Sullivan shrugs with a smile, “Your decision. As was with every person that rides along Him. Speak the truth to the council, and I will welcome you with open hands. Most people deserve second chances”, he doesn’t whisper this, but speaks it quietly enough, so that Lady Sandra can’t hear him.
As the party react to the interaction that Sandra has with the witness they become aware of someone lingering near the group, his attention obviously on Sandra but positioned so as to be obscured from her view but clearly intent on listening to anything that is discussed. During a pause, he sidles a little closer to Aleister and whilst still looking toward Sandra and the other leadres speaks softly "Expect some surprises in the vote, Sandra has at least one of the senators in her pocket...who knows how many other she has her hooks into..:". Aleister (and any others who overhear) get the distinct impression that the young man behind them is no friend of the PPA, and the way he hisses Sandra's name it is obvious that it may well be a personal matter. He continues to observe the proceedings, intent to see whether the PPA has managed to insinuate itself amongst Corvallis's leaders, using the group as much as a barrier to obscure him from any PPA attention as well as intent on hearing what they have to say.
Should the party take an interest, they see a young half-japanese man dressed in loose fitting hooded top with cutoff sleeves, baggy loose pants designed for ease of movement and calf high boots (much like this https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/812899801479639013/). When he moves, it is with lithe efficiency and you get the impression that he is always poised, ready to react, hyperaware of his surroundings. A form fitting backpack is slung over his shoulders, as is a shortbow, with what looks like a bladed half-staff secured across his back.
OOC: Hi all - Les has invited me to join the campaign - hope to have some fun with the group if it all works out and you accept Conor into the fold.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Bubbles the Barbarian" (Locathah - Lvl 9) - Locathah Rising; Shai'ere Delatete (Githyanki Monk - Lvl 9) Rrakkma (deceased - MindFlayer); Saros Rockfoot (Deep Gnome Diviner - Lvl 5) - The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above; Tagret (Goliath Barbarian - Lvl 2) - Tales of Faerun;
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Hmphhh...you think she's dumb enough to implicate herself like that or leave anything to chance.....I just got lucky and overhead her and one of those senators talking....she only intimated that there might be a favourable tariff deal for his company if the vote went the PPA's way....the whole system's corrupt, you know what they say...absolute power corrupts absolutely. If you want that witness to talk then best see if she has his family hostage and see if something can be done to fix that"
OOC: Did Conor or the others see where the wife and kids were herded off to, and given that, could they make a guess on where they might be 'holding' the family.
Perception25 - if needed...or 17 if should be an Investigation check
Fire bolt- Shoot a streaking ball of fire towards a foe and deal a measly 1d10 fire damage. Use eldritch blast instead.
Fireball - Drawing magic from your inner reserves, you unleash a devastating nuke that explodes in a circle, hitting multiple enemies, and burning them to a crisp with a godly amount of 8d6 fire damage. Make your DM’s fights look like garbage. It’s also a nice way of TPK your entire party and have them triggered at you for the rest of the week.
“Seems I’m not the only newcomer today. Hello friend, my name is Zachary. Don’t get on my bad side.” For that last sentence, he seems to drop his cheerful smile and happy voice, and his voice goes deeper. Then he smiles again and begins to play on his flute.
After the family members are taken back to their holding house, and Gamliel reports the location, Thomas quietly tells his party, one by one, where they're being held. "Think we could rescue them and turn the leverage around to our side? They were pretty damn tough before, when they tried to kill him. You should tell him that they obviously are desperate, by threatening his family so overtly, and that his life is forfeit, even if he doesn't testify the truth, and not by our side. They can't afford to allow him to live."
Thomas rolls his eyes as these new strangers show up, annoyed beyond words at unvetted people suddenly appearing in a sensitive negotiation and getting involved, casting spells and generally disrupting the event. Hands on his swords, his large frame dressed very casually, he warily watches these unknowns.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“Can you tell me the difference between a witch and a wizard?" "Sure, a wizard is what they call you when they want to hire you, and a witch is what they call you when they're getting ready to run you out of town.” SunWolf replied ― Barbara Hambly, The Witches of Wenshar
"We got rolled over because it was a smash and grab. They didn't have to hold their ground and I doubt they cared about losses. Reverse the position and I think we have a chance," Sarah points out quietly. "That guy knows he's dying from the burns. If he can spit in the eye of the PPA before he goes, I think he would... provided those he loves are in the clear. The problem is that it would look like an 'unprovoked' attack and kidnapping. We need an excuse to get in there or plausible deniability."
