Megan's Curse of the Crimson Throne (Inactive)

Game Master Megan Robertson

Downstairs, a hesitant voice is heard.

"Hello? Is there someone in here?"

A 20-something man, human with short ginger hair and a couple of days' stubble pushes open the front door and looks round, rather worried-looking.

Graxer drags the Assassin's body back down the stairs and ties him up in the chair.. Im assuming the assassin's gear was taken and identified.. What did they heave?

Seeing the ginger man come in he reaches for his sword.. "Are you Vencarlo?"

Ashe walks over, getting back into Grey Eagle character...

The Grey Eagle walks over, the Andoran Eagle mask concealing his features the tone of his voice shifting subtly, "..no 'Son of Iron', he is not Vencarlo... Vencarlo is a little more mature."

Addressing the young man, "Well met citizen... do you know what became of Master Orisini... the owner of the, now burned down, Swordsman's Academy? These.. Assassin seemed very interested in burning down his abode as well."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

[OOC: Yeah, Graxer... the Assassin's were looted I have their gear under my Loot tab on my character sheet.. but I'll print the loot from the Red Mantis in the discussion thread. Not had a chance to identify the stuff yet though.. but when the moment's available.. I'll do so.]

"I am Amin Jalento," the visitor says. "I am one of Master Orisini's students. I was attending classes at his Academy when the quarantine hit, and after I was unable to escape back to the mainland and my home, Vencarlo was gracious enough to allow me to stay at the Academy as a guest. That stay ended not long after, when several Red Mantis assassins invaded the building. Vencarlo confronted them and took one of them down, but there were too many. The master was forced to flee, and I assume that the assassins burnt down the academy as a warning as much as anything else. I've been hiding in that burned-out building across the street ever since."

Approaching Greyeagle speaks, "Well met, Esquire Jalento. You may call me Greyeagle. Fear not, we have the means to assist you in escaping Old Korvosa to return home... if that is your will. Your master made contact with Field Marshal Kroft to inform her he had discovered some secret about the Queen's seeming immortality. The Field Marshal asked us to find Master Orisini to retrive this secret information. Do you have any idea where Master Orisini might have fled?"

Majenko move from his perch in the rafters above to flutter down to perch on Ashe's shoulder.

"Pleased to meet you, Greyeagle," says Jalento politely, eyeing Majenko curiously.

"I've never seen one of those tamed before. He's beautiful. I don't know where Master Orsini went, but there's someone who might know. While I was a houseguest, the Master was quite out of sorts, restless and distracted. He often went out at odd hours, sometimes not returning until morning. One time he came back all bloody, said he'd had to fight off a thief... didn't quite ring true but I didn't like to push. He also had a visitor several times, a man with paint-stained hands, wild hair, and a jittery habit of looking about. The Master just said he was a friend, but I recognised him as a somewhat notorious local artist named Salvator Scream. He lives down on the Old Docks... maybe he might know where Master Orsini has gone."

sense motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Ebon Wings regards the young man carefully, but says nothing as Asherick explains their purpose.

Greyeagle chuckles slightly, "...HE has a name, Majenko, and he is not tame as one would call a pet. Majenko is our friend and adventuring companion he comes and goes as he wills. But yes he is pretty... but don't say that to often or loudly.. he's also terribly vain!"

Majenko bristles slightly at Jalento's insinuation but calms preening proudly at the compliment on his 'beauty' only to stick his tongue out at Ashe for his 'vain' comment.

Listening closely Ashe ponders, "...hmmm... an artist, named - Salvator Scream... I'm not sure I've heard of his work previously, thank you for the lead, Esquire Jalento."

"Now will you stay here in Master Orisini's home or would you like to leave old Korvosa?"

"I would prefer to leave. I... I feel out of place here in Old Korvosa, always have. I only came here to study with Master Orsini. Now, as far as I know Salvator lives in Old Dock — I did enough asking around to confirm that the artist lived in a building located at 140 Wave Street. I also know that Old Dock is under the control of the Emperor of Old Korvosa. There are plenty of rumours about the Emperor — that he's a cannibal, that he's beheaded more folk than have died of blood veil, that he's a devil hiding in the flesh of a man, and that his minions are almost as bad as him. I expect most of that is utter rubbish, but I am not inclined to seek him out!"

Jalento looks thoughtful.

"As for Salvator Scream, he is a notorious artist whose gruesome and often scandalous art was held in relatively high esteem by several of Korvosa's nobles - the degenerate sort, you know what I mean. Certainly, his popularity could not be denied among the lower classes, who were most familiar with his work at the Old Dock playhouse known as Exemplary Execrables, where his paintings served as grisly backdrops to that venue's notoriously violent entertainments. Have you heard of the place? From all accounts, it is quite revolting. Salvator himself wasn't a public figure, though, and beyond his name, few folk could say they knew him before the quarantine went up. His visits to the Master's house were the first I'd ever seen of him."

Ebon Wings grins fiercely.
"Seems the gods favor your Oath, friend."

Greyeagle pauses at Jalento's words his expression beneath his white Andoran Eagle mask hidden.

His voice become tightly controlled, "Yes. I am well aware of the... Theater and of Pilts Swastel's activities. He will be dealt with."

Greyeagle cocks his head in recognition... finally placing the name, "Amin Jalento... I believe the Justicars... have met you before, though at that time we were not called so. You were rescued from a rioting mob of rabble-rousers if I recall. My, you do seem to find trouble! Your father is 'Lord' Amadeus Jalento, the Jeweler... how fairs he? He did survive the Blood Veil I hope? He did some... jewel work for the Queen I believe."

"In any case I can assist you in escaping Old Korvosa.. I have a wand of Invisibility. I'll follow you to were just insight of the only bridge leaving the isle... and with a charge you should be able to slip past the Grey Maiden Guardswomen with no trouble... as long as you do not tarry."

"Yes, that's correct. A group of sell-swords who were helping the Korvosa Guard aided me - do you know them? The 'Justicars' - is that what they call themselves now? If you can help me get past the Grey Maidens I would really appreciate it. I tried before, but they were deaf to my pleas," says Jalento.

Jaessa rolls her eyes at the mention of that pit of filth and depredation, Exemplary Execrables. She steps forward to assure the young man. "We can most certainly help you get past the Grey Maidens."

She folds her arm over her chest, looking smug. She jabs a thumb at Ashe, casually and continues, "Between the two of us, you could literally fly out of here without a soul seeing you."

Greyeagle nods affirming Jalento's admission, "..yes, this is that self-same group... though unfortunately.. it has had many part their own ways to follow their own individual destiny's. The core purpose of the group has Not changed. Such is life..."

"And the lovely priestess DESNA speaks true... we can indeed affect your exit from the Isle. Lets us be about that now.. we must track down Master Orisini before more of the Red Mantis catch up to his trail."

Turing to Jaessa, "... let us be about this quickly if you will call upon your goddess for your fly spell I'll use a charge from my wand to effect his invisibility, but let us first get within sight of the bridge he must bypass.. so he will have plenty of time to effect his escape."

Unless there is any other needs Ashe will lead the way to just within sight of the bridge crossing to the mainland...but still out of direct line of sight by the Grey Maiden Guardswomen.

"Thank you for your assistance young master Jalento... get home safely and quick as possible!"

Use - Wand of Invisibility {1ch}

Once in range of the bridge, Jaessa puts a hand on Jalento's shoulder. She whispers, "If you've never flown before, it can feel a little strange. Just remember not to scream or you'll give yourself away. Go slow, and try to have some fun! Just remember you'll be on the ground in 12 minutes one way or the other, so try to land before then. Got it?"

Not waiting for an answer, Jaessa closes her eyes and channels the power of her goddess, whispering the words that came to her.

Cast Fly on Jalento

"Thank you," says Jalento before disappearing. There's a kind of startled gasp when the fly spell takes effect...

... if you hang around until the invisibilty ought to expire, Jalento can be seen standing safely on the far shore, far enough away from the bridge not to arouse the suspicion of the Grey Maidens. He waves and disappears into the streets.

