Whew, that's a pricey one. Pisca is probably going to want it, but that thing has a resell value of more than 16,000 gold. That weapon alone is probably close to 1/3 the value of the combined loot from the pirates we've seen so far.
Yeah, that and the Sensing armor are the big valuables.
Well, the mage would have had nice stuff too, but too late.
However, Prisca has a big, very magical Greatsword and won't need the rapier on a personal level, though the monetary value is of course very interesting for him too.
Do we have anything in our head slot? Otherwise the circlet of persuasion would be a decent candidate. If not, there is always Mina, who is qualified for Diplomacy with friendlies due to her Djezet-Skin... which I notice is not yet on her character sheet.
Kori has a few 3rd level spell slots left, so now is a good time to use one.
First we have Kori attempts to Demoralize the captain, which shouldn't be too difficult given the circumstances. He's been captured and maimed, so there might be a Circumstance bonus for our attempt, and Mina's Evil Eye further penalizes him. If we successfully Demoralize him, that will apply the Shaken condition, lowering his saving throws by -2.
Between Shaken and Evil Eye lowering his saving throws by -4 and the DC 18 Will save from Kori's spell, the pirate should have very little chance to resist the Suggestion.
Then, just for the sake of thoroughness, Kori hits him with Detect Thoughts while he's debuffed so we can get a more complete read on the pirate.
Any other questions y'all think I should add?
[X] Yes, Kori will interrogate both the pirate and the priest, separately.
-[X] Kori attempts an Intimidate check to Demoralize the pirate, with Aid Another assistance from Sir Prisca as Mina uses her Evil Eye Hex to penalize his ability checks by -2. She uses her Fortune Hex on Kori, if necessary. He'll wear the Razmiran's Circlet of Persuasion to assist with the interrogation. --[X] Intimidate Check: +22 [+20 + 2(Aid Another)]
-[X] Mina changes her Evil Eye Hex on the captain to lower his saving throws by -2, then Kori uses Shadow Enchantment to cast Suggestion on the pirate. He instructs the pirate to answer all of our questions honestly. --[X] Suggestion Spell: DC 18 Will save.
-[X] Mina uses her Cackle Hex to continue the effects of Evil Eye on the pirate while Kori uses his headband to cast Detect Thoughts in order to examine the man's mind as he answers questions.
-[X] Kori asks about the pirate's associates (especially the mage who escaped), his base(s), his previous jobs and employers, where he might have supplies or wealth hidden away, how he knows the Razmiran priest, how to safely operate the Iron Maiden, any security features it or its contents may possess, and anything else our allies might suggest. Finish by asking if there's anything else he knows that he believes we would be interested in.
-[X] After interrogating the pirate, Kori will repeat the same tactics with the Razmiran, asking him of his plans in the area and what he knows of the plans his superiors may have, anything he knows of other Razmiran operatives in the region, how he knows the pirates, and what he has been doing in the region. Finish by asking if there's anything else he knows that he believes we would be interested in.
Do we have anything in our head slot? Otherwise the circlet of persuasion would be a decent candidate. If not, there is always Mina, who is qualified for Diplomacy with friendlies due to her Djezet-Skin... which I notice is not yet on her character sheet.
Do we have anything in our head slot? Otherwise the circlet of persuasion would be a decent candidate. If not, there is always Mina, who is qualified for Diplomacy with friendlies due to her Djezet-Skin... which I notice is not yet on her character sheet.
Oh yeah, the Circlet does not occupy the Headband slot, but rather the Head slot. I always forget those are separate. He should use the Circlet to help with interrogating the pirate.
The +3 Competence bonus doesn't stack with the bonuses from Kori's Channel Vigor spell, but these will be constant, and since Charisma boosts his Sense Motive checks, the bonus should affect that skill, too. Is that the case, @DragonParadox?
Oh yeah, the Circlet does not occupy the Headband slot, but rather the Head slot. I always forget those are separate. He should use the Circlet to help with interrogating the pirate.
