As Sypher says his last goodbyes to the scouting party, the little winged creature fluttering around his general vicinity flies over toward Shiaran. It begins to settle lower, near her shoulder, when the squawk of Leukos's jealousy drives it off and meanders its way over to Beloc.

The tiny messenger delicately lands on his shoulder and announces quite clearly, "I am to accompany you to the human city and report back to those staying here." Although the voice is somewhat wispy and draconic, it clearly sounds like it's speaking R.E.B.O.R.T's words.

Apache looks up at the creature when it speaks and cocks his head to one side. He stares at the thing curiously.

With Oro taking lead on navigation, Beloc follows closely behind. "Right then, lead the way Oro, but remember... low profile. Once we get to the city, we observe, we collect intel, and we draw as little attention to ourselves as possible. That means no stealing, no fighting, and weapons stay in their sheaths."

While Oro's mask hides his smile, his eyes give him away. "While I appreciate your candor my friend, I don't need to be told how to act in my home town. There's a reason I volunteered for this you know".

"Is der novhere you haven't gotten around to over de years?" Irja asks.

"Not really" says Oro, walking forward. "It was in the city above us I spent much of my youth and early adult years in. Primarily in the shadows, but I got around. Mostly work related travel".

Beloc smirks a bit. "Just covering my bases for those with wandering eyes and overabundant curiosity. The point being, avoid confrontation unless confrontation is unavoidable. If someone is dead set on picking a fight with us, they better be prepared to finish it. From the sounds of it though, we may be able to get in and out undetected with some luck."

"What do you need me to do?"  Shiaran's tone is matter of fact, ready to fulfill her part of the team.

"The first thing I want to do once we enter the city is set up a rally point. If we get separated, and I'm sure we will to some extent, we need a place to rendezvous before returning." He looks at Shiaran. "Outside of the previous points I mentioned, I would expect you to do what you do. Use your charm and guile to figure out as much as you can about the state of the city. If Oro targets the seedier side of town, I would have you focus on soft targets like guards, high ranking officials, perhaps even the merchant district."

As he talks, Beloc looks to each person to gauge reaction. "As for me, since the city is primarily human, I could reach out to the minority. Seek out the elven and dwarven sector and see what information I can track down."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:27, Wed 28 Mar 2018.

"I can manage that". After a few moments, the group finds itself on the opposite of the expanse. Another wall stands in the way, with another door. This one swings open of its own power though, and without the need for a key. Inside this room, there is a large pedestal with a slit cut through the center of it. Nothing rests here anymore though. Beyond it the room opens in to two tunnels, each curving away from the other.

"If we continue forward, we'll come up through the Old Well, which is located in district three. The city is formed of oval shaped rings, off set so that they stack on the north eastern end. District Three is the outermost ring. Alternately, there is a path that goes beyond this by a few miles. That leads to a hidden entrance that opens into the castle's courtyards. The only problem with that direction, is that the doors have to be opened courtyard side. If they aren't already open, and I doubt they are, it's just a dead end".

"Oro, you said that door has to be opened from the other side?  What kind of door is it, and how does it have to be opened?  Lock and key, latch, magic?"

"Magic bound latch, unfortunately. If it were by key, I think the two of us could manage to force our way in".

"Beloc, vhat exactly kind of intelligence do ve hope to gain from dis expedition? Vhat do ve do if de city is already overruned? And more importantly, vhat if ve're discovered or captured?".

"Skubalon!" Shiaran says in response to Oro.  "That's exactly what Sypher wants to know.  If the city is overrun, or looks close to it, bringing the dwarves here would be worse than leaving them to face the rust monsters.  If we're discovered, we work for the Fildegarne military.  We'll be okay if it's the good guys.  If we're captured by the PCA...well, we won't get captured by the PCA."

"If we come up through the Old Well, I might have a safe house near by we can hide out and assess the situation. That assumes it held up after a decade plus, but I wasn't the only person to frequent it, so maybe".

Beloc nods in agreement with Shiaran. "The old well sounds fine by me. We can take it in phases. If things look overrun or hostile, it'll be a short mission and will be able to get out quickly. If it seems quiet, then we start probing to see if the PCA is entrenched here at all and to what extent."

