The scene crackles with tension as Hildigrim's quick movement places him and his gleaming rapier firmly at the center of attention. He steps forward with purpose, the tip of his blade finding the soft spot just beneath Rathene's chin, his voice carrying a cold edge. "One answer?!" he scoffs. "I am not in the habit of standing idly by while a pickpocket lifts my purse. We've negotiated you the sky, and you’ll answer our questions — or perhaps,” he adds, with a deadly calm, “you’ll say nothing ever again."
"One answer?!" Auriel exclaims, almost in unison with Hildigrim. His fury flares like the sun, and without thinking, Auriel blurts out in Sylvan, "An bhfuil tú ag magadh liom??!"as he steps toward Rathene. His eyes are blazing, but just as he's about to speak again, Hildigrim’s rapier intervenes, cutting the Eladrin short.
Auriel’s gaze flicks sharply from Hildigrim to the Grimshackles, and finally to Rathene. A silent warning glimmers in his eyes, directed at all of them.
@ddp:
If an insight check is possible here, Auriel would want to know if Hildigrim would really do that, or if he's just trying to intimidate her. (Nat20. Total = 24).
Rathene's voice cracks as she laughs, despite her chin being pointed upward at the end of Hildigrim's rapier. Her eyes cast downward from the angle, she grins and confirms, "One answer. Unless you want to make my stay in this hellhole easier. But don't worry, I'll make it a good one. Like I said, I have no interest in keeping Sahnd Krulek's secrets for him after he abandoned me here."
Hex is immediately outraged at Rathene's declaration but tries to keep calm, especially as things suddenly escalate with Hildigrim's threat. She keeps her eyes on the Grimshackle brothers as the others continue to negotiate with the half orc. Though they obviously didn't care about Rathene's wellbeing, she wasn't sure they'd appreciate it if Hildgrim actually went through with his threat.
A dark look comes over Carl’s face and his eyes darken, his teeth start to gnash, mouth in a grimace. His hands are at his side but tingling electricity arcs back and forth across his fingertips as he looks down toward the ground for any puddle, noting the water dripping from her hair. “You ought not make us angry, Rathene. If you have no allegiance to Sahnd Krulek, then why hold back?” His voice changes somewhat, darker, different, his hands clenching at his sides. “We can’t waste our time here...”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
"You're the ones looking for information," Rathene retorts. "Just because I ain't giving it for free doesn't mean I'm holding back. You're the ones wasting your own time."
"Fifteen minutes," Bhevek calls out on cue.
"You want more answers, get me more upgrades," Rathene says. "You've already earned one, your self-righteousness just hasn't let you ask."
Hildigrim makes a noise of disgust as he withdraws, sliding his rapier back into his belt with a practiced motion. Turning his back on Rathene, he addresses the others, his tone measured but sharp. "If we’re truly limited to one question, we need to make it count. I suggest we ask where we can find Krulek — that’s where the trail leads, after all." He pauses, glancing at each of his companions. "Alternatively, we might ask his reasons for attacking merchants. Knowing his motivations could tell us just as much about his plans as his location."
Hex hums as she thinks for a moment, head tilted to the side. "Hm, I think it's probably better to ask where we can find him. Easy and straightforward. Whatever his motivations are might not be enough for us to narrow anything down, not to mention Rathene might not actually know the truth." She glances towards the half orc. "If he really abandoned her here, he might've lied about what his goals are to his gang. Best not to risk it if we only get one answer."
Hildigrim suppresses the urge to glare once more at the remaining Grimshackle brother, his jaw tightening ever so slightly. Turning back to Rathene, he speaks with deliberate calm, though the intensity in his eyes betrays his urgency. "Please tell us where we can find Krulek," he says evenly, his voice cutting through the tension. "And be as specific as possible."
