Curse of the Crimson Throne / Edge of Anarchy (Aardvark DM) (Inactive)

Game Master Troy Malovich

The second Pathfinder AP, set in the city of Korvosa. The city is in turmoil after the death of the king.


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Male Human Arcane-Blooded Sorcerer 4 (AC: 12 [T: 12 FF: 10](+4MA, +4 Sh) | HP: 32/32 | F+2, R+4, W+5 | Init +2 |Perc +1)

Sorry, I meant to offer some gold for help with that as well. You can take 150 from me as well.


Male Halfling Shapechanger (wererat) Rog4 / Ftr2 (AC: 21 [T: 17 FF: 16] | HP: 36/47 | F+6, R+9/+10 traps, W+3 | Init: +4 | Perc: +11/+12 traps | healthy

Rutter matches the investment in the CLW wand. He also buys a second MW kukri. How much could we get for the fancy chest, if we wanted to sell it? And how much is the reward for bringing him in alive or dead?

Rutter eyes the newcomer suspiciously. Kroft's warning to keep an eye on him reminded Rutter that he might actually be assigned to keep an eye on them.

Rutter shrugs. "Alright. I guess I'm ready when y'all are."

When they get outside, he asks Jericho, "So, how's this Vancasker'in think the queen's going to ruin the city?"


Male Human Arcane-Blooded Sorcerer 4 (AC: 12 [T: 12 FF: 10](+4MA, +4 Sh) | HP: 32/32 | F+2, R+4, W+5 | Init +2 |Perc +1)

DM Cloud wrote:

Bring me Verik alive, and there’s another thousand gold in it for you. Dead, he’s only worth half that.”


Male Halfling Shapechanger (wererat) Rog4 / Ftr2 (AC: 21 [T: 17 FF: 16] | HP: 36/47 | F+6, R+9/+10 traps, W+3 | Init: +4 | Perc: +11/+12 traps | healthy

Copper Fratello wrote:
DM Cloud wrote:

Bring me Verik alive, and there’s another thousand gold in it for you. Dead, he’s only worth half that.”

The "another thousand" is what throws me off. Another to what? The reward we got from the queen or to regular guard duty pay, so 1000 alive, 500 dead? Or another 1000 to what he's worth dead, so 1500 alive, 500 dead?


Male Human Arcane-Blooded Sorcerer 4 (AC: 12 [T: 12 FF: 10](+4MA, +4 Sh) | HP: 32/32 | F+2, R+4, W+5 | Init +2 |Perc +1)

Gotcha. I had assumed he meant aside from what they would normally be paying us for working for the Queen.


"Verik?"

Jericho tenses at the name, and quickly recovers.

He half-heartedly salutes Cressida, and turns to the group.

"Any of you gone after a guard before?" he asks. Without waiting for an answer, "Don't let their normally docile behavior fool you. Verik will put up a fight, and likely send at least one of you to the temple."


Female Human Cleric 6 of Pharasma (AC: 14 [T: 12 FF: 12] | HP: 34/36 | F+5, R+4, W+10 | Init: +2 |Perc: +3)
Jericho Mason wrote:
"...Verik will put up a fight, and likely send at least one of you to the temple."

Neva snorted, turned to look at Jericho and raised an eyebrow. "He’ll likely be sending one of US to the temple, friend", Neva said wryly. "Didn't you hear the Field Marshall? We're a team now." She reached out a hand to Jericho and added, "Neva Vallastoi. Pleased to entrust my life to you."

At this her sarcasm collapsed and she sighed. She gave an apologetic smile to Jericho and said, "Sorry, I shouldn’t be rude. It's been an interesting twenty-four hours.
Your experience with the guard and this 'Verik' will be useful. I’ll do my best to keep him from sending any of us to the Gray. And these three are a capable bunch as well."


Male Human Arcane-Blooded Sorcerer 4 (AC: 12 [T: 12 FF: 10](+4MA, +4 Sh) | HP: 32/32 | F+2, R+4, W+5 | Init +2 |Perc +1)

"Im Copper Fratello. I am a practitioner of the arcane arts. These two are Senjin of the Sable Company," indicating the human, "and Rutter, a man with many talents, the full bredth of which I doubt I have seen.", indicating the halfling.

The runic circles in Copper's eyes flash briefly as he looks his new compaion over, trying to get a feel for the man. Who he is, and what part he might play in all of this.


Senjin nods at his introduction, but does not hold out his hand or look like he would be in such a friendly frame of mind.


Jericho takes Neva's hand, unaccustomed to the gesture. "Jericho," he says, his voice gravelly, like he had too much to drink the night before.

Taken aback by Neva's easy tone, he steps in closer to her. "When we find Verik, perhaps he'll be able to help you rest easier."

Stepping back, he nods to each of his new companions, and turns back to Cressida. "I'd prefer to take my gold up front. Wouldn't want it getting tied up in bureaucratic red tape."


Post will be late today, on the road for a conference and the conference hotel doesn't have wi-fi, Grrr... I should be able to find a coffee shop after the dinner and reception tonight.


In response to Copper’s question about how many guardsmen Verik might have with him, Cressida says: ”Well, there’s two others from his regiment that have disappeared and I think have probably gone with Verik. And if I know him, he’s probably been recruiting street toughs as well. No match one on one for a trained guardsman, but dangerous in numbers.”

She flat out laughs at Jericho’s request to be paid in advance. ”I don’t think that you grasp the situation here Jericho, this is your last chance. If you fail or go AWOL, the guardsmen will hunt you down and hang your head above the Citadel doors. Yes, you’ll be paid your fair share if you succeed, but only upon receipt of Verik, living or dead....”

Rutter’s right to be confused about the payment offered. You get a retainer of 10 gp each per week plus room and board at the Citadel in addition any “incentivized” pay you may get for specific tasks. I forgot to make this clear in Cressida’s initial post.

Yes, the Vancaskerkin in RotRL is related to Verik. I’m not familiar with the Second Darkness AP, so I can’t speak to that one.


"Jericho, What kind of schedule this Verik keep? If we show up late tonight, he likely to be in? Or better yet, the early morning? That might save us from having to watch the place."


Male Halfling Shapechanger (wererat) Rog4 / Ftr2 (AC: 21 [T: 17 FF: 16] | HP: 36/47 | F+6, R+9/+10 traps, W+3 | Init: +4 | Perc: +11/+12 traps | healthy

Jericho's request for the money up front draws a smirk from Rutter.

If he's not a spy, he's either got a lot of nerve or just a little sense.

After Cressida's admonishment, Rutter looks at Jericho and shrugs "It's just as well. If Verik sends you to the temple, collecting our money off your corpse would just slow us down."


To Senjin: "If there's rioting in the area, they'll be locked up inside. Otherwise, if the streets or quiet, they'll be about their business."

Turning to Rutter, "Little chance of Verik taking one of his own down. We may have parted ways..." he stops, feeling Cressida's eyes sizing him up.


Male Human Arcane-Blooded Sorcerer 4 (AC: 12 [T: 12 FF: 10](+4MA, +4 Sh) | HP: 32/32 | F+2, R+4, W+5 | Init +2 |Perc +1)

"Just remember which side your on here, Jericho. " Copper intervenes. "Now unless anyone has any more witty quips theyd like to spout off, giving even more tension to an already somewhat hostile group" he says, throwing Cressida an annoyed glance, "then we should be on our way. Besides the quicker we get this done, the quicker we get paid. And thats what you want, right Jericho?"


Male Halfling Shapechanger (wererat) Rog4 / Ftr2 (AC: 21 [T: 17 FF: 16] | HP: 36/47 | F+6, R+9/+10 traps, W+3 | Init: +4 | Perc: +11/+12 traps | healthy

Rutter pounces on Jericho's slip: "Well, the rest of us are risking our lives on this job. Since you're not, I don't think you deserve the same pay. Why don't the four of us split the pay, and your reward is not getting executed by the guard?"


"Paid...not paid. It'll be nice to see a friendly face once again.


Female Human Cleric 6 of Pharasma (AC: 14 [T: 12 FF: 12] | HP: 34/36 | F+5, R+4, W+10 | Init: +2 |Perc: +3)

Neva smiled slightly as Copper spoke. "Leave it to the youngest to act the most mature", she thought to herself.

She remembered the many births she'd overseen: creating a positive atmosphere was important for both mother and child. The same applied here. There was to be danger, blood and possibly death. What they all needed was hope, confidence and compassion.

She resolved to act this way, and turned to Jericho. "I shall be a friendly face to you as well, despite our odd circumstances. Come, let us go."


Male Halfling Shapechanger (wererat) Rog4 / Ftr2 (AC: 21 [T: 17 FF: 16] | HP: 36/47 | F+6, R+9/+10 traps, W+3 | Init: +4 | Perc: +11/+12 traps | healthy

"Well, Cressida, if you wanted to know about Vancaskerin's motives, this guy might be able to help you." Indicating Jericho. "It sounds like he knows him better than you thought."

"I know you wanted to give him a second chance because he's someone's nephew or whatever, but I think he's given you his answer here. If you insist on sending him with us, you'll be making it a suicide mission, either for us or for him."


"Oh, I think that Jericho here will be quite persuaded to help the Korvosan guard.... Now, I think that he can be quite useful to us, after all, if Verik trusts him, all Jericho has to do is waltz in there, have a heart-to-heart to convince Verik to turn himself in and *poof* he'll have enough gold in his pocket to keep himself occupied for some time."

"Of course, I think that he'll be very well convinced not to play the turncoat on you. After all, he's going to be the closest one to all those long axes and wicked knives in the fight, wouldn't want to take one of those in the back, would you Jericho?"

Her face hardens somewhat then as she addresses the rest of you, particularly Rutter. "But above all, remember that you are under orders here. You have chosen to serve Korvosa under my command. Perform well and you will be rewarded handsomely. Disobey and you will be punished."

I don't want to cut the role-playing short, I love the back-and-forth between the two shadiest members of the group, but I'm certainly ready to move on the the next scene when the group is.


Senjin silently chuckles during Cressida's scoulding. At the end, he raises and lowers his bardiche a few times, tapping out approval on the stone floor with the pommel. A glance at the others lets them know he is ready to go.


Male Human Arcane-Blooded Sorcerer 4 (AC: 12 [T: 12 FF: 10](+4MA, +4 Sh) | HP: 32/32 | F+2, R+4, W+5 | Init +2 |Perc +1)

Copper moves over towards Senjin and looks expectantly at the others.


Female Human Cleric 6 of Pharasma (AC: 14 [T: 12 FF: 12] | HP: 34/36 | F+5, R+4, W+10 | Init: +2 |Perc: +3)

Neva nods appreciatively at Cressida, gives a smile to Jericho and Rutter and says, "Alright you two. Let's continue this on the way. It'll distract us from the riots."


Male Halfling Shapechanger (wererat) Rog4 / Ftr2 (AC: 21 [T: 17 FF: 16] | HP: 36/47 | F+6, R+9/+10 traps, W+3 | Init: +4 | Perc: +11/+12 traps | healthy

Ready to move on here.

Rutter glares at Cressida's threat. So that's how it is. She'll sit there and accept the most traitorous insubordination imaginable from somebody's nephew all day, but she'll call the executioner for him if he refuses to walk into a bear's cave covered in gravy.

Rutter now finds himself conflicted whether to bring Vancasker'in in alive just to get as much out gold out of the guard as possible, or kill him, so Cressida will get the least out of him as possible.

