Vahlen sighs audibly, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. He doubted the dwarf would be as enthusiastic if he had to be the one scaling rooftops to get the best vantage point. He frowns, thumbing one of the newest gashes in his leather breastplate, the magically mended flesh underneath still sensitive to the touch. With that, he realized that the cleric who had healed him at the Blind Goat was nowhere to be seen. He puzzled about this for a moment, then shrugged to no one in particular. The holy man was probably put off by the scene back at the temple.

"Alright, alright...fine." As much as he didn't care to admit it, Ragnar was right. Before long, word would spread of the dead svartalfs, and their brethren would have ample time to prepare for unexpected guests. However it played out, he had a feeling this scouting trip would quickly go off the rails.

He looks between the other members of the group, a faint smile curling his lips. "You lot feeling up to starting a little trouble tonight?"  

Seeing the change in the tone of Logan Cerridwen decides to join Hem and the others at the bar. Just as she arrives she hears the exchange between Ragnar and Vahlen. “I agree with Ragnar; I think we should strike before the ready themselves.” 

Ragnar lets out a boisterous laugh, "Vahlen moi fren', yew know Oi'm always up tah startin' trouble! Sumone tell 'dat Skald to pack it in an' 'less go huntin'." Turning back to the daughters behind the bar, Ragnar gives them a wink. The only thing he liked more than women and ale, was a good fight, which was very likely in the direction they were headed.

While singing, which to everyone else sounds like gargling marbles, Roondar thinks, 'Oh man! What saps! What rubes! I've got them in the palm of my hand! The perfect distraction for the dwarf and elf at the bar! I'm going to fit into this team so well!'

If the group chooses to go looking for the Svartalf hideout now, please each make a Perception roll or an Investigation roll (your choice) AND a Stealth roll. 

If the group would like to wait until morning and proceed from there, let me know and we can proceed accordingly. 

Stealth 9

Perception 19

(OOC: In a less conspicuous location, I'd like to carefully apply one of the pouches of poison to my shortswords and also to some of my arrows if there is any remaining.)

As the party looked around and silently agreed to check out the location described by Logan, Ragnar was filled with an unbearable urge to rush out the door, laughing maniacally, hammer in hand, as he headed toward the Svartalf hideout, ready to smash some heads. 

Stealth: 2

Perception: 16

Stealth: 21

Investigation: 3

Hemingr rose from his spot at the bar, wrapping his robes around him and grabbing his wooden staff. "I agree, let's go investigate this den out now. Mr. Nine-Fingers, thank you for your hospitality, information, and below-average ale! Er, in price I mean. Very reasonable prices. Goodbye!" He cleared his throat as he laid three silvers on the table for the barkeep's troubles, turning to the others. Roondar was still atop the tables, smiling to himself and warbling. The poor sap must think he is soothing the masses. Bless him. "Er, Roondar! Our ears do not deserve more of your...beautiful...tunes. We are off to the lair to find the filth behind this, pack that wonderful instrument of yours away and let's leave this dirty Hel hole!"

Stealth: 19

Perception: 9

"Why thank you, Brother Hemingr! I'm glad to be of service to our rag-tag crew!" Roondar cheered from atop the table. "Master Nine-Fingers! I appreciate the use of the makeshift stage and will let my cousins and brothers and sisters and friends and other family know about your wonderful establishment!"

As he hops down from the table and winds his way through the crowd he follows the rest of his fellows out. Stealth: 15 and Perception: 21

A bitter wind whips at your faces as you leave the Muddy Rudder. It's entering the latest part of the night, the coldest and darkest hours before morning. The streets are deserted and new snow falls fast and freely. Unfortunately, this idyllic calm is broken by Ragnar's drunken glee, too inebriated and enthused to take the fight to your enemies. Fortunately the rest of you have clearer heads, following behind the dwarf at a reasonable distance, sticking to the shadows and making yourselves as inconspicuous as possible. Despite Ragnar's belligerence, he heads straight for the Svartalf's warehouse like a beer-soaked arrow. 

It's not long before the drunken dwarf leads you directly to the warehouse. A large, if rather crude, depiction of the eight-legged horse Sleipnir is drawn on the side in faded white paint. The warehouse door is unguarded, at least from the street. All hope of stealth and surprise is lost when Ragnar brazenly begins banging on the front door. His words are hard to make out through the wind, something about "Oi!" and "Yew spoidah-faced gits!" 

