Thanath paid little mind to anything that wasn't the double doors leading into the manor. Regardless of whether the double doors are locked or unlocked, Thanath attempted to break them down with his shoulder and copious amounts of forward momentum. "OOF!" Thanath cried out as he impacted the door only to have his entry barred by magic. "Well that's not supposed to happen!" Thanath boomed as he watched the purple sheen fade away before looking to his companions. "This door's got magic on it!" Thanath boomed "That's going to make getting in a little harder!".

"Alric! Alric wait!" A villager from the tavern had run all the way to the manor. He was out of breath, panting with his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath enough to speak. Finally he shoved a folded bit of parchment into Alric's hands.

Alric unfolded the parchment, it was a map of the manor. If they could get inside they would know exactly where they were going. "Why would you give this to me?" Alric was confused, no one wanted to help except the strangers he'd met but now someone was giving him a map. "I mean, thanks for the map but I think another sword would have been more useful. Not that anyone in the village wants to help."

"We want to help, Alric, you know that! We all love Iris, but we aren't fighters. Besides, I work here, the mayor would recognize me and take it out on the rest of my family if we failed. I wish you the best of luck. They took my sister last year, I'll be praying for your success."

Alric held the map out for the others to look at with him. "We could try the servant's entrance, I'm sure it's not as fortified. It appears to be around back. Or does anyone else have any ideas? We shouldn't stand out front too long, especially not after behemoth over here announced our presence so eloquently."

Arius is on his way back towards the tavern when he notices one of the villager come running around from its direction. For the briefest of moments it doesn't even occur to Arius that the man is actually running towards the manor, but glancing over his shoulder that was indeed the villagers trajectory. Taking a deep breath, the young noble can't help but be a bit curious as to what the human was up to. What part of a trap could such an innocuous individual serve? Perhaps the warrior's story had actually been on the level... perhaps... maybe.

Glancing just once more in the direction of the tavern, as he is still a bit wary of the entire situation, Arius nonetheless shakes his head and follows after the villager, mumbling various obscure Slyvan profanities under his breath as he does so.

Once he has caught up with the man, roughly in time to see the imposing figure of Thanath collide with the warded door, Arius stands back silently as the villager has his exchange with the warrior, whom Arius now knows to call Alric, while cutting yet another glance in the direction of Ada, this time more apologetic in affect.

Then, after the two humans have finished their exchange and Alric has presented the map, Arius finally chimes in, gesturing to the warded door and then plate windows, "I could lower the ward upon this entrance, but we would still need to deal with the actual door... or if you would like a distraction while you slip around to this back entrance, I could likewise simply transport myself inside here. The later would, of course, be somewhat perilous for myself, but I do feel somewhat obliged after having questioned the veracity of your plight."

CROW EATER

The manor was indeed a large sight to behold. As Crow Eater searched for alternative routes to enter the manor... He found that the western wall was painted over with thick ivy vines perfect to be scaled upon. A sudden surprise caught the dragonborn off-guard as a loud thud was heard and his eyes darted at the goliath who just rammed his entire shoulder into the double wooden doors. It gave away the element of surprise... At least if he stayed outside. He immediately scoured the area and the companions before him where he hesitantly took the decision to latch onto the vines and climbed the wall onto the balcony swiftly and took cover along the entrance of the balcony.

"Empty room... Seems like nobody touched the place for decades." He remained cautious and entered the dark room, furnished clearly for guests to stay in. "Time to do a little investigatin'..." He began to search by the dressers and anything that may be able to contain something useful.

