Clutches of Evil - IC: Chapter Two

[jkason]

Byntrou, roguishly sorcerous barbarian

As Byntrou searches the first downed man, the man groans in pain but does not appear conscious. Byntrou's skilled hands quickly come upon a set of manacles attached to his belt, a waterskin, a bag containing the man's flint and steel, and a money pouch. {In addition to the armor and weapons visible, of course)}

[Sblock=Byntrou]Looking in the money pouch reveals 7 gold cons and 3 gemstones used for commerce: 2 Jade and a Violet Garnet[/Sblock]

Byn shakes his head. "Nothing here to tell us about the force they have, though I suppose I wouldn't really have expected that. But we do have some more ... contributions to fund our endeavors," he says, hefting the bag. He turns to Destiny, smiling as he tosses the gold and gemstones to her. "You still up for playing moneybags, Destiny?"

“Well, we could go right away, Bahruul, though we should warn the settlement about the coming invasion first... just in case they’re unaware of the amoral plan to exterminate them for their minerals,” Keryth declares.

Byn nods. "Their mental link should mean telling Markie means the whole colony will know in no time at all."

“Hmm, yes, it’s probably a good idea to proceed slowly anyway, regardless... considering they already have a start on us, and know the mines far better than we do... as if we’re not careful, we could walk right into a trap. Who knows, if we don’t come after them straight away, they may even come back to see if their fighting men killed us after all. Then we could set a trap of our own...”

Byn frowns. "I suspect the trouble with trying to set our own trap is that we can't guarantee when they'll return, nor that they won't simply re-establish their force wall further up the tunnel. I'm not a fan of rushing in blindly, but the longer we wait, the more chance they have to set up whatever traps or ambush they might have in store.

Bahruul and I are faster than you two," Byn says to Keryth. "If you three start forward, I should be able to run back and warn the colony, then catch up to you in decent time."

 

[unleashed]

Keryth, Male Drakontos Cleric

“All true enough, though I wasn’t suggesting we wait for them here... only that we keep an eye out for them returning as we hunt them, and be prepared to ambush them ourselves if the opportunity arises. Your plan is sound though, both for warning the community and hunting our foes, Byntrou, so let’s put it into action,” Keryth remarks approvingly, taking his morningstar in hand once again... ready to set out after the two that fled.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Bahruul readily accepts Keryth's assertion and looks to Byntrou. "Make haste, then, petik. We too shall move quickly. So quickly that I will carry our littlest." As she looks a bit put-out, Bahruul simply reaches down and uses his great strength to pluck Destiny off of the ground without asking permission. A resigned look passes over her face and she adds, "Huh. The air is actually thinner up here." Bahruul laughs and heads up the tunnel.

Byntrou is able to to go back to the Markie's post and alert him.

[Sblock=OOC Byntrou]We can RP this out if you feel the need, but it isn't absolutely necessary. I'll stop here for a second and give you a chance to determine if you'd like to pause or even post an update as to what Byntrou tells Markie....[/Sblock]

Meanwhile, Keyrth, Destiny, and Bahruul make great haste toward the normal mine shaft. Fortunately, there weren't too many turns to get here and it shouldn't be too difficult to remember the way to the surface. That, and remembering that they have to climb up to the surface helps make decisions easier. As they approach the junction with the main tunnel they can hear voices faintly in the distance. Bahruul slows instictively and sets Destiny back onto the ground.

[Sblock=OOC Keryth]Pausing for a bit here to give jkason time to respond to my Sblock above[/Sblock]

 

[jkason]

Byntrou, roguishly sorcerous barbarian

Byntrou is able to to go back to the Markie's post and alert him.

[Sblock=OOC Byntrou]We can RP this out if you feel the need, but it isn't absolutely necessary. I'll stop here for a second and give you a chance to determine if you'd like to pause or even post an update as to what Byntrou tells Markie....[/Sblock]

[sblock=Nonlethal]Byntrou races back to the sane Markie's post, saying, "Alert your people: the preists were killed to silence news of your peacefulness. The miners are assembling a force to invade your underground domain and plunder your gems. For now, the force barrier is down, but if we can't stop them, I don't know how long that will last. I can't demand your aid, but I might suggest that your people at the very least prepare, since even if you don't come to the fight, I fear it's coming to you.

"And now I must be off. My friends go to face your persecutors, and I must do my best to catch up to them before they come to harm."

Byntrou, barely waiting for his words to be acknowledged, rushes off, hoping he might have inspired some support, but not giving himself the luxury of counting on it.

OOC: Since Byn has twice Keryth's speed, and I assume Bahruul is sticking with Keryth, I'm hoping he can catch back up in the time it takes the others to get where they were in the above post. Either way he'll draw and prep his bow as he moves. Ooh! Maybe I can get my first Sneak Attack. [/sblock]

 

[Nonlethal Force]

[Sblock=OOC]Perhaps. Although often to sneak attack one must be willing to put oneself at risk (or be invisible) ... And yes, your greater speed will enable you to catch up with Keryth and Bahruul even if they are hustling. However, to speak directly to Markie would have implied waiting for the stone barrier to move. Let's just assume that happened for realism's sake.

Markie simply replies, "I will tell the Recipient." Byntrou can hear the reply as he heads back up the tunnel.[/Sblock]

Keryth:

As Keryth, Bahruul, and Destiny heard the sounds ahead of them, they also begin to hear the faint sounds of someone coming quickly from behind.

Byntrou:

As you charge back up the tunnel you can see the place where the main tunnel intersects this side shaft. Keryth, Destiny, and Bahruul have not yet passed into the main tunnel.

 

[jkason]

Byntrou, roguishly sorcerous barbarian

Byntrou:

As you charge back up the tunnel you can see the place where the main tunnel intersects this side shaft. Keryth, Destiny, and Bahruul have not yet passed into the main tunnel.

Byn slows himself, quieting his footfalls as he catches sight of his companions. He's not sure if they've paused due to finding some physical obstacle or trap, or because they've detected something in the main tunnel. Either way, having largely closed the gap and having the range of his bow to bridge the distance if need be, he decides to play it cautious.

 

[unleashed]

Keryth, Male Drakontos Cleric

Assuming it’s Byntrou that they've heard behind them, Keryth continues to move the group forward as quietly as possible as he tries to decide how many people are talking.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

It is indeed Byntrou who is behind, and he slows as he approaches. Moving forward just a hair the party can discover that the people are coming toward them in the main mine shaft. Occasionally there are clinks of metal on metal and metal on stone as they talk. They seem to be discussing some type of rock removal area, although their terminology is above what anyone in the party can make out (without a check, of course).

 

[unleashed]

Keryth, Male Drakontos Cleric

Keryth looks for somewhere they might hide, so that the miners might pass by without seeing them... hoping Byntrou takes their search and attempt to hide as a sign to do the same, as calling out isn’t likely to be conducive to remaining undetected.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

[Sblock=OOC]Byntrou is close enough to the party that I was lumping you all into one post, so it is certainly reasonable that Byntrou could hear the talking/clinking and see the rest of the party look for cover and thus do the same.[/Sblock]