Between Utar's mention of Rillo's name and Doozey's multi-pronged approach to deescalating the situation, something must have clicked with the two conflicting warriors. Villonah's tensed muscles and tendons relax a bit as she begins to raise her hands high: "He wouldn't want me to die." she says looking at Utar. Before she can say anything else, the captain's voice cuts through the air, aimed at Doozey: "That is a terrible idea but I respect your attempt at pacifism, halfling." Captain Aleyd's sword is placed in a less threatening position, but it is still unsheathed. Unfortunately, the elven guard does not pick up on the improving moods immediately, and closes in for the bear hug:
Biscuit lets a single loud bark serve as a warning to the guard, who then hesitates and allows Villonah to easily evade the hug attempt. "I'll go to the dungeon on my own, weakling." The guard desists and picks up his spear, pointing it at no one in particular.
Graxx becomes even more defensive. Now the only remaining armed intruder, he is becoming more defiant than even Villonah. Doozey finds the reaction strange, but chucks it off to the fight or flight reflex of the hotheaded man. Neya knows Graxx better, though. She knows that even though he can be stubborn at times, he wouldn't behave like so to the point of putting his companions' lives on the line. Especially not over a blade... and an ugly one at that too. There must be something foul at play here. Though Neya doesn't exactly know what it is, she is now almost certain that Graxx is under some strange influence.
"You are the only who is still willing to throw their lives away," the captain tells Graxx. "I'll give you one more chance: Surrender!"
-> Graxx's WIS saving throw vs. Command {DC 14}: 21
Graxx continues to defy. It is at this moment, the reinforcements arrive. Many guards pour into the room, spears in hand. They move quickly and efficiently as the captain gives out orders: "Very well. Guards, move these four and the mastiff to the dungeons. I'll meet with them once I am done with this fool of an unarmored warrior. I'll drag his unconscious body to the dungeons myself."
The many guards (think around two dozen) begin pricking their spears or pointing their crossbows at Utar, Doozey, Neya, Villonah, and Biscuit. Not to harm, but to forcibly push you out of the room. The room is quite large, but it is now crowded.
(@All except Grx: Your options are limited here. You are surrounded and unarmed. The guards technically each have readied attacks against you and there is no telling how many more guards they can throw at you. Defying the orders to move to the dungeons now will likely only make things worse. Consider yourselves warned.)
(@Grx: You've been challenged to a one-on-one fight! We'll see how the others react to this development first, but if needed, we'll run a fight in parallel with the others' plot.)
Whether consciously or not, Biscuit stays to one side of Villonah at all times, waiting and ready to growl at any guard that looks too eager to try and poke her along. Aside from this the Mastiff at least seemed to understand the situation well enough not to attack one. Yet. Wherever she went, Biscuit intended to be close at hand. Doozey, on the other hand, stared long and hard at Graxx as if hoping to will the barbarian to stop being foolish.
When that proves impossible (not that there was much hope), he turns to look over the commander, seeking in hidden deceit or malice behind her words. Short of find anything of concrete worry, the hunter just sighs and made ready to follow the rest to the dungeon.
The guards continue the slow process of getting everyone out of the room. Though the double doors are large, they are the only way out of the chamber and almost thirty people are trying to make their way through it.
Captain Aleyd makes a brief confused face at Graxx's comments about unsheathing her sword, as it has been out since even before the barbarian grabbed his own blade... Doozey takes this chance to examine the captain a bit further. Though her charges seem to be clearly corrupt and bribe-accepting, the captain is a woman of her word. Doozey has not known her for long, but from what he has seen and what Utar has mentioned, the halfling would not place a bet on her being deceitful or conniving.
The captain then uses her right leg to push her own desk out of the way. Opening a small but enlarging clearing in the middle of the chamber, she asks Graxx: "Are you ready, fool?"
-> Rolling for initiative:
Graxx: 14
Captain Aleyd: 3
(@All: Keep the posts coming. We'll keep the "camera" changing from one scene to the other as necessary.)
(@Grx: Your turn first. Start this duel off, will you?)
