02 - 6/19
After reporting to Mathias, Zelem used his chameleon-like ability to transform his skin red and changed into his upstanding alter ego ‘Valor Windsail’ and set off with the prisoner towards the Jails. Here he was introduced to Kraddok Stonehorn, a tough man that seemed quite loyal to upholding Bards Gates laws and values. He despised bandits, and thanked Valor for his efforts at apprehending the prisoner, and told him that after verifying that this was in fact a bandit he would send the reward to the inn. Content that he had made some good will with the authorities, Zekem rejoined the group back at the inn.
After debating between visiting the leatherworker for collections or the docks on behalf of Mathias Flak, the group decided to head down and see if they could find out where the tiger shipment was at. Upon asking around, the group was pointed towards a docked ship called “The Wormwood” and found a small group of sailors standing around on the deck. The Elven captain Trisphyra seemed flustered about what to do about her little problem, and with some prying she informed the group that the Tiger had gotten loose during some rough waves, and after it had slain a few of their crew, the survivors sealed the irate cat below deck before docking in port. After a debate, the group deciding that as long as it was alive then the quickest option would be to head down and get it themselves, so the group headed below deck to tame the gigantic cat.
Ira had smuggled a pig aboard using the newly acquired Bag of Holding, and stuck it in the tiger's cage in an effort to lure it in. But the pig was frantic and squealing, and the tiger had yet to show itself. Many of the sailors lay dead around the ship, including one that appeared to have been killed by something venomous rather than the tiger wounds. While investigating the galley a snake struck, but despite it catching the party off guard it was easily dispatched.
Next the party headed below deck but the stealthy tiger got the jump on Tifa! With ferocious strength and speed the feline knocked her out, Ruven pulled her unconscious body and everyone retreated back upstairs. The Tiger pursued, and a fight ensued while the group desperately tried to figure out how to subdue the beast without harming it. Zalem took his dagger and stabbed the pig to make it squeal even more, and to attract the tiger Ira used prestidigitation to cause it to smell strongly of bacon. Everyone retreated to try and make themselves look unthreatening, and to tempt the Tiger towards the tasty target. Good fortune graced the group and the cat took the bait and pounced on the poor pig, and with it in the cage, Ira quickly slammed the cage shut and secured it.
With their prize in their possession, the party took the opportunity to snoop around below deck encase any other items of interest were present. Some scimitars and gold were found on the bodies as well as a key. The lowest level was the bilges where a swarm of ferocious rats attacked! Their numbers proved surprisingly tough as they clawed Ira relentlessly, but eventually the party squashed them all. The group headed above and used the key to unlock the locked room they had found, and found the payment for the tiger. Deciding this was not a good time to rob the merchants, the group let this massive prize be and headed above. With the sailors help they hoisted the tiger above deck and proceeded to load it into the cart. The group pried a bit of extra coin out of Trisphyra and set off to deliver the Tiger back to Mathias.
After being praised for their good works, the group departed to their last target. At leatherworkers they found a woman named Kiorna Kester who lamented about her husband's passing, and that unfortunately she would not be able to make the payment required of her. The party deliberated a bit on the best course of action outside as they hadn’t considered what to do if the target simply didn’t have the funds, but Tifa and Ira noticed the sounds of a flute coming from the Leatherworkers house and decided to investigate. They found her son who confirmed the story about the husband's passing, and Tifa began to pry around the house. She found numerous valuables, and eventually stumbled upon a cache of silver bars under a set of loose floorboards that was enough to make the payment. She took them back to the group, and after the party gave the leatherworker a bit of a guilt trip for not giving up her savings in the first place, the group returned with the payment.
Important Characters
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