Way Down in the Hole — IC

[Chanchabruhh]

Pohaku returns to his stoic and quiet demeanor as he nods
"Lead the way to this door lets see what else they have here that could be of assistance."

[ratwizard]

The sailor woman lifts her hands in a dismissive gesture. "My men and I don't deal with black powder, and I'd like to leave it that way. Besides, I'd sooner get road under my feet than spend any more time trying to bring down this crumbling shit-heap."

At this point, many of the survivors have begun to settle down into the various cots, bedding down now that it is into the early morning hours. Instead, some of you leave the warmth and safety of the barracks, intent on looting the remains of the fortress. At Garvelli's direction, you make for the south-eastern tower, just a short walk across the courtyard. At its base is a pair of doors that open in smooth fashion.

Inside is what appears to be an L-shaped parlor. A large rug is sprawled across the floor, what may have once been a fine piece of craftsmanship has been stamped ragged with soggy and muddied boots. In one corner is an empty stone fireplace, its chimney curtailed to curve back to the inside of the fort rather than the outside. In the other corner is a bookshelf and small desk. The relative order of both lends you to believe it must have been in active use by the Powder Keg occupants.

There is a locked door further into the building which yields entry upon Samiira's looted key. Inside is a tight chamber with a pair of proper beds that put the cots to shame; a sturdy, wooden trunk with a similarly sturdy lock; and a tall wardrobe with a small mirror hung from it.

Area Map

Full Map Update

[Namelessjake]

"Privileges of rank," Samiira muses as the door opens to reveal the comparatively luxurious quarters. Wasting no time, she makes her way over to the locked chest and tries the key on it once more. Should the key fail, she instead turns her attention to picking the lock.

Mechanics

Thievery: [1d20+11]=17+11=28

[ratwizard]

Samiira defeats the trunk's lock in moments.

Samiira

The weighty lid creaks with reluctance. Inside is a heavy tome bound with high quality leather and etched in what appear to be fine metals. The title and contents are written in unfamiliar Imardanian, but judging by the seemingly divine imagery on the cover, you wonder if it might be a religious text.

There is also a folded uniform — faded yellow, white, and light blue, with brass buttons lining the torso. Laid atop is a small pouch, inside which are a metal ring and four brass emblems, or possibly insignia.

[Namelessjake]

"Relics of their previous posts perhaps," Samiira says, stepping back from the chest to let the others see its contents. "Nothing useful," she adds.

[Chanchabruhh]

Pohaku will start scanning around the room and seeing what his heart feels he should look at or check out

Perception Check

[1d20+8]=14+8=22 Perception Check

[ratwizard]

Pohaku performs a thorough investigation of the room: under and behind the cots, on the back of the door, and finally into the wardrobe. Inside are pair of coats who have seen many winters based on the patches. A thumbing-through of the pockets yields nothing but lint.

Beneath them rest a pair of tall, leather boots made from what appears to be an incredibly pliant and yet durable hide. They look well-worn based on the fit, but — impossibly — never-worn based on the lack of any noticeable scuffs or patina. When you pick them up, they feel as light as parchment.

Mechanics

Magic item obtain!

Wildrunners — Level 4 Feet Slot

Property
When you run, move your speed + 4 instead of speed + 2.

Power ✦ Daily (Free Action)
Use this power when you run. Enemies do not gain combat advantage against you.

 

[Scratcherclaw]

As the others begin scouring the quarters, Alerio steps over to the bookshelf. Perhaps they have left journals behind. I should doubt brigands would engage in pleasure reading. He scans through the shelf, looking for anything that may pop out at him.

 

[ratwizard]

Alerio

You peruse through the bookshelf, finding it a quick task since most of the shelves are bare and dusty.

There are a handful of books written in Imardanian, ranging from what you believe to be fiction, religious texts, or instructional literature. One of them has some detailed diagrams of caravanning, including knots best suited for different draft animals and hauling methods.

You also find a logbook with a few crude maps of the Borstid Sea. It too is written in Imardanian, but you gain the sense this might contain details on some of the Powder Kegs' movements and activity. It seems the sort of thing that the Unfettered leadership would appreciate getting their hands on.

