Chapter 6: Crown of Fangs! (Inactive)

Game Master James Martin

Corbyn takes advantage of the Queen's distraction and finds an open moment in her defenses. Serithiel flashes out and slides deeply into her side, piercing through her heart to emerge from the other side. She gasps as the blade pierces her and screams, a great wail that fades into sick, demented giggles. She falls forward, rolling to lay on her back with her eyes open and unseeing. Still, she giggles madly, until another swift strike from Serithiel dispatches her mercifully. A spreading pool of crimson blood lays under her, as the Crown of Fangs seems to shudder and fall from her into the blood. It lays there, seeming heavier than it ought to be as the room goes quiet.

You have a moment to look at each other and exchange deep sighs and smiles at the end of the nightmare before Corbyn looks down to see the pool of blood growing larger as more blood than any one person can hold seeps from the Queen's corpse. It just keeps coming until the room is ankle deep in vibrant crimson and the Crown is submerged...

And then you hear a deep sound, as if a great beasts were drinking deeply from a cup...

And the Crown seems to burst apart and fly upwards into the air, trailing the blood like a comet's tail. The blood seems to linger in the air, forming a great globule once more, with the Fangs broken apart from the crown and orbiting the blood. Suddenly a talon the size of your heads breaks from side of the globule, then the other. Something is emerging...

Ruperta kneels, a smile on her dirty face... and then she jumps back up, her brow showing a worried and terrified look.
"Be careful!"
She channels energy to heal his friends.
Everybody heals: 7d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 6, 3, 1, 2, 6) = 24 HP

DM, can I see what color talon is entering the room? Something makes me think we heard about a blue dragon. I am making the post assuming that is the case, if not, can I delay until I get a good guess as to what color is coming so I can help buff us appropriately?

Pai thanked her stars for the healing burst from her friend.

She casts Communal Resist Energy, so that everyone in her group was resistant to lightning, remembering the lore about the blue dragon the group had heard before. She then moved 20' away from the dragon she feared was coming in to attack the group.

Everyone gets Resist Energy 30 *Lightning/Electricity on them for at least this battle.

"If someone has a wish or a miracle owed to them now would be a good time."

The thing seems to be assembling itself. You reckon you have about a minute before it's complete. Suddenly great chains of iron emerge from the pool of blood and begin to thrash around the room!

Round 1: everyone give me a Fort, Reflex and Will save, please!

Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Will Save: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24

Fort 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
Reflex 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Will 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

Any answer on my question about the claw, DM?

Sorry, it does look bluish...

vs Unholy BurstCorbyn is Chaotic Neutral
Will Save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

vs Chains
Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 22
Will Save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31

Neutral
1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29
Tiger 1 failed
Tiger 2 failed
Tiger 3 failed
Tiger 4 failed
Me 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 fort
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 ref
1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17 will
Tiger 1
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31 fort
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28 ref
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 will
Tiger 2
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26 fort
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28 ref
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 will
Tiger 3
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18 fort
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18 ref
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 will
Tiger 4
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31 fort
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 ref
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 will

1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 15 + 2 = 28Fort
1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 2 = 27Ref
1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 2 = 18Will if Fear based add +6 please

The DC for all these saves is 25!

Fort Save: Ruperta, Pai, Pax and Tiger 3 failed. You are stunned for 1 round by the cacophonous claps of thunder echoing through the room!

Reflex: Bludgeoning: 5d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 1, 1, 3) = 11 and Electricity: 5d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 3, 5, 3) = 13 damage! Ruperta, Pai, Corbyn, Tigers 3 and 4 failed. Everyone else gets half damage!

Will: Anyone who failed takes 2 points of ability damage to Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma as the alien thoughts of an ancient blue dragon warlord, long dead and imprisoned in his own mortal remains begins to course through the room, infecting you all like a plague.

Knowledge Religion or Arcana checks, please! In Corbyn's hand. Serithiel begins to glow and burn brightly with holy light as the re-composing corpse of the dead dragon warlord Kazavon begins to appear out of the diminishing blood pool!

Know. Arcana 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (9) + 24 = 33
Know. Religion 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (15) + 22 = 37

Stunned for the moment, the second round of lightning and chains sweep the room!

Round 2: Fortitude, Will and Reflex Saves, DC 25!

If you fail the Fort save, stunned for one more round! Reflex save for half damage: Bludgeoning: 5d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 6, 3, 1) = 16 and Electricity: 5d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 1, 6, 5) = 17 damage! Will save or take 2 points of Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma damage!

Fort 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
Reflex 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Will 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

If I could ever get unstunned I'd fill you guys in on what's happening!

Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Will Save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19
Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Stunned twice, and 54 total damage

Ruperta, keep in mind that Pai hit you all with a Communal Resist Energy (Electricity) 30 spell. Also, you may read the spoiler above.

You are right! 30 less damage! Maybe she is stunned, but at least she knows what to do now!

Tiger 2, 3, 4 are all unconscious with 0 int
I am going to dismiss them asap since they are useless so i will not continue to roll for them as they are a non-issue
me
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21 fort
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15 ref
1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13 will
Tiger 1
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19 fort
1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24 ref
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 will

1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 15 + 2 = 28fort
1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 2 = 14ref
1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 2 = 22will
175/175 hps took 5 bludge and 9 elect (resisted) from first one and 16 blud 17 electric (resisted) from 2nd round but Ruperta takes half dmg of that so 2 from first round and 8 from 2nd round so I really only took 12 pts of dmg so 163/175 with 4 pts of elect resist left. -4 on wisdom and int and charisma thought...

if I learned anything from reading Gord the Rogue books it is you attack the giant dragon claw before it comes all the way out.... is that an option???

Remember guys, we have Resist Energy (Electricity) up, so I don't think we have actually taken any electricty damage yet.

Sure, Slumper! Slumper hacks and bashes and stabs at the claw as it's being formed, but his weapons seem to do nothing to it. Serithiel seems to glow brighter in Corbyn's hands as Slumper attacks!

Go get it Corbyn!

Corbyn steps up as if led by the sword in his hand and attacks.
I believe the bane effect counts here and Sneak Attack is only if the dragon is considered flat-footed.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 19 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 19 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 38
Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 2d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 6 + (1, 2) + (6, 4) = 22
Sneak Attack: 7d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 4, 3, 3, 4, 4) = 27
plus 2 STR damage and 1 DEX damage

Attack 2: 1d20 + 17 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 17 + 2 + 1 = 36
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Sneak Attack: 7d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 6, 1, 1, 4, 2) = 23
plus 2 STR damage and 1 DEX damage

Attack 3: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 14 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 2d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (5) + 6 + (6, 3) + (2, 2) = 24
Sneak Attack: 7d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 1, 3, 6, 3, 3) = 24
plus 2 STR damage and 1 DEX damage

Attack 4: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 12 + 2 + 1 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Sneak Attack: 7d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 1, 1, 2, 3, 6) = 20
plus 2 STR damage and 1 DEX damage

Corbyn steps forward, the glowing blade in his hand. He strikes, his blade pulled unerringly toward the emerging dragon. There is a sudden silence as the blade sinks in, then a deafening boom and explosion of gore coats you all! However a split second later, the holy glow of Serithiel fills the room, burning away the gore, but so bright it burns your eyes! Fortitude Saves! DC 20 or be blinded by the Holy light!

There is a clatter in the dimming light, and the Crown of Fangs falls to the ground, no longer spawning the return of Kazavon, but palpably evil and malevolent sitting there in the empty chamber...

Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19
In Corbyn we trust! Well done!
Ruperta, seeing the crown fall to the floor, lets out a gleeful shriek!

