As Ralof pushes his way forward shouting for the execution to stop, the crowd collectively gasps at the bold move from the elf. The Queen simply holds up an open hand causing the executioner to stop lifting his axe and place it back to the ground with a thud. You hear several others echo the same sentiment, wishing to hear the proof, and even a small gnome manages to incite a few people into a small rolling chant. Trinia's eyes lock with yours as a small glimmer of hope crosses her face.
Sabina Rises from her seat as her eyes hone in on Ralof. As she starts to motion for the guards to take action, the Queen stops her.
"The people wish to see proof, dear Sabina. I shall give the people what they want." she says, giving no visual indication that she has met you before. "My good people, the evidence at hand of this black-hearted assassins foul play is overwhelming. We have the accused, the painter of the Kings portrait, with access to the King daily. We have a confession of her involvement by her accomplice, a trusted member of my own guard, whom later took his own life from the agony of his guilt." She holds up a small glass vial, "We have the near empty vial of the deadly poison that she used to kill him, found during a search of her home. And finally, she has no alibi for her whereabouts that night."
During a brief pause in her speech, several members of the crowd start yelling "Guilty! Kill the traitor!"
The Queen continues.. "She has been tried and convicted by our highest courts. Without further delay, executioner, please carry out her sentence."
Ralof think on his toes quickly says, "How do we know you are not just pushing the blame to her? I mean you did have access to the king at the time didnt you? you are now the queen so you could just be accusing her! I CALL RIGGED TRIAL!"
Before Dylan speaks he casts Enhanced Diplomacy
Dylan after hearing the evidence jumps up on something in the area to elevate him above the crowd and shouts "Good people of Korvosa, the evidence is circumstantial. The only witness is dead, so he can not be questioned under truth spells, rumors were leaked early of her being a suspect causing mobs of vigilantes so a proper arrest and search of her flat could not be made. The vial of poison could have been planted there as a result. As far as the alibi, after her arrest, she was moved to the castle before she could be questioned with truth spells. Lastly, Where is Zena, the magistrate, I heard she always attends executions when she presides over the case. Also the trial took less than 48 hour. Did she even get a chance to defend herself? Seems a little fishy to me. Good People, I think the execution can be postponed a little while longer while a proper investigation can be conducted. She is not going anywhere. "
Dylan will jump down and yell out "Oh Yeah, Sabina, you said a couple days ago you were going to personally find out the truth, how is that going?"
(listening for supporters to direct his speech)
(enhanced Diplomacy)
*edit* (to get a feel of the crowd about violence)
*edit* Dylan then starts walking towards the gate, not wanting to actually witness the execution, saying a prayer for mercy to Tulis on his way out.
Dylan manages to incite a minor riot of people demanding the execution be delayed. Sensing she's losing the crowd, Iloesa interrupts you shortly after you mentioned Zena. "ENOUGH! How dare you insult the integrity of the courts and the crown. Guards, remove this man from the courtyard! Executioner, carry out the sentence, it is time for justice to be served!"
The guards begin moving towards Dylan, as the headsmen lifts his axe high above his head. The crowd collectively gasps before going silent. As his axe reaches the apex of his swing, he lets out a strange grunt, staggers a bit as he drops his axe. As the axe falls it embeds into the block inches from Trinia's face. The Headsmen reaches to the small of his back, and brings it to his face, finger-tips covered in blood. Trinia rises to her knees, glancing up at the executioner in shock as a scream echoes through the crowded courtyard: “By the gods! It’s Blackjack!”
An instant later, a man dressed in a hooded cloak and leather armor springs onto the executioner’s block. He wields a rapier in one hand and a dagger in the other.
Blackjack cuts the bonds on Trinia’s wrists and then throws the dagger down to pin the executioner’s left foot to the wood below. He quickly helps Trinia to her feet and then briefly turns to address the shocked crowd. “Yes indeed, my queen! Let us usher in justice, but let that be justice for Korvosa, not this shambles you petulantly call a monarchy! Long live Korvosa! Down with the Queen!”
Blackjack’s words spread like fire, causing the crowd to erupt into a frenzy of activity. With Dylan's rousing speech, many in the crowd are demanding that he release the assassin while others call for the queen to step down from the Crimson Throne. Queen Ileosa stands stunned for a few moments, whispers something to Sabina, and then quickly turns to flee into Castle Korvosa with Sabina and a dozen guards behind her to cover her retreat. The remaining guards in the courtyard move to apprehend Blackjack and Dylan, but the gathered nobles and rioting citizens, make it difficult to move.
At the same time, the executioner recovers from his wounds and lifts his axe once again over Blackjack, who seems to have momentarily forgotten the man in his apparent delight at having forced the queen to flee. He seems unaware that he is about to be attacked....
Blackjack (Hero of the Downtrodden): As much a legend and rumor as a known man, the black-clad Blackjack has remained a fixture of Korvosan lore for more than two centuries. The figure known as Blackjack serves the poor and downtrodden of the city, fighting against the injustices of cold-hearted nobles and dark-souled merchants. Although he has not appeared in more than a decade, people have no doubt he still lives somewhere in the city, waiting for the next great travesty of justice for a chance to come forward and render aid.
Because he has existed for more than 200 years, nobody in the city believes him to be a single person. The most popular rumor surrounding Blackjack places him as a series of human men, with one training the next down through history. Another popular rumor claims he is an elf, ghaele eladrin, or some other member of a long-lived or immortal race who exists in secret among the short-lived humans of the city.
Zeke will shout out, "Blackjack! Behind you!"
Dylan will look for something he can use as an improvised weapon to defend himself.
if he can't find one he will attempt to disarm the closest guard.
(disarming without weapon)
ralof will search for a weapon. (maybe a guard with a bow?)
Zeke warns Blackjack just in the nick of time. He ducks under the Headsman's swing just in the nick of time. He rolls out of the reach of the Headsman dragging Trinia with him.
Dodging and weaving through the crowd, Blackjack maneuvers his way to a large hanging banner on the outer wall. He climbs expertly to the top, with the nimble Trinia following closely behind. When at the top, he takes a small vial from his belt loop, drinks it, turns directly to Zeke in particular as if to thank him for his warning, takes a bow, then he holds onto Trinia and jumps off the wall out of sight...
- - -
The chaos inside the courtyard is staggering. Several citizens are tangled up with guardsmen, while most are cheering on Blackjack, and making their way towards the exits....
Dylan will take the opportunity to head out the gate with the other citizens and head back to Ryder's to get his weapons before heading back to the Citadel to relay the information about what has transpired at the execution.
Ralof attempts to climb the wall. Maybe to just show off?
if he makes it up he well see what there is on the other side.
With the rioting citizens and advancing guards, it takes a bit to get to the wall where Blackjack made his escape. You eventually climb the wall, although not as nimbly as Trinia and Blackjack. At the top you scan the area for signs of where they went, but are unable to locate them.
The jump down is nearly 60 feet from these well fortified walls. You can make a nice assumption that the potion Blackjack drank may have aided his jump off the wall.
Zeke will make his way around the wall on ground level to see if he can follow Blackjack.
(GM boon)
By the time you work your way through the crowds and around the gates, Blackjack and Trinia are nowhere to be found. However, you do see a familiar elf at the top of the wall.
ralof will shout at his friends, "Hey guys, how do i get down...
Zeke just shakes his head and walks away...
Amendithas again cocks his head, mildly confused by the proceedings.
ralof shouts again, [b] "Is there something i could jump down into?"
There's no easy way to get down on the outside of the wall. You basically have the option to jump (see Falling Damage). Or head back down the way you came.
Zeke will try to meet up with Dylan and/or Amendithas, or, if he can't find either, will go to Ryder's to collect his things, and then head towards the Citadel. If he does meet up with Dylan or Ammy, he'll take the opportunity to regale them with a story about the last time he saw such commotion in the castle square...
Ralof backs up as much as possible laughs a little and says "AHAH, JUMPING MY FAVORITE THING TO DO IN MY SPARE TIME!"
and he proceeds to jump around a little on the roof.
then he runs towards the edge and jumps.
when he lands... how ever he lands....he will scream "LETS DO IT AGAIN GUYS!" and continues to roll around laughing insanely..
Who are you talking to?
*facepalm*
Amendithas will help his nearly "fallen" (sorry, couldn't resist) friend to the nearest healer. After, he'll try to meet up with the others at Ryder's or the Citadel.
So you all manage to make your way out of the castle one way or another (some more graceful than others) and make your way to Cressida to inform her of the news. While she seems heavily disappointing that you decided to incite the kind of riot she was hoping to avoid, she also seems delighted to hear the news of Trianias escape. "Blackjack you say? This is wonderful news. Hopefully, his presence can help finally calm Korvosa."
---
Hmpf!
Dylan will identify the last scroll.
(deck of cards)
With everything identified Dylan will have the group head to the merchants and trade some items.
Dylan will head to the orphanage to spend time with the children and do what he can to heal any injuries. During the time he spends at the orphanage he will work on learning the different languages from the children. After a while Dylan starts to pick up on the nuances of the languages.
After the boneyard, Dylan also figured he should review some of the creatures they faced and some he feels he needs to read up on. Part of the week Dylan can be found at the Acadimae with his head in books of Arcana and religion.
(Wand)
(Ring)
(Robe)
(Studded Leather)
(Identify Scroll)
(Scroll B)
(Masterwork Dagger)
(Vreeg's spellbook)
During one of your visits to the orphanage, you are greeted by a young woman whom is very happy to see you. You recognize her as one of the prisoners that you helped out of the pits. Tiora (the one whom gave you intel) eagerly speaks up. "By the gods, you are a tough one to track down. I never got to properly thank you guys for helping me out of that hell-hole. You do so much good for Korvosa, I wanted to give you a gift to help you and your companions out." She hands you a small wand. "Because of you and your friends, I've decided to devote my life to helping others, instead of stealing to make my own way. I've volunteered my efforts here at the orphanage, and they've graciously accepted me. I plan to start a new life here, away from the dark path it had been taking."
Dylan replies "Thank you for your gift, it will be useful in helping to protect those in need. I am glad you are helping others. There is no greater joy than helping those in need. I myself try to help the orphanage when I can. I am sure the children are grateful for your help."
Zeke spots Dylan eying up the value of Vreeg’s spellbook… Zeke walks up to him and snatches the book out of his hands, saying ”I can use this… Say… mind if I set up a little workbench in that house you guys are squatting in?”.
Zeke spends the first day locating spellcasters who will allow use of their spellbooks to transcribe spells to Formulae, and writing those formulae to his formulae book:
From Vreeg’s spellbook:
False Life (2nd, 40gp to write, 2 hrs, 2 pages): 1d10+1/level temp hp for 1h/level
After writing the formula to his formulae book, Zeke stashes Vreeg’s spellbook at Ryder’s house (he’ll keep it until he can transcribe the 3rd level Fly & Water Breathing spells to his formulae book).
2nd level spells (each: 20 gp to borrow the spell, 40 gp to write, 2 hrs, 2 pages)
See Invisibility
Detect Thoughts
Fire Breath
Vomit Swarm
1st level spells (each: 5 gp to borrow the spell, 10 gp to write, 1 hr, 1 page)
Enlarge Person
Detect Secret Doors
Comprehend Languages
Jump
Recharge Innate Magic
Endure Elements
He then spends a day brewing potions (each: SL1, CL1, 25gp, 2hrs)
Enlarge Person
Enlarge Person
Jump
CLW
Finally, he spends a number of days crafting Smelling Salts...
Purchases: Kit, Alchemy Crafting: 25 gp (retcon purchase - Zeke would have already had this)
Crafting: Smelling Salts, DC20, Price=250sp:
My Cost = 250/3 = 83sp 3cp
Craft Alchemy checks, by day:
= no progress
= Success,
24 * 20 / 7 = 68.67 day 2’s progress = 68.67/250 total
25 * 20 / 7 = 71.43 day 3’s progress = 140.10/250 total
= failed by 5 or more, no progress, ruined 1/2 the raw material = 41.65 sp to re-purchase
30 * 20 / 7 = 85.71 day 3’s progress = 225.81/250 total
31 * 20 / 7 = 88.57 day 3’s progress = 314.38/250 total = done!
Total cost: 507gp, 5sp
Dylan replies back to Zeke "Hey, I was looking at that. Well, can I finish assessing its value first, that way when you are finished with it we know what we can get for it... I have no problem with it, Ryder took over the lease from the previous renter. I suppose one of us can take over the lease now, but we have a month, Ryder just paid rent only a few days before he passed on. Oh, by the way if you need me you can find me at the Orphanage or the Acadamae."
Ralof takes the spellbook from Zeke after he is done with it and says, "I can as well use this! I use to dabble in magic then lost interest and now I want to finish my training!"
ralof will then finish his training threw the week and restock his arrow supply. maybe cast the occasional Prestidigitation spell causing some of the group to feel cold or warm. Ralof will also go buy new armor.
"I use to dabble in magic then lost interest and now I want to finish my training!"
Good thing I'm already dead.
Amendithas will practice with his sword in hopes of improving his poor attack abilities.
"I think I may check back at Vencarlo's school for an incursion, if any of you are interested." He'll head out, feeling quite pleased he was able to insert a newly discovered word into the conversation.
He'll spend the rest of the week on trying to hone his sword skill and assisting his companions with anything they need.
Ralof will try and identify the dagger. he will also get the cards from ryders.
Dylan will reply in Orc "I will come for a little bit of practice, We can go get a drink at the pub after and toast to our dear departed friend."
Time for Book 2! Move all new Gameplay comments to this new thread: