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Frankie looks around the room: chains, statues, grim lighting, creepy shadows and a host of friends looking to HIM to get everyone out. He swallows hard and nods his head "I can do it" He says, his voice quivering a bit from uncertainty. He steps up to the nearest statue and starts working on the mechanism with his usually hidden tools.
"Lazarus, Meredith, come help me. If the chains are too tricky then I'm going to try to slip them out of their bonus with this..." He slips the wand to Meredith and gives her the 411 on it, nodding to make sure they know what's up.
"Do you need me to help with the chains?" Denair shows her toolbox. "Frankie- I mean Frank is better than me, but if we need to hurry..."
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Denair halts Frankie. "Wait." She pulls out a scroll of Heroism and casts it upon him. "Okay, this should help you out."
Suffused with the spirit of a true hero and aided by his friends and companions, Frankie knows that there's no lock or trap that he can't crack! A careful twist here, a cut there...it takes time, what feels like eons but probably isn't more than just a few minutes, but in the end the group is successful with their endeavors. All four prisoners soon stand, albeit with a little effort, free of their bonds. Zefiro wipes at his face with a shaking hand, overcome with emotion.
"My friends, I thought I would never see you - or anyone else that I knew - ever again," he finally manages. "How did you find me?"
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Once the four prisoners are freed, Frankie heads up to each and gives them a big hug "Glad to help. Now we gotta get you outta here to the ship!" He restowes his tools and checks on his false mustachio.
"We've had some help from back home in tracking you down. Good thing we know some smart people!" He smiles and nods, and smiles some more, extremely happy for even Frankie.
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"Well done, Frank. It's good to see you, too, Zefiro. You and everybody else ready to blow this taco stand?"
Lazarus pulls Krima aside and whispers, hoping not to worry the 'freed' prisoners. "Ma'am, em, we'd welcome any suggestions you might have about, em, getting everyone out of here alive."
The samsaran gives her a sheepish look. "We don't have a very, em, thorough exfil plan for so many prisoners."
He gives her a questioning look then turns to the rest of the party. "Speed may be our best advantage. We should leave now."
The other three prisoners look at each other for a moment and shake their heads. "N-no...I don't think any of us are hurt," responds a young woman with pale, white-blonde hair. "Th-thank you, though. I'm Opheri."
"And I'm Laila," chimes in the second of two women, this one a bit older with dark brown hair. "If you're asking about the Bellflower Network then I know this isn't some dirty trick, thank the gods!"
"If you were looking for Bellflower agents then you've found them," the last prisoner, a weathered-looking man with a goatee remarks with terse smile. "Dyrom; wish we were meeting under better circumstances but I'll take what I can get! We can talk more later; you said you're here to get us out? Then lead on - I'm more than ready to be shut of this place!"
Zefiro nods in agreement. "Sore and bruised but that's all, thankfully. I don't know what you have in store friends, but I trust you. Let's bid this abominable hellhole farewell, post-haste!"
As Lazarus pulls Krima aside (who apparently can't sit still and keeps running back and forth between the entry hall and the group) and whispers to her, her expression is incredulous.
"What do you MEAN-er, what do you mean you don't have an exfil plan???" she hisses. "Do you Pathfinders just make things up as you go!?"
After a moment, she manages to calm herself and slowly exhales through her nose. "No one outside this place should be looking for any of us - they don't know who any of you are and they'd expect Zefiro and the rest to be locked up tight. We can hopefully just blend into the Loyalty Day crowds until we put some distance between us and this place."
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"Yeah, we kind of make up plans on the fly." Meredith grins. "We're getting out of here. We'll make our way to the southern docks. We have a ship waiting for us."
Once that's done, she exits and heads toward the other cells. "Frank, or Denair- open these cages up. Today, there will be no prisoners."
Even as Lazarus, Brayden, and Dalen debate the merit of releasing the rest of the Nail's prisoners, Frankie races back out to the main section of the prison to begin doing just that. As he begins working on the locks to the larger holding cells, several of the prisoners finally begin to stir. Some gape at him, wide-eyed with surprise, some begin cheering and whooping, and others fearfully back away from the door.
"No no no, whaddya doing?? We can't just leave," one prisoner calls out in alarm. "That Vasenti'll have our hides if they catch us again! I'm staying right here!"
Several other prisoners nod their heads, looking quite adamant about staying. But almost immediately the air is filled with grumbling as another prisoner cries, "The hell you saying!? They're busting us out! Like spittin' right in Thrune's eye, it'll be - I'm going!"
Seems as though the prison break's getting a mixed reaction from the other prisoners - several are keen to take advantage of the opportunity while others seem to prefer to wait out their time rather than risk getting caught again (and receiving a harsher punishment). But whether they stay or go, Frankie finds that these locks hold little challenge and quickly makes short work of popping them open.
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May Gozreh protect us.
"I understand that we have obligations to the Society, but we also have obligations to higher Powers and Callings which preclude us from blatantly turning our backs on these people. I say anyone who WANTS to come with us should be allowed to do so... the rest can stay in this infernal pit."
"The Gods will not abide by us leaving these souls in the hands of Asmodeus' faithful."
(Jan takes a moment to look at the most willing of the prisoners, particularly any women and/or elderly), "So will you take your FREEDOM?"
Whether it is Cheliax or Baba-Yaga's cursed realm... I will strike at the heart of evil.
(A serious and resolute grimace comes over Jan's face),"If it becomes necessary, I would be honored to remain as the rear guard until you and the rest are all clear of this place and make good on your escapes to the docks."
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Well clear of those cursed souls who would rather remain in the Hellknight jail, Lazarus whispers to the small gathering of brave prisoners Jan has mustered. "If you wish to preserve your freedom, you may come with us. We're heading for the southernmost docks of the Custodisce Break, where we'll set sail for Andoran."
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"You are free to choose to stay in your cells, flee into the Loyalty Day crowds, or flee to Andoran. I won't force you to choose. But as far I know, there is no reward for rotting here."
Those who follow, follow. Those who stay, stay. Meredith knows she can't force their choice, or she's no better than her old captors.
"Alright. Let's head to the docks. As long as we blend in with the crowds we should be good."
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Frankie works quickly to release those who want to be, before stopping and looking at those that have declined their offer of freedom. He strokes his mustachio and stands on his tippy toes, puffing out his chest and speaks from the heart. "You would really rather stay locked up here? For what? Stealing a few pieces of candy to feed yourself and your children?" He instinctively pulls out such a piece of candy and stuffs it into his face.
"Or maybe... just maybe, you didn't say hi to someone just happy enough one morning and they tossed you in here. Or someone heard you repeat a story your G-Ma used to tell you when you were little and THAT got you beat up and chained like a criminal!" He gives a glance to the older folks in the room and wipes away a tear (where'd that come from?).
"This is your chance. Maybe your ONLY chance! To show them that these laws and rules they have, they aren't RIGHT! People deserve to eat all the candy they want. Say hi if they want or don't. Listen to stories and retell 'em if they want. Come with us, leave this place, live better!"
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Although most of the group seems to accept leaving those who don't wish to flee to their fates Frankie is less understanding. How could anyone not want to be free to tell what stories they want? Free to be sociable or not? Eat CANDY whenever they want? It doesn't make sense! But Frankie is ready to talk some sense into the holdouts and by the end of his little speech every one of the prisoners is cheering and clapping, fired up and ready to go.
"Damn right I'll eat all the licorice I want!"
"So what if Grandma's stories were a little off-color!? It don't mean anything!"
"I'll be a curmudgeonly hermit and no one can stop me!"
And now you have yourselves, Krima, Zefiro and the three Bellflower agents, and thirty-six other prisoners all ready to make tracks and leave the Bloody Nail behind for good...
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While everyone else gets mobilized and ready to go, Dalen slips back outside - after getting some help from Krima to get the statue out of the way of the door - to scan the streets for a good route to follow back to the docks. The Loyalty Day celebrations are still in full swing and the streets are choked with throngs of people, wagons hauling supplies, priests proselytizing on street corners, the full works. She's relatively certain that with so many people out and about that it shouldn't be too hard for the group to blend in and weave their way through the crowds.
