Curse of the Crimson Throne (Inactive)

Game Master StephNyan

He ruffles his sis' hair, hugs his mom and slaps his father on the back.
"Well, you guys lock up firmly after i'm out."

The mob, or what remains of it, doesn't get far. Another party of guards has just returned from their patrol, and the mob runs into them. the mob surrenders.

"Thanks for your support," the guard who called out to the drunk Watch Sergeant says to Baer and Allyph. "We're going to lock these thugs up."

he looks at his Watch Sergeant and shakes his head in disapproval, then takes a quick look at Allyph's wounds. "If you join us inside our medic could take a look at your wounds," he says to Allyph.

"Miss," the guard says as he turns to Baer, "could you please help me drag the... uhm... Watch Sergeant inside?"

The street's a mess. Some of the windows of other houses have been destroyed, and one door's missing. The furniture that once was inside the house is now broken and on the street.

Heading for the Academae first, because your job's there? Or do you go somewhere else first?

As Kwoon turns around to withdraw from the men he sees a small party of guards approach into his direction. Three of them have their swords drawn, and one of them holds a heavy crossbow.

Bolt: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 10
Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 5

A bolt's released from the heavy crossbow and hits the man that was heavily wounded by Kwoon in his chest. The man drops to the ground, and his comrades flee.

"Sir!" one of the other guards says, approaching Kwoon with one of his fellow guards. "You don't look well. Do you have a place to go? We could bring you to the guard station, our medic could take a look at you."

While two of the guards approach Kwoon and offer him help, the one with the heavy crossbow reloads his weapon. The fourth guard stays near his companion who's reloading.

Their arrival may seem a bit random after you decided to withdraw, but they were going to arrive this turn no matter what you'd done. If you'd gone down earlier the men would've tried to rob you, but the guards would've arrived in time to prevent it.

I let everyone reach a safe destination, and gave everyone an optional encounter on their way to that place. Leaving the safe place during the first night could place them in a pickle, 'cause they'd be alone with a lot of angry mobs roaming the streets. But I don't like killing off characters, especially not on their first night in the city. Hence the guards.

The kitten continues its journey from Mavor's belly to the half-orc's face. Once he's reached Mavor's face Pooky continues to stare Mavor in the eyes. A muffled giggle can be heard from the corner of the room, and if Mavor would turn his head he'd see Blythe in the door opening to the kitchen. She looks amused by the scene on her couch.

Mavor can still clearly hear the chaos in the streets. There are currently less explosions, but he still hears the occasional mob pass through the street.

"Quite a mess, but whoever was in there is long gone waiting this one out. It might be chaos but the city guards aren't the type to let things like this slide.

Baer carries her staff in one hand, using the other hand to grab a large part of the Sergeant's uniform and begin to drag him inside.

"*Oof*...this is a weight you do not need tonight. Things are strange...I would have thought the order of succession would be clearly established," Baer remarks to the guard.

"Allyph, are you alright?"

Once inside station they move to a room with several beds. Curtains obscure the few one several of the beds, indicating those beds are occupied. The guard and Baer drag the Sergeant onto one of the beds, and the guard closes the curtains. "He'll just need some sleep. Please join me in the main room."

The main room is filled with several rows of long tables and banks. While Baer and one of the guards dragged the Sergeant to a bed a medic has come to inspect Allyph's wounds. "Hmm, I see," the medic says and places a hand on Allyph's wound. "Here, drink this. You got wounded helping us. The least we can do is treat your wounds."

CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Allyph's wound closes, and not even a scar remains.

"They're locked up," one of the other guards informs his comrades when he returns from the station's prison, "but the cells are getting crowded..."

"No one is allowed to enter the Academae's grounds until the riots are over," the guard replies. "I'm sorry, sir. You'll have to leave."

Allyph winches when the medic touches her wound, but then the medic uses her spell. The wound closes, and Allyph relaxes.

Allyph studies the new skin. "Looks good again."

At first he'll try to move as casually and inconspicuously to avoid drawing their attention.
Stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

If they do try to halt him:
"Easy there, it's me, i work here.
I'm well aware of the fighting throughout the city, but i have official business here."

Baer waits patiently for Allyph to be healed, ready to move on from the guardhouse.

"Come on, Allyph. We have places to go and things to do."

* * *

When they are outside, Baer will ask Allyph a question that has been nagging him.

"Did we remember to bury Zellara's head? The ending was blurry and I forget."

"Got anything to prove it?" the guard asks to Denario. "You're not the first to claim he belongs inside."

He motions for the other guards to join them. "Come one guys, let's go to the guard station!"

She nods and starts moving. "Let us bury her head, and then proceed to her home. Or shall we first go to her home and leave a message, in case the others arrive there while we're gone?"

We are more alike than not, but she is not pretty like me.

"Let us go bury the head. Then we shall try to find the others. We have the money, they will wait for us."

