DM Aron Marczylo's Curse of the Crimson Throne Part 3 (Inactive)

Game Master overfiend_87

As you enter the Old Dock Laori leads the way. At first the streets are as populated as they have been with families behind boardered windows and others watching from the shadows, fearful of their lives, but you sense something is amiss as after five minutes you notice less and less people and more vacant buildings.

You also start seeing areas where fires were burning in the streets, brutalised bodies hanging from nooses, possibly dead before they were even hung and even busted in homes that appear to have been raided. The city wildlife has also become more apparent with Stirges, Feral Dogs and all kinds of vermin seemingly braver than average, especially with so many bodies either hanging or just discarded in the street.

Laori stops and before you ask her you see a large group of ten men approching you. The leader grinning as he points to you.
"Why 'ave you come into tha Emperor's turf?!" one of the men points to Llyra and Laori "They might be good concubines boss!" the group laughing haughtly and then another pointing at Krenn. "A Dwarf! Come on lads, let's shave him! He's only a little chap and he's backed by a wuss, a teacher and two women, one being a knife-eared!" he says this whilst pointing to Curnach, Jerin, Llyra and Laori respectively as they then advance towards you, though the other men in the group have a obvious look of dislike on their face as if they do not wish to cause harm.

Round 1

Group Initiative:

Curnach Daveck: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Jerinthian Kos: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Krenn Whetstone: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Llyra Bjorgan: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Laori Vaus: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Old Dock Thug: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Old Dock Captain: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Order:

Old Dock Thug
Old Dock Captain
Krenn Whetstone
Llyra Bjorgan
Laori Vaus
Jerinthian Kos
Curnach Daveck

Might not be clear enough in maptools, but they are all brandishing battleaxes whilst the leader in front appears to have a masterworked battleaxe.

Old Dock Thugs Round 1

All manange to run at the party, but only one manages to charge as Laori was in direct line with him and swings the battle axe, yet misses wildly.

attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

One old dock worker stays back, looking nervous and takes up a smaller axe, hurling it at Laori, but it misses and falls to the floor harmlessly.

attack 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6

Old Dock Captain

The smirking and most brutish-looking of the thugs runs in, circing around the corner and coming up behind Jerin with his axe in hand and ready to chop.

MAP

Drop your weapons and flee foolish thugs. We just killed 5 otyughs without breaking a sweat. If you drop your weapons, you will live, if not, you will meet the dwarf's friend, Mr. Axe.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Attack-Disarm E/-10 - 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

Scorpion's Lash 2nd Trip

Attack-Trip F/-9 - 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

Krenn drops his shield with a snarl of disdain toward the nearest thug.

To hit vs. F-9 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32
Damage 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
Then Cleave into F-8 1d10 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25
Damage 1d10 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28

If Llyra or Jerin are attacked, Krenn will use attacks of opportunity to intercept the attacks.

Let's make an example out of them. The leader should die painfully...

A wand suddenly appears in Jerin's hand and a bolt of lightning launches at the man,
lightning bolt DC 14 reflex save 5d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 5, 4, 6) = 21

Krenn cuts down two of the thugs as if they were nothing with that vicious axe of his slicing and chopping. The other bandits are surprised by the strength of the dwarf.

Llyra's whip work disarms the leader and then trips him down to the ground in a dazzeling display and making him look like a fool in front of his men.

Laori pouts as she says
"Oh if only I had my holy symbol I could prey to the prince of darkness and bring his unholy darkness upon them." but then she giggles as she then takes a 5ft step back and casts prayer, enchancing all of you.

For those who don't know, Prayer will add +1 to your attack, damage, saves and skill checks whilst all the enemies takes a -1

Jerin's lightning bolt fires off and the leader is unable to dodge being on the ground after the trip and now the bolt being fired at him, striking him hard in the chest.

Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

updated map

You should have known better... Curnach says grimly as he invokes a mighty pillar of flame upon the rest of the mob, clutching his persistent rod.

5 foot step to C,-8 and cast Flame Strike at intersection E/F, -6/-5, hitting all of the remaining thugs except the leader. DC22 save (must save twice due to persistent).

7d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 6, 3, 5, 3, 4) = 32 (16 is divine damage, no save. Two saves at DC22 to take 24 damage total or 16 total if they have evasion.)

First Saves:

thug 11d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
thug 21d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
thug 31d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
thug 41d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
thug 51d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
thug 61d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Laori Vaus: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

All fail and everyone of the above takes 32 point of damage from diine flame burning from the sky, making the thugs scream in pain as they keep over, whilst Laori just laughs, enjoying the fire. She dusts herself off and looks back at Curnach with a smile.
"Next time dear, warn me before you give me a presant like that." she turns back to looking at the dead and dying enemies on the ground "I'll have to be more prepared next time."

Round 2

Order:

Old Dock Thug
Old Dock Captain
Krenn Whetstone
Llyra Bjorgan
Laori Vaus
Jerinthian Kos
Curnach Daveck

The remaining thug, with his singed eye-brows and jaw dropping to ludicous dephs falls to his knees and crouched over.
"Sorry, I'm sorry!" he begs "I needed protection for me family, please no more."

