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Per Ron's instructions, the storeroom lies beyond (14) the Sarge's office, which they haven't even bothered to lock. You wonder if you should be surprised or disappointed with the lack of discipline. One thing is sure though; with every turn, the incompetence of these fools becomes more and more evident.
(14) the Sarge's office is a plain affair with a single cluttered desk and a couple of chairs. This room is lit by a pair of sconces holding torches. A quick glance shows there's a lot of paperwork on the desk.
With 20 beds, that leaves 5 guards playing poker in 3c, one of whom is Ron.
(13)The broom closet is locked. Oh, the irony.
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as Caladwhen peeks outside the kitchen door, she hears three dogs snoring to the far north, and a smittering of laughter from the eastern gatehouse. There's no movement.
northeast is a patch of vegetables and fruit trees, directly east is a strange plant with odd flowers, presumably the belladonna Ron mentioned earlier.
To the south is a tower (6a), providing access to the battlements.
Perc
Perc
Too distracted by his revenge, Talon doesn't notice much
After finishing in the mess hall, Calawhen makes her way to the Sergeants's office assuming the way is clear across the hall. Searching the desk, Cala happens upon some of the Sergeant's notes.
"Not surprisingly, it seems that Blackerly has been skimming funds from the prison to line his pockets." Looking up from the journal, Caladwhen raises her left eyebrow, and smirks lightly "That partly explains the sorry state of this place."
Grabbing the map, Cala unrolls it for all to see. "Well then, with eleven guards dead, five playing poker in the gatehouse, the leaves only a pair walking the battlements and a pair of archers. I also heard a trio of dogs, but they're presently sleeping."
Crossing her arms, Caladwhen ponders a moments before extrapolating a plan "At this point, we have the upper hand. We could ambush the guards on patrol when they're at their farthest point from the Gatehouse, and then double back to finish off Blackerly." Pacing out from behind the desk, Caladwhen continues "We can storm Blackerly's game by surprise. I can put a number of them to sleep, making it easy to dispatch them all. At that point, all that remains is to kill the bowmen. I could minimize their threat by creating a mist to obscure their line of sight, allowing Talon, Arryn and Aereth to enter their room here," placing a finger on the map at room 3A, Caladwhen smiles devilishly "and dispatch them quickly. At that point, we can take our time, arm ourselves with supplies and mounts, and be on our way at a leisurely pace by morning, free once more."
Talon quietly listens to Caldwhen's planning, nodding occasionally. "I like it, well thought out. I'd prefer to be in front for most of this. There's a certain guard I'd wish to find before we kill him"
Aerent adds, "Don't forget the warden's tower, we need to get Talon's spellbook."
He looks over the maps, "Hmmm, maybe we can get some of that belladonna and dip some meat in it. Throw that to the dogs. Even if they wake up, they eat the meat and fall right back asleep."
He stands up and nods, "I say we ambush the patrols on the battlement then hit the poker game as quickly as possible. We have the advantage, I say we press it. But first, let's see if we can find some bows or crossbows..."
Aerent attempts to enter the armory. If locked, he'll ask Arryn to open it and the closet. If she is busy, he asks Grumblejack to destroy the doors.
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wondering why the humongs always worry about closed doors, Grumblejack is happy to assist.
"door no locked. see?" *crash* "door open."
(13, storeroom)This room is unlit.
Assuming you bring a torch from the hallway, you see that spplies for the prison are stored here. There are hundreds of torches, a dozen lanterns, two 10 gallon kegs of lantern oil, six spare guard uniforms, dozen signal horns, twenty 50’ lengths of rope and two barrels labeled ‘emergency ra-
tions’.
iron rations that has gotten wet, moldered and not been replaced. They could still be eaten by the brave or the desperate (each barrel contains 100 days of ‘food’) but you'd rather not.
Hanging in a special rack is also to be found several brands with the runic F symbol and a specially made brazier for heating them. You immediately recognize these items as the brands that marked you.
"That's great, Jack, you're very strong!."
Looking in the barrels, Aerent thinks to himself, Hmmm, just a few maggots. Heat it up, it would be fine."
Aerent encourages the ogre to batter down the door to the armory.
"My good friends, I bear gifts!" I say as I lay out my gifts with a bow.
1. Empty; this newly hired guard hasn’t stocked his chest yet.
2. A change of peasant clothes.
3. Ink, quill and a personal journal that reveals this week’s password “Ghastenhall” – and the details of Blackerly’s illicit gambling sessions including exactly when the next game will be.
4. A small coin pouch with 1d6 gold in miscellaneous coinage.
5. A bottle of fine whiskey (smoky, peaty with just a hint of sweetness) without label worth 25 gp.
6. A bottle of absolute rot gut without label worth 5 gp.
7. A silver holy symbol of Sarenrae (worth 25 gp) and a Sarenraean holy book (worth 5 gp).
8. Hidden under peasant garb are two decks of cards (one regular, one marked) and bag of 12 gp worth of mixed coinage.
9. A surprisingly well written love letter ending in a proposal of marriage to someone named ‘Michelle’ and a sapphire engagement ring worth 100 gp.
10. A large collection of letters from home. Perhaps they are poignant but they are also worthless.
11. A masterwork lute (worth 100 gp).
12. A small supply of absolutely delicious cookies carefully wrapped in wax paper labeled ‘From Lil.’
13. A whetstone, cleaning supplies for chain shirt, extra bowstring, and a small book of military regulations.
14. A collection of cheap, tawdry, crudely printed books (the so-called “penny dreadfuls”) about dashing heroes, daring do and amply bosomed damsels prone to fainting and outdoor bathing (no resale value).
15. A set of peasant clothes and a short sword.
16. A small coin pouch with 3 gp in miscellaneous coinage.
17. A small bag of doggy treats.
18. A map of the nearby town of Varyston including the Old Moor road.
19. A traveller’s outfit, a finely made pipe (5 gp) with a good supply (1 lb.) of high quality shag tobacco (2 gp).
20. A small bottle with a hand written note “In case of trouble – Love, Mom!” (a potion of cure light wounds).
"We should be able to catch a good price on most of this,"I continue.
Survival
Int
Talon scowls "I'm not sure what food you eat human, but I wouldn't feed that to a dog unless I wanted it dead" He pauses as he looks around the room "Bastard taking all the money, no wonder we managed to break out"
"Hmm."
Sindran ignores most of the room, giving it a brief glance before heading straight to the two kegs of oil. He spots the rack of brands and puts his meat cleaver down on a nearby barrel, taking two of the brands in his hands and swinging them thoughtfully. He takes the time to ignite the nearby brazier.
When Arryn arrives, the half-orc looks at what she brought.
"Ah, clothes."
Sindran strips out of his bloodied shirt and replaces it with one that Arryn brought.
"Thank you for that."
He looks at the items with more interest and takes the small book of military regulations, skimming it briefly, and then takes the bottle of whiskey along with the pipe and tobacco.
The half-orc doesn't seem to be taking an active role, lost in thought as he is at the moment. He keeps looking at the kegs of oil.
"Ghastenhall, might need to remember that" Talon picks up the short sword for a moment, then sets it back down and keeps the longsword. He piles up all the money or anything they're sure to just sell, and tosses a few of the worthless things like the books or letters to the side. He smiles at the weapons and armor, piling it along with any clothing up. "Not much but it should help. Bottle of healing and a map are pretty usefull" He notices Sindran looking at the oil Hmm, I wonder if that's how he got those scars
Looking at the items brought in by Arryn, Caladwhen gives a single nods "Good work Arryn, this will help."
Leaving Talon and Arryn to sort the loot, Cala surveys the store room. After removing the lid from one of the ration barrels, Caladwhen immediately sneers and closes it. "Foul, I'd rather starve." Eyes darting slowly about the room, Cala muses "I suppose we know how Blackerly was skimming funds from the prison, the state of the provisions here is pathetic."
Turning her attention to Aerent, Caladwhen nods "That is a good idea Aerent. Getting the dogs to pass out with meat dipped in Arryn's belladonna brew from the kitchen ought do the trick."
Her attention suddenly drawn over to Sindran, Cala observes him a moment quietly, lost in her own thought. Fascinating. Finally, Caladwhen inquires in a firm yet uncharacteristically concerned tone. "Sindran, is everything alright? You seem distracted."
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Talon scowls "I'm not sure what food you eat human, but I wouldn't feed that to a dog unless I wanted it dead" He pauses as he looks around the room "Bastard taking all the money, no wonder we managed to break out"
Aerent smiles and nods in agreement, "Oh, I agree, Talon, most certainly - as for my tastes, I usually dine on a variety of fowl, usually those that I've hunted myself. They taste great after you split their breasts open and tear off their..." He pointedly looks over Talon's shoulders. In a not-so-contrite tone, "Oh, sorry, Talon. I forgot. Must be my poor human memory. Won't happen again!"
He shrugs and grins, then continues to encourage Grumblejack to destroy the armory door.
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somewhat annoyed at being ushered around, Jack permanently opens the door to (12)
This room is unlit, however, torches are nearby, so you'll quickly find that inside are six spare sets of gear for guards: chain shirt,
heavy steel shield, long sword and longbow. There is also a rack holding a dozen more leather-wrapped clubs.
Further, there is also a stock pile of 240 arrows in twelve quivers. All guard gear (also the stuff you gathered thus far!), armors, weapons and shields bear the mark of Branderscar Prison somewhere on them.
There is also an assortment of weaponry that the guards have confiscated over the years. These weapons are jumbled together and obviously little cared for. They are also unmarked and thus resalable.
That assortment includes: a shiv made from a woman’s metal comb (treat as a dagger), a heavy mace, spear, quarterstaff, battle axe, rapier, great sword, trident and glaive.
Sindran places the pair of branding irons in the brazier, following them to the armory.
"Very nice," he says, inspecting the weapons. He takes up a shield and hefts it, but he finds it too heavy and puts it back.
Aerent goes in to the armory and takes a longbow, 40 arrows, a heavy steel shield, and the trident... reverently caressing it as he quietly says:
Aerent's face forms into an evil grin as he sees his Lord's blessing annoint the weapon.
Talon begins to equip himself, ending up wearing a chain shirt and hiding a dagger down the side of his leg. He picks up and swings around various one handed weapons, frowning at each one and eventually belts a scimitar, not looking overly pleased but not unhappy either when he saw how finely he cut his hand with it.
Taking a look over the various weaponry, Caladwhen grabs the quarterstaff and tests its balance. Though her facial expression remains unchanged, Cala takes the staff, apparently satisfied enough with its quality.
Heading to the door, she turns to face Arryn. "Arryn, once the guards on the wall are felled, you'll have to go ahead of us to poison the dogs with the belladonna treats. You have a talent for subterfuge the rest of us lack, which will help to ensure the dogs won't alarm Blackerly to our approach. The last thing we need is yapping dogs."
Addressing the whole group, Caladwhen smiles confidently "The moment of truth arrives. Is everybody ready?
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Not to sure where we are keeping all of this
You can only find out if you go and have a look. Let's assume you do, when you can no longer hear the patrolling guards' footsteps.
The Warden’s Tower
21. Hall of History
This cold, large room is lit by four sconces holding torches. The entire floor is dedicated to the history of the Castle Branding and the subsequent history that led the castle to become Branderscar Prison. It consists of a series of mostly uninteresting plaques that tell of nobles and deeds hardly anyone remembers anymore. There are a number of banners and flags.
One of the wall hangings is an old brocade tapestry that depicts Castle Branding being turned into a prison with the motto “Her Judgment Cometh and that Right Soon”.
There is a spiral stairway leading up to the second level of the tower, with doors halfway up, leading to the battlements west and east.
"I'll take the rapier if no one else will." I say, as I grab it, and whirl it in my hands. I smile, and belt it to my side, and give it a pat.
This is all definitely turning out for the better. I think it's going unsaid, but our group definitely is going to stick.
Sindran looks around the armory but finds nothing he would like. He goes back to the Sarge's office then heads straight to the Sarge's quarters (15).
After everyone gets suited for battle, Talon gestures them on "We need to hurry, don't want the guards combining their forces" He leads the way up to their next ambush point
Sindran approaches Grumblejack and directs him to storeroom. He asks him to carry one of the kegs of oil and flinches when Grumblejack almost drops the barrel on him. He breathes a sigh of relief when it doesn't.
He picks up the heated branding irons from the brazier, holding one in each hand as he gestures for Grumblejack to follow him as he walks after Talon.
Talon will try to identify and take out the biggest threat
Att
Damage
Entering the Warden's Tower, Caladwhen observes their surroundings. Upon reading the motto, Caladwhen recites it back to the others with a smirk "Her judgement cometh and that right soon; not tonight it doesn't." Before heading to the spiral staircase, Cala points to the tapestry and whispers "We should take that tapestry once we've cleared this place of all threats. It's probably worth about 150 gold by my estimate."
While heading upstairs, Calawhen produces her crossbow and checks to see that it is in working order. Looking further up the staircase, Caladwhen fights the urge to continue up to the library, and looks back to Talon "We'll need to return here once , the library is further up the staircase."
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Talon and Aerent take position in the Hall of History; one of them on either side of the western door to the battlements. As they hear the guards's footsteps approach, Aerent slowly counts down on his fingers. As the guard step into the tower, he reaches zero, and immediately both villains strike as hard as they can, seriously injuring both guards. At the same time, Caladwhen fires her new-found crossbow and hits the second one square between the eyes. He topples over the handrail and falls to the ground floor of the tower with a dull thud.
While the last guard gasps for air and tries to protect himself with hands and arms and pretty much anything he can find, Aerent and Talon don't waste any time. Seconds later, another dead guard falls to the floor.
Talon shakes his head, looking rather sour for how effective the ambush was "This is pathetic, we're a bunch of convicts who just broke out. I'm convinced if we mill around long enough we can kill the entire guard" He shakes his head "Well, now for a real challenge. We have to kill them drunk this time"
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hissing through his teeth, you hear a male voice full of anger.
What is the meaning of this INSOLENCE?! You THEM!? Now the gloves are off...
Sindran, for some reason, Talon's joke seems insanely funny to you. You feel bursts of laughter welling up inside your belly and you're going to have to wipe the tears from your eyes.
Sindran starts chuckling, the sound gruff and low, but it soon turns into full-blown laughter and the half-orc falls to the ground, lungs heaving while the harsh noise of his amusement rings loudly in the air.
Talon turns around, drawing scimitar in a single smooth action as he see's who their company is
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Aerent: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Caladwhen: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19
Sindran: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Arryn: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
unseen opponent: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Talon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Talon, as you draw your scimitar, you see nobody on the battlements or on the balcony except Aerent and Cala. Your cellmates are below.
Sindran wheezes, recovering from his laughing fit.