Okay, you want to get wishy with it? Okay. What's your plan and goal here?
Consecutive wishes like Cor suggested, and to either identify or capture the assassin.
Okay, set yourself up and we'll roll from there.
Alyssa calls Jarem and Emily to her quarters to discuss the plan.
"So, Emily's mother suggested consecutive wishes to batter down our assassin's defenses. I think it's a good idea, but I think we can couple it with the trap idea. We'll be useless for casting, which is fairly common knowledge, so we'll be at our weakest. A prime target."
"So roll over and pounce when they pounce?" Jarem asks, "Walk me through this, Alyssa."
"Well, either we beat down their defenses with the wishes and either capture him or find him, or we tip him off with it and he realizes we are vulnerable and he comes for us. I'm thinking of something like... a small item for an alarm or something and a reaction team to short range teleport in. Other ideas?"
"The only problem is that it's risky," Jarem says, sitting back and closing his eyes, "If he has more resources than anticipated or something unexpected happens, we may find ourselves in a pinch. However, no plan is without risk." Opening his eyes and with a nod, "We have to stop these assassinations, and if you think you can use wishes to power past, then we'll try it."
Alyssa shrugs. "Emily's mother seemed confident that it would work. The only question is how many wishes to put into it."
"If we do it, go all out until the limit of what we can withstand. Casting multiple wishes is prone to failure and injury," Jarem remarks, "So we need a plan in case we can't manage to string them together by misfortune."
"I was thinking of having summons dig a safe room, and then be on standby under us to drop us to safety in case."
Emily hums at that, "That's not a bad idea, along with summons to buy us time if we need it. Though we'll need ones with a good duration, a typical summon monster spell isn't really adequate if this takes long at all."
"Yeah, Princess. But that depends on how fast we're forcing this," Jarem says, tapping his fingers against the side of his armor. "Have an elemental check before digging too, in case we choose somewhere with stability issues. Islands aren't always great places to dig down, especially near the shore."
"Oh, that is true," Emily admits, "We wouldn't want anything collapsing, but as long we check, it should be fine."
"I have another idea as well. I think we should have someone near or hidden in that underground space that can cast a Time Stop. If needed, they can use the few seconds to put barriers up to protect us. Or, better, lock the assassin in a force cage."
Jarem slowly licks his lips, "Doable, doable, if we can casually get an archmage to help. Of course, this is predicated on him overcoming the wishes and biting on the bait. Do we have a move if he doesn't take the bait?"
"The agent, I suppose. Emily brought along a... maid... of sorts that seemed eager to go after the assassin. I think Emily might have been pushed into putting serious effort into it as well, so she might have better ideas on how to deal with it."
"If this fails, then we rest and try again," Emily says, standing up straighter. "We may lose this first time, but the important thing is to keep going and going. If at first you don't succeed, try harder. We'll pick ourselves up and keep going. We won't give up!"
Jarem claps slowly, "Bravo," he says, "Admirable, though all those trite metaphors and maxims you used rather dimmed the sentiment, Princess."
Emily turns, blushing at that, "They fit!" Her fists ball up, arms down at her sides.
"So they do. You also have a well trained voice, but you aren't trained in oratory at all. I can tell. What you say and how you say it is as important as your sentiment. In fact, your sentiment hinges on it, because it's the vehicle in which you express yourself. Emotion can carry you far, but it's still pushing you along in a wagon missing a wheel if your word choice is poor." Jarem goes on, a gesture with his pointer finger, as if going across a chalkboard. "It's the same in writing, only more pronounced. A poor writer suffers before no matter how profound and important what he has to say is, his words and structure don't support his message. Think back to the last thing you read that was written poorly. Consider how it impacted the way you learned and understood the material, as well as your opinion of the greater work."
Emily's mouth closes and then she goes, "Ooooooooooh!"
"Yeah, get it?" Jarem says, "Well, that's my lesson to you for the day. Don't make me repeat it."
"So, do you have any other ideas for this little escapade we're going to try?"
"Traps, traps, traps," Jarem says, "Anything that we can set up in case the assassin's harder to stop than we're hoping. Good arms ready to strike if he decides to go for it. An escape route if things go totally wrong. The wisdom to preserve if he sees through the gambit and doesn't attack after resisting our magic. The hope that we break through his defenses and can end this tonight." At the last he smiles a bit, "Student of war or not, I still like to indulge in the occasional bit of optimism. It's something of a personal failing."
"Hm. What about the Magic Aura spell? I'm not sure we can empower it enough to fool him, but maybe taking some time to develop a more powerful version? We could use it to hide a magical trap or equipment, if we can."
"It's not the worst idea," Jarem says, "It might fail anyway, but it's worth trying."
Alyssa nods.
"I'll work on that. Let's get the rest set up. Jarem, find a place that's advantageous to us, but without being exceedingly obvious. Let's figure out how to place things."
Okay, go ahead and describe your plan here then.
