"Hmm, an ambush at the armory, then."
It's also possible that someone besides a doddering old couple is behind these thefts, which is why your house searches have failed."
"True an option. They break in, and another takes the equipment from them to another location."
Even with Maximillian's sharp memory, Alessandra copies the records.
"I have a sharp memory," insists Max as he examines the notes. "It's also possible that someone besides a doddering old couple is behind these thefts, which is why your house searches have failed."
His finger reads along the page, multitasking as he continues. "But if your suspicions are correct, we should have no trouble apprehending them in the act. What kinds of items have been lost? And who in this town has the wherewithal to wield these weapons or armor?"
"Helmets, spears, crossbows along with some boxes of bolts. The total list is somewhat eclectic and I suspect because they grabbed things in a hurry to stop from being caught. Part of the problem is we're not trained for this sort of work. My men are meant to be seen and noticed as part of our duties. And any increase of guard will simply scare them off and lead us to nothing.
As to your second question; everyone. Roughly a third of this town came here from the military either discharged due to injury, age, or magical malfeasance or retired normally as they conpleted their years of service. Even those who aren't trained can be trained by those who have it. There's not much requirement to learn how to use a spear in formation or fire a crossbow from cover."
"A third of this town is former military? Now that is a problem. Too many possible suspects. Too many people who could teach others to fight. We need to act quickly before it's too late. We will begin staking out the armory tonight."
Jerax folds his muscular arms. "Sounds like a lot of people are about to learning things 'the hard way."
A couple of things the house captain mentiona before you leave.
1. THey change the guard at the front every night along with a single patrolling guard. Thia helps weed pit any of thw guards of suapicion.
2. The qurtermaster and his assistanra have all been cleared of any wrong doing and is usually accompanied by a guard when he leaves at night to ensure things are locked and secured.
3. Their entry points have been different each time but are usually very gasy, qith the patrolling guard haven't even being able to finiah a whole cir uit before they are in and out suggesting some expertise on part of the suspects.
Ill have a map up at aome point this evening ao you can plot accordingly.
So you can plan how you want ro do this.
Jerax will position himself near the back entrance.
Max positions himself in the place of what appears to be a suit of armor at the southwest corner of the armory. He leaves his horse behind at the Archbaron's manor, not wanting to provide an obvious giveaway of the stakeout.
Alessandra hides just behind the corner in the G2 in the southeast.
Below what appears to be a table at the other side of the wall.
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The armoury as it has been described to you is more like a museum than a weapons storage. Lined along the walls, displayed on racks, and scattered throughout in plain view are dozens of trophies donated or otherwise acquired from the retired veterans of longacre. Nidalese ranseurs lay in racks next to mwangi jungle spears, while army issued cavalry sabers hang on the wall next to embossed cutlasses taken from defeated shackles pirates. It would be a museum worthy to show Cheliax's numerous minor victories and achievements if the bulk of it wasn't broken, rusted or otherwise of no real use. At the back of the mainhall is a particularly impressive display of a ship ballista appearing fully functional and with three of its accompanying bolts hanging on the wall behind it.
The quartmaster himself is an older house guard with one eye and one leg. After some brief and curt questions he leaves you to it while he dilligently checks and rechecks every lock and bar before he himself locks you in as the sun starts to set andalong with it boredom.
"Keep an eye on that baliista, Jerax. It's probably the most useful thing in this bucket of rusty weapons." It was a wonder that the siege weapon hadn't already been stolen. Maybe it was just too bulky, but he'd have gone for it if he were on the other side.
Max steps into place in his chosen observation spot, having hidden a set of armor that once stood where he now stands.
Alessandra hides just behind the corner in the G2 in the southeast.
Below what appears to be a table at the other side of the wall.[dice=Stealth]1d20+4
[dice=Perception]1d20+8
You should have control now. Just put you in the requested spot for the moment.
Time passes and the sun sets. Before long the struggle becomes not so much as maintaining vigilance but remaining awake. Max and Alessandra's harts start to race and their ears perk up as the first signs of life come from the front gate. The sounds of someone fiddling with a lock and a chain coming undone as the door starts to shatter the silence with the creak of it opening.
Having been worried that their night vigil might prove fruitless, Maximillian grins in excitement as their prey appears to be making an entrance. He betrays no movement for now, but watches carefully for the thieves' approach.
The towering tiefling's head turns to the front of the house as lock fumbling can be heard. Jerax gets about 5 feet closer, using the wall as cover.
As the cains fall away the door creaks open just enough to allow some shadowy figures inside. Betraying no noise but nonetheless making enough that max can track the four silhouettes progress as they make their way slowly across the westerly wall.
Max prepares himself to cut off the way to the exit. But he waits for the shadowy figures to move deeper into the armory. Perhaps Jerax would be the first to meet them.
Jerax stands rock still waiting for the intruders to make a fatal error.
Alesandra keeps quiet, but carefully listening to whatever noises may give the intruders' position away.
You hear foot steps enter the mainhall and the gates slowly creak shut. They movr quietly but unskillfully your sharp and ready eara picking out their positions without much in the way of effort. They whisper among themselves as they creep along the walls.
Alessandra waits until the two split up. Trusting the men to catch the other one, and when she feels there is enough space between those two, Alessandra moves as quietly as possible towards the first.
, bow in hand, arrow at the ready.
If he notices her, she just aims her arrow, and lowers her voice to hushed tone, but clear enough for the other to hear.
If he didn't notice her, she'd step to behind him, poking the back of his neck with the tip of her arrow.
"Breaking and entering, stealing from the armory, juicy bits of breaking the law. Not a sound, or this is not going to end well for you or your wife."
The towering tiefling quietly waits for his cue to show himself.
The old mans breath catches in his throat as his wife looks over his shoulder and frowns. While he is frozen into conpliance she will have none of it.
"WE'VE BEEN HAD! GET OUT!"
Somewhere off to the west of the armory there's a sudden scramble as two other people in the armory take cover.
Alessandra calls out to her compatriots.
"Jerax, Maximillian, the two other troublemakers are all yours!"
To the man, she gently presses the arrowhead tighter against his neck. Enough for painful pressure, but not to draw blood just yet.
"If your wife loves you, she will surrender herself into custody, or i may let go of this bowstring, and then come after her."
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The loud heavy hoof falls of Jerax thunder from the darkness as he arrives to mete out pain. The towering tiefling roars at the thieves.
Max moves toward the sound of the two other men in in the west of the armory. "Yield, and you might yet live!" he calls out.