Khessa smiles sweetly at Rosebud, when she talks about 'helping the people of this town': "What you say does you great honor, my friend. Here, take this! I appoint you a member of the Flaming Fist" she hands her the badge that had been Tazzavur's. "So if during the course of the 'operations' you need to exercise authority, you will be able to do so. Ogf course, since we are going incongnito, keep it hidden, for now".
In truth, the blonde arcane warrior is aware that she is not authorized to appoint new members of the Flaming Fist at all... but considering the situation she believes both that Captain Zodge would not be too opposed (considering the summary way in which he recruited all of them), and that in any case the badge, if presented with conviction, in case of need could make anyone believe that Rosebud is a member of the Flaming Fist in all respects, granting her perhaps enough authority to get her some collaboration, within Baldur's Gate, when necessary.
The tall adventuress has no objection to all getting together and 'reviewing the strategy options'. Plus, the plan should be explained to the brave halfling, who seems willing to join them despite the prospect of having to face skilled and ruthless killers... "Captain Zodge, an officer of the Flaming Fist, has given us the task of eradicating a band of Dead Three cultists - cultists who commit brutal murders at night, perhaps in honor of their dead evil deities, perhaps out of personal inclination. Either way, the common folk will be much better off without them. We have discovered the location of the gang's lair - it is accessed through a secret door near the Bath House. But we have also received word that these cultists are probably very dangerous - so we have thought of a strategy to ensure as many advantages as possible".
"Elias has a familiar, Percy - an owl that is not actually a common animal, but an intelligent and trusted servant" Khessa continues. "It's night now, the cultists will soon come out of their base to commit their crimes. We want to use Percy to spy on the cultists, choose one and, seeing where he goes and what he does, ambush him at the first available opportunity, so as to face him all against one - and taking him by surprise, if possible. In this way, we should be able to easily overwhelm him".
"Once we kill this first cultist," the blonde arcane warrior recaps "I will assume his appearance, thanks to an illusion spell. With his appearance, I will return to their base, leading you all as well. So, when we enter their base, if any cultists see us, they will also see that one of them (me) is leading the group. If someone asks me who you are, I will explain that I led you to the base because you want to join the gang. This way, the cultists we meet in the base, at least initially, should not have suspicions and we should be able to isolate them, face them one or a few at a time, always with the advantage of surprise..."
"...And, hopefully, those ruthless assassins will soon be just history" the tall adventuress concludes, seeking the gaze, one by one, of each of her companions in adventure with her blue eyes.
The young wizard watches as Khessa shifts in to "command" mode, amazed at that the warrior standing before is the same soft hearted woman that giggles and jokes as they study together. He recalls master Orbos once telling him that ancient arcane glyphs where sometimes easier to comprehend than a woman, he chuckles inwardly to himself.
and that's it in a nutshell. Shall we met down stairs in 15? Might I also suggest we just carry what we need, we can lock our backpacks and mundane items here in the room. I'll keep the room key on a chain around my neck, just in case I don't make it back. Atlas, along with my signet ring, master Orbos package is in my pack and remember, smiling at the man, after I'm dead.
With a gesture of his hand he summons the magical quill again, the mage hand bringing his spell book to his other hand. He dismisses the mage hand with a thought, then weaving the quill in the air and touching his robes, the color of his outfit changes to black and dark gray. see you all down stairs.
"Ten cubes of cheese. OK. We can do that." Alan heads to the kitchen. And few moments later emerges with ten cubes of cheese on a wooden plate. "That'll be a silver piece."
"Downstairs in 15 is fine by me!" Khessa smiles - but when Elias mentions his possible demise her smile quickly fades.
As the young wizard walks past her, the blonde arcane warrior whispers to him: "Elias, I've already lost too many people I loved... You... do your best to stay safe, okay? Else..." she winks, forcing herself to joke to exorcise a prospect that she absolutely does not want to think about "...I'll invent a new spell just to bind your dead spirit and force it to collect owlbear's quills for me for all eternity! Understood?"
