"These folks aren't exactly the open mouthed sort. You have to know how to talk to them. Give me a bit."
Heading on your way Judah quickly chats up a few woman and they more than happy to spread the rumors of the Nidalese Slavers.
One of the women adds "Rumor has it that a pick-up for one of these slave runs has been scheduled for this very midnight at an old, boarded-up shoreline tavern in Dockway."
The other one agress "Yes! I heard it is the tavern that was once known as the Puffy Pelican"
Once asked for directions they easily point you in the right direction.
Judah returns to the others. "We're going to the old Puffy Pelican Tavern down in the Dockway. There's supposed to be a slaver pickup at midnight."
"The question is if this nonsense is related to the thief we hunt or not... but even if there's the smallest chance of that we cannot discount the trail lest we make a potentially huge mistake in our pursuit..."
The giant man nods:"I think that's the best course of action, yes..."
"It's a bit early to go there now," Valai says. "I don't like to drink before sundown, at any rate. Hmmm. No reason not to scout out the area and look for useful escape routes, yes?"
Dimral gives Valai a small nod:"Agreed"
You spend some time scouting out the area getting to know it a little better before dark. Walking around the place you don't see anything out of the ordinary — the tavern truly looks abandoned, and bears no signs of having been used recently.
Waiting for some time you don't notice anyone coming or going. You would guess that if the rumors are true, then the slavers likely use different spots and perhaps only once. This might be their next spot or it could all just be wild rumors.
You wait around for some time, no one coming or going from the house itself and nothing of real interest happening on the streets. Some of you likely bored with the wait aren't paying nearly as close attention as others.
"There is someone in there," Valai notes in a whisper. "A thief-lantern was just lit. How do we proceed?"
"We hide and check what happens... for now" Dimral wishpers back ay Valai
The shadows seemed to pull around Judah as he crept toward the abandoned inn. The clinking of chain that sounded when he walked went dead silent.
"I'll take a look."
As quietly as she can, Valai draws her rapier from its sheath. She lets the weapon hang casually at her side, hidden in the folds of her clothes, but the blade is drawn and ready for battle. If anyone looks at her funny, she shrugs and gives them a haughty look. "Better safe than sorry."
Dimral is silent as the dead as he observes the man called Judah melt into the shadows.
Judah waves the others forward, urging them to move slow and quiet while he moves to the door and checks the lock.
Valai moves forward as quietly as she can - with less than stellar results. The Elfmaid frowns and mutters a curse at her lack of grace...
As the others approach, before they could get close enough to possibly alert someone inside, Judah carefully, quietly opened the door.
|
Weapon still in it's sheath across his back, St. Germain calmly walks towards his allies, (if a bit loudly). Utilizing what he can recall from his father's instructions on the Pathfinder Society's training, he does a few inconspicuous hand motions, a sort of code amongst the society to ask Is it safe? without saying a word. To onlookers, it would simply appear as though he was tapping an ornament on his breastplate and then scratching his elbow, (assuming he got the signal correct).
Judah, who was definitely not a pathfinder, looked at Germain like he'd grown a second head. Then he went back to scoping out the inside of the building.
Dimral puts an hand on his face as he looks at the others clumsily following their scout:"What do they think they are doing??? More people mean more of a chance of being spotted!" he then shakes his head and follows.
Judah did a double take and shook his head. He saw things moving in the shadows all the time these days, so he just sighed and rubbed his eyes. Must be hallucinating from sleep deprivation again.
He slipped inside, but didn't want to venture further. If there was something inside with him it was better to err on the side of having people with armor and weapons in front of him.
Valai slips in after Judah, taking a moment at the door to look around.
Considering his options, Dimral decides the lone scout route has run its course. So he moves swiftly near Judah, trying to be as silent as possible and moving from shadow to shadow with grace, despite his huge size.
Everyone begins moving in.
The room appears empty. As Germain moves up to the northern door he notices that the lights are not actually from a lantern but instead from what appear to be magical lights, floating in the air.
When Germain started talking, giving away their position and announcing their goals, Judah just winced. He rubbed his hand across his face and sighed.
No way this ends well…
"Lorica magi me induo," Valai mutters as she ducks away behind the piece of furniture she was already standing behind -- it seems she shares Judah's opinion of the most likely outcome of Germain talking out loud...
Everyone stands about readying for combat but there is no response and only quiet.
Dimral checks his sorroundings, suspicious about the whole thing.