DrK Crimson Throne IC

[farothel]

"We're being watched," Ciraneoth whispered to the others, "first floor. And a body has been dragged in here. It looks deserted here, but someone knows we're here. I suggest we move in as quickly as possible."

[wilphe]

Ok, lets go. But we want him alive if possible.

There is another exit we should cover?

[DrK]

The gate leading into the cart yard and the pen is the only other way in aside from the shop front, but with the brief examination it’s obvious that the gate is secured on the other side. Although the wooden fencing is some 8ft tall and with the patched planks and broken shards of wood

[wilphe]

If we are seen it doesn't matter much if we make noise

Winifred looks around for a weak section of fence to kick through

Spoiler

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(1d100)[82] Perception 41

[Haval]

'Are you absolutely sure?' Andrei asks the Elf. 'And does this mean they're dragging in random people off the street? I suppose there's always the chance they're being paid to make inconvenient bodies disappear.'

To Winifred, 'If you're right we're going to find out very quickly once you start breaking the fence. Maybe we could help you climb over it first? If there's no padlock it shouldn't be that hard to get it open.'

[wilphe]

Boost me over then, but get ready to follow

[rax]

"Sounds like a job for a strapping man such as yourself, eh Master Bart?" Cassian suggests. "I'll keep watch on this side until the gate is opened. If there seems no way to do that, we can boost each other over one at a time and the last man will have to be helped over from the other side."

[Shadowflick]

Bart follows along with the rest of the group, graciously bowing as they leave and depart for the slaughterhouse. Though, his jovial expression sours as they near. such desperation. Such corruption. he does not believe this is the result of a mind uncorrupted no, this is the result of a broken system. one that turns people to such...deranged methods of survival. He crouches down, ready to aid Winifred "By all means, I'll give you a boost. Just...be careful"

[DrK]

As the others boost the big half orc up he is easily able to reach the top of the palisade and throw a leg over. The yard behind is smallish and the stone cobbles are covered with filth and dung and straw, mainly from the pen that is sheltered within the wooden fence.

On the stones is a rickety wagon with a pair of dead pigs slung upon it, flies clustering on the open gaps where the beasts have been roughly gutted. The smell is intense and you can see to the left in the pen a half dozen thin looking goats bleating in terror

There are no windows on the ground floor, just a stout double door leading into the butchers that bears bloody handprints all over it.

Dropping down Bart can easily lift the wooden bar and open the gat slightly to let the others slip into the courtyard

[rax]

"...or we can just do it that way," Cassian chuckles softly when the confusion results in Bart being the first one over. At least he needed no help in unbarring the gate, he thinks.

Drawing his falcata and shield, he gestures to the elf and the half orc. "You've watched this place for some time. Lead the way."

[farothel]

"Yes, I'm sure," Ciraneoth said, "and does it really matter which human they turn into meat pies?"

Humans always seemed to question things he saw, even if they knew elven senses were better. He was surprised when the half-orc went over, as he probably weighed quite a bit less to push over, but okay, as long as it worked.

"I've only seen it from the outside," he said, trying not to look to much at the slaughtered pigs, once again reminding him never to buy anything here, "and the shop bit. So I would say be careful. There's people in there who know how to break bones and cut up meat."

He also took his sword, as that would be better indoors than a bow and then sneaked on inside, stopping to listen before he opened any door so he would know if there were people behind and with luck, how many.

[wilphe]

Let's see how they are against meat that fights back

Winifred closes the gate behind them and takes a rear-guard position

[Shadowflick]

Bart keeps a wary eye as he opens the gate for the others, slowly shutting it as the others roll in. Drawing his own sword and moving closer to the blood stained butcher's doors. He puts a hand to it, and takes a deep breath "Considering the sheer amount of death here...I expect it's likely they've already needed to put there meat down twice over a few times" When everyone's prepared, he'll open it.

[DrK]

As the group of "guardsmen" assemble in the filthy courtyard Bart pushes on the doors gently only for them to be locked... The doors do not look that sturdy and the lock does not that fancy leaving the choice of brute force or stealth as available options for them...

[wilphe]

Anyone know how to pick that? No? Then I guess brute force and ignorance

[Haval]

"Yes, I'm sure," Ciraneoth said, "and does it really matter which human they turn into meat pies?"

'It might. If there's anyone paying them to do this then it's a much bigger problem then a handful of insane cannibals. I think that would be worth knowing about.'

