DT's Old School Campaign- (Chapter 4: The Guild and The Girl)
- Thread starter Deuce Traveler
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Deuce Traveler
Adventurer
Quinn
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Rose, Quinn, and Vera entered the next two rooms, but found in them two different foreign men who treated their female slaves decently. In fact, what Quinn saw helped raise his view of his fellow men for these warriors quickly deduced what he was about and decided to take a chance for freedom with their women protectively in tow. It would seem that some of the women and men had become pairs during their oppression and became more akin to husband and wife suffering together through hard times. They followed his directions and began to free other couples that they knew and trusted. Soon, Quinn found himself in the middle of a full-blown ressurection as the slaves began to turn on the cruelest of their numbers.
As he came closer to the center of the level, he came to a stair leading to the arena and the pens. It was, however, guarded by a short man with a wild beard and twitch in his eyes. The man held a long handled axe and approached. "Oh, what do we have here? Three betrayers of Mukang's faith who are trying to get to the pens? Turn and run, for the Grunnin's axe thirsts!"
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Everyone Else
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Everything happened so fast. Edvan had positioned himself to launch Rexor upwards, but the brown bear closed too fast upon the fleeing warrior. He struck the beast with a solid shot to the face, but the bear caught his rear foot with a strike as Rexor took a step on Edvan's palms. Rexor's foot was cut deeply and flowed with blood as he struck the ground and screamed when the bear bit into his shoulder. Somehow the mercenary scrambled out of the creature's grasp and propped himself up once more by his quarterstaff, creature and beast now circling one another carefully. "He barely caught me. Shall we try again? Perhaps if you distracted him so I can hit him from the rear," Rexor suggested hopefully.
Liar chuckled in glee, "Oh, what a show! I thought Rexor was going to get away for a moment there! And did you see that lucky strike by the bear? We really are going to have to keep that animal!" At that moment, Hilmdyn decided to take a leap into the pit in order to help Edvan, but missed striking the bear as he came down. Lola closed in on Liar and stuck her blade against his ribs. "What's this? Foul! Foul! You are ruining the games! Guards, protect your master!"
Before the six slaves around Liar could act, Rovan cast his spell knocking unconscious the lot of them as he tactically avoided Lola in the radius of effect. "Oh, I suppose you think you are clever... but there are so many more servants at my disposal..." Liar glanced across the hall and the Wilders could see several armed slaves approaching cautiously so not to endanger Lord Mukang. Also, many of the mercenaries themselves seemed torn between action and inaction. It was obvious that mental calculations were being conducted on how they might best profit from the chaotic scene.
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Rose, Quinn, and Vera entered the next two rooms, but found in them two different foreign men who treated their female slaves decently. In fact, what Quinn saw helped raise his view of his fellow men for these warriors quickly deduced what he was about and decided to take a chance for freedom with their women protectively in tow. It would seem that some of the women and men had become pairs during their oppression and became more akin to husband and wife suffering together through hard times. They followed his directions and began to free other couples that they knew and trusted. Soon, Quinn found himself in the middle of a full-blown ressurection as the slaves began to turn on the cruelest of their numbers.
As he came closer to the center of the level, he came to a stair leading to the arena and the pens. It was, however, guarded by a short man with a wild beard and twitch in his eyes. The man held a long handled axe and approached. "Oh, what do we have here? Three betrayers of Mukang's faith who are trying to get to the pens? Turn and run, for the Grunnin's axe thirsts!"
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Everyone Else
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Everything happened so fast. Edvan had positioned himself to launch Rexor upwards, but the brown bear closed too fast upon the fleeing warrior. He struck the beast with a solid shot to the face, but the bear caught his rear foot with a strike as Rexor took a step on Edvan's palms. Rexor's foot was cut deeply and flowed with blood as he struck the ground and screamed when the bear bit into his shoulder. Somehow the mercenary scrambled out of the creature's grasp and propped himself up once more by his quarterstaff, creature and beast now circling one another carefully. "He barely caught me. Shall we try again? Perhaps if you distracted him so I can hit him from the rear," Rexor suggested hopefully.
Liar chuckled in glee, "Oh, what a show! I thought Rexor was going to get away for a moment there! And did you see that lucky strike by the bear? We really are going to have to keep that animal!" At that moment, Hilmdyn decided to take a leap into the pit in order to help Edvan, but missed striking the bear as he came down. Lola closed in on Liar and stuck her blade against his ribs. "What's this? Foul! Foul! You are ruining the games! Guards, protect your master!"
Before the six slaves around Liar could act, Rovan cast his spell knocking unconscious the lot of them as he tactically avoided Lola in the radius of effect. "Oh, I suppose you think you are clever... but there are so many more servants at my disposal..." Liar glanced across the hall and the Wilders could see several armed slaves approaching cautiously so not to endanger Lord Mukang. Also, many of the mercenaries themselves seemed torn between action and inaction. It was obvious that mental calculations were being conducted on how they might best profit from the chaotic scene.
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Fenris
Adventurer
Rovan decided he must tip the balance of power now while he had the chance. He still had a sleep spell to use in case of trouble, but these men could be pushed to their side, or at least away from Liar's side right now.
Rovan stepped forward and spoke, though he left his mask on for fear of being identified and tracked later.
"MY friends, do not be fooled by this trecherous man. See before you how he tosses away the life of a devoted friend and feeds him to a bear. How long before one of you suffers the same fate? How long will you let him treat you like offal that he can toss away for his own sordid amusement? Mercenary or slave, this man had no power over you anymore. His corruption ends now, his control over you ends now. There will be no retribution for leaving, but if you stay to defend him you will suffer his fate. Now make the choices of free men and go!" says Rovan in his most commanding noble voice.
Rovan stepped forward and spoke, though he left his mask on for fear of being identified and tracked later.
"MY friends, do not be fooled by this trecherous man. See before you how he tosses away the life of a devoted friend and feeds him to a bear. How long before one of you suffers the same fate? How long will you let him treat you like offal that he can toss away for his own sordid amusement? Mercenary or slave, this man had no power over you anymore. His corruption ends now, his control over you ends now. There will be no retribution for leaving, but if you stay to defend him you will suffer his fate. Now make the choices of free men and go!" says Rovan in his most commanding noble voice.
Scott DeWar
Prof. Emeritus-Supernatural Events/Countermeasure
Quinn looks at the grizzeld greeasy guard and slips into his natral accent, "Aye Matey, have ye not heard? lare m'kang be deaded and is body dragged to the sea to be thrown to davy jones locker, he is. Ye be wisen up if ye drop ye ax and be headen to a ship for new ports, as the overlord is not takin a kinden to slavers these days".
He keeps his silvered dagger ready for attack.
Queenie
Queen of Everything
With her blade still pressed against his ribs Lola leaned her lips in close to Liar's ear. "It's quite a shame, really, my Lord, that you would have such a nice set up here yet choose to populate it with slaves. You could have had the world, I imagine, and perhaps for a time you did. Now you'll have nothing but a rotting corpse." With that Lola dug her dagger into his side and twisted it, in such a fashion as to make the wound almost impossible to survive.
Deuce Traveler
Adventurer
Quinn
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Quinn had been using his cutlass and kept it out.
The odd man leapt forward with weapon raised. "You match taunts with taunts well enough. Let's see how you match steel!" As the man closed with Quinn he did not account for the two nearby women fighting like tigers. Steadily the three hedged him in, though Rose made a bad lunge during the battle and was rapped on the side of her head with the bottom of the man's axe haft. She lay stunned and tried to recover. Quinn and Vera fought on, their combined skills eventually felling their foe, but not before he was able to strike Quinn twice for bloody damage (-8 hps to Quinn).
Vera helped Rose back up, and the group took the stairs to the arena. Inside they saw a bloodied Hilmdyn and exhausted Edvan standing near a wounded bear that was now about to maul an injured and shocked Liar Mukang. The lever to the arena portcullis separating the group was against the tunnel wall, which Quinn pulled to open...
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Everyone Else
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"HA! We want gold little man! You speak as if we are like his slaves, but you do not know us. We know of Liar's treachery, but we also know of his rewards!" Thus saying, the mercenaries began to draw swords and approach the group but something odd suddenly happened...
A surging crowd of chained and collared bodies suddenly erupted with blood curdling shrieks up from the lower levels. Quinn had succeeded in setting enough enslaved warriors free, and many in turn were decent men who protected their fellow captive women in Mukang's dark fortress. Now the decent of the women and men fought side by side one another in a bid for freedom, and those with lesser bravery had taken heart and joined them as their success seemed to grow. The words of Rovan took hold of the others in the main hall, and the tide of bodies suddenly through themselves upon the better armed and trained mercenaries. But even those experienced in war could do only so much against a tide of those enraged. Years of released anguish matched its might against steel and desperation.
Mukang said in shock as Lola tightened her grip, "This! This is unforgiveable! He threw his head backwards and in an attempt to break Lola's grip, but was stabbed badly twice before he could slip away. He tried to cast a spell, but Rovan also moved forward and struck him, driving him over the edge of the pit where he landed screaming in front of the brown bear.
The bear had been wounded quite badly by Rexor, Edvan, and Hilmdyn although Rexor finally fell to claw and fang. Hilmdyn also took a bad swipe, but Liar had fallen in front of the bear and now provided a welcome distraction. Behind them, Edvan and Hilmdyn heard the portcullis raise...
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Quinn, Rose, and Vera appeared in the pit and shouted for Hilmdyn and Edvan to escape. Not looking twice, the two joined Quinn before pulling the lever to the pit and locking the Lord and Bear inside. They were joined by a dozen yipping kobolds who took point and attacked a solitary guard unlucky enough to be fleeing in their direction. The lead kobold said to Edvan as they all ran into the main hall and joined Lola and Rovan, "You not lie, funny man. You kept your bargain, now we keep ours. We cut our way out, yes?"
The entire fortress seemed to be engaged in hand to hand fighting now, with melee fought every ten or so feet. As for Liar Mukang, he seemed to be unsuccessfully trying to talk down a bear and use parts of Rexor as bait to distract.
[sblock]
Quinn had been using his cutlass and kept it out.
The odd man leapt forward with weapon raised. "You match taunts with taunts well enough. Let's see how you match steel!" As the man closed with Quinn he did not account for the two nearby women fighting like tigers. Steadily the three hedged him in, though Rose made a bad lunge during the battle and was rapped on the side of her head with the bottom of the man's axe haft. She lay stunned and tried to recover. Quinn and Vera fought on, their combined skills eventually felling their foe, but not before he was able to strike Quinn twice for bloody damage (-8 hps to Quinn).
Vera helped Rose back up, and the group took the stairs to the arena. Inside they saw a bloodied Hilmdyn and exhausted Edvan standing near a wounded bear that was now about to maul an injured and shocked Liar Mukang. The lever to the arena portcullis separating the group was against the tunnel wall, which Quinn pulled to open...
[/sblock]
Everyone Else
[sblock]
"HA! We want gold little man! You speak as if we are like his slaves, but you do not know us. We know of Liar's treachery, but we also know of his rewards!" Thus saying, the mercenaries began to draw swords and approach the group but something odd suddenly happened...
A surging crowd of chained and collared bodies suddenly erupted with blood curdling shrieks up from the lower levels. Quinn had succeeded in setting enough enslaved warriors free, and many in turn were decent men who protected their fellow captive women in Mukang's dark fortress. Now the decent of the women and men fought side by side one another in a bid for freedom, and those with lesser bravery had taken heart and joined them as their success seemed to grow. The words of Rovan took hold of the others in the main hall, and the tide of bodies suddenly through themselves upon the better armed and trained mercenaries. But even those experienced in war could do only so much against a tide of those enraged. Years of released anguish matched its might against steel and desperation.
Mukang said in shock as Lola tightened her grip, "This! This is unforgiveable! He threw his head backwards and in an attempt to break Lola's grip, but was stabbed badly twice before he could slip away. He tried to cast a spell, but Rovan also moved forward and struck him, driving him over the edge of the pit where he landed screaming in front of the brown bear.
The bear had been wounded quite badly by Rexor, Edvan, and Hilmdyn although Rexor finally fell to claw and fang. Hilmdyn also took a bad swipe, but Liar had fallen in front of the bear and now provided a welcome distraction. Behind them, Edvan and Hilmdyn heard the portcullis raise...
[/sblock]
Quinn, Rose, and Vera appeared in the pit and shouted for Hilmdyn and Edvan to escape. Not looking twice, the two joined Quinn before pulling the lever to the pit and locking the Lord and Bear inside. They were joined by a dozen yipping kobolds who took point and attacked a solitary guard unlucky enough to be fleeing in their direction. The lead kobold said to Edvan as they all ran into the main hall and joined Lola and Rovan, "You not lie, funny man. You kept your bargain, now we keep ours. We cut our way out, yes?"
