Kalethe simply nods, then sits silently to wait and listen
Can I really trust this goblin? Those eyes...always plotting...I suppose what choice do I have? He's the only one who can unlock these manacles.
She sighs, "If that is the plan, I will assist how I can."
Ami gestures to Iana, "...but like she said, it wouldn't hurt to free those who are convincing at pretending to be shackled. However, I can see why Kalethe and the wizard would be useful to you, so I have no quarrel with you starting there."
"That being said, it doesn't seem like the guards check on us so regularly that you won't be able to free us all...as long as you are quiet and we time things well."
I suppose now, we watch and wait... Ami thinks as she leans back and waits for the patrol.
"I have no qualms with that plan. It sounds as good as any...I am somewhat surprised that one of your...kind thought of such a plan. Not that I am disappointed. Having useful allies is a good thing. Especially in our current...predicament. If it comes to a fight, my master will undoubtedly give us aid, though I may need that symbol on the cloth to reach out to him properly." Rubbing his hand, Paul continues, "Those...cretins slashed and gnarled my true connection to my lord."
The addition of the ogre would make things easier for them for sure. Though it all hinged on the goblin actually meaning what he said and freeing them all. If trouble did happen and the little creature tried to escape without them...
The inmates fall silent, listening and waiting.
"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 shitter. 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?”
The guards enjoy a bit of a laugh. After some time the first guard speaks up again.
"I'll be going back tonight anyway. Maybe I can get some of it back."
"When's it starting tonight?"
"Right after we get off this post. Why, you comin'?"
"Mayhap I will. But for now, we ought to check on the filth."
There is a sound of wood scraping on stone, and a footstep or two.
After nearly two hours of waiting, the door opens. A guard comes in, making his way to the intersection. He glances through the bars at the prisoners, then turns and leaves. The other man stands at the door the whole time watching, with his hands holding something to the side. The door closes behind the two men and silence falls again.
Dog Tooth jerks his head back and makes a displeased face as Paul speaks.
Uh..what's that supposed to mean? "One of your kind?" Like I'm some freak? Does he think I'm stupid? Just because I'm short doesn't make me an idiot! I can't believe some people. He must think so highly of himself. That fool.
Dog Tooth makes a mental note of murmurs from beyond the cell, but he is too caught up in his own internal monologue and evil revenge plot to care. The patrolling guard snaps him out of his head-space and returns him to the current situation. Once the guard returns to his post, Dog Tooth nods his head as a sign.
Whispering, he says to the others "N-now's as good a time as ever, yeah? Pass me the tool"
Perception
I quietly repeat what I've overheard to the others. "Elvish hearing, sorry," I half-blush. "The ears do come in useful now and again."
Ami sits silently and tries to focus, but her mind is clouded with doubts. She doesn't realize how much she has zoned out, until the elf's voice brings her back to reality.
As the elf relays what she heard, Ami smiles approvingly, "Tsk, Tsk. Gambling, drinking...and a warden who doesn't even seem to care? Perhaps this will be easier than we think?", she ponders for a moment, "Although, it won't help us to get over confident, perhaps we will be able to use their lack of discipline against them."
After a long wait, Ami hears the guards finally come to check on them. Ok...think you can keep your head out of the clouds and pay attention for a few minutes? So there are at least two of them. One checks the cell, the other hangs back. Wait? What is that he's holding? I don't think it's his club...
Ami's eyes widen for a moment, as she mutters an expletive under her breath. She quickly leans back against the wall.
She waits until she is sure the guards are out of earshot before whispering back to Dog Tooth, "Hold on a minute. Did you see what the guy in back was doing? I think he was readying a signal horn...you know, in case something was amiss..."
"If we are going to do something about these guards, we had better watch out for that horn...or we could end up fighting every guard in this prison."
"A sleep spell would seem to be an answer, if he's not strong-willed," I suggest quietly. "Or I'm open to suggestions."
While everyone is preoccupied with watching the guards outside the door and the discovery of the signal horn, Dog Tooth's been hard at work removing his manacles.
Trying to avoid being spotted, he makes a hushed announcement
"so there's been a change in plans"
He hurries to release everyone.
In a matter of minutes, Dog Tooth has everyone free of their manacles.
Kalethe smiles as he hears the conversation on the other side of the door. The elf has the right of it. We should try to make our full escape then- he pauses as the little creature, Dog Tooth climbs over him, freeing his arms. He shakes his them, slapping them against one another, and lightly pounds his chest. Ah, much better. Now that he's free he actually turns to face the others. We should still wait until the change of guard. I was able to hear them coming before, and believe I could again. We should stay by our chains, then pretend to be in them when they come. But as soon as there is a change of guard, we should strike. We could wait for their first patrol, then sneak to the door. Step through, you, he points to Ash, can use your sleep, I will attempt to pull it from him, the rest focus on killing. Between all of us, we should be able to make quick work of two guards.
Kalethe pauses for a moment. Or, I guess we could probably take these two now, and when the guard change happens take the other two. Then begin escaping.
Ami lets out a sigh of relief as her arms are freed from the wall. "Thanks Tooth...", she says with a smile.