One thing is decided: if Cressida wanted the party to discreetly kill Jericho for her, because having him executed would get her in trouble with his uncle (something Rutter was beginning to read between the lines), she'd have to find another way to get rid of him. Now Rutter saw that she couldn't be trusted to blame Jericho's death on the unrest - she'd sell them out in no time. Probably just to save the gold she promised us for Vancaskerin!


Female Human Cleric 6 of Pharasma (AC: 14 [T: 12 FF: 12] | HP: 34/36 | F+5, R+4, W+10 | Init: +2 |Perc: +3)

I'm ready to go, too.

Neva did her best to shepherd the group out the door, hoping that some cooperative work would ease the tension. You boil some water; you fetch some flowers, she remembered saying at a particularly awkward delivery. We'll get the baby home safe and then we'll discuss who's the father. Yeah, I've seen worse than this.


Departing in various states of mistrust about their new employers and companions, the party makes their way through the city to the butcher shop where Verik has reportedly taken up residence. The place is known as "All the World's Meat" and is located on Stirge Street in a normally bustling North Point neighborhood. Some semblance of normal activity has returned to the street, but people are still skittish.

Staking out the place from down the street, you see a sign bearing the image of a fat, smiling cow hanging above the
entrance to this shop. Inside, a marble-topped table displays cuts of meat behind a wide, grimy window. You can see a long wooden counter and bench in the front room. A tall man with bushy eyebrows along with a stout man, almost busting out of his ill fitting chainmail seem to be attending to business here, both have the look of men who are familiar with violence and brutality.

It is almost noon and you occasionally see people going into the butcher shop and leaving with meat that looks like it may be a day past its prime selling point.


Male Halfling Shapechanger (wererat) Rog4 / Ftr2 (AC: 21 [T: 17 FF: 16] | HP: 36/47 | F+6, R+9/+10 traps, W+3 | Init: +4 | Perc: +11/+12 traps | healthy

"Is either of those Vancasker'in?" Rutter asks Jericho of the men in the front of the shop.

If so, Rutter will suggest that Copper try that sleep spell he used on the crocodile to knock them out.

If not, Rutter will suggest that he sneak around the building to see if there are any other entrances or windows that expose Vancaskerkin.


DMC you described one man but then said there are two, just looking for clarification.

If those are not Vancaker.

"I agree. It will be bloody work going in the front door. Pretty visible too. We should see what the back offers. Jericho's face might get us in the door."

Turning to Jericho, "Do they know the Guards nabbed you?"


Jericho watches the men outside the meat plant, twisting the dagger in his hand, the knuckles blazing white. After a few moments he sheathes the dagger, and turns to Rutter.

"No, I wouldn't expect Verik to be out in plain sight. He'll be inside where he can surround himself with his comrades."

To Senjin, "There are spies everywhere, so we can assume that they know."


Male Halfling Shapechanger (wererat) Rog4 / Ftr2 (AC: 21 [T: 17 FF: 16] | HP: 36/47 | F+6, R+9/+10 traps, W+3 | Init: +4 | Perc: +11/+12 traps | healthy
Senjin wrote:
DMC you described one man but then said there are two, just looking for clarification.

The first one is tall with bushy eyebrows, then the second is the stout one barely fitting into his chainmail, if I read it correctly.

"The two in the front don't look like proper guardsmen. If there's not a back way, Copper's sleep spell on the front two may still be the best way in. Let me take a look around. What's Vancaskerin look like, Jericho?"

After getting Verik's description from Jericho (he can address a spoiler to DM to tell him if he gives Rutter an accurate description or not), Rutter goes ahead to scout the hideout. If there's places to hide while making a circuit of the building, Rutter will hide. If not, he'll just try to look inconspicuous. Stealth 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29; Bluff (if necessary) 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18; Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 He's looking for other ways of entry, possibly a back door or windows that open. If no one's around, he might sneak a peek into some of the windows, see if he recognizes Verik from Jericho's description.


