Every world, it seems, has a saying along the lines of "You reap what you sow." And so it was that seven wicked souls found themselves on the wrong side of a sword. Some were murderers, others manipulators, and a few had let greed and lust saturate their hearts until they were as black and foul as tar. It didn't matter what was about to happen to them. Execution, imprisonment, or banishment, they all suffered the same fate.
Disappearance in a blinding flash of light.
So now these seven awake in a bright chamber craved of marble. Before them stands an angelic woman who seems to be rather nervous. In her hands is a large trumpet that appears to be very, very well made.
"Ah, y-you are awa-awake! Th-th-that's good. You have been, uh, you have been given an op-oppor-opportunity to redeem your-yourselves. Hopefully, you... will..."
As her voice trails off she starts to fidget, alot, almost like she wants to be anywhere but where she's at right now.
Xrezth simply watches the strange creature unsure what it is and what it wants.
Gaius scoots backwards into a corner, bracing himself with his sword to stand up.
Wh-who are you? Where am I? Am I dead?"You're not dead you moron! Hmmm she looks tasty..."
Zodt stands up and takes inventory of his personal well-being and equipment after looking around to appraise his surroundings and what danger he might be in. Daagaan al A?
He says nothing.
Lucias looks around at the others gathered, and at the strange creature. Unsure of what it wants, he says nothing.
Dashuun looks around and assesses how strong each individual looks--if things take a turn for the worst, he needs to know who to burn and who to avoid.
Never having been one with the best of judgment, but having a personality to usually talk her way out of things, she asks:
Who are you and why have you brought us here? And who are these others with me?
Diplomacy:
[i]"Mmmmh... where am I? The last thing I remember is I was rotting in a prison cell and I was on my way for a trial from those unsufferable paesants bufoons in Gralton! This could be called an improvement if it weren't for all these unwhashed... creatures... still better be careful, until I know where I've landed"[/b]
"There must be some kind of mistake! I'm an highborn lady and I'm innocent of any wrongdoings! I don't need to redeem myself! I just need to be freed!"
Bluff check:
"Very....convincing." Zodt says with a chuckle.
As the questions start flying, the woman seems to fall apart under the pressure, though not literally.
"Um, well...I-I...If...um...um..."
"I assure you Miss Jalar, there has been no mistake. You have been judged and your souls are consigned, or will be consigned, to what ever hellish pit manages to grab you after Pharasma tosses you down from the Boneyard."
Another woman walks in. This one is very similar to the first, but while she seems like a nervous lamb in front of a bunch of wolves, the new arrival gives off the air of a regal well practiced warrior, though the very deadly looking sword in her hand may help with that.
"However, you seven have been given a rare opportunity. You can save your souls from the corruption of the fiends that rule the underworld. The first step in this journey is to rescue a priestess that has been imprisoned in the dungeon beyond that door. You may have noticed that you are missing your weapons and armor. You'll find those down the hall to the left. First door on the left. Any questions?"
Who is this priestess? And why do you not sent your own holy minions after her?
Why would you choose ones who you yourself says were destined for a "hellish pit"?
"We did not choose you. The Dawnflower did, and you had best be thanking her, otherwise you would be dead. As for your first question, we have, and unfortunately, our enemies have managed to kill or capture the ones we have sent. And to answer your next question, we cannot interfere in this. Dark eyes are watching."
So, what is in this for us then? Xrezth looks around at the others. You seem to have a bit of a problem. Your good priestess needs to be rescued, but you angels cannot rescue her. So, you wish us to do this for you. What do we get in return? I do not think that Arad Lili would condone such action without appropriate compensation.
"As you pinkskins say, best not to look a gift horse in the mouth. We are most certainly in some place that LOOKS like hell. SMELLS like hell. SOUNDS like hell. And I FEEL like hell." says Zodt before heading down the hallway to his gear.
Before Zodt can take two steps, he finds a that a softly glowing, very sharp greatsword is in between him and the nervous woman in front of the door.
"S-sorry, you c-c-can't go yet."
Her eyes flick over to the other woman, this one glaring at Zodt through slitted eyes.
"I am not finished yet. Sit back down if you don't want to find out what it's like to be diced into very fine bits."
She gives the goblin a very cold predatory smile before adding, "Or if you ask nicely and apologize to my companion there, we may be willing to let you go before hearing a bit of information that would be in your best interest to know."
She focuses back on Xrezth, this time without the smile.
"I knew you would ask something like that. Besides walking away free after this, you may keep any coin or potions you find. You may use any gear that you find, but you must return that to us after you have completed your task. Anything else?"
Anyway, like I said, I'm sorry to be a bit heavy-handed here, but she really wasn't done talking and it's rude to try and leave before your excused anyway. :P
Gaius slinks back to the floor, eyes darting back and forth while shaking slightly with fear. "Stop your sniveling you weak little runt. Obviously they aren't going to hurt you, and you're making yourself look weak!" Bu-but look at them! Gaius whispers. Barely loud enough to be heard, Wh-what can I, um, we, expect in there? What will happen if we can't make it?
A loud and prolonged burp interrupts the proceedings. Although he had been unusually quiet thus far, the short tempered Dogar has had more than enough.
He had spent the first few minutes assessing his surroundings and those with him, now though, he just wanted to get on with things. Loudly hawking and spitting, his large disgusting lump of phlegm landing not too far from the tough angel's foot he says "Ach! Enough o' yer blather! I was expectin' tae be dead by now already. But if'n yer sayin' I kin outta here, be free o' my bulls#!t charges and git my revenge on tha one what put me in this mess, then I say git outta our way n'let us do what we're 'ere for." Leaning forward he adds "That work for you angel?" while also giving her a lecherous stare.
i insulted someone?
Lauran assumes an offended air:"I mantain there was a huge mistake somewhere! But if you require me to prove my good faith to you I'll do it... gladly"
"I wonder how do you kill these insufferable creatures? A blade between the ribs could just do the trick... but let's leave that for later, first I need my stuff back, then to find this priestess..."
Lucias looks over to Lauran and smirks. Turning to the two women holding them captive, Lucias says:
"That is all then? You plan to send us into this place where your own people have already been defeated, only with our own gear with the promise that we will be able to keep the coin that we receive? Surely there must be something else that you can give to help us... perhaps something else to sweeten the deal?
Xrezth continues to just lister to the others.
"Is not your freedom enough? I understand that greed can be a powerful motivator for you mortals, but I would have thought even the most despicable would understand the need for closure. And as for you, assassin, consider yourself lucky that you have been given a second chance. If I had my way I'd have run you through instead of talking with you pleasantly."
The one speaking glares at Lauran leaving no doubt as to who she is talking to.
"Now if you're done asking questions, there is one more matter before you begin. A powerful spell has been put on all of you. If you harm or threaten an innocent, there will be repercussions. You have been warned. After we leave count to ten and then open the door."
With that the two Celestials vanish in a flash of light.
Once they leave, Xrezth throws back her head and laughs out loud. Innocents? I wonder how that is to be interpreted? You would not believe now many "innocents" I have made not so innocent, and trust me none of them were harmed, expect possibly by their former loved ones after I finished with them.
Dashuun surveys the scene, arms crossed, waiting for someone else to act.
"No sense in being conspicuous... he who takes the first step takes the first fall, after all."
Yeah I'm not worried, if I got killed with no chance to defend myself, this probably wouldn't be the type of game I belong in :D
"Bah!" Dogar spits again "Angels! Never 'ad much use for 'em! Well, ifn' we're tae git this miserable business done, let's git 'er done."
Looking around, he lays eyes on Zodt "You there! Goblin! You look tae be tha sneaky type! 'N since all o' us has been so kind as tae not squash yer scrawny ass as of yet, why don' you go an open that door for us, all nice like." as he glares at the small, unappealing humanoid.
The fair skinned human with copper hair smiles:
Well, lets get that equipment. All waiting here will not get us any closer to escaping this dungeon. And ridding ourselves of whatever curse of those two golden girls have placed upon us.
Zodt stares, quizzically at the dwarf. "I look sneaky?" he frowns.
Bah, I have no patience for you all to dwell on your misery.
Xrezth begins to slowly move down the passage, trying to stay in the shadows.
Stealth:
Perception:
--> I am going to look around the first corner and then head for the first door which is I believe where the angel said the stuff was.
-->I quietly see nothing.
Xrezth quietly sneaks down the hall to the first door on her left. Fortunately there are torches lighting way and nothing nasty jumps out to gobble/ravish/mutilate the inattentive bard.
Having not yet met resistance, Xrezth listens at the door and then attempts to open it.
Perception:
--> Either I hear nothing, or imagine that there is a dragon behind the door, either way I spectacularly fail to detect whatever is behind door #1, if there is anything there.
"Useless Goblinoid's!" Dogar mutters at Zodt. Seeing nothing seems to have as yet killed the Aasimar, Dogar follows her, aiming a lazy kick at the goblin as he passes by "Git outta my way dogmeat!"
He also keeps his eyes and ears peeled for a foe to fight. Perception:
Zodt begins to smile widely, showing his teeth while cutting short a small giggle. ...uulc maan dor men rhan oc ghaan, ghalac ar ogaac orer. He says nothing before following the group at a short distance.
...and he turns his back on me, making it even easier.
"Yeah, yeah and then some..." says Lauran as the two celestial creatures disappear "You made an enemy, b!##+! rest assured I'll find a way to deal with you and your little sister there... count on that!".
"So, let's get our stuff abck, find this priestess and walk out of here. Seems pretty easy, isn't it? If not for this little dungeon and those vile jailers!" Lauran actually smirks while finishing her discourse.
Stealth check:
Perception check:
Survival check:
Xrezth is casually talking to herself: A priestess of Sarenrae. Don't harm the innocents. Perhaps I can make the good priestess not so innocent before we are done with her.
Dashuun follows silently behind the party as they head for their weapons.
"Let's see if anyone is stupid enough to lay a hand on my sword..."
There are no traps and despite Lauran bumbling a bit, nothing pops out of the stonework to slaughter the party.
The room is fifteen feet square and your equipment is stacked neatly and separately. Along the back wall in glowing script is this:
On this day the tenth of Rova, let it be proclaimed to the heavens that the parties listed below have been contracted to aid in rescuing the Priestess Alaviel from her imprisonment in The Gallows. They shall be rewarded with their freedom and any treasure they happen to recover save the possessions of those who have fallen in this endeavor before. Sustenance shall be provided for those that accept this contract.
If any wish to refuse this contract, they may simply leave this room without taking any of the items under their name and be judged by Pharasma. Those that accept this contract signify their acceptance by retrieving their possessions placed under their name.
On the wall above each pile of gear is the name of the person who it belongs to. Stashed in a corner is a neat stack of food and casks of water. Enough to sustain the seven of you for a week.
Lauran goes to her equipment and checks it out silently:"Everything seems to be here. How stupid can these people be? Phrasma judgment be damned, I won't leave my stuff to anyone else! Especially these jackals or those two gleaming b@#~%es!" while she arms herself Lauran smiles at the others, plesantly.
Zodt picks up his gear, inspecting each piece carefully for any trickery. He then puts the gear on, stashing weapons in their customary locations on his body.
Lucias looks around thinking "Well, I guess I'm stuck with them.... we'll see how this goes." he then has a passing thought about whether charming the innocent "hurt" them.
He grabs his gear, putting everything in its rightful place, smiling pleasantly.
Xrezth goes over to her equipment and picks it up and puts it on without really checking it. These holy wenches would not trap our stuff. That would be against their ethics and morals. Me, I don't have either. Unfortunately, neither do these fools with me.
Ardad Lili: The beauty in the serpent and the venom in every lover’s kiss, she is every youth’s first lust and the lover who brings all men to their doom.
Ardad Lili: The End of Innocence, Ardad Lili delights in manipulating men and exposing the dull-wittedness of that gender. Appearing as a healthy, plainly beautiful girl just waxing into womanhood, only her wings made of snake tails expose her diabolical nature. The expression that a boy is “made into a man” upon his first sexual encounter directly references the depredations of Ardad Lili and was once synonymous with the term “being made a fool of.”
--> From Book of the Damned Volume 1 - Princes of Darkness
Gaius slinks behind everyone else, shuffling awkwardly toward his meager pile of gear. Without even a second though he hefts up his deadly looking sword and looks much less shaken by the odd turn of events. After putting on his armor inside out and then backwards, he finally hefts his small pack onto his back before looking toward everyone else. "Hmmmm this odd little group has some promise! I'm especially fond of aasimar blood... We don't know any of them, and we aren't going to kill her! Gaius says louder than intended, thankfully not looking at any one particular woman. "We'll see about that. If she doesn't start something I might have to. I'm getting bored of this play nice routine. The last time you got bored you ended up making me kill a bar full of people just to get thrown in jail! Now look what you've gotten us into! "Bah, half the people ran out, but jail is rather dull. Now THIS is shaping up to be a feast!
Grunting non-committedly, Dogar goes first to the stash of food and drink, checking carefully to see if there's any booze available. If not, he swears and grabs something to stuff in his mouth right now.
He then moves over to his pile of gear, reads the script once more, then swears again and begins putting on and putting away his gear. Once done, he opens one of his flasks of whiskey and takes a long swing. When done he smacks his lips, burps loudly and sigh "Now that's something worth living for!" The entire time, it never even occurs to him that his gear or the food would be trapped or poisoned. If it did, he'd just think 'Why go to all this trouble just to see us dead anyway?' and not care too much either way.
Without waiting or, at this point caring what the others are doing, he leaves the room and heads further down the hall. The angry dwarf is not quite so foolish or headstrong as to do so unarmed. Battle axe in hand, and shield on arm, he advances as quietly and carefully as he can.
Perception:
Stealth: