CH. 16: Homecoming

[JadedDM]

Jocelyn, Ouragana, Baeros, Gallath and Drav (Enott Harbor/Sardonx 15th, 3 PM)
Jocelyn, Ouragana, Brock and Naishe climb into the first rowboat, leaving the second one for Baeros, Gallath and Drav (unless they wish to remain on board, that is).

They row the two boats ashore and tie them off at the harbor. Strangely, nobody comes to greet them or register their arrival. Their arrival draw quite a few stares, some malicious and some wary. They seem especially drawn to the blue of Jocelyn's vestments.

Draska is not like the other islands the party has visited. It's essentially run by pirates, smugglers, slavers and other not-so-legitimate businessfolk. There's an old saying, "If you ever want a free knife, just turn your back to a Draskan."

There are numerous colorful people wandering the harbors this afternoon. The party spots some haggard looking prostitutes, men and women wearing red robes, ogres, orcs, goblinoids, and some very shady looking sailors and marines (even some with eye-patches and peg-legs, but no hooks for hands).

"Ah, Draska Island. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy," Naishe notes. "So, who's up for some drinks?"

Val and Naras (Under the Sea/Sardonx 12th, 12 PM)
Cye chuckles in response. "No, not naturally. Perhaps with a shapechange spell or item, in the same way that a surfacer could have fins and a tail if they used a similar spell or device. Why do you ask?"

[HorizonsDream]

"My first instinct is to hide," Jocelyn admits as she looks around. She always tried not to be noticed when she was here, and now everyone was noticing her because of her blue robes. "But, uh, I guess a tavern is the most logical place to start."

[Chris1234]

"Well, Cye, one hears all sorts of fanciful things, most of which are inaccurate or simply untrue, but a few do contain a kernel of truth. My god, Gonto, promotes Knowledge as well and Community and other things. It behooves me to investigate where I am able." She shrugged and game an honest to goodness smile, "And I'm a curious, nosy, woman too."

The dwarf intends to cast Magical Vestment at the last possible opportunity in the hope that it won't run out prematurely.

[Nuke]

Val, the amazon of few words, continues to moves forwards on the dwarf's words, but hey, at least she is a woman.

She continues to hold her trident while following along, but does pat the vial at her waist.

[Breila]

"Yes, let's go and get something to drink. Get off the streets, too." Ouragana looks uncomfortable as well. "Does anyone know a place to go? Naishe?"

[JadedDM]

Jocelyn, Ouragana, Baeros, Gallath and Drav (Enott Harbor/Sardonx 15th, 3 PM)
"I've never been here before," Naishe admits. "I suppose the pastor would know best. What about there?" she asks, pointing to a run-down looking tavern with the name of the Golden Tooth. Just as they look, they see a man stumble out the entrance, clutching a stab wound in his gut. He hobbles out as quickly as he can, hurrying down the street. Two men with daggers, one of them bloodied, burst through the door a few moments later and run after him.

Val and Naras (Under the Sea/Sardonx 12th, 1 PM)
After an hour of traveling, they come to a large sea cavern at the base of an undersea mountain. Two manta rays patrol outside of it. Serenna quickly gestures for the party to take cover behind some coral reef about 100 yards away, before they are spotted.

"Are you sure this is it?" she asks Shin.

"Well, it does appear guarded. Our scouts did say they came this way. Seems logical to me," the mage replies.

"What's our plan of attack?" asks Cye.

[HorizonsDream]

"Honestly, the streets are probably the safest place," Jocelyn comments to Ouragana. "But that tavern is as good as any at this point," she admits. "Everyone just needs to be on their guard at all times." With that said, Jocelyn makes her way to the Golden Tooth.

[Chris1234]

"I'm not used to doing stuff underwater, but I think we need to take out the two guards without alerting the rest of the place," replies Naras. She then translates to Val and asks what she thinks the plan should be.

[JadedDM]

Jocelyn, Ouragana, Baeros, Gallath and Drav (Enott Harbor/Sardonx 15th, 3 PM)
Careful not to step in the spilled blood in the doorway, the party enters the Golden Tooth. It is the very definition of a 'dive.' It's dirty, poorly maintained and smells to high heaven.

In the corner are a trio of sailors, two humans and a dwarf, playing some kind of card game. A pair of gnolls are arm wrestling at another table. Behind the bar stands a hobgoblin woman with a nasty scar across her right cheek.

For the most part, the party doesn't look too out of place: a storm sorceress, a ranger, a thief, an islander, a swashbuckler and a dwarf. But all eyes are drawn to Jocelyn; specifically, the blue vestments she wears. The primary faith on this island is Renos, and he and Octhanus have long been considered enemies as they preach opposite philosophies. Octhanus teaches mercy, helping others, and diplomacy. Renos teaches vengeance, ambition and violence.

(OOC: Also, I just realized I never answered Breila's earlier question. But yes, the cannon seems to be gone now.)

Val and Naras (Under the Sea/Sardonx 12th, 1 PM)
"We need to make sure that one of them doesn't manage to get away and alert the others then," Serenna comments. "We need a distraction of some kind, because if we just rush them, they'll see us coming and have time to call for reinforcements."

[HorizonsDream]

"All eyes on me," Jocelyn mutters to herself. Clearing her throat, she walks towards the bar. "Uh, excuse me," she says. "I'm looking for a woman," she says. She describes Sable to the best of her own memory. "And she goes by the name Sable."

[Chris1234]

"Good idea, Serenna," responds the dwarf, who then translates for Val as they go along. "I guess I could circle around and walk towards them from the left hand side, maybe pull at least one of them towards me. That'd give you enough time to sneak round to the right and rush them while their attention is on me. Maybe Val & Mist could be reserve to try and then charge in to cut off any that try to retreat into the lair. Or maybe all of you and Val/Mist would be better changing roles so that she goes in after me and then you do the 'cut of the retreat' bit. Anyway, we need to get your leader out of there, so make a decision and let's get on with it." Again Naras translates for Val and also translates back and forth any responses from either Val or the merfolk.

Of course, Val might have to communicate via gesture/sign language..

[Breila]

Ouragana feels uncomfortable with the hostility towards Jocelyn, and not too well-prepared for any encounter. It seemed very unlikely that anyone here would welcome her mending spells as they did in Narin. At least, she would be able to thwart attacks on the group with her higher spells. She keeps her eyes open, surveying the room, but doesn't make eye contact with anyone.

[JadedDM]

Jocelyn, Ouragana, Baeros, Gallath and Drav (Enott Harbor/Sardonx 15th, 3 PM)
The bartender gives Jocelyn the stink-eye, then shrugs. "Never heard of her," she claims.

Here in Enott, nobody ever asks for anything nicely. The people here only respond to two things: coin and brute force. Bribing the barkeep might produce some results, but making it known that she's carrying a lot of coin will place a large target on her back. It may be worth the risk for answers, though. On the other hand, there's always intimidation and threats. Renosians always believe that might makes right, after all.

Val and Naras (Under the Sea/Sardonx 12th, 1 PM)
"Alright then," Serenna says. "Naras will be the distraction, and then we'll move in while they are paying attention to her. We'll wait for your signal, then move in."

(OOC: Does anyone else feel like Horizon, Breila and Chris are the only people left in this game lately? )

[Chris1234]

{OOC: It had occurred to me that the rate of posting had dropped like a stone.}

"Sure. All good with that?" replies Naras, who thereafter heads off as advertised.
She prays silently, ~Holy Gonto, by your will may we succeed in rescuing Silverfrond. I pray that this in turn strengthens the merfolk's sense of community and brings them closer to your dominion.~

She approaches from the left, pausing to cast Magical Vestment at the very last minute before coming into view by the two ray-creatures. She approaches with shield equipped and spear in hand but apparently held almost casually, as if she were simple minded, not really a threat at all to a pair of 'obviously superior ray creatures in their native environment.'

[HorizonsDream]

Jocelyn glances around the inn once more, then looks to the people that are with her. "If we want information, we are going to have to buy it," she says softly. "But if I do that, well that makes me even more of a target," she points out.