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In the kingdom of Talingarde, many crimes are punished harshly by the Barcan regime. For those who commit the crimes of the righteous there is a far worse punishment. A sentence to Branderscar Prison has one meaning for you. Your life as you know it has come to an end. You will face the wrath of Hell in this life and the next. Before you were brought to prison, each of you was met by an Asmodian priest who offered you but one way to escape your fate. Repent your righteous behavior and sign your soul to Asmodeus and you would be given a reprieve from your fate. All of you of course refused such an offer but as you see Branderscar on the horizon you wonder if after enduring torture you might reconsider the offer.
Nonetheless even before getting to Branderscar all of you were subject to a combination of flogging, whipping and public humiliation. Still bearing bruises and cuts from your unkind treatment you are taken by prison wagon under constant guard. When you arrive you are then marched toward a bridge and toward the prison that stands on small island surrounded by rough waters. You pass one iron gate at the bridge and then a solid wood gate once you reach the outer wall of the prison itself.
As you enter the gates of Branderscar, a number of guards watch you snickering with glee at the new meat on their doorstep. Taunts, geers and haughty laughter comes from the watching guards as you are paraded through the prison courtyard for their amusement. Some of you consider lashing out but the chains hold you tight. The number of guards and your current weakened state make you reconsider your actions. Maybe it might be a quick death, a mercy to spare you what is to come. Or maybe they'll just whip the fight out of you and leave you broken in a cell and begging for death.
Before you reach the entrance to the main prison you look up to the highest tower and swear you see someone up there looking down at you from the upper story window. They are too far to see an expression but you can assume that it might be someone of importance to reside up there. Not that you care at this point considering your circumstances.
You are lead through the prison and up some stairs. There you see what looks like a burning forge with crimson fired coals and a cadre of more guards. In front of them stands a plump looking man with jet black hair and dark brown eyes. He seems to have a look of authority to him. He grins widely and says,
"Hey there meat sacks. Welcome to Branderscar you righteous scum."
He snickers and then looks to his men,
"Mark em boys and then chain em in the cells nice and proper. Don't want to have em dying or dead before the head torturer Morden Denholm gets back from the city to do his work. He likes his subjects as hale as possible before breaking them."
The guards salute and say, "Yes Sergeant Blackerly.
With that each of you are grabbed by multiple guards and forced over to the crimson pit of coals where Blackarly himself brands you with the demonic mark on your forearm. Even those who might be resistant to flame are burned by this mark and you get the sense that these coals are not of the normal type but tained with unholy energy of the Hell itself. The mark burns your skin black instead of red with a sight crimson hue and smell of brimstone to it.
All of you are branded, given a through search and then dragged toward the cells of the prison. Each of you are chained to the walls of the cells as well as together. The guards then leave you alone in your cell but stay close by in an adjacent room and the only clear exit out of this stone prison area. Those of you with magic also sense your powers are gimped by the chains making any casting much more difficult.
Escape seems hopeless. All you have on yourself is a set of dirty rags on your body. Everything you could use to help you was removed. In almost real terms you are now in Hell. For what is Hell but a place without hope? And in Branderscar there is no hope, no way to escape and no release except for submission or death. And if you could somehow slip your bonds and fly out of this prison, where would you go? Your identity has been stripped from you. To the entire world you are dead and dammed. None would risk associating with the Marked lest they be condemned themselves to the same fate as yours. And who could blame them for they have their own lives to save do they not? So here you wait with bated breath unsure when your tortures will begin and when they will end.
Mortis will take a swing at Blackerly, the beating is well worth it to atleast see Blackerly with a broken nose
"Filth. Scum. Your day will come, you and all your lackies..." he spits in his face, then takes a swing at him, even beaten with clubs, it felt good. One last act, not great, but it felt good to see the man stagger
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Liber Mortis tries to take a swing at Blackery. While Blackery is caught off guard by his fierce attack the blow is innacurate as the the fist bounces off the chainmail that he was wearing. Liber still is able to spit into his face though.
