Horillo turns to the Cassie, "Sargent, best we look at the prisoners we have got and get them ready for transport, don't you think!" He retrieves 4 sets of manacles from his backpack.
Turning to the guard he continues, "Unlock the cells, we can take it from here, you may leave, I'm sure you have better things to be doing, or at least more enjoyable." he smiles and laughs.
Mawl goes about aiding Horillo in securing the three prisoners and whispering "We need to make sure they can escape these bonds easily and help us when everything turns south. They are Hell Knights after all."
Cassie nods "Excellent suggestion. Proceed." she says, supervising and escorting the guard from the room to make sure the others are left alone with the prisoners.
The guard backs down and is more than happy to leave you all to your work after the ass chewing he just got.
Horillo enters the first cell containing one of the Hell Knight prisoners. He checks the man is on his own and they can't be overlooked, then takes in the condition of the knight as quickly as he can. He says sternly loud enough to be heard outside, "Prisoner Benjen Preveau, you are called by the Lictor Sabinus to come with us." he holds out the manacles and places them on the man. As he does he whispers in the man's ear, "Octavio has asked us to get you out of here, can you walk? Are you fit? Just keep the manacles on, the locks are not tightened." As he leads him out he whispers, "If things go pear shaped, look after yourselves and get out as fast as you can." The two then leave the cell.
He pulls the shackled Benjen out of the first cell, then making sure that this prisoner is in view of the other two Hell Knight prisoners as he enters their cells and repeats the process.
Once all prisoners are outside their cells and ready for transport, Horillo speaks sharply to Cassie, "Sargent, these three are in our custody, ready to be transported." He continues, "Ready to retrieve the fourth prisoner from the chamber, resistance will be met with force, as you ordered." He turns to the other three prisoners, "Remain for transportation, any attempt to resist will result in severe punishment. In line with the Lictor's orders." He takes the silver morningstar in his hand.
Cassie nods "Excellent work, private."
Keeping the ruse going, she turns to Mawl and then looks at the door unexpectedly, "The door, if you please, Private." She moves towards center of the group, letting Surexeria and Mawl get ahead of her.
"Yes Maam." Mawl says as he reaches for the door, ready to pull his great sword.
Horillo whispers to himself, such that the words fly on the air to Sorix outside. "Sorix, we have 3 of the prisoners ready to depart, but we are about to meet opposition to retrieving the fourth. If you can find a way to get down here it would help, but it may be safest to stay where you are. If it all goes wrong, I'll let you know. If you have to get down here, just be a messenger or something, I'm sure you have the means to do it."
The prisoners listen to your orders but don't seem convinced that you are there to help. One quietly asks "You say you are here on the Lictor's request to get us out of here? What proof do you have?"
You head over to the door to the torture room, determined to retrieve Hortense.
A horrifying sight greets you as you open the door. Within, a pale, pretty young woman with long brown hair has been affixed to one of the two torture racks in the chamber. She’s clad in rags and covered with horrific wounds - her right arm is partially flensed, and her pinky finger is missing from her left hand. Mercifully, Hortense appears to be unconscious at the moment.
In front of her, you see her apparent torturer: a pale woman clad in wire and leather, weeping tears of blood and impaled by dozens of long, thin lancets.
The pale woman woman turns and smiles at you as she hears the door open. “And who is this come to my court? Carriers of lies, each of you. I smell falsehoods. Do you seek my aid in stripping them from you? I am but just started on this subject, so you will need to wait your turns, my hopefuls.”
After her short speech, the pale woman turns back to her work and seems to now ignore you entirely.
This is an Apocrisiarius Kyton. They are evil outsiders hailing from the Plane of Shadow. The term “sadistic” is synonymous with Kytons. An Apocrisiarius Kyton considers inflicting pain and suffering nothing more than a tool to reach what truly intrigues it - the purest form of a single truth. This Kyton prefers to use torture and vivisection to carve away both physically and metaphorically at their victims until all that remains is the one nugget of information they desire - a pure truth, unadulterated by extraneous life.
It has DR 5/silver or good and is immune to cold and poison.
It has an aura of truth that functions like the Zone of Truth spell. It possesses regeneration 3 (good spells, good weapons, silver weapons). It has SR 18 and is vulnerable to electricity. An apocrisarius kyton is incapable of lying. It can withhold truths by refusing to answer a question, but can’t utter or telepathically communicate a falsehood. Any attempts to do so (including attempts to obey commands to do so while the kyton is mind controlled) simply fail, as if the kyton had chosen not communicate.
Feel free to read the entry on this type of Kyton, which you can find here.
Cassie does not intend to lie if she can help it. She identifies the creature and addresses it "Kyton from the shadow plane, we are not here for your torture nor did we come here to engage with you. We have come to secure the release of this prisoner."
The woman doesn't even bother turning to reply but notes "There are so many falsehoods this one holds though and I haven't found her single truth. You can have what is left once I am finished." She waves you off dismissively as she pulls one of the lancets from her body, considering the next best place to cut the unconscious and nearly dead armiger.
"I understand your dilemma, but I must proceed in removing this prisoner at this time. Your cooperation in this matter would be appreciated."
The kyton ignores Cass for a moment as she slices into the woman's thigh peeling back some of her skin, before casting a spell to stabilize her from bleeding. She examines the piece of flesh for a moment then turns to Cass "No, you will need to wait. I am getting close I know it and your church of Asmodeos has given me orders to extract these truths. Whatever you are here for does not concern me."
Obviously done talking she turns back to her victim considering her next move not really paying attention to you figuring the conversation is over.
Surexeria turns to Mawl while the thing is distracted with its job, nodding at it and raising an eyebrow towards the wicked thing. She then makes a small gesture to signify she wants him to grab it and cover its mouth before she lowers her hand to her blade hilt...
Mawl nods at Surexeria, I think she wants me to grapple this...creature, that's probably a good idea I think
Mawl attempts a grapple
Cassie was ready to continue discussions with the kyton when Surexeria forces the issue. Worse yet, her and Mawl execute their plan poorly. With an audible sigh, she shakes her head and prepares for combat.
Hopingh to get the edge on the evil torturer, Horillo calls down the light of the good and holy deities to expunge the evil doers. A white bright light that almost causes you to shield your eyes surrounds the torturer.
As everyone gets ready to attack moving in on the pre-occupied Kyton Horillo unleashes a burst of light, just before Mawl tries to grab a hold of her but slips and misses. Cass starts to inspire the others with a song while Surexeria stabs the thing in the back, taking note that her attack didn't do as much damage as she would have expected.
The spell seems to fizzle as it hits the creature, not having any effect at all. The kyton turns with a snarl as she notes "So you want to play?"
Standing 10' from the Kyton Mawl makes a great swing at the torturer.
Surexeria snarls as she attempts to roll past the kyton and avoid an attack. She moves opposite Mawl before burying her blade in the things side!
"This torturer, is able to resist my spells, what other defenses does it have?" Horillo asks his friends.
HPs: 23/23
Spells Cast: 1st 0 used, 2nd Burst of Radiance used
Spells: Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Read Magic, Calm Animals(D), Barbed Chains, Bless, Murderous Command, Calm Emotions(D), Burst of Radiance, Shield Other, Silence
1st level slot empty, 1 hour prayer to fill.
Channels 2d6: 0 used of 5 / DC=14
Binding Ties 0 used of 7, 4 rounds
Scrolls: cause fear, doom, inflict light wounds, lesser restoration x2, remove fear.
Money: 77gp 3sp 5cp
Bought:
Sold:
As Horillo asks about it's other defenses Surexeria would note that her attack is not as effective as she would have thought, but Mawl's does not seem to have any difficulty.
Cassie cracks her whip loudly, attempting to unnerve the kyton "Play? Your time is over now, kyton. Prepare yourself for death."
Horillo moves forward into the chamber following Surexeria, and gives her his silvered morningstar, keeping out of the immediate range of the evil torturer Kyton.
Mawl and Surexeria lands brutal blows on the creature just realizing a fight is at hand and such savagery goes a long way in bolstering Cass's threat which seems to actually work to intimidate the extraplanar being.
Horillo moves in close and pulls out his silver mace to offer it to Surexeria after she noticed her attack wasn't as effective as Mawls. Sorix, continues to wait outside wondering what could be taking her companions so long.
The kyton pulls another lancet from her body, now wielding two and steps up to attack the biggest threat so far, Mawl
The jabs the lancets into his flesh twice, nearly nicking an artery on the second one, but the blood flowing from Mawl brings a grin to the injured kyton's lips.
Mawl, finding great displeasure with the two lancets in his body, swings his silver great sword again, this time, with flanking, and inspired.
Surexeria sneers at the offered mace. ”Swing it yourself! The more of us beating this thing down the better!” she says as she thrusts her blade at it once more.
Horillo takes a step away from the devil in front of them and tries to use his own spells to treat her, as she treats her tortured subjects. "Erastil, let this torturer feel her own torture, let the chains rise and bring her down." With that 2 chains twist out of the ground underneath the kyton, at the end of the chain, sweeping up and around in the air like an angry demonic snake, the chain has a wicked barbed point. Once free of the ground the chains, the barbs flash towards the kyton, attempting to cut through it's tendons and bring the creature down to the ground.
HPs: 23/23
Spells Cast: 1st Barbed Chains used, 2nd Burst of Radiance used
Spells: Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Read Magic, Calm Animals(D), Barbed Chains, Bless, Murderous Command, Calm Emotions(D), Burst of Radiance, Shield Other, Silence
1st level slot empty, 1 hour prayer to fill.
Channels 2d6: 0 used of 5 / DC=14
Binding Ties 0 used of 7, 4 rounds
Scrolls: cause fear, doom, inflict light wounds, lesser restoration x2, remove fear.
Money: 77gp 3sp 5cp
Bought:
Sold:
With her intimidation successful, she continues to sing to inspire her allies. She lashes out with her whip and tries to strike the kyton.
Mawl lands a solid blow and Surexeria follows it up with another even as the creature resists some of the damage from her attack. Horillo casts a spell as mystical chains burst from the floor attempting to trip the kyton, but she is too quick and avoids both of its attempts. Cass, lashes out with her whip but ends up missing, especially with the pillar partially obscuring her view.
With Mawl still the biggest threat the kyton continues to focus its attacks on him.
While she misses with her first attack, she catches Mawl with the second slicing another big wound on the man, starting to weaken him as much as he has done to her.
Surexeria continues trying to impale the thing with her blade.
Mawl swings his powerful enlongated arms holding the silver greatsword and comes down hard on the abomination.
"Enjoy this you freak!
Horillo retreats from the fight, such that he is over 30ft from the Kyton but Mawl is within 30ft, as he asks for Erastil to close some of the injured fighters wounds.
HPs: 23/23
Spells Cast: 1st Barbed Chains used, 2nd Burst of Radiance used
Spells: Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Read Magic, Calm Animals(D), Barbed Chains, Bless, Murderous Command, Calm Emotions(D), Burst of Radiance, Shield Other, Silence
1st level slot empty, 1 hour prayer to fill.
Channels 2d6: 1 used of 5 / DC=14
Binding Ties 0 used of 7, 4 rounds
Scrolls: cause fear, doom, inflict light wounds, lesser restoration x2, remove fear.
Money: 77gp 3sp 5cp
Bought:
Sold:
Both Mawl and Surexeria come up short in their attacks. Horillo moves away enough to heal Mawl but not the kyton, while Cass continues to inspire the others and attempt to attack the thing to weaken it up for her allies.
She manages to lash the creature, but the wound is only superficial, even so it helps to weaken the creatures resolve, just not enough to stop it. Instead it continues its attacks on Mawl as it gives him a snide remark "Getting tired already?"
With another blow, but missing the second, the thing nearly undoes all the healing Horillo just had done.
