The Dark is Rising - WotW Part I (COMPLETED) (Inactive)

Game Master Darkness Rising

"No one ever became extremely wicked suddenly."

-- Juvenal

MAP OF TALINGARDE | NPC LISTING | LOOT | MAP OF ALDENCROSS | MAP OF BALENTYNE

Talingarde is the most virtuous, peaceful, noble nation in the world today. This is the story of how you burned it to the ground.


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Shadow Lodge

Female Vampire(neophyte) Oracle(Heavens mystery)/7 - [HP 91/91); AC28,T17,FF22; F+9,R+10,W+8; Per+15; Init +11]

Tkaara looks rather confusedly between the two men:
Don't look at me. I cannot teleport anywhere and usually was the one trying to keep people out of shackles, not trying to remove the shackles once on.


Female Human Wizard 4 (portrait) HP 28/28 | AC 12 [T 12 FF 10] | CMB 1 | CMD 13 | F +4 R +3 W +4 | Init +2 | Percep +0 | Active Conditions: None

Hecate looks puzzled by Erevan's remarks about the doctor: she was unconscious at the time and missed Ottakar's ferocious struggle with the guards. Her view is of an unsociable, intellectual type. Still, she trusts Erevan on this: from her conversations with him, it's clear that he would likely recognise another such as himself. She revises her opinion of the doctor accordingly.

"So, based on what you say, we would need to avoid encountering more than, say 5 or 6 guards at a time. That means not raising the alarm, if we can help it... A night-time break would be best, I think. But how can we tell when it's night?" She sighs. One more for the wish-list: lockpicks, spell components, weapons - and a clock.

The darkness is really beginning to get to her now. She makes another, futile, attempt to straighten out her hair, but the shackles are still unyielding. She stops, this time before drawing blood.

Shadow Lodge

Female Vampire(neophyte) Oracle(Heavens mystery)/7 - [HP 91/91); AC28,T17,FF22; F+9,R+10,W+8; Per+15; Init +11]

Her breathing now shallow and strained, Tkaara listens to the others. After Hecate indicates that she is buying into the insane plan, Tkaara response in a rather sarcastic tone:
Plot and plan how you will. Nobody has ever escaped from this prison, with or without help. I don't know who the old hag was, but so far she has not magically appeared to clean and straighten the wizards hair. In addition, I do not know whether you all are great in the wild, but I doubt that I would make it more than a few paces away from the gates before my coughing would give away any hiding spot we found. Furthermore, what makes you think that teleporting or changing shape would even work in here. You don't think that you are the first spell casters or shape changers to ever go through these accursed halls? Do you? I imagine that the Mitrans have all sorts of wards to protect against exactly what you propose to do.


The guards soon return the doctor to the cell, the doctor is once again shackled. Once more he is secured in tightly locked bands around his ankles and his hands are shackled above his head.

As soon as this has been completed the guards leave the cellblock, once back in their guardroom you can hear the sergeant order four guards to stay and him and the other two seem to leave the area.

Map of current location.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Location: Branderscar Prison: Cellblock, Date: Oathday, Erastus 24th,(Summer) 4714 Time: 4:45 pm (Day:Zero)


Male Beast-Cursed Half-Elf Beastmorph Vivisectionist 6, Master Chymist 1 AC 20, tch 12, ff 19; CMB +11; CMD 23; hp 66/66; Fort +10, Ref +8, Will +6 (+8 vs. Enchantment, +10 vs. charms/compulsions); Init +5; Perception +11 (+13 at night), Sense Motive +10, Stealth +11 (+13 at night)

Doctor Wilken waits for the guards to leave, then whispers urgently to his fellow prisoners. "Unlikely as it seems, we have allies even now. I was taken to meet a woman calling herself Tiadora. I don't suppose any of you know her?" He does not wait for a response. "She seems to be representing another who wishes us to escape and meet at a manor on the moors. Whoever they are, they do not seem to have any intention of aiding us directly, but instead gave me a pair of items of questionable worth. I would not normally be inclined to trust a strange woman bearing gifts, but in this situation I fail to see that we have much choice."

"Here, pass this to the Barrister." He carefully, albeit awkwardly, leans in so he can pass the drug packet to Felrin. "The woman claimed it to be medicine. Dubious, to be sure, but without the luxury of inspecting it, I leave it for Tkaara to decide what trust she wishes to place in the substance. The other item was a veil with strange embroidery. I did not have more than a moment to examine it before I had to hide it from our captors, but it seemed to have pictures of several oddly mis-matched items upon it. I assume it is either enchanted, or simply a cruel joke. Either way, I am unfamiliar with how it might be of use, and further cannot see the wretched thing in this cell."

Shadow Lodge

Female Vampire(neophyte) Oracle(Heavens mystery)/7 - [HP 91/91); AC28,T17,FF22; F+9,R+10,W+8; Per+15; Init +11]

DM Asmodeus:

Also waiting from some clarification as to whether our morphing and teleporting members can simple walk out of their shackles. In addition, wondering how difficult it is to hand items from party member to party member with our hands fastened overhead.

Shadow Lodge

Female Vampire(neophyte) Oracle(Heavens mystery)/7 - [HP 91/91); AC28,T17,FF22; F+9,R+10,W+8; Per+15; Init +11]

Ignoring for a moment the "passing" of the drugs for logistical reasons. Fortunately for the Doctor, Tkaara is in need of the drugs and will probably ignore the fact that he stuffed them down his pants.

