[Completed] Corvin/Mordred/Kasper Adventure 1: Battleaxe Gang

[shaidar]

Corvin

"Sounds like a plan. Locate and surveil the tower to confirm their presence, then do some research."

Corvin sounds more confident and sure of himself. This was exactly the sort of thing he'd been trained for!

[archolewa]

The group makes their winding way into the west side of the city. The northwestern quadrant is a mix of homes, and warehouses for the nearby docks. The southwestern quadrant is mostly homes, and the tower sits right on the border between north and west. The trio dodge around giggling children, and duck past laundry hung out to dry. Mordred also has to worry about dodging Sebastian's smirk and elbow every time they walk past a girl of marriageable age who sees Mordred's starburst. A few said girls note Mordred's starburst, but most seem busy chasing children, washing, stitching or sparring.

The Thornhedges are thinner this far from the Wall, though many of the residents have built wooden fences between their houses to impede progress. Nonetheless, the going gets easier despite the twisting, muddy roads and jumpled homes. As the sun reaches its peak, the trio enter a more rundown, less populated section of the city. The children are the first to thin out, followed quickly by the adults.

The homes look more and more neglected, some even fully boarded up, as if something were pushing people away from this part of the city. Some creeping dread lurking just under the skin. Sebastian shivers and rubs his arms, muttering something about missing the Wall.

Suddenly, the trio stumble upon a courtyard, with the tower sitting in the middle. The courtyard is about 16 to 20 feet in diameter, the houses growing no closer than eight feet from the tower, though most are closer to ten feet. The tower extends between 35 and 40 feet up, looming above the relatively squat homes.

The twisting streets mean the trio have come in from the north. They can see a large heavy wooden door reinforced with bronze allowing entrance into the tower. There is a narrow window above the door, likely looking into the second floor. A small chimney rises on the east, and the group can see the tip of a larger chimney rising a bit above the roof of the tower on the southern side.

A quick, careful circuit around the courtyard (staying in the shadows of the buildings, ducking through alleys, and scrambling over fences) reveals two more windows on the southwestern side of the tower, one looking into the second floor, and one positioned to look into a likely third floor. All the windows seem to be shuttered.

[Edeldhur]

Mordred

Mordred navigated the winding streets with a mix of focus and amusement, occasionally smirking at Sebastian's teasing. As they moved into the more desolate part of the city, his expression grew serious, mirroring the eerie atmosphere.

When they reached the courtyard and surveyed the tower, he spoke quietly to the others - "Looks like this place hasn't seen much life for a while. It might be just the kind of spot they’d use for hiding someone"

Considering their options, his eyes scanned for any signs of movement or hidden threats - "We should decide how to approach this. We can try to sneak in through the windows if they’re not locked too tightly, or go for the door directly, though that might be riskier. Or we can just sit tight and wait for a while, see if there are any comings and goings. Thoughts?" - he looked at Corvin and Sebastian.

[shaidar]

Corvin

As the surroundings get more and more run-down and uninhabited, Corvin wonders aloud if this is the work of the magic on the tower, or the gang, or perhaps both.

Considering their options, his eyes scanned for any signs of movement or hidden threats - "We should decide how to approach this. We can try to sneak in through the windows if they’re not locked too tightly, or go for the door directly, though that might be riskier. Or we can just sit tight and wait for a while, see if there are any comings and goings. Thoughts?" - he looked at Corvin and Sebastian.

"There are a lot of empty buildings around. We could find one with a good view of the tower and settle down and watch for a while."

[archolewa]

Hope you don't mind me not waiting on an assent from you Edeldhur. We're moving at a pretty good pace right now, and I want to keep it going.
Sebastian nods, looking a mite relieved. "Yes, that sounds like a good plan to me."

It doesn't take long to find an abandoned home with a clear view of the tower door, and even less time to break in and reach the second story. They settle in to watch. The sun slowly moves across the western sky.

As the sun begins to set, the western sky ablaze with light, the dimming city replete with long shadows, the door opens. Corvin is on watch at the moment. A robed figure in a hood steps out, and hurries across the courtyard. The figure pauses while halfway across, and looks up. Corvin can just make out a young, feminine face, though any other details are obscured by the evening shadows and the woman's hood.

The woman's eyes sweep across the buildings. Contested check: her wisdom vs. Corvin's dexterity. Corvin gets a +4 bonus due to being in a dim window. Also, he will get to roll his hide in shadows. If he passes hide in shadows, he remains unseen regardless of what she rolls.

Figure's roll: 1d20+13 = 29. Corvin's hide in shadows: 1d20+3 = 5 < 20, Corin's Dex: 1d20+16+4 = 29! Players win ties. Thank the Seer for dim windows.

For a moment, the woman's eyes linger on the window where Corvin watches, and the Lupine barely breaths. But then, the woman turns her attention back to the street in front of her and resumes walking.

[shaidar]

Corvin

The lupine slowly breathes out and watches the woman until she is out of sight, noting her exit route.

Once she's gone he'll inform the others.

"I assume it'll get busier around here after dark. The question is how long to watch for. If we're going to enter the tower we need a better idea of who else might be in there."

[Edeldhur]

Mordred

Mordred watches Corvin closely as he relays what he saw. He nods, acknowledging the importance of gathering more information - "We're lucky she didn't spot you. That could have complicated things"

He glances out the window, considering the setting sun and the growing shadows - "It is a risk but I agree, we should stay put for a bit longer. We need to get a clearer picture of who else might be using this place. If that woman is part of the gang, she might not be the only one coming and going"

Mordred then adds - "We can continue taking a few shifts into the middle of the night maybe? But then we should go, rest, research, and perhaps come back tomorrow" - he positions himself where he can observe both the tower and the routes leading away from it, prepared to relay any new developments to the group - "Rest up a bit, I take this next watch"

[shaidar]

Corvin

"Sounds like a good plan. They were always going on in training about how a mission would fail with insufficient intelligence."

He finds a spot to take a nap, something else they learned to do in almost any situation during training.

[archolewa]

A few more hours pass, and full darkness settles in. Starlight fills the night sky. A half-moon hangs in the eastern sky. The door opens again, lantern light spilling into the courtyard (Light! This gang is doing well for itself if it can afford to burn lantern oil just because!). Three boisterous figures emerge, the door swinging shut behind them, and cutting off most of the light. One of the men carries a lit lantern. All are armed with short swords and wearing leather armor. One of them also carries a club.

None of them are Hrek, and all are human. The group circles around the tower, apparently heading south towards the houses (the woman who left earlier went north towards the docks/warehouses/commercial parts of the city).

Between the darkness, and the lantern ruining the mens' night vision, they have no chance of seeing Mordred in the window.

[Edeldhur]

Mordred

Mordred remains alert as darkness settles in, his eyes fixed on the tower. The quiet of the night is broken by the creak of the door and the spill of lantern light into the courtyard. He watches the three figures emerge, noting their weapons and armor.

He waits until they’re out of earshot before waking Corvin, his voice barely above a whisper - “A group of three just left the tower. Looks like they’re heading south. Not Hrek, but they’re definitely part of the gang. Armed and armored too”

Mordred shifts slightly to keep an eye on the route the men took - “This gang is well-equipped, burning lantern oil just like that... We need to be cautious, but I think we should follow them” - he seems ready to go if his companions agree.

[shaidar]

Corvin

Corvin listens to Mordred's report and considers their options for a second before nodding.

"Let's see where they go. I doubt the tower is their only base of operation." he whispers back.

[archolewa]

The trio have no trouble following the men. They're boisterous, deafening their ears to any other sound. Their lantern light is like a beacon on the dark streets and blinding their own eyes. The three gang members go south a block or two, not far. They pause before a door and pound on it.

"Oye!" calls one of the men, while the others giggle. "Time for yer, he he, taxes!"

The door opens, and an older man looks out nervously. He looks to be in his sixties. A hand and foot are missing. A veteran of the war most likely, discharged decades ago, perhaps mutilated during the Retreat, supposed to be enjoying his twilight years in a peace that no one thought would come. "Jus' a few more days good sirs. My son's wages haven't arrived yet--"

"That's what ye said yesterday, and the day before that," said the leader of the thugs. He gave the old man a shove. "Guess we'll have to come and take yer taxes."

There was the slither of drawn steel. The old man held a short sword in a slightly shaking hand, though based on the glint in his eye, it shook due to age and not fear. "Go back to your wretched hole, leave honest folk in peace!"

The three men drew their own blades.

"Big mistake grandpa," said the leader of the thugs in a low, dangerous voice. "Drop your sword, and I might just take a few fingers. If'n you don't, well then you'll be racking up quite the fees. And we'll be taking the grandkids to pay for 'em."

[shaidar]

Corvin

As he hears the threats of the thugs, Corvin's hands clench and his hackles rise. He manages to surpress a growl and whispers as quietly as he can: "We must stop them."

[archolewa]

Corvin

As he hears the threats of the thugs, Corvin's hands clench and his hackles rise. He manages to surpress a growl and whispers as quietly as he can: "We must stop them."

I'm going to assume that Corvin and Mordred learned some basic hand signals for communicating silently in dangerous situations as part of their training together, and Corvin gave the sign for "advance" or "engage" so that he didn't have to risk being overheard.

[Edeldhur]

Mordred

Mordred feels a surge of anger at the thugs' cruelty, but he keeps his voice calm and steady as he whispers to Corvin and Sebastian - “Agreed. We can’t let this happen”

He quickly assesses the situation, eyes darting from the thugs to the old man and back - “We’ll approach like we’re just passersby. Corvin, you and Sebastian follow my lead. Let’s act casual, but be ready"

(If Corvin agrees)

Mordred then nods firmly, signaling for them to move. He takes a deep breath, steps out of the shadows, and calls out as if just noticing the scene - “Evening gents. Is everything ok?”

[shaidar]

Corvin

Corvin signals the affirmative, and tries to walk like he's a little drunk.

[archolewa]

The three thugs whirl to face the trio, swords pointed forward. The leader holds up his lantern, and he hesitates a moment when Mordred's starburst pendant sparkles in the faint light. He sees Corvin swaying a little, and sneers.

"Ain't none of your business friends," says the thug. "Just a friendly spat between neighbors. Now, get you along before you find yourself in a world of trouble."

As the thug speaks, a strange feeling of dread settles over the trio. It's faint, and easily ignored, but very much there, and not something you would have expected to feel. A bit of fear perhaps, you are only human, anger certainly, but dread? When facing off against three motley thugs and deserters?

[Edeldhur]

Mordred

Mordred keeps his posture relaxed and his expression calm, but the faint sense of dread gnaws at the edges of his mind. Ignoring it for now, he responds - "Easy there, friends. We’re just passing by, saw the commotion and thought we’d check in"

He nods toward Corvin - "No need for trouble. Maybe we can help sort this out without anyone getting hurt?" - Mordred's eyes flick briefly to the old man, then back to the leader - "What’s the issue? Maybe there’s a way to resolve it without all this tension?"

He hopes to buy time and get closer, ready to act if things take a turn for the worse, all while trying to gauge the thugs' reactions and the source of the strange feeling of dread.

(Anything distinctive about these 'men' that Mordred can notice?)

[archolewa]

(Anything distinctive about these 'men' that Mordred can notice?)

The fellas look like standard thugs, armed and armored like light infantry, which supports Ol' Will's assessment that they were deserters, or at least ex military. People are generally expected to provide their own arms and armor and take them with them when they are discharged.

No sign of where the dread could be coming from. Intelligence check: 1d20+14+1(Arcane Lore) = 32 > 20 Though based on your training, you suspect that these fellas aren't the *source* of the dread. Tied to it somehow, but not the cause.

We'll be rolling a Charisma check to see how your suggestion plays out. 1d20+9 = 12 < 20.

"I said get out of here!" snarls the thug, taking a threatening step forward. "This ain't your business, this ain't your part of town. Now get you gone!"

[shaidar]

Corvin

Pushing aside the odd feeling of dread, Corvin stumbles up behind Mordred.

"No need to be like that, the boss was just trying to help."

The lupine is ready to jump one of the men, but waits for Mordred's reaction.