"Way to go, Master Akkron!" Khessa smiles, disarming and tieing up the only survivor "We'll probably need a bit of... charm," she winks "to interrogate this one, since he seemed to prefer death to capture, but at least we'll be able to try!"
Once the prisoner is secured, the blonde arcane warrior tries to find the usual evil shard inserted... There is it?
You are surprised to find there are no shards embedded in the prisoner. They are doing this willingly.
Just going to roll an Arcana check to figure out how much I can metagame regarding the Ashen Riders...
Arcana (rolled twice, in case the check is either at advantage or disadvantage): 24, 28
As you are not from Eosia, Brother Maynard can fill in the gaps. The Ashen Riders are desert nomads, raiders, who trace their lineage back to the ancient Vigridians as allies. (Think of a combination of Mongol mixed with Malemuke). They roam the Dead Land Wastes, raiders of caravans and as slavers. They trade their booty and slaves with the Nyissians at their main city of Sthiss Torr. There is a rumor they do have a permanent town within the ruins of a great city on the bay of brigands in the southern part of the Dead Lands where they trade with pirates and other slavers. It's exact location is not known, or details on the town is not known, for it is a guarded secret.
Mal chuckles at the ease at which his companions took out the groups. "While you all interrogate this idiot, I will do a search of all the bodies and see what I can find. Khessa, I will leave the one at the alter for you to search as if there is anything arcane or divine about it, you would have a much better eye for it than I would." Then Mal will turn to Tye, "Care to accompany me during the search and leave the magicy stuff to those two, then we can also take a look at the pile of bones we saw earlier as well and make sure nothing is amiss?"
12 desert horses, greyish in color (Medium War Horses); 12 grey scimitars that appear to have unique properties to them that causes additional injury to a foe (2d12 necrotic); 12 recurved ashen bows and hardcase quivers on the military saddles; 12 sets of ashen plate armor; camp supplies, horse supplies, 12 daggers +2, 1200gp, 2400sp, and a small box of gems 100 (10).
When he grabs hold of the last rider with hold monster, Akkron releases his concentration on summon undead. The ghostly girl fades away, and the lich tucks away the gilded skull in his bag.
Then he turns his full attention on the rider as Khessa binds it.
"I think it is only fair to tell you that I do not have a very high opinion of slavers," he tells the being. "And I think that Khessa has an even lower opinion on that profession than I do."
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"So these good people not only perform horrible rituals as evidence of which remain the bones of sacrificial victims... and not only are they helping an evil god in his plans to unleash the apocalypse..." Khessa's gaze deepens gloomy "But are they also slavers?! Well, maybe this will make things easier..." and she turns to the prisoner "Being a ruthless and completely unscrupulous person, you will certainly have no difficulty in believing that we too will be the same with you. And you know how unpleasant it can be to find yourself in the hands of people who have no mercy. Especially if those people can use magic to understand if you are lying".
"Given this," the tall adventuress goes on "if you spontaneously want to collaborate with us, start telling us what are you doing for Azash and what exactly is this place for. If you don't... Well, then I will torture you until you reveal everything anyway, but at the cost of progressively getting rid of more and more parts of your body. And no, obviously I won't kill you, since you will have to talk... But, believe me, once you have lost the ability to walk, to grasp objects, to enjoy the sight, to be able to procreate or have fun, to chew... and once your existence will be reduced to an endless night where even just breathing will bring you pain... then, even if you are not dead, what I will leave you, you will not call it 'life'".
"OK, I'm listening" the blonde arcane warrior tells, sitting and waiting for the prisoner to start talking.
Upon hearing that these people were slavers, Mal's expression turns cold and her eyes lose any semblance of compassion. She steadily moves toward the prisoner a dagger gripped tightly in her hand and only pauses from striking only pausing upon hearing Khessa's words but continues to stare at the prisoner, waiting on word from Khessa to strike.
