Sfounder's Curse of the Crimson Throne PbP
Game Master Chris Marsh

My apologies. I was dictating into my droid. Didn't want anyone to blow a fuse while waiting...I'll be more patient with quality posts next time.

..The thug lies in a quickly spreading pool of his own blood. We are out of initiative, so there's no need to use the map for exact positioning.

Odric's attempt to stabilize the thug: Heal check 1d20 ⇒ 10 (DC 15). His attempt at bandaging the thug is sincere, but ineffectual. He knows that in another minute, there will be no hope of saving him.

XP: 160 each

fuses were being blown. I vote for less quality, faster.

Grym bends down next to Odric while he is ineffectually trying to stabilize the bad guy. The ranger wipes the blood from his sword on the thug's clothes. His dog comes up with a sniff at the wounds then quickly snaps toward the big man and licks his face.
Sorry about that Odric. I know we wanted to take him alive but after he shot Gaius in the throat and slashed me up pretty good, I didn't feel like taking any chances.
Grym pulls out one of his precious healing draughts and downs it. 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 (now has 12/13 HPs)
As long as we can bring Verik in alive for the field marshal, we are completing our mission.

Morkeleb lets the spell dissapate without completion--and it may be a trick of the light or imagination, but the crystal setting the top of his staff appears to give a faint bluish tint before the light winks out completely as the spell is cut short. Morkeleb has a slightly frustrated sneer which quickly gives way to his normal, stoic expression.

Let's secure the egresses so Verik can't run out on us. Someone see to Gaius, make sure he'll pull through.

I go over to Ferrox and see if I can lend him assistance.

Once we're sure we're all in one piece, then let's see to the other guy.

Gaius stands, giving everyone a fright. He hops over to the bleeding thug and gives it one last go, even though he's not trained yet.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Oh, I'm fine. Stupid risk on my part, but it was fun. I'm not giving up the money that easily.

Gaius works furiously for a minute.

Dammit. That's that. He's done.

Chris, Gaius searches the corpses and makes a cursory search of the front room and the long hallway.

Perception 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

When that's completed and everyone's ready, I say we head upstairs. The second level wasn't large. We can do that quickly.

Sandor takes position at the bottom of the stairs. Tugs a clever strap and his crossbow drops on a sling. He swings attaching his axe to the wall for an easy pickup. He takes a knee placing the crossbow atop his shield so to cover both doors in the hallway. Get a move on lads. Clear the second floor and trust that nobody will get ta ya backs. Quickly now ta become stagnant is to become dead

Odric barely resists patting the dwarf on the head. He is growing fond of the gruff little guy. He retrieves the ram from the street and leaves it with Sandor.

The sounds of battle from down here have doubtless alerted anyone upstairs of our presence. Follow me!

Odric jogs up the stairs and barrels straight in through to the room beyond. The Eagle seeks blood.

Well then....

Amongst the thugs you retrieve: a longsword, a heavy warhammer, 2 heavy steel shields, 2 light crossbows, 19 bolts, and 40 Gp.

Sandor, make a Perception check with a -4 to your normal skill.

Gaius is up the stairs behind Odric. He hangs back, letting Odric take the lead.

But he does scoop up and pocket the pile of cards from the table, while he scans the room looking, listening and sniffing for oddities.

Perception:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

If nothing is amiss or jumps out at him, he takes out his hand crossbow, applies drow sleep poison to a bolt and arms it.

Poison Check:1d100 ⇒ 76

Morkeleb follows right behind Odric, staff at the ready.

Grym and Bucho join their comrades and head up the stairs.

perception 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

if there is a skill check that needs to be rolled I dont mind if you roll it when needed

Perception 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 1 - 4 = 6

Odric heads down the stairs, disappointed that no one is upstairs to cold-cock or kill.

Sandor, has anything happened?

Odric stands with his back to the wall next to the double doors. In a very short time Odric will be charging through them.

Grym looks in confusion at Odric heading down the stairs. "Wait, we still have the south door to check in this upstairs room."
The ranger looks to Gaius and Morkeleb then heads over to the south door.

