An Npc Asks For Advice [Archive] - Wizards Community

An Npc Asks For Advice [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
BrotherMarcus
07-06-06, 03:34 PM I am a powerful Cleric (12th level) and the head of an important order. I have been charged with taking an evil artifact to a volcano on a remote island to be destroyed. I suspect I am being followed by a group of evil PCs as I near my goal. What should I do to slow them down?
Mogofeiden
07-06-06, 03:41 PM Use forbidance at some point where your enemies need to cross.
mike_beavers
07-06-06, 03:44 PM if this is important, why dont you have additional people to ensure success?
FolcoTook
07-06-06, 03:50 PM Random thoughts as I look through the spell list (assuming the cleric has confirmed (Scryed?) the intent of the evil PCs)...

Put a Symbol of Fear/Sleep on a piece of gear and leave it behind.

Cast Summon Monster/Planar Ally and have that creature attack the PCs.

If there's a good natural chokepoint in the path, cast a Wall of Stone or use Shape Stone to block the path.

-FT
Altar_Boy
07-06-06, 04:04 PM Trick them.
1) Find/make a non-magical replica of the artifact and cast Nystul's Magic aura on it.
2) Once you get within a day's travel of the volcano, hide the real thing a ways off the road/trail and allow them to catch up to you.
3) Engage them long enough so that the fake is stolen (by a rogue) or accidently-on-purpose dropped in the heat of battle.
4) Retreat, pick up the real artifact, and dispose of it before the party finds out they've been duped.
Steidas
07-06-06, 04:29 PM Trick them.
1) Find/make a non-magical replica of the artifact and cast Nystul's Magic aura on it.
2) Once you get within a day's travel of the volcano, hide the real thing a ways off the road/trail and allow them to catch up to you.
3) Engage them long enough so that the fake is stolen (by a rogue) or accidently-on-purpose dropped in the heat of battle.
4) Retreat, pick up the real artifact, and dispose of it before the party finds out they've been duped.
If the PCs don't know what they're looking for, it's not a bad idea.You could feing the death of a few followers to make it more realistic.
Encard
07-06-06, 06:09 PM Travel via Wind Walk should help you arrive there before the PCs, assuming they can't just scry and teleport directly there.
Bane
07-06-06, 10:12 PM This is much easier with an Evil cleric and Good PC's. Good PC's generally feel the need to stop and help the people in need after you do horrible things. Evil ones don't. Ethereal Jaunt will keep you from leaving tracks for the PC's to follow. If you have enough time, hallow plus deeper darkness will slow them down to a crawl as they go through it. If you can place symbols on the ground within the darkness, they might lose track of party members as they go through. How long does someone have to be stunned to get lost in an area with no light?
Manic Man
07-06-06, 10:18 PM Go back to town. Get a wizard to cast teleport on you. Teleport to the volcano. Throw item in.
Sikyanakotik
07-06-06, 10:18 PM Well, you could always hire a band of plucky heroes to harry them. After all, it's worked exceptionally well for the forces of good thus far.
Archmage_Vall
07-06-06, 11:22 PM Let them think they've won.

Disguise one of your cohorts as you, with a duplicate of the artifact, complete with an appropriate magic aura. Send a group of flunkies to "protect" him as he heads up to the volcano to destroy the artifact. The evil PCs will intercept him, there will be a fight, they'll kill him, destroy the fake artifact, and arrogantly trot back to town dripping with pride in their most recent victory over the forces of good. Except of course, they didn't really win.

It wouldn't hurt if the flunkies are actually somewhat combat proficient, so the evil PCs will think they're actually facing serious opposition and overcoming it.
Steidas
07-07-06, 12:33 AM Let them think they've won.

Disguise one of your cohorts as you, with a duplicate of the artifact, complete with an appropriate magic aura. Send a group of flunkies to "protect" him as he heads up to the volcano to destroy the artifact. The evil PCs will intercept him, there will be a fight, they'll kill him, destroy the fake artifact, and arrogantly trot back to town dripping with pride in their most recent victory over the forces of good. Except of course, they didn't really win.

It wouldn't hurt if the flunkies are actually somewhat combat proficient, so the evil PCs will think they're actually facing serious opposition and overcoming it.
I like it... until the part there they kill the cohort. They can always just torture him to get the information. Not good, not smart.
Darkxarth
07-07-06, 12:48 AM I like it... until the part there they kill the cohort. They can always just torture him to get the information. Not good, not smart.
Plus, if you're a Good Cleric, you couldn't order these "flunkies" to do it, it isn't a good act. Now, Good flunkies might volunteer themselves in order to "protect the greater good," but you can't really, as a Good person, force you're flunkies to go on a suicide mission.
Now, if you're LN, or CN, or TN, then go for it, it's a great idea.
Comus
07-07-06, 01:06 AM Some good suggestions, there. The plucky heroes part is a good idea. Another good idea is simply to have them 'intercept' some mail that says you need to go to volcano X, while you're actually going to volcano Y, which is in the opposite direction. If that's impossible, simply find a way to shield yourself from detection and scrying spells and go on vacation for a month. Unless they're waiting around in the volcano for a couple of weeks, you can relax on the beach, sip a few mixed drinks, and have a good time before you head on up to the volcano.
DecepticonHQ
07-07-06, 04:10 AM Hiring the plucky heroes is classic, and if you are the head of a powerful order, find a way to put all the order's resources to use against the PCs.

Have friendly towns refuse them aid, station followers to set up roadblocks and buy you time, or even entrust the task to a worthy subordinate and let yourself be caught as a decoy when you've "almost made it" (after ensuring that you posess a convincing fake artifact, of course).

If you are near the volcano and alone, I hope you have some traveling spells and/or no time limit; otherwise I don't know what to say.
BrotherMarcus
07-07-06, 09:49 AM Sadly, our order was framed for the Prince's Murder by the evil PCs, so our resources are limited. The Island we happen to be on is a savage island full of primitive people and beasts. I have only eight men and two giants with me.
Alynn
07-07-06, 10:18 AM First off, can you trust your giant companions? Can they on their own destroy the item, or do you yourself have to be present (for a ritual or spell or whatever)? Do the evil PC's know the makeup of your group?

The reason I ask is this, the giants can most likely move much faster than the medium creatures (I'm assuming the group has medium and small). Giants also have decent CON scores usually, which means they can hustle for a long time, or do a forced march and be able to handle the physical stress without succumbing.

This works best if the evil PC's don't know you have a giant or two with you. If they don't when they eventually overtake you The giants will have moved quite a way ahead.

When you encounter the PC's (with 8 men you, plus you, you should be able to have a good watch setup for night time) Flee, if possible, back away from the volcano. Ask of your people that if they are under no obligation to give their life, however ask them to keep the fact that the giants have the item secret, and if they must, have them tell the evil PC's that you (if you aren't captured) have it. This is sligtly tricky as lying for a lawful (if they are lawful) is a general no no.

Set rally points on your way to the volcano, when attacked, scatter. The PC's will have a much harder time getting all 9 of you if you go in seperate directions. After you are sure you have lost your persuers (as most likely they will persue) make your way back to the rally point. If you are lucky, they will choose to press on, thinking that whoever has the artifact will still move toward the volcano. You are now behind them, and can use gurilla tactics to slow their progress. If you know you are being tracked, do NOT return to the rally point. Do what you must to survive, but do not bring them back to the main body. By keeping them following you, you are keeping them away from the artifact, and keeping it safe.

Now if the Evil PC's know you have giants, even one missing will be a clue that all is not right. At this point you may want to send another companion or two. A quick coverup about quicksand or other jungle danger could explain why they are no longer there. The rest of the plan is the same. I say this because it is more feasable that Bob the level 2 warrior companion was killed by being swallowed by quicksand, than it is for Cuth the 12 foot tall giant.
Borne Of Hate
07-07-06, 10:31 AM you said that you 'SUSPECT' you are being followed by Evil PC's.

What makes you so sure you ARE being followed?

Have the PCs done something to make it obvious that they are following you?
If not, then I think it highly unlikely you would take great precautions in regards to what is behind you, and pay more attention to what is ahead of you.
Personally I would think that several encounters on the way to the volcano would be fun. There is ALWAYS a way out... ALWAYS

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
BrotherMarcus 07-06-06, 03:34 PM	I am a powerful Cleric (12th level) and the head of an important order. I have been charged with taking an evil artifact to a volcano on a remote island to be destroyed. I suspect I am being followed by a group of evil PCs as I near my goal. What should I do to slow them down?
Mogofeiden 07-06-06, 03:41 PM	Use forbidance at some point where your enemies need to cross.
mike_beavers 07-06-06, 03:44 PM	if this is important, why dont you have additional people to ensure success?
FolcoTook 07-06-06, 03:50 PM	Random thoughts as I look through the spell list (assuming the cleric has confirmed (Scryed?) the intent of the evil PCs)... Put a Symbol of Fear/Sleep on a piece of gear and leave it behind. Cast Summon Monster/Planar Ally and have that creature attack the PCs. If there's a good natural chokepoint in the path, cast a Wall of Stone or use Shape Stone to block the path. -FT
Altar_Boy 07-06-06, 04:04 PM	Trick them. 1) Find/make a non-magical replica of the artifact and cast Nystul's Magic aura on it. 2) Once you get within a day's travel of the volcano, hide the real thing a ways off the road/trail and allow them to catch up to you. 3) Engage them long enough so that the fake is stolen (by a rogue) or accidently-on-purpose dropped in the heat of battle. 4) Retreat, pick up the real artifact, and dispose of it before the party finds out they've been duped.
Steidas 07-06-06, 04:29 PM	Trick them. 1) Find/make a non-magical replica of the artifact and cast Nystul's Magic aura on it. 2) Once you get within a day's travel of the volcano, hide the real thing a ways off the road/trail and allow them to catch up to you. 3) Engage them long enough so that the fake is stolen (by a rogue) or accidently-on-purpose dropped in the heat of battle. 4) Retreat, pick up the real artifact, and dispose of it before the party finds out they've been duped. If the PCs don't know what they're looking for, it's not a bad idea.You could feing the death of a few followers to make it more realistic.
Encard 07-06-06, 06:09 PM	Travel via Wind Walk should help you arrive there before the PCs, assuming they can't just scry and teleport directly there.
Bane 07-06-06, 10:12 PM	This is much easier with an Evil cleric and Good PC's. Good PC's generally feel the need to stop and help the people in need after you do horrible things. Evil ones don't. Ethereal Jaunt will keep you from leaving tracks for the PC's to follow. If you have enough time, hallow plus deeper darkness will slow them down to a crawl as they go through it. If you can place symbols on the ground within the darkness, they might lose track of party members as they go through. How long does someone have to be stunned to get lost in an area with no light?
Manic Man 07-06-06, 10:18 PM	Go back to town. Get a wizard to cast teleport on you. Teleport to the volcano. Throw item in.
Sikyanakotik 07-06-06, 10:18 PM	Well, you could always hire a band of plucky heroes to harry them. After all, it's worked exceptionally well for the forces of good thus far.
Archmage_Vall 07-06-06, 11:22 PM	Let them think they've won. Disguise one of your cohorts as you, with a duplicate of the artifact, complete with an appropriate magic aura. Send a group of flunkies to "protect" him as he heads up to the volcano to destroy the artifact. The evil PCs will intercept him, there will be a fight, they'll kill him, destroy the fake artifact, and arrogantly trot back to town dripping with pride in their most recent victory over the forces of good. Except of course, they didn't really win. It wouldn't hurt if the flunkies are actually somewhat combat proficient, so the evil PCs will think they're actually facing serious opposition and overcoming it.
Steidas 07-07-06, 12:33 AM	Let them think they've won. Disguise one of your cohorts as you, with a duplicate of the artifact, complete with an appropriate magic aura. Send a group of flunkies to "protect" him as he heads up to the volcano to destroy the artifact. The evil PCs will intercept him, there will be a fight, they'll kill him, destroy the fake artifact, and arrogantly trot back to town dripping with pride in their most recent victory over the forces of good. Except of course, they didn't really win. It wouldn't hurt if the flunkies are actually somewhat combat proficient, so the evil PCs will think they're actually facing serious opposition and overcoming it. I like it... until the part there they kill the cohort. They can always just torture him to get the information. Not good, not smart.
