Curse of the Crimson Throne

Game Master Euan

Anticipation building, any information Fondo gathered from his conversations with Vencarlo and Sabina still fresh in his mind, Barael turns in for the night.

Awaking to the new morn, Barael searches out Dandi, his new source of high. "Another active day, I hope. Might I once again ask for your gift of flight?"

Barael will be ready to run with the party's plans, the main focus hopefully being the second infiltration of the castle.

After an hour or two of walking, Fondo pulls on Barael's elbow. "Brov, this walk is nice, but what would you now make of it? Our need now is to act, not tour and reminisce. We've given the old fool his time. Let's see if our dear maiden has her wits about her now."

After giving his friends time to respond, he begins to walk back toward the Gray DIstrict, striding as one who wants attention (though his appearance remains veiled). At the appropriate spot, he goes down into the Vault tunnels and makes his way to the temple.

"What news about our maid of steel? Has she recovered?"

Cressida smiles, "She has, of a sort. She's resting now, but I'm sure she'll see you. Be kind. She's been through a lot. Though she is no innocent - she is on our side now."

Cressida continues with her briefing of a couple lower ranking officers in the rebellion and lets Fondo through to Sabina's room.

Is anyone with Fondo?

Fondo waits for others to voice whether they're attending. "Cressida's right: let's give her space and let forgiveness be our muse."

When others are ready, he knocks quietly at Sabina's door before entering. "Well met again, milady. May I...?" He pauses in his entry only if she says no, meeting any hesitation with an air of kindness.

"Cressida says you stand with us in freeing fair Korvosa from her bonds. What thoughts have you on how you might best serve our cause? I have a few, but would your counsel seek." He gazes at her as he does Dandi or Deyanira – kindly as sister and comrade, not mark to seduce.

"Come in!", Fondo hears bellowed through the door.

As he enters, Sabina, out of her armor now, sits up on a makeshift cot. Her eyes are dull and her complexion pale. She stretches and looks at Fondo a moment before replying.

"Yes, I am for the rebellion, now. We are working out a few plans, but it seems likely I'll be leading forces against the Gray Maidens in various barracks throughout the city, in the hopes of turning a few of the more powerful members, and cowing the weaker ones. I think the overthrow begins tomorrow.", she says flatly and without tone or warmth in her voice. She is clearly soul-tired though Charlie's Heal spell certainly dispelled any physical fatigue.

"We're delaying in the hopes you take out Togomor first or I think we'd be moving on this today, now even. It's been decided though that we cannot wait longer than morning, or we lose the element of surprise."

"Another active day, I hope. Might I once again ask for your gift of flight?"

assuming we do wait until morning...if we don't Barael's overland flight lasts 14 hours from the morning's casting.

"Let us hope so." Her smile broadens as she offers up the wine glass and the gem. "so long as I am able to cast it, it is yours." She tries not to focus on the dwindling supply of gems but focuses on the moment in front of her, and the day ahead.

of course if we go before morning, please disregard.

Fondo looks at Sabina with some wonderment, surprised the obvious deception hasn't occurred to her. "If we yet have the drop on them, why not do what a general does: give orders to your troops. From what I've seen I find it likely that no word has reached their ears, reliant as they are on your commands. A lie would no doubt spare more lives. Set them against the queen, or failing that deploy them where they'll do less harm."

He smiles, realizing that Sabina may be as honor bound as Cressida, blind to the mercy deception can bring. "We may in any case be good to stage that fight. What can you tell of threats we'll face within the castle's walls? The Mantis? Chelish devils and their ilk? Can flight bring us unto the mage's suite?"

Translating a bit: we've already seen they have an awkwardly centralized command structure where reports are likely slow to spread. Even if word got out that we'd retrieved her, the guard won't know yet that we've removed her enchantments. There's little reason to think that her ability to command has been diminished. Well, if it was dominate person Ileosa might know, but that's not really on Fondo's mind.

"Of course that is part of the plan, but with this delay we have to assume it won't work everywhere - and where it doesn't work I'll have troops to back me."

She stands and stretches a bit before sitting back down.

"The castle is well guarded, but they move things around a lot so I'm not completely sure what will be where. That and most of my duties were outside - I haven't seen the top floors in a while."

