CH. 12: Testing Grounds

[JadedDM]

Kendra Greylock (Prefect's Mansion)
Tethys shrugs casually. "Then we've still managed to give the troops a morale boost and make the citizens happy. And we'll have to come up with some other way to flush the rebels out of hiding."

Tulbas Erogund (Tower of Wayreth, Lounge)
The three leaders look over the four apprentices, as if searching for some kind of potential among each of them. Then Par-Salian says, "I am sure you all have many questions and worries. Do not fear. There will be plenty of time to go over them in detail before the Test. As apprentices you are...like lumps of metal. Potential to be something more. The Test are the forge fires that will turn you into swords. I have faith that all four of you will do your best, no matter the result, and make your mentors proud. For now, I suggest you get some rest. You'll need it for tonight. We've arranged some rooms for you. Daxia will escort you to them." He gestures to the half-elven woman. "For now, we must make our own preparations."

[HorizonsDream]

"Should I be armed during this parade?" Kendra asks curiously. "I mean, typical bait should be as defenseless as possible."

[TristenC]

Grubnick murmurs some polite pleasantry in response but immediately forgets everything but walking when she speaks again. You saw that, eh... No, no belzorites. Just some soldiers slacking off. Maybe i can... He stops before he says what he was really thinking. Maybe I can turn them and the baaz against each other and foment an insurrection to cause trouble for the Dragon queen. Hah! He'd land himself in a dungeon in record time. Shaking his head he apologizes. Sorry, I thought I recognized someone over there. Not much down that street... what brought you back to the demolished lair?

[djhyland]

Arulia blushes and stammers in reply. "I...I didn't come to the lair. I...well, I came to see about the brothel. I'm worried that with the way things are, a lot of the townswomen might end up working there, and from everything I've seen of how the army and the church treats us, it won't be a good thing for them." She gulps down a breath. "I'm...I'm afraid that I'll end up there, too, me and my family. The smithy isn't making enough money, and I'd guess that it's either that worse elsewhere if we can't make ends meet."

[chese780]

Felran looks around, looking for more corridors or paths away from this area.

(OOC: Ye)

"Well, would you like to pass up a chance out of this place if things go wrong?"

[spyguy1503]

"Go on..."

[TristenC]

Grubnick gives her a sidelong glance but keeps moving with her down the road. He speaks quietly at first, You might have a care speaking against the church or army in public. Maybe we can find somewhere to talk... Raising his voice to a normal tone, he continues. You handled yourself pretty well against those cultists. What about the army? Pity our haul was stolen during that job... if we could find those two theives, that'd help... after a moment he recalls something about Arulia. Hey, you said you know that Kendra girl, right? She was the one that foiled the attack the other day, wasn't she?

[JadedDM]

Kendra Greylock (Prefect's Mansion)
"No, it makes sense for you to be armed anyway as you are a soldier," Tethys replies. "Besides, I don't want you completely helpless. If they summon another elemental, you wouldn't stand a chance without your magical sword."

Felran, Ne-Chanz and Shima (North Haven Sewers)
Aside from the way they entered from, the only other path out of the room is the river of sludge. Although it might not be safe to swim in, even if the gully dwarves can swim.

[HorizonsDream]

Kendra looks over the scroll she was given again. "Where is this parade being held?" she asks. "If they do fall for the bait, I want to find a way to keep the citizens watching safe."

[chese780]

(OOC: What's the strength of a padlock compared to a minotaur bashing it with a large sword?)

"Why don't we clear the webs in that other room? Maybe find a passage out of here."

[Haahque]

Getting inside went smoothly, but this officer seems to not be giving up any useful information, so Haahqae makes his way back to the staircase and continues up it as far as he can go.

[djhyland]

Arulia nods slowly as the realization comes to her. "I do know Kendra; we served together in the Holy Guard. Do you think that she might be able to find Xyleena and Yvette? She seems to have the right contacts, anyway. I wonder why I never thought of that..." She shakes her head ruefully. "You're right, we should talk. Do you have some place in mind? Otherwise, we could go to Father's smithy...I don't expect many customers, and if anyone comes by, you could just say you need some work done."

[spyguy1503]

Ne-Chanz shrugs. "That just gives them time to set traps. This is a problem that needs to be cleared. Let's just clear it."

[JadedDM]

Haahqae (Old Keep, Tower)
Haahqae ascends the stairs up to the third floor, where the mess hall is. The smell of delicious food wafts out into the hall. Luckily, Haahqae has already eaten today. He continues on to the fourth floor, which contain barracks for the troops. As does the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth floor. So many stairs...he wasn't in the best shape, either, and it was beginning to take a toll on him. Why didn't they just use gnomeflingers like back in Mt. Nevermind?

The stairs to the ninth floor are guarded by a pair of baaz and behind some closed and locked doors. Beyond is the armory, where they keep their extra weapons and armor for soldiers.

Kendra Greylock (Prefect's Mansion)
"Down Market Street, from the Fair Gate to the Main Gate," Tethys answers. "And with a stop in the Grand Market so you can give a little speech. We'll do what we can, of course, to protect the civilians. But it might not be possible. But if any do get hurt, it just damages their cause further and bolsters our own. So it won't be a total loss."

Felran, Ne-Chanz and Shima (North Haven Sewers)
The two continue discussing their options.

(OOC: It'd take an Open Doors check to break through a padlock...so a 9 or less on a 1d20 for Ne-Chanz or an 8 or less for Shima or Felran. It'd make a ton of noise, though, and alert anything on the other side you were coming.)

[TristenC]

Hey, that's an idea. I wasn't even thinking that, honestly; I only asked about her because I knew i'd heard her name somewhere before and it clicked when I saw you. You're pretty sharp, she might be able to dig up something with her army contacts that we're not privy to. when she mentions the smithy he nods in agreement. Yeah, that'll work. I don't know what kind of business I could claim to be about, though. The army won't let me get any armor or weapons with the ban on... He follows Arulia to the shop, thankful that she doesn't seem put-off by his scars or goblinoid appearance.