"I feel like I'm getting nowhere talking to these types. They work for the council and yet they're terrified of them. What makes her so powerful, anyway? She can shoot you from the darkness? Why didn't she finish us off when she had the chance, then?"
Tal puts a reassuring hand on Richards shoulder. Relax. Ravine’s got this.
Tal then turns towards the woman thief. I tell you what, you answer 1 question and I will prove that this Croseal is not in the room. Are there any other entrances or exits into this room? If you dont answer me then I will spend as long as it takes to search this place anyways for any hidden areas. When that is done we will be down to 2 options. Either Croseal is here and she kills you or she is not here and I kill you. However if you answer me and I find you answer is true to me you will live.
I don’t know magic the way the rest of my companions know it but I have learned that all magic wears off in time unless placed in an item like my sword. Her invisibility will wear off. When it does will you be alive or dead?
Diplomacy
She thinks for a minute then chuckles derisively. Ok. You wanna know how many guards are here? Ya lookin' at 'em. Now how many are in the Spiral. Don't know. They keep guards up here and guards down there. Far as I have heard, ya killed all the rest of the guards up here. As for why Croseal doesn't just kill ya? She only fights when tha battle is goin' her way. If she feels the odds are against her, she'll bide her time. She likes that invisibility spell and if she ain't here, ya will run into her again, don't ya be worryin'
She then closes her eyes as if expecting a killing blow, Whether she expects it from Tal or an invisible Corseal, you can't tell.
"All cowards in the face of death." Richard stands up, flustered. "We should make our way back to the courthouse, and be careful about what we say. Enemy ears are everywhere."
If the thief is speaking true Tal spares her life and will bring her to the captain of the guards. However he waits to bring her out and turn her over until he sees Sherix coming back. That way he can use the thief as a diversion to distract the guards while getting rid of unwanted living obstacles.
"Hey, Areal!" Sherix returns to the base and lands on his shoulder. "We need your help purging blindness. Richard pulled out the secret weapon but it blinded him and some of the other teammates."
"I'm gonna need you to disguise or obscure yourself. There's a checkpoint, the guard captain might be a mind controlled spy."
Arael opens a drawer and looks through several wands until he finds the right one. Aha! He shouts. He quickly places it on his belt and follows Sherix. You think you can sneak past them again? He asks I think I can manage the guard.
As he approaches the lieutenant and two guards move to intercept him.
Who are you? Never matter! Turn right around! We have too many tourists as it is!
Arael smiles his perfect smile. My dear Lieutenant, our mutual friend sent me to take care of those tourists that you mention. Once I am through with them, our mutual friend would be quite pleased, don't you think?
Arael pauses hoping the charm would be enough.
The Lieutenant thinks for a moment. Yes Cora...er..our mutual friend will be quite pleased indeed. Make sure there is no mess I or my men will have to clean up!
Arael smiles again. Absolutely my dear Lieutenant!
He will then meet up with Sherix and the others.
I only have five charges on this wand. He will then tap Richard and Krayn with the wand removing their blindness. Do you need me to stick around or even accompany you all or should I head back to the hideout?
Areal is quite a talker, huh?
Sherix flies back around the checkpoint, quiet as the wind.
"Alright. Thanks!"
Richard opens his eyes to see Arael next to him. "You're a lifesaver. I thought I'd never see my handsome face again."
He smiles. "I should warn you, one of the brigands here warned us of their leader. She may be watching us now. It's better for you to return, I would say."
Duke nods to the new arrival, clearly an old friend of the group. "Thank you. Shall we move on then?"
Duke checks the next door for traps or alarms.
With his vision restored, Richard takes a look around the room for any exits or clues.
Sherix smiles at Arael before looking for hints in this room.
Tal maintains his vigilance over the captured thief and when Croseal does not appear smiles in triumph. See. She is not to be as feared as you thought. We are both still alive and she refuses to show her face around me. What more can you tell me of this pathetic creature that has you so afraid?
Assuming no more answers are forthcoming, Duke tries to open the door in front of him.
The prisoners just tell you that Coraseal will probably strike when you least expect it. Not getting any further information, you secure the prisoners, tell Arael to head back to the hideout (I am assuming someone is taking the wand of remove blindness with the 3 charges).
Duke opens the door.
A flight of steep stone stairs ends at an empty square room, the walls decorated with banners hanging from ceiling to floor and depicting the circled crimson cross of Cheliax. A single lantern hangs from a peg in the wall to the east.
Four thieves guard this room.
The two thieves shoot their crossbows at Duke.
Duke's quick reactions let him sidestep the bolts just in time, and then he moves quickly down the stairs.
Picking the thief most to the right, Duke runs up to him and ends his movement with a flying kick.
"Let's get this over with." Richard points dramatically and Inspires Courage among his friends.
He hustles to the western corner of the room, drawing his whip along the way. Sherix takes this opportunity to help Duke and shoots his target with a tiny arrow.
Noah moves forward ten feet and calls forth a sheet of flame at three of the theives.
Richard inspires courage among his allies, while Sherix shoots a thief.
Only one of the thieves seems hurt by the flames.
Duke kicks Blue!
Blue will attack Duke.
He misses.
Yellow will attack Noah.
He also misses!
Krayn moves in and casts a spell - focusing on the South corner of one of the enemies , the 10-foot spread should envelop the 4 enemies without reaching Krayn's closest ally (Duke).
Krayn casts glitter dust.
All the thieves are blinded!
Tal will Move up and attack red and cleave into green thanks to Krayn blinding them all.
Power attack for
Cleave Power attack for
Tal kills one thief and wounds another!
Red throws his hands up! I give up!
Accepting Red's surrender (by not punching him), Duke instead kicks and swings at Blue, trying to knock him out.
"Finally, one of you has sense." Richard peers at the thief in Red.
"Drop your weapons and put your hands over your head." Richard and Sherix observe the thief to make sure there's no funny business.
Duke beats Blue down and yellow throws up their hands!
I surrender too!
Richard feels they are being sincere especially as Red drops his weapons.
Without seeing, there is no way we can win, and since the council is in a power struggle, I ain't dying especially if I don't know if I am on the right side!
"Finally, someone speaks sense. No point throwing your life away on this." Richard ceases his inspiration.
"Who are involved in the power struggle, anyway?"
The council is blowing itself up with a power struggle and in its weakened state will be easier to take them completely out and replace them with those that actually want to see Westcrown improve itself. The more we know of who is in this council and how to act against them the tree off we are.
Krayn breathes deeply, trying to hide his relief from the others. The witch is simply glad things de-escalated quick.
Smart decision. Now, be smart again, and give us some details. - he finally speaks, support Richard and hoping to extract some information from the surrendering enemies.
Sounds like Richard is on top of this...
Duke listens at the door next to him for signs of activity, and then again at the opposite door.
"Where do these lead?"
Well the door to the left is the armory. That is where we pick up our weapons at the start of each shift....say, when can we see again? The door to the right was a torture chamber at some point. Now it is where we stay when we are not on duty. Bobby, Hank, Sarah and Chuck are probably asleep in their now. When can we see again?
Duke, you think you can ope the door quietly and take out those that are sleeping? I will be there should you need help with any that you can’t silence quick enough.
Turning to the thieves Tal continues on. If Krayn returns your sight will you promise to quit the council and take up a trade? I know of people looking for workers and you can learn a skill while earning money. It gets you away from the council and a chance to make an honest living. I can even try to match you up with a job that peaks your interests.
Diplomacy
Duke nods in understanding. "Let me see what I can do."
Duke starts with peeking inside the door to see what the situation looks like, ready to charge in and start disabling them.
Red seems interested in Tal's proposal, but the others like being thieves and will rather sit out and sees who wins the war for the council then join the winning side.
Duke creeps to the door and sees the four thieves sleeping soundly.
”Already unconscious? Seems silly to wake them to just knock them out.”
When the other thieves make no mention of wanting to redeem themselves with honest work Tal responds quietly. Very well. I tried to give you a different course in life. Instead you chose otherwise. He then proceeds to power attack and kill them all but red. I can’t have them trying to stab us in the back later as they are still pursuing this life style. Redd, I have a job for you when we are through here.
Duke do as you think best with them. Knock them out or leave them if we can lock them in The room to keep from attacking us in the rear.
Sherix winces as Tal finishes off the thieves. "We could have tied them up..."
Richard stands solemnly by. "We had to retreat from here twice and we may have compromised our leader. We can't afford to take too many luxuries, Sherix." He lets Sherix slump against the side of his head. "Besides, we have several devils to kill- we met one already. The last thing we need are these fools interrupting us."
"Listen, I don't shy away from killing a man actively trying to kill me, but I don't kill people in their sleep. Let me disarm them, and then we can lock them in."
Red stands with his mouth agape as blood sprays across his face from Tal's quick work. As his nearly-decapitated companions fall to the ground, he gives a nervous laughter. I guess I chose the right answer... He then sighs, resigned to his fate, for he knows if he breaks his word, Tal would be the type of person that would hunt him down just for the sport of it. What would you have me do? He tries to sound sure of himself, but his voice cracks betraying his fear.
Duke plans to sneak in and disarm the thieves, but as he opens the door it squeaks LOUDLY!
As the thieves start to stir he runs quickly and grabs a dagger off of one of the dead thieves and wedges it into the door jamb. Seconds later, you hear the thieves start ramming the door-Loudly!
"Well, I suppose I could have been a little quieter," Duke mutters, shaking his head. "Shall we move on? You there," he points at Red. "Is anyone likely to hear this ruckus?"
Tal walks over to Redd and looks him in the eye. I want you to live your own life and not be shackled to the Council or myself. I do not own or control you but I can provide a way out off here. Tell me what skills you have or what job you are passionate about and we go from there. In the meantime you can help by telling us more if this place and answering our questions.
Red shrinks from Tal's steely glaze, I.eerr.I have been thievin' since I could walk and talk. My Da ran out on us, so I did what I could to support my Ma and my brothers and sister. We were all thieves until my two older brothers were caught. One had his hands chopped off and is begging in the streets. My other brother is locked in the city jail awaiting trial. My sister thieved until she learned she could make more money doing...well...other things. When I found out there was an organization for professional thieves, well I figured I found my place. But we are just pawns for others. I have no other skills that I know of. He looks crestfallen.
He then turns to Duke. I don't know who will hear that racket. We aren't allowed anywhere down here. We sleep and we guard. We sleep and we guard. He then perks up. There is a wine cellar but most of the good stuff was stolen and sold after the Big Boom. There is another guard room but from what I heard, no human guards are in there!