Investigating the Sea Maidens Faire’s Nimblewright:
CHES 24th (THE CLAW OF SUNSETS)
10:30 am
Alley and Zarek decide to walk up and down the pier of the Sea Maidens Faire, in between the Hellraiser and the Heartbreaker to gather information on the Nimblewright:
- Ship Layout, observation opportunities and locations
- Entry points and exits (Doors, Windows, Etc)
- Guards, other Protections and Obstacles
- Numbers of Civilians and Combatants (Sailors and Carnie Folk)
- Distraction opportunities and Getaway routes
The two Heroes can clearly see that they have 3 Ships to observe, the Hellraiser and Heartbreaker are easily observable as they are open for business by the Sea Maidens Faire, but the Eyecatcher is ½ a Mile (2640’ feet) out to sea in the Deep Water Harbour.
- The Hellraiser ship contains the Floats, Equipment, Carnie Folk and Sailors at the Sea Maidens Faire
- The Heartbreaker holds the Animals, Equipment, Carnie Folk and Sailors at the Sea Maidens Faire
- The Eyecatcher is where Captain Zardoz Zord resides out in the deep water harbour
Alley and Zarek can perceive the following traits of the Ships of the Sea Maidens Faire, which all appear to have very similar deck configurations, but will need to be investigated further and the Nimblewright or its location found. They start with the Hellraiser.
THE AFT CASTLE UPPER DECK:
This highest deck of the ship is within sight of the Forecastle, the Main Deck, and the Aft Castle Lower Deck. It has the following features:
- The ship’s wheel stands atop the deck.
- 2 Sailors are stationed here.
THE FORECASTLE:
The Forecastle is within sight of the Sailors on the Main Deck, the Aft Castle Lower Deck, and The Aft Castle Upper Deck. Below the Forecastle is the Ships Figurehead.
Figurehead: A gilded wooden figurehead of a Female Elf with flowing hair sticks out from the ship’s prow, reaching forth with both hands. Since the figurehead is unpainted, the details are slightly obscured.
THE AFT CASTLE LOWER DECK:
This deck has the following features:
- 2 Sailors are here.
- Stairs to port (Left) and starboard (Right) climb to the Aft Castle Upper Deck and the Captain’s wheel.
Anchor: The ship’s anchor is accessed from this deck. It can be raised or lowered by one or more members of the crew.
The plan then is to have Zarek summon a Familiar, in the guise of a Rat, which the Arcane Trickster can then communicate with it telepathically and see through its eyes to find Nimblewright information.
Alley and Zarek leave the Sea Maidens Faire and find a quiet place.
Zarek: “Then I will be able to send SPG around the Ship to gather information. I will need you to guide me around the Sea Maidens Faire while I do.”
Alley: “That sounds like a great plan, what if I also cast ‘Invisibility’ on the spirit to further increase its chances of not being discovered?”
Zarek: “Great idea Alley, let us find a quiet place where we can both cast ‘Disguise’ on ourselves and I can summon the Rat and then you can make it ‘Invisible’.”
They return to the Sea Maidens Faire.
11:45 am
Alley and Zarek return to carry out their deception. Zarek conjures up his Rat, SPG, and makes it appear on the Bulwark of the Hellraiser, by the narrow gangplank leading onto the ship some 30’ feet from the pier.
MAIN DECK:
- 3 Sailors a Mate are on deck looking out over the Pier and onto the Sea Maidens Faire.
- Jolly Boats: 4 Row boats are stacked on top of each other on this deck. Ropes and pulleys are used to hoist these boats in and out of the water.
SPG is sent to first investigate the area to the Fore of the Hellraiser and under the Forecastle. Here the Rat is able to see that it was a Storage area.
Either side of the Storage area are 2 sets of stairs.
- One set, either side, lead up to the Forecastle
- One set leads down to the lower Orlop Deck
STORAGE:
The smell of tar permeates this cluttered open cabin, which contains the following features:
- Barrels of Tar are secured with nets to the starboard wall below mounted tools.
- Against the port wall, tight rolls of White Canvas are stacked on top of each other and secured with rope.
Beyond the Storage area the Rat show Zarek that there is a wall, partitioning off another cabin with a closed door.
SPG, the Rat, is unable to find a way into the Cabin beyond the door but is able to listen out for noise and can hear a conversation. Zarek is able to make out some of the words as being Elf-like but not a language that the Rogue recognises.
