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

Game Master overfiend_87

Jerin is happy to leave Devargo now. Of course once he knows we have duped him we will have a significant enemy.

EDIT: Although after re-reading charm person, he doesn't necessarily know he has been charmed. He doesn't even know I lied to him. He might suspect something or feel he got the bad end of a deal with us...but the final outcome is up to Aron. I guess we may find out sometime in the future if I don't wake up one night :)
Yes back to the inn. Jerin would free Majenko once we were clear and introduce him to the group. He would then get Majenko some food and ask Skendar to heal him if needed.

Heh, you duped him not us- we got the papers through good old fashioned negotiation. Regardless, lets go back to the tavern and take a look at these papers.

Skender tucks the letters into his breastplate so they don't blow away on the walk back to the inn. He stops once to glare at a dockworker getting a little too rough with a prostitute until he is noticed and the man mutters, 'Sorry, sir. Didn' nutin' by it.' Skender then moves on before the girl loses her sale and is unable to use the man in her worship of the Lady of Lust.

And Krenn still has the 1000 gp bribe that we can add to the next treasure split if we don't have to return it.

And Krenn still has the 1000 gp bribe that we can add to the next treasure split if we don't have to return it.

So I assume everyone is headed to the citadel?

I am following the party

Yes, heading back to the citadel. We got our letters and we got our... scaly chicken? So we're ready to regroup.

lol, scaley chicken

As you leave no one stops you leaving Eels End and you manage to arrive with no issues in your way.

At the citadel you enter to see Field Marshal Cressida Kroft sitting there and looking up with interest as you all enter.
"Did you manage to get the evidence?" she asks as she looks up at you all hopefully.

Going to let him out once you're far enough away from Eel's End?

We got it. Curnach says simply, glancing at Skender.

Going to let him out once you're far enough away from Eel's End?

To Jerin, Krenn will say Let's wait to let it go until after we report back. Once we're someplace where the Devargo wouldn't have eyes, we can check it over for injuries that need attention before we release it.

EDIT: As soon as we get to the Citadel he would definitely let him out. He can hide in my pack for now if he wants.

Well today was a good day for Korvosa. We foiled a criminal, gained important knowledge for the city and saved a soul from torture and death. Everyone, this is Majenko. Majenko say hi to everyone. Jerin continues as naively as usual...

Do you want me to play Majenko going forward? It might be easier than trying to coordinate actions.

Would I know Cressida Kroft?

Still unsure exactly what Majenko is, Curnach nods politely in the pseudodragon's direction.

Cressida, what will happen now?

Would I know Cressida Kroft?

yeah, i believe i had written your character is as being introduced to the group by her.

After having a brief look at the letters. She blushes as she sees that these letters are quite scandelouse and hands them over to a clerk.
These letters will be used if ever the time arises we should need some leverage. These letters are of a married female noble who writes some very...unlady-like things between them. For a reward. I will give you 900 gold." as she says that she gives you a large purse of coins. I have nothing else for you today so I'll see you tomorrow when I have new work for you."

close to the end of the ap so everyone gains a level. 3rd level now and you can spend the rest of the day buying items or being merry.

I don't think we can justify not giving Aventi his share, and the player joining is getting wealth by level anyway.

When the group has left Kroft's presence, Curnach muses...

1,900 gold pieces. Not bad for an easy day's work. That'll be 380 gold pieces each... Curnach calculates.

Everyone happy with an even split I assume? Krenn, Skender, Curnach, Jerin, Aventi.

380 sounds good.

Couldn't remember this as I was away from laptop and using my blackberry to write the post.

"I also present you with 'The Pseudodragon's Mark' and all those who look upon you all will see you as champions of Korvosa" she smiles as she presents each one you a single medal that appears to be made of gold.

They can be either sold for 400 gold or you can keep them, wear them proudly which will grant you a +2 circumstance bonus to Diplomacy when talking to a citizen of Korvosa. These are very special medals that you might want to keep as they identify you as champions of Korvosa.

Curnach smiles politely at the accolade. By the evening, his has been sold.

Just reading over the AP and for now you will be allowed to level up, buy items and stuff until you are all ready then that'll be when the next part starts. So for the moment it's player orientated on the timeline. For now everything has calmed down to very minial outbursts, should all be level 3 and allowed to do any buying, selling or crafting. When you're ready we'll continue.

Just reading over the AP and for now you will be allowed to level up, buy items and stuff until you are all ready then that'll be when the next part starts. So for the moment it's player orientated on the timeline. For now everything has calmed down to very minial outbursts, should all be level 3 and allowed to do any buying, selling or crafting. When you're ready we'll continue.

Jerin is taking craft wondrous item so if you want something crafted let him know, just half the base item cost. I can craft any stat buff item provided that Skender or Curnach provides the buff or you buy me the scroll buff for your stat. Do we want to sell the old man's spellbook? I will have copied the spells I want out of it. It is worth 3250gp*.5=1625gp sale value. What is happening to the old man anyways?

Actually, you had Tapestry introduce me as we were from the same church.

Skender bows low to the Lady Croft, accepting the medal. 'Thank you, madame. You are most generous. As a native son, I treasure this honour you have bestowed upon us and will endeavor to continue to earn the trust of the citizenry of Korvosa.'

Jerin go ahead and make your headband- you owe me 1.5K, i've marked it off Curnach's sheet. Curnach has a headband made for himself (+2 Wisdom). Happy to provide any spell needed for anyone (Druid level 2 or lower).

Every day Curnach is not helping with crafting he continues to find berries and collect them in his pouch, using his spells to turn them into goodberries that will keep for three days.

By the time the group are ready to adventure once more Curnach will have a stock of berries that have kept for two days...

22d4 ⇒ (2, 1, 3, 1, 4, 2, 3, 1, 2, 1, 1, 3, 2, 3, 2, 2, 3, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3) = 49

Goodberries last for a day/level; I intend to use them for the group instead of the standard cure light wounds for out of combat- as they are awesome for this purpose (although sadly I can only heal 8HP a day per person with them)...

Curnach has come out of his shell a little, and keenly spends time with the scholarly Jerin, learning more about 'Druidism'; the name for the strange talents that came to him along with his animal kinship...

Actually, you had Tapestry introduce me as we were from the same church.

Skender bows low to the Lady Croft, accepting the medal. 'Thank you, madame. You are most generous. As a native son, I treasure this honour you have bestowed upon us and will endeavor to continue to earn the trust of the citizenry of Korvosa.'

Ahh that's right. Well I'm sure Tapestry would've told you about her giving the group their missions and her being trust worthy, if a bit too lawful for her taste.

To Jerin, most that you know is he'll be delt with but not harmed as his creation of the dolls did lead to a girl's mother and father being killed. I'm not making anymore custom quests in the APs after that disaster.

Since this was raised in character, I'd like to take the party's time before we go out shopping, etc.

Skender looks to Krenn, Curnach and Jerin as they sit at the table in the Citadel. 'A moment, please. Jerin, earlier you asked me to heal your rescued pseudodragon should it have wounds. I wanted to explain my duty and, hopefully, clear up any misconceptions.'

He takes a moment to collect his thoughts. 'When Tapestry introduced me to all of you, she mentioned that I am a fellow clergyman of Calistria. I assumed by her association, and my uniform,' Skender plucks at the black silk shirt showing through the slits in his yellow doublet. See my profile for my description 'that you knew me to be a Yellowjacket; one of the inquisitors of the Savored Sting. I am honorbound to make love, make merry and wright wrath. While many are the priests who can heal those whom excessive drink has wounded and cure the diseases that come from too much indiscriminate lovemaking, we yellowjackets are called upon most often to exact Calistria's revenge. We are her instruments of personal damnation.'

He lets that sink in a moment before continuing. 'I, personally, have no facility in calling upon the Lustful Lady's beneficence, however; I do have brothers and sisters who do call upon her healing to cheat Pharasma, Norgorber and the other death gods, out of souls. The capacity exists, but alas, it is not within me. Should you wish to purchase wands that can heal, I will of course use them to the best of my ability in our mutual aid. I further suggest that we have healing potions on hand as well.'

He leans back with his palms upon the table. 'I felt you should know and understand this before we find ourselves in a situation where healing was needed and expected of me.'

Understood- frankly I didn't expect you to be using curative magic, and I am somewhat bemused as to why Jerin did not ask me to tend to his new pet...

