Allansia Adventure

Amdaeng looks to Lira, " What should we do? We can't see much more from here unless your gonna start shooting people through the windows.....I can try and get over there.  If you need them Ning is curled up in the alley below."

Jherak will approach the barn door and take a peek inside, keeping in mind that the group of men are in the spice warehouse and could be coming out soon.

Stealth-10

Perception-18

Jherak is an average size human, a bit on the thin side. He has scraggly brown hair and dark eyes. Sleepless nights and the stress of their journey seems to wear on his face. He carries himself in a quiet manner, quiet most times, but studies those around him as best he can, perception, insight, stealth being what he finds most natural. 

Lev’s expression hardens, “And who exactly do you think I am?” He grits his teeth, fighting the urge to look back at the docks or over towards the warehouse. 

He lets out a breath, shaking his head and crossing his arms. “You spoke to Nicodemus? How did you find him?” His eyes narrow…thoughts flitting through his mind as he assessed his options. “The adventurer who set me on this quest? Well, you speak as if you already know what I’m about. Fine, you want a description of her? She’s dead. And my comrades and I are going to make sure those responsible for that pay. Her name was Natalie Storm.” He watches the samurai, trying to gauge his reaction. 

After a pause he adds, “But I’m guessing you knew that already. So, tell me then. What business do you have with this… band of adventurers?”

Zarbyn waits patiently watching from both his hidden location and watching from Twiggy's location as she observes the weapons deal unfolding inside the spice warehouse.

He wasn't sure where everyone was exactly but knew his allies were covering the spice warehouse from all sides, all he had to do was wait for the signal... wait a minute! I don't remember agreeing on just what the signal was to be. I'm sure if something happens we'll each have a way to signal the others, at least I hope so.

Halbert hears noise coming from the two ships. There must be people getting off.

Jherak moves closer to the cracked open door. Peaking in, he sees a large open warehouse. There seem to be large cannons and some cannon balls near his location. The group he saw go into the adjacent building are now organizing everything. He notes that he is not very quiet and the horses seem restless. A man turns toward the door maybe hearing a noise, but then, from the back of the warehouse, it sounds like others enter the room and his attention turns back within. Jherak is then able to get a closer look. (Jherak counts more than 10 people inside, perhaps closer to 15).

Inside the warehouse, two captains approach from the far end, each flanked by a handful of hardened crew. One is broad and weathered, his coat lined with salt and years at sea. The other—a tall woman with sharp eyes and a predator’s calm—walks with quiet authority.

The man scowls slightly.
“Longfinger… I hope for your sake you know what you’re doing. The risks are high.”

“Of course I know what I’m doing. This has been planned for months.”

The woman steps forward, her voice cool, controlled.

“We have the payment requested. Now… let’s see what you have for us.”

From above, Twiggy watches as two crewmen strain under the weight of a heavy chest, dragging it forward before dropping it with a dull, final thud. The lid cracks open—gold glints in the lanternlight.

Below, the captains begin their inspection.

They move methodically. One tests the draw of an arbalest, nodding with approval. Another runs a hand along the barrel of a cannon, checking its make. A crewman lifts a cannonball, weighing it like a promise of violence.

 “Now,” he says, voice lowering, “let’s go over the plan.”

The warehouse seems to quiet around him.

“The Twice Shy will be arriving in two weeks’ time.”

At the mention of the ship, a few of the pirates exchange glances.

Werik continues, stepping closer, his tone precise.

“When she docks in the harbor—as she always does—she’ll linger. Repairs. Resupply.That’s when you strike.”

He gestures outward, as if placing pieces on a board.

“You’ll dock to her port and starboard. Box her in. No escape.”

The female captain tilts her head slightly.
“And then?”

Werik’s eyes gleam.

“You sink her.”

Silence stretches—heavy, deliberate.

“Cannons first. Tear her open before her crew knows what’s happening. Arbalests for anyone who makes it to deck. No survivors.” He pauses, then adds almost casually, “The captain dies with the ship.”

The broad captain exhales slowly, absorbing it.

“And our reward?”

Werik doesn’t hesitate.

“Twenty thousand gold.”

The number lands like a hammer.

Even from above, Twiggy can feel the shift—the moment greed outweighs hesitation.

The female captain gives a slow, satisfied nod.

