"Dealing with this lot might be a good way to see what we all can do and perhaps gain some much needed supplies for the journey ahead. Where can we find this "Rat Pack" or so I heard they're called? "

"I hate demons, but I have no love lost for those who prey on the helpless either. I will handle these vermin myself if need be..."

The man was gruff and to the point, but made his intentions clear.

 "They have camped up into an abandoned warehouse they have squatted in."

 The Bartender replied giving directions to the gang's hideout. If these people want to try to be heroes, it's not his business, but he would hate to lose customers.

Moondale places a gold peace on the table.
Miriam, it is not a bother.  If this carries on you could end up in Dire Straits and my Brothers In Arms should help me recover my apples.
He turns to the others.
Well now.  It seems the Frankie's Boys have stole the apples I bought of Miriam here.   Who was going to make me an apple pie.  I was really looking forward to it.  Would my new friends care to join me in getting my apples back.  We can remove the Rat Trap called the Frankie's Boys so Miriam stops getting cought.
Moondale hood is now down and he has a look and a purpose in his face.  This seems to have lifted him out of his melancholy.
OOC:
Seems I am on a roll with music references now.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:57, Sat 06 Apr.

"I am up to getting your apples back." Therias said. "We will Cream them and them come back here for a meal of Meatloaf, Korn, Black Eyed Peas, and some Bread. We can feast as we await the apple pie for dessert." he said with a grin, ready to do battle against the thugs.

When the party leaves to confront Frankie's boys, Sonata will stop by the stable to pick up her guard dog, Martha

It seems that Frankie did not make any efforts to disguise his hideout and the "Rat Pack" were almost proud of themselves in flaunting their misdeeds and ill-gotten gains. The warehouse was old and in disrepair, but could have been locked if they wanted it to be... They did not. Was this gang too much for the local guards, or did they even care to try? Either way, both finding the place and getting inside was not going to be a problem.

Melody had remained at the bar and, although she felt the people she'd been speaking with were misguided in their beliefs that they could do something to restored the music, she was also sightly intrigued as to how they thought it could be done.  She had been trying to find where it began for a while without any luck, but, perhaps, a group would have better luck.

She listened to their conversation with Miriam and was sufficiently impressed with their desire to help a complete stranger to be curious.

She watched as the group left the inn knowing that it wouldn't be too difficult to follow them, if she decided to do just that.

---------------------------------------------------

As the group made their way to locate the hide out of Frankie's boys, Terias held up his hand. "Hold on a moment. Let me check things out." he whispered.

Taking some dirt, he used it to help hide the back of his hands along with parts of the face to cover the shine and to help blend into the surroundings. "Back in five minutes. If you heard me me yell "Red Robin" I am on the way here with them in tow." he added.

08:35, Today: Terias of Glaster rolled 29 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 19.  Stealth.
08:35, Today: Terias of Glaster rolled 23 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 15.  Disguise.

As they approached the hide out, Sonata cast mage armor on herself. When Terias went into investigate, she took a position at the back of the party with her crossbow out and loaded.

Having made himself the face of the group with buying the apples Moondale stand in front of the hideout.
He digs into his back pack and place the symbol of the entertainers guild on his cloak

He stands with his hood off and his hand rests on his longsword.  He studies the hideout.
Moondale nods to Terias of Glaster letting him scout the place out first before talking to the rat pack.  Letting them come out to him.

 Was in favor of busting in there and causing havoc, but restrained himself to the current plan. SnowDog was still in no condition to do anything and stayed by his master's side for the moment as he traveled slowly with the group.

 Judas reviews the spells he prayed for today along the way and thought about what might be useful in dealing with this band of hooligans, peacefully or violently, whichever seems best wen it comes down to it.

Terias headed back to the group after his scouting mission. Kneeling down to draw in the dirt, he drew a map showing where things were. "I did not spot any traps and there are five ratfolk from what I could see. They are mostly enforcers (fighters) and cutpurses judging from their weapons. One target of concern, there is a spellcaster. Looks like to be a bard as he was trying to get them to laugh and his clothes are a riot of colors...he needs to work on his material." he said, holding his nose as a commentary on the material.

 Ringo nodded to Terias and wished him luck as he moved out to do some scouting. He then unhooked his own crossbow form his back and readied a bolt. "I reckon I'll help cover our rear for now." He stepped to the back with Moonlight, remaining silent till Terias returned.

"From what I saw of the crew, they look like they are there to stay. I do not expect that a peace offering or a show of force is going to help." Terias said. "Unless one of you has a spell to knock them out, we need to plan on going toe to toe. If two or three of them are real close to each other, I might be able to blind them for a moment but that is about it."

"I have a spell of sleep, but it will only work for the weakest few of them."

Turning to Moonlight.
Reducing the numbers would be helpful.  Also it will allows us to capture a few what ever happens.  Make them do some Workin' For A Livin for once.
Teach the a leason and make them pay for the damage they done.  What do you think?

"Sleep is not a bad idea, we can certainly start with that..."

 Judas looks to Moondale.

"Do you think you could distract from the Jester's comedy if needed?"

"They are obviously sentry's. What ever we decide we need to take them quick. Can't let any of them get inside or set off any kind of alarm. I think taking the Jester will benefit us the most in getting any info. Judas do ya have a plan for you and Moondale to take him. Maybe Lady Sonata can try putting him to sleep first. I think Terias, Bytor and me can take the others. They can't run if they're blinded."

"Sounds like you are aiming to take them alive Ringo. We might have to come back in a few and get some saps to knock out the ones that do not fall to the sleeping spell." Terias said. "Toss in some some gags and leather straps to bind their hands. Manacles are a bit noisy and expensive."

"Uhm.... Don't matter to me one way or the other. I reckon that's up to them but if they are there to stay as you said then they will fall. I just figured the leader of their group would be the one to keep alive for more info. If he could be put to sleep that would be good, right? With the others I figured you could blind them and then we bash them.

"The sleep spell is a bit indiscriminate. It will effect the weakest people in an area. If we want to target someone specifically, we'll need to separate them from the group. My only other form of attack is to shoot them with my crossbow which isn't good for taking people alive."

"Sounds like we need a few saps just to be on the safe side. Between the sleep spell and blinding them long enough to beat them into submission sounds like the plan. Taking them alive will help show the town folk that we are not thugs like Frankies boys." Terias said. "Anyone else need one?"

"I do not have such a thing, but I make due with these."

Bytor lifts his balled up fists.