She describes a few things - particularly where Togomor sleep and stays (same region as Cressida described). "Togomor is... different. I think he too may be possessed as I was. Enchantments layered on Enchantments. Of course he cast some of the spells on me and other Gray Maidens, so his hook must be very deep."

"The upper floors would have the Mantis for sure - but I haven't been there so I couldn't say where in particular. I do know there are devils there too. Barbed and Bearded devils. I think there's something more powerful in there too, but I've not seen it."

"The Gray Maidens at the castle are the cream of the crop, and unlikely to be swayed by me. A few of them may even be lords in their own right by now. They're the ones that have been with us from the beginning. Some have been swayed by magic - but most are true believers."

"I know Cressida wants as little bloodshed as possible, but those troops are going to be, themselves, largely evil. And those that aren't, well, some innocents will die in this fight. Best not be you."

Fondo laughs. "I'm no innocent, but nor do I intend to die. Do you recall if Togomor has windows in his chambers? Is that something you'd know?"

Sabina thinks a moment. "There are arrow slits at that level, but not very large. I'm not sure you could climb through in full armor for example, but you could shoot through easily enough. That said he might be in an inner chamber - it's hard to know for sure."

Can we sleep now, recharge our spells and attack in the middle of the night?

Divine spellcasters have a fixed time of day when they refresh spells. Not sure when that is for Charlie or Briar.

Fondo shakes his head. "It does me joy to know you share our aim to free Korvosa. Alas, I fear my friends have much of their strong magics spent retrieving you from under dragon's claw. I'll speak with them, to see if we can strike 'fore morning's light. Methinks we can, but I'm no master of the arcane arts." He nods appreciatively at Sabina, without an ounce of either deference or spite.

Rejoining the party, he shares the plans that Sabina shared. "I for one believe we underestimate our might. We have a scroll to walk upon the wind. Well, four of us. We've Briar's bow and Dandi's mystic arts, and evidence the mage himself is bound. Tis true our allies must strike before Sabina's change of heart is known. I say that we should try, and trust us to succeed."

I clarified with Evilan today that Dandi does still have damnation stride.

"I for one believe we underestimate our might. We have a scroll to walk upon the wind. Well, four of us. We've Briar's bow and Dandi's mystic arts, and evidence the mage himself is bound. Tis true our allies must strike before Sabina's change of heart is known. I say that we should try, and trust us to succeed."

Barael looks from Fondo, to Briar, and back to Fondo. "So, they seek to begin their attacks after dawn's light, while we strike at dawn? Or we go, before dawn?" Barael looks uncertain, but takes Sabina's information in stride, as little as it may be.

"Least amount of bloodshed? That means starting our fight on higher floors. Less likely to involve the Maidens, more likely to deal with devils, Mantis, and Togomor. Yeah. Sounds like Scarwall, all over again. Choke points? Hrm..." Barael pulls out the maps again, trying to understand best where to stand ground, and from where to retreat.

"Well, what say we all? Rest and route, or move forward tonight?"

"They move in the morning.."

For reference, I believe that Charlie and Briar would get their spells the normal time for their respective classes/religions - dawn. That means, assuming you wait until after breakfast to get the benefits of the feast, the earliest you can be anywhere is dawn + 1 hour.

That's if your waiting overnight that is.

"I have most of my spells available. I say we go in now. Tomorrow will be too late."

Fondo nods at Charlie and gets out the scroll of wind walk. "It seems that Brother Rose has better things to do, but mayhap Nikolay, fair Dandi, and dear Brov will come. Alas, this spell will help but three of us. Hm. Mayhap the Lady of the Boneyards has some help."

He excuses himself for a moment and asks after the high priestess. "Sister Grave, what magics have you that might help us pierce the castle walls? I have heard tell of holy women who the gift of flight can share."

"Fondo, I do not have the fly spell, that is in the wizards domain, not my own." Presuming Fondo explains himself a little... "Oh, Wind Walk. That's a whole other thing. No, I have not prepared it today, nor can I tomorrow I'm afraid. That spell is beyond my powers."

"The high priest of Abadar could cast that spell, though I'm not sure they would for you - even at a price. They are trying very hard to stay neutral in all this." she shakes her head sadly.

"I could cast it from a scroll for you if you wished at a good chance of success. I had a scroll of it a few weeks ago, but alas it has been used. You might stand a chance of buying a scroll from the Abadarians, as long as you didn't tell them what it was for."

Fondo nods at the high priestess. "You have my gratitude, in any case."

Returning to his friends, he shares the news. "If we could but find potions that would let us turn to air... To go as five were doable, but four..." Gaseous form

"Stay neutral?! They must understand that remaining neutral here is its own form of evil!" Barael pushes back from the alchemist's lab bench. "The ship sinks, and Abadarians are asked for a bucket of pitch to stop the leaks, and they prefer to abstain. I wouldn't believe it, save from you, Brov."

"If Briar is unavailable until tomorrow morning, then we attack tomorrow, if you ask me. We need everyone here, especially with the talk of devils. Once we return to the Castle, I would like to be done with this all." Barael starts after a small consideration.

"Sabina didn't mention the queen? Where she'd likely be? Did we forget to ask her that?"

I' don't think we're having the conversation in the Warrens. I was under the impression we are in the Temple still, and I don't think Fondo would be wandering back and forth...

Fondo curses and slams his hand onto the closest surface and says, fuming, "If that is what you wish, then have him up and set by crack of dawn, for I'll not wait a moment past." Pausing, he sighs. "Forgive me, Brov. Tis him who's earned my wrath, not you. Excuse me while I plan for what comes next."

He returns to speak with the rebellion's leaders about their plans and pour over maps of the castle.

Barael watches Fondo leave, and turns back to Dandi. He can't help himself for the moment. "Well, I think that went well, don't you?" Barael winks at Dandi, and rubs her upper arm with mock rue.

"I'm not sure what took more out of me today... I'm going to retire to the Warrens, and wait out the night, plan or no. Otherwise, it appears that the dawn brings a daunting effort. One that I feel we are up to." Barael frowns a little.

"Still wish we had better information on the queen herself."

You'd have gotten some information about the queen just in passing (though you really should, you know, ask questions you want answered - sigh). You learn where the queen's chambers are, and you know that she doesn't stray far from them these days. She's working on something... something important and time consuming, but Sabina isn't sure what.

As night falls on your beloved city of Korvosa, a far off scream is heard, and then silence. The night passes uneventfully and you arise, early, awake and refreshed.

Those who go for that sort of thing, take their hour to prepare spells, and some thank god for the benefit - and then Breakfast, happily provided by Charlie to give you an edge on the day. Majenko eats heartily, looking forward to a little action in the early light of day.

It is a scant two hours past dawn when the party is finally ready to proceed. Time to hunt wizards...

What do you do?

Barael stands from the wonderful feast, invigorated by both the food, and his renewed flight.

"The castle awaits. Any last discussions before we head in? I suggest we take root in the dragon's den. If we're lucky, no one will have deigned to investigate Sabina's departure. If we're really lucky, we catch someone off guard, and our hunt begins." Barael taps Black Tooth, and grins.

"We have elite fighters first, likely. Then, the ugliness of the Mantis, who can establish pairings on you all, unless you're in flight. Those pairings can take you down quickly, so best avoid being generous enough to allow them that. As for the devils, they can teleport like the Scarwall denizens, is my guess, so there's not much to prepare there, save for overwhelming their evil natures." Barael reaches back to the table one last time.

"As for Togomor, we need to be ready to latch him down. If he disappears on us, we won't likely have another chance at him again. He'd be more like Rolth than Pilts. Am I leaving anything out? Good."

Barael walks around the table, and embraces each of the HarrowCast. "This feels like an ending. Perhaps not the final ending, but ever closer it comes." Barael turns back to Briar.

"Send us back into the den, eh?"

Briar basks in his last creation: a nice aegis that replaces (at least temporarily) his hand of glory. It is not his best or most profound piece of crafting but it served its purpose: keep him busy and productive for the day while others decided what to do.

Upon hearing that it is time to assault the castle, Briar is intrigued, even delighted.

"An excellent decision, Barael. With Sabina and the dragon out the way, we should have an easy time within. Very few will be able to stop us," Briar asserts without knowledge. "I shall be ready."

"As for Togomor, we should be cautious of course. Temporal locks are never guaranteed and we have other, better ways to lock him down if we need."

* * *
Briar will pray and eat in the morning and be ready to go soon after, whatever Barael suggests is best. If Briar is left to plan the attack, it would involved the front door, lots of arrows, and lots of dead defenders at the front door.

