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

Game Master AdamWarnock

Korvosa has stood for three centuries. It has survived the death of Aroden, attacks by the Shoanti, plagues, and a curse.

Her throne is not a prize, no, never that. It is a burden, a specter of death, for all of Korvosa's monarchs have died before their time was truly up. The Crimson Throne is now held by Eodred II, and his subjects silently wait for the curse to strike again, many dreading the rise of their queen to power. If the signs are right, that may happen soon. Rumors of the king's health failing, and Queen Ileosa has increasingly taken on the mantle of Korvosa's ruler.

While this seems to be the curse finally running it's course, seven Korvosans experienced something odd a few months ago. A dream that seemed to be more.

Don't worry too much about the dreams, they are just something I wanted to do and I thought it'd be fun. Keep in mind that these happened over three months ago.

Remember this happened months ago and is more for flavor than anything, but feel free to write your character's reaction to it.. Now that we are in the present, it's late winter in Korvosa. There's still noticeable nip in the air, but signs of spring have appeared all around the city. Describe a typical day for your character.

Mercy begins her day like any other of late... A vigil for the slow rise of the winter's sun and the true beginning of the day. Prayer and song heralding the Dawnflower's blessings, then breaking fast and a return to the city streets of her childhood.

Cloaked and armoured she avoids trouble where possible as she investigates whispered rumour that others like herself, seek Lamm and justice for his crimes gather. Though she has yet to meet these folk, her hope is that some will be like her, former lambs and survivors come home to seek their fell shepherd...

Mercy visits some of her old haunts and places where Lamm (and his men) are known but not found. She also attempts to find any of these others who seek Lamm - to discern their purpose...

Dreqar spends most the early morning and afternoon in the Acadamae, debating theory, demostrating his knowledge and listening to more experienced spellcasters, like any normal student. Normally he would do with an outgoing enthusiasm, but nowadays he does alot this half heartedly, his thoughts preoccupied with finding Veklen and Lamm.

At night he often wonders a specific district looking for trouble of the sort that might be connected to Lamm. He eavesdrops on guards and frequents Inns looking for clues.

Dreqar still trys to keep up in his studies and put on the 'brave face' but once he goes out, he goes off to look for anything on Lamm or Veklen, he often passes by where Vensi was killed before going to a new spot in the city to pick around, until heading for an inn to drink, study, and eavesdrop.

Theanna, a Korvosa native, loved winter for their clear nights. It made for the best nights of stargazing and when she was able to map some of the harder-to-find stars. She returns to her parent's house if but once or twice a week but spends the majority of her days finding her next stargazing perch. She's known around Old Korvosa for playing with the children there during the day and climbing the buildings to find her next post to gaze to the stars where she sleeps in the night.

Veklen spends his time in a few different ways. He will spend a few weeks looking obsessively for Lamm or any member of his crime syndicate who might know the truth of Vensi or the fisherman's deaths. Usually starting his days either near the alley where she died or where the fisherman was found and working his way outwards.

When he begins to run out of coin he spends a few weeks working as hired muscle for merchants in the Middlands. During these weeks he spends his time off in taverns listening for word of Lamm and his associates. So far he has found little success.

During the day, Kishta helps her adopted parents around their shop. At night she makes the rounds at the taverns and inns in her area, telling stories for coin when she can, working security when she can't.

Once a month she visits Milani's small temple, and donates what she can. She always keeps watch for Shoanti in the city, though she never gets up the nerve to talk to any. She is restless, but can't put her finger on why.

Waydon's reaction to the dream

Waydon doesn't sleep much and when he does he has weird dreams that he can't explain. He spends his mornings going to his wife's grave, generally just sitting there in silence. He spends the warmer parts of the day going through the seedier parts of Korvosa trying to find information about his missing son. His gold is starting to run out though...

I'm not good with coding my text, I don't know how to achieve the above format that you all have implemented so well.

All of her morning and the early part of her afternoon consumed by her activites precipitated by her dream, Arianna heads out to the Old Dock section of the Shingles, to ply her trade for the odd bit of coin and, more importantly, gather what information she can about the man responsible for her brother's death.

@ Arianna: The dream was a few months ago in game time, but I have what I need, post to come.
@ Waydon: I'll provide a formatting post in the discussion thread.

The next morning when you all awake, and find something different from your normal routine as you get ready to face the day.

Okay, I'll give everyone a day, two at most to post what they're doing. I'll post again when people start arriving at the house, if they decide to go.

Mercy weighs the morn's turn of events and delves into her knowledge of Korvosa's streets to glean what she can of note about her destination...

Knowledge: Local: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 Och!

She then prepares her gear and armour, purposefully sharpens her blade whilst humming hymns to the Dawnflower.

Once ready the holy warrior steps out into the winter morning and begins the journey to her destiny...

Waydon goes immediately to the location provided.

Veklen pulls the card out of his pouch, examining it. After a few minutes thought, he put the card back in his pouch and continued preparing for his day. His hands fidgeted slightly with his chain shirt as he put it on, showing a small portion of the restlessness he feels. He has to know what this is about. He knows he will go to the house at sunset anyway, but until then, there's time to figure it out.

Veklen left his house and headed straight to the taverns. It was still early, but he had a full day to to find people who know.

Dreqar sits on the edge of his bed staring long and hard at the card and the message. At first he feels unnerved that someone could slip into the Acadamae and into his room without raising suspsicion, but he can't help feeling like this was the break he needed. This is going to be my best chance. He starts to prepare his spells, using the harrow card as an impromtu bookmarker. Then gets ready for the day.

Arianna studies the curious extra card in her Harrow deck, taking note of the address mentioned. After her morning meditation with Kashki, she heads out the door stopping the occasional friendly looking passer by to ask for direction to the address listed on the back of the card. After getting the information she asked for from a friendly passer-by, she makes her way to Lancet Street.

Theanna holds the card close to her nose to read and see the details of the drawing, confused by the note. 'That's a name I haven't heard in a long time,' she ponders, pulling her journal from her backpack to stuff the card next to the previous night's star chart. The young girl goes about her day, choosing today to see her mother and yet despite her hopes of keeping her mind from her clandestine meeting with... whoever this person was, Thea found herself figity and excited. Unable to deny herself the opportunity, after lunch she heads to the given address after asking around a little to get an idea of what she might be getting herself into.

Diplomacy (Gather Information): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Kishta looks at the card, reads the back, then turns it over again and stares at the picture.

The Big Sky. I wonder what that's supposed to mean? Probably something about wide open spaces. And freedom.

Kishta puts the card in her pouch, and continues straightening up the store. There were bolts of cloth to organize to father's satisfaction and patterns to lay out for mother.

Gaedren isn't my problem -- that was a long time ago. I hope he is brought to justice, but that doesn't depend on me.

Kishta's parents were starting to get old, and without her help, the day to day strain of running the shop would be too much for them. They needed her, she had responsibilities.

But the children. He still has children, I know he does. Can I leave them there, if I can rescue them? They wouldn't know me, wouldn't know what I'd done. I'd be a savior, not a failure.

And with that, Kishta could delay no longer. She quickly dresses in her armor, and gathers her gear. She gives her mother a hug and her father a kiss on the cheek, and then rushes off into the afternoon towards the address on the card.

You'll only find a corpse. Our boy is long gone. He's here with me only I haven't found him yet. Rush on little soldier but your speed won't make up for your past failures. Soon you'll tie your own rope and hang like me.
"No!"
A merchant selling apples on the streets looks at Waydon with one eyebrow raised. "Mister ya don't have to yell, if you don't want an apple just move along, they're good apples all the same. Get ya apples, fresh apples...
Waydon approaches the location provided and barges in. He lost all his patience the moment he saw his wife swing from the rafters.

sorry busy day at work, currently in class. I'll get a post up in a little bit.

No biggie, I understand how busy days go. I was just makin' sure it wasn't me you were waiting on.

Nope Just myself.

And finally, the party comes together. What are your reactions to seeing each other and how cranky is Waydon by the time Veklen gets there?

A young, dark-haired Varisian woman enters the room, and then proceeds further in hesitantly seeing the golden haired man and the half-orc woman already present.

The young woman reaches into a pouch on one of her scarves, producing a single harrow card with writing on the back.

"Good afternoon." she says pleasantly enough, if a bit stand offish. "Are one of the two of you the who sent the message?" the Varisian girl asks, as she moves closer to inspect the tapestries in greater detail, muttering to herself "Absolutely beautiful."

Dreqar steps in behind the Varisian woman and looks at the other three already there. He gives a short bow and looks at the tapestries. He inhaled the smell of incense and felt his fur stand on end, a feeling that he attributed to nerves. He looks at Arianna's harrow card. "I'm guessing we all have a card. Quite a fancy way to send an invite." He stares at the image of the creature juggling the hearts. I would hate to have to tangle with whatever that is.

any particular knowledge check for checking out the tapestries?

Nope, sorry.

Veklen steps in from the deep shadows of dusk. A cold wind sweeps into the house behind him. His eyes sweep across those already in the room. His eyes widen at the sight of Dreqar and he quickly moves on to the next person. It only takes him a moment to finish and he turns to focus on the dark haired Varisian. Zellara? he says, his voice barely a question. He continues before she has a chance to respond, his voice a low rumble. I don't know what you're about, but I sure hope that you have some good information for me. I'm tired of chasing shadows. He stops and waits, clearly not looking at Dreqar.

Waydon stands at first pacing around the room disinterested in the decor. After an hour he sits facing the door. 

Mercy: When a half orc wearing armor walks Waydon's hand goes to his bastard sword and stands up. When he sees some of the religious paraphernalia on his body he takes his hand off his sword. 

[b] I was told that someone here knows about Gaedren Lamm. Did you give me this card? You have a card to huh? What's your story?[\b]

Arianna: When a beautiful woman walks in a room Waydon is always a little shy. 
Do you have a card or do you have information regarding Lamm? 

Dreqar: When a humanoid with a cat's head slinks in the room Waydon jumps to his feet and unsheathes his sword. 
What the hell are you? State your purpose!
Seeing that the catman seems friendly enough Waydon sheathes his sword and listens to his story. He's never seen one of his ilk so he's naturally wary. 
Theanna: 
Theanna! What are you doing here? You aren't mixed with Lamm are you? Does your father know you're here?

Kishta: The imposing Shoanti woman should set Waydon on edge but he's growing more comfortable with the notion that people are gathering for a purpose. 
Card?

Velken: 
Card?

Well someone has brought us together to deal with Lamm. I don't know how they found all of us but I'll tell you my reasons for seeking Lamm. 
My boy was taken from me. He's young. Only seven... He was taken from my wife while she was shopping in the market. My wife couldn't deal with the loss... She took her own life out of grief. I have no leads and no clues. All I know is that Lamm has a small army of children pickpockets and a nasty reputation. I don't know if he has my boy but it's the only lead I have left. Whoever wrote this card seems to think Lamm has my boy. 

Waydon stands at first pacing around the room disinterested in the decor. After an hour he sits facing the door.

Well someone has brought us together to deal with Lamm. I don't know how they found all of us but I'll tell you my reasons for seeking Lamm.
My boy was taken from me. He's young. Only seven... He was taken from my wife while she was shopping in the market. My wife couldn't deal with the loss... She took her own life out of grief. I have no leads and no clues. All I know is that Lamm has a small army of children pickpockets and a nasty reputation. I don't know if he has my boy but it's the only lead I have left. Whoever wrote this card seems to think Lamm has my boy.

Kishta stood outside the house staring at the door for a few moments, her nerves worse than when she performed at a new tavern. After a deep breath, she entered with a mask of steely resolve.

The room inside was not what she was expecting at all. And the people...She recognized a few faces from a tavern several weeks ago when some fools had been talking tough about Gaedren Lamm. "I guess you found him after all. Where's the old Shepherd hiding? And are you sure it's him?"

Then she got a better look at the half-orc in the group. "Bloody Rose! Is that, is that..." Kishta couldn't make herself say the name, in case she was wrong. She approached her quickly, but stopped short a pace away, unsure of the reception she'd receive from Mercy.

Turning her attention away from the tapestries for a moment to answer Waydon's question, the young woman says reaching into a pouch on one of her scarves again, producing a single harrow card with writing on the back, "I am afraid I, much like you, are here to gain information."

As the red-haired male half-orc enters the room, questioning who she is, the Varisian woman responds, "No, I am not Zellara. Though it does seem she and I share an interest in the Harrow. My name is Arianna, pleased to meet you."

Hearing all of the talk about Lamm, she comments, "Obviously Lamm has wronged each of us...and our host. Hopefully this...Zellara was it?...will have more information about the bastard's whereabouts when she chooses to grace us with her presence."

When asked for her card, Kishta says, "Big Sky. Are you checking invites? How many more are coming?"

After hearing Waydon's tale, Kishta shakes her head and says, "Seven, you say. The good news is that Gaedren would consider him too valuable to kill out of hand. Only if he got angry. Or bored. But the bad news is that your son is gone forever. We might find a boy who answers to his name. But he won't be your son."

"But if you can tell me where he his, I'll help rescue that child."

After Arriana's response and the golden haired man's question Veklen nods his head and sighs. Veklen, he says, indicating himself. Veklen's lips pull together tightly, and he finally turns to the cat-like man in the room, Hello Dreqar. Veklen's eyes cast around for a moment as if looking for someone else before he stopped and looked back at Dreqar. I don't know what you believe about it, but I didn't kill her. I hope you know that.

Thea stops short at the door at the sound of a familiar voice, her brow furrowing at the mention of her father from Waydon. "He doesn't need to know, hmm?" she says to Waydon with a finger to her lips. She takes a long moment looking over the tapestries in the room, her nose right close to the wall itself. Taking a seat at the table, Theanna waits, curiosity building as more and more arrive to the small house.

Upon hearing Waydon's recounting of his son and wife, Theanna shakes her head in disgust. "Waydon, I had no idea..."

Inside the house Mercy greets Waydon with a guarded nod, noticing his hand stray to his sword-hilt;

Wary... rightly so for I come armed and armoured, with the blessings of the Dawnflower and the blood of the orc... wary... or foolish...

Her exchange with the older warrior broken by the arrival of others to the house. Mercy stoicly watches them arrive, until one, the tall Shoanti woman approaches her. As she speaks wide eyed recognition wells forth over the half orc's features;

"... Kish? Kishta!? Is it you! Dawnflowers light it is! You... we survived him... We SURVIVED!"

Momentarily stunned with emotion, the female warrior composes herself as she rests an arm on the Shoanti's shoulder. The with a nod, she stands tall and firm, voice proud as she speaks her piece to the others;

"I am Mercy. Once of Lamm's orphans, now a daughter of Sarenrae and her holy sword... If by deed or word I can help any of you I will..."

Dreqar cast a sideways glance at Waydon as the man unsheathed his sword. "Relax, friend." he holds up his card and lets him look at it. "I'm a catfolk, I assure you my kind is honorable...on the majority..." he smirks and and listens to Waydon talk about his boy. The smirk fades fast from his feline face.

"Either Lamm or someone that works for him took the light of my life from me. I know what it's like to lose the someone you love."

He waits until Veklen shows up, at first he didn't recognize his old friend the months having given the half orc some more then usuable roughness to his features. But when he spoke there was no mistake. "Veklen." The word came out as a hiss, and Dreqar's ears folded down and back, a clear sign of the anger he felt. His hand went to his rapier's hilt as he listened to Veklen explain himself. "All I know is your name came up a bit, and then witness turns up gutted. Even if some poor sap took a drop for that, it still seems all too convienant. Especially since the word going around is the sap had nothing to do with it." Dreqar took his hand off his sword Wonder just how much Lamm paid you he shook the thought from his head with disgust. So many questions, and accussations filtered through his mind, he wanted to curse Veklen, but instead found himself speaking. "There is bread and drink under the table" with that he turned back to look at the tapestry turning his back to his former friend. Dreqar's ginger tail thrashing like a mad cobra.

Arianna's twists into a scowl hearing Dreqar mention "some poor sap".

"Watch your tongue. That sap you sap you speak of was my brother."

Did you hear that Waydon? Not one of them knows Lamm's location? You're in the company of the lost. The blind leading the blind. Quiet! I'm closer than I've ever been before! That half-orc didn't murder anyone, is this city suspicion of guilt would be enough for someone to draw a sword, he wouldn't stay in this room if he was a killer

"Listen everybody calm down. It seems to me that everyone here has at least a question they'd like to ask Mr. Lamm. We didn't write these cards either so let's wait to hear from the party that did."

Kishta pats the half-orc's hand where it clasped her shoulder. Her voice lowered.

"I went back, you know. Months later, when I was well enough. There was nothing left. Everyone was gone."

Kishta remembered standing in the warehouse doorway, a pair of borrowed shears in her hand, overwhelmed by the emptiness of the abandoned building. Mother was so mad. She told me I could have been killed, but I already knew that. I couldn't stand to leave all my brothers and sisters behind. But they'd left me."

"I didn't know if you were alive or dead. I should have looked harder. Oh Merce! What about Polgis? Or Darli? Or, or Khastolikon? Or any of the others. Did they make it out too?"

She took a deep breath and started again.

"Sarenrae's holy sword, huh? That doesn't mean you've forgotten to have fun, does it? Because I don't see how you can dance in that get up."

Veklen stared at Arianna as she and the golden haired man spoke. Finally he nodded, I can see the resemblance now that I look for it, he thought.

Yes, this man is right, he said. I aim to make sure Lamm gets what he deserves. Veklen moves over to grab some bread before finding a seat in the room. He waits silently watching the door.

"Ok clearly some of you know each other. It seems like we might be waiting awhile so I think it might clear the air if everyone is on the same page. I've told you my story and I hope my honesty can serve as some inspiration for some or all of you to do the same. "

Mercy shakes her head sadly at Kishta's words;

Polgis with his wooden sword, Darli's long blond braids and Khastolikon's chirpy gnomish laugh... where are they now?

"Not a word from any of them..."

Still a little crestfallen, the paladin gives a wry smile at Kishta's mention of dancing;

"Do my dancing with my blade now Kish..."

Dreqar's features twisted in a look of honest apology when Arianna spoke, his heart going to his throat, as he thought of how to pull his metaphorical foot out of his mouth. "My apologizes ma'am I'm....I'm sorry for your loss." Looking to Waydon he takes a seat at the table, and let's out a sigh. "Veklen knows this story as well, but I am Dreqar Soriano, Catfolk, and student at the Acadamae here. There I meet a beautiful Evoker named Vensi, and we got close, she was the light of my life, made every morning a good one, and I had every intention of taking her as my wife once we graduated." he tears a little,"Guards found her stabbed to death, at first the finger's pointed to my...friend...here...but then things got complicated, and all I know is Lamm sold her ring, the ring I gave her to some, dredge of a backshop peddler merchant. I need to find him, I need to know if he did it, or the name of the person that did it for him. He will pay one way or another." He rested his chin on his fingers.

So many lost Lamms.

Kishta nodded at her friend's words. Mercy had always been more enthusiastic than graceful, but if she'd turned that enthusiasm to martial pursuits, she'd now be quite formidable, indeed.

But other people here were linked as well. She listened to Dreqar's explanation of the relationship between the magi.

"I doubt he killed her himself," Kishta observed, "Especially if her only wounds were from a simple stabbing. But he could have arranged it. Or one of his children may just have stumbled across her body and taken the ring. Only Gaedren knows for sure."

Suddenly, the implications of all the conversations sunk in.

So wait. None of us here issued these invitations? So for all we know, this could be a trap? Gaedren Lamm hearing strangers asking questions, and luring all his enemies into one place so they can be dealt with efficiently?"

Kishta scrambled back until her back was solidly against the tapestry of the mountains. She fumbled with her sword, but her hand was shaking too hard for her to draw it.

"Leaf and Thorn, I knew better than to come here today."

Old habits die hard, and ex-Lamms even harder...

Reacting to Kishta's sudden revelation, Mercy draws her own curved blade and readies her heavy shield.

Now bristling, the armoured half orc takes up station by her old friend's shoulder;

"If Gaedren or his thugs are here... Let them come... Let them come!"

Kishta and Mercy, will saves please

Will Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Had I mentioned that I don't have a very good will save...

Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Mines not bad, but me and the dicebots have a hate/hate relationship ;) Case in point!

Okay nothing happens. I'll be moving things along later tonight, but for now just continue.