Casius Flann's page

Casius says, "More specifically, the priestess said she received a message from a Lencia Visserene, who claims the title 'Knight-Inheritor of the Glorious Reclamation.` The message said the time of redemption was at hand, and that when 'the song of the Inheritor' rises, all must choose to either 'live as complacent vassals of corruption and evil, or embrace honor and claim the glory that is your right.' The words themselves seemed meant to stir rebellion and turn the citizens against the government. With a little encouragement, however, they were more concerned about possible repercussions if something happened to them in retribution for taking action against the government. The helmet displayed looks to be part of a very high quality set of plate mail armor, and is designed in a cherubic face with intricate curls of hair. It shows remarkable craftsmanship and skill. I did not see how the Watch reacted."

The growing chaos would have made for the perfect distraction to steal the helmet, if not for the two paladins standing guard. It was clear that they wouldn't be taking it - whatever it was. Turning, Casius moves away from the fence and begins moving away from the event, to meet up with the others later before they report back.

Basically. I was contemplating stealing the helmet, and I gave the Professor the sign for lighting the wagon of tar on fire to cause a distraction. I don't think I'm going to, though, if those two paladins are standing by it.

Our best option might be to slip away while most of the guards are busy.

I’m still here.

I am.

Casius caught Draco's eye as he looked at the angel helmet, then turned so the Professor could see the left side of his head, reached up, and scratched his left ear.

What is this 'Glorious Reclamation'? Whatever it is, it appears that they seek to incite rebellion and violence. Well, let's see if we can figure out what's so special about that helmet.

Casius studies the helmet carefully, trying to see what makes it a sign that the 'Angel Knight' has come to Longacre.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

I'd like to point out that we only killed one dog. The other one was just knocked unconscious.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Casius smiles. So, the sheriff is having her men watch Cimri and Draco. That distraction will be even more necessary if we need to escape.

Since he wasn't being watched, he slipped back into the crowd to make sure he was in position so the Professor could see him if he gave the signal, and looked over the crowd, trying to identify the locations of the deputies.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

To the Professor

"If anyone suspiciously dies should be signal enough, but if I scratch my left ear, do it."

To the Whiskey-breath man

"An angel, you say? I wasn't aware that angels took such an interest in the goings-on of mortals like us. Well, one would hope that an angel would give me the choice of removing the sash or not before smiting me."

With Cimri

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Oh, joy. Local law enforcement. And apparently Cimri's aunt? How interesting. Filing that bit of information away in his mind, he smiled slightly at the subtle threat of the Sheriff's handaxes, and waited to see what the Sheriff would do.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Diplomacy, rumormongering: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Casius notes the alleyway and the abandoned building as they approach, and nods in agreement with Draco. ”Servius, I noticed last night you were very good at avoiding notice. Would you mind waiting by the cart? If this does turn violent, light the tar on fire. We can use the distraction to slip away down the alley. Draco, could you keep an eye on the abandoned storefront? If you see any signs of an assassin, alert us and Servius so we can get in position.”

Casius then proceeded to mingle with the crowd, pleasantly chatting with people, non verbally reminding them that while he may be wearing the local lord’s sash, he’s still a normal person.

A rally about overthrowing the Chelaxian government? Hardly appropriate. Perhaps this Tileavia would need to meet with an accident. Casius preferred to avoid killing, but what needed to be done would be done. Casius simply said, "I will do so," then took a sash from the box.

Hmmm...I'd like to hit the spoiler, but Casius would have been serious about the "only one drink" thing he said earlier. So...

Casius finishes his drink, then bids the others good night as he returns to the inn to sleep.

Casius picks up the bag with his name on it, looking in to make sure the coin is there - he doesn't count it, but verification is always a good thing. He reaches in and pulls out a coiled whip, made of specially treated leather, tightly braided. The leather wrapped around the handle had been done in such a way as to ensure a firm grip. It was a prime example of expert leathercraft.

Hanging the whip from his hip, he said, "I believe I shall stay for a drink, as well, but just the one."

I'm doing good, and I'm still here.

"Thank you, sir, and we look forward to our next assignment," Casius said, also offering a proper bow. He turned and followed Cimri out of the room, back down to the parlor below. He eyed the krenshar as he did so. Such an interesting beast. Appropriate, he felt, for their shadowy patron, given its unique qualities and keen intelligence.

Once they were downstairs, he said admiringly said aloud, "This patron seems to have an understanding of subtlety rarely seen in more rural areas. Keeping a krenshar as a pet shows an understanding of the effects of fear on the typical humanoid that is often not present in country lords."

