Faindriac looks at Holdrus, to Maliki, and at a couple of others, and stifles a sigh.
'Oh why couldn't I have been as blessed with as much Personal Charm and Magnetism as Intelligence?'
'Oh why couldn't you be as smart as you think you are?'
'Oh Shuttup Cair.'
Faindriac coughs softly to clear his throat, and gain attention.
"Allow me to rectify what I believe may be a potentially fatal misunderstanding. Mr. Radik, the plan is for the members of the front door team to enter through guile, NOT force. The idea is to AVOID attracting the attention that a frontal assault on a well-guarded entrance in the middle of a public street would certainly garner. Anyone entering from in sight of the public should therefore attempt to avoid physical confrontation until they have entered the building.
The BACKdoor team should logically therefore be the one where the individuals who expect to enter the premises fighting should join."His mouth twists once more into an almost smile. "At least, that is what the 'Rock' thinks."
'HEY! You leave me out of this!'
"My plan is better."
You're in for a long bumpy ride, Cleatus. I got 'maiden lyrics by the truckload.
"Declaration: Hit hit enter street side could draw...regard...away rear enter. Street side clutch harder kill rear enter clutch, hit harder; rear enter clutch with head art one and hot hot holy one cause greater hurt insane skills of attack......when street enter clutch draw away tough tough giant ones."
Almost to himself, he adds in Kreen:
"G...g...gods! L..l..let's j..just g..g..g..go k...k..k..kill the f...f..f..frack outa dem!"
"You are a very odd person." says Issiki blandly to Radik. "Who is 'Runs from the Wind'? Is that me? Then I think you should be 'Talks From Behind'" he adds with a disarming grin.
"I shall accompany you then, Faindric."
"heh heh....talks out of his....hrmm...."
"My plan is better."
"Yes. It has the dual advantages of being both direct, AND unsubtle."
Faindriac sighs, and turns to address the Thri-Kreen. "You do have valid points. However, I remain concerned about drawing unwanted attention by starting the fighting not only in the front, but in view of the public. So if we proceed with THIS version, I will merely reiterate my point to at least attempt to gain entrance to the facility BEFORE instigating the bloodshed. Otherwise, I must concur with our stuttering companion, and recommend that proceed without further delay."
"True-true. Point good. Many fighting to have inside oasis house. Outside oasis, sneaky good."
"My plan is better.""Yes. It has the dual advantages of being both direct, AND unsubtle."
"Subtlety is weak. Sneaking is weak. I will prevail, I will win. I am not weak."
'Cept in your daft head, moron! Sometimes the way to victory lies in planning, subtle and well thought-out planning that leads to a fight in terms that won't draw every friggin' templar in the city to us at one time. Shut your lips if all that plans on coming out is "I fight, I win. Any other tactic is weak" and let the adults talk, imbecile.
"Hrrmmmm.....subbletittlety....weak? Weak?....who in the lusty stealth of night take more fire, and fierce composition than doth, within a dull, stale tired bed go to the creation of an entire tribe of fops got tween sleep and wake?
If this plan speed, and thrive, then the weak will overtake the mighty. Silly tit."
Some Shakespeare gankage...
"M..m..m..maybe R..R..Radik wants to be your b..b..b..b~#%#, Mal..Mal..Malaki!"
Aso, snorting like a pig, laughs so hard he falls over.
"Hrrrmmm..."
Frustrated with only really half understanding most of the dialogues and still not trusting anything to do with crazy talking weapons, Kirrish sums up his opinions for anyone that can understand Kreen and then takes a seat.
The sandy thri-kreen shakes his head in exasperation. His mandibles and delicate interior mouth parts flex and a cacophany of clicks, buzzes, whistles and pheremones fly through the air.
Kreen:
We must be in and out in little time. There are advantages to striking early and to striking late. If early: darkness can be a shroud for our escape, if necessary. However, many of us cannot see in the night and the cool evening can give time to pursuers. If late, before or during dawn, we may be too late and hiding will be difficult. But the heat of the day may deter pursuit. If we wish to strike early, I suggest we start moving.
Faindriac actually has to cover his mouth for a moment. When he lowers his hand, his customary frown is firmly in place. But it seems somewhat out of place with the glint of humor in his eyes.
"Of COURSE you will win Radik,"
'We'll make sure of that, if nothing else'
"But for the sake of the rest of us, just wait for your victory until you are INSIDE the building. That's all we ask."
'That, and to go spend a ceramic on a new personality!'
'Not NOW Cair! True though.'
"You speak wisdom noble Kirrish. Shall we proceed then? Time waits for no being, weak or otherwise,..."
Frustrated with only really half understanding most of the dialogues and still not trusting anything to do with crazy talking weapons, Kirrish sums up his opinions for anyone that can understand Kreen and then takes a seat.
The sandy thri-kreen shakes his head in exasperation. His mandibles and delicate interior mouth parts flex and a cacophany of clicks, buzzes, whistles and pheremones fly through the air.
Kreen:
** spoiler omitted **
"My sentermints igg-zacktilly. I dannou interstand a word you said, but I like it.
WE GO WITH KIRRISH'S PLAN!!!!" Shenker starts slapping himself on the shoulders leaving red palmprints."Wooooot! Woot! It's all on, ere ere!"
I didn't read the spoiler or nothing. It was just convincin'.
"Wooot! Oyt! Oyt! It's attem on now!!!"
'Cept in your daft head, moron! Sometimes the way to victory lies in planning, subtle and well thought-out planning that leads to a fight in terms that won't draw every friggin' templar in the city to us at one time. Shut your lips if all that plans on coming out is "I fight, I win. Any other tactic is weak" and let the adults talk, imbecile.
"I am he who is favored of the Iron Maiden. You take your plan. I will go alone. Always alone."
Scratching his carapace with a claw, Skarsnikt plops down nex to Kirrish.
Kreen:
::I like your plan. Let the softshells argue among themselves - they can't help themselves. No point in taking sides or attempting to resolve anything. Their lack of clutch-perspective makes them prone to pointless bickering and foolish flexing of their muscles. These days, I just nod and agree, no matter what I think. The rock-skinned one will provide a fine distraction. What we should concentrate on is to take advantage of that.
The plan of the ancestor spirit in the weapon worries me, though. Why do these ghosts haunt these blades? Perhaps the weapons did them great harm? Perhaps the ghosts seek revenge against the weapons' previous wielders? Either way, I am uneasy and confused.::
Scratching his carapace with a claw, Skarsnikt plops down nex to Kirrish.
Kreen:** spoiler omitted **
Kreen:
The only good weapon is a silent weapon. Whatever spirits inhabit these things, their motives are not for our understanding. And if they are precious metals like those in the one held by Holdrus, it is likely any one of them will get an unwary clutch member's throat cut in the night. It is trouble any way you stack it: if others have them, they can only bring trouble. If the clutch has them, our internal struggles will only intensify and scrutiny in Raam will be even more intense.
Can you imagine the foolish gladiator one with a metal weapon and his present attitude? Wars are born with such power in irresponsible hands. And I have yet to see less responsible hands.
"Aso will go with R..R..Radik. D..d..don't w..w..w..wanna miss the sh..sh..sh..show."
A series of hacking coughs from the formerly comatose half-elf youth briefly interrupt the party’s “debate.”
A series of hacking coughs from the formerly comatose half-elf youth briefly interrupt the party’s “debate.”
Holdrus draws his sword and holds it ready while standing over the Half-devil, "Wakey, wakey. You need to tell us everything you know and have seen in the bathhouse. If you do you will walk away from this. If you don't I will 'remove' the elven half of you. I don't like elves. SPEAK! NOW!!"
The youth’s eyes pop open at Holdrus’ yelling, and he sits bolt upright, barely managing to avoid impaling himself in the process. It’s difficult to tell what he might be staring at as his eyes rotate in opposite directions, but his eyes emit a distinct yet faint radiance.
