AI-eon watches Moira enter.
Arlo:
Arlo arrives at the drop off point and is headed by "Lady Ann" who situates the dwarf behind a shack with her, watching Spencer peering into the warehouse basement through a crack and signalling the going within.
Moira:
Moira is very surprised when Mueller comes to her with information about the boat dropoff, but she rolls with the information. "Mueller, this clearly isn't idle office chatter, what's your angle? I take it you want a representative there to make sure the deal happens. If you wanted it squashed, you could have gone to the city guard. Give me the details, your contact, and I'll attend. I didn't have plans tonight anyway."
Mueller is a bit taken aback by Moira’s insight. He confesses that he is something of a “silent partner” in the deal. Expected to take a reasonable cut for very little effort. It seems late to get involved more actively but he’s willing to let Moira take the lead here. Moreover, he mentions the lead trader in the deal is Thranos (a trader with several court judgments against him but who somehow keeps operating in Ovium). The customer is mentioned as only “The Green Shadow” (expects the good delivered in certain caves, will pay Thranos and then others).
Hours later, Moira hustles through the dark city, softly cursing her timing as she trails after the bravos who got tired of waiting for her and left to make the meeting on time. She slips in and tries to allay their suspicion, telling enough of the truth to satisfy those gathered without revealing her true goals...
Slipping in after Kells, Moira barely avoids the two traders leaping at her. With confidence and persuasion, she keeps them listening while she outlines her involvement (claiming, in fact, The Green Shadow requested this). Once she’s done, the two traders, one with Goatee, one wearing a cloth mask, nod and Goatee sullenly says “Fine. Call me Blue and this is...” the one with the mask say “I am Yellow” and Blue/Goatee gestures to the workers, “grab the merchandise and be on our way”. At this point, captain Kells, removes the tarp over the floating disk to reveal six smallish stone caskets, maybe ~5x~2 each (each has a geometric pattern on it), tied tightly with a thick rope that he pulls to release (those close notice the remarkable slip knot he used, he is a ship’s captain, after all). Once released, the caskets seem to move on their own and one falls to the ground with a crash before the bravos can grab them. The bravos lurch under the weight of casket as well as their shifting as Blue gestures to Moira to open the door. It’s obvious the Blue has dagger under cloak and Yellow a pistol ready. Captain Kells looks on at the group.
Sense Motive 15; they aren’t going to act unless something spooks them further but Moira might be a target then.
Sense Motive 18; Moira might have saved captain Kell's life since Blue and Yellow were too leery to do anything more.
The Lurker, Spencer and Lady all are aware of the situation.
[ We are at a "critical point" in the caper. Stealth and Bluff checks will have to be higher - skill check 18. Blue and Yellow could make a move if something spooks them and that could be something random along the way.
Blue mentions "the Green Shadow" might have agents watching once they arive also.]
The Patient Lurker observes the interactions with interest, noting the hidden weapons and how Blue and Yellow seem slightly on edge at Moira's entrance. Seeing no need to intervene at this point, he follows the caskets should they be moved, silent as possible and aware that the targets are on high alert at this point. He also keeps a careful watch to try to determine where any other hidden forces, allies or other might be located, hoping not to be taken by surprise should the unexpected happen.
Lady Anna looks on, seeing the ware throw her scope.
She scans the rooftops and surrounding buildings once more.
Perseption
Arlo, see iff we have company?
once done she checks keeps hidden once again.
Moira moves towards the door and chastises the Bravos. "You best not drop those again, lads. We have valuable merchandise here...but before we leave, I think we need to get a look at the merchandise. Make sure that this deal is as advertised. Of course I should be able to trust you, gentlemen..." She looks over at Blue and Yellow and shrugs noncommittally, but a hard edge creeps into her voice. "You know how it is. My employer is paying good money here. Let's open one of these up. How about..this one." She motions to the casket that the Bravos nearly dropped.
I think we need to get a look at the merchandise. Make sure that this deal is as advertised. Of course I should be able to trust you, gentlemen...
Blue and Yellow step back and Blue says: "No! Absolutely not. You see how it moves. We wouldn't be able to get it back in the casket. I've been paid to good money to keep my mouth shut and to know nothing. We know it's real 'cause it moves like that and that enough. I don't want to know that's in the casket and neither should you. Also, this for the Green Shadow. Mueller is only an intermediary, as is my employer. And Mueller was supposed to be the silent partner".
