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Aisling grits her teeth, trying to stop the cover from falling back into place. She calls back down the ladder, trying to sound calm but not compltlelety succeeding. "A liitle help, here?"
She can't help feeling that this is something of a metaphor for her role in the group as a whole.
Nyxra sets her barrel down and moves to assist Aisling.
"Just come on" Vantine grumbles in annoyance at Raven's placidity. She grabs his sleeve and pulls him along with her toward Aisling and Jessibel.
Despite the elf's assistance, Aisling still cannot seem to get the leverage needed to shove the thing out of the way. In fact, Nyxra seems to get in the way more than she helps, as the ladder really isn't designed for two people to be at the top simultaneously.
"Mayhaps you can stick a bit of cloth in the crevice to mark the manhole and we can find it and dig it out from the top. Or we could come back here with a pole..." The Raven calls up to the comical looking duo in a very helpful sounding tone. "We could stack several gobbos atop each other until they are tall enough to join you up there. They could help push without crowding the ladder!"
Jessibel snickers at the Raven's crack.
Wasn't I supposed to be doing something...? Oh yeah--lookout!
Vantine watches for a couple of minutes. Since she is not among the more robust of people, she often has to figure out how to do more with less.
"What if you lifted one part then stuck something through to keep it from coming back down? Then, if you turn around its circle about 45 degrees, you lift there as well? If you had most of the rim popped up above street level, maybe you could slide it aside instead of having to lift it up against the weight of the snow..."
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Aisilng gives the Raven and Jessi a detachted look (that comes across like detached as in "guillotined" rather than detatched as in "calm"). Vantine's advice seems like ti might actualy be helpful so she does as sugested.
Working together with Vantine, Aisling manages to get the manhole cover off, with a sudden sense of lightness as she manages to pour the snow off of the top of it. The light that suddenly shoots through the hole temporarily dazzles the group, but swiftly it becomes clear that they've been successful - though a fair amount of snow falls down into the sewer as well.
Peeking out is not terribly useful - the snow still blocks most of the view, and would require some shoving to get out of the way enough to see without being easily seen - though the moving in and of itself might get attention anyways.
Aisling uses the cover to shield herself from teh downpour of snow, although that means that more gets diverted onto Nyxra and Jessibel. She does her best to look sorry about that. "Alrighe, we have a way out if we need it. I suggest we keep it covered for now so nobodey knows we've opened it up. We'll be coming up from this side after the escape, after all."
"So, what now?"
When the cover shifts to open the way out, Vantine lets go a little squeak and claps (quietly) in excitement. Her excitement is less about her suggestion working than about no longer having to backtrack all the way through the awful sewer to get out.
"You're terrific Aisling!"
"Puh!" Jessi spits as some snow cascades down and hits her in the face. "Someone hop outside and see where this shaft is so we'll know where it is in relation to the salt works!"
Nyxra starts to climb up and look outside.
"Right..."
Nyxra ascends the ladder once Aisling and Vantine return down. Shoving the snow out of the way, she looks around to find that she's come out into a street that is rather busier than the alleyway that they entered the sewers in.
She catches a few odd glances coming her way, but no one seems interested in making an issue of it - they're just more surprised that someone has come out of the sewers in the middle of the day. A few look somewhat disgusted, even, at the stench wafting up from the sewers.
Nyxra immediately goes back down.
"Broad daylight. Busier street than where we started."
Aisling thingks for a moment or two. "That could make things more difiulct. Hopefully if we do the jailbreak at night the street will be less crownded." She shrugs, althought it's not as easy to see in her armormour. "I think we just have to taek our chances."
Longear approaches the Ravens. "Uh, you not forget to help us, right?" He asks, prodding the Raven's stomach lightly. "We made deal, yes?"
Jessibel does her part to honor the agreement with the goblins, though she finds the full barrels a bit too heavy for one with her meager musculature. She has to put down the barrel she lugs several times on the return trip to the goblin lair and looks like she's either going to complain, cry, quit, or all three at the same time...yet she never does. Once the delivery's been made though, the bard casts prestidigitation to clean herself (and, eventually, the others) up, and she strongly presses for a quick return to the surface.
Vantine tries to help Jessi with her barrel. But, between her lack of heft, her hardly disguised revulsion at touching the container, and her fear of breaking a nail, she's not worth much.
Once the sewer "brining water" has been carried to the goblin lair, Jessibel gives the little creatures a minute or two to betray the party's trust and attack. Assuming that doesn't happen, she reminds the others that they need to pick up Rexus's medicine, some cloaks and boots for those they plan on rescuing, and maybe have Vantine do her ears of the city casting. She also adds that her toes are growing numb.
Aisling nods in reply. "I always keep my word." She doesn't complain as she carries the barrels back, she's busy thinking about their new sort-of allies. Goblins that worshipi the Dawnflower is something new.
When she gest back to their lair, she gives Grooka a quick bow. "I'm sorry you lost your firiend Harlan. I would like to see if I can take his place in hleping you, if you are willing." It's not a glamourours job, but it's something she can do.
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The return trip is rather slower (and somewhat smellier, thanks to the barrels of salty sewage that the Ravens carry). Nevertheless, about an hour or so after they set off from their newfound escape route, they arrive at the warren's door. Pukka darts in, and they hear a few muffled shouts.
Grooka emerges along with several other goblins, who pick the barrels up and move them into the open door. At Aisling's words, she tilts her head. "We not going to worship your goddess, you know."
Vantine stifles a giggle at the goblin's frankness to Aisling.
Aisling loosk surprised, but she recovers fast. As a good lawyer, she always has a reply ready. "I woudn't expect you to. But prayer is prayer, and a visit from a firendly priest is better than no visit, correct?"
"Is good, then." Grooka nods.
After everyone has finished asking and discussing things with the goblins, the Ravens make their leave, ascending the ladder in Jarvis Square and emerging into the light of the afternoon sun... as well as the chilly winds.
"We should parley again some time soon, Grooka. Perhaps you and your flock can join us on the surface. Help me collect wet leaves from the pavement." He bows in the darkness and makes his way to the surface.
====================
"I say again: these salty ladies had better be very impressive for all the effort we are going to to rescue them." The Raven grumbles, stomping his boots in the snow to knock some of the sludge off of them as he awaits his turn to be cleaned. "Let us have it out then!" He quietly declares to the group before mumbling "Thank you, my dear Magpie." to Jessibel as she works her cleaning magic. "Vantine's plan? Full-frontal assault? Something else?" Vantine's plans of distraction and espionage where no "innocent" guards get hurt makes the most sense to him and plays to his own proclivities, but it had a very high risk factor for Vantine and Jessibel. Storming the castle and slaying the guards might be safer for them overall, but would do little to endear them in the eyes of the average Kintargan.
Vantine is almost pathetically grateful for Jessibel's cleaning. But afterward she bears grim tidings.
"I'm afraid we're not done with the cold just yet. We now know there's a sewer entrance we can use. But we don't know how to find it from the surface in the dark. Since we're planning on rescuing the women after dark, the curfew should keep the streets empty for us. It's not too worrisome that the entrance isn't in some back alley."
We need to trace the route beforehand though. Searching about at the time when we really need it won't do. Also, if you're with me Jessibel, we need to start laying some groundwork with the sentries."
Jessibel blushes when the Raven calls her 'the Magpie,' knowing that the Magpie's time to take flight grows near: All she needs is her mask. Checking on its progress is one of three things on her current To-Do List. The others are to pick up Rexus's medicine and to get cloaks and maybe some boots for the women they'll (hopefully) be rescuing.
"I like the Raven's plan of disabling the lock in the outer building to keep those guards from joining the fight," she says, "but I've still got my doubts about Vantine and I going in alone first...especially if I'm armored and wearing weapons openly."
Turning to Vantine she asks, "Can you prepare a second casting of that mage armor spell for me if we go with your plan?"
"I could do it, yes. It would leave me a little weaker in helping out later perhaps, but if you would be more comfortable with that approach it can be done. But Jessibel, don't underestimate the sex appeal of a well fitted leather suit."
"Especially if the men in question have habituated to seeing you wear it. Remember the point I tried to make about the use of charms. An effective charm is crafted like a pearl, built up over time."
"Anyway, there's still time for those decisions later. It is possible I may be able to scry some hints about how the building is laid out inside. If we knew something about the layout, it might help us decide on the best approach."
"Nyxra could take my cloak and follow the two of you as closely as she may while still staying out of sight." The Raven suggests, glancing at their elven friend. "Tanglefoot bags! Throw them at the guards if things go wrong and make your escape!" As Vantine begins to talk of charms, a smile plays at his lips.
With their primary task out of the way on this day, the Ravens adjourn, each going about their respective tasks.
Starday, 16th of Abadius 4715
As the group returns to their meeting point near Jessibel's apartment, they find that the noonday sun is slowly melting down the snow - which has sloughed off of the roofs of most buildings - and the winds are considerably calmer than the previous day's, leaving them rather warmer than they've been for almost a week.
Vantine allows time for Jessibel and herself to warm up.
"Jessibel, we need to go before we're looking for that sewer opening in the dark. Make sure you bring your Chelish Citizen's Group amulet along with you."
They make the trek back to the streets near the Salt Works and get down to the boring business of locating the sewer cover they moved earlier. When they've found it, they trace the route from it to the Salt Works itself. It will be far better if they know exactly where to go when they're fleeing the place with freed prisoners in tow.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
After the first job is done Vantine goes looking with Jessibel for a place where they can buy something hot, coffee, soup, broth, tea, any of them will do as long as they are allowed to take the container (or buy it) with them so they can carry it away.
She leads Jessibel to a point near the Salt Works, and while still out of sight, gives her instructions.
"We're going to start building now for the raid. Put on the medallion," (Vantine does the same) "and follow my lead. We're supporters, fans if you will. We've noticed the difficult work the sentries are doing, quietly with little recognition or reward. We will give them these", Vantine raises her own container to indicate the refreshments, "and praise them for their work to show them we care. Otherwise, flirt with one of them if you can bring yourself to do so. If not, look pleasant and follow my lead."
Vantine walks the rest of the way and approaches the sentries at the doors to the Salt Works while smiling.
"You must be almost frozen standing out here. We pass by this way sometimes and see you always standing guard duty. We've brought you something to warm you up."
As Vantine says the words "warm you up," Jessibel quirks an eyebrow and allows the ghost of a smile to tug at one corner of her mouth. She shifts her weight just enough for her full-length cloak to part and reveal a brief glimpse of the Thrune amulet she wears...and her leather-bound figure within. She says nothing but reaches out her offering to one of the guards...just enough for her stolen CCG armband to show.
The Raven returns to the Devil's Nursery once again to purchase the aforementioned tanglefoot bags from his contact in the slums. He also grabs a few larceny-related items that may come in handy in the coming weeks. He spends the night in the stables with the handsome pups again, returning to Jessibel's apartment in the morning. A nervous concern twists at his stomach. He has no doubt Vantine would be able to take care of herself if things go bad with the mercenaries, but he worries about his new protégé...
With not much left to do, Aisling heads home to clean up. She does her bset to sneak in through a side entrance of the house, distrubing some of the servants but avoiding her family. She spends several hours bathign and clening the filth from her boots and clothes, before sinking inot a deep sleep. The next day, with a change of clothes, she is up and ready to face the challenges.
Nyxra goes out of her way to clean herself up once she gets home, before falling dead asleep in bed.
Upon the women's return to the Saltworks, however, they discover that the door has been left unguarded - at least from the outside. No one immediately obvious is present in the area, either.
Jessibel quirks an eyebrow as a wrinkle is thrown into Vantine's plan. She hopes her friend will adapt and just give up, but that's not like Vantine. Still, the thought of entering the lion's den without ANY back-up seems unwise to the extreme.
She looks at her friend, shrugs, raises her cup, and says, "More for us, I guess. We're not going to try something foolish, are we?"
