Ascension - Mageocracy

Game Master bbangerter

@Dareon: Firyin was an established crime boss, and a drow to boot which is next to illegal in-and-of itself. I don't think we've ever had a list of Firyin's specific crimes, but pretty much anything you can think of (murder, robbery, drug-running, etc.) is likely true.

None of the party members outside the house are supposed to proactively go inside. That was the plan we agreed to. The idea is to have the show of force prompt Anton d'Alkenov to give up Firyin voluntarily. The other PC's are guarding the potential exits should Firyin try to flee on his own. Additionally, Dareon had indicated he has the ability to pry Firyin's location out of Anton's mind. Feel free to do that if it feels like Anton isn't going to give up Firyin.

OK! Just checking, thanks for the rundown of the situation again.

My next move is likely going to be suggestion if he keeps being evasive, but I'm not sure how much danger that will put me in. I guess I'll see!

Anton smiles, "Is that his real name? Well that changes some things. I've heard about his crime war on the streets. Let me bring him down and you can confirm if this is indeed him. Excuse me on moment."

Anton heads back upstairs and returns a minute later with a male drow following behind him. "Seldar, these gentlemen here say your real name is Firyin, why don't you step outside with them and have a talk with them."

The drow gives Anton an annoyed look but nods. He gives Dareon and the sergeant a feigned smile, "Sure, let's go for a walk and talk if that is what you wish." He opens the door and steps out.

Without acknowledging the frustrating and entitled nobleman, Dareon stands and looks the drow who approaches in the eyes. He focuses his psychic abilities and asks the drow - "Are you keeping your identity as Firyin a secret?"

Cast reveal secrets on this man. He makes a DC 17 Will save. If it fails, he tells me whether he is keeping a secret regarding this topic or not.

@GM: Would the rest of us get Perception checks to hear the front door open?

Will save 29
Soliel: Yes.

Firyin raises an eyebrow at Dareon as he casts his spell, "Just can't wait to pry all my secrets from me?"

"I've tried to work with members of your organization in the past, but they have proven to be rather ineffective. So what is it that you want now?"

You don't roll in the thread?

Dareon sighs. He could already tell that this man was going to piss him off. He leads him outside where the others could speak with him.

When he reaches the mansion's yard, he gestures at the drow. "This him, or do I need to go back in there and melt that noble's brain?"

Waiting by one of the secret exits, Soliel was able to hear the front door open and the sound of voices spilling forth from that vicinity. She was always mulling over possibilities in order to develop appropriate contingency plans, but she admitted to herself that Firyin simply strolling out of the front door was lower on her probability list.

Taking advantage of her near-invisible state, Soliel morphed her disguise to look like a human female of her own approximate weight and height, wearing wizard's garb. Before re-appearing she whispered to Ian, this is Soliel, I've disguised myself to look like a mage. Walk with me to the front door. She then became visible, seemingly out of thin air, looking the part of a ranking (though not Master-level) member of the Mageocracy.

Assuming Ian comes with.... As Soliel and Ian walked towards the front door Dareon came around the corner with the male drow in tow. Having never met Firyin before herself, and with only Roland's shoddy notes to go on, she looked at Ian with an expectant stare to verify if the drow was in fact Firyin. Ian has met Firyin before, he saw through Firyin's disguise when he came to us for assistance to avenge Volundeil.

@GM:Disguise check is d20+26, pretty sure you roll those yourself. Soliel has the "Pass for Human" tiefling trait, so her disguise attempt should have no minuses. Not attempting to impersonate a particular individual, just to look like a reasonably important Tower representative.

@Dareon: To clear up the sub-references in my post, Roland was a prior PC of mine in this game with a radically different personality than Soliel's. Volundeil was Firyin's lover who Diguri (his rival in the criminal underworld) had killed.

Ian looks him over, and I assume nods to Soliel. "We're after Anthony's gang. You got any new leads? I ain't stopping til they're dead."

No, though since I only have 1 group going in this game now I could make a lot more rolls in thread. I'd still make sense motive/bluff/stealth/perception rolls in private.

Firyin gives Ian a look, "Figured you might be tagging along with this guy" he offhandedly waves in Dareon's direction. "But I'm glad to hear you say that, cause you only got one of them last time."

"I don't have anything certain, though you may try at the Minotaur's head, that place does a good bit of smuggling goods in an out of the city. If they aren't there, maybe someone there who knows them and can give you better directions. Otherwise you could try Ky from the Iron Gullet. She usually has a good bead on the whereabouts of a lot of people of importance."

Soliel stared impassively at Firyin as he mentioned the details regarding where to find Anthony and his minions. Meager threads, she thought. The Minotaur's Head was admittedly a new lead, but a tangential one devoid of the certainty she had hoped for. As for Ky.....that went in other interesting directions...…

Have you met this "Ky" before? Soliel did a passing impersonation of Serelina in tone, without truly trying the mimic the woman. I would be curious what you know of her, of her background, how she has an available store of information. Likewise, as I understand it she has a friend named Sela she is co-located with there. What of her? Do both live at the Iron Gullet?

"Ky and her bodyguard live nearby the Iron Gullet when they are in town. For a human she is clever, and has contacts with quite a few well placed individuals both in the underworld and in your government. When they aren't brokering information in Coran, they are doing so in Issust Hold. If anyone can track down a more accurate location for our mutual enemy she can, though it will cost you a sack of coins to keep that information private."

@GM: Sense Motive (+16) detect anything from Firyin when talking about Ky?

Soliel nodded listening to Firyin. Some part of her had hoped that Firyin would be as suspicious of Ky's nature as she is. Where do you suppose she receives her information from? A bodyguard is all well and good, but offering up information about dangerous and powerful people requires a higher level of protection. Who do you suppose provides such for Ky?

After Firyin's answer, Soliel waived off the conversation. Ah, no matter, just a passing interest on an unrelated subject. Regarding Anthony's group, who precisely does that all consist of at this point? We will need to ensure we are properly prepared for the confrontation. Additionally, what of Diguri? I'm sure you brook no love for the head of the snake either. Where would she be, if you would hazard a guess? Where had you met with her before the....split?

"The Iron Gullet and the Minotaur's Head..." muses Dareon. "Bars? Warehouses? Hm?"

Both are bars/taverns

"As I said, she has a number of contacts she maintains, many all to eager to sell out their rivals. And while Sela is her bodyguard, there are at any time a number of men in that hole of a tavern that would be all to eager to please a woman like her."

"As to Anthony, Well Ian and his friends took out their gnomish ally, but that leaves the two half-orcs, the dwarf, and the human, Vaek. You should have executed him while he was your prisoner."

His tone becomes angry, "Diguri is another matter. Ky is unlikely to be of use there either. I asked her, but on that matter she said there are some lines she would not cross. Ky will have to pay for that refusal someday. The drow *&!@ will likely be near her loyal associates. The real question is whether she will aid them, and thus be drawn out, or let them perish."

Suddenly, Dareon is slightly confused. "I'm sorry, did I forget something?" he asks. "Sometimes that happens, but are we going after Diguri? Maybe I'm not entirely clear on the explicit nature of our mission."

"I was under the impression that we're only after Anthony and his gang at the moment, is that not true?"

"Furthermore... it seems we're accomplished the first leg of that particular aim. We know at least where to look for Anthony and his people - we ask this information broker "Ky". We should go as soon as possible."

So, it's been multiple weeks since a couple of the players here have posted. Do we still have everyone?

@Dareon: Pretty sure everyone's still here. Posting rates vary among the various players.

Soliel held her gaze on Firyin for a moment, as if trying to see more than is there. Without looking at Dareon she answered the psychic. Consider Diguri being a very large bonus were she to be found as well, given that Anthony and his affiliates work for her. As for the next steps, let us work that out for a moment.

