6: The Fortress Job

General Summary

The Chain Breakers set out and leaving Gloomhaven to follow the slave trader line. They ideally discuss the plans when they get too Washbourne scouting to see what they're up against.
A couple of days of travel and they get jumped on the road. Initially, the bandits have the upper hand but with a few quick spells from Faye and they turn it around quickly. they briefly entertain the idea after the battle that the bandits recognized the cart and that's why they attacked but dismissed it quickly as none of the bands made a move towards the cart.
That night Colleen Reed tells Gillander MacKellag when their trading watches she asked Pelor if they were going the right way and they were. there was some trouble on the last watch but Allura and Colleen dealt with it.
The next day of travel is rather bland. a severe rainstorm has them hole up in a cave and have a small discussion comparing themselves to book characters. they also discuss the names of their party in which Chain Breakers comes up.
The next morning Gil gets up and Faye has gone off to take a test. allura and Gil eat and pick everything up. when they finish they are REjoined by the other two and Faye happily proclaimed she has earned the rank of Adept. It means she will have more freedom on her journeys and less check-ins and surprise tests. They continue on but Faye is spent so they agree to stop it rest if they get in sight of the city.
On the road, they cross paths with a blue Dragonborn merchant who is selling all sorts of baubles. When the girls dismount to check out the merchant. Gil notices that Allura is wearing a chainmail Bikini and her hair is teased into a high ponytail. Gil tries not to make his staring obvious but Faye and Colleen don't seem to notice a difference or that Allura seems to be curvier. She and Faye seem to be heavily flirting and affectionate with each other. most of the things on the merchants' cart are out of their price range, but get a few healing potions and a potion of invisibility. Faye likes a mockingbird that can put people to sleep but it's far too expensive for them. 
Once They get back on the road Gil inquires about the new armor. Allura says it was in the back of the cart and she tried it on and is overall much flirtier and cheerful with everyone. Gil hears more giggling from Faye and Allura as the day continues from in the cart. The city finally gets into view and they stop and make camp. Allura continues to be more affectionate and they set up for the night. She further elaborates that Faye thought the armor would fit her so that's why she tried it on. The whole night she seemed to be deliberately flirting with the group and moving to show off her assets.  Gil finally notices that Colleen is being quieter than usual.
Gil checks on her and Colleen says she notices Allura's behavior and thinks she might be charmed. she didn't see when the change happened because she had gotten out to check around when she changed armor. Gil ritually casts detect magic and the armor looks to be enchanting her. Gil also points out that Elves have natural defenses again charms but attributes it to the armor because all he can see is she's enchanted which could mean anything. Colleen doesn't seem to trust Gil, who says he's not telling her to not dispel it just to be careful because it appears powerful. Gil mentions he's happy someone else sees it, and colleen responds that it's difficult not to see. Gil points out that Faye seems to not notice and Colleen says she will ask Faye about it. 
The rest of the night is quiet, Gil and colleen just make notes of any changes to Allura's behavior. Once he starts on his watch the campfire starts to move and resemble a teifling dancing.  Mo is using a new trick and getting used to new powers. Mo mentions how new she is to being a paetron. Mo also admits to being behind Allura's transformation as a gift to Gil. That at least gives him a bit of relief as Mo mentioned the armor is legendary. Gil inquires if this new trick means she's getting closer to the material plane of which she is not sure. 
After the talk, he identifies the armor as the "Armor of Flirting" it grants defense as well as charisma and outgoing flirtatious nature. He relays this to Colleen who accuses him of liking her. Gil responds that he likes all the girls.  Colleen has her eye on him. Gil mentions Allura said the same thing and Colleen mention it's because he could be trouble. 
The next morning over breakfast they discuss going into the city. they all agree to hide the cart outside the city to not draw suspicion. then head in on foot and find an inn and scout from there. Gil goes to wash up in a pond Allura found, and Faye tried to sneak up on him. They have a nice little romp in the pond before cleaning up and rejoining the party. they briefly discuss Allura and Faye has noticed and thinks she's fun. She encourages Gil to hang out with Allura now. 
After returning to camp they find a place to put the cart down the road and then continue on foot. Gil casually converses with Allura who is very flirty and positive. They grab the horses and continue on. As they get closer to the city they find a line forming to get in. Allura goes to investigate and someone tries to grab her ass and gets set straight for his troubles. There's a fee to get in, Gil states he has enough to cover the group. As they get closer Allura asks to try something, she flirts with the collectors; her voice even becoming southern sounding and she pursues them to let the group through. 
The Party ends up grabbing some rooms at the WineSpring Inn towards the center of town. they go to set things down and Allura states she would like a chance to sleep with Faye as Gil always is boasting about how it's the best. Gil mentions switching up every night so everyone can enjoy cuddling with Faye.  They all agree and then get to eating and then split up to scout the city. 
Gil and Allura head to the south side of town where clearly things are dilapidated and less taken care of. They quickly identify the white building as it's bigger than all the others. They continue to scout around; Allura utilizing her cloak of elvenkind. They manage to find two guards and a spotter on the first pass. As they continue to walk around they find more spies on the street blocking off access points. They retreat to a cafe with outdoor seating. they grab some ales and start to case things. they flirt and get a good idea of the patrols and the guard switches. They decide to play the part of lovers the next day looking for a high place to make out. 
When they return they find Colleen and compare notes. Faye is in their room with Archmage Kianna who then summons Gil to his Room. She is concerned about them going further south than they are because of the people of Layling, which is a dune wasteland. the people there hate magic users and they tend to enslave all who are captured. Gil assures her that they will be heading up north after they finish here. even though he's sure the line continues there's another business to attend to. He also pressed upon the archmage how seriously he takes the safety of his party. He also impresses that each step has ramped up and he feels anything beyond this would over their abilities without recruiting more help. Faye is clearly embarrassed and mortified by this intrusion. 
After she leaves the group talks again about their current and future plans, Gil reiterating that he's not sure they aren't expected and knowing now about the magic users issue going south that the better idea is to go north. He coins the term "Wizard Mom" for  Kianna as well. 
They continue to compare notes about the scouting that day. Faye and Gil decide to go on a date after she studies a little.
Gil heads downstairs and talks casually to Colleen and Allura. They have to explain some slang to Colleen. Faye comes down in a gorgeous outfit and Gil changes so he can look nice for her and the both of them head out to a place she had saved earlier in the day. Someone was casing them it seemed but disappeared quickly. They give Faye the VIP treatment because she and colleen saved them from some thugs jumping their bouncer. then enjoy some dinner and wine, talk about where this is going, and for the moment agree to let what happens to happen. when they return they decide to get a room so as not to force colleen or Allura to move rooms; then go and enjoy another romp. They playfully discuss the fact Gil agreed to Allura's demands earlier because he's sure she means to seduce the whole group and wants everyone to enjoy their time. 
The next morning Allura is pouting that those were not the terms of the agreed sleeping arrangements. Gil offers to make it up to her and she says "we'll see." she's really just teasing Gil. They eat and break up for their scouting.  
Gil notes as they head to the slums that Allura is enjoying teasing him. They quickly find a roof to shimmy up to that will give them the vantage points to both looks at the guards and patrols and any rooftop snipers. they engage in the ruse and start to make out and find a second spinner while they kiss. allura saw something for a brief second that prompts her to escalate the ruse and move. she starts to get very into it, All Gil can make out is the two he can see are interested in what they do. She pushes Gil on his back and mounts him then drops off her breastplate; showing wrappings underneath; to keep seeing if she could draw out any guards, or because she was really into it. this at least gets them to signal to a third sniper to come see. Gil asks if they should finish and go but Allura says she wasn't to push it further and loses the wrappings and pulls Gil into her chest.  
The snipers descend upon them, the third staying hidden. they play the part of a pair of adventurers and Allura a ditzy fighter named Kitty who can't get enough of him. They inquire as to any place to take this privately and who to talk to if they were looking for work. the snipers try to convince them to see their boss but Gil declines stating he needs to be more presentable before going to meet their boss. he doesn't get a name, and they manage to get them to leave. They decide to go somewhere and get a room just in case they have a tail, keeping up their ruse. they compare notes on what to do next and Allura mentions she wasn't sure how her wrappings came off. Gil teased she was into it and he had no idea how she managed to keep them hidden. she states their a blessing and curse and that she was just really horny but thinks she's good now. this prompt some flirting back and forth and ends with Gil kissing her and them undressing and working out all her horniness. 
Gil mentions after that he must be the luckiest adventurer in the idles with all the beautiful women he has surrounding him. they go to eat and discuss plans going forward to scout at night and have a casual conversation, though when Gil asks her what her favorite thing is; she flirting stops and she goes back to the old stone-faced Allura. She states her sister is her favorite thing and that she knows exactly where she is. Gil said he thought she was kidnapped. Allura replies she is but she's not in danger. They get back into the flirting and then break up Allura to tell the girls the new plan of them keeping the separate room for cover and Gil to scout. 
Gil gets a good idea of when everyone is knocking off work. and though can see much from the docks, he does observe 3 guys hanging around the main door and sees the outside patrol. they change down to 2 guards. the back of the building faces the river. e returns back and Allura has brought Faye and the two take a moment to kiss and then catch up. the hoods she chased off from the restaurant the day before are a big deal in the city and if they are successful then there would be a significant power vacuum. This puts a wrinkle in things because if they don't control who takes power at least partially things could be worse. Gil says he'll talk to Makiel. Allura takes Fayte back to the first hotel and then returns as She and Gil talk strategy. a water approach seems risky especially since most of them are not versed in boats. Gil decides to call Makiel to see if she knows anyone that can come take over when they raze the old regime.
They talk and she has people that can come but they will have to delay a week. He also reports about the ship and its future planes. Makiel disconnects to get things in motion and Gil and Allura decide they need to keep up the ruse just to be safe. they finally decide to relax, and As they settle in Gil asks what she was before a mercenary and Allura says someone else; and it was very different from this. they relax for the rest of the evening Gil gives her a sketch of her in the armor of flirting. 
Gil has an odd dream of a crowd, a song called south texas death, and a duo posing and stepping into a roped-off platform surrounded by a crowd. 
He wakes up and looks in the book for a message from Mo, she asks what that was and he writes back hGil thought it was her. she replies you got me? he says he'll report back if anything else happens. 
Gil goes and gets breakfast for them Allura gets up. he asks about any strange dreams. she said she had one but laughs at the dream he describes. she states she was dreaming of her and Faye. They reiterate the plan and Gil offers to go buy Allura something which she excitedly accepts. while the choices of shopping were limited they flirtily went about town and got her a pair of thigh-high buckled boots and an outfit while making a show of their affection for any tails. 
From there they decide to meet with the rest discretely at a tavern. He gives Allura invisibility and then heads off and passes a note to Faye about where to meet. Allura is very playful while invisible enjoying it. Faye and Colleen show up and Gil starts to update them when Mo tells him to watch this and he suddenly can hear all three of their thoughts at once. He tries to focus on one but it gets worse until he manages to calm down and get it to go away. they check on him concerned and he mentions that whatever this boon was is new. 
After a minute to recover he tries to detect thoughts on those around him, he uses detect thoughts on Faye and she's not sure she believes him until he messages her in her head. After the distraction, they get back to the matter at hand. Faye isn't happy about it but is resigned that it's the best they can do without starting anarchy. They break up and head back to their hotels. 
Gil thanks Mo for the gift but asks for a little warning.
gil returns to the room Allura does more invisible flirting. he suggests they could hook up to pass the time as they don't really have much to do, at first she seems into it but when he tells her that he cares deeply about her more than just as someone in his party. She blushes but then gets up and looks out the window. Gil backs off. 
A week passes as they scout, and he hooks up with Allura and sneaks off to hook up with Faye. His communication device chimes and a gnome named Brockers appears and says he'll meet them at Faye's hotel. He goes to find Allura downstairs surrounded by men. he manages to shoo them off and they eat while discussing coins and flirting about the end of this long job. They check out and head back to the other hotel to meet with everyone. 
Brockers is there. he kids about him being surrounded by beautiful women. Brockers gives him a bag of platinum and then they all go over the plan for that night, he says to call when it's clear and he'll come in with his men. they do some last-minute shopping for climbing gear and more potions then get ready to go. They momentarily worry that this might be too much but they're committed and want to go forward
As they get ready he asks for last-minute advice and Mo wishes them luck.
They head into the first battle with the snipers are quiet but one gets a shot off on Allura before they get to kill them. Faye seems very upset at Allura being hurt. They roll and hide the body and then make their way inside via a hidden door. once they move in they go thru a few encounters and manage to take minimal damage and quickly dispatch their opponents and drag them into the room leading to the roof. Their general tactic being Gil to establish a psychic link with Faye and then go forward to try to kill guards and have the rest join him. This worked until an ogre gets involved and then they take some hard hits. And Gil and Allura keep getting shot with crossbows. 
They use some potions and head into the last room with the Boss and they charge in. They are outnumbered pretty badly but have the jump on the main group. Faye manages to whittle down their numbers with some spells but they also have a range. they manage to push forward but the boss pulls out a glowing AXe and starts to expand a grows and his bodyguards engage. they keep pressing Faye throwing fireballs, but they are getting roughed up badly. The boss dwarf drops colleen and move to Allura and is ready to go all in on her. 

