Within seconds, the last of A Cuspide Corona emerges from the sewers into the shadowed alley...Murdoch, Rigor, and finally the massive Belmort, guarding the company’s withdrawal. On watch for this very moment, Casta swiftly closes the iron gate in their wake, with the shriek and rattle of rusted metal and the loose, swinging chain. The confines of the alley have grown more crowded, even in the gloom, as wary travelers were drawn to the disturbance, but most now avoid the adventurers as they step into the light, bloodied and tense in the aftermath of violence. Still, the arrival of brutal Flaming Fist mercenaries in moments is all-but inevitable, and some among those on the street clearly lurk at a distance, to await what fate becomes of those marked by it.
Among the company, some thoughts swiftly turn to their earlier councils, and the need for shelter, perhaps the Blade and Stars as they had discussed. Their recovery from a near-lethal encounter and a respite from the growing tension and unrest upon the streets of Baldur’s Gate would now seem critical, as they consider in earnest the deadly serious mission before them. The dire threat beneath Zodge’s harsh orders has become suddenly clear and intimately personal, as surviving Cultists of the Dark Three…the Dead Three no longer…escape into the unknown darkness, to work their horrific evils upon a caged populace living and suffering in mounting fear of that darkness closing in…
Casta considers the unwelcome Fist's pending arrival and does not want to risk an "interview" at this time, but she takes a moment to wind the chain back onto the grate. She winds and latches the lock tightly against the metal bars so that it will be difficult to pick from the inside. May not stop them, but it may make them move on to the next grate. Do what you can, when you can. The heart is pure. .. . except when it's not. You may have just endangered someone else.
Casta moves south to the gathering party, and fails to find Yokai fading into the crowd. She thinks: He will find us waiting for him back at the Blade and Stars. It is the last place we met, and as good as any other.
She turns to the remaining gathered party, but remains mindful of the earlier loitering lurkers. "Cuspide Corona, let us retire to whence we broke fast. Yokai will find us there, to be sure." She then leads away in a slightly circuitous direction back to the Blade and Stars, intending to head back to the breakfast room but challenge a tail, Flaming Fist or otherwise.
Murdoch unloads and stows his crossbow. He then dons his buckler, wary of another unexpected encounter.
"Retire is a nice way of putting it. We need to rest and recover our resources- I don't think we're walking out of another fight like that," Murdoch says quietly, hoping the looming crowd doesn't hear. "We should stay close together, wounded in the center."
Yokai set off scouting to the west. We will circle counterclockwise, moving slightly east to the end of the current block. Move north along the road to the intersection of the main cross-road that leads east to the North side of the Basilisk gate. Move west along that main road to the north end of the block that harbors the Blade and Stars. Move west to just prior to the large triangle intersection. That is a pretty open space, so we avoid the intersection and instead loiter about for a moment and melt into the back alleys. Make extra perception checks in the open area for sure. There is a human story to be told there, to be sure. As we melt into the alleys, we cut south through the back alleys immediately north of the Blade and Stars and come to our intended destination from the north / i.e. back door in the Blade and Stars.
Will pay special attention to Feldinor and anyone who notices anything interesting to alter the intended path.
"Keep a weather eye out, mates. Eyes in front. Belmort next. Murdoch's right."
OOC: Excellent! Please confirm, if you would, the dashed blue route shown above as your intended path of return. Hopefully, I've captured it correctly, with your approximate loiter point being the arrowhead closest to the massive triangular intersection, and immediately prior to your withdrawal into the back alleys.
OOC: Separately then, if each member of the company returning by this path can please provide two (2) Perception checks, the journey may begin. A Good Evening to all!
"Hey...Hey...Hey!" Feldinor shouts back to the group emerging from the tunnel at the sound of chains being tied up. Knowing he cannot keep pace with Yokai and further knowing that there are many items left behind that he would rather not have to re-purchase, Feldinor moves back towards the assembling companions. "Did we pick up our things from the tunnel? Hmmmmm?" OOC:I didn't see an entry that said "I pick up Feldinor's items" but I did see that Rigor was standing in the same square and we were not being accosted. So I will proceed as if we did pick things up.
