View source for A Stealthy Inquest

This is probably not a good idea, but Harshad's set on it. The more he hears about this guy, the less he likes, and he figures stealing his stuff is a good way to discourage him from trying to eat the locals.

Besides, he rather likes Denorah and the spells needed to restore her weren't cheap.

So Harshad dropped a silver coin in the offering bowl at the Temple of Vaire, murmuring a prayer to her aspect as Lady Luck, before setting out with Choler in tow. They've been casing the place for three days, making note of everything they could. Notable is how the west side guard goes to relieve one or more of the other guards regularly -- which leaves a window of opportunity. He hopes, at any rate. 

The half-orc is dressed in gray and brown, with the tools of his trade securely fastened to his belt and boots. As the west side guard begins heading off, he takes a deep breath. Tapping on Choler's arm, he signs to her in Handspeech, <<Here we go.>>

The Goblin has switched out her red gi for black clothing, tight but flexible pants and shirt, a full head covering leaving only her eyes showing, and black gloves and shoes. She also prayed to Lady Luck, leaving behind the requisite silver coin.

Her excitement is obvious in the nervous energy she seems to possess, being rather animated but at least she's quiet about it. Her own gear was tied to her or wrapped around her, and while she knows not handspeech, she knows enough that she understands it's time. The little shadow begins to quickly scamper across the ground towards the door.

 GAME: Harshad rolls stealth: (12)+11: 23
 GAME: Choler rolls stealth: (7)+15: 22
 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+7: (9)+7: 16

The guards move along the wall, but so far there's no cry of alarm or anything to suggest that you've been spotted by anyone. So far... so good. Maybe the goddess of luck really is with you tonight…

 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d100: (51): 51

Silently, Harshad moves across the grass, looking like one more shadowed patch in the nighttime. He makes it to the wall, pressing his back against it, and carefully moves to the window. Glancing over his shoulder, the half-orc mouths a unspoken curse, and gestures for Choler to back up -- holding up two fingers.

He takes a deep breath, before starting to sidle his way southward towards the other window he saw. They still have time. They can do this. At least that's what he keeps telling himself.

Choler holds her breath as Harshad looks into the window. Seeing his gesture, she lets her breath out slowly.

She scuttles out of his way, following along behind him. His calm helps her, and that nervous energy dissipates, her focus becoming clearer. While Harshad's about to check the window, her head is on a swivel, glancing at the areas where guards may appear at any moment.

 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+7: (14)+7: 21

As Harsahd peeks in the other window a guard passes by it on the inside. He pauses for a moment. "What was that?" He murmurs the words just loud enough to be heard outside. "Must be the wind." He keeps on his rounds.

 GAME: Harshad rolls disable device+2: (5)+11+2: 18
 GAME: Harshad rolls disable device+2: (11)+11+2: 24
 GAME: Harshad rolls stealth: (11)+11: 22
 GAME: Choler rolls stealth: (3)+15: 18
 GAME: Choler rolls stealth: (11)+15: 26
 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+7: (14)+7: 21

It takes Harshad a moment to get his heart under control. As the guard inside moves off, he takes a deep breath, focusing on banishing the tiny tremor in his hands. Once that's done and the guard steps out the door, he pulls out his tools and gets to work.

Fortunately, for all his flaws, Harshad really is good with his hands, and the lock on the window pops open. Swiftly he opens it up, scurrying inside before offering Choler a hand to help her in. Once she's inside, he pulls the windows shut.

He looks at his partner in crime, and holds up a finger to his lips -- but there's a faint smile there just the same. Then he draws his sap, and pads to the door, listening at it for a moment.

Choler shivers, her ears picking up the muttering of the guard, so close yet remaining hidden. She watches the Half-Oruch work, perhaps picking up a few pointers for future ... jobs. She blinks as Harshad gets in much more quickly than she was expecting. Her hand grasps his, and she partially walks up the window as she's pulled in.

When he puts his finger to his lips, she glares at him as if to say, "NO KIDDING!" As before she stays close by the man, leaving him enough room to do his work, but close enough to lend a hand when needed.

The room that they find themselves in is a room that is nominally known as a smoking room. There is a comfortable couch, two comfortable chairs, and a lot of alcohol sitting around for the drinking alongside some hunting trophies one of which is hung over he mantle of the fireplace against the western wall.

 GAME: Harshad rolls perception: (18)+8: 26
 GAME: Choler rolls perception: (1)+3: 4 (EPIC FAIL)

As Harshad approaches the door, he takes note of the bottles on the sideboard. Casually, he picks up one of the better ones, sliding it into his pack carefully. Cautiously, he turns the latch, letting the door open just a bit so he can peer out. Since the coast is clear, he pads out in a half crouch, sticking to the north wall as he keeps his eyes and ears open. His expression is focused now, thinking fast, planning.

