INeluki tastes PRice's blood, he's very hungry after all... having never drunk blood before, it'a new sensation and it's much easier to handle than bites of a sandwich.... he chitters happily while he laps it up (he's not a vampire bat, and in reality vampire bats bite then lap up what comes out... they don't suck blood either)...
When he's sated, he licks her wound and flies up to sit on her shoulder... looking from Daid to Morthos with a little batty sigh... Whether it's relief at having eaten, or distaste for the argument, it's hard to say...
Completely calm and with a look that shows zero emotion, "If this fool can do all these things, Daidalos, then we have already lost. But we will not lose due to the fact Asmodeus has orchestrated our freedom; and for reasons we will soon become aware of when we meet this mysterious benefactor." Shaking his head, "The fool wizard will die if he follows us. Besides, if he could do all these grand things you claim he may possess the power to do, there is no way we can simply 'sneak in' and end him. If you yourself had such power, would you simply 'go to bed' without a multitude of protective wards around you? I think not."
Daidalos gives a dismissive wave, "If He had wanted us free, His servant could have unlocked our shackles and torn this place down brick by brick. And yet, He did not. Is that not interesting? Instead, He gave us the way to free ourselves. Can you not tell? This is a proving ground. What we do could be of the utmost importance. The wrong choice here could spell disaster for" his gaze flits to the bat on Price's shoulder, "Almost all of us. This is why I urge you to make a cautious decision. If, as you say, Asmodeus will keep us from failing, then we need not fear this wizard and we can continue on our merry way. However, if this is a test, what better way is there to increase our chances of success than to catch one of our most powerful foes at this prison off-guard and unawares, to ease on the rest of our fight. However," he holds up a hand to forestall Morthos' inevitable comeback, "Why should we squabble over this? There are, of course, more than just the two of us present." Daidalos motions to the rest of the group, "What say all of you? Go after the warden when he is unaware of us and slay him now? Or risk him hunting us down later? You know where I stand, but I leave the decision to all of you. No one of us could have escaped here on our own, and now we're stuck together until the end."
With Luke's meal done, Price glances at the little creature on her shoulder as it sighs. She can't help but agree with his assessment. Returning to first priorities, she focuses on Margary, noting the woman's rising panic. She says sympathetically, "I know... I have some alarming friends but be calm. You are doing very well and no one here wants to hurt you. You are safe with us. Now..." She glances at Morthos and Daidalos briefly. "We've got a few matters to discuss amongst ourselves and we can't allow you to run around. So, I'm going to tie you to a chair for awhile. I'll make sure you are somewhere safe when we leave. In the meantime, I have just a few more questions for you and then you can rest. First, how far is your village and in which direction? We aren't going to visit - we are trying to avoid it. Second, how is it the dogs don't attack you? Are they familiar with your smell?" As Price questions the woman, she ties her up.
Hearing Asturu, Timo cocks an eyebrow at him. "Unless they're gonna raise the dead I don't think we have to worry about Blackerly any more.
"No, but they'll find the massacre and lock the gate as the remainder of the guards rush to do battle with us. Hence the need to approach this situation with violence in mind. Yet again. Mitra must be smiling above." He shrugs at Timo as he waves away his verbose manners with an apologetic gesture. "Forgive me, talking, just like thinking, can be so bloody addictive." They then eye the quarreling lovers, locked in a heated discussion about the wizard warden. Asturu grins.
Margary watches the human and the aasimar go back and forth, shakes her head and focuses back on the woman as if she is the only oasis of sanity in an asylum. Price notices as she ties the woman up that she's trembling but not resisting. "It's just a bit east of here, down the new road. I'm not sure 'bout the dogs, to be honest. When we started working here, some of the old guards, they, I guess you could say, introduced us to the dogs. An' for the rest week they walked us in an' out while we fed them...now, they just look to us for food."
From the mess hall comes a loud, deep, satisfied belch.
Price puts a comforting hand on Margary's shoulder and looks the woman in the eye with surety. "You don't need to be afraid. You will live out this night and return home to your village safe. I swear it will be so." Once she's sure Margary is calm - and unlikely to try escaping - she returns to her allies in their debate.
Ignoring the wizard's gesture, "I do not - nor will not - give this Warden the respect you obviously do. And, yes, the wrong choice could prove our end. In that regard, instead of escaping, we chase after some fool who you feel could be some form of god and that costs our chance at escape and brings about our end. I will not risk my life searching for this fool when escape is my goal."
Ineluki, not wanting to change forms just yet, flits over to Morthos and lands on his shoulder, hoping that clearly states his opinion... He perches there for the time being unless Morthos brushes him away.
Noticing the bat form of Ineluki land on his shoulder, the slightest of grins is just barely visible among the anti-paladin's visage if one were to look hard enough. If only more of those fools who betrayed us would have seen the truth about the pathetic king as clearly as Inelukii and I do, then that royal fool would be the one to be executed in three days time instead of us. Remember, Morthos, patience. Time is on our side and we shall have our revenge.
"'tis simple," Affyria says with a slight grin. "If you want to go and fight your mage, you are free to do so, but the rest of us will be heading towards the exit."
The brunette considers the situation, and offers, "I want to escape Brandescar but there are two ways it can go - ugly or clean. Ugly could lead to us being chased by baying bloodhounds and having to actively avoid cavalry. Clean gets us out of here with a reduced risk of pursuit once we are clear of this benighted prison - at a greater risk now. Clean also gives us a chance to send a blood-stamped message to the ruling class of Talingarde that may erode faith in this regime."
"Personally, I'd prefer 'clean'... and clean means wizard-hunting, unfortunately. Would you like to hear my thinking or are you decided already? If you're already committed to busting out right now, I'll skip the theory and we can get down to the practical aspects of an escape. As an appetizer, I disagree with trying to pass Grumblejack off as a prisoner. We'll need a more stealthy approach with a large dollop of deception. And that means a few of you boys..." She looks at Timo, Morthos, and Asturu, "will need to practice your acting skills." The inquisitor seems more than willing to go along with the majority decision.
"Freedom is my only goal at this point. The wizard does not concern me unless he bars our way to the exit. I am decided," Morthos simply says.
"You may be decided," Daidalos tells Morthos, "But there are still two of our number yet to give their input. I am willing to do as the group prefers. Are you?"
When the question is posed to her about when the guards' shift is likely to switch, she shrugs. "Shoulda been an hour ago, but when the sarg'ent has one of his card games, it can be delayed for hours. Drives the men t' drinkin', it does." She sits there, then realizes what she just said, closes her eyes, and you can tell she's cursing herself.
"We ought to escape. There's an opportunity for it and we know how fickle the Gods can be, so let us use it."
Seeing as his vote no longer matters and wanting to move the group on, Timo speaks up. "The wizard makes no difference. If we are an hour past shift change, hes probably awake anyways and if he comes after us we'll deal with him then. What we need is a plan to cross the bridge."
Timo pauses for a moment to make sure he has everyone's attention and then continues, "Here's what I've got. We need to clear the gate house first and we need to do it without the alarm being tripped. If we don't, we'll probably have a fight on two sides on the bridge. Once the gatehouse is cleared. Morthos, myself and maybe one more of you will head out to the bridge pretending to be their relief. The guards there should be tired and won't be paying too much attention until we're on top of them. Once we engage the rest of you join in. If all goes well those guards should be the last thing between us and freedom.
Sound good or anyone see an issue with it?"
"I think the bridge is the lesser problem; the night is dark and the guards' eyesight is poor. If we don't use that 'window' from the veil before then, we can make our own hole through the gate or into the guardhouse. The larger problem is the gatehouse - for the reasons you just pointed out. We've got to get rid of the dogs and the inside guards... all of it under the eyes of the guards on the wall. If they become alerted then we'll probably have to contend with the wall guards, bridge guards, and possibly the spell-slinger..."
