Artegall's page

Artegall takes a step (5') and attacks the nearest thug.

Attack, Bane: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 11 + 2 = 28
Damage, Bane: 1d6 + 5 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + (3, 1) + 2 = 12

Iterative: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 = 12
Hmmm... using Inspiration on that (2 uses required).
Inspiration: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
So a 16 to hit vs flat-footed AC. Only needed if he is still up after the first hit.
Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 + (2, 5) + 2 = 18

I'm trying to figure out what to do.
Cynara looks quite vulnerable with enemies to the north (Green thug), east (halfling executioner), and south (Cherry Red and, around the corner, Red).

Mostly I am wondering about the terrain. It looks like the guillotine is up on a platform. How high is it, and how hard would it be to get up there?
It looks like the halfling would have to be in one of Artegall's threatened squares (NE of him, due E of Cynara) to attack Cynara. So could I ready an attack to disarm or trip him?

Okay, I switched our initial arrival order so that I can take my turn without needing to wait for someone else to post. Nobody has objected so let's go with this.

Artegall pops into existence near some guards, says "Sorry, regime change." and stabs the one in the SW corner.
Surprise round so just an attack and a 5' step.

Attack (vs flat-footed AC), Human-Bane: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 11 + 2 = 17 a bad roll, but, again, vs flat-footed AC. So... not going to use Inspiration on that.
Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + (5, 5) + 2 = 20

Hoping that Nargun and Whisper can finish that one off.

Artegall is AC 28 with Whispering Spirits active, and will hopefully get to go again before the enemies.

Initiative with Inspiration: 1d20 + 1 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 + (3) + 1 = 25

Once the Emperor is dead, we proclaim Nargun the new Emperor and they all agree. Or else we run out that gap in the wall in the SW corner. I really have no idea what else to do, and slow games make me get reckless just to get stuff done.

Mirela did say she wanted to form up first. I'm not sure how that would work - looks to make more sense to form up and then teleport, taking advantage of our knowledge of the layout.

There's a 5' wide corridor to get to the Throne Room, so if we appeared elsewhere, we'd have to be single file at some point, with Whisper squeezing. If we appear as I have it on the map (all of us contiguous, but Mirela and Cynara relatively protected and Whisper not squeezing), then we'd be able to bring our 3 melee types to bear on the enemy immediately and not be bottlenecked. In a surprise round, Nargun can attack and 5' step NE to make room for Artegall, who can then 5' step and attack.

Thoughts?

Artegall will activate Whispering Spirits before Cynara reads the scroll, giving him +3 insight to AC and saves for 1 minute. (Commune with Spirits ability at 8/9 uses left.)

"You do raise a good point that you and Mirela would be in a lot of trouble if you were attacking from the air and your magic was dispelled. You'd be surrounded and killed. We don't know enough about Pilt's forces to say if that is a risk, other than the fact that he claimed to have 'enough magic', whatever that meant.
So let's bump that plan lower down the list. As I said, we could go in together through the broken wall on the southwest corner of the larger building."
I have made reference to that obvious gap several times. It sounds like the Arcane Eye was able to go in that way but the GM hasn't said if the Eye saw any guards in that room.

Aroden thinks a minute.
"Or, we found a Scroll of Teleport. Would that be useful?"
Cynara can use it with a DC10 caster level check, and can bring along three others. Unfortunately Whisper counts as 2. So Cynara brings the melee to the Throne Room while Mirela and Whisper fly in? And we time it so we arrive more or less together?

My first choice is the Teleport scroll since that gets us all into the action quickly.
My second choice is the gap in the wall.

If we come in from the air, we would need to be able to keep Pilt in place so he doesn’t run under cover.

That's why I mentioned Black Tentacles. If that is the plan you wanted to do, that would be one of the spells to use.

It also would be nice to have some sort of disguise so everyone doesn’t know it’s us doing it.

I think we're past that point. We have to do some messy things to get Seneschal Kalepopolis back into power, and we can hope for a pardon after that. The Emperor's mob I hope will cease to be a concern once we defeat him.

I was holding back on posting because I don't like feeling that I am pushing this game along but it has been just glacial. Let's pick a plan and go with it. And have everybody posting at a decent clip. I want to have some chance of completing this AP and my few successful ones have gone at a pace of about 1 year IRL per book. We have done basically nothing in the past year. We talked to Glorio Arkona and that's it. Who knows how long it will take to complete our mission here depending on the approach we use? But we need to pick up the pace I think.

I too am growing restless.

The arcane eye can fit through small openings, so unless the doors are sealed tightly Cynara may still be able to find Pilt.

Yes. We know where Pilt is. As the GM wrote just above:

Sorry my mistake. Pilt's in the throne room in that case. Also in that case, there are guards/members of the mob everywhere and patrols are very regular. It's not possible to plan out a stealthy way in for the whole group during the day, there are too many people moving around doing things.

The throne room is open to the air and therefore open to the Arcane Eye. We were there over a year ago IRL, before you joined. It is described here.

This open-air balcony is shielded from rain and sun by a brightly colored canvas roof that extends up over the area like a half-dome, held in place by a wooden framework. The inside of the canvas has been decorated with scenes of gruesome debauchery; battlefields, executions, torture chambers, and human-eating monsters all vie for space. The balcony contains two major features of note. The first is a high-backed throne that looks like a poor man’s version of the Crimson Throne, a thing of blood-red cushions and silks and spikes. Directly west of the throne stands an intimidating device: a tall guillotine of carved wood and bone, its base depicting grasping demonic feet and the housing of its glittering blade a leering demonic face.

We might try to go through the SW corner of the large building, depending on what guards/creatures the Arcane Eye saw in there. It looks like from the room we would enter there is a corridor that leads to the throne room. This would be my first choice.

We could try disguises or trickery, but Pilt's guards know us.

Or, we could try to come from the air. We can't make everyone fly, but Cynara and Mirela could maybe handle this. If they could fly into a position with line of sight to the balcony (like in the air over the Blood Pig field, or directly above if we take down the awning), they could probably take down Pilt and many of his guards with spells and arrows. It's not very sporting, and it would leave Nargun and Artegall with little to do, but if the guards don't have bows then it's probably the safest plan (and even if they do have bows, they would be unable to use them once grappled by Black Tentacles).

Or we could ask Pilt to fake his death somehow, since I know Mirela doesn't like the idea of killing him. Artegall however is pretty poor at Bluff, so I don't know how we would convince the Arkonas that we truly believe Pilt is dead.

Or we could wait for night, when Pilt would be in his bedroom instead of the throne room.

Sorry, had a response ready but then the board wasn't working then I forgot. Yes, there are people present in all the adjacent buildings. If it's late at night Pilt is behind a closed door so you don't know where he is.

Also if it's late at night the patrols are getting kind of sloppy and are only walking around every half hour or so.

It shouldn't be late at night. It was early in the day when we left the Arkona palace (we spent the night there and had a morning meeting with Lord Arkona). Then maybe an hour to get to Pilt's neighborhood being reasonably stealthy, and an hour observing. Maybe noon now?

Did the Arcane Eye see any creatures or is that entire large building to the SW just as empty as the map shows?
Is Pilt still hanging around overlooking the Blood Pig field, with 9 guards and the executioner near him?

@GM - have we been able to get the Arcane Eye into the building to map out the interior?
Can you update the map?

Our magical observation doesn't last that long, and while we have it I would hope to use it on figuring out the layout of the buildings, where Pilt is, how many guards are near him, and what other creatures are in the palace. Especially sending the Arcane Eye in that broken wall in the SW corner of the palace since that could be our entry point.

Stealth, Free Inspiration, ACP: 1d20 + 12 + 1d6 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 12 + (4) + 1 - 4 = 28

"Let's not go all the way up to the palace just yet, but find a place nearby to hide out and have Cynara try her scrying spells."

Arcane Eye has unlimited range, moves at up to 300'/minute, and lasts 8 minutes. Clairvoyance has 720' range for CL8. We could be maybe 500' away or so.

"Should we go in the jungle of the Arkona Manor? No, I think we should not.
I think Mirela is right. An alarm would probably sound.
I think we should move on to Pilt's palace now and see what magical scrying can reveal."

"I don't think we should hang around here.
It is still early in the day.
Let's move."

I'd suggest we ask Cynara to use Arcane Eye to scout out the areas we don't know, starting with the SW corner of the large building where it looks on the map like the exterior wall may have some breaks that the Eye can get through. Find out where the Emperor his, how many guards are near him, and how many other foes are elsewhere.
Arcane Eye can even go through closed doors if there is an inch gap (which in a dilapidated and run-down building there may well be), but a lot of this place should be observable even without it needing to squeeze through such gaps.

I was waiting for Cynara to finish her character sheet in case any of her spells would help with a plan. I now see Arcane Eye which might be useful.

"I am reasonably stealthy even in armor."
+8 Stealth after ACP, but can use free Inspiration for +1d6+1.
"I can make an easy climb, but it's easier if someone more skilled goes up first and lets down a rope."
+5 Climb after ACP.

"I think our first goal is understanding the layout of the place."
@GM - we were there before. Is there a basic map of the Emperor's palace?

Intrigued, Cynara leans a little closer. "Tell me more about this guillotine."

"It is a Final Blade, from Galt. It is manned by a halfling executioner who, I would think, might be one of those loyal lackeys that Nargun asked about.

"Even so, carving our way through all of the guards could give the Emperor time to flee, so maybe we want a plan to infiltrate his 'palace' somehow. We saw something of it when we were there before.
The quicker we can get to Emperor Pilt and eliminate him, the better."

@Cynara - is your character sheet all done? Might affect our options. I don't see L4 spells, nor feats/hexes, nor gear.

"You actually think they'll fight for him against us, after seeing what we did in Blood Pig?
If we approached openly and said that we wanted to fight him for leadership of The Empire, I think more than a few would stand down or even side with us."

"I may be wrong. But I saw the mob as needing to be entertained, so we'd need to make our coup attempt entertaining."

"I don't think I'm a good enough liar to deceive someone like Lord Glorio. I'm better at sniffing out lies than telling them.

Cynara, the people of the city suffer under the rule of Queen Ileosa - who seems to have abandoned this district of Old Korvosa, leaving it to burn. I don't think either the Emperor or the Arkonas are the salvation of the people. Now, Seneschal Kalepopolis can legally depose Queen Ileosa, but he is missing. Vencarlo Orsini might have a lead on where he is. And we have a lead on Vencarlo Orsini. So, questions of whether the Emperor or the Arkonas are worse are, to me, beside the point - we need to do what will give us our best chance of rescuing Vencarlo Orsini."

"So if Glorio Arkona finds us and tries to stop us, we kill him?
I don't think this ends without either the Emperor or Glorio Arkona dead.
But I will do as you recommend."

Artegall shrugs.
"Civic order has broken down and two groups are jockeying for power. We are asked to serve as mercenaries to eliminate one. I can't say it's a righteous cause, but it's also not like this Emperor is a legitimate and just ruler. So I don't see it as particularly wrong. I do think the Emperor's mob would attack the Arkona estate sooner or later, for supplies or out of boredom.
But then again, I also don't mind lying to Glorio Arkona if there is a credible way we can make him think we have slain the Emperor. There may or may not be such an option."

Artegall follows Mirela and Cynara.

Artegall has a +14 even without Inspiration so cannot fail the check either.

"Lord Glorio Arkona has something we want and this is his price."

Artegall knows that Lord Glorio hasn't explicitly said that, but the meaning could not be more clear - as Artegall noted before.

"I don't believe we will make any progress by haggling."

"I see.
You're not going to let us take Vencarlo unless we kill this Emperor. That is your price. Well, I suppose there is a fair chance that he will in time attack you, either for supplies or just for entertainment once Blood Pig ceases to be amusing and the mob wants to watch Arkona Manor burn down.
Maybe I could offer to broker a deal or arrangement, but I don't think this Emperor seems a very trustworthy sort for a long-term agreement. He seems a bit mad."

"I am Artegall. Formerly of the city guard and now a private investigator."

The half-elf is on the shorter and stockier side for one of his kind. He has light complexion and blond hair; his nose shows signs of having been broken more than once. He wears plate armor, shield, and cloak, with a rapier at his waist and a bow across his back.

Welcome!

Artegall is a Cavalier/Investigator, which means he is a tanky frontliner who can also spot and disable traps. He's got the Spiritualist archetype for Investigator which offers some great defensive abilities, at the cost of the alchemist "spellcasting". He uses combat maneuvers a fair amount.

I know the Witch is generally lacking in area damage (vs swarms for example) and some of the good buffs (like Haste). How are they on divination/utility spells? I see they get Arcane Eye (which is stellar in the right circumstances) and Dimension Door, and Alley Witch adds a few more utility spells.

I can send some names to the GM.

I would wish to continue, especially if we can get back to a good pace like we had before.

That probably does mean asking around for a replacement. Are there any from your other campaigns you would ask?

Not waiting for a response, he looks at the leader of the squad

Artegall tries to figure out who that might be! Perhaps we are an autonomous collective...

Artegall will likewise sit down.
"Thank you."

He waits for someone more diplomatic to present requests, but will listen carefully to Lord Glorio's responses.

Artegall stops and looks at the statue of Chamidu. How much does he know about this deity?

Knowledge (Religion), Free Inspiration: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 + (5) + 1 = 23

He will follow the sergeant up the stairs.

Artegall waits for any answer to Mirela's question, but is otherwise ready to go to meet with Lord Arkona.

"So they don't want us to leave.
Well, we're still waiting for them. Perhaps this alarm will remind them of us.
They know we are here and we were invited to stay the night."

Artegall will be in the Entrance Hall (D1) looking out the windows. Those are the light blue segments in the exterior (eastern) wall, correct?

He will be about 15' from the double doors into D8, at what seems to be a large window.

"Are there no guards or patrols anywhere? Where is everybody?"

In the smoking den, Artegall tries to discern how long ago the hookahs had been smoked, by the strength of the smoke still in the room.
What sort of check would that be?

He looks out the windows to the palace grounds. Is anybody seen walking around?

Yes, so down the stairs on the right side of the room, coming out in D8, and then taking the double doors north to D1?

Artegall will lead the way; remember that he has Trap Spotter for an automatic reactive Perception check at +23.

He has his armor and shield on, but his sword sheathed.

A shame. I hope the GM returns and picks this back up.

"My instinct would be to either wait here, or go back to the entrance hall. But it is very strange behavior to leave us here without summoning us, and I really have no idea what to think."

The six-armed four-faced woman riding a human-handed tiger is of interest to Artegall. Does he recognize it as a creature or deity?

Knowledge (All), Free Inspiration: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 7 + (4) + 1 = 21 Additional +6 if Knowledge (Local).

Upon being led into the room, Artegall looks at the wall carvings with mild amusement. He offers his opinion once the guards leave.
"Probably not the cleanest sheets...

Anyway, we should take watch shifts. I don't think they would try to slit our throats in the night, but they might try to take us captive for interrogation. They are likely curious about us and our capabilities. I can take any shift."

Aroden looks to the others.
"I believe we should accept the hospitality of the Arkonas."

He doesn't say any more at this time.

"I suppose that is our best option. Go up to the front door, ask the guards for an audience with Lord Arkona, and ask if we can make a deal for the release of Neolandus. I am pretty sure Orsini would have tried the 'back door' approach, and I think he was better at that sort of thing than we are, and it didn't work for him.
Asking around with the locals will take time. I'd rather not."

Artegall nods to Twilight, ready to leave.

I'm still here.

After a few minutes- not enough time for the runner to have left the sprawling building- one of Pilts's toughs pushes a flea-bitten, plain-looking man with dark bags under his sunken eyes dressed in paint-stained rags. He looks like he isn't eating or sleeping enough, and he looks around at the Emperor, the thugs, and the strangers with wild, frightened eyes.

Pilts beams at the desperate looking madman, though. "Here he is! The man himself! The dark genius of Old Korvosa, the mad prophet Salvator Scream!"

Scream flinches at Pilts raised voice, which the Emperor either ignores or doesn't notice.

Sounds like someone in a bad situation. Artegall is LG and would seek to help someone in this situation if he could. He wouldn't disclose his plans to Pilt of course.

But as I said it seems that you want us to go on to Arkona Manor and leave Scream here so that is what I will do. I can't speak for anyone else but I am willing to just move on.

"Not at all," says Artegall.
"I would take him to safety, of course, but the specifics would not be your concern."

Still, I am getting the message that the GM wants us to leave Scream here and go assault the Arkonas manor, so I guess that is what we will do.

"Your Majesty," Artegall says to the Emperor, "is there a reason you keep Salvatore Scream here under your... protection? Might there be an arrangement where we can take him off your hands?"

Diplomacy, Inspiration 1 of 6: 1d20 + 4 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 + (4) + 1 = 23

"Salvatore, we know that you met with Orisini at least three times since the bridges were closed. Why were you meeting with him, and what did you discuss?
Orsini was attacked by Red Mantis Assassins. He defeated at least one, but was overwhelmed by numbers. We don't know if he was killed or captured.
It is possible that whatever you discussed has a connection to the reason he was attacked. We may be able to rescue him or, failing that, avenge him."

"Unfortunately, Your Majesty, I too have other business to attend to. And that business concerns Vencarlo Orsini.
I believe our arrangement was that, if we won the match, you would permit us to speak to one who might know something about Orisini. Who is it that we will speak to?"

Artegall moves to the platform to reclaim his gear.

Do Pilt or the guards make any move to stop him? Hopefully, having seen what he can do barehanded, they reckon that him taking back his sword is not a problem.