Belde is a town in western Cheliax situated on the banks on the Maiestas River, between the Menador Mountains and the Barrowood. It is ruled by Paracount Marcellus Thurvian, who nominally oversees the goings-on in all of western Cheliax. Given it is roughly 125 miles from Egorian, you are likely a week's journey from the city if you take the well-patrolled road between the two cities, and probably double that if you plan on going directly through the Barrowood. That far from the center of Thrune power, it likely has a less stringent watch, but by no means would it be lawless.
You're not sure who Pavre Ricer is, so likely that is by design. The Mantis are a secretive lot, and assets are well-protected. He's most probably not an assassin, but part of the Red Mantis network nonetheless.
Ghiv walks along with his brothers and sisters in blood. A joke? Is everything meant to be funny? I do not understand
As they walk Mama talks leisurely of all she remembers about Belde, from her studies.
"I've never heard of Pavre Ricer, but isn't that what you've come to expect when we're entering a new territory? We Mantises like to keep a low profile, eh?"
"Belde though I know a bit about. It's a town in western Cheliax situated on the banks on the Maiestas River, between the Menador Mountains and the Barrowood. It is ruled by Paracount Marcellus Thurvian, who nominally oversees the goings-on in all of western Cheliax. Given it is roughly 125 miles from Egorian, we are likely a week's journey from the city if we take the well-patrolled road between the two cities, and probably double that if we plan on going directly through the Barrowood. That far from the center of Thrune power, it likely has a less stringent watch, but by no means would it be lawless.
"Which raises the question: how do we get there? We could just take the road, and we're good enough at disguise to likely make it work...but after the antics we just pulled it's quite possible they have extra patrols..possibly supplemented with divination or devils like the one at the citadel's gate. Given all of that, I think I'd rather we try our luck in the backwoods."
"We are creatures of darkness. The road is not for us," Yamyra says. "Achekek will test us in the forest if he sees fit, if not its shaded glades will hide our passage from the eyes of Thrune."
Eris frowns but makes no further comment. In truth, she excelled in urban environments, and hiking through rough terrain faintly disgusted her. She was a trickster, a master of disguise, not someone who enjoys tramping across the countryside like some common footsoldier.
Still, Eris knew that her companions were not quite as skilled as she was at disguising themselves, and it would be churlish to insist on an alternative route. They were a team, and if the backwoods would help them all better avoid detection, then the backwoods it would be.
Ghiv shrugs, woods or roads. He was comfortable traveling wherever he must.
Darkness? No, we are creatures of Blood. Darkness masks our arrival when we wish it, but is it not advantageous to slay the tyrant and sinner in the daylight for all to see? We are the hidden blade, the poison in the soup, we are death and death need not cower.
The Barrowood is a dense, twisted tangle of a forest, though game trails and small footpaths cris-cross the expanse. The ground is uneven and rough, with huge moss- and tree-covered hills and dim rugged valleys to exhaust the travelers as they cut through the wild.
The going is slow, as too often the group encounters steep ravines that require long detours, or huge deadfalls that cannot be pushed through. Those who have more urban skill sets are sore pressed.
During the afternoon of the fifth day of their woodland journey, the Mantises are moving through a swath of pine. The accumulated needles soften footfalls, and the sounds of the forest are quieter here.
Suddenly, a strange hooting-growl rises from a particularly dense tangle of brush, and out comes two large bearlike creatures with feathers and a razor-sharp beak. With a feral glint in their eyes, they begin rushing toward the party.
"Oh how wonderful" Eris remarks sarcastically "It looks like the local animal population is stupid enough to consider us a meal"
Quickly making a various hand signals to indicate her attack plans, Eris prepares to attempt a flanking maneuver, the better to nail all two owlbears with a Color Spray from range.
Ghiv waits for the Owlbears to get closer and then he attacks, maneuvering in such away to flank with Sa'Kage or another of his siblings.
Channel force 2 more attacks
Attack +8 Damage 1d8+5
Kage blinks in surprise when the Owlbears rush from out of the undergrowth. He falls into a fighting stance, but realizes he hasn't drawn his blades and curses inwardly.
Mama's eyes go wide at the site of the odd hybrids. "Those are owlbears! Watch out, they're vicious."
She falls in behind the front line, as they've been practicing, and uses her whip to distract the massive beasts--cracking it to their left and then their right.
Mind still shocked, Kage blinks in indecision, however his body long trained for such emergencies, is already sprinting into action. Kage finds himself flanking Ghiv's target, he ducks as the enraged creature tries to claw him and then Kage counter attacks!
stunned 1 round
saves
The first owlbear stands affected by Eris' spell, allowing Ghiv and Kage to step inside the monster's impressive reach without risk. Ghiv's attack falls short, but Kage's strikes -- made true by Bess's whip -- are brutal and sends the creature's blood spraying across the forest floor.
