DM NomadSage's Curse of the Crimson Throne (Inactive)

Game Master nomadicc

The Hospice of the Blessed Maiden

You reach the docks just before sunset, though you can hardly tell through the clinging fog. The city streets are obscured in deep shadows and fog, but at least they are quiet and relatively empty. The hospice is a converted two-story warehouse just off the docks. The building is unremarkable, constructed of brick. Only a marking in the shape of the Dawnflower hints at the mercy mission inside.

Opening the front door, the stinging scent of alcohol and medicine strikes your noses. Across from the entrance sits a long wooden desk, beyond which a stained leather curtain covers an open archway, muffling moans from beyond. At the desk sits a burly nurse, wearing three scarves over her nose and mouth, and thick leather gloves. Six poor citizens huddle in chairs and against the wall, each exhibiting symptoms of blood veil, some at quite advanced stages.

Segang covers his mouth and nose with the cloth he has for that purpose before going in explaining I do not wish to die from tiny foes I cannot fight. Once inside he glowers at the nurse for a moment before seeing the plight of the patients where he looks back at his companions, unsure of what to do.

Melianthe enters, garbed in her doctor's outfit. "Good evening. I am Melianthe Ssulissien, and we are in the employ of Marshall Kroft and have been investigating the spread of blood veil. We'd like to speak with your doctors on an urgent matter."

Absinthe glides along in Melianthe's shadow, a wordless yet eloquent argument against offending the Witch.

The nurse looks up at you, eyes weary and disinterested. Through the scarves, the woman's voice is muffled. "The doctors are very busy. Please add your name to the list and they will see you as soon as able." She points to a chalkboard beside the desk with a score of names scribbled upon it, half of them crossed out.

Seren excuses himself and walks out of the building into an ally, using an application of his disguise kit along with casting disguise self through his veil pool to become human ... specifically Cressida Kroft.

Will Save DC17 if interacted with, Perception Check otherwise ... bonuses for familiarity

Disguise: 1d20 + 10 - 2 - 2 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 10 - 2 - 2 + 15 = 22 (Includes penalties for sex and race)

Best roll ever ...

He stalks around the corner and walks up to the receptionists desk, "My apologies friends for being late. You there, you shall let them in this instant. They are on the Queen's business."

Nurse Torthus Will Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Marshal... um, Kroft?" the nurse stammers, eyes widening in confused surprise... but she still shakes her head in the negative. "I'm sorry ma'am, but I have specific instructions to let no one through until called by the doctors." She again refers to the chalkboard roster. "Please add your name to the waiting list."

Seren marches over to the board and writes "Kroft" above the top name on the list.

"We are going in."

She/he leads the way to the door.

-Posted with Wayfinder

"Yes, ma'am," says Melianthe, nodding and following behind the 'Marshall'.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

"You had best keep your seat," she hisses at the receptionist.

Cherias was about ready to do some diplomancy, but this works too. Hopefully we won't discover that Marshall Kroft is already in a meeting with the doctors!

Will Save DC is 19, actually ... fwiw

For the plan of attack, we're not sneaking in and we're not being belligerent (entirely) so its fairly easy to play it both ways if it turns out we're wrong about the doctors. And most importantly, we're all together

I am wondering if Segang is fooled. :)

The nurse pops up from the chair and plants in front of the door, holding her arm out to stop Seren in his tracks. "No, you will not!" she says with impugned authority. "I don't care if you're the Queen herself, you will wait until it is your turn."

Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15 and Sense motive 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13. Is she just doing her job, or is there something fishy going on here?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (3) + 0 = 3 If we were sick then we should wait our turn. Segang tries to explain gently, quite sure that the nurse is only trying to do her job. But we are here to help and the doctors will want to see us immediately. As he says this he moves to the woman and gently takes her arm to try to guide her back to her desk.

I could charm her ...

I disagree with your assessment though. Queen's doctors. She should be responding, she's not. I think it's fear or complicity that's keeping her in line, not duty

-Posted with WayfinderSense Motive : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Hence the Sense Motive...

And an excellent roll it was ; )

-Posted with Wayfinder

Absinthe and Segang pick up no extraordinary cues.

The nurse slaps Segang's hand away with her leather glove. "Do not touch me, young man! Are you daft? You people will wait here for your turn, just like all the others. If you will persist in causing trouble, I must ask you to leave this place at once."

"Sorry, sorry, Segang, don't... We have no interest in causing trouble. Madam, please listen. We are not patients. The doctor must consult with us on a matter of utmost urgency. We have discovered vital information. It could be the key to curing this plague once and for all."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29

As he speaks, the faint scent of freshly baked cookies seems to emanate from Cherias.

The nurse stares at Cherias for a long moment, then lets out a sigh. "Fine, you may go through. But I warn you, if you become a nuisance, I'll have you removed forcefully." She returns to her seat and begins correcting the roster.

