Phantom Thieves - The Heist

Preparations

<OOC> Warrick says, "i guess for prep, warrick is going to spread chalk dust across all points of ingress (outsidefacing doors and winsows), as well as at the foot/top of each of the spiral stairs, the door to the treasury room, the door to the lord's room"
<OOC> Reithak would like to find the windows, and attach some bells with strings on them on the 2nd and third floor if she can
<OOC> Warrick says, "warrick will open the door between the solar and the treasury hallway and post up on the eastern spiral stairs at the top of it to look down the hall and see the tresury room, as well as see the lord's room, and can also keep an ear down for the library study"
<OOC> Thoth says, "Thoth has attached Alarm and Arcane Lock to the Inner Treasury room."
<OOC> Thoth says, "And is reading a nice book in the library."
<OOC> Crik thinks Crik would be setting up traps / caltrops in the corners of the hallways, especially the shadowy parts, in case people lurk about the sides of the wall. Also under any tables. ._.
<OOC> Merith says, "I don't think I'd have thought to set up any warning systems/traps, but I'm taking notes for next time. I'd have offered to take up a post next to Warrick I think, if he's good with that. Otherwise, I think I'm lurking in the store rooms."
<OOC> Warrick is cool wit it
<OOC> Fidget says, "Oh, and Thoth mentioned they talked the Lord into moving all 3 of the probable targets (as far as the Lord guesses) into the Treasury room."
<OOC> Fidget says, "So there is an empty spot where a painting was in the main foyer, and a weapon mount that's missing a weapon, also in the main foyer."
<OOC> Reithak will chill on the third floor steps since they can just hop and glide down to any of the floors if they need to after setting up
<OOC> Fidget says, "Crik, let's say you can place 7 squares for free, and after that you'd need to contribute costs."
<OOC> Crik attempts to foundry. "That's fine, what are the costs?"
<OOC> Fidget says, "Lemme check standard caltrop costs - they're pretty cheap."
<OOC> Fidget says, "1gp per 5ft square. Okay, 7 is pretty stingy, I'll put that up to 10. More than that might be hard for me to keep track of :)"
<OOC> Crik says, "I think Crik would then be in the kitchen/storeroom stairway, trying to disguise as a left behind flour sack."

Log Start

The light at the end of the day finally winks out, leaving only moonlight and the torches illuminating the Koreen Mansion. Tension breezes through the building, the guards shuffling nervously, especially since the Lord has been pacing about the mansion for the past several hours, getting increasingly frustrated. He's out of sight for the moment, in one of the side rooms.

Two guards are outside, by the front entrance, 2 more inside in the foyer, 2 upstairs by the treasury. A couple of servants mill around, but you don't expect them to participate in the defense.

A guard at the front door mutters, "If it's going to happen, it's gotta be soon, right?", and his companion sighs and replies, "Maybe the whole thing's just a hoax, and we can just take the extra pay for the long shift and go home."

Thoth is reading a nice book, after a day of preparing spells and securing the location. It is not a matter of believing it deserves a moment of book reading, but rather than it considers itself perfectly ready.

Ra is hippity-hopping across the table in front of it, pecking at some seed that Thoth has strewn across the table.

It flips a page, while others talk outside about being prepared for the thieves. The avian War Golem seems non-plussed.

GAME: Thoth casts Alarm. Caster Level: 5 DC: 16
GAME: Thoth casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 5 DC: 16

Warrick returns with chalk caked gloves and an open bag in hand with a winch fed grinder being set down on a table. Each point of ingress into the building has a fine layer of chalk, windows, doors, doorknobs, as well as the doors in front of the treasury room and the lord's room. The spiral stairs too bely their dusting of the white powder, the foot and top of the stairs having a heavy layer as well.

The armored human man lets out a sigh as he rests his back against the wall in the sunroom, sliding to a seat with his crossbow in his lap. He discards the gloves off to the side, him replacing them with proper gauntlets. "Reminds me of trying to find a gnome back in the day that had a magic accident and they were invisible. Didn't help they were a mime," he mentions, sighing as he rests his helmeted head against the wall.

GAME: Crik rolls disguise: (15)+12: 27

Reithak popped out of one of the rooms on the upper floor, quickly spooling a bobbin of string back in on itself. The large egalrin leans over one of the railings, flashing a thumbs up down below, before she leans back, pulling a large rectangular loom out of one of her packs and idly plucking away at the blue threads that they were working together. "Fingers crossed it's a false threat, yeah?" The inquisitor muses to no one in particular. "Doubt we'll be that lucky, so you all keep your ear holes open, alright?"

"It is soon, it is happening soon..." Crik had been extremely enthused all day, hopping and bopping his way everywhere the manor. The corvid's excitement was palpable.

Then he had ran off and disappeared. Occasionally, sight of him could have been seen in the dark shadows, dropping metallic sharp caltrops every which way, and occasionally, he would have been trailing the others as they prepare.

But for now, nobody has seen him since he left for the kitchen. A black peak slowly withdraws into the heavy canvas fabric of a flour sack, bundled on the one of the stairs. Black eyes peer from the holes, up and down.