"Thank you." Feldinor retrieves his blade and bow from his companions to resheath and restow them on his small but STOUT frame. "I've lost sight of Yokai...that way." Feldinor points to the west. "He may be hunting them. And I unfortunately do not remember these sewers as good as I wanted to. So I cannot offer where they may be heading." Looking at the chain now brutishly wrapped around the sewer gate, "I guess following them is now out...and looking at everyone's current physical state..." while ignoring my own ... "I take it that we are not giving chase?"
Upon hearing Casta's suggestion for second breakfast, Feldinor's priorities shift. "Great idea! That is what was wrong with our tactics. We were fighting on empty stomachs since we didn't have second breakfast yet! what were we thinking?" Feldinor starts off in the direction Casta suggests, but wondering why we don't just go the other way? Well once the woman has her mind set on something, it seems awfully futile to change it. Probably would argue in the street longer than it would take just to walk the long way around anyway. ahhh...it gives me an opportunity to see what the city streets can tell me about the goings on.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Rigor offers a small smile at Feldinor’s initial alarm, and raises the shortsword and shortbow, one in each hand, that he brought out with him.
OOC: picked them up in entry 396!
”You’re welcome,” Rigor says quietly. He nods in approval of Casta’s plan after looking about for Yokai, and further assesses their surroundings as they begin their return to the inn.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Sorore quickly looks about, casts a minor thaumaturgy to make her eyes appear human, a blue lighter than her skin. She pulls her hood back to better view her surroundings, staying in the midst of the company as her companions set forth.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Perception 18
Perception 13
Fimrold holds the rear of the group, trusting the taller of his companions to be the forward eyes. His stout legs do their best to keep pace with everyone while his heavy footfalls and labored breaths constantly remind the party of his position.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
OOC: My apologies, Adventurers, for my own delayed response. Had a week of major deliverables, an O-9 and staff half-day visit to the Laboratory, and health concerns. Feeling better today after meds and over 10 hours of sleep last night, though, so stand by for content! First, another (potential) series of some required rolls for the record...
7
6
4
1
54
7
OOC: OK! That's exactly (seriously!) what I needed to know...:-)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
9, 20
Their decisions made, A Cuspide Corona emerges from the shadowed alley and turns once more, just briefly, up the wide cobblestone street climbing towards the Basilisk Gate. The tense masses of common folk and refugees have largely returned to walking within close proximity to the narrow passage’s mouth, with the violence now abated, although some among them noticing the bloodied state of the adventurers try to avoid their path.
Feldinor moves out in front, eyes trained upon the pulse of the street, with Belmort close behind and carving out a far wider path with his hulking form. Casta, and Murdoch upon her right, travel next, followed by Rigor and Sorore, with the heavily armored Fimrold holding the rear guard as they enter the throngs of the chaotic tangle of people within the Gate under siege. The companions soon turn at the first left, by the route Casta has planned, and more fully into the chill northern wind driving the low clouds above the city rolling to the south. This cross-street is almost level and also less crowded, making the stone buildings seem to lean even closer out and above the roadway.
The walk among other travelers on-edge around them is far longer in this stretch, though still perhaps under 500 feet, by the time the company reaches the next intersection. It is a major one, broader still than the one fronting that fateful alleyway, and just as filled with the tension of the masses. As the adventurers prepare to turn left again, heading down-slope and to the south and west, Sorore and Murdoch become aware that the company is being watched and approached. Their revelation comes from the crowds fearfully rustling and parting for a single figure passing in their midst, walking calmly towards them – a tall moon elf, with very pale, almost bluish-tinted skin, and long black hair just a shade deeper than the dark gray hues of his tailored, richly embroidered raiment and cloak. Sorore and Murdoch’s chance observations are enough to discern the elf’s path is deliberately intended to soon cross their own…
OOC: Hail once again, Adventurers. With the advance warning of this meeting granted by a couple of initial Perception results, you've gained the opportunity to act prior to the elf's apparent objective of connecting with the company. I'll look forward to your actions, if any, that you might take to preclude this outcome!
Belmort remains at the ready for Rigor to move back behind him and will move out of the tunnel with Rigor in his retreat.
