Veldrin's beam of ice cold energy hisses as it glides through the air. Although the guard is under Grumblejack, his squirming to escape miraculously helps him dodge the beam.
Vritra charged at the guard, crouching low and then rises suddenly as he reaches the guard, coming down with both fists like a hammer. His fists connect to the guard's chest, causing a chain of *SNAPS* to sound through the room as the man flies across the room from the blow. When he lands, it is obvious that he is dead, killed on impact from the massive Suli's fists.
Jaq calmly strides over and bashes one of the guards in the head with the club. The man yelps when he is struck, a rivulet of blood coming down his face past his terrified blue eyes.
Grumblejack gets up and immediately stomps the guard Jaq just pounded on the head...
tripping slightly on the guard's leg and almost falling over.
Both of the guards Grumblejack jumped on stand up and draw their swords, their guards temporarily left open. Grumblejack takes advantage of this and swings...
laying Jaq's target low in one blow, the man crumpling like a piece of badly done clay work.
Miri chuckles at Vincent's statement, "Ah, looking to bake your own birthday cake are you? Well you will be slightly disappointed, as this time of day, guard's are still patrolling. Another hour there could be some ignorant yokels in there, if you're the patient sort. Me, I just say creep around and 'sneak, sneak, stab, stab' on these nitwits!" As she speaks the last bit, she adopts a ridiculous pose and makes stabbing motions through the air with her unoccupied hand.
Vincent chuckled a bit as he thought about the idea of popping out of a birthday cake and blowing people up...or perhaps leaving a lovely bomb inside a cake and waiting for someone to give it the inaugural slice only for it to go boom. He shook his head and caught her silly stabbing motions and snorted "If you are that intimate, at least buy them dinner first. Me, I prefer the nice burning smell of roasting flesh and a smoke screen between me and my partner....Don't get me wrong, I can handle filleting a person all nice and personal and sweetly close...but I prefer that they don't have the ability to slice back at the time" he said smiling evilly. He grabbed up the girl and hoisted her back up onto his shoulder. "Onwards, to bigger and better things" he said as he strode forth with a bit of effort before kicking the door open.
Vritra glanced at the final guard, a smile spreading across his face. His hand reached down to the guard he had just felled, then dragged the corpse with him as he stepped into the view of the final living opponent. The Suli tossed the guard's former ally towards the man, the smile across his face widening.
"Diieson haurach ihk wux"
Vincent kicks down the wooden door and strides in the mess hall. It is currently empty, save for a few tables, chairs, and a large tapestry emblazoned with a silhouette of Branderscar Prison.
The dead guard lands with a wet thump at his living compatriot's feet. The guard visibly shakes in terror at the threat by the vicious murderer.
Jaq saw an opening as the guard stood up, swinging his club at him.
He wasted little time, adjusting his positioning if it would give him an advantage.
Vincent sprang into the room with bomb in hand and yelled AHHHAAA....but then seemed to get crest fallen when he found absolutely no one in the room. He gave a loud audible sight and looked over his shoulder at Miri and the Cloaked One. "Well...no even a one. I swear, I don't get to have too much fun....Oh well...Say, oh illustrious tour guide of mine, where do each of those doors lead?" he asked out of curiosity as he adjusted the dead weight on his shoulder and pointed at the doors with his tail tip.
Jaq's blow lands across the guards head and a sickening *CRACK* issues forth. The man collapses to the floor and bleeds out. Grumblejack bellows out laughing, "That was a good hit there, little 'un! You split that guard's head open like a melon! Ah, brings back memories of that little shire o' Halflings. A decent meal they were. Shall we press on? All this talk makes me hungry."
Miri pats Vincent on the back and speaks in a mocking voice, "Aww, poor wittle hellspawn! Don't worry, we'll find you some playmates." She points to the door directly across the mess hall, "That is the barracks for those off duty. There are probably a few sods in there in their trousers catching some sleep. There's also the personal effects of each guard member in their own private chests, which may prove lucrative." She then points to the door in the left portion of the room, "That leads to the grand hall, which connects directly to the room at the bottom of the stairs. There are two guards stationed there, but nothing that our friends can't handle." She looks at the Cloaked One, "You're awfully quiet back. You got any thoughts on this?"
