(Orchard Operation) Soot Blackened Fruit

[Colonel Worm]

There's a lot of cross-talk from below. Discussion. Worm's said his piece.

And now Gerrit's up here with him, looking to check out this door as well. He gives the Ogre a nod.

With that, the Goblin approaches the door itself. Slowly, carefully. He's not going to open it yet, but he does bring an ear close.... Listening to see if he can hear anything beyond it.

Perception, 2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-12-09 08:28:44	Colonel Worm rolls 4 to Wits + Composure -1 (clarity) (10 Again)	7, 10, 9, 7, 6	2 successes

Equipment:
Khukri knives (+ sheaths) x 2 2L*
Brass Knuckles x2 1B (in pants pockets)
Kevlar Vest (thin)
Reinforced Clothing (Motorcycle jacket)
Advanced First Aid Kit
Water bottle (in first aid kit exterior pocket)
Bag of Beef jerky
Tree tags
Cigarettes + Lighter

[Seraphina]

A nod to Rhodes before she heads up the ladder. No way she was letting Worm and Gerrit go in alone.

An escape route? Sure, or a trap. Gone where the days when she was a carefree Spring, not worried about such things.

Looking to the Winter as she got to the loft, she nods.

But how clean it was up here? That was setting off alarm bells in her head.

Lowering her voice, “If this is a trap, and someone goes down, I’ll need cover to get the injured back up.” Preparing for the worst. Would she go into a dangerous situation to save one of her friends? In a heartbeat.

When Worm approaches the door, her hand goes down to her dagger, while her eyes dart around, body tense.

failure

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-12-09 09:23:44	Seraphina rolls 5 to Looking Around(Wits3+Comp3)-1 Clarity (10 Again)	7, 4, 1, 1, 4	failure

Hedgespun jacket(+1 INT, +1 DEF), Hedgespun Necklace(+1 singing), dagger, 2 bottles of water, bag of trail mix, gauze and tape, costume jewelry for trading(one necklace, one pin) sun catcher for trading, gardening gloves, notebook with pencil
Health 7
WP 3

[Gerrit]

"Understood. If it's neither me nor you, I'll cover you." Because it has become abundantly clear that he at least could take a beating. He inched towards the door after Colonel Worm, keeping his eyes peeled for any form of trap. Could he see hinges that hinted at the way the door opened? Either way, Gerrit would position himself behind the Summer and a bit to the side so that he had the best view once the door is open.
And while they should remain careful, it was also best not to dwell too long in one place.

3 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-12-12 11:49:09	Gerrit rolls 5 to look for potential danger (Wits 3 + Comp 3 - Clarity 1) (10 Again)	8, 5, 1, 10, 8, 1	3 successes

Equipment: Backpack - First aid Kit, Rope, a separate bag, a bottle of water, a notebook and a pen, Tags for Rhodes' Contract.






Shadowpatch (+3 to Stealth)

[Rhodes]

Rhodes felt a small flush of irritation as he was simply overwritten by the movement of all the others up to the loft and the door. Of course, Sera would never let people go into danger without supporting them and this left him alone - a foolish place to stay.

He exhaled slowly, allowing the delightful view of his wife ascending the ladder before him to distract from other emotions. Even here Sera managed to ooze sex appeal. Nothing like danger to inflame later passions (and remind of the desire to survive to see such passions). Then, he took a quick belt from his flask to quell rising nerves and he followed her up, taking a place behind the others. "Alright, let's do this if we're doing it at all."

Equipment: Sturdy boots, Hedgespun coat (+1 def, +1 talking to crowds when active), hip flask (scotch, 3/4 full), Wallet containing a photo of Sera, ID and $147, a satchel containing: 12 tags each with "Rhodes" on them, 2 knives, a book of poetry, some cheap silver rings, earrings and a necklace with bright stones.
Health 7/7
WP 2/2

[Saber Sloth]

Colonel Worm listens like his life depends on it, he doesn't hear movement, shuffling. Or something like an off cough, he does hear a small whirl. But the sound doesn't register as something familiar to him with his expansive knowledge of weaponry.

Gerrit, knows that something like this should open inward. But looking the door over, he knows that it'll open outward. Looking again, and he sees, a lock, and a bolt, and marks that show something like scuff marks under the door knob, with corresponding indents on the floor. Looking strangely out of place on the door that is the focal point of un fire damaged splendor.

[Colonel Worm]

What is that sound? Worm's not sure. But at least it's not the growl of some hedge beast, or the click of a gun being cocked. Everything's coming up Colonel.

A glance back at his assembled comrades. A nod. With his free hand, he signals them to move to one side, out of the direct line of fire once the door's been opened.

Time to move.

Knife in one hand, he makes sure the door is unlocked with the other. Then he turns the nob and swings the door open, keeping his own body to one side of the frame, using it for cover. The Colonel peeks into the space beyond the door.

Perception, failure

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-12-14 16:11:34	Colonel Worm rolls 4 to Wits + Composure -1 (clarity) (10 Again)	6, 2, 6, 5	failure

...But he doesn't manage to make anything out. Sometimes caution gets in the way.

[Seraphina]

A nod to Gerrit to let him know she heard him. He understood, and that made things a bit, very small bit, less worrisome.

There was a knot in her chest loosened slightly when she heard Rhodes climb the ladder.

With CW moving to open the door, Sera feels her body tense. She was expecting the worst, this to be a trap of some sort. And she could feel herself holding her breath, heart hammering in her chest.

[Gerrit]

Gerrit nudged the Colonel and pointed at the marks. "Do you think someone or something tried to get out?" Maybe during the fire? But the door opened outwards.. so did something try to get somewhere else? When CW tried the door the Ogre tensed up and tried to have his eyes everywhere. Wouldn't it be funny if the door was just a distraction, something to catch their attention and set them up for a backstab?

failure

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-12-15 14:36:18	Gerrit rolls 5 to be vigilant (Wits 3 + Comp 3 - Clarity 1) (10 Again)	2, 1, 7, 1, 3	failure

The thought made him nervous, to nervous to just focus on one thing and watch that. Instead he tried to look everywhere at once, resulting at not really getting anything.

Equipment: Backpack - First aid Kit, Rope, a separate bag, a bottle of water, a notebook and a pen, Tags for Rhodes' Contract.






Shadowpatch (+3 to Stealth)

[Rhodes]

The Dread Lord felt the fear - ever close, ever sharp, like a cold knife against his heart. Spurring to action.

Slowly, he reached into his bag and withdrew a knife. He couldn't see much behind all the others, but at least he could be prepared.

Equipment: Sturdy boots, Hedgespun coat (+1 def, +1 talking to crowds when active), hip flask (scotch, 3/4 full), Wallet containing a photo of Sera, ID and $147, a satchel containing: 12 tags each with "Rhodes" on them, 2 knives, a book of poetry, some cheap silver rings, earrings and a necklace with bright stones.
Health 7/7
WP 2/2

[/QUOTE]

[Saber Sloth]

The door swings open, and -

- nothing.

Or at least, nothing rushes out.

Inside of the door, is another room. Large, expansive. Filling the rest of the loft. Everything is divided up with, flat walls, what looks like aisles. Doors, Arches, and Mirrors neatly placed, ready for use.

The Lost had found the Door Room, and what the rest of the Hollow had been sacrificed to keep safe.


The whirling grows stronger, but Colonel Worn cannot discern where it's coming from exactly.