DM Puppet Master's Humble Bundle Welcome Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Anon A Mouse

It probably was Jaed who reached for the jewels first as he was the one inspecting the offerings. I don't know if the curse affects the first one touching the jewels or just Marzela in particular but I will roll the will save just in case.

Will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

"Ouch! Who is attacking us know?" Jaed tries to recognize the figure in the shadows.

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Not sure if it's a human or some kind of monster Jaed moves closer to the pit, ready to attack if their foe gets within reach. Readied attack:

Flaming sword: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 6 + (5) = 12 last d6 is fire damage
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 6 + (4) = 16 last d6 is fire damage

The fear effect was the first person, so if we want to say that was Jaed instead of Marzela, that's fine with me.

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Marzela sees Jaed get seriously injured, so she goes up to heal him.

Cure Critical: 4d8 + 8 ⇒ (3, 8, 5, 4) + 8 = 28

I will give Lily another day to post and then move things along tomorrow. Unless people have a course of action they'd prefer for him, Carrakas will most likely stay on the edge of the pit and use ranged kinetic blasts unless she moves closer because he has a negative acrobatics modifier.

Sounds like a good strategy.

Sounds good to me too. I'm not sure how effective Jaed is going to be during this fight without any ranged attacks.

If you have good acrobatics, you can go in there, balancing on the poles or whatever.

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Special attacks and defenses, please.

Lily is clearly done screwing around, as she reaches out a hand covered in inky black necromantic energy and squeezes.

Reach stricken heart.

Stricken heart touch attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Stricken heart damage: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 6) = 7

If this hits, she is automatically staggered for one round unless she is immune to precision damage.

Special attacks and special defenses are 2 different categories, and you needed a 26 to get 2. Since you said attacks first, I'll give you that one. Special attacks: Stunning fist DC 17 or fatigued.

Jaed stands ready as Marzela runs up and heals him. Lily moves forward and sends out a chilling dark hand, staggering her. However, the damage is minuscule compared to the mighty blow Carrakas manages to land as he rushes forward and shoots a mighty blast at the woman.

Ranged physical blast: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Confirm crit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Damage: 8d6 + 18 ⇒ (5, 2, 6, 3, 5, 1, 4, 4) + 18 = 48

The woman frowns at Carrakas, slowly spinning one of the chakrams around her arm. Given the choice between attacking and moving, she tosses the ring up and then throws it quickly at Carrakas.

Chakram charm attack vs Carrakas AC 24: 1d20 + 18 - 2 - 3 ⇒ (13) + 18 - 2 - 3 = 26
Damage: 1d2 + 6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 6 + (4) = 18 => 14-6 = 8 dmg

Party is up

Carrakas: 85/93 (24NL)

Jaed stays where he is and prepares to attack if the woman get within reach.

Flaming sword: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 6 + (4) = 15 last d6 is fire damage

Lily lobs a small ball of acid, since she isn't sure if she should use her more powerful spells yet.

Ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Marzela takes a step to get a clear shot and then shoots at the woman.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 1 = 12
Attack 2: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10

Unfortunately, she doesn't have the distance down very well, and misses pretty badly.

Ok, did some reading up on kineticists. It looks like Carrakas has an infusion that lets him do a bull rush if his kinetic blast hits for 1 burn. I'll have him do the touch attack that has lower damage and spend his move action to gather energy to reduce the burn of his pushing infusion by 1.

As Marzela and Lily miss with all of their attacks and Jaed waits for an opportunity to strike at the woman, Carrakas begins to concentrate. The air shimmers and pops around him as he gathers his energy and sends another blast at the woman. She grunts softly at it lands but remains firmly rooted in place.

Carrakas Energy Blast vs Touch AC: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Damage: 4d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 5, 3, 3) + 2 = 17
Bull rush vs CMD: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Glaring at the tiefling, she unleashes a flurry of chakrams at the warrior. Two of them land solidly while another two bounce harmlessly off of the side of the pit.

Forgot bonus from point blank shot last time. Attacks vs AC 24
Attack 1: 1d20 + 18 + 1 - 2 - 3 ⇒ (19) + 18 + 1 - 2 - 3 = 33
Damage 1: 1d2 + 1 + 6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 6 + 6 + (3) = 17 14 - 6 + 0 = 8

Attack 2: 1d20 + 18 + 1 - 2 - 3 ⇒ (16) + 18 + 1 - 2 - 3 = 30
Damage 2: 1d2 + 1 + 6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 6 + 6 + (6) = 21 15 -6 + 1 = 10

Attack 3: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 2 - 3 ⇒ (1) + 13 + 1 - 2 - 3 = 10
Attack 4: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 - 3 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 - 2 - 3 = 5

Party is up

Carrakas: 67/93 (24NL)

Marzela shoots again.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 1 = 13
Attack 2: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5

Again, utterly failing.

Jaed keeps waiting for an opportunity to attack.

Flaming sword: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 6 + (6) = 13 last d6 is fire damage

As Marzela continues to fire wildly in the general direction of the woman and Jaed continues to wait for her to jump closer, Lily fires another small jolt of acid at her, and Carrakas gathers energy to shoot another pushing blast, both landing on the woman.

Lily RTA: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Dim light, 20% miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 98
Acid damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Carrakas, RTA: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
Electricity Damage: 4d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2, 1, 1) + 2 = 8
Bull rush vs CMD: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

...Wow, those were some impressively terrible damage rolls

When Carrakas' blast hits her, the woman wobbles, falling off the pillar. However, it's clear to everyone that this is a poorly attempted feint; while she was attempting to make it look like the blast pushed her off, she actually jumped off of the pillar into the pit of her own volition. Carrakas and Marzela with their dark vision are able to see her slow her descent using the pillar next to her. As they follow her path, they see the floor of the pit 40 feet below, but the woman disappears into a smaller hole in the floor, disappearing from their sight. Carrakas pulls out a rope, "The pit is 40 feet deep, but she fell down another hole in the bottom of the pit. Do you want me to follow her with my feather fall? I can't see how deep the second pit is from here."

I've outlined the deeper pit she fell/jumped into on the map. If you would like to still be in initiative, you can be. Otherwise you're free to drop out of it and take your next course of action at your leisure.

Carrakas: 67/93 (24NL)

Sounds like we're going after her.

Jaed pulls out some extra rope, tying it to the rope Carrakas already pulled out and attempting to anchor himself to hold the tiefling's weight. Carrakas then blade rushes off, floating softly to the pit ground near the deeper hole. He then jumps in and Jaed feels a strong tug as starts to support the very heavy warrior. Luckily, the feather fall significantly reduced Carrakas' momentum, giving Lily and Marzela ample time to help ground the rogue and make sure he's not about to drop their compatriot.

From the pit, Carrakas' voice echos up. "Looks like this is about 60 feet deep. There's a robed form at the bottom of it, but...hold on." There's a small explosion before his voice continues. "Yup, looks like just a dummy though. But hold on, I think I saw something on the way down." There's some jerking, presumably Carrakas climbing up, before he speaks again. "Yeah, looks like there's a narrow trap door about 10 feet down. She must've gone that way, though I don't see her. The tunnel is kind of winding."

Once Carrakas climbs the rest of the way up, the group finds a ladder in the northeast corner of the room that they can use to climb down. After securing a rope around the nearest pillar, everyone is able to climb down into the deeper pit, and after a short, though rather uncomfortable, period of time crawling through the narrow, 3-foot by 3-foot rough-hewn passage-way, the group emerges on the other side. To the north is a door while to the east stretches a corridor that splits off to a northern and a southern passageway. There's no obvious sign of the woman the group had been pursuing.

Carrakas: 67/93 (24NL)

You're now on a slightly different map that has been moved to the first slide.

Jaed inspects the northern door for traps and listens for any movement on the other side.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22 +4 to find concealed or secret objects and an additional +4 to find traps

If everything seems in order he opens the door.

Jaed does not find any traps nor hear any sounds to indicate movement on the other side. However, the door appears to be locked.

Forgot to mention it earlier, but the passageway you all came in through has a secret door on this side that makes it hard to see from the hallway.

Marzela waits at the L intersection while Jaed checks the door and scouts the room, hoping to see any enemies approaching before they arrive. She will, of course, help out in any battle... just is waiting outside until we know what is in there, guarding the way forward with her bow.

"Mmm, locked? Let's see if I can do something about that," says the rogue while he looks for his tools.

Disable device: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (10) + 20 = 30

If the door opens Jaed searches the room. If not, he will peek around the corner at the end of the hallway.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22 +4 to find concealed or secret objects and an additional +4 to find traps.
Stealth: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23

Unfortunately, the lock is well made and with the short amount of time Jaed spends with it, he is unable to undo the latch. Sneaking forward and peering around the corner, Jaed can see that the hallway continues to the north and south. The northern hallway has 3 doors branching off of it, one to the West, North, and East. The southern hallway ends in one single, large wooden door.

Carrakas: 67/93 (24NL)

Jaed tells the other what he sees and then goes check the northwestern door.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25 +4 to find concealed or secret objects and an additional +4 to find traps.

The door appears neither trapped nor locked, nor are there any sounds indicating that someone might be on the other side. Opening the door, Jaed sees what appears to be a bedroom with sumptuous, finely crafted teak furniture and bedding of fine silk. This room has a noticeable lack of any lamps or other sources of light and there's a well-used target board on one wall.

Giving the other two rooms similar treatment reveals them to also be living quarters. The room to the north is covered in a thin layer of dust. From the doorway, Jaed can see the only personal feature is an empty bookshelf. The room to the east has a dressing table with a large mirror in front of it as well as two large wooden wardrobes off to the side.

Carrakas: 67/93 (24NL)

Marzela waits for Jaed to come back from scouting, and then asks if maybe Carrakas should force the door open. She doesn't want to leave bad guys behind them if they can avoid it.

Carrakas takes a look at the door. "Hmm, it's rather solidly built. I don't suppose anyone has a crowbar? If not, I could try slamming my hammer into it until it breaks. It might take a few tries, and it won't be quiet though."

Do you want me to just keep rolling attacks for Carrakas until he breaks the door down?

Jaed checks the rooms for anything valuable while his companions take care of the door. They already know we are here so I don't think the noise is going to change anything.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18 +4 to find concealed or secret objects and an additional +4 to find traps.

Marzela pulls out her Traveler's Any Tool and fashions it into a crowbar for Carrakas, handing it to him with a smile.

Your wish is my command.

Carrakas takes the crowbar attempts to use it to force the door open. It takes a couple of tries, but eventually he's successful. Inside appears to be the cult's treasury.

Between the treasury and the 3 rooms, you find
- 12 potions of CLW
- 3 potions of CMW
- 4863 gp, 1245 sp
- 850 gp worth of gemstones
- 10 outfits of fine clothes worth a total of 550gp
- More gemstones worth 450gp
- A metal urn with a cork (a)
- Two pots of bright pigments (b)
- A metal rod (c)

All the following require Detect Magic

"Oh, nice. I wonder if we could just pick all of this and leave," says Jaed with a smile when he sees what's behind the formerly closed door.

Once the group packs all the loot (and assuming nobody will really second the idea of leaving) Jaed moves next to the remaining door, inspects it and listen for any sounds on the other side.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22 +4 to find concealed or secret objects and an additional +4 to find traps.

Marzela puts her multitool away and casts detect magic, trying to identify some of the things that they found.

Spellcraft (metal urn): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
Spellcraft (pots of pigments): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29
Spellcraft (metal rod): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

Darn. If they were just in the order B-C-A instead, we'd be golden. As it is, we only got A.

Jaed checks the last door and doesn't find any traps. There does appear to be people on the other side though they don't seem to be particularly trying to be stealthy. As he stands there, a woman's voice from the other side calls out in common. "Well, are you going to come in or simply skulk about all day? I wish to speak to you and your companions."

Carrakas: 67/93 (24NL)

"Ok, I'll open the door. Just don't throw anything at us."

Marzela makes sure all of the stuff is gathered up and secure, then follows with her bow ready. She is somewhat worried when a woman asks to speak with them, but she waits to see what will happen.

Cold white light pours down from the ceiling, illuminating a raised platform in the center of the lower level area. The room is two stories high, with a series of balconies running around the upper level, overlooking the platform. Two narrow walkways cross above the center of the platform on the second story. Stone pillars positioned around the lower level support the balcony and walkways. To each side at the rear of the chamber, steep steps descend to the lower level.

On the opposite side of the room stands a statuesque woman with a charcoal dot on her forehead. She wears a fitted black sari and veil, set off by an intricately jeweled nose ring. She nods slightly to you all as you enter. "Greetings. I am Zaafira. I believe you have met Deepti." She nods to a familiar figure to her left; the woman with the chakrams you originally chased here now looking much better than you last saw her and twirling one of her signature weapons around one finger. "Though I think you have not yet met Ikrimah." She indicates the man to her right, who seems to be sitting cross-legged and hovering in mid-air. His hands are held in a meditative position, but his glowing eyes bore into you all. Also present in the room are the four cultists who fled earlier, now guarding the side balconies. They likewise seem to be watching you all warily but make no overtly hostile move.

"So tell me strangers, who are you and why have come to our place of worship?"

The room you're in is 2 stories. I've added the lower story to the left of the room you're in case it's relevant. Currently the only way to get next to Zaafira is to either walk across the wooden beams on this level or to walk along the edges of the room/balcony past the other cultists. Also, bigger images of the named NPCs have been added to the slide deck if you want to see them.

Carrakas: 67/93 (24NL)

Marzela softly warns the group to split as soon as they enter the room, because they are sitting ducks for a magic user if they stay together, and the cultists are obviously positioned for a battle. Marzela walks to the right, her bow in her hand, but not drawing an arrow or making any threatening gestures yet, hoping to give the others time to position themselves more strategically as well. Then she raises her voice and addresses Zaafira.

We're here for several reasons. We started out just investigating one murder, and I suppose that is still the main reason, but then we were ambushed and shot at several times, in addition to meeting the absolutely terrified people in that little village we came through where some of your friends attempted to kidnap us. I assume you are in league with the murderer we were chasing, and that you sent the tiger-headed man after us as well.

I admit to some curiosity however: why are we talking? Surely you don't believe that we would either trust you or take you at your word at this point? Are you going to deliver some dire warning that we should leave if we value our lives, or are you waiting for further reinforcements like Tiger-boy or that Flying idiot at the warehouse? It's a little late for diplomacy, don't you think?

If the goal is "get ourselves in a position where we can attack better," make a bluff check Marzela. If the goal is just "get so we're no longer in an easily fireball-y formation" then no check needed.

Carrakas edges over to the opposite side from Marzela. The group watches you spread out, but still makes no hostile actions towards you.

Zaafira cocks her head to one side. "Tiger-headed man? Are you referring to the monk that lives in the forest not far from here? He is not associated with us though we do have an understanding whereby we leave each other alone. If he attacked you, I suspect he was hoping for an easy meal. And really, you cannot blame us if you were foolish enough to wander into the territory of a were-tiger."

"But you misunderstand my question. I wish to know what you hope to accomplish here. Are you simply looking to bring this 'murderer' to justice? Or are you truly naive enough to believe that you can eliminate the Ebon Destroyers? Even if you were able to defeat us" her smile here suggests that she finds this an unlikely outcome "we are not the only sect here. The Ebon Destroyers have existed since the Age of Darkness. There have been numerous attempts to eradicate us by groups much larger and much more powerful than you, and we are spread throughout all of Vudra. Do you truly believe that our destruction would have any meaningful effect on our organization as a whole?"

"I can tell by your appearance that you are foreigners. Tell me, do you know much of the caste system here? It's a strict social hierarchy that determines how far someone can rise or what kind of jobs they can take. Moving between castes is rather difficult as it requires either very rare circumstances or marrying into a caste above you. It's an antiquated system designed to keep those in power at the top, and their faceless masses in a state of poverty. As long as it exists, there will always be those willing to join our ranks, to help in the fight to topple such a tyrannical system."

"Tell me, are you even sure you're on the right side? Is it truly a 'murderer' you are after? Or a political assassin fighting back against those who seek to keep the masses downtrodden? You have shown yourselves to be capable enough warriors, why not join us in our quest for equality? I can assure you that you would all take valued positions amongst our group."

Carrakas: 67/93 (24NL)

"We are not here to talk politics. As you said, we are foreigners, we could not care less. But we were hired to find a murderer, or assassin if you wish, and to stop the threat against the thakur. I suppose you won't do that even if we ask very nicely and I don't feel like joining a band of lunatics again. So what's gonna be?"

Are the wooden beams fixed or could they be pushed down?

Hmm, main intent is avoiding an area attack spell, but not discounting the other. I think everyone in this room knows that there is going to be a battle, so not sure that anything I said was actually a bluff but happy to roll.

Bluff: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

And while we're at it, she can't possibly be telling the truth that tiger-boy isn't in on it.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34

@Jaed: The wooden beams crossing the second floor are pretty fixed/can't be pushed down. If you wanted to get rid of the beams, you'd basically have to break or cut the wood in multiple places.

@Marzela: As far as you can tell, everything Zaafira has said has been truthful. She also stops you from moving too far into the room (unless you decide to ignore her warning).

Zaafira raises an eyebrow. "Oh, so you're just doing this for money then? Would you then agree to leave if we offered to pay you more than your original contract? You could even return to the thakur and claim completion of his contract if you so desired. Or if not, how about we settle this with a duel? Myself versus any one of your number?"

If you want to go the dueling route, you can negotiate the exact details of how that will work/the conditions and penalties for defeat, but Zaafira will at least demand the following
- Both duelists must fight on the dueling platform and neither may voluntarily leave it
- Neither duelist is to receive aid or outside interference during the duel
- The duelists cannot have others casts spells or other magic on them before combat

Carrakas: 67/93 (24NL)

Jaed is tempted by Zaafira's offer but he just looks at his companions without saying anything.

"A duel? Should we really believe that you will all surrender and come with us if we win? What guarantee do we have that we won't have to fight all of you anyways?"

If someone falls from the platform, does he or she lose the duel or is it a duel to the death? If we are going to accept the duel the best option would be Carrakas if it's to the death or Jaed if dexterity is important. What do you think?

"Should we really believe that you will honor your end of the deal when we win? And if our penalty for losing will be to go back with you where we will certainly be killed and more likely tortured, then we will demand a stricter losing penalty from you than simply leaving never to return. I think demanding half of your magic items as well would be more than fair." Zaafira smiles. "Unless of course you'd rather your lose penalty be death like you've made ours."

The platform is on the lower floor; the wooden beams cross over it. So there isn't really a 'falling from the platform' though you could conceivably be pushed off of it (in which case Zaafira would clarify her condition that voluntarily leaving the platform is a forfeit, but being pushed off just means you get back on and continue). The fight can be to the death, but it doesn't have to be. If it's not to the death, you'll need to clarify if that means only dealing nonlethal damage or simply ceasing to attack once the other person falls unconscious (or something else).

Also, if we do go the duel route, we'll want to talk about the best way to handle that. But I'll wait to see how people are leaning before kicking off that discussion.

Carrakas: 67/93 (24NL)

Okay. "He is not associated with us" seems like a bald-faced lie to me, but she probably just has a really high bluff skill. As far as "too far into the room" how far is that / how does she stop us? / Is it farther than we have already moved?

Personally I think a duel is a bad idea.... well, I guess depending on what our goal is. If we are actually going to allow the option that she wins and we walk away, then we might as well walk away now before risking defeat. We have some treasure and some information we can share with our employer before admitting that we couldn't do the job... and honestly okay if that is how we end it. We could even do a sham duel to first blood and then walk away.

However, if we actually want to try to "beat" the module, then any arrangement we enter into will be a false agreement. I mean, if we think Carrakas is a slam dunk to win, that's another thing, but not sure that is the case. We don't really know what she can do. Honestly, I'm okay either way (fighting or walking away). I'm not saying I'm bailing as a player or anything. I loved this module when we started it, but I think perhaps we had the wrong mix of characters for it, and we are not as optimized as the bad guys are, which makes it a little frustrating, and not as fun with people dropping off. I don't want to drag it out. You make the call Jaed. I'm with whatever you want. I will fight/die/retreat at your word. :)

Okay. "He is not associated with us" seems like a bald-faced lie to me, but she probably just has a really high bluff skill.

I guess you'll just have to wait until after the module to find out. ;-)

As far as "too far into the room" how far is that / how does she stop us? / Is it farther than we have already moved?

I moved you back on the map to account for that (it was maybe only maybe 5-10ft from your final position). She basically just told you to stop. You can continue walking further if you want, but it'll likely end talking and start combat.

While I think the combats were meant to be hard, I think part of the problem is that you don't really seem to have either a good way of dealing with opponents you can't get into melee range or a good way to force them into melee range. Finnrick was kind of able to deal with that except he was also really not built as a melee character/damage dealer.

Not cool. That is still easy fireball range. :) ... And yeah, that's what I meant by a bad party balance and non-optimized. I don't want to have to have the "perfect" combination in order to be able to survive. I would rather play a module where any characters with smart tactics could find a way. I mean, I could build a character that could succeed in this module, but *this* character would probably have given up after the warehouse and told the guy that they couldn't do it, sorry.

I don't see how we can win this fight against 3 bosses and 4 goons. Jaed can deal good amounts of damage but only if he can get to a flanking position. With Finnrick and Millsy out, the only one that can help with that is Carrakas. So the lost of Finnrick was very bad for Jaed's fighting style.

Also, the only one that may have a shot in a duel is Carrakas. Now that Carrakas player has left the game, what if we negotiate that whoever loses the duel has to stay with the winning party? If Carrakas wins, we bring Zaafira back with us. If he loses, he has to stay in the temple. If we lose, we can always go back and tell the thakur what we found and hope they will agree to a rescue party. Would that be something that Zaafira would agree to?

I don't want to be the one making the call by myself. That's too much pressure :) Does Lily have any preference?

I am juuust too low level to have a chance to one-shot someone with a death-type spell.

If we can’t win, we can’t win, but it seems like a demoralizing ending to the story.

If you are determined to do the duel, then say the rules are to first blood rather than to death or unconsciousness. Then, whoever gets lucky first wins. If that gives us a chance of winning, done... but be super careful about the rules, because I'm sure they will be as little in our favor as possible. For instance, it can't be just no spells, but no flying, because if she can, she will, and then Carrakas is screwed.

She'll only agree to a first blood duel if you agree to change their losing conditions to something that doesn't pretty much guarantee their death, like they must all leave Jalmeray and never return.

I'm not determined to do the duel, I was just thinking that, as we will probably lose whatever we do, the duel may serve as a farewell for Carrakas, sacrificing himself for a remote shot of winning and going back with a prisoner to please the thakur.

Anyways, Jaed would agree to take the money and leave. We can go back and tell the thakur where the temple is and who the leaders are. I've just reread the conversation we had with him at the beginning of the adventure and he did not instruct us to kill the cultists (Jaed even ask for extra payment to that end and he refused).