Nick Silver Reveals the Canal Smuggling Route

Summary

In Session 6, Nick Silver provides Sucks and the party with crucial intelligence about a secret route into New Smoke after receiving payment of 20 coins. The route consists of a dried-up canal system that once served as an aqueduct when the area had running water. Though a cage typically blocks access, the route is frequently used by smugglers moving goods in and out of the city. Nick identifies the party as "braver folk" and suggests this would serve as an ideal route for smuggling their pumpkins, though he warns about the risks and advises leaving The Pigs behind.

Details

The revelation occurs after Sucks pays Nick Silver 20 coins for information. Nick describes the route: "There's like a dried up old canal that and the place was like a little more... It was like it had running water in it, but now it's just like a dried up, basically aqueduct." He explains that access is controlled by "a little cage that usually blocks people in and out, but it's used often by people trying to smuggle stuff in and out of the city."

Abdul (playing Sucks) gives the location its name during the conversation, calling it simply "the canals."

Nick suggests the route to the party based on his assessment of their capabilities: "You are, you know, braver folk, which I'm getting the idea that you... That might be a good way for you to sneak in and out with your pumpkins."

Cat raises concerns about the security of using a known smuggling route, referencing fiction: "I don't know if going in a way that is known for smuggling is a good idea to use for smuggling. I mean, in the novels that I read, whenever that happens, they get caught."

Nick acknowledges the risk but offers pragmatic advice: "Well, I mean, you best not get caught. That's what I'd do."

Regarding The Pigs, Nick offers tactical counsel: "I mean, pigs aren't usually great smuggling companions," though the party maintains that the pigs should be free to make their own choice about accompanying them.

Participants

• Nick Silver — Provides the information after receiving payment; offers tactical advice about the route and the risks involved
• Sucks — Pays 20 coins for the intelligence; receives the information
• Abdul — Names the location "the canals"
• Cat — Raises concerns about the dangers of using a known smuggling route
• Safia — Present during the revelation
• Vasso — Present during the revelation

Consequences

• The party gains knowledge of a covert route into New Smoke that bypasses conventional entry points
• The canal route becomes the party's planned method for smuggling their pumpkins into the city
• The party faces a tactical decision about whether to bring The Pigs on a dangerous smuggling operation
• Cat's concerns about detection establish that using this route carries significant risk of being caught
• The 20-coin payment to Nick Silver depletes Sucks's resources but secures actionable intelligence