Discern Lies and the Blue Nixie

[Sben]

We've recently started There Is No Honor, but the PCs haven't yet confronted Soller Vark. One of my players had the bright idea to get Lavinia and Vark to submit to Discern Lies, at which point the district watch would be more or less obligated to step in and help repossess the Nixie.

I don't see any particular reason why this approach wouldn't help the PCs, though maybe not as much as they'd like. They'll probably get a few watch members on their side in the boat fight, plus the weight of moral and legal authority (which some of them are concerned about).

Obviously, Vark has no interest in this plan, and won't be setting foot off the ship. It's in Lavinia's interest, however, and should cost only 280gp (7th level cleric casting a 4th level spell, assuming they can't find a paladin).

I think I'll run it like this:

• They present the plan to Lavinia. She agrees, but says that the cost will have to come out of their reward -- she's low on cash, which they know.
  
• They talk to a member of the watch and convince him to accompany them to the Nixie to get Vark to come to a cleric. (No cleric will be found who'll accompany them to the ship.)
  
• Vark's not going anywhere, and the watch can't compel him, so they'll have to go just with Lavinia.
  
• They go to a temple -- any one of Fharlanghn (Merchant District anchor), the shrine to Zilchus (monetary transactions), or the Azure Cathedral (seaborne commerce) -- and pay for the spell. It's found that Lavinia is telling the truth. The watch now has evidence supporting Lavinia's case.
  
• Three watch members accompany the party to the Nixie, with Lavinia remaining on the dock. The thugs get Vark, who allows them on deck.
  
• At this point, I play it by ear; a couple of possibilities are:
  -- Vark decides the deal is worth the risk of antagonizing the city watch, so attempts to disarm them and tie them up, intending to skip town after the deal that night. Chaos ensues.
  -- Vark decides to bail on the deal; he shouts for the cages to be burnt and tries to jumps ship. Chaos ensues.
  
• Assuming the characters find Lavinia's money and return it to her, she'll reward them the originally-agreed-upon 200gp, but no bonus.
  

If Vark escapes, I may have him end up joining the Lotus Dragons -- if they can keep him on a leash, they probably wouldn't mind having a brute in their ranks.

I plan on statting watch members as level 2 warriors.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

[Sean Mahoney]

I would increase the number of watch that are willing to accompany the PCs. Make a big deal about them being right and the watch being on board with them. Then when the arrive back at the docks they can see the ship pulling up anchor to head out to open sea (possible to make their rendevous with the Scarlet Brotherhood or whoever). The watch at this point will inform them that they can not assist now that the boat has left their jurisdiction (a very big deal to the watch as they deal with each district having it's own watch). Perhaps they direct them to a noble who has jurisdiction for naval affairs but they realize that wading through red tape and yet another series of proof would take far too long... they can't let the ship get out of site and now they need to charter a boat, and quickly, in order to catch them.

If the boat gets away have it found crashed against the rocks in harbor the next morning. The PCs will of course investigate, only to find a group of pirates held up inside one of the cabins, having barred themselves in (and were unable to reach the helm to prevent the crash). The rhagadossa escaped before delivery could be made and is now hunting the pirates... at least it was until a new meal arrived...

Once the rhagadossa is dealth with the pirates may decide to do away with the PCs to prevent there from being evidence of the crime (so basically the same fights, in reverse order... rhagodessa then pirates). For even more fun make the rhagodessa hunt them more horror style... never let them see the whole creature, just parts of it. Have it attack when they seperate, etc. etc.

The other result is that Lavinia looses the Blue Nixie... perhaps it is just adrift then... after all I think it is important in later chapters.

Sean Mahoney

[robin]

I think you're missing the point . Several considerations

Is the priest the PCs are going to assermented by law ?
I would say not otherwise the importance of churches in the government would be too important and many problems would be resolved by a church . 'is Mr a criminal ? ' 'Talona says yes !' ' ok , off with him !'

Also , is the priest disponible right now and is preparred to come with the PCs ?
I'm so sorry but my 4th level spells has already been paid for the five next days . would an appointment at the temple in 6 days be allright ? come with you on the ship ? well , I suppose it would be possible but this would cost you more ( you pay more when the doctor come to your home then when you go to the hospital after all ) . following this , the pcs must contact soller vark to discuss his visit to the temple, the thugs on board refuse the pc access to the ship and say soller is not there ( Sense motive DC 10 : they are lying) . the adventure is back on track . The PCs are persuasive ? Ok , one or two of them see Soller Vark who of course accept the appointement ( Sense Motive Dc ? : he doesnt mean to come to the appointement)
Ok , a priest does come , determines that Soller Vark is lying so what ?

Remember that the whole purpose is for the PCS to resolve the situation themselves , that the watch is overworked (yes, yes , you have a signed note from the temple that our representative is lying , ok we"ll look into it but it is the right of mr Vatk to have counter experts on the matters , we'll let you know how it goes )
This said , give your PCs extra xp for a good idea !