Post/Author/DateTime	Post
robertliguori 01-26-05, 11:34 PM	So, here's the set-up. I set one of my PCs up into an ambush. The following was 'supposed' to happen: Evil half-elven rogue lady (with maxed bluff, etc) was pulled into an an alleyway by a half-orc, who then made as if he had designs on her, in full view of an obviously loaded hero. The hero was supposed to go in, melee with the half-orc for three rounds, and then get an assassin's dagger in the back, and the half-elf lady would have joined in. Then, with two rogues and a barbarian hitting him, the hero was supposed to die quickly. (That was what the three of them planned.) Now, as it turned out, the hero had blindsense, and noticed the very well-hid assassin right off. The half-elf, seeing that the game would probably be up soon, betrayed her companions by pointing out the assassin. Now, this lady is continuing to play the part of a formerly-damsel in distress. Initally, she was planning to seduce the hero, slit his throat, sell his loot, and lay low for a while on the proceeds, but the hero has since become something of a celebrity in the city in which she inhabits, trying to sell his signature gear will not be possible. So, what can I have her do that will keep her true to her character, and be interesting from a story standpoint? Some mechanics: There is a 21-point disparity between her bluff modifier and his sense motive modifier. He cannot tell that she's lying through her teeth about her past, who the two thugs in the alley were (I had them accuse her of treachery, and have her get out of it by claiming that the two of them had accosted her before, and considered her their property), and such. One thought is to have his mount, who has a much higher sense motive than he does, enter the city, and start to point things out to him. Another is for her to play the part of helpless-maiden indefenitely, until she walks into a Holy Smite or some such. Finally, I thought of having her subtly manipulate the hero into doing her favors that were more and more illegal (weaving a web of lies about corrupt city officials, etc.), until the lawful good hero is hounded down by the guards of the city and the truth of the lady comes out. I'm currently leaning towards the last option. Any other ideas?
Damren 01-27-05, 12:35 AM	She could be come a paid spy for those who don't want the hero getting into their business. She could direct the hero in such a way to take out her competition in the underworld. She could actually turn over a new leaf & fall for the hero, who later finds out her suspect past & will have to decide if she is trustworthy or not. Now that she's close to the guy, she could stage her own kidnapping & lure the hero into another trap. Good Luck, Damren
penchant 01-27-05, 12:40 AM	Wealthy adventurer? She should marry him, get half his stuff legitamately and go about spending his half first. Make her a bonafide gold-digger! When he complains she then tries everything to poison him to get what's left over from his half. I wonder why my players hate me?
Morlen Crutz 01-27-05, 07:12 AM	It's possible that his manly charms overcome her womanly ways and she decides to become good and work with him. Become good and marry him even. Well it works for Bond ... She would have some interesting information on the underside of the city. Plus playing the deciver come clean routine would be interesting as the trust is broken and remade as she saves the life of her new love at terrible risk to herself. That is way too much Hong Kong Cinema talking there :) Thats what I would probably do Morlen
Saurenda 01-27-05, 07:24 AM	If he is a celebrity there, it's no problem on her part selling the gear elsewhere. Espically if he has a bag of holding or other tool to carry his gear. If you really want to kill the hero (I assume this is a paladin, by the mention of a mount) won't a quick detect evil at will tell him that she is evil and more than likely lying about needing help? Dark allies are a bit cliche. And if he bluff modifier is that high, why doesn't she manipulate some lawful good cleric of neutral good commoner with a good bluff check and have them deliver the situation to the paladin. Afterall, her bluff if amazingly high and you said the mount could sense motive; if the hero is approached in thsi way indirectly he can be sent off to do whatever. If her bluff is that good, why not have her convince the local officals that the hero is actually been replaced by a lookalike who has stolen his gear. A quick trip to the sheriff's office and stripping of equipment later while he awaits authentication of some kind, she can just take his gear out of the building without a problem. I see the original problem being as putting her at risk, and in front of the hero. That isn't the way to approach a paladin/hero type, even if they don't have good sense motive. You can always have her convince the town that the hero killed her child in a fit of rage when she told him it was his child after a short love story she can easily make up. Strike one. Convince the town people indirectly that the hero stole a majority of his gear and then became a hero offa the loot he nicked. Strike two. Plant something on the hero with the use of a thief like a bloody dagger, or a small item placing him a a suspect in a current murder trial. Strike Three. He does have blindsense, but he will never see this coming.
Callista 01-27-05, 07:38 AM	*laughs* Poor, poor Paladin... he'd better put some ranks in that Sense Motive, and quick!! I like the "gold-digger" idea... made me laugh out loud when I read it. Fact is, I've seen a lot of paladins who don't use their detect evil ability very often. Some players just forget; and some play paladins who believe it's impolite to do without a good reason--kind of like snooping on people's conversations in a restaurant, I guess. He's gonna use that ability sooner or later... heck, if she's in his field of view when he uses it on someone else, the jig will be up. And even if she bluffs him into thinking she's the victim of a misdirection spell, "Oh, no problem, my dear; I'll just get the party wizard to dispel it"! Don't have her travel with him, or she's bound to get caught in his Detect Evil spotlight eventually. Do something behind the scenes. With her high Bluff, she could easily attempt to discredit him--maybe she's holding a grudge. Not that a quick Zone of Truth wouldn't absolve him of any attempt at framing him for murder... but his reputation will be ruined, especially if she spreads rumors that he's got a magic item or whatever that blocks spells like Zone of Truth. Hmm... I like it. It's evil. :D Lots of RP potential for your player, there, too. If he has mercy on her once he finds her out (she's evil, he might not), have her vanish for a few months and reappear with that nasty Evil aura gone and a great respect for the guy who taught her about NOT sticking daggers in people's backs... And now your paladin has a Chaotic Neutral elven-rogue tagalong!! Come to think of it, that might be more evil than having her try to kill him... :angel:
Morka 01-27-05, 02:51 PM	You gave a cohort to your pally who can betray him at the worse time, and you're asking what she should do? Be patient! Unless it's primordial in your campaign that the pally die quickly, then let your half-elf follow her new "hero", and at the worst moment for him, puff! she's the side of the BBEG...