DM Aron Marczylo's Curse of the Crimson Throne Part 3 (Inactive)
Game Master overfiend_87

You see a young man coming up the stairs. To some of you he appears to be in the condition Curnach was when you first met him, possibly from living rough. He appears frightened and looking around the room in fear.
"Master Orisini? Are you there?" he calls out with a sword in hand. It appears to be a masterworked rapier.

I step out from where I was hiding with my hands in the air showing that I am not intending on attacking him.

My child, are you a friend of Master Orisini? If so we mean you no harm, unlike these vermin you see before you who intended him ill.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

I keep one eye down the stairs to make sure that nobody else is following the youth.

Krenn smiles at Llyra's plan, and quietly moves off to hide.

Stealth 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

I step out from where I was hiding with my hands in the air showing that I am not intending on attacking him.

My child, are you a friend of Master Orisini? If so we mean you no harm, unlike these vermin you see before you who intended him ill.

Diplomacy: 1d20+10

I keep one eye down the stairs to make sure that nobody else is following the youth.

"Yes I was attending his classes when the Quarintine hit. I was unable to return home so he put me put for a few night." he replied as he sheathed his sword.

Do you know where he would be? I am looking for him, and was surprised to arrive and find his academy in flames. As I said, I came in to see if he was ok and was attacked by these cretins. Fortunately they were easily dispatched. Have you seen him today, or do you know where he might go if he were to seek to hide from someone?

Do you know where he would be? I am looking for him, and was surprised to arrive and find his academy in flames. As I said, I came in to see if he was ok and was attacked by these cretins. Fortunately they were easily dispatched. Have you seen him today, or do you know where he might go if he were to seek to hide from someone?

"I came because someone blew a hole through the wall." he pointed to the big obvious hole that curnach had created. "The assassins attacked me and Vencarlo. I narrowly escaped, but they didn't care about me and my teacher cut down those assassins with little trouble before narrrowly escaping as the school went on fire. Where he is I don't know, but I have a suspecion who. When I stayed as his guest I noticed he often left at odd hours at night. He seemed restless and distracted. He sometimes did not return until morning, but one day his cloths were bloody and he claimed he had to fight off a thief, but I don't believe a thief would've been so brave to attack the head of a sword-fighting school."

"In the days before the Red Mantis attacked, Vencarlo has a strange houseguest visit. His hands were always stained with paint, he wore his hair wild and unkept like some animal and he always had a jittery habit of looking about. Vencarlo claimed he was a friend, but I recognised him immediately as the notorious local artist known as Salvator Scream." he pauses for a moment, hoping for Llyra to take the name in and curious if she would recognise it. "They met behind closed doors every time, all three nights, but their last meeting I swear I heard Vencarlo's voice raised in anger, but I was unable to hear the argument clearly. I've been meaning to track down Salvator to ask him myself about what happened to Vencarlo, but I...well I am not brave enough to brave Old Dock where Salvator's home is."

Knowledge(local): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Hmmm, I am not familiar with this Salvator Scream. But I only returned to Korvosa recently after many years away. You say his home is by the Old Dock?

Do you recall how long Vencarlo has been meeting with this Salvator Scream? Did the meetings start before the plague or after?

Knowledge(local): 1d20+5

Hmmm, I am not familiar with this Salvator Scream. But I only returned to Korvosa recently after many years away. You say his home is by the Old Dock?

Do you recall how long Vencarlo has been meeting with this Salvator Scream? Did the meetings start before the plague or after?

"I do not know if he knew him before, but after the plague he only saw him three times and as I said, the last time they had a argument." he pointed out, looking worried and converned "Who broke the hole through the wall there? Was that you?"

I don't believe we've been summoned from the bedroom so I think we're waiting on Llyra.

Oh, darn, I was waiting on people, my bad.

Amin, if you do not mind, I have some friends who may have some questions for you.

I call out to the others, loud enough to be heard, but not too loud. Guys, every thing appears clear.

Knowing that his axe can be somewhat daunting, Krenn will wait until the others show themselves and Amin appears comfortable with them before he'll step out.

To the Assasin, Stay here, I will see if I can learn anything else from the man.
Jerin will enter..
Master Jalento. We are glad to see you are safe. We are also looking Vencarlo. So you think this scream fellow might have a clue to where he is hiding?
If he lives in Old Dock someone there is bound to know him due to his paintings. I guess that is our next destination.
I am afraid we did put the hole in the wall fighting these killers. I am sure that Orisini will understand.

After Krenn and Curnach enter the room and ask any questions they might have.
I guess we have learned all we can from this fellow... points to the bedroom, I guess we should do what needs to be done. nods at Krenn's axe and looks at Amin and puts a finger to his lips.

"If you ned me, I have been staying out at a nearby abandoned home." he points to the home directly opposite where the hole is. "It's dangerous on these streets with these thugs everywhere in the streets."

Thank you for your help Amin. We know where to find you should we need you. For your safety, I would avoid the academy and home until the current troubles have blown over.

Once Amin has left. I look at Jerin.

Question away, I shall cast Zone of Truth. The assassin will know that he is being compelled to tell the truth, but since he is friendly toward you, I do not think that the spell should affect your spell.

Unless someone says no, I will cast Zone of Truth. DC15, duration 5 minutes (+2 trait bonus to caster level).

Then I will make sure the Zone cone covers the assassin.

Krenn voices no objections to the interrogation plan. Instead, he paces from one side of the room to another, discreetly looking out for anyone else approaching the building.

What is the purpose of the zone of truth? Unless we have anything else we think we can learn from the Assasin we should probably dispose of him...I don't think he has lied to me so far.
Are we planning to torture him? I don't think he will tell us anything else under the charm.

I'd rather keep it IC if possible.

Hes no more likely to reveal things he wouldn't normally tell to a friend under the spell sadly- hes refusing to give Jerin more information rather than lying or misleading. I would like to turn him into Cressida, but she doesn't have the manpower or facilities to deal with this and we can't trust the Grey Guards obviously... No, I think we'll have to administer Korvosan justice ourselves, regretably. If we had access to magic that would dominate rather than charm, we could get more out of him.

I believe since zone of truth forces truth out of someone and is considered an offensive spell, as you have him charmed it'd uncharm him, also he could simply walk out of the area unless you were to tie him down or something.

Well, considering who he is, a Mantis Assassin, I have no qualms with sending him to a lower place. Jerin, can you get him to give you his weapons - so that you can, er, check them out. Then I can backstab him while Krenn administers some dwarven justice. I do not think that wasting any magic on him is necessary.

Whsipers, It might be difficult for me to get him to give up his weapon. Some enchanters with stronger forces of personality can force these types of action from charmed folk, but I might just break it.
Now that he is alone he should be fairly easy to dispose of and you should be able to get right up to him.
I can probably assist as well with some minor magic.

Let Krenn and Llyra file back into the room, they can start the attack and then I will cast Daze Person.

Curnach follows, determined to watch the unpleasant exchange and lend aid if necessary.

I nod to Jerin and follow him into the room.

Once Krenn and I are in position:

Attack from behind (should be flatfooted):
Attack-Rapier: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (5) + 1 + (2, 5) = 13

To hit 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24
Damage 1d10 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 25

Both of you hit the Red Mantis Assassin hard, but he remains standing despite his wounds.

Iniative:

Group Initiative:

Curnach Daveck: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Jerinthian Kos: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Krenn Whetstone: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Llyra Bjorgan: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Red Mantis Assassin: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Round 1

Order:

Red Mantis Assassin
Llyra Bjorgan
Curnach Daveck
Jerinthian Kos
Krenn Whetstone

The Assasin draws his blades and stabs one of his blades out at Krenn, however he is unable to bypass his armour.

attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

MAP

Round 1

Realizing that my rapier is less than effective, I drop it and draw my whip.

Trip: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

Curnach shuts the door and stands against it, blocking it from opening with his weight.

He falls prone after Llyra uses the whip and is on the ground prone.

Jerin will delay, thinking they have it well in hand.

Krenn's axe follows the assassin to the ground, taking advantage of the new circumstances.

To hit 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (19) + 19 = 38
Damage 1d10 + 19 ⇒ (4) + 19 = 23
To hit 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30
Damage 1d10 + 19 ⇒ (4) + 19 = 23

Krenn disembowles this final assassin, leaving him in a pool of blood. Amin seems to have grown pale from the sight of blood, but manages to compose himself.

Krenn disembowles this final assassin, leaving him in a pool of blood. Amin seems to have grown pale from the sight of blood, but manages to compose himself.

I thought that Amin had left before we started disemboweling the assassin.

DM Aron Marczylo wrote:

Krenn disembowles this final assassin, leaving him in a pool of blood. Amin seems to have grown pale from the sight of blood, but manages to compose himself.

I thought that Amin had left before we started disemboweling the assassin.

yeah you're right, whoops forgot.

Llyra Bjorgan wrote:

DM Aron Marczylo wrote:

Krenn disembowles this final assassin, leaving him in a pool of blood. Amin seems to have grown pale from the sight of blood, but manages to compose himself.

I thought that Amin had left before we started disemboweling the assassin.

yeah you're right, whoops forgot.

no problem, this way Vencarlo only has to clean up blood and a hole in his wall, at least there will be no vomit.

no problem, this way Vencarlo only has to clean up blood and a hole in his wall, at least there will be no vomit.

Thanks! This cracked me up!

Well, the assassins seemed willing to burn the place down. That may be extreme, but do we need to do anything to cover our tracks? Or something to leave a message for Vencarlo should he come back here?

