The young dark-haired lady would let herself be ecorted back to the map room, making casual pleasant conversation on the way, asking about any good restaurants or other places of significance that should be visited.
Back at the map room she frowns slightly as she realizes there is no wine available, deciding to make her briefing before deciding what to eat. Once the others are seated and ready to listen she stands up and starts speaking with a melodious calm and confident tone. "While I'm curious to hear what you all have gathered I will share what I and for the most part Mavilius has come across this morning." She starts, making sure she has the other's attention before going on. "The good doctor told us quite a bit. The egg looks like a furrowed light-green stone and will be presented at the gemstone wing at the museum at a gala held tonight between 6 and 8. Our objective is to retrieve it and bring it to her in the alley between the museum and the University road where she will put it into enchanted crystal box that will keep the egg from hatching. The doctor has provided us with tickets and dresses to appear as noble patrons of the museum although we would need masks to cover our identities. Mavilius will appear as entertainment though." She says with a smile to the bard while she places the tickets on the map table before them.
"The kind doctor provided us with some more useful items." She continues, placing a map on the table for the others to see.
The doctor's map
"She also provided us with this magical bag along with an exquisite dress I will be wearing as I appear as Lady Graham who will not herself be attending." She goes on, showing an old antique bag that seems to be able to hold quite a lot.
"Oh, and I should mention the curator herself was at the cafe this morning, having breakfast with a group of gentlemen representing the Black Network. Apparently she wanted them to steal the egg for her but this plan is fortunately of no consequence to us as it is to be executed tomorrow at which time we have already acquired the egg. We know this thanks to Thistle, a valued associate of mine..." She says, and on her shoulder appears a tiny winged fey that gives the others a quick grin before disappearing again.
Thistle
"Mavilius and myself went on to visit the museum and managed to find out some more about the security there. There will be 8 security guards, 4 on patrol, 2 by the entrance and 2 by the gemstone, not elite guards judging by the curator's rooster, their leader being an exception there." She says placing what Thistle scribbled down on the table.
Security guard rooster
1
Darrison Blackwaters (neutral human), a former soldier who takes everything literally
2
Franceena Van Lictor (neutral good elf), a sarcastic newbie who respects history
3
Billie Quartermile (lawful neutral halfling), who loves policy and procedure
4
Milanova Wumplestocking (lawful good gnome), who is very serious but loves a good pun
5
Garent Millaneff (neutral evil human), a bully who loves money and bragging rights
6
Violet Pendergilt (neutral good human), a wistful dreamer who plans to quit soon
7
Sureth Dhanvhal (neutral human), a reserve soldier who is always pressed for time
8
Brendara Valindril (lawful neutral elf), a graduate student in history at the university
9
Grendor Battleaxe (neutral good dwarf), a wanderer paying off a debt to the museum
10
Clark Jonathan Vanth(lawful good human), a young and naive individual
11
Sareena Shu(chaotic neutral tiefling), an overeager lover of history and learning
12
Maryam Bikram(lawful neutral human), a city watch veteran who rigidly enforces the rules
"There are also a number of alarms active but we have acquired 3 security passes that will prevent the alarms from activate." She goes on placing the sucurity passes on the table along with another map showing the alarms.
Security alarm map
"During the gala the guests will be shown into the gemstone wing where the egg will be, along with other items, among them an sapphire ring that supposedly holds a Genie. At this time the alarms will be deactivated." She finishes her briefing.
"Now, there are many ways that we could sucessfully go about this. We could execute during the gala or afterwards, both would have their pros and cons the way I see it. I will stop talking here and listen to what there is to add to this information before we discuss a plan." She finally finshes, taking a seat and awaiting the next speaker.
It sounds like you have covered a lot of ground, well done! It would be impossible to pass off Exa and Kyreth as Waterdhavian nobles, what do you propose they do? Watching Delilahs face when she looked at the buffet, Althea added I have a magnificent Waterdhavian Burgundy if you prefer Delilah, unfortunately it is rather strong.
Exa listened carefully to Delilah's summary of their efforts. She buzzed with excitement, but took the debriefing more seriously than anything else that morning. She carefully filed the information away in her keen mind.
"Don't worry about us, High Cleric. We got our own ticket in," she says with a confident wink, obviously taking no offence whatsoever at the suggestion she couldn't pass as a noble.
"The university's students are volunteered to help run the show. Servers, waiters, guides for the nobles, that sort of thing. It just so happens that me and Kyreth have one of their uniforms each. We'll have pretty free rein of the place apparently. We can go where it would be weird for a noble to go."
She picks a piece of chicken from between her teeth, inspects it, then eats it.
"Apart from the magical alarms, any locks or containment around the egg?"she asks, her fingers dancing subconsciously across a set of lockpicks hidden in her tunic.
"You're most kind High Cleric, but as I do not want to dull my senses perhaps the Waterdhavian Burgundy will have to wait, perhaps til we return after delivering the egg to Doctor Dannell, saving the City of Wonders from utter annihilation should deserve a toast I think." The young dark-haired lady says with a reverent bow to Althea.
She then listens to Exa, a pleased smile and an acknowledging nod as the sly cat woman finishes. "Admittedly there can be security measures around the stone that we are not aware of but we do know that the alarms will be turned off during the gala. If we can device a way to find out more about the security around the egg then there is still the afternoon for that. That said I doubt this museum will have security that we won't be able to handle with the information and skills we have between us." She says with a confident smile. "Questions is, should we plan for snatching the egg during the gala or use the gala for more information gathering and steal the egg afterwards?"
Mavilius leans back with easy confidence, fingers tapping rhythmically on his knee as he speaks. “I did a bit of wandering earlier and found a few things worth noting. North of the café, past the privy—glamorous, I know—there’s a quiet hallway that leads to a storage room with a locked skylight. From there, you can see straight down into the Gemstone Wing. It’s the perfect vantage point, maybe even a potential entry if someone with more finesse than me can handle the lock. More useful still, I found a concealed emergency exit in the basement. It’s unmarked, discreet, and could give you a clean escape route once the egg is in hand...Ah, personally I plan to finish out the gala if my performance goes well."
He glances around the group, golden eyes gleaming with excitement. “I vote we strike during the gala. With the guests mingling and more activity to keep the guards busy, it’s the perfect moment to swipe the egg. I’ll keep the nobles distracted one way or another."
A slurp comes from Exa's end of the table where she is gulping at a goblet of cream.
"Pardon,"she says cheekily.
"I'm all for using the gala to get the job done, but if the egg is the centrepiece, every man and his cat will be trying to get a glimpse of it. How do we clear the room out long enough to swipe it?"
The tiefling tilts his head thoughtfully. "Well, I can cast illusions, you know. And integrating it into my act without being too obvious is rather simple too. Still, I can only concentrate on silent image for 10 minutes at a time. Any ideas, Delilah?"
"Yes, I think between us, Mavilius, Thistle and myself will be able to distract people so that Exa and Kyreth can snatch the egg and take it to the doctor. There are two security guards designated to watch the gemstone wing though so the focus should be on distracting them I think. Perhaps it won't be needed but creating a panic incident just outside the gemstone wing should perhaps do the trick, or if they believe there was a fire. There seems to be many potential ways to exit with the egg, going through the basement is certainly one, but then you might be spotted by the guards at the front door as you pass through the foyer." The dark-haired lady says thoughtfully. "Perhaps having the monstrous thing outside the gemstone wing run amuck would be the distraction we need after all, we could help people flee down towards the entrance and the guards there won't notice someone slipping down to the cellar and out."
Good. Have you thought of taking the egg before the gala or do you think that would be premature? Also if you want to cause panic there is the option of the Allosaurus, though that would need Kyreth or your companion Thistle.
The High Cleric removed her mask and pulled down her hood and helped herself to a wedge of cheese which she nibbled whilst listening. They saw her clearly for the first time, long midnight black hair, golden complexion and her drow red eyes, she was an elf.
I see Cassee gave you her bag of holding, it would certainly help you to hide the egg.
Exa thinks for a moment, chewing on her own generous wedge of cheese.
"Before the gala would mean we only have to get the guards out of the gemstone wing, rather than the guards and the guests,"she suggests with a nod. "But I'd hate to miss out on Manvilus's performance!"
Kyreth has stayed quiet for most of this conversation, apart from telling what he had seen on his scouting mission which was, in truth, very little. During a brief lull he pipes up "I'm not a great one for planning, I shall leave that to those with sharper minds. Just tell me what I need to do, and it shall be done."
The dark-haired lady in the dark elaborately decorated dress listens attentively and nods as the others speak. "I would suggest this then. Thistle will go back to the museum now to see if he can find out how to get into and operate the Allosaurus. Assuming he is successful we attend the gala in the aforemantioned guises, trying to find out more about the close security around the egg. After Mavilius performance Thistle would then let loose the Allosaurus, without harming anyone but surely creating the panic and chaos needed to distract even the guards in the gemstone wing." She says and there is a quiet mischievous snicker heard from the unseen fairy. "I suggest Mavilius and myself independently help out with distracting the security guards while Exa and Kyreth disable any security around the egg and sneak outside to deliver it to the doctor, using either the cellar option or the front entrance depending on what seems best as you reach the main foyer."She continues, looking around at the others for their thoughts.
You may want to use the cleaning cupboard in the Gemstone wing, one concealed opening is between the underground wonders exhibit V9 and the Archaelogical display V10. The pressure point for opening it is on the right hand side near the floor, the other is in the Gemstone wing itself. Let me mark it, she moves the map and marks it with an s. There are others but this one is immediately useful.
"Does the cleaning cupboard go somewhere? Or you mean just to hide while the trail cools off?" Exa asks between mouthfuls. She obviously making the most of the spread in front of them.
"I hope I get to see the look on their faces when a big monster springs to life in their fancy museum."
The cleaning cupboard just joins the Gemstone Wing to the outer hallway exhibits. Whilst the nobles are panicked by the Allosaurus staring out of the door you can leave the room unseen. You could always set up the skylight for escape as well. Remember three is two, and two are one, one is none when it comes to escape plans.
It's been 20 years since the Allosaurus walked up the stairs to its exhibit when the rock gnomes generously donated it. It was done when the Museum was shut so none of the nobles saw it. I was there on business. Hopefully it still works.
Mavilius nods slowly as Delilah outlines the plan, a satisfied smile curling at the corners of his mouth. “Now that is a performance worth attending,”he says, clearly impressed. “A runaway allosaurus, masked nobles screaming, guards tripping over themselves while you quietly vanish with the apocalypse tucked in a vintage bag. Elegant chaos. I’m in.”
He turns slightly, addressing the unseen Thistle with a grin. “I expect great things from you, maestro of mayhem.” With a flourish, he plucks a soft note on his viol and weaves a brief incantation, his voice laced with subtle magic as he offers Thistle a dose of Bardic Inspiration before he departs. “For luck—and a touch of flair.” He straightens then, brushing a speck of lint from his coat. “I’ll need a short rest to gather myself, a costume and mask fit for a stage, and then I’ll spend the rest of the afternoon practicing. Come six bells, they’ll be begging for an encore.”
See what Cassee has collected for you in her bag, I'm sure they'll be costumes. I can get Adrian in here to sell you anything you need for the heist that Cassee has forgotten.
Delilah
The young dark-haired lady would let herself be ecorted back to the map room, making casual pleasant conversation on the way, asking about any good restaurants or other places of significance that should be visited.
Back at the map room she frowns slightly as she realizes there is no wine available, deciding to make her briefing before deciding what to eat. Once the others are seated and ready to listen she stands up and starts speaking with a melodious calm and confident tone. "While I'm curious to hear what you all have gathered I will share what I and for the most part Mavilius has come across this morning." She starts, making sure she has the other's attention before going on. "The good doctor told us quite a bit. The egg looks like a furrowed light-green stone and will be presented at the gemstone wing at the museum at a gala held tonight between 6 and 8. Our objective is to retrieve it and bring it to her in the alley between the museum and the University road where she will put it into enchanted crystal box that will keep the egg from hatching. The doctor has provided us with tickets and dresses to appear as noble patrons of the museum although we would need masks to cover our identities. Mavilius will appear as entertainment though." She says with a smile to the bard while she places the tickets on the map table before them.
"The kind doctor provided us with some more useful items." She continues, placing a map on the table for the others to see.
The doctor's map
"She also provided us with this magical bag along with an exquisite dress I will be wearing as I appear as Lady Graham who will not herself be attending." She goes on, showing an old antique bag that seems to be able to hold quite a lot.
"Oh, and I should mention the curator herself was at the cafe this morning, having breakfast with a group of gentlemen representing the Black Network. Apparently she wanted them to steal the egg for her but this plan is fortunately of no consequence to us as it is to be executed tomorrow at which time we have already acquired the egg. We know this thanks to Thistle, a valued associate of mine..." She says, and on her shoulder appears a tiny winged fey that gives the others a quick grin before disappearing again.
Thistle
"Mavilius and myself went on to visit the museum and managed to find out some more about the security there. There will be 8 security guards, 4 on patrol, 2 by the entrance and 2 by the gemstone, not elite guards judging by the curator's rooster, their leader being an exception there." She says placing what Thistle scribbled down on the table.
Security guard rooster
"There are also a number of alarms active but we have acquired 3 security passes that will prevent the alarms from activate." She goes on placing the sucurity passes on the table along with another map showing the alarms.
Security alarm map
"During the gala the guests will be shown into the gemstone wing where the egg will be, along with other items, among them an sapphire ring that supposedly holds a Genie. At this time the alarms will be deactivated." She finishes her briefing.
"Now, there are many ways that we could sucessfully go about this. We could execute during the gala or afterwards, both would have their pros and cons the way I see it. I will stop talking here and listen to what there is to add to this information before we discuss a plan." She finally finshes, taking a seat and awaiting the next speaker.
DM
Althea
It sounds like you have covered a lot of ground, well done! It would be impossible to pass off Exa and Kyreth as Waterdhavian nobles, what do you propose they do? Watching Delilahs face when she looked at the buffet, Althea added I have a magnificent Waterdhavian Burgundy if you prefer Delilah, unfortunately it is rather strong.
What have the rest of you found? She queried.
Exa
Exa listened carefully to Delilah's summary of their efforts. She buzzed with excitement, but took the debriefing more seriously than anything else that morning. She carefully filed the information away in her keen mind.
"Don't worry about us, High Cleric. We got our own ticket in," she says with a confident wink, obviously taking no offence whatsoever at the suggestion she couldn't pass as a noble.
"The university's students are volunteered to help run the show. Servers, waiters, guides for the nobles, that sort of thing. It just so happens that me and Kyreth have one of their uniforms each. We'll have pretty free rein of the place apparently. We can go where it would be weird for a noble to go."
She picks a piece of chicken from between her teeth, inspects it, then eats it.
"Apart from the magical alarms, any locks or containment around the egg?" she asks, her fingers dancing subconsciously across a set of lockpicks hidden in her tunic.
Delilah
"You're most kind High Cleric, but as I do not want to dull my senses perhaps the Waterdhavian Burgundy will have to wait, perhaps til we return after delivering the egg to Doctor Dannell, saving the City of Wonders from utter annihilation should deserve a toast I think." The young dark-haired lady says with a reverent bow to Althea.
She then listens to Exa, a pleased smile and an acknowledging nod as the sly cat woman finishes. "Admittedly there can be security measures around the stone that we are not aware of but we do know that the alarms will be turned off during the gala. If we can device a way to find out more about the security around the egg then there is still the afternoon for that. That said I doubt this museum will have security that we won't be able to handle with the information and skills we have between us." She says with a confident smile. "Questions is, should we plan for snatching the egg during the gala or use the gala for more information gathering and steal the egg afterwards?"
Mavilius leans back with easy confidence, fingers tapping rhythmically on his knee as he speaks. “I did a bit of wandering earlier and found a few things worth noting. North of the café, past the privy—glamorous, I know—there’s a quiet hallway that leads to a storage room with a locked skylight. From there, you can see straight down into the Gemstone Wing. It’s the perfect vantage point, maybe even a potential entry if someone with more finesse than me can handle the lock. More useful still, I found a concealed emergency exit in the basement. It’s unmarked, discreet, and could give you a clean escape route once the egg is in hand...Ah, personally I plan to finish out the gala if my performance goes well."
He glances around the group, golden eyes gleaming with excitement. “I vote we strike during the gala. With the guests mingling and more activity to keep the guards busy, it’s the perfect moment to swipe the egg. I’ll keep the nobles distracted one way or another."
Exa
A slurp comes from Exa's end of the table where she is gulping at a goblet of cream.
"Pardon," she says cheekily.
"I'm all for using the gala to get the job done, but if the egg is the centrepiece, every man and his cat will be trying to get a glimpse of it. How do we clear the room out long enough to swipe it?"
Mavilius
The tiefling tilts his head thoughtfully. "Well, I can cast illusions, you know. And integrating it into my act without being too obvious is rather simple too. Still, I can only concentrate on silent image for 10 minutes at a time. Any ideas, Delilah?"
Delilah
"Yes, I think between us, Mavilius, Thistle and myself will be able to distract people so that Exa and Kyreth can snatch the egg and take it to the doctor. There are two security guards designated to watch the gemstone wing though so the focus should be on distracting them I think. Perhaps it won't be needed but creating a panic incident just outside the gemstone wing should perhaps do the trick, or if they believe there was a fire. There seems to be many potential ways to exit with the egg, going through the basement is certainly one, but then you might be spotted by the guards at the front door as you pass through the foyer." The dark-haired lady says thoughtfully. "Perhaps having the monstrous thing outside the gemstone wing run amuck would be the distraction we need after all, we could help people flee down towards the entrance and the guards there won't notice someone slipping down to the cellar and out."