As the Black Fist guards jostle and cajole him towards the dungeons, Utar turns his head over his shoulder, watching as the two warriors square up to each other for a moment.
Shaking his head, he mutters a prayer, emphasising the of word as he goes, unable to stop his own feelings from showing through.
"Torm, protect this IDIOT as he rushes to suffer SEVERE CRANIAL TRAUMA. Hopefully it knocks a little sense into him. Protect my friends as we are led away. Hopefully our journey is SHORT and UNEVENTFUL, our destination as comfortable as it can be. Finally, grant me the wisdom to stop these HOTHEADS from getting us sent to a STINKING DUNGEON, when we could, be on our way having had a pleasant conversation.... There is not enough camomile tea in Phlan to get me calm after this."
"I believe it's a little late for Torm to help with the whole Dungeon thing, seeing as we are on our way to one." Doozey said openly and off-handily, giving Utar a cheery, if unintentionally cheeky half-smile. "Unless you mean on a more permanent basis. In which case, that would be much appreciated. Big Mama Yonda? Mind doing the same? I know some of its probably deserved, but we do little good for the world and others behind bars." He adds, and starts to form some sort of symbol with his hands when a near poke by a spear starts him forward again.
Scowling, if only half-heartedly, Doozey shoots the spearman a curt look, and then looks back to Villonah, expression softening in the moment. "Are you gonna be alright, Villie?" He whispers ahead to Villonah in halfling.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Graxx hears Utars comments as his companions leave the room but his eyes do not leave the captain. Graxx knows this may be the last time he see them.
He will not falter.
He will not yield.
He will... call out to his God!
Bonus Action: Graxx will cry “TEMPUS” as he begins to RAGE and moves upon the Captain.
Graxx will make a RECKLESS attack(Great Weapon Master) swinging his blade directly into the stomach of the captain hoping to hit with such force the Captain feel the blow through her armor. This blow is filled with Divine Fury(Radiant) energy.
Utar speaks up, unable to stop his voice from getting louder at some points. This earns him a few extra pokes, one of them being particularly careless:
-> Spear poke (half damage if it hits): Attack: 13Damage: 3 piercing (already halved).
Doozey's calmer manner of speaking does not earn him extra pokes, though the guards are doing their jobs and herding the group out of the room. What the halfling does earn, is a strange look from Villonah, who whispers back: "Villie? It's no time for that, Doozey..."
DUEL
Graxx calls on the battle fury of Tempus and rushes the captain. He attempts to strike first, but quickly learns the her beautiful jet black armor is not only for show. She then grips her longsword with both hands and strikes back:
-> Longsword vs. Graxx: Attack: 23 Damage: 5.5 magical slashing (already halved to account for Rage).
-> She'll add a 2nd level Divine Smite to that for an additional 11 radiant damage.
-> Longsword vs. Graxx: Attack: 22 Damage: 4.5 magical slashing (already halved to account for Rage).
-> She'll add another 2nd level Divine Smite to that for an additional 14 radiant damage.
Two quick and light-filled strikes cut across Graxx's torso without any hesitation (Graxx takes a total of 34 magical slashing and radiant damage).
Utar feels the jabs of the spear points, but is thankful for his chainmail preventing any real damage. Muttering under his breath he cracks a slight smile,
"Watch it! I'm not a giant pincushion... This is the definition of police brutality."
"I don't know what it says about me, but this feels... a little mundane. What we've experienced the last few months... Even in the context of toda-" Graxx's bellowing and two bright flashes from the office has her look behind her for a split second. "Okay, that was new."
Graxx nearly collapses from the combination of blows and radiant energy. He decides to go down swinging.
Graxx will once again make a RECKLESS attack(Great Weapon Master) swinging his blade once more in an arc hoping to find a weakness in the armor. This blow is filled with Divine Fury(Radiant) energy.
