At the halfling introduction Calendir whispers softly from slightly behind Nadja - Charming indeed...
"It appeared to the Venture Captain that your group had some...shortcomings. Obviously, we were sent to fill the void. She with her bow, he with his magic, and me with my blade."
"I might be able to help with your lookout problem." Aurora says quietly as she studies her new allies.
"Inside the doorway, a plank went across the room to another door. Below it, it looked like sewage, the smell I caught confirming it. On the east side, there were two sewer pipes where the smell came from. And the ceiling, like the floor, has been torn away. A ladder crawls from the sewage into the ceiling. Looked like an attic up there."
"It appeared to the Venture Captain that your group had some... shortcomings."
Nadja narrows her eyes at the insult, blinks and then smirks. Considering we were hand picked by our employer I would be careful what you say. Any shortcomings in our group would imply a certain lack of of forethought on their part. With a muted laugh, she gives Jotune a dismissive gesture. I told you once before to not mention who our employer is, and yet you continue to bandy about with titles. Clearly what you lack in the power of conversation you make up for with your amount speech. We are done. Now, Nadja says disdainfully ignoring the elf and looking to the other two arrival. that we have sorted out the details we need to move while we still have the darkness on our side. I want us to to have our target in chains and delivered before the sun is up. That leaves us less then three hours. We know that the door next to the street has several guards that have been watching for any suspicious traffic on the streets, so expect reinforcements the moment we make any loud noises. Once we go in, we make for high ground. One person should stay behind at the top of the ladder to hold off anyone trying to climb up. As we move Omoro and Calendir take point. Aurora I want you in the middle picking off anyone that tries to attack us at range and protecting the spell-casters. Myself, Raven and Welby will keep to the center as well. Jotune, you are rear guard. This isn't perfect, but seeing as how we have just met its the best that we can do until I can learn each of your strengths. And weaknesses. If anyone has anything else to say speak up now. If not then get yourselves prepared. We go in two minutes.
The elf waits to judge the reactions of the other long time members of the group to see how they respond to the orders given by the witch. "Very well milady, let's complete this mission," he adds with a mocking flourish toward Nadja.
It is as we had agreed before, lets get this sorted out - without another word, Calendir heads for the door once again, moving as quietly as possible.
Stealth:
Aurora responds with nod but a silent nod of affirmation, quickly drawing and nocking an arrow as she assumes her place among the group, a look of intense focus crossing her grey eyes.
Calendir steps up to the door again, leaning into it and listening.
Perception:
He then nods back to the others, making sure all are in position as agreed.
The elf quickly snatched his scimitar from its sheath, and follows the rest of the group .
Keeping her crossbow at the ready Nadja makes a quick hand motion for Calendir to open the door and move inside.
Calendir in fact does so, opening the door and advancing inside, ready to strike at any enemy in sight.
Calendir opens the door to the southern room. Inside, the place is pitch black. Even those with low-light vision can only barely see the board in front of the them that stretches into the blackness. The floor quickly gives way into a deep pit, its bottom completely dark.
Scratchy child-like voices can be heard coming from somewhere beyond the room. They echo slightly, like they're coming from an enclosed space.
Noises can be heard coming from the pipes.
Calendir whispers quietly - I can't see a damned thing... Shall I light a torch or can someone conjure magical light?
I don't like the idea of losing a potential advantage, but better to see then be struck down in the darkness. Leaning in close to Calendir and Aurora, Nadja whispers. Aurora, I am going to cast a spell of illumination on your arrow. When I do, shoot it in into the wall or ceiling. Everyone ready? Nadja quietly hisses before channeling her will into a tightly focused intent. As her will gathers about her, Nadja demands that the world bend to her, that light will appear as she demands.
Aurora releases the arrow, firing up into the ceiling 10 ft into the room.
Raven follows with Nadja's instructions, though she keeps her gaze fixated on the pipes while they prepare the light arrow. "I still don't like those pipes. If anything should venture forth, I'll attempt to impede it's vision."
The arrow sinks into the wood of the room, illuminating the entire place.
The entire floor of this chamber has collapsed into the pool of water five feet below. The earthen walls of this flooded subcellar ooze with foul rivulets, and the smell is abominable. Two oozing sewer pipes protrude through the east wall of this pit just above the level of the sewage. Part of the ceiling above the entrance has collapsed, revealing an attic crawlspace above; a rickety ladder leads up from the water into the crawlspace. A door stands in the far wall across the sludge pit. A wooden plank balanced between both doors makes a precarious bridge between the two doors.
Natalya's Hideout, Ground Floor
The chatter is coming from the pipes and whatever is inside has probably noted the sudden and unexpected change in illumination. A few seconds later, the head of a goblin pops out of the pipe.
Surprised by the appearance of the goblin Aurora releases a rushed sot at the goblin, the arrow flying wide of her intended target.
The arrow sinks into the foul dirt of the sides of the pit, near to the pipe. The goblin yelps.
The goblin pulls back into the pipe and shouting can be heard from within.
A cheer rises from the pipe.
Not seeing a chance to close with his enemies and use his scimitar, the elf stows the blade securely. He then pulls his longbow and loads it with an arrow, preparing to fire at any goblins that show their ugly head.
I am not getting into that water Nadja thinks to herself. Eyeing the ladder next to the door she motions for Calendir to move up. Calendir, Omoro up the ladder. Nadja commands pointing with a sharp movement of her hand. Jotune and Aurora keep the goblins pinned down. Pausing, Nadja waits for the hulking half-elf and tengu to ascend the ladder up before she follows behind.
Raising his eyebrow at Nadja's hand movement, Calendir comments at her as he starts moving - We need some serious work on that tone Nadja, but I am sure we'll get there... Eventually...
The half-elf moves towards the ladder, intent on climbing it, putting his greatsword away.
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Armed with a blade rather than a bow, Omoro clucks his disapproval as the goblin ducks into the pipes, and moves into the room. He keeps his eye on the plank, assuming the goblins have introduced a fault into it.
Following Calendir, putting away my wakizashi to climb the ladder. Since he's probably in the way, can I make a Perception test to see if I notice anything fishy about the makeshift bridge?
Perception:
As Calendir and Omoro ascend the ladder, Nadja follows behind towards the attic crawlspace.
Onto game stuffs. The board doesn't appear to be trapped. You think that someone could probably cross it pretty easily, although it looks a bit thin to accomodate a lot of people. It's also thin enough that it might take time or some skill to cross.
Nadja and Omoro wait for Calendir to enter the room and begin crawling along the side.
Calendir halts just before he gets to the ladder.
Raven follows Nadja up the ladder next, glancing down at the pipes as she goes.
This stair is in dire shape... I don't think any of us can climb it at all... Calendir comments to Omoro following up behind him.
"If the ladder doesn't work, someone can try the plank to the other side. Welby and I will make sure the goblins are held off, if they try something."
Omoro tosses the grappling hook up into the hole, snagging it easily and ensuring that it is stable.
Three goblins burst out from the pipes, screaming in their foul language.
One of them clacks its teeth together towards the group before they all throw pouches at the group.
The pouches fly past Calendir and Omoro as they are able to dodge them, but the last strikes Nadja as she enters, bursting upon her. The stink of shit mixes with the rest of the odors of the room as night soil and glass fly from the bags.
YOU ODIOUS LITTLE RUNT! Nadja screams, her usual cool anger stoked into a furious blaze. You never touch a woman's hair! Seethes the beautiful woman, now caked in goblin dung and shards of glass. With a cruel and dismissive gesture Nadja curses the goblin. Your dead you little beast, you just don't know it yet!
Jotune looses an arrow at the closest goblin, quickly pulling another arrow to replace the one he has just fired.
Attack
Damage
Nadja gestures at the goblin and its eyes begin to droop, but it shakes its head and slaps itself about the face and seems to wake back up. It gives Nadja an idiotic, toothy grin.
Jotune's arrow sinks into the shoulder of the nearest goblin and the creature yelps in pain from the deep wound.
You diminutive wretch! The Sczarni woman hisses. Pointing towards the goblin that threw muck on her. You WILL obey me. I said SLEEP!
Round 2
Raven summons a smattering of colors, sending them flying in a display at one of the goblins, attempting to blind the creature.
With icy calm Aurora releases the arrow at the bow string, the next one in place at almost the same moment the last sinks to the fletching in her target.
Calendir draws his bow, taking a bead at one of the goblins .
Attack:
Damage if it hits: