JamesonCourage
Adventurer
I remember skimming the OP, and following the thread.
Good grades in exploration and social, probably.
I can only give concrete views for my group, but I should make a couple notes: I don't prep plots, so it'll be foreign; the dynamic would change based on which player was playing each character; my group will throw me a curveball once in a blue moon, but I have them pegged most of the time.
Short sessions for me! But, twice a week, which is on our high end.
Okay. I like the Fighter, I'm meh on the Rogue (but he is 'standard' in the D&D background sense), I'm unsure on the Wizard, but I really like the Sage.
This... seems awfully... well, it's quite a bit more than I'm used to having pre-planned. For instance, I'm not sure what "infiltration of a masquerade ball" means.
Okay, let's say the PCs are looking into the murder mystery. They'd ask the Sage where they should check in*. The Sage would likely check with the nobility* with the Fighter as an escort (after briefing him on etiquette and some personal quirks), while the Rogue went around with the Wizard and probed the populace* while trying to avoid attention. Afterwards, the Sage and Fighter would question the guards*, while the Rogue and Wizard asked family members / friends / co-workers*.
After asking around, if they'd found who was responsible for the murder*, they'd likely try to bring this to the guard*, or if they were aware of their corruption*, they'd likely skip to nobility*, hopefully after determining who they could safely speak to*. Once they'd reported the murder, they'd either be done, or they'd get involved in the demon-summoning plot (if they knew of it*).
If they knew of it, they'd go one of two ways: convince the nobles to hire them some help* (pay off the paid-off guards, buy mercenaries, etc.) and try to stop it by force* (while the city's nobles and city watch fought itself), or they'd go for help. If they had enough time, they'd leave to a nearby city which would be their best bet* (less corrupted, more contacts, etc.), and then convince people there to come help the city*.
- Overall, I'm guessing the Rogue would help with gathering information, underground contacts, stealth, and somewhat in combat. Depending on his ties underground, he might use it as leverage, even against nobility.
- The Fighter would help in any fight they got into (especially if there's a city fighting against itself), potentially making people more likely to talk to the Sage, and definitely discouraging people from attacking him. Depending on his ties in the military, he might use that as leverage, either casually or by threat.
- The Wizard would probably be rolling his own Lore checks (determining who to talk to, intrigue, magic used, etc.), and aiding with his spells if there's a combat. The Wizard might have social ties to a Wizard's guild that he could leverage.
- The Sage likely determined who to talk to often (who's safe, intrigue, etc.), helped convince people to aid them (nobles, etc.), and gave them ties to the nobility, which he'd likely use as leverage (along with his church) often enough.
- Again, though, see my caveats, above.
*(roll determines success or failure; might branch off depending on result).
This one is also going to vary wildly. First, they'd research* the path, geography, the equipment they'll need, and area. They'd buy maps, equipment for the journey, and the like. They'd might even look into the guy hiring them, but it'd most likely be a casual check* to see if they know something about him.
From there, they'd set off. The Sage would likely try* to help them avoid threats (environmental conditions, wyverns, giants, orcs, trolls, etc.), while the Rogue would scout ahead* (but still close by), just to avoid patrols*, spot ambushes*, look for trouble*, etc. The Wizard might use some illusions if they felt it necessary if combat came close to happening, to throw off monsters that might find them*.
If monsters couldn't be avoided, the Sage would likely try to negotiate with them* (if they were intelligent), while giving queues* to the Rogue to lie for him*. If combat did happen, the Sage would likely lead the noble away to somewhere within minutes where they could hide*, while the Fighter, Wizard, and Rogue engaged in combat* (with the Wizard aiding their escape* if necessary).
They'd likely not want to venture into the ruins at the peak, but would follow the noble in if he insisted and paid them more (since they went on this adventure, they're obviously interested in money or exploration). The Wizard would likely try to identify any markings*, while the Sage or Wizard might know some of what's going on with some checks*. I'm not sure what's going on with the Winter Court; inside, the Rogue would scout* or lie for the Sage*, the Fighter would protect the party* or look imposing to prevent a fight*, the Sage would try to determine what he could or negotiate / detect lies*, and the Wizard would likely examine runes*, attack enemies*, and perhaps try to charm someone important out of desperation*.
- Overall, the Rogue would scout ahead, looking for trouble before it happened. If things looked easy, the party might ambush the enemies from an advantageous position (since killing them might be safer than leaving them behind), lying for the Sage, and looking for traps.
- The Fighter seems more likely to engage in combat in this scenario, so he might fight the wyverns / orcs / trolls / giants along the way, plus any dangers in the Winter Court. He'd also try to block the path while the Sage/Noble retreated, and look imposing while the Sage tried to negotiate and Rogue lied.
- The Wizard would be trying to identify magic or runes, protecting the party from the environment, using illusions to mislead enemies, aiding in combat against the wyverns / orcs / trolls / giants / Winter Court, make obstacles so the party can retreat, and then trying to charm dangerous enemies if desperate.
- The Sage would be responsible for the majority of the research prior to going, probably the person who questioned the noble (considering the Sage's own status), would lead the noble if the party encountered combat, would try to negotiate with enemies to avoid combat, would try to identify weaknesses / cultural aspects / potential social weaknesses (wants, fears, etc.) of enemies, and the like.
*(roll determines success or failure; might branch off depending on result).
Hopefully that's at least something. I don't want to put letter grades, since there's too many ways it can branch. But hopefully it's a start. It was fun to write up, though; thanks for that! As always, play what you like
