Megan's Curse of the Crimson Throne (Inactive)

Game Master Megan Robertson

Varrel catches the nod and moves cautiously towards the western exit, Scimitar drawn and ready to slumber the first foe he sees.

Varrel Perception1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Chatterbeak Perception1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

@Megs, it's unanimous. Pick up LOF.

@Ashe, check your inbox

LOF???

Uh.. Legacy Of Fire.

Ashe grimaces, {This could kick the hornet's nest... ah well!}

Ashe moves up to the body and aiming Dauntless heart carefully severs the head with one of his trademark powerful overhand swings... Power Attack!

LOL! No... just good timing... woke up could not get back to sleep. Need to leave for work now...sigh!

There's a clank in the rear, as Shakhan scrapes his axe along the wall loudly. "This the thing?Just hit hard enough, right?"

Well possibly, it is a Golem certainly. But does not appear active. Best to not take chances. Swing away Shaktan.

Ashe acquires the head, which certainly looks like that of a Shoanti.

Shakhan can carve the rest of what appears to be a partially-constructed flesh golem if that's what he wants to do.

He does. He takes some pain to keep individual parts in tact. "I think these should be buried at least."

"Be careful, Shakhan. The last thing we need is multiple body parts individually animated coming after us."

Without having a heavy blade other than her shortsword, Una takes up point and watches at the doorway for the return of any potential necromancer-like persons.

Other than the sounds of butchery, all is silent.

Shakhan can dismember the flesh golem into its constituent parts, it is obvious where bits from different humanoids have been stitched together (with coarse black thread, and whoever did it is unlikely to be a seamstress by profession!).

Ashe moves to check the east alcove in the room making sure nothing is concealed there.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

If satisfied nothing is there he swings by the south door to take the time to pull two iron spikes from his pack and wedge them into space beneath the door and the floor snugging the door from opening... at least without A LOT of noise or making the door impossible to open quickly.

Then readying Dauntless Heart again Ashe heads for the North West Passage, not wanting to waste any more time on the protections he has running...

Varrel leapfrogs Ashe, keeping an eye out as he takes point.

Varrel Perception1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Chatterbeak Perception1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Satisfied that no one was following them, Una follows, keeping her crossbow trained on the passage in front of them.

The alcove to the east of this chamber contains mundane materials - thread, needles, knives, shears, etc. Oh, and a set of masterwork manacles.

Ashe can spike the south door.

Varrel and Chatterbeak take point heading NW, with Ashe on their heels, Majenko flying top cover and the rest behind.

The corrior opens out into a chamber that holds a large fourposter bed and a simple writing desk, along with a full-length mirror propped up against one earthen wall. It's dimly lit by a single oil lamp on the desk, but there is more light streaming out from the corridor to the east of this room.

Map Update

Varrel freezes in place and holds his finger to his lips to tell all to be silent. He points in the direction of the page turner.
With every ones attention he points.to himself and indicates with walking fingers he's going to sneak on the reader. Then holds a hand up for all to wait.

Varrel whispers to chatterbeak Remain here. Give me 20 seconds, then fly into the room with the book reader and as him where the necromancer is. Start your count from when I vanish.
Varrel casts vanish and hastens into the next room where the book reader is.

My action may change depending on what I see. At the moment varrel will Use the first 2 rounds to stealth at 1/2 speed (covering 30 feet).
Varrel suspects it's the Necromancer but he is not sure.
I'll wait for megan to post what varrel sees before deciding on his next two rounds before the spell runs out.  
Majenko, tell the others via telepathy to hold. I'm just scouting the next room. I'll tell you what I see when I get there.

Stealth+Invis-Armor Check1d20 + 4 + 20 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 20 - 1 = 36

Majenko, maintaining his stealth replies mentally in the affirmative to Varrel.

Then telepathically tells the party, {Varrel says he's going to find out if it is the necromancer around the corner. He says hold for him to describe whats in the room!}

Una will grab the masterwork manacles as she goes past them.

hoping that they don't animate on her... Sigh. Too much Carrion Crown.