Still, the Goblin remains the Oruch's shadow, just a few Goblin-steps behind him. While the smoking room has some interest to her, she manages to stick to the job at hand, though she raises an eyebrow at Harshad's theft of the bottle. A little shrug, they were here for a little thievery anyways.

The entryway is empty, and so far they've managed to evade all of the guards. However it yet remains to be seen how long that can last…

 GAME: Harshad rolls Perception: (17)+8: 25
 GAME: Choler rolls perception: (7)+3: 10
 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+4-4: (8)+4+-4: 8

Harshad cautiously cracks the north door, peering and listening. And then he rolls his eyes in exasperation. Craning his head a little, his nostrils flare... then his expression becomes faintly mischievous. He beckons to Choler, and places his mouth right next to her ear. Whispering so softly he can barely be heard. "Stay low, slip under the table. Hopefully those two idiots in the corner will be too busy flirting to notice us."

With that, the half-oruch rogue slips inside, making for the long dinner table...

 GAME: Harshad rolls stealth: (10)+11: 21
 GAME: Choler rolls stealth+5: (8)+15+5: 28
 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+7: (17)+7: 24

Choler goes still while Harshad speaks right into her ear. She nods once , and she scuttles across the open part of room like a hermit crab looking for a new shell. Once under the table, she makes sure to leave the larger male enough room to also fit.

 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d100: (86): 86

The door that Harshad and Choler had just ducked out of opens again only a few seconds in their wake. This time for a guard. "Hey, get back to work you two. This place is still a mess."

His words garner him some ire from the maid and butler, but they follow him out into the entryway just the same. Which leaves the dining hall that you are in - currently empty.

 GAME: Harshad rolls perception: (15)+8: 23
 GAME: Choler rolls perception: (15)+3: 18

Well, that was arse-clenching. Harshad stares at Choler, his eyes wide, but as the guard chivvies off the servants, he exhales slowly. He offers the gobber a slight grin, before scuttling out from under the table -- pausing to peer at the fruit bowl, before padding over to the eastern door and putting his ear to it.

After a moment, he nods, and opens the door... beckoning to Choler before he slips inside. Once they're beyond that door, he looks around.

Her grin is broad and cheeky, but her eyes are showing off just how nervous she's starting to feel. Too many close calls. Luck is fickle, after all, especially if one pushes too far. But Choler follows along closely, and quietly, rolling through the next doorway, peering around curiously, breathing a little heavily.

The room that they find themselves in now is quite interesting and seems to be an actual trophy or showcase room of some kind. There's several large statues, a golden idol, and several more stuffed animals. Also there's no light in here at all to help light the path. Not even a window to offer illumination. It's dark.

 GAME: Harshad rolls perception: (7)+8: 15
 GAME: Choler rolls perception: (2)+3: 5
 GAME: Choler rolls perception: (17)+3: 20

Harshad blinks, looking around. No lights? Then he notices the magelights, which are thankfully not on, and he relaxes a bit. Just a little. He sidles over to inspect the golden idol, as if measuring it... but then sighs regretfully. Too heavy. Probably be hell to fence, too.

He sneaks over to the door, and listens at it, before shaking his head in annoyance. Taking a deep breath to try and focus himself again, as he notices Choler at the door as well.

Choler has been following along faithfully so far, staying quiet, and out of the way. She, like Harshad, has no issue with the room being dark, even letting out a sigh of relief.

Her hand reaches out to tug on his sleeve, the Goblin essentially sticking to him, to put her mouth at his ear.

"Someone dropped something... possibly a bottle... wine maybe? Just outside... the cellar, I think. We may be out of time."


 GAME: Harshad rolls perception: (11)+8: 19

Harshad narrows his eyes at Choler, and nods. He breathes back to the goblin, "Let's see what we can find upstairs real quick, then we're out. This place is crawling with guards." He cracks the door open, peering, then he pauses. He holds up a hand to Choler, and creeps forward to the window, peering out, and she can clearly see him mouth, 'What the fuck?' at what he sees. Then he beckons to her, gesturing for her to go upstairs.

"That guard just sat down outside and he looks like he's taking a nap. I hope." he hisses in her ear. "I hope someone else didn't try to rob this place too, that's -always- embarrassing..."

She quickly and quietly flows up the stairs, peering at Harshad. Her eyes roll back for a moment, and she shakes her head.

"Could be good.", she breathes, "The guards might be distracted. But also more alert. You're right, lets look and go."

Upstairs there are four doors. Two are open, leading to what looks like a pair of guest rooms. One slightly nicer than the other. The third and fourth doors are paired and lead likely to the master bedroom. They are locked.

