Glad nothing came of the guard's threat with the crossbow, and ignoring the other prisoners, Valthana retrieves a bowl of food and returns to her place along the wall to "eat" in silence.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Xilyra stands and retrieves a bowl of food, then goes to sit next to the drow. In Undercommon she says, “So, Sarith was it? It seems you and Jorlan don’t exactly see eye to eye. And if you are to be sacrificed, then I would guess that the other drow don’t particularly like you either. Maybe you should throw your lot in with us. Surely you know the area well enough, and we could certainly convince this lot to work together long enough to get away from this place.” She looked at Sarith and gave them her best mischievous smile.
Sarith looks at Xilyra, "You know nothing of your heritage. How could you? Among Drow you would be killed for fouling the purity of our race. In fact, you will probably be sacrificed to Lolth along with me. That is your fate. No life of slavery for you." He spits at your feet. "As for Jorlan, he did nothing in the face of the accusation I killed a drow under Ilvara's command. He actually implicated me. I don't remember doing..."
Sarith suddenly grabs two fistfuls of his own hair and yanks on it hard, pulling out small clumps while simultaneously banging the back of his head against the wall he leans against. The display lasts a few seconds, then his hands fall limp to his sides. He looks up at you and says, "What do you want? Get away from me, drow half-breed."
Xilyra knows from her mother that the undercommon word for "drow half-breed" is a vile insult among drow.
The other prisoners shuffle along and take their bowls. The walking talking fish takes a bowl and darts over in his usual manner of movement, to the little mushroom thing. He places the bowl on the ground, takes a hold of the little thing and plops a foot right into the bowl, saying in undercommon, "It is an infant... barely a child." It then darts over near Ront and pauses.
When Ront lifts his first bowl to his mouth, tilting his head back to down it, the fish man darts in, grabs Ronts second bowl and throws the contents into his mouth, sucking it in one big gulp without even chewing. Placing the bowl down as quickly as he grabbed it, he darts away. Ront lowers his head, wipes his mouth with the back of a hand and goes to reach for his second bowl. When he finds it empty, he looks around furious and confused.
Not much time passes before Jorlan returns, two of the large hairy servant beasts in tow. Jorlan points at: Ront, Xilyra, Topsy, Delmae and Tozer. He then points at the clay pots that you all share for your ablutions. You know it is time for you to empty and clean the pots.
As you leave and pass through the guard post to cross through to the landing where you have access to the waterfall, you can roll a Perception check.
After the pots are cleaned, you spend the rest of the time hauling water to where it is needed, and when that is done, hauling it around for no reason.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Tozer does the labor mechanically as he keeps his mind focused on his environment--the bridges, the landings, the waterfall, the drow, the other prisoners, and, most definitely Ront. He keeps one eye on the orc at all times. Odious pile of vomit.
Perception: 5
The dwarf has a host of questions running through his head as he puts one foot after the other doing meaningless, physical tasks...Did the halfing pick up the thing that Jorlan dropped? What did the half-drow learn from Jorlan? Where have they hidden my weapons? What would happen if I were to leap into the waterfall? If I kill Ront, will the others refuse to plot an escape with me?
Assuming that Beegred has the Jorlan-dropping (OOC: from the inspiration-assisted sleight-of-hand roll), he will take a look at it when the guards are not intensely watching the prisoners. He will keep his back to the door to cover up.
Whatever he sees, he will share this information with Narstin. That guy seems to be good, and is trusted by the others. He might figure out the best way to use this.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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.
Xilyra glares at the drow. That went about as well as she could have hoped. When the guards enter the cell, she quickly finishes eating and goes to work. While doing the labor required of her she keeps an eye on her surroundings. She watches the other prisoners as well as the guards, looking for anything that may stand out as important or useful.
Narstin waits until the guards leave after delivering the food, then gets a bowl for himself and takes a second one that he brings to Eldeth. Sitting next to the other while they eat, Narstin whispers, "You were right about the gate. It's very poorly constructed, and could likely be knocked down without too much trouble. Though it would be loud. It would also e possible to grind down the spikes and pull them out to take the gate down more quietly, but I'm not sure if we have enough time for that. Not to mention it would risk being seen while doing so. If a bunch of us banded together, I bet we could break it down and get out before they could react." He shares the same information with Beegred when the halfling approaches him again.
Valthana nods off in the cell and dreams of her past work details. She remains as inconspicuous as one could be. The others that finished their work detail: The fish, the small grey man, two of the three deep gnomes and the large beast all curl up in their corner of the cave and sleep.
Xilyra, Tozer, Delmae, Ront and the other deep gnome all hear the sounds of metal clanking and chiming coming from the upper room, as they pass through the guard tower. To Tozer's ear, it is the familiar and fond sounds of blades resonating, chain mail chinking and wooden shields knocking together.
As usual, once the work has been doled out, the drow leave the work party to be overseen by two of the large servant beasts. They brook no talking and hands must be kept at your sides unless using them for specific chores. However, as the hours pass by, their attention wanes and there are only two of them to watch five of you as you walk from waterfall to various large water containers around the outpost.
Beegred settles down towards the back of the cave with his back to the guard post, and examines his prize. It is a long slender shard of some kind of metal, probably iron or bronze. It looks like it broke or splintered off something, maybe the rim of a shield hacked by a sword.
Eldeth responds to Narstin, "There be hope then. Getting out shouldn't prove to be too difficult, but the next problem will be getting down from this outpost. And if we break out, who do we bring with us, and where do we go?"
The little grey man, who appeared to be sleeping, or trying to, turns over and replies in dwarvish, "If you know how to read the omens all around us, you would find your answers. If you break out, I know my way from here to Gracklstugh. The Duergar have a district for outsiders. From there you could find others to guide you elsewhere."
Eldeth shudders, "Why be I going to the City of Blades of all places? Slaves of the drow or slaves of the duergar, I see little difference."
Tozer takes note of the sounds of sword on shield coming from above. Training exercises? He then waits patiently for an opportune time to whisper a few words to the half-drow, Xilyra, that is part of his work detail. "Sarith will be no help, I gather?"
Xilyra looked over at the dwarf. “No, none. Unless you count insulting me and telling I’m likely to be sacrificed helpful.” She shrugged. “Any ideas about how to get out of this place?”
Nodding to Eldeth, Narstin says, "All valid questions. First off, I say we bring with any prisoners who want to go. I couldn't bring myself to leave people behind to suffer for our escape. For some specifics, Beegred seems clever," he says, nodding at the halfling. "The dwarf and the orc," he nods at Tozer and Ront this time, "while perhaps temperamental, seem like they would be useful if it comes to a fight. The goliath too. With a proper disguise, the half-drow could probably pass as a full drow if needed. As for where we go, well, almost anywhere is better than here." His eyes gaze around the chamber in which they sit, then smiles as the grey man, who appeared to be sleeping, speaks up in dwarvish. "Gracklstugh seems as good as anywhere for a start." He looks back to Eldeth. "Worst case, after we get out of here you're free to go whatever way you wish, though I feel that sticking together would definitely give us the best odds of success.
Tozer takes note of the sounds of sword on shield coming from above. Training exercises? He then waits patiently for an opportune time to whisper a few words to the half-drow, Xilyra, that is part of his work detail. "Sarith will be no help, I gather?"
The sounds were not from sparring. It's more like the items were being moved around or bumped into.
Tozer and Xilyra both get cuffed for 4 hp (damage) as the beasts say in crude undercommon, "No spell. No speak."
If you all want to speak without being noticed, roll Stealth at the same time. If you want to make hand gestures without being noticed, roll Sleight of Hand.
FYI: this is what the servant beasts, and the one prisoner, look like:
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Tozer, feeling his face start to swell from the blow, grinds his teeth in anger but bites his tongue. Well, I now know where some weapons are stashed. Hopefully the prisoners' are among them. I will inform the others.
"The halfling may have a tool to unlock these manacles," hints Tozer to Xilyra. | Stealth: 12)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
“Good, It will be nice to get these things off,” Xilyra said, careful to only speak when the beasts weren’t paying attention. ”I also have something that may help if things get... violent.“ She pressed a finger to her lips in a shushing gesture as the beasts moved around them.
During the work detail, Shoor comes sauntering up to the group, holding his wand for everyone to see like it's a status symbol. He has an evil grin as he carefully eyes each of you. Looking at Xilyra, he says in undercommon, "Your existence will just anger Mistress Ilvara, but your time will come, half-breed." He looks at Tozer and Ront and seems unsatisfied. Finally, setting eyes on Delmae, he grabs her by the collar and starts dragging her away.
You all know Mistress Ilvara will be entertaining Delmae for the next couple hours. Delmae is already panicking, trying futilely to resist and beginning to sob. Then the beasts physically turn you around and get you moving to fill your jugs with water, yet again.
Glad nothing came of the guard's threat with the crossbow, and ignoring the other prisoners, Valthana retrieves a bowl of food and returns to her place along the wall to "eat" in silence.
Xilyra stands and retrieves a bowl of food, then goes to sit next to the drow. In Undercommon she says, “So, Sarith was it? It seems you and Jorlan don’t exactly see eye to eye. And if you are to be sacrificed, then I would guess that the other drow don’t particularly like you either. Maybe you should throw your lot in with us. Surely you know the area well enough, and we could certainly convince this lot to work together long enough to get away from this place.” She looked at Sarith and gave them her best mischievous smile.
Persuasion: 23
Sarith looks at Xilyra, "You know nothing of your heritage. How could you? Among Drow you would be killed for fouling the purity of our race. In fact, you will probably be sacrificed to Lolth along with me. That is your fate. No life of slavery for you." He spits at your feet. "As for Jorlan, he did nothing in the face of the accusation I killed a drow under Ilvara's command. He actually implicated me. I don't remember doing..."
Sarith suddenly grabs two fistfuls of his own hair and yanks on it hard, pulling out small clumps while simultaneously banging the back of his head against the wall he leans against. The display lasts a few seconds, then his hands fall limp to his sides. He looks up at you and says, "What do you want? Get away from me, drow half-breed."
Xilyra knows from her mother that the undercommon word for "drow half-breed" is a vile insult among drow.
The other prisoners shuffle along and take their bowls. The walking talking fish takes a bowl and darts over in his usual manner of movement, to the little mushroom thing. He places the bowl on the ground, takes a hold of the little thing and plops a foot right into the bowl, saying in undercommon, "It is an infant... barely a child." It then darts over near Ront and pauses.
When Ront lifts his first bowl to his mouth, tilting his head back to down it, the fish man darts in, grabs Ronts second bowl and throws the contents into his mouth, sucking it in one big gulp without even chewing. Placing the bowl down as quickly as he grabbed it, he darts away. Ront lowers his head, wipes his mouth with the back of a hand and goes to reach for his second bowl. When he finds it empty, he looks around furious and confused.
Not much time passes before Jorlan returns, two of the large hairy servant beasts in tow. Jorlan points at: Ront, Xilyra, Topsy, Delmae and Tozer. He then points at the clay pots that you all share for your ablutions. You know it is time for you to empty and clean the pots.
As you leave and pass through the guard post to cross through to the landing where you have access to the waterfall, you can roll a Perception check.
After the pots are cleaned, you spend the rest of the time hauling water to where it is needed, and when that is done, hauling it around for no reason.
Tozer does the labor mechanically as he keeps his mind focused on his environment--the bridges, the landings, the waterfall, the drow, the other prisoners, and, most definitely Ront. He keeps one eye on the orc at all times. Odious pile of vomit.
The dwarf has a host of questions running through his head as he puts one foot after the other doing meaningless, physical tasks...Did the halfing pick up the thing that Jorlan dropped? What did the half-drow learn from Jorlan? Where have they hidden my weapons? What would happen if I were to leap into the waterfall? If I kill Ront, will the others refuse to plot an escape with me?
Assuming that Beegred has the Jorlan-dropping (OOC: from the inspiration-assisted sleight-of-hand roll), he will take a look at it when the guards are not intensely watching the prisoners. He will keep his back to the door to cover up.
Whatever he sees, he will share this information with Narstin. That guy seems to be good, and is trusted by the others. He might figure out the best way to use this.
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)
Xilyra glares at the drow. That went about as well as she could have hoped. When the guards enter the cell, she quickly finishes eating and goes to work. While doing the labor required of her she keeps an eye on her surroundings. She watches the other prisoners as well as the guards, looking for anything that may stand out as important or useful.
Perception: 9
Narstin waits until the guards leave after delivering the food, then gets a bowl for himself and takes a second one that he brings to Eldeth. Sitting next to the other while they eat, Narstin whispers, "You were right about the gate. It's very poorly constructed, and could likely be knocked down without too much trouble. Though it would be loud. It would also e possible to grind down the spikes and pull them out to take the gate down more quietly, but I'm not sure if we have enough time for that. Not to mention it would risk being seen while doing so. If a bunch of us banded together, I bet we could break it down and get out before they could react." He shares the same information with Beegred when the halfling approaches him again.
Valthana works without purpose. She does as she is told and attempts to remain inconspicuous.
