Immersive Ink

waysoftheearth wrote:
Very good.

Percy and Drogan take a moment to ready their weapons, making them a serious pair indeed.

Then Percy leads the way back down the filthy little alley, scarcely 3ft wide with his deadly flatbow loaded and pointed ahead of him. Looking up, he can scarcely see the grey sky between the high wooden walls that lean over him, and doesn't spy anyone on the roof tops.

The pair push on to circumvent the length of the warehouse, some 30 yards or so of undignified squeezing through the cramped, trash-filled alley, and then turn left to come around to the rear. Here the ally widens somewhat into a bleak, muddy little "clearing" of triangular shape when the rears of several such store houses back up to one another.

Of particular interest is a small, grimy flight of wooden stairs when cling to the rear wall of Grumolg's place, ascending to a small doorway. This appears to be the "back way" Percy was hoping to find...

sulldawga wrote:

waysoftheearth wrote:Of particular interest is a small, grimy flight of wooden stairs when cling to the rear wall of Grumolg's place, ascending to a small doorway. This appears to be the "back way" Percy was hoping to find...

Dorgan peers up at the stairs, looking for evidence of recent travel on the steps. He turns to face Percy.

"Get yer friends and let's us have a close look at this... whadja call it? 'alternate entrance'. I'll make sure nobody leaves in the meantime."

doctorx wrote:
Meanwhile, Josiane takes the time to examine the front of the building a little more carefully. Can she tell anything about the frequency of the traffic passing in and out, and what kind it might be?

waysoftheearth wrote:
In Glib Court, Josinane and Mads examine the front of the building more closely.

It does appear that the mantlet entrance is used rather frequently by many feet indeed -- judging by the manner in which much of the mud has been worn off the rough cobbles. It is not possible to say what kind of traffic it might be, although perhaps that will be revealed this evening?

The lockbox and the chain over the mantlet both appear well oil and frequently used. There is little sign of rust on either.

waysoftheearth wrote:
Around the back, Dorgan can see that the old wooden stair seems to be well used. The middle parts of the steps are bowed and worn from frequent feet upon it...

Valandil wrote:
Percy smiles satisfied, and says:

"Ah, just as if I knew it! You wait here pal, I'll bring the others... by the way, my name is Percenier, but most call me Percy."

Percy goes around the building again, and tells Josiane and Mads about the backway.

sulldawga wrote:
Dorgan decides he'll do a little advance scouting before the return of his new-found friends. He'll climb the stairs, as quietly as his equipment allows him, and listen at the door.

If he's moving quietly, he's moving slowly as well, and that should allow him to keep an eye out for any tripwires or other alarms.

He'll examine any handle or lock but won't touch anything. Should there be any peephole in the door, he'll take care to stand out of view.

doctorx wrote:

Valandil wrote:Percy smiles satisfied, and says:

"Ah, just as if I knew it! You wait here pal, I'll bring the others... by the way, my name is Percenier, but most call me Percy."

Percy goes around the building again, and tells Josiane and Mads about the backway.

"Excellent, Percy!" says Josiane, smiling happily at his news; "Very well; let us see what there is to be seen."

She pauses momentarily, looking searchingly at her comrades.

"I hope we will all remember this is only a reconnaisance. We have no evidence of any wrongdoing as yet." She frowns; "Indeed, it is we who are doing the breaking and entering, albeit in what I hope will prove a good cause. Please let us avoid bloodshed if at all possible."

waysoftheearth wrote:
Behind the warehouse, Dorgan climbs the stair slowly and steadily keeping his eyes peeled for any trickery.

When he reaches the top he finds a little gantry, perhaps 4ft square, with inch wide gaps between the worn timber planks that make up the floor over a 10ft drop to the alley below.

The door is a simple wooden affair with no window. There's a battered old brass door-know in a steel plate, with a big key hole below it.

All is quiet enough, by Dwarfish standards. Only the distant chatter of the street traffic drifts to Dorgan's ears...

waysoftheearth wrote:
Meanwhile, Percy, Josiane and lastly Mads and moving down the squalid, narrow alley between warehouses...