Started Curse of the Crimson Throne, with Pathfinder Rules 20 point buy. Had a rough but exciting first session. I'm using suggestions and ideas as I find them and some I garnerd from a thread I started in the appropraite forum section. I don't know how often I'll get to run the game due to work and schedules but I plan on keeping a post of the events here. As per always this will be spoiler heavy so if your a player you probably shouldn't be here, but you probably already know that.
So first let's meet our Heroes of Korvosa!
- Chris: Anshar- LN Male Sylph Rogue: An ill tempered street thug, He was taken at an early age and sold as a "curiosity" to Lamm who saw potential in the boys odd heritage. He trained the boy to be an expert theif in every way, however it seems his better nature got in the way and he just never excelled the way Lamm wanted. After many beatings and more than enough scars Anshar went on the run frightened he'd be found until years later when the oppurtunity for vengeance appeared.
- Rick: Vexille- LN Shoanti Fighter: A member of the Tamiir-Quah (The Wind Clan) to the northen mountains of Varisia, his son a tribe sacred spirit walker (someone born of the spirits) was taken in a raid by mercenaries and orcs. He has spent many years searching for his child, becoming an outcast and learning the ways of the Chelish devils. He has made his home in the giant City-state of Korvosa, where he has tracked the raiders to. There he learned that a man named Lamm had bought his boy. Making a living as a part time blacksmith he looks for oppurtunity to track the man and ask what had become of his boy...
- Macade: Brother Daxen- CG Chelaxian Cleric of Sarenrae: A stout but pious man, he was married to both his devotion to Sarenrae and his wife, a nurse for a local doctor. He lived in happiness, if not modesty until a few years ago when his world was sundered. Two days after their anniversary, she was murdered violently in a Korvosa back alley. He was distraught and investigated the terrible crime. He bacame obsessed with revenge, cassing quite a bit of ruckus. He was demoted from Father to Brother, and his devotion to the divine fire was waivering. Finally a break in the case was clear, this was the work of a gangster named Gaedran Lamm, one the watch had been looking for, for quite some time. With only a name to go by, he began his quest for vengeance in earnest.
- Ethan: Torin- dwarf inquisitor of (I can't remember sadly): A man of quiet, Torin had a happy life with a small shop and a loving and dutiful life in the merchant district of Korvosa. Until one night during a delivery his wife was killed, a victim of robbery. He took the news hard and had almost resolved to end himself to see her, before the gods gave him a sign, he was going to find out who did it (and when he did hell would be a reprieve from the pain he brings them). He sold his shop and began training with a pick and crossbow, revenge would be a dish best served violently. The only reprieve from the pain was a local merchant had bought his wifes ring from a fence. Torin worked out a deal, 100gp or 100gp worth of service as a porter and the ring was his again. Torin agreed and has been working part time for Eldrid Mountainfire for 3 months now, working off a respectable 10gp in debt. The agreement may change however as Torin has finally gotten a lead...
Next Time: Our Heroes Strike at their hated enemy!
Session 1: Edge of Anarchy Pt.1
The session opened up with a little bit of each players back story. Each of them toiled and worked, even as they looked for their tormentor Gaedran Lamm. As fate would have it, they each received a Harrow card that offered them a chance for vengeance and redemption if they would just show up to a house on Festival Lane at sunset. Each of the heroes independently resolved they cautiously made their way there. The first to arrive was Brother Daxen. He knocked on the door and called out for his mysterious patron. The door creaked open, as if it had been left ajar. He cautiously entered to find a modest if not nicely decorated sitting room, the walls covered in odd tapestries and the table covered in a pretty blue cloth. On the table he found a note from his host that instructed him to have some food and that she’d be late. He sat down, and pondered the meaning of things having found most of the room was magical in nature for some reason. Not long afterwards the shaonti outcast Vexille found his way to the home, it’s door wide open and with his knowledge of the thug Lamm he was ready for an ambush, his hand on his sword he entered to find the cleric there, his symbol of Sarenrea on his robes. The two talked for a moment of their cards and patron even as the Sylph Rogue Anshar snuck to the door. Cautious as well he tried to listen to the two men he spotted, hoping to hear what they discussed and whether or not it pertained to him. His curiosity getting the better of him he was seen and invited in by the two. He thought to make a break for it but instead gathered his courage and faced them, finding they were not his enemies lackeys the three talked until their hostess arrived. Zellera the local Harrower entered the doorway. A pretty middle aged Varisian, she scanned the room and thought for a moment before welcoming them and telling them her sad tale. It seemed that Lamm had stolen from her and her son had been killed getting it back. She lacked any ability to take him on, but could provide more capable persons like themselves the means to find and bring justice to him. They eagerly agreed to this request and were given disturbingly accurate Harrow readings in return. Partly through the readings the dwarf Torin arrived, having finally gotten free of work for the evening (Being a porter for a grocer is a pain sometimes). After introductions and acceptance they made way to the old fishery where Lamm had setup. They attempted to get a peak in the dirty windows but couldn’t find any openings. They found three entrances on each of the faces of the building. After much discussion of how to approach breaking in and not alerting the watch (not really a problem in this neighborhood) Brother Daxen proposed simultaneous assaults of all 3 doors or possibly setting the building on fire and waiting for them to come out. After much discussion of laws regarding arson, the danger to the neighborhood and innocent lives, and the ways that plan could fail they decide to assault the front door. Anshar proves how he earned his scars at Lamm’s behest by failing multiple attempts to pick the locks on the front door, alerting a guard dog inside. The group decides to try a different entrance and hope anyone inside is busy with the front to notice them. After Anshar again fails to pick the lock, Brother Daxen and Vexille kick the door in to find a small office. While trying to move the desk the door opens and three of Lamm’s henchmen assault the split group (Torin and Anshar had moved to the front sides of the building as lookouts). A vicious battle begins with Brother Daxen and Vexille taking on a laughing Half-orc warrior, a Gnome dressed like a child, and a scheming alchemist accountant. Torin moves in to join the cramped combat and before long the revered brother, the gnome, go down followed by Torin and the half-orc. Vexille finally begins to have luck on his side and before long the alchemist is brought down leaving Anshar and Vexille wounded and the others unconscious. They explored some of the building, finding the scared orphans and an old mangy guard dog that attacked them. After Anshar talked with the lambs, they revealed that the old man lives in underside somewhere and that sometimes they send bad boys there and they don’t come back. He tells them that the gnome always threatened to feed them to old Gobblegut the gator. After the talk the remaining conscious two made their way to the old boat permanently docked outside and started to search it before being assaulted by a spider the size of a cat. After killing it, they decided Lamm must be the theif lord that is the king of spiders! They retreated back and drug their new friends to Zellera’s in hopes of healing. She obliged with what little she could offer, a single cure light wounds each. Awoken the two casters were able to heal everyone and they proceeded back to the fishery. They delved into the underbelly of the boat where they found a nest of the cat sized spiders! After battling those off they were confused and angry that Lamm wasn’t there so they searched thinking his lair deeper in the ship, hidden. They indeed found said door but it led to a small section of causeway on the water that led to an underside door. Careful of the shark they spotted in the water they moved to the door and picked the lock. They walked in to find a room with a hole in floor and an old man at three tables sorting through junk piles. He spied them and began screaming at them, recognizing most of them. He shot his masterwork hand crossbow into the water and enraged his gator! After a tense battle with the gator and the man, Vexille finally dealt his blow with his own remaining strength and charged his greatsword through his stomach falling unconscious leaning on the impaled man. Bleeding Vexille lost consciousness smiling. Meanwhile the gator was killing Brother Daxen attempting to drag him into the water. Torin and Anshar attacked it earnestly, it tearing Torin down before Anshar finished it. He then dove into the water and saved Brother Daxen from drowning. He searched the place for anything useful and found much treasure and Zellera’s severed head! Shocked and disgusted he grabbed her Harrow deck and went topside. He convinced the lambs that Lamm was dead and got them to help carry his friends out of the building to Zellera’s to hideout while they recovered from injuries. With his great success they eagerly agreed and helped move them. As they moved down the streets he saw the signs of riot and learned the king had died. The next few days were intense as Hellknights, Sky Calvary and the Korvosan guard battled looters and rioters in the streets. The group and the lambs hid out in the quiet empty house hoping for the carnage to die down. Zellera appeared before them and explained her situation. She too had died at his hands after he murdered her son, as she tracked him down intent to kill him herself. Sadly she was caught and killed, her head kept as a grisly trophy. During this down time he identified one of the jewelry pieces from Lamm’s place as belonging to none other than Queen Iolesa. Seeing dollar signs the group agreed to meet her as soon as things were calm enough. END SESSION 1
Sounds like an intense first session. Congrats on a great start. (You might want to use some blank lines in your text to improve readability.)
Sounds like an intense first session. Congrats on a great start. (You might want to use some blank lines in your text to improve readability.)
Yea I realized that afterwards. I'm not sure what I can do to fix that.
Session 2: June 11th, 2011 Edge of Anarchy pt.2
Characters Present:
Vexille
Anshar
Daxin
The group started out at zerellas place, after recovering from their battle with the villainous Lamm.