Just as Odric turns to tromp down the stairs, Gaius's keen ears pick up a creak in the floor coming from not Odric's gait, but in the room to the South.

The recently healed duo, Gaius and Grym stand closest to the door. Grym catches the subtle listing that means Gaius has heard something.

What started as a singular creak becomes a clodding noise.

The door opens.

Standing behind it is a man of skill and determination far beyond that of the simpleton thugs. Verik Vancaskerkin stands with a mighty composite bow in hand. He is bedecked in masterwork equipment, and the broadhead of his arrow hints at a dweomer if the runes are to be believed...

Verik: [b]The next words out of your mouthes had best be something to the tune of I surrender or sorry, wrong house. If not, I cry your pardon, but I will pin your body to the wall and make you leakier than a Puddles Whore.

....The standoff begins:

Ferox: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Odric: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Grym: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Gaius: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Morkeleb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Verik: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Sandor: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

This map represents starting points as of the opening of initiative.

Crap out of position for a climatic combat!!! But well tactically it was the best move

Sandor is still keeping watch on both the doors Na lad tis clear down 'ere. You just be givin Sandor a yell if'n ya be needing a hand. No use for 2 of us ta be here guard'n the rear.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11 Base roll feel free to apply any mods.

and in a lower voice to Ferox Boy'o ya might be wantin to step closer to me and this wall in case those doors open. That bow ya have out likes a lil space. Plus over 'ere ya get a shot up the stairs too.

I'd figure the DC to hear the ultimatum is 5-10 so you hear Verik's threat.

I'll be at the lake house until Monday. I'll check whenever I can, but I won't have map access.

ROUND 1

Morkeleb hears the threat. He hustles to the top of the stairs, and levels his staff at the door, eyes narrowing in concentration and preparation, gem glowing gree.

Move action to get to the top of the stairs.
Ready action: as soon as Verik is visible, cast Bungle on him.

Odric closes with Varik and attacks with The Eagle.

1d20 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 4 - 1 = 12 for 1d6 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 = 10 lethal power attack. Odric ends in the square directly north of baddie.

Round 1

Sandor, you hear the ultimatum and Odric's initial, albeit ineffective, onslaught.

Odric, the look on Verik's face is one of shock. The cause of that shock is a mystery, but he manages to twist to the side in order to deflect the eagle head. He hasn't dropped his bow, and you know if he doesn't step back, you'll be able to swing if he pulls on the string.

New Map at the beginning of Gaius's turn. To the best of my knowledge, I'm still autopiloting Ferox.

flavor only, not trying to act out of turn. but if your on auto pilot of Ferox, let him take rear guard, unless that is something that he wouldn't do

Sandor hears the ultimatum, and is envious of Odric's charge. So he bellows: AWW 'OLD ON A MINUTE UP 'ERE IF'N THERE'S ANY SURRENDERIN TA BE DO'IN IT'S FROM THA SON OF A PUDDLE 'HORE 'IMSELF VERIK

When I can next act, if Ferox doesn't move up stairs, I will. My desire is to be as close to Verik as possible axe in hand.

Round 1

Gaius curses Odric's enthusiasm and follows him into the room, pushing past Grym with a smile and a pluckish, "Hot rolls, coming through!". He steps to the side and uses the chair for cover. (Gaius stops movement in the square behind Odric and to his right, flanking the entrance and using the chair for cover, kneeling behind it.)

Gaius lowers his crossbow and takes aim at Verik, but does not fire. Something... Isn't right.

"Verik Vancaskerkin... By Order of Her Majesty Queen Ileosa you are to be bound by law for the crime of desertion. Stand down. I appeal to your honor, Sir. Please. We've no wish for bloodshed."

Gaius prefers a peaceful resolution--it's better for everyone. But the purpose of this interaction is two-fold: Try to read Verik's body language and responses and get a hunch about his intentions.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

I ready a shot with my poisoned crossbow. If he leaves melee: Plink him.

Round 1: Update

Verik's face screws itself up into a near-canine snarl,["b]Abadar's arse! I'm just in here trying to do something with my life and the all mighty queen sends a squad?! That's all I need to know that I'm right and the system is wrong. Screw you![/b]"

Autopilot of Ferox: Ferox bounds up the stairs two at a time, giving Sandor a slap on the shoulder and crooked grin on the way. He double moves to D1 of room B7. Standing behind the table, his posture says that he's not planning on waiting to shoot Verik.

