The woman walks down the pier and turns behind a stack of food and supplies waiting to be loaded into the ships galley. The Old Man creeps up on the other side of the stack and peeks around the back corner as if to hear something. With the best listening spot taken, you have mere moments to get into a position to observe what is going on.
Freia watched as the man and woman both made their way to the pier, thoughts racing in her head. What should I do? I wonder whom that old man is ... She almost pulls out her sketchbook to check the descriptions of the ship Captains she has in it, but it seemed too far fetched. Yet she didn't know of any other old men that might be involved in this. Might just be a pawn or a new player ...
She took a deep breath to evaluate her options, then made a silent decision. Quickly she made sure that all her books and valuables where safely stored away in her waterproof back, except another scroll of Monkey Fish she retrieved.
[message]"I'm going to try and get close. Maybe I can sneak out underneath the pier, clinging to the poles ..."[/message]
Her tone were slightly terrified, but determined. Silent as a shadow she snuck towards the pier. Once she was at the edge of the water, she uttered a silent prayer to all the gods she knew and moved the scroll to her mouth, keeping both her hands free.
By all the gods, I wish I could swim!
Luckily, it didn't look as if she would fall into the water just yet - and if that happened, she hoped to have enough time to use her scroll!
Noro simply remains out of sight as best she can waiting till she is needed to subdue the mark.
Freia starts at the base of the pier and slips under the deck. She is immediately confronted with thick, slimy algae, barnacles, and a stench of decay that can't quite be placed. Small cuts from the sharp barnacles are unavoidable. The spray of the sea, mild though it may be, only makes it worse as salt infiltrates the cuts from the damp wood.
In spite of all this she makes excellent headway and silently arrives under the pair only moments later. She can't see much, but she can hear. The voice filtering through the planks is confusing at best. It sounds male, but a female tone underpins it. It sounds like a chorus is talking all at once.
It's worth the risk. Someone is seeking me, though I haven't deduced who. One of those masks can lead me to them. Abrasax is a suspicious sot, so be careful. I can I'll afford a screw up of the magnitude Casper managed to pull off.
How much time do I have? Asks the lady.
Before the moon is full. Drop the mask in the dead drop at Courtland Mill.
As you say.
There is a creak as the Distributor steps back, meaning he is in fact there, then he is gone. You observe no incantations or gestures. He's just gone.
Freia climbs back as the woman walks back down the pier. More cuts happen, and she emerges just after the woman turns the corner onto the main street.
The rest of you, but primarily Halsana, see her coming. The Old Man is just a few paces behind, still stalking your target.
What do you do?
Good. I won't risk my poor investigation skills with approaching closer then. I will keep an eye on the Old Man and let you know if he starts to move."
Ariana moves to a vantage point within 30' or so of the Old Man and tries to keep an eye and ear on him.
Ariana will go ahead and cast glitterdust right on top of the woman at the same time she whispers via message. "Get her, now. Zayid, if the Old Man runs, send Aboki after him to bring him down. Without hurting him, he's more likely to speak to you.
The woman gasps as her vision winks out and she stumbles to a halt. Everything around her now looks like a unicorn lost its lunch, and several people are starting in shock.
Ow. Ow! OOwwww! Freia grimaced and her eyes teared a little. She bit down harder into the scroll she carried, her anti drowning measure had served more as a measure against crying out. I hope I won't need this scroll later in public, the marks are going to be hard to explain ... When she finally arrived back at dry land, she looked a little bit like she had a rough tumble trough a thorny bush patch, only with barnacles and seaweed.
Luckily for her, it seemed like most folks where distracted by the glittery spectacle up ahead. She spat the scroll out and afforded herself a quick mewling sound as she packed it back into her bags. A quick prestidigitation spell later she almost looked presentable and she started to head back to the others, retelling what she heard and noticed trough the Message spell.
"Noro, I trust you can do the rest."
Zayid growls low, his features becoming more feline as he studies the scene. Just as the woman approaches, he steps out into the street and flexes his clawed hands in anticipation as the thrill of night hunting runs through his veins. He grins, his fangs glinting in the low moonlight, and indicates the Old Man with his chin. "Keep him there, Aboki... hold him there, if you must."
The big cat bounds off to do his master's bidding as the tanned young man strides toward his prey, chanting in a low voice.
After the sparkly effect goes off Zayid lets loos a growl as he transforms, that growl masks Noro as she has her own growl, and with purpose, Noro moves in to grapple the woman they intend to capture.
(non-lethal)
In a matter of seconds the party engages. Aboki handles the Old Man while Noro comes out of nowhere and slams into the target. She's made of tough stuff though, and takes the hit well.
The lady struggles with Noro. Though she matches Noro in strength, being blind confers certain disadvantages Noro exploits to keep her contained.
Halsana - You get the feeling that this should end soon. Otherwise the action may attract unfriendly eyes. In fact, you see a Tear patrol coming this way!
Get her out of there, Noro! cries Zayid's mind, inhibited as it is by the cat-man's fearsome transformation. Nonetheless, some part of him understands the others' cries, and he does not eviscerate the woman where she stands; he simply reaches out and grasps her wrist firmly, aiding Noro in holding the woman down.
Aboki continues to menace the Old Man.