Torin took his share of the loot and took his leave, vowing to catch up with the group later.
The trio then decided to split up and hock their loot and deal with the little lambs.
Daxin witnessed a strange harlequin dressed elven woman singing and rioting before disapearing into the crowd, he then took the children to the parish of sunblessed father Gregory of sarenrae who promised to take in the children and find them homes in the parishes in the local area.
Meanwhile Vexille and Anshar travelled to old Korvosa to liquidate their goods and catch rumors of the riots. During this time a drunken man mistook Vexille for a man named Neffi from Sandpoint. After sharing a few with the wasted man they realized he was a korvosan guard, eventually recognizing him as Grau soldado, a well liked watch captain. They eventually tricked him into going back to the citadel volshyneck, and talked him into returning to his post.
Afterwards they were deciding how to proceed to return the queens brooch and not get arrested (worrying they would be thought the thieves) they decided to see if Grau could help after he sobered up.
Along the way to the citadel they were caught in a minor earthquake that turned out to be an otyugh fleeing out of the sewers being attacked by a pack of stirges. The urban legends were true, otyughs really did dwell under the city eating it's trash! Not wanting the rampaging thing to hurt anyone the trio assaulted it to get it's attention, when they noticed a group of cloaked individuals with a bag over the shoulder of the biggest one rush out of an alley and into the hole (not before noticing the bag wiggle suspiciously like a person, before the big one smacked it unconscious) quickly followed by two hell knights and 3 of their men. The hell knight in white plate with the motif of a blood crying angel wanted to go after the three cloaked figures but the black demon plated one was more concerned with the otyugh. The white one ordered the three would be heroes after the figures in their stead as they took to slaying the beast. Not wanting to defy a hell knight they dove after the figures and tracked them through the sewers to a locked and trapped door. Anshar finally proving useful as a rogue, he deftly disarmed the trap and picked the lock only to be noticed trying to squeak the door open. Once opened he was met with a dagger thrown at him, which missed him by mere inches. Their stealth blown they threw the door open to reveal a sacrifice chamber dedicated to the mother of monsters, lamashtu. A bugbear cleric was holding a ritual over a soon to be sacrificed maiden, while a tenth and boggard flanked the table. The group rushed in and quickly and brutally dispatched the two sidekicks, but the bugbear fled through a the statue of lamashtu. The group rescued the girl who turned out to be an assumed cleric of sheylen named amala. They escorted her to her parish where she repaid them a small sum of gold crowns she had as thanks.
Afterwards they went back to citadel volshyeneck. After bribing their way through the guards they met Grau and made conversation with the now sober guardsman. They learned of his past some (he was a former student of vencarlo orisini, the great swordsman and he had caused some trouble between vencarlo and his prized student sabina merrin due to the two mens competition over her so to speak). They learned from him of the reward for the queens brooch, and resolved to speak to her immediately.
On the way to the castle the group was accosted by a doomsayers who grappled Anshar to the ground and yelled at him, before being scurried away (he worries that the dirty man may make him sick). Once they arrived at the citadel they showed the guard their prize and after a wait they were escorted in to meet the queen (but not before being searched and de-weaponed).
They met Sabina who sent off the guard and escorted the three to the throne room. They met a grateful but sad queen who thanked them and gifted them with 12 gold bars of korvosan mint, and offered them employment with the guard itself.
The three quickly accepted the offer, and were sent to meet with field marshall Cressida kroft. They were then conscripted to check out a butcher shop called "all the world's meat" and round up (preferably alive) a group of renegade guards who deserted under the command of a guard named Verrick Vancaskerkin. Kroft wanted him alive if at all possible. She then offered them a place for the night and guard funded rooms at the three rings tavern afterwards, once they have done their job. The fee was 1000 gold crowns dead, 2000 alive. They vowed to bring him back alive before resting in the barracks for the night. END SESSION TWO
Session three to happen tomorrow evening, stay tuned loyal read(er). :P
Session 3: June 16th, 2011
Edge of Anarchy pt.3: “Justice with a Side Order of Chaos!”
Characters Present:
Vexille
Daxin
Torin
Before making their way to seek Verrick, the three returned to Zellara's old place to meet Torin and give him his share of the reward money from the queen. During this time Anshar decided to find out what he could of the butcher shop and it's role with a few of his more unsavory contacts and told the group he'd catch up with them later, not knowing he would get detained (more on that later). Torin offered to help, seeing it as his job to learn why this guard had decided to abandon his post.
