Doug M's Way of the Wicked (Inactive)

Game Master Douglas Muir 406

I mentioned this quite a while ago. I can easily summon an air elemental to fly up and swat a few ravens. My summons last for 4 minutes, so at night, one should be able to get to the rookery.

Also, the reason we have a child as part of the show is that the father cares greatly for his flock. He heard that the child had gone missing and went after the poor kid. Discovered the kid being attacked by wolves and tried to save him.

An almost better plan would be to abduct a child while asleep. Then have the kid wake up just as the wolves attack a fake priest (Jax with his styling hat). The wolves will not actually attack, but the kid should be scared to death. One of the wolves will chase the boy back to town, without attacking him so that the boy can tell the authorities. We then drop the priests body and have the wolves ravage it.

The boy will not know how he got into the woods, but that is ok. He will be able to answer any questioning truthfully as it will be the truth - he saw the good father trying to save him from the wolves and then ran away at the father's command. One wolf chased him, so he does not know what happened to the cleric. A search party will be sent out which will find the dead priest.

The only problem with this or any other similar murder scene is that we have to decide what to do with the magic items as anything missing might be noticed. Which is why I prefer just having Morsum carry the corpse, maul it a bunch and then leave it stripped near a stream where I will banish him. Then the guards can spend the next week trying to figure out where this strange creature left the river.

Edited my response, duplicating the father might work with Disguise self but it could prove dangerous if someone interacts with him at length which may get them a saving throw.
I think we should stay away from that and possibly just use it the night of the attack.

DM this link might help you with the blood transcription

HERE

I think we should stay away from that and possibly just use it the night of the attack.

Indeed, that's the point. It would only be used to deliver a note to a guard and to look at some areas where we have not scouted yet, like the key upper area.

The cleric has been out DRINKING it will help with the deception to act drunk.

No other interaction until the night of the bugbear attack.

An almost better plan would be to abduct a child while asleep. Then have the kid wake up just as the wolves attack a fake priest (Jax with his styling hat). The wolves will not actually attack, but the kid should be scared to death. One of the wolves will chase the boy back to town, without attacking him so that the boy can tell the authorities. We then drop the priests body and have the wolves ravage it.

Sorry, no, I want us to be able to use the Disguise of the cleric the night of the bugbear attack. He is a leader and soldiers will defer to his commands. I am sorry, in this I must insist.

Also, the reason we have a child as part of the show is that the father cares greatly for his flock. He heard that the child had gone missing and went after the poor kid. Discovered the kid being attacked by wolves and tried to save him.

I am sorry I can not explain this easier.

It's early evening, night 9 the father has been out drinking. When would he have heard about a missing child before others would have gotten the word out. No lets go with the deception, Xen had a plan, Cуровую altered her plans accordingly, we make use of our advantage. Having the cleric die before the bugbear's come may be an alarm and a total waste of an opportunity. We have limited time if we attack the night after Mama Kolo. Sorry, this has to happen.

Also let's not waste a night, do we go after the patrol or strike captain Edderly in his sleep and frame Mott.

I understand what the Judge wants to do, my side is its a waste of a day to locate a child and even worse a waste of an asset we now have thanks to Xen's efforts.

Actually Cуровую will probably take it in her own hands at this point.

'Jax I need your help with documents.'

'Who wishes to pose as the cleric very briefly this evening?'

Xen, the Judge, Dren?

Jax has a tail so unless we use transmutation (disguise self just gives a high bonus) he's not a good pick for appearing as any specific individual, unless Alter Self can do that. Keep in mind any spells will disappear after only 4 minutes.

I agree with Cimu's concerns about setting up a lost child + cleric rescue. At the same time, I have concerns about the risks of using a known person in a small tower from a small town to investigate any part of the tower. From the Dm's descriptions, this town definitely feels like a "everyone knows everyone" sort of place which makes disguises risky. Rather than using that, why don't we use the Raven to deliver that forged message you thought of, Cimu?

Jax has a tail so unless we use transmutation (disguise self just gives a high bonus) he's not a good pick for appearing as any specific individual, unless Alter Self can do that. Keep in mind any spells will disappear after only 4 minutes.

It would be 40 minutes or Xen has his hat of Disguise

Jax Naismith wrote:

Jax has a tail so unless we use transmutation (disguise self just gives a high bonus) he's not a good pick for appearing as any specific individual, unless Alter Self can do that. Keep in mind any spells will disappear after only 4 minutes.

