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In Flen
Oct 19, 2006 8:54:57 GMT -5
Post by venger on Oct 19, 2006 8:54:57 GMT -5
So, about that Thieves Guild... A frontal assault? Do we set up a rival guild and let them come to us bit by bit? Do we tell ourselves that we'll be stealthy, inevitably fail, and end up doing a frontal assault anyway? Does this Stalman Klim know that you weren't all slain by his highly paid and skilled assassins? Could you possibly impersonate those assassins credibly enough to gain audience with Klim? And then subdue him for interrogation... Maybe that is overly complicated.
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In Flen
Oct 19, 2006 9:39:28 GMT -5
Post by Ginger on Oct 19, 2006 9:39:28 GMT -5
I think that it's been over a year since the assassins tried to kill us. One of them we captured and freed after he took us to his hideout. Other than that, we make no effort to have a low profile, and frequently make quite a splash whereever we go. I mean, I'm sure that the story about an evil hand pulping the face of the High Priest of Pelor travels fast.
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In Flen
Oct 19, 2006 9:43:09 GMT -5
Post by Ginger on Oct 19, 2006 9:43:09 GMT -5
See weeks 73, 74, and 75 for more.
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In Flen
Oct 19, 2006 10:03:23 GMT -5
Post by Dell on Oct 19, 2006 10:03:23 GMT -5
Does this Stalman Klim know that you weren't all slain by his highly paid and skilled assassins? Could you possibly impersonate those assassins credibly enough to gain audience with Klim? And then subdue him for interrogation... The Company of the Blue Sun is not known for its subtlety. News of our survival probably reached him rather quickly. Not to mention that one of the assassins - thanks to Otto's foolishness - is still alive. I'm thinking a two-pronged assault might be best for this mission. A team from the roof down, B team from the bottom up. I'd like to do it during the day, so that the beggars and pickpockets and stuff aren't all crawling around the place - it'll make things a touch easier. Plus, I'll need them when I take over the place.
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In Flen
Oct 19, 2006 12:44:28 GMT -5
Post by Ginger on Oct 19, 2006 12:44:28 GMT -5
When Dell writes "foolishness", it should be read as "goodness." I considered a two-pronged assault, but without Cedrus it might not work. I'd imagine that the PCs would go in from the roof while Al, Diego and Oaklock would hold the ground floor and hopefully locate and block any underground escape routes. Just the three of them might not have enough "oomph." Speaking of underground escape routes, do we want to check the sewers? I'm sure there are underground entrances.
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In Flen
Oct 19, 2006 13:14:06 GMT -5
Post by venger on Oct 19, 2006 13:14:06 GMT -5
Dell takes this opportunity to search out and visit the Roost, home of the Black Lotus. Careful questioning leads Dell to a broad and somewhat deep four story building. The lower windows are barred. The upper windows are covered in mesh screens. A large doorway provides access to the front of the building, while a ramp and a smaller door provide access at the back. Many chimneys dot the rooftop and Dell, recalling the slavers’ stockade, suspects some are camouflage for rooftop exits. **Regular traffic flows through both exits; poorer-looking folk doing business at the rear door.** As twilight falls, many of the windows become lit from within, showing occupants, no matter how transitory. Emphasis added. With some light reconnaissance it does not sound like it would be entirely difficult to identify a person- or persons- of interest who regularly frequent the establishment. I suggest capturing one or more of them and extracting valuable information as to the building's layout, inhabitants and various means of egress.
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In Flen
Oct 19, 2006 13:37:12 GMT -5
Post by Dell on Oct 19, 2006 13:37:12 GMT -5
I considered a two-pronged assault, but without Cedrus it might not work. I'd imagine that the PCs would go in from the roof while Al, Diego and Oaklock would hold the ground floor and hopefully locate and block any underground escape routes. Just the three of them might not have enough "oomph." That seems like too many people on the roof. My theory is that the most dangerous foes will be on the upper floors, which is why only our most elite members would go there, while the rest of the group would take care of the scrubs. The bottom team hits loud and hard, while the upstairs team deals with the archers (of course there are archers on the roof) in a more subtle manner. Then as people panic and start heading downstairs, the A team comes in through the roof and closes the door on the bad guys. The A team would have Winthrop, Hugh, Raven, Jasper, Otto and Pffifwin. The remaining men would take the bottom floor, led by Al. (I think it's for the best that we separate Winthrop and Al in any case...) Speaking of underground escape routes, do we want to check the sewers? Dell regrets to inform you that he does not "do" sewers anymore. But his apprentice is ready and willing to take his place. With some light reconnaissance it does not sound like it would be entirely difficult to identify a person- or persons- of interest who regularly frequent the establishment. I suggest capturing one or more of them and extracting valuable information as to the building's layout, inhabitants and various means of egress. Excellent idea. Make it so.
