"So I suppose you will need invisible or near invisible members to get with you Tanzy.

I can at least entrust Rocky to the group I won't be going with, to stay connected."

Raina nods, approvingly. Sounds wise. Alright, since stealth is key for Tanzy in particular, how about we divide like so? Tanzy, Bryon, and Prizzard, if he's available, can use his new cloak to blend in. Meanwhile, Halek, Raknesh, Loden and myself can try to get the bride out of there. Rocky can connect us, per usual. What does everyone think?

ooc: I'm flexible with however people want to divide and conquer, so the above is only a suggestion to get the ball rolling. Regardless, I'll need hide and move silently checks, though if you're invisible you can skip the hide, of course. I'll also need bluff checks for Raknesh and anyone else who may decide to tag along with him. Then I'll get this party started.

Prizzard will have a rather nice, real suit to wear for the wedding. He again has concerns about magical security, measures such as True Seeing.

Bryon clapped, "Wonderful Plan. I'm excited to be a part of this plan. Lets go."

Bryon will stay close to Tanzy to help protect the other girl.

13:49, Today: Bryon rolled 17 using 1d20-2.  Spot.

13:48, Today: Bryon rolled 11 using 1d20+2.  Move Silently.

13:48, Today: Bryon rolled 16 using 1d20+10.  Bluff.

By now you've reached the city of Tanzy's birth, a beautiful place with picturesque buildings and villagers, all buzzing about excitedly for the upcoming wedding to take place the next day. You are able to find accommodations but it takes some doing, as the inns are full from so many people coming in town for the wedding. You end up at a rather seedy establishment, but that's not too bad of a thing considering Tanzy is that much more unlikely to be recognized in such a place. It's been years since she was a noble here, and her appearance has very much changed, but there are still some who would recognize her, which would obviously be problematic. The slummier parts of town are therefore the safest.

That night you do some reconnaissance to better get the layout. Just some casual strolls by the perimeter and paying attention to guard changes and the like. It seems that the place is packed already with guests and other nobles, just another reason for Tanzy to watch herself as she already recognizes several faces.

Security looks tight. Not quite so bad as Stalton, but not much better. Graystone clearly has some paranoia. The guards are numerous and look dangerous, but you are well practiced enough by now to see holes in their defenses. The invisible group should scale the wall on the North side to gain entry whereas the other group will need to be a bit more upfront about their entrance, posing as workers this time, so as to gain less noticed entry. Tanzy is able to provide enough detail on the livery and garb of Graystone's men that you can find close enough matches that will work with the right lie.

The next day, everything in place, you set about your plan, well in advance of the wedding so as to have plenty of time to save the would be bride before the ceremony, also hoping that security will be less tight before the actual event.

Thus far, your luck seems to hold true on that score. Raina, Raknesh and that group are able to bluff their way in fairly easily since so many workers are bustling in and out of the massive building, all rushing to finish last second preparations. Meanwhile, Tanzy and her group scale the wall with the help of her rods, managing to avoid suspicion since that side is so rarely accessed.



ooc: For those of you who haven't rolled yet, here's another chance to do so! At this point I just need searches, move silently, spot, bluff and hide. Bryon, you're all set, so thank you! In the meantime, I have a quick question for Tanzy so I'll post more on this later. Feel free to expound on your characters' reactions, plans etc should you wish, otherwise I'll add to this soon after I get the info I need. Thanks!

I'll assume his magic is still burned out, but it seems his usual patchy and faded garb helps him blend with the night tonight and practice living with one hand has made this climb a bit easier and less noisy than one would expect of him.


rolled 20,15 using d20,d20.  Hide, Move Silently.

Raknesh will lend his slippers of spider climbing to whoever in the invisible team needs it.

Not being used to duplicity, he left most of the talking to Raina at first, but this time he tried his luck, and somehow, managed to look convincing (partly thanks to Rocky's mental coaching, which was, in itself, both ironic and pathetic).

But he really showed what his training was for. While he had trouble looking at tiny things from up close, he proved to be a master in stealth and observation.
Very little could escape his eyes.

And most people wouldn't even notice him if he walked right behind them.

Information gathering and spying was his job, after all.

Tanzy will exchange Raknesh a signet ring for his slippers. “If my mother gives you problems show her this. She’ll know it’s mine and it may gain you some trust.”

She looks very much like she did when she originally joined the team. Her hair that has grown long over time is cut short again, falling just below her jawline, and she chooses comfortable dark clothing opposed to a fancy outfit. If she’s nervous it doesn’t show.

“I appreciate you having my back in there. Just remember, when it comes down to it, Graystone is mine. I don’t want help or interference.” She flashes a cold smile.

OOCMove Silently: 24

Raknesh's group:
You are swept into the bustle of workers easily, even given tasks by a rather grouchy looking middle aged woman who thrusts table cloths in your arms and shoves you towards the banquet hall. Luckily the lack of supervision in such a mess is perfect to blend in with, and no one seems to notice when you, Raina, Halek and Loden slip away. Halek surprisingly doesn't stand out much, in spite of his age, as he's not the only child flitting about obediently, eying the harsh taskmistress irritably.

The entire grand house is abuzz with activity, though you manage to keep your heads down and stay unnoticed in spite of the natural camouflage. Finding Tanzy's mother proves a bit more difficult. At least you're able to narrow down which wing she's in with a bit of questioning to other passerby, but knowing her room is a tad trickier. Fortunately, Raknesh spots a seamstress emerging from a hallway looking on the verge of tears. She's holding a white lace veil and sniffling as she already starts adjusting the trim as she walks. Your logic tells you, the bride is quite likely in the room she just left. You all watch as she passes, trying to look nonchalant. Loden mutters, Well...any ideas of how we want to do this?

