The party of four began to prepare for their attempt to smuggle Muk into the Belly Up Inn at the Wisehallow Winery. They strapped 3 large barrels of the festival wine to the back of an oxen. In one of those barrels was water and a grung. As they pressed on toward the city of Boulder they made idle chit chat with one another before reaching the Driftwood Inn to meet up with Bertold the Great. Argento went to retrieve Bertold only to recieve a letter from Bertold informing them that Bertold went off to investigate the explosion fragments just outside of town. He would meet them at a later time when he received more answers. As the group continued toward the Belly Up Inn they pulled into an alleyway to check on Muk and make sure he had everything he needed as he would be in the barrel for some time. The town seemed to be running as usual despite the previous days “festivities”. As Baelon chatted with Argento and Raul about the plan they begin to notice a few proverbial holes in their plan and subsequently made some corrections. The most concerning being that Muk had poisonous skin, should someone drink from the barrel with the grung they would surely feel the effects of his poison. In short the party told Muk that should someone try tapping into his barrel he should stop them and use a dagger to puncture a hole that will cause the barrel to leak. Adding to their plan they used a bit of magic from Baelon to disguise the color of the water and the taste should it be examined when they drop it off.
Once at the Belly Up Inn Meltu the barkeep apologized for his rudeness the day earlier siting a long day and even longer week working long hours during the festival. Grey Got the owner amp downstairs and mentioned he through something was in the wine that Baelon gave him but chalked it up to drinking too much. Baelon insisted that while the taste was superb the essence of the drink can surely sneak up on you. Due to the fact that Grey Gor and his bar consumed the previous supply he was giddy to recieve 3 more barrels of wine agreeing to a sales price of 1.5 silvers a glass. After the negotiations Grey Gor agreed to draft up a formal contract the before the next morning and treated the party to a large breakfast. While at breakfast Raul enjoyed his favorite breakfast, Tequila, while Baelon asked Argento about his life and how he became a city guard. After a delightful breakfast Baelon remembered he had to see the Fest Master Galvian Belaroos and inform him of his withdrawal from further festivities this season, while Argento had to run a few errands at the Blacksmith. Argento saw to the local blacksmith and asked if he could commission a glaive but lacked the funds to do so, While Baelon proceeded to speak with Galvian a large Satyr. Galvian mentioned a few folk had decided to withdraw from the parade and festivities due to the complications the day before and that he understood why Baelon felt he must do this. Baelon was paid a platinum piece for his troubles and he headed back to the Belly Up Inn.
Meanwhile a cloaked figure entered the Belly Up Inn, and told Raul that he needed to stop bad mouthing the Wo Ton Clan in Public. Raul attempted to take a swing at the figure but was stabbed before he could land a hit. Though the stabs were warning shots they were powerful enough to put the large Dragonborn back in his spot as the hooded figure dashed from the scene before anyone noticed. While Argento notices some blood, it was minor and Raul claimed he fell from his stool, believable considering he had drank most of the bottle by the time Argento and Baelon returned. At this time the three at the bar took their positions near the ally way and parade route while Muk remained hidden in the barrel within the Belly up Inn.
After some time had passed, a local goblin named Grig sold Baelon some information. The Goblin Grig told Baelon that he had scene hooded folk go into the side door of the inn and not come out, similarly he had seen similar events near a trap door found just at the edge of town. Baelon annoyed showed the goblin his platinum piece and offered it for more information should he be able to provide it. While nothing happened during the days parade the group decided that this hatch should be investigated and Baelon messaged Muk informing him to look specifically for a trap door in the floor if possible. Raul and Argento would create a distraction and Baelon would await Muk in the ally to help if was chased out or if something should happen. As the party enacted their plan, Raul began his chorus of mountain singing slugging on a tequila bottle, as the crowd gained attention Baelon creeped into the alleyway and gave Muk the signal to jump from the barrel and examine the room. Muk then pierced a hole in the barrel to leak the water and jumped out but oddly enough…in the appearance of a Gnome though no-one saw it. Struggling to find the trap door, the scared Muk (gnome) dashed out the back door of the inn where he ran into the elderly Tiefling.
Baelon wasn’t expecting to see a gnome even more concerning knew that they were looking for a Gnome who was potentially responsible for the parade devastation. Without pause Baelon pulled a mound of clay from his satchel and cast an earthen grasp on Muk. Though Muk managed to dodge the attack he made no mention of who he was and ran down the ally. Without hesitation Baelon pursued. Concerningly a street urchin saw Baelon cast the spell, which always comes with concerns in city limits. After some time Muk manage to shake loose the arcane fueled trifling. By jumping into an occupied window where he was discovered by a women but Muk hastily put his hand over the women’s mouth…poisoning her, and killing the women. After losing Muk, guards approached Baelon requiring he come in for question after the casting of magic. Now calm and collected Baelon agreed to go with he guards willingly. Meanwhile Muk slinked back to the streets. Meanwhile back at the inn, Raul and Argento managed to notice pooling water in the back room. They investigated finding the water pooling around a trap door that was hidden under barrels. Argento demanded answers which Meltu confessed. Meltu was paid off with 100 platinum pieces to let them build a hatch in the store room, who he couldn’t say. He mentioned all 3 figures wore masks and cloaks. Two medium tall figures and a shorter one. He mentioned Grey Got was unaware of all of this and Meltu and Maurice were gong to use the money to go on vacation to Ethos after the festival. Argento and Raul understood, but were concerned because Muk was nowhere to be seen, and the door was ajar with the ground torn up from an apparent spell. Raul and Argento talked to the guards that were left behind dealing with the commotion and learned that Baelon was arrested and taken into custody by the guards. Muk popped out from the shadows and rejoined Raul and Argento as a grung.