Spell ruling, divination and final plans?
Subject Spell ruling
Ok I did some research last night on the Polymorph/wildshape/reduce person/reduce animal.
I see no reason to change the polymorph/wildshape spell as it is written in the book.
So, the polymorph/wildshape does change your type. In the case of the wildshape, Salix takes the type of an animal while in that shape. He can cast reduce animal on himself while in that shape since it is only a second level spell.
I need someone to give me a final answer as to what the party is going to do. Since Salix is the leader, I will let Karl make the final decision.
As a note to all the other players, I do have plans in the future, to tailor adventures to each player and have them be the leader for that adventure. It might be a few years until we get to your character, but it will happen if you stay with me. Harp has already had his turn and this is Salix's turn.
From: Mark
Subject spell ruling
Ragnar can find incense in town easily enough. The sacrificial item might have to be some personal religious item he is carrying, maybe some small blessed item. I will alot him two such items at this time. Take the gold piece value off of what he is carrying in gold.
Let me know if that does not make sense.
From: Kevin
Subject Spell ruling
The small finger on his left hand should do the trick. It would sort of limit you to 4-5 divinations before you have regeneration cast on yourself. lol.
From: Karl
Subject Final plan?
Unless someone has a serious objection, then Salix will decide to attempt the rescue tonight. He and Sysiphus will sneak through the rat warren with Harp in gasseous form. If possible, he'd like to take Surin with them (but I don't know if there is a way to get him in as well).
Salix will wildshape and reduce animal to get inside. He will try to rust through the door, unless they have had to take out guards on the way who happen to have keys.
The Mockers should be ready with their diversion. Ally will fly the StFthr out as described in Kevin's writeup, Salix will wildshape into a bird and fly out with them. The others will leave the city as quickly as they are able and meet at a predetermined spot the next day.
Is everyone OK with this? Am I forgetting anything?
From: Jason
Subject Final plan?
Three questions come to mind-
1) "Tonight" is in just a couple of hours right? IIRC, its evening right now and Ran is supposed to go on duty shortly.
2) When you say a predetermined spot, how far away are you thinking? Just a general idea. The rest of us will probably not be able to get out of the city at night, because they probably close the gates.
3) If Harp is caught on his way out of the house and can't bluff his way out, where will he run to?
The only other thing is that Ragnar will cast Status on Harp before he goes so that he knows if they need to run in and rescue him.
From: Kevin
Subject Final plan?
In the words of Judge Mills Lane in Celebrity Death Match, Lets Get It On.
From: Jason
Subject Final plan?
Actually I just saw that Ragnar can cast it on two subjects, so he'll cast status on both Harp and Salix.
From: Porter
Subject Final plan?
Brilliant!
From: Kevin
Subject Final plan?
Cool. You can track where we are as well.
Mark, I have updated Harp's spell list as well
From: Randy
Subject Final plan?
"The only thing I think is missing from what you stated is having that message spell cast before you guys go in. It might not last long enough and you may get out of range but if not it may be a good way to let us know if you need help or want us to signal the diversion. Or am I misremembering that spell? Is it one way communication only?"
"Oh, and where will Kal, Mund, Ally, and Ragnar be waiting? I think that they should be near the entrance that I am guarding as that is the most likely exit for those on the inside since it seems like you won't be able to leave through the rat warren. Or am I missing something? I'm starting to feel pretty tired and I'm not keeping everything you guys are saying straight."
Ranthir listens as the plan is finalized and then stands up, rubbing his eyes as he does.
"I need to get some sleep before my shift tonight. Wake me if there are any changes to the plans that I need to know about."
OOC: I think that this conversation is happening over breakfast. Ranthir joined the party after his last stint at guard duty and hasn't slept yet.
Mark is this right?
From: Mark
Subject Final plan
That is correct. The snake went in yesterday, then Ally went to the inn. Ran spent the night on duty and reported in before Ally went to work the next morning. It is now morning and Ally has to go to work soon.
Luckily the house employees are not on the same shift schedule as the guards.
From: Kevin
Subject Final plan?
So, Salix could change into a tiny viper and go wiht Sysiphys to find out where the rat hole is, etc?
Maybe Allistair can follow the snake when Ally goes on his lunch break.
From: Derek
Subject Final plan?
Mark, has Ally had time to memorize all the spells he needs for the caper?
From: Mark
Subject Final plan?
I will say yes, by the time the caper happens. He got a full nights rest. He has not had time to change any spells but he can spend some time tonight before the party goes on the mission. I assume that the party wants to wait until well after dark?
Now that this is brought up, when does the party want this to happen?
From: Jason
Subject Final plan?
Oh good, I misunderstood what time of day it was currently. In that case Ragnar wouldn't have even suggested waiting until tomorrow night, since he can cast Divination during the day.
After Ally goes to work and Ran goes to bed, Ragnar will go out and buy that incense. Then he'll come back, retire to his room, and use his Divination prayer. The text of the spell is below, I'm thinking that Ragnar will ask "If we search the Mayor's house here in Bodentown, will we find Stormfather Acer?" I'm open to suggestions on the wording. Then he'll take a long nap in the afternoon so that he can stay awake during the nighttime.
Similar to augury but more powerful, a divination spell can provide you with a useful piece of advice in reply to a question concerning a specific goal, event, or activity that is to occur within one week. The advice can be as simple as a short phrase, or it might take the form of a cryptic rhyme or omen. If your party doesn't act on the information, the conditions may change so that the information is no longer useful. The base chance for a correct divination is 70% + 1% per caster level, to a maximum of 90%. If the dice roll fails, you know the spell failed, unless specific magic yielding false information is at work.
As with augury, multiple divinations about the same topic by the same caster use the same dice result as the first divination spell and yield the same answer each time.
Material Component: Incense and a sacrificial offering appropriate to your religion, together worth at least 25 gp.
From: Kevin
Subject Final plan?
OOC: Mark, Harp will ask Salix what the Stormfather looks like. He will also let Salix know that since Harp will only have a limited amout of time in the gas form, when they get to the cell block area, Harp will go ahead of the snake and wisp into the cell they believe Acer is in so Harp can see if he is actually in there. If something wrong happens, Harp will just wait in the cell until the guards make their normal stop and then Harp will attack the guards when they open the cell. Salix can respond how he wishes if we get to the point guards are around.
From: Derek
Subject Final plan?
Come to think of it, Ally could just gaseous form into the cell, materialize, pick up the Stormfather, cast gaseous form again, and come back out. Of course if anything goes wrong Ally would be in a real pinch...
From: Mark
Subject Final plan?
Ally would need three gaseous forms then. One for him to get in and two to get him and the stormfather out. The spell allows gear to change form, but I will not let you carry another whole person. I consider that a violation of the spirit of the spell.
Otherwise Ally could pick up a couple of people and then turn them all in to gas.
Remember, the spell only works for 2 minutes per level and the person can only move at 10 feet. You can take a double move but you can not run, so the max you can do per round is 20 feet. So the max distance you can go in 14 minutes is 2,800 feet.
From: Kevin
Subject Final plan?
I don't think the spell will let you gas form that much additional material. You could gas form the StormFather in addition to yourself, but now you would need to throw it 3 times. And if there is some type of antimagic in there, you would be SOL.
From: Derek
Subject Final plan?
Alright. From the information I got from Sysyphys's adventure, does Ally think that 2,800 feet is enough to get into where the cell was, or at least get out of the rat holes?
From: Derek
Subject Final plan?
According to the spell description for Rope Trick: "Creatures in the extradimensional space are hidden, beyond the reach of spells (including divinations), unless those spells work across planes." So we could also put the Stormfather in a rope trick for a few hours after the raid, and scrying and such would not be able to detect him.
Mark, is there an official ruling on whether the edge of the invisible window of the Rope Trick spell is 'sharp'? i.e. since the dimensional window is infinitely thin when looked at edge-on could it be used as an invisible blade that would cut someone if they walked into it? Although it makes sense according to the spell, I could see why it would be disallowed as making a 2nd level spell too powerful. I'm not necessarily thinking of an immediate use, but if allowed it could be useful in the future.
From: Mark
Subjet: Spell ruling
Probably it is enough. Distances seem longer when you are smaller, but the snake spent alot of time searching around and taking his time. If he speeds through the path he knows he can probably make it faster than the 10-15 minutes. However, there is a chance he could be ambushed if some rats got up the courage.
