The Scythe and the Forge: Smuggler's Run

[Delia2531]

Cufwell Greenskin

Moving through the crowded streets Cufwell can pick out Jarren's footsteps amongst the chaos and follows along behind, trying to remain far enough behind that he isn't obviously with Jarren, but close enough that he can step in if trouble occurs.

 

 

Tanu

Tanu's head is on a swivel as she moves alongside her friend, eyes, ears and nose open and on the lookout for trouble.

Edited January 19 by Delia2531 (see edit history)

[Blue Jay]

Marketplace

The raven that's almost certainly Skall is scouring the area, looking for Jarren. There's no indication that he's picked Jarren out from the crowd, but he does seem to recognize Cufwell and watch him curiously for a moment.

((I'm going to ask Cufwell to roll a Bluff check, to see if he can avoid telegraphing Jarren's position to Skall.))

As the two of you walk along, you see various adventurers and other planar travelers around, going about their business. After a moment, you start to recognize the telltale glow in the eyes of some of them. The glow seems less obvious out here in daylight than it did in the dimly-lit Tavern, so it doesn't stand out easily. But, after a couple of moments, you think you've picked out three or four people (none of whom you recognize) who might be under the Barkeeper's sway. They seem to be scanning the area with their eyes, trying to find Jarren.

OOC: The Situation

 At this point, Jarren probably knows that the Barkeeper is aware of pretty much all of Jarren's abilities. So he will have anticipated Jarren using disguise self, and will have relayed that information to these enthralled adventurers. So, they at least know to be looking for disguises. However, your Disguise check easily beats their take-10 results, so they haven't noticed you yet.

But you also know that Skall routinely has the spell arcane sight persisted**This may not be true of the real Skall, but it is of my version., which means he can see magical auras. I think this creates a gray area for nondetection, because auras are at least partially independent from creatures (we know this, because they can be detected lingering behind after a character has left an area). So I'm going to give Skall a chance to try to pierce your nondetection.

However, this marketplace is certainly going to be full of miscellaneous magical auras, so just seeing your aura alone won't be enough for Skall to pick you out of a crowd or identify you. So he'll still have to roll against your Disguise check, even if he succeeds against nondetection. Arcane sight does not let him see through illusions, so he won't be able to negate the +10 from disguise self, but I will give him a bonus on his Spot check. And, Cufwell tailing you might also give something away, so Skall will attempt to

So, here's the order of operations:

1. Skall rolls a CL check against nondetection. If he succeeds, his arcane sight pierces nondetection, which lets him see Jarren's magical auras. This will give him a +4 bonus on his Spot check against Jarren's Disguise.
2. Skall rolls Sense Motive against Cufwell's Bluff. If he succeeds, he gets an idea of where to look for Jarren. This will give him another +4 bonus on his Spot check against Jarren's Disguise.
3. Skall rolls Spot (+10 without the bonuses above) against Jarren's Disguise result (33). If he succeeds, he is able to identify you.

So, here are his first two checks, to determine his bonuses:

Skalls' CL Check ((I think the DC is 11 + your CL for nondetection, so DC 18?))

Skall's Sense Motive (( @Delia2531, please oppose this with a Bluff check))

And there are a couple other things I need to resolve in this scenario too, but we'll wait until this step is completed before I talk about those.

 

[rogueblade0729]

OOC: The DC for Nondetection, according to the spell, is 22 (15 + CL of 7).

[Delia2531]

OOC

Cufwell is not at home with anything involving Cha; this could get sticky!

Bluff check

[Blue Jay]

OOC

((Oh, yeah: if you cast it on yourself, the DC goes up. Very good check on his part, though.))

Marketplace

Jarren nonchalantly shuffles through the marketplace, doing his best to look like a casual pedestrian. Tavern adventurers, planar travelers, merchants and whomever else seem to pay him no particular mind.

Cufwell and Tanu do their best to tail Jarren without drawing attention to him for some time, even as Skall's raven eyes scour the place looking for them. But, there's a sort of savviness needed to tail somebody without drawing suspicion, and this is clearly rather out of Cufwell's wheelhouse. He may have tipped Skall off a little bit about where Jarren might be, and Skall seems to have successfully pierced the nondetection effect, so he might have an inkling based on that magical aura he can see now...

Skall's Spot

The raven is looking intently somewhere rather close to Jarren, apparently very sure that his target is in that general vicinity. But, the bird's eyes never quite land right on Jarren, skimming past him a couple of times.

A moment later, you see another form leap onto the scene from the direction of the Tavern. You instantly recognize Gitcha, risen from the dead by the Tavern's magic, and now intent on pursuing you further.

The two of them continue scanning the area for a few moments, along with another group of enthralled adventurers (of which there are four this time). Where, at first, they were trying to remain casual and hidden in the crowd, now they begin to step up their efforts, spreading out like a web and actively coordinating each other's movements, as if they are all telepathically connected in some way. Jarren does his best to remain patient and casual as he walks through, but it seems like those raven eyes are just about to lock on to him...

Then, there's a sudden burst of something up ahead, on Jarren's side of the street, and a cloud of smoke billows out of nowhere, drawing the eyes of the enthralled adventurers for a moment and creating a large area of cover to hide in. The cloud envelopes two of the thralls, obscuring them behind the smoke.

Jarren recognizes the effects of a smokestick. You can guess that this was Aryn Vord's doing. Aryn himself is nowhere to be seen: he probably placed the smokestick here with a slow-burning fuse, and the timing was just perfect.

((The cloud is right ahead of you, and it covers the area where two of the four thralls are standing. While in that smoke, the thralls won't be able to see you, and you'll have all the concealment you need for stealth or costume changes or whatever else. It's also right on the corner of the Market Road and the Cove Road, so you could use it to mask a route change. Or you could just make a break for it and give yourself a head start. The radius of the cloud is 20 feet.))

 

Edited January 21 by Blue Jay (see edit history)

[rogueblade0729]

Jarren Grayson, the Nightshade

With the smokestick effect in place, Jarren decided it was cover enough for him to slip away, quickly. Visualizing the depths of the forest ahead on the road, he drew on a hidden well of magic granted by his guild and blipped away! As soon as he arrived, he immediately ducked out of direct line of sight and took off running, not caring to maintain the illusion of an old man until he was well out of sight of the Marketplace.

Mechanics & OOC

Statblock

Jarren Grayson, the Nightshade
Male NG Dark Human LA 1/Rogue 5/Avenger 7 || Urban Ranger 3/Fighter 4/Swashbuckler 2/Urban Ranger +3/Barbarian 1, Level 13, Init 7, HP 83/131, DR 1/- (7/10), Speed 60ft
AC 23, Touch 16, Flat-footed 18, Fort 11, Ref 16, Will 6, Base Attack Bonus +13/+8/+3
Lesser Cold Assault Rogue Blade +19/+14/+9 (1d8+1+1d6 Cold, 19-20/x2)
+1 Light Swordbow (x40 Arrows) +19/+14/+9 (1d6+1 [Bow] | 1d8+1 [Rapier], x3 [Bow] | 18-20/x2 [Rapier])
+2 Short Sword +20/+15/+10 (1d6+2, 19-20/x2)
+3 Least Iron Ward Mithral Chain Shirt (+7 Armor, +6 Dex)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 21, Con 13, Int 18, Wis 11, Cha 15
Condition

Dark Subtype

• Resistance: Cold 10
• Hide in Plain Sight (Ex)Use the Hide skill even while being observed (except in natural daylight, the area of a daylight spell, or a similar effect).

Rogue/Avenger

• Sneak Attack (+7d6+13)
• Trap Sense (Ex) +1Trap Sense (Ex)
  At 3rd level, a rogue gains an intuitive sense that alerts her to danger from traps, giving her a +1 bonus on Reflex saves made to avoid traps and a +1 dodge bonus to AC against attacks made by traps. These bonuses rise to +2 when the rogue reaches 6th level, to +3 when she reaches 9th level, to +4 when she reaches 12th level, to +5 at 15th, and to +6 at 18th level.
  
  Trap sense bonuses gained from multiple classes stack.
• TrapfindingTrapfinding
  Rogues (and only rogues) can use the Search skill to locate traps when the task has a Difficulty Class higher than 20.
  
  Finding a nonmagical trap has a DC of at least 20, or higher if it is well hidden. Finding a magic trap has a DC of 25 + the level of the spell used to create it.
  
  Rogues (and only rogues) can use the Disable Device skill to disarm magic traps. A magic trap generally has a DC of 25 + the level of the spell used to create it.
  
  A rogue who beats a trap’s DC by 10 or more with a Disable Device check can study a trap, figure out how it works, and bypass it (with her party) without disarming it.
• (Improved) Uncanny Dodge (Ex)Uncanny Dodge (Ex)
  Starting at 4th level, a rogue can react to danger before her senses would normally allow her to do so. She retains her Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) even if she is caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. However, she still loses her Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized.
  
  If a rogue already has uncanny dodge from a different class she automatically gains improved uncanny dodge instead.
  
  ---
  
  Improved Uncanny Dodge (Ex)
  A rogue of 8th level or higher can no longer be flanked.
  
  This defense denies another rogue the ability to sneak attack the character by flanking her, unless the attacker has at least four more rogue levels than the target does.
  
  If a character already has uncanny dodge from a second class, the character automatically gains improved uncanny dodge instead, and the levels from the classes that grant uncanny dodge stack to determine the minimum rogue level required to flank the character.
• Evasion (Ex)Evasion (Ex)
  At 2nd level and higher, a rogue can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If she makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, she instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if the rogue is wearing light armor or no armor. A helpless rogue does not gain the benefit of evasion.
• Poison UsePoison Use
  Avengers are trained in the use of poison and never risk accidentally poisoning themselves when applying poison to a blade.
• +3 to Saves vs Poison
• Death Attack (DC 21)Death Attack
  If an avenger studies his victim for 3 rounds and then makes a sneak attack with a melee weapon that successfully deals damage, the sneak attack has the additional effect of possibly either paralyzing or killing the target (avenger's choice). While studying the victim, the avenger can undertake other actions so long as his attention stays focused on the target and the target does not detect the avenger or recognize the avenger as an enemy. If the victim of such an attack fails a Fortitude save (DC 10 + the avenger's class level + the avenger's Int modifier) against the kill effect, she dies. If the saving throw fails against the paralysis effect, the victim is rendered helpless and unable to act for 1d6 rounds plus 1 round per level of the avenger. If the victim's saving throw succeeds, the attack is just a normal sneak attack. Once the avenger has completed the 3 rounds of study, he must make the death attack within the next 3 rounds.
  
  If a death attack is attempted and fails (the victim makes her save) or if the avenger does not launch the attack within 3 rounds of completing the study, 3 new rounds of study are required before he can attempt another death attack.

Urban Ranger

• Favored Enemy (Human +4) (Gnoll +2) (Ex)Favored Enemy (Ex)
  At 1st level, a ranger may select a type of creature from among those given on Table: Ranger Favored Enemies. The ranger gains a +2 bonus on Bluff, Listen, Sense Motive, Spot, and Survival checks when using these skills against creatures of this type. Likewise, he gets a +2 bonus on weapon damage (and attack, due to Solitary Hunting) rolls against such creatures.
  
  At 5th level and every five levels thereafter (10th, 15th, and 20th level), the ranger may select an additional favored enemy from those given on the table. In addition, at each such interval, the bonus against any one favored enemy (including the one just selected, if so desired) increases by 2.
  
  If the ranger chooses humanoids or outsiders as a favored enemy, he must also choose an associated subtype, as indicated on the table. If a specific creature falls into more than one category of favored enemy, the ranger’s bonuses do not stack; he simply uses whichever bonus is higher.
• Urban TrackingUrban Tracking
  You can track down the location of missing persons or wanted individuals within communities.
  
  Benefit
  To find the trail of an individual or to follow it for 1 hour requires a Gather Information check. You must make another Gather Information check every hour of the search, as well as each time the trail becomes difficult to follow, such as when it moves to a different area of town.
  
  The DC of the check, and the number of checks required to track down your quarry, depends on the community size and the conditions:
  
  If you fail a Gather Information check, you can retry after 1 hour of questioning. The game master should roll the number of checks required secretly, so that the player doesn't know exactly how long the task will require.
  
  Normal
  A character without this feat can use Gather Information to find out information about a particular individual, but each check takes 1d4+1 hours and doesn't allow effective trailing.
  
  Special
  A character with 5 ranks in Knowledge (local) gains a +2 bonus on the Gather Information check to use this feat.
  
  You can cut the time between Gather Information checks in half (to 30 minutes per check rather than 1 hour), but you take a -5 penalty on the check.
• Wild Empathy (Ex) (1d20+3)Wild Empathy (Normal)
  A ranger can improve the attitude of an animal. This ability functions just like a Diplomacy check to improve the attitude of a person. The ranger rolls 1d20 and adds his ranger level and his Charisma modifier to determine the wild empathy check result. The typical domestic animal has a starting attitude of indifferent, while wild animals are usually unfriendly.
  
  To use wild empathy, the ranger and the animal must be able to study each other, which means that they must be within 30 feet of one another under normal visibility conditions. Generally, influencing an animal in this way takes 1 minute, but, as with influencing people, it might take more or less time.
  
  The ranger can also use this ability to influence a magical beast with an Intelligence score of 1 or 2, but he takes a -4 penalty on the check.
  
  Wild Empathy (Urban Ranger)
  An urban ranger adds only one-half his class level to wild empathy checks, reflecting his limited connection with the natural world.
• Combat Style (Two-Weapon) (Ex)Combat Style (Ex)
  At 2nd level, a ranger must select one of two combat styles to pursue: archery or two-weapon combat. This choice affects the character’s class features but does not restrict his selection of feats or special abilities in any way.
  
  If the ranger selects archery, he is treated as having the Rapid Shot feat, even if he does not have the normal prerequisites for that feat.
  
  If the ranger selects two-weapon combat, he is treated as having the Two-Weapon Fighting feat, even if he does not have the normal prerequisites for that feat.
  
  The benefits of the ranger’s chosen style apply only when he wears light or no armor. He loses all benefits of his combat style when wearing medium or heavy armor.
• Improved Combat Style (Two-Weapon) (Ex)Improved Combat Style (Ex)
  At 6th level, a ranger’s aptitude in his chosen combat style (archery or two-weapon combat) improves. If he selected archery at 2nd level, he is treated as having the Manyshot feat, even if he does not have the normal prerequisites for that feat.
  
  If the ranger selected two-weapon combat at 2nd level, he is treated as having the Improved Two-Weapon Fighting feat, even if he does not have the normal prerequisites for that feat.
  
  As before, the benefits of the ranger’s chosen style apply only when he wears light or no armor. He loses all benefits of his combat style when wearing medium or heavy armor

Swashbuckler

• Weapon Finesse (Ex)A swashbuckler gains Weapon Finesse as a bonus feat at 1st level even if she does not qualify for the feat.
• Grace (Ex) (+1)A swashbuckler gains a +1 competence bonus on Reflex saves at 2nd level. This bonus increases to +2 at 11th level and to +3 at 20th level. A swashbuckler loses this bonus when wearing medium or heavy armor or when carrying a medium or heavy load.

Barbarian

• Ferocity (Ex)Ferocity (Ex)
  Once per day, the barbarian can enter a state of adrenaline-fueled fury, increasing both his physical might and his reaction time. He temporarily gains a +4 bonus to Strength and a +4 bonus to Dexterity, but he takes a -2 penalty on ranged attack rolls beyond short range (30 feet).
  
  He can enter this state as an immediate action, even when flat-footed at the start of combat, so he may apply the enhanced Dexterity modifier to his initiative check.
  
  While in a state of ferocity, the barbarian cannot use any Charisma- or Intelligence-based skills (except for Intimidate), the Concentration skill, or any abilities that require patience or concentration, nor can he cast spells or activate magic items that require a command word, a spell trigger (such as a wand), or spell completion (such as a scroll) to function. He can use any feat he has except item creation feats and metamagic feats. Ferocity lasts for a number of rounds equal to 4 + his Constitution modifier (if positive). The barbarian may prematurely end his state of ferocity. At the end of ferocity, he loses the ferocity modifiers and restrictions and become sickened (-2 on all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks) for the duration of the current encounter (unless he is a 17th-level barbarian, at which point this limitation no longer applies). Abilities that normally render him immune to being sickened (such as the Strong Stomach feat, Cityscape 64) reduce the penalties to -1, but do not remove them entirely.
  
  The barbarian can invoke ferocity only once per encounter. At 1st level he can use this ability once per day. [0/1]x/day
• Lion TotemRegal and intimidating, the powerful lion is a symbol of nobility among the races of the wild. By selecting him as your spiritual totem, you gain the pounce ability (MM 313).

Shadows of Virtue

• Rank 30 (Nightshade)
• Hire for Lesser ActionA Vigilante gains the ability to hire an agent to perform a simple action. Among these include Urban Tracking/simple intelligence-gathering, stealing an unprotected item, and commandeering small numbers of horses/simple land vehicles. Lethal actions not allowed, and it is up to the DM's discretion as to how successful the agent was. This ability may be used once per mission.
  
  Base cost is 50gp for a level 1 Urban Ranger or Rogue; +100gp per additional level.
• Hire for Greater ActionA Nightwatch gains the ability to hire an agent to perform an advanced action. Among these include kidnapping, infiltrating a dangerous organization, stalking a target for an extended time, stealing important documents (or planting false ones), and commandeering a large convoy or sea vessel. Lethal actions must require a DM's approval, but the result is also to their discretion. This ability may be used once per mission.
  
  Base cost is 100gp for a level 1 Urban Ranger or Rogue; +200gp per additional level.
• Nimble ChargeRun or charge across difficult surface without Balance check
• Nimble StandStand from prone safely (no provoked AoOs)
• Dimension DoorDimension Door
  Conjuration (Teleportation)
  Level: Brd 4, Sor/Wiz 4, Travel 4
  Components: V
  Casting Time: 1 standard action
  Range: Long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level)
  Target: You and touched objects or other touched willing creatures
  Duration: Instantaneous
  Saving Throw: None and Will negates (object)
  Spell Resistance: No and Yes (object)
  
  You instantly transfer yourself from your current location to any other spot within range. You always arrive at exactly the spot desired—whether by simply visualizing the area or by stating direction. After using this spell, you can’t take any other actions until your next turn. You can bring along objects as long as their weight doesn’t exceed your maximum load. You may also bring one additional willing Medium or smaller creature (carrying gear or objects up to its maximum load) or its equivalent per three caster levels. A Large creature counts as two Medium creatures, a Huge creature counts as two Large creatures, and so forth. All creatures to be transported must be in contact with one another, and at least one of those creatures must be in contact with you.
  
  If you arrive in a place that is already occupied by a solid body, you and each creature traveling with you take 1d6 points of damage and are shunted to a random open space on a suitable surface within 100 feet of the intended location.
  
  If there is no free space within 100 feet, you and each creature traveling with you take an additional 2d6 points of damage and are shunted to a free space within 1,000 feet. If there is no free space within 1,000 feet, you and each creature travelling with you take an additional 4d6 points of damage and the spell simply fails. [1/1]x/day
• Opportunist (Ex)Once per round, the rogue can make an attack of opportunity against an opponent who has just been struck for damage in melee by another character. This attack counts as the rogue's attack of opportunity for that round. Even a rogue with the Combat Reflexes feat can't use the opportunist ability more than once per round.

Magic Items

• Rogue BladeROGUE BLADE
  Price (Item Level): 12,320 gp (13th)
  Body Slot: — (held)
  Caster Level: 6th
  Aura: Moderate; (DC 18) illusion
  Activation: Swift (mental)
  Weight: 2 lb.
  
  The edges of this elegant rapier seem to fade and twitch, making it difficult to look at directly and surrounding it with a blur of motion though it remains per*fectly still.
  
  When you activate this +1 rapier, it provides you with the effect of a blink spell for 6 rounds. The effect ends prematurely if you stop holding the rogue blade. This effect can be used twice per day.
  
  Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, blink.
  Cost to Create: 6,000 gp (plus 320 gp for masterwork rapier), 480 XP, 12 days. [2/2]x/day
• Belt of BattleBELT OF BATTLE
  Price (Item Level): 12,000 gp (13th)
  Body Slot: Waist
  Caster Level: 9th
  Aura: Moderate; (DC 19) transmutation
  Activation: — and swift (mental)
  Weight: —
  
  This leather belt bears a platinum buckle set
  with three small black pearls.
  
  A belt of battle helps you avoid being caught off guard in combat and allows occasional bursts of extra activity. While worn, it grants you a +2 competence bonus on initiative checks. This is a continuous effect and requires no activation.
  
  In addition, a belt of battle has 3 charges, which are renewed each day at dawn. Each time you activate the belt, one of the black pearls set into its buckle turns white. The pearls return to normal when the ring's charges renew. Spending 1 or more charges grants you an extra action, which must be taken immediately (before you take any other action).
  
  1 charge: 1 move action.
  2 charges: 1 standard action.
  3 charges: 1 full-round action.
  
  Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, haste.
  Cost to Create: 6,000 gp, 480 XP, 12 days. [3/3] charges
• Rod of RopesRod of Ropes
  This versatile item meets your every rope-related need.
  
  Crafted from the darkest teak and repeatedly stained until it holds a lustrous black shine, this rod is a sculpted, 18-inch-long baton. Closer inspection (Search DC 15) reveals three barely perceptible concave indentations in the middle third of the rod.
  
  The three indentations act as buttons. Pressing any one of the rod’s buttons requires a move action.
  
  The rod has three functions, each of which can be employed an unlimited number of times. However, no two functions can be used at the same time
  
  Rope: When you press button 1, rope begins to extrude from one end of the rod at the rate of 60 feet per round. The rod can extrude 300 feet of rope in this manner. Pressing the button a second time stops the rope from extruding. Pressing it a third time draws the rope back in, also at a rate of 60 feet per round. Any knot in the rope automatically unties when it comes within 30 feet of the rod. This rope has the same hardness and hit points as the rest of the rod.
  
  Grappling Hook and Rope: When you press button 2, a small leather wrist loop springs from one end of the rod and three sharp grappling hooks sprout from the other end. Pressing the button again launches one-third of the rod (the end with the three hooks) in the direction you aim it. A length of rope up to 300 feet long trails behind the launched section and connects it with the end you hold; all 300 feet of rope can discharge in 1 round. The rope stops unreeling if the hooks strike something solid (including a creature) or if you give the rod a quick backward jerk. Pressing the button a third time retracts the rope, drawing the held end toward the hooked end if it is secured properly. The retracting feature can pull up to 1,000 pounds with it, drawing up 60 feet of rope per round. The rope has the same hardness and hit points as the rest of the rod. This function can be used to attack and push back opponents within 30 feet (beyond that distance it lacks sufficient power). On a successful ranged attack (no range increment) the hooked end deals 1d6 points of damage. The force of the blow is considerable, and those struck by it are subject to a bull rush effect (treat the hooked end as having a +5 bonus on its opposed check). The hooked end cannot pursue a pushed opponent.
  
  Grappling Hooks and Slide: When you press button 3, three sharp grappling hooks sprout from each end of the rod. Pressing the button again launches the two ends of the rod (each one-third of its length) in opposite directions simultaneously. A length of rope up to 300 feet long trails behind each launched section and connects it with the middle third you hold (all 600 feet of rope can discharge in 1 round). The grappling hooks work exactly as described above, including the possibility of bull rushing opponents. Pressing the button a third time causes part of the middle section to expand slightly in diameter and slide freely along the extruded rope. The slide can be released from the remaining part of the middle section by squeezing it to loosen it. Two hand loops allow you to slide down the rope if it is at an angle. Regardless of the angle of the rope or the load on it (up to 1,000 pounds), if attached firmly the rope does not sag. Pushing any button a second time returns the rod to its previous (unactivated) state.
  
  Aura/Caster Level: Moderate transmutation; CL 10th.
  Weight: 4 lb.
• Corsair's EyepatchCORSAIR'S EYEPATCH
  Price (Item Level): 3,000 gp (7th)
  Body Slot: Face
  Caster Level: 3rd
  Aura: Faint; (DC 16) divination
  Activation: Swift (command)
  Weight: —
  A leather strap and a bit of hardened leather and krenshar hide make up this menacing black eyepatch.
  
  Despite its name, the improved visual acuity provided by a corsair's eyepatch is equally useful to landlubbers. Wearing this eyepatch has no negative impact on your eyesight—it appears completely transparent to you. While you wear a corsair's eyepatch over your left eye, activating it grants you the ability to use see invisibility (as the spell) for 1 round. While you wear it over your right eye, activating it grants you the benefit of the Blind-Fight feat for 1 minute. Moving the eyepatch from one eye to another requires a move action that doesn't provoke attacks of opportunity.
  
