Nudging his glasses up the bridge of his nose, your guide thinks for just a moment. "Ah yes, That is a very very beautiful piece. Taken as spoils from one of Lingshen's many military conquests, as are many of the delicate art pieces. I am not the most familiar with that piece in particular, but I'm certain that our Curator could give you a full historic record while we sign the paperwork?"
With your quick inspection, the key to the lock has a very particular crescent shape, with several grooves and notches along the top edge, as well as along the concave surface of the key. The lock looks complex, but not beyond your ability.
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Might take me a bit, but I can work that lock...
Myth casually looks around not only the artifact room but the entire complex as they leave, looking for signs of security, other than the two guards posted just outside the doors...he also checks for other potential avenues of entry into the museum...
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"I would be quite interested in hearing what the Curator has to say.
Spoils of war, you say? This is a very touchy subject in recent years.
No one claims that spoils of war are not justified. However, since the successor states are no longer at war, and are in fact friendly toward each other, there have been some reports of such artifacts actually being returned to the land of origin as a sign of friendship and respect.
Has such an exchange ever been performed by this school? The honor earned by such a display of humility would likely earn you many students from the country in question."
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Mythryndyr ponders on Kita's words. Makes sense if he can talk his way into acquiring the map via diplomacy...but where's the fun in that? On the other hand, any way that acquires it without me getting shot at is preferable...
Myth continues to survey the building for a potential heist in the evening hours...
With a glint in his eye, the scrawny man pats Kita on the shoulder with a grin. "That is a pleasant idea! The loss of art would be a tragedy, but the additional students would be outstanding! Perhaps I will bring the dean herself to our meeting in the morning! Schedule it as a Breakfast! Thank you sir!"
With a cursory sweep of the room, you aren't able to identify any magical auras.
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Kita senses the man's ambitions, but also sees the flash of impatience that flashes over Mythryndyr's eyes.
If we could only wait until morning, this might resolve itself peacefully and with good feelings on both sides. As it is, I don't think it would be wise to wait until morning. The mission must be completed and we can't waste the opportunity of night. Maybe I can hurry this along?
"I am certain that you and the dean will make a decision that best helps to advance the prestige of the school.
However, I will not be able to attend a morning meeting. I must press on to Shokuro, and the timetable is quite pressing.
After looking over the paperwork that will need to be sent along with my report, I will barely have time to compose my report so that I can see it en route early in the morning.
If there is a possibility of meeting with the Dean this evening, I would welcome the opportunity. Otherwise, I will unfortunately need to decline.
If you and the dean come to some arrangement and decide there is something you would like to send on to Shokuro, I can guarantee the safe delivery of the item to its original owners. You have but to ask."
The counselor visably deflates with Kita's response. "I see. The dean has left campus for the evening for an Alumni Dinner Party in Xiwu proper. I can ensure that you have all the paperwork that you need for enrollment, as well as information about our school in particular. You are still welcome to stay in our guest house for the evening, and perhaps we might be able to talk in the morning before you leave?"
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"I am sorry that our schedules could not intersect this time.
However, I am sure that you have many honorable guards here who could be entrusted to escort valuable works of art through bandit infested lands. The honor they will earn by taking the task will only be rivaled by the gain to your own personal honor for having thought of the idea in the first place.
I am sure the dean will readily agree with your idea and be as excited as you are. Knowing superiors as we both do, you will likely have to share credit, but that is unavoidable as we must wait for proper approval. Such is the weight we bear when we serve.
Well, you know where I will be if there is some way I can assist you further. Shall we proceed?"
With another deep bow, the goggle-eyed scholar adds, "If only I had the authority to give away such a wonderful piece as a parting gift. I do hope that our paths cross again soon, and your Daimyo is able to come to some sort of arrangement!"
With that, he sullenly leads you back to the guest house to ensure that you have everything that you will need before departing for the evening.
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Myth smiles at the gnome and then glances at Kita. "Indeed, my friend, very good. You got us in. I think I can work that lock, but it may not be easy...I'll need someone to watch my back...
I'll also need to scout the outskirts of the building after dark, to get a grasp on their security...if the guards are still at the door, patrol schedules, and such...and try to develop a plan to accommodate our "venture"...
That's all I can think of till my scouting trip. What say ye all?"
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"I felt so confident that I could get him to just hand over the map. I played the strings of his greed as far as I was able.
I need to begin preparing a report, so I will leave planning to the rest of you. Let me know later what role you would like me to play.
I am not comfortable sneaking around, and would definitely prefer not to be in witness to any breaking and entering. However, I understand that the mission comes first."
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Myth nods at Kita. "I understand. I'll leave an hour or so after nightfall, see what I can find out, try not to get caught, and come back so we can plan..."
At that time, Myth will leave by the sliding door nearest to the thick hedges that surround the schoolgrounds. He'll move cautiously among the hedges, using their cover and the shadows to conceal himself, till he can get a good observation point from which to view the museum. He'll primarily look for guards, patrols, and such...and perhaps an alternate entry...
