Gethric & Milena
The old fishery ... smells. The reek of brine and the stink of week-dead fish hang thickly in the air here. The old double doors in the side of this weathered building are tightly closed, with a drooping signpost hanging above. The sign it once displayed is long gone, leaving behind only a single short length of rusted chain. The building looks abandoned. . .
Chavakala, Vesera, Vyshael & Yenrry
When you approach the Bailer's Retreat, you find that it has been closed after last night's riot; the innkeeper had almost died, valiantly protecting his patrons by ushering them into the basement and locking the door. The guard on the scene glances at you with some curiosity.
"Yeah, who wouldn't want a drink after last night?" He tells you, with a sigh. "Establishment's closed. The priests haven't found time to remove the corpses inside yet. And you didn't hear that from me."
Leaning close to Milena and whispering "This seems too quiet... I'm going to chance a wary look down the side of the building to see if there is anything wharf side." motioning for her to follow.
Stealth:
Perception:
Gethric & Milena
The path to the wharf side creaks as you cross the old wooden docks, though when you reach the corner of the building, there are no signs or reaction of having been spotted or heard.
You see the rear end of a barge, and the rushing waters of Jeggare River...
Motioning for Milena to move back from the corner Gethric whispers [smaller]"Let's not overextend our arm without the others here in case it goes south. Should we make for the rendezvous?"
"In the street you at least see if someone is close enough to overhear you talk, however a group like us would draw attention there for sure. So it may be best to go to this tavern, but we should not mention Him by name, nor name the building we're after, or anything that could give it away."
Vyshael nods, "It was the drawing of attention I feared, but indeed, we should be mindful of our tongues in the tavern."
"Ah, well since it seems we won't be getting into the tavern tonight, I don't know, maybe we should head back to the fortune teller and wait for the others there? I'm sure when they figure out the tavern is closed that is where they'll look first"
"Ah, well since it seems we won't be getting into the tavern tonight, I don't know, maybe we should head back to the fortune teller and wait for the others there? I'm sure when they figure out the tavern is closed that is where they'll look first"
Vyshael nods, "A wise plan indeed...though it has less wine in it than I might have hoped."
Gethric & Milena
As you sneak away from the old fishery to the rendezvouz, you find that a guard is standing in front of the entrance to Bailer's Retreat. He looks at you both and sighs. "Sorry, the establishment's closed."
Chavakala, Vesera, Vyshael & Yenrry
When you return to Zellara's home, you find that the windows are dark. Knocking on the door elicits no response at first, though the front door isn't locked... Pushing the door open, you find that one of the adjacent rooms are lit up, and you can hear Zellara's voice call out. "Hello?"
As an aside to Milena "We should maybe check back at the fortune tellers, see if they doubled back there"
"It is us - we have returned a bit prematurely. M'lady, we are sorry to intrude once again upon your hospitality, but it appears the tavern next door is closed. May we regroup here and then move on?"
Chavakala looks toward the room where Zellara's voice came from. "Yes, our apologies Zellara. We sent a couple of our fellows ahead to scout and had hoped to meet them at an inn near the fishery, but last night's riots were even worse than we realized. We're hoping to stay here until they return and then to determine our next steps. It may be better to approach the fishery in early morning or at least to observe who comes and goes then."
Chavakala, Vesera, Vyshael & Yenrry
Zellara comes out of the adjacent room with a lantern in her hand. She smiles at you and gestures for you to enter. "Of course you may. I'm afraid I can offer little comfort but the chairs you occupied earlier."
She begins to light up candles so the home is sufficiently lit up...
Gethric & Milena
There is light when you approach the fortuneteller's home, and you can hear the voices of the others inside...
"That will do, Zellara. We simply need a place away from prying eyes, and in the streets we would draw too much attention."
She props her staff against the table and sits down in one of the chairs "Now lets wait for Gethric and Milena to return and tell us what they saw, and Leilani should be done with her aearial reconnaicance soon as well. Then we can discuss how we proceed."
"Thank you Zellara. Those chairs will be great. Do you need help with anything?"
Chavakala walks over to one of the chairs and sits down. She turns to Vesera, "How does she know how to find you? Can you each sense where the other is?"
Making his way inside to where the remainder of the group are currently gathered, Gethric delivers his report.
"The docks are quiet and empty, the fishery itself is closed up tight and we couldn't see anyone outside. I didn't press too far, but I figure there are at least a couple of ways in."
"On the street side there are a pair of double doors probably locked, while the back side of the fishery butts up against a barge. You could likely come in from that side as well. We got the outward sense that the place is empty, but I wouldn't hold trust to that."
Holding a wig and clothing, Yenrry asks "So do we not need the disguise and alcohol? Well, we can use the alcohol, obviously. How would you recommend we proceed? And when?"
Vyshael bows slightly to his hostess, "You have been most kind, thank you -- for everything."
He returns to the chair he left only a few minutes before, smiling at the talk of a familiar. I wonder how much she'll share -- a wizard's bond is a personal thing, even moreso for those who take a familiar.
"Oh, she's a rather smart bird, I wouldn't worry about her finding us"
She Listens to the discussion that arrises after Gethric's report and says "It is the mark of a great tactician to realise when his original plan can handle small adjustment or when it needs to be overturned completely, and replaced with a new strategy. I think in this case we should not cling to the idea of making anyone drunk, just because it sounded like a good idea half an hour ago when we didn't know what we know now."
Vyshael says, "I quite agree - though I wouldn't mind a wine myself, to steady the nerves and all. In any case, I admit that I was hoping to get a better idea of what may lay within before storming the hideout, but it appears that is not... well, in the cards, if you'll pardon the expression."
He smirks a little at his unintended joke, and continues, "As such, I think our best bet is to strike now before he moves and we lose our chance -- and from the description, it might make the most sense to come from the barge - it would be the least expected."
"I'd tend to agree Vyshael. Sea side should hopefully get us inside easier, though I'd be keen to make sure the barge was clear before we went into the fishery..."
Vesera closes her eyes and concentrates on the empathic bond she shares with her familiar, and tries to convey the urging feeling to be reunited, hoping Leilani will interpret it in the way she hopes and return to her.
"This would maybe be a good time to mention that I cannot swim."
Zellara offers pleasant company, with average quality bread and wine, before you finally set out to the fishery once more. Twilight has settled in and there is a quiet chill. Korvosa is quiet. The overwhelming stench of the fishery is all that greets you when you arrive...
Vyshael thanks Zellara for being such a gracious hostess, especially for the single goblet of wine he took. "We owe you a debt, lady... One we shall go pay now."
...
Vyshael surveys the area, combining what he can see with the reports from the halflings. He whispers, "We could walk along the dock there, and then hop across...using that boat as a bridge.. While it leaves us exposed, especially as we cross over, it seems wiser than trying to go in the front door. If need be, I can give some of you a small bit of magical assistance - strength or swiftness to help in the leap.... though that would mean I need to cross last, or at least, after all those who need my help."
After the brief discussion, Chavakala stands straight and quietly whispers into the night air. She seems to pull strands of shadow and starlight out of the darkness that envelops her like a cloak.
She pulls out her morningstar and waits for Milena to begin, then follows her very slowly and carefully out onto the wooden dock toward the boat, watching and listening for trouble along the way.
Gethric sneaks down the side alley as well, dagger in hand. When the group reaches the end, Gethric will pad around to get a better view of all that lies water-side on the property.
Stealth:
Perception:
Yenrry follows closely behind Chavakala, hoping to remain unnoticed. He's humming a tune softly to himself, mostly to calm his nerves - it was a trick he learned in recovery. He's drawn his rapier - again, mostly to calm his nerves.
Vesera holds her staff tightly in her hand, gathers up her skirt, so it doesn't get entangled somewhere, and tries to follow the rest of them as silently as she can, while keeping her eyes open for any suspicious signs.
Vyshael motions for Vesara to precede him with a formal gesture and a smile.
"If you require it, I can increase your already evident grace to assist you.", he offers in a whisper.
As he arrives, Vyshael will look around, trying to see if anyone is paying extra attention to the group.
The slippery boardwalk clings to the side of the fishery, held together by barnacle-thick pilings that have been worn halfway through their thickness at the waterline. As you cross, you find that it creaks and rattles underneath your feet. At some point Yenrry and Gethric both almost fall into the depths of the sea - though they maintain their balance only barely. You take to moving slowly, though as you all gather at the corner of the fishery, the combined weight of you all leaves you to think it might just break... soon...
Leilani returns as soon as you leave Zellara's home. She is chirping happily to you as she lands on your shoulder. "There is fish! Lots of fish, chee! But I saw no-one inside. Too dark, chee! But one man entered! Small man, chee!"
Gethric moves in an attempt to vault onto the back end of the barge...
Acrobatics:
...failing miserably by misjudging his footing.
"Move, quickly, into the boat, don't make any noise!", she whispers frantically, and tries to get into the barge herself.
Vyshael runs forward toward the barge, jumping across the gap... I hope that barge isn't as poorly made as this walk... and that nobody's below deck..
Yenrry attempts to make the short leap to the back of the barge and land silently.
Chavakala moves slightly down the quay, leaving space between herself and Milena.
Gethric attempts to leap over into the barge, though his effort falls short. He braces against the side of the old ship,yet when he attempts to grab the boardwalk to get back, he slips - and plunges into the waters...
Yenrry, Vyshael and Vesera all manage to leap onto the barge - though the instant you land, the floor collapses underneath your feet. Both Vesera and Vyshael manage to jump to the edge, Yenrry falls into the hold of the ship.
The upper area of the barge is treacherous. The stairwell down to the hold is all but collapsed. The waters of the Jeggare river is calm and cold, and full of filth and oil. And there is something stirring in the water as well...
Vesera acrobatics: (success)
Vesera reflex: (success)
Vyshael reflex: (success)
Yenrry reflex: (fail)
Gethric reflex: (fail)
Yenrry fall damage:
You feel something crawling on your person - and then stings of pain. The moonlight casts a dim light into the hole above, and you can see them: large spiders, five of them, the size of rats, swarming all over you and biting...
You fail to keep calm and the water is almost engulfing you; in your panick, you manage to barely stay close to the surface. The filth and slime is almost overwhelming, yet you somehow manage. Then you see sSomething stirring in the water, darting towards you - you can barely make out its features at first... and then you see it, a great shark whose great teeth are upon you...
In the waters, you can spot a great creature. It seems to be rushing under the boardwalk - to where Gethric fell...
With help of the moonlight, you can see Yenrry being assaulted by great spiders the size of rats...
Vesera takes her staff and sticks it through the opening into the cargohold. "Quick, Yenrry, get out of there! I could need help with this Vyshael"
Chavakala slides back around the upper boardwalk looking below and hoping to find a way down to Gethric. She hisses, "Hang on Gethric, I'm going to try to get down to you!"
Desna help me. This is crazy. Here's hoping all that dancing gave me the balance to pull this off.
She leaps from the upper boardwalk, attempting to land on the lower level without breaking an ankle or falling in the water.
"By the GODS! Get these f***in things off of me!" Yenrry says from below deck. He attempts to stand, but is weakened by the poison. In an act of desperation, he casts grease on himself, hoping it will cause the spiders to slide off of him.
Vyshael winces as the halfling falls through the floor, I think we've fallen into a neatly laid trap after all....
He calls back to Vesera, "I'll do what I can, but I don't want to accidentally harm the halfling, and I worry about enlarging him and breaking through the rotten barge."
He reaches behind his neck and draws his mother's sword, feeling his magic flowing over and through it, and back into him like a perfect harmony and begins casting Summon Monster I
Chavakala manages to leap down to the lower boardwalk without difficulty, bracing against the side of the ship and the building. Milena is unable to get proper aim at the great shark - following Chavakala, she fails to leap down - she slips and crashes into the water, right next to Gethric...
Round 1:
Swim:
Gethric thrashes ineffectually in the water as he goes under, barely managing to take a breath before his head sinks beneath the oily slick.
Round 1:
Yennry attempts a desperate grab for Vesera's staff, hoping to grab onto it and be lifted to safety.
Round 2:
Yenrry starts a striking story of adventurers who slayed evil spiders and sharks.
Yenrry attempts to slash at the vermin with his rapier.
Attack for