The clever ploy seemed to work, at least no guards were on the Lorsan's and Uril's tail. The pair arrived at the other side of the museum to watch a peculiar event: the backdoor was open again, the carriage was standing in the same spot as a few hours ago but this time furniture and heavy baskets were travelling out of the museum. The Captain was outside observing the process with a few guards helping Varkenbluff's stuff to carry the heavy objects.

What do you make of this, sir scribe? Lorsan whispers as they observe the proceedings in secret. Simply packing up after the event? Or is something else going on?

The elf glances around the alley and back up toward the roof, perhaps from a slightly different vantage point than last time they reconnoitred the back door. If the good captain is busy down here, that might make things easier for our friends up there. Or perhaps give us the opportunity to get back inside.

He starts looking around for a way to get on to the roof, whether they can jump from a neighbouring roof, or else by climbing the walls.

Uril did not study the building and patrol timing for nothing. Now, in the twilight of the evening with light dying by the minutes, it was very possible to use the sculptures to climb up. Not the easiest of tasks, but not the hardest either. Should there be a rope with a huck, that would ease the climb even further.

Early looks at the brick.  Well, if something doesn't work, he was always told you just keep trying over and over without changing anything and eventually he's bound to work.  It's how he ended up hooking up with most of his girlfriends anyway. 

He kicks the brick again.  

(If athletics roll is allowed again: 25 )

Uril looks over carefully and comments: "Either that or they are moving the more valuable exhibits back to a safehouse, I'd gather. I did not see many nobles arrive with gifts or donations, so it couldn't be that..."

Do the items being moved look like supplies or do they look like expensive articles? Do the people hauling them look like they are doing something they know to be covert or does it all look like just another mundane hauling job? (Investigation: 6. If either Insight or perception would be more appropriate, add another +1 to that roll.) 

As for climbing, Uril was sure to point out the statues and patrols to Lorsan, hoping to clearly indicate a good time to make a dash for a section of the building that was not within the patrol's line of sight (at least during an opportune moment.) Regarding a possible invitation to follow the elf, Uril excuses himself: "I could try but my muscles are not built for such things. If I could tumble my way upward, then I might have a better chance. Regardless, It is probably best to keep a pair of eyes on the ground, the patrols, and the back door. I just wish I knew how to communicate with you over some distance. Do you have rope? Because I certainly don't. It is not one of the tools often used by scribes. We prefer ladders, especially those with wheels and rollers mounted on bookshelves."

Uril then refreshes his casting of guidance on Lorsan.

Uril is pretty confident that everything people at the back door are handling is part of the disassembled party set-up. Sure, the baskets are big enough to haul at least half the collection from Gemstone Wing, but he is confident it's only furniture, tableware and leftovers.

----------------------------

Second time was a charm for Early. And whether because of the rapid succession of the attempt or because the wall panel on the other side soften the blow, but no one came to check in on the noise. Robin on the other side of the wall could see a brick that suddenly but accurately penetrated the wall panel at the place where she drammed her signal before.

Early peaks through the new gap in the wall and spots “his sister”.  He smiles and waves. In a whispering voice he says, “Can you get through this hole?”. He grins, imagining her trying to squish through the brick sized gap.  Then he begin tugging with both hands on another brick to try and wiggle it loose and make the hole larger.  

“I’ve been eggspecting you.” Robin has a jeweled crown on her head and pets the swaddled egg with a mischievous grin. Not necessarily that she technically knew Early was coming to her rescue, she was just itching to say that. It was a great relief that it was ‘her bro’ and not some competition. “Even I know that’sa tight squeeze fer these goods.” Sure it needed to be wide enough for her hips but this was no curvaceous pear she was pushing through with her, it was a big ol’ ‘doomsday’ egg. Banks uses the broom to pry apart paneling and jab into bricks to help loosen them up for Early to bust out what was required to get through.

Lorsan pats Uril reassuringly on the shoulder and nods his head: Very well then. Stay out of sight, and keep a sharp eye. Then without elaborating on what exactly to keep a sharp eye out for, or what to do should said eye spot said unnamed thing, Lorsan sneaks toward the building and attempts to climb up to the attic.

Uril couldn't believe his luck. All these guards, including the captain, were busying themselves with furniture-hauling. Surely that only made things easier inside for the other half of the party.

Uril nods back at Lorsan as sees the elf depart on his climbing mission. The scribe continues to keep an eye out from a hidden spot. He can't help but look at the action happening at the museum's backdoor. They sure are moving a lot of furniture. Surely, they could have waited to do such a thing in the morning, no? Uril knew the items were nothing of interest but the movers' rush... Well, that still smelled a little strange. 

Early snorts, "Egg...specting.  Haha!  I get it.  Cause...."  then he sees her getting down to business making a larger hole and nods, "Right, yes....let's do that first..."

