Chlorys chortles upon hearing Von's answer, but as the Orc preferred violence and pain, Chlorys wholeheartedly differed, she turns her attentions to Bruil, "If you really think I'm Miss Blythe then you know for a fact that I would never do another's dirty work," She said plainly "And I welcome this so called political disaster of which you speak." Chlorys inhales, "I would rather take my chances here." She shrugged her shoulders, brushing his hand aside. "Keep your ring," with that she turned to Von "It seems we are parting ways my friend, I did so enjoy your company." If Bruil really did contact her father, well, she would deal with that when the time came, or if he did indeed throw her into a trial, well she had a plan for that too. 

(Guess I should make plans to storm the Bastille... also, major appologies that we are currently so far off the rails and probably going to have a three-way split-party at this rate)

I suppose I'll take a Long Rest in the alley pretending to be a beggar, then sneak off to the cemetery again when the sun goes down to get more skeleton minions if I can't re-connect with Von before then. Speaking of pretending to be a beggar, can I collect some coins by, you know, begging?

“Well, Miss Blythe, you are certainly welcome to your choice. Of course, now that you’ve been made aware of this sensitive mission, I can’t exactly let you go. I’m afraid that, if this is the path you choose, Miss Blythe is for all intents and purposes dead. Slaughtered by bandits or wild animals on her way to Melvaunt, perhaps. If this is the path you choose, you no longer have a name, only a serial number. If this is the path you choose, you will never have a choice again.”

I hate to use such a cheap adverb, but at this Halmuth Bruil smiles in a such way that can only be described as ‘evilly.’ 

“But, of course, your choice is your choice.” After allowing Von to collect a ring, Bruil slowly begins to retract his hand, still holding out the last remaining ring. In just a few seconds, his hand will be through the bars.

Meanwhile, Camus is off having a grand old time with the beggars of Melvaunt. It’s not particularly profitable work, but he manages to obtain two coppers and what looks to be half a tooth in the time spent waiting.

(Also, regarding the rails: I don’t have any! I am almost entirely an improv-based DM, so the rails are as much created by the players as they are by me. I just make hooks and see what catches.)

I sigh as I hold the half-tooth. Maybe I'll be able to use it as a spell component someday. But as the sun is going down, I realize that the ladies need my help.

During my Long Rest in the alley, I un-prep Ray of Sickness and replace it with Dragon's Breath. After some careful consideration, I also use Cantrip Formulas to replace Ray of Frost with Shocking Grasp for an emergency melee option. From there, I will stop by one of the shops right before it closes for the material components of Find Familiar (costs 10 gold), then I'll go to the cemetery again under cover of darkness to find another "volunteer" or two for the slowly-growing skeleton squad. Since it was early-morning when I raised the first two, I should have an extra four to six hours before they go feral.

(If I do see Von checking out of jail, I'll try to get her attention, gather some info... and then continue my plans to save that damn elf who is too stubborn to put a damn ring on).

(You're definitely way ahead of the others at this point in the timeline, the exchange with Bruil is happening at about the same time that you finished up your disguise, perhaps a bit before.)

(Oops... I just kind of assumed it would take most of the day for one or both of them to emerge and Camus doesn't have much to do besides plan a rescue mission...)

Actually, I will expedite the Find Familiar part of the plan so I can scout a little bit inside the jail. And, with a bit of luck, maybe meet Von when she leaves to do her thing.

Von slide the ring on her least-useful finger. “Seems our chances are better out there than in here. I’ll risk possible death on the trail instead of in your gallows. Lady Chlorys, I know this situation looks bleak, but for your own safety I would encourage you to do the same. Perhaps in hiring a local friend for protection our chances of survival will be doubled. Now if you don’t mind me, I’m going to go swear in the corner.” 

Von proceeds to give a salty discourse in Orcish etiquette to a wall, while casting sending to Camus. “🤬 Getting out of 🤬 jail by making 🤬 deal with some 🤬officer. Can’t 🤬 wait to walk out of this 🤬 place. 🤬 🤬“

Camus immediately goes stiff as he hears the strange message in his mind. He somehow recognizes it as Von... and he responds as per Sending's rules.

"Meet in the alley by jail... I am disguised as the one-eyed leper beggar."

