Raising one brow with a slight grin, Damién observes the Ogre passively. Impressive command of the language for one of his race; must have a good head on his shoulders.
Passing by the remains of the guards, Damién shrugs and muses "I have a feeling we're going to be leaving a lot of widows in our wake this evening."
"You assume these guards able to attract a partner in the first place," Johann says. "Ah, but that was mean. Perhaps any spouses they might have had would be better off without them? I joke, of course, as I'm sure their widows will be devastated and become unable to support their ailing children unless they turn to less virtuous means. Can someone check their bodies for keys, please?"
Angelica stands back and smiles satisfactory "There we go, two more equipment sets for us."
She moves over to the half-ogre, interested.
"What's your name big boy? The bigger the party more the fun."
She looks around for the keys "Perhaps the masterwork thief tools can be of assistance?"
After the scuffle Angelica helps disguise two new "guards".
"Grumblejack." The Ogre identifies himself.
You find the keys on the guards.
"Set me free, slim?" He asks Angelica.
"Sure thing, bulky." Angelica says with a wink.
She approaches the jail and opens the door and manacles on Grumblejack.
"Let's see if we can keep some manacles on, but unlocked. Most of us are disguised for the element of surprise. It would be best if you tried to act as if you were being brought along with us like the others."
"Will do." Grumblejack says, stretching and rolling his arms to restore feeling to them. He then starts pretending he is shackled.
"Let's get out of here." He urges.
"The armory first then we'll see to disabling the guards and their defenses as well as preventing them from calling for help or coming after us. It would be disappointing to escape only to be put back in again."
Making your way down many passages toward the barracks and armory you reach the first floor, having almost made it to the main hall you run into Blackerly, the man who tortured you, and a squad of half a dozen guards.
"Mitra damn it." Blackerly is mumbling to himself as he walks. "Lazy ass patrol prolly took a drink and a nap in some corner."
Upon seeing you he looks confused. "Why have you taken them out of their cell?" He asks your disguised members.
The six guards around him look half asleep, bored or drunk maybe.
"We could always try to start a proper fire during our escape. Let's see what we can find in the armory first." Angelica suggests.
She leads the way further down towards the armory.
Annie simply muses over the possible responses, potty break? she mutters to herself with a smile.
all she really wants to do is start a fire, but right now is not the time or place.
"Sir Rothchilds requests sir. I thought you were aware? He showed a writ for a couple of them. They were to be sent to his place for questioning."
"He wants them to leave Branderscar?" Blackerly asks, looking completely confused. "No one leaves! This is the end of the line for criminals! That Mitra damned Special Investigations squad! The think they are above the law!" Blackerly spits in rage, though clearly he is upset with them for more than irregular prisoner transfers. "Fine, take them and leave!"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Johann fakes a cough, bringing his hand to cover his mouth before he gives something away.
You and Blackerly's squad pass each other in the hall and you continue on, coming into the main hall of the keep, a wide area with a high up arched ceiling. To your left is the main gates and the bridge, the exit, to your right is the mess hall(with kitchens behind it) the barracks(with armory behind it) and a stair case to the Warden's Tower, all clearly marked with signs.
In a lowered voice Angelica speaks to the others.
"I think we should hurry it up. It won't be long before they discover the other corpses. We should get out while we can. Besides there are many ways we can get rid of this place once we have some proper equipment and preparations."
Varmint addresses Angelica.
"Don't wanna be here a second longer than I have to, dearie..."
Then turns to the rest of the group.
"You heard her! Let's get on then. Move it."
And he begins leading the un-armored members toward the exit, enthusiastically putting on the role of prison-guard, enjoying what it's like to be on the other side of a leash...
Much to your startlement the guards at the front gate don't even challenge you as you leave, the lazy unprofessional bastards.
You cross a well built stone bridge that keeps you well above the waves that splash at its flanks and exit Branderscar completely, finding yourself on a dirt road leading out into a dreary marsh, where insects buzz and a damp, sour scent emanates.
"That was less exciting than I imagined," Johann says. "Branderscar's standards must have really gone down. Someone please pass me the sack. I'd like to get out of these prisoner rags and into something more travel-appropriate. Angelica, where are we meeting our benefactors exactly? We'll need to move as they'll chase after us soon, if they can even be bothered in the first place."
Johann shakes his head before turning his attention to the ogre still accompanying them. "Grumblejack, will you be parting with us now or would you be interested in continuing on with us?"
"Nowhere to go." Grumblejack comments. "Ogres are rare around these parts, also..." He points at the runic F seared into his forearm. "Not much I can freely do in Talingarde with that, so yeah, I'll come with you."
"There's a manor along the old moor road. Let's hope our mysterious dame spoke truthful. We'll see"
Annie seemed a little disappointed, I was really hoping to burn the place down. she says with a saddened face.
she then percks up when the ogre decides to join them. Yeayyyy, Grumbly is staying, can you carry me so I can keep up with everyone? she asks the ogre looking rather innocent. I promise not to burn you.
"Well, I don't know about you guys but once I get some proper equipment I am coming back here to kill everyone. I deserve revenge for what they did to me, and I don't leave active enemies at my back, I may be an Ogre but I am not that stupid." Grumblejack declares.
"Sure little one." He says to Annabelle's question, picking her up and placing her on his shoulder.
"Should we just follow the road?" He asks the group. "Or go into the swamp to try and lose any who follow us?"
"I's with Grumble."
He declares, punching the Ogre in the shoulder as they walk along.
Those little piggies don't deserve to live. I say we go back. Go back 'n make those piggies squeal..."
He steps beside Grumblejack and surveys the two options.
"Ain't my first time on the run, they'll be after us all right. Take the swamps. And cover our tracks doing it.
Still somewhat clinging to Varmints side, Imogene chimes in " I love the smell of a dank swamp ... "
"I had hoped to avoid the swamp. If we can find the manor we should be safe enough."
.
"While I dislike mucking my new clothes, the swamps are a safer choice. And I doubt our benefactors would appreciate leading the authorities to their manor."
Angelica agrees and follows the half-orc into the swamp.
-Posted with Wayfinder
You enter the swamp and quickly begin to regret it. The slimy water is always at least waist high and covered in algae and rotten growth. The twisted black trees protruding from the water drip foul smelling moisture and clouds of buzzing and biting insects swarm you at all times.
Still, after an hour of wading through muck you hear the sound of hoof beats echoing weirdly through the swamp, it sounds like half the garrison has left the prison in pursuit of you on the road, hmmm maybe the swamp isn't so bad after all.
After a few hours of travel you suddenly notice that the sounds of the swamp have abruptly ceased. The insects no longer buzz and the frogs no longer ribbet. Something has changed.
Johann sees a spot of oddly bubbling muck and is on his guard as a giant toad, covered in poisonous spines, erupts from the mud and moves to attack the group with its lashing tongue.
Johann warns the party, making a sweeping gesture in the direction of the creature. "Toad!"
Johann leans away from the creature, ready to avoid it should it come closer.
All Johann knows about this particular species is that it is some kind of big ass ugly toad.
Angelica moves forward with her shield and sword ready. She takes a stance that as soon as the creature attacks her she will strike back at it.
"Ugly bastard, looks a bit like you Johann..."
Varmint grits hits teeth, clutches his sword, splashes straight through the muck and attacks the toad.
Annie had been trudging through the swamp, a rougher time than the others given her small stature.
she was not paying particular attention (probably still upset over her now gone forever teddy bear).
the toad erupts from the muck Annie lets out an initial shriek and wades back some. she quickly composes herself and glares at the toad and with a growl, her hand ignites in flame and a bolt of fire flies at the toad.
Quickly tracking down the toad that Johann alerted everyone too, Damién scowls and calmly mutters "Well, we were bound to attract some negative attention of a different kind in this miserable place." Pulling his hands from the muck and into the air, Damién starts chanting in the infernal tongue "Baer lacyer nomen kas." Quickly, the dark priests hands begin to glow with dark energy, which seem to suck the life from the vegetation around them, only to refocus on the toad.
Keen to show he is some use even without his concoctions Yanev moves forward brandishing branch, he waits for an opening and lunges swing the branch down on the the creature.
"Your eyes must be mistaken, Varmint," Johann says. "A closer look shows you share more similarities. For example, the shade of your skin. I do not think you are as skilled with your tongue, however."
Seared in flame and bashed and cut open, the toad sinks into the muck, its tongue lolling to one side. Its life ended before it even has a chance to attack.
Reaching for the fell toad, Varmint lifts it by the head and hacks at its neck,. He's got the head in his hands now, dripping with blood and muck. He tosses it at Johann. ,blood and muck splashing him.
"Take a closer look mate, he could be your uncle! "
He chuckles and snorts to himself as he makes a little search of the area.
Glancing over at Johann with a grin and a sympathetic roll of his eyes, Damién sarcastically retorts "Sure Varmint, yeah, I can see the resemblance." Taking a few steps forward, Damién squints as he tries to see better in the darkness of the swamp.
"Anyway, we should probably get moving; who knows what else lurks out here, and this place isn't exactly the nicest place to spend the night... hell, it makes even Brandescar look pretty posh and comfortable."
"We shouldn't tarry too much. It won't be long before they break out the dogs."
Annie simply does her best to clean herself off, only to be splattered by a tossed head.
taking a few more steps away from the spatter zone, she cleans up again...
If I just got the chance to burn that place down... she ponders the possibilities.
finally ready to move on.... She goes to the Ogre, looking up at the hulking warrior, would mind helping? perhaps I could ride on your shoulder? She asks, trying to be friendly.
Johann avoids the tossed head but it still dirties his clothes further when it splashes into the muck.
He does glance at the toad and the surroundings but he's a bit too distracted with the conversation to pay much attention. "I think it's more likely you could have a brother."