Agony.

The first thing that Rolf knows is the saturating dull sensation of bone jarring pain.

He opens his eyes…  or at least he thinks he does, though his vision is clouded with a hazy film of color that seems either all black... or perhaps all white... or even all red.

Rolf tries to swallow, but the effort only seems to shift a swollen lump in his throat…  His mouth is caked with dryness that burns all the way back.  There isn’t so much a trace of spittle.

Somewhere near him, Rolf hears the squeak of iron rubbing against wood, then the dull groan of bending oak.  Underneath him, the thick wooden slab jerks away but an inch from his face and shoulders.  Rolf finds he has neither the awareness nor the reflex to stop himself before his cheek smashes back into the boards.

Rolf groans in discomfort.  Someone beside him moans too.  A mans voice.  He hasn’t even half exhaled the complaint however, before a hand has reached over his mouth and muffled the sound.

”Sshhhhhh!”  Terri hisses the sound, her mouth so close to Rolf’s ear that he can feel her breath.

Rolf tries to flex his arms down, anything in the moment to defend himself, though he finds that he only moves a mere fraction of an inch before his motion stops, his wrists cinched motionless by a heavy rope somewhere above his head.

”He can’t know you’re awake!”

Slowly, Terri releases her hand from over Rolf’s mouth.  Taking all of his willpower just to understand her words, the mage managed to fight back the urge to moan all the louder for the sudden contact.

”Here, take this.”  Terri whispers, and Rolf can hear the soft swishing of a waterskin.

He is about to whisper that he can’t see it when he feels the hard end of the bottle against his cracked and broken lips and the thin stream of sweet water curling down into his mouth.

He’s never tasted anything so glorious in his life.

Slowly, the hazy edges of Terri’s face come into view as Rolf spends all his effort half turning himself onto his side.

”Drink as much as you can.”  Terri whispers.  ”I’ve been worried you would die of thirst as long as you were out.  We just need to get you back into fighting shape and then we’ll all just be fine!”

Again, there is a moan beside him, though this time Terri notes it with a similar maternal instinct.

"Gustav!  The water sloshes again as she shifts whatever skin she is holding.  "You're awake too?  Thank God!  We'll be out of here in no time now!"

OOC:  It is 16 January 2006.  Though I imagine Rolf and Gustav have very little idea at the moment what that even means.  Both of you have been in a coma the past 11 days.  Mercifully, Terri has not been, and has been keeping you alive to the best of her meager ability.

Both of you are tied up within the confines of a small, covered wagon.  Strangely, it seems Terri is not restrained.  Feel free to converse as you see fit.  However, understand that both of your characters are at 0 HP.  Any action could make you spontaneously lose consciousness.  You are also significantly fatigued, as neither of you has eaten anything since you have been passed out.

Good luck.

He just tries to process his situation. He doesn't open his eyes just yet, but he hears a voice ... cloudy... but familiar?
It takes him a few moments to place it as Terri's.  That's a positive.
He tries to move his hands to get the hair out of his face and notes the ropes.
That's not good. He tries his feet and legs slightly to see if they are also restrained.
The water pushed into his mouth is a surprise,he swallows it as best he can on his side, sucking from the tip.
Then he slowly opens his eyes a little to see what he can without alerting anyone to his waking.
He feels totally wiped out, his body hurts in so many places. He struggles to remember what has happened.

After being felled by arrows, Rolf doesn't remember really anything over the last eleven days spent in a coma.  He drifts in and out of an emotionless vegetative state bereft of any memory of who is and any awareness of what's going on around him.

Something within him stirs.  A desire to reclaim himself...to reclaim what was lost...to reclaim some sort of justice...regardless of the obstacles that surely lay ahead.

Rolf's bloodshot eyes flutter open as he begins to moan as the pain from his hurts jolts to the forefront.  He looks at Terri flatly and drinks as she commands as he realizes he's thirstier than he's ever been.

Another moan rises in response to his own and he immediately knows it's Gustav.  He smiles weakly knowing he still lives but his brief joy doesn't last long.

"Who is he?" Rolf asks Terri as she mentions someone with noticable distress.

"I need to eat." he adds before she can respond.  The mage is famished and feels incredibly empty.  He is sure it will be some time of resting and eating before he'll be able to even think about trying to escape or anything else.

Silently, Gustav attempts to feel his way about his space, testing his limbs and his eyes.  His wrists are tied with thick rope, which also seems to be secured somewhere, for he cannot seem to pull his hands any closer to his face.  His legs too are tied, though these seem to be only tied together at the ankle, for his bare feet can move together freely as he gingerly tests his knees.

As for the view, his vision stops at the wood sides of the cart, and the hard leather canvas which stretches up over the top.

"Mendell is his name."  Terri whispers the response to Rolf.  "He's a miserable bastard.  Though I suppose he's kept us alive.  I've managed to make him think I can't walk, so he put me in here with you two to make sure neither of you died."

"Oh, here."  Terri says when Rolf mentions about being hungry, as she fishes around the cart behind her.  "I squirreled away a bit from breakfast, here, you can each have some...  Though I'm afraid it's not much."

Terri's voice falls in the last words, her misery evident.  Rolf however, is no less happy as the dried fig is gently placed upon his lips.  The fruit seems almost too sweet to bear.

"Go slow...  And drink more water.  Terri advises, readying the half-finished water bottle for either of the men as they chew.

OOC:  The intent of the start here is to get a feel for the situation the two of you are in.  While eating and drinking certainly will help in real life, it isn't going to affect the game mechanics for now.  I'll allow some regained fatigue and health as time passes, but I would not expect anything drastic.  It will be clear soon (if it isn't now) that this Mendell is not interested in nursing you back to full health.  For now, focus on any information you think you can get, any action or preparation you think would be prudent, and then just let me know when you are ready to move on.

Everything in his body and mind hurts.  Rolf's body is wracked with pain and his mind is a slow moving fog.

Rolf is thankful for the bit of food and water.  He needs nutrients and rest to heal, both of which he fears will be hard to come by.  It's going to be a while before he regains his strength he is sure.  For now he needs to keep his wits about him and learn as much as he can of their situation.

"Mendell it is." Rolf replies to Terri as he chews his food.

"What have you noticed so far?  Have you any word what they plan on doing with us?"

"Um..."  Terri responds tepidly to the question of what Mendell's plans are.

"I'm not sure... but he's mentioned something about selling us.  So best guess he's some sort of shady slave dealer."

Next to Rolf, Gustav begins to strain at his bindings, arching his back up as he leverages his wrists away from each other, trying to slip his bonds.

"Gustav!"  Terri starts, dropping the water skin and leaning forward at a loss for the moment with what she can help with.  But any effort she may have made quickly becomes irrelevant, for even the small effort from the swordsman has caused him to swoon back into unconsciousness.

"Oh bother."  Terri sighs, leaning back and picking up the skin which has spilled some little over the back of the wagon.  "I could have untied the restraints if they had been bothering him.  They don't usually look in on us while we're on the move.  Just when they start breaking things down for the night."

OOC:  Gustav has fallen unconscious due to his low HP and his exertions, though no harm has come from it and he will likely wake normally in the early morning.  Each of you give me two HT Rolls please.  Label the first HP, the second FP.  Succeeding either will recover one point of the respective attribute overnight.  Feel free to keep up the roleplay/questions Rolf if there is more you are looking to find out.

Gustav passes out  and rests...

Rolf lifts an eyebrow slightly at Terri as she speaks.  He can't help but think the woman is either leaving information she knows out, or is feeling a sense of shame at their predicament.  Likely the latter Rolf thinks.

The mage ponders dissecting what happened in their last battle, which was doomed from the start, but decides against it.  Better to try to mend bridges, at least for now.  There will be enough time to discuss events after they escape which Rolf is determined to do.  Plus he simply doesn't have the energy for what is likely to be a heated argument.

Hearing Gustav has worn himself out, Rolf says "At least he hasn't lost his fighting spirit."

At that Rolf's mind turns to other more immediate matters.  He is concerned for what Mendell will do and he fears the worst.

"Terri." Rolf says as thinks through what may or may not happen over the next few days.  "They know I'm a mage.  They will have some plan on keeping me from using magic and I am afraid they will use drastic measures that will permanently disfigure me."

