Taemin keeps low but turns back, motioning only Karista to follow, tapping the planks and whispering, "Weak". He waits for her to get into position, then tries the door slowly.

Taemin keeps low but turns back, motioning only Karista to follow, tapping the planks and whispering, "Weak". He waits for her to get into position, then tries the door slowly.

Verronax takes up position at the rear of the party. He lays his halberd at his feet and loads his crossbow, keeping a watch on both the main doors and the party at the office entrance.

Perception (1d20+4=20)

Verronax will move directly south until he is even with the catwalk and able to keep an eye on both entrances. He'll move to the office door when he gets a clear signal.

Crouched halfway between Verronax's position and the entrance to the catwalk, Taras seemed at a loss for what to do - with almost no relevant spells memorized and hardly any combat skills to speak of, he suddenly felt very keenly how exposed and endangered he was.

Speaking quietly to himself, he quietly cast a simple abjuration...

Mage Armor, for lack of anything else to do.

With everyone in position, Taemin hopes for the best. A quick glance to the hinges to make sure they're not completely rusted over, he tries the door, ducking ten feet inside if it opens.

Haedrik peers around Karista and Taras to get a glimpse of the elf checking the door. He swivels slightly and motions for Verronax to stay still, before turning back to see if Taemin can open the door.

He licks his lips, which had become dry in anticipation.

The door refuses to open. It feels locked, not stuck.

I'll update the map shortly..
Edit: Map updated.

Taemin looks back and shakes his head, waiting a moment to see if anyone has an immediate solution.

Turning back to Karista he says, "Before we break in here, I want a look at the lower level. I'm going to climb down the nearest pilon to get a good look - give me an assist and keep hold will you?"

Going to take ten on Climb (+8), hopefully with some help, and climb down just below the catwalk to check out the lower level Taras described. Perhaps the small raft at the end of the dock could get someone closer.

Taemin

Karista kneels at the edge of the boardwalk, keeping an eye on the door, but ready to give Taemin a hand back up if he needs it. "Hurry!" She whispers through clenched teeth, "We're twisting in the wind up here."

Taemin

Taemin gathers everything in then crawls back up. He ponders a moment, then whispers to Karista, "Small boats, and a bigger one at the back. There should be a way in below, but there's a shark, and climbing could be hard for any others without rope. Dangerous, and we'll need some light, but I think it may be our best bet. Thoughts?"

Taemin waits for Karista's response, then creeps back along the catwalk and repeats his statement and hers.

Haedrik rubs the back of his neck, his mucles tensing from the wait. He peers around the corner towards Karista and a questioning shrug with his hands out emphatically.

Karista's face darkens in a scowl. "A shark? Are you mad? Don't get crafty, elf, he's one old man surrounded by scared children. Let's go in and finish this." Her voice remains quiet, but anger is creeping in at the edges. She spits on the rotting boards below her and adds, "And for the sake of your gods, untie your damned sword."

"You make a good point Karista. My sword, as you can see," Taemin tugs at it, "will come loose quite..." Taemin glances down and grumbles, carefully unfastening the tangle, mumbling his thanks before heading to the rest, relaying the situation to the rest.

"So, sharks or break in? Perhaps I could at least loose the boats so he can't escape that way?"

Karista makes a grab for the back of Taemin's shirt as he scuttles by her to consult the others. (Grapple check if need be) "This is no time for a bleeding crone's circle! Let's strike while still have some measure of surprise!"

"So, sharks or break in? Perhaps I could at least loose the boats so he can't escape that way?"

"This is no time for a bleeding crone's circle! Let's strike while still have some measure of surprise!"

The walkway groans alarmingly with Taemin and Karista standing together. Something pops, and the boards under their feet break loose. Both of them manage to scramble apart and onto more secure footing, and the lost planks splash into the water below.
Good reflex saves.

Once she has sure footing again, Karista lets out a guttural growling sound, "So much for surprise. Come on!" She turns on her heel and heads directly to the door, bracing for a solid kick right next to the latch.

Karista's patience is at an end. Unless someone does something compelling on a higher initiative, she's gonna try to break down the door. If the first attempt fails, she'll use a rage point (I'll update tonight) and try again.

Did you run around to the front door or did you go for the office?

If I read the map correctly I think I am more or less next to the office door, and there's a hole in the planking between me and most of the rest of the party, yes? Anyhow, yes. Office door. And requisite acrobatics check if I ended up on the wrong side of the hole.

If I read the map correctly I think I am more or less next to the office door, and there's a hole in the planking between me and most of the rest of the party, yes? Anyhow, yes. Office door. And requisite acrobatics check if I ended up on the wrong side of the hole.

The door emits a resounding *CRACK* when kicked, but fails to go down. Inside the fishery, you hear a dog start barking.

Taemin waves the next party member forward, then paces down the catwalk and just around the curve, moving to climb carefully down a pilon closer to the lower level.

Haedrik waves Verronax to follow.

He watches Karista kick at the door. He mutters under his breath, "By the gods woman, you may be too fiesty even for Haedrik's bed." He allows a slight smile at the thought then edges forward cautiously as per Taemin's signal.

A brief look of surprise crosses Karista's face when the door fails to give way beneath her boot. She gives frustrated snort, takes a step back, lowers her shoulder and bulls her full body weight into the door with a sharp grunt. The damp wood gives way with a screech, showering Karista with sharp splinters. With a harsh grin and a malicious glint in her eye, Karista raises her falchion to the ready.

"Bloody hells," Verronax mutters with a shake of his head.

He waves Taras around to the side, to join Haedrik and Karista, still covering both doorways with his crossbow. Once everyone is back together (and assuming no one comes out of the main door), Verronax will follow the group.

