Excursions into the Red War (Inactive)

Game Master Greycastle

Raiden rolls his eyes at being told to wait, but doesn't add to the conversation.

Anton finds a place to meditate until it is time for the audience.

"I hate waiting."

The guards seem to ignore the griping and one of them waves you in and begins leading you into the keep. ”Follow me.” Taking you into the keep, the guard leads you into the stone archway and around a corner. A strong wooden door is set into the wall. A knock on the door brings a small window opening set into the door.

Moments later the door is opened and the party is paid for the beaks. An old dwarf in the guards livery is stands watching you. [b]”Will you be needing me services for anything else?”[/b

Is this the quartermaster, or the guard that led us here?

Do you think you can ask the Lord if we can meet with him? We have some information that he may be interested in...

the dwarf is the quartermaster. The two guards in front of the keep are human and one of them is stationed just outside the quartermaster’s door as your escort.

The dwarf gets a concerned look at Ravvek’s inquiry and looks at the party’s escort. The guard shakes his head wearily causing the dwarf to reply ”Apparently, the Lord is indisposed. A common thing these days. I think he’s pretty beat up about all these killings as of late.” the dwarf holds one of your beaks up. “Tis a good thing you’ve done here. Hopefully it’s enough to cull the Owlbear herd that’s been attacking the keep.”

insight: 1d20 ⇒ 17

"This doesn't seem to phase much. Are such attacks by wild beasts here inside your fortifications normal?"

Wisdon (Insight): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

With a shrug, Rav waits for Myastan to get his answer before offering, Perhaps we can help the Lord get to the source of the problem, there must be something causing these beasts to become more territorial...

Wisdom (Insight): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 
Anton looks at Zayless and then looks back to the dwarf.

Insight: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Raiden gives the dwarf a raised eyebrow. After Zayless receives an answer, Raiden will follow up with Have these kinds of attacks always been common around here?.

Insight: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Sashah nods approvingly at his allies insightful questions.

The dwarf and the guard escort continue to baffle the party with how oblivious to the absurdity of the situation they are. When asked directly they simply tell you that they have complete faith that Lord Oreclasp has everything in hand. If the point is further pushed, they become irritated as if you were the ones being ridiculous.

For the most part, you are going to be waiting for who knows how long, unless you guys get creative on dealing with this problem. Consider the guards and quartermaster a skill challenge and describe what skill and how you wish to use it to overcome the challenge. Brute force is still an option if you guys choose that path, I just need to know that is the way you want to roll.

Let's go over to someplace where we can talk amongst ourselves and consider our options.

And once away from the clueless friggin' guards, Raiden suggests maybe just walking in on this mysterious Lord Oreclasp. We could, you know, just move the guards out of the way if we have to. But, Raiden's pretty sure Ravvek and Anton will have a more diplomatic, and probably better, approach.

At Raiden's suggestion that he employ diplomacy-fu, Anton frowns, pulls out the scroll given to him by the old gypsy woman so many years ago, which supposedly represents his inner being until he finds the line that reads Charisma 8. shakes his head, and quietly puts the scroll back in its case and shakes his head slightly.
Anton strokes his chin. The direct approach makes sense to me. If we can't get past the guards, we could scale the walls.

I think after an hour, Rav would suggest that we "try another time". As we get led out, he would be trying to see if he could get a sense of the layout of the keep...

Once we have some privacy, Do any of you have familiarity with the architecture of keeps? Could we find our we to the throne room fairly quickly? We also could attempt Anton's suggestion, though we should try that when we have the cover of night. We should also watch for shift changes...

EDIT: Can we make an insight check to notice if any of these guards are under the effects of a charm spell? It just seems weird, their unflinching confidence in their Lord.

Zayless moves to follow the others to have a more private conversation but turns back to the guards. "We mean no offense toward the Lord Oreclasp. We have bled to see these lands safer. We could do so again. Perhaps if there are concerns they could be shared. If we could help we would. Surely your Lord would reward a man who would bring new resources to solve a problem."

Persuasion: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

...between what Rav said (insight check) and Zayless's request....

The guards seemed moved by Zayless’s speech, they agree to the importance of speaking with Lord Oreclasp. One of the guards goes to seek an audience but returns to tell you that the Lord is dealing with pressing matters and he is not sure when he will be able to see you.

The holding room is quiet save the occasional sigh from a guard or party member. Eventually Ravvek’s patience comes to an end and asks the guard to be led out.

no insight is needed. Simply asking the question reminds you that Goodberry had mentioned that many of the townsfolk may be under the sway of the curse. You get a sense on your way out on the general layout of the keep. Shift change information may take some work to secure though.

Im assuming it’s game on during the night, is there anything else preparatory-wise to do before that happens?

Rav suggests to everyone to cover bright and shiny parts, then goes over a plan to scale the wall on a side that has a little bit of tree cover.

Having possibly been able to watch the keep long enough, and perhaps being able to time the patrols walking the ramparts, Ravvek details a simple plan to make our way to the Lord's chambers and catch him alone.

The paladin says that he intends to use his divine senses to check to see if the Lord, himself, or one of his advisors may be possessed or controlled by some fiendish presence...

He turns to Anton, I've seen you pull some amazing feats. Do you think that with a boost, you might be able to make it up the wall?

Step of the Wind maybe?

How tall is the wall?

Raiden is the anti-stealth, so anything that will help his noisy butt out would be awesome.

The wall height is the main factor here. Step of the wind is great, but there's only so much you can do with a 10 Str. I can jump 6ft up with a running start.

We should look for a ladder, or use a rope or something. Or well first, is there a sheltered side of the wall? Probably not, it's a wall after all.

For the sake of keeping us moving with plan, there is a lone tree growing to the side of keep. It’s beaches come about 10 ft from the wall their closest but could be used to gain a better vantage point to the parapet lined roof. A difficult athletics check may even be able to get you across.

The keep has two stories with a defendable roof and a corner tower rising another two stories high. So the roof is roughly 40ft to clear the parapet and the tower is another fourth beyond that.

feel free to add to the plan as you want. For the plan as we’ve discussed so far, let’s get a group Stealth roll (everybody rolls. A majority fail or pass covers the party.)

for those climbing the tree, another Athletics. For anyone trying leap across, another more difficult athletics roll.

Dexterity (Stealth): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

What I am intending is having Anton make it across to the wall / parapet and lower a rope to us so that we can scale it... Will Step of the Wind make it easier for Anton to make the leap to the parapet? Rav will use the help action to give Anton a boost up the tree so that he can make it to the branches easier.

Climbing the rope (once Anton gets across)...
Strength (Athletics): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Strength (Athletics): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 
Dexterity (Stealth): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 
Strength (Athletics): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 

Ummm... Anton deftly climbs the tree, quiet as a mouse, and leaps across the gulf. As he lands on the far ledge he rips a loud, astonishingly long fart that echoes through the courtyard. The gaseous cacophony causes dozens of birds in the tree to take wing, catching Anton off guard. He staggers comically for a moment, and then falls flat on his butt.
Sheepishly looking at the others, he says You don't think anyone heard that do you?

XD Anton, if the DM allows my help action, you should have advantage on the first Athletics check.

Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Athletics: 1d20 ⇒ 12
Athletics advantage: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Zayless relatively quietly climbs up and deftly moves. He is taken aback by the sound of a loud thunderous sound he looses footing and slips.

And probably falls but I didn't see the DC I doubt 12 is high enough.

We are hoping that Anton can drop a rope so that it is an easy check to scale the wall.

So...Sashah has Mist Step that allows him to teleport up to 30 ft. If that would work...

Sashah rolls his eyes and looks at the fallen Anton with a shaking head, "Alvays so rash." He then approaches the wall tosses, some dust, disappears, and then reappears on the wall lowing a rope.

stealth: 1d20 ⇒ 20 ..huh...

