3.5 Tower of the Elephant

[samduke]

Elle
will go scout around cautiously

Spoiler: checks

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listen (1d20+11)[15]
spot (1d20+11)[25]
search (1d20+14)[33]
move silently (1d20+17)[23]

[DwarvenWarCorgi]

Bajji will accompany Elle if she’ll have the company, follow at a respectable distance as backup (Fell Flight for rooftop to rooftop shadowing her), gauntlets equipped, use a charge of Wand of Mage Armor on myself (49/50 remain 5hr duration)

Spoiler: Rolls

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Listen (1d20+10)[23] Spot (1d20+8)[28]

[Stormwolf69]

As you explore the city you happen on a dark street with a very interesting sight a waggon with two tired royal guards. the building they are at is has a sine called ‘Gleaming Garment's laundry." As one guard is at the waggon and the other is taking clean uniforms and loading it into the waggon. No dought that after they are done loading the waggon they will make there a way to the guard station to deliver the clean and mended uniforms. there is also another matter inside the building is two dozen labourers. working away. The Royal guardsmen on the watch are clearly armed with a loaded crossbow. And a short sword at his waist. there are also two shields in the cart. and the guard going back and forth has a crossbow as well.

[DwarvenWarCorgi]

Bajji drops down to Elle.
In hushed tones:I’ll lay down more darkness as cover, provide a distraction if necessary, and cover your retreat if it comes to that, will you sneak over and try to steal uniforms for everyone, so we can try to scout the Tower later without fear of the undead guards?

Spoiler: Tactics

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if Elle agrees, Bajji will Fell Flight back up to the roof, on the opposite end of the alley from Elle. Then drop “No Light” (BoVD100) on an area very near the wagon, trying to effect as many guards as possible. If this doesn’t cause a reasonable amount of confusion, shift into bear form and make bear noises from the rooftops. Have Dark Way(SpC58) and/or Wind Wall prepared to ensure escape.
If Elle isn't cooperative, Bajji will try alone, slightly different tactics.

[samduke]

whispering well I will give it a try Bajji
moving as quietly as possible sneaking up to steal as many uniforms as possible without attracting attention

Spoiler: rolls as needed

Show

Move Silently (1d20+17)[20]
Sleight of Hand (1d20+13)[28]
Search (1d20+12)[29]
Hide (1d20+11)[26]
Listen (1d20+9)[18]
Spot (1d20+9)[21]

[AvatarVecna]

Sejan follows along curiously, sticking to the shadows.

Spoiler: Sneaking

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Hide: (1d20+59)[69]
Move Silently: (1d20+53)[72]

Listen: (1d20+18)[28]
Search: (1d20+21)[38]
Spot: (1d20+18)[38]

[Stormwolf69]

Elle as you sneak over to the guarded wagon you are not noticed. As the half-asleep royal guard is standing with his back to you loudly yarning and swatting away bugs. He has not noticed your approach. And you are able to quickly, able to grab a set of uniforms for each party member.

As you Freeze as you hear that guard grunts the words "Board." As you notice he still has his back to you as he petting one of the horses.

As you make your way back no one has yet noticed what you have done.

[samduke]

Elle on returning to where the group is passes out the uniforms and mentions the comment from the guard.

So what is the plan with these uniforms?

[DwarvenWarCorgi]

So what is the plan with these uniforms?

we had heard that the undead guardians of the tower dont bother anyone wearing the uniforms of Arenjuns royal guard. Since we need to keep an eye on the dire wolf clan and investigate the rat clans scheme involving the tower, I thought it would be a good idea to have them on hand of we ended up investigating the tower itself.

[Stormwolf69]

With your acquired uniforms you make your way out of the area and wonder in the caravan yards. You notice that the wolves caravan is parked in a circle but there is two other caravans at the yard as well. As you pass close to the city’s caravan yards you notice a small crowd that has gathered about a pair of dusty caravans, each one of distinctly different origin. A Turanian caravan, its oxen still hitched to the wagons they draw, has just arrived, drawing to a halt close to a Stygian caravan that seems to have been in place for some time, judging by the arrangement of the wagons and the fi re-pits smouldering nearby. One of the Stygian wagons is enormous, a small house on wheels, the wagon’s tongue long enough to accommodate eight oxen.
With both caravans now at rest, a large and well-armed group from the Stygian caravan approaches the new arrivals, only to be met halfway by an equally ominous Turanian group. The two groups face off against one another, suspicion and threat heavy in the air as a single man steps forward from each group. The two men speak for a few moments in tones so hushed they cannot be heard except by one another, then nod and step back, the Stygian casting venomous looks at the crowd. The two caravans are then drawn into a tight circle. Some signs of movement can be seen within the circle, but the caravan wagons effectively block any view of what is going on. You notice that some of the wolves are standing around their own circled wagons watching that is going on, as well.

[DwarvenWarCorgi]

Bajji motions to the rest of the party to join him in an alley within 160 feet of the circled wagons. Closer is better. Ill get us some eyes in that circle, the rest of you watch from here, and watch my back.
Bajji sits against an alley wall, removes his gauntlets, mutters a short spell, breaks his left hand off at the wrist.

Spoiler: Spider Hand

Show

I’ll use 2 turn undead checks to power Divine Metamagic Extend Spell so I get a 16 minute duration.
SRD explains under skills section there are 2 types of monstrous spider, I choose Hunter. Link to srd below.

Spider Hand

(Book of Vile Darkness)

Transmutation
Level: Cleric 1, Druid 1,
Components: V, S,
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Personal
Target: Caster's hand
Duration: Concentration (up to 1 minute/level)

The caster detaches his hand, which transforms into a Small monstrous spider (see the Monster Manual) that he controls.
The caster can see through its eyes, and it can travel up to 20 feet per level away from him.
If the spider is killed or prevented from returning to the caster, his hand is restored when the spell ends, but he takes 1d6 points of damage.
If the caster directs the spider to return to his arm (a move-equivalent action), then lets the spell end, he takes no damage.

Small Monstrous Spoder

Spoiler: Rolls

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Hide check, with spider racial (1d20+10)[21]
Spot with spider racial (1d20+11)[15] Concentration for Bajji just in case (1d20+13)[24] Wisdom check to explain as much detail as possible about what I’m seeing...(1d20+5)[13]

The hand transforms into a small monstrous spider which skitters off at up to 30’ per round, moving generally toward the caravan using what ever cover I can, to finally move under a wagon, and observe the center of the circle, describe the center of the caravan to everyone else with as much detail I can.

[samduke]

Elle, as Bajji does his thing, will pay less attention to the hand spider and more to what might be happening in the nearby area scanning and listing all around.

[Stormwolf69]

The Stygian caravan is now nestled in the thick shadows that cover the quiet caravan yard like a blanket in the moonless night. The Stygian wagons have been drawn together into a tight formation, the largest of them, lies at the center of the formation. As you watch the Stygian wagons from the shadows you notice movement through the flickering fires that provide low illumination for the caravan guards. You notice half of the (16 total) Zamorian mercenaries and one-third (9 total) of the Stygian soldiers will be sleeping but will be capable of joining if an alarm is raised. 2 of the 16 are guarding the oxen in their corral, about 150 feet away from the caravan itself.

The large wagon in the center of the formation is guarded by three stygian solders. The Wagon also has a ladder on the side giving easy access to the roof. So far the Spider is undetected by the guards and Mercenaries.


You hear a little voice of Robert as if whispering to you. “Don’t be alarmed I am using a wand of message spell. Look shortly after I let you guys off the caravan was ambushed and we have one of your caravans was abducted. I am messaging you guys to see if you are alright. Anyway, I will give you more details. When you get back. “

[samduke]

Elle,

cautiously without breaking cover looks over the large wagon in the center of the formation & the three stygian solders guarding it, looking for any obvious pattern in movement or if any seem sleepy.

lisen (1d20+9)[19]
search (1d20+12)[14]
spot (1d20+9)[29]

[DwarvenWarCorgi]

Bajji will move the spider into position to investigate the guarded wagon.
(1d20+10)[14] hide
(1d20+15)[20] Spot
If I get caught, blast whoever it is with a web, then skitter off into the shadows, haphazardly, almost want the spider to get killed if it gets spotted.

