"THAT IS CURIOUS. I TOO WAS LEFT WITH TOOLS OF MY TRADE. ONES WITH WHICH, GIVEN ENOUGH TIME, I SURELY COULD COMPROMISE THE INTEGRITY OF THIS CELL. PERHAPS IT IS A TEST? LEAVE US THE MEANS TO SHOW WE ARE NOT WILLING TO BE GOOD PRISONERS, AND THUS EXTEND OUR SENTENCES? THOUGH IF MINE IS INDEFINITE, AN EXTENSION MEANS LITTLE.", the massive Clay Man muses from his cell.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
(Sorry, I may not have been clear. Ezra, you only have your tools because you managed to hide them away. For the most part, everything was taken except for the clothes on your backs and a few tidbits that the dockers who frisked you didn't think were important.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
"...OR PERHAPS THEY JUST ARE NOT VERY COMPETENT AT SEARCHING. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THEY WOULD HAVE MISSED A HAMMER AND CHISEL? EVEN FOR A CLAY MAN, THERE ARE ONLY SO MANY PLACES TO HIDE SUCH THINGS ON ONE'S PERSON."
Ezrabrandishes the hammer and masonry chisel, and takes a look around his cell for places they may be put to good use.
Perception (and proficient with mason's tools): 23
Tap-tapping here and there, Ezra surveys his cell with the expert efficiency of one who has worked with stone all his life. And indeed, Ezra has, as he's housed in a body made of the stuff. Going about the cell, for the most part the stone is solid enough, but he notices a few things which could be used to his advantage.
A couple bars on the front of his cell seem to have been replaced at some point. The stone is significantly less sturdy around them, and a strong enough force might be able to tear out the bars, should the stone be weakened further.
A section of his cell's back wall seems to be hollow, though the rest is solid. A closer inspection reveals a small, square seam, just over a foot on each side.
There are many things carved into the walls here. Mostly just tally marks, counting up the days. Some seem to be actual sentences, others drawings or diagrams of some sort. They have been made difficult to decipher by time and other marks above them, and several sections seem to have been sanded away. Still, with time they might be understood.
Curiously, a half-dozen green-hued foxfire candles have been hidden away under Ezra's bunk. (An occurrence — you now have 6x foxfire candle stub)
The hole in the corner really, really stinks. Ezra would know, he was sure to inspect every corner of the room, and that unfortunately included the one with the hole.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Ezra was the first to answer, giving his name and reason to be there. I knew the judicial system of the city is unfair and would bet on it being corrupt, but I didn’t think its officials were stupid enough to punish a victim for something he suffered. Maybe they weren’t. Maybe the clay man was there so no one would know about what happened when the house went aflame. Before Damien could decide to be believe on either Tharkan spoke, fast to mention the Khanate and how being part of it or not could bring different treatment. He was thrown here because he’s a foreigner, the British understood as the first man to ask for names said his own, turning, maybe unintentionally, the conversation in the discussion of an escape plan. Or at least the first steps of it.
“Well, it seems we have a way for one of us to get out of the cell.”He said after the clay man mentioned his tools. In truth, there were two such ways but that he would keep a secret for now. It was far too early to reveal his arcane focus. There would be no problem if the guards took it, but if they took the time to constrain him properly… “The problem would be dealing with the goalers on the way out but if we all work together this should prove less of a complication.” More eyes, more arms o beat the jailers. He liked those odds. “I’m assuming we’ll be taking the dirigible route, which begs the question - anyone have any idea of when one of them arrive?”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Herman hummed under his breath and looked around the room for anything he could use for leverage. If he could find nothing, he simply put his fists together and took a deep breath, then snapping them sideways in an attempt to break the binds on his hands. He still had to figure out a way to meet the Fence, but the clayman was right. Getting the restraints off should be the first issue they tackle.
((Tarkhan and Ezra are in cells on the same side, so he'd not likely be able to have seen what Ezra was doing, but would have perhaps been able to hear him moving and tapping about the cell.))
((@DM, how high the the ceilings in the cells, and how wide/high is the hallway?))
"IF WE ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE, WE WILL PERHAPS BE IN A WORSE POSITION THAN WE ARE NOW. WOULD THEY ALSO NOT BE MOST ALERT AFTER DUMPING US HERE?"
"New Newgate is basically a joke, why wouldn't they just mangle you and ship you off to mine? I got here because I wanted to, didn't even do nothing. Escaping is part of the experience!" Herman's voice is slightly strained, as he is attempting to rip the bindings apart.
The cells and the corridor are around maybe ten feet tall, and just about as wide. The corridor seems to be the same width as well, just from looking at it.
Herman struggles against his binds, his muscles bulging, but they don't snap. These things were made to contain even unfinished men, it's unlikely raw strength alone is going to be enough to bust them open.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ezra ponders his options... better to be prepared than not.
He sits back and rolls up his sleeves, checking his forearms. That done, he goes over to give a closer inspection of the hollow space behind the back wall, trying to get a sense of how difficult it would be to access in a hurry.
Investigation: 6 (+2 for proficiency with mason's tools?)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Knocking on the wall a bit, testing its strength, doing other mason stuff that I don't understand, Ezra spends a few minutes investigating the hollow space. Eventually, he determines the following:
There seems to be no way to open it from his side, save for pure brute force. The seam he saw is completely flush with the wall, and there is no way to get purchase.
The hollow bit still has a good few inches of stone in between the wall and whatever space is back there. You might be able to break through, but it'd be harder without some weapon.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Croup considered his options - in all probability he could do with a little help getting out of here and these other occupants seem as good a bet as any to help him out - once out he could continue his search
My names Croup, nice to meet you errr gentlemen, I have no mask and my hands are free so if I can do anything to help ....... I would be very happy to oblige ... as long as it doesn't involve too much effort I have a very bad back you see and my left knees not that great either
Tarkhan reflects on what he knows of New Newgate (which is nearly nothing) and what he does not know (which is nearly everything). His investigation of his cell has revealed only one thing to him; he cannot of his own accord free himself from his restraints at this time.
"Ezra. Croup. Damien. Herman. For now I am resigned to wait and gather more information about the cage that we five little birds must call home temporarily. A goaler, or someone, must be coming along soon. Food of some sort will be provided to us, yes? Let us make a thorough study of our captor in the hours ahead."
(DM, does it seem as if our restraints and/or masks will need to be removed for basic needs like eating, using the hole, etc.?)
(The masks leave your mouths open and don't cover your vision. They seem to serve no purpose other than just... being masks. The manacles and leg irons also don't prevent you from using your fingers or moving your arms up and down, and only hamper your movement instead of halting it entirely. I'll include images of any peculiar things from now on)
The Masks, Manacles & Leg Irons.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Silent as a shadow he watched as Ezra, Tarkhan and Herman discussed about attempt an escape. The man from the khanate admitting not knowing the schedule of the dirigibles. Something easy to remediate, he said to himself, his eyes traveling in the direction of his window. By this time the Faber told his name and circumstance. Why would a prisoner have free hands? He questioned before deciding to count the blessings, not the faults.
“Tarkhan is right and Croup, going by my cell I believe that both you and Herman have windows of your own so I would be rather grateful if you could help me keep eyes out for the dirigibles.” It was that or a fall to death in the Zee and he had no intention of meeting another master of dead souls. “We can take turns, make sure there is always someone watching. If we pay attention on arrival and departure, we’ll have a timeframe to the escape proper.”
Then he looked at Ezra. He was oddly satisfied with his search but didn’t share any findings. Damien remembered what the clay man said last and noticed that mayhap some sort of motivation was necessary.
“Ezra. This is a place where people were sent to be forgotten.” He started, looking at the clay man. “If you don’t have any connection with nobility your sentence is likely to be forever.”Or at least until dying in a stupid fight amongst inmates, if one were to believe the histories. “You’ll need to make a way out of here as soon as you can and it will be easier to do it with all of us.” He pointed to the hammer and chisel. “Can you remove the bars using them? Maybe break the shackles?”
Ezra silently contemplates the human's words before responding. "I HAVE NO CONNECTIONS TO NOBILITY. FOREVER. I COULD BE LEFT HERE FOREVER... UNTIL LONDON SINKS INTO THE UNTERZEE AND THE STALACTITES OF NEW NEWGATE CRUMBLE AND FALL... THAT WOULD BE A VERY LONG TIME."
The big Clay Man is silent again for a long period of time, seemingly contemplating what exactly forever would entail.
"YES, IT WOULD BE EASIER WITH OTHERS. THE CHISEL IS MEANT FOR STONE, NOT FOR METAL. I KNOW THE WORKING OF METAL AS WELL, BUT WITHOUT THE TOOLS AND A FORGE... BUT YES, I THINK I COULD GET OUT OF MY CELL. THERE IS A HOLLOW PLACE AT THE BACK OF MY CELL. IT MAY CONTAIN SOMETHING HIDDEN. I WILL START THERE, AS I CANNOT WATCH FOR DIRIGIBLES. LET ME KNOW IF YOU HEAR ANYONE COMING."
He will move to the hollow space and begin chipping away at it with his chisel and hammer. If it is loud, he'll see if he can muffle it with some fabric or leather from his clothes between the hammer and chisel.
(If anyone else had any actions they wanted to do before we moved things along, they can happen while Ezra is chipping, but I'm going to be moving things along.)
Ezra begins chipping away at the stone, glancing over every few minutes to make sure no one is approaching. He makes little progress, but with time he may manage to access the hollow space. Unfortunately, time is not a luxury he has, and soon the rhythmic tapping is drowned out by another, harsher sound.
An Interruption
Prisoners begin murmuring and moaning, banging at the bars and jeering. Pressing up against the bars to get a closer look reveals a burly man dressed in a prison officer's garb walking down the passageway, flanked by two Gaolers. As you watch, he smacks a reaching hand away with his truncheon, and its owner yelps and jerks back. He pauses, surveying the contents of the cells, including your little group. "Look 'ere wot we got," he jeers, poking at Damien with his truncheon. "Some new blood! Alright, listen up you lot, 'cos I'm only sayin' this once! You lot are all new arrivals, and that means you're due for orientation from the Warden. We'll be openin' your cells now, but we don't want no funny behavior. So no fightin', no talkin' back, no gettin' out of line, no seducin' the gaolers, and no talkin' about the Thing. You got me?"
Without waiting for an answer, the Burly Officer signals the two gaolers to begin unlocking the cells. They do so, and roughly shove the prisoners into line, never offering anything more than grunts in the way of instruction. They soon reach your cells, but you've all managed to hide what contraband you might have by the time they do so. One gives Croup an odd look as it arrives to his cell, but it shrugs and pushes him along anyways. Soon you're all next to each other in line, and can get a closer look at your fellow inmates as the line shuffles along.
The Goalers:
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Herman chooses to remain quiet, but does slip his spectacles on before exiting the cell and joining the line, feeling a slight shiver of excitement wash over him.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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"THAT IS CURIOUS. I TOO WAS LEFT WITH TOOLS OF MY TRADE. ONES WITH WHICH, GIVEN ENOUGH TIME, I SURELY COULD COMPROMISE THE INTEGRITY OF THIS CELL. PERHAPS IT IS A TEST? LEAVE US THE MEANS TO SHOW WE ARE NOT WILLING TO BE GOOD PRISONERS, AND THUS EXTEND OUR SENTENCES? THOUGH IF MINE IS INDEFINITE, AN EXTENSION MEANS LITTLE.", the massive Clay Man muses from his cell.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
(Sorry, I may not have been clear. Ezra, you only have your tools because you managed to hide them away. For the most part, everything was taken except for the clothes on your backs and a few tidbits that the dockers who frisked you didn't think were important.)
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
"...OR PERHAPS THEY JUST ARE NOT VERY COMPETENT AT SEARCHING. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THEY WOULD HAVE MISSED A HAMMER AND CHISEL? EVEN FOR A CLAY MAN, THERE ARE ONLY SO MANY PLACES TO HIDE SUCH THINGS ON ONE'S PERSON."
Ezra brandishes the hammer and masonry chisel, and takes a look around his cell for places they may be put to good use.