You push past the heavy curtain and into the sick ward. The warehouse's vast interior has been converted into one gigantic convalescent ward, the stench of alcohol, sickness and waste choking each breath. Tight rows of low, stained cots cram the stone-floored hall. Every bed is filled with a pitiful story -- men and women of all walks groaning and wheezing as they are consumed by blood veil. The sounds of their suffering are multiplied by the echoing chamber.

Amid the sick hover four dark-robed physicians, their avian masks giving them an unnerving resemblance to crows waiting to feed. Two Gray Maidens stand guard by a set of doors to the northwest, and you spy two more patrolling catwalks twenty feet above the chamber. They ready their bows as they see you enter, while one of the ground maidens wends through the crowded cots to intercept you.

"You do not belong here. Leave... now!" The Gray Maiden holds the hilt of her sword to emphasize her order.

"You would tell me that I do not belong here? Where is Doctor Davaulus? I would speak to him immediately. " Seren demands with an imperious tone.

Bluff: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

Theres no specific skill for voice mimicry but sense disguise is specific to visual, I'll go with Bluff. Can change as needed.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Segang looks to Marshall Kroft/Seren to cow this guard before he might need to take action. Anyone getting the feeling that this place is guarded a little to heavily for a hospital? he says quietly to the group.

Melianthe readies her Flight Hex, nodding to Segang. "To prevent people from getting in...or out?"

"You were warned," the Gray Maiden grunts as she draws steel.

Initiative Order (Round One):
[20] Segang
[17] Gray Maidens
[13] Absinthe
[13] Queen's Physicians
[11] Melianthe
[10] Cherias
[05] Seren

Segang can act before the Gray Maiden attacks. I will get a map up, but may take a day or three (still on the road for holidays)

Battlefield Note: The cots surrounding you are full of sick patients. Stray attacks have a chance of hitting a nearby patient, unless you take care to swing safely, incurring a -2 penalty to hit.

Sensing something is wrong Segang acts first. He allows the comfort of a controlled rage to take him and he feels himself getting stronger. He pulls his Adamantine Earth Breaker as he move to the Grey Maiden before she can close with his less melee inclined party members and attacks her using a furious focused power attack.

Adamantine Earth Breaker vs flat footed enemy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 212d6 + 13 ⇒ (1, 5) + 13 = 19 If this enemy is a spell caster or user of any type of spelllike ability add +2 to the damage.

This swing safely is a new mechanic to me. Gonna say its new to Segang too until he sees it in action. Perhaps if I saw the map I might understand a little better. Oh, I know there are two on the ground, but believe they are more than 10' apart. If this is not the cast and Segang could have moved so that he could cleave and attack both he would do so.

Well, did that 21 hit? Sorta worried about their AC in full plate mail.

Game on! Map is up on Roll 20 (finally)...

Segang reacts quickly, slamming the Gray Maiden with his maul. The impact creates a loud clang as it hits her breastplate. The woman is knocked back a step, but she recovers and retaliates. "Traitors! You will die for striking the Queen's chosen!"

The Gray Maiden brings her bastard sword around in a high-powered arc, carving a deep gash across Segang's torso.

GM1 vs Segang (PA): 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 11 - 2 = 28; Confirm Critical: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 11 - 2 = 20; Damage: 2d10 + 22 ⇒ (4, 8) + 22 = 34

The other Gray Maidens move at once. The second on the ground floor wends through the crowded cots to close distance, while the two on the catwalks above focus their aim on "Marshal Kroft".

GM3 vs Seren: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14; Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
GM4 vs Seren: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23; Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

***

Initiative Order (Round One):
[20] Segang
[17] Gray Maidens
[13] Absinthe <<<
[13] Queen's Physicians
[11] Melianthe
[10] Cherias
[05] Seren

Absinthe's turn...

Note, the map includes the catwalks, depicted on a separate cutaway to the right. They are 20 feet up.

All I can say is "ouch!" Saphren his DR so only takes 31.

And Cherias didn't have Shield Other up because he didn't expect a fight.

Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 Acrobatics 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

Absinthe's eyes flash left and right and she utters a weary sigh. "One day, I wish we could enter strange territory without walking into an ambush."

Then the tiefling drops into a roll, spins past Segang and the grey maiden opposite him and bounces back to her hooves. Her fist flashes out, striking at the back of the warrior woman's skull.

I'll draw a weapon next round! Unarmed strike flanking sneak attack 1d20 + 4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 4 + 2 = 30 for 1d3 + 1 + 3d6 ⇒ (1) + 1 + (6, 1, 1) = 10

Crit threat! Rolling to confirm: 1d20 + 4 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 4 + 2 = 19 for 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 bonus damage.

And Cherias didn't have Shield Other up because he didn't expect a fight.

