[center][h2][color=F0E68C]Asteria[/color][/h2][/center][hr][hr]
Asteria surveyed the bandit base, noting that it was not a mere shack as she had expected it to be. It was a whole cliff-side, dug out to who knew what extent? There were only three enemies outside, and one captive prisoner-beast, but there were sure to be many more within. Asteria used Monster Analysis on the poor tortured creature. Seeing it, she immediately wanted to free, get it in better working shape, and ultimately working for her. As she stared at it, she couldn’t help but wonder if there were other prisoners they could break out and use against the bandits. They’d need to go scout inside to find out…but a trio of them was a bit much for that task. Besides, if there were no other prisoners, they’d need something else to counter all their numbers.

Just as she was considering that, Ed related his plan. With a raise of her brows, Asteria noted, [color=F0E68C]“Great minds…”[/color] with evident surprise in her tone. Not because she didn’t expect the ratman’s plan – she already knew how clever he was – but because they’d come to rather similar solutions. [color=F0E68C]“Hm, no, it's not stupid. We do need more manpower, and since we can’t get allies or mercenaries on short notice (not that we have the money to hire anyone),”[/color] she said, muttering the last part, [color=F0E68C]“luring more of those infernal insects here is the next best thing,”[/color] she concluded. [color=F0E68C]“I’m all up for sneaking in and getting the layout. I would certainly like to try and use the Pale Beast for our own sake, though I believe it may be too scared of the goblins to act against them. But there may be some other prisoners inside,”[/color] she said with a mild shrug. [color=F0E68C]“Agreed. Take Mother rat with you. If you don’t see me when and if you return here, go straight to the barrow. I’ll do the same if I won’t sense your presence upon my return,”[/color] she assented.

She then activated Muffle II and Suppress Presence I, and while Listening intently, made her way to the bandit base. Asteria went to the left, avoiding the caged beast on the right side for now. She trailed on the outside of the fence, peering at the trio of enemies to see their reactions. She didn’t wish them to hear her, but if they would, she’d stop and wait to see what they’d do. She gradually made her way to the stairway on the left. At one point, she had to cross the fence, and she chose to burrow and squeeze her way underneath it as quietly as she could. Sticking to the sides and as far away from the trio at the fire, Asteria sneaked her way in the direction of the balcony.