He looks at Gweyn and seems to think of something as he gets up to him. He says "Umm... hopefully this all goes okay... if it does... and we all make it I have a question for you when we can rest. So... don't get killed okay?" Other then that Vin is ready for combat.
"Well how can a refuse such a charming request,"Gewyn smirks, still looking pale. On a more serious note, he adds, "Your plan is soundly thought out, Vin. I am sure we will all see the other side of this mission together."
"We climb or there an easier way?" Sam asks of those who scouted previously, in a very hushed voice. He is ready to climb and see what can be seen but if there is a stealthier way, best to maintain that as long as possible...
"This might help with the subtle approach."Gewyn says. He starts humming to himself and makes some complex hand gestures before grabbing his face with both hands. He starts pulling and twisting, molding and sculpting. His features begin to take the shape of a redcap. He finishes the process and turns around to face the others, giving an uncanny impression of a redcap growl."Shall I go climb up and take a peek?"
Elthana's mouth drops open as she sees what Gewyn has transformed himself into. "Why I never... wow Gewyn, that is impressive."
She looks back towards the impending wall in front of them, then a thought clearly crosses her mind. "We could go that way, and yes we know there are not as many redcaps in this direction, unless things have changed since yesterday. But on our trek I noticed a gap just East of the gates. Just wide enough for us all to pass through. Only problem with this is we have no idea what lies beyond as we haven't checked this area out. Though I do feel to stay stealthy it might be the best option. Redcap Gewyn here can be our backup if we run into anything."
"Okay, Gweyn... that's cool. Yeah, you head up first. Elthana and i will follow behind and motion others to follow us. We can take out red caps on way up. Then we will all hit the ones on top of the building together as quickly and quietly as possible. Then we assault the place the prisoners are." With that Vin is ready. Time to take the trade tower and they need to be quick while the distraction is fresh.
Passing into the rubble strewn alleyway, visibility decreases even more, the group find themselves in single file as the houses that surround them grow closer, looming overhead, quiet and half destroyed.The eerie silence, is made even more unnerving as the rocks kicked and crumbling around the group have their sound dampened by Elthana's spell.
As the group cross into a small dark courtyard, the alleyways out of this housing area seem to split off in different directions, a cold wind whips through from the east ally, smelling of the salty sea mixed with a sickly sweet smell. At the end of the other alley, heading towards the city and the group sees a small flickering light and can hear the distant march of metal boots on cobbled stone.
Pulsing, wet masses piled up in the corners of the dark courtyard, there looks to be ten rounded mushroom tops, sitting in the rubble like eggs ready to hatch.
Hirsi retches, covering he mouth to keep from making noise as she grabs Muir and tries to draw his attention to them, there are ten in total, unconscious, unaware, sleeping Redcaps.
The look of horror crosses the faces of the guards as they realise just where they are, the group standing in the center of a Redcap nest.
Muir feels Hirsi grab his arm and point to the nasty little creatures. His trunk twists in anger seeing them lay about...he turns to the group in a bit of a huff and says quietly"We should this realm of their existence. We don't want them reinforcing the others against the trees. We need the trees to hold out as long as possible. We have the element of surprise. I could drop spikes all over them and the ground that surrounds them. They wake and run getting caught every step of the way. You all can blast them with your ranged weapons and we take them out quickly and quietly. what say you all?"
"And they all scream bloody murder until it is down, bringing how many down upon us?" Sam whisper-says to Muir and the others. "I suggest we stay silent until we take the building we intend to hold, if it all possible. A void all mischief until then..." Sam takes up a defensive position in case the redcaps wake up anyway but starts signaling the others to keep moving quietly along their way...
"As disgusting as this area is, Sam is right. We need to stick to the plan if the prisoners have any chance and if we are to create turmoil we are hoping to. Let's keep moving to the tower." Elthana continues to lead the group towards the tower, ready to take out the first redcap that is awake that they run into.
