Atheryin: Fall of Thyros

[VirtualWeasel]

"Something like that." The General said, rather sarcastically to the Tallin, as he and his acquaintances left the tent. Outside the large canvas hut was a Legionnaire, standing tall and clad in a thin leather and chain armor. He stood at attention, waiting for everybody to exit the tent.

[Baloth-Kul]

Baldric addressed the legionnaire. "Do we know what sort of artefact it is the Black Axe mercs are after...or if it's of any interest to the Duke? ...And do we even know for sure that the duke of Túnsen's kid is still alive?"

[Derp53]

Seeing Baldric asking the majority of the relevant questions, Aneira stood back and only let one question slip through as to not overwhelm the legionnaire "What's the layout of the castle?"

[VirtualWeasel]

"Not particularly." The Legionnaire's voice was young and energetic, so unlike the grizzled generals that the group had met before. "They've come to do their job, and we've just tried not to ask too many questions. As far as the layout of the castle, we're not entirely sure. We were able to dig up some old maps drawn for when the thing was built, but the maps are pretty worn away, and the various generations living within the castle have built on or removed sections of the castle... Needless to say, it's barely the same as it used to be."

[The SheoDovah]

"It's so nice to know that we will be fumbling our way around the castle and hoping that the door we open does not contain a bunch of soldiers in the middle of a card game." Saroné had followed the others to the Legionaire. He was not fond of the plan because they seemed to have no idea of the layout or rather, they had an idea of the layout but it happened to just be very wrong.

[Baloth-Kul]

Baldric was satisfied enough with the answers given. Not much to go on, but an important mission nevertheless. A chance to prove himself, maybe. "I'm ready."

[Derp53]

"I guess we're winging it then, if we are infiltrating we'd best either sneak in by nightfall or infiltrate using disguises. But you have a plan for that, I'd expect you do." Aneira was still leaning back with an inquisitive expression

[Sav]

Spoiler:

Sorry for my recent absence. I've been without a computer for a while.

Odhran kept quiet the entire time, relying on his companions to ask the important questions. He doubted the infiltration would go as plan, but kept his doubts to himself.

[VirtualWeasel]

"No. They'd expect us at night, that's why we're going in at dawn. With any luck, they'll still be asleep." He began to walk, expecting the group to follow. "There's a drainage grate at the eastern side of the fort, we can sneak in there if we can dismantle the thing without causing too much alarm. After that, we'll have to survey where we are and where we go from there... With any luck, we can slip a dungeon key off the guards and do this nice and easy."

[Baloth-Kul]

"Sounds good enough to me," Baldric said with a tired tone. "I'm ready to, uh, wait for dawn."

[VirtualWeasel]

The legionnaire pointed toward the east. "Look to the sky. We're going now." The sun rose behind the Eýn Mountains, the sky a bright electric pink over the distant snow-caps.

[Baloth-Kul]

Baldric rubbed his eyes, having clearly lost track of time. "Right, yes. Well I'm ready."

[VirtualWeasel]

The Legionnaire continued walking alongside the group. "The guard should be changing right about now, when we make it to the walls we'll have to hug as tight as we can to them. Those of you with heavy plate armor, move carefully. Our biggest challenge is gonna be that drainage grate, a lot of [&@%!]—literal [&@%!]—moves through there, and it's a heavy damn grate at that. If any of you have any suggestions how we can get that thing open without making a sound, I'd love to hear them."

[Baloth-Kul]

Baldric scratched his chin thoughtfully. "I'm no mage, but maybe a few of us who are could burn through it with fire magic. Cut us a hole just big enough to fit through. Or we could just try busting or prying it open. Uhhh...maybe air magic to blow around the wind nearby, make it harder to hear." He shrugged. "If not for the sneaking, I'd say we should just tie some horses to it and slap them on the ass."

He quieted then, out of ideas. He was no mage, so he wasn't entirely certain of such plans.

[Derp53]

"Did you say a ton of [&@%!]? Goddamn it, the Blacksmith is gonna be [&@%!] when he gets his armor back. Anyway if there's a gap between the plate and the edge I can use my earth magic to push the plate out." The thought of wading through a river of [&@%!] was not a thrilling thought, but what had to be done, had be done.

[The SheoDovah]

"You have got to be kidding me." Saroné had followed the rest and had been thinking of ways to help the group. "We could create a hole in the grate but it would require a fair degree of fire and no distractions lest we set something else on fire or worse, hit the [&@%!] and choke to death on the smell of burning [&@%!]."

[VirtualWeasel]

"Look, I know it's not ideal, but it's our best bet to get in. I'm thinking if we can get some fire from you, Tallin, then once the grate is hot enough, the Jarvah could try to smash through it. It's a rusty old thing, so I'm sure it'll budge fairly easy..." The legionnaire stopped talking as they approached the walls, hugging the smooth stone bricks as tightly as he could when he was close enough. He expected the others to do the same.

[Baloth-Kul]

Baldric cursed silently. He hugged the wall as close as he could without scraping his armour against it. Iron on stone tended to make some noise.

[The SheoDovah]

"Sounds like a plan but won't they hear the Jarvah smashing through the gate if they have their men wading through the same [&@%!] that we are?" Saroné said as the group approached the brick wall and he hugged the wall. Despite being a merchant, he was not fat and was rather slim so he had little to no problem squeezing through it.

[VirtualWeasel]

The legionnaire whispered softly. "Have you ever met a Thyrid? We may be slobs, but we're not that dirty. Either way though, a few pounds at a heated rusty grate shouldn't attract too much attention." He scurried along toward the grate, still hugging the walls closely.

[Baloth-Kul]

Baldric resisted the urge to backhand Saroné and continued his way towards the grate, hugging the wall closely, still trying to avoid scraping his armour against the stone.

[Derp53]

Sarone was not a man Aneira wanted to be within one foot of, but she sucked it up and followed Baldric wordlessly, almost sure she'd leave Sarone behind if he kept talking.

[VirtualWeasel]

Hidden:

Sorry I'm so slow lately guys, I've been extremely busy.

The legionnaire continued his low whisper as they approached the grate. It was a nearly full-rusted thing that could have dated several years back, with a steady stream of water, intermixed with gutter sludge and waste of all kinds, pouring out down the hill, into a nearby marsh. "Alright Tallin, time for some magic." He passed to the other side of the grate, giving the elf space to work. "I didn't get your names, by the way. I'm Faolan." Faolan figured that now was as good a time as any for introductions.

[The SheoDovah]

"Sárone's the name." The elf moved next to the Legionaire and focused on the grate. He held his palms up at the grate and said "seems easy. It should only take me a minute or two to melt through this but if not, warn me when the Jarvah charges." He attempted to melt the grate with his fire magic.

[Baloth-Kul]

"Are you done yet?" Baldric asked impatiently. He hefted his warhammer, ready to bash in the grate at a moment's notice.