[Stormwolf69]

As you observe the mercenaries 6 guards around the perimeter as 1 of the guards is walking around another has his back to a flame as he observes the darkness between the two wagon groups, or as least watching their guards, watching him. There is a group of two on the far end closer to the way you approached as the two of them are into the wine. As a third guard stops and periodically drinks.

The three stygian solders will be a problem as you notice that one periodically will circle the centre wagon. Well, the other two are at two corners.

As the patrolling guard then spots the spider. Saying “You are a Fat one.” As the unshaved his broadsword Roll for Init for the spider.

(just need a hide and Move Silently if you are going to try to go into the waggon form up the roof)
And for Bajji Roll for init. well as for samduke. but the solder only sees the spider.

[samduke]

Initiative (1d20+5)[14]
from cover quietly draw +1 Longbow and noch an arrow

[DwarvenWarCorgi]

(Bajji has Ring of Anticipation [DotU100] whenever he rolls initiative, roll twice and use better result)

(2d20)[14][2](16) +3 initiative

[Stormwolf69]

well the active guard got a 10 so DwarvenWarCorgi what is the spider going to do ?

[DwarvenWarCorgi]

Hiss at the guard and ready an action to bite him if he tries to get the spider.

(2d20)[5][16](21) +4 Bite (1d4-2)[-1] +fort dc10 or (1d3)[3] strength damage from poison.

[Stormwolf69]

The hissing will draw the attention of the other two soldiers. now the way is clear for Samduke.

[samduke]

Elle noticing the distracted guards, quietly moves to the center wagon, climbing in/on and hiding
(move silently (1d20+17)[21], hide (1d20+11)[13]) ready action to shoot a guard if they notice elle while moving.

[Stormwolf69]

Samduke

Peering through the open hatch the inside of the wagon is almost pitch black and only the pale light of the flickering campfires that pass through the cracks in the wagon’s sides serve to illuminate its interior. Deep within, you see a wiry human figure crouched over a small, wooden chest, its heavily engraved sides bound with straps of silver. As you see an interesting prize, a second shape moves silently in the darkness, rising through a shaft of weak, stuttering light, the looming shadow bares its fangs and reveals itself to be the largest snake you have ever seen. (note the snake has yet to notice you)


DwarvenWarCorgi

Meanwhile, the guard strikes back and hits the spider with his swords. (he got a 21) for 10 damage on the spider. killing the spider. The other guards looking at the spider. As they help go to him. As they go and escort him to were the other guards and mercenaries are sleeping. (no doubt to also look for an anti-poison.

And you take 3 damage.

[samduke]

Samduke
Peering through the open hatch the inside of the wagon is almost pitch black and only the pale light of the flickering campfires that pass through the cracks in the wagon’s sides serve to illuminate its interior. Deep within, you see a wiry human figure crouched over a small, wooden chest, its heavily engraved sides bound with straps of silver. As you see an interesting prize, a second shape moves silently in the darkness, rising through a shaft of weak, stuttering light, the looming shadow bares its fangs and reveals itself to be the largest snake you have ever seen. (note the snake has yet to notice you)

Elle watching while hidden looking for any opportunity that may present itself.
Hold action: if the human does anything offensive or casts

[Stormwolf69]

Samduke

The old man looks at the snake as he says "For the love of Set. Good help is so hard to find these days." As he shakes his head and gets up and goes into another room getting something before returning and unlocking the door to leave.

[DwarvenWarCorgi]

Bajji uses See The Unseen (CAr134) granting himself See Invisibiltiy and 60’ Darkvision for 24hrs

Bajji walks around in the crowd, as near the caravans as he can without suspicion.

Listen (1d20+10)[20]

[Stormwolf69]

DwarvenWarCorgi

You see a man walk out of the centre waggon. As the soldiers turn to him and explain what had happened. As they tell him about the spider that attacked. As they think that all the comoshion of the evening is at an end.