Doozey returns to the strange look, starts to say something, then Utar complaints draws attention away. "It could be worse. Ya could up there with Graxx. Which by the sounds of it, isn't go so well." He says casually despite having heard the shouts and seen the flash of light. Biscuit is equally nonplussed by events, seeming more concerned with keeping pace and a wary eye on any guard a wee bit too closer for his comfort. Though Neya's last statement earns a quirked brow from the halfling, with almost a start, he jerks back to Villonah.
"You were saying something about there being no time for something? Well, I don't quite agree. After that whole debacle atop, now might be the only time for a tid bit, depending on if they decide to separate us. And, well... I'm just a wee bit worry for ya, is all. I haven't seen someone so ready to jump into the proverbial fire like that in a number of years. And to this day, a part of me regrets listening to human sentiments, and leaving things lie the last time." He confesses in halfling, glancing away towards the end and idly curling a finger idly about long, curly side bang in thought. "So, uhm... are things really alright with you, Villie? For now, at least?"
One of the guards smirks back at Utar, finding his comment a bit amusing. Another one, grins at Neya, which she interprets as him silently boasting about knowing of the captain's powers since way back when... A third guard has apparently had enough of Doozey's unstoppable tongue:
-> Spear poke (half damage if it hits) vs. Doozey: Attack: 19 Damage: 1.5 piercing (already halved).
The tip of the spear finds its way into Doozey's thigh (Doozey takes 1 piercing damage). Without noticing it, Villonah keeps her response to the halfling short, at least for now: "I'm... sorry... I'll be fine."
The guards have by now successfully pushed all prisoners out of the chamber, and have begun bringing all of them down the steps.
DUEL
Graxx swings with great might, but once again, his blade is stopped by the captain's impressive armor. This time, she reacts by clutching the blade with one of her arms and against the part of her armored torso that was just struck. Holding her own blade with one arm now, she tries to poke through Graxx's foot in a downward motion:
-> Longsword vs. Graxx: Attack: 9Damage: 5.5 magical piercing (already halved to account for Rage).
She tires the same stab again:
-> Longsword vs. Graxx: Attack: 24Damage: 4.5 magical piercing (already halved to account forRage). (The attack hits but I need to re-roll the damage. See edit below).
-> She'll add a 1st level Divine Smite to that for an additional 6 radiant damage.
Edit: I rolled the wrong damage die for the attacks above. It only matters for the second one, so here's the corrected damage roll (already halved): 3.
The light burst from that foot-stab forces the captain to release Graxx's sword from her arm-to-torso grip. The barbarian is at a much worse state than the captain is (Graxx takes 9 magical piercing and radiant damage), but he is still up for a fight.
Graxx spits and pants as he is taking a beating. He looks on at the Captain seeming to be without a scratch. This isn't a battle Tempus would be thrilled to see. This is not how he goes down. He goes wild once more swinging his blade recklessly and with great weapon mastery.
There is something of a delay between the guard's poke and the pain registering on Doozey's face. Even then, he winced, pauses mid-turn to nod to Villonah, then completes the glance back. Whatever primal sensitivity the guard had for having been marked as prey is amplified the moment golden eyes meet the guard. Doozey says nothing however, and in the next moment he is picking up the pace as wished to keep following along with the rest.
SIlently. For now.
(@Lerus: Largely for flavoring, Doozey moved the Slayer's Prey 'mark' from Villonah to the guard)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx advances again, arcing his sword wildly once more. Captain Aleyd blocks the attack with her own sword (holding it with two hands) before letting her blade slide down Graxx's and aiming to cut his forearm:
-> Longsword vs. Graxx: Attack: 13 Damage: 6 magical piercing (already halved to account for Rage).
As Graxx's consciousness begins to fade away, the captain throws a gauntled punch at her foe's face. "You have much to learn about combat, warrior."
-> Unarmed Strike vs. Graxx: Attack: 23 Damage: 2 bludgeoning (already halved to account for Rage).
Lights out (Graxx takes a combine 9 bludgeoning and magical slashing damage)! Graxx is unconscious but stable.