"I agree with Sam and Elthana. Stick to plan. Secure place to fortify, go find the prisoners and rescue then we can deal with any redcaps after. Don't forget we will have the high ground and a fortress once we take it. Those holding it can pick them off from above." Vin is content to move onto the objective and deal with these sleeping redcaps later. Killing is never Vin's goal and this feels like it wouldn't accomplish much beyond just killed a few of the many here. Nef looks a bit disappointed they are not slaying all the sleeping redcaps and bows her head sadly but accepts Vin's choice and follows the rest to their goal.
As the group decide to leve the resting redcaps they slink away toward the flickering lights and their objective, Gewyn takes the lead in his redcap disguise halting and checking the coast is clear before motioning to the group to join him.
The group finds themselves on the inside of the city now, on an open street, the gatehouse and it's blocked roadway to their left and the trade post building directly in front of them, still guarded by the redcaps on the roof, the flickering light illuminates the ruined cobblestone road in dim light, though the size of this road offers no easy places to crouch and hide. Behind them the street curves off into the darkness and eastward towards the coast. The snow shows heavy footfall on this street, likely from a patrol route, Asif to highlight that fact, the metallic footsteps heard earlier are more distant now, receding toward the fire in the town center to the north, and to the massive fire, illuminating the streets futher up.
The trade post building is mostly boarded up, windows busted and some of the outer wall missing on this side, however the arch to the entrance is open, the large doors to let cattle traders and the like into the arena within has been smashed off its hinges.
A loud scream is heard from further in the town once more and the sound of fighting whistles down on the wind through the streets, it catches the attention of the Redcaps on top of the trade post building and they can be heard clanking over to this side of the roof to investigate.
(Now that circumstances have changed I'd like another group stealth check please, this time intruders are being actively looked for)
With the commotion from the fighting trees in the distance distracting the Redcaps on the roof above, the group makes it to the Tradepost building unseen, Elthana's spell leaving no trace of the group behind them, and no sound escapes them even with the less dexterous members of the group fumbling a little. the redcaps sickles and boots can be seen above, poking over the edge of the roof, the fire in the distance glinting off whatever steel is not covered in dried blood and dirt, but they do not look down, they do not feel the pounding heartbeats of the intruders in their midst, just under their noses.
In the darkened archway of the entrance to the trading post, there is a door both to the left and right, but the archway also opens up on the other side to a large open air arena, a place that was used to buy and sell all kinds of things it looks desolate and quiet for now.
Vin looks at the two doors and tries to discern which door is best. He totally starts to overthink it on the spot. "Umm... right so give us better positioning... no... wait left for better chance of surprise.... both! Yeah. Both one group in each to pincer them and prevent escaping to warn rest of redcaps."
"Let them escape? Makes it easier for us to secure building. The yelling and screaming of any battle will likely alert others anyway?" Sam suggests with a shrug.
Elthana looks at the large group that has successfully been able to sneak their way to the base of the tower, their first objective. Seeing the option of the two doors, she looks up and thinks that the right door seems to lead to more enemies. Pulling out her lock picks, she heads to the right door.
First she checks for traps, and then tries the door. If locked she tries the lock picks on the door. She then turns to whoever is behind her, "Do we all want to head up this way or do we want to split and some head through the other door? I can try to unlock that one as well if it is locked."
Elthana tries the door and finds it open, behind the door is a small office room with neatly tidied paperwork regarding the in's and outs of the trading post, behind this room is a stairwell connecting the lower lever of the ring like building to the upper floor.
“Do we have a way of dealing the door behind us?” Sam asks. “We are talking about taking the building, we don’t want the little redcraps coming up behind us…”
If we can secure the doors, Sam sees nothing wrong with going up both ways.
Gewyn looks around at the others. "I don't see a reason why not, as long as we can be quiet about it. I agree that it's wise to secure our flank, as I very much don't want to be part of a redcap sandwich"
Sam and Muir make work of moving the heavy desk across the doorway and jamming the door shut, there is a tense moment as Sam's hand slips and Muir goes a little red in the face as he bears the weight until Sam readjusts his grip. Once it is down and in place, the group listen for a beat and it seems the redcaps above are still going about their patrol.
The stairwell on the other side of the office opens up, a long corridor stretches out on the ground floor, further than those with darkvision can see and lined with doors to the rooms on this side of the building. Moonlight can be seen glimmering down the stair well from the second floor, the roof that the redcaps patrol mat have caved in at certain points up there, but as of now that remains to be seen.
