard. A bright green parrot goes flying off into the night, enjoying its newfound freedom. Jules' shirt hisses angrily, and the man himself scowls.

OOC: Profession (Sailor) checks to get closer to the boat quietly, only a DC of 12 (so if you have skill points in it taking a 10 will auto pass), and a Climb DC of 10 to clamber up the sides of the boat.

[Redoak]

"Time for you two to slip into the water, we three will approach from the starboard side and try to get aboard posing as a Noble Merchant and his guards. I will try and get Soller Vark on deck to discuss a business deal. If he proves to be violent, or unwilling to be reasonable, having you two in the shadows may prove very useful." leaning forward and whispering Hubris continues.

"I also think you two should let me do the talking", he pats Kevot and Boar gently on there knees."If the situation turns physical try and take out Soller Vark as fast as possible. His people will be less likely to want to cause us harm if he is subdued."

"Anyone have anything to add?" he asks as he removes his Wizards Robe slowly revealing a Noble's Attire and placing a large gold ring on his pointer finger. Anyone glancing at it sees' the crest of the family Rathanoir.

[HarpyBane]

Jules strips off most of his equipment and clothing, leaving just a pair of loose pants and his sickle strapped to his side, a large viper curled around his body and hissing up towards the boat."Well, lets get going. I also know for a fact they're doing something...unpleasant on that boat. It may be legal, but I won't stand for it." Jules slips into the water, swimming remarkably easy through the sea.

OOC Just taking a 10 on my swim check.

[Prometheus]

Boar nods, he didn't intend to say much anyways. "Jus' dun get my way." He rests one hand on the haft of his best axe, and follows Hubris. "-and dun touch me."

[Barark]

Herb watch jules strip and looks at himself, he makes no move to remove anything, he tightens his belt the rapiers are on and just slips into the water as is. He follows jules easily.

ooc taking 10 also

[Avelestar]

The dock worker and the pirate slipped into the water and swam around to the port side with a practised ease. They made barely a splash as they swam, and were soon on the ship's port side. Meanwhile the other three rowed fairly noisily to the starboard side (closest to the pier), quickly getting the attention of the crew on deck.

Three ugly faces pop over the starboard railings, scowling at Hubris, Kevot and Boar. Two of them are holding crossbows down at their sides, but not aiming them at you...yet. "Who the hell are you lot, answer quickly!" grunts the one in the middle, looking you over, trying to work out if you're with the watch, or something else...

OOC: I'll need a DC 10 climb check from anyone attempting to get onto the Blue Nixie, and as of yet Herb/Jules haven't been spotted, because it seems like everyone has moved to the starboard side. However you can't actually see ontop the deck yet, so there could be others... Oh and you three in the row boat can assume you're within arms reach of the hull, and if you had to push yourself flat against it, it could provide some cover. Also the little thing on the left raised section of the ship is the wheel, so that's the stern .

[Redoak]

"Well met sir, I am Hubris Rathanoire of the house Rathanoire. A humble apology to you and your master. It is just that I wished to speak with you regarding some rare items in your hold. I was going to wait till tomorrow but it appears your leaving our harbor and I didn't think it wise to wait." motioning at the two others in the boat.

"These are my guards, one such as myself can't be to careful." he flashes his signet ring for the sailors to inspect.


"May we come aboard and speak to your master Soller Vark?" he asks the one who spoke to him. "I promise not to slow your work down as you prepare your vessel. And it won't take but a moment to negotiate a fair price I assure you."

[Avelestar]

The sailor looks confused, but it seems he believes you. After a moment of thinking...whats worse, getting in trouble for bugging Soller, or accidentally sending away a potential customer..."Watch them." he grunts at the other two, before scampering off below decks. It's only half a minute before you hear hurried footsteps, and the man returns to the railing, with another next to him. He's a rather disagreeable and ugly looking bald man, a scowl set on his face and a large sword at his hip. "What exactly is it you're after?" he asks cautiously, not giving anything away but clearly not pleased to see you.

[Redoak]

Thinking quickly, Hubris recalls hearing the sounds of animals and birds below. Also the escaping parrot gives clues to what this crew traffics in.

"Well a contact of mine in the Merchants District told me you might have some rare animals in your care. You see my parents wedding anniversary is next week and I haven't gotten them anything, you can imagine my shame. If we may come aboard and haggle over price, once I peek at your stock I am sure we can conclude this bit of business quickly tonight." flashing the smile worn by a shamed child who forgets his own parents anniversary.

Jingling his purse as he mentions price Hubris hopes this ruse allows them to get aboard before asking questions regarding the real item they seek.