Once at the prison gates, Auriel dismounts, giving his horse a gentle pat before securing the reins to any post that looks sturdy enough. He also offers to do the same for the other horses. Even with the rain pouring down, he’s glad for a few extra moments with these beautiful creatures.
When this task is done, the paladin walks toward the building, sweeping as much water as he can from his clothes and whipping the soaked red strands from his face. Glancing at the others and waiting for their signal that they're ready to speak with the Grimshackle brothers, he steps forward and knocks three firm times on the door. "Hail! We are here to speak to one of the inmates. Open the gate, if you please,” Auriel says as the peephole is opened.
"Here," Braden says, handing a pouch with ten gold pieces in it to Auriel as he walks toward the jail. "To ease negotiations," he says with a wink.
The door into the jail is made of stout wood and bound in iron.
Glancing at the others and waiting for their signal that they're ready to speak with the Grimshackle brothers, he steps forward and knocks three firm times on the door. "Hail! We are here to speak to one of the inmates. Open the gate, if you please,” Auriel says.
Muffled footsteps are heard, drawing closer. They pause outside the door, and you hear somebody climbing a creaking foot ladder. The peephole snaps open, and a pair of glaring eyes confront you.
Auriel takes the pouch, once again pleased by Braden's—or at least, Braden's benefactors'—generosity. He holds it close to his heart and bows slightly to the merchant in gratitude.
Turning to face the door again, the paladin stares directly into the glaring eyes revealed by the peephole. "You are holding one of Sahdn Krulek's men in there. We wish to speak with him," he explains. Then, remembering the kind of people in charge of this facility, he abandons his initial polite tone and shifts to a more direct demand: "Let us in." Auriel raises the pouch so the person inside can see it, shaking it to produce the sound of coins and expedite the process.
Hildigrim slides off his horse and lands as lightly as a cat on the wet road. Straightening, he adjusts his gear with practiced precision, then runs his fingers through his damp hair, trying to push it out of his eyes. As Auriel steps forward to address the guard, Hildigrim’s keen ears are at the ready, listening intently for any scrap of information that might aid in their objective.
"You are holding one of Sahdn Krulek's men in there. We wish to speak with him,"
"This is definitely gonna cost you--" The voice says with narrowed eyes, interrupted by the sight of the jingling pouch. "Fine. You can meet him," he says, chuckling. The thunk of multiple thick locks precedes the door's opening, where a grim looking halfling now stands, waving you inside.
Braden stays outside as you move toward the door. Leading you through an overgrown courtyard and into the tower, the halfling takes you into a room at the base where another halfling man waits with a crossbow loaded and pointed in your direction. "I'm Bhevek Grimshackle. This is Ukharim," the first halfling says.
You'd be hard pressed to find more loathsome looking wretches than this pair. Filthy, bedraggled, and unkempt, the two clearly make no effort for appearances, and don't seem to be much for pleasantries.
"They're here for Rathene," Bhevek says to his brother, who snorts. "The Gray Patriot?" he asks rhetorically. "The ransom's set at a hundred gold pieces."
Hex follows closely behind Auriel as he approaches the door. She tries to look somewhat intimidating with her arms crossed and a hard stare, making sure she can be seen by whoever is behind the door. When the door opens and they are led further inside, she pulls an arrow out from her quiver and plays with it between her fingers. Her guard is up, eyes constantly darting around the room, looking for any potential danger.
"We aren't here to free him. Just to speak," she says flatly.
Hildigrim regards the disheveled state of Bhevek and Ukharim with keen interest, curious as the reason behind their untidiness and their unwelcoming aura. He subtly adjusts his glasses, maintaining an air of composure amid the tension. "One hundred gold pieces? Quite a sum for a prisoner," he remarks, his voice steady and inquisitive. "Might I ask what makes this 'Gray Patriot' worth such a price? Surely there must be more to his story than mere reputation."
As he listens intently for their response, Hildigrim's sharp eyes scan the room for anything that might offer further insight into the Grimshackles and their prison — perhaps notes, maps, or information on the prisoners.
