double Move to the sewer grate.
Vaek, under the cover of invisibility makes it into the sewer grate, finding Nulmanen inside. A narrow passage continues southward into the pitch blackness.
An arrow flies towards Anthony from directly north of him, appearing out of nowhere from where Sic's body lies.
Anthony easily makes it to the sewer opening and drops into the tunnel beneath to join Vaek and Nulmanen. The passage goes south for 30' then splits in a T-intersection.
With his dark vision Anthony is easily able to navigate in the dark. Vaek and Nulmanen will need to go slowly, be led, or produce a light source. Occasional faint patches of light come in from grates overhead or wash entrances.
The ranger nods to his companions "Tunnel goes straight for a few hundred feet, with multiple passages every forty to sixty feet."
Vaek uses his Dark Vision ability.
In a hushed voice, if we get to a intersection, I can also drop a smoke bomb to make it more difficult for them to see.
Vaek begins moving down the passageway.
"That would be a good idea." Anthony said with an acknowledging nod. "It might even give them pause in fear of an ambush."
As Anthony follows up the group, leaving the initial t-intersection, the monstrous creature that attacked Drovic drops into the passage, the clawed creature having to squeeze tightly to fit in the narrow corridor. It looks towards the intersection, but its gaze does not track Anthony's movement.
The assailant does not give chase and soon the three of you are deep into the sewers where you can take a break.
So did we just all die off?
I personally was waiting for a DM prompt, not really up to speed on what we would do next.
Getting back to the hide out presents no difficulties and you get some sleep. In the morning the Mistress awakes you, her eyes searching, but no emotion showing, "It went badly?"
"What did Rosuc have to say about his temporary capture then release by the mages?"
Over the last two nights several guardsmen have been found dead. The claim is that Radgar the Butcher has begin killing members of the guard, with a promise of more to come.
Little has been seen or heard of the Master Mages for half a week now. The Tower grounds, normally a bustle of traffic coming and going during the day has been but a small trickle, and the usual tower guard have been reduced in number.
Having arrived in Coran about a week ago, you have so far been unable to speak with Tabitha regarding the information she says she has for you, until four days ago the tower had been a flurry of activity, with students, masters, and guardsmen running about delivering messages.
A few days ago you received a message from Rakinkal, the head of the Usturn. A stern and demanding man, he has tasked you with gathering information on the state of the turf war that has erupted. Many of the lieutenants on both sides have been removed from the game. The lesser members remain in numbers though, trying to survive as pawns navigating the political maze caused by the warring sides.
Tonight as you returned to your room at the inn you've been staying at, your dark vision immediately picked out a not entirely unexpected visitor sitting calmly in the dark, her chair near a window where she is looking out over the streets. You've been expecting a visit from one, or both sides of the turf war, it was only a matter of time before your asking around drew a little attention.
What you weren't expecting was this particular visitor. You've never met Mistress Diguri before, but you do not doubt she could be any other drow. Tall for a drow at nearly 6', and silvery eyes rather than the common colors of white or red.
She bears no visible weapons or armor, and does not turn to look at you when you enter.
"I've a proposal for you Alexia. You've been busy gathering information for your master about the state of affairs here in Coran. What you don't know is that Firyin has become unstable. I think you can appreciate the risk that that instability represents for both myself and for the Usturn. Firyin has knowledge of several key pieces of information regarding who's who in Issust Hold that would best be left untold. I believe Rakinkal would be pleased to have to help tie up this loose end, though I leave that to your judgement to determine the wisdom in doing so."
She turns to look at you with her silvery eyes, intense, a slight smile on her lips. "I believe I can get you into the tower, as payment for your aid."
Since being hunted by the mages the group has lain low for a couple of days, each in their own separate place of hiding. A message from Mistress Diguri is delivered to each, written in the code created by Sorad.
Firyin has betrayed the secret of the lair. It was raided by the mages yesterday afternoon.
His thinking has become erratic, which now makes him a true danger to our purposes.
While the information on the lair represents the loss of a valuable location, it also presents an opportunity for us to move against Firyin immediately. There are those of his underlings who will not be pleased with the loss of that well hidden lair. The time to strike is now, cut off the head of the serpent and wrest control of the body back into a unified guild.
Several of Firyin's lackeys continue to use the house on the Beggar's Road. Extract from them Firyin's where-a-bouts and take down the usurper.
