The scene is set. Dageron makes sure the markings on his armor match those of Barok's patrol. The wagon itself appears empty, except that his warhorse is hitched to it. Dageron would have urinated all over the back and side of the wagon in advance, to throw off any scent. Brevon and Jekk are invisible within. Dageron drives the wagon at a slow, controlled pace directly for the gate manned by Orcs. As he approaches he follows protocol, calling out in advance. (( Dageron speaks Orc, and so calls out in their language. ))
In an experienced and commanding tone that brooks no dispute, he yells out. "Sentries! I am Captain Dageron of the 501st Reconnaissance Team. Prepare to open the gates!" As he reaches the gate he halts the wagon for inspection. "Be quick about it boys, I haven't eaten anything but boney halflings for days." While they do their thing, he will distract them with questions. "Where is the mess? Where is the base commander, so I can check in after I get food? Also, I'm a survivor from the first skirmishes with the rat-eating Shem-folk and need resupply, where do I go? Also, what is the status of the siege, are we gonna break through soon or are we stuck here holding our *****?"
Intimidation per the persona = 7 Deception = 16 Deception again in case you'll confer advantage due to planning = 18 Insight to see if they're on to me = 17 Passive Insight and Perception are both at 14, in case there is anything of noteworthiness as we enter
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Jek is able to use prestidigitation on Dageron's armor to add and remove a few symbols. (If they don't take Iron-Hoove with them, he will try to find a spot to keep him hidden until they can go retrieve him.)
Jek will wait to cast the twinned invisibility until they are closer to the gates. As they enter, Jek will try to stay as quite as possible, but will observe what is happening outside. He will pay attention close attention to the guards as Dageron speaks to them, see if they seem defensive or skeptical.
Perception15 to check out the surroundings as they enter the gate and the town. Insight14 to seek if the guards are buying Dageron's story.
Two Orcs push open the shoddy wooden gates as Dageron approaches, the wooden framed construction being...well. It's shit. Any force of a size big enough to attempt to break this occupation could bust them down no problem. Still, for small units, they are a hinderance, enough so for the Orcs at the gate to maintain the upper. The two opening the gate look around as Dageron enters with the wagon and sniff as it goes by. One mutters something under its breath.
"Slow." An Orc Captain said as he held out a palm and stepped up next to the cart. "What have ye..."
He looks into the cart, then looks at Dageron.
"It's empty." The Captain said. He looked at Dageron in disgust. "We're days from running out of good meat and you bring back nothing? Pah."
He steps back, looking the cart over, looking Dageron over. He reaches up and scratches a pimple on the side of his face.
"Where have you been, Captain Dagbedon? What is this you say, fighting Halflings? How long have you been out? Where is the rest of your team?"
The Orc already seems skeptical when Melisandre tries to compel him to go away by muttering the magically infused word "Leave", but the Orc, either on a heightened state of alert because of previous treachery or current suspicion, immediately dismisses the word and calls over the other Orcs.
"You have questions to answer, wretch." The Orc says, reaching out with a rough hand and gripping Dageron's armor. He gives the Hobgoblin a rough shake. "Where did that voice come from, eh? What sort of talking wagon or talking horse have you got here? You!"
"The hell did you just say to me you filthy Orc?" Dageron jumps down from the wagon and stands practically nose to nose with the other captain. "When you are addressing another officer you WILL SPEAK WITH RESPECT. I don't give a FLYING FROG'S ARSE what your duty assignment is! Even a gate guard - and EVEN AN ORC - will maintain discipline before a PRIEST OF BARGRIVYEK! Do you not understand that makes me an IMPERIAL DISCIPLINARY OFFICER?! IF I were inclined to answer ANY of your stupid questions I would do so. But instead I provided you my name, rank, and unit designation in respect to PROTOCOL. If you CANNOT HANLDE YOUR JOB then I can find a latrine for you to drink out of for the remainder of the night, is that clear?!"
Intimidation = 19 Battle Master Maneuvers: Commanding Presence = add 1d8 to any Charisma Roll = 1 If the roll is a failure I would use "Saving Face" (Hobgoblin Racial Ability) to add +3
The Orc grimaced and shrunk back, a snarl plastered to his lips. He looks around, and flicks his hand at one of the underlings with him to stop the patrol.
"Go on, then. Mess is down the street, off to the left there, the north. Go toward the wyvern. The field headquarters is up there, and the prison camp. Probably be slaughtering those prisoners out soon for food. Now...now go before I change my mind."
As Jek sees everything going south quickly, he prepares to cast some spells. While deciding what to do, he see Dageron jump off the and.... starts yelling at the orc?!? What is he thinking. We need to smooth things over. Oh no, oh no, oh no....... Wait, what! WHAT!
As they pass through the gate, Jek whisper yells to Dageron (while still invisible). "What was that? What spell did you use? You just yelled at him and he did what you said? That's bad negotiation technique, but it worked? Wow." To everyone, he will ask "Umm, what now. We are through the gate. Should we find someplace to stash our wagon? We do have a lot in here for trade. Do you think there's someplace here we can sell these things? Or should we head straight for the tower? I figured we would want to scope things out first."
"Have faith little one, my God is with us... I suspect many are." Dageron steers the wagon purposefully towards the center - the tower. He isn't certain what kind of defenses or patrols are setup, so he goes slow enough to not draw too much attention. He won't go directly at it unless there is an obvious reason to do so, but will do a long circle around it. "Remember, your magic wears off in less than an hour, so we need to do our reconnaissance now. Before your spell expires we will visit the medical tents... There's always spare armor near the bodies."
"The Light is on our side,"Brevon explains to Jek. "Yes, Dageron is right. Once the invisibility fades, we will have little to justify why we are not treated a slaves or prisoners. I pray the Light guides our path." In truth, Brevon isn't sure how any of this is going to work, given the short duration of the invisibility, but the Lady has gotten them this far...
Jek nods to Brevon's mention of the Light. Then, he chuckles a little bit. "What do you take me for? I can make us invisible again, if needed. At least once more. Twice if needed, but that would drain most of my magical reserves. Otherwise, I could fill the wagon with an illusion to mask us, if needed. A fairly large and convincing one, if that's all I'm focusing on. As long as it isn't scrutinized too closely, we should be okay. But, we have a good half hour at least left in this spell, so we better make the most of it."
Jek will watch as they take a circuit around the tower. Perception18
The town surrounding the tower is full of quiet people. This is possibly the most diverse town any of the Order has been in, a near perfect mix of locals ranging from all backgrounds; Tieflings, Halflings, Gorons...there are representatives from all races and walks of life eking out a living here in the Shem in support of the urRu. They do, however, seem subdued, and it's not wonder; there are Imperial forces everywhere. There are more Stormtroopers in the streets that Dageron, Jek, and Brevon would have previously anticipated. There must be a few hundred occupying the city.
Wooden scaffolding is being erected around the Tower itself, with Hobgoblins and Orcs both working on creating enough scaffold to scale the obelisk and investigate the chamber at the top. Amongst them is a healthy number of forced laborers doing the bulk of the hard work; lifting the wooden beams into place, tying ropes, manufacturing nails and wooden wedges. More than one of them is shirtless, and more than one of them is sporting a whip's lash strokes on their back.
An Ogre lumbers by with four Goblins riding in a blind on his back. The Goblins look very smug and very well armed.
It's not hard to spot the urRu. The eight Mystics mill about the business at the base of the tower, rarely looking up to acknowledge the strange goings on now that their home, the home they've had for centuries, has been invaded by outside military forces. They seem content to continue their studies, and their music, and the mostly peaceful and quiet lives in the midst of this turmoil.
"Perhaps it is just their way," Brevon whispers. "Do not be too quick to judge them. They have maintained the Tower of the Elephant for as long as any remember. Guardians of such a place cannot subsist without a semblance of wit. There may be more to their ways than we can comprehend."
"It appears the population is quite diverse... Perhaps invisibility isn't necessary after all. Of course, your evident weapons and armor would be..." Dageron steers the cart towards the urRu. "Since they are apparently given free reign to move about, no reason to delay speaking with them. Stay invisible, I'll act like I'm mad at them for something while one of you speak in whispers to another. Try to work out a rendezvous and a place for us to hide until then."
(( Barring DM issues with this plan, Dageron would draw the cart within several paces of the eight, then call over to them in a mocking tone. ))
"You there! You're not casting magics are you? Don't you dare lie to me! This morning my meal nearly escaped, and then two of my soldiers nearly died while constructing scaffolding. Confess - are you the cause of our misfortunes!" He would be yelling at them, but not screaming to get the attention of more of Vader's forces. More just a show of venting and intimidation towards a defeated foe. Humiliating slaves is a common Hobgoblin past time, so he tries to play it up. "Perhaps you should make amends by eating feces? The latrines are in need of a good cleaning, for certain!" If any of Vaders forces do take notice he will walk over to them and talk shop, introducing himself and asking how the locals have been. If asked, he will confess he just arrived from field duty and wanted to check out the tower.
