"I'm so new to this, I'm not sure which would be best!" Rasil exclaimed.
"I'm most concerned about keeping people safe, then structures, and lastly other property."
"If our research is correct, however, Mikobar assembling the Enjoiner could be catastrophic!"
Rimblesnuffin looks back and forth between the lot of you, clearly unnerved somewhat at the lack of consensus within the group.
Barin follows the discussion with his arms crossed on his chest. When it's clear the group doesn't have a consensus on how to proceed he slams his fist on the table:"Enough! We clearly have different opinions on how to deal with the present crisis. So, since we all share the same rank we need to vote. I, for one, think the elf plan could work ONLY if Mikobar is an idiot. Maybe that's the case, but his degree of success thus far suggests otherwise. He seems like someone who plans his attacks and executes them methodically and carefully, I don't see him chasing the elf through the alleys at night. So, I think the half-orc's plan to have better chances of suceeding. Nothing is garanteed of course, but seems to me an ambush here has decent chances at least. So.... that's how I vote. Now, your turn"
"Uh, sure," said Rasil, violet eyes round with surprise at Barin's outburst.
"I mean: Koraq's plan."
Looking at the diviner he sheepishly added, "Sorry Issceran."
Rimblesnuffin turns to Simza, a questioning look.
"Koraq's plan more or less fits in with my suggestion. I think our chances of ambushing him here with the element of surprise is better than trying to lure him somewhere without a more solid feel of how he might react." she added her voice to Koraq's plan "That's three to ambush him here, so I believe that should carry. It doesn't mention what should be done with the fragment itself however... Should we store it in the safe, or keep it with one of us?" she asks, looking at her fellow squad members, before her gaze settles on Rimblesnuffin.
"Obviously, I feel better having it locked away in my safe. If this criminal does have to crack my safe, at least he's stuck in my cellar with only one way out. Plus, the alarm when somebody opens the trap door without springing the safety switch should let you know he's there. It's quite unique."
Rimblesnuffin grins.
"Simza, you forgot that I also voted for it. That's really four to one," Rasil piped.
Looking at the elf again, he said, "Sorry."
Turning back to Rimblesnuffin, Rasil added, "What's unique about your alarm?"
While in hindsight he would agree the plan of action he proposed had its flaws, he wouldn't be the one to admit that. He just quirked his mouth and folded his arms across his chest. He gently tapped his arm with his hand as he watched and listened, concerned with the dangers of waiting for their suspect. He didn't voice them any further and like Rasil, was curious about what was so special about the safe's alarm.
"Heh, alright then... settles that I think. Now, who wants to wait for Mikobar and who wants to charge into the ambush? Alternatively, we could all wait inside then burst out when our culprit makes his move. Does help with distance, although whoever's gonna sound the alarm better be quick with it and have good eyes!"
"If somebody opens the trapdoor without hitting the switch, an illusion of a very large man in plate mail and carrying a big swird clomps down the stairs asking, 'What's going on down there? Show yourself!'" Rimblesnuffin does his best impression of a deep voice.
"He's probably staying outside until, or if, he collapses the building... Better stay hidden outside and wait for him to show himself. And elf... can you check with your magic if something is happening to the fundations of the shop?"
To help with your planning...a map.
The small room to the bottom right is a cut away showing the cellar with the vault.
"Well, dwarf," Issceran said with a hint of resentment. "With a spell I have prepared, I may be able to identify either our shoanti or his pet if they project magical auras."
Barin chuckles:"Good, then be ready to do it! That's your task. Mine will be snake killing", so saying Barin pats his axe's haft with a confident expression on his face.
"Well, if our witness from Irefoot Hall is to be believed I don't think MIkobar himself will actually be enterring the building, he just sent his snake in last time, and if that creature is burrowing through the ground as well it might be very difficult to know when it arrives." Simza pointed out, not too comfortable with the thought of anyone remaining inside after remembering what happened to Brandon. "I suspect Mikobar will be waiting nearby for his pet to do the work for him, so we will have to find him, likely in the dark..."
"Good point, Simza!" the gnome said with a smile.
"Well, Issceran and I have good nightvision, and both Barin and Koraq can actually see in the dark, so we should have a decent advantage," declared Rasil.
"I'm not sure how his snake will react, but I think our focus should be locating and incapacitating Mikobar."
"So I guess he'll hide in one of the alleys away from the street lanterns or even along the cliff, but with a view of the shop."
Simza nodded as Rasil pointed out that everyone but her could handle the darkness alright, he definitely hadn't meant it that way so she wasn't going to take offense, and being a human as well Mikobar should have the same issue. Once the fighting started she could bring some light to things. It's not like she really intended to be much of a combatant anyway, though she would do her best if she could.
"It does seem most likely that he will observing nearby. If there was somewhere we could get a view of the area from..." she murmured, looking at the surrounding buildings. "Well, regardless we will need to locate somewhere to observe from as well..."
Koraq stands up again, rotating and stretching his shoulders before exclaiming, "Well, I'll take a quick peek around and see if I can find a good spot to camp out."
The roof of the cafe you ate supper at would work well, giving you a clear vantage point of the street from both directions. As would the roof of the book sellers next to Rimblesnuffin's, or the roof of the jeweler's itself. All the buildings in this area have gently-sloping roofs with chimneys that make good cover - especially in the dark.
"Got any idea where to hide while we waith for Mikobar to show himself? We'd need some sort of vantage point but I can't really think of anything specific. Suggestions, my ugly half orc friend? We're following your idea after all... it's only fair for you to suggest where we can enact it! finishes baring with a grin
"Well the roofs are as good a hiding spot as any; that'd be my preference." Koraq looks the dwarf up and down quickly. "Of course, I think everyone 'sides you can get down quietly enough. Not sure where to put you and your armor, though, that'd make for a convenient yet quick hiding spot."
"I can hide around the back of the shop and keep an eye out for our villain!" Rasil declared with a smile.
"Well, the owners of this place seem nice enough. Perhaps we should ask them if they will let us have access to their roof for this plan?" Simza suggests, seeing the need to make some sort of decision rather than just continuing to discuss possibilities.
"I agree with the girl! Let's hide on the rooftop so we can see Mikobar approach and react accordingly!"
"Well... if you think that's best," said Rasil.
"I just want you all to know that I'm not a good climber."
"Hey, you'e not the one wearing 30 pounds of armor." she observed to Rasil with a slight smile. It was an absolute pain in the behind but she was sure she'd be grateful if either Mikobar or his pet 'snake' got anywhere near her. For her part she intended to stay on the roof unless anyone needed her help. Well, we'd better go ask the Copperhills if they mind us using the roof." she observed, getting up and heading into the cafe to inform the kindly pair of their request, making sure to inform them of the potential risks when she did so.
The Copperhills are quick to poo-poo any risks to themselves, happy to be able to help both the City Watch and Rimblesnuffin. It's easy enough to access their roof through an upstairs side window, and once one pain is up (if you have any rope), the rest can easily make it up, even with -6 penalties.
Actually, a -6 penalty means you can't succeed by taking 10, so you will have to roll to beat the DC 5 climb check, and remember that bad things can happen if you fail by five or more.
The elf climbs up with the rest of his team onto the roof. He offers Simza a hand as they climb up out of the window and onto the roof. Pulling her up alongside his other companions, he settles on top and sighs. "Question: will Mr. Orcbane and Silverclaw be able to climb down and apprehend our friend in time?" He reclined and looked up to the sky as he settled his satchel onto his lap.
As Simza got to the upper floor window and looked down she excused herself for a few minutes, removing her armor before attempting the climb. She'd never been a strong girl and it was a long way down... Once she had gained the roof she started to pull the armor back up, settling it into place over her clothes once again. At Issceran's question she just looked to the two in question as she tightened the last couple of straps.
"Why would we need to climb down? It's just better to take the stairs, and take no risks. We just need to know where he is without him seeing us first... then we'll get down to apprehend him"
All the buildings in this area are two storeys. Across the street is the jeweler's. Next to it is a bookseller's. On your side of the street, you see a tailor's and a furniture maker's.
As the sun dips down behind the Irespan, Peora leans out the upstairs window with a basket of sandwiches, passes them up, and wishes you good luck and safety.
If there are any other supplies you want of need, speak now, or forever hold your peace.
Also, give me 8 Perception checks.
"Well, this should be an interesting night!" Rasil exclaimed.
"A long night," the elf commented, his eyes alert as he watched for their suspect, quiet and attentive.
Each, and to repeat my answer to Barin's question, they're all two storeys tall.
The only special preparation I'd like to do would be to prepare some rope on the roof to enable a quick shimmy down when ready to make the drop on our mystical murderer and burglar!
Simza settled down onto the hard roof with a sigh, adjusting the blanket so she was sitting on a couple layers of it to make herself a little more comfortable.
So you settle yourselves on the roof of the cafe, and prepare to keep watch. Do you all keep watch all night, or take turns with some sleeping?
At the moment, the hour is not too late, and there are people about, some heading home, some heading out for a night on the town, some municipal lamp-lighters, some are City Watchmen on patrol. As the pedestrians thin to nothing by midnight, so too do the patrols.
A crisp coolness fills the air. Those on watch see puffs of breath in front of them in the dim light of the half moon. While all is quiet up here, you can barely hear jovial sounds of laughter, music and dancing, ever so faintly wafting up from Lowcleft over the great cliff below. The arts district of Magnimar is as alive as ever, it seems, despite the hour and the chill. By about two in the morning, however, even the yuppie partiers below seem to call it quits.
Simultaneously shaking both SImza and Barin, Koraq focuses his eyes towards the cliff edge, waiting a minute to see if he can spot the cause of the sound.
Oh yes. I'll try to get a map up tonight. His darkvision penetrates part of the way between the buildings, but it doesn't reach the cliff edge.
Issceran glanced to Koraq silently before he narrowed his eyes and tried to peer into the night. He leaned forward as music rose up from down the cliffs, creating a soft atmosphere. He rapped his fingers across his sathel before he pushed it from his lap. Sitting up on his haunches, he rolled his knuckles into his hands and licked his lips. He didn't know what was out there, he wasn't the one that could see in the dark.