Way of the Wicked [PF] Group 1

[Mari01]

In the kingdom of Talingarde, many crimes may send
you to Branderscar Prison, but the sentence has but one
meaning. You are wicked and irredeemable. Each of you
received the same greeting when you arrived. You were
held down by rough hands and branded upon the arm with
a runic F. The mark signifies ‘forsaken’ and the painful
scar is indelible proof that each of you has betrayed
the great and eternal love of Mitra and his chosen
mortal vassals.

http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af54/bouncin13/Way%20of%20the%20Wicked%20Art/branderscarintro.png



Condemned, you face at best a life of
shackles and servitude in the nearby salt
mines. Others might await the “gentle”
ministrations of the inquisitors so that
co-conspirators may be revealed and
confessions extracted. Perhaps,
some of you will be spared this
ordeal. Perhaps instead you
have come to Branderscar to
face the final judgment. In
three days, the executioner
arrives and the axe falls
or the pyre will be lit.
Through fire or steel, your crimes
will be answered.

You have all been chained together in the same communal cell dressed
in nothing but filthy, tattered rags.
Manhandled and mistreated, any finery
you once possessed is either ruined or
long lost. No special treatment has been
given any prisoner – male or female,
commoner or noble – all of the forsaken
are bound and imprisoned together. Your feet
are secured by iron cuffs tethered by one long
chain. Your arms are secured to the wall
above by manacles. A guard is posted
right outside the cell day and night.
Little thought is given to long term
accommodations. At Branderscar,
justice comes swift and sure.

For each of you, your old life is over. For each of you,
hope is a fading memory. For each of you, justice will be
fairly meted. And who can blame fair Talingarde after
what each of you has done?

You're all finally awake at the same time, and despite what was previously said, there's no guard currently stationed right outside the gate; he's huddled together with about 4 other guards. There appears to be a discussion taking place.

Perception checks

[Bhaakon]

Trig works his fingers through complex patterns of calisthenics, since they're about the only part of his body he can move. If I stay like this much longer, I'll be too weak to escape. I can feel the strength and flexibility rotting away, soon I'll be a stiffening bag of bones.

Vigilant for even the slightest opportunity, Trig carefully observes the unusual meeting of guards.

perception: [roll]1d20+9

[Lord Tyger]

"Ho, guards!" calls Alaric derisively. "Now there's five of you and all, why don't we have another go! Come unchain me, and I promise I'll let at least one of you live!"

[roll0] perception.
[roll1] Intimidate check on the guards
[roll2] strength check against the manacles.

[Mari01]

The guards all shiver in fear with your challenge as you strain against the manacles, but to no avail. N-n-n-n-o way! We lost more men bringing you down than that blasted ogre and he's twice your size. Trying to save a bit of face amongst his peers, another one pipes up Yea! We'll let you out alright. When the executioner gets here!

Alaric,
Someone in your cell has a visitor. They mentioned Sir Balin.

Trig
Sir Balin has left the prison. And someone among you has a "visitor" on the way.

[Lord Tyger]

"Look, I mean to kill you all either way, but if you let me out now, maybe I won't bother to track down your families!"

[roll0] Diplomacy check

[Mari01]

Your killing days are over Alaric! It's the axe for you and there's nothing you can do about it. Same for the rest of these...monsters! The guard motions towards your "companions". Why not just wait quietly like the rest?

I'll be uploading the map shortly. I haven't found a good token system, so your speaking color will be your location. This doesn't apply to NPC's unless its someone special, in which case I'll keep note of them. These guards for example will just be any color that you guys aren't.

[Lord Tyger]

"Axe?! AXE? Don't talk to me about axes, nancy boy! Not a one of you sniveling, cringing, city folk know a damn thing thing about axes! If I'd an axe to hand I'd have painted your whole damn kingdom red before you took me!" He glances at his fellow prisoners for a moment. "Besides, think you that I am in here for my love of peace and quiet? I know not these sulky fellows' crimes, but mean to die as I have lived, with blood on my hands and a RRRROAR on my lips!"

[roll0] intimidate check because why not?

[Indeed It Is]

Kyan comes awake with a low groan and a raises up on his toes to provide some relief to his stiff shoulders so he can rotate the joints. He quietly looks around about the cell at his fellow prisoners and to the guards outside with a dull, flat expression as if he found their predicament and the exchange between the loud, boisterous prisoner and the guards an everyday affair. A quick glance is given to his manacles, but not attempt against them is made. He saw the loud one try to no effect and doubted he would be able to do any better.


Perception: [roll0]
Knowledge(Local) for any info on anything he may hear: [roll1]

[Angstrom]

"Why are you wasting your time yelling at those wretches?" Saff asks as she picks at the mud in her hair with manacled hands. "Didn't you hear? They think we're monsters, why bother?"

She starts to smirk as large chunks of dried mud and horse excrement begin to dislodge from her tangled hair.

Perception: [roll0]

[Lord Tyger]

"Wasting my time?!" Alaric lets out a thunderous laugh. "What else would I do to while away the hours until that so-called axeman comes to call? I suppose I could try to make myself look pretty for him, like you!"

[Angstrom]

"Oh, green-eyes, are you getting envious of the executioner for being the one who gets to kill me? she teases. Bide your time big guy, you might still get the chance if you wait quietly."

With the manacles held up in front of her face she begins to covertly inspect their quality as best she can. Sleight of Hand to go unnoticed: 1d20+2

[Madcrafter]

Bazoril stirs at the one sided yelling match, his body stretched by the human sized shackles just enough to be uncomfortable. The snide back and forth going on was providing reasonable distraction for the guards though. He rumbles softly "I'd let him shout his head off, if he prefers that to the axe." Ignoring any response to his comment, he takes a look around, mind already parsing the guards' comments for interesting information.

Perception [roll0]

[Mari01]

The hell do you think you're doing talking to 'em like they're people?, yells a voice from the stairwell. A group of six guards, heavily armed and ready for trouble, come into the cell led by a fat well-dressed sergeant of the watch. Everyone recognizes Sergeant Tomas Blackerly. This was the man who held the brand that marked each of you. He laughed as your skin burned. Right now, though
the sergeant seems a little dazed.

http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af54/bouncin13/Way%20of%20the%20Wicked%20Art/thomasblackerly.png

Sense Motive Checks

You there! That’s the scum! Get ‘em unshackled. If any of you makes trouble, they’ll earn a thrashing! Today’s your lucky day, scum. You’ve got a visitor. How you ever warranted such a fine lady is beyond me. Seems she wants to say good-bye. Now step lively. We wouldn’t want to keep her waiting.

He is pointing at Saff.

[Lord Tyger]

Alaric grins broadly at the guards who have just been ordered to unshackle Saff, curious to see which will work up the nerve to approach the prisoners first.

Sense Motive: [roll0]

[Angstrom]

For a moment a look of surprised panic can be read on Saff's face, though quiet composure replaces it almost immediately. Unwanted beads of sweat form on her brow as she starts guessing at Blackerly's reason for taking her away; the painful memory of the brand still fresh on her skin. Questions begin to pool in her mind; too many questions and no answers. At her core she suspects the 'fine lady' to whom she is being delivered is torture and death.

She quickly shoots a smirk at the mohawked prisoner. "Perhaps it wasn't the axeman I was 'making myself look pretty for' after all" she whispers to him as she rises to her feet and steps towards the door of the cell.

"Its ok sweetheart, I won't bite" she says to the guard holding the keys. She holds out her manacled wrists and beckons him closer, keeping her eyes on Blackerly.

Sense Motive: [roll0]

[Lord Tyger]

"I'll bite!" Alaric cries merrily, lunging forward towards the guards as far as his chains will allow.

[Mari01]

Current Map
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6tyHeM4r_TiRDkyVjJyRGJPZ0U/edit

All PC's can identify yourselves by the corlored ring around yourself. Trig, yours is a bit harder to see, but your token is very different from the NPC's. Blackerly has the purple outline (G12 if it's hard to see)

[Bhaakon]

"A visitor on death row? My my, someone has enemies in high places. No doubt here to gloat over your impending demise," Trig mutters at Saff without taking his eyes off the guards.

SM:[roll0]

[Mari01]

A hauntingly beautiful woman in an
elegant black dress and soft silken veil enters the cell. She looks as if
she is headed to a funeral. Her hair is so platinum as
to almost be white and her eyes are a vibrant, almost unearthly green. She clearly has been weeping.


http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af54/bouncin13/Way%20of%20the%20Wicked%20Art/tiadoragrief.png


“Oh, dearest,” proclaims the unfamiliar woman. “I’m so
relieved you’re alive!”

[Angstrom]

"Oh kitten, so nice of you to say so. A few days from now I won't be so your visit seems well timed."

Not sure of how to handle this stranger's charade, she looks towards the guards congregating outside the cell. This woman must have some reason for being here, but whatever it is Saff can't imagine her part in it. She wants to question the stranger but knows that the guards, as well as her cellmates, are likely eavesdropping so for now contents herself with continuing the ruse.

"Not that I don't appreciate getting this chance to say goodbye to you, but I certainly didn't expect you'd come. Has my situation changed in some way that suddenly warrants such a visit?"

[Indeed It Is]

Kyan, much like the rest of his forced companions, keeps his eyes on the guards and the new comers. It was likely the only entertainment they'd get.


Sense Motive: [roll0]

[Mari01]

She quickly turns to Tomas. “Could
we please have a moment alone, good sir? For pity’s sake?”
Tomas goes blank for a bit and then quickly agrees. “Of
course, my lady. For you,’ tis no problem.”
One more sense motive. The DC on this is muuuuuch easier since it's a bit more obvious.
Tomas motions, and the guard with the keys steps forward to undo your leg cuffs. They will escort you out of the cell and to a room not far, where the woman motions for you to sit as she attempts to quickly shut the door behind her.

Map: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6tyHeM4r_TiRjVuaGtTV0pZNzQ/edit
The room they are taking you to is labeled 20 on the map. The map gives away your lady friend's name early :smallamused:

[Angstrom]

"Alone at last"

She takes a seat at the table. Though the stranger has shown no sign of ill intent, she remains uneasy in the presence of this woman and waits for her to shut the door.

[Mari01]

Sense Motive DC was 10
This woman clearly has some power over Blackerly.

To Saff
As soon as the guards leave, the woman's demeanor immediately changes.
She drops all pretense of grief or concern. She is immediately all business. “Have you forgotten me, dearest?” the unexpected visitor says with a smirk, dropping her pretense of grief. “Call me Tiadora.

[Angstrom]

"Very well Tiadora, you have my attention." She switches to match Tiadorra's change in tone as she leans back in her chair. She tries to speak calmly, though still apprehensive. At least now she might get some answers.

"What's your game here? Why go to the trouble of gaining an audience with a dead woman?"

[Mari01]

To everyone.
Feel free to read the text for this. It's moving the story along. Just keep it OOC until it's brought up IC.


We possess a mutual
friend who would like to meet you and your fellow cellmates. Unfortunately, our friend is unwilling to visit you in ayour present rather shabby accommodations so it seems you must escape. Don’t be so dour. Just because it’s never been done before is no reason you can’t be the first.

[Angstrom]

"You expect me to be the first to break out of Branderscar? I don't appreciate being taunted so unless you mean to aid me in some way I expect your friend will have to go without the pleasure of my company."

[Mari01]

She takes off her silken veil and wipes away a few fake tears with it.
“Something to remember me by, dearest.”

[Angstrom]

Saff takes the veil and sighs, "So we're back to this game, eh kitten. Can't you at least tell me more about the prison I'm supposed to escape from or the friend who wants to meet me so badly? How do I find your friend or will she find me?"

Diplomacy: [roll0]

[Mari01]

The less you know the better. But since you're so persuasive I will say this much. Your escape is a test. You're holding the cheat sheet. Any thing else dearest? http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af54/bouncin13/Way%20of%20the%20Wicked%20Art/tiadorasveil.png

[Angstrom]

She looks down at the veil and notices several embroidered objects including what appears to be a set of lockpicks, "Well if this works as I think it does I may be able to meet with your friend after all. However, you still haven't told me where I'm going or when I'm supposed to be there."

Spellcraft: [roll0]
Knowledge (Arcana): [roll1]

[Mari01]

Tiadora
Well its about time you asked the right question. Cross the moors on the outskirts of town. On the old Moor Road you’ll see a
manor house with a single lantern burning in the second story.

Item
"Veil of Useful Items" This appears to be a fine silk veil of gossamer cloth. Only as it is held and closely inspected can you see small cloth patches
of various shapes. One patch can be detached each round as a move action. Detaching a patch causes it to become an actual item. This veil contains:
• 2 daggers
• Bullseye lantern (full, lit and shuttered)
• Hempen rope (50-foot coil)
• Sack full of needed spell components (worth less than a 1 gp)
and common clothes in the PCs sizes
• Thieves Tools, Masterwork
• Window (2 ft. by 4 ft., up to 2 ft. deep)
• Potion of cure light wounds
• 100 gold pieces
• Unholy Symbol of Asmodeus (silver)
Note that the window patch will create a window (and therefore
a hole) in a nearby wall. If there are no nearby walls, it simply
turns into a common wooden window frame. It cannot be
placed on a living creature however. Once removed, a patch
cannot be replaced.

[Angstrom]

"Very well, I suppose its time I get started on this prison break. I would thank you, but for all I know you're just sending my cellmates and I to our deaths a couple days ahead of schedule."

Saff rises from her seat at the table and approaches Tiadorra. "Well kitten," she mocks, "this is goodbye" as tears form in her eyes.

[Mari01]

She knocks on the door to signal the guards return. Immediately, her demeanor once more changes and she is again a perfect picture of grief. “No, I can’t bear to leave you!” She gives the Saff a kiss on the cheek. The kiss is ice-cold and feels somehow alien and inhuman. Tomas shakes his head. “I’m afraid it’s time, miss.” She looks deep in Tomas’ eyes and says, “Thank you for letting me say good-bye. There’s no need to search my dearest. You are such a good friend for letting me see my dearest one more time.”
“Such a good friend,” Tomas repeats his voice almost mechanical. Then the watch captain seems to snap out of it and bows politely.
A pleasure, madam,” She leaves unveiled. Her eyes meet the Saff's one last time and she briefly gives her a wicked smile.
“Three days,” telepathically echoes in the PC’s mind. “Don’t disappoint me, dearest”. The visitation concluded, Saff is taken back to her cell by a cadre of guards and shackled once more.

[Indeed It Is]

Kyan watches Saff return in silence before turning his gaze to the guards, wondering if now that the visitation was done if they would stay in force or go back to the single posted guard as usual.

[Lord Tyger]

Alaric locks eyes on the youngest looking guard as Saff is escorted in. "If you unchain me and run now," he suggests, "I promise not to chase you until the rest of them are dead." He nods towards the other guards.

Diplomacy Check [roll0]

[Angstrom]

Saff allows herself to be shackled without causing a fuss. She returns to her place in the cell and closes her eyes as if ready to sleep, purposefully ignoring what goes on around her.

[Mari01]

The young man turns around, while the cadre of guards simply shake their heads in response to his obvious question. One drags his index finger across his throat, imitating a decapitation. Why don't you keep watch upstairs kiddo?

Kyan's thoughts soon become reality as with the visitation complete, Blackerly yells Back you your stations! while sneering at Alaric. Oddly, he rattles the cell next to yours before finally departing, shouting You better not be dead in there!You're sure you can catch the word scum as he leaves.

Map
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6tyHeM4r_TiRjVuaGtTV0pZNzQ/edit There are two guards stationed in room 17 as always. They come in every few hours to make sure you're all alive and still where you belong.

Great. You've managed to scare the same guard ****less and make him actually contemplate your offers.

[Angstrom]

Saff can take it no longer. The veil has been scratching the back of her throat for the last two minutes and she feels ready to vomit. Once the door closes behind the guards she reaches into her mouth and pulls out the veil.

After hurriedly spitting out a few loose fibres she whispers to her cellmates "We're all getting out of here, but first I need you all to stay quiet. I have no doubts that everyone here wants to escape so please listen. If none of you ruin this, I expect us to be free in a matter of hours." Her tone is all business as she says this. She shakes out the veil and finds the thieves tools patch.

"Before I unshackle us, I need any and all information you have on this prison. I aim for us to sneak out without raising the alarm, but I hope you're all prepared to kill anyone who aims to stop us. And by the way, you can call me Saff"

[Indeed It Is]

Though he watches the women spit out the veil with apparent interest, at the mention of escape his gaze moves to Alaric and asks in a flat monotone, "Can this one be quiet?"

[Lord Tyger]

At the mention of escape, Alaric immediately quiets down, listening intently to the woman, and examining the object she's just spat out with some interest. "My name is Alaric Szardos," he says somberly. "Free me from these chains and I will slay any who try to stand between us and freedom. I can move quietly enough, if there's reason to."

[Bhaakon]

"Trig, and the shadows are my friend as well," the says, flexing in hands in anticipation of their promised release. "Though I wouldn't mind paying back a few debts on the way out."

[Madcrafter]

"I doubt we will be able to abscond without any violence. However I agree we should try not to raise the alarm if it can be avoided.

As for moving quietly, I will try my best."

[Angstrom]

"Very well, I'll get us out of these cuffs. For the time being I need you to keep watch for the guards, this may take some time" she says as she rips the patch off of the veil and awkwardly begins to pick the lock on the manacles on her hands. "When they took me out I saw stairs in the guardroom through that door there. We'll want to deal with the guards there quickly and likely take a prisoner of our own."

Taking 20 on Disable Device for 29

[Indeed It Is]

While the woman attempts her escape, he turns his gaze towards the cell door and beyond, looking and listening for any sign of an approaching guard.


Perception: [roll0]

[Mari01]

You'll succesfully undo the manacles on your hands. The guards seem to be none the wiser.

+2 bonus on any Disable Device Checks involving the locks on these chains. They're all the same. Funnily enough, Alaric almost broke free of his AND the wall. Just barely missed that strength check.

[Angstrom]

With her hands freed Saff rubs at her wrists briefly before returning her attention to the task at hand. Well aware that at this point if she is caught by guards they well kill her on sight she pulls the spell component pouch off of the veil and checks it for what she needs before looping the cord around her wrist.

"Just hold on a moment longer" she whispers to the prisoner next to her as she turns her attention to the chains on her ankles.

Disable Device: [roll0]

[Mari01]

Saff is now completely free.

[Angstrom]

Saff closes her eyes for a moment as she steps free of her chains. Then she remembers again the thick bars of the cell and the guards waiting beyond and turns to the prisoner next to her. Her tone changes from nervous excitement to all business as she realizes what's to come next.

"I don't know your reason for being here, but I know that you're the only one in this cell who has not expressed a desire to escape. I think its a little strange that you show more interest in insinuating an escape would fail than you do in attempting one." Saff tears off a dagger and continues to whisper to Kyan, "I'm not claiming you don't want to escape, but unlike the rest of us you don't appear to want it enough to but aside the posturing and animosity for a moment, even though your life depends on it. I think that's strange." She rests the flat of the blade on Kyan's shoulder, "I can't take the risk that your apathy might stand in the way of my freedom. I need you to commit to this. I need you to guarantee me that I won't regret unchaining you. I need you to work with us, to not only break free but also to take our revenge on those who put us here," she nods to Trig as she brings the point of the dagger up to Kyan's neck, "Or I need you to die."

"Live or die, it's your choice"

[Indeed It Is]

Chained as he is and unable to do much else, Kyan turns his head to look down at the knife pressed against his throat and then back up to Saff with a slight frown on his lips. He was unsure how what he said was so misinterrupted by the woman, but then again he never was good at expressing himself to others. So instead, he shrugs, "I've no wish to die... I have done nothing but ask a logical question about a matter that could have affected a successful escape. If that troubles you then perhaps it is best you just kill us all now and save the guards the effort." And he turns his head to the side, his chin tilted upwards to give better access to his neck.

"Otherwise, I'll swear by whatever oath you need to hear that I will aid in our escape and your vengence afterwards." His voice is still flat, but someone familiar with reading people could pick up a hint of desperation in his voice.

[Angstrom]

"Good choice," she lowers the dagger from Kyan's neck and places it in his hands as she begins to pick the lock. "You have some reason for not offering us a name to call you by and I can respect that."

Disable Device: [roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6]
[roll7]

These assume working in a line, unlocking each person's hands and feet and stopping immediately if anyone notices guards.

[Indeed It Is]

"My name is Kyan." Kyan offers before moving to stand by the door to keep a better watch for the guard.

[Thattaman]

The locks on the manacles all break and are clearly old and rusty. The guards don't seem to have heard anything, but you can't be too cautious.

[Angstrom]

"Time to get us out of this cell" Saff smirks as she moves to unlock the door, growing confident that the escape will continue to go off without a hitch. "Once we're on the other side of these bars it'll be time to deal with those two guards. Alaric, when we're ready, can you raise a commotion and draw them in? They're certain to respond to you. I'll prepare a spell to put them to sleep as soon as they open the door, but if that fails you need to be ready to take them out before they can raise an alarm. We kill any that resist the spell, but use the rope and some of these rags we're wearing to bind and gag as many as we can. I want information. There are stairs in the guardroom, we need to watch those constantly and be ready to escape if the alarm is raised. Trig, you claim to possess a relationship with stealth, perhaps you can get us a better idea of what's down those stairs without being spotted. We can use the window for a backup plan, but at this point I have no idea where to put it. For all I know we could be at the bottom of a dungeon with rock on all sides; that's why we need one of those guards. Agreed?" She tosses the other dagger and the coil of rope to Alaric and Trig. She turns to Bazoril, "Sorry shorty, unless you're willing to go up against armed guards with nothing but your fists you may have to sit this one out. You don't come off as the paragon of physical might the others are."

Taking 20 on the Disable Device gives 29 for the lock on the door to the cell

[Lord Tyger]

Alaric examines the veil closely. "Are all the patches sorcerous? That one looks like a crowbar- I could stave in skulls with that just as easily as this dagger, and give the little one here something to fight with."

[Madcrafter]

"I would if I have to, but seeing as we have this one here," he motions at Alaric "hopefully it shouldn't come to that. I can help in other ways though."

He begins some breathless and indistinguishable muttering, and walks to each prisoner, giving a small blessing from his patron.

Casting Guidance on everyone, so you all get a +1 to the next d20 roll you choose to use it on (within a minute, and choose before the roll).

[Indeed It Is]

Kyan moves to stand to the side of the door leading into the room with the guards and pressed himself up tight against the cell wall next to him hoping that when the guards come in they'll walk past him and let him move into a position to block the door.

[Angstrom]

Saff looks up at Kyan as he moves towards the door, "I'll adjust the spell to take into account your position. The whole area will get hit by my enchantment and I don't want you weakening the effect." Saff pulls a few rose petals out of the pouch and moves in front of the door, but as far back as possible. She summons four spheres of light in her hand and sets them spinning in a circular pattern behind her head. "If I'm here any guards that aren't affected by my magic will see me right away and potentially overlook you" she turns to face Alaric, "You can take this if you want but I don't see how a small tool like that'll be any good as a weapon. Just try not to break it."

At Alaric:
The Thieves Tools only weigh two pounds so I think the crowbar is probably only screwdriver sized.

Readied action to cast Sleep (DC16) in the centre of the guardroom as soon as the door opens enough for the spell to be cast.

[Mari01]

As you move out of the cell and make your approach towards the guard room, you'll be able to distinctly hear a voice.

Hey! What do you think you're doing?

It appears to be coming from the cell that was across the way from yours.

[Angstrom]

"What?... No!" Saff curses under her breath and readies her spell but hesitates, not knowing whether to target the voice or the guardroom. "Who's there? A prisoner?"

[Thattaman]

As you look into the cell you can tell it's obviously a dangerous criminal, the bars are at least twice as thick as yours. But when you look closely you can see an ogre that is badly injured and is in rags, but his muscle is obvious and he could be useful in battle.

"I'm Grumblejack. The other little'uns attacked me and put me in here. Are you escaping? I can come with you? I can fight!"

[Angstrom]

Saff keeps her spell ready, but attempts to pacify the ogre. From her tone of voice it sounds as if she's addressing a young child. "Well Grumblejack we aren't with those other ones, and we don't like them either. It is our intention to cause them a great deal of pain. To answer your questions; yes, we are escaping and yes, you may be able to escape as well. For now we need you to stay quiet until we've dealt with the guards. Can you do that for me Grumblejack? If you want to get out of here you need to do exactly as I tell you. We'll take care of the guards and get the keys."

Diplomacy: [roll0]

[Thattaman]

Grumblejack steps back so he is concealed by the darkness in his cell.

[Angstrom]

Saff lets out a small sigh of relief as the ogre withdraws. "I don't think any guards heard that, but we shouldn't wait any longer. Can someone bring some of those manacles or the rope along to bind any hostages we take?"

Move to 4M

[Lord Tyger]

Alaric picks up the rope, slinging it roughly over his shoulder. "Shall I start making a commotion, then?"

[Indeed It Is]

Kyan watches the ogre, but remains in position, the dagger held down at his side and ready.

[Angstrom]

"As long as no one objects then I should think, Mr. Szardos, that your time has come."

[Lord Tyger]

"OY! YOU 'ORRIBLE PIECES OF REFUSE, I'M COMING FOR YOU! STAND AND FIGHT AND I'LL MAKE IT QUICK FOR YOU!" Alaric lashes out with the crowbar, striking the bars of the nearest cell with a resounding clang.

[Mari01]

Sure enough, you'll quickly hear the loving response of WHAT THE **** ARE YOU DOING OUT OF YOUR CELL? as two guards come through the door, long swords in hand. One of them has a signal horn at the ready.

[Angstrom]

"Surprise" Saff states in dull monotone.

Cast Sleep: 4HD worth of creatures, DC16

[Indeed It Is]

Kyan steps into the door way after the guards pass through to block their retreat if necessary.

[Thattaman]

Both guards drop to the ground with a loud thud, asleep. No one immediatley comes up the stairs from the noise but you can hear noise from downstairs.
[roll0]
[roll1]

[Bhaakon]

"Quick, finish them off and take their weapons," says Trig as he walks up to the nearest sleeping guard and smashes his head viscous against the stone floor.

I'm assuming that we're no longer in rounds, since we dropped both enemies. If so, coup de grace on one of the guards for an autocrit: [roll0] if that's not enough to kill him out right, it's still a DC 21 (10 base + damage) fort save to avoid death.

If not, move close enough to coup de grace next round

[Madcrafter]

Bazoril walks to the door and peers into the next room to see if there is anything of interest in it. Passing the downed guards he comments: "You may want to leave on alive, so he can give us some information. We wouldn't want to be surprised by anything on our way out."

Perception for the next room: [roll0]

[Thattaman]

When Trigg smashes the guards head against the ground he can see blood trickle out of his crushed face and starts of his brain are on show.
Fort roll: [roll0]

[Indeed It Is]

With a gesture towards the other guard and then to Saff, Kyan intones, "She said to keep one alive." He also retrieves the guards dropped swords, keeping one for himself and handing the other and the dagger off to anyone that wants them before going to stand guard at the door. He pokes his head into the next room and listens for any sign of approaching guards.


Preception
[roll0]

[Angstrom]

"I did. Our freedom and our lives are at stake so don't ever be so foolish. We need information and you just wasted half of what we had."

"Kyan, can you take Trig and watch those stairs? Let the rest of us know immediately if we're discovered. Might as well search the room for the keys to the ogre's cell while your there, but stay quiet. Alaric, be a dear and pull these two back from the door and gag the sleeper. I'd like both you and the ogre on hand when this one wakes up. We can use the body as added motivation for our sleeping friend or simply as a meal for the beast. Shorty, would you be so kind as to strip the dead one for anything else that might be of use. I'll be back in a moment."

Saff goes to room 20 and changes into some of the veil's civilian garb and prestidigitations herself clean before returning to the cell block to interrogate the captured guard.

[Madcrafter]

Bazoril's eyebrow raises at being called shorty, but he then realizes he never told gave name to the others. "Bazoril Bolarr, at your service." He gives a low, not quite mocking, bow, and then proceeds to search the dead guard.

I guess its perception: [roll0]

Hooray, a 1...

[Lord Tyger]

Alaric ponders smashing the remaining guard's head in anyways. "I suppose it will be more fun if he's awake for it," he grumbles, dragging the still living guard into the remaining cell and tearing a strip of cloth to ball up and stuff in his mouth. This accomplished, he shackles him to the wall.

"What you said earlier, witch, about getting the chance to kill you..." he begins, glancing back at Saff as he searches the now shackled guard.

Taking ten on perception if I've got the time nets me ten. Otherwise... [roll0]

[Angstrom]

When Saff returns she is relieved to find everyone working together. Once she's in the cell block she hurries to where Alaric has the prisoner chained, wanting to be there when Alaric wakes the sleeping guard t.

She joins him in the empty cell and inspects Alaric's gag, "Fine handiwork, I'd wager you've done this before. I suppose now we can get some information from this one. It seems to me this guard is only useful for two things: giving us the information we need and serving as a hostage. I don't think he needs use of his fingers for either of those purposes. Come to think of it, he doesn't need use of his arms at all. What do you think Alaric, should we get started?" she asks with a smile as she steps away to give him full access to the prisoner.

[Bhaakon]

"Do you think we have time for an interrogation? They're going to be misses sooner than later." Hisses Trig as he leans back into the cell. "Finish him off and move forward while we've still got surprise on our side."

[Madcrafter]

"Judging by what has happened so far, I would guess later." Bazoril says, now stripping the dead guard of his armour and uniform in a very practiced manner. "Information is far more valuable than surprise at this point. We don't even know where the exit is, and all the surprise in the world will not help us if there are fifteen of them at the bottom the stairs."

[Angstrom]

"Bazoril Bolar is right. Once you've lost the element of surprise do you really think you can fight your way through the entire prison? We need information more than anything right now, hostages too, and this is how we get both. Besides, don't you want to find out where that Sergeant is?"

[Indeed It Is]

Kyan continues to watch the stairs (just checking in)

[Angstrom]

Saff reaches down and shakes the sleeping guard awake, "Hello, what's you name kid? As you can see, the other prisoners have left you alive. You might also notice that they were not so considerate towards your parter over there. You seem like a reasonable kid, so I think you can tell that if I was going to kill you I'd have done so already. Them," she gestures to Alaric and the other prisoners, "they were going to kill you. I kept you alive, something my companions did not want, because I told them you'd cooperate. I promised them you'd tell us what we need to know, but if you can't do that then there's no way I'll be able to keep them from snapping your neck like they did to him." Saff makes sure the guard has a clear view of the corpse Bazoril searched.

"Now tell me everything you know and I promise they won't kill you"

[Mari01]

.......what do you want to know?

[Angstrom]

"Well, I did ask you your name. How about we start with that and then go on to a quick count of how many guards there are in this prison, where they'll be, and their names. I assure you I have no desire to hurt any guards. If you want to protect your friends you'll tell us where they are so that we can avoid them. Then I want you to describe this prison to me, what rooms are where and what's in them. I should tell you, we'll be bringing you with us to check if you were telling the truth and if they," she nods her head at the others, "find out you've been lying there'll be no way I can protect you. If you really want to get in their good books, I suggest telling me where to find Blackerly. I can tell you they'd much rather have him than you"

[Mari01]

"Well, I did ask you your name. How about we start with that and then go on to a quick count of how many guards there are in this prison, where they'll be, and their names. I assure you I have no desire to hurt any guards. If you want to protect your friends you'll tell us where they are so that we can avoid them. Then I want you to describe this prison to me, what rooms are where and what's in them. I should tell you, we'll be bringing you with us to check if you were telling the truth and if they," she nods her head at the others, "find out you've been lying there'll be no way I can protect you. If you really want to get in their good books, I suggest telling me where to find Blackerly. I can tell you they'd much rather have him than you"

Brandon. Honestly? If you avoid the guard stations, you can avoid most everyone. Well except for the patrols, but I couldn't tell you exactly where they'll be. The warden never really leaves his tower except for emergencies. This is just a job to me. It ain't worth dyin over. I can help you walk right out of here.

[Angstrom]

"Very good Brandon, I'm so glad you're cooperating."

