Andrea sighs. Shinon ended up alerting the Bastards while he was scouting and while they haven't come out after us, they know someone has been sneaking around the temple and are no doubt very much on guard. Duncan and Shinon have argued about it quite a bit.
Andrea drinks some out of her waterskin before continuing. We can either continue on to storm the temple despite their readiness or find an inn to stay in and hopefully wait for a better time. We could go back to the south part for that but it would cost us more money unless we come at a time where there are guards friendly to us. Like the ones Maurice knows.
"One at a time, one at a time!"
Orsin pieces together what he can as the two speak simultaneously.
"Well, unfortunately, we had to leave Larko behind; the guards were trying to pull gold from our pockets as a midwife would a babe. Besides, he looked too green for something that could be as dangerous as this. I think we should stay on this side of the gate, but do we attempt the mission now or wait until morning?"
Waiting gives us a chance to rest and re-prepare since I used two miracles today questioning the prisoner and turning Shinon invisible. I would be able to prepare spells better suited to capturing any of the Bastards.
Although that would also give the Bastards the chance to refresh themselves and perhaps reinforce as well.
Staying here does sound like a good move, although we should try to find someplace further away from the church since we don't know how much influence the Bastards have here, and I think it would be very unwise to try to hole up in an abandoned building due to the shadow beasts.
If we attack now, we still have a chance especially if they expended any protective magic, and they might of fled since they thought hellknights were in the streets.
I am ready to make the attempt if the others think it should be made.
I'll go if ye wish, but it's a bad idea I tell ye. I say we whole up in a inn somewhere. We got a couple hours o daylight left and the nest is Agitated. Me and Shinon should go back and watch it till just before dark. We could learn a fair bit about them while their at their height of readiness. At least get an idea of what they may do if attacked.
That is a good idea Duncan. I believe you have said it better and in less words then I can manage. Andrea has a light smile.
Andrea looks at John. John, what do you think? Also, do you know if any of Westcrown gangs are actually willing to fight Hellknights?
"Staying in the ruined Dead Sector is not my idea of a good evening." She looks around a bit nervously. "There's a questionable place we could stay in, "Stumpy's" She is clearly uneasy with staying in the ruined area.
Shinon rests one hand on the handle of his sheathed blade. "Janiven, you have six powerful warriors accompanying you. Why do you fear this sector? Anyway, go ahead and lead the way to this Stumpy's place."
"I have five reliable warriors...and one clumsy impulsive fool." She turns in disgust, "Orsin in the lead with me, Duncan, John guard our sides, Shinon try to pull up the rear and not leave us exposed. The others in the center stay alert." Her no-nonsense approach is one of experience.
Duncan follows along, ready for action, wondering just who stumpy is...
Janiven leads everyone through the streets and down a rundown alley way till she gets in front of dilapidated tavern and inn "Stumpy's".
Sitting outside is a fierce looking half-orc carrying several visble battlescars. His eyes are sinfully black and his orc double axe resting across his lap.
Shinon shrugs and nods. "Alright Janiven. I'll watch our backs." Shinon follows the group and keeps his bow drawn, an arrow knocked and at the ready. When they reach the inn, Shinon glances up at the place and looks down at the half-orc.
"regardless of what we plan to do the assault on the chapel will be more difficult now that they are aware that some one is trying to get in."
Agreed. Let's whole up here. Me and Trigger should use what time we have left today to watch from afar and learn their routine. We could rest tonight and attack at dawn while they are waking up or having breakfast.
Shinon nods. "Let's go. I still don't think we'll be able to see anything through those windows, but it's better to try and fail than to sit around and wait."
Shinon will wait for Duncan and the two of them can climb up to the roof on the building adjacent to the temple. Shinon will do his best to stay in cover and avoid line of sight from the bell tower or any guards.
Once Shinon has a good location with some amount of cover and line of sight to the temple, he'll try and observe the situation, paying close attention and looking for any signs of movement or anything out of the ordinary.
Andrea follows along silently as the group travels to the tavern, seemingly lost in her own thoughts as she makes to to keep an eye out.
Looking at the tavern/inn, Andrea sighs again and enters along with the group. Well, I have been in worse places Andrea makes sure to change out of her robes as soon as she can get out of sight (such as a praivate room.) So she isn't immedietly identifible if a Bastard wanders in.
Andrea also whispers to the others when they are settled in an area away from prying ears.
How and when do we wish to handle this? If we act at dawn, I can perhaps pray for a miracle that shrouds the area in mist, much like what happened in the sewers. Perhaps make it look like a morning fog? Andrea shrugs
We could also use Orsin's wand of silence and use the fog and silence to cover our approach while Shinon attempts to disarm any trap on the door and then let John and Duncan take lead,
As the group enters the tavern a surly looking halfling looks up from the bar at the new customers, he gives a quick nod towards Janiven.
The bar is long and scarred. The stools are half filled by armed patrons. There are an assortment of armed individuals in the tavern.
To your left is table of half-orcs tossing bones. The bar is loud and the language is colorful.
Janiven walks to the bar, "Any rooms Stumpy?", he nods. The peg legged halfling "Aye, three lass.'
----
"Yew dr'nkin' 'andsome?" a weathered wench asks Orsin.
Janiven puts 15SP on the bar and grabs the three skeleton room keys.
The rooms are located on the second and third floor of the inn, none are close together. Each room has two beds made of stale hay wrapped in a worn canvasss covering which sits on top of a wooden platform.
After the rooms are obtained Duncan and Shinon leave the tavern to go scout the temple again. As soon as they exit Stumpy's they see three tieflings outside looking a the half-orc and the inn's doorway.
Andrea will take room 2 and turn to Janiven when they get upstairs. Staying three to a room at least would make good tactical sense. I believe we should keep watch as well in our rooms. Call it a hunch.
When everyone gets settled upstairs and perhaps meets to discuss the next day, Andrea makes her suggestion on how to act. Plus we shouldn't gather all together down stairs, a large group would be more suspicious. Just enough to watch our backs.
Andrea stays put in her room mostly, only visiting the others in their rooms when they need to talk. She prays most of the time and reads her prayer book, occasionally chatting with Fiosa about clerical miracles that can be performed as one's skill increases.
Shinon frowns and stays back at the inn's door, whispering to Duncan, "Look. Now doesn't that look suspicious? Do you think those guys might be working for the Bastards?"
Shinon watches the tieflings carefully, looking for weapons.
Orsin turns down the wench as gently as possible, muttering apologies as he cranes an ear towards the others. He nods in agreement with Andrea's suggestion while scanning the room.
The three tieflings are clearly armed each as a sap hanging from their weapon belt, one has a heavy mace and short sword. Another is holding a mancatcher and wearing a rapier. The third has short sword and is coiling his whip. Each are wearing black leather cloaks over their armor along with mid-shin boots.
"Buy a w'rkin' 'irl a drink then?" the wench ask as her hand touches Orsin's arm.
"Not this evening, I'm afraid," Orsin says, nodding courteously to the wench. Slim pickings tonight it seems.
Orsin sighs as he heads up to Room 2, with Andrea and listens to her ideas before resigning himself for the evening. He throws himself on to a bed in Room 1 and tries to get some sleep, thinking of the pleasures he could be having if he were at The Reverse Mermaid tonight.
Duncan notes the 3 tieflings and whispers to Shinon. Just keep walking lad,circle around that building there.
Behind their cover, Duncan speaks. This changes things lad. I hadn't thought we were followed from the place but I don't believe in coincidence. Let's circle around two more buildings out of sight and watch them. If they leave, we ambush them on the way back. That's3 we don't have to fight tomorrow. He strings his bow and has it in hand.
Several sets of eyes are you and the wench but she does not make a scene as she backs away. Giving you a half-hearted smile and she stumble over to the table of half-orcs. Flopping on one lap.
