Angati nodded and smiled at Lavinia, she would have not minded an extra profit if the woman had been able to handle the smuggling on her own without involving them, but save that, this was the easiest option now, and she was quite happy with that.

She pondered as she saw Kora leave wether this had been an act of Lavinia not to show her true face... but... no, it just didn't seem to fit her, she was probably what she said she was, and... to be frank, that was much better and safer for them as a group.

She saw from the corner of her eye Anansi eyeing the scisors... of course, such a thing was nothing sort of a magnet to a kid and was about to say something when Alohan came by.

"I'll finish patching you up when it looks like the day is over... it's always best to keep something in case things turn for the worse, but I can probably leave you good as new by this evening". She hoped that the lecherous islander would not missunderstand her words... but in a way she almost hoped he would.

Lavinia reads the note carefully.

Chimera looks to sunrise
Cyclops looks to sunset
Medusa looks to sunrise
Umber Hulk looks to sunset
Basilisk looks to sunrise

"Perhaps my father was trying to leave a warning? Maybe there is a chimera that will attack us in the morning, then a Cyclops in the evening, and then a medusa the next morning... My goodness, we should warn the Dawn Council!"

"Oh, and Celene? An umber hulk is a large, bipedal, insect-like arthropod aberration with an ape-like build. If you look into all four of its eyes at once then it will confuse you." Lavinia looks proud. "My parents had an extensive library of texts on monsters and kept notes on those they encounters during their adventures. I've read everything in the library at least three times, I love that sort of stuff." She makes a sour face. "It is a shame that they didn't teach a class on it at the Thenalar Academy for Fine Young Ladies - I would have preferred that to yet another class on napkin folding."



Kassius is familiar with most of them - by name at least - as the contents of the hold are effectively a list of things to absolutely not touch, eat, get bitten or stung by in the Jungle Coast region. As to a particular location where they could all be found? Not really. They are all jungle critters and none of them would be found within three days ride of Sasserine, no, they would only be found out in the true wild jungle out beyond the plantations.



OOC: So should I take it as a standing order that Angati (and Kassius) will burn any remaining spells at the end of the day to use healing on wounded comrades?

So, any questions for the charmed thug, Ketrana or the other thugs before the authorities turn up?

"Hmm, I doubt it's any indication of an attack. Rather it's perhaps some direction clues - East when you see this, West when you see that or something like that? But you say your parents made notes on the monsters they've encountered? Maybe we should make a visit to your library, to see what they have on these five monsters?"

"But before we go, and the authorities show up, perhaps we should enquire how your Brother fits into all this? I'll see if this fine fellow knows anything first, but if not, Ketrana surely must know."

Celene goes to the charmed thug, who's fidgeting in a corner. "Okay, it seems we're all safe now. No more of the monsters below are loose, thank the Goddess, and you avioded getting harmed by the Rhagodessa. Do you know how it and all the other animals ended up down there?"

"Is Vanthus also part of that, or was he just interested in the thing hidden on this ship? Or how does he fit in?"

"Certainly, if you think that is worthwhile."



Lavinia wrings her hands. "My goodness, I know that my brother has been involved with some rough sorts around town, but I don't think he would have anything to do with this. If I said before, if he wanted to use the Blue Nixie, he could have just asked and I would've just given it to him! But ask them by all means."


This message was last edited by the player at 10:28, Wed 01 July 2015.

"Don't you say nothin' you big fool!" hisses Ketrana at the befuddled man.

"Oh, it's alright!" exclaimed the man. "I know this girl, she's al right, y' know?" Ketrana let out a blood-thursty curse but it didn't phase the thug, he just shrugged and addressed Celene. "Those animals been coming in every night, a few at a time, all crated up and ready to load. Some guys delivered them to us via gondola. I don't know who they were. Not local lads I judge - they had the look of rangers about them, all hoods up and dark cloaks."



"Huh? Vanthus? Who is that? I never heard of anybody called Vanthus. Soller Vark is in charge. We were all finished and were going to sail out with the morning tide towards some place called 'Kraken's Cove' to the east and then deliver this lot to the Crimson Fleet, and then - and this is the best bit - we were going to offer to join them! Ha! We'd all become pirates and make our fortunes. No more shadowshore for us."

Lavinia let's out a shocked gasp when she hears how close she'd come to loosing her vessel forever.

"The Crimson Fleet? I didn't know that, I thought you were part of the Lotus Dragons? Do they do business together, or are you bailing on the dragons?"

"Huh?" The man seems to be honestly surprised. "We're not in the Lotus Dragons, those guys are pyscos! Do you know what you have to do to get into their gang? But the Lotus Dragons are taking over this town so if you're in the thievery business it is either join up with them or get the frak out, if you will pardon the expression young miss. We've all chosen to get out - being a pirate is going to be much better - you've seen how we know our way around this boat, we'll fit right in."