Somberly he adds, "Once they know I'm awake I expect they will take action, and it's likely I will be too weak to respond."

"You had asked for me to save you, but I'm afraid that may be impossible.  If you find a way to escape you need to take it.  Even if it means leaving me behind."

OOC: Rolf made his HP roll.  Missed the FP check.  I'm not sure what else to ask Terri at the moment.  You can fast forward as you see fit.

In any event Rolf will do his best to act comatose for as long as he can.  He has the acting skill so he'll do his best to pull it off.

In a moment of quiet after Gustav settles back to rest, Rolf admits that he may not be able to escape on his own, let alone to help Terri.  He admits to hard truths, and eventually, pleads for Terri to take any chance she has to escape for herself.

If he had any doubts as to her shame, her response leaves them entirely washed away.

"No!"  She says forcefully, turning her head away.  "It's my fault.  All my fault that we're here in the first place.  And I won't leave until we are all safe."

With that, Terri turns and falls into silence.  Despite his own misgivings, Rolf does the same and eventually drifts back to sleep.

The hours drift by in a sleepy haze.  Rolf does his best to play possum, although the act is not far from the real thing.  Despite his wakefulness, his body simply does not seem to be able to recover.  He is exhausted and in pain, and things do not seem to be getting any better.

The next day draws on in a fug of discomfort.  Rolf and Gustav both maintain quiet, Gustav feeling somewhat better despite the circumstances.  Hours slip by as the carriage rolls on, each rock in the road felt through the inflexible wooden frame.

The afternoon passes on into evening and at length the wagon stops.

"But that isn't much at all!"  As Rolf wakes, he can hear Terri's voice now from outside the cart.  "I'm afraid they are both getting worse!  Their breath is little more than a death rattle and I don't see how I'm supposed to keep them alive without anything more than a ladle of broth!"

"We's done this before lass.  Men don't need much to keep living.  You'd be surprised."  The voice is dry and flippant, almost joking.

"Just give her another spoon."  Another voice answers, this one higher pitched and nasal.  "We get nothing for dead men."

"Get nothing for escapees neither."  The first man grunts, though there is a belated splosh of wetness and the clink of wood on wood.

"Thank you."  Terri says quietly, her footsteps echoing as if she's walking in sand.

Then she appears again through the canvas of the wagon, one fist raised as soon as the canvas closes behind her and her face alight with victory.

"Drink up."  She tells both men, handing over the near full serving of thin stew.

OOC:  It's 2000 on 17 January.

Not much progress here.  Rolf I have you failing both of your rolls and Gustav succeeding both of his.  I forgot to mention that your last HT roll for daily healing (before you woke up) was a critical success, and I've awarded you a hero point for it.  Feel free to use it on any of the recovery rolls (or any other skill/spell you can think of).  If you do wish to cast, you'll need to make a will roll at -3 to concentrate through the pain, and any failure will use up your last fatigue point and render you unconscious (as will any succeeded spell I suppose).

If you've nothing for the moment, feel free to roll again, two separate HT rolls, one for FP and one for HP.  Add +1 to your roll to FP for Terri's success in Fast Talking them out of more food.

Does Gustav also benefit fom the extra broth, or does it all go to Rolf (Which is fine with Gustav).

When he awakes, he will eat and drink anything available, then go back to trying to get free. [unless Terri says something].




19:25, Today: Gustav Du Meseries rolled 4 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,1,1.  FP.
19:24, Today: Gustav Du Meseries rolled 4 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,1,1.  HT.

Don't ask me, the Die roller did it!
This message was last edited by the player at 02:26, Mon 08 May 2023.

Rolf waffles between determination to escape, and despair that neither himself, Gustav or Terri will ever be free.  But his spirits are buoyed that Terri is adamant about staying by his side.  Maybe they'll find a way out of this jam they are in just yet.

His body is another matter though.  The lack of food and his injuries are taking a heavy toll on him and show little sign of relenting.  With each toss and turn of the carriage, his body reminds him of the damage he took in their last battle which was significant.  His right leg is a mangled mess and he has no idea how long it will take to heal.  If it ever does.

Noting Gustav continue to struggle he says softly to the man, "Rest.  Not yet."

Otherwise Rolf remains silent and does his best not to ruminate or make any sound in response to his pain, lest his captors know he is awake.  When Terri goes for food after a long days ride he listens intently and notes not one, but two voices.  This he files away for later.

He looks at Terri intently and gobbles up the offered food heartily.  He needs it.

OOC:  Rolf made both his HP and FP rolls.  He's in no condition for any type of exertion so won't try to anything yet. 

After almost a normal sized meal, both men feel a slight release of the knawing knot in their stomaches.  Though Gustav thinks to try and slip his bonds, Terri and Rolf talk him in to waiting, that with only a bit more rest, perhaps they can make a real go of escape.

The evening passes into morning, and with the dawning sun the cart begins moving again in a slow, clattering roll.

Both men seem somewhat better; Rolf finally feels that he can move without mind-numbing pain.  For his part, Gustav is downright chipper in comparison to the previous day, the extra ration of food having put him back in near fighting form.  Attempting to accomodate their desires for additional movement, Terri has retied the bonds around both men's limbs, allowing for slippage in the knot and an easy escape whenever desired.

Taking heart at her companion's increased vigor, Terri has been whispering near non-stop information about their predicament as she is looking at Rolf's lame leg.

"There's five of them.  Two I think are the muscle.  There's a man with a chain shirt and sword, and a woman with lots of knives.  Two men who I think are the worker bees for the animals and the wagons, and Mendel, who's a fat old bastard of a man.  At least the woman and the man have horses, so I don't think we can outrun them, especially in our state."  She pauses, leaning in further to inspect Rolf's knee with a probing hand.

As she says this, Rolf can't help but notice that of the three of them, Terri is the only one who doesn't look any better.  The dark circles under her eyes seem to have grown, and her face is paler than it had been.

"I don't know what happened."  Terri finally gives up and sits back.  "But it doesn't look good.  Maybe a torn muscle?  I don't think anything's broken, but I don't know how good it's going to be for you regardless."

The assessment is nothing that Rolf didn't know already.  The fact that his leg had been causing him so much pain was evidence enough that he wasn't going to be able to stand on it but he had accepted Terri's offer to look at it regardless, mostly to offer something to keep them occupied.

OOC:  It is 0900 on the 18th of January.  Gustav, your pair of critical successes has garnered you 3 FP and 2 HP.  Unfortunately, until you are eating normal meals, you will be stuck at your current FP.  You can still roll to regain HP once per day.  You have also earned two hero points.

Everyone please let me know if you have your ropes "on" or "off". 

He is following Rolf's and Terri's lead.
This time when food is brought, Gustav will make sure Terri gets enough to eat, based on what there is ... he suspects she has been shorting herself for Rolf and himself.

Five...Mendel is a minor thret, but the two guards are from the fight and he knows they are seriously good in a fight.
Terri, do you know who is on guard and how long they pull duty?

OOC:  ropes on.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:03, Tue 09 May 2023.

Like Gustav, Rolf keeps his binds on.  He wants to keep up appearances that he is still weak, which in truth isn't far off from reality.  He is improving, but is still dead tired and feels awful.

He notices Terri too looks pretty bad and surmises she is forgoing eating to assist himself and Gustav.  They are being kept barely alive by design and there's nothing he can do to help the situation.  Well, besides escaping.

Feeling better he ruminates on their plight as there is nothing else to do.

Hearing Gustav's speak up he says "Good question.  We have no hope of fighting our way out.  Slipping away in the night is our best bet."

"If we choose to try to flee we should do it tonight.  The longer we wait the greater the risk of reaching the slavers market and all hope is lost."

Rolf thinks things over and trying to escape is the only way.  "It will be risky and even if we get away initially they might be able to track us down.  We won't be moving very fast.  But we can try to cover our tracks as we go and try to hide come day break."

He ponders the wisdom of trying to make a run for it, but he sees no other choice.  He'd rather die than live life a slave, especially after being a free man his whole life, and he's sure Gustav and Terri share the same view.

He looks Terri over again.  He's not sure if she'll be up to trying to escape in her current state.

"You can't skip another meal tonight Terri.  We need you strong for this." he says thoughtfully.

OOC:  Ropes on loose for Rolf.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:04, Wed 10 May 2023.

Rolf, I was thinking of taking the horses, so we could ride and they could follow us on foot.

Rolf considers Gustav's suggestion of making for the horses.  He wants the input of both Terri and Gustav.  He can't think of everything, of all the angles, and they may come up with something he hadn't considered.  But at the same time the risk of trying to flee and what's at stake for all them remains paramount.  They must get away and do so with the least risk as possible.

"Getting the horses I think is out.  They snort and make noise and will likely wake them.  I think it's better if we try to slink away and be miles and miles from camp before they rise for the day and notice we escaped."

"We likely only have one chance at this.  If they catch us they will punish us and...maybe even kill us.  Any that are left alive can expect extra measures to make sure they don't get another try.  Which I would suspect would be along the lines of maiming...crippling."

He thinks more on what lay ahead.  "Tonight after we are sure they are asleep we peak under the tarp and see where the guard is.  If he's distracted and not keeping us in sight we try to sneak away.  I should go first.  I will cast a spell that allows me to float.  It's not very fast but will allow me to not have to walk and I should be very quiet as my feet won't even be touching the ground."

"If they don't notice then Gustav try next.  Then Terri.  If all goes well we can get away.  After that we'll have to try to find their cart tracks so we'll know how to get back.  I'm hoping the tracks won't be too hard to find even in the dark."

With horses, they will be back on us by noon. We will be very slow. Perhaps if there is a river close, we could  float away. but we are not up for a long fast walk.

Rolf takes in Gustav's assessment.  "Them catching us is a risk.  Trying to flee is going to be risky no matter what we do, but there are things we can do to maximize our chances."

"Me and Terri are both pretty good trackers and can cover our tracks as we go.  If we can get away unnoticed, we can elude them."

"Assuming all goes well and we get away, I say we initially steer clear of the carriage tracks leading back.  If they're smart they'll be searching around them for us knowing we'll try to use the tracks to return to the Three Corners."

"Instead we head in some other direction and after a few hours, try to find a place to hide.  Preferably near a water source with fish we could eat.  Then rest and recover for at least a few days."

"After that we search for the carriage tracks heading back and try to return to the Three Corners. Hopefully after a few days of not finding us they'll give up and move on."

Rolf mind whirls with all the possible scenarios.  There's lots that can go wrong.  But he does come to at least one conclusion.  "If they notice us leaving the carriage split up.  Maybe one or more of us can still get free.  Just stick to the basic plan to hide for a few days, find the tracks and return."

We can only try...

Rolf remains silent for a time, but then a thought occurs to him.  "We might need a distraction.  We should see if there is something in here we can throw." he says to Gustav and Terri as he slips from his bonds.

Seeing as he can't easily move far, he searches the area directly around him, then inspects the ropes that have bound him for many many days before returning his arms to his bound state.

OOC: Rolf missed his perception roll.  But will take a good look at his ropes to see if he could use them to throw.  He's thinking if ties each end in a big knot (kind of like a qtip) that could be thrown a good far distance in an end over end fashion.

Why alert a snoozing guard, better to thump him if we could, or better yet put him to sleep.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:42, Tue 16 May 2023.

"If the guard sleeps all the better for us to sneak away.  But if we need a distraction like the sound of a small thrown object to divert his attention then it would be good to have something on hand."

Rolf's eyebrows furrow.  "Under no circumstance do we thump anyone or anything.  I want to get away, and to do that we need to be quiet.  Hopefully we won't need a distraction though.  Even that may doom us."

Do you have a spell to cause sleep?

"I have some mind affecting spells, but none that cause sleep.  In any event I have not the strength to cast them.  I should be able to muster enough to weave a spell to allow me movement at a walking pace, but nothing more."

"I am very weak and desperately want to get away, rest and eat."

I suspect that is all of us

Terri sits and listens to the other two, smiling softly as Rolf chastises her about eating.  "It's ok.  I was eating all our food until you both woke up.  It's my turn to go without for a little so the both of you can gain some strength."

As the conversation turns to tactics however, Terri bites her lip.  "Um...  I don't think you should go first.  I think I should be the first one out...  Just in case someone sees us I think I'm the only one with enough energy left in me to make it a distraction for the others...  I could run, at least for a little, letting you two make your way in other directions.  But the rest of it I think is good.  Maybe we can wait until one of the hired hands is on watch?  Maybe..."

But a ruffle of the flap of their cart causes Terri to turn her head swiftly, halting her thought at a word.

Rolf and Gustav watch as the canvas of the cart rips open and a woman's face appears in the gap!

OOC:  Ok, lots of ways that you can play this and I don't want to steer you in any one direction or another.  If you wish to "play dead" please roll vs. Acting.  Otherwise, feel free to use any social skill that is applicable to whatever tactic you want to employ.  You could also fight, although you will be impeded by your ropes, even if you stated that they are loose.

Please don't go too far down this road.  Initial actions and a roll is all I am looking for at the moment.

Gustav just groans and acts [not much acting really] like he is barely with it.



20:29, Today: Gustav Du Meseries rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,3,2.  Acting default.

Rolf listens to Terri's suggestion and nods his head in agreement.  There's much to consider, but ultimately it may not matter.  If one of them alerts a guard it's unlikely any of them would get away.

Rolf immediately goes limp the moment the canvas flap is ruffled.

OOC:  Rolf made his acting roll to play dead.

At the opening of the canvas, Rolf is already closing his eyes and falling into a limp repose.  Gustav simply attempts to look as miserable as possible (an easy feat he thinks) though their act does not seem to impress the woman.

"I told you!"  She shouts, assumedly to someone behind her.  "They're fine back here!  Just babbling on to each other while the carts are moving!  They're plotting!"

"No!"  Terri nearly shrieks back, her hands already up defensively.  "I was trying to tend to their wounds!  I was talking to myself!  They're barely even able to eat!"

But the woman does not seem to be impressed by Terri's argument, instead, he unsheathes a knife from her belt, pointing it towards Terri's general direction.

"You!  Out!  You walk from now on!"

"But my leg!"  Terri wails, her voice raising up to near hysterics.

Terri's act however (for Gustav and Rolf both know it is an act, as Terri has only feigned a lingering leg injury when limping back and forth for food) does not seem to impress the woman, and she jabs the knife even closer.

"And shackle them all!  They're better than they've been telling us!"

OOC:  Again, space left here for resistance if required.  If none is offered we'll fast forward.

Well Crap! Gustav thinks, this makes it much more difficult.

He says nothing.

Rolf remains as motionless as possible.  Despite their efforts to stay quiet the jig is up as their captors sense their health is improving.  Knowing there is little to gain if they know he's conscious, Rolf continues to play possum.

Though they are threatened with being shackled, neither Rolf nor Gustav make any motions of resistance as the woman grabs Terri's wrist, wresting her from the small wagon at knifepoint.  Terri groans in false pain as she is pulled from the cart, calling out in sharp cries and at one point both Gustav and Rolf can hear her fall to the ground... they hope under her own volition as an act.

Soon metal crinkles and cracks in the dull sound of irons, before long, a man pushes aside the canvas, taking a moment to look over the two men before he turns and shouts back out into the morning.

"Ohtar you sure you want me to...?"

"Fucking do it!"  The woman shouts, and Terri yelps in pain in near harmony.  "It's on your head if someone gets off!"

"Just do it."  A man's voice responds, tired sounding, as if the whole situation is an inconvenience.

"Fine..."  The man turns back towards Rolf and Gustav, the iron of the shackles still clinking in his hands.  "But they don't look like they're going anywhere anytime soon."

Even as their wrists are chained, the two wait, knowing that when they do make a move, surprise is their only advantage.

The morning drags on.  The two refrain from whispering back and forth, hoping not to dig their hole any deeper.  Outside, occasionally, Terri groans audibly, often accompanied with the soft thump of flesh hitting against a cart somewhere in the distance.  At one point, a horse whinnies in protest.

"Get away from the horses!"  The woman shouts.

"I can't walk!"  Terri answers back in retort, a fierce defiance to her voice.

"Just fucking put her in the cart Ohtar!"  One of the men shouts, a familiar voice though Rolf and Gustav cannot place it.

It's barely a handful of seconds before Terri is thrust forcefully back into the cart, groaning in pain as she is pushed in.  As soon as the flap is closed however, Terri pushes her head up, flashing the two men a victorious smile, a small metal rod in her hand.  Without a word, she pushes a finger to her lips and lowers her head back down groaning occasionally with each jerk of the cart.

