7-03 Bronze House Reprisal (Inactive)

Game Master KingOfAnything

"Walla, can you search Elisi's body. Maybe she has keys. We should also search the desks here. Maybe they have something useful. It would be nice to have a clerk show us to any other records in this building. Robun, any chance that clerk is still alive and can help us?

Orst turns to the guards. He will collect their weapons. "Who can tell me if there is another records room?" "And what is in the west wing?" "We just want the paperwork, nothing else." "We get it and we leave, no one else gets hurt. You all live happily ever after. If the guards come and we get trapped, well all bets are off."

diplomacy to get information: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22

"Now, the records room? Any more guards in that west wing?"

"On it," states Walla as she sheathes her rapier and knells down to search Elisi's body.

Elapsed Time: 1.5 minutes

Tiny Fox quickly realizes that this is an amazing lock, as they are unable to quickly unlock the gate. Luckily, Toral has no need for gates and time hops into the fenced-off area.

Profession Merchant, Toral: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (18) + 20 = 38

After about a minute perusing the documents, Toral identifies evidence of bribes to city officials among the various contracts and loan papers. In addition, there are two flasks of alchemist's fire in the cabinet.

Orst interrogates the now-disarmed guards. "West wing? Another warehouse and the big boss's office." he gestures at Elysis, "She's security. Mr. Sloan is the one in charge." Another one chimes in, "The clerks are supposed to lock themselves in the vault in case of disturbance. There are probably more papers in there, but good luck getting in without the key."

Friar Robun goes to the nearby doors, listens a moment and takes a look inside. He finds a dormitory and a small kitchen.

Walla searches Elysi's body.

Frost may still act in the first minute, and Fox only took a few rounds. Otherwise, you may continue your search.

Moved Frost to the area she wishes to explore, also, how serious are the walls? She has a bit of a 'breaking package' (block and tackle, crowbar, grappling hook, miner's pick, portable ram, shovel, sledge) so if the walls are able to be boken...

Fox will accompany Friar Robun, so he won't be caught alone, just in case.

Orst will say to the helpful guards, "Thank you. You have been very helpful. Now lets find you a safe place to sit and wait for the city guards to arrive." "Follow me please."
Orst will lead the guards to the small room Friar Robun has found.
"Okay gentlemen, in here and make yourself comfortable." "It will be a very short time and the city guards will let you out."
Orst shuts the door and if possible locks it. If not ties a bit of rope to the door handle and ties the other end off to something that will not allow the door to open.

"Hey, the guards seem to think the big boss, Mr. Sloan, is in the other wing." Orst says after Frost as she walks East and South.

Orst moves to watch the other paladin in the Eastern hallway.

guesting, a round to move the guards into the room and a round to rig the door. Plus an additional round to talk with frost and position himself.

Another one chimes in, "The clerks are supposed to lock themselves in the vault in case of disturbance. There are probably more papers in there, but good luck getting in without the key."

Toral grins.

"If there is a key hole then I can jump in."

He walks to the vault and checks if he can peek into the room to time hop into it.

I think the vault is somewhere on the ither wing of the building. I think we must find it before we can jump in.

"Well, we have to find the vault first." "From my understanding the vault is in the other direction. But I'm not leaving Frost alone. Let her follow her hunch then we should go West."

Elapsed Time: 2 minutes

Moved Frost to the area she wishes to explore, also, how serious are the walls? She has a bit of a 'breaking package' (block and tackle, crowbar, grappling hook, miner's pick, portable ram, shovel, sledge) so if the walls are able to be broken...

The walls are a bit too sturdy to break through in a reasonable time, but those might come in handy as a last ditch solution to a stubborn door.

Frost tries the door across from the vault and finds it locked.

"Hey, the guards seem to think the big boss, Mr. Sloan, is in the other wing." Orst says after Frost as she walks East and South.

The guards shuffle after Orst, who is able to crudely secure the door.

From how the guards spoke and acted, you did not get the sense that Maiveer Sloan is in the building.

"If there is a key hole then I can jump in."

Alas, you cannot see through the keyhole

All may act.

With such high DCs we may have a real problem - even with 20 STR, I need a nat 20 to break the door, and same to pick the lock. Are we 100% certain none of the keys are around? How have these people been able to access anything?

I did forget to note the set of keys in Elysi's loot

Walla finds a set of keys in a hidden pocket of the half-elf's coat. When Frost tries a few keys, the door opens!

This appears to be a security office. A desk is stacked with papers, and a cabinet stands in the corner. A door leads to a second room beyond.

You can spend a minute to investigate the papers with Knowledge(local).

Beyond the door is a small bedroom, cheery and decorated with flowers. A small chest sits near the bed.

All are up

Kn nature : 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

perception : 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23

”Beware, the flowers in this next room are a poisonous variety!
And look here! The chest contains clothes and silk sheets. A handful of smashed wayfinders are wrapped in gold and black ribbon at the bottom of the chest! What does that mean?!?“

LOL cool - glad there ARE keys or we were in serious trouble

"Well spotted, bring them along until we can solve that mystery"

Frost presses on.

Anticipated path along red arrows

Toral also checks if the keys open the vault.

”Let us see … “

Orst seeing his friends are busy opening up doors to the South, makes his way closer to support them if necessary.
"Keep an eye on the door, Friar."

I guess I had the statements from the guards all misconstrued. Glad, you all sorted it out. Let's find the papers and get out.

Elapsed Time: 2 minutes

Friar Robun finds a hidden compartment in Elysi's desk containing a notebook with records of bribes to city guards.

Frost opens an unlocked door to reveal a hallway. To the east is a short hall with two locked doors. Two simple keys rest on the table at the end of the hall. She hears soft humming coming from the further door.

Toral tries Elysi's keys on the door to the vault. The door unlocks and he opens it to see two frightened clerks with alchemist's fire in hand. Cabinets and large ironbound chests line the walls of this room. An oversized wooden mask with sharp cornes, and a prominent forehead adorned with glowing runes hangs prominently on the northern wall.

An official declaration of authenticity is displayed below the mask. See slide 5.

DC 20 Diplomacy to talk down the clerks and prevent them from starting a fire.

All may act.

Auto success on dc 20 diplomacy with +18 and heroism.

”Guys, please calm down! You do not want to start a fight and I understand this! So let me just do my thing and nobody has any issues!!“

Toral then starts looking through the documents and takes the mask.

profession merchant, heroism : 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 20 + 2 = 28

”Hey team! I found evidence of the illegal sale of Thassilonian relics, as well as references to another vault in the building!“

Hello GM, does it state where the other vault is?

Hello GM, does it state where the other vault is?

no, but you have the sense it is not in this wing of the building

"The evidence continues to mount!" Frost seems delighted.

Clear this last door, then it looks like we'll have to head to a different building

"Lead the way Frost!" Toral says and hopes that they find the other vault in another wing.

Walla falls behind Toral, "let us find this other vault"

Elapsed Time: 3 minutes

Friar Robun secures the clerks with the guards while Toral investigates the documents.

Frost uses the half-elf's master keys to open the last door in this hallway revealing a workshop. Jeweler's tools, brushes, and other devices to clean and repair fine art and ancient artifacts cover the two workbenches in this room. A small tome on one table details common techniques of ancient artists and how to identify their work.

Humming continues from the cells in the hall opposite.

DC 15 Perception spots a secret door to the south. Toral spots it immediately.

All may act.

Through the secret door, pause whilst the smart people identify and document, then Frost will push south

Toral follows Frost through the secret door.

"This ... this is making me speechless. So much treasure ... most of it probably illegally gained?"

He looks at the treasures more thoroughly and casts guidance on himself.

kn history, heightened awareness, heroism, guidance : 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 22

reroll kn history using knowledge of the ages 3/6 remaining +WIS +6 : 1d20 + 6 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 27

Elapsed Time: 4 minutes

Toral examines several items in this room. By consulting his knowledge of the ages, he realizes several items here were looted from Thassilonian ruins. This is quite damning evidence of the illegal activity the Aspis Consortium has been conducting through this building.

Frost emerges from a door into another warehouse area. This door was clearly concealed from the other side. Along the ground is an area slicked with some slippery substance.

Frost hears guards patrolling on the roof above. They have not noticed the party entering the warehouse.

DC 10 Perception check identifies an out of place crate near the south wall.

All may act.

Perception 10: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Walla continues to search the area.

Assuming everyone is back together for that.

Fox notices an oddly placed crate, and goes to investigate.
(Autopass check)

It sniffs at and around the crate.

Normal crate, trapped?: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

If it is safe, it lets out low yelping to draw the team's attention towards the object.

Frost will investigate the crate the Fox seems interested in.

Take 10 to cross the grease for an 11 :)

Orst will keep his mouth shut and follow the group. He will try to stay quiet and close to Frost if there is trouble.

looks like we will have evidence. Is our plan to wait for the city watch and then have them arrest the whole building?

Elapsed Time: 4 minutes

Frost opens the crate that Fox points out. Inside is a delicate crown of woven silver feathers.

You have a good amount of evidence, but there is also a whole other wing of the building to explore.

All may act.

Toral tries to cross the greased area on knees and hands.

acrobatics dc 10 : 1d20 + 2 - 6 ⇒ (9) + 2 - 6 = 5

acrobatics dc 10 : 1d20 + 2 - 6 ⇒ (6) + 2 - 6 = 2

acrobatics dc 10 : 1d20 + 2 - 6 ⇒ (15) + 2 - 6 = 11

-

He then looks at the content.

kn history, heightened awareness, heroism : 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 2 + 2 + 6 = 29

“Even more evidence against these thieves!! Well, this crown has been looted from the nearby Thassilonian ruins!“

"Should we head for the other wing. I thought the guards talked of another officer over there, but I could be wrong."

Orst will lay hands on himself. Laying of hands: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 2) = 6

He will then help store or bag up any documents or items the group wants to take. He then carries his share.

"Are we ready to move on? The city watch will get here soon I suspect. They will probably arrest everyone and then sort things out. But we will have missed anything we don't get to before that all happens."

Peeking out the large double doors to the west, you see a workyard with four guards supervising five teamsters as they unload crates from a wagon.

Orst plans to wait for the guards. Do I hear a second? Remember you can blow your signal whistle to call them in.

Fox will accompany Frost.

Not much in planning, being an animal.

Walla nods in agreement with Orst. "I'm ready to blow the whistle."

Toral sees the guards and immediately casts rainbow pattern.

All affected in the radius. DC 20 will save or fascinated.

OK looks like fascinating the guards - let's see how that plays out

"If we want to look at the other wing, we should do so quickly."
Orst seems to fidget and starts to pace. "We could be leaving the real mastermind to get away." "I think we should check the other wing, and quick."

Elapsed Time: 5 minutes

Toral casts a rainbow pattern into the center of the workyard, fascinating all four guards and most of the teamsters. One of the workers at the edge of the pattern sees the pattern, drops the crate he was unloading and flees around the corner of the building.

From the street, you hear whistles from approaching guards.

Friar Robun nods to Orst, "We have just enough time to find something of interest. Lead the way?"

You estimate you have one or two minutes to prepare for the guards' arrival at which point you can present your evidence.

All may act.

Toral looks at you all.

"I have to concentrate on the pattern so it remains effective! I will stay for a short while after I stop concentrating so you go and check the place and call me if you need me!" the dwarf shouts.

"Alright, Toral and Friar Robun. I am heading into the western wing. If I could get some assistance that would be great."

Orst moves to open the door that he hopes is a mirror of the clerk room they were in when the combat started.

Orst will lay hands on himself again (#3). lay hands: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 5) = 11

Moved Orst to infront of the door he will open.

Following Orst

Walla heads out with Orst.

Elapsed Time: 6 minutes

Orst, Frost, Walla and Friar Robun make their way to the west wing, first opening the door to a small meeting room. A plain desk and chairs occupy the center of the room, while Sloan’s portrait overlooks all proceedings.

Seeing no other exits from the meeting room, Orst continues to through the northern door. This small chamber contains chairs and a desk with an appointment calendar resting on it. A quick glance shows several appointments for Maiveer Sloan later in the week, but this afternoon is clear. The door behind the desk is locked.

You try the set of keys, but they don't engage the lock at first. Frost examines the door and discovers a switch in the doorframe. Pressing the switch in combination with the key opens the door.

An ornate fireplace heats the private meeting room beyond the door, with carvings of mephits eagerly reaching for the flames. A polished darkwood table rests in the center of the chamber.

Continuing through the door, you find an ornate sitting room. Imported marble tiles the floor, draped in rugs from Katapesh. A tapestry on the west wall depicts an Aspis ship sailing from the port of Sothis. Finely carved chairs sit before a stone fireplace and two angelic statues flank the northwest door. A bookshelf sits near the northeast corner, and maps spread across the desk. Half-burnt papers litter the fireplace.

All may act.

Frost starts checking the desk.

Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Orst will attempt to aid in the search of the desk.
perception search desk aid: 1d20 ⇒ 12

"I'll look at rhe drawers for false bottoms."

Orst can't make any of those dc's

@GM, can Orst aid Frost in her search retroactively? I know it is slightly metagaming as we know the DC, so I thought I would ask rather than assume.

"There has to be something here. Why have a desk in a cozy room like this and not use it?"

@Orst, yes, with your bonus you would not have searched separately. You found the evidence in the desk.

From outside the compound, everyone hears the magically amplified voice of a guard captain shout, "We have the place surrounded! Come out peacefully!"

You may do any last minute preparations as you regroup before engaging with the authorities. Please describe any magical or alchemical aids you make use of.

As you step outside to meet the guards, a gaunt, fashionably dressed Taldan quivering with outrage approaches the party. His clothes are in disarray, but he moves with surety. The two followers accompanying him half draw their weapons but a gesture from the man stops them. "How dare you hooligans trespass here? Are you fools or simply new to Magnimar? I assure you, you'll be coming to know the Hells quite well. Explain yourselves before I see your families arrested as conspirators in the is vandalism as well."

Groundwork: You have a chance now to unsettle or fluster Sloan before pressing him for more information about the attack on the Grand Convocation in Absalom. Describe your approach and make an appropriate skill check such as, but not limited to, Perform(oratory), Perform(comedy), Bluff, or Profession(barrister). I'm looking for at least three checks. If you need help coming up with a tactic, make a sense motive check.

Sense motive 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Intimidate 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

"You seem rather self-assured, I suppose that is because you have a bunch of guards with you - far less of them than the number that were here when we arrived, of course, 'but where are they now?' you might ask yourself - or indeed your guards there might be asking themselves. A good question, and the answer is that they largely capitulated and surrendered to us already as they saw what happened when we were attacked. A pity about what happened to your fearless guard camptain - did she leave the deatils of her next of kin?" - the whole aimed at his henchmen.

Prof: Barrister 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

"Anyhow where was I? Oh, yeah you probably know why we are here and what we have found - what are the legal implications do you think? Unsure? How about..." Frost rattles off some of the local legalese - this time at him.

The fox, tailing along, smiles as Frost displays such sharp observation, and making the man sweat.