Arc 3 - Glimmers in the Dark (Main Roleplay)

[Mongooseh]

"You've made me wait this long with all your yapping. I think I can hold my patience for your looking and planning." Commented Valac, "And also I may be bloodthirsty but everyone I've killed recently deserved it."  

[PupSage]

"Vivian, you wanted a special mission, you've got it. Stay hidden, if we get into too much trouble, bust the locks. Strength, alchemy, lockpicks, whatever works. Just get them out of those cages." She'll look to Lydia, "I think we're ready."

She will give a final scan of the city below.

Perception NAT 20 +10  

[Rain Yupa]

"Thank you Lydia, this will help," Revenge would say, taking the spyglass to look at the finer details below.

"The cages look pretty standard; no excessively secure way to make the impenetrable. I would think that if those people were going to be part of a ritual, there'd be no reason to need to release them so there'd be no reason for a door. Looks like the Flayers got sloppy in that regard. Bonus for us."

He'd lower the spyglass, looking back at the city with both eyes, before raising the spyglass once more.

"The way the pens are all integrated into the pattern... I think even one empty pen would be enough throw an artificer's wrench into their plans. As callous as this might sound, I'm not sure if precise head counts matter, but having a pen be empty is probably no good at all. Vivian, I think if you're going to go on Kuori's mission, try to pick a cage that's the 'safest' to spring her people from undetected. Closest to a gate, fewest people, least guards, whatever. We're definitely not going to be able to get everyone undetected, but getting one group out will put an immediate stop to them performing the ritual. If at all possible, make it look like they broke out themselves rather than they were let loose, but not if it takes you much longer to accomplish."

Lowering the spyglass, he'd turn to Valac. "I think our best bet is if we are to engage, would be while they are reallocating prisoners to make up for the empty cell, perhaps as soon as the last person is led in but before their escorts get away, so they can't use the prisoners as hostages in battle."

Revenge would wave for Vivian to come closer. "I think... that... might be our best bet," Revenge would say, pointing along the right side, between two stalagmite buildings that seemed closer to one another than the rest. "The shadows are to their benefit, not ours, but see, towards the top, how they have sentries? They don't have as good of an angle downward along that path, and there looks to be more to obfuscate our paths that route. The last thing I want is for you to run into trouble if we're out of range to help."

Revenge would look to Kuori, Valac, and Ruin. "What are your thoughts on this plan? Obviously, we're not going to be able to defeat them all single-handedly; but after hopefully losing two groups of prisoners, they'll stall things and devote resources to looking for us instead, and maybe buy the Arians enough time to do whatever they are doing and get the Mind Flayers' attention. With luck, they'll think it was their scouts that were all up in their business."

After hearing everyone's responses, Revenge would collapse the spyglass and move to return it to Lydia. When she would reach for it, he'd ask her, "What can you tell me about the most powerful devil working with the Mind Flayers? I think it was probably felled in battle, because I think they're trying to resurrect it. You don't need that many sacrifices for some chump Osyluth or Erinyes. I'd rather not get caught with my proverbial pantaloons around my ankles down there if worse comes to worse."

Quote:

24 Preemptive Insight vs Lydia's answer

 

[Southern Cross Nemesis]

Ruin remained quiet to Kouri's retort.

He would prefer Vivian and Irene to be anywhere else than here. Even standing within the Arian camp and talking to a Maukein would be better. No child should be here, under the Raven Queen's talon and within Asmodeus' grasp. And so far away from anyone who didn't seem to see her as just a pawn game. But, what did he expect... Kuori wanted to buy her brother's soul back, instead of taking 15 minutes to help with an exorcism.

Closing his eyes, he would pray he wouldn't regret the next words out of his lips to Vivian. "Assumptions aren't going to help us. Go, find what you can. While we discuss our plan." Gods that was easier when it was Vi he was talking to.

After listening to Revenge's plan, "Do you think they have room for one more in those cages?" Pointing to himself. "What Vivian can do, two can do faster."  

[Rain Yupa]

"It's not the most perfect plan. I'm a paladin, not a warlord. My focus is delaying the ritual, nothing else. If you think you can do it without detection, I don't see why not."

Revenge would pause, looking to the others. "Since Stealth isn't out strong suit, I haven't ruled out the necessity of three of us just walking up to the front gates to draw their attention. I hear that works sometimes."  

[Kowsauni]

Vivian seemed excited at finally being given a mission. "Yeah, I can pick the locks. I've learned from the best! I'll get down there and start busting all your people free in secret. Then, once you get there, you will just have to lead them out! Don't worry, they will never see me coming."

With a grin, Vivian suddenly disappears from sight. Her cloak then appears on the ground next to where she was standing. There is the sound of a slight fluttering of wings, then, nothing.

Once Vivian was gone Irene would speak up. For the first time ever, she sounded nervous, and it didn't seem to be from the Mindflayer citadel in front of them. "Hey...umm...I just wanted to let you guys know. Despite my appearance...I'm...actually kind of good at sneaking around. S-say it is a hobby of mine. I know I was originally just along for the ride, but, now that I've got to know you all I feel kind of invested in this. So...if you want me to help in some way...let me know."

(I'm assuming Kuori is borrowing the spy glass for her perception check so she can actually see things in detail.) Kuori studies the fortress and finds it to be quite well maned with forces continually patrolling the walls and streets. However, something odd catches her eyes. Out in front of the main gate see feels she sees momentary distortion, a shimmer in the air that momentary distorts her vision. And then she notices something else, a footprint in the dust that wasn't there before, seemingly made by by no one. The more she looked more she realized that wasn't the only one. There is a sizable force moving towards the front gate, and they are invisible.

While Kuori makes this stunning observation Lydia answers revenge's question honestly “For one in the business of stealing secrets. I'm afraid I don't know much. He was an arch devil from the forth level of hell. Claimed to be the son of Fierna. Managed to build an army the likes of which had not been seen here in the Underdark in thousands of years. From what you say, he was somehow defeated on the surface and his body destroyed...well, this might be his backup plan. If such a powerful being was to come back to life, well... I don't think I need to explain what would happen.”  

[Southern Cross Nemesis]

Looking at Revenge for confirmation,

" If it is a resurrection circle, don't they need a piece of him for it to work? If so, finding, and destroying, that would ensure they could never bring it back. I mean they could just rekidnap people for this ritual after we leave."

Quote:

Acane +11, just in case it is helpful. knowledge on the ritual and what would suffice as a component

 

[Kowsauni]

From this distance Ruin cannot tell a lot about the circle other than it is magical in nature. It is unlike anything he has seen before so it is impossible to make any assumptions on how its works.  

[PupSage]

"Guys, we don't have time to talk. A small brigade is cloaked at the gate and sneaking in. Aria beat us here. It's now or never." She passes Lydia her telescope and starts making her way down.  

[Southern Cross Nemesis]

With a heavy sigh, Ruin turned to Irene, "Fine, stay near me but, out of sight. Once down there enter the building things and grab anything you can carry that looks important. These Religious bastards should have gold and silver items the goliaths can smelt down and sell to rebuild their city. More importantly, if you find a body part of an archdevil take it so we can destroy it.

That said if you hear one of us yell retreat. Find the safest route back here..."

With that said Ruin was ready.  

[Mongooseh]

"Well there goes any plan." Said Valac shifting to his feet.  

[Rain Yupa]

Quote:

"Well there goes any plan." Said Valac shifting to his feet.

"No. No, we don't know their objective is yet. Reconnaissance? A surprise assault? My plan still stands, just with less time to waste. We have information the Mind Flayers don't have, which is another advantage we have over them, but only if we go immediately."

Revenge would move towards his mount, which he affectionately named 'Beatrice' over the past few days. Saddling up, he secured his shield onto his left arm.

"Irene, if you want to help, your duty will be to help guide the captives that Vivian frees away without detection, if possible. Try to get them to Lydia. Ruin, if you feel like breaking away to look for this archdevil remnant, I can't stop you, but my priority is these people first."

He would turn his head to Kuori, who made the observation. "This goes without saying, but if you spotted Aria, they've probably spotted us. Be careful. There's a good chance that once we move in, they're going to wait for us to draw the Mind Flayers' attention before they act so we should expect to encounter heavy resistance initially."

Turning to Valac, then Ruin, he'd conclude with something inspirational. "Let's do what we do best, and give them Hell." He'd give a quick look to Kuori. "And, uh... Mountain!"

Revenge would squeeze Beatrice's sides with his legs to get it to advance, not spending another moment.  

[Southern Cross Nemesis]

"Revenge, I think you need to leave Beat Stick here." Ruin said before Heading down to the shadowed path.  

[Kowsauni]

“Very well, if you all are ready, I will lead you the rest of the way.”

Lydia continues to guide the party along the hidden path until they reach the top of a pillar that had been secretly hollowed out to to allow travelers to descend to the cavern floor. Once they reach the base the of the pillar they party sees that they are only a dozen or so yards from the Citadel's wall. Guards could be seen occasionally walking by on the top. Lydia would assure the group. “They cannot see us. The opening here is hidden behind ans illusion. Now I'm afraid the lizards will have to stay here , but I'm sure you can do the last couple yards by yourself. You see, over there on the wall, underneath that gouge, there is a disguised crack in the wall large enough for you to squeeze through. We have to watch for when the top of the wall is empty, but when it is, you can make your dash inside.”

Suddenly, a loud explosion shook the entire cavern and lit up the darkness. Smoke and and orange glow could be seen emanating from the direction of the main entrance. All the beastly guards along the wall began running in that direction as the sounds of battle could plainly be heard. “Well, I guess your friends at the gate have made their move. I suggest we make ours.”