I have also arranged for a new ally to join you. A member of the Usturn whom I paid a visit to last night has agreed to assist.
She will be waiting for you at the west end of the Beggar's Road. Her name is Alexia, and her skills are of an arcane nature.
GM Ascension:
Alexia seemed to be in thought for a few moments as the drow spoke, placing her leather duster on a coat rack next to the door. She smiles back at the drow when she finishes her offer. The same degree of formality keeping a neutral expression from being acceptable.
"I'm glad our respective empires are getting along well enough for the first assumption to be I was information gathering and not sniffing at the door like the first of many jackals. There was rumor of another bloodbath earlier this year up this way, lots of dead drow. Beyond that you have an old legend supposedly stalking the streets, and apparently some task force knocking over every shaded rock while hunting."
The Tiefling states frankly as she does her best not to appear intimidated by the drow.
"Suffice to say that I was waiting for someone but find myself impressed that you might come to see me yourself. Also Xabu she is a colleague so please stop treating her like a threat, she undeniably is but that is neither here or there.
The Scorpion the size of a housecat and several similarly sized specimens cease trying to advance on the Drow stealthily. One of them gesturing to the others in an almost commanding stance before advancing toward Alexia, the tiefling lowering an arm and letting the sizable creature perch on her shoulder.
"I apologize, I had asked Xabu to keep an eye on the tenement while I was out. Xabu apologizes as well, it is never good to sting a queen." Alexia says while the scorpion gestures with its pincers and lowers its head.
"Stability would be good for our continued interactions, so while I would love a chance later on to chat with you and learn the sordid affair that brought all this conflict to a head I will aid you in ending this. I would assume my choice of tools will be no issue. Oh and would you like this Firyin taken alive or dead?"
Alexia asks with no more inflection than one determining groceries to be purchased.
A Tiefling dressed in a faded two piece suit and scuffed, dirty leather duster leans on the bricks in a side street just up the west end of beggars alley. Crunching loudly on an apple purchased from a warty one eyed hag and her son. They had been kind enough to direct her once a few extra copper coins had made their way onto the stand.
A small pile of refuse next to her shudders as something underneath repositions itself, the mottled tail of a sizable rat trailing out of the collection.
"Finish your meal and be still"
The Tiefling mutters around the apple. A whisper dying nearly as soon as it is said. The trash pile shudders once more and the tail spools into the collection.
"Often times even an enemy can be manipulated into usefulness, but not this time around sadly. Firyin, by his actions, has chosen death. The means do not matter to me. Though I recommend leaving no clues, or leaving false clues for the mages hounds to follow. Accomplish this task and we may talk throughout the night to provide you all the details you need."
"Making others dance to a tune is always the best option, it is a shame that events have come to such straits." She replies with a small sigh and tilt of her head. " On the topic of false leads I don't suppose you would have any decent locals to pin such a ruse on? Blaming it on the Butcher would just encourage them that hunting your guild is the right path. Well unless the Butcher does actually happen to be part of your guild. There would need to be something to deflect their attention. Manufacturing a paper trail to connect to one of your merchant leaders could work. Funneling money into a splinter of the thieves guild so said merchant could gain a stranglehold on the best supply lines. Sounds real enough to be truth and with some preparation, Merchants would likely stop them from investigating unless forced. That might seem real enough to interest them, it would eventually be discovered but it could give you valuable time to recover your operations while people look elsewhere." the tiefling offers as she pulls out a paper and begins considering things. scratching out a few cryptic notes as she continues to talk " Just killing him would likely be much easier to pull off with the information I have on things as of now. Would I be correct to assume that I will be finishing this task by myself or will this be a group effort? If I am to be part of a group knowing their general abilities would mean I'm able to better tailor my spell selection to work with them"
It had been a few days since their last encounter with the mages. The loss of allies still pained him. Receiving the Mistresses' note of a new comrade lifted his mood.
"A Member of the Usturn, can't say I know much about them. But alas, best to meet the new person that the Mistress has waiting for us."
Vaek packs his things and then heads out towards Beggars Road.
Sat in his old office, papers covering every surface, stacks on the desk and single sheets scattered on the floor, Anthony had had a hectic few days. So much had fallen apart, trying to keep track of all the guilds businesses had been a nightmare. He had seen the newcomer get greeted by the Mistress before retreating back to his work, though at present he was mostly waiting for their talk to be done so he could get to speak to both of them. Frustrated with the sheet of paper he had been staring at for a few minutes, he threw it on the floor, exhaled loudly and rested his head on the table.