As Dageron stops the wagon, Jek will jump out the back. He will take a look at the urRu, and see if he recognizes one of them. If he recognizes one, he will go up to them; if not, he will go up to the closest urRu. He will whisper to them. "Hello honorable mystic. Do not fear, I am invisible. I am Jek, of the Utinni. My tribe has come and listened to your stories before. Currently, I am part of the Order of the Pheonix, on a mission from the childlike empress. Dageron, that Hobgoblin being.... wow, very disrespectful.... is one of us. He is putting on an act to not draw suspicion from Vader's men. Is there a safe space we can meet with you, away from prying eyes. We could use your advice and guidance."
The Mystic looks rather alarmed when Dageron approaches and begins tossing about his allegations, but calms considerably when Jek announces himself. Feigning hurt, the Mystic turns its face from Dageron as if ashamed.
"The Temple...we are allowed to go about our duties in the temple unhindered... But Vader has forbade his men from entering for now. Only we urRu are allowed inside. Whoever goes in will have to be invisible, Little Lightless, and very brave. If you're caught, you'll be put in the stockade and slew to feed the army."
The urRu thinks about this for a moment longer and seems to dwell on this possibility as if wondering if a Lightless could be devoured in such a way...
Jek nods... then realizes the urRu can't see him. He says instead "Understood.... Just to be clear, only the urRu are allowed in the temple. We won't have a random people coming in, right?" Once Jek gets the answer, he will head back to the wagon and relay what he was told.
"The soldiers haven't stopped us from entering, nor have they allowed anyone else to enter. Only the urRu have been in the temple since this calamity began." The Mystic confirmed while leveling a frightened eye at Dageron.
Brevon exhales. Not too audibly. "A blessing. We shall have an opportunity to think and plan within the sanctuary of the tower. Shall we proceed inside?"
Jek looks in Brevon's general direction. "We should probably find somewhere to store our wagon. There should be an inn around for pilgrims. That would probably work. I can make 2 people invisible, then they will have an hour to get into the temple. Then I can turn invisible with someone else, and we could sneak in as well. What are your thoughts Dageron? Do you think that could work, or should we try something else?"
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The scene is set. Dageron makes sure the markings on his armor match those of Barok's patrol. The wagon itself appears empty, except that his warhorse is hitched to it. Dageron would have urinated all over the back and side of the wagon in advance, to throw off any scent. Brevon and Jekk are invisible within. Dageron drives the wagon at a slow, controlled pace directly for the gate manned by Orcs. As he approaches he follows protocol, calling out in advance. (( Dageron speaks Orc, and so calls out in their language. ))
In an experienced and commanding tone that brooks no dispute, he yells out. "Sentries! I am Captain Dageron of the 501st Reconnaissance Team. Prepare to open the gates!" As he reaches the gate he halts the wagon for inspection. "Be quick about it boys, I haven't eaten anything but boney halflings for days." While they do their thing, he will distract them with questions. "Where is the mess? Where is the base commander, so I can check in after I get food? Also, I'm a survivor from the first skirmishes with the rat-eating Shem-folk and need resupply, where do I go? Also, what is the status of the siege, are we gonna break through soon or are we stuck here holding our *****?"
Intimidation per the persona = 7
Deception = 16
Deception again in case you'll confer advantage due to planning = 18
Insight to see if they're on to me = 17
Passive Insight and Perception are both at 14, in case there is anything of noteworthiness as we enter
Jek is able to use prestidigitation on Dageron's armor to add and remove a few symbols. (If they don't take Iron-Hoove with them, he will try to find a spot to keep him hidden until they can go retrieve him.)
Jek will wait to cast the twinned invisibility until they are closer to the gates. As they enter, Jek will try to stay as quite as possible, but will observe what is happening outside. He will pay attention close attention to the guards as Dageron speaks to them, see if they seem defensive or skeptical.
Perception 15 to check out the surroundings as they enter the gate and the town.
Insight 14 to seek if the guards are buying Dageron's story.
(( We should be able to bring in Iron Hooves as another surviving mount from the 501st or captured animal ))
Two Orcs push open the shoddy wooden gates as Dageron approaches, the wooden framed construction being...well. It's shit. Any force of a size big enough to attempt to break this occupation could bust them down no problem. Still, for small units, they are a hinderance, enough so for the Orcs at the gate to maintain the upper. The two opening the gate look around as Dageron enters with the wagon and sniff as it goes by. One mutters something under its breath.
"Slow." An Orc Captain said as he held out a palm and stepped up next to the cart. "What have ye..."
He looks into the cart, then looks at Dageron.
"It's empty." The Captain said. He looked at Dageron in disgust. "We're days from running out of good meat and you bring back nothing? Pah."
He steps back, looking the cart over, looking Dageron over. He reaches up and scratches a pimple on the side of his face.
"Where have you been, Captain Dagbedon? What is this you say, fighting Halflings? How long have you been out? Where is the rest of your team?"
The Orc already seems skeptical when Melisandre tries to compel him to go away by muttering the magically infused word "Leave", but the Orc, either on a heightened state of alert because of previous treachery or current suspicion, immediately dismisses the word and calls over the other Orcs.
"You have questions to answer, wretch." The Orc says, reaching out with a rough hand and gripping Dageron's armor. He gives the Hobgoblin a rough shake. "Where did that voice come from, eh? What sort of talking wagon or talking horse have you got here? You!"
He points at one of the other Orcs.
"Get a patrol up here on the double!"
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
"The hell did you just say to me you filthy Orc?" Dageron jumps down from the wagon and stands practically nose to nose with the other captain. "When you are addressing another officer you WILL SPEAK WITH RESPECT. I don't give a FLYING FROG'S ARSE what your duty assignment is! Even a gate guard - and EVEN AN ORC - will maintain discipline before a PRIEST OF BARGRIVYEK! Do you not understand that makes me an IMPERIAL DISCIPLINARY OFFICER?! IF I were inclined to answer ANY of your stupid questions I would do so. But instead I provided you my name, rank, and unit designation in respect to PROTOCOL. If you CANNOT HANLDE YOUR JOB then I can find a latrine for you to drink out of for the remainder of the night, is that clear?!"
Intimidation = 19
Battle Master Maneuvers: Commanding Presence = add 1d8 to any Charisma Roll = 1
If the roll is a failure I would use "Saving Face" (Hobgoblin Racial Ability) to add +3
The Orc grimaced and shrunk back, a snarl plastered to his lips. He looks around, and flicks his hand at one of the underlings with him to stop the patrol.
"Go on, then. Mess is down the street, off to the left there, the north. Go toward the wyvern. The field headquarters is up there, and the prison camp. Probably be slaughtering those prisoners out soon for food. Now...now go before I change my mind."
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
As Jek sees everything going south quickly, he prepares to cast some spells. While deciding what to do, he see Dageron jump off the and.... starts yelling at the orc?!? What is he thinking. We need to smooth things over. Oh no, oh no, oh no....... Wait, what! WHAT!
As they pass through the gate, Jek whisper yells to Dageron (while still invisible). "What was that? What spell did you use? You just yelled at him and he did what you said? That's bad negotiation technique, but it worked? Wow." To everyone, he will ask "Umm, what now. We are through the gate. Should we find someplace to stash our wagon? We do have a lot in here for trade. Do you think there's someplace here we can sell these things? Or should we head straight for the tower? I figured we would want to scope things out first."
"Have faith little one, my God is with us... I suspect many are." Dageron steers the wagon purposefully towards the center - the tower. He isn't certain what kind of defenses or patrols are setup, so he goes slow enough to not draw too much attention. He won't go directly at it unless there is an obvious reason to do so, but will do a long circle around it. "Remember, your magic wears off in less than an hour, so we need to do our reconnaissance now. Before your spell expires we will visit the medical tents... There's always spare armor near the bodies."
"The Light is on our side," Brevon explains to Jek. "Yes, Dageron is right. Once the invisibility fades, we will have little to justify why we are not treated a slaves or prisoners. I pray the Light guides our path." In truth, Brevon isn't sure how any of this is going to work, given the short duration of the invisibility, but the Lady has gotten them this far...
Jek nods to Brevon's mention of the Light. Then, he chuckles a little bit. "What do you take me for? I can make us invisible again, if needed. At least once more. Twice if needed, but that would drain most of my magical reserves. Otherwise, I could fill the wagon with an illusion to mask us, if needed. A fairly large and convincing one, if that's all I'm focusing on. As long as it isn't scrutinized too closely, we should be okay. But, we have a good half hour at least left in this spell, so we better make the most of it."
Jek will watch as they take a circuit around the tower. Perception 18
The town surrounding the tower is full of quiet people. This is possibly the most diverse town any of the Order has been in, a near perfect mix of locals ranging from all backgrounds; Tieflings, Halflings, Gorons...there are representatives from all races and walks of life eking out a living here in the Shem in support of the urRu. They do, however, seem subdued, and it's not wonder; there are Imperial forces everywhere. There are more Stormtroopers in the streets that Dageron, Jek, and Brevon would have previously anticipated. There must be a few hundred occupying the city.
Wooden scaffolding is being erected around the Tower itself, with Hobgoblins and Orcs both working on creating enough scaffold to scale the obelisk and investigate the chamber at the top. Amongst them is a healthy number of forced laborers doing the bulk of the hard work; lifting the wooden beams into place, tying ropes, manufacturing nails and wooden wedges. More than one of them is shirtless, and more than one of them is sporting a whip's lash strokes on their back.
An Ogre lumbers by with four Goblins riding in a blind on his back. The Goblins look very smug and very well armed.
It's not hard to spot the urRu. The eight Mystics mill about the business at the base of the tower, rarely looking up to acknowledge the strange goings on now that their home, the home they've had for centuries, has been invaded by outside military forces. They seem content to continue their studies, and their music, and the mostly peaceful and quiet lives in the midst of this turmoil.
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Dageron looks on in confused fascination. "Are they playing stupid as some ploy to throw off their occupiers?..."
"Perhaps it is just their way," Brevon whispers. "Do not be too quick to judge them. They have maintained the Tower of the Elephant for as long as any remember. Guardians of such a place cannot subsist without a semblance of wit. There may be more to their ways than we can comprehend."
"It appears the population is quite diverse... Perhaps invisibility isn't necessary after all. Of course, your evident weapons and armor would be..." Dageron steers the cart towards the urRu. "Since they are apparently given free reign to move about, no reason to delay speaking with them. Stay invisible, I'll act like I'm mad at them for something while one of you speak in whispers to another. Try to work out a rendezvous and a place for us to hide until then."
(( Barring DM issues with this plan, Dageron would draw the cart within several paces of the eight, then call over to them in a mocking tone. ))
"You there! You're not casting magics are you? Don't you dare lie to me! This morning my meal nearly escaped, and then two of my soldiers nearly died while constructing scaffolding. Confess - are you the cause of our misfortunes!" He would be yelling at them, but not screaming to get the attention of more of Vader's forces. More just a show of venting and intimidation towards a defeated foe. Humiliating slaves is a common Hobgoblin past time, so he tries to play it up. "Perhaps you should make amends by eating feces? The latrines are in need of a good cleaning, for certain!" If any of Vaders forces do take notice he will walk over to them and talk shop, introducing himself and asking how the locals have been. If asked, he will confess he just arrived from field duty and wanted to check out the tower.
As Dageron stops the wagon, Jek will jump out the back. He will take a look at the urRu, and see if he recognizes one of them. If he recognizes one, he will go up to them; if not, he will go up to the closest urRu. He will whisper to them. "Hello honorable mystic. Do not fear, I am invisible. I am Jek, of the Utinni. My tribe has come and listened to your stories before. Currently, I am part of the Order of the Pheonix, on a mission from the childlike empress. Dageron, that Hobgoblin being.... wow, very disrespectful.... is one of us. He is putting on an act to not draw suspicion from Vader's men. Is there a safe space we can meet with you, away from prying eyes. We could use your advice and guidance."
The Mystic looks rather alarmed when Dageron approaches and begins tossing about his allegations, but calms considerably when Jek announces himself. Feigning hurt, the Mystic turns its face from Dageron as if ashamed.
"The Temple...we are allowed to go about our duties in the temple unhindered... But Vader has forbade his men from entering for now. Only we urRu are allowed inside. Whoever goes in will have to be invisible, Little Lightless, and very brave. If you're caught, you'll be put in the stockade and slew to feed the army."
The urRu thinks about this for a moment longer and seems to dwell on this possibility as if wondering if a Lightless could be devoured in such a way...
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Jek nods... then realizes the urRu can't see him. He says instead "Understood.... Just to be clear, only the urRu are allowed in the temple. We won't have a random people coming in, right?" Once Jek gets the answer, he will head back to the wagon and relay what he was told.
"The soldiers haven't stopped us from entering, nor have they allowed anyone else to enter. Only the urRu have been in the temple since this calamity began." The Mystic confirmed while leveling a frightened eye at Dageron.
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Brevon exhales. Not too audibly. "A blessing. We shall have an opportunity to think and plan within the sanctuary of the tower. Shall we proceed inside?"
Jek looks in Brevon's general direction. "We should probably find somewhere to store our wagon. There should be an inn around for pilgrims. That would probably work. I can make 2 people invisible, then they will have an hour to get into the temple. Then I can turn invisible with someone else, and we could sneak in as well. What are your thoughts Dageron? Do you think that could work, or should we try something else?"