Malvoisin's Savage Tide, Act 1 - There Is No Honor

[stonegod]

Col nods at Kalen's performance. "Arr, that be the right of it. I think we can be use'n a more scarred look for Penkus so that it be close enough---givin' a visible sign of 'trauma' that traitor would have put 'em through t' convince 'is mates. Tha' tattoo is key, we must make a sure that be kept." The scholar rubs his chin a moment. "If we can be finding a discrete cleric to be a'com'n out 'ere---after we 'clean' it, o' course---they can be doin' the question'n to get 'is voice, me think."

 

[Malvoisin]

While Penkus' unblemished appearance is rather hard to fathom due to his fetid, bloated condition, it does seem that Kalen's disguise should be a passable resemblance to the dead thief. Of course, the only way to find out for sure would be to put it to the test against his former allies.

Col relents from his insistence on bringing the dead Penkus back into Sasserine, as he finds little support for the idea amongst his companions. However, everyone agrees that the treasure found below must be taken along tonight. To that end, the six adventurers work together, using rope and muscle to haul out the coins, gems, and magic items. It takes some time, and when the rowboat is finally loaded, the sun has nearly set, and the group is so exhausted that everyone feels as though they could drop at any second. Still, they know they can't stay the night on the island. Clambering into the (very crowded) boat, Chongo and Keoni take the oars, and the party shoves off, heading for the lights of Shadowshore.

The trip takes a bit longer than it might normally, due to the fatigue of the rowers, but the boat lands at a small, unobserved dock without incident. The party sets foot on the welcome wood of the dock, more than 36 hours since departing with Shefton for Parrot Island. The companions know that they need to rendezvous with Lavinia and inform her on what they've learned...but what to do with the treasure chests?

[OOC: You guys want to lug the treasure through the streets, or try to stash it somewhere? Note, I'm really talking about the bulky coins, not so much the easily portable gems, potions, etc.]

 

[hafrogman]

Keoni takes a seat on the chest of coins, considering its rather immobile nature. He breathes heavily of the dockside air, rubbing his still damp hair as he considers the city streets.

"Well, we still have work to do it seems. We cannot leave this here. It may be safest at our lady's home, do we have the energy to get it there? I doubt many would try to take it from such a group as ourselves, and I would like to meet the man who could run away with it. . . but it will still be a long walk, I expect."

 

[Rhun]

Anar isn't thrilled with the idea of leaving any of the hard-earned booty behind, and the look on his face makes that plainly known. "The gold and silver at least we take...the copper we can hide and come back for if you are afraid of carrying it through the streets."

 

[Legildur]

"Or someone could fetch a wagon or cart from Lady Lavinia's?" Bael suggests as he rests sitting on the chest of copper coins.

 

[stonegod]

Col shakes his head. "Th' waters must have turned yar heads ta mush! The Lady do be livin' in the Marchant District!" He points across the waters to the south to the collection of docks and such in the distance. Then he waves at the nearby cliffs to the west and the waterway and fallen bridge to the east. "Thar be no land route from the shadowed shore! A water coach we be need'n!"

OOC: Should be a online map of Sasserine somewhere, but that's the geography I remember.

 

[Legildur]

Bael nods his head in acceptance of Col's explanation. "Then what are we doing on this dock?" he asks. "We have our own water taxi," he adds, gesturing loosely towards the craft they just rowed across from the island.

 

[hafrogman]

Keoni nods slightly.

"It was Shefton's boat. . . I doubt he will be returning for it. But as to where he "rustled it up" from, I could not say. We use it for tonight, but after that I can't imagine we will want to keep it, lest it attract questions."

 

[Rhun]

"Then let us be on our way back..." says Anar, loading things into the nearby boat.

 

[Malvoisin]

The wisdomw of Col and Bael's arguments cannot be ignored, and so with some groaning of tired limbs, the party loads the treasure chests back into the boat. Unfortunately, Vanderboren estate is all the way on the opposite side of the Merchant's District, and so it is rather late when the boat makes its landing at the Merchant's dock. Aching backs and arms drag the heavy chests through the streets as quickly as possible...the good news is that it's not far to the estate now. The party is unmolested by the Watch, or Sasserine's more undesirable element as they make their way.

Even at this late hour, the door is answered dutifully by the familiar face of Kora Whistlegap, who rapidly ushers the group inside with a relieved look on her face. "You just leave those heavy things right there, they will be safe," she says bluntly, in reference to the chests. "I'll fetch Mistress Vanderboren straight away!"

The party proceeds down the hall to the familiar dining room. It's only minutes before Lavinia comes rushing into the room. She is still dressed in spite of the late hour, and her cheeks are flushed. She rushes immediately to Anar, grabbing the rogue in a fierce hug that takes even the dashing ladies' man by surprise. Then, regaining her composure, she seems equal parts relieved and angry as she pulls free of Anar and cries out, "Where have you all been? I've had people looking for you all day, with no trace to be found throughout all of Sasserine...Keltar Islaran is dead! Murdered in his sleep last night, and left in a horrible state...eviscerated they said! The harbormaster is murdered, and no one has seen any of you all day, and I was worried sick, and..."Finally, stopping her rambling, she allows the party's filthy, wounded, haggard state to register in her brain. She repeats in a much softer voice, "Where have you been? Are you all right?"