It is currently Grym's turn. I can't update the map currently.

Grym advances just to the right of Odric (or west looking at the map) and attacks Verik with empty hands.

attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 damage 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Unfortunently, the ranger bangs into the chair in that spot (narrowly avoiding Gaius), but completely bungles his own attack.

Round 1

Jumping up to get the higher ground, Verik drops his bow and pulls forth a spear of masterwork quality. His snarl turns to a battle cry...

...but the jump puts him under the gaze of Morkeleb. The wizard finishes the incantation and 1d20 ⇒ 1 his will never even puts up a fight against the spell. He drive his spear downward towards Odric's exposed neck and 1d20 - 14 ⇒ (13) - 14 = -1* and nearly loses the spear in process! What the?!

Gaius maintains his concentration, but Verik is still drangerous close to his comrades and doesn't risk the shot into a melee.

Round 2

Sandor then barrells up the stairs, clanking and crashing as he goes. A low rumble of his own battle cry ascends with him. He is closing fast with the renegade, and soon Verik will be surrounded by steel.

*That is the LOWEST attack roll I've ever seen I think. And for the record, the Bungle spell saved Odric from 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 damage...

The map is now up to date, and we are in round 2 and Odric is up.

OOC: Sorry, Boss. You didn't move Gaius.

Shoot. good point. My bad.

ROUND 2

Verik! Your plight is hopeless. If the warriors don't gut you, then I'll blast you to oblivion where you stand! SURRENDER!!

Cast Daze on Verik.

Will DC 17

I then pull out my wand of Acid Splash and level it at his face.

Round the Second

I will bring you to justice...on the wings of a fearsome Eagle! Odric snarls at Varik. The big man swings the heavy weapon up the the ready, then with a deep breath and one eye squinted in concentration raises the weapon overhead and brings it down with most of his might.

Heavy pick attack 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 for 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 lethal damage.

Round 2: Continued

...Odric's swing slams into the table just narrowly missing Verik's ankle. The renegade's eyes begin to widen as he realizes that he's vastly out-armed. Still, his resolution remains firm. A few lucky hits and the odds will be evened.

Gaius is up with a corrected map.

New Initiative order:

Sandor: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Odric: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Gaius: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Ferox: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Grym: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Morkeleb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Verik: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

ROUND THE SECOND

Gaius is appalled, APPALLED, at the lack of fiscal responsibility being shown!

Dammit, Odric. Give me a shot!

Gaius takes a tanglefoot bag from his pack and keeps it ready. It's nice to have options.

Ready a shot and plink him with the crossbow if he leaves melee.

The system's wrong, Verik? Is that why you're helping these ghouls feed the dead to the people?

round 2 Continued

Verik's concentration cracks, just a little, "What? I don't know what you're talking about."

Ferox moves into the room, next to Gaius and behind the table. He also pulls out a tanglefoot bag.

OOC: Since talking is a free action, I'm going to banter until you stop me.

Gaius narrows his eyes, and they never waiver from his target. Better keep him talking until there's a shot.

"Suuuure you don't. You don't know that your buddies Malder and Beldrago have been hiring themselves out as muscle. And you definitely don't know that they've been bringing back the bodies they need to, 'disappear', to this BUTCHER SHOP. Come on, Verik! You haven't noticed you give away a lot more meat than you get from animals? I wonder what kind of new diseases the people will get by eating victims. You're a real hero."

Is it my go? Morkeleb already went this round right?

Round 2 AC 16 HPs 12/13

Furious with the chair that bungled his first attack, he hurls it at Verik.
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 non-lethal damage 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

is the whisper function still working so I can whisper a message to Gaius?

Round 2

...As Gaius's onslaught of revelations continues, Verik's nerve bends, and finally breaks. His arrival at the Truth is timed perfectly with the exploding chair that Grym hurled at him (narrowly missing him and smashing to pieces, raining down in splinters.)

I... I...

The tanglefoot bags come out.

