CH. 3: Mages, Mages Everywhere

[Haahque]

"Right, ask dem longshoremen. Do we know if this boat has any unique gears or propellers that would set it apart from the other boats?" Taking a glance around he notices something strange about the boats moored to the docks. "Or umm... any gears or propellers? Meybe people here don't understand the aesthetic and practical value of adding extra pipes and vents to their vessels." Haahqae pulls out a piece of chalk and jots a note down on his sleeve.

With just a little bit of swagger Haahqae strolls over to the closest longshoreman. "Hi there Mr. Longshoreman sir. Have you seen the Salmon?"

[JadedDM]

Darga and Kendra
The man hesitates a moment. "Maybe," he says. "I haven't eaten in two days, so...my memory isn't working as well as it used to, you know?"

Gregeddin and Tulbas
The pair walk down the river, discreetly checking out the boats. Most of them are simple river barges with no names at all. There are also a few small fishing boats that appear abandoned, or at the very least, haven't been used in awhile.

The largest boat present is also getting the most attention. Longshoremen are loading up supplies onto it and a handful of sailors work on the deck, preparing it for its next voyage. Tulbas' excellent elven vision can easily read the name on the side, the Salmon.

Haahqae and Kynaston
"Simple people with simple needs," Kynaston offers to Haahqae by way of explanation.

The pair approach the nearest longshoreman, a middle-aged woman. "Salmon?" she responds. "You won't find any around here, not until the summer, at least. Doesn't stop some of the refugees from trying, though." She gestures to some of the homeless folk fishing, or trying to, along the river.

[Haahque]

Genuinely surprised, Haahqae retorts "Not until summer? Oh my goodness, I was promised a ride on the boat and I'm not sure if I can wait that long." Then continues muttering in a still audible fashion. "What type of person would promise a ride on a boat that's not going to be in until summer. Why I'll give him a piece of mind." His muttering slowly becomes less distinguishable and much more colourful as he continues muttering.

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra purses her lips together for a moment before she digs out a couple of steel pieces and hands them to the homeless man. "That should be enough to get you a meal or two."

[JadedDM]

Haahqae and Kynaston
"Actually, we're looking for a boat called the Salmon," Kynaston clarifies.

"Oh, right," the woman replies, looking embarrassed. "I should have guessed that. Yeah, it's right down there," she says, pointing further down the river. "Biggest boat in the harbor, you can't miss it."

Darga and Kendra
The man gawks at the pair of steel coins, which could buy him several meals. He looks around quickly to make sure nobody is paying attention and quickly accepts them. "Th-thank you! The Salmon is further down the river. It's the biggest boat in the harbor. But if you're looking for a ride to New Ports, you're out of luck. It's been rented out by some foreigners. They won't let anyone else on board."

==========

Kendra gives 2 STP away.

[Haahque]

Walking up to Kendra with a big grin on his face Haahqae explains the situation. "We found it! And we won't even have to wait till summer."

[djhyland]

Darga nods to the ragged man for his directions. "Thank ya, we're grateful fer yer help. Keep that coin safe; there's thieves out that'll rob ya if they know ya have it."

As they approach the Salmon, Darga turns to Kendra. "Tha t'was a mighty good thing ya did there, m'lady."

[HorizonsDream]

"I know what it is like to be poor," Kendra admits to Darga. "Oh, and don't worry about coming to my home like you did. It got me out of listening to my mother plan my wedding," she adds before she looks over to Haahqae. "Um, okay," she says, clearly a little confused about the summer comment. "And it has just been confirmed it has been rented by some foreigners."

[JadedDM]

The rest of the group reunites and they discuss what they have learned.

"So we know there is a ship called the Salmon that travels the river from here to New Port and we know it's been rented out by foreigners," Kynaston recaps. "That seems to follow what we have been told so far."

He crosses his arms and looks away from the river, back toward the buildings of the city. "I know this part of the city pretty well. If they are transporting her from the cult hideout to this boat, and we assume they are avoiding main roads, we should be able to predict which path they'll take. And that'll make it easier to find a good ambush spot."

[BishGada]

"Good." Tulbas says shortly. "Please lead on. Maybe if there is a place where we could separate the Cavalier from the other warriors, it will give us some edge?"

[JadedDM]

The party follows Kynaston who leads them through what he believes will be the Ergothians' most likely path. After a time, they come to a street junction and Kynaston stops. "This looks like a good spot," he says.

Street 00.JPG (160 KiB) Viewed 5450 times

"They'll have to come up this street from the south, which is about half-way between the cult's warehouse and the harbor. We can split up into three groups." Kynaston points upward. "Archers and casters can climb up onto the rooftops and rain death from above. The other two groups will hide in these alleys. When the Ergothains are in the middle, both groups jump out and close in, preventing any escape. What do you all think?"

[BishGada]

"I can't say much about the military strategy but I'd like to point out few things. We must neutralize those who will hold Daxia first, otherwise they will use her as hostage or worse just kill her immediately. Second, we should think of the possibility that Seekers guards will rush to handle the commotion. Third, maybe we can use a wagon, or something to barricade behind and avoid their ability to attack, and last, I'm not sure if that's what you meant, but I think we should trap them in a narrow street and not in a junction where they can spread out and defend themselves better. We also have time to prepare traps and ammunition."
Tulbas looks at the others. "Anyway, I'll do my best to follow your orders. First I will try to force as much as possible of the guards into magical sleep. I'll focus on those who hold Daxia. She might fall asleep as well which indirectly might protect her. Then I can use my sling to shoot from the rooftops or if you prefer spill burning oil down if I can avoid endangering Daxia. Just that you know, those who fall asleep can be awakened if shaken or slapped hard, so it is up to you if to focus on the standing ones hoping no enemy will awake the sleeping ones, or one of us will try to sneak between them and kill the sleeping ones."

[mgbevan]

"My my she is rather grand, I ought to write a song about her one day" Gregeddin chirps as they follow Trench.

"Oh I like your thinking there, I was about to suggest that we all jump from the rooftops in an aerial ambush, but your way reduces the chances of broken legs.

Is this place well lit at night? We might need to make some street modifications to better our chances of surprise."

[JadedDM]

"We won't get any trouble from the Holy Guard," Kynaston says with certainty. "They're stretched too thin as it is, so have all but abandoned the harbor district to focus on protecting the merchants and other wealthy elites of the city. As for traps...that's a good idea. But what sort of traps can we set?"

He turns toward Gregeddin. "Lighting...good call. Tulbas and Haahqae can see in the dark, right? That works out, because they can attack in the darkness and keep an eye out for when the Ergothians are approaching. The rest of us will need light, though. Likely, the Ergothians will carry some torches, but we should bring our own light sources. But we shouldn't light them until the ambush starts, else they'll give away our positions."

[Haahque]

"I was done there thinking that we could cover the ground in hay, then while I do my juggling flaming torch routine I could accidentally let one fall. But I guess we better get Daxia out of there before I let that happen. I doubt a pokketdoor would be any use, and even gnomish equipment has it's limits. I don't think it'll stretch out large enough to fill the whole street." Haahqae suggests, testing out the ground for a dance and joggling routine.

"And if the Holy guard do happen to show up, I suggest we take Daxia and run. Perhaps they could distract the Ergothians long enough for us to make good our escape."