"He probably won't have too many on patrol this late. Most will be heading to bed or heading to a tavern or two," Nicholas says. "Gaedren might be difficult to handle himself. He's a tough old goat, and likes to keep a dangerous pet or two around."
"Have you each then determined that you are willing to do murder for the cause of vengeance? I need to know you all have the resolve for going through with this."
"Vengeance? It's more revenge for me, but I'm guessing that's close enough.
"Shall we not quibble between the two? Are you willing to kill, and maybe die, for this?"
"Already did once, and will do again," Nicholas says, before realizing he may have said too much.
"Murder is a strong word. Lamm will end, one way or another." Aerel says serenely. "There are many options before us."
Nicholas knows not to respond to such a touchy subject for some, but he can't help but frown at the elf's words.
"Kill for vengeance." Marvel stares down at his feet, before finally looking up. "No. Not for vengeance. But to get my daughter back, to prevent anyone from experiencing what Aerel and the rest of you have experienced? When the guard does nothing, when the law fails, aye. I would kill a thousand Lamms."
Marvel stands up - "shall we get going?"
Nodding and seeming to realize that a verbal response might be needed. Grateful for the chance to think it over while the other talk, "I never wanted to take a life with my own hands but monsters that prey on others, that steal life, have forfeited their lives. So yes. Yes I am more than willing to murder, because that is what this is. We are forgoing the law and choosing to take a life. That is murder Aerel. If we take him to be judged by anyone but the Lady of Graves he will just get to go home and continue his reign of terror."
Nicholas gets up as well. "Any last parting words, Esmeranda?"
Aerel rises smoothly, arching a brow at the young woman. "Perhaps, Emma, perhaps. Regardless, Lamm will be stopped. We shall see. Not," he muses, "that I think there is anything resembling justice here, but... we shall see."
"All I can say is good luck. As satisfying as it will be to have vengeance, there is more riding on this that our own pain. Your actions tonight may save hundreds more from suffering at the hands of this fiend who walks like a man. And if what the cards tell me holds true, then the events we have set in motions may have greater consequences still."
Looking at Aerel with ill hidden respect, Marvel replies "You are correct. We have felt the brunt of Lamm's crimes and as such are in no position to judge him objectively. What we do is not justice, for there can be no justice without due process and the law. Even so I believe that what we do must be done, and that if we hesitate at a crucial moment, then Lamm will get away or we will die."
"Even so... I... if possible... if my daughter is not there, I would hope we leave Lamm or one of his henchmen alive long enough for me to find out where she is."
"I will be certain to help you find your daughter, Master Manyshot, but I think you might misunderstand me. I meant there was no justice -here - Korvosa. What we do may or may not be justice, but sometimes it is necessary to remove a diseased branch before it kills the tree." The elf pauses, considering. They will act as they wish. It would be folly to expect them to see things as I. But I am hopeful that they will learn.
"All actions cause unexpected ripples in the future." Aerel muses, as though to himself, at Zellara's words. "It's quite exciting, at times." He smiles mildly, then looks to his companions. Two humans barely out of infancy, looking for revenge, if I guess rightly, one who is looking for his daughter, and a halfling priestess of the Unquenchable Fire, who is likely hiding something. How intriguing. His smile broadens. This will be a welcome diversion. He very carefully avoids thinking of from what.
halfling priestess of the Unquenchable Fire, who is likely hiding something.
You smell the old fishery before you see it - decades of dried offal cake it to the point where if you magicked away every nail and bolt within, it would likely remain standing.
This is a place where fishers can sell of their less desirable catches, those that died in the net or were deformed, for a few copper pinches. These will then be ground into buckets of foul piscine slop for use as bait, or food for the desperate.
The building juts out over the Jeggare River, with a ground level floor, and a lower level that's right on the water. And old fishing ship is parked behind the structure, and looks as if it has been there for ages and is likely no longer seaworthy.
There are multiple doors, a large pair in the front facing you, two on the western side of the building, and one on the east. All are closed for the night. The building has windows, but they are boarded up. No guards are in evidence, but enough gaps exist between the boards that there may be lookouts.
Shaeda looks to the infiltration experts for advice on how to proceed. She rapidly realizes that the group has no such experts. She shrugs and points at the door on the East side of the building with a questioning look.
Aerel closes his eyes thoughtfully, looking at the ramshackle building with a mild frown as the scent of fish offal attacks his nostrils. Ugh. How do these people live here? It is almost as bad as that time we went to the docks in Riddleport... a whole shipload of folk from all over Avistan fleeing from their own issues. I wonder how- He abruptly realizes that the moment is more important, and comes back to the present.
Looking at Shaeda, he shrugs slightly. As good a direction as any, though... He looks at the boarded up windows, carefully watching for any signs of light from within.
The elf indicates silently the place(s) from which he sees the light emanating. "Guards? Moving." His voice is even softer than usual.
