I've read on more than one thread that all parties pretty much figure out who blackjack is as soon as he appears on the scene. Taking advantage of the magic in the world I did the following.
- Vencarlo is a powerfully built human of average stature
- Blackjack is lean and tall
- Vencarlo is missing half of his left arm
- Blackjack clearly has two perfectly working arms.
This was done by:
- Mask of blackjack: Works like a hat of diguise, but turns you into blackjack.
- magic arm: A wood and mithril hand and forearm. Attached to the stump, they work as a perfectly normal arm.
Also, I stressed the point that blackjack was at least a hundred years old. Also when Vencarlo tells them about blackjack he mentions him as "an old fencing friend, I hadn't seen for a decade, he looks the same but I'm quite older".
I also built the PC's relationship with the guy. One of the PC's uses a rapier, so Vencarlo offered to teach her (giving her a temporary +1 bonus to attack with the rapier)
I like what you did there, my players too figure it out the moment he asked they escort that blond girl (I cant remember her name), actualy it is now a running joke on the table to ask "are you blackjack"
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I like what you did there, my players too figure it out the moment he asked they escort that blond girl (I cant remember her name), actualy it is now a running joke on the table to ask "are you blackjack"
I too figured it out quite early; when we met Vencarlo later in his home when he asked us to escort Trilina out of the city, while other PCs were talking to him, I specifically mentioned to DM that I put my hand up to block my view of his face except for the eyes etc - essentially mimicking the look one would get from him wearing BlackJack's mask, and the DM thought that was pretty clever and said it was a striking resemblance. Then I stated I'll eyeball his sword and see if I recognize it......
Of all people, our party Cleric of Sarenrae became the next Blackjack - he took a level of rogue etc and fell into the role with enthusiasm.
You did a great job of trying to keep the mystery. Well done. When I run it for my other group of players, I may take this approach.
Robert
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I like what you did there, my players too figure it out the moment he asked they escort that blond girl (I cant remember her name), actualy it is now a running joke on the table to ask "are you blackjack"
Which one of you is the one they call robin of the hood?
I'm Robin Hood
He's not robin Hood, I am
No you're not, I'm robin hood
thier all lying I'm the real robin hood
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I am running two games of this AP.
Group 1
This group did not really figure out who blackjack was until much later but for a slightly different reason. They didn't care. They didn't care who blackjack was, they liked his response to the execution but other than that they just were not interested. On top of that they really didn't like Vencarlo. They found him to be irritating instead of interesting.
Group 2
This group has not had the true reveal yet as they are mid way to mostly through 7 days. They have their suspicions and they are much more interested in Blackjack as well as extremely friendly with Vencarlo. He is one of their confidances, they turn to him for information and such. In fact they have asked Vencarlo to help them find the Seneschal who it seems has gone missing. I am quite pleased by that little turn of events. Vencarlo has gone to ground looking for contacts and clues as to the whereabouts of the Seneschal. Very convenient don't you think?
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First Group
Second Group
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My group really liked Blackjack's appearance at the execution and when they heard that he had been around for years immediately started thinking that ther ehad been a succession of Blackjack's.
Vencarlo I described as more Anthony Hopkins (as in the recent Zorro films) and they immediately started wondering who the new Blackjack could be. Prime suspects were Grau Soldado and the Sable Company Commandant. Both of whom were quite evasive when questioned about Blackjack. Now they know the truth and the best candidate for the being a new Blackjack would actually have been the Paladin member of the Sable Company but he's too humble to take up the mask!
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Just went through the finale of Edge of Anarchy last night. Before the execution a pair of PCs headed to Vencarlo's Academy, knowing he was openly disdainful of the Korvosan government. They found Vencarlo missing, and one character remarked: "I get the sneaking suspicion that someone is already planning a rescue."
They headed over to the execution anyway, the Elf Wizard attempted to draw the attention of his sister (A Gray Maiden) mouthing: "She's innocent", but considering a full face mask he couldn't know her reaction as she passed him in the hall.
The Sable Company Marine circled above the execution on Hippogryph back, figuring that he'd be needed for a rapid extraction. The druid wandered around through the crowd sewing rumours of the girl's innocence. The paladin and the bard stationed themselves near the executioner's block.
Then it was time for the execution, the Bard (who was Trinia's BFF from way back) was practically in tears. Then Vencarlo arrived, enacting his last minute rescue. When the Executioner raised his axe behind Vencarlo's back the Marine dropped from the sky knocking the executioner to the ground, and airlifting the vigilante from the scene. The Bard used her perform ability to start a riot, as a distraction. The rogue just watched which nobles took which sides between the queen and the rioters. The druid and his pet tiger frightened off a bunch of guards aiming for the hippogryph.
All in all it was a really exciting scene. Blackjack made his exit saluting the Sable Company Marine as he broke his feather fall token and safely parachuted into the streets with Trinia.
One of my players has an old flame from his teenage years he somehow lost track of. I wanted to incorporate her in an important role, so a friend of mine suggested making her Orsini's pupil.
Unbeknownst to him, she has souped up her own Blackjack act. I hope this will accomplish throwing them off Orsini's track for a while, encountering Blackjack while in Orsini's company.
One of my players has an old flame from his teenage years he somehow lost track of.I assume you meant, one of my player's character has an old flame. Reading it any other way gets a little weird. Ewww. ;-)
One of my players' character, even... Grrrrr.
Just went through the finale of Edge of Anarchy last night. Before the execution a pair of PCs headed to Vencarlo's Academy, knowing he was openly disdainful of the Korvosan government. They found Vencarlo missing, and one character remarked: "I get the sneaking suspicion that someone is already planning a rescue."
I would have had Vencarlo open the door, acting completely drunk... that would have thrown them off their tracks.
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The blackjack plot takes a very long time to come to fruition (with no major appearances from the character for pretty much the rest of the AP). If my players guess his identity then he'll play coy for a while, but I'd rather not drag it out until EfOK, since blackjack is meaningless to the shoanti. I'll probably have the mantle passed mid 7 days.
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The blackjack plot takes a very long time to come to fruition (with no major appearances from the character for pretty much the rest of the AP). If my players guess his identity then he'll play coy for a while, but I'd rather not drag it out until EfOK, since blackjack is meaningless to the shoanti. I'll probably have the mantle passed mid 7 days.
If your party figures it out, they figure it out. It isn't damaging to the overall story and heck you can do the whole Zoro training Zoro thing. Besides, then if the party gets into a pile of goo Blackjack can show up and save them, or at least help them save themselves.
My 2nd party convinced Orsini to look into the Seneschal's disapearance. Right after they left Old Korvosa the Gray Maiden's torched the bridges. So the party knows he is in Old Korvosa hunting clues to the Seneschal. They just finished 7 Days and are about to see if they can find him and see what he has learned.
I think for my group, the main giveaway is that Blackjack uses a rapier one handed, and so does Vencarlo who is the best duelist in the city. How many level 8+ duelists can there be in the city? I think that makes it pretty obvious, especially when he starts showing up everywhere.
It's also not likely to be Graul or Sabina (his best students), since one is a drunk and one is the Queen's personal guard (ahem) and uses a falchion mainly.
So yes, I'd be a little bit disappointed if my players didn't figure it out. Most of Korvosa should know or have their suspicions. I guess I'll work something out. The disguise helps but still, my players are paranoid and curious.
Hi Jason
I'll be planting some rumors that the missing seneschal, Neolandus Kalepopolis, is Blackjack (that's what Trinia Sabor suspects). His background as a trained officer in the Sable Company fits the bill and since he's gone into hiding, he certainly has the motives to fight the powers that be.