"Here," Jacqueline whispered. She handed Buddy the knife who swiftly hid it in his sleeve; he had barely turned around when the door to the prison swung open. A gang of four pirates entered.

"It's time," uttered one of the pirates. "It's a hanging for ye Buddy. Ye knew this was coming." "Aye, that I did," Buddy tersely replied. They were clearly familiar with each other, though not overly friendly. The party felt anxious as they watched the pirates open Buddy's cell and shackle him. Their only comfort was a small wink from Buddy, just before they shoved him out into the passage. The iron bars clanged shut one again, and the pirates, along with Buddy, left the prison. Now they were one friend less.

The uncertainty of Buddy's fate, as well as their own, was difficult to bear, and the party did so in silence. Slowly the single torch continued to dim until it was little more than a glowing ember in the darkness, giving almost no light at all. Jacqueline was dismayed when she could no longer see Herr Johannes, now alone in the neighboring cell.

Without a window nor view of the sky, it was difficult to tell how much time passed in the prison. Their only way to get some idea was the torch, and it was now a mere glint of cold red. Imbellem arose from his meditation; he was surprised to see that Adwonus had joined him, seated on the floor nearby – not that there was much else to do. In the next cell, Herr Johannes too bided his time in prayer {spells restored for all players}. Then, a sound brought their haunting silence to an end – a door opened nearby. Someone was coming.

The door to their prison opened, and a single person entered inside. Dwalin and Adwonus alone could see who it was, but they did not speak out; their tongues were stayed by surprise. The room was too dark for even the elves to see and Mikael called out, "Who goes there?" Soundlessly, the torch glowed with new flame and brightened the room. The flickering light reflected on a figure standing before the jail cells. White hair glimmered.

"You," murmured Adwonus, not fully understanding. Jacqueline strained her eyes trying to see, until the figure walked fully into the light. "Is that... Taisiya?"

Taisiya stepped into view. The bangs of her long, white hair shaded her eyes. "Hello..." Her voice was so quiet that it was difficult to hear, even in the silence of their underground chamber. Her next words were louder and choked with a small hint of emotion, "I'm sorry."

[Private to Mikael Vaeltaja: Mikael
Sense Motive ~ You had no idea. With humans, it could be anything.]

[Private to Adwonus Swillman: Adwonus
Sense Motive ~ You've been around agents and thieves a long time, and have learned to tell the earnest ones from the liars. Buddy seems earnest, but not fanatic. Just how far will he go for a rescue?]

[Private to Imbellem Tueri: Imbellem
Sense Motive ~ With this man you've just met, it could be anything. Though you've grown distrustful of people during your time among civilization.]

The alert felt by Imbellem when he heard the doors opening in the darkness caused him to lean forward, preparing for whoever it may be, when the lights illuminated a seemingly distraught Taisiya. He slowly rested back on his seat, crossed his legs and folded his arms. Her seemingly heartfelt apology went right over the clerics head. Though forgiveness is supposed to be one of the strongest suits for clerics of his religion, this was something Imbellem had personal problems with, especially betrayal of this magnitude. It even seemed as if, for a moment, he moved his hand quickly before his face, as if her words were flies he meant to swat away. His eyes locked with hers for a brief moment and his face was emotionless. Though it was a blank expression, his body language spoke volumes about his current emotional state.

Suddenly the cleric cocked his head slightly to the side with a smile, "Oh hey blondie," he said in a... surprisingly friendly manner, "Sorry for what exactly?" he finished picking his head straight up again. Though on the outside he seemed calm and collected, but inside he was writhing with anger and many, many questions. Unfortunately for Imbellem, he had a bit to transparent a personality to keep his emotions hidden for long as his foot began to bob up and down rapidly and his 'friendly' grin melted away.

"Nice to see you again," he blankly stated to the woman, "How was your vacation by the way? Have a relaxing time with the boy-toy?"

[Private to DM Ryan:
Imbellem Tueri rolled 13 Listen check doorway, anyone nearby.
Imbellem Tueri rolled 17  Spot check doorway, anyone nearby.
Imbellem Tueri rolled 6 Sense motive Taisiya, honesty or trickery.]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:40, Thu 30 July 2015.

In reply to Imbellem Tueri (msg # 150):

Trapper stared at the woman, whispering in short cutting tones.
"Sorry for what?! Explain."

Lady Jacqueline lifted her chin, brow furrowed for a moment in concern, confusion, and bitterness. To a degree, betrayal didn't really fit the description, but she had little else in her mind to place the white haired woman. Why suddenly did she have to leave? Why suddenly show up now under this circumstance? Why was she not in shackles with her friends? Was she, too, under the herb mentioned before? Eyes narrowing, her words were a bit more icy than expected. "Sorry for what, Taisiya..?" She readied herself in case they were up against something.