The trio walked to North Point and easily found the old butchery, early in the morning. Even at dawn the place had 20 or more people already lined up waiting for the free food handout. Speculating on the source of the meat in a city locked down by riots they dressed Vexille up as a refugee and got him some free meat, after determining it to be bovine they decided to try and talk the guards down. They entered in force which immediate]ly put the two guards on edge, maybe it was Vexille's great sword and tower shield that put him on edge. Quickly Brother Daxen tried to diplomatically solve the situation, demanding to see Verrick. Quickly his diplomacy became intimidation which caused the two to call out and their two friends join them, before backing down the hallway and up some stairs (as Vexille advanced on them). The three followed after some time and eventually found Verrick in a room on the top floor. He was covering his fellows escape and after some attempts to parlay he fled out the window, possibly spraining his ankle as he ran off north. The group decided not to follow and searched the room finding a magical silver dagger and love notes to a Vimanda.
After some research they learned that Vimanda was possibly the daughter of the noble Arkona family, merchants and one of the oldest families in Korvosa. Tracking the lead figuring they had a chance to find Verrick there they visited a tavern to ask around, actually finding the wayward guard. Treating him like Grau they got him drunk and convinced him Vimanda had sent him a hastily written letter wanting to meet him at the citadel. Before he could realize he'd been duped he arrived there and was talked into surrounding himself. Arrested for treason he was hauled off. The three were not happy with the events as they were told that if he turned himself in he'd be forgiven. Kroft displayed her disgust at the change and mentioned the queen had sent an edict declaring any deserters to be guilty of treason and to be imprisoned for it. She paid them the 2000 gold crowns promised and after a discussion resigned to deal with other problems. Brother Daxen was enraged by what he felt as a betrayal and started to speak his mind, less than eloquently causing Vexille to attempt to silence him with a bit of a backhand. This caused Brother Daxen to lose his temper and storm out.
Brother Daxen hatched a plan to save the captured guard, thinking it was only right given that they were lied to. He tracked down Verrick’s former gang and hired the Cow Hammer Boys to cause a distraction, while simultaneously hiring a gang of youths to do a similar event to split the guards resources and allow him to spirit Verrick away unnoticed, playing on his freedom inside the citadel to protect him from notice. Things went ugly fast, the Cow Hammer Boys lit a cart on fire that started a small block fire, and riots ensued. The Hellknights of the nail dealt harshly with the pickpocketing youths and caused even more damage. The riots flared and died quickly but the Hellknights were asked to leave the city by the weeks end. As it turns out, Verrick was resigned to his fate, having decided he deserves a term in Longacre and refused to leave. During this time the Queen attempted to quell the restlessness by establishing a new arm of the law, the Queen's Greymaidens. A new force to help keep order, who were to be obeyed no matter who the citizen be.
Brother Daxen surveyed the chaos as he exited the citadel and resolved to fix what he most definitely had started. The group worked for days trying to heal the wounded and quell the riots. The act haunted the wayward cleric the entire time.
Eventually after things had settled, Kroft summoned the heroes for another job. When they arrived she was chatting with an older gentleman whom she introduced as the well known and respected Swordmaster of Korvosa, Vencarlo Orisini. He flattered them with praises of their deeds he had heard from the commander, until she interrupted and got down to business. It seemed an ambassador from Cheliax was causing some strife and threatening embargos on trade. Rumors persisted that he was attempting to drive down home value to make a power play in a mass land grab. She wanted them to make their way to the docks of Old Korvosa, and find the hive of scum and villainy known as Eel’s End. There they were to find a way to get an audience with Devargo Barvasi, the reputed King of Spiders. They were given 1000 crowns to bribe him if necessary and were told they could keep the rest. They accepted the task and started towards Old Korvosa with Vencarlo in tow, accompanying him to his school in the same district. Along the way they talked with him, and he invited them to visit his school sometime and audition for training. Vexille quickly accepted, having been enamored of learning from him since hearing of him from Grau. (If you have lost count, Vexille now intends to learn from Vencarlo AND join The Hellknight order of the Nail, he’s ambitious)
Arriving at Eel’s End sometime after dusk, the trio took note of the open depravity occurring on the docks, knowing full well they had no real authority here as the King of Spiders pays his Vice Taxes. Noticing a good number of armed guards scowling about they made their way to the Eel’s End proper, and quickly through the Spider embossed doors. Two enforcers rose to meet them, declaring the area one of the few “private area, no visitors”. Diplomacy coupled with a hundred gold crowns each for their trouble won the group an audience with Barvasi. Entering his chambers they found webs and spiders all about, and he himself on a large wooden thronelike chair. He sat their menacing, and covered and many living spiders crawling over him. Before him was a long wooden table at which six thugs sat feasting. Barvasi regarded the interlopers with scorn and demanded to know their business. They petitioned for an audience and were requested one, provided they entertained him. Vexille volunteered to play Knivesies and won the first game (through brutality alone, stabbing the hapless scum, before spiking the dagger in his back in victory) and lost the second by being knocked off the table. The King of spiders applauded the violence, and the break in the boredom the locals were giving him and granted the audience. The group parlayed for information on the Chelaxian ambassador, settling on 1000 gold crowns and information about Brother Daxen’s hand in the recent riots for a few scandalous love letters between the Ambassador and one of his superior’s wives. Letters in hand they quickly left, stopping at one of the boat/inns and resting.