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In Flen
Oct 19, 2006 13:38:41 GMT -5
Post by Ginger on Oct 19, 2006 13:38:41 GMT -5
Also, Karmack told us that the building was 5 stories. That probaly means there's an extensive basement.
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In Flen
Oct 19, 2006 15:14:53 GMT -5
Post by venger on Oct 19, 2006 15:14:53 GMT -5
Dell regrets to inform you that he does not "do" sewers anymore. But his apprentice is ready and willing to take his place. Ready and willing! How effective/inconspicuous he would be in an unlit sewer tunnel remains to be seen. With some light reconnaissance it does not sound like it would be entirely difficult to identify a person- or persons- of interest who regularly frequent the establishment. I suggest capturing one or more of them and extracting valuable information as to the building's layout, inhabitants and various means of egress. Excellent idea. Make it so. I'm not sure with what facility the party is able to speak to animals (though all the bears and whatnot running around with the group certainly speaks to your capabilities) but might not the rats and/or other creatures of the sewer be questioned to some effect? Maybe even to tell us of an entrance to the building that the thieves themselves know nothing about.
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In Flen
Oct 19, 2006 15:31:16 GMT -5
Post by Dell on Oct 19, 2006 15:31:16 GMT -5
A fine suggestion!
This is the perfect opportunity for you to attempt to summon a familiar, thereby allowing you to do this sort of recon work all on your own.
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In Flen
Oct 19, 2006 15:32:14 GMT -5
Post by Ginger on Oct 19, 2006 15:32:14 GMT -5
Monks can innately speak with animals after 3rd level. Druids have a 1st level spell that will allow them to do so for a period of time. The problem is that rats are not smart. When asked if he knows where the entrance is, a rat won't say "Indubitably! The ruffians and rapscallions use that tunnel over there as their method of ingress and egress." They usually can't do much better than tell you where they don't go because scary things live there, or if something loud and scary came through recently, stuff like that.
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Eig
New Member
Posts: 21
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In Flen
Oct 19, 2006 15:52:00 GMT -5
Post by Eig on Oct 19, 2006 15:52:00 GMT -5
Monks can innately speak with animals after 3rd level. Druids have a 1st level spell that will allow them to do so for a period of time. The problem is that rats are not smart. When asked if he knows where the entrance is, a rat won't say "Indubitably! The ruffians and rapscallions use that tunnel over there as their method of ingress and egress." They usually can't do much better than tell you where they don't go because scary things live there, or if something loud and scary came through recently, stuff like that. Seconded. Please recall my conversation with Eatssalmon, wherein the primary topic was edibles, after which he gazed upon me hungrily. I would be willing to speak with the various sewer vermin to try to get info about a sewer exit, though I do not know how much good it will do.
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In Flen
Oct 19, 2006 15:59:14 GMT -5
Post by Mr. Trommer on Oct 19, 2006 15:59:14 GMT -5
Just set the building on fire and kill all that come out of the building. Then once the fire is put out we can check for the loot in the basement. Much safer that way. We can live up to our (my) reputation of torching buildings.
