HELL'S REBELS ala Fabian (Inactive)

Game Master Fabian Benavente

Vandomir listened to Tillia, and when she finished he added, "I agree with Tillia completely, we are in this already. I believe that helping the elves is something we need to do. They are as enslaved as Kintargo, and I believe Milani has placed their plight in our path for a purpose. Perhaps as a crucible? Or simply to find and save their local contact." He looked expectantly at Noravia, as she was the local Milani expert.

Noravia answers with one of the most basic tenets of her faith. "Know what is worth more than yourself. Freedom is an ideal that we need to protect and the elves' freedom is in peril. Besides, as I said before, I think we're already involved in this somehow and so we need to follow this through. I can't help but feel that Kintargo's freedom is linked to this somehow."

tag ?

Caleb: did you post your 'current loot'?

No sorry. Should be:

"I've got the same feeling as Noravia. Let me pray to Callistria - maybe she'll help me come up with a way for us to do this."

have an idea for a scene - Noravia walks in with Caleb, head stuck in a water bucket because he cast Aboleth's Breath for the first time...

Action 4?
Caleb set his shoulders, and started talking decisively. "Look, ESPECIALLY if we're going to..." Caleb looked at Tillia and quickly changed his next word to something more polite"...Run off to help the elves, we need to do some things first."

"Vandomir: get the pumps running as best you can. Let's get this place a bit safer and a LOT cleaner. We'll send some people down to help you, but the less people who know, the better. Let's see if we can have SOME secrecy this time."
Given we've already had a bunch of people who found our old hide out

"Tillia: If we're going to fight Moneythegro, we need to know what and Abowleth is, and how they fight. We need you to research with Rexus. You two are great together."
tag: Vandmoir's jealousy?

"Eirik: And the other important word was necromancer. Seems like this things going to have a bunch of undead. That's bad. Holy Water may not work in the ocean. That's very bad. You have contacts in the Abadarian clergy. That's good. Get us some expendables for when this goes terribly, terribly wrong. Maybe this is even worth spending up, getting something permanent."

"Noravia: you and I are going to need to make sure the rebellion is set up for a week... or longer. In fact everyone should think about a replacement in case we don't come back from this. Alright, has anyone got any suggestions for what we should have people doing?"

"Now, someone who knew our lair, knew us, was a cultist of Nogrober. We need to look into that first. Callistria forbid she kept a revenge letter that outs us to THRUNE!"

Water breathing is a 3rd level cleric spell but isn't included in the Inquisitor's 3rd level spells. Would you consider her being able to take this instead of one of the other ones she took? I would think she should have access to it but apparently not.

Water breathing is a 3rd level cleric spell but isn't included in the Inquisitor's 3rd level spells. Would you consider her being able to take this instead of one of the other ones she took? I would think she should have access to it but apparently not.

No, I don't want to start making exceptions. For water breathing, you should talk to the elves, Hetamon, or acquire a wand of water breathing or other similar magic.

You have come in contact with 'people' who are very closely tied to 'water breathing' in the past...

Recapping now...

Turn 251 - Silver Heroes

Read the OOC.

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?

Game on!

I'm Ok with what everyone has posted for the level up info; some of you still need to finish selecting something or other (mostly feats I think).

Once finished, please update your PC sheets if you haven't already done so and let me know once that is complete.

Questions?

Game on!

OOC
One of the spells I was looking at with Caleb is Aboleth's Lung. Especially if combined with the extend rod, that should let us get through a lot of underwater scenes.
I was unsure if Fabian wanted to allow such a weird spell, though.

Action 3
Caleb fairly fizzed with anger at this last. Rage drove him to incoherence. His fingers gouged into the wooden table, fingernails splintering and smearing blood over the hardwood table. "Killllll" he growled in an almost inhumanly deep voice.

Action 3:

Noravia eyed Caleb's reaction warily. His hatred was palpable and all-consuming. Understandable but also unpredictable. "Obviously we can't go and we can't ask anyone else to go pretending to be us. It's far too soon in the rebellion to face Thrune directly. Technically it's the Silver Ravens who have been invited. We could send the magical figurines in our place with a message attached. That way we comply without putting the rebellion in danger."

tag everyone

"Obviously we can't go and we can't ask anyone else to go pretending to be us. It's far too soon in the rebellion to face Thrune directly. Technically it's the Silver Ravens who have been invited. We could send the magical figurines in our place with a message attached. That way we comply without putting the rebellion in danger."

"Yes, to go would be foolish in the worst possible way... either we could get arrested, or some good people of the city would protest the attempt and we'd get a riot on the streets, one neither organized or directed. It'd accomplish very little except getting people killed and give the Paracount a good pretext to tighten his rule," Eirik said. Not that he had anything specific against a riot... eventually, they would more likely than not be needed, but the people had to be led to that step slowly, and agitators had to be present to channel the rage in a productive way. A reflex action by civilians against the military would rarely go well for the civilians.

"But we need to do something, or the Paracount can use our avoiding him against us as well. Some message needs to be sent. This would be the perfect chance to publicly humiliate the man by us refusing to deal with a man who's holding the freedom of the citizens captive, who is only piling injustice upon injustice."

"Using a Ravain would work as a sign, but as the construct can't speak it could but deliver a written message, and leave it up to the Paracount to tell the people whatever he wanted to. Caleb, Tillia, is either of you able to construct an illusonary voice with your magics? A sourceless powerful voice shouting out our declaration would get the message across well, I think."

Forvian asked, "It's out in the open and with people cheering you on. Are you concerned for your own lives or those of others?"

Octavio added, "If this was a trap then it's a silly one for sure. Maybe he just wants to see you face-to-face. Your descriptions are everywhere though."

Forvian scoffed, "I hear he's being generous. There have been some silver bought from local merchants..."

Action 3

Vandomir considered the discussion regarding Thrune's invitation. "This thing started in front of the Opera House, and need I remind you all that Thrune had no trouble ordering the dottari to slaughter innocents at that venue. With that said, Thrune's invitation is clearly a double edged sword. If we do not show, then he could bend that fact to disgrace our movement, but of course, there is risk if we do go."

He gestured to Octavio and the other team leaders, "the Silver Ravens are far more than just a handful of dissidents, and I do not believe that the people expect the entire movement to be on display tomorrow. It should be enough that the leadership of the group is present and represented."

He played with the signet on his finger before continuing, "as a member of one of the city's noble families, it seems less likely that he would move against me, and if he did, it is possible that my family could shield me politically. Of course, my going also presents the risk that house Jarvis would be crushed for my participation in this endeavor. I am entirely willing to give my own life for the cause. I am not quite as cavalier when it comes to throwing the rest of my kin into Thrune's dungeons, or worse."

He took a deep breath before he continued, "I am prepared to go on behalf of the Silver Ravens, but first I would beg the indulgence of you all. Rather than endangering my family, they being completely unaware that there was a threat to them, I would prefer to approach my aunt, the Baroness Belcara Jarvis, and inform her personally of my involvement with the Silver Ravens and to give her warning that I will attend tomorrow and be unveiled as such. In this fashion, I will encourage her to disown me publicly, tonight, as a Raven, and thus hopefully save the family from being tarnished by their association with me. If this is acceptable to you all, I shall retire and go straight to see her." Vandomir looked at the group expectantly.

Action 1
nothin'.

Action 2

During some of her spare time, when she wasn't working on the pump mechanism, Tillia made the effort to look up information on this "aboleth" thing they'd been told about. she knew that Caleb was right and going after it without more knowledge would be a very bad idea. When she went to start some research the first day she managed to catch Rexus in his office, "Hey Rexus, I need you to help me with something. We need to learn anything we can about creatures called aboleth. I'm not sure where to start on the research."

Action 3
Tillia was dumbfounded by the news of this public recognition by Brassy. It seemed very out of character for him and she knew it was obviously a trap and had no issue of saying so, "I don't like this, he knows we have to realize this is a trap and my first thought is to say no, we don't go, none of us. The idea of sending one of the raven figures is a good one but it does have the issue of not having a way to speak...." She thought fr a moment and said, "There may be a way to do this magically, but it would be impossible to directly affect anything given to us and I would have to be fairly close,"she paused a moment, "of course I would need the spell as well. There is a more advanced illusion spell that can produce sounds and such, but I don't have it in my book. If we could get it we could try that."

As Vandomir began to give his suggestion Tillia quickly looked at him with worry but tried to set that aside and think his suggestion through. "It could work, but I don't think he would care if your family disavowed you or not. He obviously struck down Rexus' family despite their noble status, the only thing that might give him pause with yours is the fact that it might look bad if they were dealt with right away. Still, I don't know that he's rational enough to think about, or even care, about that issue."

Tillia considered the issue further and said, "If anyone was going to go and expose themselves it should be one of us who has no family to target, no one but those here. I think that Anyone but you, Vandomir, would fit that idea better, Caleb and I most of all." She gave Caleb an apologetic smile, "and we all know that Caleb has...temper issues when it comes to Thrune." She hesitated, her expression worried but she finally said, "I can go, I have no family outside of us, and thus no one to target."

