The Socratic Professor helps load and sort the valuables and also leave the sewers when ready. He will take an anti-plague, if offered.
Elen dole(s|d) anti-plague to everyone.
The Night Swan drinks one of her own antiplagues as a precaution before taking the extras that Elen is spreading out.
You open the door to reveal the leader’s personal chambers. The room contains a luxurious bed and desk, as well as an expansive wardrobe of exquisite clothing reserved for evening dining at high class establishments.
As Kamari enters to rifle through it all, a hard-to-discover magical trap is sprung! An emerald set in the lintel on the inside of the door flashes briefly. But nothing seems to happen for the moment…
Meanwhile Kamari finds clothing worth some 500gp, and assorted jewelry worth another 2,200gp. Oh, and the emerald above the door looks mighty precious as well, but it’s part of the trap so you’re not sure about prying it loose (2,000gp if you do but you’ll set off the trap).
Oh, and as you’re about to leave, you spot, inside a pewter brazier on the desk, a half burned note. Carefully retracting it from the brazier, you’re able to read much of it - and it sends a shudder down your spine!
”—ill comely, despite her advancing age, and still within her childbearing years. I’d much prefer her argumentative nature curbed. This entire conflict would be so easily resolved with a wedding, were she not so demanding and selfish!
It truly pains me to do this, but for the sake of Taldor she must be put down like the rabid animal she has become. These new agents her fawning assistant seems to prefer - they are relative unknowns with a reputation for violence, are they not? Cut her throat and put the dagger in their hands; perhaps that will finally get the Lion Blades to obey.
Return to me when the deed is done and your payment will be enough to establish your order as a legitimate force among the Taldan aristocracy.”
It is signed with a flourish, ”Pythareus”
- - -
As an aside, Major Kort also spies a secret door in the wall behind the party (noted on map).
Let me know if anyone else enters the room.
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Linguistice (+5 to detect forgeries)
The Night Swan follows the Major and gives the letter a lookover as well.
The Night Swan is also unsure what to make of the letter’s provenance. The fact that it was in the middle of being burned suggests that it is real, as it is certainly incriminating. She will have to take another look when she is less tired and has not just survived a dogpiling.
Kamari squints as the emerald light flashes.
Sigh
Considering she's not instantly bursting into flames or sprouting leaves, she finishes going through the room and then sets up at the secret door.
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”Oh, that sounds like he’s talking about the Queen, and … nah. WE don’t have a reputation for violence. We’re all the honest bookworm type.”
She moves to the secret door and waits until everyone is ready and it is checked for traps before opening it.
"What was that?' Muri watches a green flash with Kamari in proximity, before watching Kamari post-flash for a moment or two. "Do we have a problem?" Muri steers clear of the room, while examining the passage just to the west of the secret door in the wall.
"Who is Pythareus paying, exactly? Calling her a 'rabid animal'? He's ugly and arrogant." Muri keeps watch for new threats, while occasionally looking at Kamari for any sudden changes in her health.
"Yes he is," Professor Kart agrees with Muri. "But more importantly, it seems they seek to frame us for her murder? That is not what we want at all. What is the quickest way to relay this information to our contact? This is too important to delay too long about."
"Well, that would be Jeevet," Elen states, presenting the mummified shrunken monkey head.
Well, as Elen notes, you can cast Sending daily. But it's hard to supply proof with so few words, you'd be asking Kathann Zalar to trust you more than she likely does. You'll need to give her more proof. Lay out your evidence and walk her through it.
That will take either a couple of long letters, and your original findings, sent via some sort of trusted courier to Oppara, or magic. You could send poor Gannaius. It's easier to slip out of the city than to get in. Properly supplied, and after a few more restorations, he could make the trip in a week or so. With a little luck.
You could try and find a wizard who would teleport you as well, if you wanted to go in person. Getting back in will be tricky especially as they'll be looking for Milon seriously by the time you return. Wind Walk from a priest is also possible with the same trouble. Again, you could send Gannaius with some preparation.