Going to tweak Briar's spelllist a bit before we go in. It will be up tonight.

Sorry, all. Catching up. I'll have new spells up soon.

Nikolay sleeps little, not just because of his ring. When the morning finally arrives, he inhales Charlie's food and casts stoneskin and overland flight.

Do others need fly spells or I can use those slots for something else? I'm assuming not. Speak up if you need me to have one ready.

Same question. Currently Dandi has flight for herself and for Barael, plus for two others. If I don't need to use those slots for flight, I'll take something else, but if someone needs them, let me know and I'll keep them.

I think we're good for fly. Sure would be nice to have wind walk, though...

Fondo wakes early, quietly disentangles himself from Ruan, and arms himself. He foregoes a full Harrow cast, afraid he'll find in them more dawdling by his friends.

Harrowed feat card: Cha bonus: 1d6 + 1d9 + 1d2 ⇒ (6) + (8) + (1) = 15

He joins Charlie's feast ready for what will come. "Best, I think, to find the mage atop his perch, if we have means to take the form of air. But otherwise let's 'port inside once we're ready."

I assume the same Deyanira castings from the previous day, except an extended Stoneskin on Fondo in lieu of mage's private sanctum, and Extended Mage's Private Sanctum in lieu of Veil — the time for anonymity is done. Just as a suggestion.

I only have a couple minutes of flight. Are we flying there? Are we flying back? What's the plan?

At breakfast, Fondo looks to Nikolay. "Friend Nik, have you the means today to 'port us unto Togomor's tower? We've yet a scroll to bring the rest, or mayhap some of us could take to air while you and others 'port inside. I'd rather start from high above than fight our way through Maids."

Briar will ask everyone to do some planning at the morning's CharlieFeast. If you are skipping the Heroes' Drink, please say so. We're going to get into the Castle today and we're looking for teamwork and ideas.

Briar sups and sips as he awaits everyone's attendance.

"I think we should go enter low and move up through the castle. Harder for rats to flee the ship from above."

"Ah, but our fattest rat can flee wherever he does stand. Surprise may prove a surer means of catching him within a mystic cage — Charlie's scrolls to lock him into place." Fondo munches on a brioche. "Either way. What say you Nik? You, brov?"

It's late. Going to bed, but I wanted to get a post in today. Nik has two dimension doors and two teleports memorized for the day. He doesn't know the location, so dimension door is probably better.

"I agree with Fondo. We could attack the wizard and allow Cressida's forces to corral fleeing villains."

"What say you Nik? You, brov?"

Barael pauses, his cheeks newly full from a chunk of gouda, and he shrugs his shoulders at Fondo in reply. After he clears his mouth, he considers further.

"Well, I thought I had said my peace, but I'd like to hear how we plan on entering the higher floors, unexplored as they are. We know we have easy access in the lower floor, but our quarry does await on the higher levels, yeh." Barael eyes another piece of gouda, but thinks better, and drinks a sip of papaya juice to clear his teeth.

Dandi rushes into breakfast, grabbing a piece of fruit as she sits down. "Sorry we're late." Her eyes glaze over as once again the discussion winds on and on. Finally, she pulls a coin from her pocket. She points at Briar first, "Heads..." and then at Fondo, "Tails"

heads:1, Tails: 2: 1d2 ⇒ 1

"I agree with him. Pass the khave, please."

Fondo laughs at Dandi's careful decision making and responds to Barael. "Half would walk upon the wind, while Nikolay 'ports others through the tower's arrow holes. Twould need to be a window hole near here." He points to the map provided by Cressida. "Simple, no?"

Dandi sobers a little, and leans in over the maps, "How long does the wind walk take before we are fully ourselves again?"

"I'd be happy to try to keep those alive who choose to wind walk, should you be able to provide the magics, Fondo. However, simple it is not. It seems needlessly risky. The time to change forms is longer than I'd feel comfortable with. However, my bow stands ready to pop in safely to the lower levels."

Briar looks to answer Dandi's question.

"It's a slow process to change, Waif. You've done it a few times, but at your quickest it took no less than half a minute. That's a lot of time to be near helpless."

