"Great plan, including the idea that we steal away with horses and leave fair compensation behind for their owners," Keildrithe says with a nod. "I still think it would be wise to spend an extra day here recovering, so that we can leave at full strength physically, spiritually... and in terms of our respective gifts... Presuming, of course, that doing so would create no additional risk to Stonty."
NIcholai ponders, stretching again as he rubs sleep from his eyes.
"As we don't plan on actually confronting anyone now, or soon I hope, I suggest we leave early. This morning if possible. The longer we stay the more likely we are to draw attention to ourselves or our brave benefactor here. And we lose the advantage and cover of the festival crowds departure."
He grins for a moment, looking at Alton, and then the knockers.
"If Kajetan can turn the knockers invisible, and they can walk out with a group of fellow short folk, Halflings or Gnomes, they should be able to get through with no trouble. As a gathering of either of those fun-loving races tends to produce it's own distractions!"
Kajetan can't turn the knockers invisible until he scribes the spell into his book, so he will need a day.
Ideally I could do with about two weeks to learn all the spells I have in the 3 books he is carrying.
"Maybe someone should go out tonight just to join in the festivities and find out what's going on?" asks Pharris sitting up.
"I mean if we are staying longer, I could go back up the hill."
Kajetan can't turn the knockers invisible until he scribes the spell into his book, so he will need a day.
Ideally I could do with about two weeks to learn all the spells I have in the 3 books he is carrying.
Also, it’s up to you whether or not you let the horses go – if you are, it made more sense to let them go last night, further away from the town, than here and now a stone’s throw away from the walls during the daylight.
So now, back here with Stonty is a good opportunity to pick up all your gear again. Unfortunately, the horse itself was stabled at the Hogfish.
Although as he said last night, Stonty does not know for sure where this monastery you seek might be, he recalls a small, secluded village located about two day’s journey into the western hills. He had to deliver beer there a few times. The locals in that place are insular and not particularly welcoming to strangers, but neither are they openly hostile. Best yet, most never have and never will travel as far as Lichford, so they probably won’t recognize you as wanted criminals.
The dwarf suggests that it might be a good place to ask about the monastery, and pick up any extra supplies if you need to. Once, when he was leaving the place, he became lost and caught in a storm, finding shelter in an old, rundown but relatively intact cabin on a hillside a few miles away from the village. He thinks it might be a good place to stay if you need to hole up for a few days.
He can draw a map and provide directions to both the village and the cabin.
Pharris goes over to Kajetan, "you should make a copy of the map in case we get split up. I cannot watch out for you always." Her green eyes are deep as she stares at the scholar.
"It would be nice to get to know you better," she finishes.
"Perhaps when we get a chance to rest up for a while I can test your swordplay. It would be wise if you can defend yourself when the dweomercraft fizzles out."
NIcholai ponders, stretching again as he rubs sleep from his eyes.
"As we don't plan on actually confronting anyone now, or soon I hope, I suggest we leave early. This morning if possible. The longer we stay the more likely we are to draw attention to ourselves or our brave benefactor here. And we lose the advantage and cover of the festival crowds departure."
He grins for a moment, looking at Alton, and then the knockers.
"If Kajetan can turn the knockers invisible, and they can walk out with a group of fellow short folk, Halflings or Gnomes, they should be able to get through with no trouble. As a gathering of either of those fun-loving races tends to produce it's own distractions!"
"Keildrithe, I'm with Nicolai on this one," Laithe says, standing and stretching. "Though perhaps I am biased; I do crave to be out in the wild once more. But I share Stonty's fear for Hawthorn that the longer we dally, the more harm may come to him. And Stonty has already put himself at considerable risk in sheltering us for this long."
Turning to Stonty he says' "Stonty, you are the first Dwarf I've come to know and if you are any indication of the nature of your people, then I hope to meet many more before my time is up. If you feel these items" he gestures to the rugs and tapestries taken from the church (via the devils) "are fair payment to compensate Hawthorn and yourself for your troubles, then we beseech you keep them. If you would also indicate what would a fair price for 5-6 horses, then we can make sure to leave the owner with suitable recompense."
