Gilded looks at Jess and tries to determine if he can trust her.
Perception : 16
Spoiler for Jess
His gaze softens and he says loud enough that only she can hear "I do not need healing at this time, thank you for the offer. Save any healing you can do until the next fight, may be very soon." He looks at her for a second, trying to determine how much to say. "I do trust you, I am not sure you are right, but I trust your motives. I will not fight him being here any longer, but I will not take my eyes off of him."
Drezmir doesn't move, "I...don't know if I was in control." He shuts his eyes, "Please, I can't stay in this form. Controlling corpses is one thing, but this?"He sits back, once more staring at his hands, "I've become the very thing I was created to destroy."
His ears turn to Jess when she talks of killing the fencers, then to Corvus when he responds. Forgetting for a moment his own despair, he jumps to his feet and stands up in front of the men who'd surrendered, "How can you be so heartless? They've surrendered. There is no honor in executing them. It would make us no better then the one we are trying to fight. They are simply doing their jobs, they didn't ask for this."
He looks down at the fencers, "Get down on your knees, we will spare you as long as you cooperate."
He pulls out a length of rope, and turns to Gilded, "We can cut this into suitable pieces, tie them up and lock them in this room."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Jess had asked Robin to shoot at him but he was still reloading from the last shot. (Not his turn yet again)
"Crap!"
Parrying Vex's shot and dodging Jess's blast he began to ran (before anyone else's turn) all he had to do now was avoid Gilded's longsword attack of opportunity. If he could avoid that he'd be golden.
"Gotta get the hell outta here.. That guy's a monster!"
The Fencers had all appeared shaking, except for the one that only surrendered due to his friends doing so. The other two begin to speak up a bit.
"W-What Dawn Blade...?! I-I can tell you where Simon is though! Please just don't kill us! Will you give me you're word? If I tell you we live?"
They all get on their knee's. Except for the one that had passed his wisdom throw before. He makes no moves to retreat nor does he make any moves to fight. He stares to Gilded
"I only bow to one man, thus is the law in Glazing Wind. I took an oath and I'd rather die than break it."
(This will all happen after Gilded's attack of opportunity)
As Jess speaks of finishing them off anyway the other two lower their heads the one standing scoffs.
"These people have no honor! Share nothing with them! They will get their info and kill us."
18
His persuasion to his friends.
Even if he rolls low they do think about this possibilty.
"Gods.. Were dead either way..." They begun to shut down lost in despair. Robin raises an eyebrow looking to Jess. He notices her whisper to Gilded and his curious mind can't help but wonder what she had said.
14
If her deception outplays his perception he hears nothing.
Jess had begun to threaten these lives further along with Corvus as well. He looks to see he was the only one to spare the guards he fought. He comes over trying to stabilize the two he knocked out.
Medicine for one
4
Med for the other
7
He stands up looking to Gilded.
"So murder is okay as long as it suits you're goals? In Drezmir's defense it looks like he lost himself."
Gilded had admitted Vex's murders in the past hadn't phased him. Jess and Corvus's threats were hardly matters of concern and though Drezmir hadn't meant to Robin was still.. Cautious of that whole affair. Putting his weapons on his back he crosses his arms considering if they were truly safe to fight alongside. He had risked his neck for Jess but truth was? He didn't really know them that well.
6
Deception to hide how he is feeling. (His deception sucks lol)
Corvus had than said he would offer them a painless death instead they had all looked to the ground realizing their captain was right.
"We never should have surrendered..."
"No you shouldn't have."
"Than captain why did you drop you're blade?"
"A good captain dies alongside his companions. If they'll kill us anyway what do you say? One last hurrah?"
"We've no weapons sir."
"But we've are fighting spirit!"
The look at each other and stand up as they've nothing to lose raising their fist along with their captain. (If they kill them no rolls needed they are unarmed it'd be an easy fight.) However Drezmir diffuses this by bringing rope and talking of sparing them. The captain doesn't believe them but the other two put their arms down. Robin looks to Drezmir and takes a sigh of relief.
"Least one of you isn't crazy.."
"But sir.. You're friends will kill us! And sir Thomas! You ripped his bloody head off! What if you really mean to save us.. What if you're friends stop you?"
Robin walks over and stands beside Drezmir, (giving him advantage on persuasion if he uses it).
"I will stand beside him, I do not wish for him to fight his friends however. I may not trust them.. Or understand how he fights among such a cutthroat crew but.. I trust Drezmir with my life clear and simple. Heh.. Strange as I just met the guy but.. Well in my line of work I know a good heart when I see one."
OOC So Kocino and Gilded only get a turn AFTER the Fencer gets a turn. He doesn't disengage but after Kocino and Vex miss he gets a turn and he tries to dash outta there. Now with a longsword attack roll Gilded can try and stop him with an attack of opportunity so make an attack roll for me ^^
If that misses he'll gain 60 feet away from the party.
Also real fast going by NPC attitude and such in the DMG. Usually one rolls either Intimidation or Persuasion.
Like if someone gets a nat 1 on Intimdation it fails affecting NPC mood. They won't be scared but they'll be pissed you threatened them. So that persuasion even if it's high it won't shift their mood entirely. Basically if you got a nat 1 and a nat 20 they'd basically scratch you down to zero with making any progress on them. Which I think is sorta realistic because nobody would wanna work with someone that threatened them (if they weren't scared by it) so just a little warning on rolling both ^^ Course if both roll really high than it doesn't matter but yeah. Add's a little risk, instead of just rolling social encounters with advantage essentially.
OOC While waiting for Jess's deception roll I'll just post below two responses. One if she succeeds and one if she fails. (While waiting for Gilded's attack of opportunity on the retreating guard.)
If Roll Fails
Robin was very perceptive it came with being an observant archer. Hearing and his sight were his weapons, he didn't have magic or brute force so it was these combined with his nimble nature and experience that kept him alive. Looking at Gilded and Jess. (His deception is so low won't even hide he's looking.) He see's her lips along with his and even hears his response it was apparent it was low.. Low enough it wasn't meant for his keen ears. A combination of reading lips and hearing what he could he had realized the truth. Shaking a bit he realized Jess had played him for a fool. "Gods I'm such an idiot" he had met criminals that lied about saving Glazing Wind. That were only here to loot and raid and been backstabbed before. He knew what it was like.
"Gods.. I am such a fool." He looks over to Drezmir, "I trust him but.. What if I'm wrong?" so far Drezmir wasn't sneaking around. Nor was he threatening to kill these men. Robin was afraid to trust him seeing how easily Jess had lied. How easily she was willing to kill. He had at least believed Gilded's speech about justice but seeing his acceptance of wanton murder had changed Robin's mind on that. He had some respect for the dragonborn but that was fading away. He felt like an idiot protecting Jess, but he didn't do it alone. Drezmir had stood by his side didn't he? Robin stood beside Drezmir. He wasn't sure if staying was wise but he'd see how things played out from here to see. "Her motives huh..?" "Make sure he's under watchful eye?" She was just lying to keep an eye on him. If she couldn't trust him, he sure as hell wouldn't trust her.
If passed
Robin had survived this far but detecting many espionage and stopping many assassination attempts before they truly began. (Gilded can roll deception to hide his own words too) but somehow.. Gilded and Jess? The words had evaded him. They were beyond quiet, breaking words up and changing the mouthing of words. Perhaps it was to keep a secret from the fencers? Sure Robin was suspicious by her murderous intent while talking to.. Gilded in private. He'd keep an eye on her but for now he'd choose to trust Jess until he had proof otherwise. Still he wouldn't let her kill these men unless they had no choice.
Before I roll I just want to point out a couple of things.
You can reread Jess and Drez posts, he’s the one who threatened their lives first and she’s just following his lead.
Also Jess hasn’t told any lies. She may not be saying exactly what she’s thinking but she hasn’t lied.
Jess has a morality akin to natural order, she is a druid. I probably need to roleplay that better so that it becomes more apparent. I’m still learning about her character myself.
Lastly, I don’t really like how Jess’s secret conversations keep getting overheard (like previously in town in the street). Jess has +3 wisdom and is plenty damn smart enough to know when and where she can say something in confidence. If it’s a matter of me the player presuming too much and I should be asking DM for permission to know if it’s safe to speak then I apologize and I’ll ask for that in future. If she can’t move 60 feet away from Robin and whisper to Gilded without the risk being overheard while everyone else is messing around with the guards then I guess she just won’t do it.
(I rolled because you obviously worked hard on your write up and I would go along with either outcome and chalk it up as a blunder)
I guess what I’m trying to say is what are the parameters for being able to have a conversation that’s not overheard? I think Jess ought to be able to know that, and if you disagree then I humbly submit to how the DM wants to do it.
OOC She claimed to keep an eye on Robin instead of god knows what. Implying she doesn't trust him like she implied she had before. Plus you can "trust my motives" to the man who discredited Robin would have been enough proof for him.
You didn't let me know she moved 60 feet away from Gilded. So I presumed she had done so right there. And as for the guards those conversations were all held in town. They never found out if a town person turned them or a guard had. A town with shady dealings so many ears would have been open. The "wise" approach was leaving town to continue planning. Enemies have perception too, if she wants to hide a conversation she should relocate.
Though relocating may make it harder for Robin to tell what's happening it still is suspicious to take Gilded so far away for a conversation.
Jess followed Corvus's murderous lead which doesn't really change Robin's opinion on her murderous intent.
If you want to have a private conversation, and not have to roll deception. You'll have to take reasonable distance from others. Of course PC's and NPC's can attempt to stealth and follow her. That's where her passive perception comes in. (13 which is good but not exactly detect crazy stealthy characters high. A rogue at LV 3 for example can roll pretty high stealth.)
Having high wisdom doesn't mean you're automatically "smart" enough to avoid all espionage. That's what passive and active perception checks are for. For checking for anyone spying in.
She does avoid Robin's perception though. So he's only on guard from her talking to Gilded (least not 60 feet away so he doesn't know if it was hidden from him or the fencers so nice roll. But had she moved he'd have known the intent was to hide from him too.)
He only has two clue's now. Talking to Gilded who he knows cares little for him
And her comment on. "We should finish them off anway" As they saw Robin actively knocking guards out so that won't sit well with him.
So for the future yes mention how exactly she tries to prevent being heard besides just. "She whisper to blank" She moves how and moves where? What perception check does she make to make sure no one is listening?
I envisioned the retreating guard was running away dashing 60’ without disengaging, then Gilded skewered him with a spear, then when Gilded went over there to retrieve his spear, so Jess saw that as an opportunity to hurry over to him, we’ll away from everyone else. That’s what I envisioned I be my head.
( please check posts #1702 and 1703, see how I wrote “Jess will quickly make her way over to Gilded when he’s away from the others retrieving his javelin” and for reason to go check on him I also put:
“Loud enough for others to hear she will say,
“You fought well. Thank you for holding them off. Do you need healing?” )
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Drezmir looks down at the guards, "I won't let them." He clenches his fists. He wants to trust that Gilded won't kill these men if they cooperate. But he doesn't know how to feel about his other companions. At least Kocino seemed pretty neutral on the subject.
His gut clenches at the mention of the fencer he'd killed. Now he had a name to put to that body, which made it all the worse. "Please, there has been enough bloodshed. We have reason to believe that Simon has partaken in sacrificial rituals, but it seems like someone else is pulling the strings here. I do not want to harm him, we are here to help him and Glanzing Winds. I will not lie and tell you that we won't kill him if it becomes necessary, but that is not what we came here to do."
If he is going to be stuck as a monster, he might as well use it to defend lives. He can't let the kitsune get the better of him.
Persuasion: (Okay, well, the game log is still rolling 4 on the dice (which is why I keep getting 9 for combat and 5 for both of those persuasion checks, so I'll roll it here. So much for getting another nat 20 lol.) 19
Jess pouts a little at tying the guards up. She will say:
“These guards wouldn’t hesitate to break free, sneak up on us from behind, and stab us in the back when we’re most vulnerable, such as when confronting Simon. Tying them up is taking a big risk. Everyone was fine with killing them a moment ago, so what’s different now? They’ve chosen their side, and we’ve chosen ours. This captain fellow has made it clear, too, that they are determined to stay loyal to our enemy. I would agree to spare their lives if we could trust them, but I’m not convinced that we can trust them. Not yet anyway.”
Drezmir turns to Vex, growling, "And how do you suppose we squeeze the information out of them? If they have no hope for staying alive, why would they tell us anything? No, we cannot sink to that level." He eyes his companions, suddenly far more somber then he'd ever been before. He says softly, "I will not behave as the monster I've become."
Then he proceeds to cut the rope into suitable pieces. He knows that his attempts to calm down these men were likely futile. Why would they trust him when he looks like a blasted demon? Why would they trust him after seeing him...seeing him kill Thomas.
"Please, tell me where Simon is. You have my word that we will not kill you. We will bind you, lock you in a secure place, and perhaps knock you out if necessary. Whatever it takes to keep you from interfering with our business, but we will not kill you if you stay out of our way. You surrendered. It would be against my honor to kill you now."
He looks to Robin, who is the one standing closest to him, "Here, I'll let you tie them up. I don't trust my own hands right now." He give Robin the rope and takes a few steps back.
(OOC: I'm not sure I need to make another attack roll, can I use the one I already rolled for that on post 1699. If not a javelin throw, I'll use my sword, but the throw did seem took pretty good.. lol)
Lots to catch up on.. I love how active this group is.. you guys rock.. now....
Gilded hears the talk about killing guards or tying them up. He hears Robin's remark about murder and faces him directly.
"I am no murderer, if a person chooses to fight me and loses, that is on them. I do not hold back in a fight any more than my opponents. Take these dogs, had they gotten a chance to kill me, they would have without remorse. Damn, they shot Vex when he opened the door with no warning. They had superior numbers and surprise, but still chose to kill without warning. They have earned no quarter in a fight." He grins and even tho he knows its an insult, continues with. "Funny, they fight cowardly, just like you. You are in no position to question anyone's morality."
Gilded turns his back on Robin, ignoring him.
He says loud enough for everyone to hear. "We can't just kill them when they have surrendered, there is no honor in that. I agree with Drez, if we do, we are no better than this scum. Iroas has kept me standing in every battle, I must honor that." He looks at the prisoners, "Tell us what we need ot not, it doesn't matter, we will succeed with ir without you. And you know it. But help us and we will tell Gwen when we're done that you did. Don't tell us, we will make sure she knows that too."