The +3 Competence bonus doesn't stack with the bonuses from Kori's Channel Vigor spell, but these will be constant, and since Charisma boosts his Sense Motive checks, the bonus should affect that skill, too. Is that the case, @DragonParadox?
Context of his relationship with the fake priest;
Basics of how to safely operate the ship, and any security measures
Has he attempted to deceive us or withhold any information he thinks we would be likely to want to know?
Is there any other information he thinks we would like to know or benefit from knowing?
----
And then a Suggestion cast on the priest to answer questions honestly; because the context/details of what the priest was doing here and why might prove useful to Pisca for getting extra brownie points.
Context of his relationship with the fake priest;
Basics of how to safely operate the ship, and any security measures
Has he attempted to deceive us or withhold any information he thinks we would be likely to want to know?
Is there any other information he thinks we would like to know or benefit from knowing?
----
And then a Suggestion cast on the priest to answer questions honestly; because the context/details of what the priest was doing here and why might prove useful to Pisca for getting extra brownie points.
Good loot! And even better, both our captives hate each other, lol.
@Goldfish could we use Speak with Dead on dwarf and elf to get more info about group maybe? Or at least double check captain's info to make sure not lying or trying to misdirect us?
Good loot! And even better, both our captives hate each other, lol.
@Goldfish could we use Speak with Dead on dwarf and elf to get more info about group maybe? Or at least double check captain's info to make sure not lying or trying to misdirect us?
We should do that, for corroboration if nothing else, but I would wait until after we've had a chance to rest to recover spells and Mythic power. Mina can prepare a couple Speak with Dead spells tomorrow, to avoid wasting Mythic power.
I doubt we'll be able to properly transplant the Iron Maiden's magical propulsion system into the Dancing Slurk, or use it safely if we can, but it would be pretty cool if we could get her that sort of upgrade.
We would probably need to sell her, because that sort of prize would draw too many eyes for our sort of party, but she would be very valuable. I bet the nearby Dwarven kingdoms would be interested in a new type of stone boat.
Adhoc vote count started by DragonParadox on Oct 20, 2024 at 9:34 AM, finished with 19 posts and 5 votes.
[X] Yes, Kori will interrogate both the pirate and the priest, separately. -[X] Kori attempts an Intimidate check to Demoralize the pirate, with Aid Another assistance from Sir Prisca as Mina uses her Evil Eye Hex to penalize his ability checks by -2. She uses her Fortune Hex on Kori, if necessary. He'll wear the Razmiran's Circlet of Persuasion to assist with the interrogation. --[X] Intimidate Check: +22 [+20 + 2(Aid Another)] -[X] Mina changes her Evil Eye Hex on the captain to lower his saving throws by -2, then Kori uses Shadow Enchantment to cast Suggestion on the pirate. He instructs the pirate to answer all of our questions honestly. --[X] Suggestion Spell: DC 18 Will save. -[X] Mina uses her Cackle Hex to continue the effects of Evil Eye on the pirate while Kori uses his headband to cast Detect Thoughts in order to examine the man's mind as he answers questions. -[X] Kori asks about the pirate's associates (especially the mage who escaped), his base(s), his previous jobs and employers, where he might have supplies or wealth hidden away, how he knows the Razmiran priest, how to safely operate the Iron Maiden, any security features it or its contents may possess, and anything else our allies might suggest. Finish by asking if there's anything else he knows that he believes we would be interested in. -[X] After interrogating the pirate, Kori will repeat the same tactics with the Razmiran, asking him of his plans in the area and what he knows of the plans his superiors may have, anything he knows of other Razmiran operatives in the region, how he knows the pirates, and what he has been doing in the region. Finish by asking if there's anything else he knows that he believes we would be interested in.
"Well.. well... well... look at what dragged itself out of the river, a drowned rat. And in such a fortuitous time," you invoke the reputation of Zon-Kuthon though not his name, trusting in the darkness of the hold to hide you from the weak eyes of men. The nightmare of one's imagination is oft more dreadful than reality can manage.
