Mina holds up the ring she found, "I hope the ones downstairs don't expect Grignar to be wearing this... honestly I feel like we should be ready for a fight. It could go south downstairs quickly."
"I'll let Akyan know about this," Kyrsa says quickly before relaying what Mina had just discovered to Akyan. "Grignar had a key ring on his belt. If anyone asks about it you're going to have to come up with a reason you don't have it on you."
Akyan nods and walks down stairs as he does so he responds to Kyrsa, "Alright thanks for the update. May be a good idea to keep that."
Akyan gives Ovni a flat look before speaking. "Unfortunately, I have some bad news. As you have probably guessed, our shipment has been delayed. I was discussing this with Zenia. It would be in our best interest to go collect it ourselves. You lot will go do that, while I head to HQ to explain the situation." As he speaks he looks over the other two trying to gauge their thoughts towards him.
Tamryn says to Annika, "The way I see it, we have three options: First, we know where the Serpent's delivery points are so we could just go to one of them. We also know their passwords (assuming word hasn't gotten out that the passwords were compromised). But I think that if we just go to one of the delivery points, we'll just have to kill everyone there, both to show the Dannihyrs that we are on their side and because I don't see any other outcome to our pretending to be Serpents, but showing up with an empty cart. Second, I try to create a distraction and we shake those tails. I told Lady Dannihyr that we'll need to prep our alibis, so she won't expect us to go straight to the Serpents and, honestly, an operative who can't lose a tail is not an operative anyone would want. Then we can go back to headquarters (leaving the wagon someplace inconspicuous) and find out what has happened with the others. Third, we could lure our tails into an ambush, capture them, interrogate them about Lady Dannihyr's operations, and then convince them to get out of town (or just kill them). It will likely irritate and frustrate her, but we can deny knowledge of what happened and she won't have proof. People disappear all the time in this city. I figure we have about two minutes to choose a plan and get to work on it. What would you like to do?"
Lyndaran nods to Mina and notches an arrow on his bow, getting ready next to the door in case there is a fight he will try to go out and surprise the slavers from above.
Annika half-smiles at Tamryn while tucking a stray braid behind her ear. "I've been way outside my comfort zone ever since we met that .... uh, Fatima. This decision seems to be more in your wheelhouse than mine. I'll go along with whatever you choose."
Tamryn frowns, thinking. "Well, I'm not opposed to killing, but I prefer to do it only when it is absolutely necessary. Let's try to lose them." With that he looks around at the streets and shops around him, looking for a way to distract or impede their pursuers.
Akyan's mimicry of Grignar's voice and movements seems to convince the other gang members. His logic is less persuasive.
"You want us to go looking for a wagonload of slaves? Where? How? They could be anywhere! There's only four of us!" All of them questioning at once, shouting over each other, a cacophony of complaints. Zenia hisses at them, "Quiet! Morons! Grig has already told me where to find them, they're out by the gate, a broken wagon wheel or something. Shut up and grab your gear, time to go!"
Still grumbling, the others throw their cards down on the table, and strap on their swordbelts and crossbows. They follow Zenia out the door. Neero goes last, and as he passes Akyan he sneers,"Where's your ring, boss? Did you forget to put it back on after your discussion with Zenia?" With that, the four of them are gone, into the night.
You are passing through a market district in midmorning. There are shoppes and booths selling food, clothing, gifts, jewelry and weapons all around. The streets are too narrow to fully turn around a wagon, although you could manage to jam it crosswise, probably. The foot traffic is plentiful, but there are a few carts and a carriage or two as well passing these streets. There are some dark, narrow alleys between buildings, probably too narrow for your wagon, but you could chance it. The buildings are close enough together that one could jump from one rooftop to another with relative ease, even across the alleyways. Overhead there are ropes strung back and forth between buildings, with colorful cloths draped from them, creating gaudy shapes on the ground as the sunlight streams through them. Most of the blocky sand-colored buildings have second-story balconies from which veiled women and children look down upon the crowds.
Relaxing a little bit Lyndaran comes out the room while the others confirm that they are gone.
"So what now? How do we know she will not alert them, and they go in search for reinforcements and come back here to kill us all? I would say to burn this place down and getting advantage of the confusion we go after their boss and eliminate him before the sun rises. "
"Spread out and search the building for anything useful," Kyrsa says, still waiting on a confirmation that Jhaarteal has eyes on the enemy. "We'll move quickly, then set this dump on fire." Her eyes flair as she says that last word, she's glad she isn't the only one wanting to burn the place down.
"Are you sure you want to set the place on fire?" Akyan says aloud, "That might alert Joaquin that something is up. We might want to take care of him before we start sending smoke signals."
Mina looks to the others as they are all downstairs now, "Did you guys not hear they had 50-60 people with the boss? We're just going to stroll in there and take him out? I feel like we got some good intel and should head back to the safe house to let the dwarf group in on it and then we can decide the best course of action. If we want to go to one of the other addresses we acquired during the caravan ambush, fine, but I don't feel right about the other."
She pockets the ring and the keyring and then adds, "As for the fire, you guys figure that out, I don't care either way."
Akyan looks at Mina, "That is true, though If we do go, then we definitely wouldn't just stroll in there. This is an infiltration team. We would have to get close to him, then take him out quickly and quietly. I understand your point though, and i do agree that we might want to look into the other addresses before proceeding with this lead. However, if we are going to do that, then I really don't think setting this place on fire is the best option. If we raise to much suspicion, the Serpents might move their head quarters, making this entire ordeal pointless."
Kyrsa nods, "Perhaps after we deal with our other targets, then we could look into Joaquin. If we get to his place and it looks doable to simply assassinate him without engaging with the larger force...then we can consider that option. For now...though I'd like to set this place ablaze I must agree with Akyan. It would alert Joaquin that the place was hit...though so will the fact that his team here is missing. Perhaps we should simply dispose of the body, maybe leave a note saying they went after the missing slaves to throw others off the trail." A smile appears then disappears on her face, "Anyone know of any other gang names? Maybe we could make it look like someone else attacked this group. I'd imagine such actions are common among gangs, so it would answer any immediate questions as to what happened."
She starts helping Lydaran search the building, starting in the room where they killed Grignar.
Investigation: 18
As she does so she says, "If any of you want to go back to the safe house, that is an option...though I would rather continue with our current mission--dealing with those addresses. If anyone wants to look into Joaquin afterwards, and we are still in good condition after whatever else happens, I am up for that. Or we could just take that information back with us and explain the situation."
Akyan glares at Neero but doesn't offer any other response. Once they are gone, he visibly relaxes.
"Alright Kyrsa they left. Hopefully Zenia can keep them from coming back."
"Jhaartael? Were you able to send your raven after them?"
Jhaartael would have communicated with his raven familiar to follow the pack and to let him know if they don't head out of town.
He lets Akyan know as much. "Yes. Wings by night and black eyes shining bright watch them beat the street. I shall be with you, but will remain invisible. The invisibility lasts an hour and if we get to the next place soon enough, may still come in useful."
The raven reports that the four cartel members leave the building heading eastward through the streets. (It is my understanding that telepathy with a familiar only extends to 100 feet, so if you wish the raven to follow the group to the edge of town, it will not be able to report back for an hour or so. (find familiar))
As you search the building, you remember there was another door up on the landing, next to the bunkroom. The door is locked, but one of the keys on the keyring opens it easily. Inside is a simple desk which contains a ledger of deliveries and pickups of various shipments, not only slaves but other goods such as liquor, fine textiles, and gemstones. The notations mention the names of who made the deliveries, and who picked up various goods from the warehouse, and where they were going. For example, "16 Kythorn, 12 slaves, received by Nightcrawler, to HQ" or "24 Flamerule, 100 bottles Evermead, received by Shorty, to Station 6 (Merchant district)"
Anyone who has some experience with financial matters (e.g. a merchant background) can roll Insight as they go through the ledger.
Also in the desk you discover an iron lockbox, which opens with a different key of the keyring, revealing 900 gp.
Mina holds up the ring she found, "I hope the ones downstairs don't expect Grignar to be wearing this... honestly I feel like we should be ready for a fight. It could go south downstairs quickly."
"I'll let Akyan know about this," Kyrsa says quickly before relaying what Mina had just discovered to Akyan. "Grignar had a key ring on his belt. If anyone asks about it you're going to have to come up with a reason you don't have it on you."
Akyan nods and walks down stairs as he does so he responds to Kyrsa, "Alright thanks for the update. May be a good idea to keep that."
