The party's imprisonment was to be short-lived it seemed, due to the intervention of a half-orc stranger. None of the party seemed entirely ready to trust the newcomer, but since he seemed their only way out, they were forced to follow his lead for the moment.

The man dressed as a guard, though hey carried no key to the cells. A set of lock picks were his universal keys. Perhaps this half-orc was a bit more than he appeared to be.

With the two cell doors open, the party was released. Each could easily notice the four sets of manacles drapped across the shoulder of the false guard... which may call his intentions into question.

So the party is free, and yet still imprisoned. There are at least 4 guards in the outer room (information the half-orc would likely share with you), with your equipment kept in chests along the wall opposite the door into your cell block. Those are likely locked as well.

That is the situation before you. How you handle it, is now up to you.

Heironymus was a bit worried about the turn this "escape" had taken. Be quiet and follow had been the orders, but now it was "up to us?" Was there a plan or not?

For lack of a better plan, he was prepared to follow the half-orcs lead, but to where? "Lead on, if you have a plan."

If there is no plan the half-orc leads them to he does have a couple of questions or offerings. Being a cleric, Heironymus would presumably have access to his spells. Sadly, not many are of great use. He should have:

Obscuring Mist - If an escape under cover is helpful
Shield - Could at least give himself some cover. Does this move with him?
Spiritual Weapon - The weapon will wield itself and fight - if, of course, we had a weapon.
Sound Blast - Lound noise that can stun. Could be great, but would also make a lot of noise. When we came in - or the half-orc - did we notice what is beyond the guard room? One room and freedom? What is outside? Who else would hear the noise?

Heironymus does NOT want to kill the guards. Currently he is guilty of no crime. Murder is a nasty crime, especially of an underling. Sneaking or stunning is the way to go.

I'm guessing the manacles include the idea of the half-orc walking us out looking as if we are chained up. Can they be put on but not locked? Would it look real?

Pulling the first set of manacles off his shoulder he starts toward the first 2 prisoners, offering only a brief warning, "You're going to have to trust me, I have a plan believe it or not." He then proceeds to very loosely fasten the cuff of one manacle to the wrist of the rogue who had picked the second door and fastened the other to the wrist of the woman he had been sharing his cell with. "Try not to let these fall off, they're intentionally loose in case things go south from here." Satisfied with the appearance of the prisoners being "chained" together he then proceeds to attach the other female to the first and finally the other male to her, attaching them all in a line, leaving one set of manacles un-used as it were. After a brief thought he adds, "Any of you going to be capable of fighting without a weapon?"

"I'd rather my life didn't depend on it, but I would fight if I had to do so. That doesn't mean I'm good."

"I agree with the cleric here. I'm not great at hand to hand, but with blades.....now that's another story."

Kyara was was not ready to put the cuffs on until she had satisfied herself that they were loosed enough for her to get them off easily. They also provided her with a weapon if needed. A bit on the crude side but doable.

Kyara just nods that she understand what the half orc was saying, slips on the cuffs and holds the chains near her own wrists to keep then from fallen off her wrists. Whether he could be trusted or not, remained to be seen. This whole thing could be an elaborate ruse that could get them killed while trying to escape. A problem settle for someone they did not know.

Ele listened to the one with orcish blood that had released them Her lip curled up in distaste. How could they trust this creature. She moved over to Arion and whispered into his ear. "Be ready for any treachery."

As he stood waiting for the irons to be put on and the great escape to begin, Heironymus stood quietly. Surely soon there would be some action. Perhaps the fisticuffs that had been suggested? A nice simple escape would be much better. Was there something the half-orc was waiting for? Why the delay in things?

heironymus could only wait. Things were out of his hands at this point.

"Be ready for any treachery." Ele had whispered in his ear.

"I am ready, but I hope I am wrong." Airion replied.

He was beginning to get frustrated. They had no answers, no equipment, and no assurance of trust. He was hoping that getting to their equipment was in this orc blood's plan. Now they were just standing there. What was this so called rescuer waiting for?

"Not to be rude but you may want to grab your theives tools before we walk out of here. I will need them to retrieve our equipment."

Airion would have grabbed them himself if he wasn't shackled to Kyara.

The half-orc shrugged with a muffled grunt then whispered, "Let us hope then that it does not come to blows. I'm strong, but I don't know what I could do alone against the entire prison staff." With that he grabbed the chain of the "prisoner" closest to him and pulled them toward the door, gently but with enough force that if they had it in their minds to resist that they would think twice. He opened the door and with a grunt and a chuckle he addressed the guard(s) on the other side, "And you thought I couldn't handle handle the lot of them myself! The very thought that they would dare try to stand up to an armed guard, especially one of my size, if laughable!" This of course was a ploy to get the other guards to pay as little attention as possible and hopefully allow the "escort" to pass through as uneventfully as possible. ((If no guards then I suppose ignore that part.))((Bluff/Intimidate, whatever may be applicable))

((My apologies to everyone involved, I have been working insane hours and stressed over some personal issues, as such my creative thought process has been rather strained and I'm sorry to have held things up this long.))

As you all step through the cell block door the half-orc begins bragging.

"And you thought I couldn't handle handle the lot of them myself! The very thought that they would dare try to stand up to an armed guard, especially one of my size, if laughable!"

As the words leave his lips your realize that only two guards remain. The others must have been called away for some reason.

Those that remain however, are in a less than receptive mood. One already has his blade bare, the other is slowly pulling his sword from the scabbard at his waist.

"I don't know what it is you're trying to pull here half-breed, but we aren't buying it. Drop your weapon and surrender. You will be tried alongside these kidnapping scum."

He waves his sword threateningly. The other one moves towards the rest of the group.

"If I were you, I would step back into those cells before someone gets hurt." He looks at Ele and Kyara in particular. "I wouldn't want to have to scar those magnificent bodies after all."

(OOC: If you couldn't tell, the Bluff check failed miserably... sorry.)

With an annoyed grumble Gronz releases the chains and rushes toward the guard with his blade drawn, readying his flail as part of the move action, swinging it toward the guard. ((Charge if there was enough room to do so))

Heironymus had already considered his spells - there was nothing of immediate help unless he wanted to create quite racket. But if things went poorly, he might have options.

(The prisoners are bound together by the fake irons. Is it possible to use those as a weapon? H would slip off the irons and, assuming his chain mate did the same, use them as a weapon to swing at the guard. His hope is that if he holds the front with a weapon of sorts, that others could move around behind the guard and tackle/hit him.)

El, had been prepared herslef for the unexpected Tug tug her cahin thta the Half=orc had dropped and seung it with all her force at the legs of the nearest guard, intent on tripping him up or fouling his weapon arm. They would pay for her foul \\treatment of her person and the injustice of their imprisonment.

"Kyara try to diarm ot entangle his weapon hand."

Kyara seeing what Ele was doing whip the end of her shain like a whip trying to catch the weapon hand of the guards. IF she can't do that she will try for a loop of chain about his neck. The weaight of the chain helped her to get the chain going at some speed and then she lets it flay at the closest guard.