Auriel had already assumed he wouldn't like the Grimshackles, but reality far surpassed his expectations. If this is the appearance of the prison guards, he doesn't want to imagine the conditions in which the inmates must be living inside this facility. Outlaws or not, they are people, after all. He steels himself, takes a deep breath, and follows the halfling inside.
Upon entering the room where the second halfling awaits, the paladin frowns and his gaze narrows at the crossbow pointed in their direction. "I don’t appreciate having a weapon aimed at us. How about you lower that so we can have a proper conversation?"
Auriel raises his brows at the price of Rathene's ransom, nodding in agreement with Hex and Hildigrim’s remarks, and waits for the brothers' reactions before adding anything else. He does try to listen or look around, asking himself how many other guards keep this prison. It can’t be just Bhevek and Ukharim running this place.
Carl stands there with hands on hips, regarding these two. He wonders about the state of the prison if the guards don’t have means or interest in bathing themselves. “Hrrmf. A hundred gold pieces? Was this Rathene one of his lieutenants? Seems to be a high price you’re askin. We just want to talk to im. Kindly point your crossbow somewhere else, we are just here on business.” Carl puffs out his chest, taking an inventory with his eyes of the two, his beard rustling as he chews the inside of his cheek.
"I don’t appreciate having a weapon aimed at us. How about you lower that so we can have a proper conversation?"
"How about you don't try anything funny and you don't have to worry about the weapon being aimed at you, lad," Ukharim chides, reiterating the point again when Carl also objects.
Further taking in your surroundings, you see little to nothing of interest. Were it not for the open door and the money being discussed in the room, one might mistake it for a jail cell, as bare and drab as it is.
The brothers answer no further specifics about Rathene, but do mention the cost of the visit. "If you ain't paying the ransom, then ten gold pieces gets you a half-hour visit," Bhevek says.
Hildigrim turns, looks up at Uragum, and says, "Ur Usrol, drensh ok hos rhatòsi romkhe bruthûr. Ghoren omdûm ni yò sheghe hos, ebradi yò nok guren hos kàti oghàstranôr. Yò vòram ok ombù rash do skral rakir úlr."
For Uragum:
In Giant: "I don't trust these two. Why don't you stay here just in case we need help leaving. You can say you want to stay with the horses."
Auriel eyes Ukharim calmly, weighing his response. Ten gold for half an hour? That was a steep price for such a brief conversation. A half-smile crosses his face as he recalls Braden's foresight in providing the exact amount the halfling was asking for. Merchants—they certainly have a keen eye for setting the value of things. As he considers this, the paladin squeezes the pouch lightly, glad to have it ... but deciding to use it as a last resort.
With this in mind, the eladrin responds, "Ukharim, right? I’m Auriel. I’m not sure what kind of people you’re used to dealing with, but I don’t do funny—especially with the matter at hand. You’ve heard about the troubles on the Iron Route, yes? I’m certain they’re affecting you and your brother just as much as anyone else in Phlan. Your Rathene holds information that can help us resolve this. So, for all our sakes, why don't you ease things up and let us speak to him free of charge?"
"Ain't your name that matters, it's your coin," Ukharim chortles. "You ain't gettin' a visit for free, but we'll drop a few coins for you if you're that pressed. Seven gold pieces gets you a half hour. Your troubles on the Iron Route don't bother us. More outlaws means more prisoners means more coins."
Carl makes a lot of “Harumph”ing, sighing exhalations, shifting his weight, watching the exchange between Auriel and Ukharim. He looks around, comtemplating where and whether good ole Squirt Mudbottom can make a difference in their efforts.
Auriel gives a slight, resigned huff and hands over the coins. "I hope you put them to good use,"he says. "Like visiting a bathhouse, for example", he thinks. Then he nods politely and motions for the halflings to lead them to Rathene's cell.
Hildigrim observes the negotiations with thinly veiled skepticism, his gaze lingering a bit too long on the grimy halflings before he turns his attention to Auriel.
"Seven gold for half an hour — quite the rate for a mere conversation," he mutters, eyebrows arching in reluctant admiration of the brothers' shrewdness. As Auriel hands over the coin, Hildigrim murmurs in a low tone, just loud enough for his companions, "Let us hope Rathene’s information proves as valuable as our esteemed gatekeepers imagine."
