Supply Run

[*Seraphel]

Garbed in black and perched on a nearby rooftop, the persona of Seraphel watched the streets of the Hive. For the past week, she kept an eye on the Harmonium outpost within the Hive, keeping a close eye on how they changed shifts, when fresh supplies came in, which routes the supplies came in on, and how many were stationed at the outpost.

She did this a number of ways. First, watching from a distance, counting the number within each patrol and the frequency of where they switched. The woman's eyes were well-attuned to darkness and as sharp as an eagle, so she had no issues watching them this way.

The second was more direct. Without disguise and simply wearing her work clothes, she wandered past the outpost, smiling at the guards and even flirting with some of them to learn about them.

The third, she would once again don the persona of Seraphel and pay a Hiver to commit a minor crime, enough for the Harmonium to book them and get processed through the outpost, enough for the Hiver to see the interior of the place and describe it to Seraphel once he was out.

When she had enough information, she'd start to piece her plan together. Her objective was to liberate a shipment of the many supplies the Harmonium moved to the outpost. She knew this was theft and she knew the risks, but she also knew the Harmonium were not short in supply of food and medicine. The Harmonium were a well-trained -- and well fed --- force. Anything she took from them would quickly be replenished.

[*Cadence]

Casing the joint was tough - for even though the majority of guards were utterly oblivious to stealthy Seraphil, the crossbowmen on the circular roof had sharp eyes and keen ears. She could have sworn that at times they acted aroused, as if some presence just beyond the shadows had piqued their suspicion.

Now the outpost itself was designed like a small fortress- much as she'd expect. Standing at two stories high and circular in shape, it resembled a short, wide cylinder with a rim of stereotypical Sigilian spikes. There were few groups in the Hive more detested than the Harmonium and for that reason, security was tight. Guards fully expected and dealt with random thug attacks, protesters and even the occasional grenade. For that reason it was reasonable to suspect that the place would be magically warded against most forms of elemental assault. There were no less than 9 guards patrolling the circumference at all times - 3 on the roof and 6 on the ground of the two-story structure. Shift changes were every 3 hours, and staggered so that not everyone was changing shifts all at once. Supplies were carted in twice a week on a trolley that was thoroughly inspected before disappearing into the structure via the main door for half an hour and emerging thereafter, empty.

Seraphil had limited success flirting with some of the guards as most of them had built up a healthy degree of suspicion of anyone in the Hive. Still, one of them named Elgin seemed to fancy her (or her in disguise, at least), and would chat her up regarding the latest happenings in the Ward.


The third part of her reconnaissance proved tricky as it had the largest degree of variability now that another individual was involved. Vykrow the Crooked: who was a human with a gaunt, mousy visage (possibly a wererat?)  as well as a petty thief did indeed do as she asked, causing a commotion and getting arrested. He changed the terms of their agreement upon his release. Apparently the guards inside had been particularly rough in their interrogation and Vykrow demanded twice as much as originally agreed upon.

Assuming Seraphil agreed to these new terms, she would have learned that the inside of the building featured a foyer for processing: a circular chamber filled with "too many officers to count." Interrogation chambers are on the main floor, and (at least) two spiral stairwells lead both to the 2nd floor (which Vykrow was unable to infiltrate) as well as the basement where the prisoner cells are. Of note, there is a small fire-door that is locked from the outside but more than likely openable from the inside - directly across the main entrance. Its existence is hidden on the outside as it appears that it's been painted over to appear as part of the building.

[*Seraphel]

Seraphel was not a greedy individual, so she paid Vykrow the asked sum with a little extra.

Once business with the thief was complete, Seraphel focused on studying the routes the supply trolley took, at what points on the route were they least guarded, how many guards escorted the trolley. She wasn't interested in picking a fight with the fortress if she could help it.

[*Cadence]

She managed to trace the cart all the way back to a public, well-traversed portal that originated on Lot's Lane in the Hive. The cart was guarded by at least 4 (and sometimes 6) officers at all times - from the moment it emerged from the portal.

The entire journey from the portal to the Harmonium Outpost took about 15 minute. The caravan wisely avoided sparsely traversed arteries on their journey. Still, there were more than a few cutters in the Hive who didn't take kindly to a large contingent of Hardheads making their presence known in their 'territory.' Two local gangs were prominent in the area: The Dangerous Angels (affiliated with the Indeps) and the Wilder Dogs (affiliated with the Xaositects). They might be convinced to work with Seraphil - for a price, or more likely: a cut of the supplies on the cart.


Other ideas popped into Seraphil's mind regarding infiltration. They involved searching for portals into the outpost, as well as disguising herself as a Harmonium officer, among others. Each idea had its unique set of advantages and disadvantages (as did combining the ideas).

[*Seraphel]

Seraphel didn't enjoy the idea of working with the Indep gang, and the Xaiosects were out of the question. While they could be a useful ally, their involvement might lead to deaths on either side. Killing the Harmonium would be the easiest means to getting to the supplies, but she was above that. She wouldn't kill, not unless her life was in the balance. Revolution meant more to her than murdering the men in red suits. They followed orders and did their duty, but not all of them were bad people, so she wouldn't send someone's father, brother, or son home in a casket if she could help it.

Taking on all four or six of the Harmonium at a time would be suicide, so she knew she had to split them up. First, she'd need to stop their movements, so something to get in their way, or even blind them. A master of crafting and setting traps, that should be easy. Then it was just a matter of distracting or incapacitating them long enough to loot the cart of what she could get a hold of.

On the night of the operation, Seraphel would wait for the planned shipment to arrive on a nearby rooftop.

[*Cadence]

The air was thick with an odious tension, akin to a lion's anticipation before it pounced on a herd of gazelle in the wild plains of the Beastlands. The archway by the busy road was bustling with activity, and from her perch Seraphil could make out several characters of interest among the throng of passersby. A small herd of bariaur- about 8 of them - were gathered on the street opposite to the archway, discussing some apparently important matter. Meanwhile a githyanki (or was it zerai?) and human were engaged in some kind of drug deal in the alley immediately behind the Arch. This was only a few hours after peak so stores were open and there were many avenues through which one might escape or sneak into if a rapid getaway was necessary.

On cue, the small caravan emerged from a swirling vortex of sound and light. The rectangular cart was about 6 feet wide, 10 feet long, and 5 feet deep. Today, there were 4 Harmonium officers guarding the caravan, along with two men (if they were Harmonium, then they weren't in uniform as their garb was nondescript cloth robes of seemingly low quality) pulling it forward from the front via two leather-enforced ropes.


The procession slowly made its way down the street, right through the middle, making minimal noise yet still attracting dirty looks.

[*Seraphel]

Seraphel moved ahead of the caravan and finished setting up her trap. A snare concealed by an invisibility wand. If one of the Harmonium stepped through it, the counterweight would raise them roughly ten feet in the air. She had a handful of smokebombs as well. The anarchist moved into her position, and waited.

[*Seraphel]

The anarchist took an indirect route back to the hideout through Undersigil. When she arrived at the hideout, she ripped off her sweat-and-blood soaked mask and threw it on the floor.

Taking a seat at the table, Seraphel cut away the fabric around her wound and worked to removed the bolt in the back of her shoulder; the wound burning as the bolt's head wrenched around in her flesh. Once she had treated her wounds, Seraphel laid low for a while until it was safe enough for her to return to the outside.

[*Cadence]

The trap worked perfectly.

The first Harmonium officer who walked ahead of the caravan was catapulted into the air with a yelp of surprise. With the snare being revealed after contact with the Harmonium officer, all Baator broke loose as the remainder of the guards ordered the pullers to stop the caravan. Halberds were drawn immediately. One of the guards attempted to dislodge the snared guard while the glanced about furtively - as if expecting to be ambushed at any second.

Meanwhile, the group of bariaurs had all turned quite intently towards the commotion.

[*Seraphel]

Seraphel had designed the snare to hold the guard high in the air, the extended reach of their halberds in mind.

As the guard dangled by his ankle from the snare trap, Seraphel pulled out three smoke bombs and tossed them at points around the caravan. The smoke shot out of the spherical objects and produced a thick cloud of smoke around the three remaining guards, leaving the bed of the caravan visible from her perch