Ship’s Creak 21/03/2023 - Sparks-in-Shade
Mar 28, 2023 8:31:51 GMT
Tayz Dale, Velania Kalugina, and 1 more like this
Post by Gaz on Mar 28, 2023 8:31:51 GMT
It had been a long day for Dock Sergeant Roland Carver. He rubbed at the bags under his eyes, as if trying to erase the migraine that had been bothering him since that ship had arrived 2 days ago. He was stressed and tired, and now the party of adventurers he had hired to investigate had returned. Please let it be good news, he thought to himself.
Looking up from his cluttered desk, he took them all in: Itzal standing poised, like a coiled spring that could explode into motion as fast as thought. Tayz, his black beak and dark, shiny feathers reflecting the warm light of the lanterns suspended from the ceiling in Carver's dockside office. Boosya, the Harengon grandmother, her demeanour a contradiction of gentle kindness and ruthless intimidation. From the back, the Kenku Sparks-in-Shade stepped forward. Wearing an admiral's jacket that clearly did not belong to him, and a new-looking scarf in shades of red and black, he looked both completely at home and utterly out of place.
"We believe we have found the source of your... uhhh situation, Dock Sergeant. Indeed we have a lead on a suspect." Sparks said hurriedly " However sadly we have not apprehended this individual. Hypathi--"
Sensing the Kenku begin to flounder, Boosya coughed gently. Sparks fell silent, relieved for a moment's pause.
"Dearie, we've returned some of the sailors to life, including the captain. They were the victims of a Flesh to Stone spell. Frightful for the poor things, I'm sure. You'll need to send some local clerics to dispel the rest, there's a good boy." Boosya's manner was calm, her speech even and deliberate. "We were able to learn a name: Hypathia."
Sparks spoke up, twitching as if ready to burst "You can interrogate the captain yourself once she comes ashore. But from what we can gather, the likely perpetrator booked passage on the ship with the objective of entering Port Ffirst undetected." Sparks was speaking quickly, excitedly and Carver was forced to concentrate to follow the train of thought.
"The mass petrification spell was intended to cover their escape. Furthermore, we believe the suspect left stone golems on the ship as a distraction to buy more time. A lifeboat is missing, which suggests they came ashore shortly after the ship arrived here in Tritooth Wharf."
Carver sighed with relief and rubbed his eyes again. If the suspect was already ashore, this wasn't his problem. He felt his headache begin to subside, and he reached behind himself, pulling a bottle of gin from the shelf behind him.
"Well, that about wraps it up then." He said, pouring himself a glass, conspicuously offering none to his guests. "I'll send for some clerics to free the rest of the crew, and will extend an invitation to the captain to come ashore for a debrief with the authorities."
Taking a sip from his glass, he leaned back in his chair. "Thank you for your efforts. And I feel congratulations are in order that no property has been destroyed. That's rather unusual when working with adventurers, in my experience. Was there anything else?"
Tayz's brow furrowed with indignation. "Was there perhaps the issue of payment?" the Aaracokra asked with an measured combination of diplomacy and directness.
Carver felt his migraine rushing back. Dammit, the thought to himself.
Adventurers always wanted paying.
Thanks to andycd for a great session, and to Bosalind "Boosya" Sugartooth, Itzal Xolani and Tayz Dale for being great players!
Looking up from his cluttered desk, he took them all in: Itzal standing poised, like a coiled spring that could explode into motion as fast as thought. Tayz, his black beak and dark, shiny feathers reflecting the warm light of the lanterns suspended from the ceiling in Carver's dockside office. Boosya, the Harengon grandmother, her demeanour a contradiction of gentle kindness and ruthless intimidation. From the back, the Kenku Sparks-in-Shade stepped forward. Wearing an admiral's jacket that clearly did not belong to him, and a new-looking scarf in shades of red and black, he looked both completely at home and utterly out of place.
"We believe we have found the source of your... uhhh situation, Dock Sergeant. Indeed we have a lead on a suspect." Sparks said hurriedly " However sadly we have not apprehended this individual. Hypathi--"
Sensing the Kenku begin to flounder, Boosya coughed gently. Sparks fell silent, relieved for a moment's pause.
"Dearie, we've returned some of the sailors to life, including the captain. They were the victims of a Flesh to Stone spell. Frightful for the poor things, I'm sure. You'll need to send some local clerics to dispel the rest, there's a good boy." Boosya's manner was calm, her speech even and deliberate. "We were able to learn a name: Hypathia."
Sparks spoke up, twitching as if ready to burst "You can interrogate the captain yourself once she comes ashore. But from what we can gather, the likely perpetrator booked passage on the ship with the objective of entering Port Ffirst undetected." Sparks was speaking quickly, excitedly and Carver was forced to concentrate to follow the train of thought.
"The mass petrification spell was intended to cover their escape. Furthermore, we believe the suspect left stone golems on the ship as a distraction to buy more time. A lifeboat is missing, which suggests they came ashore shortly after the ship arrived here in Tritooth Wharf."
Carver sighed with relief and rubbed his eyes again. If the suspect was already ashore, this wasn't his problem. He felt his headache begin to subside, and he reached behind himself, pulling a bottle of gin from the shelf behind him.
"Well, that about wraps it up then." He said, pouring himself a glass, conspicuously offering none to his guests. "I'll send for some clerics to free the rest of the crew, and will extend an invitation to the captain to come ashore for a debrief with the authorities."
Taking a sip from his glass, he leaned back in his chair. "Thank you for your efforts. And I feel congratulations are in order that no property has been destroyed. That's rather unusual when working with adventurers, in my experience. Was there anything else?"
Tayz's brow furrowed with indignation. "Was there perhaps the issue of payment?" the Aaracokra asked with an measured combination of diplomacy and directness.
Carver felt his migraine rushing back. Dammit, the thought to himself.
Adventurers always wanted paying.
Thanks to andycd for a great session, and to Bosalind "Boosya" Sugartooth, Itzal Xolani and Tayz Dale for being great players!