Finn scrounges what he can from the corpse of the sniper and then gingerly climbs down from the roof (with the help of Ardanto and the others. A large bloodstain marks where a crossbow bolt entered his side, and his hands are still smeared with gore.
"I think we should enter in the back door as soon as possible. We may still have some element of surprise if we act quickly."
"And again I thank you, Thoven, for returning my life to me. I will not forget."
Finn wipes his bloody hands on the tunic of the man he just killed, then grabs the man's crossbow and bolts.
"Are you all right down there, Whisper?" he calls out quietly and he peeks over the edge of the roof.
Finn is taking the total defense action in case the escaping sniper changes his mind about running away. What are the stats of the crossbow? Does it require exotic weapon proficiency to use?
A blinding wave of pain washes over Finn. I can't die...not now. Not before I've found Vanderboren and made him pay.
The pain turns to cold anger as the monk drops into a crouch and steps forward, dodging and weaving, and slashes out with a pair of sharp talons in a deadly technique taught to him by Osric.
If Finn tries to climb up the wall, would he get the -10 DC modifier for being able to brace against two opposite walls? It sounds like the alley is pretty narrow.
"If you think deception won't work I could go ahead and try to sneak in without the distraction" Whisper offers meekly.
"If you are sneaking in, I insist on going with you. I don't think you will be safe alone in case of danger, and I have had practice in evading the eyes of my enemies..." Determination is evident on Finn's grim face.
"Forzakhad, I will do what I can to aid you as long as it does not interfere with our duties to Lady Vanderboren and my personal revenge against Vanthus. When a man leaves me for dead, he had better make very sure that I am dead," Finn warns balefully.
"Ardanto, I suggest using as much stealth as possible, although Guard is not very quiet when he moves -- I do not mean to offend, but my ears do not lie."
After a couple of days of shopping and training, Finn searches for his comrades. If they don't find Vanthus soon, he may skip town and it will be all the more difficult for the martial artist to exact his revenge...
As Guard is a weaponsmith, why don't you let him do the work? Sure, it takes more time then simply buying it, but it is way cheaper.
As you say, it takes a long time. A weaponsmith with a +10 modifier can craft about 40 gp per week, so it takes about 8 weeks to create a mwk weapon (unless we use some alternate crafting rules).
Finn buys the finest spear that he can find and practices using it on a practice dummy down at the Arena.
That bastard Vanderboren...dropping me into a hole and leaving me for dead...and stealing his sister's birthright...if I ever get my hands on him...I can feel the power flowing through my veins...I'll tear him limb from limb...I'll break his neck...I'll...
Finn opens his eyes. Before him is a wooden practice dummy covered in horrible gashes, and his fingers are tipped with cruel claws. The talons shrink before his eyes, but he sees the destruction they have wrought and he is horrified. Fortunately no one else at the arena seemed to have noticed.
Finn will spend his spare time practicing at the arena. He'll also buy a scroll of Shield.
"Unfortunately, Ithaniar has left your employ, Lady Vanderboren," Finn states tactfully.
"However, we did find your brother, but he trapped us in a cave and got away. We found a scroll that claims he is hiding out with a group of thieves called the Lotus Dragons."
"I'd be glad to come along, but I insist on paying for myself. In fact, I should be treating you as well." Finn joins the fellow in some food, after cleaning up a bit first.
"Thoven, I would also welcome your help finding and punishing Vanthus. You proved a great help down there, and I don't think we showed much weakness at all, despite what Ithaniar said."
Finn frowns slightly. "I can't say that I approve of some of your church's actions against the shifting folk, but I will judge you by your own actions, not those of your brethren."
Finn also helps with the heavy lifting. Seeing the chest full of treasure...never has he seen such wealth in one place in his life! And a share of that could be his.
"Er...how much money do you think is in this chest?" he asks casually.
Finn looks at the spiky floor skeptically. "I don't like the looks of this place. Let's be as careful as possible."
He summons up another ball of light and sends it forward to illuminate the way ahead. In his hands he holds his longspear ready to strike against any more crabs or zombies.
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