Valrish didn't mutter a word on the trip to the waterfall, or while he cleaned the dirty clothes.
(OOG May I know how high from any Surface is the rope bridge I crossed? OOC I'll use green when Valrish speaks. Also good morning.)
There is a layer of sticky spider webs that stretch across the cavern about 20 feet below the bridge. Approximately 80 feet below that is a murky pool that the waterfall pours in to, at the edge of the cavern.
Oorr uses hie senses to determine if there is a getaway route near the waterfall (Perception 16).
One could conceivably jump into the waterfall and drop down to the pool below. But it's a dangerous plummet to the bottom through the rocks and rushing water. You would also need to some how get free of the chains, both for mobility, and to unshackle yourself from your fellow prisoners. The spray from the waterfall makes the cavern wall around it slippery and difficult to climb as well.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Valrish discards the idea of jumping from the bridge to the cobwebs pretty quick. He peeks at the guards from time to time, trying to see something that may be helpful to escape.
Perception check (if needed): 18
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PbP Characters Valrish (Dragonborn // Barbarian 6) - Out of the Abyss - play by post
The lift is actually a large woven basket, which is raised and lowered by two quaggoth servants.
(OOG) How many people could we fit in the basket ?
Grimnir subtly point out one guard to Oorr and whispers: "Do you think we have a chance to steal a key if one of us do a diversion ?"
The basket is held up by a pulley system with strong spider silk, but while it can support a lot of weight, you estimate you could only fit 3-4 medium sized creatures on it before it became unstable for the journey to the ground.
Valrish discards the idea of jumping from the bridge to the cobwebs pretty quick. He peeks at the guards from time to time, trying to see something that may be helpful to escape.
Perception check (if needed): 17
The guards keep a close watch on all activity. Altogether there are around 15 drow elite warriors who would be a nearly insurmountable foe, even if you had all your supplies, not to mention Ilvara and her lieutenants. There are also a dozen or so Quaggoth servants, and a few giant spiders that patrol the webs. Not all of the guards are on duty at the same time however, and when the guard changes, you notice there's a short time where there are not so many eyes on the prisoners. When the drow are not on duty, they usually stay in the barracks in the hollowed out stalactites.
(OOG Forgot to reply on the number of drow when RonanKP asked earlier, but you would all be aware of that having been here so long.)
Derendil complains as he hauls another barrel of water, "This is so unfitting for a prince of my station." Bupiddo retorts,"If you're an elf prince, then I'm a demon lord! This quaggoth is having delusions of grandeur." Derendil scowls at Buppido. Sarith sighs,"Please stop fighting, it's making my head hurt even worse than it normally does"The drow rubs his temples. Bupiddo grunts, then turns to Grimnir and Oorr and whispers, "Did I hear one of you mention a diversion? Doesn't take much to get our elf prince here riled up, if you take my meaning."
Topsy is overcome with worry for her brother as she attempts to focus on the laundry. Stool tries to comfort her, as does Shuushar. "Do not worry, Child," he says in a warbling speech, "I'm sure he will be just fine if we focus on pleasant thoughts." Eldeth is worried as well. She recalls what happened the last time someone was left in the pen, and shudders. Her fear passes for a moment as Grimnir walks by where they are doing laundry to collect another barrel of water, and she smiles at him.
"I bet you one gold coin I can stack these rocks higher than you!" Jimjar excitedly shouts at Belwar. Ront snorts, "You don't have two copper to rub together, much less a gold, idiot." A cross bow bolt strikes into the ground near Ront. "Less talking, more stacking, orc. Or next time, it won't be your feet I aim at!" shouts Shoor.The group of drow guards laugh heartily. The brutish orc hangs his head sullenly and moves a little faster.
(OOG As you've all had a chance to observe the area, and most of you have been here some time, you should have a general idea of the layout of the place. Here is a map to illustrate it. For reference, the pen where you are kept at night is #11, the lift is #5, the barracks for the drow is #4 and the waterfall is #9)
Oorr to Buppido:" We need to select the proper time to do this. Any ideas ? "
Bupiddo secretly reveals a piece of flint, sharpened into brittle dagger. "Have you got a weapon? Next time we're at the lift, I'll set the "prince" off. Maybe he can distract the guards long enough for us to hop on the lift! If it wasn't for these blasted chains... I could cut off our hands..." the derro gives a curse in undercommon.
Derendil complains as he hauls another barrel of water, "This is so unfitting for a prince of my station." Bupiddo retorts,"If you're an elf prince, then I'm a demon lord! This quaggoth is having delusions of grandeur." Derendil scowls at Buppido. Sarith sighs,"Please stop fighting, it's making my head hurt even worse than it normally does"The drow rubs his temples. Bupiddo grunts, then turns to Grimnir and Oorr and whispers, "Did I hear one of you mention a diversion? Doesn't take much to get our elf prince here riled up, if you take my meaning."