Aerel briefly spies a flicker of light from within the building, but it passes quickly, and isn't near a window. A patrol, perhaps?
Marvel points from the door on the eastern side to the river, with a questioning look, mimicking the words "boat" and "no cargo door"?
I suppose the angle is a bit off from we are, but if possible Marvel moves slightly to an angle from which he can see, if any entryway is from the riverside.
Marvel cannot see any means of entrance from the river.
Disappointed that he won't get to show off his swimming skills or air bladder, Marvel returns to the others shaking his head, then pointing to the eastern door as well.
Having little else to say other than, "Thank you." to Zellara. The group of misfits heads off in to miserable silence. Keeping closer to the back of the line. More than once having to shake her head to chase off the ghosts lingering in her mind. Every alley seems to try and claw into her mind.
Oh damn that smell. Frowning when the scent hits her but welcoming the focus it grants her. Just a little while longer and then it is all over. He will be gone and then, and then I do not know. Nodding at the suggested course and keeping her place in the back.
Nicholas watches the boarded up windowws, knowing very well that they served as lookout posts. However, he hoped that the night would keep all his little Lambs asleep instead. Nicholas nodded when they pointed at the eastern door. Safer for that route. He would have more guards at the other one.
Aerel inclines his head, then gestures for Marvel to go ahead before the rest of them - he had, after all, been the only one to claim any talent for stealth... Hm... I ought to be glad I did not prepare any fiery spells today - anything remotely hot in there might make the whole thing start to smolder.
After Marvel leads the way, Aerel follows behind him as quietly as he can, albeit from a bit of a distance.
Moving ahead as quietly as can do, with the bow at the ready, Marvel moves towards the door and quietly tries opening it, unless noticing something or being stopped by something first.
(traps, movement - anything to give pause)
I will follow folks as they move towards the building. Scorpion whip and buckler at the ready.
Pulling out the never used rapier with a frown. This is not supposed to be my life. Keeping herself in the middle and following along.
Nicholas glances around to see if anyone on the street is watching before pulling out his rapier.
This is new, Nicholas thought. I've never had to sneak into Gaedren's hideout before.
Aerel remains largely content to keep his weapon sheathed, though he, too, keeps a careful eye out for anything that might foil his fellows' plan.
Marvel makes it to the door, though he is unable to keep the boards from creaking beneath his feet as he does so. Once there he finds it locked, although the wood is old and rotten, and couldn't stand up to much force.
Nicholas spies no one on the street save a few drunks staggering out of a tavern in the distance, who show no interest in the fishery.
Marvel drastically gesticulates with his arms - pointing at the door, shaking his hands, and trying to make what he believes to be lockpicky moves with his hands, but probably more resembles someone stirring a cup of tea with a spoon - sending the rest of the part a questioning look, while making room for someone else to step up to the door.
Uppon stepping back from the door Marvel takes out an arrow and readies his shot, in case of hostile movement.
... What exactly is he trying to say? Aerel wonders, tilting his head and flicking his ears quizzically. Looking past the man, he gestures inquisitively at the walkway beyond. I wonder... is there some way to get in from beyond the building?
Having already checked access from the riverside of the building, Marvel sadly shakes his head. If no one steps up to disable the door, Marvel makes a kicking notion with the foot in the direction of the door, looking hopefully at the rest of the party.
Shaeda nods her approval at Marvel.
Aerel sighs, flicking his ears in exasperation, but turns to check the front doors, just in case. I will have to investigate myself...
You can, by doing Aid Another on a strength check.
Very well, Shaeda steps up and attempts to aid whichever of her companions is going to kick that door down...
Success!
So much for stealth. Sighing, Nicholas steps forward to the door. While he couldn't pick locks, he knew Gaedren didn't have very strong ones. Aiming carefully, Nicholas raises a foot and sends it crashing toward the handle.
Marvel lets two melee characters enter the door before following, bow and arrows at the ready.
Nicholas slips on his buckler and heads inside, keeping watch for anyone.
If the door is open, I will go in with Nicholas.
Aerel moves quietly towards the door, glancing down dubiously at the walkway as it creaks beneath his feet, and carefully draws his scimitar. As he does so, everything in his world seems to become simpler - he lets go of his concerns, and is focused on the task at hand, even as his senses receive every bit of information they can process.
The door gives way under the combined weight of Nicholas and Shaeda, and the two of them spill into the room.
A wooden desk sits in one corner of this room, its side preventing the western door from opening all the way. The table is heaped with dozens of slate boards covered with chalk scrawls, while to the east a cabinet slouches against the wall.
A man WAS asleep in a chair, leaning back against the wall. At the sound of the door crashing in, his chair falls forward, and he starts awake.
"What in blue blazes?"
Nicholas recognizes him. This is Yargin, an associate of Lamm's. He either recognizes Nicholas too, or is merely reacting to several armed people entering the room, as he quickly draws a wand and prepares to fire.
Yargin:
Nicholas: