Ever introspective, Hecate files away Ardra's comments for further consideration in due course; but for now her curiosity wins out. "What were you trying to persuade the king of? And why did he change his mind?"
Having read the conversation between the pact girl and the otherworldly woman that took place so far, Robin feels that with an execution looming in three days, there is no real place for small talk.
Remembering well the first time she managed to take a Guard down, she decides to see wether she would be given a chance to do so again.
Shifting a bit in her chains, to extend her bound leg towards the girl next to her, she manages to touch her slightly.
Hecate jumps in surprise as the girl touches her; and blinks as she hears a voice sound in her head. Telepathy? Oh well, there are stranger things out there, no doubt. Not a bad plan either, she's been wondering if there are any circumstances where they might be unbound.
Raising her voice slightly, she calls out to the guards: "Um, hello? I think this one next to me needs the toilet..."
Robin presses her legs together as tight as the bindings allow, shifting up and down and left to right with the little freedom she has, making sure to seem as desperate as possible if one of the guards takes a look.
Sorry Sara. I don't think I can control it quite so Precisely. If I were to try, I am sure I would freeze more than just your bindings. That and I would have to get it wet. I imagine everyone would get wet if I tried that, and I suspect no one wants hypothermia in this cold.
But if you ever need a hand... I'm sure I could oblige.
He then turns towards the other girls
what the heck are you up to?
He whispers softly, but a little harshly.
For a moment the cold wanes, but then picks up again
You hear a shout from the other side of the door. "What do you think this is? A luxury inn? Not my problem!"
About a half hour later, your cell door opens, and six guards, heavily armed and ready for trouble enter. They're led by a fat, well-dressed sergeant of the watch. You all recognize him: Sergeant Tomas Blackerly. This was the man who branded you and laughed as your skin burned. Right now, though, he seems a little dazed. "It's cold enough to freeze my balls off in here! You lot are a bunch of freaks!" Pointing at Ardra, he says gruffly, "You there! That's the scum! Get 'er unshackled. If any of you makes trouble, they'll earn a thrashing! Today's your lucky day, scum. You've got a visitor." He curls his lip in disgust and revulsion. "Seems your ... wife ... wants to say goodbye. Figures you'd corrupt a fine-looking lady into a unnatural union. Damn bastard half-devils and their perverted ways.... Well, come on. Step lively! We wouldn't want to keep her waiting."
As the guards unshackle Ardra, the sergeant leaves for a minute, returning with a wooden bucket and a handful of straw. "A present for little miss pissypants." Tossing it into the center of the cell, he leaves, chuckling.
Thoroughly nonplussed, Ardra takes the opportunity to stretch and discretely look around as she follows the guards.
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After about 10 minutes of keeping up her act, Robin suddenly tenses up and slumps down in her bindings, followed by the sound or a liquid flowing on the floor as she wets herself.
When the Sergeant enters, she simply stares at him, unblinking, with her eyes screaming bloody murder.
Ekkehardt quietly appraises the guards and sergeant, noting their weapons and gear.
At the sound of liquid hitting the floor, he just sighs.
She can't talk, doesn't look like she could fight her way thru a wet parchment...and she isn't even house broken...how much of a liability will she be? Married, eh? Must have some powerful connections to get in this place.
i wonder if she will attend the execution? yes, she will, she will wish to make sure the work is done correctly.
SO...I believe only little Hecate and our missing cellmate have explained why they have been damned to this place. Let us pass the time further, why have you been placed here...Summers.
Blackerly's smirk drops for a moment, and he kicks the barrel a bit closer to Robin. Her silent stare has clearly unnerved him a bit. He recovers quickly though, and roughly escorts Ardra out of the cell. Once she's gone, the door is closed and locked.
"Oh, dearest," proclaims the woman. "I'm so relieved you're alive!" She quickly turns to Blackerly. "Could we please have a moment alone, good sir? For pity's sake?" The sergeant goes blank for a bit and then quickly agrees. "Of course, my lady. For you, 'tis no problem."
