Don Haroldson's page

"Your majesty, we have undertaken some few investigations into those outside the Law. A number of those we have investigated have their own... I hesitate to say intelligence service, but... agents. In the course of our investigations we discovered some of them had information on the Duke - including the fact that he was betraying the kingdom to Faedi and details on the mechanisms involved." the Don's head cocks slightly in apology. "Of course evidence from such a source could not be accepted at face value, so we sought corroboration via investigation."
He sighs "Even leaving aside the Duke's treachery it seems likely it was only going to be a matter of time until he was blackmailed into the service of another, whether criminal or - worst case - the Concordat."
diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
bluff: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (10) + 29 = 39 while arguably everything Hal said is the truth, he is sort of stretching definitions.

Hal, in his persona as Don Haroldson, looks around carefully. Though he is careful to show appropriate deference his mind races trying to categorise who the various figures he faces are, and what rules - written and unwritten - might dominate this 'trial'.
'Aral and Turick in the same room - this could get tricky.'
His reflection is cut short by Kaz's confession, and Hal draws on long experience with the con not to jerk his head and stare at his companion.
knowledge: nobility: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
"Your Majesty," the Don begins with a careful bow "I believe the Viscount likely refers to us, though I am hesitant to confirm the fact without evidence. We have undertaken some small investigations that I understand might have been useful. As for whether they are unorthodox... such is needed when the target in question has created such a masterful web of deceit and counters to orthodox investigation. I can assure you, however, that our pursuit of the Truth was well thought out, carefully studied, and rigorously evidentiary."

Don Haroldson shifts from foot to foot, uncomfortable in borrowed shoes. Within the persona Harold Donaldson argues with Hal Blythe.

"What in the everlovin' names of the Three d'ya think y'r doin? F'rget that y'r wanted for questionin' by the Customs Men - whadaya reckon are the odds the Reaps haven't got eyes in Court - or that this king sides with the Duke? Do the sensible thing, back out. Y'çan keep an eye on y'r mates, and get the gang ready to move."
"Nah. Somethin' goes wrong they need me here. And if I'm here I can bolster the case 'gainst the traitor. I can burn the identity later. I can't... I can't just hide forever."
"Yes! Yes you can you mad git! You're great at hiding."
"At some point I have ta do somethin, or what's the point?"
"The point is to live."
"If that's true, then I should've stayed in the mirror."

I don't think he saw the Don either

The don speaks up "Indeed, my lord. And if a book of such perfidy sickens you, know that this is merely the latest such journal. The Duke is no fool, these tomes are trapped, encrypted, and regularly replaced."

The don cocks his head to the side "I suspect previous tomes have carefully incubated the tension between our Kingdom and the Concordat. All for the profit of traitors."

"A Thrush is an excellent idea!" Haroldson agrees. "And far less likely to be attacked as vermin. I will, however, be unable to talk or cast spells once in the form. I can perhaps give a few signals; four peeps for come, three peeps for no, two peeps for yes, one peep for flee. For that reason I think that while I could reconnoitre, I will need to enter the sewers with you in a more conventional form. There I will keep an eye out for traps etc, but this will mean I will actually be even less use should it come to a melee."
"I will need perhaps an hour to prepare, so if someone could acquire said thrush during that time it would be helpful. We can rendezvous somewhere near the sewer entrance - perhaps a third person can find us a comfortable spot? From there I will head to the estate, investigate, then return and report - and free the poor bird - and then we can proceed inside. I suggest someone keep an eye on the estate while I do so we have up to date intelligence on who is present. Given thrush habits and eyesight I will need to enter during the day lest I draw suspicion or fall prey to a feline."
I need to prep spells (any last minute requests?), but am otherwise good with this.

The Don shook his head slowly "Been a while since I've been referred to as a 'Lad', but I suspect you are correct. I have some spells that can help with layout, the detection of hidden dangers, and the detection of spells. I can probably even help with toxic gasses. I'm useless in a fight though, so if we run into rats..." he trails off and snaps his fingers.
"Of course! That's what I was missing! We can infiltrate as vermin! I myself could easily dominate the will of a rat, and physical transformation is a definite possibility. Hmm. Possibly a bird instead."
I had an idea. Posession + greater magic aura.
"I could then look for items that match the form of... no, they will have sheeted their safes in lead... unless... unless I cast a spell to detect lead."
Another burst of inspiration "And if I can detect individual servants, then I can craft a spell to duplicate their forms and auras! I could disguise you as you lurk in the sewers, and when you move into the mansion, you will have that most impenetrable of illusions - that of being expected!"