“Wuh…wuh…wrrrraaaaaalllllgggggpppphhhhh,” is all the youth manages to get out before projectile vomiting iridescent, viscous bile, showering Holdrus and anyone else unfortunate enough to be nearby. The youth defecates explosively, then his entire body spasms repetitively before he lies still, breathing no more. The variegated flecks of vomit around his mouth and across the front half of Holdrus continue to shine for a few moments before going dim, then out.
MalaKi wipes off a few splatters of the iridescent, viscous bile while laughing his proverbial ass off. "This day just gets better and better," he says with a wide grin. Then he stops smiling, takes a deep breath and says, "I'm with Radik. It's a good day to die."
reflex save r 17+8=25 to avoid spew.
"Is he allrighty then?"
"Hey, what's wrong?"
"I will fight. Now."
He begins to stride off in the direction of the street directly in front of the establishment.
"Kreen folk, good my exoskeletal friends one and both,...what are I and we to do? I'm down for whatever."
"Come on guys. D...d...d...don't wanna m..m..miss this!"
Aso grabs his club and hops off the stool quick onto Radik's heels.
"Oh, for crying out,... I mean, GOOD! It's about frakkin' time!" Faindriac exclaims as Radik heads for the door. He had managed to avoid the glowing spew of the ill-fated Half-elf by simple expedience of not being one of the ones questioning him. He had actually thought that the half-elf was a passed-out customer until the 'questioning' began.
He hastily made sure that his few belongings were tucked safely into his canvas shoulder bag. Then Hopped up from his chair and began to head for the door himself. He turned and took a few steps backwards as he addressed the rest of the group. "Looks like our 'distraction' is now on a schedule. Would a couple of you go with him and at least try to keep him alive long enough to get in the front doors? The rest of us will take the back. Come along Mr. Shenker, time to place your lockpicks where your mouth is. I distinctly remember hearing you say that you would, 'get 'er open'!" He gives his customary smirk, and turns to follow the others out the door.
Kirrish stands, gives his kank a farewell pat, and begins to head for the door.
"Kreen folk, good my exoskeletal friends one and both,...what are I and we to do? I'm down for whatever."
"Suggestion: Rear door known to Shenker one, could go rear door while insane gladiator one get distraction. Door closed, could get owen or sneak hit guards. Or could try go in street-side-giant-guard-door, walk in as "custower". Could work, though all thin-shells look alike this one. This one will go rear, since this one guesses Kreen not usual see this rich water house and distraction already start insane gladiator one."
"Declaration: Should "shit hit wind" and disaster "go down", we not lead chase to Tik's. Hide in city, seek shelter later."
Of course, Kirrish. We don't want to bring harm down on our friends.
*Holdrus sticks tight with Shenker.*
sorry; spot 16 +9; 25
MalaKi follows Radik.
I'll head to the rear door then; see if I need to search it over and then jimmy the lock.
(if I may be so bold as to....)
move silent r14+10=24
hide r14+10=24
search door r5+9=14 and if I see no traps,...
open lock r15+10=25
"Perhaps other midsize softshells with stoneskinned one? That way attract little alarm before distraction. Us kreen back door with sneaky ones."
"Hrrrmmm.....jimmy her open, jimmy her open, all in...all in...."
From her post on the roof, Kha-Chik-Chik-Ka notices an odd shimmering, like the rising of hot desert thermals, moving between the alleyways around Tik’s place.
While she is attempting to determine the source of the shimmering, the inn door bursts open and Radik strides into the evening street purposefully and without fear, or perhaps even the common sense to attempt to avoid patrols.
exiting the door, Schenker calls out to the aaracockra:
"Here, feathery lass, we're off on our delivery route, then. If you like, fly around and have a look at what we're about. Or not."
Chirp, Squirch; hold please; something in the distance; threat unknown; point with wing.
"Wot's wot, then?"
Holdrus, standing beside Shenker, looks to where Darkwing points.
1d20+5=16 spot.
"Shoulder to shoulder, Shenker. Lets give the perimeter a walk through."
***Scirroco, do you detect anything?***
I'll spot too then.
r8+8=16
"Hrrrmmm...."