Topsy is overcome with worry for her brother as she attempts to focus on the laundry. Stool tries to comfort her, as does Shuushar. "Do not worry, Child," he says in a warbling speech, "I'm sure he will be just fine if we focus on pleasant thoughts." Eldeth is worried as well. She recalls what happened the last time someone was left in the pen, and shudders. Her fear passes for a moment as Grimnir walks by where they are doing laundry to collect another barrel of water, and she smiles at him.
"I bet you one gold coin I can stack these rocks higher than you!" Jimjar excitedly shouts at Belwar. Ront snorts, "You don't have two copper to rub together, much less a gold, idiot." A cross bow bolt strikes into the ground near Ront. "Less talking, more stacking, orc. Or next time, it won't be your feet I aim at!" shouts Shoor.The group of drow guards laugh heartily. The brutish orc hangs his head sullenly and moves a little faster.
Valrish overhears the conversations of the others from time to time, not breaking his silence.
(OOC I'm sorry for not changing the color of the text, I'm on mobile right now.)
Oorr thinks Bupiddo is not entirely sane:" Let's find the right time first. No need for a bloodshed. "
Grimnir does also find Bupiddo a bit reckless. "I agree with Oorr, we have no chance with a frontal assault, we need to be as discret as possible"
Turning back to the aarakocra; "my thief skills are just above average, this could be risky and if I get caught that could even be deadly...Maybe we should wait to come back with the others and confer about a plan ? I don't want to stay in this place any longer"
(OOG) Did Grimnir see what is in (1) on the map ? Is it another way down ?
Oorr thinks Bupiddo is not entirely sane:" Let's find the right time first. No need for a bloodshed. "
Grimnir does also find Bupiddo a bit reckless. "I agree with Oorr, we have no chance with a frontal assault, we need to be as discret as possible"
Turning back to the aarakocra; "my thief skills are just above average, this could be risky and if I get caught that could even be deadly...Maybe we should wait to come back with the others and confer about a plan ? I don't want to stay in this place any longer"
(OOG) Did Grimnir see what is in (1) on the map ? Is it another way down ?
(OOG 1 and 13 are guard stations. There are usually two normal drow guards at each end keeping an eye on the area. It is not a way down.)
The day labors on as you are put to menial task after menial task, the guards enjoying themselves at your expense. You are struck by the absence of Ilvara, who normally makes rounds throughout the day, inflicting pain at her whim with her flail. At long last, the call rings out to return to the slave pen, and the guards begin corralling you down the rope bridge towards your cave.
As you approach the slave pen, the guards stop you from entering, instead turning you around to face the edge of the walkway as they line you up against the wall. In front of you is Ilvara, scowling down upon you. To her right, gripped by the neck is Turvy. He looks as if he's been tortured. Topsy cries out, "No! Please don't hurt him! Take me instead!" Tears begin to run freely down her cheeks.
The cries of the young deep gnome put a smile on Ilvara's lips. "Last night, food was taken from the main hall. We found it on this one. I don't know how he slipped his bonds and made it back to the pen, but now you will all get to see what happens to those who don't submit to the will of Lloth!" Ilvara turns her gaze upon Turvy. "Any last words, runt?"
Turvy whimpers, but does not say anything intelligible.
"Well then, this will be quick." Ilvara takes a dagger from beneath her cloak. Putting it to Turvy's arm she makes a small cut, drawing the slightest bit of blood. She grips Turvy's shoulder, and then wrenches him backwards, tossing him over the side of the walkway. Turvy screams as he plummets down towards the ground. Topsy rushes forward, pulling on the chains of those around her. Ilvara makes a motion to the guards, and they allow the deep gnome and the other prisoners to look over the side of the cliff.
"He's okay! He landed in the webs," exclaims Topsy, her hope rising, but then, "no, oh no, Turvy, Turvy look out!" Three giant spiders crawl out on to the web. The first one sinks its fangs into the little deep gnome, quieting his screams. The second one spins a string of spider's silk and begins wrapping Turvy up, around and around. When finished, they drag him off, under the walkway and out of sight.
Some of your fellow prisoners watch in horror, others hide their faces. Topsy is overcome with sorrow, burying her face in her hands. Ilvara's smile is as wide as can be. "Now then, I think we all learned an important lesson here, don't you?" She makes yet another motion with her hand, and the guards start roughly grabbing the prisoners and pushing them into the slave pen. The door slams shut, and the loud noise of the lock being set rings out.
