I just had a brilliant plan, lets go left.
Anyssa grins at Grunthor, appreciating a moment of humor in a tense situation.
"Eh, go left, why not."
"The left hand street sounds good to me."
As the group makes the turn to the left and starts down the side street Damandor asks, "Does anyone know exactly where Antius lives, or are we just running blindly in the dark through the Royal Quarter, risking our lives?"
Knowledge local check: 1d20+8= 27
"I recognize this intersection, I courted a young maid in the area for a while (until she found out I wasn't a prince from the south). Left will get us to Power's Way quickly, however it is a main thoroughfare and is likely to be both heavily patrolled and well lit. The intersection of Power's Way and Noble Boulevard, where Ashwyn said Antius's house is, lies at the end of an alley off the road which is straight ahead of us. Following this route will be quicker, plus we'll be less likely to run into a patrol."
Elend moves to go straight and heads for the alleyway that will give us access to Antius' compound.
Anyssa shrugs. "Okay, I guess we go straight. Always a good idea to follow the guy who actually knows where he's going."
I've just had another brilliant idea. Let's go straight.
"Lead the way Eland, I'd be more than happy to take a way that offers a better chance at getting there undetected, and besides taking a less used side route may make it harder for the guards behind to find us if they are pursuing."
"And so we continue toward our goal..."
Eland leads you deeper into the Royal Quarter, keeping to the darker side streets as much as possible. The wide, tree lined boulevards of this district are flanked on either side by high walls or ornate building facades leaving you more exposed than you are used to. The sounds of pursuit fade into the distance as you move into a quiet, residential area of the ward.
Eland leads you down a small accessway, a tiny alley between two large manors, presumably used exclusively by slaves or servants. You finally get a chance to pause and catch your breath as you reach the intersection of Power's Way and Noble Boulevard. Hunkered down in the gloom of the narrow alleyway, you can see a large manor which must be Antius's home.
There is a grand, front door opening onto the street which is well lit by a nearby street lamp. From where you crouch, it appears that there is a large, walled garden to the rear of the house, behind a high, stone wall.
perception: 1d20= 4
Eland looks about the street. His first instinct is relief at arriving and a desire to get off the street. "There is the manor we are seeking, should we knock at the door and see if Antius is home."
"Hold on Eland let's make sure that we won't be seen before we walk up to the door and start knocking. We wouldn't want to be caught out in the open by a potential enemy."
Ivan flexes his hands in anticipation and slows his breathing. The world around him seems to slow as he enters a martial trance, noticing things most people overlook.
perception:26
When your hot, your hot. 1d20+3=4 I must be asleep.
"Well, if he doesn't answer the door I can always check around back."
perception:12=8+4
Antius's house is one of the largest you have ever seen. It is made from smooth, polished stone with ornate buttresses and decorated stonework around the windows on all three stories. There are dark, wooden shutters across all of the ground floor windows, the upper stories windows are unshuttered, although all of them appear to have heavy curtains drawn. The lamp-post nearby sheds a pool of light which covers the intersection and illuminates the front of Antius's home.
The street is currently deserted and you can't hear any sound of the patrol you encountered earlier. A tiny laneway runs between the garden wall of Antius's manor and his neighbour, providing access to the rear of his estate.
Damandor and Ivan:
Damandor in a low voice says, "There was some movement past one of the second floor windows and there is some kind of sound coming from the back of the house."
"If we took the alley way down the side of the house we could perhaps see what is causing the noise."
Lets go to the side, if there are walls, Ivan and I can boost people up and over.
"That would be the more prudent move, we should send the scout and warriors over first in case there is trouble. This sword I carry is mainly for show." Eland makes his way to the narrow passage between the two estates.
*dropping his facade of a gruff dwarf.*
"I can see very well in the dark, and I have a spell to illuminate someone so you can target them. But I'm not what you'd call a 'sneak'..."
"I'm not the sneakiest, but I can usually deal with threats pretty well. Up to you guys where you want me. I'll go over the wall or stay behind as you like. Of course, on the plus side, I'm probably one of the easiest one of us to actually lift over the wall."
If there is fighting to be done, fear not, I'll be right after you. You can't have all the fun yourself. And I suspect that Ivan feels the same way.
Damandor follows Eland and tries to sneak across to the alley next to Antius' house.
Ivan moves up, hoping to get to where the sounds are coming from .
Grunthor follows.
Flint looks almost comical as he tries to be sneaky(He put his shield away so he could do it easier). He does pretty good for a dwarf.
Garret follows Eland and the others. At least, you think he did.
Eland leads you across the broad boulevard and down the narrow alley between the two large manors. After a short distance, you come to a large, study door in the high wall which is hanging open, banging in the wind in a slow rhythm. You hear no other sounds as you peer through into the gloom of the private garden.
From where you congregate in the alley, you can see a well-tended garden. In one corner is a gazebo and you see the outline of a large fishpond surrounded by healthy flowers. Looking towards the house, you can see a large entrance leading into the manor as well as a smaller entrance down the side of the building, squeezed between the house and the wall. You would guess that to be a slaves' entrance leading into the kitchen.
The house is dark and silent. Both doors are closed and the windows all have thick curtains drawn. Unusually for Bastion, the ground floor windows are not shuttered, presumably the high walls around the garden ensure the privacy of its occupants.
"I didn't expect to see green power in this city..."
Ivan whispers "No need for all of us to make a rucus through the place. I say a scout should be sent ahead. Possibly two."
"Okay. So who's going in?" Anyssa whispers back.
Damandor looks through the open gate into the garden, checking to see if he can hear or see anything of interest that wasn't seen at first glance.
Damandor whispers, "Remember I did see someone in the house, if there is more then one foe inside, then sending in a lone scout may not be a good idea. I think that we should all go in, and I would say that the side door may be the best option."
Grunthor takes a peak through the gate, but even with his darkvision he really doesn't detect a lot.
He enters through the gate carefully, big sword already drawn.
He decides that tonight he feels more stealthy than perceptive. He will attempt to make his way toward the side door.
"I'll scout ahead."
The seven of you slip into Antius's private garden and begin to quietly approach the house watching and listening intently for any sign of disturbance. The cold night air is silent other than the soft banging of the gate into the alley and the occasional sound of the wind blowing in the trees.
Garret and Grunthor lead the way towards the side entrance and into the kitchen, everyone moving as silently as they can. The door is closed, but unlocked - opening easily and quietly and allowing you all to slip inside silently. There is a thin sliver of moonlight spilling into the kitchen through the door allowing you to glimpse a grand and well appointed kitchen, however if you are to go further, you will be moving in deep darkness - the curtains throughout the house are all drawn and there are no interior lights.
"I could cast a spell of light that will help us navigate but also give away our position." Eland thinks on this for a moment, "or I could cast my light spell on something in the room, doing so in each room we enter, thus avoiding the target problem." To show the others what he is thinking, Eland casts light on a copper piece and flips it into the empty (?) kitchen.
"I could cast a spell of light that will help us navigate but also give away our position." Eland thinks on this for a moment, "or I could cast my light spell on something in the room, doing so in each room we enter, thus avoiding the target problem." To show the others what he is thinking, Eland casts light on a copper piece and flips it into the empty (?) kitchen.
"Eland, I was struggling with the same question a moment ago, but I believe that you have come up with a solution that will benefit us greatly. Although I did bring a lamp and some oil back with me when I went to talk with Theriandor, we can use it if our need to be careful ends."
Since we have gone indoors, Grunthor will sheath his big sword and pull out his short sword instead.
Flint readies his shield and warhammer
Ivan flexes his hands and uses isometrics to warm up his muscles. He moves forward in a slight crouch on the balls of his feet.
The coin Eland has enchanted illuminates the kitchen brightly as he tosses it onto the floor, some light spilling through doors into neighbouring rooms. From where you are, you can see two doorways leading into what appears to be a dining room and a passageway. There is also a well stocked larder and a stairwell leading down to a cellar.
Quietly entering the enormous house, you begin to move through the lowest level. At each room, Eland tosses a small coin into the centre of the room, the bright glow illuminating the grandest building any of you have ever explored. You listen intently, but the house is utterly silent other than the occasional soft sound from one of you.
Most rooms are carpetted in thick, pure wool and the entire manor is decorated with ornate, exquisitely made furniture. Paintings adorn the walls as well as the occasional vase, sculpture or other object of art. The ground floor is a variety of living quarters for slaves or servants - all much better appointed than any of you are used to. There is also several living rooms, dining rooms and sitting rooms, each artfully designed and decorated. Thick, velvet curtains are drawn across every window making the entire lower floor almost pitch black if it werent for Eland's frequent cantrips.
The centre of the ground floor is dominated by an elaborate entrance hall which leads from the front door down a short passage. The floor made of large, white marble tiles, the chamber is dominated by a large staircase leading up to the higher levels, splitting left and right as it provides access to a balcony on the first floor. From where you stand at the bottom of the staircase, you can see several doors opening into darker rooms beyond. The impressive foyer is dominated by an enormous chandelier made of hundreds of tiny, crystals threaded together in an intricate and beautiful pattern.
Confident that the lower level is unoccupied, you congregate in the foyer at the foot of the stairs looking up at the impressive chandelier. The entire house is silent - a feeling of apprehension and tension coming over your small group as the thick curtains and carpets, together with the possibility of encountering the home's inhabitants, lend a hushed tone to your explorations.
Grunthor quietly asks Eland for a lit coin, which he palms and closes in his huge off-hand He gestures at Garret to lead the group up the stairs. If Garret will lead Grunthor will follow behind.
Garret: Watch carefully for traps and squeeky steps.
Damandor will follow Garret and Grunthor up the stairs.
Garret takes his time sneaking up the stairs, searching it carefully.
Eland readies his crossbow and keeps a watch on the doorways above on the landing.