The guard leaves, ignoring the further outburst from Zova as it cuts off. They close the door behind them. The prison is one again silent.
alright, so what have we learned? it looks like there's probably always going to be someone outside the door to shut and lock it if we try something, so we can't just rush the gate.
she looks around to see if the guards are back at their station and out of sight. provided they are, she'll retrieve the veil and tools and immediately begins work on her own manacles
if I can open these I can probably open the door as well, in which case we may be able to rush and overwhelm them at their post before they can raise an alarm.
Zova nods and then whispers, "Unlock either Tenoch or me next. If the guards come back either of us could try and hold the gate closed or fight them off while you get everyone else free."
hold your horses. even if I can get mine off, I wanna see how convincing they look closed but unlocked before I get anyone else out; if they do, great, so much the better, we can hide in plain sight. if not, well, one way or another we've still got planning to do and we still don't know what time of day it is or when the next shift starts...
continuously listening for guards
“That Blackerly is a damned thief! That game was rigged last night!”
“If it’s rigged, why do you keep going back to the gatehouse then?”
“The beer’s passable.”
A laugh is heard. “Drinkin’ on duty! Damn, this place has gone to hell. Captain Callidan would have never tolerated that crap. That’s for sure!”
“Captain Callidan . . . he left, what? Two years ago?”
“Almost three and since then the place has been straight down the s&!@ter. That old wizard never leaves his tower. He stays up there reading his books and petting his owl!”
“Petting his owl? Is that what they call it these days?”
More laughter is heard.
Ardra is able to unlock her manacles with ease. Placing her hands back in, she can see that if a close inspection is not done, she can still pass for being locked up.
Tenoch cocks his head as he listens should the guards approach. One of his eyebrow ridges rises as he seems to ovehear something. "Apparently this prison is not what it used to be. Blackerly seems to run a gambling den in the gatehouse and allows drinking on duty. It seems the new warden, a wizard with an owl, stays in his tower... We may have a better chance at this than initially expected."
The monstrous tiefling watches as Ardra unlocks herself and replaces her hands to hide their freedom. "That could work."
He glances back to the door. "There does seem to be a blind spot to one side of the door. One person may be able to hide there and strike the one within while the other is over here checking on the prisoners...," he frowns. "Of course, we would then need some way of making darkning the area so they would not be able to notice the absence...," he continues looking around at the sources of light in the area, "or make it look as if that person was still here and perhaps create some distraction to be sure they weren't looking in this cell too closely...," his sunken baleful eyes move over to the ogre as he finishes.
Ardra can barely contain herself as she stretches her shoulders and neck, she barely suppresses a groan of relief and pleasure. She wastes no time, however, and, once she verifies the manacles look passable when closed, begins working on the others while still keeping an ear out and stops at the first hint of trouble. be on the look out, everyone. now, who's first?
Conversation outside the door stops briefly, but continues after a moment or two. As Ardra works her way down the line, she is able to free three more of her new companions.
In that case I would like to borrow the veil from the person holding it, and try to pick out one of the weaponlike symbols.
in case I have to say it, everyone keep your manacles on. I think we just had a close call.
dd
[b]that should do it. I think it's probably safe to check on the rest of our resources. I am beginnkng to believe our mysterious benefactor might actually have our best interests at heart, at least for the short term. I don't think he or she put anything in the veil too dangerous to have in the cell. I'd like to find out what these mystery items, maybe not the pile, it scares me.
and with that she takes the sack and warily peaks inside. she also takes the bottle and sniffs and very carefully tastes the smallest amount of its contents trying to identify them. she then offers the veil to Zova.
in case I have to say it, everyone keep your manacles on. I think we just had a close call.
"Good,tell me once it's safe. I want to speak with the big one over there. Tiadora specifically said that she want all of us, and i guess that includes him ,he is prisoner too."
Coral approach the next cell and asks with cautious voice.
"Hey ,you want to be free? Do what we ask and we can get you out agreed?"
Inside the sack you find a stylized symbol of a bull , a couple small pouches with strange items inside , a few small vials of strange and volatile chemicals and five sets of common clothing in each prisoner's size.
The potion is a potion of cure light wounds.
Grumblejack makes a rumbling noise in his throat, Grumblejack want free. Grumblejack want to kill little'uns. You free Grumblejack, Grumblejack help.
Zova looks at the two daggers, shrugs, and quickly hands one dagger to Tenoch. "I was not trained to fight with two weapons. Perhaps you could make better use of this than I can. Stain it red with the blood of a Mitran for me."