And, more determined than ever to ensure that the only victims will be Dead Three cultists, the tall adventuress is present, ready to move, at the agreed time.
The plan sounds fine so long as no unexpected people pop up in the wrong place at the wrong time. And killing some cultists and assassins sounds better than getting yelled at about the unsuccessful garden. Cities are like gardens - sometimes you have to remove a few plants for other plants to thrive.
Speaking of which, it’s been almost two full days since she last visited the garden…. hmmm, she could let some folks know that she will be busy with this adventure for a bit so they plants would have to chill for a bit, but how would she explain the escapade? Her friends would understand her waking up after an extended bender in a strange place, but would laugh if she said she agreed to help folks assassinate assassins. They would have been rolling on the ground if they heard her say nice things about the inhabitants of Baldur’s Gate given that her previously and frequently voiced opinion generally used more curses than actual words And for certain her client would be even more grumpy and might actually follow up on one of the many threats about her performance.
Ehh, to seven hells with it, she decides to ignore the garden and the client and also not tell her friends what she is up to. Who knows, perhaps the garden will improve in her absence. And maybe she will come back with enough coin to improve her situation and buy a round or two for her friends as she tells about the adventure. Or maybe she will get enough to move out of Baldur’s Gate and go somewhere else - a girl can dream.
She is therefore downstairs on time and in position, giving Burra a carrot. Her right hand is petting the beast of burden on one of its shoulders and the left holds a quarter stick. On the donkey are two grubby packs - one with dirt and the other with small sticks - and a straw hat that has collection of flowers on it, including a spring of mistletoe. She gives a broad smile and hello to her fellow conspirators.
Brother Ray is siting at his customary spot at the bar 'people watching' and asking Alan all sorts of questions.
As the the remainder of the team is coming down stairs Ray is theologising with Alan, "So Alan if I hear you right, if Bane and Bhaal joined forces they could take out Bahamut..... interesting?", some of the other regular patrons have also joined in and asks Ray and Alan, "But if Cyric was behind Bhaal and Bane manipulating the two to do his bidding wouldn't Bahamut be able to figure that out an call on support... say like from Helm or something like that", Ray has suddenly become the resident theologian, "My my" he says to his budding theological enthusiasts as he notices his friends coming down the stairs.
"Oh, umm, look... I am going to have to come back to you all, such good insightful reflections, very impressive and I need to do justice to your questions, but I must also obey a higher calling and see that my friends are well, you know I'm their cleric don't you?, and those around him nod with completely understanding and appreciation that Brother Ray has listened to them.
As he moves away he heads towards the company with enthusiasm.
"What next High Cleric of the Tavern?!" he says to himself!
After Atlas has had his fill of the tables he will head down to the bar, "Alan, my good friend, how's about a stout and a small plate of those fish cakes. Please and thank you." He will place the payment on the bar as he takes notice of the smelly halfling drinking and talking with members of his party, as well as the absence of Taz. Atlas thinks to himself,"Have we lost one already? These guys work quickly." He then sits at the bar with his snack and just listens in on the conversation. When the halfling passes out Atlas lets slip a small chuckle and collects his mug and plate to follow the rest upstairs.
While awaiting the end of the halflings drunken slumber Atlas will spend the time double checking his gear for the upcoming mission. At Elias' suggestion, Atlas slips downstairs and awaits the rest of the group. Atlas thinks about the plan and may have an idea. He searches his mind for what he knows about familiars... [ARCANA: 12]
Well then, looks like we're all here. Shall we? once the party exits the inn Elias will reach out and make contact with Percy, asking him to position himself at the bath house and to let me when he sees someone coming or going from the building,
Percy is moving towards the bath house and will let me know when anyone comes and go's. I'll follow your leads, I have no practical experience with this kind of "mission" and was never any good at hide and seek the the Lady's grandkids.
Rather by choice or subconsciously, Elias with position himself close to Khessa as the make their way. Doubts and fears roaming around in his head, and just when he thinks he's got those locked away in the corner of his mind he looks up at Khessa. Even this far into the city the sea air blows through the streets, whipping her long blonde locks with just enough energy to make her appear as she's flying through the streets not just walking, my celestial guardian. He looks at the others, brother Ray, the silver tongued dragon born who Elias is sure that, despite his unwavering devotion, could easily talk his way into whatever hereafter his faith has for him. Atlas, the quite silent type that always come through when you need him too, he could be the hero of a thousand tales, or the breaker of a thousand hearts if he put his mind to it. Lastly Rosebud, what a quirky little woman, appears to have no fear and a heart as big as a ship, but for some reason keeps it all hidden under a gruff exterior. I wonder what demons she's really trying to bury in that garden.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(ATLAS will have common knowledge about Familiars. They are summoned by a magic spell. They are spirit creatures from the Outer Planes that can take on the form of an animal at the spellcaster's choosing. They will return to the Outer Planes if killed or released.)
Atlas will ask Elias, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but familiars are actually spirits that take the form of the animal the caster chooses, correct? If that's the case, could you by chance change Percy's form to saaaay... a rat? If that were possible, maybe we could send Percy into the secret door first as a scout? How do you and Percy share information with one another?"
Rosebud leaves Burra at the tavern since this seems to be a bit of a clandestine mission, even if no one is actively being stealthy as they move through the streets. As for herself, she stays quiet and in the shadows, as is her custom at this hour - if she is not going to be in a tavern with a drink or in a glade near a tree, which are the only proper activities at this hour, she is sure going to be elusive. She does mutters to herself while knocking her head with the staff, "Toil and trouble, why do we have to be going near the Bathhouse. Knew I should have asked for more details. Ehh, the cast is died, or is it the die is cast, whatever, bring it on."
Atlas you are indeed correct, you sir are a book of many pages. And yes, I could dismiss Percy and summon a rat, it would probably be more beneficial once...the young mage gasps and almost to his knees, reaching he grabs at Khessa's arm to steady himself. Something's wrong, I can't feel Percy. Something's happened to him. perception roll 18+4=22
ELIAS briefly sees a diminutive red-skinned humanoid with a barbed tail, small horns, and leathery wings. It suddenly appears flying by the Owl. It stings Percy sending the Owl back to the Celestial Plane it came from.
Elias, a tear flowing down his face, a small creature, red skinned, barbed tail and leathery wings, it or stung Percy with it's tail, it killed him...I I could feel it.
"Red skin, barbed tail, and leathery wings?" Atlas tries to search his mind for anything that he may have come across, read about, or even heard whispers of.
Khessa places a hand on the young wizard's, trying to comfort him: "Come on, Elias... Even if the cultists are murderers, they didn't 'kill' Percy... He is a celestial spirit, he can't 'die'... If they killed his material form, his essence simply returned to the Upper Plane from which you initially summoned him... but he lives. By repeating the ritual, you could probably summon him again. I remember some of the things you explained to me, during our lessons..." she smiles.
Immediately after, however, the blonde arcane warrior focuses on the description of the 'killer' (helped by the fact that Atlas repeats it aloud): "It could be a small demon or devil... Perhaps an evil cultist could have such a creature as familiar? We should be careful... if that creature notices us and becomes suspicious, it can alert its master..."
"Atlas, do you think you could be able to watch our backs while remaining hidden?" the tall adventuress tries to work out a counter move "If that fiend is diminutive, no matter how fiendish it is, it shouldn't be exceptionally tough... If you can spot it - either while it's spying on us or while it's wandering around for other purposes - and surprise it, you might be able to take it out with the first shot. About the same thing it did to Percy - only with the roles reversed. And even if you don't take it down with the first shot, after we see where it is (by looking at where you aimed), we might try to finish it off. What do you say? Then we might try to locate and ambush it's master by ourselves..."
Khessa smiles sweetly at Rosebud, when she talks about 'helping the people of this town': "What you say does you great honor, my friend. Here, take this! I appoint you a member of the Flaming Fist" she hands her the badge that had been Tazzavur's. "So if during the course of the 'operations' you need to exercise authority, you will be able to do so. Ogf course, since we are going incongnito, keep it hidden, for now".
In truth, the blonde arcane warrior is aware that she is not authorized to appoint new members of the Flaming Fist at all... but considering the situation she believes both that Captain Zodge would not be too opposed (considering the summary way in which he recruited all of them), and that in any case the badge, if presented with conviction, in case of need could make anyone believe that Rosebud is a member of the Flaming Fist in all respects, granting her perhaps enough authority to get her some collaboration, within Baldur's Gate, when necessary.
The tall adventuress has no objection to all getting together and 'reviewing the strategy options'. Plus, the plan should be explained to the brave halfling, who seems willing to join them despite the prospect of having to face skilled and ruthless killers... "Captain Zodge, an officer of the Flaming Fist, has given us the task of eradicating a band of Dead Three cultists - cultists who commit brutal murders at night, perhaps in honor of their dead evil deities, perhaps out of personal inclination. Either way, the common folk will be much better off without them. We have discovered the location of the gang's lair - it is accessed through a secret door near the Bath House. But we have also received word that these cultists are probably very dangerous - so we have thought of a strategy to ensure as many advantages as possible".
"Elias has a familiar, Percy - an owl that is not actually a common animal, but an intelligent and trusted servant" Khessa continues. "It's night now, the cultists will soon come out of their base to commit their crimes. We want to use Percy to spy on the cultists, choose one and, seeing where he goes and what he does, ambush him at the first available opportunity, so as to face him all against one - and taking him by surprise, if possible. In this way, we should be able to easily overwhelm him".
"Once we kill this first cultist," the blonde arcane warrior recaps "I will assume his appearance, thanks to an illusion spell. With his appearance, I will return to their base, leading you all as well. So, when we enter their base, if any cultists see us, they will also see that one of them (me) is leading the group. If someone asks me who you are, I will explain that I led you to the base because you want to join the gang. This way, the cultists we meet in the base, at least initially, should not have suspicions and we should be able to isolate them, face them one or a few at a time, always with the advantage of surprise..."
"...And, hopefully, those ruthless assassins will soon be just history" the tall adventuress concludes, seeking the gaze, one by one, of each of her companions in adventure with her blue eyes.
The young wizard watches as Khessa shifts in to "command" mode, amazed at that the warrior standing before is the same soft hearted woman that giggles and jokes as they study together. He recalls master Orbos once telling him that ancient arcane glyphs where sometimes easier to comprehend than a woman, he chuckles inwardly to himself.
and that's it in a nutshell. Shall we met down stairs in 15? Might I also suggest we just carry what we need, we can lock our backpacks and mundane items here in the room. I'll keep the room key on a chain around my neck, just in case I don't make it back. Atlas, along with my signet ring, master Orbos package is in my pack and remember, smiling at the man, after I'm dead.
With a gesture of his hand he summons the magical quill again, the mage hand bringing his spell book to his other hand. He dismisses the mage hand with a thought, then weaving the quill in the air and touching his robes, the color of his outfit changes to black and dark gray. see you all down stairs.
As we head out I'd like to stop by the bar and ask for 10 or so one inch cubes of cheese.
"Ten cubes of cheese. OK. We can do that." Alan heads to the kitchen. And few moments later emerges with ten cubes of cheese on a wooden plate. "That'll be a silver piece."
"Downstairs in 15 is fine by me!" Khessa smiles - but when Elias mentions his possible demise her smile quickly fades.
As the young wizard walks past her, the blonde arcane warrior whispers to him: "Elias, I've already lost too many people I loved... You... do your best to stay safe, okay? Else..." she winks, forcing herself to joke to exorcise a prospect that she absolutely does not want to think about "...I'll invent a new spell just to bind your dead spirit and force it to collect owlbear's quills for me for all eternity! Understood?"
And, more determined than ever to ensure that the only victims will be Dead Three cultists, the tall adventuress is present, ready to move, at the agreed time.
Thank you, these should come in handy. pays the man, stowing the cheese with the other rations I have I make my to the rest of my mates.
The plan sounds fine so long as no unexpected people pop up in the wrong place at the wrong time. And killing some cultists and assassins sounds better than getting yelled at about the unsuccessful garden. Cities are like gardens - sometimes you have to remove a few plants for other plants to thrive.
Speaking of which, it’s been almost two full days since she last visited the garden…. hmmm, she could let some folks know that she will be busy with this adventure for a bit so they plants would have to chill for a bit, but how would she explain the escapade? Her friends would understand her waking up after an extended bender in a strange place, but would laugh if she said she agreed to help folks assassinate assassins. They would have been rolling on the ground if they heard her say nice things about the inhabitants of Baldur’s Gate given that her previously and frequently voiced opinion generally used more curses than actual words And for certain her client would be even more grumpy and might actually follow up on one of the many threats about her performance.
Ehh, to seven hells with it, she decides to ignore the garden and the client and also not tell her friends what she is up to. Who knows, perhaps the garden will improve in her absence. And maybe she will come back with enough coin to improve her situation and buy a round or two for her friends as she tells about the adventure. Or maybe she will get enough to move out of Baldur’s Gate and go somewhere else - a girl can dream.
She is therefore downstairs on time and in position, giving Burra a carrot. Her right hand is petting the beast of burden on one of its shoulders and the left holds a quarter stick. On the donkey are two grubby packs - one with dirt and the other with small sticks - and a straw hat that has collection of flowers on it, including a spring of mistletoe. She gives a broad smile and hello to her fellow conspirators.
Brother Ray is siting at his customary spot at the bar 'people watching' and asking Alan all sorts of questions.
As the the remainder of the team is coming down stairs Ray is theologising with Alan, "So Alan if I hear you right, if Bane and Bhaal joined forces they could take out Bahamut..... interesting?", some of the other regular patrons have also joined in and asks Ray and Alan, "But if Cyric was behind Bhaal and Bane manipulating the two to do his bidding wouldn't Bahamut be able to figure that out an call on support... say like from Helm or something like that", Ray has suddenly become the resident theologian, "My my" he says to his budding theological enthusiasts as he notices his friends coming down the stairs.
"Oh, umm, look... I am going to have to come back to you all, such good insightful reflections, very impressive and I need to do justice to your questions, but I must also obey a higher calling and see that my friends are well, you know I'm their cleric don't you?, and those around him nod with completely understanding and appreciation that Brother Ray has listened to them.
As he moves away he heads towards the company with enthusiasm.
"What next High Cleric of the Tavern?!" he says to himself!
After Atlas has had his fill of the tables he will head down to the bar, "Alan, my good friend, how's about a stout and a small plate of those fish cakes. Please and thank you." He will place the payment on the bar as he takes notice of the smelly halfling drinking and talking with members of his party, as well as the absence of Taz. Atlas thinks to himself,"Have we lost one already? These guys work quickly." He then sits at the bar with his snack and just listens in on the conversation. When the halfling passes out Atlas lets slip a small chuckle and collects his mug and plate to follow the rest upstairs.
While awaiting the end of the halflings drunken slumber Atlas will spend the time double checking his gear for the upcoming mission. At Elias' suggestion, Atlas slips downstairs and awaits the rest of the group. Atlas thinks about the plan and may have an idea. He searches his mind for what he knows about familiars... [ARCANA: 12]
Well then, looks like we're all here. Shall we? once the party exits the inn Elias will reach out and make contact with Percy, asking him to position himself at the bath house and to let me when he sees someone coming or going from the building,
Percy is moving towards the bath house and will let me know when anyone comes and go's. I'll follow your leads, I have no practical experience with this kind of "mission" and was never any good at hide and seek the the Lady's grandkids.
Rather by choice or subconsciously, Elias with position himself close to Khessa as the make their way. Doubts and fears roaming around in his head, and just when he thinks he's got those locked away in the corner of his mind he looks up at Khessa. Even this far into the city the sea air blows through the streets, whipping her long blonde locks with just enough energy to make her appear as she's flying through the streets not just walking, my celestial guardian. He looks at the others, brother Ray, the silver tongued dragon born who Elias is sure that, despite his unwavering devotion, could easily talk his way into whatever hereafter his faith has for him. Atlas, the quite silent type that always come through when you need him too, he could be the hero of a thousand tales, or the breaker of a thousand hearts if he put his mind to it. Lastly Rosebud, what a quirky little woman, appears to have no fear and a heart as big as a ship, but for some reason keeps it all hidden under a gruff exterior. I wonder what demons she's really trying to bury in that garden.
(ATLAS will have common knowledge about Familiars. They are summoned by a magic spell. They are spirit creatures from the Outer Planes that can take on the form of an animal at the spellcaster's choosing. They will return to the Outer Planes if killed or released.)
DM Nefarious Roll 18
Not long after Percy flies over to search out the Bathhouse, the Familiar is gone. ELIAS will all of a sudden lose contact with his Familiar.
(I will give ELIAS a 20 Perception check with the outside chance that Percy may have detected something during the event.)
Atlas will ask Elias, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but familiars are actually spirits that take the form of the animal the caster chooses, correct? If that's the case, could you by chance change Percy's form to saaaay... a rat? If that were possible, maybe we could send Percy into the secret door first as a scout? How do you and Percy share information with one another?"
Rosebud leaves Burra at the tavern since this seems to be a bit of a clandestine mission, even if no one is actively being stealthy as they move through the streets. As for herself, she stays quiet and in the shadows, as is her custom at this hour - if she is not going to be in a tavern with a drink or in a glade near a tree, which are the only proper activities at this hour, she is sure going to be elusive. She does mutters to herself while knocking her head with the staff, "Toil and trouble, why do we have to be going near the Bathhouse. Knew I should have asked for more details. Ehh, the cast is died, or is it the die is cast, whatever, bring it on."
Atlas you are indeed correct, you sir are a book of many pages. And yes, I could dismiss Percy and summon a rat, it would probably be more beneficial once...the young mage gasps and almost to his knees, reaching he grabs at Khessa's arm to steady himself. Something's wrong, I can't feel Percy. Something's happened to him. perception roll 18+4=22
ELIAS briefly sees a diminutive red-skinned humanoid with a barbed tail, small horns, and leathery wings. It suddenly appears flying by the Owl. It stings Percy sending the Owl back to the Celestial Plane it came from.
Elias, a tear flowing down his face, a small creature, red skinned, barbed tail and leathery wings, it or stung Percy with it's tail, it killed him...I I could feel it.
"Red skin, barbed tail, and leathery wings?" Atlas tries to search his mind for anything that he may have come across, read about, or even heard whispers of.
[Would I roll History or Arcana?]
Khessa places a hand on the young wizard's, trying to comfort him: "Come on, Elias... Even if the cultists are murderers, they didn't 'kill' Percy... He is a celestial spirit, he can't 'die'... If they killed his material form, his essence simply returned to the Upper Plane from which you initially summoned him... but he lives. By repeating the ritual, you could probably summon him again. I remember some of the things you explained to me, during our lessons..." she smiles.
Immediately after, however, the blonde arcane warrior focuses on the description of the 'killer' (helped by the fact that Atlas repeats it aloud): "It could be a small demon or devil... Perhaps an evil cultist could have such a creature as familiar? We should be careful... if that creature notices us and becomes suspicious, it can alert its master..."
"Atlas, do you think you could be able to watch our backs while remaining hidden?" the tall adventuress tries to work out a counter move "If that fiend is diminutive, no matter how fiendish it is, it shouldn't be exceptionally tough... If you can spot it - either while it's spying on us or while it's wandering around for other purposes - and surprise it, you might be able to take it out with the first shot. About the same thing it did to Percy - only with the roles reversed. And even if you don't take it down with the first shot, after we see where it is (by looking at where you aimed), we might try to finish it off. What do you say? Then we might try to locate and ambush it's master by ourselves..."
(Arcana check may be able to identify what attacked Percy.)