Minsc pulls up the bearskin and wears it like a cloak. "See, Boo? See? Minsc is big, like Bear! Run, Boo, Run!" Nothing short of an amazing sword would give him this much joy, that is certain. "Hamsters and Rangers, everywhere, right, Boo?"
Imoen moves to inspect the large metal box. Any keys Alora didn't take, Imoen grabbed. She'll check the box for traps and disarm them if present. She will then unlock the box with keys or by picking and snoop inside.
Branwen wanders toward the desk and glances over the top, seeing what she can find. She glances over at the antics of Minsc, and shakes her head, going back to what she sees.
Minsc finds the bearsking somewhat dusty, and underneath is a hatch in the floor. Imoen discovers one of the keys they took from the fight above fits the box. She discovers and disarms a scything blade trap that might have cut off some of her fingers... not an appetizing thought. Inside is 1000 electrum pieces (500 gp).
One of the trays is empty, another contains bills and scripts for things like tar, pitch, stout rope and sail canvas, along with planks of wood, nails and so on. The third holds letters of an entirely personal and erotic nature from three different women, all of whom believe themselves to be Mrs. Sigurd "Snake Eyes" and detail what they plan on doing to and with him when he gets back into their port. In the middle is a curious letter, written by someone apparently only half-literate, concerning further shipments of "goods" to the location "agreed upon". Such shipments concern ironware "at the previous prices and at the same terms as previously agreed". The signature, such as it is, shows a crude pictograph of a lizard's head with a forked tongue outstretched.
"Hah! This one... Looks like Minsc's writing," Minsc laughed, punctuating the laughter with a word, here and there. "This does not look like Minsc because there is no sword! Maybe it is Minsc, wearing lizard helmet. It tells us that evil is afoot and will soon be sent packing." Most things meant that evil was afoot, but this was steenking evil, which meant that it was the worst kind of evil. "Cover your nose, Boo," Minsc added. To the others, he explained, "Hamsters can smell the reek of evil."
"Hmm. We must tread carefully if we wish to solve this mystery. I propose that we find the higest-ranking crewmember left and attempt to interrogate him. If we could arrive at this rendezvous point claiming to be representatives of this "Snake Eyes" then we could finally get to the bottom of this little smuggling operation. With their captain and upper ranks dead I imagine we can bring the rest of these brigands under control with a mixture of threats and promises. That is if there are enough left to sail the ship and if none of them feels it would be more profitable to slit our throats in the night."
Branwen glanced, not taking the time to read threw the more personal letters. She glanced over at the mage, and nodded, but frowned at teh mention of using the rest of the crew. "Bah, we can't trust such sea bandits like these. We would be better off killing them, and then getting a crew from the town to help us sail to where they would meet."
"These are common smugglers, and low-ranking crewmen to boot. They deserve trial and imprisonment, not death. Unless they attack us first, obviously. If we can maintain the appearance of Shake Eyes' crew then I think we will have a better chance of fooling whoever it is we must meet, but if you think it is too great a risk then we should demand the surrender of what remains of the crew and give them to the port authorities. I imagine presenting them with their Captain's head would intimidate them sufficiently. Smugglers are not the bravest or most honorable of souls."
Kimble interjects: "I'm sure if we just explain everything to them then they'll see the error of their ways and help us!"
"Little ones have been hit on head," Minsc interjected. "Evil is evil and has no good. It must stare into the beady eyes of my hamster and change its ways!" He was very full of himself, wearing the snazzy bear pelt as best he could. It smelled musty, but that wasn't a bad thing, as it masked some of the smell of Minsc.
OOC: I know it would probably be easier to just slit their throats, but come on, Xan is Lawful Neutral, he has to at least make the effort :P
IC: "Perhaps we should incapacitate them...take them unawares and tie them up. The world is filled with senseless butchery as it is, do we really want to add any more?"
OOC: Loool I'm trying to make Branwen not seem super blood thirsty XD
"Fine. I would suggest we contact the village, and have them deal with the remainder, then we don't have to worry about them, betraying us." Branwen said, frowning at the elf. What unwarrior-like thoughts. She step back, and watched the other look at a wall. At least a wall from Branwen's point of view.
If it's locked, I'll unlock it and listen for growling or snarling or weapons clanking or ominous chanting. If I hear nothing besides waves and Minsc belting out "I'm Too Sexy" while wearing his new bearskin, I'll open the door and see what's lurking in the hidey-hold.
