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"Oo! Oo!" Súrë jumps forward.
Súrë giggles furiously at the game and bugs Luisila until she agrees to play with him some more.
Súrë is having the time of his life. "Oh I must teach this one to Miss Feathers! We're going to be up all night! She'll probably make me pay extra. . . ."
Round! 1! Hajime!
Papyrus!
1d3 ⇒ 3 Dirk!
Sure: 1, Luisila: 0
The yet-to-be-named-as-far-as-I-remember (which-is-about-right-after-lunch-yesterday) captured man offers to distract Súrë via the simple games of chance, unaware that he will go until he passes out. It is also painfully obvious that Súrë will be verbally exposed to a lot more thinly-veiled mature content in the process, should this offer be accepted.
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Luisila looks into the big Ulfen’s eyes. “Yeah, paladinhood’s a tough gig. Omrax does it very well though.”
“It’s an experience adventuring with a living saint, don’t you think, Cleaver?”
"Oo! Oo!" Súrë jumps forward.
Oh Sweet Cali! What have I done?!?
“OK Súrë, one more time …”
“OK Súrë, one more time …”
“OK Súrë, one more time …”
She’s rapidly losing interest …
Needle’s entering the red zone …
Desperately ... “Hey, prisoner … come and meet Súrë. His opinion will have a large bearing on your future.”
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Luisila thinks about the approach to Demerin’s hideout.
“If it’s only midday now, the off-shifts could probably get some sleep now. If Des and I take over from Omrax and Súrë by about 6pm, and night shift takes over from us at about 2am, we should all be able to get sufficient rest and recover spells.”
“If the target is only 5 miles away we should be able to begin our infiltration under the cover of darkness, say an hour before dawn?”
“I’m not sure if everyone’s comfortable with trying to bluff our way in or not? We can try a more stealthy approach if you think that’s better. I’m thinking Omrax is not going to have great skills in that department, though.”
“If bluffing or stealth fails, we can just revert to our more usual tactics. I’m confident in this group’s ability to respond appropriately as the circumstances dictate.”
While he’s distracted with Súrë. “What are we going to do with the prisoner? Maybe the person with the best rope tying skills binds and gags him. We nail him inside a crate and ask Captain Sohrensen to watch him until we get back?”
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Desmond amuses himself watching Súrë exhaust everyone with the mild strategy game that Luisila has introduced him to.
“I’m not sure if everyone’s comfortable with trying to bluff our way in or not? We can try a more stealthy approach if you think that’s better. I’m thinking Omrax is not going to have great skills in that department, though.”
"Well, I gotta say I'm more comfortable sneaking around rather than trying to bluff my way in any situation. How 'bout I scout ahead? I could try to get the lay 'o the land - see what kind of numbers we're dealing with..."
Desmond nods his head, "Yeah... let me try that out. We go in just before sunrise, I bet I could get some good scouting in."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"Well, I gotta say I'm more comfortable sneaking around rather than trying to bluff my way in any situation. How 'bout I scout ahead?"
“I’m not thrilled about splitting the party, but I trust you are excellent at stealth, Des. I could cast Invisibility on you to help.”
“I quite like the idea of stealth if we can be quiet enough. I’ve thought of two ways of doing this …”
Luisila counts the options out on her fingers.
“Number One, we ‘park’ the boat out of sight around the bend and stealth/swim into the board walk around the house like a SEAL. A potion of Touch of the Sea would pretty much guarantee swimming success, even for Omrax in full plate. But it would NOT guarantee stealth success.”
“OR Number Two. We berth the boat against the jetty AND the boardwalk. A disguised Asuna and Baz deal with anyone on the jetty that needs bluffing (assuming there are sentries) while an invisible Desmond gets off on the board walk and has a scout around. If the bluff doesn’t work, I try casting Silence and we take the opposition down as quickly as possible.”
“Both of these options have risks. I’d like to hear what everyone thinks or if anyone has a better idea. But I do think we need to make a decision, live with it and deal with the any consequences as they arise. As I said, I am confident that this group can handle most things that can go wrong.”
Time of Day: A divine spellcaster chooses and prepares spells ahead of time, but unlike a wizard, does not require a period of rest to prepare spells. Instead, the character chooses a particular time of day to pray and receive spells. The time is usually associated with some daily event. If some event prevents a character from praying at the proper time, she must do so as soon as possible. If the character does not stop to pray for spells at the first opportunity, she must wait until the next day to prepare spells.
Majority(-ish) goes for "Early tomorrow morning! Plan 2!"
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"Number Two. We berth the boat against the jetty AND the boardwalk. A disguised Asuna and Baz deal with anyone on the jetty that needs bluffing (assuming there are sentries) while an invisible Desmond gets off on the board walk and has a scout around. If the bluff doesn’t work, I try casting Silence and we take the opposition down as quickly as possible."
So, the plan (as I'm reading) is as follows:
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Luisila starts getting into character, but will not cast Disguise Self until they are closer to the jetty.
“Arrh, I be casting Eagle’s Splendor on ya too, Tines! Or me name ain’t Louis. Sounds like we arrh going with the second plan.”
"That plan is fine with us, but where are the rest of you going to jump in if we progress right to the captain like originally planned?" Asuna asks the group.
“Arrh. Ye be bringin’ up a good point, Karvis! Ya wee River Rat! So ya do … but we be members o’ ya crew, so it only be right that we guard you against any o’ Demerin’s scurvy dogs and work under the 'cover' of Baz's bluffing, yah?”
"Sir Desmond, did you call me? Has there been a change of plans?"
“Thar were six o’ them plus Karvis so … I gotta idea, Omrax, but it’s just an idea, see? Ya could dress as a crew member but be wearing plate and helm as a trophy and kinda pretend to be a pirate pretending to be a paladin. I reckon ye could do it without being disrespectful … do ya get my drift, matey? But it just be an idea, Yahr!”
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The rest of the day of rest goes as planned, the prisoner having served his sentence of "play this children's game with the Sylph over one-thousand times." Captain Demliah has cleaned and repaired all requested clothing, though asks where the Terrapin is in this plan. If nobody has any ideas, she suggests she can head back to Tymon since it is a pretty easy trip river and is far safer than waiting on the river (though shows no fear of the latter; only points out the fact.) She can also inform your shipping manager (since the existence of the Tymon lodge is actually a secret) of the current goings-on, if desired.
Without the Terrepin, the group approaches with all their magical plans in place. To employ maximum benefit, Asuna carries a torch at time of visual transformation so she can perform the torch-ritual-thing without strange visual problems.
C1 (dock): 2 regulars
C2: 1 Scallywag ([d]other asleep in C4[/s] removed for scaledown)
C3: XX
C4: outside doors barred and locked (DC 18 str) (4 sailors, 1 Scallywag)
C5: xx
C6: xx
C7: The boss
As the boat approaches, the torch-ritual goes off without a hitch. The boat docks with one of two men waiting at the dock to help unload crates. "Good haul, Karvis. Cap'n's been yearnin' for yah." While ee only briefly interacts with the captain of this boat, once Baz is in sight, he gets... question-y. "Ey, who're you? Never seen nobody like you before."
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The other man, in the meantime makes his left-right-left boardwalk patrol. Esentialyl, he spends a minute looking around the east-northeast side of the building, then patrols back along the water-edge route, taking 2 rounds to make it back to the other corner to mirror what he did previously.
Each of these men look like the sailors from before, though they carry un-opened hooded lanterns.
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As the boat approaches, Desmond drinks his potion of Darkness. "Okay, Luisila, make me invisible." Before the cleric can complete the spell he turns to Sahrek. "Sahrek, you guard Luisila, okay?"
He stays at the rear of the boat, hiding in the shadows as much as he can. He draws out his waterskin, empties it, and fills it with air. He focuses his limited divine energy on the small bladder filled with air and casts air bubble on himself.
Desmond then watches the patrolling guard carefully, waiting until the guard is at the western end of the board walk before slipping into the water and swimming to the southeastern corner of the walkway.
Once at the southeastern corner of the walkway, still in the water, Desmond will poke his head above the surface to again watch the patrolling guard and wait for the opportune time to climb onto the walkway.
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Luisila *casts* Invisibility, Disguise Self and Eagle’s Splendor on Baz at the appropriate times.
As Asuna moves off, Luisila will put down the crate she is carrying, like a slack worker whose boss has left them alone for ten minutes, after watching them like a hawk all day.
She’ll say to her nearest shipmate, maybe Cleaver ...
“Ahhr, by Bessie’s beautiful broad beam it seems that moll is finally gonna give us a break! Mack, I pilfered this piece of booty from one of the bodies when that slag had her backed turned.”
Luisila pulls a scroll out of its tube and points to one of the details on it.
“It looks like a treasure map! Yahhr! Mack, what do ye be thinking this ‘X’ on it means?”
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Baz flashes the biggest smile he can manage. Hey! Ho! Name's Tines, nice ta meet ya! He says, putting out his hand. As Asuna brushes by him, he gives a deferential bow and nod. The boss lady's busy..has some important information for the other big guy. Baz surveys the scene while trying to improvise a story. I see ya looking at me like Asmodeus himself, well let ma' explain. See I was on the crew of the ship you's all pirated and seeing sompin'...extra in me, the boss lady... Baz nods in the direction of Asuna's departing form. ..she gives me a job. Tested me to no end on the way here. Looks like you got quite the outfit here. Any ideas on the next job? I'm lookin' to prove meself, if you know what I mean. Who's all here, the boss lady told me names, but memorizin' names ain't my thing, you know what I mean? Baz says with a chuckle and motioning as if putting an elbow into the side of the man.
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Súrë has already forgotten the plan, as well as their mission, and so he just follows behind his companions and stays quiet, too embarrassed that he might screw something up again and blow their cover. Man, remember that time last night when I played Dirk and he played Papyrus! Oh, that was great! Or the time I played Papyrus when he played Rock! Man, I can't wait to get this over with and play again!
The sailor responds to Baz, "Ah... fair enough, Tines. Press-ganged is how at least half of us got into this business anyways."
He makes his way around to start helping unload crates as 'Karvis' leaves. "I see your old crew must-a made mincemeat of Meaty Mack's gang; suppose that's why you're all here now. I don't recognize anyone but the boss lady, an' she seems livid. Your old guys get Scurvy, too? Musta been a close fight." The man gestures to Luis. "Plus, look at you, Louis, you old bastard; you're lookin' like your face got all re-arranged. Plus, all your tats are gone! Where's Mack gone?"
He waits for 'Karvis' to get out of earshot. "So, are you why Karvis grew 2 damn feet taller now, too? You some kind of wish-granting Genie-man or something? 'Cause, uh, I'd be willing to keep that a secret, if you get my meaning." He looks over to see his other patrolmen, turning the corner to go around north.
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Luisila will look up from her ‘treasure map,’ and pinch her chin between thumb and forefinger like she’s considering something. She calls out to Asuna.
“Hey Boss, hold up. Where did ye want these crates put?”
She will ignore the sentry’s words, leaving the talking to Baz but will give him a quick look-over for signalling devices.
The sailor, very interested in wishes, continues discussing with Baz as Asuna enters the Common Room. "Oh, you see, though, I've learned lots about magic and genies and stuff, though. Courted one of those desert ladies in my younger days, told me all about them before robbin' me blind. I know 'ya can't just wish for a bag of gold, 'cause then you get a literal bag made of gold..."
He pauses a moment, realizing nobody thinks to put the crates in the appropriated storage area. He glances back to the door 'Karvis' went in. "Wait a minute, why ain't we just putting the crates in the Dead Man's Hold like we always do? We got something needing to stay outside...?"
Inside is one of the more heavily-armed warrior-looking guy, playing a single-player card game with himself, titled "Naderi's Conundrum." He speaks without even looking up. "Ev'nin' boss. Get anything good?"
This stretch of hall is bare except for remains of moldering carpet along the baseboards. The door to the Besmara Shrine has been removed from its hinges and currently leans against a wall.
By removing the door to this small room and widening the opening to the north of the hallway, someone has created a crude arch that frames a small shrine. Cobalt light spills from a dark blue glass lantern that hangs above a crude altar improvised from domestic furnishings. Candles on the altar flank a pewter mug and a bottle of rum, and behind the altar stands the wooden female figurehead of a ship. A black tricorn perched on her head at an angle partially shields her face from the lantern’s light.
Why did I roll? a 24 still doesn't make 27 and the other is too far to get it either. Legitimacy, that's why.
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You wait for the guard to pass, and just as you reach the edge of the boardwalk, he reaches his posted spot at the southern-eastern area. You wait for him to turn his head to look more south-like, and successfully pull it off! You are now perched behind him as per the map. Nobody seems to have noticed you.
For the record, that's exactly how to handle pbp stealth; it's wonky as hell, but it's how it flows best without face-to-face interaction.
"But he'd-- Ohhhhhhh, 'The Goods.' I get ya." He shakes his head furiously to be rid of some thought. "Gross, though, that putting dead men in the drink is what gets her off, you know? Too devoted to Hanspur, if you ask me." The man shrugs as well. "He's been after that ship for weeks now, though, so good for him."