LOLOLOLOLOL

Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Stealth for noisy boy hahahaha: 1d20 ⇒ 121d20 ⇒ 12 Holy hammers
Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Raiden deftly climbs up that tree and jumps over, and makes sure no one else falls off, but can't contain a stifled laugh at all the noise. If necessary, he will help lower that rope.

fortunately the group as a whole did pretty good stealthwise.

In spite of Anton’s failures, with Sashah’s use of magic, the group makes it to roof. After finding a ceiling hatch unlocked you find yourself in a second floor stone hall way. Stealth still seems to be a viable option.

whats next? Assume you are in the keep undetected. When you locate the Lord, what is your plan? /ooc]

fortunately the group as a whole did pretty good stealthwise.

In spite of Anton’s failures, with Sashah’s use of magic, the group makes it to roof. After finding a ceiling hatch unlocked you find yourself in a second floor stone hall way. Stealth still seems to be a viable option.

whats next? Assume you are in the keep undetected. When you locate the Lord, what is your plan?

Welp, assuming he's just some poor chap who's been charmed, we aim to break that. And whatever's the source of the charm/curse. Basically, I think, find and question him. Yeah?

I am pretty sure it isn't going to work, but if you (Mr. DM) can use it for story, here ya go...

Ravvek closes his eyes and draws his focus, trying to sense the presence of fiendish influence...

Divine Sense? The range is limited and doesn't go through walls, but I am thinking maybe I get a Darth Vader, I sense a presence that I have not felt for...

I'm good with questioning him, but we'll need o take precautions so he doesn't alert the guards.

When and if we actually get into view, Divine sense is going off. I am especially looking for the stereotypical evil advisor... I have three uses. The plan is use one when we enter the compound, one when we find the lord, and save one for the eventuality that it isn't the lord, himself.

The team moves quickly through halls of the dwarven keep. It doesn't take long before you spot what appears to be the lord’s bed chambers. Two guards stand outside the room.

One of the guards seems to be sleeping while standing, leaning heavily on his halberd. The other seems to be awake and alert. The hallway is 10ft wide, a suit of dwarven stylized armor stands in the hallway as well.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 2 The guard doesn’t seem to notice you yet.

Sashah quickly incants and casts a spell at the guard.
Sleep lvl3: 9d8 ⇒ (1, 8, 3, 5, 5, 6, 1, 5, 6) = 40

Ravvek whispers to Sashah and Zayless, I feel like that suit of armor is going to animate as soon as we pass. Can you see any arcane markings that might confirm that?

Zayless looks at the suit of armor.

Arcana: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Zayless has detect magic at will as well.

Raiden is ready to sneak by all of that and enter the lord's chamber as soon as we clear this hallway...

Perceptions: 2d20 ⇒ (19, 6) = 25
The awake guard slumps and collapses into a pile of armor. The dozing guard opens his eyes snapping to attention. Looking over to the magically slumbered guard, you hear him ask the other guard with concern, if he is ok.

The party seems to still be unnoticed.

Zayless notices nothing out of the ordinary about the decorative armor.

Ravvek bursts into action covering the distance quickly and covers the guard's mouth, lacing his other arm through the guard's arm!

Strength (Athletics): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Rav is clearly waiting for Anton or Raiden to knock this guard out.

Anton frowns and walks up to the bound guard and punches him.
Unarmed strikes until the guard is KO'd. If I can spend a ki to use a stunning strike to do so without hurting the guard I will.
Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 bludgeoning
Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 bludgeoning

Hopefully, my grapple can keep the guard from using his shield... ;)

Shoot, are my post from last night.
Opposed: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Ravvek dashes forward grappling the conscious guard and covers his mouth. The guard struggles but cannot prevent the Paladin from entangling him. He yells out for help, and Ravvek’s hand muffles the cry but it is still quite loud as it echos through the quiet stone halls.

lets get an initiative roll at this point. Ravvek has the surprise round. Anyone action can be used or changed going into the initiative round.

init: 1d20 ⇒ 14

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22