Elen could also Dream to Kathann. She wouldn't have the benefit of the original documents to consider, but Elen could be convincing (a not too difficult diplomacy check). Kathann can't reply that way, but you could use Jeevet the next morning to say something like 'what is your plan' and see what she replies with.
The evidence is pretty clear. Pythareus is up to no good.
Oh and the secret door leads to a windy sloping tunnel down ending in a blank wall.
"Ok, so there's the tunnel, which probably leads back to the sewers, and the threat of a snake creature, where Elen suggested. Feels like the same place. I don't mind retracing our steps, and leaving this place behind. We don't need to hunt something that didn't want to face our Elen, right?"
"I am also ready to leave," and face whatever emerald-tinted trouble might await me.
"We have important information that should be shared quickly. I wonder if Gannaius is up to the taks. I'm not sure he is salvageable. Perhaps it would be best to get him out of the city so as not to be a liability."
Kart will do a sending to Zalar, mostly noting that Pythareus wants to kill the Princess, less about who would be doing it. It's explicit, and think about other follow up options.
"Alright, let's see what else we got here?" The Socratic Professor Kart readies at the secret door, looking for more traps.
Perception (blank wall)
He will cast Detect Magic if that will help explain the blank wall.
"Maybe that's just where they stow their assassin lackeys?" Elen suggests.
Meh - it’s odd to end in a wall, so you’d have looked harder and found it.
You open the secret door at the bottom to find a large and fetid chamber. A huge pool of burbling, semisolid sludge fills most of the collapsed basement, fed by water trickling in from broken pipes. A mildew coated chest sits in the northeast corner by the door containing a few bolts of moldy silk.
Once the basement of a fine tailor shop, this chamber has been buried and forgotten for centuries. It has served as a cesspit ever since a sinkhole partially collapsed the floor and walls a hundred years ago. The sinkhole is at least ten feet deep, and the concentrated effluent is completely opaque.
A passage leads from here to the sewers beyond. Unless you want to try and cross a small lake of sewage to try and track the large snake-like thing that Elen hunted for a bit, your time in the sewers may be over.
It’s Arodus 28, a Toilday, and late afternoon. You’re covered in filth and unfit for polite society. Go ahead now and make your Fort DC 12 to avoid diseases from your time in the sewers. Everyone gets one save (remember your protections). Afterward tell me how you’re cleaning up before you go back to your hotel for supper.
That said, I’ll give you a synopsis over supper that might be helpful if you want to wait on the sending.
- - -
”This just seems like a back door. Probably guarded by something, much like the other way,” Professor Kart stays back from the sludge. He casts Detect Magic and looks about for things of interest at a distance.
Perception
Major Kort finds nothing magical, and finds nothing interesting at a distance. Want to take a swim?
Unless there is a magical cleaning blessing within the party, Muri and Underfoot don't really take pains to clean themselves, other than some rinsing in the slightly cleaner waters of the cistern room, before mucking up in the sewers on their way out. Once they're free and clear of the lower levels of Zimar, Muri will seek out public water sources in which to clean Underfoot's paws, loudly denouncing the dog for having gotten herself so dirty, and dragging him along.
Unless there is some means of magical cleaning, Elen will wash up in the cistern as well, and attempt to protect her lower portion from sewage by commandeering the lower portion of one of the mating couple's gear. which she will shed upon leaving the sewers.
Elen likewise leaves with Muri.
"I have the feeling we have overstayed our welcome."
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The party bathes in a public fountain, getting the worst of the sludge off themselves. You return to the hotel a little ripe none the less. You can bathe in your rooms, or head down to the public baths.
Then supper! An excellent meal is sent up to your suite so you can review your information and plot your next moves. It’ll be pretty late by the time your done.
A synopsis of the evidence so far…
Milon's Portfolio (link) lead you to the safe house full of rakshasa, the sweet dreams tea shop run by hags, and the underground lair of monk assassins. Quite deadly. His three most powerful bases of operations.