STAIRS
The group continues on their way down the stairs, many spears and crossbows serving as incentive. Even though his yellow-eyes are staring at one of the guards, Doozey is the first one to notice the approaching captain many steps above them. On her shoulders, an immobile and limp Graxx is being carried. If doing so is an example of extraneous activity, it certainly doesn't show on the captain's face.
It takes some time, but eventually the group is delivered to the underground dungeon. Following the captain's orders, Utar, Neya, and Doozey are placed in one cell, while Villonah and Biscuit are placed in another. Aleyd herself places Graxx on the cold floor of the cell containing his three companions. She orders the guards to "help" each of you out of your own armor. They also make sure to collect anything that doesn't look mundane (i.e. any and all potions, Driftglobe, scrolls, Helm of Comprehending Languages, herbalism kit, lute, drum, hunting trap). All your weapons, including Graxx's Greatsword of Vengeance, were left upstairs in her chamber. These other belongings are being taken presumably elsewhere.
(OOC: No need to take them out of your inventory, just make a mental note you don't have them for now.)
"Do not worry. Your keepsakes will be kept safe somewhere. Whether you leave the dungeons in 5 days or 5 decades, they will be waiting for you, I guarantee it. If you leave, that is," she says while healing Graxx for 5 HP(Lay on Hands). Once the guards leave and close the doors behind them, she makes a proposal (she's outside the cell now, on the other side of the bars): "I have no interest in whatever false stories you may tell, so I'll cut to the chase. Utar will recall I have the power to extract the truth from people(Zone of Truth).Voluntarily agree to be submitted to it, and we can have a straight forward conversation. Don't, and you'll be treated like any other prisoner."
She waits for you to respond, her hand resting on the pummel of her now sheathed longsword.
Doozey declines any "help", even if he receives a few more spear jabs for his troubles. But, he will remove the armor himself the long way in a bid to avoid revealing its secrets too soon. The Lute being taken away draws a raised brow, yet little more than that. "I'm sorry, but 'IF' we leave? That's-..." He pauses, remembering the rumors about the guard and prior interactions. "Nevermind. I guess its to be expected from this outfit." He lets out a tired sigh and shake his head. "... Sure, whatever. Get on with it, then. There isn't much time, and people's lives are at risk the longer we delay on getting to bottom of recent happenings."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Utar steps forward, up to the bars of their cell. Careful not to step on Graxx; after going toe to toe with Burral, the barbarian deserves some rest. At least he's still alive.
"There's not much reason for you to trust us right now, so I'll submit willingly. Don't speak for the others mind, and we've had run ins with your colleagues elsewhere the city, but..."
Utar pauses and looks to the other members of CRAP.
"... Look where we are. Can't see we've got much choice, unless this is where you see yourself growing old."
Doozey rebels as he can, while Utar and Neya agree to the captain's terms. Still on the ground, Graxx recovers from combat feeling somewhat groggy and perhaps not even fully aware of the conversation happening around him. The captain looks at him and says to the others: "And he'll submit as well... my spoils of war, if you will."
(OOC: For the sake of the narrative, we'll say Graxx is incapable of resisting it at the moment.)
Captain Aleyd puts her hands through the bars, one shaped like a "C" and the other straight as a blade, and whispers a short chant that sounds familiar to Utar: "When truth is replaced by silence,the silence is a lie." A 15-foot radius circle of bright light briefly appears on the floor of the cell, and all four prisoners within feel compelled to speak only the truth. The captain then unsheathes her sword and plants it blade first into the floor to her side, right between two stepping stones. With a gesture, the blade itself lights up, illuminating the cell and part of the hallway brightly. "Now, we talk."
Not one to dilly-dally, the captain asks a couple of very direct first questions: "Was I the next one on your list of assassinations, Utar? Why have you killed our brothers- and sisters-in-arms?"