[Private to Herr Johannes: Rolls.

23:06, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 13 using 1d20+5. Knowledge Local. Kniju Powder.
23:05, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 23 using 1d20+3. Knowledge Nature. Kniju Powder. NATURAL 20.
23:05, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 8 using 1d20+3. Knowledge History. Kniju Powder.
22:59, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 7 using 1d20+3. Sense Motive. Taisiya.
22:58, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 23 using 1d20+6. Reflex Save. In case Taisiya tries anything...]

[Private to DM Ryan; Dwalin Grayhammer; Imbellem Tueri; Lady Jacqueline Raynelde; Mikael Vaeltaja:
This is to Shaun mainly:
-To confirm you all saw this, Ryan said we can use our remaining spells to heal up from before we meditated. We did not sleep, (and recover from that) just renewed our spells.
-You can only use them on people within touch range.
-Find out everyone's current health and then decide who should be healed. We need to confirm if Jacqueline was fully healed or not from the elvish medicine.
-If necessary change your spells at this time.
-I recommend that you perhaps add 1 more hold person if possible. We could switch mend for something and use a shopkeeper for that. Just an idea. Message me to talk more about it. I was unable to talk to you about it until now from being gone on my trip.
{-I use Lay-on-Hands for the full amount (8 hp) on myself, since I am the only one in range so my current Hp is up from 33hp to 41hp}]

I give a nod toward Buddy as he is escorted out the prison. I speak to myself, "Praying for you Buddy..." Having witnessed my new cellmate led away, I turn to prayer for his success and the victory of our situation and safety of our lives. "Lord you hold us in the palm of your hands..." I move once again into scripture recitation that has become second nature to me over time. After the training and the vows, it is a comfort, a sort of ordered place in the midst of any situation. The Word of God gives me solace in even the darkest places. "Even if I make my bed in sheol, there Your right hand will hold me fast..." I pray for my wounds, using my 'daily bread' leftover from yesterday, before gleaning more for today. Mana for today, just mana for today. Healing is the bread of the children.

After we finish meditating, I ask, curious, having not had time to look at it after the battle. "How is everyone's status? I mean, is everyone's wounds stabilized, or was there any bleeding that we still need to take care of? We better get on that if anyone needs help. Jacqueline? How are you after... I mean, how is your throat? Did you get a chance to treat any of the remaining wounds Imbellem?"

We sit in darkness a moment before we hear a person approaching.

Upon the sight of Taisiya, I exclaim excitedly, but still hushed, having not spoken loudly for a while. Still trying to keep our voices only within the prison for now, I whisper the words excitedly, glad to see her! "Taisiya! You are a welcome sight for us who sit in darkness! I somehow knew you would come!
This is part of what I was going to tell you about Adwonus... Are you well! Quick! Do you have a plan to get us out of here?!"
In response to the others less friendly replies, I respond before she speaks. "Hey, come on, give her a chance to speak."

She chokes up an apology...

Concerns race to my mind...
"Wait? What do you mean? What is going on Taisiya? Did something happen to Buddy? Did you do something? What is going on?! You must explain."

[Private to DM Ryan; Dwalin Grayhammer; Imbellem Tueri; Lady Jacqueline Raynelde; Mikael Vaeltaja:
{01:37, Today: Secret Roll: Herr Johannes rolled 21 using 1d20+4. Knowledge (Religion), Taisiya etc.; MQ.
01:37, Today: Secret Roll: Herr Johannes rolled 17 using 1d20+1. Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty), on Taisiya; MQ.
01:35, Today: Secret Roll: Herr Johannes rolled 11 using 1d20+1. Knowledge (History), Taisiya, Kniju Powder etc.; MQ.
01:34, Today: Secret Roll: Herr Johannes rolled 19 using 1d20+1. Knowledge (Arcana), Taisiya; MQ.
01:33, Today: Secret Roll: Herr Johannes rolled 6 using 1d20+3. Knowledge (Adventure), Taisiya; MQ.
01:33, Today: Secret Roll: Herr Johannes rolled 3 using 1d20. Sense Motive, on Buddy; MQ.
01:33, Today: Secret Roll: Herr Johannes rolled 4 using 1d20. Sense Motive, on Taisiya; MQ.}]

Taisiya stood before the jail cells with her eyes lowered. Her voiced was tinged with melancholy. "I'm sorry for, well, me. I know what you must think of me, leaving you and now being here. There was so much I didn't tell you, and you were so nice to me. I-" She broke off, looking ashamed.

