Quivering Corruption (DM Lerus)

NEAR THE EAST BRIDGE

While Utar and Litta look worriedly at the Brokengulf's Estate from a distance, Graxx approaches Aleyd and shows some curiosity about her holy abilities. She replies: "I am humbled by your interest. Utar once asked me a very similar question, but that was before Litta convinced him that the way of the cleric was best suited for him." She smiles, apparently enjoying the pleasant memory. She then looks Graxx in the eye and delivers her short but assertive sermon: "Devotion is the first step, honor the second, and balance the third. I have seen first hand that you have mastered the first two already, but your personal scale is, by your own admission, severely tilted towards aggression. My advice is for you to seek to right your personal scale with whatever counterweight suits you and Tempus the best. Remember that this counterweight will form the basis for your eventual oath to Tempus, so choose wisely. Do that and commune with your deity. You are a splendid candidate for a paladin oath, and I am sure Tempus agrees."

Separately, Doozey settles in to keep an eye on the vanguard. He jumps into Biscuit's vision just as the mystical beast is plunging into a garden bush.

Utar isn't sure why he's keeping his eyes on the edge of the Brokengulf estate given he lost track of Moneus, Neya and Biscuit shortly after they set off, but still he doesn't feel right looking away.

"Torm watch over them. My amulet had sentimental value. Lightbringer is a priceless relic. I just want to see my friends come back safe."

Graxx takes in Aleyd’s words with sincere interest.

”A counterweight to balance... Hmm.”

Graxx nods in understanding.

”Thank you Captain.  I will heed your words.”

Graxx continues to wait nervously for word from the recon team.

Doozey continues to give the play by play as the souting team progresses, and with only side commentary being a mild complaint about "Doors are gonna be a problem". As for Biscuit....

(Cont. in seperate post)

Neya comes down from her perch (slow fall) and beckons Moneus and Biscuit as she brings their attention to the lazy rivers. She leads them in a path that would avoid the guards as they approach the main manor, as its the main point of interest, stopping at a nearby hiding place. As they get closer she will try to figure out a way to cross the moat and looks to see if there are any open windows as external doors may not be the best option.

Stealth: 34

Perception: 21

The Mystic Mastiff seemed hesitant given the openness of the area. But trusting the pretty smart lady direction, he tried to keep out of the line of sight paths of the guards as much as possible. But, if it came down to someone needing to play a distraction, Biscuit was more than happy and prepared to lead the guards on a playful and merry chase around the grounds to lead them generally away from the main manor to ease the other twos infiltration!

Stealth: 16. (if necessary)

NEAR THE EAST BRIDGE

Aleyd nods at Graxx and adds: "There is a small shrine to Tempus in the old part of town. Have you visited it yet?"

Litta tries to calm Utar down: "Do not worry. Torm is guiding them."

A stranger sits next to Doozey to listen to his enticing adventure tale. When Doozey describes the lazy river moats, Utar comes to a realization...

AT THE NOBLE GROUNDS

DM's Screen:

-> Moneus' stealth check: 27 (OOC: I think I used the wrong modifier earlier.) 

Neya leaps and lands, informs the team about the lazy rivers, and then leads them to a closer hiding spot to the manor's main entrance. While they move, instinct gets the best of Biscuit and he barks at a passing guard. Thankfully, Neya's ongoing spell masks and mutes the bark, leaving the guard none the wiser.

Once in their new, closer spot, Neya takes a peek and notices that cute, arched, tiny, decorative bridges have been built to cross the lazy rivers. The one closest to them leads to the area right in front of the manor's porch. Unfortunately, there are two soldiers keeping watch on that porch at this very moment. Alternatively, she notices that two windows are wide-open: one to the left of the porch on the first floor, and another on the right side of manor's façade, on the second floor. This is a two story manor, and it is wider than it is tall. 

Utar suddenly twigs why his contact with Yalek suddenly blinked out. Turning his attention from the edge of the estate, Utar lets his eyes wander around the streets trying to make sure they aren't being set up.

Perception - 27

Graxx heads drop to the ground in defeat.

”Yes... The shrine.  Every time we get a little break between adventures I stop by there.  I have left a letter or two telling the person who overseas it where they can find me.”

Graxx sighs.

”They have at least one of my letters but so far have not tried to reach me.”

Graxx talks as he listens to Doozey.

”So far so good.”

Neya points at the window, indicating a possible point of entry as Biscuit may more trouble getting into the one on the second floor. With the same type of covert tactics, she leads them to the window, using one of a slightly more out-of-the-way bridge to get across the moat. Once there, she will look inside the window.

Stealth: 20

Perception: 22

A blissfully unaware Doozey continues his report, as either noone around cared about the rando having popped a squat nearby... or weren't all that concerned yet. Meanwhile...!

Biscuit followed after Neya wagging his tail, seeming rather proud of himself for having successfully shown that guard up. Though it takes probably a second or two for her gesturing to get across, the Mastiff eventually nods stays low as he bads after Neya, testing the bridge a few times before actually applying his weight onto it and following along.