Akyan gives Ovni a flat look before speaking. "Unfortunately, I have some bad news. As you have probably guessed, our shipment has been delayed. I was discussing this with Zenia. It would be in our best interest to go collect it ourselves. You lot will go do that, while I head to HQ to explain the situation." As he speaks he looks over the other two trying to gauge their thoughts towards him.
Persuasion: 9
Deception: 22
Tamryn says to Annika, "The way I see it, we have three options: First, we know where the Serpent's delivery points are so we could just go to one of them. We also know their passwords (assuming word hasn't gotten out that the passwords were compromised). But I think that if we just go to one of the delivery points, we'll just have to kill everyone there, both to show the Dannihyrs that we are on their side and because I don't see any other outcome to our pretending to be Serpents, but showing up with an empty cart. Second, I try to create a distraction and we shake those tails. I told Lady Dannihyr that we'll need to prep our alibis, so she won't expect us to go straight to the Serpents and, honestly, an operative who can't lose a tail is not an operative anyone would want. Then we can go back to headquarters (leaving the wagon someplace inconspicuous) and find out what has happened with the others. Third, we could lure our tails into an ambush, capture them, interrogate them about Lady Dannihyr's operations, and then convince them to get out of town (or just kill them). It will likely irritate and frustrate her, but we can deny knowledge of what happened and she won't have proof. People disappear all the time in this city. I figure we have about two minutes to choose a plan and get to work on it. What would you like to do?"
Tamryn - lvl 4 Wood Elf Rogue - Circle of Light Campaign || Drusilla - lvl 1 Half-Elf Ranger - Sleeping Gods || Grrzark - lvl 1 Goblin Barbarian - Danger at Darkshelf Quarry || DM - LTG - Curse of Strahd
Lyndaran nods to Mina and notches an arrow on his bow, getting ready next to the door in case there is a fight he will try to go out and surprise the slavers from above.
PbP Character: A few ;)
Annika half-smiles at Tamryn while tucking a stray braid behind her ear. "I've been way outside my comfort zone ever since we met that .... uh, Fatima. This decision seems to be more in your wheelhouse than mine. I'll go along with whatever you choose."
Jhaartael waits at invisible attention, observing the interaction and prepared to engage should things go awry.
Eryndor - Red Dead Annihilation | GM - Volo's Trade Franchise - PF2e Adventures set in the Forgotten Realms
Tamryn frowns, thinking. "Well, I'm not opposed to killing, but I prefer to do it only when it is absolutely necessary. Let's try to lose them." With that he looks around at the streets and shops around him, looking for a way to distract or impede their pursuers.
Investigation: 18
Tamryn - lvl 4 Wood Elf Rogue - Circle of Light Campaign || Drusilla - lvl 1 Half-Elf Ranger - Sleeping Gods || Grrzark - lvl 1 Goblin Barbarian - Danger at Darkshelf Quarry || DM - LTG - Curse of Strahd
Akyan's mimicry of Grignar's voice and movements seems to convince the other gang members. His logic is less persuasive.
"You want us to go looking for a wagonload of slaves? Where? How? They could be anywhere! There's only four of us!" All of them questioning at once, shouting over each other, a cacophony of complaints. Zenia hisses at them, "Quiet! Morons! Grig has already told me where to find them, they're out by the gate, a broken wagon wheel or something. Shut up and grab your gear, time to go!"
Still grumbling, the others throw their cards down on the table, and strap on their swordbelts and crossbows. They follow Zenia out the door. Neero goes last, and as he passes Akyan he sneers, "Where's your ring, boss? Did you forget to put it back on after your discussion with Zenia?" With that, the four of them are gone, into the night.
Tamryn
You are passing through a market district in midmorning. There are shoppes and booths selling food, clothing, gifts, jewelry and weapons all around. The streets are too narrow to fully turn around a wagon, although you could manage to jam it crosswise, probably. The foot traffic is plentiful, but there are a few carts and a carriage or two as well passing these streets. There are some dark, narrow alleys between buildings, probably too narrow for your wagon, but you could chance it. The buildings are close enough together that one could jump from one rooftop to another with relative ease, even across the alleyways. Overhead there are ropes strung back and forth between buildings, with colorful cloths draped from them, creating gaudy shapes on the ground as the sunlight streams through them. Most of the blocky sand-colored buildings have second-story balconies from which veiled women and children look down upon the crowds.
Akyan glares at Neero but doesn't offer any other response. Once they are gone, he visibly relaxes.
"Alright Kyrsa they left. Hopefully Zenia can keep them from coming back."
"Jhaartael? Were you able to send your raven after them?"
Relaxing a little bit Lyndaran comes out the room while the others confirm that they are gone.
"So what now? How do we know she will not alert them, and they go in search for reinforcements and come back here to kill us all? I would say to burn this place down and getting advantage of the confusion we go after their boss and eliminate him before the sun rises. "
PbP Character: A few ;)
"Spread out and search the building for anything useful," Kyrsa says, still waiting on a confirmation that Jhaarteal has eyes on the enemy. "We'll move quickly, then set this dump on fire." Her eyes flair as she says that last word, she's glad she isn't the only one wanting to burn the place down.
"Are you sure you want to set the place on fire?" Akyan says aloud, "That might alert Joaquin that something is up. We might want to take care of him before we start sending smoke signals."
Mina looks to the others as they are all downstairs now, "Did you guys not hear they had 50-60 people with the boss? We're just going to stroll in there and take him out? I feel like we got some good intel and should head back to the safe house to let the dwarf group in on it and then we can decide the best course of action. If we want to go to one of the other addresses we acquired during the caravan ambush, fine, but I don't feel right about the other."
She pockets the ring and the keyring and then adds, "As for the fire, you guys figure that out, I don't care either way."
"We may not have another chance to do it..." says Lyndaran already looking for something useful in the warehouse.
( Investigation: 11 )
PbP Character: A few ;)
Akyan looks at Mina, "That is true, though If we do go, then we definitely wouldn't just stroll in there. This is an infiltration team. We would have to get close to him, then take him out quickly and quietly. I understand your point though, and i do agree that we might want to look into the other addresses before proceeding with this lead. However, if we are going to do that, then I really don't think setting this place on fire is the best option. If we raise to much suspicion, the Serpents might move their head quarters, making this entire ordeal pointless."
Kyrsa nods, "Perhaps after we deal with our other targets, then we could look into Joaquin. If we get to his place and it looks doable to simply assassinate him without engaging with the larger force...then we can consider that option. For now...though I'd like to set this place ablaze I must agree with Akyan. It would alert Joaquin that the place was hit...though so will the fact that his team here is missing. Perhaps we should simply dispose of the body, maybe leave a note saying they went after the missing slaves to throw others off the trail." A smile appears then disappears on her face, "Anyone know of any other gang names? Maybe we could make it look like someone else attacked this group. I'd imagine such actions are common among gangs, so it would answer any immediate questions as to what happened."
She starts helping Lydaran search the building, starting in the room where they killed Grignar.
Investigation: 18
As she does so she says, "If any of you want to go back to the safe house, that is an option...though I would rather continue with our current mission--dealing with those addresses. If anyone wants to look into Joaquin afterwards, and we are still in good condition after whatever else happens, I am up for that. Or we could just take that information back with us and explain the situation."
Jhaartael would have communicated with his raven familiar to follow the pack and to let him know if they don't head out of town.
He lets Akyan know as much. "Yes. Wings by night and black eyes shining bright watch them beat the street. I shall be with you, but will remain invisible. The invisibility lasts an hour and if we get to the next place soon enough, may still come in useful."
Eryndor - Red Dead Annihilation | GM - Volo's Trade Franchise - PF2e Adventures set in the Forgotten Realms
The raven reports that the four cartel members leave the building heading eastward through the streets. (It is my understanding that telepathy with a familiar only extends to 100 feet, so if you wish the raven to follow the group to the edge of town, it will not be able to report back for an hour or so. (find familiar))
As you search the building, you remember there was another door up on the landing, next to the bunkroom. The door is locked, but one of the keys on the keyring opens it easily. Inside is a simple desk which contains a ledger of deliveries and pickups of various shipments, not only slaves but other goods such as liquor, fine textiles, and gemstones. The notations mention the names of who made the deliveries, and who picked up various goods from the warehouse, and where they were going. For example, "16 Kythorn, 12 slaves, received by Nightcrawler, to HQ" or "24 Flamerule, 100 bottles Evermead, received by Shorty, to Station 6 (Merchant district)"
Anyone who has some experience with financial matters (e.g. a merchant background) can roll Insight as they go through the ledger.
Also in the desk you discover an iron lockbox, which opens with a different key of the keyring, revealing 900 gp.