Shakhan instinctively follows the hush that goes over the party. His muscle memory from years gone by suddenly flare up and his stance suggests with every fibre that he's ready to unleash cautious death on whoever dares challenge him to fight.

Varrel vanishes before your eyes....

All falls silent.

Una's new manacles remain inert. Yes, the ones in Carrion Crown are fun!

Varrel is infuriated by what he sees. He so wants to kill the derro, both because it clearly deserves it and because Ashe will no doubt wish to spare the thing. Really though he has no time to consider it. He closes to within a 5ft step and Uses his slumber hex.
End of round 3. Chatterbeak should arrive on Varrels turn in round 4. If the derro falls asleep he will call the others in. If it passes....well here's his initiative roll1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Crap. Hopefully, suddenly appearing gets a suprise round

DC16

LOL. Varrel sooo misunderstands Ashe's motivations.

The derro's save: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

He turns, looking cross at being disturbed, mouth opening to make an angry comment...

Then grabs a wand that's lying on the table and begins to mutter, moving the fingers of his other hand...

Methinks it's initiative time. But I also think that I shall be busy for the next couple of days so bear with me if you don't get an immediate response.

Seeing the creature shake off his Hex, Varrel acts.
Initiative1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Majenko, I need help!

Still stealthly hiding and following Varrel Majenko sees Vreeg turn on Varrel after the failed slumber hex and begin casting.

Hearing his mental call for help Majenko telepathcially sends to the party...

{Varrel is in danger! He needs help now! The necromancer is casting at him!}

Caught up in the rush of battle Majenko mores to engage as well...

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Move Action: Move 55'ft while Stealth[-5], flank Vreeg 1d20 + 19 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 19 - 5 = 33
Standard Action: Tail Sting vs Flat-foot if not spotted with flank bonus 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11
Damage: 1d2-2{subdual} + Posion 1d2 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0 Take 2 {subdual} Fort Save DC14 - fail {sleep 1 min}

Hearing Majenko's call for assistance to help Varrel battle the Necromancer he is in motion with no delay...

Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Ashe moves as far as he can. He cannot charge Vreeg but he can get as close as possible and try to draw his fire away from Verrel...

Ashe rounds the corner and surveys the scene... Vreeg the evil Derro Necromancer - hands stained with blood from the corpse he is working on, the tattooed portions showing the chest and arm of the Shoanti warrior, and the already given testimony of the rescued prisoners...

There is no need for doubt... the criminal, non-citizen, 'monster', caught "red-handed" in the act of a death penalty offense! There IS only one answer to such villainy...

DEATH, swift and final!

"VREEG! Your EVIL DEEDS are now UNDONE!!! As Paladin of IOMEDAE and KORVOSAN Guardsman... that sentence is now to be carried out!"

Move Action: Move 20'ft - To Vreeg's left side square - yes provoking an AoO from the Evil Derro Necromancer
Swift Action: Smite Evil! - Vreeg, Ashe AC 26 vs Evil
Standard Action: Attack w/ Dauntless Heart - Power Attack/Smite Evil 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

- If Ashe cannot close to melee in a single move...
Standard & Move Action: Double Move 40'ft - To Vreeg's left side square - yes provoking an AoO from the Evil Derro Necromancer
Swift Action: Smite Evil! - Vreeg, Ashe AC 26 vs Evil

- Tactics: Ashe is in a position that if Vreeg casts a spell this will provoke an AoO from either Verrel, Ashe or Majenko depending upon where he moves [center square - Vreeg, front square facing - Varrel, Rear square facing - Majenko]. Even if Vreeg 5'ft steps to a square adjacent he is still in a square one of the three threatens if he starts casting. At least that what I'm trying to do.

Initiative
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Una moves into the room and swiftly releases a crossbow bolt at the derro.

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
1d10 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19 Initiative

Hytogg steps into the room and finds a good place to watch, knowing that the evil necromancer will be dead before he does anything.

Shakhan delays until Vreeg's actions become clearer.

Vreeg's initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Hytogg watches as Ashe steps smartly forwards raising his sword and yelling "VREEG! Your EVIL DEEDS are now UNDONE!!! As Paladin of IOMEDAE and KORVOSAN Guardsman... that sentence is now to be carried out!".

Vreeg seems too nonplussed by the sudden invasion of his sanctuary to actually make use of his AoO, he raises his wand, but not fast enough to do anything to impede the blow that descends upon him. Dauntless Heart smashes down. Blood spurts and he yells...

Then Una lets fly with a crossbow bolt that embeds itself in his shoulder. He drops the wand, as he was holding it in the hand attached to the shoulder in question.

Majenko swoops down, tail thrashing, but misses.

Vreeg lashes out with the other hand, poking at Ashe and snarling some really nasty sounding words.

Vreeg's touch attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 (OK, no spell for you, Ashe!)

Varrel, you're up....

Seeking to finish the Derro, silently thanking Ragathiel for his allies intervention, Varrel casts Brand Using Spell Combat, then5 foot steps to the Derro and takes his Attack granted by the spell, then his normal attack.

Brand (Free attack) DC14 Fort 1 hand Spell Combat Attack. Flanking with Majenko1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 2 = 19
Damage1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6+1 Damage if the Derro fails the save.

1 hand Spell Combat Attack. Flanking with Majenko1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 2 = 21
Damage1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

He delivers his spell and executes a well placed slash
Remember, If the first attack misses, the charge is held for the second attack ;)

Ashe keeps up the pressure on the Evil Derro Necromancer. Swinging Dauntless Heart in a return stroke...

Ashe Power Attacks, trying to put the Necromancer down fast before he connects with any touch spell or manages to cast defensively a spell to harm the party...

Standard Action: Attack w/ Dauntless Heart - Power Attack/Smite Evil 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Dauntless Heart-Longsowrd Power Attack/Smite Evil, Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Currently - Ashe Touch AC vs Vreeg: 14

Una quickly drinks the potion of gravity bow, reloading her heavy crossbow and moves to a more advantageous position.

Flanking the derro if possible.

Una quickly drinks the potion of gravity bow, reloading her heavy crossbow and moves to a more advantageous position.

Flanking the derro if possible.

Hey Una, just keeping track of the damage we have inflicted... We have done a total of 50 hit points to the Derro Necromancer. He IS only a Wizard... even with a false life spell running as I might expect a necromancer to have... he can't have too many more hit points left.

It be a shame for you to waste an expensive potion like that if he's only got like 3 or 4 hit points left. You wanna consider just shooting him to see if its enough to drop him? His initiative is really low. Varrel is going to open a bunch of Magus bladed whump-A##! on him before he can act again. I know its a little "meta" but I know those potions are not cheap!

Actually, Varrel wants to take him alive to question where his master is. THEN he'll kill him.

You might want to inform Ashe of that... he intends to execute Vreeg here and now.

And.. something to consider, Do you REALLY think Vreeg will tell you anything useful? He has no incentive to be cooperative. Do you really want to argue with Ashe about use of torture for getting information out of prisoners? Ashe will bluff... but he will not lie about his intention to end Vreeg's life... or allow anyone else to lie about Vreeg's ultimate fate. Vreeg could ask for mercy from Ashe but I don't see that happening.. and I don't see Ashe believing in Vreeg's sincerity if he would ask, likely judging Vreeg's motive being only trying to forestall his justly deserved end.

Just something to consider.

We'll just hit him till he drops and IF he can be roused for questioning. Bluff is fine. Varrel's not too worried about it, just any info would be nice.

Is Shakhan doing anything?

Shakhan rushes in to cut-off Vreeg before he realizes the new threat.

Attack 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 damage 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Thinking of changing our party name to the Overkill Kings. Well, Una's not really a king, but it kind of fits.

Yessss!!!

Vreeg's Fortitude save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 Hah!

Then 'Dauntless Heart' sythes down again and removes his head from his shoulders!

For the curious, Vreeg had 60hp... so Ashe was pretty accurate in his accounting!

Shakhan races in axe twirling... but finds only a corpse before him.

What now, Overkillers? :)

"Is it dead? Make sure it doesn't get back up. Necromancers have a way of doing that sometimes."

She ponders over the situation for a moment.

"Well, at least we've rid the world on one travesty. Let's collect the body parts of the Shoanti and get back."

"Aye, Lady Therlmagne, Korvosa and the world as a whole are beset upon by many wicked and perverse hearts, but this ONE, at least, shall trouble the innocent no further."

Ashe releases a deep tired sigh... and pauses.

"We have perhaps a room or two un-searched to complete our sweep of this den of suffering and depravity... let us finish it and remove EVERYTHING of value from here! I do not wish to leave so much as a toothpick for Ryloth should he return! We can have ask the church of PHARASMA to place sentries to watch for his return."

Sheathing Dauntless Heart and shrugging his shield onto his back Ashe looks down at the once necromancer apprentice in... disappointment. Clearly he takes no pleasure in ending a life... but takes even less pleasure in the wicked going unpunished for their evil deeds!

Ashe kneels and picks up the wand Vreeg was attempting to use and removes all possessions from the corpse before placing the body into a sack for removal and proper disposal.

[We could continue to RP this but could we just like fast-forward and say the party retrieves assistance from the church with a wagon to remove everything from this place and move on? Ashe at least will not leave until that is accomplished. Vreeg's spellbooks should be here as well which I'm sure Master Hytogg will be interested in.]

{Also... Meggan is Vreeg at negative his Constitution in hit points and dead-dead or could he be saved if someone were to heal or stabilize him? Just so no one is 'bullied-over' Varrel wanted to question Vreeg if he is still potentially alive... and IF Varrel asked Ashe to save him, Ashe could and would do so...at least temporarily for such questioning. Oh.. and did we level?}

+1 what Ashe said. COME ON LEVEL 5!!!
Do you want search checks.

Good Riddence! We should find that Golem before we leave, Ashe. You little derro described it as active. That newly stitched one was probably not the one wenare after. It presents a danger to any Clerics that come down here.

Ashe turns to Varrel, his visor up his eyes weary, "Ah.. yes. Yes friend Varrel.. the golem... we should indeed deal with that misanthrope of suffering. I had forgotten its being mentioned hoping we had destroyed it... but Nexus DID refer to it as active and on a rampage."

If you are really determined and act fast you might just get Vreeg back up...

Meanwhile, searching him and his room you find his wand (which bears a carving of a skeletal hand), 5 vials of a clear blue liquid, a masterwork dagger, a nice gold ring on his finger and a robe decorated with bones (hanging on a peg). There's also a fat spellbook written in extremely poor handwriting, a couple of books on necromancy, a laboratory notebook (same bad handwriting) and the partical remains of a Shoanti.

Level 5 and the end of the first volume of the AP approach... want to carry on?

Ashe collects everything that is portable.

"Friend Varrel, can you please detect for magic upon these items at tell us what is magical?"

"We should find this berzerk golem... and finish this. A more thorough search will be needed of this lair as we are still missing a part of our Gaekhen Shoanti Warrior - his left arm."

Turning to Hytogg with the fat spellbook Ashe hands it reverently to him, "Master Hytogg... I'll leave this in your capable hands as the 'All-Seeing Eye's' Cleric!

YES Continue! Oh and the loot list on Ashe's sheet is updated again. I think I'll post it on the discussion thread so all can easily see it.

Varrel casts detect magic and scans the loot. He casts a glance at Hytogg, I'd appreciate going through that with you when we get the chance. Now let's go fight this golem,