Chapter 6: Escape from the Prison World - Dark Beginnings

[tooleychris]

"That..." Flynn starts as the orb smashes, "May have been leverage." he then laughs. "Alright. I doubt we escaped one prison and were returned to a spell prison, but I'm just a sailor. Lead on."

[MonkeyWrench]

Rand finds such an individual after a quick search through his old stomping grounds. The individual recognizes Rand as a 'brother' and offers a quick warning. "I would welcome you to our family, but these are dire times and our time is limited. Our home is no longer safe and the whole city is in jeapordy!" (See PM for clarification/reminder on this subject) The man speaks of the recent events that took place, the ones that Rand was clued in on during the procession outside. He goes on to explaining how the killer was found and brought forth for public execution, a leader amongst assassins or so Fenrin claimed. Normally this would be a bit of good news, some proper vengeance or justice or what have you, but the man quickly explains why this isn't so.

"He (the person from the PM) was our last bastion of hope for peace and understanding. Without him, the brotherhood will be no more and our teachings will fail to reach more. Our leader has dissappeared for months now and without his guidance, many have left in hopes of saving themselves from this chaos that is about to begin. Yes, as much as I hate to think it, the whole thing could have been preplanned, fated even. I'm no oracle, but the patterns are there. The sudden increase in population within a small concentrated area, the elimination of key leaders and dissapearances of others, and Fenrin's quick command of the situation, it all leads to something quite damning. Most of our brothers have caught on to this and started leaving the city ahead of time, even the scummy thieves are showing more sense than the other merchants and nobles. I can't blame them for wanting to monopolize on this chaos."

Certainly a lot to take from some random stranger Rand has just met. The stranger appears to be a middle-aged shopkeeper of average appearance with stringy hair and an unshaved face. What makes Rand believe in his words though is the symbol that he produces to Rand, a matching one that he is currently holding. It is the symbol of the brotherhood he just joined.

Rand shows his own symbol, marking him as brother. Giving the man a stern look, "Who is still here and willing to save him? We cannot let him be killed due to the schemes of that evil bastard... I know our leader was not who did this, we must save him." As Rand looks at the man his eyes burn with determination.

[Zhym]

Elethil dashes to the south corridor for cover, waiting just around the corner. He readies his bow and listens for any movement from down the sewer tunnel.

[Rukellian]

The man that Rand is speaking towards now holds a defeated look in his eyes. The boy spoke of saving their leader, but the middle-aged man knew better.

"I saw the face that stood at the gallows, it was unmistakably his, but even with that said... none of our current order is able to do what we want. Out there boy, we face a huge mob of people, who very much dislike magic and everything that is bound to it, whether by name or appearance. Our leader has shown us the non-violent path and it has been embedded in us for the longest time now. We could try to learn magics that could harm, and in doing so perhaps save, but we wouldn't have the heart to do so. We are but a handful of shopkeepers, farmhands, everyday cityfolk that is just trying to earn a living; we aren't warriors and we certainly aren't evil enough to misuse our gifts."

A pained look remains on his face as he looks away and starts walking towards an empty shop, presumably his as he pulls out a key. He continues to speak though as he notices Rand following. "I admire your courage and resolve, but I'm afraid you are asking for the impossible. The only ones who could have stood up to this situation were dear old Markus, our leader Matkinsai and Elithil, that strange elven ambassador who wielded armor and weapons." He shakes his head again in defeat as he waves an arm out, sweeping it across the city as a whole. "Do you see any of them here right now, alive? No, none of our brothers did, and our last hope is now at the gallows. All we can do, reasonably, is to save what knowledge we can and flee. Without our leader's guidance, you will find the brotherhood quite broken for some time... I wish it weren't so."

[Rukellian]

Elethil dashes to the south corridor for cover, waiting just around the corner. He readies his bow and listens for any movement from down the sewer tunnel.

While taking cover and arming your bow, you can hear the sounds of something moving in the water. Not a splash, but the sounds that would be made as water is pushed.


