How to effectively protect a VIP in the streets?

Question

A diplomat of a foreign country resides in the current city. Now he wants to go from the townhall to some event a couple of blocks down the street. How would you protect him, in case a group of highly skilled rogues and sorcerers wanted to kill him on the way?

I was thinking of a steel-plated carriage and a couple of city guards around it. The people in the city should not really be restricted in ways of locking down the street, in fact, they should not even register that inside this carriage is a "very important person".

What I'm afraid of is, if one of the sorcerers/wizards/whatever fires a scorching ray, a fireball or some similar magic weapon. So my main question is: Could someone who has to protect the VIP cast something like "dispel greater magic" on the carriage even when moving, and does this protect the diplomat? What suggestions do you have?

BTW: Teleporting the diplomat would be "too magical" for the setting I am thinking of. The magic level should not be higher than what a level 7 sorcerer/wizard is capable of.

Answer 1

Create a localized anti-magic field in the carriage.

This should take care of most casting, and give enough time to react in case of a "caster attack".

Also, put up a Contingency Spell with a Teleport to a safe location in the case of an attack. If "Teleport" don't suit's you well, you can put other spells to protect him, like a Dispel Magic, to trigger in case of need.

The noble can use a Hat of Disguise to escape detection, too.

Also, something that gives him Spell Resistance can be helpfull.

Answer 2

Their are several strategies you can try but be aware, their is no perfect solution for this problem other than instant transport (may Dimension Door is an option?). Even in this case the assassins could simply wait right at the spot.

The Sneaky Ones

Have a group of guards and a carriage going to the target. Be sure that no one can see who is in but spread the rumor before. Make him and yourself invisible with the spell or a potion and walk to the location of the route the others take. You also could use some disguise mechanisms like of the item Hat of Disguise.

Even if this didn't sounds very "orthodox" but you can also put him into an outer dimensional space and carry him their. Be aware that he needs some fresh air so provide him with an item which creates it or plan several breaks.

The Confrontation Strategy

If you like confrontation and don't want to trick the "assassins" it becomes complicated. Use spells to protect your target. Like:

• Mage Armor which provides some AC.
• Take the damage yourself with spells like Shield Other
• Use (lesser) Globe of Invulnerability to protect him for most basic spells.
• Another fine spell would be the Stone Skin spell which provides some DR.

Furthermore try to hide him to ensure that spells which work on sight couldn't kill him. Provide him with some potions that he could heal himself if he is wounded. Use some highly skilled scouts to ensure a safe path and to have the possibility for quick reactions. Do not show your whole crew right at the start, the enemy might find a way to get ride of all at once.

Conclusion

It is very hard to ensure a save trip for a diplomat or ambassador. Have a big variety of guys with you and expect the unexpected, you need to be able to adapt to the situation very quickly what ever will come and tries to kill your protege.

Answer 3

I think I might cast Greater Invisibility on the diplomat.

Then I would Cast Haste and Fly on the diplomat.

I would also cast Non-Detection as a precaution.

I would give him a scroll of Dimension Door as a "Oh Crap" escape tool.

Then, instruct him to fly up 60 or 100 feet, and fly to the event. Maybe even while I do a fake carriage with guards and such as a distraction, so people wont even think to look for an invisible flying diplomat.