"Oh, I'd just heard Vark was trying to get in, but perhaps it was that Vanthus guy. No, I haven't heard what their entry rituals are like. Do you know? Come on, tell me, it sounds really nasty!"

Do you know where they are based? Who are leading them - and how do one get in touch with them?"

The thug shakes his head. "I don't think that is right, Vark's a smart guy, he knows that these Lotus Dragon's are crazy. We all thought that we stood a better chance with the Crimson Fleet. It must have been that Vanthus guy."



"Don't you frakken answer that!" growls Ketrana. "The Lady Lotus will gut you like a fish in my market stall - while you're still alive! Frakken think about that."

This makes the thug pause for a second, but then he continues in a hushed voice. "You have to survive 'The Crucible' to get in. No-one knows what it is exactely, but I've heard it's some sort of big pit where you have to wrestle their green dragon while they fire arrows at you while the pit fills up with water. I mean, who can survive that?!"



The thug chakes his head. "Nope, don't know where they are based, although it sure ain't Shadowshore otherwise we'd have noticed by now. The Lady Lotus is their leader but I have know idea about how to get in touch with her, or any of her crew - and I don't want to know!"

Logan thinks this all over.  He nods.  "I suppose all that makes sense.  This whole ship, and its cargo, was a kind of bribe to the Crimson Fleet to let them join.  I wouldn't have credited Vark with that much foresight.  This whole plan still seems...too big for him.  And he was masterminding this while he was off stealing as well?  It still seems to me that Vark is taking orders from someone.  Maybe his crew doesn't know who."

Logan smiles.  "I wonder if his employer knew Vark's plans.  Maybe selling the ship and joining the Crimson Fleet was something Vark came up with by himself."

Kassius and Kibeti watch the conversation from the back, saying little. With each new revelation, the two would like at each other, and shrug, but were otherwise quiet. Only after Logan speaks does Kassius finally pipe up.
Maybe it is and maybe it ain't. Don't have enough information to figure it out, and don't really see how it matters to us either way. We did what we was paid to do, and reclaimed the lady's property.

Celene shruged. "Yes, you have a point, Kassius. Vark is not really supposed to be our problem, even though I'm guessing Logan would like to know what Vark is up to - so he's ahead of him, in case they have an encounter again in Shadowshore. But I am more than a little worried about my friend's claim that the Lotus Dragons are taking over the city. THAT pretty much corcerns all of us, doesn't it? We may not be able to do much about it, but we could at least alert someone of what we've learned. And gather what information we can first..."

Celene takes Logan and Kassius aside for a moment, say in a low voice, "I can use my magic to sway the girl to tell us what we ask her - she sounds like she knows more of the Lotus Lady, and Vark. Are you okay with trying that?"

"For it to work best, we need to make her a bit more at ease, so as not to be an immediate threat to her. I suggest we pretend to release her, with the intent to let her go, right when I cast the spell. So if you, Kassius, free her from the bonds, saying something along the lines of letting her off, while Logan stays alert in the background, to catch her if it fails, I'll cast the spell when she seems to think we're letting her go. Will that do?"

OOC: GM, I gather you get the idea of the above? Do you want us roleplaying the 'spell/maneuver' or not? It's up to you.

OOC: I get it, although she would only have the +5 bonus if she were in combat against you - being tied up doesn't effect the saving throw.

I should point out that very few low level humans can resist the Celene/Angati double team anyway!

21:18, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 7 using 1d20-1. Ketrana vs charm person.

Just on the verge of leaving the boat, Ketrana's eye glaze over and she stares back at Celene in rapture.

Logan moves to Ketrana.  "Why don't you tell your new friend what you know of the Lady Lotus?  And Vark, too.  What's he been up to?  Has he been taking orders from someone else?  Or is all this his idea?"

Ketrana smiles. "I don't know much more than what my crewmate has already told you - we aren't associated with the Lotus Dragons and don't want to be. The smuggling operation was originally Vanthus' idea. Vark and him met in some bar in Shadowshore a while back. That said, Vanthus claims to be in deep with the Lotus Dragons, so maybe there is a connection, but then again I don't know if Vanthus is for real or just full of hot frak. I can't image him making it through The Crucible - he looks too soft - so I don't think he is a member."

"Oh, and I don't know anything about the Lady Lotus except she has a pet green dragon living beneath the city, and that all who oppose her die terrible deaths. You should stay out of her way."

"As for the animal deliveries... I don't know who those guys were in the gondola, maybe Vark does. Vanthus organised us to make the shipment to the Crimson Fleet for a big payoff... But it was Vark's idea for us to stick with them and become pirates. I thought it was a great idea, but now it will never happen... Unless you let us go?" She add the last comment with a wistful look to Celene.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:02, Wed 01 July 2015.

OOC: Feel free to keep squeezing exposition out of the NPC's if there are questions you still want to ask. Then see you over in thread 1C.

