DM themed play-by-post D&D game : STORY THREAD

[oh_brother]

"Do not attmpt to threaten us, you are not in a very strong position." Helping Haynuus push the prisoner towards the group he shouted "One of the soldiers is not dead, it seems we have a prisoner. Any ideas on what we should do? Sir Farel, perhaps he has information about your squire." And perhaps he has information about Deephold.

As the others were examing the soldier he grabbed an empty flask. "UM VI"

Handing the flask to Farel he said "Also, if you are still planning to go off on your own after this you should take this with you. You never know when you might need it."

[Lord_BoNes]

Upon hearing the commotion down the passage, Aurek took to full running speed. As he closed the final steps toward the soldier, he drew his sword, pointing it squarely at the throat of the man, and yelled "SOLDIER!" grabbing the unarmed man's attention, "I'm the one who put you down there to begin with..." his demeanour completely changing, making sure that the soldier saw the fire in his eyes, "I don't wish to repeat it, but DON'T test me. Your 'strong' captain has fled, leaving you to bleed to death on the cold stone floor. I'm sure you don't want to go back down there, now do you?"

"Now... are you going to keep behaving like a child, waving those arms and legs about, or are you going to actually act civilised enough to hold more than 1 second of 'conversation'?"

[beowuuf]

Roll me an indimidation checl LB

[beowuuf]

Actually, never mind LB, his check roll was so low it's not worth it! Plus Invisible Castle is down right now Oh, I forgot to say, Passin looks like the other Kevin Smith who played Ares in Hercules and Xena. For no reaosn, just I started writing what he looked like, and realised it was like that guy

Passin seems to snort at the mention of danger from Haynuus, a confused look at being safe from things with them, and them gives another shrug at Westian's words. "I made no threat," he says in a neutral tone.

The charging paladin startles the soldier, as does a sword point to his throat. The soldier tries to lock gazes with Aurek, but does not succeed. However, there is a flick of the eyes to his own bindings as Aurek speaks about waving his limbs. And more importantly, a resigned look when Aurek speaks about conversation.

"What more is there to say? Apparently we knew nothing. Captain Drommal and Sergeant Thinpas were right to flee."

To keep all the actions 'right', I'll assume Farel comes forward and also you guys are pretty close to the rest

Farel hears the reply from Westian, and looks quickly to the others. He lowers his sword, but gestures for the three non-combattants to stay back. Helm has his eyes open after hearing the news, shifting uncomfortably but trying not to disturb the murafu beside him.

The kngiht moves forward quickly to see what is occurring, and his eyes widen at the sight.

"Easy, friend Aurek," says Farel, perhaps worried about antagonising the soldier given the comment of Westian to do with questioning the man about Farel's squire.

Sir Farel takes the offered flask with a surprised nod, obviously grateful but unable to take his gaze away from soldier.


It's getting late, so won't wait for money. Can everyone roll me a d20 with any actions you take tomorrow, not assuming you'll need it, but tomorrow may be a pressed for timne update so want to ensure I have everything I might need!

[Ameena]

It seems the "peaceful" moment has been horribly short-lived. Ameena looks up with a slight jolt of surprise at Aurek's sudden change, and feels a small wash of disappointment, tinged with familiar sadness, that the supposedly peaceful human can become so aggressive so quickly, especially when faced, of all things, with a bound, wounded, and unarmed individual. And even of his own species.
She looks briefly at the captive soldier, and sniffs in his direction. She doesn't move from her position beside Helm, but turns her gaze on Aurek.
"I thought you said you'd never try to harm anyone unless you had to." she points out. "Do you think it might be necessary to harm someone who can't hurt you back, or even run away?"
Then she looks back toward the soldier.
"Hello." she says, looking up at him. "Are you alright? Well, obviously not, but...I'm Ameena, by the way. Who are you?"

OOC - Requested d20 roll = 12 .

[Lord_BoNes]

Aurek turns to face Ameena, hoping that she can see his face, but moving so the soldier can't see his mouth, and he silently mouthed the words "ACTING IT OUT". He was only trying to scare the man into submission. He knew the he was the one who put him down to begin with, and HE was the one with the biggest chance they had to intimidate this guy into submission. He also knew that these soldiers don't bend easily, the one that held Helm hostage, for instance...

He turned back to the soldier, "I'm not disputing the fact that they had every right to flee. But, you still held them so highly... they ran without even leaving one of us dead... look around you... who won the fight, when you've got all these dead comrades?"

The his posture shifted back to his more peaceful, normal self, "Now, I'm happy to try to help you. I honestly don't wish to repeat what happened before. As you can see, myself and my companions are capable of defending ourselves. Please, don't make us regret healing you... we could have left you to die. I know that there is a human being under there somewhere.... ...." with that, Aurek had a realisation... take the man's armor off him! He's a threat! Armorless, the threat is less than an armored one...

"Westian... Haynuus... this man has given us grief. There are high chances that he'll try to do the same again. We need to get this armor of his off, just in case he decides to start up again and get loose." as he spoke the last words, he eyed the soldier very carefully for a few moments, then started on the soldier's platemail.

[beowuuf]

Actually, I'm assuming Haynuus stripped all his armour off whether Westian wanted it or not. Which is good since he's bound now Whether it's still lying back up the corridor or Westian took some items I need some clarification on!

[Ameena]

Ameena's gaze flicks briefly from the wounded soldier to Aurek as the latter turns round and mouths some words at her - she makes out what he's saying but doesn't quite understand his motives for doing so. Why deliberately try to scare someone who's not really any kind of threat anyway? Intimidation isn't something the Murafu ever try doing - she's seen it plenty of times between other people, and when it involves her directly she's only ever been on the receiving end, during which circumstances such actions weren't necessary anyway - most creatures being bigger than she is (most often considerably so), they hardly need to specifically attempt to scare her in order to do so - aggressive body language and an unpleasant facial expression tend to be enough without things like standing taller and weapon-waving.
Personally, she thinks, if she were to be bound like this and marched over to a group of armed people who'd aleady shown themselves to be not only violent, but successful at being so, she wouldn't just be intimidated but downright terrified.
Still, she supposes, like any other species, humans are different to murafu. They respond to things in different ways. Maybe this human is one who won't be scared.
Trying not to feel too much of a surge of nervousness herself at the behaviour of those around her, these thoughts pass through her mind as she continues to look up at the soldier to see whether he'll reply to her.

[oh_brother]

OOC I rolled an 15(invisible castle is own). Also, Westian will have left the armour behind, we decide what to do with it later.

Happy that Aurek had taken a strong tone with the prisoner, Westian remained calm when talking. "You have nothing to worry about, as long as you help us we will treat you well. You can escape this place if you want, or go back to your commanders. You were almost dead, but now you have another chance. All we need in return is some information. Information that will cost you nothing. We need to know the layout of the dungeon around here. Also we need to know the location of two people. SIr Farel's squire, and Brother Deephold. I hope you can help us in this matter."

Diplomacy: 12 + 13 = 25

[money]

Falkor was dreaming, it felt more like a waking dream and as he drifted in and out of consiousness he wasn't sure if the thoughts, conversations that were going round his head had happened or not.. but it wasn't long before his sleep was interupted... a soldier had been found alive, Falkor realised that this could perhaps offer him a chance to show Ameena why he had attacked, if only the soldier would be honest about what their plan had been - but then, did they know, would a low ranked soldier know the reason behind the orders... He had to try...

As they came back Falkor leant forward, opened his mouth... and closed it just as quickly. Westian had got in their first, but by all accounts - he was approaching this in the way he would have liked. He just hoped that the soldier would not shout for help... Ameena clearly didn't want to see more bloodshed and the thought of more soldiers homing in on the party was not something he hoped for.

OOC: Falkor is just watching on - lots going on in his mind at the moment that he is not ready to talk or interact with the others. In short - he is going through a bit of a nervous breakdown questioning everything...

[beowuuf]

Excellent! One character down, four to go. And actually, Ameena's psyche is on its way out too, so only three of you to get now

Will wait for Haynuus to se if he good cops or bad cops, then will post the last update of the year *tear*

Edit: Actually, that's probably not true!

[ian_scho]

Haynuus folded his arms and breathed in attempting to inflate his chest and look menacing. Mean dude. Tough guy in a don't mess with us kind of way. Yes, this could work, now what about a glare? Basically everything would go fine if he didn't open his mouth. It always goes well up to the point he expels air between his vocal chords. Just look bad and don't say anything and nothing will go to shit. Just don't talk... Can't stop... Got to say... Noooo...

"Yeah".

Some d20 roll (1d20=7)

[beowuuf]

A combination of intimidation skill and a low opposed roll means you got it Ian... the 'yeah' sounded ambiguous and menacing Or maybe it's the fact Haynuus is still at like 3hp and still able to speak!

[beowuuf]

The soldier's gaze flicks again to Ameena, and he answers, "My name is Passin Vash." However he has already flicked his gaze back to Westian and Aurek as if the words were not meant for Ameena, and he does not answer her further questions.

The soldier's gaze flicks from Ameena to Aurek as the two exchange words. His gaze narrows a little as Aurek turns his back, but the soldier does not move.

He listens to Aurek's and Westian's words in silence, and even notices the half-orc as he speaks a single word of support. Which of their actions - or whether it is the actions of the mage as he leans forwards, apparently stopping himself from doing ...something - is the one to break the soldier's restraint was unknown.

"If you seek anyone religious, the priest will have them. They will convert to his cause, unless they worship one such as Larethian," the soldier seems to shudder at that name. "In that case, they may well still be alive, even if they wish they were not. As to the other..."

At this, Farel visibly cranes forward tense.

"...any others, the mage usually takes for his play-things," finishes the soldier, not looking at the knight. "If the squire is strong, he will probably be alive. He just might not be recogniseable."

Farel barely reigns himself back in, an outburst escaping his lips and a step forward made towards the prisoner. The soldier takles advantage to look to the half-orc.

"You think I am safe with you?" the soldier asks recalling an earlier comment. "You think you won the fight?" he asks Aurek. "If Drommal withdrew, then you are out of his mercy. I can only assume he will let the mage who sent us deal with you directly."

The soldier turns around, as if listening for something. He turns back to the group. "Do you hear that? Nothing. Enjoy that lack of sound while you can."

The soldier looks for an area of floor, and despite the group and weapons aligned against him, painfully falls against the wall then shuffles into sitting. He shrugs one last time as he closes his eyes. "The mage's pets are swift and persistant. I doubt that I - nor any of you - will live out the hour."


Dun dun dun! And with that, I hope you ignore the soldier, and talk amongst yourselves until next week Obviously Ian needs to weight in before he disappears next week. The rest of you can swap plans for moving on, or can simply change the subject from the mage's pets to what's going on to what you lot remember, etc. Have fun!

We can retcon any further interrogation of the soldier or any comments by Farel/Helm until after I return - thoguh feel free to fire off questions.

[Ameena]

Ameena gives a slight nod as Passin gives his name, even though he doesn't seem to be paying her any further attention. Well, she decides, that's fair enough, given his current situation. She hopes the others won't try to hurt him - covered in blood as he already is, he clearly isn't in the mood for any more fighting. What would happen, she wonders, if Passin were to try and run? Would one of the group attack him? After recent events, she still isn't really sure exactly what kind of people she's stuck with.
And now it sounds like the mage who was spoken of before will be sending his "pets" to obliterate them all. Pets...it's a term Ameena's come across in her travels. Some creatures keep other creatures as pets - keeping them chained up or locked away inside their homes, making them dependent on their "owners" for food, water, companionship. Owners. How can one creature "own" another? It's yet another of those things that puzzles Ameena. Of course, the Murafu generally have ties with rats, but they would never try to "keep" them. Despite rats being non-sentient, they tend to come to agreements with the Murafu with regard to living space and food consumption - rats often live near murafu in colonies, sometimes alongside and among them, but the Murafu would never attempt to really control their behaviour. Murafu are capable of communicating with rats to the extent that the rats know not to consume all the food, or destroy the living spaces of murafu. But this is merely an established agreement - the rats aren't forced into keeping to it. Ameena has seen plenty of creature being beaten and whipped just for eating food that someone has dropped. She recalls a few occasions when she's waited for an "owner" (often of a species such as human or orc) to go to sleep for the night, then sneaked in and freed whatever canine, equine, or other has been chained and cruelly treated so. They always seem grateful, if not a little confused sometimes.
Meanwhile, she wonders what thse pets are like. If they're aggressive, she wouldn't be surprised if they were so only because they'd been chained up and starved for a long time - then they'd probably attack anything that came near them.
But such thoughts, she decides, are too much for now. If she's going to be eaten, then so be it - at least she's not alone now, and doesn't want to be.
She puts her head against Helm's side again and closes her eyes, drifting quickly down into a light, dozing sleep of the kind she would take when in a hostile area - she is relaxed but remains mostly aware of what's going on around her - any unrecognised noises will draw her attention.