Yamyra runs towards the nearest owlbear, with her saber drawn. She slides up next to it, and slashes with her saw-toothed blade.
Yamyra's attack adds another crimson streak to the creature's fur. It still stands, staggering under the massive wounds on it, but unable to act due to Eris' spell.
The other, however, steps forward and swings its massive forearms at Kage, who had separated himself from the group by moving around to flank the other.
Despite Bess' best efforts, the beast is able to rake Sa'Kage with its claws and pull him into a viselike grip.
"Oh no you don't" Eris scolds the Owlbear, casting Grease on Sa'Kage's clothing in order to decrease the likelihood of the creature to maintain its grip.
Myra slashes the owlbear again. Ya!!
Ghiv steps forward, he enjoys battle...but against humanoids not beasts.
AND DC 15 Will for 1/2
Mama does her best to help Kage escape the owlbear, and then stands ready to distract any further attacks with her whip.
Myra and Ghiv drop the first owlbear with their combined attacks.
With the aid of Eris' spell, the slayer is able to extricate himself from the owlbear's grip.
The owlbear seems to ignore the slippery one, and its wide eyes fixates on another target: Ghiv.
Again, Bess is able to keep the worst of the attacks off her brother in blood, but one claw manages to connect.
Though the claws do lot of damage, Ghiv is not grabbed.
Myra rushes towards the bear attacking Ghiv, and slices it along its belly with her serrated saber.
After worming his way free, Kage gasps, "Thanks! That was unpleasant... "
Knowing that these beasts are dangerous with a far greater reach than any man, Kage ducks and dives in an attempt to reach the last Owlbear in molested.
Ghiv attacks once more from flanking
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Kage and Ghiv team up to take on the owl bear, warily circling it, testing for any weakness. The creature snaps at Ghiv, and bats at him with one taloned claw, threatening to eviscerate him! Kage's right hand sword flicks in to check the blow, and almost as an afterthought, his left sword strikes the creature deeply in a soft spot under it's arm.
The remaining owlbear cannot withstand the concerted attacks of the Mantises, and dies swiftly.
The assassins resume their journey through the Barrowood. In the following days of rugged travel, the group manages to avoid through skill or luck any of the serious dangers within the forest. Several days after the owlbear attack, they encounter a number of giant beetles which unsuccessfully attempt to grab and carry off the halflings. They fall quickly to the sabre blades.
Days after that, and by the time the Red Mantises are fully exhausted of wilderness travel and even Mama Bess's genial encouragement is frayed to its end, they come upon a wondrous sight. Materializing out of the dense foliage is a giant preying mantis, stepping across the assassins' path heedless of their presence. Though it steps lightly for something of its size, the sound of its footfalls fill their ears as they stand mesmerized by its presence. It turns its head once toward them, and its beady eyes swivel in their direction, before moving on into the brush.
The next day after encountering the giant mantis, the group steps out of the Barrowood and see, in the distance a hazy ribbon of a river with the smudge of a city upon its banks. By nightfall, the assassins have crossed the fields and stand before the city gates. The guards appear to be vigilant, requesting documents for all travelers attempting entry into the city of Belde.
"Time to be sneaky again I think", Eris remarks, already planning her standard change shape routine, although unconvinced that it could get all of them through at once, as opposed to just her.
"What did you have in mind? I can disguise myself, but it might be easier to wait for nightfall and just slip over the wall or something."
Kage considers their options and agrees that, "Entering under the cover of darkness sounds good in theory. Does this town have walls? If so I can probably climb them, but it would be best to plan our approach in daylight if at all possible."
If the others agree, Kage will go on a reccie to take a look at the town from a distance, to get a sense of how best to enter. Hoping to evade any patrols and remain unseen.
Ghiv nods at Sa'Kage's assessment. Some of us could enter by daylight, others might need an alternate entry
The city is indeed surrounded by a wall which boasts three gates. The grandest one faces east, and bears the great seal of Egorian over the portcullis. The one to the north is approached by a deep-rutted road which carries a constant stream of wagons hauling timber from the nearby forest into the city. The southern gate appears much more pedestrian, where nearby farmers and traders bring their wares to the markets within. At night, only the Egorian Gate is open to allow travelers ingress.