Male Human Arcane-Blooded Sorcerer 4 (AC: 12 [T: 12 FF: 10](+4MA, +4 Sh) | HP: 32/32 | F+2, R+4, W+5 | Init +2 |Perc +1)

"We shouldn't risk attacking the place while their are bystanders in the way. We wouldn't want them getting caught in the middle of a fight and getting hurt."

"...And the final card, The Idiot confirms that even if you overcome this grievous happening, the greed and foolishness of men and women will continue to plague you." The words from Zellara's ghost play over in Copper's head. The greedy part definitely seems to define Jericho... he thinks, ...Rutter, too, I suppose. Hopefully the foolish part doesn't apply to either of them. Then again, she could mean my own foolishness plaguing me by allowing me to fall in with those who are greedy. Hmm.


thanks, I see that now. Read it too quickly, yeah two guys in the front.


"I could always just go over and talk to them. They do know me. Those two out front used to run errands before Verik moved them up in the ranks."

Jericho chuckles to himself.

"Looks like recruiting numbers have fallen off if they're pulling guard duty."

Jericho watches the patrons coming out with the packaged meat.

"We used to send out vials of poison wrapped in bacon to agents who were supposed to take out key officials." He pauses, thinking for a moment. "At least that was the plan. A lot of the guards would intercept the poison before it ever got close to the target."

----------------------------------

When one of the meat patrons comes nearby, Jericho will attempt to get one of the packages. He will do so out of sight of the two guards. He wants to see what's going on with the meat.

----------------------------------

"Please, could you help a lowly vagrant. Been shamed by the landlord, sent out on the street. Just a morsel or two, and I'll be on my way." Bluff 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6.

Cloud, sorry if I'm reading too much into my past with Verik...making the whole situation come alive for Jericho. I have no idea what's going on--didn't read my modules so I wouldn't spoil anything.


The portly middle-aged woman holds her bundle of meat protectively away from Jericho. "Get your own, you sniveling street rat! You know that they give it away every day, if you get here in time!"

OMG Jericho, how'd you know about the bacon!?! Just kidding, I definitely appreciate players building the atmosphere like this. All of you can feel free to take some liberties like this with describing things... I'll let you know if it conflicts with anything in the story.


Map and other descriptions coming later tonight for Rutter's exploration.


Female Human Cleric 6 of Pharasma (AC: 14 [T: 12 FF: 12] | HP: 34/36 | F+5, R+4, W+10 | Init: +2 |Perc: +3)

Neva tried to remain inconspicuous while the others cased the joint and made plans. Her hands were beginning to sweat and her heart began to pound. She was used to the sight of blood, but it'd been a long time since she'd shed it herself.
20 years she thought to herself. And now I'm back, trying to be a hero. She took a deep breath and readied herself to move.


Senjin looked over and saw the sweat bead up on Neva. He had seen it on some of the kids in the gang, right before their first fight. Hells, he probably looked like that his first fight. Its not fair though, she didn't really sign on for this, but here she is..and she has a good grip on that crossbow.

He gives her a knowing nod. "Its not necessarily a good thing, but at some point its like you are that butcher over there. You can put it out of your mind..its just a job..you or them....and you don't dwell on the fact that you are a merchant of death."


The butcher shop is at a corner where an alley splits off of Stirge street. The walls on the east and south of the shop adjoin other buildings, but the west has a large open air pen that from the smell of it, contains some cows and pigs. A large pair of wooden double doors is at the southwest corner of the stockyard, Rutter doesn't open them, but a light touch to the handle and close examination reveals that they are probably unlocked. There are no windows or other exits on this floor, although there are several windows on the second story.

Jericho describes Verik as a dark-haired, clean shaven, well-built man. He mentions that the ladies always did like Verik and he lacks the usual scars of a fighting man.


Map URL here, north is at the top of the map:
All the world's meat map


ugh...the limitations of my netbook are being rooted out. That dabbleboard map, I can only see half of it...no zoom feature.


Male Halfling Shapechanger (wererat) Rog4 / Ftr2 (AC: 21 [T: 17 FF: 16] | HP: 36/47 | F+6, R+9/+10 traps, W+3 | Init: +4 | Perc: +11/+12 traps | healthy

Rutter comes back and shares what he found.

"The back entrance probably goes into a pen for the animals. There may be a door through there into a slaughterhouse area. If Vancy is as prissy as Jericho says, we can probably sneak in through there without running into him."

Rutter thinks for a moment. "If the animals aren't tied up in there, we could open that side door and let some out. If enough get out and cause enough trouble, it could draw out more of the guards to help round them up, leaving Vancy alone in there."


Male Human Arcane-Blooded Sorcerer 4 (AC: 12 [T: 12 FF: 10](+4MA, +4 Sh) | HP: 32/32 | F+2, R+4, W+5 | Init +2 |Perc +1)

"Sounds like a good plan to me. Only problem I can see is on the off chance that he's not in there right now, but I suppose that is a risk we are going to have to take one way or another."

Copper's eyes flutter briefly as his hands begin to form arcane symbols in the air. Words in a strange language begin to spill from his mouth, "De door van de mage zullen beschermen mij."

Cast Mage Armor on mahself.


Imageshack link:
All the World's Meat map (imageshack)


Male Human Arcane-Blooded Sorcerer 4 (AC: 12 [T: 12 FF: 10](+4MA, +4 Sh) | HP: 32/32 | F+2, R+4, W+5 | Init +2 |Perc +1)

So the part we can see is the shop in the front, and the doors near the bottom are the ones we are going to try to sneak in?


that funny, cause my netbook has the same issue. My work computer always allowed me to see the full maps so I had a workaround.


Female Human Cleric 6 of Pharasma (AC: 14 [T: 12 FF: 12] | HP: 34/36 | F+5, R+4, W+10 | Init: +2 |Perc: +3)

In Dabbleboard, there is a button on the tool bar labeled "Settings". In there, you can set the canvass size. I chose the check box "Fit to Window" and it made the entire map visible. From there I could scale it.


Copper, yes, your interpretation of the map is correct.


Male Halfling Shapechanger (wererat) Rog4 / Ftr2 (AC: 21 [T: 17 FF: 16] | HP: 36/47 | F+6, R+9/+10 traps, W+3 | Init: +4 | Perc: +11/+12 traps | healthy

Are we sneaking in, or releasing the animals, or going in the front? Rutter can try sneaking into the stockade to get a better picture of our options. Are we going to kill the minions? If not, how do we subdue them?


"I say we go in the back. Giving out old meat..doesn't sound like a thriving business that would have live animals."

Are they giving meat to the poor in these troubled times? That is something I could applaud...or is there something more nefarious going on?

"I will try to subdue as long as it keeps my head on my shoulders..and till I understand what exactly is going on...and what exactly does Verik look like? I want to take special care around him...flat of the axe will serve till somebody gets crazy and starts spilling blood."


Male Human Arcane-Blooded Sorcerer 4 (AC: 12 [T: 12 FF: 10](+4MA, +4 Sh) | HP: 32/32 | F+2, R+4, W+5 | Init +2 |Perc +1)

"I agree. Let's go in the back."


"Cressida did say alive..."

Watching the slow trickle of patrons receiving food, Jericho sighs and looks up into the sun.

This is how you fight against the monarchy? Helping peasants? Those months in that cell...what has happened out here?

Standing up and sheathing his dagger, Jericho turns to the group. "The rear will be less protected than walking in through the front door. If there are any animals in there, they're probably already dead."

Turning to the building, he watches for a minute, looking up at the sky once more.

Forgive me brother.

Without turning back, "There should be a storage room just off the rear doors. It's rarely used, and if we need to, we can hide there until Verik shows up."

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