= Cauldron, Part 23 =
12/19/08
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Jiona considers that.  "If you think we can safely take him out with us," she says with some skepticism.  "I'm all for some justice, but we still need to rescue everyone here."

Tillandor says, "Hardly fitting if we leave the others to their doom."

Calico sits for a moment to catch her breath, and chants something, inviting a minor glow to pass over her.

Jiona looks a little uncomfortable at Tillandor's comment.  "I daresay that those responsible for the abduction of the children have brought their doom upon themselves.  Those that were stolen did not have the opportunity to choose."  She looks at Pyllrak again, frowning slightly.  "But I still don't know exactly what to do about... him."

Calico says, "How about we get out of here before someone else decides to move in and get in our way?"

Tillandor harumphs.  "I meant the children, not their captors."

Jiona tilts her ears back in a gesture of embarrassment at her misunderstanding.  "Oh, of course.  Well...."  She considers some more, then says with a sigh, "If Kristof thinks he can get Pyllrak to tell us where the others are hidden... then I will not stop him."

Kristof ponders that for a moment before saying, "There is no guarantee, although I suspect in order to glean such information, methods, would need to be used."

Calico looks around and surveys those already gathered.

Jiona nods grimly at Kristof, fully understanding the implication.  "Still, I think Calico is right.  We should at least get out of the open if we're going to spend some time."

Tillandor says, "'Methods' may be the least of his troubles from us, and are worthwhile if they serve the greater good."

Kristof says, "Decide now, for if we want him alive I suspect immediate action will need to be taken to insure he doesn't die."

Pyllrak bleeds a little.

Jiona grimaces again, and replies, "I've made my decision.  As distasteful as it is, I vote to do it.  Calico?  What about you?"

Calico walks past Pyllrak to survey the auction hall.

Calico wanders back to see if she can bind his wounds.

Calico manages to stabilize Pyllrak, "he should live, long enough for the executioner."

Jiona nods to Calico, then suggests, "Shall we move him someplace more defensible, then?"

Tillandor glances around.  "Might I suggest the illusory wall?"

Kristof pulls manacles out of his backpack and after positioning Pyllrak's hands appropriately behind his back, locks them in place with a padlock.

Calico says, "we should see if the way out is clear."

Krylscar nods to Calico, "We should get these people out of here."

Jiona smiles, "That sounds good to me.  We'll have at least a few moments of warning should someone come investigate - especially if he decides to try to call for assistance.  I think I can help with that, though."

Calico wanders back to look over the auction hall, and the route back to the surface.

Krylscar and the others follow carefully.

Evie hangs on Jiona's coat now that the battle is over.

Kristof looks around at the dead globins.

Tillandor shrugs and follows Calico and the rest.

Calico takes a moment to chant, then strides off a bit faster than usual.

Kristof walks over to one of the dead goblins, draws out a nice looking dagger and proceeds to cut a long and thick strip from the tunic.

Professor Drundlesput eyes Kristof, "What... are you doing?"

Jiona looks briefly surprised, then smiles apologetically down at Evie.  "There will probably be a bit more of that as we try to get out of here, dear.  You can stay with me if you'd like."  She watches Calico wander off, with Tillandor joining them, then looks at Kristof.  "Do you want to go back to that area, or keep up with them?"

Kristof smiles and walks over to Pyllrak, then proceeds to gag him with the cloth and then ties Pyllrak's feet together with rope.

The two trap doors in this hallway are opened.  A few dead hobgoblins are here and there.

Kristof says, "I am making sure our magically endowed friend doesn't do anything to get away."

Tillandor says, "Children, I suggest we go this way and leave Kristof to his work."

Calico quietly pulls open a door to peek through.

Kristof hoists Pyllrak up over his shoulder and starts trudging forward, staggering a few steps under the unexpected weight.

Calico notices Tillandor's arrival, and quietly comments, "looks clear."

Tillandor vacates into the next room.

Most of the children follow behind Tillandor, Evie stays with Jiona.  A few of the men come in as well, followed by Coryston.

Most of the children follow behind, Evie stays with Jiona.  A few of the men go as well, followed by Coryston.

The two trap doors in this hallway are opened.  A few dead hobgoblins are here and there.

Jiona murmurs something to Kristof in a low voice as he begins carrying Pyllrak.

Jiona murmurs to you, "Do you need help keeping where you are quiet, or should I stay with the others?"

Tillandor glances through the door, and nods.

Kristof mutters under his breath to Jiona, "I don't think being quiet is going to be possible with... this."

Calico eyes the open trap doors ahead, "got a rope handy?"

Jiona keeps her voice low as she replies, "It can be.  I can make things quiet beyond you and him, but I'll have to at least be nearby."  She makes a face, and adds, "I'd be outside, of course.  I agreed to this, but I don't particularly want to hear.  Or watch."

Kristof moves onwards into the next area.

Kristof comes into the room, carrying Pyllrak over his shoulder, staggering a bit under the weight.

Kristof stops and turns, "Ah - I see what you mean. If we are to interrogate him I will need the services of Calico."

Tillandor pats his bags and robe, then shakes his head.  "I'm afraid not. "

Calico says, "then again, think the pit trap will reset properly after having an ogre fall in?"

Calico walks over to look over the pit trap.

Jiona grimaces again, then nods to Kristof, and finally hurries to catch up with Tillandor and the others, mindful of helping Evie to keep up with her.

Kristof asks Jiona, "Can you make the area surrounding us quiet so no one else but those directly nearby can hear?"

Tass and Ethkin bring up the rear behind the rest of the ex-prisoners.

Tillandor starts to follow after Calico, then slows to let Jiona catch up.

Jiona pauses briefly to answer Kristof as she begins to move away, "I believe so.  I've done it before."

Kristof drags Pyllrak to one of the pillars and proceeds to tie him soundly by wrapping him with rope, holding him upright against the pillar.

Tillandor looks down at the ogre corpse, and looks around for the reset mechanism.

Calico asks, "Jiona, if I jumped across this gap, could you give me a wind boost?"

Calico says, "I remember the reset on the other side."

Jiona eyes Calico speculatively.  "...Maybe.  How much do you weigh, about?"

Kristof calls out, "Calico? Jiona? Can I borrow you two for a minute?"

Calico says, "about 40 pounds.  I might make it just jumping, but a bit of help would be nice."

Calico asks, "what you need?"

Kristof says, "I would like to ask our new friend some questions. Can you assist me with some healing?"

Tillandor says, "I can get you across, if needs be."

Calico says, "how much healing are we talking?  I only have so much."

Jiona addresses Calico as she walks over to Kristof, "Really?  Only forty?  Wow.  I should be able to float you across without you needing to jump at all." 

Kristof considers, "If all goes well, just enough to revive him and a small amount for the convincing."

Kristof says, "I intent to make him think we can keep him alive as long as necessary to get what we want."

Calico wanders over to examine the prisoner and see how badly off he is.

Pyllrak has wounds of all sorts... electrocution burns, stab wounds, a burn that looks suspiciously like a rune of some sort, bruises, scratches...

Kristof follows behind and nods to Jiona.

Kristof draws out a rapier.

Tillandor watches curiously.

The women lead the kids into the next room, saying something about praying to Pelor for thanks.

Calico motions for Kristof to stay back, "I want to handle this."

Kristof smiles. "I just want to scare him into thinking we mean business."

Calico bares a claw, "I think I can do some pretty good scaring up close."

Jiona realizes that she still has an attachment of sorts, and leaves Kristof and the others for the moment, escorting Evie to where the woman is keeping the other children.

Kristof says, "Together then. Two minds are better than one. And I believe you will be excellent for scaring."

Gryffon Malek stands watching with Irruth and Krylscar, watching.  Gryffon nudges Krylscar and asks quietly, "So... who is this guy anyway?"  Krylscar shrugs, "Some dirty dwarf they just beat up."

Kristof sheathes his rapier.

Calico lays a hand on Pyllrak and chants, infusing him with precious healing energies, jarring him into consciousness.

Tillandor goes with Jiona into the other room.

Pyllrak jars awake, shakes his head to clear the fog, then grumbles and struggles against his bindings.

Jiona smiles as Tillandor joins her, and mentions, "Kristof might need my help to keep that place quiet, but I didn't really want to watch.  Especially not with Evie still occupying my shadow," she says with a wink down to the clingy young girl.

Kristof calls out loudly, "Jiona? We are starting."

Jiona looks over at the opened pit while waiting, and spotting the lever on the far side, she frowns thoughtfully.  "Hmm."

Calico reaches up and lays a bared claw on his neck, where he can feel it, "now, we came here looking for someone."

Kristof stands a few feet behind Calico, staring impassively, arms folded across his chest.

Pyllrak growls are muffled by the dirty cloth and rope in his mouth.

Kristof looks around, trying to spot Jiona.

Calico pulls the cloth from his mouth so he can speak.

Pyllrak spits at Calico, "So what."