The party then noticed Taisiya was holding a wooden pail with a ladle inside. Taisiya stammered, "-I brought water. You have to come to the bars. Please, be quick. There's not a lot of time." The party became wary at her last enigmatic remark. But they could not deny they were very thirsty, having not had a drink in hours. One by one they approached the bars and received a ladle full of water from Taisiya. Strangely, she seemed to rush them. Adwonus was the last to accept a drink. He suddenly scowled as he swallowed and shouted, "This water tastes funny. You witch! You poisoned this didn't you?" "No, no I swear," Taisiya hastily replied. "You have to trust me. You had to drink it fast or it would've worn off." "What would've worn off!?" Adwonus interrogated, his voice rising. "The elven medicine I mixed it with." At Taisiya's statement, Adwonus was taken aback; he raised an eyebrow. She continued, "I- I stole one of the stronger elven medicines from the supply room and mixed it with the water. I heard you guys were hurt, and I was worried. But once exposed to the air, it goes bad after a few minutes and doesn't work."

The party felt pacified, and perhaps a little more confused. But as they felt their injuries indeed fade away, so too did their bitterness toward Taisiya {health fully restored for all party members}. There was a moment of silence between them, for the party didn't know what to say.

Herr Johannes was the first to break the silence. In a soft voice, he said, "Taisiya, what's going on here?" She gazed at the ground, unable to bring herself to make eye contact. "Alldyde... is using the rebellion to overthrow Duke Steyus." "Why would he do that?" Dwalin interjected. "Couldn't he just assassinate Steyus and be done with it?" "I don't really know that much," she replied. "But I know that it was something about how he can't look responsible. It was about politics – about the king and the army and the people. I'm sorry, he doesn't really talk about... work... with me much." She took a deep breath, trying to hard to access her memory. "But I do know that while the City Guard is looking for a fake base or something this morning, that Kelden Delcor is going to sneak into Castle Herrod through the Aqueducts... And I also know that it's a trap; that once Delcor kills Steyus, something will happen to Delcor too... I know that they're both supposed to die in the castle today." These words sent a dark and resounding feeling through the party.

"I knew you were headed to Delcor's real base," Taisiya continued. "And I- I was afraid you'd be with him today." Herr Johannes burst into blazing speech, "We have to put a stop to this madness! We need to warn Kelden before it's too late!-" "No!" Taisiya exclaimed, her tone overwhelmed with concern. "It's too late already. It's dawn outside. And we already got word that the boat, the one that Delcor is taking across the bay to Upper Herrod, has left. There's nothing you can do now."

She pulled something out from pockets – keys! "Please, leave. I don't want you to get hurt. Take these." She tossed the ring of keys through the bars. "The man on guard outside the door is asleep. Just go through there, go into the main hall, and then take a right until a reach an intersection. Don't take any hall there! There should be a secret door that'll take you to the storerooms. I think they threw your stuff in there too. You should be able to find your way out from there. And once your out, please, leave. Leave Herrod, - get away from this place! There's only going to be death here..."

Jacqueline placed her hands on the bars, "Taisiya, come with us." Taisiya took a step away, "I can't." "Why not?" "I- I just can't. You wouldn't understand. Goodbye!" Nearly shouting her final word, Taisiya turned and ran out the door, until the sound of her footsteps disappeared completely. It looked like she was in tears.

"That was a lot to take in," Imbellem said. "Yea," Mikael replied. Imbellem leaned against the bars to try and peer through the door to their prison, which was now ajar. He saw a glimpse of a pirate guard near the end of the outside hall; he was sitting at a chair with his head on an adjacent table, utterly passed out. "I see him... he must be one heavy sleeper to sleep through that." "Maybe," replied Adwonus, "Or Taisiya helped us in more ways than one." Herr Johannes spoke, "In either case, we still need to be careful...'

'...Come on. We have a city to save."



[Private to Imbellem Tueri: Imbellem
Sense Motive ~ You can't begin to imagine what's going on in this woman's mind.]

[Private to Lady Jacqueline Raynelde: Jacqueline
Sense Motive ~ You find it difficult to understand what going on in Taisiya's head right now.
Knowledge Nature ~ Kniju Powder is not a very well known substance, but you were lucky enough to hear about it from a sailor in your youth. They say it's made of at least three different plants found in the jungles of Noanatu, which are then ground into a powder. However, this is only half the process, for this mixture of powders alone does little more than cause hallucenations for a short time. Once made, the powder then undergoes a ritual which imbues it with the strange ability to erase a person's memory. Exactly what this ritual is is unknown, for it is a well kept secret by the witch doctors of the Untatians – a black-skinned tribe of humans, cannibals, who live in the east jungles of Noanatu.]

[Private to Herr Johannes: Herr Johannes
Sense Motive ~ You can't begin to imagine what's going on in these people's minds, the minds of pirates and thieves and, most confusing of all, women.
Knowledge Arcana ~ There is certainly something odd of Taisiya. Odder still, you don't recall hearing the sound of a flint when the torch was re-lit.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:15, Sat 01 Aug 2015.

The party watched as Taisiya ran off until the clicking of her boots was silent. While they looked down the hallway with mixed emotions, one set of eyes however were fixated on a separate area.

Not dealing with confined spaced well, Imbellem thought of nothing but freedom sense the moment they first stepped foot on the lift when they entered. Mere seconds after the keys hit the ground, the cleric snatched them up with an almost audible 'yoink' and reached though the bars around to the keyhole, unlocking it as slowly as he could to keep the heavy metal from clanking loudly as the heavy duty tumblers of the lock rolled into position. The heavy door swung open slowly as the priests face followed closely behind the opening door, peering though the bars down the hallway (as if they provided some sort of cover).

Biting down on his tongue and carefully tiptoeing over toward Johannes' cell, inserting the keys in and turning the latch as slowly as before. He turned his head over toward his cellmates as he worked on the paladins door, "Jacqueline, Pyrra, whoever is the quietest, make a slow way down the hallway, check ahead for us less gifted in stealth - please" he added, locking eyes with the elf woman, who still scared him a little bit. She looked back with her usual cheery, deadpan, emotionless expression toward the cleric she obviously did not care much for.

Johannes' door was unlocked, and imbellem opened the door slowly, looking at the guard, at the end of the hallway, he tried to see just how deep a sleeper he truly was, or if he was even conscious.

"I'll follow the sneaky snakes," He said quietly, "Ill probably trip on something if I go out first, I know it." The adjacent cell made varying sounds and motions of agreement with Imbellems statement of self proclaimed clumsiness.


[after the cells are opened, Imbellem holds the key-ring in his hand, clutching tightly so they keys dont jingle when he moves. He also takes quick note of how many keys there are on the ring, and what it appears they may be used for.]

[Private to DM Ryan:

Would like a constant sneaky spot check on Pyrra to see if shes up to shenanigans, or trying to steal something from us every round if possible.

Imbellem Tueri rolled 18 Health check guard, current state .
Imbellem Tueri rolled 23 Spot check guard, current state.
Imbellem Tueri rolled 23 Listen check situational awareness]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:29, Tue 04 Aug 2015.

Lady Jacqueline nodded, taking the first stride towards where they were instructed to go. Scouting ahead, she kept her eyes out and ears open, ready for any sudden change. [Private to DM Ryan: She carefully places a hand inside of the jacket of the sleeping guard for any goods that he might have on him that would serve her and the party later. (If the coast is clear, I want to signal to everyone to follow.)]

[Private to Herr Johannes:

23:45, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 27 using 1d20+8. Search Check. Any traps nearby.
23:44, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 17 using 1d20+8. Listen Check.
23:44, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 19 using 1d20+8. Spot Check.
23:44, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 20 using 1d20+10. Slight of hand check. Sleeping guard for any goods on his person.
23:43, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 22 using 1d20+8. Move Silently Check.
23:43, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 20 using 1d20+8. Hide Check.]
This message was last edited by the player at 04:51, Tue 04 Aug 2015.

Even with the statements of nearing danger from the Pirates doing, I find myself gladdened by the opening of my cell door.
     I say with a grin, almost to myself, "I knew someone would come. I thought Taysia would likely be the one." I say more wistfully, "I wish she could have come with..." With a sigh, I return once again to the more pressing matters at hand.
     Almost as if I was still speaking to her (Taisiya), I say, "If I was concerned about danger, I don't think I would have come to a pirate base looking for information at night. If I was concerned about safety, I don't think I would have become a soldier.
     I think we can all agree here, that whether we support Steyus or Kelden, the city is in danger. And people such as us, don't just stand by while wicked men attempt to usurp our city. We don't just stand by while the innocent are oppressed. We act.
     Now, Let us go and confound the pirates well laid plans. May he fall into his own trap. Elite squad leads the way."

     Do you agree Adwonus? That the true threat is not Kelden or Steyus, but the pirates at this time. The rest of the politics will have to be solved later. For now, our common enemy is the target, and we avoid hurting the other members of this city, agreed? I think it will take our combined efforts in this matter."

I purposefully walk to the front of the prison and begin motioning people out. "Dwalin, keep an eye on the guard. If he wakes up, punch his lights out. {That is coup de grace him with non lethal} Only if he wakes up though, not just if he stirs. We want as little reason for concern by the pirates in our leaving as possible. As in, we don't want to leave a trace of us leaving (such as a knocked out guard, sleeping seems normal, which would tend to have the cells checked less.) I would guess Adwonus is right, that guard is asleep -magically- perhaps, meaning we have minutes (if I remember right from my arcane studies), let's make this quick.
Jacqueline, you sneak ahead and keep an eye out for pirates. Let's follow those directions of Taisiya exactly. Go out the prison into the main hall and turn right, stop at the intersection and peak around the corner. Don't enter the intersection  lest you expose yourself to 2 additional hallways.
The rest of us ought to follow single file, other silent types can go with her, Dwalin will leave the guard last. I need the elves and dwarf to look at the wall for hidden doors in the stone wall. Like she said, look for a hidden door."

When it is my turn I follow single file, after we receive confirmation from Jaqueline that the coast is clear.

I make sure to stay aware of our surroundings, keeping an ear and eye out for enemies, or secret doors, as Taisiya described.
{Listen and Spot Check - do we always leave these for you to roll now Ryan? Are they only made in -response-, are other checks like move silently made in response as well? like that we specify them in our post, yet you actually roll them? I was asking after our recent change to rolls on RPol...}

I take a look at the guard as we leave, attempting to discern how deeply he was asleep and how he was made asleep.
[Private to Dwalin Grayhammer; Imbellem Tueri; Lady Jacqueline Raynelde; Mikael Vaeltaja: {06:44, Today: Secret Roll: Herr Johannes rolled 16 using 1d20+1. Knowledge Arcana, secret doors/spell used on guard?; MQ. 06:43, Today: Secret Roll: Herr Johannes rolled 17 using 1d20+2. Heal Check, guards condition {why asleep}; MQ.}]

I consider any knowledge I remember about secret doors in my studies. "Anyone here know anything about secret doors?" I whisper.
{All applicable knowledge checks}
This message was last edited by the player at 10:50, Tue 04 Aug 2015.

I look over to Imbellem, "Whatever you do. Don't wake him up." I say motioning to the sleeping guard. "That is the last thing we need right now." Following closely behind Jacqueline, I walk to the area the secret door is suppose to be. All the while I keep watch for anyone approaching and listen for anything out of the ordinary.

As we reach the intersection I look around for any signs of a closed or hidden door. After making sure the other hallways are clear I motion to the rest of the group that it is safe to join us.

After Jacqueline checks the area, I quietly walk to the guard and watch him. If he moves, Ill hit him as hard as I can {Coupe de Grace}."Just remember that I have short legs and can't keep up with you guys. So don't leave me Behind!" After everyone is out safely I leave the guard.

Using the keys left by Taisiya, the party unlocked the doors to their cells and escaped. They gathered near the exit and leered at the sleeping pirate in the hall. "I'll go first," whispered Jacqueline.

Jacqueline moved into the hall with a grace that made Imbellem envious. She crept right beside the unconscious guard and, being bold, gave him a poke with her finger. He didn't budge. This close she could smell the rum on him. So, naturally, she decided to rob him too. Jacqueline ransacked his pockets and pulled out few gold pieces, as well as a club that laid on the table. She gave a thumbs up toward her companions who watched intently from the prison area.

Seeing it was safe (or at least as safe as it would ever be), they followed her lead and sneaked through the hall until they were past the sleeping pirate. Dwalin, to the shock of everyone, moved as quiet as a ghost. The only one of their company who nearly stumbled was Mikael, but he was caught by a helping hand – Pyrra's hand. Mikael looked at her with some surprise. She retracted it as hastily as she used it and continued forward, ignoring him.

At the end of the hall waited another door, which Imbellem opened with a second key on the key ring (there were three total). They slipped through. Adwonus gave the guard a final glance as he slowly shut the door, but the guard was still fast asleep. With a gentle click the door closed, and they were free.

They found themselves now in a hall which extended to the left and right, with no obvious difference in either direction. But remembering Taisiya's advice, they chose the right passage. This continued for a short distance before they reached an intersection, exactly where she promised it would be. Wary of crossing, they paused before the halls and they were soon glad they did so, for they heard the sound of nearby voices. Pyrra crept up to the corner and peered down the left hall. She whispered to the others, "There's two men down there, armed, fixing a lantern holder on the wall. They might be awhile – too long to wait for them."

They were stuck! Mikael added, "And I think I see the secret door. There a part of the wall ahead of us that doesn't seem right. Might be what we're looking for." "So, we just sneak across?" Dwalin muttered. "We could," Herr Johannes corroborated, thinking intensively. Jacqueline spoke, "But there's one more problem too." The party gave her their attention. "There's a trap between us and the secret door. I can see the pressure plate from here. There's also a chink in the wall – bolts or darts or anything really could come out of there..."

Adwonus finished her point. "In other words, we need to think of something, and fast."


[Private to Imbellem Tueri: Imbellem
Heal ~ He is asleep!
Spot & Listen ~ You don't roll these!]

[Private to Herr Johannes: Herr Johannes
Heal ~ He is asleep!
Knowledge Arcana ~ Although the guard may have already been drunk, you notice signs of something more at work, something that peaks your sense of the arcane.
Note ~ You are correct that you roll neither Spot nor Listen; these are rolled automatically when there is something to be perceived.]

[Private to Lady Jacqueline Raynelde: Jacqueline
Search ~ You found a trap! Denoted by the red square on the grid.
Spot  & Listen ~ You don't roll these!
Sleight of Hand ~ Success! You took him to town.]

I Whisper very quietly to the group near me, "Ok, we need to gather more information before we decide what to do.
     Jaqueline, can you tell if you can disable the trap? Or anything else about it? Could you point out to me where the chink in the wall is you spoke of? {Search Check?}"
I continue whisper, "Dwalin, can you take a look at the guards around the corner? Can you tell how skilled they are? Do you remember how skilled the last sleeping guard looked? Can you tell anything about this secret door or trap, because they are in stone? {Knowledge adventure, Dwarf Stone Knowledge}
     What about you Mikael? Can you tell anything else about this secret door?
     Pyrra? What about you? about the door or the trap?

     My idea is, that we have the quiet people (scouts) jump over the trap (if Jaqcqueline confirms for us there is only the pressure plate and no trip wire we would run into). We would go about this one by one. It is not a far distance to jump, so it should not be a problem. If the guards hear us, and come this way, we bull rush them onto the pressure plate and find out what this trap does. The problem is, we must keep it quiet. We might have to grapple the guards if they came this way. If Jacqueline cannot easily disable the trap from this side, she will at minimum have to jump. She could disable it from across the hall, in front of the secret door, while the rest of us wait also. Maybe, while they fix the lantern it is dark enough. We ought not waste an opportunity.

     Imbellem, you have any prayers that would help here?
     Adwonus, you have any other ideas? Know about secret doors? If we do my idea, would you want to help push the guards onto the trap?
     Does everyone think they can easily jump over the trap? {it is 2.5 feet wide, meaning a DC 2.5? with a running start (probably too loud) or DC 5 without a running start}"

after a moment of her examining the trap from across the hall with us, I ask
     "...So, Jacqueline, what did you find? About the trap... and being such a sly one, did you find any goodies from that sleepy sod you ransacked back there?" I whisper with a chuckle to myself on the last phrase. "I did notice the club, hand that to Dwalin in case he has to push them into the trap."

I peek around the corner to get a better look at our foes

[Private to Dwalin Grayhammer; Imbellem Tueri; Lady Jacqueline Raynelde; Mikael Vaeltaja:
{Examine check on the sleeping guard and the guys fixing the lantern. (their equipment)
00:44, Today: Secret Roll: Herr Johannes rolled 21 using 1d20+3. Knowledge (Adventure), Guard 2; MQ.
00:44, Today: Secret Roll: Herr Johannes rolled 14 using 1d20+3. Knowledge (Adventure), Guard 1; MQ.
00:43, Today: Secret Roll: Herr Johannes rolled 13 using 1d20+3. Knowledge (Adventure), sleeping guard; MQ.

I know we are technically doing only one knowledge check per group now, but I really felt this knowledge was fitting to roll one check per opponent. I rolled every check anyways.}]

I consider in the reaches of my mind any memory of the study of secret doors or traps like this.

[Private to Dwalin Grayhammer; Imbellem Tueri; Lady Jacqueline Raynelde; Mikael Vaeltaja:
{01:14, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 3 using 1d20+1. Knowledge (History), secret doors; MQ.
01:15, Today: Secret Roll: Herr Johannes rolled 11 using 1d20+1. Knowledge (Arcana), on secret door; MQ.}]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:46, Fri 07 Aug 2015.

Lady Jacqueline absently handed Dwalin her club as she took a hard look at the trap and quietly, carefully fidgeted with a gear she found jutting out from the floorboards. She said nothing in response to Herr Johannes, as she was thinking deeply about how she may have known about a trap similar to this before... "Hmm... I think I might have something here.."

[Private to Dwalin Grayhammer; Herr Johannes; Imbellem Tueri; Mikael Vaeltaja:
01:21, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 16 using 1d20+8. Listen Check.
01:21, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 17 using 1d20+8. Spot Check.
01:20, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 23 using 1d20+8. Hide Check.
01:20, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 13 using 1d20+8. Move Silently Check.
01:19, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 23 using 1d20+8. Disable Device.
01:18, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 14 using 1d20+8. Search Check. Figuring out the trap's function. Can it be disabled?
01:16, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 16 using 1d20+5. Knowledge Local. Trap.]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:41, Fri 07 Aug 2015.

I take the club with a smile. It feels good to finally have a weapon in my hand again, even if its just a clumsy stick. I then look at the guards to examine them. {
06:37, Today: Dwalin Grayhammer rolled 12 using 1d20+7. Knowledge Adventure.} Dwalin whispers to the party:"As much as I would like to destroy these pirates, I'm sure it would make to much noise. Not to mention, we are unarmed and have no equipment or armor. I say we avoid any fighting and go for the secret door. I bet I could jump across that plate."

Standing on the verge of the intersection, the party whispered to each other and glanced about, not accomplishing a whole lot.

[Private to Herr Johannes: Herr Johannes
Knowledge Adventure ~ The pirate in the prison area was a fighter of moderate difficulty. The two pirates before you are a rogue and fighter, both of moderate difficulty. (Only your first Knowledge roll is used!)]

[Private to Lady Jacqueline Raynelde: Jacqueline
Spot & Listen ~ You don't roll these!
Search ~ There is a pressure plate with a chink in the wall beside it. You are too far away to tell what it does, though it's probably painful.
Disable Device ~ You need to be next to a trap to do this. And you are currently across the hall. You're post is too ambiguous, and there's no indication of you wanting to cross to hall or where you wish to be.]

[Private to Dwalin Grayhammer: Dwalin
Knowledge Adventure ~ The pirate in the prison area was a fighter of moderate difficulty. The two pirates before you are a rogue and fighter, both of moderate difficulty.]

Lady Jacqueline took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and whispered a prayer to herself, "Lord, I thank You for favor..." As quietly as she might, she glanced around the corner to check if their attention was elsewhere. Upon seeing them engrossed in how they could fix the lamp holder on the wall, she quietly darted forward with a running start to jump over the trap to the open space across it.

[Private to Herr Johannes:
17:34, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 10 using 1d20+8. Hide Check (after landing).
17:19, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 16 using 1d20+1. Jump Check.
17:18, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 9 using 1d20+8. Move Silently Check (during running start).
17:18, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 20 using 1d20+8. Hide Check (during running start).
16:58, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 28 using 1d20+8. Search Check. Any additional traps like trip wire.]
This message was last edited by the player at 21:35, Fri 07 Aug 2015.

I watch Jacqueline run and just over the pressure and prepare to do the same. I take a quick glance down the hallway and wait for my best opportunity. "Well, here it goes." I say to myself as I start the run across the hall. With all the elven grace I can gather, I dash across the hall and leap over the pressure plate.

Once on the other side I examine the hidden door and attempt to open it. If I manage to open the door, I go inside the room.

Imbellem sat with his back against the wall, watching those more nimble than him leap the hallway and try as quickly and efficiently as they could to find the secret door and disarm the trap on the floor.

He was out of his element, he was not trained in stealth, never found the need for it. Funny how you dont realize how much you need something until your life depends on it... It must have been obvious, how uncomfortable the cleric was. For reasons untold, he hated being in small areas and without any form of protection. Made him panicked and slightly frantic to be without even his wooden cross he had not been parted with for years. Fidgeting and sweat beginning to form, he turned his attention to Johannes. "Herr," He began with a nervous lump in his throat, that he quickly cleared away, "If the guards notice and start to come, we still have you, Dwalin, Pyrra, myself and Adwonus, unless of course one or two more decide to hop over... But if they do come, we need to grab them and cover their mouths, we have to be quiet. Or, if they find out what the trap does, perhaps shove them onto it. Could be chalked up as friendly fire until they notice our absence..."

He sat fidgeting, sitting still under pressure wasnt his strong suit. "Or" he began again, "I could slosh some of that rum from the passed out guard and pretend to be a pirate myself? A severely hung over one, with guidance to the store room... Perhaps my 'friends' thought it be a prank to take my thinks while my drunk pirate self was unconscious?"

At this point his mind was racing. Hatred wasnt a word strong enough for the emotion he felt being in a confined space, with no weapons or armor, in the dark, and with possible death literally twenty feet away. He needed SOMETHING to do. The wait itself was killing him.

The nervous cleric carefully took a peek around the corner so he could see what the guards were currently doing...

With lack of cross that he kept so dear to him, he was out of happy places, he then nervously began to rub the back of his right hand. It was difficult to see in the dark, but there was some sort of marking on the back. It was hard to take notice, seeing as he never removed his gloves. The panicked priest began to lift of words of worry to his Lord,



[Should the 'Drunken priest-er pirate' idea be taken, i will make the appropriate bluff and diplomacy rolls as well as hobble back and get crazy with the rum left of the table, if the idea is rejected, I sit in preparation for orders, or possible defense if the guards come closer]

[Private to DM Ryan:
Imbellem Tueri rolled 22 spot check, guards, equipment, level.
Imbellem Tueri rolled 23 Listen check, guards, conversation or ACTUALLY doing their jobs (goofing off with eachother, or guarding intently)]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:38, Tue 11 Aug 2015.

In reply to Imbellem Tueri (msg # 167):

Trapper stood and watched as Jaq sprinted across the gap, hoping she didn't make too much noise.

Jacqueline glanced down the hall at the two pirates who well distracted by their work. She could hear them cuss nonstop in frustration; apparently they were having a difficult time. Over the sound "fuck this shi-" echoing down the hall, Jacqueline dashed across the intersection and leapt over the trap. Mikael followed suit, making his leap over an especially loud "is this screw the wrong goddamn size!?" They both landed light on their feet, and the two bad-mouthed pirates didn't notice a thing.

The party gave them a thumbs up at their success. Mikael grinned in reply and then set his focus to the secret door. Meanwhile, Jacqueline crouched by the trap and began her rogue-ish work. Mikael patted his hands along the wall and, after a few moments, pushed on a particular brick. The wall swung open. Surprisingly it opened with scarcely a sound, for the wall wasn't made of stone blocks at all – it was fake! Stone had merely been veneered over a wooden entrance.

Mikael stepped inside and found himself in a tunnel of the old Aqueducts that had not been refurbished by the pirates; a narrow river of clean, blue water flowed through the center of it. There was only one way to continue, and hopefully it lead to the freedom they were promised. Mikael was pleased with his success.

Back in the hall, Jacqueline worked at length on the trap and, after a few well-placed rocks inserted into the mechanism, smiled back at the party. "It's disabled now," she whispered.

The only thing that remained was getting across the hall unscathed. Adwonus whispered to the others, "We need a distraction." "Or a dance number!" added Imbellem. The party stared at him in disbelief. "Well... it was just an idea."

[Private to Imbellem Tueri: Spot & Listen ~ You don't roll these.]

"We could let them be distracted by themselves..." Jacqueline whispered while the pirates continued to struggle with the lantern holder. "How many pirates does it take to screw in a lantern?" she murmured to herself. She motioned for the others to follow her lead (can this be a +2 to their move silently check?) in how she stepped.

She could only wait for them, now.
[Private to Herr Johannes:
13:02, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 27 using 1d20+8. Move Silently Check.

13:02, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 22 using 1d20+8. Hide Check.]
This message was last edited by the player at 17:03, Wed 12 Aug 2015.

Without missing a beat to Jacqueline's murmur about the pirates and the lantern situation, Imbellem went into a deep, almost meditative state to try to figure out the punchline to her joke. This turned out to be more difficult than he imagined...

As his friends began to cross the hall, Pyrra extended her hand in a 'after you' sort of motion. No doubt she wanted to see him trip over his own feet... So he said to them, "I have zero faith in my sneaking abilities, ill go last, or close to it if possible. And if worse comes to worse and they notice us, I have a trick, But when I say 'now', everyone needs to grab hands to help lead them in the right direction. We have little time for errors."

As they began to cross, Imbellem did his best to get into his perfect state. A little thing he liked to call, "The Zone." 60% of the time, it worked 100% of the time. Though he put on a brave face, he was greatly worried for his prowess in sneaking past two guards... This was a first for him. So he said a small prayer to himself...



Much to Imbellems suprise, as his foot hit the stone floor, he braced for impact. No sound. Confused, he looked down.  Lo and behold his foot had landed on the ground with almost elf like silences. " Oh thank you Jesus " the cleric said with a childlike grin as he fought the urge to dance a small dance in the dark.



[Should we be noticed in our sneak attempt, I cast Obscuring mist. Also note that if obscuring mist is cast, the members of the group grab hands, forming a human chain to be pulled in the desired direction and not split up.

If I go ahead of anyone else, I offer any assistance I can for any sort of bonus for their rolls]

Imbellem Tueri rolled 11 Hide, cross hallway (add +2 with Jaq's help if allowed).
Imbellem Tueri rolled 18 Move Silently, cross hallway (add +2 with Jaq's help if allowed)
This message was last edited by the player at 14:13, Fri 14 Aug 2015.

In reply to Imbellem Tueri (msg # 171):

Seeing the party move on, Trapper began to creep across the gap best he could.

move silent
14:09, Wed 12 Aug 2015: Adwonus Swillman rolled 14 using 1d20+10 ((4)).
hide

HIDE
14:10, Wed 12 Aug 2015: Adwonus Swillman rolled 12 using 1d20+10 ((2)).

"Mikael, would you check the corridor, there? We don't want any surprises," she whispered carefully.

(Assume this next part of my post after Cody's.)

Imbellum, Pyrra, Adwonus, Dwalin, and finally Herr Johannes-- as each one came across, she held her breath and watched their feet. They seemed quiet enough as the pirates argued over the screw sizes and which way they should be twisted. She quietly rolled her eyes at their arguing. As soon as the last pair of feet crossed over the trap, she took the rocks out of the spring.

[Private to Herr Johannes:
10:27, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 28 using 1d20+8. Disable device. (In reverse). NATURAL 20.
10:28, Today: Secret Roll: Lady Jacqueline Raynelde rolled 12 using 1d20+8. Open Lock. (To enable the trap, if the disable device check was the wrong check).]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:34, Thu 13 Aug 2015.