[OOC] The Observers' Box [OOC]

[TheChuck]

I just had an amusing thought.

Aeternis, you want me to replace Rentok too?

[Aeternis]

Let someone else get a chance at slots in my games first.

Besides, there's an "intersecting plotlines" issue next chapter or the one after that would make that hard.

[TheChuck]

Originally Posted by Aeternis

Let someone else get a chance at slots in my games first.

Besides, there's an "intersecting plotlines" issue next chapter or the one after that would make that hard.

Haha, yeah I know I was goofing. Just thought it would be amusing.

[Aeternis]

Here, "amusing" is synonymous with DM Headaches.

[Aeternis]

So, at this point I'm calling Rentok a likely permanent vanishment. Here's how we can proceed.

• If you (VampyricAcid) want to recommend a player to serve as replacement, I will within reason allow you to make the judgement call.
• If not, I'll do my own hunting, I have some sources of talent I can tap without running into "DMs Seeking",
• Worst case, I post for replacements in "DMs Seeking" or pull someone out of "Players Seeking" who shows promise.
• Regardless of where the replacement comes from, they can either:
  • Take over Bloodmoon - obviously, this is prefectly viable as an option.
  • Create a new character - Bloodmoon has expressed uneasiness about the situation as it stands, so I would see it as entirely keeping with her character to go off on her own after being thouroughly unwilling to put herself in the middle of the situation that you two have woken up.
• As soon as a new palyer is ready we can go back to normal. Before that, though, we should finish up Chapter 1, which is literally right at the end as things stand.

[VampyricAcid]

Sounds fair, I don't have anyone in mind, so feel free to find someone for us

[Aeternis]

All right. I have some leads to follow up. In the mean time (that will take a few days minimum), we'll continue, with Bloodmoon as a minimalist NPC until chapter's end (not far, as you can guess).

[Thunder Speech]

@Aeternis: I'm guessing that she had a good diplomacy/circumstance bonus on her retort... and I must say Aeternis bravo on creating such a frustrating antagonist out of a nineteen year old common girl

@Chuck: Sorry if I messed up your plan to thwart Lyrane, but I had a feeling that if we would have dragged her into the Deer's Head then we would have an enraged crowd to contend with. Despite the fact I agree with you Chuck; Lyrane shouldn't be able to have the pleasure of watching her scheme unfold because this whole ruse is abviously a trap.

[Aeternis]

Just curious, what makes you think going back inside is a trap? I specifically endorse neither point of view, here - I am just trying to figure out how Chuck thinks she *doesn't* want you to go inside and you think she *does*.

EDIT: Also, she is losing the opinion war with the crowd right now, but not by much.

[TheChuck]

Originally Posted by Lyrane

I would, however, suggest that we take this interrogation outside.

Originally Posted by DM

She seems more distressed by the fact that the mercenaries have trapped her (and themselves) inside the tavern's common room than she does that they saw through her diversion.

Originally Posted by Lyrane

but I defy you to find anything dangerous in a dis[traction] - er, in a bunch of lights.

Lyrane is definitely trying to get everyone -and keep everyone- out of the common room of the inn, or the inn in general. The Dancing Lights are bogus and a red herring.

[Thunder Speech]

Yeah, the trap, or red herring is what Velios is doing right which is investigating the lights. Investigating the lights is more for the crowd to think I am honorable then to actually find out anything new. I hope that Therme stays with Lyrane and the crowd, but that would be meta-gaming just a wee bit

[TheChuck]

I think we need to get inside the inn before whatever is going on in there gets done. The time it takes for Velios to inspect the lights will allow her distraction to succeed. I don't want Therme to go into the inn by himself, but he will if he must.

[Thunder Speech]

Velios is already committed to checking out the lights, but after he scouts ahead then he'll run right back to the tavern. That is if these lights aren't a threat or anything. Hopefully it will be a quick "oh their just dancing lights" then he'll be right back. Also the purpose of him checking out the lights is more for the crowds courage and appreciation of us mercenaries doing our jobs than it is curiosity. As you can see, Velios has a soft spot for theatrics.

[Thunder Speech]

unless the barkeep has an amazing lock, then I think I passed the "oh ya I'm a rogue" test =)

[Aeternis]

He has a four-pin tumbler... Just a little above the kind you'd use on your house's door.

Originally Posted by SRD

The DC to open a lock with the Open Lock skill depends on the lock’s quality: simple (DC 20), average (DC 25), good (DC 30), or superior (DC 40).

So I'd put it at about 28. Still, this is a DC you seem to beat.

Update will happen tomorrow morning.