  A corsair's eyepatch functions a total of three times per day.
  
  Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, see invisibility.
  Cost to Create: 1,500 gp, 120 XP, 3 days.
• Bracers of MurderBRACERS OF MURDER
  Price (Item Level): 8,000 gp (11th)
  Body Slot: Arms
  Caster Level: 5th
  Aura: Faint; (DC 17) evocation
  Activation: —
  Weight: 3 lb.
  Each of these burnished metal bracers is adorned with grinning skull set with onyx stones in its eye sockets.
  Bracers of murder grant you a +2 profane bonus on attack rolls and damage rolls against flat-footed targets.
  If you have the death attack ability, the save DC to resist your death attack increases by 2.
  If you have sneak attack or sudden strike, reroll any result of 1 on the dice.
• Cloak of the BatCloak of the Bat
  
  Fashioned of dark brown or black cloth, this cloak bestows a +5 competence bonus on Hide checks. The wearer is also able to hang upside down from the ceiling, like a bat.
  
  By holding the edges of the garment, the wearer is able to fly as per the spell. If he desires, the wearer can actually polymorph himself into an ordinary bat and fly accordingly. (All possessions worn or carried are part of the transformation.) Flying, either with the cloak or in bat form, can be accomplished only in darkness (either under the night sky or in a lightless or near-lightless environment underground). Either of the flying powers is usable for up to 7 minutes at a time, but after a flight of any duration the cloak cannot bestow any flying power for a like period of time.
  
  Moderate transmutation; CL 7th; Craft Wondrous Item, fly, polymorph; Price 26,000 gp; Weight 1 lb.
• Necklace of Vine StrikeGrants sneak attack against plant creatures 3 times per day. [3/3]x/day
• Anklet of TranslocationANKLET OF TRANSLOCATION
  Price (Item Level): 1,400 gp (5th)
  Body Slot: Feet
  Caster Level: 7th
  Aura: Moderate; (DC 18) conjuration
  Activation: Swift (command)
  Weight: —
  
  A pewter chime hangs from this simple leather ankle-band.
  
  An anklet of translocation allows you to make short dimensional hops. When it is activated, you can instantly teleport (with no chance of error) up to 10 feet. The new space must be within line of sight and line of effect.
  
  You can't use the anklet to move into a space occupied by another creature, nor can you teleport into a solid object; if you attempt to do so, the anklet's activation is wasted. You can bring along objects weigh*ing up to your maximum load, but you can't bring another creature with you.
  
  An anklet of translocation functions two times per day.
  
  Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, dimension door.
  Cost to Create: 700 gp, 56 XP, 2 days.
• Ring of the DarkhiddenRING OF THE DARKHIDDEN
  Price (Item Level): 2,000 gp (6th)
  Body Slot: Ring
  Caster Level: 3rd
  Aura: Faint; (DC 16) illusion
  Activation: —
  Weight: —
  
  More than a dozen etchings of closed eyes circle this tarnished silver ring.
  
  You are invisible to darkvision, although you are fully visible in normal light.
  
  Prerequisites: Forge Ring, invisibility.
  Cost to Create: 1,000 gp, 80 XP, 2 days.
• ShiftweaveSHIFTWEAVE
  Price (Item Level): 500 gp (3rd)
  Body Slot: Torso
  Caster Level: 3rd
  Aura: Faint; (DC 16) transmutation
  Activation: Swift (mental)
  Weight: 5 lb.
  
  This otherwise plain-looking set of clothing seems to have gossamer threads woven randomly into the fabric.
  
  When you activate shiftweave, it changes your garb to resemble any of five specific outfits designated during its creation. Shiftweave has no effect on any armor you wear (nor can it mimic armor) and does not change the effect of any magical clothing you wear.
  
  Lore: Though originally created for wealthy socialites who wanted to avoid wearing the same gown to the gala, shiftweave is also useful to spies and assassins (Knowledge [nobility and royalty] DC 10).
  
  Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, disguise self.
  
  Cost to Create: 250 gp, 20 XP, 1 day.
• Handy HaversackHandy Haversack
  
  A backpack of this sort appears to be well made, well used, and quite ordinary. It is constructed of finely tanned leather, and the straps have brass hardware and buckles. It has two side pouches, each of which appears large enough to hold about a quart of material. In fact, each is like a bag of holding and can actually hold material of as much as 2 cubic feet in volume or 20 pounds in weight. The large central portion of the pack can contain up to 8 cubic feet or 80 pounds of material. Even when so filled, the backpack always weighs only 5 pounds.
  
  While such storage is useful enough, the pack has an even greater power in addition. When the wearer reaches into it for a specific item, that item is always on top. Thus, no digging around and fumbling is ever necessary to find what a haversack contains. Retrieving any specific item from a haversack is a move action, but it does not provoke the attacks of opportunity that retrieving a stored item usually does.
  
  Moderate conjuration; CL 9th; Craft Wondrous Item, secret chest; Price 2,000 gp; Weight 5 lb. 

Active Effects: Darkstalker, Hide in Plain Sight, Ring of Darkhidden, Nondetection, Gift of Grace+3 bonus to all saving throws for the rest of the day (until end of day), Disguise Self [old peasant] (70 minutes)

---

Notes on Sneaking

Before crossing the portal, Jarren casts nondetection on himself, meaning anyone who attempts a divination spell like locate object, clairaudience / clairvoyance, and detect spells are blocked, unless the caster makes a DC 22 caster level check (15 + Jarren's caster level) to pierce the veil.

When sneaking, Jarren will move at half his normal movement speed to avoid penalties to Move Silently, meaning he can cross 30ft per move action. Recall the rules about invisibility, which involve distances and other factors at play.

Several things to note about his sneaking:

1. Jarren's got stupid high Hide and Move Silently checks, which are rolled below. I actually noticed an error a little while ago where I added several overlapping bonuses to his Hide check, so it's not +40-ish anymore, and should now be correct.
2. Jarren has the Darkstalker feat, meaning creatures with blindsense, blindsight, scent, or tremorsense have to roll Spot to notice him.
3. Jarren has the Dark template, meaning he has Hide in Plain Sight. He can use the Hide skill even while being observed (except in natural daylight, the area of a daylight spell, or a similar effect).
4. Jarren has the Ring of Darkhidden, meaning he is considered invisible to darkvision. He must have some light cast on him in order for creatures with low-light or normal vision to possibly see him.

OOC: Time to GTFO! Jarren uses his dimension door SLA to teleport down the road into the forest, then stealthily flees while hid by the canopy... assuming his teleport can reach the forest, that is. I'm not entirely sure what caster level this would be considered as, since it's technically from his guild, but at a minimum he's teleporting 440ft away.

[Delia2531]

Cufwell Greenskin

Spotting the distraction for what it is, and knowing where Jarren is going, Cufwell slows his pace and dawdles in the street waiting to see what happens next; ready to cut down any thrall that attempts to interfere with Jarren's progress.

[Blue Jay]

Cufwell

Gitcha scowls at Cufwell, but gives him a healthily wide berth as he and the other thralls continue scanning the area for Jarren. The thralls begin moving with more urgency, looking around desperately. The raven zeroes in on somebody and swoops down, transforming back into Skall just as he reaches the ground, hammer raised and ready to cave Meris's face in. She drops back in surprise.

"What are you doing?" she asks in surprise.

Skall narrows his eyes at her, then scowls and walks away.

"No, excuse me!" she says, walking after him, "You don't get to just pull a weapon on me like that, then walk away. What are you--"

Skall turns sharply to look at her with his eyes aglow, and she stops, drawing back a little bit as she seems to recognize the look of mind-controlling magic in his eyes.

She takes a step back and attempts to cast a spell (dispel magic):

CL check vs DC 40

Her magic fails to penetrate, and Skall remains enthralled. Meris's eyes go wide in surprise and her face blanches a little in anxiety. "Who is doing this to you?" she wonders aloud, clearly shaken by the magic she failed to dispel.

Skall simply snorts derisively at her and walks on, looking around himself. Gitcha and the other four are starting to piece some things together, wordlessly noticing that somebody never emerged from the smoke. They start looking farther afield, and Skall sighs in frustration. Then, Gitcha gives a mighty leap in the direction of the Weird Cave.