They returned the letters to Kroft, who blushed at their contents, declared them good enough and paid the heroes for their time. They were given leave to do what they wish, stating she would send for them if they were needed. The group visited Venacarlo’s school and sparred with the obviously skilled swordmaster. They then split to spend their down time persuing various goals.
During this time, Brother Daxen stayed in Zellera’s home and contemplated the current events, while Torin worked some odd jobs to pass the time. Vexille trained with Vencarlo, hoping to be accepted as a full student.
Suddenly the news broke that the king was indeed assassinated! The reports named his assassin as a young woman named Trinia Sabor. A hunt was called for her, and blood was on the people’s mind. The city was going to tear itself apart to find the wench! A messanger arrived to summon the three to Kroft at the citadel.
Arriving they found Kroft in a flurry of activity. She impressed upon them that she felt something was wrong with the way the queen released the information on the assassin, and that the girl needed found and brought safely in for magical interrogation to learn the truth of it all. The heroes agreed, and were given directions to her flat in Midland. Arriving near her home they avoided the crowd of angry citizens looking for her and entered her building. Brother Daxen shouted for her to surrender, causing her neighbors to come out in force and direct the heroes away. They knew better, and dispersed the crowd (via a spell from the cleric which frightened them). Torin started sniffing around for wet paint and the group located her room on the third floor. Bursting in after Torin “picked” the lock (with his Heavy Pick) they found her lying on the bed curled up. Fearing that she was murdered they went to attend her and realized it was an illusion, and Torin noticed her escaping across the mass of construction known as the Shingles. The group went after her, with Brother Daxen and Vexille’s armor being too heavy to help with such a chase. Torin tried to keep up, but just wasn’t as dexterous as the young artist and she escaped after much running. He tracked her through the streets, never quite losing her but his chase brought attention to them and two Sable Company riders swooped down and captured her. The group was left tired and unsure of the girl’s fate.
END SESSION THREE
It seems like you get a lot of adventure into one session. How many hours do you guys play per session?
It seems like you get a lot of adventure into one session. How many hours do you guys play per session?
Generally when we play we play from about 7pm to 1am. So that's like 6 hours. The trick is, combat is quick one way or the other up until about level 6 or 7. The combats and indeed the adventures, even role-play heavy are quick until then. I'd say book 2 will take a lot of time and sessions, while book 3 may not. The group has shown the ability to blow through and complete an entire ap book in one 6 to 8 hour session successfully, but then stall on 2 encounters that take just as long. It's actually kind of frustrating because it's hard to gauge what's going to fly through and what's going to take a long time. Makes prep hard sometimes. :p
Session 4: June 25th, 2011
Edge of Anarchy pt.4: “Goblin Games”
Characters Present:
Vexille
Daxen
Anshar
Torin
Bonecrusher
Note: The entire session was entirely homebrewed side quest stuff, so there ya go!
After the accused assassin of the late King Eodred was apprehended by the Sable company marines and taken to the castle Torin decided to take care of a few things while Vexille and Daxen meet up with Anshar. They discussed the recent events with the rogue and learned he had been sick.
Brother Daxen continued to be plagued by voices, culminating in a fiery vengeance spirit attacking them. It turned out to be a spirit from the riots he caused. The three immediately started investigating and they learned of a body that was dumped and forgotten during the riots. Daxen made up for his negligence and gave the man a proper burial to put the poor soul to rest. He then declares that he is no longer going to hurt anyone.
Anshar decided to look deeper into the mystery of the Arkonas and gets the three ambushed by thugs from the Cerulean Society Thieves’ Guild. They are saved by the timely intervention of a half-orc wielding an earth breaker emblazoned with skulls and the handle in the shape of a spine. He was emblazoned with Shaonti tattoos that indicated him as a member of the skull clan, and furthermore one of their elite undead hunters. After dispatching the thugs and collecting the survivors for turning over to the authorities he explained that he was looking for the heroes on behalf of Cressida Kroft.
