"Ogres are simple, and they probably won't die to protect someone else. We just need to give them a fright and some scars to show that they did their job. It's not their fault, the whole gang of ogres wasn't employed." Orsal replies to Kelwyn explaining the pirate game.
Merchants put up enough of a fight dependent on how well their paid. Only occasionally do you run across some yahoo with an over-sized sense of honor or professional duty. No chance of that with ogres, he concludes to himself.
"Ah, but I can't help but think of the expression 'Mad as an ogre.'" Kelwyn says with a grin.
|
The downpour ease up only slightly, despite this Jesset continues onward and after several minutes comes to an empty intersection. None of you have noticed many City Watchmen out and about, which is not surprising considering the weather and the fact that most will be inside enjoying the festivities. Even the few shivvel addicts you pass hiding among the eves of doorways know tonight is not the night to be venturing out and about with the weather. The last time you saw a watchman was several streets back and he and his mates were half drunk.
Jesset
When you reach the intersection the smells becomes overwhelming, they have been here only moments before maybe even less then that, however the smells from the city and the overwhelming smell of ogre permeate the air so much your not sure which direction they have gone and do not see them in any of the nearby alleys.
You guys notice a look come over Jesset's face that you take to mean he is not sure what direction to go next as if confused.
Orsal stops when Jesset looks confused and surveys the scene.
"Jesset? Everything alright?"
What's going on?
"Damned Ogres. They must have paused here, their stink is overwhelming, there's no way to tell which way the went by scent. Everyone, take a look around."
Perception
The Harrow Elf ducks under an eave to get out of the rain, if only temporarily, muttering "gods, finally..." to himself before piping up to ask "Is this it? I don't see any ogres or merchants or ogre merchants.".
Tony is daydreaming about Ethisha...
|
|
Jesset and Doran
You both look up and down the street and see no signs at first of the ogres so you begin to look into the nearby alleys. It does not take long before you both come around to the same alleyway and peek down it. As soon as you look you see a pair of large figures lumbering down the far end of the alley heading into the next street over. Between them is a decent sized chest, with elaborate etchings. The ogres seem oblivious to your group at this point but each carries a javelin in their hand not holding the chest, at the ready just in case of trouble.
Doran gestures quietly to the rest of the group.
Down here.
"We could try telling them that this Kellisan Faymar sent us to retrieve the chest from them, and I'd be happy to be the one to do so, but my guess is this is going to get ugly," Kelwyn says as he loosens his rapier in its scabbard. "Maybe some of us should get in front of them in case a fight breaks out, so we can come at them from two sides."
Jesset is about to poing out the ogres when Doran beats him to it.
As the other gather round, Jesset nods "Trying to fool them into giving up the chest with out a fight is a worthy plan. "
Vaelus taps his forefinger lightly against the hilt of his blade and pushes himself from the wall under the eave. He glances towards what Doran indicates with an apathetic arch of an eyebrow, but pulls back to keep himself from being exposed to more rain and listens to the plan discussion.
"Give it whirl, Kelwyn. If they say no, we've lost nothing but surprise." Orsal whispers seconding the Elf. He stays in the second or backrow of the toughs of the group. He is confident in a melee but is also ready to let the Aram tank, Lithorian hunter, or swordsmen earn their reputations.
Tony looked around, then quickly donned his 'Man in Black' mask.
Tony will move to ahead of the ogres, stealthfully.
[ooc]I am large and in full plate so definitely no stealthing thing for me.
Kelwyn shrugs off the rain as he leads his companions in a short jog to catch up to the ogres. When he's within twenty feet he pulls back his hood and calls out, "Hello! You there! Kellisan Faymar has sent us to meet you! You've done a good and Mr. Faymar said he's so impressed with your service, that there's an extra twenty in gold in it for the each of you. He told us to tell you he'll find you at the usual place tomorrow," with a flourish and a bow he adds, "Now just leave the chest with us and well take it from here."
Jesset steps up behind Kelwyn, ready to act should the ogres reject his overture.
|
|
Tony
You sneak ahead through a side alley and arrive ahead of the ogres in the next street and sneak up to the corner they approach.