Mina laughs, an unsettling thing that rises and falls and rises again without warning, ill-fortune manifesting as you whisper words of power that slide like oil on the tongue:
"Now, why don't we start from the beginning; who are you, what were you doing here, and what's your friend likely to do now?"
"Name's Scorpio, Captain Scorpio. I'd give you a surname, but my father didn't have the good grace to wed my mother before he bedded her. They'd have called her a whore, only she didn't have the good sense to take money for it. The ship you'll no doubt blow to the Boneyard with you on it is called Scorpio's Sting, and we are what the Lord Governor of Cassomir, in his infinite benevolence, calls pirates, scum, and when he's feeling particularly generous, 'quarry slaves'. That is where you're sailing to, isn't it?"
"Which House?" Sir Pisca asks, his face stony.
"Why the fuck do you think I'd tell you who my patron is? Because I fancy the taste of antimony in my water more than the noose?" the man snaps, the power of the enchantment wavering before the bite of fear. It does not give you absolute command over another, enough to order them to their death but apparently not enough to have them spill deadly secrets.
"We recovered two bodies of your officers. How long do you think dead lips will stay sealed?" you ask, earning a hateful look from the pirate and a perturbed one from Sir Pisca for some reason.
"Basri," the prisoner grinds out. "That's as much as I know, I'll spare your wizards the trouble. As to what we were doing here, call it an 'independently-minded patrol', keeping an eye on house interests and property, open and not. We'd anchored at Ranger's Crossing before, but the reason we were here now is because of this gobshite." He tips his head in the direction of the priest. "Riled up the woods something fierce, and when they sent some of the tree shepherds to rattled their windows had 'em killed with fire. That's why we were rushing down here when we sailed right into you lot. Figured it was easy money and we'd be able to shake you down to make sure you don't know more than you should. Should've just sent the choker after you..."
"You... why would you say that?" Mina asks horrified.
"Because it's true," he turns to look at her with a gravity that belies his words: "Listen, I don't know you from Hanspur's ass, but you killed two of my friends, took my ship, and ruined my life. I'd have rather you be dead and they be alive. Only thing I've been thinking about for the last three hours was how to kill you when I wasn't smacking down the gobshite."
"You are under an enchantment," the false priest spits. "You realize that, crow-bait?"
"Crows are better company than you." It's eerie to see how he doesn't seem to notice the substance of the other's words. Of course it wouldn't be much of an enchantment if just pointing out he's under one would break it.
"Why did you attack the dwarf vessel?" You press, though having already admitted to piracy, albeit with a patron, you half-expect the answer to be obvious.
"Got paid in elf silver, the kind you stab people with as much as the kind you spend. Pity Miska didn't get to use the blade more." You can hear him struggle to keep the anger and grief out of his voice. "The customer was some kind of masked elf, went by Swallowtail... wizard, powerful, hard to tell with elves since they put so much magic into the trees and dirt so it might not be theirs, but I trust Adara."
"The mage? What's she likely to do now that you've been captured?" Sir Pisca interrupts. There's a good but less triumph and more worry in his manner.
"She's probably already in Cassomir by now if she went for help. It won't be her choice alone what happens next, but I think she'd try to spring me if she gets the chance, it's what I'd do for her."
The 'priest', having witnessed you cast an enchantment on the other prisoner, braces himself for the spell and is able to shake it off, at least for the moment. Still, the news is troubling as it is strange, at least according to Sir Pisca.
"House Basri are diplomats. The thought of them sponsoring pirates is strange enough on its own. Maybe I could see it, especially since they were... subtle, but getting in the middle of a fight between elves and dwarves, fanning the flames like this? It's not like them. For that matter, why would traditionalist elves want to work with us? According to my grandam, they think we're barely better than dancing monkeys in suits. The elf woman will probably know more if you want to do your... corpse talking."