Jarren

Jarren's teleportation didn't go quite far enough to get out of the marketplace, but it did take him to within a block of the edge. As he looks ahead, he sees that there are more enthralled adventurers here, setting up some kind of road block at the edge of town. There are maybe six of them. A few of them are shouting at passersby to clear the area, brandishing glaives to accentuate their points. Another is casting a spell on the ground in a certain area. The rest have their eyes peeled.

A couple bystanders look pretty irritated by this disruption, and one of them is making a bit of a stink about it. "Who's it what's given you the right to interfere wi' our days 'ere?" he's demanding loudly, "We've all got things goin' on, haven't we? Why is your thing this important?"

Jarren recognizes this person as Aryn Vord, trying to rile up some of the bystanders with a fake Cockney accent.

"Orders of the Barkeeper," one of the adventurers spits over his glaive, "You're to back off, mate!"

"I won't!" Aryn replies, "You can sod right off!" He turns to look at some of the bystanders. "What do you say, blokes? We've all got schedules, ain't we? Are we gonna let the likes of 'im ruin our days like this?"

((Go ahead and roll a check for Aryn, if you still have his stats. Diplomacy, Intimidate, Bluff, whichever you prefer. Then, I'll let you take over roleplaying for him at this point, if you want.))

 

Edited January 24 by Blue Jay (see edit history)

[rogueblade0729]

Jarren Grayson, the Nightshade

Lingering in the shadows, Jarren watched the scene play out. While he knew the urgency of his mission, he hoped to mitigate the damage done to innocents caught in the Barkeeper's madness. Yet for now, he had to rely on Aryn's wordplay to hopefully distract the adventurers enough for him to slip by in all the madness.

"The Barkeeper wouldn't 'ave a pint to 'is name if it weren't for us, tillin' 'is fields an' buildin' 'is barrels!" Aryn continued, continuing to rile up the bystanders. Turning back to the adventurer, he jabbed a finger in their direction and retorted, "It's you who ought to take orders from us, boy! Now git out of our way!"

Mechanics & OOC

Statblock

Jarren Grayson, the Nightshade
Male NG Dark Human LA 1/Rogue 5/Avenger 7 || Urban Ranger 3/Fighter 4/Swashbuckler 2/Urban Ranger +3/Barbarian 1, Level 13, Init 7, HP 83/131, DR 1/- (7/10), Speed 60ft
AC 23, Touch 16, Flat-footed 18, Fort 11, Ref 16, Will 6, Base Attack Bonus +13/+8/+3
Lesser Cold Assault Rogue Blade +19/+14/+9 (1d8+1+1d6 Cold, 19-20/x2)
+1 Light Swordbow (x40 Arrows) +19/+14/+9 (1d6+1 [Bow] | 1d8+1 [Rapier], x3 [Bow] | 18-20/x2 [Rapier])
+2 Short Sword +20/+15/+10 (1d6+2, 19-20/x2)
+3 Least Iron Ward Mithral Chain Shirt (+7 Armor, +6 Dex)
Abilities Str 11, Dex 21, Con 13, Int 18, Wis 11, Cha 15
Condition

Dark Subtype

• Resistance: Cold 10
• Hide in Plain Sight (Ex)Use the Hide skill even while being observed (except in natural daylight, the area of a daylight spell, or a similar effect).

Rogue/Avenger

• Sneak Attack (+7d6+13)
• Trap Sense (Ex) +1Trap Sense (Ex)
  At 3rd level, a rogue gains an intuitive sense that alerts her to danger from traps, giving her a +1 bonus on Reflex saves made to avoid traps and a +1 dodge bonus to AC against attacks made by traps. These bonuses rise to +2 when the rogue reaches 6th level, to +3 when she reaches 9th level, to +4 when she reaches 12th level, to +5 at 15th, and to +6 at 18th level.
  
  Trap sense bonuses gained from multiple classes stack.
• TrapfindingTrapfinding
  Rogues (and only rogues) can use the Search skill to locate traps when the task has a Difficulty Class higher than 20.
  
  Finding a nonmagical trap has a DC of at least 20, or higher if it is well hidden. Finding a magic trap has a DC of 25 + the level of the spell used to create it.
  
  Rogues (and only rogues) can use the Disable Device skill to disarm magic traps. A magic trap generally has a DC of 25 + the level of the spell used to create it.
  
  A rogue who beats a trap’s DC by 10 or more with a Disable Device check can study a trap, figure out how it works, and bypass it (with her party) without disarming it.
• (Improved) Uncanny Dodge (Ex)Uncanny Dodge (Ex)
  Starting at 4th level, a rogue can react to danger before her senses would normally allow her to do so. She retains her Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) even if she is caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. However, she still loses her Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized.
  
  If a rogue already has uncanny dodge from a different class she automatically gains improved uncanny dodge instead.
  
  ---
  
  Improved Uncanny Dodge (Ex)
  A rogue of 8th level or higher can no longer be flanked.
  
  This defense denies another rogue the ability to sneak attack the character by flanking her, unless the attacker has at least four more rogue levels than the target does.
  
  If a character already has uncanny dodge from a second class, the character automatically gains improved uncanny dodge instead, and the levels from the classes that grant uncanny dodge stack to determine the minimum rogue level required to flank the character.
• Evasion (Ex)Evasion (Ex)
  At 2nd level and higher, a rogue can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If she makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, she instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if the rogue is wearing light armor or no armor. A helpless rogue does not gain the benefit of evasion.
• Poison UsePoison Use
  Avengers are trained in the use of poison and never risk accidentally poisoning themselves when applying poison to a blade.
• +3 to Saves vs Poison
• Death Attack (DC 21)Death Attack
  If an avenger studies his victim for 3 rounds and then makes a sneak attack with a melee weapon that successfully deals damage, the sneak attack has the additional effect of possibly either paralyzing or killing the target (avenger's choice). While studying the victim, the avenger can undertake other actions so long as his attention stays focused on the target and the target does not detect the avenger or recognize the avenger as an enemy. If the victim of such an attack fails a Fortitude save (DC 10 + the avenger's class level + the avenger's Int modifier) against the kill effect, she dies. If the saving throw fails against the paralysis effect, the victim is rendered helpless and unable to act for 1d6 rounds plus 1 round per level of the avenger. If the victim's saving throw succeeds, the attack is just a normal sneak attack. Once the avenger has completed the 3 rounds of study, he must make the death attack within the next 3 rounds.
  
  If a death attack is attempted and fails (the victim makes her save) or if the avenger does not launch the attack within 3 rounds of completing the study, 3 new rounds of study are required before he can attempt another death attack.

Urban Ranger

• Favored Enemy (Human +4) (Gnoll +2) (Ex)Favored Enemy (Ex)
  At 1st level, a ranger may select a type of creature from among those given on Table: Ranger Favored Enemies. The ranger gains a +2 bonus on Bluff, Listen, Sense Motive, Spot, and Survival checks when using these skills against creatures of this type. Likewise, he gets a +2 bonus on weapon damage (and attack, due to Solitary Hunting) rolls against such creatures.
  
  At 5th level and every five levels thereafter (10th, 15th, and 20th level), the ranger may select an additional favored enemy from those given on the table. In addition, at each such interval, the bonus against any one favored enemy (including the one just selected, if so desired) increases by 2.
  
  If the ranger chooses humanoids or outsiders as a favored enemy, he must also choose an associated subtype, as indicated on the table. If a specific creature falls into more than one category of favored enemy, the ranger’s bonuses do not stack; he simply uses whichever bonus is higher.
• Urban TrackingUrban Tracking
  You can track down the location of missing persons or wanted individuals within communities.
  
  Benefit
  To find the trail of an individual or to follow it for 1 hour requires a Gather Information check. You must make another Gather Information check every hour of the search, as well as each time the trail becomes difficult to follow, such as when it moves to a different area of town.
  
  The DC of the check, and the number of checks required to track down your quarry, depends on the community size and the conditions:
  
  If you fail a Gather Information check, you can retry after 1 hour of questioning. The game master should roll the number of checks required secretly, so that the player doesn't know exactly how long the task will require.
  
  Normal
  A character without this feat can use Gather Information to find out information about a particular individual, but each check takes 1d4+1 hours and doesn't allow effective trailing.
  
  Special
  A character with 5 ranks in Knowledge (local) gains a +2 bonus on the Gather Information check to use this feat.
  
  You can cut the time between Gather Information checks in half (to 30 minutes per check rather than 1 hour), but you take a -5 penalty on the check.
• Wild Empathy (Ex) (1d20+3)Wild Empathy (Normal)
  A ranger can improve the attitude of an animal. This ability functions just like a Diplomacy check to improve the attitude of a person. The ranger rolls 1d20 and adds his ranger level and his Charisma modifier to determine the wild empathy check result. The typical domestic animal has a starting attitude of indifferent, while wild animals are usually unfriendly.
  
  To use wild empathy, the ranger and the animal must be able to study each other, which means that they must be within 30 feet of one another under normal visibility conditions. Generally, influencing an animal in this way takes 1 minute, but, as with influencing people, it might take more or less time.
  
  The ranger can also use this ability to influence a magical beast with an Intelligence score of 1 or 2, but he takes a -4 penalty on the check.
  
  Wild Empathy (Urban Ranger)
  An urban ranger adds only one-half his class level to wild empathy checks, reflecting his limited connection with the natural world.
• Combat Style (Two-Weapon) (Ex)Combat Style (Ex)
  At 2nd level, a ranger must select one of two combat styles to pursue: archery or two-weapon combat. This choice affects the character’s class features but does not restrict his selection of feats or special abilities in any way.
  
  If the ranger selects archery, he is treated as having the Rapid Shot feat, even if he does not have the normal prerequisites for that feat.
  
  If the ranger selects two-weapon combat, he is treated as having the Two-Weapon Fighting feat, even if he does not have the normal prerequisites for that feat.
  
  The benefits of the ranger’s chosen style apply only when he wears light or no armor. He loses all benefits of his combat style when wearing medium or heavy armor.
• Improved Combat Style (Two-Weapon) (Ex)Improved Combat Style (Ex)
  At 6th level, a ranger’s aptitude in his chosen combat style (archery or two-weapon combat) improves. If he selected archery at 2nd level, he is treated as having the Manyshot feat, even if he does not have the normal prerequisites for that feat.
  
  If the ranger selected two-weapon combat at 2nd level, he is treated as having the Improved Two-Weapon Fighting feat, even if he does not have the normal prerequisites for that feat.
  
  As before, the benefits of the ranger’s chosen style apply only when he wears light or no armor. He loses all benefits of his combat style when wearing medium or heavy armor

Swashbuckler

• Weapon Finesse (Ex)A swashbuckler gains Weapon Finesse as a bonus feat at 1st level even if she does not qualify for the feat.
• Grace (Ex) (+1)A swashbuckler gains a +1 competence bonus on Reflex saves at 2nd level. This bonus increases to +2 at 11th level and to +3 at 20th level. A swashbuckler loses this bonus when wearing medium or heavy armor or when carrying a medium or heavy load.

Barbarian

• Ferocity (Ex)Ferocity (Ex)
  Once per day, the barbarian can enter a state of adrenaline-fueled fury, increasing both his physical might and his reaction time. He temporarily gains a +4 bonus to Strength and a +4 bonus to Dexterity, but he takes a -2 penalty on ranged attack rolls beyond short range (30 feet).
  
  He can enter this state as an immediate action, even when flat-footed at the start of combat, so he may apply the enhanced Dexterity modifier to his initiative check.
  
  While in a state of ferocity, the barbarian cannot use any Charisma- or Intelligence-based skills (except for Intimidate), the Concentration skill, or any abilities that require patience or concentration, nor can he cast spells or activate magic items that require a command word, a spell trigger (such as a wand), or spell completion (such as a scroll) to function. He can use any feat he has except item creation feats and metamagic feats. Ferocity lasts for a number of rounds equal to 4 + his Constitution modifier (if positive). The barbarian may prematurely end his state of ferocity. At the end of ferocity, he loses the ferocity modifiers and restrictions and become sickened (-2 on all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks) for the duration of the current encounter (unless he is a 17th-level barbarian, at which point this limitation no longer applies). Abilities that normally render him immune to being sickened (such as the Strong Stomach feat, Cityscape 64) reduce the penalties to -1, but do not remove them entirely.
  
  The barbarian can invoke ferocity only once per encounter. At 1st level he can use this ability once per day. [0/1]x/day
• Lion TotemRegal and intimidating, the powerful lion is a symbol of nobility among the races of the wild. By selecting him as your spiritual totem, you gain the pounce ability (MM 313).

Shadows of Virtue

• Rank 30 (Nightshade)
• Hire for Lesser ActionA Vigilante gains the ability to hire an agent to perform a simple action. Among these include Urban Tracking/simple intelligence-gathering, stealing an unprotected item, and commandeering small numbers of horses/simple land vehicles. Lethal actions not allowed, and it is up to the DM's discretion as to how successful the agent was. This ability may be used once per mission.
  
  Base cost is 50gp for a level 1 Urban Ranger or Rogue; +100gp per additional level.
• Hire for Greater ActionA Nightwatch gains the ability to hire an agent to perform an advanced action. Among these include kidnapping, infiltrating a dangerous organization, stalking a target for an extended time, stealing important documents (or planting false ones), and commandeering a large convoy or sea vessel. Lethal actions must require a DM's approval, but the result is also to their discretion. This ability may be used once per mission.
  
  Base cost is 100gp for a level 1 Urban Ranger or Rogue; +200gp per additional level.
• Nimble ChargeRun or charge across difficult surface without Balance check
• Nimble StandStand from prone safely (no provoked AoOs)
• Dimension DoorDimension Door
  Conjuration (Teleportation)
  Level: Brd 4, Sor/Wiz 4, Travel 4
  Components: V
  Casting Time: 1 standard action
  Range: Long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level)
  Target: You and touched objects or other touched willing creatures
  Duration: Instantaneous
  Saving Throw: None and Will negates (object)
  Spell Resistance: No and Yes (object)
  
  You instantly transfer yourself from your current location to any other spot within range. You always arrive at exactly the spot desired—whether by simply visualizing the area or by stating direction. After using this spell, you can’t take any other actions until your next turn. You can bring along objects as long as their weight doesn’t exceed your maximum load. You may also bring one additional willing Medium or smaller creature (carrying gear or objects up to its maximum load) or its equivalent per three caster levels. A Large creature counts as two Medium creatures, a Huge creature counts as two Large creatures, and so forth. All creatures to be transported must be in contact with one another, and at least one of those creatures must be in contact with you.
  
  If you arrive in a place that is already occupied by a solid body, you and each creature traveling with you take 1d6 points of damage and are shunted to a random open space on a suitable surface within 100 feet of the intended location.
  
  If there is no free space within 100 feet, you and each creature traveling with you take an additional 2d6 points of damage and are shunted to a free space within 1,000 feet. If there is no free space within 1,000 feet, you and each creature travelling with you take an additional 4d6 points of damage and the spell simply fails. [0/1]x/day
• Opportunist (Ex)Once per round, the rogue can make an attack of opportunity against an opponent who has just been struck for damage in melee by another character. This attack counts as the rogue's attack of opportunity for that round. Even a rogue with the Combat Reflexes feat can't use the opportunist ability more than once per round.

Magic Items

• Rogue BladeROGUE BLADE
  Price (Item Level): 12,320 gp (13th)
  Body Slot: — (held)
  Caster Level: 6th
  Aura: Moderate; (DC 18) illusion
  Activation: Swift (mental)
  Weight: 2 lb.
  
  The edges of this elegant rapier seem to fade and twitch, making it difficult to look at directly and surrounding it with a blur of motion though it remains per*fectly still.
  
  When you activate this +1 rapier, it provides you with the effect of a blink spell for 6 rounds. The effect ends prematurely if you stop holding the rogue blade. This effect can be used twice per day.
  
  Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, blink.
  Cost to Create: 6,000 gp (plus 320 gp for masterwork rapier), 480 XP, 12 days. [2/2]x/day
• Belt of BattleBELT OF BATTLE
  Price (Item Level): 12,000 gp (13th)
  Body Slot: Waist
  Caster Level: 9th
  Aura: Moderate; (DC 19) transmutation
  Activation: — and swift (mental)
  Weight: —
  
  This leather belt bears a platinum buckle set
  with three small black pearls.
  
  A belt of battle helps you avoid being caught off guard in combat and allows occasional bursts of extra activity. While worn, it grants you a +2 competence bonus on initiative checks. This is a continuous effect and requires no activation.
  
  In addition, a belt of battle has 3 charges, which are renewed each day at dawn. Each time you activate the belt, one of the black pearls set into its buckle turns white. The pearls return to normal when the ring's charges renew. Spending 1 or more charges grants you an extra action, which must be taken immediately (before you take any other action).
  