[oh_brother]

Seeing Farel approach the soldier Westian decided to let him interrogate for a while. He certainly seemed motivated, the loss of his squire had seen to that.

He turned to the other three, the three with whom he had woken up in mysterious circumstances what seemed like days ago. "Haynuus, some things have been coming back to me. I don't know if the memories I have are real or dillusions, but....um...did I hire you for this trip in a nearby town?" Westian felt somewhat stupid asking the question, it could have been a dream or a dillusion caused by the evil surrounding him.

As the conversation progressed he caught the halfligs attention. "Falkor, I remember when we were in the chapel of the Altar of Vi you mentioned a name: Gholst. Why did that come to your mind? You mentioned it just minutes before the soldiers arrived, clearly not a coincidence." Westian said these words not in an accusatory fashion, but rather in an attempt to figure out what had happened, and to try to heal some of the divisions that he could sense in the party.

"Ameena, before we came back here I said I was ready to listen if you wanted to talk about the battle. That offer is still open whenever you decide. It caused you significant distress, that much is obvious. And I cannot promise that it is all over. But we are all in this together. We will get out of here, just keep that thought with you. It may get worse before it gets better, but remember that the night is darkest just before dawn."

[ian_scho]

Haynuus exhaled at being asked a question. His aura of I'm a mean dude, Mister Soldier/Prisoner deflated as if someone had picked a hole in a puffed up pigs bladder. He picked his ear thinking and related the following.

"I remember... You asked me to help you, that you were on a mission and that you're a cleric. A mission from God!, I recall. You probably offered me some money too" Haynuus chuckles now "but I don't remember that. I can remember thinkin' that I was happy to be on my first mission and it being really important and exciting." He looked to the floor after that and added. "I can't remember much else now. Or why I have the symbol of SAR stuck in my head."

[Ameena]

Ameena wearily half-opens her eyes and looks at the nearby feet of Westian, since she doesn't feel like moving herself enough to once again crane her head all the way back to look up at his face.
"You make night sound like a bad thing." she murmurs. "It's easier to hide when there are more shadows, if the ones you're hiding from rely on sight. As for the battle, I..."
Her whiskers give a twitch and she fidgets slightly.
"I don't know...how to deal with that sort of thing." she says, wishing that none of it had happened. "I've never been in a situation where I...can't get away from it. We just don't..."
She gives a slight shiver, and burrows deeper against Helm's side. Some distant part of her mind briefly hopes that he doesn't mind warm soft furry things nestling up against him like this. Meanwhile the rest of her is just scrambling to get away from the conversation, from the dark thoughts she knows she'll have to face once again soon. The memories of these things she fears so much. The lack of understanding she knows she has about just why these creatures feel they must behave this way.
She closes her eyes and feels glad, at least, that she finally has someone she can rest against like this. Murafu or not, it doesn't matter - the friendly company and physical contact by themselves are enough to reassure her and keep her away from the realms of panic.

[ian_scho]

Haynuus continued his thoughts.

"So Mister Westian... Errr what are we doing again? I mean, you told me but I didn't understand. You said you had to... I mean you wanted to on behalf of your clerically clan... Ermm. I've forgotten what it was you're supposed to be undertaking. Don't worry I won't forget again, just take your time." And with that Haynuus showed one of his dirty toothy grins. He settled down and got comfortable, as if to be ready for a long stint of inactivity. He gave a long yawn and looked ready for a great bed time story.

[oh_brother]

Westian enjoyed speaking, and was happy that he had an audience. He stood up and began to talk in a smooth, clear voice. "I came to this montain on the orders of my...um...order." Though he was unhappy with this opening line, he continued on regardless. "What has come back to me lately is that my mission was to find Brother Deephold, a dwarven member of my order. Or rather, a dwarven member of my and Aurek's order. He had come here with a paladin protector, but his current position was unknown. Now, somewhat shamefully, I believe in my eagerness to get here I left in the middle of the night, before my superiors had told me all the details. I now assume that sending the paladin Aurek as my guard was part of their plans, am I correct sir?" he asked as he glanced at Aurek. "I subsequently travelled to a nearby village and attempted to hire my own protection, which is how I joined forces with Haynuus. Is that not so?" The last comment had clearly been directed at the half-orc, who seemed to e having trouble keeping his eyes open. "We came here, and after that the next thing I remember is waking up in that room with Falkor, Ameena and Haynuus. I have no idea what had happened in the meantime - if anyone can fill us in on the details I would be most pleased. I also have no rememberance of meeting Helm, Ameena or Falkor before. Although...even as I say that, ocasionally I get a strong sense of deja-vu, as if we have indeed met before. But forgive me, that could simply be my over-active imagination."

"Now if those memories are correct I have the beginnings of an idea as to the events that lead to us meeting. But clearly much is missing. Does anyone else have any memories? Maybe it would help if we each told our own story. Whatever we remember of it at least."

[Ameena]

Since various other people around her seem keen to share their own view of things, and since her mind hasn't fully got itself back into shape from everything that's happened so far, Ameena decides she'll just stay as she is, comfortable against the warm side of Helm, and listen to what the others have to say. She wonders how everyone can talk so casually, considering what's been happening, but then wonders if perhaps this is their way of dealing with it - rather than curl up and try to shut it out that way, maybe they try to mentally "shout down" their bad thoughts by distracting themselves with conversation. She also knows that at some point soon, since everyone is talking about how and why they may have come to this place, she'll have to turn her attention to Falkor. And she's barely looked at him since...well...
How will she deal with that, she wonders.

[beowuuf]

As Westian is in full flow, I'll let him have another will save to recall more details in the interrim if you like, OB

Sir Farel listens with half an ear, and more importantly tried to both interrogate the prisoner quietly and block him from listening in on the conversations of the party.


If anyone wants to listen in to exactly what Farel is saying, it's a perception check to hear or a sense motive to assess his and the soldier's body language


Helm was trying ot listen in to Farel and the soldier's conversation, apparently, but was distracted when he heard his name mentioned.

"Oh, umm...well I'm afraid I do not know any of you," he started, "well except for Ameena, whom I briefly met as I was resting yesterday evening...or perhaps the evening before. Time seems to be hard to recall in this place. An odd co-incidence, I imagine, but one the stars and High Lords like to put upon us. Well, so my mother used to say. If there is a message for us there, I'm afraid I was never gifted to see." He seemed to try to regain his composure and memory of what he was originally going to say. "Sorry...I do know Deephold, I thought you must be of the same order when you spoke to the soldiers!" Relief seemed evident in his voice, though confusion too. "Strange that you were sent after him, we only just arrived to Anais. Perhaps he did not make his way directly... Umm, so yes, he and his paladin...Umgold, I think, a silent brute, they met up with Fex to guide them to Anaias. Fex had pounced upon me - I have a modest reputation for my abilities in Voborg - to be some additional support."

Helm's expression crumbled, and he shifted uncomfortably, then recalled his companion by his side and shifted less. "Deephold did not seem to be surprised that the Grey Lord did not appear. And I did not seem to be needed to begin with, he could bypass some of the doors with ease. I seemed to be needed for the later doors, and I spotted a pit or two. And then, of course, Fex deserted us." Helm's expression darkened. "We...ah...we were split up already, and then we realised Fex was gone. Deephold and his paladin went deeper, I assume, instead of coming back around a long way to the entrance. I managed to get back to the main hall and found the dead had risen and were fighting a group of Trolins. I...I wandered back and forth looking for other ways out, and then was captured by the soldiers who captured you all too."

Helm shrugged, then winced as he rubbed his back the wrong way and also twinged his shoulder wound aswell. He looked about the group for further comments.


Fighting to give you a quick update for some more hooks. Hopefully this will send! Everyone, feel free to give me will, perception, sense motive, knowledge, or any other type of rolls you desire based on what Helm has said.

LB, feel free to give me a level check modified by wisdom (1d20+ level + wis mod) to see if you recognise the name and identiity of your apparently fellow paladin Umgold

[Ameena]

Ameena listens to Helm's words, and nuzzles a little closer against him at his apparent discomfort, as any murafu would to help comfort a friend. Everyone seems to be mentioning a lot of names, ones she's unfamiliar with though this doesn't surprise her. She twitches her ears around a bit, to see what else is being said nearby. While she'd never like to be blind, she knows there are certain advantages to having one's eyes closed - it makes the other senses sharper, she feels, probably because her concentration isn't split over so many senses. That gives it more room to...well, to concentrate on the information presented by the others.

OOC - Perception check = 16 (8+8) to hear other nearby dialogue (presumably only Farel and Passin), and half an ear also constantly open for any other "unusual" (ie non-group-made) noises that might be audible to her murafu ears.

[money]

Falkor was ignoring most of the talk around him, he was concentrating on hearing what Farel was saying to the prisoner... Falkor: Rolled 1d20 and got 11... he hoped that he would hear something that would be usefull later in buildng relationships with Ameena.

As he listened Helm started to talk about how he had ended up here, the "story" seemed to make some sense - but why the guards had bound him for stealing... being a theif... seemed to have been missed out along the way. Just more tall tales Falkor thought to himself... He still had no trust in Helm!

[ian_scho]

Haynuus awoke with a start.

He knew that he was sleeping as he had spittle dropping off his chin - which was normal when his saliva glands relaxed and his canines forced his lips to part as he slowly breathed. It was just one of the many reasons that normal humanoids were repulsed by the half-orc.

Darn it, all of this talking was really difficult and concentrating on various conversations was really difficult for him. He looked at Westian and smiled, nodded in agreement, but just what had he said again? Haynuus felt useless at this conversation-y stuff and elected instead to cast a weary eye over the prisoner.

OOC - Perception check on the prisoner. (1d20+2=16)

[beowuuf]

Ameena and Haynuus beat the DC15 easy listen, and Falkor with his +3 to listen checks is so close that he can probably work out what was said after a moment. Aurek can ret-con a listen check if he wants. I imagine Westian would be focused on his speech then Helm's reply!

Farel and the prisoner talked in earnest, although to the ears of those that listened it did not appear sinister. Simply, Farel kept his voice calm and level, and the soldier Passin was hissing the occasional reply.

Louder than the rest was the continued comment of 'answer me', or 'eyes back here' from Farel. It was apparent that the soldier seemed to be just as intent on listening to what the group were saying as listening to Farel.

"... is this mage?" said Farel as the listeners tuned in.

"You would not know the name if I said. No one knows of him."

"And why should my squire be there instead of escaped. Your comrade told me of the Dead Paths close. A pause. "Another soldier. Mak..."

"Marhman? A coward. Disloyal. No one who moves here goes free for long. We soldiers move, killing beasts and taking the stragglers who tresspass. And the priest and the mage take what we find."

"But you say the priest is ...?" the word quiet, as if Farel has lowered his voice for some reason.

"Indeed. The mage is the closest death you will find, if you seek such things."

Farel does not reply again, not taking on the soldier's taunt.

That's about it. You have until next Monday to interract with anyone before I push things along. Shame the holidays have meant again a slow point for RP hasn't yielded as much as you might have liked. Like I always say, you tend to get more fun RP in action scenes than being allowed to waffle anyway!