Everyone else jogs up to just behind the ogres. The ogres stop and turn around to listen Kelwyn as he tells an amazingly believable boldfaced lie. After you finish speaking they look at each other as if trying to decide between the two of them whether each believes whats been said. Finally the one on the left speaks Best to do what Kellisan say else he get mad....We do as he say, it you job to finish now They set down the chest and head out of the alley you hear one of them mutter as they walk off Hey Bill where it be that we usually meet Kellisan.....
"Gentlemen," Kelwyn says as he turns to his companions and bows low, and then, glancing at Victoria with a raised eyebrow, he adds, "and lady."
|
|
So before is the elaborate chest you have been after. The chest measures is about three feet long, two feet wide, and two feet tall and looks like it is quite heavy. It appears to be made of wood bound in bronze, with small bronze plates set into its back and sides; images of winged horses are engraved upon the plates as well as the wood and a hefty looking built-in lock adorns the front of the chest.
"Impressive. Most impressive. Kelwyn we all owe you drinks." Orsal whispers to the Elf with obvious and tremendous respect. "We should get this off the street before someone comes looking for it. Anyone have a safe house?" This adventuring definitely felt like piracy, and he liked it.
Vaelus delivers a quiet slow clap for Kelwyn, an approving smirk showing his appreciation for the elf's work.
Turning to address Orsal, he says flatly "I have a house. It is in Midtown and relatively safe. I can guarantee that we will not be disturbed, at least."
"Sounds good. Let's go. Jesset, Doran would you do the honors of carrying it?" Orsal whispers ready to take a corner if they need help.
Vaelus nods in response, adding "someone fetch Tony" and once they are ready, leads the group quickly and directly back to his modest abode in Midtown, taking only a few shortcuts and detours to avoid the routes he once knew the Watch to frequent.
"Well, that almost too easy. Who can defeat any traps and unlock this thing?" Orsal comments finding a comfortable wall to lean, so he can see the inside of the chest when it is open from as far away as the room allows.
Jesset places a hand on Kelwyn's shouder and says "Well done, indeed." then lends Doran a hand in lugging the chest to Vaelus' house.
"I have no skill with such things" Jesset states, taking up a chair to observe one of the other's attempt to open the chest.
"Let me have a look," Kelwyn volunteers. With that, he crouches down and looks over the lock for any traps. After he's done with his examination, he pulls a slim tool kit from out of his jerkin and gets to work trying to pick it.
Doran gives Kelwyn a suspicious look before baking as far away from the box as possible.
|
|
"Let me have a look," Kelwyn volunteers. With that, he crouches down and looks over the lock for any traps. After he's done with his examination, he pulls a slim tool kit from out of his jerkin and gets to work trying to pick it.
Kelwyn and Victoria
You begin looking over the chest thoroughly for any traps, and determine fairly quickly that the chest is not trapped. You move on to the lock itself and determine it does not appear to be trapped but is certainly locked. So you pull out your lock picks and with the help of Victoria begin working on picking it. You both take your time working on the lock, however every time you both think you about have it your lock picks slip up or fail to move the tumbler in the lock at just the right time. Its as if there is something preventing you both from opening the lock as your luck with locks has never been this bad.
Everyone else you watch as Kelwyn examines the chest for several minutes. He and Victoria eventually starts working on the lock but appear to have some difficulty with the lock and seem unable to get it open.
If there's enough room, Tony can Aid Another Disable Device.
After more than a few minutes pass, Kelwyn mutters something in elvish under his breath, and then looks at Victoria and Tony and shakes his head. "I don't know about you, but I've never seen anything so difficult," he says. As Victoria speaks, he takes a step back and after she's done he says, "It must be magically locked with some strong enchantment."
Jesset leans forward, chin in his hand "The mystery deepens... Is it the chest or its contents that was the prize?"
Vaelus watches the three fiddle with the lock for a while, appreciative to be indoors and drying out for a while. He spends some of his time quickly picking up the room and making sure everyone who wants one has a seat before sitting himself and having a smoke.
At Kelwyn's supposition and Jesset's subsequent question, the harrow elf furrows his brow and wracks his brain for any clues.