Valthana exhales the breath she had been holding in her concealed attempt to break her bonds. She looks at the dwarf and shakes her head. As he does a better job at straining again his manacles — even managing to alter their shape — she regards the small male with respect. She doesn't say anything, but watches him attempt to slip out of the bonds to no avail. "Save your strength," she advises in a hushed tone. But then she notices his eyes are on something else. She follows his gaze and to the orc as it walks away from the halfling. She watches the creature, acting so much like a caged animal. When Tozer stands, he catches Valthana by surprise. She watches the dwarf cross the cell and jumps to her feet when he begin hitting the orc. "By Kavaki's might!" she exclaims. She rushes over and attempts to pull Tozer away from the orc.
Beegred doesn't know why Rant would think that he should hate the sniveling gnome (or however you say that subspecies name). And dwarves are better people to fight with than orcs. He'll watch the brawl, and use the distraction to try to slip out of the cuffs.
DEX check 9
Ugh... maybe I can pry it open a bit.
STR check 21
"Huh, that wasn't so hard." Notices Valthana straining. "Sorry, big guy."
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Narstin nods at Eldeth's suggestion. "I'll see what I can discover when I pass by that way again," he tells her. (Investigation to check inspect the gate assuming I pass it on my rounds: 19.) He pauses for a moment, inspecting the strange mushroom creature, but it shies away from him and he doesn't know what he could do for it anyway, so he moves on. He smiles at the deep gnome as he nears her, but is unable to understand what she tries to say to him, and continues on when she motions for him to do so, nodding back at her before he goes.
(I'm assuming these conversations happen before I get to beegred for ease of RP)
After binding the halflings wounds, he acquiesces to Beegred's prompting and accepts the other's assistance in trying to free himself from the manacles.
Cursed dwarves. Join Ront. Take food from dwarves.
The words of the orc could not have fallen on Tozer's ears at a worse time. After experiencing the frustration of two failed attempts to escape his manacles, Tozer could not endure hearing a sworn enemy of the Stormspar clan as he insulted dwarves and plotted to take their food. I could never again proudly stand before my clan if I allow this filth to continue talking.
Falling into another one of his black rages, Tozer, with full malice, approaches Ront and tries to knock every tooth out of the beast's mouth with his clenched fist.
No one will ever know if Ront was truly horrible at speaking in a whisper, or if he meant for the dwarves to hear him, but when Tozer flew into a rage, Ront was ready. He turned to face Tozer and reached out to grab a fist full of beard with each hand. As the two struggled, Ront growled in his broken common, "Only. Good. Use. For. Dwarf. Is. Use. Dwarf. Head. To. Break. Things."
Beegred doesn't know why Rant would think that he should hate the sniveling gnome (or however you say that subspecies name). And dwarves are better people to fight with than orcs. He'll watch the brawl, and use the distraction to try to slip out of the cuffs.
DEX check 9
Ugh... maybe I can pry it open a bit.
STR check 21
"Huh, that wasn't so hard." Notices Valthana straining. "Sorry, big guy."
Narstin nods at Eldeth's suggestion. "I'll see what I can discover when I pass by that way again," he tells her. (Investigation to check inspect the gate assuming I pass it on my rounds: 19.) He pauses for a moment, inspecting the strange mushroom creature, but it shies away from him and he doesn't know what he could do for it anyway, so he moves on. He smiles at the deep gnome as he nears her, but is unable to understand what she tries to say to him, and continues on when she motions for him to do so, nodding back at her before he goes.
(I'm assuming these conversations happen before I get to beegred for ease of RP)
After binding the halflings wounds, he acquiesces to Beegred's prompting and accepts the other's assistance in trying to free himself from the manacles.
Strength: 20
Both Narstin and Beegred manage to break the chains on their manacles. Beegred broke his at one manacle, so he has a 4 foot length hanging from the other. Narstin broke his in the middle, so he has two 2 foot lengths hanging from each manacle. If caught in this state, you fully expect a beating and probably worse. You're free from your chains, but you're still behind bars.
Speaking of which, when Narstin gets around to inspecting the cell doors, he finds that Eldeth was correct. Whoever built this outpost had no skill in stone work. The cave opening was worked just enough to make it squarish and the gate was secured by metal spikes driven into holes made in the stone wall. There are two spikes per side, eight total. The spikes are driven through the metal frame of the gate and a rivet is driven through the spike to keep it from coming out.