The bravos hang back. Blue and Yellow stare at Moira with an equivalent menace and say to the bravos "Now pick up the merchandise and we shall go"
The bravos/longshore workers are hesitant, not wanting anger either Moira or Blue but if nothing else happens, they're pick up the heavy, moving caskets and go forward.
Captain Kells leaning against the wall opposite the door. Also looking a bit sick, croaking a bit in terror, manages to get out "Yes, he's right, don't open the boxes. We haven't opened them since we removed them from the tomb. I'm sure it's not safe. They're sealed for a reason. Please just take them."
Sense Motive 14; the only reason Blue and Yellow aren't leaping at Moira is that they're a bit cowardly and don't want the deal to go wrong and don't want to scare the bravos too much. The chance of a knife in the back at the right moment seems pretty high.
Obvious: The bravos are skittish, scanning for exits, with the terrified expression of folks in something way deeper than they want.
She scans the rooftops and surrounding buildings once more.
Perseption 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32
To begin with, it is strange that the port light isn't on, especially on an evening where the new moon has set.
Still, Lady notices on the top of a nearby 3-story warehouse, 30 feet up, about 70 feet away total, a gargoyle like figure, with brownish gray skin and wings, the size of medium size dog (maybe 30-50 pounds weight), sitting on a point in the building where it can observe the front door of the warehouse Moira and company are in. At the angle it's at, it might or might not have seen Arlo, Lady and Spencer - the shack may have blocked it's view.
[Note: this things is entirely "out there" for this plane. A normal person noticing it would be naturally terrified and the chance that it's here to observe this transaction seems pretty high, given the supernatural quality of the coffins.]
Also, Arlo notice as well following Lady Ann's gaze and Lady Ann could quickly alert Spencer. However, Spencer is mostly occupied with watching the scene inside the warehouse, which he and The Patient Lurker are fully aware of.
Some part tucked away in the back of Spencer's mind takes perfunctory notice of the tensions rising in the room beyond the crack, prompting him to quietly draw his sword. Another part reminds him to glance back occasionally to check in with AI-eon and Arlo. Yet another part prods him to be scared of this potentially life-threatening situation, and he shivers perhaps a little more than is warranted by the night air.
But most of his attention is fixated on the caskets, from the moment the tarp is pulled off. He stares in fascination at the geometric patterns, spinning them around in his head as he tries to make sense of the foreign shapes. Then he puzzles over the contents of the boxes themselves, mentally flicking through ancient lore to guess at what could cause those shifting, jerky movements.
"Arlo, you seen it, there 3-story warehouse, its 30 feet up, about 70 feet away total, a gargoyle-like figure. Then you can get close and take it?"
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Sense Motive 21
Now it's just a question of when, not if, the group will come to blows.
But most of his attention is fixated on the caskets, from the moment the tarp is pulled off. He stares in fascination at the geometric patterns, spinning them around in his head as he tries to make sense of the foreign shapes. Then he puzzles over the contents of the boxes themselves, mentally flicking through ancient lore to guess at what could cause those shifting, jerky movements.
And it hits. Another similar case was sent to his "lab" to analyze. a couple years. This earlier case had writing to indicate it once contained ... dismembered immortals. When gods and fates shape a world early on, sometimes, by mistake, they create seed-creatures lacking the ability to die. To preserve the balance of such worlds, these creatures tend to be dismembered and their parts sealed away, to allow mortals to shape their own fates. Blue is certainly correct, opening the casket would be a bad idea and who knows how you'd get the parts back. The previous case had been empty. These caskets are filled. Their casket shape is incidental or intended to deceive. Open one and a dozen piece of thing would come leaping out in all directions.
Moreover, this sort of artifact or thing is the sort of force the enemy often seeks in their quest. It seems almost certain the hand of the dark traders is behind this "shipment". Letting it happen would likely be a very bad idea. But what will you do with them if you get them?
The dwarf says nothing, but just nods. Quietly, Arlo puts his shield and waraxe away, only to pulls out his heavy crossbow. Putting the sight up to his eyes. "Got him in sight. Call it."
