Dark Ages RP- Chapter One- Galuterra

[Prpl_Mage]

Franklin did not feel comfortable running around in such lacking outfit as he did. He decided to pull off the uniform of one of the guards and tried it on.
It was a rather good fit, and so he thanked the guard by bashing his head with the hilt of the sword.
Dead guards would not return awake and realize something was wrong, but these live ones could. That worried Franklin since it could jeopardize the mission.

But for all his complaining, he just hoped that they wouldn't prevent him from shedding the blood of his enemies.
He walked up to the others and greeted them.
"It's not quite the armour I'm used to, but if will do." He exclaimed as he pressed against the locked door - hoping to hear voices or anything from the other side.
"We should not linger here..." He mumbled as the Earl walked over with the key in hand.
"Then let's not."

[Dragonium]

The group ascended the stairs as quietly as possible. They emerged from the staircase into a long corridor with two passageways leading off it.

Stahn frowned. He was no master of stealth, but short of fighting every soldier in the keep, there was no other option. There was a door nearby, very slightly ajar; he peered inside, and seeing no horde of enemies within, motion for the others to continue on while he surveyed the room. He had his axes, if he needed them, but he and the rest of the party were dangerously under-equipped.

The room was dark and smelled musky - probably a storage room. Stahn looked around, using the light that filtered in from the slightly open door. His foot bumped into something.

In that instance, there was a scrape, followed by a shuffling sound. Stahn froze, and waited for his eyes to focus better. When finally he could make out shapes around the room, he looked down at the object in his path. It was a large double-headed axe, probably used for splitting logs. Stahn picked it up and examined it closely. One of the heads was broken off to a blunt edge, but the one that remained was razor sharp. It wasn't a patch on the axe he had in his quarters, but he'd be glad to have it if they encountered foes with shields.

He looked around more. There was a rope, which Stahn took. There were some fragments of wood, probably logs which were being split with the axe, which he had no need for. There was a guard.

The man seemed to be asleep - apparently he'd come to the storage room while on duty for some rest. He was a problem; if he awoke, he might raise the alarm, or worse, come upon the party from behind while they were unprepared. As Stahn approached, the guard seemed to sense his presence, stirring and opening his eyes.

In the instant that the guard groggily sat up and tried to draw his sword, Stahn decided to test the axe.

It was good enough.

Pausing for a moment to take one last look around the room, Stahn headed for the door and stepped outside, hoping to catch up to the others.

[Zerlina]

Newt stared at Stahn as he came through the door, axe and rope in hand. He gripped his short sword slightly, palms sweaty and itchy. His heart was beating fast and he was sure the others could hear it. It seemed to the young man that there was a sense of dread looming, yet also a sense that they could not give up.

“The night passed away and the day coming on
And most of the men awake.
Sweet William said: I am troubled in my head
By the dreams that I dreamed last night.”

A familiar folk song rang through the damp air and the party instinctively moved into the shadows.

“Hey!” one of the guards near the stairs called “Keep it down over there. Do you want us to report you to the chief?”

“S-sorrry, occifer.” replied a slurred voice. It seemed to be coming from the east end of the hall.

“Provincials...” muttered the stair-guard “Always getting into the wine...”

Newt sniffed slightly and looked at Iasan “He talks like you.”

"We must act quickly." Franklin's whispered "And decisively."

[Charentes]

“We could use the guards’ uniforms, there are two downstairs and one in the room ahead of us.  Once dressed as guards we should be able to talk our way into the keep.  Newt you have those silver goblets, we can say we’ve arrested you and Calanthe in the act of stealing them and we’re taking you to the sewers.  Stahn could you come with me downstairs to get the uniforms.”

[Dragonium]

Stahn turned to Iasan and looked him in the face for a moment. He was serious. Stahn frowned.

"While you're creeping back down into the castle, every guard Latham has to spare will be regrouping down at the gates, and at the exit to the sewers", he whispered, "We've been delayed enough".

He sighed. "Besides, the uniform in that room isn't much good to anyone now, so I'd have to play captive with the lads, and I doubt these guards are that foolish". Stahn paced back and forth in the shadows for a moment, trying to think of a new plan. In his youth, he'd fought in raiding parties, but taking a village or outpost under cover of night was different to escaping a castle. For one, fighting your way out was more of a challenge.

"By the sounds of things, we've got a guard at the end of this corridor and around the corner", he began, "With more by the stairs. We could go on ahead and deal with the closest, then work our way around. It might be noisy, but we'll have the element of surprise, and we won't waste any more time. I'd like to get out of this castle and on the road before the night is out".

He looked around the group. James looked uncertain, the two boys looked nervous, and Iasan looked downright dismissive. Franklin remained stoic - he nodded, though he clearly had something on his mind. Stahn nodded to him, and said, "Franklin, any ideas?". As the only other veteran warrior present, his input would be welcome.

[Prpl_Mage]

Franklin heard the party arguing and kept feeling that time was running out, he almost felt like just charge right on and strike the guards down with surprise. But he knew that he wasn't that good. Going back could be problematic he knew - so the only option was forward.

"We still not know what awaits us here..." Franklin began in a low voice to make sure noone heard.
"I'm wearing one of the outfits with a helm and all, so if a guard spot me in the distance I'm sure they won't pay attention." He thought a moment and looked at Stahn and James.
"I'd like that rope, just in case I find any loafing guards. And my good earl, exactly how good are you with that crossbow of yours?"
James looked at him and sneezed it off as an insult.
"My skills with the crossbow is unquestionably well enough for whatever foolish plan you have in mind, knight."
Franklin nodded at that as he recieved the rope from Stahn.
"That's fine to hear. I believe we'll need it, keep your eyes on me as I scout the area."
Franklin put his fist against his left chest and turned around.

                                                                       --------

Franklin walked past the main path and spotted two guards standing at the stairs. It was a clear view and a straight hall, there would be no easy way out of this.
He disappeared behind the wall and quietly opened up the door there as he heard footsteps ahead of him.
The room was dark and appeared to be a storage. Two wooden chest stood in the gloom and there was a door on the opposite side of him.
The footsteps sounded like they were walking down the hall so Franklin silently slipped out of the door again and hugged the wall.
There was a guard patrolling the easternmost corridor, his back was turned to Franklin as he moved forward with sleepy steps.
Franklin sneaked stealthy and grabbed the rope in both hands. He had to stop the guard before he reached the next open space.

The guard froze and began to turn around, but a snare was suddenly placed around his neck and was now forcefully tightened. The same kind of snare used to tie up the legs of reindeer back home. Franklin quickly placed all weight on the rope which made the man lose balance and stumble towards him.
The man had panic in his eyes and tried to call for help, but there was no sound to escape his throat.
Panic turned to struggling as he tried to break free from the snare, he reached for his sword with his clumsy hands.
But by the time he pulled it free - his arm could do nothing as Franklin gripped it and pushed it into the wall behind the guard.
The grip of the sword began to loosen, the eyes went starry. Franklin hushed at the man and closed his eyes before he dragged loose the sword from the guard's hand. The body began to sink down against the wall with only the rope pulling his weight.
Franklin's heart raced faster than ever before. A single mistake and they'd all been killed. If his refelxes were any slower - That sword would've freed the man, or even killed Franklin.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead and sighed. No god would be able to bring this man back to life.


Franklin pulled off the snare and held his ear against the man's mouth, there was no breathing whatsoever. He placed the man sitting against the wall and closed the starry eyes. Then he walked on ahead, arms shaky like always after watching a man in the eyes at the moment of his death.
"Pull yourself together..." He mumbled to himself as he regained a respectable posture and walked out into the open in a paroling manner while now wielding the guard's sword. He noticed a guard at the opposite side from him and heard loud people from the room near him. With that he turned back to the guard's body.

Franklin breathed heavily as he kneeled before the dead and pulled him up. There was a suspense here that he never felt on the battlefield. He was used to standing amidst death and blood, watching metal meet flesh and lock eyes with combatants on the field. There was always a chance to get attacked from the side or behind, but even then there were more then enough able men to stand by his side.

He rounded the corner with the dead and saw the rest of his adventurous team looking at him. He didn't even bother to meet their eyes and pulled the guard through the room.
He opened one of the larger chests and pulled out some bag with foodstuff. He then tried to place the guard in the chest only to realize that it wasn't large enough. He sighed and undressed the man's armour as he did his best to cram the guard into the small space.
The legs hung outside as Franklin pushed the box in front of the door on the other side of the room, hoping to block it off. He then placed the uniform in the bag and walked out towards the party again.

                                                                 -------

"I saw three guards present, two at the stairs and one at the far end of the corridor." Franklin began as he drew in the dust of the floor.
"I believe there to be guards in the room to the right of the stairs, I could hear voices at least. Loud ones, suggesting they are indeed less sober than us." He straightened up and sighed.

"There are only a few torches in this room, two in the middle. If we can take those out, they shouldn't be able to see us." He paused and looked at the priest as serious as he could.
"And I believe that any type of silent killing could be useful after that. If we manage to take us to the east corridor I suggest an arrow in the far guard leaving only the two at the stairs for us to handle. But we must be quiet or we might have more guards at our hands." The earl nodded.

