DM Aron Marczylo's Curse of the Crimson Throne Part 1 (Inactive)

Game Master overfiend_87

Aventi looks around and at Vancaskerkin I don´t know what you meant by that... but I don´t believe you. People can succumb even to darkest desires, by just believing to their own doings.

Stops for a while and look I was teached and told how things work... there is law, we all obey. Difference is just that: which way is correct? and finishes as turning to look from window.

Aventi will soon move down and carefully try to hear voices of previous men, he happened to hear before moving up to face Vancaskerkin.

Take 10 +8= 18 together.

Search the place. I'll keep an eye on the prisoner. Curnach says after ensuring all of the man's weapons are well out of reach.

I need to take a more backseat role generally anyway as lecture hours are sucking my time away.

Tapestry takes the bait and heads into the adjacent room...

Krenn checks on Althon through the window. Is he in combat?

Krenn will mention to Tapestry and Aventi (while Curnach is watching Verik get out of his armor)... During the fisticuffs there, he said somethin' about workin' for the true crown, implyin' we weren't. We need to check this place thoroughly for any clues as to who he's thinkin' the true crown is, and maybe some proof. We could be lookin' at proof of treason at the highest levels if we find proof.

Krenn will start to search the building thoroughly, taking 20 to do so if he has time. He is especially concerned with things that may be hidden in the rafters or under loose floor boards.

The room to the south of all the fighting B8, appears to be offices of somekind. Opening the room the first thing that catches your attention is an exquisite silver dagger, laying down point in the floor. The large desk has been converted into a makeshift bed with bedroll, blankets and pillows. There are three chairs around a table with papers strewn all over it and a chamberpot beneith the table. One of the papers appears to have a hole in it, possibly created by a dagger of somesort.

Heading back around the room you were just in with Verik you see this place was a sleeping area for some of the men whenever they needed to take a nap due to the rolled up bedrolls and the table covered in a messy and incomplete Harrow Deck. It appears someone was trying to build something out of the cards.

B3: The air in this room is stale, stinking of day-old meat and blood. Straw litters the floor, scattered to catch what drips from the meat hooks affixed to the walls and ceiling on metal rods. To the north is a low blood-stained table and two barrels of salt, while to the south, a pair of double doors stands. An iron bar extends through a narrow hole at the top of the doors; the bar runs along the ceiling for five feet before ending at a vertical pole running floor to ceiling. Most of the meat is missing and some of it looks questionable.

Knowledge Nature check to find out what exactly is hanging here.

B4: The floor of this grim chamber is strewn with blood-stained straw, and the reek of slaughter is almost overpowering. The room itself is a killing floor. A metal track affixed to the ceiling dangles meat hooks here and there, allowing the hooks and their gory loads to be moved easily from the northwest where a large hammer sits on the floor amid a permanent bloodstain. To the south, a bloodstained grill covers a wide hole in the floor. Just north of the grill sit two large vats of water; one boiling and one cold. Two large butcher blocks stand to the east next to barrels of salt, and in the southeast corner sits a reeking vat of cast-off meat and bones. There is a rusty grating that could be bashed in and the smell from below is pretty rancid.

B5: These appear to be holding pens. As you enter you notice someone was here recently and two dead boar on the ground. There doesn't appear to be anything else here, yet there was a area dug up by someone.

Are you going to go see Althon? The other places you've been to and saw nothing interesting there.

Tapestry takes the bait and heads into the adjacent room...

You see what Krenn sees, the eligently made silver dagger, stabbed into the ground as well as the makeshift bed, papers, table and chamberpot.

Aventi looks around and at Vancaskerkin I don´t know what you meant by that... but I don´t believe you. People can succumb even to darkest desires, by just believing to their own doings.

Stops for a while and look I was teached and told how things work... there is law, we all obey. Difference is just that: which way is correct? and finishes as turning to look from window.

Aventi will soon move down and carefully try to hear voices of previous men, he happened to hear before moving up to face Vancaskerkin.

Take 10 +8= 18 together.

Tapestry says a prayer to her goddess... she casts Detect Magic

Tapestry says a prayer to her goddess... she casts Detect Magic

The dagger glows magical in this room. Are you going to look back into the room where Verik is?

It's not like casting Orisons cost me anything but time, so yeah - she'll take a look. She'll also cast Guidance before studying the dagger for three rounds to try to identify it...

Spellcraft (with Guidance): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Assuming Tapestry brings the dagger back in here for it to be identified.

Bad and incorrect assumption - she's not touching the thing yet... that would be insane.

The arrows, chainmail and the bottle of liquid glow magically.

since I don't have the net. I won't have it for some time until Virgin Media get their thumbs out of their asses. They said it might be done by 8pm my time, but who knows.

'The silver dagger in that room, the arrows, chainmail, and that bottle of liquid are all magical,' Tapestry tells her friends, pointed to each object in turn (but not touching), 'so try to be a little careful... just in case...'

She then attempts to identify the other items... (Casting Guidance before each attempt and studying each item for three rounds). Spellcraft checks (with Guidance):

Arrows - 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Chainmail - 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Bottle of liquid - 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Once they are identified, Curnach gathers up the magical items, and assuming nothing untoward happens, he asks the group who wants what...

We should first turn Verik over. We do not want to cause any sort of uproar, so perhaps we can conceal him in a wagon until we get to the guardhouse. I think we should retain, but not sell, any of his belongs until we get word that he has officially been tried and/or punished to the queen's wishes. If this turns out to be some sort of grand misunderstanding that they work out, we should be ready to restore them to him. Krenn raises a hand to stop the inevitable question... I know it is almost certain he will be executed for treason for his declarations about the queen, but I don't believe it is our role to assume that. Until that is resolved, we can hold onto the items at our inn.

Your counsel is wise. I agree.

Net fixed it seems.

Nothing apparently missing anymore here, Aventi rushes outside to see and help Anthon with any problem he might have. Hm.. doesn´t sound good. Hopefully, everything is alright

Nothing apparently missing anymore here, Aventi rushes outside to see and help Anthon with any problem he might have. Hm.. doesn´t sound good. Hopefully, everything is alright

You see Althon standing there with a sack, tossing it over to you. Two men lay face down on the floor.

'I would seem that those arrows and the armour are both enchanted with basic augmentation of their usual functions,' Tapestry says, once more pointing to the items in question as she explains, 'and the bottle contains a moderately powerful curative potion.' Glancing back at the silver dagger, ominously struck into the floorboards, the tiefling woman shrugs, 'I have no idea about that thing. Care to enlighten us, Master Verik?'

Whatever the prisoner responds, Tapestry then heads into the room with the dagger (still giving the thing a wide berth for the moment) and examines the papers on the table (without disturbing them to begin with - in case their order is somehow significant).

Curnach has already picked up the dagger despite Tapestry's warning, for better or for worse. He simply doesn't believe that someone's backup weapon would be dangerous to hold. (This isn't an elaborate justification for trying to swipe loot, melee weapons really aren't of any interest to the character except Shillegagh and later on Flame blade perhaps). Perhaps a post from DM saying if anything happens to Curnach when he picks up the blade will help to confirm my above post ^^.

It was the whole 'left stabbed into the floor' thing which makes me suspicious - who leaves an enchanted dagger just sitting there? And in such a delibrate pose? Seems a little 'trapish' to me... Then there's the matching dagger-mark in the papers too - maybe it's a component of an elaborate curse ritual? But then again, I'm probably being paranoid...

It was the whole 'left stabbed into the floor' thing which makes me suspicious - who leaves an enchanted dagger just sitting there? And in such a delibrate pose? Seems a little 'trapish' to me... Then there's the matching dagger-mark in the papers too - maybe it's a component of an elaborate curse ritual? But then again, I'm probably being paranoid...

You might be right and it may be a trap, but we've taken the only magical precaution we really have and Curnach's willing to take the risk. It doesn't help hes a high wisdom character whos a bit clueless having lived on the streets for many years...

Nothing happens to either of you when you touch the blade.

I'd rule that you would pick up the magic item to give it a once over with spellcraft to try and identify the magical properties. Cursed weapons and armour don't really affect you unless you actually weild/don them, usually in combat.

Verik leers darkly as you point at the blade.
"It is a gift. Leave it be." he sneers, clearly finding that important.

The papers appear to be unimportant things like shipping manifests, deliverys of various types of cattle from all over the city from those desperate enough to sell their meat. Nothing else seems to be here of interest except a love letter addressed to Verik.

Verik-

Signed, V

There is also a red lipstick in the shape of a kiss next to the signature.

Which paper had the dagger mark through it?

Tapestry gathers up the papers to take with them.

Time to pull out the big guns...

'Verik here seems to be co-operating,' Tapestry says to the others (and winking to them when her back's to the prisoner), 'I think we can all be civilized about this now that our initial misunderstanding is out of the way...'

Tapestry calls upon the power of Calistria and casts Charm Person on Verik...

'You must miss her,' Tapestry says to Verik in a friendly and conversational manner (hoping that 'V' is a 'her'... fifty/fifty chance I guess), 'your "V" I mean. What did that stand for again? Why don't you tell me all about her?'

Verik seems a bit suspecious about you, not realising about your spell nor it's use until you use it. As it hits you sense it effected him and he nods, putting his arms down slowly and looking a little sad. He heaves a heavy sigh as he looks over to you.
"I...miss her so. Her name is Virmanda Arkona, from the house of Arkona." he says that assuming you know about the famous family. "She told me to leave the guard and convinced me I had better things to do in setting this place up. I don't see anything wrong with this, people need to eat and we were supplying them free food. I feel as if I have failed her by being arrested for my treasonous acts." as he says this he looks about you all but only reguards Tapestry with some respect.

1d20 + 0 ⇒ (4) + 0 = 4
Looks like the dice love died :p

The paper was the love letter. The blade was stuck there to stop it flying off the table.

Tapestry lays a reassuring hand on Verik's shoulder,

'You're a good man, Verik,' she says softly, 'only trying to do what's right in helping people, and only doing what's natural in trying to please the woman you love. She's lucky to have you. I'm sorry to say that I suspect some of your men here haven't been maintaining your high moral standards... they did attack us after all... but maybe you'd like to observe what we uncover as we investigate the goings on here?'

Stepping over to the others she asks quietly (so Verik doesn't hear),

'Has anyone found anything to prove those guys downstairs were common thugs? These manifests look suspicious - who's able or willing to sell good food at a chaotic time like this? Any evidence this is some sort of a scam?'

To Verik she says,

'By the way, that gift - the silver dagger - is a lovely piece of work. What does it do again?'

Aventi returns back up, with heavy bag on his hands. Seeing the situation, he throws the bag and it opens, spreading the gold and silver to floor This seems to be honest man work, doesn´t it, Verik? In the name of King. Congratulations. You won the award of "fool of this town" Aventi sarcastically announce, while watching reaction from Verik

"I...don't know who to believe. Many of them were good friends..." he replies to Tapestry and as she asks about the dagger he raised a eyebrow. "What does it do? It's just a gift. I used it as a paper weight." he explains and then as Aventi returns showing the gold to him he shakes his head in shock. "But...I don't understand...We were meant to feeding the poor not...whatever this it." the added sarcasm appears to destroy his soul even more.

'There's no crime in trusting too much,' Tapestry reassures Verik, 'only in failing to act now that you've seen what's really been happening here. Please, return with us to your commanding officer and explain what's happened - you must realise that would be for the best?'

'There's no crime in trusting too much,' Tapestry reassures Verik, 'only in failing to act now that you've seen what's really been happening here. Please, return with us to your commanding officer and explain what's happened - you must realise that would be for the best?'

As you say this your spell runs down and though he seems to show more hostility towards you now, he does nothing hostile and remains in his docile state.

