Ruke listens as the cards are dealt, nodding along with the comments being made and fascinated with how closely the cards seem to be related to the ones they are dealt to. When the reading is concluded and the party begins discussion, Ruke chimes in, "I'm all for trying to make an approach under the cover of night, but I will say that not a one of us is yet familiar with this place. Perhaps a little information gathering beforehand will help us devise a plan? Maybe stake the joint out for a day, press coin to palm, get some word from the street?"
Listening to the others, Sera runs her fingers through her hair, giving the back of her head a bit of scratch whiles she’s there. ”While I’m all for delivering the law to this pox on our beloved city, I believe Ruke has the right course. It wouldn’t do to rush headlong into a den of assassins or all of Lamm’s cronies during a meeting. As glorious as the battle would be, “ she says looking at her friend Krojun, ”Much more glory could be gained by making sure we come out victorious first.”
Looking down to Ruke, she adds ”Now master Brightonspinner, I cannot say I have cultivated much in the way of coin to palm and word on the street ability in my years of service to the Master of the First Vault. Hopefully you have?”
Ruke mischievously grins at Sera's words, "Surely the Master of the First Vault will shine on our endeavor, and we will find our source. If that fails us, a dive or two will surely end our need. Or, we could perform on the streets for a handout or two!" Oddly enough, Ruke seems completely serious with this suggestion and it is fairly obvious that he has no problems at all with gaining coin in an unorthodox and illegal way.
"And when all else fails, we use the hackum there to get the information we need.", motioning over his shoulder to the towering form of Krojun as he adds the last comment.
"After years of waiting, what's another day?" agrees Silvio. "I'll stake out the place tonight, into the morning - see who comes in and out, which entrances they like to use. Someone else with keen eyes should probably do the same during the day. Then, we just need a safe place to meet tomorrow night to share our information and plan our attack." Silvio looks at Ruke expectantly, hoping he knows of a discrete meeting place by the docks.
"We can attempt to gather some information on the fishery, but if Lamm's contacts are superior to our own, might he not soon hear that people were asking about his headquarters and poking around?" Staryth asks Ruke. "I don't want to, what's the phrase 'Tip him off'?
"The paladin's craftier than most of his sort," says Silvio. "I should know - I've met more than my share. But he's got a good point. When a giant and a halfling start asking some questions, people are bound to notice."
"I would not expect the entire group to begin inquiring about Lamm and this fishery, that definately would bring attention to our plans. However, one man or woman doing it wouldn't cause much concern because what could one person possibly do to Lamm and his empire of sin. Ruke here had the idea first, which generally menas he has some skill and knowledge in the art of information gathering. I saw we let him take a day and visit Lamm tomorrow?"
"The paladin's craftier than most of his sort," says Silvio. "I should know - I've met more than my share. But he's got a good point. When a giant and a halfling start asking some questions, people are bound to notice."
"Thank you... I think." Staryth is not sure if that was praise of him so much as commentary on paladins, but as ever, he tries to be polite about it.
"I would not expect the entire group to begin inquiring about Lamm and this fishery, that definately would bring attention to our plans. However, one man or woman doing it wouldn't cause much concern because what could one person possibly do to Lamm and his empire of sin. Ruke here had the idea first, which generally menas he has some skill and knowledge in the art of information gathering. I saw we let him take a day and visit Lamm tomorrow?"
"Very well. We will stalk our prey for a time", the big shoanti rumbles. "What role shall I play in the hunt? Korvosa's streets aren't well known to me but I will do whatever's needed of me."
"If Ruke is willing." Staryth looks to Ruke to make sure
Ruke nods to the group as they reach a decision, "I'd be more than happy to work the streets and see what I can dig up. We need a plan, where to meet up after the day's work, as well as a backup plan if things go sideways."
"Finally, after almost two years of searching, someone knows where Lamm is holed up and these people want to pussyfoot around. I say go in and gut the pig while we can."
"I can see the wisdom in "casing the joint" as it's called, but I cant help but worry that if we're found out we might lose the slippery bastard yet again."
"Two years, Natalia. Two years, but at last you and our unborn child shall have justice."
"I will do some discreet checks with some people I know and I think I know just where to start."
Knowledge (local):
"I'll scout out the fishery tonight while it's dark, see if I can figure out ways to get inside."
"I have an idea. If we can catch one of Lamm's little pickpockets, a tricky proposition at best, we could question him about the goings on inside the fishery. Who stays there, what type of precautions they take against intruders, and whatever else we can find out."
Ruke considers Nicolai's suggestion and adds, "When it comes to those on the lay for another, especially one with Lamm's reputation, I'd suggest more honey and less muscle. You'd be surprised how some like being under a thumb less than you'd think. Let Silvio scout out the fishery, and leave the nab to me. I think I can one an offer that is sure to turn a head."
Ruke considers Nicolai's suggestion and adds, "When it comes to those on the lay for another, especially one with Lamm's reputation, I'd suggest more honey and less muscle. You'd be surprised how some like being under a thumb less than you'd think. Let Silvio scout out the fishery, and leave the nab to me. I think I can one an offer that is sure to turn a head."
"Agreed on the more honey part. I am not going to be party to bullying a child, they are ones who we've come to help."
"Then we're in agreement. Why don't we meet tomorrow at dusk at the Temple of Sarenrae? We can make our plans in my chambers." And it'll let me get in a little more sleep! he thinks to himself.
Sera arches an eyebrow at the mention of meeting at the Temple of Sarenrae, her eyes scanning for a holy symbol. ”I would think it would be better served to meet a few streets over from the fishery, perhaps a local tavern or inn there. We would draw quite the spectacle marching through town.” Looking to the group, she adds, ”Any particular form of Abadar’s divine blessings the group would like, or shall I ask for my usual gifts?”
"Anything that shields are backs might be handy, given Lamm's reputation, but that's just a thought."
Silvio shrugs as Sera describes her concerns about their meeting. Well, it had been worth a shot, he thinks. "Suit yourself. Meeting in a tavern has its own way of drawing attention, but I'm sure we can choose a place that'll do."
"If things are the way they used to be, Gaedren's got a bigg mutt that'll wake everyone up if he gets wind of us. And he'll have a few thugs up and about in the day, and patrolling at night." He looks toward Ruke. "I bet Giggles is still overseeing the Little Lamms, too."
Nicolai will return to his apartment that evening and try to get some sleep. But, sleep eludes him as his dreams are troubled by visions of his deceased wife and Gaedren Lamm's leering face. Waking in the morning, exhausted, he paces around his room waiting to meet he others to find out what they have learned.
[/ooc]For the sake of brevity, I'm going to advance the plot to your meeting, if that's fine with you guys. (Feel free to backtrack a little if I've gone too far.[/ooc]
Ruke: As you look through the streets, the next day, you eventually spot a boy around the age of twelve sneaking up on a merchant's stall. It takes a lot of convincing and cajoling, but after you promise him a safe place where Lamm won't be able to trace him down, heis more than happy to spill the beans. He speaks of Gaedrenn as one would of Asmodeus himself, and how most of the Lambs are afraid of deserting because they know Lamm has eyes everywhere in the area, and confirms that Silvio's information is accurate. According to him, your best bet to enter would be through the loading dock. You've bound to get noticed no matter which entrance you take, but the loading dock leads down to the fishery floor, where you'll have the most space to use your numbers in tackling Lamm's thugs.
In the morning, Silvio purchases a Sap. He didn't expect the children to fight, but such things were not unheard of.
Sera is momentarily surprised over Krojun's interest in Abadar. The big man has never seemed too interested in civilization and commerce, but perhaps he realizes he'll be spending some time in the city, and should learn about its patron "Abadar, The Gold Fisted, Judge of the Gods, and Master of the First Vault is a wise and patient deity. His goal is to bring the light of civilization to the wilds, and to teach about the benefits laws and justice. He supports peace, as wars are generally chaotic and ruin commerce. He is often worshiped by the rich to try and maintain their riches, and by the poor when trying to rise in the ranks of the economic hierarchy. I worship him and champion his cause out of thanks for once saving me as I helped you. This city," says, motioning to the surrounding buildings, "is his haven, a monument to all he strives for, and I'll be damned if I let it be corrupted longer than it has to by the likes of Lamm and his cronies."
Sera smiles at the question, having expected it from the towering giant. "Most would say no, he has no love for the wild and untamed Shoanti quahs. You are not part of what is categorized as modern civilization. However, I do not care what most would say. Do not the Shoanti have rules that govern their Quahs? Do not the Shoanti barter and trade for things they require? Do not the Shoanti have order within their Quahs and a hierarchy known to all within it? Your titles may be different, and your actions may fly in the face of what others determine civilization to be, but in your own ways, you still follow some of the tenants of Abadar. Who am I to say that my laws are better than yours? People fear that which they do not understand, and use labels to demine others to make themselves feel better and more "right". Do not fear for your Quahs brother, The Master of the First Vault does not listen to the labels and categories of mortals, he sees the truth in your actions, and" she says whispering a quick prayer to Abadar "he clearly thinks you worthy of my guidance." she says with a smile.