This is by far the priciest place Merith has had a job so far. However after a few minutes upon entering the building of trying to avoid touching anything expensive, he's gotten quite relaxed, currently resting in a chair he dragged up the stairs from the library with the spiral staircase to his left and his greatsword resting within arms reach to his right. The half-sil looks reasonably comfortable sitting in his breastplate, his eyes frequently scanning the rooms he can see.

His eyes focus, spotting Warrick's return, "That sounds fun. I'll admit I'm feeling a little underprepared here, I'm not sure I know what sort of incursion to expect, will they be invisible, or do they even have to enter through something as simple as a door or window?"

A little more time passes and you hear a yawn from a guard on the third floor. Then, stepping out of the door to his rooms, Lord Koreen grumbles at those nearby "Have you caught and killed those damned thieves yet? It's too quiet out here. And what are you sitting about for!" It seems the glass of amber liquid he waves around as he complains hasn't improved his mood, some of it spilling over the lip of the glass onto his fingers. After a moment of glowering, he retreats back into his rooms as abruptly as he left them.

You hear faint discontented muttering from the guards down the hallway, trying to keep their voice down lest they be overheard.

GAME: Warrick rolls perception: (12)+6: 18
GAME: Reithak rolls perception: (8)+13: 21
GAME: Crik rolls perception: (8)+11: 19
GAME: Thoth rolls Perception+3: (16)+6+3: 25
GAME: Merith rolls perception: (3)+8: 11
GAME: Thoth rolls 10+3: (12)+10+3: 25

(Perception 15+)

Outside, in the front courtyard, you hear some distance shouting, it's a little muffled - but you pick out most of it.

Male, bold voice: "The Phantom Thieves are here to steal your shit, Lord Koreen! Everyone else, just stay out of the way, there's no way he's worth getting hurt for."

Female voice: "We're here to show you that nothing can stop karmic justice!"

GAME: Thoth rolls Spelllcraft: (14)+Spelllcraft: 14
<OOC> Thoth says, "+13 - so 27"

Shouting. Then. THOCK.

Thoth raises its head, beak up into the air, as Ra also stills.

"Oh-hoo." Ra hoots.

Thoth gets up and pushes the chair away, closing the book. "This one believes the book was just getting good." As it begins to step out of the library while calling out to the house;

"This one senses a spell of Darkness near to the North, and heard a sound near the front entrance." It calls out. It is going to the windows facing northwards to see if it can figure out what the source of that 'Thock' was. Expecting to see an arrow with a rope attached.

GAME: Reithak casts Divine Favor. Caster Level: 4 DC: 13

"Last I checked, the charges for theft were not immediately execution. Don't worry, we're still going to do our jobs though. Try not to drink too much, in case you need to react to someone, you know." The large egalrin waves away, fiddling a bit more with their loom before various noises catch their interest. "Well, seems like they're going to make an entrance and let everyone know they are." Reithak laughs, dropping the loom down nearby.

"By the muse's grace, guide my hand and steel my heart!" The inquisitor whistles in prayer, stretching out over the rail and keeping an eye and ear out for any sign of movement. <Auran>

Crik hears the sounds and his beak opens. It is happening! It is happening! Oh no, they are using Darkness. That is cheating.

The corvid takes hold of his fabric disguise and then slowly walks over the spiral staircase, lying down in one of the steps. He then waits patiently, eye on the storage room. Maybe someone will be in big of a rush to trip on him.

Merith shifts his attention to the Lord, waving with a large grin on his face he greets him, "Hey there, sir!" and continues, in veiled condescension, "An important part of the sort of vigilance you're asking from us today is to keep a calm, clear head, in order to keep your wits about you for when they're needed. In addition to that, with the length of time we're going, it's a good plan to stay well rested, the thieves will be expecting our worry to wear us thin."

Then, upon hearing the bird's call, he grabs his sword, readies it, spins to the staircase and then pauses, watching for what Warrick will do next.

Warrick looks up at Merrith. "Fun is a word for it," he dryly chuckles. "Don't know, it's why I through chalk everywhere. If they're invisible, they're make a bit trail. And if they use magic to get rid of it, they'll be loud casting spells. But for now, we just wait. If its a bust, then its a bust. But yeah, you're right Merith."

The once-guard patiently waits, looking like a tossed aside suit of armor on the floor. The only movement is the slight movement of the armet helmet scanning, and the subtle drumming of fingers on the stock of his large crossbow. He freezes upon hearing something. Grunting, he gets to his feet, armor clanking as he does, and a bolt slots into the weapon. "... A-firm, Thoth! Textbook distraction!" he shouts down the stairs. "Don't look outside, watch for ingress!" He looks to the two in the room with him, "Cover the stairs and watch the windows, be ready to bolt!"

He runs towards the treasury, but stops short in the room as he drops to a knee, the weapon aimed down the hall that way, just in case someone came up that way. Occasional glances over his shoulder bely he's ready to whip around in a heartbeat.

Outside, you hear the guards shout in surprise as they react to the arrow that flew by, and then the sudden darkness, "Where did they go!" you hear one voice yell. "With me! Get them!" another voice yells.