Laithe begins readying his meagre possessions. "Let us prepare for the road; If we quietly acquire some horses now, Nicolai and the knocker can make their way out when the gates first open, while it is still dark, and we can follow as soon as they are through."
Nicholai nods to Laithe, then smiles grimly at Keildrithe.
"Don't worry Keildrithe. I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep as much as you! I just don't want to bring any more danger to those who have helped us if it can be avoided."
"And I must confess some curiosity about your instrument. I never realized that you could actually carry a tune on a percussion instrument! I can;t wait to get a chance to relax and hear more of it!"
A brief shadow passes over Nicholai's face at Pharis's offer to spar with Kajetan. But it is immediately replaced with a wry grin. He leaves the others to go over the acquired possessions and devise a suitable 'trade' for the horses. He wanders over to where the knockers are huddled together, and wearily sits down next to them.
"So, what do you think of our escape plan?" He asks them casually while reclining against the wall. He spends the next few minutes making sure they understand what is being planned, and that they are ok with it. Especially the part about them being invisible.
The kobolds are happy to go along with the plan. Raspit seems to have a good understanding of it.
Alton looks over his equipment, removing everything from his pack and then packing it again. He uses this activity to hide a slight smirk at Pharris' offer to spar with Kaejatan.
Tying his pack he looks up and says "So, time to borrow a few horses?"
Kajetan spends a few more hours scribbling madly in his book trying different arcane phrases and formulas, after an hour he suddenly and excitedly announces, "I think I have got it, I can turn the knockers invisible, it will last less than 5 minutes and does not render them silent or invisible, but it can be done." He beams proudly, glad for once to be of use to the group.
Pharris goes over to Kajetan, "you should make a copy of the map in case we get split up. I cannot watch out for you always." Her green eyes are deep as she stares at the scholar.
"It would be nice to get to know you better," she finishes.
"Perhaps when we get a chance to rest up for a while I can test your swordplay. It would be wise if you can defend yourself when the dweomercraft fizzles out."
Kajetan looks very out of sorts at the proximity and attention of the tall woman, "Ye..yes a map, I can make a copy, but I have never held a sword and to be honest I don't think I want to, I have been working on the arcane arts to make my self more useful in a fight and I think I have come a little bit closer to that now." he fidgets uncomfortably and can not make eye contact with her for more than a brief glance, and frowns when he catches Alton smirking at his plight.
In the bright day light it is easy to see that Kajetan is only a mere youth, not yet in his prime and still filling out his frame.
"Kajetan, I'm not letting you off that easily. Ha. You may not be good with a sword yet but you are growing. Just like me. The trick is not to be ignorant of these things. Me, I understand magic but don't use it. You should at least be able to pick up a weapon and fight with some skill even if you don't wish to. A healthy body, good exercise and a strong mind will make you stronger in magic. I know this from my family."
The girl leans in close, her sweet breath on his nose and glistening lips near his eyes, "and it will be fun!"
"Please." Her lovely eyes are welling up a little.
Nicholai finishes talking to the knockers, and busies himself with his own pack to prevent any further embarrassment of the young bookworm. He brushes his own hair back down, and when done he turns back around to the group.
"Alright! So I'm the safest bet to walk around in public without attracting undue attention. Who else feels safe going with me on this pre-dawn requisition? I might have a little trouble managing all of those horses by myself,..." He says not-so-subtly with a raised eyebrow and a small smile.
"Master Stonty, may I trouble you for the use of your wagon to deliver these items to their soon-to-be new owners?"
Alton does an increasingly poor job of hiding his amusement as Pharris leans in closer to the young man, making him fidget.
At Nicolai's comment he nods and stands "Yes. We should focus on getting out of Lichford before we share some quality time."
The kobolds don’t want horses. They intend to slip off invisibly and go their own way before the commotion starts.
Nicolai, you might need some help getting six or so horses alone, without the handle animal skill or wild empathy or some such.
Alton does an increasingly poor job of hiding his amusement as Pharris leans in closer to the young man, making him fidget.
