|
|
Post by Ancelas on Aug 3, 2022 9:59:23 GMT -5
After leaving the Trollskull Gang to their affairs on this drizzly, overcast day, the Lucky Hand ventured south to check on the Elturians encamped in the park in front of Our Martyred Lady, continuing their quest to locate the Hellriders. The Elturian refugees were a sorry-looking mass of humanity, with little shelter against the rain beyond ragged tents made of clothing and sheets donated by well-intentioned Wachovians. Wachovian guardsmen walked among the crowd and along the edges of the park, ostensibly keeping the peace.
Initial questions revealed the Elturians to be very unhappy at the current state of affairs. Most had no idea what to expect, now that they had been dislocated twice - first by the fall of Elturel, and then the closure of Brampton. Many were lost, and had little information to provide. What information the Lucky Hand was able to learn just reaffirmed the rumors they had already discovered: no one was sure what happened to Elturel, only that the Companion had gone dark and the city had fallen. The Hellriders had failed to protect them, and seemed to have scattered with the fall of Brampton.
Several Elturians were suspicious of the Lucky Hand's inquiries, while others promised to get word to the Hellriders that someone was looking for them - if they could, which many of the embittered refugees seemed doubtful of.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ancelas on Aug 8, 2022 10:44:02 GMT -5
After leaving word with the Elturians that the Hellriders could find ears willing to listen at the Elfsong Tavern, the Lucky Hand set off for the next destination on their itinerary - the Low Lantern tavern and gambling house. The prior day's investigation suggested that the location, run by one Amrik Vanthampur, was tied to the smuggling of Elturians into the city, and was worth a close look.
Fog rolling across the harbor on this dreary, drizzly day kept the three-masted vessel obscured until the Hand were within a hundred feet of the ship, whereupon its tall masts and creaking bulk came into view. The converted ship had rigging but no sails, and was anchored to the wharf by thick chains. A wooden staircase climbed from the wharf's edge to the main deck, with a lantern at the bow casting an eerie green light to indicate the tavern was open for business.
Along the wharf near the Low Lantern were scattered tents and bedrolls where refugees had set up, and a line of Elturians lead up to the stairwell leading onto the ship. A pair of burly bouncers stood at the foot of the stairs, keeping an eye on the restless men and women. As the Hand watched, a Wachovian approached the bouncers and was signaled through, not having to stand in line. The Elturians did not seem bothered - it appeared the proprietor had set up some sort of protocol for locals and refugees alike.
|
|
|
|
Post by redcoat on Aug 8, 2022 12:02:08 GMT -5
Cerys, well out of her element and then some, was happy to let others in the group take the lead on this particular venture. Hells, she was fairly certain she'd rather be a small fuzzy animal in someone's pocket than a full human who would have to talk during this foray.
Was it too late? Jinn could always use a scruffy dog. He seemed like the sort to have a scruffy dog follow him.
|
|
|
|
Post by opius on Aug 8, 2022 12:40:22 GMT -5
As the group approached, Jinn saw the bouncers were preoccupied for just a moment giving one of the locals the all-clear. He slowed, not quite stopping short in front of Cerys, and spoke up quietly. "If you're gonna do somethin' tricky, now's the chance." There had been chats earlier about sneaking in, the how and the why, and it seemed like this was maybe the best opportunity.
"Same with you, Rey. These mooks might let a couple a' young marks in, but you and Cherry got the looks of people who know somethin' bout' somethin'. I think we can keep their eyes on us for a minute or two."
|
|
|
|
Post by redcoat on Aug 8, 2022 12:47:42 GMT -5
((Reaction))
"You don't have to ask me twice." Cerys said, and eagerly shifted her form into that of a small brown mouse- climbing Jinn easily and attempting to find a cloak pocket or something to settle into.
|
|
Kyt
Junior Member
Posts: 89 
|
Post by Kyt on Aug 8, 2022 12:57:49 GMT -5
Rey gave a side eye at Jinn, wearing a frown of confusion. "...It's a gambling den." She watched, head tilted as Cerys shapeshifted, before looking back at him. "Her, I'll give you, she got the mom look 'a disapproval going on. Rest of us just here for some good times, have some fun, take our mind off the shit goin' through this whole town."
She shifted her look to cross the whole party. "We'n stuck here from the caravan, lookin' for some fun. Been hearin' that this place got some, yeah?"
|
|
|
|
Post by opius on Aug 8, 2022 13:00:20 GMT -5
(Reaction) Jinn cocked a brow. "Sounds good to me, then." And nodded firmly at Rey, and patted the pocket Cerys found her way into.
|
|
|
|
Post by uberwulfx on Aug 8, 2022 13:18:35 GMT -5
Crystal took the chance to eye the place, and its sail-less masts. How long would it take to put sails on this vessel to make it sea-worthy?
"Not that I'm looking to flash our recent spoils around," Crystal murmured, "but even if Cerys and Rey may look out of place, I can flash some coin and probably get in with my bouncers. Ale-filled guys like loitering around sweet girls with money, yeah?"
She then stepped in front of, and looked between Vincent and Jinn. "That said, if they already know what we look like, you'd need a disguise. I can't do a thing to make any of you look any less handsome, but---!" She slammed her fist into her palm, smiling. "I could see about charming them. That would get us in, if that worked, so then we'd just need to be sure we kept our heads low. Maybe Jinn and Rey can borrow some cloaks?"
She'd probably need one, too...
|
|
|
|
Post by CautionCat on Aug 8, 2022 13:43:10 GMT -5
"This feels very last minute... if they turn us away, we'll have to send Cerys in as a mouse to eaves drop. If she wouldn't mind. Let's just try getting in. Maybe... they'll let us in anyway, and start shit with us." Vincent shrugged.
"You and Jinn-" He gestured to Crystal. "Probably can sweet talk your way in better than I can."
|
|
|
|
Post by redcoat on Aug 9, 2022 11:47:45 GMT -5
Mouse in a pocket.
|
|
|
|
Post by opius on Aug 9, 2022 12:19:38 GMT -5
Jinn cocked a brow and looked Crystal over, then Vincent. He nodded. "Aight, fuck it, we're doin it live. No time for cloaks- just gotta be out jovial, charmin' selves." He huffed a breath out the nostrils and moved toward the front with Crystal, approaching the bouncers. While still out of earshot, he glanced at Crystal. "Follow my lead, I think I got an idea."
He continued at pace until the group approached the bouncers at the door, at which point he lifted his hand. "Ayo, big guys. Heard from a little birdie that this is the spot to go to have a good time. Tell me it ain't invite only."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ancelas on Aug 9, 2022 15:18:35 GMT -5
The nearer of the two bouncers looked over at Jinn, his eyes flicking across the others arrayed behind him. "This time of day? Nope. Tavern's open to paying customers only. Got business, Elturian or otherwise, you wait in line 'til they call you in."
|
|
Kyt
Junior Member
Posts: 89
|
Post by Kyt on Aug 10, 2022 3:22:04 GMT -5
Rey snorted, looking the line over from behind Jinn. "Glad to see somethin's bein' kept in line in this city."
She looked back at the bouncers, giving a wry grin. "No business. Only pleasure. Thanks, gents."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ancelas on Aug 10, 2022 9:14:23 GMT -5
The bouncer grunted and motioned to the stairs, stepping aside to let the Lucky Hand pass.
The wooden stairs creaked as the Hand climbed up onto the main deck of the Low Lantern. There were a set of wooden steps leading up to the forecastle and aftcastle, and another set descending into the ship, through which the sound of laughter and yelling could be heard. A padlocked wooden hatch fitted with windows acted as skylight for the deck below - the tavern proper, as seen through the glass panes. Four dead seagulls lay scattered across the deck, startlingly out of place.
Some forty feet above them, a pair of crows squawked down at the Hand from the aptly named crow's nest as they shuffled side to side.
|
|
|
|
Post by uberwulfx on Aug 10, 2022 20:20:48 GMT -5
Crystal pursed her lips slightly, but nodded and fell in step with Jinn as they walked forward. She mentally frowned at her confusion-- whose words let them in, Jinn or Rey's?-- but they were let in, so who was she to argue? Still, she was more at unease than she would have liked.
She thumped Jinn's arm twice and gave a quick thumbs up, even as she didn't look to him, her eyes scanning the deck as they continued to the din proper. She'd keep close on his heel; she didn't want to look like a kid warily following behind and all. Just casually walking with the 'boss' of this group, yeah.
|
|