Uril's guessing had to be right because, despite the loudest part of the wall demolition in the bathroom being over, the work was far from silent. No one has noticed yet, but how long will their luck last? (Early and Robin, please both roll Stealth)

Nevertheless, with four hands (and legs) plus a mop handle, "brother and sister" had a good chance to make a window wide enough for the egg to get through (and probably Robin as well).

----------------------

Uril himself and Lorsan could only assume what was happening inside the building but they were busy with their task. Neither of the "scholars" were particularly strong (let's face it, they were weak). But where muscles fail, the brain and good technic help. According to Uril's calculations, they had enough time to get off the ground at least, so even if the next patrol comes, they could pass unnoticed. Still, even with no time constraints, climbing is hard work. (Uril and Lorsan, let's see your Acrobatics. If Lorsan uses rope (was there a rope in the bag of holding?) Uril rolls with advantage))

As mentioned above, Uril is staying back as the group's eyes on the ground. He is not going/climbing with Lorsan.

(OOC: I don't know if anyone had rope in their inventory originally (in which case it should be in the bag), but I'll make an extra roll for advantage in the event that someone did.)

Acrobatics: 18

advantage roll if applicable: 11

(Oh, I thought he was waiting for Lorsan to give him some help. Sure thing.)

Uril sees that eventually everything was loaded on the carriage, and the captain of the guards returned to the museum. The missing patrol - the one that followed the "thieves" - seemed to be still chasing them and its absence was not discovered yet.

Lorsan could not see any of it, but successfully climbed to the top of the building and could look inside the attic through the large skylight. It is dark but not pitch black - there is some light coming from downstairs. The place is filled with haphazardly stacked boxes, nothing particular stands out. The skylight overhead is locked - Lorsan could learn it at the first attempt to lift the thing. But it seems to be possible to prop the skylight open with loose bricks, scattered on the roof. Lorsan does remember, however, that there was a guard below. He will have to work quietly. (Stealth check, please)

“Clever right?” Robin tries to remember to whisper as she reaches out for a fist bump prior to returning to chipping away. She’d get a bit carried away and hum softly, mostly to herself, to help them find some rhythm. “Hi hoe, hi hoe, off teh werk we go.” She’d try to throw a few grunts in there when she’d jab, in effort to try to ‘mask’ the sounds as someone using the facilities instead of someone breaking in, should they be loud.

Stealth: 16 

(OOC: Since I forgot to use Uril's Guidance, I'll use it on this Stealth roll, if that's okay)

(OOC: From what I can see in the rules, you need thieves' tools to attempt to disarm a lock. Lorsan's STR is terrible, but the crowbar gives advantage, so that's something...)

Still short of any thieves' tools, Lorsan at least extracted Robin's crowbar from the bag before departing from Uril. Now at the skylight, he attempts to force the skylight open...

Stealth: 8 + 4 for Guidance

Strength check for crowbar: 2

The guards were done loading the furniture and supplies onto their cart. That had been a process that was completed more swiftly than Uril had expected. Not sure yet on how to go about informing his friends that the captain is in the building, Uril reacts first by making sure he is well hidden around his selected shadowy corner. Uril could feel his spell concentration being suddenly interrupted and concluded that Lorsan had made good use of his bit of guidance. That freed up some of that energy for Uril's own use.

-> Stealth check while thinking of his poem but now armored: 12 (original roll: 5)

-> Not that it will make a difference, but I forgot to add the d4. Here it is: 17 4 

 Crowbar is a magical tool and Lorsan certainly knew how to apply it. The skylight was pried open in no time and quiet enough to not alarm anyone. At least no one came to check.
The skylight is heavy but Lorsan is quite sure he can raise it up and slip in now.

Uril on the ground tried his best to stay hidden with the emphasis on "tried". The nagging feeling that he is actually quite exposed in his corner was hard to shake off. Fortunately, the lonely guard patrol is concerned with the museum itself. They might glance around (they probably do) but as long as Uril keeps his distance, the danger will not come from this side.

(OOC: Are you certain the window opened, because a STR roll of 2 is really bad. If you're sure, then let's carry on. If not, Lorsan could possibly start removing roof tiles or something as an alternative to get inside)

Lorsan is genuinely surprised at how easy it was to open the window with the crowbar. He certainly isn't well-endowed with muscles, but even his pathetically weak effort was apparently sufficient to pry open the lock. Propping the window up with a few bricks, Lorsan slips inside and takes a look around, his natural darkvision helping him see details in the gloomy attic. Since he is still somewhat short of resources, he takes a moment to scan the room and see if there is any objects stored up here that might come in useful. In particular, he considers whether he can improvise any kind of trap that might slow down pursuers, should Robin and Early make their way through here in a hurry.

(OOC: Doesn't really matter what objects are here, I'll see about improvising something that might hinder the guards, Home Alone style.)