"Don’t be ridiculous," Hildigrim says in a clear, steady voice that carries over the tension in the room. He slides his rapier into his belt and raises both hands in a gesture of nonviolence, taking a measured step forward. "What is it you truly want, sir? Grimshackle's death will accomplish nothing but to hasten your own. Tell me, are you in league with the rather large escapee we encountered a floor above?"
Carl turns to Rathene and says “Do you know this dwarf? Why does he have such interest in you…”. He observes her reaction to the situation. His fists clench and he chews on his cheek as he considers the situation. He looks back at the dwarf, saying "You one of Krulek's boys? Sent here to collect her?"
Auriel narrows his eyes at Rathene. So this dwarf is here to rescue her? If he truly is one of Krulek's men, what does that mean for Rathene's loyalties? Will she run back to her former boss, knowing what she knows about their mission? Auriel can’t predict her next move, nor is he sure how he and the others should respond. But one thing is clear: threatening Ukharim’s life—much as he dislikes the halfling and his brother—is not the answer.
“Stand down,”the eladrin commands. “You’re outnumbered. There’s no way you’re getting out of here alive if you keep this up.”
Auriel hopes his words will be enough, but if the dwarf refuses to listen, he’s prepared to try with magic.
“Do you know this dwarf? Why does he have such interest in you…”
"I don't, I swear," Rathene answers Carl. "Do you know him?"
“Stand down,”the eladrin commands. “You’re outnumbered. There’s no way you’re getting out of here alive if you keep this up.”
"Pay me more than I've already been promised, or let me walk free with the girl, and the halfling lives. Those are my terms," the traitorous jailer retorts, his eyes locked onto Auriel's.
"Help me!" Ukharim shouts again. "I'll give you anything you want!"
Auriel fixes his golden eyes on the dwarf, anger burning in his gaze. "Damn you," he growls, driving the haft of his halberd into the ground with a resounding crack. Then, invoking Tyr's divine will, the paladin utters a single command, pointedly looking at the shortsword the traitorous jailer is pressing against Ukharim's throat: "Drop."
*IF* Auriel's spell works, Hildigrim will leap forward in an effort to tackle both Ukharim and the dwarf and to restrain the dwarf at least long enough for Ukharim to get away.
If it does not work, Hildigrim will say in Halfling to Ukharim, "The dwarf is favoring his left leg. He has perhaps an old injury to the knee or hip. A swift kick may distract him enough for you to get free." (Using his Master of Tactics feature to give Ukharim advantage on trying to break the dwarf's grapple.)
As if momentarily stunned, the jailer drops both his blade and his hold on Ukharim, who scrambles away while Hildigrim rushes the dwarf. Back to his senses, however, the strong dwarf pushes Hildigrim away and rolls a few feet to the side, leaving his blade at his feet in place of the crossbow that he pulls free from his back.
"Alright then, if ye think the devils' trickery is gonna keep me from gettin' what I came for then ye're out o' luck," the jailer says, loading the bolt and aiming it toward Hildigrim as the closest combatant as he backs up to gain some distance. "If the girl's really worth that much to ye, then ye can pay me what I'm owed and I'll let ye have 'er."
"Give it up, Iorg. You're outnumbered. If you don't step down, you ain't gettin' out of this alive," Bhevek says while Ukharim catches his breath.
"And I'll be takin' at least one of ye down in the process," the traitor retorts. "So ye can give me the girl, ye can give me more than the 25 gold I'll be gettin' for her, or we can do this the hard way and at least one of ye dies along with me."
With Ukharim freed, one problem is dealt with, but the danger is far from over.
Auriel watches as Hildigrim fails to tackle Iorg, leaving the halfling exposed to the traitor’s crossbow. Without hesitation, Auriel steps in front of his smaller companion, trusting Tyr's barrier to deflect any bolt coming his way, and his own body to shield Hildigrim's in return.
