”Ah okay, I see your point now. Back home in Nidal where I grew up among the Desnan resistance to the Umbral Court there was a long-established network in place for that kind of thing. But we here now are kinda starting from scratch. I’ll admit I just haven’t been thinking that far ahead. Maybe we ourselves need to establish and maintain safe houses and support network, as I’m sure this won’t be the last time we’ll be wanting to free good people from Barzalai’s imprisonment.”
Sorix looks at Saniel with an exaggerated sad pout on her face after his announcement of departure, then wordlessly gives the man a big goodbye hug. Saniel will be missed. But I don’t disagree that Sholti has shown herself to be more than capable of thinking ahead and asking important questions before acting. Sorix looks Sholti in the eyes and gives a quick affirmative nod before heading out to a “reconnaissance” mission that turns out to just be a Silver Raven social hour.
--
Later, back at the Wasp’s Nest Sorix listens to Vendalfeck’s observations about the security situation of the Salt Works with eyes that are starting to droop with half-drunken sleepiness. ”Good work!” she manages cheerfully before shuffling away, yawning and mumbling about being ‘soooo tired’.
"Chained? That is just wrong and barbaric. We need to keep this from spreading. That's good work Ven." Mawl shortens his name because he has trouble pronouncing all those sylabbles.
"I'm sorry to see you go my friend but I understand. When your business is done you know where to find us."
-----
Nils accepts the bundle from Sholti and notes the weight of it. Giving it a slight shake he catches a slight jingle of mail and is glad to see the woman's forethought. Placing it nearby he spends his time keeping an eye on the room and specifically Sholti as she flirts with a guard.
------
Later, back in the Wasp's Nest he listens with interest to what Sholti and Ven have discovered.
"I'd expected there might be more there. A half dozen guards should be manageable with some planning and I think we can spirit away six or so prisoners. Perhaps we can make use of the livery. They could lay low there and, if they were willing, continue the work we started in cleaning and fortifying the place." He ponders for a moment, the wheels in his head turning. "There may be an opportunity here. If we could do this quietly, under these mercenaries noses, then it would discredit them in Thrune's eyes. I also suspect he might not want to make know the escape, especially if there's not bloodshed to rant about, which would keep any search or reprisals to a minimum."
Mawl looks at the rough sketch, the layout and the information gathered by the successful recon parties. Yes!, I will finally be able to do something substantial to give Thrune what they deserve.
Sholti was disappointed by the evening's results until Vendalfek reports his findings.
"That's wonderful Vendalfek! Far more than we found out I'm afraid. Maybe we can begin to piece together a rough map of the inside."
"I'm thinking the same way Nils. I'd expected more people as well. This seems like the sort of thing that would be done at night? Moving a group of people through the streets could be a problem with the curfew and patrols."
"The salt works isn't too far from here. What if we bring them here first? The other place, the livery, where is it? Maybe we could move them there by ones and twos after a day or so when things cool off. They may have ideas of their own for what to do after that, their own resources or connections that can help them lay low or get out of the city."
"And it would be terrific if we could find a way to do this quietly. If the place is staffed by mercenaries we might be able to do a lot with a dottari uniform or two. Maybe a "prisoner delivery" could get some of us through the front door. How many entrances are there Vendalfek?"
Nils looks at the map for a bit.
"Vendalfek where did you see the prisoners and the guards?" he asks.
"Do we know what this smaller building is? If we're going to sneak in it might be easiest to enter through the door here." he says pointing at the door within the fenced in area. "It seems to be there to give access to the smaller building and so may not be considered an entrance in the mind of those guarding the building. We'll need to check the fence for magical enforcement but this narrow section here would give us good cover while we deal with it. A fence may mean dogs or some other kind of creature left to guard so we'll need to be on the look out for that as well."
"How many floors high are the two buildings?"
Vendalfek scratches out a small arrow on the hand drawn map that Nils prepared from the dragons description. "The chained ones were in that little room. They did not seem happy, no, no not at all. The guards patrolled the grounds a bit, but mostly stayed in the main room near the front door."
When asked about the floors Vendalfek just notes "It is one story. The big round dome thing was a little larger, especially with the chimneys added in."