He adjusts his glasses and readies his notebook, mentally noting everything from the halflings' reaction to Auriel's persistence to the suspicious exchange rate.
OOC: Added 3 gp to Auriel's inventory to account for the difference between Braden's gold and the gold offered. If you want me to divvy that up in some other way just let me know.
A cramped spiral staircase punches through the heart of the tower. The Grimshackle brothers lead you skyward after pocketing Auriel's offered gold. Archways open onto each floor, offering eerie glimpses of dank stone corridors, barred cell doors, and scurrying river rats.
Halfway up, you pass a cell door reinforced with iron bars and lengths of chain. Seeing you looking, Bhevek simply mutters the brief explanation, "Pirate," before ushering you further upward.
Carls nose wrinkles as he takes in the acrid smell of body odor. He peeks at the cell containing a pirate, seeing if he can get a glimpse. After they climb and arrive at the cell upstairs, he waits and watches to see if Bhevek will watch the conversation or leave them in peace.
To Hildigrim’s words, Auriel simply offers a slight, agreeing nod. Like the halfling, he also hopes Rathene's information will be worthwhile, though there's no way of knowing until they finally meet him.
Following Bhevek upstairs, Auriel can’t help but wrinkle his nose at the state of the corridor, the smells and... Tyr above... the rats scurrying around. He even raises a hand to his nose to block out the stench, even if it's just for a moment until his senses adjust to the smell. In what state must Rathene and the other prisoners be? This place surely breeds disease, and he wonders what, if anything, could be done to improve conditions. It’s clear the Grimshackles have no intention of taking action, but could Phlan’s legal system be persuaded to intervene?
As they pass the cell with the extra-reinforced door, he narrows his eyes and asks, “What kind of pirate requires such heavy security? Are they so strong you fear they’d break through an ordinary door?” Whether he receives an answer or not, he continues on toward Rathene's cell. The sooner they speak to him, the sooner they'll leave this hole.
Once at the prison gates, Auriel dismounts, giving his horse a gentle pat before securing the reins to any post that looks sturdy enough. He also offers to do the same for the other horses. Even with the rain pouring down, he’s glad for a few extra moments with these beautiful creatures.
When this task is done, the paladin walks toward the building, sweeping as much water as he can from his clothes and whipping the soaked red strands from his face. Glancing at the others and waiting for their signal that they're ready to speak with the Grimshackle brothers, he steps forward and knocks three firm times on the door. "Hail! We are here to speak to one of the inmates. Open the gate, if you please,” Auriel says as the peephole is opened.
Down, down, down by the river... ♫ Nessa | Saxa | Saoirse | Auriel | Chase | Shenua
"Here," Braden says, handing a pouch with ten gold pieces in it to Auriel as he walks toward the jail. "To ease negotiations," he says with a wink.
The door into the jail is made of stout wood and bound in iron.
Muffled footsteps are heard, drawing closer. They pause outside the door, and you hear somebody climbing a creaking foot ladder. The peephole snaps open, and a pair of glaring eyes confront you.
"What do you want?" a light but gruff voice asks.
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Auriel takes the pouch, once again pleased by Braden's—or at least, Braden's benefactors'—generosity. He holds it close to his heart and bows slightly to the merchant in gratitude.
Turning to face the door again, the paladin stares directly into the glaring eyes revealed by the peephole. "You are holding one of Sahdn Krulek's men in there. We wish to speak with him," he explains. Then, remembering the kind of people in charge of this facility, he abandons his initial polite tone and shifts to a more direct demand: "Let us in." Auriel raises the pouch so the person inside can see it, shaking it to produce the sound of coins and expedite the process.
Down, down, down by the river... ♫ Nessa | Saxa | Saoirse | Auriel | Chase | Shenua
Hildigrim slides off his horse and lands as lightly as a cat on the wet road. Straightening, he adjusts his gear with practiced precision, then runs his fingers through his damp hair, trying to push it out of his eyes. As Auriel steps forward to address the guard, Hildigrim’s keen ears are at the ready, listening intently for any scrap of information that might aid in their objective.
"This is definitely gonna cost you--" The voice says with narrowed eyes, interrupted by the sight of the jingling pouch. "Fine. You can meet him," he says, chuckling. The thunk of multiple thick locks precedes the door's opening, where a grim looking halfling now stands, waving you inside.
