Varielky nods and offers her arms out for Snow. There are various things she could say, but none of them was necessary. Sometimes, silence is good enough. She then walks towards the edge, waiting on Granophyre to give a sign before she jumps off.
Auger nods in agreement at the plan and the target of the Arena, adding "Well it appears you two may get your ride in talons anyway when we choose to leave. We have to be within a mile or so in order for Driss and Baylen to hear my whistle and come pick us up, if that is needed."Noting again how he stands out when wearing his coat, Auger does think to bring along the cloak he has used to keep it covered and to wear it while flying down. He had otherwise been dressing in the fashion of the locals for some time and so at least had that going for him.
Granophyre Strewn, standing upon the rear deck of the Reaver’s Word, produces a a short silver rod from his pouch, intones an arcane phrase, and the rod floats gently to the deck, where it whirs softly as narrow metal legs sprout from one end and splay outwards, gripping the deck, while a lattice of wire-thin strands radiates from the other end to form a shallow basket. From this aperture, Varielky feels a sudden sharp pull, and as Granophyre holds her eyes and she grips Snow’s arm, the shield-maiden floats upwards 10 feet above the deck, pulling the bard with her. Granophyre nods to the elder Das, who shouts a sharp command to his ghostly crew, and the airship glides forward, leaving Varielky and Snow suspended in air behind the ship, looking downwards through the rainy darkness from a dizzying height to the lanterns and street lamps of Kalahata, half a mile straight down.
Another magical word from Granophyre, and the rod’s power blinks off, and the array refolds itself and settles back into the old sage’s pocket as Varielky and Snow drift slowly downwards, the Kalahata arena directly below them, the Reaver’s Word diminishing in the distance above.
As they drift, they realize a stiff crosswind just above the city threatens to blow them off course, beyond the eastern city wall.
As Snow drifts slowly down, keeping a firm grasp on Varielky, he concentrates at first on the Reaver's Word, trying not to look down into the darkness. It takes only a short time though, for his curiosity to get the better of him, and he shifts his gaze to the lights below.
"It is quite breathtaking, if you manage to forget that you are falling from an extreme height with nothing but the hope that Strewn's magic lasts until we reach the ground", he says wryly as he shakes some rain from his face.
As he feels the wind start to buffet them from the West, threatening to push them of course, he becomes a little more serious.
"It looks like the weather is a blessing and a curse. It will not only cover our descent, but blow us out of the city if we are not careful. I will try and counteract it", he says as he summons his invisible spectral hand. He concentrates on using it to push them West hard enough to brace them against the wind, trying to guide their descent to the arena as planned.
With Driss in the side saddle, Auger keeps Baylen apace with the Reaver's Word, occasionally looping the great ship to ensure he does not fly too much faster than it. When he sees Varielky and Snow begin their slow descent he redirects Baylen so that they fly east for a few miles before turning south and going a few miles more. Only at this point, south and east of the city do they begin their own descent towards the city as they loop around and enter from the south. Auger thinks through the reasoning again and wonders how much it matters given the sheer size of Baylen, but he did hope that by entering the city from the south, he might evade some attention from Imperials for a short time. Driss' assertion that a Roc and its rider would be left alone seemed to be quite confident and logical, and yet it seemed something would surely come up to challenge them with their plan.
(OOC: Questions: From the description I can see that it is night, do we have a time set? Given our mission one or two hours after dark makes the most sense to me. Given the route I assume Auger loses track of Varielky and Snow before lone, expecting to see them in the Arena. Does his route create any possibility of seeing what is going on for them?)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Varielky is naturally trusting, or at the very least, prone to believe things until they're proven false. Moreover, she trusts Granophyre and if he says his magic can safely deliver them to the ground, she has no reason to question it.
On the other hand, even for a person as Varielky, belief alone can not drive away the fear. She is falling, and it's not simple to convince oneself that death doesn't await her at the end of a fall from the sky. Looking down surely doesn't help.
But being brave doesn't mean to be immune to fear. Bravery merely measures one's ability to stand against one's fears. So although internally Varielky is freightened, praying that the gods will keep her safe; externally, she manages to keep calm.
"Please do", Varielky responds to Snow. "Although, if we land to the east, we might be able to enter through the Tawekki docks. It might be very inconvinient, but at least it wouldn't mean instantaneous failure." As she can do only little in this situation, all that's left is to trust Snow and Granophyre, and pray to the gods.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(OOC: we can say the time is 8 bells, an hour after sunset, which was at seven bells)
Varielky feels Snow’s spectral hand pushing her against the wind, and this works well to keep the heroes on course. Mostly. As the pair near the ground, you find that you may land either on top of a three-story warehouse building near the city’s tall eastern wall, or on the wall itself. (OOC: 1-2: on the wall’s high battlements; 3-4: atop a building; 5: on the ground just east of the Arena; 6: in the arena stands. Snow may affect the die roll by +1/-1 in the direction of his choice: 6).
Auger does not see the others yet due to distance and the weather. You can roll perception DC18 to see them as you near the arena. Snow and Varielky can roll perception DC15 to see Auger. The roc is big, but their attention is certainly focused straight down.
Auger concentrates on flying Baylen properly and down into the Arena and looks around as much as he can to judge the level of attention his passage causes. He catches no sight of the others and does start looking up, thinking they might still be above him.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
(Perception of 6 total. Varielky missed the roc it seems.)
"Maybe he's not here yet. Let's make our way to the arena." Varielky peers over the edge, trying to asses how tall the building is. Can they just jump down, if they first hang from the roof? Otherwise, she searches for a way to enter the building, or a ladder that could lead down.
Auger lands on the arena floor and sees the others, just for a moment, falling through the rain to the east of the arena, before losing sight of them behind the coliseum’s tall curved outer wall. It looks like they may have landed outside of the city. Auger felt a crosswind blowing east coming into Kalahata, but Baylen shrugged it off with powerful strokes of its enormous wings.
Snow and Varielky see the roc land in the arena, and there does not appear to be anyone outside who might have seen them. Odd. Even in a rainstorm, there are usually messengers running errands and other deliveries being made until 8 or 9 bells.
The rooftop is flat, with a shallow tilt toward the street, and a facade behind which you may hide. The distance down to the street is perhaps 40’. A locked door leads into a stairwell going down to a courtyard which presumably opens out to the street. There are some lines for drying laundry crisscrossing above the courtyard, the lines currently void of any garments due to the weather.
Quickly Auger dismounts Baylen and, in the tongue of the Roc, compliments him for his fine and smooth descent, "Strong Baylen! Joy!"
To Driss he adds, "Give me till midnight if you can but do not risk yourself or Baylen. If somehow you do end up drawing attention then leave and meet with those on the Reaver's Word. I will find another way to meetup. My intention is to come back here and mount up to leave. If you hear the whistle then I am probably in some trouble and we may need Baylen's talons one way or another."
Auger turns to go but first looks back at the pair, the Chimp and the Roc, together in the Arena and he thinks how he has become lucky in companions of late. Nodding at Driss, he turns to leave.
As he makes his way out from the Arena floor he recalls his glimpse of Snow and Varielky and assumes he will need to meet them at the eastern wall. Auger then summons Py and instructs him. Stay close. This weather is not wonderful but I need to link up with Snow and Varielky. Help me find a path out of the Arena and then I will send you ahead to find them.
Py then invisibly assumes a position 20' above and ahead of Auger.
"Over there", Snow says pointing at the outline of the Roc swooping down into the arena. "I'm not sure I will ever get used to Auger being a Roc rider".
He moves to crouch down behind the facade at the edge of the roof, and looks up and down the street.
"Very quiet. I wonder if there is a curfew in effect", he mutters whilst he surveys their options for getting down.
"I'm not sure I fancy taking the direct route. I could get us down with my cloak, unless you have an idea that will not deplete it's capability?".
Varielky studies the door, wondering if she could kick it off its hinges, or otherwise force it open. One thing was clear though, and that was that Varielky was soaking wet and did not like it. "I can try to force the door open. If I fail, we can then try your cloak. Alternatively, I can lower you down with a rope, then find a way down... somehow." Jumping would hurt, but in an emergency, Varielky figured it wouldn't be lethal, most likely.
"They did start a curfew before we left Kalahata last time. I'd assume it'd be lifted by now but..." Varielky trails off. Snow can complete the sentence on his own, she's sure.
If snow prefers Varielky tries to force the door open, she would. If there have been thunders, Varielky would try to time her attempt to force the door open with one so that the thunder could mask the sound. Otherwise, she'll just try to do it quickly and be done before anyone comes checking. In this weather, maybe it'll take them some time, if they don't simply postpone checking what happened until after the rain stops.
Athletics, if needed, assuming Snow doesn't propose a different action: 3+8=11.
When Varielky offers to break down the door, Snow nods.
"Let me take a look at it first, it may be that you can force it off the hinges rather than break through, which would be quieter", he offers.
Investigation: 19+7=26
(OOC: Snow really wants to simply help, but investigating the weak point of the door could be a reduction in DC as well as advantage for Varielky I guess. Up to DM what mechanic Snow's investigation introduces)
Baylen throws back its head impetuously, a roc version of a smile, in answer to Auger’s compliment, and emits a resonant clicking sound from deep in its throat: satisfaction.
Driss is less sanguine, scanning the arena stands rather gravely. “Got it. Leave immediately and fly in circles all night.” He winks — Auger knows he’s joking — then the chimp clicks his tongue loudly and Baylen settles down to wait, fluttering its great wings to flick off the moisture underneath, then tucking them in and settling down for a nap.
At the arena floor’s edge there is a tall gate, a 20’ corridor, then a second gate, followed by a 30’ ground level access corridor to the fountain plaza outside.
SNOW & VARIELKY
There’s no thunder this evening, so Varielky attempts to force the door quietly, but is unsuccessful at first. Snow notices the door itself is weak, assists, and on a second attempt, Varielky breaks the latch and the door both, and not too noisily, with the result that the light wooden door hangs from one hinge, its metal bracings old and rusted.
The stairs are empty. As you descend to the second floor, an old man stands in his doorway, watching you come down, but does nothing as you pass. You reach the courtyard, which is empty but from which you can see lamps lit in most of the surrounding windows. Amber sands over cobblestones are wet and dark, and the passageway to the street is no brighter. Where are the lamp lighters, you might wonder.
Passing by the old man, a thought passes through Varielky's mind. She halts, reaches into her pouch and digs out a single platinum coin, handing it over to the man. "For the door, sorry for the trouble." Varielky hoped he understands Jenghen, and also, that it was enough. She wasn't knowledgeable about the prices of doors and didn't have time to think about it any longer.
"The street's too dark!" Varielky complains when they reach the courtyard. That, however, is not simply because of the difficulty in seeing. "If a curfew is enforced, we'll be spotted too easily, and more importantly, the tavern might be closed! We might have to find a place to hide until tomorrow." Surely, no inns would be operating either, as no customers could come. The thought of hiding in some dark alley in the rain doesn't excite Varielky at all.
"Unless you have a better idea, I suppose the best we can do is find Auger quickly and then rethink this operation," Varielky concludes. "It might be wiser to return to the flying ship for the night, then descend again before dawn. At least we wouldn't be found during the night." Although, to herself, Varielky thinks that she wouldn't want to descend like that again. On the other hand, at least they now know for sure that it is safe.
Auger steps through the Arena, wondering at how quiet such a huge place could be. He did not recall being inside it but he did pass near it on a few occasions and at one point communed with the Dowager at the nearby fountain. As he steps through what look like the right passages to leave the area, he is relieved to see the fountain is right here and enters the plaza, looking around to see if his appearance, leaving the arena, creates any unwanted attention.
(OOC: Assuming Auger sees no lighting and no people)
Auger steps forward to the fountain, still looking around for anyone before sending to Py. Head east. Look for them. I will remain in the plaza here. Loop back around every few minutes.
Auger heads to the east side of the plaza, towards the wall, walking slowly and quietly and concentrating on watching for others. Any others. He did not recall seeing the city so quiet. He should have been accosted by panhandlers and cutpurses several times already. What was going on?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Snow moves through the doorway and down to the courtyard, nodding approvingly as Varielky hands the old man a coin, although he doesn't know how much she gives him.
"It is curious indeed, but even if the tavern is not officially open for business, there may be those waiting out the curfew there", he says as he looks out at the dark street. "And besides, even if the tavern is a dead end, the temple might not be. I think there is still much we can do before we abandon the effort for the night".
"As for being spotted, I agree on that, we need to avoid that happening. I know you do not relish the idea of sneaking, but stay close, and I will ensure our passage goes unremarked", he adds whilst taking out his violin.
As he has done before, he draws the bow across the strings, but rather than emit a noise, it absorbs noise. And not just sounds, the very light around them seems to be consumed by the instrument as he employs his magic again.
"Let's go find Auger before he is spotted", he whispers as he starts moving towards the Arena, being careful to tread carefully and keeping to concealed areas as much as possible, hoping Varielky will follow his lead.
If he spots Auger, he will whisper to let him know they are there.
As he exits through the two gates, Auger may note that their latches are the type which only allow egress. Entering the same way will require dealing with two hardened locks. In the plaza, Auger spots an old beggar lying on the ground beside the fountain, almost hidden from view by the fountain’s overhanging edge, scratching at an old scab and pulling a tattered cloak about her.
VARIELKY & SNOW
The old man backs away from Varielky, looks at the coin dubiously, but after perhaps explaining briefly, Varielky senses the platinum will find its way to making repairs.
On the street level, a curfew, combined with the weather could perhaps explain why no one is out. An armed patrol canters past on camelback, oblivious to Snow and Varielky due to Snow’s concealment magic.The two also note a huddle of urchins in a corner edging out of view, their eyes darting and wary but likewise unable to find either the shield-maiden or the bard.
The same goes for Py, which buzzes past in a wide circle, missing them, but Snow notes its passage, recognizing the Fey alyasub’s sound.
Moving toward the arena, Snow spots Auger, and the southerner hears his friend’s whispered voice but still can’t make out his location.
Still, we can assume that in a few minutes the three are met.
ALL
Continuing into Benepota district, away from the Arena, you follow the canal road until you reach the tavern with an attached inn known as Udgelid Aghestur, which in Shian means the King’s Blade, a sprawling place, Varielky and Snow recall, and Auger notices for the first time, which seems to have started small and swallowed up its neighbors over the decades. A sign under its marquee announces, “300 years and counting.” The outside tables, under triangular canvas weather blocks — normally crowded and set with food and drink and warm lantern light at this hour— are lifeless and vacant.
Varielky nods and offers her arms out for Snow. There are various things she could say, but none of them was necessary. Sometimes, silence is good enough. She then walks towards the edge, waiting on Granophyre to give a sign before she jumps off.
Varielky
Auger nods in agreement at the plan and the target of the Arena, adding "Well it appears you two may get your ride in talons anyway when we choose to leave. We have to be within a mile or so in order for Driss and Baylen to hear my whistle and come pick us up, if that is needed." Noting again how he stands out when wearing his coat, Auger does think to bring along the cloak he has used to keep it covered and to wear it while flying down. He had otherwise been dressing in the fashion of the locals for some time and so at least had that going for him.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Chapter 15 - Seeking Safiyah
Granophyre Strewn, standing upon the rear deck of the Reaver’s Word, produces a a short silver rod from his pouch, intones an arcane phrase, and the rod floats gently to the deck, where it whirs softly as narrow metal legs sprout from one end and splay outwards, gripping the deck, while a lattice of wire-thin strands radiates from the other end to form a shallow basket. From this aperture, Varielky feels a sudden sharp pull, and as Granophyre holds her eyes and she grips Snow’s arm, the shield-maiden floats upwards 10 feet above the deck, pulling the bard with her. Granophyre nods to the elder Das, who shouts a sharp command to his ghostly crew, and the airship glides forward, leaving Varielky and Snow suspended in air behind the ship, looking downwards through the rainy darkness from a dizzying height to the lanterns and street lamps of Kalahata, half a mile straight down.
Another magical word from Granophyre, and the rod’s power blinks off, and the array refolds itself and settles back into the old sage’s pocket as Varielky and Snow drift slowly downwards, the Kalahata arena directly below them, the Reaver’s Word diminishing in the distance above.
As they drift, they realize a stiff crosswind just above the city threatens to blow them off course, beyond the eastern city wall.
How does Auger, mounted on Baylen, approach?
(OOC: As a reminder, a Map of Kalahata.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
As Snow drifts slowly down, keeping a firm grasp on Varielky, he concentrates at first on the Reaver's Word, trying not to look down into the darkness. It takes only a short time though, for his curiosity to get the better of him, and he shifts his gaze to the lights below.
"It is quite breathtaking, if you manage to forget that you are falling from an extreme height with nothing but the hope that Strewn's magic lasts until we reach the ground", he says wryly as he shakes some rain from his face.
As he feels the wind start to buffet them from the West, threatening to push them of course, he becomes a little more serious.
"It looks like the weather is a blessing and a curse. It will not only cover our descent, but blow us out of the city if we are not careful. I will try and counteract it", he says as he summons his invisible spectral hand. He concentrates on using it to push them West hard enough to brace them against the wind, trying to guide their descent to the arena as planned.
