Hippa |
Confused, Hippa seeks clarification. "Is this about violent gangs putting their own law on the city? Cuz we can use the Hellknights as a distraction instead of our own Torches?" She fades out...whispering "Wouldn't that make us just another gang of toughs with our own vigilante justice?"
A sobering thought for her, especially after a too-rare night of whimsy.
"I learned in my youth to never reach into a badger's burrow, especially while it is inside. Wouldn't it make sense to, say, set up watcher in one of the buildings and when they leave THEN explore the site."
Hippa is uncomfortable with outright aggression. Pursuit, judgment and self-defense avoiding execution by Hellknights yes. As bait followed by self-defense, sure. Culling dangerous beasts in the city, of course. This is a sure step over a line.
Auði Jaw-Jacker |
"Hippa, the Hellknights aren't of this city. They don't even live here. The hole up in their castle outside the city and leave the rest of us to suffer the consequences of a lawless Westcrown. The dottari have become so corrupt they no longer perform their duty. What would we do once we've explored the site? Turn it over to the rundottari only to see these Bastards settled back in within a few days. I'm as reluctant as you are about a frontal assault. Maybe we can find another way in. But, I think Arael is right that it is up to the Torchbearers to end this threat to Westcrown."
Brannock Galdarg |
The very reason we came together is because the streets are lawless. They are dangerous because gangs of toughs are let to run free. Dispensing justice to these toughs must be done and if the Hellknights won't then we must. Sometimes aggression must be met with aggression. The people can take solace in the fact that when we are finished with these bastards, we won't require protection money.
Hippa |
"Guess I am worried about where this puts us and how it might draw a bull's-eye target on my, our, forehead." She starts a slow meandering pace about the room, lost in thought and a bit of prayer.
Tramtris Arvanxi |
His lips twitched in a bit of a smirk for just a moment, He couldnt fault Hippa's ... worry. She was after all, not a warrior. Already she might have pressed her luck when it came to living a long life, as did he perhaps.
We have done some pretty great feats so far, and our luck has held...well outside of that issue last night. I can promise you that man had better be on a ship out of here, because when i do catch him . . ." He began with a slight scowl.
I worry about the young ones, as you call them some. Most of them arent for any sort of fighting if I recall, Im afraid if things start to go bad it could go really really bad.
He began, angry at her or not, the idea of Miss Tarvi or the young Tian woman getting hurt bothered him.
Tramtris Arvanxi |
He rolled his eyes, he knew he was being a bit... priggish, but he was still annoyed from last night.
Have they been trained how to handle things like weapons? are you sending them in to get their noses bloodied unprepared?
He couldnt help but picture Tarvi with a sword and that picture just didnt fit. He took a deep breath and then sighed,
"I suppose your are correct, but after this little foray I will gladly help train whoever wants help if i can.
Auði Jaw-Jacker |
"I think we need to be careful with the rest of the Torchbearers, but it is probably time to start getting them more experience. I share some of your concern Tram. I think we ought to check those buildings with them before moving to the main building."
Brannock Galdarg |
Everyone must play a part in righting the city. I understand your worry Tramtris but weren't we once unproven? Wouldn't it be wrong of us to stand in the way of others helping our cause? Even though they may get hurt or even killed, if the risk is worth their lives to them then I say we are doing our job by involving them. Freedom is earned and they are doing their part to earn that freedom.
Hippa |
"While I know each of us have good intentions, I am wondering how if we are successful, what are our plans to keep us, Westcrown, free from further violence."
Conflicted she is, resistant she is not.
"Also the odds are, if the young'ns encounter opposition, they'll simply be beaten. You want scared survivors to spread reputation. Dead children tend to become martyrs."
"Fine. If we are actually going to do this, there has to be some knowledge of the building. Is it possible to capture a current Bastarda or perhaps find a former pensioner/employee? "
ten points for any who can guess her alignment... ;)
Auði Jaw-Jacker |
"We can't do it alone Hippa. That's one of the reasons why Arael is right about the 'younglings'. Someone has to give hope to the city. SHow them a way. That someone is us. It doesn't mean we have to hunt down every last violent gang in Westcrown. Just start to turn things around. I'm sure others will join us."
He gives her final point some consideration, "Ruins north of the city have been abandoned for years, but let me give a think to whether anyone I know might know something or someplace to isolate one of these 'bastards'." Knowledge (local) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Hippa |
"I can get behind the slow turn around and lead by example. Perhaps even find proof of their being a lawless group with nefarious intentions. Wouldn't it be ironic if this were a struggling orphanage that we just busted down their door? I'll hold all of you responsible if I am put into that position. "
With a reluctant nod and personal heartache, Hippa nods her head. "I am in. Conditionally. They better be up to no good. I'd want to be Westcrown's Lesser Evil. Doweevenhaveamotto?"