Carl remains silent, standing there looking at Rathene, his hands clenching, his jaw tight. His fingers are drumming on his forearms. So upgrades are possible….if paid for. I wonder how much downgrades cost…. The look on his face is dark.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Auriel steps away from Hildigrim and Rathene. With the halfling no longer threatening the prisoner and enough time for her to answer their only question, staying close feels unnecessary. He leans against a wall, arms crossed, waiting for Rathene's response while casting occasional glances at the door, his eagerness to leave the prison evident.
"Please tell us where we can find Krulek," he says evenly, his voice cutting through the tension. "And be as specific as possible."
"I'd be happy to," Rathene smiles. "The gangs are meeting soon to discuss a truce at King's Pyre. It's a ruined statue we--that the Gray Patriots use as a hideout. Krulek plans to sail there on their longship, entering by way of a sea cave. If you have a map, I can tell you where to find it."
At the mention of the map, Auriel straightens up from the wall, approaches Rathene and pulls out the map Braden gave him, holding it up for her to examine.
With the location marked on the map, Auriel tucks it back carefully and is more than ready to leave. He hopes Rathene will answer Hex’s question, but even if she doesn’t, it is clear they cannot afford to linger in the prison anymore.
Before they leave the cell, the paladin shoots a final glance at the prisoner. The harsh conditions of this place still sit uneasily with him, but he cannot ignore that it was Rathene’s own choices that led her here. Even so, he can’t help but hope she might find a better path if she ever earns her freedom.
As Auriel ponders this, his hand moves to the symbol hanging from his neck—Tyr's scales and warhammer. His fingers trace the third image upon it—the wolf's head—absentmindedly before he turns to face the prison door.
The scene crackles with tension as Hildigrim's quick movement places him and his gleaming rapier firmly at the center of attention. He steps forward with purpose, the tip of his blade finding the soft spot just beneath Rathene's chin, his voice carrying a cold edge. "One answer?!" he scoffs. "I am not in the habit of standing idly by while a pickpocket lifts my purse. We've negotiated you the sky, and you’ll answer our questions — or perhaps,” he adds, with a deadly calm, “you’ll say nothing ever again."
"One answer?!" Auriel exclaims, almost in unison with Hildigrim. His fury flares like the sun, and without thinking, Auriel blurts out in Sylvan, "An bhfuil tú ag magadh liom??!" as he steps toward Rathene. His eyes are blazing, but just as he's about to speak again, Hildigrim’s rapier intervenes, cutting the Eladrin short.
Auriel’s gaze flicks sharply from Hildigrim to the Grimshackles, and finally to Rathene. A silent warning glimmers in his eyes, directed at all of them.
@ddp:
If an insight check is possible here, Auriel would want to know if Hildigrim would really do that, or if he's just trying to intimidate her. (Nat20. Total = 24).
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Rathene's voice cracks as she laughs, despite her chin being pointed upward at the end of Hildigrim's rapier. Her eyes cast downward from the angle, she grins and confirms, "One answer. Unless you want to make my stay in this hellhole easier. But don't worry, I'll make it a good one. Like I said, I have no interest in keeping Sahnd Krulek's secrets for him after he abandoned me here."
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Hex is immediately outraged at Rathene's declaration but tries to keep calm, especially as things suddenly escalate with Hildigrim's threat. She keeps her eyes on the Grimshackle brothers as the others continue to negotiate with the half orc. Though they obviously didn't care about Rathene's wellbeing, she wasn't sure they'd appreciate it if Hildgrim actually went through with his threat.
A dark look comes over Carl’s face and his eyes darken, his teeth start to gnash, mouth in a grimace. His hands are at his side but tingling electricity arcs back and forth across his fingertips as he looks down toward the ground for any puddle, noting the water dripping from her hair. “You ought not make us angry, Rathene. If you have no allegiance to Sahnd Krulek, then why hold back?” His voice changes somewhat, darker, different, his hands clenching at his sides. “We can’t waste our time here...”
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
"You're the ones looking for information," Rathene retorts. "Just because I ain't giving it for free doesn't mean I'm holding back. You're the ones wasting your own time."
