THEChanger's Curse of the Crimson Throne: Edge of Anarchy

[digiman619]

"I might be able to climb down, let me see what I can see" Ardino heads down to the river to check for a possible entrance.

Spoiler: OOC

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Climb check. (1d20+6)[21]

[aberratio ictus]

Lady Selancourte

The Chelish Lady watched as Ardino simply walked away, heading towards the river. The fool - that nickname seemed to fit better and better the longer she knew him.. although - that fate had been sealed once he had mentioned Andoran, really.
She watched him walk away, and just before he went out of her sight, she pointed a finger at him. "दिल से दिल, अमेरिका, एक बात है मूर्ख।." she spoke, in a language elegant, yet strangely discomforting, before continuing to whisper in common.

"We should probably stay in contact, if you insist on scouting alone, wouldn`t you agree, fool? Just whisper to me, if you encounter something, and do so quietly." she whispered.

[digiman619]

"And here I was thinking that Dirkust was the one with mind powers." Ardino whispered, "Good idea, though. Will let you know what I find

[The_Shaman]

Some time after the group starts casing the building, Carla shows up, with a large black dog in tow "I'm ready. That's Eslivar. So, how do you want to do this," she whispers with a direct and unceremonious tone. In the dimming light, her features seem somehow sharper as her eyes run over the building and her right hand fingers the handle of the heavy flail.

[THEChanger]

Ardino heads across the street as nonchalantly as he can, and slips behind the warehouse to the river bank. He slides about halfway down, just far enough to get a look.

Underneath the warehouse proper is a bottom floor, about half the size of the main building above - perhaps a set of apartments. There is no direct access from the main building to that lower part. However, the ramp that Dirkust had seen leads from the main building to the deck of a wrecked ship, and from a hole in the hull of the ship extends a dock that leads to the bottom floor. The bottom floor and the dock leading from it are still on tall pylons, so it would be difficult to climb up from the bank to the dock. You think someone the size of a child could fit through the tightly packed pillars, but even for someone your size, it would be next to impossible.

You also see, very briefly, a large, triangular dorsal fin break the water. You recall that jigsaw sharks often swim up the Jeggare River from the Conqueror's Bay. Slipping into the water would likely not be fun.

[digiman619]

"No go" Ardino whispers, hoping that whatever the actress had done went both ways. "Even if the climb climb wasn't that tricky, the way in is too small for anyone not a child, halfling or gnome to fit. I'm taking a roundabout way back, just in case I'm being watched."

[aberratio ictus]

Lady Selancourte

"I see. I'll tell the others." Lady Selancourte whispered back.

Well, that was fortunate, in a way. She wasn't too keen on making a climb like that herself. However, the child-sized way in or out was worrying - Vestis hoped Lamm wouldn't get the chance to force his lambs to go through the hole during an attack.

"There's no entrance from the ramp, at least not for anybody not child-sized, he says." she told the others. "He is taking another way back, but he should be with us shortly."

Facing Carla, she replies with a "We're still in the process of weighing our options."

[DaedalusMkV]

With confirmation from Ardino that there are no other reasonable access points to Lamm's lair, Avrin nods his head and finally speaks up again. "All right, that settles it. Only ways in are through the windows or through the front door. We've got enough folks in enough armour that I'm not too keen on getting everyone through the windows without waking up half the neighborhood, so that's out. Too many bystanders here to kick the door in, which means we've got to get through quietly." He raises his left hand. "Option one is the one we talked about before. Just walk up to the door, claim we're here representing the building's owner. When they open the door, we rush 'em and get in there fast." He raises his palm to Dirkust before the latter can object. "I know, I know, you don't think you can handle it. That's fine. You can still work your mojo from across the street, right? Just hang back out of sight, we can use Her Ladyship's spell to talk to you just fine. For that matter, maybe you should hang back with him, Ma'am. You don't look much like a thug either, meaning no offense." Of course, Avrin is probably the only one who might be offended at looking insufficiently criminal, had he the capacity to be offended by anything.

He lowers the left hand and raises the right. "Option two, we walk over there and try to jimmy the door open. If it's a lock, I can probably get it open and then we're clear. If it's barred from the inside, no luck. Nice and simple." He holds up both hands. "Course, nothing stopping us from doing both. Send our people over there, and if there's no lock knock on the door and go with the 'lying through our teeth' plan. That's what I'd vote for." He lowers both hands and stands back, waiting for the rest of the group to come to the inevitable conclusion that his plan is the only reasonable one. Meanwhile, a thought crosses him and he turns to address Lady Selancourt.

"Right, I've been meaning to ask. Zellara said you're after Lamm 'cause of a missing kid. I'm betting that means you think the kid'll be in there, and I'm right with you on that. Lamm was never one to let his minions out of sight for long. Mind giving us a description so we know what we're looking for? There's decent odds the guys in there will try to use the kids as hostages, and also pretty good odds the kids'll scatter when we get in there. I'll be happy to try and make sure yours gets home safe and sound either way."

[MesiDoomstalker]

Dirkust pouted, slightly. Fine. Just know I can't monitor you from a distance. I can tend to your wounds but only if I know you need it.

[aberratio ictus]

Lady Selancourte

"None taken." she answered with a slight smile on Avrin's comment.

She hesitated for a moment, but then nodded gravely when Avrin asked about Acele. He was right, it was better if they knew about her. "Her name is Acele Desmont. She has a slender built, dark brunette hair, light blue eyes and is of about this height." She indicated the height of the girl with her outstretched hand. "She's pale like a noble girl should be, of course." she added.

"I fully expect to join you once the fighting starts, and will take care of her myself, but if you see her trying to slip away before I arrive, I'd be grateful if you stopped her. Calling out her name will probably suffice." She hoped. She had no idea what Lamm had done to Acele, and how that had changed the little girl.
She would make that rat suffer.

"About that plan though... I still have my reservations as I doubt Lamm's thugs will readily open up their hideout for some enforcers, and if they do, they will be prepared for a fight. If there's a lock you can open, that would be a far better solution, of course." Lady Selancourte paused for a moment, looking for other options.
"Isn't anyone of you skilful enough to sneak over there and take a peak through one of those windows first? We could always use more information."

To Dirkust, she remarked: "They can tell me, and I can tell you. We'll keep in contact."

[Inspectre]

Gavin is surprised when Vestis - Lady Selancourte - uses some sort of magic on Ardino has he walks away to inspect the underside of the warehouse.
In hindsight it probably was not that odd - being a noble from Cheliax she had probably received training on all manner of things, including the use of magic.
But the opera singer fencer was more than she appeared - Gavin wasn't sure whether to be comforted or disturbed by that.

Unfortunately, Ardino doesn't find anything below, and so they were back to the original conundrum - go through the front door by force or guile.

And the surprises just keep on coming with Lady Selancourte - she was here to rescue a child.
For a brief moment Gavin thought that meant she was a mother here for her daughter, but then he realized the girl's last name was different.
So not her own daughter then, but still the daughter of someone important to her. And she had come by herself instead of sending a lackey or coming with a host of bodyguards.
Not many nobles would do that - Gavin's estimation of her grew to match this new information.

"Milady is quite brave - and has a good idea. Ardino, Arvin - can either of you sneak over there, look in the windows to see what's waiting for us, and check the door to see if it's locked in a way you can open? And do it without being seen by anyone inside?"

[digiman619]

Ardino heads back, getting back in time to hear the plan. "I'd suggest Avrin to that; on the off chance I was spotted, going back directly will tip them off. Besides, if that doesn't work I think we should use deception rather than breaking in. Let's get the actress up front and be her entourage. That should probably get us in the door."

[The_Shaman]

Carla shakes her head in a silent "no." "The less they know that someone is coming, the better. Did you see anyone patrol or any signs of habitation, anyway?"

[DaedalusMkV]

Avrin listens to Selancourte's description with interest. "All right, I'll keep my eye out for her."

At the suggestion he goes to check the windows, Avrin shrugs. "Yeah, I can probably manage that. Perhaps I can kill two birds with one stone, even. Back in a few minutes. Hold this for me." He says, unslinging and holding out his crossbow to Gavin as he pulls up the hood on his coat.

Rather than moving directly towards the warehouse, Avrin starts by heading in the total opposite direction, heading a couple of blocks away before turning and heading back towards the waterfront in a roundabout loop in an effort to blend in with the foot traffic in the area. He puts on an indifferent air as he walks past the building, surreptitiously checking the doors for any indication of a keyhole or other lock before pausing just past the building, turning and heading to the top of the slope beside the warehouse, pretending he is stopping to pee into the river (surely not an uncommon sight at this time of night). He leans forwards as he stands in place, doing his best to get a glimpse through the windows as much as possible without alerting anyone to the fact.

Spoiler: OOC

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Okay, doing my best to case the windows and the front door without giving off the impression that that's what I'm doing. Avrin will cast Guidance before approaching the street to gain a +1 bonus on his Bluff skill check.

I haven't described actually leaving the area yet, since I'm not sure what I'll actually see or whether anyone will react to me. If Avrin sees nothing interesting, or if it's clear he can't get any decent information this way, he'll leave immediately and make his way back over to the group.

Rolling Bluff to misdirect any onlookers as to my intentions: (1d20+9)[23]
Stealth to avoid alerting anyone inside to my snooping: (1d20+7)[11]
Perception to see what I can see: (1d20+8)[17]

[Corlindale]

As the rest of you are gathered waiting for Avrin to return from his mission, you suddenly notice a huge figure moving towards you from the opposite direction, clad from head to toe in a beautifully decorated suit of full plate armor which is emblazoned with the holy symbol of Sarenrae's burning sun in several places.

As it closes in, the figure lifts up the visor of its helm to reveal Mordin's rather ugly and beat-up face, making a stark contrast to the beauty and majesty of the armor. He looks at the assembled crew and assumes that the missing Avrin is likely scouting the place at this moment, since no-one is looking particularly distressed so far.

"Sorry it took so long. It proved a bit more complicated than expected to fetch everything, but I am ready to support you now, whatever the plan... unless the plan is to sneak in quietly somewhere, then it might prove rather difficult for me."

[digiman619]

"Um... Mordin, was it? Not that I was expecting you to go in unarmored, but couldn't you find a tabard* of some kind? Because we were trying to be subtle, and that...", Ardino said, gesturing at the gleaming armor, "isn't."

Spoiler: *

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On the off-chance you don't know this word, a tabard is a covering for armor; think a poncho, but belted on and often depicting a coat of arms. In this case, I was suggesting it be plain as to cover all the obvious holy symbols, as it sticks out like a sore thumb.

[aberratio ictus]

Lady Selancourte

Vestis was just as taken aback by Mordin's surprising appearance as the others, she still tried to hide it, though. "So you are a Paladin, Sir Mordin?" she asked, slightly raising one of her fine eyebrows. Didn't he previously tell them he used to work for Lamm as an enforcer? Oh, how the lowly had risen. "You do know how to blend in without your armour, I'll give you that."
She turned to the others.
"Well, I could offer them some money in exchange for Acele's safe return." she remarked, alluding to the fool's suggestion to "send the actress in". "They might react more favourably to the promise of gold than to a group of Arkona enforcers. In that armour, he does look more like my escort than a criminal enforcer, in any case." she added, looking at Sir Mordin again.
"You know Lamm better than me, though. I'll let you decide which approach is more promising. Again, only if we can't manage to get inside in any other way."

[Corlindale]

Mordin looks down at himself. "I suppose it does make me stand out a little," he grudgingly admits.

"I don't have a tabard, but if you think it best I can try to cover it up a little bit."

Mordin grabs his travelling cloak from his pack and tries to make it cover at least some of the shiniest surfaces of his armor as a sort of improvised tabard.

Spoiler: OOC

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I assume this would be a Disguise check: (1d20)[12]

EDIT:

Mordin turns to the Lady as he struggles with the cloak. "No, my Lady, I am no paladin. I can see why you might think so, but I merely...inherited this suit of armor." His hesitation gives you the sense that there is something he isn't revealing.

"As to your idea of pretending bribery...well, it might work. Lamm is notoriously greedy...but on the other hand, he is surprisingly cunning. Still, it might at least get us through the door. "

[THEChanger]

Avrin pulls up to the side of the building, noting the keyhole in the door, and sneaks a look in through the window.

This is the room the front door would lead into. It's roughly 25 feet by 20 feet, and there's a single large desk in the middle. Aside from a couple of low burning torches, and a short flight of stairs leading above, there's nothing of particular note in this room. It's perhaps a place to meet new customers, or a general meeting place for staff. As you stand there, pretending to relieve yourself into the river, you can hear voices above you. You can't quite make out what they're saying, but it does sound like arguing.

A growling pulls your attention away from the voices. Your eyes snap back to the nearest window, and there is the mangiest mutt of a dog you have ever seen staring back at you. It growls low, hackles up. You actually remember this dog, and the man who owns it. Bloo is the personal guard dog and enforcer of one Yargin Balko. Yargin is Gaedren Lamm's right hand man, and fancies himself an intelligent nobleman.

Perhaps time to back off.

[Inspectre]

"All we have to do is get in the front door. Once we're inside this becomes much more straightforward - fight our way to Lamm and kill him."

Gavin said, finding the appeal of subjecting Lamm to vigilante justice growing each time he said the words.

"Sneaking in is still probably our best option, but having Lady Selancourte and bodyguard approach may cause less initial alarm than Arkona enforcers. Only problem is they probably won't let more than milady and perhaps one bodyguard inside. Do the two of you think you could take and hold the front door while the rest of us run over from about where we are now to support you?"

[DaedalusMkV]

Avrin immediately turns and heads back to the road, again heading a ways away from the warehouse before doubling back and returning to the group from the other direction. He returns to find Mordin returned, and looking rather different. He coughs loudly to draw the group's attention. "Huh. Never had you pegged for a crusader-type. Puts paid to the bluffing plan, not that it matters. Got a good look at the door, there's definitely a lock we can pick, so that's our entry. Looks like the only thing watching the entry is an old guard dog, but that also means we're not going to have the element of surprise once we get in there. I'd guess the kids are downstairs and Lamm is upstairs, as well as at least one other, but I don't know that for sure." He grabs his crossbow back from Gavin, slinging it back across his back. For a moment he contemplates retrieving his buckler from its hiding place in his coat, then realizes he'll likely need a minimum of impediments if he plans to be the one picking the lock and thinks better of it. "They're distracted now, at least, and we're all here. Waiting doesn't help us at all at this point. Make any preparations you need to then let's go. I'll get the lock open, then we storm the place."

[Inspectre]

Gavin shakes his head at the news of Bloo - of course the mangy mutt was around to ruin any stealthy entry.

"We might as well forget any subtlety with that dog around. Avrin, you pick the lock. Once you got that open, Mordin and Carla can try the door. They look like our strongest members, and if the door's barred from the inside as well, the two of you will have to break it down fast. Once they're inside Ardino and I will follow. That will give you time to arm yourself Avrin, and you, Milady, and Dirkust can bring up the rear. I don't know if this is the best plan, but we seem to be out of any better options. If anyone has suggestions or a better plan, speak up now - there's not going to be time for talking once we're inside."

It occurred to Gavin as he strapped on his buckler and drew his rapier that perhaps he was speaking to the group with more authority than he had. Someone had to get the group organized though, and with his time in the guard he had just unconsciously settled into that role. So far he hadn't seemed to step of any toes, but he'd have to keep an eye on that in the future. Maybe when they were doing things that he didn't have such familiarity with like storming a buliding, he'd keep his mouth shut and let someone else decide what to do.

[digiman619]

"Works for me. Is everyone ready?"

[aberratio ictus]

Lady Selancourte

"That would very much depend on the number of thugs and their skill." Lady Selancourte answered dryly to Mr Dimir's question. Sir Mordin would have to deal with most of the onslaught, but in that armour, she was fairly certain he could hold that door until the others arrived, if only by intimidation. It wasn't that long of a walk.

The question proved obsolete though once Avrin returned. So there was a lock, and a more subtle approach was possible. Very good.

She listened intently to Gavin's thoughts. That was as good a battle array as any, she thought. Not that Vestis knew much about military tactics - she had watched Hellknights manoeuvring before, but they were... well, slightly more uniform than this ragtag group, so she couldn't necessarily make good use of any observations she might have made.
"Why, Mr Dimir, you almost sound like you've done this before!" she remarked.

She simply nodded when the fool asked if everybody was ready. It was time to strike.

[Corlindale]

Mordin nods.

"The plan sounds good. We can try to break open the door if everything else fails. I'm fine with taking point alongside Carla."

[The_Shaman]

"Ready and willing. And if that mutt wants a dogfight," she nodded with a smile to her own canine companion - "I´m betting on this one. The noise could actually disguise any that we make - for a while." Actually, it woudn´t be the end of the world if her companion took the bait - a fight between stray dogs could excuse any noise that got made. She is surprised Eslivar was so quiet... perhaps it carried enough of its progenitor´s sentience to wait until the right time despite the provocation.

[DaedalusMkV]

Avrin nods. "All right. If you're ready, let's do this. I'll get the lock open, you guys be ready to get in that door the instant I give the signal."

Again, he raises his hood, but this time doesn't bother with pretexts or misdirection. There's really no good way to disguise picking a lock, so speed is far more valuable than any sort of acting would be. He hustles across the street, whispering a quick prayer to his patron as he goes, doing his best to avoid alerting anyone inside even as he digs into one of his hidden pockets for his thieves tools. As soon as he reaches the door he crouches down, working furiously at the lock.

Spoiler: OOC/Rolls

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Okay, moving quietly to the door, then attempting to pick it. Again, casting Guidance on the way in and this time using it to boost my first Disable Device check.

Stealth: (1d20+7)[22]
Rolling a bunch of Disable Device just in case of terrible luck, but hopefully it won't take too many attempts to get right.
(1d20+8)[9]
(1d20+7)[27]
(1d20+7)[11]
(1d20+7)[26]
(1d20+7)[19]
(1d20+7)[26]
(1d20+7)[27]
(1d20+7)[8]
(1d20+7)[19]
(1d20+7)[22]

[Corlindale]

Mordin moves closer to the warehouse, silently gesturing for Carla to follow. He obviously lets Avrin sneak ahead towards the door, staying a bit further down the street (away from warehouse windows) while glancing surreptiously at Avrin's attempts to work the door, ready to move in as soon as he gives the signal.

Spoiler: OOC

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Mordin stands by, ready to rush in if Avrin either gives the clear signal or if he is attacked.

[MesiDoomstalker]

Dirkust pulled his scarf close, checking its pocket for his hidden dagger. He casually rested his other hand on the handle of his other dagger. He kept his eyes to the street, waiting for the others to move before doing so.

[digiman619]

Ardino stands near Gavin, waiting for the right moment.