Darkxarth 07-07-06, 12:48 AM	I like it... until the part there they kill the cohort. They can always just torture him to get the information. Not good, not smart. Plus, if you're a Good Cleric, you couldn't order these "flunkies" to do it, it isn't a good act. Now, Good flunkies might volunteer themselves in order to "protect the greater good," but you can't really, as a Good person, force you're flunkies to go on a suicide mission. Now, if you're LN, or CN, or TN, then go for it, it's a great idea.
Comus 07-07-06, 01:06 AM	Some good suggestions, there. The plucky heroes part is a good idea. Another good idea is simply to have them 'intercept' some mail that says you need to go to volcano X, while you're actually going to volcano Y, which is in the opposite direction. If that's impossible, simply find a way to shield yourself from detection and scrying spells and go on vacation for a month. Unless they're waiting around in the volcano for a couple of weeks, you can relax on the beach, sip a few mixed drinks, and have a good time before you head on up to the volcano.
DecepticonHQ 07-07-06, 04:10 AM	Hiring the plucky heroes is classic, and if you are the head of a powerful order, find a way to put all the order's resources to use against the PCs. Have friendly towns refuse them aid, station followers to set up roadblocks and buy you time, or even entrust the task to a worthy subordinate and let yourself be caught as a decoy when you've "almost made it" (after ensuring that you posess a convincing fake artifact, of course). If you are near the volcano and alone, I hope you have some traveling spells and/or no time limit; otherwise I don't know what to say.
BrotherMarcus 07-07-06, 09:49 AM	Sadly, our order was framed for the Prince's Murder by the evil PCs, so our resources are limited. The Island we happen to be on is a savage island full of primitive people and beasts. I have only eight men and two giants with me.
Alynn 07-07-06, 10:18 AM	First off, can you trust your giant companions? Can they on their own destroy the item, or do you yourself have to be present (for a ritual or spell or whatever)? Do the evil PC's know the makeup of your group? The reason I ask is this, the giants can most likely move much faster than the medium creatures (I'm assuming the group has medium and small). Giants also have decent CON scores usually, which means they can hustle for a long time, or do a forced march and be able to handle the physical stress without succumbing. This works best if the evil PC's don't know you have a giant or two with you. If they don't when they eventually overtake you The giants will have moved quite a way ahead. When you encounter the PC's (with 8 men you, plus you, you should be able to have a good watch setup for night time) Flee, if possible, back away from the volcano. Ask of your people that if they are under no obligation to give their life, however ask them to keep the fact that the giants have the item secret, and if they must, have them tell the evil PC's that you (if you aren't captured) have it. This is sligtly tricky as lying for a lawful (if they are lawful) is a general no no. Set rally points on your way to the volcano, when attacked, scatter. The PC's will have a much harder time getting all 9 of you if you go in seperate directions. After you are sure you have lost your persuers (as most likely they will persue) make your way back to the rally point. If you are lucky, they will choose to press on, thinking that whoever has the artifact will still move toward the volcano. You are now behind them, and can use gurilla tactics to slow their progress. If you know you are being tracked, do NOT return to the rally point. Do what you must to survive, but do not bring them back to the main body. By keeping them following you, you are keeping them away from the artifact, and keeping it safe. Now if the Evil PC's know you have giants, even one missing will be a clue that all is not right. At this point you may want to send another companion or two. A quick coverup about quicksand or other jungle danger could explain why they are no longer there. The rest of the plan is the same. I say this because it is more feasable that Bob the level 2 warrior companion was killed by being swallowed by quicksand, than it is for Cuth the 12 foot tall giant.
Borne Of Hate 07-07-06, 10:31 AM	you said that you 'SUSPECT' you are being followed by Evil PC's. What makes you so sure you ARE being followed? Have the PCs done something to make it obvious that they are following you? If not, then I think it highly unlikely you would take great precautions in regards to what is behind you, and pay more attention to what is ahead of you. Personally I would think that several encounters on the way to the volcano would be fun. There is ALWAYS a way out... ALWAYS