OK, where now?

Going back to his normal voice tenor now no one but the Justicar's are around to hear, "Well done Jaessa. Now we find the studio of this Salvator Scream, down at the Old Docks. Be wary everyone."

Turning to Graxer, "...what did you recover from the secret storage in Orsini's?"

Sorry.. Dam thing didnt update..

Graxer pulls the storage box from his haversack and sets it down.. "Its locked I believe, but i have a scroll that might open it if noone can pick it.."

Jaessa's eyes lit up as she started scrambling through her pack. She finally dug up her thieves' tools and held them out with a flourish.

Kneeling before the box, she first inspected the box to check for any traps, then set to work trying to get the thing open.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
Disable Device: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 12 + 2 = 32

I'm sooo glad I deleted my last post! :) Carry on!

That does it!

Inside the box is a bag of holding (type I) that contains a black hooded cloak of elvenkind, several black masks, a dozen masterwork daggers with a stylized 'B' engraved in their pommels, a black leather suit of +2 slick leather armour, a pair of black leather boots of elvenkind, an amulet of proof against detection and location, a pair of black leather gloves of Dexterity +2 (with two fingers in the right hand containing fake, possably wooden fingers), and an exquisite mithral +2 keen rapier.

Ashe reverently regards the obvious regalia of a hero, "This is... Blackjack's gear. We need to keep it safe and secret."

Turning to Jaessa, "Miss Cornith, you now share a secret that must be protected, we can count on your secrecy I hope."

Ashe ponders, "..I bring this up only as a matter of fact... I have personally met with and confronted the Queen. If there is a face she would put to her opposition... especially with my Uncle's actions, it would likely be me. I know not what dark powers she posesses now.. but I do know she is at the very least a Bard and spellcaster. Do you think it might be a good suggestion for me to don the Amulet of Proof Against Detection and Location? Honestly, at this point, I think it is a moot point... but you are all incriminated by association with me - should my actions be observed with a scrying. I'll leave it to your considerations."

"Let us be quick, Vencarlo would not leave and not return unless some grave danger were upon him. Let us make our way to he studio of this Salvator Scream, down at the Old Docks."

Ashe waits for Graxer to close up the contents and put them away before setting a stiff pace toward the Old Docks and the Studio of Salvator Scream.

Graxer puts all the stuff back in the bag of holding and stows it on his waistband..

The elf barely steps from out of the shadows, looking very concerned at this latest development. His face remained half shrouded in the darkness yet the light from the candles and what moonlight came in through the window illuminated his sword hip. The silver gilted scimitar with the finer etchings worn smooth by much practice with cesti covered hands.

Vencarlo, I very much doubt is dead. One does not survive in his profession this long without many resources. ......I apologize for not following along earlier.
This area is completely unknown to me and given our current standing with the queen I have become paranoid. I was around, just outside of Majenko's range. Silf was watching from high and I have scouted the edges of my link with him.....This island...it is awful what is happening here. The queen may be evil and a murderer, but she is at least keeping a modicum of civility. This place is chaos. Already I have had to kill to would be rapists who attacked the children you sent away Ashe, trying to make off with one of the girls. They will never try again.

The elf deliberately moves to one of the broken windows as Silf flaps in and lands on his pauldron. A quick chitter emits from his toothed beak.

Silf says the children are safe..found a sober parent to take them inside. We need to kill this man. Find Vencarlo and Gods help me, bring the maidens here to impose law, as tyrannical as the queen may be, for now she is a lesser evil in this place.

The elf looked sadder than any of the party, save Graxer, had seen him.
Better a devil you know than a demon...

Ashe turns to the somber elf, his Greyeagle disguise hiding his identity - gone are his full plate armor and medium shield, and his longsword Dauntless Heart. His head and face concealed behind a cowl of cloth and a white Andoran Eagle costume mask. He appears clad in an simple Armored Coat with a Quickdraw Shield and a straight single-edged Aldori Dueling sword with its characteristic eagle-headed hilt, the rest of his apparel all greys. Oddly his armor clatters like he still wore a full suit of plate armor though... and his voice, intentionally toned differently comes as if from behind a metal visor...