DM Althea
Good. Have you thought of taking the egg before the gala or do you think that would be premature? Also if you want to cause panic there is the option of the Allosaurus, though that would need Kyreth or your companion Thistle.
The High Cleric removed her mask and pulled down her hood and helped herself to a wedge of cheese which she nibbled whilst listening. They saw her clearly for the first time, long midnight black hair, golden complexion and her drow red eyes, she was an elf.
I see Cassee gave you her bag of holding, it would certainly help you to hide the egg.
Exa
Exa thinks for a moment, chewing on her own generous wedge of cheese.
"Before the gala would mean we only have to get the guards out of the gemstone wing, rather than the guards and the guests," she suggests with a nod. "But I'd hate to miss out on Manvilus's performance!"
DM Althea
True enough. I too would like to see Mavilius' performance.
Kyreth
Kyreth has stayed quiet for most of this conversation, apart from telling what he had seen on his scouting mission which was, in truth, very little. During a brief lull he pipes up "I'm not a great one for planning, I shall leave that to those with sharper minds. Just tell me what I need to do, and it shall be done."
Nyli Bemblade - Gnome Arcane Trickster
Kyreth 'Guile' Rolthar - Tiefling Monk
Portia Thornleaf - Halfling Rogue
DM
The Temple bells rang in a continuous peel for a full minute, the nooning song. Twelve bells.
A quick look at the burning candle confirmed the time.
Althea poured herself a tankard of Arne's best ale, and sipped it whilst watching the planning session.
Delilah
The dark-haired lady in the dark elaborately decorated dress listens attentively and nods as the others speak. "I would suggest this then. Thistle will go back to the museum now to see if he can find out how to get into and operate the Allosaurus. Assuming he is successful we attend the gala in the aforemantioned guises, trying to find out more about the close security around the egg. After Mavilius performance Thistle would then let loose the Allosaurus, without harming anyone but surely creating the panic and chaos needed to distract even the guards in the gemstone wing." She says and there is a quiet mischievous snicker heard from the unseen fairy. "I suggest Mavilius and myself independently help out with distracting the security guards while Exa and Kyreth disable any security around the egg and sneak outside to deliver it to the doctor, using either the cellar option or the front entrance depending on what seems best as you reach the main foyer." She continues, looking around at the others for their thoughts.
DM
Althea
You may want to use the cleaning cupboard in the Gemstone wing, one concealed opening is between the underground wonders exhibit V9 and the Archaelogical display V10. The pressure point for opening it is on the right hand side near the floor, the other is in the Gemstone wing itself. Let me mark it, she moves the map and marks it with an s. There are others but this one is immediately useful.
Take the bag of holding with you.
Exa
"Does the cleaning cupboard go somewhere? Or you mean just to hide while the trail cools off?" Exa asks between mouthfuls. She obviously making the most of the spread in front of them.
"I hope I get to see the look on their faces when a big monster springs to life in their fancy museum."
DM Althea
The cleaning cupboard just joins the Gemstone Wing to the outer hallway exhibits. Whilst the nobles are panicked by the Allosaurus staring out of the door you can leave the room unseen. You could always set up the skylight for escape as well. Remember three is two, and two are one, one is none when it comes to escape plans.
DM
Althea
It's been 20 years since the Allosaurus walked up the stairs to its exhibit when the rock gnomes generously donated it. It was done when the Museum was shut so none of the nobles saw it. I was there on business. Hopefully it still works.
Mavilius
Mavilius nods slowly as Delilah outlines the plan, a satisfied smile curling at the corners of his mouth. “Now that is a performance worth attending,” he says, clearly impressed. “A runaway allosaurus, masked nobles screaming, guards tripping over themselves while you quietly vanish with the apocalypse tucked in a vintage bag. Elegant chaos. I’m in.”
He turns slightly, addressing the unseen Thistle with a grin. “I expect great things from you, maestro of mayhem.” With a flourish, he plucks a soft note on his viol and weaves a brief incantation, his voice laced with subtle magic as he offers Thistle a dose of Bardic Inspiration before he departs. “For luck—and a touch of flair.” He straightens then, brushing a speck of lint from his coat. “I’ll need a short rest to gather myself, a costume and mask fit for a stage, and then I’ll spend the rest of the afternoon practicing. Come six bells, they’ll be begging for an encore.”
DM Althea
See what Cassee has collected for you in her bag, I'm sure they'll be costumes. I can get Adrian in here to sell you anything you need for the heist that Cassee has forgotten.