Respar adds to Ozette, "And alter your height as best you can.  We will try to learn a bit more, then we begin the assault."  He tries to learn more about the keep and the gates over the next couple of days.

"Snowflake has agreed to collect herbs and other such materials for me and thus the poison will be ready on time.  Would you like to deliver it via the infamous stew, or via other means?"

"Additionally, Snowflake can neutralize the messenger birds just before the attack, so consider that task covered."

Disguised as Wulfric, Kiven also goes and speaks with Balin.  He asks about anything useful Balin might know for their mission as well as a few specific questions.  He asks if he sees the battle mages at all when he visits the castle and also if he can see what the dwarves are working on.  Additionally he asks if Balin has access to the keep's water source, and to describe it.

Respar manages to find where the dwarves have been working. Its above the main gate facing the great bridge. Stonework has been carefully supported, with some of it removed, exposing a complex series of mechanisms. It looks positively ancient, with severe wear and tear on multiple parts. based on what he can find here, it looks like most of the dwarves' time has been spent trying to replicate replacement parts without actually tearing the whole thing down for proper measurements.

Balin nods at Kiven's first question, "Yeah, I usually see those two when I make my deliveries, they need candles and such things like everyone else. Its usually just in passing though."

"Anyways, I can't say I really have access to the water, I have a man escorting me through the keep when I'm there, and I've no reason to do anything with the actual water supply. But from what I understand there's a deep well being used to constantly refill a cistern on the third floor, and then water flows from there to various taps. There's supposed to be some kind of enchantment purifying the water as it comes from the well, but I don't know much about that."

Respar looks over the gears and such, trying to figure it out.  But regardless, if they can get to these things before they are replaced, it should be easy enough to destroy them.  But he worries that would it harder to knock the door of the gate down.

Knowledge 15

He brings this bit of information back to the team.  "We definitely need to strike soon.  We can try to poison the stew, and set the fire that night.  Or the night before, so as they digest, the attack hits them."

Since the meeting in the chapel, Ozette had kept a low profile and changing her disguise to a shorter woman, dressed in a farmhand outfit. The event had made her far more cautious of Mitra patrols and she avoid the town guards whenever possible. "A celestial servant eh?" She asked Selena during the next meeting. "Are they going to cause a problem during the invasion and is there a way we can counter them? After what happened, once we have this town under our heal, I'd like to personally defile that chapel."

At Respar's words, Ozetta nodded. "I'm ready whenever you need me. Just tell me where I can best serve the Knot."

Blau is impatient to resolve his duties to his Lord, and impatiently says "Poison or not, we need to call the army soon and show this rotten hole just how useless Mitra really is! If this damn stew is so special, poison it and summon the army for the next day. As far the dwarven works goes, I may have no idea on it's works, but either way, let's stop *****-footing around and finish this."

 Knowledge 10

Knowledge for dwarven work: 18

Kiven asks Balin how often he goes to the keep and if he has any control over when that might be.  Otherwise he tells him to be ready if they need him for any tasks during the execution of their plan.

Kiven also keeps an eye out for Mad Martin around town so as to show interest in his birds.  'Wulfric' tries to befriend the man and see what he's all about, eventually showing an interest in his birds when Martin brings them up.  Wulfric admits that, while quite interesting, he never really did understand how such birds are properly trained and can be relied upon.  Mostly he just lets Martin talk all about them, but does subtly try to find out how many birds know each route, how often messages are sent to each neighboring location, etc.  Mostly Kiven wants to know if local towns, garrisons, etc. will notice quickly when birds stop coming.  He is concerned that within a day or two someone nearby with military strength will grow concerned at the lack of word from Balentyne and if, instead of killing all of the birds, if he should keep some alive and imitate the normal correspondence to keep such neighbors in the dark.

(Happy to make a roll for Martin, of course!)

  Selena shrugs at Ozette's question.  " The archons might be a problem during the invasion.  I don't of any special way of dealing with them other than normal violence.  As to defiling the chapel...I would be  glad to join you in that after the battle. These fools and their weak god.  " 

  During the discussion of the finalized plans she sits listening quietly. " We need to get this moving. I am anxious to depart this area. Poison the stew, light the fire, take care of the birds, bring in hordes of mites and then open the gate for our allies. Let us bathe this place in their blood.  " 

  Poe peers at the others from his perch in the rafters.  He remains silent and contemplates the dwarven gate mystery.  

Poe Knowledge check:  23

Selena Knowledge check:  22

Blau adds "I can protect us from the archons, when the time comes. Let's leave that last and we'll have a party In it."

  Selena sends Poe out Saturday to fly to the army encampment.  He begins ferrying the mite shamans  in on Saturday night under cover of darkness.  He sets them down in a hidden area on the other side of the wall.  Poe has also instructed a group of goblins to move up closer to the village we are located.  He tells them of a good place to hide out that will make it easier for him to ferry them all in during the night.  

In visualizing the mechanism, Respar realizes what he was looking at. A portion of it was to lift up the main portcullis, but the rest... It looked as if an entire section of three foot thick stone wall was set up so that it could be physically detached from the upper fort structure, then rapidly lowered down behind the main gate and locked in place, effectively sealing off that entry entirely. Based on what the rogue saw, it would not be possible to raise the wall section again, at least not without considerable magic to assist, so this is likely a last resort option, something to order if the other defenses are failing to keep a foe from hammering at the main gate. To open the gate again the defenders would have to physically dismantle the barrier and move it piece by piece, a task that could easily take days. The dwarves had been repairing both the mechanisms for this movement, and the extra structural supports that allow the fort to support itself in spite of such a gaping hole in an interior wall.

Poe ferries the mites over easily enough. Two shamans and a trio of assistants/bodyguards. They're short beings, about the size of a goblin, with blue skin and incredibly ugly faces. That last bit is rather unfortunate, since their heads are large enough compared to the spindly body somehow supporting it that said face is the majority of what you can see of them. They stick around just long enough to get instructions on when and where to rendezvous for the attack, and then disappear into the hills, apparently in search of appropriate vermin to gather and charm.

Balin shrugs and tells Kiven that he usually makes deliveries once a week, but he can easily adjust when that is by pretending to have a temporary material shortage. Shortages of appropriate twine or wax happens often enough that none are likely to question it right away.

Martin isn't seen in town much, and proves to be very much not a talker, shying away when Wulfric presses the issue. Fortunately most of what he needs to know could be answered by other means. In brief, messages are rarely sent by bird. Most of the messages between keeps on the border are passed along by the people walking that path anyways. The rookery seems to be kept for messages with more urgency than the regular reports that all is well. The fort easily goes a week or two at a time without receiving or sending a raven anywhere.

"So if I understand correctly, my dearest Respar, we have to ensure that neither the portcullis nor this emergency stone wall can be lowered when the alarm sounds?  We also have yet to address the outer gatehouse on the far side of the bridge?"

Respar shrugs.  "I'm no engineer, but that sounds about right.  As for the far gatehouse, we may have to leave that to the attacking force.  If we can stop the other stuff from happening without too much trouble, then we can try to go for the outer gate.  Assuming the bugbears haven't smashed through already." 

Sunday, just after lunch, Dayven and Wulfric bid the town goodbye, as their business venture was no longer tenable.  They headed south out of town a few miles before breaking west and eventually meeting the others at the place where they would set the fire.  They ate a cold dinner, with little discussion.  They had a basic plan, and would improvise their way through it.  They took turns with keeping watch, and about 3:00 AM they set the signal fire.  After an hour or so they saw a response fire.  Not long after, they put their fire out, as did the army across the water.

The next morning, as the people of town went about their business, Respar made his way into town, looking like one of the folks.  Keeping to himself, he changed his appearance once or twice, always looking like someone he felt confident was outside of town.  As time approached for the stew to be transported, he found Balin.  He identified himself.  "You will help carry the stew to the keep.  Make a show of tasting it."  He offered no further information.

He himself joined the group of folks helping transport the stew.  As he set one of the cauldrons into the wagon, a spoon materialized in his right hand, and he leaned over and took a big spoonful, and quickly tasted it.  "Delicious!" he announced loudly waving his spoon, as the cook in charge gave him a dirty look.  Meanwhile, his left hand had poured some of the concoction into the cauldron. 

Balin frowns, but acquiesces without argument. Mama Giuseppe's place is a mess as usual, with people moving in and out, providing and prepping the ingredients for the master cook herself. Respar and the others join the crowd, quickly fitting in. They help to haul the big and heavy pots onto the wagon, finding opportunities to dump in the elixir prepared by Kiven.

Soon enough, it is done. The wagon trundles up the road, and the helpers haul the pots into the fort, and into the mess hall, where they are greeted by soldiers clearly looking forwards to the meal. Their task done, the conspirators depart the fort, and move on to their next task.

Respar had read many of the letters he found in Eddarly's home.  There were some interesting details.  His favorite was the fact that if you took the road south about a mile, there was a maple tree with a small blaze on marked on it.  Head east into the trees at that point, and about a hundred yards from the road was a grove of trees with a grassy clearing.  This was one of the favorite places for Eddarly and Kaitlyn Mott to meet for a tryst.  And its isolated nature suited Respar and company perfectly.  He instructed the others to be hidden in the grove from lunch time forward.  He would first get Kaitlyn Mott if possible, but if not, Eddarly most likely.  "When she appears, kill her if need be.  If you can bind and gag her, she might be useful.  We might be able to threaten her in front of Eddarly to get a nugget of information or two.  If it's not convenient, kill her and then Selena can appear as Mrs. Mott, and pretend to be terrified."

After leaving the keep, he found a quiet location and changed his appearance.  Now he looked like Eddarly.  Mrs. Mott could usually be found returning with shopping about this time.   And it always brightened her day when the handsome Captain Eddarly appeared.  "Mrs.Mott!  You look lovely today!  May I assist you with your groceries, please?"  He took the basket but refrained from offering his arm.  He chatted with Mrs. Mott innocently until they reached her home.  As she stepped inside she held the door, but he held the groceries out to her and whispered, "Wait 5 minutes, then follow to the grove. It's urgent."  She thanked him for helping her and watched him go.  Once he was out of sight, he once more changed his appearance to look like one of the faceless townsfolk.  He watched her home, hoping to see her leave and head south.  If she did, he would follow her, remaining as the towns person.

Mrs Mott appears to be quite concerned, but she gives a short nod. A few minutes later, and the apparently unsuspecting housewife has departed her home, for all the world looking like she's out for a simple stroll. Following her towards the clearing proves to be a simple matter.

Meanwhile, waiting at the designated grove, Blau has hidden behind hillock, peeking out now and then for the targets approach. Focusing on his dark gods power, he draws it upwards into his gem-studded body, preparing for the battle to come.

Once they had Mrs. Mott secured, gagged and bound, Respar nodded.  He turned to Selena.  "Can you lure Eddarly or Mott our here next?"