Bron continues tirelessly and calmly to chastise the same guard with his chains.
-!!!!!
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Ok wacking the guard that was frozen with the chain he looks staggered from the blow.
The staggard guard takes a mad swing at Bron
non-lethal
And then passes out.
The last guard moves into the other room, provoking from Libis and grabs a horn that is hanging on the wall.
He looks like he's going to blow an alarm.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Sedelion wearily nods thanks to Libris as the guard falls before him.
"Looks like it is not quite time for you to guide me through the stars, my lady." Looking at the fallen guard's blooded sword, he places the club in his off hand and picks it up.
"Hope you don't mind my taking both of your weapons, my boy," he says to the unconscious guard as he tests the weapon's weight in his hand, "but you <cough><cough> -" <the elf spits a bit of blood on the ground> " - excuse me, you did prove they are decent quality."
Smiling grimly, the elf walks toward Libris as he wrestles with the remaining guard.
"I would stay still, my poor man, if you want to keep your hands attached to your body."
Abbo changes his strategy to something more violent when he sees the guard by the horn. Instead of Ray of Frost, he casts Snow Ball.
While the fellow flees for the horn, in case they can't stop him, Randu decides it's best to heal up Sedelion, twisting behind him so not to draw an attack
Bron now has a blue eye, and some blood falls down his face. He watches how the last guard is frozen to death, and then goes to the nearest one and picks his sword. While he does that, he calculates how much time would he need to remove the armour from the guard and wear it himself...
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The Snowball hits the guard straight in the heart, cracking his ribcage and freezing his heart. He goes limp and then is dropped to the floor by Liber Mortis.
Fortunately the thick walls of the prison seems to have kept any other guards from noticing the commotion. With the guard change still some time away you've got a bit of breathing room.
As for the guards they have the following on them for each of them:
Chain Shirt
Heavy Steel Shield
Leather Club (non-lethal club)
Longbow with 20 Arrows
Dagger
A Chest key
Also in the other room you find a signal horn as well as a key-ring with what looks like keys to the cells of the prison.
Bron, as planned, keeps trying to don the chain shirt, though his bruised arm makes it a very difficult task. When the others find the keyring in the other room, he realises there's something to be done.
-What about... ouch! What about the other prisoners? Aw! We should free them as well.
Seeing the challenging wound on Bron's arms, he looks to Mitra. "I have some limited ability to heal our friend here, but did you not say that there were several curative elixirs in that bag of yours? Perhaps now would be a good time for him to imbibe one, lest we have to carry him along."
Wrax picks up one of the leather clubs and a second dagger, then looks puzzledly at the rest of the equipment. "Sadly I am not skilled with such arms and armor, though it seems we have enough capable bodies to make good use of our gains."
Picking up both the individual keys from the guards then the key ring from the wall, he looks to the hound-man, then proceeds to work on determining which is the correct key through trial and error (starting with the key ring).
-Elixirs, uh?- says Bron. -Well, I can try one of those.
Randu begins to mention healing, but shrugs when a potion is chosen, and switches into a chain shirt and one of the longswords, "At least we'll be better prepared for the next battle."
Sedelion walks back to the guard that injured him, after nodding appreciatively to Randu for the healing.
"I already have his sword and baton, I don't think he will mind lending me a few other things. After all, he won't be needing them when the inquisitors find out we have left." The elf grins widely at the thought for a moment, then sets to removing the scabbard for his newly acquired blade. Following that, he takes the man's dagger, his shield, his chain shirt and his chest key. He looks at the bow and arrow set for a moment before taking them too.
"Contrary to popular myth, not every elf is wildly proficient with archery... still, I'll give it a shot if the opportunity presents itself."
Sedelion smiles his play on words, then proceeds to armor himself.
"Way too loose around the mid-rift... man had been drinking too heavily at those poker games I think."
After he is more appropriately dressed for the task at hand, he takes the keys that were by the horn and approaches the dog-man.
"Now, where were we before we were so divertingly interrupted? Oh yes, getting you off the ground."
-That concoction took care of my arm, but... I still can't fully open my right eye. Can anyone do something about it? I wouldn't mind knowing where I'm aiming my sword, mind you...
The cleric asks, "Does anyone mind if I take a shield as well?" When Bron is understandably worried about his lingering wounds, Randu says, "Let's wait until we can all get free and close yet away from the fallen guards. Then, by the blessing the three fold god, I can call upon his divine radiance and heal us all."
