T’bitha stirs from her meditative trance. She blinks as her eyes refocus on her surroundings. She sees Khessa near her. She spots Dimitri in the run-down tavern as well; however, she notes that Hadi and Tristan are absent.
Everything seems silent and calm, too calm…as there usually is that precedes a coming storm. She turns to Khessa and whispers, “Where are Tristan and Hadi?”
T’bitha stretches out a little before going into a seiza position, placing her knees on the floor, sitting back on her feet. She continues to keep her eyes open and alert as she regains her composure.
... She turns to Khessa and whispers, “Where are Tristan and Hadi?” ...
"Oh, Hadi is there, you see?" Khessa whispers back to T'bitha (just in case someone is trying to listen the conversation with magic OOC: I'll avoid repeating it every time here, but all what Khessa says in this post is whispered to T'bitha, not spoken aloud) and points at the noble elf, which was momentarily hidden from view behind a completely ruined piece of furniture "He is intent on getting Laza to follow the false drunken and possibly spy on them. I think they were drow. I'll explain to you in a moment".
"Tristan" (the thought of a firetrap laid around the bar treacherously sneaks into the blonde arcane warrior's mind - but is quickly pushed back to the background) "is outside, hidden, trying to keep watch." (OOC: Khessa does not know he also is actually trying to follow and spy the false drunken - last thing she knew, was that tristan was hiding outside to keep watch) "If he detects the drow coming, he might alert us or surprise them".
"As for the false drunken thing, you might have missed something while you slept..." the tall warrior-wizard tells "First, we discovered this cellar" she shows it to the Eilistraee priestess. "Inside, there is a tunnel. Since it could have been a point of access (or it could have worked as emergency exit, if needed), Dimitri and I went to explore it. It splits in at least one point in two branches. One leads to a room with men that really do NOT seem drow, intent on playing dice. The other, we did not have time to explore, because I got warned from an Anonymous Voice In My Mind (we'll call it Avimm, for now on, for short - he did not present itself) that 'our friends were in danger'. Back we went and we found Hadi speaking to those apparently drunken lads. They did not seem a big danger to me... even more because they have been easily convinced to leave. But as i went to the door to lock it after them, I overheard their talk. They were looking FOR YOU - even if they didn't see you because you were sleeping behind the bar. And after a while they switched to talk IN UNDERCOMMON, speaking of 'a new priestess'. So I strongly suspect them to have been drow in disguise (maybe with the help of magic). They will likely come back. As we wanted. We have some trap ready. We are keeping a light near the locked door. We have noisemakers at doors and windows. Hadi set an alarm spell. As you may see, the bar has been fortified so that we can try to fight from behind it - while the attackers will have a some trouble to get to our side - they will have to climb over it, exposed to our attacks. We should be able to keep them busy until the guards come".
"You..." asks finally Khessa "did you rest well? You know, you are usually completely still in your meditation, but this time you have occasionally been moving".
As Khessa and T'bitha speak, the four of you in the tavern hear the door moving as if someone is trying to open it. Tristan sitting across from the tavern sees a handful of city guard attempting to enter the tavern from the front door, before they all look at each other.
(OOC: I'm assuming Tristan returned to the roof across from the tavern after losing track of the drunken men)
Khessa was about to reply to T'bitha, but as someone tries to open the door she thinks of the drow and whispers: "They are coming. Ready to welcome them".
Hearing someone at the door, Dimitri goes to crouch behind the table barricade they made for cover. He peeks over, waiting for the people to come in, sliding a hidden dart from his cuff to his palm, readying to attack when they drow come back.
(OOC: Sorry about the delay! Yes Tristan will have moved back into his prior position)
Tristan curses under his breath If they can turn themselves invisible all this preparation will be for naught. I won't be able to warn them, and Khessa won't be able to spring her trap. Perhaps... Tristan looks around at the shops nearby, hoping to find a bakers or a grocers.
(By this time I assume everything will be shut?)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
T’bitha gently places a hand on Khessa’s shoulder, “Stay vigilant, Khessa.”