"Fifteen minutes," Bhevek calls out on cue.
"You want more answers, get me more upgrades," Rathene says. "You've already earned one, your self-righteousness just hasn't let you ask."
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Hildigrim makes a noise of disgust as he withdraws, sliding his rapier back into his belt with a practiced motion. Turning his back on Rathene, he addresses the others, his tone measured but sharp. "If we’re truly limited to one question, we need to make it count. I suggest we ask where we can find Krulek — that’s where the trail leads, after all." He pauses, glancing at each of his companions. "Alternatively, we might ask his reasons for attacking merchants. Knowing his motivations could tell us just as much about his plans as his location."
"Krulek's location," Auriel votes, his tone curt. "We can learn his motivations once we meet the man himself."
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Hex hums as she thinks for a moment, head tilted to the side. "Hm, I think it's probably better to ask where we can find him. Easy and straightforward. Whatever his motivations are might not be enough for us to narrow anything down, not to mention Rathene might not actually know the truth." She glances towards the half orc. "If he really abandoned her here, he might've lied about what his goals are to his gang. Best not to risk it if we only get one answer."
"Ten minutes," Bhevek calls, now the only brother in sight with Ukharim apparently disinterested in the remaining conversation.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Hildigrim suppresses the urge to glare once more at the remaining Grimshackle brother, his jaw tightening ever so slightly. Turning back to Rathene, he speaks with deliberate calm, though the intensity in his eyes betrays his urgency. "Please tell us where we can find Krulek," he says evenly, his voice cutting through the tension. "And be as specific as possible."
Carl remains silent, standing there looking at Rathene, his hands clenching, his jaw tight. His fingers are drumming on his forearms. So upgrades are possible….if paid for. I wonder how much downgrades cost…. The look on his face is dark.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Auriel steps away from Hildigrim and Rathene. With the halfling no longer threatening the prisoner and enough time for her to answer their only question, staying close feels unnecessary. He leans against a wall, arms crossed, waiting for Rathene's response while casting occasional glances at the door, his eagerness to leave the prison evident.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
"I'd be happy to," Rathene smiles. "The gangs are meeting soon to discuss a truce at King's Pyre. It's a ruined statue we--that the Gray Patriots use as a hideout. Krulek plans to sail there on their longship, entering by way of a sea cave. If you have a map, I can tell you where to find it."
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
At the mention of the map, Auriel straightens up from the wall, approaches Rathene and pulls out the map Braden gave him, holding it up for her to examine.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
"There," Rathene says. "It's situated on the coastline, about 40 miles west of Phlan."
OOC: Rathene will direct you to the appropriate point to mark the location of King's Pyre on the map.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
"Wouldn't happen to be gracious enough to tell us when exactly "soon" is would you?" Hex asks skeptically.
OOC: Hoping Rathene might answer Hex's questions, but moving on either way.
Hildigrim nods to himself then turns to the remaining Grimshackle brother. "We are ready to leave."
With the location marked on the map, Auriel tucks it back carefully and is more than ready to leave. He hopes Rathene will answer Hex’s question, but even if she doesn’t, it is clear they cannot afford to linger in the prison anymore.
Before they leave the cell, the paladin shoots a final glance at the prisoner. The harsh conditions of this place still sit uneasily with him, but he cannot ignore that it was Rathene’s own choices that led her here. Even so, he can’t help but hope she might find a better path if she ever earns her freedom.
As Auriel ponders this, his hand moves to the symbol hanging from his neck—Tyr's scales and warhammer. His fingers trace the third image upon it—the wolf's head—absentmindedly before he turns to face the prison door.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Rathene struggles to think. "To be honest, they could already be meeting. I've lost track of days. I haven't seen the sky in--"
Muffled shouts cut off Rathene from somewhere below. A bell starts clanging, and on the air you catch a telltale whiff of smoke.
"That's the prisoner alarm!" gasps Bhevek. "Torm's teeth! That better not be Walharrow!"
See my profile for all my PbP threads!