1) The Countess may be the most problematic to deal with. Being a diplomat, she has almost certainly been sent to an affluent location where she could mingle with the elites and persuade them to join the Dark Lord's crusade. Her subtle manipulations will likely be difficult to root out, especially considering the fact that she is a potent mage potentially on par with the Vizier.
You can also narrow down the most likely location of the Countess to a fortress which is now known as the Grey Palace. It isn't a tourist attraction like Waerheim, but is instead the private property of a relatively minor noble family who are probably in for a rather nasty surprise...
@Mister_Whisker - Does anyone in the party have a background that would give them access to these types of elites? If not, do General Kennard or Zana know anyone with connections to the current owners / residents of the Grey Palace? Or someone who could help introduce us to the society of elites in that area? I doubt that we could just walk into one of their parties uninvited or get a meeting with one of these elites on our own. We either need an ally in these elite circles who can introduce us, or we'll need to figure out a cover story and pay a "fixer" who can at least get us in the door.
Simon suggested going after The Countess first, right? Does he have a suggestion for how to start this kind of investigation? You've finally found something so unfamiliar to Erik that he doesn't even pretend to know how to tackle it.
1) The Countess may be the most problematic to deal with. Being a diplomat, she has almost certainly been sent to an affluent location where she could mingle with the elites and persuade them to join the Dark Lord's crusade. Her subtle manipulations will likely be difficult to root out, especially considering the fact that she is a potent mage potentially on par with the Vizier.
You can also narrow down the most likely location of the Countess to a fortress which is now known as the Grey Palace. It isn't a tourist attraction like Waerheim, but is instead the private property of a relatively minor noble family who are probably in for a rather nasty surprise...
@Mister_Whisker - Does anyone in the party have a background that would give them access to these types of elites? If not, do General Kennard or Zana know anyone with connections to the current owners / residents of the Grey Palace? Or someone who could help introduce us to the society of elites in that area? I doubt that we could just walk into one of their parties uninvited or get a meeting with one of these elites on our own. We either need an ally in these elite circles who can introduce us, or we'll need to figure out a cover story and pay a "fixer" who can at least get us in the door.
Simon suggested going after The Countess first, right? Does he have a suggestion for how to start this kind of investigation? You've finally found something so unfamiliar to Erik that he doesn't even pretend to know how to tackle it.
I don't think any of the party have any noble connections. Your military contacts, on the other hand, certainly could pull some strings to get you into a party or something like that if you want to go for something more subtle than a 'storm the castle' approach (and yes, it is probably best to avoid going in guns-blazing if you don't want a lot of VIPs dead).
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"They are going to host a party in a few days," he says thoughtfully. "We should be able to get you in without too much trouble... if you're lucky perhaps you can catch the Countess unaware, though I wouldn't count on it if I were you."
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Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
"Excellent plan," Eppie says. "I'll get my gear ready. Vox IV, plug in and power down. This is no longer a research mission." Eppie cackles to herself as she saunters off to her laboratory after the clanking Vox IV, disconnecting gadgets and pulling bags and toolkits off of her belt and out of her backpack. "It's time to go hunting."
“I ask because I am confused why we have no clue what she looks like.”
"We have an idea," Erik says, "but The Countess stands out less than, say, The Hunter or The Brute. She is a half-elf -- beautiful to be sure! -- but cruel. I was honestly more interested in The Brute and The General when my expedition found them, and once they were awakened, I only really saw them at a distance. After I was captured, I only ever saw The Dark Lord himself and The Vizier close up." He reassures Simon, "I think that I would recognize The Countess if I saw her again: she really is uncommonly beautiful in a cold, severe sort of way. But the histories say that she's a powerful witch of some sort who consorts with 'demons' from other dimensions. We have to assume that she may be using magic to alter her appearance or to remain hidden, pulling strings behind the scenes."
Simon will add, "What do we have in the way of mind-shielding magic or tech? I imagine she will try to take over our thoughts or at least read them which can divulge our mission and this location we are in now."
Simon will say, "I believe we need to go to the location a few days before the ball so we can investigate and pick up leads."
Erik: "Good idea, Simon. We don't know how quickly The Countess will settle in, but since she knows ancient magics, she may already have enchant 'allies'. It'll be good to know who's who in these circles and try to figure out who may be working with her, willingly or not, before we face The Countess."
In addition to the pilot to get them in and out, a combat medic to help their smaller team in battle, and the cover story / invitation to the party, Erik works with the others to come up with a list of equipment that they can request. At a minimum, they'll want:
300 gp of diamonds, in case Eppie needs to Revivify someone
A pearl, in case Erik needs to Identify any item or enchantment
Either 25 - 50 gp of gold dust or powdered diamond worth 200+ gp, in case they need to use Arcane Lock or Glyph of Warding to ward their "base" or in whatever plan they come up with to take down The Countess.
A few healing potions, or materials for Toa to brew some w/ his Herbalism Kit.
Does anyone else have anything to add to the list?
Simon will add, "What do we have in the way of mind-shielding magic or tech? I imagine she will try to take over our thoughts or at least read them which can divulge our mission and this location we are in now."
"Not much," Erik says. "I have some tech that can ward the mind, but it requires powerful magic. I could only really protect one of us for a little while. I'd rather save that power to try to break any enchantments she casts. Hopefully, her skill lies less in divination and more in conjuring these 'demons' and enchanting or cursing her enemies. I was more worried that she's send a 'demon' to spy on us or attack us, so I was thinking of warding our base of operations there with an Alarm or Arcane Lock."
(OOC: Ah. I can only swap one "known infusion" at a time. I was going to go with Resistant Armor since I expect some nasty spells from a 20th level Warlock once we're actually in a fight.
@Mister_Whisker - Do the ancient stories give any more details about the magical abilities of The Dark Lord's Chosen? Maybe I assumed more than we actually know. From the earlier descriptions, I was thinking that The Vizier was the real "mess with your mind" spellcaster. I pictured the The Countess more as a charismatic negotiator whose limited number of spells were probably split between enchantments for charming political rivals and a bunch of nasty evocation and conjuration spells for combat, probably with an infernal theme.)
(OOC: Ah. I can only swap one "known infusion" at a time. I was going to go with Resistant Armor since I expect some nasty spells from a 20th level Warlock once we're actually in a fight.
@Mister_Whisker - Do the ancient stories give any more details about the magical abilities of The Dark Lord's Chosen? Maybe I assumed more than we actually know. From the earlier descriptions, I was thinking that The Vizier was the real "mess with your mind" spellcaster. I pictured the The Countess more as a charismatic negotiator whose limited number of spells were probably split between enchantments for charming political rivals and a bunch of nasty evocation and conjuration spells for combat, probably with an infernal theme.)
Think "Hellfire and brimstone" and you'll have a pretty good idea what you're dealing with. Her spells mostly came out when negotiations failed.
Think "Hellfire and brimstone" and you'll have a pretty good idea what you're dealing with. Her spells mostly came out when negotiations failed.
(OOC: @ZelocktheDragon - Based on that answer, I think I'll stick with the Resistant Armor infusion for this level / mission. I'll look at picking up the Ring of Mind-Shielding at a future level bump before we face the Vizier or the Dark Lord.)
(I was hoping that we could buy some for everyone or the army would have some. No need to make the artificer to make them for everyone)
(OOC: Gotcha! Given the "low magic" nature of the world, I doubt that those are easy to obtain, but there's no harm in asking. If we cannot get a Ring of Mind-Shielding, Erik would definitely ask whether the military has a portable anti-cloaking device that they could borrow.)
300 gp of diamonds, in case Eppie needs to Revivify someone
A pearl, in case Erik needs to Identify any item or enchantment
Either 25 - 50 gp of gold dust or powdered diamond worth 200+ gp, in case they need to use Arcane Lock or Glyph of Warding to ward their "base" or in whatever plan they come up with to take down The Countess.
A few healing potions, or materials for Toa to brew some w/ his Herbalism Kit.
(I was hoping that we could buy some for everyone or the army would have some. No need to make the artificer to make them for everyone)
(OOC: Gotcha! Given the "low magic" nature of the world, I doubt that those are easy to obtain, but there's no harm in asking. If we cannot get a Ring of Mind-Shielding, Erik would definitely ask whether the military has a portable anti-cloaking device that they could borrow.)
(OOC: @Mister_Whisker - any word on whether the military can help us procure these components or magic items before we move to the city where the Grey Palace is located?)
300 gp of diamonds, in case Eppie needs to Revivify someone
A pearl, in case Erik needs to Identify any item or enchantment
Either 25 - 50 gp of gold dust or powdered diamond worth 200+ gp, in case they need to use Arcane Lock or Glyph of Warding to ward their "base" or in whatever plan they come up with to take down The Countess.
A few healing potions, or materials for Toa to brew some w/ his Herbalism Kit.
(I was hoping that we could buy some for everyone or the army would have some. No need to make the artificer to make them for everyone)
(OOC: Gotcha! Given the "low magic" nature of the world, I doubt that those are easy to obtain, but there's no harm in asking. If we cannot get a Ring of Mind-Shielding, Erik would definitely ask whether the military has a portable anti-cloaking device that they could borrow.)
(OOC: @Mister_Whisker - any word on whether the military can help us procure these components or magic items before we move to the city where the Grey Palace is located?)
Any mundane equipment you want should be easy enough to get from the military. As for the magic items mentioned... no. Sorry about that; about the best you'll get as far as magic items are concerned would be potions of healing (common) and maybe a few other common consumables.
So, what does the party do next? Are you going straight to the Gray Palace, or would you rather make your entrance in the local town for reconnaissance without getting too close to the last known location of the Countess just yet?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
@Mister_Whisker - Does anyone in the party have a background that would give them access to these types of elites? If not, do General Kennard or Zana know anyone with connections to the current owners / residents of the Grey Palace? Or someone who could help introduce us to the society of elites in that area? I doubt that we could just walk into one of their parties uninvited or get a meeting with one of these elites on our own. We either need an ally in these elite circles who can introduce us, or we'll need to figure out a cover story and pay a "fixer" who can at least get us in the door.
Simon suggested going after The Countess first, right? Does he have a suggestion for how to start this kind of investigation? You've finally found something so unfamiliar to Erik that he doesn't even pretend to know how to tackle it.
I don't think any of the party have any noble connections. Your military contacts, on the other hand, certainly could pull some strings to get you into a party or something like that if you want to go for something more subtle than a 'storm the castle' approach (and yes, it is probably best to avoid going in guns-blazing if you don't want a lot of VIPs dead).
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
Simon will say, "I believe we need to go to the location a few days before the ball so we can investigate and pick up leads."
The general nods.
"They are going to host a party in a few days," he says thoughtfully. "We should be able to get you in without too much trouble... if you're lucky perhaps you can catch the Countess unaware, though I wouldn't count on it if I were you."
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
"Excellent plan," Eppie says. "I'll get my gear ready. Vox IV, plug in and power down. This is no longer a research mission." Eppie cackles to herself as she saunters off to her laboratory after the clanking Vox IV, disconnecting gadgets and pulling bags and toolkits off of her belt and out of her backpack. "It's time to go hunting."
“ Is this beast a shapeshifter?”
“I ask because I am confused why we have no clue what she looks like.”
"We have an idea," Erik says, "but The Countess stands out less than, say, The Hunter or The Brute. She is a half-elf -- beautiful to be sure! -- but cruel. I was honestly more interested in The Brute and The General when my expedition found them, and once they were awakened, I only really saw them at a distance. After I was captured, I only ever saw The Dark Lord himself and The Vizier close up." He reassures Simon, "I think that I would recognize The Countess if I saw her again: she really is uncommonly beautiful in a cold, severe sort of way. But the histories say that she's a powerful witch of some sort who consorts with 'demons' from other dimensions. We have to assume that she may be using magic to alter her appearance or to remain hidden, pulling strings behind the scenes."
Simon will add, "What do we have in the way of mind-shielding magic or tech? I imagine she will try to take over our thoughts or at least read them which can divulge our mission and this location we are in now."
Erik: "Good idea, Simon. We don't know how quickly The Countess will settle in, but since she knows ancient magics, she may already have enchant 'allies'. It'll be good to know who's who in these circles and try to figure out who may be working with her, willingly or not, before we face The Countess."
In addition to the pilot to get them in and out, a combat medic to help their smaller team in battle, and the cover story / invitation to the party, Erik works with the others to come up with a list of equipment that they can request. At a minimum, they'll want:
Does anyone else have anything to add to the list?
"Not much," Erik says. "I have some tech that can ward the mind, but it requires powerful magic. I could only really protect one of us for a little while. I'd rather save that power to try to break any enchantments she casts. Hopefully, her skill lies less in divination and more in conjuring these 'demons' and enchanting or cursing her enemies. I was more worried that she's send a 'demon' to spy on us or attack us, so I was thinking of warding our base of operations there with an Alarm or Arcane Lock."
(Maybe Eppie should have taken Nondetection and left Revivify to Erik?)
(I am thinking the mind-shielding ring)
(OOC: Ah. I can only swap one "known infusion" at a time. I was going to go with Resistant Armor since I expect some nasty spells from a 20th level Warlock once we're actually in a fight.
@Mister_Whisker - Do the ancient stories give any more details about the magical abilities of The Dark Lord's Chosen? Maybe I assumed more than we actually know. From the earlier descriptions, I was thinking that The Vizier was the real "mess with your mind" spellcaster. I pictured the The Countess more as a charismatic negotiator whose limited number of spells were probably split between enchantments for charming political rivals and a bunch of nasty evocation and conjuration spells for combat, probably with an infernal theme.)
Think "Hellfire and brimstone" and you'll have a pretty good idea what you're dealing with. Her spells mostly came out when negotiations failed.
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
(OOC: @ZelocktheDragon - Based on that answer, I think I'll stick with the Resistant Armor infusion for this level / mission. I'll look at picking up the Ring of Mind-Shielding at a future level bump before we face the Vizier or the Dark Lord.)
(I was hoping that we could buy some for everyone or the army would have some. No need to make the artificer to make them for everyone)
(OOC: Gotcha! Given the "low magic" nature of the world, I doubt that those are easy to obtain, but there's no harm in asking. If we cannot get a Ring of Mind-Shielding, Erik would definitely ask whether the military has a portable anti-cloaking device that they could borrow.)
(OOC: @Mister_Whisker - any word on whether the military can help us procure these components or magic items before we move to the city where the Grey Palace is located?)
Any mundane equipment you want should be easy enough to get from the military. As for the magic items mentioned... no. Sorry about that; about the best you'll get as far as magic items are concerned would be potions of healing (common) and maybe a few other common consumables.
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
So, what does the party do next? Are you going straight to the Gray Palace, or would you rather make your entrance in the local town for reconnaissance without getting too close to the last known location of the Countess just yet?
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!