"Dawn? You'll be dead by then Blackerly. Oh, what do you want us to do with your man Dale? I'm thinking of having a bit of fun with him. Would you like to hear it? I wonder how long he will last before he screams for his life. I know you don't doubt my intent here. I am a Drow after all. The warden didn't stand a chance when I cut him down. Neither will any of you. You have five minutes to consider my offer. Would you like to talk to Dale? I wouldn't want you to doubt my word." He goes to Dale and motions towards the door. Holding his sword to the mans throat, "Go on. Tell him you are alive and well."
Dane sighs, he's an honorable man, but sometimes even honor must give way to practicality. Once Dale offers his notice that he is alive, Dane follows up with "I'd say we start with his toes, break 'em then cut them off one by one! Enough kindling in this library for us to cauterize them afterwards, keep this real drawn out!"
"Only way he's coming out alive Blackery is if you stop being a coward and do your job!"
At first, Blackerly just laughs at Sion's threats. Still, there is a slight tremor in his voice as he speaks. Sion has clearly unnerved the Sergeant, even if only slightly.
"Dale? He's a coward and a traitor. He's up for a hanging when this is over. Do your worst, it'll only earn you a trip to the torturers rack when you're done."
Sion moves back from the door bringing Dale away and shoving him to the ground. Speaking to the others he says, "Any of you magic users got something up your sleeves? I can create some darkness making every one of them humans unable to see." He looks at Dane for a second, "Which will include you I'm sorry. I can however make them visible to you."
Anton frowns at their situation. "It seems that the 'good' sergeant doesn't seem to care. How nice," he says to the others. "That being said, it seems this man's companions may not hold their position once your torture thing get started. Before you do so... did anyone see another way out of this tower, or is the front door the only way in or out?"
Mordesel's eyes widen at Sion's mention of darkness. I can't see in the darkness either, incongruous with this statement a smile spreads slowly over his lips,but I've honed my fighting skills in the darkness. I'll be more effective than they can be. Just let me see where they are before the lights go out.
"You got some magic to make it go dark?"
Grumblejack's eyes widen at Sion's words as he grips his length of chain.
"I like the dark, and I'm ready to crush me some prison guards."
Grinning manically, the ogre is clearly losing patience with Blackerly's threats and is eager to inflict some pain.
Meanwhile, Dale has curled himself into the fetal position and is sobbing pitifully.
Dane hurriedly murmurs to his companions. "I hear some discontent in the ranks. Darkness is a good second plan, but let's see if we can't make Blackerly's men mutinous first. If we can lure them into fighting on our ground that darkness will be even more effective." Dane turns back to the door. "Harsh words Blackery! Mine can perhaps be excused as the words of a desperate man, but yours paint a different picture entirely! Your not only too much a coward to come and fight us, your heart's black as your name, and a just world would have you in here with us! "
Walking away from the door, Dane kneels next to Dale. "Sorry for the harsh words lad, but you heard it from the Sergeant himself, surrender to us was a sentence to join us at the gallows. I'm trying to keep my promise and get you out, goading your mates into charging in early is our best chance. But now that you see the truth of things, I'll remind you of my offer, come with us and you'll have the only comrades you could ever have at this point."
Mordesel smiles, an idea occurring to him. He calls out, Blackerly is no coward. He surely knows that if we're still here when the reinforcements come, well make sure they know all about the card games he runs, as well as the side business he runs--I'm sure the liquor won't be appreciated at all. In combination with this escape attempt, I'm sure he will be punished severely. Very brave man for allowing us to ruin his life. Especially when he could simply take care of this himself and get all the glory.
Blackerly stammers in surprise, clearly taken aback by Mordesel's knowledge of his activities. After a moment though, he recovers his composure. Rightly or not, Blackerly is clearly arrogant enough to believe he's capable of talking is way out of any mess.
"Well, you've kept you ears open while rotting in your cells, credit to you all. But it doesn't matter! The warden is the one in charge, I was just 'following his orders'. Dead or alive, he'll get the blame for this whole mess. Besides, do you actually think any magistrate or officer would listen to the claims of a bunch of criminals over a respected Sergeant? There's not a man out here with me now who would turn me in. You don't have a shred of actual evidence!"
He pauses for a moment, something clearly occurring to him.
"Make you a deal though. The first one of you to bring Dale outside, dead or alive, will get an hour's head start before I release the dogs on them."
Furthermore, although he is confident that he can get out of any trouble with his superiors, he is clearly getting increasingly worried by this situation. He had not expected to be negotiating with clever and capable escapees. (he is effectively shaken if combat breaks out).
Mordesel laughs. You don't mean to let any of us live. You are a vile criminal, Blackerly. At least we keep to our word. He shakes his head, smiling then quietly and quickly speaks to his companions in the pause The man is a afraid of us. When we fight he will be sloppy. Then raising his voice again, It's amazing to me that none of your men would turn you in. Especially after your incompetence led to the death of eight of their friends, and you so callous about their deaths and the idea of Dale's torture. Mordesel pauses a moment to let that sink in, then he raises his voice a little more, addressing the guards with Blackerly, Do you think he'll be more caring of your lives? If a fight occurs, we will kill you. But it doesn't have to be that way. I'll make a deal with you, the guards. I don't trust Blackerly's words, but I think you could be men of honor. You stand aside, and prevent Blackerly from impeding our escape, and we won't kill any of you. You can turn Blackerly in for the scoundrel he is, and he will take the blame. We'll even return Dale to you, if you were to vouch for him, I'm sure he'd avoid the gallows. Take this deal, it's your last chance.
Sion nods to Mordesel. He is ready to attack. "Let me cast my darkness before the door is opened. I shall ready my spell to reveal them in darkness and cast it at blackerly. If we charge him first the other guards may surrender. Perhaps not. Stay with me Grumblejack. We go for Blackerly especially." he says to them quietly with a smile.
It would be better for me if I could see the field before it went dark. Even if only for a moment. But yes, I agree. We go for Blackerly first and foremost.
"You will be able to see Blackerly. Possible others if they have torches. I will release the darkness for you 'humans' once Blackerly is dead."
Dane smiles viscerally at the proceedings, reminding himself once more of the biggest truth of humanity he's ever known: Always trust in their lack of professionalism that much will never let you down. Dane draws his sword and makes ready at the door, eager to repay Blackerly I'm full for the brand, perhaps with just a tiny bit of interest.
"If I go down, you're all going down with me!" Blackerly snarls at his troops.
"But if we stop these traitors from escaping Branderscar, we'll be hailed as heroes when the reinforcements get here! That's a free pass for us loyal soldiers of the Talingard."
There is a murmur of approval from the guards. To say they sounded eager would be an exaggeration, but they are willing to follow Blackerly's instructions.
First off, surprise round. Since you guys have plenty of to ready and prepare yourself, it seems reasonable that you get the jump on Blackerly and his lackeys.
Initiative Order
Dane: 21
Donovan: 16
Guards/Blackerly/Hounds: 15
Mordesel: 14
Nikitia: 10
Anton: 8
Sion: 7
Grumblejack: 3
Sion prepares for the fight by casting Darkness upon himself just before the door is opened. Darkness radiates from him upto 20ft. away. Seeing the coward Blackerly behind his guards he gestures to guard 2, coating him and those within 5 ft. in a pale blue light, making them visible even in the darkness.
"Cut them down! There is another dog and three guards also to the right!"
Mordesel runs around, through the darkness with ease, charging towards Blackerly.
Dane, sprints through the door. Realizing that Blackery is hiding behind his men, Dane approaches by the most direct path possible, around the flank, to loom in front of Blackery.
"Leaders lead from the front Blackery, not cower behind their betters." With this statement of fact (at least as far as Dane's concerned), he rushes forward and drives his sword upward and inward, looking to bypass both ribs and armor driving the blade from gut to heart.
"Is this all you are Blackerly?" With each strike parried, Dane puts a little more power into the next, punctuating each blow with his words "Just. Some. Blustering. Fool!?" With his final strike, Dane pushes all in considerable strength into knocking aside Blackery's guard, and driving his sword down towards Blackery's skull with the intent to split it in twain.
Donovan looks up, having been dazed after his first taste of blood in so long, and staggers through the door.
Now where in the nine hells did this battle come from?
Seeing Dane plunge his sword into Blackerly, Donovan smiles and runs behind him, letting loose a ray of frost as he does.
Dane moves up quickly, flanking Blackerly before the fat Sergeant can even act. Donovan follows close behind.
"Into the darkness Grumblejack. Kill them all!" He commands the ogre.
Hopefully that will unerve them even more. Run fools.
Nikita grins, stepping up for a clear line of sight and uses a hex on one of the guards.
The guard yawns and falls to the ground, much to the surprise of his fellows.
Egged on by Sion, Grumblejack lets out a roar and shoves his way through the doorway, ready to pound any unfortunate guard in his way.[/ooc]
Leaders who lead from the front tend to become dead leaders, Anton thinks as he peers around to see the beginnings of the attack, his view quickly becoming hazy by the globe of darkness. He then begins to loudly exhort his companions, in hopes that they prevail And perhaps the guards will forget about me if they don't...
Dane inflicts a wound on Blackerly that would have easily killed an average soldier, yet the Sergeant manages (barely) to remain on his feet. A fat, corrupt fool though he may be, clearly he is also a trained veteran.
Donovan casts a spell at the Sergeant but the ray goes wide, missing its mark.
Blackerly trembles, but puts up a brave front.
"Men! Defend me! Now!"
Two of the guard move over to assist but are clearly struggling to see through the dimness emanating from Sion.
Dane takes a nasty wound from one of the guards.
The dogs hesitate in the presence of the angry ogre, but being well trained animals lunge forward regardless.
Teeth tear at the ogres neck, and Grumblejack groans and falls to the ground, bleeding out.
The two remaining guards move up and try desperately to take down Sion.
Guard 4 gives Guard 3 a swift kick to wake him up. He groans and staggers to his feet.
Seeing the ogre taken care of, Blackerly ducks into the darkness and (with his free hand) draws a potion and drinks it.
Some of his injuries heal over.
Sion swings his Longsword at the closest guard and shifts to stand in between them and Nikita. "Put them to sleep again." he calls.
Nikita channels her powers again, targeting one of the guards assailing Sion.
Mordesel steps over and strikes in quick succession at the coward Blackerly.
Sion grins and looks at guard 6. "I suggest you run boy. You want to stay and see what I will do to you if you fall asleep next?" he looks down evily at the sleeping guard.
With an incredible blow, Mordesel delivers a punch that shatters Blackerly's jaw and skull. The Sergeant flies back several feet and hits the ground hard. He does not stir.
The monk spins around and kicks another guard in the chest. The man staggers back but manages to keep on his feet.
The downtrodden ogre groans, still bleeding out.
But his natural hardiness prevents him from bleeding to death.
Although Anton was surprised that Blackerly survived the two powerful blows from Dane, he continues to exhort his companions in the battle, smiling as Moredsel finally takes the sergeant down. He forgets himself in his exuberance and moves down the stairs and into the darkness, ending up beside Nikita.
Dane retaliates against the guard with a flurry of jabs and thrusts, meant more to ward off attack than actually land a killing blow. Retreating a short distance, Dane maneuvers himself slightly behind Mordesel, shifting his stance forward.
Donovan grins ear to ear with glee as Blackerly falls, shouting, Fat prison sergeant? Absolutely delectable, my favorite kind!
Slipping between Dane and Mordesel and he then ducks into the globe of darkness searching the ground for Blackerly's corpse, careful to be quiet lest he draw the attention of one of the blinded guards.