As you say this your spell runs down...

Seriously? It should last two hours, unless one of us attacks him or does something similar to 'threaten' him - asking him politely so come back with us can hardly be seen as a 'threat' can it? Especially if he then agrees to do just that. Or is there something obviously freaky going on - like the Charm was actively dispelled or something?

I suspect DM just didn't look at the duration and assumed it was min/level.

yeah my mistake. I thought it was round per level, but I was thinking of the command spell. Eitherway, he's still docile then and won't do anything. You guys going to investigate or head back for a job well done?

Once more stepping out of earshot of Verik, Tapestry says quietly to the others,

'It seems that magical silver dagger was a gift - probably from the woman who pursuaded our boy into turning traitor in the first place - but he didn't know it was magical. It seems suspicious to give someone an enchanted weapon and not to mention the fact, given the difference in value if nothing else... unless there's something else going on. Maybe it's a focus for scrying on the guy, or for keeping him enchanted? Maybe it's honestly nothing and the woman just happened to have a spare magical silver dagger lying about the place? The point is, I don't know... so I suggest we keep the thing under wraps for now. Hopefully the Marshal will be able to rustle us up a wizard or something to check the thing out when we get back'

If everyone's done, Tapestry's happy to get Verik back before her spell does wear off... and to pick up any new PCs who may be lurking about the area... ;)

I agree. It´s best for our interest to get him as fast as possible to be judged by law. I am also... not so interest to find out what does this place keep inside it Aventi speaks as he look at the others

If you're all agreed to leave you can do, but I don't think you've been everywhere in the place, apart from what I told Krenn when he decided to investigate the place. Eitherway, due to the longtime on that spell it won't end anytime soon, which just makes it all the more funny that he rolled a 4 :p

We don't need to wait for everyone to make decisions all the time, 2 or 3 of us should suffice. Anyway yup lets leave.

As you all leave you feel a satisfaction in the work you did, even though you did leave 2 of the men unconcious, it can be assumed you summoned guards to take them away.

Althon says he wishes he could stay, but he wishes to sign up for the guard to help maintain a semblance of order in the streets and stop chaos over-running this place. The time together was fun and he wishes you all luck.

Walking down the street with Verik didn't seem to cause as much trouble as you imagined it would. Most people stay out of your way and as you arrive the Marshall is there to greet you all, surprised you managed to bring Verik with you and in the room with her is a young wizard, dressed from the Acadamae.
"Well done everyone. You have all gone beyond the call and brought him back alive." she then calls for a guard who escorts Verik to his cell. Even if the spell is still working or not, he goes along compliently. "He will be sitting in a cell, waiting for desertion. It's sad for me to say, but the queen had recently raised the penalty and as he has no next of kin that I know of, you may have his items and affects." she pauses for a moment and raises, then realising Jerin was there.

"Oh yes, here is Jerin. He helped calm the chaos down in the city and since we are all looking for any able hand, I thought you might like to have him join in your group as you are missing one." she then leans down and pulls out a large pouch that she puts on the desk for the group. "The agreed payment. I suggest you head to The Three Rings Tavern and spend the night. You've earned it. I've heard Grau is looking for help if you want to get something done before you all rest up. I still can't spare any men and you have cleared up one of the many things that has been causing me a headache."

As a moment she remains thinking before raising her hand.
"Before you go, did you discover why he left the guard? This will save me time when I interrorgate him later tonight." as she says this you can see the waryness in her eyes from the days without sleep piling on.

Pouch contains the payment of 1,500 Gold coins as she said she would pay if you brought him back alive, which you did.

ok, so all together, it´s now 1500 + 1500 around = 3000/4 = 750 gp. Seems to be okey. Assuming that our wizard has the base covered with starting money

Aventi looks at this new wizard for a while, trying to judge him Interesting, a wizard. Seems to be noble birth Something passes Aventi´s mind, when for a brief moment, his memories takes him back to his childhood. Blurry image and odd voices goes through his head, when he remember extra-vagant room, with banners and weapons in the wall. Then, its over. Blinking his eyes, Aventi looks around. Shrugging and bowing to new person I am Aventi, a monk from order of Nagajor

I'd be happy to do something else before the day is up, very few resources spent. That said, some healing would be nice from the ten damage Curnach is down from that spear thrust. Aventi may also be wounded.