"Well how can a refuse such a charming request," Gewyn smirks, still looking pale. On a more serious note, he adds, "Your plan is soundly thought out, Vin. I am sure we will all see the other side of this mission together."
"This might help with the subtle approach." Gewyn says. He starts humming to himself and makes some complex hand gestures before grabbing his face with both hands. He starts pulling and twisting, molding and sculpting. His features begin to take the shape of a redcap. He finishes the process and turns around to face the others, giving an uncanny impression of a redcap growl. "Shall I go climb up and take a peek?"
Elthana's mouth drops open as she sees what Gewyn has transformed himself into. "Why I never... wow Gewyn, that is impressive."
She looks back towards the impending wall in front of them, then a thought clearly crosses her mind. "We could go that way, and yes we know there are not as many redcaps in this direction, unless things have changed since yesterday. But on our trek I noticed a gap just East of the gates. Just wide enough for us all to pass through. Only problem with this is we have no idea what lies beyond as we haven't checked this area out. Though I do feel to stay stealthy it might be the best option. Redcap Gewyn here can be our backup if we run into anything."
"Okay, Gweyn... that's cool. Yeah, you head up first. Elthana and i will follow behind and motion others to follow us. We can take out red caps on way up. Then we will all hit the ones on top of the building together as quickly and quietly as possible. Then we assault the place the prisoners are." With that Vin is ready. Time to take the trade tower and they need to be quick while the distraction is fresh.
Passing into the rubble strewn alleyway, visibility decreases even more, the group find themselves in single file as the houses that surround them grow closer, looming overhead, quiet and half destroyed.The eerie silence, is made even more unnerving as the rocks kicked and crumbling around the group have their sound dampened by Elthana's spell.
As the group cross into a small dark courtyard, the alleyways out of this housing area seem to split off in different directions, a cold wind whips through from the east ally, smelling of the salty sea mixed with a sickly sweet smell. At the end of the other alley, heading towards the city and the group sees a small flickering light and can hear the distant march of metal boots on cobbled stone.
(Everyone give me a perception check.)
Everyone but Muir spots them.
Pulsing, wet masses piled up in the corners of the dark courtyard, there looks to be ten rounded mushroom tops, sitting in the rubble like eggs ready to hatch.
Hirsi retches, covering he mouth to keep from making noise as she grabs Muir and tries to draw his attention to them, there are ten in total, unconscious, unaware, sleeping Redcaps.
The look of horror crosses the faces of the guards as they realise just where they are, the group standing in the center of a Redcap nest.
Muir feels Hirsi grab his arm and point to the nasty little creatures. His trunk twists in anger seeing them lay about...he turns to the group in a bit of a huff and says quietly"We should this realm of their existence. We don't want them reinforcing the others against the trees. We need the trees to hold out as long as possible. We have the element of surprise. I could drop spikes all over them and the ground that surrounds them. They wake and run getting caught every step of the way. You all can blast them with your ranged weapons and we take them out quickly and quietly. what say you all?"
"And they all scream bloody murder until it is down, bringing how many down upon us?" Sam whisper-says to Muir and the others. "I suggest we stay silent until we take the building we intend to hold, if it all possible. A void all mischief until then..." Sam takes up a defensive position in case the redcaps wake up anyway but starts signaling the others to keep moving quietly along their way...
"As disgusting as this area is, Sam is right. We need to stick to the plan if the prisoners have any chance and if we are to create turmoil we are hoping to. Let's keep moving to the tower." Elthana continues to lead the group towards the tower, ready to take out the first redcap that is awake that they run into.
"I agree with Sam and Elthana. Stick to plan. Secure place to fortify, go find the prisoners and rescue then we can deal with any redcaps after. Don't forget we will have the high ground and a fortress once we take it. Those holding it can pick them off from above." Vin is content to move onto the objective and deal with these sleeping redcaps later. Killing is never Vin's goal and this feels like it wouldn't accomplish much beyond just killed a few of the many here. Nef looks a bit disappointed they are not slaying all the sleeping redcaps and bows her head sadly but accepts Vin's choice and follows the rest to their goal.