At Nicolai's comment he nods and stands "Yes. We should focus on getting out of Lichford before we share some quality time."
By now, Laithe has gathered his meagre possessions and stands ready to go. He is dressed in his fine Lichford purshased outfit, with mask in hand. His traditional clothes are worn underneath, so he can quickly change when it comes time to break free and be recognised. "I will accompany you Nicolai. In the dark I shouldn't attract too much attention; not with these "civilised" clothes and the mask in any case. Kajetan and yourself will need a horse each as you leave town. We will need a minimum of 3, and perhaps 4 if we can. Alton can double if needed, or else I can run as a wolf for a time. The knockers can double with us until we part ways."
He then considers the final details of the plan. "Why don't we use the North gate, and we can meet at the campsight we set to the north of the city after fleeing the carnival. You spent a night there Nicolai, so should have no troubles finding it. It is sheltered enough that we should be able to meet without anyone realising we are all together. From there the knockers can head east; I have some magic to ensure they will not be tracked. And we can bear west, making sure to leave a trail that can be followed."
"Nicolai and Kajetan, once you make it through the gates, make your way slowly. When you see us break free, you will be on hand to aid with magic as needed, and with the attention on us, few should realise you have aided us. When we are free, continue on and head directly to the meeting point. We will make our way there by a round-a-bout route to ensure we are not linked with you."
Laithe awaits, ready to depart with Nicolai and whoever else would like to help get the horses.
"Right North gate then east to the campsite, good." Pharris puts on her cat mask.
She goes with Keildrithe and Alton, probably to wait for some horses near the stables.
Keildrithe rummages through the "loot bag" that Stonty brought back on his behalf. He produces a silver hair comb and pretty copper bracelet, and waves them at Pharris: "would you care for these, my dear?"
He then looks to Stonty and says: "I'm afraid that aside from Atrek's fine longbow and a pair of silver goblets, little in this sack is of any value. I feel ashamed leaving them with you to sell -- they do not do justice to what you have done for us, nor would they equate the value of a stolen horse... but I have no need for them. While Atrek's bow is undoubtedly valuable, selling it would proably bring you more trouble than it would be worth... so perhaps I should hold onto it?"
The Karand packs up his own gear and joins Pharris and Alton at the door, devil mask in hand. "Ready to go..."
. necklace of red clay beads and wolves teeth
. pretty copper bracelet
. heavy flail
. woman’s silver hair comb
. 2 silver goblets
. pottery bowl
. club made from human skull
. masterwork shortsword with broken hilt (after getting it fixed)
. Atrek's masterwork longbow (and 20 arrows)
. pewter flagon (from wolf-men)
. hack silver bracelet (from wolf-men)
. gold yellow faceted gem (from wolf-men)
. short bow (from wolf-men)
Pharris takes the silver comb, and shakes her head at the bracelet. "You are a treasure, Keildrithe. Thank you very much."
The comb is quickly tucked away.
Stonty can appraise the items that Keildrithe presents, the prices are listed below; you can either keep them, try to sell them or give them away as desired;
. necklace of red clay beads and wolves teeth – worth 2gp
. pretty copper bracelet – worth 1gp
. heavy flail – worth 15gp new
. woman’s silver hair comb – worth 10gp
. 2 silver goblets – worth 50gp each
. pottery bowl – worth 1gp
. club made from human skull – essentially worthless
. masterwork shortsword – worth 310gp new
. Atrek's masterwork longbow (and 20 arrows) – (composite longbow with +2 strength bonus, worth 600gp)
. pewter flagon (from wolf-men) – worth 500gp
. hack silver bracelet (from wolf-men) – worth 200gp
. gold yellow faceted gem (from wolf-men) – topaz worth 600gp
. short bow (from wolf-men) – worth 30gp new
"My friends," Keildrithe asks his companions after Stonty presents his appraisal, "I guess some of these items are worth more that I thought. They do not belong just to me -- some of them were acquired when Alton, Laithe and I first joined forces, and others after we met Kajetan and Pharris. So, what shall we do with these trinkets? I myself have little need for material wealth..."
Pharris, "do whatever you want." She shrugs bored picking at the stuff on the table and then replacing it.
"Wish I was strong enough to use the bow though, it's a good one." She goes back to her nibbling bread.
Nicolai and Laithe have no real problem getting six horses, following Stonty’s directions. The stables do indeed have a door with a faulty lock, leading to the stable area where ten light riding horses are kept, along with assorted saddles, saddle bags etc.
The horses are restless, with strangers coming in and beginning to saddle them before dawn, but Laithe is able to use his skills at handling animals, along with his mystical empathy with beasts to keep them calm and get them quickly saddled.
The horses are walked through the city streets to the rendezvous point a few blocks away from the north (?) gate where the rest of the group waits, cloaked and masked for now.
There is some activity at the gates; they are not open yet, but a group of three or four guards with torches are waiting around, preparing to open them.
Stonty wishes you luck and good travels, then heads back to his home, so as not to be associated with what is to come.
Nicholai smiles at Laithe and his expert handling of the horses.
"I'm glad you came." He whispers to the druid as he tries to saddle a horse, a task he obviously has little experience at, but manages to accomplish.
"I can hear the town crier now. 'Handsome party-goer torn asunder by festival prank gone wrong!'" He grins as he deposits the 'payment' where it will be found by the owners before they raise an alarm when they discover the 'theft'. He takes the reigns of a few horses and follows the druid down the street to where the others wait.
Nicholai shakes Stonty's hand as he leaves, giving a slight bow to the dwarf.
"Thank you again for your kindness Master Stonty. And please give the innkeep my gratitude and apologies for his trials as well,... when you get the chance. I hope to see you again, under better circumstances."
With the dwarf's departure, Nicholai flexes his gloved fingers as he attempts to remain calm and relaxed while they wait for their opportunity.
"Alright, we don't want to be the first in line. So we wait for the line to build a little, then Kajetan, the knockers and myself will go and get muddled up into the line. KAjetan can use the confusion of the line itself to render the knockers invisible one by one, and they can get out unseen while Kaj and I walk through like all the rest."
"Once we are through the gate, you guys come running as fast as you can, trying to run the gates before they realize what is happening and try to close them. If needed, we can provide fog or other spell -assisted cover while they are focused on you all."
Nicholai looks up, and gives an embarrassed grin as he realizes that he is rambling nervously.
"Sorry, didn't mean to ramble. Just making sure I have everything straight." He sniffs, his usual expression of self-confidence with just a hint of superiority reasserts itself onto his features.
Alton bows to Stonty "Thank you. We are in your debt. Should I get a chance to inform them, I will tell my kin of your bravery and generosity. You can rely on them if you're ever in need."
Standing beside Nicolai he nods "Its a good plan. It seems to cover ever necessary aspect." Giving a resigned sigh he adds "I just wish we didn't have to use horses."
Nicholai shoots the little man a grin, grateful to have the chance to relax with banter.
"That's alright Alton," He raises an eyebrow at the warrior's unease with horses.
"Just think of the story you'll have to tell your kin when you see them next! 'Alton Destrier-strider! Towering over the puny humans who guarded the gate, futilely attempting to prevent the escape of our intrepid heroes!'" He intones seriously in a poor imitation of a 3rd-rate bard.
"I'm glad you came." He whispers to the druid as he tries to saddle a horse, a task he obviously has little experience at, but manages to accomplish.
"I can hear the town crier now. 'Handsome party-goer torn asunder by festival prank gone wrong!'" He grins as he deposits the 'payment' where it will be found by the owners before they raise an alarm when they discover the 'theft'. He takes the reigns of a few horses and follows the druid down the street to where the others wait.
"If only I had the same influence over humans, then I may have never gotten into all this mess" Laithe grins in response, a wry grin on his face. "It was my clumsy way with words that originally made the Inquisition take note of me". His grin quickly fades at the thought of the damage he had inadvertantly caused.
Laithe says his farewells to Stonty and thanks him once more. At the north gate he awaits nervously, nodding in response to Nicolai's comments. He scans the area carefully while they await, trying to spot anything out of the ordinary (beyond the 4 obvious guards).
There do not appear to be any other guards visible near the gates, but there is a small guard house at the base of a watch tower next to the gate. A guard with a bow is visible at the top of the tower.
Three or four people have begun to congregate in the street near the gate, waiting to leave the town.
After a few moments a sergeant carrying a lantern comes out of the gate house and instructs the waiting guard to open the gate. They begin to remove the huge crossbar, the four of them.
"If only I had the same influence over humans, then I may have never gotten into all this mess" Laithe grins in response, a wry grin on his face. "It was my clumsy way with words that originally made the Inquisition take note of me". His grin quickly fades at the thought of the damage he had inadvertantly caused.
Nicholai gives Laithe a wry grin as he takes note of the (apparently) lone archer on the top of the tower.
"Don't feel bad my fine fellow. We can't all be blessed with the gift of a golden tongue. Any more than we can all be blessed with the gift of shapeshifting. And even among those of us who might be considered, proficient, with the use of words as more than mere communication, There is always the danger of falling in love with the sound of our own voices, and forgetting the most important part of the art of speaking. The knowing that, sometimes, less is more. In other words,..."
He turns his head casually to look the druid in the eyes.
"Knowing when to shut up!" He winks at Laithe, and raises one eyebrow sardonically. He turns his head towards the sky, just in time to catch a flash of light from golden feathers. His smile becomes warmer. He gives a small, if slightly exaggerated, sigh.
"Ah, to be able to fly,..." He muses aloud as he watches Wij'kan lazily circle above on the early morning breeze.
When the 4 guards begin to struggle with the gate beam, NIcholai starts to move, then forces himself to relax back against the corner of the wall.
"Not yet. We need more people around." HE says to no one inparticular.
Nicholai gives Laithe a wry grin as he takes note of the (apparently) lone archer on the top of the tower.
"Don't feel bad my fine fellow. We can't all be blessed with the gift of a golden tongue. Any more than we can all be blessed with the gift of shapeshifting. And even among those of us who might be considered, proficient, with the use of words as more than mere communication, There is always the danger of falling in love with the sound of our own voices, and forgetting the most important part of the art of speaking. The knowing that, sometimes, less is more. In other words,..."
He turns his head casually to look the druid in the eyes.
"Knowing when to shut up!" He winks at Laithe, and raises one eyebrow sardonically. He turns his head towards the sky, just in time to catch a flash of light from golden feathers. His smile becomes warmer. He gives a small, if slightly exaggerated, sigh.
Laithe smiles at Nicolai's comments, glad at the distraction from the upcoming plan.
Nodding towards the archer in the watchtower he notes to the mage "If you can manage to block that guards view with your fog cloud, then those of us riding away on horseback would be much obliged. I have some similar magic, so if your spell is best placed elsewhere, not to worry."
Turning to Kajetan he suggests "While it suits us to wait a little for crowds to increase, it may be best to get the Knockers through now while traffic is low. That was they will have less chance of being run into, and they can get a bit of a headstart to meet at the rendevous spot?"
Otherwise, Laithe settles in to wait for crowds to increase, continually scanning the streets for any danger.
1)Kajetan will make a quick casting of Detect Magic over the items, just to make sure none of them are Magic Before they are sold/given away as payment/divided up.
2)The boy has not actually had much to say to Stonty in their brief encounter, but when they are parting, he turns, rushes back to the Dwarf and hugs him, "Thank you so much for every thing you have done for us." Looking red faced and embarrassed he returns to the others.
3)Kajetan will follow instructions from the others, so he will turn the knockers invisible out of sight in an alley before the crowds get too thick. "You only have a short while and this does not render you silent or allow you to see each other, hold hands and be as quick as you can while being quite." He emotionally hugs the knockers as well, "good luck my friends."
"I will also use magic to alter my appearance, I am sorry but I can only make small alterations, otherwise they will be easier to detect, I as of yet can not bend the magic to affect any of you." Kajetan will cast disguise self which will last 40 minute, he only wants to change his skin colour to look like a native to the city and the same with his hair, obviously his voice will be a big give away, so he does not wish to speak.
