OOC: Guys, you have never talked to Vitae, he was never downstairs, the voices you heard belong to peasant followers, not the Wizard. Just a clarification, so there is no confusion.
Mordai whispers to the group, “We might to get in the door as soon as possible. Anyone want to break down that door or see if it is locked and just go inside.”
Morgan with his weapon left by the door will begin to go upstairs, he watches what the peasants do and how they react. If no one stops Morgan he will walk until he can call to Vitae or at least if he sees something happening.
With the door ajar, the peasants try to not allow the party to go upstairs, attempting to defend Vitae at all costs.
They are clearly going to become hostile if the party do not back down. However, you are facing two men and a woman, none of which are armed or armored in any way whatsoever. One of the men seems older, while the younger one is wearing a hood and is unshaven.
Besides them, this floor is clearly made to be a bedroom, with seven beds and a large table inside.
The peasants are in a defensive stance, so there is no need for initiative, they are waiting for the party to act, so, if the party members attack, they can all go first. you can position yourselves as if you were all starting from M9. When you move, please tell me the coordinates, where you will be stopping.
Tozo stows his dagger in his pack, but leaves his quarterstaff by the door as he steps inside. As he surveys the scene, he offers a broad smile and steps in briskly. "Come, there is no need for alarm. We only wish to talk. Marauders would not leave their weapons at the door, would they?" He moves to the table and sits down (move 25 feet to H9), pouring himself a glass of water.
The gnome gestures to the other seats with an affable air, glancing at the peasants. "Won't you join me(20) for a drink and tell us of the doings of the great Vitae? We have journeyed a long way to hear him and partake of his power."
Morgan wanted to get past and see what was happening above him without any violence, but he was beginning to get short of temper. To hurry things up he walked open armed showing he had no weapons in his person to try and get them to move.
”I am unarmed and wish to pass, will you stop a potential ally from meeting with your leader.”
The peasants seem to be conflicted. They are obviously not sure what to do, wanting to obey their orders and not let you upstairs, but also being afraid of five weirdos who look like they can kill them easily.
However, Tozo's words seem to be persuasive enough, so the older man says:
"If you are willing to lay down all of your weapons, we will allow you to go up and meet the Great Vitae. Are you willing to surrender your instruments of death?"
With Morgan shoving him, he tries to resist but says:
"I see that you are unarmed. your brethren may also follow you, but without weapons".
With this, he leads all of you upstairs. If you want to go in with a small weapon, you need to roll sleigh-of-hands or stealth, whichever you prefer. If you fail the roll, you will be found out. There is not possibility of sneaking in a two handed weapon or a ranged weapon besides throwing knives or something of a similar size.
The upstairs room is quite a bit different. In the middle of the room there is a large brazier, with unnaturally red flames erupting from it. to the right there are several bookcases, with a bunch of books and scrolls in them. To your left you can find a table with more books and parchments on it, and a chair behind it. Beyond the brazier you can see a bed, as well as a large pedestal, roughly a foot high, on which four people, an older man, two women and a child of around 5 years standing, motionless, with eyes closed and hands extended. Their hands point towards a frail-looking old man with a crude staff in his hand, a deranged-looking face and a copious amount of items on his belt, who stands between the pedestal and the brazier.
He looks like this:
Party perception:
Average perception is 3.4, rounded upwards being 4. Member with the highest perception is both Tozo and Reginald, with four. 4+4=8, so the party perception bonus amounts to 8.
Perception roll: 17
You can see that there seems to be a magical link between Vitae and the fire in the brazier, as well as Vitae and the four peasants on the pedestal, as if a spider had woven an almost invisible, but, at the same time, glowing web between them.
The old man turns to you, first taking notice of his servants, then the party, and says, in a croaking voice:
"Who dares enter the tower of the Great Vitae, Defeater of Death?"
Vitae seems to have finished conducting some kind of a ritual, magically linking himself to the four peasants on the pedestal, with the fire in the brazier somehow being involved as well. The magical web-thingy linking them all seems to be intangible, but quite important. The exact effect of the ritual conducted is unknown to you. Vitae is now awaiting a response to his question from the five of you, visibly growing irritated.
As Vitae asks the question, Tozo gushes effusively, "Marvelous, truly marvelous!" and carefully examines the ritual's preparations, sigils, and other visible arcane signs. "I hadn't thought there was anyone else with skill like this."(Arcana check: 27) He pulls his notebook out and begins jotting down some figures.
(OOC: Is it apparent to Tozo what the effects of this linking are, or what the nature of the magic being experienced by these participants is? Do they look willing, peaceful, frightened, etc.?)
"We've heard a lot about your visionary talent and traveled far to get here. From one practitioner to another, would you care to oblige us on your work and elaborate on your discoveries? We simply must compare research!"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Donovan standing off at the edge off the room looks visibly uncomfortable with the whole setting. He begins wandering along the edge of the room. Don tries to see if there are any weapons or another entry or exit.
Tozo happens to think of the exact type of spell that he might have read about before losing his memories, but he, somehow, remembers it vividly. The spell seems to be working as a transfer-link of sorts, slowly moving life energy from the peasants to Vitae. However, if needed, the transfer can escalate. As a result, if you stick a knife in Vitae's guts, for example, he will remain unharmed, but one of the peasants will be disemboweled. Additionally, if allowed to proceed at a slow pace, not only does the magic save Vitae from harm, but will rejuvenate him completely, making him a young man again. As for the brazier, it serves as a sort of power source (the fire burns magical materials, not firewood) for this entire spell.
Donovan can clearly see, that there are not weapons around, with the only items capable of causing harm would be the heavy items, that can crush someone, if they fall on them, or, perhaps, the chair, if it was used as an improvised weapon. The pedestal cannot be moved, while all other items are very heavy. There is also a chest near the stairs, but it is locked and it's not possible to ascertain whether it is heavy or not (as it might be empty or full).
Mordai, on the other hand, can quickly see, that the fire is magical in nature and will not be easy to extinguish. The brazier in which it burns is clearly quite heavy, but not impossible to overturn (though it will take more than one person, at the very least, to move it).
Hearing Tozo speak, Vitae seems suspicious, but engages him in conversation regardless:
"So, a fellow visionary, are you? Tell me, what results have you achieved in this field?"
OOC: If you continue with the ruse, you will need to not only talk to him and explain who you are and what you do, but roll persuasion as well.
Here's the layout of the second floor. In your next post, also tell me the coordinates of where you will be standing, and facing which way (the red dots denote which way the NPCs are facing). The four other peasants, including the child, are standing on the white pedestal in the lower left, while you entered the floor from the stair in the upper right.
“Something bad is happening upstairs, we needs to get up there, I don’t trust him.”
Morgan will gesture at the others to the upper floor, he wanted to move and see what the problem was but didn’t want to start anything dangerous.
OOC. Makes more sense now I changed what I would do slightly.
OOC: Guys, you have never talked to Vitae, he was never downstairs, the voices you heard belong to peasant followers, not the Wizard. Just a clarification, so there is no confusion.
Mordai whispers to the group, “We might to get in the door as soon as possible. Anyone want to break down that door or see if it is locked and just go inside.”
[OOC: I am assuming I did not cast invisibility?]
OOC: You haven't, but you can do it now if you want
(ooc i'd like to not throw my weapons down, at this point i'm ready to bumrush)
Gash - Lvl14 Goblin Wizard - The High Court of the Aasimar Queen
[OOC: I will hold off as the element of surprise is past us]
Morgan with his weapon left by the door will begin to go upstairs, he watches what the peasants do and how they react. If no one stops Morgan he will walk until he can call to Vitae or at least if he sees something happening.
Donovan sets his hammer down gently against the side of the windmill and enters the windmill
Mordai also lay down his daggers and then move to enter the windmill to take a look about.
With the door ajar, the peasants try to not allow the party to go upstairs, attempting to defend Vitae at all costs.
They are clearly going to become hostile if the party do not back down. However, you are facing two men and a woman, none of which are armed or armored in any way whatsoever. One of the men seems older, while the younger one is wearing a hood and is unshaven.
Besides them, this floor is clearly made to be a bedroom, with seven beds and a large table inside.
The peasants are in a defensive stance, so there is no need for initiative, they are waiting for the party to act, so, if the party members attack, they can all go first. you can position yourselves as if you were all starting from M9. When you move, please tell me the coordinates, where you will be stopping.
This is the positioning of the peasants.
Tozo stows his dagger in his pack, but leaves his quarterstaff by the door as he steps inside. As he surveys the scene, he offers a broad smile and steps in briskly. "Come, there is no need for alarm. We only wish to talk. Marauders would not leave their weapons at the door, would they?" He moves to the table and sits down (move 25 feet to H9), pouring himself a glass of water.
The gnome gestures to the other seats with an affable air, glancing at the peasants. "Won't you join me (20) for a drink and tell us of the doings of the great Vitae? We have journeyed a long way to hear him and partake of his power."
Regi lays down his blades and bow but attempts to pick up two daggers dropped and stow them on his person in secret.
Sleight of Hand: 8
Gash - Lvl14 Goblin Wizard - The High Court of the Aasimar Queen
Morgan wanted to get past and see what was happening above him without any violence, but he was beginning to get short of temper. To hurry things up he walked open armed showing he had no weapons in his person to try and get them to move.
”I am unarmed and wish to pass, will you stop a potential ally from meeting with your leader.”
Persuasion: 15
The peasants seem to be conflicted. They are obviously not sure what to do, wanting to obey their orders and not let you upstairs, but also being afraid of five weirdos who look like they can kill them easily.