[Scratcherclaw]

Alerio files through the logbook, its words foreign but its purpose wholly clear. Entrusting it to one senior his rank, he hands the book to Josie. "Perhaps our leaders may make use of this. Though we have dealt these Powder Kegs a blow tonight, more details of their movements and actions may be written within."

[ratwizard]

Josie, or others who read the logbook

Alerio hands over what appears to be a logbook containing a few crude maps of the Borstid Sea. It is written in Imardanian, but you gain the sense this might contain details on some of the Powder Kegs' movements and activity. It seems the sort of thing that the Unfettered leadership would appreciate getting their hands on.

[Namelessjake]

"If the Powder Keg leaders who remain are smart, they'll change up their operation after this, but if not this should prove valuable to the cause," Samiira says glancing at the map, not needing to understand Imardanian to realise its value.

[Chanchabruhh]

"Hm..that is a fair point, i think this is worth keeping and somewhat studying i think it would prove useful as well."

Pohaku says as he starts putting on the new boots he found

[Namelessjake]

"If there's no where else in the fort untouched, we should rest," Samiira says, looking to Josie and Hadrurus.
"I'm happy to take first watch," she adds.
 
It would be best to set the black powder now, but if no one knows what they are doing, we should at least wait until people are rested and sharp. A mistake would be deadly.

[Fialova]

Josie peruses the logbook when it is passed her way, frowning at the unintelligible words, but nodding at the others' suggestion. "It is possible one of the sailors here might know how to read it," she adds. "If so, it might yield information that is useful to us before we depart. Secrets about this fortress perhaps, or even another Powder Keg fortress that can be taken out."

Turning to Samiira at her suggestion, Josie nods. "Sleep will be good for all of us, it has been a long and difficult day. I can take the middle watch, my eyes are well-adjusted to minimal light." 

[ratwizard]

Returning to the barracks, you rouse the sailor woman who directs you to one of her fellows — an old, portly man with a thick, grey mustache. His Imardanian brogue is near unintelligible, but after some tired coordination you are able to glean the main details from what must have been the lieutenant's logbook.

In it, the lieutenant — apparently named Giacomo — describes attacks on a number of vessels in the Borstid Sea during the past two months, namely the Amarinthine from which the sailors came. A load of a dozen prisoners was brought to the seafort here days ago, where they were merged with over a dozen others who had already been imprisoned from Powder Keg ambushes along the nearby roads. Brandys would be able to corroborate that detail as one such victim. The late Giacomo had few written details on plans for the prisoners, but in another stretch of notes, the sailor points out a ledger identifying the Kelbis Mines as a destination for previous hauls.

From the sounds of the logbook, this seafort seems to have served as the most important or possibly only land-based outpost for the Powder Kegs. It was established almost two years ago. From the headcount, you believe you struck at a time when there were quite a few men on-site compared to the usual skeleton crew. The intelligence you had received from the Unfettered appears to have been accurate but unfortunately out of date by your arrival.

What remains unclear is how many more Powder Kegs there are left. You get the sense that there are at least two other vessels, and that the senior leadership yet remains stranded elsewhere in the Borstid Sea by the storms. Still, seizing control of this fort seems to be a possible end to their land-based operations in this region, at least for the time being.

[Namelessjake]

"A shame our intelligence was out of date. Velasco might have lived if we'd had a better picture of their number here at the fort. At least we dealt a stronger blow than planned," Samiira says following the translation and debriefing of their findings.

"I will take first watch then," she adds, pulling up her hood as she prepares to venture back out into the rain. "Someone else watch the road, I will watch the sea."

[Chanchabruhh]

Pohaku will nod "I will gladly take watch of the road."

[Scratcherclaw]

Alerio winces as he hears the name of their former prison. That even common ruffians should send their prisoners to Kelbis. It is a blight upon these lawless lands. He struggles to find anger though, weariness his only sensation as the night catches up with him. He lets out a burdened sigh. "I will join you, Josie," the Serranborn says, knowing the pair is all that remains from their daring escape. Surely that name resonates with her after our shared suffering. Kelbis Mines must be brought to ruin.