Unfortunately, about the time that you all begin trickling out of the prison your luck runs out as you spot the interrogator and his entourage coming around a nearby corner with Tamrin trailing several paces behind and looking extremely uncomfortable. You can't tell what he's saying but his lips are moving quickly as though he's still doing his best to try and slow them down. The interrogator glances over his shoulder and seems to shoot Tamrin a rather harsh word before turning his gaze back towards the prison - and his eyes widen at the sight of all of you, his four prized prisoners, and a multitude other rag-clad, filthy prisoners scattered about on the steps outside and pouring out through the open door.
"What in-" he begins, only to be interrupted as Tamrin rushes up and grabs at his arm.
"H-Hey, Vasenti! What the hell is that?" Tamrin cries. As Vasenti glances down, face contorted with anger and confusion, the halfling suddenly gut-punches him and the interrogator doubles over with pain and surprise.
"Get out of here!" Tamrin bellows before turning and bolting down a side-alley as quick as his little halfling legs will carry him. Purple-faced with rage, Vasenti looks up at the mass of escaping prisoners and bellows, "STOP! SURRENDER OR FACE THE EYE OF ASMODEUS!"
Vasenti's men begin to mobilize and his voice carries above the dull roar of the masses going about their Loyalty Day business; you're certain that other guards and law enforcement will be on the scene in short order...
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The Great Escape - Round 1
With few options left besides 'run away very fast' and not needing to be told twice, pandemonium erupts as prisoners and Pathfinders bolt in all directions away from the prison. Thankfully all of you have a general idea of which way to go to get to the docks as you race through the streets, Zefiro, Krima, and the other Bellflower agents right on your heels. There doesn't seem to be anything in close proximity to the prison that you can use to cause further distractions but as you race on...
The Great Escape - Round 2
...you round a corner and see, a few yards ahead, a group of Asmodean priests that seem to be handing out free food to passing pedestrians.
"Food, food for all! House Thrune's gift to the loyal" they cry.
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"Good job, Frankie." Meredith's smile is genuine. "You have a knack at knowing when to push people the right way. I wish I had that skill..."
As they all exit, Meredith's eyes open wide when she sees Tamrin. And Vasenti. "Time to go, everyone! Denair, secure our friends and keep them safe!" The eidolon nods and scampers ahead.
As they flee, Meredith sees the food.
"Yes! Food for everyone! No one should die hungry! Free food- every day!"
Meredith's over the top claims fall on deaf ears.
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Frankie waves on his new herd of followers as they race out of the prison "Come on guys, candy and cocoa for whoever gets to the end first!" He skips along ahead, drawing his wand of grease out as they run, keeping it hidden up his sleeve in case he needs it...
As he goes you can hear him singing something about lollipops.. until he gets up to a group of nice robed figures giving out free food "OOooo free food? Got any candy? Cocoa? What about waffles or pancakes?" He stops for a moment and smiles.
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Dalen, not all that skilled in the arts of persuasion, decides to go for the option that gives her a better chance of success and gives her a measure of satisfaction. She picks out the two most attractive of the Asmodians and pulls out her long knife. Two quick swipes open robes and slice through belts. She passes between them and turns around on her heels. She shoves her fingers into the necks of the robes, grabbing a fistful of each, and pushes them away before jerking her hands down to slip them off their shoulders and complete the work her blade had started.
As the two Asmodians stumble out of their ruined vestments, Dalen puts her pinkies in the corners of her mouth and lets out a shrill whistle.
she cries with a laugh before bringing up the rear of the group.
The Great Escape - Round 2 Cont.
The oncoming Pathfinders plunge into the orderly lines of citizenry awaiting free handouts like a bull in a china shop. Frankie manages to score a fat stack of pancakes but then immediately tosses most of it into the waiting crowds who begin scrambling for it with all the decorum of a pack of wolves. Lazarus adds his voice to the priests' and further confuses the waiting crowds; those citizens who had been waiting patiently begin to break from their orderly lines and rush the priests in their eagerness to get a bite to eat.