Staryth finds his time waiting spent attending to temple duties, and making sure he will have at least the next few days clear of them. While he has voiced his concerns in the past, sometimes he thinks even the clergy of the temple, while sympathetic, do not understand his worries about Lamm.
So he attends to his duties, and he prays.
"Well, perhaps not tithes of money, but I'm pretty sure I'll be able to find somethings you can do to deserve the magical benefits Abadar will provide. Like helping me remove Lamm from this realm. I doubt you knew this, but the death penalty is accepted in cases such as his, and clearly we have at least 5 other's who'd serve as witnesses to his crimes. Acting as judge, I feel we have sufficient evidence to impose sed penality if at all possible." says Sera. Most of her day is spent in prayer, and as acting mediator between petty squables. By the end of the day, she'll almost feel bad for any of Lamm's thugs that get in their way, with how much frustration Krojun will have to unleash. Almost.
The fishery has four clear entrances: The loading dock, the front door, a side door, and a pier that leads to the back, but which was too risky to take while scouting without getting spotted.
The thugs' patrols seem to follow their whims, rather than a set schedule. It's clear that they're mostly counting on the dog to sniff out intruders.
The reek of brine and the stink of week-dead fish hang thickly in the air as you approach the fishery. The old double doors in the side of the weathered building are tightly closed, with a drooping signpost hanging above. The sign it once displayed is long gone, leaving behind only a single short length of rusted chain.
A fifteen-foot-wide loading dock abuts the side of the building, and a few carts sit nearby, partially loaded with large tar-caked barrels marked with a fish-shaped splotch of red paint on the side. Double doors to the immediate south of the loading dock’s ramp provide access to the building’s interior, while a rickety flight of stairs descends nearly to the river’s surface to the east, where a second door provides a secondary entrance. Occasionally pairs of two young boys push out another cart, adding more fish to the accumulation.
A slippery boardwalk clings to the opposite side of the fishery, held together by barnacle-thick pilings that have been worn halfway through their thickness at the waterline.
As the party prepares to enter the fishery Nicolai gestures as arcane energy crackles from his fingertips. As he finishes his spell a faint blue light surrounds his body before fading from view. He looks at his companions before saying "What? I said I was a fortune teller, I didn't say that was all I was. "
Staryth isn't convinced, though he admires Krojun's forthwrightness, "A coward like him often has backdoors, I dare guess. It might be wise to use it before he does, or at least block it off."
"Unfortunately, in the time it would take us to block of the undoubtedly multiple escapes he has, the dogs will have discovered us and alerted Lamm to our presence. I must agree with Krojun. We should hit an entrance hard, and not let up until we find the man and end him." responds Sera, her red cloak notably absent from her garb tonight.
"I could jam the locks on the doors," suggests Silvio. "Then we can stick to a single entrance." Silvio pulls out some thieves' tools from his bag. He then looks toward Sera. "Don't worry - I learned a few things working for Gaedren, but the blessed Sarenrae has put me on the right path - I swear!" Left unmentioned was the fact that he's found plenty of opportunities to re-learn such skills after he lost an arm.
"Anyway, I've always found stealth to be a friend. But we need to make sure the dogs can't smell us." He points toward the carts of fish. "How would you guys feel about smelling like fish?"
Ruke struggles to keep up with the faster long-shanks in the group, and he offers a suggestion to the group, "Based on my information, we should hit them from the loading docks. Once inside we will most definitely be faced with opposition, and the interior of the docks will give us the room we need to spread out and use our numbers to our advantage."
With that, Ruke loosens the scimitar at his hip from its scabbard and takes a long whip with several short blades attached to the tip from his belt, adjusting the coils to a wider size and securing his grip on the handle, his fingertips holding the coils in place.
"Also, the children he employs are deathly afraid of him, and fear deserting him. I did not get the impression that they are overly fond of the man, so let them escape if the opportunity presents itself."
"I yield to the majority."
Sera nods as the plan forms, shifting the weight of her armor and weaponry, "Very well, Silvio, jam any doors on the way, but be quick about it, I don't want you alone when the fighting starts. We should arrange ourselves so the melee combatants are in front, and those with ranged abilities behind. I will stay in the middle and support either side as needed."
"It only takes a few seconds, just give me 30 feet of space. I'll jam the doors, then get the loading dock door unlocked."
Staryth nods at Sera's strategies , and waits for Silvio to do his work