"If the figurine isn't a viable option then I can go in person as well. I agree with Tillia in that Vandomir should not go because his family would be greatly affected. Also, it would probably be wisest if Caleb is nowhere near Thrune if we aren't actually fighting. If it is my time to become a martyr then so be it.

Caleb laughed bitterly "It's almost a pity we don't have a THRUNE amongst us. They could turn up, and THRUNE would have to purge themselves!" he sneered even more cynically "Of course, that would never happen. Suddenly this would be a 'house matter', Brassy would be careful about what he did, it wouldn't be a rebellion and the queen would just sit back, and the loyalists wouldn't know whether to support us or Brassy so they'd all shut up and sit back."

OOC: Seeing how this is an important part of the story, I'm going to give you one more day to discuss how you will handle this.

The plan so far is to have 'some of the Ravens' show up for the ceremony. I think the people that will show up are Noravia and Tillia.

If that's the case, I need to know what the rest of you are doing...

Questions?

Game on!

I can easily show up as a Silver Raven, but not as Vandomir, using my hat of disguise. I suspect, I can even be me, but not me. Meaning, scrub my features enough to not be me, but still have many of the same overall features, so someone saying they saw a tall dark haired man doing X, well I'd still qualify as the Silver Raven in people's stories.

For the record, "Pretend to be THRUNE" isn't a terrible plan. Bit of a wild card, though. Not sending everyone sounds like a good plan, if we go with it.

What rebellion actions did people want?

What rebellion actions did people want?

I vote for "refuse to clean my room" and "listen to my crappy music way too loud"

Don't forget "sneak a girl into my room and lock the door".

Octavio added, "If this was a trap then it's a silly one for sure. Maybe he just wants to see you face-to-face. Your descriptions are everywhere though."

Descriptions... I know we have been bad with security, and the module seems to expect that of us (considering how easily new NPCs just pop up to say 'Hi' when the module wants to introduce them), but I *think* we have tried to use disquises or the raven half-masks when we were out in the open... did we actually mess up so royally that we were positively identified at some point? If so, someone remind me when ;^)

Fabian Benavente wrote:

Octavio added, "If this was a trap then it's a silly one for sure. Maybe he just wants to see you face-to-face. Your descriptions are everywhere though."

Descriptions... I know we have been bad with security, and the module seems to expect that of us (considering how easily new NPCs just pop up to say 'Hi' when the module wants to introduce them), but I *think* we have tried to use disquises or the raven half-masks when we were out in the open... did we actually mess up so royally that we were positively identified at some point? If so, someone remind me when ;^)

I'll have to read through this but two times come to mind. When taking out Varl Wex and when rescuing the boys from the cult.

And again, the AP sort of assumes that you are more or less known.

I'll have to read through this but two times come to mind. When taking out Varl Wex and when rescuing the boys from the cult.

And again, the AP sort of assumes that you are more or less known.

Varl was a bit of an iffy situation, but I kinda remember us making one of those executive decisions earlier to always have those masks on when on missions (like we did of always having a team standing by in case some Dottari walk in on us while we are doing stuff), but could well be wrong.

Side note... would be nice to run this campaign again some day, but make damn sure we go security first, and take a darker spin to the story. Not so much fighting for the city's freedom but simply using the Raven movement for our own ends to get rid of anything Thrune-related ;^)

Fabian: I'm assuming the module doesn't have anything about Luculla leaving a letter, but Caleb will do his best to ensure that is true.

Fabian Benavente wrote:

I'll have to read through this but two times come to mind. When taking out Varl Wex and when rescuing the boys from the cult.

And again, the AP sort of assumes that you are more or less known.

Varl was a bit of an iffy situation, but I kinda remember us making one of those executive decisions earlier to always have those masks on when on missions (like we did of always having a team standing by in case some Dottari walk in on us while we are doing stuff), but could well be wrong.

Side note... would be nice to run this campaign again some day, but make damn sure we go security first, and take a darker spin to the story. Not so much fighting for the city's freedom but simply using the Raven movement for our own ends to get rid of anything Thrune-related ;^)

You weren't wearing masks when you asked the mean old lady for information.

After Varl is dead, she makes some assumptions and that's how rumors get started.

You weren't wearing masks when you saved the boys, right?

I know it's stretching the imagination some...

Fabian: I'm assuming the module doesn't have anything about Luculla leaving a letter, but Caleb will do his best to ensure that is true.

I'm not sure I follow. Luculla was the cult leader.

You weren't wearing masks when you asked the mean old lady for information.

After Varl is dead, she makes some assumptions and that's how rumors get started.

Oh yeah, that sounds about right... she wouldn't know we are the leaders, but she'd have reason to assume we are active members. And stories do grow in the telling.

Vandomir wasn't wearing a mask while making out with the two ladies.

Anyway... back to planning... if someone (Vandomir, the ladies) go out there, whether masked or not, but openly and visibly answering the call on behalf of the Ravens, we need some rock-solid exit strategy to get you out, as the possibility that the Paracount will try to detain you and anyone who looks like objecting to your arrest (or summary execution) will be too high to ignore.

That's why I'd prefer an illusory approach, even if we had to go and buy a scroll for it - those spells are still generally concentration + a little bit in duration, so one could get a lot of mileage outta one spell.

So... how do we ensure that whoever goes out gets away in one piece, and that not too many civilians are beaten to death once they spontaneously object to rough treatment of their heroes?

How many is "not too many?"

OMG, are we now in planning mode? :)

Seriously, let me know what you want to do with your teams and/or NPCs while Noravia and Tillia and Vandomir (disguised as another tall noble) attend the 'award ceremony'.

I specifically want to know what Caleb and Eirik are doing.

Recap tonight... (along with red carpet show). :)

Before going, Noravia will use her infiltrator abilities to mask her faith as one of the more acceptable faiths in Kintargo. I don't think it'll go well for her to show up as a follower of Milani :)

Before going, Noravia will use her infiltrator abilities to mask her faith as one of the more acceptable faiths in Kintargo. I don't think it'll go well for her to show up as a follower of Milani :)

Ok, got it. She's going to go as an Asmodean. :)

You need to be specific people because I'm feeling kind of playful. :)

Game on!

I was thinking more like Shelyn since that's who made her armor...

How many is "not too many?"

Well... How would 1/10000 total population sound like? A rebellion could use a few martyrs. :-)

OMG, are we now in planning mode? :)

Seriously, let me know what you want to do with your teams and/or NPCs while Noravia and Tillia and Vandomir (disguised as another tall noble) attend the 'award ceremony'.

I specifically want to know what Caleb and Eirik are doing.

Recap tonight... (along with red carpet show). :)

Hmm... For one thing, this might be a wonderful time to free the doghouse prisoners if that's still a thing. And if people really are going to show, we do need an exit strategy, and those not on display should assist with that. So all teams we can spare out and if gear, masked and cloaked in silver if possible (a turn-over cloak silver on one side would be lovely so we could hide in the masses until needed).

Eirik would be in the rescue detail, of course... Were I the Paracount, I'd have Dottari ready to rush into the scene from nearby streets or buildings, so blocking those troop movements while they are still individually small and before they can combine would be vital. So do a bit of scouting, try to come up with possible entry routes for enemy reinforcements, then place our people ready to intercept.

And of course, I could be totally wrong and the moron of a ruler just wants to chat and perhaps try to bribe us for realsies :-)

And of course, I could be totally wrong and the moron of a ruler just wants to chat and perhaps try to bribe us for realsies :-)

Remember that this is the guy who likes 'big dogs' and has outlawed mint...

Action 3 con't.
Knowledge (arcana) or spellcraft to know about teleport spell: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
Tillia thought for a moment about means to get out in a hurry and said, "Rather than an illusion spell it might be worth trying to find a scroll of teleport. I should be able to cast it and it would be enough to get the three of us out of there in a big hurry and I should be able to land us in the wasp nest with ease. The only downside is it would be very expensive to buy."

Tillia likely won't try to disguise herself, there's little point to it as she has no one to protect. She will be loaded for bear with her spells though. Of particular use will be wall of ice, I can stop small groupings of dottari from either reaching us, or forming up easily with that spell.

Remember that this is the guy who likes 'big dogs' and has outlawed mint...

Yeah... Been kinda wondering why someone of his own side hasn't made him suffer a lethal accident by now so they could get to be the king of the hill themselves... But wish for the best while preparing for the worst and such...

One thing we could do... Make paper silver raven masks and get them distributed to the crowd... A bit like the candle vigil for Noravia's previous character after she died in which a big part of the city took part in... If you like us ravens, wait for a signal and then wear the mask, you'll know the moment when it comes... Good chance to show support, little risk if enough people are in it, and should drive the Paracount livid.

OMG, we ARE in planning mode! :)

Lord save us all! :)

As long as everyone stays involved in 'making plans', I'll let this run for another day.

But try and make the plans IC since they are more fun that way.

Questions?

Game on!

IC Caleb has very different plans to me
Caleb came back exhausted after a day of concentration on mind reading. Dark shadows were under his eyes, and a haunted look on his face. "Well" he reported "If she has a letter hidden somewhere, I can't find where. I talked to everyone I know, and everyone I thought she might know, and I found nothing."

Lore: Callistria: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20 to know who might hold an 'in the event of my death' letter. Detect thoughts (and conversation) to find more.
Noravia: you interested in being the conversation part of this little idea?

Noravia's always up for anything :) You lead, I follow...

"We do not have long to prepare, but if you insist on exposing yourself to danger, prepare we should," Eirik said, shaking his head at what he considerd a needless risk. "But if illusory voice is out of the picture, then something else needs to be done, for not showing up at all would let the Paracount spin the situation to his liking."

"Granted, the man is unstable and might truly believe he can buy our loyalty with a grand celebration and a large sum of money, but I believe we should prepare for the worst, that it is indeed a trap intended to catch any Ravens who deicde to answer the call," the monk went on, considering. "We should be out there in force, though not openly showing our colors. Were I the Paracount, I'd have only enough Dottari visible to keep the peace but have a lot of reinforcements hidden close by, to cut of escape routes and to surround the park so he could pick us up and use the threat of indicriminate force against the citizens to force us to surrender. I'd like to have our teams and those of us not openly answering the summons placed at stragetic points to try and intercept at least a few of those reinforcements, to stop them while they are still individually small and weak, before they can get their formations solid and join forces with other arriving groups. If we can ensure a couple routes stay open, we can at least try to retreat safely."

"Also, we could use this opportunity to show the Paracount that the Ravens aren't just a few people hiding in shadowy rooms... you recall the candlelight vigil for Rowan's memory? A simple little thing, that a lot of people in the city participated - small risk of raising the Paracount's ire, a small investment. Perhaps we could try something similar... like preparing a lot of simple white half-masks, like those we ourselves have worn on missions, and having our supporters distribute them to people they think might be willing to show a little support. If, say, a fourth of the people gathered to hear the proclamation would wear the mask when we give a sign... it wold be a blow against the Paracount's authority, a boost to our supporters' morale, and there would be too many people to chase or arrest, and the masks would be simple enough to discard if things get too heated - the Paracount would be forced to resort to pretty much random arrests if he wanted to punish people for it, and that would only help erode his authority."

About teleport scrolls... is failure chance still a thing? Teleport's a few level above you yet, Tillia, so how reliably could you cast it from a scroll?

"Maybes, guesses, suppositions and gambles. We need answers!" Caleb screams - frustrated now, but not the mindless anger of earlier. He stopped as a thought struck him. He closed his eyes, stretched out his arm and a moment later his sleeves bulged strangely. A moment after that an enormous wasp squirmed out of his arm and onto the table.

"This is one of the sacred Wasps of Calistria" he explained to the others "Sent from Konyin." He turned to address the wasp "Can you help us? I need information to pursue my sacred oath! Is Brassy planning a trap? Will there be Dottari in hiding nearby?" he pauses for a second "And while you're at it - did Luculla leave information about us behind? Are we free of traitors? Is Moneythegro plotting against us? Can we defeat him? How can..." Apparently bored with all the talk, the wasp shook convulsively once and flew away.

Wasp Familiar has Commune 1/week for 6 questions. Takes 10 minutes

The dc is the scrolls caster level +1. The minimum caster level for a teleport scroll is 9th level so the check is a dc 10. I'd need to roll a three or better, very good odds. The accuracy is based on familiarity, by using the wasp nest instead of the lucky bones I think it's safe to say that is the best category so a 97% chance of landing where I want to. Not as bad as it might seem.

Actin 3 con't.

"I would be careful about being out in Force Eirik, if Brassy is serious about ending us he could use the opportunity to hit us with enough dottari and devils to crush us completely. We still need to be cautious. A few teams to help with escape would still be wise but let's not expose everyone right away, that's probably what he expects us to do."

Nobody expects the Milanite Inquisition!

"I would be careful about being out in Force Eirik, if Brassy is serious about ending us he could use the opportunity to hit us with enough dottari and devils to crush us completely. We still need to be cautious. A few teams to help with escape would still be wise but let's not expose everyone right away, that's probably what he expects us to do."

"It sounds harsh, but you are more valuable to the rebellion than any member of our teams," Eirik said, not apologizing for speaking his mind frankly. "Were you killed, or worse yet, captured alive and tortured for information... the members of our teams would be just as surely dead as if they had died to protect you, they just wouldn't know it yet. And I didn't plan to go out wearing our own colors, but carrying masks we would wear if we needed to act."

"But if you can pull off that teleportation trick... it's a grand magic, is it not? The very fact that his enemies are capable of such should strike fear into the Paracount's heart."