The day wears on into evening, and eventually into night.  The rations that come at the break of camp seem particularly scant.

As darkness begins to fall, and the soft mumble of voices begins to quell, Terri pushes herself back up into a sitting position, perking her ears before she produces the small rod again in one hand.

"I managed to pry of the prong off of one of the horse's buckles!"  She beams as she jabs the utensil into the small hole in her shackles.  "It's not much of a pick, but then again, these aren't much of a lock, so I'm hoping it does the trick."

Terri's face screws up in concentration as she wiggles the small device at her wrist.  She spends nearly a minute at it, but eventually there is a soft click! and one of the manacles pops off her wrist, allowing her to squirm out of the restraint.

"You now."  She motions towards Rolf, the small piece of metal again in one hand as she presses her face close to the manacles.

Again, Terri goes to work, rotating and levering the small bit of steel in the iron hole, rooting around by feel as much as by sight to try and unlatch the mechanism that keeps the shackles closed.  "Almost got it..."  Terri says as she puts an extra bit of leverage on the pin.  However, instead of popping the lock open, the small pin bends and snaps in half with the pressure!

Oh no!  Terri mouths, looking up into Rolf's face as she pulls away half of the pin.  She looks at it briefly, but it's clear without much appraisal that the thing is now useless as a lock pick.

"What do we do?"

OOC:  It is 2200 on the 18th of January.  Terri successfully managed to pick her own lock, but critically failed her next roll to get Rolf.  The manacles aren't keeping you in the cart, but they are inhibiting your ability to use your hands.  Ball is back in your court, thanks for keeping with me and my slowness.

Gustav slips the ropes off of his ankles and gets up, looking around in the dark for anything else that might serve as a lock pick.

So much for being quiet ... when the guard shows up, Gustav says he needs to defacate.

Is it possible to peek out under the canvas without moving the canvas noticeably? Can we access the seat up front where the driver normally sits?

Rolf accepts their fate with the manacles willingly.  There's really nothing he or they can do about it.  Any protest or fight will only make things worse, and they can always be worse, much much worse.

He glumly rests in the cart, his wrists held fast by crude iron loops.  He says nothing to Gustav and waits.

He is glad when Terri is put back in the cart.  At least if they are together it's possible to plan, even if the odds are long that they will be able to do anything to escape.

He raises an eyebrow at the sight of the piece of metal she has found, and waits with her for nightfall.

Rolf smiles when Terri frees herself and holds his hands out to allow her to pick his own manacles.

BLAST his mind screams when the pick breaks leaving both him and Gustav held fast.  Thoughts of never being able to escape torment his mind temporarily as he struggles to quell his thoughts and think of what to do.

Rolf reaches out to Gustav and motions him to sit quietly with a finger over his pursed lips.

He looks himself and the cart over.  Slowly a plan forms in his mind.

"We wait for them to sleep.  I should still be able to cast my spell for movement, but I'll need to utter a quick word.  For that I'll need you both to pretend to roll over and let the manacles clink a bit.  With luck that should keep them from noticing."

"Once it looks like they aren't checking on us, wrap these manacles in cloth to quiet them."

"Terri you then peak out of the tarp and if the coast is clear you exit first.  Then help Gustav down with me helping on the other side.  Then hold the tarp for me to slide through.  Then we slowly and quietly escape."

OOC:  As long as both Gustave and Terri agree with my plan, we wait till we think they are fully asleep with only the guard(s) awake.  Then I'll try to cast my spell and hope they don't notice (with Terri and Gustav tossing in their sleep to cover the sound.)  If possible Rolf will muffle the keyword as best he can with his shirt when he casts.

Also, If the ropes are still available then use those to wrap the manacles to keep them from clinking.  Assuming we have some clothing on our backs, then use that if needed by pulling our shirts over our heads and tightly wrapping them over the links.

Gustav nods in agreement but waits to see if anyone comes to check on them.

Gustav  is angry nd upset by being put in manacles.  He starts working to see if he can get out of them. He can feel a little room to work with, but doesn't succeed.  He waits a while and tries again.