Odwian and the trailing band of thieves crossed through the Elexian streets, taking every bit of unnecessary detour and occasionally even doubling back on themselves. Can't be too safe in these parts. The archer eventually came to a stop on the side of a street filled with the hustle and bustle of Elexian debauchery. Aging men sat on stout porches, shouting obscenities at aging men sitting on stout porches across the road. Drunk. Women of questionable professions leaned from second-story windows, hanging clothes to dry while ashing their cigarettes over the heads of passersby below. Drunk. Children scrambled through the streets, filling the pockets of the oblivious with machinist fireworks before running off giggling. Drunk?
The door before which the gang stood was about four feet tall, made of burnt, bent, and warped wood and patched where necessary. It belonged to wooden shanty that came just short of filling the 5' width between it's neighboring houses, and appeared more than ready to collapse. Odwian bent down awkwardly and gave the door a knock. There was no response, so the man rolled his eyes and tried again. A shrill voice shouted from inside. "Ohhhkay, ohhhkay, I'm coming. Who's that there?"
Bane's Reading Suggestions David Eddings: The Belgariad, Mallorean, Elenium and Tamuli Series. The Redemption of Althalus Jim Butcher: The Codex Alera Series
Odwian pointed a finger at Bwah, mouthing "your kind" with a wiggle of his eyebrow.
The door swung open, a short and elderly crone of a greel standing behind it. Her hair was as white as white gets, thinned by age, and falling around her face in a frenzied tangle of angular bends. She held a cane at her side, though she would swing it around when she spoke, caring just enough to not poke any eyes out. "Ohhh, aye, drunks! Drunks indeeed!"
"And the worst sort," Odwian waved a finger the air.
"Ohhh no, the worst sort is already inside. You got nerve bringing him here." The greel woman jabbed her cane in Odwian's direction. "You're lucky I like you. Now come in, all of you. Nasty outside. Nasty." She turned and headed further inside, Odwian struggling to follow as he crouched to fit through the doorway.
Bane's Reading Suggestions David Eddings: The Belgariad, Mallorean, Elenium and Tamuli Series. The Redemption of Althalus Jim Butcher: The Codex Alera Series
"You're not far off with that estimate, but I'm not the one she's fussy about," Odwian said, pressing his lips tight in discomfort.
"No he's not. Now go on in, do what you came to do. I won't bother yah."
Odwian led them through parts of the old house, through dark rooms with dusty and tired furniture lounging against barren walls. The floor would occasionally creek beneath their footsteps, warning no one in particular of their coming, until at the other end of the property they came upon their intended room. Maps of Elexia's districts, streets and crossways adorned any wallspace that wasn't already cluttered by rolled-up scrolls piling on scarce shelf space. There were chairs and cushioned benches spread throughout the room, along with a single, lengthy table and a board, set up in the room's center and bearing a map of Elexian docks. One of the warehouses on the docks was circled and identified as "Leifer and Sons Discreet Imports".
A man was lounging in one of the benches, leaning back, tossing a small machinist construct to himself. He was clad in a spacious brown galleon coat, with slicked back hair of a color between blonde and orange, and a rolled up cigarette clenched between his lips. "So we're after some glass figurines, eh?"
Odwian gave the man a contemptuous wiggle of his eyebrows. "Longshadow."
"One-Eye. Been asking some questions. Looks like your thief aggregation coincides with the arrival of a shipment of glass figurines from the south. Not a typical theft subject, but I'm not one to judge." Elijah Longshadow gave Odwian a sly smirk.
Odwian took a few steps back, orienting himself to speak to the whole. "Leifer and Sons will be getting a shipment tomorrow. That shipment isn't our target, but it's our opportunity to inspect the place and see how they do business, and make a plan for the shipment we are after. That's a week from now."
Bane's Reading Suggestions David Eddings: The Belgariad, Mallorean, Elenium and Tamuli Series. The Redemption of Althalus Jim Butcher: The Codex Alera Series
"The shipments come to the Discreet Imports by sea, mate, and we don't have much in the way of pirates here." Elijah exhaled a gale of smoke. "Though I did come close some weeks ago."
"Yes, that. We'll have to find other ways in. The warehouse keeps a regular crew of dockworkers, but they hire off the streets whenever they get bigger shipments in, such as tomorrow. That's a way to get a couple of you in, maybe even three if we're lucky. Small folk like you," Odwian pointed at Bwah, "should be able to find other ways in. The rest can pose as inquiring merchants, maybe. Or tax clerks. Figuring out those details are what we're here for."
Bane's Reading Suggestions David Eddings: The Belgariad, Mallorean, Elenium and Tamuli Series. The Redemption of Althalus Jim Butcher: The Codex Alera Series
Snake who was standing a bit apart cut in smoothly. "I believe the idea is to use this shipment as a way to see how they operate and to look for weaknesses to exploit on our actual heist."
Bane's Reading Suggestions David Eddings: The Belgariad, Mallorean, Elenium and Tamuli Series. The Redemption of Althalus Jim Butcher: The Codex Alera Series
Odwian shot Bwah a quick "could you do that?" glance. "Snake has it right, tomorrow is a designated observation day. And in case that anyone is wondering, yes, that means no pocketing things. I don't want to chance anyone's cover being blown or the job being discovered. So, let's put Bwah down for infiltration. Snake, I'm putting you down for dock worker. Jack, Errol, Longshadow, any thoughts on how best to get you in?"
"I've always been fond of the old "stripper in a birthday cake" technique."
"With those thights? I'd work at a different angle."
Jack- Typically good enough that people believe me, unless we bump into someone I know that is. It's possible that once upon a time I may have played the role of inquiring merchant.
"Excellent." The archer waved a finger around, signalling everyone to get involved. "We'll just put it to the test." He cleared his throat, stiffened up, and continued with a questionable accent for an Elexian merchant. "Good eve. Welcome to the Discreet Imports! How can we be of service to you, eh?"
Bane's Reading Suggestions David Eddings: The Belgariad, Mallorean, Elenium and Tamuli Series. The Redemption of Althalus Jim Butcher: The Codex Alera Series
I've mentioned this in the chat a few times (and waaaay back), but I want to mention it here just to make sure everyone has seen it and/or hasn't forgotten about it.
This task is meant to be a cooperative effort. Odwian is available to answer questions and help in the heist (to a degree), and Elijah is available to operate in any way he can, but they aren't here as "quest leaders" (that is, they aren't here as tools to advance the task). Besides what they know already, they have nothing more to offer to the heist than anyone else. The reason I'm bringing this up is because I don't want anyone hanging back with their PC, waiting for some que to act, but rather for everyone to be proactive with their PC. The success of the heist depends on each PC contributing to the task as much as possible, so make sure to stay involved!
The door before which the gang stood was about four feet tall, made of burnt, bent, and warped wood and patched where necessary. It belonged to wooden shanty that came just short of filling the 5' width between it's neighboring houses, and appeared more than ready to collapse. Odwian bent down awkwardly and gave the door a knock. There was no response, so the man rolled his eyes and tried again. A shrill voice shouted from inside. "Ohhhkay, ohhhkay, I'm coming. Who's that there?"
Go ahead and run, you'll only die tired.
Those who might never meet are pooled together
Bwah - Do my people live here? Or maybe dwarves?
Under Original Management!
Bane's Reading Suggestions
David Eddings: The Belgariad, Mallorean, Elenium and Tamuli Series. The Redemption of Althalus
Jim Butcher: The Codex Alera Series
The door swung open, a short and elderly crone of a greel standing behind it. Her hair was as white as white gets, thinned by age, and falling around her face in a frenzied tangle of angular bends. She held a cane at her side, though she would swing it around when she spoke, caring just enough to not poke any eyes out. "Ohhh, aye, drunks! Drunks indeeed!"
"And the worst sort," Odwian waved a finger the air.
"Ohhh no, the worst sort is already inside. You got nerve bringing him here." The greel woman jabbed her cane in Odwian's direction. "You're lucky I like you. Now come in, all of you. Nasty outside. Nasty." She turned and headed further inside, Odwian struggling to follow as he crouched to fit through the doorway.
Go ahead and run, you'll only die tired.
