Curse of the Crimson Throne (Inactive)

Game Master DireMerc

Crain manages to avoid the dagger and it becomes inert soon.

Verik has surrendered and the townsfolk are hard at work trying to contain the fire.

Well done then. lets go help with the fire and credic joins the bucket line in order to fight the fire

You managed to get the situation under control. The folks are upset and several scream and swear at you for "Attacking these good folk and setting the place on fire!" some of them even went so far as to fetch some city guard and are asking that you be arrested!

Cedric is fine for getting arrested along with every body else.

If possible he will ask the party if the "shop" can be searched for evidence during the confusion and while waiting for the guards

"We are on a mission for the city guards, you morons," Crain yells, still smarting from his wounds. "Go get them, though...we need help carrying this lot back to the barracks! They'll be at work in the morning!"

They already go them while they were fighting the fire. They managed to keep from spreading to the neighboring buildings but the shop is pretty much gone. The guards unaware of your position are looking to arrest you to appease the crowd and have the matter investigate. You could show them your badges as proof of your station with the guards.

The guards make their way trough he crows and arrive, there are six of them. Five privates and a sergeant.

"Were going to need you lot to come with us back to the citadel."says the sergeant

of course he says surrendering his weapon to the city guard and inviting everyone in the party to do the same

"Haha, you mongrels, please take me in. I could use a drink, and the reward for us getting those deserters in, will keep me in my cups for the next week! Lead on, gentlefolk," Crain says with a sarcastic flourish and bow.

Ok so now begins the Reboot

Cedric and Crain you were among the twelve that kressida took with her to go fight the wererats. It was hard and bloody but you managed to drive them back into the sewers. Of the twelves that Kressida took with her you two are the only survivors the other ten are dead.

You regrouped with the special task force soon after the battle and learned that they had found something that could be a clue about the origins of the plague that was now destroying the city.

When you return to the citadel Kressida examines the chest and promises to have it investigated. At this time Kressida adds Crain and Cedric to the special task force as official members due to your exemplary service in beating back the wererat attack.

You all leave the citadel together and outside the citadel you meet Deyanira Miruka who is pleading with any guard she sees for help finding her missing brother but is being ignored. Lots of folk are missing nowadays afterall. You speak with her and learn that her brother a local bard went to perform to at the Carowyn manor and never returned. Some of the richest families in town were trowing a ball there as the plague has so far not affected them but he should have been back days ago and there has been no word of him and she cant reach anyone at the manor. The gates are shut and she doesn't dare go over them.

"And remember, Commander Kressida, if you want to get together later and share a pint, or engage in a wee bit of fun, just have me summoned," Crain adds with a wink, as he receives nothing more than an eye roll in return.

"Lets go meet this other group of 'heroes' and see what their deal is," Crain adds to Cedric, with sarcasm at the word. After introductions were done, and discussions of a few drinks were had, Crain was following the group outside when they were stopped by the girl.

"If we were to help, how would we get into this shindig? I wouldn't mind seeing a few ladies all gussied up in their party gowns, that's for sure. Maybe we could go take a look, assuming we could get in..."

"By kicking the door in." Growled Drakus as he stood there glowering at the manor. His uniform still had patches of river mud on them and he looked a little tired from his exertions this day.
With a sigh he picked up his tower shield and snapped his bardiche to the vertical.
"Awright, let's get this done. Only thing standing between us and a warm bunk is findin' this girls brother."

Mai replies to Drakus's suggestion
"If you kick in the door, and they are fine.
They may complain to some of their important friends and we get stuck paying an expensive bill."

"All we have to do is hope over the fence, it won't damage anything and it helps keeping you fit physically."

Donagar waits wondering which of his companions is first to remember he may look like a boulder, but he can also fly.....

"Times awaistin!"

"We also now have some new blood to our group.
And since Ms Kroft selected you to be added to our unit,
I welcome you."

she does a respectful bow as she introduces herself.
"I am Pai."
straightens back up.
"Hope we all get allong with one another."

"Well hello, sweetheart. Ms. Pai, I can already tell who my favorite member of this collection will be. Call me Crain...I wield a mean pole arm, if I do say so my self.," he notes, with a bow of his own.

Mai replies
"Looks like we have a sweet talker, Nice try though."

Mai looks like an Ulfen Woman of about 6 foot 3. She has inherited comely features with a curvy human build with pale skin, But her face is a bit elven with Golden Amber eyes and lose Copper Red Hair that ends near her waist.

Note; Mai has given her Name as Pai, Not Mai. as no Ninja will give out their real name.
Also she has the Pass for Human feat like Gregor.
So unless you have a good perception roll, your not going to know.

Gotcha...I was confused by that. I went back and edited my prior post.

Crain nods at the other two in the group. He jerks a thumb toward Cedric. "This boy's Cedric. He's a bit quieter than I am. Don't let that fool you...he knows his way around a scrap."

"Well, quiet folk do tend to think things trough"

Gregor tries to hide the half-lidded eyes of annoyance as the brash bastard speaks, "Well met, both of you, I am Sergeant Ward of the Korvosan Guard. It is my duty and honor to uphold the laws and edicts that make Korvosa the shining gem of a city that it is. I will do all that is within my power and right to ensure that the city and its citizens are well. My deep respect for Field Marshal Kroft lends the notion that the two of you are at least capable and competent at what you do. Though might I add, Halfie, that boastfulness is unbecoming and best left to the conceited elves or loud-mouthed dwarves. I judge a man on his actions, for those speak volumes above his words."

Gregor begrudginly nods in agreement with Pai, "She is correct, Sergeant, we do not want the possibility of breaking and entering as can be held against us in our investigation of a suspected crime. I would, however, also frown on just hopping the fence. If we are unable to see any activity from here, wherein we may hail someone, I will try to open the lock with my investigators tools."

Gregor will look to see if he can get anyone's attention within the manor. If there is no sign of activity, he will attempt to pick the lock on the gate.
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
I know they are thieves' tools, but he wouldn't ever consider performing an unlawful entry. He is only doing so to investigate the report of a possible crime. To him they actually are used purely during the course of conducting investigations.

Drakus rolled his eyes at Mai's and Gregor's objections to the direct approach.
"Yeah? And what're the odds we'll be that lucky?"
Nevertheless he stands back and lets Gregor try his hand at the lock.
He wondered a bit at Gregor's harsh words for the newbies; he had never heard the man speak so... unpleasantly before. It seemed a little out of character.
He turned to the new guys and stuck his hand out.
"Hiya. I'm Drakus. Welcome ta the team. You'll haveta forgive Gregor there; he forgets he was a newbie to the team once himself."
He started to smile, but stopped himself in time. The last people to see him smile had fled in terror.

"Question my race again, and I'll split your head to the core, Pretty Boy, mission or no. Funny, during all the time I've worked closely with my girl, Kroft, I've never heard her mention you. No big shock about that."

Crain greets Drakus with a polite, for him, head nod. "Call me Crain. Pleasure to be teamed up with you."

Mai adds
"True, Gregor can be a Jerk at times though at least he is very professional when working.
And I've not heard of you from Ms Kroft either, but it was likely due to her being busy managing things.
That and I don't think she has a thing for you."

"What tha whole team needs is a pint err two o ale, I suggest we ave tha right after tha gates open, this place is sure tah have some layin round."

"Another Drink, you had a two bottles of Ager's 11 only an hour ago."

"Donager, did you say your name was? You might be a kindred spirit, brother. I'd be most happy to knock back a mug or three with you. I've got a bit on me if you need something to calm your nerves. Never leave home without it..."

"No need, since Donagar is our tavern's biggest customer.
I'm allowed to have a small wine rack on me, for Donagar's use.
It goes onto his tab, which he pays off."

"Indeed! I carry a good supply o mah own round. True believers ought have a shrine in thar house an I come by an collect tha offerings at times."

Donogars view on drinking other people's brew/ale in their house.....

You get the gate open and the way to manor is clear. There doesn't appear to be any guards.

"You know dwarf, we might be able to sneak a sample of the good stuff that I bet they are serving in this place, if we are nice and sneaky. Cayden would be insulted if we did not, I think..."

"If they are alive, and you take an expensive bottle.
I hope your prepared for the consequences, as some bottles are over a couple hundred gold and are very rare."

"Darling, anything over a couple gold pieces is good stuff, when you are used to drinking the swill I normally pack around with me! And I don't need to take a whole bottle, just a cup or three."

"Bah! Tis a bargain yah know how much tha Adabar charges fer healin err fer a remove disease! Whole towns better fer having Donagar round an a havin a round fer Donagar!"

Gregor scowls at the very nature of the conversation, "I speak at least for Sgt Drakus and I when I say we are professionals, and I expect that while you are working under the authorities of the Korvosan Guard and Field Marshal Kroft, that you all comport yourselves as such. To whit, I can only request that you put off drinking until you are not working, and must demand that you refrain from even entertaining the notion that you are allowed to claim the possessions of the Carowyn's."

In as much as he will afford as an apology, he clarifies "Furthermore, Crain is it? I did not question your race. Are you or are you not a human mixed with elven blood, also known as half-elf? As such, I do not believe Halfie called into question your split parentage as much as accentuated it. I merely explained that your mannerisms were more commonly associated with other full-breeds."

