Too well-guarded.  Okay, I'll sneak back across camp to the other side of the encampment again.

13:38, Today: Tristan rolled 3 using 1d10-2.  stealth/qik.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:38, Fri 14 July 2023.

In reply to Tristan (msg # 72):

You make it back.  Almost too easily.  These frogs aren't exactly the most attentive of souls.

Heading for the western red tent?

Correct.  Do I see a guard in front of it?

In reply to Tristan (msg # 74):

There are two guards in front of it.  But...none behind it.  And there doesn't seem to be any traffic coming in or going out of it.

Although he suspects he’s making a mistake, Tristan tries sneaking up behind the tent.  Can he get inside?

In reply to Tristan (msg # 76):

Tent itself is rather cheap.  You can slide under the edge of it from the back.

Inside the tent is a large cage made of what you think is clay.  Inside it is Conrad.  He's unconscious.

Are any guards inside the tent?  Also, is there any furniture in here?  Any sign of some place a key might be kept?
This message was last edited by the player at 05:37, Fri 21 July 2023.

In reply to Tristan (msg # 78):

The only person inside the tent is Conrad.  And a bird.

On the other side of Conrad's cage is a bird cage on a pole.  Inside the cage is a small bird with a black head streaked with white and golden in color on the rest of it's body.  It seems to be asleep.  At the bottom of it's cage is a key.

You just need to open the bird cage door, reach inside, and take out the key to Conrad's cage.

What could be easier?

Do I have anything on me that I might be able to use to get the key out without having to stick my hand inside the cage?

In reply to Tristan (msg # 80):

I don't recall you saying you brought anything back with you.

You look around.  The tent is fairly bare.  There is a small table on one side with a water pitcher, a crude clay cup, a dirty plate, and...oddly...a pile of grass.

Could I tear off part of my clothes and use it to wrap around my hand?  At least that way I’ll have some protection if I stick my hand in the cage.

In reply to Tristan (msg # 82):

Yes

Sorry.  Hit "Post" a tad fast

You wrap up your hand and approach the cage.  The bird begins to squawk and hop up and down on it's perch.

If you want to swing open the door and make a grab for the key, give me a DEX check please.  Stress roll.

If you want to try something else, please do so.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:13, Fri 28 July 2023.

Tristan realizes there must be a smarter way of doing this, but if so, it just won’t come to mind.  So he says a quick prayer and then makes the grab.

17:44, Today: Tristan rolled -1 using 1d10-3.  Dex.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:45, Fri 28 July 2023.

In reply to Tristan (msg # 84):

The bird suddenly chirps and tries to peck at your tender little hand and wrist, actually doing so.

It's got a sharp little beak.  But it's just a bird peck.

You grab the key and pull it out, slapping the door shut on the bird.

The bird bashes against the sides of the cage, chirping.

If the guards can hear this, they don't seem to care.

The bird presses it's face against the cage.  In a surprisingly husky voice, it says

There will be no peace for you
Until we settle this

In the cage, Conrad groans.

“Really?  Should I reach back in there now and break your little neck, then?  Bird, if I were you, I’d shut up while I still can.”

Tristan ignores any further threats from his avian friend and focuses on setting Conrad free.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:00, Sun 30 July 2023.

In reply to Tristan (msg # 86):

Ohhhhhh....

It's on now Little Human!

I will follow you to your end!

I will crap on your grave!

Conrad murmurs as you unlock his door and shake his shoulder.  His eyes open and blink, then start to shut again in sleep.

Tristan continues to try to awaken Conrad.  Meanwhile, he talks back to the bird.  "What did you do to him?  Put him in some kind of trance?"

In reply to Tristan (msg # 88):

The bird pshaws you.  "As if...

"He's had some wine.  Hard for a Son from Man to not be muzzle headed after a sip of good wine.

"I can tell you how to wake him.  But you need to let me out of this cage first."

“Yeah, right.  Dream on, bird brains.”

Tristan attempts to awaken him with a hard slap.

In reply to Tristan (msg # 90):

The bird begins throwing himself against the cage.

"Let me outta here now!  You'll regret it if you don't!"

Conrad moans.  His eyes open.  He squints as if trying to focus on you.

"M...Master...Tristan?"

From outside, you hear what sounds like one of the guards say, "Hey.  Did you hear something?"

Tristan instructs Conrad to pretend he’s still out cold, then hides.

In reply to Tristan (msg # 92):

The sentry's poke their head in.

The bird flaps furiously.  "He's over there!  He's over there!"

All is not lost...yet.  Stealth/Pres check please

01:57, Today: Tristan rolled 0 using 1d10-3.  Pre/stealth.

In reply to Tristan (msg # 94):

You see two hiding options.  First, you can try to slide out under the tent wall just like how you came in.

You think you can also hide on the other side of the cage.  If you lay flat, Conrad's body may obscure your own.

Tristan tries the second option… precisely because it seems so stupid and crazy.  Maybe the bird wouldn’t even realize he was doing it.  Besides, he was small… maybe he could get away with it.

But he is forming a plan; something he can try even if they capture him…