Game: Great minds think alike

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Fidrikon's picture
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Game: Great minds think alike

Ian makes a pained face. "I'm terribly sorry. I would love to help you ladies with your problem, but I'm afriad that we have already been hired for a job, and we are on a rather tight schedual if we want to be prepared for it."

"However, I'm sure if you informed a member of the Harmonium, they would have the problem taken care of."

OOC: sense motive check to see if this is all a ruse: (roll 11+7 mod = 18 )
Arg, that doesnt even beat their Bluff mod. Sad

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Game: Great minds think alike

"And what if we help you with your preparations? We have loyal and trustworthy servants, money and magic. Please," she says with a pleading, almost desparate voice, "we... we can't turn to the Harmonium. We are convinced that a low-ranking member of the Harmonium has sent the spook into our mansion. We cannot prove it, though, and if we asked the Harmonium... I'm pretty sure we would end up in an even worse situation. We are known for being freedom-loving people - not exactly the kind the Harmonium loves to protect."

To Ian, everything the women say seems honest.

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*blackthornes is still a little cautious, and keeps his hand on his rapier.*
OOC: Sense Motive check:

12 Bonus for Skill Mod. to do
I rolled 1d20+12, the result is 21.
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Ian sighs. "Could you describe the general nature of the infestation, and if possible give a few examples of what it has done and what it looks like? And why you suspect that a Harmonium member was the cause of it's appearence? And if we should happen to take this job, which is not a guarentee, who will we be working for? Miss... ?"

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Blackthornes focusses on the women, their actions and what they say, but despite a little playful attitude he doesn't notice anything suspicious.

"Liria," the woman in the blue dress answers happily. "Lady Liria, Princess of Dilith, Sigil High Priestess of Aphiria. Thank you... I mean, yes, I know, you haven't said yes so far, but thank you already for listening. We deny taking part in Sigil's Kriegstanz, which unfortunately turns us into citizens not very well liked in the Lady's Ward. Despite all the power I may have, sometimes it turns out almost impossible for me to solve simple problems."

She sighs slightly, then gives Ian another smile. "The spook is a shadowy figure which always comes out at evening. It seems incapable of attacking us directly, but it moves items, sometimes destroys things up to the point where it really gets dangerous. A large chest once fell from a cupboard right onto Alymee, my sister" - she points to the woman in the red dress -" which she only survived because I shoved her aside a second before it was too late. Another time a candle was moved from our dining table to a small cupboard under a picture. The picture began to burn, and if we hadn't noticed by chance, we all could have died that night. It gets more and more aggressive."

She is interrupted by another young woman - or rather, a girl. She seems no more than sixteen years old, but with her curly red hair, her perfect body and her intense brown eyes, she is more desirable than most grown-up women. "That Hardhead... uh... Harmonium member, Rashkal, he doesn't like us. He became a... Harmonist.... umm.. Har... well, Harmonium member maybe three months ago, and he's too fanatic for his own kind. He plays best friend with the Mercykillers, you know."

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Game: Great minds think alike

[OOC: @princessbunny and nick: You two got PMs Smiling ]

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"Hmmmm. Thats odd." Ian says. Then, in a louder voice. "Party meeting!"
He then takes a few steps back and waits for the others to join the huddle.

When they do, he asks "Okay, what are you guys thinking?"

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The man in leather steps forward, looking Ian right into the eyes.
"You are not authorized to access that data."

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The Masked Gnoll slowly backs up, pushing Ophelia toward the Huddle before joining it himself.
"Well, these ladies seem real nice, but something about them makes me nervous. Not to mention, if we want to get the 8 hours of sleep that 9 out of 10 clerics agree is needed for a good nights rest, we cant be running around their house looking for ghosts."

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Ophelia joins the group huddle. Once everyone is together she whispers as quietly as she can, "These women are most likely, from what I can tell, Succubi. I really, really do not think it is a good idea to make bargains with them, or any fiend. I think we should continue the way we were going, which I won't mention out loud since they can probably hear us. No offense to you Ladies." She whispers still whispering in the huddle, just in case they do hear her.

-Ophelia

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*Blackthornes pokes his head in*
"Personally, I can't tell wether they are lying or not. I could really care less if he help them, but the only way I will do it is if we get payed alot......that is the only way I will help them."

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Quote:
The man in leather steps forward, looking Ian right into the eyes. "You are not authorized to access that data."
Ian is momentarily startled by the Man in Leather's reaction. "Okay then, what about the people in this party I think exist?"

