Curse of the Crimson Throne

Game Master Euan

We're going that way? Ookaaay.... Dandi shrugs and heads in after Fondo.

Just sludge several inches to a foot deep. The path is treacherous (half move is safe, full move requires Acrobatics DC 15 or fall) but not horrible. Well, OK, it is horrible. The floating effluent is sewage with all the grossness that implies.

Nikolay walks along at half speed, light cast on his ring if needed.

Charlie brings us to all the finest parts of Korvosa.

Barael bounds through the fissure as quick as he can, willing himself to avoid sewage. He looks over the walls, trying to assess their cleanliness in comparison to the floors.
Acrobatics 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29

As he trudges lightly, he tries to point to places on the floor that look more secure than others to the others. Move to I-11

Barael tries to discern what he couldn't fully, to the east. Alas, the floor has most of his attention, and not getting detritus on his new, elven boots.
Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Fondo walks carefully enough through the effluent. What would I do without the ability to prestidigitate? Much more helpful than summoning storms of meteors. He ends up at I09.

Briar follows along, trying to keep quiet and out of the slop.

Taking 10 for Stealth and Acrobatics.

Barael just catches a glimpse of three were rats standing around chatting in the room beyond when one of the mushrooms he crouches behind for cover starts screaming and screeching at the top of it's, er, spongy spores. It keeps up the sound alerting everyone in the complex - and likely everything for some many hundreds of echoing feet throughout the local Vaults.

The Shrieking spore is actually in I10, but not placed on the map

Next up, Briar, Fondo and Dandilion.

--Round 1--
Briar - 25
Fondo - 22
Dandilion - 19
Were rats - 18
Nikolay - 14
Majenko - 12
Charlie - 8
Barael - 4

Map Round 1

Round 1, Init 25

Unsure why something is screaming, Briar delays.

Round 1, Init 22

Fondo sighs and holds up his hand. He attempts to cast a spell Clarion Call) and talk over the shriekers.

1d100 ⇒ 67 below 86 is good

In a booming voice, he says, "BE NOT ALARMED. WE COME WITH NO ILL WILL TOWARD RAT OR KIN. WE ONLY WISH TO MEET YOUR BOSS, AND PARLAY PEACE WITH HIM. SHOULD YOU ATTACK US, THOUGH, WE SHALL OUR LIVES DEFEND."

Perform (oratory) to project over the shriekers 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Diplomacy 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Oh, they are screaming because they saw Fondo...that makes sense.

"For the love of Aroden, make it stop its noise!" Barael reels from both shrieker and the spongy spore.

Fondo indicates the shrieker flanked between him and Barael. By all means.

Round 1, init 21 Dandi's Init is +4 +2=+6, due to mutagen

"I can blow it up. Do you want me to blow it up? Or should I paint a pretty web? " Dandi tries to whisper, but has to nearly yell to be heard over the shrieker shroom.

Indecisively, Dandi tries to decide between silencing the shrieker and creating a mesmerizing web for the rats.

Briar delays. Fondo attempts to communicate with the were rats and offer a peaceful communication yelling quite successfully over the shrieker. Dandilion also delays caught in the web of indecisiveness.

The opposition sneers at Fondo's suggestion and yells to be heard over the shrieker. "Drop your weapons and bow before your superiors, humansss!"

They draw shortswords and close - but do not quite yet strike. As they move past Barael you may take an AoO on W1 (if you have Combat Reflexes) if you choose. They seem intentionally not to dodge out of your reach (though if you attack the first, the others may dodge however...I reserve the right to retcon).

As they close with the party, two giant rats come through the cracks to the north attracted by the sound. Barael also sees a few others moving into the room beyond as the alarm continues to shriek.

Briar thinks he might, maybe, quite possibly, have heard something to the south over the sound of the shrieker. Perception check for more please.

--Round 1--
Were rats - 18 move into the room, but do not strike
Nikolay - 14
Majenko - 12
Charlie - 8
Barael - 4
--Round 2--
Briar - 25 (delaying)
Fondo - 22
Dandilion - 21 (delaying)

Map Round 1-2

Round 1, Init 4

Barael springs the silver dagger into his hand, but stays it, readying an attack in reciprocation for any signs of true violence from the furs.

He does try and reflect the light from Fondo off his shiny dagger into their buggy eyes.

"Mesmerize, miss Dandi! The numbers grow alarming!"

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16 Perception

*grumble* What was that?

Briar will likely come in after Nik.

Round 1, Init 4

Barael springs the silver dagger into his hand, but stays it, readying an attack in reciprocation for any signs of true violence from the furs.

He does try and reflect the light from Fondo off his shiny dagger into their buggy eyes.

"Mesmerize, miss Dandi! The numbers grow alarming!"

Round 1, Init 1

Given direction, she doesn't hesitate, but pulls a web from her hair and steps out, blowing it in the direction of the ugly people on the other side.The thread grows more wild than her hair, forming a feather light web of prismatic color that waves and dances in front of the were rat people.

As hypnotic pattern(DC 14 Will negates). Number of hit-die of creatures affected 2d4 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7

Charlie move to H10. "Hold, friends both from above ground and below. We want to end the strife and stop the lynchings. Please, let us discuss before any more blood is spilt. Please!"

Diplomacy with sociable trait using 5th level stats. 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 12 + 2 = 23

Round 1, Init 14

Nikolay draws his sword and readies to attack an adjacent creature if possible if the party is attacked.

Longsword: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Longsword damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 - 1 point of damage past DR
Longsword: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23 crit
Longsword damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 - almost makes me hope negotiations fail :)

Briar - you see/hear nothing new with that check mostly due to the shrieker.
Charlie - H10 is taken, but H09 is free so I put you there. Charlie's moving to the front!
Nikolay - nice grouping. I hope, for my sake, negotiations succeed! So far though no one is putting their weapons away - everyone is just talking past each other...

Round 1, Init 14-

Briar answers by knocking a silver arrow and training it on the nearest rat.

"Nope. Not dropping anything save one of you if you strike at us."

Ready to attack should they provoke or combat starts.

1d20 + 8 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 1 - 4 = 9 to hit;
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 silver damage.

Fondo sheathes his rapier, ostentatiously jangling his slvered mace as he does so. He seeks to aid Charlie, whose turf the party has entered. "OUR KINSMAN ON THE SURFACE ARE MISTAKEN. WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BLOOD VEIL. LET US PARLAY, SO THAT WE MIGHT FIND A WAY TO WEAVE PEACE ABOVE AND BELOW THE STREETS OF KORVOSA."

Diplomacy Aid 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

He motions to his comrades to calm the f*** down, both hands turned out and gesturing downward.

You want to talk, what, like this?! Barael adjusts his stance, coiling to strike. His eyes try to see through the red. You want us to sheath our weapons?! I'll sheathe my weapon, but true. With purpose. Barael springs the sap loose, as he lowers his silver dagger.

Barael lays into the aberration at I-10
Sap 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 2 - 4 = 20 for 1d6 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (5) + 2 + (1, 4) = 12 damage

"There, that's better. Please, continue."

Fondo smiles as Barael smashes the shrieker.

"As I was saying..."

Now you've done it. You had to destroy their doorbell. It was going so well too…

Nikolay's ready goes off and he strikes Dire Rat (1) hard and deadly as it closes. Majenko strains to hear the noise to the south. Charlie starts talking to try and get everyone to calm down and chat, but they're having none of it. Barael destroyed their doorbell Inspector Clouseau style. Dandilion spins a fascinating web of color and light to entrance several of the were rats. Briar too has a ready go off, but he missed the rat. Fondo aids Charlie, but to no avail.

Majenko Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

You hear a more normal voice from within cut through the shrieker sounds and the higher pitched voices of the were rats, "Quit looking at the pretty lights and get in there you lazy bastards! GO!"

WereRat (4) save vs Hypnotic Pattern 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 vs DC 14.
WereRat (5) save vs Hypnotic Pattern 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 vs DC 14.
WereRat (6) save vs Hypnotic Pattern 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 vs DC 14.

DireRat bite on Nikolay 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19 for 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 and DC 11 Fortitude vs Disease

WereRat (1) shortsword on Charlie 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 for 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
WereRat (2) shortsword on Barael 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 for 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
WereRat (3) shortsword on Barael 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 for 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

With a hiss at the sound of their leader, the rats attack! Dire Rat(1) steps up on Nikolay and is cut down fiercely. Dire Rat 2 quickly fills his place and bites at the warrior, connecting (disease save please). Meanwhile WereRat (1) moves up and strikes Charlie while the other pair focus their attacks on Barael.

--Round 2--
Were rats - 18 attacked!
Majenko - 12
Charlie (-5hp) - 8
Barael - 4
Dandilion - 1
--Round 3--
Fondo - 22
Nikolay (-2hp) - 19
Briar - 19-

Map Round 2-3

As Majenko goes at the top of the order, and he's doing a party buff, I'll do him now...

Majenko dances the dance of the Harrow, and Inspires the party to greater heights! Everyone gets a +1 to hit and a +1 damage (morale bonus).

Round 3, Init 22

So am I reading this correctly, that the wererats did attack first (assuming you don't count Barael's shroom crunching)?

"TO THE LEADER OF THE WERERATS, I SAY THIS: CALL OFF YOUR FOLK AND LET US PARLAY. WE'VE NO FEUD WITH THEM. And you, my friends, let us show mercy."

Fondo regretfully draws his mace and dances with the second wererat, trying to draw him in into flank. Alas, he fails.

Improved Reposition 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

If you ignore the destruction of the shrieker, their beloved pet of many seasons, their light when the world seems dark, the one creature that always listens to their troubles, the long time friend raised from a mere spore... well you get the point. Then yes, they struck first.

I should add that the stream of sludge is difficult terrain, so no 5' steps into it. Out of it is just fine of course. Moving more than half movement in any part of the stream is a DC 12 Acrobatics check (not DC 15 as I mistakenly noted earlier).

Round 2, Init 4

Barael barks. "He's there! Back of the chambers, that's gotta be Girrigz!"

Barael does his best to defend himself against the horde.
Acrobatics through Enemy 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32 to G-11

Barael lays into W2.
Silver Dagger 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 14 for 1d4 + 2 + 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + (2, 2) + 1 = 8 damage

Round 2 Init 8

Charlie uses his supernatural ability to summon an fire elemental in I11 who attacks with a slam on W3 helping the flank 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 damage 1d4 ⇒ 2+ burn (DC11) for 1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds

sh*tsh*tsh*t

Briar grits his teeth as his arrow goes wide.

Stupid rat.

Round 3, Init 19 by phone

Disease save 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Nikolay swiftly uses an arcane point to wreathed his sword in flames. He tries to cast shield, but fails. He then swings hard at the wererat next to him.

Cast defensively: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13 - DC 17 for level 1 spell
(Level 5, INT bonus 3, Combat Casting +4)

Longsword Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 - 2 = 15 spell combat
(BAB +3, STR +3, Black blade +2, Weapon Focus +1, -1 Power Attack)
Longsword damage: 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 = 12
flaming: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Majenko flaps into the air over the party and does a little jig (+1tohit/damage (morale)). Charlie summons a Fire Elemental which hits W3! Barael repositions himself, but misses from the flank. Dandilion throws a bomb into the mass of WereRats avoiding allies (DMPC at Dandi's request). Fondo tries to reposition the rat, but is unsuccessful. Nikolay wreathes his sword in flame and kills the DireRat next to him (were rats are all a ways away at the moment). Briar delays back to his original initiative.

Dandilion Bomb @ W3 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 8 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 - 8 = 13 (combat/cover) vs touch for 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7 damage and splash 5hp DC14 reflex for half

WereRat (3) Reflex 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 vs DC 11 or catch fire.
WereRat (1) Reflex 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 vs DC 14 to take 5hp damage or none (evasion).
WereRat (2) Reflex 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 vs DC 14 to take 5hp damage or none (evasion).
WereRat (4) Reflex 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 vs DC 14 to take 5hp damage or none (evasion).

WereRat (1) shortsword on Barael 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 2 = 20 (flank)for 1d6 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (6) = 12
WereRat (2) shortsword on Barael 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 for 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
WereRat (3) shortsword on the Fire Elemental 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17 for 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
WereRat (4) shortsword on Barael 1d20 + 3 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 - 4 = 3 (flank/cover) for 1d6 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 2 + (4) = 12

W5 and G1 seem to be entranced by the lights in the next room. Through summoned fire elementals and exploding bombs, the rest of the wererats none the less press their attack focusing their might on Barael to try and drop the silver wielding thief! Barael takes a strong blow from one wererat but the others, alas, miss. Another wererat takes a chip out of the elemental too.

--Round 3--
Wererats - 18
Wererat 2 (-5hp) - 18
Wererat 3 (-9hp) - 18
Wererat 4 (-5hp) - 18
Majenko - 12
Charlie (-5hp) - 8
Fire Elemental (-3hp) - 8
Barael (-12hp)- 4
Dandilion - 1
--Round 4--
Briar - 25
Fondo - 22
Nikolay (-2hp) - 19

Map Round 3-4

Majenko flies to E09 and takes makes a tail attack at W1. He continues his dance (+1 to hit, +1 damage for all!).

Majenko 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 1 = 27 for 1d3 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6 damage + DC 14 vs poison

WereRat (1) Fortitude 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21 vs DC 14 or fall asleep.

Alas he does not sleep, and with DR takes no damage after the blow.

And yes I'm aware there is a disconnect here. But I'm allowing the sleep poison attacks of Korvosan Pseudodragons to bypass DR related issues otherwise there would be no imp on pseudodragon battles over the skies of Korvosa in the lazy summer heat. This does not mean that poison administered by party members would do the same. It's a magical effect of Korvosan Pseudodragons.

Oh, and for those of you keepings score, yes Majenko just did 6hp damage. He's no stronger, but he's somehow more adept at placing his strikes for maximum efficiency - almost a precision type of attack. Very dangerous in his own way...

Round 3, Init 4

Barael narrows his brow, and draws in for added protection while pressing his attack. Combat Expertise, for AC 19
Silver Dagger against W4 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 21 for 1d4 + 2 + 1 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 + (1, 4) = 11 damage

This is how we're going to dance, eh? Well, then. Let's dance. Barael harnesses a bit of Ki to get a bit more done. 1 Ki point
Improved Disarm against W2 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 2 + 1 = 16
Let Fondo dice words with you, see if you're more amenable without your blade.

Round 4, Init 22

Fondo looks a bit sheepish at the flanked were rat and attempts to bludgeon it unconscious.

Light Silvered mace 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 2 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 2 - 2 + 1 - 4 = 24 power attack, flank, inspire courage, nonlethal
1d6 + 2 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 4 + 1 = 13

He steps into the wererat's space if it's unconscious, or if not next to the elemental and observes carefully his foes' positions. As it becomes helpful, he points out openings in the rats' defenses That is, he activates Tactician for the next 3 rounds; +2 to CMB checks if at least one adjacent ally.

Round 4, Init 19

Nikolay moves into the room to take a flank of W1 with Barel.

"I've got you're back!"

Longsword Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 1 + 2 = 30
Longsword damage: 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 1 = 14
Fire damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Longsword Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 1 + 2 = 27 crit confirm
Longsword damage: 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 = 11
Fire damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1 not sure if this is included in crit

Round 3, Init 1

Dandi throws another bomb, this one at W3, though she excludes the fiery looking thing on the one side, and Barael on the other.

range touch, -4 for filing into melee,-4 for cover, excluding barael and FE: 1d20 + 8 - 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 8 = 201d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
to confirm: 1d20 + 8 - 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 - 8 = 91d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 splash damage for 6.

[dice=Fire damage]1d6 not sure if this is included in crit

It's not.

"LEAVE US. WE'LL HAVE WORDS WITH YOUR BOSS AND LEAVE YOU BE. IF YOU STAY, DESNA CURSE YOU FOR FOOLS."

"I'd do what he says, men. That, and our old man here has Blood Veil coursing through his veins already. You're dead men if you stay."

Charlie tries to tumble to F08 acrobatics 1d20 ⇒ 14 and shoots an eldritch bolt to W1 Ranged Touch 1d20 + 3 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 3 - 4 + 1 = 14 damage:1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

[ooc]elemental will slam W3 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 1 = 17 damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4 plus burn from last round (2) plus new burn for 1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds

Round 4, Init 25

Briar will carefully move to H8 and fire a silver arrow at W2 or W3 (if W2 is down).

1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 30 Thrumble to hit; (PBS,bard)
1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 = 10 damage. (PBS,bard)

Crittage:
1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 15 Thrumble to hit; (PBS,bard)
1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3 damage. (PBS,bard)
1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7 damage. (PBS,bard) 3+7+10=20 if crit

Majenko flies into combat and connects most fiercely, but cannot bypass the innate toughness of the creatures against any attack but silver. Charlie moves to line up W1 and takes him down, his fire elemental takes down W3. Barael attacks W4 doing 11 points of damage and but fails to disarm W2. Dandilion throws another bomb, this time doing even more, but not quite a critical. Fondo strikes W2 a solid blow, but he still stands so he shifts to another spot instead. Nikolay steps into the Flank under Majenko and criticals though with DR only 16hp gets through. Briar lines up a wererat and takes him down hard.

WereRat (3) Reflex 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 vs DC 11 or catch fire.
WereRat (2) Reflex 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 vs DC 14 to take 6hp damage or none (evasion).
WereRat (4) Reflex 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 vs DC 14 to take 6hp damage or none (evasion).

W5 and G1 continue to be entranced by the lights in the next room (last round!).

From the south, Briar catches a glimpse of an Otyugh peering around the corner looking for a tasty snack as he moves into the chamber (not noted on map - sorry). Two of the wererats drop and start bleeding out though they stabilize (lucky!) another drops unconscious. The remaining 'rats hesitate uncertainly, and begin to flee.

--Round 4--
Were rats - 18
Wererat 1 (-26) - 18 unconscious
Wererat 2 (-15hp-13nl) - 18 unconscious
Wererat 3 (-22hp) - 18 unconscious
Wererat 4 (-16hp) - 18
Majenko - 12
Charlie (-5hp) - 8
Fire Elemental (-3hp) - 8
Barael (-12hp)- 4
Dandilion - 1
--Round 5--
Briar - 25
Fondo - 22
Nikolay (-2hp) - 19 (disease save DC 11 please)

Map Round 4-5

Does Nikolay need another FORT save? I hope not. He made one in round 3 and hasn't been hurt since then.
fort save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Waiting on rest of turn to see how things develop.

No, you made it, it's just stuck on my copy-paste list. Off now. :)

round 4 init 8 {F08 -->H10}

Charlie does not keep up the elemental for round 4. He moves to H10 and uses the wand to heal Barael who's name requires the same amount of concentration to spell as Wednesday. 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

"Girrigz! Let's talk this out. It's not right that wererats are being lynched just for being wererats. Let me be your agent and go to the proper authorities to seek justice in this matter. I know some people and may be able to make this happen. Also, can you please call off your big beasty? We do not want any more bloodshed."

Diplomacy with sociable trait.1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 12 + 2 = 23

Is Hypnotic Pattern still active? Dandi hasn't been concentrating on it.

Round 4, Init 25

Briar moves to F9 and readies to shoot anything threatening. Not sure the Otyugh is hostile...yet.

"Uh..an Otyugh is coming from behind. Might only be mostly hungry. Not sure."

Hypnotic Pattern is over. Should have been taken off the map.
Also, G16 is an actual fire giving heat and light to the room.

Majenko flies with Charlie and sits on his shoulder (H10). He also continues to dance for the +1to hit and damage. He adds a little of his own healing on Barael to try and top him off...

Cure Light Wounds for 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9