Zarek: “I can’t identify the language however, as said by the great Detective, when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. Deep Drow or Drowic!” Zarek thinks to himself.
Avoiding the other 3 Sailors and Mate on the Main Deck, SPG moves over to the Stern of the Hellraiser. There are Stairs going up and down as well as a set of Double Doors.
Either side of the Two Doors area are 2 sets of stairs.
- One set, either side, lead up to the Forecastle
- One set leads down to the lower Orlop Deck
As SPG passes by the hatch grating the Rogues uses his Telepathy to command it to look down into the Upper Cargo Hold.
Still no Nimblewright.
UPPER CARGO HOLD:
This hold contains a large grilled doors in the ceiling, which it is looking through, which can open to allow goods to be moved to and from this hold using the Cargo Elevator. A 15’ foot-by 10’ foot section of floor also looks to opens to reveal the Lower Cargo Hold below.
Crates and barrels stacked to the ceiling are tied down to ensure that they don’t move. These containers would be used to hold food and water for the crew and the Carnies Zarek surmises.
One of the Double Doors is open and SPG sneaks in not so quietly. Zarek realises that this area corresponds to the 3 Portholes of the side of the Ship and viewable from the Pier. The Rogue remembering that the first window was steamed up and slightly open and he deduced that it must be the Ships Galley.
Beyond the Double Doors the Rat is able to show the Rogue that there is a corridor leading to another set of Double Doors, the Mast and 3 Cabin Doors either side.
Zarek commands SPG to continue onwards and to check the doors. None are open and SPG can’t find a way in. The Double Doors at the end of the corridor are also slightly ajar and SPG attempts to move forwards as quietly as it can. As SPG peers into the Cabin it finds that it has discovered a Dining Cabin filled with 4 Carnie Folk and 6 Sailors.
DINING CABIN:
The crew dines here throughout the day:
- 6 Sailors are enjoying a meal.
- The Sailors are joined by 4 Carnies. Furnishings include a table, 10 stools, and 2 oak cabinets containing dishes, tankards, and utensils.
Zarek, walking along the Sea Maidens Faire with Alley, commands SPG to look about to see if there are any of those inside that stand out or are of importance. However, SPG is hindered by its size and the need to not be discovered. Zarek orders SPG to return to the Main Deck, climb the stairs to the Aft Castle Lower Deck and investigate the Cabin with the Stylish purple drapes.
As SPG leaves the scene, he hears one of the doors behind him open and turns to see a Ships Cook, a Human not a Nimblewright, comes out of the Galley, enters the Cabin opposite and begin to rummage around moving boxes and glass bottles.
Zarek: “The Ships Pantry I deduce, that is another Cabin marled off.”
As SPG waits by the Door, it listens out for anything within and can hear the fait sound of someone eating and drinking. Then there is the sound of a quill scratching over a Parchment or Scroll. The Rogue makes SPG wait to see if it can gain entrance, not knowing how long that would take. It turned out to be 3 minutes and then a well-dressed Sailor emerges from the Cabin, wearing a Tricorn Hat and caring a Cutlass.
Zarek: “I have found the Captain’s Cabin I believe. Alley, things are going well so far.”
Alley: “Don’t tempt the Fates or Tymora Rogue.”
SPG manages to dash into the room unobserved, though the captain did look down but the ‘Invisibility’ saves its life, for now anyway.
CAPTAIN’S CABIN:
This opulent cabin contains the following features:
- Stylish purple drapes cover the large windows that look out over the harbour.
- To one side of a central pillar rests a Comfortable Bed, its oak headboard carved to resemble a kraken. An Oak Dining Table surrounded by Six High-Backed Chairs rests on the opposite side of the central pillar.
- Other furnishings include a Glass-Doored Cabinet containing shelves of Books, a Wooden Trunk sealed with a Complex Padlock, and a Small Writing Desk.
- A Nimblewright acting as an attendant or bodyguard.
SPG and the Rogue have no way of opening the Wooden Trunk and so the Rat heads to the small writing desk and looks through the papers as best it can without alerting the Nimblewright.
Zarek can make out receipts of sale for food, both human and some fodder for the animals too.
SPG then scurries over to the Glass-Doored Cabinet containing the Books and Zarek looks through them. The books are all historical epics, fables and other tales.
Zarek: “That’s odd, I need to make a note of this.” Zarek thinks to himself and turns around to find a Nimblewright in the corner of the room. SPG stands absolutely still.
Zarek directs SPG to move, as silently as it can, under the captains’ bed to hide and wait for the captain to return. After some nervous 16 minutes the captain of the Hellraiser returns to his quarters and SPG stays hidden under the bed watching the Nimblewright.
SPG then is ordered to move out again and unfortunately make enough noise to alert the Nimblewright and the captain.
Hellraiser Captain: “What was that?”
The Nimblewright draws it Rapier and swings at the area on the floor where it heard the scurrying along the planks. The Rat Familiar, SPG, is dispatched immediately but as it was ‘Invisible’ not evidence of its existence remained to give away their plans.
Alley and Zarek, with the Bard performing fantastically well, make their way to the end of the pier so they can blend into the crowd and also take the opportunity to spy upon the Eyecatcher from the Sea Maidens Faire.
Alley: “Its best we move away from the scene of the crime as they are sure to look for the possible instigator of the intrusion.”
Zarek: “Agreed.”
Once the Rogue and Bard reach the end of the pier, they order a drink each and lookout to the Deep Water Harbour. The Bard runs interference by talking to other patrons and allowing the Rogue to watch the Eyecatcher.
The Rogue concentrates, uses the Bards assistance with her ‘Guidance’ Spell and is able to observe the following facts:
- The Eyecatcher appears to be of the same construction as the Hellraiser and Heartbreaker
- There appears to be more Sailor on observation duty on the Eyecatcher than the Hellraiser and Heartbreaker
- Ways onto the Eyecatcher are limited
The Rogue spots the Eyecatcher go on full alert when a local yacht steers too close.
Zarek: “We need to find the best way onto the Eyecatcher and make sure we know the numbers we will be confronted with.” The Rogue whispers to the Bard.
Alley: “Sailors, a Nimblewright and whatever the captain is capable of so far.”
Zarek: “Don’t forget the Mate, Animals and Carnies.”
The Rogue and Bard agree that more investigation is need and they need to explore the lower holds.
Alley: “We don’t know how far they descend.”
Zarek: “3 or 4 I would guess, from the dimensions. But I am no Shipwright or Sailor.”
The Heroes once again wander off and cast ‘Disguise’ on themselves, and Zarek uses his last Spell, ‘Find Familiar’ to summon SPG again and then Alley casts her ‘Invisibility’ Spell on SPG so it can hunt fo.
Back Again at the Sea Maidens Faire:
13:10 am
Alley and Zarek return to carry out their deception. Zarek conjures up his Rat, SPG, and makes it appear on the Bulwark of the Hellraiser by the Sea Maidens Faire, by the narrow gangplank leading onto the ship some 30’ feet from the pier.
They carry him back to the Hellraiser first and look through the Fore Cabin which had the beings speaking Deep Drow or Drowic. The curtains are drawn closed and there is not enough of a gap to send SPG to find more Nimblewright information.
Alley: “Wait I have an idea.”
Alley uses her Cantrip ‘Prestidigitation’ to make the sound of tapping glass next to the port hole.
The curtain is drawn back as a Sailor looks out onto the pier.
Zarek takes that opportunity to look about the room and spots the following:
Zarek then temporarily dismiss the familiar to a pocket dimension ready to be summoned to appear on the Heartbreaker this time.
There are several Carnies, or animal handlers on the Main Deck, working and making enough noise not to notice the Rat Familiar, that is not the quietest Celestial, Fey, or Fiend that could be summoned, as it moved over to look down into the Orlop Hold below.
Now the Rogue, looking through the eye of SPG could clearly make out the Cargo Elevator as it was being operated.
CARGO ELEVATOR:
To activate the elevator platform, the Sailor stood on the platform and pulled the lever up or pushed it to go back down. The Rogue deduces that the platform can’t be raised higher than the Main Deck, but he would need more information to know how low it can be lowered.
The trapdoor in the floor opens when the cargo elevator is raised. As they raise the platform, the trapdoor remains open until the elevator platform returns to the lower deck areas.
Beastly odours fill the hold of the Heartbreaker at the Sea Maidens Faire.
Alley: “We have the layout of the upper decks but need to see what is below and where Captain Zardoz Zord would sleep.”
Zarek: “More importantly, where he keeps his treasured items.”
Alley: “The List?”
Zarek: “Yes, the Epstein List.”
So Zarek and Alley need to find out the layout of the Ships and the numbers of Crew that they need to contend with.
Zarek: “It’s too busy I can hardly concentrate on SPG.”
Alley: “While the Zardoz Zord is away, Alley and Zarek will play.”