Tanzy's team: For the most part you all go unnoticed, save when Bryon accidentally jostles a wall sconce, causing passing guards to perk up. They look suspicious, but, seeing nothing, continue on their way, albeit more cautiously than you'd like.

For Tanzy, this place brings back a rush of memories. It was her home until recent years, after all. A once happier place before tragedy tarnished it. You're actually surprised how much it has changed. The draping, the tapestries, even the livery of the guards has all changed. Graystone's doing, no doubt. You recognize his house colors everywhere. It's difficult to know where to find the man exactly, but you decide to start in the family wing where he's no doubt taken over your father's old quarters. He always was a man who wanted to assert his power as aggressively as possible.

The rest of you follow her, though it's a bit tricky at times since she's invisible too, though you manage with whispers of direction from time to time.

Tanzy's father's quarters lay before you. This is as likely a place as any to find the man. The door is closed and Tanzy is about to open it when someone on the other side does it for you. A man steps out. Tall and slender and pale. Graystone? No. It takes a moment to recognize him but when Tanzy does, it nearly takes the wind out of her. It is her brother. Her dead brother.

“Not possible,” Tanzy gasps as her brother moves down the hall. “That’s my brother…” Tanzy’s voice fades as if she’s moving away, clearly in pursuit.

Bryon is stunned that Tanzy's brother, whom she had said was dead, is in fact alive and breathing. Whose side will he be on? Didn't they cross paths with him when rescuing her from death. She kept silent so as not to give herself away.

Tanzy's brother, still oblivious to you all, hidden as you are, walks purposefully down the hall. He seems to be in good cheer and there is a lightness to his step that Tanzy finds unnatural. Indeed, even his face has a slight smile to it, as though he's pleased with life. Occasionally a servant or two will greet him in the hall and he exchanges pleasant hellos as he keeps moving forward. He eventually gets to the ballroom, assuming you don't stop him before then. He appears to be there to oversee preparations for the wedding that night. The ballroom is splendidly decorated already, though there are still workers bustling about, putting flowers everywhere and laying out the fine crystal. He bends his head to a portly, authoritative woman and the two seem to be going over checklists and arrangements. It's as though he never died.

Tanzy halts outside the ballroom assuming her companions are still near despite their invisibility.
“That’s not Anders?” Her whisper holds the hint of a question as if she would prefer to believe her brother really was still alive. “We’ll deal with him later,” she hisses after a long pause. Turning she heads back the way they came.

Just following along quietly, a bit slow.

Bryon gave Tanzy's sleeve a light tug so Tanzy knew she was still there and following along.

Raknesh: Raina frowns, considering the circumstances. Alright. We can pretty well assume the bride is in that chamber, she gestures. I'm a fair liar, so I can probably come up with a decent enough pretense to get her to follow me. The question is, how do we expect to get her out of this place without notice? Perhaps a better bet would be to hide her within it somewhere, until Tanzy dispatches Graystone. What do you think? I imagine there are plenty of out of the way places we could stow her? she shrugs uncertainly.

Tanzy and company: Still dazed by the sight of her brother, Tanzy leads the way back towards her father's old chambers. It's as likely a place as any to find Graystone, the man is arrogant enough to consider him the master of this castle, after all. Indeed, as you return, you hear voices coming from the other side of the door. It sounds like two men, one going over a checklist, from the snippets you can hear, and the other one approving or disapproving, distractedly. From what Tanzy can tell, one of them is most definitely Graystone...

“If someone wants to make a distraction down the hall to get rid of the other man…” Tanzy was hoping to make this a quick and quiet assassination.

"Well... To subdue her yes, but to escape with her without being noticed... no.

But let's see what's inside first.

Rocky, that's your job."

the diminutive crystal will either take an opportunity to enter the next time the door opens or try his luck with a window.

"Done." Prizzard stalks down the hall to find a large and expensive decoration to topple noisily. If it's heavy enough to need a strength check:

rolled 21 using 1d20+5.  Strength Check.

Raknesh: The window method proves the most useful for Rocky, and he is able to get inside with ease. It would seem that this is, indeed, the lady of the palace's dressing room. She seems alone for the moment, which is fortunate. Should you relate this to Raina, she'll nervously nod. Well, that seems like something we should take advantage of. We should move quickly, before someone comes back and complicates things... She frowns at her own words. What a mess. I think I hate this. I don't like coming into things like this without a better plan. But I don't see us getting a chance like this again soon. If I go get this started, are you two ready? We'll need to keep her quiet. We don't need a whole household of guards storming up here...

Tanzy and company: Prizzard's distraction works well. A large ceramic vase is his victim, the crash easily audible. The door opens and a skinny, snobby looking man peers out, clucking his tongue at the sight. He turns to shout back through the door. A vase seems to have broken, milord. I shall fetch someone to clean it up and be right back with those samples for you to pick from. With that he sweeps away past you, nearly bumping into Prizzard but thankfully narrowly missing him.

ooc: Ok Tanzy. Give it the old college try if you like....just be sure to roll appropriately...

Tanzy slips into the room her fingers itching to draw her weapons. She holds off though, instead insuring that Graystone is indeed in the room, hopefully alone…

OOC: move silent: 34 (20+14) of course a nat 20 waste on moving silently! :(

Prizzard will wait outside the door.  Going unnoticed in a busy building and echoing halls was simple enough, but in the quiet of a private room was another matter.

"I can go the way Rocky did, and moving silently behind her to knock her out.

I fear we don't have the luxury of trying to persuade her.

She could raise the alarm at any time but I could try to cover her mouth and explain who we are... then knock her out if I think it won't go well..."

Bryon ran up the wall and in the direction the others were heading.