switzerland ♔ the words tightening around my throat

[silverguardian]

WHO || Nyna, Cara, Felicity, Stiles
WHAT || The Knights are sent to hear about a prospective job from an art collector
WHERE || Bern, Switzerland
WHEN || April 13th, 2015
HOW || Actionspam

The streets of Bern swell with the myriad sights and scents of its industry: the wood and polish of carpenters' shops, tantalizing aromas wafting from dozens of bakeries, and the heavy oil scent of artists.  Meanwhile, hundreds of rich colors give the district an appearance of a holiday festival.  The townhouse of Asheron Coyl comes into view, perched on a small rise that overlooks the street.  A low fence covered in vines abuts the street.  A gate opens onto a flagstone path that wends past frozen flower beds, fountains, and sculpted shrubs to the front doors.  A bell hangs next to the gate, reading "Please ring bell" in several languages.  With an 11 disguise check, Nyna didn't really bother to dress all fancy, opting instead for her paladin armor, sorry guys.   She can be the sexy bodyguard.  

Comments

[killingtodeath]

[Stiles is quiet as Gus speaks, not saying or doing anything to agree or disagree with what the older Knight is trying to tell him. He just keeps thinking about Andres, about the way he had found Nyna and her sister. Usually, the memory makes him laugh, remembering finding Matt as well- in the most indecent way- but now, he just keeps wondering what sort of hell he had introduced her to.

Would she still be alive, if not for him? It's the only thing he can keep thinking in all of the fog within his mind.

But he doesn't say that, doesn't voice it.]

Yeah. [His voice comes out hoarse, emotion straining the single syllable. He'll take up the fight. He'll trust that they can do their best for her.] Yeah, I think I can.

[mordsith]

[Cara lays a hand to Stiles' shoulder, trying to give him that reassurance that he is not alone in this and that she will ensure that Nyna's death was not for nothing.]

We should ensure to bring lighters with us this time. [So they're not trying to look around for something to use to burn the paintings... right?]

[allmydreams]

[Felicity nods in Endrik's direction, before looking back to Alanna.]

Are you good here?

[druidisms]

[ you know what gus has? lighters. always bring a stoner along tbh. he pulls a pair, both of them less than half empty, from his pocket. he holds the green one out for stiles and the blue one for cara. ]

Got it. [ he can make his own fire, so he won't need one. ]

[trebond]

[ Alanna nods and stands, moving with Felicity to follow Endrik out of the room. ]

Can you apprise us of the situation?

[allmydreams]

[She nods and waits till they're back with Gus so that she doesn't have to repeat herself.]

The bad guy's name is Imron Gauthfellow. From what we can tell, it seems like a straight up revenge scenario. All of the victims were art critics and my guess is that they didn't like his work. Considering that monsters jump out of them and people can get sucked into them, I can't imagine why.

[Sarcasm.]

The creatures seem to be different every time, and burning the paintings before the monsters get out can destroy the creatures inside as well. There were four intended victims, and we were able to rescue three of them. Mr. Archerus says that one of Gauthfellow's servants, Tharivol, also might be in danger.

Basically the plan is get in, find Tharivol and figure out how Gauthfellow is doing what he's doing with the paintings so we can stop him for good.

[And maybe shoot him in the face a few times for killing Nyna. But that's debatable.]

[druidisms]

Alright. [ that was a damn fine explanation and gus stands, done with loitering. get in, kick ass, get out. it's a plan. 88% of a plan. ] Let's get going then.

[behindcloseddoors]

[ endrik scribbles down the address for them, handing it to felicity. as he says, it's not far. ]

[allmydreams]

[And she will take it and off they go to finish the mission they started. And it is pretty easy to find (navigate 19).]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ nestled among the homes of lesser aristocracy and well-to-do shops stands a tall, austere home of rigid angles and simple decorations surrounded by a high wall covered in flowering vines. a plaque near the front gate reads, "Imron Gauthfellow, retired."

the manor resembles a small keep, with a ten foot high stone wall topped with short spikes surrounding the property, broken only by a tall gate between stone pillars that allows access to Imron Gauthfallow's property. a gravel path flanked by tall iron fences covered in places by jasmine vines and roses leads to a colonnaded porch, where a thick oak door with decorative iron banding allows entrance into the manor. a spot check of 15+ notices signs partially covered in the vines growing around the bars of the fences. ]

[druidisms]

[ gus is like /squints at all this looming iron fencing, but he kills the spot check with a 25. (side note, felicity killed it harder with a 27.)

mellie, ftr, is bringing up the very rear with her slow, trundling pace like yes, hello, i am a bear, i've got your six. her spot check was high, but she's a bear. she can't read. ]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ the sign says 'beware of dog' :) ]

[druidisms]

Oh, great. [ so fucking dryly: ] He has a pet.

[allmydreams]

[She smirks at that, using her Sweep skill to look out for any sign of their furry friend (sweep 22) or any other dangers that may be lurking around.]

Good thing you brought Mellie for a play date.

[behindcloseddoors]

[ there is indeed a dog prowling the yard. it's a heavily muscled and ferocious-looking mastiff, wearing a leather collar with the name KILLER engraved in bold letters on a tag hanging from it. he's at least on the yard side of the fence that protects the path heading from the sealed gate they're standing at to the porch ... but if they tried to go around the pathway by scaling the walls, they'd no doubt run afoul of him. ]

[killingtodeath]

[Stiles isn't far behind. He's going to finish the job for Nyna and focus on the mission instead of his overwhelming guilt. He runs a hand through his hair as he watches the dog pace.]

Don't suppose anyone brought any Scooby snacks.

[allmydreams]

Fresh out.

[She eyes the dog for a moment, before looking at the door.]

And I'm not sure in this case the name is ironic.

[There's a beat.]

Maybe we should just take the direct approach?

[mordsith]

[Despite the narration being afk for a while, Cara is still with the gang, just keeping an eye on what everyone is doing.]

[druidisms]

[ direct approach it is, gus is gonna knock. KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. ]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ no one answers. IT SAYS HE'S RETIRED, GUS ]

[druidisms]

[ WELL THEN. ] Lissie, pick the lock. [ AIN'T GOT NO TIME FOR THIS. ]

[allmydreams]

[Don't have to tell her twice.

Though she will first try the knob gently to make sure it's actually locked (sleight of hand 15), but if it is, she will quickly drop down to pick the lock and get it open (disable device 23).]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ that is actually not good enough :( IT IS A VERY COMPLICATED LOCK, THIS MAN IS VERY PARANOID ]

[allmydreams]

[:| Well then. SHE'S JUST GOING TO KEEP TRYING (disable device 26). Though the frustration is evident on her face that she does not like this lock. This guy is just continuing to piss her off.]

[druidisms]

[ um gus will try to help her and aid another? (disable device 20 total) he's got tips. so helpful. ]