Magical Ballroom Security?

[Palanan]

So, for a city campaign, I'm working on an encounter in which a foreign dignitary is the target of an assassination attempt at a high-society event, probably a reception or a grand ball. While working up the assassin's plan of attack, it occurred to me that there would have to be some sort of security at the event, including magical precautions.

The ballroom doesn't require high-level wizardly paranoia, but I'd like to know what sorts of low-level options there would be from the concerned host's perspective. I'm thinking a small handful of very modest casters, arcane or divine, with first- or second-level spells at most. They would be in the employ of the host or other wealthy patrons, who would want to provide basic magical security (or the appearance of same) without being the slightest bit obtrusive on the crème de la crème in attendance.

So, how would this work? What spells would be most effective, and how would they be deployed?

.

[Akolbi]

Detect alignment is an easy way. Armed gaurds is simple. See invisibility every now and again.

[KnotKnormal]

Actually the best way to handle this is to look at what modern security teams do, great example of this is the secret service for the president of the united states. They in no way worry about eliminating the target instead they focus only on slowing down the perp and getting the president safely away.

Alarm is good for early detection but would be difficult to set up if the dignitary is on the move.
Blur would reduce the hit chance on the dignitary so that would be good.
All of the detect spells the more information the security force has the better equipped they will be to handle any threat.
As well as any and all removal spells.
Deathwatch is always helpful
Obscuring mist
Sanctuary
Excelent lvl2 spells for security to have are
Augury (excellent some one will have this)
Status (this one too)
Hold Person

Past that look through the cleric spell list, they have a lot of good things that come in handy for protecting people from harm, not just heal spells.

[Greenish]

D&D is rife with things invisible or shape-changed. D&D is also rife with all kinds of less hostile intelligent creatures. Beguilers (Shining South) are Small magical beasts with quite human-like intelligence, and True Seeing as a constant Su effect. A discerning protection agency should probably look into hiring at least one, to go through the site, and oversee the guests.


[Edit]: Pseudodragons are mentioned to be sometimes hired by adventurers. Surely 60' Blindsense, Darkvision, and Telepathy would be handy for security work too.

[Xintas]

In many cases, items are going to be more effective in terms of non-intrusive surveillance. How much would you say the host is willing to spend to watch his guest, the lusty lady, be framed for murder by a 5th level Beguiler?

[NEO|Phyte]

Psionics are pretty good for this sort of thing. A few strategically-placed psions with Empathy (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/empathy.htm) up and running can pick out people whose moods stick out as not quite normal for partaking in a ballroom event, then you have a guy shadowing the target with Detect Hostile Intent (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/detectHostileIntent.htm) active in case the assassin gets overlooked.

[Baroknik]

Also, having potions of Prot. Evil, Prot. Chaos, and Sanctuary would work well to foil low level threats

[Zirconia]

Detect Poison is a cantrip, definitely use that in the food prep area and potentially to scan anything being brought to the dignitary to eat/drink. Might also catch that assassin with poisoned daggers or shurikens as well. A cleric with Delay Poison could be good as a backup, gives time to bring said dignitary to a temple for a real cure if needed without the expense of having the higher level guy on duty at the ballroom.

Focusing on things with enough duration to last the length of the party, Mage armor is reasonably unobtrusive low level protection. Heroics (2nd level, grants a Fighter feat, 10 minutes/lvl) could be used for Improved Toughness (Complete Warrior) for a few more hit points, Mobility to escape ambushes. If the dignitary fights, give him Improved Initiative too. Resist Energy for Fire resistance, most likely to be in play at low levels, but with enough casters feel free to protect from more types. Protection from Arrows, 1 hr/lvl.

Eyes of the Avoral (1st level, +8 Spot bonus, 10 minutes/lvl, Book of Exalted Deeds) for his security detail, also Heroics for Improved Initiative, maybe Ranged Disarm (Complete Warrior), Shieldmate (Miniatures Handbook). Listening Lorecall (Complete Adventurer), +4 Listen bonus, plus if you have 5 ranks in Listen Blindsense to catch invisible folks. With 10 ranks in Listen, Blindsight, but that may be a higher level security detail than you have available.

[Slipperychicken]

Get 1-2 bouncers with a decent Spot and Search check to examine suspicious people for hidden weapons and items. If someone looks super sketchy, or doesn't have an invitation, I believe frisking gives a +4 against Sleight of Hand.

Passive observation means Taking 10 on spot checks, so you can treat the result as a DC for anyone trying to smuggle something in.

If they're really worried, and are sufficiently legit, they might have a Paladin stationed at the front doors to scan people with Detect Evil.

[Palanan]

Thanks for the suggestions, folks, they're all appreciated.


Originally Posted by Greenish
Beguilers (Shining South) are Small magical beasts with quite human-like intelligence, and True Seeing as a constant Su effect. A discerning protection agency should probably look into hiring at least one, to go through the site, and oversee the guests.

Outstanding suggestion, thank you. A beguiler would be perfect for this situation. Heck, the beguiler could be the one running security. :smalltongue:

I do wonder how many people would recognize a beguiler for what it is, though. Is there a good rule of thumb for a Knowledge (arcana) or (nature) check for something like this?

If beguilers aren't well-known to the non-wizarding populace, then it could easily make the rounds draped on a woman's shoulder, passing as an exotic pet. It murmurs comments to the woman when necessary, who relays them via Message to the rest of the team.


Originally Posted by Zirconia
Detect Poison is a cantrip, definitely use that in the food prep area and potentially to scan anything being brought to the dignitary to eat/drink.

Already in place in the kitchens, and it'll be used for sweeping the refreshments upstairs as well.


Originally Posted by Slipperychicken
Get 1-2 bouncers with a decent Spot and Search check to examine suspicious people for hidden weapons and items.

This, and also maxed-out Sense Motive, for that extra touch of awareness. I'm trying to recall which spell gives you a nice +10 bonus on skill checks?


Originally Posted by Xintas
In many cases, items are going to be more effective in terms of non-intrusive surveillance.

Indeed. Recommendations welcome.

[Slipperychicken]

This, and also maxed-out Sense Motive, for that extra touch of awareness. I'm trying to recall which spell gives you a nice +10 bonus on skill checks?


If you're talking about 3.0 Wieldskill, that was updated to only give a +5. In either case, it lasts for minutes per level, which would most likely be unsuitable for overseeing an event which would last for multiple hours.

[Seclora]

Obviously, detect ____ spells would be anyone's go-to basic defense. Give your security team items with a few of them on it and you wouldn't even need a caster on staff.

Also consider making the area well-lit. I know there are a lot of classes and creatures out there that can hide in shadows, the assassin for instance. And it's a very unobtrusive measure to take, since most humans will prefer to be in well-lit areas anyways. Doesn't have to be outright casting Light on every fifth tile, but Everburning Torches placed in the right areas are not a bad idea.

I'd keep my wizards out of the way too, use clairvoyance to keep an eye on areas of note, have response teams that can react to threats rather than posting guards everywhere. Guards make people nervous; nervous people don't enjoy parties.

Good spot, listen, and sense motive checks ought to be hiring prerequisites as well.


I'd also have a look at Cityscape if I were you. There's some stuff in there that is practically, perhaps even directly, designed for this sort of situation.

[Red Rubber Band]

You'd need some protection to stop people teleporting in. Or tunneling or flying.

Magic just makes everything complicated :(

Edit: Oh, photostatic rock will help for surveillance. CCTV FTW.

[Sir Chuckles]

Really nicely sculpted Stone/Iron Golems.

[AMFV]

A ballroom is a pretty small environment, a few casters with strategic AMFs should be able to resolve most of the teleporting in problems. Then you can just use mundane type securities, which are much more manageable. So a few strategic AMFs and probably with as few as eight or nine casters you could ward most of the area. Or potentially people with UMD and appropriate items or scrolls if that many wizards aren't available.

