"... I understand. You're still upset. I'll leave you be then." With that, D.O.R.K let go or tried to any event, closed up her pack, and then shouldered it once more. After which, she'd looked on expectantly to the gate in anticipation, if not Ilezenya specifically should had he seem hesitant or unable to fly over. At which point her attention would turn to Torunn as if expecting... something.

"We need to open this gate lads, unfortunately they didn't gave us, poor slaves, the keys hahaha, but let's see if we can just open it, they have no reason to lock it, right?" says Toruun putting the dagger on his belt and trying to push it. But the hill dwarf slips on the moisty wood of the bridge when he start pushing and falls, face first and ends in an akward position between the bridge and the gate. 

( Str Check on gamelog: Nat 1!! of course!! hahaha. )

Ilezenya will oblige, using Steps of the Night (either still in effect or another usage) to fly over the wall and open the gate from the inside...

If Ebonitus still has that active, he will accompany Ilezenya and keep watch.

Devin quickly hands Vark another dagger and then just stares at him for a moment after his response.  "Just thought you might know, that's all"

As they approach the gate and gets another strange look from Aslan he rolls his eyes and speaks to him in his mind Not you too eh?  I appreciate the help but not the attitude. Just keep an eye out.

The party make their way through the gate and then head clockwise or anti-clockwise - please advise - around the edge of the village to the first cage?

4

If we are in the western portion of the village, I think it makes sense to go counter-clockwise...good either way, though =)

D.O.R.K would quietly advise going clockwise and start with southern cages and gradually build up steam/potential fighting force. But otherwise leave any lockbreaking to Devin until a possible failure/inability to do so. If any of the inhabitants with the cage start to get a little 'too noisy', she'll try to be prepared to cast Silence over the cage, before considering next move.

The party moves onto the first cage in a clockwise direction from the entrance gate where Devin 15 manages to successfuly pick the lock and free the two rock gnomes who had been imprisoned inside. 

Inidicating for them to keep silent the party which now comprises the six clerics, plus a freed dwarf slave and now two freed gnomes the party moves 17 quietly to the next cage where 9 despite his best efforts Devin cannnot get the lock to open.

Now what?

"Blast it, this one is too rusted to get open.  I can silence the area and we can bash it open if you like." Devin says, looking around at D.  "Unless someone else has a trick up their sleeve."

D.O.R.K puts a gloved hand on the bars. "With time, mayhap Torunn could reshape them. But time isn't entirely on our side." She said, before then looking back to Devin. "Save your energy. I will handle calling upon the miracle. As my own reserves are a little less important than the rest of you. But do collect any significant pieces, as we could yet use them to arm everyone." She states, and upon hearing no further objections, she traces a red sigil in the air that faintly glows for a moment before vanishing, leaving the area about the latest cage muted. She then breaks out her maul, but before committing to smashing open the gate, she looks to the others and points from her eyes over to the rest of the buildings, entrusting watch to the others. 

She also passes door knocker over to anyone that looked strong enough to make use of the weapon, before taking Helm Splitter and going to town on the lock until freed of the cage.

(@DM: Not sure if you want an attack roll or strength(athletics) to signify maybe the amount of time it might take. But She's committed to spending the full duration of her spell if need be to unlock the cage.)

Ebonitus continues to keep watch

It takes D.O.R.K. 2 blows before she smashes open the lock. In this cage there is an elderly moon elf who despite his age stands directly before them "all praise to Labelas Enoreth! Now you'll be able to rescue the Princess and her companions wont you?"

"Not yet old man, but I told you that my friends would come didn't I?" says Torumm to the elder elf "Now.. do you know where they keep her?" 

"We were not aware of this princess...who is she and where are they holding her? What about her companions? Finally, can you fight or wield arcane energies in our defense?" the Dusk Warden peppers than elf with questions in a low whisper.

In response to the elder elf's question, D.O.R.K initially canted her head to the side. But then with a bit of a start, she checks her bag once more to see if the blade within was still vibrating, or had grown quiet once more following their last somewhat one-sided exchange. Even if nothing comes of it she'd whisper as well, "This may sound like an odd question, but does she or you have involved yourself in matters of the morning lord by any chance?" She'd quietly ask as well.

The old elf points with his chin to the large hut in the centre of the village saying they "keep her and her companions in the Chief's hut. As to the Morning Lord, I know of him but I do not follow him." 

"That is... Actually, I am uncertain if that is unfortunate or not." D.O.R.K admits, and in seeing/feeling no further reaction from the sword hilt, closed up the pack and set it about her shoulders once more. A look is then given the current roster of rescued souls, before she bows her head. "Regardless, we are still missing another compatriot of others, as well as sufficient arms. Have you seen a goblin or where they typically store any weapons or tools that you may utilize to defend yourselves?" She asks of the elf, and by extension the other former prisoners. 

"Yeah I haven't been able to discover when they got all my stuff" Torumm looks at the elf hoping this mistery could be finally solved 

The old elf says they seem to use the hut on the far side of the village near the fields for storing equipment. It is possible that your compatriot is also up there.