"I have been away from Kwanlai for many years now," she said. "If I ever do return, I will be regarded with a measure of disrespect among most of my kinsmen for my adherence to the path of the Enlightened One. I spent a number of years on the streets of Hisuikarasu, and the gang wars perpetuated by the Sunderstorm Covenant gave me purpose to pursue a different path. I acquired many useful skills during that time, but I use them to very different ends now than my mentors likely intended. To say that I would be unwelcome to return would be a drastic understatement. You could say that I’ve entered a perpetual state of migration, though I would consider myself to be roosted once enlightenment has been achieved."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:44, Sun 08 Aug 2021.

Fafhrd nodded in understanding at appropriate moments as Aikio explained the journey that she was on and her search for enlightenment.

Being a follower of Sun Wukong the Monkey King, god of Drunkenness, Nature and Trickery, The Gray Mouser took notice of an establishment called the Drunken Sailor taking it as a portent of divine luck.  She pointed to the Drunken Sailor and addressed Fafhrd and Aikio (and any others present), There... we start there... I, and any not actively investigating, will enter first, we do not wish to look to be together, wait a while then make your entrances, separately or together, I leave that to the investigators to decide.  Then she strode off in its direction, expecting any others to follow.  Once there she instructs Jarinvar to "Stay" just outside the entrance then enters.

---

She will seek to find a table near the roughest and toughest looking group of patrons.

Aikio nodded to Gray Mouser, staring absently at the establishment for a moment. Stepping into an alley briefly, she adjusted the sleeves of her robe, which then shifted the shape and appearance of her clothing entirely. The billows of the robe sucked in, colors shifting to plainer colors, looking less well made and more worn. Forming into something more like the sailor garb seen by many of the customers walking in and out, including the hood of her robe which formed into a common sailor cap, separating from the rest of her garments. After rubbing a bit of dirt on herself, she rejoined the others, waiting a few minutes as Gray Mouser moved into the tavern.

After enough time had passed, Aikio walked into the tavern, looking something like a novice sailor, or perhaps the “good luck charm” dragged along by superstition. She found an open spot at the bar and sat, looking rather uncertain what to order.

With Mouse having selected a target location to commence with their investigate, Fafhrd prepared to do his thing. He drew a copper wire from a pouch at his belt and cast a message spell upon himself, Mouse, Aikio, and any others who may have come with them (up to 8 others).  It would last nearly an hour and a half and if need be he could simply cast it again.  The Shadovin then activated his hat of disguise to alter his race to that of a halfling and his appearance to that of a flamboyant traveling minstrel bard.

Using the connection to the others that he'd made with the message spell, Fafhrd informed the others of his intentions: "I will split off from you lot and make my way around to the service doors and convince one of the staff to allow me to perform for their patrons.  I will perform for a while, taking periodic breaks during which I will attempt to find those with information and loose lips."

With that he moved away from the group and slipped into the shadows, attempting to remain hidden from sight until he was far enough away from them so as not to be thought associated with them in any way.

---

Message Spell: 80 minutes, up to 8 targets, 180' range

Activate Hat of Disguise.  Disguise modifier +21, +10 from hat = +31 + take 10 = 41

Stealth (taking 10) = 47.

Note: as a Shadovin Fafhrd has - See in Darkness (Members of this race can see perfectly in darkness of any kind, including that created by spells such as deeper darkness.)
This message was last edited by the player at 01:06, Mon 09 Aug 2021.

OOC: GM... for my next action I'll need to know how many patrons are present.

At this time of day, there are only 7 people in the tavern, and one of them appears to have passed out. That doesn't include her two companions.

A group of three sit at one table. Two of them are clearly sailors, but the third person doesn't look like a sailor at all. He just looks too slick, though not necessarily clean. He doesn't have the rugged look to him.

OOC: did anyone meet Fafhrd at the service entrance?
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 09:29, Mon 09 Aug 2021.