"We'll need stealthy folks in one or two groups. They will need to go after the dogs and be ready to creep into the side gatehouse or backup the more guard-like men. That guard group will have to march up to the gate and bluff their way into the murderhole to kill whoever is there. I can't think of any logical reason why a convicted prisoner facing a death sentence in the next few days would be walked out to the gate under guard in the middle of the night. It is just too suspicious. Grumblejack will have to do his best to sneak with us. That's as far as my thinking has gone."
She returns to Margary, "Are there any soldiers assigned to guard the warden?"
Daidalos looks somewhat surprised at Asturu's vote, but quickly composes himself.
"I must agree, there is no way we can manage the 'Grumblejack is our prisoner' ruse. It just doesn't make sense. However, if a few of us either sneak up on them soon or come with the ruse that we're their replacement, we could take quite a few of them out quickly."
He thinks for a few moments, falling silent.
The cook shakes her head to Price's question. "No, why would there be? There's never been an...escape." Her voice trails off as she realizes how quickly that statement is going to become untrue.
Nodding, "Agreed. The 'alarms' must be removed. Ergo, the four legged mongrels must be taken out first and foremost. I do not know exactly how we can silence them before their incessant yapping ensues but we must find a way. And it is also agreed that our large ally will never pass as a prisoner. I would gather he is not suppose to be out of his cage at all." Looking back out the door to make sure he's still out there, Morthos lowers his voice, " But I also do not believe his stealth will win us the day either. I would submit him to be 'Plan B'. If the pathetic guards and their mongrel creatures manage to somehow find an unbelievable amount of luck on their side - for that is truly the only way we would be prevented from succeeding - then we call upon him to do what he does best... smash." He checks once again before continuing, "The only issue would be to convince him to stay hidden. Of course, succeeding in our endeavor - as I feel we will - he follows us as we go. But only after we remove the necessary threats ourselves. Because you all know as well as I," he glances over again one more time and then continues, "the mongrels will smell the beast a mile away; he obviously knows no meaning of the word 'bath'," he says plainly.
Daidalos rests on a counter, eyes closed in deep thought. Then, they snap open, and he ventures into the dining room to talk to Grunmblejack,
"You're very strong, aren't you? Could you do me a favor? If you would come with me upstairs, I have something for you to try your strength on." He leads the ogre upstairs, and leads him into the prison room, then directs the massive beast at the chains that held them to the wall, particularly the magical chains that held Inelukii, "Can you get these chains off the wall without breaking any of the silver ones? I don't think any of us are strong enough to do so ourselves, but you, on the other hand..."
Grumblejack thus occupied, he returns downstairs, and joins the conversation, "There. That should keep him busy for a few minutes. I agree that the beast must be held in reserve. He may have been sneakier than any of us in the dining hall, but I doubt his luck will hold long. I say, we hold him in reserve, just behind the main doors outside. Then, if he hears an alarm being raised, he can be at our side within seconds, ready to join the fray should stealth no longer be viable.
"Fooling the guards should not prove challenging. They are not expecting an escape, and as such, will not assume one is happening unless given proof. I can cast a spell that cloaks me as one of the guards- even Blackerly himself. It will not fool the hounds, but it could serve to further put the guardsmen at ease and allow us no troubles in eliminating them all. From there, taking out the poor souls in the gatehouse will be no trouble. The dogs, on the other hand..." he falls silent for another moment, thinking.
He turns to the cook, "How many dogs are there in total? Also, where are they at night? Wandering the courtyard? Sleeping in the kennels? Stationed on the walls?"
And, barring other options, he asks the cook if she knows what either of the unidentified liquids (found in Blackerly's room and the barracks) are.
Grumblejack seems a bit confused as to why the little 'un wants him to procure the chains, but even for as brief as your time with him has been, he seems to show a particular deference towards those who wield magic. And so, he goes back upstairs with Daidalos and begins pulling and yanking on the chains.
Back downstairs, the cook says there are three dogs and they are loose at night while the gates are shut, but locked in their kennels during the day.
Daidalos encourages Grumblejack to keep trying, to keep him busy for a minute or two.
Price scoops up the bat and walks him to the non-flaming chimney, imparting some last thoughts. "Be careful while you're getting the lay of the land. If it's safe - try to get a peek into the gatehouse. It would be great to know how many men are in the murderhole and how many are in the side-rooms." She releases the bat, wishing him luck.
Ok board just ate a long post... essentially, ineluki recons yard and walls,and guards... on phone and don't ha have the heart to try to retype it all.
Ineluki flies up the chimney, and out in the open air... he circles the chimney a few times just for the sheer enjoyment of the freedom of flight. The thought crosses his mind momentarily that he could just fly away and be free, but it is a fleeting notion at best. He cannot leave his new 'colony' in such straits. He has a responsibility to them, and so he ends his frenetic circling after a moment.
He flies over the yard, noting the dogs and what they are doing... or not doing... Do they patrol or are they sitting lazing somewhere and watching the yard? Do they have a handler present or are they on their own?
Once he's pretty sure of the dogs and their situation, he flies to the walls. He flies along their length, noting the locations of stationary guards, the path and schedule of patrolling guards if any, and in addition, looks for the mentioned 'murder holes'. If they are indeed present, he'll stay out of sight of course, but try to get an idea of weapons in use there, manpower, reload rate, or anything else that might apply.
He'll try to fly out to the guardhouse at the end of the bridge, get numbers and weaponry there as well... then he'll fly back, high and out of sight... back to the chimney and down...
If Price is waiting for him, he'll transform in front of her, otherwise, he'll take human form while alone and walk down the stairs to the others.
With a satisfied smile, he asks, "Ready for a report?"
Inelukii flies up through the chimney and begins to explore the environs surrounding the prison. He finds a single dog patrolling the courtyard while two more rest in the kennel. Another is at the guardhouse at the far end of the bridge with two guards. Only three guards seem to be patrolling the walls and are doing so separately, and another two are stationed on the roof of the main gatehouse. Flitting about the gatehouse and peering in through arrow slits, it seems the interior is empty.
Price is indeed waiting for the bat's return and is noticeably relieved when he flaps back down the chimney.
"Ready for a report?"
"Absolutely."
Ineluki takes a deep breath and organizes his thoughts before speaking... "Only one dog was patrolling the yard, another two were in the kennel, resting"
"A fourth dog was with the two guards at the far end of the bridge at the guardhouse there."
He thinks a moment... shrugs.. [/b]"I'm getting out of order here... back to the walls... I saw three guards patrolling the walls, all individually, no pairs or anything... but there were two that seemed to be stationed on the roof of the main gatehouse. The interior of the gatehouse was empty.. I looked in the arrow slits and didn't see anyone there, so your fear of murderholes might be incorrect."[/b]
"I hope that's enough, it's all I saw... " He closes his eyes a moment and pictures himself in the sky again, feeling the air currents eddy around him. He gives himself the leisure of a slight smile of sheer contentment before asking, "Are we going to make our move soon? and what do we do with Grumble? He's gonna be hard to hide. And we've got to get out quick before the wizard is alerted, right? Maybe we should take some meat for the dogs and feed them... something to make them sleep or be sick would be best."
Daidalos sketches out a quick map of the prison on some of the paper they found.
"Here. We can use this for battle planning, and where did you see the guards at relative RJ this?"
You get the sense the wizard is concentrating intensely on... something. He's quiet for a while, then starts to speak, "So, my understanding is that there's one dog, running loose in the courtyard? That's the only one we need to worry about. By the time we get to the guardhouse, we're home free anyway. The two in the kennel have no real chance to interfere with us. Any that might notice us would be dismissed as barking at" he smirks for a moment, "Bats. However, this last one-" he indicates the map, where a small dot represents the free-roaming dog "could be anywhere. We eliminate him, we eliminate the threat. So, what I propose is that one of us- either Timo or Morthos, most likely- takes a potion to close the eyes of beasts to them. Then, we toss some meat outside to bring the dog close. When the hound approaches, it can be silenced easily- before it can so much as whine.
"From there, our next point of attack will be the gatehouse. I can cloak myself as Blackerly, with a few 'guards' in tow as their relief. We assemble the fools, tell them to be watchful, and gather them all in front of me. I can then smite them, leaving them helpless and easy to dispatch. If that works, we will have barely over a half-dozen guards and one warden, spread throughout the entire prison, left to oppose us. And then Branderscar is ours, and freedom is inevitable."
"I hope that's enough, it's all I saw... " He closes his eyes a moment and pictures himself in the sky again, feeling the air currents eddy around him. He gives himself the leisure of a slight smile of sheer contentment before asking, "Are we going to make our move soon? and what do we do with Grumble? He's gonna be hard to hide. And we've got to get out quick before the wizard is alerted, right? Maybe we should take some meat for the dogs and feed them... something to make them sleep or be sick would be best."
Turning to the skinwalker with a look of resolution, "Meat? That is perfect, Inelukii. Meat is what we shall use. And if there is none to make them sick, we will give them plenty to make them lazy. Perfect."
You get the sense the wizard is concentrating intensely on... something. He's quiet for a while, then starts to speak, "So, my understanding is that there's one dog, running loose in the courtyard? That's the only one we need to worry about. By the time we get to the guardhouse, we're home free anyway. The two in the kennel have no real chance to interfere with us. Any that might notice us would be dismissed as barking at" he smirks for a moment, "Bats. However, this last one-" he indicates the map, where a small dot represents the free-roaming dog "could be anywhere. We eliminate him, we eliminate the threat. So, what I propose is that one of us- either Timo or Morthos, most likely- takes a potion to close the eyes of beasts to them. Then, we toss some meat outside to bring the dog close. When the hound approaches, it can be silenced easily- before it can so much as whine.
"From there, our next point of attack will be the gatehouse. I can cloak myself as Blackerly, with a few 'guards' in tow as their relief. We assemble the fools, tell them to be watchful, and gather them all in front of me. I can then smite them, leaving them helpless and easy to dispatch. If that works, we will have barely over a half-dozen guards and one warden, spread throughout the entire prison, left to oppose us. And then Branderscar is ours, and freedom is inevitable."
Morthos raises an eyebrow as he ponders the plan a moment before looking to them all, "It appears our time to move is now. Let us execute the plan and execute all who stand in our way of freedom. Timo, the dog is yours to destroy if you so desire," he states plainly while he moves to grab some of the meat from wherever it resides.
"This plan has merit," Timo says gruffly to the group. He then proceeds to adjust his armor, tabard, gear, and hair in the way that hes seen the guards wear them. Turning back to the group he quips, "What do ya think? Do I look like one of the swine?" Timo then proceeds to take the meat from Morthos and head towards the front door. "Is everyone ready?"
Ineluki goes back to bat form and sits on Price's shoulder for the time being, unless she objects.
The Inquisitor frowns, "The dogs in the cages may be a problem. They can't attack but they are probably close to the gate so they can bark at strangers. IF they bark, that's the same as sounding the alarm."
As Morthos relinquishes the meat to Timo, he turns to Price as she speaks.
The Inquisitor frowns, "The dogs in the cages may be a problem. They can't attack but they are probably close to the gate so they can bark at strangers. IF they bark, that's the same as sounding the alarm."
Raising an eyebrow, Morthos sighs before turning and grabbing more meat. Lots more. "Hopefully feeding the worthless animals will keep them quiet. Otherwise, our initial plan will become moot and Plan Grumblejack is put into play." Pondering the whole situation within his mind, he can only shake his head at the idea of two dogs ruining it all. "I loathe dogs," he says with absolute conviction, readying to move as soon as he's done collecting as much meat as he can.
"I doubt the kenneled dogs will prove an issue- they are likely asleep, and any barking they would make would be passed off as being at passing animals. Even if they bark as we approach the gatehouse, so what? I shall be veiled as Blackerly, and can tell them to not bother worrying about the hounds." Daidalos waves off the concerns of Price.
Price blinks, astonished. "Regardless of what they bark at, the guards' attention will be drawn to the noise. Second, these are trained guard dogs, not your pet pooch. They don't bark at errant squirrels. And exactly what 'passing animal' are they smelling in a sealed fortress, on an island, in the middle of the night - a rogue squid?"
She looks closely at Daidalos, trying to determine if his ideas were madness or part of a plan. Erring on the side of caution, she adds, "If you are 'accidentally' trying to bring the wizard into this fight so you can get your hands on his spellbook, think again. I'll torch that book and roast chicken over it, if you endanger our escape."
Timo pauses at the front door as the discussion turns to the dogs in the Kennel. "We have two Hide from Animals potions. Why don't two of us take them and strike down the kennel dogs in a simultaneous strike. Then we can continue with the meat plan with the final dog." He then turns to Price,"Do you think that will work?
"That is not my plan at all. If I wanted to fight the warden regardless of what the group decided, I could blow the alarm horn. That, if anything, would draw him out. All I am saying is that, should the hounds bark and they decide to investigate, they will find Blackerly, not an escaped prisoner."
Hmmm... I did not consider that the sleeping dogs might still alert them. How to solve that..... Ah, of course.
"However, if you are still concerned, we can simply, as Timo suggested, send Morthos, having drank the other potion, perhaps along with Luke, to eliminate the other dogs."
Price finds herself admiring Timo's mental flexibility, his willingness to adjust plans. "I'd recommend a variant of the 'meat plan'. I'd have you and Morthos take the Hide potions then enter the courtyard. Let the meat smell lure the loose dog to you. When it has a mouthful of meat - and likely can't bark - kill it. Then move on to the kenneled hounds and do the same thing."
"The key is to avoid the walls whenever possible. The guards are human, with poor night vision. Every foot you stay away from the wall makes it less likely they spot you and gives you the advantage. That's why I'd take the loose dog in the center courtyard first and leave the kennel for afterwards - reduces the risk." She looks at Timo and Morthos earnestly, "The rest of us will wait here, ready to jump out in case things go wrong. Anyone that can strike from a distance will need to be ready to go after any alerted guards... But make no mistake, a LOT will be riding on you gentlemen striking hard, fast, and true. Are you up for that?"
Looking to Price a moment as thoughts of dying dogs run through his mind, he grins wickedly. "I'll be needing that potion," he simply responds to her question with a tone of utmost confidence before turning to Timo. "Let us put an end to these loathsome creatures, Timo, and find our freedom."
Daidalos nods, "Be careful, the potion will only last ten minutes- or until you lay a hand upon an animal. The moment you strike the hounds, its effects will cease, so be quick and cautious."
Looking over at Daidalos with a raised eyebrow, "Cease?" he asks rhetorically, perturbed at the unfortunate news. "I was not aware of that. Very well. Then we need to decide which two we fell first. The kennel I would recommend. And we will just have to remove the lone one another way. Curses!" Morthos can only shake his head, obviously irritated at the setback. Just a minor setback, Morthos, nothing more. Continue as planned. It will work, do not concern yourself with minor trivialities. After a moment, the antipaladin calms and collects himself, regaining his resolve.
Asturu takes the flask collected from Blackerly's quarters, uncorks it, sniffs, pours a dab of it onto a clean cloth, studies the color, holds it to the light, dilutes it and takes a small taste of the contents.
He swishes it in his mouth and realizes there is a base of a powerful alcohol that has been mixed with herbs, particularly lavender, and a rose water syrup. He spits it back into the dilution, rinses his mouth out with clean water, then says, "Hmm. Morthos, Timo... I may have a solution for our quandary. This is an exceptionally strong sleep drought. Perhaps if this was given to the digs in the kennel...?"
Turning his attention to Asturu, "A sleep draught, you say?" he says, a victorious look upon him. "That is perfect. Well done, Asturu. Oh yes, this will come in quite handy."