OOC VI

[zebediah]

Yeah, we could use another elf...

[Finglas]

Bregalad the elf

I think 2 Sleep spells is a good idea, Lanny.

Also, I would like to try Darkness out. I believe it is something Bregalad can do, if he memorizes it ahead of time. (Correct me if I am wrong, TK.) More versatility could be helpful, given that we do not know for certain what our next encounter will be.

Bregalad is planning on having Darkness, Sleep, and Mirror Image ready, at the next opportunity. So, he will not be sleeping in his armor for the next night.

[frobozz]

Good points, Finglas. My initial thought was that Drudsa's Continual Light spell would be the group's "blinding" spell, but having Darkness as a backup blinding spell (or even just as a defense mechanism to prevent enemies (and especially enemy spellcasters) from seeing us and targeting us) would certainly be useful.

Oh, and I do think that unshuttering the Continual Light lantern could still be a viable strategy if we do ever have another Darkness spell cast upon us.

[frobozz]

So, the next thing to figure out is whether or not we will try to activate the silver bowl in the campsite tonight. I believe that a few of us have indicated that, at the very least, we have no objections to trying it tonight (Bregalad, Lanny, Drudsa, Rhys). Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

Other things to consider:

1. The oily box with the five buttons was in the backpack with the silver bowl. Shall we attempt to discover what it is or how to open it before using the silver bowl? Maybe first search it for traps?

2. I assume activating the bowl requires pouring water into it like the other one. Al, are you ok with Rhys activating the bowl and then standing in for the False Rhys and doing the talking? Anyone have any thoughts on what he should say? Maybe just let the person on the other end lead the conversation?

[Alethan]

I'm not opposed to it, but not very comfortable with it, either. I'll have him give it a try, if that is what the party agrees is the best course of action, but feel the inability to lie could very easily trip him up. All Bargle would have to ask is, " What happened to the group I sent you to kill?" Seems like a likely question. I'm afraid Rhys is the singularly most terrible person for this job. Maybe someone else, who offers, "Had to take another face, boss" as a reason. They'd have free range to say whatever they wanted at that point to convince him of that.

[thirdkingdom]

So, the next thing to figure out is whether or not we will try to activate the silver bowl in the campsite tonight. I believe that a few of us have indicated that, at the very least, we have no objections to trying it tonight (Bregalad, Lanny, Drudsa, Rhys). Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

Other things to consider:

1. The oily box with the five buttons was in the backpack with the silver bowl. Shall we attempt to discover what it is or how to open it before using the silver bowl? Maybe first search it for traps?

2. I assume activating the bowl requires pouring water into it like the other one. Al, are you ok with Rhys activating the bowl and then standing in for the False Rhys and doing the talking? Anyone have any thoughts on what he should say? Maybe just let the person on the other end lead the conversation?

If we could resolve these two questions (and speak up if there are any volunteers to take Rhys's place in #2) by tonight that would be great, so I could post IC tomorrow morning.

[zebediah]

Drudsa will support both initiatives. I agree with Al, Rhys cannot lie and that can spoil the attempt from the start.

[frobozz]

From a player perspective, I think it would be kind of fun to see how it plays out with Rhys doing the talking, knowing that he cannot lie. It would be kind of like the challenge we faced when dealing with the Magic Mouth, in which we had to very carefully choose the exact words we would use to ask our one question to it. Remember, though, that one can avoid answering a question directly either by making a declarative statement of their own or by asking another question.

For example, if Bargle asked: "What happened to the group I sent you to kill?"

Rhys could answer: "The enemy is dead. What are your next instructions?"

This statement is not a lie, as Rhys's enemies are, in fact, dead (we just killed them).

There might even be a way to use such statements/questions to try to find out the combination to the box...

I think that if anyone other than Rhys activates it, Bargle (or whoever is on the other end of the line) might get suspicious and end the call before saying anything.

[thirdkingdom]

Well, whatever. Just come up with a decision by this evening. It would be great if whomever volunteers to try contact Bargle is able to respond to posts with some frequency, so we can get the conversation resolved without too much idle time spent.*


*Yes, I know that I have not been that responsive the past few weeks. Sorry, again.

[zebediah]

"For your sake, my faceless friend, you had better tell me it was the mage who escaped, and that you're about to capture him again! I don't need to tell you again I want him alive, do I?". There is a pause, and a disconcerting moment as the image in the bowl suddenly changes when the man on the other end looks down into a ravine before him. "I think we can do away with Varis, by now. Have Drashamohe become, perhaps, the Baron's gaoler, or some such thing. We can frame those adventurers for the death of Varis, discredit their memories, while maintaining control of the mage. And find out how they came to uncover the presence of Harlann and his brethren in the city; those rat-men are foul, but useful, and I dislike their warren was uncovered so quickly. And for you, my friend, I have need of you in Elwyn's fortress. Assume the identity of some base individual and offer to join the cleric's army. I trust Elwyn not, and need someone there to keep watch."

Ok, so

i) Bargle wants to keep Drudsa alive (good)

ii) Varis might be dead already, with that Drashamore guy (probably another doppleganger) replacing him

iii) Bargle wants Drashamore to stop playing Varis and instead replace the Baron's gaoler or someone else in authority

iv) there's more wererats in the city lead by that Harlann guy (probably from the Iron Ring)

v) Bargle does not trust Elwyn and wants the doppleganger to join his army in disguise

vi) Elwyn has (or is building) an army

Ok so that looks bad enough, doesn't it?

[zebediah]

Al, perhaps you can ask what should you do in case the mage manages to get lost in the mountains, if you should keep looking for him. I would not say much more cause that can end up giving away that you're not aware of, for example, a camp that they might have nearby or some other card they have yet to play.

[Alethan]

Al, perhaps you can ask what should you do in case the mage manages to get lost in the mountains, if you should keep looking for him. I would not say much more cause that can end up giving away that you're not aware of, for example, a camp that they might have nearby or some other card they have yet to play.

Zeb, I'll see what I can do, but...

[Finglas]

Bregalad the elf

Great job, Rhys, with your responses! I am glad that it had to be you who reached out to Bargle. It makes for a more challenging and interesting exchange.

[Alethan]

Bregalad the elf

Great job, Rhys, with your responses! I am glad that it had to be you who reached out to Bargle. It makes for a more challenging and interesting exchange.

I liked the jail one, myself...

[frobozz]

After thinking it through another second, he responds,"I will see about getting Drash positioned in the jail before making my way to Elwyn's fortress."

LMAO! Good thing that Rhys knew what a "gaoler" is... Had Lanny been the one doing the talking, he would have been frantically scrambling through his backpack to try to find his Thyatian dictionary! Nicely done, Al.

Ok, so

i) Bargle wants to keep Drudsa alive (good)

ii) Varis might be dead already, with that Drashamore guy (probably another doppleganger) replacing him

iii) Bargle wants Drashamore to stop playing Varis and instead replace the Baron's gaoler or someone else in authority

iv) there's more wererats in the city lead by that Harlann guy (probably from the Iron Ring)

v) Bargle does not trust Elwyn and wants the doppleganger to join his army in disguise

vi) Elwyn has (or is building) an army

Ok so that looks bad enough, doesn't it?

Nice summary, Zeb. Although I think there is still some question about ii and iii. Recall that Josiah, in his fit of rage, informed us (two days ago) that "Father Varis has been missing, gone about a week". So, Father Varis might not necessarily be dead, but he might be held captive somewhere (perhaps by the Iron Ring on Fogor's Isle). However, if we were to go back to Threshold and find a "Father Varis" acting normally, we would have to question how Josiah knew that Father Varis has been missing. Could Josiah be in cahoots with the two dopplegangers? Could Josiah BE a doppleganger? Could the Great Cat itself be a doppleganger that is keeping us distracted and away from Threshold? I think the only way to find out is to return to Threshold and do some reconnaisance. I do think we have to seriously consider whether we will continue to pursue the Great Cat or if we should return immediately to Threshold to try to find out what has happened to Father Varis (or, if we should return to the battle site and start tracking the trail that the thugs followed as they pursued us). Initial thoughts, everyone?

[zebediah]

The cat was already attacking when we started playing so I don't think this was specifically set up to keep us busy. If we drop the current mission the beast will continue its killing spree so now that we are closer to its lair I believe we should finish this. Apparently Bargle's line of contact with its infiltrated agents was the doppleganger so I don't think he will be giving them orders on the next couple of days unless we make him suspicious.

Also, now we know that Bargle's team have agents infiltrated in positions from which they can actively screw us. If Josiah presented any accusations as he said he would and we return to town without the head of the great cat Varis, and whoever else is working for Bargle, could end up supporting those accusations and land us in jail. On the other hand if we arrive with proof of having slain the monster it will be more difficult for them to build a case (plus our popular support will probably grow).

I think we should spend at least two more days hunting the cat. If that bears no fruit we should reassess our plans but at this point in time I think we would risk ourselves if we went back to Threshold.

One more point: before we move back to town we need a solid plan on what we will do with the information we have. We cannot simply accuse Varis of being a shapeshifter. What I suggest is to pretend the doppleganger has infiltrated our band and use that ruse to somehow expose Drashamore. What do you guys think?

[Alethan]

I've been re-reading the last few books of Game of Thrones lately, so I've read a lot about gaolers the last month or so.

I don't yet think we should abandon taking out the great cat. Of course, Rhys looks to gain a magical sword out of it, so... that might be a driving factor. Oh, and... what Zeb said.

("Who's Zeb?"
"Zeb's dead, baby. Zeb's dead.")

It has been attacking for some time now, is becoming more dangerous and attacking when more than one person is present now, which means it is becoming almost fearless. The more I think about it, the more it seems the doppleganger was not in league with the cat, only using it's distraction to try and infiltrate itself into the party.

That said, tracking the thugs to wherever they came from shouldn't be too hard since they were mostly just thugs trudging through the forest.

[thirdkingdom]

I've got to say that I'm pretty pleased with how this has all come together:
Party thinks the Beast is a lycanthrope, starts buying up silver weapons, driving up the price of silver and spreading rumors of were-creatures in Threshold, which tips the hand of the real band of lycanthrope in Threshold, who respond to the threat the PCs pose . . .



I really haven't had to do much work developing this plotline, quite honestly.

[frobozz]

The cat was already attacking when we started playing so I don't think this was specifically set up to keep us busy. If we drop the current mission the beast will continue its killing spree so now that we are closer to its lair I believe we should finish this. Apparently Bargle's line of contact with its infiltrated agents was the doppleganger so I don't think he will be giving them orders on the next couple of days unless we make him suspicious.

Good point. If Father Varis is already dead, we cannot help him, but if he is being held captive somewhere (with the doppleganger Drash acting in his place), then (hopefully) his captives will not act to execute him without receiving word from the (now deceased) doppleganger Asmiopal.

Also, now we know that Bargle's team have agents infiltrated in positions from which they can actively screw us. If Josiah presented any accusations as he said he would and we return to town without the head of the great cat Varis, and whoever else is working for Bargle, could end up supporting those accusations and land us in jail. On the other hand if we arrive with proof of having slain the monster it will be more difficult for them to build a case (plus our popular support will probably grow).

I would assume (and hope) that the Father Varis that sent us on this mission (and the one we have been working with for the last month and a half) has been the real Father Varis. I think if he was kidnapped and/or murdered, it most likely happened after we left Threshold to start this mission.

I think we should spend at least two more days hunting the cat. If that bears no fruit we should reassess our plans but at this point in time I think we would risk ourselves if we went back to Threshold.

That sounds reasonable to me.

One more point: before we move back to town we need a solid plan on what we will do with the information we have. We cannot simply accuse Varis of being a shapeshifter. What I suggest is to pretend the doppleganger has infiltrated our band and use that ruse to somehow expose Drashamore. What do you guys think?

I think that when we return to Threshold, we might want to have one person run reconnaisance before we get there to find out (1) if Father Varis (either the real one or the fake one) is present at all, or if he really has "gone missing" as Josiah has claimed, and (2) if there are any vicious rumors already circulating about the PCs being responsible for it. That should give us some clues about what to do next.

[zebediah]

One more point: before we move back to town we need a solid plan on what we will do with the information we have. We cannot simply accuse Varis of being a shapeshifter. What I suggest is to pretend the doppleganger has infiltrated our band and use that ruse to somehow expose Drashamore. What do you guys think?

I think that when we return to Threshold, we might want to have one person run reconnaisance before we get there to find out (1) if Father Varis (either the real one or the fake one) is present at all, or if he really has "gone missing" as Josiah has claimed, and (2) if there are any vicious rumors already circulating about the PCs being responsible for it. That should give us some clues about what to do next.

Good idea, I think Aquar would be the guy for that job as he has only joined us recently and is new in the area.

We could try having an invisible scout but that would create the unnecessary risk of one of us being caught breaking local law, so IMO that would be too risky. No need to make it easier for Bargle & gang.

I've got to say that I'm pretty pleased with how this has all come together:
Party thinks the Beast is a lycanthrope, starts buying up silver weapons, driving up the price of silver and spreading rumors of were-creatures in Threshold, which tips the hand of the real band of lycanthrope in Threshold, who respond to the threat the PCs pose . . .

I really haven't had to do much work developing this plotline, quite honestly.

Yeah I thought it was too much of a coincidence to have those wererats with the doppleganger. So the rumours of a werebeast poisoning the city's water supplies wasn't just a crazy story after all.

("Who's Zeb?"
"Zeb's dead, baby. Zeb's dead.")