Always rushing headfirst without a thought. Kethan shook his head at the charging goliath of a man and his hounds. Melonhead indeed, much to Tessa's nickname for the barbarian, why did warriors not give a moment for an old man to pause and think? Dogs and all, attempting to madly break down the door! It was too easy, all too easy, the unlocked gate was perhaps divine providence, but surely there would be a test of mind and skill rather than of brute strength alone. And true to this philosophy, the cleric of Gilean walked onwards. Still minding the dragonborn who muttered something, catching it was quite difficult in the rain, even with the old man's acute hearing. He may be old of body, but Kethan's senses were still sharp, his eyes, his ears, his mind. Sure his memory may fail at times, but for the most part recalling bits and pieces of information acquired over the decades of being a librarian was still possible. A wide array of topics from the arcane and esoteric, to more mundane things such as the life cycle of the common gnat. A wellspring of information and if he could not provide any saintly advice to a farmer asking for a forecast of the weather for planting seasons, or a passing adventurer asking for some scrap of history, a book may point the way proper. And failing those, perhaps a ritual or two to divine the question posed. Regardless, what Kethan has learned well over the years made it clear that time in wasted on the young and reckless.

And by the time the elder made it to the doorway, which the boisterously loud boy had attempted to simply breakdown with little mind to property or subtly, it was clear the giant's failure suggested there was more to the door than just the strength of mere material. All the while one amongst their little troupe had left, with the archer introducing herself as Ada, plying the leaving member to remain on with all the charm her tongue and wiles could afford. Certainly the Deserter spoke truth. All this smelled of a swamp ogre's unwashed toenail, with the layers of mystery and suspicion swirling around them, but Kethan stood by Tessa, it was she that volunteered them both, it would besmirch her nobility should they back out now. And if there were lies, about them, then this old man would bring the burning light of truth to anyone who would dare bear false testimony. Falsehoods are to be cast out and purged, every fact checked to keep the knowledge of the world unsullied by deception.

It was as shame it was raining, robes becoming soaked in rain, and a knowing look at Tessa suggested neither of them really enjoyed getting their outfits wet. Kethan himself wore something far more practical than her, a belted robe with three pouches hanging on his right, though he did have a set of clerical finery for ceremonial purposes kept in his pack at the room the stayed in. This was only planned to be a short stop, a bit of rest before continuing on their travels. His self-imposed exile turned the former librarian into a wandering hermit, or at least until he met the noblewoman spellcaster. And a wry smile chuckled to himself, thinking it ironic that they had not just brought along Shaktimaan. Sure a goliath was strong, but an elephant ought to have a much easier time ramming down a door. But alas the great beast was probably not enjoying being caught in the rain back at the tavern.

Alric, and Iris. Named names, how unfortunate that a villager had to name the father, and presumable the daughter. If they had no names, there would be nothing to write on the headstones should they fail. And yet they still bore not a surname known to him as the clergyman preferred to use more formalized greets of last names in polite company. Kethan himself dropped his own surname, simply called Kethan, or Librarian, or any combination of either title and name. The order was his family, the books and their authors his children, but all those were taken away. So he could sympathize with the distressed father, but books were not of flesh and blood. Perhaps Tessa, or Ms. Imlotel, as the elder referred to her by, was something of a daughter to the old librarian, but even there their relationship was more of consoler and companion. And between the two of them, they pulled each other towards the path of enlightenment. And with the second intervention of this villager providing a map to their treasonous party, well perhaps it was a sign that the gods were on this man's side. Even the Deserter apologized and returned, offering to risk his own neck in penance for his accusations earlier.

"There is no sin in seeking truth young man, only in choosing to remain ignorant." Some words offered to the repentant swordsman (Arius). "In example, by your armor and blade, I took you for only a swordsman, a dangerous assumption in my error, perhaps next time before we are dashed into this rainstorm, we may gather ourselves and account for our individual assets... And weakness such as my advanced age..." A short bowing nod acknowledging the return of the prodigal son. It was difficult to ascertain for certain, but of the group Kethan may have been the oldest present, by giant and hair, for elves and dragonborn were difficult to age by human eyes. Their lifespans greater than that of an ordinary human, and thus the effects of time were less pronounced. Speaking of dragonborn where did that cutpurse go? Nevermind that, hopefully off to do reconnaissance, entering through like a thief in the night, sulking about in the dark and rainy. Let us come in like honest men.

"I believe this ward the goliath encountered is an arcane lock." Upon quickly gazing at the doorway, and gently tapping the surface of the door with his staff to incite the flashing magic. "It is fortunate it is only that. If you are able to dispel such an effect, there may still be a physical lock to bypass. But I believe there is at least one amongst us here who is capable of fooling any such mechanism. And perhaps I may offer some insights to a myriad of lock designs as some guidance... Ada was it? come child, allow me to share my knowledge." And by that, Kethan took a few steps away from the door to allow the spellsword to cast, prepared to offer some insight into the inner workings of any locks they must defeat in addition to the spell. He had not prepared to dispel magic, nor was Ms. Imlotel if he recalled, then again they had a usual standard of spells between them. For example, bland food and water was conjured by Kethan, the flavourless gruel spiced up by Tessa, and any mess cleaned up by her arcane cantrips. Such an arrangement also meant Shaktimaan had food an elephant needed, and a way to take care of anything the creature left behind post-meal.

Should the elven archer allow it, Kethan could unlock something by his own power. Opening up her mind for a moment of divine insight, to guide her skills and perhaps allow her to successfully use her lockpicks. After all, with the dragonborn who Kethan caught in the corner of his eye making way to the balcony her past performance with the gate did not bode well for gaining fruitful entry. A tap on the forehead should be enough, and with Gilean's favour, may the elven maiden know enough to bypass a lock...

Ada released a sigh of relief when the swordsman returned to their side. This infiltration had already been botched twelve ways to Summer's Eve, and they certainly did not need a potential liability waiting in town when they made it out alive. If might be a better choice of words by the way the goliath charged around.

"A valiant offer," Ada replied to the half elf's suggestion, "but bravado means little if you fall in chains. The rest of us would be hard-pressed to lend you aid if you entered with this barrier in place. And I am loathe to waste more time on the front steps of this manor after our friend has knocked so loudly. We have another entrance provided to us. I suggest we investigate lest we find our quest cut short."

Ada turned to the large man, her hand to her forehead. "My dear Thunderbrain, have you heard of the term subtlety? It refers to the idea that we may not wish to be the center of attention. When entering the lair of an unknown enemy, you do not announce your presence so boldly lest you find yourself a dragon's snack. The strongest among us is not a match for all the cruelty of this world by themselves. I would hate for your canine compatriots to need to find a new master."

Finally, she faced the older man that accompanied them. "My skill with a lockpick is barely passable," she confessed, perhaps with some modesty. "I have not faced a barrier such as this in recent memory, but if you believe it is in our best interest, I am willing to make the attempt. The thief may be a better choice, wherever he now is." A thought crossed her mind, and Ada showed a slight smile. "Perhaps if the two of you mages combine your efforts, I can get us inside with greater ease. Alas, but what little arcane magic I know feeds my bowstring."

CROW EATER

Good fortunes be for a good-natured thief. He searched gracefully between dressers and wardrobes and earned himself a well-crafted leather coin pouch containing 25 gold pieces and a strange warm crystal which happily sat together with his other leather skin pouches on his belt. "The mates will need some help getting in the manor..." He maintained his stealthy approach towards the door to the exit... The light of what seems to be a flame flickered underneath the cracks of the door alerted the dragonborn to keep quiet. He reached for the door handle and carefully turned the handle to open a small slit open, enough for him to peep and investigate outside for any threats; but somehow managed to slip and stumble forward where the door flung open. "Shit." Uh-huh, two guards-- directly looking at him.

"I think I can help here, in one way or another. I could cast a spell to disguise myself as a servant, and go in through the alternative entrance Alric mentioned. Obviously, that'd only get me in, and I can't cast it on anyone else, but maybe the lock can be disabled from the inside. Alternatively, I could charm someone already inside the building, and, again assuming that the lock can be disabled from the inside, have them do just that. It would have to be through a window or something, perhaps at the servants' entrance, but I think that as long as they don't see any of you, it'll work."

