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10:23, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Tavern Talk II (OOC)

Posted by RaellusFor group 0
Jenna Drax
Adventurer, 392 posts
Human Cleric
Dave Ross
Thu 11 Aug 2016
at 11:45
  • msg #98

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)

I don't know if this is possible, but what Jenna is basically suggesting is try to get as many of the Bloodforged into Balint House as possible then ignite the wildfire underneath it blow it to kingdom come.
Raellus
GM, 624 posts
Sage
Raconteur
Sat 13 Aug 2016
at 17:43
  • msg #99

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)


So, in summary, the following courses of action have been suggested:

Evac Balint house. This shouldn't be too much trouble, assuming that you haven't been found out. Lenore and the BoH can retrieve everything that you've left there (packs, dress clothes, etc.), apart from the furniture.

Booby trap Balint house and lure the Bloodforged there. This is an interesting possibility but will take some doing (nature of the trap, type of lure, etc.).

Assault the Mermaid's Tale and possibly capture the foreign delegates. Certainly a possibility. Will probably necessitate combat. Intel would be good.

The main complicating factor with all of these options is that you don't currently know what Zardis' reaction to the raid on the keep will be. It's likely that a lot of things, like moving about the city and gathering intel, are going to be more difficult post-raid. Patrols will likely be larger and much more alert.

Please remind me if I've missed something. It's been a while since the IC was active and I've had a couple of really busy weeks.

Remember that you have allies that you can draw upon for various types of aid.

Overmark- combat and leadership. She's a 7th level Great Weapon fighting Battle Master. Jurvis has said that about a dozen former FW will rally to her. They're all low level fighters, though, so they'll have to be used judiciously (or as canon fodder, but O likely won't approve of that).

Breakwater- he can mobilize the Fisherman's Alliance to provide some material assistance, a boat out of Balefyre for the emissaries, for example. He can probably convince some of the FA to engage in a little street brawling as well. Remember that they don't have any armor or martial weapons though- their armaments are limited to belaying pins, boathooks, knives, nets, and a few axes.

Vernar Vander- money & the safe house.

Lovad Padin- same? Maybe not, though. He may be grumpy about the most recent trespassing incident.

Toesplitter- ??? He was willing to help by directing his gangs to harass the BF but he was very clear that if/when the BF turned the heat up, he would back down. Recent events may have affected his willingness to provide further assistance.

Waterbearers- intel, messengers, harassment. They ultimately answer to Toesplitter, though, so it's hard to tell whether they'll continue to be as helpful.

The Drowned Rats- intel, messengers & harassment of the BF. The sewers might not be as "safe" anymore, though. The BF knows that they were used as an escape route during the prison break.

Jurvis- a low level fighter. He's got contacts in the FW, mostly those fired after the coup. It may be harder for him to get in contact with these folks now. He is willing to risk it, though, especially if Overmark asks him to.

Lenore- is a 3rd level Mastermind (Rogue variant). She seems to be enjoying not playing full-time housekeeper anymore. She'll do what she can if Nic asks her to.

The Monk- ??? a total X factor right now. Overmark said he'd given the BF quite a lot of trouble and, when you first saw him, he was restrained in his cell.

Ulfgar and Evra (druid power!)- It seems weird that they'd just be hanging around the city, ignoring the occupation/crackdowns and not helping out. Spartan didn't give me permission to NPC Ulfgar so I guess they snuck out of town or something. Whatever the case, they're off limits. Spartan knows that he can return any time he'd like to.

That's it, I think. Let me know if you have any questions.

My plan is still to hold off on advancing the story until Keys can jump back in.

-
Corros Graelor
Adventurer, 340 posts
Half-Elf Warlock
keys138
Sun 14 Aug 2016
at 19:58
  • msg #100

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)


Not to add more options, but with Corros' dimension door spell, he can take one other person and teleport up to 400'.  We could penetrate back into Overmark's office and do a little recon of whatever the albino is up to if we can draw him out of the space physically.  Zip in, zip out.

The same spell could be used to escape the Balint house after leading some of the BF into a trap, although the nature of the booby trap would have to be kind of subdued so we don't take down a city block in a blazing inferno.  Might kind of dampen the enthusiasm for our actions...

The Drowned Rats could be used to help us travel around patrols, even if the sewers aren't safe, I'm guessing street kids are everywhere around Balefyre, or common enough that they can help us move unhindered.

