Training Hall (days 21-23)

When the Tropic Thunder entered the next hall they encountered a patrol of 3 Lotus Dragon thieves. After this encounter the heroes decided to recuperate aboveground and return as soon as possible.

Since the Tropic Thunder ignored their note, the Lotus Dragons arranged an ambush to take place at some point when the heroes were on the streets of Sasserine. They paid a street urchin to pick one of the Tropic Thunder's pockets and then race into an alley. Pillboxer apprehended the kid before he had a chance to run, and when the kid confessed his task, they let him go and went to the alley anyway. There, two thieves fired hand crossbows at the lead heroes while a third unsuccessfully attempted to block their retreat by throwing a tanglefoot bag at them. From their vantage point atop the roofs above, the thieves had cover. Pillboxer clambered up the building walls, but there were no convenient windows or doors into the buildings for the rest of the Tropic Thunder to hide. As soon as two of the thieves were slain and Pillboxer was about to reach the rooftops, the remaining thief fled across the roof, taking a winding route that eventually led to Dead Dog Plaza.

Pillboxer tracked the thief to Dead Dog Plaza, where he dropped into a well in the plaza center, dropping down into the water below.

When the Tropic Thunder returned to the guildhall, the thieves were quick to make sure every door was closed tightly again; this limited their own movement, but also slowed the advance of an invading force.

The Tropic Thunder entered a large room with a floor covered with thick padded mats. Throughout the room stood all manner of target dummies made of cloth and armor stuffed with straw, some of which wore bell-studded coats with numerous pockets, and other of which were studded with manacles and chains hung with cheap-looking padlocks. To one side, a wooden stage sat a foot off the floor. A padded throne flanked by potted plants sat on this stage.

When the Tropic Thunder entered this room, the throne was empty.

There was a closed door across the stage.

Six Lotus Dragon thieves waited here. They took the place of six of the target dummies, disguising themselves so that at a glance, the room seemed to be empty.

The thieves weren't noticed, and waited for the Tropic Thunder to scatter throughout the room before taking action and drawing their weapons. They worked together, flanking foes and focusing initial attacks on Graim and Harold in an attempt to even the odds before facing Cyq and Pillboxer.