[Slipperychicken]

You'd need some protection to stop people teleporting in. Or tunneling or flying.

Magic just makes everything complicated :(

Edit: Oh, photostatic rock will help for surveillance. CCTV FTW.

Dude, if people are blowing 7th level spells to teleport in and crash your low-level nobles' party (remember the targets are people who can only afford like level 1-3 casters for bouncers), well... that's overkill to say the least. There's no way that someone so low-level would be such a high priority target to warrant that kind of resource expenditure.


It would be like if someone paid millions of dollars to a team of world-class assassins to kill you at your high-school prom. It's so improbable, and there's so little you can do about it, that you're best off not even worrying about it. And if that's actually a valid concern for you, then why are you in a party and not a bunker?

[AMFV]

Dude, if people are blowing 7th level spells to teleport in and crash your low-level nobles' party (remember the targets are people who can only afford like level 1-3 casters for bouncers), well... that's overkill to say the least. There's no way that someone so low-level would be such a high priority target to warrant that kind of resource expenditure.

It's a fifth level spell actually, and we don't know the price range of the nobles at least not anyplace that I could find in the thread.



It would be like if someone paid millions of dollars to a team of world-class assassins to kill you at your high-school prom. It's so improbable, and there's so little you can do about it, that you're best off not even worrying about it. And if that's actually a valid concern for you, then why are you in a party and not a bunker?

This is true, if somebody that's interested in catching you, of course you could always get a few scrolls of AMF and have people either UMD them or cast them as standard, since a ballroom is likely not a huge area, you could probably ward most of it fairly easily.

[Greenish]

But if you slather the place with AMFs, the guests' magical bling won't work! :smalltongue:

[Slipperychicken]

But if you slather the place with AMFs, the guests' magical bling won't work! :smalltongue:

No D&D party is complete without illusions for entertainment and magically-enhanced food as snacks. With Prestidigitation alone, you could make any food (or anything, really) taste and smell like anything you could imagine. You could prank people really hard with magic spells. You could use illusion spells to create holograms (potentially with audio and even tactile sensations too) for all kinds of entertainment. The only limits are your caster level and imagination.

[AMFV]

No D&D party is complete without illusions for entertainment and magically-enhanced food as snacks. With Prestidigitation alone, you could make any food (or anything, really) taste and smell like anything you could imagine. You could prank people really hard with magic spells. You could use illusion spells to create holograms (potentially with audio and even tactile sensations too) for all kinds of entertainment. The only limits are your caster level and imagination.

But I think if you try to assassinate somebody at a party full of wizards... then you probably deserve what comes to you.

[Palanan]

Originally Posted by Seclora
Give your security team items with a few of them on it and you wouldn't even need a caster on staff.

Possibly, but items get expensive fast, and if you give a low-level caster a position on house staff it's probably more economical in the long run. Not everyone is cut out to be an adventurer; some people are happy with room and board, a modest but secure stipend, and free run of the estate library.


Originally Posted by AMFV
So a few strategic AMFs and probably with as few as eight or nine casters you could ward most of the area.


Originally Posted by Slipperychicken
Dude, if people are blowing 7th level spells to teleport in and crash your low-level nobles' party (remember the targets are people who can only afford like level 1-3 casters for bouncers), well... that's overkill to say the least.

That's it exactly. In my city and setting, these sorts of high-society balls are completely routine, and for the most part everything operates smoothly, apart from the scheming and personal scandals. High-level magic has better things to do.


Originally Posted by AMFV
But I think if you try to assassinate somebody at a party full of wizards... then you probably deserve what comes to you.

Poing being this isn't a party full of wizards, it's a party full of minor nobles and upwardly mobile merchants. The wizards have parties on private demiplanes, where they eat little sandwiches and gossip about who's become a demented thrall to the Far Realms. Different social circles entirely.