[ratwizard]

Amidia, 28th of Esperos — 6E Y79

With some of you watching the sea, and others watching the paths along the cliffs, the rest of the liberated retire to the relative comforts of the former Powder Keg barracks. Sleep comes easy, the injuries and exhaustion weighing on each of you.

Morning comes, and with it, a break in the storms. The rain has ceded way to a soft patter across the stone and mud, and the terrible clouds have moved far to the west for the time being.

The reasonably stocked outpost is preyed upon, with many of the survivors aiding in the hauling and prep-work. You break your fast on salted meats, pickled vegetables, and fresh flatbreads baked from sacks of sorghum flour. Small provisions of fruit that the Powder Kegs had stocked don't last an hour between the many mouths. Ale is found and doled out where wanted. What was a miserable silence the night prior amongst the liberated folk has grown to a slight chatter, proof of the remedy that sleep and a warm meal can present.

The seven of you sit amongst others at a long table in the main hall, rested, fed, and watered.

OOC

Everyone gains the benefit of a long rest.

[Namelessjake]

"With this break in the storm, will you be able to sail the ship?" Samiira asks the woman who had spoken for the captured sailors the night before.

"The sooner we are on our way out of here, whether it by road or by sea, the better."

[ratwizard]

The sailor woman frowns, giving Samiira an apologetic shrug. "With the three of us? Not a chance. That caravel would need a dozen on a good day. Not to mention the danger if the storms move in on us before we reach port. Or anymore of these Powder Keg miscreants."

[Namelessjake]

"Well then, all we can do is deny its usefulness to the enemy," Samiira says, somewhat saddened that the ship will not be able to aid the Unfettered in their fight, but still focused on the tasks at hand.

"We can either try to burn it, or blow a hole in its hull with the black powder," she adds, turning to the others to see what they are thinking. 

[BartNL]

"I do not know the best way to destroy a ship beyond repair in this storm. But if possible, setting a trap could be another option. Denying the ship is good, killing their men is probably better. Is it possible to rig the ship to sink or break when on the open seas?" Hadrurus asks in reply.

[Fialova]

It's always Kelbis, Josie thinks, as the logbook is translated for them. That place is evil, to think people who were merely sailing at the wrong place and time could end up there only goes to show this. She frowns and shakes her head at the news, offering a knowing glance towards Alerio after. But we will bring it to its end.

* * *

In the morning, Josie eats and drinks with the others, though mostly avoids conversation, still feeling guilt and sorrow over the death of young Velasco. He deserves to be here with us, not out in a pit amongst the dead. At mention of the ship and what to do with it, she ponders Hadrurus' idea. "It might be, but would we have the time? Something like that sounds more complicated and time-consuming, and if they have likewise taken this break in the storm as an opportunity to depart, we could be caught in another fight." We do not need any more dead to add to the pile.

[Namelessjake]

"The sooner we are on the road the better," Samiira concurs, not wanting to waste time setting an elaborate trap, not knowing how far off the coast the remaining Powder Keg ships might be.

[ratwizard]

OOC

Given the amount handful of barrels of explosives, you believe that you could easily blow an irreparable hole in the hull if they were placed against it.

Fashioning some sort of person-activated trigger, like a tripwire for example would be a medium challenge task. Given the materials at the seafort and on your persons, you think it would take about an hour to haul the barrels down and set something like that if successful.

Setting a more advanced trap such as one that would only activate while away from the coast is a possibility but you know it would require a greater degree of time and ingenuity to implement.

[Scratcherclaw]

"The cautious course is the wiser one when we have so many innocents in our midst," Alerio posits as the others consider how to deal a blow to both the ship and the Powder Kegs. "I would sooner depart. Perhaps we might unmoor this caravel to set it adrift, leaving it at the whims of the seas."

[Namelessjake]

"Perhaps last night, but now there's no guarantee the weather alone will be enough to sink her," Samiira says in reply to Alerio, looking up to the comparatively clear skies.

[BartNL]

"Just blow it up then, also destroys all the explosives we can't loot in the progress." Hadrurus says, trying to settle for a solution.

[Fialova]

"I agree with Hadrurus," Josie responds, considering their options and opting for the most secure option. "Let's set it ablaze, that way it may take some of the docks with it. That could at least hinder the activity of their other ships when they try to make landfall. If not, at least they are one less ship and several less in number. And, worst of all, they have the knowledge that their fortress is less safe than they'd thought. Then we leave, and get these people to safety." The faster we are away from this place, the less chance of any pursuers catching up to us. We must be quick.

[Namelessjake]

"Let's get to it then," Samiira resolves, starting to head for the stored black powder.

[ratwizard]

The trio of sailors guide you to the southwestern tower, inside of which rest a half-dozen barrels about a foot tall. Easing the lid off of one, you find it: black powder.

Hauling it all takes about a quarter hour. You carry the barrels, two bodies for each, down the zig-zag switchbacks on the northern cliff edge that lead to the small seadock below. The caraval sways steadily in the shifting waves. Josie and Samiira happen to notice a few new scuffs from where its hull must have been rammed against the docks during last night's storms, though it looks otherwise seaworthy.

You haul the black powder barrels aboard the main deck, taking a breather as you plan your next steps.

[Namelessjake]

"Now, how do we light it from a safe distance?" Samiira wonders aloud, before an idea comes into her head.

She pulls a candle from her pack and draws her knife, using the blade to cut the top off. Tossing the rest of the candle aside she holds up the severed top. "We put this atop a pile of powder next to the barrels, someone lights it and runs. If we set it up sheltered from the wind it should burn down in a few minutes and then no more ship," she explains.

[ratwizard]

OOC

Samiira, roll a Thievery check to set up your ignition method both safely and effectively.

[Namelessjake]

"Someone being me," Samiira adds. "We'll need to get it below deck though - to make sure we put a hole in the hull," she adds, tucking the makeshift fuse into her jacket and grabbing hold of her barrel once more.

"You should all get back up to the fort," the serranborn says once the barrels are stacked against the outer hull of the ship. She gives the others a couple of minutes before setting to setup the fuse. Breaking open a barrel, she pours out a pile of the powder, scattering some over the other barrels for good measure. She then carefully lights the shortened candle, shielding its flame as she places it delicately atop the pile of gunpowder.

With the fuse lit and in position, she backs away slowly, careful not to disturb it, before breaking out into a sprint once she is clear, racing along the docks and up the stairs after the others.

Mechanics

Theivery Roll: [1d20+11]=20+11=31

[Scratcherclaw]

Gods grant her swiftness and care, Alerio thinks as he heeds her advice and makes for the fort. He looks at the caravel from above, almost curious if it will sink in a slow burn or an explosion of grandeur. Let us hope our adversaries are not near enough to notice and make haste toward us.

[ratwizard]

With the rest of you — and a swath of the liberated prisoners — watching expectantly from the clifftop, you spot a fleeing Samiira break for the stairs. At first there is only the sound of the waves spraying against the rocks below. Then, an earsplitting quake that loosens the pebbles around you, paired with the weighty crack of timber. A surge of bubbles emerges nearby. The caravel shudders from the force, knocking hard against the dock.

By the time Samiira makes it up to join the others, the Powder Keg's caravel is already listing hard to port, while plumes of smoke emerge from the passageways below-deck. You sense that either flame or sea will claim this vessel within the hour.

[Namelessjake]

With the deafening sound of the explosion, Samiira pauses her ascent of the wooden stairway, turning to peer down at her handiwork.

"Now we should hit the road," she says to the others once she reaches the top.

[Scratcherclaw]

"Indeed," Alerio says slightly louder than normal, the explosion still ringing in his ears. "That was not subtle, and we cannot say who else may be drawn. Let us depart at once."

[Chanchabruhh]

Pohaku looks at the ship as it explodes and takes a breath before turning and walking to the road "Agreed lets move."

