Hollister blows a couple of large, lazy smoke rings toward the ceiling. "I've not spent much time examining the city walls and gates," says the wizard, pondering. "though certainly there must be a way other than the main gate. Several possible options come to mind, though I don't know that any of them would pan out. One, do the city's sewers perhaps exit beneath the walls? Two, are there any side gates that might not be guarded well. Three, can we get to the top of the wall, and climb down?"
OOC: Hollister will draw up on his knowledge of architecture to see he knows anything about the design of the city that might help:
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." -Robert Fulghum
Torrent looks at Squire Vesk, then at Plavin, then back at Squire Vesk. "I'd say Plavin's eagerness balances out your reluctance," she says to Vesk, "so we have a full team. Now, how in the Abyss do we get out of Gate Pass once we've met up with Badgerface?" Torrent looks at the party for suggestions.
Plavin
I just got back to the city fairly recently. How many ways out are there? I have not exactly been out exploring.
"Don't misunderstand, I'm not reluctant. I'd love nothing better than to keep the bearskins out of Gate Pass. Its just that my friend didn't tell me what to expect, and the meeting was certainly sketchy enough to arouse suspicion. Hollister, as a graduate of Gabal's school, aren't you in the military? We could smuggle ourselves out as your escort."
ooc
gr.. just posted this. Well, there was more before, but I can't remember now...
In additional to what's in the WotBS Players Guide, you know:
The gates leading south are 10 ft. wide and 20 ft. high, set into a large gatehouse with room enough for eight guards to rest and keep warm. The outer walls are 40 ft. tall, crenelated, with a strange metal awning that sticks out to either side just below the top of the wall, which requires another Climb check to get around. The far side of the wall is steep and covered in gravel and snow, making quiet movement difficult. There is a hundred foot clearing beyond each wall, and the ground is difficult terrain.
The sewers under the city actually exit into caverns under the city, leading down, not out.
Space is limited in Gate Pass, so buildings all tend to be at least two stories tall. There are a lot of sky-bridges connecting buildings on the second and higher floors.
I just got back to the city fairly recently. How many ways out are there? I have not exactly been out exploring.
"There are maybe a dozen gates out of the city," Torrent says, "and they're all well guarded. The main gates to the North and South - to Ragesia and Shahalesti - are the most heavily guarded. The others basically just lead off into the mountains.
"Pretty much the only people leaving the gates are military patrols, all with papers from the city council," Torrent says. "We could probably climb the walls, but they're all patrolled by guards all the time, enough guards that we'd basically have to be invisible and silenced to get past them."
"Regardless as to how we leave, we need to take the road south into Shahalesti. I have a route from there that should get us safely to Dassen, the country where Lyceum is."
OOC: Does Rashelle know any of the guards scheduled to work tonight that might be able to open a door for us? or perhaps look the other way?
what Rashelle knows
OOC: Rashelle knows a few guards who might be willing to do her a favor, but not enough at any guardpost to get the whole party out. More senior people in the Guard who Rashelle knows are sympathetic to the Resistance, and therefore more likely to help the party get out of Gate Pass, include:
Lieutenant Davyth Longshanks, Rashelle's commanding officer. His platoon (Rashelle's platoon, for that matter) is currently assigned to be prepared to repel the Scourge when it arrives.
Captain Herreman, a captain in the city's cavalry. Gate Pass's cavalry is generally used for patrols outside the city.
"Hmm. I've had a look around the city, but seen nothing that would help with finding a way out with the gates sealed. While it is possible, though I do not know how possible, that I could convince some guards to allow me return to Shahalesti by myself, given that I am a warrior and not a magic-user.....and I am not in the habit of carrying Corellon's holy texts with me on the road, so I am not so likely to be branded a priest simply due to my obvious devotion. I do not believe they would allow anyone else to leave with me, least of all a bunch of humans that may just as likely be natives of Gate Pass. My accent is less likely to be mistaken," the heavily-armored elf muses.
"Likewise, if I did not think it absurd that we could steal...I'm sorry, borrow, some local guard outfits until we passed far enough from the gates, I would suggest we go that route and impersonate other city guards on patrol," the elf adds a minute later. "Barring those options, I would suggest we bribe or otherwise convince some guards at one of the least-heavily-guarded gates to let us pass. Do any of the other gates lead to a route that would allow us turn and enter Shahalesti after some distance?" Liiros asks.
"Hmm. I've had a look around the city, but seen nothing that would help with finding a way out with the gates sealed. While it is possible, though I do not know how possible, that I could convince some guards to allow me return to Shahalesti by myself, given that I am a warrior and not a magic-user.....and I am not in the habit of carrying Corellon's holy texts with me on the road, so I am not so likely to be branded a priest simply due to my obvious devotion. I do not believe they would allow anyone else to leave with me, least of all a bunch of humans that may just as likely be natives of Gate Pass. My accent is less likely to be mistaken," the heavily-armored elf muses.
"Likewise, if I did not think it absurd that we could steal...I'm sorry, borrow, some local guard outfits until we passed far enough from the gates, I would suggest we go that route and impersonate other city guards on patrol," the elf adds a minute later. "Barring those options, I would suggest we bribe or otherwise convince some guards at one of the least-heavily-guarded gates to let us pass. Do any of the other gates lead to a route that would allow us turn and enter Shahalesti after some distance?" Liiros asks.
Plavin
I am sure some of these guard have extra uniforms. We just have to find out who is willing to cooperate. The other issue is they should have standard issue gear that will have to be accounted for. Do any of you know someone that works in supply? Going through one person to get something done seems easier than trying to go through a couple now that I think about it.
Do any of the other gates lead to a route that would allow us turn and enter Shahalesti after some distance?" Liiros asks.
"Any of the more southern gates will work fine for my plan," Torrent says. "My concern is that the Scourge will have patrols along every passable road leaving Gate Pass. I have a route planned that takes us past the Innenotdar fire forest that should be safe. I don't think the Scourge will waste any troops guarding a burning forest, so once we get out of the city we need to get right on our planned route.
"Oh, don't worry, I have plenty of potions to keep us from catching on fire." Torrent pats her bulging belt pouch.
Korrin will silently seeth as he considers whether his father is involved in selling out the city to those damn Ragesians. It would be like him to do this, always looking out for his own skin.
During these thoughts, the human was thoroughly distracted during the conversation being had about potential escape strategies and comes to the discussions late in the game. He tries to recall anything he's heard about ways out from his thieves guild 'allies' or about any stories about historical escape routes.
"If the Scourge finds us, then the Scourge will burn," says the wizard, flames dancing across one of his hands, and a hint of hard anger in his voice. "But before that happens, we must escape the city. After pondering my architectural knowledge of the design of the city wall, I'm inclined to say that the plan involving guard uniforms sounds like our best bet. It would be a task for us to try to climb the barrier." He shrugs. "And though I'm loathe to use force against those that have done we no harm, if we are discovered we can always fight our way through."
__________________ -Rhun
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." -Robert Fulghum
Korrin can't think of any secret tunnels out of the city. He can think of a few tunnels that connect different buildings inside Gate Pass to each other, but nothing leading outside. There are a few sally ports that the Ragesians might not be aware of, but the City Guard does, and mans them appropriately.
When Gate Pass' external gates have been closed to traffic in recent history, the best way to sneak out has been to get papers that give you permission to leave. Sometimes these have been forged, but there have been times when city councilman signed illegal paperwork, either for a bribe or for ideological reasons (since Gate Pass is an independent city, the politics can be especially vicious). Currently, the main opposition in the City Council to aiding the Scourge has been Councilman Erdan Menash. If recent history is any guide, Menash may be willing to sign papers giving the party permission to leave the city.
"In the past, certain councilman could be...persuaded...to sign the paperwork allowing us to pass without incident. I have heard rumours about Councilman Erdan Menash, that he might be willing to assist against the Ragesian influences. He is no friend of them and was vigorous in his opposition" Korrin suggests as an alternative
"I think I have a plan then. I can likely get us uniforms. If we can likewise gather horses, I believe Captain Hereman might be able to smuggle us out under the guise that we are 'on patrol'. The cavalry often leaves the city in such a fashion."
Rashelle smiles and looks over at Korrin "If Councilman Menash signed papers for a patrol, it would look less suspicious than him signing papers for civillians to leave. Also less suspicious than Captain Hereman simply sending out an extra patrol for no reason. Perhaps in combining our knowledges and connections, we can get out without a fight."
Hollister nods as he continues to smoke his pipe. "It sounds as though we have a plan. Shall we get to it? I assume it will take some time to put all of these pieces together, and I should think we will want to be well gone from the city by dawn."
__________________ -Rhun
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." -Robert Fulghum
Liiros nods slowly. "Yes, that may work..... But how will we get horses? I have not made it a habit to carry much coin with me, and I do not know any horse-sellers in Gate Pass....."
"It would also be suspicious if we purchased horses, then showed up at the gates with new mounts. Hmmm, could we just go out on foot?" Korrin says, thinking aloud.
"I am sure the military has extra horses. If Menosh or Meesh or whatever his name is can claim his signature was forged by insiders we get horses, and he won't get in trouble." says Plavin
"Okay, it sounds like we have a good plan. After we meet up with Badgerface, we'll visit Menash and get him to write us papers to get out of town. Which could be tough, but I've also heard that Menash hates the Scourge. Then we just leave." Torrent nods to herself. "Sounds good. Anyone else have anything to add?"
When Torrent is quiet, you all notice that the bells have stopped ringing. The sudden silence gives everyone pause.
Korrin hears ...
the wooden floorboards creaking upstairs, like someone or something is moving on the second floor.
Everyone role initiative and say what you're going for the next six seconds.
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