“So we’d have to trick him into granting us our request, then survive his attempts at harming us? I like that idea. But how would we do it...” Jack thinks for a moment. “We can’t rush it. What if we separate? Each come by, asking for shelter for our group. If we had disguises that would work well, but I don’t think we’re getting that anytime in here. Or, we could try and convince him to let us in on the first request, so we don’t have to come repeatedly. We could say something like we’re-“ Jacks tone sours “- working to give out blessing from Deities or something. Or-“ His tone is up and bright once again “we could try to offer him something, such as a ballad or gifts. What do ye guys think?”

Clarion: "If you direct the conversation, I think you can keep Rufus distracted.

"His ego is massive, but his deformities make him feel inferior. Cautious, but underestimates those he considers inferior. Paranoid, but desiring praise. Cunning, not stupid, but he can get tunnel-vision when his greedy desires are aroused. (Much of that is based on tales of Formorians in general, but from what I had seen, he fits the mold.)

"If you want disguises, I will need a little time and what you had in mind, but I can get you what you need. They would be physical, so don't expect to change sizes or have wings that fly."

Trimyrai: (to Clarion) "Does he have to talk for this request thing to work? because someone could distract him and another could just ask three times."

Reverie watches Jack for a moment while so many of questions arises in her mind. Whenever he mentions about the deities, she finds out his voice or expressions are different from usual. Anyhow, it is not needed for her to ask him a question right now. Clarion's friends need to be free from that Fomorian's contract. "Your ideas are always fascinating, Jack. Maybe I can mention about blessing from Eldath to Rufus. Hopefully, it would give him some distraction. However, I am wondering if Rufus would accept that kind of words from me as a paladin," Reverie hums, "I think praising him highly would cause his greedy aspect and that might make us to be easier to convince him to break that vow."

Quote from EmperorKarino >>

Trimyrai: (to Clarion) "Does he have to talk for this request thing to work? because someone could distract him and another could just ask three times."

"No shortcuts. You ask him three times in a row, he can have everyone attack you right away. The request for hospitality has to be honest and earnest, and not seem like a trick to attack him. (Well... that is what is happening in a big-picture way, but that is betting on Rufus not being honest and earnest in the long term.)

"You have to give him a chance to turn you down, twice. The requests have to be far enough apart, and in slightly different wording, to be considered new requests, and not the same request repeated over and over, like a small child on a long trip."

"Ah, he is cunning in that way I see..." Reverie hums, thinking deeply about it for a moment. "Maybe we could disguise ourselves as the traders or the caravan of entertainment? Maybe Jack could convince him with his performance." She looks at Jack with a sheepish smile. "It is just an idea, Jack. If you do not want that, I am fully respect on your decision." A pause, then she takes a deep breathe before she exhales as she speaks. "What would happen if we do not able to succeed in this plan, Miss Clarion?"

"I don't know. I don't see another way of keeping my people from being the front line fodder in a fight with the Fomorian. This is all I can think of at the moment. If you have better ideas, I'd be glad to follow them."

Quote from Elliethedream >>

"Ah, he is cunning in that way I see..." Reverie hums, thinking deeply about it for a moment. "Maybe we could disguise ourselves as the traders or the caravan of entertainment? Maybe Jack could convince him with his performance." She looks at Jack with a sheepish smile. "It is just an idea, Jack. If you do not want that, I am fully respect on your decision." A pause, then she takes a deep breathe before she exhales as she speaks. "What would happen if we do not able to succeed in this plan, Miss Clarion?"

 Trimyrai: (to the party) "A performance, thats a good idea. i've done some trick shots and entertainment in my travels. Are we confident enough that all of us could give a performance of some sort?"

Froskan doesn't look entirely confident.  "Maybe," he says.  "perhaps something with illusions from me?"

(I have a +4 performance score, which isn't bad.  Something with minor illusion/silent image/presto maybe?)

Isk listens to the pixie talks and asks, "Is there a length of time between requests that can't be exceeded?  For example, could we show up and ask for hospitality, claiming we are tired travelers, and then do the same the next day?  Perhaps saying we have been injured in the previous evening, thus making the request different?"

Clarion: "The next day? This isn't a rational villager you are approaching, but a crazed tyrant. He could decide to order you all executed the moment he sees you, as thieves and spies. He doesn't trust, because he thinks that others would do exactly as he would do. Trying to leave would surely trigger the same reaction.

"Be appealing to his greed, his vanity, or his curiosity, you could keep him distracted. Make him delay the decision to kill you. Talking about other topics, make him forget that he has already turned down your previous requests for hospitality... I don't know how long that is, but trying to rush through the discussion will remind him and make him suspicious. That's why I suggested the requests had to be honest and earnest, as if it was a natural thing to ask (and not part of a larger scheme)."

Clarion: "Did you decide on a plan? You were talking about approaching him, but how did you want to be dressed/disguised? Entertainers? Peaceful pilgrims? Salespeople/opportunists making him an offer of a bigger business deal?"

Reverie looks at Clarion for a moment until she hears Trimyrai's agreement on her idea. With a smile. "Maybe we can do entertainer? I mean... I can be a guardian of the entertainers..." A pause. "... Peaceful pilgrims... That sounds great for me as well, but I do not know if there is a way of triggering his greeds as the peaceful pilgrims."

Trimyrai: (to the party) "I think entertainers is our best bet. But... if we are trying to trigger his greed, we could be a group of treasure hunters following a legend or a map or something. And our path just happens to go through the village."

"If you want entertainers, I will obtain proper costumes for the 5 of you. Flashy fashions, even by Fey standards. You'll look great." (By your standards, you think Fey costumes are closer to clown outfits than high fashion, but you keep that opinion to yourselves.)

"If you decide on treasure hunters... You noticed the cave further downstream, where we get the ingredients for our village jewelry. We get a mix of crystals and gems from the earth, and unusual materials from the creatures that dwell within. You can also see the barrier that was made at the entrance. That is to keep those creatures from heading to our village. Some time ago, we dug a passageway that unleashed a creature from the Shadow, that is baneful beyond what we could handle: one of the Sorrowsworn. Our trips into the caves are less frequent and more perilous since that monster is roaming the darkness.

"If you decide a map (which we'll have to work together to get something that will pass as accurate), you could claim it is part of those caves. If you decide a legend, you could say that you've heard tales of the riches guarded by this monster."

When you visited the Shadowfell, you were attacked by The Lost, which was in front of the army of Skulks. You describe it to Clarion, and ask if it is the same monster. The monster in the cave is a different type of Sorrowsworn (powerful manifestations of dark emotions), and much more violent.

(OOC: Harder to check how the players are doing over the Internet, instead of around a table...

• People busy in real life, and would like a little more time?
• Stuck, and wanted clues or some OOC questions answered?
• Everyone waiting, to give the rest of the party a chance to respond? (In which case, if everyone is okay, I just need someone to take that step forward.)
• Conversation with a Fomorian not your thing, and you'd like something else?

I am trying to mix things up game wise, so it isn't always combat. But if the current situation isn't your cup of tea, I can speed it up to get to something you do prefer. While I do have particular game ideas I'm more comfortable with, I am happy to try different situations if you suggest it.)

(OOC: i'm for the entertainers idea. but i'm open to other ideas if the party prefers something else)

(OOC: Oof, I am so sorry for being inactive for awhile! ;-; I am actually for the entertainers idea; however, thinking which would make the fomorian's greedy aspect arise, the treasure hunting sounds great to me also... It's so hard to decide for me! But I am very open to other ideas as well! c:)

Quote from Elliethedream >>

(OOC: Oof, I am so sorry for being inactive for awhile! ;-; I am actually for the entertainers idea; however, thinking which would make the fomorian's greedy aspect arise, the treasure hunting sounds great to me also... It's so hard to decide for me! But I am very open to other ideas as well! c:)

(OOC: I watch too many shows about crime capers. You may want to do both!

Rufus is suspicious of strangers. If he is able to see through your deception about entertainers, and "force" you to talk about your "true motive" as treasure hunters, that will feed his ego. Rufus will be so pleased about seeing through the obvious lie, he will let down his guard when you present the second lie. By outwitting your group, he will underestimate you.)

(I'm fine with the entertainers option)