Upon arriving at the citadel they learned from her that an ambassador from the Shaonti wanted to speak with them, and he would be arriving in a few days. In the meantime the half-orc Bonecrusher Skullbane, one of his warriors, would accompany them on his behalf as a sign of goodwill. They had an important task ahead of them, but first they were to track down a group of goblins who had robbed an instructor from the famed Acadamae. They had stolen one of his spell books that he had scryed upon and he wanted it back. Kroft revealed he had pulled some serious connections to make Kroft do it, she surmised no doubt to keep her occupied. She offered a bounty to the heroes and they headed to the area where they were told the attack happened.
They successfully tracked the thieves to a small set of caved in sections of the sewer that created semi natural caves. There they combated the little rogues, and chased one into a make shift throne/bedroom. Vexille was shocked (literally) to learn the leader was a powerful spell caster, and swordsman of sorts who crippled the warrior with pain in one fell blow. The combat with the goblins was brutal but the heroes prevailed in the end. They recovered the tome and were surprised that the goblin could not only read, but he didn't share the racial hatred of reading his people had (via notes he wrote in the spell book). He seemed to surmise that words were power, and was apparently exiled for it, and gathered others to follow his new ways.
As they were leaving they were approached by a strange old Varisian woman with strangely yellow eyes, the old witch introduced herself as Eries "yellow eyes". Noticing that she was in the sewers at her age, they were ready for her to attack, thinking she was the goblin magus’s master. Instead she begged for their help, telling them she had heard of them from her children. She praised their strength and love of the city and told them she hoped they would bring the city back to the peace. She said a larger threat, in a bugbear worshiper of Lamashtu who lorded over the goblin mage they killed, had taken her granddaughter Sasha from her and was going to sacrifice her in 3 days on the full moon in some foul ritual to the mother of monsters. She begged the heroes to rescue her offering them her gratitude and some potions in return. They surmised there was more to her than they knew but decided to help anyway. Vexille wrongly suspected she was a dragon or other legendary beast in disguise.
They followed her directions and infiltrated the lair of the Lamashtu cultists after dealing with necromantic traps along the way. The doors having carvings of the mother of monsters turned out to be cursed (cursing anyone who was non evil who touched them via Baleful Curse to deliver a -6 to a random stat). They battled goblin commandoes and bugbears, a small tribe of boggards and their shaman leader before finally the bugbear Calryx himself and his yeth hound companions. They defeated him, causing his contingency word of recall to wisk him through the statue of Lamashtu to safety. They searched his chambers and found a chest filled with the remnants of some of his crimes over the years as well as a list of random items needed for various rituals. Most of these lists and correspondence are to someone named Deeovora Azranae. The name was unknown to any of the heroes, and seemed a dead end.
They rescued Sasha and 4 other young ladies who they escorted out. Upon escorting Sasha to Eries, they figured out that she was a were-rat and a peaceful one at that. They decided she could be a helpful ally being a good hearted and peaceful shape shifter elder.
After resting up and getting decursed, they were called in to field marshal crofts office to meet with Bonecrusher’s mentor, Thousand Bones, the Shaonti ambassador and blind oracle of bones. He expressed his grief that during the recent rash of riots, his grandson a youthful Shaonti was murdered by angry and misguided Korvosans because of his race. His body was then stolen and sold to a vile necromancer named Rolth, and now resided under the Grey district in a burial ground his people called the dead warrens. The party was to find and recover ALL of Gaeken’s body or it would mean the Skull and Sun clans of Shaonti would band together and march on the city, a war neither side could afford. Thousand bones gave them one week to recover the body, before Gaeken’s father would no longer listen to reason. He sent along Bonecrusher could identify the body having trained with Gaeken in youth. They decided to set out immediately having little time to save the city again.
END SESSION FOUR!
I forgot to introduce the newest hero, he was introduced in the fourth session and may not be the last to join. We will possibly have 1 or 2 others who will make guest starring appearances. One of which may be a magus (I suspect will look alot like Elric, I reserve judgement until this happens :P)
- Jesse: Bonecrusher Skullbane- CG Male Half-orc (Shaonti) Barbarian: Bonecrusher is a member of the Shadiir-Qulaii, or Hunters of the dead. He is one of the Skull clan of Shaonti's weapons for curbing the undead, a sort of honor guard. He established his fury and power at a young age and found acceptance after the tribes shaman Thousand Bones openly accepted the boy had been chosen by the spirits to perform the honorable task of undead hunting. He joins the heroes as an ambassador in the turbulance between Korvosa and the Shoanti, after his Gaekhen, one of his comrades death at the hands of Korvosans and subsequent body theft, he hopes to prevent war and also see his friend honored properly. He also hopes to personally and painfully end this Rolth fellow...