Fixing his gaze firmly on Iorg, the summer eladrin lunges forward with all the speed he can muster. As he closes the distance, Auriel shifts his grip on the halberd, freeing one arm and trying to wrap it tightly around the dwarf’s neck, aiming to secure a firm hold and neutralize the threat.
Hex watches silently as the tense scene unfolds. She didn't particularly care if Ukharim died but nocked an arrow in her bow anyway. When Hildigrim leaps forward but fails to completely restraint the dwarf, she aims her arrow at him. Before she can take her shot, however, Auriel lunges at him and blocks her shot. She holds the arrow tight, still drawn and aimed at the dwarf's head, and grits her teeth in fustration. All this for just one person.
As soon as Auriel moves in front of him, Hildigrim jumps to his feet and hides behind the larger fellow. He draws his shortbow, and as Auriel flies forward, the halfling aims, preparing to fire as soon as Iorg is within his sights.
Bonus: hide
Action (as soon as Auriel is out of the way, either grappling Iorg or having been pushed aside): attack: 26, if advantage due to successful hide and/or grapple: 8; damage: 9; sneak attack if applicable: 6
Iorg matches the party's speed, closing the distance to Hildigrim as Auriel moves forward, but surprisingly it is Bhevek who reaches Iorg the fastest, lunging with his blade and a snarl at his treacherous employee. Iorg moves his own sword high, halting his movement forward to parry aside the attack. The swords clash with a ring as both jailers grit their teeth in melee combat.
Round 1 Order: Bhevek Iorg Players <=====
OOC: Feel free to keep or change your posted actions as you see fit for the first round. You're probably as surprised as I am that both of the jailers won the initiative!
"So be it." Carl steps to the side and launches a bolt of energy at Iorg, seeing that violence is the only way to solve this. After launching his bolt of energy, he moves back and out of the way.
Eldritch blast : 20 to hit, for 10 points of force damage.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Hex lets loose her arrow as chaos breaks out. She felt a little bad for Auriel, it was obvious he had hoped to solve this without any bloodshed but it seems it was inevitable.
Auriel quickly advances on the jailers, but a flurry of missiles halts his progress as Hildigrim's arrow catches Iorg in the gut. Hex's arrow misses, but before the dwarf can finish his grunt of pain, Carlthuzad smashes through him with a powerful eldritch blast. Iorg is launched backward from the magical impact and rolls to a stop, dead, his singed clothes smoking.
Breathing heavy with exertion, the Grimshackle brothers reunite. "That's what I get for trustin' a damned dwarf," Ukharim spits. "What in the hells happened?" Bhevek asks him. Ukharim waves a hand toward the far door. "The others are gettin' things under control. Iorg told me there were escaped prisoners gettin' into our safe and like an idiot I rushed over here with him," he says.
"Alright," Ukharim says to the party, "Iorg came for the girl," he says, sneering at Rathene's presence. "Someone paid him to free her and take her into the woods. And now, I'm findin' myself in your debt. What is it you want?" he asks.
OOC: Each character has earned 6 XP for defeating the traitorous jailer.
Hildigrim strides over to the fallen dwarf, his expression pensive as he looks down at the lifeless figure. Returning his bow to its place on his back, the halfling exhales sharply and turns away. "It's regrettable we weren't able to question him," he says, his voice calm yet edged with disappointment. "But he seemed beyond negotiation."
He moves back toward the group, pausing to meet Auriel and Hex’s eyes in turn. "Thank you for your assistance," he says sincerely, a nod accompanying each glance.
Finally, he turns to Carl, his face hardening slightly with determination. "I apologize for my kinsman's narrow-mindedness toward you and your noble race," he says firmly, his gaze cutting briefly toward the Grimshackles. "He was clearly too distracted to notice how you were instrumental in halting the breakout." His eyes rest on the halfling brothers, a flicker of disapproval evident, before he clears his throat to continue.
"What of the other?" he asks, his voice sharpening with purpose. "The minotaur?"