Baer goes to bury the head. Then to the meet up.

"Here you go. So, could you tell me if the academy is in any worse condition than the streets?
I don't quite see principal swinging a greatclub with his age."

"Morning Blythe." He says as he looks around and listens to the ruckus still going on outside.
"Seems like it's still not safe to go out alone onto the streets. You need to go to work today?" He asks obviously implying that he'd escort her there if she wants.

Baer and Allyph soon find Zellara's head. It hasn't moved from the place where Kwoon smashed the box it was stored in. Flies and larvae cover the head.

A familiar voice, that of Zellara, suddenly rings inside Denario's mind: You're needed elsewhere, Denario.

Till the riots are over no one may leave the Acadamae grounds. You'll may be stuck there for several days, depending on how long the riots last

"You'll feel better in a moment," the medic informs Kwoon, and places his hands on the wounds.

CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Kwoon's wounds completely heal, and the medic takes his leave. One of the guards walks up to Kwoon. "It's just a couple more hoours till it's day again. You should rest. We have some beds, you can use one."

The guard shows Kwoon the beds in another room. All the beds have curtains around them. Some curtains are closed, and the unoccuied beds have the curtain open. "Just take one of them, and pull the curtains closed. Let us know you're awake in the morning, okay? We'll be in the main room."

"My boss said if the riots would continue he'd keep the tavern closed. I guess I'll just keep the door locked."

Blythe gives Mavor a worried look. "You going out there? Take care, will you? And feel free to come back later, if you'd like to. You helped me, and you're welcome to stay another night."

She picks up a stick and starts digging a hole. The progress isn't very fast. "You suppose they have shovels in the fishery?" Allyph asks Baer after some time. "Hmm... no, I can't remember seeing any..."

Allyph continues digging with the stick, and eventually hands the stick over to Baer. Beads of sweat show on his face. "Could you... please take over for a moment?"

I'm not made for this kind of labor...

Baer will happily take over for the half-human sorceress...if she wasn't already helping.

"Of course, go rest yourself. You half-humans are not built for strength or endurance. I will dig and bury."

Baer digs and digs until the hole is deep enough to bury. When it is finished, she will look at Allyph.

"Do you wish to say some words to honor the witch?" Baer asks somberly.

"NO! No spell please! I will just take regular medicine or let the wound heal over time. Thank you, but no spell." Hung Hei Kwoon will wobble over to the dark room, give them 1 gold for the room and security services.

He gets the weird vibe the voice is coming from the harrowdeck he's got on him.
Only one place i know of that can be.
Denario heads off to Zellara's house.

Isn't she a half-human as well?

"It feels a bit weird to say last words, because her spirit said she'll still be around sometimes... but okay."

Allyph thinks for a moments, then addresses the dead head. "Thank you, Zellara, for giving me your guidance when I needed it. You have helped me get rid of a nightmare that's plagued me for over nearly a year. I do hope that fulfilling your request, which is burying your head, shows you my gratitude."

She smiles as she turns to Baer. "Do you also want to say some last words?"

"Are you... sure?" he asks. "I'm going to go to bed as well. My spells will be fully recharged in the morning."

Whatever Kwoon decides, the following morning he wakes up rested (and at least slightly less wounded). He hears loud voices inside the station's main room. Outside, in the distance, are a few small explosions.

Baer nods somberly.

"If you are angry for your death, keep it with you in the afterlife...it will serve you well as you strive to reach from beyond to find retribution upon those who wronged you. You must not rest until they suffer for what they did to you."

Baer finishes her speech, thinking it was pretty well done.

"Anything else, Allyph? Shall we move on?"

Baer is ready to go to the meeting spot.

Kwoon will pay the man 50gp for the healing. "Was going to get a potion of mage armor since I only wear these clothes, but maybe next time. Gotta heal up I suppose. Saving that kid was the worst financial mistake I've made in a long time."

He says after Blythe picked up Pooky from his belly. He gets up and clothes himself again in his regular garments and armour.
"I can take care of myself, don't worry. Most rioters will avoid me I think." Mavor grins and takes a bit of hard tack and a sip of water.

He collects his weapons and his backpack and looks to Blythe with a slight smile.
"You be careful too okay? If you need any help don't hesitate to ask for me. Usually that big half-orc with the bigger axe suffices, the name Mavor doesn't ring many bells. Else leave a note at this adress or ask someone to do it for you, it's in a bad part of Old Korvosa."

Not sure where Blythe herself lives, but I imagined Mavor to live in or close to a bad district himself. Or at least has a refuge there.

He lays a hand on her shoulder and then leaves through the door, waving over his shoulder as the door falls shut.
Where to now? Rioters are everywhere nowadays, let's see what people are up to. Might as well head back to that house from yesterday, see if those other people came back.

Mavor heads to Zellara's to check if anything has happened there and see if any of the others are there as well.