Two daggers come out in Zova's hands, leaving a blank spot in the veil.
"And, what's in there?" Nera appears very curious about what's inside the sack. So far the veil provided quite a bit so perhaps the sack could provide even more.
Ardra's eyes grow wide and she stuffs the tuft of her tail into her mouth to keep from squealing. She quickly remembers where her tail has been and what it's been through for the past several days and tries to discretely spit before triumphantly whispering,
so pretty one, what do you think of you 'wheat haired hussy' now?
and she doles out the prizes along with firm warnings about keeping this stuff under the bench, behind their legs, where she also begins laying out an interesting affair of makeshift alchemical tools as she hisses,
I need two or three hours, I could do it in less time but not if I want to keep this stuff quiet, and yes if we want to get out of here you definitely want me to have this stuff.
she gives a redundant warning to keep an eye out before she's completely engrossed.
Zova will take a place guarding the door, just in case one of the Mitrans decide to come in.
And on andra's suggestion, she goes back to her spot.
Ardra stops what she's doing as she notices for the first time that Coral and Zova have left there places and whispers frantically,
what are you two doing!? if the guards look around the corner and see you two, they'll blow that signal horn for sure and we'll never get out of here. Stretch you legs and chat with ogres from here... please
somehow, rather than sounding plaintive, her 'please' sounds more like it's taking the place of a thrown pot full of boiling soup
Zova begins pulling things out of the veil. A large rope comes out first, coiling near her ankles. Next she pulls out a bullseye lantern full of oil. A silver unholy symbol of Asmodeus comes next. Finally she pulls out a window, it attaches itself to the cell wall near her, creating a magical hole in the wall framed in wood.
Out the window, you can see that you are on the second story of the keep. About 60 feet from the base of the building you are in, there is a gatehouse, looks like the exit is that way. On to of the gatehouse are two guards. They look up and see the window. They begin pointing and yelling, finally one of them puts something to their mouth and a horn sounds out over the grounds.
what are you two doing!? if the guards look around the corner and see you two, they'll blow that signal horn for sure and we'll never get out of here. Stretch you legs and chat with ogres from here... please
"You don't expect me to yell our plans across the room do you?"
Coral examines the pouch,demonstratively ignoring the mention of Tiadora, and her face brightens.
"Now that's more like it!"
she says with a smug smile,while playing with some strange bright colored powder.
Tenoch's gives a snort of surprise as Ardra shows the contents of the sack. "It seems that woman knows more about us than we do of her," he says, taking the symbol showing an image of a red and black wasp, the symbol of the Swarm Lord Graffiacane. After looking at it for a moment, he hides it in his rags.
The beast accepts the dagger from Zova, turning it over in his hand. "It's better than nothing, I suppose, although something a little more sizeable would have been more welcome... but, in my experience, a beggar cannot choose their gift."
The monstrous tiefling nods at Ardra's assertion of keeping back in order to maintain a low profile and turns to Coral on her reply. "True. But let us all keep an ear open for the guards should they decide to patrol. If we tell you to get back, so it quickly so we can maintain our ruse."
"That being said, now that we are free of our manacles, I do not think we have a couple of hours in order to mix liquids, as a simple visit will allow them to see the truth... That minature laboratory does not look easy to hide. We may wish to begin our escape as soon as we have a plan."
on the contrary, I demonstrated earlier that the manacles look good enough while closed but unlocked we should be fine for now, keep them on whenever possible. this is not to say we shouldn't continue planning.
Zova will get back in her place, pretending to be shackled. She had the sudden fantasy of what it would be like to pull out every single item from the veil... quickly shaking that terrible idea from her head. She places the dagger between her shirt and her pants behind her, and turns to Tenoch. "I agree. When we escape, we ought to make sure to grab the weapons of our captors."
You wait three hours as Ardra prepares her items.
"Sure. You go, I'll hold the horn."
"Fine, but your going next time."
That miniature laboratory does not look easy to hide.
I misunderstood, and you're not wrong. I'm working as fast as I can and still remain discrete. Otherwise, so long as we keep it and all our other contraband either in our clothes or behind the bench and behind our legs I'm hoping we can stave off suspicion.
perception
everyone, hide everything and make sure your manacles look good, they're coming
Ardra scrambles to hide her equipment as best she can behind the group
Next action (This is after the GMs post. I just don't want to clutter up the messageboard)
After the guards leave, Zova breaths easier, but continues listening to see if they stay in the hallway, or move away.
One fo the guards comes in, much as before, though his club isn't at the ready this time. He steps to the intersection of the hallway, looks over everyone, then turns around and walks back. Can't stand the smell-- his voice cuts off as the guards close the door behind them.
"Grumblejack that's your name right?
Now is the time ,bash your chain until the guards come and when they do, roar in their faces. We will surprise them from behind."
alright, I'm done, and I have an idea. there's two of them, and one always stays outside the cell ready to blow his horn and sound the alarm, so we can't wait for them to come to us and still expect to keep him from signaling, right?
so instead, we need to be waiting right outside the guard room door when they come check on us and get them both at once.
I can get us out of the cell, and then free Grumblejack.
The majority of us will sneak up to the door while two remain behind in the cell and pretend to have a loud, violent argument.
They'll come out and check on the problem.
The rest of us who are waiting just to the side of the door and out of sight will jump them the moment they're both beyond the door.
We'll take them out together before they have a chance to raise the alarm. What do we think?
Coral nods.
"Good ,lets do it. This cell is sickening me, i cant even think clear."
very well, make sure Grumblejack knows his part and knows to be quiet until the attack
She waits until the first time they see a new set of guard check on them .
Tenoch shakes his head. "I do not think that we could all stand in that blind spot and not be seen. One... perhaps two of us could ensconce ourselves there. Some will need to remain behind in the cell at their positions... Even so, if their attention is drawn to this cell, it will be obvious to them that some are missing, without them having to leave their post. We could use the clothes in the sack to at least mimic the shape of those missing but their attention would still need to be elsewhere or the lighting dealt with in some fashion."
"If Grumblejack were the distraction, as Coral had suggested, their attention may be off of us enough that they could be fooled. At least for a short time. He would have to still seem as if he were imprisoned, however. A loose ogre is a good reason to sound the alarm."
you're right, I hadn't seen just how small a space it is, I think your adaptation just might work, though.
Two of us hide by the door while Grumblejack makes some noise from his cage and the remaining three stay still until the both guards are out and the attack is made, I would suggest you Tenoch and Zova, maybe you could wear the manacles over your fists to give your blows more force.
Are we in agreement? Nera, you've been quiet for a while. What do you think?
"It could work." She nodded, then looked at the ogre. "Grumblejack, can you reach through the bar and strangle one of them if given the chance?"
They needed options, way to force the plan to work.
Ardra waits 15 minutes after the next time they see fresh faces check on them before attempting to open the door. she stops and rushes back to her seat at the first sign that guards are stirring
she tries again
Grumblejack, if you can keep quiet right and help us escape we can take you with us. you said you'd like that wouldn't you?
If Andra is going along with this, Zova walks up to the door and waits, dagger in hand, ready to strike.
It is nearly five hours before a new set of guards takes over the watch. Your first attempt at the cell fails. For a moment it seems they must have heard the noise of your attempt, but no one comes. As you try again to unlock the cell door, you succeed. Grumblejack rumbles, Take Grumblejack with. Yes. Yes.
alright pretty one, whenever you're ready take Tenoch and madam half-orc with you and blst those bastards. Blondie, back them up, will you? I'm going to work on the ogre's door once everyone's in position to minimize thr noise
Zova steps just outside the cell and once everyone else moves outside as well, will get into a charge lane with the door the guards would have gone through.
Coral tries to calm down the ogre.
"Hush big one. I will get you free i promise , just be quiet do what you are told."
"alright pretty one, whenever you're ready take Tenoch and madam half-orc with you and blst those bastards. Blondie, back them up, will you? I'm going to work on the ogre's door once everyone's in position to minimize thr noise"
The wizard nods and moves towards the prison exit.
Once in front of the door, she looks at the others ,then carefully tries to see if its locked.
starts to work on the ogre's door
out you come. you really are big boy, aren't you…
"alright pretty one, whenever you're ready take Tenoch and madam half-orc with you and blst those bastards. Blondie, back them up, will you? I'm going to work on the ogre's door once everyone's in position to minimize thr noise"The wizard nods and moves towards the prison exit.
Once in front of the door, she looks at the others ,then carefully tries to see if its locked.
approaches the group at the door with Grumblejack in tow and whispers
you can burst through the doors any time now...
Coral bursts through the door, stepping through. The guards jump looking around surprised. They sit in a chair, each on one side of the door. The one on the right sits, horn on the table near him.
seeing the horn unattended and no good way to ensure the guards stay close enough together for Coral's spell, she runs into the room and grabs for the horn.
Ardra moves into the room and begins reaching for the horn.