As soon as the guards leave, the woman's demeanor immediately changes. Dropping all signs of grief or concern, she immediately turns all business. "Have you forgotten me, dearest," she smirks. "Call me Tiadora. We possess a mutual friend who would like to meet you and your fellow cell-mates. Unfortunately, our friend is unwilling to visit you in your 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.
"If you manage that, 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. There, our mutual friend waits. That is all I know. He did want me to give you this." She takes off her silken veil and wipes away a few fake tears wit it.
"Something to remember me by, dearest."
bemused but understanding, she accepts the veil and inspects it quickly but carefully before secreting it under her prison garb.
She cups Tiadora's face and whispers tenderly in her ear, of course... dearest. Can you tell me anything else; what the veil is for or who our benefactor is or why he's interested in us?
She shrugs, "Worth a shot"
-----------------------------------------------------
Veil of Useful Items
Slotless and Weightless
Description
This appears to be a fine silk veil of gossamer cloth. Only as it's 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:
- Dagger x2
- Bullseye Lantern x1 (full, lit, and shuttered)
- Hemp Rope (50ft)
- Pouch of Alchemical Components x1
- Common clothes in each PC's size
- MW Thieves' Tools x1
- Window x1 (2ft by 4ft, up to 2ft deep)
- Potion x1 (cure light wounds)
- 100gp
- Silver Unholy Symbol of Asmodeus x1
Boreas raises one eyebrow up in Ekks direction, an almost bemused look.
Two guards died. They died in their sleep, apparently someone had left the windows open and they froze from the cold night where they lay. Of course they blamed me for it, why wouldnt they?
But alas, it wasnt that that landed me in here. I found the nobleman who murdered my father and drove my mother to sickness. HE still sleeps warm in his bed...
Huh. Why did I tell them about my parents. I hadnt told anyone about them before. I guess even I want to be remembered after i die.
Boreas then gives a chuckle to himself
is there anything else you can tell me?
Blackerly shakes her head. "I'm afraid it's time, miss." She looks deep into his 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," Blackerly repeats, his voice almost mechanical. Then the watch sergeant seems to snap out of it and bows politely. "A pleasure, madam." She leaves unveiled. Her eyes meet yours one last time, and she briefly gives you a wicked smile. "Three days," telepathically echoes in your mind. "Don't disappoint me, dearest." The visitation concluded, you're taken back to your cell by a cadre of guards and shackled once more.
After only a few minutes, Ardra is brought back to the cell and chained back in her former position. Then the cell door is closed and locked, leaving the six of you alone again. Outside, you can hear muffled chatter from a pair of guards.
once she hears that the guards have a good rhythm to their conversation she leans forward on the bench to gain everyone's attention and whispers just loud enough for everyone who can to hear.
we've been given the tools to get out of here, and we're going to, all of us, together. We have three days to escape and meet our benefactor in his manor on the other side of the moors.
She pulls out the veil and explains it to them. She demonstrates by pulling free the thieve's tools
Quietly Ekk speaks in his low baritone voice.
My Lord provides, thank you my Prince. I have no need of steel to kill. I however, lack the means to escape my chains unless I try to tear them from the walls. Can one of you use these tools to free us? What is the plan after that? Do yo have one?
"Now that lights a fire," Saranda says with a smirk.
Robin watches as the Tiefling Woman returns. Smelling the slighty acetonic odour from the puddle below her feet, her lips tighten.
By what means was SHE unchained? Because she played around with a King? Once more, those who already have power are privileged over those without...this whole system is a lie. Our jailors are neither good nor just, yet they claim to be both. They all should burn for their lies.
Watching Ardra intently as she is rechained, Robin still only manages to read part of what she spoke, as she seemingly tried to whispers, and address all of them.
But when her neighbour produced mechanical tools from a piece of cloth, Robin realised that this would be a chance. Focused on what the Tiefling would do next, Robin unconsciously extends her arms towards the womans direction as much as her bindings allow.
Ekkehardt shifts to his hybrid form, growing a stoat maw and two hands tipped tipped with sturdy claws.
Rolling his neck, he stretches his frame, loosing muscle for the upcoming battle.
*whispering*
By your frames and hands, I believe none of you are warriors. What can you do?