She stretches her shoulders back and forth trying to get some feeling back into her arms. "If we are worried about him resisting Sleep, I could have my serpent try to steal it from him without him noticing...but I would only suggest that if we plan to take them down soon. I also have a spell that could make him drop it, if Sleep failed...but I unfortunately don't have what I need to cast it, unless there are some spell components in that veil..."
"I agree with Kalethe. We can probably make quick work of these two, as long as we are careful about the horn bearer. Just make sure anyone who needs a weapon grabs one of those daggers..."
When Dogtooth finishes freeing her Iana smiles appreciatively at the goblin. Just for a moment then the cold mask return and she speaks to Kalethe: "Indeed one of us could make some noise to attract their attention while you hide near the door. As soon as the guard passes by, you should go for the other guard to keep him from sounding the alarm."
After saying that she takes the pentagram of the veil and hands it to Paul Granius. "I don't like giving up a symbol of Mi Lord, yet I'm sure this was intended by him for your use." "Still first opportunity I'm going to find a new one."
Then hearing Ami, Iana adds: "Why don't you check that pouch. We should also check the potion, to see what it's effects are."
Paul waits patiently as the goblin...thing removes his shackles. While he didn't care that the creature left him for last, he made note of it. He graciously says, "My thanks, ally. It is good to see that we have someone of your skills and trustworthiness here. We will probably need your skills even further."
Grabbing the symbol, he feels the weight of it in his hand, taking note of the simple warmth he feels emanating from it and says "I am willing to make the distraction, or better yet I may be able to command the loaf to come to us."
Ami takes the veil and looks up at Iana. "I guess its worth taking a peak, if you don't mind...". She examines the pouch shaped patch for a second and gives a non-committal shrug, before peeling it off the veil.
"Let's see what we have in here..." she whispers as she peeks inside.
The "pouch" pulls free and extends . . . Ami holds a large sack in her hands. As she looks inside, she finds clothes that fit each of her cell mates--as well as her--two small pouches full of spell components and a few vials of what appear to be volatile chemicals .
"Looks like clothes..."
Ami turns to Iana and holds up a tiny shirt, "You know, some people might find it creepy that your friend knows I only fit into a children's size three..." Finding spell components, she smiles widely, "but I think I can find it in my heart to look past that..."
She grabs a mineral prism, a few fireflies and some butter, then holds out the remaining components towards Ashmoniel and Paul. "I'm guessing the rest of this stuff is meant for you two...".
Pulling out the vials, she says, "Anyone know what these are?"
"I would like to think that this is all I need," Paul holds the symbol up, "but I'm sure it will be useful regardless."
He puts the clothing to the side, not sure if they really had time to cloth themselves. He holds the pouch in one hand and the symbol in the other, in case he needed it.
"No need to thank me. We'll all be useful in our escape at some point. I'm going to attempt to open the cell door and release Grumblejack. Ami, start calling your pal. We'll draw them in, take them out. From there, I can scout with uh Itzal. Or, we can stick together. Whatever you all prefer"
Dog Tooth gets dressed and takes a look at the chemicals. He swirls one around, lifts the cap to get a whiff and immediately recaps it.
"Ooo, this can be useful."
He tucks the compounds into his belt and moves on to the cell door
Kalethe grabs a set of clothes and begins to strip down immediately. As he takes off his shirt, a mass of interweaving scars appears, completely covering his chest. He sena completely unconcerned about being naked, though he hastily grabs the scarf accompanying his clothes and winds it around his mouth. He finishes dressing, then stands, Let's make all our preparations now. Anyone who needs a weapon, grab one. Suiting his words, Kalethe grabs a couple leg bands, hefting two of them in separate hands. We could cause a distraction to call the guards, but their sure to be suspicious if we do. We could also lie in wait for them to patrol again, then surprise them. I am happy with either.
Ami quickly changes clothes. She nods toward Dogtooth and kneels down on the prison floor. After about a minute of strange gestures and whispered incantation in infernal, the floor glows with reddish light and a black serpent appears. Ami holds out her arm and allows it to crawl up her arm. She holds it like a child might hold a puppy.
"It seems our work is not yet done, my friend..."
"Ok, we're ready..."
Dog Tooth approaches this lock like he did the others. Before long, though, he realizes that this one is not the same. A loud clicking noise resounds through the room. From the other side of the door you hear the guards stop, "What was that?"
"Probably just a rat."
A tense moment passes but the guards turn back to their conversation.
Upon seeing the clothes Iana rapidly changed, not bothered in the least in showing her body, after she is done Iana speaks: "Let's wait for Dog Tooth to open Grumblejack's cell then we move, Ashmoniel are you ready?"
Upset with his failure, Dog Tooth releases a mumbled expletive.
Awful thoughts swarm his mind of all his past failures and all the punishments that befell him. Sweat begins to bead on his brow.
Ugh c'mon, I can't be losing my wits now....
He takes a deep breath, calms himself and tries again.
The goblin's a foul little creature, but- "Thanks," I say, rubbing my wrists as he frees me from my chains. "Ready as I'll ever be," I reply, finding the pouch intuitive to my fingertips, the components I need right where I need them.
Concentration
Will save
Dog Tooth opens the cell door, stepping out. Grumblejack looks on eagerly. "And now me," he says, trying to shake his bars, "I'll go kill the little'uns." He tries more vigorously to shake the bars, though, unsuccessful, he then steps backs, clutching at his arms as if hurt. A feverish light enters his eyes, "Little'uns hurt Grumblejack. They all die now."
"Woah there, Tiger!" Ami says nervously as she steps in front of the creature more than three times her size.
"They will pay soon...but first let us prepare our ambush." She turns to the rest of her cell mates and says , "Personally, I plan to stay pretty far back, but close enough to cast Grease...in case the Sleep spell fails. If we screw up and the horn gets blown, I'll try to summon back up. Ishtak isn't a great fighter, but he will help our front line as long as he is not in the way. How about everyone else?"
She thinks for a moment and asks, "Also, did we ever decide if we are waiting for the patrol or luring them out? Perhaps waiting them out would be best? We wouldn't want to tip them off about their surprise party..." she says with a wink.
Kalethe, now slightly jittery with anticipation, looks around, I agree. Waiting would be best. Also, did anyone want these weapons? he pulls the blades free of the veil, handing them to whoever claims them, I would be less effective with these than my bare hands.
Kalethe tilts his head as if realizing sobering. He looks up at Grumblejack. Are you injured?
Grumblejack looks confused, "Injured?" he touches his arms and his eyes light up, "Hurt? Yes. Little'uns beat Grumblejack after dinner--when Grumblejack feel special tired and weak."
"I'll gladly let you out, I just need you to quiet down. We can't have you attracting those guards in here. It might ruin our plan."
He pauses, and tilts his head sideways, letting his thoughts congeal.
"Hm... Grumblejack, when were you last fed? Should you be eating soon? How many guards come to feed you?" addressing the others, "we could wait until then if you'd like? I'll disengage his shackles so when they come to feed him, we can ambush them? Or not. Up to you."
"....or we let Grumblejack attract those guards in here soon and we give them a good bashing. Yeah, completely up to you.
Any longer and I'll have to move on to Revenge Plot Plan B.
"We should engage them on our terms. Have the big one attract the guards and I think we can all manage to get them before they alert any others. Waiting for them to bring food or anything of the like only increases the chance of there being more of them. Concentrate on whichever one has a horn or some other such thing." Paul says. He keeps on looking back and forth between the guards and the rest of the group, trying to keep track of their numbers.
"I'd really prefer to avoid the messiness of violence if the matter can simply and straightforwardly be resolved with an appropriate application of arcane power," I jabber, nervous. "That said if the brutes prove too thick-skulled for magic then please do crack them open."
Before stepping into the cell, he takes a large gulp of air and tries his best to hold his breath.
"All right, Big 'Un, let's get you free."
"I suppose you have a point. I am fine with letting Grumblejack lure them."
Ami turns towards Grumblejacks and says, "...but just make noise at first...ok? Don't let them know you're free until we attack or they may blow the horn before we can even spring our attack. Think you can do that Jack?"
She then looks down at the serpent in her arms, "Whatever plan we go with, I think it would be better if you weren't seen..."
Ami chuckles and says, "No dagger for me...I'd probably just hurt myself"
Kalethe nods, he drops the blades if no one takes them, moving silently towards the door. Stands next to it and signals to the others that he is ready.
"Yesss....I think that would be bessst...."
Itzal slithers out of her arms and hides in the shadows near the guardroom door.
Grumblejack smiles largely and roars. He begins banging on his bars and yelling. The conversation on the other side of the door cuts off.
After freeing 'Jack, Dog Tooth leaves the cell, being sure to close the door to complete the illusion. He then goes back and rummages through the component pouch, picking at things and throwing them back in the pouch until he finds what he's been looking for. He grabs the vials, adds a few things from the component pouch and gives one a good shaking while being careful with the other. He replaces them into his waist band and gives the others a thumbs up.
Edit:
I'm on my phone and can't seem to place my token. Dog Tooth will be hiding in a dark corner by the entrance.
"Hmm...on second thought, I would have to get really close to the door to cast Grease...and I'm not confident that I won't be noticed."
She thinks for a moment. "I think I will stay here and pretend to still be chained. I'll have Itzal stay hidden and try to steal the horn if Sleep fails...and I'll be ready to summon back up should our fighters get in trouble."
Ami picks up the empty sack and hides it behind her back, holding it up by leaning against the wall. . Should we somehow fail, no sense in losing this stuff, she thinks to herself. She holds her arms up near the chains and tries not to draw attention to herself.
Paul prepares for the distraction, waiting for the results of wizard's results.He stays put, realizing that he has little acumen for stealth and would be just as effective where he is now.
Iana heads to all and puts the manacles on herself without locking them, then she puts a determined expression on her with just a touch of helplessness, the same expression she was wearing hours ago, before they had a true chance for escape. "Finally! No matter what anyone says or if her spell works or not, I'm killing these guards."