"We're not late!" The guard protests, seeming to see their fellow guard and not the criminal Morthos. One of them is alarmed at hearing the ogre is free, the other doesn't believe it. "What? No way he's free. You're crazy if you thing we're all going in there in the dark without lanterns. Where's Greg?" They take a moment to light their lanterns before preparing to follow you through. "I swear, if this is some sort of stupid joke, Blackerly is going to hear about it."
The suspicious guard look closely at Eowithe as he goes through the door. "What is going on here Greg?"
"Frank, stay here at the door and sound the alarm if something goes wrong. We're sticking to protocol whatever this is." He doesn't get far before scanning the cell block with his lantern. "Is that blood? The prisoners! What have you done? Sound the horn!" He doesn't know exactly what is going on, but he knows it's bad. "Blackerly will have your neck for what you've done!"
Battle Map
Round 1
Eowithe, or rather 'Greg', moves out of the darkness and into the light of Frank's lantern, "Sorry...this is a private party, can't have you bringing any uninvited guests..." she says dryly, her longsword darting out at Frank's hand holding the signal horn...
Demian opens the door with an accompanying bow and sweeping hand gesture. "After you."
Sarela rushes out the open door, dagger in hand, and slices at the guard in the doorway.
"You're dead, friend. You just don't know it yet."
Before he can even react, Frank (guard 1) has the signal horn stolen from his belt by Eowithe. He cries out in pain when a dagger stabs him in the back, hitting an artery and causing him to begin bleeding profusely.
The guards are astounded. "You freed the prisoners!? I'll see you lose everything for this! Behind you Frank!" Both of them draw their longswords and fight back, attacking the prisoner and not their supposed fellow guardsmen. Sarela takes 2 deep wounds and falls, dying .
Morthos rolls his eyes and sighs at the failed ruse. "Very well. But this time, I will NOT be taken prisoner," he mumbles under his breath as he moves while drawing his sword. "Let me be clear, fools, your death will NOT be swift and painless. One of you will get to watch the other be eaten by the beast. And whichever of you that is, you will most assuredly be alive when he pulls your arms off."
Sarela feels very hurt but miraculously remains standing.
Barnabus rushes into the room
"What? What have you done with Greg and David?" They finally realise Morthos and Eowithe aren't actually their fellow guards. .
Barnabus grapples the guard with his tentacle.
Seltyiel keeps hiding as agreed, unless someone actually takes the time to call him from the spot.
Sarela, feeling very woozy from her wounds, steps back and calls out, "Now, strike from the fireplace!"
Seltyiel double moves towards Sarela as soon as he hears the battle sounds and her call for help. He was a bit further then he'd like, but at least he could get near her to try to give some level of support.
"What? What have you done with Greg and David?" They finally realise Morthos and Eowithe aren't actually their fellow guards. .
Barnabus grapples the guard with his tentacle.
"Oh, I'm sure you can imagine a great many things..." Eowithe says quietly...moving to slide her longsword deep into his chest...
Damian leans in the doorway and watches the ambush while chuckling.
The guards get surrounded, and their confidence falters as they realise the trap they had walked into. Barnabus grapples with one, Sarela retreats and Seltyiel takes her place. 'Not Greg' strikes a shield instead of a chest. Demian chuckles unnervingly.
Guard 1 attacks Eowithe countering her attacks and finding flesh, "That's for Greg!"
"Blueshirts come. Time to crush!" The cell door at the back of the room opens and Grumblejack, woken from his nap, sees the fight.
Barnabas pins the guard's arms to his sides
Grinning wickedly, "Your time is up, fools. The beast, I am sure, is hungry." Morthos then strikes at the guard.
Sarela moves back next to Demian. "Would you be a dear and check if that veil has any kind of possible healing on it?"
Seltyiel attacks the grapple enemy by Barnabas, trying to wear him down.
Damian shifts his gaze to Sarela with an irritated expression. He pulls out the veil and unstitches the potion bottle. "I'm trying to watch a murder, angel face," he says irritably as he works.
Well, that's just rude. Sarela thinks to herself. To Demian, she says, "You've never seen a good murder, then? Honestly, these aren't particularly artistic or purposeful murders - just killing some guards too stupid to surrender. Now, for a proper murder, you have to set the scene. Pick a nice, isolated location with a good view of the stars. Lure your target to the scene willingly - with a little mental push if needed - tie them down to an altar or a stone, and then you can make them bleed, and use the blood for dark magics, or simply to cause them pain and fear before finally slashing their throats. After that, other murders are just...boring. Thank you for assisting me, though."
Guard 2 is pinned by Barnabus and is slashed at by Seltyiel as he struggles to break free of Barnabus.
Sarela receives the potion from Demian.
The floor rumbles slighlty as Grumblejack charges from his cell.
"Release him!" Guard 1 attacks Barnabus but his nerves are rattled and he continues to bleed.
Seltyiel keeps swinging his claws, somewhat happy to see they drawing blood.
Saraela takes the potion from Demian and says, "Thank you. Well, let's see if it's poison or life."
Round 3
Eowithe smiles as the guard shows some spine, relishing the firey pain of the cut he'd delivered to her arm.
She offers him a formal duelling salute, then presses her attack..
Round 4
Seeking to ensure at lease one of the guards lives, she changes her attack and uses the flat of her blade to attempt to subdue him...
Seeing victory play out before him, Morthos stills his blade a moment in hopes to keep one alive for questioning.
"Oh, I enjoy a scripted, premeditated murder as much as the next," Demian replies as he turns his attention back to the combat. "But there are different kinds of murders.." he trails off for a moment and then continues, "They can be likened to plays. Premeditated can be one of them, like a comedy, and spontaneous can be another. I like spontaneous murders for the improvisation and struggle."
Barnabas continues to struggle with the guard. "If you're not going to help, at least keep a look out for more guards."
Guard 2 falls, bleeding out, soon to die.
Guard 1 is knocked out by Eowithe, near death but he will survive.
2 more guards uniforms, chain shirts, longsword, leather clubs, lanterns, personal locker keys and another signal horn are up for the taking.
Grumblejack charges towards them as they fall and picks up the one bleeding out. "Get up. Grumblejack kill you again. Don't try to sneak up on Grumblejack." He holds the man high in the air, then drops him on the ground. "No more wait here for Blueshirts. Grumblejack hunt."
Demian claps daintily, "Ooh! Grumblejack hunt!" Demian's amused smile is not even concealed. He then looks to the others, "Well?"
Morthos looks over at Demian before turning to the others. "It appears we have an escort. And seeing how I do not believe any of us are foolish enough to stop him, it is now or never. Prepare yourselves, all, freedom awaits."
"Grumblejack! We will hunt Blueshirts shortly. Wait just a few more moments."
Regardless of whether or not he stops, Sarela picks up one of the chain shirts. "I think I'd like to avoid being stabbed again. This should greatly help with that. I'll follow along shortly, if you need to pursue him."
Morthos picks up on the woman's tactic and proceeds to assist. "Yes, Grumblejack, there will be plenty of 'Blueshirts' to hunt. All we ask of you is for you to follow our lead. If you can do that, then, I promise you the number of 'Blueshirts' for you to hunt will be more than you can count. How does that sound?"
"Also, I do not suppose you know where they have stashed your weapons, do you? Just think of how much more destruction you could impose with a weapon."
"Grumblejack not hide in dark like rat! They take Crusher. Hide it from Grumblejack. Where is it." He is getting impatient, but at least he isn't going off on his own right now.
Demian carefully walks up to the ogre and pats him on his giant arm. "There, there, big guy. We will definitely be finding your Crusher. If we can get these weaker folks ready, they can help find Crusher as well."
Morthos moves to the guards and checks them both, studying to see which appears less dead. Going to the guard with fewer wounds, he pops his face with several light slaps in attempt to wake him. "Awaken you fool. We've many questions for you that need answering."
If the guard does awaken...
Morthos places a hand on the guard's shoulder and looks to him directly. "Now, fool, you are going to tell us what we need to know. First, you are going to give us the layout of this prison. Secondly, you are going to tell us where your weapons cache is that holds the beast's weapon. Thirdly, you are going to tell us how many more of you there are so we know exactly what we are up against, up to and including Blackerly's location. And just to be clear, I am not asking. But, consider yourself lucky. If you cooperate, which would be an intelligent move on your part so I shall not hold my breath, we will allow you to live. You will not be allowed to leave this room but you will be allowed to live. Consider yourself fortunate because very few will ever get that option. On the other hand, though, if you do not cooperate, the beast here gets to eat you. So... which shall it be?" he asks matter of factly.
Sarela dares the potion, gulping it down. It fills her with warmth and partially heals her.
The guard wakes up, groggy. "Help!" He tries to shout before another slap shuts him up. "Why would I do that? You'll just kill me."
"Ok ok! Keep the ogre away from me!" He quickly changes his mind and wishes to live. "The only way out is the bridge through the gatehouse across the courtyard through Blackerly and all his guards. The wall surrounds this building and guards watch every side from the wall. And the island is surrounded by cliffs with sharp rocks and rough water below. Unless you're a strong swimmer and very lucky, you'll die. You'll never escape."
"All the weapons we confiscate are put in the armory and sold later."
"Where is the armory and how do we get to it from here? And how many of you and your fellow pathetic guards do you number? Just a rough estimate will suffice."
"It's downstairs. Furthest door on the left. Ahh, 30 on duty usually. Off-duties are in the mess hall or barracks, on the right of the hallway."
Demian walks casually up to the guard during Morthos' interrogation.
"Ahem, yes." Demian says pleasantly with a very cold undertone, "The potion that stifles magic, how long does it last? And, while we are at it, when is it scheduled to be re-administered?"
Sarela continues donning the armor from the other guard and asks, "Are there any spellcasters or priests here? Also, I had a rather special book with me when they arrested me. Might you know where I can find that?"
"I don't know. The Warden is responsible for that! He's experimented on creatures here like the ogre. Ask him, he's always in his tower working on something. He's the only one knows anything about magic here. Maybe he has your book."