An earnestly distracted gnome searches for ink and paper to start scribbling out phrases that could be a motto of sorts.
Looking over her minute shoulder, you'd read some of her efforts.
1) Rebuilding Westcrown one good deed at a time.
2) Improving Westcrown through good intentions.
3)
Auði Jaw-Jacker |
Auði passes his new crowbar over to Brannock. "Probably better for you to beat down the door with this than me. Let's see if we can spot any ways in other than that front door." Auði scans the building from afar, looking for any other obvious entrances.
Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Auði Jaw-Jacker |
"Windows look boarded up, but I suppose they could have some cracks they spy through. Anyone see anything up in that belltower?" Auði squints his eyes against the sun, trying to see if anyone is evident up high. "We're probably going to have to get closer to see anything."
Are the outbuildings the only building up close?
Tramtris Arvanxi |
He nodded to Audi's plan, it was rough and liable to implode... but then again so far most of their plans seemed to work that way. Fortune they say, often favored the bold.
"We playing nice and trying not to kill anyone here or can we let the gods sort them out? he asked gripping his halberd tightly.
Hippa |
back from new job.
perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
"well i am ready for violence and mayhem. Apparently the gods enjoy the show we put on.
A slight jingle of her charms from her bracelet and beehive hairdo all pinned up with a couple of the more obscure gods lets everyone know where she is at. She cuddles with suki her cat whispering gentle encouragement. Then the cat saunters off the wander the grounds and hunt mice.
Auði Jaw-Jacker |
"Mmm. Even though we can't see anyone, they probably have someone up in that tower to watch. I think we should see if we can slip up to the outbuilding without being seen. What do the rest of you think? Any ideas?"
Hippa |
"One at a time. That way if one person is sighted and alarm raised, they may be in the dark regarding our numbers. Not much of an advantage but something. I bet Suki would be able to scout a bit without too much suspicion. She already started... See?" Hippa points to her sauntering cat, tail in the air, peeking around a corner with a little twitch.
Sitting down in a bit of shaded rubble, she breaks out an apple. "Mind if I have a bite of breakfast while Suki traipses about? Someone should watch the tower, in case there is indeed, someone up there. I'd hate for them to take a pot shot at my kitty."
Hippa |
Suki the cat: Trained to Seek, guard, among a couple of others.
She has +5 perception, +14 stealth.
Stealth 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23, and Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Of course, Suki may get distracted by a field mouse or sparrow but thems the breaks.
MiniGM |
Suki does indeed come back with a mouse, which she lays at Hippa's feet. But she did not seem to notice anyone
you can't actually talk to her can you?
Hippa |
Why must you tease me like that? No, Hippa can not yet talk to Suki. So that spoiler sits there, taunting me. Daring me with its meta-knowledge. Click me
I hate you.
Hippa |
A mix of pride, adorement, disgust and little eyerolling. "Suki, you are so cute. Useless but cute." Hippa receives the gifted field mouse with an affectionate ear scratch and much cooing.
"Well, guess it is time for us two-feets to do our own stalking. Who wants to go first? I don't mind it being me. I'd like a closer look at some of these buildings. If I could save a bit of coin moving into a vacant no rent space with enough room for all my cats, I am all for it. Tough love to the bastardas if they don't like it.
Hippa |
Perctption 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 2 = 25
If a gnome's ears could visibly quirk, Hippa's probably did. She crouches too and follows Suki's line of sight.
Hippa |
Hippa stands and steps away, "I've got my mouse. This is all yours. Get'em."
Turning to Audi and the others, "Prime hunting grounds for my kitties. She is stalking a lizard now. Look at that tail twitch..."
"Want me to go first? Small, female, easily dismissed or perhaps underestimated. Plus I can convince Suki to be a bit more obvious while we take a different route. Her efforts are entertaining."
Tramtris Arvanxi |
He was for the moment entertained by the antics of Suki, he even tilted his head and watched her for a bit. He didnt have anything like a pet or anything growing up. Their were hunting dogs, and guard dogs, a few cats in the pantries and the like. He wondered what it was like for a moment.
Perhaps I could just walk up knock on the door and tell them they are no longer welcome in Westcrown. Mayhap they will be smart and leave, though I doubt it... He said idly still not entirely sure how to apporach this matter.
Hippa |
"Can we figure out which route they follow to get in? Perhaps set up an ambush or better yet, just observe? We have no knowledge of them besides that they exist. Mayhem can always happen later. Kinda like wishing we knew about those tunnels under the tavern first. And we never did figure out how the hellknights crashed our little party but not this one here. Information gathering first. Lets find a good spot to hole up in, camouflage it and wait. There must be some dark alley or rooftop sufficiently unoccupied for our needs."