(Casual D&D) A Game of Trust

[Mithreander]

Furgus looks closer at the beads to see what they are made of, what type of craftmanship, and to see if there are any insignias to say who the jewler was. From this information, he tries to figure out exactly how much it's worth. Why store such a small item in a bag of it's own? There has to be more to this then just... well this! he thinks, barely taking the time to notice some others approaching the dock. He strains an ear to hear what's being said. With his proximity, it's not hard. Well, now you've done it. Attracted attention to yourselves. What do you got to say for your selves? the hidden halfling thinks as he smirks at the new development.

 

[Guilt Puppy]

The halfling looks up at Fendric, obviously nervous. "Oh, ah, just some late night shipments coming in, you know."

Meanwhile, the dog is up and sniffing confusedly over by Niccolo.

Fendric: With your hand on the package, you can feel a sort of bumpy texture beneath it, and a good deal of give, like chainmail.

 

[dpdx]

[Gather information check: 17 +4 = 21.]

Fendric smiles mischievously. Unfortunately for the poor halfling longshoreman, that was the right answer, just shady and mysterious enough to elicit suspicion from a halfbreed acolyte of the Sun God who's looking for any excuse to pump him for any bit of information. In fact, when Fendric's through with him, he might be fit for the clergy himself.

"Ah. Then, of course, you swear on pain of eventual reincarnation as a dung beetle that you are hiding no bodies, dead or alive; that you are not a polymorphed servant of the Foe of all Good, masquerading as fine upstanding citizens of the halfling community; nor are you polymorphing important prisoners as cute little hounds, Pelor Forgive You, and that not only will you let us look in the BIG bag to confirm your story, but you will also willingly submit to a Zone of Truth and tell us absolutely everything and everyone you encountered down the river, especially if they were cultists, or the aforementioned important prisoner!

Like I said, we're investigating all upriver and downriver traffic for some one we believe the Cult of the Enemy have taken prisoner. He is an important cleric of Heironeous, probably THE most important cleric of Heironeous in the land. So if you saw anyone bound and gagged in a boat, for example, you REALLY want to tell us, because, well, we're on a mission for the Crown, two Churches, and the Order of Radiant Knights, and those are people you REALLY want on your side, may the Light Protect and Keep them All.

I want people on my side, don't YOU want some people on your side*?

So tell us everything, and don't skip a bit!"

[*this line brought to you by the church of Ralphie May.]

 

[Uriel]

Standing nearby Invisible, Niccolo stares open-mouthed at the Soliliquey that ushers forth from Fendric's mouth.

 

[Guilt Puppy]

The little man in front of you stands wide-eyed -- his partner does, too, at first, but then something seems to click and he starts giggling, and goes to try and get the dog back under control.

"No, we're not poy...poly... whateverthings. And we didn't see any bigfolk on the river, and we were looking, Ozzy told us to. We just went down to Goodnock a little late to pick up, well, it's s'posed to be a surprise is all. I promised Ozzy we wouldn't show ya."

He seems genuinely intimidated, although it may just be a clever ruse. Still, if he has polymorphed that important prisoner into a hound, then Father Premule is currently taking a healthy sniff at your bum.

 

[dpdx]

Fendric's smile grows wider, if possible. "Okay, then. We won't look in the BIG bag, but you might want to be careful, as it's dark, cultists may already be in town, and you wouldn't want to have them running off with your things and using them for evil, Gods Help Us All.

But do you mean to tell me that there were NO other boats on the river, let alone that contained, um, 'bigfolk'? How about on shore, or in Goodnob, er, nock? Didn't float past any human sacrifice ceremonies, torture sessions, or anything else evil, Pelor Smite Them? Didn't notice some poor servant of good getting assaulted in the next town? Small woodland creatures, dismembered, floating in the water? You're our eyes and ears, so if you see something, or even remember something, your God is counting on you to tell Ozzy or one of us RIGHT AWAY. The Fate of the Realm depends on it."

Fendric pets "Father Premule," and smiles back at the docksmen. "Anyway, you've been very helpful, and I wish to say a Blessing tonight to the Radiant Light in your names, and put a good word in with Ozzy. Which names should I say have been helpful?"

 

[doghead]

the evening before, just outside of town

the solitary traveller tops the rise as the sun settles behind the far horizon. He stops. He had met the short folk on his travells, but never had he seen any of their villages, as what lies ahead must surely be. He settles down on his haunches and draws out his pipe, but doesn't light it, while he considers what lies ahead.

Small houses, some even built into the hills, cluster around the gentle river, itself crosses by several cobbled bridges and travelled by the occasional lantern lit boats. Small folk move around the houses and gardens, as do a few others. It all looks peacful enough. Inviting even. Except for the men obviously watching the river.

He doesn't need to go in. He still has several days food. But he has heard about the culinary skills of these people and and even from here he can catch the fail smelll of cooking. A good meal wouldn't go amiss. Automatically his hand strays to his pouch, touching it lightly. But he doesn't need to this time and he smiles as he remembers. The last few weeks have been good, his recorder has been well received. He has enough coin.

Tomorrow. He will head into town tomorrow. He has had a few unfortunate experience with towns folk suspicious of after dark arrivals. But he really would like a hot breakfast for a change. With that decided he withdraws back into some nearby trees and settles down to sleep.

 

[Festy_Dog]

Nurthk yawns and gazes at the dog.

"Hey there doggy," he says and yawns again.

He scratches himself then looks sleepy-eyed at all the cargo being unloaded.

I'm guessing these aren't the people we're looking for...

 

[Uriel]

Niccolo quietly rolls his eyes once more at Fendric's odd ramblings. Maybe his friend had been riding in the sun for too long, or perhaps he needed the attentions of a winsome Lass...
Niccolo wondered if Priests of Pelor (may his stick-in-the-mud-self-never-grow-dim) were allowed to ,shall we say, frolic with fair maids at all?
Hmm...

 

[doghead]

Outside of town, night.

"ZZZZZZ"

Hummm ... pigs knuckles ...

"ZZZZZZ"