Tanith 'Kordson' Creed |
Sol's post got eaten.
Sol purses his lips before answering. "I tend to overindulge manipulative demons who do not actually intend to make good on their promises," he says, letting his answer sink in before continuing. "Now tell us something we do not already know. Since you apparently know nothing about what goes on outside this room, I'll ask an easy one. Who bound you to this place?"
Branding Opportunity |
The hezrou raises and eyebrow ... or at least an eye ridge. "Who says I have lied to you? The same entity that has this city in thrall called me here from the Abyss. I must say, it's a lot nicer here, even though my toys don't last as long." He points to the mangled bodies on the torture devices.
"Now why don't you run along, mortals. I've some work I need to catch up on."
Tanith 'Kordson' Creed |
"I don't think so demon", Tanith growls.
"Not until you've told us everything you know about what's happening down here."
Branding Opportunity |
The demon shrugs again at Tanith's question, "Far as I can count, you owe me an answer, not the other way around. This is boring me. I must go out and find something a bit softer than you hard folk to entertain me."
The creature mutters a command word in Abyssal and dis-apperates.
Solaufyn Ithilnelle |
Solaufyn waves at his shoulder to remove something that doesn't belong. "That went well enough. Unfortunately, whatever is behind the tainted dreams knows about us, if it didn't know already. Shall we see about this sole living creature the demon mentioned? The way it spoke, I have a feeling that we're due to encounter some more undead, however."
Tanith 'Kordson' Creed |
Tanith nods, "All the more reason to hurry."
What exits are there from this room besides the way we came?
"Hopefully he or she has some actual answers."
Branding Opportunity |
The doorway to the south is unlocked and leads to a storage chamber filled with the extra supplies needed in a torture chamber. These are in barrels and boxes, and sprawled about shelves, and all are covered in mildew and look like they haven't been used in years. The room has no other apparent exits.
Tanith 'Kordson' Creed |
Tanith enters the room and searches it briefly.
Percetion take 10: 10 + 10 = 20
Branding Opportunity |
Tanith decides to lead you through the door to the east instead ... he just has a better feeling about it.
Beyond the door is a long hallway with a single light source up ahead about 40 feet to the left. Opening off the corridor are several ten-foot by ten-foot cells. Each is closed off by an iron-barred door, although many of these doors have been twisted apart into ruin. The cells themselves hold only dirty straw bedding and the occasional set of manacles fixed into the back wall, and look to have not been used for a few years, judging by the dust and mildew.
Judging by its color, the light source down the hallway is magical in nature and is coming from inside one of the cells.
Tanith 'Kordson' Creed |
"This must be the other occupant down here", Tanith whispers back to the party. "Be ready, it might be another demon."
The big Suel advances until he sees into the cell with the light.
Tanith 'Kordson' Creed |
Tanith regrips Challenger with his magically roughened skin.
"Have I told you how much I like that spell?"
Branding Opportunity |
You cautiously make your way toward the lighted cell, weapons held at the ready. Once you are within ten feet of the iron cell door, you can see that a brightly lit room opens up from the corridor here. Its interior decor is shocking: plush carpets, fine wall hangings and portraits, and furnishings of the finest teaks and mahogany give the place the feel of a private room in a high-class inn. A large throne of painstakingly crafted bronzewood rests in the center of the cell on a low dais facing the corridor, and a portrait hanging on the back wall depicts a regal-looking man wearing royal robes. Even the air smells clean and fresh here.
A skinny man with wild black hair kneels behind the throne, facing the wall, scribbling on it with a piece of coal. He's dressed in expensive-looking robes which have seen much better days. He sounds like he is talking to himself while he writes and does not turn to face you, despite your lack of a stealthy approach.
Tanith 'Kordson' Creed |
Well that was disappointing.
Tanith takes a few steps forward, lowers Challenger, and knocks on the bars.
"Hello there", the big Suel offers in greeting.
Branding Opportunity |
The wild-haired man turns around, his face revealing that he is no longer the sanest. His hands are covered in charcoal, which also smudges his face. His eyes have a distant half-focus, and a string of drool flows out of the left corner of his mouth. The man seems to bear a striking resemblance to the person portrayed in the portrait.
"You have come!" he whispers with obvious excitement. "The dark master said you would, yes he did."
Tanith 'Kordson' Creed |
"What the hell-"
Tanith feigns a smile.
"What's wrong with him?" the big Suel says in a hushed tone to his friends.
"Who's this dark master?"
Solaufyn Ithilnelle |
"Your dark master, what did he say about us?" Solaufyn asks. "Do you know who we are, Quechard?" He tries to get a better look at the man and what he is drawing with the charcoal.
From Sol's knowledge on Earl Quechard... is he reputed to have been an arcane spellcaster?
Tanith 'Kordson' Creed |
Tanith does a double take.
"Wait, that madman is Quechard? THE missing Marqui?" the big Suel says in disbelief.
"What in Kord's name happened to him?"
Tanith 'Kordson' Creed |
"But how and why? Why would lock him up down here with all of his possessions?"
Tanith starts looking for a way to get inside the cell.
Tanith 'Kordson' Creed |
"But why?"
"Who would stand to benefit from his disappearance?"
Tanith 'Kordson' Creed |
"I suppose the first step is to get him out of here and get him cleaned up then", Tanith says. "Do you think Mort can fix whatever this dark master's done to him?"
Tanith 'Kordson' Creed |
Tanith looks at the elf like he's lost his mind.
"There are demons and shadows down here. There's no way we can leave him down here to fend of himself."
Branding Opportunity |
The madman chuckles to himself again. "I see you have guessed aright. I am the Mad Marquis, True Ruler of Istivin, and I command you all to bow down before me. I am the master's voice, and you will do as I bid!"
He points a charcoaled finger at each of you in turn, but his eyes are wild and have trouble focusing. "Bow or the children of the master will bring the pain!"
Solaufyn Ithilnelle |
Solaufyn provides a gallant bow in order to calm him down. "May we enter your court?" he asks. "It is simply not proper for us to converse through this iron barrier."
Diplomacy 1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 18 + 2 = 32 if appropriate; +4 if he, uh, could dig elves or something.
Branding Opportunity |
The Mad Marquis nods briefly at Mort's deference then turns to Sol. "I'm afraid that they have me locked up down here, although I did make it out earlier ... but then you know that."
He then turns his head as if listening to something far away, then turns back to you and smiles. "The master's children are here! Embrace the pain! It will lead you to his sacred feet!"
As he speaks, three shadows glide out of the cellblock walls, their eyes staring at you hungrily.
Initiative checks please. I'll post a combat map soon.
Tanith 'Kordson' Creed |
Initiative: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1
"Here they come!"