And then, things break down into total chaos as Dalen gives everyone more than they bargained for as she manages to disrobe two of the more attractive priests by clever use of her knifes and a bit of force. People begin hooting with laughter as the two priests' faces burn as red as their torn robes.
"Hahaha! I like your style!" Dyrom cheers as he squirms through the crowds. "Next round of drinks are on me - if we get out of this!"
With plenty of discord sown, the fleeing prisoners and Pathfinders continue on their mad dash through the city...
The Great Escape - Round 3
...and come upon a Loyalty Day parade in full swing! Large floats, the majority decorated in black and red, make their way down one of the main thoroughfares of the city. Banners are held high and tastefully-clad dancers perform a dizzying number of choreographed moves on and around the floats as they move.
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Meredith shrugs as the crowd loses focus on her.
Upon viewing the crowd, Meredith summons an Unseen Servant and orders it to grab some of the banners and wrap itself up in ticker tape. People bump into her, and she has to maintain concentration...
But it works without difficulty. "That should slow 'em down."
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Lazarus loves a parade, but this sinister display of mob loyalty offends his sense of intellectual freedom. Protesters. Fatuous, vacuous sycophants of Thrune.
The samsaran grins, summoning a dire rat in the midst of the largest black-and-red float.
"Look! Even giant rats acknowledge the infernal power of Thrune!"
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Frankie catches an eyeful of half naked priestess "Woah..." Before Meredith drags him away. "They had such pretty lacy black and red boob holders though!"
Frankie dances along, eating a pilfered pancake and debating on exactly how he's going to retrieve his maple syrup from his backpack as they run along. "Hey can someone grab my syrup.. its in my pack... oh a parade! Nevermind!" He stuffs the last of the pancake in his mouth and swallows hard. Owwie
He runs up and jumps in with the dancers, doing his best to mimic their moves and liven the place up! "Konga LINE! Wooo!!" He forms up a line and leads them along and out of their path to the docks.
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[ooc]I'm sure a 10's not going to cut it, cue the Hijinks.
Dalen grins even more fiercely at Dyrom's offer and laughs at the fading catcalls behind her. Unfortunately, it was not a distraction she could afford, and she runs almost full tilt into the crowd with a yelp. She bowls over a couple starting to sneak away. Her stumbling steps after that carry her through the bodyguards turning to see what the commotion was about; then, she trips over the skirts of the well-to-do woman they are guarding. Her gaunt face and expression make her look like she'd eaten something sour while smelling something foul, and her eyes widen in shock as a young, fairly attractive woman, who is armed to the teeth, smacks into her and begins to fall as she turns in an attempt to free her feet from the tangle of lace and cloth. In desperation, Dalen's hands snap out and grab at whatever she can reach to stop her fall.
One hand snags a fist-full of some expensive black fabric that makes up the jacket of the hugely obese man standing in the small ring marked by the bodyguards just as he notices something is happening. He gives Dalen a look of surprised bemusement as she begins to pull him after her.
The other gets tangled in the bodice of the woman, who opens her mouth to cry out in surprise or anger. Dalen quickly decides it's anger as she sees the fire in the woman's eyes. Time slows down and gives Dalen a chance to truly appreciate the disaster in every detail, from the wrinkles in the woman's sharply angular face to the way her hand is taloning and beginning to move towards her face.
This, she decides, is not going to end well.
That is when her head hits the cobbles and stars explode in her vision. A moment later, the others land on top of her in a tangled heap.
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(Jan chuckles in one of his few moments of levity, drawing his potion of Enlarge Person and quickly drinks it).
"FE, FI, FOE, FUM... I SMELL FOOD!"
(Doing his best impression of an Ulfen Giant... Jan hopes to cause the more timid folks in the crowd towards the pursuers... and directs his vocalization in a direction which should drive the crowd in the desired direction).
Reroll
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The Great Escape - Round 3 Cont.
Plunging into the parade, the escaping group continues to play havoc with their surroundings in order to throw off pursuit. Frankie scarfs down his last purloined pancake and quickly rallies up a conga-line of dancers and onlookers, leading them on a serpentine course that causes quite the epic log-jam as several of the floats and the marching band suddenly have nowhere to go and are forced to come to a halt.
