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Having been convicted of various crimes against the nation of Last Wall.
You were all arrested and brought here to Branderscar prison near the town on Vigil. Build on a large rock in the middle of a lake this was once a castle that was re-purposed into a prison.
This prison is famous for three reason.
1. Every prisoner who is bough here is expected to serve a life sentence or is executed.
2. All prisoners are branded when they arrive.
3. No prisoner has ever escape.
You sit in your cell for the moment with nothing better to do but await your fate.
Sitting in the dark Stanislav brooded. He needed a drink. His arm throbbed from the recent burn. He could see no way out of the situation he was in. Branded. Marked for death. Things had gotten out of hand and he had taken too many risks providing his new lady friend with "treats". It was not like him to take so many risks. He still was not completely sure why he had done it. Almost like he could not help himself. But he had been caught. They called it kidnapping with intent to enslave. He called it cleaning up the streets. Hells, he was dying anyway if what he could discern about the bite was correct. The axe might just be a mercy. But that damnable Sergeant Tomas Blackerly; the way he smiled and laughed as the brand pushed into his forearm. That guy deserved the axe way more than Stanislav did. Well, Stanislav might not be able to avoid the axe in the long run, but there still might be a way to take Blackerly out before it happened. Sitting in the dark Stanislav brooded.
Cori sat on the floor of her cell, legs crossed, her back and head leaning against the wall.
In the dim light, her sharp eyes flicked back and forth between the sacred tattoo on the back of her left hand, and the still-stinging brand on her right forearm.
Forsaken, she muses silently. I am not forsaken. My Lady is pleased with what I have done! I used guile, slaked my lust, and took my revenge...there is no rite more holy in her eyes! she taps each of the dagger points of the tattoo of Calistria. She will reward me. She will not let me die at the hands of these fools!
She gives a small smile, and begins humming a bawdy drinking song.
Be patient and watchful. An opportunity will present itself.
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A pale faced young man paces back and forth in the cell. He isn't used to be without make-up and even less to be locked up. Never mind the fact that his head is to be chopped off in three days. He is hiding his right forearm behind his back. It hurts from the marking, but the taint on his beautiful skin is what aches.
He looks to the side and notices a tall handsome man sitting in the dark. The nervous young man has no problem seeing in the dark and performs a practiced measurement of the man. He was a muscular elegant man who would easily be able to subdue him. Still, the young man says "I suppose you're not on the death sentence. That's how you're so calm, huh?"
Normally he wouldn't provoke others, particularly those stronger than him. But it is a crisis, and if the man comes and strangulates him, at least, he would subvert the time and circumstances of his own death. "Slid's the name", the young man says.
Vinnick sat in one of the corners muttering to himself. I had it, it was there, in my grasp. The answer to mortality, without the rotting side effect issue. These fools however ruined it. Burned it, and all that knowledge to ash and cinders. Imagine if their greatest heros were still alive today? Imagine how the immortal hands of legends could shape the course of history?! but, no. No, can't allow that. That's unethical, bah. Sometimes the best thing the weak or useless can do is to die for us... He sits and continues a silent rant.
I'll have to show it to them. Prove to them I was...am, right. Necromancy is a tool just like their swords. So why brand one evil and not the other? They need to be shown... to be... enlightened. As he thinks, he absentmindedly nibbles at his fingernails in between small fits of rubbing his recent brand. AH, damnable things is irritating as it was painful!... at least they spared my face. That unkempt hideous fool of a Sargent wouldn't know beauty if it sat him on his arse and smacked him in the face.
The cell door open before her, she tried to run instinctively to get away, yet nothing happened as her feet was not on the ground. Held up off the ground by the guard's large hand at her neck. Without any warning she went tumbling through the air to crash down onto the floor, with the sound of the door being closed behind her and locked.
Standing up quickly she steps to the door yelling at the guard walking away, I am not done with you lot. You will all pay with your lives, went I get out of this cell.
Turning around to see what is in her cell, she rubbed her bruised forearm, resulting from the guard holding it tightly during the branding. Being small in build the letter F was not complete on her forearm, though enough to see that it was still the letter F, yet not deeply burnt in as for non-scaled skin prisoners. Her natural resistance to heat and fire also helped to reduce the branding.
Speaking softly in draconic, If they harm her they will pay dearly, slow painful death they will receive., as she sits on the cold floor.
Sitting quietly in a dark corner of her cell, Arielle tries to resist rubbing the brand on her forearm as she looks over her fellow prisoners as she ponders her fate.
Why did that idiot have to be such a light sleeper? He drank enough wine that even an earthquake shouldn't have woken him. If he just would have stayed asleep, he wouldn't have gotten stabbed and I wouldn't be in this hellhole.
One by one Tomas Blackerly and a group of guards collect each of you and bring you to a large communal cell "Welcome to the waiting room, here you can get a good view as they build your last stage" you notice the room has a single barred window looking out to the courtyard in the center of the castle were they are building some-kind of platform. "Normally we wouldn't bother with such ceremony but some important people wanted wanted to come witness your end so for the next couple days the yard is closed while we build a proper execution platform and setup some seating."
They leave some stale bread and water and they leave.
Cori makes her way over to the window and glances out into the courtyard. Rather than taking in the sight of the gallows under construction, though, she looks at the window itself, the bars, and if possible, how far it is to the ground and what may be there beneath the window.
Without turning, she says. "You're all thinking what I'm thinking, 'get out before I end up dead'. The question is, are you willing to risk trusting the other people in this room to help you do it? Look at it this way: you can die trying to escape the inescapable prison, or you can die out there while the noble swine of Lastwall drink and cheer. I know which option, I'd prefer."
Arielle turns her back on the window and helps herself to some of the water as Cori asks her question.
"I wouldn't trust anyone who ended up a place like this, but I'd sooner meet my death at any of your hands rather than be offered up as entertainment. If you're planning something, I want in on it."
Stanislav waits for Areille to finish with the water before drinking deeply himself. He then picks up the plate of stale bread and offers the bard her choice of pieces. Best keep up your strength if you intend to fight.
When he notices Coriandrinne looking he sway he adds Me? I was going to go for that Blackerly bastard when they come for me anyway. The more the merrier, or bloodier in this case. He goes and leans on the back wall and says I am Greymist. Guard Captain Stanislav Greymist. It sounds like we will need a plan. If each of you will introduce yourself and add a quick mention of your talents perhaps we can come up with something. I'm a soldier. I know armor and weapons and the leading of men into battle. I'm decent with a bow and downright deadly with a pole arm.
"Cori," she replies to Stanislav. "I can fight, too. Give me a sword or a bow..or whatever weapon's available, and I'll hold the line."
Vinnick looks to the others, straitening himself and his platinum hair, at least as best he can, and putting on the air of a practiced noble. He gives a small bow to everyone before speaking in a smooth, velvety voice. Vinnick, Vinnick Varzel. I am of the Varzel house, likely one of, if not the, last of its line. I am for most purposes, a researcher. Both Magical and mundane. Though I do admit to pursuing the former more fervently than the latter. Although, my studies of late seem to be regarded poorly by... well. He motions as best he can to their predicament. Hoping that to make who he was referring to self evident.
Otherwise, I know some magical tricks, though I admit, most of my old tricks came from items I have no doubt lost entirely. Otherwise, I have some magical ability. However limited at the time, I was not prepared for combat particularly, and I cannot change that without my spellbook. Also, While I never really dedicated much time to it, I am no slouch with a bow or longsword. Let me see that before you continue. he points to the "food" and drink. If allowed, he will prestidigitation the water so it is chilled, and the food so it tastes edible. You'd think they would at least allow us a last meal.
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Slid doesn't touch the offered food. He is too agitated to. After taking in everyone's name and self-introduction, he realizes that they were right. There is no need to panic if they could somehow work together.
Until now, he has been holding his fingers tight to avoid biting them. He releases his hand and says "Slid's my name. I'm quick with my fingers and my smile." He isn't strong nor versed in magic, and he hopes that will be enough for the others, who seem much more capable and confident. As if trying to prove his points, he starts fiddling with the cage lock, trying to check its quality.
”Sounds wonderful, as long as your nails are trimmed and clean,” Cori replies dryly, giving Slid a crooked smile.
She leans back against the wall, and resumes humming the bawdy drinking song. As she does so, she looks around the cell for anything that might be helpful in figuring a way out (loose stones, gaps, etc.)
Arielle accepts a piece of bread from Stanislav and then takes her turn introducing herself while watching Slid look over the door.
"My name is Arielle Windsong. As for my talents, most are musical in nature, though I do know a few magic tricks. I doubt the guards would fall for any of my other tricks."
"I wonder how many guards would check on us if there was a sudden emergency or if a fight broke out in here? If they really do want to make a show of our hangings, they might try to stop us from harming each other."
Arielle looks over the others, wondering which pairing might actually work for a (hopefully?) mock fight to the death.
You spend some time examining your cell but the bars are quite sturdy and the lock is to good for anyone to pick without the proper tools. The situations seems hopeless.
Hours go by and later that night you hear a commotion from down the hall.
Two guards come to investigate and freeze as they arrive in front of your cell.
"What in the hells" says one of the guards as a strange creature is making it's way down the hall towards them.
At first glance it appears to be a dried out corpse but then you notice it has wings similar to a bats.
The guards take a defensive position "An Undead! Here? but how?!?" says one of them "Sound the alert we need t....." he is cut off as from nearly twenty feet away the creature's tongue shoot out like an arrow and explodes the guards skull like a watermelon being hit with a sledgehammer.
The second guard screams and tries to run but the tongue lashes out again and pierces his heart from his back going trough his breastplate like it was paper. The creature slowly makes it way forward and ignoring you it begins to suck the blood from the corpses and as it does so it seems to inflate and is regenerating it's body regaining color and vitality and almost starts to look human if you ignore the batwings.
"So weak, they were not knights of Ozem. They also did not know me so if they weren't here to guard my prison then perhaps they were guarding yours?" He examines you for a moment and cocks his head for a moment as if listening to a voice only he can hear.
"My master stirs, he calls me to him and bids me to gather allies so we can set in motion a plan to destroy Last Wall once and for all and finally free him from his prison. Will you enter a contract with me? Agree to serve and you will be rewarded."
Cori holds up her hand, showing the symbol of Calistria. Not wanting to show weakness, she does her best not to visibly tremble.
”If your contract does not put me at cross-purposes with my faith, and does not put me in line to become your or your master’s next meal, I will be more than happy to help demolish this Gods Forsaken haven of hypocrites!”
The creature looks at slid "You are eager. Good. But steel your heart I have little use for cowards"
The creature laughs "My purposes is revenge. for myself and perhaps for you as well, I think your goddess would approve."
Vinnick watched the display with a mixture of awe and horror. When the creature offered a contract, Vinnick hesitated.
I had not thought to destroy the entirety of last wall, merely change their view point, though... I suppose that would be unlikely... if its one or the other... He gives a nod to himself
What does this contract entail? exactly.
Again she is simply tossed into the new larger cell by the guard.
Once Tomas has spoken she quickly heads to the barred window, and tugs at the lady arm for a lift up to the bars so she can see what is going on outside.
Speaking softly in draconic, Oh that wooden platform will do so nicely to roast these people. Make them all pay for the blight that they caused on these lands.
Hearing the others introduce themselves, she does not turn to face them, yet remains hanging onto the bars using her legs and arms to hold onto the bars.
I go by the name of R'yzzntyg of the tribe Valignatirnarod, under the mountains to the west of here. I am sworn protector and restorer of beloved nature. Currently here to destroy those responsible for the blight on these lands, and to clean up the resulting unnatural mess.
Watching the undead deal with the men brings a slow smile to Stanislav's lips. The second to die had kicked him when he was bound. ...sweet... he savors the sight. And when the creature drinks Stanislav subconciously licks his lips, unaware that he is beginning to thirst.
Advancing as closely as he can to the creature Stanislav states My life was forfeit. Open this cell door and I am your man. I only ask that we kill Blackerly before we leave.
The creature smiles "That is going to be up to you. I decided to give you a test to see if you are worthy of my time. He grabs the cell door and forces the door open with little effort.
He reaches into the pockets of his robes searching for something "were was?...oh here it is." He pulls out a long robe with dozens of patches. He tosses it to you. "Use this and escape if you make it out cross the swamp to the west and you will find an old manor. I will wait for you there for a few days at least. If you can make it then we will discuss the terms of our contract. If you come I can promise you that you will have revenge on all those who wronged you and if you do well you can be very richly rewarded as well." That being said he turns into smoke and escape trough the window flying out into the night sky.
This is a robe of useful items pulling a patch off creates an item.
The patches are:
2 daggers
Bullseye lantern (full, lit and shuttered)
Hempen rope (50-foot coil)
Sack full of needed spell components
Thieves Tools, Masterwork
Window (2 ft. by 4 ft., up to 2 ft. deep)
2 Potion of cure light wounds
Potion of cure serious wounds
bag with 100 gold pieces inside
Unholy Symbol of Calistria (silver)
12 scrolls (scroll of one randomly determined level 1 spell, rolled when you remove the patch)
Rowboat (12 ft. long)
2 oars
War dogs, pair (as summon monster 1 to summon dogs) (duration 9 rounds)
Note that the window patch will create a window (and therefore a hole) in a nearby wall. If not immediately placed on a wall, it simply turns into a common wooden window frame. It cannot be placed on a living creature however. Once removed, a patch cannot be replaced.
vinnick takes the cloak and looks it over, his eyes glowing purple as he does so.
Well, this could certainly be useful. The patches here come off, creating the item depicted on cloak. We should probably take out most of the potions and scrolls, better to have easy access. Besides, I can't tell what the scrolls are until I remove them. He pulls off a scroll patch to show how it works. Then looks back to the creature with a smile.
Rich rewards are more than enough to get my interest, revenge is... a distraction, but one I will happily partake in should it coincide with my goals.
Being rather short she does not see what is happening beyond the door, but definitely hearing the man scream the word undead, she knew well that the guest to their cell is one of those blighted beings needing to be destroyed. Yet in her current state, she would have no chance to destroy it. Though this unwanted being did present them a means of escaping from their death, and the prison, before leaving through the bars.
So this could be our means of escaping this prison.
She walks up to the now opened doorway, speaking little more concern in her voice, I must find Ajikisshochraos, as soon as we escape this prison. Perhaps after putting it ablaze.
Lets see
Arcane
Scroll of Ray of enfeeblement
not bad.
The guards also had halberts, longswords and saps as well as breastplates tought one is damaged (broken condition) they carry pouches with about a combined 100 gold in assorted coins as well as a cure light wounds potion each.
She quickly collects the healing potions off the guards, speaking in draconic to no one in particular, Never can have enough of these.
She also offloads the bags of coins, Of course this will make Ajikis happy for a while with some of these coins.
Arielle will nod in agreement with Vinnick, agreeing both with his assessment of the cloak and his comment on the rewards.
"If the rewards are rich enough, I'm willing to indulge in some revenge or whatever else that creature or his master has in mind. I certainly won't shed a tear over the deaths of those who sought to use our own deaths as entertainment."
Arielle will take a longsword from one of the dead guards and takes a look down the hallway.
"Shall we get going? We cannot fly like and I don't think we should try breaking out the window only to land in the inner courtyard. Perhaps we can try finding an outer wall to use that window patch on?"
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Slid regards their new ally with some anger. This one also made the list of the ones who will need correcting after my rise to power. Then, we'll see who's the coward., he thinks, making no indication of his true feelings with his face.
Everything after happens very fast. Slid considers briefly the possibility that this could be a trap, but dismisses the thought quickly thinking that it doesn't make much sense since they were already entrapped.
Without asking for permission, he snatches the thieves tools from the magical robe and asks "I suppose this is the real thing? I mean, it won't magically vanish from my hand as I'm opening a vault somewhere?"
He then notices the kobold collecting the coins and says "How about we split these coins between us, eh?" and then addresses the stronger bunch who were making bigger plans. "I'm willing to join this alliance and get my share of the revenge too." Then, he picks up the two daggers from the robe and holds them so it is not immediately clear he's armed.
After a brief pause he says "This is very heartwarming and all, but do any of you know the direction out of here? We still need to get out of the castle, then the island before we make it to our rendezvous to the west"
Hearing Slid mentioning the coins, she quickly replies, Sure sure. I willing to share the coins, though Ajikisshochraos would want it all, considering she loves hoarding shiny treasures. Between you and me, we keep the dividing of shiny treasure between us.