The guards look to Drezmir and even the captain does, this is when Vex speaks up on squeezing info and killing them.
"If that be you're intention criminal than we will go out swinging!"
"I mean.. No point if we die either way.. But captain one of them seem reasonable.. Even that criminal Robin didn't kill our other two men."
"I'm sure Robin will stab us in the back in no time. Besides you here what most of them are saying don't you? We can't trust these savages. Bloodlust is what fills there hearts now."
Robin takes the rope from Drezmir but is careful not to approach them just yet as they may swing on him. They don't seem to trust him.
"I can try Drezmir.. But I don't know how much they trust me. Simon has told them I'm a heartless criminal, if you think you're dragonborn friend hates me they aren't my fans either."
The captain hears Drezmir's argument he may not have been convincing (rolling a 2) but he's the only one who's offered an alternative to death.
"You'd spare my men? Knock them out? ..You take the rope than I don't trust Robin or you're friends. We are in bad shape with no weapons. You're friends go to the next room and you handle us, hide us where they cannot find us. You're friends are clearly savages, do that and I.. And I alone know where the Dawn Blade resides. It can hurt those not worthy.. Even kill them. I warn you know in good faith since you may be the only reason I'm alive right now. I'll admit.. Robin didn't kill my men but he's broken so many laws I cannot trust such a man."
Robin looks to Gilded unsure where he was going in the first half of his conversation.
"Gilded, do you wanna fight? Honorably? Is that you're deal? I don't know about you but squeezing info outta people and killing them isn't honorable. I understand killing in the heat of battle but this.. Is wrong and you know it. Don't you?"
Gilded turns his back on Robin and with Jess and Corvus's attitudes? Along with Vex who Gilded has vouched for he expected the worse. "If they all team up on me and Drezmir.. It's done. We can't save them..." Than Robin's eyes open with a sense of relief at Gilded's statements. They may never see eye to eye. Robin may never understand how Gilded ignores the bloodlust in his comrades but gods be damned he stood on the side of life. The side of liberation, they can't save Glazing Winds by killing everything they disagree with.
"Ahh you! You may be a rough son of a bitc h but damn it! I agree, we may have our differences but we can't make a change with murder. More people will want revenge.. They have friends and families. They will see what Simon has done... You heard Drezmir he's made sacrifices. I stand by Drezmir.. By this Dragonborn."
Robin stands in front of Drezmir and Gilded, this was cause Gilded commented on Robin striking his back.
"Now my back.. Is turned to you."
This was to prove that he wouldn't lure in his shadow, that he would take his chance to trust the dragonborn's morals. Even if they hadn't agreed on everything. The guards began to murmur and whisper at Drezmir's accusation of Simon's rituals.
OOC Longsword and Javelin do have different damage dice with longs word being bigger. But you have the same to hit modifier of +5 for Javelin and longsword so that is fair to keep the roll.
Even min damage of 4 the guy had 13 damage yes? I'd say longsword slash him down than. Up to Gilded if it is a KO or kill shot. (I know in RAW when it's not double it's KO but for mob fights I give players a little extra choice. College Humor likes to do this for their DnD games. I think it can speed up mob combat too.)
Also back to Todd. Oh yeah I wrote in an earlier post that Gilded has to longsword the guard not Javelin them with an attack of opportunity. I wrote the guard would get a chance to retreat before anyone's turn except Vex and Jess's.
I understand if those two post I wrote before weren't fully read because there is a big group. Big group confusion can happen.
I see her talking to him with him while he retrieved the spear. I can't say with Gilded and Robin's blow out Robin doesn't have an eye on Gilded though and he has high passive perception. Seeing details long distances is how he's alive and hearing noises far distances too. He's got a whopping 15 passive perception so can't say that'd be 100% guaranteed but she rolled a nat 20 on deception so that works out anyway.
Post 1688 I wrote Vex and Jess can make a turn before the Fencers. So Gilded throwing the whole spear and retrieving it caused a lot of confusion too. (Again not mad we've all missed some post from each other at this point. It's a large group and the fact post don't show up till I hit refresh drives me nuts and is not what I'm used to from the site I'm from. XD)
I think I forgot some stuff had to finish real fast. Some IRL stuff but I'll fix anything I forgot when I get back here ya go ^^
"I did not promise such a thing. Though I can promise them a quick and painless death if they give us the information that we want." Corvus replies.
Gilded looks at Jess and tries to determine if he can trust her.
Perception : 16
Spoiler for Jess
His gaze softens and he says loud enough that only she can hear "I do not need healing at this time, thank you for the offer. Save any healing you can do until the next fight, may be very soon." He looks at her for a second, trying to determine how much to say. "I do trust you, I am not sure you are right, but I trust your motives. I will not fight him being here any longer, but I will not take my eyes off of him."
Jess will quickly whisper back,
“Better under our watchful care than doing who-knows-what.”
Drezmir doesn't move, "I...don't know if I was in control." He shuts his eyes, "Please, I can't stay in this form. Controlling corpses is one thing, but this?" He sits back, once more staring at his hands, "I've become the very thing I was created to destroy."
His ears turn to Jess when she talks of killing the fencers, then to Corvus when he responds. Forgetting for a moment his own despair, he jumps to his feet and stands up in front of the men who'd surrendered, "How can you be so heartless? They've surrendered. There is no honor in executing them. It would make us no better then the one we are trying to fight. They are simply doing their jobs, they didn't ask for this."
He looks down at the fencers, "Get down on your knees, we will spare you as long as you cooperate."
He pulls out a length of rope, and turns to Gilded, "We can cut this into suitable pieces, tie them up and lock them in this room."
Jess had asked Robin to shoot at him but he was still reloading from the last shot. (Not his turn yet again)
"Crap!"
Parrying Vex's shot and dodging Jess's blast he began to ran (before anyone else's turn) all he had to do now was avoid Gilded's longsword attack of opportunity. If he could avoid that he'd be golden.
"Gotta get the hell outta here.. That guy's a monster!"
The Fencers had all appeared shaking, except for the one that only surrendered due to his friends doing so. The other two begin to speak up a bit.
"W-What Dawn Blade...?! I-I can tell you where Simon is though! Please just don't kill us! Will you give me you're word? If I tell you we live?"
They all get on their knee's. Except for the one that had passed his wisdom throw before. He makes no moves to retreat nor does he make any moves to fight. He stares to Gilded
"I only bow to one man, thus is the law in Glazing Wind. I took an oath and I'd rather die than break it."
(This will all happen after Gilded's attack of opportunity)
As Jess speaks of finishing them off anyway the other two lower their heads the one standing scoffs.
"These people have no honor! Share nothing with them! They will get their info and kill us."
18
His persuasion to his friends.
Even if he rolls low they do think about this possibilty.
"Gods.. Were dead either way..."
They begun to shut down lost in despair. Robin raises an eyebrow looking to Jess. He notices her whisper to Gilded and his curious mind can't help but wonder what she had said.
14
If her deception outplays his perception he hears nothing.
Jess had begun to threaten these lives further along with Corvus as well. He looks to see he was the only one to spare the guards he fought. He comes over trying to stabilize the two he knocked out.
Medicine for one
4
Med for the other
7
He stands up looking to Gilded.
"So murder is okay as long as it suits you're goals? In Drezmir's defense it looks like he lost himself."
Gilded had admitted Vex's murders in the past hadn't phased him. Jess and Corvus's threats were hardly matters of concern and though Drezmir hadn't meant to Robin was still.. Cautious of that whole affair. Putting his weapons on his back he crosses his arms considering if they were truly safe to fight alongside. He had risked his neck for Jess but truth was? He didn't really know them that well.
6
Deception to hide how he is feeling. (His deception sucks lol)
Corvus had than said he would offer them a painless death instead they had all looked to the ground realizing their captain was right.
"We never should have surrendered..."
"No you shouldn't have."
"Than captain why did you drop you're blade?"
"A good captain dies alongside his companions. If they'll kill us anyway what do you say? One last hurrah?"
"We've no weapons sir."
"But we've are fighting spirit!"
The look at each other and stand up as they've nothing to lose raising their fist along with their captain. (If they kill them no rolls needed they are unarmed it'd be an easy fight.) However Drezmir diffuses this by bringing rope and talking of sparing them. The captain doesn't believe them but the other two put their arms down. Robin looks to Drezmir and takes a sigh of relief.
"Least one of you isn't crazy.."
"But sir.. You're friends will kill us! And sir Thomas! You ripped his bloody head off! What if you really mean to save us.. What if you're friends stop you?"
Robin walks over and stands beside Drezmir, (giving him advantage on persuasion if he uses it).
"I will stand beside him, I do not wish for him to fight his friends however. I may not trust them.. Or understand how he fights among such a cutthroat crew but.. I trust Drezmir with my life clear and simple. Heh.. Strange as I just met the guy but.. Well in my line of work I know a good heart when I see one."
OOC
So Kocino and Gilded only get a turn AFTER the Fencer gets a turn. He doesn't disengage but after Kocino and Vex miss he gets a turn and he tries to dash outta there.
Now with a longsword attack roll Gilded can try and stop him with an attack of opportunity so make an attack roll for me ^^
If that misses he'll gain 60 feet away from the party.
Also real fast going by NPC attitude and such in the DMG. Usually one rolls either Intimidation or Persuasion.
