"Who are you... not human, certainly. How would you know a way out? It seems they keep you shuttered away quite well." She says this all without looking over to the other cell, still looking at the veil in front of her. Soren hands the dagger off to Shalewigg without a word, having noticed her eyeing it. She looks to the rest of the group, drumming her fingers on the table. "That is a question, isn't it? We may be able to forge ourselves a path out through blood, but we may also get cut down. Alternatively, we may be able to attempt some level of subterfuge. Depending on what we find in this plethora of surprises..."
Soren looks again to the veil, and decides to peel the bag from its place on the veil, along with the second dagger. "I believe the woman mentioned clothes, of some sort. I do not know if they would have included armor, but it will allow us to remove these prisoner's rags." She takes the bag as she moves over to the other cell, peering inwards. "And you... another wildcard. You look... an ogre. A Talirean ogre. Come, speak with me. What do you know?" She swings the keys around between her fingers slowly, clearly in front of his gaze. "If you can be trusted, and prove valuable, we will speak of releasing you from your cage."
Grumblejack replies, his voice rumbling from his chest like thunder, "I know that guardsh are just beyond that door. I know that they will blow a horn if you shtep through those doorsh. I know that without me, you'll be caught again and chained, thish time not to eshcape again. Help me, help you".
The existence of Ogres is by law illegal. They are simply not allowed to dwell within the Kingdom. If he is here, he is likely from the Savage North.
Besides the conversation between Soren and Grumblejack you hear nothing else. Getting a chance to take in your surroundings you see that this level contains five separate prisons. currently you are the only prisoners here.
The sixth room which is blocked off from the rest of the area by cement contains a heavy duty gate and is where the Ogre is currently being held.
There is a single door to the south but no windows. It is likely on the other side of this door that, if the Ogre is correct, a second set of guards is on duty.
The walls must be thick as your initial combat with the stubborn guard was not exactly a silent affair.
Damien shrugs, "Perhaps Ogre but perhaps not. How many men man this prison? If we defeat the first wave, who is to say the rest will not overwhelm us? We may be better off attempting to escape by guile than by brawn".
The long ride in the back of the armored wagon has been most unpleasant. Shackled in a hunched over position, wrists at your ankles and ankles to the floor has long ago wrenched your backs from agony into numbness.
Every so often a shriek can he heard from somewhere nearby, the guards who sit in the wagon with crossbows trained on you appear nervous with every screech.
"That damnable beast should have simply been put down! I do not see why it should have come here with us!" states one of the guards.
"Soon enough we shall have transported this scum to the Prison and back well away from this place. Then it will be the Wardens problem". The other guards replies.
The wagon reaches cobblestones and begins to shake even worse than it did on the dirt road.
From the front of the wagon you hear a voice, "Begin to prepare the prisoners for transport".
The guards release your manacles from the floor and you are all able to sit up for the first time in a long time.
"OPEN THE GATES" the voice from the front of the wagon shouts.
You hear the sound of the portcullis being raised.
As the wagon begins moving again, sacks are laced over each of your heads.
One of the guards states, "By all means resist, it will be easier to gut you like the pigs you are here and now instead of trudging into this depressing place".
The doors to the wagon open, even through the sacks you can see the shining light of the day but little else.
As you step down from the wagon, you hear the shrieking even louder now.
A distinctive voice can be heard above the alarmed cries of the guards obviously dismayed by whatever beast is making the sounds, "Worry not, the beast is shackled and will be of no harm to anyone".
Each of you feels a hand pushing you forward.
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Vaundour Gathlain, Gentleman Extraordinaire, gazed through the roughly-woven fabric of the sack placed over his head. His voice is calm and smooth as he speaks to the guards around him. "Come now, gentlemen, there's no reason for this kind of attitude, is there? I mean, none of us particularly want to be here, least of all a noble son like I, so let's try to keep things civilized. By the way, what is that damnable racket?"
Nathaniel is balled up like a traumatized child, holding his head and gritting his teeth. No! Why did I have to ruin it, why?! It was going so well, but that shock...I just blacked out. I must have done something awful, they won't even treat me like a person anymore. With another grit he shakes his head, holding it tighter. Should have stayed at that kitchen job, should have stayed in the woods, should have just ended it all...
Nathanial cries out at the voice, clawing at his temples when he realizes the others reacted to the statement. Doctor Sulta? He stands up, alive for the first time the whole trip. "Doctor! Doctor please, I didn't meant to do it! It was the voices, the damnable voices! Please, I had them under control for so long...you know I can keep them under control..." He sinks back to his knees, knowing it's futile. He allows himself to be blinded and shoved along, but his sobs subside quickly. Sssoon. You shall be the ones who are gutted. Entrails ripped out and eaten as you lay dying. Soon. Nathanial goes silent, but underneath the bag he has a bloodthirsty grin on.