"Thank you friend Magus. But do not worry overmuch, we will do all we can... no one could ask more of mere mortal efforts and honest hearts. Things are dire... but they are not desperate. We will find Master Orisini, we Will stop Pilts Swastel and bring him to justice... and we WILL NOT allow Tyranny to triumph! Justice and righteous Vengeance will see us through!!

"Strong words Ash.. Indeed we will triumph! Good to see you again Varrel.. Thought you were lost there for a second.."

Were I to leave you unattended, dear friend I believe the battle with Illeosa would leave nothing to save once you have chopped through her army. I need to be around to point your sword at the right enemy. Saves time and bodies.

Not a smile but a wry grin touches the elf's mouth. The city may be falling apart around them, but at least he had a couple of true friends to help stop the slide.

He moves to the side and takes a slow turn around and eyes the potential trail as they move, his small but viscous Pterosaur, picking up on his masters worry and similarly scanning.

Varrel Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30
Silf Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

He slowly draws his blade as they move off and the red tinge would indicate it had already taken life tonight.
With no guard here, so to speak, we COULD simply call out Pilts with a large illustration of his death in the sky.
A challenge to his position?

Greyeagle's expression is not visible but he does say,"Much as that might be nice, friend Magus, I do not think it would work. Pilts is no warrior and I beleive a rank coward... more likely he would send his mob of followers to try to strike us down. Not all of his minions are vile people.. just scared massess with no where else to turn. And though we will deal with Pilts before we leave this isle... HE is not our primary objective... finding Master Vencarlo and learning the secret he has discovered about the Queen is."

But... Greyeagle pauses.

"However, if you wish to strike fear into Pilts... I'm sure he has informats that watch from the shadows. Inquisitor of GORUM, may I see that Bag of Holding you found?"

Retrieving from the bag of holding...

Greyeagle pulls out the 'Blackjack' regalia, and his voice changes as Asherick, Varrel's friend, addresses him... solemnly.

"Friend Magus, you have proven time and again to be a staunch persecutor of the wicked and evil. You have never faltered in the cause of righting wrongs and avenging the innocent! These weapons and regalia are of a symbol of the people... BLACKJACK, to bear them is to bear the honor and tradition of a long like of heroes before you. Will you Vow to Never forsake those ideals or abandon the cause of righteous vengeance against the wicked in the defense of the Innocent? Will you Accept the role of BLACKJACK?"

"The maidens want to be called in. This whole thing seems like a con. Convince the people that chaos awaits them without the Queen's firm hand, then make them beg for that hand. People have bad in them, yes, but also good. Even poor people can pull together in a crisis. I believe the purpose of the assassins is to kill those who would act as rallying points within the city."

"It is not enough simply to kill Pilts Swastel. The Queen will simply ensure the chaos continues. To thwart her here would require the creation of a society coupled with the destruction of the assassins."

Ebon Wings considers

"Or to portray the maidens as a worse fate than Chaos. But that road is a dark one indeed."

"I think, therefore, that our highest priority must remain our primary mission."

Varrel considers the gear.....and reaches for only one of the masks.
The uses on of his own daggers to cut it neatly across, completely removing the lower half and placing it on.

As it was the cloth mask covered his face from the nose up. His delicate jaw remaining exposed and pulling his long hair back.

No, Grey Eagle. Blackjack, however immortal he may seen is only one man. The queen must see her foes are LEGION. Blackjack, the Grey Eagle and now...well, I shall have to think of a colorful name, VENGEANCE perhaps. But she AND any others who seek to crush this city will fear not one, but many. The masses unfortunately, cowed as sheep and need to be LED. They will need more than a few examples of freedom to rally behind. I will led no one but I CAN show them they can fight for retribution.

The elf motions to return the rest of the gear to the bag of holding.
And he motions to move along.
Now the speeches are over, lets find ourselves another hero.

Though his expression cannot be seen under the concealing mask .. the smile is evident in his voice as he nods solemnly, "Very well, 'V' for Vengeance... let us hunt together and find our lost champion of the people."