  1 charge: 1 move action.
  2 charges: 1 standard action.
  3 charges: 1 full-round action.
  
  Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, haste.
  Cost to Create: 6,000 gp, 480 XP, 12 days. [3/3] charges
• Rod of RopesRod of Ropes
  This versatile item meets your every rope-related need.
  
  Crafted from the darkest teak and repeatedly stained until it holds a lustrous black shine, this rod is a sculpted, 18-inch-long baton. Closer inspection (Search DC 15) reveals three barely perceptible concave indentations in the middle third of the rod.
  
  The three indentations act as buttons. Pressing any one of the rod’s buttons requires a move action.
  
  The rod has three functions, each of which can be employed an unlimited number of times. However, no two functions can be used at the same time
  
  Rope: When you press button 1, rope begins to extrude from one end of the rod at the rate of 60 feet per round. The rod can extrude 300 feet of rope in this manner. Pressing the button a second time stops the rope from extruding. Pressing it a third time draws the rope back in, also at a rate of 60 feet per round. Any knot in the rope automatically unties when it comes within 30 feet of the rod. This rope has the same hardness and hit points as the rest of the rod.
  
  Grappling Hook and Rope: When you press button 2, a small leather wrist loop springs from one end of the rod and three sharp grappling hooks sprout from the other end. Pressing the button again launches one-third of the rod (the end with the three hooks) in the direction you aim it. A length of rope up to 300 feet long trails behind the launched section and connects it with the end you hold; all 300 feet of rope can discharge in 1 round. The rope stops unreeling if the hooks strike something solid (including a creature) or if you give the rod a quick backward jerk. Pressing the button a third time retracts the rope, drawing the held end toward the hooked end if it is secured properly. The retracting feature can pull up to 1,000 pounds with it, drawing up 60 feet of rope per round. The rope has the same hardness and hit points as the rest of the rod. This function can be used to attack and push back opponents within 30 feet (beyond that distance it lacks sufficient power). On a successful ranged attack (no range increment) the hooked end deals 1d6 points of damage. The force of the blow is considerable, and those struck by it are subject to a bull rush effect (treat the hooked end as having a +5 bonus on its opposed check). The hooked end cannot pursue a pushed opponent.
  
  Grappling Hooks and Slide: When you press button 3, three sharp grappling hooks sprout from each end of the rod. Pressing the button again launches the two ends of the rod (each one-third of its length) in opposite directions simultaneously. A length of rope up to 300 feet long trails behind each launched section and connects it with the middle third you hold (all 600 feet of rope can discharge in 1 round). The grappling hooks work exactly as described above, including the possibility of bull rushing opponents. Pressing the button a third time causes part of the middle section to expand slightly in diameter and slide freely along the extruded rope. The slide can be released from the remaining part of the middle section by squeezing it to loosen it. Two hand loops allow you to slide down the rope if it is at an angle. Regardless of the angle of the rope or the load on it (up to 1,000 pounds), if attached firmly the rope does not sag. Pushing any button a second time returns the rod to its previous (unactivated) state.
  
  Aura/Caster Level: Moderate transmutation; CL 10th.
  Weight: 4 lb.
• Corsair's EyepatchCORSAIR'S EYEPATCH
  Price (Item Level): 3,000 gp (7th)
  Body Slot: Face
  Caster Level: 3rd
  Aura: Faint; (DC 16) divination
  Activation: Swift (command)
  Weight: —
  A leather strap and a bit of hardened leather and krenshar hide make up this menacing black eyepatch.
  
  Despite its name, the improved visual acuity provided by a corsair's eyepatch is equally useful to landlubbers. Wearing this eyepatch has no negative impact on your eyesight—it appears completely transparent to you. While you wear a corsair's eyepatch over your left eye, activating it grants you the ability to use see invisibility (as the spell) for 1 round. While you wear it over your right eye, activating it grants you the benefit of the Blind-Fight feat for 1 minute. Moving the eyepatch from one eye to another requires a move action that doesn't provoke attacks of opportunity.
  
  A corsair's eyepatch functions a total of three times per day.
  
  Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, see invisibility.
  Cost to Create: 1,500 gp, 120 XP, 3 days.
• Bracers of MurderBRACERS OF MURDER
  Price (Item Level): 8,000 gp (11th)
  Body Slot: Arms
  Caster Level: 5th
  Aura: Faint; (DC 17) evocation
  Activation: —
  Weight: 3 lb.
  Each of these burnished metal bracers is adorned with grinning skull set with onyx stones in its eye sockets.
  Bracers of murder grant you a +2 profane bonus on attack rolls and damage rolls against flat-footed targets.
  If you have the death attack ability, the save DC to resist your death attack increases by 2.
  If you have sneak attack or sudden strike, reroll any result of 1 on the dice.
• Cloak of the BatCloak of the Bat
  
  Fashioned of dark brown or black cloth, this cloak bestows a +5 competence bonus on Hide checks. The wearer is also able to hang upside down from the ceiling, like a bat.
  
  By holding the edges of the garment, the wearer is able to fly as per the spell. If he desires, the wearer can actually polymorph himself into an ordinary bat and fly accordingly. (All possessions worn or carried are part of the transformation.) Flying, either with the cloak or in bat form, can be accomplished only in darkness (either under the night sky or in a lightless or near-lightless environment underground). Either of the flying powers is usable for up to 7 minutes at a time, but after a flight of any duration the cloak cannot bestow any flying power for a like period of time.
  
  Moderate transmutation; CL 7th; Craft Wondrous Item, fly, polymorph; Price 26,000 gp; Weight 1 lb.
• Necklace of Vine StrikeGrants sneak attack against plant creatures 3 times per day. [3/3]x/day
• Anklet of TranslocationANKLET OF TRANSLOCATION
  Price (Item Level): 1,400 gp (5th)
  Body Slot: Feet
  Caster Level: 7th
  Aura: Moderate; (DC 18) conjuration
  Activation: Swift (command)
  Weight: —
  
  A pewter chime hangs from this simple leather ankle-band.
  
  An anklet of translocation allows you to make short dimensional hops. When it is activated, you can instantly teleport (with no chance of error) up to 10 feet. The new space must be within line of sight and line of effect.
  
  You can't use the anklet to move into a space occupied by another creature, nor can you teleport into a solid object; if you attempt to do so, the anklet's activation is wasted. You can bring along objects weigh*ing up to your maximum load, but you can't bring another creature with you.
  
  An anklet of translocation functions two times per day.
  
  Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, dimension door.
  Cost to Create: 700 gp, 56 XP, 2 days.
• Ring of the DarkhiddenRING OF THE DARKHIDDEN
  Price (Item Level): 2,000 gp (6th)
  Body Slot: Ring
  Caster Level: 3rd
  Aura: Faint; (DC 16) illusion
  Activation: —
  Weight: —
  
  More than a dozen etchings of closed eyes circle this tarnished silver ring.
  
  You are invisible to darkvision, although you are fully visible in normal light.
  
  Prerequisites: Forge Ring, invisibility.
  Cost to Create: 1,000 gp, 80 XP, 2 days.
• ShiftweaveSHIFTWEAVE
  Price (Item Level): 500 gp (3rd)
  Body Slot: Torso
  Caster Level: 3rd
  Aura: Faint; (DC 16) transmutation
  Activation: Swift (mental)
  Weight: 5 lb.
  
  This otherwise plain-looking set of clothing seems to have gossamer threads woven randomly into the fabric.
  
  When you activate shiftweave, it changes your garb to resemble any of five specific outfits designated during its creation. Shiftweave has no effect on any armor you wear (nor can it mimic armor) and does not change the effect of any magical clothing you wear.
  
  Lore: Though originally created for wealthy socialites who wanted to avoid wearing the same gown to the gala, shiftweave is also useful to spies and assassins (Knowledge [nobility and royalty] DC 10).
  
  Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, disguise self.
  
  Cost to Create: 250 gp, 20 XP, 1 day.
• Handy HaversackHandy Haversack
  
  A backpack of this sort appears to be well made, well used, and quite ordinary. It is constructed of finely tanned leather, and the straps have brass hardware and buckles. It has two side pouches, each of which appears large enough to hold about a quart of material. In fact, each is like a bag of holding and can actually hold material of as much as 2 cubic feet in volume or 20 pounds in weight. The large central portion of the pack can contain up to 8 cubic feet or 80 pounds of material. Even when so filled, the backpack always weighs only 5 pounds.
  
