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Asking at the citadel about the guards, it seems that Cressida believes that about 4 other guards have joined with Verik.
When you show up the next morning, the scene is much as it is before with flocks of people gathered to get what slim pickings of meat they can. When you get inside and offer the coin for Gaedren, Malder will grin a bit and nod some. "Sure thing, pal, though we don't guarantee bringing him in. Most of the folks we have a talk with will skip town. You won't hear from him again, we can promise that. He'll well remember the chat you want, whoever says the words. We'll go have the words with him tonight."
Sl will set up a net trap on the roof of the Old Fishery at the land end of the dock. The trigger will be on the roof so Vallis the Raven can set it off on our signal. Otherwise we will be across the street where we can watch the place and react as appropriate. Fortune will maintain a message spell between Vallis and Sl at all times. Sl will also make sure the doors from the dock to inside are secured from the inside and dump any bodies into the water, being careful not to touch them directly by wrapping them in a heavy wrapping (canvas maybe). He will also make sure they aren't leaving obvious tracks.
Can a Raven drop a tanglefoot bag on someone? They can carry it (light load for a 2 str is 6 lbs, tfb weighs 4 lbs). If so we will prepare a tfb for him to drop as well.
Fortune will find the closest guard post to the Old Fishery, or some place we could drop prisoners. Just in case 1 or more get away and we have to quickly go to the Shop. Fortune will also think about some short cuts from the Old Fishery to All the Worlds Meats using know:local (+8).
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At just about dusk as last of the shipping boats have come into the harbor you see four figures making their way along the road towards the fishery. Two of them you recognize from the storefront, of the other two, one is tall and broad shouldered with long sideburns on his face. The other is thin and jittery looking, his eyes darting around everywhere as he walks.
All of them have obvious chainmail on and hold shields. Each of them except for the broad shouldered one have longswords at their hips, the big one has a warhammer which he holds openly, patting the heavy head on his palm.
They approach the building somewhat cautiously, drawing their weapons as they get near. They move up first and try and peer in through the boarded windows. One of them moves to approach the main entrance but the man with the warhammer thumps him on the shoulder with his fist and then points towards the boat behind and instead of testing the lock they move around to walk up the dock.
Fortune prays to Desna for their success and hopes Shadowleaf said the "According to his information" part, so when they find the ship empty they could assume he had bad information. Fortune will also renew the message spells now and give Sl some guidance.
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The four men make their way back along the dock and out of sight of all but the raven. It is able to report basics at least, confirming that they are looking around a bit and moved onto the boat, then that they are going inside. A moment later it says that they are coming back in a hurry. Shortly you can see that they four of them are coming down the dock quickly, two of them obviously injured.
Vallis can drop the net at any point you wish, who did you want to hit with it? Are there any other surprise actions you will wish to take while they are still heading down the dock?
When the raven reports they are on the way back, Fortune will start casting a sleep spell. Trying to time it to hit them as they arrive at the end of the dock where the net is. The raven will probably try to "hit" 1 of the middle 2 (to divide them up). Fortune has a tanglefoot bag in 1 hand, with nothing in the other (for spellcasting).
Sl will move to a location to aim down the dock (he is good at hiding, stealth +7), within 30'. As Mr. Eyebrows (Baldrago) gets to the end (30'), Shadowleaf will sic the new dog on them and shoot Mr Eyebrows, "You really think you can shoot this good".
1d20+9=16 forgot +1 mw bow
1d6+4=9 forgot +1d6 sneak attack
1d20, 1d20+4=[5], [7, 4]
init = Fortune 5, Shadowleaf 11
We will both use Harrow points to reroll to;
1d20, 1d20+4 =[19], [17, 4]
init = Fortune 19, Shadowleaf 21
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When the net falls from the roof, the man below it seems to notice it at just the last moment, throwing himself against the railing to evade it, narrowly doing so. His eyes widen though as there is a sickening snap from the railing and it breaks away, leaving him tumbling down into the water below, splashing frantically to try and get up onto the lower dock.
The arrow flies true directly into Baldrago's check, catching him completely unaware. He blinks once but doesn't even have a chance to cry out as he slumps to the ground.
The two remaining guards on the pier blink slowly, stupidly at their allies who have fallen. As one of them drops to the pier, the other shakes his head and almost looks like he might manage to push free of the spell affecting him but then he falls prone as well.
Fortune and Rufus will quickly move up and disarm the sleepers while Vallis grabs his tanglefoot bag and flaps up to the top of the roof to watch down the streets.
Shadowleaf will quickly call off the new dog while moving up to the bank to help the man in the river, getting out his rope. "It's me or the sharks lad." (rope in 1 hand, bow in the other).
Fortune will whisper "I thought we were trying to take them alive" as he casts a stabilize spell on Baldrago, hoping he is still alive. Then he will get out the manacles and put them on the sleepers, if they are close enough he will chain them together.
Sl will help the man up the bank, where he is met by 2 dogs. Sl tosses him a manacle, "Put these on".
Fortune will speak up from where he is, "If you don't resist we will put in a good word for you."
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Baldrago is still alive, albeit barely at this point and the stabalizing does stop the bleeding and keep him from dying.
The other two are manacled, and as you have a spare pair of manacles it is easy enough to connect the two sets behind them.
Once he is up on the bank, the man will nod his head quickly again and put the manacles on his wrists. He is one of the two you hadn't seen previously, the skinny one who looks rather jumpy, and that nervousness is much more obvious now, he is quite aware of the trouble he is in.
Thank... Thank you. I won't cause no trouble, sirs."
Fortune is relieved when he discovers Baldrago is still alive, death is such a permanent solution. To the man who is awake, "These guys will wake up in a few minutes, so you have that much time to tell us what is really going on with your free meat scam with no one knowing you told us. Perhaps you were taken in by Vancaskerkin, help us and we can help you." Meanwhile he will disarm Baldrago.
As the man from the river gets to the top, Shadowleaf drops the rope and steps back, nocking an arrow. If the man makes any false move he gets an arrow in face (or other convenient location).
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The nervous man nods quickly, nearly trembling as he looks at the two of you. "Thank you, sirs... My name is Karralo. I never was cut out much for the guard, sirs, old man pushed me into it really. I'm alright with the blade I 'spose, but my sergeant always told me I didn't have the heart for the work. Its why I worked the yard, or at least did, til the town went mad. They were putting me on the streets! With mobs! A man would get killed like that, sirs!"
"Its how I fell in with this crew, heard they were taking over some shop. Aint nothing to it, you know? Hand out some food, mind each other, and the town loves us instead of wanting to tear us apart like when we was in the guard, you know? But this sir, this ain't right. Verik, he's running the show, said he had a sponsor and could get us the beef and pork for the folks, knew someone who had the connections to make it happen. Don't know who though. I think he meant it too, sirs, never knew Verik so well before all this, but while he never got on so well in the guard I think he always fancied himself a hero."
"These guys though, they was different. Mercenary types. They didn't take off for some noble cause or, well, cowardice, sirs. Parns here..." He frowns at looks at one of the sleeping men, the other you had not seen before. [b]"Verik made sure to bring him along because he was a butcher before he joined the guard. But the guy was sick, you know? Liked the power of his old job and figured he could get more here, more coin. Talked the other two into doing some behind the scenes work, roughing folks up, killing. He figured people going missing during these crazy times, wouldn't be missed, you know? He's crazy, sirs." He shakes his head again at that. "I didn't know thats what was going on when I came across them after I ditched out. I was just looking for folks what wouldn't just turn me in, not another way to put my neck on the line, sirs."
The man looks pretty genuinely terrified of you and the fact that he had that nervous look about him when you watched him approach makes it seem pretty unlikely to be an act to you. Its hard to tell just what all may or may not be true in his story, but it is at least clear that he really was not comfortable doing this sort of work and he wants to get away from the others, especially Parns, almost as much as he wants to get away from you guys.
Fortune will stare into Karralo's eyes for a moment before nodding, "Ok. While you lay down and look asleep, who is left at the shop?"
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The man swallows and lays back, trying to fake sleeping, though he is still noticeably trembling. "Just... Just Verik, sirs. I've never seen who this sponsor of his and the farmer don't bring the animals by until just before dawn. Normally its just the five of us there. He don't know about this stuff, like I said, its Parns' idea, so at night normally he's locked himself up in his room and we just slip out."
As a warrior who had put his own life on the line for his people, Shadowleaf is disgusted by Karralo's cowardice. But cowards can be unpredictable, so he still keeps an eye on him. "Any passwords or other secrets. I think we will give the guard a glowing report of your cooperation and how you just aren't suited for field work, but only after we capture your boss. So if we don't return..."
Making sure all 4 are manacled and completely disarmed/searched (with a quick 15), putting Parns and Malder together so they can carry Baldrago (that ought to slow them down). They will retrieve the net and put it over Baldrago. Then they will wake up Parns. Shadowleaf will let Fortune do the talking, he will be standing by 2 dogs with a drawn kukri, twirling it it the fading light.
First, Fortune will retrieve the tanglefoot bag Vallis has and put him on watching our backs. Dipping a bandage in Baldragos blood and putting it on Karrlo's eyes to look like they got hurt.
After gagging Parns, we splash some water on his face and say, "Wake up. Howdy, I suppose you want to resist, well, he wants you to resist," indicating Shadowleaf, "he hasn't killed anyone in a bit and needs the practice. However, you are worth more alive than dead, and we have this injured man to carry. So, Parns is it. You and your friends are going to come along quietly. Don't worry, I've already used magic to get all the information I want from you, so you won't have to answer any questions. Or he will kill you, your choice."
If he resist's, SL will kill him (he made his choice and he seems too dangerous to play around with).
If they don't resist 2 armed men and 3 dogs, we wrap Baldrago in the net, put him on a shield and have Parns and Malder carry him. Karralo will be led by a rope. Fortune will lead off with Rufus and Karralo behind, the men carrying Baldrago next with a bow toting SL and his 2 dogs last (1 dragging a shield with weapons on it). Vallis is flying cover. We head toward the nearest location we can get guard assistance.
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Parns scowls up at you when you wake him up and mutters some sort of curses into the gag. Still, being bound and weaponless doesn't give the men much of a choice in the matter, so they reluctantly follow along.
You already scouted for guard positions, so you have spotted a large group of guards standing watch over over the open air market that operates near the docks. It looks like they are trying to keep it open for this part of town to have somewhere to trade, but when you looked in previously it appeared that there were enough of them that they could claim the prisoners for you.
Now that you arrive with the men in tow, you get a better view of the nearly empty market and notice that it actually seems odd that most of the guards look like they have almost nothing to do. Several tough looking thugs appear to be doing more of the guarding, patrolling the area and keeping the peace around the few stalls that do have food available.
Fortune has a bad feeling about this and stops the group as soon as he sees the market. He motions SL to stop and steps back into the dark to consult with him. I am assuming they haven't seen us yet. "Wait here, I have an idea." Fortune makes sure he has just a couple of gp on him and then proceeds up to the guards. "Hello gentlemen I am a humble cleric of Desna and am looking for someone for an escort job to the south part of the city. Alas, all I have are these 2 coins," and he will dump out his pouch with the 2 gp. "But if anyone is interested I am sure my friends to the South can pay you something." Is anyone hurt?
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The guards look neither injured or distressed when you approach them. They really do genuinely look disinterested. When you approach them they do straighten up a bit more as if they were caught slacking. One of them approaches wearing the insignia that of the squads sergeant. "An escort? We are supposed to remain stationed here I'm afraid, I can't just go sending off men on random escorts." He'll pause and then shrug a bit. "Who am I kidding, huh? This is probably the quietest place in the entire city right now. If you aren't planning on causing any trouble and you are quick about it, I suppose one of my men can go with you."