"My lord Viscount, can you see a flaw in my logic? Is there some well known spell that might see through such machinations?"

Thanks Kazador, I was stumped for something to say.
I feel like the answer is to get him to host a massive party, and use the opportunity to snoop... but I can't see how to make the pieces come together.
@Brookside GM: out of curiosity, if we got access to one of the book of whispers, would it be possible to link a 'third' book into the system? Showing the king the words appearing as the Duke commits treachery would be very satisfying.

"A cunning thought" Hal concurs "True duplication is likely impossible without significant time and resources, but a lookalike might be doable. Indeed, I think I recall a court case where a magical thief stole a gentleman's signet ring while replacing it with a duplicate. While I do not know such a spell myself, of course, I may be able to deduce the basics. If I recall the case correctly, however, the issue was that the spell wore off too soon."
Instant Fake
"Similarly, there is a spell that might allow one to read a book from a distance. Typically used by serious researchers, I have no idea if it might work to read a book placed upon a person... but in theory this might be possible."
Commune with Texts
"Forgive me my lord, but how much proof do we need? Must we 'catch the Duke quill in hand, as he spills the secrets of the land'? Is it sufficient to simply make only him aware of a secret, and see if his contact acts upon the information?"
"Finally - and with the greatest of respect, my Lord... if these outsiders can find the truth so quickly I cannot believe that none of the King's agents had even a glimmer. I suspect instead that agents that found any information have been made to disappear - or more likely simply assumed that any accusation against a noble of such stature would be pointless if not actively suicidal. If your success in purging the nobility of scoundrels is known, perhaps the Throne might direct agents to anonymously report suspicions of further noble criminality to yourself."
The old man hesitates a second then continues "No I retract that. There is too much chance the Duke will simply have you killed. Anonymity must be your first shield against a short sword in the dark."

The 'Don' nods. "As it happens, I have one. I confess to being more interested in a bath than anything else at the moment... A long, hot, long bath..." he sighs "But I can see the need for speed."
Ears of the city should meet the first criteria, right?

sense motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Hal gives a very quiet smile, and reflects 'Reminds me of them giving me leniency in exchange for cooperation. Worked for me. Hopefully it works for him.'

The old Don stands straighter at Turion's suggestion, and looks stricken, but slumps against the wall when the surgery is off the table.
As the arrest is made he shakes his head slowly. "Well. I did not see this coming when I woke up this morning." he mutters quietly.

With considerably more effort than it took to go down the Don - or at least the soot, blood and silver covered husk of the Don - reappears at the top of the ladder.
"Excellent work, gentlemen." he congratualtes in his educated tones, then with a somewhat less educated grunt leans against the wall. "Were I less exhausted I would suggest we take something for easy scrying, and plant upon him something to help with tracking. My intuition says the man has ways and means to escape even from the King's custody."

It turns out that it is a good thing that 'Don Haroldson' looked like a beggar who had slipped over in a trash fire and cut himself badly, because when he enters the aura and the manifold magics he surrounds himself with wither away the difference is not immediately obvious.
He stoops more, his hands shake a little, his eyes squint, and - could anyone perceive it within the field - his aura warps.
Carefully laying down his scarf to form a place to kneel he pulls out a set of cunningly shaped wires and starts working.

"I can see it." the Don calls out, and nods to Kazador, Turion, and the prisoner.
With a sigh he walks up to the edge of the field, looks over his glasses, and walks the field periphery looking carefully.

The Don - dishevelled and worn - looks troubled. After a pause he continues.
"Who would have thought those rebellious student years sneaking in to the dorm before morning bell would prove so critical to the kingdom? I'll certainly give it a go while we wait for a professional. If I am to draw on my old memories, I should perhaps drink a flask or two..." he looks down at himself "Actually, this is probably sufficient. Fortunate that my Message spells require a supply of various wires."
bluff: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (18) + 28 = 46
Without another word he descends.
is it possible to see how much area is covered by the anti magic spell? And if it negates spells while in the effect, or cancels them all together?

The Don stumbles onwards, barely visible as the distinguished academic of an hour ago. Smears of quicksilver, charcoal, and blood remain from the ritual, and his clothes somehow seem to have aged decades in minutes. Tear-tracks cut down through angular features into a now-black beard.

Still, despite that, behind his spectacles his eyes seem bright enough.

"No lock is unpickable." he observes in a rough voice "But if the Baron has the key it may not matter. We should send someone down who doesn't rely on magic, my lord, and soon."
know nobility: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25

as soon as we decide
"Your help will be invaluable, I'm sure."
"In that case can someone please requisition a carriage to get us close - I am going to need to take a fascinating theoretical approach and render it practical in a very short span of time."
The Don then immediately requisitions a nearby table and starts pulling books, flasks, and tools out in a mad rush. "Very well my friend" he says to Turion "What are you thinking?"

at the wall, still as the Don.
Still desperately trying to eke out a few last seconds of research as the party comes within a hundred feet of the wall, the Don finally gives up and throws several books into a bag far too small to hold them.

"Here goes then." With a grimace he takes the first flask, and throws down his cloak to reveal a very skinny body clad only in pants and charcoal runes. Immediately he starts using the quicksilver in the flask as paint to trace the runes - indicating for the others to help. "Make sure you wipe your fingers after. This is an old shaman's trick from a boggart tribe, but most of their shamans go mad after they try it due to the poison. Nothing beats the arcane conductivity of quicksilver, however."
As he traces the Don incants in one language after another, calling upon names unknown to aid his luck - till he calls on the Norns themselves.
Finally done he rubs his fingers quickly on his pants and pulls out another flask, an eyedropper this time, and carefully puts a drop in each eye - his withered old body tensing with pain under the runes, which flash quickly with magenta power.

"Right." he says, in a voice that rasps from the power he has channeled through it. The Don's accent slips as he talks. "Prep done. T' the wall. S'do'this."
Carefully, squinting as if against the sun in the dark of the night, he makes his way the few short yards to the wall where Kazador has prepared his rune.
With a few muttered words the dark shadow at the corner of the garden on the other side of the fence darkens further, dark tendrils hiding among the vines and greenery, lit by the eerie magenta pulse from the quicksilver runes.

From somewhere he then pulls a signature of pages hastily glued together to form a single massive sheet, scribed with spells in a multitude of coloured inks - predominantly brown - and two different hands. The sheet is held against the wall, and yet another spell causes the magenta runes on the Don's skin to flare as he forces the intricate writing from the pages to the wall using a spell only supposed to make copying old tomes easier. The paper - now blank - is discarded.
With a final grunt he slaps his hands to either side of the runework, and the flickering quicksilver runes light up with magenta light as Hal - for there is no trace of the Don now - channels every ounce of his gift into forcing his changes into the wardwork laid down inside the garden wall by the wizard who set them.

"Not sure... how long... I can hold it." he says through gritted teeth. Blood drips from his nose, flickering with magenta light and sizzling when it hits the ground. "Hope they don't **** around."

"Hypothetically..." Hal starts carefully in his 'Don' persona "I was reading recently that the trouble with most 'commercial' anti-teleport wards is that the person who casts it has to leave it configurable by a third party - ie the owner. This means that certain components normally fixed into the vitus personae are left vulnerable. In theory with a few carefully placed glyphs one might be able to change the passwords and redirect the target destination to somewhere else. Given that Cust almost certainly has access to teleport, given he has thought to put up warding, that might be the best way to ensure he does not simply vanish and appear at his country estates." He looks thoughtful "Yes. I believe the research was done by the wizard Tina of Lles. I could probably put my hands on the paper fairly quickly."

Hal can memorise clairvoyance, though he'd have to burn a lvl 4 slot. Insect swarm might be better.

@Brookside GM: how does this interact with sensing the scrying sensor?

Suppress Audible or Visible Effects: A stylized spell’s effects can be suppressed to the point where they are difficult to spot or hear. Such a spell’s audible and visual effects are largely transparent, quieter, smaller, or otherwise less obtrusive. A creature notices the suppressed effects only if it succeeds at a Perception check (DC = 10 + your number of ranks in Bluff or Spellcraft + the highest of your Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma modifiers). If, at the GM’s discretion, a spell’s effects are intrinsically bound to its visual or auditory signature (such as sunburst, sound burst, and most spells with the language-dependent, light, or sonic descriptors), reduce the DC of the Perception by 10.

Harold rats through his bag for a moment before procuring a pharasmin holy symbol, then spends a minute speaking quietly with eyes closed.
That done, he nods.

The Don pulls out a battered pencil, a ragged scrap of paper, and starts to take notes.

"So how is this? Question 1 is 'what exactly did Cust have you build'?"

"Question 2: what do you think it was used for?"

"Question 3: what security measures do you believe exist to stop or detect entry?"

"Question 4: if you know of any evidence Cust has comitted a crime, where is it?"

"Question 5: what, if aything, do you wish you had told your wife before you died."

Uh, are we going to be admitting to this? Otherwise I'd prefer 'waht do you wish you had told your wife?'

"Hmmm. Good questions. I expect his identity would become obvious through the questions though. The secret room is, perhaps, the first question. Good thought on asking for details. Given evidence of a murder might help us catch Cust if we can independently verify, but I doubt the man left traces..." the Don pauses walking for a moment, then shakes his head and continues.

"Perhaps we might make use of that shed? We'd need to keep others away, but I shouldn't take thatlong to be done with this. I will, however, need to know what we want to ask. And, of course, we need the target to be... mostly intact." the Don shrugs, his persona starting to slip.

The old man sighs "In which case, if they can retrieve the... target.: he pauses, then continues "can they take it somewhere nearby? This is not a fast ritual, and if the body is not intact we'll need to do some repairs, so somewhere with a little more privacy would be good. Additionally it does not last long. I'll only be able to ask - at most - somewhere around five or six questions. I suggest we work out the questions beforehaand, as I have heard of groups performing this ritual arguing about what follow up questions to ask for so long that the ritual expires before they ask a second."

Hope all is going well!
In a case of terrible timing I may be incommunicado over the weekend.

"So." the dapper Don says quietly, still in disguise, and after looking around "While identifying the plot would be sensible, I need to know how far we should proceed. I see four issues."
"First - visibility. Exhuming in daylight is not so impossible as one might think, so long as we look like people who would be liegitmately doing so, and the appropriate church officials believe our bona fides."
"Second - traceability. We will need to clean up after ourselves quite well if we do not want our estwhile employer to guess our actions."
"Third - optimality. Has the information given us by our recent informant brought to light anything more relevant?"
"Fourth - physicality. I'm an old man..." he coughs piteously a few times "and perhaps a younger - er, that is, more fit member - might be a better choice?"

"That is an excellent suggestion my lord. Might I possibly suggest an additional password we can use if we believe we have been compromised - as an 'ask for help' thing. If all my companions have been controlled to reveal the password and I have not I would be prepared to play along and attempt to warn you if I could do so smoothly and without automatically becoming 'burned'."
He hesitates "I believe our opponents have spent some time on ways to authenticate themselves. Other nefarious groups as well. One I have heard of is to take a simple item anyone might carry, break it in half and give half to each side. There is a cantrip to mend items that will only work if both halves are present. There is little chance people will think the snapped stay of a corset is a pass-object. Religious groups ofttimes use a formal pledge of allegiance repeated often. Whilst there is no guarantee that the one swearing means the oath, certain predominately evil entities take delight in using such a pledge to steal a soul when the infiltrator eventually dies."

"Further..." the Don realises that no-one is really interested and switches topic "We should complete out business and be away. Our esteemed Mrs Mason has agreed to stay with you for now, and I ask that you or your agents see if she can shed any more light on the topics at hand before we spirit her away to safety."
"Mrs Mason, might I ask if your husband was doing any other work, construction or design, after his comission from Cust? Many a talented architect has hidden hints and clues in some piece, indeed such hidden hints were all the rage at one point."
"Additionally, and I do hesitate to ask... where might your husband be interred? This odd illness smacks of poison or curse to me, and I have spells to detect such things, though I admit the time involved will be a complicating factor. If the spells work, and work well enough, and it is a rare poison or curse, then I might be able to get some actual evidence. On the other hand, while I am prepared to brave a crypt to solve a crime, I am reluctant to disturb your husband otherwise."

