Khara Thrust |
*Fleece: would a piece of our uniform work?
Scraps. To what end?
Spell components. copper wire=message, wood+wax=ghost sound, fleece=silent image.
Just so we're clear:1. Is Sir Cadjet with us in the cell? (assuming in the empty spot between Khara and Greyfield?
2. Regarding the guards routine:
How intelligent do they look? Do they give the impression they might recognize spellcasting to be different than just muttering in an odd language?
Another important question: Can I tell if they are humanoids? (rather than native outsiders or something else)
Checks:
Also, are random checks also 2 guards?
How long (minutes? Seconds?) are the check guards out of the guard room for each sweep? Do they only look at our cell, or do they check out other cells (like the nearby stone cell, or other places out of our line of sight)
Do they carry keys on them on the check runs? What weapons?
Meals:
During meals, the one being handed the food would be Anastasia, correct?
The basket and jug- do they stay in the cell until later check (to remove, er, metabolized food out of the cell) or do the guard wait for the basket to pass around and back, then take it and only then leave?
What is the jug made of?
Khara casts detect magic and scans the floor. If there are any magical auras spellcraft rolls: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 171d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 131d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 . Do the hand manacles interfere with the somatic components of spellcasting?
Khara smirks at Anastasia and replies ”A kiss? Surely such a feat is worth more than that.” Snicker ”But we can leave the negotiations for later. I might have a plan, and might have some bits of magic that can help us get out of here. But it would take some cooperation, seeing that we’re all chained together. So before we discuss such a plan, I’d like to know a bit better who I’ll be attempting this dangerous endeavor with.”
Khara flashes a mischievously toothy grin and continues ”Not that it’s that dangerous for myself, for I am waiting to be hanged in three days, such is the fates of pirates in these waters. So I don’t have much to lose. But how would I know to trust the rest of you?”
Khara looks inquisitively at the rest of the prisoners
Anastasia Delphine |
"If it's names yer looking for you can be callin me Ana, and as for whether or not ye can be trusting us I feel like it's not much of a choice now is it? We seem to be stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea, Talingarde isn't exactly known for sending people here if they mean for them to live long. rattles the chains on her wrists for emphasis "But if yer wantin to know more about me all you has to do is ask, at least a bit of conversation might hide some of the magic yer hoping to cast, and it will alleviate a bit o' the boredom."
not sure how quietly you can actually cast your spells, but I'd be willing to try and cover up your spellcasting if someone else is.
Greyfield |
Hmmmmm...I concur with the weeper. Perhaps night would be a better time to attempt such a feat, yet in the meantime I'm all for open (and exclusive} discussion regarding exactly how we get out.
Azure blues eyes slide over to the beastborn Whatever trick you have hidden up your sleeve or....where ever else...I will assist in any way I can. Trust me.
Once we get these chains off, we'll sweep over these whelps like a glorious plague. Give hale and hearty over there a sharp jerk of his head towards the direction of the fighter a weapon and we're back in business
As for myself, I require no weapon. I AM the weapon
Khara Thrust |
Towards Greyfield "So you were arrested for having a killer body, eh? " Khara looks appreciatively at his physique, with a half smile and sparkling eyes "Well, you look guilty in that. So, besides being apprehended by self righteous authorities, what do you do in life?"
Anastasia Delphine |
Anastasia let's out a little laugh, "I'd be tellin you two to get a room but..." shakes her chains again. "How's about we cement our plan get out of this bleedin hole then you two can enjoy each other's company. Though I do have to say you have some strange tastes girlie, I prefer my men to be a bit more" she looks at Cudjet pointedly. "Substantial." She glances back at Khara, "So what part in this plan do I play then lass?"
She turns her attention to the moaning halfling and the skeletal black man beside her, "Are you two totally knackered or are you able to join in the plannin'?"
Old School Dungeon Master |
Responding to Anastasia's question Hehehehe, not touched child, just thinking on better times.
Perception to Listen to Surroundings Nat 1
Greyfield
I will assume Greyfield is either focused on the inside of the cell or his inner thoughts, or is just too bothered by Enosh's smell or the fact that he is even thinner than Greyfield (what's his secret!).
My ruling -1 to the next three Perception checks inside the cell and should you go to Initiative -1 there too, only IN this cell. All those penalties disappear the moment you manage to leave the cell.
Here's hoping!
Old School Dungeon Master |
and tries to recall any relevant tale she heard about Brendenscar prison or its surroundingsKnowledge Local Nat 20 +3
Khara
Branderscar Prison was once the citadel of the Dukes of Branderscar. There was a castle and a village on the mainland, connected by a 150' causeway to the island offshore. A smaller fortress was built on the island. The position was impregnable; you remember reading that "the rough water around the rock gave protection, being too deep for men or horses even at lowest tide".
However, the Dukes of Branderscar chose the wrong side during the Unification Wars. The last Duke died childless in battle. The castle on the mainland was torn down; all that remains, if you recall correctly, is a small guardhouse at the end of the causeway. The village melted away, its ruins gradually disappearing under the rising water of Toadmarsh. The citadel was converted into Branderscar Prison... from which no one has ever escaped.
That was not enough to make the DC But I still gave you what you needed to know. You can also ask the DM one question regarding the Local History of Branderscar.
Old School Dungeon Master |
Now each of you has been Branded with an 'F' for Forsaken.
Don't worry about the horrific scar. No one you know will ever see you alive again.
Now here is an interesting bit.
You each arrived on different days, at different times.
Yet each of you were branded by the same man.
What was the Watch Sergeant's name? Blackerly?
It's hard to remember for sure, but each of you were held fast by four men and were Branded by the Watch Sergeant at that time.
And you all have the distinct feeling that your black hood was only removed because the the Watch Sergeant wanted to see each of your faces as he Branded you.
No man, especially an officer would have multiple shifts. It's just not done.
But Blackerly made sure that he was the man to do it each time. Some men enjoy their job.
(Image of your welcoming host, Watch Sergeant Tomas Blackerly)
You saw his face, no Sense Motive needed, the man loves his job.
He tried multiple times with Khara, before he had to call in the Warden, who easily by passed here resistance.
Enosh |
Enosh moves his gaze to the Changeling's direction, ever so slowly, before nodding in agreement. "Let us begin by finding a way out of this cell. Once out, we could obtain whatever inventory we lack from the remains of our jailers." His voice is deep and slightly rough.
Old School Dungeon Master |
Now Watch Sergeant Blackery, he is just not some thugish jerk who likes to really really hurt people.
No sir.
He communicates as well.
Take for instance the time Anastasia was brought in.
After Branding her and hearing two of his men look over and admire the girl's appearance, he said, and I quote,
"Boys, if any of you like this here bytch or any of those cuuntts from one of these cells ... just remember this. They've sold their souls to the powers of darkness. They ain't human. They'd bite your throat out as soon as look at you. And,"
He lowers his voice and the guards lean forward, "and, boys... they's got diseases."
Charming man.
Khara Thrust |
You can also ask the DM one question regarding the Local History of Branderscar.
Do I know what's expected in the mainland just outside the prison? I mean, the village melted away, has it melted completely? Or would there be people living at the other end of the causeway?
Another question in connection to the previous perception related clarification questions:Since I was in the cell while other inhabitants joined, I surely saw how they were chained. Which of the guards handled the keys? Are the keys to the hands/legs on the same key ring? Have I seen multiple copies of the keys?
Also, is the nearby stone-reinforced cell completely covered in stone (a.k.a. separate room with no visual) or just partially?
Old School Dungeon Master |
Side note
I like casting actors for my NPCs, it helps with the image.
While there is an image of Watch Sergeant Tomas Blackerly
I picture him along the lines of putting the worse bits of Bob Hoskins (click) added to the worse parts of James Gandolfini (click) and then left alone with no one to love.
Anastasia Delphine |
After hearing what he said about as I was branded in between screams of pain I snarl, "No more diseased than any ye pox-addled bastards ye t+&!!" I swear to any gods that'll hear me words when I get me hands on ye I'll be tearin yer throat out barehanded!
Oh Enosh just as a clarification no one knows that I'm a changeling I don't care if you use the word but try to avoid calling me one in dialog.
Smoak Shadow |
Smaok glares at Geyfield Ye can call me Smoak.Greyfart was it? No worries those rags are already ruined. Can I help? Get me something to pick these locks and come nightfall I'll be shedding a tear for the poor widowed wives of the dearly departed guards.
Anastasia Delphine |
I favor Smoak with a little smile after his outburst towards the half-elf, "Ooooh, not only can he speak, but it seems he's got a bit of a backbone to him. It's being a pleasure to make yer acquaintance little one, and I fer one like the way ye turn a phrase about the weeping fer the widows." she giggles a bit to her self and you can barely hear her laugh out, "Greyfart hehe."
Old School Dungeon Master |
Good Grief!
None of you got the DC for the 2nd Perception!
Sir Cudjet and Anastasia were close, but still missed it.
Ok, I will let this be PLAYER KNOWLEDGE not PC Knowledge, it advances the story and this is a freebie, don't expect a lot of these.
What a DC 19 Perception on the second roll would have gotten you, see below
Old School Dungeon Master |
Five Days Ago
After Smoak and Greyfield have been Branded and then securely chained in the cell, the prison door slams shut.
'What was that now? He sure looked dead already.' A voice asks.
'Nothing, just some foul fanatic cultist, a half elf, but one painfully ugly one! And no money hidden on that one either. If he had two gold coins on him maybe I would have let him have a meal tonight. He needed it!' Replies the senior guard of the shift, Corporal Murts.
'Ha! If that half elf had two gold coins on him, old Blackerly would have happily taken them for himself before he got the Brand. Now what were you saying earlier about last night?' asks the first voice.
'Oh yea, Blackerly is a damned thief! I'm sure as rain that game was rigged last night!' Announces another man.
A fourth voice retorts, 'If it’s rigged, why do you keep going back to the gatehouse then?'
'Easy. Because the beer’s passable.'
From the southern end of the hall you hear three of the men laugh at the joke.
'Drinkin’ on duty again! Damn, this place has gone to hell. Captain Callidan would have never tolerated that crap. That’s for bloody sure!'
The first voice pipes up again. 'Captain Callidan … he left, what? Two years ago?'
'Almost three and since then the place has been straight down the shiytter. That old wizard never leaves his tower. He stays up there reading his books and petting his creepy owl!' Replies the fourth voice.
'Petting his owl? Is that what they call it these days?'
The four guards enjoy a bit of a laugh before the conversation dies down and your unable to make out anything else.
Old School Dungeon Master |
One Day Ago
Prisoners are normally brought in midday to late afternoon, sometimes a little later.
But this day, or rather this night, something interesting happened.
Well past the midnight hour, when some of you are already trying your best to sleep, the cell door opens.
The Watch Sergeant is there, surrounded by the guards, and while he is always at the Branding, he never really comes to the cell.
Something is up.
Anastasia Delphine |
I grin wickedly at the watch sergeant. "How can we be helpin' ye sir? We don't have much in the way of refreshment, but let it not be said my compatriots and I are anything but gracious hosts."
Any chance I can try to figure out what's about to happen?
Old School Dungeon Master |
Blackerly, "Mi'lord, your quarters. And your attendants and staff await you inside. I hope our fine accommodations fit your needs, Mi'lord."
The Sergeant laughs at his own joke.
A tall and seemingly broad man who still manages some dignity despite his rags and chains is thrust into the room by no less than six guards.
"Ladies you are in luck here, this is Sir Cudjet Breakoath. A ladies man to be sure. And no other finer gentleman will you find in all Branderscar."
Once the new addition is secure, and secured again by insistence of the Sergeant, Blackerly walks over, his guards, some with weapons drawn, watching ALL of you for any movement.
The Sergeant stoops over to Sir Cudjet.
'Look here you Scum. Your just a criminal here. Sir Scum, waiting to get the punishment they so rightfully deserve. Don't try putting on any airs, my fine lordling. Make trouble for me, and they'll have to carry your noble hide piece by piece to the chopping block."
Then in the smallest of whispers
'Captain Edderly of Balentyne sends his regards'
With that Blackerly pulls out a stout truncheon, whips it expertly at the new arrival's face and Sir Cudjet takes 1d6 ⇒ 5 damage.
Old School Dungeon Master |
Earlier that evening Sir Cudjet took 1d2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 damage from the Branding as well, which is more than normal. Blackerly really had it in (or was instructed to do so) for Sir Cudjet.
Sir Cudjet, you took 3 Fire and 5 Bludgeoning damage for a total of 8. Please mark it down.
Old School Dungeon Master |
I grin wickedly at the watch sergeant. "How can we be helpin' ye sir? We don't have much in the way of refreshment, but let it not be said my compatriots and I are anything but gracious hosts."
Blackerly pauses in front of you as he prepares to depart, freshly used truncheon in hand.
He may have been muscled once, but those days have past, and his body is mostly covered in fat.
He smiles. It's not a pretty smile. He's not a pretty man.
He comes ever so closer to Anastasia.
Closer.
Closer.
Old School Dungeon Master |
The greasy thick spit from the Sergeant's mouth covering your face is more putrid and foul than the cell's drinking water.
Without another word from the Sergeant, Blackerly and his men depart.
CLANG
The cell door shuts.
You know Anastasia, I think he likes you!
Anastasia Delphine |
I blow him a kiss as he leaves the cell. "Oh don't be leavin on my account Sir, I'm sure there's an empty cell somewhere close if you're interested in a bit more o the rough n' tumble, and as I'm not having much of anything but time on me hands, I'd love to show ye what I could do to ye when I get me hands on you Sergeant Blackerly." After he leaves I turn to my cellmates and smirk, "Let it not be said that Anastasia Delphine can't be making friends wherever she goes."
You know I think you're right.
Old School Dungeon Master |
Back to Present Day
Feel free to comment or continue to role play the night before during Sir Cudjet's arrival
What do you heal from one night's rest? Sir Cudjet healed half that, given the poor conditions.
edit after a night's rest of the weary, Sir Cudjet gets back 1 HP.
Anastasia Delphine |
Old School Dungeon Master |
Khara that is a LOT of questions under the spoilers. Let me see if I can help.
Just so we're clear:
1. Is Sir Cadjet with us in the cell? (assuming in the empty spot between Khara and Greyfield?
2. Regarding the guards routine
Sir Cadjet has just joined you.
Perception 21
you mention 2 guards present for each check, and 4 guards during meals. Can we tell (based on same/different guards appearing within one shift) if there are more than 4 guards per shift?
No way to be sure but yes, normally you have seen no more than four guards. Normally, except last night there were six with Sergeant Blackerly. During the Branding there may be one or two extra as well.
How many guards have you counted? Hard to say, at least 14 to 18 different faces.
How intelligent do they look? Do they give the impression they might recognize spellcasting to be different than just muttering in an odd language?
Fair question. Why don't you try and find out?
Another important question: Can I tell if they are humanoids? (rather than native outsiders or something else)
As far as you can tell they are all quite human. As FAR AS YOU CAN TELL.
Checks:
Also, are random checks also 2 guards?
Good question. Two to four. Mostly two.
How long (minutes? Seconds?) are the check guards out of the guard room for each sweep? Do they only look at our cell, or do they check out other cells (like the nearby stone cell, or other places out of our line of sight)
They take their time, they are quite thorough for the most part, citizen's gold taxes at work and all that. You did not roll high enough for me to answer the other part of your question.
Do they carry keys on them on the check runs? What weapons?
Good questions. The only keys you have seen for sure are on Sergeant Blackerly, and those of the senior guard when they bring in food and water, and some checks.
Meals:
During meals, the one being handed the food would be Anastasia, correct?
Correct. You are paying attention.
The basket and jug- do they stay in the cell until later check (to remove, er, metabolized food out of the cell) or do the guard wait for the basket to pass around and back, then take it and only then leave?
The basket is left in the cell. They have you pass the jug back to them after you greedily drink its foul contents.
Perception 24
Very important, here the term you use "easy to break/tinker with" is rather figurative. The locks on the manacles and feet are 'similar enough'
And that took only 54 minutes of real time ... WHEW!
Old School Dungeon Master |
Khara casts detect magic and scans the floor. Do the hand manacles interfere with the somatic components of spellcasting?[/ooc]
Hold on there little Tiger. Khara Caster level check please. And no, not because of the manacles.
Hmm I wonder why they happened to Brand each of you?
Old School Dungeon Master |
More questions by Khara
Your not sure. There may be some remnants, but as far as you recall from stories there is no more people in the immediate area.
Since I was in the cell while other inhabitants joined, I surely saw how they were chained. Which of the guards handled the keys? Are the keys to the hands/legs on the same key ring? Have I seen multiple copies of the keys?
There were multiple keys, yes. But you think you can work these locks IF YOU ONLY HAD SOME TOOLS.[/ooc]
Also, is the nearby stone-reinforced cell completely covered in stone (a.k.a. separate room with no visual) or just partially?
This can be sen by the others.
You can only see a little bit from light streaming from the steel bars of the window on you cell's bared door.
Khara Thrust |
[/ooc] Khara Caster level check please.
I believe that's just d20+CL? No ability modifier right?
CL check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13If something stops me from casting, I will try and try again to get a feeling of it. This is at will spell...
Greyfield |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
In response to Khara's questions about what Greyfield does:
Me? My profession is...
Should I tell the truth, hmmmm?? That I live a simple life of stealing children away from the busy streets and secure them in my research quarters to watch them blissfully ebb away into nothing as they choke on their dry screams and moan to death while they starve. No. Leave some room for future conversations heHEheHE..
I'm a nutritionist.
Old School DM: Do any of the guards ever get close enough to me for a possible unamred strike (with head, elbow, knee, anyhting)?
Greyfield |
At the words of "Greyfart" from Smoak:
Ha!heHehEHEhe... The Tearbringer has skills in wordplay.
Funny, very funny. Let's see, short yet a little meat on the bones. Luckily halflings starve at the same rate as children due to similar size so calculations for the last 3 experiments should work. Furthermore, halflings are rumored to be gluttonous little heathens feasting and drinking to the point of bursting! What a possible opportunity for my work...damn these CHAINS!
Greyfield |
To Ana:
Clever girl. In time child, you'll see my skill set
I concur with the Tearbringer. The night time is the right time; and how do we shake these shackles? Hmmmm???
Smoak Shadow |
Tearbringer, I like that. Perhaps there is a mind to go with that all too deadly weapon of a body you have there. I will refrain from calling you Greyfool or Greyfood as you are a nutritionist, or any of the many other many variations of names that come to mind as I await the coming darkness.
Khara Thrust |
”I don’t know why you guys are stuck on these manacles. These rusty, crude instruments are but a small obstacle. I’m sure our burly hunk here-” Nod towards Sir Cadjet ”- could break them with a little to no help. But then what? The guards will hear the racket, come, and put us in an even worse dungeon. No, If you want to discuss plans, you need to get more serious than that.”
“The way I see it, our plan of escape comprises of 5 parts: (1) Getting out of these chains, (2) Taking care of the guards down the hall, (3) finding our way out of the prison, (4) reaching the mainland and (5) accumulating enough distance between us and the prison before they start chasing us.” Khara emphasizes each number with another clawed finger
“If you’re serious about getting out of here, and not simply annoyed about the itchy manacles, you need to look at the whole picture, and plan from the end backwards.”
“To get a head start, we’ll need our whole foray go completely unnoticed, or else to kill every guard/soldier that might come after us, or create a distraction strong enough that they’ll have better things to do than worry about some escaped inmates. None of these tasks are trivial, and will dictate the path we choose on earlier stages.”
“Between this prison and the mainland there is a 150 feet long causeway with a guardhouse at its end. We don’t know yet how the path is watched or how the guardhouse is occupied. Back before this fort became a prison, there was also a village outside the guardhouse, but I’ve heard most of it is gone now. But then again, who knows, there might be some more people still living at the other side of the guardhouse. We need to know what to prepare for. That means, perhaps, interrogating wardens should be part of the plan. The waters around this place are too rough to tread alone, but if we can find a boat... I’ve sailed through worse.”
“Getting to the causeway by itself would be challenging. I’ve never heard about anyone who successfully broke out of here. We need to have plans to how to do it, that would work well with the constraints I mentioned before.”
Khara sighs and stares out, thoughtfully.
”Then there are the guards. Usually I haven’t seen more than 4 of them per shift, with the exception of last night when they were up to 6. I suspect that Blackerly guy made special arrangements to join an unrelated shift just to take part of his favorite ritual/” Khara narrows her yellow eyes and grinds her teeth ”They have a pretty regular schedule of checking in every 4 hours, but it’s the random checks- once or twice a shift- that should dictate our timing.”
“As for the chains... I can think of many number of ways to get out of them. We can break them, we can pilfer something to pick them with, we can convince the guards to take them off, (I can be quite charming and persuasive when I want to) and so on. But before we start taking them off, we should have a solid plan (with multiple contingencies) of what to do next.”
Khara stares pointedly at each of the other inmates, assessing their reactions and inviting comments
Greyfield |
As the attractive beastborn drones on, Greyfield's eyes wander back down to the floor, yet his ears perk excitedly when he hears "or else to kill every/guard soldier that might come after us"
I can help with that aspect of the plan. I'm more than happy to take orders and directives, as of now. Loose these chains, and I can silence a few of the guards, permanently. As for our means of egress, you mention sailing. Perhaps the sea is our means of conveyance?
Greyfield |
Then a more straightforward approach. Personally speaking, the legend of Brandiscar Prison isn't the truth. These whelps are soft, drunk, and weak. Too reliant on perceived safety of a legend long gone. With your...assets...I'm sure we can get through these obstacles. Or are those claws merely for show?Hmmm?
Khara Thrust |
Interesting question: how are the hand-manacles bolted to the wall? If such bolts were to be warmed, then chilled, back and forth a few dozen times via prestidigitation (making the metal expand and shrink in its socket), what will this do to the wall-socket?
Smoak Shadow |
Sounds good. First we wait until night and see how hard it is to get out of the chains. Then we can see how hard it is to pick the lock to the cell. Then we sneak up on the drunk gaurds and Greyfield does what he does best. Khara can then clean the uniforms and those of us that they fit can put them on and take their weapons. That might by us a few seconds if any other guards spot us while we try and find a way out of this cesspool.
Old School Dungeon Master |
I believe No ability modifier right? 13
If something stops me from casting, I will try and try again to get a feeling of it. This is at will spell...
Ahh
Khara only
As you concentrate on even the most basic of spells, Detect Magic, perhaps the very first one you learned to cast.
The faint background hum in your head now grows to a something like a sharp whine, almost a shriek.
You have a distinct sense of pushing against something massive. Whereas before sensation was unpleasant, now it has become painful.
You grit your teeth. You focus against it. Your will IS strong!
Old School Dungeon Master |
I'm a nutritionist.
I specifically said you could not be Chaotic Evil in this campaign, as we know nutritionists are just that.
Old School DM: Do any of the guards ever get close enough to me for a possible unamred strike (with head, elbow, knee, anyhting)?
Difficult with the arms and hands, at least a -2 penalty because of the chains, and you may cause minor subdual damage to yourself. Major difficulty with your legs, near impossible in fact, as they are connected to five other prisoners by a chain.
May still be worth a try though. What do you have to lose?