Braden stays outside as you move toward the door. Leading you through an overgrown courtyard and into the tower, the halfling takes you into a room at the base where another halfling man waits with a crossbow loaded and pointed in your direction. "I'm Bhevek Grimshackle. This is Ukharim," the first halfling says.
You'd be hard pressed to find more loathsome looking wretches than this pair. Filthy, bedraggled, and unkempt, the two clearly make no effort for appearances, and don't seem to be much for pleasantries.
"They're here for Rathene," Bhevek says to his brother, who snorts. "The Gray Patriot?" he asks rhetorically. "The ransom's set at a hundred gold pieces."
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Hex follows closely behind Auriel as he approaches the door. She tries to look somewhat intimidating with her arms crossed and a hard stare, making sure she can be seen by whoever is behind the door. When the door opens and they are led further inside, she pulls an arrow out from her quiver and plays with it between her fingers. Her guard is up, eyes constantly darting around the room, looking for any potential danger.
"We aren't here to free him. Just to speak," she says flatly.
Hildigrim regards the disheveled state of Bhevek and Ukharim with keen interest, curious as the reason behind their untidiness and their unwelcoming aura. He subtly adjusts his glasses, maintaining an air of composure amid the tension. "One hundred gold pieces? Quite a sum for a prisoner," he remarks, his voice steady and inquisitive. "Might I ask what makes this 'Gray Patriot' worth such a price? Surely there must be more to his story than mere reputation."
As he listens intently for their response, Hildigrim's sharp eyes scan the room for anything that might offer further insight into the Grimshackles and their prison — perhaps notes, maps, or information on the prisoners.
Auriel had already assumed he wouldn't like the Grimshackles, but reality far surpassed his expectations. If this is the appearance of the prison guards, he doesn't want to imagine the conditions in which the inmates must be living inside this facility. Outlaws or not, they are people, after all. He steels himself, takes a deep breath, and follows the halfling inside.
Upon entering the room where the second halfling awaits, the paladin frowns and his gaze narrows at the crossbow pointed in their direction. "I don’t appreciate having a weapon aimed at us. How about you lower that so we can have a proper conversation?"
Auriel raises his brows at the price of Rathene's ransom, nodding in agreement with Hex and Hildigrim’s remarks, and waits for the brothers' reactions before adding anything else. He does try to listen or look around, asking himself how many other guards keep this prison. It can’t be just Bhevek and Ukharim running this place.
Down, down, down by the river... ♫ Nessa | Saxa | Saoirse | Auriel | Chase | Shenua
Carl stands there with hands on hips, regarding these two. He wonders about the state of the prison if the guards don’t have means or interest in bathing themselves. “Hrrmf. A hundred gold pieces? Was this Rathene one of his lieutenants? Seems to be a high price you’re askin. We just want to talk to im. Kindly point your crossbow somewhere else, we are just here on business.” Carl puffs out his chest, taking an inventory with his eyes of the two, his beard rustling as he chews the inside of his cheek.
"How about you don't try anything funny and you don't have to worry about the weapon being aimed at you, lad," Ukharim chides, reiterating the point again when Carl also objects.
Further taking in your surroundings, you see little to nothing of interest. Were it not for the open door and the money being discussed in the room, one might mistake it for a jail cell, as bare and drab as it is.
The brothers answer no further specifics about Rathene, but do mention the cost of the visit. "If you ain't paying the ransom, then ten gold pieces gets you a half-hour visit," Bhevek says.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Hildigrim turns, looks up at Uragum, and says, "Ur Usrol, drensh ok hos rhatòsi romkhe bruthûr. Ghoren omdûm ni yò sheghe hos, ebradi yò nok guren hos kàti oghàstranôr. Yò vòram ok ombù rash do skral rakir úlr."
For Uragum:
In Giant: "I don't trust these two. Why don't you stay here just in case we need help leaving. You can say you want to stay with the horses."
Auriel eyes Ukharim calmly, weighing his response. Ten gold for half an hour? That was a steep price for such a brief conversation. A half-smile crosses his face as he recalls Braden's foresight in providing the exact amount the halfling was asking for. Merchants—they certainly have a keen eye for setting the value of things. As he considers this, the paladin squeezes the pouch lightly, glad to have it ... but deciding to use it as a last resort.
