Way of the Wicked (Inactive)

Game Master Paizo Fan

Well, the daggers we could use now. Get everyone armed with something. We may need to hold off on using the window until we get across to the mainland or get stuck. It sounds like we have an open causeway or bridge to cross to get off this island which drops us at an outer wall or just a guardhouse. Can Bob tell us if we are in the middle of a lake/bog or are we on an off-shore island?

"The castle stands on an island off the coast," Guard Bob answers in a monotone voice, "The rocks around the island are treacherous and would be difficult to swim around." He then launches into a brief description of the castle which allows you to form a mental picture much like this.

You are on the level where all the small pictures are. Common sense dictates that the window is not likely to be deep enough to penetrate the thick prison walls but might be able to be used in thinner walls. Also, in the guard room you are currently standing in is a chimney breast that appears to lead both up and down. Although no fire is lit on your level, some heat appears to be coming up from below.

Tapping the blade of his sword against his should tentatively as he wanders back towards the cell, Gideon comes across the rest of the group.

"Interrogation room was empty," he says to them, the disappointment in his voice all too evident. He pays the ogre no direct heed; he had always found their kind rather revolting, in spite of their impressive physical prowess. "This level is clear, we'd best get to the next level quickly. Is that... thing coming with us?"

"So big boy, your name is Grumblejack," She says to the ogre, "I have a little plan that will let you smash some heads and get you your freedom from this horrid place. You interested." Elis asks rhetorically.

"First thing we need to do is get you out of here and up the stairs. From there if you could be so kind and tear the little men that get in our way to pieces." Elis points in the direction of the stairs in the other room. "From there I am sure you can figure out what to do next."

As Gideon approaches the room, "Hello there my good friend, this large man here is Grumblejack. He may be helping this poor lady, and all of you, get out of here in exchange for killing as many of the innocent souls upstairs as he can."

Elis looks to Grumblejack for his acceptance to her plan.

If this requires any kind of rolls let me know as I am not really bluffing or trying to persuade him I figured it was just role play, with no rolling needed.

Although it may be impossible, it would be cool if we could take the whole prison and turn it into a base of operations. Though like I said, probably impossible at this level.

Haruk thinks for a few moments, "Should we arm our guard buddy? Perhaps with one of the leather clubs, and have him defend us? Might be good to have an extra weapon."

"Grumblejack likes this plan," the ogre says, discarding the half-chewed arm, "Little 'uns ready?"

Although it is entirely feasible that you'll be able to take the prison, you wouldn't be able to keep it. Once the authorities found out what had happened, you'd have their full weight thrown at the castle. Eventually, they'd starve you out and you'd be summarily executed on the spot. Of course, you are welcome to try... ;)

Also, just for future reference I'm happy for things like Diplomacy/Intimidation with 'commoners' to be roleplayed. I might make some rolls behind the scene but I think it unfair that an excellently roleplayed scene can be made obselete by unfortunate rolling. Plot-centric Diplomacy/Intimidation or trying to do the same against someone with whom those kinds of approach wouldn't necessarily work will be subject to rolls though.

... the ogre says, discarding the half-chewed arm...

Hey, now, why waste a perfectly good improvised weapon. :D

Cain grins at the arrival of the rest of the group, giving the ogre a once-over before shrugging at Haruk's suggestion. He holds the sword up to Grumblejack, "You know how to use one of these, big guy?" If the ogre does, Cain tosses him the sword. Cain's just as useful with the manacles that are still on his right wrist. :)

As they try to establish a plan, Cain looks over at the enchanted guard. "So, Bob. Where's the armory in here? And the barracks?" An idea seems to strike him as he grins, "Anybody got anything flammable?" He begins looking around for a torch or -- lacking that -- a chair-leg.

Actually, he thinks with an eyebrow raise. If there's a chair or table, he'll break off a couple of legs, swinging them to test which one would be the best club.

I figure if we can get a couple of impromptu torches, we can possibly set a few fires to use as diversions or at least distractions while we try to get out. I figure if we can get a fire started in/near the armory or barracks, they may have to take care of that before everyone can come down on us as one force. :)

EDIT: Also, is there any rope in here or the rooms from which we've come? Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16.

Haruk holds up the veil, "I believe we have something right here than can help us start a fire. Also, there's a some rope which could be handy, as well as some clothing in case any of us wish to change into something less dirty and threadbare."

"You need fire?" Elis looks towards Cain, "I have fire right here." Elis points to the rag on the ground that was previously in her mouth, and give a quick little gesture of her hand.

Elis casts Spark on the rag.

Okay, Grumblejack is willing to work with the group at least until you escape. What direction do the group wish to take just now?

I believe the immediate answer is "up the stairs", but I guess I was still wondering if Cain was able to find some impromptu torches.

As well as if bob had responded with the locations of the armory and guard's barracks.

As a group, you ascend the stairs (into area 16 in the map above). You're in a small room with a single wooden door which exits to the north.

Bob replies that the barracks is just ahead on the right, next to the main door to the castle. The armory is directly opposite, but is locked with a key that only Blackerly carries. You could make some impromptu torches with chair legs and woollen rags, if needs be. You can't see any rope, at least not on the prison level. Probably too easy to cut through!

Hmmm... I can't really blow the map up well enough to see the numbers but I think I see where we are. If Haruk is amenable...

Price takes a dagger from the veil and pulls out suitable clothes from the bag. Heedless of her audience, she strips off her rags and puts on the better garments. Taking up the dagger she inspects the small room, tapping the left-hand wall with the dagger.

"If Bob's information is correct. There should be nothing on the opposite side of this wall. If we want to avoid the barracks, we could toss the window up here and be into the prison yard hard by the warden's tower. Then we'd have to sneak around this building to get to the front gate. We'd be in the open quite a bit, but it might work. That would also likely be the best option IF some of you want payback on the warden... although tangling with a wizard isn't high on my list of 'to dos'. If he manages to raise an alarm, we could be trapped in his tower. So option one - cut through the wall here and sneak around. Then leave by the front gate as we are."

She thinks a moment. "Option two, as I see it, is to head out the front door after taking the barracks. Then we dress as guards and march out the front door. Grumblejack will stand out, but that can't be helped. At least some of us will look official. That plan also has the benefit of keeping the window in reserve in case we need it later... like if a gate is closed against us."

Gideon leans against a nearby wall, paying no heed to Price's brief nudity. He does however mull over her words, taking them into consideration. He doubted that their options were so few in number, but she seemed like the best kind of person for coming up with plans in a pinch.

"I doubt that the dress-up routine would go very well," he says, heaving himself away from the wall, "But it would probably get us farther than sneaking around would. Not all of us are light on our feet... the ogre in particular."

Cain growls, "But that bastard is on my Torture and Kill list, Price. Can't go and let people off that thing willy-nilly. Marching out the front door will take some seriously good lyin' on someone's part, though."

"I'd love to make a distraction and go after Sargent Porkerly. I just don't know how hard it's gonna be to get to him."

"I doubt that the dress-up routine would go very well," he says, heaving himself away from the wall, "But it would probably get us farther than sneaking around would. Not all of us are light on our feet... the ogre in particular."

"Agreed. But here's why I'm suggesting dressing up as guards. If we are just looking to bust out of here without leaving a trail of corpses..." It's clear from the smile on her face that she isn't taking the bloodbath option off the table, "We've got to get out of this building and then through the barbican. After that, we have a long open causeway to the final gate. If those guards are watching the causeway and we look like ragtag prisoners, they can raise the alarm. If they have archers, we could be pincushioned before we get to the far gate. If we look like guards, maybe we can make it to the gate before we stir them up. At that point, hopefully one of our more persuasive friends," She looks at Haruk and Elis, "...can get them to open up."

Cain growls, "But that bastard is on my Torture and Kill list, Price. Can't go and let people off that thing willy-nilly. Marching out the front door will take some seriously good lyin' on someone's part, though."

"I'd love to make a distraction and go after Sargent Porkerly. I just don't know how hard it's gonna be to get to him."

"Unless the good Sergeant is taking tea with our wizardly warden, he's probably either in the barracks here or in the barbican. And since I think we'll need to kill every guard in both those locations, you may get your shot at Porkerly." Price gives her associate a radiant smile, "You know I'd never tell you to take someone off your list. Follow-through and persistence are virtues and I'd never ask you to be less than virtuous, Cain."

"So those are the 'get out quick' options as I see them based on what we know. The other option is butchery. We attempt to kill everyone that matters and take the prison before we leave. There are plenty of risks there as well."

So, guys, I guess we need to decide what our goal is - get out fast or wreck this joint and then leave? Price will go either way.

"You can leave all the manipulation of simple words to me, my dear." Elis says as she listens to the others discuss a plan. "Why should we limit ourselves to these simple plans, lets make this fun. I am sure I can convince a few of the guards to help us."

Elis looks at the veil and decides to take some of the clothing (Preferably a dress or skirt) as well as a dagger. "If we get this right we may be able to convince the outer guards that we are escorting our big friend off the island on orders of the Sargent."

"What do you think there miss voyeur and others?"

Cain's smile widens, "Then I vote we storm the barracks first." He hands the sword up to the ogre, hefting his chair leg. "Do we want to see if we can fire the armory first? Chaos and disorganization can only help us."

I just wanna burn something up, dangit!

Price chuckles. "Voyeurism isn't one of my sins. I'll leave that to those who enjoyed watching me change. But I do lack modesty." She feigns a sigh, warming to the Hedge Witch, "Alas, the life of a humble seamstress is all about taking clothes off and putting them on."

The plain-looking woman sobers, becoming all business. "I like your plan. If they won't open the gate for us, Grumblejack might be able to bust it open. And if that doesn't work, perhaps we can throw that window from the veil on the gate to make a hole. One way or another - we are getting out of here."

Haruk smiles apperciatingly at Price when she undresses, then sheds his ratty pants for a far better pair. He pasues for a few moments when he finds a shirt his size, then sighs in resignation and puts it on "I'm with whatever plan you fine folk decide on. I will attempt to convince our guard friend that he should defend us. I do agree with Cain about setting some fires. I say we torch this level first, then each successive room we clear. It'll mean moving quickly, very quickly perhaps, but it will definitely ruin the guards day more than ours. If it gets too much, we can just leave."

Are you all agreed then? Asmodeus approves of the wholesale slaughter of Mitrans by the way...

Price nods to Haruk. "I've no objection to burning this place to the ground, but let's wait until we've cleared out the barracks and the stragglers first - just the 'low hanging fruit'. No sense alerting them before we are ready to play."

Haruk flashes Price his best, most charming smile "I like the way you think my dear"

He walks over to guard Bob "Bob, my good friend. Thank you so very much for that incredibly useful information you've provided us so far. You're a good man. Now, my friends and I have to leave here, as there's someplace important we have to go. Would you please help us make our exit? I'm afraid the guards here might try to stop us, because they're mean and enjoy hurting good people like us. If I give you a weapon, do you think you could defend me? I'm not much of a warrior, and fear for my life. But if I had a brave, strong guard like yourself, i'd feel much safer." 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26 Diplomacy

"Of course," Bob says dreamily, holding out his hand.

Are we ready for a charge through the doors then?

Let's play.

AH! Your hair! Witch!

Er. Let's do this.

lol. Yes, Price is still trying to find her identity and the perfect coif. Sadly, the avatars don't include a lot non-frumpy or non-vixenish or non-reeking-o-evil feminine choices with brunette hair.

But, but u do reek of evilness and vixenishness

Haruk hands Bob one of the leather clubs. "Thank you again for all your help. Now let's get out of here"

But, but u do reek of evilness and vixenishness

Flatterer. :) Shall I take that as a vote for pic 1, pic 2, or this one?

Pic 2 just seemed, idk, bland maybe? When I choose an avatar for a new PC, I try to find one that is a close fit to my character, but also something that will be cool to look at.

I am ready to move on.

You all storm up the stairs, Grumblejack leading the way. You barrel out of the doors to find two surprised-looking guards looking at you.

I rolled their Perception checks earlier in the thread; I think you could have conga'd up the stairs and they'd have missed you.

Surprise Round
Elis: 18
Gideon: 17
Grumblejack: 16
Cain: 13
Price: 12
Guards: 12, surprised
Haruk: 7

Take it away, Elis!

Elis delights in the sight of two helpless men. She grabs a bit of wool from her old tattered garments, "infirmi animi nubem voluit" Elis chants in what seems to be a whisper as she weaves arcane magic.

"Now be a dear Mr. Grumblejack, and smash these little men for there disservice to us."

Standard Action: Casting Daze on one of the Guards, Will DC 14

Gideon quickly follows suit, lashing out at whichever guard Elis did not target with a strong, horizontal slash.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Haruk will hang back, to see if he's needed. He does however call forth magicks to increase his defenses. Casting Mage Armor AC is now 14

Guard 1, Will: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

One of the guards looks as though he's suddenly slipped into a trance. The second is expertly gutted by the charging Gideon.

With an ear-splitting roar, Grumblejack charges the dazed guard dropping his longsword in the process.

Grumblejack, Guard Splat?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Grumblejack, Guard Go Splat!: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

However, Grumblejack's aim goes slightly wide and he punches the wall instead.

Cain -- seeing Gideon gut one guard -- follows Grumblejack against the stunned fella. He surprises you by keeping a cool head, wrapping one beefy arm around the guard's neck in an attempt to ultimately silence and subdue him.

"Someone gut this pig while I hold'im. Don't want him squealing too loud."

Move to flank with Grumblejack (if possible), dropping his chair leg and shield in the process.
Then grapple the fool. If someone could jam a rag in his mouth, that'd be crazy helpful so he can't cry out if we have a bad series of rolls before he comes around. Or do I need him to be pinned before I can silence him?
Grapple 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 2 = 17; flanking.

Assuming there is room to move in and catch a flank...

Price slides through her allies to close on the guard wrestling with Cain. She turns her blade sideways and drives it towards, and hopefully in between, his ribs.

Just like threading a needle... And it's so hard to scream with a punctured lung.

Dagger (crit: 19+/3x):
HIT: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 14 Flanking?
DAM: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

So with the remaining guard dazed and possibly grappled, are we back to the top of the initiative?

Elis says in a quiet voice, "How many inept prisoners does it take to slaughter a guard.", as she counts off the others on her fingers.

Elis is delaying her action.

I guess it makes sense for the rest of us to wait until we know if our round 1 attacks landed.

Ugh, it seems that the forum has eaten all of my posts made yesterday lunch time. Yes, all of the hits have landed and we're back to the top of initiative order.

Initiative

Elis: 18 <-- delaying
Gideon: 17 <-- you're up!
Grumblejack: 16
Cain: 13
Price: 12
Guards: 12, surprised
Haruk: 7

Reposting to help out. :)

Not giving the guard a second thought as he drops to the ground in a heap, Gideon approaches the other, aiming to slip his blade right into the dazed man's gut.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Cain sneers at Elis's quip, "Well, so far it looks like 5, yourself included."

Grumblejack roars in anger as the guard remains standing, and swings his meaty fist at the man again.

Grumblejack, GUARD GO SPLAT?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Grumblejack, GUARD SPLAT!: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

The guard lets out an almighty OOF! as the fist connects with his ribs, causing some audible cracks and yet the guard remains standing albeit sagging in Cain's powerful grip.

As Cain tightens the grip of his first arm -- pinning the man's arms to his sides -- his second arm wraps around his mouth, ensuring that the guard can't cry out while the group finishes him off.

Grapple - to pin & silence the guard 1d20 + 6 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 5 + 2 = 27; flank, previous successful grapple.

"Let's finish this thing before someone walks in."

Price puts her blade to the struggling guard again.

Dagger (crit: 19+/3x):
HIT: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 3 + 2 = 18 Flank?
DAM: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

"The bastard doesn't want to die!"