(OOC: How high up are they at this point?)
With Driss in the side saddle, Auger keeps Baylen apace with the Reaver's Word, occasionally looping the great ship to ensure he does not fly too much faster than it. When he sees Varielky and Snow begin their slow descent he redirects Baylen so that they fly east for a few miles before turning south and going a few miles more. Only at this point, south and east of the city do they begin their own descent towards the city as they loop around and enter from the south. Auger thinks through the reasoning again and wonders how much it matters given the sheer size of Baylen, but he did hope that by entering the city from the south, he might evade some attention from Imperials for a short time. Driss' assertion that a Roc and its rider would be left alone seemed to be quite confident and logical, and yet it seemed something would surely come up to challenge them with their plan.
(OOC: Questions: From the description I can see that it is night, do we have a time set? Given our mission one or two hours after dark makes the most sense to me. Given the route I assume Auger loses track of Varielky and Snow before lone, expecting to see them in the Arena. Does his route create any possibility of seeing what is going on for them?)
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Varielky is naturally trusting, or at the very least, prone to believe things until they're proven false. Moreover, she trusts Granophyre and if he says his magic can safely deliver them to the ground, she has no reason to question it.
On the other hand, even for a person as Varielky, belief alone can not drive away the fear. She is falling, and it's not simple to convince oneself that death doesn't await her at the end of a fall from the sky. Looking down surely doesn't help.
But being brave doesn't mean to be immune to fear. Bravery merely measures one's ability to stand against one's fears. So although internally Varielky is freightened, praying that the gods will keep her safe; externally, she manages to keep calm.
"Please do", Varielky responds to Snow. "Although, if we land to the east, we might be able to enter through the Tawekki docks. It might be very inconvinient, but at least it wouldn't mean instantaneous failure." As she can do only little in this situation, all that's left is to trust Snow and Granophyre, and pray to the gods.
Varielky
(OOC: we can say the time is 8 bells, an hour after sunset, which was at seven bells)
Varielky feels Snow’s spectral hand pushing her against the wind, and this works well to keep the heroes on course. Mostly. As the pair near the ground, you find that you may land either on top of a three-story warehouse building near the city’s tall eastern wall, or on the wall itself. (OOC: 1-2: on the wall’s high battlements; 3-4: atop a building; 5: on the ground just east of the Arena; 6: in the arena stands. Snow may affect the die roll by +1/-1 in the direction of his choice: 6).
Auger does not see the others yet due to distance and the weather. You can roll perception DC18 to see them as you near the arena. Snow and Varielky can roll perception DC15 to see Auger. The roc is big, but their attention is certainly focused straight down.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
(Perception roll: 16)
Auger concentrates on flying Baylen properly and down into the Arena and looks around as much as he can to judge the level of attention his passage causes. He catches no sight of the others and does start looking up, thinking they might still be above him.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Snow guides the slowly falling pair as best he can, relieved as he realises they are not going to be blown outside the city walls.
With one final effort he manages to avoid landing on the battlements, and they land gently on top of a warehouse building.
He immediately disentangles himself from Varielky and drops to a crouch, trying to keep out of sight whilst looking around for Auger’s arrival.
Perception: 3+7=10 (Passive: 17)
(OOC: He moved the dice roll to a 3. Is he able to see Auger arrive by means of passive perception?)
(Perception of 6 total. Varielky missed the roc it seems.)
"Maybe he's not here yet. Let's make our way to the arena." Varielky peers over the edge, trying to asses how tall the building is. Can they just jump down, if they first hang from the roof? Otherwise, she searches for a way to enter the building, or a ladder that could lead down.
Varielky
Auger lands on the arena floor and sees the others, just for a moment, falling through the rain to the east of the arena, before losing sight of them behind the coliseum’s tall curved outer wall. It looks like they may have landed outside of the city. Auger felt a crosswind blowing east coming into Kalahata, but Baylen shrugged it off with powerful strokes of its enormous wings.
Snow and Varielky see the roc land in the arena, and there does not appear to be anyone outside who might have seen them. Odd. Even in a rainstorm, there are usually messengers running errands and other deliveries being made until 8 or 9 bells.
The rooftop is flat, with a shallow tilt toward the street, and a facade behind which you may hide. The distance down to the street is perhaps 40’. A locked door leads into a stairwell going down to a courtyard which presumably opens out to the street. There are some lines for drying laundry crisscrossing above the courtyard, the lines currently void of any garments due to the weather.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Quickly Auger dismounts Baylen and, in the tongue of the Roc, compliments him for his fine and smooth descent, "Strong Baylen! Joy!"
To Driss he adds, "Give me till midnight if you can but do not risk yourself or Baylen. If somehow you do end up drawing attention then leave and meet with those on the Reaver's Word. I will find another way to meetup. My intention is to come back here and mount up to leave. If you hear the whistle then I am probably in some trouble and we may need Baylen's talons one way or another."
Auger turns to go but first looks back at the pair, the Chimp and the Roc, together in the Arena and he thinks how he has become lucky in companions of late. Nodding at Driss, he turns to leave.
As he makes his way out from the Arena floor he recalls his glimpse of Snow and Varielky and assumes he will need to meet them at the eastern wall. Auger then summons Py and instructs him. Stay close. This weather is not wonderful but I need to link up with Snow and Varielky. Help me find a path out of the Arena and then I will send you ahead to find them.
Py then invisibly assumes a position 20' above and ahead of Auger.
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
"Over there", Snow says pointing at the outline of the Roc swooping down into the arena. "I'm not sure I will ever get used to Auger being a Roc rider".
He moves to crouch down behind the facade at the edge of the roof, and looks up and down the street.
"Very quiet. I wonder if there is a curfew in effect", he mutters whilst he surveys their options for getting down.
"I'm not sure I fancy taking the direct route. I could get us down with my cloak, unless you have an idea that will not deplete it's capability?".
Varielky studies the door, wondering if she could kick it off its hinges, or otherwise force it open. One thing was clear though, and that was that Varielky was soaking wet and did not like it. "I can try to force the door open. If I fail, we can then try your cloak. Alternatively, I can lower you down with a rope, then find a way down... somehow." Jumping would hurt, but in an emergency, Varielky figured it wouldn't be lethal, most likely.
"They did start a curfew before we left Kalahata last time. I'd assume it'd be lifted by now but..." Varielky trails off. Snow can complete the sentence on his own, she's sure.
If snow prefers Varielky tries to force the door open, she would. If there have been thunders, Varielky would try to time her attempt to force the door open with one so that the thunder could mask the sound. Otherwise, she'll just try to do it quickly and be done before anyone comes checking. In this weather, maybe it'll take them some time, if they don't simply postpone checking what happened until after the rain stops.
Athletics, if needed, assuming Snow doesn't propose a different action: 3+8=11.
Varielky
When Varielky offers to break down the door, Snow nods.
"Let me take a look at it first, it may be that you can force it off the hinges rather than break through, which would be quieter", he offers.
Investigation: 19+7=26
(OOC: Snow really wants to simply help, but investigating the weak point of the door could be a reduction in DC as well as advantage for Varielky I guess. Up to DM what mechanic Snow's investigation introduces)
AUGER
Baylen throws back its head impetuously, a roc version of a smile, in answer to Auger’s compliment, and emits a resonant clicking sound from deep in its throat: satisfaction.
Driss is less sanguine, scanning the arena stands rather gravely. “Got it. Leave immediately and fly in circles all night.” He winks — Auger knows he’s joking — then the chimp clicks his tongue loudly and Baylen settles down to wait, fluttering its great wings to flick off the moisture underneath, then tucking them in and settling down for a nap.
At the arena floor’s edge there is a tall gate, a 20’ corridor, then a second gate, followed by a 30’ ground level access corridor to the fountain plaza outside.
SNOW & VARIELKY
There’s no thunder this evening, so Varielky attempts to force the door quietly, but is unsuccessful at first. Snow notices the door itself is weak, assists, and on a second attempt, Varielky breaks the latch and the door both, and not too noisily, with the result that the light wooden door hangs from one hinge, its metal bracings old and rusted.
The stairs are empty. As you descend to the second floor, an old man stands in his doorway, watching you come down, but does nothing as you pass. You reach the courtyard, which is empty but from which you can see lamps lit in most of the surrounding windows. Amber sands over cobblestones are wet and dark, and the passageway to the street is no brighter. Where are the lamp lighters, you might wonder.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Passing by the old man, a thought passes through Varielky's mind. She halts, reaches into her pouch and digs out a single platinum coin, handing it over to the man. "For the door, sorry for the trouble." Varielky hoped he understands Jenghen, and also, that it was enough. She wasn't knowledgeable about the prices of doors and didn't have time to think about it any longer.