That makes good sense. The spell lasts for a long time but its hard to say close for long durations and I would think in general moving about we would exceed the range of the spell without a lot of discipline. Do you already any of the party life linked?

I generally think of Cherias as having all the party on lifelink all the time, but I didn't specify. However, we haven't slept and we had lifelink up earlier so I think we should still have it.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Ducking one arrow, but getting grazed by another, Seren will move back under the southern catwalk to avoid fire from one of the archers and then will cast hypnotic pattern catching the Maiden (that looks different) and the doctor to the northeast of the party. (Will Save DC18)

HD affected: 2d4 + 5 ⇒ (2, 3) + 5 = 10

Melianthe activates her Flight Hex and soars above the melee.

Yikes. Is she wearing her "Shoot Me First " shirt? :P

You smack them and keep their crossbows down, I'll hex them! :P

I do not yet see a path to the two bowmen on the catwalks above - now at eye level with you.

I can try to acrobat up there, but it looks a bit dicey.

Seren, do you have any magic to give us cover from the archers?

I can cast twilight haze. Lowers darkness and creates an obscuring cloud.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Absinthe attempts to roll around the Gray Maiden safely, but the knight's finely honed defenses react to the opportunity. She slashes her blade, catching the tiefling along the back and barely missing a vital spot.

GM1 AoO vs Absinthe: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 11 - 2 = 29; Confirm Critcal: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 11 - 2 = 17; Damage: 1d10 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22

After the tumble, Absinthe lands a solid kick, her hoof clanging off the woman's helmet.

The physicians close in silently, passing hand signals to each other to coordinate their attack. One moves up to attack Melianthe, while two close in on Absinthe and harry her with flanking strikes. The fourth moves through the cots to threaten Cherias. They use narrow-bladed knives with serrated edges.

QP1 dagger vs Melianthe: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17; Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

QP2 dagger vs Absinthe: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 = 8; Damage: 1d4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (6, 5) = 14
QP3 dagger vs Absinthe: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 = 13; Damage: 1d4 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 2 + (6, 2) = 12

Note, the physicians go before Seren, so I moved the token to its original position. Feel free to re-post his action. Same for Melianthe, as she's now being threatened.

***

Initiative Order (Round One):
[20] Segang
[17] Gray Maidens
[13] Absinthe
[13] Queen's Physicians
[11] Melianthe <<<
[10] Cherias
[05] Seren

Mel, you posted your action before you were under attack. Taking off as posted will draw an aoo now...

Yeah, will revise.

Melianthe glares at the physician, wincing at the wound.

Slumber Hex, DC18 Will or fall asleep for 6 rounds.

If he falls asleep I'll move to flank Seren; otherwise, 5' step.

QP1 Will Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

The physician stumbles and slumps over, snoring.

Cherias...

I'll post late tonight, as I have to do the math to figure out who's been damaged and how much.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Seren takes a 5 foot step to the NW and casts twilight haze and the room darkens as tendrils of purplish fog reach out from the walls and ceilings.

:The fog obscures all sight, including darkvision, beyond 5 feet. A creature within 5 feet has concealment (attacks have a 20% miss chance). Creatures farther away have total concealment (50% miss chance, and the attacker can't use sight to locate the target). It also lowers the darkness one level in the area.

Affects both of us, but we're sitting ducks to the archers. Haxe marked with a circle.

Segang is at 31 damage, which reduces by 5 to 26. Absinthe is at 22 damage, which reduces to 17. Melianthe is at 4, which does not activate lifelink. Cherias takes 10 damage.

Cherias winces as he absorbs some of the pain from Segang and Absinthe. "Stop this! We came here peacefully and you attack us!"

He steps between Segang and Melianthe, and begins to pray to Arshea. His allies feel a boost to their spirits, while the others begin to feel a smidgen of doubt creep into their minds. Prayer: +1 luck bonus to attacks, weapon damage, skill checks and saving throws for all allies, and -1 to each of those for enemies within a 40 ft radius. No save, but it is mind-affecting and allows SR. Also 5 ft step out of threatened area to avoid AoO.

He also draws his wand of curing, suspecting that it will be needed shortly.

I can cast twilight haze. Lowers darkness and creates an obscuring cloud.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Well done, Seren! ^_^ I need to remember that spell. As we are now in magical darkness, I can use my Nightmare Fist feat to full effect! :D

I think Segang is up.

Still raging Segueing steps 5' to stand adjacent to both the Grey Maiden and one of the physicians Activating his Crowd Control ability -+1 to hit and damage.. He then swings twice. If the first hit drops the Maiden his second attack will go on the physician.

Adamantine Earth Breaker: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 12 + 1 + 1 = 192d6 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (5, 2) + 13 + 1 = 21

Adamantine Earth Breaker: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 272d6 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (6, 5) + 13 + 1 = 25