 GAME: Harshad rolls perception: (2)+8: 10
 GAME: Harshad rolls disable device+2: (3)+11+2: 16
 GAME: Harshad rolls disable device+2: (1)+11+2: 14 (EPIC FAIL)
 GAME: Harshad used a Acid.

Upstairs, it's still tense. Harshad is definitely worried about the guard being hors de combat by unknown forces. "We got this far," he reminds Choler. "Doubt we'll be able to get back soon." Checking the master bedroom door, he nods at the lock, and settles down to work on it. The soft clicks of his picks working it only broken by his breathing. Then he stops, and clenches his jaw.

"Dammit," he hisses. "That's my best pick and it's -stuck- in there." Indeed, the lock now has a lockpick sticking out of it at a jaunty angle, like a cigar. He glares at the device, before reaching into his belt. "Alright, we're not planning on a return visit anyways, so..." He carefully uncaps the vial of acid, and begins dripping it so that it runs down the lockpick into the lock mechanism. The pick will be ruined, of course, but it'll also melt the lock and let him get the door open.

The Goblin wrinkles her nose, eyeing the direction they came from, while Harshad works the lock.

She squints at the lock, and then him. "How did you manage th..." Her nose wrinkles again, the smell is terrible, at least to her. "Well, I was hoping we'd leave no trace, that they'd never know someone was here. Wait... do you think we were followed? An' someone else is robbing the place at the same time?"

The door opens after a moment of dripping acid into the lock revealing the plush and ornately furnished bedroom of Agustus Alexanderos. It's a beautifully appointed room. A grand desk, a huge closet filled with gold brocade and silks. Numerous piles of... paperwork. Okay maybe its not as exciting as you'd hoped.

Harshad nods sourly. "They'll know someone was here. But if that guard was hurt -- or dead -- there's gonna be an outcry anyways. Let's grab what we can and split before the alarm gets raised. We do -not- want to play dodge-the-watchman tonight." 

Quietly, the thief begins to make a sweep of the room. Anything interesting he finds (read: shiny) gets tossed onto the bed. But he does pause at one of the paperwork piles, peering at it curiously.

 GAME: Harshad rolls perception: (16)+8: 24

Choler sighs and nods, but she leaves the gold bars alone (they're heavy). She pauses at a different pile of paperwork, squinting at it curiously. "Are these squiggles worth anything?"

 GAME: Choler rolls perception: (3)+3: 6

The paperwork is largely dry but there are two things of interest in it. A somewhat crazy letter from someone claiming Augustus as the father of their child, and a set of love-letters from a woman named 'Cora Sophia' who waxes rather eloquently about qualities of the lord that would redden the cheeks of a hardened courtesan to read.

A ring, coins, some jewelry, a snuffbox, and a small fish made from electrum of all things -- these all get dumped on the bed. After some thought, Harshad grabs the letters as well. "Find anything you want?" he hisses to Choler as he sweeps the haul into his pack. "We're getting out of here. Sooner or later they're gonna find that guard and all hells is gonna break loose."

She'd found a few things, but shook her head. "You can just fence it anyways. A few rings, some silver chains." Choler seems ready to go. "Don't need to wait any more on my account."

As Harshad and Choler grab their loot and head for the balcony to see if this is an able way out of here, they both notice that the guard once on duty is still sitting under the window. He looks like he might be asleep, though its hard to tell with the low lighting and his slumped posture. More notable is that the cellar door is... open.

 GAME: Harshad rolls acrobatics+5: (19)+11+5: 35
 GAME: Harshad rolls Heal: (1)+1: 2 (EPIC FAIL)
 GAME: Choler rolls acrobatics+5: (9)+11+5: 25
 GAME: Choler rolls heal: (4)+1: 5

The drop isn't bad, and Harshad lands with a muted thud, legs flexing to absorb the impact. He doesn't even wobble. When the guard fails to react, the half-orc's eyebrow rises, but he doesn't question his good fortune -- evidently someone put the guard to sleep for a bit. The opened cellar door, however, is a bit more concerning.

Moving over to peer down into the opened door, and only seeing a staircase, Harshad pauses... then shakes his head. Sooner or later someone was going to come looking for this guard; he didn't want to be here when they arrived. As Choler lands, he beckons to her. "Let's go," he whispers. "I think we've tested our luck as much as we want to tonight."

When it is evident that the guard is probably sleeping, or perhaps, knocked out, the Goblin makes the leap. She lands quietly, and rolls to absorb the energy of the drop. Choler nods to Harshad, but pauses to take a closer look at the guard.

"My thoughts exactly.", she whispers. "Enough luck for several jobs. Hope what we have is worth a few coins, perhaps we should take a break, hmm?" Once more, the Gobbo takes her place as his shadow, blending into the darkness as they make their quiet escape.

-End