Duncan you see the tieflings staring at you and Shinon walk away, as you turn down an alley aocuple buildings away you see a second group of tieflings there. One is holding a man down, a second one is kicking the man in the gut, while two others are standing watch. "Turn 'round and walk away."
Orsin you see one of the half orcs glare at you, while the tiefling in the corner has gotten your eye. She is sitting by herself but she is oddly by herself.
Orsin and Andrea manage to make it to room 2 without any further incident. The room is dank and dingy, the unexpected light makes a few roaches scurry through a crack in the way.
Looking whispers to Shinon, That makes 7 not on home Turf. Good Number. Back to the Inn.
Duncan breaks into action, He invokes Ragathiel's judgement to improve his damage and fires at one of the Tiefling's watching then bolts back to the inn as fast as his legs will carry him.
Move action back to Inn, yelling,
Andrea mphhs at the poor condition of the room, but of course she has been in worse spots such as the sewers. Once they are in, Shall we keep watches? I am very uneasy having all of us asleep at once. Andrea will put a cloth over the window(if there is one) so people cannot look inside and make sure it is secured. I will visit the others in their rooms and speak with them a little about what we should do. Do you wish to come with me until it is time to sleep?
Shinon grits his teeth. "No way in hell am I gonna sit here and let you all get away with thievery on my watch! Take this!" He draws an arrow and fires it right at the tiefling Duncan hit, and then retreats quickly, yelling, ""
Once they get inside, Shinon glances at Duncan with a laugh. "And you called reckless!"
He's getting away!
As Duncan rounds the corner heading back to the inn there is sound of crack from 15 feet away.
The air whizzes by you but to no effect.
The tiefling hit by Duncan and now Shinon is prone, while the second watch, clearly speaks the word, [/b]"FALL."[/b]
Once they get inside, Shinon glances at Duncan with a laugh. "And you called reckless!"
Calculated Risk. I'll explain later.
Duncan makes it make to the inn. the half orc is in up and has his double axe out..."Not'round 'ere, scum." He yells at the three tieflings near Duncan.
Shinon grips his head as he hears the word 'Fall' ringing through his mind. He wills his body to keep moving, but the word echoes throughout him.
Duncan reacts with concern to the half-orc's words. We'll keep it outside lad, 5 gold if ye fetch our friends we came in with. The odds ain't fair at the moment.
Beside ME, Trigger. Put yer back against the wall.
Duncan you don't here what is occuring behind you and as far as you know he is behind you. The half orc pays you no attention as he yells at the tieflings, "Scram y'scum". Thee continue to sprint by but keeping a wide berth.
Shinon you feel the word bending your will to run but you manage to fend it off as you sprint away. Nearly running into the other three tieflings.
The half-orc has not appeared hostile towards you two.
Initiave Order:
Street Group
Shinon
Alley Group
Duncan
The set of this is the two groups have run by one another. Duncan is about 20 feet from alley entrance (figuriing Duncan's action and then 20 ft movement) Shinon is either right next to Duncan or 10 feet in front of Duncan. Three tieflings from the street are 40 feet by you heading towards a second alley. There is an area of darkness over the alley you had vacated. You don't have a direct shot at the ones in the ally right now, you need to head back to do that.
Rd 1 begins
John will also head to room 2 with Andrea and Orsin. And will also go to Room 1 with Orsin.
Did you just see the size of that roach, Orsin? I think a pixie could use it as a mount.
"Eh, that's nothing. These cockroaches could be pets to the ones I grew up with."
Janiven tells Fiosa and Ermolos not to leave Andrea's side as she puts them in Room 2. She follows Orsin and John to room 1. "Perhaps they will be back without incident.' she states to John and Orsin.
"Hey, Orsin did you check your coin purse after you turned down the girl?"
Shinon frowns and knocks another arrow, standing next to Duncan. "Unfortunately, I think we might be on our own here unless someone comes to our rescue. By the way, if Andrea or Janiven come out here and blame me for this, you'd better set them straight! My ears are still ringing from that girl's beating."