Casius followed Cimri to the Ash House, then into the house itself, following Cimri. He kept a wary eye on where he stepped, lest a floorboard collapse under him.

As Cimri gives her warning, Casius raises an eyebrow. He knew perfectly well how to act - after all, there was a chance he used to move in the same circles as this mysterious patron. Admittedly, mysteriousness was hardly a reason to show deference, but the connections they had...Casius could show deference for this.

As they enter the room, he notices the panther-like creature - no doubt this patron's preferred method of underling disposal. Idly, he wondered if he'd ever heard of the like.

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

He follows Cimri's lead, and waits for her to make the report - since the mysterious figure asked her to.

Casius shrugs at Lousik and says, "Why does a leopard hunt? Why does a fish swim?" With a slight chuckle, he says, "Don't like that answer? Then ask yourself this: what have I done recently to bring down such plight upon myself?" Turning his back, Casius moves away, joining the others in leaving.

We going back over the wall, or out the gate?

”Excellent, thank you. We were hoping to do this much more quietly, but, well, your arrival certainly put a crimp in things. Would someone please clear these vines out of the way?” Casius stows his whip, then pulls out a length of rope. ”Now, in order to make sure you don’t cause us any trouble, I’d like you to consent to being tied up. We’re going to tie you up either way, but it would be so much easier if you just let us do so. Now, if you please?”

Intimidate: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

"I'm well aware murder is bad business. I didn't say 'kill them', I said, 'don't let them get away'. If they run away, they will alert the authorities who will then come on us before we are finished. Better to capture them alive, and tie them up until we are finished, then leave them for someone to find."

False flanker would need to be triggered by me as a free action that can be done off my turn, so it's active until I trigger it.

Casius moves forward, saying, "Don't let any of them get out!" Focusing his gaze on the old man (Shaun), he mentally sends a burst of information to overwhelm the man's senses and leave him dazed.

Move action. Hypnotic stare on Shaun (-2 Will saves), and then cast daze as a standard action (DC 13 Will).

No, the False Flanker ability creates an image of me that gives you flanking for one attack. Painful Stare is a separate ability.

Casius pulls out his mace and swings it at the dog's head, pulling his swing at the last second in the hopes of merely knocking it unconscious.

Attack, nonlethal: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 - 4 = 15
Nonlethal Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Painful Stare: 1d6 ⇒ 5

If my attack doesn't hit, I'll use Painful Stare to add 1 damage to the first successful attack against the dog.

Only if you're attacking the dog, since I specified I was using Painful Stare on the dog.

Damn. We've been seen. Wiping his mouth with his the back of his gloved hand, Casius pulled out his whip as he fixed the dog with a stare. One of the people he hadn't seen before was between him and the dog - a bit of protection. "Gnome, throw one of those beef bones I gave you - try to distract the dog. You," he touches Servius on the shoulder, "wave in those outside the fence."

Casius readied the whip in his hands to try and subdue the dog.

The dog - Abbie - is the target of my hypnotic stare (-2 to Will Saves). Move action to draw my whip, and a readied action to attack the dog with it if it comes within reach (15-feet).

Readied Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Nonlethal Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1
Painful Stare: 1d6 ⇒ 2

If my attack doesn't hit, I'll use Painful Stare to add 1 damage to the first successful attack against the dog.

We can just knock them out - we all have options for dealing nonlethal damage, right?

Once Draco had moved out of the way, Casius slipped down the wall.

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

The stench was overwhelming, and Casius tried his best, but he had to turn and, as quietly as possible, lose his dinner. As he did, listening to the gate opening, he thought, Oh, god, the smell is horrible. Who is that opening the gate? Someone needs to investigate - quietly.

Casius moves through the night, relying on the darkness to help mask his movements. Once he reaches the rope, he begins to ascend the wall.

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Once at the top, he waits for Draco to move so he can drop down.

"Wait."

Before Penance walks off, Casius pulls out a brown paper-wrapped package. "There are two dogs in there. If they come towards you, you might be able to distract them with these."

Giving Penance the beef bones.

Before

Casius nods to the others as they arrive.

At the tannery

Casius pulls out a finely carved wooden mask of a smiling man and puts it on, obscuring all details of his face save for his eyes. He puts the hood of his dark cloak up, and, clad in loose black fabric, a cloak, and the mask, hides his identity. He then looks at the others, and reaches a hand out to Draco's shoulder. "Hold still." Concentrating for a few seconds, he then lets go and says, "A little something to catch foes by surprise, if needed."

Implanting my False Flanker Mesmerist trick in Draco's mind. I will trigger it as long as Draco is within 110 ft of me when the triggering conditions are met. I do not require line of sight, but if telepathy is blocked, I can't trigger it.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Looking over the tannery, Casius points and says, "It looks like a cart crashed into the palisade and opened a small gap. It would be a tight fit for a human unless they're flexible, or one similarly sized, but you could fit through easily, little gnome. Perhaps one or two of us should go through there, and open the gate from the inside?"

You can use my alias pic for my token - I have my name set as Casius.

Casius waves off the flask - he was a bit of a snob when it came to his liquor. He nods to the newcomer. "Greetings. Are you good with animals, then?"

Casius sighs. "Bodies draw attention. Drugging the dogs is the best course of action to help keep the law from getting involved."

Done. 1 gold it is.

His business with the butcher concluded, Casius took the carefully wrapped beef bones and said quietly to Draco, "Perhaps we should ask Cimri if she has any sleeping draughts we could use to drug the meat."

GM, how much would I pay for a couple of beef bones - what the butcher would normally throw away?

Also working from home and isolated. I was somewhat impacted for a couple weeks as people began working from home and needed help with that, but things are getting back to normal in terms of support volume.

Casius simply nods in agreement, then quietly replies "The tanner has two dogs - one of them used to be a fighting dog down at the docks. I was going to go to the butcher and buy a couple of beef bones to distract them with. Do you know anyone else on this? If it's someone who could make a sleeping drug of some kind, that would be even better."

A course of action planned for, Casius turned to head towards the butcher when he saw a familiar face. Going over to his table, Casius said, ”Hello, Draco. It’s been a few months. How have you been?”

Alright then, what do you think of Draco and Casius having pulled a con in Westcrown a few months ago? Convincing a gullible noble to part with some gold for a fake charity that doesn't exist?

A pair of dogs, good to know. They could bark and draw attention. The big one was a fighting dog from the docks, and would probably attack intruders. The dogs would need to be dealt with in a way that kept them from being a problem - not necessarily killed, but distracted and maybe drugged. Perhaps a visit to the butcher was in order.

Mesmerists get real good at Bluff. Not 3.5 Glibness good, but good nonetheless.

I agree, having a lot of faces is useful, especially in PbP. It means that in social situations, we don't necessarily have to wait on one person to make a check and drive things forward.

Draco, Casius has generally avoided violence in his cons - he's more of a grifter. Is that something Draco can work with? Especially if the eventual payout is delayed until after the job is complete.

EDIT: GM, are we aware of the others involved in Cimri's little operation? Do we know anything about each others' skills and such?

That’s what extra dimensional storage is for. Good to see you again, Penace. It was a fun game while it lasted.

Casius will function primarily as a face out of combat, and will be focusing on whip combat, with an emphasis on trips, disarms, and dirty tricks. For spell casting, it will mostly be self-buffs and things that target Will saves.

Incidentally, the penalty from hypnotic stare works for everyone, so if you guys cast spells that target Will at the target of my hypnotic stare, you get the benefits, too.

Frowning as he looked over the common room, Casius turned back to the innkeeper and said, ”This local tanner - how good is the quality of his work? I don’t want to spend good coin on leather that’s going to crack in a couple weeks.”

Information was key to any con, and Casius intended to have as much information as he could before this began.

Diplomacy to gather information: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Oh, hey. Araton was the character, right?

Yeah, we had a couple people drop, so recruited more, then they dropped, then things moved so slowly the game ended as other players got fed up, freeing up Casius to manipulate the minds of others elsewhere.

What has Draco’s area of operation been? Casius moves around quite a bit, but he’s new to Longacre.

Thanks again for the selection!

For Play By Post, I think Milestone leveling works best. While it's easier to go back and check XP in the medium, milestone leveling would also allow you to cut out any extraneous encounters that exist for the sole purpose of giving XP. Given how long it can take to complete an AP via PbP, that could give us a better chance of completing it.

Thank you for the selection, GM. I look forward to joining in the discussion thread.

Okay, here is Phntm888's submission, Casius Flann. He's a Fighter (Lore Warden)//Mesmerist gestalt, a Chelish noble cut off from his family's money and given to con artistry as a way to make a living.

Let me know if anything's missing.

Casius sighs in annoyance. "Very well, then. We'll go retrieve the letter. We'll be back shortly."

He motions the others to follow him out of the room.

Casius allows a look of pain to cross his face. "I considered it disrespectful to search through the pockets of my fallen companions. If you truly insist, we will do so."

Bluff, Aid Lazarus: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Sorry. I meant to post over the weekend, and then got distracted by the baby and didn't get there. Let me figure it out.

I suggest everyone get ready for a fight. He probably has a chance of seeing through that one.