"Judging by my companions' reactions, it seems that the only mercy you might still receive is a swift death,"Lord Akkron says coldly. "And that is far more than a bastard like you deserves. But you have already heard what Khessa will do to you if you refuse to cooperate... and if you prove especially recalcitrant I may be able to come up with something even worse than that. Tell me, can you imagine how it would feel to spend a thousand years buried alive, where no one can hear your screams of terror and pleas for mercy? Forever suffocating, yet unable to die? And that's just the first idea that I came up with..."
Intimidation: 19 + 2 (Knowledge from a Past Life) = 21
When he grabs hold of the last rider with hold monster, Akkron releases his concentration on summon undead. The ghostly girl fades away, and the lich tucks away the gilded skull in his bag.
Then he turns his full attention on the rider as Khessa binds it.
"I think it is only fair to tell you that I do not have a very high opinion of slavers," he tells the being. "And I think that Khessa has an even lower opinion on that profession than I do."
The prisoner stares at you with hatred in his eyes but says nothing.
"Judging by my companions' reactions, it seems that the only mercy you might still receive is a swift death,"Lord Akkron says coldly. "And that is far more than a bastard like you deserves. But you have already heard what Khessa will do to you if you refuse to cooperate... and if you prove especially recalcitrant I may be able to come up with something even worse than that. Tell me, can you imagine how it would feel to spend a thousand years buried alive, where no one can hear your screams of terror and pleas for mercy? Forever suffocating, yet unable to die? And that's just the first idea that I came up with..."
Intimidation: 19 + 2 (Knowledge from a Past Life) = 21
There is no reaction from the prisoner, a stoic acceptance in his fate. It also may be he does not understand what you are saying.
Taken by the doubt that the 'poor' Ashen Rider is not able to understand the Common tongue, Khessa consults with Sparhawk: "The prisoner does not seem to have taken too seriously what we have threatened to do to him if he does not cooperate... In your opinion, doesn't he speak our language... or has he decided to take the risk to find out whether we're serious or not? Do you happen to know if the Ashe Riders speak their own language, different from ours?"
Taken by the doubt that the 'poor' Ashen Rider is not able to understand the Common tongue, Khessa consults with Sparhawk: "The prisoner does not seem to have taken too seriously what we have threatened to do to him if he does not cooperate... In your opinion, doesn't he speak our language... or has he decided to take the risk to find out whether we're serious or not? Do you happen to know if the Ashe Riders speak their own language, different from ours?"
Sparhawk looks to Brother Maynard for confirmation. "I believe they do not, Brother Maynard?"
Brother Maynard pulls a small book from a pocket in his monk clothes, flips through some pages and runs his fingers down a few pages before nods. "Akkadian, or a similar form of the dead language that is spoken in the desert by the nomads. No one knows it well as like the Ashen Riders themselves, a closely guarded secret they keep to themselves."
"Something similar to Druidic then... a secret language that only members of a small group know. Damn it!" Khessa is clearly displeased "I know a ritual by which I could easily understand any language... including this one... but not speak it - so I can't ask them questions. These are the occasions when a little telepathy would be useful ..."
"But," the blonde arcane warrior reasons "there had to be some of them capable of communicating in Common tongue, or they would not have been able to communicate with the other followers of Azash, like the professor. Either some of them did know Common tongue... or they had other means to communicate with their non-Ashen Raiders allies".
"If they really cannot speak the common tongue, then they have all been raised in this cult since birth, and it's unlikely they are the first generation." Tyekanik adds, "This has been building for a long while."
"Any reason then to keep this one alive?" Mal states as the grip on her dagger tightens. "As it appears we will not be able to learn anything useful while it is alive."
Sparhawk closes his eyes for a moment, then let's out a sigh. "There can't be any divine intervention, that would be cheating as I was told, so that route is out."
“In fact,” Khessa admits, albeit reluctantly “if we can't ask him questions, the prisoner is of no use to us. Perhaps it is right that he receives just punishment for the innocent people he sacrificed in this place - and we will have to content ourselves with trying to make this place useless to the forces of evil".