19, 17, 5, 14, 17
9, 13
12, 9
19, 1
15
Within seconds, the last of A Cuspide Corona emerges from the sewers into the shadowed alley...Murdoch, Rigor, and finally the massive Belmort, guarding the company’s withdrawal. On watch for this very moment, Casta swiftly closes the iron gate in their wake, with the shriek and rattle of rusted metal and the loose, swinging chain. The confines of the alley have grown more crowded, even in the gloom, as wary travelers were drawn to the disturbance, but most now avoid the adventurers as they step into the light, bloodied and tense in the aftermath of violence. Still, the arrival of brutal Flaming Fist mercenaries in moments is all-but inevitable, and some among those on the street clearly lurk at a distance, to await what fate becomes of those marked by it.
Among the company, some thoughts swiftly turn to their earlier councils, and the need for shelter, perhaps the Blade and Stars as they had discussed. Their recovery from a near-lethal encounter and a respite from the growing tension and unrest upon the streets of Baldur’s Gate would now seem critical, as they consider in earnest the deadly serious mission before them. The dire threat beneath Zodge’s harsh orders has become suddenly clear and intimately personal, as surviving Cultists of the Dark Three…the Dead Three no longer…escape into the unknown darkness, to work their horrific evils upon a caged populace living and suffering in mounting fear of that darkness closing in…
Casta considers the unwelcome Fist's pending arrival and does not want to risk an "interview" at this time, but she takes a moment to wind the chain back onto the grate. She winds and latches the lock tightly against the metal bars so that it will be difficult to pick from the inside. May not stop them, but it may make them move on to the next grate. Do what you can, when you can. The heart is pure. . . . except when it's not. You may have just endangered someone else.
Casta moves south to the gathering party, and fails to find Yokai fading into the crowd. She thinks: He will find us waiting for him back at the Blade and Stars. It is the last place we met, and as good as any other.
She turns to the remaining gathered party, but remains mindful of the earlier loitering lurkers. "Cuspide Corona, let us retire to whence we broke fast. Yokai will find us there, to be sure." She then leads away in a slightly circuitous direction back to the Blade and Stars, intending to head back to the breakfast room but challenge a tail, Flaming Fist or otherwise.
Murdoch unloads and stows his crossbow. He then dons his buckler, wary of another unexpected encounter.
"Retire is a nice way of putting it. We need to rest and recover our resources- I don't think we're walking out of another fight like that," Murdoch says quietly, hoping the looming crowd doesn't hear. "We should stay close together, wounded in the center."
OOC: Good Evening, Adventurers. If you would, please note the different route you intend to take in your return to the Blade and Stars! Many thanks!
Yokai set off scouting to the west. We will circle counterclockwise, moving slightly east to the end of the current block. Move north along the road to the intersection of the main cross-road that leads east to the North side of the Basilisk gate. Move west along that main road to the north end of the block that harbors the Blade and Stars. Move west to just prior to the large triangle intersection. That is a pretty open space, so we avoid the intersection and instead loiter about for a moment and melt into the back alleys. Make extra perception checks in the open area for sure. There is a human story to be told there, to be sure. As we melt into the alleys, we cut south through the back alleys immediately north of the Blade and Stars and come to our intended destination from the north / i.e. back door in the Blade and Stars.
Will pay special attention to Feldinor and anyone who notices anything interesting to alter the intended path.
"Keep a weather eye out, mates. Eyes in front. Belmort next. Murdoch's right."
OOC: Excellent! Please confirm, if you would, the dashed blue route shown above as your intended path of return. Hopefully, I've captured it correctly, with your approximate loiter point being the arrowhead closest to the massive triangular intersection, and immediately prior to your withdrawal into the back alleys.
OOC: Separately then, if each member of the company returning by this path can please provide two (2) Perception checks, the journey may begin. A Good Evening to all!
"Hey...Hey...Hey!" Feldinor shouts back to the group emerging from the tunnel at the sound of chains being tied up. Knowing he cannot keep pace with Yokai and further knowing that there are many items left behind that he would rather not have to re-purchase, Feldinor moves back towards the assembling companions. "Did we pick up our things from the tunnel? Hmmmmm?" OOC:I didn't see an entry that said "I pick up Feldinor's items" but I did see that Rigor was standing in the same square and we were not being accosted. So I will proceed as if we did pick things up.
"Thank you." Feldinor retrieves his blade and bow from his companions to resheath and restow them on his small but STOUT frame. "I've lost sight of Yokai...that way." Feldinor points to the west. "He may be hunting them. And I unfortunately do not remember these sewers as good as I wanted to. So I cannot offer where they may be heading." Looking at the chain now brutishly wrapped around the sewer gate, "I guess following them is now out...and looking at everyone's current physical state..." while ignoring my own ... "I take it that we are not giving chase?"