It's good to know that Jesse's playing again and it looks like he's playing something fitting.
Session 5: July 2nd, 2011 Edge of Anarchy pt.5: “End of Anarchy”
Characters Present:
- Vexille
- Daxen
- Torin
- Bonecrusher
After the declaration of possible war from the Shoanti shaman, Anshar decided to check with his contacts about this Rolth character. The others decided to head to the potter’s ward in the Grey District and search the area of the body dump for clues.
Upon arriving at the area they discovered tracks leading into the tomb and surmised there to be a secret exit from the chamber. Proven right in their hunch by a poorly disguised hidden door in the floor they descended in the darkness below. It opened into a large burial chamber supported by four pillars and flanked by two large pits filled with bones. As the heroes entered a number of the bones sprang to life, including those of an Owlbear! They quickly dispatched the beasts before continuing on into the dug tunnels. They searched for Gaekhen’s body through the various tunnels eventually combating the inhabitants, a small group of Derro. The diminutive psychopaths were doing all manner of cruel experiments. The heroes dispatched the little humanoids, and crawled around some small tunnels. They eventually found a room filled with body parts and a nasty and hungry Otyugh. They dispatched it in turn and recovered a sizeable portion of Gaekhen’s body in his legs. They then wandered around the underground complex more, eventually combating a Derro who was using stirges to pump the blood from a corpse he had somehow acquired. Afterwards they combated a few constructs made of snake bones and skulls, and a golem created from random body parts. They found Gaekhen’s arm being wielded by the beast like a club. After recovering it they proceeded into a large room that was a larger laboratory. Inside was a nearly completed huge composite golem of body parts, that had Gaekhen’s head attached. They destroyed the beast and recovered Gaekhen’s head. Afterword they tracked the ugly little Derro leader Vreeg and a second Derro into a room with an ogre kin with a face like a cabbage, aptly named Cabbagehead. The room itself held many locals who had been kidnapped in the chaos of the riots, and possibly used for foul experiments by Rolth the necromancer and his minions. The combat was furious and filled with spells and darkness. Finally Cabbagehead ran for his miserable life, and Vreeg the Derro necromancer sensing his untimely demise used a scroll he had gotten from his master and disappeared in a doorway of light, which Torin surmised as a Dimension Door spell.
Torin and Vexille tracked Cabbagehead while Brother Daxen and Skullbane helped the prisoners and collected Gaekhen’s remaining body parts, respectively. One of the captives was a Varisian pickpocket named Toira. She thanked them and swore to change her pilfering ways as the two escorted them out of the crypts. Vexille and Torin tracked Cabbagehead to a set of crypts nearby and Torin deduced that the crypt was within the possible range of the Derro’s spell so the two could have both come here, and this could be another of Rolth’s infamous hideouts. Torin made note of the location determined to come finish the job when the need wasn’t as dire.
They returned the body of the young Shoanti back to Citadel Volshyenek and met with the Field Marshal. She told them some exciting news had occurred and that the trial of the king’s young assassin had concluded this afternoon and her execution was to be at sunset in a few hours. Kroft wanted them to be there, to help ensure not another riot and to look out for anything suspicious. She also mused that something with the whole trial stunk, and she had her reservations on its legitimacy.
The heroes arrived and were disgusted by the decadence on display in the castle’s courtyard. The toast of Korvosa was there and the feeling was more a fair than an execution. They even noted the Corrowyn’s of Southshore, one of the richest families in the city showing off some Varisian bards who were working for them. Finally the Queen arrived, decked out in green and white silk and full of confidence. She was flanked by a group of her new Grey Maidens who in turn were led by Sabina Marrin. Finally the drum signaled the long walk of the young girl, as she was led by a large man in an executioner’s helm carrying a large axe. The girl had her hands tied and her head covered. Upon arriving at the block the hood was removed and the crowd got their first view of a scared but demoralized young girl. The crowd was ready for her blood and the heroes could only look on. After a speech from the queen, the execution was on with her rousing cry of “OFF WITH HER HEAD!” The axe raised and poised to end her, the heroes watched sickened at the madness of the crowd. Suddenly the executioner grabbed his back and when his hand came forward it dripped with his blood. A second dagger slammed into his hand making him drop his axe. Suddenly the crowd cried out to the legendary hero of Korvosa BLACKJACK! The swashbuckler leapt onto the platform, cut the girls ropes and threw his dagger into the headsman’s foot as he cried in agony. Blackjack gave a rousing rejection of the queen as she left in anger. The crowd was ready to riot, a small few calling him a traitor to the crown but most calling for the queen’s head! Blackjack seemed to admire his handiwork as the headsman recovered his axe and was making to end the dashing rogue. Daxen worked to calm the crowd, showing an amazing capacity to motivate the masses, and Vexille cried out for Blackjack to watch out behind him. Torin used his training to surmise Blackjack to be a hero of good, while Bonecrusher looked for any assassins in the crowd. Blackjack deftly dodged the axe thanks to Vexille and grabbed the young Trinia and carried her up to the courtyard wall, where he saluted the crowd and bowed to Vexille in particular. He then drank a potion and leapt from the wall, girl in tow. The crowd dispersing without fuss thanks to Brother Daxen's words, Torin helped the executioner up and healed his wounds. The man seemed confused that the legendary hero would attack him and oppose the queen, who had done no wrong.
The group met with Kroft and discussed the events. She seemed to have suspected the folk hero of Korvosa would appear but surmised she wasn’t sure. She mentioned it definitely made things on her harder going forward but it lined up with a few of her suspicions. She then dismissed them, except Bonecrusher who was to meet with Thousand Bones in a few days, and Brother Daxen who had a gift delivered for him. The gift was a wand of Cure Moderate Wounds, from the rogue Toira and a thank you letter for saving her.
The next day Vexille went to the sword master Vencarlo’s home (heavily suspecting he was indeed Blackjack!) where he found the old swordsman looking haggard like he hadn’t slept. Vexille asked if anything was wrong to which the man told him that he had seen Blackjack, and that his reappearance could only mean trouble. Vexille asked how he knew Blackjack, to which Vencarlo admitted to being his teacher. Vexille thought about this telling him he knew Blackjack had been his student. Vexille wasn’t sure Vencarlo wasn’t Blackjack, but suddenly suspected Grau the former favored student of Vencarlo who had taken the king’s death so hard. It made sense that it could be him, and he decided that when he seen him again he would pursue that. Brother Daxen spent many days and resources to track down the young Varisian Toira who he found volunteering with a temple of Serenrae. He gave her some gold and thanked her for the gift and discussed her current change of lifestyle. Torin spent some time at the temple of Irori, while Bonecrusher attended to Gaekhen’s funeral rights with Thousand Bones. After the proper rights were done and the body burnt, its essence travelling to the spiritual hunting grounds of their ancestors, Thousand Bones spoke with Bonecrusher. He told him that he wanted him to stay in the city and work with these heroes longer, visions had told him that darkness was coming, one that could threaten the people. He said these were good if not ignorant men and that fate had a key role to play in the coming days. He told him he would check with him every so often and that Bonecrusher was to be the Shoanti eyes in the dangerous city.
The next few days were semi-peaceful. Korvosa had calmed in the wake of the execution fiasco, with the return of Blackjack the topic on everyone’s minds. One morning about a week after the execution, the town was buzzing with new rumors, of a pirate ship from Riddleport that had tried to sneak into the city and was destroyed by the watch. The group investigated only to find Sable Company Marines turning away people as they checked the area. The group decided they had things in order and left.
END OF SESSION FIVE/END OF BOOK ONE
A few notes for those of you playing at home, As mentioned before I'm trying to personalize alot of this and it seems to be working so far.
- I gave Vreeg the scroll to foreshadow the Rolth Battles, and also so they can have a proper round 2 with them. We had some confusion on darkness rules and whatnot, but no big deal I need to pad the xp for the next adventure anyway and a round two could be fun. I'm setting it so that Vreeg only had one of his master's dimension door scrolls and used it and since he had failed he doesn't want to go to Rolth until he has redeemed himself (He knows Rolth will kill him). So next session that is something Torin the inquisitor wants to do is search him out, I figure that will give them a day or two of fun and set up the sick child encounter.
- Toira will be one of the Varisians in the hospice for them to rescue, as Daxen's player has indicated he might take leadership and take her as a cohort for some plan he has in his head... Have no clue why yet, but I'll accomodate it if possible so I'll tie her in that way.
- Vexille wants to learn from Vencarlo, wants to be like Blackjack and has dropped wanting to be a hellknight. Also he's quickly changing from Lawful nuetral to chaotic Good, which is kind of how he's been playing. So through the course of events he's going to shift (Especially if he hangs out with Vencarlo too much more, as he has been spending all of his time trying tow in the swordmasters favor and be accepted to be trained).
Thats the plan as of right now.