It would not take too much of an effort to bash the whole thing down flat, but it would make quite the noise. Alternatively, the rivet heads could be ground down with something until they can be pulled out, allowing the spikes to be removed. It would be much quieter, but it would take a lot longer, and none of you know how much time you have remaining at this outpost before you are escorted to Menzoberranzan.
Frustrated with the manacles Xilyra glares at them willing them to break. Then taking a deep breath, she attempts to yank them apart with all her strength.
No one will ever know if Ront was truly horrible at speaking in a whisper, or if he meant for the dwarves to hear him, but when Tozer flew into a rage, Ront was ready. He turned to face Tozer and reached out to grab a fist full of beard with each hand. As the two struggled, Ront growled in his broken common, "Only. Good. Use. For. Dwarf. Is. Use. Dwarf. Head. To. Break. Things."
Grapple - Strength (Athletics): 6
Tozer being a dwarf, is no stranger to the 'yank on the beard' technique and easily counters Ront's clumsy attempt, then quickly retaliates with a double fisted punch straight down on Ronts already mashed up nose, landing a solid blow.
(FYI: Damage = 1 + 3 STR MOD + 2 Rage = 6)
Ront staggers back just as Velthana arrives, grabbing one of Tozer's arms in both of hers and attempting to pull him away. At the same time, the ruckus has gained the attention of the drow. One of the higher ranking drow, in studded leather, shield strapped to his back, is walking down the bridge loading a bolt into his hand crossbow.
Beegred broke his at one manacle, so he has a 4 foot length hanging from the other... If caught in this state, you fully expect a beating and probably worse. You're free from your chains, but you're still behind bars.
Beegred will hold the end of the chain with his freed hand. He will also turn so his back is to the cell door. From a distance, hopefully it might look like he is still manacled.
He turns his head to yell over his shoulder. It is directed at the approaching guard, but loudly enough that the other (fighting) prisoners might be alerted to the unwanted attention they are drawing. "Hey! Guard pointing the crossbow at this cell ! When do we get second breakfast? Halflings faint from weakness when we don't get enough meals." (If the guard is lazy enough to only want to bark warnings at the prisoners, Beegred is prepared to shut up and "tremble with fear".)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Beegred does his best to hide the fact the chain of his manacles are broken by turning his back to the drow, and then draws attention to himself yelling out over his shoulder in a language the drow can't even understand.
After landing his blow on Ront's face, Tozer growls, "Khazd ai menu, orc!"
Being pulled from the fray by someone behind him causes Tozer's fury to subside just in time for him to hear the halfling's words "guard pointing the crossbow." Tozer keeps his eyes on Ront while taking a few steps backward. I will hunt you down yet. With the spirit of every Stormspar warrior upon me. I will hunt you down.
Narstin remains where he is, sitting all the way down from where he had been kneeling to bind Beegred's wounds and putting his hands in his lap, palm up to show he's not holding anything, so the halves of the chain fall in the middle of his lap underneath. He eyes the gate while he sits, waiting to see what the guard will do, if anything. Thinking over what he learned from examining it, his eyes move to scan his fellow prisoners, debating who best to share the information with, and what they should do about it. He resolves to talk to Eldeth first, since she was the one who suggested investigating it in the first place, then they could decide what to do next from there.
Tozer's rage has subsided sufficiently for him to realize the part he has played in causing the guard to approach with crossbow at the ready. He does his best to step forward and face the guard resolutely. "I am to blame. The orc insulted me, and I lashed out. Do not harm or punish the others."
The drow crosses the bridge, briefly glancing around at various prisoners but maintaining most of his focus on Ront, Tozer and Velthana. He stands beyond arms reach of the closed gate with a look of distaste smeared across his face. Before he has a chance to say anything, a call from behind in the guard tower pulls his attention away.
In the tower, the familiar procession of prisoners hauling your meals can be seen, escorted by another three drow, one of which is the disfigured and maimed ranking drow often in the presence of Mistress Ilvara. The drow that was approaching you speaks to him in a language only Xilyra understands, but you do all catch the name 'Jorlan'. The first drow leaves and returns to the guard room. The disfigured drow, unlocks the gate with a key he pulls off his belt and lets the work detail in with the food.
In a remarkable act, Jorlan enters as well, hand already on the hilt of his blade, shield donned. He walks over to the drow prisoner and speaks in undercommon (only Xilyra understands), "Sarith… Have you made progress in your preparations for your sacrifice to Lolth? Are you at peace with your fate?"
Sarith answers, full of spite, "Such arrogance from you Jorlan, fallen as far as you have. From what I've seen, Ilvara has set you aside for a prettier boy toy now that you're all hideous and maimed. Might as well join me and we can both be sacrifices to Lolth. Or stay by her side so she can enjoy tormenting you. Does she make you watch her take Shoor to her bed?"
Jorlan doesn't really appear to be listening, keeping a very careful watch around at all the prisoners. As he walks out he responds, "I can leave this prison and this outpost and seek more powerful healing to restore what I've lost. The only option you have now is to ally yourself with these inferior races and hope they can bumble their way out. Maybe the time it would take for them to be captured and brought to heel, you could take your chances with the spiders and then the fall to the water below and make a run for it."
As Jorlan closes and locks the gate, something falls to the ground. He looks at all of you and makes a motion to eat and then holds up 10 fingers, 5 of them seriously maimed. You know this means the next work detail will be fetched soon.
Once the gate is locked, Ront makes his way quickly to the platter and takes two bowls even though there is only one bowl per prisoner. He looks at Tozer and spits blood and spittle in both, smiling, as he walks to his corner.
In the tower, the guards end their shift, and another three take their place.
Tozer's rage has subsided sufficiently for him to realize the part he has played in causing the guard to approach with crossbow at the ready. He does his best to step forward and face the guard resolutely. "I am to blame. The orc insulted me, and I lashed out. Do not harm or punish the others."
The guard had no idea what you were saying, and summarily ignored you, as not worth his attention.
The language of the drow is little more than gibberish to Tozer, but he is able to decipher that the disfigured one is named Jorlan. The dwarf also takes note of the scornful tone that Sarith utilized in his response to Jorlan. How deep is his animosity for his own people? Would he use his knowledge of this place to help the rest of us?
Ignoring Ront--but etching the orc's action permanently in his mind--Tozer focuses his efforts on retrieving whatever it was that Jorlan has dropped.
Tozer walks over to the gate, puts his arm through and finds a shard of metal, long and slender. Maybe iron, or bronze. Pulling his hand back, his chain rattles loudly against the gate. The guards turn to look.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Beegred notices that Tozer is having troubles being sneaky. Beedgred quickly steps over, and tries to grab it (Jorlan dropping) before Tozer makes too much of a ruckus.
Sleight of hand: 14
(Edit: Yeah... Time to use the DM inspiration. Assume it is a d6, so add: 4 for a total of 12)
(Edit again: The PHB says that it should be advantage on the roll, and not like Bard inspiration. Sleight of hand, take 2: 20 )
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Cursing himself for being so clumsy, Tozer meets the guards' gaze and begins to make hand motions to communicate that he has no food to eat. He hopes this bit of acting will "explain" why he's reaching through the bars.
Valthana exhales the breath she had been holding in her concealed attempt to break her bonds. She looks at the dwarf and shakes her head. As he does a better job at straining again his manacles — even managing to alter their shape — she regards the small male with respect. She doesn't say anything, but watches him attempt to slip out of the bonds to no avail. "Save your strength," she advises in a hushed tone. But then she notices his eyes are on something else. She follows his gaze and to the orc as it walks away from the halfling. She watches the creature, acting so much like a caged animal. When Tozer stands, he catches Valthana by surprise. She watches the dwarf cross the cell and jumps to her feet when he begin hitting the orc. "By Kavaki's might!" she exclaims. She rushes over and attempts to pull Tozer away from the orc.
Strength check: 12
Beegred doesn't know why Rant would think that he should hate the sniveling gnome (or however you say that subspecies name). And dwarves are better people to fight with than orcs. He'll watch the brawl, and use the distraction to try to slip out of the cuffs.
DEX check 9
Ugh... maybe I can pry it open a bit.