The Mistress laughs, "No, Radgar has no part with our organization. He would actually be a good candidate for diversion. He was once an illustrious paladin of the Mithral Rose" she adds, a slight mocking to her tone. "His usual methods lack the finesse of someone trained in the arts in killing - so it would not be hard to duplicate, if you don't mind making a mess."
"The merchants could also be an easy one in this particular case. Firyin has been spending a fair bit of time with the Murdoch's, a minor merchant house. A deal gone wrong... or a traitor on one side or the other. The Merchants Guild will likely simply disenfranchise the Murdoch's though, unless something more compelling can be left behind to implicate a greater involvement."
"You will not be on your own though. Firyin is a crafty and dangerous opponent to leave to even odds. If you are game, I'll introduce you to one of them know, and he can introduce you to the rest of the crew tomorrow night."
Diguri pulls a cloak up over her head, fully covering her face from anyone not looking directly into her hood. A pair of long black gloves likewise covers her hands and forearms up to the elbows.
She heads downstairs and across the street into an older building, gives a single light tap on a door, then opens it. A somewhat thin looking man in his late twenties, with a look of one who has lost a lot of sleep lately, is sitting in the room with a mess of papers on his desk. "Anthony, I'd like you to meet Alexia. Alexia, this is Anthony. She works for Rakinkal, but has agreed to help deal with Firyin."
" Well that is fortunate, while effective this Radgar lacks the professionalism I associate with organizations dealings. Hrmmm... is there any more marks to your Butchers killing than gruesome death? If speed is of the essence I doubt any more complex schemes will fool your targets. I would need time and knowledge for such deception to become workable." Alexia says with a small motion of agreement to the Mistresses's question. She puts her leather duster back on and with a snap of minor mystic power her clothes and body attains the proper balance of grime and desperation to look completely at home in the run down building she dwelled.
She follows the drow across the street and waits as introductions are made. She gives the man in front of her an appraising look and an amiable smile that never reaches her eyes. He looks to have been handling quite a load. I wonder what else is occurring in this city.
"Charmed. I hope to assist in bringing a swift end to the troubles your organization has been having.
The smiling tiefling wears a scuffed and dirty leather duster, the front of the coat revealing a dirt dusted set of formal wear for men. Long sleeved shirt in a white with dark pants and coat. The inside of the coat festooned with pockets bearing all manner of mystic implements and miscellaneous artifacts.
She appears in her mid twenties with a willowy build fine boned features and long fingered hands.
"His choice of weapons are a long bow and a greatsword, though I believe he has also simply strangled a few people, or pumped them full of negative energy."
He returned his gaze to Alexia, finally producing a look not of complete hopelessness, instead giving her an apologetic look. He shook his head. "Im sorry, I havnt had much use for manners these last few weeks. As the Mistress has said, I am Anthony." He rose to his feet, slightly off balance as if one leg pained him. He reached out a hand to greet her. "Im likely not instilling much confidence in myself presently, but know that I will be competent when the time comes."
"Anthony is like many things in this world. Far more dangerous than he appears on the surface." says Mistress Diguri, a smile playing at her lips.
"Can I leave it to you then to introduce her to the rest of the team Anthony?"
"Swift I can do and until I have had a better chance to learn the full situation I cannot say for sure but I have prior experience in making complex problems simple with an application of my expertise." The Tiefling states as she eyes the crippled man before her.
"I will be interested to see when you choose to demonstrate this competence Anthony. Try not to blind me with your splendor when you do. Until then I would ask if you can provide a general description of your teams abilites it would be helpful. I am a.. I suppose the closest would be Transmuter though I do not as rigid. Having a clear picture for what is most helpful for you all means I don't have to spend resources changing my mind later." The spellcaster states with a small hand motion and a shift of her shoulder.
He had been dubious that the message actually came from the Mistress despite it being in their cypher. A part of him had wanted to cut tail and run as soon as he woke on in the mausoleum. He owed Javokun big and cut and run he should...but there was that icy grip on his soul that demanded retribution in blood and he'd be damned if he didn't seek to collect...literally damned bub...
So he shook his can and the few coppers in it while he watched as Tony met with some half elf looking broad...ole limpy is probably sweet talking her about now...
