12.01.2006
The Worst Bar Mitzvah
Silver equipment taken. Theodore, you pat down the guard to no avail with that kind of roll.
...
The screams continue. It's a single voice, and you can only imagine the prolonged agony that must be dragging out such a cry of pain.
You rush down the stairs...
You needn't imagine what's causing the screams any longer. It's the Prince.
...
It's sort of odd to have stairs going down in the tower in the first place, because the tower is built on an outcropping.
After descending, it makes more sense: the stairs go through a couple underlevels, but eventually lead back outside.
You're underneath the temple and the rock overhang it's built upon. You come out to a glass-enclosed balcony, the windows of which are streaked with rain.
The stairs continue, down now built into the cliff itself, and lead down to another landing about sixty feet below. You can see the landing, lit with torches, from the balcony you pause at momentarily.
...
The scene is horrible, and you see what's causing the Prince to scream in agony.
Some sort of ritual must be going on, as there's an altar surrounded by candles, and a bunch of robed figures. Among them, you recognize Ambassador Bekkers and Mr. Duggins! They are standing by as the Prince is being tortured.
No... oh god, not tortured. 'Juiced' is the right word. The Prince is in some sort of giant press. His legs are pinned between two carved metal cylinders, slowly flattening him from the feet up, squeezing out... squeezing out Prince juice into a large, blood-filled basin below. He's not dead or even unconscious yet, as it's up to his thighs.
From below, the Ambassador looks up at you. There is some hasty discussion below as you sprint down the stairs, taking two or three at a time. (I'm assuming this is at least Thaka's action. Players, feel free to retcon as you wish here. The glass of the balcony and lining the stairwell is more generic unbreakable glassteel to withstand the weather, so breaking and jumping is not easily an option.)
...
You get to the bottom just as large metal grill doors are being closed. The doors are elaborate black iron carvings, so it's easy to see through them to the altar outside.
There are about four figures working the press. The landing is open to the outside, and a set of thick curtains protects the collection basin from the rain streaking in.
On your side of the doors, Mr. Duggins has just finished locking them. He turns to you and shakes his head, beginning to cast. He's there with two Holy Warriors of his own, each carrying metal battle staves. On the other side, the Ambassador looks concerned but instructs the priests to carry on with their ghastly operation.
You give a final glance around the altar and outside to assess the situation, and hear one more faint, but still earth-rumbling roar. Looking out over night-lit Gorgos, you see an enormous draconian silhouette against the clouds. A flash of lightning reveals the dragon, sweeping down over over The Ivory City. You see flames below.
The Prince finally stops screaming.
...
Mr. Duggins chants a Sanctuary spell- if you wish to attack him, you get one mental spell save. The Holy Warriors will protect Duggins if he's a melee target, else they're going to engage archers...
...
The screams continue. It's a single voice, and you can only imagine the prolonged agony that must be dragging out such a cry of pain.
You rush down the stairs...
You needn't imagine what's causing the screams any longer. It's the Prince.
...
It's sort of odd to have stairs going down in the tower in the first place, because the tower is built on an outcropping.
After descending, it makes more sense: the stairs go through a couple underlevels, but eventually lead back outside.
You're underneath the temple and the rock overhang it's built upon. You come out to a glass-enclosed balcony, the windows of which are streaked with rain.
The stairs continue, down now built into the cliff itself, and lead down to another landing about sixty feet below. You can see the landing, lit with torches, from the balcony you pause at momentarily.
...
The scene is horrible, and you see what's causing the Prince to scream in agony.
Some sort of ritual must be going on, as there's an altar surrounded by candles, and a bunch of robed figures. Among them, you recognize Ambassador Bekkers and Mr. Duggins! They are standing by as the Prince is being tortured.
No... oh god, not tortured. 'Juiced' is the right word. The Prince is in some sort of giant press. His legs are pinned between two carved metal cylinders, slowly flattening him from the feet up, squeezing out... squeezing out Prince juice into a large, blood-filled basin below. He's not dead or even unconscious yet, as it's up to his thighs.
From below, the Ambassador looks up at you. There is some hasty discussion below as you sprint down the stairs, taking two or three at a time. (I'm assuming this is at least Thaka's action. Players, feel free to retcon as you wish here. The glass of the balcony and lining the stairwell is more generic unbreakable glassteel to withstand the weather, so breaking and jumping is not easily an option.)
...
You get to the bottom just as large metal grill doors are being closed. The doors are elaborate black iron carvings, so it's easy to see through them to the altar outside.
There are about four figures working the press. The landing is open to the outside, and a set of thick curtains protects the collection basin from the rain streaking in.
On your side of the doors, Mr. Duggins has just finished locking them. He turns to you and shakes his head, beginning to cast. He's there with two Holy Warriors of his own, each carrying metal battle staves. On the other side, the Ambassador looks concerned but instructs the priests to carry on with their ghastly operation.
You give a final glance around the altar and outside to assess the situation, and hear one more faint, but still earth-rumbling roar. Looking out over night-lit Gorgos, you see an enormous draconian silhouette against the clouds. A flash of lightning reveals the dragon, sweeping down over over The Ivory City. You see flames below.
The Prince finally stops screaming.
...
Mr. Duggins chants a Sanctuary spell- if you wish to attack him, you get one mental spell save. The Holy Warriors will protect Duggins if he's a melee target, else they're going to engage archers...