Over the course of the next few days, Curnach feeds berries to the pseudodragon until it is fully healed.

I assumed since Tapestry had divine powers of healing that you would also. Interesting, so you are more of a martial divine caster. Well I will sure to keep that in mind. Now I must be off, I have two headbands to create.

With no objections to selling the old man's spellbook, Jerin returns to the group after a week and hands everyone 406gp since Aventi can't be located. Anyone else want anything crafted?

Understood- frankly I didn't expect you to be using curative magic, and I am somewhat bemused as to why Jerin did not ask me to tend to his new pet...

Over the course of the next few days, Curnach feeds berries to the pseudodragon until it is fully healed.

Majenko seems quite happy to be fed, though he of course sees himself as more of a equal member than a pet. Assuming you stay at the three rings he sits at the table and remains close to Jerin as he seems to have grown fond of him giving off a few purrs and wanting to play about.

He seems to give Curnach a grow at being called Jerin's 'pet'.

Is the 406 in addition to the 380?

Is the 406 in addition to the 380?

Yeah as they're from 2 different source so all together that's 786 unless you also want to sell your medal.

He seems to give Curnach a growl at being called Jerin's 'pet'.

** spoiler omitted **

Yes, a temporary companion could not possibly be mistaken for a pet, especially when you sit with him and encourage stroking like a cat... Curnach replies out loud, his voice positively dripping with sarcasm.

406 gold added, cheers.

Skender Ghaelekin wrote:

Is the 406 in addition to the 380?

Yeah as they're from 2 different source so all together that's 786 unless you also want to sell your medal.

Keeping the medal. Skender was serious when he spoke to Kressida Croft.

In a later conversation with Majenko when the group is not around,

In a later conversation with Majenko when the group is not around, ** spoiler omitted **

Weeks have passed since the death of Eodred II's death and things are finally starting to come back to normal in Korvosa, Yet stil the streets thrum with unrest and wild rumors.

some still hiss "usurper" and "murding harlot" at the mere utterence of Ileosa's name and more shockingly, you over hear talk that the king's death was not by natural causes and the word spreads like wildfire.

The the weeks the rumor mills spin faster as they purport that someone poisoned the king. Some suggesting that it was the Queen but others argueing that a recent captain of the guard did it who was arrested earlier in the week. A single voice mention in hushed tones of the Derro who live beneith the city and the poisening might be an attempt to cripple the city before they strike, speaking from experience. There are louder talks of Wererats, cursed by they're lycanthropy deciding to take revenge upon the kind.

At the Three Rings Tavern

A hush falls over the common room as a young girl, her brown hair pulled back and tied with a red scarf, begins to sing. Her swarthy skin marks her of Varisian descent and she's dressed in the peasant blouse and skirts of her people. As the song conitinues, the petite brunette begins to twirl throughout the room as the faint sound of bells from an anklet on her well toned leg accompanies her, stopping at tables here and there to accept some coins.
As she passes by the group's table she pauses to take in the group, before she toussles the dwarf's hair and continues dancing.
After the show ends the young girl approaches the table and taking an empty chair from a nearby table, turns it around and sits down, straddling the back. As she adjusts her skirts, a faint metallic 'clink' can be heard from the scarf tied around her waist.
"Whew, that's thirsty work. Buy a girl a drink, will ya." Then taking in the psuedodragon emblems "Champions of Korvosa, huh. What you do? Rescue the Queens cat, or something equally heroic?"

"Champions of Korvosa, huh. What you do? Rescue the Queens cat, or something equally heroic?"

She wanted her own harem of concubines in the style of kings, and my friends here decided to enlist in this capacity and thus received medals for their... duties the grumpy looking youth with the group says, voice deadpan. Arianna, you notice he is not wearing the same medal the others are.

Curnach slides some silver coins across the table. I have no interest in the ale here, but buy yourself whatever this will fetch you.

Don't mind the sour one here, miss. We have been working on helping secure the city in all this chaos here about. There have been some threats to the fair citizens here, things we can't necessarily talk about, that we've managed to deal with. Cannibals, soul-sucking wizards and that sort of thing.

He pushes back from the table a bit and leans back in his chair, putting his feet up.