Before he heads out he is going to use detect thoughts to scan the area, spending time to concentrate on the guards to get their surface thoughts, Will Save DC-16 to resist. Surface thoughts should (hopefully) include any one they are looking for, I can do this for four minutes and can take a single move action each round, I also don't need to have line of sight the whole time. If there is any info I can pass on to the others to aid them, I will do so before I head out.
If he is stopped on the way out he intends to use charm person on the guard who stops him.
"Good luck my friends, I'll wait on the other side of the gates to help with a distraction when required."
Pharris mounts up, "I like this plan..what could go wrong? Nothing."
She spends a little while letting the horse get to know her, patting its flanks and whispering gently in its ear. While the spellcasters find confidence in their magicks and the final polish is put on the plan y Keildrithe and Laithe.
Then she prepares to ride forth. "Just say the word and I shall ride through the fog, like a wisp in the marsh. Or screaming like a dying banshee if you prefer?"
The warrior frees her greatsword in its scabbard but doesn't take it out. The bow is kept under one saddle bag.
Nicholai also gives the knockers a final farewell, with a final exhortation to fulfill their duty and destiny by guarding the chest.
"When circumstances permit, I would be honored to visit your home, and relate your wondrous deeds anew to your clan. So that they might realize that you have not only protected them, but ALL folk from a terrible evil. And while the majority of the world may not realize it, those of us who do will never forget it!" He clasps Raspit's and the others forearms like a warrior, and solemnly bows to Lumbie.
As he watches for signs of the invisible knockers as they travel towards the gate, he mumbles,... "Perhaps not anyone can become a great hero. But there goes proof that great heroes can come from anywhere."
----
The dandy watches Kajetan work his spells with first an eyebrow raised in appreciation, then both eyebrows as the young mage meticulously performs spell after spell. He waits to be certain that the young caster is finished, then approaches.
"That was splendid. That was, what, 5, 6 spells? In a row? You don't even look tired!" He grins at Kajetan as the mage explains what he can still cast. Then shakes his head with a small sigh.
"Such flexibility. I envy your ability to apply your powers to any task that confronts you. I may not be a one-trick pony, but I lack your ability to adjust to the situation. I just have to be,... creative, in the application of what I can do!" He grins.
----
Nicholai agrees with Laithe. "The best use and protection would probably be from me casting a fog to cover the gate. That will protect you from both guards and archer while passing through, but then one of us needs to cast it again, covering the top of the tower itself to block the archer's sight as we depart."
----
The dandy raises an eyebrow at Pharris' declaration.
"Well my lady. As I understand it, Banshees are already supposed to be dead, so hearing the scream of a dying banshee would be something to hear indeed!" He smiles his most charming smile at the warrior woman.
"But seriously, I would recommend getting as close to the gate as you can calmly first, to prevent them from reacting too soon and possibly blocking your escape. THEN make a racket as if the world is ending! Once there attention is on you, I shall cast a fog to blind them, and time permitting, add more noises to yours to confuse them even more!" He once again becomes more animated as he speaks. There is obviously something about this plan, the performance perhaps, that he seems to be looking very forward to.
Nicholai looks upwards towards Wij'kan flying overhead. "Everything's normal, as far as we can tell." He tells the others, then looks to the gate again to check the crowds,...
As Kajetan prepares his invisibility spell, Laithe also whispers the words of a prayer,calling on the power of the Lady."Ehlonna; Raspit, Chupo and Lumbie have helped us prevent great evil befalling the land. Watch over their passage and ensure that none who would follow and do them harm can track them". He touches each of the knockers lightly in turn.
"You have 3 hours in which no tracker, no matter how skilled, will be able to follow your path. Hurry to the nearest cover whilst invisible, and then put as much distance you can behind you in the 3 hours. I pray that you make it home well, and entrust you to guard the box for the rest of your days. Fare the well."
As they disappear from sight, he again watches the gates closely to ensure they make it through without mishap.
He then nervously awaits the flow of people to pick up, so that they may be out of the city and away into the wilderness.