If not, he'll doubletime his way, taking a sprint.

There's no sign of one of the other party members, until...

However, there are two familiar faces when you enter...

"Uhm, thanks," the medic says when he receives 50 gold from Kwoon. He still looks a bit confused, but also grateful. "We can use this money for some supplies. Thanks again!"

I like Kwoon's policy, just keep in mind not all NPCs will get it. There are people who, like Kwoon, only do something for a reward. There are also people who do something for free.

"I will be," Blythe replies, "and I'll keep that in mind!"

She waves at Mavor when he leaves, and quickly locks and bars the door again. Mavor starts walking toward Zellara's place, and soon reaches it. He finds the house looking as if it had been empty for weeks. No sign of food, the wall hangings, the rugs, or Zellara herself can be found—the furniture is in pieces scattered throughout the room.

There are, however, some familiar faces...

Before the three have much time to greet each other, Mavor also enters Zellara's house.

Allyph searches for a place to sit, but the lack of unbroken furniture makes he reconsider.

"We ran into a struggle between guards and a small mob this morning. The riots that started yesterday don't have to seem calmed down, not at all. Did you run into anything unpleasant?"

Apologies for not posting yesterday, was my anniversary.

"Yes, the half-orc...he would be handy if this city continues to simmer," Baer remembers. "We buried Zellara...I suppose the effect here changed when that happened. This place doesn't seem as nice now, does it? I can only hope that she continues to rage against those who have wronged her...even in undeath. Might she hunt down Lamm in Pharasma's queue and kick him to Styx."

Baer seems cheered by the thought.

"Denario, you should come with us after this to sell our goods...you owe me a new scroll," Baer teases, a small smile betwixt her tusks.

"Well well, seems many of you had the same idea as I did. Guess you all survived the riots in one piece as well." Mavor looks to the sudden change in scenerey since the last time he has been here. "Seems the place has changed quite a bit since last evening. Shame though, the house looked pretty solid and cosy if I might say so."

"So what happened to you three? I myself clubbed two townsmen who thought they could have their way with a waitress, nothin' too difficult."

"Baer and I brought the kids to an orphanage yesterday evening. Earlier this morning there was a drunk guard, we brought him to the guard station. Turned out to be a sergeant of some sort, but I forgot what they called him."

Allyph's spotted a half broken chair while she talks. It misses two legs, but seems fine otherwise. She place it against the wall so it doesn't fall and sits on it.

Another guard joins the conversation: "I see you're awake! You slept most of the morning. Didn't even wake up when a mob gathered in front of the station and started fighting. Anyway, take care when you go out there. You look like you're strong, but I heard what happened to you last night."

None of the guards Kwoon saw the previous evening is currently present in the station, but you saw the medic walk into another room minutes ago.

Baer seems relieved when Mavor enters the room and tells his story. She adds a few snorts of agreement when Allyph relays theirs.

"Also, we remembered to bury Zellara."

"I cannot believe this death is leading to so much chaos. Maybe the leaders of the two factions should meet in combat to decide who is right? That way fewer innocents will die and we can travel unmolested."

Baer begins to sort the gear to be sold and split.

"I hope to sell this stuff soon, I dislike carrying so much...especially with all the chaos outside."

Mavor walks around the room inspecting it with great zeal, almost as if he's checking out a possible new home.
"I believe there's just one faction here Baer. The Queen's. Most of the opposition are simple citizens I'd wager, the fight you suggest would be pretty much one-sided."

The medic goes to the room with the beds and checks up on some patients. "You saw I make use of healing magic. As I was the one treating your wounds yesterday I doubt you're much of a healer, no offense intended. There's currently nothing I could use help with, the people you see here mainly need rest."

Baer tries to settle down to wait but ends up pacing around the room.

"Why are we waiting again? He is probably lost to the same riots that almost got us."

Baer paces more, grumbling under her breath.

Allyph shifts on her not-too-comfortable broken chair. "If he doesn't show within the hour, shall we go ahead and sell the things? we can try to seek him out later, or perhaps we'll run into him."

Kwoon's player used to be on the forums each day, but he's been gone in both this game and the one he runs. I'm going to send him a PM to ask him if he's okay. If he doesn't reply, or is going to take considerable time to rejoin, we'll move on.

Baer looks at Allyph and nods, but then resumes her pacing.

Baer looks at Mavor, trying to strike up a conversation.

"Is your orc side from mother or your father? To whom were you whelped?"

So, he'll try to make it over to the location for paying them, but at the first sign of trouble, Kwoon will turn and try a different route to the destination.

When Kwoon enters Zellara's home he finds the house itself looking as if it had been empty for weeks. No sign of food, the wall hangings, the rugs, or Zellara herself can be found—the furniture is in pieces scattered throughout the room. The other people Kwoon met the evening before have already gathered.