GM Sior's PbP Game Day IV Serpents Rise (Inactive)

Game Master Sior

Agreed. And how about we pump them for info on Zay, then spread rumors about Loshari/Telandril making comments about "showing a few Pathfinders what we're really worth", then off them. Then dress up as them and make sure we're seen approaching Zay, then kill Zay (recovering the key and trapping his soul in the process).

:D

We will also need to get the key off of Janira to get in

Oh, it's Janira's key ... not Zay's. Sorry. Hmm.

Zurnzal nods eagerly at the discovery of Zay’s penance, as well as that of the two discredited Pathfinders. ”Fantastic. Let’s spread some rumors on behalf of Loshari and Telandril. Maybe that they have some plan to 'get even' in the works.”

What kind of check is that? Bluff? I’d love for Zatari to make the primary roll, then Zurnzal (and anyone else who wants to help set up these patsies and take down Zay) can make Aid Another rolls.
Bluff, to plan rumors, Aid Another: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17 <— SUCCESS!

”Then we can isolate Zay and try to find out where his notes are. Then we take him out,” he nods to 322, ”and she can do her thing with the lantern.”

Aid another Bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Yes... the elf begins slowly, as if contemplating something.

Then suddenly her eyes snap open and a steady stream of words pours forth. Perhaps their time in Isger has soured them to the Society, and they are goblin sympathizers now, eager to destroy the blasphemous written words of Aram Zey. And they have come here to exact their vengeance on Zey and the Society that sent them to humiliation. Almost as fast as the words come they cease, and the elf falls sullen and silent again.

Turns to the experiment.

"Yes that's that I was thinking. Their hard times in Isger might be a key that would help the Consortium in its mission."

Bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Many of the folks who hear your tale are left flabergasted. "They're in Skyreach right now guarding the Tapestry! What could they be planning?!"

Who knows! They had such a difficult time in Isger that they could have snapped and be planning anything.

Bluff: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

"Le gasp! Someone should tell Aram Zey immediately!" A proper commotion is starting to unfold, though you doubt it is enough to be able to get you into Skyreach.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Jorilynn looks around to see what's going on.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

At the Menagerie with Marnarius:

I'll work my way through the crowd until I find a zookeeper with keys. Sorry I'm late ol'chap. Pretty sure you're the one I'm supposed to relieve. Anyway, I'd appreciate you not letting them know I was late. I'll pay for your first two rounds. Anyway, thanks for the keys and thanks for not ratting on me. You're a stand up guy."

Bluff: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29

If the bluff doesn't work, I'll act like a stereotypical Pathfinder and just joke about it. I'll then try a Charm Person, but only as a last resort. If I score the keys I'll drop them with Marnarius.

"Le gasp! Someone should tell Aram Zey immediately!" A proper commotion is starting to unfold, though you doubt it is enough to be able to get you into Skyreach.

The elf nods emphatically. Someone should tell him, yes! She looks about the room, then to Shohiraj and Jorilynn, then back to the speaker. I don't see him. Have you seen him lately? I will share this distressing news, if only I can find him...

Zurnzal nods along, keeping a straight face, as 322 and Shohiraj so adeptly manipulate the seeds of these rumors.

"Yes, he says dead-pan, "Let's go see him."

As the group walks away, and finds a moment of solitude from the crowds, he mutters, "So we visit Zey, off him. 322 uses her lantern thing. We get his key and hide the body. Then we fetch Loshari and Telandril. Off them and take their clothes. Then we're good for a simple disguise when we make our entrance to set them up as the traitors. Too complicated? Better ideas?"

I could use my disguise skill and look like Kreightan Shaine to get the key off of Janira?

Looking like someone specific is much harder, especially when they're famous.

Yea. I could always just pick it off of her under distraction.

After sewing discord, how would you like to spend the next hour before the speech. The plan to find and kill Shaine is grand but would not allow much time to lift the keys off Janira. At least, if you do them together. Does the party split up or focus as a group?

-Posted with Wayfinder

I figured we had split up. Still waiting on bluffing for keys confirmation

-Posted with Wayfinder

Yes, by Rataji's post I believe we have split up. If your bluff fails mate Marnarius can try to pick the locks from the zoo, he has some skill with that. And the loose animals should create a diistraction big enough. DM if its alright I would like too add a quick speech from the time were still planning our actions.

There is something that I would like to share with you all before we begin. First this base has a vast zoo, it has been suggestted to me by the bosses that helping these fellow wretched creatures also unjustly imprisoned by the Pathfinders would create a great distraction and help secure the success of our mission.

Second, three years ago I was with the Aspist expedition inside the Hao Jin Tapestry, we used a magical backdoor to enter and exit it at will. Eventually the pathfinders found it and destroyed it, we got stuck inside. I managed to escape by my team is still there, they have gathered hundreds of people who lived there but want out. Those are our reinforcements, we get them free we get a small army on our side.

I don't have any mechanical reason for this, but given Aram Zey's role in the Society (and likely experience as a mage), should we be bringing more people to that fight? Or are we comfortable having half the team try to take him out?

I think the plan is to split to release the animals from one side while the other side steals the key to kill Aram Zey in the tower. Fighting him in the open here would be suicide.

Yes, we need to finish up the distractions here, then we all go in and fight. It's still likely suicide, but hey, at least we'll all die together.

Yes, we need to finish up the distractions here, then we all go in and fight. It's still likely suicide, but hey, at least we'll all die together.

Or separate, since we're split up like the Scooby Doo kids. LOL

Yeah, let's not stay split up. Something tells me it's more than the janitor in a spooky mask running this show. ;-)

Cool. Then I'd suggest the team who went after info for a fall-guy go have a visit with Loshari and Telandril. I'm guessing they're not as much of a threat. So we can isolate them, capture them, interrogate them, kill them, take their clothes, and hide the bodies.

Then the team can all meet back up to go after Zey.

Hour 1 (cont.)
Rataji goes to the menagerie and speaks to the keeper. "Well, can't say I wouldn't be happy to join the festivities. Let's head back to the office to sign over the keys to ye. I ain't about to deviate from the paper work. Not today of all days. Well, unless the deviation comes from on high direct."

If he's buying the ruse, "I don't blame you one bit. I just don't want to get in trouble for being late. I actually went to the office first but they were pretty busy and shooed me away. Once this shindig gets underway I'll go do it. I'll mark down the time as right now. If they give me grief about you not initialing, I'll take the wrap. Go! Enjoy the day!"

So we can isolate them, capture them, interrogate them, kill them, take their clothes, and hide the bodies.

LOL spoken like a true villain aka Aspis agent :)

What can I say, Zurnzal's one NE Ambitious sumb@&$+. :D

Sior, is there anything we need to do to get this portion of the plan rolling? We know those two are pulling guard duty on Skyreach. Are they easy to find? Or do we need to make some rolls or something?

Zurnzal, you know they are in Skyreach, guarding the vault containing the Tapestry. So a little out of reach at the moment as you would have to infiltrate the tower first.

Shohiraj awaits the release of the animals for the point to attempt to get the key off of Janira.

We need to get into that tower.

Zurnzal does his best to keep his nerves under control. The Plan required patience. The Plan would work. But dang Zurnzal itched to take action.

Not sure how to be most helpful at this time, but available to help get the key if anyone has any ideas on how. :)

I figured once the animals are released. That would be a distraction enough for me to drink a potion of invisibility and pick Janira's pocket for the key.

Marnarius shrugs and follows the keeper close by pretending not to care but in fact getting ready for when things go south.

"marnarius, this is more your baileywick."

I'll look around for any animals that look... trained or intelligent

-Posted with Wayfinder

As it so happens, there is one specifically watching you. Indeed, has been watching you for some time. A criosphinx seems to beckon you over discretely as you perform your search. As you near it, it launches into a quiet monologue. “A time comes when the shackled shall walk among men, voicing their grievances with a hundred horns. These children—who strain at false laws—know not that the time is not today, but no man can chide them, for he knows not their tongue. Their castle of chains shall fall away, and only a lion or sheep shall be their herald, calling out to let them know that their time in the sun has arrived.”

"And how am I to know that you won't simply point me out at your first opportunity?"

As an aside to Marnarius, "My focus is in the bending of humanoid minds. I have no experience here."

Jorilynn heads back and looks for some other members of the party.

My assumption is that 322, Zurnzal, and whoever else went with them are off gathering the intel from before? Once they're done, I guess we're going to try to meet up to gain entrance to go do the Zey/traitors thing?

Atk: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Turning to the criosphinx Marnarius whispers. Indeed, it seems we can help each other. The slayer shakes the keys with a metalic noise. Do we have a deal?

The criosphinx nods. "Unlock my own cage and the hour of the caged rising shall be reigned."

After Marnarius unlocks the cage, the sphinx casually moves to the other side of the cage and starts bleating unintelligible noises. Animals throughout the menagerie hear him, and all begin vocalizing, rearing up, and performing other simple tricks to keep the audience’s attention. This may give you a good distraction for unlocking the remaining cages.
Requires three stealth checks, DC lowered to 13

I'll leave this part in the hands of Marnarius...

So Marnarius can't fail that stealth check unless there are unforeseen penalties...