Barael smiles with amusement as he watches Dandi turns sober. Turning back to Fondo, Barael continues. "Here's what I picture- Togomor isn't guaranteed to be in his room if we port there directly. If we come up from below, we stir the nest. We stir the nest, Togomor likely takes to his quarters for peace of mind. When the activity is good and busy below, all martial and unfit for wandering mages, we blink into his room, from within the castle proper, and secure him swiftly. That, to me, sounds like a way forward. As long as we understand when we all should head to his room, I think we've got a good plan." Barael turns from Fondo, to the others, and girds himself for the travel.

"Let's hit the dragon's den. Everyone ready? Good."

Will defer should a decent counter proposal arise :)

Briar smiles at Barael.

"That's a slightly better plan than attacking the front gates directly...which would be what I prefer, but I like it," Briar says, turning to Dandi and Nikolay.

"You two can get us back to Sabina's chamber, yes? From there, we can begin without worrying too much about foes hitting us from top and bottom. If you can get us in, we can leave now."

Presumably, between the teleports and dimension doors, we can get back to Sabina's liar somewhat quickly.

Briar prepares to stand, thinking that a workable plan is in place.

Dandi positively beams at Barael's wise words, " There now, that's a good compromise, right? Stir, stir, Strike... it's like a dance, almost..." floating a little out of her chair, she hums to herself, her hands dancing in air.

She stops after a moment and adds, "I have only the one spell for such movement, though, and it is not nearly as benign as when Nikolay does it, just a warning. When I cast it, those not traveling with me should step back."

Fondo clamps a hand on Barael's shoulder. "Well reasoned. Let's go." He takes out the last scroll of dimension door and hands it to Dandi. "This one's of the benign sort."

Briar begins to prep in earnest with Fondo ready to go.

"We'll need to move closer in order for those scrolls to be effective, but it shouldn't slow us down too much."

With Dandi and presumably Nikolay ready to do some popping, we should buff up, eh? I think we're walking closer, then going back into Sabina's office.

Sounds like you're doing what you did last time - approach through the Vaults until you're close and then two party members dimension door the rest in.

On your way (I'm presuming you go through the Vault entrance at the church of Pharasma as it's easier)...

The church is in disarray. A few troops are running here and there gathering their gear and charging into the vaults. You learn quickly from a passing sergeant that Togomor came in the night - teleported in - with a team of Devils. They took back Sabina and killed Cressida (among others) in a night raid just after midnight last night.

Cressida was raised by the Pharasma priestess (against her better judgement) at dawn, and she is now leading assaults throughout the city in her weakened state. The assumption is that while they may not know exactly where they teleported into, they will figure it out and come calling - in force. Cressida has put her plan into action now rather than fight a defensive battle against all comers at the church. Better to be on offense than defense.

She left a hastily scrawled note entreating your group to act, and act quickly. Cressida and Vencarlo are all in now - and today's the day they make their main moves. They hope, and pray, the party can cut off some of the tougher opponents at the castle, like Togomor, before they come crashing down on Cressida's exposed troops throughout the city.

She has sent a feint against the castle to try and pin down the forces there, but she does not expect it to last. She can't spare the troops for a proper assault, and the more intelligent among the enemy will know it's just a ruse before long and redeploy their forces against the real threats within the city.

You pass through the few remaining forces in the church and head into the Vaults. Any change in plans or are you still dimension dooring into the basement?

When we are close enough, Dandi stills the panic in her soul and casts clairaudience/clairvoyance on the dragon's den.

"They'll have hexed her back under control again. I didn't prepare as well for that." She worries at her lower lip as she scans, looking into their likely landing space.

Barael frowns at the thought that Sabina is once again a denizen of Castle Korvosa. "How could they lose her so easily? I hope they pulled enough intelligence outta her before she was kidnapped." So now she'll likely die at our hands. Casualty of war...

Barael readies to swing on any new occupants of the dragon's hall when they dimension door into the basement. He draws Black Tooth from the Scabbard, bringing its edge all the more keen for it.

Briar sniffs at the news.

Figures that these Varisians would allow Sabina to be retaken. Can't they do anything?

"If only some people had listened about scrying and locating...we've been lucky so far."

Briar sees the preparations of the rebellion and nods.

Yes, they can die. And they will take other Varisians with them.

Briar cheers for their victory internally...hoping they kill many Varisians in service of the common cause.

"Perhaps this will be a boon as Togomor may have spent his spells on scrying, summoning and teleporting."

Briar nods to Barael, ready to continue on with the plan.