Tkaara watches the Doctor carefully when he returns. Her eyes brightening upon the mention of the medicine.
A woman? But not the old hag? Assuredly one of them was an illusion, probably the hag. Or perhaps our mysterious benefactor has a lot of friends.


map | M Tiefling Inquisitor (Heretic) 7 | HP 66/66 | AC 21 | T 14 | FF 18 | CMD 25 | Fort +9 | Ref +6 | Will +11 | Init +8 | Perc +17

As the doctor speaks and describes the items he was given by the mysterious woman, Felrin can't help but notice that the man glances down several times, into his shirt, then looks about as if studying his predicament. "Have you tucked the medicine and this veil into your shirt? If they're to be any use, we'll need some way to reach them. It seems Hecate and I both have ways that would allow that, but I'm reluctant to use my powers unless I'm sure they're needed. And here's why."

"I can only completely transform myself a couple of times a day, and I want to save those times for two things. The first I've already mentioned, I'm more dangerous in a fight when I change into a monster. But the second has to do with getting out of here. In the wagon on the way here, I noticed some things, though I was hooded and bound. I heard a sea gull cry, so we're near the ocean. On the way into the prison, my wagon stopped and I heard a dog bark, and a guard gave it some command and it stopped instantly. Later I heard other barking. So there's more than one guard dog in the place and they're well trained. After the first stop, where I heard the dog for the first time, we started moving again and only moved for a few minutes before I was unloaded off the wagon. So there must be a gatehouse or something, where there's a dog, and then the prison itself."

"I'm not sure how much all that helps us, but I do know one thing. If I can save one of my transformations, I'm able to change into certain forms that can swim very well. If we can get to the water, I can change into a lizardman and lose any pursuit in the water, then get safely to shore elsewhere, I'm sure of it, and could help the rest of us do it too."

He looks past Tkaara to Hecate and says, frustration mounting in his voice, "But the other one of us who could get out of the chains can't see in the dark. Anyone have a suggestion how we approach this?"


Male Beast-Cursed Half-Elf Beastmorph Vivisectionist 6, Master Chymist 1 AC 20, tch 12, ff 19; CMB +11; CMD 23; hp 66/66; Fort +10, Ref +8, Will +6 (+8 vs. Enchantment, +10 vs. charms/compulsions); Init +5; Perception +11 (+13 at night), Sense Motive +10, Stealth +11 (+13 at night)

"Yes, I had to conceal the items in order to avoid confiscation, and now that I am restrained there is the problem of retrieving them. If any of you can slip your cuffs, now would be the time."

Shadow Lodge

Female Vampire(neophyte) Oracle(Heavens mystery)/7 - [HP 91/91); AC28,T17,FF22; F+9,R+10,W+8; Per+15; Init +11]

Before we start freeing ourselves and running around the prison, perhaps we should wait to see what the guard rotation is and try to determine what time of day it is. I would hate to free ourselves, attack and kill the guards, only to walk out at noon to discover all the guards and the local militia are in a courtyard practicing with metal swords.

Sense Motive 24:

Bluff: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 9 - 2 = 24
Although these are her words, anyone with sufficient vision can see that her eyes are longingly looking at where the Doctor has indicated the medicine is stashed.


Outsider(Devil, Evil, Native, Lawful) Sorcerer (Wishcrafter) 7
Stats:
HP 47/47:| AC: 16; T: 14; FF: 14; CMD: 15 | Fort: +5; Ref: +5; Will: +5 |Init: +13
Skill, Spells and Abilities:
Emissary 1/1 | Cantrips: At will | Level 1 7/8 | Level 2 8/8 | Level 3 6/6 | Perc: +2;Diplomacy+20;Bluff+19;Intimidate+11

When the doctor announces the existence of the mysterious benefactor, Etna doesn't respond if not with a smug grin.
What did I tell you?

Etna listens to Felrin, and when he's finished she softly remarks "Felrin, I don't think we have a choice here. Hecate here can easily get out of the manacles, but I doubt she can get back in them that easily. I'm not very familiar with teleportation magic, but I wager it would require an extreme amount of precision to transport right back in there. What would the guards say if they saw her in the cell unshackled? You, on the other hand, could transform into something smaller, take the item, get back into the manacles and revert back." she pauses for a second, thinking. "Beside, we have three days. We don't necessarily have to try our only possibility of escape today. We could let you rest, so that you can change form to the best of your abilities. And, as Tkaara said, we still have much information to gather before trying to break out of this place."


Female Human Wizard 4 (portrait) HP 28/28 | AC 12 [T 12 FF 10] | CMB 1 | CMD 13 | F +4 R +3 W +4 | Init +2 | Percep +0 | Active Conditions: None

Hecate blinks "Etna is absolutely correct. Felrin, we're not going anywhere until we've had a chance to work out the guards' schedules. Also, my ability has a few, um, limitations - I can't go more than 5 feet and I have to be able to see where I'm going."

The young woman is stung by Tkaara's pointed remarks on hair brushing; she'd forgotten the others could see her. Trying to make light of it, she murmurs vaguely "Well, we all have our quirks..." Her flushed cheeks would suggest however that the barrister's verbal barbs hit their target.


map | M Tiefling Inquisitor (Heretic) 7 | HP 66/66 | AC 21 | T 14 | FF 18 | CMD 25 | Fort +9 | Ref +6 | Will +11 | Init +8 | Perc +17

Felrin nods a few times in acknowledgment of Etna’s points, then responds, ”You’re right, both of you. As all of you must be, I’m eager to get out of this place, and was not thinking we’d wait longer than we have to. But we must be patient. And I hadn’t considered that you might not be able to get back into your shackles, Hecate. I’ll take care of this.”

With these simple last words, Felrin begins a more profound transformation than his cellmates have seen before: in a series of juddering shifts, his already slender limbs grow stick-thin, his head becomes bulbous and round with a mouthful of filthy teeth, and his skin begins to change color in patches that spread all over his body, leaving him an unpleasant green hue. Most surprisingly, he begins to shrink, wiggling his wrists as he does so to slip them free of the manacles, and ending up as small as a human child of six or eight years.

Mechanics:
Transformed into a goblin. I’m rolling an Escape Artist check in case you need some kind of roll, but I’d imagine he could drop out of the manacles quite easily since he’s so much smaller. At a minimum, a large bonus to Escape Artist seems appropriate.

Escape Artist, +1 from alter self Dex bonus: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

I’ll await your description of the result, so we don’t need to retcon again.

Shadow Lodge

Female Vampire(neophyte) Oracle(Heavens mystery)/7 - [HP 91/91); AC28,T17,FF22; F+9,R+10,W+8; Per+15; Init +11]

Tkaara watches Felrin, eyes wide in wonder as arcane magic is not common in Ghastenhall. Although Felrin has her attention, her gaze continues to return to the Doctor every few seconds, if briefly.

That is certainly an interesting trick.


As Fellrin changes his shape into that of a goblin he manages to slip the manacles and the shackles off with ease. The transformation almost deathly quiet in the dark, the guards in the guardroom seem preoccupied with other things at the moment. However as the torches in the cell block flicker and wane you notice that they have about 15 minutes or so left on them before they will be completely spent. So you imagine that sometime between now and then a guard will be coming to replace them.

Felrin retrieves the items from the doctor, a thin lace veil with some pictures embroidered on it and a folded piece of paper almost identical to the one that the old hag had slipped Tkaara back at the Royal Court. Whatever the group intended to do, they would need to do in a hurry.

Felrin look over the veil, It appears to be a fine silk veil of gossamer cloth. Only as it is held and closely inspected can he see small cloth patches of various shapes. The following patches are embroidered onto the veil:
• 2 criss-crossed daggers
• Lantern
• Rope
• Sack
• Tools
• Window
• Potion
• Coins
• Symbol of Asmodeus

Felrin has :60 seconds remaining on alter self.

OOC:

Felrin -1 Use of Alter Self 1 of 2 remaining.

Active Spells:

Alter Self (Felrin) - Goblin form, :60 seconds remaining

Picture of the veil.

Map of current location.

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Current Location: Branderscar Prison: Cellblock, Date: Oathday, Erastus 24th,(Summer) 4714 Time: 4:46 pm (Day:Zero)


map | M Tiefling Inquisitor (Heretic) 7 | HP 66/66 | AC 21 | T 14 | FF 18 | CMD 25 | Fort +9 | Ref +6 | Will +11 | Init +8 | Perc +17

"The veil has patches on it, with different symbols! Including some small tools! I wonder..." He lifts a bony hand to the veil and pulls on the patch with the tools embroidered on it.

OOC:

[ooc]I imagine that's one of my two actions for this round, but I don't want to presume what it does. If it's okay for me to presume some of the action to keep things moving, I'll do so.

Shadow Lodge

Female Vampire(neophyte) Oracle(Heavens mystery)/7 - [HP 91/91); AC28,T17,FF22; F+9,R+10,W+8; Per+15; Init +11]

Tkaara cringes as she sees the new goblin reach toward the veil.
Be careful. Unless we want to make an unplanned assault right now, we do not want to do anything without a plan. Wait until someone determines what that veil is before you do anything.


map | M Tiefling Inquisitor (Heretic) 7 | HP 66/66 | AC 21 | T 14 | FF 18 | CMD 25 | Fort +9 | Ref +6 | Will +11 | Init +8 | Perc +17

Felrin's goblin teeth are bared briefly as he starts to snarl at Tkaara, but his more rational nature asserts itself. "I have a plan!" he says, some snarl still evident in his quiet voice, "If this turns into a useable tool, I'll undo my shackles before I change back, and then I can work at my leisure, even make it look like I'm still manacled if the guards come."

Glancing down at the small packet he still holds in one hand, he asks, "Do you want your 'medicine' now, or do you want to wait until we try to make our escape? Think clearly now or survive when we try to get out? Which'll it be?"

Shadow Lodge

Female Vampire(neophyte) Oracle(Heavens mystery)/7 - [HP 91/91); AC28,T17,FF22; F+9,R+10,W+8; Per+15; Init +11]

With desperate eyes, Tkaara looks at the package, her silverish tongue licking similarly tinged lips. I want . . . no . . . you . . . Suddenly, she is once more wracked by a bout of coughing. When she regains some of her composure.
You . . . you keep it. . . . Must be . . . be healthy for escape.