Blackary looking pissed at Liber Mortis and yells, "Restain that prisoner! Looks like he's askin for a personal beating."
Liber Mortis gets dogpiled by guards who hold him while Blackary punches him in the gut for non-lethal damage. He wipes the spit from his face with a handkerchief from his pocket and bellows, "Lock him up. He'll be the first one on the rack when the Torturer arrives."
Liber Mortis gets dragged off either awake or unconscious depending if he cooperates.
Randu has been relatively silent since they left the public's eye. He had doubts that the light of the Beneficent Sun would be welcome in such dark souls even though those were the ones most in need of it.
But then the beating of Mortis get punched for his rebellion, he addresses the guards, "And so deeper you all sink into hate and cruelty. You are losing something precious with ever dark act you engage in. I pray you, turn away from fear and hate...it's not too late. Mercy can be a greater strength than you know."
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One guard responds to Randu saying, "Mercy ain't something you'll find here Marked. Mercy is for the weak, thus sayest Asmodeus. Now shut it before break your jaw!"
Randu gets the sense the Guards here are a breed of cruelty and indifference. One would have to be rather amoral to work in Branderscar considering the stories you've heard of the place and the suffering the torturers inflict on the prisoners here.
Randu wants to rail against the man, but Mitra knows his soul, and there, if no where else, a man can be free, so he says nothing as directed even as he prays in his heart. Mitra, protect the souls of my fellow prisoners. Send champions of light to these lands, for the people cry out.
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You are now all in a windowless cell block, the room lit by wall scones that burn to illuminate the area as to allow the guards at least reasonable sight of the cell block to do their rounds. A smell of death is in the room as you see lingering bloodstains on the walls and floor as they did not bother to clean up after numerous prisoners have passed through here and bled with open wounds or perhaps died here. The other cells appear empty at the moment. However in a reinforced cell to the west, you look and see some movement and the rattling of chains. Chained up there appears to be a strange creature, a muscular humanoid creature covered in black fur with the head of a dog. All four limbs of his are chained to the floor and his face has a muzzle over his mouth. It gives you a look and you see one of its eyes has been gored out, leaving an empty socket. The creature despite looking like a chained beast still gives you a sad look and has an air of intelligence about him. You also notice the creature is naked and has branded on his chest a 5 pointed star and his body is horribly scarred both with what looks like cut marks and burning wounds, leaving patches of flesh visible beyond his fur. Soon afterward it seems to brood in its cell like a sad basset hound.
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Randu doesn't know what to say at first, but his heart goes out to the poor creature, "Those guards are brutes. I fear for their souls."
As the brand is about to be applied, Sedelion sneers at the Sergeant in defiance.
"These chains are nothing compared to the ones around you, human dog! What does it feel like to know that your base blood isn't worth a quarter of what mine is, loyal to the crown or not?"
Sedelion leans forward.
"If you are going to brand me, cur, at least make it somewhere I can't hide when I am freed of you and your walls. The face, the neck, the back of my head, somewhere visible that I can make it a mockery of you later with."
The mocking smile on the abolitionist elf's face becomes wider as the barbarian tries to take a swing at the man.
Sedelion looks around his new surroundings, paying special attention to the locks and shackles securing him to the wall.
Noticing the man speaking and remembering that he had spoken similarly at the branding, Sedelion decides to be neighborly.
"In my experience, men can be cruel or kind seemingly on a whim. My apologies if my ... racist ... attitude earlier offended you. I was trying to get a rise out of the man, in order to better study my enemy. My name is Sedelion, former abolitionist and member of the Swallowtails. This place will probably be my death, but Lady Dessa will see to my soul's freedom after."
The elf smiles warmly to the man and extends it to the others.
"Give me half a century and I will free the rest of you from the Hells too."
Bron tries to pay attention to everything, from his inmates to the patterns and faces of the jailers.
Battered and bruised. He looks up from his chaines. His face contorted in anger
"Pleasantries? At a time like this? They will not take me to my death easily. Charon will have one more soul before he gets mine" he struggles against the chains more
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When Sedelion Deighstalach speaks Blackery just scowls and says, "Being like you, a frizzy little weakling elf. That ain't much of an insult Knife Ears. And if you're looking for a mark somewhere else, lets brand you like the cattle you are."