It is damning evidence, but an included letter makes it clear that Maxillar Pythareus was not fully aware of all of Milon’s evil deeds. In fact some seem directed toward the High Strategos as a patsy for other powers (The Immaculate Circle). So it’s hard to know just how culpable the he is from just that document.
Ahh, but then you cleansed the sweet dreams tea shop, and gathered further material - ledgers and a tome (link) from the Sisters of Indulgent Dreams on behalf of Milon Jeroth. The ledgers show payments from Milon, some clearly approved by Pythareus, to agents posing as Qadirans - attacking Taldor to start a war. A tome, a particularly vivid and larger-than-life history of Taldor, was also used in some unknown magical ritual, the effects of which remain to be discovered.
The rakshasa lair revealed little other than the depths of evil and depravity of Milon. Surely Pythareus can’t be that blind to his right hand’s activities. And if he is, that’s a different kind of failure - and no less egregious for someone in his position. It would be no different if you performed evil acts in the Princess’ name - Her name would be sullied by association whether she directly approved them or merely permitted it to go on.
In the sewers you find a half-burned order from Pythareus (link) to the chief assassin of the monks. A cold letter, it is clear Maxillar has passed beyond reason and civility as he plans the assassination of Princess Eutropia Herself! And of course place the blame on you, but that’s just a side issue to the larger threat to Taldor.
You believe you have enough evidence to move against the High Strategos himself and bring him to justice - one of the possibilities you’d have discussed with Kathann. You just need to convince Kathann to set things in motion.
You could have Gannaius teleported to Oppara with the evidence (gotta find a wizard and pay a bit) or maybe wind walk (gotta find a priest and pay a bit). That won’t require a diplomacy check but is an automatic success. Elen can dream the information, showing Kathann in her sleep what the evidence is, how it was found - context enough to likely sway her (relatively easy diplomacy check).
Lastly, you can try one or more sendings. As I discussed with Major Kort, you are agents of the Princess, so are presumed to be biased. That said, Kathann trusts your judgement, for the most part. She however needs to start legal proceedings against the giant of a man - someone well respected still in many quarters of the empire. That’s a tough sell with 25 words.
Kart does offer the sending. The wording and message is simple and true: “Found direct evidence Pythareus wants Princess murdert. Will send forthwith. Protect Princess.”
Diplomacy
He shrugs and sends off the missive. He's done what he thinks is best.
* * *
The Socratic Professor Kart does take the time to enjoy the bath and get himself clean after the hours in the sewer. He ponders the day's events as he lets the warm waters soothe his aching joints.
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After Kort sends his sending, Elen sends a dream to Kathann that night, including vivid imagery of what the group witnessed Milon's 'safehouse' -- not enough for the stuff of nightmares, but just enough to lead the wakened mind there. 'Either way, whether or not he knew of these atrocities -- Maxillar has failed as a righteous leader.' She tries her best to recreate a photographic image of the partially burned letter found in the assassin leader's room. 'I believe this to be a reference to our beloved Princess, and an attempt to plan her murder. The time is now to set in motion what is needed to stamp down this horror and prevent the assassination of the Princess'.
I can't make this kinda stuff up...
- - -
The party spends their evening relaxing in hot baths, eating fine food, and generally recovering from the events of the day. And a long day it was, filled with research and sewage.
That night Elen goes to work convincing, gently and without nightmares, Kathann Zalar that the High Strategos, believed by many to be the next Grand Prince of Taldor, is evil and should be unseated as soon as possible.
- - -
Some context…
You would have discussed this possibility with Kathann before departing for Zimar, and I see we didn’t cover that. In essence, Kathann wants to try Pythareus for his crimes, or force him into exile with the threat of such a trial - in the event he's crooked which you are able to prove. For that to work though, they need the man in Oppara - away from his fanatical military base.
In such an event, the thinking was that you would incapacitate or kill the High Strategos, and smuggle him out of town. Most wagons/carts are not checked leaving Zimar. They just watch who they let in. Once in you’re assumed to be OK. Even the odd foreigners such as yourselves (a few hard looks not withstanding). But you won’t be stopped leaving town.
Feel free to throw up some questions from that discussion and I’ll do my best to answer them.
The Socratic Professor Kart ponders some things, but does not quite have a perfect thought about what to do next. He doesn't know if the party should explore more or plan more, or act boldly.
He hopes that he will have more insights in the morning.
After a good night's sleep and a chance to review events Kamari shares her thoughts over breakfast.
"The Princess still might disavow us if we fail, but I think we're ready to take the High Strategos into custody. When and how are good questions though. We should take some time to learn his routine. If he was going to be away from Zimar anytime soon it might be a good opportunity. However, his guards might actually be more alert when away from the security of the city."
"Did Kathann mention anyone who might be either loyal to the princess or at least more loyal to gold than the High Strategos?"
"I'd suggest trying to impersonate the monks or some other faction to lure him away to a secret meeting where he'd be more vulnerable. Unfortunately, a few of the monks got away so I'm not sure that would work."
Kamari nibbles on a chocolate pastry and sips her coffee while others offer their ideas.
The Socratic Professor Kart ponders on the words from Kamari.
”I think we can work around the guards once we incapacitate the High Strategos, perhaps, if we are able to find the right equipment. Does anyone have access to a portable hole? Or big bag of holding stuff?” Kart asks.
”…<impersonate monks>…”
”Yeah, hard to feel confident that that would work. They got away and also might have discovered the now empty base and bloody sewer battlefield by now. It’s a plan, but not one that I would have confidence in. I would prefer a different and direct approach, but need to be sure we can get the goods we need first.”
Kamari smiles at the idea of a Dimension Door both for its practical value and the opportunity to experience such magic.
”Is there a sort of poison – something that makes him look dead? Then maybe all we need to do is disguise ourselves as Mort-icians or something, then smuggle him out of there in an actual body bag. We could use the dimension door to smuggle in the poison. It's smoother if everyone already thinks he's actually dead.”
"We'll fake his death, then take him to trial."
Zimar is a very large city, maybe second to Oppara in terms of populace and trade. So very nearly anything can be found here. The things you purchase may raise eyebrows, but if you act quickly and decisively, by the time any real alarm is raised, you should be out of the city.
Elen doesn’t know of any poisons that will do it. I thought there was a spell feign death, but apparently that was an earlier version of this game we love so much (or the merest figment of my imagination). Also, it’s likely the church would step in pretty quickly and try and raise him immediately - so you might pull it off if you disguised as priests.
It might be helpful to gather information, or observe what you can as you’re planning with little knowledge of your target.
”We’ll need at least four scrolls, I figure,” The Socratic Professor Kart begins to speak aloud, trying to work through a plan. ”Four scrolls that can get us in and out of where we need to be. Sadly, not everyone will be able to make it every trip, so that should be a known factor in our thoughts.”
”And while I think one of us, acting alone and in disguise can probably easily secure the scrolls,” Kart continues, ”We just need someone very good with disguises. Also, I think we need more intelligence on the subject before we can act appropriately.”
Kart will make his own attempts to ferret out information on the target, as discreetly as possible.
Diplomacy (Gather Info)
Edelmira smiles as she considers their options for how to acquire information. ”Herbert and I are quite efficient at acquiring information. And I am sure we can find someone skilled in disguises.”
As there are several of you with strong diplomacy scores or other advantages, I suggest you each ask a question and investigate on your own. Each roll is a half a day or so worth of poking around, assuming you're trying to hide the purpose of your questions. :)
So if you're on your own investigating, let me know what it is you're looking for specifically. What do you want to know? Just saying 'information' will get you something sure, but it may not be what you actually seek.
Edelmira will focus her questions on the High Strategos’s habits, hobbies, people he regularly associates with, that sort of thing.
The Socratic Professor Kart will focus on who or what might be guarding the High Strategos.
Kamari will inquire about any upcoming events that the High Strategos might attend such as festivals, parties, hunting trips, art exhibitions, executions...