Find a place that'll give us some advantage, but not enough to possibly scare away the assassin. Then bring in a few of the higher power mages in the guild to help with consecutive wishes. Get some summons to carve out the safe room and drop floor into it, get someone with time stop to standby to try and capture the assassin if he comes. Get some sort of magical paralyze trap set up and then use a suped up version of Magic Aura to hide it and the magical aspects of some choice equipment and stuff.
Done and done. The room is simple enough, in the middle of one island and lit by torches. It's shadowy here as Delaize and Ule stand behind you along with Jarem and Emily as below elementals work, your reserve room ready.
Go ahead.
What about the upped Magic Aura spell?
Well, I haven't seen you post or work out anything like that? You could have someone fiat set that up with limited wishes in prep, though, for an immediate problem fix.
That works for now.
Alyssa hands out her orders, directing this person or that to on what their tasks are for the attempt, settling in herself with her sword lightly hidden in the dirt but close at hand for defense.
Now, I've got no idea what the best way to chain these wishes together is. Never done anything like that before.
Well, that's up to you or you could ask Jarem, Emily or someone else for advice.
"Emily, Jarem, I suspect both of you have better knowledge on what type of spells might be protecting this assassin than I do. What do you think the best way to go about this is?"
Emily hums, "How do you plan to power past him?" she suggests, "The wishes should be centered around that, right?"
"Yes. To break the protections and either identify or capture him."
"Then focus on that?" Jarem suggests, "Or do you need help with the wording? Wishes tend to mimic existing spells if suitable for it, remember."
"Perhaps a double check for wording would be wise. Or suggested additions. Something like... 'I wish to destroy the protections around the person or persons that are attacking people inside the guild tower and identify them'?"
"Right," Jarem says, "That's a good starter, see how it goes and work from there."
"Well, we're only going to get one really good shot at this. Our magic will be unstable after."
"So let's hope this works!" Emily agrees firmly, "I'm ready!"
Alyssa nods, leaving the final check over of defenses to Jarem, as it's closer to his specialty, and then begins!
Spell out your first wish, then.
"I wish to destroy the protections around the person or persons that are attacking people inside the guild tower and identify them."
Gimme a dispel check, first of all.
Well, Arcane Mastery lets me take 10. My CL maxes at 32, so it'd be 10+ whatever the max is for whichever dispel you mean. A basic dispel would be 20.
Oh, of course. +20 yes.
You cast the wish. Obviously, no immediate sign of it working or not is apparent, as the assassin is presumably not within sight to see if anything happened.
So... Next? Or have someone try to scry? I dunno what the next logical step would be, honestly.
Well, it's your operation so go ahead or have someone do something. If in doubt, ask someone for advice.
"Someone try to scry? Or another way to test his defenses if you can think of a safer option."
Jarem calls, "Scrying," and a font of holy water is brought in. He kneels before it and whispers, "Let the enemy plans be revealed!" he chants and...
"Nothing," he says.
"Next, then. Let's keep this going."
Alright then, what's the next move?
Following Seira's suggestion of bombarding with wishes to wear down the protections.
Then make and word your next wish, and include the spell failure chance, unless someone else is making it. In that case let me know and what you want them to do, since this is coordinated.
I would guess someone else would try. I thought that's what Cor was talking about? Unless I understood it differently than you?
"Okay, Emily, you're our next most powerful mage. Let's try again. Same wording, unless you can think of better?"
Emily bows her head and begins to pray, "Mom!" She calls, as a golden septagon appearing beneath her, ghostly symbols of dragons swirling within. "Please, break down the magic protecting our enemy Sharran!"
Alyssa leans over to Jarem, "Which mom do you think will do it?"
"Amaryl," he says as he watches.
> roll 1d20+20
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 33 > [d20=13]
"It's done, try again," Emily sags after casting, "Try it and see."
Alyssa motions for Jarem to give it another shot.
Jarem casts again and shakes his head. "No good. Either we're asking too much for them, or it's possible he has direct support or an artifact. Or we're just unlucky."
"Suggestions, then? Something a bit more obtuse that could work?"
"Oh, I know! Maybe we can use a wish or miracle to clarify and show his face in our memories?" Emily pipes up, "Since we already have a mental image of him, just without being able to see his face."
"Hmm... That might work. I did see him fairly clearly with hindsight. Let's try that. I guess I'll go first."
Alyssa begins casting the spell, "Reveal the face of the assassin in my memories that I saw in my Hindsight spell."
Wish, CL 32.
> roll 1d100 60% failure
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 4 > [d100=4]
It's only 50% since you cast a single wish, but either way that's a failure.
No good, the spell fizzles. A dull ache goes through your body and echos within you.
"No good. Anyone else want to try?"
"I'll try." Again the septagon appears, Emily praying silently this time.
> roll 1d100 vs 50
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 93 > [d100=93]
> roll 1d20+31
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 48 > [d20=17]
"Oh!" Emily gasps and staggers, "It-it worked!"
"Excellent! If you think you can manage it, use an Illusion to show us."
Emily nods and pauses, "...Um, I don't know any of that sort of illusion," she finally says, turning very red. "I focus on combat magic more!" A blurt out follows.
Alyssa nods.
"In that case, we'll find someone with an artistic skill that can draw it out. I'll have a page find the appropriate spell in our library for you, in the mean time."
"That or rustle up a simple illusion scroll," Delaize says. "I have one of silent image, if you'll have the Guild compensate me for the expense."
"Even if they don't, that's a basic enough spell that I'll cover it if need be. But since this is to stop the assassins, I can't imagine the rest of the council won't approve it. Let's get that done, then. Though, we may want to wait a few hours for our magic to stabilize, just to be sure."
Nods all around and...
Going to wait and hour and then have Emily do that, baring interrupts?
Yeah. That'll give us time to like eat and stuff too I guess. Or something.
d100.
> roll 1d100
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 30 > [d100=30]
The hour passes without incident and the spell is cast. You see it - a young, unremarkable face that rings a distinct bell. You've seen him a few times now including when you chastised him for barging into your room without knocking. A simple page, one you saw just today.
"What a surprise. Well then, I ordered him punished for entering without knocking. I can use that to call him in with whoever punished him."
"You know him?" Jarem asks, "Well, that spells this up in a lovely fashion."
"Yes. He's been here since before I contacted the Red Knight. Still, it'll be easy enough to get him here. Once my magic has stabilized, we can move."
Plan then?
Get Emily on stand-by somewhere near but not suspicious as a reaction force, then find out who disciplined him for entering my room and have myself, that person, and Jarem together in a room with me doing some sort of paperwork. Call him in to discuss his punishment and then try to lock him down and then interrogate him. Probably turn him over to Seira for the hell of it.
Okay, any spell prep to be done?
I'd do my normal defensive spells, and then... Isn't there a way to do like a spell circle or something to trigger a spell with a command word?
Like some sort of contingency?
I guess? Aren't there trap sigils and stuff too?
There's a few, like sepia snake sigil.
Is there one for Peacebond and paralyze or binding or something?
Nothing like that on the fly. You could probably wish/miracle something up on the fly, if desired.
Mmm... I dunno if that'd be smart at this point.
"So, do you have any suggestions on how to lock him down once we do? I was thinking of something with Peacebond and a bind or paralyze."
"Make sure it's somewhere dimensionally locked," Jarem begins, "So he can't teleport or do anything to escape like that. That's standard enough that it shouldn't raise any alarm flags. I could hallow or consecrate the grounds if that proves useful, but it could also be a tip off. It's not subtle for more perceptive or vile creatures. Otherwise it's the basics. Have him carefully boxed in and surrounded, with strong forces making sure he can't escape easily. Make sure we're all fully prepared with a battle set of spells, as well as mind blanks so we can't be discerned. Along with obviously evident spells like mirror image, which give away the entire game by their nature."
"Time stop. When he's settled, someone outside the room uses Time Stop and puts him in a force cage, uses Dimensional Anchor, and Peacebond, if there's time."
"Remember, you can't affect things in a time stop like a living person," Jarem points out.
"No, but surrounding someone in force walls works. As does an area Dimensional Anchor."
Jarem nods to that, "Then we have a plan. Anything else?"
"Only to open up for suggestions."
"Just be ready," Emily says, "As well as if he has people willing to help to attack from outside of this. If he's not alone, he may be willing to expend them to escape."
Alyssa nods and readies herself.
Okay, last call for any prep spells to be cast and then we're go.
Everyone:Create Magic Tattoo: +1 Spellcaster Level, CL 32, Duration: 24 Hours.Magic Vestment +5 (Shield), CL 23, Duration 23 Hours.+5 armor bonus to armor/shield. (+2 via Mind over Matter: Total bonus +7)
Spell resistance equal to 10 + 1 per three caster levels.
+1 luck bonus on attack rolls.
enhancement bonus on attack and damage rolls of +5
+10 enhancement bonus on Jump checks, and if you have a fly speed, that speed gains a +10-foot enhancement bonus.
This spell protects against all mind-affecting spells and effects as well as information gathering by divination spells or effects. Mind blank even foils limited wish, miracle, and wish spells when they are used in such a way as to affect the subject's mind or to gain information about it. In the case of scrying that scans an area the creature is in, such as arcane eye, the spell works but the creature simply isn't detected. Scrying attempts that are targeted specifically at the subject do not work at all.
You have the benefits of the attune form spell (page 17) with respect to the appropriate element.
You are immune to poison, sleep, paralysis, and stunning, and are not subject to extra damage from critical hits or flanking. You gain darkvision out to 60 feet.
Fire: Fire immunity, burn (those you hit in melee and those who attack you with natural weapons must make a Reflex save or catch fire, with a save DC equal to that of a fire elemental of the same size).
+15 insight bonus to all knowledge checks and may make knowledge checks untrained. Perfect recall of memory and anything heard/read. Speak all languages.
This spell is identical to moment of prescience, 3 uses. The insight bonus equals your caster level (maximum +30).
This spell is identical to mage armor, except that it grants a +20 armor bonus to armor class. (+2 bonus via Mind over Matter: Total bonus +22)
Okay, I'll sort out the stat blocks. In the meantime, st up how precisely you want everyone positioned and ready? This might matter a lot, so feel free to get as complex as you need to.
Uh, I can only do so much without like a blueprint, but... Myself and whoever disciplined him will be in the room. Me at a desk doing whatever work to be done, with the other person as an attendant/doing their own thing. Jarem and Emily will be nearby, in a connecting room, with some sort of guard force in a different nearby room.
Idea is to have the guy come in, sit down in front of my desk and I'll discuss his punishment and what the result was. A typical principal style follow up, to get him semi-lowering his defenses. Once either Jarem or Emily feel ready, they'll pop a time stop, walk in, dump the forcecage on him, and do whatever dimensional lock is needed. Though, doesn't the rod I got cover that?
After that, it's a matter of just binding or knocking him out. A series of stone walls can suffice here, to encapsulate the forcecage, then some simple fire will just suck all the air out and he'll passout or whatever.
If it helps, prep up a simple blueprint real quick. It's your guild, if you need something to parameters (within reason), feel free.
I mean, as long as there's an office-ish room with a connecting lounge type room and a room across a hallway, it'll work.
Your rod can, sure. Okay.
The man who punished him is name Ivan. He sits in position, waiting quietly as there's a knock on the door. "Ma'am," The page's voice, calling. "May I enter?"
"You may."
Alyssa continues sorting through the various documents and budgets and proposals and thesis submitted for approval by a council member.
The page comes in and bows his head. "Ma'am," he says, standing in front of your desk, face composed.
"Take a seat. You're the one who barged into my room without so much as a knock. I've seen you since then, but I've been too busy to follow up. Things have settled a bit, so here you are. Ivan, what was his name again?"
"Brannold, ma'am," Ivan says. "Brannold of House Starrel."
Brannold takes a seat, nodding slightly and waiting on you.
"Mmm... House Starrel."
Alyssa runs the name through her mind for anything of note.
"What was your punishment, Page Branhold?"
Got ranks in K: Local or anything bardic knowledge/lore?
Not local, but I have Lore from Paragnostic Apostle.
> roll 1d20+2+9 Lore
<Penuche> Iddy invokes Penuche's magic: < 13 > [d20=2]
It doesn't ring a bell offhand. You've heard it, but you can't place it.
Also, it's Brannold in case it was a typo, not Branhold.
"Serving in the library and penning scrolls for the Order, ma'am," he replies.
Alyssa raises an eyebrow at Ivan.
"Not the punishment I would have chosen, but alas. Tell me Brannold, what did you learn from it, and why do you believe I ordered you punished?"
"Well, it's rather ob-"
> roll 1d4+1
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 4 > [d4=3]
A shimmer of force, all around him. "-vious?" Brannold blink-blinks a moment.
Emily stands, blocking the door and with her sword and shield ready.
"Hm. Well, I suppose that happened faster than I expected. Brannold, do you know who this is?"
"Uh...Emily? She's new here, I heard her talked about?" Brannold says after looking back behind him, very slowly and carefully.
"Emily, introduce yourself. Jarem, would you mind securing the room and checking on your guards."
"Got it," Jarem calls from the previous room, as Brannold looks around, more and more wildly.
"Emily Aryn, daughter of Seira Aryn." She smiles quickly, "I've been waiting to catch a Sharran like you for some time now! It took us some doing to get you."
"SHARRAN?!" Brannold blurts, gawking, whipping from Emily to you. "What?!"
"Well, that's what we've been led to believe so far. I have great trust in this since it was through Seira's power, but yes, there's a small... small chance that our assassin's protections shifted this revelation to someone near, which is the only reason you're not already dead. At this point, however... We'll be operating under the assumption that's not the case. I imagine you'll want to cling to that small chance, so let me dissuade you from it now. Either you answer to me and tell me what I want to know, or I'll turn you over Emily for transport to... wherever it is that Seira Aryn puts Sharrans she gets her hands on."
Brannold shakes visibly, "I...I'm not a Sharran," he manages to sputter, "Of course, I'll tell you anything you w-want, ma'am!"
"Mmm. Well, when Jarem returns, we'll ensure that. We'll have to test some things first, but either way, I believe you'll be making a trip to some of Seira's more trusted followers to ensure it. If we turn out to be wrong, we'll make efforts to compensate for the unpleasant inconvenience. With the attacks that have been happening, we have to follow every lead. In any case, I'm interested in what you were looking for over your shoulder. That's not the reaction I'd expect of a page with no battle experience. It was a calculated check of avenues if I'm not off my mark."
Are you actively trying to Intimidate here?
Eh, not really. I don't have the skill for it and I know it. Especially against an assassin. More like calmly punching holes in the presented persona.
Gimme a Diplomacy check.
Diplomacy/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+57 : 6 + 57, total 63[/blockquote]
Brannold shakes his head, "When you asked if I knew who that was, I assumed it had to be s-someone behind me, ma'am," he says.
"After she entered in your full view? An odd assumption given that. In any case, it'll be revealed eventually. Emily, how do you suggest we transport him and how to interrogate him?"
Perception.
Perception/Cunning Knowledge:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+64 : 4 + 64, total 68[/blockquote]
It's incredibly subtle, but a flick of Brannold's fingers grab something from within his clothing. He almost does it unseen, even right in front of you, with sublime skill.
"He's pulled something from his sleeve!"
Alyssa tries to hold him with her Telekinesis!
Init.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+7 : 1 + 7, total 8[/blockquote]
> roll 1d20+13 Sign
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+13 Sign --> [ 1d20=18 ]{31}
> roll 1d20+5 Jarem
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+5 Jarem --> [ 1d20=8 ]{13}
> roll 1d20+18 Brannold
<Rei-chan> Kotono rolled : 1d20+18 Brannold --> [ 1d20=19 ]{37}
Init is Brannold (37) > Emily (31) > Jarem (13) > Alyssa (8)
Before you can react, a little glass thing is hurled to the ground and suddenly all is darkness within the forcecage.
"We need to get in there," Emily cries as...
Holding one sec to give you a chance to react.
"If we drop the walls, he gets out. Emily, come here."
Alyssa lowers her voice to a whisper for Emily, "Stop time and drop one of the walls. Put some delayed blast fireballs into the cage and then replace the wall behind them before it expires. Hopefully, it'll burn the smoke away. If not, then we'll drop the walls and I'll use Time Stop."
The moment you say that, Emily is a blur. She chants words lightning fast, again and again.
> roll 1d100
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=49 ]{49}
> roll 1d100
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=15 ]{15}
But nothing happens, a stagger, "I'm not up to it. Jarem!"
Jarem will hold and attempt to interrupt if needed. Alyssa, go.
Did she use wish or something? I thought we waited long enough for magic to stabilize?
She doesn't have forcecage as a spell known so she had to emulate it, yes.
Oh. Well, she coulda used multiple wall of force, but that's fine.
Alyssa begins casting, using Time Stop!
Time Stop, CL 32.
> roll 1d4+1 TS
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 1d4+1 TS --> [ 1d4=1 ]{2}
You have two rounds. Go for it.
Alyssa considers for a moment before chanting.
Round 1:
Standard- Greater Arcane Fusion via Open Slot Lvl 8/Spellpool:
Lvl 7 Spell: Disintegrate via Open Slot Lvl 7/Spellpool, CL 32.
Target: Forcecage.
> roll 32d6
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 32d6 --> [ 32d6=102 ]{102}
Lvl 4 Spell: Black Tentacles, CL 32, Duration: 32 rounds.
Centered on the fog/cloud.
Grapple check reference: 32+8= +40
Round 2:
Standard: Greater Arcane Fusion via Open Slot Lvl 8/Spellpool:
Lvl 2: Glitterdust, CL 32, Duration: 32 rounds.
Centered on the fog/cloud.
Will Save vs DC 20 against blind. No SR.
Level 7: Forcecage via Open Slot Lvl 7/Spellpool, CL 32, Duration: 64 hours.
Target: Same space as Emily's.
Forming as a barred cage, which should let the cloud dissipate and still contain him.
I don't need a damage roll on disintegrate, but I do need a 1 check to make sure you don't manage to miss.
> roll 1d20+31 Ranged Touch
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 1d20+31 Ranged Touch --> [ 1d20=9 ]{40}
Cage goes down. Okay, using those duration spells to target him once the time stop ends?
Yeppers. They last longer than the time stop so if he's in the area, they'll hit him.
Time resumes, the cage rebuilt in between as you see glitterdust sparkling within and tentacles grasping, writhing. Amid all that Brannold is still hidden within as...
Emily. The darkness remains.
"Try again?" Emily asks, a spell on her lips.
"Use Gust of Wind. Should get rid of the cloud. He may be already captured by the tentacles."
"Can't through the walls," Emily calls back.
Emily holds in this case. Jarem holds at the ready. Go.
Forcecage is in the shape of bars. Half inch spaces in it. States so in spell. Gust of wind would pass through.
Okay, we'll go with that.
Except Emily doesn't have that as a spell known.
Well, I meant anyone, more or less. I'm hoping *someone* in the room does. If not, I'll spellpool it on my next turn.
Go ahead then.
Alyssa calls on the Spellpool and starts to cast!
Gust of Wind, CL 32.
50 MPH winds, Disperses Fog Cloud in 1 round for reference.
The darkness is blown away - and within is Brannold, a dagger with a reddish sheen in hand. His expression is cold.
"Damn," he murmurs, blade at the ready.
Black Tentacles?
Make the check.
> roll 1d20+40 Grapple Check
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 1d20+40 Grapple Check --> [ 1d20=8 ]{48}
The tentacles lash around Brannold, but they can't touch him. He flows around them, dodging as he needs ot.
Alyssa tries to snatch him with her Telekinesis!
> roll 1d20+39+2 TK SLA
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 1d20+39+2 TK SLA --> [ 1d20=6 ]{47}
What precisely are you trying to do?
Like pin him to the ground or pick him up like I did before when he barged in. Immobilize him, effectively.
Mmm. What usage was that, if any was declared?
You didn't require anything and just let me do it. It's on page 2 of the first thread.
Call it a CMB check since he's actively resisting, as with the combat maneuver ability of telekinesis.
> roll 1d20+37+9
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 1d20+37+9 --> [ 1d20=10 ]{56}
With a rush of telekinesis, you push Brannold down, pinning him to the ground. He coughs from the impact, held down as...
He can't do much about the tentacles like this, so roll damage for them.
> roll 1d6+4 Tentacles
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 1d6+4 Tentacles --> [ 1d6=5 ]{9}
You have him pinned, so go ahead and act.
"Jarem, Emily, he's pinned. I'm going to dismiss the Tentacles. Emily, hit him with Rays of Clumsiness and Enfeeblement if you can. Let's get him good and useless. Get the dagger away from him and get what you can off of him, but be careful. Examine everything carefully first. I suspect some of it will be cursed against anyone who isn't a follower of Shar. Jarem, get some guards in here with boxes and what-not to hold his equipment. I'll move anything suspect with my telekinesis, but let's get him secured first."
The possible Sharran glares, but held by force and pinned down, and then weakened, he can do little.
Once the field is down, Jarem walks in, measures and kicks him HARD in the ribs, then kneels down and delivers a sharp blow to his stomach, then his chest, followed by smashing his gauntleted hand to his face. The last is enough to leave him down and possibly out, "When in doubt," Jarem says, "Knock the bastard out and just remember to give him some healing in case of a serious trauma."
Alyssa frowns, but doesn't stop him.
"Torture isn't really my thing, but yes, it has it's place. Just be careful. We need him to figure out what happened to the souls he stole."
"It's not torture," Jarem retorts right back. "It's prudence so no one else dies. Leaving an opponent of this skill awake and aware threatens anyone near him."
"I didn't stop you, did I? More of a reminder before emotions run high. Anything on him concerning? I can move everything to a floating disk or the like."
"I can't get a read on him," Jarem says, "He's shielded from detection. Unsurprising and I don't know if it's something on him or something innate to him."
Emily sniffs, "We can sort that out in the Cauldron."
"Mmm... I still want him stripped before we take him there. Bind him and I'll take everything. Anyone else who knows telekinesis or Mage Hand can help, but let's get him disarmed. A cart with anti-magic or the like might be wise as well."
Done and done. He's out cold, naked, tied up and in a cart.
Okay, so what are you going to do with him?
Well, first inventory his stuff, then try to figure out the spells on him. After that, turn him over to either the Red Knight or Sierra, depending on who wants him more and the status of the souls he stole.
Okay. We'll deal with loot tonight. In the meantime give me Spellcraft.
> roll 1d20+45+21 Spellcraft/Cunning Knowledge
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 1d20+45+21 Spellcraft/Cunning Knowledge --> [ 1d20=2 ]{68}
Loot is up, go check it out.
No good. Whatever magic is on him includes something blocking your efforts.
"Hmm.. it's blocking identification... Emily, ideas?"
Emily frowns, "He could have a talent or a blessing that does it," she says, "Alicia's sister has a state that's essentially identical to mind blank and always on her, you can't detect her without extremely powerful means. It can be done." Arms crossed as she looks down at him, "If you can't get past the protection you can't confirm what precisely it is, and as Shar's portfolio includes secrets, it's right in her capabilities."
Alyssa hums.
"Yes... I'd like to figure the spell out. It's be exceedingly useful. But, more to the point, he's stolen souls. We need to find out how and if they're recoverable."
"We will, if he has the knowledge in his mind," Emily's voice is quiet there, resolved. "Shall we go?"
"Yes. Jarem, does the Red Knight have any interest in this? I know some of your men were victims as well."
"She does," Jarem says, "But as long we get the souls and get the information, she's content." Giving the Sharran a sour look, "It's your choice on which domain to take him to."
"Seira has more interest and experience, I imagine. Let's get going."
I can plane shift us or whatever.
Sure, one sec.
Thus you appear at the Cauldron. Amaryl awaits, "Ah, you brought us a gift this time," she claps her hands together, "Welcome back, everyone."
Alyssa nods.
"Lady Amaryl. Seira's advice proved wise after a few tries. Emily was able to see his face and it was a fairly simple thing after."
"Good work," Amaryl agrees, a gesture and he floats up, bound and unmoving. "Anything else that needs to be known?"
"Some very powerful protection is blocking my ability to identify the spells on him, and he's stolen souls from us. We need them back."
"Then come, we will see," Amaryl says. "Unless you wish to prefer to rest?"
"New things are always interesting to me. To a point. Lead on."
What follows is a quiet, dry room with no door in or out. You simply appear there, a single mote of light providing illumination. There's a simple bed, desk and chair, along with writing implements and a few books.
"He won't be here long regardless, but it's utterly impossible to escape," Amaryl says, magic laying him down on the bed.
Jarem stays back, watching with a keen eye.
