When Nic mentions the hat Kiara smiles wickedly and cant resist: Hummm, Nic, you might look mighty fine as a bar wench in high heels, a short skirt and red lipstick darling.
Thinking she might use the hat herself, she nods in Nics direction indicating her willingness to let him borrow it if he can produce a better plan than her just simply looking different.
Realizing what Stella just said Kiara ensures she wont be overheard, and responds to the inquiry:
I have heard of the one called GoreStride. I fear Dugan may be in grave danger. It is rumored that Gorestride occupies a red silk tent at the Bazaar. He is a powerful Darakhul  who ferries slaves from the slave market to some place deep within the earth. I hear he is powerful in a fight and prefers his fists over weapons.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:43, Sun 31 Jan 2021.

Nic's face contorts at the new information, muttering to nobody in particular "An undead pugilist? That's different. How does one handle such a foe indeed. One with necromancy behind his unarmed strikes at that. I shudder to think."

Nic looks to the rest of the party, meeting each members' eyes, holding a peculiar hat out in front of him in their direction. "Live bait anyone? Unless ye have a better idea."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:34, Sun 31 Jan 2021.

Stella looks around at everyone, "I may have an option that coincides with the live bait program. Silence is more than we can handle, it will never stop. The only way to defeat it, at the moment, is to contain it. The only lure it will follow is its target. Perhaps there is a lonely corridor that can be sealed off with Silence inside. Has it not occurred to you that the only beings that want Kiara dead are the Darakhul? I don't know what was in the box, but it appears they desire it back badly. Dugan is no fool, he's survived many times through much worse than this. I'm concerned about the people in his house, one Wraith or Shadow amongst the workers could cause havoc. That is the two things we need to be most concerned with, any other damage we inflict on the Darakhul is just icing on the cake. Killing GoreStride may stop the attacks, it may not. Either way, my ship will return in less than a week. I will give my Captain my strongest recommendation you be included in our plans, if that is your wish."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:22, Mon 01 Feb 2021.

"What's in the fucking box?!" OOC: I had to say it.

"Don't know much about city stuff, but if we were in the woods I would either find a pit or a cave and try and trap the more powerful stuff inside. The ghostly stuff though we are gonna gave to handle ourselves. If we trap Silence and take him out of the fight then we can focus on the other. All we need is the right bait."Glancing at Kiara.

"Uncle Dugan home is more of a fortification than house, by non dwarven standards.  Within there are choke points and murder holes for dealing with an incursion.

I can only share the next bit with you since you have proven yourselves as proper friends to clan Kegdrainer, but I ask you all to swear an oath of secrecy; I only know of one access point from the sewers and no other underground access. The exterior is well built and bars can be lowered over the windows and doors like a portcullis. The only weakness  would possibly be magical or supernatural entry. I cannot abide the idea of incorporeal undead running amok in my home.

Rowan's right. There are definitely cellars or corridors that could be used to trap the clockwork assassin.  Normal vanishing tricks wouldn't get it out."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 21:25, Thu 04 Feb 2021.

Looking around at everyone with an excited grin. "I agree Silence is the only thing I don't have an answer for yet if we could just trap him and I could take a better look at him I'm sure I could find his weakness, but until that happens we just need to drop him in a giant hole to 7th hells and be done with him!!" Beaming Smile on his face.
Then cocking an eyebrow he looks around at the group and says "Live bait is always the best bait does anyone have any idea how that thing knows its coming after Kiara is it sight alone cause if so I'm not shaving my beard to put on the dress I don't have the hips for it!! Plus she's a little taller than me!!" Grinning sarcastically
"We need someone a little more colorful to play the part I'm thinking!" as he turns towards Nic smiling widely

"Before we plan any further, here's some potions for everyone." Stella murmers as she reaches into her backpack. Pulling out 2 potions per person. One is a potion of cure moderate wounds, 2d8+10. To Kiara, a Bulls Strength, Bohrhorgen, Bears Endurance, Rowan,Bears Endurance, Mantle, Eagles Splendor, Cats Grace for Nic. "When we are ready, I will cast a spell that turns us into Misty Vapor and allows us to move very quickly throughthe air. Please stay together, as much as possible. When we arrive, if we see Silence we should try to lure it to a deserted corridor. Hopefully one that isn't essential to Herr Dugans daily operations. Woe to us should we block access to the Keg cellars! "
This message was last edited by the player at 02:21, Tue 09 Feb 2021.

