Stela had no intention of risking being spotted scouting the place, but ultimately finds herself unwilling to be the only one who has not at least taken a look. She plays it safe, though, passing by the corner of the street and looking down to see what she can see.
Spooked by the thought of facing Gaedren again, she retreats to the fortune teller's house to rendevous with the others that night.
Kimiko looks at Mirian confused when she mentions Stela is an elf. "How can you tell the difference? Your skin is so similar and your features are basically identical. There must be something I'm missing. I must apologize to Stela for the offense later."
Kimiko returns to the matter at hand. "I do not like the prospect of tangling with sharks. My armour isn't particularly heavy but I would not want to risk it. I suspect entering a window through the east wing might be safer. I can scale structures fairly well and can help others to get in first. I do have ample strength in my arms, I can give the others a boost in." Kimiko looks around doing her hood up. "Shall we return to the fortune teller's house and wait for nightfall then? I feel we have enough information to enter the place this evening."
When they decide to return to the fortune teller's house Kimiko asks "Oh would you know the process of prosecution in this city, being that you seem familiar with the guards? I think Graeden has some information on a certain case a year ago, I would like to get that information but I doubt he'd speak in a court of law."
Caedric returns to the fortuneteller's house. He checks around the outside to make sure no one is watching the house then enters. He nods to the women and says "The front door is chained and locked. The lock looks old. I don't think anyone uses that entrance anymore. As I passed by, something inside reacted to my presence. I heard barking and growling. He must have a watchdog of some sort."
"It's the ears. They're longer", Mirian answers Kimiko and gestures. "And the eyes are full."
Back at the Zellara's home Miri listens to the others before speaking up herself. "I feel we should prospone the raid one night. Today we learned about the exterior and a place of entry, but we know next to nothing about what awaits us inside. I would suggest that tomorrow I ask around and try to gather who, if any, Lamm is sharing that house with."
As Kimiko returns with Mirian she bows deeply in front of Stela "Forgive me, I had mistaken you for a human. I had no wish to cause you offense by naming you something you were not."
After she raises from the bow she says. "I have figured where the hatchlings are in the building and I have seen that the east side of the building is fairly empty. I suspect we can go in that way."
In reply to Mirian Kimiko says "No we do not but I am not sure a delay is needed. You say that the law is in the pocket of this man, do you not think that would mean details of what is inside be sealed up fairly tightly behind men's lips?" She ponders for a moment "I feel it would be easier to sneak in and attack a sentry then question him for information. Surely the sentries would definitely know more of the inside than possibly hearing about a secret place on the streets."
If you are following the cart, please make a Stealth roll.
If you are also asking around after Lamm's known associates, please make a Streetwise roll.)
"I'm not suggesting asking around the guard", Mirian says with a slight edge of distaste in her voice. The guard had never done anything except to convice her that it had nothing to do with the solutions to the problems Korvosa was facing. When the small time gang had terrorized her fathers tailor shop in order to gain protection money, the guard had done nothing. It had actually been Mirian herself that put a stop to the harassment. One broken nose to the leader and the hoodlums had given up. Turns out they wheren't so tough after all. That knee to the face of the older boy was what had started it all. First signing up for the Korvosan City Guard, then taking on the role as a vigilante and now it had led to this. Truth be told, the guard had also provided martial training, but Mirian showed talent and in her mind she would have picked it up eventually. Guard or no guard.
"I'm talking about asking the locals. Listening to rumors surrounding Lamm. A sentry might take time to interrogate, time we most likely will not have during the assault. And that is if we manage to take one alive. " Mirian straightens her back and runs her fingers through her hair trying to think. "Although his 'lambs' are probably only loyal to his rule of terror, not to the old man himself. If we can take out the sentry, we can wake one of the children and ask more about what waits inside. That does rely on us getting to their sleeping quarters before exploring the rest of the house, though."
"It's likely that the children will be too afraid of him to betray him," Stela says, a hard scowl on her face as she tries not to think of her time under Lamm's thumb. "Ultimately, I think our best but is to try to find him before he discovers we're there. Find out what you can today, but I am not willing to risk letting him slip through our fingers. He dies tonight."
Asking around, you learn that Gaedren Lamm works under an influential figure in the criminal underworld called Devargo Barvasi, the self-styled 'King of Spiders'. He operates out of Eels End and takes a cut of any illegal activity conducted within the boundaries of Old Korvosa. Even those members of the criminal sorority that operate outside of the old district take care to stray on Barvasi's good side, those that don't are rumoured to be fed to the spiders over which Barvasi seems to hold some manner of powerful compulsion.
"I can be convincing, I might be attractive to my race but many of you consider me quite the monster so I'm sure a scared sentry will loosen their tongue." Kimiko nods at Stela
"I would rather not question the hatchlings anyway, they have likely be put through more than enough damage through their time with Gaedren. If you are to find rumours I suggest you do it quickly thouugh I doubt it will help us get much information of what we will actually face inside there." Kimiko says doubtfully.
"We should get some drugged or poisoned meat to feed to the watchdog I heard. Could save us some trouble," suggests Caedric.
"I can be convincing, I might be attractive to my race but many of you consider me quite the monster so I'm sure a scared sentry will loosen their tongue." Kimiko nods at Stela
I'm sure you can, Mirian thinks to herself. The armor and weaponry would be intimidating in their own right. Adding the fangs, eyes and scales it's a nobrainer. The more Mirian thought about it the stranger it became that she didn't feel it. Apart from the embarassing initial reaction she'd had Miri didn't feel threatened at all.
"All right then, it seems that we're doing this tonight. Let's go over the plan and who does what before we head out."
Stela looks to the reptilian creature and gives it a smile, her single-minded focus on Lamm's destruction broken for the first time since she had returned to Korvosa.
"You appear strange," she says. "But men like Lamm have taught me that what makes a true monster is not always apparent. I welcome you and your skill."
She looks at the others then. "I think drugging the watchdog is a good idea. I would rather not kill it, as it is merely an animal. If possible, I would like to attempt to spare the children as well, but our best chance at that will be to eliminate Gaedrenn immediately."
Kimiko clicks her tongue against her teeth and laughs a little "You were taught not to judge by appearance after an event with such a man. I do not think everyone has had that chance." Kimiko nods and returns to more important things.
"Spare the hatchlings? That sounds odd, we should definitely attempt to save them. So the plan then is then obtain someway to poison the guard dog, enter as stealthily as possible through an empty part of the building. Then once inside try to get a hold of a sentry or anyone inside for that matter. Interrogate him for Gaedrenn's location that night, get near as possible without triggering an alarm then make a break for the man with the intent of taking him out?"
Mirian jerks her neck at a whiplash speed to face Stela as the elf speaks. "What are you talking about? Of course we're going to spare the children! We're there for Lamm, the children have done nothing except to fall under the influence of such a vile soul!"
Stela nods and touches the wasp pin that holds her cloak in place.
"It seems that we agree," she says, and gives Mirian a chilly smile. "I do not see what cause there is for you to be upset. The children will be spared if possible."
"The way you are addressing the issue sounds like you would dispose of the hatchlings if they get in the way. What if you were in their position, would you want your would be saviours to 'spare' you?" Kimiko asks Stela. She then taps the end of her Katana then moves on from the topic.
Tarrying on semantics won't get me any closer to finding some evidence.
"If we are all in agreement of the plan since I heard no objections shall we go enact it then?" Kimiko asks the group as she begins to head out.
"I was in their position," Stela says. "I intend to kill the man who put them and me in that position. Given the choice, I would spare the children, but we do not know what we will face when we are inside. The children may die despite our best efforts. I, or any of us, may die. This is the risk we take. If you will not accept the risk, perhaps it would be wiser not to throw the dice."
Kimiko turns back to Stela not surprised by her answer "Good, so since you know. Don't let that rage cloud your judgement. Do not let your hate for that man take what is left of your compassion. We shall do both, kill that man and get the hatchlings back. If we do not set out to accomplish both we shall accomplish neither."
Kimiko draws her Katana and holds it towards the ground."I know the risk, I am in a country far from home with people that hate me. Me coming here is risk enough to my life, fighting a criminal is only adding that little bit more. I shall protect the meek and shall protect those hatchlings. Just like I would protect you if you were still there. If I am not capable to even attempt that, then I shall ask you to be my second as you cut of my head." Kimiko sheathes her Katana. "Now, before your blood boiling wears off let us go kill a man that doesn't deserve his claim to life."
Caedric says, "Good, I will procure a sedative and some meat and join you at the fishery. I may need more gold, do any of you have it lend?"
"If possible isn't good enough. We can't go in there with the notion that sacrificing the children is a viable option!" Mirian protests. "We're going to get Lamm, but we're not going through any of the children to do it."
"So when Lamm puts his knife to a child's throat, you will do what he demands," Stela says. "It is good to know that. I speak from personal experience when I say that he will use the children however he can. That is why I intend to kill him."
"No we would not, you are now letting rage get the better of you. If I threatened you with your life you would not keel over. Neither would I if someone else was threaten, I would let my training and judgement get the better of a weak man like him. Now let us leave before we are literally at each other's throats and not Gaedrenn's." Kimiko says starting to lose patience.
Kimiko reaches into her purse and produces some coins "Buy what you need Caedric, consider it good will from Nagajor."
On the way Kimiko addresses Stela when she has a moment alone.
"I understand your rage, in my land that would be a great loss of ones honour to be treated like dirt. Most of my kind with my standing would suicide to regain their honour. Let me help you regain yours in another way, no matter what happens in there I shall make sure you get the pleasure of taking the finishing strike." Kimiko taps Stela's shoulder. Kimiko can relate to the pain though not quite the same way. A brother in chains with no chance to regain his honour has left her as the only person that can help in this foreign land. A driven look in Kimiko's eyes will confirm her sincerity.
"So when Lamm puts his knife to a child's throat, you will do what he demands," Stela says. "It is good to know that. I speak from personal experience when I say that he will use the children however he can. That is why I intend to kill him."
"Yes I would", Mirian insists. "I want to take down Lamm and I will do it. But it will not be through a child." As she speaks her eyes flare with a steely resolve that refuses to budge. Probably the same resolve that drives Stela. Same goal, two different widely different approaches.
"Before we go there is one more thing I want to say. I have asked around and it seems that Gaedren works for a man called Devargo Barvasi, 'The king of spiders'. For those who do not know him he is a crime lord in Old Korvosa. When we stop Gaedren it is possible that we will make an enemy out of this man. I am not trying to dissuade any of you from going through with this, but I think that you should be aware of the possible consequences this night might have."
Thunder rumbles overhead as you return to Westpier 17. Dark clouds obscure the waxing moon and a chill drizzle begins to fall. Soon, the entire city is being pelted with heavy rain, soaking anyone caught in the open as thoroughly as though they had fallen into the Jeggare River. Lightning flashes, starkly illuminating the old fishery for but a moment before the sodden shadows envelop the derelict building once more. Tonight is a foul night to be sure, a foul night for foul deeds....
Mirian follows behind Fujiwara, leaving it for the Nagaji to take the lead. She takes extra care with her footing as to not cause an alarm, and her eyes dart back and forth looking for potential sentries. All other energy is directed at keeping her hands and knees from shaking. This was it, a first atempt on at the big leagues. It was do or die. Literally.
Kimiko leads the group keeping any heat signatures she detects of what she presumes is guard in view. The loading dock area has far more people near it so Kimiko tries to detect the safest entrance in.
If she determines there is a lot of people either way , she will slowly calm herself go to the entrance with the dog. Approach it slowly then take her sheathed blade and forces the lock. After she does, she will bid someone to throw the meat into the room so the dog can eat it.
Stela advances alongside the Nagaji, one hand on her sword, the other holding her shield overhead to keep the rain off. She is glad for the rain, for it keeps people off the street, and muffles the sound of their approach. As they come close, the cold certainty and determination she had felt changes, and she feels her heart racing at the thought of finally erasing the man that has caused so much pain.
"Guide us in this, Savored Sting," she whispers, and touches the wasp pin on her cloak.
Notice:
Explosion: Total = 18
The sound of the padlock breaking rouses the animal in the room beyond, who begins to growl threateningly from the other side of the door. The door is now unlocked, rather that opening in/out, the door seems to slide sideways on a set of squeaky, rust-flaked rollers.
Dog's Agility:
Kimiko quickly grabs the meat throwing it inside trying to get it's attention on the meat instead of them.
The guard dog, a scabby little mongrel with mismatched eyes and bristly fur launches itself at the door as you slide it open on screeching rollers. As you haul it closed again, there is a satisfying thump as the vicious animal collides with the other side. It barks a few times before noticing the drugged meat on the floor. It sniffs it suspiciously then tucks in heartily. Sometime later, it succumbs to the sedatives that Caedric laced the meat with and collapses, dreaming doggy dreams.
Kimiko nods to the rest of the group. "Are we ready?"
Mirian stands frozen in time as the guard dog's barks echo through the night. What felt as an eternity passes until the thump finally declares that the coast is clear.
She nods at Fujiwara. "Ready to move when you are", she says trying to make her voice sound more confident than she actually is. Drawing a deep breath she follows the nagaji samurai inside. Gaedren Lamm, tonight you face retribution.
Beyond the door is a dusty reception room that doesn't look as though it has seen much use since the front entrance to the fishery was chained shut. A single desk sits in the middle of this room, a moldy chair pushed up against the far side. A small pile of ratty furs and straw is heaped under the table. This is likely where the guard dog would ordinarily sleep. Right now, the comatose animal is sprawled beside the desk, wheezing softly. There are 4 exits from this room. The door to right leads into a small barracks containing three simple cots and little else. From beyond the door to the right, you can hear raised voices, one of Gaedren's thugs is bullying the children to work harder. There are two doors in the north wall, one of which is labelled 'office'.
Mirian holds up her finger to her lips to indicate silence. Then she sneaks up to the northenmost doors and put her ear to them, listening for sounds on the other side.
Pressing your ear to the first door , you can hear nothing over the thunderous applause of the rain against the roof of the old fishery. Moving to the second door, you hear nothing for a few moments, then catch the distinctive sound of someone clearing their (particularly phlegmy) throat, then the scrape of a chair leg against the warped, wooden floorboards.
Kimiko without much training or any idea how to talk in sign language makes motions with her hands like walking. She points at the door where the sound of the chair came from, then motions with her hands a person as her index finger. She then punches her finger. Then waits for a response.
Whispering, "Sounds like that one," indicating the door on the right, "might be what we want. I'll open the door if it's locked, then Grau and Kimiko should burst in followed by me and Mirian, while Stela covers us. Sound like a plan?"
"No!", Mirian almost blurts out before catching herself and turning her protest into a whisper. "We don't know who's in there. It might be Lamm, or it might be someone else. If we run into the room we loose the surprise we have right now. We should sneak inside, gag whomever's there."
Miri scans the room for anything that could be used to tie and gag the person in the office.