"Bloody hells," Verronax mutters with a shake of his head.

He waves Taras around to the side, to join Haedrik and Karista, still covering both doorways with his crossbow. Once everyone is back together (and assuming no one comes out of the main door), Verronax will follow the group.

Startled, he winces and cringes away as Karista smashes the door down, then peers carefully up over his shoulder, trying to get a look around the big woman.

Low-Light vision if it's dark in there. Anything worth seeing?

Since the walkway is slick and has already begun to fail once, are you sure you want to run on it?

Since the walkway is slick and has already begun to fail once, are you sure you want to run on it?

At a safe pace, you can catch up with Haedrik.

At a safe pace, you can catch up with Haedrik.

Heading off for a few hours. If combat starts or whatever, Taras is readying a Ray of Frost to zing the first obviously hostile person he can hit.

It occurs to me that Karista has a move action remaining after bashing in the door. Jack, would you like to enter the office before we move to the next round?

Sure. She'll bull in to the first square inside the door.

The Map has been updated. The initiative and description post will have to wait until tonight, though.

The office sports a wooden desk positioned in the northern corner. It looks like it might block the western door from opening fully. The desk is covered with piles of slates. A battered cabinet rests against the eastern wall. The southern door rests in pieces on the floor. It appears to have been boarded shut from the inside.

That dog continues barking loudly.

Karista

Taras

Initiative order:
Karista 23
Taras 18
Verronax 13
Haedrik 8
Taemin 4

The lighting outside (from moonlight) is shadowy. The lighting inside the office (which consists of moonlight comin in the open door) is shadowy if you're generous. It's hard for a human to do much more than make out the shapes of walls and large pieces of furniture.

Verronax casts shield of faith on himself, then moves to the walkway and office door behind the rest of the group.

Haedrik will stay in order for now. He mutters under his breath, "Damn dog."

Haedrik will stay in order for now. He mutters under his breath, "Damn dog."

"The dog has awakened the house's guardians. We've no element of surprise anymore."

"The dog has awakened the house's guardians. We've no element of surprise anymore."

Haedrik tightens his grip on his rapier and nods at Taras's own knife. "Hope you can use that."

"Damned dog!" Karista hissed unconsciously echoing Haedrik. She fumbled for a second for the handle to the adjoining door. The damage was done but her blood was up and she wanted the barking to stop.

Gonna open the door for my move action and knock the dog with the flat of the blade (nonlethal damage). If the dog inflicts lethal damage then Karista returns the favor with power attack. :D feel free to run my actions for the next few rounds if things advance fast, I might not be able to post again until monday.

Since all higher initiatives have now acted...

Taemin offers a brief, awkward wave to the rest, and shimmies his way down the pilon, taking care of sharp barnacles and splinters, and eyeing the water closely.

Once descended, he hangs on carefully and draws his sword, preparing to slice the tether on the first skiff at the corner.

Taras, do you intend to take any actions this round, or only speak to Haedrik? Haedrik, same question, names reversed.

Taras, do you intend to take any actions this round, or only speak to Haedrik? Haedrik, same question, names reversed.

IC: To Haedrik: "...not... really, no," he said under his breath, "But it's better than nothing. I hadn't exactly expected to be doing murder on a thief-lord's house this afternoon, you understand."

IC: To Haedrik: "...not... really, no," he said under his breath, "But it's better than nothing. I hadn't exactly expected to be doing murder on a thief-lord's house this afternoon, you understand."

I will back Karista. My rapier is out and ready. I will be one square behind her

Karista pulls open the door to be greeted by a mangy cur, which lunges forward. Despite the darkness, her the flat of her blade finds the dog's neck, pounding the animal into the doorframe. The dog emits a loud yelp as it collapses unconscious.

Taras and Haedrik move into the space behind Karista, while Verronax calls for Abadar's protection and follows down the walkway.

Karista and Haedrik cannot see anything through the open door. It's simply too dark. Taras, however, can see a walkway connecting to the doorway. A heavily fishy smell wafts through the open doorway.

Taemin manages to shimmy down the piling and draws his sword, stepping toward the tied-up skiff.

Map has been updated.

Haedrik watches wide-eyed as Karista punishes the dog with a vicious swipe. He lets loose a low, soft whistle under his breath.

He leans over to Taras. "I cannot see a bloody thing." He starts rifling in his pocket for flint and steel. "Please tell me you have a torch or something."

Haedrik will look askance at Karista too. If given a torch he will light it.

Haedrik watches wide-eyed as Karista punishes the dog with a vicious swipe. He lets loose a low, soft whistle under his breath.

He leans over to Taras. "I cannot see a bloody thing." He starts rifling in his pocket for flint and steel. "Please tell me you have a torch or something."

Haedrik will look askance at Karista too. If given a torch he will light it.

Motioning for Karista and Haedrik to take up a flank position next to the door. Taras is going to step a square aside as well and peer out, watching to make sure it's actually baddies coming and not, say, a ten year old street-rat.

Taemin grips his sword in both hands, and slices down at the rope tying the skiff closest to him (lower right on the 2nd map).

Karista takes a half step to the side and kneels. She puts a hand in front of the dog's muzzle to make sure that it is still breathing. She turns to look at Haedrik but her peripheral vision is blocked by her own hood. With a quick toss of her head the material flops back onto her shoulders. The dim moonlight reveals her shaved skull with it's odd swirling stripe running down to her neck. "Don't just stand there," she growls at Haedrik, "Find a light!" While she is obviously trying to match Taras' pitch, Karista is not terribly good at whispering. She glances after Taras trusting that he knows not to get himself killed.

No real action this round. Kneeling in the same square, just shifted enough to allow Taras to pass. Keeping an eye on Taras.