Through the message spell The Gray Mouser spoke, "There are only 7 patrons here currently, Aikio, hold off your entrance for now, spread the word amongst the sailors and vagrants around the docks that the Drunken Sailor has a Bard entertainer and free ale, for the next few hours, then return once the place is full and begin your investigation."

She then waves the barkeep and orders herself an ale and an ale for every patron here and that enters and to keep a running tab then pulls out a hefty coin pouch and hands over 5gp up front. "If this runs out come back for more... cheat me and you will forfeit your life so be sure to keep good record of what you serve because I will be counting."

OOC: 07:35, Today: Gray Mouser rolled 17 using 1d20+13.  Intimidation check.

No Bluff check needed as she was not bluffing
This message was last edited by the player at 10:51, Mon 09 Aug 2021.

As a side thought she added, "oh, and Aikio, if you come across any ladies of the street, offer them 1gp and all the free ale they wish to drink if they are willing to 'entertain' the patrons of the Drunken Sailor... they can collect 5sp from the armored woman when they arrive and another 5sp if they are still there when she leaves... The more distractions we have in place the better chance of our not being noticed and getting information more easily than without.

Aikio pulled up short, and whispered in reply, "Acknowledged. Will do."

She moved toward the docks to spread the word of free entertainment, keeping an eye for any ladies of the night that might be up for easy coin.

With Fafhrd and Aikio on task, The Gray Mouser took more interest in those already within the establishment, looking for anything she could to determine more about who might be here.

---

OOC: Perception check to ascertain anything about those around and also to eavesdrop on any conversations.

Take 10 +13         = 23
Take 10 +13 + 4     = 27 (against anything that can cast arcane spells/invocations)
Take 10 +13 + 4     = 27 (To hear the details of a conversation)
Take 10 +13 + 4 + 4 = 31 (To hear the details of a conversation of anything that can cast arcane spells/invocations)

Fafhrd went to the back door of the Drunken Sailor by way of a narrow alley between the two buildings. It wasn't really a servant's entrance because it was a tavern and a dive at that. However, it probably was how the tavern got deliveries that came down the alley that ran behind the buildings.

No one comes to the door when he knocks nor even when he enters. There's no kitchen, only a back storeroom. At some point, though, the bartender comes back to get something for the bar and Fafhrd can talk to him. He just shrugs his shoulders and says go for it.


Aikio moves along the nearby docks and only finds a few sailors that she can interest in free drinks at the Drunken Sailor. It's simply the wrong time of day. Everyone is either busy working on the ship or elsewhere in town. Even ladies of the evening aren't around much, though she finds two that are interested.


Gray doesn't hear any conversations about arcane matters, but she assesses the other man with the two sailors as being a rogue, and the conversation they are having is about smuggling... at least, that seems to be the gist of it. Too many inferences about unnamed 'cargo'. She gets the impression that the cargo might be stolen goods 'too hot to handle' in Absalom.

The only other conversation is between two apparent stranger sailors commiserating over drinks about their bastard captains, comparing bars they've been in at other ports, and the 'best damn ale' this side of Qadira.

Carissa joins the others towards the docks and what rough company they may find tonight.  Now that she knew what may be required for tonight, she had bound herself with the spirits of Lady Jarah and the painter of paradox, Muse Istago.

As they walk, Carissa and her clothing shift subtly, to those of more Qadiran style, loose and more fit to those of a dancer; her hair and features shifting subtly to reflect more of the Qadiran look she has seen before. With the aid of the Lady of Rogues, she reaches for the gift of tongues, now able to speak both Taldan and Kelish.

Upon hearing Gray Mouser's remarks to Aikio and Fafhrd's idea, she nods.  "Once the tavern begins to fill, and you begin playing, I think a rousing Qadiran dance to remind some of the sailors a bit of home might help to at least draw their attention, if not get them to buy me a drink or three."

