((OOC: Good stuff everybody. Have had and now have another busy day ahead of me today. Likely not going to get around to a quality post today. But thank you for your patience!))
As Darion looks over into the other pits to see the condition of the other prisoners, He sees shocked eyes looking at him, and whispers rise into excited murmurs. The Yuan-ti has assembled a diverse lot of prisoners. There are four or five prisoners in each of the other three pits. Most clearly have at least a couple levels of exhaustion, if not more. A few do seem fresher and could seemingly serve as helpful accomplices. Some of the more desperate prisoners start to panic as they see you, whether this is for fear of impending punishment or not being able to deal with the hope of escape.
(Someone should probably make a Persuasion or Intimidation or similar roll here!)
(Also, yes, I think the freezing will work in this case because they are already submersed in water and are pretty much at your mercy.)
"One of you guys better go quiet them down. If I show my ugly mug it will just get them worked up even further." Daner moves over to the device which was dampening the magic and tries to see if there is some way to permanently disable it.
Investigation: 8
Arcana: 13
If there is then he will disable the device. If not, then he will shift all of the sliders to the off position.
Daner doesn’t know too much about this device, but the concept of switching on and off makes sense to him. It is currently turned “off” as the Abjuration device is surprising itself. The other option would be to switch all of the beads to the off position, allowing Abjuration magic to be used again. Alternatively, Daner supposes that they could target a specific school of magic in this room if they wanted. He knows that many Yuan-ti have some innate magical abilities, but Daner specifically doesn’t know much about this school or that.
He supposes he could simply smash it, but who knows what side-effects that could have?
Ellis had seen Darion go check on the other prisoners in the pits, hearing murmurs and panicking. Then he heard as Daner said that one of them should go quiet the prisoners since he would only make it worse. Ellis nodded as he made his way over, looking down into the pits. He is looking at the other prisoners with a gentle smile before putting his finger to his lips, signaling them to quiet down. “Please settle down. Everything is going to be okay. We will get everyone out of here, but you guys have to stay quiet so no one else hears us.” Ellis calmly said to them all with a gentle soothing voice. Hopefully everyone will be quiet now, not wanting to know what would happen if they get too loud and are heard by other guards.
Darion has been trying to calm the prisoners down by making ever more futile, ever more exaggerated shushing noises - waving his arms around in a desperate attempt to convey the need for quiet. He looks heartily relieved when Ellis comes over and begins to calm everyone down in a gentle, helpful way.
"Thanks, Ellis" he mutters "my mum always says I need to work on my people skills!" he gives a rueful smile.
As things (hopefully) begins to calm down, he turns to the other three.
"Let's start getting them up. I think you chaps were right, we just need to get on with things. I'll wait until the last moment to change into Liss'ard - I only get an hour before I have to recast, and I want to be as sparing as possible with my magic." he thinks for second, then gives a little laugh "besides, I don't want to scare the other prisoners who might think I am Liss'ard"
If the others are in agreement, he will choose one of the grates and start winching it aside (but will wait if asked to do so by the others). As he does so, he thinks on his earlier fears "what if there is a spy amongst the prisoners? They could give it away."he shrugs to himself "to late for that, we will just have to take the gamble - Tymora will approve!"
If Tempest is finished with Lissard and the other guard he'll aid the others in getting the prisoners out. If there is water in any of their pits he'll create a similar pedestal of ice columns for them to climb up. Any that seem incredibly bad off he'll give a goodberry. (I have 6 more but will only hand out up to 5.) Tempest will give the 6th berry to Darion and whisper, "If Ellis and I are knocked out feed this to us and it might be able to bring us back." Then he'll return to helping the others saying, "Stay calm and keep your voices down. Stay against the wall out of sight." He would watch them keenly as each got out to make sure they weren't going to run off at the first taste of freedom.
((Heading out of town for the weekend. I won’t have access to a computer, but may get to do some posting through my phone, like now. You’ll notice a lack of formatting! I’ll try to keep it moving best I can. Enjoying this so far!))
Ellis is able to calm the fellow prisoners down right away through his calming presence and his skilled use of words, and they are hushed into quiet cooperation. The perception check reveals that no undue suspicion has yet been aroused, but the wenching up of the other grate lids causes a tremendous racket. Surely it would be clear to anyone nearby that the prisoner pits are being opened.
Your fellow prisoners do their best to stay out of sight and keep quiet. Some are in dreadful condition, and they are a diverse lot.
(I’ll post the roster of those people when I get the next chance!)
Tahvo, a ten-year-old human boy, wears a flower garland and prays constantly to Tymora.
Pottery Shard, a male tabaxi traveling minstrel. He is particularly jittery and nervous. He tries to release pressure by laughing constantly.
Gorvax, a firenewt warrior. Unless you are particularly well-traveled, you would have no idea what this creature is. He is in good shape and very eager to escape.
Lomar Dral, an exhausted looking human male who is dressed in sodden red robes which look like mage robes. Before you even ask, he tells you “...all out of spell slots.”
Mung, a goblin, was caught by the yuan-ti while foraging in the jungle. He is malnourished and suffers from 3 levels of exhaustion.
Kanush Natombe, a male human warrior who says he foolishly traveled to this temple to prove his worth to his rival. Kanush is malnourished and suffers from 3 levels of exhaustion.
Zilla Atazi, a female half-orc dressed as a stereotypical pirate (complete with eyepatch). She says she was thrown overboard by her captain. The yuan-ti captured her after she washed ashore. She reveals to you that she has a hidden dagger.
The other prisoners are either too afraid or in an unconscious or comatose state from their treatment and conditions. (Mainly because I don’t have time to run THAT many NPCs!)
The above people who emerge from the pits look at you hopefully and expectantly. Whatever their motivations, they all implicitly know to stay is their doom.
Darion accepts the Goodberry with a nod, tucking it away safe. He helps the prisoners scramble out, aiding those who are struggling. He stares in absolute fascination at the Firenewt, but given the gravity of the situation is able to restrain himself from bombarding it with too many questions. As Tahvo gets out, Darion's face hardens with anger - not surprised but still appalled that these evil creatures would hunt children as well. He kneels down next to Tahvo, as he hears him mutter prayers to Tymora.
"You keep trusting in Tymora," he smiles at Tahvo encouragingly "She has helped save my hide more times than I care to remember - and with her luck we will both get out of here!"
Deciding it's time, he warns the other prisoners "We think we have found a back way out of here, but we have to march you all through the temple to get there. We are going to pretend that Liss'ard has become angry with you, wanting to punish you all. To that end I'm going to use my magic to impersonate him - please do not be scared, it is just a disguise!"
With that he steps back, and casts Disguise Self. He raises his hands to his head, and while whispering arcane words seems to lightly pull on his face, as if taking off a mask. As he does so there is a brief moment where it looks as if mist flows down from his hands to cover the body before solidifying in a new shape, that of Liss'ard - though Darion adds a bruise to the neck near the throat, to give an explanation for his voice sounding different if needs be.
Darion then moves to the door, so that if anyone starts to come down the corridor he can intercept them while the rest of the prisoners get ready.
“It will probably be best if we leave the manacles on for appearances, but we can have them unlocked. Also, if you do end up needing to fight, you can use them as a weapon.”Daner assists with helping people get out of the pits.
Darion stations himself at the entrance of the prisoner pits, by the lever. He will keep an eye out, and will start addressing things into the room using his impression of Liss'ard, making comments like "Thissss will teach you for disssturbing my gamessss! Let'sss ssssee how you enjoy the cavesss! Get a move on, or I'll throw you all in the sssnake pit! Just give them a kick Slizzy!"
Darion does this in a normal voice, not raising it to draw to much attention, but hopefully if someone casually overhears it gives an explanation for the kerfuffle going on. At the same time he keeps a watch to see if anyone is taking note / coming to investigate.
Tempest will adopt at gloomy appearance and fall in behind Dariss'ard whispering to the others in the group. "We should probably be near the front in case anything goes wrong so we can attack or run as needed."
Realising that it would be a little odd for a slave to be carrying a sword, Daner passes the rapier over to Darion. “Hold on to this for me would ya. If things turn on us I will grab it back off you.”
Daner then falls in behind Darion as close as he can so he has easy access to the sword if needed.
Darion takes the sword from Daner with slight trepidation, and waves it around in a vaguely menacing way. He glances over at Ellis, whispering quietly "Are you all ready?". He will prompt his companions to pick up discarded manacles to wear if they have not done so already, to avoid raising suspicion.
Darion waits until all the prisoners and his companions are ready (if Ellis is unlocking their chains to allow them easier escape should the need arise he will wait for this particularly), then motion them all out into the altar room - provided that they have not been interrupted "Come on, look lively, I have wonderful ssssport for you" he says in his best Darriss'ard voice. When they are all out safely he will pull the lever to close the door, commenting to the empty (apart from the real Yuan-ti) room "Take care of that one, Slizzy, make ssssure he paysss for attacking me". He will then go to the front where his companions are, mutter "ready?" and prepare to march them all out.
Daner places a spare set of manacles on himself without locking them then follows Darion into the alter room. He tries to keep a worried, nervous yet resigned look on his face, eyes slightly lowered as he glances around the room. He waits for the others to be ready to leave.
((I know, right? Sometimes the dice tells the story.))
As Darion steps to the fore to begin his charade, he can already spy the quizzical look of another Yuan-ti, who has now stepped closer and was peering across the altar. Good luck, or perhaps Tymora’s timing. Darion can see that this was Fenthaza’s bodyguard who was standing outside of her room. It was the snake-armed Yuan-ti from earlier. Darion gives satisfactory responses to the basic “what was that all about?” questions that this Yuan-ti asks from afar. He sees the line of prisoners emerge, with Dar’issard at the front, and then he sees him close the portcullis with his instructions for Slizzy. He seems convinced so far.
As you cross the sacrificial altar room, you hear earnest whimpering from some of your compatriots who have not yet had the pleasure of seeing this room. Pottery Shard begins to nervously laugh uncontrollably. The yuan-ti guard seems to find this amusing. He addresses Dar’issard,
”Taking the whole crop? Where to, Lis’ard? That’sssss a lot to keep track of. Ssssshall I asssist you? You sssshouldn’t have all of the fun.” You can see that although he has no reason to suspect that you aren’t who you say you are, he is also confused. He gives a nervous look towards Fenthaza’s door, which is a mere 10 feet away.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Dar'issard grins at snake-arms "I'm ssssure when they have ssspent sssome time in the cavessss they will learn sssome resspect! Well, those that make it back!" he gestures in an angry way at Ellis, Daner and Tempest "especially these that Fenthaza wassss sssso generousss with"
As he is talking to Snake-arms, he is gesturing for the group to move, and starts walking with them, hopefully forcing Snake-arms to keep up.
"Join us if you want, it sssshould be fun!" He then pauses for a moment, making a puzzled face "though, I've left ssslizzy with a tricksssy one - a nassty wizard in-hiding. Ssslizzy isss teaching him ressspect more... persssonally before he seesss Fenthaza. I don't think he will be a threat anymore, but you can't tell with these nasssty scaleless oness. It would be safer if you ssstay and make sssure he doesn't need help."
Dar'issard is continuing to walk down the corridor, trying to be not to fast, not to slow, occasionally giving Daner or Tempest a shove. Inside, his heart is pounding, and he can feel his mouth getting dry. He manages to get to the end of the sentence, but knows if he keeps on talking his voice will start to crack, and he is already finding it hard to keep up with the fake voice. Darion's favourite technique is using a disguise to run away, or pass without notice - not for engaging in complicated bluffs. He sends a quick prayer to Tymora and Mystra.
If needed, rolling using inspiration:
Deception: 14
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Do you like my Boots of Flying?
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
((OOC: Good stuff everybody. Have had and now have another busy day ahead of me today. Likely not going to get around to a quality post today. But thank you for your patience!))
As Darion looks over into the other pits to see the condition of the other prisoners, He sees shocked eyes looking at him, and whispers rise into excited murmurs. The Yuan-ti has assembled a diverse lot of prisoners. There are four or five prisoners in each of the other three pits. Most clearly have at least a couple levels of exhaustion, if not more. A few do seem fresher and could seemingly serve as helpful accomplices. Some of the more desperate prisoners start to panic as they see you, whether this is for fear of impending punishment or not being able to deal with the hope of escape.
(Someone should probably make a Persuasion or Intimidation or similar roll here!)
(Also, yes, I think the freezing will work in this case because they are already submersed in water and are pretty much at your mercy.)
"One of you guys better go quiet them down. If I show my ugly mug it will just get them worked up even further." Daner moves over to the device which was dampening the magic and tries to see if there is some way to permanently disable it.
Investigation: 8
Arcana: 13
If there is then he will disable the device. If not, then he will shift all of the sliders to the off position.
Daner doesn’t know too much about this device, but the concept of switching on and off makes sense to him. It is currently turned “off” as the Abjuration device is surprising itself. The other option would be to switch all of the beads to the off position, allowing Abjuration magic to be used again. Alternatively, Daner supposes that they could target a specific school of magic in this room if they wanted. He knows that many Yuan-ti have some innate magical abilities, but Daner specifically doesn’t know much about this school or that.
He supposes he could simply smash it, but who knows what side-effects that could have?
Ellis had seen Darion go check on the other prisoners in the pits, hearing murmurs and panicking. Then he heard as Daner said that one of them should go quiet the prisoners since he would only make it worse. Ellis nodded as he made his way over, looking down into the pits. He is looking at the other prisoners with a gentle smile before putting his finger to his lips, signaling them to quiet down. “Please settle down. Everything is going to be okay. We will get everyone out of here, but you guys have to stay quiet so no one else hears us.” Ellis calmly said to them all with a gentle soothing voice. Hopefully everyone will be quiet now, not wanting to know what would happen if they get too loud and are heard by other guards.
Persuasion: 18
Not knowing enough about the device, and seeing as how their magic is currently working Daner decides to leave it alone.
Darion has been trying to calm the prisoners down by making ever more futile, ever more exaggerated shushing noises - waving his arms around in a desperate attempt to convey the need for quiet. He looks heartily relieved when Ellis comes over and begins to calm everyone down in a gentle, helpful way.
"Thanks, Ellis" he mutters "my mum always says I need to work on my people skills!" he gives a rueful smile.
As things (hopefully) begins to calm down, he turns to the other three.
"Let's start getting them up. I think you chaps were right, we just need to get on with things. I'll wait until the last moment to change into Liss'ard - I only get an hour before I have to recast, and I want to be as sparing as possible with my magic." he thinks for second, then gives a little laugh "besides, I don't want to scare the other prisoners who might think I am Liss'ard"
If the others are in agreement, he will choose one of the grates and start winching it aside (but will wait if asked to do so by the others). As he does so, he thinks on his earlier fears "what if there is a spy amongst the prisoners? They could give it away." he shrugs to himself "to late for that, we will just have to take the gamble - Tymora will approve!"
Do you like my Boots of Flying?
If Tempest is finished with Lissard and the other guard he'll aid the others in getting the prisoners out. If there is water in any of their pits he'll create a similar pedestal of ice columns for them to climb up. Any that seem incredibly bad off he'll give a goodberry. (I have 6 more but will only hand out up to 5.) Tempest will give the 6th berry to Darion and whisper, "If Ellis and I are knocked out feed this to us and it might be able to bring us back." Then he'll return to helping the others saying, "Stay calm and keep your voices down. Stay against the wall out of sight." He would watch them keenly as each got out to make sure they weren't going to run off at the first taste of freedom.
Insight or Perception (Same mod): 16
((Heading out of town for the weekend. I won’t have access to a computer, but may get to do some posting through my phone, like now. You’ll notice a lack of formatting! I’ll try to keep it moving best I can. Enjoying this so far!))
Ellis is able to calm the fellow prisoners down right away through his calming presence and his skilled use of words, and they are hushed into quiet cooperation. The perception check reveals that no undue suspicion has yet been aroused, but the wenching up of the other grate lids causes a tremendous racket. Surely it would be clear to anyone nearby that the prisoner pits are being opened.
Your fellow prisoners do their best to stay out of sight and keep quiet. Some are in dreadful condition, and they are a diverse lot.
(I’ll post the roster of those people when I get the next chance!)
The other prisoners are either too afraid or in an unconscious or comatose state from their treatment and conditions. (Mainly because I don’t have time to run THAT many NPCs!)
The above people who emerge from the pits look at you hopefully and expectantly. Whatever their motivations, they all implicitly know to stay is their doom.
Darion accepts the Goodberry with a nod, tucking it away safe. He helps the prisoners scramble out, aiding those who are struggling. He stares in absolute fascination at the Firenewt, but given the gravity of the situation is able to restrain himself from bombarding it with too many questions. As Tahvo gets out, Darion's face hardens with anger - not surprised but still appalled that these evil creatures would hunt children as well. He kneels down next to Tahvo, as he hears him mutter prayers to Tymora.
"You keep trusting in Tymora," he smiles at Tahvo encouragingly "She has helped save my hide more times than I care to remember - and with her luck we will both get out of here!"
Deciding it's time, he warns the other prisoners "We think we have found a back way out of here, but we have to march you all through the temple to get there. We are going to pretend that Liss'ard has become angry with you, wanting to punish you all. To that end I'm going to use my magic to impersonate him - please do not be scared, it is just a disguise!"
With that he steps back, and casts Disguise Self. He raises his hands to his head, and while whispering arcane words seems to lightly pull on his face, as if taking off a mask. As he does so there is a brief moment where it looks as if mist flows down from his hands to cover the body before solidifying in a new shape, that of Liss'ard - though Darion adds a bruise to the neck near the throat, to give an explanation for his voice sounding different if needs be.
Darion then moves to the door, so that if anyone starts to come down the corridor he can intercept them while the rest of the prisoners get ready.
Do you like my Boots of Flying?
“It will probably be best if we leave the manacles on for appearances, but we can have them unlocked. Also, if you do end up needing to fight, you can use them as a weapon.” Daner assists with helping people get out of the pits.
Darion stations himself at the entrance of the prisoner pits, by the lever. He will keep an eye out, and will start addressing things into the room using his impression of Liss'ard, making comments like "Thissss will teach you for disssturbing my gamessss! Let'sss ssssee how you enjoy the cavesss! Get a move on, or I'll throw you all in the sssnake pit! Just give them a kick Slizzy!"
Darion does this in a normal voice, not raising it to draw to much attention, but hopefully if someone casually overhears it gives an explanation for the kerfuffle going on. At the same time he keeps a watch to see if anyone is taking note / coming to investigate.
If needed:
Perception: 21
Deception: 15
Do you like my Boots of Flying?
OOC: Tymora really does seem to be with Darion - I've been rolling so well on things Darion really isn't that good with!!!!
Do you like my Boots of Flying?
(Nice)
Tempest will adopt at gloomy appearance and fall in behind Dariss'ard whispering to the others in the group. "We should probably be near the front in case anything goes wrong so we can attack or run as needed."
Realising that it would be a little odd for a slave to be carrying a sword, Daner passes the rapier over to Darion. “Hold on to this for me would ya. If things turn on us I will grab it back off you.”
Daner then falls in behind Darion as close as he can so he has easy access to the sword if needed.
Darion takes the sword from Daner with slight trepidation, and waves it around in a vaguely menacing way. He glances over at Ellis, whispering quietly "Are you all ready?". He will prompt his companions to pick up discarded manacles to wear if they have not done so already, to avoid raising suspicion.
Darion waits until all the prisoners and his companions are ready (if Ellis is unlocking their chains to allow them easier escape should the need arise he will wait for this particularly), then motion them all out into the altar room - provided that they have not been interrupted "Come on, look lively, I have wonderful ssssport for you" he says in his best Darriss'ard voice. When they are all out safely he will pull the lever to close the door, commenting to the empty (apart from the real Yuan-ti) room "Take care of that one, Slizzy, make ssssure he paysss for attacking me". He will then go to the front where his companions are, mutter "ready?" and prepare to march them all out.
Do you like my Boots of Flying?
Daner places a spare set of manacles on himself without locking them then follows Darion into the alter room. He tries to keep a worried, nervous yet resigned look on his face, eyes slightly lowered as he glances around the room. He waits for the others to be ready to leave.
Tempest will follow suit with the others and give Darion a nod of readiness.
((I know, right? Sometimes the dice tells the story.))
As Darion steps to the fore to begin his charade, he can already spy the quizzical look of another Yuan-ti, who has now stepped closer and was peering across the altar. Good luck, or perhaps Tymora’s timing. Darion can see that this was Fenthaza’s bodyguard who was standing outside of her room. It was the snake-armed Yuan-ti from earlier. Darion gives satisfactory responses to the basic “what was that all about?” questions that this Yuan-ti asks from afar. He sees the line of prisoners emerge, with Dar’issard at the front, and then he sees him close the portcullis with his instructions for Slizzy. He seems convinced so far.
As you cross the sacrificial altar room, you hear earnest whimpering from some of your compatriots who have not yet had the pleasure of seeing this room. Pottery Shard begins to nervously laugh uncontrollably. The yuan-ti guard seems to find this amusing. He addresses Dar’issard,
”Taking the whole crop? Where to, Lis’ard? That’sssss a lot to keep track of. Ssssshall I asssist you? You sssshouldn’t have all of the fun.” You can see that although he has no reason to suspect that you aren’t who you say you are, he is also confused. He gives a nervous look towards Fenthaza’s door, which is a mere 10 feet away.
Dar'issard grins at snake-arms "I'm ssssure when they have ssspent sssome time in the cavessss they will learn sssome resspect! Well, those that make it back!" he gestures in an angry way at Ellis, Daner and Tempest "especially these that Fenthaza wassss sssso generousss with"
As he is talking to Snake-arms, he is gesturing for the group to move, and starts walking with them, hopefully forcing Snake-arms to keep up.
"Join us if you want, it sssshould be fun!" He then pauses for a moment, making a puzzled face "though, I've left ssslizzy with a tricksssy one - a nassty wizard in-hiding. Ssslizzy isss teaching him ressspect more... persssonally before he seesss Fenthaza. I don't think he will be a threat anymore, but you can't tell with these nasssty scaleless oness. It would be safer if you ssstay and make sssure he doesn't need help."
Dar'issard is continuing to walk down the corridor, trying to be not to fast, not to slow, occasionally giving Daner or Tempest a shove. Inside, his heart is pounding, and he can feel his mouth getting dry. He manages to get to the end of the sentence, but knows if he keeps on talking his voice will start to crack, and he is already finding it hard to keep up with the fake voice. Darion's favourite technique is using a disguise to run away, or pass without notice - not for engaging in complicated bluffs. He sends a quick prayer to Tymora and Mystra.
If needed, rolling using inspiration:
Deception: 14
Do you like my Boots of Flying?