Like if someone gets a nat 1 on Intimdation it fails affecting NPC mood. They won't be scared but they'll be pissed you threatened them. So that persuasion even if it's high it won't shift their mood entirely. Basically if you got a nat 1 and a nat 20 they'd basically scratch you down to zero with making any progress on them. Which I think is sorta realistic because nobody would wanna work with someone that threatened them (if they weren't scared by it) so just a little warning on rolling both ^^
Course if both roll really high than it doesn't matter but yeah. Add's a little risk, instead of just rolling social encounters with advantage essentially.
OOC
So since Robin failed Medicine on the first he has one fail and one succeed so here's more death saves.
14
3
20
3
Goes from top to bottom just rolled 4. Just in case
OOC.
He got two more passes and is asleep but stabilized
OOC
While waiting for Jess's deception roll I'll just post below two responses. One if she succeeds and one if she fails. (While waiting for Gilded's attack of opportunity on the retreating guard.)
If Roll Fails
Robin was very perceptive it came with being an observant archer. Hearing and his sight were his weapons, he didn't have magic or brute force so it was these combined with his nimble nature and experience that kept him alive. Looking at Gilded and Jess. (His deception is so low won't even hide he's looking.) He see's her lips along with his and even hears his response it was apparent it was low.. Low enough it wasn't meant for his keen ears. A combination of reading lips and hearing what he could he had realized the truth. Shaking a bit he realized Jess had played him for a fool. "Gods I'm such an idiot" he had met criminals that lied about saving Glazing Wind. That were only here to loot and raid and been backstabbed before. He knew what it was like.
"Gods.. I am such a fool."
He looks over to Drezmir, "I trust him but.. What if I'm wrong?" so far Drezmir wasn't sneaking around. Nor was he threatening to kill these men. Robin was afraid to trust him seeing how easily Jess had lied. How easily she was willing to kill. He had at least believed Gilded's speech about justice but seeing his acceptance of wanton murder had changed Robin's mind on that. He had some respect for the dragonborn but that was fading away. He felt like an idiot protecting Jess, but he didn't do it alone. Drezmir had stood by his side didn't he? Robin stood beside Drezmir. He wasn't sure if staying was wise but he'd see how things played out from here to see. "Her motives huh..?" "Make sure he's under watchful eye?" She was just lying to keep an eye on him. If she couldn't trust him, he sure as hell wouldn't trust her.
If passed
Robin had survived this far but detecting many espionage and stopping many assassination attempts before they truly began. (Gilded can roll deception to hide his own words too) but somehow.. Gilded and Jess? The words had evaded him. They were beyond quiet, breaking words up and changing the mouthing of words. Perhaps it was to keep a secret from the fencers? Sure Robin was suspicious by her murderous intent while talking to.. Gilded in private. He'd keep an eye on her but for now he'd choose to trust Jess until he had proof otherwise. Still he wouldn't let her kill these men unless they had no choice.
Before I roll I just want to point out a couple of things.
You can reread Jess and Drez posts, he’s the one who threatened their lives first and she’s just following his lead.
Also Jess hasn’t told any lies. She may not be saying exactly what she’s thinking but she hasn’t lied.
Jess has a morality akin to natural order, she is a druid. I probably need to roleplay that better so that it becomes more apparent. I’m still learning about her character myself.
Lastly, I don’t really like how Jess’s secret conversations keep getting overheard (like previously in town in the street). Jess has +3 wisdom and is plenty damn smart enough to know when and where she can say something in confidence. If it’s a matter of me the player presuming too much and I should be asking DM for permission to know if it’s safe to speak then I apologize and I’ll ask for that in future. If she can’t move 60 feet away from Robin and whisper to Gilded without the risk being overheard while everyone else is messing around with the guards then I guess she just won’t do it.
Rolled a 20 for deception = 19
(I rolled because you obviously worked hard on your write up and I would go along with either outcome and chalk it up as a blunder)
I guess what I’m trying to say is what are the parameters for being able to have a conversation that’s not overheard? I think Jess ought to be able to know that, and if you disagree then I humbly submit to how the DM wants to do it.
OOC
She claimed to keep an eye on Robin instead of god knows what. Implying she doesn't trust him like she implied she had before. Plus you can "trust my motives" to the man who discredited Robin would have been enough proof for him.
You didn't let me know she moved 60 feet away from Gilded. So I presumed she had done so right there.
And as for the guards those conversations were all held in town.
They never found out if a town person turned them or a guard had. A town with shady dealings so many ears would have been open. The "wise" approach was leaving town to continue planning. Enemies have perception too, if she wants to hide a conversation she should relocate.
Though relocating may make it harder for Robin to tell what's happening it still is suspicious to take Gilded so far away for a conversation.
Jess followed Corvus's murderous lead which doesn't really change Robin's opinion on her murderous intent.
If you want to have a private conversation, and not have to roll deception. You'll have to take reasonable distance from others. Of course PC's and NPC's can attempt to stealth and follow her. That's where her passive perception comes in. (13 which is good but not exactly detect crazy stealthy characters high. A rogue at LV 3 for example can roll pretty high stealth.)
Having high wisdom doesn't mean you're automatically "smart" enough to avoid all espionage. That's what passive and active perception checks are for. For checking for anyone spying in.
She does avoid Robin's perception though. So he's only on guard from her talking to Gilded (least not 60 feet away so he doesn't know if it was hidden from him or the fencers so nice roll. But had she moved he'd have known the intent was to hide from him too.)
He only has two clue's now.
Talking to Gilded who he knows cares little for him
And her comment on.
"We should finish them off anway"
As they saw Robin actively knocking guards out so that won't sit well with him.
So for the future yes mention how exactly she tries to prevent being heard besides just. "She whisper to blank"
She moves how and moves where?
What perception check does she make to make sure no one is listening?
That sorta thing.
It’s all theater of the mind complications.
I envisioned the retreating guard was running away dashing 60’ without disengaging, then Gilded skewered him with a spear, then when Gilded went over there to retrieve his spear, so Jess saw that as an opportunity to hurry over to him, we’ll away from everyone else. That’s what I envisioned I be my head.
( please check posts #1702 and 1703, see how I wrote “Jess will quickly make her way over to Gilded when he’s away from the others retrieving his javelin” and for reason to go check on him I also put:
“Loud enough for others to hear she will say,
“You fought well. Thank you for holding them off. Do you need healing?” )
Sorry for confusion.
Drezmir looks down at the guards, "I won't let them." He clenches his fists. He wants to trust that Gilded won't kill these men if they cooperate. But he doesn't know how to feel about his other companions. At least Kocino seemed pretty neutral on the subject.
His gut clenches at the mention of the fencer he'd killed. Now he had a name to put to that body, which made it all the worse. "Please, there has been enough bloodshed. We have reason to believe that Simon has partaken in sacrificial rituals, but it seems like someone else is pulling the strings here. I do not want to harm him, we are here to help him and Glanzing Winds. I will not lie and tell you that we won't kill him if it becomes necessary, but that is not what we came here to do."
If he is going to be stuck as a monster, he might as well use it to defend lives. He can't let the kitsune get the better of him.
Persuasion: (Okay, well, the game log is still rolling 4 on the dice (which is why I keep getting 9 for combat and 5 for both of those persuasion checks, so I'll roll it here. So much for getting another nat 20 lol.) 19
(OOF, what are the chances of that? I guess I should have kept the 5 lol.)
Jess pouts a little at tying the guards up. She will say:
“These guards wouldn’t hesitate to break free, sneak up on us from behind, and stab us in the back when we’re most vulnerable, such as when confronting Simon. Tying them up is taking a big risk. Everyone was fine with killing them a moment ago, so what’s different now? They’ve chosen their side, and we’ve chosen ours. This captain fellow has made it clear, too, that they are determined to stay loyal to our enemy. I would agree to spare their lives if we could trust them, but I’m not convinced that we can trust them. Not yet anyway.”
Vex chimes in: “From my experience, the best option is leave no witnesses. Squeeze out the information and then kill them.”
Drezmir turns to Vex, growling, "And how do you suppose we squeeze the information out of them? If they have no hope for staying alive, why would they tell us anything? No, we cannot sink to that level." He eyes his companions, suddenly far more somber then he'd ever been before. He says softly, "I will not behave as the monster I've become."
Then he proceeds to cut the rope into suitable pieces. He knows that his attempts to calm down these men were likely futile. Why would they trust him when he looks like a blasted demon? Why would they trust him after seeing him...seeing him kill Thomas.
"Please, tell me where Simon is. You have my word that we will not kill you. We will bind you, lock you in a secure place, and perhaps knock you out if necessary. Whatever it takes to keep you from interfering with our business, but we will not kill you if you stay out of our way. You surrendered. It would be against my honor to kill you now."
He looks to Robin, who is the one standing closest to him, "Here, I'll let you tie them up. I don't trust my own hands right now." He give Robin the rope and takes a few steps back.
(OOC: I'm not sure I need to make another attack roll, can I use the one I already rolled for that on post 1699. If not a javelin throw, I'll use my sword, but the throw did seem took pretty good.. lol)
Lots to catch up on.. I love how active this group is.. you guys rock.. now....
Gilded hears the talk about killing guards or tying them up. He hears Robin's remark about murder and faces him directly.
"I am no murderer, if a person chooses to fight me and loses, that is on them. I do not hold back in a fight any more than my opponents. Take these dogs, had they gotten a chance to kill me, they would have without remorse. Damn, they shot Vex when he opened the door with no warning. They had superior numbers and surprise, but still chose to kill without warning. They have earned no quarter in a fight." He grins and even tho he knows its an insult, continues with. "Funny, they fight cowardly, just like you. You are in no position to question anyone's morality."
Gilded turns his back on Robin, ignoring him.
He says loud enough for everyone to hear. "We can't just kill them when they have surrendered, there is no honor in that. I agree with Drez, if we do, we are no better than this scum. Iroas has kept me standing in every battle, I must honor that." He looks at the prisoners, "Tell us what we need ot not, it doesn't matter, we will succeed with ir without you. And you know it. But help us and we will tell Gwen when we're done that you did. Don't tell us, we will make sure she knows that too."
The guards look to Drezmir and even the captain does, this is when Vex speaks up on squeezing info and killing them.
"If that be you're intention criminal than we will go out swinging!"
"I mean.. No point if we die either way.. But captain one of them seem reasonable.. Even that criminal Robin didn't kill our other two men."
"I'm sure Robin will stab us in the back in no time. Besides you here what most of them are saying don't you? We can't trust these savages. Bloodlust is what fills there hearts now."
Robin takes the rope from Drezmir but is careful not to approach them just yet as they may swing on him. They don't seem to trust him.
"I can try Drezmir.. But I don't know how much they trust me. Simon has told them I'm a heartless criminal, if you think you're dragonborn friend hates me they aren't my fans either."
The captain hears Drezmir's argument he may not have been convincing (rolling a 2) but he's the only one who's offered an alternative to death.
"You'd spare my men? Knock them out? ..You take the rope than I don't trust Robin or you're friends. We are in bad shape with no weapons. You're friends go to the next room and you handle us, hide us where they cannot find us. You're friends are clearly savages, do that and I.. And I alone know where the Dawn Blade resides. It can hurt those not worthy.. Even kill them. I warn you know in good faith since you may be the only reason I'm alive right now. I'll admit.. Robin didn't kill my men but he's broken so many laws I cannot trust such a man."
Robin looks to Gilded unsure where he was going in the first half of his conversation.
"Gilded, do you wanna fight? Honorably? Is that you're deal? I don't know about you but squeezing info outta people and killing them isn't honorable. I understand killing in the heat of battle but this.. Is wrong and you know it. Don't you?"
Gilded turns his back on Robin and with Jess and Corvus's attitudes? Along with Vex who Gilded has vouched for he expected the worse. "If they all team up on me and Drezmir.. It's done. We can't save them..." Than Robin's eyes open with a sense of relief at Gilded's statements. They may never see eye to eye. Robin may never understand how Gilded ignores the bloodlust in his comrades but gods be damned he stood on the side of life. The side of liberation, they can't save Glazing Winds by killing everything they disagree with.
"Ahh you! You may be a rough son of a bitc h but damn it! I agree, we may have our differences but we can't make a change with murder. More people will want revenge.. They have friends and families. They will see what Simon has done... You heard Drezmir he's made sacrifices. I stand by Drezmir.. By this Dragonborn."
Robin stands in front of Drezmir and Gilded, this was cause Gilded commented on Robin striking his back.
"Now my back.. Is turned to you."
This was to prove that he wouldn't lure in his shadow, that he would take his chance to trust the dragonborn's morals. Even if they hadn't agreed on everything. The guards began to murmur and whisper at Drezmir's accusation of Simon's rituals.
OOC
Longsword and Javelin do have different damage dice with longs word being bigger. But you have the same to hit modifier of +5 for Javelin and longsword so that is fair to keep the roll.
Even min damage of 4 the guy had 13 damage yes? I'd say longsword slash him down than. Up to Gilded if it is a KO or kill shot. (I know in RAW when it's not double it's KO but for mob fights I give players a little extra choice. College Humor likes to do this for their DnD games. I think it can speed up mob combat too.)
Also back to Todd. Oh yeah I wrote in an earlier post that Gilded has to longsword the guard not Javelin them with an attack of opportunity. I wrote the guard would get a chance to retreat before anyone's turn except Vex and Jess's.
I understand if those two post I wrote before weren't fully read because there is a big group. Big group confusion can happen.
I see her talking to him with him while he retrieved the spear. I can't say with Gilded and Robin's blow out Robin doesn't have an eye on Gilded though and he has high passive perception. Seeing details long distances is how he's alive and hearing noises far distances too. He's got a whopping 15 passive perception so can't say that'd be 100% guaranteed but she rolled a nat 20 on deception so that works out anyway.
Post 1688 I wrote Vex and Jess can make a turn before the Fencers. So Gilded throwing the whole spear and retrieving it caused a lot of confusion too. (Again not mad we've all missed some post from each other at this point. It's a large group and the fact post don't show up till I hit refresh drives me nuts and is not what I'm used to from the site I'm from. XD)
I think I forgot some stuff had to finish real fast. Some IRL stuff but I'll fix anything I forgot when I get back here ya go ^^
Vex responds to the guards there: “One, you die painlessly by telling us what we need to know. Two, we make you feel the pain.”