Now I won't say we've never been in the queen's presence, but I doubt she knows anything about us to be frank. We're not mired in the politics going on as of late. We're just doing what we can to help.

She wanted her own harem of concubines in the style of kings, and my friends here decided to enlist in this capacity and thus received medals for their... duties the grumpy looking youth with the group says, voice deadpan. Arianna, you notice he is not wearing the same medal the others are.

Skender laughs at Curnach's jest. Slapping him on the back, he says, 'Not to worry, my friend. The Lustful Lady appreciates those who are shy; even if it's only parts of them that are shy. Ha ha ha ha!'

He looks to the comely varisian. 'You've a voice to match your looks. New here?'

"Oh, my! Cannibals, Wizards, and Concubines? That's quite an impressive resume" and with a wink at the sullen youth "Personally, I think the Cat story is better"

Looking at the odd man across the table from her she says "To Korvosa, no. To the Three Rings, yes. I go wherever the winds take me and they'll let me sing for my supper." She scoops up the silver pieces and holds them over her head to get the barmaids attention. "Oh,where are my manners? My name's Arianna, my friends call me Ari. You can too, if you like."

Nodding to Arianna, 'I am Skender Ghaelekin. Well met, Ari.'

A young man engrossed in his books looks up at you when you sit down and introduce yourself. He blushes a little at Curnach's jest and implication and a little awkwardly introduces himself. Uhhh hello Arianna, I am Jerin, the groups wizard and I guess, scholar.

He looks down and begins to mutter, Yes, yes I will introduce you as well you pushy little lizard. he says seemingly to himself with a smile and a little sarcasm. You think he might be a little unhinged until a little blue dragon's head appears from his lap just above the table.
A voice sounds in your mind...And I am Majenko, great dragon of Korvosa and companion to the dim human whom I am sitting on. You are not sure you can tell if a dragon can smile, but if you could you would imagine it would have this expression.

A young man engrossed in his books looks up at you when you sit down and introduce yourself. He blushes a little at Curnach's jest and implication and a little awkwardly introduces himself. Uhhh hello Arianna, I am Jerin, the groups wizard and I guess, scholar.

He looks down and begins to mutter, Yes, yes I will introduce you as well you pushy little lizard. he says seemingly to himself with a smile and a little sarcasm. You think he might be a little unhinged until a little blue dragon's head appears from his lap just above the table.
A voice sounds in your mind...And I am Majenko, great dragon of Korvosa and companion to the dim human whom I am sitting on. You are not sure you can tell if a dragon can smile, but if you could you would imagine it would have this expression.

Meant to be the colour of the one in the bestiary however I couldn't find a picture for the avatar

After this discussing a young man runs into the tavern and starts shouting.

"Have you heard the news?" he shouted and Thenadra Darklight, owner looks over curiously raising a eyebrow to this.

"What's the matter? What news?" she asks curiously, still cleaning the glass as she appeared to have been staring at Krenn for quite some time.

"The King's Assassin! She's been named!" as soon as he says this everyone sit up and the tavern erupts with anger and demands of the name, one man grabbing him and threatening to smash his face in if he didn't say it immidiately. "The artist and the guard! This guard was part of her plot to kill the king. He confessed that he a was involved and watched the young painter he hired pour a specially prepared poison into his tea the night he was taken ill and her painting was finished. After he confessed his crimes infront of my mate he killed himself by throwing himself off the castle's walls!"

A this point everyone grew even more angry at no mention of a name and some of them threatened to gouge his eyes out with forks.
"Trinia! Trinia Sabor!" he shouted and they let go of him and charge off in a riot. It appears all the chaos that had calmed down after all this time was starting up again.

Just as they left a breathless guard came in, panting loudly as he looked around the nearly empty tavern and ran over to the group.
"T-The Marshall...she...she needs to see you. She's coming down the street to see you personally. Just...just stay here and I'll tell her...where you are." he continues to pant and then run out of the Tavern. Theandra looks over at the group in surprise.
"Wow...if she's comin' down here to you this must be really important." she says quite amazed that Cressida Kroft was coming all the way down here to see them in person.

We need a room to meet with her privately. Krenn says, glancing at their hostess meaningfully.

There will be bloodshed tonight, make no mistake... Curnach whispers, nodding in agreement with Krenn's suggestion.