Auriel stands oblivious to the others around him, their voices muffled as if heard underwater. He doesn’t acknowledge Hildigrim’s glance or nod, his gaze fixed on the dead dwarf. This wasn’t necessary. They could have knocked him out, questioned him later. Better outcomes flash through his mind as he stares silently at the bloodied body.
After a moment, he crouches, inspecting the corpse for anything of significance that might lead them to Krulek. Whether he finds anything or not, Auriel gently closes Iorg’s eyes before rising to his feet and exhaling a deep breath that forms a faint cloud of cold as it escapes.
The eladrin takes a few steps, stopping near Ukharim and Bhevek. His gaze shifts to Rathene. “What do you want in exchange for telling us everything you know about Krulek and the sorcerer dragonborn? Your freedom, I assume.” Turning to the Grimshackles, he states, “Then that is what I want.” His eyes flick back to the half-orc, his tone cutting as he finishes, "Use it better than you have done so far."
Without another word, Auriel turns and walks out of the jail, stepping into the rain. The cold downpour soaks him through as he stands there, trying to steady the turmoil stirring within.
Hex stows her bow away as Iorg drops dead and rolls her eyes at Ukharim's insensitive remark. She watches a little worriedly as Auriel walks out into the rain and gives a glance towards Hildigrim with a look of "you can deal with this" before going to follow the paladin outside. She gives him space, trying not to make it obvious that she was following him. After a few moments of quiet, she takes a step closer and clears her throat to announce her presence, still under the shade to avoid the rain. "You alright? I... know you probably didn't want him to die."
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"Don’t be ridiculous," Hildigrim says in a clear, steady voice that carries over the tension in the room. He slides his rapier into his belt and raises both hands in a gesture of nonviolence, taking a measured step forward. "What is it you truly want, sir? Grimshackle's death will accomplish nothing but to hasten your own. Tell me, are you in league with the rather large escapee we encountered a floor above?"
"I'm here for the girl," the jailer says, nodding to Rathene, who stands mouth agape. "She and I walk away freely into the woods, or I will kill him."
"Gah, help me, damn it!" Ukharim shouts, still struggling against the stronger dwarven jailer.
"Take one step and I cut his throat!" the dwarf shouts. "Nobody moves but Rathene."
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Carl turns to Rathene and says “Do you know this dwarf? Why does he have such interest in you…”. He observes her reaction to the situation. His fists clench and he chews on his cheek as he considers the situation. He looks back at the dwarf, saying "You one of Krulek's boys? Sent here to collect her?"
Auriel narrows his eyes at Rathene. So this dwarf is here to rescue her? If he truly is one of Krulek's men, what does that mean for Rathene's loyalties? Will she run back to her former boss, knowing what she knows about their mission? Auriel can’t predict her next move, nor is he sure how he and the others should respond. But one thing is clear: threatening Ukharim’s life—much as he dislikes the halfling and his brother—is not the answer.
“Stand down,” the eladrin commands. “You’re outnumbered. There’s no way you’re getting out of here alive if you keep this up.”
Auriel hopes his words will be enough, but if the dwarf refuses to listen, he’s prepared to try with magic.
It's only forever, not long at all ♫
"I don't, I swear," Rathene answers Carl. "Do you know him?"
"Pay me more than I've already been promised, or let me walk free with the girl, and the halfling lives. Those are my terms," the traitorous jailer retorts, his eyes locked onto Auriel's.
"Help me!" Ukharim shouts again. "I'll give you anything you want!"
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Auriel fixes his golden eyes on the dwarf, anger burning in his gaze. "Damn you," he growls, driving the haft of his halberd into the ground with a resounding crack. Then, invoking Tyr's divine will, the paladin utters a single command, pointedly looking at the shortsword the traitorous jailer is pressing against Ukharim's throat: "Drop."
Hope it works!
It's only forever, not long at all ♫
*IF* Auriel's spell works, Hildigrim will leap forward in an effort to tackle both Ukharim and the dwarf and to restrain the dwarf at least long enough for Ukharim to get away.
If it does not work, Hildigrim will say in Halfling to Ukharim, "The dwarf is favoring his left leg. He has perhaps an old injury to the knee or hip. A swift kick may distract him enough for you to get free." (Using his Master of Tactics feature to give Ukharim advantage on trying to break the dwarf's grapple.)
As if momentarily stunned, the jailer drops both his blade and his hold on Ukharim, who scrambles away while Hildigrim rushes the dwarf. Back to his senses, however, the strong dwarf pushes Hildigrim away and rolls a few feet to the side, leaving his blade at his feet in place of the crossbow that he pulls free from his back.
"Alright then, if ye think the devils' trickery is gonna keep me from gettin' what I came for then ye're out o' luck," the jailer says, loading the bolt and aiming it toward Hildigrim as the closest combatant as he backs up to gain some distance. "If the girl's really worth that much to ye, then ye can pay me what I'm owed and I'll let ye have 'er."
"Give it up, Iorg. You're outnumbered. If you don't step down, you ain't gettin' out of this alive," Bhevek says while Ukharim catches his breath.
"And I'll be takin' at least one of ye down in the process," the traitor retorts. "So ye can give me the girl, ye can give me more than the 25 gold I'll be gettin' for her, or we can do this the hard way and at least one of ye dies along with me."
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
With Ukharim freed, one problem is dealt with, but the danger is far from over.
Auriel watches as Hildigrim fails to tackle Iorg, leaving the halfling exposed to the traitor’s crossbow. Without hesitation, Auriel steps in front of his smaller companion, trusting Tyr's barrier to deflect any bolt coming his way, and his own body to shield Hildigrim's in return.
Fixing his gaze firmly on Iorg, the summer eladrin lunges forward with all the speed he can muster. As he closes the distance, Auriel shifts his grip on the halberd, freeing one arm and trying to wrap it tightly around the dwarf’s neck, aiming to secure a firm hold and neutralize the threat.
It's only forever, not long at all ♫
Hex watches silently as the tense scene unfolds. She didn't particularly care if Ukharim died but nocked an arrow in her bow anyway. When Hildigrim leaps forward but fails to completely restraint the dwarf, she aims her arrow at him. Before she can take her shot, however, Auriel lunges at him and blocks her shot. She holds the arrow tight, still drawn and aimed at the dwarf's head, and grits her teeth in fustration. All this for just one person.
As soon as Auriel moves in front of him, Hildigrim jumps to his feet and hides behind the larger fellow. He draws his shortbow, and as Auriel flies forward, the halfling aims, preparing to fire as soon as Iorg is within his sights.
Bonus: hide
Action (as soon as Auriel is out of the way, either grappling Iorg or having been pushed aside): attack: 26, if advantage due to successful hide and/or grapple: 8; damage: 9; sneak attack if applicable: 6
Iorg matches the party's speed, closing the distance to Hildigrim as Auriel moves forward, but surprisingly it is Bhevek who reaches Iorg the fastest, lunging with his blade and a snarl at his treacherous employee. Iorg moves his own sword high, halting his movement forward to parry aside the attack. The swords clash with a ring as both jailers grit their teeth in melee combat.
Round 1 Order:
Bhevek
Iorg
Players <=====
OOC: Feel free to keep or change your posted actions as you see fit for the first round. You're probably as surprised as I am that both of the jailers won the initiative!
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
OOC: Keep. I'll let you roll to find out if I successfully hide, but as sneak attack is granted if an ally is in melee, it isn't necessary.
"So be it." Carl steps to the side and launches a bolt of energy at Iorg, seeing that violence is the only way to solve this. After launching his bolt of energy, he moves back and out of the way.
Eldritch blast : 20 to hit, for 10 points of force damage.
