This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The group works together to quickly tend to their wounded, search their enemies, and bind their prisoner.
Alistair's attempt to skim any coins that he finds is not observed by any of his companions, due neither to his light fingers nor Zeke's distraction with his own search, but simply because there are no coins to be found.
Zeke's search goes only marginally better, netting a meger 2 coppers for the trouble. They do discover that, in addition to Billy's belongings, the Black Eagle soldiers are each carrying a fully equipped Explorer's Pack.
(I still need Alistair to give us our most complicated skill roll to date. An Intelligence check, with Advantage from Billy helping, and adding his Proficiency Bonus for Sleight of Hand, if he has the skill, to tie up the prisoner.)
Disappointed to not swing his axe at another target, Brockes joins in with the group and spots the tattoo. "Seems like we keep encountering more of this band. Coincidence is one thing, but in all my years it hasn't happen as often."
Krog will look at our new friend, "Billy, how are you at tying a knot? Can you try and bind this unconscious one here." The Paladin points down over the unconscious Black Eagle soldier. He hands Billy the piece of rope.
The fallen soldier lays trussed like a plump fowl, his struggles muted by the thick hemp rope. Alistair circles the prisoner, casually plucking arpeggios on his lute, the Burning Sword sigil glinting ominously in the sunlight. Alistair's amusement from the encounter has faded, replaced by a cold efficiency. "Now then," Alistair begins, his voice smooth as polished obsidian, "you see yourself in a bit of a predicament. These woods," he gestures towards Billy, Brockes, Krog, and Zeke with a sardonic smile, "tend to attract... colorful company. The sort who wouldn't hesitate to get a bit... messy in their pursuit of answers." He stops in front of the prisoner, his eyes narrowing. "Luckily for you, I tend towards a more... civilized approach. Although," he continues, his voice dropping to a low murmur laced with a hint of amusement, sending a shiver down the prisoner's spine, "my companions may not share my sentimentality. They grow restless easily, wouldn't you agree, Brockes? Krog?" Alistair doesn't wait for a response. He knows the effect his words, and the subtle hum of magic emanating from his lute, will have Charm Person. The image of a hulking barbarian or an angry dwarf is usually enough to loosen the tightest lips. Alistair lightly strums a discordant chord and hums a simple melody, the Burning Sword sigil momentarily pulses with a dark light. "So," Alistair continues, his voice returning to its former smoothness, tinged with the charm spell's influence, "tell me about your friends. Who are they? What brings them to these parts? The more forthcoming you are, my friend, the sooner we can all get back to the business of our day. Wouldn't that be pleasant?" Alistair leans intimately closer, his lips brushing the prisoner's ear, a cruel kiss, the promise of a solution laced with the subtle threat of what might follow if cooperation isn't forthcoming. Alistair closes his eyes, picturing the favor he will gain with Fierna for this little performance. Persuasion23
(Vetallica, Alistair doesn't need to use Persuasion if the prisoner fails his saving throw. On the other hand, with a 23 Persuasion he doesn't really need to use charm person. Either way, he's going to answer so I'll just ask you to decide if he used the spell or not. If he does, the only difference will be that the prisoner will stay in an agreeable state for the next hour.)
Even captured and bound, Billy's threats do little to sway the Black Eagle soldier but Alistair...well Alistair is another matter. He exudes a veneer of civilization that makes him seem like a man who can be reasoned with and, as a fellow human, the one most likely to show sympathy and mercy...
"Friends? I don't know if I'd go that far. Colleagues more like," he gives a self-satisfied look that makes it clear the word choice was meant to impress.
"We was sent to stop some thieves that stole a map from Baron Von Hendricks. Word was that they were going to use it to rob some old tomb. We was supposed to find 'em, get the map back, find the tomb if we could, and report back to the Baron."
(Tactically I think I should save the spell slot. I have to admit though I was intending for Alistair to attempt charm person and then persuade the npc thinking it would be easier to persuade a friend. How would that normally play out? Sounds like no need for persuasion if the target is charmed/friendly? Roll persuasion then cast the spell upon a failed outcome. If they pass the saving throw on the spell, then be SOL for the persuasion angle for Alistair?)