"Load em up boys." she commands

As the moment comes for Amdaeng and Lira to move toward the spice warehouse, Lira does not follow. Lira stands still—too still—as frost gathers at her boots, thin sheets of ice spreading across the rooftop beneath them. The air shifts, turning unnaturally cold, and for a heartbeat, it feels as though time itself has frozen. Lira’s breath fogs as delicate frost creeps along her bowstring and fingers, climbing like gentle, possessive hands.

At the same time, as Lev, Halbert, and the "samurai" exchange pleasantries, a white circular cloud seems to envelope the top of the building where Amdaeng and Lira have been hiding. Then, flakes of snow seem to fall, but only around the building across from the spice warehouse. Ning, a brown bear at the base of the building grows restless below, and is at risk of spooking the horses. (Con save to keep still)

LIRA

 Lira exhales, her necklace faintly glowing. A wall of ice seems to surround the woman. She turns to Amdaeng. "Do you feel it...? The cold? She's been calling me..." The heat of her breath creates smoke in the cold air.

Then something breaks through in her eyes, the charm broken as her expression falters and fear flashes in Lira's eyes.

"Amdaeng---help me--she's---"

Amdaeng (Fear Wisdom Save: DC 18)

Zarbyn is able to hear and see what is going on inside through Twiggy. When he brings his attention back to his surrounds, he is also aware that both ships likely have a good number of crew (20-30). Then, he goes back to the action inside the warehouse.

Vydar sees some of the crew from each ship enter the warehouse. He thinks it would be good to jump across toward an open window and get a better view, if he can be sneaky.

From his vantage point on the rooftop, Vydar has a far clearer view than anyone on the docks below. While the ships appear rough and unremarkable at first glance, the details begin to reveal themselves the longer he studies them. (ROLL TO SEE IF YOU CAN SEE AMDAENG AND LIRA (D20, 12 and above)

Both vessels carry the marks of hard sailing—patched sails, weathered hulls, and crews that move with the confidence of seasoned raiders. But what truly stands out is the unusual construction on their upper decks. Instead of the usual cargo or spare rigging, Vydar can see a series of heavy wooden frames bolted into the planks. They are not cargo racks. They are weapon mounts.

Several of the frames already hold siege weapons—large arbalests and short deck cannons secured into reinforced cradles. Other mounts sit empty, their iron brackets waiting to receive more. The spacing is deliberate, evenly placed along the deck so they can fire in multiple directions. Whoever built the frames clearly intended these ships to carry far more artillery than they currently possess.

Crewmen occasionally move among the mounts, checking ropes and fittings, but otherwise the decks remain mostly quiet. No cargo is being unloaded. From above, the implication becomes difficult to ignore.These ships did not arrive to sell goods.They came to collect weapons.

Halbert looks upwards and tries to attract the others' attention

Look above the roof, not normal, something is afoot. One thing is sure: we cannot keep exchanging pleasantries here, let's move!

SUMMARY:

1) A group of crimson legion entered the warehouse next door, some unloading some boxes

2) Jherak noticed that one of the group near the horses was giving orders.

3) Lev/ Halbert have been hiding near some barrels, and encountered a samurai.

4) Amdaeng and Lira have been on top of a roof south of the spice warehouse

5) two large boats entered the harbor, waited until sunset. Vydar and Zarbyn are on harbor side.

6) Twiggy entered the second story (???Vydar???) and saw the crimson group making preparations. Inside, she saw cannons, arbalests, cannon balls.

7) Two groups of pirates exited the two ships when it got darker, each a captain and 2 or 3 crew.

8) The groups have begun to talk, and it is clear that Warik is within, and that they are planning something. (Right now: Only Twiggy/ Zarbyn and Jherak (Maybe Vydar??) are hearing the conversation)

9) As Lev/ Halbert and Ruel decide if they are allies, something weird is happening on the rooftop with Amdaeng and Lira. Snow is falling around the building.

10) Within the warehouse are approximately 15 NPCS, with more on both boats. (Again, only Twiggy/ Zarbyn, Jherak and (Vydar) realize how many are within, but Jherak could gesture to Amdaeng/ Lira with a number if he wants.

Ning Con Save- 19

Amdaeng Wisdom Save- 21

Ning looks up drinking in Amdaengs scent and steadies...

Amdaeng centres herself and moves to Liras side, " Chilly ***** is back?"

She throws her arms around Lira to try and bring both some physical and emotional warmth back to her.