Anyone in gaseous form though would only move at 20 max, so the snake not be able to go at full speed. The snakes normal speed is 15, double move of 30 and run of 60.
From: Mark
Subject Spell ruling
No the edge is not a weapon, it is not sharp. There is no solid edge. The people would just walk by it.
From: Jason
Subject Divination
Returning to his room, Ragnar prepares himself and his room for the prayer. Finding the room to be suitably arranged, he kneels down, closes his eyes, and begins to meditate on the circumstances in which he and his companions find themselves. They are directly in the service of Heironeous, Ragnar reminds himself, even if some of his companions have other motivations. That was important. He thinks through the plan they had put together for rescuing the druid. All of it was contingent upon whether or not the StormFather was actually there. And that was something they would not be able to discover without tipping their hand, unless they had divine help.
Finally satisfied that he has the plan straight in his mind and that it is the best that they could do, he settles down on the floor in the proper position and begins the chant, incense wafting through the air. In a small circle in front of him lies a small prayer chain that had been given to him by the first cleric to declare his support for Ragnar's desire to become an official cleric of the temple at Gorn. It was not worth much but it did have some sentimental value.
Time seems to fade as his chanting continues and he hears a strange voice echoing his own. Soon the two chants are coming in unison and then the other voice stops. Ragnar stops as well. "Ask the question." comes a voice from beyond. Ragnar isn't completely sure who the voice belongs to, but he has no trouble keeping his tone humble and respectful as he asks "If we search the Mayor's house here in Bodentown, will we find Stormfather Acer?"
The voice replies immediately. "The path to the Stormfather leads through the cellars of the Mayor's house."
"Through the cellars? Does that mean that..." but the vioce is already fading away. Feeling the presence fade, Ragnar opens his eyes. The prayer chain has vanished, but the rest of the room remains unchanged. It seemed that not too much time had passed since he had begun.
***
A little while later, Ragnar relates what he had learned to Salix (and whoever else is with him at the time.) "I think we need to prepare for the possibility that the Stormfather may not be immediately behind that door. If the cellar is only the beginning of the journey, then perhaps we should all go in together, for we have no idea what will be found underneath. It should be possible for you to return as you had planned, only bringing Harp out if there is no druid to be found. In that case, I would suggest going in in force tomorrow night, using the Mocker's diversion to get in together."
OOC: That assumes the Mockers are willing to be prepared two nights in a row; Ragnar could accompany Surin to meet the Mockers, and since he can feel the movements of Salix and Harp through the status spell, he would know if they want the diversion tonight (if Harp is left behind) or tomorrow (if Harp comes back with them.)
From: Ashley
Subject Final plan?
I'm thinking they wouldn't mind, they'd just want to get paid extra.
From: Karl
Subject Final plan?
Based on this new information, and what it might imply, Salix thinks it might be a good idea for them to go in force. If there is any chance at this point to arrange that tonight, he will want to. If not, and it has to be tomorrow night, Salix will suggest that he and Sysiphus go alone on another scouting expedition. In the second case, he will have Ally set up Sysiphus with the spell to turn someone into mist and cast that on Salix when they get to the door they think the Sfather is in. He will propose this to the group, if this takes place before anyone leaves. If not, he will discuss this with Harp and whoever else is around.
OOC - I guess at this point I need to know when this new news is given, and if there is time to change their plans.
From: Jason
Subject Final plan?
This news would have been given mid-morning. We could probably come up with a plan for going in in force, but most of the spellcasters have prepared their spell lists with this plan in mind.
Mark, what are the rules on changing spells? Is it possible to swap out spells if you spend some time midday, or do you have to wait the full 24 hours, or what?
From: Mark
Subject Final plans?
You can spend time changing spells as long as you have not used them. For example, you have used the divination for the day, so you can not replace that one.
From: Karl
Subject Final plans?
Would anyone significantly change their spells? To the point where they couldn't go in force if we chose to "tonight"?
What do you guys think about another night of casing the place and "in force" tomorrow night? Salix is eager to go tonight, but he would listen to reason.
From: Jason
Subject Final plans?
Given what Mark just wrote, which I suspect you didn't see, that's not really an issue. We have all afternoon to change our spell list if we desire. Ragnar probably will make a few changes.