FOUR HUNDRED THIRTY SEVEN
(I/C)
The party spent an inordinate amount of time putting a plan together. There were many facets of it, but they were bottlenecked at the end of a hall and the hobs were in a point of strength. So we needed to get out of this area. The first and main part was to get at least into the Sanctuary. And for that they needed to get into the hall between the Sanctuary and Mirabellis’ chamber.
But that was too close to the hobgoblin position. So Brendon was going to drink his potion and go to the hall, make his way to the Sanctuary, and then oil up the southmost double doors and let the party know to force it open and get through.
“I’m game for winking out and prepping the door for a silent entry,” Brendon said. “Can I bring that?” he asked Kovid, pointing to the Theystran Hammer, “Just in case the hammer does help with the silence in the chapel, I promise I’ll give it back.”
“No offence, Master Brendon,” Kovid assured him, “but I’ll not let this one out of my hand for any reason.”
“You won’t need de silence,” Wyn assured Brednon. “Just be safe.” He pointed to the Scout’s light coin, “Also, Du Lac, I would keep yer light as hidden as possible. If ye cen sneak wit out de light... dat may be de best. You know how far ye need to go en dat it’s trois doors away... any light will only bring de Hobs down de hall. Be careful, mon ami.”
“Be careful Brendon,” Lyra assured him, “Don’t do anything stupid or risky. If it looks bad just come back.”
Taking out the potion of invisibility, Brendon turned to the Magic User and asked, “Lannis hand me the oil please before I drink.”
"Don't drink the oil, it's bad for you,” he handed over a flask of oil, making sure Brendon put it away. “You should know this. I'll be here, bringing up the rear, the man with the magical fire power ready to once again save the day.”
“Great.”
“I should start counting how many...times...are you guys listening?"
Kovid was at the door with Brendon, hand on his back, giving him some last advice. “Try to whisper through the door or give a light rub or scratch to signal that you’ve oiled the hinges and we can open it. No loud noises. Once opened, I’ll try to be the first one in the room so Theystra’s hammer triggers the silence effect.”
"Vaya con dios, Brawndawn,” Abraxas joined the two men at the door, the Fighter offering another vial of oil. “You need mas?”
Brendon shook his head, “Shouldn’t be needed. Goal is to oil 4 hinges, the flask is more than sufficient for that matter.”
Abraxas nodded, “Bueno.” He took out the spool of blue ribbon. “Yo will uso ese Ribbon Azul cuando we get a el puerto, si el puerto no es abrir. En ese scenario, Breendean, give dos tugs quarto si necessitas mas tiempo, o start to reel it in, similar a pole de fishing, si necessitamos push para our side. Pero si el puerto es abrir, vayamos inside el Chapel. Es mas facil.”
“Will do.” Brendon drank down the potion in a single swallow (Duration 1d6+1 turns: Red 1+6=7 turns!) the Scout fading from view. “Ready.”
“Señor Wynx, maybe tus ojos de majik can mirar a el Norte por los Roberts? Señor Lingjizz y Señora Laryngitis can bring up el rear. Amigos, estamos listo?"
Taking out a fresh arrow, Wyn added, “All good plannin’ mes amis. Offop en I been talkin... en I be readin’ detect invisible from me spellbook before we leave de room. Hobs may have an invisible guy, en we need to be ready against dem.”
“You look good, Brendon,” Lannis assured the Scout, not quite looking at where he was last standing. “Totally blending in.”
“If dere is an invisible Hob close to us, I shoot it wit my bow, den we cen see where to hit it. TEGERE INDESPECTUS!” Wyn finished reading the Deect Invisible spell from his book (lasts 6 turns), glancing around the chamber, where he could plainly see Brendon outlined in magic. “Working.”
“Wish me luck,” Brendon said, opening the door and stepping out. Wyn stuck his head out of the door, scanning the hall north, but seeing nothing either infravision or via the detection spell. “Allons-y, mes amis.”
The Scout stepped north, leaving the party behind, picking his way along with care. It was disconcerting to walk invisibly and held his light coin tight under the folds of his cloak in his clenched fist, only letting the barest amount spill out now and again to help guide his steps. He kept one hand on the east wall as he walked, feeling along until his fingers encountered the first double door that would lead to the Sanctuary. “This is the one I need to oil,” he thought to himself, still moving onward.
His superior hearing was able to pick out faint movements and the odd sound or voice to the north, but nothing that was definitive. He felt along coming to the next double door and smiled, knowing he was getting close. His senses were alert as he made his way along, feeling for the next door. It was where he expected it to be and letting out a silent breath, thanked the powers that be for getting him this far.
He felt along for the handle and gave it a turn, smiling to himself. And then he pushed.
The door moved along the top and middle maybe half an inch..but the bottom of the door was held fast. Frowning he felt for a lock, and there was none. “Odd,” he thought, pushing a bit harder, and again the door didn’t move, giving off the faintest of thuds.
“Cuug Dar?!” Came the goblinoid call from down the hall. “Who’s there?” Brendon translated to himself. As he backed up half a step from the door, eyes fixed, a hobgoblin called out, “Cloud. One bag,” in their language.
“Ah, fuck.” Brendon backed up a step again and another as a hobgoblin stepped out from the corner, a bag in his hand and was scooping out large handfuls of what seemed to be chalk dust, feathers, and wheat chaff, filling the air with it who two others were behind him with torches looking at the ceiling, and two others were behind them with bows out pointed down the hall.
The hobgoblin had come out about 30’ total and was tossing his stuff in the air, the others at the ready, but when nothing was found or discovered, they went back slowly to the corner and reported, “Nothing, Captain Rampant.”
“Good exercise, Troops. It’s being alert like this that will keep our asses alive. Stay alert.”
Brendon picked his way slowly back down the hall as the hobs faded back around the corner, frustrated as it seemed the hobgoblins had wedged the base of the hallway door AND they were still alert and waiting for the party. “”Ere comes Monsieur Du Lac,” he heard Wyn whisper as he hove into spell range. “Wot happened? Why you back?”
The Scout let the group know the situation and the fact the door was wedged shut. “It didn’t budge and would take some time and noise…IF I can even get it open. And the damned hobgoblins are alert and know they have us bottled up.”
“Do we just force the Sanctuary door then?” “Frontal assault?”
Time now is Day 10, 11 AM
(OOC)
Invisible – 55 mins
Det invis – 45 mins
Hiccup to the plan. What’s your thoughts?
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