  While such storage is useful enough, the pack has an even greater power in addition. When the wearer reaches into it for a specific item, that item is always on top. Thus, no digging around and fumbling is ever necessary to find what a haversack contains. Retrieving any specific item from a haversack is a move action, but it does not provoke the attacks of opportunity that retrieving a stored item usually does.
  
  Moderate conjuration; CL 9th; Craft Wondrous Item, secret chest; Price 2,000 gp; Weight 5 lb. 

Active Effects: Darkstalker, Hide in Plain Sight, Ring of Darkhidden, Nondetection, Gift of Grace+3 bonus to all saving throws for the rest of the day (until end of day), Disguise Self [old peasant] (70 minutes)

---

Notes on Sneaking

Before crossing the portal, Jarren cast nondetection on himself, meaning anyone who attempts a divination spell like locate object, clairaudience / clairvoyance, and detect spells are blocked, unless the caster makes a DC 22 caster level check (15 + Jarren's caster level) to pierce the veil.

When sneaking, Jarren will move at half his normal movement speed to avoid penalties to Move Silently, meaning he can cross 30ft per move action. Recall the rules about invisibility, which involve distances and other factors at play.

Several things to note about his sneaking:

1. Jarren's got stupid high Hide and Move Silently checks, which are rolled below. I actually noticed an error a little while ago where I added several overlapping bonuses to his Hide check, so it's not +40-ish anymore, and should now be correct.
2. Jarren has the Darkstalker feat, meaning creatures with blindsense, blindsight, scent, or tremorsense have to roll Spot to notice him.
3. Jarren has the Dark template, meaning he has Hide in Plain Sight. He can use the Hide skill even while being observed (except in natural daylight, the area of a daylight spell, or a similar effect).
4. Jarren has the Ring of Darkhidden, meaning he is considered invisible to darkvision. He must have some light cast on him in order for creatures with low-light or normal vision to possibly see him.

OOC: I do! They're from the OGMW thread. I'll copy them below.

Aryn Vord Skills

Bluff +14, Diplomacy +18, Disable Device +16, Gather Information +14, Hide +8, Move Silently +9, Open Lock +17, Performance (winds) +14, Search +15, Sense Motive +14, Sleight of Hand +17, Use Magic Device +14

Edited January 25 by rogueblade0729 (see edit history)

[Delia2531]

Cufwell Greenskin

Cufwell spots Glitcha and gives him the mean-eye as he walks away; spotting the roadblock Cufwell glances around for stalkers coming along the sides to close any trap.

 

Spot

 

[Blue Jay]

Jarren

((Thanks. I hadn't been able to access OGMW since the security incident. You can keep playing him though, if you want. I'll take over when I think he sees his obligation as complete.))

Adventurers are often strong-minded individuals with a fierce independent streak. It doesn't usually take much to rile them up against a perceived injustice. And since most of the clientele of the Tavern Demiplane are of the adventurer persuasion, Aryn's loudmouthed defiance seems to reach a lot of ears.

Among the rebellious adventurers who seem to side with Aryn is a half-orc with a huge club who looks mighty put off by the inconvenience (Grugurg, Luthiel's old PC). He squares off with one of the enthralled adventurers, who raises her glaive towards him in warning. "I'm walkin' past, and you're not stoppin' me, see?" he says menacingly. She does not back down.

Then, a rambunctious little creature that looks half-dragon and half-goblin (Bitey Shinkicker, Nez's old character) sneaks up behind the thrall with a greatsword in his hands. He raises the sword up as if to strike her, then promptly kicks her in the shin instead, before turning and running away again, laughing gleefully. She stumbles to her knees and glowers angrily at him. On his way back, Bitey trips and falls as the ground around him seems to buckle and pitch unexpectedly (the mage's spell has apparently altered the terrain in some way).

Having riled up what he hopes is a decent distraction, Aryn steps back and quickly looks around, as if wondering when Jarren will arrive and how long he'll have to keep this fire of rebellion stoked.

Jarren knows this area fairly well. The local guildhouse for the Shadows of Virtue is just a couple blocks off the main road from here. There's a shop at this corner that sells potions and scrolls, another that sells custom armor, and one that crafts clay golems. The potionmaker seems pretty sympathetic with the rebels here, and it seems like he has half a mind to get involved in the fighting. The armorer is shutting his doors angrily, and the golem maker looks like he's calling an active golem out to protect him and his shop.

You may also note that the Barkeeper is apparently reaching out and starting to enthrall more people to join his side.

((In the slowly escalating chaos, there might be a decent opportunity to slip past unnoticed, but it will require at least two rounds of stealth to cover the distance, and you'll be in bright daylight for at least part of it. The terrain is affected by an impeding stones spell, which slows movement to half, and will require a Ref save or Balance check to avoid falling.))

Cufwell

((Jarren teleported about 440 feet ahead, so Cufwell will need to cover a few hundred feet before he'll see the roadblock.))

As Cufwell keeps walking, he'll see that Skall, Gitcha and the other four enthralled adventurers are turning to continue down the road towards the Weird Cave. They've either guessed that Jarren has evaded them, or are just figuring to that they'll have to head him off closer to their destination.

Meris is warily staying back now, not sure she wants to be involved with any of this, but clearly uncomfortable with whatever is going on here.

 

[rogueblade0729]

((Are there any other ways out of the Market at this point? Jarren does have invisibility, swift prepared, but that doesn't seem like it will be good enough to get out unseen. If there's enough stalls and back alleys and stuff for him to slip around the barricade, that would probably be the better option.))

[Blue Jay]

Alternate Routes

Yes, you can go around. Here are a couple things you could probably intuit about this situation:

• It doesn't seem like any of the blockers here can see invisibility. There's one mage here, and it's a crap shoot whether he can cast see invisibility, but it's doubtful that he's got it on right now.
• There's a smaller, parallel road about 100 feet to the south, which will be less crowded. You can probably anticipate a blockade of some sort there too, but it's likely to be smaller and less noisy than this one.
• There's a similar road to the north, but there isn't an easy access route to it from where you are, and crossing the street would have a greater risk of exposure.

I'll give you three alternate routes, each with a little trick to it):

• You're currently ducked into an alley to assess the situation here. That alley goes south, and ends in a dead end, but there's a ladder up to the roof, and you could climb over to another alley on the other side. You'd be partially exposed from above while on the roof (about 20 feet across), but otherwise you'd be in shadow the whole time (until you reach the parallel street).
• You could backtrack about 60 feet to a full street that cuts north or south, to the parallel roads there. The danger here is potentially running into anyone who's pursuing you from the last ambush site, or other thralls who might be out on the streets. But, you'd be on the shady side of the street the whole time, and there are a couple shops you could duck into if you need a quick hiding spot, so you've got good stealth options.
• You could also try cutting through a building and hoping for a backdoor or window. I'll say you know that the scroll shop has a back window you could crawl though, and the owner probably wouldn't attack you (unless she's enthralled); but that shop is on the opposite (north) side of the road, so you'd have to cross over. The other two shops are on the south side, but you don't know them well, so you aren't sure whether they have a backdoor or window to help you out.

Finally, the blockade here consists of half a dozen thralls and one AoE spell, with maybe two more thralls moving to join them soon. They're all distracted by Aryn's riot, so they won't have the best Spot checks, and there's plenty of cover from the crowds. But the spaces between them are kind of tight (i.e., you'd probably have to move through at least one or two squares threatened by at least one them, unless you can coordinate with someone to open a path for you). You can stay in the shadows for most of the time, but there is a gap in the shadows that you'd have to cross, and you might need to time it just right to get a good distraction.

So, in game terms, you'll need to roll Move Silently and probably Hide, and depending on the route you choose, you'll also need Climb or Tumble; and then I'll roll some chance dice at least once for a potential complication.

 

[rogueblade0729]

OOC: Those are all very interesting choices! I'll have to give it a little consideration before I can make a decision, probably by tomorrow at some point. I'm not sure whether speed or stealth is the priority here, because no matter what he does, it seems like the Barkeeper knows he's heading for the Weird Cave. @Delia2531 What do you think?

[Delia2531]

OOC: Ultimately the Barkeep is essentially omnipotent and omniscient on his Demi-plane, so being covert may be pointless? If we want to just make it a gauntlet run to the cave Cufwell will do what needs to be done to get Jarren there!