"Yes, I still have the bag Aradurk. It could indeed be used to remove the treasure and evidence, as well as anything to throw them off our scent." The paladin speaks to the half orc but is staring at Fumbles "Do not put me in a position to cause my brethren to have a reason to seek me out Fumbles, I do not intend to murder innocent people to add to your wealth and power."

"If my intel is correct, the goblins will all be located on the same floor...the caged creatures may work, but we'll need a way to unfreeze them, and that may be risky," Fumbles furiously scribbles notes as the party speaks, suddenly stopping when Karst speaks. For a brief moment, his voice quiets and his jovial demeanor flips to a chilling seriousness. "You falsely accused me of murder once before, Karst. These orcs are themselves intruders in Ssessibil's tower. They have murdered innocents to keep their presence quiet," he says. "And my interest in wealth and power goes no further than helping the greater good, my friend. All will be explained in due time.

"Ah! I almost forgot," he shouts, back to his old self, "On the off chance we'll need it, I have a second bag of holding. As for the goblins, let's hope there's not more than ten, because that's how many sets of manacles I brought. And plenty of potions to keep us all alive - these delectable red ones are potions of supreme healing. Pop one of these and you'll heal your ancestors. And these blue ones, these are potions of heroism, to provide a boost in a pinch."

"Now, here is what I've written down. Does anybody have anything to add before we set off? We can reach the tower in a matter of days by riding horse," he says, displaying his "heist goals", complete with hastily scribbled suggestions and notes.

_______________

Heist Goals:

1. Take control of the Lonely Tower long enough to raid the vault.
   a. Get past the orc forces patrolling the perimeter (NO FIGHTING). (Mold Earth? Invisibility? Area of Silence?)
   b. Take out Orc guard at front door and replace him or her so the absence is not noticed. (Raise dead? Replace with Aradurk?)
   c. Take out internal guards before they can warn the exterior forces.
   d. Capture but not kill the NAGPU goblins. There needs to be at least one guard on the goblins at all times. (Manacles!)
   e. Disguise the raid’s true motive and hopefully the party’s identity.
   f. Secure kobold supervisor and interrogate him separately for how to open the vault.
   g. Take Fumbles to the vault. (May take 6-8 hours to unlock. Damned wizards!)
   h. Sweep the upper levels for stragglers and disarm traps.
   i. Set up a look out on the upper levels.
2. Escape the tower with the loot
   a. Loot the non-vault tower levels.
   b. Clear the tower of all party-brought items or traces.
   c. Destroy any bodies to prevent detection. (Fire?)
   d. Prepare a distraction to help with escape.
   e. Determine a way to carry loot. (Bag of Holdings! Bags of Holding?)
   f. Leave behind clues to misdirect suspicions.

OOC: Two sets of manacles have been added to each characters inventory. 

Up for grabs are:
3x potion of supreme healing
3x potion of heroism
1x bag of holding

"Are there any other factions that would be interested on taking down the NAGPU which we could disguise ourselves as? If we can't get anything out if the kobold leader are we to eliminate him as well? Or what if he does provide Intel to help? I can prepare zone of truth to possibly aid in the interrogation."

"I can knock some of the internal guards and goblins using Sleep. As for the securing the kobold supervisor, I think Charm Person could help. The problem is ..."

Uldrem taps the ironbound spellbook hanging on his side using his quarterstaff.

"I haven't prepared both of these spells for today. If we're not pressed for time, I can prepare them after a long rest."

"Perhaps a rival union, like the gnomes, or maybe the Cult of the Dragon with all the wackiness they get up to along the Sword Coast," Fumbles answers Y'lovisa, "If the kobold supervisor is in a Zone of Truth and can't tell us the answer, then we let him live. We don't actually want NAGPU breathing down our necks, hence the need for subtlety."

"We are pressed for time, but even by horse it will take us a couple of days to reach the tower. You will have the opportunity to prepare those helpful spells along the way," he tells Uldrem.

"I will have my informant fetch us horses and we'll be on our way soon. Is anybody going to take those potions and the bag? I suppose I can keep them if nobody wants them. They're quite useful, though," he prods. The bugbear informant standing silently behind Fumbles rushes out of the room to prepare the mounts.

"I will take one of these" Karst says pocketing one of the potions of Heroism, "I suggest the healing potions are taken by those lacking the power to help themselves." Looking at Fumbles he bows his head slightly. "It is true I falsely accused you of a crime most heinous, that you did not commit, whilst I am sure you are not without sin, and which of us could claim to be, I did wrong you. I apologise for this, unreservedly, I hope it can be forgiven." The paladin looks squarely into the gnomes eyes with his own blazing white orbs, holding his gaze as he waits for an answer. 