Between Utar's mention of Rillo's name and Doozey's multi-pronged approach to deescalating the situation, something must have clicked with the two conflicting warriors. Villonah's tensed muscles and tendons relax a bit as she begins to raise her hands high: "He wouldn't want me to die." she says looking at Utar. Before she can say anything else, the captain's voice cuts through the air, aimed at Doozey: "That is a terrible idea but I respect your attempt at pacifism, halfling." Captain Aleyd's sword is placed in a less threatening position, but it is still unsheathed. Unfortunately, the elven guard does not pick up on the improving moods immediately, and closes in for the bear hug:
-> Elven Guard's grapple: 7 vs. Villonah's acrobatics: 10
Biscuit lets a single loud bark serve as a warning to the guard, who then hesitates and allows Villonah to easily evade the hug attempt. "I'll go to the dungeon on my own, weakling." The guard desists and picks up his spear, pointing it at no one in particular.
Graxx becomes even more defensive. Now the only remaining armed intruder, he is becoming more defiant than even Villonah. Doozey finds the reaction strange, but chucks it off to the fight or flight reflex of the hotheaded man. Neya knows Graxx better, though. She knows that even though he can be stubborn at times, he wouldn't behave like so to the point of putting his companions' lives on the line. Especially not over a blade... and an ugly one at that too. There must be something foul at play here. Though Neya doesn't exactly know what it is, she is now almost certain that Graxx is under some strange influence.
"You are the only who is still willing to throw their lives away," the captain tells Graxx. "I'll give you one more chance: Surrender!"
-> Graxx's WIS saving throw vs. Command {DC 14}: 21
Graxx continues to defy. It is at this moment, the reinforcements arrive. Many guards pour into the room, spears in hand. They move quickly and efficiently as the captain gives out orders: "Very well. Guards, move these four and the mastiff to the dungeons. I'll meet with them once I am done with this fool of an unarmored warrior. I'll drag his unconscious body to the dungeons myself."
The many guards (think around two dozen) begin pricking their spears or pointing their crossbows at Utar, Doozey, Neya, Villonah, and Biscuit. Not to harm, but to forcibly push you out of the room. The room is quite large, but it is now crowded.
(@All except Grx: Your options are limited here. You are surrounded and unarmed. The guards technically each have readied attacks against you and there is no telling how many more guards they can throw at you. Defying the orders to move to the dungeons now will likely only make things worse. Consider yourselves warned.)
(@Grx: You've been challenged to a one-on-one fight! We'll see how the others react to this development first, but if needed, we'll run a fight in parallel with the others' plot.)
Whether consciously or not, Biscuit stays to one side of Villonah at all times, waiting and ready to growl at any guard that looks too eager to try and poke her along. Aside from this the Mastiff at least seemed to understand the situation well enough not to attack one. Yet. Wherever she went, Biscuit intended to be close at hand. Doozey, on the other hand, stared long and hard at Graxx as if hoping to will the barbarian to stop being foolish.
When that proves impossible (not that there was much hope), he turns to look over the commander, seeking in hidden deceit or malice behind her words. Short of find anything of concrete worry, the hunter just sighs and made ready to follow the rest to the dungeon.
Insight: 25. (on the commander)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx doesn't take his eyes off the captain at first gripping his blade tight.
"Y'all go on now, you hear?" says Graxx.
Graxx then turns to CRAP his gaze moving slowly till he locks eyes with Doozey.
"This is what Tempus wants."
Graxx turns back to Captain.
"When my folks are gone. Draw your weapon and you'll see what a true warrior looks like."
The guards continue the slow process of getting everyone out of the room. Though the double doors are large, they are the only way out of the chamber and almost thirty people are trying to make their way through it.
Captain Aleyd makes a brief confused face at Graxx's comments about unsheathing her sword, as it has been out since even before the barbarian grabbed his own blade... Doozey takes this chance to examine the captain a bit further. Though her charges seem to be clearly corrupt and bribe-accepting, the captain is a woman of her word. Doozey has not known her for long, but from what he has seen and what Utar has mentioned, the halfling would not place a bet on her being deceitful or conniving.
The captain then uses her right leg to push her own desk out of the way. Opening a small but enlarging clearing in the middle of the chamber, she asks Graxx: "Are you ready, fool?"
-> Rolling for initiative:
(@All: Keep the posts coming. We'll keep the "camera" changing from one scene to the other as necessary.)