Horillo, who has never tried to break into a 'prison' before, scratches his nose, screwing up his face and says, "I have never tried to break into anything like this before. I am happy to be led by you, you know what is best. Other than burglars and thieves that work in the dark and quietness of night, perhaps we should do the same. We can prepare tomorrow and enter tomorrow night. Find a quiet entry point that's not guarded, to find a way through the fence. We should go see the fence tomorrow morning, get the lay of the land there, to know what we should do." He smiles to Nils, "I am behind you on this, what you say makes sense." He sips another drink from his mug of ale and nods to Nils.
"Agreed. Let's rest and then have a look in the daylight. Then we can finalize our plan."
Mawl is content to sleep in the Wasp's nest.
Sholti doesn't have much more to add to the evening's discussion. She stays on at the Wasp's Nest overnight, sleeping in the room Vendalfek has claimed for his hoard if he doesn't mind.
The next morning she's happy to go with Sorix to look for things that could help with disguises. Sholti is very much of the same mind, thinking the easiest way in to the salt works to to be invited in.
Although she will absolutely have to check in with her parents sometime during the day, Sholti also wants to have a look around the outside of the salt works for herself at some point.
Early next morning as the sun's rays begin to sprinkle the ground with warmth, Horillo get up, dresses and leaves the Wasp's Nest and makes his way to the derelict Livery to feed and tend to the dogs there. He does this without waking any of his friends from their slumber, wrapping his cloak around his shoulders, he casts a long glance over his companions before quietly shutting the doors behind him.
He returns later that morning to the sounds and smells of breakfast being cooked and consumed in the Tooth and Nail. He walks past and enters the Wasp's Nest through a different entrance, after checking he wasn't being seen. He greets his fellow conspirators as they plan the rest of the day. "I'll go check out the fence, if anyone wants to take a look? If there is a weakness there it will help. In fact I'll make sure I check all around, looking for a weakness that will allow entrance. Surely the old Salt Works can't be that secure!?" Once that has been completed, he makes his way to the Temple of Shelyn, to pray, meditate and maybe buy a prayer to learn the wonders of the gods.
Whilst at prayer he will listen for more voices that have grievances against House Thrune and might be turned to allies.
He asks to be disguised as an acolyte of Asmodeus.
With everyone crashing at the Wasp's Nest you wake the next morning to the delicious smell of food from the tavern above. As you still consider the best course of action you decide to do some preparations.
Heading to the Salt Works you find it running as a normal business from almost every aspect you can tell. Customers come and go, some purchasing small quantities of salt, while others bring carts to load up larger quantities and then haul them away. You see there is a gruff dwarf who tends to the customers and four other men who cycle in and out of the main room and domed room.
Scouting the outside of the building there isn't much to note. The fenced in area is actually a pretty nice covered patio. There are stacks of supplies through out the area and a few benches and tables. Overall the building is in good shape and there aren't any particular weak points that you notice.
As some had discussed the possibility of disguises you look through the various shops and can easily find what you need to work on crafting disguises. However, you're fairly certain that attempting to imitate a dottari or Hellknight would be a fairly difficult task and would require an pretty elaborate disguise. Of course, there's always the possibility of trying to steal or use other means to obtain actual uniforms.
Sorix heads into town the next morning with Sholti to purchase some supplies for the upcoming jailbreak.
”Rather than try to pose as run-of-the-mill guards, I’m thinking we could pose as . The Salt Works guards might be more likely to just wave us through if we act as though we’re there on orders from Barzalai himself. Let's get a disguise kit and some unholy symbols of Asmodeus. What else do you think we need? Oh, I can try drawing up some forged prisoner-transfer orders...”
When Sholti had first suggested using disguise to get into the salt works, she had images in her head of fine dottari uniforms. But as she browses shops with Sorix, she realizes the reality of what they can manage will fall far short of her expectations.
"I wish we knew of a good and fast-working seamstress or tailor" she moans to Sorix. "We're not going to be able to do much that will be convincing with what we're finding."
"Do you think this can really work Sorix? It won't be like it was with the dottari patrol at the Silver Star. I knew they weren't lawyers, so I could make up anything. As long as it sounded good, they wouldn't know if it was legitimate. All I had to do was sound knowledgable and certain."
"The guards at the salt works will know more about how things are done than us. There are so many ways we can be tripped up. If we don't know the right answer to a question, or say we're doing something that's just never done. It might get us through the front door, but it's very high risk."
"Of course trying to sneak in is very risky too, but maybe we need a Plan B. What if some of us, You, me, one of the others as our prisoner, try to bluff our way in the front, and the others also come in secretly through the back? If one of the two methods goes wrong, the other is still in play. There's also a second team to help the other by surprise if one plan or the other goes wrong."