"I would like one of those as well (potion of heroism)." Y'lovisa shifts uncomfortably in her seat. "When my powers were given to me, it seems it cost me." She pulls the collar of her robe she wears beneath her armor away from her neck to reveal a heavy burn scar along the left side which disappears under the robe.

"I'll take the bag of holding and hold the three supreme potion of healing for the time being if there are no objections."

The red hobgoblin wizard says as he stretches his arms to the said items.

"I don't have the means to heal using the arcane and the extra space can really help me collect some of the corpse we can find during our trip. Don't worry, since I'm mostly going to be at back I'll be using those potions for the rest of you in case of emergency."

“And I will collect the last of the heroism potion if no one objects. With respect to the obfuscation of the identities, do we have anyone with deep enough ties to get us made as Cult members? I figure we might be identified as a rival group if we pen a letter to/from a known agency and then if it got left behind, it might point the finger in a direction that is not ours.”

OOC: Inventories have been updated with the potions and bag.

"Trust me," Fumbles nods to Karst. 

"Sprinkle some rants on Tiamat and that plan may work, Aradurk," he adds. A small stone at Fumbles' hip begins glowing, and a gruff voice emanates from it, "The mounts are ready, sir."

"Oh! How could I forget? These are very special sending stones," Fumbles says, reaching into his pockets and pulling out a small greenish stone for each member of the group. "Each of these stones is linked together with a very complex working of communication magic. They're similar to a message spell, but anything spoken directly into them will be heard through the rest of the stones. The orcs have similar creations, which we discovered in our scouting. That means we need to be careful, because they can quickly communicate with their patrols."

The mustachioed rock gnome pauses for dramatic effect, then stands straight and waves his hand. "Now then, let us ride! Is everyone ready?"

OOC: A stone of sending has been added to each character's inventory.

   "I can't think of anymore questions. So I guess I'm ready as I'll ever be." Y'lovisa let's out a heavy sigh and wonders what she has gotten herself into.

Now that a loose plan is in place, you ride from the gates of Sundabar on horseback. Oddly, however, Ivar is nowhere to be seen. "He knows the way," Fumbles hollers, "He can catch up."

The first few miles are pleasant, and the brisk wind you ride against provides some respite from the heat of the day. You soon spot a company of men moving an armored wagon, with a tarp covering a large cage.

"Reavers...these are Roccar's men. Nothing to worry about," Fumbles explains.

Uldrem nods to the company of men before he inquires.

"Fine morning meeting you group of gentlemen. If you don't mind, can I know what you have inside that large cage? Seeing as it needs a large group of strong soldiers to deliver it, my curiosity got a hold of me for the moment."

Karst rides up to the wagon appraising it, nodding to the men as he does.  He looks over at Uldrem as he questions them waiting for a response before making a decision on whether to ride on or not.

"Curiosity killed the cat", Aradurk mumbles to himself. "Or was it a hobgoblin? Stupid expressions."

Quote from Profgenclean >>

Changed two of my 1st lvl prepared spells.

 

Didn't think we rested yet to swapped spell. My understanding we are on the road immediately after the meeting.

     Y'lovisa keeps her horse at a distance - finding a shady spot beneath a tree near the road - to watch as the others satisfied their curiosity. She takes a drink from her waterskin as she watches on.

(How big of a cage are we talking about here? Any recognizable sounds coming from beneath the tarp?)

Perception, if needed 17

Aradurk looks around at the faces at the detail to see if he recognizes anyone from the Reavers.

OOC: Y'lovisa is correct, there hasn't been a long rest yet, but there will be a chance to rest before reaching the tower.

Karst Perception: 18

The cage is large enough that it needs a wagon to tote it, but no sounds can be heard from within. The cage is covered well by the tarp, and neither Karst nor Y'lovisa are able to catch a peek at what lies beneath.

Aradurk vaguely recognizes a couple of the men from when he and Karst first met Roccar, after saving Old Poe from orcs and hobgoblins along the road.

The armored men look wary when a hobgoblin approaches them, but loosen up after a slight nod from Fumbles. "A fine morning to you as well. I would share freely this information with you but unfortunately we are under strict orders from Roccar not do do so with anyone," one man says.

The others are already moving as he hurriedly finishes, "We saw some odd signs on the road yesterday. Stay wary."

“I understand Roccar’s orders and why he give them quite well. Anything more you can tell me about those odd signs you noticed? Much obliged comrade.”

     The wood elf dabs her brow. Overhearing the man's statement, Y'lovisa calls back. "What sort of signs might that be?"