(OOC- Action:
Vigilant Blessing
You give one creature you touch (including possibly yourself) advantage on the next initiative roll the creature makes. This benefit ends immediately after the roll or if you use this feature again.)
Khessa feels her reactions all of a sudden greatly enhanced.
"Thanks!" she places her hand on the one of the pristess for a moment.
Ready to react to the slightest stimulus, the blonde arcane warrior continues to keep an eye on the door and pay attention to any noises that betray the presence of intruders.
(OOC: Yeah Tristan, by this time most of the shops have closed down, there appears to be one left still open, probably because there is someone still purchasing, from it.)
However Tristan, it's still not quiet on the streets. The taverns are open, and this is definitely their popular hours. You can hear live music playing and shouting coming from both directions of the street. You can also see the guards standing at the tavern door, speaking, but you can't quite figure out what they're saying to each other.
The four of you, on the other hand, can hear someone speak on the other side of the door "Hello?!" You hear a woman shout. "Is anyone in here? We were told to come and meet a T'bitha." A moment of silence goes by before you hear her voice again "T'bitha are you here?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
T’bitha opens her mouth, but is cut off by Khessa with her warning. She hears her name a second time and listens to the tone and pitch of the voice, careful to catch a hint of deception or trickery.
T'bitha listening in to the woman's tone as she speaks there's a strong hint of confusion on her voice. Towards the end of her last call out for you, you get the sense she thinks she's in the wrong spot.
"The guards were suppoded to hide outside, ready to encircle the attackers... not to show themselves or come inside"whispers Khessa. "The only explaination for them coming here, is thst Hadi told the false drunkhards guards were on their way. Believe me, these are drow, just in a different disguise!"
But the blonde arcane warrior hears the Eilistraee priestess reply to the 'guards' all the same and prepares herself for the worst.
You're unable to peer out of the windows T'bitha because they're boarded up well, but you do call out. A moment later you hear "Uh- I'm sergeant Sarah. I and my team were sent here on behest of someone who spoke to the Sky Warden. I was told to seek out and speak with a T'bitha. I take it, that's you?"
Khessa whispers to T'bitha: "My dear, I'm stil far from convinced by this Sarah... It is believable (or at least likely), that the Sky Warden sent her simply here, explaining so little about what she needed to do? He patted her on the shoulder and told her 'Get your ass out of here and find a T'bitha'? Really? Plus, they come and ask about you, without identifying themselves before? This is what typical guards would do in this city? Or is not more likely an error made by people that prentend to be a guards but do not know their ways too much? It is not a rhetorical question, I'm asking honestly to you and Hadi and Dimitri... I just arrived in this city, so I have not much experience in how the guards behave. But these guards are quite suspicious to me. it's only me? Anyway, if you like to speak with her, do as you deem better, I don't presume to be better of you at guessing people's real intentions (and I admit I do not know much of Sky Warden's ways and of guards habits either); but I'd advise you at least NOT to open the door. There is no need for that. All that they need to do, if they are the real guards, is to hide not far from here and come promptly to seize the attackers as they hear sounds of battle".
Speaking softly so that only his group inside can hear, Hadi adds, “If you think they’re the drow just let this Sarah in. We’ll have a clear advantage if it turns out you’re right. And if not, we can quickly find out and get them in here to help us.”
"This also works" agrees Khessa, taking place where she can trigger the deadfall. "Only Sarah in. If others try to enter, I trigger the trap. If only Sarah enters, T'bitha locks the door again and we try to understand wether she is a drow or not".
T’bitha stirs from her meditative trance. She blinks as her eyes refocus on her surroundings. She sees Khessa near her. She spots Dimitri in the run-down tavern as well; however, she notes that Hadi and Tristan are absent.
Everything seems silent and calm, too calm…as there usually is that precedes a coming storm. She turns to Khessa and whispers, “Where are Tristan and Hadi?”