I'll be not far from Imoen, with my Hammer drawn, prepared to whack anything that might jump out of said hatch. Wouldn't be surprised if something was lurking below.
"I'm too sexy for my hamster... too sexy for my hamster..."
Imoen opens the secret door and finds herself in another of the "master" cabins. The furnishings and fittings are of good quality and the place is clean and tidy.
A single bunk, made up with bed-linen, has its head against the bulkhead running down the center line of the ship, the one you are looking through, next to what appears to be a bulkhead squaring off the corner near the main deck.
In the center of the room is a polished wooden table, apparently bolted to the deck. On the table is a silver bowl containing an assortment of fruit, a silver carafe half full of a light red liquid and a silver goblet. Against the table are two upright, wooden chairs and a padded leather chair.
On the deck under the wooden porthole in the stern is a wooden, brass-bound chest. Beside it is a pair of highly polished black leather boots.
From the center of the deck above, over the table, hangs an unlit hooded lantern. The cabin appears to be unoccupied.
Imoen grins at Branwen. "At least this one has taste." She moves cautiously into the chamber, wary of traps and hiding pirates. Assuming nothing leaps out at her, she'll focus her attention on the chest and check it thoroughly for traps (visions of finger-slicing scythe blades still dance in her head). She'll disarm any traps she finds, unlock any locks, and open the chest.
Imoen sees a little metal tube sticking out of the chest's lock. She's seen that before in her training- a poison gas dispenser! But even though it's been a while since she saw one of those, she remembers how to disarm it and does it flawlessly. When she's done, she feels hot and sweaty from the tension, but the chest is unlocked. Inside, you find various items of clothing and a heavy leather pouch filled with 50gp. Something seems wrong to Imoen about the chest, though. The lid is heavy and solid, as if made in one single piece...
"No more furs?" Minsc was not very excited by the handful of coins, and was secretly hoping for a bear's head, made into a helmet. "Boo wants that pouch," he added. "He could nest in it when he is sleepy, and not slide into hard to reach places in my armor. Coudln't you, Boo? Oh, yes you could."
Hurrah! I shall carry on checking the rest of the cabin, paying particular attention to the bulkheads, the table, the bed and the padded chair (oh, and the boots)
I think when we take over the ship I should be captain. Pirate Captain Alora scourge of the Sword Coast has a good ring to it.
Comments
One of the trays is empty, another contains bills and scripts for things like tar, pitch, stout rope and sail canvas, along with planks of wood, nails and so on. The third holds letters of an entirely personal and erotic nature from three different women, all of whom believe themselves to be Mrs. Sigurd "Snake Eyes" and detail what they plan on doing to and with him when he gets back into their port. In the middle is a curious letter, written by someone apparently only half-literate, concerning further shipments of "goods" to the location "agreed upon". Such shipments concern ironware "at the previous prices and at the same terms as previously agreed". The signature, such as it is, shows a crude pictograph of a lizard's head with a forked tongue outstretched.
Kimble interjects: "I'm sure if we just explain everything to them then they'll see the error of their ways and help us!"
Xan ignores him.
"Ooooooohhhhhh... I am the ghost of Kivan... Remember what happened when we spared that smuggler tied up in the hoooouuuusssseeee?"
IC: "Perhaps we should incapacitate them...take them unawares and tie them up. The world is filled with senseless butchery as it is, do we really want to add any more?"
"Fine. I would suggest we contact the village, and have them deal with the remainder, then we don't have to worry about them, betraying us." Branwen said, frowning at the elf. What unwarrior-like thoughts. She step back, and watched the other look at a wall. At least a wall from Branwen's point of view.
Imoen opens the secret door and finds herself in another of the "master" cabins. The furnishings and fittings are of good quality and the place is clean and tidy.
A single bunk, made up with bed-linen, has its head against the bulkhead running down the center line of the ship, the one you are looking through, next to what appears to be a bulkhead squaring off the corner near the main deck.
In the center of the room is a polished wooden table, apparently bolted to the deck. On the table is a silver bowl containing an assortment of fruit, a silver carafe half full of a light red liquid and a silver goblet. Against the table are two upright, wooden chairs and a padded leather chair.
On the deck under the wooden porthole in the stern is a wooden, brass-bound chest. Beside it is a pair of highly polished black leather boots.
From the center of the deck above, over the table, hangs an unlit hooded lantern. The cabin appears to be unoccupied.
I think when we take over the ship I should be captain. Pirate Captain Alora scourge of the Sword Coast has a good ring to it.