Roran grins. "I'll be in the second group. I got a way with opening wooden doors."
"I'm with Gwernach. We go in and ask aut the special cuts. I can go in - I look the type." She sounds somewhat bitter as she says this. "Who else wants to go in the first group?"
With his bushy eyebrows raising up and down fiendishly, Gwernach jokingly says, Ohh! A've got a trick o'two up my sleave when it comes ta disguises. Despite the dwarf's thick beard, a large maniacal grin shines through.
In truth, Gwernach's brand of theology has opened his eyes to a few things that would otherwise be quite uncommon in a cleric. His study of the natural duality of humanity for instance. Were it not for that particular chapter, he would never have come to appreciate the concept of deception as well as he does now. The dwarf enthusiastically rubs his hands together, A've been wait'n ta try this fa real! Just never 'adda good excuse!
You lot got any ideas for a signal?
"Not a half-bad plan, Gwernach," Wilthorn remarks with grin. Whatever signal we use, it'll need to be loud
If they keep an eye on the outside, we can't be sitting with an ear against the door. Make a joke or something, and both of ya laugh, loudly. Odd enough to not come up in a conversation if you don't want it to, but still normal enough to not instantly recognizable as a signal. One thing I'd throw in is that the hypothetical targets are spies or allies or something for the queen. Under Vamcaskerkin, they'll probably jump at the chance to damage the queen's ruling base, and get paid for it too. Speaking of which, Wilthorn pulls out his coin purse, and tosses it to the dwarf, 198 sails in there, which oughta cover the charges, and whatever they want, pay it up front. Whether the do the job, go carousing, or a mix of both, it's time they're out of our hair for. Just don't lose it, aye? Good luck to ya, both of you
"I'm alright at fast-talking, maybe I should go with you two too. I mean, not to say you aren't good at talking, but it is kind of what I do for a living. And that'll be three of us in, three of us out here."
She nods to Gwernach. "If you've got magics that would make you look human, we'd look a little less like a band of mercs or adventurers. I've always wanted to do that myself, it would have been a big help..." she stops herself before finishing that thought. "Anyway, it's a neat trick."
I was think'n more 'long tha line offa cough'n fit.
Gwernach holds up his hand in protest, We'll not be need'n ya gold Mast'r Wilthorn. Tha men'n there won't be go'in anywhere ta'night. All we need ta know is 'ow many are in there. If there's more than our number, we're call'n it off. Gwernach has no intention of getting into a fight unless we have the numbers advantage. Waving his hand as though shooing away a fly he mutters, Let'm name their price an'we'll tell'm we need ta come back ta'morrow - get more gold or someth'n.
Smiling at Callie, Be 'appy ta hav'ya come along lass. Ya tongue is bett'r suit'd ta my own. A bit of nerves start to kick in causing the dwarf to adjust his cloak. Pointing to the meat shop he gets a hold of himself, adding sternly, No one leaves tha shop not'n our cus-taddy. We're go'in, looking to Roran, knock'n em over tha head an' ty'n 'em up for tha Marshal ta deal with.
"Being outnumbered is my specialty."
Gwernach looks to each member of the party for any other suggestions. Trying to gauge the group's enthusiasm for his plan the expression on his own face changes to one of uncertainty. Hope I wasn't ov'r bear'n there...
Admittedly, it is a spontaneous plan. The dwarf had never had a lot of strategical training - perhaps he's missed something. Overlooked an important detail? Gwernach racks his brain as he gives them another minute to think things over.
By now the store is closed - although you have noticed a couple of people knocking on the door. The occupants opened the door on each occasion, spoke to the visitors and then sent them on their way.
"I think we've got a plan, let's go before it seems too weird for us to show up," Callie says, noting there are people still approaching even if leaving empty handed.