T’bitha stretches out a little before going into a seiza position, placing her knees on the floor, sitting back on her feet. She continues to keep her eyes open and alert as she regains her composure.
"Oh, Hadi is there, you see?" Khessa whispers back to T'bitha (just in case someone is trying to listen the conversation with magic OOC: I'll avoid repeating it every time here, but all what Khessa says in this post is whispered to T'bitha, not spoken aloud) and points at the noble elf, which was momentarily hidden from view behind a completely ruined piece of furniture "He is intent on getting Laza to follow the false drunken and possibly spy on them. I think they were drow. I'll explain to you in a moment".
"Tristan" (the thought of a firetrap laid around the bar treacherously sneaks into the blonde arcane warrior's mind - but is quickly pushed back to the background) "is outside, hidden, trying to keep watch." (OOC: Khessa does not know he also is actually trying to follow and spy the false drunken - last thing she knew, was that tristan was hiding outside to keep watch) "If he detects the drow coming, he might alert us or surprise them".
"As for the false drunken thing, you might have missed something while you slept..." the tall warrior-wizard tells "First, we discovered this cellar" she shows it to the Eilistraee priestess. "Inside, there is a tunnel. Since it could have been a point of access (or it could have worked as emergency exit, if needed), Dimitri and I went to explore it. It splits in at least one point in two branches. One leads to a room with men that really do NOT seem drow, intent on playing dice. The other, we did not have time to explore, because I got warned from an Anonymous Voice In My Mind (we'll call it Avimm, for now on, for short - he did not present itself) that 'our friends were in danger'. Back we went and we found Hadi speaking to those apparently drunken lads. They did not seem a big danger to me... even more because they have been easily convinced to leave. But as i went to the door to lock it after them, I overheard their talk. They were looking FOR YOU - even if they didn't see you because you were sleeping behind the bar. And after a while they switched to talk IN UNDERCOMMON, speaking of 'a new priestess'. So I strongly suspect them to have been drow in disguise (maybe with the help of magic). They will likely come back. As we wanted. We have some trap ready. We are keeping a light near the locked door. We have noisemakers at doors and windows. Hadi set an alarm spell. As you may see, the bar has been fortified so that we can try to fight from behind it - while the attackers will have a some trouble to get to our side - they will have to climb over it, exposed to our attacks. We should be able to keep them busy until the guards come".
"You..." asks finally Khessa "did you rest well? You know, you are usually completely still in your meditation, but this time you have occasionally been moving".
“Moving? While in trance? That cannot be good. I don’t recall any visions, though.”
T’bitha looks over at Hadi before turning to Khessa. “So, we are still waiting to ambush then. I understand.”
T’bitha waits in silence for several minutes. “Khessa, what were the names of your family who were kidnapped? Any siblings?”
As Khessa and T'bitha speak, the four of you in the tavern hear the door moving as if someone is trying to open it. Tristan sitting across from the tavern sees a handful of city guard attempting to enter the tavern from the front door, before they all look at each other.
(OOC: I'm assuming Tristan returned to the roof across from the tavern after losing track of the drunken men)
Khessa was about to reply to T'bitha, but as someone tries to open the door she thinks of the drow and whispers: "They are coming. Ready to welcome them".
Hearing someone at the door, Dimitri goes to crouch behind the table barricade they made for cover. He peeks over, waiting for the people to come in, sliding a hidden dart from his cuff to his palm, readying to attack when they drow come back.
Hadi too, readies himself. Pulling his whip from his hip and whistling a short ditty as a mystical shield shimmers around his body.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
(OOC: Sorry about the delay! Yes Tristan will have moved back into his prior position)
Tristan curses under his breath If they can turn themselves invisible all this preparation will be for naught. I won't be able to warn them, and Khessa won't be able to spring her trap. Perhaps...
Tristan looks around at the shops nearby, hoping to find a bakers or a grocers.
(By this time I assume everything will be shut?)
“I will take responsibility for what I have done. [...] If must fall, I will rise each time a better man.” ― Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer.
T’bitha gently places a hand on Khessa’s shoulder, “Stay vigilant, Khessa.”
(OOC- Action:
You give one creature you touch (including possibly yourself) advantage on the next initiative roll the creature makes. This benefit ends immediately after the roll or if you use this feature again.)
Khessa feels her reactions all of a sudden greatly enhanced.
"Thanks!" she places her hand on the one of the pristess for a moment.
Ready to react to the slightest stimulus, the blonde arcane warrior continues to keep an eye on the door and pay attention to any noises that betray the presence of intruders.
(OOC: Yeah Tristan, by this time most of the shops have closed down, there appears to be one left still open, probably because there is someone still purchasing, from it.)
However Tristan, it's still not quiet on the streets. The taverns are open, and this is definitely their popular hours. You can hear live music playing and shouting coming from both directions of the street. You can also see the guards standing at the tavern door, speaking, but you can't quite figure out what they're saying to each other.
The four of you, on the other hand, can hear someone speak on the other side of the door "Hello?!" You hear a woman shout. "Is anyone in here? We were told to come and meet a T'bitha." A moment of silence goes by before you hear her voice again "T'bitha are you here?"
Khessa advises the others, whispering: "They are the drow, of course. Let's NOT reply and stay ready to strike when they come inside".
And she keeps her watch.
T’bitha opens her mouth, but is cut off by Khessa with her warning. She hears her name a second time and listens to the tone and pitch of the voice, careful to catch a hint of deception or trickery.
Insight: 9
T'bitha listening in to the woman's tone as she speaks there's a strong hint of confusion on her voice. Towards the end of her last call out for you, you get the sense she thinks she's in the wrong spot.
“I think they are not drow, Khessa. Perhaps Ozemon was able to contact the guard and sent them here.”
T’bitha stands and calls out. “Please identify yourself.” She then peers through the window to see if she can see who is outside the door.
"The guards were suppoded to hide outside, ready to encircle the attackers... not to show themselves or come inside" whispers Khessa. "The only explaination for them coming here, is thst Hadi told the false drunkhards guards were on their way. Believe me, these are drow, just in a different disguise!"
But the blonde arcane warrior hears the Eilistraee priestess reply to the 'guards' all the same and prepares herself for the worst.
You're unable to peer out of the windows T'bitha because they're boarded up well, but you do call out. A moment later you hear "Uh- I'm sergeant Sarah. I and my team were sent here on behest of someone who spoke to the Sky Warden. I was told to seek out and speak with a T'bitha. I take it, that's you?"
Khessa whispers to T'bitha: "My dear, I'm stil far from convinced by this Sarah... It is believable (or at least likely), that the Sky Warden sent her simply here, explaining so little about what she needed to do? He patted her on the shoulder and told her 'Get your ass out of here and find a T'bitha'? Really? Plus, they come and ask about you, without identifying themselves before? This is what typical guards would do in this city? Or is not more likely an error made by people that prentend to be a guards but do not know their ways too much? It is not a rhetorical question, I'm asking honestly to you and Hadi and Dimitri... I just arrived in this city, so I have not much experience in how the guards behave. But these guards are quite suspicious to me. it's only me? Anyway, if you like to speak with her, do as you deem better, I don't presume to be better of you at guessing people's real intentions (and I admit I do not know much of Sky Warden's ways and of guards habits either); but I'd advise you at least NOT to open the door. There is no need for that. All that they need to do, if they are the real guards, is to hide not far from here and come promptly to seize the attackers as they hear sounds of battle".
Speaking softly so that only his group inside can hear, Hadi adds, “If you think they’re the drow just let this Sarah in. We’ll have a clear advantage if it turns out you’re right. And if not, we can quickly find out and get them in here to help us.”
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
"This also works" agrees Khessa, taking place where she can trigger the deadfall. "Only Sarah in. If others try to enter, I trigger the trap. If only Sarah enters, T'bitha locks the door again and we try to understand wether she is a drow or not".