Infiltrating the Grand Dame

Year: 1491, Month: Tarsakh, Date: 22nd

Making a plan

As we all enter the room, the majordomo says that he's thinks he may have some additional information that may help us get aboard the Grand Dame.  Each day in the early afternoon, the Captain of the Grand Dame selects workers from the dock to work that evening on the boat - waiters, rowers, croupiers, etc.  The workers line up on the dock and are selected to go aboard.  He says there is also a rumour that there is a wizard on the boat that can read people's thoughts. 

Apparently no guests can take weapons onboard the Grand Dame.  That could be to our advantage!

We spend considerable time debating (or arguing) about the best way of getting all of us onboard.  Eventually we settle on two disguised as Nobles, using the tokens to gain entry, with the remainder sneaking onboard before the ship sets sail.  Enna says she can make two people invisible and they can sneak aboard whilst the Captain is selecting workers.

I refuse to disguise myself to get on the boat.  That would be dishonorable in my eyes, and something I could not bring myself to do.   

We decide it should be Chello and Leotard who will pretend to be Nobles. Disguising Celery as a Noble is beyond our skills.  We ask the Majordomo whether Leotard could borrow any some of Arten's clothes, and whether Mrs. Rissolio would have any clothes that would fit Chello. Leotard can easily look the part, and Chello is exotic and seems to have the haughtiness of a Noble to carry it off.  He excuses himself saying he'll see what he can do.

That just leaves the problem of getting me onboard.  After some thinking, Leotard says he has a plan.  Once everyone is safely onboard, he has some magic he could do: he can wiggle his fingers and can turn me into a gas cloud, and then I can make it onto the Grand Dame before the spell ends.

The Majordomo returns soon after with a selection of clothes for Chello to try on.  Chello and Leotard select their outfits, and our plan is complete, and we are ready to check out the Grand Dame, and find out what there is to know.

 

Infiltration

While the workers are being selected one by one at the dockside, Enna casts an illusion to make herself and Celery invisible.  The plan is for them to sneak up the gangplank and onto the boat as the workers embark.  We wait a few minutes, but there is no disturbance, so we can only assume they have made it safely onboard.  I hope they can find a safe place to hide until dusk.

As we wait for dusk, I have time to clean my armor; pray to Tyr to watch over and protect Enna and Celery; to provide me strength and good fortune; eat; and catch a little sleep.   I need as much rest as I can to gather my strength, as I can foretell this will be a long night ahead. All too soon it is time to begin our part of the mission, and I encase myself in steel, buckle on my sword, and make my way with Chello and Leotard to the dock.  

As we approach the docks, I separate from Chello and Leotard.  Chello and Leotard, dressed in their Noble disguises, make their way to the throng of people waiting to embark on the Grand Dame.  I loiter nearby, waiting in case their disguises and deception fail and they need my help.  They slowly make their way to the front of the queue, as the Captain, and what I am guessing is the mage that the majordomo mentioned, check the guests on to the ship.  

There seems to be a slight hold up, as Chello and Leotard talk to the Captain.  There seems to be some debate and discussion.  The Captain shakes his head and points to a scroll he is holding.  Chello seems to be arguing with him.

Just as I think our plan might be blown, and they might be refused entry, something is exchanged between Leo and the Captain, and the Captain motions them through and they are on board!

I make my way slowly and carefully to the edge of the buildings nearest the bow of the ship, and wait in the shadows for Leotard to cast his incantation to turn me to gas.  This should be an experience!