Crimson Sands of Time

The Death of Szazz Tam...

Serious spoiler

 If we want to undo one if the spells/actions, that's fine. Do it.  The while point if team initiative is to figure out as a group what you want to do so you can work together to combine effects.  

Re: #4911 @Brian_Avery _ ok. I mentioned the nightly rain had started, so that might diminish the effects of the fire, somewhat. Not sure what things would be around, but we could imagine something flammable.  The place should be pretty barren so as to keep sight lines clear for the patrolling guards. Still, it could happen. Maybe a crate or something.

If you still want to do that, we can say that happens. I don't know how much it would distract them, though. Maybe DA on someone's attacks? 

"then show me where in the description of Major Image it says this spell can produce a source of light."

It doesn't. It mentions a number of other sensory effects it can produce, such as heat and smell, and limits them to not allow damage or cuase sickness or deafness.  It actually doesn't say you can't create a blinding light, so you probably could.

"The point of this adventure is to overthrow an undead tyrant, but you're going to do that by NOT killing those who support and enforce his will?"

I am not sure what this refers to. Who were we not killing? The secret police?

This whole thing was a test by Gafna, to see if you were loyal and discreet. You didn't have to rescue Jigor, you could have killed him. I even offered poison. The author assumes you'd try to take him with a fake order and there's a check for it, youd probably pass.   As you're disguised, they would know something is amiss eventually, but not the identity of the perpetrators. Its hardly the overt hostility of attacking the place and taking rhe guy.

If you asked her or Jigor more questions kr investigates some clues that were present in her office...

Spoiler

I apologize for interrupting your game with this and hope you did not take this personally. I am aware that when writing my opinion I can't seem to stop myself from coming across as argumentative. But no matter how I feel about it, this is your game and you should run it the way you envision how the game works. I did not mean to interrupt your game and was hoping for a quick expression of my point of view and to then move on.

I am not going to read the spoilers in case I play this in the future. I have had a lot of fun playing this campaign with you and the others.

After posting I remembered it was not you as the GM saying we shouldn't kill the troopers but it was an opportunity to question guards if the players chose to do so. So here again is my personal inability to connect to this game and get with the flow. I don't know what my problem is with not being able to get in the groove for this game, and it is all on my side. No one here has made me feel unwelcome or anything, it is all me not connecting to the game. I am the problem. I am feeling so stupid for just recognizing that I should have done all this in a personal message, but since it is already out here I may as well give my apology to everyone else here too. Sorry for disrupting the game everyone.

(ooc: I was thinking of having the illusory Jigor throw the lantern back at the structure we just left, but not sure if the old converted tavern was made of wood or stone? If wood then that would be his prime target. If stone then a nearby wagon or crate or barrel, anything that is close by and flammable.)

The art suggests stone buildings with cloth awnings. There are some clay vases and some wooden crates.

@badfishingdad75 Don't worry about interrupting or arguing, I just want to have open dialogue and take feedback to improve the game. I can be a bit wordy, especially in post forums.

It was a pleasure to have you in our game and I hope you find a good fit.  

The ephemeral Jigor's lantern flies from his hand to the nearby crates beside the double doors.  The crates catch fire as the burning oil drips over the edges, drenching them with accelerant.

"Gaah!" Cries the next trooper to exit the building, caught by surprise and creating a bottleneck as rhe remaining Troopers within the building shove their way through the door past the naturally hesitant man before them, delaying their egress from the former inn.

<anything from Sam or Tetrevess? >

(Sorry for the no show I’ve been playing baldurs gate 3 and holidays) 

Sam will remain calm and quiet letting the wizard speak for him 

The thayan knights and Peobity Corps Troopers attempt to quench the fire,  succeeding in a span jf six s3conds.

The last inquisitor, still invisible, casts a subtle but noticeable ripple through the ascending smoke, her presence marked by the splish-pop of raindrops falling on her bare head and robed shoulders. Seeing the darkened area, she calls forth an [spwll]ice storm[/spell] to encompass the dark area, affecting several knights and Troopers as ha8l falls on the roof if the former inn and accumulates on the ground, creating difficult terrain.

Each creature in the cylinder must make a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 6 bludgeoning damage and 18 cold damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

<I don't think the players want to have this combat and I do t really want to run it if thats the case. If I'm wrong, we csn do it, but that's not the impression I get.  So, while they're distracted, if you want to get awa, you absolutely can, otherwise, fight them. Totally up to you. All PCs are up.>

If the group just wants to make a get-away then I can cast an illusion of a brick wall (or stone for that matter) behind us as we dash down an alleyway or through a connecting side street, and then make it real for 1 minute... with 10 rounds of movement and dashes we should be able to lose them.

Once we're free and clear and take several precautions to make sure we're not followed then we can head back to the hideout.

Randy's still invisible so he will follow the group to safety rather than to cause any more chaos. If anyone tries to attack him on the way though he will instantly retaliate.

With the ranking knight shouting for those under his command to fan out and search the near y buildings, the Thayan Knights and Probity Corps Troopers set after the party. 

"You fools, don't let those spies escape, or it will be all of our heads!" shouts the inquisitor, once again allowing herself to be seen. A look of desperation in her eyes as she sees her fate unwind before her.  Three inquisitors dead, the terrorist gone, a d she let them walk in tbe door and tske him.  She knows in her bones thst Szazz Tam will not suffer her to live, and even simple death would be an enviable fate, given what lies in store for her.

So, she runs, I to the darkness. Maybe pursuing the group, along with Jigor, maybe just fleeing for her life.

<I think Jigor actually died back there, but you're carrying his body off.  Are you bringing him back to Gafna or what?  You can use the tunnels of the sewers' Deep Canal to return there, just follow the flowing water to a storm drain and try your best. Thst portal to the abyss is shut, so ought to be safe. I would just cut to the conversation with Gafna, but not sure if you want to reanimate Jigor (risky at best if you have nobody in the party to do it) or do something else with him.>

<Incidentally, she expressed no concern for his safety. This is really about your characters not an objective. It's just if you're trying to save him, which is the impression I got, against your own personal interests.>

"You have a lot of nerve showing your faves here after that fiasco!" Gafna's voice is a queit scathing hiss as she chides you in her office beneath the gaming venue.  "Three dead inquisitors and the Knights showed up and saw you?  Did you at least find out if Jigor told them anything?" Gafna presses.

"I didn't tell anyone anything, Gafna.  I swear.  It's a fine thing, them showing up when they did.  I have a feeling they got there just before the real qurstioning was about to start. I'd be dead for certain if they hadn't showed up when they did."

Gafna glares at Jigor, then looks to the party, to Jigor she replies. "Go rest up. You'll be needed again soon."

The battered agent starts to say something, then catches himself, looks to the party, then at Gafna, nods hesitantly in agreement and leaves the room. Just before departing, he turns back to the group and says "thank you,all." Then he leaves. 

Gafna, scorn written across her face, scolds you, "You completed your assignment. You've earned your pay.   Now, take what's yiurs and be on your way." After a pause, she adds "find your way out of Daerath Market and stay clear of the Way of Arduskan. Whatever business you have in this city, I'd suggest you wrap it up sooner rather than later."

“Sure will” Sam says looking at the rest of his group “so we need to leave and make camp somewhere” 

"It would probably be best to all get rooms in the same inn so that we can remain together."

Trisk hopes Gafna isn't planning anything more and will truly part ways here.