GAME: Thoth casts Expeditious Retreat. Caster Level: 5 DC: 16
GAME: Thoth rolls 10+3+2: (6)+10+3+2: 21
<OOC> Fidget says, "Thoth, from the window, after you move up, you see an area of unusual darkness outside by the gate that leads into the mansion area. You also see the guards below you getting to charge forward and find the attackers."

Thoth, after speedily getting out of the library with the aid of a spell, has Ra land on its shoulder as they try to figure out what is going on.

"This one sees magical Darkness. Thieves hide. Guards are storming forward. This one suspects others will use this moment." It calls out to the group. It'll stand guard near the stairs.

GAME: Fidget rolls 11: (12)+11: 23
GAME: Fidget rolls 6: (16)+6: 22

The front door guards charge forward into the darkness, sweeping around to find the intruders. "They've moved!", "I've got one", "No! That's me you idiot! Let go!"

Thoth sees the a guard reappear at the left and right edges of the darkness, searching for the threat. Neither they, nor Ra, have spotted whether the Thieves are still inside the darkness, or have moved elsewhere.

GAME: Reithak casts Bless. Caster Level: 4 DC: 13

"You two got this area covered! I believe in ya, Ceinara believes in you, go get em!" Reithak calls over, snapping their fingers and pointing in their direction, filling the pair as well as theirself with divine strength. "I'm gonna see if they're climbing in through the storerooms or elsewhere on the west side." She adds, backpedalling and eventually jogging down the nearby stairs.

<OOC> Warrick says, "move action draw an everburning torch, smash the window and throw the torch into the darkness"
GAME: Warrick rolls perception: (5)+6: 11

There's a slight sigh that echoes from Warrick's helmet as hears the guards try and squabble in the darkness. He gives a sharp nod towards Reithak, perking up as strength washes over him. "Gotcha, thanks!"

Deciding to go against his better judgement before, he steps up to the window and- "... private security morons," he grumbles under his breath. He reaches into a sheathe on his back, pulling out an enchanted stick that sheds a pale white light. An armored elbow smashes open the window, and soon after the unburning torch whistles from there and lands with a clatter into the blotted darkness. "Focus on the inside, not the outside!" he shouts out the window.

Merith is happy to take instruction here, he focuses on the stairway, moving to block it's exit with his body and slipping into a comfortable battle stance, ready to swing at a moments notice. He then shifts his focus towards his hearing, trying to match each sound with the person who made it and it's purpose.

GAME: Reithak rolls perception: (18)+13: 31
GAME: Fidget rolls 11: (4)+11: 15
GAME: Fidget rolls 10: (5)+10: 15
GAME: Crik rolls perception: (6)+11: 17
GAME: Fidget rolls 8: (15)+8: 23
GAME: Fidget rolls 2: (1)+2: 3 (EPIC FAIL)

Reithak hears it first, a door quietly opening below them, then quiet footsteps up the staircase. There's an accidental slight scuff of muffled boots on stone that draw's Crik's ears as two thieves start to ascend the stairs, they step into sight of Reithak and Crik, but disregard the oddly placed sack of flour.

One thief is in dark blue clothes, covering most of the skin on their body, their sleeves trailing all the way down to their fingertips. They're also *very* small, about 1 foot tall.

The front thief, reacting quickly, raises their hands to point at Reithak, "My elgarin friend, we have you outnumbered, why not take a nap and let us pass." He begins casting a spell.

The second thief, behind them, wearing black leathers, and a bandana that covers their face below the eyes - is also small, but not quite so small, at three and a half feet, levels a crossbow at the birb in case the spell doesn't take.

GAME: Reithak rolls will: (5)+6: 11
GAME: Reithak rolls will: (6)+6: 12 (Free reroll)

At the sound of spellcasting to the west, Thoth is quick to head move in that direction. "This one will be right there." It calls out to Reithak and Crik in the west wing of the second floor!

Outside, you hear a clang as an arrow ricochets off a guard's helm, ringing his ears like a bell. "I spotted one! Wait, where'd he go?"

Reithak comest to a stop at the bottom of the stairs, looking for any signs of intrusion with what very well may be a distraction outside the main door. "Hey,! Some are coming in through here!" Reithak shouts, already in the process of drawing their sword when they suddenly drop like a rock where they were standing.

GAME: Crik rolls cmb: (4)+4: 8
<OOC> Crik reroll that. ._.
GAME: Crik rolls cmb: (16)+4: 20

Crik senses his time coming nea- oh no, don't come Reithak, not this way. Resisting the urge to move or caw, he freezes up completely - and black eyes widen when the other egalrin hits the hay. Patience, they are coming closer, patien-

With a sudden FLOOMF the thick canvas bag is tossed around the tiniest of the thieves, the black corvid's arms wrapped around them. Black beak looks around nervously - and then he bobs his head somewhat. "Phantom Bird, Phantom Thieves." He introduces himself politely.

Merith hears the commotion in the Western stairwell, and sounds of magic and a struggle and spends a few moments considering the possibility that this too, was a distraction from the main attack. He discards those thoughts, in favour of protecting his allies, and breaks into a full sprint towards the commotion.

-To Be Continued-