6: I'm Sorry, Madeline, But Our Princess Is In...Another Part of the Castle

[Sierra]

<El-Cideon> Bloody combat continues in Mistvalken's prison tower: Corben wrestles with a suddenly spiky monstrosity; Madeline stands with bow ready in the antechamber; and Eliaphas finds himself flanked by enemies on both side! One an undead maid, the other a mockery of a man, hunched on all fours, all limbs arms that terminate in wicked claws. Hairless, skin a slick midnight black, it grins up at the inquisitor with too many eyes and a maw full of needle teeth. Around you, prisoners shout encouragement after the fall of their jailer.
<El-Cideon> OOC: Madeline
<Madeline> Arrows fly towards Corben and his oppressor, madly zig-zagging out of the way to avoid the barbarian whilst striking the monster with unnatural force!
<Madeline> roll 1d20+18 rshotmshotdshot
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+18 rshotmshotdshot and gets 32."12 [1d20=14]
<Madeline> roll 1d20+18
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+18 and gets 36."12 [1d20=18]
<Madeline> roll 1d20+13
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+13 and gets 21."12 [1d20=8]
<Madeline> roll 1d20+8
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+8 and gets 19."12 [1d20=11]
<El-Cideon> OOC: all hit
<Madeline> roll 1d8+12+2d6+1d6+1d6 fire/frost/shock
<Madeline> roll 1d8+12+2d6+1d6+1d6 fire/frost/shock
<Madeline> roll 1d8+12+2d6+1d6+1d6 fire/frost/shock
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d8+12+2d6+1d6+1d6 fire/frost/shock and gets 34."12 [1d8=5][2d6=3, 3][1d6=6][1d6=5]
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d8+12+2d6+1d6+1d6 fire/frost/shock and gets 31."12 [1d8=5][2d6=6, 1][1d6=2][1d6=5]
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d8+12+2d6+1d6+1d6 fire/frost/shock and gets 24."12 [1d8=3][2d6=2, 3][1d6=1][1d6=3]
<Madeline> roll 1d8+12+2d6+1d6+1d6 fire/frost/shock
<Madeline> roll 1d8+12+2d6+1d6+1d6 fire/frost/shock
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d8+12+2d6+1d6+1d6 fire/frost/shock and gets 31."12 [1d8=4][2d6=5, 2][1d6=2][1d6=6]
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d8+12+2d6+1d6+1d6 fire/frost/shock and gets 31."12 [1d8=4][2d6=4, 6][1d6=3][1d6=2]
* Madeline changes topic to '6Corben: (7) 117/163 (1d6 bleed), Eliaphas: 47/102(bleed 3), Madeline: 79/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 14 Corben >  maid = creeper > wallock > Madeline > Eliaphas > iron maiden x2''
* El-Cideon changes topic to '6Corben: (7) 117/163 (1d6 bleed), Eliaphas: 47/102(bleed 3), Madeline: 79/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 19 Corben >  maid = creeper > Madeline > Eliaphas > iron maiden x2''
<El-Cideon> Bolts sprout from the monster's body and it tumbles to the floor seeping ichor from burning wounds!
<El-Cideon> OOC: E
<Eliaphas> Thus surrounded, Eliaphas stabs at the spiny monster as the most pressing threat in an effort to buy himself some room!
<Eliaphas> OOC: using undead bane, is it effective?
<Eliaphas> OOC: actually no!
<Eliaphas> OOC; using my temp hp thing
<Eliaphas> He also instills resolve on himself and his allies to see through this bitter fight to the end!
* Eliaphas changes topic to '6Corben: (7) 117+12/163 (1d6 bleed), Eliaphas: 44+12/102(bleed 3), Madeline: 79+12/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 19 Corben >  maid = creeper > Madeline > Eliaphas > iron maiden x2''
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+16 enhancement bonus to attack
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+16 enhancement bonus to attack and gets 21."12 [1d20=5]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+11 enhancement bonus to attack
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+11 enhancement bonus to attack and gets 20."12 [1d20=9]
<El-Cideon> OOC: both hit
<Eliaphas> roll 2d6+10
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 2d6+10 and gets 15."12 [2d6=1, 4]
<El-Cideon> The monster hisses in pain as Eliaphas impales it through the shoulder! Meanwhile, behind Madeline, mobile torture devices shuffle over to her. One takes position behind her, the other to her side--one's lid slams open, a metal fist upon it swinging at her, while the other tries to open and shut with her inside!
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+12 attack
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+12 attack and gets 28."12 [1d20=16]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+16 grapple attempt
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+16 grapple attempt and gets 33."12 [1d20=17]
<El-Cideon> OOC: AC/CMD?
<Madeline> OOC: Oh geez, that's like my AC+1 and my CMD exactly
<El-Cideon> roll 1d4+6 damage and you're grappled
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d4+6 damage and you're grappled and gets 9."12 [1d4=3]
* Eliaphas changes topic to '6Corben: (7) 117+12/163 (1d6 bleed), Eliaphas: 44+12/102(bleed 3), Madeline: 79+3/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 19 Corben >  maid = creeper > Madeline > Eliaphas > iron maiden x2''
<El-Cideon> The lid slams onto Madeline, catching her halfway inside as a fist batters her! OOC: Corben.