Hecate's eyes never leave Blackerly's face until he leaves the cell. So, THAT is what hatred feels like. It's good, warming in the chill of this frozen cell.
As Ardra returns, she listens intently to the story spun by the tiefling. "Interesting. So, um, did she say why she was interested in helping us? Not that I'm, you know, ungrateful... " Or spoilt for choices right now.
She nods at Ekkehardt. "I'm no warrior, it's true; but I made a ... a deal with someone who could pull your head right off its shoulders. Get me out these chains and give me a minute, and I'll get you an ally you'll be glad to have."
When she talks about her magic, her tone is different: no diffidence, only a confident assertiveness. Cockiness, almost.
Ekkehardt nods his head in approval.
Good, very good. If she can do as she speaks, this gives me an ally in combat. The rest must be casters of some kind.
*sigh*
I pray they are as useful as they are mouthy or attractive. No true warriors to hold my flank...they will be ranged, knowledge seekers or battlefield controllers. They are not military...they don't have the look or discipline. Hell-fires...probable rooks, then. No tactical awareness, Hecate must be able to summon something, "Summers" works with cold, Ardra...unknown, Saranda...unknown, and a women with a weak bladder.
This'll be a hard day..
she listens to the others as they plan, making her own judgements and contingencies. She also listens to the guards, for any interruption in their pattern of conversation as she begins to work on her manacles, at which point she ceases and hides her tools and progress until they are well and settled back into their routine.
It occurs to her, that with her skills, her best chance of escape might be alone, but their benefactor apparently has want of all of them, and with no place to go after her escape other than to this unknown quantity who may have no use for her by herself, she considers it best to follow instructions, at least for now, and escape with these companions, all of them together. She joins their planning and explains her disparate abilities.
I'm a simple entrepreneur who's had both the good and ill fortune of acquiring the patronage of the king. I'm a master chef, by trade, who's picked up a few alchemical skills along the way. That veil contains equipment and alchemical reagents; however, without my formula book, all I'll be able to make are a small handful of thrown explosive devices and a single batch of mutagen. The mutagen will augment my physical abilities, either my strength, my swiftness and dexterity or my hardiness for about ten minutes, give or take a little.
As you can see, I also have some small skill with simple mechanical devices. I'm a reasonably skilled physician, and, once upon a time, in another life, I was a military and wilderness scout, performing reconnaissance missions for the defense of my childhood hometown.
Blast! she quietly swears as a small click escapes her work, she waits long enough to make sure the guards do not stir.
Her eyes widen as a much louder noise escapes this time and grabs the tools and veil with her tail and hides all beneath their bench or under her rags
From the other side of the door, you hear the conversation cease. "Was that a rat?" After a tense moment, the conversation resumes. The sound of Ardra's noisier mishap is, fortunately, obscured by the hearty guffaw of the louder of the two guards.
scrambles again
"That rat's really going' at it. Wonder how long it'll take for them devil harlots to start beggin' to be rescued." Their laughter is quite grating to the ear.
she pokes her tongue between her teeth and tries again
she holds her breath
Boreas's eyes widen at the monstrosity that manifests beside him where Ekk had once been.
What the freak have I been chained to???
Boreas seems to be visibly unnerved as he quietly listens to Ardra tell her life story. get on with it woman... but then he shrugs and resigns himself once more Ah heck. what does it matter? let the lass talk. let the beast eat me. it matters not
after Ardra seems to stop talking for a bit, Boreas adds his bit.
I am just a street urchin. Nothing more, well, once I was one of them nobles. But not for a long time. The cold seems to follow me wherever I go. Others talk about sunny days and warmth, yet never I seem to feel it.
But, if needed I can freeze the very life out of you He gives a piercing stare directly at Ekk
Or, I feel I could also shroud our presence from those guards outside, but they would notice something amiss VERY quickly. Just give me a signal of when you wish for cover.
whispers rapidly neither, not yet. doing this backwards and upside-down is proving trickier than I imagined. Besides, anything too unusual will just make the guards more wary and they'll bring back-up before we're ready to move
The guards, completely unaware of the goings-on inside your cell, continue their conversation.
right then
When the fiendish woman unlocks her shackles, Robin frees one Hand, touching her with a smile.
Taking a moment to gently rub feeling back into her wrists, Robin then places her hands back in the unlocked manacles to pretend still being bound.
"Wow, someone's been hit with a damn beasty stick. Wonder what else has changed," Saranda giggles whispering her words,"Put them talents to good use. Rip and tear."
Saranda waits patiently for her shackles to be undone.
"I definitely heard something - and it didn't sound like no rat. Cover me, Willem, I'm gonna check it out." You hear the *clink* of your cell door bring unlocked.
"Guards, guards, I'm rather hungry you see, what do we have to eat," she plays with her chains trying to fool them.
Hiding evidence
She catches Robin's eye and mouths grotuitously sit tight... keep your wrists bound
Your cell door opens, revealing a pair of guards glaring suspiciously at you. One enters the cell, cudgel at the ready; the other remains at the door with one hand on the signal horn at his belt. "What's all this noise about, eh?"
Hearing Saranda's question, both guards let out a chuckle. "Tonight's menu is a nice lobster bisque with capers on the side. Or, if that doesn't suit your fancy, we have roast grouse. ... Oh wait, you're asking about YOUR dinner. Silly me. You'll find out in about three hours. Until then, SHUT UP!"
Their suspicions resolved, the guards exit your cell and re-lock the door.
Hecate reaches out as surreptitiously as she can, touching the mute telepath:
Careful. The one with the signal horn - the danger. He has to go first.
It helps if she treats it as an intellectual exercise, rather than the thought that their escape involves killing people. Actual people. She squeezes her eyes tightly shut and berates herself. She can't afford to think like that.
Thinking like that - instead of roasting Dalcourt and running - is what got her here.
When the door opens and one of the guards takes a step inside, Flame snakes around Robin as the pulls her hands free from her bindings, and a ball of flame engulfs both of the guards.
->Nope
=> DC15 or DC16(if 1/2 level is 1 minimum) Reflex Save half damage AND DC15 or DC16(same reasoning) save vs. additional effect: catch on fire for 1d6 damage on beginning of their round each turn until extinguished.
I am a man of simple pleasures and taste, CAKE OR DEATH FOR YOU!
Rushing forward, Ekkehardt opens his maw to rip flesh from his enemy and end his pitiful life.
Saranda just stays in her shackles and watches.
Her hand having been forced, Ardra begins a rapid-fire torrent of swearing in infernal, mostly directed at Robin. With few choices left to her she reaches for the veil held in her tail and retrieves the alchemical reagents.
As soon as the guards come within view, Robin unleashes an explosion of fire. The one with the signal horn manages to partially shield himself behind the door jam, but the other is immolated. The surviving (and severely burned) guard draws his signal horn and blows a mighty blast while backing away quickly . Downstairs, you can hear alert shouts and barking dogs.
Rnd 1:
Screaming with rage and frustration, Ardra releases the chain from her leg and runs to the fallen guard to retrieve his keys
Edit:
Rnd 2:
returning to Ekkehardt, she hastily begins work on his manacles; once done she moves on down the line
Ekk
Saranda
Hecate
Boreas
As she works she makes the veil available to any who need something from it, if you can use a bow or a sword, he's got one of each indicating the body. She pulls a dagger from the veil and prepares herself.
Boreas had momentarily withdrawn into himself when the tiefling tells him to wait. Wait. Ok. I can wait. not really sure how much it will do, but I ca... next thing he knows, there is a blast of scorching fire beside him as one of the guards explode backwards.
What the EFff was that?
then he hears the horn blow, and turns to the lady beside him.
Blast! you just called them all on us! waiting 3 days wasnt good enough? You had to have us killed now? Well fine. Then we will do this now!
His face was contorted in rage, he was seething and the cold around him became all the more intense as a result (Cold level 4, still on the edges, still shouldnt affect us), and the cold started to premate out of the cell through the open door and down the hall a ways. (about 100ft)
The round after Boreas gets released he prepares himself for concealment.
Alright guys, on my mark you will get an instant blanket of fog. at that point no one will be able to see nothing. Beasty, at that point your up. And DONT eat me... He gives another hard stare at the bear abomination (Bearmination?)