Carl walks close to Hildigrim, he leans in as the information about his family is conveyed, he commits the words and names to memory, the location locked away in his mind, hoping that he never needs to use this.  "Aye.  Will do.  But les not talk about tha.  We're gonna make it outta here.  We're gonna get the Lord Regent and we're gonna handle your matter as well.  Somehow.  Some way.  Jus haveta fine the right way.."  He keeps walking along, a serious, stern look on his face.  

He offers to Hildigrim as he looks at an approach, and also to Aleyd, "I can use magic to make myself or someone else fly... but I think that would make me a target.  Maybe a distraction?"

Auriel nods at Carl's words. "A distraction is the only way I can see us getting through that many people. But it has to be a big one to make enough of them go away.” He looks ahead toward the barricade blocking the passage into the courtyard, then adds, "But before that, we need to get a better view of what we're dealing with. Perhaps approaching under invisibility rather than flying?"

Like Hildigrim, he scans the area for any position that might provide cover, a place from which they could advance and gain a clearer view of what lies beyond the barricade.

Worried chatter and sounds of weeping prisoners from beyond the barricade accompany your discussion and provide some cover for noise.

The barricades are 4 feet high, consisting mainly of barrels and an occasional crate. There is a gate in the barricade of sufficient size to allow a wagon pass, designed to open inward and made of nailed-together planks and doors and barred shut by a number of the same heavy barrels that form the barricade. There is also a tall tree in the courtyard in front of the barricade, ablaze with autumn colors. 

Most of the buildings in the plaza are one story tall, their sloped roofs around ten feet above street level

Auriel offers to give a boost to anyone who wants to climb up and watch from the rooftops—unless the doors are open, in which case they can just head inside to get to the top.

(OOC: Could we use the tree to survey the area? Is it possible to reach it without being seen, or is it too exposed and would get us spotted by the Tears right away?)

Hildigrim looks at Auriel and gives the elf a nod. "I believe I would be most helpful if I were above the battle and out of melee range. I'm sure at least some of them have bows, but if I didn't have to worry about blades, that would be helpful."

"I would offer to climb up for a better view but it's probably better for me to stay down here and keep as many as I can within my spell's range." Hex gestures towards the rooftops in the plaza. "I think up there might be the better choice. The tree is closer but its also right in front of the barricades..."

Hildigrim replies with a tight smile. "I've never been the tree-climbing sort," he admits. "It's hard to climb a tree with one hand clutching a book."

OOC: There is enough cover to reach the tree, given enough caution. The buildings nearby all have a door and one or more windows, along with plenty of footholds to attempt a climb, and they provide enough cover for you to easily reach the roofs without being seen, provided you can make the climb.

I'll let the party decide what to do here since a few possibilities have been mentioned, before any further input from Aleyd and her crew.

OOC: I'd like Hildigrim to be high enough to avoid melee attacks. It would be nice if he was within 30 feet of the gate, but that isn't necessary. If there's one with a chimney he can hide behind, that would be awesome.

“Other options : I could cast create bonfire from 60 feet away, lighting up the base of that tree to distract them, or in their midst.  I can shatter them from 60 feet away, but it will create a big boom.  You remember how loud it was.  I could have Squirt Mudbottom walk over there and cause some mayhem.  A number of options... what would be best."  Carl is sitting there puzzling about what would be best to distract the group.  

"I'd rather we got a bit closer to get a better view before we did any of that. Hildigrim can do that from the buildings. The rest of us could approach the tree and do the same from the ground." Auriel looks around. "There's enough cover for us to reach the tree safely, especially if we stay close to Hex. Then we can retreat and plan the distraction." He pauses. "Or, if you're worried I'll make noise with my armor, I can remain here while you scout ahead."

Hildigrim scowls. "Stay with them," he suggests to Auriel. "If anything should happen, you need to be there."

(OOC: How close is the tree to where everyone currently is? If it's within 30ft, Hex could head to the tree herself to get a closer look and still keep everyone in range of her spell.)

OOC: The tree is within 30 feet of the party. There is a further 50 feet from the tree to the barricade at the gate.

Hex shakes her head. "No, I don't think we'll need any distractions, at least for now. The tree is close enough. Everyone else can stay here while Hildigrim climbs up to the rooftops and I'll head over to the tree to get a closer look." She flips up her hood and waits for Hildigrim to leave first before heading to the tree. She doesn't climb up, just trying to see whatever she can past the barricade.

Whether he feels he can reach the rooftops by himself or not, Hildigrim allows Auriel to help him climb up. Once there, he stealthfully moves to where he has a good vantage point to attack from above. He looks for a place were he might also be able to hide from spellcasters and archers.

Carl waits then to see the results of what Hildigrim can see.  He goes through his spells in his mind, thinking of options to help.

Hildigrim Athletics (Advantage: Help): 7

Auriel boosts Hildigrim up to the ledge of a window, but the halfling's hands have trouble gripping the narrow sills. Despite repeated attempts, the handholds seem a bit too wide for the diminutive rogue. Meanwhile, Hex silently approaches the tree, reaching its base without detection. Looking back, she sees Hildigrim fall from his third attempt at climbing the building, but the guards around don't seem to have noticed, her aura of silence protecting against the noise it otherwise might have been making.

One of the guards near the barricades moves out of sight, further into the courtyard.

Hex sees Hildigrim fall and winces sympathetically. She pauses for a moment before deciding to climb the tree. If he wasn't able to get a better look from on high, she would have to try instead. Hopefully, this close to the barricades, her spell will be enough to muffle any sounds if she were to fail.

(ooc: can Auriel himself try to climb, and then throw a rope to push Hildigrim up? Or so that he can try to climb for himself once again? Then Auriel can come down again if necessary)