(@Grx: Your turn first. Start this duel off, will you?)
As the Black Fist guards jostle and cajole him towards the dungeons, Utar turns his head over his shoulder, watching as the two warriors square up to each other for a moment.
Shaking his head, he mutters a prayer, emphasising the of word as he goes, unable to stop his own feelings from showing through.
"Torm, protect this IDIOT as he rushes to suffer SEVERE CRANIAL TRAUMA. Hopefully it knocks a little sense into him. Protect my friends as we are led away. Hopefully our journey is SHORT and UNEVENTFUL, our destination as comfortable as it can be. Finally, grant me the wisdom to stop these HOTHEADS from getting us sent to a STINKING DUNGEON, when we could, be on our way having had a pleasant conversation.... There is not enough camomile tea in Phlan to get me calm after this."
"I believe it's a little late for Torm to help with the whole Dungeon thing, seeing as we are on our way to one." Doozey said openly and off-handily, giving Utar a cheery, if unintentionally cheeky half-smile. "Unless you mean on a more permanent basis. In which case, that would be much appreciated. Big Mama Yonda? Mind doing the same? I know some of its probably deserved, but we do little good for the world and others behind bars." He adds, and starts to form some sort of symbol with his hands when a near poke by a spear starts him forward again.
Scowling, if only half-heartedly, Doozey shoots the spearman a curt look, and then looks back to Villonah, expression softening in the moment. "Are you gonna be alright, Villie?" He whispers ahead to Villonah in halfling.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx hears Utars comments as his companions leave the room but his eyes do not leave the captain. Graxx knows this may be the last time he see them.
He will not falter.
He will not yield.
He will... call out to his God!
Bonus Action: Graxx will cry “TEMPUS” as he begins to RAGE and moves upon the Captain.
Graxx will make a RECKLESS attack(Great Weapon Master) swinging his blade directly into the stomach of the captain hoping to hit with such force the Captain feel the blow through her armor. This blow is filled with Divine Fury(Radiant) energy.
Attack: 7 Damage: 26
Utar speaks up, unable to stop his voice from getting louder at some points. This earns him a few extra pokes, one of them being particularly careless:
-> Spear poke (half damage if it hits): Attack: 13
Damage: 3 piercing (already halved).Doozey's calmer manner of speaking does not earn him extra pokes, though the guards are doing their jobs and herding the group out of the room. What the halfling does earn, is a strange look from Villonah, who whispers back: "Villie? It's no time for that, Doozey..."
DUEL
Graxx calls on the battle fury of Tempus and rushes the captain. He attempts to strike first, but quickly learns the her beautiful jet black armor is not only for show. She then grips her longsword with both hands and strikes back:
-> Longsword vs. Graxx: Attack: 23 Damage: 5.5 magical slashing (already halved to account for Rage).
-> She'll add a 2nd level Divine Smite to that for an additional 11 radiant damage.
-> Longsword vs. Graxx: Attack: 22 Damage: 4.5 magical slashing (already halved to account for Rage).
-> She'll add another 2nd level Divine Smite to that for an additional 14 radiant damage.
Two quick and light-filled strikes cut across Graxx's torso without any hesitation (Graxx takes a total of 34 magical slashing and radiant damage).
(@Grx: your turn).
Utar feels the jabs of the spear points, but is thankful for his chainmail preventing any real damage. Muttering under his breath he cracks a slight smile,
"Watch it! I'm not a giant pincushion... This is the definition of police brutality."
"I don't know what it says about me, but this feels... a little mundane. What we've experienced the last few months... Even in the context of toda-" Graxx's bellowing and two bright flashes from the office has her look behind her for a split second. "Okay, that was new."
Extended Signature
Graxx nearly collapses from the combination of blows and radiant energy. He decides to go down swinging.
Graxx will once again make a RECKLESS attack(Great Weapon Master) swinging his blade once more in an arc hoping to find a weakness in the armor. This blow is filled with Divine Fury(Radiant) energy.
Attack: 14 Damage: 33
Doozey returns to the strange look, starts to say something, then Utar complaints draws attention away. "It could be worse. Ya could up there with Graxx. Which by the sounds of it, isn't go so well." He says casually despite having heard the shouts and seen the flash of light. Biscuit is equally nonplussed by events, seeming more concerned with keeping pace and a wary eye on any guard a wee bit too closer for his comfort. Though Neya's last statement earns a quirked brow from the halfling, with almost a start, he jerks back to Villonah.
"You were saying something about there being no time for something? Well, I don't quite agree. After that whole debacle atop, now might be the only time for a tid bit, depending on if they decide to separate us. And, well... I'm just a wee bit worry for ya, is all. I haven't seen someone so ready to jump into the proverbial fire like that in a number of years. And to this day, a part of me regrets listening to human sentiments, and leaving things lie the last time." He confesses in halfling, glancing away towards the end and idly curling a finger idly about long, curly side bang in thought. "So, uhm... are things really alright with you, Villie? For now, at least?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
One of the guards smirks back at Utar, finding his comment a bit amusing. Another one, grins at Neya, which she interprets as him silently boasting about knowing of the captain's powers since way back when... A third guard has apparently had enough of Doozey's unstoppable tongue:
-> Spear poke (half damage if it hits) vs. Doozey: Attack: 19 Damage: 1.5 piercing (already halved).
The tip of the spear finds its way into Doozey's thigh (Doozey takes 1 piercing damage). Without noticing it, Villonah keeps her response to the halfling short, at least for now: "I'm... sorry... I'll be fine."
The guards have by now successfully pushed all prisoners out of the chamber, and have begun bringing all of them down the steps.
DUEL
Graxx swings with great might, but once again, his blade is stopped by the captain's impressive armor. This time, she reacts by clutching the blade with one of her arms and against the part of her armored torso that was just struck. Holding her own blade with one arm now, she tries to poke through Graxx's foot in a downward motion:
-> Longsword vs. Graxx: Attack: 9
Damage: 5.5 magical piercing (already halved to account for Rage).She tires the same stab again:
-> Longsword vs. Graxx: Attack: 24
Damage: 4.5 magical piercing (already halved to account for Rage).(The attack hits but I need to re-roll the damage. See edit below).-> She'll add a 1st level Divine Smite to that for an additional 6 radiant damage.
Edit: I rolled the wrong damage die for the attacks above. It only matters for the second one, so here's the corrected damage roll (already halved): 3.
The light burst from that foot-stab forces the captain to release Graxx's sword from her arm-to-torso grip. The barbarian is at a much worse state than the captain is (Graxx takes 9 magical piercing and radiant damage), but he is still up for a fight.
(@Grx: your turn).
Graxx spits and pants as he is taking a beating. He looks on at the Captain seeming to be without a scratch. This isn't a battle Tempus would be thrilled to see. This is not how he goes down. He goes wild once more swinging his blade recklessly and with great weapon mastery.
Attack: 11 Damage: 27
There is something of a delay between the guard's poke and the pain registering on Doozey's face. Even then, he winced, pauses mid-turn to nod to Villonah, then completes the glance back. Whatever primal sensitivity the guard had for having been marked as prey is amplified the moment golden eyes meet the guard. Doozey says nothing however, and in the next moment he is picking up the pace as wished to keep following along with the rest.
SIlently. For now.
(@Lerus: Largely for flavoring, Doozey moved the Slayer's Prey 'mark' from Villonah to the guard)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx advances again, arcing his sword wildly once more. Captain Aleyd blocks the attack with her own sword (holding it with two hands) before letting her blade slide down Graxx's and aiming to cut his forearm:
-> Longsword vs. Graxx: Attack: 13 Damage: 6 magical piercing (already halved to account for Rage).
As Graxx's consciousness begins to fade away, the captain throws a gauntled punch at her foe's face. "You have much to learn about combat, warrior."
-> Unarmed Strike vs. Graxx: Attack: 23 Damage: 2 bludgeoning (already halved to account for Rage).
Lights out (Graxx takes a combine 9 bludgeoning and magical slashing damage)! Graxx is unconscious but stable.
STAIRS
The group continues on their way down the stairs, many spears and crossbows serving as incentive. Even though his yellow-eyes are staring at one of the guards, Doozey is the first one to notice the approaching captain many steps above them. On her shoulders, an immobile and limp Graxx is being carried. If doing so is an example of extraneous activity, it certainly doesn't show on the captain's face.
It takes some time, but eventually the group is delivered to the underground dungeon. Following the captain's orders, Utar, Neya, and Doozey are placed in one cell, while Villonah and Biscuit are placed in another. Aleyd herself places Graxx on the cold floor of the cell containing his three companions. She orders the guards to "help" each of you out of your own armor. They also make sure to collect anything that doesn't look mundane (i.e. any and all potions, Driftglobe, scrolls, Helm of Comprehending Languages, herbalism kit, lute, drum, hunting trap). All your weapons, including Graxx's Greatsword of Vengeance, were left upstairs in her chamber. These other belongings are being taken presumably elsewhere.
(OOC: No need to take them out of your inventory, just make a mental note you don't have them for now.)
"Do not worry. Your keepsakes will be kept safe somewhere. Whether you leave the dungeons in 5 days or 5 decades, they will be waiting for you, I guarantee it. If you leave, that is," she says while healing Graxx for 5 HP (Lay on Hands). Once the guards leave and close the doors behind them, she makes a proposal (she's outside the cell now, on the other side of the bars): "I have no interest in whatever false stories you may tell, so I'll cut to the chase. Utar will recall I have the power to extract the truth from people (Zone of Truth). Voluntarily agree to be submitted to it, and we can have a straight forward conversation. Don't, and you'll be treated like any other prisoner."
She waits for you to respond, her hand resting on the pummel of her now sheathed longsword.
Doozey declines any "help", even if he receives a few more spear jabs for his troubles. But, he will remove the armor himself the long way in a bid to avoid revealing its secrets too soon. The Lute being taken away draws a raised brow, yet little more than that. "I'm sorry, but 'IF' we leave? That's-..." He pauses, remembering the rumors about the guard and prior interactions. "Nevermind. I guess its to be expected from this outfit." He lets out a tired sigh and shake his head. "... Sure, whatever. Get on with it, then. There isn't much time, and people's lives are at risk the longer we delay on getting to bottom of recent happenings."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Utar steps forward, up to the bars of their cell. Careful not to step on Graxx; after going toe to toe with Burral, the barbarian deserves some rest. At least he's still alive.
"There's not much reason for you to trust us right now, so I'll submit willingly. Don't speak for the others mind, and we've had run ins with your colleagues elsewhere the city, but..."
Utar pauses and looks to the other members of CRAP.
"... Look where we are. Can't see we've got much choice, unless this is where you see yourself growing old."
"I'm sure a couple of my elders would be glad to be rid of me, but I'm not in the mind to give them that satisfaction."
"I'll submit to the inquiry."
Extended Signature
Doozey rebels as he can, while Utar and Neya agree to the captain's terms. Still on the ground, Graxx recovers from combat feeling somewhat groggy and perhaps not even fully aware of the conversation happening around him. The captain looks at him and says to the others: "And he'll submit as well... my spoils of war, if you will."
(OOC: For the sake of the narrative, we'll say Graxx is incapable of resisting it at the moment.)
Captain Aleyd puts her hands through the bars, one shaped like a "C" and the other straight as a blade, and whispers a short chant that sounds familiar to Utar: "When truth is replaced by silence,the silence is a lie." A 15-foot radius circle of bright light briefly appears on the floor of the cell, and all four prisoners within feel compelled to speak only the truth. The captain then unsheathes her sword and plants it blade first into the floor to her side, right between two stepping stones. With a gesture, the blade itself lights up, illuminating the cell and part of the hallway brightly. "Now, we talk."
Not one to dilly-dally, the captain asks a couple of very direct first questions: "Was I the next one on your list of assassinations, Utar? Why have you killed our brothers- and sisters-in-arms?"