Post by james p on Mar 6, 2022 21:20:22 GMT
Amble Brockskin PI/Detective - A.K.A. The Badger
06/03/22 - !Activity TBC by DTDMs!
Following last week - thekantasexpanse.boards.net/thread/2476/dta-pen-less-mighty-pickpocket
Amble is still upset about his spell scroll being stolen - more so about the Principle of Adventurers being able to feel safe in FE. He has been actively keeping an eye out since.
[An adventure hook had also been submitted, but Amble wants to make a start on gathering information even sooner]
Activities he is carrying out:
Initial Investigation/Research:
*He'd start by reaching out to Coll, Oriloki, and Jenna Archselon, as they seem like decent people, and he's helped all of them out recently*
1) Requesting information about thefts and crimes in FE from positions of authority (as a Sage Researcher), then Research/Investigation to spot any patterns in these thefts
2) Offering his support as a PI, initially *Pro Bono* to follow up cases for the authorities
3) Conducting subtle, investigative interviews with a few of the other victims that he thinks could have been hit by the same thief. He will have a slight preference for those who are forest gnomes like him, and those whose birth tongue he can speak to build rapport (gnomish, elvish, infernal)
Setting traps:
*Amble will be using a pseudonym "The Badger", which he will only let Coll know*
1) Hell create Fake spell scrolls which look real initially, but have:
a) "Red" Invisible ink blob added which will stick to and stain a thief's hands
*Invisible inks that a skilled mage can Detect/Identify to read and/or can chemically "develop" to make visible*
b) "Red" invisible ink message saying "If found, please bring this item (and the person who gave it to you) to Coll. Ask for The Badger"
c) On further investigation (e.g. when somebody tries to use them and they don't work) they would see that on some of these scrolls "Find Coll. Ask for The Badger" is hidden in the text in gnomish, elvish, or infernal
2) Fake, small gems (coloured glass/rocks) in pouches, each coated with a different "colour" of invisible ink (per pouch)
3) As well as carrying these items himself, he will enlist the support of a few hand-picked low-level adventurers to also carry an item conspicuously on their person around FE and report back if/when they "disappear"
On the ground PI/Detection:
1) Primarily, Amble will carry out observation work indirectly - through animals. Using Speak with Small Beasts, he will establish a spy network of small animals, buying their affections with kind words and food. He will also make heavy use of his owl familiar, and its perception and stealth. This will involve general stake-out work, as well as trailing and keeping an eye on his traps and any other adventures helping out (above)
2) Before heading out, he will cast Detect Magic. When Amble is on the ground, he will be making full use of his Cloak of Many Fashions, and his extendable pole, as a rudimentary disguise. He'll also buy a few cheap changes of headwear and scarves (to complete the look and coverall his hair and face). Often, he will masquerade as a beggar, as he notices that people often ignore them and keep their distance - something that he will encourage, by exuding a strongly unwashed smell with Prestidigitation. He won't go on the ground in the same place too often as he doesn't want to arouse suspicion - and will pick a place and time from his shortlist at random, based on a dice roll #GoodMetaGaming #CanIGetExtraMetaWithThat
3) Asking "on behalf of a friend" to see if people can share info on where a person might be able to buy some "extra good value" magic items, "no questions asked", "might have fallen off the back of a wagon" - he will do this with very different disguises than for stake-outs, giving each of these a fake "characteristic quirk" that they perform with Prestidigitation. He will have a preference for those who are forest gnomes like him, and those whose birth tongue he can speak to build rapport (gnomish, elvish, infernal).
Each day, when making an important decision, he will use Augury twice and toss his crystals to guide his choices ... E.g. who to trust, choice of disguise, where to spend his time
Thief Encounters:
Should he actually encounter the thief, and he can get within 10 feet of them, then he will mark the back of their clothing with the word thief and a symbol, using Prestidigitation. If possible, he will attempt to hold them using magic (a non-lethal Mind Sliver, if possible) and his Hypnotic Gaze, followed by securing them with a rope. If that isn't immediately possible, then he will attempt to bring about an opportunity to do so by distracting/directing them, using mage hand and his owl familiar to his advantage. If capturing them doesn't seem possible, then he will settle for stealing a possession from them using (mage hand and/or owl).
If they try to run away (from him or anyone else) then he will:
1) If close enough, then attempt capture
a) Magically holding them (as above)
b) Magically distracting and tripping them (mage hand, fake obstacles with minor illusion)
c) Including a manual trip/grapple/shove (possibly a trip with his extendable pole) as a last resort - if other people are around
2) If not close enough, and he hasn't been spotted when they run then he will try to trip them up magically, or take a possession from their person, using mage hand, then try to trip them up
4) If Amble has been spotted and they are trying to escape, then he will also try to pursue while calling for help (e.g. "Stop! Thief!")
Eyes in the Sky:
Amble's owl familiar will be on standby to see if they can help (Help, Trip, Distract, Steal). They will also be keeping an eye out for any possible accomplices, along with a few small birds if Amble has persuaded them to assist him.
Should the thief escape and be lost from sight to Amble, the owl will stealthily pursue. Before it leaves 100ft of him, Amble will make a final observation of the thief through the 's senses.
Following the trail:
Without giving them away (bringing help if possible), he will get close to wherever the owl (and the thief) stop, before communicating with the owl again to complete a short observation of the area through its eyes. The owl would remain keeping watch stealthily and safely as possible (along with a few small birds if Amble has persuaded them to assist him), while Amble seeks urgent assistance from the authorities.