The Don starts to answer, then pauses. A moment later he raises a finger and opens his mouth, then stops again.
"I suppose..." he finally admits "You can't. Mind magic could gain passwords, but also turn us into unwilling puppets. Mere disguise seems... mundane compared to that. A series of targetted spell removal abjurations should remove even magic that is hard to detect. Combine that with a spell that looks through bloodlines or some such - I can help you find one - and you can ascertain that our bodies are our own and likely not possessed nor dominated."
"That said, if we were aware that was the process, I doubt we would be keen to submit to something so invasive. Indirect communications with embedded key phrases combined with a level of distrust on your part is probably the safest way to procceed."
"The largest issue is probably that while we are the ones who are most likely to encounter an entity capable of such infiltration in the course of our duties it is far more likely that the entity will seek to infiltrate via those you are more likely to trust."
The old man grroms his beard "I willl think on it, but there is no perfect answer, only the ability to ameliorate risk."

"Succinctly put, but I feel the nuance is important." the academic grudgingly agrees.
"The true issue is that every countermeasure has its own counter. You can go insane, bankrupt, or both in trying to account for everything. Much like a game of chess, one does better if one keep's one strategems to oneself."

Don Haroldson coughs. "Pardon me if I was over-enthusiastic. I do indeed have a few suggestions. The first of which is to tell no-one, including me, what precautions have already been taken. I expect this will be a one way transmission of information."
"The issues primarily arise when the use of magic allows infiltrators the ability to avoid common-sense security. Invisibility to avoid sight, telepathy to read passwords, and so on. I shan't lecture on things such as the necessary height of walls to stop mundane threats."
"First of all, I recommend that my Lord invest in a triggered item that will carry him to safety, or provide a sudden barrier to attacks. Such items are beyond costly, of course, but well worth the money. A number of weaker contingency items also exist..." The Don reaches into the attachment of his cloak and draws out a small silver charm. "This one, for example, triggers if I am attacked by a number of ranged weapons at once. You are welcome to examine it, and I can acquire one for you if you wish."
"Other items exist that provide information when an attack is about to happen. Once again, I am happy to source such items. A split second if warning may be enough to make the difference between life and death."
"The reason I start with this is that security needs to be built in layers. A brittle secure shell is simply a prison if the opponent finds a way to penetrate it."
"The next layer is my lord's personal retinue. While I assume loyalty, spells to co-opt the will of such personnel is the true problem. Such spells can be concealed by someone with the correct knowledge, but such knowledge is rare. Regular checks for magical subversion will go a long way, and this is best done through a magical item handled by my Lord, 'lest there simply be a new single point of failure. Tracking such retinue is also worth doing, as few of these spells can be performed instantly or quietly, let alone both. A properly trained expert can see through almost all attempts to cover up magic, and should my Lord have a competent wizard he trusts entirely I am happy to teach them the necessary techniques."
"Note that many assume that creatures without minds - constructs and even abominations like the undead - are inherently safer that normal guards. This is untrue. There are spells to co-opt such creatures, and unlike a living guard, no will to fight against the compulsions."
"Do not underestimate training, either. Regular training and drills - and ideally involving actual mental manipulation - will help your guards to sense when one of their own is acting strangely as their will fights off a malevolent presence, and when it is simply a poor night's sleep."
"Onto the subject of securing the domain. This is of limited use, as if the domain is sufficiently secure then an assassin will simply wait for my lord to leave. On the other hand it can be of exceptional use against thieves, spies, and other such vermin."
"Just as with rats, do not leave temptation around. Notes should be minimal, well secured, kept only so long as needed, and ideally in code. Precious goods should be kept locked up, tracking effects should be used where possible, and knowledge that such tracking effects are used should be spread liberally."
"There is some debate on traps. A good trap can certainly have a disproportionate effect on an unwary trespasser, but I feel that the risk to the legitimate inhabitants causes the cost to far outweigh the benefits."
"Alarms - most simply a few simple alarm spells - can definitely work though. I suggest installing 'nightingale floors', or something that causes a noise when used. Bells on a door for example. These should be impossible to silence, and a noise where no noise should be can alert security to the issue."
"My lord should invest in powders that neutralise fire, and ideally some form of anti-soporific for the guards."
"If my lord is willing, there are creatures in existence that make exceptional guards against magical intrusion. Such creatures tend to be rare, and therefore expensive, but can be quite useful. They too can be co-opted, however, so beware."
"Moving on to Active defences..."
not sure how long to go on for...

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24
The Don hangs back a little as they are moved on. "Captain, I do apologise if I've given offence. We both want his lordship protected. If you can spare a little time when you are off duty I would be delighted to share some ideas to that end. Hopefully they will all be ideas you have already implemented, but will not be able to tell me due to operational security. On the other hand, if even one is both novel and proves useful it will be time well spent."

"Good morning my lord." he choruses with the others, from the back, and waits for someone else to take the lead.

"Really Captain?"

"I can assure you that I for one am using magic to disguise myself, and have done so every time you have seen me, and in fact my entire time in this city where I understandably do not wish to be recognised. I rely on an effect that alters the mind directly. You are welcome to use magical detection to look for such a spell, but I have also taken the precaution of using an illusion specifically designed to counter exactly that. This is because while I may be a patriot rather than a professional 'secret agent', I understand enough to know that the key word there is secret. I have a wife, Captain, and a family - my anonymity is their shield, and while I will risk my life, I will not risk theirs."

"I'm not sure if you've been informed, but I am in fact a scholar of the arcane of some repute, and my area of speciality is in the field of divination. As such I can assure you that your methodology is insufficient. While I grant that it is true that some simpler spells will fail when subjected to such tactile intrusion, anyone intending to bypass you and your men would absolutely be able to use spells that can bypass such tests. At that point the tests will only serve to give a false positive. Further..."

The Don catches himself, trails off, and sighs "My apologies Captain. The issue with being a teacher is one acquires a tendency to lecture on the rare occasion one's specialty becomes relevant."

He raises a single hand, slowly "I promise to refrain from further pontificating, though if you can find some time to humour an old man I would be happy to make some suggestions, and possibly lend you my translation of 'Wapiganaji Watatu Hekima ya Jatembe' - the Three Warriors Wisdom, by Jatembe."

"I can assure you are that we are the people His Lordship has been working with, none of us are exactly who we appear to be, and we will not begrudge you the time to properly verify our bona fides."

bluff: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (3) + 28 = 31
actually this is entirely true, but assembled to be misleading. e.g. he may be a patriot - he isn't really, but in a certain light he is a patriot, albeit of a different country.
Took me a while to work out how to write this, and mostly to try to match Hal's bluff score.
Also, I wasn't sure whether this was going to help, but providing an understandable motivation seemed like a good idea.
Finally, while Hal knows there are secrets, he does not know how many or who.
Hal has a diplomacy of +10, but this did not seem very diplomatic.

The don strokes his fine white beard back into place. "Indeed. Indeed. Extremely suspicious. Blackmail, and a dead secret-keeper. The probability that the man has a secret in his house approaches a certainty."

The old man stares off for a moment "Indeed, I am reminded of a scandalous old story about a man who made a deal with a Devil to acquire wealth, and hid a secret temple in his house. A great pity we cannot question the man."

His face breaks into a grin as he straightens "Still, what are notes if not a way to ask of to the dead what we did not ask in life? Remind me after this meeting, and it may be that I have a way to dig up the answers we need. I won't trouble his lordship with all the dry details."

"Though - forgive me, my lord, but you did mean that the widow of the architect moved? We will need some basic information, like names, current residence of the wife - and the architect for that matter." A smile and a knowing nod "Just as the cobbler's children have no shoes, many architects spend a great deal of thought on their final resting place, but never actually get round to building it. I wonder if that is so here. A man's widow might allow access to a man's notes, should it be necessary to honor an artist with the final construction of his vision."

"As for the builders - a good thought, and worth chasing at need, but it would not take many builders dead to hide a well designed secret room. Indeed a competent architect might well know enough to install an already made door him or herself."

Edit: Ninja'd, sorry
The don nods sagely "Indeed, I wish to echo my colleague. After all, my lord's competence at strategy is proven by the success of this very endeavour to which we are committed. As for other politicians, well, what better way to portray oneself the champion of strategy than to ensure the enemy is well positioned against everyone rival. Indeed, I almost hope that is so. The alternative - that any man so gifted in strategy would be seeking to steer the ship of public perception - suggests frightening ambitions."

He sighs, dragging himself back on topic. "To Lord Cust then. I suspect my lord's agents have kept a wary eye on an elevated merchant who makes suspiciously prosperous investments. Undoubtedly most such investigations have led to little more than large ledgers filled with small writing, but such ledgers might give us a clue as to where to go next."

The Don looks to Turion
"I'd like to restate my objection for the record. We have sufficient information already such that seeking mere confirmation seems unnecessary. Let's hang him and be done. What possible information could he have to justify his continued existence?"
Bluff: if you don't find something we don't know you'll be killed.: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (16) + 28 = 44

a couple of points of damage from the hero point is all
"Fortunate that!" the Don replies, and smiles "Glad you're keeping up your security, can't be too careful with these scum."

"Can I suggest..." he adds, at Melia's offer "That we separate and blindfold the men first. Additionally, if there is any chance of letting one free - something I think only possible for the mercenary - please call upon me so I can remove certain troublesome memories. They seem the types to seek revenge on those who wronged them, regardless of how long they must play along first."

once Mel has finished
"Shall we leave as we came?"

int: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Hal sudders a little despite his best efforts as Fennith exits through her door.

"Well... guess I could 'port 'em out now, then hit 'em with the tracker. Get their gear though. Don't want..." he cuts off "Anyone grabbin' it first."
assuming they are looted, 'Don' will teleport to the arranged location with the three, dead or alive.
appraise dc 20: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

He sighs "If nothin' else, I want his shoes. Can't believe boots that expensive are bein' used for actual walking." He fingers the shirt "Oooh, silk. Not too much blood either. Get a pretty penny for that - in a different city. Worth takin' though. Strip 'im down, we might even make a profit on this!"

'Don' Hal gives Túrion an appraising look as the Madame leaves and they walk back into the room. "So. She's a friend of yours?"

Within the room Hal reaches into his pouch, roots around for a while and pulls out a squished cookie. Carefully he divides it into parts, then sighs and slips out of his role's accent. "D'we have fifteen so's I c'n knock up a tracker? Or do I need ta' take 'em A S A F P?"

"Gi'me a minute!" Hal asks Mel. "I'll 'port 'em, but first we need ta check 'em for loot 'n' spells. Plus, I think it'd be a good idea to put some trackin' on 'em."

As the Madame turns up he sighs, spends a few rounds mixing some ingredients with a strangely shaped rod, scowls, then walks back to the corridor.

Spell Study, Burn 2 3rd level slots to cast hallucinatory decor with the threefold rod. DC 21, but roll 3 times take the middle. 10 10ft cubes for 10 hours.

"I do apologise, madame." he says in his cultured 'don' accent, stopping to pick up his dropped cane. "Rest assured that repairs are totally possible, but this should mask the damage for now..."

Behind him the scorched and soaked walls start to shift. Wallpaper tears into strips that are sucked into walls that grow thorny branches that sculpt themselves into intricately carved wooden panels. Carpet turns verdant green. A damaged sconce shifts into the upper torso of a woman with cupped palms. Some exposed studs grow into a pair of carved wooden pillars - caryatid and telamon staring lustfully at each other.

"Hmm. That should be enough. Don't want to go too far. Perhaps tell people the area has been hired?"

welp, can't have everyone keep running.
Spending a hero point for +8 luck bonus. Due to non-stacking, this is actually +7.
will: 1d20 + 11 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 7 = 24
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
How far down the hall have Hal and Fyrtor got, please? Is there still LOS?

don't worry - my bad. Is he allowed to say anything (lies) while he runs?
The old drunk man gasps, scrabbles for his cane for a moment as he struggles to rise properly, then runs down the corridor in desperate, adrenaline fuelled attempt to flee.

will: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16 I just remembered which Buff I *didn't* cast. Ah well. I assume this was cast on everyone in the hallway?
Edit: wait, I think Hal does have a hero point. He can spent that post action to get +4 retrospectively right? Even with all his luck weirdness, that'd get him to 20.

mechanics
Cast Mage Armor +4 AC 10h
Cast Mage Armour via pearl on Mel - if she still wants it
Cast Greater False Life (CL 10) hp: 2d10 + 10 ⇒ (6, 7) + 10 = 23
Cast False Face
Disguise: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 note - also has false face and sleeves of many garments
bluff: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (17) + 28 = 45 to act as a drunk patron
Use Soulsight Goggles to check out the auras of the three as they come through. Note - Read Spell Traces gives more information than normal.
Cast Ears of the city using Cunning Caster bluff: 1d20 + 28 - 8 ⇒ (4) + 28 - 8 = 24 using stilled rod.
Using Stylized Spontaneity to hide manifestation.caster level dc12: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Acquire 6 doses of Silence Powder (6*60gp) and distribute 1 to each
10 ears of the city rolls if successful. Will be Perception +11+5 from See beyond.

A well dressed but somewhat tipsy old man grunts as the girl he's drunkenly 'courting' subtly drifts him out of Tyron's path. he half stumbles, clutching at his cane to stay balanced, then dropping it anyway. "Can you get that, love? I seem to have..." his conversation drifts off into a giggle, mumbling some vague single-entendre about a rod.

Patron probably works as well - and I'm assuming there are employees like bouncers, barstaff, etc?

"Well, Madame, that is to some extent up to you. We will require a room with reasonable sound proofing, and where a number of us can remain hidden. As well as a door that can be secured, ideally from both sides. If we can rely on you to deal with any additional people brought with the scoundrel, I believe all of us should remain there."
"I took the liberty of acquiring a few consumables during my recent sojourn, specifically silence dust Brilliant Planner. I'll need, perhaps, half an hour to prepare myself and measure out the dust into bags - so any time after that. I suggest we all have one, and use our best judgement to choose between deploying the dust and incapacitating the target when the opportunity arrives. Is there any chance Serena could deploy such a bag? If not we'll need a signal. In fact, we'll need a number of silent signals to deploy in the area."
The Don looks to Turion, carefully avoiding using any names. "Once the man is unconscious, I suggest one of us move him directly to our final destination. I'm happy to do so, but will then need someone else to act the thespian - or wait until I can return."
"I would suggest at least some of us stay here in case something comes up, and to deal with any remaining companions. Ideally we'd have a communication mechanism, though we'd have to consider the distance."
Q: How far do we need to move him? Does Turick have a holding cell within sub-1000ft distance?
"With the exception of our final deception - him leaving - I believe that will covers the basic plan?"
The don turns to the Madame "Once the message is sent I suggest you find a room, show it to us, familiarise yourself with Serena, and we wait for a response. Remember we'll need at least half an hour - an hour would be better - to prepare."

not sure which alias Hal should be using. Given the setting and that we came here straight from Turick, I suspect the Don?

The don shivers slightly. "This skirts the very edge of my morality. I can easily see this going very, very wrong." 'Spent too much time around the Fae to like the idea of feeding someone to them - even someone like this' "But I accept that your understanding of Serena far surpasses mine."

"While I am sure it goes unsaid, I feel I should insist on one additional step - we have someone, disguised or illusioned to look like Alabaster - be seen after this event. Should it be necessary I will undertake the mission myself."

He straightens "I was considered quite the actor in my younger days. I admit impersonating a young girl would be a stretch, but sadly a degenerate old scumbag is right in the middle of my repertoire."

"As for the actual acquisition - my new spell blocks sound, allowing me to sleep tight while the students carouse next door. It seems... overkill. On the other hand blocking his ability to flee seems well worth doing. I suggest my role be to try to block any single-use items he might employ."

The Don stands quietly, mouth open, as Melia talks.
Initially his mouth is open to scholarly refute some faulty assertion, but as the facts are clearly laid out his open mouth transitioned to one agape in astonishment. His hard-pondered conspiracy theories are revealed to be little more than the delusions of a madman under the piercing light of Melia's revelations.

It takes every ounce of his self control not to break character in front of the Viscount, and he takes the opportunity to pour himself a drink with shaking hands.

"Indeed." he finally agrees "I concur. Alabaster first, while the scoundrel still leaves himself open to interception. Then Cust. Then Harcourt. However, I would caution you on another possibility, Lord Turick. That the fight is brought to us."
The old man sighs "The Reaps have seen many setbacks recently. They are likely to become desperate. Desperate people do desperate, foolish things. They have been careful to avoid attracting the ire of the Crown - in this they have failed. If they believe the Crown a threat, they may well move to strike at the King, or council members beyond their sway. While my lord's bravery is well known, I urge not just caution but outright paranoia regarding your own safety. After all, should you fall it seems likely that the council will be entirely populated with ambitious, foolish, and/or treacherous men."
The Don scowls, shrinking in on himself "Further still - while an assassination attempt on his Majesty would be suicide, history shows us that an assassin prepared to die for their cause is extremely hard to entirely stop. I hypothesise that a number of such assassins striking at once may be able to overcome defences thought unassailable."
"I fear that the inevitable end to this contest is a shadow war between the Reaps and the Crown. A war that can end only if that Damned order is utterly destroyed."

The Don smiles hesitantly, and shrugs "Forgive an old man for harping on about an issue my lord Viscount has undoubtedly already considered."