...and for your sins... (Inactive)

Game Master Tin Foil Yamakah

Simon/Ravens: Both of you notice that a couple of prisoners are attempting to listen in on your conversation. Another one speaks Well well, just got here and already planning an escape

Simon/Ravens: Both of you notice that a couple of prisoners are attempting to listen in on your conversation. Another one speaks Well well, just got here and already planning an escape

"Really? Who? I overheard two fellows that sounded a lot like you talking about sneaking into the snake ladies room. They were even talking about her routine. Isn't that what you heard Raven? "

Simon grins. "look boys. If you throw blame at us we throw it back to you. Then we all get beaten. Or you can be smart and keep your mouth shut and sod off. Your call. "

Ravens sneers, finding silliness in all this. Ravens tries to cut through the crap, marking the two speaking prisoners for later 'discussion'.

"If you don't mind your own business, I'll kill you or make you wish you were dead," Ravens says matter-of-factly as it is truth.

Ravens sneers, finding silliness in all this. Ravens tries to cut through the crap, marking the two speaking prisoners for later 'discussion'.

"If you don't mind your own business, I'll kill you or make you wish you were dead," Ravens says matter-of-factly as it is truth.

"Plus that. " Simon says as points with his thumb in Ravens direction.

Ta'ruk introduces himself to his fellow new prisoners. For now, he chooses to align himself with them as they seem to share a common goal. Escape.

He spends the next couple of days trying to discern what are the various factions among the prisoners and who are the true power players. In between discussions, he pounds the stones to appear that he has resigned himself to his new lot.

Each day, he talks to a new set of prisoners asking how they long they've been here, who he should watch out for, and what he needs to do to survive.

Diplomacy to gather information: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

If the pair are approached while she's within sight of them, the dancer takes the two interlopers' appearances to memory. Her worries of spies or betrayals from more senior prisoners are not yet mollified, and from what little she knows of fiends she has a feeling they will not mind much the prisoners brawling amongst themselves, if it becomes necessary.

Perhaps they could make use of the conveniently-provided disposal area, even. She tries to get a gauge of how capable the two look in a fight, if the situation calls for such.

Prisoner: 1d100 ⇒ 5...Oh crap that was bad

Ravens/Simon: You get a very strong feeling that that prisoner is now your b++@+ and you will have no issues from him again. You may in fact ask him to do anything and chances are it will be done

Ta'ruk: You find out prisoners have been here ranging from 6 months to 20 years for the longest, As opposed to a standard prison Like I know a lot about this there is no prisoner heiarchy, if the guards see a prisoner trying to gather forces per say that prisoner is quickly made an example. A prisoner tells you The last one that tried it was buried neck deep by an anthill. He also tells you to keep a low profile and do as the guards ask no matter how twisted it may be.

Jeneva: All of these prisoners are higher level folks, however you take note that the longer someone is here the mistreatment/malnourishment factor has worn them down. In game this means that physical stats take a hit first and then the mental ones as prisoners are ground down

"..was buried neck deep by an anthill..."

Ants?! There are ants here?

Ravens keeps on the lookout for ants, insects, and other supplemental food sources.

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25 Survival

[dice=Prisoner]1d100...Oh crap that was bad

Ravens/Simon: You get a very strong feeling that that prisoner is now your b#!*% and you will have no issues from him again. You may in fact ask him to do anything and chances are it will be done

"Get out of here and say nothing of us to anyone. If I want to talk to you i'll send for you. Now go."

Edit: After the mooks leave Simon speaks quietly to the core group again.

"We can use them to our advantage when we need them. Perhaps a distraction."

Simon generally keeps an eye on the encampment for anything that might be useful to an escape attempt. Currently he's still trying to puzzle a few things out.

"I wonder if the demons below are real?"

At some point as surreptitiously as possible Simon looks over the edge and studies the horde below. He looks for any signs that they may not be real. Perhaps an illusion. He tosses a pebble (or more as needed) over the edge.

Ravens: You see there may be an anthill over by the building that is always heavily guarded. Also you witness some of the stronger prisoners taking food from the weaker ones. Don't know if survival has ever been used like this before.

Simon: Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (18) + 23 = 41 1d100 ⇒ 64

I assume you will go to the edge during one of your breaks

2 guards walk over to you Go ahead meat, jump

From this height the demons below appear quite real

2 guards walk over to you Go ahead meat, jump

From this height the demons below appear quite real

Sense Motive 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Basically i'm wondering if the devil believes the implied message of "jump and you die" or if it's a bluff.

"Not today, but thank you." Simon says to the devil.

When Simon is not being observed he also throws a rock out as far as he can from the cliffside to see if it hits anything that one cannot see. He does the same thing except throws the rock upward. (Perhaps the side of the plane if it's got finite morphology.)

Simon: They seem eager to watch you go splat so yes it's the truth. Also yes you find an opportunity to toss a couple of rocks and they sail into the hot air. They do not hit any sort of edge

1d100 ⇒ 62

They will leer at you menacingly. one guard says He seems interested in the goings on below, I think we should give him a closer look

Now Now says the other one He's kinda cute, he'd make a good little punk tonight

Simon: They seem eager to watch you go splat so yes it's the truth. Also yes you find an opportunity to toss a couple of rocks and they sail into the hot air. They do not hit any sort of edge

1d100

They will leer at you menacingly. one guard says He seems interested in the goings on below, I think we should give him a closer look

Now Now says the other one He's kinda cute, he'd make a good little punk tonight

"For what it's worth I've confirmed that the situation is hopeless." Simon says quietly, but still loud enough for the guards to hear.

Unless physically restrained Simon will then hang his head and dishearteningly get back to work.

He's disappointed, but not broken. He's just playing the disappointment up a bit more for the sake of the show.

"So much for that idea, though the only way to be sure would be to lower someone off the side to see if they get eaten. Perhaps that idiot from earlier can be convinced the devils in the pit are an illusion."

Roughly how far down is it from the top of the plateau?

Actually...

Simon stops abruptly halfway back to the rock pile with a sudden realization.

"I'm going to pay for this, but maybe i'll be able to glean some information." He thinks.

Turning to the guards, "I know why I'm here, but why are you here? I mean, clearly you get to torture people and what not, but wouldn't you be able to do more of that in hell? Or on the prime for that matter? I think you're stuck here in this planar bubble just like I am. Well, not JUST like I am, but trapped all the same. Why would you not want to get out nearly as much as the prisoners? Seriously, what do you get out of all this?"

Simons words aren't accusatory or haughty, but more matter-of-fact and curious. He's not really expecting a full answer, but his hope is that the devils will let something slip. Simon is fairly certain he's about to find out what those whips feel like though.

Actually...

"I know why I'm here, but why are you here? I mean, clearly you get to torture people and what not, but wouldn't you be able to do more of that in hell? Or on the prime for that matter? I think you're stuck here in this planar bubble just like I am. Well, not JUST like I am, but trapped all the same. Why would you not want to get out nearly as much as the prisoners? Seriously, what do you get out of all this?"

Simons words aren't accusatory or haughty, but more matter-of-fact and curious. He's not really expecting a full answer, but his hope is that the devils will let something slip. Simon is fairly certain he's about to find out what those whips feel like though.

Demons: 1d100 ⇒ 50...Looks like the guards are warming to you slightly

SHUT UP THRALL, get back to work you hear one of them mumble under his breath Damn Warden

Simon turns to do as he's told, but when his back is to them he unconsciously cracks a smile. Now he has an idea.

Back with the core group he relays the story when no one else is around to hear.

"The warden is the key. My best guess is that she has something that's keeping the guards in line. We either need to take that from her and/or start a revolt. I think that's going to be our only way out. I think we need to do our best to sew dissension in the ranks. "

Don't know if survival has ever been used like this before

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30 Survival

Ravens survives. He hunts, he steals, he forages, he cannibals. He does what it takes to survive, not caring if the whips find his back as long as he survives.

It is clear that he does not have a plan beyond surviving and testing the boundaries of his prison...that is all he does. He does not openly plot, nor does he discourage it...but he survives.

He sticks near Simon (aka Angelblood), not to aid nor hinder him, but to learn from his actions and see what can be done.

I try to go slow so that others may have chance to post and interact. If I push too much, please say so.

Skiron has arrived at the conclusion that his dream-state periods, such as they are, are the more real of the two worlds, and this exercise in poorly-executed brute labor a mere recurring nightmare. He entertains himself by what few means he can, inwardly mastering every feature of the local architecture...

Check to learn anything useful or profound about any of the buildings - add +4 to the following role, DM, if the local architecture can be said to be of a particularly strange or singular nature:

Knowledge (Engineering): 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (20) + 21 = 41

...and the plane itself.

Check to study the 'architecture' of the demiplane - DM's call if he thinks my Singular Quality bonus might apply to it:

Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (3) + 22 = 25

If the warden carries anything truly interesting on her person, he will likely be the first to notice.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29

He even acquaints himself with the more interesting properties of all this stone - surely, at least some of it's good for something!

Craft (Alchemy): 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (5) + 19 = 24

Jeneva considers Simon's words with a careful curiosity. "Spite the taskmasters 'gainst one another, or rouse chaos amidst the captivry? Or both, perhaps? The latter far simpler to accomplish, but if it serves not our goals it is effort wasted."

Her gaze turns once again to the heavily-guarded building. "Whatever this leverage is, I would surmise it is within that structure." She turns back to her labor, hoping to avoid drawing further attention to where she was looking. "It is always thoroughly protected, regardless of hour or day. Skirmishes that rouse other guards to action do not even cause those stationed there to stir. We will either have to find a way to break their sentinel, or bypass them. I perhaps could manage the latter myself, but I cannot guarantee passage for all of us."

Jeneva considers Simon's words with a careful curiosity. "Spite the taskmasters 'gainst one another, or rouse chaos amidst the captivry? Or both, perhaps? The latter far simpler to accomplish, but if it serves not our goals it is effort wasted."

Her gaze turns once again to the heavily-guarded building. "Whatever this leverage is, I would surmise it is within that structure." She turns back to her labor, hoping to avoid drawing further attention to where she was looking. "It is always thoroughly protected, regardless of hour or day. Skirmishes that rouse other guards to action do not even cause those stationed there to stir. We will either have to find a way to break their sentinel, or bypass them. I perhaps could manage the latter myself, but I cannot guarantee passage for all of us."

"The latter can serve as a temporary distraction at most. Otherwise I agree it's wasted effort. I will think on a solution. "

*hammers rocks pointlessly*

Skiron has arrived at the conclusion that his dream-state periods, such as they are, are the more real of the two worlds, and this exercise in poorly-executed brute labor a mere recurring nightmare. He entertains himself by what few means he can, inwardly mastering every feature of the local architecture...

Check to learn anything useful or profound about any of the buildings - add +4 to the following role, DM, if the local architecture can be said to be of a particularly strange or singular nature:

The longhouse where you prisoners stay is a very simple structure devoid of any furnishings, including beds.The Idea being that the less stuff there is, the less chance of someone making a weapon

...and the plane itself.

Well you know that this plane was created specifically to keep higher level characters from escaping. Imagine the time and effort it would take to actually capture your character, only to have you escape.

Check to study the 'architecture' of the demiplane - DM's call if he thinks my Singular Quality bonus might apply to it:

I think I answered this above but if not let me know

If the warden carries anything truly interesting on her person, he will likely be the first to notice.

Ah now this is interesting, you are confusing the taskmistress with the warden. The Marilith you were introduced to in the beginning is the taskmistress. She like the rest of the guards carries no equipment of note. The warden you have yet to see, although I believe in a past knowledge check you had a good idea whom it may be 8>).

He even acquaints himself with the more interesting properties of all this stone - surely, at least some of it's good for something!

For the most part the stone is basalt

Quietly over the rock smashing Simon poses a question to the group.

"What do you know of the taskmistresses species? By all appearances she's the only think keeping the guards in line. Were she out of the equation, somehow, I bet they'd rebel. I don't know how exactly, hence the question. "

Skiron gives a short, but dense, pedantic, and esoteric lecture on how the term 'species' doesn't really apply to most Outsiders, and more appropriate would be the term "order".

"...Regardless, though, the Taskmistress is none other than a Marilith..."

Plumbing my mind for further details:

Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (8) + 22 = 30

Skiron: You pretty much have everything, this miserable demiplane was created to make the irredeemable evil people reflect upon their wicked lives until such time as they go insane, or jump off the cliff and becoming the lowest form of demon. Boredom, pain and frustration are your constant companions.

Makes the ToH seem like a trip to disneyland

Edit: Strange It will not let me linkify the marilith, Well you are free to go the PRD and look up a marilith. Keeping in mind that those are the powers of a standard marilith.

That roll was to know stuff about Mariliths.

A Tomb of Horrors with bouncy-rooms, waterfall rides, enchanted tikis, and ornate monuments to the glorious spirit of post-WWII internationalism? Sounds good to me.

"Mariliths are amongst the highest demonic orders - we dare not risk direct confrontation. That said, they are beings of Chaos, and as such her role here as martinet and leader of such a desperately dull operation is quite against her nature - even she may not be happy here. I think they have all been bound here by the warden, whom it would stand to reason is the selfsame wizard who created this demiplane and this oppressive dweomer. He is unquestionably possessed of incredible power - nonetheless, imagine the vengeful ire of a small army of bound fiends should they suddenly find themselves somehow liberated...." Skiron cracks a profoundly frightening smile.

"Somwe need to learn more about the warden. Great. well, at lease we have a target now. "

Ravens continues to survive.

He would help with the plans to escape, if he knew what to do and how to do it, but, in his mind, he still seeks a clear path towards *something*.

He's happy to use help others hatch a plan...but right now, continues to focus on surviving. After all, they can't hold him here forever, can they?

"We need to learn more about the Warden. Sneak into his rooms if possible. Scout the area at every opportunity and report back what you find."

Simon spends the next few days attempting to observe the wardens area as much as he can.

What are our "night" accommodations like? Standard "locked in a cell?" Guard rotations? Etc.

I'm trying to determine if it's possible to break out of my cell temporarily to do a little unobserved scouting.

"We need to learn more about the Warden. Sneak into his rooms if possible. Scout the area at every opportunity and report back what you find."

Simon spends the next few days attempting to observe the wardens area as much as he can.

The wardens area, a lone building is constantly surrounded by fiends

What are our "night" accommodations like? Standard "locked in a cell?" Guard rotations? Etc.

After a long day of work you are taken to a longhouse. 1 big room where all the prisoners sleep. You are not locked up, the guards meander around, occasionally dragging off a prisoner or 2 and amusing themselves by beating them senseless or worse...

I'm trying to determine if it's possible to break out of my cell temporarily to do a little unobserved scouting.

You are certainly welcome to try.

In the middle of the "night" Simon will try an exploratory stealth mission. If it goes well he'll see what he can learn. If it looks impossible he'll simply do his best to get back to the shed where he sleeps.

Stealth 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21

Edit:

Perception 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25 - Ways out, things of interest

Ravens keeps his head down, choosing the moments (when he can) for his whippings. Mostly, he continues to survive...survive and wait, ponder, and be ready for his way out when it comes.

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22 Survival - staying alive, fooding
1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17 Perception - ways out, things of interest

Ta'ruk shares everything he learns from his fellow prisoners with his fellow new prisoners.

He continues to pound rocks. He tries to pick an area to work that is as close to the restricted area as possible in an attempt to overhear anything of use from the fiends guarding the hut.

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Skiron has been gradually pounding his favored basalt mound into a surreal castle sculpture...

Craft (Sculpting): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

...but it winds up looking more like an interestingly-shaped mound of mashed potatoes.

...but it winds up looking more like an interestingly-shaped mound of mashed potatoes.