Saff continues to use the guard's self preservation instinct to extract information. Starting with the room down the stairs she get's Brandon to tell her where to find the armoury, the guardrooms, the barracks, mess hall, warden's office, and all possible exits. She makes sure to find out where the guards and warden are and where Blackerly is most likely to be.

Is it ok if we skip the long dialogue and either have an exposition dump? Don't want the game to slow down.

[Thattaman]

The guard finally gives in, after a bit of torture. You find out that there are about a dozen guards on duty currently and both Blackerly and the warden Richter are helping out. He also says that to leave you must say the password, "Hesterfield".

[Angstrom]

"Only a dozen? Surely you're holding out on me Brandon. I don't know why you would you do something as silly and irresponsible as that. Do you want people to die? Tell me about off duty guards, other staff, who exactly this warden is, and where to find Blackery. Don't make me ask you again."

Saff's voice stays sympathetic until she mentions Blackerly. The slip wasn't intentional; the memory of the brand disrupted the ruse momentarily and the malice in her heart slipped out. She didn't know why this kid was evading this question in particular, but information held back is always worth knowing.

To speed up the process can we assume that we get directions to the exit, the armoury, the warden's office, the guardposts, the barracks, and Blackerly? I don't mean that anything needs to be written out, just so that when we say we want to go to X we can assume a basic knowledge of what turns to make and doors to open.

[Mari01]

Off duty guards would about double the garrison. There's only two staff: Cooks. Harmless civilians. The warden is always in his tower except for emergencies. He's a powerful magic user. Blackerly? Yea he's in his room. If you're gonna kill him give him a punch for me. Stole half my weeks pay in that crooked card game.

[Angstrom]

Blackerly? Yea he's in his room. If you're gonna kill him give him a punch for me. Stole half my weeks pay in that crooked card game.

Upon hearing the guard's distaste for Blackerly, Saff almost rethinks killing Brandon. No, that wouldn't be intelligent, and she had to be intelligent if she was to make it out of this prison. Once she was done with him Brandon would have to die. From her perspective it looked like the guard's remaining time was on the order of seconds, but she wanted to check with her companions first.

"I'm sure one of us will be happy to deliver your 'message' for you." she tells him as she looks over her shoulder at the other prisoners.

[Madcrafter]

Bazoril, sitting on the dead guard and watching the questioning with detached interest, listens as the questions wind up. He knew what was likely to follow for Brandon, despite his helpfulness. As Saff looks back towards them all, he gives a firm but barely perceptible shake of his head accompanied by his usual dead stare, then says "We should probably start moving."

An enemy in chains was more useful than a dead one.

[Angstrom]

Saff sees Bazoril's warning and begins to manacle the guard for transport.

"Maybe you could deliver the message yourself. We'll be on our way to Blackerly soon enough. I hope you understand that we need to gag you, just making things safer for everybody"

"Can someone bring the keys to the ogre's cell?" she calls softly when the gag is in place and she has finished manacling Brandon's hands and feet. The manacles would be noisy so the hostage would have to be kept back, probably carried by the ogre. The image of the ogre wielding Brandon as a club crosses her mind briefly; but she'd rather not think about that if she can.

[Indeed It Is]

Kyan continues to watch the stares for anyone approaching. So far, so good it would seem.

[Thattaman]

After the ogre is freed it talks more calmly and is surprisingly more intelligent than you would think, for an ogre. "Thanks for freeing me, those lil'uns are going to die! I owe you my life and will protect you, but I would like a weapon."

[Angstrom]

Saff is surprised by the ogre's coherent speech, she hadn't expected a member of a 'lower race' to understand the use of pronouns.

"They are indeed, Grumblejack" she whispers to the ogre. "I'm going to trust you with our prisoner for now. You can stay in the guardroom with him and keep him quiet, understand? We are going to the armoury to get weapons for all of us. If you hear an alarm or we do not return in fifteen minutes, you bring him down and you find us. You can kill any guards you see."

Once she is sure the ogre understands, everyone gathers in the guardroom above the stairs. "Its time. Our first stop is the armoury to get the equipment we need to break out of here. I can lead us there, but someone stealthier should take point. There are over twenty guards plus a powerful spellcaster here so we won't stand a chance in a fight unless we're properly armed, not even with the ogre on our side. Next, we need a map and supplies. Once free I'll be heading across the moors to a safehouse, the only problem is I don't know the way. If you help me escape you can all find asylum there. Without me you won't be able to find it, nor would you be let in. Right, are we ready?"

Will we have to pass any guards/locations of interest on the way to the armoury?

[Thattaman]

Grumblejack nods and then sits down with the very nearly dead guard on his back.

[Mari01]

One guard patrol. And you're going upstairs, not down. They keep you guys in the basement :smallamused: