As Lam rushes to Saoirse's side and announced his intentions, Bow finally processes what Saoirse said - and that she speaks Elvish! He responds quickly, "Yes, you can help this one. No fue nuestra intencíon lastimar a nadie, que no nos impidan."
"We did not intend to hurt anyone who didn't try to stop us."
Lam arrives, and he manages to push with a clawed hand on the stone that Soirse has bent to try to roll off of Billy's legs. Together, they remove the largest pieces of wall, revealing Billy's shattered right leg, which appears to have a few too many joints in it. The other leg and the pelvis are not obviously mangled without further inspection. This is not enough for Billy to regain consciousness, or for you to assume he'll survive.
I am granting Saoirse advantage (athletics) on removing the rubble, now that Lam is helping (sure, free interaction) and the elf does not seem to want to stop them. Helpfully, Saoirse had already rolled Strength twice, and rolls a (21). Success.
The other prisoners are panicked, each with their own motivations and fears. Mostly fears. They scatter, but in the panic and confusion, things get bad. Apparently no-one had taught them growing up that you can't just run past an armed person. One attempts to run and hide in the kitchen, but in his readied and injured state, Shortswords makes an opportunity attack.a He thrusts outwards at the half-orc who had attempted to run past him, and the blade makes sickening contact with this unnamed prisoner's throat. The prisoner is dead. Another seems most scared of the Elves, and tries to rush up the stairs, deeper into the fortress. Shield Dwarf', standing on guard to protect his injured ally, also makes an opportunity attack. His spear passes through her midsection, and this prisoner also falls dead. Seeing this, two of the other remaining prisoners rush up to Shield Dwarf, and attack with their fists as best they can. One is easily blocked by the shield, but the other seems to manage to land a painful blow. The last remaining prisoner is only focused on escape. He gets closer to the hole in the wall, and tenses, ready to rush out as soon as Bow gets out of the way. (Ready action - dash).
Sha-Gravis rushes to where Billy is laying, bends down to help remove the rubble, and speaks words of power. Alternating light and shadow flicker aroung Billy's injured leg, and the rest of his body. Billy's breathing becomes more regular, and the leg straightens out - though it will never be quite the same. Billy's eyes flutter open, and he stares up at the three strange and unfamiliar faces who have just saved his life. His mouth opens and closes, but - as of yet - no words come out.
Bow Elf takes a few steps into the yard, and lifts his bow again. Staring down at the Dwarven guards, he lets an arrow fly - again passing just over Saffi's head. It also flies just over Shield Dwarf's shield, sinking into his skin just underneath the collarbone. The dwarves now have matching, bleeding, terrible wounds; but neither has fallen yet.
Everything is happening so fast! Too fast for the fire genasi to know how to proceed! She sure was no friend of the guards and this prison se had been so unfairly sent to. They had also been too quick to attack (Lamfirst, a flying prisoner afterwards). But... whas that reason enought to just attack them? On the other hand, the elves seemed to have a more righteous reason to be attacking, as they just wanted to free their friend and had even offered not to attack. They had even allowed them to free Billy! But had just one of them killed a panicking prisoner? By the King, the situation was getting out of hand!
Saoirse wasn't sure what the best choice was, only that they needed to make a choice, and quickly! She decided that the odds were against the prison guards, seeing that they were the most hurt and they were being attacked by the two elves and the two remaining prisoners. They would only survive if the rest of the prisoners - Lam, Sha, Saffi, Hemlockand herself - joined forces with them against the prisoners and the elves. But she at least had declared that she wouldn't attack the elves and had no quarrel with the prisoners. Would the rest think the same way or would they have different ideas in mind...?
She finally makes the decission to speak aloud for everyone to hear, speaking in Common:
- Coldwater prisoners! We need to choose a side if we want to live. And I'd say that the guards are going to loose. Take cover! Stop attacking! Let the elves free their friend and leave this place! It's all they want to do. And you two- she says looking at the guards -Don't be stupid: you're going to die if you keep like this. Let the elves pass and keep your goddam lives to live another day!
As she says this, she moves away to achieve two things: one, to make sure she gives space to the elves, and two, to take cover from the guard with the bow in case he keeps attacking.
So I guess my turn is:
Action: Persuade? Everyone in the room? I'm VERY bad at persuasion, but... heck, I had to try. Not sure if I have to roll one persuasion for each group hearing me? Guards and Prisoners? I'll make two rolls and @polaris use what you need ok?
NPC prisoners: 14, Guards: 17 (rolled in the game log).
Movement: I've positioned myself in a place which should give me cover from the guard with the bow.@polaris: which rule are we applying to diagonal movement? For the moment I've counted 5feet for every diagonal, but will change my token if needed be.
Hemlock watches as the people whom he had spoken to move away, either to help Billy or just to gain distance from the attackers. And in amongst that two prisoner are cut down, but still he is unsure where his allegiance lies. He understands the elvish langiage and hears the elf tell them that no-one was meant to get hurt. But they did hurt someone, killed them even. And the dwarven guards were no better, they also killed a prisoner just trying to flee the combat.
It came down to purpose, and the elves had only come to free their kinsman, who by all accounts had been kidnapped by this Captain Jonah. And wasn't his purpose to stop the destruction of the forest? Staying here would mean helping these folk.
He makes the decision to heed Saoirse's advice, and let the elves pass.
"No hagas daño a más presos, no somos tu enemigo", he says in elvish to the elves, as he moves forward towards the dwarves, making sure he has some cover.
"Do not hurt any more prisoners, we are not your enemy"
He concentrates his magic, and readies himself in case anyone attacks another prisoner.
Movement: 20ft North, 10ft East Action: Ready Reaction: Cast Produce Flame and throw it at the first dwarf or elf who is in range (30ft) that attacks a prisoner. Attack: 13+5=18, Damage: 8
Shield shouts, a few words emphasized and louder than the others, "We are honorbound to guard this keep. FOR ANTON! so please, all of you, BACK DOWN." As he screams the last two words, he thrusts violently the butt of his spear into the prisoner who attacked him. The prisoner stumbles backwards from the force of the blow, and when his head hits the center wall, there is a horrible crunching noise. The prisoner's body slumps to the ground, and after a few involuntary twitches in its legs and arms, is still. The prisoner is likely dead, possibly only concussed. You can not tell without inspection. A passive insight over 10 is enough to tell that:
While he intended to be rough and make a point, Shield Dwarf had no intention to kill this prisoner, and is horrified by what he has done, twice now. This person is neither experienced nor comfortable with death.
Hemlock hurls the small ball of flame in his hand at the Dwarf, the moment he sees the prisoner reeling backwards. The flame sails easily along the line of the Dwarf's outstretched arm, making contact with his body very near the arrow sticking out from him. The burst of power and magic is intense, as the arrow burns up immediately and the fire enters the dwarf's chest. Hemlock only has a moment to read and understand the Dwarf's facial expression before it contorts into one of pain, and then, as the Dwarf falls dead, the face ceases to express emotion at all.
The fleeing prisoner (readied action, dash), takes this opportunity to make a mad rush out of the hole in the wall. As he leaps towards freedom, an arrow flies from a tree outside of the prison (another readied action), and pierces him through the eye. This prisoner, the dragonborn who had argued with Billy previously, also falls dead, landing very nearly on top of the injured dwarf (Billy) who had talked him out of violence only minutes ago.
The die has been cast, Saffi thinks as she watches Hemlock toss the small mote of flame, dispatching the dwarf with the shield. Having watched the guards beat and kill prisoners--and having not paid attention to the actions of the elves, the changeling steels herself to make the hard choice. Convinced in her own black-and-white philosophy that the death of the HMC guard has likely sealed the fates of the prisoners, she moves to retrieve any weapon that Shield dropped, probably the spear (unless a dagger or sword is visible). After picking up the weapon, she watches the guard as she carefully steps back toward Hemlock, deciding that he's the most likely anti-dwarf ally in the yard. She shuffles next to him until she feels herself bump into him.
"You're forest folk, are you not? I'm fey-born. We're on the same side." Her voice is calm and steady, genuinely trying to convince the firbolg that they've got some sort of shared experience or identity. Not taking her eyes off the Crossbow dwarf, she turns her head slightly toward the firbolg says, "I've got my sights on the one with the crossbow. If he takes aim at us, I'll skewer him on his pal's spear."
Saffi moves forward five feet then a total of 20 more feet to stand next to Hemlock. I believe she should still have an action, so she'll prepare a reaction.
Reaction: If Crossbow dwarf aims/fires at her or Hemlock, Saffi will throw the spear at the guard. Attack: 21 Damage: 6 (attack takes into account lack of proficiency with spears, rolls are in the game log).
Crossbow, seeing all odds stacked against him, shocked as his partner falls, turns tail and flees up the stairs and deeper into the keep. He stumbles once on his way up the stairs, and one hand reaches up to steady his shoulder and the arrow sticking out of it, but he does manage to turn a corner and get out of everyone's sight.
Shortswords looks sadly at the prisoner who he has just killed, scans the disarray of the whole room, and then walks over to where the prisoner knocked into the wall has slumped to the ground. As he passes in front of the spear in Saffi's hands and glances at her elven face, his eyebrows shoot up in a moment of surprise. He kneels down to the prisoner, one hand reaching out to check the pulse while the other hand remains tight around a sword hilt. After a moment, Shortsword produces a dark blue berry (a single goodberry) from one of his pockets, and puts it into the prosoner's mouth. The prisoner's breathing normalises, and they are (stabilized). While doing all of this, the Elf speaks in Elvish to Saffi and Hemlock. "Disculpas. Nos no queríamos nunca de esto. Entiendo que tampoco lo querían. Pueden seguirme. ¿Tal vez hay otros que desean liberar?"
I'm sorry. We wanted none of this, I see you didn't either. Feel free to follow - perhaps there are others you want to free?
It is Lam's turn.
On their (singular they - you can not deduce this NPC's gender) turn, after Lam, the last concious "angry prisoner" will sit on the stairs, clutch their head to their chest, and silently weep. This character is a Tortle, and mutters to themself in a language none of you understand - or even recognize. "ይህ ትክክል አይደለም! ከእነዚህ ውስጥ የትኛውም ትርጉም አይሰጥም. አማልክት፣ ወደ ቤት መሄድ ብቻ ነው የምፈልገው." They don't understand why any of this is happening, and are simply overwhelmed.
If the round finishes without more violence, we will exit initiative after Sha-Gravis.
Lam looks around. Seeing no more violence for the moment, his heart returns to a slightly more normal rate, still racing. Everyone is talking in Elvish, which he doesn’t understand, and the Tortle is speaking in a language he has never even heard before. He does not know who he can talk to. He turns to Sha who had helped him before and says in Goblin, his speech slower as if he is figuring out his thoughts as he says them: ”Ein Pfeil von draußen tötete ihn. Wenn wir jetzt gehen, es vielleicht nicht ungefährlich werden.”
“An arrow from outside killed him. If we leave now, it might not be safe.”
Lam then turns to anyone he can see in the room and speaks in common, gesturing to the dead bodies: “I want to help. No more dead.”
Lam mostly just talks this turn. He’d like to also make a perception check to see if anything within sight inside or outside the prison looks like an immediate threat to the safety of those inside (including if he can see whoever killed the Dragonborn if he looks). Perception: Some low number like 4.
Lam can not make out anyone or anything in the trees outside, although his eyes briefly catch a running squirrel, and he hears birds and beasts going about their natural lives. The forest looks completely peaceful and unthreatening, which is somehow much more scary than seeing an archer brandishing their bow.
The Tortle looks up as Lam speaks, and nods as though trying to pull themself together and steel their resolve. "No more dead," they repeat, as though it were a mantra.
Bow Elf looks back at Lam, nods respectfully, and lowers their bow. An arrow is still notched in the string, but for now it is pointing towards the ground.
You manage to bring Billy to a standing position. He puts his right foot down and immediately flinches, and winces, pain clear on his face. He is leaning most of his weight onto Sha-Gravis. He can not bear weight on his right leg. Billy looks around the room, and his eyes widen. Each fallen body brings fresh dismay. When he looks at Bow Elf, there is hatred in his eyes. He mutters a single dwarven word, "Vilde," but says no more.
"Savages"
Bow Elf strides forwards towards the stairs, gently touching Shortswords' back along the way to indicate that it is time to continue in their purpose. He states, calmly but loud enough for all to hear, "Do not enter the forest until we have left with Cylence. Other than this, you are free in our eyes. Other guards should not return to fortress until after we go."
From somewhere nearby, but above the stairs, there is a brief shout and a grunt, and the sound of something falling onto a stone floor.
Hemlock just stands there, staring at the charred body of the dwarf guard lying next to his shield.
"He kept hurting prisoners", he says in his slow drawl. "He should protect us, but he wanted us to fight with no weapons. He would rather kill us than let us get to safety", he continues.
"I couldn't just let him do it", he says timidly. "What do we do now?".
Saoirseexhales loudly. Things haven't turned out as she had desired, with so many dead around that could have easily been still alive if things hadn't got so out of hand. But at least she's alive, and so is Billy and the rest of prisoners she has mostly interacted with.
She leaves the safety of the wall she got behind to hide from the dwarf with the crossbow and approaches the rest. She goes first to Billy, Sha-Gravis and Lam, nods at all of them and says:
-I'm glad you're all alive. I don't know you that much, but after everyting that has happened, I just ... yeah, I'm glad you've all fared better than the more unluckier prisoners.
The fire genasi then looks at the dwarf, and seeing the hatred in his eyes she worries he might say something that upsets the elves and reignites the fight
- Billy.Before you say anything harsh, please, calm down. They just want to free their comrade,Cylence, and will just leave without more issue. A bad movement now might end up with more death and wedon't want that. Look,I know you've been here for a long time and that this place offered you a peace you hadn't known anywhere else. But I think you've already realized that not all of us are here to redeem ourselves: some of us were brought here out unfairness. And they - she says, refering to the two elves - have offered us a chance of leaving this place where we shouldn't have really been brought to in the first place.
Saoirsestops talking to let her words sink in the dwarf. Then she continues. Now she addresses not onlly Billy, but also Sha-Gravis and Lam. She also turns a little bit to look at Hemlockand .... is that Saffi? With elven features? "The elves must be considering her an ally right now. What an intelligent move", she thinks. In any case, the fire genasi looks at them trying to gain their attention.
- I think we all want to leave this place. And to do it without further violence. So, why don't we try to get our equipment back and just wait till these elves finish their job - and Saoirse nods at them both - and then leave? Also, if we help them, they would probably finish quicker. Which would mean we could leave quicker. I think it's a win-win situation.
She then repeats the message in Elvish (as the elves seem to not understand Common?):
(Elvish/Spanish)
- Tras todo lo que ha pasado, creo que todos queremos irnos de aquí sin que haya más violencia. Pienso que estaría bien que los prisioneros recuperásemos nuestro equipo y, tras eso, esperásemos a que liberéis a vuestro amigoCylencepara irnos. Es más, si os ayudamos, ¿puede que acabéis aún más rápido? Con lo que nosotros nos podríamos largar de aquí más rápido también. Es una situación en la que ganamos todos.
Finally, the fire genasi asks:
- Billy, do you know where our equipment is?
Then she just waits for everyone's reactions.
Should I leave a persuasion roll? 14 (game log)(Not that bad to have a -1 bonus! XD)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Sha-gravis lets Billy stand on his own near the wall. He makes his way to the fallen shield dwarf [Tooltip Not Found] 1. Picks up his shield & dons it. Picks up the spear and brings it back for Billy to use as a crutch/staff. "We must be ready for whatever happens next. Should we scatter and take our chances, or stay together stronger than alone?" If the shield dwarf had any armor or other items Sha would lay them out for the others to also see.
"I agree with Saoirse and clever Saffi, Shepherd sorry I don't believe I caught your name was it Hemlock? Clearly you should join us. Lam Billy and you friend tortle what do you say what happens next will we stay together?" persuasion21
Sha will now grant himself vigilant blessing in the event of another skirmish.
Saffi respectfully nods to Shortswords elf after watching him stabilize the fallen prisoner. The small and, arguably, unnecessary act of kindness convinces her she's made the right decision. And though she could assume the dwarves may have helped an injured prisoner, the memory of Shield dwarf killing two of them plants itself front and center in her mind's eye. As he walks by, she says, "Gracias, camarada. Seguiremos después."
"Thanks, brother. We'll follow after."
As the changeling watches the elves move on with their business, she walks over to Sha and Billy, handing the dwarf the spear to use as a crutch for support. Her pitying expression falls when she notices his clearly visible disdain for the elves. Despite her now withering gaze, Saffron manages to speak without anger or cruelty in her voice. "I saw the elf save one of the prisoners who looked to be on death's door. Where did your guard friend go after he killed those prisoners?"
"I'm sorry, Billy. I just think you put your faith in the wrong people," She continues, suddenly softening as she takes in the pathetic dwarf. She looks at the hodgepodge crew of prisoners and barely manages to suppress a small smile at the odd collection. "I vote stick together. Strength in numbers and all that. I would like my stuff back, though."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Walks in [insert absurd situation].
Honorary Leader in the Pixie Peewee Powderpuff Pals!
Lam nods along to the general sentiment expressed about sticking together, an absent look in his eyes. He glances at Billy. Lam himself had come to this place hoping for redemption, only to have it seemingly ripped away immediately. He could not imagine how the dwarf must be feeling, after working so hard here for so long.
He takes in the crew in front of him. The fire genasi, firbolg, tabaxi and changeling (who, curiously enough, seemed to look more like an elf now) had all shown considerable bravery in the chaos. He hopes they can all show the same sort of initiative and teamwork in whatever comes next. Scanning to make eye contact with each of them, he says: “Yes. We stick together. I will help.”
On hearing his name, Hemlock finally manages to tear his eyes away from the body of the fallen dwarf.
"Yes, Hemlock", he replies to Sha-gravis.
"I would like my amulet back", he says in response to the suggestions of what do next. "I do not think these people will be happy if we leave. I would like to stay with you all, for a time. Maybe talk to the elves some more once we are away from here".
"I wonder too if there is some purpose to our meeting", he then says softly, almost too quiet to hear, as his hand instinctively goes to his neck where the amulet he wore would normally be.
Hemlock- "How about you? Why are you here?", he adds curiously.
Sha attempts to pick up his earlier conversation, ”I believe the Goddess Shar and Selune are balanced one to the other, though Shar is the older of the two. Many believe her Shar to be evil I however know in my soul she originated from the void before creation itself and seeks the peace of its embrace. Only by the light of Selune is Shar’s darkness known. As all of us are made to be darkness by the brightness of some. I too seek a balance, we may all live well in the twilight where we are free of the prejudices of good and evil.” Sha looks at Hemlock and can see the look... “I also seek balance. For that I was falsely accused of crimes I did not commit. Now however here I am. Let’s see about finding your amulet.”
Billy is downcast and forlorn. He accepts the spear and laboriously crouches on his good leg, almost all of his weight on the spear. He reaches towards the fallen Dragonborn, and manually closes the corpse's eyes. He whispers in common, quietly but not attempting to hide his words. a passive perception of 13 is enough to hear him.
"I did not know you well enough to know your customs. May your gods invite you home, and may your spirit find the peace you did not find here."
Billy looks around at the odd assemblage, and then at the other corpses. He straightens upwards, fingers going pale with how tightly he grips the spear's shaft in order to stand. "All of the equipment is kept in the armory. You can access it through the offices, past the prisoner cells, or by going through the outer corridor. Whichever guard guided you here to the yard should have pointed out the office and the cells. I understand why you want to go, and I don't know what's left for me here... For now, I will do what I can to offer last rites to those fallen here, and I will think. I'm staying in the Yard."
The Tortle stands up, and looks hopefully at Lam. "My name is Tesfaye. Yes, please, I will go with you for now. I am not a fighter, but I can make things, and I wish to learn the more of the world. Who knows where the Tides will bring us?" The last sentence is said in a different, reverential tone. It carries weight for Tesfaye. "I will much appreciate having my tools again, and my shield. I will come with to the Armory. No more dead."
Bow Elf looks appreciatively around at the ragtag group. He pauses when his eyes meet Hemlock's, and nods a silent thank you. Well, strangers, you may yet find the things you're looking for. Balance, Redemption, Acceptance. These things can be found here in the Valley, without submitting yourselves as slaves (he glances meaningfully at Billy), or destroying her splendor. Follow, then, if you would follow."
The elves walk with purpose up the stairs and deeper into the keep. Shortswords pauses briefly to check the prisoner who had been impaled by a spear for signs of life. He shakes his head, and continues. Saffie, Saoirse, Hemlock, Sha-Gravis, Lam, and Tesfaye all follow, although Tesfaye mostly seems to be following Lam. After climbing some stairs and rounding a couple of corners, you begin to pass by prisoner "Cells." They are large and filled with comfortable furniture. A few soft bunk-beds and a central table in each. There are also playing cards and even a couple of books in the the first two rooms. While there are bars to the entrances, the door to each of the first cells has been physically removed - meaning that without reinstallation, they could not physically by locked. The same is not true for the fourth cell.
Crossbow Dwarf's back is pressed up against the bars of the fourth cell, and a dark arm is hooked around his throat. The crossbow has fallen to the ground. And yet - the arrow is no longer in his shoulder, and the wound appears to have closed. Anyone with a passing familiarity would recognize magical healing. He is not physically struggling, but he is awake. As the lot of you round the corner, he says "please don't hurt me!" and then shuts up. Inside the cell, a tall elf with dark skin and piercing green eyes looks out at you all. "Sloppy work," he says, "This one could have alerted the others out front, and that would have been quite a mess."
"No hay necesidad de regodearse, Cylence, aunque es como si descubrieras todo el plan de rescate antes de que lleguemos a ti," answers Bow Elf in Elvish. "And, to be honest, it got messy already."
"No need to gloat, Cylence. It's just like you to figure out all the details of the plan to rescue you before we even find you, though.
Hemlock listens to Sha-gravis explain his views on his religion, and how there is a balance between darkness and light, good and evil, which comes in the form of the harmony of twilight.
Out of the corner of his eye, he sees as Billy shuts the eyes of the fallen Dragonborn, and hears his words. He does not wish the long serving prisoner harm even though he does not choose his side.
He nods quietly in return to the elf with the bow as they move in front of him. What he had done gave him no pleasure, but he had chosen his own path and he stood by it. Even though it brought him pain to do so. He follows the elf as invited, turning back to Sha-gravis to continue their conversation as they walk.
"I understand the balance you seek. There is a similar balance in nature. Do we see the predator as evil for killing the prey? Do we view the beaver as evil for cutting down trees and damming streams? Do we call the trees evil for blocking the sunlight with their canopy? We do not. In nature everything works in harmony and a balance is maintained, even though it can look from the outside as though the nature of one can cause suffering to another", he says as they follow the elves.
"Living in harmony with nature means understanding it's ebb and flow. The stories I have heard of whole forests being chopped down, of whole habitats destroyed so folk who built this place can build more structures, that is not acceptable. The balance is being tipped and it must be restored", he says passionately in his usual slow manner of speech.
"I believe the elves understand this, I believe it is what they are fighting for, and it is my mission as well", he says, speaking only to Sha-gravis but loud enough to be overheard by all present. He seems to be far more comfortable talking to a single person than he is talking to a group.
As they reach the cell with Cylence, he finally gets to look on the prisoner that caused all the commotion, and the other guard as well.
"If they meant to hurt you, you would be hurt. Just do nothing to provoke them", he says to the guard, relieved to see him alive.
"Are you a leader of the elves?", he asks Cylence tentatively.
Saoirsenods at Billy, understanding that the dwarf needs time to process his new situation. Caring for the fallen ones seems instead of following his initial burst of anger seems a good first step towards doing this. She thanks him before following the rest towards the cells first, and the armory later. Perhaps they will see him again, before leaving Coldwater for good. Perhaps they could all even leave together, as a group.
She doesn't talk that much on their way to the cells and just listens to what the others are saying. When they finally reach Cylence's cell the fire genasi is suprised to see that the elf seems to have healed the guard. It is not what she would have expected him to do, specially after mocking his companions for allowing him to escape in the first place. Also, with the way he has taken hold of the dwarf, it looks like he could have easily chocked him unconcious. But she does not say anything about this just yet. Instead she just respectfully nods at Cylenceand when she sees the crossbow laying on the floor, she addresses the other two elves:
- Cogeré la ballesta, ¿de acuerdo? - she tells them in their language.
- I'll grab the crowssbow, okay?
If they are not against it, Saoirsequickly grabs the crossbow with the intention of securing it and not leave it just lying around. She then looks at the party and offers the weapon to whoever might be interested in it - Do any of you need this? I should have my own crossbow in the arrmory, with the rest of my equipment, so I don't really think I will - If no one shows an interest in the weapon, she will just keep it.
Then she turns back at the held dwarf and asks:
- Do you have the key to this cell? If not, where is it?
Whatever the answer to the first question is, she shots a quick glance at him, checking for any obvious bunch of keys he could have on his person.
Investigation roll = a terrible 3 :D I guess I don't find the key.
Insight (in case he lies about the whereabouts of the key) = 20.
As Lam rushes to Saoirse's side and announced his intentions, Bow finally processes what Saoirse said - and that she speaks Elvish! He responds quickly, "Yes, you can help this one. No fue nuestra intencíon lastimar a nadie, que no nos impidan."
"We did not intend to hurt anyone who didn't try to stop us."
Lam arrives, and he manages to push with a clawed hand on the stone that Soirse has bent to try to roll off of Billy's legs. Together, they remove the largest pieces of wall, revealing Billy's shattered right leg, which appears to have a few too many joints in it. The other leg and the pelvis are not obviously mangled without further inspection. This is not enough for Billy to regain consciousness, or for you to assume he'll survive.
I am granting Saoirse advantage (athletics) on removing the rubble, now that Lam is helping (sure, free interaction) and the elf does not seem to want to stop them. Helpfully, Saoirse had already rolled Strength twice, and rolls a (21). Success.
The other prisoners are panicked, each with their own motivations and fears. Mostly fears. They scatter, but in the panic and confusion, things get bad. Apparently no-one had taught them growing up that you can't just run past an armed person. One attempts to run and hide in the kitchen, but in his readied and injured state, Shortswords makes an opportunity attack.a He thrusts outwards at the half-orc who had attempted to run past him, and the blade makes sickening contact with this unnamed prisoner's throat. The prisoner is dead. Another seems most scared of the Elves, and tries to rush up the stairs, deeper into the fortress. Shield Dwarf', standing on guard to protect his injured ally, also makes an opportunity attack. His spear passes through her midsection, and this prisoner also falls dead. Seeing this, two of the other remaining prisoners rush up to Shield Dwarf, and attack with their fists as best they can. One is easily blocked by the shield, but the other seems to manage to land a painful blow. The last remaining prisoner is only focused on escape. He gets closer to the hole in the wall, and tenses, ready to rush out as soon as Bow gets out of the way. (Ready action - dash).
Sha-Gravis rushes to where Billy is laying, bends down to help remove the rubble, and speaks words of power. Alternating light and shadow flicker aroung Billy's injured leg, and the rest of his body. Billy's breathing becomes more regular, and the leg straightens out - though it will never be quite the same. Billy's eyes flutter open, and he stares up at the three strange and unfamiliar faces who have just saved his life. His mouth opens and closes, but - as of yet - no words come out.
Bow Elf takes a few steps into the yard, and lifts his bow again. Staring down at the Dwarven guards, he lets an arrow fly - again passing just over Saffi's head. It also flies just over Shield Dwarf's shield, sinking into his skin just underneath the collarbone. The dwarves now have matching, bleeding, terrible wounds; but neither has fallen yet.
It is Saoirse's turn.
DM: Heavy is the Head
Everything is happening so fast! Too fast for the fire genasi to know how to proceed! She sure was no friend of the guards and this prison se had been so unfairly sent to. They had also been too quick to attack (Lam first, a flying prisoner afterwards). But... whas that reason enought to just attack them? On the other hand, the elves seemed to have a more righteous reason to be attacking, as they just wanted to free their friend and had even offered not to attack. They had even allowed them to free Billy! But had just one of them killed a panicking prisoner? By the King, the situation was getting out of hand!
Saoirse wasn't sure what the best choice was, only that they needed to make a choice, and quickly! She decided that the odds were against the prison guards, seeing that they were the most hurt and they were being attacked by the two elves and the two remaining prisoners. They would only survive if the rest of the prisoners - Lam, Sha, Saffi, Hemlock and herself - joined forces with them against the prisoners and the elves. But she at least had declared that she wouldn't attack the elves and had no quarrel with the prisoners. Would the rest think the same way or would they have different ideas in mind...?
She finally makes the decission to speak aloud for everyone to hear, speaking in Common:
- Coldwater prisoners! We need to choose a side if we want to live. And I'd say that the guards are going to loose. Take cover! Stop attacking! Let the elves free their friend and leave this place! It's all they want to do. And you two - she says looking at the guards - Don't be stupid: you're going to die if you keep like this. Let the elves pass and keep your goddam lives to live another day!
As she says this, she moves away to achieve two things: one, to make sure she gives space to the elves, and two, to take cover from the guard with the bow in case he keeps attacking.
So I guess my turn is:
Action: Persuade? Everyone in the room? I'm VERY bad at persuasion, but... heck, I had to try. Not sure if I have to roll one persuasion for each group hearing me? Guards and Prisoners? I'll make two rolls and @polaris use what you need ok?
NPC prisoners: 14, Guards: 17 (rolled in the game log).
Movement: I've positioned myself in a place which should give me cover from the guard with the bow. @polaris: which rule are we applying to diagonal movement? For the moment I've counted 5feet for every diagonal, but will change my token if needed be.
Down, down, down by the river ♫
Nessa | Alana | Ashur | Saxa | Saoirse | Auriel | Leeta
Hemlock watches as the people whom he had spoken to move away, either to help Billy or just to gain distance from the attackers. And in amongst that two prisoner are cut down, but still he is unsure where his allegiance lies. He understands the elvish langiage and hears the elf tell them that no-one was meant to get hurt. But they did hurt someone, killed them even. And the dwarven guards were no better, they also killed a prisoner just trying to flee the combat.
It came down to purpose, and the elves had only come to free their kinsman, who by all accounts had been kidnapped by this Captain Jonah. And wasn't his purpose to stop the destruction of the forest? Staying here would mean helping these folk.
He makes the decision to heed Saoirse's advice, and let the elves pass.
"No hagas daño a más presos, no somos tu enemigo", he says in elvish to the elves, as he moves forward towards the dwarves, making sure he has some cover.
"Do not hurt any more prisoners, we are not your enemy"
He concentrates his magic, and readies himself in case anyone attacks another prisoner.
Movement: 20ft North, 10ft East
Action: Ready
Reaction: Cast Produce Flame and throw it at the first dwarf or elf who is in range (30ft) that attacks a prisoner. Attack: 13+5=18, Damage: 8
Shield shouts, a few words emphasized and louder than the others, "We are honorbound to guard this keep. FOR ANTON! so please, all of you, BACK DOWN." As he screams the last two words, he thrusts violently the butt of his spear into the prisoner who attacked him. The prisoner stumbles backwards from the force of the blow, and when his head hits the center wall, there is a horrible crunching noise. The prisoner's body slumps to the ground, and after a few involuntary twitches in its legs and arms, is still. The prisoner is likely dead, possibly only concussed. You can not tell without inspection. A passive insight over 10 is enough to tell that:
While he intended to be rough and make a point, Shield Dwarf had no intention to kill this prisoner, and is horrified by what he has done, twice now. This person is neither experienced nor comfortable with death.
Hemlock hurls the small ball of flame in his hand at the Dwarf, the moment he sees the prisoner reeling backwards. The flame sails easily along the line of the Dwarf's outstretched arm, making contact with his body very near the arrow sticking out from him. The burst of power and magic is intense, as the arrow burns up immediately and the fire enters the dwarf's chest. Hemlock only has a moment to read and understand the Dwarf's facial expression before it contorts into one of pain, and then, as the Dwarf falls dead, the face ceases to express emotion at all.
The fleeing prisoner (readied action, dash), takes this opportunity to make a mad rush out of the hole in the wall. As he leaps towards freedom, an arrow flies from a tree outside of the prison (another readied action), and pierces him through the eye. This prisoner, the dragonborn who had argued with Billy previously, also falls dead, landing very nearly on top of the injured dwarf (Billy) who had talked him out of violence only minutes ago.
It is Saffi's Turn
Owlbear Rodeo (Coldwater)
Elf Bow; Saoirse; Hemlock; Dwarf Shield; Saffi; Dwarf Crossbow; Elf Shortswords; Lam; Other Prisoners (5); Sha-Gravis
DM: Heavy is the Head
The die has been cast, Saffi thinks as she watches Hemlock toss the small mote of flame, dispatching the dwarf with the shield. Having watched the guards beat and kill prisoners--and having not paid attention to the actions of the elves, the changeling steels herself to make the hard choice. Convinced in her own black-and-white philosophy that the death of the HMC guard has likely sealed the fates of the prisoners, she moves to retrieve any weapon that Shield dropped, probably the spear (unless a dagger or sword is visible). After picking up the weapon, she watches the guard as she carefully steps back toward Hemlock, deciding that he's the most likely anti-dwarf ally in the yard. She shuffles next to him until she feels herself bump into him.
"You're forest folk, are you not? I'm fey-born. We're on the same side." Her voice is calm and steady, genuinely trying to convince the firbolg that they've got some sort of shared experience or identity. Not taking her eyes off the Crossbow dwarf, she turns her head slightly toward the firbolg says, "I've got my sights on the one with the crossbow. If he takes aim at us, I'll skewer him on his pal's spear."
Saffi moves forward five feet then a total of 20 more feet to stand next to Hemlock. I believe she should still have an action, so she'll prepare a reaction.
Reaction: If Crossbow dwarf aims/fires at her or Hemlock, Saffi will throw the spear at the guard. Attack: 21 Damage: 6 (attack takes into account lack of proficiency with spears, rolls are in the game log).
Walks in [insert absurd situation].
Honorary Leader in the Pixie Peewee Powderpuff Pals!
Crossbow, seeing all odds stacked against him, shocked as his partner falls, turns tail and flees up the stairs and deeper into the keep. He stumbles once on his way up the stairs, and one hand reaches up to steady his shoulder and the arrow sticking out of it, but he does manage to turn a corner and get out of everyone's sight.
Shortswords looks sadly at the prisoner who he has just killed, scans the disarray of the whole room, and then walks over to where the prisoner knocked into the wall has slumped to the ground. As he passes in front of the spear in Saffi's hands and glances at her elven face, his eyebrows shoot up in a moment of surprise. He kneels down to the prisoner, one hand reaching out to check the pulse while the other hand remains tight around a sword hilt. After a moment, Shortsword produces a dark blue berry (a single goodberry) from one of his pockets, and puts it into the prosoner's mouth. The prisoner's breathing normalises, and they are (stabilized). While doing all of this, the Elf speaks in Elvish to Saffi and Hemlock. "Disculpas. Nos no queríamos nunca de esto. Entiendo que tampoco lo querían. Pueden seguirme. ¿Tal vez hay otros que desean liberar?"
I'm sorry. We wanted none of this, I see you didn't either. Feel free to follow - perhaps there are others you want to free?
It is Lam's turn.
On their (singular they - you can not deduce this NPC's gender) turn, after Lam, the last concious "angry prisoner" will sit on the stairs, clutch their head to their chest, and silently weep. This character is a Tortle, and mutters to themself in a language none of you understand - or even recognize. "ይህ ትክክል አይደለም! ከእነዚህ ውስጥ የትኛውም ትርጉም አይሰጥም. አማልክት፣ ወደ ቤት መሄድ ብቻ ነው የምፈልገው." They don't understand why any of this is happening, and are simply overwhelmed.
If the round finishes without more violence, we will exit initiative after Sha-Gravis.
DM: Heavy is the Head
Lam looks around. Seeing no more violence for the moment, his heart returns to a slightly more normal rate, still racing. Everyone is talking in Elvish, which he doesn’t understand, and the Tortle is speaking in a language he has never even heard before. He does not know who he can talk to. He turns to Sha who had helped him before and says in Goblin, his speech slower as if he is figuring out his thoughts as he says them: ”Ein Pfeil von draußen tötete ihn. Wenn wir jetzt gehen, es vielleicht nicht ungefährlich werden.”
“An arrow from outside killed him. If we leave now, it might not be safe.”
Lam then turns to anyone he can see in the room and speaks in common, gesturing to the dead bodies: “I want to help. No more dead.”
Lam mostly just talks this turn. He’d like to also make a perception check to see if anything within sight inside or outside the prison looks like an immediate threat to the safety of those inside (including if he can see whoever killed the Dragonborn if he looks). Perception: Some low number like 4.
Lam can not make out anyone or anything in the trees outside, although his eyes briefly catch a running squirrel, and he hears birds and beasts going about their natural lives. The forest looks completely peaceful and unthreatening, which is somehow much more scary than seeing an archer brandishing their bow.
The Tortle looks up as Lam speaks, and nods as though trying to pull themself together and steel their resolve. "No more dead," they repeat, as though it were a mantra.
Bow Elf looks back at Lam, nods respectfully, and lowers their bow. An arrow is still notched in the string, but for now it is pointing towards the ground.
It is Sha-Gravis' turn.
DM: Heavy is the Head
Round 2
Free action. “Billy whatever you say or do next please be careful.”
Action guidance on Billy.
Movement. Stand up if possible arm in arm bring Billy up too.
end of turn
*Sha-gravis *Fjörn Bhrünt *Leif Aulderoot *Saltstrider *Eron Colborn
We are no longer in initiative.
You manage to bring Billy to a standing position. He puts his right foot down and immediately flinches, and winces, pain clear on his face. He is leaning most of his weight onto Sha-Gravis. He can not bear weight on his right leg. Billy looks around the room, and his eyes widen. Each fallen body brings fresh dismay. When he looks at Bow Elf, there is hatred in his eyes. He mutters a single dwarven word, "Vilde," but says no more.
"Savages"
Bow Elf strides forwards towards the stairs, gently touching Shortswords' back along the way to indicate that it is time to continue in their purpose. He states, calmly but loud enough for all to hear, "Do not enter the forest until we have left with Cylence. Other than this, you are free in our eyes. Other guards should not return to fortress until after we go."
From somewhere nearby, but above the stairs, there is a brief shout and a grunt, and the sound of something falling onto a stone floor.
DM: Heavy is the Head
Hemlock just stands there, staring at the charred body of the dwarf guard lying next to his shield.
"He kept hurting prisoners", he says in his slow drawl. "He should protect us, but he wanted us to fight with no weapons. He would rather kill us than let us get to safety", he continues.
"I couldn't just let him do it", he says timidly. "What do we do now?".
Saoirse exhales loudly. Things haven't turned out as she had desired, with so many dead around that could have easily been still alive if things hadn't got so out of hand. But at least she's alive, and so is Billy and the rest of prisoners she has mostly interacted with.
She leaves the safety of the wall she got behind to hide from the dwarf with the crossbow and approaches the rest. She goes first to Billy, Sha-Gravis and Lam, nods at all of them and says:
- I'm glad you're all alive. I don't know you that much, but after everyting that has happened, I just ... yeah, I'm glad you've all fared better than the more unluckier prisoners.
The fire genasi then looks at the dwarf, and seeing the hatred in his eyes she worries he might say something that upsets the elves and reignites the fight
- Billy. Before you say anything harsh, please, calm down. They just want to free their comrade, Cylence, and will just leave without more issue. A bad movement now might end up with more death and we don't want that. Look, I know you've been here for a long time and that this place offered you a peace you hadn't known anywhere else. But I think you've already realized that not all of us are here to redeem ourselves: some of us were brought here out unfairness. And they - she says, refering to the two elves - have offered us a chance of leaving this place where we shouldn't have really been brought to in the first place.
Saoirse stops talking to let her words sink in the dwarf. Then she continues. Now she addresses not onlly Billy, but also Sha-Gravis and Lam. She also turns a little bit to look at Hemlock and .... is that Saffi? With elven features? "The elves must be considering her an ally right now. What an intelligent move", she thinks. In any case, the fire genasi looks at them trying to gain their attention.
- I think we all want to leave this place. And to do it without further violence. So, why don't we try to get our equipment back and just wait till these elves finish their job - and Saoirse nods at them both - and then leave? Also, if we help them, they would probably finish quicker. Which would mean we could leave quicker. I think it's a win-win situation.
She then repeats the message in Elvish (as the elves seem to not understand Common?):
(Elvish/Spanish)
- Tras todo lo que ha pasado, creo que todos queremos irnos de aquí sin que haya más violencia. Pienso que estaría bien que los prisioneros recuperásemos nuestro equipo y, tras eso, esperásemos a que liberéis a vuestro amigo Cylence para irnos. Es más, si os ayudamos, ¿puede que acabéis aún más rápido? Con lo que nosotros nos podríamos largar de aquí más rápido también. Es una situación en la que ganamos todos.
Finally, the fire genasi asks:
- Billy, do you know where our equipment is?
Then she just waits for everyone's reactions.
Should I leave a persuasion roll? 14 (game log) (Not that bad to have a -1 bonus! XD)
Down, down, down by the river ♫
Nessa | Alana | Ashur | Saxa | Saoirse | Auriel | Leeta
Sha-gravis lets Billy stand on his own near the wall. He makes his way to the fallen shield dwarf [Tooltip Not Found] 1. Picks up his shield & dons it. Picks up the spear and brings it back for Billy to use as a crutch/staff. "We must be ready for whatever happens next. Should we scatter and take our chances, or stay together stronger than alone?" If the shield dwarf had any armor or other items Sha would lay them out for the others to also see.
"I agree with Saoirse and clever Saffi, Shepherd sorry I don't believe I caught your name was it Hemlock? Clearly you should join us. Lam Billy and you friend tortle what do you say what happens next will we stay together?" persuasion 21
Sha will now grant himself vigilant blessing in the event of another skirmish.
*Sha-gravis *Fjörn Bhrünt *Leif Aulderoot *Saltstrider *Eron Colborn
Saffi respectfully nods to Shortswords elf after watching him stabilize the fallen prisoner. The small and, arguably, unnecessary act of kindness convinces her she's made the right decision. And though she could assume the dwarves may have helped an injured prisoner, the memory of Shield dwarf killing two of them plants itself front and center in her mind's eye. As he walks by, she says, "Gracias, camarada. Seguiremos después."
"Thanks, brother. We'll follow after."
As the changeling watches the elves move on with their business, she walks over to Sha and Billy, handing the dwarf the spear to use as a crutch for support. Her pitying expression falls when she notices his clearly visible disdain for the elves. Despite her now withering gaze, Saffron manages to speak without anger or cruelty in her voice. "I saw the elf save one of the prisoners who looked to be on death's door. Where did your guard friend go after he killed those prisoners?"
"I'm sorry, Billy. I just think you put your faith in the wrong people," She continues, suddenly softening as she takes in the pathetic dwarf. She looks at the hodgepodge crew of prisoners and barely manages to suppress a small smile at the odd collection. "I vote stick together. Strength in numbers and all that. I would like my stuff back, though."
Walks in [insert absurd situation].
Honorary Leader in the Pixie Peewee Powderpuff Pals!
Lam nods along to the general sentiment expressed about sticking together, an absent look in his eyes. He glances at Billy. Lam himself had come to this place hoping for redemption, only to have it seemingly ripped away immediately. He could not imagine how the dwarf must be feeling, after working so hard here for so long.
He takes in the crew in front of him. The fire genasi, firbolg, tabaxi and changeling (who, curiously enough, seemed to look more like an elf now) had all shown considerable bravery in the chaos. He hopes they can all show the same sort of initiative and teamwork in whatever comes next. Scanning to make eye contact with each of them, he says: “Yes. We stick together. I will help.”
He turns to the Tortle. “Are you coming?”
On hearing his name, Hemlock finally manages to tear his eyes away from the body of the fallen dwarf.
"Yes, Hemlock", he replies to Sha-gravis.
"I would like my amulet back", he says in response to the suggestions of what do next. "I do not think these people will be happy if we leave. I would like to stay with you all, for a time. Maybe talk to the elves some more once we are away from here".
"I wonder too if there is some purpose to our meeting", he then says softly, almost too quiet to hear, as his hand instinctively goes to his neck where the amulet he wore would normally be.
Sha attempts to pick up his earlier conversation, ”I believe the Goddess Shar and Selune are balanced one to the other, though Shar is the older of the two. Many believe her Shar to be evil I however know in my soul she originated from the void before creation itself and seeks the peace of its embrace. Only by the light of Selune is Shar’s darkness known. As all of us are made to be darkness by the brightness of some. I too seek a balance, we may all live well in the twilight where we are free of the prejudices of good and evil.” Sha looks at Hemlock and can see the look... “I also seek balance. For that I was falsely accused of crimes I did not commit. Now however here I am. Let’s see about finding your amulet.”
