Unless that creature's room has an exit, I say we leave it. It might be used as a distraction if we want, but with no exit in sight, letting it loose could be bad for us."
"I do agree. Silent getaway is our best chance for getting away. Whatever is in that cell might risk that"
"I dont think so. I think if its in here, its because this land wants it dead. Same like us. Even if its a monster, we can then use it as a large distraction. If its a smart monster it can help us"
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Xeram nods as he responds to Malleck.
"As a mere distraction it would work.
But i second your motion, such a bulky creature is more worth an ally than a mere point of focus for a distraction."
Vosil says nothing. He prefers his minions to be of the dismissible variety, to avoid exactly the issues now being discussed. However, as a weaker type, he can see the argument for a meat shield of a more permanent sort. Whatever the decision, he'll go with it.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Shade does hear some talking behind the wooden door. It is a bit unintelligible, but there appear to be not too many people in the room.
The large beast hears Malleck and leans a little towards the door. He is clearly chained with some very heavy chains.
"I is Grumplejack. I is put here for death by the little 'uns. They is stupid for not just kill Grumplejack. Grumplejack kill two of them as they put in cell."
Taeral moves over to the cell door upn hearing the words.
"You killed two of the guards? With what? Your bare hands?"
Taeral says with a hint of disbelief.
"They not let Grumplejack bring axe to jail. They very big hands though." Grumplejack holds up his chained hands.
"He's a keeper." Solomon whispers, though no one's sure how he got here. Last he was watching the hallway with the wooden door.
"Enemy of our enemies, and all that. I'm sure he'd like a chance to get out, and his odds of doing so are far better with us than alone. I'm certain even he realizes that. And as bad as a reputation as Ogres have for being unintelligent, he's still smarter than the guards because he knows they should have just killed him." There's a return of his yellow smile. "Time to break him out?
A nice turn of events.
"Oh i'm in favor of that suggestion."
"Grumplejack is it? If we free you, will you serve us to the best of your abilities? We promise you will have all the fighting you want against those who jailed you?"
He looks the creature over
"You seem as though they gave you a beating, and well, I'm sure one of us have items or magic tha can lesten the pain you are in. Deal?"
He rubs his ribs a bit, "yes, they beat Grumplejack good, but it not bring broken guards back to life," he laughs a deep guttural laugh.
"Why you want Grumplejack help? Most little 'uns always try kill Grumplejack. They scared of Grumplejack. Grumplejack not be slave to you, or anyone. But Grumplejack happy to break out. Grumplejack help smashkill many guards when break out if you let."
Grumplejack appears to be drugged and very damaged. (12/30 hit points left).
Ok, somebody said "ogre," so let's try these knowledge checks again!
This ogre does not appear completely "normal." Let's just say, he seems "special."
Ogres have been the victim of intentional genocide by the nation of Talingarde. Most are dead, and all have been declared illegal.
LOL... Knowledge skills are for the underlings and minons to do.
Gertrart wonders if this ogre was the one who slew his father. No. It doesn't matter who slung the blade, it was the pointless vendetta of Talingrade and the genocidal hunt they sent him on. They are to blame.
"Grumplejack is it? Your people have been declared illegal and that is no different than the rest of us. Not on sight of course, but we too expect death if we stay here. So we won't. Come with us at least until we cross that bridge, then be a free once again. No need to stay in this box.
"Yeah, Grumplejack would, but he stuck," he rattles his chains a little.
Turning to Solomon, "Did you find a key to fit this door or can you attempt to pick the lock, Solomon?"
Taeral will also look to see which side the hinges are on, as it maybe as simple as unhinging the door.
Gertrart holds up the manacles and shows the blood on his wrists, hoping the connection is clear. "We can help with that." To Solomon he says "Yes, let's."
Gertrat also attempts to listen the remaining door to determine what he might about the next room.
@Taeral/Solomon - You have a key to Grumplejack's door, but not the manacle key.
@Gertrart - You can hear voices, but not make anything out.
Xeram sees Gertrart listening and he too puts his ear to the door.
@Xeram - 2-3 voices?
"Probably," he offers as reply to Taeral's question. "I have a few keys, maybe one works yes?"
The second one he tries clicks rather pleasingly inside the lock, allowing the door to swing open. Solomon is very careful not to stand in the open doorway. The creature appears chained, but let's not take any unnecessary risks.
Malleck walks up to the creature, but not within reach
"So? We have a deal, we free you, you work for us? We do not wish to 'enslave' you."
As soon as all are back together, with the devided attention here, Xeram shares the findings.
"There are 2...perhaps 3 individuals talking behind the door."
"You say again for Grumplejack? Grumplejack not be slave right?"
"No. Not a slave. You work for us. Will be your boss."
He nods to the rat man for him to free the creature
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"Grumplejack kill guards now? Especially fat guard and warden who do mean things to Grumplejack?"
Grumplejack thinks for a second, "maybe Grumplejack eat fat guard?"
"I will let you know when you can attack Grumblejack. So stay at the back. Do not talk. But yes. We will let you eat the fat guard if we know its safe for all of us."
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"Why not safe for you? You 'llergic to watch Grumplejack eat fat guard?"
Malleck grinned, swallowing a chuckle.
"No my large and muscled friend. We dont want the other guards to hear us and maybe catch us again. So when we know its safe we will call you in or if we are in trouble we will call you too. So dont attack untill we tell you to. Safer for you and us. Got it? We dont want Grimblejack to die"
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"You got name talky man? Grumplejack promise do better with you name than you do Grumplejack."
At Malleck's signal, Solomon inches forward. He's skittish... muscles tense, nose twitching, and moving slowly so as not to startle the beast. "I will help you be free-free. And I hear that I taste disgusting."
He tries a number of the keys, but none of them seem to work. Perhaps it's because his hands are shaking, or perhaps his haste is preventing him from giving it an honest shot. Finally he pockets the keys and pulls the thieves' tools from his pocket instead. "I will have to try these, they are not as good but better."
Malleck grins
"Malleck. And my apologies on pronouncing your name wrong. Will do better to remember it from now on."
-Posted with Wayfinder
And with a click Grumplejack is free. He leans over and quickly licks Solomon, "Yuck! You right! Rat man taste bad to Grumplejack. Grumplejack owe rat man a flavor for free him."
Grumplejack smiles at his play on words.
Solomon cowers and squeaks as the giant licks him, clawing at the stone floor in an attempt to escape. As he flees to the far side of the cell he's surprised to find the attack doesn't follow. Suddenly the white rat beams, quite pleased at his "distaste".
"Good, owe a flavor."
---------------------
Solomon also notices a symbol on the veil that he failed to recognize earlier, but clearly depicts an alchemists' circle... again the coincidences seem almost overwhelming. Asmodeus indeed has influence here.
"Might I... might I see that?" He squeaks, overjoyed at the opportunity of concocting some of his mixtures.
"If I could have some time to myself. This should help!"
Vosil grins at the exchanges between the ogre large humanoid being and the others. "Hello there, Grumplejack. My name is Vosil. This here is Shade. I don't recommend trying to find out what she tastes like... But I'm glad you are on our side!"
Shade grins, evilly. It's not clear how something so utterly lacking in a recognisable mouth can grin, but she nevertheless does.
"You need Grumplejack taste Shade?"
Quite a big one, too.
"Greetings Grumplejack. I am Xeram, like you and the others i look forward to being out of this prison. I'm sure you'll have fun beating down guards, yes? I'm sure it won't be long before we get a chance at it."
"Eat down guards you say?"
"Eating guards is fine, but i meant hitting guards untill they are mush and ready for your supper."
"Not mush too much. Grumplejack like crunchy parts too."
"A refined taste? No harm in that.
I have heard from an ogre friend of mine, in distant, distant lands,
that guards taste better when they are still alive and begging for mercy."
"Could you tell me, are any of your tribe or family alive?"
"Grumplejack not eat guards before, so maybe try both ways? Grumplejack not see other ogres for long time. Grumplejack not know if alive or dead."