Moments later, Eldeth and Shuushar are trying to comfort Topsy at the back of the cell. The others begin making their beds for the night with the little bits of straw and cloth they have available. Even Ront seems to be giving people their space, which is unusual. While this is going on, a single drow walks up to the gate, and motions to get your attention. As he leans in, you notice the scars across his face, and recognize Jorlan, Ilvara's discarded lieutenant.
In a hushed voice, he utters, "If I could give you a means to escape from here, would you take it?"
(OOG my assumption is that the four of you are the ones close enough to hear what Jorlan is offering.)
The death of poor Turvy made Grimnir more sure about finding a way out as soon as possible. The dwarf lift his head up and observe the Jorlan. " Yes, since when the drows feel pity ?"
"Do not mistake this for pity, dwarf," Jorlan snaps, then furtively looks around. In a quieter voice he replies, “I care not whether you live or die, but escaped prisoners would reflect very poorly on Ilvara and her new pet. Inexplicably our desires seem to align, so I ask you again, if I give you the means to escape, will you take it? Or do you want to stay here and watch your friends die off one by one?” Jorlan looks to the back of the pen at the distraught Topsy, then gives another cursory glance at the guards. One of them seems to be turning around to head this way. “Time’s ticking…” whispers Jorlan.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
"Do you think we have a chance to steal a key if one of us do a diversion ?"
Currently Playing: Regdus Ironfist (Greyhawk) Lvl 1 Storm Sorcerer ; Goraseth Drerjoxian (Icespeak) Lvl 3 Paladin Oath of Glory; Lerak (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight) Lvl 3 Barbarian Wild Magic
In Pause: Grimnir " Shadow-Feet", Lv 11 Owner of "The Basilisk & the Monk" (OotA) - Kurma Kappa, Lv 8 Priest of Oghma (ToA)
Currently DM'ing: Princes of Apocalypse >> Tomb of Annihilation
Valrish discards the idea of jumping from the bridge to the cobwebs pretty quick. He peeks at the guards from time to time, trying to see something that may be helpful to escape.
Perception check (if needed): 18
PbP Characters
Valrish (Dragonborn // Barbarian 6) - Out of the Abyss - play by post
PbP DMing
SPANISH - Storm King's Thunder
(OOG Forgot to reply on the number of drow when RonanKP asked earlier, but you would all be aware of that having been here so long.)
Derendil complains as he hauls another barrel of water, "This is so unfitting for a prince of my station."
Bupiddo retorts, "If you're an elf prince, then I'm a demon lord! This quaggoth is having delusions of grandeur." Derendil scowls at Buppido.
Sarith sighs, "Please stop fighting, it's making my head hurt even worse than it normally does" The drow rubs his temples.
Bupiddo grunts, then turns to Grimnir and Oorr and whispers, "Did I hear one of you mention a diversion? Doesn't take much to get our elf prince here riled up, if you take my meaning."
Topsy is overcome with worry for her brother as she attempts to focus on the laundry. Stool tries to comfort her, as does Shuushar.
"Do not worry, Child," he says in a warbling speech, "I'm sure he will be just fine if we focus on pleasant thoughts."
Eldeth is worried as well. She recalls what happened the last time someone was left in the pen, and shudders. Her fear passes for a moment as Grimnir walks by where they are doing laundry to collect another barrel of water, and she smiles at him.
"I bet you one gold coin I can stack these rocks higher than you!" Jimjar excitedly shouts at Belwar.
Ront snorts, "You don't have two copper to rub together, much less a gold, idiot."
A cross bow bolt strikes into the ground near Ront. "Less talking, more stacking, orc. Or next time, it won't be your feet I aim at!" shouts Shoor. The group of drow guards laugh heartily.
The brutish orc hangs his head sullenly and moves a little faster.
Oorr to Buppido: " We need to select the proper time to do this. Any ideas ? "
(OOG As you've all had a chance to observe the area, and most of you have been here some time, you should have a general idea of the layout of the place. Here is a map to illustrate it. For reference, the pen where you are kept at night is #11, the lift is #5, the barracks for the drow is #4 and the waterfall is #9)
Oorr thinks Bupiddo is not entirely sane: " Let's find the right time first. No need for a bloodshed. "
Valrish overhears the conversations of the others from time to time, not breaking his silence.
(OOC I'm sorry for not changing the color of the text, I'm on mobile right now.)
PbP Characters
Valrish (Dragonborn // Barbarian 6) - Out of the Abyss - play by post
PbP DMing
SPANISH - Storm King's Thunder
Turning back to the aarakocra; "my thief skills are just above average, this could be risky and if I get caught that could even be deadly...Maybe we should wait to come back with the others and confer about a plan ? I don't want to stay in this place any longer"
Currently Playing: Regdus Ironfist (Greyhawk) Lvl 1 Storm Sorcerer ; Goraseth Drerjoxian (Icespeak) Lvl 3 Paladin Oath of Glory; Lerak (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight) Lvl 3 Barbarian Wild Magic
In Pause: Grimnir " Shadow-Feet", Lv 11 Owner of "The Basilisk & the Monk" (OotA) - Kurma Kappa, Lv 8 Priest of Oghma (ToA)
Currently DM'ing: Princes of Apocalypse >> Tomb of Annihilation
The day labors on as you are put to menial task after menial task, the guards enjoying themselves at your expense. You are struck by the absence of Ilvara, who normally makes rounds throughout the day, inflicting pain at her whim with her flail. At long last, the call rings out to return to the slave pen, and the guards begin corralling you down the rope bridge towards your cave.
As you approach the slave pen, the guards stop you from entering, instead turning you around to face the edge of the walkway as they line you up against the wall. In front of you is Ilvara, scowling down upon you. To her right, gripped by the neck is Turvy. He looks as if he's been tortured. Topsy cries out, "No! Please don't hurt him! Take me instead!" Tears begin to run freely down her cheeks.
The cries of the young deep gnome put a smile on Ilvara's lips. "Last night, food was taken from the main hall. We found it on this one. I don't know how he slipped his bonds and made it back to the pen, but now you will all get to see what happens to those who don't submit to the will of Lloth!" Ilvara turns her gaze upon Turvy. "Any last words, runt?"
Turvy whimpers, but does not say anything intelligible.
"Well then, this will be quick." Ilvara takes a dagger from beneath her cloak. Putting it to Turvy's arm she makes a small cut, drawing the slightest bit of blood. She grips Turvy's shoulder, and then wrenches him backwards, tossing him over the side of the walkway. Turvy screams as he plummets down towards the ground. Topsy rushes forward, pulling on the chains of those around her. Ilvara makes a motion to the guards, and they allow the deep gnome and the other prisoners to look over the side of the cliff.
"He's okay! He landed in the webs," exclaims Topsy, her hope rising, but then, "no, oh no, Turvy, Turvy look out!" Three giant spiders crawl out on to the web. The first one sinks its fangs into the little deep gnome, quieting his screams. The second one spins a string of spider's silk and begins wrapping Turvy up, around and around. When finished, they drag him off, under the walkway and out of sight.
Some of your fellow prisoners watch in horror, others hide their faces. Topsy is overcome with sorrow, burying her face in her hands. Ilvara's smile is as wide as can be. "Now then, I think we all learned an important lesson here, don't you?" She makes yet another motion with her hand, and the guards start roughly grabbing the prisoners and pushing them into the slave pen. The door slams shut, and the loud noise of the lock being set rings out.
Moments later, Eldeth and Shuushar are trying to comfort Topsy at the back of the cell. The others begin making their beds for the night with the little bits of straw and cloth they have available. Even Ront seems to be giving people their space, which is unusual. While this is going on, a single drow walks up to the gate, and motions to get your attention. As he leans in, you notice the scars across his face, and recognize Jorlan, Ilvara's discarded lieutenant.
In a hushed voice, he utters, "If I could give you a means to escape from here, would you take it?"
(OOG my assumption is that the four of you are the ones close enough to hear what Jorlan is offering.)
Oorr to Jorlan: " Why should we trust you? You are one of our captors...(*low squawk*)"
The death of poor Turvy made Grimnir more sure about finding a way out as soon as possible.
The dwarf lift his head up and observe the Jorlan. " Yes, since when the drows feel pity ?"
Currently Playing: Regdus Ironfist (Greyhawk) Lvl 1 Storm Sorcerer ; Goraseth Drerjoxian (Icespeak) Lvl 3 Paladin Oath of Glory; Lerak (The Wild Beyond the Witchlight) Lvl 3 Barbarian Wild Magic
In Pause: Grimnir " Shadow-Feet", Lv 11 Owner of "The Basilisk & the Monk" (OotA) - Kurma Kappa, Lv 8 Priest of Oghma (ToA)
Currently DM'ing: Princes of Apocalypse >> Tomb of Annihilation
Valrish looks at the drow guard. "And what kind of escape would that be?"
PbP Characters
Valrish (Dragonborn // Barbarian 6) - Out of the Abyss - play by post
PbP DMing
SPANISH - Storm King's Thunder
"Do not mistake this for pity, dwarf," Jorlan snaps, then furtively looks around. In a quieter voice he replies, “I care not whether you live or die, but escaped prisoners would reflect very poorly on Ilvara and her new pet. Inexplicably our desires seem to align, so I ask you again, if I give you the means to escape, will you take it? Or do you want to stay here and watch your friends die off one by one?” Jorlan looks to the back of the pen at the distraught Topsy, then gives another cursory glance at the guards. One of them seems to be turning around to head this way. “Time’s ticking…” whispers Jorlan.