With that, she slumps down in her chains, head hung down with tears pouring from her eyes. About the first time anyone has seen any sign of emotion from the former barrister.


As Felrin tugs on the patch with the embroidery of the tools on it the patch breaks free. The small piece of lace then magically transforms into a pair of Masterwork Thieves Tools.

Felrin:

You can take 10 on the locks but you can not take 20 on them because it would make to much noise. Disable Attempts take :06 seconds each.
Also move actions or standard actions use up :03
Time Remaining: :57 seconds
Felrin +1 MW Thieves Tools


map | M Tiefling Inquisitor (Heretic) 7 | HP 66/66 | AC 21 | T 14 | FF 18 | CMD 25 | Fort +9 | Ref +6 | Will +11 | Init +8 | Perc +17

Even in the fierce, red-tinged goblin eyes that Felrin now looks through, it is possible to see a glimmer of what can only be hope as the small tools appear in his small, green hand. "Lockpicks! Oh, thank you, Prince of the Nine!" he whisperss reverently and joyously.

Felrin wastes no time in reaching for his own manacles where they hang on the wall. He fans out the tools briefly in his left hand before selecting a slender pick that ends in a wave of metal ridges. This rake should do the trick. Oh, these are nicely made! It's a pleasure to have a tool in hand again.

Working smoothly and methodically, he holds the manacle firmly in one hand, applying a slight twisting pressure to it. He then inserts the tool and slides it back and forth over the pins inside, eyes now closed as he feels for the pins to give or the metal bracelet itself to release.

Mechanics:

Total Disable Device bonus = +11 = 1 rank, +3 class, +3 Dex, +1 trait, +1 for added Dex from alter self, +2 from MW tools. (Your spoiler says +1 MW tools, but I assume that just means I picked up one set of them.)

Will Take 10 for a 21.


Working on the manacles quickly and with the efficiency of a expert locksmith Felrin quickly has the set of manacles unlocked. It looked as if he actually used the key it was so smooth. But then came the difficult assumptions, the foot shackles had no lock as they all connected together via a chain. Slipping in and out of the unlocked manacles with sleight of hand or a good bluff would be easily doable but the foot cuffs would not be able to be removed if Felrin changed back inside of them.

:51 seconds remaining.


Male Ogre

The activity in the cell next to Grumblejack had the Ogre confused, while the captured lil 'uns were just at the edge of his black and white vision, Grumblejack swore their was now a goblin in there with them and it looked as if he was free.

"Grumblejack see tiny goblin, no hide in dark. How you enter here? Not see lil pinkys bring you." Grumblejack says from his cell.

The increased noise activity causes one of the guards to peer into the cellblock from the doorway. After spotting the torches burning down he tells one of the others to go get their next set of torches from the supply room because it was almost time.

After the instructions to his fellow guards the one goes back to peering in the cellblock. Obviously he sees little in the dimly lit room but it is not from a lack of trying.

The guard is on alert.


Outsider(Devil, Evil, Native, Lawful) Sorcerer (Wishcrafter) 7
Stats:
HP 47/47:| AC: 16; T: 14; FF: 14; CMD: 15 | Fort: +5; Ref: +5; Will: +5 |Init: +13
Skill, Spells and Abilities:
Emissary 1/1 | Cantrips: At will | Level 1 7/8 | Level 2 8/8 | Level 3 6/6 | Perc: +2;Diplomacy+20;Bluff+19;Intimidate+11

Etna observes as Felrin retrieves the patch, following the movements of the now goblinized tiefling.
That is a useful ability!

When the ogre points the presence of a goblin in the cell, a chill runs trough her spine. Surely, the guards would come to check, and their possibilities of escape would get oh so slim.
Turning to the ogre, she tries to catch his attention, talking as quietly as possible as to not alert the guards further.
"You, hey you! Ogre! I imagine that you don't like the gua- the 'little ones' that much, yes? Then I have a deal for you. If you promise to not tell them anything about what's happening, happened, and will happen in this cell, I promise you that you will have your revenge on the 'little ones'. If they ask you why you said that you saw a goblin, tell them that all the drugs they're using on you made you hall- 'see things'. What do you say?". Turning back to Felrin, she adds with a smile to the ogre "And don't tell the guards about our little talk now, ok?"

Mechanics:
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20


Female Human Wizard 4 (portrait) HP 28/28 | AC 12 [T 12 FF 10] | CMB 1 | CMD 13 | F +4 R +3 W +4 | Init +2 | Percep +0 | Active Conditions: None
Felrin Vennax wrote:
"The veil has patches on it, with different symbols! Including some small tools!"

Hecate listens carefully to the description. If only she could see it! Doing her best to push away thoughts of suffocating darkness and perpetual imprisonment, the young woman tries to remember whether she's read about such items before.

She can't see Tkaara, but she's right next to her and can hear everything. Lowering her voice to a soft whisper, she leans over towards the taller woman "That was a really brave decision you made, just now. I feel powerless too, right at this moment; but we're going to get out of here and I'm going to work on finding out what's afflicting you." This isn't as purely altruistic as it might sound: Hecate adores magic and its mysteries; she'd practically have to be ordered not to investigate.

Hecate nods at Etna. "Good work." She tries to smile in the direction of the ogre, adding some hopeful influence to Etna's words.

Mechanics:

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Diplomacy, Aid Another: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15


Male Half-Elf Vigilante (Avenger) 1; AC 16, touch 14, flat-footed 12, CMD 18; HP 6/10; Fort +2, Ref +6, Will +3; Initiative +6; Perception +5 (darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision), Sense Motive +6

"Ah, a goblin and an ogre," Erevan muses softly. "Now if we only had an orc and a bar, we could make a proper joke."

"So, how are we doing on that escape plan? If you have lockpicks and know how to use them, you should be able to free yourself -and us- from the manacles. As for the foot cuffs, all it takes is to pick the one lock that secures the chain at its end and that should be that," he advises, basing his words on his earlier examination of the shackles. "The chain could even be used as a weapon, albeit an improvised one."

"You would like to leave this place, would you not, Grumblejack? Help us by saying nothing to the guards and, as Etna just said, you will have your revenge," he adds after Etna and Hecate say their piece, looking towards the ogre's general direction.

Mechanics:
Diplomacy (Aid Another): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13


Male Beast-Cursed Half-Elf Beastmorph Vivisectionist 6, Master Chymist 1 AC 20, tch 12, ff 19; CMB +11; CMD 23; hp 66/66; Fort +10, Ref +8, Will +6 (+8 vs. Enchantment, +10 vs. charms/compulsions); Init +5; Perception +11 (+13 at night), Sense Motive +10, Stealth +11 (+13 at night)

"Be silent, you fools!" the Doctor hisses at his fellow prisoners. Anything you say loudly enough for that thug to hear, that thug," he nods toward the torch-bearing guard, "might hear as well."

Shadow Lodge

Female Vampire(neophyte) Oracle(Heavens mystery)/7 - [HP 91/91); AC28,T17,FF22; F+9,R+10,W+8; Per+15; Init +11]

Slowly regaining her will to live and her composure, Tkaara raises her head and looks at the shorter wizard: Thank you.

When Grumblejack speaks up alerting the guards, she cringes, realizing at that same moment that the "goblin" in fact is the former devil worshipper. She vaguely recalls him changing, but had other things on her mind at that point.

Swallowing her emotions, she looks toward Grumblejack and quietly speaks to him:
Listen to the red haired woman. This is followed by her cringing as though some pain suddenly took her breath away. Many in here desire . . . desire vengeance.

She then thinks for a moment before turning and looking at the goblin.
Get back in . . . And other shallow gasping breath. . . in the shackles. We have . . . have time. Now, we wait. . . . Wait and watch to determine when to move.


map | M Tiefling Inquisitor (Heretic) 7 | HP 66/66 | AC 21 | T 14 | FF 18 | CMD 25 | Fort +9 | Ref +6 | Will +11 | Init +8 | Perc +17

Felrin's smile grows as the lock comes open easily, then disappears as his companions begin to address the drugged ogre.

Why are they all talking? Are the insane? Felrin casts fierce glances at his cellmates, his goblin visage making them seem madly hateful, though some of them are unable to see the effect. And why does the barrister feel she can order me to do anything? Sadly, this time she's right...

Not saying a word, for fear of attracting further notice to the goblin in the cell, Felrin wraps the veil around the tools and the drug packet and carefully places the whole thing in his shirt front. He then slips his feet back into the ankle-shackles and reaches up to the manacles above. As he reaches, he transforms back into his normal, ugly self, his arms lengthening as he lifts them up, his head returning to a more human-like shape. He sets his hands into the manacles and arranges them carefully so they still appear to be restraining him.

Mechanics:

Take 10 on Bluff for a 16. If it's possible to Take 20 before guards come, he'll do so.


Male Ogre

Grumblejack hears the words that are coming from the other cell, how them lil 'uns know my name, Grumblejack not tell em. They speak of red hair but I see no red hair. Speak of revenge against the other lil 'uns. Maybe Grumblejack not eat them maybe only eat other lil 'uns. Grumblejack hungry Grumblejack watches what is going on intently but does not respond and is silent.


The guard in the cellblock doorway says in a harsh tone, "Settle down in there or I'll have to come and give you a reason to keep quiet." he continues to squint and try to peer into the darkness for any signs of unrest.


map | M Tiefling Inquisitor (Heretic) 7 | HP 66/66 | AC 21 | T 14 | FF 18 | CMD 25 | Fort +9 | Ref +6 | Will +11 | Init +8 | Perc +17

Point of clarification:
If it requires another Disable Device action to have the second manacle unlocked, Felrin will do that before slipping them back on.


Female Human Wizard 4 (portrait) HP 28/28 | AC 12 [T 12 FF 10] | CMB 1 | CMD 13 | F +4 R +3 W +4 | Init +2 | Percep +0 | Active Conditions: None

Hecate affects a quiet compliance for the guard, trying to sound as young and innocent as possible: "S - sorry, sir; it's just so dark in here and I wanted to know I'm not alone... I was just talking to my companions. I didn't mean to disturb you. You understand, don't you?"

Mechanics:

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28. WOOT!!!!


Felrin re-shackles himself into the unlocked manacles and transforms back into himself. A few minutes later two guards make their way into the cellblock, one is carrying a few unlit torches and one lit one and the other has his club drawn, they first exchange the almost spent torches by the cellblock door. Replacing each and stuffing out the old. They then move to the torches on the far east wall and do the same. You notice that there is a guard standing in the cellblock door watching the other two with a signal whistle in his mouth.