OOC: Auriel keeps his turn. He was going with non-lethal intentions, but he's likely to grapple a dead body instead. 🥲
It's only forever, not long at all ♫
Hex lets loose her arrow as chaos breaks out. She felt a little bad for Auriel, it was obvious he had hoped to solve this without any bloodshed but it seems it was inevitable.
Action: Longbow Attack - 9 Damage - 5 Colossus Slayer - 8
Auriel quickly advances on the jailers, but a flurry of missiles halts his progress as Hildigrim's arrow catches Iorg in the gut. Hex's arrow misses, but before the dwarf can finish his grunt of pain, Carlthuzad smashes through him with a powerful eldritch blast. Iorg is launched backward from the magical impact and rolls to a stop, dead, his singed clothes smoking.
Breathing heavy with exertion, the Grimshackle brothers reunite. "That's what I get for trustin' a damned dwarf," Ukharim spits. "What in the hells happened?" Bhevek asks him. Ukharim waves a hand toward the far door. "The others are gettin' things under control. Iorg told me there were escaped prisoners gettin' into our safe and like an idiot I rushed over here with him," he says.
"Alright," Ukharim says to the party, "Iorg came for the girl," he says, sneering at Rathene's presence. "Someone paid him to free her and take her into the woods. And now, I'm findin' myself in your debt. What is it you want?" he asks.
OOC: Each character has earned 6 XP for defeating the traitorous jailer.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Hildigrim strides over to the fallen dwarf, his expression pensive as he looks down at the lifeless figure. Returning his bow to its place on his back, the halfling exhales sharply and turns away. "It's regrettable we weren't able to question him," he says, his voice calm yet edged with disappointment. "But he seemed beyond negotiation."
He moves back toward the group, pausing to meet Auriel and Hex’s eyes in turn. "Thank you for your assistance," he says sincerely, a nod accompanying each glance.
Finally, he turns to Carl, his face hardening slightly with determination. "I apologize for my kinsman's narrow-mindedness toward you and your noble race," he says firmly, his gaze cutting briefly toward the Grimshackles. "He was clearly too distracted to notice how you were instrumental in halting the breakout." His eyes rest on the halfling brothers, a flicker of disapproval evident, before he clears his throat to continue.
"What of the other?" he asks, his voice sharpening with purpose. "The minotaur?"
Auriel stands oblivious to the others around him, their voices muffled as if heard underwater. He doesn’t acknowledge Hildigrim’s glance or nod, his gaze fixed on the dead dwarf. This wasn’t necessary. They could have knocked him out, questioned him later. Better outcomes flash through his mind as he stares silently at the bloodied body.
After a moment, he crouches, inspecting the corpse for anything of significance that might lead them to Krulek. Whether he finds anything or not, Auriel gently closes Iorg’s eyes before rising to his feet and exhaling a deep breath that forms a faint cloud of cold as it escapes.
The eladrin takes a few steps, stopping near Ukharim and Bhevek. His gaze shifts to Rathene. “What do you want in exchange for telling us everything you know about Krulek and the sorcerer dragonborn? Your freedom, I assume.” Turning to the Grimshackles, he states, “Then that is what I want.” His eyes flick back to the half-orc, his tone cutting as he finishes, "Use it better than you have done so far."
Without another word, Auriel turns and walks out of the jail, stepping into the rain. The cold downpour soaks him through as he stands there, trying to steady the turmoil stirring within.
It's only forever, not long at all ♫
Hex stows her bow away as Iorg drops dead and rolls her eyes at Ukharim's insensitive remark. She watches a little worriedly as Auriel walks out into the rain and gives a glance towards Hildigrim with a look of "you can deal with this" before going to follow the paladin outside. She gives him space, trying not to make it obvious that she was following him. After a few moments of quiet, she takes a step closer and clears her throat to announce her presence, still under the shade to avoid the rain. "You alright? I... know you probably didn't want him to die."