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In Flen
Oct 19, 2006 16:00:06 GMT -5
Post by venger on Oct 19, 2006 16:00:06 GMT -5
A fine suggestion! This is the perfect opportunity for you to attempt to summon a familiar, thereby allowing you to do this sort of recon work all on your own. Is the process not time-consuming and prohibitively expensive? I would not like to place an undue burden on the company at this early juncture. Monks can innately speak with animals after 3rd level. Druids have a 1st level spell that will allow them to do so for a period of time. The problem is that rats are not smart. When asked if he knows where the entrance is, a rat won't say "Indubitably! The ruffians and rapscallions use that tunnel over there as their method of ingress and egress." They usually can't do much better than tell you where they don't go because scary things live there, or if something loud and scary came through recently, stuff like that. I have reasonable expectations for the animals I speak to - I'm not talking about the Rats of Nimh here. These creatures navigate mazes and such, they aren't entirely stupid. I suspect some members of the party can transform themselves or alter their physical state so as to allow them to pass through tiny holes and crevices, like a rat would. All that is needed is a point of entry for a surprise assault, preferably some unused storeroom where rats congregate without human interference. Infiltrating the building without raising a general alarm is the only way to catch this villain unawares. I suspect the leader of a thieves' guild to have a number of secreted escape routes. 12. Underestimating the rat's intelligence • ARTICLE Pages 291-298 Hank Davis Abstract | Abstract + References | PDF (898 K) Although rats are a much maligned species, it appears that their intelligence has been underestimated. This paper surveys evidence of cognition in rats from traditional categories (e.g. temporal and numerical competence) as well as from less ordinary test situations (e.g. transitive inference; recognition of individual humans). Although rats may not approach cognitive tasks using strategies observed in human subjects, they are frequently successful on their own terms. Indeed, rats are adept at exploiting procedural loopholes and confounded variables overlooked by human test designers. While not lending itself to the conventional classification of intelligence, this form of 'intellectual optimal foraging' may be an apt general description of the rat's cognitive prowess.www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09266410
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Eig
New Member
Posts: 21
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In Flen
Oct 19, 2006 16:03:00 GMT -5
Post by Eig on Oct 19, 2006 16:03:00 GMT -5
Even better, search about, board up all of the entrances and exits, THEN light the building one fire. That way, you don't even have to worry about killing people that exit. Unfortunately, while easier, this will reduce the effectiveness of scavaging the bodies. You guys seem to enjoy that particular activity.
Edit: /\/\/\ Bah! Science! Think you're so much better than we are?
Edit2: Placing undue burdens on the experienced players is not only the primary goal of new characters, it is the entire reason they exist.
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In Flen
Oct 19, 2006 16:11:22 GMT -5
Post by Ginger on Oct 19, 2006 16:11:22 GMT -5
Just remember that we need to burn down the building with regular fire and not magical fire. We want to collect magical items, after all.
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In Flen
Oct 19, 2006 16:28:24 GMT -5
Post by venger on Oct 19, 2006 16:28:24 GMT -5
Just remember that we need to burn down the building with regular fire and not magical fire. We want to collect magical items, after all. Flen is a small-to-moderately sized town whose de-facto ruling body seems to be "The Black Lotus." The wholesale slaughter of said ruling body and the torching of their, for want of a better term, "town-hall" is perhaps a bad idea. Do we even know that Stalman Klim is their leader? Perhaps he is just a high ranking member turned to the worship of a dark god, or some imposter planted in the ranks of "The Black Lotus?" Undead armies are not good for business, whatever your business is. Whatever the story, completely destabilizing the entire area should not be our goal. and... “The Black Lotus are feared in Flen,” starts Lane. “They run the local government and control all but the mines. The gnomes there are only interested in their gems and digging, so long as they are left alone and undisturbed. The others, the gamblers, business men, and the weak, all respect and fear the Black Lotus’s displeasure. Their headquarters is a solid, multistory building where beggars and more do business and rest in safety. Trapped tight, it would be a hard nut to crack.” “The Black Lotus has had aid before, in erasing mages and the occasional troublesome priest, and it is rumored they have aid again. From somewhere to the east, a powerful magic worker who will use, and be used by, the Black Lotus.”
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Eig
New Member
Posts: 21
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In Flen
Oct 19, 2006 16:38:18 GMT -5
Post by Eig on Oct 19, 2006 16:38:18 GMT -5
I believe Dell's intent is to destabilize the area, and then set up his own thieves guild to take over the now leadership-less area.
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In Flen
Oct 19, 2006 21:48:44 GMT -5
Post by venger on Oct 19, 2006 21:48:44 GMT -5
I believe Dell's intent is to destabilize the area, and then set up his own thieves guild to take over the now leadership-less area. Armies of undead directly to the west have laid waste to the earldom of Sterich, a humanoid army menaces the entire region and parties unknown are launching some fell scheme to resurrect an evil dead god who we dare not name. Flen is not exactly prime real estate right now. But a humble apprentice would never presume to understand Master Dell's motivations.
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