Gil asks Mo for help who then uses her power to empower the four of them. Mo speaks thru Gil, " who am I you ask, I am the reaper of your nightmares! I am the ghost in the corner of your eyes! I am death incarnate!!!" Unbeknownst to gil he takes on some corruption
The energy flows from Gil to his Girls and they are rejuvenated. Even with the power the rest of the battle is close but they manage to down everyone. They grabbed as much loot as they could and called Brockers to come in and take over. they also find slaves in cages and one guy named Toban in the cages they set free. once the 20 or so slaves were free Brockers and his group came in and took over releasing the Chainbreakers from service so they could head back to the hotel. 
They get cleaned up, Gil in his soak thanks Mo for the help and promises not to make a habit of needing to be bailed out. Giul also asked if Mo needed him to be looking for anything since she said she would need Gil to gather things. Mo gave a sarcastic answer which confused Gil as he was trying to figure out his next step to helping then told him the stuff he needs is scattered. 
After that Gil and Faye take a moment to relax and cuddle in bed and get some much-needed rest while reflecting on a job done. They also talk about how their both involved with Allura and neither is jealous about it. 
The next morning they decide to spend one more day taking it easy and relaxing before heading back on the road. As they eat that morning Gil spies a boy sneaking off after Allura comes downstairs. They discuss the trip and Colleen sends a message to Shimyra  to meet them in gloom haven. 
Gil also shows the girls his new trick, that by using his book he can send and receive messages from them anywhere in the world. he gets the three of them to sign it and saves his last slot for Shimyra. 
They head out the next day and then after grabbing the cart, spend a week on the road heading to Gloomhaven it's fairly uneventful and once there, they wait a day before the Ship docks and they board it. The captain signs Gil's book of shadows for easier communication and then they all Set sail for Lorden

Report Date

04 Dec 2022