[BartNL]

"Onwards it is! Grab your gear, and get ready to leave!" Hadrurus bellows as to shout over the explosion.

[Namelessjake]

As the others gather their things and assemble to move out, Samiira quickly sets her attention to setting fire to the wooden structures inside the fort. Grabbing and relighting any torches she sees by the entrances of the buildings, she tosses them inside, aiming for any soft furnishings or flammable looking stockpiles of supplies.

"Even if the rain stops them from fully burning down, the fires should do some damage," she says rejoining the group by the gate.

[ratwizard]

Once the fort has been thoroughly ransacked by both Unfettered and liberated alike, Samiira's efforts are rewarded with a pair of growing blazes in the main hall and the low, long shack. Smoke billows from the doors and windows. The rain keeps the rooves wet, a nominal effort while the insides of the buildings blacken and crackle under the heat.

The twenty-or-so of you assemble near the intended entrance of the seafort — the recently rebuilt doors hung wide open, showcasing the conflagration within.

"Thanks for everything, and I'm sorry about your friend," says the seafaring woman, standing once more beside her two compatriots. "We're headed west towards the colonies if anyone wants to stick with us." A few more prisoners speak up, intent to join her, while the remaining throng of eight stay seemingly under your charge.

"What's the plan, here?" Garvelli asks Brandys, glancing between the rest of you as well.

[Namelessjake]

"We're headed to Vyridis," Samiira says at Garvelli's question, not too concerned by some of the freed prisoners choosing to forgo the protection of the Unfettered. It is their choice to go where they please. They're free now.

[Scratcherclaw]

"Have care, and may the gods protect you on your journey," Alerio says to the departing sailors, giving them a courteous nod. May they all remain free of shackles, great Eagle above. "Let us pray the roads are still passable after these storms. But yes, we should make ready to depart."

[Chanchabruhh]

Pohaku will have a small smile escape his lips as he see's more free people escape the clutches of oppression one of many events that he and the Unfettered will have a hand in freeing people from the chains of these slavers and evil spirited people 

"I am ready to move time to get a move on and see what awaits us."

[ratwizard]

Etnadia, 30th of Esperos — 6E Y79

Travel back from the seafort is easier than before, the drenched roads drier now, and less rain pelts you as you go. The next two days are thankfully quiet, your heavily armed caravan undisturbed with most passersby seemingly keen to avoid your attention and continue on their way.

On the third day, the gravel road curves away from the cliffside and in the distance you can see it — Vyus Vyridis. In the late afternoon light, it is a treasure to behold. Upon the raised hill, you can see across a large swath of the city, unchanged since the week prior. Fires of industry pipe smoke into the air from forges and smokers, and a wealth of ships line the marina, likely sheltering another day or two from the fleeting storms.

The freed prisoners have all left your caravan with genuine gratitude and words of prayer or safe travels, one by one, until the last of whom remains. Garvelli stands proud in the face of the elvish city, his hands crossed against his tunic. "I've no coin or prospects," he admits, a strange juxtaposition to the smile on his face, eyes distant across the expanse of the city. "But I've a debt now. To your people. Would they have use of me?" he asks, turning now toward the rest of you.

OOC

Congratulations! You have reached level 4. Please indicate your level 4 build choices in this thread, and update your character sheet and combat block.

[greysigil]

"You handled yourself well, lad, I think you have real potential. The work we do is difficult, and rarely glamorous, but necessary. Can you work as hard as you did back there?" Brandys says to the young man, his old eyes soft, yet still appraising.

He rests his hands on his sword, wrists crossed just under the crossguard, and he shifts his weight between his legs. "What say you, comrades? Shall we introduce him to our friends?"

[Scratcherclaw]

"Indeed, your dedication and devotion are worth a trove in coin," Alerio says, hoping to reassure the eager Garvelli. "I am certain there is a role for you here." The Talon gives Brandys a nod, knowing he has his own reason to speak with their leaders. Though much work is to be done for the Unfettered, I cannot stand idle when Kelbis is a scourge upon this land. I must build a coalition and rid this world of it. This is El-unod's calling.