The duo are having a conversation with each other about having just come on shift at 4:00pm when the new prisoners arrived and not getting off until midnight. It seems that one of them is new to this assignment at Brandescar. The lead guard is explaining the process of replacing the torches each hour and walking the cellblock. He also explains that one guard should always be watching from the guardroom with signal whistle ready because the criminals that come through here are the worst of the worst.

They also discuss the ogre prisoner and you can overhear them speaking of his arrest."He calls himself Grumblejack and he is one of the very few ogres still alive on the Isle of Talingarde and was haunting the local moor making a living as a highwayman when he was caught, dragged here and branded." the lead guard explains. "Two guards died getting him into this cell. He is now being kept here as a trophy by the local constabulary who are waiting for a suitable occasion to publicly execute him." he continues.

"And until then we are his babysitters." the new guard chimes in.

Once all the torches are replaced the duo begin to walk the remaining cellblock looking into each empty cell before getting to the groups cell. When they arrive at the occupied cell they both inquisitively look into the cell for anything that may be out of order.

Felrin you need to make either a slight of hand check or a bluff check (your choice) to not be noticed as not having secured manacles at this time.

OOC:

I won't update the map unless I need to for some reason.

Picture of the veil.

Map of current location.

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Current Location: Branderscar Prison: Cellblock, Date: Oathday, Erastus 24th,(Summer) 4714 Time: 5:00 pm (Day:Zero)


map | M Tiefling Inquisitor (Heretic) 7 | HP 66/66 | AC 21 | T 14 | FF 18 | CMD 25 | Fort +9 | Ref +6 | Will +11 | Init +8 | Perc +17

Felrin intones a brief, quiet prayer to his master, then twists the chains around his wrists to disguise the fact that he is no longer manacled.

Mechanics:

Cast guidance , then attempt to re-shackle.

Bluff, guidance: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 = 21

Would have cast guidance before guards came, to improve chances. If you don't think that's reasonable, drop the +1.


Female Human Wizard 4 (portrait) HP 28/28 | AC 12 [T 12 FF 10] | CMB 1 | CMD 13 | F +4 R +3 W +4 | Init +2 | Percep +0 | Active Conditions: None

OOC:
An updated map might be necessary: the extent of the available light from the torches will dictate how far - and what - they can see, unless they have darkvision/low light vision...

Also, does this mean my Natural 20 on the Diplomacy roll is wasted? :(

Shadow Lodge

Female Vampire(neophyte) Oracle(Heavens mystery)/7 - [HP 91/91); AC28,T17,FF22; F+9,R+10,W+8; Per+15; Init +11]

When the guards look in the cell, Tkaara begins to once more cough, partially because she is ill, and partially to keep the guards from looking toward Felrin.

Mechanics:

Bluff(aid another): 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 9 - 2 = 11 <-- should sickened really be a -2, since I am pretending to be sick? Lol.
--> at least I made the DC10 aid another


Felrin cast his cantrip as the guards are lighting torches and readies for their approach. The guards look over the cell, the lead guard begins to study Felrin closely as if becoming suspicious of something and then as Tkaara begins coughing the lead guard turns to the new one and notes "That prisoner came in showing signs of a sickly condition, she's destined for the mines if she lives long enough." satisfied that all is well they continue moving toward the ogre's cell.

As they look into the Ogre's cell, it appears to be hanging in it's shackles asleep. However the guards notice that the Ogre is actually standing under his own power and only pretending to be asleep.

Speaking to the new guard the lead guard says "He does this sometimes in an attempt to not be drugged or beaten further." they then turn to leave as if buying the ogres bluff. "As long as he is quiet just let him be."

As they are satisfied with their inspection of the cellblock the guards return to the guardroom and all is dark once again.

At the moment no guards are looking into the cellblock.

The guards had a torch with them so illumination was not a problem for them.

Mechanics:

Guards Sense Motive Check versus DC 25 Bluff Felrin's roll +2 from Tkarra and +2 from Hecate's Diplomacy.
Guard 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Guard 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Ogre's bluff versus guards sense motive.
Grumblejack's Bluff: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (5) + 0 = 5
Guard1 Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Guard2 Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Picture of the veil.

Map of current location.


Outsider(Devil, Evil, Native, Lawful) Sorcerer (Wishcrafter) 7
Stats:
HP 47/47:| AC: 16; T: 14; FF: 14; CMD: 15 | Fort: +5; Ref: +5; Will: +5 |Init: +13
Skill, Spells and Abilities:
Emissary 1/1 | Cantrips: At will | Level 1 7/8 | Level 2 8/8 | Level 3 6/6 | Perc: +2;Diplomacy+20;Bluff+19;Intimidate+11

Etna visibly relaxes as everything goes smoothly. "Good job" she whispers to the others, smiling faintly.
I knew I was right. If we keep going like this, escape is at hand!

"Do we proceed as we said before, waiting for tomorrow night to strike? Given that time, Felrin could use all of his abilities, that proved quite useful as we've seen, and Hecate could memorize the guards schedules. Why, we even know what time it is now! Those two guards over there said that they came on shift at 4.00 pm, when we arrived, and not much time has elapsed since then." Etna says as quietly as possible, a glint of anticipation in her eyes.

Shadow Lodge

Female Vampire(neophyte) Oracle(Heavens mystery)/7 - [HP 91/91); AC28,T17,FF22; F+9,R+10,W+8; Per+15; Init +11]

When the guards have finished, Tkaara looks to the others:
Next change is at midnight. We wait until two hours later so all are tired.

With that she returns to her ragged breathing.


map | M Tiefling Inquisitor (Heretic) 7 | HP 66/66 | AC 21 | T 14 | FF 18 | CMD 25 | Fort +9 | Ref +6 | Will +11 | Init +8 | Perc +17

Felrin holds his breath as the guard begins to study his manacles, then lets it out in a quiet sigh of relief as the man's attention shifts to Tkaara's coughing.

"Nicely done, Tkaara," whispers Felrin, something like excitement in his voice, "it looked like he noticed something amiss, and you distracted him from it, whether you meant to or not."

As Etna quietly voices her thoughts and questions, Felrin is torn between his usual habit of cautious patience and a powerful thirst to be free. In the end, this thirst wins out. "I agree, Tkaara. We should move soon. Those few moments out of the these manacles made me long to be rid of them for good, and waiting longer seems risky. And if the ogre is not drugged, he'll be of much more use in aiding our escape, even just as a distraction."

He pauses a moment in thought, then continues quietly, "So I think I can get us all out of our manacles, and I may be able to get the cell open, but that could take some time and I could be noticed. What's our plan? Distract the guards? Tkaara could take sick all of a sudden, and if one of them comes in we attack. Some other approach? The veil can arm at least two of us with daggers, it seems, though I won't need one."

OOC:
Nice move on the bluff aid, Tkaara! That was close.


Outsider(Devil, Evil, Native, Lawful) Sorcerer (Wishcrafter) 7
Stats:
HP 47/47:| AC: 16; T: 14; FF: 14; CMD: 15 | Fort: +5; Ref: +5; Will: +5 |Init: +13
Skill, Spells and Abilities:
Emissary 1/1 | Cantrips: At will | Level 1 7/8 | Level 2 8/8 | Level 3 6/6 | Perc: +2;Diplomacy+20;Bluff+19;Intimidate+11

Etna sighs "Very well, if you are so eager to escape...". She then stays silent for a moment, trying to remember what the guards have said. ""Those grunts over there said that the shift won't come until midnight. Plus, they change the torches here once every hour: I'd say we wait until 2 pm, 2 hours after the shift, and set the plan in motion. Now we just have to think what plan...I thought to attack while they were changing the torches, but there's always someone ready with that whistle when they do that..."
She glances around her cellmates, stopping her gaze on Hecate "Say, if you had some components, would you have some spells prepared to incapacitate a guard or two without noise? Maybe there was something like that on the veil, Felrin? I don't need spell components, but even if we had a diversion, I don't think I know something useful for taking them out-".
Etna suddenly stops, an idea slowly dawning on her "Hey, would the guards rush into the cell if they heard some of us scream bloody murder, and then, when they arrive in front of the cell, see Tkaara half-dead in the shackles?" Etna grins widely ""Or at least someone that looked like her..."

OOC:
Silent Image has a concentration duration, right? And I don't need free hands to concentrate, yes? And am I wrong, or is that a blind spot in the cell, where a barrister could hide when a guard rushes in to check if the not-so-real copy of her is actually dying or not? *Evil Laugh*


Male Beast-Cursed Half-Elf Beastmorph Vivisectionist 6, Master Chymist 1 AC 20, tch 12, ff 19; CMB +11; CMD 23; hp 66/66; Fort +10, Ref +8, Will +6 (+8 vs. Enchantment, +10 vs. charms/compulsions); Init +5; Perception +11 (+13 at night), Sense Motive +10, Stealth +11 (+13 at night)

Regardless of how we lure them in, I guarantee one of them will hang back, ready to sound the alarm if something goes amiss. They may be slack-jawed idiots, but they know the basics of their profession. Unless someone could somehow hide outside of the cell in order to ambush that one and prevent his whistle, or even just shouts, from occurring, we will only succeed in alerting the prison. Our best chance may be to quietly escape the cell and attack en masse, incapacitating the guards before they are able to make noise. Either way, it will be extremely risky."

Shadow Lodge

Female Vampire(neophyte) Oracle(Heavens mystery)/7 - [HP 91/91); AC28,T17,FF22; F+9,R+10,W+8; Per+15; Init +11]

Through her gasping breath, Tkaara listens to the others.
My . . . my sickness will be gone with medicine. We . . . we wait 'til early morning. Night watch is tired. Wait until 2 or 3 hours after midnight switch.

Release Gumblejack manacles. But leave him in unlocked cell. Have him make noise. Guards come in. If Etna has magic, we hide behind guards. Jump whistle guard. By this point her breathing is very labored and she is growing hoarse. When we attack, Grumblejack charges out unlocked door.

After a pause to regain some smidgen of energy.
This splits them, and leaves whistle guard alone.

Exhausted, Tkaara slumps down in her chains, body dangling as her wrists are kept fastened by the manacles above her head.


Male Half-Elf Vigilante (Avenger) 1; AC 16, touch 14, flat-footed 12, CMD 18; HP 6/10; Fort +2, Ref +6, Will +3; Initiative +6; Perception +5 (darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision), Sense Motive +6

"I agree with our good doctor here," Erevan chimes in. "The one with the whistle will probably not be coming to investigate along with his fellows, at least not too close, and as soon as he catches wind of our plan and either notices the other guards taking too long to return or hears the sounds of struggle, he will be blowing that little instrument of his for all that he is worth." He then quickly adds, "No pun intended, I assure you." He shakes his head. "And hardened and dangerous criminals that we are, a dozen or two of the guards should be enough to stop any further parts of our escape plan."

"No," he concludes, "our best bet is to catch them by surprise, all of them, and quickly and efficiently deal with them."


Female Human Wizard 4 (portrait) HP 28/28 | AC 12 [T 12 FF 10] | CMB 1 | CMD 13 | F +4 R +3 W +4 | Init +2 | Percep +0 | Active Conditions: None
Etna Agnes wrote:


She glances around her cellmates, stopping her gaze on Hecate "Say, if you had some components, would you have some spells prepared to incapacitate a guard or two without noise? Maybe there was something like that on the veil, Felrin? I don't need spell components, but even if we had a diversion, I don't think I know something useful for taking them out-".

Hecate looks downcast. "Um, nothing that I'd bet my life on... I might be able to send a couple of them to sleep, but there's a chance they could resist. Student-level magic isn't that powerful, I'm afraid."

She listens to the discussion about how to proceed, and sides with Ottakar and Erevan. "All things considered, I think we're much better advised not alerting the guards, deliberately or otherwise. I suggest that we wait until just after they've changed the torches, so some time after the hour - say quarter past. Then Felrin gets us out of here and we surprise the guards in their room."

She hesitates. "I also suggest that we do the first part without the ogre: we need to rely on stealth and speed rather than brute force. Assuming that we take them without raising the alarm, we can then come back for him."

Shadow Lodge

Female Vampire(neophyte) Oracle(Heavens mystery)/7 - [HP 91/91); AC28,T17,FF22; F+9,R+10,W+8; Per+15; Init +11]

Tkaara looks to the others, concerned about the direct tactic, but knowing that arguing with this group of Forsaken is unlikely to be successful, especially with several on board with this idea.

I am actually quite strong, as long as I do not get hit first. However, I can easily have a coughing fit to cover any noise or movement that you all make getting out of the cell. This might be a better use for me to start.


Female Human Wizard 4 (portrait) HP 28/28 | AC 12 [T 12 FF 10] | CMB 1 | CMD 13 | F +4 R +3 W +4 | Init +2 | Percep +0 | Active Conditions: None

Hecate shrugs, making the chain clink slightly. "Why not try it beforehand and see? They change the torches in an hour: once they have gone back to the guardroom, stage a coughing fit. If they come and investigate, we will know not to try it when we're breaking out. If you want to be really sure, try it several times; we're not breaking out for hours."

The young woman looks slightly impishly at Tkaara: she remembers the barrister's earlier negativity and waspish remarks. "I take it you will be wanting to come with us?" She grins in the dark. The prospect of escape has lifted her spirits.


Outsider(Devil, Evil, Native, Lawful) Sorcerer (Wishcrafter) 7
Stats:
HP 47/47:| AC: 16; T: 14; FF: 14; CMD: 15 | Fort: +5; Ref: +5; Will: +5 |Init: +13
Skill, Spells and Abilities:
Emissary 1/1 | Cantrips: At will | Level 1 7/8 | Level 2 8/8 | Level 3 6/6 | Perc: +2;Diplomacy+20;Bluff+19;Intimidate+11

Etna listens to the others, and then nods at their observation "If youare confident that you can take the guards all at once, we'll do as you've said.".


6:00pm check
Event Two: No Cell Can Hold Me!

Felrin cast his cantrip as the guards are lighting torches and readies for their approach. The guards look over the cell, the lead guard begins to study Felrin closely as if becoming suspicious once again of something and then as Tkaara begins coughing the lead guard turns to the new one and notes "Hold the torch high, I need to go in there and check the prisoners shackles to make sure they are secure." He readies his club in hand. The newer guard holding the torch in one hand and his club in the other as well. The lead guard calls out to the guard by the cellblock door with the signal horn. "Be ready with that horn, I need to go in the cell and check the prisoners shackles." With that he takes the set of keys off his belt and turns the lock on the cell door.

OOC:

Map has been updated. Be careful with your actions guys and gals. Good Luck.
As it sits right now all of you and the veil and tools are in a low light area to the guards. This is why their normal sense motive of +5 was reduced to only +2.
So they are not real sure what is wrong as of yet, but if the guard with the torch comes in the cell they will have full light and their sense motive will go back up, they will also have a chance to spot the tools and veil, albeit a very small chance.

Mechanics:

6:00pm check
Guards Sense Motive Check versus Felrin's with guidance used.
Felrin Bluff: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 = 16
Tkaara's Bluff Aid If Needed: 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 9 - 2 = 17
Guard 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Guard 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Picture of the veil.

Map of current location.

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Current Location: Branderscar Prison: Cellblock, Date: Oathday, Erastus 24th,(Summer) 4714 Time: 6:00 pm (Day:Zero)

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