To clarify, we definitely want to copy and return the plans if possible.
If Xen is smelling like a bad good curse has struck him, then he should be kept out of the way until we can strike or we can cure it.
Who was present when Jax was taken? Anyone?
Edmin goes up stairs to his room and packs his backpack then shoves it under his bed, once Jax is taken away.
Knowledge Arcana to aid with the description of the Triple Empire 'artifact'
(yes it is a statue of a Beholder, that should get the magister's attention.)
Cуровую and the Magister
'Cellia' will tell her allies she is going to the tower in here guise as Lady Sackville's hand.
She is pulling out all the stops, her outfit is tight, she has put some vanilla and lilacs behind her ears and neck, she has cast Disguise Self and Cуровую's Lingering Presence not to alter her appearance but rather accentuate and enhance her beauty. The magister won't know what hit him.
She will ask to be brought to the magister's tower.
She will approach the magister formally and directly, until she gets to about five feet from him then suddenly rush him and give him a HUGE hug and a double affectionate kiss on both checks.
Diplomacy
'Forgive the familiarity my lord! I've been thinking of you fondly!
'Cellia' will make very pleasant small talk, cheerful questions for a fsome time then inquire how the magister is doing, she will ask about the ice golem preparations lastly.
Almost as an afterthought she produces her mistresses letter.
The letter
Lord Magister Tacitus,
I have traveled a long road to meet personally with you. There are remains of the Triple Empire just outside the Wall that I would seek your knowledge on. I have come upon a rather ... 'rare' and ancient artifact from the time when the Triple Empire was at its height of power.
My aide Cellia whom you have met has secured a large private dining room for our use and has been busy the past few days securing your food and beverage requests. I too have added some more cultured stocks from the capital that should appeal to your appetites. You brave men guarding our You brave men guarding our Northen borders do miss a lot of the luxuries we have in the South.
I have made plans to reside at the Lord's Dalliance with my staff for the next three to four days. I formally invite you and request the pleasure of you and A guest's company. After the dinner I would like you to inspect my 'piece of antiquity' and perhaps study it for a few days then share your findings with me.
Of course I will compensate you for your time which must be taking you away from your many many important duties. Does the sum of 3,000 gold seem enough for compensation? You will of course be allowed to keep your notes from your findings AFTER my aide has transcribed them.
The Lady Viola Sackville-North
Just in case, I rolled a Diplomacy for the magister above, I doubt my charms will work on everyone. Here is another for the soldiers and acolytes.
Diplomacy
and if needed a Bluff (more than likely)
Bluff
Can I use Bluff with Knowledge Nobility
This is rather improper!
I am a noble woman's aid after all! How DARE they act this way!
Will save
I know who I am. I am a child of the Bitter North. I am the Heart of Winter. I am the scion of the Eternal Hag.
'Um ... please to meet your friend my lord magister? All this attention for little me? Why such the reception?
'Commander, forgive me we have not been introduced.'
Cуровую courtesy to the commander but locks eyes with him the whole time.
Cуровую is asking demurely but she has an inner strength.
Let these men know she is not a meek servant girl or mere courtesan.
Bluff, bluff child like you never did before!
Diplomacy give me strength Grandma!
'Um ... please to meet your friend my lord magister? All this attention for little me? Why such the reception? Commander, forgive me we have not been introduced.
Cуровую courtesy to the commander but locks eyes with him the whole time.
Cуровую is asking demurely but she has an inner strength.
Let these men know she is not a meek servant girl or mere courtesan.
Bluff, bluff child like you never did before! 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 1 = 33
Diplomacy give me strength Grandma! 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 1 = 30
-
When released, Jax will head straight to the Judge.
Tohram. They're suspecting anyone who is in the city. I heavily advise that we move some of our less silver tongued members into the tunnels and hide there. Remember the prophecy? She mentioned using the tunnels to hide in. I'll get Edmin, you get Dren and let us retire with Xenfal down there? I believe we should keep our heads down until we start the assault the next day. Where is Cimu?
Waiting for the GM to post on the scroll of remove curse. Dren will not be going to the tower. If he spots a group of guards heading his way he will turn a corner and then change into someone else and walk the opposite way.
'Celia' first nods and assures the commander that she understands that those who have pledged themselves to protecting the North border of the kingdom have to use severe methods and she will aid he and the magister if there is any way she can.
Perhaps some words from the Lady Sackville after the they return to the capital the Lady is to have a brief audience with certain key member of the royal court, many who have the king's ear.
As she prepares to leave, again assuring the commander and magister all is well ..
A well timed tear drops from right eye.
'Cellia' despite here efforts, and stunned herself that she is acting like the foolish girl begins to cry. And is asked to be excused.
'Please forgive me my lords, pay me no heed. I am sorry.'
'It just that ... My lady, she is just but very, well demanding of her staff.'
'She already admonished me for sending word to her that the magister and your good father would be ready to meet her. And I have not heard any word from your priest after he first agreed to join us tomorrow. And now I have to bring word that the magister is unavailable after he gave his word he would be as well.'
'Cellia' brightens briefly hope in her eyes.
'Perhaps the magister can come for but an hour my lord? It will be very swift, and you have my word I myself will return him to your doorstep no later than the appointed hour.'
'It would mean much to me my lord, I am seeking the Lady's approval in letting me stay in your township longer ...'
'Cellia' looks at the magister, and manages a small smile.
Bluff don't roll a 1 now !
Diplomacy for the magister to speak up and side with the idea.
When the Judge hears Jax's statement, he nods solemnly:
Yes, it might be wise.
The Judge then pauses and puts his hands in his pockets as he thinks.
We can get into the fort through the tunnels, but who knows what threats might be there. We have much information. If we cannot do anything in the town, then perhaps we should launch an elemental assault. I can easily summon several fire elementals to start blazes in the town shortly after the stew has been served. This will undoubtedly divert the fort's resources to assist with putting the fires out.
Also, if the fort is on high alert, do we want to attack the ravens before we begin the assault? This might simply increase the alertness of the fort. I can send several eagles in just before we begin, to attack and eliminate as many of the ravens as possible. This should divert some forces to the tower. However, remember, by the time that the ravens get to forces to the south, the bugbears will have taken the fort. Our goal is to get them in. Their job is to take the fort and lay waste to the realm beyond.
the ravens would allow the north to prepare and react more quickly though. If they don't even know the tower has fallen it could be days before they even hear about it. We should destroy them. Can we reach them from the outside? Let's look at the plans.
Does it look like we can possibly levitate up there and then get in and kill them?
"I agree with Dren, strangely enough. We must destroy the rookery to prevent possibly reinforcements. A well placed fireball should be enough to kill most if not all of the birds."
The only problem with a fireball is getting it to the rookery and knowing exactly where to detonate it. Cy is the only one capable of such magic, so it is her decision whether she is capable of such a spell.
I believe the Judge's method is likely best. Strange that a bunch of eagles may attack, but far less strange than a stray fireball.
Edmin narrows his eyes as he looks at Jax. "I think that the fireball would preclude our direct assault on the keep to drop the defenses. We have to get our hands dirty sooner or later."
The knight shakes his head and closes his eyes before beginning again. "Think about it people, the ground is where the majority of the defenses are. An assault from the top down is better than from the floor up. The guards will be located on the ground floors with officers and important people billeted higher up. Fighting our way up from the basement will deplete our power before we get to the commanders."
if course magic such as a fireball is perfect to use against guardsmen. If we can get up to the top killing the ravens by hand would be preferable. Let's see what the plans tell us.
And how are we to climb a sheer tower many hundreds of feet tall? Unless you have a way of flying without expending a significant number of our resources that I don't know about, Edmin. Attacking from the top would be a wonderful idea, if we could manage it without being found out or wasting most of our spells.
"I thought that was why we have people like you. The judge can summon wind elementals. I am sure Cimu and Dren can levitate and reduce the size of others to make them weigh less. Figure it out mageling, or are you only good at finger painting?" The Champion gives the Magus a smile that does not resemble anything humorous.
Xen enjoys napping in his current stenchiness.