Perception: 11
Valthana nods off in the cell and dreams of her past work details. She remains as inconspicuous as one could be. The others that finished their work detail: The fish, the small grey man, two of the three deep gnomes and the large beast all curl up in their corner of the cave and sleep.
Xilyra, Tozer, Delmae, Ront and the other deep gnome all hear the sounds of metal clanking and chiming coming from the upper room, as they pass through the guard tower. To Tozer's ear, it is the familiar and fond sounds of blades resonating, chain mail chinking and wooden shields knocking together.
As usual, once the work has been doled out, the drow leave the work party to be overseen by two of the large servant beasts. They brook no talking and hands must be kept at your sides unless using them for specific chores. However, as the hours pass by, their attention wanes and there are only two of them to watch five of you as you walk from waterfall to various large water containers around the outpost.
Beegred settles down towards the back of the cave with his back to the guard post, and examines his prize. It is a long slender shard of some kind of metal, probably iron or bronze. It looks like it broke or splintered off something, maybe the rim of a shield hacked by a sword.
Eldeth responds to Narstin, "There be hope then. Getting out shouldn't prove to be too difficult, but the next problem will be getting down from this outpost. And if we break out, who do we bring with us, and where do we go?"
The little grey man, who appeared to be sleeping, or trying to, turns over and replies in dwarvish, "If you know how to read the omens all around us, you would find your answers. If you break out, I know my way from here to Gracklstugh. The Duergar have a district for outsiders. From there you could find others to guide you elsewhere."
Eldeth shudders, "Why be I going to the City of Blades of all places? Slaves of the drow or slaves of the duergar, I see little difference."
Tozer takes note of the sounds of sword on shield coming from above. Training exercises? He then waits patiently for an opportune time to whisper a few words to the half-drow, Xilyra, that is part of his work detail. "Sarith will be no help, I gather?"
Xilyra looked over at the dwarf. “No, none. Unless you count insulting me and telling I’m likely to be sacrificed helpful.” She shrugged. “Any ideas about how to get out of this place?”
Nodding to Eldeth, Narstin says, "All valid questions. First off, I say we bring with any prisoners who want to go. I couldn't bring myself to leave people behind to suffer for our escape. For some specifics, Beegred seems clever," he says, nodding at the halfling. "The dwarf and the orc," he nods at Tozer and Ront this time, "while perhaps temperamental, seem like they would be useful if it comes to a fight. The goliath too. With a proper disguise, the half-drow could probably pass as a full drow if needed. As for where we go, well, almost anywhere is better than here." His eyes gaze around the chamber in which they sit, then smiles as the grey man, who appeared to be sleeping, speaks up in dwarvish. "Gracklstugh seems as good as anywhere for a start." He looks back to Eldeth. "Worst case, after we get out of here you're free to go whatever way you wish, though I feel that sticking together would definitely give us the best odds of success.
The sounds were not from sparring. It's more like the items were being moved around or bumped into.
Tozer and Xilyra both get cuffed for 4 hp (damage) as the beasts say in crude undercommon, "No spell. No speak."
If you all want to speak without being noticed, roll Stealth at the same time. If you want to make hand gestures without being noticed, roll Sleight of Hand.
FYI: this is what the servant beasts, and the one prisoner, look like:
Tozer, feeling his face start to swell from the blow, grinds his teeth in anger but bites his tongue. Well, I now know where some weapons are stashed. Hopefully the prisoners' are among them. I will inform the others.
"The halfling may have a tool to unlock these manacles," hints Tozer to Xilyra. | Stealth: 12)
“Good, It will be nice to get these things off,” Xilyra said, careful to only speak when the beasts weren’t paying attention. ”I also have something that may help if things get... violent.“ She pressed a finger to her lips in a shushing gesture as the beasts moved around them.
Stealth: 16
Xilyra gets cuffed again for another 4 hp of damage. This time the beast speaks slower, like you are a simpleton, "Nooo speeeaaaaak. Nooo speeelll."
During the work detail, Shoor comes sauntering up to the group, holding his wand for everyone to see like it's a status symbol. He has an evil grin as he carefully eyes each of you. Looking at Xilyra, he says in undercommon, "Your existence will just anger Mistress Ilvara, but your time will come, half-breed." He looks at Tozer and Ront and seems unsatisfied. Finally, setting eyes on Delmae, he grabs her by the collar and starts dragging her away.
You all know Mistress Ilvara will be entertaining Delmae for the next couple hours. Delmae is already panicking, trying futilely to resist and beginning to sob. Then the beasts physically turn you around and get you moving to fill your jugs with water, yet again.