Relieved, Gwernach acknowledges Callie then steps around the corner and out of site of the store. Summoning the divine energies he'd unlocked in his deliberations of the art of deception, the dwarf's features begin to change. His stature alters, becoming taller and thinner. The white streaks in his otherwise brown hair dominate his head and beard. As his body shimmers, the fine plated armor of carefully wrought steel gives way to layers of rags. Where his shield hangs, now appears to be an extra layer of cloak. Finally, Gwernach's battleaxe morphs into an old thick walking stick. In only a few seconds, the once stout dwarf has transformed into the very image of an old man in his late 80's.
From around the corner, an old man walks slowly, quite dependent upon the old gnarled stick in his hand for balance. Very little of the old man's features can be clearly seen through all the layers of drab clothing that now surround him. With his back hunched over, it is difficult to see his face as it seems to be perpetualy in a state of looking at the ground.
Idling up beside Callie and Valeria, the old man looks up and smiles. His eyes twinkling, Well? What'doya think? Feeling good about his efforts, Gwernach points a weary hand in the direction of the meat shop. Best get mov'n, this won't last forever. Taking a few slow steps the old man pauses as a short coughing fit overtakes him. It is not overly loud, but loud enough for onlookers to notice. Without looking back at the others he hobbles forward speaking over his shoulder, That'll be tha signal, 'cept louder. The old man beckons his daughters to his side and they make their way to the front of the shop. Along the way, the old man whispers, Gotta'noth'r trick should we need it... The elder briefly explains one of his more dazzling spells, Blinding Flash. Should the time come, the cleric will take up the silver symbol hidden beneath his rags and tapping it, emit a powerful light with the power to blind those with a weaker resistance. Cautioning the two to cover their eyes at the appropriate time or risk suffering from the light's affects the old man crosses the street with his daughters at his side.
Like the previous callers, the trio stops in front of the shop's door and knocks.
Callie undoes her hair, mussing it about a bit, and removes her cloak, wrapping it around her waist like an overskirt--nothing major but just so that if anyone had glanced at her earlier they wouldn't make the first impression that she was the same person as before. It will not conceal her sword completely but it makes it look like she is not looking for a fight. Nodding at Valeria and the seemingly transformed Gwernach, she stands by Gwernach as he knocks on the door.
Eltanin, in the second group, is back to her 'quiet mode.' She is carefully considering the virtues of dart vs. bomb, but she has time to give Gwernach an encouraging smile.
For her part, she is merely listening for the signal and trying not to let her thoughts distract her.
Not sure if I will use it, but it may be useful as an extra diversion while we wait for the others to burst it. GM, what would be your ruling: If the girls cover their eyes when Gwernach activates his blinding flash, can they escape being dazzled or get a bonus to save?
Over to you Callie! :)
After a few seconds (that feels an eternity to Callie!) the door is answered. Two men are visible and neither fit Verik's description.
One is a tall man with bushy eyebrows that merge into one just above his large flat nose and the other is a wheezy man whose chainmail doesn’t quite fit his ample frame.
It is 'eyebrows' that speaks to you. "Yes..."
Valeria glances across at Callie, silently begging her to start talking.
When the bushy eyebrowed man speaks, Callie promptly replies, "Sorry to bother you so late, I know you've closed but..." she looks back at her compatriots... "It took us some time to get here. We... we understand you carry some 'special cuts' we would be very interested in taking a look at."
A sullen expresion on the man's face changes instantly when you mention the secret phrase. He ushers you in and you see a long counter running over half the room’s width, beyond which a door stands ajar. A low bench
sits against the east wall, while to the north a marble-topped table is clearly there to displays cuts of meat. At the moment a few flies crawl and circle in the air above the counter.
Eyebrows introduces himself as Baldrago and closes the door behind you. The plump man now speaks. Evening. I'm Malder. And how can the Cow Hammer Boys be of service?"
Mumbling, the old man thanks Baldrago and holds out his arm to allow Callie and Valeria in ahead of him. Hobbling in to the room, he lifts his head, taking a quick peek at the room and who's there. Seeing only two men, the old man stumbles at the entrance. Holding on to the doorway to steady himself, a series of loud coughs erupt from his mouth.
As the last of his coughs abates, the old man wipes his mouth on his sleeve and limps into the room.
Callie makes as if to answer, when poor dear "father" begins coughing. She makes a show of fussing over him, begging the mercs' forgiveness and that they will get started in just one moment...
Waiting in an alley, cloak wrapped tightly around him, Wilthorn tries to make small talk to pass the time. "So, uh, Roran, how'd you get started in this business? You, erm, have a fam-wait, did you hear that?"
Hearing a cough, Wilthorn's head snaps toward the building. Turning back to the other two, he sharply whispers "I heard it! The signal! Quiet, but move quickly, c'mon!" He draws his sap, and dashes toward the building the trio disappeared into. Time to see if I'm right. Hope to Desna I'm not, but...
Eltanin hastens to follow Wil (and presumably Roran), bomb in one hand and mutagen in the other, figuring that if the quarters are too close for an explosion she'll have a chance to strengthen herself then get in close with a pair of daggers. She might be overestimating what she'll be able to do in a fight,
Roran listens to the half question from Wilthorn, then grins at the coughing. He takes point, charging the door with his earthbreaker in hand, giving a battle cry.
My thoughts...
1. The battle cry will surprise all of you
2. You were at least expecting the arrival of reinforcements - so I'll let you have the extra round
3. Do you want to initiate combat? I won't roll anything until I know for sure - and a surprise round will only happen if you act now
4. Only those in the room could act in the surprise round (Roran called out his battle-cry from outside, so by the time he got into the room, we'd be in round one)
5. You could try Blinding Flash now as a surprise round - I don't expect any dice rolls for initiative - the mechanics of worrying about Callie and Valeria being distracted aren't worth pursuing
Roran listens to the half question from Wilthorn, then grins at the coughing. He takes point, charging the door with his earthbreaker in hand, giving a battle cry.
As you approach the door you see that it is in fact still ajar - as Gwernach is holding it open.
As you approach the door you see that it is in fact still ajar - as Gwernach is holding it open.Roran listens to the half question from Wilthorn, then grins at the coughing. He takes point, charging the door with his earthbreaker in hand, giving a battle cry.
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As the cry of Roran fills the room, the old man hobbles past the door and looks up. The confusion on his face is genuine, A battle cry?! Tha wasn't part o'tha, baahh! Where 'r tha girls.... Catching his daughter's eyes, Gwernach gives them the signal to cover their eyes and raises his silver band. With a snap of his fingers the band sings and instantly emits a blinding flash of light filling the room.
Following Gwernach's signal and hearing Roran's familiar pounding footsteps, Callie shuts her eyes tight and draws her sword.
Wilthorn
Gwernach
Eltanin
Callie
Roran
Valeria
The two men stagger and call out - and you hear footsteps from behind the door at the back of the room.
Circling around to the nearest man, leaving room for another to come in and flank with her, Callie strikes at him with her sap.
Despite their incapacitated state, Callie's blow fails to connect with the men.
In the wake of the flare of light, Eltanin quickly juggles the contents of her bandolier and scarfs down a vial of mutagen Only then, when she can feel herself growing strange crags like a mountaintop tree, does she follow Roran and Wil. No weapons for the time being - she's not exactly used to fisticuffs, but the lethal options can stay in reserve.
Eltanin slugs the mutagen.
Valeria hastens to the far door, drawing her shield and axe as she does so. Paying little attention to covering herself, she focuses instead on turning herself into a barrier.
Roran, towering inside the door, pulls out a sap and swings at the nearest enemy.
Roran takes a mighty swipe at the first of the men - Baldrago - and knocks him clean unconscious.
Malder swings and misses - and the sound of footsteps gets louder.
Cursing under his breath, Wilthorn tries to catch up to Roran, who went flying past him. As he enters the building, he looks for the nearest enemy, and strikes.
Wilthorn swings and misses and the remaining man (Malder) - and the sound of footsteps is that little bit closer.
Hobbling out of the way, the old man raises the silver band once more. Speaking in an ancient Celestial dialect the band hums - its vibrations filling the room and his companions with confidence. The old man's hands then begin rummaging in his cloak, retrieving a bag of some sort.