STR check 21
"Huh, that wasn't so hard." Notices Valthana straining. "Sorry, big guy."
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Narstin nods at Eldeth's suggestion. "I'll see what I can discover when I pass by that way again," he tells her. (Investigation to check inspect the gate assuming I pass it on my rounds: 19.) He pauses for a moment, inspecting the strange mushroom creature, but it shies away from him and he doesn't know what he could do for it anyway, so he moves on. He smiles at the deep gnome as he nears her, but is unable to understand what she tries to say to him, and continues on when she motions for him to do so, nodding back at her before he goes.
(I'm assuming these conversations happen before I get to beegred for ease of RP)
After binding the halflings wounds, he acquiesces to Beegred's prompting and accepts the other's assistance in trying to free himself from the manacles.
Strength: 20
No one will ever know if Ront was truly horrible at speaking in a whisper, or if he meant for the dwarves to hear him, but when Tozer flew into a rage, Ront was ready. He turned to face Tozer and reached out to grab a fist full of beard with each hand. As the two struggled, Ront growled in his broken common, "Only. Good. Use. For. Dwarf. Is. Use. Dwarf. Head. To. Break. Things."
Grapple - Strength (Athletics): 6
Both Narstin and Beegred manage to break the chains on their manacles. Beegred broke his at one manacle, so he has a 4 foot length hanging from the other. Narstin broke his in the middle, so he has two 2 foot lengths hanging from each manacle. If caught in this state, you fully expect a beating and probably worse. You're free from your chains, but you're still behind bars.
Speaking of which, when Narstin gets around to inspecting the cell doors, he finds that Eldeth was correct. Whoever built this outpost had no skill in stone work. The cave opening was worked just enough to make it squarish and the gate was secured by metal spikes driven into holes made in the stone wall. There are two spikes per side, eight total. The spikes are driven through the metal frame of the gate and a rivet is driven through the spike to keep it from coming out.
It would not take too much of an effort to bash the whole thing down flat, but it would make quite the noise. Alternatively, the rivet heads could be ground down with something until they can be pulled out, allowing the spikes to be removed. It would be much quieter, but it would take a lot longer, and none of you know how much time you have remaining at this outpost before you are escorted to Menzoberranzan.
Frustrated with the manacles Xilyra glares at them willing them to break. Then taking a deep breath, she attempts to yank them apart with all her strength.
Strength check: 3
Tozer being a dwarf, is no stranger to the 'yank on the beard' technique and easily counters Ront's clumsy attempt, then quickly retaliates with a double fisted punch straight down on Ronts already mashed up nose, landing a solid blow.
(FYI: Damage = 1 + 3 STR MOD + 2 Rage = 6)
Ront staggers back just as Velthana arrives, grabbing one of Tozer's arms in both of hers and attempting to pull him away. At the same time, the ruckus has gained the attention of the drow. One of the higher ranking drow, in studded leather, shield strapped to his back, is walking down the bridge loading a bolt into his hand crossbow.
Beegred will hold the end of the chain with his freed hand. He will also turn so his back is to the cell door. From a distance, hopefully it might look like he is still manacled.
He turns his head to yell over his shoulder. It is directed at the approaching guard, but loudly enough that the other (fighting) prisoners might be alerted to the unwanted attention they are drawing. "Hey! Guard pointing the crossbow at this cell ! When do we get second breakfast? Halflings faint from weakness when we don't get enough meals." (If the guard is lazy enough to only want to bark warnings at the prisoners, Beegred is prepared to shut up and "tremble with fear".)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Beegred does his best to hide the fact the chain of his manacles are broken by turning his back to the drow, and then draws attention to himself yelling out over his shoulder in a language the drow can't even understand.
After landing his blow on Ront's face, Tozer growls, "Khazd ai menu, orc!"
Being pulled from the fray by someone behind him causes Tozer's fury to subside just in time for him to hear the halfling's words "guard pointing the crossbow." Tozer keeps his eyes on Ront while taking a few steps backward. I will hunt you down yet. With the spirit of every Stormspar warrior upon me. I will hunt you down.
Valthana releases Tozer and faces the guard, showing her empty palms as she moves back toward her place on the wall.
Xilyra remains where she is sitting and looks at the guard, her hands held out in front of her.
Narstin remains where he is, sitting all the way down from where he had been kneeling to bind Beegred's wounds and putting his hands in his lap, palm up to show he's not holding anything, so the halves of the chain fall in the middle of his lap underneath. He eyes the gate while he sits, waiting to see what the guard will do, if anything. Thinking over what he learned from examining it, his eyes move to scan his fellow prisoners, debating who best to share the information with, and what they should do about it. He resolves to talk to Eldeth first, since she was the one who suggested investigating it in the first place, then they could decide what to do next from there.
Tozer's rage has subsided sufficiently for him to realize the part he has played in causing the guard to approach with crossbow at the ready. He does his best to step forward and face the guard resolutely. "I am to blame. The orc insulted me, and I lashed out. Do not harm or punish the others."
The drow crosses the bridge, briefly glancing around at various prisoners but maintaining most of his focus on Ront, Tozer and Velthana. He stands beyond arms reach of the closed gate with a look of distaste smeared across his face. Before he has a chance to say anything, a call from behind in the guard tower pulls his attention away.
In the tower, the familiar procession of prisoners hauling your meals can be seen, escorted by another three drow, one of which is the disfigured and maimed ranking drow often in the presence of Mistress Ilvara. The drow that was approaching you speaks to him in a language only Xilyra understands, but you do all catch the name 'Jorlan'. The first drow leaves and returns to the guard room. The disfigured drow, unlocks the gate with a key he pulls off his belt and lets the work detail in with the food.
In a remarkable act, Jorlan enters as well, hand already on the hilt of his blade, shield donned. He walks over to the drow prisoner and speaks in undercommon (only Xilyra understands), "Sarith… Have you made progress in your preparations for your sacrifice to Lolth? Are you at peace with your fate?"
Sarith answers, full of spite, "Such arrogance from you Jorlan, fallen as far as you have. From what I've seen, Ilvara has set you aside for a prettier boy toy now that you're all hideous and maimed. Might as well join me and we can both be sacrifices to Lolth. Or stay by her side so she can enjoy tormenting you. Does she make you watch her take Shoor to her bed?"
Jorlan doesn't really appear to be listening, keeping a very careful watch around at all the prisoners. As he walks out he responds, "I can leave this prison and this outpost and seek more powerful healing to restore what I've lost. The only option you have now is to ally yourself with these inferior races and hope they can bumble their way out. Maybe the time it would take for them to be captured and brought to heel, you could take your chances with the spiders and then the fall to the water below and make a run for it."
As Jorlan closes and locks the gate, something falls to the ground. He looks at all of you and makes a motion to eat and then holds up 10 fingers, 5 of them seriously maimed. You know this means the next work detail will be fetched soon.
Once the gate is locked, Ront makes his way quickly to the platter and takes two bowls even though there is only one bowl per prisoner. He looks at Tozer and spits blood and spittle in both, smiling, as he walks to his corner.
In the tower, the guards end their shift, and another three take their place.
The guard had no idea what you were saying, and summarily ignored you, as not worth his attention.
The language of the drow is little more than gibberish to Tozer, but he is able to decipher that the disfigured one is named Jorlan. The dwarf also takes note of the scornful tone that Sarith utilized in his response to Jorlan. How deep is his animosity for his own people? Would he use his knowledge of this place to help the rest of us?
Ignoring Ront--but etching the orc's action permanently in his mind--Tozer focuses his efforts on retrieving whatever it was that Jorlan has dropped.
Tozer walks over to the gate, puts his arm through and finds a shard of metal, long and slender. Maybe iron, or bronze. Pulling his hand back, his chain rattles loudly against the gate. The guards turn to look.
Beegred notices that Tozer is having troubles being sneaky. Beedgred quickly steps over, and tries to grab it (Jorlan dropping) before Tozer makes too much of a ruckus.
Sleight of hand: 14
(Edit: Yeah... Time to use the DM inspiration. Assume it is a d6, so add: 4 for a total of 12)(Edit again: The PHB says that it should be advantage on the roll, and not like Bard inspiration. Sleight of hand, take 2: 20 )
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Cursing himself for being so clumsy, Tozer meets the guards' gaze and begins to make hand motions to communicate that he has no food to eat. He hopes this bit of acting will "explain" why he's reaching through the bars.