The Cloaked One gives Miri a flat stare and points toward the barracks.
Miri looks at the Cloaked One with a smile, "Eh, a fair point I suppose. Still, I love myself some exposition. So, shall we go forth and play the harp with someone's vocal cords with a dagger? You CAN do that by the way, very amusing stuff!"
Cloak/Oscar/whatever-his-name-is nods and walks to the barracks door. He looks expectantly at Vincent.
Vincent listened and nodded as he heard the plan. While he wasn't overly fond of killing in people's sleep...it always seemed a little too nice for it to be over so quickly, he had to admit it was at least a good idea given the timing and situation. He gave them both his toothy smile and bowed "I am sure I can find an implement of desire to join in the slicing and dicing" he said thoughtfully as he laid the maiden down on a table and took to be being a sneak for now. He crouched up on the other side of the door and looked at Miri waiting for her to open the door carefully, after all it wasn't his style.
Veldrin waves a bit imperiously at Vitra and Jaq, "One of you two check their bodies for anything useful, and then slit their throats to make sure they're actually dead, and not just unconscious."
He then casts a quick minor spell to determine if there's anything magical in the room, and then walks close to the other door, and tries to see if such is beyond as well.
Jaq grinned as he crouched down pulling out a dagger. He sliced the throat of both guards there near him and Grumblejack, before he marked each of them with His Lady's Rune on the center of their foreheads. He proceeded to give them a good search over, though he suspected they had the same things as the other guards. He would then make sure to mark the other two dead guards after making sure they were dead . If they were still unsearched, he would search them as well.
The Suli bites his tongue as Grumblejack speaks, not wanting to listen to the comments. The Ogre was useful, but Vritra more and more didn't like him. The callousness, though admirable to some, was irritating to Vritra. If there was one lesson he had learned, it was that killing should only be done when it was for some gain. The casual murder of Halflings merely because he was hungry? Well... one could think of why the Suli disliked it.
but time may have a way of changing
even
the strongest
beliefs
Miri flips her hand in an agitated fashion, "Well THAT'S gentlemanly of you! Make the woman open the door! Plbbbbbttttttt!" She opens the door quietly, making nary a sound as she does so. She creeps into the room, the only sound she makes is the slight russle of her chain shirt, a sound like a soft drizzle of rain. In the dim light of the room, 3 figures can be seen sleeping on beds. Miri positions herself above one of the figures , sword held above with the point aiming down. Vincent follows suit, creeping into the room with a modicum of silence. The cloaked man stands by the door as his compatriots creep in. Perhaps he is sizing up his comrades? Or is he merely taking his time for the kill, savoring those moments as long as he can before he seperates life from limb?
Noticing Vritra's glare, Grumblejack returns the glare for a moment before turning away in disinterest. Jaq merrily slits the dying guards throats and places bleeding brands upon the heads of the now dead men. His rifling through the mens' belongings finds similar items to the other slain guardsmen. Veldrin's arcane sight pierces the door. His eyes focus on a small object, which faintly glows blue. The outline of the aura is curved and looks to be less than a foot in length.
As is comrades enter, Cloak/Oscar pauses for several beats to make sure their entrance wasn't heard. Then, satisfied that they're unnoticed, he creeps in and positions himself by the third guard's bed.
Making sure the others are ready, he gives a sharp nod and plunges his hand into his enemy's chest.
pts damage
The cloaked man's hand passed straight into the sleeping guard's heart. The guard's sleeping form jerks once and makes a small gasping noise, then relaxes into the repose of death.
Once Jaq had finished marking and stripping the bodies, he gave the arrows to Gurwen, figuring she'd use them more than any of the rest of them would. He then choose to move towards the closest door on the Left and listened.
Gurwen mouthed 'thank you' to the merry throat slitter. She adds them to the quiver and continues behind him.
Vincent looked around, finding a lovely longsword leaning against the wall. He licked his licks, his tail snaking over and grabbing the blade as he took the furthest guard away. His tail snaking over to drop the hilt into his waiting hand. He wasn't used to the feel of a blade but it didn't seem to awkward. He slipped up onto the bed with his victim of choice, resting the blade on the man's throat before his hand slapped down on the man's throat and the blade sank and sliced through the man's throat.
Jaq goes to the door Veldrin seems focused on and puts his ear to the wall. He can hear two men talking, "No, Jon, I told you that was when I met the king and his daughter!" "Yer such a soddin' liar, Albert! Why would some royals even entertain the notion of meeting you?" "Because, you uncouth barbarian, I did them a service and the rulers of our fair country are honorable under Mithra's all-seeing eyes." "You Talireans and your honor! The only honor I believe in is blood. That you lot pay me is just a bonus!" "You barbarians from the North..."
The one eyed man from Gurwen's past eyes her, "Oh, so you have some manners too! How... refreshing, dove."
Vincent's blade plunges into the guard's throat, startling him awake long enough to let out a single, muffled gurgle before falling back on the bed as his lifeblood pours from him.
Miri kneels down, places a hand over the guard's mouth and runs her sword across the guard's throat...
Expertly slicing the man's throat from just under one ear all the way to the other in one stroke. He does not even wake, so finely executed her cut was.
Nodding in approval at his fellow murderers, Oscar begins to search the bodies.
Green eyes alight as Veldrin's eyes seem to catch hold of something. The Suli turns back and walks up to the drow, a questioning look in his eyes.
"What you see?
Vincent chuckled at the small gurgling gasp before silence went again. It would've been more fun to paralyses the man from the neck down and let him watch himself die a slow and horrible death...but this was not the time to indulge oneself. He slipped his new found blade into his belt and began to rifle through the poor sod he was on top of quickly, there was still to many left in this prison alive for his feelings.
He took what he could find, before getting up and motioning to the others to move quickly. He wanted to rejoin the main group for more fun soon.
The three silent killers began searching the bodies of their victims, finding only the sleeping clothes the guards wore. The villains, however, notice a trunk at the base of each bed.
Oscar quietly kneels down and checks out his victim's trunk.
Gurwen shoots a look at the one eyed fool. "Careful..." She quietly walks closer to the Drow and Jaq as well, putting all but one arrow back into her quiver.
Jaq looked to Veldrin, Gurwen and Vitra, "There are two inside. One is a loyal puppy, the other seems to not be as loyal, could potentially be converted."
"Oh really? Another convert you say? Joyous times indeed!" The necromancer says with an impish smile. He rubs his hands together a bit sinisterly. "Lead the way my angelically evil friend"
Vincent kicks the dead sod off the bed once he is satisfied on finding...nothing. He shakes his head, notices Oscar is going after a trunk and follows suit pulling out the picks and going to town.
Flashing a grin, Jaq opened the door and headed inside. He spread his arms in greeting, addressing the two men. "Did I hear someone mention the honor in blood? Jon was it? Good, Good. I believe we can offer you a nice arrangement. You seem to have escaped the brainwashing these false prophets of Mitra have been spreading like the plague. Yes Yes. You do seem like the sensible sort. Though, I'm sorry to say that your friend here, Albert I believe, has taken to these teachings to be the truth. May we still save his soul. Albert, you and I need to have a nice long discussion on the real teachings of Mithra. Not the false versions those phony priests have lead you to believe."
Vritra stayed behind the door, glancing around. If the others wanted to talk their way out of this, the more power to them. His blood continued to calm, and his mind cleared.
*sigh*
The Suli leaned against the wall, glancing at Grumblejack and waving for him to stay where he was. If the Aasimar was able to convince the others that it was better for them not to fight, then less combat would be necessary.
Less blood would need to be spilt.
At Vritra's wave, Grumblejack stops and slowly moves towards the wall, as if he could avoid detection if someone looked through the door!
Jon booms out a laugh, "Bwahaha! You hear that, Albert? This one says that MY interpretation of Mithra is correct! If the gods bless us if we are faithful, then surely success in battle is a true measure of one's piety? 'Mithra vult', my friend! Albert draws his sword, which shimmers with a golden light for a moment, "This is no time for you ignorant buffoonery, Jon, these prisoners are escaping! We can discuss Mithra's teachings later!" Jon holds out his hand, as if to stop Albert, "No, I want to prove something. If you're so damned righteous, then why don't you challenge one of these prisoners to one-on-one combat?" Albert glares at Jon, "Fine, but if I kill the prisoner, you MUST help, as I will be the one in the right!" He steps forward with a confident stride and points to the group of prisoners, "Who among you is brave enough to face Sir Albert of Gottsteinsburg? Who among you can stand before the might of a faithful servant of Mithra?"
The cloaked man opens treasure chests. He finds several things. The first is a change of well-made, but drab clothing likely worn by a peasant. The second is a bottle of whiskey labeled 'Mithra's Own Courage!' in large, stylized letters. The third is a collection of letters addressed 'To: Albert, From: Mom. The fourth is another set of peasant clothing and a rather plain short-bladed sword. The fifth is a small bag of treats for a dog. And the sixth, and last, is a map of the nearby town Varyston, as well as the Old Moor Road leading to and from it.
Someone calls for battle?
A glowering smile spreads across the Suli's face, teeth glinting in the half-light. Walking around the corner, Vritra stares into the sythr's eyes, gathering his hands into fists. "I can fight him if you please..." Vritra hisses out the words, as if he were one of the great serpents of the world. His blood swirled within him, wanting to be released. The power wanted to be called out, to show his entire power...
Everything that could be possible with the power of dragons and fiends.
Veldrin lays a calming hand on his elemental companion "No my friend, this man is quite dangerous, and I do not believe you would fair well against him."
He chuckles a sinister laugh "You desire a champion to fight? Wonderful! I summon forth the mighty destroyer, Grumblejack!" He says grandly, and gestures forth the massive ogre.
"Yes, may the mighty Grumblejack enlighten you and save you from these falsehoods!" Jaq gave a flourish motion and stepped to the side, allowing Grumblejack to step forward.
Grumblejack the Ogre C R 5
XP 600
Male ogre Fighter3
NE Large humanoid (giant)
Init –1; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +2
DEFENSE
AC 15, touch 10, flat-footed 13 (+1 Dex, +5 natural, –1 size)
hp 83 (4d8+12+3d10+9) currently at 12
Fort +9, Ref +1, Will +1
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft. (40 ft. base)
Melee unarmed smash +10 (1d6+3) (provokes an attack of opportunity)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
TACTICS
During Combat If given the chance to hurt someone (especially
guards), Grumblejack takes it. Intelligent for an ogre but still
not brilliant, Grumblejack has a very simple plan in a fight –
hit it until it stops moving.
Morale In Branderscar, Grumblejack has nothing to lose. He
fights to the death.
STATISTICS
Str 26 (17 due to poison), Dex 12, Con 15, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 9
Base Atk +3; CMB +9; CMD 18
Feats Combat Reflexes, Improved Bull Rush, Iron Will, Power Attack Toughness, Weapon Focus: Unarmed Strike
Skills Climb +7, Knowledge (nature) +2, Perception +2, Stealth -1,
Swim +3
Languages Common, Giant
Class: Bravery+1, Armor Training
Cloak will pocket the dog treats and hold up the map to show the others.
Veldrin lays a hand on the ogre's back and says softly "May Lady Zura guide your blows"
Grumblejack laughs loudly at the tiny human before him "Time to get the smash!" and with that, he takes a swing
Gurwen, hoping to have not been seen in all of the rukus, finds a place with an acceptable shot at the baddie, just in case things get too crazy.