You seem to leaning toward a rescue mission. The diplomatic talks will drag on for days (The Paris Peace talks to end the Vietnam war lasted 5 years) and you aren't needed here. Your new friend Conor also notices that one of Lady Sandra's ladies-in-waiting is actually Tiphaine d'Ath, "You don't want to face her, she's Sandra's chief assassin. If you want to try and rescue the knight's family it could be a good time to try. If Tiph is here she's not there."
DM Note: She is the 11th+ level rogue that Thomas was horrified to learn was part of the PPA contingent.
“I was busy with the archers last time, so I think we indeed do have a far better chance this time”, Sullivan speaks, “Maybe one of us can get attacked near where they are holding our target. We could provoke them. That way it would seem much more like a retaliation, rather than what Sarah mentioned. Another way would be that one us pretend to get hurt by someone of PPA there, and others would come to ‘rescue’. That is kinda plausible deniability, but not really. “
“How can I help? I am good at getting in and out of places, and a master of deception.”
Zachary thinks for a minute and says, “In fact, I could deceive the PPA into thinking I am an ally, feed them false info, and give you the info they tell me.”
"There is more than one kind of coin. Would a safe harbor in Yachats be worth it? Freelancing across fallen Oregon is all fine and good until you realize there's nothing to come home to. Or anyone to back you up," Sarah replies pointedly. "That said, the Lady Sandra is the politically adroit type. She'd smell deception a mile away. It might be less risky to wait for the assassin to be absent before arranging a rescue. We'd appreciate your assistance, Zachary, Connor."
He gets a bemused look "Krampus?"
You are in the Senate Building in Corvallis. They understand familiars so they don't get to wander around unattended.
Sullivan shrugs with a smile, “Your decision. As was with every person that rides along Him. Speak the truth to the council, and I will welcome you with open hands. Most people deserve second chances”, he doesn’t whisper this, but speaks it quietly enough, so that Lady Sandra can’t hear him.
OCC All the aforesaid given I still think that, at the very least, we would be asking him question before ‘giving’ him back.
Panic is a mechanism that strengthens the gene pool.
That makes some sense. You have your own people who can do Zone of Truth?
Zachary. One of the advantages of all spells being rituals is that if at first you don't succeed, try try again.
As the party react to the interaction that Sandra has with the witness they become aware of someone lingering near the group, his attention obviously on Sandra but positioned so as to be obscured from her view but clearly intent on listening to anything that is discussed. During a pause, he sidles a little closer to Aleister and whilst still looking toward Sandra and the other leadres speaks softly "Expect some surprises in the vote, Sandra has at least one of the senators in her pocket...who knows how many other she has her hooks into..:". Aleister (and any others who overhear) get the distinct impression that the young man behind them is no friend of the PPA, and the way he hisses Sandra's name it is obvious that it may well be a personal matter. He continues to observe the proceedings, intent to see whether the PPA has managed to insinuate itself amongst Corvallis's leaders, using the group as much as a barrier to obscure him from any PPA attention as well as intent on hearing what they have to say.
Should the party take an interest, they see a young half-japanese man dressed in loose fitting hooded top with cutoff sleeves, baggy loose pants designed for ease of movement and calf high boots (much like this https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/812899801479639013/). When he moves, it is with lithe efficiency and you get the impression that he is always poised, ready to react, hyperaware of his surroundings. A form fitting backpack is slung over his shoulders, as is a shortbow, with what looks like a bladed half-staff secured across his back.
OOC: Hi all - Les has invited me to join the campaign - hope to have some fun with the group if it all works out and you accept Conor into the fold.
"Bubbles the Barbarian" (Locathah - Lvl 9) - Locathah Rising; Shai'ere Delatete (Githyanki Monk - Lvl 9) Rrakkma (deceased - MindFlayer); Saros Rockfoot (Deep Gnome Diviner - Lvl 5) - The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above; Tagret (Goliath Barbarian - Lvl 2) - Tales of Faerun;
"Any way we can reveal this?" Sarah whispers back to the newcomer. "She already made a point of parading our prisoner's family past him."
"Hmphhh...you think she's dumb enough to implicate herself like that or leave anything to chance.....I just got lucky and overhead her and one of those senators talking....she only intimated that there might be a favourable tariff deal for his company if the vote went the PPA's way....the whole system's corrupt, you know what they say...absolute power corrupts absolutely. If you want that witness to talk then best see if she has his family hostage and see if something can be done to fix that"
OOC: Did Conor or the others see where the wife and kids were herded off to, and given that, could they make a guess on where they might be 'holding' the family.
Perception 25 - if needed...or 17 if should be an Investigation check
"Bubbles the Barbarian" (Locathah - Lvl 9) - Locathah Rising; Shai'ere Delatete (Githyanki Monk - Lvl 9) Rrakkma (deceased - MindFlayer); Saros Rockfoot (Deep Gnome Diviner - Lvl 5) - The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above; Tagret (Goliath Barbarian - Lvl 2) - Tales of Faerun;
“Hmm.. Two strangers in the span of a day. Zachary, and half-Japanese man. Today just keeps on getting weirder and more weirder.”
Blaize looks at the two newcomers with an itching suspicion.
OOC: Trying to roleplay by not saying Conor :p
“Seems I’m not the only newcomer today. Hello friend, my name is Zachary. Don’t get on my bad side.” For that last sentence, he seems to drop his cheerful smile and happy voice, and his voice goes deeper. Then he smiles again and begins to play on his flute.
After the family members are taken back to their holding house, and Gamliel reports the location, Thomas quietly tells his party, one by one, where they're being held. "Think we could rescue them and turn the leverage around to our side? They were pretty damn tough before, when they tried to kill him. You should tell him that they obviously are desperate, by threatening his family so overtly, and that his life is forfeit, even if he doesn't testify the truth, and not by our side. They can't afford to allow him to live."
Thomas rolls his eyes as these new strangers show up, annoyed beyond words at unvetted people suddenly appearing in a sensitive negotiation and getting involved, casting spells and generally disrupting the event. Hands on his swords, his large frame dressed very casually, he warily watches these unknowns.
“Can you tell me the difference between a witch and a wizard?"
"Sure, a wizard is what they call you when they want to hire you, and a witch is what they call you when they're getting ready to run you out of town.” SunWolf replied
― Barbara Hambly, The Witches of Wenshar
"We got rolled over because it was a smash and grab. They didn't have to hold their ground and I doubt they cared about losses. Reverse the position and I think we have a chance," Sarah points out quietly. "That guy knows he's dying from the burns. If he can spit in the eye of the PPA before he goes, I think he would... provided those he loves are in the clear. The problem is that it would look like an 'unprovoked' attack and kidnapping. We need an excuse to get in there or plausible deniability."
You seem to leaning toward a rescue mission. The diplomatic talks will drag on for days (The Paris Peace talks to end the Vietnam war lasted 5 years) and you aren't needed here. Your new friend Conor also notices that one of Lady Sandra's ladies-in-waiting is actually Tiphaine d'Ath, "You don't want to face her, she's Sandra's chief assassin. If you want to try and rescue the knight's family it could be a good time to try. If Tiph is here she's not there."
DM Note: She is the 11th+ level rogue that Thomas was horrified to learn was part of the PPA contingent.
“I was busy with the archers last time, so I think we indeed do have a far better chance this time”, Sullivan speaks, “Maybe one of us can get attacked near where they are holding our target. We could provoke them. That way it would seem much more like a retaliation, rather than what Sarah mentioned. Another way would be that one us pretend to get hurt by someone of PPA there, and others would come to ‘rescue’. That is kinda plausible deniability, but not really. “
“How can I help? I am good at getting in and out of places, and a master of deception.”
Zachary thinks for a minute and says, “In fact, I could deceive the PPA into thinking I am an ally, feed them false info, and give you the info they tell me.”
“Of course, I don’t just break into organizations for free. I would require pay to do something like that.”
"There is more than one kind of coin. Would a safe harbor in Yachats be worth it? Freelancing across fallen Oregon is all fine and good until you realize there's nothing to come home to. Or anyone to back you up," Sarah replies pointedly. "That said, the Lady Sandra is the politically adroit type. She'd smell deception a mile away. It might be less risky to wait for the assassin to be absent before arranging a rescue. We'd appreciate your assistance, Zachary, Connor."
“Risk is my middle name ma’am, and even if she finds me out, which she won’t, I don’t have much to live for.”
“And besides, I’ve spent the last 7 and a half years playing people that have something I want. And the PPA, they have what I want most of all.”