Write out anything you might like to have said or conferred on in the OOC thread, if you want to establish some hivemind.

I'll write out some hanging points if I get the chance.

[Ameena]

Ameena hears some of the quiet conversation being held between Serfarrel and the soldier, Passin. They seem to be talking of names and places she's unfamiliar with, like most other people around here. Normally she'd probably be interested, but right now she just wants to shut down and block out the world. Still, right here and now she has a few quiet moments and a friend by her side - things could be worse.
She keeps an instinctive ear open for anything that isn't conversation, but other than that, she lets her mind drift off into a light doze. She hopes she won't start seeing burning humans in her sleep.

[Lord_BoNes]

Aurek joins in with Farel's attempts to block the prisoner from listening to the conversation. (1d20: 1... OOC: LOL! I get all these epic 20's when I want to lop some heads off, and then..... I roll for a blood-free "passive action", and I get a damn 1!) "Farel, this lad seems to want to pry into our conversation. Perhaps you may find it prudent to increase the 'severity' of your interragation. He might need a stronger hand for him to prove useful."

In the meantime, Aurek listened to Westian's speech, tried to focus on Helm's speech (perception 1d20: 16, wisdom 1d20: 18) and watch Passin VERY carefully. (1d20: 17)

OOC: After my EPIC FAIL of 1, my d20 seems to have eased up on abusing me! LOL! I actually rolled the 17,17 & 18 IN THAT ORDER! ROFL

[beowuuf]

Hmm, I think the closest is intimidation, so that 1 means he's not really paying attention to you, as he's realised something pretty obvious. Luckily, he's not overheard anything really incriminating to use against you!

Th soldier sneers. "I am sure a follower of Larethian will slit my throat while I lie here helpless if I do not 'co-operate'. Bah, I have said all I know. You will die soon anyway if you dally here."

The soldier lies with his head against the wall, eyes closed. Before Aurek can do anything further, Farel gestures for him to move aside with him.

"I know memory and perception can be flawed, but I still fear what I thought I heard earlier. Would you agree we heard something armoured move away from our cell earlier? The soldier says they had no scout abroad."

Farel sighs, and drops his voice down a step. "The more I have heard, the more I fear I must seek out this 'mage'. However, I do not know if your group would wish to approach this man they just escaped the clutches of. And perhaps I doubt the skills of my charge and rank him too green. I am torn. Does your god give you any indication? I am saddened to say I have only paid dues to the High Lords only as much as my duty and calling dictate. We do not have a...close relationship. Especially at a time such as this." Farel signs deeper sand shakes his head at his own words.

Ok, normally I would penalise you a little for splitting your focus on checking out both the prisoner and listening in properly to the conversations behind. Luckily, that failed intimidation means the prisoner is doing nothing to distract you, so your good rolls mean you hear well enough what Westian and Helm have said.

I'll take your wisdom roll and the level check I asked for earlier.

[Lord_BoNes]

As the soldier spoke to Aurek, he cut him off... "You dare to mock MY god? I almost slice your head right off, and all you have to say is 'you are going to slit my throat while I sleep'? I've already had ample opportunity to finish you off right here, but like I said, I don't WANT to. I'm a holy warrior, a warrior from god, I don't like bloodshed. However, as you have seen, I am fully capable of defending myself."

"If you want to sit there, without patronising us, or listening to things that AREN'T your business, then I'm fine for you to do so... but, don't make me tell you this again. Our conversations are OUR conversations, NOT yours, stop trying to listening in. It's rather simple really..."

After lecturing the soldier, Aurek turned to the others "Now, everyone, I'm very strong at combat strategising. But, I need to know all that you guys/girl can do." (OOC: this is mainly aimed at Helm because no-one knows what the little bugger can do... except, obviously, he's good at stealing) "As for Umgold, I knew him. He was definately not a person I'd want to be against. His unwavering loyalties are extremely well known to me. He will struggle to let a charge even out of his sight!"

Finally, he turns to Farel, "Yes, I do believe that I heard armor clanking earlier. I think that it DOES need investigating, but this lot need rest, most of them are still bleeding all over the floor!"