This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Silas pushes his thoughts toward Malachi and Ashley one after the other, informing them that he will explain things soon, he then heads upstairs finding one of the rooms that look out over the front of the building he peers through the glass to check if his father's assistant is alone in his travels or if there are possibly others hiding elsewhere, he knows that this task if undertaken by the cult would have been a multiple person job, but if his father was truly the only one asking after him, the assistant was likely alone.
All of this estimation merely mental conjecture as his mind races and he searches the surrounding areas from the safety of the upstairs windows (perception 3)
From his vantage, Silas sees a single riding horse hitched by a small stream not far off. He can make out no signs of other horses or riders hidden over any of the low rises or behind any of the tree patches in the nearby area. He does see the falcon Joren set free flying back to the rear of the inn with something it’s claws.
Responding Ashley, the man out front says, “Oh the journey was fine. Northern weather was surprisingly lovely for this time of the year. In fact, with it being so late, and me having come so far from Burrwatch, I may just choose to camp out over by the stream.” Again Ashley feels he is watching her for a reaction.
Malachi nods in assent “As you wish. I will find something suitable in the kitchen. One moment please” He heads back to the kitchen, noticing that both Joren and Silas had disappeared from the main room, and wraps some cheese and dried meat in a cloth. Wanting to preserve their water, he selects a small bottle of cider to go with the meal.
He feels the goliath’s thoughts enter his mind, promising to explain more later. He is not overly bothered by the intrusion, he has long heard voices in his head, some by design and some by accident. But he is worried about what Silas is not telling them. Are they putting themselves in danger by protecting him?
“Here you go, some meat and cheese. No goat’s milk I am afraid, but a bottle of cider to wash it down.” He pauses and looks at Ashley “Perhaps we can offer this fine man a discount on the meal, for his troubles. He has traveled far. Does 5 silver pieces sound reasonable?”
While Silas pummels Ashley's brain with thoughts she tries her best not to show any emotion about it on her face. I really must talk to him about this, it is not necessary and really obtrusive! but she keeps the smile on her face as she listens to the man.
"I'm so glad to hear that! Traveling in good weather can sure lift the spirits! And please, I hope you enjoy the stream, I really do apologize for turning you away. If my mother, rest her soul, knew that I had this place in such a wreck and then welcome someone in? Why, she'd be turning in her grave!
"Ah yes, thank you dear." she addresses Malachi as he hands the package to the traveler, "I do hope you enjoy the cider, and the stream where you are going is where we get our water, so now you'll have both! Oh, and yes I was thinking the same thing, sir, would a discount to 5 silver sound good to you as well?"
The man looks from Ashley to Malachi and back again before smiling and responding, "Sure, that sounds reasonable." He starts to reach into his coat pocket for something.
His hand comes back out of his coat with a coinpurse. He pulls out 5 silver and hands them over, drawing the string tight once more. "Thank you again for the food and drink," he says before turning to walk away in the direction of a hill by the stream.
(Is Joren going to walk/run down the tunnel to get to the cave-in which would take 30-45 minutes, or will he stay nearby?)
Silas waits at the window, using the unlit room to mask his intent observation as he watched the man walk away, once the assistant is out of sight, Silas waits a minute or two more before returning downstairs to Ashley and Malachi (and Samir? Or is he in the tunnel?) The now Firbolg gives a heavy regretful sigh.
As Ashley shuts the door, she breathes a sigh of relief. Then takes a moment to settle her nerves, this was becoming a pasttime she really didn't want to continue.
When Silas comes down the stairs, she at first doesn't understand how a firbolg joined them, then realization dawns. She immediately pounces on him (not physically). "Ok, first, stop and I mean stop sending messages to my brain unless imminent danger is happening. Secondly, who the hell was that and do we have an issue here? Can we all head to the basement to help the others or is this something that needs to be babysat? Honestly, I'd love to understand more of you, but right now, just the facts that we need to know because whatever is coming through the tunnel is something that needs to be dealt with."
Silas lifts his hands in faux surrender as he is figuratively pounced upon, "sorry I didn't want to speak up with him listening, he shouldn't be a problem unless he sees me, he won't leave without concrete evidence that I'm here, because if he is mistaken, he'll likely be punished for it. but we shouldn't treat him as 'not a threat', he'll likely poke around a bit at night, I should stay out of sight, I owe you guys an explanation and I'm sorry, for now though I think I should head into the tunnels and help out there... And I'd like to understand you too" he smiles with the last remark, meaning no offense, he deflates slightly at the now more relaxed situation.