Tessa explained how she could be of use in infiltrating the mansion. As she did so, she examined the door, obviously focusing on it but tilting her head slightly towards the people she was speaking to. It was not an easy barrier to break, as Thanath had demonstrated, but it could doubtlessly be circumvented.

"I don't know about this lock, Kethan. Do you have any idea, or any of you, for that matter?"

CROW EATER

"Think fast." The dragonborn thought to himself as he observed the two seemingly incompetent wardens by the stairs. His eyes quickly scanning at the table where an abandoned set of cards have laid and faked groaned in an attempt to appear as though injured from an attack. "Are you serious?" The dragonborn coyly retorted in pain; uncannily in an accent of the locals. "I noticed a group of strangers by the manor and followed them here only to be attacked and find the entire manor unguarded?!" He deeply gasped for air as he held his side. "What'll the Mayor do if he finds that you abandoned your patrol duties for a mere game of cards?! Hurry up and apprehend the intruders!"

Arius is a bit concerned by the fact that no one was indicating they could actually take care of the door once he'd dropped the ward, as he was not such an infinite a font of magic as to simply cast spells flippantly. However, he had offered and the majority of those present and speaking seemed to be in favor of dispelling the ward.

"Alright then, we'll go in together.", Arius noted as he gives his blade a bit of flourish causing the sheen of purple to seemingly shatter like delicate glass before evaporating entirely. Once he's sure the ward has broken, he turns in the direction of both Ada and Thanath, "So brawn or finesse, which shall it be?", as well as toward Kethan, who had suggested he could help them in some presumably magical way, "Also, I believe time is still a factor."

Thanath's reply to Arius' question was to simply charge forward and steamroll through the door and the guards behind it like like they were made of paper. "WEHEY! Thanath bellowed as he charged down the hall, completely failing to notice the guards he'd trampled.

CROW EATER

By Bah'muts horns, it worked. As the two guardsmen heard his chilling scowl that sent their exoressions to that of dreadful horror as they sprawled frantically down the stairs to address the intruders. It was a quick moment of relief that caressed the dragonborn gently as though Bah'mut himself had been proud of his non-violent approach. Then comes the thunderous crack.

The dragonborn followed the direction of the sound until he arrived at a sight of a perforated double doors the guardsmen yelping in pain by the floor. He felt a sense of dumbfounded stupour and brought the palms of his hand to his forehead.

Arius is alarmed the by the sight of Thanath suddenly plowing through the door, but apparently not so much that it throws him off balance. Upon seeing the guards get slammed beneath the collapsed door, the young knight immediately lunges forward in an attempt to swiftly render them unconscious. Normally he'd find quite literally hitting an opponent while they are down distasteful, but in these particular circumstances, the men were likely merely hirelings and dispatching them swift but without fatality whilst the opportunity presented itself seemed the most merciful approach.

---

---

Tessa reacted quickly, and had already drawn her wand and begun saying the incantation for a Chill Touch spell when she saw what her companion (Arius, though she did not know it) was doing. Tessa had no doubt that, assuming Alric's tale was true, these men were benefitting from the maltreatment of the innocent, and were vile enough to deserve death. However, the warrior's work had already begun, and she'd only be a hindrance to attack lethally. Besides, there were certainly more deserving sufferers of her full capabilities. This was what lead her to attack with her dagger instead, striking at the head of the guard her companion had not attacked with the pommel of her dagger. It connected beautifully, with an unpleasant thud as the metal struck the man's skull.