She checked the suppresser then scope. Naturally, still she brought her Heavy Rifle to bear and then held. Focusing and studying at 70' the target was well within range.
"shoot on three, 1..2..3!
Then there is a dull thudding sound, as her shot went off.
Spencer's excitement at connecting the dots is tempered by his realization that violence is imminent. He turns back to alert the others only to see their weapons already raised, pointed at a spot in the air. Spencer peers into the darkness, following the direction of their aim.
What he sees doesn't look good. Spencer thumbs the catch on his wrist sheath and a thin stick of wood springs into his free hand. He leans away from the crack and whispers a command word, wiggling the stick before tucking it into his belt.
Slowly, quietly, the shadows around Spencer begin to twist and stretch.
Just a little more and we get them to drop this whole thing. And hopefully even capture Blue, Yellow, and Kells.
Moira shrugs and gestures lazily the door. She picks a moment when Kells is distracted to give Blue and Yellow a meaningful look and she nods towards the captain. The look is calculated to suggest, 'I'll take care of that one.'
She walks over to the captain showing open hands. "This is a big find, Captain. The Green Shadow owes you big, but of course you're getting paid handsomely." She leans in close and lowers her voice. But I must know, where did you find these...things?"
Outside of the warehouse, Lady Ann's shot connects with the leathery Gargoyle thing while Arlo's shot goes wide.
Still, the thing swoops down at Arlo, attempting an attack that might have opened his neck ... had it hit. Hovering in front of Arlo, it hisses "who sent you?" menacingly ... as menacingly as a small, wounded supernatural creature can be.
Inside, Blue and Yellow are once more taken back, and look at each other for a long second. Then Blue says (trying to sound more relaxed) "very well, stay here and give the captain his reward while we see to the goods. That will settle any small disagreement we had earlier" as the two hooded figure open the heavy warehouse doors, send the longshore workers staggering forward and then follow them. Yellow actually helping steady one or another worker while Blue stares back cautiously.
The captain says nothing, maybe mumbling slight and Moira and The Lurker can see a tear on his cheek.
[The Confrontation of Arlo and gargoyle is happening the shack, invisible to the somewhat distracted longshore workers and traders. Still they will be passing in sight in another round. Blue will close the warehouse door as his action next round with yellow taking up the head of the group.]
"The City Beautification Council!" Arlo sneered. "They asked us to remove that ugly gargoyle from the skyline. Now beat it or get condemned!" The dwarf has the butt of the crossbow ready to be used in melee.
As the thing takes off and flies their way. She moves back keeping it in her sights all the way. But she holds off shooting as Arlo begins a conversation with it. There is a deadliness to her moves, economical, a mechanical killer.
With Arlo's threats drawing the gargoyle's attention, Spencer scurries around behind it, sticking the shadows. As he moves, he reaches up through the illusion of mask and hood to grip the scarf around his neck. His arms continue to stretch, further and further, until they've reached truly impossible dimensions. At the end of one he still holds his blade, poised to strike if the creature lashes out again.
Moira watches the group walk out of the warehouse as she saunters around behind the sobbing man. She stays in close to him and drops her voice further, whispering, "If you want to survive this, scream." As she does so, she slips out a set of manacles and tries to slip them on to him.
Outside:
Realizing Arlo is tougher and more determined than it realized, the creature flies up to take cover in a small window ledge (which turns out to be already full of leaves so the creature gets only partial cover this round, it is 20' up).
As it goes up, it whispers, "be off with you, you should not meddle in such things. Destroy me and my master will seek you and eat your liver..."
[attacks of opportunity can fire as the things goes up.]
Blue, followed by the six case carriers, followed by Yellow, all stagger forward onto the street running in front of the warehouse (Court street). As Blue steps onto the street, a scream can be heard from inside the warehouse. Blue nods to yellow at that point and turns the group left, in a path to come into view of the area behind the shack where the gargoyle creature just flew up. Coming into view of the Arlo in the dim light, Blue shouts out, in fake-jolly voice "nothing of value for footpads here, why you couldn't even lift these cases of wheat". His dagger is in his hand but he's hurrying the group forward down the street as fast as they stagger (so about 40', double moving, staggered).
Inside:
Captain Kells gets the hint and screams, then whispers "who are you, mam?" as he sinks to ground the ground.
[During the confusion, it would have been quite possible for the Patient Lurker to silently leave with the Bravos or to stay hidden within warehouse ]
Reflexively, Arlo draws another crossbow bolt, loads it, and fire at the retreating gargoyle.
When the gargoyle creature makes its first flap upward Spencer hesitates for half a second, reluctant to draw blood. Then the scream from the warehouse jolts him into action and he jabs at its exposed underbelly.
As the creature rises higher and catches the light spilling from the warehouse door, Spencer gets a good look at it for the first time. He racks his brain to place its appearance — his studies served him well once tonight, maybe they will again.
The reference to its master is what troubles him most. They can't afford to let this creature report back on what it's seen. Spencer glances at the others for confirmation just in time to see Arlo let loose another quarrel. Following his lead, Spencer takes a running start and leaps up toward the creature on its ledge.
Somehow vaulting seven feet in the air, Spencer stretches out his arm to its full bizarre length and strikes again, this time aiming carefully for a nonlethal spot by his best guess of this creature's anatomy.
Spencer and Arlo's initial attacks of opportunity actually cause the creature to plummet to earth (it's unconscious, badly wounded, you can try catching or it arrives dead on the ground. Acrobatics 18 to catch safely).
Spencer is thinking this thing something like a Homoculus or similar wizard's construct.
[the case carriers continue onward as mentioned]
FYI, it is still the characters' action, I just wanted to clarify attack of opportunity results.
Spencer catches the creature and lets it roll safely onto the ground. With no need to spend further time fighting it, he instead ducks back into the shadows to follow the group with the boxes.
Arlo give the shadows where Spencer was a nod of acknowledgement.
From here position AI-eon watched the two deal with the thing, she did not want to shoot as the sound could give them away.
She knows what it was the moment it came close, an familiar or magical contract spy. It confirmed it with it talked of a master. If its link was live then they could be partially known to an advisory now. Logic dictated this was ether a 3ed party or the real end buyer overseeing the shipment. he let the others deal with the body.
She checked over the side of the roof and could see the group below was leaving.
"This position is compromised, Time to go"
She whispered to the other. Their position was known to whoever was using that bat-thing. They could not stay here.
So she moved, leaping over the side back of the building she jumped from league to0 wall top to the street. She landed with a thud. She was a lot heavier than she looked. She had worked out this root down before going to the roof so it would take her weight and Her 7' working to her advantage.
Now on the street, she moved slowly, coming up to a spot where she could once more oversee the group and the warehouse door.
Crouching she kept to the darkness, Scanning them with her scope. She waited to see what would happen next.
Seeing that Moira has the situation with Captain Kell under control, the Patient Lurker instead follows the agents and their minions, keeping pace in the shadows and watching for anything unusual.
Lady Anne moves stealthy to a opposite corner of the street where she's a fair bit away from where the thing fell and where she can observe both the warehouse and the case carriers moving forward.
Blue leads his group at a slow hustle (40ft/round) two blocks further, moving towards the nearby gap in the wall (followed closely by Spencer and The Lurker, easily hidden in the dark night). The bravos have mostly managed to get the cases onto their backs, held with some leather harnesses that longshore workers use for the purpose. But as the contents jump and rock, they are still having trouble.
Thus, after going the two blocks, the group stops outside a migrant camp. The camp consists of neat rows of ten-person tents taking up about a city block - they're common in Ovium (whose population is swelling with migrants). You'd imagine the bravos themselves might live there.
Blue's group whispers together (perception 13 for Spencer or the Lurker to hear) Bravo: "I could carry this all day if it weren't for this cursed heaving, so if want to make speed, we'll need a cart" Blue: "and where can we get a cart this fine evening." Bravo: "Oh, my buddy could find one in a few clicks, it you have more small pennies". Blue: "Darned it all, and with that women may be behind us. Let us move behind a tent and then you can find your buddy and a cart, one light enough to carry too. Maybe throw her off our trail. Curse our slowness." The group then starts to move into the camp.
Arlo can see the Gargoyl creature is near death and may expire without being stabilized but he also heard Lady warn not to stick around the area of the thing.
Inside the warehouse, Kells whispers to Moira, "My family preserved the location of those coffins for generations. But I swear, there are no more of them in the hole where I dug them from. I hope I never see them again - they are clearly cursed. Please let me return to my ship."