" You need to sit this out? Head down and keep Ning company, they'll keep you warm.  Or I can stay with you.....the others can.......I mean.....they probably can't....our boys are....idiosyncratic...."

" What do you need?"

Jherak sees the group discussing some kind of plan. He can’t make out most of the details, but thinks it must be important based on the number involved, and the fact that it’s involving weapons. He assumes they’re talking about attacking something or someone.

He looks for something to brace the door shut, hoping it could buy he and his friends time to prepare a plan. He’s aware he will need to communicate this matter to most of his friends though.

21 perception to find a way to lock or brace the door shut.

(Jherak: The door has a large interior brace. Outside, there are old pieces of wood/ 2x4's, etc, but it will likely make noise and he thinks someone will notice. Besides, there is another door 50 feet west, and doors he spotted on the east side, so it may not be a good plan yet. As Jherak looks about for ideas, he also notices snow falling from the building behind him (South of the Spice warehouse)

Ning, having grown much larger since she was originally found, she musters some courage and is able to resist the strange magical cold and stay still

======================ON THE ROOF===================================================================

Amdaeng: Wisdom save 21: As the ice and frost form on the rooftop and around Lira's feet, in a single selfless motion, Amdaeng grabs onto Lira. But then bitter cold surges. Not around Amdaeng but through her. It floods into her grip, into her mind. Amdaeng feels it then, an ancient presence, bitterly angry, powerful. Shareella. Terror hits her first.

It crashes into her chest, stealing her breath, locking her body in place. Every instinct screams at her to recoil, to tear herself free, to let go before she is consumed. The urge is overwhelming—primal and absolute.

But Amdaeng resists and holds onto her friend.

The fear subsides, softens, instead of shards of ice, beautiful falling snow. The pull is comforting.The cold no longer biting, but welcoming.

For a moment, Amdaeng is drawn to this power, to the idea, to the simple truth of it. 

But she does not break.Years of discipline at House Almighty rise within her—breath, focus, control. The illusion fractures under the weight of her will. She sees it for what it is: Not salvation, intoxicating charm. She knows that whatever is happening to Lira is is also happening to her. This is not a choice freely offered. It is a will being imposed.

Amdaeng lets go of Lira, and in that instant, the pull is gone, its claim denied. And in the same instant, Lira's resistance ends.
Lira's posture softens as her expression seems calm and devoted.

"Mother, I"m coming home." She takes a step forward and the storm folds inward. 

And then, Lirael Evenfall is gone. Only a scattering of soft snow where she once stood.

Amdaeng’s breath steadies as she realizes, Lira did not leave of her own will.

She has been claimed—drawn into the cold embrace of Shareella’s will, her mind bent beneath the vampire’s irresistible charm.

(On the ground where Lira stood, rests Natalie Storms Whip )

(ooc: is Zarbyn within telepathic range (100 feet) of Twiggy?)

(OOC: yes, zarbyn is hearing/ seeing what she sees, including the most recent conversation.)

(OOC: Ok if anyone wants to do anything, but trying to keep the scene moving)

(Inside: Twiggy/ Zarbyn, Jherek):

The two captains satisfied at the arrangement, order their crew to begin loading the ships. Crimson members begin to help as well.

Outside

Halbert/ Lev and Ruel hear people talking inside the spice warehouse, and then hear activity on the docks just outside the building on the north side where the two ships are. Likely, they are loading up the cargo.

Zarbyn will have Twiggy leave and seek out Vydar.

Upon finding him she is instructed to relay in the elven language what she discovered from spying on the arms deal, then ask what he thinks about it all.

And finally, Twiggy is instructed to return if she ended up outside of the 100 feet after finding and making contact with Vydar.

(OOC: I'm botting Vydar for now)
Vydar sees Twiggy and asks what she has seen, including that the two ships are now loading the cargo (Which Vydar can see from his vantage point).

Upon her explanations, Vydar suggests to Twiggy that she quickly the other groups (Lev/Halbert) and (Amdaeng/ Lira/ Jherek) what she has observed. Then the group can act together on next steps.

I will have Twiggy do that and quickly find and inform the other two groups (Lev/Halbert) and (Amdaeng/Lira/Jherek) and then do the same as with Vydar, helping to coordinate whatever we plan to do next.

As everyone is informed of what is happening within the spice warehouse, the two ship crews load up weapons, arbalests, and cannons, and cannon balls. A quick peak in by Twiggy and it seems about 5 minutes more and they will be done loading.