One of the prisoners calls out to Horillo "What's going on?"
"Oh shut up," Surexeria says as she thrusts her blade into a particularly exposed portion of the creatures body!
Horillo turns back, "We are having a disagreement with a torturer who wishes to continue her treatment on Hellknight Hortense Lierre, however our orders are to take her from this place. That we will do, even if the torturer falls before us. Preveau, Aberveen and Auruda you may recover your companion if you like. You may need this to dissuade the torturer." he says letting them know the silvered morningstar is available for their use.
Horillo then turns back and points at Mawl, "Erastil, shield my brother in the hunt."
"Shoot, I was going easy on you because you're a lady. Let's see how this silver drawing blood goes with your outfit." As he swings again, not even trash talking well.
Mawl and Surexeria both land solid blows on the creature and it seems to be getting worn out by the fight, but it it isn't done yet. While Cass misses her attack with her whip, Horillo casts another spell to help protect Mawl.
She strikes out at Mawl once again missing the first time, but connecting with the second. Though the pain is there the resulting wound is much less than he would have expected as Horillo takes some of injury instead.
With everyone focused on her though she doesn't have a chance and the next person to strike a blow finishes her off as she melts into a shadowy form that dissipates into nothingness.
Horillo beckons the other hellknights into the chamber, "Now you are out of sight of the other prisoners I have something to show you." From under his cloak the cleric brings out a mithral short sword. "I hope you recognise this, it belongs to the one who asked that you be removed from this prison." He holds the hilt so that Octavio's family crest can been seen. "We must be quick, let me help Hortense, as I can."
"Move that corpse away from me, I don't want Erastil's mercies to fall on that creature." Horillo asks of Mawl. With only the hellknights and his companions within the circle of his power, Horillo floods the circle with Erastil's positive healing power.
"Now whilst we leave, you must be our prisoners to keep the ruse going. If all goes well, that is the last of the bloodshed that will be spilt tonight." As Horillo binds the prisoners ready to leave.
Horillo addresses Mawl, "Leave that thing on the rack, let it look as though we are the feared torturers."
Mawl looks around to see what Horillo is asking to leave on the rack...
"She just sort of disappeared, no loss there, but I have nothing to put on the rack. I'm not real sure this is over though. If anyone heard the ruckus when we go to leave we may be challenged again.
Horillo lets out some healing and it fixes pretty much all of the womans injuries as well as Mawl's. Gathering up the prisoners, having already shown them Octavio's blade they are more than willing to trust you and follow your lead. You head back out the way you came. The guards there are somewhat surprised to see you walking out with the last armiger, but almost have a relieved look on their face knowing you must have triumphed over the kyton. They don't seem to stop you and you meet back up with Sorix outside.
Once outside, Surexeria looks to the others and says ”Right, lets get these fine folk to their commander on the double quick, shall we? The sooner we finish this task the better for all parties involved!”
She ponders a moment then adds ”Perhaps exiting through the tunnels and sewers would be best this time. We are now an even larger group than before, which will draw more eyes and questions our way.”
"I agree with Surexeria on both those, the sooner we are complete of this mission the better and we are such a large group now, let's try to keep to a minimum our chance of detection. Lead on. "
Horillo greets Sorox as they leave, "Glad we are out and ready to move on Sorix, thanks for keeping a watch out for us. Now we must move quickly and get these companions away from here. Let's go, follow Surexeria."
Once clear of the facility, Cassie lets the facade of the sergeant melt away with a heavy sigh. She turns to Mawl and puts a soft hand on his forearm "Sorry I was so rough, I didn't mean any of that stuff I said and did. I hope you know it was just for show."
"Ha Cassie, you were so good, I didn't even notice that it was me. I'm so accustomed to being scolded by supervisors, I didn't take it personally at all. Thanks for apologizing! You can be my supervisor anytime."
The group heads out with their *prisoners* in toe. After putting some distance between themselves and the holding house, they find a sewer entrance and begin working their way to the east to try and find a way out of the city.