Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
I...I think we can close up shop for now. I did enjoy playing Angelique so maybe we can pick up her story again - although if I did I'd probably make more attempts to encourage more freedom for you to not 'pull punches', since she had an arrogance that was slight ooc - but couldn't be punished without stopping a case.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
If it turns out the way I think it might - then it might be better that way. There's little left for Angelique to do and it's best if she avoids getting sent to jail
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
This is going to be long... This is how I see it. I have enough circumstantial evidence to nail Parell in the absence of a further suspect. Sure, no eyewitness testimony but circumstantial evidence is pretty high. That said, if Wenda confesses I lose all of that since it's less embarrassing for the top brass. So, I can cut Wenda lose right now. She then has to go and immediately confess her crime - otherwise it looks horrifically bad if she goes home, I accuse Parell and THEN she owns up. She needs to beat me to the punch. Anyway Wenda confesses, political firestorm happens since Parell gets roasted over his bodyguard. All the conspiracy theorists talk but Parell escapes jail but loses a lot of his 'power' - there will always be that lingering doubt he was involved. All of this probably plays out over a few months, and the Fox is looking for dirt on Parell - knowing he is responsible for his sisters death. The Fox gathers the dirt, kills Parell, plants the dirt, and dresses the crime scene to make it look like a guilty suicide or someone getting revenge after a bad deal or whatever. Wenda probably gets released and life goes on. There isn't really a part of this Angelique needs to be around for. This is probably how I see this playing out
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Hmm in that case is it better blaming everything on Wenda (since she will likely want to take the blame) and watch Parell lose prestige and influence. Meanwhile the Fox gets dirt, and can effectively deal with Parell as he sees fit. Heck, if he wants lethal retaliation, he can drop the incriminating information next to Parell as justification.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
I don't think my last gameplay post was transparent, my fault :( Do I know / have a baseline as to how long I think the Fox might need to get 'dirt' on Parell? I'm only asking in case I need to use Wenda to secretly "stall" for time with Parell or (if dirt is easy for him to find), I can just to an escalating chat with Parell
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Gotcha. I might go for Veiled Illusionist of Sivanah then :) Do I know what creation guidelines I have, ie weath and so on? Wasp Familiar isn't required anymore since I can take a normal familiar and then get an Improved Familiar normally without being a Shadowcaster.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
The question was more that Greater Shadow Conjuration / Evocation are 7th and 8th level spells, which are available to wizards at level 13 and 15 respectively. So while I'm sure the spells are balanced, are we really considering going that high level?
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
I'm not adverse to you having a new council with new NPCs - I only mentioned a few canon ones just in case. We can start on the ground from the bottom up. Hmm, the new religion thing is a good idea. You see, on the face of it, Calistria isn't a bad religion to worship. Its very mainstream in Galt - and therefore there's little chance of bias between someone complaining about my chosen deity, it has the Trickster portfolio thats really close to what an Illusionist does, and finally, if I did want to be a master of secrets - worshiping Calistria would at least give me some common ground with some of the large temples there. THAT SAID As far as the character goes mechanically, the goal is to try and maximise use out of Illusions as much as possible, which means both the Shadow Illusion spells, and the "Image" Illusion spells. This means that if spells like Greater Shadow Evocation and Greater Shadow Conjuration are outside the scope of the campaign (ie too high level), which is totally fine, I might feel more encouraged to go into the Veiled Illusionist Prestige Class, and 100% focus on the Image spells. This in turn, would make Sivanah a more flavorful choice. So depending on whether some of of the Greater Shadow spells are available, would indirectly probably have an impact on what route I would take for an Illusionist and therefore what deity.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
I will get a IC post up in a moment, just ironing out a few things.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Maybe setting him on Parell might be something I do then and we go from there. That I was going after Parell shouldn't be anything new to him though, although I guess its only been a couple of nights in game terms since I told him I felt Parell was a better suspect
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Was that sarcasm :(
If its a problem, I can change!!! O.k so first of all, fully expect that I'm a part of a group of people, I don't have (nor does my character) plans to be a dictator anytime soon. Regarding areas of Government: In NZ we have a department called MFAT or Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It basically boils down to International Relations. I'm fully aware that IR is a hot topic in Galt at the moment with Korran Goss being the current leader of the Revolutionary Council and blaming everything on neighbouring nations, but hey, I like a challenge and having everyone be friends in the Revolutionary Council would be weird in Galt!!! Other area's I might look at might be targeting the current homeless / poverty situation and attempting to fix it. A tricky problem to be sure, but one that might gradually make me a favourable figure. I could even expand this into boosting the arts / entertainment for Galt - maybe I should build off that infamous quote: "bread and circuses, that is all the people desire" THAT SAID I have secret aims / agenda's. The primary one, is finding the infamous Dread Dungeons. Its rumored that within it, one person can bring peace to Galt (permanent peace at least) is there, and it would be awesome tracking that person down. (This little sidenote is why I think paizo will probably look at Galt in a future AP). No-one's succeeded in finding it before, but I want to take a stab at it. I also want to look at re-integrating the Pathfinder Society within Galt. This ones tricky, since they are not favourable, and like, the Pathfinder Society doesn't have the best rep. It has stunning artifacts though that my character would be interested in, even say, the Crown of Twilight, which might be cool for a Shadowcaster. I also want a "pro foreign relations" attitude / leanings cos I think its a better solution, long term. Lastly, I want to effectively be a "Master of Whispers" ie have a spy network. A Calistrian network is a good idea since the religion is obviously popular in Galt, and Calistrian Temples have the best information networks in pathfinder IMO. Spymaster or w.e can either be a public or private occupation or area as deemed appropriate, but I'd be looking at working on one - it would be silly not to. Enemies: Korran Goss (clash of ideals), Erszebet Lavenza (member of Council that makes flesh golems, and I hate undead), Halidan Tarne and Casal Tarne (both ex Galt citizens raiding galt seeking to overthrow the current council - as someone with International Relations that would partly be under my area). -Unknown: Dela Morgayn *might* be friend or foe. Allies herself against Halidan and Casal, since differing means of reclaiming Galt (diplomacy rather than war), but then again, wants to get rid of Council as well. I can write more on this if you like, but hopefully this helps. Feel free to rein me in though if I'm running wild and some of my ideas are a Very Bad Thing!
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Hmm, I could have sworn I mentioned Parell to him earlier and he said he didn't know much about him. Anyway, if that works, I'd probably implement that instead as something that might be a better way forward.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
In the absence of other options, I guess its an ok ending that does the job. It might also be the perfect time to let the Fox know who I believe did it and let him take things in his own hands - all the good detective stories such as Poirot or Sherlock had a situation where the law fails and someone else (either the detective itself for a third party) goes vigilante as a one off (Murder on the Orient Express, Curtain, His Last Vow).
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Couldn't I just walk into a Zone of Truth and therefore prove that there was an unprovoked attack on me to close down my investigation? Probably leaves to Wenda going to prison, and Parell's career suffering by association - he would never escape that stain politically. I don't see another way though since everyone else involved refuses to speak ergo, there is no 100% way to put Parell away.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
I am so torn over this, both have really excellent concepts! I went back and forth between character concepts, ie an Arcane Trickster or a Shadowcaster Wizard (AT works better in Razmir I think, Shadowcaster for Galt), and I was really struggling. Then I took a look at your other games and saw someone was playing an Arcane Trickster so I think I'll go with Galt and play a Shadowcaster Wizard. (which sadly also has to be a Calistrian because I want a Wasp Familiar but I promise will not be Angelique 2.0 :() That's pretty much the only thing separating my choice though - that's how close it really was. Also lol, I had no idea you had so many Archaeologist Bards in your games, its unreal.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Hmm, both of them sound sooo awesome. Do you know what level range they might be? Just thinking if there is a really cool character that might tip my balance in favor of one over the other.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Good catch, that was a silly one on my part! Angelique shrugs at the Fox "Probably not, just doing someone's dirty work, or desperate to take the fall." Turning to Wenda again, she continues on."Darling, truth is such a misleading word. There are magical ways to test if someone is telling the truth, and I can submit myself to that magic - there's no reason anyone would get to hear your side of the story - not after it would be clear I was telling the truth. Furthermore, it appears you don't understand the concept of leverage. I have you, which means I have Parell. He would go back to bed knowing I have this hanging over him, and I bet he would do anything to get rid of it. You just don't know how damaging you would be to him now. You can continue to lie if you want, claiming you did everything. Parell would buy it, probably do anything to distance himself from this. You think you would get a Lastwall punishment? It wouldn't be hard to convince him to turn you over to Calistrian justice. Disclaimer, I'm not insinuating anything here about Calistrian justice, I just think its probably her worst nightmare having Angelique has like a jailor or something and I'm exploiting that and any loyalty she might have for Parell still. Might as well cover all the basis.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