Myth skulks around the campus, hearing only the bubbling of the fountain and the quiet settling of old buildings. The oversized hedges conceal all but the most ostentatious actions from the outside world.
There is a distinct absence of Guard Patrols, although faint light occasionally filters through the greenery. It appears that the guard are more concerned about intruders from outside the gates than anything else.
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Myth heads back to the guest house. Once everyone is gathered, he speaks...
"These folk are very trusting...and it appears too trusting. Not a soul visible near the museum...not one guard, not one patrol, nothing. Seems ideal, but it can't be that easy...I suspect there are some safeguards within the museum that we either failed to notice or were put there after we left...either way, I guess we'll find out soon enough...
Kita, we'll have to break in at some point...either through the front or definitely into the office with the original...
One other thing came to mind...if, for some reason, we can't get the original map, we should take the copy...at least that way we may still be able to find the location of the Summer Palace...
While we need to be as discreet as possible, with no visible patrol or guards, the way there is clear and we should be able to go there as a group. We can leave as soon as everyone's ready. If anyone has concerns or, better yet, good ideas, best speak 'em now..."
With a clear shot to the offices and Museum, Myth leads the way. The offices are deserted, the glass cabinets locked around replica treasures. The glow of the moon reflects on the glass, making beautiful patterns on the walls and ceiling. The dark staircase leads up, to a now familiar set of doors.
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Myth will await word from Abolt if the area, stairs, and doors are free from magical wards...
While he awaits, he whispers, "Someone might want to grab the replica map. It's just hanging on the wall and might do in a pinch if we can't acquire the real one..."
Once Myth is given the all clear, he'll go cautiously up the stairs, eyes wide open for traps or anything else suspicious, and then go to work on opening the door where the real artifacts are kept...
As Myth slides the picks into the door, it clicks open unexpectedly. The room beyond looks ransacked, with a good number of the scroll cases from the wall missing, as well as the Orange Silk Map that was hanging in a place of honor. A flicker of orange flits out the window, before springing down from the roof, landing gracefully on the ground below. A familiar crooked smile shines up at window. "It seems that we both had the same idea, yes? Too bad I got here first!" With a bowing flourish, he sprints off into the night.
Bold may act!
Jianghong
Yidric Belove
Boolar Rejic
Mythrynder
Abolt Greenseed
Skaf
Kita Kyuichi
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Is the window Jianghong is jumping out of on a different side of the building than the one I am waiting outside of?
If I don't see him, I can take no action.
RUN action (if possible) to the back of the building
If I do see him jump out of a window:
"Jianghong, hold there!"
Charge Jianghong and attempt to grapple
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Myth will quickly draw his bow, rush to the window, and fire off a blunt arrow at Jianghong, in an attempt to slow him, or bring him, down...
Myth hopes Kita will see him but refrains from yelling as he doesn't want to alert the guards. He will then leap from the window, tumbling as he lands, rolls up and pursues...
Jianghong's eyes go wide as dinner plates as Myth points a bow at him from the upper window. Jianghong ducks just in time by falling flat on his back. Kita's Charging grapple goes over his (now prone) body before Jianghong has a chance to scramble to his feet. Rolling away from the samurai, Jianghong pops to his feet, before spotting Yidric popping through the bushes. Backpedaling for a moment, Jianghong tucks the map into his shirt before sprinting off in another direction!
Bold may act!
Jianghong
Yidric Belove
Boolar Rejic
Mythrynder
Abolt Greenseed
Skaf
Kita Kyuichi
With the map safely stowed, Jianghong runs until hitting a slick patch of earth, where he falls hard onto his butt, and slides forward into a newly opened pit. A moment after the loud thud, the tattered and dirty sleeves of a yellow robe make their way out of the pit, as a much dirtier rascal climbs up over the edge. "You guys might be better at pranks than I am, but I know the area better!" Determined to escape, he begins to head toward one of the classrooms, although much more slowly.
Bold may act!
Yidric Belove
Boolar Rejic
Mythrynder
Abolt Greenseed
Skaf
Kita Kyuichi
With a gust of wind, the map Pops out of the front of Jianghong's shirt, and he tries to jump and catch it, but it gets swept out of his hands onto the roof of a classroom. With an all too practiced climb, he starts to scale the wall.
Round 2 of the Chase!
Bold may act!
Yidric Belove
Boolar Rejic
Mythrynder
Abolt Greenseed
Skaf
Kita Kyuichi
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Draw bow and take a bead on Jianghong.
"Jianghong, you will cease! Your pranks have gone too far and you have overplayed your hand.
If you want to save your own life, and eventually the life of your guard, who will be duty bound to avenge you, climb down from that wall and place the artifacts on the ground
This is your only warning."
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Myth retrieves the fishing pole (attached to his back pack) and casts the line towards Jianghong, hoping to sink the hook into either clothes or flesh, to slow him down, or stop him, as he climbs...
"Gotcha! Kita, hold this..."
Thinking he's got the young 'un hooked, Myth gives the pole to Kita and then begins to climb up after the map...