[rax]

"Indeed. If Andrei's suspicion is correct that they're disposing of bodies to conceal other crimes, then that could lead us - or rather Marshal Kroft - to other malcontents preying on the city," Cassian adds.

"Breaking down the door would seem to be the only way. Bart, Master Jarlson, will you do the honours?"

OOC: Bart and Rollo have the highest S scores so they're probably best suited. Ciraneoth almost as strong, but I suspect that's not immediately obvious to a human observer.

[wilphe]

They did leave us a handy battering ram

Winifred points to the cart

[farothel]

"Well, let's catch one alive and we... or the marshal, can ask," Ciraneoth said, "and yes, brute force seems the only way forward, at least for me."

He did listen at the door first to try and hear how many people were behind it and then he's game to whatever method they want to try to use to get inside.

Spoiler: OOC rolls

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perception: (1d100)[14] vs 49

[DrK]

Before any choices are made as to whether it will be subtlety or brute force the elf kneels by the door and motions for some silence from the others. Quieting down, so that only the distant shouts from the pubs and the ringing of multitude of bells across the city can be heard. Ciraneoth listens intently and can faintly hear a dull thud of a blade hitting flesh and bone and a grunt of effort. A few words pass between a voice and a second, higher in pitch but equally muffled answers, neither sounds in distressed or panicked, just two men going about their work.

[farothel]

Ciraneoth looks at the others and holds up 2 fingers.
"2 men, working, so armed with cleavers or something like that," he whispers to the others.

[Shadowflick]

Bart shrugs. It was now or never and all that. "Well. Lets be done with it then. Milani, charge my blood with your furious purpose." He steps back, and KICKS the door!

Spoiler: Rolls

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(1d100)[4] vs 42

[Haval]

Andrei is looking around for another way in but will retreat as Bart goes for the door. Sometimes the direct approach was the easiest.

[rax]

Cassian draws his falcata and shield, ready to charge through the door if Bart manages to break it down.

[DrK]

The door shatters under Bart's heavy boot, the doors swinging open with a crash revealing a large room beyond some 50ft deep and 40ft wide. THe floor of this grim chamber is strewn with blood stained straw and the reek of slaughter is overpowering. Meat hooks dangle from metal runners in the ceiling that allow their gory cargo to be moved easily around the room. Along the southern wall (you enter from west) a large rusty bloodstained grille covers a wide hole in the floor and just north of them are two large barrels of water, one with steam rising from it. On the far side along the eastern wall a pair of butcher's blocks with a large barrel of salt between them and in the south east corner sits a reeking vat of cast off meat and bones.

Three sets of doors lie on the north wall, the westernmost with bloody and dungy hoof prints by it, the central and eastern doors with less muck and gore. The two men standing by the butcher's blocks spin in surprise, one is large and fat with bushy blood stained sideburns and a filthy apron, the second man a sallow and pockmarked younger man is rake thin with a narrow weasely face. Both spin around, the fatter one hefting the cleaver, "You, scum, get out befor Verik and the lads make you sorry..."

[farothel]

"Verik, just the man we need to see," Ciraneoth said as he too walked in, "so if you would be so kind as to let us know where we can find this gentleman and we will be on our way. We might be back later though to talk about the human meat you put in the pies, but urgent business first, right?"

[wilphe]

Winifred moves sideways along the walls, keeping an eye on the doors, for the moment content to see how her new companions handle themselves

[rax]

Cassian moves quickly into the room and off to one side to allow any other to follow.

"Listen to the elf, boys, and you may get out of this alive," he adds.

[DrK]

The fatter of the two men snarls, rage washing over his face as he shouts "Lads, unwanted guests..." and even sharper look at Ciraneoth at mention of the human meat pies. From deeper within the building you hear a faint, "What wer' that?" and the sound of approaching footsteps and the clatter of something moving from the floor above.

The two men clutch their heavy cleavers, both blades still dripping with blood from what appears to be a goat being chopped and gutted on the blocks behind them. "The rest of the Cow Hammer Boys be coming now," the fat one mutters, "We don't know you, but this is our block now get lost.." His fist clenches on the handle of the cleaver and he stands his ground....

[wilphe]

Winifred takes a quick look to see if the doors can be locked or barred from this side. If not she will do her best to hold the centre door shut.

I think time for talking just ended

Spoiler: OOC

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(1d10)[7]+4 Initative