I will wait for Tapestry do the talking here... Lets sort out loot in the meantime.

Breakdown-

Generally its best if an items sell value comes out of a person's share when possible- but not for consumables like potions, scrolls etc. found.

1,500 gold pieces
675 Gold coins
128 Gold Coins
1060 Silver
Assorted pieces of jewelery and precious stones worth 1200 gold.
Potion of Cure Moderate- Aventi should take I think.
+1 arrows- No one uses a bow I think? Sell value- 460GP
Masterwork Composite Longbow of +2 str rating- Sell Value- 300GP
Masterwork Spear- Sell Value- 155 Gold Pieces

+1 Chainmail- I need confirmation from Krenn if he is going to take this or not before I can work out shares per person, Krenn please confirm. Also, if you take it confirm if you want to keep the breastplate you wear or not (putting the breastplate back into group loot will increase your gold share equal to the amount of the breastplate.

Magical Dagger- Unidentified.

Also, need the rest of Verik's gear, armour, weapons, coins etc. Will get off Aron on MSN.

Aventi you ninja! I am lootmeister remember ;).

"Before you go, did you discover why he left the guard? This will save me time when I interrorgate him later tonight."

'He said that his lover, Virmanda Arkona, from the house of Arkona,' Tapestry replies, 'told him to leave the guard and convinced him he had better things to do in setting that place up. He didn't see anything wrong with that, thinking that people needed to eat and that they were supplying free food. I'm convinced he didn't know that his men were squeezing the locals for payment, and he genuinely believes he was trying to help the people. Virmanda's involvement is, of course, suspicous - it could be a delibrate attempt to destabilise the crown, she could have used enchantment on the poor fool (he seems kind of susceptable)... or it could have just been the musings of a naive girl coupled with the starry-eyed devotion of her lover. On the other hand, one would imagine that if the Arkona family wanted to give people free food they had the resources to do so themselves, rather than being forced to rope in a man like Verik. He also had an enchanted silver dagger he said was a gift... but that he didn't realise was enchanted...' she gestures for Curnach to please show the dagger, then smiles sweetly at Jerin, '... perhaps, Jerin, you'd be a dear and tell us all what on Golarion this thing does?'

Tapestry won't mention the evidence of the love letter just yet - better to keep some things in reserve. These guys are paying well right now, but maybe we want to have a word or two with the Arkona family before we fully commit to one group or the other?

Shes been a bit quiet but i'm pretty sure Zellara wants us to try and stabilise Korvosa, I don't think supporting someone trying to de-stabilise the crown will be something she'd approve of. Also, I just remembered the harrow deck can cast identify...

Take 10 to get 26 on identify roll.

Apparently 26 doesn't identify it, so Tapestry is welcome to try by using the harrow deck for a +10 bonus. And then we can let the wizard try lol. It has 3 uses per day.

Curnach excuses himself quietly, and steps outside, trusting Tapestry to handle the conversation.

Curnach excuses himself quietly, and steps outside, trusting Tapestry to handle the conversation.

** spoiler omitted **

You all hear some strange hissing from outside the room where Curnach is.

Wow, 20, 19, and then max damage on both rolls. Nice...

** spoiler omitted **

The man's young face belies what is probably a man in his mid-twenties, older than many of you. He appears to be buried in a book or journal of some sort taking notes and hardly notices your presense in the room until Kroft introduces him. Oh my how rude, good-day ladies...gentlemen. It is a pleasure to meet you. a little awkward and a little too formal, Commander Croft has told me about your mission. It makes sense that I join you, I really don't have any better prospects at this time. I mean, I think I will be a fine addition to your team.