Stealth: 35.

Investigation: 12.

If at any point it looks as if the porch guards or another might start looking in their direction, he'd start urging Neya from behind to go through the window. But otherwise, he's content to wait and keep an eye out until she slips inside.

NEAR THE EAST BRIDGE

Utar continues to keep an eye out but turns his head around a bit as to investigate his surroundings. It is a beautiful morning and many folks are out and about. As best as Utar can tell, no one seems to be keeping a particularly malicious eye on the group near the bridge. Well, no one except the townsman who is currently quite invested into Doozey's story, although his maliciousness is coming from the fact that he is rooting for the spy in the story to get caught, "so the tale can get more interesting!"

More broadly, however, in the distance, one of the Brokengulf's retinue soldiers keeping an eye on the entrance to the estate seems to have noticed the stationary party by the bridge. He is not doing anything about it, but has acknowledged the party's presence. Litta notices this too, and whispers: "Our dear captain's armor is a bit of a beacon. There is no mistaking who she is in this town, and that soldier knows it too."

Meanwhile, Graxx continues to converse with the good captain. She responds: "Well, with those letters in hand, I'm sure they will find you eventually. Have you tried speaking with Tempus himself at the shrine? Praying? Communing? I can see a paladin of Tempus doing just that." She winks at Graxx. 

AT THE NOBLE GROUNDS

DM's Screen:

-> Moneus' stealth check: 23 

Neya's spell continues to throw every soldier on guard duty for a loop. The trio advances swiftly and silently, even after Biscuit pauses for a moment to ensure the mostly decorative bridge can support his weight. It can. Moneus continues to follow Neya's lead, making sure to offer his help as needed (once per "round").

The team crouches into a bush just under the open window. Neya peeks inside and is immediately hit with the smells of savory meals being prepared in what is obviously the kitchen. Moneus whispers a snarky comment: "It is a bit strange to have the kitchen be one of the rooms facing the front of the house, is it not?"

Half-dozen servants work in the kitchen. They are peeling, chopping, boiling, tasting, salting, and barking instructions at each other. They are lost in the task at hand. Biscuit is probably salivating. Neya can see four doors leading out of the kitchen, two of which are still swinging open from a servant or another coming in or out. One of such doors clearly leads into a large pantry/larder. The other connects to a common eating area. Judging by the worn wooden furniture, Neya deduces that it is the servants' dining room. 

Satisfied they aren't being watched, Utar picks up on Litta's comments.

"Do we need a reason to be out here, all of us together?"

Shooting a glance down to Doozey as the halfling relates his experience through his connection with his furry brother. Arching an eyebrow he looks around the group,

"We could say we're helping out a... clearly addled, less fortunate member of our town? Found on the street, babbling incoherently? He's a dear friend and needs the help of his friends."

Graxx looks up to the sky inquisitively.

"Hmm.  I have not tried that admittedly.  I have always tried pleasing Tempus through acts of battle but I have not tried actually communing with Tempus.  If you think it will work I will most certainly give it a try when we're done with all this mess."

Graxx responds to Doozey's play by play.

"The closer the get to people the more nervous I get."

"The dining hall on the other side of that door may have a way into the hallways," Neya whispers, "We follow a servant into the dining room - less chance of running into someone on the way back to the kitchen. Then, stick to the walls."

Neya climbs into the kitchen and moves through it, being careful not to bump into anyone as she leads the others through the room and following though with the plan. Providing help should the need arise.

Stealth: 34

 NEAR THE EAST BRIDGE

Litta answers Utar's first question: "Well, we do want to be able to come to their aid should they need it, don't we? Where do you suggest we go instead of here? As for your "addled friend" tale, should we have to tell it, we better have a good reason for him needing direct support from a Black Fist captain."

Aleyd puts a hand on Graxx's shoulder: "I'm sure Tempus is satisfied with your battle tributes, but should you want to follow the path of a paladin, you'll need to commune with him through more than just your weapon of choice."

AT THE NOBLE GROUNDS

-> Moneus' stealth check: 30 

Neya chooses her path into the manor, sticking to the leftmost door, which leads into the servants' dining area. Both her and Moneus are able to pass through the kitchen unnoticed. It remains to be seen if Biscuit will be as skilled.

MAP:

Biscuit almost doesn't catch any of it, so infatuated was he by the scent of a fresh meal. But after some plaintive whimpers, he too followed the duo. Buuuuuut, if there's even a remote chance of snagging a small smackerel of an unwatched sandwhich or slab of meat unnoticed along the way, then... there's just no way he can resist.

Biscuit Stealth: 28. (if at disadvantage for stealing food: 23.)

Biscuit Sleight of Maw: 11.

Its around this point of Doozey's play by play that he grumbles and rubs at his face. "For Big Mama's sake, ya bloody glutton. You're on the job." He says, despite knowing only everyone else but either himself or Biscuit could hear the words.