I figure that there's a reasonable assumption that she *could* be telling the truth so might as well check this. Sense Motive: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 2 + 2 = 18
Angelique glances at the Fox before returning her attention to Wenda. "Sure, lets call him a customer darling. Whats also interesting is that you didn't refute my remark about you and Beron, now that's interesting. That said, the idea that you put together everything...well its unrealistic. Imagine if I went to the public and said "it was all Wenda". People would be rolling on the ground laughing, it's unrealistic. Like, if you want to lie, please make it believable, - admit it, you don't know anything about what's going on here. Its just some slave girl trying to take the heat for a master." I kinda like trading insults with her, its great.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Angelique smirks. "My evidence trail was incomplete before, but it was Wenda here all on her lonesome that really completed things. Now, while it was Wenda that was here, she isn't someone smart enough to pull off the crime, she's just Beron's bedwarmer, and now I can use her capture to make things very uncomfortable for Beron. I can accuse him of the murders all on his own - carried out defacto by Wenda. I can accuse him of conspiring to murder an investigator hired by his own organisation, bonus, I can accuse him of conspiring to murder a private citizen. Best of all, I don't even need Wenda to say anything, she has my blood on a dagger she was using, a crossbow she was using,and I can sit down in a zone of truth and tell everyone what happened". Angelique remarks on this in a very matter of fact way, glorifying her position (even though its not quite as solid as it appears), while directing her remarks mostly at Wenda, trying to goad her into a response. Bluff: 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 15 + 2 + 2 = 38
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
I could, but if I was playing something in Nidal, I'd look to be bringing a CN character. Still, there's a lot of evil archetypes that I haven't played before that look interesting and/or fun
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Is this the GRIM REAPER talking? "I set a basic trap to lure out the killer, and get Wenda here - which was interesting as she had no way of knowing my location unless someone saw the letter I sent to one person. You know the rest I think" Angelique remarks, looking down at Wenda with a critical expression.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Regarding Nidal, I'd be primarily interested within the tight political atmosphere of the nation. Be it being involved within the Midnight Guard quelling unrest in Westcrown - and probably looking at Cheliax/Nidal political relations, to even trying to pull off something awesome by breaking apart or bringing down the Umbral Court. Ambitious goals, but then again Nidal is a very much either/or nation - its hard to find a grey area to operate within. Regarding Galt, if there was ever a game where you want to look at ambition, or a political or revolutionary landscape, thats the nation to look at. Its an entire sandbox, you can pretty much manipulate anything within the nation provided you would be a clever enough political shaker - and yet, you would also need to be a pretty darn good warrior least someone equally talented view you as a threat. I don't really have hopes of playing a game bringing stability to Galt - that's never going to happen, but I wouldn't mind seeing how a clever opportunist would approach the landscape there, which looks to be run on a knife edge. Razmiran is something that I'm really 50/50 on. Either you theme it around what makes Razmiran different (ie that its run by someone calling themselves a god), or you ignore it entirely, but end up having to avoid rocking the boat, because against a Wizard 19, that's scary as hell. While I love the setting and location, specially as I played through a couple of pathfinder society scenarios that included it, I think realistically, it's almost impossible to pull off - either you would be strong enough to actually attempt change, or you get crushed by one of the most powerful wizards currently walking around, save for a few runelords like Sorshen (plz paizo tell us where Sorshen is :( ). I don't think i have a lot though on each of these three area's, they are really awesome settings but actually finding ways they work is proving tricky :(
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
I'll answer 1) when I have a bit more time after work so I'll hit 3) now A) I'm perfectly happy with this. My next character should have more ways to be evasive or better in combat anyway so you need to be concerned less about pulling punches. B) It's an Angelique and a 'game' thing. If someone asked me to explain why I think x did it - it's s paragraph involved. If Angelique was outnumbered - again she feels like having to talk her way out of it. I also had to feel like employing complicated plans to manufacture a desired outcome, all of this make tl;dr posts where I tried to visualise different outcomes and tried to cover them - exhausting. Rest assured that it's not a 'me' thing - the majority of my posts are done through an iPhone and long posts are hard on that!
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
1) Any time of game from Galt, Razmiran, or Nidal would probably be political, dangerous, and probably involves a little bit of stealth / intrigue. I am terrible naming themes though, I'll know what I'll like, but sometimes its hard to articulate them. 2) Sure, I wouldn't mind playing another game that you GM. I still don't know your limitations and blindspots yet tho! 3) That's a good question. Some months back, I was worried if I was copy and pasting playstyles and just changing the characters around, but I reflected a bit and since realised that it was unfounded - I do switch it up personality wise to make search character unique. That said, there are some similarities in my RP style. Creativity for instance, is always going to be something I'll try for - Angelique's liberal use of cantrips is an example of this, although she would be by far the best example of a character that's abused cantrips before. Likewise, I'll often look for characters that can 'face' and are mostly chaotic - purely because I feel I have more options in a situation - I cannot seem to play Lawful without feeling like I'm following some rulebook to the letter. Something about my posting / character habits though - is that I like options. For instance, its almost impossible for me to feel comfortable playing a brawler, because no matter what I did, I would feel like I'd only be good at combat and nothing else. Its why dungeon crawls are something i'll struggle with, because "Move to Room #1 ---> Check for Traps ---> Move to Room #2 ---> kill something" just feels railroaded. That's why my favourite games are urban focused because suddenly "assassinate this girl" offers multiple avenues to accomplish. If there's something in particular about Angelique's RP style that you wanted to look at or point out, please do, I suspect I have several unconscious habits that would be blind to me but visible to others. (if I went off the rails and missed the point of 3) then let me know, its how I interpreted the question as.)
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Lol, I better not mention characters, I have TOO MANY. That said, some neat locations are like, the First World, Razmiran, Nidal, Kyonin, Galt, Mediogalti Island, and The Shackles are all pretty neat area's, although I understand that some games you currently DM are involved in these. I'm pretty flexible about about themes, but probably prefer urban area's, I'm pretty terrible roleplaying in caves or dungeons I think.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
No need to be sorry, just take as long as you need to recover (BUT LET ME KNOW IF THE GRIM REAPER TAKES YOU).
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Angelique observes the female Paladin, still frozen in paralysis. "I'd prefer to take her with us to be honest, ideally bound. Not that I don't trust your magic, I just believe that there is no such thing as overkill"
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
O.k, that was a good opening :) "Let me regain control with a Create Water spell", Angelique remarks, already on the tactic, dousing the flames in water to regain control".
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Oh, I'm sure something will happen to change the stakes eventually in this, and yeah, I was doing perfectly fine, and pretty happy with it (abusing 0 and 1st level spells is hilarious). The combination though of Wenda pulling out a third weapon, and the results of the Sense Motive check have effectively tilted the situation though in such a way I don't actually have a counter. In Character, Angelique has reached that point of no return, She stalled for as long as she can, because her plan hinged on assistance arriving. She did as well as she could, but now that Wenda is on her (third!) weapon, I no longer have the tools to stall any longer. Furthermore, the success of the plan is now 100% in doubt and only someone of low intelligence would continue fighting a lost cause in the hope that a sudden poorly aimed Meteor Swarm from a passing 20th level Wizard suddenly obliterates Wenda (which would be funny but still). It would be out of character for Angelique to fight a battle she now believes she cannot win, ergo, probably fleeing is the only remaining course of action left open to her, even though I know that out of character, its probably better to keep fighting (A pessimistic opinion after my Sense Motive might be that Wenda is lying about taking care of my allies (otherwise no reason for a crossbow - just walk up and kill me, no need for stealth), but telling the truth that her allies are unable to help her (maybe her ally tied them up or arrested them or heck, her ally could have killed them, and her statement would still read as it does) Angelique suddenly snatches up her lamp, pushing past Wenda (taking an AoO), making for the doorway and the Greased sword. Now blocking the doorway, with the sword between Angelique and Wenda, Angelique hurls the lamp into the ground, hopefully starting a blaze.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Well, there is no way I can beat her in a straight up fight lol. Its a full BAB class with godlike saves, self healing, high defensive stats, and multiple weapons. Furthermore, its not even like I could kill her even if I wanted to, I still don't prove anything, and have to leave the city - killing a Paladin is a HUGE deal, and I don't have the resources to take her alive. Therefore, due to no way of knowing if my allies are out of commission, (and its probably like Round 4 of combat by now and they haven't appeared) it's probably best to take a full withdraw action here and basically run away.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Angelique quickly attempts to read that last statement. Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 2 + 1 + 2 + 11 = 33
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
"Why don't you just give up, put on some shackles and l, oh I don't know, worship my superiority over yourself? I can offer a range of lessons on topics such as combat, charm, fashion, intelligence...you know, the things you might lack." Angelique quips, winding the Paladin up before gesturing and creating a tiny cloud over the doorway that promptly drops water over the entrance. While not really a prearranged signal, it's curious enough to hopefully bring her allies in to support.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Full Disclosure, I'm happy stalling (largely while I took the Total Defence Action earlier instead of, say, casting Message), but do I need to do something special to let my guys know there's something going on, or can I just hold on until then? "Me? A Whore? Darling, it's you that's looking to hug my wonderfully toned body. You can barely keep your hands off me...its really quite flattering to be honest, I truly had no idea my outstanding allure alone could provoke such a base response from you" Stepping backwards, Angelique casts a second grease spell, this one directed on her clothing, making it far more difficult for the women to grab hold. +10 to Escape Artist Checks, Combat Maneuver Checks to Escape a Grapple, and to CMD against Grapple attempts.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Aoo: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 15
Angelique strikes back immediately against the rushing attack. Counterattack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 11
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Angelique smiles back happily."Actually I'm a little disappointed in myself. I knew you were involved - I just didn't think you were competent enough to be a killer. Using poison though I see - just like a wannabe Calistrian- clearly making up for your deficit in other areas" If there is some space between them, Angelique will back up and cast Grease on the blade (but only if she could avoid a retaliatory hit, otherwise she adopts the total defence combat style. Hey being ultra clever here, can I use Mage Hand and shove the arrow back into her and force her to save against the poison.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Angelique smiles politely. "Who said that it was a trick honey, maybe I was waiting for you to show darling, I knew you just couldn't resist me....kinky though, wanting to do it in the dark. In reality, Angelique attempts to figure out where the other women is standing roughly. She still has her rapier, but going for it would be a dumb move, she needs surprise on her side. She heads toward the lamp, hands well away from the sword, one approaching the light...while the other hand is against her chest, quietly gesturing, before casting her Create Water cantrip, dumping a ton of water suddenly over the women's head, as she whirls in the same movement, going for her blade.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Angelique casts Acute Senses (and Heroism), and searches the area for any further signs of allies the Paladin might have, or more details of the paladin she could spot, before pulling a curtain or blind partly closed. Perception: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 10 + 2 = 43 Angelique signals the men silently, before carefully disabling her precautionary trap. A paladin searching, could either be someone sneaking to bring her in, or Urbino, and she really hopes the guy had got her message and not come personally. After quickly checking if there wasn't a beggar around and the man wasn't leaving a message and returning back the way he came, Angelique decides to set her plan in motion. Open combat out in a street was hard, difficult even, and the last thing she wanted was the paladin to get spooked and flee, she wanted to draw him (or her!) into a trap, somewhere that was harder to escape from, if it should turn out to be hostile. At the temple, Angelique had it drummed into her that if a fight is inevitable, to never fight on your opponent's terms. To always pick your own battlefield. Angelique decides that this Alchemist's shop was confined, limiting mobility, and escape options, therefore, by sending the men out, she hoped they could pause, and then follow the paladin in behind, IF she could lure him into the building. Anngelique reflected what Parell thought of her. Someone intelligent maybe, but clearly a women. Also, he probably knew that she was a Calistrian, and therefore had certain perceptions on that. Far too many people couldn't get past Calistria having the lust portfolio, that was all anyone talked about - that and maybe vengeance. Angelique knew that Calistria was more than this, but she hoped baseless assumptions get the paladin into the shop. Thinking quickly, after the two men left the room, Angelique switches on a light (or turns on a lamp), letting her silhouette shine against the window. She even takes off her jacket, leaving still a vest underneath, but of course, all anyone from the street could see was someone taking off a layer of clothing. If she feels the deception needs a little more, she might even choose to giggle softly, or if she wants to be a little more dramatic, she might even mutter (loud enough for the paladin to here) something along the lines of "darling, the names Angelique, but for tonight only, you can call me Angel". Angelique hopes one of either two things happen. Either the paladin proves that he was just a scout, and withdraws back to his or her larger force, in which case Angelique immediately leaves the building (after the two men outside warning her) since she doesn't want a large scale battle. Or the Paladin, secure in the knowledge that based on the silhouette, might believe that Angelique is unarmed, unarmored, and vulnerable, making it an ideal opportunity to arrest. Angelique also knows that the paladin would be unlikely to pass up an opportunity to view who the 'witness' might be (who would also probably be unarmed), and could even enter the building and drag Angelique out with a perfectly lawful excuse such as "soliciting prostitution" if he or she didn't want to make a scene. I am really sorry about how elaborate this got, especially since I could have reduced this posts length by 50% by just stating what exactly she does. I wanted to show though why she is pulling this particular stunt instead of just meeting him out on the streets.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
A high structure or building that she can observe the street but still have access to said street if required. Probably some rudimentary trap that lets get know if someone is heading inside her building - though unlikely. Taking care not to be seen would also be a priority. She also possibly needs support from the Fox if it gets nasty.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Angelique glances towards the ambassador. "In light of Destain now being keen on providing a confession, I would prefer that at least for today, we hold off on visiting the authorities. I would probably need to be present in the room while Destain made a statement, to confirm if its truthful or false, and if there is a paladin involved, the risk is high that his statement gets waved away regardless. I'd prefer it if Destain either spent the night here, or under observation while I try and iron this out, so that we could get a fair and impartial paladin to listen to his statement - that way, if Destain is indeed innocent, I can relax knowing that someone capable actually took the statement" Shortly after this, Angelique gracefully takes her leave. She decides that if the office is out of an option, she needs to draw someone out. Watching for any pursuers or observers, Angelique writes a letter. Dear Urbino I didn't know how else to reach you, so I decided to go through official channels. The investigation is going very well, I know who both parties involved are, but I won't name them in this letter. I can say that I met a co-conspirator at the Ambassador's office - and after much negotiation I convinced him to give a full account. Since this person fear's what will happen if they speak out, I have given this person a full 24 hours to get affairs in order before making a statement. In the meantime, he is under heavy guard in a diplomatic area - meaning this person is as safe as can be. He has already given his statement to me, but I'm writing to you, so that you could attend - I need someone impartial to take a statement. In the meantime, if you want further contact, you can drop a message off with a beggar on Ink Street, I'm meeting an eyewitness their and should be able to pick it up. Please don't go there yourself, I'll only trust you at the moment, and its better if you stay away from this (which is why I'm not providing detailed information in this letter). Regards Angelique Once the letter is complete, Angelique decides to inform the Fox of her details so far. She hates doing it, but if an army of paladin's are there for her, then she will need help. She hopes that only people aware of the conspiracy would show, but it never hurts to be too careful. Once done, she sets up shop where she can overlook Ink Street, but only after getting rid of any observers or shadows (between Angelique's high Perception with Acute Senses and any assistance from the Fox and his men, I'm sure I could probably spot someone stalking me).
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Hmm. In that case, I'm really getting tempted to leak some misleading information that either someone close to the ambassador is going to reveal all to me tomorrow, or even just leak information that I'm meeting some unknown witness to the murders on street X. to make the paladins aware of my movements. If I cannot really walk into the office, the logical step would be to try and flush my targets out instead, or is this a bad idea?
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Angelique shrugs slightly. "A lot of me being present depends on what your aide will stay. If its merely a simple statement he is giving, I probably won't need to be there. If it's more in line of a confession, I should probably be present to verify it based on facts that really, only I would know. To be honest, my priority would be finding the paladin directly involved in this, and if what I say is true, then your aide would know who that is." Yeah, I have a few options here. The key remaining factor is implicating the paladin involved in this (since I'm still going off my assumption that there is one involved), and this happens if either 1) the aide tells us or 2) if I fall back on an earlier plan and 'leak' a lie / rumor that I'm honing in on a witness that can apparently ID a paladin - purely to draw one outside and into a trap, that would also identify themselves as the mastermind. I'm not concerned about approaching the paladin's directly - I probably have enough information RE paladins to create some nasty rumors which might discourage prison - but at the same time it seems foolish to provoke them if my presence is not needed. Still, if you have some advice or insight here for this particular situation, it would probably help me decide on either of my two options.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Angelique smiles politely. "Of course I am aware, that's why I went straight to you with my concerns instead of going straight to the Paladin's and springing it all on you. Unfortunately Destain here proved to be a...roadblock. Shall we head on down?"
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Angelique ignores the jibe from the Ambassador and decides to press on with the explanation.You have to take it step by step. An independent Paladin investigated the death of a paladin and found that only another paladin could have completed it. Unfortunately this would be near impossible. Even if a paladin completed the deed and avoided falling, an atonement spell would be required - and asking for one through usual channels provokes questions. Even if a paladin didn't do the deed, he would have had to closely associate with the person who did, therefore again an atonement would be required. If the usual channels for getting one are out then you need one on the black market. I checked the underworld by the way - no one is selling them which means that it's an independent operator. It could be anyone in the city and yet the paladin was killed in a safe house members of this office knew about, while an independent paladin inquiry into a second murder of a Lastwall citizen also concluded there were similar aspects involved in both cases, and again believed this office was involved. Ambassador, either you or one of your staff is connected to one, if not two murder investigations. I'm just talking to your aide here because there isn't anyone in Lastwall, least of all himself who can tell me how he has such a high income" Sorry for the wall of text but he did ask for an explanation...
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Angelique huffs slightly "Being wealthy isn't a crime, but being unable to explain how you received your large wealth is suspicious, and even now, there isn't anything you have said that explains it. Your average escort 'makes herself valuable to many people' and I don't see many of them earning ridiculous amounts of money. So, in the absence of any defence you might have, I am formally issuing a notice of arrest, and informing the ambassador as to how he wants to proceed. He has 24 hours to determine how he wants to respond - that is, if he wishes to protect you, and face the public backlash, or cut you lose, and the paladin's can take things from there". I have no idea how you want to play this out, but this is currently a "public" notice of an intent to arrest (since technically, I don't think there is an jurisdiction for the Paladin's, and its not like Angelique can just drag him out. I can however, heap pressure on the Ambassador to make him less likely to grant Destain his support. Anyway, I'll either wait for the Ambassador, or leave when I am certain that he is at least aware of this notice of arrest tactic im trialing. IIRC I can even try and get a message of this through the Fox to him if I really wanted. Once Angelique is satisfied that pressure will go out onto Destain and the Ambassador, she leaves the building. She is fairly certain that Destain wouldn't crack under pressure, but fortunately, she understands that two parties could be involved, and that person might lack confidence. Unless she feels she can safely meet with Urbino, she leaves him a message via a trustworthy source / method. Put simply, the order is a request. Angelique asks Urbino to quietly 'leak' that there is a massive breakthrough in the Beron case, that someone has come forward. The key thing is that Angelique does NOT give Urbino the name of the aide (purely for his safety and so he doesn't have to lie), but asks him to make it clear during his casual 'leak' that a full debrief will probably happen tomorrow at some stage and that - if pressed, the source comes from within the ambassador's staff (vague enough I think). Once complete, Angelique hangs around either enlisting the Fox's assistance on tracking Destain's movements or his house - or attempting to do so herself. Angelique hopes that someone anxious enough to try and get herself out of the way would be anxious enough to contain any alleged 'leak' and therefore she can try and trap who would be responsible. Technically, I'm informing the Fox about this plan, on the proviso that he keeps it to himself. I'd keep him out of it, but I probably need him or his forces since I don't think I could really win a battle between a Paladin, and Urbino couldn't rally a force. The Fox should be interested though, since at best, its catching the real murderer or his sister, or at worst, embarrassing a Paladin that shows up. For a criminal, thats probably win/win. I'm also gambling that Urbino isn't the secret mastermind, but if he is, then he knows that I probably know who it is, and then sends a force to take me out, so either way, this is going to trigger something of note.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
I still stand by what I said earlier - I wasn't pleased with myself with struggling to solve some of these mysteries, or missing some obvious cue's, and that largely triggered what I said. I have since adjusted my posting style, approached things from a different angle so I don't get myself 'stuck' - and gotten myself more engaged - so I'm open to more if we wanted - but I am also aware that you already manage several games, and just added another one, so I'm ok with whatever we did decide. Also just a general update. We got through a lot of people today, and so the Emergency Line isn't going out tonight, but we are all on call in case something happens in the night, in which case everything goes live. Activity looks likely to be unaffected at this stage - although if I vanish in the next few days, something urgents probably come up. I'm ok, families ok. I actually felt the quake hit and it scared the hell out of me - and I'm ages away from it. Really shudder to think what it was like in the middle of it, and that's why we are doing everything we can atm.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
Heads up, posting might be rough over next couple of days. Magnitude 7.5 Earthquake hit NZ and I might be pulling an all nighter to volunteer on the government emergency line. Just a heads up.
Female Human Bard 5 / Oracle 1 | Case File
O.k, I have been pretty lazy so far in rolling my dice, so lets go, buffs precast are Lucky Number, Heroism. Lucky Number: 1d20 ⇒ 12 "No actually, I don't think I could trust you with passing my message on - you see, the message actually concerns you personally, and recent investigations remain myself unconvinced by your honesty." After a short pause, that is mostly Angelique debating whether or not to stand (she does so) Angelique continues on. "You see, I saw you twice before, once at a rather nice club, and another time when I attempted to gain entry to the Ambassador previously. Both times, you avoided telling me your name, didn't you Destain? You also...rather got in my way, and I found that rather infuriating. You see Destain, I don't like it when people I don't know involve themselves in my affairs, so I did a few background checks - perks of being a paladin investigator - or at least, up until recently. Did you know that the taxation authority here in Lastwall has no idea how your income soars to high periods? I was curious, I asked around. Did you also know Destain, that both the Paladin organisation as a whole, and your own employer here, also don't know how you earn so much? Purely for the hell of it Destain, I also checked the criminal underground, and yes, none of them know anything about you". "You know what I think Destain, I think you are a solo operator selling Atonement spells to the Paladin's within the city. Atonement spells are usually private affairs, but if you need one going through official channels - questions get asked - questions that react poorly on any promotion opportunities said paladin might have. Now, its been confirmed by a separate paladin investigation that recently a paladin murdered a civilian. Clearly, an atonement would have been required and yet, nothing recorded at the paladin hospital. Just to cover my bases, I dispatched a paladin their now to check the records, and double check. Which means that when said paladin comes back and lets me know that yes, no record recorded for an atonement purchased to atone for a murder, I'll know a solo operator was selling atonement spells, someone with no connection to the underworld (therefore not the Fox), someone with an unexplained, high income. That would be you gorgeous. Perhaps you might want to explain this for me Destain?" Bluff (there are some untruths in the above paragraph): 1d20 + 18 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 18 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 37
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