He won't come back here, not after hes on the run from the Mantis. We should follow up on the name Amin gave us and find him ourselves, as fast as possible Curnach proposes quietly.

And I believe we should take Vencarlo's locked box with us. We won't try and open it again just yet but with such a good lock on it, its likely whatever is inside is of great value to him. Jerin, could you check it for magical auras in case its a cunning ploy by the Mantis to track him or his allies? Your knowledge of the theory and science of magic still greatly surpasses my own.

lol, well I'm sure a Otyugh would make it worse. Also the state the city is in he probably expects a worse mess.

Amin returns a few moments later in a hurried state.
"I just remembered. I asked around and Salvatore lives in a building on 140 wave street last I heard." he stops suddently seeing another red mantis body, but he clearly decides not to ask about it. "However all of the Old Dock is under the control of the Emporor of Korvosa. A mad man I have heard many rumors about. That he's a cannibal, that he's beheaded more folk than have died to blood veil, that he's a devil hiding in the flesh of a man and that his minions are as bad as him, though I don't believe them, I do believe that this Emperor and I've made sure not to approch the dock in case."

He won't come back here, not after hes on the run from the Mantis. We should follow up on the name Amin gave us and find him ourselves, as fast as possible Curnach proposes quietly.

And I believe we should take Vencarlo's locked box with us. We won't try and open it again just yet but with such a good lock on it, its likely whatever is inside is of great value to him. Jerin, could you check it for magical auras in case its a cunning ploy by the Mantis to track him or his allies? Your knowledge of the theory and science of magic still greatly surpasses my own.

Sounds good, let me scan it and see, we don't want this falling into the wrong hands.

Detect magic and take a 10 on Spellcraft for a 27. Identify any magical aura's up to 12th lvl.

Hmmmph, if this Emporor gets in our way, he will regret it. Let me think, I believe I know where wave street is from here...

[ooc] take a 10 knowledge local for a 21. [ooc]

Onward it is. I can easily disguise myself if necessary to do some reconnaissance. And this Emperor sounds like he will need some investigation. Either he is a new plague on the city which should be removed, or creating a wonderful veil of secrecy. I would hope it is the latter, but from what has occurred here over the past months, I doubt it.

I can ask around and see if there are any magic shops or black market magic dealers. There will assuredly be a few.

I can also try to open the chest if you want. Although with Vencarlo's reputation, this may well be beyond my abilities.
I do not recall whether we tried to pick it earlier, sorry, if we did, ignore the last comment.

Yes, you tried before taking your time but even then you were unable to unlock it.

The box does not glow when detect magic has been cast on it. It seems like a normal lock box.

Edit: You can detect a magic item inside. It is a bag of holding type 1, however what is inside the bag is a mystery.

Are we ready to go? I guess we should ask about this emperor on the way there to find out more details on who he is and what else he wants. So far we have only talked to children about him.

Jerin will hold onto the 3rd Mantis mask after he determines the method of activation in his haversack. He doesn't place the box anywhere near hs and let's the other know not to do it either.

Don't know if we already did this, but Detect Magic on all the assassins equipment.

They had Mantis Masks, spoiler on page 3, +1 leather armour, Cloak of Resistance +1

Are we ready to go? I guess we should ask about this emperor on the way there to find out more details on who he is and what else he wants. So far we have only talked to children about him.

Jerin will hold onto the 3rd Mantis mask after he determines the method of activation in his haversack. He doesn't place the box anywhere near hs and let's the other know not to do it either.

Now that would've been interesting. Boom!

I am ready.

Yep, I think we are about done her for now.

Making your way through the street you see many people moving out of the way and huddling in the street corners, not wanting to get in your way. Some begging for just a few simple coffers, but keeping their distance as they seem scared of you all being so well armoured or atleast the sour looking dwarf.

You come across a sad old woman, shambling along the edge of the street, doing her best sell her not-so-brightly coloured fungi for pigments. She appears to sob silently, though looks up hopeful that one of you may buy ont of her coloured fungi.

Krenn will march forward, clearing the way for the rest. He'll keep a regular watch behind him, making sure none of his charges have strayed or are being harrassed. If any of them stop for any reason (including the sad old woman), he'll stop and keep watch while they interact.

Seeing the old lady standing there selling things, I instruct the group to stop. I then slip around a corner and change my appearance to that more in tune with the locals. (In the future, I will usually do this when outside so that I blend in with the crowd. ) --> Assume that I take-10 on all disguise which will be a 29.

I go over the to woman.

Good afternoon m'lady. Those are some beautiful colors you have there, where did you get them in this sealed off part of town? It must have been very difficult. I have not seen pigments such as those since the main part of Korovsa was accessible. You wouldn't have anything with a deep orange? My daughter loves orange.

Diplomacy:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20