”There’s a magic item that’ll make your clothes look like whatever you want them to look like. I’d imagine we could put some sets of sleeves of many garments to excellent use, now that I think about it…”
”Yeah, I see your point. I guess I was just thinking of acting so much more important than the lowly guards on duty that we’d be rightfully offended if they started asking questions we couldn’t answer. But I like your idea of having a plan B.”
Sorix thinks on the matter of more 'elite' guards but can't think of anything specific. As far as the hierarchy the top level under Thrune would be the Hellknights of the Rack which seem to be completely in line with Thrune, followed by the Hellknights of the Torrent which were around before Thrune took over, then the Dottari which have been the city guard long before Thrune, and finally the Chelish Citizens Group; a militia that sprouted up and has been supported by Thurne's reign over Kintargo.
"If I am doing the disguise thing, whatever let's me keep my Bec and/or 3-sectional is good with me. Or as Sholti was mentioning I could be on the B team that sneaks in and clobbers."
If there’s any Thrune secret police they must be, well, actually secret.
Sorix will purchase sleeves of many garments and put them on right away. Suddenly it looks like she’s wearing cleaner, finer versions of the clothing she was already wearing: black robes, now with tasteful silver embroidery, black belt with a fancier buckle, a black hooded cloak with no noticeable wear or fraying, and black boots that appear to have just been shined. Looking pleased, Sorix says, ”Hey, they work.”
Walking back to the Wasp’s Nest, Sorix says to Sholti, ”Before we split up I can cast a spell that can keep us all in contact if we’re not too far apart. I’ll work on some prisoner transfer papers when we get back. What other preparations are you thinking we should make?”
Horillo thinks on, "If there were some prayer to convinve others of my innocence in bluffing past the guards, or chastise the guards into letting us pass, then I would do that. That or something to aid my disguise as a cleric of the devil god Asmodeus." He leans on his bow, watching it bend slightly under his weight, before he lets the pressure ease. "I can decide what prayers are needed in the morning, though I may save myself for a prayer to Erastil should we have a special request."
He smiles at Sorix, "Though I still prefer to sneak in the back way, if we can find a way to climb over the fence. But I don't like that we split into two groups that can be easily overcome." He scratches his chin, "I will seek guidance from Erastil."
Mawl acquires the necessary equipment and makes to head out.
"Mawl, wait. You be our prisoner, give me your weapons, so I can carry them in for you." Horillo leys the strong one know.
The group makes their preparations and finally heads out to the Salt Works. Horillo, Sholti and Sorix are all disguised and have Mawl and Nils in tow as 'prisoners'. You ask Vendalfek to come along for support and have him stay hidden outside to watch for any trouble and assist if needed. He is happy to help on this little adventure.
You wait for an opportunity when you believe their aren't any other citizens in the building and make your way inside. The front office has a number of tables and barrels of salt, plus a fully loaded cart near the front door. There is a set of closed double doors on the northern wall. At one of the tables three men are playing cards, while a particularly gruff looking dwarf sits at another table looking over papers. A final man stands on a small dock that over looks a deep pit. You can hear the sounds of labor coming from the pit.
They all look at you with interest and the dwarf eventually speaks up. "Come to buy some salt then?"
Mawl makes certain that Horillo, with his weapons is his guard and is next to him. Keeping his head down to look like a prisoner he darts his eyes back and forth to try and get a lay of the land so to speak. He begins to measure the distance between himself and the dwarf and planning.
At the first sign of aggression I will grab my Bec from Horillo and charge that dwarf, he looks to be the most threatening. It appears I will need to get a little closer to close with him in a hurry.
Sholti casts Message to maintain contact with Vendalfek outside the salt works.
She assumes an air of bored indifference to her task as she enters the salt works.
When the dwarf asks about buying salt, Sholti replies "not hardly. We're dropping the these two prisoners with you."
Sholti jabs a thumb back in the direction of Nils and Mawl.
"They have committed to serve Asmodeus through penitence here." the false priest confirms. Turning to Sholti he continues, "And you would do better to remember it is only through the church's lenience that you do not join them, Letrice." He says pointedly at the bard, "You have no need to be so nervous in my presence, the contract holds firm."