"That healing sounds nice... I am no longer bleeding severely, but the wound does still affect my breathing a bit. Still, wait for a minute while I set this poor... er, man... loose."
Sedelion smiles to both Randu and the remaining captive.
"Oh, if someone would be kind enough to gather the rest of their keys for me, I would appreciate it. If we find ourselves in their barracks we might have a bit more treasure to take on the road with us."
The elf pauses while trying another key on the poor captive's shackles.
"You two," the elf nods to Bron and Libris, "might want to start shackling our former jailers to the wall after they have been stripped of anything useful. Well, that or killing them. I won't lie, the latter would probably be more merciful compared to what Azmodian inquisitors will do to them... still, I would understand if you felt reservations about killing unarmed, unconscious opponents. The fact remains that we cannot afford their waking up and either raising the alarm or ambushing us at an inopportune moment."
-You are right. But we should bear in mind that the others might investigate when they realise their fellows are not coming back.
Even so, Bron proceeds to shackle the unconscious guards to the wall, and tear a strip of their clothes to tie around their mouths.
-That should contain their shouting for help for a bit.
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Taking the stable guards you had not killed you chain them up in the cells easy enough and lock them in the chains. Still looking at their condition they'll be out for a good long time, more than enough to make your escape although as soon as there is a guard change the gig will be up so delaying here too long would not be a good idea.
Assuming that you grab the keys for the other cell you go about unlocking the Dog-Beast from his chains and probably remove the muzzle from his mouth. The maw of the creature has a multitude of broken and missing teeth, either from being beaten or perhaps forcibly removed from his skull.
Looking at you with his one functional eye he speaks with a powerful voice but still keeps the tone low enough so that it does not give you away, "I appreciate that you freed me from these chains noble ones. I finally can have relief from torment that these torturers have subjected me to. Not that I am undeserving of it, considering the stains that lie heavily upon my very soul. I once had a name... but not deserving of it now. If you wish to address me, you can call me the Hound of Garigill. It is the only title I am deserving of, be it the only name worthy of my dishonor."
He gives a look of self-loathing when he says that, a look of sad regret.
He then continues, "Nonetheless, I owe you a debt of gratitude for releasing me and thus you shall have my aid in your quest to escape this foul prison. Grand me a blade and I shall serve your cause until my debt is repaid."
Taking a sword from the ground, Bron presents it to the dog creature. -'Ere, take it, Gill. Feel free to take any other thing you need before we move out.
Saying this, Bron moves forward a bit and looks around to check whether there are other prisoners or not.
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He nods respectfully and takes the sword and makes a few practice swings with it to get the feel of the weapon. You get the sense this creature has a good deal of skill with the blade after seeing how well he handles the weapon in his hand. He would be a useful ally to have on your side to escape this place.
When everyone wounded is close enough, Randu prays and clutches at the symbol now at his neck, and a holy light like the sun parting through the clouds descends on the group.
Seeing the wounds have healed up little, he tries again
A slight frown crosses his features Is my faith so weak? "Forgive me. I am reluctant to keep channeling when we are only starting in our escape."
Looking at you with his one functional eye he speaks with a powerful voice but still keeps the tone low enough so that it does not give you away, "I appreciate that you freed me from these chains noble ones. I finally can have relief from torment that these torturers have subjected me to. Not that I am undeserving of it, considering the stains that lie heavily upon my very soul. I once had a name... but not deserving of it now. If you wish to address me, you can call me the Hound of Garigill. It is the only title I am deserving of, be it the only name worthy of my dishonor."
"I know of no man who is wholly without sin, Hound of Gargill. You may yet find redemption if redemption you feel you require. For myself, I will not judge until I have heard. Be at ease."
Bron places his hand in Randu's shoulder. -Don't worry. The time inside this crappy hole has certainly taken its toll on all of us. Probably your... connection... or whatever... is glitched, right?
After that, he makes sure Gill has got himself also a shield, and readies himself to what they're going to find out of the cell.
-Let's do this, right? Who's good at scouting? I can do an okay job if I keep the shield on my back, but I'm sure there's some of you better than me- he says while looking casually at the elf.
At the ominous name the creature gives, Max checks his memory but is unable to recall anything. "I am sorry, but I have not heard of you before, though you present your name as a thing to perhaps be feared. All I know is you were bound here like us, and have suffered at the hands of our likewise captors. As such, your freedom is deserved and in my eyes there is no debt, though we welcome your assistance as we all work to escape this fate. I am Maxim Ashvayne, though most know me as Ash the Apothecary, or simply Ash." He extends a hand to the Hound.
Looking at the armored state of their warriors, Ash smiles. "Well, seems that you lot are pretty well equipped for battle now. Sadly I have little training in the martial arms, though keep your eye out for something simpler, perhaps a spear or crossbow, and I can lend some ability. Until then these daggers will suit me. Shall we be onward?"
Stepping back into the outer chamber of the guards, he glances around to see if there are any secondary arms that could be of use. He also picks up the horn and looks to the others. "Don't think we should leave this here untouched. Do we shatter it, or take it with us?"
The elf shakes his head, the name sounding slightly familiar for some unknown reason. "Probably just heard it in passing or some such."
Shaking his head again, Sedelion gives the Hound a smile.
"I am Sedelion Deighstalach, and I am glad to finally get you unbound. Worry not about the past, focus on the future... starting with our path to the tower and the warden. Any aid you can provide in getting us there will be a good start to wiping away your past transgressions."
Turning to Bron, Sedelion nods. "I can take point if you wish. This isn't too different from the city streets as far as navigation goes... in some ways it should be easier... though I am still at a loss as to what we will find beyond the corridor out of here."
Attaching the club to his belt, strapping the shield to his arm, and redrawing the sword from its scabbard (having put it in it while armoring up) the elf moves to the start of the corridor and looks intently down it.
For just one moment, an idea passes through Bron's head when he notices the coals.
-Come on, man, just focus on fleeing. Besides, this is just cruel.
Bron shakes his head and follows Sedelion from a distance.
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The stairs appear to go down to the ground floor. There is also a stairwell that seems to go to a basement area as well. A solid wooden and steel door leads to the north on the ground floor which you know is the main hallway of the inner keep of Branderscar. There is no guards as you can see in the ground level but you think you hear sounds from the basement.
Sedelion attempts to decipher the nature of the sounds.
"Anyone know what that could be? I know we are on a tight timetable, but I'd like to investigate. Perhaps there are others to free as well."
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It sounds like some rattling of metal as well as some conversation between some people but they are not close enough for you to hear what they are saying.
The Hound says, "Down there is the torture chambers as well as the living quarters for the Torturers and Visiting guests. The sounds are perhaps the assistant torturers doing maintenance on the various horrible machines they have down there."
-In my opinion, we should head on to the Warden's quarters- says Bron while pulling his beard. -We should skip groups that pose a threat to us, and just engage those small enough to be easily disabled.
Then he talks to Sedelion. -Do you think you can have a look and get an idea of how many they are?
"I'm no tactician, so I'll go along with whatever stratagem the rest of you agree upon. If it were the sound of screams rather than maintenance that was heard from the torture chamber, I'd want to stop them. But as it sounds like the latter, we can try to bypass them."
I share with Sedelion the worry about other people who should be freed. We don't know what kind of thing they're being submitted downstairs. Maybe we could approach stealthily and take them one by one. - says Abbo, with his hands very cold.
"While I would not want to leave others to suffer, turning from the path of escape will cost us time, resources, and quite possibly, lives. If we die searching the entire prison for any other prisoners, then our mysterious ally's assistance will have been for nought. I suggest we make our way up." Ash wears a stoic countenance on his face, though the water forming in his eyes betrays his concern for others possibly held with Branderscar...
Sedelion gestures for the others to wait a minute while he places his ears near the door and listens, hoping to get a better read on what is going on inside.
Abbo waits, silently.
Bron nods to Sedelion, in silence. Then he braces his sword and shield in case there are more guards inside.
Sedelion holds up three fingers silently, and backs away.
When he gets closer, the elf describes the sounds in further detail.
"I think we can get the drop on them if we wish... sounds like they are hard at their infernal work. I think it might be worthwhile... we might even leave a bigger mess for them to sort out after we leave. I will defer to the majority if others want to go around instead, but I am not quite satisfied with merely leaving them to torture the next batch of poor souls taken here."
-Three shouldn't be a problem if we can catch the with their pants down whispers Bron. -But I'm worried about the sound we'll make. Will it be a problem, in your opinion?
Sedelion shrugs.
"I personally doubt it... they are already making a lot of noise in there already, the sounds of combat might not be that different unless someone really was paying attention. Even if they scream, it is a torture chamber... either they don't escape the room easily or the guards are probably used to them. Our friend, the Hound, probably knows a bit more about how soundproof the room is... or if anyone typically pays attention to the sounds of screams coming from it."