As the group decide to leve the resting redcaps they slink away toward the flickering lights and their objective, Gewyn takes the lead in his redcap disguise halting and checking the coast is clear before motioning to the group to join him.
The group finds themselves on the inside of the city now, on an open street, the gatehouse and it's blocked roadway to their left and the trade post building directly in front of them, still guarded by the redcaps on the roof, the flickering light illuminates the ruined cobblestone road in dim light, though the size of this road offers no easy places to crouch and hide. Behind them the street curves off into the darkness and eastward towards the coast. The snow shows heavy footfall on this street, likely from a patrol route, Asif to highlight that fact, the metallic footsteps heard earlier are more distant now, receding toward the fire in the town center to the north, and to the massive fire, illuminating the streets futher up.
The trade post building is mostly boarded up, windows busted and some of the outer wall missing on this side, however the arch to the entrance is open, the large doors to let cattle traders and the like into the arena within has been smashed off its hinges.
A loud scream is heard from further in the town once more and the sound of fighting whistles down on the wind through the streets, it catches the attention of the Redcaps on top of the trade post building and they can be heard clanking over to this side of the roof to investigate.
(Now that circumstances have changed I'd like another group stealth check please, this time intruders are being actively looked for)
With the commotion from the fighting trees in the distance distracting the Redcaps on the roof above, the group makes it to the Tradepost building unseen, Elthana's spell leaving no trace of the group behind them, and no sound escapes them even with the less dexterous members of the group fumbling a little. the redcaps sickles and boots can be seen above, poking over the edge of the roof, the fire in the distance glinting off whatever steel is not covered in dried blood and dirt, but they do not look down, they do not feel the pounding heartbeats of the intruders in their midst, just under their noses.
In the darkened archway of the entrance to the trading post, there is a door both to the left and right, but the archway also opens up on the other side to a large open air arena, a place that was used to buy and sell all kinds of things it looks desolate and quiet for now.
Sam looks to Vin and asks "Left or right door?"
"Boot or lock picks?" he also adds, glancing briefly over to Elthana. "Though we should probably stay quiet as long as possible..."
Vin looks at the two doors and tries to discern which door is best. He totally starts to overthink it on the spot. "Umm... right so give us better positioning... no... wait left for better chance of surprise.... both! Yeah. Both one group in each to pincer them and prevent escaping to warn rest of redcaps."
"Let them escape? Makes it easier for us to secure building. The yelling and screaming of any battle will likely alert others anyway?" Sam suggests with a shrug.
Elthana looks at the large group that has successfully been able to sneak their way to the base of the tower, their first objective. Seeing the option of the two doors, she looks up and thinks that the right door seems to lead to more enemies. Pulling out her lock picks, she heads to the right door.
First she checks for traps, and then tries the door. If locked she tries the lock picks on the door. She then turns to whoever is behind her, "Do we all want to head up this way or do we want to split and some head through the other door? I can try to unlock that one as well if it is locked."
Elthana tries the door and finds it open, behind the door is a small office room with neatly tidied paperwork regarding the in's and outs of the trading post, behind this room is a stairwell connecting the lower lever of the ring like building to the upper floor.
“Do we have a way of dealing the door behind us?” Sam asks. “We are talking about taking the building, we don’t want the little redcraps coming up behind us…”
If we can secure the doors, Sam sees nothing wrong with going up both ways.
"Perhaps barricading the door with furniture?"
Gewyn looks around at the others. "I don't see a reason why not, as long as we can be quiet about it. I agree that it's wise to secure our flank, as I very much don't want to be part of a redcap sandwich"
Sam and Muir make work of moving the heavy desk across the doorway and jamming the door shut, there is a tense moment as Sam's hand slips and Muir goes a little red in the face as he bears the weight until Sam readjusts his grip. Once it is down and in place, the group listen for a beat and it seems the redcaps above are still going about their patrol.
The stairwell on the other side of the office opens up, a long corridor stretches out on the ground floor, further than those with darkvision can see and lined with doors to the rooms on this side of the building. Moonlight can be seen glimmering down the stair well from the second floor, the roof that the redcaps patrol mat have caved in at certain points up there, but as of now that remains to be seen.