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

[GwydapLlew]

"Chongo agree with Keoni. Two can hold ship until bosslady takes control."

 

[Rhun]

"Ah, nothing wins the affections of a lady like heroic deeds," says Anar, walking to the rail. He looks back toward the docks. "Let us hope that it takes longer than a few hours for the harbormaster to round up more thugs."

 

[stonegod]

The old man keeps away from the rail as the others look over the bay. Though he was used to it, he had no desire of being closer to the sewage infested waters than he had to be. To Anar, he shrugged. "Doubt it. Vark do be doin' this on the sly. Old Keltar be to harried to be doin' dis. We be fine 'til the dawn comes, unless Vark has other thugs. Thus the watch I do me mention'n." Col yawns. "As for me, this old deckhand need his sleeps to protect you all from the black deep."

 

[GwydapLlew]

Chongo will bed down on the forecastle, and sleep throughout the night.

 

[Malvoisin]

The party spends the night aboard The Blue Nixe in peace, with the stars shining above, and the boat rocking gently with the waves. There is no disturbance from guards, thugs, or otherwise, and the only sound is the occasional cry from the wild animals in the hold. The toothless thug sleeps too, and offers no trouble...he seems resigned to his fate now. Soller Vark remains unconscious.

As the sun comes up, the rest has done the group some good, and everyone feels a bit stronger.

(OOC: New hp totals after a night's rest...Keoni 7/11 hp; Kalen 5/7 hp; Col 4/6 hp; Anar 5/8 hp; Damash 6/10 hp; Nicolai 3/4 hp; Chongo 10/14 hp.)

Damash and Nicolai agree to keep watch over the Nixie and its contents while the others go back ashore to report to Lavinia. The group bears the bag of platinum coins, the signet ring, the strange scrap of parchment, and the loot from the gang of thugs. When all has been safely loaded into the 'borrowed' rowboat, Chongo and Keoni row back to the docks.

Shortly thereafter, the group returns to the Vanderboren estate, and knocks on the front door. Kora Whistlegap receives the ragtag bunch, and the halfling woman swiftly ushers them into the large dining hall, where Lavinia sits, apparently having just finished a late breakfast.

She jumps to her feet as she beams delightedly and exclaims, "Have you met with success? Did you find the ring?"

 

[GwydapLlew]

Chongo will stand silently in the back. This sort of talk makes him uncomfortable, and he lets the others take the lead.

 

[Rhun]

"M'lady," says Anar, wide smile on his face. "The Blue Nixie has been secured, and we have your signet ring here with us. Two of our stalwart companions remained onboard to guard the ship against any attempt to retake it. We also recovered this bag of coin, and a cryptic note. Perhaps you can decipher its meaning..."

 

[hafrogman]

Keoni moves to stand next to Anar and adds more information to the summary of events.

"Vark was using your ship for some kind of zoo it seems, and was preparing to sail it away when we moved against him. We were forced to slay some of his minions, and took several prisoners, including Vark himself. We await your guidance on what is to be done with these pirates."

 

[stonegod]

The old man takes a finger out of his mouth, previously used for picking something from his teeth. "Yar. As the shoreman said, it do be carrying quite the load of exotic pets. I do have a list here. As you can see, they can all fetch a pretty sum, though someone with the more proper license than us would have do so. Though a finder fees of the profit would be appreciated, madam."

 

[Malvoisin]

"M'lady," says Anar, wide smile on his face. "The Blue Nixie has been secured, and we have your signet ring here with us. Two of our stalwart companions remained onboard to guard the ship against any attempt to retake it. We also recovered this bag of coin, and a cryptic note. Perhaps you can decipher its meaning..."

Lavinia returns Anar's smile. "I am so glad to hear of your success! But," she adds, looking at the party's blood stains and haggard appearance, "it seems the negotiations were not peaceful. Are you all right?" The question seems to be directed at the party as a whole, but Lavinia looks to Anar first for an answer.

Lavinia receives her father's signet ring, as well as the bag of coins and scrap of parchment. She can't help but smile again as she tries slipping the ring upon her finger. Finding it to be too large, she instead puts it in her pocket. Looking in the bag, she nods, "Yes, this is my payment, meant for the harbormaster to cover the mooring of the Nixie. Vark, that scum, kept it for himself, just as I suspected!"

Looking at the list of monsters, Lavinia blinks in confusion. "It doesn't mean anything to me..."

Then, pausing, she asks, "You say two stayed behind, but I see only one missing from your number?"

Keoni moves to stand next to Anar and adds more information to the summary of events.

"Vark was using your ship for some kind of zoo it seems, and was preparing to sail it away when we moved against him. We were forced to slay some of his minions, and took several prisoners, including Vark himself. We await your guidance on what is to be done with these pirates."

"I am sorry it came to bloodshed," Lavinia replies sadly. "But, I can't tell you how important it is to me that you've recovered this ring. Now, I can access the family vault and begin to truly set the estate in order. I will dispatch Kora at once to fetch the Merchant's Watch, and alert them to the trouble aboard my ship. They can dispose of any dead, and take Vark and any others still living into custody to face justice. This will free your companions from their guard duty."

The old man takes a finger out of his mouth, previously used for picking something from his teeth. "Yar. As the shoreman said, it do be carrying quite the load of exotic pets. I do have a list here. As you can see, they can all fetch a pretty sum, though someone with the more proper license than us would have do so. Though a finder fees of the profit would be appreciated, madam."

"It sounds to me as though Vark was using my ship as a vessel for the smuggling of those animals...there is a black market for that sort of thing in the city. We will turn the beasts over to the authorities, so they may be cared for properly," Lavinia says matter-of-factly, as she takes the list from Col's hands. "Thank you, Master Col, I'm sure the Watch will be appreciative. I shall leave it to them to decide if a reward is in order."