* after Ophelia speaks *

"Succubi? As much of a reason as that is to be as cautious as possible, we can hardly assume that they cant be trusted just because their fiends. But thats just an opinion. I do, however, think its probably a bad idea to go behind closed doors with a group of beings with a reputation for deadly seduction. But, how do we refuse? I would hate to offend them, after all, they have been very civil. If they are succubi, they have not exactly been going out of their way to seduce us."

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OOC: Ohalian would have felt someone poking around his head because he's made one of his saving throws. Also, he's using his Plan talent.

Huh? That felt funny...

"Well, they have offered us a job. I say we spend a little money to put them up in an inn until we finish this job, then move onto their job once we finish. That way, everyone wins. I dunno how useful I'd be at fighting spirits, though.

Also, someone just used magic on me. I dunno what it did, but we should still be cautious."

8 Bonus for plan to do
I rolled 1d20+8, the result is 9.
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[OOC: It's true that Ohalian noticed something, but as I understand the PHB, he can't tell what exactly the effect was. That is, he knows someone used magic on him, but Ohalian can't tell whether it was directed against his mind, his body, or whatever. It's not possible to discern the kind of effect, only that someone tried to use magic at you at all.

So, nick, please adapt your post accordingly! Also, nick, you got a PM Smiling ]

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"I think we should say no and I remember a song from grade school to help us do it......(clears throught).....When demons entice you don't give in, SAY NO!(clap,clap)SAY NO!.......I think that would do the trick...."

nailed that preformance! I am so great

A giant grin hides under the mask.

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Ophelia's eyes glaze over slightly. She looks at the rest of the group with a big smile now and stands up straight and walks over to the woman in blue.

"I am so sorry, I didn't get your name m'Lady," whispers Ophelia to the woman in blue and holds out her and in welcome. Ophelia is smiling vibrantly.

-Ophelia

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Ian is about to say something, when Ophelia glazes over and walks toward the girls.
Well... shit.

"Using magic on our companion is hardly going to earn our trust." Ian says loudly, in the direction of the group of ladies.

With that, Ian is suddenly... gone.

OOC: Ian casts inivsibility to prevent being targeted by whatever Charm effect hit Ophelia.

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The woman in blue gives Ophelia a startled smile. "Liria, Princess of Dilith." At that moment, Ian speaks and turns invisible.

All the women now have a startled look on their face. "Magic? I don't know what... by Aphiria's proxies! That must be Joran's work!" Liria says with a worried voice.

As Liria speaks the name Joran, all the women crowd together, looking seriously frightened and glancing around nervously, as if looking for someone hidden.

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Ian remains invisible, but pulls out his pipes of sounding. He then plays them as softly as he can and still make them work, activating their ghost noise effect. (move silently: 6+25 mod= 31).

The noise he creates is his own voice. Only slightly louder to try and mask his playing, and about 20 feet to his left.

"Who is Joran? And why would he charm my friend here?"

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Liria, looking at where Ian's "ghost voice" comes from, replies in a half-whisper, "Joran is a servant of Graz'zt, who hates Aphiria. He's tried killing us several times already, but he was gone for over a year now. Please.. let's get away from here! If Joran is anywhere nearby, we're not safe here!"

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Ian, still using the pipes.

"Wow, you ladies are having one heck of a day, arnt you? Any chance that it was this Joran who set this shade upon you? And if any one you have the power to dispell whatever enchantment is on my friend, that would be greatly appreciated."

Ian then uses the pipes to make soft footstep noises, like someone trying to be stealty but just falling short, toward the girls as he backs away, to hopefully be out of range of any dispelling that might occur.

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OOC: Wait. A Hardhead proxy of a tanarri?

Does this seem fishy to anyone else? Ohalian doesn't know enough to bring this up IC, but still...

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[OOC: @nick: Liria said that the Hardhead was called Rashkal and joined the Harmonium three months ago. The guy she's now talking about is called Joran and hasn't been seen by them for over a year. She said nothing about Joran being a Hardhead Eye-wink ]

"Joran wouldn't use such subtlety. He's a mage, but he's a brute as well. He might come up here any moment. We can dispel whatever magic he used, but first we have to get out of here!"

Liria seems seriously afraid, and her sister Alymee even begins to cry.

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Ian pauses for a moment, before apperantly making up his mind.
Im going to regret this, I know it.
Still using the pipes, he speaks in a authoritative voice.

"Right! I need a description of Joran. Masked Gnoll! Guard Ophelia and the girls, and restrain Ophelia if it looks like shes being mind controlled into doing something. Blackthornes and Naruk, do what you can to get these girls to safety, but stick to public places. If this mage starts throwing around fireballs, the harmonium will have to step in. Even if they dont particularilly like your neutrality."
"Loreveil, Tigerfury, you're with me. We're going to follow the group and see if we can intercept Joran before he causes trouble. No direct combat if we can help it. Liria, if we miss Joran and he finds you, just use what you can to prepare my friends for combat, and they will do what they can to take him out. Any questions?"

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"Yes," the man in leather answers Ian's question. "Why is the city oval shaped? Why do the dabus speak in rebus language? How can the triple amphora of Juradin House hold a dozen pit fiends while it was crafted for only one? Why are the empathic cobble stones of Thorrow Street empathic?"

He ponders for a moment, then adds, "Those are the highest priority questions right now."

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Fair enough, I walked right into that one.
"That how her Serenity wants it, thats how Her Serenity wants it, Pit fiends cheat, and... Magic, I guess. Now, how about questions relevent to the plan?"

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"I have a question, what makes you think being nice to people should instantly be dismissed as mind control? I mean I'm nice to folk all the time and I don't think I've ever been minded controled......."

Giant flind eyes sink way back into thier large sockets

"Is it happening, Is it happening right now?!?"Please tell me it isn't!!!

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occ: double post....sorry folks......my bad

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Ophelia tries to stay close to Liria, if anyone tries to take her away from Liria, she will fight with ALL her might to stay close to her (that can be kinda dangerous with a certain level Druid). In fact she whispers loudly enough for all to hear, "Do not worry Lady Liria, I will keep you safe." She then turns into a Polar Bear and paces around Liria and keeps away the rest of the people there, including the rest of her sisters and the rest of our group.

-Ophelia

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*Ian, using the pipes.*
"You know, Lady Liria, this isn't making a terrible amount of sense. This looks alot like a charming to me. And I'm sure you understand that makes you look rather suspicious."

Meanwhile, Ian sneaks up beside Loreveil. (move silently: 11 + 25 mod= 36) After he finishes with the pipes, he whispers into her ear.
"Don't Panic. It's me, Ian. If you can dispell the effect on Ophelia, do so now. If you can't, don't respond or even shake your head. I am not here." (move silently: 3+25= 28 )

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*Blackthornes nods his head*
"yep. I've got the plan down, as long as Naruk is ok with it."
*Blackthornes Notices Ophelia's reaction to the situation imeadiately, and speaks to Liria*
"if someone else charmed Ophelia, why is she protecting you?"
*turning to the masked Gnoll*
"being "nice" to people and changing dimeanor from cautious to care free are two different things."

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As Ophelia keeps the other women away from Liria, she whispers into Ophelia's ear: "Please, protect my sisters, too. I couldn't live if any harm was done to them. I need them near me."

Responding to Ian and Blackthornes at once, she says, "I have no idea what you mean, I only see that everybody seems to get ever more confused and we're still here, perfect targets for that mad mage. Let's just solve that as we get away here, fine?"

With that, she turns left, hurrying towards a large street about fifty yards away.

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Ian moves away from Loreveil and toward Liria. He then uses his pipes to create as loud a voice as the pipes can manage, seemingly coming from directly in front of her.

"Stop."

Then, in a less loud but just as stern voice.
"Ophelia is protecting you. This is not the act of a mage hostile to you. You said before that you could dispel it. Do it now, or I will have NO CHOICE but to assume that you are leading us into a trap and respond accordingly."

"You have until the count of three. One... Two...."

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*Blackthornes draws his rapier*
"This could get ugly."

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When Liria whispers to Ophelia, she stops dead in her tracks and cocks her head to make sure she understands fully what Liria is saying. After Liria asks for Ophelia to protect her "sisters" as well she growls a 'yes' and starts circling all of the women in the group.

-Ophelia

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Liria stops for a short moment, looking directly at Ian - not where the voice came from, but where he actually stands. "By the gods, Joran succeeded to control him! Quick, let's get away here! He's going to kill us all!"

With that, the entire group of women rushes onward towards the street as quick as they can.

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Ohalian is rooted by indecision.

I should help them. It'll balance out all the harm I've done.
They're feinds. I can't trust them. How do I know they're telling the truth?
How do I know anyone's telling the truth?
She's telling the truth. She's so nice and wonderful... how could she be bad?
Wait. Did I really think that?
Yes. Yes I did.
Why?
It must have been that magic.
That bitch fucked with my mind!
How dare you think of her like that?!
I hope the one on the left dies a violent, horrible death.
Nothing? Good.

