A Mission to Athkatla

[vetinari]

Four figures meet in a dark, secluded area in the Cloakwood near midnight. The darkness is complete, obsuring their faces and figures, hidden even from each other as they arrive. Some sort of eldritch creature of the night shreiks in the distance, and a chilly breeze blows through the trees, making an empty moaning sound.

In the darkness, one figure steps forward, and there is a hollow thump.

"Ow! What, nobody brought a torch?"

"I can just see fine."

"Ah course ya can, pointy-ears! The rest of us are fumblin' blind."

"I can see fine too."

"Alright, alright. Let me cast a light spell"


With the light cast, the figures of Alison, Aearion, Randy, and Catam are illuminated. They look each other over, Randy still rubbing her toe.

Alison speaks, "Okay, I'm sure you all know why I called you here, but let me recap. Before he died, Gareut set in motion a plan to harm certain people. He sent the instructions through a messenger. I managed to get the instructions off this messenger, read them, and return the instructions to the messenger without him knowing.

"A couple of days ago, I saw the messenger again, a man named Eric. Randy and I got him alone and interrogated him. Fortunately, he was drunk as a skunk, so the interrogation went easily. We found out that Eric had delivered the letter to someone in Athkatla. He didn't know his name, but he described him as a short, balding, human shipbuilder.

"We need to find Gareut's old crew. They may, even now, be ready to implement Gareut's plan for revenge. My plan is that we travel to Athkatla, ask around for a short, bald human shipbuilder, and interrogate him. We need names, we need their plans."

Alison grows serious. "I need to warn you all. . . this won't be dangerous at all, and we probably won't even have to draw a weapon or cast a spell. So, nobody will hold it against you if you don't want to put yourself out of harm's way.

"Are we all on board with this?"

[Steal Your Face]

Aearion's bright chuckle washes over the group.

"You don't think for one second I'm going to pass up a pleasant holiday trip with you, do you darling? Especially if these two knaves are travelling with you. Besides, maybe we can find some more flimsy Calimshan lingerie along Waukeen's Promenade."

After a customary waggle of his eyebrows, he continues, far more serious and in a tone barely audible to the group, "We've all but exhausted what can be done here. I've got folks keeping tabs on a couple of suspicious types but that's not going to bear fruit any time soon. This sounds like the best way to do something other than sit around and wait to be attacked."

His mien grows thoughful before he continues with the germ of a plan. "I grew up outside a fishing village so I know a thing or two about ships... well, fishing boats but Gareut's Blueberry is a sloop and some of the boats in Nimlith were just as big, if not bigger. So, maybe something like I'm trying to commission the building of a ship... for some reason... can be the cover to make the introduction."

[vetinari]

The quartet meets again a few days after their initial meeting. Spirits are high, but cautious, although Randy isn't her usual self; seeming distressed but refusing to talk about it. South they travel, Alison singing a few bawdy songs to try to cheer Randy up, but the hulking she-warrior remains stubbornly silent.

Through Nashkel they travel, and across the Cloud Peaks, until they see the welcome sight of the twin towers. They take the ferry across the Alandor River, and arrive in Crimmor just as the sun sets. In the morning they travel West, arriving shortly in Athkatla.

"Now," Says Alison looking at the towering walls of the City of Coin. "To find a short, bald shipbuilder. How hard can that be?"

Catam and Aearion exchange a glance, but let the obvious answer remain unsaid.

[Steal Your Face]

Unbeknownst to Alison, Aearion's glance to Catam comes after many to her back along the way of which she was unaware. His expression bears none of its usual cheer and he sullenly shrugs at her question when she finally looks to him.

"I offered my suggestion already," is all he says.

[Steal Your Face]

As they travel south toward Crimmor the normally ebullient elf's mood started to shift. The combination of Randy's depression, Alison's focus on cheering her up, the unfamiliarity of the territory and the uncertainty of the task ahead all close in on Aearion and every step southward finds him withdrawing more into himself and his own thoughts.

