[Active Thread] The Hall of Harsh Reflections

[patransom]

Tex asks Ilya, “Ilya, d ye know whats beyond these doors?” He points to the double doors to the north. She answers, “Not really. Those <elven swear word> doppelgangers went back and forth between there and the door you came in through. I might have caught a glimpse of some water at one point...”

Lola proposes a plan to escort Ilya home and deliver Martal to the authorities. Then she fetches Ilya's magic belt and hands it to Cyrius. She also heals Ardrea [10 hp healed]

“Lady Ilya, do you know anything about this fellow in the other cell?” Cyrius asks. She says, “Not much. He was here when I got here. He seems insane most of the time. Poor <elven swear word> rarely makes any sense. I think the <elven swear word>'s mind games might have broken him. But I think his name might be Gattel.”

Ardrea thanks Lola for the healing, then casts detect magic and examines the doppelgangers' gear. Both of their longswords show a faint magical aura. They also each have heavy steel shields and masterwork studded leather armor, but these are not magical.

OUT OF CHARACTER

Knowledge: Arcana to determine the school of magic on the swords, although you can probably guess... Any other items or areas you wanted to scan with detect magic?

 

OUT OF CHARACTER

I assigned the belt to Cyrius here. Let me know if there are any objections. Also let me know if there's any opposition to Lola's proposed plan of action http://theonlysheet.com/community/viewtopic.php?p=110282#p110282. If we have consensus that's what the party will do next, we can move forward.

 

ACTIVE EFFECTS

Ward Hex on Prost: +2 AC and saves until hit or fails a save 1. Ardrea - staff readied, 3 hp damage 2. Cyrius - charged mind blade longsword readied 3. Prost - unloaded slingstaff and potion of gaseous form readied, MW short sword dropped, 38 bullets left 4. Fluffy 5. Tex - bow readied, 104 arrows left 6. Worrel - sword and shield readied 7. Lola - short sword readied, loaded crossbow dropped, 35 bolts left, 3 channel energy left, 6 hp damage 8. Martal - longsword and shield dropped, 76 hp damage, unconscious and stable 9. Regim - longsword and shield dropped, 84 hp damage, -4 STR, dead

[ElectroZman]

OUT OF CHARACTER

posting a few actions here in the interest of moving forward...

 

To Lola: “Sounds like a plan Lola.”

To Ardrea: “Could ye cast yer magic sight on Gattel? Make sure he's not one of em.”

To Prost: “These doors OK? We might as well take a peek.”
If Prost indicates all is clear, he'll open the doors and look in, stealthily, (expecting a dock of some sort.)
Perception: 18

Stealth:28


After that, he's ready to head back.
Hoping someone else has some insight, “Dopplegangers.. What's the connection to us? Why frame us for murderin the barkeep?”

[Silverstone]

Lola says “Ilya, they are going to peak thru that door, maybe step back away, come back towards me towards center of room is safer.” thinking, if she is also a doppleganger, this way she is surrounded.

OUT OF CHARACTER

Lola doesnt really know what doppelganger abilites other than clearly shape change and they hit hard

 

She continues, “on our way i suggest order first drop off Martal to jail, then escorting ilya, after that if their gear aint magic, lets sell it. If some is magic, let's predivide it now if people can use it. Some of us are very low on gold”

[JPetherick]

“"I agree with the plan, too,"” adds Worrel.

The paladin continues speaking, “"Who knows how widespread this is. I mean, the doppelgangers. Do any of you know how to detect them if they have assumed the identities of other people in this town?"”

“"As for 'why us', I would say that we somehow threatened their plans. How, I don't know. I certainly could not tell what the creatures were before we fought with them."”

[ElectroZman]

The paladin continues speaking, “"Who knows how widespread this is. I mean, the doppelgangers. Do any of you know how to detect them if they have assumed the identities of other people in this town?"”

Tex says, “Detect magic could sense something, but a spell like True Seeing is best.”

[smeltdm]

“Well were not going find out by standing around...When you're ready I will open this door” Prost is referring to the door to the north... listening, checking for traps and unlocking the door he steps back to allow the front liners in
Listening;
checking for traps:
disarming traps & opening door:

[CGM3]

“Perhaps we should release Lady Ilya from her cell first,” Cyrius suggests, turning his attention to the doors.

[smeltdm]

“Oh, yea. I did promise to get her out” Prost turns and opens the prison cell door

[patransom]

The party agrees on a plan: Prost and Tex will peek through the north doors, then they will escort Illya to safety and Martal to the city watch.

At Lola's request, Ilya moves out of her cell and back to the middle of the hall.

OUT OF CHARACTER

Prost had already opened her cell here. I just hadn't updated the map. Sorry for the confusion.

 

Ardrea's detect magic finds no magic auras on Ilya or Gattel. The only auras in this room are associated with the party and the two magic swords.

Prost finds no traps on the doors and hears only the faint lapping of water on the other side, so he stealthily opens them and he and Tex peek through.

Beyond the doors is a ruined chamber where much of the floor has given way, revealing a large stagnant pool of water below. Rusted spears and broken swords break the surface of this pool throughout the room. A framework of soggy timbers that might have once supported the floor still stands, stretching out across the void. The room does not appear to be occupied, although from this angle the party cannot see the northeast corner.

OUT OF CHARACTER

I believe the plan now is to take the unconscious doppelganger Martal to the watch and Ilya to her house. A couple of questions before I handle that: Are you leaving Gattel in his cell? Are you leaving the dead doppelganger Regim here? Are you taking the doppelganger's magic swords and other equipment? Are you taking the sack of coins from the chest in the room with the stairs? Are you doing anything else while you're gone or are you coming straight back here?

 

ACTIVE EFFECTS

Ward Hex on Prost: +2 AC and saves until hit or fails a save 1. Ardrea - staff readied, 3 hp damage 2. Cyrius - charged mind blade longsword readied 3. Prost - unloaded slingstaff and potion of gaseous form readied, MW short sword dropped, 38 bullets left 4. Fluffy 5. Tex - bow readied, 104 arrows left 6. Worrel - sword and shield readied 7. Lola - short sword readied, loaded crossbow dropped, 35 bolts left, 3 channel energy left, 6 hp damage 8. Martal - longsword and shield dropped, 76 hp damage, unconscious and stable 9. Regim - longsword and shield dropped, 84 hp damage, -4 STR, dead

[smeltdm]

“We should get some help for Gattel ” Prost comments. Prost will attempt to gather information, and aid/heal Gattel. Prost frees, Gattel, using his Burgler's Bracers, he takes 10 for a 36 on disable device. Gathering up his sword, thr bag of gold, Prost will the guide/aid in getting Gattel to some help, be it the watch or a local healer.
Checks for what may apply:
Gather information used to talk with Gattel if our healer can make him some what coherant...otherwise talking to the watch to identify who he might be.
Also will, searching him for any identifing information



“ Is there something odd about this bag of gold!....” Prost offers up to the rest of the party, examing it more closely.

OUT OF CHARACTER

Can Prost use the goggles of minute seeing to further examine the bag of gold...normally a plus +5 competence check to disable device

 

[Silverstone]

Lola says“ok we got 2 magic swords, who NEEDs them? If any not used when we are briefly doing escorts, let's sell... at least sell their non magic armor. I need a few coins to buy some quick items. I want to buy a buckler while we are out and about. Yes, Gattel let get him some help. Let's also bring the corpse to gaurds as well, [cover with blanket to not panic public] this way gaurds will belive us about Martel being one...
Ardea, can you detect magic on that weird coin bag.. if the coins are normal lets split them out now.”

OUT OF CHARACTER

not in front of my character sheet, if i dont have a masterwork backpack if i have enough gold from my cut i believe need to buy one to not be encumbered with buckler

 

[JPetherick]

Worrel will pray to Mitra should more healing be required to get Gattel on his feet.

OUT OF CHARACTER

Do not character sheet to hand.

 

“"Lead the way, my friends,"” asks Worrel after completing the healing.

[smeltdm]

Lola says“ok we got 2 magic swords, who NEEDs them? If any not used when we are briefly doing escorts, let's sell... at least sell their non magic armor. I need a few coins to buy some quick items. I want to buy a buckler while we are out and about. Yes, Gattel let get him some help. Let's also bring the corpse to gaurds as well, [cover with blanket to not panic public] this way gaurds will belive us about Martel being one...
Ardea, can you detect magic on that weird coin bag.. if the coins are normal lets split them out now.”

“Them sword are to big for me so do what you will with them, sell them I say, then I could use the gold and I'd like to keep the bag them gold coins are in, in fact lets count what's in there”
Prost counts whats in the bag...

OUT OF CHARACTER

In don't recall if we ever did that DM

 

Prost empties the coins out of the small coin bag that was found, Counts them and puts the coins back in. He does this several time, hefting the small bag each time.

OUT OF CHARACTER

DM how many I count? and is it the same each time and weight

 

[ElectroZman]

OUT OF CHARACTER

DM Said, "Are you doing anything else while you're gone or are you coming straight back here?" Is there any reason to come back here?

 

Tex looks at the ruined chamber: is the wall to the right solid? As if there is another room there?
Is the framework solid or will it collapse if walked upon?
Perception: 26


He says, “Wish we had a little more information why these creatures are doing this. But I spose we should go and see if this one here has any answers. I'm guessing Elaxan was one of em too.”

IF the framework looks solid enough... He says, “unless you wanna tiptoe over and peek around that corner Prost?”

[smeltdm]

Prost doesn’t seem to hear Tex’s question, as he is currently preoccupied with a small coin bag

[ElectroZman]

OUT OF CHARACTER

Am I putting too many moves in at once? Just trying to move things along, but let me know, please.

 

[smeltdm]

OUT OF CHARACTER

Am I putting too many moves in at once? Just trying to move things along, but let me know, please.

 

We’re not in combat, so I don’t think it maters…hmmm

[Jinxs-3d]

Ardrea will detect magic at the bag of coins as Lola requested.

“I could fly over to the other side of the room but I'd stick out like a sore thumb if anything is there.”

[patransom]

OUT OF CHARACTER

In order to move things along, I've handled the previously agreed upon plan narratively, then returned you to this location, where things have taken a turn...

 

The framework of soggy timbers in the next room appears walkable and offers a route past the solid wall to the right and into the northeast corner, which might provide access to another, as yet unexplored room. Nevertheless, the party had already decided on a temporary exit to deal with the former prisoners, doppelgangers, and some other errands.

Before leaving, Prost unlocks Gattel's cell. Worrel is able to rouse the man without resorting to magical healing. Gattel giggles and looks confused, but is readily coaxed into following the party out of the warehouse.

While Worrel is dealing with Gattel, Ardrea discovers that the coin bag is indeed magical. As Prost empties out the coins to count them (there are 863 gp inside), he is able to figure out that the bag's weight doesn't change. It weighs about 15 pounds, regardless of how many coins he adds or removes. [It's a Bag of Holding Type I and is currently assigned to Prost in the party loot list]

The group exits the Sodden Hold into the streets of the Docks District, heading towards Ilya's manor in the Garden District. Because they are carrying two unconscious or dead bodies and are accompanied by a man who behaves erratically (Gattel), it is not long before they are accosted by a patrol of the city watch. The patrol is initially suspicious of the situation, but Ilya, whose family is apparently very well known, is able to explain the situation to their satisfaction. They agree to take custody of the doppelgangers (both live and dead), escort Ilya home, and deal with the obviously insane Gattel.

Before she departs with the watch patrol, Ilya adds, “I appreciate you rescuing me from these evil <elven swearwords>'s. You've done a great service to me and my family. Please visit Starmane manor should you ever need our assistance.”

This frees the party up to handle some shopping. They find a magic weapon merchant who is willing to purchase the magic swords. Lola uses a small portion of the proceeds to buy a masterwork backpack and a buckler. [Also accounted for in the party loot list]

Even in a big city like Tula, finding just the right merchants takes some time, so it's approaching evening when the party returns to the Sodden and Co. warehouse. They cautiously reenter and make their way back toward the unexplored areas. When they arrive at the corridor with the cells, they find that things have changed...

All of the cells are occupied. Occupied by familiar faces! The party members entering the corridor are startled to see THEMSELVES locked in the cells. As Prost leads the group in, the imprisoned versions of Ardrea, Cyrius, Lola, Tex, and Worrel shout at him Watch out Prost! They're not real! I'm the real thing! Watch out, they'll stab you in the back! The imprisoned version of Prost is silent, glaring at the version of Prost in the hallway.

OUT OF CHARACTER

We are not in combat yet, but to maintain the uncertainty of the situation, please PM me your actions (and questions) instead of posting them here. I assigned marching order and readied equipment to the green version PCs arbitrarily, so feel free to propose changes in your PM. If you're a blue version PC, we've already discussed your situation, but still PM what you will do or say from within your locked cell.

 

ACTIVE EFFECTS

Ward Hex on Prost: +2 AC and saves until hit or fails a save 1. Green Ardrea - staff readied, 3 hp damage 2. Green Cyrius - charged mind blade longsword readied 3. Green Lola - loaded crossbow readied, 35 bolts left, 3 channel energy left, 6 hp damage 4. Green Prost - loaded slingstaff readied, 38 bullets left 5. Green Fluffy 6. Green Tex - bow readied, 104 arrows left 7. Green Worrel - sword and shield readied 8. Blue Ardrea - locked in a cell, no weapons 9. Blue Cyrius - locked in a cell, no weapons 10. Blue Lola - locked in a cell, no weapons 11. Blue Prost - locked in a cell, no weapons 12. Blue Tex - locked in a cell, no weapons 13. Blue Worrel - locked in a cell, no weapons

[patransom]

OUT OF CHARACTER

Addendum: everyone (whether you're blue or green) should also roll me a Will save. You can post that result here. Or I can roll for you.

 

[ElectroZman]

Tex Will: 15

[smeltdm]

Prost will save 6

OUT OF CHARACTER

I used wrong number (should be 5), but roll is still bad 5+3= 8...

 

still

[CGM3]

I think I made it... whoever I am.

[JPetherick]

Worrel tries to withstand the confusion that is making his head hurt ... oh, for the simple days of bashing skeletons.

[Silverstone]

Lola will save

[Jinxs-3d]

Ardrea's Will save:

[patransom]

OUT OF CHARACTER

Waiting on PMs with actions from Cyrius and Tex, then I can update. The will saves won't change anyone's actions... yet...

 

[CGM3]

SpoilerShow

Green Cyrius will walk to 1119 and materialize his mind blade, asking his Red counterpart: “Can you do this?”

OUT OF CHARACTER

Moved this text to a spoiler to maintain some mystery about who the real Cyrius is... for at least one set of actions

 

[ElectroZman]

PM sent on Mon the 13th... did you need something more?

[patransom]

PM sent on Mon the 13th... did you need something more?

OUT OF CHARACTER

My mistake. Waiting on PM from Prost, not Tex...