Camus sits down down and waits, not wanting Von and Chlorys to come to the alley and find him not there.

If I may, as Buril withdraws his other hand I cast command on him at first level.

“Drop!” Von declares, motioning towards the Ring of Sympathy.

She then tried to cover it up by saying, “-your sanctimony before you get yourself killed, Miss Blythe.” Hopefully the distraction will buy Chlorys enough time to either make the choice or fool the keymaster with some illusory magic. 

(Bruil hasn't fully retracted his hand yet, I'm just waiting on Chlorys to make her choice on whether to fully refuse or take the ring.)

Taking the chance while Von screams obscenities at the cells wall as a distraction, Chlorys snatches the ring out of Bruil's rough, calloused hands, an idea having formed in her mind. Knowing they hadn't fully checked her person upon their arrival to the jail, she had one trick left up her sleeve, literally. A small pouch sewn just at the hem of her shirt sleeve, her own ring hidden within it. It was the last piece of her family that she still held; it was gold, the her family's crest on the front, Chlorys had used this to seal her letters when....... if she ever sent one home. She could hide this ring there until she could get a better look at it. (With the cantrip presidigitation) she uses her own ring to make a look alike of Bruil's so called ring.  She hoped, with the dim lighting and a little, what she called a party trick this would work. She quickly tucked his into the small slit in her left hand sleeve shoved the fake ring onto her finger and pretended to wince in pain. 27 

(I rolled for slight of hand)

(Sure, I'll buy that. Also, you did actually remind me of a mechanic that I try to introduce into most of my games! I like to let everyone have one "point" that they can spend on changing the narrative in some way, to reflect planning their character has done, such as Chlorys' hidden ring, or to just reflect something feasible, but convenient happening, like a friendly NPC entering or finding a certain item in the area. Cool character moments/roleplay, or the start of a new adventure, will replenish this point. If everyone likes this rule, you all have a "narrative point" now, save for Chlorys who just used hers.)

Bruil nods. "I'm glad you can see sense." He pulls a ring of keys from his belt, and sticks one into the cell door. It turns, and the door creaks open. "I'll arrange for your items to be returned to you. The caravan leaves from the front gate this morning. You're in charge of guarding the second wagon. In order to ensure your cooperation, I'll arrange to have you paid appropriately once the job is completed." Without any further words, he gestures in the direction of the prison's entrance, then walks in the opposite way.

“We’re meeting Cam in the alley. No doubt we have some things to discus before heading out.” I whisper to Chlorys once we’re out of earshot. Upon arrival Von makes a loud show of hiring the disguised Camus, in case anyone is watching. “You there, street dweller! What say you join our caravan as a hireling? We could use someone with your skill; nothing wards off bandits like the threat of leprosy!”

"Glad someone appreciates my... erm... talents!" Camus replies, feigning surprise, then proceeds in a whisper. "But it sounds like this is something we should discuss when we're away from prying eyes and ears."

“Indeed,” Replies Von. “Guide us in your knowledge of Melvaunt’s disgusting underbelly and lead somewhere we will not be bothered.”

Camus pauses for a moment... not really sure what the best option is since he's (obviously) not really a native of these streets. He considers for a few moments... then comes to a decision.

"Let's stop by the old cemetery," Camus says in a whisper. "I doubt there's going to be much company, and we'll only need a few minutes."

As they exit the jail, Chlorys wraps her body up within her cloak, warming herself up from the experience, but also concealing her hand. She did not want anyone from the jail to see whether or not she was wearing the ring she was supposed to be. Following Von into a side alley, they run into Camus, although disguised. She is genuinely relieved to see him and her bag. "So... what shall we do now?" She asks. 

"You'll see in a moment," Camus replies.

As soon as we are at the old cemetery, far enough from prying eyes that no one will bother us, Camus explains what happened while the ladies were in jail.

"Chlorys, I'll give you your bag back in a few moments... but... well, let's just say I have some friends in there. I'm not sure how comfortable you are with keeping them for me, so I wanted to check if Von would like to put them in her bag before handing yours back to you. Speaking of my friends, I may or may not have raised them to help me beat 100 gold out of Amadeus for each of us."

The lich then turns his attention to Von.

"So... what kind of deal did you two make with the jailer?"