Posting details of the plan for Whitesword and so that we remember all the details is worth more xp.
The plan thus far:
1) The Halfling Basket was mended and is now fully functional again (undetectable by Malchia)
2) The Clerics and Crafters of Habastalai were kind enough to forge us a replica basket that is identical in every way (radiates the same auras, schools of magic, etc.) that is still detectable by Malchia
3) The Gnolls in our party will send word to Natsu that they have murdered Harmon and stolen the basket so that he will relay the message to Malchia. The Gnolls will meet Malchia in a famous
neutral spot in the Great Forest to trade the basket for City Cleaver (setting up a convincing ruse that Malchia would believe while attempting to collect an item the Gnolls would actually want)
4) The rest of the party, aided by the Gnoll brothers and a competent Cleric from Habastalai, will also meet and hide in the forest to try and ambush Malchia. Note, this does not include Wake as he is not willing to engage Malchia. The group understands and wished him well. In addition to these assets, Chase was able to notify the Fellows Estate to relay the good news of the Halfling Basket being restored. After hearing our plan, Chase was able to arrange for the Fellows to send a Counterspeller to aid in our mission. That person will meet us separately at the rendezvous point.
5) The ambush party will be hidden by divine magic and physical barriers to block their magical auras in case Malchia is scanning for them.
6) Once at the rendezvous point, the Gnoll bothers will use their innate magical abilities to Dimensional Lock Malchia so that he doesn't escape. The Counterspeller will try to buy us some time as he casts spells, the warriors among us will try to physically assault him, and the rest of us will do what we can to take him down.
7) If we survive, we loot his corpse and live like kings the rest of our days as we reap the accolades of the world at large for eliminating a global threat. If we lose, well at least we tried.