"Well, we do have the wine I took that was meant for us." Newt said holding up the sack of poisoned wine.
"Perhaps this is exactly what we require to create a diversion?" James asked and looked at Franklin who at least wore one of the two uniforms.
"That could indeed work, but if the guard's at the stairs raise an alarm, we'll have to move quicker than the flight of an magpie." Franklin answered as he pondered the decisions, ready to take action and get out of this smelly, crammed space.

[Zerlina]

Newt listened to Franklin’s plan. It seemed sound, but he still had the undeniable feeling that they were all going to die.

“Here’s the poison, sir.” he whispered, passing the object over to the knight “And take these cards, too. It’s just as well. My hands are a bit full. To be honest I don’t know how I’ve been carrying so much.”

Franklin took the poison, moving casually to the east end of the hall before disappearing around the corner.

He steadied his heartbeat. Anything could give him away. He approached the door to the room.

“Hey!” shouted a guard near the stairs “Where are you going?”

“To drink, sir. I’m not on patrol anymore.”

“Very well, then. Just tell them to keep it down a bit. The Lord Agrigola said he may need us any time. Trouble with The Lady I hear.” he said the last bit in a more hushed voice.

Franklin entered the room. It was dank and musky and reeked of sweaty feet and liquor.

“Ach, who are you?” shouted one of the off-duty guards, his sword on the table next to his flask “New one, eh? Must be one of those for-hires you hear about. What’s that you got there?”

“Wine.” answered Franklin “Good wine. The man who sold it to me promised.”

“Ah, good, pass it here. We’re almost out, John here’s got a mouth like a donkey’s ***hole. One big *** on another ***- you’ll never fill it up. Come sit down, friend. My word, you’ve got a funny accent! Where’s that from, then?”

“Don’t ask him too many questions you’ll scare him off.”

“Big fella like that? Doubt it!”

Franklin threw the fancy playing cards onto the table and the guards’ eyes grew wide “For you, lads.” he said “Check them out. They’re fine work.”

As the guards were distracted by the playing cards, Franklin discretely poured the last of the table wine into his goblet before pretending to fill it with the poison. He then took the table-pitcher and nearly emptied the wine-sack into it.

“Let’s have a toast,” he said “And then we’ll play some cards.”

The guards agreed, pouring themselves each a drink.

“To the Lord Agrigola!” Franklin said, raising his cup.

“To the Lord Agrigola!” the men repeated before taking a sip.

Franklin waited for the men to react, and as they did, he clenched his stomach “Ah!” he cried “the cheat! The liar! The vendor sold me bad wine!”



[spoiler]
Needs 3+ to go unnoticed at the door
Roll(1d6)+0
1,+0
Total:1

Needs 4+ to convince door guard
Roll(1d6)+0:
4,+0
Total:4

Needs 3+ to convince drunk guards
Roll(1d6)
5,+0
Total:5

[/spoiler]

[Prpl_Mage]

Franklin made the sounds since the other two were quickly falling ill, spewing out parts of their stomach-contents on the floor.
The guard closest to the room couldn't ignore it and went to check. He walked calmly and heard the sounds and then the smell, he wrinkled his nose and opened up the door to the room.
"Oh what the hey..." He mumbled and watched the two guards and the third laying beside them.
Franklin noticed how he turned around towards his guard comrade and was certain that his plan had failed.

"I could use a hand here, these looks like they could use a trip into the closest lake to sober up." The guard said and sighed as the other guard left his post.

Calanthe looked around the corner of the wall and noticed the guard leaving, this was their time to strike.
"The coast is clear."
Stahn started moving down the eastern path to assist Franklin in their ambush while James moved in the middle, Newt, Calanthe and Iasan stayed behind and were ready to make a run for it.

--------------------

The earl of Kinnoull moved stealthy and made sure that every step made as little sound as possible, when he arrived at the end of the wall he waited for the signal. A dampened thump was heard as Stahn knocked once, then twice.
James steeled himself, readied his crossbow with an arrow and closed his eyes.
He raised his crossbow into the air before stepping out, lowering the crossbow at the same time.
The guard was rudely awakened from whatever daydream he had as he found his life threatened by the determined earl.

-----------------------------------

"All right you drunkards, you've had enough!" Said the guard as he walked into the room and pulled one of the guards from the floor and leaned him against the wall.
"This is quite the mess..." Said the other guard as he entered the room and saw the source of the smell.
He passed the other guard who looked really down and went for Franklin who faked it.
Franklin kept playing sick and hoped that his assistance would arrive soon or this could get messier than it already was.

[Dragonium]

Not having the time even to wait for James' shot, Stahn stepped over to the door. Behind him there was a twang, a whistle which travelled the length of the corridor, and the collapsing of a body. He smiled.

He thought for a moment about the best approach, and decided that they had succeeded thus far through chaos, and subtlety would not be any use. Besides, the remaining two guards were preoccupied. Brute force would win the day here.

He stepped into the room. The guard approaching Franklin paid no mind, but the first guard looked up at the sound of the door opening. His eyes widened at the sight of the giant man filling the door-frame, and he lost his grip on the still-vomiting guard he held by the collar. Stahn took advantage of his fright, striding forward, seizing the wooden table, and flipping it sideways, striking the second guard across the side and knocking him down. Not missing a beat, he lifted the large axe and drove the blade into the guard's torso.

The first guard turned to Franklin, horrified. "Do something", he cried, "Why aren't you-". He was cut off, as Franklin drew his sword while deceptively stepping towards Stahn, before turning on his heel and stabbing the guard in the chest. Stahn and Franklin nodded to each other and stepped outside, leaving the two poisoned guards writhing on the floor.

"We're clear", said Stahn to the others gathered outside, "Now let's get upstairs and retrieve our things before the guards regroup".

[Charentes]

Iasan stood in the hallway stunned beyond belief as he listened to Stahn declare that the group was "in the clear".  In one evening he'd seen more violent deaths than in his entire life.

"Are you sure you'd like to move so quickly?  If we wait around, there would be plenty more guards we could slaughter.” Iasan said sarcastically “I can't believe what I am seeing, all these deaths were unnecessary!  We could have gotten past the guards using words."

"What do you know of battle monk?"  replied Franklin quickly “you’ve barely seen outside a monastary.”

“I know enough to be able to tell who my enemies are.  These men were Galuterran soldiers, are you not here to fights for Galuterra Sir Franklin?  Or are you a soldier of Foristland in disguise?  Your actions show no loyalty to this Kingdom.”

“Be careful how you talk to me Brother, I am in no mood for a lecture.”

“And if I’m not careful how I talk you, what then? Will my fate be that of these guards?  That is the kind of response I would expect from this Northern Barbarian.” Iasan pointed at Stahn while he said this, “And what kind of example do you think you are setting for the boy Newt?  Shall he grow up to inherit your bloodlust?” Looking at Franklin Iasan finished “These men are dead now and nothing can be done about that.  In the future I hope for the sake of this boy traveling with you and for your soul, that you do not jump at every opportunity to shed blood.  I hope this also so that your presence here does no further damage to the Kingdom of Galuterra.  Your actions today have served nobody but Fortisland and the devil Belial.”

Iasan walked away from them in disgust, heading into the keep to grab his few belongings.

[Prpl_Mage]

Franklin shook his head as the upset monk walked away. He had been careless. Apparently actions of survival was not one of many attributes the people of Galuterra possessed.
Maybe it was just he who saw that they were attacked by dark magic and then almost poisoned after fighting for their lives. If their host was ready to finish them off before they even started - why wouldn't the guards follow orders?

"I wish I didn't have to do that." James; the earl said as he returned with his crossbow to the group.
Franklin met his eyes and nodded.
"None of us do, but the saint seems to think differently..." Franklin lied, lives meant nothing for a bitter warrior.
He watched as the boys came down the hallway and stared at the bodies.
"They're sleeping." Franklin said quickly and got the attention of them.
"I've never seen anyone sleep with blood as a mattress..." Newt said and walked ahead quietly.

Everyone started to move ahead so he announced that he would move the bodies. And so he did, dragging them into the room with his previous victim.
After sweating a lot he sat down on the chest in the room and pondered.
"If our task truly is to kill the princess of their enemies. How can one expect us to carry it out without meaningless deaths? Every live peasant who sees us proves a danger to our success."
He shook his head and wondered what to do with that monk, if he noticed that something was not as noble as a knight was expected to be - maybe someone else would as well. He decided that the monk would have his will through next time, and perhaps - just perhaps; something might happen.
He went through the pockets of the guards and pilfered an amulet and some kind of holy symbol before stepping out of the room and heading out to the keep.

                                                                           -------

Something became very apparent as Franklin entered the keep, everyone was more or less ready. He hurried to his room and glanced at his heavy armour. It would take a lot of time to equip all of it. He swore as he unlatched the gauntlets from the rest of the armour and removed the ring mail. After struggling with it he managed to get it hanging loose underneath the guard uniform; to many threads to tie up at the back.
When he was satisfied he went for the door, but stopped and picked up the helm as well. Greaves, gauntlets and helm would be enough. If the water of the sewer was too deep he would be able to take it off. The rest of the armour had to stay.

He placed his fist against the door and took a deep breath too steeled himself, this would be a challenging quest indeed.

[Dragonium]

Stahn was waiting as Franklin emerged, looking breathless but all the better equipped, from his room. He'd gathered his own meagre possessions already, and now carried his large axe and pack on his back, as well as his two smaller axes at his waist. For once, he felt appropriately equipped.

"Good fighting earlier", he said casually, "Galuterra's best never stood a chance". Franklin smiled, somewhat half-heartedly. Stahn sensed earlier than the knight had been hurt by the monk's remarks, and although he himself had shrugged off the words, he could imagine why.

"I won't talk down to you", said Stahn, "You've likely seen as many battles as I have, if not more. But you've spent a long time fighting bravely. Men have stood before you and tried to kill you, yet here you are. I know men like yourself have honour and morals which you must keep, but let me tell you - I am no scholar, but I know that a man who regrets killing to survive because he thinks that he should is a fool".

Franklin nodded, and muttered, "I understand".

"So let's leave", Stahn finished, "You and I have children and nobles to look after". He smiled. "And", he added, "A monk whose advice I will take when he learns to tie his own bootlaces".

[Prpl_Mage]

"Listen up." The Earl of Kinnoull declared as everyone was gathered.
"I haven't got a clue about the knowledge you have of this quest. Neither do I actually care..." He continued and met the eyes of Stahn and Franklin.
"We need to make our escape, and whoever decides to stall will be left behind." He said and pointed towards the door downstairs - to the sewers.
Everyone agreed, geared up and ready to go.

"Those words are hardly kind." Iasan noted to James.
"I suppose not... But we have a mission to take care of my dear monk, I would ask of you to help and support the boys." James said and raised a hand towards him.
The monk nodded slowly.

"I take it you know the details of the quest as well then?" Franklin said as he stepped out from the crowd.
"Indeed I do, it is not an easy quest and neither will I discus it right now." He said and glared at Franklin.
"I understand." The knight replied, although he felt like a peasant talking to royalty.
"We will meet our contact and all the details will enter the light then." James said and turned his back on the party.
"But right now we really need to move on before more of the castle guards find us. I assume that you agree that it will be the best for all of us that we enter those sewers before blood needs to be shed, ours or theirs.

James, the Earl of Kinnoull strode on ahead towards the sewers with those words.
Franklin on the other hand wasn't sure that he wanted to know what the sewers smelled like.

[Charentes]

After speaking with the Earl of Kinnoull, Iasan felt extremely disheartened.  These men seemed not to care about anything but accomplishing their goal.  It would be an honourable trait, if accomplishing their goal did not require the deaths of many men.  It was God’s duty to judge, however, not Iasan’s.  He swore to himself he would stay with these men to keep them in good health, and hopefully in being with them, he could persuade them not to use violence at least some of the time.  If Iasan’s presence saved at least one life, it would be worth journeying with the men.

“I need to grab my belongings from the chapel, I will try not to hold you men up” said Iasan as he headed up the stairs to the chapel.

[Zerlina]

Iasan disappeared up the stairs while Newt shuffled uncomfortably.

“I supposed I’ll get mine too. Calanthe, I don’t have much but you can share my things since your room burned down.”

Newt was only a minute longer than Iasan in returning. When at last the party was gathered, the young boy cleared his throat.

“Now if I remember correctly the sewer should be beneath a staircase on this floor.”

Franklin drew out the key he had confiscated from the guard. Testing it first in the door at the centre of the tower, he was met with failure. He tried again on the door at the west end of the hallway. There was a telling click.

“Well then...” said Franklin “Down we go.”

The group descended a twisting staircase, Franklin leading the way. It was at this time they wished they hadn’t extinguished all of the torches upstairs. The sewers were dark and stunk to high heaven. A small pool of water filled the centre of the room; it was eerily quiet, but for the strange sound of deep breathing.

“Calanthe...” muttered Newt “Do you have to breathe so loud? Why do you have to be so noisy?”

“That’s not Calanthe.” said Stahn, looking up “That’s coming from the ceiling...”

As the party looked up, they realized the ceiling was much higher than they had originally thought; it was so dark they could not see into its blackness. All they knew was that there was something up there and they didn’t know what.

There was a CLANG as the door up the stairs slammed.