Samir watches the scene at the door, listening and observing. As Ashley shuts the door, he begins gathering his things with a shake of his head, muttering quietly to himself. When Silas rejoins them - because who else could it be? - Samir glances at Ashley and then the firbolg before quietly announcing his intent to join the others below and heading towards the cellar without waiting.
Some of the freed prisoners approach Ashley and one says to her, "Want we should make sure no one else comes in?"
Down in the cellar, Marion and Joren are getting more information about the situation from a bulky halfling ex-prisoner when they are joined by Samir. "... So the sound of digging has been going on for half an hour now, and there were muffled voices on the other side. Definitely more than one person, though I don't think they are expecting resistance since they aren't exactly being quiet."
"Oh! That would be wonderful, thank you. And if you can find a closed sign, it would be good to put that up as well." Once she feels that is well and taken care of, she joins the rest and heads to the tunnel to join the rest.
"should someone stay here with them? I know first hand they can defend themselves, but most are still injured, actually I'm in need of some medical attention too right now... I should see Marion, if she's willing to talk to me" Silas processes his thoughts out loud and directed generally toward Ashley as she makes a move to leave.
Rana comes round and says, "We should be able to hold down the fort here for a while. We may be recovering, but we are strong, and Marion seems to have helped a lot of these people escape from their minds, at least somewhat." Ashley, Silas, and Malachi have noticed that there is a lot more movement and talking now amongst those who had been freed. A few still seem in total shock, but the atmosphere is drastically different from hours before. Several others step up behind Rana, determination in their eyes.
"If any of you wanted to stay back of course, you could. Might be good to have someone who can be a face for the place if need be. Or if we could find a spare set of clothes, I could cover up my arms and legs better and do the job myself."
(Does Silas mention the bird returning either while on the main floor or after joining the others?)
(I mistook what was written at the time) Silas remembers and quickly blurts out that the falcon returned with clutching something. "Maybe we could solve two problems at once," Silas hands over his cloak to Rana, "I can't be the face of the bar, for reasons... But if you take this you can cover those arms, yeah? I don't really get cold anyway, but if you could get whatever that falcon has come back with, that might help us sort out whatever is going on here", he points Rana to where the falcon landed and sends her out.
Marion stares down the passageway that leads to the laboratory and cave in while listening intently to the report from the Halfling man, her brow furrowed in a serious expression as her hand idly grips her sheathed sword, almost as if she expects to see someone appear at any moment. After considering the implications of it all quietly, she looks back towards the others, and upon seeing that Samir has joined them is noticeably pleased to see him.
"It seems that whoever we are dealing with approaches with much haste. We are ill prepared to leave this place in a hurry and so I feel we have but two choices: to meet them head on, which likely means preparing ourselves for combat; or to bar the way and prevent their entry, should such a thing even be possible."Looking to Samir in particular, but also leaving her question open to the Halfling, she continues: "I have little knowledge of mines and tunnels, do you have an idea of how much time we likely have? What are your thoughts on the situation my friends?"
Rana nods her head and takes the cloak. Looking out the window first, she remarks, "That man is still out there, up on the hill. Watching us I think." She gathers her courage, leaving quickly out the front door. Silas can hear her footsteps going around the side of the building. A minute later she comes back in through the door, cloak clutched tightly around her, looking unsettled. Once she is certain the door is closed behind her and she is out of sight of the windows, she says "... I'm not sure what to make of this."
She opens up Silas's cloak, and reveals the large cage she had been holding under it. The door is still open, and inside is the falcon, feasting on its fresh kill. A small rat is clutched in its talons, top half already eaten. In the bottom of its cage is another one. It is still whole, save for a missing ear that has not yet scarred over.
Silas makes sure the falcon has no means of escape from the cage before shutting the door, the last thing they all need right now is an anxious bird of prey flitting around the room with no means of egress.
"I think maybe the rats under the dead guys control are now running wild, which means this one will be feasting for a while, hopefully.." Silas nods to the bird in the cage, "maybe it's best to keep it outside and let it out periodically to hunt, you know first hand that it's no good being kept in cages..."
Pausing for a moment, Silas makes a mental note to mention this to the others, he then continues speaking to Rana "before I go I should tell you, if that man out there tries to gain entrance here it won't be for good reason, treat him as hostile, he has no concern for others, and he's hunting.." with the warning in place Silas makes a move to join the others down in the tunnels.
Silas pushes his thoughts toward Malachi and Ashley one after the other, informing them that he will explain things soon, he then heads upstairs finding one of the rooms that look out over the front of the building he peers through the glass to check if his father's assistant is alone in his travels or if there are possibly others hiding elsewhere, he knows that this task if undertaken by the cult would have been a multiple person job, but if his father was truly the only one asking after him, the assistant was likely alone.
All of this estimation merely mental conjecture as his mind races and he searches the surrounding areas from the safety of the upstairs windows (perception 3)
From his vantage, Silas sees a single riding horse hitched by a small stream not far off. He can make out no signs of other horses or riders hidden over any of the low rises or behind any of the tree patches in the nearby area. He does see the falcon Joren set free flying back to the rear of the inn with something it’s claws.
Responding Ashley, the man out front says, “Oh the journey was fine. Northern weather was surprisingly lovely for this time of the year. In fact, with it being so late, and me having come so far from Burrwatch, I may just choose to camp out over by the stream.” Again Ashley feels he is watching her for a reaction.
Malachi nods in assent “As you wish. I will find something suitable in the kitchen. One moment please” He heads back to the kitchen, noticing that both Joren and Silas had disappeared from the main room, and wraps some cheese and dried meat in a cloth. Wanting to preserve their water, he selects a small bottle of cider to go with the meal.
He feels the goliath’s thoughts enter his mind, promising to explain more later. He is not overly bothered by the intrusion, he has long heard voices in his head, some by design and some by accident. But he is worried about what Silas is not telling them. Are they putting themselves in danger by protecting him?
“Here you go, some meat and cheese. No goat’s milk I am afraid, but a bottle of cider to wash it down.” He pauses and looks at Ashley “Perhaps we can offer this fine man a discount on the meal, for his troubles. He has traveled far. Does 5 silver pieces sound reasonable?”
While Silas pummels Ashley's brain with thoughts she tries her best not to show any emotion about it on her face. I really must talk to him about this, it is not necessary and really obtrusive! but she keeps the smile on her face as she listens to the man.
"I'm so glad to hear that! Traveling in good weather can sure lift the spirits! And please, I hope you enjoy the stream, I really do apologize for turning you away. If my mother, rest her soul, knew that I had this place in such a wreck and then welcome someone in? Why, she'd be turning in her grave!
"Ah yes, thank you dear." she addresses Malachi as he hands the package to the traveler, "I do hope you enjoy the cider, and the stream where you are going is where we get our water, so now you'll have both! Oh, and yes I was thinking the same thing, sir, would a discount to 5 silver sound good to you as well?"
The man looks from Ashley to Malachi and back again before smiling and responding, "Sure, that sounds reasonable." He starts to reach into his coat pocket for something.
Ashley expects he is reaching for his silver and does not react, waits patiently. Though does watch for anything that doesn't seem right.
His hand comes back out of his coat with a coinpurse. He pulls out 5 silver and hands them over, drawing the string tight once more. "Thank you again for the food and drink," he says before turning to walk away in the direction of a hill by the stream.
(Is Joren going to walk/run down the tunnel to get to the cave-in which would take 30-45 minutes, or will he stay nearby?)
Silas waits at the window, using the unlit room to mask his intent observation as he watched the man walk away, once the assistant is out of sight, Silas waits a minute or two more before returning downstairs to Ashley and Malachi (and Samir? Or is he in the tunnel?) The now Firbolg gives a heavy regretful sigh.
As Ashley shuts the door, she breathes a sigh of relief. Then takes a moment to settle her nerves, this was becoming a pasttime she really didn't want to continue.
When Silas comes down the stairs, she at first doesn't understand how a firbolg joined them, then realization dawns. She immediately pounces on him (not physically). "Ok, first, stop and I mean stop sending messages to my brain unless imminent danger is happening. Secondly, who the hell was that and do we have an issue here? Can we all head to the basement to help the others or is this something that needs to be babysat? Honestly, I'd love to understand more of you, but right now, just the facts that we need to know because whatever is coming through the tunnel is something that needs to be dealt with."
Silas lifts his hands in faux surrender as he is figuratively pounced upon, "sorry I didn't want to speak up with him listening, he shouldn't be a problem unless he sees me, he won't leave without concrete evidence that I'm here, because if he is mistaken, he'll likely be punished for it. but we shouldn't treat him as 'not a threat', he'll likely poke around a bit at night, I should stay out of sight, I owe you guys an explanation and I'm sorry, for now though I think I should head into the tunnels and help out there... And I'd like to understand you too" he smiles with the last remark, meaning no offense, he deflates slightly at the now more relaxed situation.
Samir watches the scene at the door, listening and observing. As Ashley shuts the door, he begins gathering his things with a shake of his head, muttering quietly to himself. When Silas rejoins them - because who else could it be? - Samir glances at Ashley and then the firbolg before quietly announcing his intent to join the others below and heading towards the cellar without waiting.
Some of the freed prisoners approach Ashley and one says to her, "Want we should make sure no one else comes in?"
Down in the cellar, Marion and Joren are getting more information about the situation from a bulky halfling ex-prisoner when they are joined by Samir. "... So the sound of digging has been going on for half an hour now, and there were muffled voices on the other side. Definitely more than one person, though I don't think they are expecting resistance since they aren't exactly being quiet."
"Oh! That would be wonderful, thank you. And if you can find a closed sign, it would be good to put that up as well." Once she feels that is well and taken care of, she joins the rest and heads to the tunnel to join the rest.
"should someone stay here with them? I know first hand they can defend themselves, but most are still injured, actually I'm in need of some medical attention too right now... I should see Marion, if she's willing to talk to me" Silas processes his thoughts out loud and directed generally toward Ashley as she makes a move to leave.
Rana comes round and says, "We should be able to hold down the fort here for a while. We may be recovering, but we are strong, and Marion seems to have helped a lot of these people escape from their minds, at least somewhat." Ashley, Silas, and Malachi have noticed that there is a lot more movement and talking now amongst those who had been freed. A few still seem in total shock, but the atmosphere is drastically different from hours before. Several others step up behind Rana, determination in their eyes.
"If any of you wanted to stay back of course, you could. Might be good to have someone who can be a face for the place if need be. Or if we could find a spare set of clothes, I could cover up my arms and legs better and do the job myself."
(Does Silas mention the bird returning either while on the main floor or after joining the others?)
(I mistook what was written at the time) Silas remembers and quickly blurts out that the falcon returned with clutching something. "Maybe we could solve two problems at once," Silas hands over his cloak to Rana, "I can't be the face of the bar, for reasons... But if you take this you can cover those arms, yeah? I don't really get cold anyway, but if you could get whatever that falcon has come back with, that might help us sort out whatever is going on here", he points Rana to where the falcon landed and sends her out.
Marion stares down the passageway that leads to the laboratory and cave in while listening intently to the report from the Halfling man, her brow furrowed in a serious expression as her hand idly grips her sheathed sword, almost as if she expects to see someone appear at any moment. After considering the implications of it all quietly, she looks back towards the others, and upon seeing that Samir has joined them is noticeably pleased to see him.
"It seems that whoever we are dealing with approaches with much haste. We are ill prepared to leave this place in a hurry and so I feel we have but two choices: to meet them head on, which likely means preparing ourselves for combat; or to bar the way and prevent their entry, should such a thing even be possible." Looking to Samir in particular, but also leaving her question open to the Halfling, she continues: "I have little knowledge of mines and tunnels, do you have an idea of how much time we likely have? What are your thoughts on the situation my friends?"
Rana nods her head and takes the cloak. Looking out the window first, she remarks, "That man is still out there, up on the hill. Watching us I think." She gathers her courage, leaving quickly out the front door. Silas can hear her footsteps going around the side of the building. A minute later she comes back in through the door, cloak clutched tightly around her, looking unsettled. Once she is certain the door is closed behind her and she is out of sight of the windows, she says "... I'm not sure what to make of this."
She opens up Silas's cloak, and reveals the large cage she had been holding under it. The door is still open, and inside is the falcon, feasting on its fresh kill. A small rat is clutched in its talons, top half already eaten. In the bottom of its cage is another one. It is still whole, save for a missing ear that has not yet scarred over.
Silas makes sure the falcon has no means of escape from the cage before shutting the door, the last thing they all need right now is an anxious bird of prey flitting around the room with no means of egress.
"I think maybe the rats under the dead guys control are now running wild, which means this one will be feasting for a while, hopefully.." Silas nods to the bird in the cage, "maybe it's best to keep it outside and let it out periodically to hunt, you know first hand that it's no good being kept in cages..."
Pausing for a moment, Silas makes a mental note to mention this to the others, he then continues speaking to Rana "before I go I should tell you, if that man out there tries to gain entrance here it won't be for good reason, treat him as hostile, he has no concern for others, and he's hunting.." with the warning in place Silas makes a move to join the others down in the tunnels.