Elen will aide Kort. It's too reminiscent of the play she wrote to resist.
Muri wants to know exactly where this military base of Maxillar is. Also, how to come and go from said military base. Also, how long does it take to convince a cadet to make a run to their superior, and submit a petition for a tour for their whole group, and what kind of bribes are good bribes to make sure the cadet bends their moral code, but doesn't break it.
But mainly, where is Maxillar in the city, right now.
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Habits, hobbies, people he regularly associates with.
He’s quite the homebody, although his home is a giant fortress in the middle of town called Abadar’s Pillar. He rarely leaves the protection and power of the castle, and there’s a steady stream of visitors, guests, and confidants. As for hobbies, his chief interest in life is war. He enjoys watching reenactments of old Qadiran battles (Taldor always wins of course), and is rumored to have a large table covered in miniature soldiers which he will position in various ways to relive the various battles of history.
Chief among his regular associates (and where they are most often seen):
- Kane Phyros, a sorcerer of storms and lighting. (gatehouse)
- Valania Goen, a fierce warrior with two rapiers. (gatehouse)
- Palo Iovinus, the head of the Vault and Chain Order of Knights. (Abadaran chapel)
- Baron Astor Roderus, a large sized eldritch knight of great power. (rooftops, occasionally flying)
- Avenna, a mysterious diviner who seems to see the future. (where you least expect her)
You would also know there are a pair of night hags unaccounted for and a pair of monks.
Who or what might be guarding the High Strategos?
Certainly you imagine the half dozen or so folks above. Further, Maxillar rides a mighty steed, a horse of renown called ‘Honor’. Honor has the horseshoes of the zephyr or some other means of flight for they go almost everywhere together in the large halls of the keep. Then there are the usual templars and sentinels that accompany him. There may be as many as a half dozen of those at any given time, though they’re often running errands for the man so they come and go fluidly.
Festivals, parties, hunting trips, art exhibitions, executions.
Normally the High Strategos remains in his castle as mentioned above. He’s not hunted in some time, and art comes to him when it interests him at all, which is rarely. They tend to handle executions in the fortress. There are no festivals coming up in the near future.
Since the Senate attack however he has, occasionally and usually secretively, visited the city markets on their market day. He slips in more or less unseen (likely invisibly) and suddenly greets a merchant or two, glad-hands a few citizens in the streets and generally tries to be a ‘man of the people’.
There is a market day coming up in two days on Fireday - a typical day for such things around Taldor. Normally, your sources would expect him to come out at that time since it has been a couple weeks. You might even be able to predict which market. However, by then Milon’s disappearance will have been noted and that is likely to change things. At least, it will increase protection around Pythareus, and may prevent him from going out at all.
Who or what might be guarding the High Strategos?[
She learns some of the above, confirming what Major Kort knows, but also hears of an altar that is part construct or golem. Apparently some time ago, one of the servants entered the High Strategos’ bedroom and was killed by it as they didn’t have an escort. Messy business at the time.
Mainly, where is Maxillar in the city, right now.
Much of this is covered above in an ancillary way from other questions. However, Muri also discovered that his rooms are in the tallest room of the tallest tower of the keep. As you might imagine. He often flies from there on his mount to other areas of the castle.
That takes you nearly to lunch, where you have a fine repast, likely in your rooms again so you can discuss your next steps without difficulty. Clearly, as you now know Pythareus has a diviner, the need for speed hastens. For she can pluck the answers to his questions about Milon, and you, from the very air. If they ask the right questions quickly enough, your plans might never reach fruition!
Do you wish to do further research this afternoon? There is much yet that you might learn, and while there is risk in further delay, charging in untested has greater risks you expect.
"We should visit the Pillar, and observe its entrances." The halfling strokes the malinois' coat, his finger catching on a snag, which coaxes him into producing a brush, and working out the tangle.
"He can come and go from the ground and air, but what about the water? It's a fortress, so it's gotta have sewers, right? Maybe the monks had a way to visit Maxillar?"
The Socratic Professor Kart takes in all the details offered so far and tries to process it in a way the helps the party formulate a plan. Sadly, he's not quite there yet. The party has learned a lot, but nothing that would define the best plan yet. He agrees that more research might be necessary.
As such, he is intrigued by Muri's thoughts on surveillance, and thinks finding a good way in and out is essential, and might lead to some thoughts on a way to do what must be done.
"However, if we can espy him flying back to the castle, then teleporting to that room then might allow for the greatest success...provided we can keep him from fleeing. I'd like to know what that area looks like," Kast ponders what the upper stables might look like.
"We should visit the Pillar, and observe its entrances."
I'd like to know what that area looks like," Kast ponders what the upper stables might look like.
”You don’t suppose they give tours, do you?” Elen says, only half joking. "I mean, that is a lot of ego," she states quite seriously -- referring to Abadar’s Pillar itself.
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...charging in untested has greater risks you expect.
Kamari ponders actions that will be efficient but not foolhardy.
"Losing the Lion Blades really left us blind. Max is very well protected. It seems he's not alone much except while sleeping. Maybe we could catch him in his bath. I can't imagine his horse joins him there."
Kamari will spend the afternoon drinking and trying to learn, carefully, of anyone who might also be an enemy of the High Strategos and so hopefully a friend to the party. She'll also try to learn if he visits any bath houses or brothels, though it seems likely he would have any women he wants brought to him.
Edelmira treasures all the valuable info they have gathered so far, and a part of her is worried that continued searching may press her luck, but nevertheless she decides to investigate further.
She begins investigating the construction of his fortress itself, both its history and any potential weakness or hidden entrances that the group may avail themselves of.
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Muri wonders if there is a sewer connection to the castle. He rather suspects there isn’t, given the castle is surrounded by flowing river water, but just in case, he spends the afternoon in the stinking sewers making sure there’s no sneaky way in.
The closest outlet from the sewer system into the river, is 30 yards or so from the nearest corner of the keep. He can’t find anything closer, and it doesn’t seem like it has seen any traffic, other than effluent.
As he’s looking for it, he’ll see a small handful of sewage outlets for the castle. He suspects most of it is being drawn out the other way where the river flows more swiftly. Still, the openings he sees are heavily barred, and relatively small. It’ll be a squeeze for most to get in. Doing so would also be likely seen from the castle walls, where there are regular patrols. It could be timed however.
Major Kort hopes to see Maxillar in flight, or at least some sense of the areal space. He isn’t so lucky to see the High Strategos in his afternoon observations, but he does learn a few things. The air above the castle is all a-swirly. Not only do birds naturally avoid the space, but the few interlopers who do try to fly over the battlements are roughly thrown back!
He also glimpses a giant of a man on the battlements with a handful of guards. He’s large, nearly 10’ tall and as broad as an ox (image). That must be Baron Astor Roderus.
Lastly he sees a slightly greenish shimmer to the walls. Knowledge Arcana please.
- - -
Elen learns that while they don’t give tours, the place is largely an open door. So many people come and go from the castle each day that it would be easy to sneak in under some guise or other with the barest cover story - as long as one of you could bluff for a bit. She very nearly bluffs her own way in just to have a look around, but decides it’s not worth the risk at the moment.
Instead she talks to those who have entered, and they independently agree - while it’s easy to get in, it’s hard to move around. At the gate you get a door pass which indicates areas of the fort you have permission to access. Guards abound as you may imagine, and your papers are therefor checked frequently - even by random passers by in uniform. Some also are escorted, particularly if they’re new to the castle, dignitaries, or those they just want to keep an eye on. Without a war, there are troops a plenty with nothing else to do but stand around at attention.
She’ll also learn that everyone in the fort is trained that if they see something unusual, they are to cry ”Alarm!”, also if they hear the alarm cry they are to repeat it. They do drills as you may imagine, so you suspect anything nefarious by the party will be met by a quick and organized response.