He turns back to the dwarf, offering up the holy text for the dwarf to kiss it's cover. "I apologise for her, she fears the wrath of Asmodeus, when a job is not done well. As all should." He stands tall, turning and pointing at Maul and beckoning him towards him. "See how we have brought you much strength to continue your good works. Let my men and I take them to their place of worship, where they may rest their heads before their work begins." He smiles slyly and with as much evil as he can muster. "Let us through."
Mawl can hardly contain his excitement and is eyeing how to quickly grab his Bec from Horillos sling. Oh, that's good Horillo, when he comes over to kiss the book, I will grab my Bec and separate his head from his shoulders, while his lips are still attached to the book
The dwarf quirks a brow at Sholti, but when Horillo speaks up he lets out a deep sigh "Bloody mess... no one told me nothin' about new prisoners. Ya know, I would appreciate a heads up on these kind o' things!" He shrugs after his mini rant and looks to the men at the table playing cards "Well ya heard the priest, go gather the prisoners. Make sure they don' have any hidden weapons, then chain them up in the back." The dwarf looks at the priest holding out the book and doesn't move just letting his men do the work.
They put their cards down and start to move in your direction to retrieve the 'prisoners'. When they get up to stand you see each has a light mace strapped to their belt. The other guard looks back for a moment at the commotion but seeing there isn't an issue turns his direction back toward the pit.
Sholti changes her expression to a chastened look at Horillo's words and remains silent.
When the first guard is within 10' of Horillo, Mawl grabs his Bec and takes a swing from 10'.
As the guards draw closer Mawl makes a move for his weapon, and takes the guards by surprise. He smacks the closest guard with his Bec and immediately drops the man to the ground.
When Mawl "breaks free", Sholti tries to buy herself a little time to prepare for a fight. She steps away from him and yells "He's grabbed a weapon, watch out!"
Sholti draws her scimitar and drops into a defensive posture.
Horillo, stands behind the cover of the cart and retrieves his bow and sets an arrow. "Leave this one to me, or you will all die at my prisoner's hands. Stand back so that Asmodeus can control him." the cleric says in a commanding voice, one that he hopes brings confusion to his enemy. "You dare to try and take one that will give his soul to our god, when I have shown him the greatness of our beloved. Desist that I, Marius may command in Asmodeus' name."
Sorix grabs a dab of butter from her spell component pouch and recites some arcane words. Magical grease slathers the floor beneath the two loyalists to her left.
Sholti and Horillo are pretty convincing in their bluff, at least until Sorix drops two of the guards to the ground as they slip in her spell. One of them yells out "You filthy liars!" The dwarf, snarls "You'll join the others in the pit!" He draws his weapon and moves to push the doors behind him open.
Sorix quickly retrieves a scroll from her bandolier and whispers to Mawl, ”Stay within twenty paces of me! You’re about to get a LOT bigger!” She then begins reciting the arcane writings on the scroll.
Mawl moves through Horillo's space and cuts diagonally around the cart, stopping at the edge of the grease to take a swipe at the farthest of the loyalists.
Sorix pulls out a scroll and begins to cast from it while Nils waits considering his actions.
The one guard closest to the group draws his light mace and, seemingly believing Sholti's lie, steps down to attack Mawl.
However with the cramped quarters he completely misses Mawl. The other two guards stand up and move out of the grease patch while drawing their light maces, forming a defensive line.
Horillo takes a step back and looses two arrows at the the dwarf making his escape. "All yours Mawl, lets get him before he does more harm."
Sholti waits for the guard beside her to pass by, then she whips her scimitar at him, smacking at the side of his head with the flat of the blade.
Horillo looses two arrows, one clanks off the dwarfs armor while the other one strikes the dwarf in the side. Sholti attempts to knock the one guard out but her strike is so hard when the man collapses you see blood coming out of his ears. With Mawl's path clear he moves up and attacks one of the other guards, dropping him to the ground with a swift blow.
The dwarf, seeing the chaos behind him makes a break for it and disappears around a corner.
Mawl waits for Sorix to make him larger,
Sorix completes the spell on the scroll in her hands and it crumbles to dust. Suddenly Mawl becomes more of a furious terror than he already usually is!
I should definitely scribe more of those scrolls for Mawl!
With only a short time to move remaining to her, Sorix quickly assesses the situation and decides to stay put for the time being.
Sholti stifles a shriek when she sees the blood coming from the head of the man she struck. I must have been overly worked up and hit him too hard.
She prays he's not dead, but here's no time to stop and check right now.