[will post map of large area soon. Moving the cases out of the city indeed looks like a hard job but there's broken ground it would be hard to take a wagon over. ]
Arlo puts away his crossbow as the gargoyle sputters his last few breaths. After securing his waraxe and shield, the dwarf takes his dagger and slams the blade into the gargoyle's neck until it stops moving.
x 2 + 8
Moira considers, With a hand on the manacles. "Why your family?"
Scanning the shadows, Spencer spots the Patient Lurker moving nearby. He silently steps up alongside his companion and meets his eyes. As the group begins to whisper Spencer draws out a scroll. With a finger dripping with the gargoyle's blood, he quickly traces out a few words in Goblin on the back. He then holds it up for the Patient Lurker, trusting in his night vision to make the markings clear.
Recognize boxes. Shredded immortals. Must stay shut. Likely headed to Traders. Prevent or follow?
Moira considers, With a hand on the manacles. "Why your family?"
Captain, now in thought. "I come from ancient Nmunian family. Perhaps an ancient cult - the details of our origins are forgoten. The only thing left is all in our family are initiated in the location of various ancient sites, tombs and relics. Also stories of the origin the world. The location of these dreadful caskets was one tale. It was said they were remnants of mistakes made by the moon god. I am a trader and a captain. At a point in my career, two years ago, three ships I owned were wrecked off the bay of Themule and I was ruined. At this point. A strange creature came to me and asked that I produce these cases, ship them here, offered gold in advance. I refused since the creature was eerie and this was a family secret. The creature appeared again and cursed my elder daughter with blindness and madness and threatened to curse my younger daughter as well."
"So I relented, organized a small expedition - all seemed to go fine but one workman died mysteriously during excavation but still I continue."
"The day the cases were loaded, the curse on my daughter was lifted but I sailed ahead, afraid of what might happen. I don't know what harm these things can cause. I assume they would destroy any so foolish as to open them..." (then quickly afraid he's offended Moira "No offense intended, mam, I am no doubt more foolish than any man."
[We're more or less "out of rounds", dealing with time a little more loosely]
Arlo puts away his crossbow as the gargoyle sputters his last few breaths. After securing his waraxe and shield, the dwarf takes his dagger and slams the blade into the gargoyle's neck until it stops moving.
The very last of Gargoyle's life (or semblance of life) leaves it and it's form shrinks and withers quickly, soon appearing a nothing but a thin piece of leather.
Once in her spot, she tries to see the other, seeing some of them
Then as they hurry off, she can't keep up unseen but
She knows the streets and can guess where they are heading, running down back streets she picks up speed and is able to keep up while out of sight She follows, keeping back as others are better at getting close unseen.
Then once more she founds a spot and is still
watching the group.
Once in her spot, she tries to see the other, seeing some of them
Then as they hurry off, she can't keep up unseen butShe knows the streets and can guess where they are heading, running down back streets she picks up speed and is able to keep up while out of sight She follows, keeping back as others are better at getting close unseen.
Then once more she founds a spot and is still
The two small hooded figures and the six dockworkers hustle to behind one of the large, woolen tents in the migrant camp, set the cases down and wait. Most migrants are sleeping and the only gets a few nods. Lady Lyra Anna heads a different way through the tents, finding a convenient place to watch the events. One of the workers along with Yellow heads off deeper into the camp. They return in five minutes and say a wagon is on the way. Some other dock workers appear and Blue hands around a pipe filled with an herbal stimulant know simply as "Smoke". By the time the wagon appears, the group is happy and a bit wired. The wagon is pulled by a large donkey and has some boards to go over potholes and such. It holds only five of the cases but they agree to it's worthwhile. They give owner some currency and one of the bravos promises to return the wagon. they also hire two more bravos for the evening, paying 3-4x the ordinary rate (and promise more Smoke along the way).
The group puts the cases in the wagon, a pair of bravo share the last case and the group heads out to main road. It will take them five minutes to reach the gap in the wall, where they'll need to get wagon, donkey, and cases over some rough, broken terrain. It's an elaborate procedure but traders do it reasonably often during the day. Yellow apparent has some sort of magical light source. It's around 9-10 at night.
They head toward the wall...
She will indecate to the others she can see to come to her. This is going to take a conseted plan of action.
Moira releases the Manacles and steps back. She asks, "Do you have any other ways of contacting this creature? Does it have a name?"
She waits for his answer, but ultimately says "Kells, go. Leave Ovium, go back to your family. If you take your ship, they'll know you're still alive. Consider that your punishment." Then she leaves to follow Blue and Yellow.
As things stand, the group carrying the caskets in nearly at the wall. With ten humans total, they're fairly loud and slow and even Arlo can catch up to them with by hustling. They'll be slowing down further as they get to the gap in the wall. The party has plenty of time to confer on actions. The obvious choices are waylay the group as it crosses the wall, waylay the group when they come to a rough spot outside the city (the road has periodic deep crevices) or let the group go it's final destination.
Blue and Yellow don't appear super tough, not much tougher any one of you, if that. Sense Motive for more.
[You may confer on the discord channel, discussion-channel or someone could force the group's hand.]
Moira releases the Manacles and steps back. She asks, "Do you have any other ways of contacting this creature? Does it have a name?"
She waits for his answer, but ultimately says "Kells, go. Leave Ovium, go back to your family. If you take your ship, they'll know you're still alive. Consider that your punishment." Then she leaves to follow Blue and Yellow.
Kells: "The creature has always contacted me. Why I spent so long in port waiting. I will sail once repairs are made, likely tomorrow afternoon. If there is anything I can to do repay you the meantime, you can contact me at the ship"
[everyone note previous post also.]
As Spencer, Moira, The Patient Lurker, Lady Lyra Anna and Arlo stealthily follow Blue, Yellow and their group, it becomes more obvious (to anyone who did a knowledge-check 20 or above) on the cases that letting the cases out of the city could be disastrous. These are just the kind of tools the Dark Traders like to harness. Moving them is far from easy and in the country side that chance they could be used or just opened would multiply.
While the bravos are getting their cart, Spencer pulls AI-eon, Arlo, and the Patient Lurker aside to quickly relate what he knows. He explains in a tense whisper about the fragments of immortal creatures and the threat they pose, only briefly sidetracked by a tangent concerning symbols on the boxes that literally translate to first draft, not for distribution. He refocuses and concludes: "...so they're definitely dangerous and probably headed to the Traders and I think we really need to stop them but I'm not sure how to do it safely so do any of you have any ideas??" He takes a deep breath and looks from one party member to another.
She says, matter of factly.
"I have run through some potabilities, the one with the best chance of winning outcome is. Ambushing them on the rough ground of the wall. At that point hen they have to carry them, they will be slowed. MY self and Arlo, pin them down with long shots and you sneakers go In for the kills, Blue and Yellow get taken down 1st, the rest should bolt. Why fight for a dead boss"
Unless someone wishes a last minute action, you can assume that the group has reached the gap in the wall and is starting to go through. I will post a more detailed map.
First they unload the twitching cases, then some bravos will put out planks to guide/carry the cart over a couple 4' deep ditches as a couple stand in the ditch to push upward, one holds the Donkey. Eventually they'll move the cases by hand over the planks, using their leather straps as extra balance. Finally they'll guide the donkey over.
Blue and Yellow will keep watch and direct. Blue standing on one side of the group and Yellow on the other side. As longshore workers, the bravos are experienced with this stuff so it could take just a couple minutes. Yellow will partly direct, partly scan the area and use a small magic lantern (or something) to softly light the area. Blue will carefully scan the area, now holding a small short sword.
[Everyone approaching, stealth checks again, once the move starts as Blue is fully alert]
Arlo does his best to unequip his waraxe and shield, and readies his heavy crossbow in silence.
"I have the shot for blue", whispers the dwarf in his strange-sounding Common. "On you order," Arlo tells Lady Lyra.
Lady Anna, tires to work out of there is a better root to get in from other than snacking up.
She just can't think of a way to get around the group and in front of them, so they will have to move and take them from this site. She moved out with Arlo
Once in a good spot, close to Arlo, she lines up her shot on yellow. Studying the man and work out when to headshot him.
Understood, Arlo, waiting for the others to get into position the other side of them, our shots will be the single to them.
she looks to see if the others are ready.