Depending on how things develop, he is also on the lookout for other adventurers with suitable skills, for example disguise kit.
06/03/22 - !Activity TBC by DTDMs!
Following last week - thekantasexpanse.boards.net/thread/2476/dta-pen-less-mighty-pickpocket
Amble is still upset about his spell scroll being stolen - more so about the Principle of Adventurers being able to feel safe in FE. He has been actively keeping an eye out since.
[An adventure hook had also been submitted, but Amble wants to make a start on gathering information even sooner]
Activities he is carrying out:
Initial Investigation/Research:
*He'd start by reaching out to Coll, Oriloki, and Jenna Archselon, as they seem like decent people, and he's helped all of them out recently*
1) Requesting information about thefts and crimes in FE from positions of authority (as a Sage Researcher), then Research/Investigation to spot any patterns in these thefts
2) Offering his support as a PI, initially *Pro Bono* to follow up cases for the authorities
3) Conducting subtle, investigative interviews with a few of the other victims that he thinks could have been hit by the same thief. He will have a slight preference for those who are forest gnomes like him, and those whose birth tongue he can speak to build rapport (gnomish, elvish, infernal)
Setting traps:
*Amble will be using a pseudonym "The Badger", which he will only let Coll know*
1) Hell create Fake spell scrolls which look real initially, but have:
a) "Red" Invisible ink blob added which will stick to and stain a thief's hands
*Invisible inks that a skilled mage can Detect/Identify to read and/or can chemically "develop" to make visible*
b) "Red" invisible ink message saying "If found, please bring this item (and the person who gave it to you) to Coll. Ask for The Badger"
c) On further investigation (e.g. when somebody tries to use them and they don't work) they would see that on some of these scrolls "Find Coll. Ask for The Badger" is hidden in the text in gnomish, elvish, or infernal
2) Fake, small gems (coloured glass/rocks) in pouches, each coated with a different "colour" of invisible ink (per pouch)
3) As well as carrying these items himself, he will enlist the support of a few hand-picked low-level adventurers to also carry an item conspicuously on their person around FE and report back if/when they "disappear"
On the ground PI/Detection:
1) Primarily, Amble will carry out observation work indirectly - through animals. Using Speak with Small Beasts, he will establish a spy network of small animals, buying their affections with kind words and food. He will also make heavy use of his owl familiar, and its perception and stealth. This will involve general stake-out work, as well as trailing and keeping an eye on his traps and any other adventures helping out (above)
2) Before heading out, he will cast Detect Magic. When Amble is on the ground, he will be making full use of his Cloak of Many Fashions, and his extendable pole, as a rudimentary disguise. He'll also buy a few cheap changes of headwear and scarves (to complete the look and coverall his hair and face). Often, he will masquerade as a beggar, as he notices that people often ignore them and keep their distance - something that he will encourage, by exuding a strongly unwashed smell with Prestidigitation. He won't go on the ground in the same place too often as he doesn't want to arouse suspicion - and will pick a place and time from his shortlist at random, based on a dice roll #GoodMetaGaming #CanIGetExtraMetaWithThat
3) Asking "on behalf of a friend" to see if people can share info on where a person might be able to buy some "extra good value" magic items, "no questions asked", "might have fallen off the back of a wagon" - he will do this with very different disguises than for stake-outs, giving each of these a fake "characteristic quirk" that they perform with Prestidigitation. He will have a preference for those who are forest gnomes like him, and those whose birth tongue he can speak to build rapport (gnomish, elvish, infernal).
Each day, when making an important decision, he will use Augury twice and toss his crystals to guide his choices ... E.g. who to trust, choice of disguise, where to spend his time
Thief Encounters:
Should he actually encounter the thief, and he can get within 10 feet of them, then he will mark the back of their clothing with the word thief and a symbol, using Prestidigitation. If possible, he will attempt to hold them using magic (a non-lethal Mind Sliver, if possible) and his Hypnotic Gaze, followed by securing them with a rope. If that isn't immediately possible, then he will attempt to bring about an opportunity to do so by distracting/directing them, using mage hand and his owl familiar to his advantage. If capturing them doesn't seem possible, then he will settle for stealing a possession from them using (mage hand and/or owl).
If they try to run away (from him or anyone else) then he will:
1) If close enough, then attempt capture
a) Magically holding them (as above)
b) Magically distracting and tripping them (mage hand, fake obstacles with minor illusion)
c) Including a manual trip/grapple/shove (possibly a trip with his extendable pole) as a last resort - if other people are around
2) If not close enough, and he hasn't been spotted when they run then he will try to trip them up magically, or take a possession from their person, using mage hand, then try to trip them up
4) If Amble has been spotted and they are trying to escape, then he will also try to pursue while calling for help (e.g. "Stop! Thief!")
Eyes in the Sky:
Amble's owl familiar will be on standby to see if they can help (Help, Trip, Distract, Steal). They will also be keeping an eye out for any possible accomplices, along with a few small birds if Amble has persuaded them to assist him.
Should the thief escape and be lost from sight to Amble, the owl will stealthily pursue. Before it leaves 100ft of him, Amble will make a final observation of the thief through the 's senses.
Following the trail:
Without giving them away (bringing help if possible), he will get close to wherever the owl (and the thief) stop, before communicating with the owl again to complete a short observation of the area through its eyes. The owl would remain keeping watch stealthily and safely as possible (along with a few small birds if Amble has persuaded them to assist him), while Amble seeks urgent assistance from the authorities.
Depending on how things develop, he is also on the lookout for other adventurers with suitable skills, for example disguise kit.