@GM: Is Firyin armed/armored?

i'm still here. busy IRL with a more-than-full-time course load plus a hobby that pretty much takes up the time of a job. Edmond typically does not take part in investigations, he is content to exist more as a weapon. We have PCs (such as Soleil and yourself) that appear more than adept and delighted to run the intrigue/investigation. It's a lot for me personally to keep track of so I am content to let others have that spotlight.

Ian steps up to Soliel's side and says quietly, "Can I have a moment?" Tilting his head away from Firyin.

Assuming she's willing to step aside for a moment, out of Firyin's earshot...

He lowers his voice to a harsh low whisper.

"I know we got orders, but this feels like a bad call to me. He keeps supplying us with useful information, sometimes the only f!%@in' leads we got, and we share the same enemies. Seems the best move would be stay friendly with him at least until we ain't got bigger fish to fry or he makes himself a problem," he's clearly uncomfortable with the idea of up and stabbing Firyin in the back after everything.

"I'll follow orders if I gotta. Just feels like the wrong call."

He has leather armor under his cloak and over a fine set of clothing. There is a short sword strapped to his waist, along with several daggers.

Soliel followed Ian off into the distance, continuing a bit farther with him to ensure they are truly out of earshot. She listened with a distant stare as the ex-guardsman spoke. After a pause, she respond. I had considered following through with the elimination order now, but I agree Firyin has been the one source of pertinent information regarding the criminal scum. We can delay that action. She then turned and fixed the much larger man with an intense stare. But I am glad to hear you will follow the Tower's orders: Firyin will be executed. Not now, but later, he will be eliminated. She paused another moment in case Ian had other words in edge-wise, then walked back with him to the group.

We are most pleased regarding the help you have provided, Soliel said to Firyin. We were uncertain if you would maintain this level of cooperation, but it is clear on this matter our goals align. I see no need to further impinge upon your comfortable residence here at the d'Alkenov's. However, we may need to meet with you again as our leads on Anthony develop. I am sure you would see the wisdom of the next meeting occurring in the cellar of the mansion, yes? As for now I will reassure Mr. d'Alkenov that we have been able to clear up any misunderstandings and that you have concurred to assist us again at a future time. Are we agreed?

I'll continue posting Soliel's next action now, on the assumption that the rest of the group is satisfied and Firyin agrees to the presented terms: stay put in the d'Alkenov mansion and meet with us again when we asked. If either assumption is wrong, retcon the next bit.

Soliel strode confidently to the main entrance of the mansion, copying Serelina at her most self-assured. As she approached the open door she called back to the guards. Guardsmen! Prepare to move out, we are done here. She then walked into the manor with Firyin to address the master of the house. Mr. d'Alkenov, the Tower thanks you most deeply for your time and patience at this late hour. It seems there has been a misunderstanding regarding the one whom we are looking for at present. I do hope you will not hold it against Seldar for our actions. As a fortuitous turn of events however, he was able to assist us regarding an important distinct matter that we intend to follow up on. As a loyal subject of the Tower, I am certain you would not mind if we needed to meet with him again on these grounds. I solemnly promise to be much more discreet upon our arrival, and much less numerous, in exchange for use of your cellar for such a meeting where we would be away from prying eyes and ears. After a pause to address any concerns d'Alkenov raised she added, very well, we have an accord. Again the Tower humbly expresses its thanks for your forbearance and wishes you a most tranquil remainder of your evening. A formal curtsy followed, and Soliel left the manor with the rest of group, leaving Firyin and d'Alkenov behind. They then walked back to the Tower with the guards to discuss the situation and next steps, with Soliel remaining in disguise until deep within the Tower grounds.

Ian looks surprised, never particularly good at hiding his emotions. "Yeah? Figured you were the type to follow the mages' orders to the letter. Alright, let's wrap this up. And thank you," he seems to consider patting her shoulder but thinks keeping his hand attached is a better idea.

Back at Firyin, Ian doesn't add anything, just watching the Drow and trying to discern anything under the surface as Soliel speaks.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Firyin comments with a clear note of sarcasm, "I am but your humble servant."

Anton di'Alkanov gives a practiced warm smile. "Glad to hear it. A more formal call would be appreciated in the future so that we might provide proper refreshment and a place to discuss matters should the need arise."

Alright, Minotaur's head?

Speaking with Ian prior to re-joining Firyin and the rest of the group Soliel's eyes flushed black a moment, an effect she let seep through the disguise briefly as she sharply turned to the ex-guardsman. I AM the type to follow the Masters' orders to the letter. In this case the orders are to eliminate Firyin, but our discretion as to when was allowed. Otherwise the man would be dead already. Not waiting for a response, she smoothed her appearance and approached the drow.

Soliel had nothing further to say to Firyin or d'Alkanov other than what I already wrote. So back at the Tower.....

Soliel sought out the Masters after reverting from her disguise and briefed them on what took place. After answering any questions they had she attempted to get the group together to speak privately. Assuming everyone's game.... It would appear our next lead is the Minotaur's Head. It is now late, she glanced briefly at Edmond and Dareon, uncertain if either was drained of whatever spell power they used, but we can proceed tonight if that is the consensus. Otherwise we proceed in the morning. Tonight would bring crowds, for better or worse, and possibly our quarry. The morning could catch them unawares, or not find them at all. So what say each of you, tonight, tomorrow morning, or some other idea altogether.

Dareon shrugs. "I am good to go. I have used nothing," he says. "Have any of you been to this bar?" he asks. "I've never been. I must say... in my former life, I never strayed to the wrong side of the tracks. Is there anything we need to worry about?"

Know: Local for Minotaur's Head 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (16) + 17 = 33

"I'm OK to continue."

Ian watches Soliel go, half admiring her figure, half afraid of her. He shakes his head and strides after her to catch up. He just gives Firyin a nod.

I just want to check, OOC-wise, if I misunderstood the order, if you did, or if this is a Soliel-IC thing. The orders were: "After we have secured all information Firyin has regarding Anthony's location, he is to be eliminated." Unless we believe he secretly knows more than he's letting on, then our orders are to eliminate him right now, is how I read it.

~~~

"Yeah I'm good. The more time we wait, the colder the lead gets."

Yeah I guess that's more of a difference in read OOC. I saw "all information" as latitude to ensure Anthony et al are killed off before we necessarily need to off Firyin. IC, Soliel feels that the mages are more interested in both Firyin and Anthony's crew being killed rather than particular concerns about the order in which it would be done. She's quite Lawful, but understands intent. If we off'd Firyin before we got rid of Anthony, we'd give up our only useful lead to date to find him. For example, Firyin could have told us about the Minotaur's Head last time but just mentioned where we could find the gnome. He could have more clues if this one comes up dry.

Ahhh yes, that makes sense

The Minotaur's Head is built against the main outer wall several hundred yards south of the western gate. It is an unusual building in that it comprises four stories in height, towering 10' over the wall itself.

It gets its name from it's decor. A minotaur head hangs over the front entrance, and inside in the common room is a fully stuffed creature in a corner near a fireplace.

The owner was once an adventurer, and will tell tales of how he tracked down and slew the beast many years ago to any who care to listen.

The food and drink here is nothing special. The location gets a lot of traffic from those coming into the city who can't, or choose not to, afford the richer inns along the main thoroughfare into the city.

In the past it has had no particular history of criminal activity above what might be expected of any given tavern. Minor thugs and pick pockets, a little drug trade, and so forth. Given Firyin's words though, perhaps they have just done a decent job of covering up what may actually be going on here. It's location near the wall and away from the gate would certainly be useful for smuggling items into or out of the city.

Soliel nodded as the others indicated their desire to press on tonight to the Minotaur's Head. Beginning to pace the room and think, her eyes flushed from fully black to fully white, and all points in between as various ideas washed through. She didn't look up at Dareon as she answered his query. Yes, once, some time ago when the Masters were concerned that a merchant from the Hold was actually a spy. More pacing, then, it is a rather unremarkable bar aside from being abutted to the city wall and the stuffed minotaur gimmick the ex-adventurer owner utilizes to lure in clientele. We never thought it much of a factor regarding the major crime syndicates in the city, but that appears now to have been a mistake. Stopping for a moment, she pulled out the battered black journal she inherited from Brother Tomlin and Roland. Here, too, it mentions a hole in the wall that allows access through the wall, possibly for smuggling. May be worthwhile to find that as well.

Soliel paced the room a bit more before stopping and facing the others. It is distinctly possible that Vaek, Sic, Anthony as well as the half-orc witchdoctor are at the Minotaur's Head tonight. Any of those would recognize Ian; while the half-orcs would be able to identify Edmond and Snake-Man as well. Therefore, I suggest that Dareon and I enter the establishment in disguise and assess the situation. The rest of you will be waiting nearby. If are targets are present, we will retrieve you and execute a strike. Does this sound acceptable?

Ian nods. "And what we gonna do when they teleport away again? We should have a plan. Mages got any counter-measures for us?"

"say the word and i'll torch it."

Soliel briefly glances over at Edmond, saying nothing, before turning back to Ian. The half-orc witch doctor....yes, he may be our biggest concern. Mages seem to have ways of stopping, and starting, most things so perhaps there is some remedy they could offer. But what, I do not know. We can ask and see, but in the meantime I would advise that eliminating this particular individual be the top priority should we encounter him. Vaek, the large man with the breastplate and tonfa....they are lesser theats. Anthony and the half-orc priest are certainly notable foes, but the witch doctor needs to be neutralized first. Looking over to Dareon she added, if your powers could addle the witch doctor, preventing him from using his teleportation magic, that would put us at a significant advantage.

Think we are ready to move ahead, unless there are objections. As Ian indicated we'll stop by to consult with the masters regarding a way to block teleportation/dim door.

Dareon hesitates before answering Sosiel. "...Maybe," he says. "I do have a spell that could work, but it typically works better on warriors than on mages. It forms a mental block between a person's conscious and their learned skills, making it impossible to access their own specialized abilities."

Meeting first with Master Isul, she indicates that a dimensional anchor would be the best option, but that they do not currently have any scrolls of such in supply.

It is late evening by the time you arrive. 10PM or so

Ian and Edmond stop a short distance from the tavern, out of sight of any of its windows, while Soliel and Dareon continue on.

As the two reach the front doors there is something a little odd. Rather than the usual boisterous noise and laughter outside taverns there is a near silence other than a single melodic female voice speaking in an impassioned voice.

"...while the common soldiers seek to protect our city from the evils of the world, the mages and the bureaucrats line their pockets with taxes, depriving those same men and women of the needed supplies to fulfill their duty."

"And while I have no sympathy for the drow, a simple execution would have sufficed. But instead they bargain with the planes of hell to increase their power, and to instill fear upon the good people of this city. They will go to any lengths, for they seek power above all else, and at any cost. We can no longer stand idly and do nothing."

Ian leans against a building, under the overhang in the shadows and sharpens his sword, jaw clenched and focused. He says to Edmond. "Anthonys gang, none of them survive this. No captives. Don't hesitate, just do it. More painful the better."

After Edmond's response,
"The Tower brought Serelina and I back from the dead. Tavrus couldn't be brought back. Never figured out why. He was an old friend. We knew each other for...over a decade. I always had his back, and I let him down," he looks up from his sharpening. "That's been hanging over me since, for every second they're still breathing."

Edmond replies to Ian, "Death is the only thing we are guaranteed in this world. You can be immortal all you like, but no one is invincible. You're only immortal until someone kills you."

"They're the ones who did it. Them. Best I can do is see 'em dead."

"Well, point out any known members to me and I'll burn em. It's a cold night so far."

Ian describes Anthony's gang in detail while they wait.

Before heading out for the Minotaur's Head, Soliel disguised herself to again to look like a non-descript female human merchant Disguise +26, no penalty for gender/race recently arrived in town. She took a moment to subtly check where Ian and Edmond placed themselves before approaching the establishment with Dareon. However, as she heard the speech coming from inside she stopped and frowned. She pulled the psychic off to one side and whispered quickly in a low tone. This night may involve another of the Tower's enemies. For some time a growing rebellion emerged against the Masters. They grew so bold as to assassinate one of the previous Masters, Torenest. Master Bellafini took his position. Prior to my arrival an earlier manifestation of our team succeeded in dealing a sharp check to this group, but an audacious raid on the Tower by Diguri's criminals succeeded in freeing a number of those captured. What we are hearing from inside may be a sign of members of this rebel group's presence. If the speaker we hear is an ifrit, you will have certain confirmation. Either way, let us watch and listen first. Intelligence will only sharpen the sword of our later actions.

After clarifying anything, Soliel then headed into the bar with Dareon and kept listening and subtly observing the room while approaching the bar to order a beer. She then took a seat where she could, taking in details about both those present as well as the dimensions, entrances and exits of the establishment itself.

@GM: Is this a two-story building? How about windows on the second floor if one exists? Is the roof flat? Any chimneys?

It is a 4 story building.

Soliel and Dareon enter into the common room, and true to Soliel's prediction, a female ifrit has the attention of most in the room. As she is speaking she is performing an exotic dance. The larger portion of those in the room seem to have forgotten their food and drinks, and stare at her enraptured.

Soliel and Dareon both make a DC 17 will save vs mind effecting.

The common room is 30' by 20', a set of stairs leads up to the second level on the west wall. A door on the south wall leads to the kitchens. Three dumbwaiters also sit within the south wall.

Will: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Dareon's mind is strong, and he retains his focus despite the enthralling power of the bard in the center of the room. "So," he asks Soliel, "How violent are we supposed to be?"

Will Save 1d30 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Kind of wish I had Roland back for this one..."Hi Honey, I'm home!" Soliel's eyes narrowed as she caught site of the room and took in the mesmerizing display the ifrit was putting on. So this is Rocosmia...that aasimar idiot's little fascination...let's see what she has to say. Whispering to Dareon as they walked into the bar she said, Let's see what the little b!tch has to say for a moment, yes? Look, shall we say, enthralled. Soliel then proceeded slowly towards the back of the room appearing as if transfixed by the performance while taking in all the details of the room.

What is the size of the crowd? Any members of either the rebels or criminals present?

Soliel scans the room, but other than the irfrit Roscomia, doesn't recognize anyone from Roland or Tomlin's descriptions. She and Dareon take a sit, watching the irfrit perform her dance.

The dancer takes hold of the hands of one of the nearby patrons, "You should go talk with my friend up stairs."

The man stands and follows her advice, talking up the stairs at a leisurely pace.

After about a minute she grab hold of another patrons hands and says the same thing. He too heads upstairs.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25

"This may come as a surprise to you," says Dareon, "But she's using magic to compel them to go upstairs. Do you think we should wait until she exhausts it, or should we play along and get sent upstairs?"

He looks up at Soliel for guidance. He knew that they wanted to get everyone, which meant getting into a position to attack and ambush people - hopefully everyone they meant to kill - all at once. That meant they had to find out where the rest of Anthony's gang was, and then signal Ian and Edmond. At the same time, they had to keep an eye on this ifrit.

"On second thought - Soliel. Maybe it's better you just take a look upstairs?"

@GM: Soliel would want to act as soon as the first person was being told to go upstairs. I'm assuming this is OK, but if not I'll need to retcon at least some of my post below.

Soliel said nothing as Dareon spoke but her mind raced. An unexpected foe, in the midst of an act requiring near-immediate action, with unknown accomplices upstairs. And Anthony and his miscreants may still be here somewhere, part or no of the present event. Not for the first time she also wished she had a clear idea on exactly what the group's newest member could do. A problem for another day. For now, she simply whispered back to the psychic. Wait here, and assist Ian and Edmond when they arrive. Wordlessly activating her innate cloaking while Rocosmia interacted with the directed patron, Soliel vanished from sight.

DC31 Stealth to detect, has Fast Stealth for Full Move rate.

The tiefling then followed the compulsed patron upstairs, mentally soaking in all details seen. She soundless drew one of her curved short swords as she moved.