Calico says, "Maybe you can give us a reason to let you live."

Kristof puts the gag back in Pyllrak's mouth. "Wait for Jiona."

Pyllrak attempts to bite Kristof's hand but misses.

Kristof says, "I want to make sure that no one can hear his screams."

Kristof walks off towards the last direction he saw Jiona.

Kristof steps in, looking around.

Pyllrak grimaces and struggles against the ropes a bit more, flexing them, but not breaking them.

Kristof says, "Jiona? We are starting."

Calico carefully strokes her cat claws along Pyllrak's exposed skin as she waits.

Tillandor asks, "How did it go?"

Pyllrak turns his head in disgust.  At least as well as he can, being bound and gagged.

Kristof blinks.

Kristof walks back with Jiona and upon reaching the prisoner, he says, "Alright if you could make the area quiet for us."

Tillandor says, "Ah, you've yet to start.  My mistake."

Jiona turns away from her contemplation of the open pit when she hears Kristof's voice, and says, "All right.  Just a moment."  She turns to Evie, and says, "You'll have to wait here for a few minutes, dear.  I need to help our friends with something."

Evie frowns, looking up at Jiona and holding her arms up to her.

Tillandor says, "I'll be here, have no worries."

Evie slumps to the ground, dejected.

Kristof smiles at Evie and says, "We'll be back soon, don't worry."

Jiona smiles apologetically to Evie, crouching down a bit, and reassures her,"Tillandor here is my best friend.  You're safe with him, I promise.  I won't be gone long."  She stands back up, nods to Kristof, and follows him back to where Calico is.

Kristof walks back with Jiona and upon reaching the prisoner, he says, "Alright if you could make the area quiet for us."

Kristof hmmms. "Or more specifically, make his mouth quiet. I want him to know exactly what you are doing."

Evie shifts her feet uncomfortably and sways impatiently.

Jiona starts to nod, then raises her brows a little at Kristof's clarification.  "...All right."  She concentrates for a moment, and makes a quick gesture.  "...There."

Tillandor also waits with some impatience.

Calico again pulls out the gag.

Pyllrak spits at Calico again, this time hitting her right on the cheek. "Ha!"

Kristof reaches back, then slams his fist into Pyllrak's ribcage.

Pyllrak doubles over and coughs up a bit of blood.

Calico again lays a claw at Pyllrak's throat, "now, what reason can you give up for letting you live."

Pyllrak growls, "What reason ya got for killing me?  I did you no wrong."

Calico says, "careful, he's still close to falling under."

Kristof waves his hand. "I don't think he will give us a reason to let him live. However, the method and how long it takes for him to die, that is another question."

Calico whispers, "no wrong? enslaving innocents? no wrong?"

Pyllrak scoffs, "What do you want from me?  You could have dumped me in the drink.  Obviously I've got something else you need."

Calico says, "Maybe we should let him live, as someone else's property."

Kristof stares intently at Pyllrak, "We know who you are, and there remains a few questions. We will find out the answers to these questions eventually. But whether we hear them from you, or find out for ourselves, the only difference is in how much pain you can take."

Jiona has since shifted the silencing to an area, rather than just around Pyllrak's mouth, so he could respond to the questioning.  She does listen in, although she tries not to watch what's happening too closely.

Kristof takes Jiona aside and says, "Jiona, Can you put your barrier over his mouth for a moment? So even he can't hear"

Calico says, "I don't think he's going to answer, even if he does know where more slaves are being kept.  He's too stupid to see we're offering him an option."

Calico says, "do we leave him, kill him ourselves, or haul him up to a judge in civilized lands?"

Pyllrak laughs, "Tie me up to a pillar and gag me, then pound me... civilized."

Pyllrak coughs a little.

Jiona nods to Kristof, and effortlessly shifts the silencing back to its original location, which should keep the dwarf from speaking audibly, or listening in to any other conversation.  "There."

Pyllrak starts shouting... inaudibly.  He looks surprised, then glares at you all.

Kristof says to Pyllrak, "Oh I am anything but civilized." He leans in real close to Pyllrak's face, "And no one will be able to hear you scream."

Jiona points out to Kristof, "...And he can't hear you, either, you know."

Pyllrak looks confused at Kristof, then he bares his teeth and grimaces.

Kristof smiles. "Go ahead and revert it back to the area?" he asks.

Calico walks off, "He's not going to talk."

Jiona looks confused, but nevertheless does as Kristof requests with another slight gesture, and nods to him to let him know it's been done.

Pyllrak shouts, "...and stick it right where... oh hey."

Calico says, "we should just leave him to starve to death like I'm sure some of his slaves have."

Pyllrak grimaces, "If you're gonna ask me something, ask.  Else kill me now and get it over with.  I'd rather face Kord than chat with the likes of you folk."

Kristof speaks in a low condescending voice, "No one can hear you. No help will come. Just answer our questions and you will be shown at least mercy from... this."

Kristof says, "And in case you think death will allow you escape..." and nods to Calico. "We have a healer on hand to make sure that accidentally doesn't happen."

Calico says, "ah, a better attitude.  we're looking for other slaves."

Pyllrak grimaces, "What other slaves?  You do know where you are, yes?"

Calico says, "So you're saying we've found all the slaves held here."

Pyllrak shakes his head, "How would I know.  Kazmojen didn't tell me exactly how much stock he had.  He just fulfilled my order is all."

Jiona holds her tongue as she listens in, not really caring to get involved in this particular discussion.

Calico turns and walks, "then we have no further business."

Kristof shakes his head. "He doesn't even know all of who we found." He sighs and takes out his dagger. "How many slaves are here, Kazmojen?"

Pyllrak's eyes bulge, "I'm Pyllrak...", he looks over at the bloodstain on the dias, "You killed Kazmojen!"

Pyllrak whimpers a little, "I'm just a loyal customer..."

Calico questions, "did you buy for yourself or to sell to others?"

Pyllrak waffles a bit, "You don't understand the underdark... slaves are a common commodity."

Calico puzzles, "and why did you bother coming back here?"

Pyllrak growls, "I was hoping to recoup my financial losses."

Kristof asks, "Where are the slaves you bought?"

Pyllrak spits at Kristof, "You took them!"

Kristof backhands Pyllrak across the face.

Pyllrak spits up a bit of blood and growls, baring his yellowed teeth.

Calico says, "leave him, we have people to escort home.  Do we want to take on the entire underdark today?"

Kristof says, "Where are the previous set of slaves you bought?"

Jiona grimaces again at the sound of that action, then steps over to Kristof, murmuring something to him before moving away.

Jiona murmurs to you, "I've heard enough... I'm going to head back to where Tillandor is.  I'll leave the silencing going, although it won't be as strong... any shouting would probably get through, but would be muffled.  Not that he needs to know."

Kristof nods to Jiona.

Jiona nods back to him, then heads back up the corridor towards Tillandor.

Kristof says, "And who else comes here to buy?"

Pyllrak shakes his head, "Folk from all over the underdark... once word gets out, though, they'll find another source.  Or someone else will set up shop.  Not much you can do about that."

Calico glances around, "maybe some civilized Dwarves or gnomes would like to move in, secure this place."

Kristof adds. "And perhaps capture any unwary buyers coming this way."

After a little while, Jiona re-enters the corridor, heading up to where the children are gathered.  She's still grimacing a bit, and her tail is flicking in irritating as she walks.  She also seems distracted in the way that Tillandor might recognize as her keeping one of her abilities running.

Pyllrak laughs, "Ah you are clever.  I warned Kazmojen you were clever uplanders."

Tillandor waves.  "All is well, I trust?"

Pyllrak hehs, "Suspected you weren't exactly 'honest customers' either, but..."

Jiona shrugs just a little as she draws near.  "I suppose.  They're still at it, so I'm keeping it quiet from here.  As long as they don't start shouting at the top of their lungs, it should do.  I'd heard enough."  She sits down near Tillandor, sighing.  "Kristof has some odd approaches, but at least he didn't go too overboard with... you know.  Mostly threats.  I don't think all of them were needed, though."

Kristof considers, "Perhaps you may have some redeeming value to you. Since you seem to know so much about the underdark, I think the city garrison may have some questions for you."

Tillandor says, "Did you learn anything of use?"

Pyllrak hmphs.

Jiona considers for a few moments, and relates, "He said that slave-trading is common in the underdark, which is presumably this place," she gestures around.  "He also said that the ones we rescued were the ones he was trying to buy, and he doesn't know the extent of Kazmojen's... stock.  He did guess what happened to Kazmojen after some of Kristof's comments.  Oh - and this likely isn't a surprise - he believes the trade will continue somewhere else now that this one has been broken."

Pyllrak grimaces, "Can't stomach to kill a helpless old dwarf, eh?  Figured you might have some religion in ya."

Tillandor nods.  "No surprise there, sadly.  He's probably right."

Kristof says, "Oh I won't kill you as long as you are useful."

Jiona looks glum. "I'm inclined to agree.  At least we've made *a* difference.  Still, as to why there was a sudden interest in children instead of adults... I don't know."

Calico looks Pyllrak over, "you don't look very tasty."

Tillandor shakes his head.  "Nor do I.  I do hope we've put a stop at least in large part to that particular trade."

Kristof says, "But cause any trouble and I guarantee you will be alive just long enough to wish you weren't."

Pyllrak laughs a bit guardedly, "Tasty?  My dear lady, dwarves are the toughest meanest most untastey creature you'll come across."

Kristof says, "The mimic we passed on the other hand, might not think that way."

Pyllrak shuts up.

Calico says, "shall we go?"

Kristof says, "I am going to make sure Jiona keeps a silencing bubble around us so shouting won't do you any good.  Stay in front of me at all times, and if you even attempt to run, I'll hogtie you and think of a way that you will be able to walk with only 1 leg."

Calico holds open a door and waits.

Kristof begins removing the unruly dwarf from the post, then secures a rope tied to his manacles before untying his legs just enough to shuffle his feet.

Pyllrak grumbles a bit, but is relatively docile.

Kristof ponders for a moment, "By the way how did you convince those goblins to come back here?"

Pyllrak grumbles a low chuckle, "Told them Kazmojen was giving out a reward on your skins.  It was a bit of a gamble."

Calico says, "probably threatened them."

Pyllrak hrmphs, "Threaten?  Trickery is much more effective."

Kristof and Calico enter the hall, Kristof leading a bound Pyllrak by rope.

Kristof says, "The fear of Kazmojen is probably more effective than the fear of a single dwarf."

The children hide behind the adults as Kristof and Pyllrak enter.

Jiona looks around to see where Evie ended up as she nods to Tillandor with a satisfied smile.  "I think we've done pretty well in that regard."  She looks up as the two return, and finally drops her silencing field - an event that goes unnoticed by anyone else, most likely.

Tillandor says, "Did you discover the location of the prisoners?"

Kristof shakes his head.

Calico says, "if people could clear a path for me, and Jiona can stand by, I'd like to cross this gap."

The various ex-prisoners move to either side, watching curiously.

Jiona blinks, "Oh yeah.  The gap.  Right."  She turns and faces it, concentrating a bit.

Calico removes her pack and sets it aside, and prepares for a running jump.

Calico takes off in a run, to be caught in a wind and carried across as the lever flips down and the pit trap closes.  Calico misses the other side by a few feet, but lands on the pit trap door anyway.

Kristof gets an idea. "Pyllrak you know all the traps here don't you..."

Pyllrak hmphs, "Don't know.  I know the ones between the auction hall and the underdark."

Pyllrak shrugs, "Which would be these pit traps here, the chain beast in the next room... and that's about it.  Kaz never really let me poke around."

Calico makes sure the trap is secured, before retrieving her pack.

Jiona looks apologetic as Calico leaps across, expecting a gust that doesn't come.  "Sorry, Calico!  I realized earlier it was easier, and safer, to just trigger the switch from here.  I was going to do that sooner, but I was still helping you and Kristof."

Calico says, "No problem, Jiona. think we could give the chain beast some trouble?"

Jiona muses, "Possibly.  There are a few things I can try from a safe distance."

Calico says, "what I had in mind."

Kristof says, "If anyone here falls into something that you don't tell us, I guarantee you will feel what they do tenfold. Its better if you don't leave anything out."

Pyllrak hehs, "Well I assume you already dealt with the ogre."

Calico says, "Kristof, hold back with Pyllrak.  If this turns ugly I'll repeat what I did with the ogre."

Jiona steps up to the doors and grasps a handle of one, then looks back to make sure everyone is prepared for whatever might be on the other side, besides the known threat of the chain-trap.  "Ready?"

Kristof says, "Wait. Knock on the door in sequence as such," then raps out a sequence of knocks on the wall next to him.

Calico raises her holy symbol in a paw, "ready."

Pyllrak coughs.

Jiona watches Kristof curiously, and waits for his signal to open the door, since there's apparently something extra he knows.  "Does that disable that chain-thing?"

Kristof says, "They did it when we first came in. I expect that it will signal anyone on the other side that they should open the door."

Tillandor joins Jiona and Calico, stepping quickly across the floor which once was a pit.

Jiona ahhs, and smiles.  "Of course.  Good thinking.  So... ready?"

Kristof shrugs, "That is of course unless we just intend to kill them in a surprise attack."

CategoryCauldron