The entire fortress seemed to be engaged in hand to hand fighting now, with melee fought every ten or so feet. As for Liar Mukang, he seemed to be unsuccessfully trying to talk down a bear and use parts of Rexor as bait to distract.
Queenie
Queen of Everything
"Yes, let's get out of here quickly, I think our work here is finished. Though..." she paused and looked around the craziness. "You all go, I should go look for my friend. She helped us get in, I should help her get out."
She waited just one moment before heading back to where their room was, hoping to find Richelle d'Artua there.
She waited just one moment before heading back to where their room was, hoping to find Richelle d'Artua there.
GlassEye
Adventurer
Edvan runs towards Quinn and the young women and out towards freedom. He runs amongst the kobolds brandishing his hand axe and viciously attacking any guards who stand against them. He agrees with the lead kobold, "Yes, we'll cut our way out and woe to anyone who tries to stop us!" He'll follow in Lola and Rovan's wake and try to take out any opposition so they can reach their destination quickly.
Scott DeWar
Prof. Emeritus-Supernatural Events/Countermeasure
Quinn will work the oppisite flank of th the phalanx of escapees
Deuce Traveler
Adventurer
The Wilders and two women ran back towards the lower floors, running opposite of those seeking to flee. "Where you going?! The exit is this way!" The kobold yelled in confusion as the Wilders raced downstairs and to their given quarters.
Along the way, the group ran afoul of three fleeing and wounded mercenaries. Rovan was struck with a glancing blow to the wrist (-4 hps to Rovan), but the three were put down by a magic missile from Rovan, and weapons from the rest.
Ms d'Artua was found in the room near four dead slaves, one of her deceased guards, and the last guard who was bleeding and fading fast with a knife in his gut. The lady was alive and uninjured, but was wailing from the trauma of coming so close to death. "Lola! Oh thank you for coming for me! I don't understand, but they were so angry. When I was here the servants never acted so and always seemed content to serve. Why are they angry?"
Along the way, the group ran afoul of three fleeing and wounded mercenaries. Rovan was struck with a glancing blow to the wrist (-4 hps to Rovan), but the three were put down by a magic missile from Rovan, and weapons from the rest.
Ms d'Artua was found in the room near four dead slaves, one of her deceased guards, and the last guard who was bleeding and fading fast with a knife in his gut. The lady was alive and uninjured, but was wailing from the trauma of coming so close to death. "Lola! Oh thank you for coming for me! I don't understand, but they were so angry. When I was here the servants never acted so and always seemed content to serve. Why are they angry?"
Queenie
Queen of Everything
"They are tired of being slaves! And now is not the time for explanations, so let us hurry and escape out of here as fast as we can! Grab only what you need Richelle for your life depends on it."
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Deuce Traveler
Adventurer
The Wilders made it through the chaos, and through fire as the fortress was set alight in numerous places by the angry and vengeful. There was a side entrance connected to a sloping passage with large oak trapdoors that was used to drag larger beasts into the arena pens. This was the exit chosen by the Wilders and was a path of least resistance.
The Wilders plus the three women watched the aflame Dome for a moment as slaves burst free from the structure and ran amock in the streets. The city bell calling for the guards had been ringing, so the group decided after a few moments to quickly move on and drop Madam d'Artua safely home.
Vera asked, "I doubt my father will choose to stay in the city after this. It might be safer to lay low for a bit since Liar Mukang had friends among the Thieves Guild. Would you like to come with us? It would just be for a little while, and since my pop used to be a member of the Men-At-Arms during the war he might be able to teach some of you a few tricks."
The Wilders plus the three women watched the aflame Dome for a moment as slaves burst free from the structure and ran amock in the streets. The city bell calling for the guards had been ringing, so the group decided after a few moments to quickly move on and drop Madam d'Artua safely home.
Vera asked, "I doubt my father will choose to stay in the city after this. It might be safer to lay low for a bit since Liar Mukang had friends among the Thieves Guild. Would you like to come with us? It would just be for a little while, and since my pop used to be a member of the Men-At-Arms during the war he might be able to teach some of you a few tricks."
Scott DeWar
Prof. Emeritus-Supernatural Events/Countermeasure
"Me thinks that passage on a certain ship may be due to be aquired mateys. Shall i contack me ol' captn'?"
Deuce Traveler
Adventurer
Quinn decided that he was going to keep an eye out for the Botany Bay when time permits, but for the immediate future the Wilders decided to take refuge with Vera's father.
It was a teary-eyed reunion that late hour when girl was returned to her only family. But the pair worried about their safety and planned to flee to a half-burnt out ranch a mile north of the city along with Rose and the Wilders.
OOC: You have your stuff from your room. Do you also intend to try and load up with stuff from your house?
It was a teary-eyed reunion that late hour when girl was returned to her only family. But the pair worried about their safety and planned to flee to a half-burnt out ranch a mile north of the city along with Rose and the Wilders.
OOC: You have your stuff from your room. Do you also intend to try and load up with stuff from your house?
Fenris
Adventurer
OOC: Yes, quickly though, no furniture. Just a few personal items that we need. Hrmmm. Or would some of those things be at Ms d'Artua's place?
Deuce Traveler
Adventurer
The Wilders weaved down streets with Rose, Vera, and Vernik in tow after collecting their possessions not left at home. They traversed Murky Street with its ever present leeches which squished underfoot, and Fog Street which is said to be cursed and on occassion to be plagued with a swarm of toads that spit gunk towards the eyes of drunk passerbys. They stopped, however, on the corner of By-Water Street near By-Water Bath, a famous shop for those with worn bodies and easy coin. This was shortly before the narrow alleyway leading to the Wilder's home. A fire could be seen burning brightly down at the end of the alley, and the shouts of men and women trying to put it out could be heard. So intent and shocked were the Wilders that they did not notice the slumped, bleeding man in the shadows near them.
"Murder..." The bloodied man whispered hoarsely. Hilmdyn instinctively bent over him and cast magic to cure his wounds (uses a cure light wounds spell), before both he and Edvan recognized him as one of the now-dead companion of Ben Sills, named Craig Hastings. As the color returned to his lips he coughed his lungs clear of blood and said, "Murder... it was murder and coin that filled our minds, but it was only murder that we received. Scar and I waited by your home for you to return. You see there is a rich reward out for someone that looks like the lot of you Wilders, and whether you are guilty of offending the Guild or not, the price of 100gp a head is too good to pass up. It was the serving and dancing girls of the Mermaid Tavern, that bastion and safe house of the Thieves' Guild, who last reported seeing you or some like you and put the call out for your bounty once their slave maker was found mutilated and face-down in the drink. Others who have looked like you have been accosted throughout the city. Why they struck this night, I do not know, but I owe you my life, so I will tell you what I know to return the favor. It was killers of the Thieves' Guild that struck tonight, and their knives finished Scar and nearly finished me. They struck with anger and desperation else they would have finished their work. Most likely they were thinking we were friends of yours or at least acquaintences. Then they proceeded to break down the door and put everything to the torch. Ask your questions! My life is saved and antagonizing you has been the worst for health and luck."
"Murder..." The bloodied man whispered hoarsely. Hilmdyn instinctively bent over him and cast magic to cure his wounds (uses a cure light wounds spell), before both he and Edvan recognized him as one of the now-dead companion of Ben Sills, named Craig Hastings. As the color returned to his lips he coughed his lungs clear of blood and said, "Murder... it was murder and coin that filled our minds, but it was only murder that we received. Scar and I waited by your home for you to return. You see there is a rich reward out for someone that looks like the lot of you Wilders, and whether you are guilty of offending the Guild or not, the price of 100gp a head is too good to pass up. It was the serving and dancing girls of the Mermaid Tavern, that bastion and safe house of the Thieves' Guild, who last reported seeing you or some like you and put the call out for your bounty once their slave maker was found mutilated and face-down in the drink. Others who have looked like you have been accosted throughout the city. Why they struck this night, I do not know, but I owe you my life, so I will tell you what I know to return the favor. It was killers of the Thieves' Guild that struck tonight, and their knives finished Scar and nearly finished me. They struck with anger and desperation else they would have finished their work. Most likely they were thinking we were friends of yours or at least acquaintences. Then they proceeded to break down the door and put everything to the torch. Ask your questions! My life is saved and antagonizing you has been the worst for health and luck."
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