Taking advantage of the pause in the parade, Meredith conjures her Unseen Servant which wraps itself up with banners much like a mummy to dismayed cries of, "Hey! We worked hard on those!" and "Eeek, it's a ghost!" And as if Meredith's ghost-mummy wasn't terrifying enough, the sudden appearance of the large dire rat on the largest float is even worse, sending several parade performers and even some onlookers screaming in terror! In fact, they scream and flee right into Jan's arms as the Ulfen suddenly explodes up from the crowd and towers over everyone like the proverbial giant. As he bellows his desire for food, some of the crowd scream and scatter in the opposite direction while others suddenly begin laughing, thinking the entire thing part of the festivities. Although pleased with himself, Jan suddenly finds himself being pelted with hard candy, popcorn, bits of toasted meat, and other confections as some of the citizens try to 'feed' the giant!
Brayden feigns an offended sense of aesthetics as he draws his longbow and fires an arrow at one of the floats, but the arrow zips high and disappears into the sky - unnoticed by the crowds who are more focused on the appearance of ghost-mummies and ROUSs and giants in the midst of their parade.
Meanwhile, Dalen unsuccessfully tries to throw on the brakes and bowls right into the seething mass of humanity. Her stumbling and flailing set off a chain reaction that snowballs wildly out of control and ends with her at the bottom of a pile of people; the hugely obese man groans and tries unsuccessfully to find his feet while the sour-faced old noblewoman begins shrieking like a banshee at the top of her lungs.
"Help! Fire! Murder! Thieves!"
All the while, other onlookers stop to gawp and laugh at the spectacle; the giant Ulfen, the ghost-mummy, the huge rat, the tangled mass of dancers, band, and floats, and the young woman who just had the most epic pratfall in the history of Cheliax.
"Woohoo, this is the best Loyalty Day parade ever!"
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The Great Escape - Round 4
Leaving massive confusion and pandemonium in their wake at the parade, the Pathfinders and their charges quickly manage to regroup and slip away down a side street. At the far end, they see a large number of supply wagons, hitched to teams of horses and loaded down with various supplies for the Loyalty Day celebrations...
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With a pained sigh, Lazarus rolls up the sleeves on white silk robes, exposing his skinny blue arms. Putting on a brave face, he stoops to help load some of the crates onto the wagons.
Anything to help these teamsters get moving.
"Oh, my back!" The samsaran presses his palms to his lumbar region, finding it difficult to straighten up. "Anybody have some oak bark tea and an ice pack?"
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"I'll admit. I'm having fun messing them up." She grins and admires the chaos before her charges catch up.
As she turns the corner (and notices Denair helping the escapees along) she sees the horses. She moves up to them. "Easy now. Easy."
With a carrot and some apples purloined from the cart Meredith gets control of the equines. "Now go! Hyaa!" She urges the horses to run free, and awaaaaay they go!
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Dalen scrambles to get out from under the pile, and winds up kicking the noblewoman in the face when she tries to gouge her legs with wickedly sharp nails. She leaves the screeching woman to clutch at her busted nose and sprints to catch up with the others, while contemplating the carnage she'd unintentionally wreaked.
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Seeing the supplies and the men, she gets an idea.
A feigned stumble takes her into the gathered workers, and stomping on two sets of toes, before she falls.
"I-I'm soooo sorry," she stammers in apology as she turns and stands, slamming the pommel of the greatword on her back into the groin of a third. She whips around at the man's cry of pain, cracking a fourth man in the knee with scabbard at her hip. Apologies and cries of pain come from the knot as Dalen turns into a "klutz."
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Frankie eventually abandon's the dance line, remembering he's got a job to do We gotta get these people on the ship! He ducks and runs off, doing a few dance moves as he goes.
"Woah! WOAH!" He says as he sees the horses Meredith is driving along. The wagons though catch his eye, especially the wheels and those pins holding them on to the axles. That pin looks loose... so does that one!
He ducks underneath the wagons and gives the pins a good solid kick and then a poke with his tools.