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As the wizard speaks, Bannock takes pause, and does the mental calculation.
"O my brother Derrick, we have two days, so we might takes some rest, and hit the fiend in the early hours as the golden sun hits the abode with fresh rays of the newborn day. Would not a full fist a few hours hence be of greater weight than immediate action without our full abilities?
I am as full of the battle-heart as you, but it seems my place to council against rashness. Did we have no time left before the vile plan came to fruition, then of course hand is moved, but if we have time enough to prepare ourselves, should we not do so?"
Derrick had begun to walk down his chosen route even as the others spoke, but he paused as Bannock spoke up. Now he looks to his brother-in-arms, his other friends and companions, and after a moment, he nods. "You speak wisdom, Bannock. We should wait until morning."
He looks over his shoulder in the direction of their destination. "We're gonna show them bastards summat when we get there, tho'," he breathes.
Blackchapel - Night
Wyatt nods at his companions. "Constable Crier, perhaps you can tell us something of the Bloodhaven Estate?"
Blackchapel - Night
The Constable shrugs, "All Estates are different and I have never been in any until the one the other night that your friend was part of the family of. I could certainly walk by on patrol this night and give you my impressions of it..."
Good notion, Constable. You let us know whatcha think o'the place while we rest up a bit.
Dunstan suggests staying at Kensignton's Manse as his parents will not be coming back. That is of course anotehr mystery to solve after this one has reached resolution.
The group trudges wearily to Shadewell to get some well deserved rest.
Morning has come and nearly gone as the companions wake to the sound of a knock at the front door. "My friends, it is Constable Crier, are you still here?!"
Marco wakes to the sound of the Constable's approach. He opens the door.
Mornin', Constable. Come in, and let me rouse the others so ya can tell us all 'bout that Bloodhaven place.
Marco stretches, yawns and shouts.
Awake, mates! Constable comes a'callin' early!
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Bannock rises and shakes his violently, knocking the grogginess from him. "Confound, man! What is all this. Ah! Constable Crier, good of you to wake us. Have you aught of news? Can you speak to us as we break our fast?
Dunstan! Up with it! Have you a servant capable of putting a roast haunch over fire, or shall I attend to such myself? I warn you though, others have compared my cooking to something between a Kazakian torture pit and Thorangy mating ritual."
Shadewell -
Dunstan shakes his head, "The last servant was the bodyguard we dismissed the other day. We are on our own here as the entire family of my dear friend has been slain. These villains have a great deal to answer for, this shall be a day of reckoning!"
As Bannock prepares a meal as awful as he described the Constable takes seat at the table and joins you.
"I was able to pass by the Estate pretending to be on patrol in the we hours of this morning. I saw a servant tending to the gardens but naught else. The easiest way of ingress would appear to be through a carriage house at the rear of the property.
The Estate is quite large. Fro the comrades I mentioned it to in passing, asking whether we were asked to provide security for this proposed arty to hide my true intentions, I understand that the Bloodhavens have several servants. What I dare not ask and likely they could not answer if they were in league with the enemy is whether any of these servants are monsters in disguise..."
Shadewell -
"Based on what this "Soto" told me when I encountered him, the best course of action would be to identify the member of the Household holding the knife with two fangs at the blade end and wrest the blade from his control.
Once that is done, I was informed to bring the blade back to this vile creature lest mine own life be forfeit..."
Well, then, soundin' like we 'ave a blade t'steal. That's right up my alley.
Shadewell -
"Shall I deputize some of you while others enter surreptitiously? A full frontal assault may not be the wisest approach". Crier replies.
That'll work fer me, but keep in mind, my hypocrisy only goes so far. I plannin' on sneakin' in.
"I can join in the subterfuge. My talents may be useful there."
Please do, mate, and any others that wish t'sneak in.
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Bannock nods at the others. "Alrighty, then. I have no skill and less interest in skulking about the flanks. Deputize me in whatever manner brings you comfort, and I'll go up the center, holding their attention. After you lot have entered, I'll pound the door and demand entrance. While they deal with my bluster and deny me entrance, that'll leave less servants for you to dodge.
And if I hear the call and ring of steel showing that you've been discovered...well, then I'll be right close for the aiding of ya.'
Shadewell -
Constable Crier nods, "Then Bannock, Khalid and I will approach the front door and demand entrance due to our investigation while the rest of you enter via the carriagehouse".
Crier hands out badges to Bannock and to Khalid, "Wear them with pride despite what these monsters have done to some of my brethren".
Shadewell -
Wyatt nods in agreement with the plan.
Khalid nods. "I certainly will Constable." Addressing Bannock and Crier; "Now, what reason will we give them for demanding entrance?"
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Bannock shrugs at Khalid's question. "I usually give none, save 'suspicion of Heresy' as my heavy metal boots kick in the flimsy wooden door. But I can see how that might not be useful here. We could use a grain of truth and simply say that persons connected to the killer were rumored to have taken refuge at the place and we need to search the premises.
Up to you, really."
Shadewell -
Constable Crier nods in agreement with Bannock, "That was the general idea that I had".
With that, the two groups set out to investigate the Bloodhaven Estates.
King's Quarters - Bloodhaven Estate
The trip from Shadewell to King's Quarters where the Estate is located in only a thirty minute walk. The fog this day is not very thick. The streets of Shadewell are abuzz with the news of yet another death in Blackchapel, this time of a woman married to a man of some means. It seems the nature of the victim affects the impact on the populace...
Constable Crier allows the group passage into King's Quarters the streets of egress to which are guarded by other Paridon Constables.
Wyatt smirks once you get past them, "Would not want the most worthy of the city to fall prey to a madman in the streets". Crier shrugs and grunts in response.
When the Estate looms in the distance Crier gives directions to the stealth group as to where the Carriage House is located as he leads his new deputies to the proper entrance to the Manse.
"Concise. I like it. Lets go see what secrets this manor holds."
King's Quarters - Morning -
The cobblestoned road is abuzz with activity. Proprietors of all ilk are present bringing all manner of goods to the party. Tables, favors, food drink the sheer amount of people present is astounding. This is an excellent opportunity though as the large wrought iron fence is wide open to accommodate the traffic heading to the house. There are a handful of liveried servants attempting to bring order to this chaos.
Khalid whispers to Bannock and Crier. "We may be able to cause more of a distraction once we are in the place. Maybe we should take this opportunity to quietly gain entrance?"
King's Quarters - Morning -
As you arrive at the Carriage House there is a man posted there who is speaking with another man driving a wagon. He appears to be bringing goods, or attempting to, to the party here at the Estate. The man is requesting paperwork that the driver of wagon appears to have lost or misplaced.
Derrick and Marco, you both notice a man in the window above the archway watching the interaction intently. Derick you also notice that the man is holding a heavy crossbow currently pointed at the floor.
Wyatt
Marco
Marco whispers,
I am goin' t'try an' sneak by an' inside. Watch the guy in the window.
Marco manevers around keeping the wagon between himself and the door, staying to the shadows.
Derrick nods and keeps an eye out, ready to step forward and draw attention if it looks like Marco's in trouble.
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Bannock shakes his head at Khalid's suggestion. "Marco and Derrick are already playing the shadow, going around the enemy's flank to attack the rearguard. We are to demonstrate in the front, keeping the forces that might find them busy.
However...since it seems like they will have an easy time gaining entrance themselves, I'm not averse to delaying our assault for some moments, allowing them to gain good purchase. Though I've no doubt in our skill to gain attention, I'm not sure exactly how long we can hold it."
King's Quarters - Morning -
Wyatt nods as Marco moves stealthily up to the gatehouse.
Derrick watches the man in the window and it becomes clear that he is too intent on the interaction to notice Marco who is able to slip inside.
Marco, the tunnel is about 20' long on either side is a door that likely leads up to where the guard is stationed.
King's Quarters - Morning -
Once it becomes apparent that the guard is too focused on the wagon situation to notice people sneaking in, Derrick turns to Wyatt. "Keep an eye out, friend. I'm joining Marco, and hopefully we'll make an opening for you to join us." With that, he waits for a moment and darts in to stand alongside his old friend from the streets.
Marco quietly advances to one of the doors, awaiting either a companion to join him, being discovered, or a distraction before opening the door and continuing to advance within to blend into the party. He quickly checks to see if the door is locked.
Khalid shakes his head. "No. I think that Bannock has the right of it. We do not want to draw the guards into the house, we want to draw them out. I say we "attempt" to gain entrance, then manage to get ourselves very offended and outraged over whatever the guardsman has to say to us."
"Alright then, let's see how these high class folks react to a Vistani crashing their party." Khalid will walk toward the entrance making sure he is in line of sight with one of the guards.
King's Quarters - Morning -
Make a Perception check to see what you can see in that direction but check the spoiler below before you do anything else!.
King's Quarters - Morning -
The man places a hand in front of you, "Are you a hired entertainer? If so, I will need to see your paperwork".
Crier holds back with Bannock in the hustle and bustle as they watch Khalid's encounter with the valet.
Marco holds his position and presses back against the wall as he peers into the courtyard and awaits Derrick's response.
Derrick pauses for a second, and then lets his old instincts kick in. "Wot you mean, wot'm I up to? Wot you doin' wit a wagon in the middle o' the road? Ain't my fault when I'm tryna go 'bout my business an' there's a wagon in the way, got glasses an' all jus' sittin' 'ere where any ol' body could come 'long an' knock 'em about. 'Ow 'bout you get yer 'ead out yer arse for a tick an' then we won't 'ave any trouble. Cor!"
Khalid smiles at the man. "A good eye sir! You know an artist when you see one! Unfortunately I seem to have misplaced my paper work. I'm sure you wouldn't mind getting us through anyway right?"
King's Quarters - Morning -
King's Quarters - Morning -
Khalid looks back to Bannock and Crier and motions forward. "Gentlemen, our new acquaintance will lead the way."
Marco peers into the courtyard towards the door at the other side, then up to see if there is a quick balcony to climb onto as an option. Hearing that Derrick has held off his discovery, he wants to advance inside quickly.
"Aw, that's all well an' good, innit, 'private property' an' all, yer certainly a good ol' fella huh. Call the Constables on me, will ya, shove off, ya tosser, you can't talk to me like that. Park a wagon the middle o' the street an' expect folks not to bump into it, you oughta know better 'n that." At this point, Derrick devolves into a colorful string of street-lingo curses, and when the man or men inevitably grow angry enough to try and lay hands on him, he turns tail and flees, making sure to stay just ahead of them in hopes of drawing them away for a time before losing them in an alley or simply scaling a wall. At least Marco will have a good head start in, and Wyatt can probably sneak in as well.
King's Quarters - Morning -
The guard in the window simply watches without acting or reacting.
Son enough you reconvene with Wyatt.