With that brash display of recklessness it surely can't be long before the Svartalf's come to investigate. (Feel free to make 1 round of any preparations/plans/whatever that you would like)

Roondar shakes his head and grins as the bawdy dwarf rumbles into the door. 'Well,' Roondar thinks to himself, 'I prefer to stay out of sight for now, but if we are to go in blazing, let us go in blazing!' and casts Minor Illusion on Ragnar, giving him large, curling ram's horns wreathed in flame and an aura of dark fire around his hammer.

Roondar intends to hang back a bit and maintain his sneak. Minor illusion is only a somatic spell so he didn't have to make any noise. He will, however, draw his rapier... just in case.

Seeing what was unfolding, Vahlen curses under his breath and quickly drops to one knee to coat his shortswords in the Svartalf poison.

Running inebriated into the cold night, Ragnar cackled aloud as he thought of all of the things we was going to do to any of the Svartafls he encountered on his way to, and once he arrived at, the warehouse Logan had described. The bitter winds fell upon numb cheeks as Ragnar sprinted through the streets like a madman, paying no mind to the few guards, troublemakers, or followers he had all but forgotten. Tiny ice crystals formed in his beard and mustache as he saw, through wind-blurred eyes, a deformed, too-many-hoofed-beast painted in what Ragnar thought, was a very lovely and well thought-out manner on the side of a warehouse. 

Pounding on the door, Ragnar began yelling to whomever was able to hear him; ready to turn Dark Elf heads into a fine, jelly-like paste. "Oi found yeh, yew spoidah-faced gits! Thought yew was safe in yore big 'ole walls?!"  As he drew his hammer into both hands, he thought its head looked a bit odd, but paid no mind and began using it to "knock" even louder on the warehouse door. (Intelligence Check to see if I understand the minor Illusion: 18) "Come on out yew filth. Moi 'ahmmah gos sum werds fore yah!" (Against the door -- Attack: 8 Damage: 8)

Hem, after using every ounce in his body to remain silent in the cold twilight, shook his head and sighed as he watched the dwarf march straight up to the warehouse and start banging on the door.  He turned to the others, whispering. "I'm going to try and find another way in. Got to use this distraction to our advantage. If anyone wants to come with me, it's now or never! Some of us should probably stay with the dwarf, though..." Using the ruckus the dwarf was making as cover, Hem slunk through the cold to the side of the building and began looking around for another door or window to jump through. He cursed as he tried to keep silent, his boots slapping too loudly on the wet cobblestones. 

Investigation check to find another way to get in: 20

Stealth to remain unnoticed: 8

Cerridwen decides it would be best to fall in step with the Monk and follows behind him. 

Stealth: 11

His head wreathed in flames and sporting a bizarre set of ram's horns, Ragnar raises his hammer high and gives the door to the dark elf stronghold a gentle tap. The polished metal clacks against the door with a sharp unsatisfying sound. Despite the timid nature of Ragnar's knocking, his drunken shouts appear to have done the trick. You can just barely make out the sound of voices and the scuffle of movement from behind the door. 

A booming crack splits the night. The door shatters outward, splintering into a million tiny pieces as a wave of energy bursts forth. Ragnar, please make a Constitution check to resist the force of the spell. 

A tall Svartalf stands in the wreckage of the doorway, eyes wide in anger. His hands dance with yellow arcane runes. Two more Svartalf's crowd behind him, shortswords drawn and ready.

"You've made a grave mistake in coming here worm-dweller!" He shouts above the echoing thunder. 

Meanwhile, Hem's sharp halfling eyes spy something interesting down a side alleyway. Beckoning to Cerridwen, the two move to investigate. It appears the Svartalf's have installed a secret entrance concealed not only by clever craftsmanship but only with illusions. The smallest crack of a door can be spied just beneath a tattered awning, clothed in shadows twice as dark as they should have been. You turn the door handle, only to discover it locked. The lock doesn't look sophisticated, and you might be able to pick it. Or, you notice the brass handle looks corroded from weather exposure and the door could be forced.

CON Save -- 17

Assuming initiative as well -- 20

Initiative: 6

Hem cursed quietly under his breath when he felt the door was locked. Hem tried his best to live as a law-abiding citizen, which was turning out to not be useful at all in this scenario. He had no idea how to pick a lock or even what tools he would need for such a task. A quick glance at the druid and her many pouches of herbs and strange concoctions told him she probably wouldn't be the thieving type, either. 

That being said, the handle seemed quite old and worn down. The cold northern winds had not been kind to this door. He scrunched up his face, wincing as he tried to force the door open as quietly as he could, hoping to hear the handle break but not any loud crashes that might alert whatever lay beyond.

Strength check to break open the door: 3

Stealth check to do it as quietly as possible: 18

Initiative (if needed): 16