Katryl stays in place, still sitting on the ground, while listening to the drow and blonde woman speak. It wasn't until the woman turned to directly to query her that she even turned to look at her. At the insinuation that she might want to stay here with Mistress Ilvara, her eyes again flash with a slight glow. "Just talking escape won't help," she whispers, her voice husky. "It won't be easy."
In her couple of days here, Katryl had tried to get to know Eldeth Feldrun, speaking with her in Dwarvish. She certainly made her think of the dwarf couple that had watched over her since her parents' disappearance. Eldeth was a bit more positive than she was, but that didn't bother her. She had also spent some time with Stool. Katryl found them fascinating. She wondered if the spores might not have negative side effects, but she hoped not.
"Yes," Khessa conceeds "not easy. But if we are all determined to try, we can at least talk about what we might be able to do and come up with a plan together".
"In summary," the blonde warrior continues with determination, "we are currently chained, locked in this cell, unequipped and within a drow community. I would say go through these issues one at a time, if you agree".
"As far as the chains are concerned," the tall adventurer tackles the first problem "if we don't have better ideas, in time I could try to break them. I have always had a certain physical vigor... and these days of captivity have not yet weakened me. If I find out to be able to break mine, I can of course break yours too. Alternative ideas on this? Failing that, can anyone try something different?"
As the days pass, due to the inevitable interactions of shared meals and shared privy, Ebzer comes to know, at least superficially, his fellow-prisoners. Two drow, whom he never addresses directly, three svirfneblin, an unpredictable race but clever, a derro, with which he has no experience but has heard of their deviousness, and a myconid, a race he has largely ignored in the past. There is also a talkative human female, and three creatures of unknown races to him (the tabaxi, Kuo-toa, and Katryl). The only two he feels any kinship at all with are the surface dwarf and the orc, the latter because of their known ferocity in battle. He has had little interaction with his dwarven cousins, but at least they speak his language, and have a distant kinship.
As he watches Khessa make friends with the drow called Traydark, Ebzer pities her, knowing that she will be betrayed sooner or later. She seems sincere in her outreach, which makes her inevitable realization that she has been deceived all the more tragic. When she asks if he will assist in an escape attempt, he nods tersely. In Dwarvish, he mutters,
Foolish human, putting her trust in those who have no honor, no loyalty, no honesty. I will fight our captors, but I will never trust a filthy dark elf.
He will attempt to befriend the orc, Ront, finding out more about his skills, and his history.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
During his seven days of imprisonment Traydark would have tried to get a clear picture of the outpost and as much information as he can about the drow here and their stations and routines.
Perception if applicable: 7
He would have mostly spent his time with that but he would also have tried to make some friendly contact with the other drow Sarith, a bit curious about the details on what put him in this predicament. He tries to convince Sarith to stay close and protect him when they escape as Traydark still is of noble blood after all.
Persuasion if needed: 17
Mostly to entertain himself he would also goad the svirfneblin Jimjar to make a wager that he cannot spring them all from this prison within three days, showing the deep gnome a flawed carnelian gemstone that he himself will use for the bet.
Finally he tries to form an alliance with the cursed 'elven prince' Derendil, pointing out that those of higher station should look out for one another. Persuasion if needed: 11
As the blonde talkative human Khessa tries to convince some of the others to help them escape, Traydark leans back against the rough cave wall again, observing her fervor and conviction. He was quite used to tall, strong and beautiful women from the matriarchy of drow society and he was equally used to follow their lead. He was curious now to see how the others would react and if the human could make them all come together as a team. It would certainly be needed if they were to escape from this drow outpost and survive the endless tunnels of the underdark. The duergar and the orc seemed particularly bent on violence, he could only hope their rage would be directed towards their hated captors and not towards their co-prisoners.
In her couple of days here, Katryl had tried to get to know Eldeth Feldrun, speaking with her in Dwarvish. She certainly made her think of the dwarf couple that had watched over her since her parents' disappearance. Eldeth was a bit more positive than she was, but that didn't bother her. She had also spent some time with Stool. Katryl found them fascinating. She wondered if the spores might not have negative side effects, but she hoped not.
Underneath Eldeth's brighter demeanor lay a seething hatred and distrust of the drow and, as she puts it, "corrupt dark dwellers" like the derro and duergar. Yet alongside all of that is a spirit of defiance and self sacrifice, and you get the impression she would be willing to do just about anything to help everyone escape and promises her people in Gauntlgrym would look very favorably on anyone who helped her get back home.
Stool is a curious creature, like a little kid who, once they open up to you, has a million and one questions about the world and people. The Kuo-toa Shushar affirms that the spores Stool uses to talk are perfectly harmless.
He will attempt to befriend the orc, Ront, finding out more about his skills, and his history.
Ront will share that he is from the Iceshielf tribe and is only here because he chose to flee from a losing battle instead of dying with honor, and is certain the orc god Grummsh is punishing him for it. He especially hates Eldeth because their people are at war with each other. He's mean and spiteful to pretty much everyone, but he also knows how to knuckle down and submit to authority when necessary.
During his seven days of imprisonment Traydark would have tried to get a clear picture of the outpost and as much information as he can about the drow here and their stations and routines.
Perception if applicable: 17
He would have mostly spent his time with that but he would also have tried to make some friendly contact with the other drow Sarith, a bit curious about the details on what put him in this predicament. He tries to convince Sarith to stay close and protect him when they escape as Traydark still is of noble blood after all.
Persuasion if needed: 14
Mostly to entertain himself he would also goad the svirfneblin Jimjar to make a wager that he cannot spring them all from this prison within three days, showing the deep gnome a flawed carnelian gemstone that he himself will use for the bet.
Finally he tries to form an alliance with the cursed 'elven prince' Derendil, pointing out that those of higher station should look out for one another. Persuasion if needed: 16
Sarith is a hard nut to crack, refusing to speak to anyone generally and is even less sure of you Traydark, as he doesn't know how much you know about why he's there and he doesn't want to give you any ammunition to use against him currently.
Jimjar gladly accepts the offer, countering for 3 days of meals if he fails, although explicitly mentions that he doesn't have to be the one to actually make the escape happen, only be a part of it. He also mentions that he finds Topsy and Turvy weird but doesn't elaborate on it.
Derendil actually speaks in urbane Elvish, mildly dismissive of your attempts at some sort of alliance, insisting that he needs to get back to the kingdom of Nelrindenvane in the High Forest. His crown was usurped by the evil wizard Terrestor, who trapped him in this form and exiled him from his people.
Ebzer will try to bond with Ront by comparing battle scars and arm-wrestling. He shares that he makes no judgment of the orc's flight of self-preservation, having carried within himself a deep guilt over not dying with his own people when the drow attacked. " 'Tis glorious ta die in battle, but ain't it even more hon'rable ta win t' battle? And if'n victory requires a temporary retreat befer the final conflict, I thinks the gods'd accept that. But I ain't no shaman, fer sure."
If he overhears Eldeth's comments about "corrupt dark dwellers" he will snort in derision and mock the "pretty pretend soldier", although internally, the rejection stings much more than he would have imagined.
Well, since we have switched to determine who we have befriended in the previous days: Khessa has been here one single day only, so she can't have had that many interactions... Let's just say she could have had conversation with Buppido, the Derro, since he is very talkative. She could have tried, during their conversations, to learn something about him (how he get captured, what was his life like before...) and about this prison (how it is organized, an idea of how many drow there are, of what the various building are - for example which ones are the barracks, which one is the kitchen, witch one is the armory... if Buppido knows it, that is).
"Yes," Khessa conceeds "not easy. But if we are all determined to try, we can at least talk about what we might be able to do and come up with a plan together".
"In summary," the blonde warrior continues with determination, "we are currently chained, locked in this cell, unequipped and within a drow community. I would say go through these issues one at a time, if you agree".
"As far as the chains are concerned," the tall adventurer tackles the first problem "if we don't have better ideas, in time I could try to break them. I have always had a certain physical vigor... and these days of captivity have not yet weakened me. If I find out to be able to break mine, I can of course break yours too. Alternative ideas on this? Failing that, can anyone try something different?"
For when we come back to play our current assessment about the escape: Do the chains binding us have locks? If yes, Khessa, since nobody is coming with alternatives to the brute force, tries to suggest:
"Maybe someone with skilled fingers could try to pick these locks? Maybe with improvised tools? We could maybe get... bones, if they suffice for that - by killing a rat for example".
'Well,' she thinks to herself, trying to assess how strong the chains might be 'if we're going to have to use brute force... let's hope I'm still in top shape. And that my father didn't overdo it too much when he joked that I had grown so strong that he could have yoked me to the plow... and sell the ox!'
Traydark would all but give up on Sarith, unexpectedly finding Jimjar much more amusing, not bothering with the slight change of the terms of their bet as long as he would get out of this place somehow, preferably alive. He would treat Derendil with all the respect and servility he can muster to be on the elven prince's good side, still curious if he could be speaking the truth or if he's simply deluded. He would discreetly talk with Sarith and Derendil too about escaping to see who would have the will and wits to do so. He also discusses with the three of them if they have any ideas on how to get out of this prison and what they have noticed yet about this place.
"Since we will need keys to get out of this place perhaps we should focus on getting those, which will also likely unlock our chains too." The drow most politely suggests to Khessa. "I have some simple magic still available to me but I'm not sure how effective it will be against our captors." He adds, using as earlier during his captivity magic to heat and flavor the food he's been given as well as regularly tidying himself up.
"Since we will need keys to get out of this place perhaps we should focus on getting those, which will also likely unlock our chains too." The drow most politely suggests to Khessa. "I have some simple magic still available to me but I'm not sure how effective it will be against our captors." He adds, using as earlier during his captivity magic to heat and flavor the food he's been given as well as regularly tidying himself up.
"At least is an alternative..." conceeds Khessa "Getting the keys by fighting the guards while we are chained? Or trying to steal the keys from them undetected? That's what you were thinking?"
"I must admit I'm still pondering which would be the best alternative. I suspect our escape will turn violent at some point but I would prefer some kind of deception to get hold of those keys. If the guards could conceivably be taken out swiftly without alerting reinforcements, thusly getting the keys, I would of course not object to that." Traydark says with a polite smile to the tall blonde beauty beside him. "Some more observation might be needed for us to be properly prepared though."
Silas approaches Shushar, the kua-toa, to ask him what he thinks of the imprisonment, trying to gauge his interest in escaping and just to understand his whole deal.
"I could try to pick the locks. If I can just get something to use as a tool," Katryl says in response to the blonde woman's suggestion.
In her terse conversations with Eldeth, Katryl could empathize with the dwarf's distrust of 'dark dwellers'. She knew her parents and the others had likely been taken by such folk. But she didn't quite share the hatred. Her anger was reserved for the drow, those who had taken her and imprisoned her.
With Stool she was more than happy to answer any questions. Well, at least once she got used to the telepathy. It wasn't like she had a lot of other things to do anyway!
"I must admit I'm still pondering which would be the best alternative. I suspect our escape will turn violent at some point but I would prefer some kind of deception to get hold of those keys. If the guards could conceivably be taken out swiftly without alerting reinforcements, thusly getting the keys, I would of course not object to that." Traydark says with a polite smile to the tall blonde beauty beside him. "Some more observation might be needed for us to be properly prepared though."
"OK, so, for the chains, we have the brute force option;" summarizes Khessa"or we can resort to try get keys from guards, either by stealth or, by force (trying to have some kind of advantage, like surprise, or number, or whatever)".
"What about the cell?" tackles the next point the blonde warrior "I'd avoid bashing the door down... the noise could raise alarm even if we succeed at the first attempt; even more so if many attempts are needed. Now, If we get the keys, they can most likely open the door's cell also. While if we succeed in breaking the chain... Katryl could try to pick the lock, if she can improvise proper tools. Failing that, I'd wait for the next time the guards enter, waiting for them while pretending to be still chained, then surprise attack them. In this case, the broken chain can also be our first improvised weapons (before we can get ours back, or at least the ones of the guards). Other options? I can't think of any other..."
"They needs us fer somethin'," growls the duergar in accented Common. "If they didna, we'd be dead. They wouldna waste food nor manpower ta guards us. If we be patient, they will come'n unlocks the gate fer us. They probably thinks they can gets us ta do some sort o' menial labor that don't appeal ta them. I says we waits a little longer, and we'll be able ta overpower 'em as they takes us ta our work assignments, er else we can slips away when they ain't paying attention."
"They needs us fer somethin'," growls the duergar in accented Common. "If they didna, we'd be dead. They wouldna waste food nor manpower ta guards us. If we be patient, they will come'n unlocks the gate fer us. They probably thinks they can gets us ta do some sort o' menial labor that don't appeal ta them. I says we waits a little longer, and we'll be able ta overpower 'em as they takes us ta our work assignments, er else we can slips away when they ain't paying attention."
"What you say is right, friend" Khessa smiles, struggling again with her chains to pat the duergar on the shoulder "and what you propose could work, you are absolutely right about that. But the point is that attacking them to overpower them is something I would like more do it here, in the cell, as soon as they enter, away from prying eyes. If we do it outside, while they take us to our work assignment, there is a possibility that other guards will see... and that reinforcements will arrive. Plus, I would prefer to attack them after I have freed myself from these chains, just to be able to kill them more comfortably" she winks. "Not to mention that, if we manage to kill them in here, without attracting attention, maybe we even have the opportunity to move around for a while without being discovered... and recover our belongings (not to mention the chance to ambush some more of them, or create a diversion...). If we kill them outside, instead, and we are forced to flee... I'm afraid we have to run away like this, with nothing but our hides. Now, not that I'm a venal girl... but, you see, I'm fond of my armor and my greatsword; especially if there is a high probability of fighting in my neighbor future! Do you see my point?"
"I'm Khessa, anyway" the blonde warrior holds out her hand to the other, realizing that, having recently arrived, she had not yet introduced herself to the dwarf. "Pleasure to meet you. (Although I would have preferred different circumstances)".
Ebzer's bushy eyebrows furrow together as he ponders the human woman's words. She may have a point. The duergar stands and, rather than take her hand, he puts his closed fist over his heart and bows stiffly. "Ebzer Bonebreak, pleased ter meetcha," he says hoarsely. "Yer a clever'un, I'll grant ye that. Although I don't hold with trustin' them spider-lovers."He looks over at Traydark and Sarith.
"I thinks the guards be expecting us ta fight in here. But if we fakes bein' all sad n' defeated-like, 'n follows 'em out the gate, I thinks we gets the jump on 'em. But I ain't pretty enough ta be the leader o' this lot, so jes' let me know where's ye want me, and whose head I should bash in."
In the first attempt to work any sort of magic inside the cell you would have noticed it had absolutely no effect, and in conversation with the other prisoners, discovered there is a strong anti-magic field around the cell, though outside the cell magic seems to work fine. In addition, magical effects produced seem to continue even upon entering the cell. Make an Insight check against Sarith.
Silas:
Shushar feels himself a sort of, enlightened being. He has no reservation about escaping, but also has no interesting in fighting his way out either. He is always pleasant and cordial, almost always in a zen sort of mood.
Khessa:
All of the bindings and the door are locked. Can they be broken or picked? You can certainly try.
Ebzer:
Ront is reluctant to agree with you but mentions that the sooner he gets out of there the better so he can hopefully make amends to his tribe.
Everyone:
The other prisoners regularly remind you to keep quiet, because there are always a few guards in the tower just across from the cell via the rope bridge, and at least one usually has a crossbow with poisoned bolts aimed at the cell. This becomes particularly difficult when Ront or Derendil get worked up, the latter especially as he tends to go into a frenzy until someone can remind him of who is really is. Best as the prisoners can tell though, there are 19 guards in the outpost, plus Ilvaraand her two consorts. They mentioned there has been talks of escaping but between the guards and the numerous giant spiders that wait just below on the webs, no good plan has yet been formulated.
The prisoners have also noticed a change in the power dynamic lately, as the wand that Jorlan used to carry, which was able to keep people stuck down, is now in the hands of Shoor. All they know is there was a fight somewhere and Jorlanwas injured, and now Shoor is the priestess's right hand man and lover. It also seems that the patrol to take prisoners back to Menzoberranzanwon't arrive for at least a tenday or more.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Traydark watches with interest as Khessa tries to win over the stubborn deep dwarf. "I'm no spider lover, duergar..." The drow scoffs. "...and although not particularly talkative I suspect Sarith here isn't either. You may consider doing yourself a favor by putting your bias away, at least until we all have reached safety." The dark elf suggests with a wry smile.
When trying to use his magic to ease his suffering, Traydark had quickly realized that there was a strong anti-magic field around the cell, making him have to endure the simple food and the filth around him.
Insight against Sarith: 13
Traydark pondered the new situation with Ilvara's escorts. Losing the favor of being Ilvara's lover must had been devastating for Jorlan. He almost pitied the man, almost. Insight against Jorlan to see if he would be disconteted enough with his new station to be manipulated into assisting with the big escape somehow: 14 (I assume Jorlan and Shoor are the two mentioned cohorts of Ilvara :-)
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Katryl stays in place, still sitting on the ground, while listening to the drow and blonde woman speak. It wasn't until the woman turned to directly to query her that she even turned to look at her. At the insinuation that she might want to stay here with Mistress Ilvara, her eyes again flash with a slight glow. "Just talking escape won't help," she whispers, her voice husky. "It won't be easy."
In her couple of days here, Katryl had tried to get to know Eldeth Feldrun, speaking with her in Dwarvish. She certainly made her think of the dwarf couple that had watched over her since her parents' disappearance. Eldeth was a bit more positive than she was, but that didn't bother her. She had also spent some time with Stool. Katryl found them fascinating. She wondered if the spores might not have negative side effects, but she hoped not.
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"Yes," Khessa conceeds "not easy. But if we are all determined to try, we can at least talk about what we might be able to do and come up with a plan together".
"In summary," the blonde warrior continues with determination, "we are currently chained, locked in this cell, unequipped and within a drow community. I would say go through these issues one at a time, if you agree".
"As far as the chains are concerned," the tall adventurer tackles the first problem "if we don't have better ideas, in time I could try to break them. I have always had a certain physical vigor... and these days of captivity have not yet weakened me. If I find out to be able to break mine, I can of course break yours too. Alternative ideas on this? Failing that, can anyone try something different?"
As the days pass, due to the inevitable interactions of shared meals and shared privy, Ebzer comes to know, at least superficially, his fellow-prisoners. Two drow, whom he never addresses directly, three svirfneblin, an unpredictable race but clever, a derro, with which he has no experience but has heard of their deviousness, and a myconid, a race he has largely ignored in the past. There is also a talkative human female, and three creatures of unknown races to him (the tabaxi, Kuo-toa, and Katryl). The only two he feels any kinship at all with are the surface dwarf and the orc, the latter because of their known ferocity in battle. He has had little interaction with his dwarven cousins, but at least they speak his language, and have a distant kinship.
As he watches Khessa make friends with the drow called Traydark, Ebzer pities her, knowing that she will be betrayed sooner or later. She seems sincere in her outreach, which makes her inevitable realization that she has been deceived all the more tragic. When she asks if he will assist in an escape attempt, he nods tersely. In Dwarvish, he mutters,
Foolish human, putting her trust in those who have no honor, no loyalty, no honesty. I will fight our captors, but I will never trust a filthy dark elf.
He will attempt to befriend the orc, Ront, finding out more about his skills, and his history.
During his seven days of imprisonment Traydark would have tried to get a clear picture of the outpost and as much information as he can about the drow here and their stations and routines.
Perception if applicable: 7
He would have mostly spent his time with that but he would also have tried to make some friendly contact with the other drow Sarith, a bit curious about the details on what put him in this predicament. He tries to convince Sarith to stay close and protect him when they escape as Traydark still is of noble blood after all.
Persuasion if needed: 17
Mostly to entertain himself he would also goad the svirfneblin Jimjar to make a wager that he cannot spring them all from this prison within three days, showing the deep gnome a flawed carnelian gemstone that he himself will use for the bet.
Finally he tries to form an alliance with the cursed 'elven prince' Derendil, pointing out that those of higher station should look out for one another.
Persuasion if needed: 11
As the blonde talkative human Khessa tries to convince some of the others to help them escape, Traydark leans back against the rough cave wall again, observing her fervor and conviction. He was quite used to tall, strong and beautiful women from the matriarchy of drow society and he was equally used to follow their lead. He was curious now to see how the others would react and if the human could make them all come together as a team. It would certainly be needed if they were to escape from this drow outpost and survive the endless tunnels of the underdark. The duergar and the orc seemed particularly bent on violence, he could only hope their rage would be directed towards their hated captors and not towards their co-prisoners.
Underneath Eldeth's brighter demeanor lay a seething hatred and distrust of the drow and, as she puts it, "corrupt dark dwellers" like the derro and duergar. Yet alongside all of that is a spirit of defiance and self sacrifice, and you get the impression she would be willing to do just about anything to help everyone escape and promises her people in Gauntlgrym would look very favorably on anyone who helped her get back home.
Stool is a curious creature, like a little kid who, once they open up to you, has a million and one questions about the world and people. The Kuo-toa Shushar affirms that the spores Stool uses to talk are perfectly harmless.
Ront will share that he is from the Iceshielf tribe and is only here because he chose to flee from a losing battle instead of dying with honor, and is certain the orc god Grummsh is punishing him for it. He especially hates Eldeth because their people are at war with each other. He's mean and spiteful to pretty much everyone, but he also knows how to knuckle down and submit to authority when necessary.
Sarith is a hard nut to crack, refusing to speak to anyone generally and is even less sure of you Traydark, as he doesn't know how much you know about why he's there and he doesn't want to give you any ammunition to use against him currently.
Jimjar gladly accepts the offer, countering for 3 days of meals if he fails, although explicitly mentions that he doesn't have to be the one to actually make the escape happen, only be a part of it. He also mentions that he finds Topsy and Turvy weird but doesn't elaborate on it.
Derendil actually speaks in urbane Elvish, mildly dismissive of your attempts at some sort of alliance, insisting that he needs to get back to the kingdom of Nelrindenvane in the High Forest. His crown was usurped by the evil wizard Terrestor, who trapped him in this form and exiled him from his people.
Ebzer will try to bond with Ront by comparing battle scars and arm-wrestling. He shares that he makes no judgment of the orc's flight of self-preservation, having carried within himself a deep guilt over not dying with his own people when the drow attacked. " 'Tis glorious ta die in battle, but ain't it even more hon'rable ta win t' battle? And if'n victory requires a temporary retreat befer the final conflict, I thinks the gods'd accept that. But I ain't no shaman, fer sure."
If he overhears Eldeth's comments about "corrupt dark dwellers" he will snort in derision and mock the "pretty pretend soldier", although internally, the rejection stings much more than he would have imagined.
Well, since we have switched to determine who we have befriended in the previous days: Khessa has been here one single day only, so she can't have had that many interactions... Let's just say she could have had conversation with Buppido, the Derro, since he is very talkative. She could have tried, during their conversations, to learn something about him (how he get captured, what was his life like before...) and about this prison (how it is organized, an idea of how many drow there are, of what the various building are - for example which ones are the barracks, which one is the kitchen, witch one is the armory... if Buppido knows it, that is).
For when we come back to play our current assessment about the escape: Do the chains binding us have locks? If yes, Khessa, since nobody is coming with alternatives to the brute force, tries to suggest:
"Maybe someone with skilled fingers could try to pick these locks? Maybe with improvised tools? We could maybe get... bones, if they suffice for that - by killing a rat for example".
'Well,' she thinks to herself, trying to assess how strong the chains might be 'if we're going to have to use brute force... let's hope I'm still in top shape. And that my father didn't overdo it too much when he joked that I had grown so strong that he could have yoked me to the plow... and sell the ox!'
Traydark would all but give up on Sarith, unexpectedly finding Jimjar much more amusing, not bothering with the slight change of the terms of their bet as long as he would get out of this place somehow, preferably alive. He would treat Derendil with all the respect and servility he can muster to be on the elven prince's good side, still curious if he could be speaking the truth or if he's simply deluded. He would discreetly talk with Sarith and Derendil too about escaping to see who would have the will and wits to do so. He also discusses with the three of them if they have any ideas on how to get out of this prison and what they have noticed yet about this place.
"Since we will need keys to get out of this place perhaps we should focus on getting those, which will also likely unlock our chains too." The drow most politely suggests to Khessa. "I have some simple magic still available to me but I'm not sure how effective it will be against our captors." He adds, using as earlier during his captivity magic to heat and flavor the food he's been given as well as regularly tidying himself up.
"At least is an alternative..." conceeds Khessa "Getting the keys by fighting the guards while we are chained? Or trying to steal the keys from them undetected? That's what you were thinking?"
"I must admit I'm still pondering which would be the best alternative. I suspect our escape will turn violent at some point but I would prefer some kind of deception to get hold of those keys. If the guards could conceivably be taken out swiftly without alerting reinforcements, thusly getting the keys, I would of course not object to that." Traydark says with a polite smile to the tall blonde beauty beside him. "Some more observation might be needed for us to be properly prepared though."
Silas approaches Shushar, the kua-toa, to ask him what he thinks of the imprisonment, trying to gauge his interest in escaping and just to understand his whole deal.
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"I could try to pick the locks. If I can just get something to use as a tool," Katryl says in response to the blonde woman's suggestion.
In her terse conversations with Eldeth, Katryl could empathize with the dwarf's distrust of 'dark dwellers'. She knew her parents and the others had likely been taken by such folk. But she didn't quite share the hatred. Her anger was reserved for the drow, those who had taken her and imprisoned her.
With Stool she was more than happy to answer any questions. Well, at least once she got used to the telepathy. It wasn't like she had a lot of other things to do anyway!
Rabbit Sebrica | Skarai | Katryl Brightfury | Lokilia Vaelphin | Sabina Featherwound | Liivi Orav | Vanizi | Dirtbrain | Elielle Hillwind | Britari/Halila Talgeta/Jesa Gumovi
"OK, so, for the chains, we have the brute force option;" summarizes Khessa "or we can resort to try get keys from guards, either by stealth or, by force (trying to have some kind of advantage, like surprise, or number, or whatever)".
"What about the cell?" tackles the next point the blonde warrior "I'd avoid bashing the door down... the noise could raise alarm even if we succeed at the first attempt; even more so if many attempts are needed. Now, If we get the keys, they can most likely open the door's cell also. While if we succeed in breaking the chain... Katryl could try to pick the lock, if she can improvise proper tools. Failing that, I'd wait for the next time the guards enter, waiting for them while pretending to be still chained, then surprise attack them. In this case, the broken chain can also be our first improvised weapons (before we can get ours back, or at least the ones of the guards). Other options? I can't think of any other..."
"They needs us fer somethin'," growls the duergar in accented Common. "If they didna, we'd be dead. They wouldna waste food nor manpower ta guards us. If we be patient, they will come'n unlocks the gate fer us. They probably thinks they can gets us ta do some sort o' menial labor that don't appeal ta them. I says we waits a little longer, and we'll be able ta overpower 'em as they takes us ta our work assignments, er else we can slips away when they ain't paying attention."
