Way of the Wicked by GM SnowHeart (Inactive)

Game Master SnowHeart

Wow! Dice seem to be on our side more or less!

Mmm. The one thing evil GMs can't "fix". <_<

F. Castor wrote:

Wow! Dice seem to be on our side more or less!

Mmm. The one thing evil GMs can't "fix". <_<

What happened to you being Lawful Good?

Whoever said I was good? >:-)

I'm lawful good. I couldn't possibly be 'mean'. ;-)

Scripta manent... :-P

HP: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Nope, they're not :p

GM Snowheart wrote:

I'm lawful good. I couldn't possibly be 'mean'. ;-)

I lied. Clearly you failed your sense motive check. ;-)

That or that's when I was in my Mitra persona, not Asmodeus.

I failed a DC 1 Sense Motive check. If you were lying, I had no chance.

Brawler (Snakebite Striker) 1/Fighter (Weapon Master) 2 -> Brawler (Snakebite Striker) 1/Fighter (Weapon Master) 3

Saves: +1 Reflex, +1 Will
Hit Points: 1d10 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) - 2 + 1 = 7
Base Attack: +1
Feats: None
Skills: +7 skill ranks - Acrobatics, Bluff, Knowledge (Local), Knowledge (Religion), Perception, Sense Motive, Stealth
Class Features: Fighter (Weapon Master) - Weapon Training +1
Ability Increase: +1 Strength

d8 is 5 min hp right?

Yup!

Alright, lads and ladies. What's the plan? Is there any information you think by now you ought to know from scouting about that I haven't given you or isn't clear?

It seems the time is right to assault the keep. I feel like we're taking an enormous gamble, but then I suppose that's the entire idea of this apparent folly. A small group of people assaulting a fort that's inhabited by a professional group of soldiers ... what could go wrong ;)

I say we throw any and all immediate investigations/leads we can still pursue on a pile, to see if we should act on any of them, or if we should move on to attacking the keep.

I don't think there would be a better time to assault the keep. Three of the 4 captains are removed, there should be chaos among the rank and file. Sneak in the middle of the night. Kill as many as we can quietly like Brandescar. When alarm is raised butcher the rest.

Yeah, I think playing it by ear might be our best shot. That said, I do feel like our best shot will be if we attack at night, and try to get into the main barracks without raising the alarm, then cutting the throats of everyone inside.

And, keep in mind, you can start an infiltration and, as long as you're stealthy, still have the option to withdraw after finding out something that might change your plans.

I'm ready to advance whenever.

Well, I definitely like the night part for, ahem, obvious reasons.

Yep, I'm good with starting the assault. Still need to update Affyria's page, and still mulling over what spells to bring along.

Affyria- I have a spell list up at the moment. It's what I'm currently going with, but if you want to collaborate, let me know if you want to plan around each other.

It should be relatively easy to come up with an excuse as to why we're inside (assuming we disguise as soldiers) what with all the chaos. 'Patrol from another region, called here to aid and assist' or 'Captain WhoDied was going to receive us' or whatever you have. That way we can find our footing within the place and, in a pinch, offer a reasonable alibi when someone catches us out.

It should be relatively easy to come up with an excuse as to why we're inside (assuming we disguise as soldiers) what with all the chaos. 'Patrol from another region, called here to aid and assist' or 'Captain WhoDied was going to receive us' or whatever you have. That way we can find our footing within the place and, in a pinch, offer a reasonable alibi when someone catches us out.

I think this is perfect.

K. I'll have something up about the mice sneaking into the cat's house later today.

I assume you'll all be using the circlets to disguise yourselves as guards and will be going after most of the Inn has retired for the night.

One note: As you'll be actively exploring a dangerous environment, a more steady post rate will be important. At a minimum, please check in once or twice a day to see if a combat has started. With this many PCs, I will not be able to bot people who do not post within 24 hours.

One possibility to consider: you could designate one or two party members as a "leader" to make decisions about exploring in order to streamline the decision making process and reduce risk of analysis paralysis and momentum dying in committee. No pressure to do so, but it might help. That involves a little bit of trust (both in the leader and in me to not wipe you all out with a single bad decision) and I understand if we're not there yet. Just want to float the balloon as an option.

Yes sir! o./

And that's a solid bit of unsolicited advice! Clearly this shouldn't be Asturu, because with his CHA of 8 and zero people skills that will be like putting the dog behind the wheel.

When the car is already going over a 100 miles an hour.

Timo can bluff with the best but I'm good with someone else taking lead

Ordywyt has a couple of face skils, but I think the focus should be more on who is comfortable making decisions for the entire party.

I'll probably have to pass. Too much pressure for me, thank you.

Although I am not against being in the front -kinda goes with being a fighter and all- I am not generally a big fan of leading and making decisions for an entire group. Besides, IC I find it a little weird to have the newcomer lead.

If push comes to shove, I am not going to decline, but I admit I would rather not.

If nobody else wants to, I can fill the role. From an IC perspective, it’s kind of Daidalos’ goal to gain power and boss people around, and OOC, I’m usually the most frequent poster. So, unless somebody else wants to or has any objections, I can do it.

While Morthos sees himself as a leader, he probably is more equivalent to being a figurehead more than anything really. He would have no problems making decisions about such things(not saying they would be good decisions but that's neither here nor there ;) ), BUT, having said that, since it would be simpler per this:

"...to make decisions about exploring in order to streamline the decision making process and reduce risk of analysis paralysis and momentum dying in committee."

it would probably be better for Diadalos to roll with it than me simply due to the fact he can post far more often than I can. If I could post at will........ yeah I'm thinkin' I still wouldn't do it. :P ('Why' you ask? Because it's just not in my nature. I'm a worker bee at heart. No desire to go into management or anything like that at my job. Not really a "give orders" type go in any form or fashion. Just show me my work and get out the way so I can get it knocked out!)

So playing a guy like Morthos makes it somewhat difficult. 'Cause that's not him at all. But it also makes it fun, due to the challenge of it, you know, playing a character that's nothing like you. Tough but fun!

All you, D. All I ask is you don't get us killed. ;)

All you, D. All I ask is you don't get us killed. ;)

Everyone is dead.

Muahahahaha! >:-)

I can see Affyria as someone who'd take an interest in acting as a leader as well, she has a decent CHA score and pretty good social skills. That's not to say she's gonna boss people around though, but I see her having an arrogant and somewhat naïve personality.

Also, finalized spells, just went with a few extra healing spells which will probably come in handy. Spontaneous casting is a bit of a pain with evil clerics.

Affyria- Remember, we do also have a decent number of potions that we can use. That said, we should probably invest in a wand of infernal healing soon.

That said, we should probably invest in a wand of infernal healing soon.

Wherever would you manage to purchase such a diabolical thing in the goodly kingdom of Talingarde?

Daidalos Icarum wrote:

That said, we should probably invest in a wand of infernal healing soon.

Wherever would you manage to purchase such a diabolical thing in the goodly kingdom of Talingarde?

Black Market? There's no way there isn't a single illegal trade center in the entire kingdom.

I can see Affyria as someone who'd take an interest in acting as a leader as well, she has a decent CHA score and pretty good social skills. That's not to say she's gonna boss people around though, but I see her having an arrogant and somewhat naïve personality.

You know, never thought about it but I could see that. Absolutely.

Okay, I think I'm lost on where we're at. You mentioned Area 8, Diadalos. Is the map that says the Watchtower Balentyne at the top the place we're in?

Which would put us in the hallway, correct? Am I looking at the right map?

Yep. I was heading into the hall, because it looks like it’s next to the barracks, a simple first goal.

Cool. Thanks. I was thinking that was it but wasn't sure.

Crap...

There were no new post notifications for the Gameplay thread for me. And I was wondering whether we were still discussing things in the OOC thread. No idea why though.

Sorry, guys. I will get to posting.

I think it's very likely you'll make good progress through the group, but the odds of keeping it silent and everyone asleep until all 70 are dead is pretty slim. And while you probably can deal with any survivors, all it takes is a few shouted cries for help for either the guards in the hall or the clerics in the other rooms to hear and summon more help. I think enough of your characters will realize this for me to just say it. That said... you guys are pretty powerful. If you want to roll the dice and see how far you get, let me know who is going to be doing the killing and with what weapons. I'll figure it takes 30 seconds per guard and then will make some rolls for folks waking up or walking into the room. That said, you may have other options available to you, too.

It is folly to think we can somehow kill some odd sixty men in their sleep. It is probably best to move on, and while we take out strategic targets, come up with a more logical plan for dealing with them. Depending on the number of doors that lead in/out of the barracks, and the ventilation of the room, there's the option of using smoke to choke 'em all - for example.

Yeah I'd have to agree with this. I just can't see how we could kill so many dudes without waking a single one up. Plus, and this is just me talking and nothing more, it wouldn't be near as fun as taking 'em down in combat. :)

Of course, I do realize taking on 70 dudes in combat is a death wish, but hey... fun! :P

Now as far as the clerics go, if there's only like 5 or 6 of those that would be far more feasible.

Question: (This has probably been answered and I've just missed it or have forgotten(the latter far more likely) so I'll apologize now).
Okay, now to the question: We're suppose to do something to alert the bugbears to attack. So having said that, aren't they the ones who are suppose to attack the guards and such and take them all down? Or are we suppose to take down the whole garrison and then they move in and take over?

Or is it simply optional we take down the whole garrison?

Okay, my bad, so it's more than 1 question. *shrugs* :P

From my understanding, we’re supposed to weaken the garrison as much as possible before calling the bugbears. So, throw open the gates, kill the guards, get rid of any siege engines, etc. killing 70 men deals a hefty blow for sure, but I suppose we can always come back later and slaughter them all, especially if we don’t raise the alarm elsewhere. And even if we do, we might be able to catch them off-guard, possibly unarmored, and tired.

Oh okay. Well that makes sense then. At least we don't have to eliminate the entire garrison. That could prove to be somewhat difficult. A heck of an interesting challenge for sure but difficult.

Coming back later and killing them all would work. Well, provided the bugbears don't kill them all when they attack of course.

Yup. The more you do to weaken the garrison and the watchtower's fortifications, the better off the bugbears assault will be.

Additionally, there is a "behind the screen" score I'm keeping based on benchmarks and accomplishments. The higher that score is, the more successful the assault will be. In broad strokes, there is a rout, simply failure, tactical success but badly weakened army, better success, and then just blowing through like a hot knife through butter.

Neutralizing the garrison is a positive, for sure, but it may not be necessary for success and it might be possible to do it in different ways.

Hrm, I seem to be on the tail end of our current posting rate. Sorry for not giving a ton of input as to what to do, but I don't want to end a decision cycle with fresh input that might cause that cycle to repeat itself. I'll try to check the thread before bedtime more often so I can post a bit more in the earlier phases of our ingame discussions =P

I'm leaving on a two week vacation at the end of the week. I'll have my phone and may be able to post sporadically at night, but feel free to bot me. I'll be back around the 1st of May

Have a great trip and thanks for the heads-up.

Yeah enjoy your vacation, bud.

@Raven: You wanna take these sleeping cats out? I ask because of your awesome stealth. :)

Man I've got to get some mithral armor asap. This armor check penalty is a beatdown.

Sure. I could actually have him just use his hands maybe, snap a neck or two or four. The longsword would do more damage though.

Still, I will put a post up later today. Easter holidays have just ended and I am still a wee bit away from my computer, for the next few hours anyway.

Hmm... Regarding mithral armor, more specifically the mithral shirt and the elven chain, could a vampire wear them? Mithral counts as silver on one hand, armor is not a weapon and I am assuming it has interior padding of some kind on the other.

Asturu will let the fighter, anti-paladin and brawler go in first.

First off, which anti-paladin? Timo I'm guessing?

And second off... HA-HA! Somewhere and I mean somewhere there is a joke in there. There's just gotta be.

"Okay, a fighter, an anti-paladin, and a brawler walk into a bar..." ;D

Haven't heard from Ordywt in a while (am I forgetting an announced absence?) but I'm dropping a token for him on the map just in case. We'll go into a surprise round for you, then regular initiative. I'll have a proper post up in an hour or so.