Those who might never meet are pooled together
Under Original Management!
Bane's Reading Suggestions
David Eddings: The Belgariad, Mallorean, Elenium and Tamuli Series. The Redemption of Althalus
Jim Butcher: The Codex Alera Series
Jack
Allona
Stoz
The dryad flashed a smile at Odwian.
"No he's not. Now go on in, do what you came to do. I won't bother yah."
Odwian led them through parts of the old house, through dark rooms with dusty and tired furniture lounging against barren walls. The floor would occasionally creek beneath their footsteps, warning no one in particular of their coming, until at the other end of the property they came upon their intended room. Maps of Elexia's districts, streets and crossways adorned any wallspace that wasn't already cluttered by rolled-up scrolls piling on scarce shelf space. There were chairs and cushioned benches spread throughout the room, along with a single, lengthy table and a board, set up in the room's center and bearing a map of Elexian docks. One of the warehouses on the docks was circled and identified as "Leifer and Sons Discreet Imports".
A man was lounging in one of the benches, leaning back, tossing a small machinist construct to himself. He was clad in a spacious brown galleon coat, with slicked back hair of a color between blonde and orange, and a rolled up cigarette clenched between his lips. "So we're after some glass figurines, eh?"
Odwian gave the man a contemptuous wiggle of his eyebrows. "Longshadow."
"One-Eye. Been asking some questions. Looks like your thief aggregation coincides with the arrival of a shipment of glass figurines from the south. Not a typical theft subject, but I'm not one to judge." Elijah Longshadow gave Odwian a sly smirk.
Odwian took a few steps back, orienting himself to speak to the whole. "Leifer and Sons will be getting a shipment tomorrow. That shipment isn't our target, but it's our opportunity to inspect the place and see how they do business, and make a plan for the shipment we are after. That's a week from now."
Under Original Management!
Bane's Reading Suggestions
David Eddings: The Belgariad, Mallorean, Elenium and Tamuli Series. The Redemption of Althalus
Jim Butcher: The Codex Alera Series
"The shipments come to the Discreet Imports by sea, mate, and we don't have much in the way of pirates here." Elijah exhaled a gale of smoke. "Though I did come close some weeks ago."
"Yes, that. We'll have to find other ways in. The warehouse keeps a regular crew of dockworkers, but they hire off the streets whenever they get bigger shipments in, such as tomorrow. That's a way to get a couple of you in, maybe even three if we're lucky. Small folk like you," Odwian pointed at Bwah, "should be able to find other ways in. The rest can pose as inquiring merchants, maybe. Or tax clerks. Figuring out those details are what we're here for."
Under Original Management!
Bane's Reading Suggestions
David Eddings: The Belgariad, Mallorean, Elenium and Tamuli Series. The Redemption of Althalus
Jim Butcher: The Codex Alera Series
Go ahead and run, you'll only die tired.
Those who might never meet are pooled together
Under Original Management!
Bane's Reading Suggestions
David Eddings: The Belgariad, Mallorean, Elenium and Tamuli Series. The Redemption of Althalus
Jim Butcher: The Codex Alera Series
"I've always been fond of the old "stripper in a birthday cake" technique."
"With those thights? I'd work at a different angle."
The dryad tapped his crown of antlers as he spoke, not yet offering up any suggestions.
Jack
Allona
Stoz
Under Original Management!
Bane's Reading Suggestions
David Eddings: The Belgariad, Mallorean, Elenium and Tamuli Series. The Redemption of Althalus
Jim Butcher: The Codex Alera Series
Errol- I hear you're after extra hands, I could use the work.
Go ahead and run, you'll only die tired.
Those who might never meet are pooled together
This task is meant to be a cooperative effort. Odwian is available to answer questions and help in the heist (to a degree), and Elijah is available to operate in any way he can, but they aren't here as "quest leaders" (that is, they aren't here as tools to advance the task). Besides what they know already, they have nothing more to offer to the heist than anyone else. The reason I'm bringing this up is because I don't want anyone hanging back with their PC, waiting for some que to act, but rather for everyone to be proactive with their PC. The success of the heist depends on each PC contributing to the task as much as possible, so make sure to stay involved!