Phillip has no idea what Tarn is doing and just tries not to cough.
So there a plan here?
Jules sighed. "Allow me a moment."
Jules attempted to climb the tower towards the lookout.
But barely makes it off the ground before slipping on the stone. With a look of annoyance, he removed a spool of rope and a grappling hook from his bag.
It would seem that this wall does not have handholds of suitable heights for halflings to climb up.
Jules feels a bit uneasy speaking this close to potential threats. It is unlikely that the group is out of earshot.
Phillip whispers.I can try climbing around
"There is also the option of distraction. Since Pylos is a Thrune we could make it seem that someone attacked him. Then he can tell the guards that he was attacked and pretend to pass out. The guards including the one in the tower will be busy being distracted that should allow us to pass by unseen as long as no one makes any noise. Besides killing the tower guard will raise an alarm especially if the other guards notice anything odd about their comrade standing watch in the tower. I could use a spell to distract the guards as well if you prefer. For example, I can use my magic to knock other stuff and make a loud racket that will draw their attention."
Get a move on
Realizing that Phil hasn't quite learned to communicate the way the rest of the group has given his shorter tenure with them Tarnagius starts to whisper too.
We don't have a decent reason for Pylos to be out here and he's already under too much scrutiny, and whoever serves as a distraction will have to separate from the group and we will be one man down. If Jules can't climb I guess the rest of us will have to climb around or slip through on our own.
Note to self: bring chalk.
Unless someone else has something else to say, Tarnagius starts to slip in first after the door is unlocked.
A familiar female voice says "I like to whisper too. Do you think whispering is safe?"
Tarnagius hears faint footsteps from the other side of the door, but he can't make out which direction they come or go.
Phillip barely manages to climb around to the other side of the watch tower. He knows that one little slip would plunge him 30 feet down to the river and give away their position.
The other side of the tower is near identical to his starting point. He is on another boardwalk with a door leading into the watchtower. This time however, the door is open, which Phillip can use to hide behind.
Phillip cowers like a capybara hiding from a python.
After listening for a while, Pylos can get a reasonable guess of how the guard conducts their patrol. Most of the time they are silent, probably standing guard or sitting, then they walk up to the roof of the tower. After a minute or two, they walk back down and go silent.
Jules waited a moment looking expectantly at the others to indicate a course of action.
Jules produced a set of lockpicks and set top unlocking the door
Only to find that the lock would not budge.
Phillip thinks this would be a perfect time to whack a Thrune loyalist and heads into the open door.
Using a bit of cunning and a lot of rope, the group successfully swim across the river. Taking Kritki's advice, they weave around potential thieves and cutthroats until they final emerge at the remains of the Shattered Star. What was once a great tower of music and art has now become a pile of rubble sunken into the basement. At the moment, there are no guards, but that may change if the group decides to do a little digging.
I'll keep a look out while others dig if that is fine. Phillip will skulk in the shadows watching for any trouble.
Phillip decides at that exact moment to puke his guts out.
Tarnagius begins looking around.
Tarnagius sees nothing but the dark streets and a store sign that squeaks as it shifts in the slight wind. Phillip vomits right onto the street.
*cough cough* I got a torch for people to use.
The familiar female voice says "I don't see any bodies. Do you think the priesties escaped?"
Could be. Phillip hands out torches.
Jules declined the torch and began picking his way through the rubble in the dim light.
Tarnagius grabs one and begins digging as well.
As the group set about digging in the ruins, Phillip keeps watch along the streets. Nearly an hour passes by uneventfully before the ruins shift due to the digging, and the rubble under Tarnagius collapse, casing him to fall a few feet and get covered in rubble!
Shortly thereafter, Phillip spots a set of fiery eyes approaching them. The creatue resembles a thin, lanky wolf with reddish-brown fur, and pearly-white claws. It snarls and growls at Phillip, looking ready to charge.
1. Phillip, Tarnagius, Jules (botted)
2. Hellhound
3. Everyone else
Hey what's thiaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh
Tarnagius clambers his way out of the hole he created on accident, grumbling the whole way.
Oh trust me, little pup, you do not want to test my patience today.
Kethaera shifts through the rumble, just as the hellhound attacks.
Shifting into gear, she tries to bolster her companions.
Phillip screeches like a rabid capybara and it seems to get the hellhound to think twice about attacking. Jules gets out his hand crossbow and fires at the hesitant hellhound, getting a nice wound in its shoulder. Tarnagius then charges forth and chops into it.
The hound hunkers down and tries to bite at Tarnagius, who easily sidesteps it.
Kethaera identifies the creature as a hellhound and knows that it is completely immune to fire damage, though it is weak against cold damage. It can also breathe fire, but not constantly.
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Taking a break from digging, Pylos took a swig from his waterskin. Mid drink, a low growl crossed the are and grabbed his attention. Looking up and giving a swallow, his eyes met glowing red. Giving another gulp, this time dry, his hand gripped Kyda tightly. As others snapped into action, he could do no less. Giving an inarticulate cry, he rushed forward and lashed out, scoring a hard strike against the creature's flank.
Tarnagius swings at it again.
Tarnagius puts all his strength into it, but fails to compensate for the increased power. The hell hound easily ducks under the terrifying strike. Pylos draws his trusty whip and smacks the hell hound for some minor head trauma. Jules fires his crossbow again, but played it safe in order to avoid possibly hitting Tarnagius. As such, he misses. Phillip screeches, then races towards the river on all fours.
The hell hound steps back and breathes out a cone of flame that fortunately only clips the back of Tarnagius' boot as he dodges.
Tarnagius draws back and slashes downward again.
Between Tarnagius and Pylos, the hell hound yelps once more before collapsing on the ground dead.
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Giving a sigh of relief that the hellhound finally collapsed, Pylos rubbed his eyes before turning to the others. "Well, that was different," he said, turning in the direction Phillip disappeared. "What do you think happened to Phil to make him run like that? Anyway, we should probably finish what we came here for before the noise attracts unwanted attention."
Kethaera quickly looks through the rumble.
Ugh. I hope there are no more surprise drops.
Tarnagius is much too lost in thought to know what he's doing.
Fantastic. The halfling's run off, Phil has become a capybara, and now it's me the Diva and the Dilettante.
After sifting through a bit more rubble, Blosodriette mentions to Kethaera that something is glittering under the torchlight. After digging it out, Kethaera uncovers a box containing four scrolls, seven potions, and a golden holy symbol of Sarenrae.
Tarnagius stops digging as he hears the familiar sound of mail on steel, and the banging of a shield upon solid armor.
Kethaera takes the box and smiles knowing that it will be useful to the Silver Ravens.