Ohalian is spurred into action.

"EVERYONE SHUT UP AND STAY STILL. I know you have suborned my loyalties with your magic," he says, raising his stun baton at the succubus who charmed him, "but your companions have no such protection. Now, I suggest that you stop playing us all for fools, or else your pals will meet up with Mr. Happy Fun Stick of Pain. You see, it has all these wonderful microwave and plasma emitters," he says, the end of the rod flickering with a thin blue energy as he activates it, "that are precisely tuned to activate all the pain nerves in your skin. Now, how about we all come to an agreement on employment, and you stop jerking us around."

OOC: I wouldn't be surprised if Ohalian got haf a dozen Charm Person spells thrown at him next round.

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Ian, still invisible, takes his crowbar out of his pack.
"Three."
The crowbar suddenly leaps from Ians hand, directy at Liria. Pointy end forward.

OOC: My ring of Telekinesis, telekinetic thrust - ranged touch attack (6 roll+12 ranged attack bonus +2 for being invisible= 20). Either 1d4 or 1d6, your call. And my invisibility is still up, since it was an indirect attack.

Also, since I am invisible she is denied her dex bonus. Sneak attack!

Edit: turns out that the SRD conisders a crowbar, if used in combat, to be a metal club. So, 1d6.
Damage: 1d6 club (2) + 6d6 sneak attack (1)(3)(3)(4)(1)(1).
Deadly precision feat. Reroll 1s on sneak attack damage.
Damage: 1d6 club (2) + 6d6 sneak attack (4)(3)(3)(4)(5)(2)= 23.

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[OOC: Let's wait for princessbunny until we go on further, ok?]

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Where IS PB? I haven't talked to her in a LONG time. Where oh where could she be? :shock:

-Ophelia

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OOC: She posted this:

Quote:
The Illumian does what she does best. Simply observes.

9 days ago. As far as I know, she has not been seen since.

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[OOC: I received a PM from her on July, 28. She said she's gone camping, and wanted to post on Monday - which obviously she hasn't. I'd say we give her one more day. If she doesn't post until tomorrow morning (German time, i.e. in about 24 hours from now), I'm going to make my next post and just decide myself what the Illumian does.]

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OOC: Sounds good to me Smiling

-Ophelia

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As the situation unfolds, the Illumian - who has been silently observing so far - begins casting a spell - and, as she finishes, vanishes from sight.

The very moment Lorevail disappears, a crowbar comes into existence a few yards closer to Liria, rushing through the air right to her - and missing her only by inches.

"By the powers! Ophelia, help!" Liria shouts out loud as the crowbar almost hits her - loud enough, Ian knows, to possibly get the attention of any Hardhead nearby. After all, they are in the Lady's Ward.

Alymee, the woman in red, looks right at Ohalian. "Please - this is Joran's work, not mine! He's trying to bring you up against us! Please..."
Looking totally desparate and lost, she starts crying - very hard. As she stands there on the street, tears running down her cheeks, she looks like a small child, lost and alone...

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Drek! This is escalating far too much. We're going to start attracting the attention of the law enforcement soon.

She's crying... I have to help her!
Unless she's just trying to trick me. What kind of idiot would use magic to make me like his enemies?

"Ian! I told everyone not to move. That included you, you idiot. Now, would those of you with the chests care to tell the rest of us where the portal to Baator we need is?"

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Ian, while moving sideways to make tracking his voice a bit harder:

"Ohalian! Stop telling them everything! Notice the common theme in their stories. First the spook, and then this evil mage who happens to use the same spells that they do. Both involve us, going with them, into some private place. It's a trap."

Meanwhile, Ian's bringing the crowbar around for another go.

OOC: Okay, again with the ranged touch attack against an opponent who has lost their dex bonus to AC.

(Roll= 9 + 12 attack bonus + 2 for being invisible = 23)

Damage= 1d6 (1) + 6d6 sneak attack (4, 4, 1, 3 , 2, 5,)
reroll 1s on sneak attack
Damage= 1d6 (1) + 6d6 sneak attack (4, 4, 3, 3 , 2, 5,) = (22)

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[OOC: Okay then, I'd say it's time for initiative rolls and telling what your PCs do next. PB, if you're around, you can act normally - I just made Lorevail cast an Invisibility spell.]

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OOC: initiative roll: 12 + 9 = 21

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My initiative roll is as follows:

3 Bonus for Initiative to do
I rolled 1d20+3, the result is 8.
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initiative time! sweet!

4 Bonus for initiative to do
I rolled 1d20+4, the result is 9.
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