Search Posts
Owl back peddles a little as he realizes he's been found out. He holds up his hands in a defensive posture. "Now now. I know what your thinking. And you are absolutely right. So, change of plan." Instead of striking out at the man, Owl pulls an odd stick from his pack and strikes it on the the railing.
Then he tosses it right past the bandit and onto the crates in front of the snipers. It instantly begins to shoot out a billowing cloud of smoke that covers Irian.
Owl looked back down the ladder hoping to start poking his opponent in the eye. He was disappointed to see the man was now ignoring him and headed for Irian. That was fair honestly. He hadn't hurt the man much. Owl looked down the catwalk at the crossbowmen. That could work. He sneaks closer to the first one.
Another cut and another dodge. Yep. Time to disengage and look for another opportunity. Owl hops back and looks for an better place to do battle. His eyes alight on the second story catwalk. Then the ladder. That would do. He makes a feint to continue attacking and makes a break for the ladder.
This was not Owl's preferred engagement range but sometimes one couldn't be picky about things like that. Owl manages to dodge enough to avoid getting stabbed somewhere important. Instead of hi stomach the man gets his side...and maybe a kidney. Good thing he had two. He drops the bow and draws steel in retaliation.
After the rather ineffectual attacks. He takes a step back to get some space. If this went further south he could draw the man to Irian and let the better swordsman handle it.
Seeing an opportune moment, Owl leaves the small room to find cover near some crates. From there he leans out just far enough to snipe one of the rogues before dodging back to cover.
The room was still dark but the sound of battle carried. And that was his cue. Owl stepped out of the doorway momentarily and launched the stone far into the darkness to the other side of the warehouse, or as close as he could get. There is a deafening bang like a thunderclap as it hits the ground.
I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts hmm hmm hmm..."
Owl repositions to the corner of the room. From there he could shoot through either door and stay relatively safe behind a solid wall. But what to do? The best option was to wait for the ones at the front to draw attention. Then they'd hit the enemy from behind. Unfortunately they couldn't see anyone and Owl doubted they could be seen in return. So it was a waiting game. In preparation, Owl takes at a small, unassuming rock from a pouch at his side. Two distraction were better than one.
Owl gently pushes the door open as Laetitia covers with a crossbow. He peers out into the warehouse as he draws his bow again. He then waves the diminutive ratfolk forward. "Ladies first." While it could be construed that he was sending her forward first to draw fire, that wasn't completely true. She was a lot more stealthy than he was and had hard time feeling her presence even when he looked right at her.
Owl thought about speaking, but for once he figured that not the best option right now. Best to jest let the fiery little mouse loose upon unsuspecting bandits. But first they need to get her a weapon. Preferably her weapons but it was unlikely any of his or Laetitia's would suffice nor did he think her's were nearby. Keep the prisoner and their stuff far apart. Banditry 101. He ignores the tirade and moves to the door. "You weren't blindfolded so do you happen to know where your stuff is and how many are in the building?" He tests the door as he talks.
Owl smiles smugly as the lock clicks and the door swings open. The smile is replaced with surprise as he sees a familiar face gagged and bound on the floor. "Huh." Horror of horrors he was actually speechless for a moment. Worse yet, Laetitia heard. He recovers quickly though. Walking into the room while putting away his tools. "We are supposed to be entering covertly," he whispers to Laetitia. He walks over to their furred comrade and crouches, shortsword in hand. He begins sawing at Jix bindings while their mesmerist covers the door. "And while I am also curious as to how you got here, there is a better time and place for that explanation. Considering your predicament I assume you would be willing to help flush these villians out?" he asks as he the bindings fall away.
Of course the side door was locked. But that would hardly stop Owl. He stealth's up, careful to stay in the shadows, and crouch's near the door. He pulls out a few tools and gets to work cracking the lock.
"My men are stretched too thin as it is guarding the carnival from a citizen's uprising and securing the perimeter around the storehouse. I myself was going to join the perimeter to make sure those who flee would be brought to justice..." A few mannequins and some spare armor would do the trick, Owl thinks. But that might take too long and they were already way behind as it was. Better to treat this like a pond on a warm spring day. Just jump on in. Sometimes it was fun to indulge in a bit of chance. He gives Irian an overly formal salute and stalks off for separate ingress. As they circle the building, making sure to stay out of sight for the most part, Owl keeps an eye open for a way in and any movement inside.
"I'm sure Feldane can supply us a distraction," Owl comments. His eyes flit back and forth over the warehouse, the guards surrounding it, nearby building and more. He idly taps his foot as he considers. "And they don't even have to get within range. Just have some of the guard start bunching up in the front. Make a show of preparing to assault without actually doing it. They've been trapped in there for several hours. They are bound to be antsy. We'll be the real attack from the side or behind and drive them into her waiting arms. Thoughts," he says, not asking for theirs but indicating those were his. He leaves out that there is a chance the building will be mostly empty with a few token traps. If he ran a guild like this he'd have a secret passage out. But they seem to small time to fund that and even if they had one, they don't know where it is so no reason to bring it up.
"Soooo that's a 'no' and a 'no'," Owl says looking at them like a teacher would, trying to probe an answer from a hesitant student. "Well there you go, three to one. No chance of victory there. Was that so hard? Keep shuffling like that and you'll never move forward. Besides, do I look the kind of person that can't take disappointment...or criticism? Yes, we both made a bad call. At least we're still around to learn from it." He pauses as he looks around for for Kali. "Or at least I am. Where did..." His sentence fades into a mumble as he looks around, confused. Where had she gone? How had she disappeared so quickly. That was...not quite sad but...disappointing. Hm.
"Then you might as well just say we should wait, because our teamwork isn't going to be any better eight hours from now than it is right now," he says. "The problem is some of us don't seem to know their own capabilities." He stands next Laetitia and looks at Irian, Lia and Median in particular. "I say we go and she says we shouldn't," he says indicating Laetitia. "I don't think the extra abilities and tricks we will recover in eight hours will out weigh the advantage we have right now. It's going to be a straightforward assault. Yes or no? Are you ready to handle that right now?" Owl wasn't being difficult without reason. Despite the outward disagreement, he was almost certain they were not going to attack no. But one hour and eight hours of planning was going to make little difference because the problem with plans was that they never survived first contact. So one had to have the confidence that they could make it work despite any obstacles that should pop up. Did they have the stamina, resources, items, spells, and so forth, necessary to overcome everything. The others were straddling the fence. If they didn't have the confidence to say one way or the other that was effectively a vote for Laetitia, he just wanted them to say it. That's what he was fishing for. If Laetitia, of all people, was getting serious about this camaraderie thing, he'd support it.
Owl looked down at the gash in his armor and the red stain beneath. He also looked at the empty pouch of vials he prepared before hand for his personal potions. Median, Lia, and likely Laetitia were low on magic. There options were limited. A lot would be riding on Irian who seemed no worse for wear so far. Weighing the options, he declares, "We should go now. I don't know about you all but do not relish fighting skulks at night. They were hard enough to spot in the day. Give them time to find a good spot to ambush and..." He leaves the thought unfinished. Their imaginations would do better than he could in filling in the gaps.
Level 3: Default to average 4 + 2 = 6
"Even I require some time in a new city to gather an information network," he says, ignoring her obvious bait. It took some effort to rein in the instinct to immediately engage in innuendo and witty banter. She was very close to giving away their client's information and that was something he could not abide by. Not unless someone was offering more. He had at least that much integrity. "And please refrain from speaking ill of our client. It's not professional. There's a free lesson."
Owl scoffs at the dying man's last words. I am an excellent thief when I need to be, he thinks. He wipes his blade on the thief's shirt and goes over his body looking for special items and clues. It'd be stupid of him to keep anything on him that might implicate the thieve's guild. But since he was dead that made him a stupid man. Once he's been relieved of possessions he heads back. Someone else could carry the body. It wasn't likely to go anywhere. =======A bit later======== Owl gives Laetitia a quick look of impatience. Could she stand to be a bit more professional? Note to self, she is not to be trusted with secrets. "It's a Thieve's Guild love. You know, with a 'u'," he says, mockingly. "We were paid to see this through and so we shall," he confirms to the sheriff. Plus the guild hideout was an excellent opportunity for info, items, maybe favors if they looked the other way.
Damn, Owl thought. Despite Kali's comment on price, the resources of a multi-city guild was nice. But was it worth ruining the job now? He considered it a moment as the man turned to attack his partner. His gut told him to pounce on the opportunity but he analyzed that instinct a moment longer. He trusted his gut. It usually had the right idea. But he liked to know why. In this case, it was because their financeur was a wild card, a powerful one. His resources were still unknown. But magic was always a powerful friend to have. And he could probably get info or membership from the thieves guild sooner or later anyway. Better to get a reference from someone that hadn't messed up their mission. He might not earn points for this but he doubted the guild was big on failures. He rushes up behind the man, weapon drawn. "She's right. And I doubt you'll be in any position to help me when this is over anyway."
"You, good sir," Owl said it as an insult as he brandished his blade. He wasn't as confident in his bladework as he was his bow but he was very good at looking confident about it. "Have tried to besmirch my good name with your magical ruse. That isn't to say I don't have a price. Just that it will be very high for the first option. You can't afford the second. So, for the price of walking, make me an offer. And it better be a good one." Owl was intentionally goading him to strike. He wanted the man to think he had no chance. Then he'd likely attack Owl and Kali would put an end to him (he didn't look like a man that would be taken alive). Case closed. But if he somehow said a high enough number with attached information, Owl'd listen.
Seeing Kali break off from the chase to cut the man off, Owl continues to pursue vaulting, sliding, and squeezing through obstacles to keep up the pressure.
yep. Editing.
"Ah," Owl says as they round the corner. So that's the leader. But how... he starts the thought but sees the glass in the ground. He looks up at the broken window. He jumped out the window with the child in tow? I definitely misjudged these people. They are absolutely insane.
"I think we should listen to what the man has to say," Owl says, unaware of Kali's impending action. And then *Ping* the dagger and the danger is gone. Huh. Who... Owl does not have time to think about who as their culprit rabbits. "Damn," he mutters, giving chase.
Owl hears a muffled shout from Kalisuel but does not manage to pick out the words. ANd now everyone is headed outside. Where is everyone going? Am I missing something? He follows Irian as the human warrior moves swiftly by.
I'll wait.
Thankfully Owl was paying attention when the thug on the stairs wound up for another throw. He could see the arc clearly and twisted away from the flying dagger. His retaliation followed, much faster than a dagger throw.
I may throw my hat in the ring but that requirement to have an ability at 6 is not something I am comfortable with. I try and balance most characters. Breadth of experience rather than extreme focus. And the rolls I had gives me a 6 and 7. That will be hard for me to play with.
One would think the press of bodies would make for easy targets and one would be wrong. Archery was a subtle skill. Pick a weak point and exploit it ruthlessly. It appealed to Owl on a number of levels but his skill was with it was not as sharp as his tongue.
"I'll see you lot hanged for this," the 'Sheriff' says. Angry as he might be it didn't dampen the fear of almost getting gutted and the disgust at their apparent lack of subtly. The goons of the man upstairs would have just ruined his entire ruse. Stupid minions. Escaping the to the safety of numbers, Owl takes up his bow and fires back.
The smile in the goon's eye is enough to tell Owl what is about to happen. It is not, however, enough time for him to react. He avoids the first dagger through reflex but the other finds a hole in his defense. And only his armor stops it from going deep enough to cause severe internal damage. He doesn't hesitate to flee.
Don't we all.
I was kidding. I want things to stay as they are. Just being cautious and hopefully considerate.
Dibs on the knife thrower.
I recognize the difference between IC and OOC but I still wanted to make sure people were cool with what's going on. I got burned once for playing to character too much. Owl is not an offensive character. And the fight looked to be going south until Tish popped her spell. By then he was out of the loop. I plan to either catch the shifty one in a lie about saving the children, play for time until back-up arrives, or make a grab for the shifty guy and drive him to you guys. Fair?
"I'll get your stories in a minute," the "Sheriff" says. "If you won't put them away then stand outside." He tries once again to get let someone know what was going on, this time winking at Kalisuel.
No, a wink wasn't working. Instead, Kali catches the ghost of a familiar smile from Feldane. No one else had such a smile. Which could only mean... She turns back to the "guards", "Again, show me the body and where the hell is your captain? I have questions."
let me know. Owl smiled internally. He loved it when a ruse worked. And if I play my cards right I can trick them into implicating themselves. On the outside, Sheriff Feldane scowled at the lot of them. She looks at the thug that spoke. "I'll be the judge of that. Now stand down. All of you." She sweeps the room with an uncompromising gaze as she places herself between the two sides. She looks at the thugs. "The carnival hired these men and woman as private detectives to look into the murders surrounding the sphinx. So far," she says, scowling over her shoulder at the party, "they have been upstanding visitors. I find it extremely odd they'd be attacking a noble's house, killing its master, and causing a stink when their own client is about to be hanged." She then turns to the party. "Odd but not impossible. And the evidence is against them. Put your weapons away. And miss," she says looking at Median, "I appreciate the healing but please refrain from casting anymore magic and keep your hands where I can see them." Subtly, and without looking at the thugs, "Sheriff Feldane" winks at her.
She turns back around to the thugs. "Watch them and nothing more. Not until I figure out what is going on. Where is your captain? I'd like him to explain."
Owl barely bothers with the doors as he storms through them all the way to the foyer. S/he comes around the stares already bellowing. "Alright. What's going on..." he pauses as he scans the scene as if seeing it for the first time. S/he draws his sword and orders, "Everyone stand down or your spending the night in the jail at a minimum. What the hell is going on?"
With his disguise on, Owl moves around the side of the building and confidently walks through the back door.
Owl looks up at the window to make sure it wasn't open and no one was attempting egress there. If not he continues on making his way around to the back of the house. Before coming around the corner, he retrieves a vial from a hidden packet in his vest. He downs the mixture with a shiver. Starting at his head, a new image shimmers in place over his body. In Owl's place now stood the sheriff herself, ready to crack down on the murder scene.
Well, their sufficiently distracted I assume, Owl thinks as the ruffians move in. But that voice before, it sounded like him and then it didn't. And he said something children. This was a distraction. Whoever that was was going to lead the children to safety and blame it on him. And Owl was definitely not going to let that happen. "Which room did he enter?" Owl asks. One of his companions at least must not have been blinded. Once they answer he withdraws around to the side of the house they indicate. There had to be another way in. And two could play the disguise game.
I figured it out after seeing the d4 damage.
"Slaughter these idiots and get to secure locations afterward. I've spared the children." Owl is more than a little confused hearing his own internal voice from an external source. And it was something he was positive he would never say unless disguised as...That son of a b*&!@. Someone was disguised as him wasn't he? Or at least mimicking his voice. But who and to what end? Those thoughts take a back seat to pain. Pain from multiple sources and still, Owl could not see them. He was only just blinking the spots from his eyes when he sees a man come at him from the left. Instinctively, he spins away back out the door Neither wound was mortal but he was certain he wouldn't hold up to another, bleeding out as he was.
Owl has enough time to think, How'd I miss that? before the bag hits the ground and explodes in a blinding light. He rarely cursed his slightly more sensitive eyes but, internally, they were getting a verbal thrashing. He draws his shortword out of reflex and weaves it defensively before himself.
Owl turns to the commotion and raises an eyebrow. He could well imagine how it happened but still his mind went somewhere completely different. He says nothing but files the thought away for later. He turns back to Ika saying, "If you are offering then, message the sheriff and tell her to stall. There has been a development in the investigation and we are looking into it. And keep in touch with us." He then hops down from the wagon and looks at the others. "There was a development yes?" he says, looking expectantly. When informed of Braeton Manor he nods and follows. When they arrive, Owl looks at the manor, then looks at Lia, then back to the manor. Thanks for the obvious. When no one takes a step forward, Owl sighs and ghosts up the steps and peers through the window and the then the door. If there is no sign of movement or life he slowly opens the door and steps in.
That was certainly an understatement. The woman before him was several orders of magnitude less confident than the seductress he met the first day of the carnival. Unfortunately, that wasn't a helpful answer. Owl made sure to keep his disappointment off his face. Almara really did drop the key just to make sure we protected her. Or maybe for another reason. "Unfortunately that doesn't help the case we have going. But this revelation does open an opportunity that you should think of. Were you to revel to the sheriff that the Sphinx is an illusion, then the whole case against you falls apart. The people are scared of the sphinx because they thought it killed some people. Were they to find out it isn't real, it might convince them to stop this rioting and focus on the real culprit. Sure it might mean hard times for your carnival but at least no one will die." Owl hoped she took the offer as it would at the very least buy some time. The people were still angry but he might be able to shame them enough to stop. Plus she was extraordinarily pretty and shy. That always garnered sympathy. But they'd have to approach the sheriff first and secretly.
"Well well well. We meet again. Your mastery of illusions is far better than I gave you credit for. I apologize for that," Owl says with a nod and a smile. "I am starting to wonder if these murders might have been less about blaming the whole thing on the carnival and more about revealing this secret. Getting at you and Almara. Tell me, does Almara have any enemies or rivals? Maybe a worker in the past that left under aggravated circumstances? She gave us the key to find you so she must have wanted you tell us something."
|
