Eberron: Rising from the Last War

Erix looks horified "These are innocent workers, we are not gonna just kill them. Don't we have the option to put them to sleep from a distance or something? Or Elero does the talking while disguised?"

I'd like to know Elero's position on the issue, as well as Mark's response.

Elero's eyes widen, and he pauses. "I mean, before a few weeks ago, I never thought I'd kill anyone, and now..." He looks down, then refocuses on the team.

"Killing the people who were going to harm Yosgrim is one thing, but I'm not sure about murdering innocent workers.  I understand we don't want to be identified, but maybe there's another way, like tying them up for the day or something.  That's the one reason I mentioned bribery, because then they'd sort of be in on it, and less likely to rat us out.  Plus, what if we get their blood all over the uniforms in the process.  Then we're murderers with nothing to show for it."

He fiddles with his robe of useful items. "This may sound odd, but I've got a pit in here, that's ten feet deep and a ten-foot cube.  Maybe we could keep them in that until we're done.  Or longer, if we gave them food and water.  Or I've got a couple big dogs that maybe we could convince to guard them.  Just throwing out alternatives to murder."

Mark will stroke the hair on his face, "Maybe you are right, maybe we can just bribe them, and if someone has the message cantrip tell them to drop the clothes off at a location and the gold will be left there hidden. Does anyone have that ability?"  

"Thanks to my All-Purpose Tool, I can learn a cantrip each day as an action.  If nobody already knows Message, I can learn it for the team."

Ok so what’s the plan exactly? Use Message to magically send a message to the workers to take off there clothes, swap them for gold, and then leave?

It would likely require a DC 15 Persuasion check. If you offer enough gold you can roll with Advantage. 

"Who would we say the message is from?  Seems like a mysterious voice telling them to take off their clothes would have a low chance of success.  Who would they listen to?  If you're worried about being recognized, I can disguise myself magically, and I'm sort of persuasive (+2), but we might have to offer a lot of gold.  I can try just going up and talking to them, instead of messaging, if we come up with the right disguise.  Who should I disguise myself as?"

He fumbles through his pockets, producing the Watch Writ. "I do still have this, too.  Maybe a captain of the Watch, telling them he needs their clothes for Watch reasons?  But what specific Watch reasons?"

"We don't say our name but we offer them 25 gold a piece, which is 25 years salary for these folks. We can take it from our preparation purse. Tell them that we need 3 sets." (I think that amount should give us the advantage.) 

Ok so will Elero disguise himself as a watch member and bribe the workers?

Yep, let's get this ball rolling.  Elero will duck out of sight and cast Disguise Self, changing his appearance to that of a blond human about his height, with a Watch Captain's uniform.  He'll stride confidently up to a group of workers, flash the Watch writ, and declare, "Hello, good citizens.  I'm Captain McAlister of the Sharn Watch, and I need four of you to help with a very important job.  I can't give the details in front of everyone here, but suffice to say it's so important, the pay is 25 gp each, and you'll get the rest of the day off of work, courtesy of the Watch and the gracious hosts of tonight's party.  Who'll aid the city during its hour of need?"

The money should do it, but if it seems like he has to give more info, he'll add, "We need to borrow the uniforms of four workers, so a special Watch protection detail can be present at today's events and attempt to apprehend a group of criminals operating out of a temple in the Kyber Gate, led by a notorious criminal named Zaerun, but please, keep that name to yourselves.  Zaerun is very dangerous."

Or if they agree to go with me, I'll tell them that second part once we're away from the rest of the workers.  If several people volunteer, Elero will choose four workers (because his spell runs out in an hour), who closest match the height and build of the party.

Persuasion check: 22, and if I've earned Advantage: 4

(you got to love that nat 20)

You are able to find four workers having lunch on their own. They seem taken aback and also very impressed with your presence. They look at each other and one of them quietly requests, “You want our uniforms? Do you have anything for us to wear home?” They seem amenable to your plan but are also confused.

"Of course," Elero scoffs. "The Sharn Watch thinks of everything.  We assumed it'd take you a bit of time to gather your things and be ready to depart, so meet us over near that building," he'll point to a building with an alley that's fairly out of the way from the view of the street and passersby, "in thirty minutes, and we'll make the exchange.  And thank you again for your service to the city."

At that, he'll walk away, and start Messaging the others as soon as he's clear of the workers' earshot. "We need four sets of travelers' clothes, quickly."

He can donate his own, since he's Disguised, and wear his fine clothes later on, or buy more.  Elero figures thirty minutes is enough for the party to buy other sets of clothes if not everyone wants to or can donate theirs.

Kit already in finery unpacks some travellers clothes with only a bit bitterness to lose his sexy little day outfit. 

“Well done Elero.”

((Reduced the pot for group expenses by 25+4*2 for the traveller's clothes.))

"Let's quickly get some clothes than" Erix says as he doesn't have any spare clothes.

Ok someone other than Elero make an DC 10 Investigation check to find a clothes shop in this fancy residential area. 

Also, if Elero wants, I can roll a d4 for Guidance whenever it makes sense that he would have the chance to cast the spell in advance for a skill check.

Investigation: 18 (gamelog)

Yep, Elero will use Guidance.

Mark will give the help action.

Erix quickly runs down the street, and knowing this area quite well, being from a Dragonmarked house himself, is able to find a suitable shop quickly. He is able to purchase the clothes you need and return them, catching his breath as he does.

You meet with the workers, who are slightly confused but amenable to the exchange. They take the money (Someone can mark off 100gp) , put on the clothes and walk away with little laughs. This has been a bizarre but rewarding work day for them.

You are all able now to walk confidently through the gates into the Orien estate. There are many other workers around you giving you slightly quizzical looks, but they keep moving. As you approach the mansion, you see that most of the workers are heading through double open doors into a lavish ballroom. To your left however, you also notice another less used entrance into the manor, but must first pass through a garden with a bunch of marble statues in it.

Which way do you go?