This portion of the Beggar's Road is well remembered by those who fought Firyin several nights ago before he managed to slip away, and where you met the priest Bannali.
From a distance the house in question can be seen, one window of the two story building is lit from within with a candle or other meager light source.
--------
Alexia finishes crunching on her apple and looks in the direction of the trash pile. "Go find some entrances on the house, roach sized or larger." The trash pile shudders and something removes itself from under it.
Nulmanen pulls his hood up over his head "I'll scout"
Xabu scuttles off towards the house.
While Nulmanen moves to approach from a more concealed position, Xabu returns, reporting that there are half a dozen such possible entrances on the back and sides of the house. There are also four beggars sleeping in the alleys behind the home.
Alexia nods to the creature before producing a wand and a shimmering appearing around the scorpion, with that she mutters words in a shrinking meter while Xabu seems to shrink as well. With a noise of satisfaction Alexia points toward the house again. "Now that you are small enough to use the holes you found scout in the building, find all the guards, what they are doing any defenses they have. This will likely lead to a larger area as it likely links to this towns theives guild. Keep going until you are prevented by something you cannot slip past or seven minutes go by. You will be the size you are now for eight minutes. Go."
With her familiar dispatched Alexia looks around the area for sufficiently large vermin to scare off beggars with. " Xabu is occupied after all." the tiefling mutters in minor amusement.
While Xabu heads off to scout things out further, Alexia has no trouble locating several rats scurrying about in the refuse nearby.
Nulmanen slips into the darkened side street, stepping carefully to avoid kicking pieces of trash and debris. Another street branches off to the west about 30' down, and another 60' ahead the alley hits a t-intersection. A sleeping beggar lies at the intersection.
Alexia glances to the rats cavorting in trash near by and frowns slightly. They would be very useful scouts if only I could speak to them. Perhaps the Mistress will have insights into creating items of vermin speech that I could repurpose. With that she searches for insects specifically that could be good for scaring beggars with. A nest of hornets would be perfect. The tiefling thinks wistfully as she examines the alleyway.
Alexia glances to the rats cavorting in trash near by and frowns slightly. They would be very useful scouts if only I could speak to them. Perhaps the Mistress will have insights into creating items of vermin speech that I could repurpose. With that she searches for insects specifically that could be good for scaring beggars with. A nest of hornets would be perfect. The tiefling thinks wistfully as she examines the alleyway.
Nulmanen moves down the ally, stepping carefully over the snoring beggar to take a look down the side streets.
Scuttling inside one of the back entrances, Xabu is able to make out a half-elven girl sleeping on the floor of the back room. One of her eyes is swollen and bruised.
The flickering light of a candle dances underneath a door leading out to the north.
A set of stairs on the east side leads upwards to another floor.
Alexia frowns at the small number of insects available. One must work with what one is given I suppose. with a roll of her shoulders she walks a bit closer to the street lamps pulling a locket from her neck and concealing the object in both while opening it. A thin shaft of light coming from it, strong enough to draw creatures attracted to such.
She makes sure to keep the light entirely blocked from vision toward the house.
"Come Tawny Wanderers, I would speak with you" *
The Tiefling mutters while she glances about the area.
"When will the others arrive I wonder." The tiefling crushes a growing feeling of impatience as she uses the small light source to lure the insects hoping for the moths.
"I suppose they will arrive when they are prepared. Perhaps this little light will draw them as well."
---------
Xabu clacks over the floor as he looks at the half elf. "Doesn't look like a guard, unarmed. Possible they keep her as a pet, to satisfy urges. Degenerates. Possibly useful, must mention on return.
With the two options presented Xabu glances between the stairs and the flickering door. the magic vermin quickly chooses the door.
Crouched on a nearby roof, Tony followed the proceedings with interest. "I really need to see these new people in action...that and someone has to keep watch." He thought, adjusting his footing slightly to remain comfortable. His injured leg did not allow for him to hold the same crouch for very long, not even with the suits assistance.
"Keep me updated on what is going on." He whispered, the Message spell sending his words far and wide to reach the ears of his companions.
Seing Nulmanen meld into the shadows, Sic decided to provide back up and shuffled the way beggars do down the same alley.
Edging forward, Nulmanen is able to pick out a single figure against the dark skyline, perched just to the northeast.
Inside, Xabu squeezes under the door. A male half-orc and a male human sit at a small table, playing cards under the light of a single candle. Each has a short sword, but no armor.