<Corben> roll 1d6 bleed
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d6 bleed and gets 5."12 [1d6=5]
* Eliaphas changes topic to '6Corben: (7) 117+7/163 (1d6 bleed), Eliaphas: 44+12/102(bleed 3), Madeline: 79+3/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 19 Corben >  maid = creeper > Madeline > Eliaphas > iron maiden x2''
<Corben> Even in his narrowly-focused state, Corben cannot miss the monster's death from a hail of arrows, nor the way Madeline was set upon by those instruments of torture. Roaring, his falcion held high, he rushes back to sunder the iron maiden gripping her to pieces!
<El-Cideon> OOC: note you'd have to pass through the door to do this, passing through E's space and provoking AoO's.
<Corben> OOC: Understood! AC24
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+12 maid AoO
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+12 maid AoO and gets 25."12 [1d20=13]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+16 creeper bitey
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+16 creeper bitey and gets 36."12 [1d20=20]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+16 crit?
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+16 crit? and gets 25."12 [1d20=9]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d4+4 maid
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d4+4 maid and gets 6."12 [1d4=2]
<El-Cideon> roll 2d6+6 bite
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 2d6+6 bite and gets 13."12 [2d6=1, 6]
* Eliaphas changes topic to '6Corben: (7) 105/163 (1d6 bleed), Eliaphas: 44+12/102(bleed 3), Madeline: 79+3/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 19 Corben >  maid = creeper > Madeline > Eliaphas > iron maiden x2''
<El-Cideon> OOC: carry on
* Corben changes topic to '6Corben: (7) 109/163 (1d6 bleed), Eliaphas: 44+12/102(bleed 3), Madeline: 79+3/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 19 Corben >  maid = creeper > Madeline > Eliaphas > iron maiden x2''
<Corben> roll 1d20+25 reckless abandon, 4pa, sunder
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+25 reckless abandon, 4pa, sunder and gets 27."12 [1d20=2]
<Corben> OOC: Hits sunder CMD?
<El-Cideon> OOC: it definitely hits their CMD.
<Corben> OOC: If I can't sunder normally, then it'd be a normal attack vs AC, at -1
<El-Cideon> OOC: go ahead and sunder.
<Corben> roll 2d4+16+8+6 glee!
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 2d4+16+8+6 glee! and gets 38."12 [2d4=4, 4]
<El-Cideon> The iron maiden takes a savage, wrenching slash and is knocked reeling in place, but it remains upright, greedily grabbing at Madeline! Meanwhile, each of Eliaphas's foes launches a barrage of attacks at the beleaguered inquisitor.
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+12+2 maid first
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+12+2 maid first and gets 19."12 [1d20=5]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+7+2 maid first
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+7+2 maid first and gets 17."12 [1d20=8]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+16+2 creeper bite
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+16+2 creeper bite and gets 25."12 [1d20=7]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+16+2 creeper claw 1
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+16+2 creeper claw 1 and gets 31."12 [1d20=13]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+16+2 creeper claw 2
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+16+2 creeper claw 2 and gets 32."12 [1d20=14]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+16+2 creeper sting
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+16+2 creeper sting and gets 35."12 [1d20=17]
<El-Cideon> OOC: AC?
<Eliaphas> OOC: 22
<El-Cideon> roll 4#1d6+3 all its attacks do the same damage. Also roll fort.
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 4#1d6+3 all its attacks do the same damage. Also roll fort. and gets 29."12 [4#1d6+3 = 6, 8, 7, 8]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+11
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+11 and gets 16."12 [1d20=5]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d4 STR
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d4 STR and gets 3."12 [1d4=3]
* Eliaphas changes topic to '6Corben: (7) 109/163 (1d6 bleed), Eliaphas: 27/102(-3 str, bleed 3), Madeline: 79+3/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 19 Corben >  maid = creeper > Madeline > Eliaphas > iron maiden x2''
<El-Cideon> Apparently Eliaphas finds himself too focused on the undead foe to mind the enemy at his back, and the monster lays into him with tooth, claw, and tail! A surge of venom weakness him as it floods into his bloodstream.
<El-Cideon> OOC: M
<Madeline> Madeline holds tight, waiting for the Iron Maiden to be broken to pieces all around so that she might fight properly once more!
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+16+5 bonus since you're already in the grappling process
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+16+5 bonus since you're already in the grappling process and gets 32."12 [1d20=11]
<El-Cideon> OOC: make your CMD?
<Madeline> OOC: It misses by 1.
<El-Cideon> The device scrambles to try and pull Madeline inside itself, but the elf is just too slippery! Its partner continues battering at Madeline while she's stuck halfway inside.
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+12
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+12 and gets 19."12 [1d20=7]
<El-Cideon> OOC: apologies, Eliaphas!
<Eliaphas> "Lord, give me strength..." Eliaphas grunts, succoring himself with holy vigor before he retaliates at the imp!
<Eliaphas> OOC: healing and destruction judgements, fast healing 5, +5 damage
* Eliaphas changes topic to '6Corben: (7) 109/163 (1d6 bleed), Eliaphas: 29/102(-3 str, bleed 3, fast healing 5), Madeline: 79+3/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 19 Corben >  maid = creeper > Madeline > Eliaphas > iron maiden x2''
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+14 imp
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+14 imp and gets 32."12 [1d20=18]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+9 imp
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+9 imp and gets 15."12 [1d20=6]
<El-Cideon> OOC: first hits
<Eliaphas> roll 1d6+8
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d6+8 and gets 14."12 [1d6=6]
<El-Cideon> The creature gets a stab in the chest, but soldiers on! OOC: belated resolution of stuff that hits M due to DEX penalty, then Corben
<El-Cideon> roll 1d4+6 normal hit and then...
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d4+6 normal hit and then... and gets 8."12 [1d4=2]
<El-Cideon> roll 2d4+10 M is pinned inside and also has 2d4 bleed on her now
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 2d4+10 M is pinned inside and also has 2d4 bleed on her now and gets 12."12 [2d4=1, 1]
* Eliaphas changes topic to '6Corben: (7) 109/163(1d6 bleed), Eliaphas: 29/102(-3 str, bleed 3, fast healing 5), Madeline: 62/96(2d4 bleed)| 4FlameArrowCount: 19 Corben >  maid = creeper > Madeline > Eliaphas > iron maiden x2''
<El-Cideon> Madeline is pulled inside the torture device--the lid presses tight on her inside as the bed of needles presses forward of its own accord, jabbing pinprick wounds over Madeline's entire body!
<El-Cideon> OOC: C
<Corben> roll 1d6 bleed
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d6 bleed and gets 6."12 [1d6=6]
* Eliaphas changes topic to '6Corben: (7) 103/163(1d6 bleed), Eliaphas: 29/102(-3 str, bleed 3, fast healing 5), Madeline: 62/96(2d4 bleed)| 4FlameArrowCount: 19 Corben >  maid = creeper > Madeline > Eliaphas > iron maiden x2''
<Corben> "How dare you?!" Corben roars, bashing the treacherous iron maiden again and again.
<Corben> roll 1d20+20 4pa
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+20 4pa and gets 29."12 [1d20=9]
<Corben> roll 1d20+15 4pa
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+15 4pa and gets 19."12 [1d20=4]
<Corben> roll 1d20+10 4pa
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d20+10 4pa and gets 21."12 [1d20=11]
<El-Cideon> OOC: they have craptastic AC, all hit
<Corben> roll 2d4+16+8
<Corben> roll 2d4+16+8
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 2d4+16+8 and gets 31."12 [2d4=4, 3]
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 2d4+16+8 and gets 29."12 [2d4=3, 2]
<Corben> roll 2d4+16+8
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 2d4+16+8 and gets 28."12 [2d4=1, 3]
* El-Cideon changes topic to '6Corben: (7) 103/163(1d6 bleed), Eliaphas: 29/102(-3 str, bleed 3, fast healing 5), Madeline: 62/96(2d4 bleed)| 4FlameArrowCount: 19 Corben >  maid = creeper > Madeline > Eliaphas '
<El-Cideon> The metallic monsters fall to pieces in the face of Corben's mighty blade, freeing Madeline once again!
* El-Cideon changes topic to '6Corben: (7) 103/163(1d6 bleed), Eliaphas: 29/102(-3 str, bleed 3, fast healing 5), Madeline: 62/96(2d4 bleed)| 4FlameArrowCount: 19 Corben >  Madeline > maid = creeper > Eliaphas '
<Madeline> roll 2d4
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 2d4 and gets 2."12 [2d4=1, 1]
* Madeline changes topic to '6Corben: (7) 103/163(1d6 bleed), Eliaphas: 29/102(-3 str, bleed 3, fast healing 5), Madeline: 60/96(2d4 bleed)| 4FlameArrowCount: 19 Corben >  Madeline > maid = creeper > Eliaphas '
<Madeline> Madeline stumbles out of the Iron Maiden with a look of utter terror, one that is quickly replaced by an impassive glare. A volley of arrows soon lashes out at Eliaphas' foes, first dealing with the wounded monster to his side before turning upon the undead woman!
<Madeline> roll 1d20+18 rsmsds
<Madeline> roll 1d20+18 rsmsds
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+18 rsmsds and gets 27."12 [1d20=9]
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+18 rsmsds and gets 27."12 [1d20=9]
<Madeline> roll 1d20+13
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+13 and gets 20."12 [1d20=7]
<Madeline> roll 1d20+8
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d20+8 and gets 13."12 [1d20=5]
<El-Cideon> OOC: all but the 13 hit
<Madeline> OOC: hit order is as stated
<Madeline> roll 1d8+12+2d6+1d6+1d6
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d8+12+2d6+1d6+1d6 and gets 30."12 [1d8=4][2d6=4, 4][1d6=5][1d6=1]
<Madeline> roll 1d8+12+2d6+1d6+1d6
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d8+12+2d6+1d6+1d6 and gets 29."12 [1d8=8][2d6=1, 5][1d6=1][1d6=2]
<Madeline> roll 1d8+12+2d6+1d6+1d6
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d8+12+2d6+1d6+1d6 and gets 34."12 [1d8=7][2d6=2, 2][1d6=6][1d6=5]
<Madeline> roll 1d8+12+2d6+1d6+1d6
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 1d8+12+2d6+1d6+1d6 and gets 35."12 [1d8=8][2d6=5, 3][1d6=2][1d6=5]
* Madeline changes topic to '6Corben: (7) 103/163(1d6 bleed), Eliaphas: 29/102(-3 str, bleed 3, fast healing 5), Madeline: 60/96(2d4 bleed)| 4FlameArrowCount: 14 Corben >  Madeline > maid = creeper > Eliaphas '
<Madeline> OOC: first two must hit creeper due to manyshot, too
* El-Cideon changes topic to '6Corben: (7) 103/163(1d6 bleed), Eliaphas: 29/102(-3 str, bleed 3, fast healing 5), Madeline: 60/96(2d4 bleed)| 4FlameArrowCount: 14 Corben >  Madeline > maid > Eliaphas '
<El-Cideon> The man-scorpion-thing falls to the ground, scorched and bleeding from many wounds, but the undead servant remains on her feet! One arm's barely on and an arrow juts from her neck, but one arm is all she needs to stab away at Eliaphas!
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+12 no more flanking
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+12 no more flanking and gets 24."12 [1d20=12]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d20+7
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d20+7 and gets 15."12 [1d20=8]
<Eliaphas> OOC: 22 AC
<El-Cideon> roll 1d4+4
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d4+4 and gets 5."12 [1d4=1]
<El-Cideon> OOC: And, E is up
* Eliaphas changes topic to '6Corben: (7) 103/163(1d6 bleed), Eliaphas: 26/102(-3 str, bleed 3, fast healing 5), Madeline: 60/96(2d4 bleed)| 4FlameArrowCount: 14 Corben >  Madeline > maid > Eliaphas '
<Eliaphas> Now that he has room to do so, Eliaphas steps back and unloads a volley of bolts up the maid's torso to put her down for good!
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+17 rapid shot, undead bane
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+17 rapid shot, undead bane and gets 37."12 [1d20=20]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+17 rapid shot, undead bane
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+17 rapid shot, undead bane and gets 23."12 [1d20=6]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+12 rapid shot, undead bane
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+12 rapid shot, undead bane and gets 31."12 [1d20=19]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+17 rapid shot, undead bane crit check
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+17 rapid shot, undead bane crit check and gets 34."12 [1d20=17]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+12 rapid shot, undead bane crit check
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+12 rapid shot, undead bane crit check and gets 19."12 [1d20=7]
<El-Cideon> OOC: all hit and 1 crit
<Eliaphas> roll 4d10+44+3d6+3d6+12d6 electric/fire/bane
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 4d10+44+3d6+3d6+12d6 electric/fire/bane and gets 125."12 [4d10=8, 4, 1, 3][3d6=2, 2, 1][3d6=4, 3, 6][12d6=3, 5, 2, 5, 5, 2, 2, 6, 3, 6, 5, 3]
<El-Cideon> The maid takes a barrage of bolts in the torso and explodes--literally. A cloud of gas wrenches its way out of the undead creature's critical wounds and suffuses the air around the body in a creeping miasma! OOC: if you only took a 5-ft-step, E, you're in range of this. Fort save. And...belatedly, another for the previous poison that's still in you
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+9 cloud save
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+9 cloud save and gets 24."12 [1d20=15]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d20+9 poison save
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d20+9 poison save and gets 17."12 [1d20=8]
<El-Cideon> roll 1d4 STR you saved against the first at least
* Hatbot --> "El-Cideon rolls 1d4 STR you saved against the first at least and gets 4."12 [1d4=4]
* Eliaphas changes topic to '6Corben: (7) 103/163(1d6 bleed), Eliaphas: 26/102(-7 str, bleed 3, fast healing 5), Madeline: 60/96(2d4 bleed)| 4FlameArrowCount: 14 Corben >  Madeline > maid > Eliaphas '
<El-Cideon> The cloud disperses momentarily, Eliaphas fighting off its debilitating effects...but not those of the venom inside him
<El-Cideon> OOC: free act
* Corben doesn't tarry in drinking a potion of healing as he seeks to rejoin Eliaphas.
<Corben> roll 1d6
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d6 and gets 3."12 [1d6=3]
<Corben> roll 1d8+1
* Hatbot --> "Corben rolls 1d8+1 and gets 3."12 [1d8=2]
* Corben changes topic to '6Corben: (4) 103/163, Eliaphas: 26/102(-7 str, bleed 3, fast healing 5), Madeline: 60/96(2d4 bleed)| 4FlameArrowCount: 14 Corben >  Madeline > maid > Eliaphas '
* Eliaphas grabs for his potion of poison neutralisation and chugs it down quickly!
<Madeline> Madeline doesn't wait either, quickly downing a blue potion and shuddering with relief when her wounds begin to close up.
<Madeline> roll 2d8+3
* Hatbot --> "Madeline rolls 2d8+3 and gets 14."12 [2d8=3, 8]
<El-Cideon> The men in the cells cheer! From above, on the second level, female voices join in to the celebratory chorus.
* Corben changes topic to '6Corben: (4) 77/137, Eliaphas: 26/102(-7 str, bleed 3, fast healing 5), Madeline: 60/96(2d4 bleed)| 4FlameArrowCount: 14 Corben >  Madeline > maid > Eliaphas '
* Madeline changes topic to '6Corben: (4) 77/137, Eliaphas: 26/102(-7 str, bleed 3, fast healing 5), Madeline: 74/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 14 Corben >  Madeline > maid > Eliaphas '
<Eliaphas> After purging himself of poison, Eliaphas heals the persistently bleeding wound he's ailed with. And then does something to restore his strength. "A hard battle... but faith prevailed."
<Eliaphas> roll 1d8+5 healz
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d8+5 healz and gets 8."12 [1d8=3]
<Eliaphas> roll 1d4 lesser restoration
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d4 lesser restoration and gets 3."12 [1d4=3]
* Eliaphas changes topic to '6Corben: (4) 77/137, Eliaphas: 34/102(-3 str), Madeline: 74/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 14 Corben >  Madeline > maid > Eliaphas '
<Madeline> "It looks as though you caught the worst of it," notes Madeline, apologetically. "For letting you be exposed to such danger, it's our mistake. We cannot let that happen again." She tosses her other potion to the priest, shaking her head. "Out of all of us, you must remain hale the most."
<Eliaphas> Taking the potion, Eliaphas nods gratefully and drinks. "Maybe too old for this," he admits, before going to see if there's a key to the cells on the jailer.
<Eliaphas> roll 1d8+1
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d8+1 and gets 8."12 [1d8=7]
* Eliaphas changes topic to '6Corben: (4) 77/137, Eliaphas: 42/102(-3 str), Madeline: 74/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 14 Corben >  Madeline > maid > Eliaphas '
<El-Cideon> Cries from the cells: "Heroes!" "Let us out!" "Let us out before the priest comes for our daughters!"
* Corben offers a potion of his own to Eliaphas. "Drink this!" he instructs. "It will add color to your skin!"
<Corben> "That fake priest is dead!" Corben loudly announces. "He and his ilk!" Nevertheless, he proceeds to the cells to sunder the locks one by one.
<Eliaphas> "Thanks," Eliaphas takes the potion and drinks, seeing that keys aren't needed.
<Eliaphas> roll 1d4
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d4 and gets 4."12 [1d4=4]
* Eliaphas changes topic to '6Corben: (4) 77/137, Eliaphas: 42/102, Madeline: 74/96| 4FlameArrowCount: 14 Corben >  Madeline > maid > Eliaphas '
<El-Cideon> The fallen jailer does have a set of keys muffled in the pack at her hip, along with an extra ring--plain silver with a single ruby inset--and a pair of blue vials.
<Madeline> "Are any amongst you armsmen or magi?" calls Madeline, glancing around the cells.
<El-Cideon> Again, voices crowd around you, the group not seeing to have an obvious spokesperson: "Good, may he rot in hell!" one grizzled old man replies to Corben. Elsewhere: "They killed the town guards! Them and any'd try to resist."
<El-Cideon> The main floor of the prison is rapidly growing crowded as villagers mill around. Some of the men rush upstairs and you can hear the tearful reconnections of spouses, lovers, and family.
<El-Cideon> Soon enough Corben's freed everyone on this floor. It's a sorry looking lot due to captivity, clothes grimed and tattered, everyone sweat-caked and filthy.
* Corben proceeds upwards to continue!
<El-Cideon> More cells, more prisoners, although all kept on this floor are female. From the central stairway narrow bridges extend in all directions to the walkway encircling the second floor. The stairway also continues ascending from here.
<El-Cideon> Some of the villagers swarm around Madeline and Eliaphas to offer their thanks--the reek of gratitude is truly overpowering!
<Madeline> Madeline was about to talk quietly to Eliaphas, but the sudden attention of a large crowd causes her to freeze in panic! "I.. uh... this is... job..."
* Eliaphas lays out weapons from the fallen jailers, along with the potions. "Whomever is strongest among you, arm yourselves. There will be food in the mess hall over the bridge - you will all need your strength and your faith to escape yet."
<El-Cideon> Some have questions--"Have you seen my Elena?" "My son, the monsters took him days past, have you seen aught of humans elsewhere?" "She took the mayor downstairs a nigh on a week past and we've not seen him come back up..."
<Madeline> "We- we cannot answer these questions! You must- um..." Madeline's voice is tremulous, sure to not be heard by the crowd at large.
<El-Cideon> Some of the men surround the jailer and proceed to strip her of all belongings--although for the moment they're more eager to kick the body into a pulp then to don any of her gear. Off to the side of this brutal display is left lying a rapier, whip, a set of gloves, two more rings, an amulet--and her armor proves to revert to a set of a metal links once she's no longer wearing it.
<El-Cideon> Several of the crowd presently seize what's left of the body and head out to the bridge to toss it into the mists!
* Eliaphas picks up over Madeline's difficulties. "We have only seen two others, and both have now left Mistvalken. We do not know if that's still possible, though - what we need is to get you all somewhere defensible to hold up until we slay the Duke."
<El-Cideon> "Defensible?" some of them cry in dismay. "We need to leave!" Family units rejoin throughout the milling crowd, relatives joyfully embracing. One lone old woman speaks up: "'s true, heard her talk--castle'll disappear again, stay gone for years. We'll be stuck if we don't leave here soon!"
<Madeline> "Y- you cannot- um-" Madeline's voice ducks down to a whisper only Corben and Eliaphas can hear. "If they leave by themselves, we have to do double duty to ensure the denizens are too busy to chase them, even after they have left the walls. They are too big a crowd, they cannot escape notice like we can."
<Eliaphas> "It may already have done so, there's no way to know from in here," Eliaphas admits grimly.
<El-Cideon> On the second floor, Corben finds himself the object of grateful hugs and kisses from the women (some of which draws disapproving glances from the older men about). "Some nobles got took up to the third floor too," one of them informs him.
* Corben nods in gratitude and proceeds upwards still once every prisoner on the second floor had been freed. Whatever they will decide to do, be it stay and fight or take a chance and flee, he will help them. But the choice itself must be theirs to make!
<El-Cideon> "And the children!" one mother cries, rushing up the stairs with him with others soon in pursuit.
<El-Cideon> The top floor contains only three large cells, these ones properly walled off to afford the prisoners some measure of privacy (or isolation). Heavy wooden doors with eye-level grates allow a modest level of surveillance. The northwest corner of the floor is open and contains an old wooden table, battered and defaced by the carvings of bored guards past.
<El-Cideon> The crowd on the main floor bristles with fear and unease. "We-we just have to stay here? What if the monsters come back for more of us?"
<Corben> "Stay back," Corben warns the villagers, and then approaches the rightmost of the cells to peer through the grate.
<Eliaphas> "We intend to slay the monsters and keep them more focused on pursuing us than bothering you," Eliaphas explains. "Remember, even if you leave the castle you will still be in the mists, exactly where you were when first caught."
<El-Cideon> There's only a single woman in this cell. It's a spacious room, with an actual bed and a clean floor. She looks up as the eye slot slides open--young, but of at least marriagiable age, hair a mass of tangled brown curls, pinched features, purple dress that would've looked elegant had it not become grimy and frayed from her capture and captivity. "So it's my turn after all?" she says wearily.
<Corben> "Your turn to be freed!" Corben responds. "Keep back from the door!" Once he confirms that she indeed has done so, Crom will go to work on the door's locks!
<El-Cideon> Inanimate objects are no match for Corben's berserker strength! The lock is soon fragments of twisted metal and the door swings open freely.
* Corben throws the door aside! "Your jailers are slain!" he announces to the prisoner.
<El-Cideon> "But there's--there's an army of them!" a lanky blonde fellow on the first floor says to Eliaphas. "Dozens of the monsters came to our village! Just the three of you against all of them?"
<Madeline> "Defeating monster's is a knight's job!" squeaks Madeline, repeating back a line Elswith used to throw at her.
<El-Cideon> The woman stands up, adopts a more regal bearing than any of the eager villagers below. "You have my gratitude, good sir. It is too late for some of us, I fear, but I owe you my life."
<El-Cideon> There's some grumbling amidst the crowd still, some of them still voicing the desire to flee with the utmost speed, over the sound of tearful reunions.
<Corben> "We came as soon as we heard," Corben responds. And yet, casualties still took place, he knows all too well. A grim nod, and then he moves to the next door to repeat the procedure.
<Eliaphas> "Have faith and the Lord will provide," Eliaphas intones sollemnly, looking down at his crossbow and reloading it. "If you run you will be cut down. The best way to survive for now is to fortify yourselves and hide."
<El-Cideon> The next door is full of young children, who first shrink back from Corben's display of brute strength and then spill out to join the others as mothers and fathers find them.
<Corben> Uplifted that the children, at least, appear to be in good health, Corben proceeds to the last of the cells!
<El-Cideon> The third cell proves to be empty!
<El-Cideon> "So we just have to...stay here?" an incredulous village craftsman wonders aloud.
<Corben> "Too late for this one as well," Corben says, shaking his head.
<Madeline> "You must! It is the only tactically sound option! There is no point in saving you only to let you stumble blindly in the mists, to fall prey to the Earl's beasts!" yells Madeline,
<El-Cideon> The noblewoman makes her way downstairs, looks over her other rescuers. After a moment--"Madeline, wasn't it?" she says, her eyes fixing on the elf. Madeline can dimly recall her as one of the ladies in waiting that hovered around Elswith at offical functions. Elena something or other.
<Corben> Now, it is time for Corben to return. There may well be cells below, too.
<Madeline> "Elena!" Madeline begins to push through the crowd towards the familiar face. "It is Elena, yes? I came as soon as news reach Tir Na'Tolan," blurts out Madeline. "Is Elswith here? Do you know where?"
<Eliaphas> "Until we can provide a safe exit," Eliaphas confirms. "If you come with us to the mess hall you can eat and arm yourselves, and we can set up barricades and traps to deal with any monsters the happen by while us three are occupying the Duke's forces elsewhere."
<El-Cideon> "She...was here," Elena says with a pained expression. "Someone came for her, perhaps a couple days past. Time is a difficult thing to measure here--all we have is the ringing of the clock somewhere above us."
<El-Cideon> Corben finds that the stairs end here. A single pair of torches light a narrow corridor that proceeds north for twenty feet before taking a sharp turn to the left. Two doorways are apparent just before the turn, one to each side of the corridor.
<El-Cideon> The crowd mostly settles down on seeing the noblewoman take the lead here, and resigning themselves to waiting at least for the time being.
<Madeline> "Days? I've seen what the creatures here do to people!" replies Madeline, in horror. "It will not takes days for her to be... oh, I cannot speak of it. It cannot be possible."
* Corben continues down the corridor all the way to the bend. There, he will use the wall as cover and peer past!
<El-Cideon> "I...was not under the impression harm was meant to come to her, at least not by design. There have been several individuals that visit the prison to take victims--I saw some of this before Anna put us up in the noble cells."
<El-Cideon> The corridor winds around to the west and out of sight--from here on, the tunnel is not lit in any way.
<Corben> The doors, then! Corben opens the one closest!
<El-Cideon> This room resembles nothing so much as the world's gloomiest love nest. Spacious for a bedroom, twenty feet square. Little has been done to lighten the natural bleakness of the black rock from which the prison tower was carved save for the addition of a lush red carpet on the floor--indeed, the sheets on the bed only echo that with an oppressive combination of black on red. The bed itself occupies a quarter of the room and looks quite comfy given the circumstances--there's an ample collection of pillows and the sheets are clearly silk. A series of small, circular metal panels is set into the stone just above the head of the bed; handles on each suggest they can be swiveled aside.
<El-Cideon> Rounding out the room are a nightstand by the bed crowded with a collection of perfume bottles and a small planting pot from which sprouts a collection of violently red roses, a wardrobe inset with full-length mirror across from the door, and a desk and chair right before it, all of this finely wrought from dark wood. Several objects sit on the desk: a lantern that casts a flickering light about the room, an open book, and a statue of a lithe, nude woman with an expansive mane of hair and a set of ram's horns jutting from her head. The statue is delicately carved from a mottled blue stone and kneels next to the book as though preparing to turn the page. A heady musk of perfume and sex pervades the air.
<Madeline> "That is worse. In it's own way, that is worse," replies Madeline. "I have never heard of Mistvalken taking a hostage solely to make demands. They must want her for something else, something that requires her well." She clutches her temple. "I must find her without delay..."
* Corben closes that door and opens the one opposite it.
<Eliaphas> "I don't recall any of the direct royal line being taken before, either," Eliaphas notes. "I will go check on Corben," he then says out of the blue, going downstairs after the barbarian.
<El-Cideon> "I am not certain of that," Elena says, hesitating. "The creatures that live here give the impression of being more than one mind about what to do with those they take--there was a priest here, though I hesitate to use the term for this odious individual, who leered over the women he took away. Those speechless monsters with the golden eyes hauled away many more. There was a fop of an elf, too--apologies, Madeline--who took a few of his own--" One of the villagers cries out: "That's right, he took my Wallace not two days ago!"
<El-Cideon> This next room's only purpose is to be a receptacle for pain and it wastes no time before elucidating on that point. There is an overwhelming reek of sweat, blood, and even less savory substances. Shelves line the walls, boasting a wide array of knives, whips, screws, clamps, and ugly metal implements whose function is best left uncontemplated. An iron maiden stands directly to the right of the door. A wooden table occupies the center of the room, with shackles on wooden slats attached to rollers that can be slid up and down at an interrogator's whim. A naked man presently lies on this device, stretched and whimpering.
<Corben> "Who are you?" Corben asks, stepping inside warily in case of any guards just past the room.
<Madeline> "The priest is slain, and there was no sign of her there," replies Madeline, inwardly balking at the thought of Elswith being used by such a monster. She grimaces at the mention of an elf. "Of course. Even elves are kidnapped by Mistvalken, and still the elven crown refuses to act. If he stands against us, I will have no trouble putting him down."