Originally Posted by Slipperychicken
No D&D party is complete without illusions for entertainment and magically-enhanced food as snacks.

Ahh, but there's also the social coup of having a cook on staff whose natural confections are better than magically-enhanced snacks. A little detect magic to confirm they're pure artistry, not magical synthetics, and there's your brag. :smalltongue:


Originally Posted by Seclora
Doesn't have to be outright casting Light on every fifth tile....

Actually that could be a really cool party effect. :smalltongue:


Originally Posted by Slipperychicken
You could use illusion spells to create holograms (potentially with audio and even tactile sensations too) for all kinds of entertainment. The only limits are your caster level and imagination.

Yup, although taste and restraint would ideally be factors as well. Blatant displays of wealth are for the crass, the desperate or the insecure. Refinement and subtle ostentation are key.

That said, I'd love to have something like the hovering chandelier from "Shindig" on Firefly.

[Sith_Happens]

Cityscape has Detect Weaponry.

[AMFV]

One other important note is that if you're using AMFs as I outlined, none of the "detect" spells will work, so that's an important consideration to make.

[hymer]

A first level warlock with See the Unseen can detect invisibility 24hours a day. Whether you want a warlock on your security team is another matter. :smallbiggrin:

[AMFV]

A first level warlock with See the Unseen can detect invisibility 24hours a day. Whether you want a warlock on your security team is another matter. :smallbiggrin:

You can have LE Warlocks. :smallcool:

I'm sure those would be totally cool, as long as you got them to give their word and such.

[The Viscount]

Peacebond is a very useful spell if you're in a situation where people are allowed to bring in weapons.

[AMFV]

Peacebond is a very useful spell if you're in a situation where people are allowed to bring in weapons.

Of course that requires you to be able to see the weapons, which is a problem with assassins, they're not terribly considerate in that respect.

[Xintas]

Just a few basic one from the MIC:

D257 Goggles of minute seeing +5 bonus on Search for concealed objects within 1 ft. 1,250gp

Have one guy with these at the door. Call him Captain Pat Downs.

M122 Ring of communication Can hear all words spoken by wearers of attuned rings within 1 mile 2,000gp

Expensive, but a security team is only as good as its intel. Keep the com clear!

M107 Gloves of spell disruption Enhances ability to interrupt opponents’ spells 1,000gp

One guy with these and a whole lot of prepared Dispels should be able to handle most casters.

And the Pièce de résistance to ruin my own plan

M136 Snakeblood tooth +5 on saves against ingested poison; 3 charges/day, various protections against poison 1,350gp

For the mark on the go who just doesn't want to cast Detect Poison on each glass of wine.

[Sith_Happens]

Of course that requires you to be able to see the weapons, which is a problem with assassins, they're not terribly considerate in that respect.

If you're willing to splurge for a few scrolls, Zone of Peace will automatically Peacebond every weapon in the room. The downside is that that includes your security team.

[Mutazoia]

Craft: Amulet of protection against normal missiles
Craft: Ring of protection from magic missiles
Craft: Ring of protection from poison (or neutralize poison)

These make a ranged attack or poisoning nearly impossible so your assassin would have to get in close for a melee attempt (something most assassins would be loath to do as the chance of escape drops drastically).

So now you have to worry about some one masquerading as a guest (easy to do if he's masquerading as a guest at a masquerade ball) and attempting to shiv the target as he mingles with the crowd/dances.

Some of the above mentioned precautions could help forestall that.

Also keep in mind that not only the host will have security. Any foreign dignitary is going to have his own security. After all assassinating foreign dignitaries is probably 2/3's of what assassins do. If he (or she) is a high enough dignitary then the level of spells available for his protection will jump as he brings his own casters with him.

[Kuulvheysoon]

Wait, is this a situation in which a soulknife or monk (assassin, or unobtrusive security guards) could come in handy?

Huh.