Why does this bring richard dreyfuss in close encounters of the third kind to mind

After about 2 weeks, you all have asserted yourselves as the clear "kings of the yard". No their are no special privledges with this. You have managed to keep you constitution up by intimidating and stealing food from the weaker prisoners. Even the guards don't seem to mess with you as much. If only there was a way out...

One night a squadron of guards led by the taskmistress herself enters the longhouse. She points at each of you You 5 come with me now

Ravens looks at the taskmistress, continuing their earlier 'conversation'.

"You won't need them. I'll take care of your...needs, if that's what you want. They will just get in the way."

Reaction: 1d100 ⇒ 50

Ravens: The taskmistress slithers closer till she is about 15' away from you and

ERP!!

That was stupid. Again...you piddlespotter, Ravens. You freakin' piddlespotter...

Ravens finds himself painfully embraced by the marilith tail until he blacks out. He does not even notice his tongue lolling out of his mouth, nor the crushed ribs pushing against his lungs.

Ravens dreams.

With a curious look Simon complies, but stays to the back of the group.

Jeneva acquiesces, skepticism blatant on her face, but she does not - yet - resist the marilith's demands. However, the dancer's essence draws near to one of her prized masks, ready to reach into the ether of her deeper soul and draw forth one of her other selves... just in case.

Ta'ruk watches as Ravens makes his crack to the taskmistress, then unceremoniously has the consciousnesses crushed out him. That one will not last long. Must be careful to not be caught in the collateral damage when he goes, thinks Ta'ruk to himself. He decides to stay quiet and follow the taskmistress out of the long house.

Ta'ruk watches as Ravens makes his crack to the taskmistress, then unceremoniously has the consciousnesses crushed out him. That one will not last long. Must be careful to not be caught in the collateral damage when he goes, thinks Ta'ruk to himself. He decides to stay quiet and follow the taskmistress out of the long house.

Simon too has independently had this thought on more than one occasion. He also has chosen to keep it to himself.

Is that why he's here? Skiron thinks, looking at the Taskmistress's hapless ragdoll. A moderately incompetent demon-cultist? In my experience, they're necessarily forced to tend toward extremes...interesting.

He looks a bit closer at Ravens' unconscious face for a moment, and betrays a pout.

Such prosaic dreams, though. I'm disappointed.

You are all lead to the only other building in this prison, the one that is constantly guarded. It is a 20' x 20' square building and rather drab on the outside.

As you enter the inside looks like one of the finest mansions you have ever laid eyes on. The kind of place that you would normally loot and then go kick the owners puppy and then burn it down. You are led into a what looks to be a study, really nice woodwork, comfy leather furniture and books lining the walls.

At a desk at the far end a highbacked chair is turned so that the occupant is blocked from your sight. a voice that sounds like a southern gentleman asks you all. I trust none of y'all are enjoying your stay here?

"Put. Me. Down," Ravens utters as he comes to and finds himself in a very distasteful position...being helped.

You'll regret thinking me weak. You will.

When released, Ravens won't bother to straighten himself nor his burlap sack. He offers only a sneer and, somewhat quickly understanding, falls into line.

* * *

"I trust none of y'all are enjoying your stay here?"

"I can imagine worse..." ...like having to listen to your accent for much longer.

"The rotted meat was prepared Avernian-style when I'd *distinctly* ordered it in the Malbolgian fashion, the accuser devils read SOMEBODY ELSE'S sins to me, and the hot-and-cold running rivers of blood have been completely clotted ever since I arrived! What kind of hell is this???"

"Put. Me. Down," Ravens utters as he comes to and finds himself in a very distasteful position...being helped.

Jeneva acquiesces without comment, dropping the man unceremoniously to the ground and leaving him to his own devices to right himself. The dancer spares him no further attention as her focus is turned completely to their unseen "host".

She spares a chuckle for the eccentric's commentary but otherwise sees no reason nor need to respond further.

Ta'ruk smiles at the warm inviting tone of the query. Out of the frying pan and into the fire, thinks Ta'ruk to himself. Addressing the man behind the chair he says, "Yes, your accommodations have been sufficiently intolerable. You must be proud of the work of the taskmistress and her guards."