It would be 40 minutes or Xen has his hat of Disguise

Yeah, Xen's hat would be ideal. We can use the raven though and avoid that though, can't we? It would make sense, if urgent, for him to simply send the bird?

Pose as the cleric? Why? Xen asks as he finishes loading items into his haversack

Then he continues. Will it cut into my drinking and dancing time?

Jax has a tail so unless we use transmutation (disguise self just gives a high bonus) he's not a good pick for appearing as any specific individual

I need Jax to help with the documents.

I specifically asked Xen, the Judge, Dren for deception part.

I want to use a Disguised individual because the guard given the note can say it was handed to him directly by the cleric, there will be an eye witness to this. It will lend some credit to the story.

The day before the attack we send the Raven specifically calling for aid to apprehend whomever the cleric is dealing with.

Then he continues. Will it cut into my drinking and dancing time?

We have three nights before the night of the stew, if we keep that time table I think we search out the patrol now or deal with captain Edderly tonight as well.

that is in character talk. zimu asked him to help so he is answering

WIS 7, so a little celebration sounds like a good idea

Seems like you have something brewing there Helen. I could just have my friendly soldier head back to his friends and let them know that the father had to go see some folks. Xenfal continues as he awaits a reply.

Not sure who would be best to search the fort. We know that Morsum already set off a holy trigger when he was searching, that is why I pulled him. The Judge is part vampire and Dren is an oracle. I am unsure who exactly has an evil aura that the minions of the fort would sense, but we need to make sure that whoever goes in to search is not one that would trigger the celestial watchdogs.

I think this leaves Xen and Jax. I know that out friendly anti-paladin will set off the alarms as well.

WIS 7, so a little celebration sounds like a good idea

Seems like you have something brewing. I could just have my friendly soldier head back to his friends and let them know that the father had to go see some folks.

Trying to portray Int 19 here.

'If you would strike up a song Xen, to help myself and Jax focus at the task at hand. Something to remember the cleric by.'

DM Cуровую will roll to aid Jax to create the document who has a copy of the clerics actual handwriting.

Linguistics 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 2 = 25

DM said he will make the rolls Jax is at +13 +2 (Cуровую aid) +2 (Xen Inspire) + whatever Edmin can provide

Here is what may be in the letter, I am paraphrasing.

At the top a simple but sincere prayer to Mitra (Knowledge Religion) 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 2 = 32 for a prayer to Mitra and a name of an angel in the god's service who is dedicated to forgiveness and atonement.

Addressed formally to the commander and dated for tomorrow day 10

Under the formal address it will read

My Dear Friend,

I received a note yesterday written by someone I knew and held dear so very long ago. He too was a dear friend, a comrade in arms, and brother to me in all but blood.

He is also a man I have very gravely wronged. I was young then and the world was different in the way things seemed simpler than they truly are.

He wishes to speak with me, and offers resolution to a decade's long injustice. He asks one thing of me, something that I am yet able to give, so I shall. He is in (Knowledge Geography +10) 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 2 = 22 NAME of city roughly over day's heavy riding from here. I ride at dawn. Fear not my dear friend, I shall return, a better man than I am now.

I have prayed long and hard to our gracious Mitra for this day, and last night I received a dream and one of Mitra's very angels (name of angel above) told me I must go to right a wrong I was part of and to save a soul before it is lost forever.

Trust me in this as you have in other matters. If I need aid I will send for it. Do not worry dear friend, this day is a long time coming.

Pray for me, and pray for the soul I go now to save.

By Mitra's grace

Signed

'If none will brave the tower in the guise of the cleric, I will respectfully ask permission from the Judge to do so, although I will not be as convincing as a male. I think it is worth the effort. If he declines the request, so be it.'

'However, the document we are creating must be delivered to a soldier of the watch, it must be done this way to help convince them of its authenticity. Whoever delivers it will state that the letter will be delivered four hours after to the hands of none other than the commander.'

Sexy roll on Knowledge Religion for a prayer and a name of an angel.

Hopefully it brings tears to the commander.

Hm! Okay. Let's take this one step at a time.

(1) Is someone taking the good Father's head? Or not? And if so, whom?

(2) Invisibility works on dead bodies (objects of 100 lb./level) so you can carry him out. Since Edmin has the highest encumbrance, he's the logical choice. How do you want to dispose of the body?

(3) Okay, you have your forgery. What are you doing with it? (Note that attaching it to the raven is an option.)

Finally, let's see if anyone comes by the house... 1d100 ⇒ 90

Nope. (You've really had some good rolls on this little escapade.) Okay, for Zimu:

And yes...

[ding]

it's time to level up. The late Father was 9th level (Cleric 7 / Ftr 1 / Monk 1) so he gave you enough xp to put you all over the top.

-- one thing you never did: ask Edmin about Father Dunnigan's history. It turned out to be unnecessary, but if you hadn't rolled well, it might have been a thing.

He trained with monks as a young man, and was a very competent boxer and wrestler. In the description of his room, I mentioned some plaques on the wall; if you had looked at them, they would have said things like "Wrestling Champion, Company B" and "Second place, Divisional Free-for-all". I admit, I was kind of hoping someone would try to grapple him. Oh, well...

After the incident with Edmin he went into a depression for a while, but then decided to snap out of it in part by throwing himself into weapons and martial training, in an effort to better understand his men and fellow soldiers. Hence the fighter level. This was hinted at in Irin's reading: "can turn from prayer to the sword".

Hm! Okay. Let's take this one step at a time.

(1) Is someone taking the good Father's head? Or not? And if so, whom?

(2) Invisibility works on dead bodies (objects of 100 lb./level) so you can carry him out. Since Edmin has the highest encumbrance, he's the logical choice. How do you want to dispose of the body?

(3) Okay, you have your forgery. What are you doing with it? (Note that attaching it to the raven is an option.)

1: Wrapping it up and tossing it in one of our backpacks.

2: My suggestion was to hide it in the secret tunnels, possibly in the relatively unused cistern.

3: I think we're still debating whether to use raven or messenger, seems Xen, Edmin, Dren & Jax are for using the raven.

Edit: I believe Cimu got a sample of the cleric's handwriting? If she did, Jax's forgery is at a +4 for +17 before her aid.

i don't sing, Helen.

Note if it takes more than 1 minute 20 seconds to do your forgery I can't inspire you.

After a minute, seeing that zimu is not elaborating on what she wants him to do Xen gathers himself and goes back to the inn as a different person. He enjoys the wine and takes a much needed nap.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 Xen attempts to dance with some ladies back at the inn, but falls on his face.

The Judge prefers using the raven over a personal messenger.

Also, if Cy wants to sneak in, there was the female cleric that Morsum spotted in the castle. She could cast sleep on the cleric, or we could otherwise disable/kill the cleric. This would give her a junior cleric to disguise herself as. A junior cleric is less likely to be talked to, resulting in less bluff checks being necessary, but would still have access to most areas of the fort.

HP: 1d8 ⇒ 7

it's time to level up. The late Father was 9th level (Cleric 7 / Ftr 1 / Monk 1) so he gave you enough xp to put you all over the top.

Yaay!

Wait he's level 9 and Edmin was level 1 when we met, our champion used to be a slacker?

i don't sing, Helen.

Note if it takes more than 1 minute 20 seconds to do your forgery I can't inspire you.

Er, sorry I meant Inspire Competence please.

Xen please help here. Please. I asked for your aid specifically three times in character and twice out of character, see above posts before you posted, please don't leave just yet.

Inspire competence still has the same time restraints. I think everyone believes posing as the cleric has too many inheirant risks so we are thinking it is better to just deliver the message via the raven.

Taking the fort in itself is a risk. It will lend legitimacy is the guards see the cleric leave the town.

--

Actually time for the Witch to man up then, DM this is a quick fast forward for Cуровую, but still has business on night 9. The patrol or planting evidence against the captains.

At daybreak when the sun is not yet in the sky, dressed in the clothes of the cleric and his familiar mace at his side, wrapped in long coats to keep the morning chill at bay.

The cleric approaches the gate of the town on horseback (Mount).

'The blessings and grace of Mitra be with you this day.' he says to the guards.

Disguise plus Disguise Self minus for different gender 1d20 + 10 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 6 - 2 = 33

My son, I have a ... task I must complete. Something I should have completed long ago.'

Looking very solemn but full of conviction, the cleric hands the most senior guard a letter.

'See to it that this reaches the commander's hands directly after the noon meal. On your word to Mitra, give it directly to him, but not until the appointed hour. You will see me back here in a few days, pray for me and my task my children.'

Bluff 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

With a final blessing, he gently rides off.

Having him tell a guard at the gate out of town that he is going to see an old friend should work then.

That was never the plan! Why would he do that, going to the fort was for scouting areas we had no access to! And she may still scout but others are better at this, Xen for instance. The letter was delivered early dawn day 10 please see above, we can still scout the night before.

DM this link might help you with the blood transcription

HERE

That's way helpful! Thank you!

Douglas Muir 406 wrote:

it's time to level up. The late Father was 9th level (Cleric 7 / Ftr 1 / Monk 1) so he gave you enough xp to put you all over the top.

Yaay!

Wait he's level 9 and Edmin was level 1 when we met, our champion used to be a slacker?

He was only level 5 or so when he was hanging around with Edmin. That was seven years ago, and he's been keeping busy.

At daybreak when the sun is not yet in the sky, dressed in the clothes of the cleric and his familiar mace at his side, wrapped in long coats to keep the morning chill at bay.

Actually, he had a masterwork longsword. Fighter level, remember?

But okay. Since nobody has chimed in to say "ZOMG we must stop our insane arcane spellcaster from doing this crazy thing"...

Can the soldiers make a nat 20?

1d20 ⇒ 5
1d20 ⇒ 19

The Judge continues to make notes regarding the actions of others in his team. For future reference if necessary.

Well then: Zimu rides out of town, dismisses her magical steed, strips off a lot of padding, and smiles just a little to herself.

And Edmin and Jax make a run through the tunnel to dump the body in the cistern.

And that's Day 9.

Day 10: the traveling troupe leaves town.

(BTW: the tent outside of town? Overcrowded, one exit, total fire hazard. A couple of fire elementals and a few well-cast spells to block the exit, and you could have eliminated 20+ soldiers -- maybe a quarter of the garrison -- in half an hour. Along with a hundred or so civilians, of course.)

Day 10

Their Father is dead. We have two days until we poison the stew. Shall we set Mott upon Eddarly today? All we really have to do is get the evidence we have to him. Its sufficient to sway his opinion and cause some havoc. Hopefully one will kill the other. Perhaps Xenfal, in your soldier disguise, can bring Mott the evidence and volunteer a quiet location you know of to meet with Eddarly and handle the problem. ..Say a certain house that the rest of us can clean the bloodstains from.

We send a note to both lovers telling them to meet at the house, telling each other it is very important, and at a specific time.
I can appear to be barnhold and bring him a piece of the evidence and tell him I can't take the deception anymore and that I had to tell him. I tell him Edderly paid me to set them up in a house because the inn was getting too dangerous and then we wait for them to all show up at the house together.
We kill them once Mott and Edderly finish their fight, hopefully one of them kills the other or they wound each other badly. We move in and finish them no matter what happens.
We then set it up like they found out about each other, Mott kills both of them in a fit of rage then takes his own life due to the grief.

"Your plan has merit, Dren. I believe such action would lead to à disasterouse outbcome for one id not both of those men. Do it.

The Judge listens to Dren:
How about you and Cy take on the appearance of Edderly and Ms. Mott. We know how the barkeep is contacted. We set up a meeting. Then, while Cy and Dren play games at the Inn, we wait for Captain Mott. Xen in his soldier guise asks Mott to have a drink with him at the Dalliance. As they are approaching, Ms. Mott(Cy) and Edderly(Dren) are seen leaving and, seeing Captain Mott, quickly take off around a corner. They drop their disguises once out of site.

This should set off some serious warning signals in the good Captain. At the same time, Jax has planted evidence of their indiscretions where Captain Mott will find it with a little searching. Perhaps in both Ms. Mott's home and Edderly's home.

Seeing his trophy wife with his rival and then finding rather explicit correspondence, hidden in his and/or Edderly's home, showing the lengthy pattern of indiscretion should send the good Captain off the deep end.

Is Jax still doing his artist thing?

That I can do.

Is Jax still doing his artist thing?

Until dragged away for other business, yes.

Judge, my concern is that he could easily just take the evidence to the commander to have him disgraced vs. getting both of them dead. I wanted to get him so mad at catching them that he would probably snap and have him in a place where we could also take him out as part of our subterfuge.
Of course I am not the best lier. If you would rather go with your plan then I will defer to you of course.
With the father gone and suddenly both of his captains dead we might set off some alarms though.
Do we want to time this for the day of the stew delivery? Of course if we wait until that day then who cares about planting evidence. We just draw them out and then kill all of them in their house or the one we are using.
That is another possibilty. Then we can pretend to be one or more of the captains and sneak in the bottom of the tower. We can then order the guards in the lower level to come with us into that hall, close the door behind them and then finish those men. We will then have control of the lower level and can make our way through the tower to finish the wizard and the commander.