*Sha-gravis *Fjörn Bhrünt *Leif Aulderoot *Saltstrider *Eron Colborn
Billy is downcast and forlorn. He accepts the spear and laboriously crouches on his good leg, almost all of his weight on the spear. He reaches towards the fallen Dragonborn, and manually closes the corpse's eyes. He whispers in common, quietly but not attempting to hide his words. a passive perception of 13 is enough to hear him.
"I did not know you well enough to know your customs. May your gods invite you home, and may your spirit find the peace you did not find here."
Billy looks around at the odd assemblage, and then at the other corpses. He straightens upwards, fingers going pale with how tightly he grips the spear's shaft in order to stand. "All of the equipment is kept in the armory. You can access it through the offices, past the prisoner cells, or by going through the outer corridor. Whichever guard guided you here to the yard should have pointed out the office and the cells. I understand why you want to go, and I don't know what's left for me here... For now, I will do what I can to offer last rites to those fallen here, and I will think. I'm staying in the Yard."
Owlbear Rodeo - (Coldwater)
The Tortle stands up, and looks hopefully at Lam. "My name is Tesfaye. Yes, please, I will go with you for now. I am not a fighter, but I can make things, and I wish to learn the more of the world. Who knows where the Tides will bring us?" The last sentence is said in a different, reverential tone. It carries weight for Tesfaye. "I will much appreciate having my tools again, and my shield. I will come with to the Armory. No more dead."
Bow Elf looks appreciatively around at the ragtag group. He pauses when his eyes meet Hemlock's, and nods a silent thank you. Well, strangers, you may yet find the things you're looking for. Balance, Redemption, Acceptance. These things can be found here in the Valley, without submitting yourselves as slaves (he glances meaningfully at Billy), or destroying her splendor. Follow, then, if you would follow."
The elves walk with purpose up the stairs and deeper into the keep. Shortswords pauses briefly to check the prisoner who had been impaled by a spear for signs of life. He shakes his head, and continues. Saffie, Saoirse, Hemlock, Sha-Gravis, Lam, and Tesfaye all follow, although Tesfaye mostly seems to be following Lam. After climbing some stairs and rounding a couple of corners, you begin to pass by prisoner "Cells." They are large and filled with comfortable furniture. A few soft bunk-beds and a central table in each. There are also playing cards and even a couple of books in the the first two rooms. While there are bars to the entrances, the door to each of the first cells has been physically removed - meaning that without reinstallation, they could not physically by locked. The same is not true for the fourth cell.
Crossbow Dwarf's back is pressed up against the bars of the fourth cell, and a dark arm is hooked around his throat. The crossbow has fallen to the ground. And yet - the arrow is no longer in his shoulder, and the wound appears to have closed. Anyone with a passing familiarity would recognize magical healing. He is not physically struggling, but he is awake. As the lot of you round the corner, he says "please don't hurt me!" and then shuts up. Inside the cell, a tall elf with dark skin and piercing green eyes looks out at you all. "Sloppy work," he says, "This one could have alerted the others out front, and that would have been quite a mess."
"No hay necesidad de regodearse, Cylence, aunque es como si descubrieras todo el plan de rescate antes de que lleguemos a ti," answers Bow Elf in Elvish. "And, to be honest, it got messy already."
"No need to gloat, Cylence. It's just like you to figure out all the details of the plan to rescue you before we even find you, though.
DM: Heavy is the Head
Hemlock listens to Sha-gravis explain his views on his religion, and how there is a balance between darkness and light, good and evil, which comes in the form of the harmony of twilight.
Out of the corner of his eye, he sees as Billy shuts the eyes of the fallen Dragonborn, and hears his words. He does not wish the long serving prisoner harm even though he does not choose his side.
He nods quietly in return to the elf with the bow as they move in front of him. What he had done gave him no pleasure, but he had chosen his own path and he stood by it. Even though it brought him pain to do so. He follows the elf as invited, turning back to Sha-gravis to continue their conversation as they walk.
"I understand the balance you seek. There is a similar balance in nature. Do we see the predator as evil for killing the prey? Do we view the beaver as evil for cutting down trees and damming streams? Do we call the trees evil for blocking the sunlight with their canopy? We do not. In nature everything works in harmony and a balance is maintained, even though it can look from the outside as though the nature of one can cause suffering to another", he says as they follow the elves.
"Living in harmony with nature means understanding it's ebb and flow. The stories I have heard of whole forests being chopped down, of whole habitats destroyed so folk who built this place can build more structures, that is not acceptable. The balance is being tipped and it must be restored", he says passionately in his usual slow manner of speech.
"I believe the elves understand this, I believe it is what they are fighting for, and it is my mission as well", he says, speaking only to Sha-gravis but loud enough to be overheard by all present. He seems to be far more comfortable talking to a single person than he is talking to a group.
As they reach the cell with Cylence, he finally gets to look on the prisoner that caused all the commotion, and the other guard as well.
"If they meant to hurt you, you would be hurt. Just do nothing to provoke them", he says to the guard, relieved to see him alive.
"Are you a leader of the elves?", he asks Cylence tentatively.
Saoirse nods at Billy, understanding that the dwarf needs time to process his new situation. Caring for the fallen ones seems instead of following his initial burst of anger seems a good first step towards doing this. She thanks him before following the rest towards the cells first, and the armory later. Perhaps they will see him again, before leaving Coldwater for good. Perhaps they could all even leave together, as a group.
She doesn't talk that much on their way to the cells and just listens to what the others are saying. When they finally reach Cylence's cell the fire genasi is suprised to see that the elf seems to have healed the guard. It is not what she would have expected him to do, specially after mocking his companions for allowing him to escape in the first place. Also, with the way he has taken hold of the dwarf, it looks like he could have easily chocked him unconcious. But she does not say anything about this just yet. Instead she just respectfully nods at Cylence and when she sees the crossbow laying on the floor, she addresses the other two elves:
- Cogeré la ballesta, ¿de acuerdo? - she tells them in their language.
- I'll grab the crowssbow, okay?
If they are not against it, Saoirse quickly grabs the crossbow with the intention of securing it and not leave it just lying around. She then looks at the party and offers the weapon to whoever might be interested in it - Do any of you need this? I should have my own crossbow in the arrmory, with the rest of my equipment, so I don't really think I will - If no one shows an interest in the weapon, she will just keep it.
Then she turns back at the held dwarf and asks:
- Do you have the key to this cell? If not, where is it?
Whatever the answer to the first question is, she shots a quick glance at him, checking for any obvious bunch of keys he could have on his person.
Investigation roll = a terrible 3 :D I guess I don't find the key.
Insight (in case he lies about the whereabouts of the key) = 20.
Down, down, down by the river ♫
Nessa | Alana | Ashur | Saxa | Saoirse | Auriel | Leeta