She looks down the passage in both directions to see if an alarm has been raised.
Vinnick glances towards Slidinom as he all but snatches items from the cloak. His gaze lingering for several seconds, a grin on his lips.
Excitable, brash, I can commend striving for something, but really, does no one have any class anymore.
He then speaks.
Hm, no, they won't disappear, not unless some other magical force thinks to have a laugh at your, or our, expense. As for the layout... if it is in any way comparable to other such places, I might be able to remember how they were, generally, laid out. I'm sure I saw floor plans at some point in my reading. as he talks, he walks over to one of the dead guards before picking up the remaining longsword. He then carefully makes sure it is clean of blood and or other viscera before tying it around his waste.
As much as I'd rather not get involved in a melee, I doubt it will be avoidable on our course at present and magic or no, I'd rather not be completely unarmed.... does anyone else here require spell components? Or holy symbols perchance? He asks as he begins to draw items off the cloak as he throws it around his shoulders.
if anyone wants anything from the cloak, just ask. I just don't approve of the ensemble I was given, and this cloak helps just a bit.
Also, much as I would love to sit around gawking, I doubt we have too terribly long before someone notices that something is wrong. But.. I'd give us anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on competence. Much as I'd like to think it to be the latter the safe bet, of course, is to wager on 10 or less.
Spell components. The most important for me is the mistletoe and holly. If there is any there.
moving to the two dead guards Stanislav assesses their gear. He claims a halberd and tosses the second to Cori annd then begins to strip off the breastplate. This is for you Cori. Come help me get it off the guard and I'll help get it on you. He notes that R'yzzntyg grabbed both potions of healing and directs Hand one of those potions to someone else. Can't you already cast healing?
Cori helps Stanislav remove the breastplate and expertly begins to strap it on.
She stands, taking the halberd in hand. ”Ready when the rest of ya are.”
In other times I could enjoy this Cori. Stanislav says with a small smile as he tugs on straps and tightens buckles with sure experience, helping her quickly done the armor. But I am not giving you this armor totally out of chivalry. You have point. I have your back.
Arielle will take a moment grab the spell components for what she can cast out of the sack and then begins moving towards the door with her longword raised, expecting trouble to come running up at any moment.
"I'm ready now. We had best not wait too long. Surely more guards will be along soon having been alerted to the sound of fighting. We should be out of this cell before they arrive."
She holds out the two potions, that are still in her one hand, I just making sure we don't leave behind important items like these. Anyone else wants the second one, else I will keep it safe. As for the coins, I will keep the bags as is, until we can get more bags to be able to divide the coins.
”I’ll take one,” Cori says, taking one of the potions.
Your in the Southern cell block at the moment, from here there is rows of cells thought most are empty one has a single occupant. Inside another communal cell is an ogre. Wrapped in heavy chains and barely able to move the large brute sits silently observing you.
To the west is the door the undead creature came out of and to the east is a guard station that separates this cell block from the rest of the prison. There were only two guards there when you were brought in so it likely it is empty at the moment.
”You think the biggun there might want to join our cause? He looks like he’d make one helluva gatecrasher,” Cori asks the others.
I don't know, but we could sure use him. Arielle, you are prettier than me. Want to do the recruiting? As far as I am concerned he can have a share of whatever loot we find if he joins us and does not betray us.
Arielle looks the ogre over, taking note of its size and strength it likely demonstrated to be chained up that heavily while sitting in a cell.
"I'm sure you have your own charm Stanislav, but I may have a bit more luck than you at recruiting him."
"Slid, why don't you be a dear and go ahead see if any of our professional effects are in the guard station? If they are locked up, you'd have better luck than I getting to them. Perhaps you could also find a set of keys that would unlock this cell as well?"
Trusting that the cowardly guards wouldn't let the ogre be able to get near the bars of the cell, Arielle will walk right up to the door of it, smiling while she speaks to the ogre and hopes it understands common.
"Good day to you friend. As you can see, my compatriots and I are on our way out of this unpleasant place. If you would be kind enough to agree to assist us in making our escape and taking some revenge on any guards stupid enough to try and stop us, we would consider freeing you from this cell."