On Thu, 25 Oct 2012, Onno Meyer wrote:
Now Tribunus will want to have a way out.
Find a 'genuine fake Tribunus' and make plans for two switches,
before and after the battle. The gladiator makes the kill, the
slave becomes the fall guy. This could actually make the plot
easier, since the real gladiator doesn't have to deceive the
audience quite as long.
Making an exchange during the fight does not seem practical. But there
could be multiple Tribunus doubles of different quality there already. The
plan could be to put the killer Tribunus in a cell, then have him
exchanged for a different one, who gets blood smears and copies of any
wounds Tribunus might have sustained. Tribunus will stay as yet an other
double until a chance for his flight can be engeneered.
Find a real or fake magistrate who will step in just after the
fight and 'detain' the gladiator for 'questioning'.
The most likely reaction of the sponsors of the game will anyway be to
capture the gladiator and detain him for the time being. Good doubles are
expensive, and propably handing over the killer to group II could be part
of damage control.
Variant, make plans for a breakout from a holding cell in the
villa, holes in the wall plastered over, etc, and reassure the
gladiator that they'll get him back into that specific cell.
Arrange for a cooperative 'high value hostage' at the fight.
The gladiator is supposed to grab him or her and to hold a
knife at his or her throat.
I'd have just the right NPC to play hostage, if i go by the Tribunus is
going to be betrayed way. She is a Roman plebeian, she could be described
as cute, dumb and chaotic evil and already had supporting roles in some
conspiracies, the pcs have foiled. One plot had even involved killing her,
but the pcs intervention had put the plot off it's rails and accidently
saved her life. She could be convinced to stand ready as hostage, and then
the guards get the order "forget the hostage, go get him".
Given that there more likely is a description of what she wears, and where
she will be, then a detailed description of her face, i'll have to think
about, when the pcs will learn, who the hostage is.
The disadvantage is that following the conspirators plan, and just
changing the final part would be a difficult thing to do. Picking a
different genuine hostage would require the luck of getting close enough
to one fast enough. It would be hard to engeneer for the pcs.
Surrendering, and being rescued from the cell would be difficult for the
pcs to arrange without inside help.
Propably i can make it, that the pcs recognize her very late, when
Tribunus is already in, and then barter for the aid of some other faction,
that has agents inside the villa.
If
the plan of Ia is to betray Tribunus, there will have to be an attempt to
kill him, before he talks.
The 'genuine real Tribunus' seems to know about the plot, and
he doesn't look worried about taking the blame.
The magistrate isn't known for leniency towards gladiators
and similar low-lifes.
The breakout plan doesn't mention a locked door, and the PCs
get an opportunity to see it from the other side early on.
The supposed hostage matches the description of a rival
gladiator/gladiatress.
Poison the blade of the noble, and hope he gets at least one
scratch in. Overdo that by stressing that the PC gladiator
should allow the enemy first blood before the kill. Since
it is no cinematic poison, there would be enough time to
finish the fight.
I already thought about washing Tribunus sword in manure before the fight,
just in case he only wounds the emissary. Poisoning both swords would work
as well.
Then i need ideas how to involve the other pcs, who are all well known,
and with one exception also gladiators. Smuggling them in disguised as
servants, does not really sound like a good plan, because especially the
people there are bound to recognize them. Smuggling more moch doubles in,
does not seem to be helpfull.
Upstairs/downstairs. Get the other PCs a job in the kitchen
or the stables, as extra staff for the event.
Given gladiator doubles are common there, there is still some danger, that
the kitchen staff figures, they are runnaway doubles.
They can be involved in the planning and execution of the
switch and escape plans. For extra fun, they'll have to
dodge assignments that would take them upstairs. Are any
of the PCs attractive? Can they avoid the 'promotion' to
serving staff?
Or the plan requires a diversion from outside, and the
other PCs are that force. They'll have to get past the
gate unseen, and dodge patrols on the grounds. Climb the
roof, maybe, to drop in to the party.
I think a diversion has an overall better chance of success.
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