(5.24 PBP) Vault of the Dracolich (IC) Redux

[Kobold Stew]

Urgan had found a stump, the tree cut some centuries before, and it provided a crook in which his bedroll could nestle between two of the larger exposed roots if they were to sleep here. He left is bags, uncertain of the responsibilities that had been thrust upon him. He was clever, he knew, and certianly could do more than most would have expected of him. The fact that the honour had been given to him without a full demonstration suggested either indifference in the group, or (and here he allowed the self-doubt instilled by years of reinforcement to be pushed aside) because he was actually ready for this.

When Volyanna had summoned them, he realized there was quite a group. Some he still didn't have a name for. The warforged, for example. Always watching, but so far unforthcoming, even with its name.

Urgan listened to the assessment. "If we are staying as one group, then I feel the caves of the kobolds are our best bet. We will have numbers, and we have no reason to believe they will be allies with the cultists. Kobolds have a reputation for traps, however, and we could easily get bogged down dealing with them. If we went that way, we would need to drove onward, perhaps making clear that we sought only to pass through. A bribe might help let us through.

"We are too many for boats, I fear. We could try that way, but losing one boat to capsize throws off everyone. Though it might makes sense for some to go that route, if we were to separate. I could make it to the gate past the watchtower unseen, as I am sure could some others." (At this he l was looking at Shade-9, but it was likely true of others was well). "I imagine there must be some traffic through the gate, even a changing of the guards, and perhaps that would offer an efficient way through."

"I welcome your thoughts. Together? Groups?" He turns to Volyanna. "Do we have a sense of the force at the main gate? Do any pass through?"

 

[Tonguez]

Volyana’s intelligence confirmed four primary ingress points to the Temple of Bhaal and Shade-9 analysed each in turn, reviewing risks and advantages and the observed capability of the assembled party.

The Gatehouse was eliminated as too high risk of scrutiny, although potentially a diversion would assist to draw attention away from the primary ingress targets. The Watchtower could be eliminated after the Ingress points were secured.

When he was ready, he sort out Volyana and Urgan Magall to make his Recommendation:
"I recommend 3 teams for Split Stealth Infiltration via Ingress Point 1 and Ingress Point 4 [Lake & Kobold Caves]" he stated his summary in his typical direct and unmodulated manner "Nighttime Operations to reduce visibility of Watchtower, and Silence Protocols for Lake Crossing and Ingress.

Western lake access bypasses Watchtower and Gate surveillance, but requires specialist boat handling and swimming aptitudes into unknown subterranean space - Flag: darkness and manoeuvrability hazards.

Eastern caves access may be in line of sight of watch tower or bridge, thus increased stealth protocols required. Flexible route dependent of disposition of inhabitants [Species: Kobold]. If inhabitants are non-aligned then negotiation may provide tactical advantage or heighten conflict risk. Suggest deployment of draconic speaking operative"

Team Three will provide distraction at the gatehouse, perhaps a false envoy or mercenaries seeking employment?

Contingency Plan: If Ingress Point 4 is secured, it may provide fallback position in case of detection. Signal Synchronization Required between teams. Team 3 to handle extraction as required.

Risk Profile: Contained within acceptable thresholds - Awaiting confirmation."

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Shamal had waited to be the last person in the teleport circle, but seeing that the one with the discordant poetry was not moving, entered before Shade-9. He had listened and watched as discussions and plans were made. Finally, Shamal spoke.

All of the djinn bless us, but the ways of Rabb al-Wahah are supple and quick to change. I say that we trust the path marked by al-Raml go to the caves.

Shamal realized the self-seriousness of what he was saying, and began to laugh.

Ho! I do not wish to speak in the poetic riddles of my sadiq here, he says, grinning at Shade-9, so I will be plain. I am comfortable with the desert, the sand, and the caves. The earth and the stone is a blessed place and I feel the pull of fate demands that I join the group going to the caves, where I can best put my shamshirs to use.

He thinks for a second. Still, I think that I agree with my sadiq here, if I understand him. Time is like a khanjar; if you don't cut it, it will cut you. I suggest we move forward as quickly as possible. If we believe that we are at our best divided, then I will happily enter the caves with those who would accompany me.

 

[Leatherhead]

"Kobolds, really." Copper says with a bit of distain while thinking about the economics of the situation. Kobolds are generally poor, not much to be gained from routing them, but peaceful negotiations into and out of Blackpeak along that particular path might cost them some hard earned treasure. The cave could have anything or even nothing at all in it. A lot of uncertainty with that gamble. On the other hand, the watchtower and the gate were more straightforward targets. People are people, and where there is people there is money. It was time to think like a burglar, something he was very good at.

"No need to throw rocks at a hornets nest, and risk two enemies for the price of one raid. Surely we can let the kobolds live and let live?" The goliath suggests. "Honestly, the watchtower might be the best bet for infiltration. Yeah, there are guards there, but they will be watching the gate, not their own backs. And any weapons we can get out of the cult's hands (and into ours) is a win for our side!"

 

[MetaVoid]

"We already know there is a convoy en route." offers the dwarf who followed quietly earlier.
He set his camp location a bit aside of the main camp and rested until called and this was his first interraction with everyone.
"If we ambush them, we can try and bluff our way inside. I can help with the first part. Second part only if there are dwarven mercs. Or I can be unseen backup."
He thinks for a moment.
"I can actually disguise myself so if it doesn't take too long, I can be anyone."

 

[Lidgar]

"Caves and kobolds, I say," intoned Bjorn. "The closer we are to Earth and Stone, the better." He then leaned against his quarterstaff, awaiting for the party to decide, while Bill sniffed around the campsite.

 

[Neurotic]

Aloof noble that appeared at the meeting and followed the group, looked around in distaste. He found a place to put his things <those who know something about camping know that he will get very wet with the runoff from a tree in the place he chose> and spent the time before they were called inexpertly trying to put his tent up.

When called, he dropped things half done and went over.

After listening to the options, he speaks up.
"I can try and talk or bluff my way in. I'd prefer not to go over water. I am Lorent Aelmoran, a sage, but my family has some influence and I know people. Worse, I know how to talk to them."
Given his face, he would prefer not to.

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

Spoiler: Merrick- Mini-sheet

Merrick Thorburn Race: Human	HP: 41/41 AC: 14/19(with shield)	Buffs:
Rage: 3/3	Inner Healing:4/4	HD: 3/3
Spoiler: Stats(saves) STR: 16+3(+5) DEX: 13+1(+1) CON: 16+3(+5) INT: 8-1(+-1) WIS: 10+0(+0) CHA:11 +0(+0)	Spoiler: Skills Athletics+5 Intimidate: 2/5 Perception: 2/5 Performance 2 Stealth: 3/5 Survival: 2/5	Spoiler: Spells Daily: Alarm 1/1 At will Thaumaturgy Message

---

So, the group had made the consensus that they should not take the water-way. Fate was already dictating the path he’d take.

“I can close and breach the watchtower very quickly. Or I can take point in the kobold cave and act as a translator. Whatever you want. ”

He had to admit that going in pretending to be the convoy was a good idea. Move in en masse, and once the gates were open, take the front gate and secure the area. Then they still had the option to use one of the back doors…

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Imani's Information

Having completed the teleports, the Wizard Imani had gone to his tent and then joined the others in discussing the approach. After listening to some of the reactions to Volyanna's information, he now spoke, "Before you make your final decisions, I have more information to reveal, and a useful gift. I will start with the latter."

He produced a wooden box with a brass latch, which he opened, revealing four disk-shaped stones, painted with arcane runes. "These are four Sending Stones. They can be used to communicate between myself, and up to three others. In addition, they have been enhanced, so that with a short ritual, we can use them to move objects, and with more effort, people, to or from our Camp Circle. It can't be used quickly, or often, but we may be able to get everyone out, or send reinforcements, under the right circumstances."

He closed his eyes to focus his thoughts, and when he opened them, he continued, "Now, the reason I think that you may chose to split into more than one company: It is not quite as simple a matter as locating the Diamond Staff, contacting me, and teleporting out with it. We have reason to believe that the Staff is in the Temple's most inner Vault - a room that is protected by four Wards. To deactivate each ward, you must retrieve an Idol of Bhaal and place it in its niche near the Vault Door."

He waited for the sighs to die down (no Adventurer enjoyed much fetching, but it came with the job) and then continued, "The Idols cannot be more than a thousand feet from the door, or they lose their connection and crumble, so they must be somewhere within the area. Too keep the Vault sealed, the Cult will have spread them out. They must be found. Being dedicated to Bhaal, they are crude depictions of heinous acts of murder, of course. Little statues of around twenty pounds in marble."

Volyanna added, "It will likely be faster to find them in smaller groups."

Loklafd lifted a kayak from under a tarp near his tent and said, "I have made very sturdy watercraft! Are you all sure you do not want to try for the lake?"

He was disappointed, but not so much as to be unfriendly. It was up to them, in the end.

 

[VLAD the Destroyer]

Darius listened to the report from Volyanna. He did not really have a preference on which path to take. Any would be fine with him as long as he didn't have to deceive any guards he would be fine.

"I'm not much for talking. I'd be more inclined to sneak in through the caves or the lake. What would be the plan to approach the watchtower without being seen?" Darius thinks for a bit. "It sounds like we might want to split into two groups. One to sneak in one of the back ways and another to try and bluff or sneak in the front. Do I got that right?