The Fortress of Solitude (IC)

[Tome]

"Heavier than Ekur, and no feather in sight" Rac comments, somewhat sadly. "Be wary of tomorrow, I'll look forward to meeting you of will be".

[horus42]

Abiin frowns thoughtfully, then places his hand on Rakta's shoulder. "Go in peace, Cleric of the Light." He gives his companion a sad smile, before moving on.

When they arrive at the city, he turns to Tim. "Well, you're our resident Gothamite, Tim. Any idea where we should begin?"

[JonRG]

Tim sniffs. "I've been out of the game for a while, and the Resistance changes codes once the Nightwings pick up on them, but I can try at the very least." He scans the street. There was an obscure Gotham battle flag that was begrudgingly tolerated by Lord Wayne's government. Sixty-five percent sales on particular items were another. Anyone reading a guidebook for other Gotham cities was a good choice. There was a particularly infectious tune greeters and sweepers would whistle in front of Resistance-allied buildings. It was just a matter of knowing what to watch for.

Spoiler

Show

I feel lucky.

(1d20+2)[3]
(1d20+2)[18]

[josienoms]

As you walk through the streets, Tim sees that battered old flag, hanging over a Temple of Shazam. The clerics of the storm god have generally been supportive of the resistance, so it appears to be a good sign.

[JonRG]

"This way." Tim strides through the front door of the temple and seeks out an attendant. "Excuse me. I'm trying to win a bet with my friend, and I need to know what's the fourth verse in the Book of Bari'Alan." He already knew the answer. Woe to the obstinate nation, to those who carry out plans, and so on and so forth. Gotham priests of Shazam despised that verse, and mentioning it was a good way to piss one off, so no one did. Which is why they'd established it as a code for the Resistance.

[josienoms]

The clergy seem unruffled by the passage Tim asks about, and one of them steps forward.

"I think you'd better get the answer from our head priest. He's deeper inside the temple. Follow me."

He leads you to a door behind the altar, which leads down a long corridor. At the end is another door, which the priest opens to reveal a candlelit room, lined with shelves of books. A statue of Shazam stands opposite the doorway, and a Dwarf wearing red and yellow robes is sitting before it, deep in prayer. The younger priest whispers in his ear, and the Dwarf stands up. He's short, even for his kind, with an odd youthfulness in his eye for a high priest. He smiles, and offers his hand to Tim.

"William Batson, at your service. I understand you folks are in need of some help?"

[JonRG]

Tim inclines his head politely. "Very much so. The Nightwings have taken the Oracle. We believe she's here in the city. If nothing else, we could use somewhere to lie low while we plan her rescue."

[josienoms]

The Dwarf nods, then gestures for you all to have a seat.

"I can do that, and more. I can send one of my Clerics with you."

William turns to the other priest and says to him,

"Go get Virgil. He finally has his chance to prove himself."

[ChaosArchon]

A dark-skinned tiefling enters the room dressed in a tan robe and bows slight to William, his dreadlocks swaying as he does so. "Hello, my name is Virgil and I am more than happy to help you save your friend."

[Tome]

"Yay, we're getting our book back... or is it a map?" mutters Rac, "Instructions I'm sorely in need of, the road's too open. Double the toil, double the trouble, 'cause this book's walking and talking. Not a friend yet, but maybe after we get the introductions done".

"Nice to meet you Vergil, how do you flourish on the verge by the hill?" the madmen greets with a friendly wave.

[horus42]

"A pleasure to meet you, Virgil. I am Abiin Sur, of the Order of the Green Lantern." The elf bows his head and offers a hand to shake. "I'm sure you'll be quite useful in our coming quest. We had a Cleric companion until a few days ago, and I welcome having one again."

[ChaosArchon]

Virgil frowns,"Oh dear, did he pass away?"

[horus42]

Abiin shakes his head. "His path simply diverged from ours, shortly before we arrived in your city."

[Obscurejones]

"To put it blissfully simply he was a bit of a dunce. But a devout one, I suppose."
Kon holds out a hand to their newest member.
"Kon. A pleasure to meet you."
He leaves his family name out the equation. An interesting chance to see how much Tim trusts this fellow.

[JonRG]

"Nice to meet you." Tim's not thrilled at the prospect of dragging a newbie into a dangerous rescue operation. Certainly not after how their last cleric had bungled things. However, he tries to stay focused on the mission. The Oracle needed him.

[Tome]

Rac nods, giving their newest addition a friendly wave. "A fool, but in fine company"

"Though to speak of the wise and not so wise alike who may be dangling above the precipice... what's out next move? We've an oracle to dowse for" he asks, looking to Tim.

[JonRG]

"Simple. We find the Nightwing's base, break in, find the Oracle, and break out. All without getting killed. I'm hoping the head priest can aid us in step one. Couple of days, tops."

[ChaosArchon]

Virgil wracks his brain, surely he had heard something about Nightwing's base recently.

Spoiler: Posty post post

Show

making a Int roll
(1d20+2)[9]

Wis if that was the needed one
(1d20+4)[5]

[josienoms]

Virgil is unable to remember hearing anything lately, but luckily, William does.

"That I can help with. They've moved the base to an abandoned warehouse, near the docks on the East side of town. They marked it with a blue V on the door."

[Tome]

"Well we have a destination" Rac muses, "now we need a journey".

"Care to lead us down a familiar road?" he asks their newest addition.

[ChaosArchon]

Virgil nods, his cheeks slightly flush with the realization that so far his only contribution to the group was his name. "Of course, err, this way everyone."

[josienoms]

Virgil leads the rest of the group through the streets of Fawcett City, staying to the shadows. Eventually, you reach the warehouse. The back of which stretches out on a pier over the river. The door is marked with the blue V, and two nondescript looking humans stand guard. They'd appear like any other dockworkers, other than their posture, the way their eyes move, searching for unseen threats in the darkness. They're clearly highly trained individuals. Nightwings.

[Tome]

Rac sizes up the would-be dockworkers. Their builds, their uniforms, their ways of walking and talking.

He can... probably do that, he assesses. Leaning back out of sight, his body shifts and distorts, melting and warping into another dockworker. He stands a little straighter than he should, glances around attentively just like the disguised Nightwings.

"What do you think sir?" he asks Tim in stiff, disciplined tone.

[JonRG]

Tim beams widely and claps Rac on the shoulder. "You'd make an excellent minion of our glorious fascist overlords. I think I have just the thing...." Tim reaches into his pack and draws out a small black domino mask, which he places over his face. In an instant, his appearance shifts to a dockworker similar to Rac's. Handsomer yet similar. Tim raises an eyebrow at M'gann, wondering if she'd care to join their little two man strike team.

[josienoms]

M'gann smiles softly, and her form shifts. She takes on the appearance of just another dockworker, leaving Virgil, Kon-El, and Abiin Sur undisguised.

"We could say we're bringing in prisoners to get inside."

M'gann shrugs. It's not the best plan, and she knows it. But it might work if no one has a better idea.

[Tome]

Rac considers the suggestion for a moment. "Do Nightwings take prisoners sir?" he addresses Tim.

[JonRG]

Tim nods grimly. "If they believe they hold information about the resistance, or could otherwise be valuable. Otherwise... they just disappear. Whatever we're doing, we need to do it quickly. I only have an hour of this." He gestures to his illusory form.