He looks to the Guards and says, "Pull out his bare posterior. He wants the brand somewhere else how about right on his ass!"
They pull the rags up and reveal Sedelion's bare posterior and Blackery brands him on his right butt cheek. The guards laugh with amusement at this revelation. Sedelion then gets re-chained and tossed into the cell with the rest of prisoners.
As for the perception you don't see any other alternative route out the room short of breaking through the wall or the stone floor.
Your craft locks can plainly tell that the chains probably are pretty old and haven't been maintained for a while but are probably still too resilient to break with pure force unless you have a lot of strength. They definitely skimped on amenities in this prison.
Turning his head toward the struggling... "No, that isn't a man... interesting." being Sedelion smiles again.
"I have yet to meet anyone who has left this prison without... ceasing to be who they were prior to incarceration, friend, that is all I meant. I am assuming that no one will be foolish enough to willingly submit to the contract after already getting the loving kiss of the brand." Sedelion winces a bit, and in his eyes you can tell that he wants to scratch his freshly marked rump. "Well, at least they don't have me sitting... that would probably be more painful right now."
"Still, you might get your wish if you are freakishly strong. The maintenance crew apparently does not think the shackles need attention but once every other decade."
Sedelion sighs. "If only I had my set of picks. I have broken through worse than these before."
Noticing the man speaking and remembering that he had spoken similarly at the branding, Sedelion decides to be neighborly.
"In my experience, men can be cruel or kind seemingly on a whim. My apologies if my ... racist ... attitude earlier offended you. I was trying to get a rise out of the man, in order to better study my enemy. My name is Sedelion, former abolitionist and member of the Swallowtails. This place will probably be my death, but Lady Dessa will see to my soul's freedom after."
The elf smiles warmly to the man and extends it to the others.
"Give me half a century and I will free the rest of you from the Hells too."
"Randu Marcel, in service to Mitra. The clergy of the three fold lord is not welcome in these lands anymore, at least not by those in power. I imagine your own faith was not well received either. I'm relieved to find you don't truly think of all humans like that. There are still good ones. But they are hunted and persecuted currently by dark hearts with crowns."
"Pleasantries? At a time like this? They will not take me to my death easily. Charon will have one more soul before he gets mine" he struggles against the chains more
"Pleasantries are form of rebellion all their own in this land, fellow. Not the reason I use them, but it does make their use a bit sweeter," The cleric gives a slight smile despite the misery that has been inflicted on him this last week.
Ash walks slowly, quietly while bound in his chains. Lost in his thoughts, he notices little as they pass through the gates into Branderscar Prison. So much had happens in the last few days- [/i]Blasted license, are you kidding me… besides, how did they find me? I've always worked so hard to stay unnoticed, and its not like I have a storefront or sign, hell, it’s a burnt out ruin... did I get sloppy, or did someone sell me out?[/i]
The thought ended abruptly as he was slammed against the wall by one of the guards grappling with and beating on the large prisoner. One by one, they are each branded. The smell of flesh burning from the hot iron being slammed into them triggers a memory… The neighborhood ablaze… the smell of the Flames of Hell “purifying” the sick, the weak, the young, the old… the last moments of his old life… In that moment, something sturred inside him. He took the brand calmly, neither fighting defiantly nor crying out in pain, offering up only a wince and a slow growl of pain as the brand seared his pale skin.
Chained up within their cell, he offers a slight chuckle as the others begin their introductions. ”Me? I am the broken, the damned, the forgotten, the betrayed. I am one of the myriad that fills the lower class of Talingarde. Maxim Ashvayne, chemist, healer, and seer if you’d like formalities… Ash for ease. So, any ideas how we get out?”
So, any ideas how we get out?
-We study the place, we study the guards, we make a plan. Then we execute the plan... and the guards.
Bron pauses for a moment, then adds -I am Bron.
He keeps looking at his cell companions, trying to figure out how can they be useful, trying to find an alternative to being put to death.
-But we don't know how much time we've got, so we must hurry.
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Well taking your time in the cell it appears that roughly every hour 2-4 guards enter the cell block and do a walk around the cell block, give you and the dog-beast a look over and then proceed out of cell block to the adjacent room.
After about three hours pass with you spewing in your cells, there is a large amount of footsteps followed by the door to the cell block swinging open. Sergent Blackery with a cadre of six guards march into the room and towards your cells. He gives your group a seedy glare before turning a gaze to Randu and points his finger at him.
"You there! That's the one! Open the cell and unshackle him but keep him held while we take him!"
He then turns to the rest of the party, "The rest of ya make trouble and you'll get one hell of a thrashing believe me! In fact if even ONE of you makes a move, ALL of ya will get a thumping, ya hear."
He nods to his men who begin to open the cell. Blackary gives a sky smirk and says to Randu "This just ain't your lucky day heretic. An inquisitor has arrived and has asked to meet with you. Why a fine lady of the church would give a hoot about some bottom feeding scum like you is beyond me. Whatever the case, ya better treat her with respect or I'll be the least of your worries once she gets through with you."
So the guards are going to come in and drag Randu off. Is any of you going to resist or make a move despite the warning that Blackary gave you?
Seeing the cleric being unshackled, and despite his better judgement, Sedelion decides to poke the Sergeant again.
"And what, pray tell, would a mere human guard know about dealing out 'thumpings' I wonder? Did you get approval from your half-blooded masters for distributing said beatings? I would hate it if you got stuck cleaning their boots for a month with your tongue on our accounts if you accidentally robbed them of their fun."
The elf stops, inclines his head to the side, then smiles. "Though to be fair, it would probably be more of an insult to their boots, given the poor quality of the rag cleaning them."
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Blackary stops and looks to Sedelion, "Ya got quite a mouth on you Knife Ears. I'll be sure suggest to Torturer Denholm to cut your tongue and teach you a lesson about keeping your dam trap shut. Maybe the dogs might like some elf-jerky to go along with their regular meals. I'ed be in the mood to break your jaw personally but I've got business with that Inquisitor. If you're looking to keep your yapper a bit longer then Shut it!"
With that he turns and marches out looking annoyed but being rather used to be called worse things by prisoners in the past.
"Blackerly... i pray that i never meet you again. For I will rip you apart. Mark my words. You best pray too." the fallen Aasimar glares at the captain. His eyes hollow. Almost as if there was no soul behind it.
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Silent the entire time, Abbo finally opened his eyes, realizing he had endured enough. He wouldn't be chained anymore.
I agree. - the Jadwiga finally speaks in his strange accent - We escape.
As the human breathes, it's visible a cold cloud leaving his mouth.
I'm Abbo.
Sedelion merely rolls his eyes in response to the Sergeant's response.
"Go ahead and recommend that, Blackerly. It will make it easier for me not to betray my friends under torture if I can't speak..."
Once he has left with the poor cleric, the elf finally addresses his cellmates' banter on escaping.
"I am as for checking out of this two copper Inn as the rest of you, but baring intervention by some outside force I am not optimistic of it. Even if the rest of the place is as poorly maintained as these shackles are, the guards won't just let us walk out the gates. So, keep your hopes properly managed. The best we can hope for is honorable deaths with our characters unchanged and any secrets maintained to the grave."
The elf smiles grimly.
Bron stays quiet.
-Okay, one with whom not to count on. Now let's keep paying attention and see who's in.
"You there! That's the one! Open the cell and unshackle him but keep him held while we take him!"
He then turns to the rest of the party, "The rest of ya make trouble and you'll get one hell of a thrashing believe me! In fact if even ONE of you makes a move, ALL of ya will get a thumping, ya hear."
He nods to his men who begin to open the cell. Blackary gives a sky smirk and says to Randu "This just ain't your lucky day heretic. An inquisitor has arrived and has asked to meet with you. Why a fine lady of the church would give a hoot about some bottom feeding scum like you is beyond me. Whatever the case, ya better treat her with respect or I'll be the least of your worries once she gets through with you."
When they come for him, Randu rises his chin, "Perhaps she has sins to confess."It's said a bit drily. He shakes his head at the well intentioned elf, no point in both of them undergoing whatever torture may await but he does not resist as he is dragged off.
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Randu does not have long to be drug as he is brought into the ajoining room and then tossed into an adjacent room and onto the floor. In the room you see a table and some chairs but also he sees a 6"0 woman with Red hair and piercing blue eyes. She looks probably human but she has a certain dexterous grace in her body and signs in her features of at least some elven heritage.
She is dressed all in black but her armor bears some subtle devilish markings and highlights and a symbol of a 5 pointed star of Amadeus lies around her neck. On her belt you see what looks like a sword, mace and a crossbow sling across her back all of an intimidating looking design.
She Randu a stern glare and says nothing as Blackary enters the room and salutes nervously.
Blackary says, "I brought the scum just as you asked inquisitor Drach."
She snaps back at Blackery when he says this, "You will speak when you are spoken to worm! You have done your duty well enough. Now vacate this room immediately. What I and the prisoner have to discuss is inquisition business and not for the ears of a prison guard. I will inform you when I am done with the prisoner."
Blackary stutters, "But...but, he's a marked. It ain't safe to leave you alone with him."
She scowls and gives a cutting glare at Blackary, "You think I cannot handle one mere prisoner? Are you interfering with an official investigation of the inquisition prison lacky? Vacate the room now before I have you flogged for your insubordination."
Blackary nods with a drop of sweat falling from his forhead. and vacates the room quickly. When he is gone Inqusitor Drach locks the door with a key and turns a look to Randu on the floor.
As soon as the door is locked the woman utters a spell of some kind from her lips and there is a slight flash of light from her hand, although the light is a bright white rather than crimson flame, something that Randu did not expect.
Soon after that she walks over to Randu and bends down offers her hand to help him up, "Randu Marcel, priest of Mitra, we do not have long to talk and I know you may not trust what I have to say. But I must tell you that Mitra has chosen you for a greater purpose. It is not your fate to die here within the walls of Branderscar."
She speaks in a much more friendly voice now that she did before.
Randu is silent as the woman berates Blackary, and tries to show no expression as they are left alone. But what she says next startles him...
Soon after that she walks over to Randu and bends down offers her hand to help him up, "Randu Marcel, priest of Mitra, we do not have long to talk and I know you may not trust what I have to say. But I must tell you that Mitra has chosen you for a greater purpose. It is not your fate to die here within the walls of Branderscar."
Surprised,he takes the hand, trying to gauge if this is a trick or not as he gazes into her eyes.
"My soul was prepared, but who are you to speak so kindly while wearing the trappings of such cruelty?" A pause, "And can you help me free the others? I do not know them well, but at least one calls on a goddess of good and I cannot imagine any of them deserving to be left here."
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Armenia Drach pulls Randu to his feet with her hand. As for her motivations she appears to be telling the truth as far as he can tell. You get the sense that this is perhaps her real personalty and the show before was the mask she put on to deceive the guards.
The woman nods to Randu's words and then speaks with a different voice one that has a sort of harmony and ethereal quality behind it, something outworldly, calming and benevolent in its tone.
"It is a despicable choice to be sure to wear the markings of the great enemy but I assure you it was a necessary deception. I currently wear the face and form of the Asmodian inquisitor, Armenia Drach. The real Armenia Drach currently lies in our dungeon to face proper judgement for her crimes. In the meantime have taken on her likeness and used her authority to get you alone in this room. I have also cast a spell to make sure we are not eavesdropped on while we talk. As for my real identity I must withhold it for the time being at least until you and your fellows are free from this infernal prison. For now, Armenia is a good enough name to address me by."
She takes a moment to let it sink in and continues to speak, "What I can tell you is that I am a divine agent of Holy Mitra. Prophecy has brought me here on this day to make sure that the events that have been foretold come to pass. The six righteous bound in the chains of hell and the fallen hound of heaven must unite their strength and achieve what was once thought impossible, escape from the prison known as Branderscar."
Bron laments himself for not being quick enough - he should have told the holy man to keep an eye on everything while he's out of the cell.
Hopefully, this Randu is clever enough to think of that by herself. For now, all he can do is wait for the opportunity.
Randu looks about the room they are both in as she mentions eavesdropping, "Sister Armenia, your prophecy reminds me of a figure in the cells with us. A much abused being, almost dog like..." He hurriedly describes the miserable creature to her, "Whatever part he plays in this, it seems too great a coincidence for prophecy not to have him play a part at all. I trust you, because I can no more let all trust fade than I can all hope. Mitra bless you for your attempt, but how do you plan to arrange our egress? Thus far I only know the parts of this dark place where I've been dragged to and from."
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Armenia says to Randu, "There is a limit to how much I can intervene in your escape Randu Marcel. I cannot merely teleport you and your colleagues out of the prison as there are wards that prevent teleportation into or out of the prison. The only place such is possible is in the Warden's tower. Of course the Warden, Luthor Creighton has control of who is allowed to make use of his teleportation circle so he would have to be slain and his control usurped in order to allow such transport from the prison. There are two other methods that you may make your escape, both have their share of dangers. The first would be through the front door and across the bridge but you would have to fight through or bypass the guards. The second way would be to climb the outer wall, hug the coast and then swim to shore. But the currents are strong in this region and unless all of you are good swimmers, I would not recommend that route."
She gives him a moment to consider what she has said, "You may be curious of why I cannot merely take you out of here personally. The one who sent me here has ordered me not to directly intervene in your escape. To do so he believes will go against the prophecy that relates to you. You will however be given the tools to aid your flight but it will be your own actions to escape this prison. When you do so, head towards the moors and I shall meet you there and lead to a place of safety and sanctuary."
She pulls out a pouch from under her cloak "This is a Bag of Holding. Within is a number of items to aid your escape. Of note for yourself, there is a holy symbol of Mitra that you may use to channel the power of the Lord of Light Mitra to aid your party. There are other items of use within the pouch as well that will be of use in your flight. It will be up to your party to decide how they are used."
Abbo looked at the elf with patient eyes, but nothing said. It was natural to lose hope in a place like that, he guessed. But not him.
He saw the cleric being taken off, and blinked with interest, as if analyzing what was happening. Maybe the penitence, he thought.
Armenia says to Randu, "There is a limit to how much I can intervene in your escape Randu Marcel. I cannot merely teleport you and your colleagues out of the prison as there are wards that prevent teleportation into or out of the prison. The only place such is possible is in the Warden's tower. Of course the Warden, Luthor Creighton has control of who is allowed to make use of his teleportation circle so he would have to be slain and his control usurped in order to allow such transport from the prison. There are two other methods that you may make your escape, both have their share of dangers. The first would be through the front door and across the bridge but you would have to fight through or bypass the guards. The second way would be to climb the outer wall, hug the coast and then swim to shore. But the currents are strong in this region and unless all of you are good swimmers, I would not recommend that route."
The cleric mulls all she has said over, then nods, "I am no master of strategy. Perhaps one of the others will know which path to take advantage of... I don't think the last one is wise either"
She gives him a moment to consider what she has said, "You may be curious of why I cannot merely take you out of here personally. The one who sent me here has ordered me not to directly intervene in your escape. To do so he believes will go against the prophecy that relates to you. You will however be given the tools to aid your flight but it will be your own actions to escape this prison. When you do so, head towards the moors and I shall meet you there and lead to a place of safety and sanctuary."
"I can ask for no more than that, and indeed, I must thank you for the hope you bring with this. All may not be lost, and we'll try to make it there."
She pulls out a pouch from under her cloak "This is a Bag of Holding. Within is a number of items to aid your escape. Of note for yourself, there is a holy symbol of Mitra that you may use to channel the power of the Lord of Light Mitra to aid your party. There are other items of use within the pouch as well that will be of use in your flight. It will be up to your party to decide how they are used."
He takes it, and nods, "I'll try to hide it from the guards when they drag me back." Randu looks at her, "Once that is done, you may need to mark or bruise me in someway. It will aid the story."
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"Allow me to aid you with hiding the pouch. It would not be prudent for them to find it on you."
She takes out a sewing kit and quickly attaches the pouch to the inside of his rags, hiding it efficiently on his person but loose enough to pull out when needed.
To the second suggestion, "That may not be enough to convince the guards I fear. I have to make it look like you've been tortured and broken by Asmodian methods. Make it unquestionable that I am a merciless Inqusitor. A mere bruise is a common practice of a guard, not an inquisitor of Asmodeus."
She pulls out a scroll from inside her coat and holds it in her hand, "This spell will wrack your body with extreme pain. It will do no physical harm but it will feel like it. The effects will be more than enough to convince these guards that I have done something horrible to you. The pain will pass within an hour but it will clearly convince them that I did a painful extraction of information. Still I will not do so without your permission Randu."
Randu nods, "You have my permission, my forgiveness, and my thanks each in turn." He takes a deep breath, Mitra watch over me and help me bear it well. "Do it."
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"You are most brave Randu Marcel, priest of Mitra. Before I depart there is one more thing I must tell you. Take your time and plan your escape accordingly but execute your escape within three days. That is when Morden Denholm and his entourage will be returning to the prison. He is one of the most vile men ever to be born in this land and to escape under his watch will be much more difficult. Remember, head to the moors and out of sight of the prison. I will meet you there as soon as I am able to guide you the rest of the way. May Mitra bless your path, blessed one. And may he also forgive me for what must be done."
Her voice changes back to that of the Inqusitor and she utters a vile spell from the scroll. The scroll bursts into flame and vanishes and she points her hand at Randu to direct the spell.
Suddenly Randu is wracked with horrific burning pain throughout his entire body. He spasms and falls to the floor reeling as though fire was burning through his veins.
Armenia then dispels the zone that was providing them privacy, unlocks the door and yells out, "BLACKARY! Get your fat ass in here!"
Randu screams in pain as he spasms on the ground his limbs locking up and he tries desperately to fight back the pain that seems to ignite everywhere.
Blackery enters the room and sees Randu spasming on the floor. This does make him sweat a bit, probably more worried that she'll do the same to him than Randu's well being.
Armenia says in a harsh tone, "Blackary you blubbery fool of a man! I have all the information I need from this prisoner. His righteous presence and holy rhetoric sickens me. Take him back to his cell and chain him with the others. He'll live for now but I would hardly want to deny Morden Denholm the chance to work his arts upon this pitiful servant of the light. Once you have locked this sycophant where he belongs inform Warden Luthor Creighton that the Inquisition appreciates his cooperation. I must depart immediately to act on information I have learned and have no time for further pleasantries."
Blackery salutes still looking very frightened and says, "Yes mam! Right away mam!"
He yells out to the rest of the guards, "Get yer asses in here and lock this prisoner back in his cell with the others!"
The guards come in and pick Randu up. He can barely put up a fight against them in his state and merely fights to keep himself awake with an occasional yelp as they take Randu rather roughly back to his cell. They open the cell and lock him back in his chains. Still it seems the ruse has been a success, the guards certainly do look convinced, so much so that they don't even bother searching Randu for any contraband.
The rest of you easily see that Randu is in horrific pain despite having no extra visible bruises or signs of beating. Definitely something was done to him back when he was away.
They re-lock the cell and one of them says, "Let that be a lessen to ya for those who cause trouble for us."
The guards then leave the party alone in the cell block.
"You are most brave Randu Marcel, priest of Mitra. Before I depart there is one more thing I must tell you. Take your time and plan your escape accordingly but execute your escape within three days. That is when Morden Denholm and his entourage will be returning to the prison. He is one of the most vile men ever to be born in this land and to escape under his watch will be much more difficult. Remember, head to the moors and out of sight of the prison. I will meet you there as soon as I am able to guide you the rest of the way. May Mitra bless your path, blessed one. And may he also forgive me for what must be done."
Her voice changes back to that of the Inqusitor and she utters a vile spell from the scroll. The scroll bursts into flame and vanishes and she points her hand at Randu to direct the spell.
Suddenly Randu is wracked with horrific burning pain throughout his entire body. He spasms and falls to the floor reeling as though fire was burning through his veins.
"I..." Randu crumbles to the ground in pain... and sputters, "forgive you." He told her he would, and he manages to do just that, right before the screams of pain begin.
The guards come in and pick Randu up. He can barely put up a fight against them in his state and merely fights to keep himself awake with an occasional yelp as they take Randu rather roughly back to his cell. They open the cell and lock him back in his chains. Still it seems the ruse has been a success, the guards certainly do look convinced, so much so that they don't even bother searching Randu for any contraband.
The rest of you easily see that Randu is in horrific pain despite having no extra visible bruises or signs of beating. Definitely something was done to him back when he was away.
They re-lock the cell and one of them says, "Let that be a lessen to ya for those who cause trouble for us."
The guards then leave the party alone in the cell block.
When he is tossed in before the others, he twitches and quakes as agony wracks him again and again. When the guards leave... he manages a stuttering whisper "much...tt-to be disc-cussed."
Sedelion glares at the guards as they chain the still convulsing cleric to the wall.
"Well, I knew it wasn't going to be a good thing when an inquisitor wanted the man... still, I hope he didn't end up inadvertently betraying someone he cares about."
"You could, at least, let him convulse on the ground as opposed to in shackles. It is clear he isn't going anywhere in that state. Or are you afraid of a tortured cleric to the point where anything less than full shackles undoes what passes for your courage?"
When the cleric does finally try to speak after the guards have gone, the elf shakes his head.
"Whatever you said under torture, good son, I am sure your Lord forgives you for. Try to rest for now."
-What have they done to him? Why did they take specifically him? And more important... what has he told them?
-Much...tt-to be disc-cussed.
-Ah, good. Clever holy man, has been attentive. Poor guy, but smart guy. Let's wait and see what he has to tell us.
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So time passes and after an hour of grueling pain, the burning subsides in Randu's veins and Randu can finally relax and get his bearings. In that time the guards show up with your food and water rations, served on served in cheap looking wooden bowls and cups. The water looks rather dirty as though taken from a puddle and the food, if it could call it that is a bowl of gruel mixed with a few dead flies, insects and maggots for extra ruffiage. It appears that while they want you not to starve to death, you won't be getting anything Inn-worthy during your stay in this prison.
"Whatever you said under torture, good son, I am sure your Lord forgives you for. Try to rest for now."
"N...not what you think-k.." He assures the elf, "Will.. wait to ttell."
After rations are served and the pain has faded, Randu looks about once more to make sure they are alone, "if you suspect any of the guards eavesdropping, tell me to silence..."Assuming none do, he then explains to them what has happened. "We have an ally...and I have a magic bag with items that might just give us a chance to escape..."
He tells them everything but the lady's true name
When he finishes, he takes a deep breath, "The spell she cast on me was a mutually agreed upon necessity. We must free our friend there.." he gestures with his chin towards the hound like fellow, "As well as the rest of us, but first we should decide which way to get out, I think."
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Fortunately the walls seem thick enough to converse safely so long as you keep your voices low. The guards appear to tour the cell block roughly once an hour but otherwise leave you alone in your cell and don't bother you so long as you aren't making excessive noise or backtalk to them. The guards just seem rather apathetic to the lot of you and would rather do their own things rather than watch a band of marked criminals.
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Bron gives some hard tugs on the chains and well as attempts to slide his hands out. He finds the process difficult and makes large rattling sounds in the process of his chain testing. A Guard opens the door to the cellblock walks into view and yells angrily, "Stop your squirming and rattling with the chains you dammed marks! Keep it up and I'll have your limbs broken!", he then exits the cell block closing the door with a slam.