------


Deceidon pulls out the elven dagger in his possession and leaves marks on the walls to point towards every right path taken. After seeing no signs of activity coming from the orb, he smashes it to the ground, and returns to the room they came from. It is exactly as they left it. The pale blue flames from the candles inside illuminate the bare interior of the circular room. All that is in there are the two sets of armor from the mysterious attackers and the table that once held the orb. Looking back out into the corridor you were in, you find the very first intersection you came across, this time marked with Deceidon's dagger on the right.

"Yes let's go back, and from there make right turns."

Then Deceidon wonders if they are in some magic maze, or befuddling spell, or illusion. He gives voice to such thoughts. "Let us disbelieve these halls, lest it be illusion."

Deceidon refers to the walls as illusionary and Flynn even suggests something similar as he follows either Whitsell or Deceidon. "Alright. I doubt we escaped one prison and were returned to a spell prison, but I'm just a sailor. Lead on."

[onlyme]

Whitsell follows the path to the right. Hoping that with the consistency and the markings, they should be able to tell whether they are going in circles or making progress.

[Rukellian]

Whitsell takes the lead and makes sure to let Deceidon mark the right path with the elven dagger every time they encounter an intersection. As they approach the first, they find that it branches off just like before, distant noises once again sounding off in the background. Crossing the first intersection, the group instinctively turns around and notices that nothing changed this time...

After a few minutes going into this routine, the floors slowly start to show signs of battle, the occasional blood splatter and empty suit of armor sprawled onto the ground. The pale blue flames of the nearby torches casts the blood a shade of purple, unsettling but very real, and fresh. You can hear what seems like another skirmish taking place some distance away. It is muffled though and you cannot determine from where. Clashes of blades, shouts, and the sounds of storming boots against the stone flooring, all around and yet... is this all just...

The sudden appearance of three guards quickly enters your view as they charge from the path you turn into. All three have their swords out and possess that deathly silence about them, save the clattering of their armor.

[onlyme]

whitsell readies his sword at the attacking guards, and unless they stop charging, he will attack swiftly.


long sword attack [1d20+4] = 14+4 = 18 thac017; damage [1d8+4] = 4+4 = 8

long sword attack [1d20+4] = 9+4 = 13 thac017; damage [1d8+4] = 6+4 = 10

[tooleychris]

Flynn also aims thin blade at on of the suits of armor.
"Avast wretch! Come learn a lesson like yer mates before!"
Rapier to hit roll [1d20+7] = 17+7 = 24 Damage [1d6+3] = 3+3 = 6

[Grognardsw]

Deceidon, for some reason still rattled by the deadly empty suits of armor, has a hard time connecting with his sword. He slashes with the elven dagger in his other hand, with equal result.

Sword Attack [1d20] = 6, damage s/m [1d8] = 5, damage L [1d12] = 3
Dagger Attack [1d20] = 7, S/L Damage [1d4] = 2, L Damage [1d3] = 2

[Rukellian]

Whitsell and Flynn are quick to respond to this open challenge as they swiftly flash their own steel and have at them. Whitsell starts off with a sword strike that slices true, even through the enemy's heavy armor. Flynn accompanies this success with a rapier strike on his own target. Deceidon still feels a bit rattled by the idea of facing these deathly suits of armor. It is strange, he cannot help but think. He has fought skeletons and other manners of undead with much more bravery than this... what is sapping his strength? The shadow warrior stumbles forth and misses his first strike within this strange hesitation.

I rolled initiative for you guys, you all got a 6 and acted first, the enemies following up with a 5 of their own. Remember, I will roll for you guys if I don't see one myself.

The three suits of armor charge and clash with all three members of the group, Flynn and Whitsell unable to stop the third from reaching Deceidon. With efficient slices of their swords, the suits of armor cut Whitsell and Flynn, Whitsell's armor nullifying some of the damage done. (4 and 7 damage respectively) The swashbuckler feels the pain of steel for what seemed like the longest time and almosts gasps at the sight of his own blood, almost. Deceidon fairs much better in dodging his attacker's sword strike, finding enough room to maneuver a dagger strike in response. This too seems to do little but scrape the armor of the silent attacker. Whitsell also fits in a counterattack of his own, his second sword strike barely penetrating his target's defense.

Three enemy suits of armor standing. Whitsell's opponent lost 18 hp, Flynn's opponent lost 6, Deceidon's opponent is untouched. Whitsell loses 4 hp, Flynn 7.

"Avast wretch! Come learn a lesson like yer mates before!"
Flynn's quick taunt actually raises a response from someone nearby.

"Oy! Captain! You hear that? It sounded like that swashbuckler!"
The voice is muffled though and it sounds like it is in battle as well.

Actions and rolls everyone!

[onlyme]

Whitsell continues to slash, knowing he must.

long sword attack [1d20+4] = 8+4 = 12 thac017; damage [1d8+4] = 4+4 = 8

[tooleychris]

"Gah! " complains Flynn, pulling a bloody hand from his injury.
"I liked this shirt!" he spits striking back like a viper.
Rapier to hit roll [1d20+7] = 12+7 = 19 Damage [1d6+3] = 6+3 = 9

[Grognardsw]

Deceidon presses his luck and thrusts his sword, aiming for open joints in the armor of his adversary.

Sword Attack [1d20] = 13, damage s/m [1d8] = 6, damage L [1d12] = 11

[Rukellian]

Enemies win initiative.

The armored suits swing their swords again, almost as if in unison, but only one is able to strike Whitsell (dealing 3 points of damage). The other two miss as Flynn and Deceidon elude their attacks. Whitsell's attack is disrupted just slightly enough so that his blade merely scrapes the opponent's armor. Though the enemy does not actively parry, its agility seems uncanny at times, a strange sight considering how heavy the armor they are wearing must be.

"Gah! " complains Flynn, pulling a bloody hand from his injury.
"I liked this shirt!" he spits striking back like a viper.

Flynn's rapier snaps forth like a snake lunging at its prey and bites deep into enemy before him. Again, no blood... Deceidon seems to regain some of his composure as he aims for strategically vulnerable points in the enemy's armor. The sword thrust finds such a spot.

The sounds of battle can still be heard some distance away, or is it close by? The muffling of sounds and the lack of echoing voices makes it hard to determine.

Three enemy suits of armor standing. Whitsell's opponent did not take damage, Flynn's opponent lost 9 hp this round, Deceidon's opponent lost 6. Whitsell loses 3 hp this round, Flynn and Deceidon are untouched.

[onlyme]

Whitsell doesnt want to trade blows, so looks to finish off his opponent.
long sword attack [1d20+4] = 17+4 = 21 thac017; damage [1d8+4] = 6+4 = 10

and if that doesnt do it, hopefully this one would.
long sword attack [1d20+4] = 16+4 = 20 thac017; damage [1d8+4] = 8+4 = 12

[tooleychris]

"A parry, a feint, and a..."
Rapier to hit roll [1d20+7] = 14+7 = 21 Damage [1d6+3] = 6+3 = 9
"a lesson in swordplay, my friend! "

[Zhym]

Elethil waits behind the corner, sword in hand, and prepares to strike at his assailant when he comes around the bend or appears in the water.

Long sword (THAC0 16): [1d20+7] = 11+7 = 18, Dmg: [1d8+9] = 6+9 = 15 (S/M) [1d12+9] = 6+9 = 15 (L)

[Grognardsw]

Deceidon weeble wobbles about with his sword.

Sword Attack [1d20] = 7, damage s/m [1d8] = 5, damage L [1d12] = 6

[Rukellian]

Elethil waits behind the corner, sword in hand, and prepares to strike at his assailant when he comes around the bend or appears in the water.

Long sword (THAC0 16): [1d20+7] = 11+7 = 18, Dmg: [1d8+9] = 6+9 = 15 (S/M) [1d12+9] = 6+9 = 15 (L)

As Elethil waits in ambush, sword drawn and at the ready, he strains his ears but cannot seem to detect any sounds. The motion of water stops and not even the sound of running can be heard. The assailant does not show himself.