Sinking into his seat with a sack over his head, Pyotr attempts to ignore the seething pain in his back as he hears the portcullis opening. The dwarf seethes quietly, not interested in conversation with his captors.
A gruff voice responds to Vaundor's question, "That racket is a dragon. You keep taking and I might feed you to it to shut it up!"
While the response was short, you notice that the guard stops manhandling you and allows you to walk on your own using his hand to merely guide you.
The pretty ravenhaired girl takes the dagger offered by Soren, cutting two holes in her prison garb to serve as a makeshift sheath.
"There are guards to swarm the three of us, yes. But there are more prisoners than guards. The more we set free, the fewer guards there are for us."
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"Very good, man. We'll make a gentleman out of you yet, don't you worry about a thing," Vaundour exclaimed, moving his head around as though taking in the various sights. "I say, this is a rather dreary place. Have you ever thought about redecorating? Maybe add in a few drapes, make a couple more windows? Why, I dare say this place could make the cover of Prisons Quarterly for best in show!"
"Why keep one of your kind locked away? It doesn't make sense... Talingarde has not shown mercy to ogres in the past. What reason would they have for keeping you squirreled away here in Branderscar?" Soren looks to the others, curious for their take on the situation. The key ring spins idly on one finger, weighing their options.
"If he is correct, he would be an excellent ally to assist in our escape. We know nothing of the guards who man this place... any information he might possess in valuable, if it can be trusted."
The rumble of a set of wagons brings your attention to the window. Shuffling along in your manacles you head over to see what new arrivals have been brought in.
Stepping out of the first prison transport are three males. Two appear as tall as humans, hard to tell with their heads covered, while the third is clearly a dwarf.
Still the sound that caught your attention was not these doomed fools but a shrieking the likes of which you have never heard before. Looking to the second transport you see it - a red dragon!
Warden Richter snaps you back to attention with a shout, "Prisoner Harad! If you wish to obtain the lighter sentence we spoke of, you will attend to your duties and be quick about it!" Months have gone by with the Warden keeping the promise of potential freedom dangling before you like a carrot before a horse. You are starting to think that you will never leave here and have become the Warden's personal slave...
Nathaniel, you feel a sharp kick to the ribs from one of the guards, "Get up you sobbing fool!"
The sound of shifting gravel nears your position Nathaniel and the voice of Dr. Sulta is very close, "NO! Do not kick him. He is a special case and not to be harmed".
The guard retorts, "Well you better fix him up quick. Crazy talk like that Blackerly is going to be none too happy with".
The Dr. shoots back, "Blackerly does not run this Prison, Richter does!"
Pyotr you are dragged out of teh back of the transport and shoved forward as all the scuffling around you takes place.
Vaundor the guard with a hand on you chuckles, "You sound like my wife. Don't worry, you won't be here long enough to get upset by the appearance of this place with where you are going next". He has stopped guiding you forward as the altercation between the guard and the Dr. takes place.
Grumblejack chuckles, "I'll not take the sshide of the guardshhh. How can I trusssht you?
Perhapsssh after you free me, you can take care of my woundsssh else i will be lessshh valuable to you...
Damien scowls, "Now you want us to free you and heal you?"
Xoruk stares at the Ogre hard, "You'll do what we say creature. Betray us and I will being my infernal masters upon your head".
Intimidate
Nathanial grunts and doubles over at the kick, grabbing his ribs. Not now, not now, not now not now... With a grit of his teeth he stands and staggers forward. The dragon is not so easily cowed.
The cage shakes as the dragon slams up against it, roaring out spittle in a deafening roar a the metal screams in protest. I will bathe in your blood for daring to cage me, meatbags.
Ahh, Warden Richter, aren't you a charmer. Lothyrin smiles as he glances back at the warden, I have been preforming these tasks for you for quite a while, with freedom being the promised reward. This payment has been withheld from me, and until I receive what I am due, I will not lift a finger, Flyn spat at the Warden. A dragon at Branderscar, what is going on. Maybe this is my chance to finally escape this hell hole, and extract my revenge on that pompous so called "Witch Hunter"
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Vaundour just chuckles and he makes his way forward on his own. "Don't worry, I'm too pretty to die, my friend," Vaundour says, walking carefully to keep from tripping over any loose stones. "But it seems like that dragon is mighty hungry. Maybe you should go give it a steak or something?" Vaundour laughs at his little joke, trying to figure out how he was going to get out of this fine mess, Ollie.
Ahh, Warden Richter, aren't you a charmer. Lothyrin smiles as he glances back at the warden, I have been preforming these tasks for you for quite a while, with freedom being the promised reward. This payment has been withheld from me, and until I receive what I am due, I will not lift a finger, Flyn spat at the Warden. A dragon at Branderscar, what is going on. Maybe this is my chance to finally escape this hell hole, and extract my revenge on that pompous so called "Witch Hunter"
"Perhaps a stay in the cells will activate those fingers? Is that what you feel you need a reminder of what doom feels like breathing down your neck?"
Pyotr grumbles under his breath, wordlessly obeying his captors. Underneath his hood, his eyes glow with barely restrained rage, and the dwarf wishes for nothing more than to crush the minds of those who dare restrain him. Bound as he is, however, his fury is aimless and impotent.
Shalewigg cocks her head sideways and looks at the ogre.
"I can bind wounds or fashion a poultice if any of your wounds are fresh. But if your goal is not to leave with each of us in one piece, then you can stay. Are we agreed?"
The Ogre rumbles, "Agreed".
Damien heads to the wall and grabs what looks to be a single key ring with the key to the lock and manacles for the Ogres cell.
He heads to the door and opens it he then steps in and frees the Ogre.
The Ogre comes out rubbing his wrists. In the torchlight of the room you get a better view of him. He is indeed injured from prior wounds which have yet to fully heal. You also realize that despite his great height he is no full Ogre but a half-breed!
He sits on the table to allow Shalewigg to tend to his wounds.
Xoruk turns to Soren, "Now that's out of the way, what else is on that veil you received from our mystery benefactor? Something else useful that may assist us here?"
Damien begins removing his prison rags and placing the uniform of one of the dead prisoners on his person. "You think if I shave and chop off my hair I can pass for one of em?"
The guard shoots back, "Fine Dr. you lead thus lot to their cells then. Can we execute this Dragon now? It is far too dangerous to keep here even with the manacles and the steel muzzle".
Dr. Sulta replies, "Keep the Dragon, Aurex by name it is not a mere beast, here in the transport. Once the prisoners are settled in, I will speak to the Warden about executing the Ogre still held. His death was supposed to be scheduled for later this season but we need that cage for Aurex".
Nathaniel you feel Dr. Sulta's hand on your back, "Come now. I shall get you to your cell. I have arranged for a separate one for you. I know we can help you, this place is less.. pleasant than the asylum but more capable in dealing with your other... selves".
The guard with a hand on you Vaundor lets go for a moment.
Pyotr you feel a guard grab at your manacles, more gently then you would have suspected. "Come along, time to visit your new home, for the time being anyway".
You group, still with heads covered, is led through a doorway and to a set of stairs heading up. Based on the feel of the sun on your bodies before heading in, you would say the time is just about sun down.
The Warden shakes his head, "The get out", he casts a spell on you and points to the window that faces the Courtyard.
"If you are not out that window when I am done counting to three, you will no longer have to worry about feeling anything.
One...
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Vaundour plodded along quietly, keep all thoughts to himself...
In some alternate universe perhaps! Vaundour practically strutted down the hallway, though forcing himself to keep pace with the rest of his new roommates. "Does anybody else feel a draft? You should really get that checked out," he exclaimed to the guards following them. "Also, when are meals served? I expect my food at 9, 1, and 5 respectfully, and I hope that your kitchen is stocked with food befitting someone of my station."
Beneath his hood, Pyotr rolls his eyes. The dwarf finally opens his mouth to say in a gruffly accented voice, "Hope you are of liking old bread and water."
The guard with his hands on both the shoulders of the dwarf and the half-breed chuckles, "Yer a funny no doubt. You will need that humor where you are headed, trust me.
Dwarf is right, bread and water is the best you'll get here".
As your group reaches a set of stairs and begins to head up, a set of footsteps comes rushing towards your group quickly, "STOP! Warden says he has one more to head up with this lot. Best you all bring em up together, I have a game... er some duties to attend to else I'd help".
The murderous farm girl turns, with a serious expression. "We'll see if a disguise gets us closer before any alarms. If not, I'll spell the guard on the left and our new friend here can handle the guard on the right."
She ties a bit of torn cloth over a clot of dirt and blood from the felled soldier. Looking up at the ogre, she affirms her plan.
"Can't you, big fella?"
Grumblejack looks down at you Shalewigg, "Little'un, I'd crush 'em both if I had to. Can I get one of those boarstickers dey call swords?" he is pointing at one of the longswords that the Guard had.
Xoruk hovers over one of the dead guards, "Ready when you all are". It seems he will have a use for at least one of them.
Damien shrugs at Grumblejack's question, "I want one, you can have the other. Anyone else object?"
** spoiler omitted **
The hostile guards and constant threats are becoming too much for Nathanial. The voice of Aurex fades as the dragon lapses into silence, only to be replaced by Hadzi. He falls to his knees in front of the doctor. "No...I don't want to cause any trouble! The ogre will be mad if he's killed because of me, I don't want him mad! Please, Aurex can stay with me. He'll be good, I swear!" Rubani is starting to whisper, but he's being overpowered by the paranoia.
The Warden cast feather fall on you.
As you slowly drift towards the southern end of the courtyard, the newly arrived transports drift out of sight.
Two guards on the walls walk into your view and point their crossbows at you. "Head to the front of the building Prisoner!" It seems the Warden has used magic to alert the guards of your current predicament. As he has not had you lain outright, it seems the Warden is not quite doen with you.
Fly said with a bow,As you wish my fine gentleman, however I must say that your aggression is not appreciated. I will do as told, please lead the way.
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"Oh, goody, more new friends!" Vaundour said excitedly. "I swear, you meet the most interesting people when you step out your front door. Why, just the other day, I met a woman, married to a prison guard, you know, and she had the loveliest mane of blond hair I've ever seen. Both above and below, if you catch my drift." Though it was unnoticed with the bag covering his head, he gave a salacious wink to the guards nearby. "I do believe she said her husband worked here, if I recall correctly. Would any of you chaps happen to know of her? I promised to give her a call, and a gentleman never goes back on his word to a lady. Though she was hardly a lady in the bedroom!" With that, Vaundour started laughing deeply.
Soren looks to the ogre, then tosses him a sword as she picks up one of the two longbows. "Seems these will have to do... very well." With that, she strips down one of the two guards, making sure the two are dead before she turns away. With utter nonchalance, she slices a hole into the back of the man's trousers, then strips her own prison rags and dons his uniform, along with the chain shirt. Once she is again dressed, she looks at the clothes with some level of disgust.
"Shall we? I believe it is time that we make our grand escape."
As you respond to the guards you see yet another guard come around the building, longsword in hand. These are some of the best looks you have had of the grounds so far.
Your time as the Wardens "helper" allowed you to see that the prison is an island with only a lone bridge back to the mainland. The areas around the prison appear to be all crags, no beach here.
Looking up, the walls are an imposing 40' high and well made stone. The five battlements placed around the walls do not all appear to be manned though the two crossbowmen on these walls are enough to shoot down numerous prisoners before they could ever scale those walls.
Eecape seems impossible as the guard approaches you at swordpoint and walks you back around the Keep to the front entrance where the three prisoners you saw earlier await hooded.
Dr. Sulta speaks to Nathaniel, "You see, this man is in good spirits despite the fact that he may son be dead! Keep a positive outlook Nathaniel, I can and will help you!"
The other two guards do not take Vaundour's bait as the third guard who made the announcement walks off, his footsteps receding into the distance somewhere in the building.
Two more sets of footsteps join you soon thereafter.
One of the guards remarks, "That prisoner should have a hood over his head!"
"Yeah well he doesn't. The faster we get him and the rest of this scum locked up the better".
Dr. Sulta responds, "Please do not speak of Nathaniel that way, his self image is already damaged..."
The newly arrived guard sighs, "Dr. once we lock him up, I will take you the the Warden to discuss your craziness with him but for now, shut up!"
The four of you, together now though only one of you can see, are walked up a set of stairs with a door closed at the top...
Damien grabs the other longbow, "Let's", he responds to Soren emphatically.
Damien opens the door and steps out, the stale odor of prison is replaced by the smell of salt water and a slight whiff of booze.
From the vantage point of the open door, you can all see a very large fireplace to the immediate south. Next to it is a table where two guards sit with a bottle and a few glasses. On the table between them is a horn, instinctively you all know that if that horn sounds you are all in big trouble.
One of the guards looks at Damien, "It's not time for your shift to be over yet!" he snaps.
His eyes go wide, "It's one of the prisoners..."
Shalewigg
Soren
Xoruk
Damien
Grumblejack
Initiative Order Surprise Round
Damien
Soren
Shalewigg
Xoruk
Grumblejack
He charges with his longsword before him, hacking the horn in twain, "None of that now!" It has been rendered useless!
Nathanial looks taken aback at the declaration of his death. But doctor, I thought I was doing better...I thought we could fix me..."
Dr. Sulta responds, "Pay him no mind Nathaniel, the Warden is a close friend of mine he and I have reached an understanding in your case..."
"A close friend of yours? He must be a nice man, I look forward to meeting him." He says with a grim smile. Aurex looks noticeably resigned.
Dr. Sulta replies, "Indeed he is Nathaiel, indeed he is".
Soren pulls back the bowstring with rough, but practiced movements. Nocking an arrow on the string, she takes aim at the man closest to Damien and fires, frowning at her own improper form. "If only I could find a rifle in this gods forsaken prison..."