"The street's too dark!" Varielky complains when they reach the courtyard. That, however, is not simply because of the difficulty in seeing. "If a curfew is enforced, we'll be spotted too easily, and more importantly, the tavern might be closed! We might have to find a place to hide until tomorrow." Surely, no inns would be operating either, as no customers could come. The thought of hiding in some dark alley in the rain doesn't excite Varielky at all.
"Unless you have a better idea, I suppose the best we can do is find Auger quickly and then rethink this operation," Varielky concludes. "It might be wiser to return to the flying ship for the night, then descend again before dawn. At least we wouldn't be found during the night." Although, to herself, Varielky thinks that she wouldn't want to descend like that again. On the other hand, at least they now know for sure that it is safe.
Varielky
Auger steps through the Arena, wondering at how quiet such a huge place could be. He did not recall being inside it but he did pass near it on a few occasions and at one point communed with the Dowager at the nearby fountain. As he steps through what look like the right passages to leave the area, he is relieved to see the fountain is right here and enters the plaza, looking around to see if his appearance, leaving the arena, creates any unwanted attention.
(OOC: Assuming Auger sees no lighting and no people)
Auger steps forward to the fountain, still looking around for anyone before sending to Py. Head east. Look for them. I will remain in the plaza here. Loop back around every few minutes.
Auger heads to the east side of the plaza, towards the wall, walking slowly and quietly and concentrating on watching for others. Any others. He did not recall seeing the city so quiet. He should have been accosted by panhandlers and cutpurses several times already. What was going on?
DM of RotFM | AUGER the Warlock (Archfey & the Chain) / Shadow Sorcerer in Age of Resurgence | Rahui & Javier in Sea of Memory
Snow moves through the doorway and down to the courtyard, nodding approvingly as Varielky hands the old man a coin, although he doesn't know how much she gives him.
"It is curious indeed, but even if the tavern is not officially open for business, there may be those waiting out the curfew there", he says as he looks out at the dark street. "And besides, even if the tavern is a dead end, the temple might not be. I think there is still much we can do before we abandon the effort for the night".
"As for being spotted, I agree on that, we need to avoid that happening. I know you do not relish the idea of sneaking, but stay close, and I will ensure our passage goes unremarked", he adds whilst taking out his violin.
As he has done before, he draws the bow across the strings, but rather than emit a noise, it absorbs noise. And not just sounds, the very light around them seems to be consumed by the instrument as he employs his magic again.
"Let's go find Auger before he is spotted", he whispers as he starts moving towards the Arena, being careful to tread carefully and keeping to concealed areas as much as possible, hoping Varielky will follow his lead.
If he spots Auger, he will whisper to let him know they are there.
Stealth (with Pass Without Trace): 10+5+10 = 25
(OOC: If they come across Auger, he will extend the benefit of Pass Without Trace)
AUGER
As he exits through the two gates, Auger may note that their latches are the type which only allow egress. Entering the same way will require dealing with two hardened locks. In the plaza, Auger spots an old beggar lying on the ground beside the fountain, almost hidden from view by the fountain’s overhanging edge, scratching at an old scab and pulling a tattered cloak about her.
VARIELKY & SNOW
The old man backs away from Varielky, looks at the coin dubiously, but after perhaps explaining briefly, Varielky senses the platinum will find its way to making repairs.
On the street level, a curfew, combined with the weather could perhaps explain why no one is out. An armed patrol canters past on camelback, oblivious to Snow and Varielky due to Snow’s concealment magic.The two also note a huddle of urchins in a corner edging out of view, their eyes darting and wary but likewise unable to find either the shield-maiden or the bard.
The same goes for Py, which buzzes past in a wide circle, missing them, but Snow notes its passage, recognizing the Fey alyasub’s sound.
Moving toward the arena, Snow spots Auger, and the southerner hears his friend’s whispered voice but still can’t make out his location.
Still, we can assume that in a few minutes the three are met.
ALL
Continuing into Benepota district, away from the Arena, you follow the canal road until you reach the tavern with an attached inn known as Udgelid Aghestur, which in Shian means the King’s Blade, a sprawling place, Varielky and Snow recall, and Auger notices for the first time, which seems to have started small and swallowed up its neighbors over the decades. A sign under its marquee announces, “300 years and counting.” The outside tables, under triangular canvas weather blocks — normally crowded and set with food and drink and warm lantern light at this hour— are lifeless and vacant.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer