Welcome to Hell's Vengeance. This will be the gameplay thread of the game.
Tern will take out his grooming kit and give himself a once over. Leaning in close to the small steel mirror while he brushed out and trimmed his beard. He briefly fiddles with the button at his collar, but it is more out of habit given the way it hung loosely by a thread. His hand clasps the hilt of his sword and he leans on his back foot. Standing tall he holds the mirror out with his opposite hand to try and get a look at himself in profile despite the small size of the mirror. Tilting his head and shifting at he tries different angles.
The town of Longacre sits just outside the fringes of the Whisperwood. A few lights shine in the streets and windows, and the occasional snippet of conversation or laughter issues from open doors, but here on the outskirts of town, the night is quiet and dark. Sparse clouds scud across the sky, momentarily obscuring the dim light from the moon overhead. Across a scrubby field, barely distinguishable under the starry sky, a darkened, fort-like compound hunches in the distance.
Cimri Staelish isn't the first one to arrive, and upon seeing Tern Bismeth, she scrunches up her face, looking pretty unimpressed by his apparent dandiness. Of course, she has known him for quite a while, with him being the resident local tough who's willing to work with anyone in exchange of coins. She has worked with him a few times before, and this time is no different. Like always, she promised him some hefty rewards and more.
Soon, the others whom Cimri had approached for the job have arrived. After making sure that everyone's present, Cimri points toward the dim structure. "That’s it - Louslik Tannery. Here's the job: We break in, sack Ol' Louslik's office, take whatever's shiny, and get out before the sheriff shows up. If we get separated, meet back at the Ash House by dawn."
Dull moonlight glints across her dagger as she flicks it in emphasis. "If you get pinched, remember: you're mute. Keep your mouth shut, and I'll handle things. I got assurances that we won't take any blame if things go south. But get chatty and I'll let you rot." A beat passes and her usual crooked smirk appears. "If you don’t screw things up, we'll all be drinking on Razelago's coin come dawn. Let’s do this."
Kehlysch makes eye contact with, and nods in acknowledgment to each member of the team as they arrive. He waits for the others to speak, or introduce themselves before he reciprocates.
The Spiresworn Elf comes around the room with her usual slow and calculated steps. The hooded figure has a stern expression and looks particularly to Cimri in an absolutely emotionless way. Her pale skin feels as cold as her attitude; she doesn't avoid eye contact from anyone around, but does so in an empty manner, as if seeing through people and directly to the walls.
Despite the long robes, it's no secret she carries a longsword tied to her waist, and what looks like a spell components pouch on the other side. She doesn't seem to use any kind of armor. From one of her pockets, a tiny creature moves out to look at the presents, then back in - a scorpion, almost as uninterested to introduce itself as his master.
Who's this owner of the place, and why is his office being targeted? - Samara finally speaks when Cimri stops, going directly to the task at hand and not particularly friendly.
Clarissa was tall with raven black hair a dark cloak and a crooked smile. She also had a wicked headache, she glowered at Cimri it was her fault! Mostly. Well actually maybe not entirely her fault.
Yesterday evening she'd been down to her last gold coin and somehow she'd ended up spending it all in some seedy bar. Cimri had been there and against her better judgment Clarissa had been drawn into this mad scheme of Cimri's, a sure fire way to get some filthy lucre, a allegedly.
Leaning heavily on her long spear which she was using as a walking stick she glanced at the Elven woman's question, Samara wasn't it? Yeah that was a good question, what the devil's was Cimri getting them into. God's it made her head ached. Nodding to Samara she testily piled on, demanding "Yeah what's this about Cimri? Last night is a bit of a blur, can't remember what you said, what's this Louslik to you again? And what if there's somebody still in there?"
"Good questions." Tern reasons, "But let's ask them after we're away. This is quick coin, and I'd rather not get pinched standing around gawping." He was speaking to the group as he spoke initially, but he did turn to face Clarissa directly.
"Anyone still in there, you just let me worry about." he offers, "They'll forget they saw anything. One way or another."
Dark auburn hair frames a dimpled, pleasant-looking face that you might see in any marketplace, but tonight Leontiana has a determined expression as she quickly looks over her current companions with an appraising gaze before giving a quick nod of greeting. For the business tonight, she wears a dark cloak over her armor, and has forsaken her usual sparkly jewellery in the name of stealth and practicality - the one item remaing is her holy symbol that she wears around her neck - a coin bearing the face of a devil. A shield is currently slung over her back and a short spear is tucked into her belt.
"I have a few questions." she tells Cimri. "How good are your assurances? I'm in if the pay is good enough, but if things do go pear-shaped, how's your boss going to get us out?"
"Secondly, are we handing over everything we get? Or does your boss just want some things and we'll keep the rest?"
Looking at the five people who will be joining her in this tannery heist, Cimri listens to the questions from them. She will be answering their questions one at a time.
Who's this owner of the place, and why is his office being targeted?
Cimri looks at the only elf in the group and answers her question. "Jabral Louslik, the owner of the Louslik Tannery. If you're wondering why we're robbing his place, Louslik hasn't been paying his taxes like a good, law-abiding citizen should. Or at least that's what Razelago told me. From the sound of it, she hasn't been told any more about this by Razelago, her supposed employer.
"Yeah what's this about Cimri? Last night is a bit of a blur, can't remember what you said, what's this Louslik to you again? And what if there's somebody still in there?"
Cimri rolls her eyes upon hearing Clarissa's words before she responds, "Like I said before, Louslik's the owner of this place, the Louslik Tannery. And of course somebody's still in there, and it's up to us to decide on what to do with them. Sneak around or beat up anyone you find, as long as you don't get find out, whichever's fine. I'm sure some of you have some magical mojo you can use to deal with whoever's inside."
"Good questions." Tern reasons, "But let's ask them after we're away. This is quick coin, and I'd rather not get pinched standing around gawping." He was speaking to the group as he spoke initially, but he did turn to face Clarissa directly.
"Anyone still in there, you just let me worry about." he offers, "They'll forget they saw anything. One way or another."
Cimri makes a face when she hears Tern talk. "Yeah right. We're still okay now since we're still far from the tannery. Worry about getting found out once we're there." She avoids calling Tern idiot because she doesn't want to antagonize any one of them at the moment. "Whatever you do, make sure it can't be traced back to you. I don't care if you want to kill Ol' Louslik, as long as you don't get caught." She shrugs, showing apathy to the potential death of her neighbor. "I can help bail you out if you do get caught, unless if you somehow get chatty with the sheriff, then you're free to rot in jail."
"I have a few questions." she tells Cimri. "How good are your assurances? I'm in if the pay is good enough, but if things do go pear-shaped, how's your boss going to get us out?"
"Secondly, are we handing over everything we get? Or does your boss just want some things and we'll keep the rest?"
Cimri grins at Leontiana. "Like I said before, if you do end up getting caught, I can help bail you out. My employer, Razelago, got some kind of connection with higher-up here in Longacre, so if you do mess up, you're gonna get released anyway and the sheriff can't do anything about it, as long as you stay quiet about who's paying you."
"As for the stuff, you're free to take whatever you find, though I'd rather not have you people take his coins. I mean, Razelago's gonna pay you all anyway." Cimri says, talking about the things that they can take from the tanner. Though from the look on her face, she sure seems tempted to take the coins anyway.
"So, got any other questions? If there's none, let's get moving. Any suggestion on how to do this? If it's up to me, I'd suggest that we break the gate's lock, hit anyone you find with a sap and take whatever you can carry with you from his office, though I'm sure you people already did some researches and stuff before." Cimri says as she waits for any alternative suggestions these people have.
"I would recommend each of us procure scarves or some other face covering," Kehlysch suggests in a soft, even tone. "Not just to obscure our faces, but for the smell. It is a tannery, after all. We may also want to bring along some oil or grease. The gate will not be an impediment to us, but the sound of its rusty hinges could draw unwanted attention."
"Damnit Cimri you don't even look remotely hungover!" grumbled Clarissa who thought this to be incredibly unfair. After a moment through in a softer voice she said, "Some of my memory's coming back. What's was that you said, oh right of an evening Jabral Louslik does the accounts and those gong farmers Shaul and Pippa come and go. So if we time it right we'll have just Jabral to deal with."
"I would recommend each of us procure scarves or some other face covering. Not just to obscure our faces, but for the smell."
"Eh? Euuu..." the corners of Clarissa's mouth turned down, "Damnit I hate being out of coin, don't even have a scarf to my name. Guess this old handkerchief will have to do."
Normally Clarissa wouldn't have have got involved in something like this but lack of coin made her more than a little desperate, besides if Jabral was a tax dodger then this was richly deserved karma. She started to think they might indeed able to get away with it.
Beyond that which the present companions said... - says the wizard, carefully checking that she had something to cover her face before entering on the dog-smelling place - ... There's a gap in the palisade, near the beamhouse. It's narrow, but we could likely try to squeeze through, and likely would be a lot less noisy than trying the front door approach.
Kehlysch wraps a scarf around his mouth and nose, making sure it is secure, but not suffocating.
"The gap seems sensible. I am willing to attempt entry that way."
"I did spot a dog," adds Leontiana, tying a scarf over her mouth. "I'm not sure if it can smell us under the stench of the tannery, but we'll have to be ready to put it down fast if it does spot us."
Tern draws his sword out a few inches, looking down at the glint of the metal in the low light of the evening and the tannery. "Easy enough to do." he reasons, "If the poor beast's nose even works living in such a place as this." With the party seemingly agreed he clicked the blade back firmly into it's sheath and went to the gap in the wall as quietly as he could.
Listening to everyone, it seems that all in favor of stealthy approach instead of entering the area through the front gate. "Alright, let's get moving, then." And so, Cimri and the rest go to the opening into the tannery where they can slip inside. Hopefully they can enter the area without alerting the dog inside. And she also makes sure to cover her face with a scarf, not only to avoid being recognized but also to mitigate the effect of the foul smell in the tannery.
Leontiana squeezes through the gap as carefully as she can, but her shield catches on a loose board with a loud clatter. She inhales through her teeth in frustration, getting a large mouthful of the tannery stench in the process.
Samara casts resistance on herself, offering to do the same in any of the others about to step in, and finally goes.
As any good Elf, she is as silent as a leaf in the wind - but the smell gets to her, even with her face covered.
Clarissa wrapped her handkerchief around her face like a desperado and stalked towards the entrance Samara had spotted.
Normally Clarissa was brash and loud caring nothing for stealth, but due to delicate state her hangover had left her in she trod lightly. In her weakened state however she was woefully unprepared for the stench! The vapours made her eyes water and she spent several undignified moments dry heaving. Inwardly she cursed, the damned handkerchief was doing less than nothing beyond making her look like a fool.
Creeping ahead, Tern tucks one arm across his chest to hold his armor still. Though it wasn't necessarily needed with how well fit it was, he didn't trust things to just go so well. The strong smell of the place didn't just waft forward so much as it pushed in and assaulted ones senses, but it was nothing he couldn't handle.
His features were grim as he plodded silently forward. As if having to endure this smell was beneath him.
It seems that not all of them managed to slip through the gap quietly as Leontiana and Kehlysch somehow caused some noises that can alert the only creature present in the work yard; a riding dog that is currently standing guard in front of a building, presumably Louslik's office.
Now that everyone has entered the tannery, they can see cart furrows and disturbing stains mar this muddy yard. Around the perimeter, murky water pools in rows of sunken tubs. Unspeakable muck encrusts each vat and half-submerged skins float within. From these scabby concoctions drifts a sinus-assaulting reek - a dizzying miasma of rotten eggs, lime, and far worse.
The riding dog's ears twitch as it hears the noises coming from the gap that everyone had used to enter the tannery. In order to hide from the dog's attention, those who made the noises earlier must try to conceal their presence first, or else the dog will be alerted of everyone's presence.
Opposed Stealth Check: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Inside the tannery the cloying fumes where even worse. She tried breathing through her mouth but it didn't help, she stood there white knuckled and leaning heavily on her spear as she concentrated on not throwing up. How anyone could work in this offal pit was beyond her, unless they'd managed to kill their sense of smell!
Leontiana quickly tears back her scarf and throws up loudly.
"Mammon, let the rewards be worth all this", she mutters, wiping her mouth.
Tern tenses as the more delicate constitutions of Leontiana and Clarissa threaten to give their position away. He draws a length of leather cord off a belt ring and produces a sling bullet for the weapon. Looking back once more at the two ladies he starts spinning the bullet in case the dog recognizes intruders and starts to bark. If the hound remained quiet and decided to investigate he would hold his shot.
Samara touches her own arm, as she understands the dog will eventually perceive them - and immediately feels a layer of force armor forming around herself, improving her defenses even if temporarily for the next hour.
The dog senses that there are people intruding the tannery through the small gap at the palisade, and it immediately makes its way towards them. Upon seeing the group, it immediately barks at them and ready to pounce at them.
When Tern uses his sling to launch an attack at it, the dog is struck by the projectile, and it lets out a pained whine, though that doesn't stop the dog as it gets ready to attack. Realizing that they need to do something about the dog, Cimri pulls out her kukri, hoping that they can put down the beast before it can alert the owner of the tannery, Louslik.
Cimri moves closer to the dog, though for the time being, she doesn't do anything as she waits for any one of her fellow collaborators to make the first move.
Even though she still looks a little green, Leontiana strides towards the dog. She briefly touches her hand to the coin around her neck and the silver seems to spread over her hand as she balls it into a shining fist and swings a punch at the guard dog.
The dog is struck by Leontiana, leaving it injured. Even so, it doesn't look like it's going to back down as it tries to retaliate with a bite attack.
And as if responding to the barks, another creature pops out of the building; a smaller dog but just as loud as the riding dog. For the time being, it starts barking at the intruders, not making any move to attack.
Through gritted teeth Clarissa spat, "Stupid mutt!" It didn't seem fair, it could have just stayed asleep and everything would have been peachy, no it had savaged Leontiana and now it had to die.
Clarissa lowered her spear and unfurled a pennant flag which proudly bore the infernal flag of Cheliax complete with the motto Asmodeus Vindice. The sight of this steadied her and with a grunted "Right!" she moved into position and thrust at the dog.
"Damn dogs," Kehlysch whispers as he draws his sword cane and moves forward to strike whichever one is closest and/or still alive.
Instead of casting any spells, Samara draws her longsword. She then assumes a position of total defense.
Tern charges the smaller dog, drawing his sword in both hands and cutting down in a furious attempt to silence it in one swing. "Damn it all." he cursed under his breath, "This was supposed to be quiet."
The smaller dog takes a thrusting attack from Clarissa, and it whines at it falls down onto the ground and starts bleeding. It stops barking, and before the bigger dog can do anything, it takes a slash from Kehlysch's sword cane, and it falls down as well, blood pooling on the ground.
And right at that moment, a person bursts out of the building from where the smaller dog came out earlier. It is Jabral Louslik, the owner of this tannery. He sees his dogs lying on the ground, bleeding and possibly dying. "Abbie! Archie!" He cries out the names of his dogs before he lifts his heavy crossbow up.
"You bastards! What did you do to my dogs?!" He then fires his heavy crossbow at one of the intruders, choosing his target at random. He chooses to fire at the one at the further back, who happens to be Samara. Because it is nighttime and it is hard to see, in addition to the scarves covering their faces, Louslik cannot see their faces clearly.
Meanwhile, Cimri tries to position herself so that she can flank Louslik. She seems hesitant to actually inflict fatal damage on her neighbors, but she doesn't have problem with her fellow collaborators to do it instead.
Not that he see in in the dark but Clarissa glowered in the man's direction as she snarled, "This here's a tax inspection Louslik! Put your hands up and show us where the shines are and no one has to get hurt..."
In hindsight her attempt at intimidation would have been more effective if she hadn't obviously sounded ill on account of the vapours and the blood.
"Last chance to live," Kehlysh says in a calm, steady voice. "Your pets have already paid for your dishonesty and disloyalty. Drop the crossbow and surrender your coin, and consider your life from this day forth a gift from the Crown."
Louslik is visibly shaken by the threats given to him, but he refuses to surrender. He tightens his grip on his crossbow and seems ready to fend off these intruders, possibly even to death.
Leontiana's voice takes on diabolical undertone as she commands Louslik "Get down on the ground like your dogs!."
Glaring at him, she draws her shortspear.
"Pfft, soft as your constitutions." Tern remarks. He does meet Cimri's gaze as she moves into flanking position and gives her a knowing smile. He then brings his sword across from right to left, it flashes with arcane light as he makes a feint at cutting Louslik down before swiping it backhanded at his head. Trying to catch him with the heavy flat end of the steel sword.
Edit: Crap.
Samara moves to the closer enemy and attacks with her sword. Considering she was attacked before, the wizard fights defensively, and doesn't succeed at all on her maneuver.
So far, everyone has failed to land a hit on Louslik, though the tanner doesn't seem to lower his guard. But it seems that he is surrounded, with both Tern and Samara upon him, and he knows that he needs to get out of this predicament and regroup.
With two of the intruders cornering him, and with him being flanked, Louslik knows that he cannot retreat back into his office. So, he puts away his crossbow and tries to engage with one closest to him with his fists. He knows he is surrounded, but at least he tries to make sure that even if he gets defeated, he can at least give his enemies some black eyes.
Now unarmed, Louslik tries to punch the one closest to him, Tern.
At the same time, Cimri contemplates whether to attack Louslik or not. After a brief contemplation, she takes out her sap and tries to hit Louslik with it, hoping that she can at least deal some damage on him to take him down.
”Your disobedience has signed your death warrant,” Kehlysch says as he stabs with his sword cane.
Leontiana scowls at Louslik's disobedience and briefly turns her attention to her bloodied leg. Grasping her symbol, she murmurs a brief prayer and the wound glows a faint golden red as it closes up.
"I'm going to be annoyed if that gets infected from any of the filth that's festering here."
She moves up into a flank opposite the stern-looking wizard.
Full of scorn Clarissa taunted the man, "Tsk-tsk. Ownership of a dangerous dog in addition to tax evasion, it's not looking good for you Louslik. The authorities don't take kindly to the likes of you and yours!"
Unfortunately the stench was making her gag and her delivery didn't have the force behind it she'd intended.
Diplomacy: You fluster your enemy. For the next minute, the target takes a –2 penalty on all attacks rolls made against creatures other than you and has a 10% spell failure chance on all spells that do not target you or that have you within their area of effect.
Despite Clarissa's attempt to antagonize him, Louslik seems unmoved and unaffected by her words and remains resolute against these invaders.
Samara insists on her defensive attacks, but again manages to show why a wizard usually shouldn't be using a longsword.