As you are talking, a girl exits one of the nearby buildings that borders the market and walks purposefully towards you. She's a human girl, likely no older then her early twenties, dressed in simple but finely made clothes. She flashes a brief smile to Fortune as she looks at him. "Hello there. Is there a problem I can help you with?"
Every red flag in Fortunes mind goes off at her simple question and he wonders what is going on? However, they have other urgent business to take care of first. He reflexively(male teen) thinks, what did you have in mind, but instead he says "No problem. I was just asking if a couple of these guardsmen could escort me to the south. I have urgent business of a religious nature to attend to and with the city the way it is, I feel I should have some strong arms with me. This is all the cash I have, but I am sure I can arrange payment on the other end."
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The girl gives Fortune a once over and it looks almost as if she is sizing him up. Finally she smiles again and then nods, glancing towards the guard. "I'm sure you can spare a few of your men, Sergeant. Its been pretty peaceful around here and I don't think you are expecting any trouble. May as well make sure the religious man makes it safe, no?"
The guard nods his head a bit in agreement, motioning for three of the guards to come and join you. The girl glances back towards you. "Anything else you need?"
Fortune thinks for a moment, "Well, how much will that cost. Surely 4 guardsmen are fairly expensive?"
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The guard sergeant will speak up now as the three guards get over to you. "The men are on duty at the moment now anyway and are growing soft watching this courtyard. There doesn't need to be a cost." He looks over towards the guards who have come. "Escort this young man where he needs to go, and then return to your posts here."
Fortune will thank the sergeant and the woman for their assistance. Then he will lead them to a street that will lead them around back to the prisoners because he wants to brief them first. "Thank you for helping me, but I was not entirely honest. I am actually a special agent for Field Marshal Kroft and am escorting some prisoners to the Citadel for her personal interrogation. This is a hush hush thing, which is why I wasn't forthcoming with your Sergeant. I realize you have a pretty nice gig here, so I tell you what, I will let you return before we get to the Citadel so you don't have to worry about getting sent to a harder post and I can make arrangements for a tip before you return. How does that sound?"
While Fortune goes off and tries to recruit help, Shadowleaf says with quiet menace "Thinking about running boys? Go ahead, my dogs haven't had a good run and I haven't had a good hunt since I got to this city."
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The men look a bit confused at this change, glancing at each other as if they suspect this might be some sort of test when they are offered a tip. "If you need an escort to the Citadel under Field Marshal Kroft's orders, then we will give it. You do not need to pay us for the service. You say you have prisoners?"
Parns looks to be the only one who seems to look around for a way to get out, but eventually even his eyes drop to the ground at his feet when he doesn't find one. Karralo's eyes shift anywhere but to the other prisoners while the remaining one stares off in the distance but glares daggers at Shadowleaf whenever he thinks the elf isn't looking.
As Fortune leads them to the prisoners he warns them, "These men have possibly been enchanted, so be careful. Oh, and try not to kill them if they resist." Once back, we will continue onward, 2 guards in front with me and 1 to each side.
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The guards nod their heads as they look at the prisoners and you hear one of them whisper to the others that he recognizes them from the citadel. Still, as you are escorting the men back to the citadel the guards seem to trust you at your word for now, and the fuming look Parns gives only helps matters.
Marching with fully outfitted guards as an escort makes the trip across town much easier, allowing you to move straight down the broad streets with the small mobs that you catch sight off falling away down side alleys when they see you coming.
The remainder of the trip is easy enough, and within about a half hour you have made it to the citadel.
Once they are in sight, Fortune will thank the guards. "We can take it from here, you can return to your sergeant. By the way, who was that woman, she was kind of pretty. Is she single?"
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Two of the guards look at each other with Fortune's question and then burst out laughing, shaking their heads. "Sabriyya? You haven't been around much, have you? I wouldn't go trying to flirt with that if I was you. She's the princess of the market, as they say, and she certainly rules that way. Not the best one to cross or anger, and I suspect an adventuring priest trying to pick up on her would do just that."
Fortune shrugs, "It was just an idea. Is she really that scary?" Then him and Sl will take the prisoners into the Citadel, making sure all 4 are put in separate locations where they can't talk with each other. Then they will report in.
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The guard chuckles a bit, letting out an obviously inappropriate jest before he catches himself with a clearing of his throat and a glare from the other guards. "I'd say so, aye. I'd sooner marry the queen and we know how that turned out, huh?"
The prisoners are accepted by the guards of the citadel, taken to holding cells. When you arrive and move to speak to Cressida, she will stand as you enter the room and give you a nod of her head. "Greetings, you look well. Have you accomplished your task?"
Fortune politely smiles at the comment about the Queen, but does not otherwise respond.
Inside, they will drop off the weapons, but keep the gold.
Fortune will respond "We're working on it. We just dropped off Verik's companions. They were doing a little criminal mercenary work on the side, extortion, assault, that sort of thing. Verik does seem to have someone backing him, for what purpose we don't know. But we are going to go have a "chat" with him now."
On the way out, "Karralo helped us out and I would like to request leniency for him. I think his only fault is cowardice and choosing evil companions. He would likely cooperate if you asked."
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Cressida will nod her head and give you a smile. "I see that I chose the right people for this job. I am pleased to hear you were able to bring in the others without loss of life. If you can uncover the benefactor who has led Verik astray, it would be very beneficial. Now that you have picked the others, I would suggest moving quickly against him now, so he can be caught unaware. If he realizes the others are gone, he may flee and we will lose him."
At the last bit you add in she will nod. "I will take this into consideration and let the magistrates know when it comes time for sentencing. Thank you."
Shadowleaf let's Fortune do the talking. The more they are together, the more of his son's mother he sees in Fortune.
Fortune smiles, "That's what he says," indicating the silent SL (about Verik fleeing). "This ought to be interesting." They take their leave and head back to the shop. He will maintain(ie: stop and renewing) the message spell, making communication easier.
Fortune peers through the darkness at the store looking for lights or movement. Vallis will fly around and look in the 2nd floor windows. SL will scout the perimeter.
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The lower floor of the shop has hints of candlelight coming from a few of the openings, but it is very dim. The upper floor has much brighter light.
Vallis will report back that there is a man on the second floor sitting at a table and drinking.
Looking around the perimeter there doesn't seem to be much that has changed. The back gate however is unlocked now where it was closed up before, from what you have gathered, new livestock is brought into the pen through this gate overnight at some point.
SL favors a stealthy approach (as opposed to a clever one), so Fortune will let him lead the way. We will have light sources available (using them if needed, a message spell going and will provide Desna's guidance to both of them before they enter a new situation. Vallis will be watching the man in the window and will alert us if he leaves the room.
Shadowleaf decides to go in the back way. Since the captured men didn't have keys, they probably left the back door open for their return. He quietly approaches the unlocked back gate and peeks inside, if there is no obvious threat in the yard, he will wave Fortune forward before he moves stealthily up to the back door and checks it for alarms (ie: traps) and locks. The dogs come with his son.
perception +7
Stealth 16 +1 guidance = 17
take 20 on searching for traps = 28
take 10, then if necessary roll to disable traps = 20 or +10
take 10, then if necessary 20 to open any locks = 20 or 30
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Moving into the back area of the butcher shop, you are able to look around more clearly now. The cows and pig that were here before are no longer in the pens, likely having been used for their meat earlier that day and have not yet been restocked.
The pen area above is muddy and damp, complete with troughs that don't look like they have seen use in a long time since the animals don't stay there long. The stench coming from the pens is horrendous.
Moving up to the doorway that is partially blocked by a wagon, its obvious that the thugs were not expecting trouble and are quite over confident. The door was left partially cracked and there doesn't seem to be any sign of traps upon it.
Shadowleaf slowly opens the door just far enough to peek inside, dagger in 1 hand, polearm in the other.
Fortune will keep any eye out behind them, staff in hand. With an open door, he will not renew the guidance, to not give away their location.