"What you say is right, friend" Khessa smiles, struggling again with her chains to pat the duergar on the shoulder "and what you propose could work, you are absolutely right about that. But the point is that attacking them to overpower them is something I would like more do it here, in the cell, as soon as they enter, away from prying eyes. If we do it outside, while they take us to our work assignment, there is a possibility that other guards will see... and that reinforcements will arrive. Plus, I would prefer to attack them after I have freed myself from these chains, just to be able to kill them more comfortably" she winks. "Not to mention that, if we manage to kill them in here, without attracting attention, maybe we even have the opportunity to move around for a while without being discovered... and recover our belongings (not to mention the chance to ambush some more of them, or create a diversion...). If we kill them outside, instead, and we are forced to flee... I'm afraid we have to run away like this, with nothing but our hides. Now, not that I'm a venal girl... but, you see, I'm fond of my armor and my greatsword; especially if there is a high probability of fighting in my neighbor future! Do you see my point?"
"I'm Khessa, anyway" the blonde warrior holds out her hand to the other, realizing that, having recently arrived, she had not yet introduced herself to the dwarf. "Pleasure to meet you. (Although I would have preferred different circumstances)".
Ebzer's bushy eyebrows furrow together as he ponders the human woman's words. She may have a point. The duergar stands and, rather than take her hand, he puts his closed fist over his heart and bows stiffly. "Ebzer Bonebreak, pleased ter meetcha," he says hoarsely. "Yer a clever'un, I'll grant ye that. Although I don't hold with trustin' them spider-lovers." He looks over at Traydark and Sarith.
"I thinks the guards be expecting us ta fight in here. But if we fakes bein' all sad n' defeated-like, 'n follows 'em out the gate, I thinks we gets the jump on 'em. But I ain't pretty enough ta be the leader o' this lot, so jes' let me know where's ye want me, and whose head I should bash in."
Traydark:
In the first attempt to work any sort of magic inside the cell you would have noticed it had absolutely no effect, and in conversation with the other prisoners, discovered there is a strong anti-magic field around the cell, though outside the cell magic seems to work fine. In addition, magical effects produced seem to continue even upon entering the cell. Make an Insight check against Sarith.
Silas:
Shushar feels himself a sort of, enlightened being. He has no reservation about escaping, but also has no interesting in fighting his way out either. He is always pleasant and cordial, almost always in a zen sort of mood.
Khessa:
All of the bindings and the door are locked. Can they be broken or picked? You can certainly try.
Ebzer:
Ront is reluctant to agree with you but mentions that the sooner he gets out of there the better so he can hopefully make amends to his tribe.
Everyone:
The other prisoners regularly remind you to keep quiet, because there are always a few guards in the tower just across from the cell via the rope bridge, and at least one usually has a crossbow with poisoned bolts aimed at the cell. This becomes particularly difficult when Ront or Derendil get worked up, the latter especially as he tends to go into a frenzy until someone can remind him of who is really is. Best as the prisoners can tell though, there are 19 guards in the outpost, plus Ilvara and her two consorts. They mentioned there has been talks of escaping but between the guards and the numerous giant spiders that wait just below on the webs, no good plan has yet been formulated.
The prisoners have also noticed a change in the power dynamic lately, as the wand that Jorlan used to carry, which was able to keep people stuck down, is now in the hands of Shoor. All they know is there was a fight somewhere and Jorlan was injured, and now Shoor is the priestess's right hand man and lover. It also seems that the patrol to take prisoners back to Menzoberranzan won't arrive for at least a tenday or more.
Traydark watches with interest as Khessa tries to win over the stubborn deep dwarf. "I'm no spider lover, duergar..." The drow scoffs. "...and although not particularly talkative I suspect Sarith here isn't either. You may consider doing yourself a favor by putting your bias away, at least until we all have reached safety." The dark elf suggests with a wry smile.
When trying to use his magic to ease his suffering, Traydark had quickly realized that there was a strong anti-magic field around the cell, making him have to endure the simple food and the filth around him.
Insight against Sarith: 13
Traydark pondered the new situation with Ilvara's escorts. Losing the favor of being Ilvara's lover must had been devastating for Jorlan. He almost pitied the man, almost.
Insight against Jorlan to see if he would be disconteted enough with his new station to be manipulated into assisting with the big escape somehow: 14
(I assume Jorlan and Shoor are the two mentioned cohorts of Ilvara :-)