Noro forcibly moves the mark toward a safe hiding spot.
(+2 more if aid is allowed)
Noro wrestles the woman into the alley seperating the warehouse Halsanna is on and the supply store next door. The place reeks of fish and salt, but you're out of immediate view.
Zayid - The Old Man is currently frozen in place. You look like you're assisting Noro in getting the lady off the street, but really noro's doing the work there.
"Come on, Old Man... can't have them finding you either. Aboki, bring him!"
Oh, Aboki brings him alright, by nipping at his heels and generally herding him like a ball of yarn. He stumbles into the Alley in shock.
Zayid? What's going on? How did you get out?
"I could ask you the same," replies Zayid quietly, peering out from behind a trash bin as he tries to sight the danger.
Don't get smart with me, boy. he snaps even as he ducks into cover and lowers his voice. You had to have help, and knowledgeable help too. Then he starts to recognize all those around. Ohhh. Or powerful help. How's working for Ms. Never-There-When-You-Need-Her?
Trouble! Freia thought as she picked up Halsannas message. Zayid and Noro seemed able to handle their mark themselves (as evidenced by the fact that they both disappeared into an alley), so she merely followed them quickly. Grateful to be out of the immediate risk of drowning, she slips down behind Zayid and his trash bin and leans against the wall, rubbing her somewhat cut-up hands.
Haven't needed her yet, so I wouldn't know, comes Zayid's mental retort. He manages to stop himself from saying it, though, and instead replies, "So the bit about not having seen the outside in years... who are you afraid will find out?"
He hushes you as the Tears, none of whom you recognize, arrive at the scene. They look around and start to spread out. You need to leave. Now.
Halsanna- From your vantage point you can see two options for the group, possibly three.
One, a beeline for HQ. This would lead you through the dangerous back alleys and slums of the docks, but it would be fast and the Tears probably wouldn't ever know you were there.
Two, the thin access roads behind the shops and warehouses of the docks. These are more clear and are less infested with the dregs of society, but are more likely to be searched by Tears and are a more round about route in general.
Three, sneak out into the crowd of activity on the docks main sea side road. This carries great risk of being caught by Tears and is the most indirect route to HQ. You are unlikely to into gangs, however.
As for you, Halsanna, you can run across the roof tops pretty easily until you get close to HQ .
Ariana know check: Courtland Mill
One of the more successful grain mills on the industry laden Kyver's Islet in Ordellia district which lies south and west of the mainland city on the other side of Beacon's Point district to the south.
Abraxas: He is the Sorrow who seems to manage the masks that Tears wear. You have seen him do nothing else, actually.
Noro keeps quiet and does what she can to render the mark unconscious.
maintaining a sleeper hold on her till she passes out.
The woman struggles and writhes, but Zayid and Noro (mainly Noro) have her thoroughly contained. She soon stops struggling.
"Let's take the back alleys. Dangerous, less likely to be seen. I am not afraid of gangs. We can make short work of any who challenge us."
Now decided, Halsanna joins you from the roof and you set out at a brisk pace. You hear the alley you were just in get searched and know you moved just in time.
Eyes follow you on your way through the cramped, smelly back "roads" of the docks. The buildings lean in here and almost completely obscure the sky.
Worse comes to worst when the street you're following narrows to a man's breadth. You know it's measurement because of the man standing there. He wears all blue with a traditional Tien cap on his head. Every inch of your gut screams that he is not alone, though none is in sight.
Your passage was not arranged. Identify yourselves. He demands in accented common.
あなたがより良い質問が誰であるかである。私は、あなたは私たちが通過させることをお勧め。トラブルの必要はありません。
who are you is a better question. I would suggest you let us pass. No need for trouble.
Noro makes her presence, looking to convince them to back down without incident.
Trouble would be most unfortunate, I agree. He responds in common. Therefore I need your names and for whom you work. Only them can passage be allowed.
Noro looks at the others for a moment, then back at the thugs.
Who we are are none of your conshern, we're shome of Tanner'sh new enforshersh. and If ya want ta know what we are doin. I shuggesht you take it up with him.
Noro calls of all of her past experience as an ex Scarzani enforcer. making as much of the proper terminology she can recall.
Freia follows Noro's lead and puffs herself up in an attempt to look scary.
Somewhat scary, at least!
While Noro does that, Ariana attempts to locate the mysterious feeling of eyes on them. How many targets can she find.
The man nods. I see. I'll have to confirm with Nasus, of course, but I'm sure that'll pan out.
He steps aside for you.
Ariana - Your keen Elven senses pick out at least five men in the upper stories of the surrounding buildings. Good thing Noro has a handle on this, or you'd be in a shooting gallery, metaphorical fish in a barrel.
You proceed through the narrow opening into a wider back street that seems very well tended for the area. The streets are generally clean and the buildings, though run down, are open and in good repair. It takes you a dozen tense minutes to cross the gang's territory and not draw attention. At the far side the street narrows again and a group of guards mill about. Their leader, wearing the same cloak clasp and a suspicious expression, approaches you. He seems pale in the moonlight and thin, but his walk is strong.
Word was you were coming. Station one seemed to believe you, but I need to check again before you exit. Who did you say you were again?