I'd rather use Breakwater against people that are openly complying with the BF.  Keep their support on the down low.  Not people who have not choice, but in businesses that are actively soliciting their business, that kind of thing.  Not that we want to be shaving the heads of collaborators when this thing is done.
Raellus
GM, 625 posts
Sage
Raconteur
Sun 14 Aug 2016
at 23:09
  • msg #101

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)


Glad you're back, Keys.

@All: I've been working on crafting heartfelt yet diplomatic responses to application questions since getting home from church/errands today- it's kind of mentally draining. Now, it's family time. I've got another crazy week on tap as well. My son's meet-the-teacher is Wednesday night and then I've got to do my own meet-and-greet on Thursday night, following by a dentist's appointment after work on Friday, so I'm not sure how much I can do here before next weekend.

Continue to plan OOC and IIC and I'll try to pop in and add something here and there if/when I can.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:10, Sun 14 Aug 2016.
Raellus
GM, 626 posts
Sage
Raconteur
Fri 19 Aug 2016
at 23:55
  • msg #102

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)


OK, gents, I think I'm ready to GM again. I'm quite not sure how to start us off again, though.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:33, Sat 20 Aug 2016.
Nicolai Romanelli
Adventurer, 469 posts
Human Rogue/Ranger
Tegyrius
Sat 20 Aug 2016
at 01:08
  • msg #103

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)

I think you had a pretty good summary of the situation a few posts up, Rae.

I'm in favor of self-protective actions (spread the word to the gangs to get off the streets, get our gear and people out of Bálint House) followed by a fast, quiet strike on at least one of the delegations.

However, we did ostensibly liberate Overmark to serve as the figurehead for a rebellion, not just to give Gronk a chance to flex in front of her.  ;)  Does she have any strong opinions?
Raellus
GM, 627 posts
Sage
Raconteur
Sat 20 Aug 2016
at 15:17
  • msg #104

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)

Nicolai Romanelli:
However, we did ostensibly liberate Overmark to serve as the figurehead for a rebellion, not just to give Gronk a chance to flex in front of her.  ;)  Does she have any strong opinions?


Just that the Four/rebels act quickly to retain the initiative. She knows that the rebellion doesn't have the strength to stand against the BF in open battle so she agrees that guerilla tactics are your best bet but she's worried that Zardis will take hostages or do something equally brutal in order to smoke her out.

She'll need some healing (or a full rest) and some gear in order to be able to fight. She's content to follow your lead too. You guys can use her, within reason, as you see fit.

I'm pretty sure that Nic's ravens can be used for recon and messaging.

You've planted the seed that the rebels are called the Ravens. You still have four BF prisoners too.

-
Corros Graelor
Adventurer, 342 posts
Half-Elf Warlock
keys138
Sun 21 Aug 2016
at 19:39
  • msg #105

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)

Just an FYI, I'm camping again this weekend.  Should be able to post tomorrow evening.
Jenna Drax
Adventurer, 393 posts
Human Cleric
Dave Ross
Sat 27 Aug 2016
at 15:43
  • msg #106

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)

I'll try and post tonight but can't promise - if you want to advance assume Jenna will go along with whatever is agreed. Sorry, but it's real life and not much I can do about it - it is affecting me across the board
Raellus
GM, 631 posts
Sage
Raconteur
Sat 27 Aug 2016
at 16:03
  • msg #107

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)

Jenna Drax:
I'll try and post tonight but can't promise - if you want to advance assume Jenna will go along with whatever is agreed. Sorry, but it's real life and not much I can do about it - it is affecting me across the board


No worries. No pressure. We can wait.

-
Jenna Drax
Adventurer, 395 posts
Human Cleric
Dave Ross
Sat 27 Aug 2016
at 19:15
  • msg #108

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)

Ok, was able to get something in. I took the liberty of presuming that Nic would translate the raven speak - sorry Teg.

As a player, I'm quite happy with grabbing some foreign diplomats and holding them as counter hostages, but Jenna is just highlighting some of the potential downsides.

Also, to keep you all in the loop I am now on vacation, however for one reason or another I haven't ended up with quite as much free time as I had expected. That said, I should be able to post semi regularly until this coming Saturday (the 03rd) - however just a reminder that I'll be away between the 04th and 08th during which time it's unlikely I'll be able to post IC (I should still manage brief OOC posts from my phone / tablet).
Nicolai Romanelli
Adventurer, 471 posts
Human Rogue/Ranger
Tegyrius
Mon 29 Aug 2016
at 00:14
  • msg #109

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)

No worries.  Nic would definitely share the take from the birds.  That's too critical to keep to himself, and the sources and methods are pretty obvious to everyone at the table.
Nicolai Romanelli
Adventurer, 474 posts
Human Rogue/Ranger
Tegyrius
Mon 29 Aug 2016
at 01:01
  • msg #110

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)

Hm.  Kreyg is an exiled Tokari.  What do we know about Tokari culture that we can use to get leverage on him?
Corros Graelor
Adventurer, 346 posts
Half-Elf Warlock
keys138
Tue 30 Aug 2016
at 00:29
  • msg #111

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)

I'm struggling to come up with anything beyond: dimension door into the gatehouse, open the gates after a bit of slaughter and hope the hostages manage to rescue themselves or the townspeople rush in.  Bloody at best, TPK at worst.
Jenna Drax
Adventurer, 397 posts
Human Cleric
Dave Ross
Tue 30 Aug 2016
at 14:06
  • msg #112

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)

In reply to Corros Graelor (msg # 111):

Ditto. I don't really have anything other than grab a foreign dignitary as a counter hostage but I've already stated the downsides of that IC. Anything else smacks of the suicidal - e.g. Dimension Door into the Keep and try and grab the Albino himself or his Bloodmage then get out again. Or offer ourselves in return for the hostages' release then try and (somehow) spring a double cross of our own.

So no good options, just a case of finding the least bad option.
Raellus
GM, 637 posts
Sage
Raconteur
Thu 1 Sep 2016
at 00:36
  • msg #113

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)


I'm sorry, guys. I didn't intend for this macro-quest to be so difficult. As a GM, it's usually rather challenging playing OPFOR- I don't want to make the bad guys too dumb because what's the fun in pwning a bunch of mouth breathers, but playing the opposition smart increases the challenge level exponentially. Y'all have handled nearly every combat encounter with relative ease, and your disguise/bluff approach to infiltrating the keep was very well played (it didn't hurt that the dice were on your side too). I didn't want to make this a cake walk, but I might have erred on the side of making the current scenario Kobayashi Maru tough. That said, I think you can defeat the Bloodforged without too much collateral damage.

The reprisals idea is straight out of the WWII Nazi anti-partisan playbook. Kreyg is probably not quite that bad, but he's not above breaking a few eggs to get his omelet on. At present, the killing hostages thing is only a rumor going around. It's possible that Kreyg will go through with it at some point, but it's not assured, and the trigger event for said atrocities is currently subject to speculation. It likely, though, that further humiliation or major setbacks could prompt desperate measures.

You've come up with a few good ideas for how to approach the current scenario. Overmark spoke for me when she opined that "all of the above" might be your best bet (although, probably not all at once). I've tried to use the NPCs to give you some options that players/PCs hadn't suggested, but that doesn't mean that those are the "correct" paths to take. I don't want to railroad you, or make you feel that I am. By the same token, I won't use NPCs to try to lure you into a bad situation. That wouldn't be cool at all.

As always, if you have any questions, ask away.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:37, Thu 01 Sept 2016.
Raellus
GM, 638 posts
Sage
Raconteur
Thu 1 Sep 2016
at 00:49
  • msg #114

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)

Nicolai Romanelli:
Hm.  Kreyg is an exiled Tokari.  What do we know about Tokari culture that we can use to get leverage on him?


Good thinking. Let me roll History checks and get back to you on that.

EDIT:

Damn. Jenna rolled a 23. In all honestly, I hadn't even placed Tokar on my map. I just remedied that. For a 23, I'll have to give you more than just its location. Let me give it a little more thought and I'll get back to you... again. Don't count on it being something that will bring Zardis to his knees, though.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:10, Thu 01 Sept 2016.
Corros Graelor
Adventurer, 348 posts
Half-Elf Warlock
keys138
Thu 1 Sep 2016
at 14:53
  • msg #115

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)

Ah, I had an "execution is imminent" vibe.  That helps clear it up, thanks!
Jenna Drax
Adventurer, 400 posts
Human Cleric
Dave Ross
Thu 1 Sep 2016
at 18:46
  • msg #116

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)

Corros Graelor:
Ah, I had an "execution is imminent" vibe.  That helps clear it up, thanks!

To be fair, I had the same vibe.

To elaborate slightly on what Jenna'a suggesting IC, what I'm getting at is she and Corros 'teleport' in and, assuming they manage to subdue one of the emissaries Corros then beams out with him, leaving Jenna behind until Corros can come back for her. If challenged Jenna makes like she's there to 'entertain' the emissary who is currently 'occupied' (in the bath, on the can, off popping little blue pills that he got from an alchemist, etc) and if said Redcloaks wish to avoid getting on the albino's bad side they'd best be on their way.

Downside is it's an all or nothing gambit - she can hardly pull it off dressed in full plate, so if she's rumbled it will likely be a short fight, but my thinking is that it probably won't be any worse than if she ends up taking on a dozen Bloodforged herself. She also has no relevant skills when it comes to bluff / disguise etc.

There's also the fact that I will be afk for the first half of next week, so Jenn'a suggestion is exactly that - a suggestion. If you prefer to have Corros take either Nic or Gronk rather than have them potentially sidelined at a time when I'm unable to post anyway, I'm absolutely fine with that (although Jenna will protest IC).
Raellus
GM, 639 posts
Sage
Raconteur
Fri 2 Sep 2016
at 01:03
  • msg #117

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)

Raellus:
"Word is, he's gonna kill half of 'em as reprisal, hold on to the rest as insurance. I think he means to send a message, maybe sweat out the Commandant. And there's Redcloaks all over the streets, this morning. We barely made it back. It's not lookin' good."


I'm sorry about that. I wasn't trying to mislead you. The whole "word is..." bit is supposed to indicate a rumor- it was probably a little too subtle. As with all rumors, it's always a good idea to do a little more digging before accepting them as true. I've already pledged not to intentionally mislead you, and that still holds.

Pool of Radiance, the first CRPG I ever played- really, my first genuine D&D experience- had a manual with a numbered rumor section. At various points in the game, the player was instructed to find a numbered rumor. Some were true, some were partially true, and some were quite misleading. It was kind of fun not knowing whether to believe certain rumors. I'll try to be more clear, in the future, when something is technically a rumor. Again, I won't drop intentionally misleading rumors on you, but until they can be independently verified, rumors shouldn't be treated as fact.

If we need to take another break while you're off doing your thing (enjoy!), Dave, that's cool with me- just relax and don't worry about Balefyre. RL trumps gaming every time. Hopefully, once you're back in the loop, we can all jump back in and generate some momentum.

-
Nicolai Romanelli
Adventurer, 475 posts
Human Rogue/Ranger
Tegyrius
Tue 6 Sep 2016
at 21:32
  • msg #118

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)

Nicolai's recent Google search history:

> what do ravens eat
> zardis kreyg linkedin
> tokari mortal insults
> can a raven get drunk
> alchemic purgatives
> can a priestess of arma marry

Nicolai Romanelli
Adventurer, 477 posts
Human Rogue/Ranger
Tegyrius
Tue 6 Sep 2016
at 22:08
  • msg #119

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)

Okay, not trying to hijack ICly but I did want us to move forward a little in preparing to commit various sorts of merry fuckery.  Everyone cool with those tentative assignments?
Jenna Drax
Adventurer, 402 posts
Human Cleric
Dave Ross
Thu 8 Sep 2016
at 18:27
  • msg #120

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)

I presume that if we follow up on Gronk's suggestion to enlist the chambermaid or manager from the Mermaid's Tale, that may expose them to the same risks that were mentioned here?

Raellus:
Jenna Drax:
Is there anywhere we can steal them? A laundry place where they send them to get washed (am guessing they don't do it themselves). A brothel they frequent regularly where they might be....errrr...lying around? If so could we bribe someone to grab a few?


Cloaks you might be able to steal from a laundry/washer-woman, armor no- they take care of that themselves.

The brothel idea is quite clever and will probably work, however the working girls/madam/pimp will probably take the blame, which could result in arrest, a beating, or worse.

It's your call, though.

-

(I realise that anyone is at risk of being randomly scooped up as a potential hostage, but the question is would this put those individuals at specific risk?)
Raellus
GM, 642 posts
Sage
Raconteur
Sun 11 Sep 2016
at 01:21
  • msg #121

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)


I hope, with the latest turn post, that I've advanced the plot far enough to play off of, but not too far. As always, let me know if you have any questions.

-
Nicolai Romanelli
Adventurer, 478 posts
Human Rogue/Ranger
Tegyrius
Sun 11 Sep 2016
at 11:30
  • msg #122

Re: Tavern Talk II (OOC)

Jenna Drax:
I presume that if we follow up on Gronk's suggestion to enlist the chambermaid or manager from the Mermaid's Tale, that may expose them to the same risks that were mentioned here?


We could give them a lighter dose of the same purgatives to allay suspicion.
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