After hearing everyone out, save for Kiara, Nic turns his cloak inside out with another flourish of his hand, while donning Kiara's hat.  In a short moment, Nic suddenly appears nearly identical to Kiara, the real Kiara. He performs a curtsy as he accepts the potions from Stella. He then looks to the rest of the party, and in a voice as close to Kiara's as possible he asks, "Do you think this has a chance at working?"


Nic pauses and looks around for a moment in contemplation, then removes a sash, and the disquise at the same time, handing it back to Kiara. "Maybe this would serve you best to look as someone else instead. I can think a few people who have seen us together, ... some mousy faced characters, or beardless females. On that note, I can still try and disguise myself as you and see if I can pull it off without the aid of magic, and utilizing a talent for the dramatic as it were. Sound good?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:42, Sat 13 Feb 2021.

"Lady Stella said the most reasonable thing yet; protect the kegs!  Let's go."

Stella looks around, all she sees is expectant faces waiting to travel. "Do we have a plan for Silence if we see him? I'll cast this spell and we'll deal with it before taking off." Stella pulls out a scroll from her backpack, muttering to herself. You hear something about "stubborn kids" then she opens the scroll. "Too many of us for one spell," she grumbles. She casts a spell, spewing words that you forget as soon as you hear them. Whist mist curls from her hands, leaking out and covering her, then stretching out to Mantle, Nic, Kiara, and Rowan. Stella then looks at Bohrhorgen, "It looks like it's your turn to travel with me." She profers her hand to him.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:43, Sat 13 Feb 2021.

Moments prior to Stella casting her spell, Kiara dons her hat. At next glance you notice a dwarven bar wench that looks vaguely familiar from the last time you were at Uncle Dugans place. A toothy smirks proceeds her adjusting her busts and throwing her hands on her hips. Feeling a little more confident, she is ready to go. Looking a bit sullen toward Nic, Do be careful with the games we play dear, Silence's drive to end me is not to be taken lightly. I fear he will stop at nothing. Addressing the rest of the party, I certainly hope someone has a plan. I need to find a way to end the havoc I have brought upon us. I truly am sorry!

"So the plan for Silence Nic tricks it into following him into one of Uncle Dugan's rooms we can trap him in then I'll take a closer look and turn him off! I like this plan!! Hey kids don't go dying out there on me!"

Looks over at Nic with some concern on his face "You be careful out there."

"Do I keep my eyes open or closed for this part?"

Nic does his best to imitate Kiara in looks after much study, and perhaps a little help from her for his efforts and minus any high heels. It's a good thing she isn't one for make-up, though I'm not sure if I can pull off the voice without much more practice. Probably a good thing she isn't one of the more vocal of the group as well.

She/he looks to Bohrhorgen, seemingly pained by his remarks and states "My eyes are up here big boy! Keep focused and we'll get this done without incident." Looking to Mantle, She/he winks and replies "You as well. Just wait til I'm out of the blast zone if you decide to heat things up."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:19, Wed 17 Feb 2021.

Stella tells Bohrhorgen, "Hold a moment, I need to give flying lessons." She addresses the rest of you, "The spell I cast is called Wind walk, it allows you to fly quickly. But to activate it, you must concentrate on the internal feeling the spell has given you. It should be a light, airy feeling. Let it grow and encompass your body. Be aware you'll start to float, you have to concentrate on moving. It takes practice but it gets easier. The winds affect you, so adjust for them as you move. Normally I would accompany first time flyers, but my spell only works on 5 people total. It takes time to shift into a misty state. I'll go through it with you once." She starts to focus inward, and you see her solid edges turn misty, slowly moving inward until she looks like a Stella shaped cloud. She soars into the sky, doing a loop and a roll before circling back around and waiting for you to follow. "You can talk while in this form, but remember, flying isn't a guarantee of safety. There are things in the air that are dangerous also. Stay focused. When the spell is close to ending, it will drop you down slowly. Not just end and let you fall. It lasts a while, but hurry to Herr Dugans, I'm sure there is need. When you arrive, concentrate on the solid core of your being and you will become normal. Until the spell wears off, you can switch back and forth, good luck." She drops to the ground and slowly gains her solidity back. Then she addresses Bohrhorgen, "You don't have to close your eyes, just watch your stomach. Traveling like this usually ends in throwing up the first time. Ready?" Taking Bohrhorgens hand she say, "See you there." Then she says a short magical phrase and her and Bohrhorgen disappear with a small 'pop'.

Looking Nic up and down like a piece of meat, she lets out a purring sound and smiles. Excited, Kiara starts to focus on the airy feeling and begins practicing her movement, wanting to do this flight as graceful as possible.

Grumbling something about 'griffins would be better' Rowan shifts to a misty state and prepares for a long flight.

Stella and Bohrhorgen disappear, leaving the rest of  you standing there. Slowly you feel the light airy feeling spread throughout your body. It takes 30 seconds or so to change fully. Then you find yourself floating, at first you move around slowly but then Rowan instinctual mentally commands the wind to push him. After that, you find yourselves moving along at a very fast clip. (60 mph!). You rise up into the sky and spot the city in the distance. With the tail wind pushing you, it takes less than an hour. Its much more comfortable than the coach as well. You approach the city and reluctantly head straight to Herr Dugans. Flying down towards the house you notice there are 4 ballista on the roof, manned by dwarves each who peer out into the streets. The streets themselves look rather sparse for early evening. You realize there are no signs of any kobolds on any street in the gear district. This might be one of the little folks unannounced holidays, know as "we no work day." Herr Dugans house has no activity other than the dwarves on the roof at the ballista. The people moving around seem to swing wide around the building.

OOC: Let me know your intentions. You could fly, solidify, go to the roof. Plus I'm sure you can think of other things.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:51, Mon 22 Feb 2021.

Nic, posing as Kiara, lets himself fly in a direct line to the top of the tower. He/she scans the surrounding district for anything out of place, or of particular interest. He scans the tops of other buildings, and makes sure to keep an eye out for insects flying high as he/she nears the ramparts of the stronghold.

To the party;"are we going to circle the tower and then land on top or are we going to land and approach from the ground?"

"Land on the roof, try to avoid being spotted, I would like for us to be a nasty suprise!"

Nic replies to Bohrhorgen "Speaking of surprise, where would be the best place to eliminate dealing with Silence, should he be poking around as it were? Are there any choke points in which we can seal him off?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:45, Tue 02 Mar 2021.

"Possibly the lower levels by the foundry."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:24, Thu 04 Mar 2021.

OOC: Keep in mind Bohrhorgen is not present at the moment. I can assume this is a conversation that has taken place before you separated.

Per Nics statement, the party heads straight for the top of the roof, a flat affair with 4 raised ballistae covering the 4 lanes of traffic. 8 dwarves track your approach but the ballistae only rotate 180 degrees, perhaps designed thus to prevent them from firing on each other. As you land on the roof and start to solidify,  on Dwarf from each ballista stands forward, ostensibly guarding the pile of bolts below and the ballistae and operator above. As you finish, they visibly relax, obviously, you were expected but Dwarven paranoia is legendary. One of them taps the roof with his ax handle in a curious 3-2 rhythm. The trapdoor in the center of the roof swings open, and the Dwarf guarding the other side puts a finger on his lips, indicating quiet and beckons you forward to the opening. As you enter the stairs, he points downward to another Dwarf waiting at the bottom of the stairs. He, in turn,  points you to another stairway across a living area leading downward. The efficiency and discipline of the Dwarves is reassuring. At the bottom of the next set of stairs, another Dwarf directs you to a set of stairs directly under the set you just descended. You notice you're on the ground level in a break room. Heading down the next set of stairs you travel down one full flight then turn right at a landing before traveling down another full flight of stairs. Stepping through a door at the bottom, you find yourself in the foundry!

OOC: I will send pics indicating where the stairs are that you took. It is a little confusing for me and I made the map!
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:14, Sun 07 Mar 2021.