"We could," Akkron replies contemplatively. "But if we use the spell tongues, he might still be of use to us. Unfortunately, that is actually one of the spells that is not in my book, so we would likely need to purchase the scroll somewhere. I think we should leave it up to Brother Maynard and Sir Sparhawk whether or not it's even worth it."
The two shake their heads. "We're here to take out this threat, perhaps we will find someone who can speak to us inside their hide out," Sparhawk remarks. "I don't think we have the time to find a way to magically or otherwise converse with this one."
"Someone of their group must speak the common tongue,"Tyekanik says in response to Sparhawk, "Let's go see who we can find." He then ties the captives up tightly to a tree, ready to find someone to help make them talk.
[[ OOC: Oh, sorry, I did not realize there was an 'inside' - I thought we had explored all... If there are unexplored paths/parts left, yes, this makes sense ]]
"Ok, while this one keeps company to the tree, we can continue exploring" Khessa agrees. "Same tactic as before? With Mal and Tyekanik scouting ahead, Anator keeping an eye on them and we noisy people waiting?"
You are surprised to find there are no shards embedded in the prisoner. They are doing this willingly.
As you are not from Eosia, Brother Maynard can fill in the gaps. The Ashen Riders are desert nomads, raiders, who trace their lineage back to the ancient Vigridians as allies. (Think of a combination of Mongol mixed with Malemuke). They roam the Dead Land Wastes, raiders of caravans and as slavers. They trade their booty and slaves with the Nyissians at their main city of Sthiss Torr. There is a rumor they do have a permanent town within the ruins of a great city on the bay of brigands in the southern part of the Dead Lands where they trade with pirates and other slavers. It's exact location is not known, or details on the town is not known, for it is a guarded secret.
12 desert horses, greyish in color (Medium War Horses); 12 grey scimitars that appear to have unique properties to them that causes additional injury to a foe (2d12 necrotic); 12 recurved ashen bows and hardcase quivers on the military saddles; 12 sets of ashen plate armor; camp supplies, horse supplies, 12 daggers +2, 1200gp, 2400sp, and a small box of gems 100 (10).
When he grabs hold of the last rider with hold monster, Akkron releases his concentration on summon undead. The ghostly girl fades away, and the lich tucks away the gilded skull in his bag.
Then he turns his full attention on the rider as Khessa binds it.
"I think it is only fair to tell you that I do not have a very high opinion of slavers," he tells the being. "And I think that Khessa has an even lower opinion on that profession than I do."
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"So these good people not only perform horrible rituals as evidence of which remain the bones of sacrificial victims... and not only are they helping an evil god in his plans to unleash the apocalypse..." Khessa's gaze deepens gloomy "But are they also slavers?! Well, maybe this will make things easier..." and she turns to the prisoner "Being a ruthless and completely unscrupulous person, you will certainly have no difficulty in believing that we too will be the same with you. And you know how unpleasant it can be to find yourself in the hands of people who have no mercy. Especially if those people can use magic to understand if you are lying".
"Given this," the tall adventuress goes on "if you spontaneously want to collaborate with us, start telling us what are you doing for Azash and what exactly is this place for. If you don't... Well, then I will torture you until you reveal everything anyway, but at the cost of progressively getting rid of more and more parts of your body. And no, obviously I won't kill you, since you will have to talk... But, believe me, once you have lost the ability to walk, to grasp objects, to enjoy the sight, to be able to procreate or have fun, to chew... and once your existence will be reduced to an endless night where even just breathing will bring you pain... then, even if you are not dead, what I will leave you, you will not call it 'life'".
"OK, I'm listening" the blonde arcane warrior tells, sitting and waiting for the prisoner to start talking.
Upon hearing that these people were slavers, Mal's expression turns cold and her eyes lose any semblance of compassion. She steadily moves toward the prisoner a dagger gripped tightly in her hand and only pauses from striking only pausing upon hearing Khessa's words but continues to stare at the prisoner, waiting on word from Khessa to strike.
Intimidation: 8 (sigh, lol)
"Judging by my companions' reactions, it seems that the only mercy you might still receive is a swift death," Lord Akkron says coldly. "And that is far more than a bastard like you deserves. But you have already heard what Khessa will do to you if you refuse to cooperate... and if you prove especially recalcitrant I may be able to come up with something even worse than that. Tell me, can you imagine how it would feel to spend a thousand years buried alive, where no one can hear your screams of terror and pleas for mercy? Forever suffocating, yet unable to die? And that's just the first idea that I came up with..."
Intimidation: 19 + 2 (Knowledge from a Past Life) = 21
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The prisoner stares at you with hatred in his eyes but says nothing.
There is no reaction from the prisoner, a stoic acceptance in his fate. It also may be he does not understand what you are saying.
Taken by the doubt that the 'poor' Ashen Rider is not able to understand the Common tongue, Khessa consults with Sparhawk: "The prisoner does not seem to have taken too seriously what we have threatened to do to him if he does not cooperate... In your opinion, doesn't he speak our language... or has he decided to take the risk to find out whether we're serious or not? Do you happen to know if the Ashe Riders speak their own language, different from ours?"
Sparhawk looks to Brother Maynard for confirmation. "I believe they do not, Brother Maynard?"
Brother Maynard pulls a small book from a pocket in his monk clothes, flips through some pages and runs his fingers down a few pages before nods. "Akkadian, or a similar form of the dead language that is spoken in the desert by the nomads. No one knows it well as like the Ashen Riders themselves, a closely guarded secret they keep to themselves."
"Something similar to Druidic then... a secret language that only members of a small group know. Damn it!" Khessa is clearly displeased "I know a ritual by which I could easily understand any language... including this one... but not speak it - so I can't ask them questions. These are the occasions when a little telepathy would be useful ..."
"But," the blonde arcane warrior reasons "there had to be some of them capable of communicating in Common tongue, or they would not have been able to communicate with the other followers of Azash, like the professor. Either some of them did know Common tongue... or they had other means to communicate with their non-Ashen Raiders allies".
"If they really cannot speak the common tongue, then they have all been raised in this cult since birth, and it's unlikely they are the first generation." Tyekanik adds, "This has been building for a long while."
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
"Any reason then to keep this one alive?" Mal states as the grip on her dagger tightens. "As it appears we will not be able to learn anything useful while it is alive."
Sparhawk closes his eyes for a moment, then let's out a sigh. "There can't be any divine intervention, that would be cheating as I was told, so that route is out."
“In fact,” Khessa admits, albeit reluctantly “if we can't ask him questions, the prisoner is of no use to us. Perhaps it is right that he receives just punishment for the innocent people he sacrificed in this place - and we will have to content ourselves with trying to make this place useless to the forces of evil".
"We could," Akkron replies contemplatively. "But if we use the spell tongues, he might still be of use to us. Unfortunately, that is actually one of the spells that is not in my book, so we would likely need to purchase the scroll somewhere. I think we should leave it up to Brother Maynard and Sir Sparhawk whether or not it's even worth it."
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The two shake their heads. "We're here to take out this threat, perhaps we will find someone who can speak to us inside their hide out," Sparhawk remarks. "I don't think we have the time to find a way to magically or otherwise converse with this one."
"Someone of their group must speak the common tongue," Tyekanik says in response to Sparhawk, "Let's go see who we can find." He then ties the captives up tightly to a tree, ready to find someone to help make them talk.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
[[ OOC: Oh, sorry, I did not realize there was an 'inside' - I thought we had explored all... If there are unexplored paths/parts left, yes, this makes sense ]]
"Ok, while this one keeps company to the tree, we can continue exploring" Khessa agrees. "Same tactic as before? With Mal and Tyekanik scouting ahead, Anator keeping an eye on them and we noisy people waiting?"