Game: We're Still not Quite Dead Yet

Canzonzabar takes the form of a pleasant-looking middle-aged tuladhara (planetouched by Neutrality), dressed in much the same-coloured scheme as his real clothes, though only appearing mildly wealthy instead of filthy rich. He straightens from his hiding point and takes soft delicate steps down the stairs to the scene below, revealing this as his visage to the foe he charmed.

“Gentlemen, ladies, allow me to step in here… This man and I can come to an understanding, I am sure of it…”

Canzon reveals his true identity telepathically to Min, Penance, Bruce, and the current head of security, though his tone is carried with a sense of strictness and determination.

“A more subtle approach can give more reliable information extraction, and I daresay I am the man for the job. More aggressive methods can be employed later, as needed… and for entertainment purposes.”

“Perhaps some of you ought to secure the premises instead, and deal with that remaining force who currently would be searching for a “secret backdoor”, or possibly start asserting this magical field that surrounds the inn? I assume it to be teleportation-blocking, a futile attempt by the strike force to contain us.”

Canzonzabar walks up to the wizard, though keeping a non-threathening distance between them, for now. He offers a hand to a chair nearby.

“Take my word for it: you want to deal with me, rather than the fiends. Now sit.”

Meanwhile, telepathic orders are sent to Trift to cover the hostage:

“If he speaks a single arcane syllable or makes sudden movements, start by pinning an arrow through his hand, but leave him alive.”

OOC:
Diplomacy check to persuade the hostage to cooperate.

“Excellent. Now, time-efficiency is key here, so I implore you to answer without hesitation, or we might have to get… creative…”

With a patronizing smile, Canzonzabar starts off the session. He folds his hands behind his back and begins very slowly to pace around the wizard, taking great care to unnerve him while constantly observing his body language.

“Let us start with something easy. As a cunning wizard, I am sure you can manage. What name shall I know you by? You’re real name is not important… for now…”

Memories of centuries of conducting interrogation and torture come back to the baatezu. Giving the impression of choice… such a delightful bait, he thinks to himself.

Meanwhile, Canzon also responds to Min:

“Wise words, milady. Perhaps it would be in order to have someone suitable and highly skilled scout for more of this force. If there is no one else capable of such a task, I can send Trift.”

Trift begins chanting mystical words of power to prepare himself for further action, then whistles in a distinct manner to above at the top of the stairs.

OOC:
Sense Motive check to determine when the wizard is lying.
Let me know when you need other checks or new ones.

Trift buffs himself with longstrider (lasts 5 hours), and calls for his eagle to remain vigilant as it surveys from the sky.

OOC: Oh, I had the impression that we were effectively out of combat turns, if the wizard was the only remaining foe. My bad.

OOC: I’m here. Canzon’s intentions were to interrogate the hostage while the remaining attackers within the inn were being mopped up (the battle seems to be effectively won already), and he is currently waiting for the hostage’s reply.

Drum chases after the closest one fleeing, attacking if he can, otherwise, screaming/laughing, and running.

Initiative 26

OOC: At this point, where will Bruce find the largest concentration of opponents?

The devil sneers, fully dissatisfied with the inadequate answer, even with the knowledge that the wizard may be magically held from answering certain questions. His eyes seem to literally flash up with hellfire and his form shift for a moment to something monstrous and utterly terrorizing beyond the mage’s imagination.

“You want to be known as Three?! Let’s give you a reason for it!”

Canzonzabar slashes the blade over two of the wizard’s fingers with calculated strength and precision, but without severing them. He pins the hand to the armrest, cutting to the bone, and edges the blade into position between joints so that he can surgically slice off both fingers with additional pressure.

“No one simply outright attacks a devil-run establishment with the sole purpose of “killing” fiends, only for them to later be reformed on Baator! You better spill something worthwhile with your next breath, while you have a tongue capable of speaking with!”

While the falxugon unsurprisingly tries to maximize the mage’s pain and play on fears of losing spellcasting capabilities, careful observers will also note that the “tuladhara” avoids blood splatter quite efficiently – it seems like he has tried this many times before.

Taking heed of Min’s advice, Canzon speaks the arcane words of a Detect Magic spell and carefully looks the bleeding wizard over.

OOC:
Ah, yes. When the gentleman façade peels off, the utterly evil devil rears his infernal face.

Oh, and awesome play on the campaign title, Ben!
By the way, perhaps Intimidation checks from Penance would be better served as an Aided check? Not that I had anticipated the need for an additional +2 modifier, I was half-way hoping an Intimidate result of 42 to penetrate possible mundane magical reinforcement against interrogation.

Have a good walkabout, Wei!

OOC:
Hehe, I just recalled, the wizard is also subject to the Infernal Debt ability as he was hit with a dagger by a falxugon. Will save DC 26 or take -2 on attack rolls, checks and saves for 24 hours, or until he hits a good-aligned creature, which he now feels strong urges to do. Evilness indeed.

OOC: Anyone got Dispel Magic? Cause all I can do is try to hold him, but then he can't talk--and that's no guarantee that he won't blow still. :\

How was the jungle, Wei?

Canzonzabar winces in pain and spouts a litany of (sophisticated) curses, shocked at finding himself in a position of direct harm.

“There will be hell to pay for this insolence!”

The falxugon takes mental note of the heart-localized abjuration aura he sensed, and turns to detect if that aura is evident at other individuals in the attack.

Not bothering with telepathic commands, the baatezu regains his composure and speaks clearly and divisively to his henchman in Infernal, while shifting back to his natural figure.

“Wipe them out. All of them.”

OOC:
Trift takes a full attack with Improved Rapid Shot, prioritizing any that display magic or psionic abilities, and focusing on single targets until they fall.

His first hit is a natural 20 and he rolls a 30 on confirmation of the threat. If the critical is confirmed, his first attack comes up to 26 damage.
Remaining attacks hit AC 20/18/13 and deals 9/10/9.

Just had to sneak in a Star Wars quote there – it’s so fitting for a devil like Canzon
Also gotta love all the puns you can do with the words “devil” and “hell”.

OOC: Will save: 42 (11+ 27 + 4), And takes no damage on account of Mettle.

IC:

Bruce doesn't seem to be fazed by the explosion at all. He simply turns toward Min and says "We agree."

Bruce is going to start walking towards the front door, to check outside.

OOC: Will Save: 13I figure DR comes in, though, as it's probably not a Chaotic spell...so, 28 points. Yummy :DIC:The flesh sears and cracks under the hallowed energy before resealing into perfection. "Addle-cove...should've known we aren't Clueless--or unable to pry information from deaders."Penance strides forcefully away, heading straight for the back, though wary of sneak attacks from nearby areas.OOC: disguise self-18Wow...what rolls :PSpot:22Listen:12Search:16Forgive my format...new comp, which seems to have a mind of its own... :\

Upon command from his master, Trift moves up to a window from where he can get a relatively good overview of the streets beyond and relays his observations to Canzonzabar.

The falxugon delays his actions and keeps telepathic contact with all apparent allies, waiting for mental reports of what they have sensed.

OOC:
What is the area like, where the Crossed Daggers Inn is located? Street layout, frequented portals, devil-run military check points, etc? Also, is the border of the teleportation-blocking spell apparent to Trift or any others in telepathic contact?

OOC:
Your description really helped to get an overview, thanks.

Yes, I’ll handle all that Trift has to say, unless you prefer it differently. It’s not that big a deal, though: He very rarely speaks unless instructed to, and when he speaks he does his utmost to represent his master’s wishes (being raised and trained as a fanatically loyal servant in Canzon’s cult).

By default I just have him relay his observations when he is within telepathic range, though I didn’t think it necessary to write out their mental dialogue continuously.

Let me know if you want to change any of all this.

Canzonzabar observes the effect of Min’s stealthy magic with interest, shifting his form to match that of his bodyguard.

“Information gathering, Lady Min?“

Meanwhile, Trift cocks an arrow and peeks out the door next to Bruce. The tiefling scans left and right down the streets for any hostiles, as well as looking up building facades to see if any out-of-place figures seem to be spying down on the inn from windows or rooftops.

If he finds all to be quiet, Trift moves out and over to a suitable hiding position (statues, bushes, whatever works), keeping within range of his master’s telepathy.

OOC:
Spellcraft check to identify Min’s magical effect (Silenced Stilled Prying Eyes, I presume out-of-game).

Let me know if you want new Spot and Listen checks for Trift.