Demoralize: 1d20+22 = 25 (Success)
Will Save Captain: 2, 10
Will Save Priest: 18, 18 (Success, Success)
What do you ask the skull of Miska the Marchguard?
[] Who or what is Swallowtail?
[] Why did she become a member of a pirate crew?
[] Why did the elven traditionalists try to use humans to do their dirty work?
[] Write in
OOC: That Razmiran got rather lucky, but to be fair he also had a good will save bonus. The reason there were two will saves each is because the Shadow Enchantment spell, like all shadow spells, is not wholly real, so even beyond it's normal save it can be disbelieved on those grounds.
"Because it's true," he turns to look at her with a gravity that belies his words: "Listen, I don't know you from Hanspur's ass, but you killed two of my friends, took my ship and ruined my life. I'd have rather you be dead and they be alive. Only thing I've been thinking about for the last three hours was how to kill you when I wasn't smacking down the gobshite."
For all that he and his band attacked us, and by being pirates likely had attacked and killed lots of other people, since can't help but feel a little bad for captain since he was clearly very close with his crew/party, so the deaths of two of them has hit him hard.
Hope we have chance to try again at interrogating him, since I'm sure he has any political mess to add to everything.
So we got a major House of diplomats sponsoring pirates, and a group of elves paying said pirates to rob specific dwarf traders. That is already two big pieces of political intrigue news that has even Sir Pisca more confused and worried than happy he's gotten such good intel.
@Goldfish got any good Speak with Dead questions beyond options given? Or anything to try with fake priest again first?
Sounds like the latter was intentionally stirring up trouble with local fey to get them to send out treants, only to kill and burn them, which I'm sure will piss off local fey even more. Would handing him over to them help calm things?
"She's probably already in Cassomir by now if she went for help. It won't be her choice alone what happens next, but I think she'd try to spring me if she gets the chance, it's what I'd do for her."
Even a Taldan House can't just activate a group of fast-acting specialists that are better than the level 9 crew that just clearly lost.
They might try to mess with us in more subtle ways, but it would be very surprising to my understanding of the world if they had a kill-team ready that has any real chance of getting Scorpio out of here.
Even a Taldan House can't just activate a group of fast-acting specialists that are better than the level 9 crew that just clearly lost.
They might try to mess with us in more subtle ways, but it would be very surprising to my understanding of the world if they had a kill-team ready that has any real chance of getting Scorpio out of here.
Note that he is not saying 'they have assassins ready to teleport in at a moment's notice' more general 'my friend would try to get me out'. Could just be wistful thinking of course.
@DragonParadox, Mina doesn't have Speak with Dead prepared and it cannot be cast using Wild Arcana. The earliest we can cast it on the corpses is tomorrow, after Mina rests to prepare more spells.
With that in mind, I'm going to vote to get us back underway on our way to Cassomir, with the Dancing Slurk and Pisca's ship towing/escorting the Scorpion's Sting. If Adara is going to try to come free her allies, I would rather we not be stationary targets.
[X] Finish combing the Scorpion's Sting for secrets while the sailors among Sir Pisca's Riverguard prepare it to be towed back to Cassomir using their own ship.
-[X] Inquire of Sir Pisca how he wishes to handle the pirates and Razmiran. Should they be returned to Cassomir alive or hanged now before we depart? The latter option would simplify matters greatly.
--[X] Would it be in his authority to give the Razmiran over to the local Fey in order to placate them? It appears he is the one to have riled them up in the first place.
Sounds like the latter was intentionally stirring up trouble with local fey to get them to send out treants, only to kill and burn them, which I'm sure will piss off local fey even more. Would handing him over to them help calm things?
That does seem to be the case, but the Razmiran isn't ours to dispose of. We're stuck dealing with Pisca, and he's the one with legal authority here and who captured the man. Not much point in trying to circumvent him now, IMO.
That does seem to be the case, but the Razmiran isn't ours to dispose of. We're stuck dealing with Pisca, and he's the one with legal authority here and who captured the man. Not much point in trying to circumvent him now, IMO.