Upon hearing Casta's suggestion for second breakfast, Feldinor's priorities shift. "Great idea! That is what was wrong with our tactics. We were fighting on empty stomachs since we didn't have second breakfast yet! what were we thinking?" Feldinor starts off in the direction Casta suggests, but wondering why we don't just go the other way? Well once the woman has her mind set on something, it seems awfully futile to change it. Probably would argue in the street longer than it would take just to walk the long way around anyway. ahhh...it gives me an opportunity to see what the city streets can tell me about the goings on.
Perception 16
Perception 22
Rigor offers a small smile at Feldinor’s initial alarm, and raises the shortsword and shortbow, one in each hand, that he brought out with him.
OOC: picked them up in entry 396!
”You’re welcome,” Rigor says quietly. He nods in approval of Casta’s plan after looking about for Yokai, and further assesses their surroundings as they begin their return to the inn.
Perception rolls:
7, 18
Sorore quickly looks about, casts a minor thaumaturgy to make her eyes appear human, a blue lighter than her skin. She pulls her hood back to better view her surroundings, staying in the midst of the company as her companions set forth.
Perception 11, Perception 20
OOC: @ GM Exactly perfect.
Perception13
Perception15
Perception6
Perception 10
Belmort will follow the described path back to the Blade and Stars.
OOC:
Maestro, A little traveling music, please. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8qMyBWZNw0
Though this is more on point: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODh6xMJbKFE
Perception 18
Perception 13
Fimrold holds the rear of the group, trusting the taller of his companions to be the forward eyes. His stout legs do their best to keep pace with everyone while his heavy footfalls and labored breaths constantly remind the party of his position.
Perception 19
Perception 20
OOC: My apologies, Adventurers, for my own delayed response. Had a week of major deliverables, an O-9 and staff half-day visit to the Laboratory, and health concerns. Feeling better today after meds and over 10 hours of sleep last night, though, so stand by for content! First, another (potential) series of some required rolls for the record...
7
6
4
1
54
7
OOC: OK! That's exactly (seriously!) what I needed to know...:-)
9, 20
Their decisions made, A Cuspide Corona emerges from the shadowed alley and turns once more, just briefly, up the wide cobblestone street climbing towards the Basilisk Gate. The tense masses of common folk and refugees have largely returned to walking within close proximity to the narrow passage’s mouth, with the violence now abated, although some among them noticing the bloodied state of the adventurers try to avoid their path.
Feldinor moves out in front, eyes trained upon the pulse of the street, with Belmort close behind and carving out a far wider path with his hulking form. Casta, and Murdoch upon her right, travel next, followed by Rigor and Sorore, with the heavily armored Fimrold holding the rear guard as they enter the throngs of the chaotic tangle of people within the Gate under siege. The companions soon turn at the first left, by the route Casta has planned, and more fully into the chill northern wind driving the low clouds above the city rolling to the south. This cross-street is almost level and also less crowded, making the stone buildings seem to lean even closer out and above the roadway.
The walk among other travelers on-edge around them is far longer in this stretch, though still perhaps under 500 feet, by the time the company reaches the next intersection. It is a major one, broader still than the one fronting that fateful alleyway, and just as filled with the tension of the masses. As the adventurers prepare to turn left again, heading down-slope and to the south and west, Sorore and Murdoch become aware that the company is being watched and approached. Their revelation comes from the crowds fearfully rustling and parting for a single figure passing in their midst, walking calmly towards them – a tall moon elf, with very pale, almost bluish-tinted skin, and long black hair just a shade deeper than the dark gray hues of his tailored, richly embroidered raiment and cloak. Sorore and Murdoch’s chance observations are enough to discern the elf’s path is deliberately intended to soon cross their own…
OOC: Hail once again, Adventurers. With the advance warning of this meeting granted by a couple of initial Perception results, you've gained the opportunity to act prior to the elf's apparent objective of connecting with the company. I'll look forward to your actions, if any, that you might take to preclude this outcome!
Feldinor blissfully continues his original path.
"Make way here. A Cuspide Corona coming through."