"Are you going to use divine will or did you learn that spell, Mom?" Emily pipes up, coming over to Amaryl.
"Which spell?" Alyssa asks eagerly.
"Probe Thoughts," Emily speaks up, "It's great for learning the truth of things."
Amaryl shakes her head, "We'll need to overcome his protections first," she says, casting and casting.
> roll 1d20+1
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+1 --> [ 1d20=15 ]{16}
> roll 1d20+32 (+12 strata bonus)
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+32 (+12 strata bonus) --> [ 1d20=6 ]{38}
Shadows spill across the room, dark and choking. Amaryl is a single point of light amid the darkness, but soon begins to fade. "Damn!" Amaryl steps back, "Shar's blessing is on him. We'll need to go to greater lengths to overcome this."
"Can I help? What needs to be done?"
"You may," Amaryl says after some consideration, "If all else fails, if we can get him to speak truthfully of his own words, we can get the information that way."
Emily frowns deeply, "Sharrans aren't known for repenting."
"True, but Sylica had a recent success. Maybe we can talk this young man down and save him, and get the information without a fight." Amaryl counters, going to his side and checking his pulse with two fingers.
"What do you need me to do? I had considered a Zone of Truth spell to use against him."
"Talk to him," Amaryl says, "This is a battle won with words, not with violence and magic." She looks down on him, dropping her hand, "See how he is, see if you can become his friend somehow. That wins as many battles as blades - and with a far better result."
Jarem rubs his chin, "So you want us to talk sense into him? The sort of people who do what he does are usually monsters from birth."
"It's not something that I'm exceedingly skilled in. It may not be best to come from me, though. I doubt he'll believe I'm sincere considering the deaths he's caused in my Order."
"If you can't, you can't," Amaryl concedes, "Not everyone can do that sort of thing. It takes a special touch."
Alyssa nods. "I'm a fair hand at convincing people that fighting me is a poor choice, but I'm not sure about repentance. It could work, though."
"He might be a monster beyond anyone's reach," Amaryl concedes to Jarem, "Jarem may well be right. But perhaps he can be salvaged, and we lose nothing trying."
"Considering where he's at, survival might be the best motivation. Either he helps us, or he dies. From us or Shar for failure."
"Real redemption takes more than that," Emily says, speaking up, "More than just fear of consequence."
"Sure," Jarem agrees, "But it's a good place to start. He going to be out a little while?" After Amaryl confirms that, "Can we have a few minutes to talk this out amid ourselves?"
Alyssa nods.
Amaryl checks Brannold once more before vanishing.
Once gone Emily says, "You know they can hear in here without being here?"
"Yeah, I thought they could," Jarem agrees, "The point is that we need to decide - can we do this and do we want to do this? All it takes is time and risking being somehow outmaneuvered and backstabbed if it goes wrong." He grabs the single chair here and sits down, "But turning an enemy into an ally is a good tactical and strategic moves. Spies and traitors can be some of the biggest intelligence coups you can get."
"I'm not sure spies are the wisest way to go. Secrets are part of her power, after all. Informant is probably best. But it's something I don't have facilities or people for, ourselves."
"Regardless, we have to talk him down, bring him around. Can we do that?" Emily asks, quietly. "It sounds really hard, and I'm better at smashing things than talking to them." Looking away, "My Moms and Xera are better at talking to people. Even Uncle Donald is, he's great at getting people annoyed to take the lead in a conversation."
"Right tool for the job. I think we should leave this to them."
"For the best," Jarem finally says, "I usually turned enemies by explaining how utterly fucked they were. A monster or a maniac may not respond ot that."
Emily merely looks down and adds, "Okay, then if we can't, let's leave it to them. Maybe my Moms can get through?"
"I've never tried this before and it's too important. Wise decisions are the foundation of survival, and that's how your stories keep going."
So plan is to see if they can untangle it, then? Anything you want to do in the interim?
Um, those research projects? The land creation stuff?
Sure thing. More.
Sleep comes. You rest deeply, at peace that your Guild is safe once more. You awaken in the morning to a yawn, hearing soft footsteps in the next room. Probably Lorathana, setting up breakfast. You can smell eggs and sausage, you think. Onions too, it may be an omelet.
Alyssa rolls over, muttering a simple Prestidigitation to clean herself up for the morning before really getting up and getting sorted for the day, following the smell of food.
Lorithana is there, smiling...before she stumbles forward, clutching her stomach. Red blossoms around her arms, followed by her falling forward as Brannold stands behind her, sword impaling her. He looks on at you - you can't dodge, you can't do anything as you feel his blade slide into your chest and your body go num-
AH! You awaken into the darkness of the pre-dawn, heart beating fast and body sweaty.
Alyssa sits up, trying to control her breath shakily before making her way out to the balcony to let the ocean breeze cool her down.
'Well, about time it all hit me. The stress is getting to me.'
She takes a few minutes to think things through and consider the people in her life. 'I think it's about time to get my family here, where I can watch them... Need more space for it first, though.'
You shiver. A moment. Home.
Bodies. Blood. So much blood. A soft, mocking woman's laugh. So much blood, so many bodies at home.
You shudder. You feel the ocean breeze, like a soft balm against your feverish skin.
Alyssa narrows her eyes for a moment, then tries to examine the magic on herself. That assassin had the blessings of Shar, perhaps... a curse? Never hurts to be safe, before jumping to the conclusion of wild portents of the future and paranoia.
Gimme the craft. Spellcraft that is.
> roll 1d20+45 Spellcraft
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 1d20+45 Spellcraft --> [ 1d20=7 ]{52}
You don't detect anything around you untold.
'Just stress then, I suppose.'
Alyssa sighs. Not getting back to sleep right now anyway. Time to wander a bit, check over the Order and members.
Gimme a d100.
> roll 1d100
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=99 ]{99}
Oh shit, you subtabled. Gimme a second d100.
> roll 1d100
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 1d100 --> [ 1d100=39 ]{39}
You go and walk. You're outside, walking as the first light of dawn hits the horizon - and you hear a footstep behind you. A spike of panic, heart racing, before you corral it in. "Alyssa?" Jarem's voice, "You alright?"
"Not yet. Stress is getting to me. Jumpy and a bit panicky. Getting some air and checking on things."
At this Jarem frowns a bit, "Combat stress," he says, "I suppose it's inevitable because..." he murmurs and stops. "There's magic that can help if you aren't strong enough to manage it yourself."
"Mmmm... While magic can fix lots of things, there are some things that are done better in the old fashioned way. I think it'll be better if I work it out, in the long run. My father always said doing things step by step with the proper preparation makes stronger steel in the end."
"He's right," Jarem says, "If you can solve it yourself, that's best. It's best used for steel that would otherwise be lost and ruined." With a look as he reaches out and clasps your shoulder, "Most have problems after blooding themselves with their first kill. Others have more and more as they go on and see more things, suffer more pressure. But the ability to be stronger than it and overcome is a warrior's hallmark. There's horrifying things out there, and if you aren't strong enough to deal with this, those things will shatter you."
"I've seen death and blood aplenty. I'm an adventurer, after all. Dungeon teams rarely come out unscathed. This is just the first time it's been personal targeting. The fact that it was Shar doing it is only worse. I'll talk it over when I have things sorted. I'll be seeing my family soon anyway. Once I get a few things settled and figured out."
"Do that," Jarem says, "Be forged, don't break." He looks up at the sunrise, "I can watch things if you're away for a little while."
"It won't be long. I'll be moving them here, I think. After we get some more space. It'll be nice to have them close by. Might make my old man my personal smith. Put him to work. Or finally get around to learning from him. Wizard Smith Alyssa Songsteel. Oddly interesting ring to it."
"Your old man's a blacksmith?" Jarem asks, falling in step with you. "How is he? Armies always need more skilled blacksmiths."
"He's a local lord's personal smith. He makes the lord's armor and weapons, but that's a small and specialized part of what he does. He does mostly tools for the servants, repairs, and ornamental work. I'd like to think he's earned his master's title quite solidly."
"He'd be useful to have around, besides the more important point of emotional support," Jarem says, "Why'd you have them away from here in the first place? Family's important."
"He's sworn to his lord. He takes it seriously. There wasn't any real danger before, and going home is just a teleport away. But now with Shar..."
"Of course, his lord would have to release him from his vows," Jarem says, nodding. "What sort of man is his lord?"
"Not a bad one. My birth was not easy on my mother. Her health took a turn for the worse. The Lord took her in as a seamstress. Low impact work that kept her inside..."
She trails off for a moment.
"I had an older brother. Thoben. He was killed by another Lord who was visiting. For speaking up. They nearly went to war over it, if that tells you anything. They eventually settled on a sum of money as recompense. My parents got most of it and released from servitude. They decided to stay and keep working for him."
"Killed him?" Jarem's voice is cooler now, "What happened? For that matter, is your mother still alive?"
"They all are. I was too young to really remember it, but apparently, the Lord made an insulting comment about my brother reshoeing one of his horses. He asked him what was wrong and the Lord killed him with a spell."
"Ah, a lord pretending to be a noble while being a monster. No trial, no lesser punishment but instead cold blooded murder?" Jarem's voice is unkind, "I should go meet this lord and show him what I do to his kind."
"It was a long time ago. I've come to terms with it, though it's no less depressing to think about. I don't know his name, and the family doesn't like talking about it. Don't bring it up around my sister. They were twins."
"Then I won't bring it up in front of your sisters," Jarem agrees, "As for your mother, do you think magic will help improve her vitality?"
"It's very possible. It's going to need looking into since she'll be close enough."
"I'll do that if you want," Jarem says, "It shouldn't be any great trouble."
"Maybe. I'd like to do it myself, but we'll see."
Next move then, gonna go do that or something else?
Land and stuff, yeah. Quick stop to the family to get them to start packing.
Okay, we'll start there Monday after next. I want to do a bit of character work there and I don't think we have time, so I'm going to pause you here.
Okay. New topic incoming.