The little goblin's eyes bug out at Apollo's question, and he merely jangles his bell-stick towards the door and says, louder this time, "Please do come in!"
Ushering the party indoors, and into the center of the building, the group gets a good look at the interior of the building.
It's a ring, with the ground floor being a circle, the second floor being a ring, and the third floor being a half-ring, each of the higher floors being open to see the lower floors.
The bottom floor is one-third ringed by open market stalls, one-third ringed by closed rooms and the final third being taken up by what appears to be a bar. The stalls are all tended by dirty and shifty-looking humans, whereas the bar is tended by a gnoll and patronized by a trio of bugbears. Several rows of benches circle a round and upraised stage that dominates the center of this bottom floor.
Around the outside of each floor is a staircase that winds up the side of the building.
On the second floor, even with this poor angle, you can all see a few things of note. The first is that Undrella, the harpy that Dmitri's seduced, is tending a massive device of tubes and glass parts, and this device seems to be funneling different liquids around in itself.
The second is that a group of four gnolls watches the Battle Market floor for trouble, bows seemingly at the ready.
The top floor seems to consist mostly of closed rooms, but an open area from the top affords a view of the entire complex to anyone there, and in fact there is someone up there. Seated on a large throne is a huge and incredibly muscled humanoid man with a massive red axe laid bare across his legs. Standing next to him is an especially large and powerful-looking gnoll.
Kori looks askance at Lizard-friend with her brows furrowed in frustration. "Are you going to be mindful of your anger to the dog-men, Lizard-friend? Trust me, I know about burning fury, and know it can be controlled when it's not helpful letting it take over."
Knowledge Planes
Angmar looks around this audacious spectacel. Having grown up in Katapesh the Dwarf has seen much but this doesn't sit well with the Dawrf and he makes it known by constantly shaking his head.
Lemme guess Medium with 24 STR willing and able to kick our asses...
Dmitri had hardly noticed the pitiful goblin. Were it not for the voice that grated on his very sanity, he would have just killed it. Alas, he decided against such a thing. Goblins truly didn't so much as make Dmitri even consider second thoughts. They were that low on the hierarchy.
At the twinge of disappointment, Dmitri looked to the throne on the higher seats, his eyes widening at the sight of such an out-of-place creature. The situation was strange, to say the least...
Moving closer towards Apollo and Kori as they carry on with their talk of uncontrolable rage, his shoulder throbbing only a little, he made it a point to whisper; "I'll have the two of you know that that man is no man. He is the lowest of genies... a Jann. Taking into consideration his otherworldly strength, Dmitri grimaced.
Looking to the goblin, he didn't waste time.
With a twinge in his brow, his eye pulsed with pain as he grasped it, looking at the goblin. "Foolish subjugated mongrel... I command you drop your cheer and delusions and realize how rude it is for you to come to us with requests when he has given nothing in return! Be off with you, foolish lemming!" he said, drawing his weapon and pointing it at the small jester.
This whole thing was frustrating. An absolute abomination to good sense. An undead priest, potential worship of lamashtu, gnolls that paid subservience to a genie...
He rubbed the mold upon his fingers, watching as small bits of it fell from the tips. It was cause for concern, to say the least, but he wouldn't dare ask Angmar for a boon under the present conditions. Resources were thin enough as is.
Looking up to the Jann, he tossed a smile. As little sense as it made, he was, at the least, happy that he might torture some closure out of the brute that was no doubt Undrella's offender.
Figuring it preoposterous to hale her in plain sight, he merely tossed her a curious glance.
Only while we're in sight. As soon as we're out of view, all hell's going to break loose, and that I can promise you. he said surprisingly calmly to the Drow.
Looking around, the mere sight of each Gnoll angers the man beyond belief, let alone their smell and general vile attitudes towards everything around them.
The goblin jester also bothered him.
This little thing is nearly dead, and I know they don't have the best of reputations, but I gave him the chance to flee and survive....but he threw it all away. Perhaps we're just not the most powerful traveler's here. That'd explain his hesitance to leave...
As Apollo glances around the large open planned room, he searches for anyone or anything of any particular interest, and more importantly glares up at the two large creatures on the top floor, trying to work out if one of them is in fact the Carrion King.
Dmitri....you're drawing too much attention to yourself. I'm going to act as though I'm not with you, before anyone gets suspicious of us all. Maybe then we can pincer attack the dogs at the bar. That is, if we don't get to those two up the top first.
As he walks off to the right of the entrance, the man mumbles under his breath; Stay close, but not too close. We can back ourselves into these side passages if need be. Though a small advantage, it's an advantage none the less.
Dmitri could barely fathom what he'd just heard. "Apollo, they already know we're here. Honestly we've no reason to even be killing the dogs, given the present conditions."
If the gnolls knew they were coming, and actually considered them a potent threat, they wouldn't have been greeted by a goblin in a onesie... "Let's tour the area for now, at the least, but there's no sense in trying to kill all the present gnolls..."
His mind returned to Undrella and her plan, as well as the arena itself. Ever curious, he ignored Apollo's warnings and started towards the railing to watch these "Fights" he'd heard so much about. If that Jann was so high and mighty, he'd no doubt have quite a show to put on...
Kori shakes her head at the man's need for killing the dog-men even when it could be more harm than help. "They say to kill a snake by cutting off its head. The head wants to meet us, why fight our way to it when it's inviting us up? You start attacking for your anger, and you're alone. I'll not commit suicide for your anger. I haven't done it by trying to kill every man I meet, just because of the ones that I deserve to kill for what they've done to me, so I definitely won't do it for you."
She leans in so the goblin can't hear "I like to be up close face to face with my enemy, so I'm going up to meet him, and given the chance will throw him off that balcony." with that she continues following the goblin to meet with this 'Mouth of the Carrion King'
Fine by me he mutters as he branches off to the side to scout around the area.
Was hoping someone would follow me, or at least form tactics for a pincer attack, but for now I'll just have to be cautious. It's doubtful I can pass for a slaver now, as most of these Gnoll's will probably know of me....that is to say if they're working for him.....GHARTOK!
Breathe man. Don't attack unless provoked. Your weapons are holstered and all you're doing right now is observing. Attacking now would give you a glorious death but get you nowhere in your long term goal.
As Apollo continues to walk forward, he thinks to himself as he approaches the entrance to the right side of the inner building.
Still, Hammer or Bow? Bow or Hammer? What would Nom do?
Then it's decided! the man speaks out loud, letting out a slightly ominous but short chuckle as he does so.
The goblin, cowering from Dmitri's verbal assault, does no such thing as lead them up to speak to the "Mouth of the Carrion King", but instead just levels a quavering hand at the stage.
As for The Carrion King, it's up to you if you'd allow me to, but I figured the only creature/person in the game I'd know by appearance would be the Carrion King, purely for what happened to Apollo in his backstory. Being dragged in front of the Gnoll leader and then having to fight his uncle in front of him, I think with the situation he would know exactly what he looked like, and considering his obsession with trying to kill him specifically, it makes sense. So that's why I've been roleplaying the way I have with Apollo.
Everyone else? He has no idea. I'm also trying not to get myself killed here. :p
And as for the campaign, I remember very little past where we are now...other than a certain location, which we found ourselves to the the bbeg accidentally before exploring the whole place, so literally all I know is of "that" room to come, and most of what's in this building we're in currently.
At the quivering of the goblin's hand, Dmitri smiles a little. Satisfied with it, he scoffs yet again at the sight of Koritylija walking towards the meeting that they wanted. Letting a long, drawn-out sigh he walks along with her. He wasn't allowed to stop her, but at the very least he could advise her...
As he walked quietly alongside her, he meditated on the Jann just a bit more. Something else else was there... And then he remembered more. Their powers over size, and their many methods of escape.
Walking alongside Kori he finally speaks up, shortly after beginning the trek. "Dearest Koritylija, as much as I enjoy your straightforwardness, I should make it very clear that this one isn't like the rest..." he says.
Knowing full well the dangers of what he's about to do, he knows that that won't be enough to stop her, and as such, proceeds to place his left arm on her shoulder, and bring her to a halt. The sensation was palpable, as it felt as though he was sticking his hand into some beast's toothy maw.
As he does, he continues with; "The Jann isn't something you can merely hold still. They are, in every single way, far more powerful than anything we've faced so far, despite being the very least of the genies." he sighs. "They can become ethereal on a whim, and can disappear to their respective plane of existence at the first sign of trouble, but can't stay there long. That is, if we give them the chance... Grappling them will still make that difficult."
Provided his hand is still intact and she stops, he lowers his arm, and shrugs. Pulling his hair back behind his head, he places it into a ponytail, after setting his scythe against a wall for a moment. "I've got a legitimate plan, if you will just hear me out, but we absolutely must not just waltz up there. I have the utmost faith in our ability, but there are far too many wild hairs in the current course of action." he says, throwing her hand gestures as he speaks.
Angmar had been studying the location but as Dimitri pruposes a plan he turn as he raises an eybrow.
I'm all ears! Let it be heard!
"Apollo!" he yells, trying to stop him from walking off. Tossing a hand up and beckoning him back over, he leans against the wall with his scythe as well.
For a moment, he dwelled on his actions up til now. What right had he to order these people around? Why was he even here? There were plenty of questions, sure. They found him disgusting, really. The only person he paid any subservience to was Koritylija, and that was as a result of her gender. He'd done well up to this point...
He chuckled a little. "Listen. I'm well aware the lot of you dislike my habits. There's no doubt in my mind, but I pay close heed to my faith. Frankly, as much as I enjoy my Masochism, even I don't want to foolishly march in and die... and that's why I want to be heard on this one."
Pointing a hand towards the upper floor, he speaks matter'o factly. "That Jann is strong. He is also not alone... I can feel the strength of that "Subordinate" gnoll from here." he says with a scowl. Looking to Apollo, he continues. "There is no one here better suited to killing a Gnoll than Apollo, even if it s a result of his mindless rage and racism towards them." he said as he rubbed the noticeable mold between his finger tips.
"Apollo, while you may hit harder than anyone else here, you're frankly not fit for the front lines..." it was a cold statement, but Dmitri hardly cared if he hurt the berserker's feelings, even if he had been the only one to show an interest in him... "The subordinate there. The grim looking one... That powerful-looking gnoll. He is yours." His face was quite serious.
With a sigh he continued. "There's also the question of why he wants to meet us." he said with a laugh. "There's no question towards the fact that they want us dead at this point isn't much of a question. But there's a factor we're not certain of." Smiling wide for a moment; "He's arrogant, isn't he? He is... Look at him."
Walking away from the wall, he looks up towards the Jann, a noticeably arrogant smirk in his face. "Fortunately as am I... Only I'm right about it." Turning on his heel, he prattles on. "The conversating should be left to me, if at all possible. First engagement as well. On another note, are we not forgetting the favor that Undrella must pay us? We know his strengths, and that he will likely grow larger, along with him or his allies during the fight. The only person at risk of size reduction is Apollo, hence the reason he should engage the gnoll before he can grow."
Squinting, he sees the strange, red axe. "He is a very, very muscular Jann... I've no doubt he's effective with that axe. Bunching up would also be unwise. In all honesty our prospects look good, do they not? It's going to be fun to see him fall from his high horse... I do wonder what kind of face he will make as he grovels in his transgressions. He's got plenty of things to answer, no? Hmhmhm~" Grabbing his eye as it aches, he smiles lightly.
"I want every advantage we can possibly gain..."
This Jann would make an Excellent martyr for Lilith.
Upon hearing Dmitri shouting his name, Apollo stops.
Ack. What now?
Apollo turns around and heads back to the group, making sure he remains within the corridor he's decided to march through.
As Dmitri points to the upper floor, Apollo pops his head around the door and looks up towards the two creatures above.
Listening intently to the masochistic man, Apollo smirks as Dmitri acknowledges his power, finding the statement about mindless rage and racism to be quite amusing.
They're dogs Dmitri. I've not met one single Gnoll who's had any kind of compassion for other races or even their own kin. They're savage fleabags who would kill each other over a meal just for the bloody display it would end in.
As Dmitri went on, his following words hit Apollo hard.
Not fit for the front lines!? What! You've gotta be kidding! Sure I can be reckless, but only against these miserable dogs. I can't allow them to live for what they've done! The people I grew up with, the people who raised me and cared for me. They're all dead because of my uncle and these stinking Gnoll's. What right does Dmitri have to question my ability to fight? Just because I'm reckless it doesn't mean I'm stupid. I still value my life and have every intention on surviving long enough to reach their pathetic "Dog King".
DMITRI! apollo said with a louder than usual, stern voice.
THEY DON'T DESERVE TO LIVE FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE TO ME!
Apollo slams his hand on the other side of the wall Dmitri leans upon, as he angrily vents his frustration.
THEY WIPED OUT MY WHOLE ENTIRE TRIBE...and...AND! if it wasn't for the fact I was out in Katapesh that day, THEY WOULD HAVE KILLED ME TOO! Opening his mouth, Apollo forces the breath out of his mouth and paces back and fourth.
They wiped out my tribe. They wiped out my loved ones. I think it only fair that I WIPE OUT THEIR TRIBE, THEIR LEADER AND THEIR LOVED ONES!
Hitting his hand against the door this time, he claimed; I don't care about their feelings. They don't care for one another or anything else around them, SO WHY THE HELL SHOULD I CARE?
As he turns back around once more, Apollo aggressively points toward Dmitri.
WHAT MAKES YOU LEADER ANYWAY?
You harm yourself and willingly put yourself in danger, and yet we're to follow you!? We're separate people. We're all individuals. We can all do as we please, and I haven't once asked you to follow me.
Interrupted by Dmitri's statement, Apollo shut up for a moment as he peered up towards the balcony, glaring with a piercing stare at the brutish Gnoll beside the lesser Genie.
At least you know who my target is. I can respect that. he said, now in a slightly better frame of mind.
Glaring at Dmitri, the Ranger falls back into the door he damaged. Averting his eyes from the only man who has any idea of what's to come, he knocks his head back against the wood behind him and stares up at the stone ceiling while Mr.Masochist discusses tactics.
As Dmitri finishes, Apollo speaks up once more; Look man. We've all got our own issues. We shouldn't be judging one another. Forget what I said and I'll forget what you said, because what's more important here is the mission at hand.
Apollo looks to his right, making sure nothing approaches him from the side, as he continues to share his opinion with the group.
I branched off because I figured I was the most effective person here, capable of scouting the area for any unforeseen circumstances. I was going to come straight back and report my findings so that we could better strategise a plan.
Sighing, Apollo continued to waffle on.
As much as a I hate these despicable creatures, I wasn't going to pick a fight with them, or at least not yet. My main mission is to get to their leader so I can kill him in front of them. To do that I need to survive, and truthfully, I have no intention of dying.
If they're expecting us, I don't know what's best - Approaching the two up there together, or splitting up into two groups of two and initialising a pincer attack.
If we made our way down these corridors, we could bottleneck ourselves in, taking a defensive stance against those that would attack us, because I doubt very much that Genie guy up there would allow us to just walk up to him....no matter how arrogant he is.
Looking towards everyone present, the man asks one final question before patiently awaiting their response; So, I ask you all. What's the plan?
Plodding over to the explosive Apollo and Dmitri during Apollo's outburst is a fairly large and brutish-looking ogre, emerging from around one of the curves of the building.
"Hey, you got a problem? You take it out of here." he says, pointing harshly out of the door. "Dis place is for fun and the selling of things. And for de arena," he says, gesturing towards the stage. "Murderin' gnolls has got nothin' here, especially if they hear you."
No problem here, friend. Go and enjoy yourself and forget you ever saw us.
My god, what a time to meet an Ogre...especially one who's guarding this place. Though, if you need a bouncer I guess an Ogre's as good a one as any. Still, let's hope my comment's enough to get rid of him.
Kori turns quickly at Pain-lover's touch, the baring of teeth in a sneer was all she felt she needed to show his touch was unwelcome. She stops though, and listens, rolling of eyes and disdain just as evident as always.
As he continues, and when Lizard-friend starts barking his issues, she huffs and crosses her arms in irritation at the two of them. She is actually a little relieved to see the big ogre pop around to tell them to drop it.
"Look, we can waste time talking about it all damn day, or we can see what he has to say. Who knows, he might be willing to surrender. Either way, we can't exactly plan it out right here in the open in his house. So we best just stay together and react when and how we have to when something goes down." With that she waves Pain-lover to take the lead toward the stage they'd been directed at so he can do the jaw-jacking until all hell breaks loose.
All Angmar has to add to the discussio is:
As much as myself appreciates a solid plan looks like plans have been made fer us and all ye yappin and fighting is only got get us in trouble so move on if ye please!
Looking at the Ogre, Dmitri smirks. Apollo's sudden insubordination was expected, but at the same time it'd gone precisely as he'd expected it would.
Throwing the Ogre a colossal smirk, he shoulders past Apollo and starts on his way to the area that Kori has been pointing to. "At the very least just remember what I've said."
No plan really then? Guess I'll just wing it as always, but this big guy is going to be a problem the minute things kick off. I think I'll hang back for a bit.
Approaching the Ogre, Apollo asks; Care for a chat? I'm all ears. as he searches for a seated area to perch down on.
The ogre pumps up his chest and clenches his fists. "Care...chat? What about? Not hyenamen."
Not much I guess. How much are you being paid for this? If you help me out, I'll pay you more.
Apollo looks at the Ogre completely serious.
Looking at the Ogre, Dmitri smirks. Apollo's sudden insubordination was expected, but at the same time it'd gone precisely as he'd expected it would.
Throwing the Ogre a colossal smirk, he shoulders past Apollo and starts on his way to the area that Kori has been pointing to. "At the very least just remember what I've said."
"Your friend is stupidly loud..." A cloaked figure says as Dmitri passes. Cold, reptilian eyes stare out from under the sand colored hood as one hand, wrapped in white cloth, rests on the hilt of the large sword buckled at the figures side.
Kori levels a cold glare at the speaker, "Which one Snake-eyes? They are all stupidly loud." she responds, even though it wasn't directed at her. As far as she was concerned, it was tough to tell who he was talking about, because the lot of them either talked too much or sounded like a suit of armor falling down stairs, or in Pain-lover's case both. She looks at the hand on his weapon, "Are we going to have a fight sooner than we expected?" she sneers as she asks, but her eyes belie a certain anticipation to proceed with combat.
Noticing the cloaked figure appearing from beneath the shadows, Dmitri smiles a bit, before spinning on his heel and placing the scythe directly at the man's throat. It wasn't for intimidation or because he expected anything, but it was honestly due to his frustration with Apollo's feelings getting the better of him, and worse, on Dmitri's last nerve.
Honestly, Dmitri knew true evil. Purging a small hovel was nothing. True evil was lecherous, and it would do more than give you a couple of flashbacks. It would be present at all times, and cripple him. It hadn't done that... Unfortunately.
With the scythe far too close for comfort at the reptilian-eyed man's neck, Dmitri was doing one of too many things. First, he was blatantly ignoring the Ogre, and made sure to shoot it an uncomfortable glance. "I am well aware..." he said, placing his left hand forward. Dmitri didn't enjoy the aspect of a wild card suddenly becoming present, and he was no believer in privacy...
Swishing his fingers around, he whispered under his breathe in the language of demons as the dark tendrils lurched forth from his fingertips in an uncanny manner.
"Ho ho... Pretty boy. To be this grotesque and of good heart? I'm almost disappointed." He says as he lowers his scythe back to the ground, curious about the good aura around the wall. Walking around with an interest in his eyes.
Walking around, he looks to see what radiated such a warm aura, tossing a glance towards the new arrival.
Je'grick laughs, a low, hissing sound. He titled his head back to remove his hood. He needed to see better when it came to the most recent weapon drawn against him.
"You spook easily, human, though you have some control it seems." He looks at Kori. "You worry about me when your companion swings his farming tool about so eagerly?"
Dmitri sees a closed door set into the wall. He doesn't think any of the creatures out in the open (primarily gnolls, traders, and bugbears) were the source of the good alignment.
I don't believe any of the creatures in the open are the source of this good alignment... Having lowered his weapon, he smiles. I'll have you know that in the harems of the southwestern church of Lilith, there were things far more horrifying than you, newcomer." He says in a calm, quite honest voice.
"I would also prefer to not draw attention, but it would seem there is someone behind this door with a good soul..." Turning to look at him, and the rest of his group as he grabs the handle, he laughs. "I believe I don't need to mention how out of place that is..." With that, he opens the door.
It's locked.
Why is it that the most instantaneously valuable person is always the one you've just earned the ire of?" With a raised brow, Dmitri jiggles the handle to no avail.
A funny thing about good people. Those with truly good souls are usually great about paying back favors... even if you are the spitting image of evil. It's only fair, after all. Without turning around, he thinks for a moment. Koritylija could open this very easily... The fact that the Ogre didn't jump at us when I attempted to open it means he probably doesn't much care.
Giving the door a quick knock, and then a firm, useless, somewhat sore shoulder, he sighs. "Koritylija, I believe there is a person of good nature behind this locked door. Some assistance, please? Newcomer?"
The ropes were tight. No matter. He was good. He didn't need to be strong, fast or quick. He just needed his wits. It was all he had ever needed. Now for the painful part.
A swift jerk dislocates his wrist, stiffling a gasp and straining himself to keep as silent as possible while keeping watch for the guard, Brek brings his arms under his legs as he tucks them in to get into a sitting position. Once done he contorts his body, and using his teeth, rotating the dislocated hand in conjunction with his feet as extra hands, the knots come undone and he is free.
Upon release of the ropes, he pushes his wrist back into alignment and waits for the soreness to abate.
He's found Haleen and he'll be dammed if he can't get her out of this place. A quick search and his backpack comes into view, trust his captors to think him defenseless without weapons, good thing they thought so too and left his pack near where they last dropped him.
His mind and will were his weapons and all he needed as his captors would soon learn.
Fishing about in the pack, he withdraws a well used set of tools. Finding the door was a snap. They didn't even blindfold him, not that he couldn't find the door without some time.
Making his way to the 'hidden' door, he chuckles as he remembers an instance where had distracted a particular dumb gnoll and the stupid beast had spent hours searching for it. He paid for it but it was worth every blow. He pauses as he feels around the door seeking its tumblers and feels someone try to open it.
He hesitates, could someone have suspected what he was doing. A small chill creeps in but he dismisses it.
Stupid Gnolls wouldn't notice anything even if a Djinn be dancing in front of them......
An Impact. Someone was trying to force the door open. No finesse this one. Elegance is rare afterall. He thinks.
Swift and deft fingers dance across the door, fliping tumblers into position in a dance of graceful competence until he hears a very silent click. Satisfied, he stows his tools and shoulders his backpack, securing it and readying to open the door and make a break for freedom.................
Now comes the easy part.
Escaping.
Kori looks, not amused per se as she does not allow a smile to touch her face, but entertained at Snake-eyes' response. "Oh, I don't worry about you, and my only worries for him are that the idiot will kill himself in pleasure instead of joyous battle."
Seeing Pain-lover dismiss the snake-man, and instead fuss with the door, she responds in kind "I have learned in my past, that those that keep slaves do not stop people learning which doors are locked, it often gives them pleasure to know one more escape is prevented. They do mind when those blocked by locks try to force them. I won't be starting this fight busting in on someone's sleeping chamber. Lets just get closer so you can be done with your talking already. If there is good behind that door, they will rally to us."
"Given the nature of this place, one could hazard a guess than either Zon-Kuthon or Calistria could be getting some worship in there as a.. reward for a fight won, or punishment for a loss. So hard to tell which deity is which though..."
The red headed Dwarf studies the snake man with some skepticism. Still the Dwarven mercenary has learned that if there is one thing you shouldn't do when with your back to the wall is to judge a book by it's cover.
"I assure you, whoever is behind this door is doing no such thing, otherwise I wouldn't have felt them..." With the mentioning of Zon Kuthon and Calistria, Dmitri can't help but be reminded of his own adventures with just such believers. With a small giggle, he looks over. "You'd be surprised how homely a Calistrian can be..."
Turning the handle once more, he can't help but notice that it opens far easier all of a sudden.
The voices draw nearer, he tenses leaning his body backwards slightly to give himself a boost. The timing has to be right. Surprise was everything and hopefully he was faster this time.
The (in Apollo's words) "evil chatter and excitement" of the Battle Market is slowly, so slowly, dying down. It immediately ceases when the Jann above climbs to his feet, moves to the railing that separates his balcony from open air, and bellows, "Where are the intruders that invade my tribe's land? Show yourselves!"
The ogre looks pointedly at Apollo. The goblin is nowhere to be seen, and the rest of the denizens of the place don't seem to know Kori, Apollo, Dmitri, or Angmar.
Twisting the door, Dmitri pulls it half open before he hears the boom of the Jann from above as the world falls into silence around them. Looking back to see the Ogre practically pointing at Apollo. It was in this particular moment that Dmitri realized how properly screwed they really were...
He had two options. Remain hidden and wait on Apollo to bellow out something that would certainly only make matters worse, or... barter.
The door had most definitely not unlocked itself. That much, Dmitri was certain. It had no reason to. Someone free was definitely on the other side of the door and it was no skin off of his back to save them now. Besides, the door was literally half open. There could very well be a person in there plotting against them. A locked door also probably had no guards inside such a small room... he hoped.
Cutting his losses, Dmitri had honestly had it at this point.
Walking around, he gave Kori and Angmar respective pats on the shoulders and a wicked grin, going so far as to even wink at the new guy. "Here goes nothing... Act natural." With no warning whatsoever, Dmitri, rushing towards Apollo, yells rather loudly, and noticably; "I KNEW you looked familiar!" he said, placing a metal, gauntlet covered hand in the man's face in an attempt to force him to the ground.
"Coming in this sanctuary of debauchery and bloodshed! Lilith would have you whipped till your flesh lined her walls!" he said, struggling with him and drawing his own sickle, having dropped his scythe on the floor prior to avoid detection for his flamboyant choice in weaponry. "Kardswann! Kardswann! I believe this is one of the trespassers, no? I've heard of his mace from the local gnolls... It's even still stained with it! Seems he's come to play hero, hasn't he?" Still struggling with him, Dmitri whispers, still enjoying every second of this, "Play along, and we'll both be happy..." as he jammed the stick end of his sickle into the man's side, harmlessly... somewhat.
Standing, glaring up at the Ogre, this time with less of a friendly attitude and with a look of sheer confidence and determination, Apollo weighs up the giant, insistent on reading the larger creatures actions when suddenly he's thrown violently backwards, as Dmitri, running full speed at the man, catches him off guard, as the momentum of their collision knocks him off balance.
Your plan...if this is all you've got...had better work! whispers Apollo, as he allows himself to be pushed about a little more than normal, once the realisation of the bigger picture here kicked in.
This guy....THE HELL IS HE PLAYING AT!?
GET OFF OF ME! he shouts, convincingly too, as he doesn't exactly approve of the situation, angered more so by Dmitri's current actions.
You! Ogre! You heard my offer earlier! Aid me and I'll pay you double your current daily wage!
The minute they take my weapons, we've had it...
The ogre's eyes glitter greedily and he smiles, revealing a black-gummed mess of poorly-fitting and yellowed teeth. "Double?" he sputters, "That's like...a lot!"
He reaches down, grasping Dmitri by the ribs, squeezing painfully with his meaty palms, and lifts Dmitri bodily off of Apollo. Holding him at arm's length, the ogre giggles. "Hurvank helpful! Have money now or only after silver man crushed?"
Above, the jann gestures to his gnoll ally, and the gnoll nods at him and begins to descend the stairs. The jann straightens to his full height and appraises the situation carefully.
The opens and Brek is about to push the door hard and leapt out to freedom when a booming voice echoes out. "Where are the intruders that invade my tribe's land? Show yourselves!"
Say what? Ok Change of plans. Up it is and 'hope they don't look up' skill. Thinking fast, he moves.
Leaping up, using the door's movement to disguise his movement, Brek leaps up pressing himself as hard as he can against the ceiling, hands and feet pressing hard against the walls.
Then a yell and a scuffle.
What by the sands of Katapesh is going on?
Timing is off and he's already free, as a plus point the position where he is at gives him front row seats to what is happening as the door is already opened.
[ooc]
As the ogre tightened his hands around Dmitri's ribs, he could have swore he heard one pop. Fidgeting, he looses the Sickle from his grip, obviously upset with the current conditions. Any semblance of an ambush was lost the instant this Ogre picked him up off the ground and dangled him like some silly toy.
Struggling to get free, Dmitri looks up to notice the large gnoll that left the stage... Perfect for Apollo. Still, the situation needed salvaged, as usual. As he squirmed at the crushing grip, Dmitri's eye began to throb in serious pain once again, bringing a red tear to his eye, and just after, this... "good" inside him spoke again... Shame and disappointment. Oh he felt that, and he frankly didn't care who it was for...
Cradling his now-bleeding eye in his left hand, Dmitri stopped squirming as the grip tightened. Turning around to meet the gaze of the Ogre, he was officially infuriated. Dmitri hadn't wanted to lead. He merely wanted a crushing victory that was well thought out, and fun for himself... that's really all he wanted. And now this Ogre had it's filthy, slimy, caviled hands on him... This wouldn't go. No...
He felt it slipping on again. That red lust... This ogre had plenty of it, didn't he? Blood, that is? Oh indeed... No question at all.
"Ogre. I shall be kind to you. Just this once." he said, letting his left hand cloak itself in the unnerving abyssal darkness of Lilith herself. He dragged a taloned, dark finger across the oaf's forearm, not breaking bloody-eyed contact. "If Kardswann finds out that you let a trespasser escape, I will be given the courtesy of butchering you for the dogs... You will put me down and let me continue what I was doing this instant." As he says it, he places a sickle to the beast's bulky thumb, as well, threatening to cut deep and poorly...
From his position, Brek has to admire that one's calm. Dangled like some chew toy, he still manages to maintain his composure and threaten the ogre. Bravo!
Now don't look up and notice me..........