Feeling like his point was made, he returns to the task at hand. He draws and equips his shield, while keeping a hand on his weapon hilt without actually drawing it. "Stay sharp, and keep an eye out for dangers. We are here to conduct an investigation, and the lifelessness of a manor this size, especially after an event seems foreboding."

"Did all the guards go for lunch or something...."

@Mai Pai thai
"If they be out tah lunch thar not alone in tha."

@Crain
"Yah might be handy in a fight too I wager, so first we gets a fight goin then we drink tah celobrate victory."

@Gregor
"Yah bout done fixin tha bell err knocker err whatever yer up tah?"

"Forget it, Ward. We can talk afterwards, when I have a cold mug in my hands. Speaking of, let's get this mission done, so we might all relax a bit."

"Why don't we check around the buildings first?"

Gregor nods again with Pai, "That makes sense. Let us circle the property looking for any signs of activity, and peer through any windows for signs inside."

Drakus turns on the others with incredulity.
"Are you all messing with me?" He demanded glowering.
"There's SUPPOSED to be a party going on! Do you hear a party? Music? The loud chatter of voices?"
He counted the points on his fingers.
"Now help me find something to ram the door with!"
He starts looking around for a statue or heavy bench.
Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (4) + 0 = 4

Sgt Drakus, the party was yesterday, or last night as it were. We are here to investigate the fact that the young lady's brother, an entertainer, has not returned from the job that should have concluded almost a day ago." He explains in correction.

Festooned with cinderberry garlands and bright red drapes, the limestone facade of Carowyn Manor faces Shoreline Way. Its sturdy-looking doors of Bloodsworn mahogany are locked (hardness 5, 20 hp), and require a DC 30 Open Lock check or a DC 26 Strength check to open. The brass banisters of a balcony rise 15 feet above the front door—a nimble person might scale these with a DC 15 Climb check.

"Hold on a second. Let me take care of this," he mutters as he begins taking off his chainmail. "I'll climb this fence lickety split."

And stop peeking at my knickers, Ms. Pai," he adds with a wink.

Can Crain take 10 for a 17? If so, I'll do that. If not, I'll post a roll.

Climb 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Donagar makes a mental note to bring the high strung sgt. along with him for drinking in the evening.

Instead of saying anything he watches Gregor as he circles around the manor house.

You climb up to the balcony? Yes you can take 10.

My bad. Don't know how I get the word fence out of your post, yes, I'll scale to the balcony and yes, I'll take a look around.

Crain was mesmerized by the sight in front of him. "There's still some dancing going on in there...funny costumes too. And they seem drinker than me, cause a big bunch of them are passed out on the floor," he hisses.

Feeling kind of naked without his armor, he shimmies back down to the ground. "Did you hear what I said?" If not, he repeats what he saw, as he dressed himself.

Gregor furrows his brow and purses his lips, before shaking his head and deciding, "Well, if there are still revelers present, then the event must be ongoing. Nonetheless, that does not dismiss us from our duty to find the young woman's brother." With that he balls up his fist and pounds on the door with the meaty part of his hand to be heard above any music, yelling as loud as he can through the door. "Korvosan Guard! I wish to speak to lord or lady of the manor!"

Mai replies to Crain before he goes up
"You only wish I was looking at your knickers.
And I wish you'd look at my face when you talk."

When he's back down
"They are still dancing, I would not believe it.
As most nobles likely don't have the energy to go more than a day without rest."

perception to notice (or smell) anything odd: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (16) + 13 = 29

You hear the sound of a woman laughing and the doors open. You enter into a grand entrance with a dance floor in the center

You hear a female voice talking that seems to come from all over. As you notice the floor is slick with blood and the inside smells of death and decay.

"More guest!!! Well Don't just stand there! DO come in! We are going to have sooo much FUN together!"

You enter the building and go into a large ballroom and see that a massacre took place here. Upon the marble floor and heaped in the corners lie more than a dozen corpses, each clad in garish outfits of sequined velvet, revealing silk, and colorful feathers. Masks of all shapes and sizes—each competing with the last in terms of elaborateness—adorn the dead. In several cases, though, these fanciful adornments have fallen away, revealing withered flesh covered in nauseating facial tumors. Most horrifyingly, upon a bloodslick space cleared at the room’s center sway three couples, jerking like hellish dancers, all obviously dead.

...the party was yesterday, or last night as it were.

Drakus' face is comical as he processes that.

Later, as the carpet of bodies and dancing corpses is revealed...
"I knew it!" Drakus exclaimed as he took a defensive stance.