"Arcane Locks can be suppressed by knowing the bypass words. But save your charms Ms. Imlotel. I fear the Mayor may need the touch of a beautiful lady, should he fail to listen to the reason of Gilean." So they were using names now? Too little too late, she had already named him before the crowd. But fortunately he was no one of great fame, only a temple librarian, one of many humble titles. A bookkeeper, a custodian of leather tomes, someone to mend and keep them in good order. Some librarian preferred to use the mystic arts to restore torn pages and shabby spines, but Kethan took each task with a personal touch. The text masterfully handwritten with his steady hand, matched to the same typeface used to demonstrate his training in calligraphy. One of the few who still worked with leaves of gold to gild the illuminated manuscripts, and prepare vellum to be inked. Indeed he was old, and perhaps being a bit of a relic to these younger folk who were more dexterous and stronger than he was, and probably more good looking without the touch of time across their brows and eyes. Tessa was far more brilliant too, a keener mind and memory. Yet he was wiser than all of them, advising his companion to charm the Mayor instead into release his captives, rather than expend such an enchantment spell on a mere manor hand to glean possible entrance to the manor. Of course as he suggested, Kethan too had ways to attempt to do the same. The Power of Gilean compels you."Worry not about your skill child, come, please do not make an old man chase after you." Dispelling concerns as his old head gave a nod of a job well done to the unnamed spellsword. His hand reaching out towards Ada to gently tap her forehead and transfer some knowledge to guide her hand

A peal of thunder.
Was it thunder in the rain?
No, just sound and fury.

And What was there to say? Kethan just shook his head with the Barbarian's crude methodology. This goliath will get them all killed. But with the arcane lock dissolved, it was much easier to bypass the doorway with brute strength, smashing down the portalway atop two unfortunate guards in a raging fury. Those poor souls ill-prepared as Kethan to deal with a mad dog, barking mad into an otherwise empty room. Did he expect a hoard of enemies waiting for him? Some grand battle inside a manor? This was no battlefield, but a domus, a place for civilized people to plot against one another with fake smiles and hidden agendas. With a sigh, Kethan retracted his offered digits, turning to see the damage done, the doors fell down with a crash, revealing the interior of the manor. Not the most elegant solution, and surely if there were any guards, they would come rushing for to defend the manor from intruders. Assuming they are being paid well enough to do so, given the state of things, maybe they were barely being paid to keep all by the Mayor in a deficit leading to servitude."Subtly is not that one's strength..."

"What are you doing?!" A hastily snapped exclamation, at the unnamed one amongst them and Tessa as they assault the unfortunate guards. guards floored by the door collapsing, as they had rushed to investigate their unexpected and uninvited guests. "These men could very well be coerced into service. And an unwilling servant is our best ally in finding this man's daughter. Why did you both assault them so quickly? They may be victims of the Mayor just as well." Chastised by an old man, truly getting cranky at the folly of fools. Always thinking quickly, but not deeply. The world needed more deep thinkers, or perhaps not, for they were a dangerous lot as not all thought benevolently. But the immediate possible threat was over, and it seemed no more guards marched themselves in to investigate, it was after all quite the downpour, and it was not uncommon for a storm to brew. What the heavens curse you with, the divines also bless you with.

A practiced hand checked the carotids, a finger checked for breath. They were still alive, though unconscious and sandwiched between the ground and the portcullis. In such a state it would be easy to finish them with, but it was a dishonorable act, and Kethan hoped to use the good nature of their warriors to stay death's hand from taking perhaps two innocent lives. "They will live, I suggest we refrain from alerting everyone of our arrival." Rising with his staff, supporting his weight as his knees visibly shook beneath the robe. How he made it this far on his knees was almost as impressive as breaking down a door. "We should split up and look for clues. We must find evidence of the Mayor's practices, as well as where your Daughter is." Walking over to the warlock and Ada, Kethan naturally divided six into two groups of three, with that rogue somewhere in the manor surely to be encountered later. Assuming he didn't loot the place dry. "I will accompany the elvens upstairs towards the Mayor's study, a man can be judged by his collection of books... And where on those shelves the grey dust settles thick."

"Ms. Imlotel, you know where I will be, a message should suffice if we are needed. And you will have the company of two strong men if needed. Do try to keep the Goliath from destroying a loadbearing wall as we shall be on the upper floors." A nod to Tessa as Kethan's suggested a plan to cover more ground in less time. After all time was indeed a factor here, splitting the group seemed to suffice given the skill the hexblade had with his weapon to act as a guard for the archer and Kethan. Plus the folks who cared to investigate the Mayor and test their wits may find searching the man's study to be more fruitful than investigating the light peeking through the bottom of the door in the far hallway. Should anything happen, Tessa could contact Kethan with a message. "Come, I will need your blade, and your lockpicks." Starting up the stairway to walk towards the Mayor's study, as the aging librarian requested Ada and Arius to accompany him according to his plans.

"Kethan, was it?" Ada asked, a brow arched at the gentleman's request. "First you wish me to not make you chase me, and then you wish a more intimate setting in the study. I daresay, I might think you fancied me if I didn't know better." She stepped through the broken doorway and sighed. "As much as I would enjoy hours gleaning knowledge from you, I fear our research may be hampered by the less subtle among us. But mayhaps they serve as a distraction."

She could not deny that the plan was well-crafted for the sake of gatgering information. A small group would be able to infiltrate and observe much easier if they were not tethered to a boisterous barbarian. On the other hand, the goliath served its purpose well, easily clearing the guards out of the way with some help from the others. Splitting the party could prove fatal to all involved, or it could serve for better intel. In any case, she would have to trust her own skill and hope those with her were as useful in a fight as they were with thinking ahead. The half-elf had proven he could connect with a target pinned under a doorway, at least. Brains would need to match brawn if worse came to worst.

Her bow drawn and her arrow nocked, Ada followed the old man quietly as she glanced around the interior of the mayor's manse. There was not enough time for a deeper investigation of the halls or the guards, but Ada hoped time would be on their side in the sanctum of the rooms upstairs. She slipped ahead of the others, looking to see if she could find the study quickly. With any luck, the guards would be drawn to the commotion downstairs.

The commotion was over. The dragonborn quickly sheathed his sword away in the relative safety and descended down the stairs to rendezvous with the rest of the group. His descent was quick but quiet... Not a single footstep he made sure to make a creak or sound until he noticed an incoming party that revealed itself to be the old man and two elves. "Fear not, it is I." He raised his open palms to signify his pacifism towards the group. "That's a whole lotta noise ye made. Wouldn't be caught dead opening a door like that." He wanted to ask them why exactly that they hadn't waited. That'd make for a half-arsed argument since he hadn't announced that he was trying a different entrance. "I noticed the doors' got different kinds of metal on'em. Can't figure a pattern-- perhaps ye'll try something akin to what ye did the front door?" The dragonborn gave a snarky smile. "Right. No beatin' round the bush. I'll show ya where I saw'em if ye'd follow me."

Further down the hallway. Thanath charged deeper into the house in search of a good fight, booming with laughter as he went. Unlike his companions, Thanath didn't spend a single moment devising a plan or searching for clues. He simply wished to fight. He wanted to help out the mayor's prisoners too, but his need for a good fight could he very distracting for him.

Thankful that the guards fell unconscious so swiftly and that hopefully that was two fewer individuals that he needed to worry about having gotten a good look at him, Arius responds to the man apparently named Kethan, "If they could be coerced to betray their lord, they could be coerced to betray us as well. Placing trust in those of malleable allegiances and questionable character is a gambit best avoided...", as he cuts a glance in the direction of the newly reappeared dragonborn pickpocket, "... whenever possible."

Arius again mentally noted to stand a bit away from the cutpurse, but upon the rogue's mention of door materials, "Were these doors locked or otherwise giving some indication they might hold Alric's missing daughter and other captives?," he nods and reaches down to search the two unconscious guards pockets and belt for keys, before then following along with him and presumably Kethan and Ada.

However, the ruckus sound of Thanath careening through the manor with boisterous laughter, then gives Arius pause to turn in the direction of the old man, who'd just placed what seemed like a close cohort in the madman's care, with a coy smirk, "Is there a particular reason you wish your companion dead? She certainly seemed a good sort. Jilted lover, perhaps?" Once that moment of levity passes, the young half-elf can't help but let out a pained sigh. As much as he'd tried to convince himself it might be otherwise, between the rogue slipping away and sneaking about and the barbarian mindlessly charging everywhere, this party was undeniably just storming and looting the manor at this point.