We need a room to meet with her privately. Krenn says, glancing at their hostess meaningfully.

"Sure darlin'. I have a room in the back." she got out from behind the bar to show the room which appears to be used for people who want to meet in the quiet and secluded away from most other patrons.

Just as you all find the room Cressida enters , flanked by 4 guards and appearing better having possibly slept the last few nights and standing in her gleaming and impressive armour.
"We need to talk, into the private room." she simply says, looking dead serious and heading over to the private room making sure to get everyone inside and stationing 2 guards outside the door to stop anyone from overhearing and marching around the room until she is able to turn and face you all.

She looks over to the new member of the group breifly
"Sorry I can't make introductions, but this is serious and urgent, I hope you understand." she sighs as she looks to the rest of you, keeping her dead serious face, but her eyes show a deep worry.“You’ve doubtless heard the stories that the king’s killer has been named. Yet there’s something more going on here, I’m afraid. Queen Ileosa could have quietly had this Trinia Sabor arrested at any time, yet the way in which she revealed the information to the city seems to me like she wants the riots to come back. Certainly, with the mob and the Hellknights out on the street, the girl doesn’t stand a chance at a trial—they’ll lynch her the moment they find her. And even if she did kill the king, mob justice isn’t the way. Worse, if she’s innocent, the real killer can use this distraction to throw us off the trail forever."

“Before Trinia is executed, we need to be absolutely sure she did this thing. And that means we need to catch her before the mob. We know where she lives—a flat in Midland at 42 Moon Street—but soon, so will the mob. The Hellknights don’t seem to care as much about catching her as they do about containing the mob—something about the “order of law” makes it a greater priority for them to contain than a possible assassin. I can’t say I disagree completely, but the problem is, the Hellknights are only making it worse. The mob’s covering most of Midland now, and Trinia’s flat is near the middle of the mess. I’ve got all available guards at work keeping things from getting any worse—and if I were to send them into Midland, they’d trigger a riot."

“I’m sure you can see where this is going. I need you to get into Midland, find Trinia, and bring her back to me so we can deliver her, safe and sound, to somewhere where she can be interrogated—preferably with magic, so we can be absolutely sure about her role in Eodred’s death. Get in there, catch her, and get out without letting the mob get its hands on her. I’ll have agents and officers nearby. If you can get her to one of them, we’ll be in the clear. Any questions?”

She stands there looking to you all as she waits to hear what questions you may want to ask her.

This throws up some serious continuity problems for me- Cressida just ushered a complete stranger who we just met into a top secret briefing and revealed the address of the most wanted woman in Korvosa to her- no wonder it won't take long for the mob to find the address with the watch so careless... Will attempt to find an in character fix...

Curnach sighs in frustration at Cressida, not having the courtesy or the tact to mask his irritation.

Yes, just one. Will you perhaps stop to say hello and ask who the new girl is before ushering in a total stranger into a discussion of this magnitude? Now that Arianna Curnach says, gesturing towards the woman without looking knows the address she is a risk. To Trinia, to herself and to the chance of the truth about this assassination ever coming out. You have implicated this poor woman into a plot that may be well over her head- you should be ashamed of yourself.

Turning to Arianna and sizing her up slowly and carefully, Curnach asks her in his usual, softer voice- Are you capable? You have the look of one who has travelled far to be in this place- and I assume you know how to use the blade concealed in your scarf. One of our number recently disappeared in the chaos of Korvosa and we could use all the help we can get- but if risk and adventure are not your preference, I must apologise but we will need to tie you up for the duration of the night.

Aside from the discussion about Arianna, Curnach shakes his head in dismay at the news. I think perhaps there was something to Tapestry's suspicions. The queen has allowed this chaos to reach the streets for her own motives.

Well this is a right mess. At least for the moment I agree with Curnach. Arianna, we need to keep you with us for the moment until we catch this "criminal". I hope you understand. Let's go find this girl and get to the bottom of this before she ends up on the wrong end of a mob.
knowledge local take a 10+9=19 to determine the fastest way there through the city.

"If the alternative is to be hog-tied and left here, then I'll get my things." then looking Curnach in the eyes "Don't worry, sweetheart. I've grown up here and can handle myself if push come to shove"