Kamari looks for another angle. She looks for his enemies first. A person of power, such as Maxillar, always has enemies of course. But she finds that most of the locals blindly support him, and those who raise their voices against him often find themselves at odds with the law (or disappeared). So the main local opposition is in prison at the moment on questionable charges, and those who are free are scattered, disorganized, and likely of little use. She suspects Milon has an agent among them as well given how completely useless they are as a check to his power.
As for pleasures, yes, men and women are brought to the castle for pleasure, but it’s a fairly rare event - and Kamari can find none who make it as far as Maxillar’s private chambers. He seems rather celibate from all accounts. Some say he’s looking for a good political marriage, others that he’s too motivated by his work to have time for a family. You suspect it's his outrageous ego. Whatever the reasons, you imagine this avenue of entrance has more difficulty than others.
Edelmira learns that the fortress came first, and the town, with its own impressive walls and fortifications came later. Some generic information she learns as she digs deeper still.
The stronghold stands at a bend of the Jalrune River in the center of Zimar. The most striking feature of the stronghold is its keep, standing over 80 feet tall and carved from blue‐green basalt in stark contrast to the limestone, marble, terra‐cotta, and sandstone used in the rest of the city’s construction. Each room in the keep and other buildings within the stronghold has an 18‐foot‐high ceiling. The fortress’s spiral staircases are very steep (difficult terrain and Acrobatics -8). The doors are iron doors magically protected from corrosion (hardness 10, hp 60, break DC 28) except where otherwise mentioned. The walls stand 40 feet high, are 3 feet thick or more, and are magically treated (hardness 16, 1,080 hp, Climb DC 30). The rooms are illuminated with continual flame spells cast on various fixtures bolted to the walls.
There are rumors of a secret passage that opens to the courtyard. The passage would have to empty in the water somewhere, perhaps on the east side - away from the prying eyes of Muri and the town. A boat could be brought up on that side with some stealth and in the darkness perhaps. If you could find the secret of course. Even then, you’d simply be in the courtyard, still far from your target.
It is late afternoon, still too soon for supper. You meet back in your rooms and discuss further planning and/or execution. You can, if you wish, pursue further research that evening, but you should talk it over a bit before doing so to give focus to your plans.
The Socratic Professor Kart keeps an eye on the battlements on top, while also trying to piece together where the High Strategos comes in after a ride.
Know (Arcana)
"Ah, I see that I'll have to return to my drawing board. Dimensionally locked that place is. A pity."
”Well, we have these disguise pins – we could kidnap or preferably bribe some of the various staff, and pose as them… or better yet we could see if we can find the secret to the courtyard entrance,” Elen volunteers a few ideas.
She falls pensive a few seconds.
"...Or perhaps Spider Climb and an Invisibility Sphere and we go over the top..."
The Socratic Professor Kart keeps an eye on the battlements on top, while also trying to piece together where the High Strategos comes in after a ride.
"Ah, I see that I'll have to return to my drawing board. Dimensionally locked that place is. A pity."
Yes, you cannot dimension door within 20’ of any part of the structure.
Major Kort isn’t sure where the horse resides or how it comes and goes. Must be magic which means it could be anywhere.
Elen figures you could probably pose as staff, but you’d need to do something to hide your magical auras. For you might pass a quick visual search with your disguises and illusions, but if the sorcerer guarding the doors glances in your direction... Well, you bloom on the magical spectrum. Staff get cards as well that say where they’re allowed to go, but with a little research you might find someone that could get you close.
She further thinks there’s something she’s forgetting, but can’t quite remember what. Others may try (knowledge local) as Elen offers her thoughts.
”There are rumors of a secret entrance on the east side, but we would have to investigate ourselves and potentially spend time and be no better for it.”
She listens thoughtfully to the other ideas, weighs each in-turn, then looks to Elen. ”Hiding magic items is of course a potential problem. For the rest of you, at least.” She smiles with a hint of hubris. ”I could get inside and past detection, perhaps let you in?”