Now that it is agreed that Initiative is rolled whenever an hostile action is taken, that surprise works according to the D&D rules and that the Sorcerer is unable to maintain his Mind Blank over him, his copy and his DMM over the whole day (because unless presented a regular way to achieve that, I deem it's impossible and I am, so far, unchallenged), we can resume our regular defeating of sorcerers.
PART I: THE HUNT.
Alfred opened the door to his lab. He was undertaking a long-term quest, because nothing in Troddle's testimony made it clear the Butcher of Binky was often on the Material Plane. His attempt to locate him could take days or even month. He was, however, equipped. On a lectern nearby he had put an arcane grimoire of eminent utility: the Complete Mordenkainen Tome of Trekking. This book contained all the spell devised by the famous spellcaster: the Magnificent Mansion, when one needed to splurge, but also more mundane effects to improve the camper's quality of life: the Fantastic Fridge, the Breathtaking Bathroom and of course Mordenkainen's Tantalizing Toilets.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b2/08/fe/b208fed0866eb6f6fb66192c8ec652c3.jpg
He was ready for playing the long game. Of course, he could go the quick way and cast Scry, since that spell didn't require the name of his target. But it could be tiring to endlessly cast the same spell over and over. He would prefer a more comfy way of defeating yet another sorcerer, one that would let him sit in his armchair while smoking on his pipe.
Alfred considered asking Butler 435 to keep him manacled as soon as he cast Contact Other Plane. This spell contacted a demigod, long-dead sage or some other mysterious entity in order to ask questions they could answer with a single word. He could describe the wizard and contact a demigod in the service of Lathander, the god responsible for birth and fertility. Babies name were under his postfolio, so he'd surely now. And asking for a name and surname are just two questions answered by a single word. He could also directly ask Primus, the demi-god overseeing Mechanus, in case the Sorcerer was aligned to him. Troddle had mentioned that the flavour of the spells he witnessed were clockwork-themed, so it could be a possibility, one he'd explore, potentially doing that after contacting the draconic spirits providing the power to the regular elementally-aligned sorcerer. It could certainly work, but he didn't fancy being insane for a whole day, so he decided to rule this out. He could use several glyphs of warding to pinpoint the location of the sorcerer but it would require moving all over the place, and he wanted an easy and comfy method. Defeating a 20th level sorcerer was child's play and not something that should make him make an effort. After finishing his pipe, Alfred opened a Gate, calling for the name of Binky. To his surprise, a stone chicken appeared in front of him.
It was a new mystery, one he'd explain after taking a long rest. He had made great progress today. He was quite sure the stone chicken was Binky, because the Gate spell couldn't be fooled. He could have dispelled the magics holding his friend in this unfortunate form, but Binky was far more useful as a chimeny decoration, right now.
The next day, Alfred asked his Butler 435 to Gate Llewellyn in.
LLewellyn: "whaaaaaa..."
Alfred: "Hi, LLewellyn the Devoted, archpriest of Oghma, Font of Knowledge, Binder of What is Known", using a formal adress, "I see that you don't have your pants on."
LLewellyn: "I hate when you do that! I was proposing a young acolyte of Hanali Cenalil to show her my personal collection of relics..."
Alfred: "We must be serious a minute. Or more exactly for 12 hours nonstop, since I intend to cast Simulacrum."
LLewellyn, looking at the Gate portal: "So, I have basically no hope of getting back to my conversation..."
Alfred: "OK, OK, I can Wish for a Simulacrum of you, just stand still six seconds. And to make you whole I'll cast Eagle's Splendor on you..."
LLewellyn: "Actually, I might be needing more of Bear's Endurance as.."
Alfred: "I don't want to know" (proceeds to cast Enlarge Ability).
LLewellyn: "I a must take my leave", as Alfred cast his Wish and Butler's serial number was facing another incrementation.
Alfred dissmised the Gate, having used a lot of magical power just to be nice today. But Foggy Bottom was a closely-knit community, friendship was the defining word among the residents. It's not like he had a difficult task to do today. Turning to his newly acquired Simulacrum of a Level 20 cleric of Oghma, he knew he had a powerful investigation tool as it disposal. Making him use his Visions of the Past on the stone statue, he learnt key informations about the previous owner. He also learnt how that previous owner lost the item, stolen through a Gate by a nosy Wizard. He also learnt about significant events happening around the item and emotionally charged. He felt childish glee as the previous owner brought the chicken statue, and his despair and self-loathing when he had to dispel his own hard work to escape the trap he had built for reason that would be impossible to discern.
Aflred dispelled the magic holding his friend prisoner. "Welcome back. I suspect you'd want to interview the Simulacrum of Llewellyn, you might find an interesting topic for your next book." After discussing the latest news with his guest and opening a Gorgeous Guestroom for him, Alfred concentrating again on gathering information on the sorcerer. He'd cast the Trilogy of Doom, a series of spell named because it usually ended badly for those who tried it. Magic Circle, Summon Elemental and Planar Binding, cast in a row. Beginners usually cast this spell to compell dangerous creatures to obey, or to pactize with creature that Man shouldn't know about -- the kind of creature that were routinely employed as municipal employees in Foggy Bottom's unusual demography. It usually spelled doom, but Alfred wasn't afraid. He was, after all, summoning a lowly CR 6 elemental: the invisible stalker.
One of the powers of this creature was his Faultless Tracker ability, allowing him to know where his prey was. To designate his quarry, Alfred simply showed him the 3D portrait the Simulacrum of Llewellyn had made through a major image. Among his many bonus languages, Alfred happened to have leant Auran, which allowed him to discuss extensively with the Invisible Stalker, for one year and one day, according to the terms of the contract. His task was complete. As soon as the sorcerer would set foot on the Material Plane, the Invisible Stalker would know it. Alfred searched into his coffer, once full of magic item, and extracted a small bell. "Here, he said to the Stalker, is your tool. When you feel this guy is somewhere on the Prime Material Plane, just ring the bell so I notice you and tell the direction and distance. If you're doing well, you might even be released early!".
So Alfred went back to the Material Plane, after having dispelled the priest Simulacrum and recreated a Butler 436 of his own, along with Binky and his elemental servant. It was only a matter of a few days before he'd be able to pinpoint the exact location of the mad sorcerer, perhaps even stopping him before he could harass another wizard. Alfred had never tolerated harassment since junior high, where he had bad experiences with a fellow pupil, and he wouldn't let that sorcerer roam free for long...
