"Well, if it looks safe to proceed, let's do." Jakthion draws his pistol and rapier then follows Catcher into the ramshackle building.
Balian shrugs his shield on, draws his sword and follows.
You're standing inside of a loading dock, about fifteen feet wide and more than double that long, and the smell of fish is very, very strong. In front of you is a pair of double doors leading further in; probably to the same place as the front door. To your left, there is a set of stairs leading down, with a door at the bottom.
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Taking the lead, with her sword drawn and walking trying not to make any noise. Catcher will point to the stairs and the door at end. And then go in that direction.
I'll try to listen for sounds, taking a longer time to make sure nothing is on the other side.
Perception 66 (46+20)
If no sound can be heard, she will look pick up her lens and look if the door is trapped and locked.
perception 71(46+25)
Jakthion will try to keep up with Catcher moving silently.
Do-Waya brings up the rear.
Somewhat noisily as well.
"Let's get this bastard" Marada hisses, drawing her rapier and joining the rest sneaking down the stairs.
Stealth:30
and curses quietly as she snags a foot on a coil of rope causing her to step more heavily than she'd wish.
Balian decides to wait until Catcher has something to report, but after Marada and Do-Waya stumble about, he sighs and simply walks over to stand next to Catcher.
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Dammit, it's a miracle they did not heard us.
Looking at her companions, she is trying to decide what to do.
I don't know what they are capable of. It may be suicide to jump in but if we can get an edge...
"There's moviment inside." whispers Catcher. "We can try to surprise then or draw then out and ambush then. What do you want to do?" she says in a barely audible whisper.
Balian nods, then whispers We should go in. At least then we'll know how many there are. If we draw them out and there are like 40 of them, we're in trouble.
"Drawing them out puts them in charge. We would be waiting on them and reacting to their plans."
This building is of wooden construction? The floor as well? Is it built on pilings, or on land?
"Agreed, let's rush them while we may still have the advantage of surprise."
As Do-Waya Taan readies his spear, he catches the butt of his weapon on some floats hung on the wall, causing them to rattle.
As Do-Waya joins those of you at the bottom of the stairs, one of his feet slips, banging hard against the stair below.
Balian flinches as Do-Waya slips and waits with baited breath.
"If we're gonna, then let's. If not . . .."
Jak holds up one hand gripping his pistol and then the other wrapped around the hilt of his rapier. "You want I should kick it open?" He whispers to the young woman.
Do-Waya tenses on the stairs, and whispers a quick prayer to Gozeh.
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Looking at the Barbarian, Jak, Jarl and Balian, Catcher remember the other woman that set with then to see justice done to Lamm.
"And you? What do you think..." thinking for some seconds then the says "Marada?" but before she has any chance to replay, Catcher turns to Jakt and with a smile "I kinda liked you!" and then turns and kick the door open, gripping her longsword with both hands, prepared to lay waste to anyone behind it!
Balian reaches out toward Catcher, an order to wait caught in his throat. He sighs and pulls out his sword.
So much for catching them unprepared
Jakthion cringes as Catcher kicks in the door. He sighs, "That was sarcasm because my hands were already full." The marine then joins the impetuous woman in her charge.
Map (doesn't include people's positions)
As Catcher kicks the door in, presumably expecting guards, she gets something of a shock: the room is filled with children, scrambling out of their blankets at the sudden shock of heavily armed adults storming their sleeping area. Some are as young as three, and none are older than their early teens. There are shouts from upstairs, as the children start trying to find a way to escape.
To the right of the door is a set of stairs leading up to another door, and ahead of you is a set of stairs leading up to a gangway - presumably where the children are observed from by their masters. Next to the first lot of stairs there is a pool of water fed by holes in the wall, at around the same height as the upstairs door.
Marada grins with delight at Catcher's rash charge into the room , following quickly.
Halting in surprise at the crowd of children, she remembers that Lamm uses children for his enterprises, this "Lambs".
Calling out to the panicked chidren, lowering her rapier she says "Calm yourself, children, we're here for your master. You are in no danger from us!"
Influence (65)
The door leading onto the gangway bursts open, and a large half orc storms through.
"WHAT THE HELL IS... WHO ARE THEY?! KILL THEM!!!" he screams. The kids, meanwhile, are terrified. They back into a corner under the gangway, hoping to avoid the violence.
The half orc is wearing ringmail armour (wide metal rings, similar to chain but with much wider rings, sewn onto a leather backing), and is carrying a heavy mace and a wooden shield.
As soon as he sees the children Balian's mood changes immediately.
Becca! Becca, are you here?!
As soon as the half-orc shows up Balian drops into a combat stance.
I suggest you put the mace down and put your hands on your head.
Jarl chants in Varisian, waving one hand rhythmically while the other moves as if shaking a tambourine in time with the chant, stomping on the ground as he claps. A shimmer travels through the air to Giggles, and it looks like the shimmer begins shaking part of the half-orc's form . . ..
The indication of the half-orc shaking proves to have been only an illusion, though.
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Do-Waya follows in Catcher's wake.
Jakthion is caught unawares by the presence of all of the children. He falters for a moment before regaining his senses.
+ 9 = 12
The half orc smirks as he blocks Catcher's blow and hits her weapon hard, hoping to knock it out of her hands.
Whether it works or not, he takes a swing at Catcher, and it looks like it's going to hit.
Initi :
Balian wasn't expecting combat to join before getting any words in, but rushes in to back Catcher up, swinging quickly swipes with his sword.
Balian's sword swoops under the half orc's shield, and while it doesn't cut through his armour, there's the distinct sound of ribs cracking from the impact.
Catcher, meanwhile, leaps backward out of the way of the half orc's swing, landing flat on her back.
Will move up to cover Catcher, stabbing with my spear.
Ware the door! Don't let anyone else in!
Seeing no chance to engage Giggles directly, Marada extends her free hand and mutters a few strange syllables....noises that for some reason cannot be remembered by those in hearing range.
The air around her now clenched fist shimmered for a moment, then with the end of her brief chant...
Disruption 2, Common Magic (57)
Marada curses, having failed to manifest the correct patterns.
I guess for my 2nd Action I will again attack.
Lets try Disarm.