(This is a case where I accidentally deviated from Rules as Written/RAW. In the flavor description of the spell, it states "The charmed creature regards you as a friendly acquaintance". I took that at face value and decided that a friendly acquaintance wouldn't necessarily need to be persuaded to answer those questions. If I had followed RAW, the game mechanic on the spell states that Alistair would have gained Advantage on his social interactions, implying that he would have needed to make a Persuasion check. Yes, if you tried to charm someone and they passed their save, they would know you had attempted to cast a spell on them and you can assume they will be hostile towards you afterwards. For this scene, we'll stick with my original, incorrect ruling because it favors the players.)
(The practical advantage of using the spell slot for this scene will be that you will not need to make any persuasion checks for questions that a friend might freely answer during the hour that the spell lasts. Whereas if you just persuade him you will have to make additional checks the more you ask.)
(I intended to cast the spell so I won’t backtrack on that intention. We can enjoy interviewing our new friend for an hour if the spell succeeds, then choose how to deal with him once we’re satisfied we have extracted all of his useful information)
Brockes starts to sharpen his axe. "I am not one to care much as long as there is a fight to be had, but I think I am going to have to drink a little more and get another once over on what is going on."
“Alright, so this Baron Von Somebody doesn’t like us. We already knew that others are interested in the map and the tome in the tomb - now we know the name of our enemy. I suggest we continue on our mission as before.”
“Billy, you want to join us? We will be smiting the people who captured you and searching for treasure. Can’t promise success but can promise an adventure. What say you?”
Alistair, a sadistic amusement dancing in his eyes, sidles up to the charmed soldier. The opportunity to manipulate someone, to gain information for his own ends and potentially appease Fierna, is a twisted pleasure he can't resist. "My dear friend," Alistair purrs, his voice dripping with false sincerity, "Billy here tells me his dear companion was apprehended by your associates... ahem, pardon me, your colleagues from the Black Eagle Barony. Surely a terrible misunderstanding! You wouldn't happen to know where they're keeping poor Billy's friend, would you?" He leans in closer, the smile on his face a touch too wide to be genuine. "Speaking of friends," Alistair continues, piling on the compliments a little too thickly, "I'm awfully glad we became such fast companions! Truth be told, I've always held a certain admiration for the Baron von Hendricks' men. Strong, loyal – the kind of company a fellow could appreciate. Speaking of which, what's the Baron like? Why does he seek the map so desperately? And tell me, friend," Alistair leans in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "do you think you could put in a good word for your newfound friend?" Alistair's eyes gleam with a dangerous light as he gestures towards the prisoner's tabard. "Always fancied those Black Eagle Barony tabards. Think you'd mind if I borrowed yours for a moment? Just to see how it feels, of course." He watches the prisoner closely, gauging their reaction, a cruel smile playing on his lips.
"Sergeant took the other one to the west camp, over near Midsummer pass."
At the second question, he shrugs.
"Don't know. One of Bargle's men showed up with orders and said we needed to find some thieves that stole the Baron's map. Honestly, it doesn't make much sense. The Baron's a hard man and he has no love for liars or thieves but to send so many soldiers this far north for a piece of parchment...he must really want that map."
He gives Alistair a hard look.
"I worked really hard to earn this," he says, gesturing to the tabard, "it's the mark of the Baron's men. We're not meant to give them to anyone, not even a washer woman. We clean them, we mend them, and when we leave this world, we're buried in them."
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Ah - thanks. Second roll 3+2=5
The group works together to quickly tend to their wounded, search their enemies, and bind their prisoner.
Alistair's attempt to skim any coins that he finds is not observed by any of his companions, due neither to his light fingers nor Zeke's distraction with his own search, but simply because there are no coins to be found.
Zeke's search goes only marginally better, netting a meger 2 coppers for the trouble. They do discover that, in addition to Billy's belongings, the Black Eagle soldiers are each carrying a fully equipped Explorer's Pack.
(I still need Alistair to give us our most complicated skill roll to date. An Intelligence check, with Advantage from Billy helping, and adding his Proficiency Bonus for Sleight of Hand, if he has the skill, to tie up the prisoner.)
Disappointed to not swing his axe at another target, Brockes joins in with the group and spots the tattoo. "Seems like we keep encountering more of this band. Coincidence is one thing, but in all my years it hasn't happen as often."
Alistair Intelligence (no Sleight of Hand proficiency) 20
Krog will look at our new friend, "Billy, how are you at tying a knot? Can you try and bind this unconscious one here." The Paladin points down over the unconscious Black Eagle soldier. He hands Billy the piece of rope.
With Billy's help, Alistair securely binds the prisoner's hands while the others determine what their next course of action should be...
Billy takes his stuff and begin putting it back on.
"Thanks again I think these guys are after you."
You manage to get the prisoner disarmed, searched, and bound just in time. It's probably less than a minute later that he begins to stir.
Billy gets into the man's face.
"You will tell me where they took me friend or so help me you will beg for death." He says in a low cold tone.
Intimidation = 7 unless someone and provide some assistance
The fallen soldier lays trussed like a plump fowl, his struggles muted by the thick hemp rope. Alistair circles the prisoner, casually plucking arpeggios on his lute, the Burning Sword sigil glinting ominously in the sunlight. Alistair's amusement from the encounter has faded, replaced by a cold efficiency. "Now then," Alistair begins, his voice smooth as polished obsidian, "you see yourself in a bit of a predicament. These woods," he gestures towards Billy, Brockes, Krog, and Zeke with a sardonic smile, "tend to attract... colorful company. The sort who wouldn't hesitate to get a bit... messy in their pursuit of answers." He stops in front of the prisoner, his eyes narrowing. "Luckily for you, I tend towards a more... civilized approach. Although," he continues, his voice dropping to a low murmur laced with a hint of amusement, sending a shiver down the prisoner's spine, "my companions may not share my sentimentality. They grow restless easily, wouldn't you agree, Brockes? Krog?" Alistair doesn't wait for a response. He knows the effect his words, and the subtle hum of magic emanating from his lute, will have Charm Person. The image of a hulking barbarian or an angry dwarf is usually enough to loosen the tightest lips. Alistair lightly strums a discordant chord and hums a simple melody, the Burning Sword sigil momentarily pulses with a dark light. "So," Alistair continues, his voice returning to its former smoothness, tinged with the charm spell's influence, "tell me about your friends. Who are they? What brings them to these parts? The more forthcoming you are, my friend, the sooner we can all get back to the business of our day. Wouldn't that be pleasant?" Alistair leans intimately closer, his lips brushing the prisoner's ear, a cruel kiss, the promise of a solution laced with the subtle threat of what might follow if cooperation isn't forthcoming. Alistair closes his eyes, picturing the favor he will gain with Fierna for this little performance. Persuasion 23
(Vetallica, Alistair doesn't need to use Persuasion if the prisoner fails his saving throw. On the other hand, with a 23 Persuasion he doesn't really need to use charm person. Either way, he's going to answer so I'll just ask you to decide if he used the spell or not. If he does, the only difference will be that the prisoner will stay in an agreeable state for the next hour.)
Even captured and bound, Billy's threats do little to sway the Black Eagle soldier but Alistair...well Alistair is another matter. He exudes a veneer of civilization that makes him seem like a man who can be reasoned with and, as a fellow human, the one most likely to show sympathy and mercy...
"Friends? I don't know if I'd go that far. Colleagues more like," he gives a self-satisfied look that makes it clear the word choice was meant to impress.
"We was sent to stop some thieves that stole a map from Baron Von Hendricks. Word was that they were going to use it to rob some old tomb. We was supposed to find 'em, get the map back, find the tomb if we could, and report back to the Baron."
(Tactically I think I should save the spell slot. I have to admit though I was intending for Alistair to attempt charm person and then persuade the npc thinking it would be easier to persuade a friend. How would that normally play out? Sounds like no need for persuasion if the target is charmed/friendly? Roll persuasion then cast the spell upon a failed outcome. If they pass the saving throw on the spell, then be SOL for the persuasion angle for Alistair?)
(This is a case where I accidentally deviated from Rules as Written/RAW. In the flavor description of the spell, it states "The charmed creature regards you as a friendly acquaintance". I took that at face value and decided that a friendly acquaintance wouldn't necessarily need to be persuaded to answer those questions. If I had followed RAW, the game mechanic on the spell states that Alistair would have gained Advantage on his social interactions, implying that he would have needed to make a Persuasion check. Yes, if you tried to charm someone and they passed their save, they would know you had attempted to cast a spell on them and you can assume they will be hostile towards you afterwards. For this scene, we'll stick with my original, incorrect ruling because it favors the players.)
(The practical advantage of using the spell slot for this scene will be that you will not need to make any persuasion checks for questions that a friend might freely answer during the hour that the spell lasts. Whereas if you just persuade him you will have to make additional checks the more you ask.)
(I intended to cast the spell so I won’t backtrack on that intention. We can enjoy interviewing our new friend for an hour if the spell succeeds, then choose how to deal with him once we’re satisfied we have extracted all of his useful information)
(Save vs DC 13 16)
BtW, if I forgot to say so earlier, you should each add 10 XP for this encounter.
Brockes starts to sharpen his axe. "I am not one to care much as long as there is a fight to be had, but I think I am going to have to drink a little more and get another once over on what is going on."
“Alright, so this Baron Von Somebody doesn’t like us. We already knew that others are interested in the map and the tome in the tomb - now we know the name of our enemy. I suggest we continue on our mission as before.”
“Billy, you want to join us? We will be smiting the people who captured you and searching for treasure. Can’t promise success but can promise an adventure. What say you?”
Billy looks to Alistair
"Can he tell us where they took the person that was take with me?"
Alistair, a sadistic amusement dancing in his eyes, sidles up to the charmed soldier. The opportunity to manipulate someone, to gain information for his own ends and potentially appease Fierna, is a twisted pleasure he can't resist. "My dear friend," Alistair purrs, his voice dripping with false sincerity, "Billy here tells me his dear companion was apprehended by your associates... ahem, pardon me, your colleagues from the Black Eagle Barony. Surely a terrible misunderstanding! You wouldn't happen to know where they're keeping poor Billy's friend, would you?" He leans in closer, the smile on his face a touch too wide to be genuine. "Speaking of friends," Alistair continues, piling on the compliments a little too thickly, "I'm awfully glad we became such fast companions! Truth be told, I've always held a certain admiration for the Baron von Hendricks' men. Strong, loyal – the kind of company a fellow could appreciate. Speaking of which, what's the Baron like? Why does he seek the map so desperately? And tell me, friend," Alistair leans in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "do you think you could put in a good word for your newfound friend?" Alistair's eyes gleam with a dangerous light as he gestures towards the prisoner's tabard. "Always fancied those Black Eagle Barony tabards. Think you'd mind if I borrowed yours for a moment? Just to see how it feels, of course." He watches the prisoner closely, gauging their reaction, a cruel smile playing on his lips.
"Sergeant took the other one to the west camp, over near Midsummer pass."
At the second question, he shrugs.
"Don't know. One of Bargle's men showed up with orders and said we needed to find some thieves that stole the Baron's map. Honestly, it doesn't make much sense. The Baron's a hard man and he has no love for liars or thieves but to send so many soldiers this far north for a piece of parchment...he must really want that map."
He gives Alistair a hard look.
"I worked really hard to earn this," he says, gesturing to the tabard, "it's the mark of the Baron's men. We're not meant to give them to anyone, not even a washer woman. We clean them, we mend them, and when we leave this world, we're buried in them."