GM Rednal's Jade Regent (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

Taka nods along at Shutai's questions holding his guard and sword at the ready still.

Aleksson wiped and sheathed his blade, keeping level eyes on Shutai and the man.

A complex expression crossed the man's face. "Y-you may not believe me - but t-trying to fight you is clearly impossible - but I don't know anything about guides or swords. We were just here as hired muscle, to do what the bosses tell us."

"Where are the bosses now then? Do they have a trap laid out for us?"

"Honorable, if not wise men would do well to know what they are paid for. For all you know, they're devil worshippers bargaining for your soul." Aleksson recalls a tale his father told him of a friend who fell to such a fate, despite the comparative rarity of diabolically-inclined horselords.

"They seem to buy and sell everything else," Shutai noted wryly.

At the mention of worshiping devils, the man blanched a bit, then frowned and shook his head. "I... maybe not that far? I mean, they wouldn't let fools stand in their way, but I don't think they'd want to gamble with their own souls." he said, although he didn't sound totally sure of his own statements. "The bosses got a lot of stuff in the dungeon, but they don't let us down there. The entrance is on the southeast side of the building, past the long hallway on the south and through Runecaster's lab."

Taka nods.

"We have a direction at least. Shall we continue to take the fight to them then? I'm prepared."

Shutai glanced at the captives. "What of them?"

He knows something useful after all.

"Thank you," Aleksson said. "I doubt any who wake up will decide it's worth coming after us. Leave them where they lay."

At Aleksson's words, the conscious man nodded vigorously. He had no misapprehensions about what you were likely to do to him if he tried to come after you - and bereft of so many of his friends, at that.

Moving through the door to the south, you found yourselves in a long, cramped west-to-east corridor. On the wall next to you was a ladder heading up. Another door was directly to the south, while two more were in the far east (your way forward, going by the directions) and the northeast. All manner of boxes, bags, chests, and crates have been stacked against the walls. The rafters overhead hold hooks and nets from which hang additional supplies.

Shutai exmained the items, wary of traps but hopeful something of use might be around the place.

Perception + Detect Magic: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

"These supplies could be useful for the caravan. We will re-purpose what we can when we finish with these scum. Do you see anything notable Shutai?"

Taka waits a moment while Shutai looks for magical aura's. After he takes point and continues following the directions.

"Provided our escape is so easy a thing," Aleksson argued. He padded softly through the room, listening for activity coming from the myriad entrances & exits.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

The items here all looked fairly mundane, but they weren't junk. Rather, this place seemed to be surprisingly well-stocked... and you noticed a wide variety of tools, including what looked like a portable forge and some masterwork smith's tools (among others). You didn't hear activity coming through any of the doors.

Taka nods to Aleksson.

"True my friend. Come lets find our enemies."

Follow the instructions and head deeper into the keep.

Shutai followed along, noting the location of the store in case they ever had the opportunity to gather these things.

Back from vacation!

Aleksson continued with the others and remained vigilant.

Moving forward, this room has been hewn from the rock of the crag, and a wooden stair rises along the walls to the north. Tables and workbenches fill the chamber, holding all manner of alembics, crucibles, burners, and assorted tools, as well as a large glass case holding what appears to be a humanoid body. A variety of dried herbs and plants dangle in profusion from hooks on the bottoms of the stairs, and sacks and chests holding additional equipment and components have been shoved underneath the stairs. A torch mounted on one of the stair posts illuminates the chamber with a flickering glow.

Shutai's eyes flickered around the room from behind her mask. The torch suggested this place was or had been in use recently. It would be awkward to be discovered while they searched.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Taka eyes the glass case.

"I hope that is not our guide."

He approaches to see if what inside is dead or alive.

Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33

"Be careful near that," Aleksson said to Taka with a rough whisper.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

As you approached the body, it abruptly started to move and banged on the glass, saying something in a droning tone - but not in a language any of you recognized. It didn't look like it would be able to break free on its own.

"That is...concerning." Blink considered, and then asked the small, Helmet-like Angel, "I don't suppose you know what this ill-fated creature is saying?"

I have knowledge in all so let's see if I know what this thing may be.

Taka listens seeing if he can pick up any of the words.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

K.?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

"My gut says undead, or something that doesn't need air. As I would think it would use all the air in that box. It is probably best to leave it for now."

That is unless I make out some of the words or know what it is or the helmet has some insight :)

Aleksson felt the magic of combat flicker in his blood, but it was becalmed once it was clear the creature was trapped. Still, he did not care for that... murmuring... chanting... whatever it was doing.

Is the creature's speech loud at all, like something you'd hear from the next room over? Or needn't we be worried about that?

The helmet lit up slightly as the moderately loud chittering continued.

"It's asking to be freed." the angel reported from its current resting place. "I recognize the language as Infernal, the tongue of the devils." There was a momentary pause. "And what is inside there is quite evil - rather more than mildly damned. I can speak with it if you wish to try communicating, but I do not anticipate a productive result."

Shutain considered, and then replied, "They must be keeping it for a reason. I am sorry to ask a favour, speaking with one such as this, but it might have information we can use. If you would please help, we would appreciate it."

"A devil while evil are lawful. Perhaps a deal could be struck. We will free if it aids us. It gets freedom and revenge against those that imprisoned it. We get its help and wrath on our side. I know it's not ideal, but we also don't know what we face ahead. Helmet. Can you communicate this or is this a horrible plan? Us mortals have a saying. The enemy of my enemy is a ally."

Don't remember the celestials name if it had one. If so I will call it by that and not Helmet :)

Aleksson, though wise in the magic he was raised around, was a mite suspicious of those types unfamiliar to him which included infernal deals. "I am inclined to support no such bargain... but I can stand to give it an audience. Would you speak with it, friend-angel?"

The Angel blinked a few times at Taka's words - literally, flashing on and off. "Not all that speak Infernal are devils. I know it even without relying on my more... innate... powers of communication." It said something in a harsh, precise tongue a moment later, and the figure in the cage paused momentarily, then responded. "It asks again to be freed. It says a strange, not-quite-troll sealed it within."

"Ah, I made the assumption it was a devil based on what you said friend. Though you never said those words. So do you know what the creature is? I only offered a possible suggestion. I would prefer to know what the creature is if it were to betray us. The safe play is to move on with what we have, but this move would be something they wouldn't be expecting so I'm good either way."

"Is leaving it here wise? The people here have it for a reason." Shutai wasn't sure if they simply wanted to make a deal or it knew something, but it seemed like leaving it here might not be the wisest move.

Aleksson looked pitifully at the creature. "Shutai raises a good point. It has now seen our faces as well. I do not envy the creature's situation, but we do not know if we can trust it or if it would harm innocents if freed.

"I'm unsure of what to do. Can it tell us any more about itself, angel?"

The angel queried the creature, then gave off what could only be called a 'shrug-like' glow. "It asks if you are willing to tell it every detail of your natures. I will say, however, that it seems unlikely the inhabitants here consider the creature safe. That container is much too thick for mere storage, and not easy to come by in these lands."

"We leave it then. It is not worth the risk to us or others. We can decide what to do with it after. Come let us press our attack."

"Agreed."

Although she'd prefer to destroy it - desperate people might unleash desperate monsters - Shutai nodded and followed.

As you checked the southeastern door, you heard a small groan from the southwest. It didn't sound aggressive or undead, though - and it was followed up by a quiet voice. "I-is someone there? P-please, bring some food..."

Taka approaches the voice cautiously. Wanting to see before he responds.

Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 18 = 21

Shutai's ears pricked up. Our missing guide? It seemed unlikely they'd keep too many people here under lock and key. She moved up check the lock, if there was one, in case it was trapped.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 2 = 17

The same thought occurred simultaneous to Aleksson, and he advanced silently forward.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

A cramped cell ten feet deep and no more than five feet high has been excavated in this corner of the tower’s foundation. The cell is rank with the smell of sweat and urine, and a pair of rats scurry among the rib cage of some former inhabitant. Inside is an Ulfen man who looks like he was once rather weighty, but has recently been suffering from a distinct lack of food. His eyes widened as he saw you. "Y-you're not with them! Let me out, please!" he croaked.

Wincing at the condition of the man, Shutai set to work on opening the door. It didn't seem likely that he would be a threat. "What's your name, friend?" she asked.

Disable Device (If needed): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

As Shutai begins to work on the lock Taka pulls out a ration and his waterskin. He reaches them through.

"Slowly friend. You are dehydrated and malnourished. If you consume too much too quickly you will make yourself sick. Are you."Insert guides name that I forgot but Taka surely remembers :) "We came here for you and to put an end to these frozen shadows. Are you hurt?"

Aleksson offers a quick, awkward smile to the man, and he turned to watch their flank.

It clearly took some effort of will, but the man forced himself to slow down as he first drank a little, then bit off bits of the rations. At Taka's query, he shook his head. "I'm Lute Haggersly - a merchant from Kalsgard. They've kept me in here for... weeks? I-I think it's weeks. There's no sunlight in here, it's h-hard to be sure. They have taken a few prisoners down below, though - I heard them doing it. If you're looking for someone, that's where they might be. I-I'm afraid I can't help you..." he looked down at his body, which was clearly in no shape for fighting, "B-but if you can get me safely back to town, I'll make sure you're rewarded for your deeds." There was a bit of desperation there - he was obviously trying to make sure you knew he had some value.

Shutai smiled behind the mask. "We'll help you, no need to be concerned. But it would help if you could tell us what you know about this place and the people here. Why did they take you?" Somehow, she suspected it would be something involving coin.

"We will free you and keep you safe as best we can. We can not stop our assault now though. Keep close and we will get you back safely."

Offhandedly, Aleksson mentioned the current date to the man. He hoped that the man could find a bit of grounding in a better account of his stay here.