Foiling the Identity Sculpters [Archive] - Wizards Community

Foiling the Identity Sculpters [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Rechan
08-24-07, 10:52 AM I plan on running an adventure for my PI PCs, but I'm not sure how to get my PCs from point A to point C.

On page 6 of the Sharn:CoT web enhancement, there's an adventure hook for the Hideaway dealing with a widow, her courtesan beau, and Guillome Boromar (how he's a human and not halfling I do not know). The Boromar wants someone to investigate the courtesan's background to ensure that he isn't using the widow that Guillome looks after.

On page 21 of S:CoT, it discusses the Tyrants running a business of magically altering appearances and creating new identities. Our courtesan employed the Tyrants - he was actually an operative of the Royal Eyes of Aundair who was in Cyre on the day of Mourning. Being considered MIA, he wants to disappear from his past life and live one of cushy peace. So he has used the Tyrants to help him set up a false identity.

Thing is, I don't know how allow my PCs to discover this. I imagine the Tyrants are good at what they do. So how would you have them get the impression that the documentation, and the operative's new identity has a fake history, without making it blatantly obvious?

Also, I'm uncertain how this operative will act. Certainly he's going to want to discourage them once he finds out they're watching him - he's going to think they're with the Aundairians, or some past enemy looking to settle scores. But I'm having trouble discerning a way to do that without tipping his hand too much; overreaction is likely not good.
Rechan
08-25-07, 12:25 AM No comments?
Shady314
08-26-07, 05:48 PM I plan on running an adventure for my PI PCs, but I'm not sure how to get my PCs from point A to point C.

On page 6 of the Sharn:CoT web enhancement, there's an adventure hook for the Hideaway dealing with a widow, her courtesan beau, and Guillome Boromar (how he's a human and not halfling I do not know). The Boromar wants someone to investigate the courtesan's background to ensure that he isn't using the widow that Guillome looks after.

Perhaps a consigliere or just someone else adopted into the family. It's worth mentioning Guillome doesn't need to have actual suspicions he could just not like the guy and want to find some dirt on him. Any dirt and so he hires the PCs to find out anything and everything.

On page 21 of S:CoT, it discusses the Tyrants running a business of magically altering appearances and creating new identities. Our courtesan employed the Tyrants - he was actually an operative of the Royal Eyes of Aundair who was in Cyre on the day of Mourning. Being considered MIA, he wants to disappear from his past life and live one of cushy peace. So he has used the Tyrants to help him set up a false identity.

I'm still not clear why he left? Anyways his past life can provide clues. Perhaps the Royal Eyes tracked him to Sharn and now suspect he came there for a new identity (fugitive + Sharn =Tyrants possibly) the PCs can encounter a Royal Eye during the course of their own investigation. Obviously he'd pretend to be another detective or perhaps an old friend.

Thing is, I don't know how allow my PCs to discover this. I imagine the Tyrants are good at what they do. So how would you have them get the impression that the documentation, and the operative's new identity has a fake history, without making it blatantly obvious?
By checking out his background. Interviewing the people he should know. Etc. The Tyrants are good but they aren't perfect. And even if they are perfect who says the Aundairan is? The beau can slip up. Has he perfectly memorized his new life? Depending on how comprehensive his new life is he could easily make a tiny slip. Perhaps he mispronounces the name of his hometown or whatever. Maybe an Aundairian phrase still slips into his speech once in awhile. If he says he's never even been to Aundair that could be suspicious.

Also, I'm uncertain how this operative will act. Certainly he's going to want to discourage them once he finds out they're watching him - he's going to think they're with the Aundairians, or some past enemy looking to settle scores. But I'm having trouble discerning a way to do that without tipping his hand too much; overreaction is likely not good.

He just has to play the part of the harassed victim.
Rechan
08-26-07, 06:09 PM I'm still not clear why he left?

The same reason any operative would want to "retire"; they have seen too much, and are tired of the life, the pressure, the danger. In Casino Royale, Bond tries to quit. In the Bourne Identity, Jason tries to quit. Granted, both did it for love; perhaps this one wants to find it, or he lost someone close. In addition, as said, he was in Cyre on the Day of Mourning, so he may have witnessed a few things that really made him want to forget it all and have a simple, comfortable life.

Of course, he might also have some secrets and thus certain entities want to Find him. The question is 1) Who, but more importantly, 2) How would they know he was alive and where to look, really.

He just has to play the part of the harassed victim.

True, but if he feels that the PCs are either operatives in disguise or very close to revealing the truth, he might go for a more drastic reaction.
Shady314
08-27-07, 03:50 AM The same reason any operative would want to "retire"; they have seen too much, and are tired of the life, the pressure, the danger.
Ok. I was just curious if he was more of a villain.

Of course, he might also have some secrets and thus certain entities want to Find him. The question is 1) Who, but more importantly, 2) How would they know he was alive and where to look, really.
1) If he just walked out on the Royal eyes of Aundair they'd want to know what happened to their agent. I'm assuming he was somebody of actual importance. He's a foreign operative in Breland. The Citadel and Dark Lanterns would want to know about him.
2) Divination magic.

True, but if he feels that the PCs are either operatives in disguise or very close to revealing the truth, he might go for a more drastic reaction.

Might but any drastic reaction risks ruining EVERYTHING. It should obviously be the absolute last resort.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Rechan 08-24-07, 10:52 AM	I plan on running an adventure for my PI PCs, but I'm not sure how to get my PCs from point A to point C. On page 6 of the Sharn:CoT web enhancement, there's an adventure hook for the Hideaway dealing with a widow, her courtesan beau, and Guillome Boromar (how he's a human and not halfling I do not know). The Boromar wants someone to investigate the courtesan's background to ensure that he isn't using the widow that Guillome looks after. On page 21 of S:CoT, it discusses the Tyrants running a business of magically altering appearances and creating new identities. Our courtesan employed the Tyrants - he was actually an operative of the Royal Eyes of Aundair who was in Cyre on the day of Mourning. Being considered MIA, he wants to disappear from his past life and live one of cushy peace. So he has used the Tyrants to help him set up a false identity. Thing is, I don't know how allow my PCs to discover this. I imagine the Tyrants are good at what they do. So how would you have them get the impression that the documentation, and the operative's new identity has a fake history, without making it blatantly obvious? Also, I'm uncertain how this operative will act. Certainly he's going to want to discourage them once he finds out they're watching him - he's going to think they're with the Aundairians, or some past enemy looking to settle scores. But I'm having trouble discerning a way to do that without tipping his hand too much; overreaction is likely not good.
Rechan 08-25-07, 12:25 AM	No comments?
Shady314 08-26-07, 05:48 PM	I plan on running an adventure for my PI PCs, but I'm not sure how to get my PCs from point A to point C. On page 6 of the Sharn:CoT web enhancement, there's an adventure hook for the Hideaway dealing with a widow, her courtesan beau, and Guillome Boromar (how he's a human and not halfling I do not know). The Boromar wants someone to investigate the courtesan's background to ensure that he isn't using the widow that Guillome looks after. Perhaps a consigliere or just someone else adopted into the family. It's worth mentioning Guillome doesn't need to have actual suspicions he could just not like the guy and want to find some dirt on him. Any dirt and so he hires the PCs to find out anything and everything. On page 21 of S:CoT, it discusses the Tyrants running a business of magically altering appearances and creating new identities. Our courtesan employed the Tyrants - he was actually an operative of the Royal Eyes of Aundair who was in Cyre on the day of Mourning. Being considered MIA, he wants to disappear from his past life and live one of cushy peace. So he has used the Tyrants to help him set up a false identity. I'm still not clear why he left? Anyways his past life can provide clues. Perhaps the Royal Eyes tracked him to Sharn and now suspect he came there for a new identity (fugitive + Sharn =Tyrants possibly) the PCs can encounter a Royal Eye during the course of their own investigation. Obviously he'd pretend to be another detective or perhaps an old friend. Thing is, I don't know how allow my PCs to discover this. I imagine the Tyrants are good at what they do. So how would you have them get the impression that the documentation, and the operative's new identity has a fake history, without making it blatantly obvious? By checking out his background. Interviewing the people he should know. Etc. The Tyrants are good but they aren't perfect. And even if they are perfect who says the Aundairan is? The beau can slip up. Has he perfectly memorized his new life? Depending on how comprehensive his new life is he could easily make a tiny slip. Perhaps he mispronounces the name of his hometown or whatever. Maybe an Aundairian phrase still slips into his speech once in awhile. If he says he's never even been to Aundair that could be suspicious. Also, I'm uncertain how this operative will act. Certainly he's going to want to discourage them once he finds out they're watching him - he's going to think they're with the Aundairians, or some past enemy looking to settle scores. But I'm having trouble discerning a way to do that without tipping his hand too much; overreaction is likely not good. He just has to play the part of the harassed victim.
Rechan 08-26-07, 06:09 PM	I'm still not clear why he left? The same reason any operative would want to "retire"; they have seen too much, and are tired of the life, the pressure, the danger. In Casino Royale, Bond tries to quit. In the Bourne Identity, Jason tries to quit. Granted, both did it for love; perhaps this one wants to find it, or he lost someone close. In addition, as said, he was in Cyre on the Day of Mourning, so he may have witnessed a few things that really made him want to forget it all and have a simple, comfortable life. Of course, he might also have some secrets and thus certain entities want to Find him. The question is 1) Who, but more importantly, 2) How would they know he was alive and where to look, really. He just has to play the part of the harassed victim. True, but if he feels that the PCs are either operatives in disguise or very close to revealing the truth, he might go for a more drastic reaction.
Shady314 08-27-07, 03:50 AM	The same reason any operative would want to "retire"; they have seen too much, and are tired of the life, the pressure, the danger. Ok. I was just curious if he was more of a villain. Of course, he might also have some secrets and thus certain entities want to Find him. The question is 1) Who, but more importantly, 2) How would they know he was alive and where to look, really. 1) If he just walked out on the Royal eyes of Aundair they'd want to know what happened to their agent. I'm assuming he was somebody of actual importance. He's a foreign operative in Breland. The Citadel and Dark Lanterns would want to know about him. 2) Divination magic. True, but if he feels that the PCs are either operatives in disguise or very close to revealing the truth, he might go for a more drastic reaction. Might but any drastic reaction risks ruining EVERYTHING. It should obviously be the absolute last resort.