"Well, aren't we fatalistic? Though I guess we've little else left to be. Still, you're being depressing. I for one don't intend to be executed. I'd rather die fighting here for my life. Though I guess the end is the same regardless. Still there's some comfort in the effort made at least."
You can see that the pictures seem to be patches, detachable from the veil. If you take the patches off, they'll probably turn into the actual items.
Ulrich peers carefully at the veil as he had already taken stock of the bodies here and memorized every detail he could. He already had the mind to look into a humanoid's body and see how the internal organs were organized almost instantaneously. A piece of cloth was hardly different.
He ignores Travis and bluntly tells Sholano, "Peel the patches. You see them don't you?" Despite knowing what the likely outcome would be, he decided it best for the veil to reveal its secrets on its own.
Quomaugh looks curious as the others talk about the item Sholano returned with. "Wha'cha got 'ere, lad? Pa'ches?" he asks, wonder apparent in his voice.
"She's such a sweetheart. I wondered which trick she'd use." Rose said with an amused smile. "Pass out the goodies already."
Kyras didn't put much stock in coincidences.
After their cellmate was returned, his suspicion arose; the man did look a bit familiar from his past now he had a better look at him. Maybe there was some underlying reason they'd been grouped together after all, but he could not determine what.
More curious was this mystery visitor. A tryst, no, but a message perhaps - and a gift. Someone of import came to see Sholano, though the identity of whom was unknown to him. Surely he wasn't able to orchestrate some escape scheme with an outsider. If he could, why get himself into this pickle in the first place?
No, there might be some ... acquaintance between the woman and him, old business perhaps. Maybe a new proposition, but Kyras didn't believe Sholano had the upper hand in that relationship. In his current state, being an equal would be lucky.
The gift to him was a small beacon of hope though - it signified there was to be a relationship still, not ending in the near future at least.
Though he couldn't see the patches at first, after the moribund anatomist pointed them out, they were obvious. He had to keep his eagerness in check.
"Careful. Tearing them would be folly." He needed to know what the woman's intent was. "Rose, you seem to know this charitable lady? How would these "tricks" of hers work?" Surely they weren't just to take a shot in the dark.
"Just pull them off. It isn't that complicated."
"Not my meaning. What's her aim with this? Why the gift at all?"
"She's a consummate altruist. It's in her nature." Rose smiled, obviously amused. "I suppose if you're too proud for charity you can always stay here."
"Patches... that can be pulled off? And then what? Does someone have the skills to use those tools to free us? Obviously those items if they were real, would all come in handy to break out of here," he says very softly. "A window and a rope especially..."
"It is not a matter of pride, rather a concern we may be moved from this holding cell to hers," replied Kyras. "If her desires are truly so philanthropically motivated, then we have no worried. I don't reject this present."
He made a showing of struggling at his bonds. "A shame it seems impossible to utilize it though, bound as we are."
"Her holding cell? You should be so lucky."
"Sholano? Are you waiting for something in particular?"
Travis watches Sholano for his action... or reaction... hoping he opts to use the veil sooner rather than later, since the guards could return at any time. Knowing the effect his usually abrasive personality had on folks, he speaks nothing more after Rose's comment, simply waiting for Sholano... for the time being.
Sholano took his time examining the veil, politely dismissing the comments of his cellmates with the occasional distracted nod. He wasn't about to start playing with potentially dangerous or magical toys without being as sure as he could that it wouldn't blow up in his face. When he was satisfied, he carefully took ahold of the edge of the patch that seemed to depict a set of thieves' tools and pulled.
Travis watches Sholano and nods silently to himself. Now the boy's getting it... I just hope he knows how to use them... otherwise I'll be forced to get out of these bonds my way, and I'd hate to waste the ability prematurely.
As Sholano pulls, a set of thieves tools emerges from the veil. They seem quite high-quality from what Sholano can tell, good enough to perhaps unlock these locks to get them out of this place.
"Now that's unique.. it works! Your 'lady friend' seems to have been more than useful. I guess the important question now is... do you know how to use those things?"
This whole thing will derail very quickly if someone among us doesn't have the skill to put those to good use.
Sholano nods with satisfaction at the magic tools, intrigued by the possibilities inherent with hiding contraband items so easily. He tosses a grin Travis' way as well, confidence rising higher as the possibility of escape looms large.
"That I do, old boy, although keeping our voices down about it might be a good idea." Deftly, he slips out a few of the tools and sets about trying to open his own manacles. "I'm no expert, but I get by. Just...give me a moment..."
Seeing no motive for his cellmate's claim of aptitude to be fraudulent like his gruonds for being here in the first place, the wizard waited patiently for him to fiddle with the tools. It wasn't a skill he'd had much fondness for back when he would've had use for it, but he knew deft hands then and was happy to have them now. The question remained as to the prisoner's charity to the rest of them once he freed himself...
But Rose? "He should be so lucky?!" She was either a b%*&& with an attitude or it was Calistria herself as their benefactor. The two possibilities were not mutually exclusive, Kyras noted.
Despite Sholano's skill, the locks do not open.
"Was that a rat?" asks a guard from outside.
Quomaugh is about to shout "Yer motha was a rat!" but thinks better of it, biting his tongue. Even he knows not to draw attention when it's not wanted. Especially in situations like this.
Travis snarls when the guard comments, though in truth he hopes the guard stays outside for now, giving the youngster time to get those lockpicks working. Lad's fingers must be stiff from being in manacles so long... he just needs a little more time to get them working. At least I hope that's the only problem.
Again he wriggles slightly, testing the security of his bonds, this time with a bit more intent.
Ah if only I were a bit smaller...But give the boy time to work his skill, and perhaps we will all be free soon. I'll bide my time a bit longer. Don't want to be the only one free if the guards actually DO come in.
"Everyone keep still until we're all free." Rose whispered, "Keep the manacles looking like they are still latched."
My how her tune changes when on thin ice. Rose wasn't dumb though; her statements were exactly what should be done in the situation. Kyras hoped her air of command was one earned through being right - especially where relying on this enigmatic benefactor was concerned.
He kept still.
Quomaugh nods, and simply leans back against the wall, waiting for his cue.
Travis stops working at his bonds for now and sighs, resting for the time being and watching the boy Sho work with the lockpicks. He whispers softly to Sho a few words of encouragement, then sits silently.
One more chance with the lockpicks, maybe two? The lad had to get it soon, but then he'd have to get each of the others. Once he got the method down though, subsequent efforts might get easier. I don't know enough about locks to know if it works that way or not. If he doesn't get it soon, I WILL release myself. I think I can hide my free status well enough if the guards come in.
Sholano curses under his breath as the locks prove trickier than he'd hoped. He freezes for just an instant when the guard calls out, then resumes working, taking more care to be silent. As he works, he calls out in reply to the guard, "I think so, sir. No real worries."
He has a moment of panic when the tools clink again, and he adds, "There it was again. Sounded like it ran out, though."
The lock almost opens, but still remains shut. However, the lack of investigation by the guards seems to suggest that they believe Sholano's story.
Sholano takes in a deep breath, immensely frustrated. Letting it out, slowly, he begins moving methodically, concentrating and taking his time to make sure the job gets done properly.
By the scrapings nearby, Kyras took Sholano to be working diligently on his bonds. He is a stubborn one. Kyras likes the man's refusal to give up after what must've been a few blunders, and he didn't discount his skill for the job. After all, in their manacled state, it would be no easy task to work fine motor skills with precision.
Not wanting to rouse the guards, Kyras remained silent.
Travis watches Sholano, trying to be patient. At least the young man seemed to know what he was doing, but it couldn't be easy, trying to unlock shackles around your own wrists.
Quomaugh begins to grumble to himself, his impatience beginning to get the better of him. Though only barely audible, his cellmates can hear mumbled bits of complaints about not getting to smash things or eat fresh meat. At the very least, he manages to keep his voice low enough that it can only barely be heard by Sholano, and certainly not by the guards.
After a few minutes, the lock clicks open. However, there has been a fair bit of noise, and the guards sound somewhat restless. In the future doing this action will definitely draw their attention.
However, having your hands free and having successfully picked a lock will make it easier in the future.
Seeing Sholano free, but hearing the noise, not only from the lockpicking process from the guards as well, Travis narrows his eyes and looks with annoyance toward the direction of the guards. This could go decidedly badly if the guards come in now. I hope if that happens that Sho can make it look like he's still locked up... or free more of us before they come.