Fort 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

Gathering up the Crown, you huddle around Pai and teleport back to Korvosa, only to discover a city in chaos! Only this time, it seems to be a joyful chaos! Fires burn around the city, set by retreating Grey Maidens and devils unleashed by Illeosa. However, a slightly injured Cressida Kroft, a bandaged Neolandus Kalepopolis (the former Sensechal of Korvosa) and a triumphant Vencarlo Orsini (supported by a slightly tipsy Trinia Sabor greet you on the steps of Castle Korvosa. They are surrounded by men and women in various states of health and injury, but all jubilant to hear of the death of Illeosa and the prevention of the bloody apocalypse she intended to unleash on Korvosa. You are hailed, rightly, as heroes and it's a long night before you're finally able to sneak away in the wee hours of the morning to meet with Kroft, Orsini, Kaleopopolis and Trinia Sabor in a small antechamber in the Castle.

"The Queen is dead.." Kroft begins, and is interrupted by a slightly drunken Orsini, "And good riddance to her!" followed by peals of laughter and hiccups from Trinia, who finally subsides to snores as she falls asleep propped against Orsini's arm.

"As I was saying, the Queen is dead and Korvosa is free, BUT we don't have a government and unless we can come up with one soon, anarchy may rule all. I've spoken with the others and floated the idea past a few important persons and they agree: you saved up and we think you ought to take the Throne. We believe it's time for a new lineage to rule Korvosa. You can decide who rules what, with the others taking positions in the government or forming a new ruling Council to advise. What do you think?"

1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25 fort

"It will never be my place to rule but this is my home and I will support whomever it is. My vote is for Pai or Ruperta. Corbyn as spymaster and Paxz or Pai as court Mage.

Ruperta, her eyes covered by a blindfold, holding Slumper's arm so she can walk around after getting blinded, lets out a small laugh.
"Queen? Government? I am sorry, but I am just a young varisian girl."
She presses on Slumper.
"A young varisian girl in love, and I think motherhood will be more than a challenge for me."
She smiles sweetly.
"Besides, I was born under a wandering star. This city is way too peaceful for me."
Ruperta then asks Slumper to walk her in front of Pai. She then kneels before her gnome friend.
"But if you want a wise and noble ruler, somebody able to undo the evils the last Queen did, you have the best candidate you can wish for right here. Maybe she is short in stature, but her mind and heart is the biggest of us all. Queen Pai, if I can make but one request, help my people to be respected in this, your city, as equals."

"I've never pictured myself as as a Queen, but if you all would support me as my right arm and council of advisors, I guess I could help the town out. For a short while at least."

After things calm down a bit, The gnome reminds the others that their battles aren't quite over yet. "Dont forget, the souls of Laori and the narrower are still in purgatory in that awful dungeon we visited not long ago. They need to find release. That seems only fair, as much as they sacrificed for us."

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

"I support you Pai, you will be a good and just Queen."

"Well rescuing souls definitely will fill your wandering need." Winking at Pai as he says it "Remember what we did to the last Queen treat your people well"

"Oh, it's not that easy, boys and girls You all aren't going anywhere. The only condition I set for taking this job is that the group of you will be right beside me. I can't do this alone. I need your thoughts and opinions and someone who isn't scared to tell me if I do something dumb. I don't need a bunch of yes men surrounding me...I need my friends."

The coronation is held the next day at Dusk. The reign of Queen Pai Kromnite is inaugurated with feasting and dancing as the people of Korvosa stay up well into the night. On bent knee Marshall Kroft, Neolandus Kalepopolis and Vencarlo Orsini swear allegiance, as does the former Grey Maiden, Sabina Merrin, followed by the people of Korvosa, who toast your name. You don't know if the future holds peace, or prosperity, but atop the Crimson Throne, you know one thing: you'll face it with friends.

Thus ends the Chronicle of the Curse of the Crimson Throne. May the heralds sing well of the new Queen's reign!

Huzzah!

Huzzah!

Huzzah!