"Hm, I expected they would keep to a regular routine. Maybe they are posted outside only during the daytime? It won't do for this if they're just doing this or that from day to day. I guess it will all depend on what we find tomorrow."
Vantine raises her cup to return Jessibel's toast.
"More for us."
Vantine's plans for the next day are the same as for the previous day. Earlier in the evening she will go with Jessibel to the area near the Salt Works. First she will find a secure place where she can gather information on the location using a couple of castings of Ears of the City to find out what she can. She needs someone with her during that time because she will not be conscious of her surroundings while the spells are in effect.
After dark, she will check again to see if guards are posted outside the Salt Works. If so, Vantine and Jessibel will enact the same plan as intended for the previous evening.
To reciprocate, Vantine will go with Jessibel earlier in the day to get the medicine for Rexus and to check on her mask.
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"Know what we need?" The Raven announces to the group. "Code names! Well, you three do." He adds, putting a hand on Jessibel's shoulder and nodding at the three more boringly named members of the resistance. "Lady Talbot, you shall be 'Eagle'. Lady Ilphukiir, the Falcon." He leaves Jessibel's side and takes Vantine's hand, bowing in the same mock hand-kissing gesture as when the foursome first met the Raven in that chilly alley. In preparation for their daring rescue, the Raven is wearing his normal plague doctor's mask, so he cannot actually kiss her hand. "You, darling Vantine, shall be Hummingbird." He stands with a flourish, but continues to gently grip Vantine's hand. "It would not do to be calling out each others family names in the presence of men loyal to Thrune. Or at least, loyal to his money."
Aisling is flattered enough by the codename that her naturl supsicion of the Raven lowers slightly. She gives him a pleased nod of her head. "That works for me."
Jessibel goes home and rests up for the busy day planned for the morrow. The excitement (and terror) of the planned jailbreak keep her up for a while; eventually, though, the teen falls asleep and sleeps in for much of the following morning. She's barely ready when everybody reconvenes and the Raven deals out free nicknames.
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Alexius Vashnarstill limps down an icy street on the eastern side of the Temple District. The lazy noble is shockingly early and in a worse mood than usual. Making his way across icy cobblestone with his cane certainly isn't helping. After hobbling from the northern end of the district to the southern end and half way back again, muttering angrily to himself the entire time, he finally approaches a woman who looks to be a member the clergy and may be more familiar with the district than he is. "You! Peasant! I require aid!" He limps angrily after the woman, nearly crashing to the road when his cane slips on a patch of ice. Regaining his feet, he snaps "Why can't your god or whatever do something about this ice?!" His mood immediately shifts to a more pleasant one and he continues without waiting for the priests response. "I met an amazing tiefling woman near here yesterday. She did the most amazing thing with her tail and..." The noble smiles and lets out a happy sigh, his gaze drifting off towards something in the distance as he recalls the pleasant memory. "Anyways!" He snaps again, his thoughts brought back to the present. "She stole my coinpurse and I need it back. She told me she lived with her sisters or something - one of them is named Jill I think... I don't care - around here in an old church or something. If you assist me in retrieving my belonging I will consider donating to your doomsday cult or whatever. Say, where can I get a strong drink around here." His rambling finished, he stares expectantly at the woman.
"Count yourself lucky we already have no need of one such as yourself." She leans close, her breath smelling faintly of iron. "You wouldn't be missed, and the Midnight Lord might have had a use for you." She pulls away, turning her back on him. "I have no time for you." With that, she walks away.
"Ah! Don't breath on me!" The arrogant noble scolds the woman, waving a hand in front of his face as if to dissipate her.
The Raven is SO weird! Nice, but so weird...
Vantine sort of half-curtsies because after The Raven's extra elaborate delivery of her code name, it seems like she should sort of respond in kind.
"You're both gracious and clever Raven. Thank you."
She can't help but arch an eyebrow at him and ask wryly.
"Are you trying to build a flock?"
"I told you the first day we met. We ravens collect pretty things." The Raven returns Vantine's smile and squeezes her hand but quickly releases it and steps away fast enough for it to be noticeably awkward.