It wasn't....

Odric crouches down, seemingly to spring at him like a well-fed mountain lion.

By the gods, what have I done?

Verik drops his spear and kneels down on the table. He places his hands not behind his head in surrender to the party, but instead towards the sky, surrendering to fate and karma.

I didn't know. I didn't know! I just wanted to stick it to the Crimson Throne! I didn't know! I'll come quietly.

Verik is a broken man now. As everyone's battlefever winds down you get a look at the room in which you find yourselves. Verik kneels on a single large desk standing in the eastern part of this large office, transformed into a makeshift bed by a bedroll and several blankets and pillows. A table and three chairs sit to the west; several papers lie strewn over the table’s surface and a chamberpot sits under it. One of the papers is pinned to the tabletop by an exquisite silver dagger. The office looks organized enough, and nothing at first glance gives clue to the dirty business at hand.

For defeating Verik: 160 XP each. For convincing him to turn himself in, a bonus of 40 each. Net gain: 200 XP each.

:)

I toss manacles to: 1d6 ⇒ 1=Grym, and move to examine the papers and silver dagger on the table.

OOC: Nice post, Chris. Good use of the format for drama.

Thanks!

The papers are really not much more than invoices and ledgers, there's nothing to them. The dagger however is of masterwork quality and is inlaid with silver. You estimate that it's worth about 400 sails.

Grym catches the manacles and cuffs Veriks hands behind his back. The ranger then begins a methodical search of Verik for weapons and hidden objects.
With Verik cooperating Grym is courteous to him.

Your pat down of Verik produces only a potion. As a show if his cooperation, he tells you that its a curative potion, slightly more potent a potable than your standard issue.

I'll take masterwork armor for 1,000, Alex A brief flash of confusion steals across Odric's features as he speaks, as if unsure what he'd just said or why. Either way, Verik's armor is in jeopardy.

The large fighter assesses the possibility of removing Verik's armor without unshackling him. As he does so, He relieves Verik of his composite bow and quiver, handing them to an excited-looking Ferox.

Odric also recovers the masterwork spear that the foe dropped and begins securing it to his backpack with a deft series of knots.

Once the feasibility of divesting Verik of his armor is determined, Odric either removes it or suggests doing so using some other method.

After the disposition of the armor is finalized, We ought to continue to search this building gentlemen. There could be more men or treasure to be found. Odric whispers to his friends out of Verik's earshot.

Having accomplished these tasks, Odric takes up station at the head of the stairs, The Eagle at the ready watching for ambush.

Unfortunately, it would require unshackling the man to get his masterwork armor. His bow, arrows (x20), and spear are also of the highest quality. The bow is quite sturdy and Ferox you're reasonably sure you can't fully draw it.

To scour the entire building, checking every nook and cranny it would take you 8 hours (taking 20). you could also give it the once over (taking 10) in about 30 minutes.

* yoink* Gaius takes the dagger. And the invoices and ledgers. :)

Gaius is really quite perceptive. He'll take 10. Result is 19.

OOC: Is that the highest in the group? If I get one assist, we'll hit DC 20. Three assists and we crack 25.

I don't want to spend 8 hours in the building.

What type of armor is it?

Odric assists Gaius in his cursory search of the building.

I don't want to spend 8 hours in the building.

Indeed--considering that we're on a schedule.

I'll do my brand of a once-over: Detect Magic, concentrating enough (and moving when necessary) to check out the whole building.

It might be a good idea for someone to keep track of treasure until it's divided. I'm accustomed to doing that, so if no one objects, I can start doing it on my page for Morkeleb under a "group treasure" spoiler . . .

It might be a good idea for someone to keep track of treasure until it's divided. I'm accustomed to doing that, so if no one objects, I can start doing it on my page for Morkeleb under a "group treasure" spoiler . . .

For the first couple treasure hauls I was tracking it under the treasure tab on the crimson throne. I have not added to it since then though, unfortunately. I support a community bucket. I know as characters we have disagreed on the way to handle treasure, but as players, do we all agree that some sort of scheme to divide treasure equitably is necessary? I support the 10% to be set aside for group healing or other group expenses.