Sholano grins, rubbing his wrists to work some feeling back into them. Nodding at his cellmates and placing a finger to his lips, he takes a moment to quietly arrange his manacle so they lay open in a spot he can quickly throw his wrists back into them, should the guards decide to pay them a visit.
He then considers the veil and its remaining patches. Pulling free one of the daggers, he raises an eyebrow at Travis and moves to conceal the blade beneath the tiefling's leg.
With that complete, he rises and inches his way quietly as he can down to the other end of the line. Eyeing each lock in turn, he makes sure that they are all of the same make, and notes that they are with some satisfaction. Finally reaching Rose, he gives her a roguish wink and sets to on her manacles, moving a bit quicker this time.
The young lady at the far end was as good a choice to start in on as any. Their acquaintance to date may have been casual, but it was more connection than he had to the rest, not to mention that it seemed their mysterious benefactor wanted Rose out of here specifically.
Besides: It never hurts to have a beautiful young woman feeling grateful to you.
Travis looks at the dagger, knowing there were others who needed it more, but it could easily be transfered later... he keeps his leg over it so it can't be seen if a guard comes in. Seeing Sho starting at the other end of the line to unlock manacles, his impatience gets the best of him and he lets his innate magic flood through him, , he changes his form to that of a gnome, and attempts to slip out of his manacles and shackles in small humanoid form.
If he is successful, he sits for a moment and flexes his fingers and toes, waiting for full feeling to return to his hands and feet before attempting to stand up...
Quomaugh grins from ear to ear, his grumbling ceasing as he waits to be released. "Make i' quick, lad, ya don' know i' th' guards'll come check on us..." he whispers, excitement clear in his voice. His emerald eyes sheen in the dim light, and the dwarf looks ready to bust some heads.
Rose is quickly unlocked out of her manacles, and it is quiet enough that the guards do not hear her.
Travis also escapes quietly and succesfully in gnomic form.
Travis takes the dagger in hand and looks at each of the others, wondering who to give it to... The dwarf looks like he could tear a guard apart without a weapon, but he might appreciate it nonetheless. But he wasn't free... yet. Perhaps the lady might like a dagger? They'd done introductions, but he couldn't recall if she'd mentioned her profession or not.... Ah well... Travis, still in the form of a gnome, moves over to the dwarf and slips the dagger beneath his leg so he has it when he's freed. He gives Quomaugh a quirky half-smile as if smiling is something he rarely does. Then he silently moves toward the door and listens for any sign that the guards might be coming toward their cell, ready to give a warning whisper to Sholano if he hears anything.
Quomaugh grins back at Travis, looking very grateful for the weapon. While it was not the kind of instrument he was most comfortable with, it would do its job well enough. He places his stocky leg over the small blade, hiding it from view.
Sholano's eyes widened at Travis' display of magic, but shook his head clear and went back to the task at hand - no time to wonder about the blatant display. He took ahold of Rose's manacles and opened them just slightly, leaving them unlocked but closed enough to give her the appearance of still being imprisoned. He gave her an intense look, making sure she got the point, then pulled the second dagger free of the veil and slipped it behind her slim back. That done, he crept just down the line to Quomagh and set to work.
Maybe he'll shut his mouth if he's loose.
The lockpick bangs against the lock with a loud clink, and you can hear the distinct sound of someone getting up. "I'm gonna go check on the prisoners- sounds like they're up to no good."
It sounds like the group has a few seconds to try and hide if they aren't already hidden.
Quomaugh leans further back into the wall, whistling poorly in an attempt to look like he's not doing anything suspicious. 'ope 'ey can't see th' blade fr'm 'ere... he thinks to himself as he feigns innocence.
"Hssst... guard..." Travis whispers to Sholano and slips back to his own spot, letting his form morph back to it's original size and shape. He pretends to hand in his manacles, draping the chains over his wrists, so it looks like he's still properly attached, but he's ready for action, if the guard doesn't buy it.
Rose made a show of flexing her wrists when they were free and smiled her thanks up at Sholano. Upon hearing the guard she slipped her wrists back into the manacles, gestured with her head for him to get back to his spot and rattled her chain loudly.
"Keep your hands to yourself you pig!" she said falsely affronted, making it look as though she was pulling away from the bearded orc next to her.