The night finds reverie hard to come and the memories that slowly filter through his mind are troubling. He relives his arrival in Baldur's Gate, fresh from Evermeet, yet with only the terror and none of the wonder. Every mistake and doubt since then follow in sequence until the morning finds him bereft of optimism. The day's trip to Athkatla is, for him, a silent trudge until his snappish retort to his wife's comment.

His companions stunned silence shakes him from his trance and his ears glow hot with embarassment. Pointing toward the waterfront he grunts, "That way, I reckon. I'll ask around." He heads toward the docks, uncertain and seemingly uncaring whether they acccompany him.

[vetinari]

Alison seems a bit confused about Aearion's reaction but moves aside with him as they walk toward the city, trying to figure out what is bothering him so, making jokes and trying to cheer him up.

About a mile from the city, the group stops and gathers together to discuss Aearion's plan.

"Okay," Says Alison. "Aearion will pose as a wealthy merchant looking for a shipbuilder to build a merchant ship for him. I'll pose as his wife. Catam will pose as his counciler, and Randy will pose as his personal body guard. We'll hire a guide to take us to the docks area and meet with some shipbuilders. Hopefully we'll spot the man we're looking for. . and we'll go from there. We'll probably have to catch him alone somewhere. I doubt very much he'll be willing to talk about his potential-pirate of a client."

Dressing in the appropriate garb, they move into the city. They hire a guide to take them to the docks area, and begin speaking with various shipbuilders, looking for their short, bald human shipbuilder.

[Gareut]

The group travel with the shady guide from warehouse to warehouse finaly they find this bald, fat, greezy man with slippery tongue which would fit to the description from Eric. He greets them merilly as six of his men surround the small group. "Welcome to my little workshop, gentelmen and ladies. How can old Ulf help you? What I heard from your guide you look for a shipbuilder, yes? " His men smile, and idly watch Alison up and down, one of them even dares to blow a kiss to Randall. "We have been really busy lately but if the prise is right we are yours to use, sir." Quick count would tell that he has over 30 men working with this new ship hull, whole workshop smells like fresh wood, really pleasant. Elven eyes could also notice that everyman hold somesort weapon close. One of them got a heavy crossbow at his reach! Not a basic tools for carpenters.

[Steal Your Face]

Alison's banter seems to put a small dent in Aearion's sense of forboding and his manner lifts from glum to simply grim and serious. Before they settle on a guide, he adds a few brushstrokes to the plan.

"First, names. This guy knows at least some of ours, so, from here on I'm Belcaunon. My wife... hmm... Andrea? Councilor, Glandur? And bodyguard... hmm... Bertha?

"Next, we deal in small volume, high value goods, er, gems and the like, so we're looking for a small, fast elusive ship. A sloop, in fact. That should narrow down potential builders to someone likely to work on the Blueberry."

The group meet the guide, set off and eventually meet their quarry.

[vetinari]

Alison takes the lead, with Aearion occasionally whispering to her as if he was in charge and she is just the spokesperson. She asks a few questions about designing a sloop or small frigate. When asked about how fast and maneuvarable it needs to be, she coyly responds that it needs to be faster than any merchant ship and able to outrun any ship-of-the-line from any of the coastal cities.

She points at the ship under construction and asks about it. After a few questions she asks: "We met a sailor who had just taken a berth on a ship. . I believe he said it was the Blueberry? I think? Anyway, he described the ship as being well built and very fast. In fact, he was the one who gave us your description, although he didn't have a name. I'm glad we found you.

"I think we are basically looking for a similar type of ship. Is this Blueberry one of your contracts? I would love to take a look at it to see if the design would fit our needs. We are, of course, very discrete."

((unbuffed Bluff-20. Unbuffed Diplomacy-22))

[Gareut]

"We met a sailor who had just taken a berth on a ship. . I believe he said it was the Blueberry? I think? Anyway, he described the ship as being well built and very fast. In fact, he was the one who gave us your description, although he didn't have a name. I'm glad we found you." Ulf's eyes widen and he coughs. He nods to the near by guards which straight themself. "I didnt realise that you ladies and sirs move in such company, my mistake." A hint of fear in his movements he continues listening them. His men, now wary from their surrounding eyeing Randall as fighter not a mate. Thin elves dont get such attention after all.

"I think we are basically looking for a similar type of ship. Is this Blueberry one of your contracts? I would love to take a look at it to see if the design would fit our needs. We are, of course, very discrete." Ulf smiles as they seems to be interesting from one of his greatest work. "Ah... Ofcourse. Men, bring the rum! This way, this way. I have model from her right here also some drawings. She is a beauty, you have seen her on waves? In Umberlee's name she shall make some fine deeds in coming seasons!" Ulf's men bring bottles of rum for elves, somesort cruel metal mugs for Alison and Randall filled with same black strong drink. Ulf keeps the key points hiden but what they can tell from model and draws that Blueberry is Sloop of war, deadly with her own way. Ulf's men seem bit confused from their leader's happy mood but they relax also when they think that this bunch wont start a fight, rum bottles start to dry.

[Steal Your Face]

Aearion takes advantage of the men's interest in the females to very subtly make a few gestures and whisper a couple of quick incantations directed at the open cups without them noticing. ((Detect Poison)) He ignores doing the same for the full, unopened bottles of rum offered.

His eyes brighten with interest on seeing the model and for the first time raises his voice just above a disaffected whisper, "She's beautiful." A small smile crosses his lips and he continues in a quiet tone befitting a patient merchant, "As for the other, we meet all sorts of people in my line of work and while I prefer whiskey, I appreciate your hospitality."

With that, he opens the bottle and raises it in salute to the shipbuilder and his men, then takes a healthy swig, as much to dispel their wariness as to acknowledge Ulf's offer of the drinks.

He once again assumes an air of detachment, turning to whisper in Alison's ear, "We need to separate him from this crowd. Perhaps a smaller meeting to discuss design options, prices and schedules?"

[vetinari]

Alison drinks some of the rum after Aearion discretely checks it. She smiles and admires the models of the sloop, praising Ulf for his mastery. After Aearion's whisper "We need to separate him from this crowd" she nods and speaks to Ulf in a low voice, not quite a whisper but so only those nearby can hear.

"Master Ulf. My husband is very interested in your work. But some of the details we need to discuss. . . we would rather speak more privately. I know this city has many ears, and some of our discussions are best kept among those who need to know. Perhaps we can go somewhere more private?"

[Gareut]

"Oh? Great to hear! Well of course, I have just the place. Follow me, Lady. Sir." Ulf gestures three of his men to follow Alison, Aearion and him. He leads them to small room at the far end of the warehouse. Two of his mens stand just behind the pair as the third works as servant or personal guard for Ulf, how ever you might want to see it. Anybody who knows about sword dancing notices that these three know how to use their short swords and rapiers.

As Alison, Aearion and Ulf sit. His men relaxes and Ulf allows the pair to speak.

[vetinari]

Once they are in the back room, Alison leans forward conspiratorially toward Ulf.

"We are actually very interested in the crew of the Blueberry. The reasons don't conern you, but its very important we find out who these men and women are."

She holds out her hand an Aearion hands her something. She slides 2 diamonds across the table, so they are halfway between her and Ulf.

"Perhaps this will be a good starting point for our discussion?" She smiles. "The more you tell me, the more generous we can be. Any information you have will be greatly appreciated."

[Steal Your Face]

Before entering the room, Aearion whispers instructions to Randy. The Beast takes up a position near the door, not exactly blocking entry but her intent to keep the conversation private is clear.

As Alison speaks he presses the gems into her hand, looking around in haughty distraction as if the proceedings between her and Ulf are beneath him. In reality he keeps the other three men in eyesight.