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"I think we were able to get everything we needed yesterday and from the tomb. After we stop by Maffei, I say we just march into the marsh and give that dragon what-for!" Grilnik says with a bit too much enthusiasm.
Talia stands next to Vors as both greet Grilnik in the morning. Both lovers look at each other knowingly. "Yeah", Vors concedes, "we both came to the same conclusion last night."
"No need to worry, Talia. With us four beards working together, we'll surely defeat the bad guys and return alive."
Grilnik reaches a foot above his head to give Vors a confident pat on the shoulder.
You buy the diamond dust and head off to visit Maffei. She is still roaming around the top floor of the tower just outside town. You find her and are able to heal her up. Her thanks is to offer you one of her two weapons.
As you head out to the Monastery the group arrives to a large building. It is walled around the entire thing. 12 foot high fence of black iron surround the property.
Near the front of the monistary eight weither-worn statues in various martial poses flank a tiled patio leading up to the monastery's gate. The weathered, iron gate is ajar. A guardhouse lies to the north, and the three narrow arrow slits face ominously southward from its facade.
The front seems the most logical entry point, but you could try to climb the wall at any point.
When the monastery comes into sight, Brynn applies her magic oil to her arrows , and activates a defensive scroll on herself . Then she walks over to the wall, and continues walking right up the wall, using her magic slippers to climb all the way up to the top.
From there she looks over the wall, curious what she can see...
When Brynn takes a moment to use her magic scroll, Grilnik remembers to cast Longstrider on himself
Items
. 3/3 Rod of Maximize
Supernatural Abilities
. 4/4 Channel Energy (Su) (3d6; DC 11)
. 6/6 Agile Feet (Su)
Spell-like Abilities
. 6/6 Calming Touch (Sp)
. 3rd: Fly (D), Communal Resist Energy, Summon Monster III
. 2nd: Shield Other (D), Lesser Restoration, Resist Energy, Summon Monster II
. 1st: Longstrider (D), Bless [x2], Comprehend Languages, Ironbeard
. Orisons Create Water, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Stabilize
Brynn climbs the wall and looks over.
To the north she can see what looks like the main chapel of the monetary, large building looming.
South of that there looks to be some monastery grounds, from here it looks like it is very nice. Lawn does not look overgrown, and the trees are trimmed well.
Just east of that, you see a large tree that is growing out of a courtyard of some kind. The tree comes higher than the buildings around it.
To the south is another large complex, the south western corner seems to be another walled Courtyard. You can see bushes and plants through some windows, it is exposed to the sky.
Just north of where you are, you can see a guard house. You do see some movement inside the windows. Standing on the walls too long might bring attention, since you are somewhat in their line of sight.
Brynn returns to the others and describes what she saw.
"We should head to the guardhouse first. Looks like there's arrow slits on all sides." She thinks a moment then adds, "I think we should try to approach quietly through the open gates."
"Sounds good, think we should go in with lit oil?"
Grilnik asks, as he pulls two pints out of his backpack.
The half-orc listens to Brynn's intel and poses a question. "Should we wait for dark to attempt a frontal entrance?"
Not the stragitist Behtny is conntent to go in though the front gate.
"If we go in the dark I am less effective but it should be ok."
Brynn considers Vors idea. "We'd need to go in without light sources or they'll spot us right away, which means you and Grilnik will need to lead Bethany and I carefully. If we're stumbling around blind we might make a lot of noise. Also, I won't be much use with my bow if I can't see. ...But yes, waiting until night would gives us a much better chance of getting in unseen."
"I really don't think two out of four of us bumbling about in the dark is going to help much. Besides, who expects spies or an ambush in the daylight?"
Grilnik puts the two pints of oil down and pulls out a couple of pouches.
"If you'd like some darkness, I have a couple pouches of the stuff right here." Grilnik says with a smile.
Looking between Grilnik and Vors, Brynn considers... "I'd prefer a daytime assault. Let's get hidden and keep watch for a while. If it's possible we can move before dark. Otherwise we'll head out later."
"Good idea, Brynn. We should observe any patrols before striking."
Grilnik tries to find a spot not too far from either Brynn or the outer walls to watch from. Wary of his shiny armor, he spends a bit more time adjusting the nearby vegetation and settling into cover.
As you wait outside the gate. You hear noises above you, and there are occasional sounds from within the walls, but you don't see anyone enter or leave the complex, at least through the front or the 2 sides you can see. Things seem quiet all told.
The sun starts to set without much activity.
"Okay", Vors whispered, looking to his companions. "I think now's as good a time as any. Let's go!"
Grilnik holds the Lamp Oil away from his beard as he follows Vors's lead.
"Just tell me when and point who. You guys are the brains on this one."
"Okay, everyone. Stay low and keep quiet." The half-orc then begins his stealthy approach to the front gate.
Grilnik shrugs and then follows behind Vors without being entirely too loud.
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"What could go wrong.
She follows along doing all she can to be quiet. She keeps Big Brother in her hand thinking it better then the bow.
"Well.... that."
As your group tries to move through the open gate, Bethany trips on a rock and curses out, before catching herself. But its just a bit too late.
A voice rings out from the Guardhouse
"You there! You here with the money? Where is it? Show us! Lord Aeteperax is impatient!"
You see 3 small kobolds peaking out of the guard house, they are holding arrows. But they seem to honestly be just talking at this point. You get the impression they may not attack if provided the right information.
With her bow stowed and a hand on Grilnik's shoulder so she doesn't get lost, Brynn gasps.
"Oh, dear! You gave me a fright! Are we here already?" She looks at her companions, then gives Grilnik a swat on the shoulder. "Why'd didn't you tell me we were here already?" Brynn turns to look towards the voices. "Sorry. I can barely see the hand in front of my face right now."
Brynn takes a step forward. "We are here with Lord Aeterperax's funds, but who are you? How do I know you work for our Great and Terrifying Lord? You could be a clever bandit!" Brynn makes a show of squinting into the darkness. "I'm sorry, I can't talk to you like this. May we come closer?" Brynn holds up her hands to show she's currently unarmed.
Vors nods silently at the magus, understanding her delay tactic, and follows her lead.
Bethany recovers from her near tumble and mutters a quiet apology to her companions. [smaller] "I should not have been sneaking sorry!" [/smaler]
She is completely thrown off by Brynn's approach and stands there open mouthed.
One of the Kobolds yells down "Look! The green skined big one is carrying something. That could be it!"
Another one yells, "Don't be a fool! That is just his backpack. The human woman is lying out her weak monkey mouth. YOU all! And don't come back till you have the ransom"
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"What if we had enough with us to make a down payment on the ransom? Could we come up instead of er- pinching off?" Grilnik asks as he puts down the oil he was holding and pulls out a pair of amethysts.
Though this Bethany finds a point in the air to look at thinking this could go wrong quick and not wanting to be the reason.
The Kobolds just start to chuckle in a raspy voice, "BA! down payment? The Great Aeterperax is not some wagon dealer!"
"Back away or we will fire"
"Listen, guys", Vors said, stepping forward, sweating mentally. "It takes a WHILE to gather up the combined wealth of a spread-out population! We brought a 'down payment' as a sign of good faith. Beside it's hard to collect what is owned to The Great Aeterperax when it's melted by dragonfire and buried under a destroyed town!!"
The half-orc then wipes his nose quickly, covering his mouth as he whispers to his companions, "Get ready!"
Grilnik puts away the amythists and picks the two pints back up. He whispers to the others "We could just pretend to 'pinch off' and then use those slippers to come from a different direction..."
They look at eachother, both behind the window walls, and then again looking out the windows. "UUUUG, fine.. fine. GO deal with Aeteperax's pet human. He can sort out your 'down' payment. Just follow the tiled path east past the fountain and you'll see him, but no funny business or we'll come and shoot you all!"
Feel like you all tricked the little Kobolds well enough, you all follow the instructions and move through the path, near a fountain. A single sycamore tree grows in this idyllic courtyard, and a wooden veranda along the courtyard's edge provides shade and shelter from the elements.
Sitting on a large rock in the northwest corner of this courtyard is a tired looking man wearing a red hat with a blue feather.
You recall that this hat was warn by Clausyre at the auction. The one who stormed out
"I had a feeling you'd be the ones coming here. Did the baroness manage it? Have you brought the ransom? Gozreh's bones, where is it? I pray the beast will be satisfied - my wife's life depends on it!"
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Grilnik takes the lead, not taking any hints from Vors, and walks up to the 'pet human' first.
"Clausyre? So you serve the dragon, huh? I thought it was weird when the dragon said he tried to buy the books legally. Hm.
What if I told you that we bring something that will end Aeteperax's need for treasure?"
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Brynn gives the man a fake smile. "What do you know of Aeteperax? Best we know what we're dealing with before meeting them. Wouldn't want to insult them during the exchange. Particularly with so many lives on the line..."
"Yeah, spill", the half-orc grumbles at the traitor.
Coming to the realization that you don't have the money, "Are you mad? The beast is enormous! You have neither the skill nor the numbers to face a dragon of his size - all you'll accomplish is an agonizing death, and then Aeteperax will raze Belhaim to the ground!"
He collapses down onto the rock. Looking defeated already.
Bethany notices the hat and gets an idea what is going on.
"You know nothing of our skill. Things have changed since we got here we are more skilled, maybe enough."
"There's no way Belhaim could get the funds. None. We're the town's -- and your wife's -- only hope. If you want to prevent the worst from happening, tell us everything you know."
Seeing that the others seem to be interrogating the dragon's representative well enough, Grilnik stands nearby with his arms folded and his eyes on the surroundings while he hopes for help.
"Help us get inside and we'll take care of the dragon, then everyone can go back home."