After the group has departed the house and been seen to Vaclav will find an alley and sit down. He will then send Chernobog back to the manor, specifically the open window. Watching through Chernobog's eyes he will wait until the coast is clear and then have the bird fly in and pick up the book before flying it up to the roof. He has Chernobog find a good spot to leave the book where it won't be found from the ground and then go sit a ways away, watching over it.

After 6 more hours he will have Chernobog go pick up the book and fly it to himself.

Chernobog is successful in his heist and recovers the book, taking it off to a hidden nook on the rooftop.   Assuming nothing untoward happens he will be free to go and collect it later that afternoon.

Louis heads for the Torrent, a bit pensive and nervous about the direction his life is taking.

You all head out of the manor house, taking one long look behind you at the life of luxury you are giving up.

A few minutes later the Torrent comes into view and you push the door open to reveal a mostly empty taproom.  The usual regulars who never seem to leave are in: three rough types who are already into their cups and laughing at their sordid jokes when it's not even mid-morning yet.  Unknown to most of you, one of them is one of Nos Heliwr's "pets".

In one corner sits a sullen-looking Varnell who is nursing a drink of dark looks and bitter aroma.  It seems to suit him and his mood.   He looks up as you enter and scowls.  He sits at a table big enough for you all to gather around.

Vaclav wanders over and sits at the table with him. "Apparently we're supposed to get directions from you on what the next moves against the others are." 

Varnell waits for you all to sit yourselves and then addresses you all.

"You know what the boss wants," he begins.  "Things are stirring in the north and we need to respond.   Me and the boys can keep his lordship's interests protected," he assures you.  "Hillsend would have been dealt with by us," he continues before you can bring that incident up, "but the boss wanted to use it as a test for you all.   Seems you did well."  With this you see him grin and it doesn't do anything to improve his looks but it is the first sign of approval you've seen from him.

"So now, we have a job for you, if you're willing.   Baron Arbek has already shown his hand by attacking Hillsend.  Now it's time for us to move.  The baron wants some setbacks to befall his rival in the north.   I have a list of five targets for you.  Exactly what happens to those targets is totally up to you but the more disruptive to Arbek's schemes the better."  Varnell scratches at the long, ugly scar down the front of his face and his ruined eye, and then scratches at his chest.  As he's tugging at his chest the motion reveals that he's wearing a suit of what looks like chainmail under his heavy cloak.   You have not seen anyone else in this region with such an expensive set of armour before (yourselves excluded).

"The targets the baron would like disrupting are: Arbek's food warehouses, the Lighthouse at Eli, the Enforcer Training Camp at Paradin, the main bridge at Paradin and the kennels at Paradin.   I can explain more about any and all those targets if you have questions; which I'm sure you will."

"I'd like to know more about the Enforcer Training Camp and the kennels," Claire says immediately.  "And perhaps a bit about the Lighthouse."  She frowns at the thought of hitting the food warehouses and the main bridge, thinking of the impact that would have on trade and the commoners, rather than the Baron himself.  "I'd rather target those who aren't civilians most directly."  The thought of affecting a lighthouse, and the potential havoc that could wreak on shipping routes bothers her for a moment, before she remembers the Merchant Guild's blind eye to slave trading.  "What can you tell us about these three targets?" she asks.

Varnell takes a sip of his dark drink as the landlord arrives to ask you all for your orders for drinks and any food you might wish for.   As the landlord takes your orders, Varnell watches you all but does not speak.   Once the innkeeper has departed to fetch your orders he resumes.

"The training camp is where Titus - the Overseer - trains his recruits.  It's located across the river from the town of Paradin. A large facility based around a lake and a series of small buildings. There are a few enforcers there and lots of recruits. Any damage to this facility would affect the Baron's ability to train more enforcers and protect his assets.  Of course, should Titus meet an unfortunate end the impact on the baron's enforcers would be huge," he finishes with a nasty grin.

"The kennels are located inside the grounds of Barok Arbek's estate.  They are run by a bestial man named Kash.  Any damage inflicted upon them would weaken his enforcers as they use the dogs as trackers, hunters and war dogs," he tells you.

"The lighthouse is located inside the village of Eli.  It's used to help the local fishermen navigate, though most of them know the local waters well enough not to need it.  It is very useful to visiting Guild ships in these waters.  If it were out of action and a Guild ship was to come into difficulties as a result, Baron Arbek's reputation with the Guild would suffer greatly.  That would have a direct impact on his ability to trade and his influence in the area."

He looks across at you all as he finishes his dark beverage and wipes the sleeve of his tunic across his mouth.

Claire rubs her chin.  "To be honest, I'd rather we hit either the kennels or the lighthouse.  I have my obvious biases, but if what Lucius said was true, this Titus is going to be a formidable opponent.  Anyone who can inspire such confidence in his men despite their Baron's terrible reputation will have them fighting until their last breath to defend him.  There are easier ways to weaken the enforcers than to confront them head-on.  I am rather partial to the lighthouse option... for personal reasons, of course.  A baron can manage to recover his army, but losing his reputation will be a much harsher blow."

"Well," responds Varnell, "the more targets you cripple or damage, the better.  Two is better than none; though I suspect his lordship might be a little disappointed if you are only prepared to go that far.  He is expecting you to work for him which means doing what you are asked.  If you don't have the stomach for a little unpleasantness, then perhaps you're not the people we thought you were," he says leaning in towards Claire.

Claire simply stares at Varnell.  "You are hardly in any position to be speaking to me about unpleasantness," she says curtly.

Intimidation: 14

Varnell doesn't blink but he does sit back in his chair and call for more coffee.

"So, what is your plan?" he asks you all after the landlord arrives with your ordered drinks and snacks and then departs again.

Nos Heliwr looks at Varnell with a flat expression, “Food, reputation, bridge, dogs and other dogs; why is the bridge important? As I think about it striking the lighthouse first would surely draw out some enforcers,” his expression changes to one of cold delight. “Into an ambushcade if we are lucky. Then the bridge, where we might get a few more. Burn the kennels, the enforcers should respond in force to that, knowing by that time that our attacks are not just a one-off, and this would be the time to hit the training  camp; hit-and-run, heading for the warehouses as we quit the area. At least that is my initial sequencing of targets,” he looks at Varnell. “Do you have any maps of the area?”

Varnell smirks as Nos Heliwr outlines his beginnings of a campaign plan.  "Paradin Bridge links Paradin and Eli which provides a critical section of the Baron's infrastructure.   Be aware it is made of stone and would take quite some effort to damage.  But it is usually utterly unguarded, other than the few caravans who occasionally pass over it - and their guards."

"As for maps, I can get you a rough sketch but that is all it is.  Maps are not common in this part of the world, I'm afraid."

"You do a lot of mining around here. Would anyone in town have extras of whatever you use to quickly clear rocks that we could commandeer? Anything that can destroy a cave can likely destroy a bridge." Vaclav says as he watches the sketches.

Varnell rubs his chin.  "I'm not sure what mystical powers you are talking about, but around here we mostly use chisels I think."

OOC:  Lucarcia is not a very technological region (any more - maybe it was more so back 500 years ago at the time of the Rainbow Empire).  Things like dynamite or any quasi-magical equivalent don't really exist.

"I'm hugely in favor of disrupting the lighthouse.  If we break the lighting mechanism and spares early in the day, unseen of course, there is a possibility that we could be away and gone by the time anyone finds out."  And I would get to poke the Guild in the eye.  Glorious.  "We should take some time in Paradin first, get a lay of the land.  Perhaps do some reconnoitering?"

"As I said, I'm not a fan of attack supplies of food or upsetting trade routes.  It will hurt the civilians more than the Baron, and I am not interested in that.  But I agree, the Lighthouse is a target I could fully support.  And if Enforcers come out along the way to see why something has affected the shipping route, well, I suppose we could thin their numbers then with an ambush," she agrees with a nod towards Nos.

“These are all targets I think we can manage. But the kennels have to come first if we hope to avoid being hit ourselves as we linger in the area. I suggest poison. Have anything like that, Varnell?”

"Now that I've pondered it a bit more, the kennels would be a good idea, I could use some ingredients from around here to make something . . . special that would keep the dogs off our backs. I'll need a bit of time to round up what I can find, preparing shouldn't take too long. One thing, everybody needs to have a small pouch of ground pepper, black's fine but red'd be much better.  Toss that into a slavering hounds face, a bit tricksy admittedly, an' they'll have other things t' worry 'bout than tryin' t' chew yer leg off. Now human dogs . . ." Nos Heliwr's expression is quite harsh.