At this the captain roars in rage and screams some profanities at him as he rises from his prone state whilst drawing a throwing axe and swinging at Jerin, but the blade slams into the invisable force field from Jerin's mage armour.

attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

You have two choices. I can keep tripping you ad disarming you all day, or you can answer some questions. But you had better choose fast as my little friend the dwarf tends to be impatient when it comes to removing heads with his axe.

Attack-Trip: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Attack-Disarm: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32 <-- If he has anything left.

WIth those rolls, I should be able to tie him up in a knot with my whip.

You might want to start begging for your life right about now!

Krenn, let's try to keep this one alive for questioning...
points to the captain and waits for the axe strike to come....

[ooc]If I understand right, there is the captain and one other survivor left? If that's the case...
To hit vs. the captain 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28
Damage 1d10 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

And with one swing Krenn fells the thug's leader leaving him to bleed out upon the floor. The last surrendering thug is in awe at the sight of such a mighty blow.

I was hoping to keep the leader alive Krenn...he would probably know more about this emperor and his guards than just some common thug. No matter, either Llyra or Majenko can scout out the emperor's "castle" when we get there.

Grab any gear of interest and then question the thug. Krenn or llyra can intimidate if necessary, I will assist:

intimidate 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Where is the emperor?
How many men guard him?
Draw us a map of his abode.
Is the emperor the fighting type or the magic using type?
Does he have any general's or special body guards?

Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Asking the questions that Jerin just posted.

Agreed, would have rather had the chief thug to question. But if this goon does not give us your answers, we can always dispose of him.

I think hes just dying rather than dead 'bleeding out' rather than 'bled out' in the description.

If the thug leader is not dead, but just bleeding, I will attempt to heal him so that we can get answers from him.

Heal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Laori giggles.
"I already know where he is, but the other questions will be helpful." she then leans in with a happy smile "I'm sure he'd like to help unless he would like to know what skills can be learnt in Nidal." The man appears so frightened he was willing to talk even before Laori interviened.

"It, his palace is a bunch of buildings connected that he named his palace. I ain't never seen him fight, but he uses all his men do the fightin' for 'im and his gnome friend. They say he was found on a boat and is a mute with a mean temper and a horrible looking greataxe. He's the executioner who stands next to the tall knife." he tries to think about the numbers of men in the palace. "There is a guard room at the entrance with six mean bastards like the man you cut down." he points to the man who was cut down by Krenn, the meanest of the group of thugs. "Six more in the throne room and eighteen on the rooftops, turned into some kind of areana. There is one final room the Emporor throws those unloyal subjects into if he wishes to have them suffer instead of using his tall knife. I don't know what's in there, but I have once seen a body and it's neck was broken and streached with horrible marks on it. He has a room with a artist in it right at the back. I don't like his paintings, they are all frightening." at this Laori's smile widened as she heard this.

The thug captain wakes up, however he buttons his lip as he does not wish to speak and instead leers at the other man who is telling you everything.

I turn to the thug captain. Would you like to expand upon what your little friend just told us? I am here to cause great pain to those who have harmed my city. And trust me, while my goal is to make this city the great place it was before, I will never be mistaken for being good in my methods.

I use the hat of disguise to change my appearance to exactly that of the thug captain.

And if you want, we could just let you go, but of course you will be doing things against the emperor which will follow in a very painful way for a long time.

I grin wickedly.

Bah, my spells are all wrong for this kind of work...you would think an enchanter would have more enchantment spells! he says angrily to himself....

Krenn stands behind the others, not sure what he can do to help. He glares menacingly at the captain.

I turn to the thug captain. Would you like to expand upon what your little friend just told us? I am here to cause great pain to those who have harmed my city. And trust me, while my goal is to make this city the great place it was before, I will never be mistaken for being good in my methods.

I use the hat of disguise to change my appearance to exactly that of the thug captain.

And if you want, we could just let you go, but of course you will be doing things against the emperor which will follow in a very painful way for a long time.

I grin wickedly.

"I don't scare easy, sorceress!" he shouts, looking intensly annoyed. "The emporor will punish you just as much as tha' peice o' s*## there." he glares at the pale and petrified thug who had just spilled his guts to you.

If you are not willing to talk, then you are of no use to us. Krenn, axe please!

Shaking my head. Payback's a b*tch. You chose an employer who desired to harm my city. Now you are lucky, your punishment as vengeance for your crimes shall be swift and painless - Krenn, he won't talk to us, make sure that he does not talk to anyone else about us.

And with that I turn toward his companion. Is there anything else you would like to say - we might even let you live. But if we find out you have returned to your scummy employer - you will wish you had never lived.

Krenn nods grimly and approaches him. He gives him ample time as he lines up for him to change his mind and spill his guts before Krenn does it for him. If he doesn't start talking, coupe de grace attack.

I'll assume he's dead but for fun will roll the dice anyway. No way he'd survive a 2H PA dwarven waraxe attack.

3d10 + 51 ⇒ (5, 10, 2) + 51 = 68

He smirks but the blade comes down hard, slicing his head off with ease and sending it high, landing on the roof of an abandoned building, rolling down the tiles and finally hitting the ground moments after the lifeless body does.

"Let's go pay this man a visit." she smirks as Laori tightens her grip on her weapon. "As much as I would love to torture him out deal is for Salvatore so I'll leave the final blows to you, but what do we do with the last one here? He did attack us afterall and I doupt he'll be missed." she looks over at the man who appears to be petrified with fear, even more unnerved from her cheery, happy attitude.

If we have time I would prefer we rest before taking on this "emperor" if we can find a secure place to stay.

Would like to re-arrange some spells if possible.

I too have many to recover- any ideas where we could find lodging?

no one has talked in a while. You guys going to find a place to rest as per Jerin's request or plough straight on to the emporer?

A place to rest would be good. Where can we find a place that is safe? Curnach, do your contacts have any good holes we can use?

Jerin, any thoughts on a relatively safe harbor in this area?

Let's just find an abandoned building or apartment and squat in it for the night. With the blockade, the Inn's will have gone to the devils anyways.

Look around for a suitable empty building and in the area and rest...

There are many empty buildings in the surrounding area blocked off with boarded up doors, though some have been bashed in already from looters looking for something. The boarded up doors are nothing for Krenn's strength however.

We will find a back room with only one way in or out. Krenn will stand watch while the others rest. We will rely on Krenn's darkvision to avoid drawing any attention with light, at least until the time comes for Jerin to review his books.

We will find a back room with only one way in or out. Krenn will stand watch while the others rest. We will rely on Krenn's darkvision to avoid drawing any attention with light, at least until the time comes for Jerin to review his books.

You find a deserted tavern with all the ale and drink stolen from the stalls, including entire kegs. The basement is deserted with only a few scurrying rats that run away at the sight of light and thundering footsteps from the powerful group.

Laori sighs, shaking her head.
"There are no silk bed sheets here, but I suppose it'll do. I wish to have my symbol back." she asks, putting her hand out and waiting for it to be returned to her. "I will need the symbol to pray in the morning to my lord. I won't be able to help you if I cannot cast my spells."

You can make do with what you have already been granted. Its bad enough that I must tolerate your company, let alone listen to your filthy prayers to your evil deity. Remind me why we even need you along with us now?

Comic relief, and vengeance will be easier if she attempts to betray us.

Comic relief, and vengeance will be easier if she attempts to betray us.

"You have me mistaken dear. My deity operates within the law and as per our agreement, I will bring no harm to you as I need you to reach the brilliant artist and I'm willing to let you speak with him while you try to find the man you are searching for." she paused for a moment and raises a eyebrow. "Tell me, who is this man you are searching for and why are you looking for him?"

An evil man who destroyed my family, raped my mother before my eyes and sold me into slavery. A man who will experience many years of my suffering before he dies a painful death.

An evil man who destroyed my family, raped my mother before my eyes and sold me into slavery. A man who will experience many years of my suffering before he dies a painful death.

"And that is why you wish to speak with Salvatore?" she asks not knowing who you are speaking about. "Good luck to you when you find him. Be sure to make his death more painful than can ever be imagined."

Krenn ignores Laori's question and certainly doesn't return her possessions. When he keeps watch, it is as much in the room to make sure she's not up to something as it is outside the room.

Laori smiles at Krenn and even gives a wave, knowing full well that he is suspecious of her, but she retires to her own corner, not wanting to make any complications and sitting in the meditave state of a elf where she does not move until morning where she then moves over to Krenn.
"I would like my symbol, if only to pray to my lord before we leave."she asks, hoping he'd hand it over.

Ask again and I will watch you burn to death before me. I dare you to test whether I am a man of my word and you have been given fair warning... Curnach threatens as he settles down for the night.

Ask again and I will watch you burn to death before me. I dare you to test whether I am a man of my word and you have been given fair warning... Curnach threatens as he settles down for the night.

she rolls her eyes and heads to her corner, muttering in elven to herself as she kneels down and utters prayers to her lord. After a hour she stops and turns to the group with a wide smile.

prepared spells and ready to head to the emporor?

I am ready, switched Zone of Truth for Pilfering Hand as one second level spell.

EDIT - Also taking Murderous Command in place of Comprehend Languages at 1st level

Bit swamped with work/shogun at the moment i'll have spells prepped tonight and will let you know on MSN when i'm done :). Got a question for you re: spells anyway.

Jerin looks on with amusement at the exchange between the party and Laori. He keeps his opinions to himself on the other evil temples and depravities going on in this city. He thinks that possibly Curnah's thought of getting rid of these types of elements wouldn't be a bad idea...

Jerin has his spells finally ready and wants to go "meet" this emperor...

When everyone is ready, Krenn will take the lead, relying on directions from the others to provide the best route.

On your way you manage to evade another group of thugs that appear to be searching for something, but you all manage to keep to the shadows and evade being caught on your way to the emporor's palace, which you can see is a simple mix of buildings connected by rope bridges.

From what you can see there is only once entrance that leads into a building and a rope-bridge across into another building and then leads into a much large building via the rope bridge with the lower levels looking empty and blockaded.