While Angati was talking with Lavinia, she said... "Oh.. those scissors, belong to the dressmaker that made your cousins dress... he was robbed by Soler Vark under Vanthus instructions... if you give them to me I'll return them to him". In her head she had serious doubts about when she would find the time to drop by that asshole's shop to do him a favor that she didn't really feel like doing... but still, she knew she'd feel bad holding to those scissors so...

Angati was extremely careful when holding the scissors and held tight to them eyeing a space to the left of Lavinia, with a stern face that seemed to say "Don't you dare"

---

"Hmmm yes, I would very much like to see that library and see the distribution of the books there... it's probably just wishful thinking but... it sounds like it is related, they would have left a message that someone in the family would know where to look at, and the library was the first place that came to your mind when you thought about those monsters... so it sounds right".

---

"Mayhaps you could ask her where to find Soler so that they can all leave together ?."

OOC: DM yes, end of the day use left spells to heal :)

Lavinia nods. "Yes, certainly. But would it be acceptable if we visited my family's library tomorrow? I don't want to leave the ship, not until I have arranged for it to be guarded and I can't do that until after we have been to the vaults tomorrow morning..."

---

Ketrana hesistates before answering this question - this is obviously testing the limits of the charm spell versus her loyality to her boyfriend, but eventually the magic wins over. "Soller and I have a skift in barge end - he might be there - or then again, maybe not. If he thinks that he needs to lie low for a couple of days, then he could be hiding in one of many different spots in Shadowshore."

Seeing their trust in her about to be betrayed, almost breaks Celene's Heart - why this softness? But it just cannot be helped. Despite their newfound loyalty (albeit magically induced), their crimes are undoubtful and henious, and the law enforcement will be here soon. If only... For some strange reason, she suddenly blurts out "I am sorry, what you've done cannot be undone. Well, if only... do you have any information of value for Lady Vanderboren that you would part with, perhaps she would grant you her pardon. And as this is a crime against her property, she has the power to just let it all go. It all depends on her will, really."

Having shut her mouth again, Celene really can't fathom why she said that. She's not one to let Justice go unfulfilled! What's wrong with her - her mind seems all hazy and swirling...

"Oh my goodness," says Lavinia, clearly surprised about this new idea. "I don't know about that Celene. They did take my boat after all, and it sounds like they were planning to sail away with it forever. And then they tried to defend it with force. No, I think it is best that the law handles this, if I don't press charges it would be like I am doing the city a disservice."

Ketrana sighs. "Thanks for trying," she says to Celene. "...but I don't know anything else except that people like her," she nods in the direction of Lavinia Vanderboren. "...don't appreciate how good they have things. I mean she had a whole ship sitting down here ungaurded and not being used. Just how rich is she?"

Celene shrugs at Lavinias answer, which she of course finds logical and understandable. She also nods at Ketranas comment, though. "Yes, i see your point, but she has just recently been thrust into this after her parents' unexpected death. I am sure she will come to appreciate it all once she has had the chance to grieve and come to terms with it all. I believe she will actually do good for many peolpe from all this, in the future..."

Angati observed the exhange between Celene and Lavinia, raising an eyebrow and smiling at Celene, but otherwise, did not comment on her however... she did have something in stock for Lavinia. Even if she did not get what she wanted, at least she would learn how far Lavinia was willing to go to cover her brother.

"Oh well, I hope you do mention your brother's name in the report, you see, these guys are surely going to mention it to cover their asses and will probably be adding colourful notes about him that will surely aid their future, but not so your brother's who seems to be neck deep in even darker things... The way I see it, this guys could even argument that they were not even stealing... after all, they work for your brother who is as much a rightful owner of this ship as you are... anyway... it is still your call".

"Humph," says Lavinia. Angati's comments seem to have penetrated through the young noblewoman's normally cheerful (or at least inane) demeanour.

"First of all, I inherited 100% of my parents wealth while Vanthus was granted just 300 gold crowns a month, so it is not as though he is 'as much the rightful owner' of the Blue Nixie as I am. Secondly, I am sure that he is innocent of all wrong doing. I would certainly take the word of my brother over this bunch of ruffians any day."

Bronson is OVERJOYED that his gold has been returned to him and showers Angati with hugs and kisses all while sobbing gently. He insists upon making her a cup of tea which turns into a impromptu dress fitting session, and the old lady has a hard time getting away from him. He apologises for maybe not being entirely gratefully enough for her saving his life before, and promises all sorts of discounts and furthermore says that she can count on him anytime day or night if she needs some work done.

As she leaves, Bronson pushes a small bag into Angati's hand. "Bless you Madam Lidu, take this small appreciation for all your help." After she is down the street Angati opens it and finds 50 crowns inside.

OOC: Congrats, the party has received an NPC BOON! You can get clothes and disguises from Bronson at half price and he will open up his shop to help anybody accompanied by Angati any time to do some short notice clothes making (he can make anything, not just dresses.)