Nevynxxx's CotCT (Inactive)

Game Master Nevynxxx

Y'know, I think that greatsword crit probably means it's not a protracted brawl. Besides, can you imagine what Sarenrae would do to me if I murdered a man in his sleep?

Roj makes sure he's across the bed from Basil.

Attack of Opportunity!: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 2 + 4 = 29
Confirm?: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 2 + 4 = 19
Damage?: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Crit Damage?: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Oh dear. Who's going to clean up the mess? Good thing I didn't smite a sleeping man...

EDIT: Edited to accomodate Basil's useful information. Also, this assumes he's dumb enough to try to stand up or grab a weapon.

@Roj: Don't forget, you get an additional +4 to hit a prone target (which is what he is, since he is laying down in bed), so that is a 19 on the confirmation roll ;-)

Borden Init 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

He stands guard at the door in case guards hustle in rather than cramp the room that Basil, Roj and Gwen can get to grips with the drug pusher.

Erik is now going to hold his action until he sees what Devargo's going to attempt.

I doubt Gwen - with her lousy initiative roll - can attempt to grapple Devargo with Roj and Basil already attacking him. She'll move as close to the bed as possible and stand ready to attack the guy if he does anything threatening.

We're actually not attacking him. Those are attacks of opportunity, in case he tries to resist, or stand up, or do anything except lie there and breathe. You could probably set up one yourself, try to crit as well if you'd like.

"Devargo Barvasi, you are under arrest. Do not move a muscle if you care for your life. You will defend yourself in a court of law, but if you try to resist now you won't live long enough to get there. Understood?"

Sorry, really busy day. Hopefully will post properly in a bit, maybe tomorrow.

Sorry, really busy day. Hopefully will post properly in a bit, maybe tomorrow.

Ok, thanks for the heads up.

This is how to cliffhanger in PbP!

Init
Roj 11
Basil 10
Eric 8
Devargo 7
Bordan 7
Gwen 4

Devargo yawns, "So arrest me, I doubt very much that effect you desire will be coming."

Roj sighs loudly. "I was hoping you'd say otherwise. Redeeming you by the sword would have been a pleasure."

Still keeping his blade on Devargo, he looks toward the group. "How do we get him out? Can we bind him and gag him? We'll need to take some of that lab as well, to prove to the boss what we found here." He thinks for a moment. "I'll go first, in case he signals his men somehow. I believe I'm the most heavily-armored still, and it's likely to come to fighting yet."

[Erik is going to cast Charm Person on Devargo, using his bonded item to summon the spell from his list. DC 14.]

Erik shakes his head pityingly at Devargo, and tries to put on as cold and cruel a look as he can manage.

"You think Glorio Arkona is going to get you out of this one, Devargo?" Erik laughs cuttingly. "He's found a better Shiver dealer, and wants you gone. It's with his blessings that we're finally making our move. You think we'd waste our time otherwise? You're going into a fake court, a quick judgement, and then you're going to hang."

Erik leans forward with an evil grin. "And old Glorio is going to raise his glass to toast you as dance at the end of the rope."

Erik leans back. "Of course, we're not really interested in you. Give us something to take Glorio down, and we'll conveniently let you escape."

Bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

"I'd say we tie him up, then one of us goes and fetches the guard. If we go upstairs with him in ropes, his men might get strange ideas, such as to try and free him, or wait until we're gone and make the evidence disappear." Gwen whispers to Roj.

Borden casts his last spell of the day on him... Charm Person DC13

Unless he has spellcraft he won't know what was done

All will be well friend, Borden states confidently. Tell me, where is your valuables? We'll make sure this Den of thieves don't take them, he says to test the enchantment.

Remember: "You can try to give the subject orders, but you must win an opposed Charisma check to convince it to do anything it wouldn't ordinarily do." Also remember that it's the person who cast the spell that is "you" in that sentence. At this point you don't know if either, or neither or both of your managed to charm him. Which is fun!

Devargo smiles at Erik, "You lies, they need improvment. Arkonas, they have no rule of law. They have no trials. I would not hang, I may get a dagger in the dark if they were quick enough! looking at Bordan he frowns. "You would rob me or arrest me? Come on child, which is it?"

Come now friend, its a business as much as a duty but I can make things easy for you. Now about your stash? I won't fleece you as much as use some of the money to make things go easier on you. Least I can do for a friend - also we'd like to avoid your operation being hurt - we don't want to damage it as you can come back to it later. It would be so much better if you agree to come quietly with me without making a fuss - let your men know you are with me - well, what do you have to say?

Erik blushes furiously as Devargo mocks him, not having Borden's sangfroid, but still he persists.

"Tell - tell me what you know of Glorio's illegal dealings."

Charisma check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

"Gwen, I don't think that plan is the best idea. If someone checks on him, or if he decides to start making noise, we'll be fighting every guard up there, and we'll be down a man to boot. Let's let Borden and Erik try to convince him to come with us, and quietly. We can have the Guard come in and secure this place afterwards."

"Really, you should not ask after the man's belongings. My things, they are safe. As always they are safe." Looking at Eric, "Again, you betray yourself. If you work for Glorio, you know more of his dealings than I."

"They don't seem to be having a great success at the moment. This guy is tough as nails, I'm telling you. Anyway, why not go and get some guards while Borden and Erik keep on trying. I seriously doubt anyone else will come downstairs, they're all scared as hell by him."

"Yes yes, do as she says! You need some good strong guards to help bring in a man as powerful as Devargo!"

Erik's flush deepens, but now his eyes glint with anger as well. He draws his dagger, and steps in close. "We don't work for Glorio, you fool. He's simply let it be known that we can take you down without interference. We work for the Guard. And they've been itching to get their hands on you for years. Last chance. Give us something on Glorio, or you're being dragged in!"

bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Charisma check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

"Work for the Guard? Ha! I knew something was up with you. Doing Kroft's work now though, no, I don't think so. Left to my own devices for too long. Also, no need for the fun and games earlier to get letters if you were supposed to arrest me, was there? No. I think you do this for fun. Which makes you no better than me. What say you Paladin?" as he continues talking though, a from crosses Devargo's face, as though he can't quite believe what he's saying. "Old glorio though, he has hands in almost all crime in Korvosa, where would you want me to start? A dangerous foe that one though, even I would not go up against him. Squashes spiders without thought I think."

"You know, I think you may be right, Gwen. Borden, if you'd grab a couple of vials from that alchemy lab and go get, hmmmmm. Get Kroft and as many members of the Guard as you can, we'll keep hold of him here." Seeing Borden and Erik continue to struggle, Roj gives in to Gwen's plan. "As for you, Devargo...Basil, if he shouts, kill him."

Ok, is that the plan?

Erik nods to Borden's departure, but keeps his eyes locked on the Spider, trying to keep his disbelief from his young face. The creep was willing to talk! His magic had worked!

"Start with his most heinous crimes first. The more detailed, the better."

That seems to be the plan. Also, I'd like to assume my statements were whispered to the people they're directed at, except for Devargo. Wouldn't want to ruin Erik's negotiations.

"The Arkona's a involved in every sort of crime in the city. If we discuss their cromes we will all grow old. I am but their humble servant. I get told what I need to get jobs done for them, and that not often. They are different league."

Bordan leaves, and is gone what feels like a long, long time.

Is there more you want out of Devargo, or should I skip to Bordan's return?

Can we say that Erik uses his high intelligence to weasel as much concrete evidence as he can from Devargo as to Glorio Arkona's malfeasance? He's looking for associates, specific contacts, anything concrete that he can get his hands on.

While he's at it, he'll also ask Devargo if he has any contacts or allies in the Watch.

Gwen is outside the room, with one ear at what's happening inside, but mostly making sure nobody gets down to check on Devargo.

"My friend, you ask the difficult questions. Go Ask your field marshal about Glorio. You will find he has schemes within schemes. That his actions are never seen to break any law, while they spread the chaos he so desires. He is a powerful man. A villainous man. But no different to those others in power.

"I know no-body in the watch, or the Company either. Those people stay away from here, and they do not trouble. I stay away from them, and my life, it is good."

Borden returns after a very long time, he stops by Gwen to whisper before moving into the room with Devargo, he leaves her no time to reply.

When he enters the room, Bordan looks at Devargo. "You sit." He picks up the weapons he can see, a crossbow in the corner, and Devargo's bladed gauntlets.

"You three, out here, we need to talk."

Once out of Devargo's hearing range, he speaks quietly. "The guard will have nothing to do with this. Kroft used words like "vigilante" and "unauthorised" and "deny all knowledge". She wont send guards into Eels end to be killed. We are on our own."

Ok, someone take over Bordan from there. :)

Gwen is so astonished by Borden's words that when she finally speaks she actually stutters:
"B-b-but he's a drug dealer! Did you show her the evidence? How can she let this go unpunished? This is unbelievable. Unbelievable!"

She covers her face with her hands for a few seconds. Then, after a long sigh, she looks at the others: "Well, if we're on our own, we have to decide how to deal with this. I won't let a drug dealer go on with his deadly trade if I can stop him. I couldn't sleep for the rest of my life if I did!"

She looks at Roj, whose wisdom and advice she's learned to trust. "What do you make of this mess, Rojerick?"

Basil clears his throat.

"If nothing can be done through official channels, that, by definition, only leaves unofficial ones. If we will not, nay, cannot leave him to continue his current path, then we must terminate that path."

He then shrugs.

"I am not strictly comfortable being employed to do the 'unsanctioned wet-work' of the guard, but the alternative is far worse... someone needs to clean-up this town."

"F£$%k the Guard! I swear I'll give Kroft a piece of my mind next time I see her. This is about what's good for the people of Korvosa."

Gwen is clearly upset, but the implications of Basil's words make her stop dead in her tracks.

"You don't mean... holy s4%t and f%$!k man, I can't murder a man in cold blood! That's... uh... I mean, I just can't, can you?"

Sorry guys, Gwen's sharp tongue is at full throttle when she's so distressed.

Also worth noting that any effect which lasts less than about 2 hours will have expired now.

"Hmmm. That doesn't seem to have worked. As I see, we have three reasonable options and one unreasonable one. We can knock him out and try to smuggle him out, try to fight our way out, or look for a different way. There are other doors we haven't tried, and there was that hole into the bilge, but I don't think going down in a ship will lead to a way out. More unreasonably, we could kill him, but I still think Kroft would like to have him. These are the options the Dawnflower has given us." Roj figits nervously, looking at the doors as if expecting Devargo's guards to burst through them at any moment. I don't understand. The laws of the city should have worked in our favor.

Erik doesn't seem all that surprised. He sticks his hands in his pockets and rocks back and forth on his heels.

"C'mon guys, you all should know how this works. There's the criminals the law goes after, and then there are the one's they ain't supposed to touch. Why do you think so much is allowed to stay rotten in Korvosa? Hmm? The Marshall's probably been told by a higher up that Devargo's to be left alone. Now she's mad we've officially brought her into this."

Erik taps the side of his nose. "But I bet your last copper crown she wouldn't mind if we did her dirty work for her after she officially told us not to. That way, we take care of a criminal, and she can blame us for 'vigilante justice' and let us take the heat when her corrupt higher ups come to complain. Right?"

Erik looks from one to the other. "I mean, if we want Devargo gone, we can't take him in. He'll get sprung by Glorio in no time at all. He knows it. The Marshall knows it. Now we know it. If we want him gone, we got to kill him ourselves." Erik looks to Gwen. "In cold blood. Cause otherwise, more of that shiver's gonna be hitting the street. Problem is, Kroft will know it was us that killed him if he dies tonight. I say, we destroy his lab, maybe burn down his ship, and then come back for him later when nobody can pin his death on us."

"I have an idea. Mind you, it might seem crazy at first, but bear with me for a moment."

Gwen starts pacing up and down the room, the plan forming in her head as she speaks.

"We find a way to smuggle Devargo out of here. We knock him out cold if necessary. We take the evidence with us. Then we tie him up to a pole or something, right in the middle of the marketplace (there IS at least one big marketplace in Korvosa, right?), just before dawn, with his pockets full of the drug vials, and a written notice on his chest that says something like this:

-Good people of Korvosa, here is a drug maker and dealer who's been poisoning your children and stealing your money. More evidence is in his rat's den, Eel's end. What will you do with him?-

If they take him to the Guard, Kroft will HAVE to arrest him, she'll have no choice. If they don't, and decide to deal with him with a more "direct" approach, well, it's their city after all, their choice.

What do you say? Sounds crazy, I know, but it's the only way I can see to deal with this mess!"

Erik taps his chin. "I like it! Dramatic. But what if he claims he was framed? And if the guard arrests him, he'll be let go within the week."

"Ah, but there's the beauty of it. We move part of the evidence from the lab to another room (under his bed or something) so his men won't find it when they come down to clean the place, but the Guard *will* find it when they search it! And they won't be able to let him go that easily, lest they cause more and more unrest throughout the city when the people of Korvosa learn he's got away scot-free... and I bet the LAST thing Kroft AND the queen want right now is more unrest!"

Erik looks dubious. "I don't think it's a question of evidence. The guard will make the evidence disappear if they're ordered to. It's a question of getting the public to demand his execution. Most of the common folk know Devargo is scum. If we can get the crowd whipped up, then deliver him with the evidence in plain sight - then yes, maybe we can force the Marshall's hand."

Erik pauses and looks about the group. "But forcing the Marshall's hand might get her in trouble, and lose us her friendship. I take it we're not worried about that?"

"Kroft, uh? Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

Ok, immediate actions. You are still at water level on a boat.

Is there any way to throw Devargo out of the boat without actually drowning him, so that we can get to him from outside and smuggle him away?

With or without drowning him, you haven't seen a mundane way to do that, bar putting a hole in the ship.

We have seen the ship from the outside. Did we see any porthole that we can try to reach from the inside? Perhaps from a room we haven't explored yet?

There are portholes at regular intervals, and you've been in rooms with portholes. But they are only about 8 inches or so across on a boat like this. Note big enough to get a person through.

I've got two Color Sprays memorized. We can make a go at leaving through the top, and I can try to incap anybody that stops us.