<El-Cideon> He looks over at Corben, blinking several times, dazed and incredulous. "You're...you're not with her, are you?" he whispers. "Willam's my name, sir, town carpenter...please, I beg of you, let me off this table!"
<Eliaphas> Catching up with Corben and seeing the tortured prisoner, Eliaphas wastes no time in going to release him, offering healing as well. "You are safe now," he murmurs as he works.
<Corben> "Of course!" Corben responds. "Hold still," he bids the man, before breaking through his bindings.
<Eliaphas> roll 1d8+5
* Hatbot --> "Eliaphas rolls 1d8+5 and gets 13."12 [1d8=8]
<El-Cideon> "This elf works for the Duke," Elena says. "That much was clear enough, though not in what capacity. Regardless, Elswith was taken by someone else--Lady Stanja, Anna called her. Pasty-looking woman--not like the priest or that nun with him, who seemed to be always under the moon's light, but as though faintly seasick. All the charm of a brick, but Anna deferred to her at least while she was around. Wore a set of the finest mail I've seen, and mind that I waited on the princess in the royal residence."
<El-Cideon> "Anna said something to the extent of, 'Not taking one for yourself?' and the woman replied, 'Not this time.' I've no idea what any of this meant." She looks vaguely ill. "Everyone who lives here is demented."
<El-Cideon> The man sighs in relief as the healing magic works on him--strained and torn muscles mend, and he carefully tries stepping on to the floor, still woozy from his torment. "Thank you, sirs, thank you kindly," he says quietly.
<Madeline> "It is something that must be witnessed to be truly believed," replies Madeline. "I would rather die than become their captive."
<Corben> Once the man is freed, Corben offers him his hand to steady him.
<El-Cideon> She nods. "I understand that sentiment all too well. Anna...she said she was saving me for later." She shudders. "Something about playing with nobles amused her. Marguerite, who was with the princess and I when the monsters took our carriage, she mouthed off to the jailer bitch the first day here? Anna took her downstairs straight away and I've not seen her come back up." She sighs. "Should have kept her mouth shut. There's naught a single mortal can do in a place like this."
<El-Cideon> The man accepts Corben's assistance, hobbling his way back towards the stairs. "Did you kill her?" he asks on the way. "Made her suffer, I hope?"
<Corben> "She boasted and then she died," Corben responds.
<Madeline> "As you might expect, the king put out a bounty," replies Madeline. "And yet, only the three of us are here, and Eliaphas came on his own, at that. For the world at large, I am convinced virtue is dead."
<El-Cideon> "Good enough," he sighs.
<Corben> "There is a corridor still," Corben tells Eliaphas. "Do you have any light on you?"
<Eliaphas> "It was a merciful end, but do not doubt she won't suffer in the next life for her sins," Eliaphas reassures the man. He turns to Corben and nods, intoning a short prayer to make his bayonet radiate light and going around the corner.
<El-Cideon> "Not the only ones, I suspect," Elena says. "Our captor liked to ramble--oh did she ever, about all the horrible ends that awaited all of us and how little we could do about it--and it seems it's usual for fortunehunters to try this castle even without a bounty. Anna of course assured us none of these brazen or foolhardy individuals would help us."
<El-Cideon> Eliaphas can see that it bends again, to the south this time, and proceeds ever downwards.
<Corben> After ensuring that Willam makes it back to the stairs alright, Corben moves to rejoin Eliaphas.
<El-Cideon> The man shuffles up the stairs and rejoins the others! One of the other men strips his shirt and hands it to him for use as a loincloth.
<Eliaphas> "It goes quite a ways. Better not to explore it until the people upstairs are settled," Eliaphas opines to the barbarian.
<Madeline> "I am not counting on finding any help. The king sent a knight, but he travelled on his own and I cannot rightly say I believe he still lives," replies Madeline. "I will have to rely on you to keep these people under control. You cannot let them wander about as they please or try to escape; they would only die pointlessly should they happen across the denizens of this place."
<Corben> "Are they staying to fight, or choosing to escape?"
<El-Cideon> "I will do my best," Elena says with a nod. "As long as they are fed, they may be able to wait. One thing I can say for our captor," she grudgingly admits, "she didn't fail to keep up regular meals. No, she wanted us healthy when she broke us."
<Eliaphas> "They want to flee, but without Cat to lead them it's inadvisible," Eliaphas replies. "I want to secure them in the mess hall and fortify it so they can defend themselves while the matter is resolved elsewhere."
<Corben> "We'll draw enough attention to us," Corben agrees. "Let's return, for now."
<Madeline> "I would rather not hear even the vaguest of compliments for her," replies Madeline. "Of course, you are right. Hunger is the strongest motivator, and denying them food is the same as killing them, in the end." She plants a hands on Elena's shoulder. "As Elswith's knight, I will find a way to save everyone here or die in the attempt."
<El-Cideon> -----------------