She will wait a few moments before entering the tavern, taking up position boldly near the bar as she orders herself something to drink and scans the room as she plays with the rim of her drink, waiting for Fafhrd to appear.  She will wait until Fafhrd plays a song or two then calls out for something livelier.

If he does, then Carissa will give a wide smile, and walk to the center of the tavern, her body moving to the music as she raises her hands, turning and swaying with the beat, as if she were back in the tents of the desert.

As she twists and dances, riding the notes of the music, her appearance shifts again, somehow becoming something more alluring, something more personal to each onlooker in the tavern.  Perhaps something to remind them of home.


OOC:
Rewrite Self: You can alter your physical appearance as a move action (Lady Jarah)
Across All Cultures: Select a number of non-secret languages that you cannot speak equal to your Charisma bonus (+6). You can speak those languages for the duration of the pact.(Lady Jarah)
Perform (Dance) Take 10+15=25
Aura of Distracting Beauty: As a standard action, you weave your physical appearance into a different form for all onlookers, causing them to see perfection in you. Creatures within 30 feet that can see you must make a Will save or become fascinated until you take a hostile action of any sort against a fascinated creature or one of its allies. (Lady Jarah)

Having gone in search of a servant entrance, Fafhrd instead found a back door that was most likely used to receive deliveries.  There was no one there to prevent entry, nor was it locked, so he let himself in.  He found himself in a storeroom.  Before he had opportunity to explore further into the establishment a man came into the room to get some clean glasses for the bar.

He'd prepared a list of reasons he planned to offer to explain why he should be permitted to perform for the patrons of the Drunken Sailor but ended up not needing them.  The bartender had simply shrugged his shoulders and told him to go for it.

Fafhrd found his way out to the barroom.  Looking around he found an area off to the side that was most likely for entertainers.  He took a few minutes to introduce himself the the few patrons in the room and then cast a spell that brought a mandolin into existence.  He then began to play a jaunty little tune that possessed some fairly bawdy lyrics. Even though he was mid performance, he kept his eyes open, scanning the room for anything that might be out of place...something that, however unlikely, might suggest who might have knowledge of the information they seek.

---

OOC:

perform +15 mod, +5 item, +10 "take 10" = 30 = extraordinary performance

Perception +20 mod, +10 "take 10" = 30.

This message was last edited by the player at 01:06, Thu 12 Aug 2021.

You can delay your efforts until later in the day when the tavern might be more crowded. You just need to specify a few parameters: either what time you're going to do it, or when a certain number of patrons are in the place.


Fafhrd is pretty sure that this place has never seen any entertainment before. There's no area for entertainers, but a table can be moved aside to create one. Most entertainers in this type of establishment move about, rather than stand in one spot.

This is a tavern (modern term: bar) that doesn't serve any food. If it served food of any kind, it'd be a pub.

As he scans the room, he does realize that if the mutineers were keeping a low profile, this is just the kind of place they'd likely frequent. On the other hand, though, they could also find trouble here all too easily.

As soon as he starts to play, all eyes turn to him. He can tell by the surprise on their faces that this is an unusual occurrence. While they all seem uninterested at first, once he starts singing bawdy songs, he gets nearly everyone's attention.

And then Carissa starts dancing. If it was a normal performance, the men would be pawing her every chance they got. However, her beauty fascinates them to the point where they can't even think or react like that.

Fafhrd continued through his repertoire of bawdy songs...the current one was about a famous pirate from the inner sea and the "naughty" things he and his crew did to pass the time when not stealing treasure from other ships.

OOC: I have lyrics to go with the post, though I don't think the rating of this game is sufficient to allow me to post them.

Also, his perception check is using 'take 10' so could be done periodically...every half hour to an hour once the number of patrons reaches about half capacity for the room.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:50, Tue 17 Aug 2021.

Not surprisingly, none of the patrons seem particularly interested in leaving the tavern, though whether that's the entertainment or the free drinks is uncertain.

In fact, every time the door opens when someone else enters the music carries out to the dock and brings even more sailors in. Even the presence of Jarinvar apparently sleeping out front deters them. Before long, it starts getting a bit crowded, forcing Carissa to dance on one of the tables.

After an hour, Fafhrd can start repeating his bawdy songs because there are enough people in here that didn't hear them the first time, and those that did want to hear them again!

Nothing is learned after one hour.

By the end of the second hour, Gray and Fafhrd begin to get a sense of things.

Three hours in, it's clear by the lack of information that the mutineers and probably the ship have never been seen in Absalom, though it starts to get difficult telling the rumors from the wild tales.

Even without the team saying anything, by the end of the three hours everyone in the tavern knows about the mutineers even if they didn't when they came in. Various arguments, speculations, and even bets about where they went and how they'll meet their end circulate, further convincing Gray and Fafhrd that they never came to Absalom.

Gray, in particular, begins to smell a rat... about why Absalom was being accused of the act. She can't quite put her finger on why she thinks this, other than it doesn't really sound like something Qadira would do, but it's almost as if there was some sort of political manipulation going on in Absalom. Sure, there ALWAYS is, but this is bigger. She can't quite see what's to be gained, though.

Carissa was always happy to dance, but in between drinks and the hours that pass, she begins to flag and moves to keep those around her distracted and talking while Fafhrd and Gray do what they can to find out more information.

In between dancing away from hands and leering smiles, she finally moves past Gray with a tired, "Any nibbles?"

The Gray Mouser sat and drank.  She faced the bar and kept track of the Ale being served.  She paid any ladies who came to her and kept her eyes and ears open.  As the day grew on and night was nearing and the patronage picked up considerably she was becoming more than certain that their lack of information was evidence enough that the mutineers and probably the ship had never been seen in Absalom.  The more she sat and thought about it the more she felt that something just wasn't adding up and that the tip they had received may not have been in good faith.  Could Captain Flynn Braddock led them astray on purpose?  She wasn't sure yet and would need to confer with her team when this investigation was done.

Soon after Carissa happened by to ask about "any nibbles" to which she responded.  None, and yet that may be nibble enough, lets call it quits for tonight, I don't think we are going to learn anything else here tonight.  She spoke the same to those linked via magical communication then went about paying each another 5sp and bid them goodnight then exited the Tavern stopping to squat down and pet Jarinvar as he obediently and patiently waited for her to return.

---

OOC: 5gp should have paid for 25 gallons (2sp/gallon).  Was more needed? She would have paid each girl 1gp each for their attendance (5sp for coming and another 5sp when she left if they were still there.  How many girls showed up and how many were still there when she left?
This message was last edited by the player at 09:01, Thu 19 Aug 2021.

These are thirsty sailors, and Fafhrd's bawdy songs prompted a lot of drinking. So it wound up running about 6gp.

With Aikio's efforts now and then, 6 women showed up for the offer. They probably made 50sp or so from the sailors.

OOC: I will deduct 7gp from her sheet

Aikio nodded.

"Perhaps the others have had more success. We should reconvene with them. I will go and check on their progress at the harbor."

She slipped out the bar, and went searching for the others.

Once she gets near the harbor, she’ll stick to back alleys and rooftops, trying to observe unnoticed. If the opportunity presents itself, she’ll pull someone aside and just ask them, but she doesn’t want to disrupt if not.

Rolled 34 for Stealth and 23 for Perception.

Basically trying to see if they’ve learned anything, if they are near to finished, where/when to meet up and reconvene, and report back to the bar with the details.

Fafhrd would keep up the pretenses of traveling entertainer until it was decided as a group that they were departing for the night.  He continued to reestablish the message link with those allies at the bar as its duration ran out to ensure the ability to communicate privately with one another.

Carissa will make her way from the bar separately from the others and return back to their meeting place.