He looks back over to Oro. "How much further up is it?"

"Not far. Maybe a quarter mile of tunnels. You give the word and I press on. There shouldn't be any traps ahead. At least not any active ones".

Through the way ahead is smooth cut marble. The lack of apparent blocks suggest that the area runs right in to a massive marble deposit. Stories of the capitol being bathed in white stonework seem to coincide with the observation.

The air inside these smooth cut tunnels is stale. There is no breeze, and the likelihood of anything living having passed through the halls within the last decade or more is nil. The torches on the wall give off an eerie blue light, and seem to be enchanted with some form of a permanency spell to keep them ever burning. Upon inspection, they don't give off any heat. In fact, they "flames" feel slightly cooler to the touch than the ambient air.

The tunnel chosen by Oro finally ends into an empty antechamber. The room beyond that is cylindrical in design, with a spiral staircase built in to the side of the walls. A hand cut railing runs the length of the stairs, though it shows it's age with various chips and cracks here and there.

"Just up at the top of these stairs we'll find a ladder up into the well. There's a trap door that seals the bottom of the well, but I'm well versed in unlocking it and ensuring it remains hidden. One thing still puzzles me to this day though" he says, taking lead while ascending the staircase. "The over all nature of this entire area is a complete mystery, beyond the dragons that once slept here. My biggest question that has remained unanswered has always been the why. The place predates any records I've been able to uncover of civilization here, and the craftsmanship doesn't align with the native tribes that were once the only humanoids here - baring our green skinned cousins of course. No matter though I suppose. What's life without a bit of mystery".

Oro continues up the staircase until it ends in a landing. An archway big enough for the party to go through single file is entered, and metallic ladder rungs protrude from the wall ahead. Above the ladder ascends into darkness. Even Beloc's keen eyes wouldn't be able to see all the way up, though the view of Shiaran ahead of him would obscure his vision any how.

The procession comes to a halt, and a series of clicking noises are heard, followed by the creaking of irritable hinges caked in rust. The ladder well lets out into another cylindrical room, which has stagnant water pooled at the bottom. The actual portion with the ladder extends above the surface of the water, and is off center of the well opening above. Feint light trickles through onto the surface of the muddy water.

"Well that's lovely... the ropes been cut" says Oro, a hint of annoyance in his voice. The well opening above is some twelve feet high above the water.

Beloc peers up as he places a hand on the cobblestone brickwork on the interior of the well. "I doubt that will be a problem. Anyone have some extra rope?"

"Please..."  Shiaran gives Beloc a sarcastic look, then spoils it with a grin.  She pulls out a 50' silk rope and some climbing gear.  "What do you need me to do?"

"The two of us can hoist you up, and from there it's only a few feet climb. There should be a sturdy spindle that spans a low roof over the well".

Beloc opens a pouch and digs around for a few moments. "I've got enough components for my spider climb spell as well."

"Save 'em.  You boys can hoist me up.  Let me climb on both your knees, to your shoulders, then onto both your hands.   From there, you can boost me high enough to get to climbing range with my gear. "  Shiaran pulls on the climbing gear and buckles it securely.  Then she slings the rope over her head and opposite shoulder.  "Ready. "

Beloc gets into position and widens his stance. He squats down partially, extending his right knee. "Oro, you take the other side. Once she hops up, use your off hand to spot her."

Oro complies, and mimics Beloc's stances to assist Shiaran.

As Shiaran ascends the short maw above and peers outside, she is greeted by a light misting of rain. The skies overhead are dark and dreary this side of the Shattered Top Mountains. Distant peals of thunder rumble in the clouds. She can see that she sits in a cul-de-sac of sorts at the end of a run down and impoverished street. The homes and buildings are tightly packed together with very little - if any - room between one to the next. The majority are two story as well, with railed balconies or lofts hanging over the cobblestone street. The street itself descends in a downward slope, placing the well at the top of a hill. The most curious sight of all though is the complete absence of anyone else around. The street for as far down as she can see is completely deserted.