Eris thinks hard before hesitantly offering a solution. "In truth, getting into the city should not be a difficult issue, all you need to do is create a distraction at the gate and in all the confusion you slip inside. For instance, I could subtly glitterdust the guards at a gate and simply get lost in the crowd. Of course, I could simply walk through the gate with my disguise skill on my own, but that solution doesn't really allow anyone else to follow after me."
Mama smiles and shakes her head.
"Relax sweeties. Remember, I know a lot about Belde. It's quite common for a moderately well-to-do artisan to arrive with bodyguards and a few servants. Eris, you're a calligrapher. I'll forge your papers and then give you my pens. Kage and Ghiv are bodyguards you hired to protect you on the road. Myra and I are of course your slaves. Since we've been at Egorian recently, we can say truthfully we came that way.
"Just give me a bit of time to forge the documents. Then we walk up as relaxed as can be...though Kage and Ghiv at least have their weapons on them. Sound good?"
Kage nods his approval, "That sounds like a sensible plan Mama. I shall play the part of suitably bored mercenary." Of course in truth, Kage was anything but bored. He was chafing at the bit to find out how he might serve He Who Walks In Blood once again...
As the mantises discussed their plans, Kage surreptitiously observed his new 'family', thinking ' We achieved something that was by rights impossible, getting one past the hell knights. What challenge will have this time? Surely it can't be something simple...'
"Sounds acceptable. Unless they have devils guarding the gate here too, my hat of disguise should hide my weapon," Myra chips in.
Ghiv says The Bloody one has granted me the power to change my form. I can enter the town.
With a bit of preparation, disguises, and illusions, Bess' forged documents allow the assassins inside the city walls without trouble. They find themselves amongst the gaslit streets of the Bends, the district streets curving to match the shape of the outer wall. Several taverns throw their ruddy light into the street and the sound of the minstrels escape into the night. This district is active even after dark, with several inns beckoning weary travelers with promises of warm baths, hot meals and soft beds.
Kage whispers to his companions, "We should find an inn, and then make some enquires about millers. If we need a reason to be asking, perhaps we can make out we're hoping to buy a load of flower to cater for some event or other."
Choosing the Sleeping Turtle -- as good an inn as any -- the Red Mantis are able to enjoy a good night's rest.
Kage's initial suggestion of inquiring about purchasing large quantities of flour brings about a dead end. A little more investigation yields the fact that Ricer is actually a saw miller, and runs a location down on the river near the north gate.
The next morning, the assassins learn the location of Pavre's mill and head in its direction. The structure is unremarkable in its design; a large paddle wheel set in the swiftest current powers the great saw blades which are then used to split the large logs that are pushed into the canal just slightly upstream from the mill.
Frowning slightly at the rather plain sight, Eris remembers that it was important to not focus too much on appearances, if nothing else, a quick look in the mirror would remind her of this. Approaching the Mill carefully, Eris casts Detect Magic, just to gain as much information as she could.
Ghiv casts Disguise Self once more to cover his appearance and look like a nondescript mercenary or Caravan Guard.
Kage tries to keep his eyes peeled for any dangers, but he cant help but day dream about their next task. Would they be called to kill a king, rob a dragon or slay an unkillable daemon?
Eris detects no magic when they approach, but soon is able to tell the mill is a very large one, and the number of employees moving in and around it must number close to a hundred. A quick inquiry about the location of Pavre Ricer has one of the millers pointing to a smaller building attached to the main structure with a nicely-appointed entrance.
The group manages to talk their way past the exotic tiefling receptionist and a handful of burly guards to get an audience with Ricer. His offices are well-appointed; clearly his milling business has been doing well, or he puts a lot of effort into the appearance of prosperity. Light refreshments are offered as the receptionist goes to get the mill's proprietor.
When he shows up, he looks somewhat shocked at your group's diversity, but quickly dismisses that and looks to be all business. Ricer is a bull-necked man, barrel-chested with thick, meaty arms. He clears his throat with a low rumble as he nods in greeting. Then he sits down at the other end of the table. So, here you are. Good. The name's Ricer, but you should already know that.
What I need is no secret, though my using your -- society's services -- is something I'd like kept quiet. Besides, all your work should be outside Belde anyway. He scratches his stubbly beard. I've already made the arrangements with your skinny associate. He said all I would need to do is give you the job and to answer any questions you might have. So, I need a dryad killed. She's protecting a swath of forest that I've got claim to. Official Thrune license to that timber, but there's a dryad and her bunch of fae that's managed to turn away or charm all my loggers. I've even hired a group of adventurers to do it, but now they're protecting the forest with her!
He had been rather animated and the frustration was clear in his gestures, but then he sits back in his chair, his anger simmering.
I am staking much on this. Your society's reputation is one that I can trust to see the job through. What information do you need from me?