Perception (and proficient with mason's tools): 23
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Tap-tapping here and there, Ezra surveys his cell with the expert efficiency of one who has worked with stone all his life. And indeed, Ezra has, as he's housed in a body made of the stuff. Going about the cell, for the most part the stone is solid enough, but he notices a few things which could be used to his advantage.
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Ezra was the first to answer, giving his name and reason to be there. I knew the judicial system of the city is unfair and would bet on it being corrupt, but I didn’t think its officials were stupid enough to punish a victim for something he suffered. Maybe they weren’t. Maybe the clay man was there so no one would know about what happened when the house went aflame. Before Damien could decide to be believe on either Tharkan spoke, fast to mention the Khanate and how being part of it or not could bring different treatment. He was thrown here because he’s a foreigner, the British understood as the first man to ask for names said his own, turning, maybe unintentionally, the conversation in the discussion of an escape plan. Or at least the first steps of it.
“Well, it seems we have a way for one of us to get out of the cell.” He said after the clay man mentioned his tools. In truth, there were two such ways but that he would keep a secret for now. It was far too early to reveal his arcane focus. There would be no problem if the guards took it, but if they took the time to constrain him properly… “The problem would be dealing with the goalers on the way out but if we all work together this should prove less of a complication.” More eyes, more arms o beat the jailers. He liked those odds. “I’m assuming we’ll be taking the dirigible route, which begs the question - anyone have any idea of when one of them arrive?”
Hearing the clay man moving about his own cell, Tarkhan calls out, "Anything out of the ordinary?"
Talking to Damien, Tarkhan shakes his head. "No idea. Yet. And I misspoke a bit ago. First order of business is these, not escaping the cell."
As he utters the word these, Tarkhan rattles the restraints around his wrists and legs. He then sets to investigating his own cell inch by inch.
Investigation 3
Herman hummed under his breath and looked around the room for anything he could use for leverage. If he could find nothing, he simply put his fists together and took a deep breath, then snapping them sideways in an attempt to break the binds on his hands. He still had to figure out a way to meet the Fence, but the clayman was right. Getting the restraints off should be the first issue they tackle.
Athletics: 17
((Tarkhan and Ezra are in cells on the same side, so he'd not likely be able to have seen what Ezra was doing, but would have perhaps been able to hear him moving and tapping about the cell.))
((@DM, how high the the ceilings in the cells, and how wide/high is the hallway?))
"IF WE ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE, WE WILL PERHAPS BE IN A WORSE POSITION THAN WE ARE NOW. WOULD THEY ALSO NOT BE MOST ALERT AFTER DUMPING US HERE?"
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
"New Newgate is basically a joke, why wouldn't they just mangle you and ship you off to mine? I got here because I wanted to, didn't even do nothing. Escaping is part of the experience!" Herman's voice is slightly strained, as he is attempting to rip the bindings apart.
The cells and the corridor are around maybe ten feet tall, and just about as wide. The corridor seems to be the same width as well, just from looking at it.
Herman struggles against his binds, his muscles bulging, but they don't snap. These things were made to contain even unfinished men, it's unlikely raw strength alone is going to be enough to bust them open.
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Ezra ponders his options... better to be prepared than not.
He sits back and rolls up his sleeves, checking his forearms. That done, he goes over to give a closer inspection of the hollow space behind the back wall, trying to get a sense of how difficult it would be to access in a hurry.
Investigation: 6 (+2 for proficiency with mason's tools?)
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Knocking on the wall a bit, testing its strength, doing other mason stuff that I don't understand, Ezra spends a few minutes investigating the hollow space. Eventually, he determines the following:
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Ezra nods to himself and seats himself against a wall, listening to the others if they speak, but otherwise enjoying the quiet.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Croup considered his options - in all probability he could do with a little help getting out of here and these other occupants seem as good a bet as any to help him out - once out he could continue his search
My names Croup, nice to meet you errr gentlemen, I have no mask and my hands are free so if I can do anything to help ....... I would be very happy to oblige ... as long as it doesn't involve too much effort I have a very bad back you see and my left knees not that great either
Tarkhan reflects on what he knows of New Newgate (which is nearly nothing) and what he does not know (which is nearly everything). His investigation of his cell has revealed only one thing to him; he cannot of his own accord free himself from his restraints at this time.
"Ezra. Croup. Damien. Herman. For now I am resigned to wait and gather more information about the cage that we five little birds must call home temporarily. A goaler, or someone, must be coming along soon. Food of some sort will be provided to us, yes? Let us make a thorough study of our captor in the hours ahead."
(DM, does it seem as if our restraints and/or masks will need to be removed for basic needs like eating, using the hole, etc.?)
(The masks leave your mouths open and don't cover your vision. They seem to serve no purpose other than just... being masks. The manacles and leg irons also don't prevent you from using your fingers or moving your arms up and down, and only hamper your movement instead of halting it entirely. I'll include images of any peculiar things from now on)
The Masks, Manacles & Leg Irons.
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Silent as a shadow he watched as Ezra, Tarkhan and Herman discussed about attempt an escape. The man from the khanate admitting not knowing the schedule of the dirigibles. Something easy to remediate, he said to himself, his eyes traveling in the direction of his window. By this time the Faber told his name and circumstance. Why would a prisoner have free hands? He questioned before deciding to count the blessings, not the faults.
“Tarkhan is right and Croup, going by my cell I believe that both you and Herman have windows of your own so I would be rather grateful if you could help me keep eyes out for the dirigibles.” It was that or a fall to death in the Zee and he had no intention of meeting another master of dead souls. “We can take turns, make sure there is always someone watching. If we pay attention on arrival and departure, we’ll have a timeframe to the escape proper.”
Then he looked at Ezra. He was oddly satisfied with his search but didn’t share any findings. Damien remembered what the clay man said last and noticed that mayhap some sort of motivation was necessary.
“Ezra. This is a place where people were sent to be forgotten.” He started, looking at the clay man. “If you don’t have any connection with nobility your sentence is likely to be forever.” Or at least until dying in a stupid fight amongst inmates, if one were to believe the histories. “You’ll need to make a way out of here as soon as you can and it will be easier to do it with all of us.” He pointed to the hammer and chisel. “Can you remove the bars using them? Maybe break the shackles?”
Ezra silently contemplates the human's words before responding. "I HAVE NO CONNECTIONS TO NOBILITY. FOREVER. I COULD BE LEFT HERE FOREVER... UNTIL LONDON SINKS INTO THE UNTERZEE AND THE STALACTITES OF NEW NEWGATE CRUMBLE AND FALL... THAT WOULD BE A VERY LONG TIME."
The big Clay Man is silent again for a long period of time, seemingly contemplating what exactly forever would entail.
"YES, IT WOULD BE EASIER WITH OTHERS. THE CHISEL IS MEANT FOR STONE, NOT FOR METAL. I KNOW THE WORKING OF METAL AS WELL, BUT WITHOUT THE TOOLS AND A FORGE... BUT YES, I THINK I COULD GET OUT OF MY CELL. THERE IS A HOLLOW PLACE AT THE BACK OF MY CELL. IT MAY CONTAIN SOMETHING HIDDEN. I WILL START THERE, AS I CANNOT WATCH FOR DIRIGIBLES. LET ME KNOW IF YOU HEAR ANYONE COMING."
He will move to the hollow space and begin chipping away at it with his chisel and hammer. If it is loud, he'll see if he can muffle it with some fabric or leather from his clothes between the hammer and chisel.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
(If anyone else had any actions they wanted to do before we moved things along, they can happen while Ezra is chipping, but I'm going to be moving things along.)
Ezra begins chipping away at the stone, glancing over every few minutes to make sure no one is approaching. He makes little progress, but with time he may manage to access the hollow space. Unfortunately, time is not a luxury he has, and soon the rhythmic tapping is drowned out by another, harsher sound.
The Goalers:
"Ignorance is bliss, and you look absolutely miserable."
Herman chooses to remain quiet, but does slip his spectacles on before exiting the cell and joining the line, feeling a slight shiver of excitement wash over him.