With this in mind, the eladrin responds, "Ukharim, right? I’m Auriel. I’m not sure what kind of people you’re used to dealing with, but I don’t do funny—especially with the matter at hand. You’ve heard about the troubles on the Iron Route, yes? I’m certain they’re affecting you and your brother just as much as anyone else in Phlan. Your Rathene holds information that can help us resolve this. So, for all our sakes, why don't you ease things up and let us speak to him free of charge?"
Down, down, down by the river... ♫ Nessa | Saxa | Saoirse | Auriel | Chase | Shenua
"Ain't your name that matters, it's your coin," Ukharim chortles. "You ain't gettin' a visit for free, but we'll drop a few coins for you if you're that pressed. Seven gold pieces gets you a half hour. Your troubles on the Iron Route don't bother us. More outlaws means more prisoners means more coins."
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Carl makes a lot of “Harumph”ing, sighing exhalations, shifting his weight, watching the exchange between Auriel and Ukharim. He looks around, comtemplating where and whether good ole Squirt Mudbottom can make a difference in their efforts.
Hex shrugs at Auriel as his attempt only somewhat succeeds. "7 gold's better than 10, I suppose."
Auriel gives a slight, resigned huff and hands over the coins. "I hope you put them to good use," he says. "Like visiting a bathhouse, for example", he thinks. Then he nods politely and motions for the halflings to lead them to Rathene's cell.
Down, down, down by the river... ♫ Nessa | Saxa | Saoirse | Auriel | Chase | Shenua
Hildigrim observes the negotiations with thinly veiled skepticism, his gaze lingering a bit too long on the grimy halflings before he turns his attention to Auriel.
"Seven gold for half an hour — quite the rate for a mere conversation," he mutters, eyebrows arching in reluctant admiration of the brothers' shrewdness. As Auriel hands over the coin, Hildigrim murmurs in a low tone, just loud enough for his companions, "Let us hope Rathene’s information proves as valuable as our esteemed gatekeepers imagine."
He adjusts his glasses and readies his notebook, mentally noting everything from the halflings' reaction to Auriel's persistence to the suspicious exchange rate.
OOC: Added 3 gp to Auriel's inventory to account for the difference between Braden's gold and the gold offered. If you want me to divvy that up in some other way just let me know.
A cramped spiral staircase punches through the heart of the tower. The Grimshackle brothers lead you skyward after pocketing Auriel's offered gold. Archways open onto each floor, offering eerie glimpses of dank stone corridors, barred cell doors, and scurrying river rats.
Halfway up, you pass a cell door reinforced with iron bars and lengths of chain. Seeing you looking, Bhevek simply mutters the brief explanation, "Pirate," before ushering you further upward.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Carls nose wrinkles as he takes in the acrid smell of body odor. He peeks at the cell containing a pirate, seeing if he can get a glimpse. After they climb and arrive at the cell upstairs, he waits and watches to see if Bhevek will watch the conversation or leave them in peace.
To Hildigrim’s words, Auriel simply offers a slight, agreeing nod. Like the halfling, he also hopes Rathene's information will be worthwhile, though there's no way of knowing until they finally meet him.
Following Bhevek upstairs, Auriel can’t help but wrinkle his nose at the state of the corridor, the smells and... Tyr above... the rats scurrying around. He even raises a hand to his nose to block out the stench, even if it's just for a moment until his senses adjust to the smell. In what state must Rathene and the other prisoners be? This place surely breeds disease, and he wonders what, if anything, could be done to improve conditions. It’s clear the Grimshackles have no intention of taking action, but could Phlan’s legal system be persuaded to intervene?
As they pass the cell with the extra-reinforced door, he narrows his eyes and asks, “What kind of pirate requires such heavy security? Are they so strong you fear they’d break through an ordinary door?” Whether he receives an answer or not, he continues on toward Rathene's cell. The sooner they speak to him, the sooner they'll leave this hole.
Down, down, down by the river... ♫ Nessa | Saxa | Saoirse | Auriel | Chase | Shenua