Greyeagle leads the way commenting to Ebon, "Yes, the swordmaster is our primary concern, for now... but I'll make the time to deal with Pilts once that objective is achieved. Plus, I think it more likely - the more chaos in Old Korvosa to better the Queen likes it. We will stabilize it before we leave here and confound her hopes... of that you have my word!"

Greyeagle heads towards the Old Docks... his stride determined and certain.

Ebon Wings strides after Asherick, musing thoughtfully as he walks.
"In my previous life I had always thought that only a proper system of Law could truly work. I accept Vigilantism might be occasionally necessary, but Vigilantism is, at best, Justice without Law. All too easily it becomes Anarchy as the proponents seek to fight without the proper regard for evidence."
"This is a situation where Law has been undermined, deliberately. I can see that Vigilantism might even be necessary."
"Given that is the case, and given my belief that those who show heroism are killed by the assassins, and given your belief that Blackjack could inspire the people, and given 'Vengeance's' belief that their must be Legion... could we inspire a Legion of Blackjacks? Masked men who can do good? Undoubtedly it will be undermined within a week... but for that week it could do great good."

You head off through the streets. There are few folks abroad.

Are you going to try the address Armin Jalento gave you? Or ask around a bit first?

Ashe is just heading to the address Jalento gave, the fewer that know what we are doing the better.

Varrel moves foreward of the group to scout the route 50ft ahead. He casts BLEND Hide in plain sight for 70minutes. +4 to stealth and moves off along the side of the street, the colors of the surroundings rolling over his ever changing silhouette as he moves.
He would be incredibly difficult to spot in these low light conditions.
Humans have no low light vision

Stealth: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (17) + 17 = 34
Please use previous rolled perception checks

Leading off, sword drawn, a silent predator. ..

Nosoi flies overhead, unseen.
Invisibility. Spiritsense.
Hmm - If there is a lot of death around, are there other Nosoi?

Everything is quiet as Varrel ghosts his way ahead. A old woman puts her cat out almost in his lap, and neither see him!

When you arrive at the location specified, it's full dark. There are few if any lights on. Salvator's home is a leaning, decrepit building located on the Narrows, not far from one of the many now-ruined bridges that once connected Old Korvosa to the mainland. It's but a single floor and looks deserted.

Ashe makes no attempt to spot Varrel but proceeds on point toward the house ...detecting for evil as he goes.

There should be no Red Mantis Assassins here... but, it never hurts to be ready.

Ashe enters the house drawing his sword as he goes and readying his shield.

He moves to systematically search the house.

Across the telepathic mindlink via Majenko, { "Graxer, I'm sweeping the house going left, back me up as you see fit. Varrel... give us some air cover from above... you and Silf. Majenko will follow Silf. Ebon, Jaessa and Zalania, follow up our entry and send Nosoi next to me to search for invisible foes, please. There should be no unquiet spirits here." }

Ashe moves into the building...
Move Action: 30'ft Move
Stand Action: Detect Evil

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Majenko takes flight from Ashe's shoulder into the night sky... the shadows concealing him almost immediately...

Stealth: 1d20 + 19 - 5 ⇒ (7) + 19 - 5 = 21
Move Action: 55'ft Fly {-5 over half but not full}
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
- Senses: Blindsense 60’ft, Darkvision 60’ft, Low-light Vision

{Im gonna check out back}

Graxer heads around towards the back of the building.. He casts Detect Magic along the way..

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Perc: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (19) + 22 = 41 Darkvision, See Invis, Detect Magic

Varrel silently activates his flight hex and slowly ascends to the roof, pausing to look in all the windows.
He does not send Silf away, so the familiar can remain in contact and provide a second set of eyes.

Varrel perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16
Silf perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
Stealth flight to roof: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (6) + 17 = 23

{This Salvatore Scream? He is famous? I do not run in your circles Ashe. His works, they carry weight with the nobility or just those with means and ill taste? }

Jaessa once more pulls out her starknife, a good deal less nervous than the last time. She hesitates a moment, then follows Ashe into the building. She keeps her head moving, looking back and forth to try and spot any incoming dangers before they might make themselves known. She remains close behind Ashe, trying to stay near to him in case something untoward should befall him.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15
Stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

The dark was oppressive however, and she could barely make out Ashe's back not more than 5 feet in front of her. Worse, though, was her feeble attempts to move silently. She seemed to have an uncanny ability to step on all the creaky floorboards in the house. Each creak elicited a grimace that she was thankful no one else could see in this dark.

Map

You approach from the top of the page, from the street towards the water, climbing on to some rough decking to approach the door. Ashe, in the lead, readies his weapons and casts out his senses, detecting one evil presence somewhere in the SW corner.

Opening the door, he's hit by a smell of must and mildew, much of it coming from the mud tracked over the floorboards, as if a small army had marched through the room. To the south stands a single empty set of shelves.

Varrel takes to the air. The roof looks as battered as the rest of the place and the windows are filthy.

Graxer goes around the back, seeing many more muddy footprints on the decking. He finds another door on the south side, facing the water.

Graxer extends his senses as well, detecting evil, as he goes.. When he finds the door he looks for traps.. If he finds none he casts divine favor and heads in..

Perc Traps: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (7) + 22 = 29

Perc Inside: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (5) + 22 = 27 Darkvision, Detect Magic & Evil, See Invis

Across the telepathic link with Majenko Ashe informs the Justicars, {"There is something evil within the building... but only one source in the southwest corner of the structure."}

Ashe enters the building at {B1}.

He raises his shield high for maximum defense as he moves into the room making for the other door way opposite the entrance.

Move Action: 25'ft MV
Standard Action: Total Defense +6'dodge' to AC

Ashe pans his gaze around the room {B1} looking for any obvious threats or clues as to Salvator Scream's presence...

Perception: {Take 10!} 10 + 7 = 17

But he does not tarry as he heads for the other door seeking to find the way to the southwest corner of the structure to determine the nature of the evil within the building.

Ebon accompanies Jaessa and requests Nosoi to accompany Ashe.
stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 8!
perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26
Each time he puts down his right foot there is a squeak of shoeleather. Ebon attempts to walk more softly; but this simply means there is a longer pause between squeaks.

There was apparently nothing to be gained from the air for the building so the elf flies at a run to catch up with Graxer at the back entrance, breaking his stealth momentarily but as soon as he stopped moving behind the dwarf the shimmering lines of light began to blend around him again.

I'll follow to clean up.

Map Update

Round the back, Graxer is just reaching for the door knob when Varrel swoops down behind him, appearing momentarily and then fading away again.

At the front of the house, Ashe is followed by a rather noisy escort. The room contains no clues, just the empty shelves and muddy footprints.

Graxer opens his door, finding that he's looking at what appears to be the artist's studio. Both of this room's windows are tightly shuttered, yet the air inside seems strangely fresh and scented, no doubt from the six large candles that burn within. Each candle has been affixed by a glob of melted wax to the crown of a gleaming, polished skull, and each of these impromptu and grisly candleholders has been placed atop an otherwise clear desk to the west, arrayed in a gentle arc. A chair sits before the desk, and a careful stack of papers and scrolls sits inside the arc of skulls. To the south stands a nearly empty cabinet, its shelves barren save for a few paintbrushes and a cracked pottery urn.

A figure is sitting in the chair. She turns as Graxer enters, revealing a dark-haired elf in some kind of bodysuit, form-fitting chain with hooks all over it ('hook mail'). She smiles coldly.

"Can I help you?"

initiative if graxer causes a fight: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

"Perhaps.. I'm looking for Salvatore Scream.. This is his house is it not?" He keeps a firm grip on his sword, giving the outward impression that some charging is gonna happen if she makes a wrong move..

Just as a heads up I'll be using Discern Lies on her as an immediate action when she talks.. DC 19 Will to Resist.. Rolling Sense Motive as well in case she resists..

SM: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (15) + 25 = 40

"Yes, it is... but he seems to have gone missing. What is your business with him?" asks the elf, glancing at the skulls.