However, Tozo's words seem to be persuasive enough, so the older man says:
"If you are willing to lay down all of your weapons, we will allow you to go up and meet the Great Vitae. Are you willing to surrender your instruments of death?"
With Morgan shoving him, he tries to resist but says:
"I see that you are unarmed. your brethren may also follow you, but without weapons".
With this, he leads all of you upstairs. If you want to go in with a small weapon, you need to roll sleigh-of-hands or stealth, whichever you prefer. If you fail the roll, you will be found out. There is not possibility of sneaking in a two handed weapon or a ranged weapon besides throwing knives or something of a similar size.
The upstairs room is quite a bit different. In the middle of the room there is a large brazier, with unnaturally red flames erupting from it. to the right there are several bookcases, with a bunch of books and scrolls in them. To your left you can find a table with more books and parchments on it, and a chair behind it. Beyond the brazier you can see a bed, as well as a large pedestal, roughly a foot high, on which four people, an older man, two women and a child of around 5 years standing, motionless, with eyes closed and hands extended. Their hands point towards a frail-looking old man with a crude staff in his hand, a deranged-looking face and a copious amount of items on his belt, who stands between the pedestal and the brazier.
He looks like this:
Party perception:
Average perception is 3.4, rounded upwards being 4. Member with the highest perception is both Tozo and Reginald, with four. 4+4=8, so the party perception bonus amounts to 8.
Perception roll: 17
You can see that there seems to be a magical link between Vitae and the fire in the brazier, as well as Vitae and the four peasants on the pedestal, as if a spider had woven an almost invisible, but, at the same time, glowing web between them.
The old man turns to you, first taking notice of his servants, then the party, and says, in a croaking voice:
"Who dares enter the tower of the Great Vitae, Defeater of Death?"
[OOC: Arcana check to see if I know what is going on?]
Mordai enters the room and then moves away from the stairs and the rest if the party, examining what Vitae seems to be doing.
Arcana:17
Vitae seems to have finished conducting some kind of a ritual, magically linking himself to the four peasants on the pedestal, with the fire in the brazier somehow being involved as well. The magical web-thingy linking them all seems to be intangible, but quite important. The exact effect of the ritual conducted is unknown to you. Vitae is now awaiting a response to his question from the five of you, visibly growing irritated.
As Vitae asks the question, Tozo gushes effusively, "Marvelous, truly marvelous!" and carefully examines the ritual's preparations, sigils, and other visible arcane signs. "I hadn't thought there was anyone else with skill like this." (Arcana check: 27) He pulls his notebook out and begins jotting down some figures.
(OOC: Is it apparent to Tozo what the effects of this linking are, or what the nature of the magic being experienced by these participants is? Do they look willing, peaceful, frightened, etc.?)
"We've heard a lot about your visionary talent and traveled far to get here. From one practitioner to another, would you care to oblige us on your work and elaborate on your discoveries? We simply must compare research!"
Donovan standing off at the edge off the room looks visibly uncomfortable with the whole setting. He begins wandering along the edge of the room. Don tries to see if there are any weapons or another entry or exit.
Perception 7
Seeing Donovan start to move around the room, Mordai will slowly move in the opposite direction.
[OOC: What is the size of the brazier, the size of small campfire? Would Prestidigitation work on it?]
Tozo happens to think of the exact type of spell that he might have read about before losing his memories, but he, somehow, remembers it vividly. The spell seems to be working as a transfer-link of sorts, slowly moving life energy from the peasants to Vitae. However, if needed, the transfer can escalate. As a result, if you stick a knife in Vitae's guts, for example, he will remain unharmed, but one of the peasants will be disemboweled. Additionally, if allowed to proceed at a slow pace, not only does the magic save Vitae from harm, but will rejuvenate him completely, making him a young man again. As for the brazier, it serves as a sort of power source (the fire burns magical materials, not firewood) for this entire spell.
Donovan can clearly see, that there are not weapons around, with the only items capable of causing harm would be the heavy items, that can crush someone, if they fall on them, or, perhaps, the chair, if it was used as an improvised weapon. The pedestal cannot be moved, while all other items are very heavy. There is also a chest near the stairs, but it is locked and it's not possible to ascertain whether it is heavy or not (as it might be empty or full).
Mordai, on the other hand, can quickly see, that the fire is magical in nature and will not be easy to extinguish. The brazier in which it burns is clearly quite heavy, but not impossible to overturn (though it will take more than one person, at the very least, to move it).
Hearing Tozo speak, Vitae seems suspicious, but engages him in conversation regardless:
"So, a fellow visionary, are you? Tell me, what results have you achieved in this field?"
OOC: If you continue with the ruse, you will need to not only talk to him and explain who you are and what you do, but roll persuasion as well.
Here's the layout of the second floor. In your next post, also tell me the coordinates of where you will be standing, and facing which way (the red dots denote which way the NPCs are facing). The four other peasants, including the child, are standing on the white pedestal in the lower left, while you entered the floor from the stair in the upper right.