A worried frown appears on Hex's brow as the knights proclaim their willingness to die for the Lord Regent's rescue. "Let's hope it doesn't come to anyone's death..." She gives Cassyt a gentle squeeze on her shoulder as encouragement. "You'll do fine, I'm sure of it." 

Hex has no better plan herself but looks to the rest of the group to see if they do.

Auriel listens to Aleyd's plan in silence, his gaze shifting from the senior knight to her subordinates. Though his expression remains neutral, inwardly he praises their bravery in the face of danger. None show fear or hesitation as they speak of risking their lives for the chance to free the Lord Protector.

For a moment, his eyes drift toward the ruined city they came from, then to the barricade where their former companions — the betrayers who followed the dragon's call instead of their duty — now hide. If only they had shown half the honor of these Black Fists, he thinks. How different things might have been.

Finding no better plan than the one Aleyd's suggested, the Eladrin steps forward and offers her a firm handshake. "Your bravery is commendable," he says. "We will make every second of your distraction count." He nods once to her soldiers, and to Cassyt, acknowledging their resolve as well.

Turning to Hex, Hildigrim, and Carl, he adds, "We should prepare. If there's anything you need to do before we move, now's the time." Auriel's hand brushes against his holy symbol as he murmurs a short prayer. A soft shimmer gold and blue spreads outward, touching his three companions. A cool, invigorating frost settles briefly over their skin as his blessing takes hold.

(ooc: Auriel casts Aid on Hex, Hildigrim and Carl.)

Aleyd nods resolutely as the party begins to prepare. "Count to two hundred, then look for our attack from the northwest. Wait for us to withdraw. We will get as many of the Tears to follow as we can...be sure to let them out of sight before moving to save the Lord Regent," she says.

As she and her knights prepare to use the cover of buildings to circle around the gate, Cassyt places her hand on Hex's as she squeezes her shoulder. "May Kelemvor guide your steps," she says. "Phlan will owe you a great debt if you succeed."

With that, Aleyd and her contingent slip away into the shadows, leaving you with little more than three minutes to finish your preparations.

Hildigrim makes a frustrated noise in the back of his throat before turning to Carl. "I see my original plan is flawed. We will do no one any good on the rooftops. We need to be on the ground with the others. Well, I do. I don't have the ability to fly like you do."

The halfling carefully lowers himself as far as his arms will allow and then drops to the street to join the others. If they ask, he explains that the plan necessitates him attacking from the front along with them.

As Aleyd and the others take their leave, Hex turns to the rest of the party. "Let's try to do this as quietly as possible. I think I should head in first. With my cloak and spell, the likelihood of me getting caught and raising the alarm is slim. On the offhand I do get caught, you guys can rush in then. Once we have the Lord Regent out and safe, we can try to free everyone else. What do you think?"

Carl nods as he listens to the plan, cogs spinning in his mind as he’s thinking of different options.  “A massive distraction, that holds the best chance for success.  I can create a silent image of one of their leaders, or a small green wyrmling, or what have you to distract their attention, but that alone is not enough.  I think the assault and misdirection to lead them away is what is necessary.  I can also turn myself or someone else [Tooltip Not Found] to go cut the bonds of the Lord Regent.  The image must be within 60 feet of me.  I can also funnel fire on the remaining corrupt knights - but I need to be within 120 feet of them.  I think we’ll only really know what is needed when it happens…”  Carl looks to the others for opinions about where he should be positioned.

Auriel looks uncertain. "I'm not opposed to untying the Lord Protector, especially if he were able to assist us in the combat that is surely going to happen. But I'm not sure we are going to be able to do it without the guards noticing. He is tied to several other people, after all. The moment they see him free, they'll beg to be freed as well."

He glances toward the gate. "I think we should be ready for combat the moment you cut his bindings, Hex. I'd say we should all approach the barricade, making sure that your spell covers us, and while Hex frees the man, the rest should focus on whoever guards remain after Aleyd and her group distract the others. The stronger looking ones first. That should probably be the ones covered in blue scales that we saw from the rooftop."

Hildigrim reaches out and grasps Carl's elbow in silent reassurance. "Perhaps Carl should make Hex invisible. Give her even more of an edge in releasing the Lord Regent. As Auriel said, we'll be watching and attack as soon as he is freed to give them cover in their escape."

Hex looks at Carl. "Do you have the spells to spare, Carl? I wouldn't want you to waste them on me, it most likely won't last long after the Lord Regent is free... but if you're willing to, I won't say no to being invisible. 

"I do, especially for such an important task.  But before I begin, everyone ready?  Any other preparations?  If not, here we go...".  Carl's eyes close and his face screws up in a contorted grimace, appearing that he is in pain.  He reaches out and takes hold of Hex by her arm, and starts to say some words, soft and distorted.  His face contorts as he starts to speak, it appears that his mouth hurts and there is a tremor in his jaw.  Finally when he is finished, his eyes open and there is blackness of his sclera, clearing as he opens his eyes.  Hex suddenly vanishes, now invisible.  He rubs his jaw for a second, then says "Well, we're ready.  Everyone look to each other, help each other when needed.  We've been through worse scrapes.  We can do this.  Okay?  If everyone is ready... let's go."

"Should we watch from behind the tree?" Hildigrim asks the others, already lowering his voice as Hex disappears.

OOC: DM, please let us know if we would notice a better place from which to watch/hide which would give us easier/quicker access to the barricade.

Auriel narrows his eyes slightly at the sight of Carl's casting. It is as if using his magic causes him pain — quite the opposite of Auriel's own experience when he calls upon Tyr's gifts. He tells him quietly, "That looked painful," and for a moment he seems to be gauging whether the dwarf is all right, even if he doesn't ask openly.

In any case, the Eladrin realizes they don't have much time. Aleyd must be preparing her distraction, and Hex is already advancing. He nods toward Hildigrim and moves to watch from behind the tree. With that, he is as ready as he will ever be.

Hex watches Carl with a furrowed brow as his casts the spell, worried at the pain it seems to cause him. After he finishes, she places an invisible hand on his arm. "Thanks, Carl."

She pops her hood up and goes heads towards the barricade entrance, scimitar already unsheathed, when Hildigrim mentions the others head to the tree. She pauses for a moment before she leaves. "Oh, uh... I didn't mention it before but there's a girl in the tree. And a goat. I'm not really sure what their deal is but you don't have to worry about them... I think." She shrugs, though no one sees her do so, and continues towards the barricades, waiting for Aleyd and her knight's distraction.