DM Dr Evil's Curse of the Crimson Throne

Game Master DM DoctorEvil

Kalvin stands leaving Grax in the capable hands of Viv.

Walks in behind Rodan.

"Need any help looking through this stuff?"

Rodan ties the scarf he uses to hide his features when 'at work' around his face to try and block out the smells assaulting his senses. He steps in and starts poking through the mess in Lamm's former hidey-hole, using his dagger to lift things and move them aside where possible. I wouldn't put it past Lamm to have placed traps in here against his henchmen stealing the loot...

Perception, looking for traps: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

When the paladin steps in behind him and offers to help, Rodan gestures at the piles behind him. "I've checked those for any little surprises left behind by the late-unlamented-Lamm, so start there if you wish. How is Graxton? Will he survive? I've heard those with orcish blood are usually pretty hard to kill..." Despite the rogue's off-hand tone, there is an uncharacteristic tone of concern in his voice.

Perception, looking for anything valuable or out of place: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Appraise, identifying valuable items in the clutter: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16

There is nothing of value in the piles of refuse or clothing scattered about the place. The only things that remain after your search are the locked footlocker and the wooden hatbox with a cloud of flies surrounding it. Neither is trapped based on your observations.

give me a Disable Device roll to open the rusty lock on the footlocker or look inside the hatbox. You choose.

Rodan kneels down in front of the footlocker, pulling out his picks and setting to work. To Kalvin he says "You may want to see what's in that hatbox while I open this. But with that many flies buzzing around it, I'd be willing to bet that it's nothing we actually want to see."

Perception, checking the footlocker for traps: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Disable device, opening the footlocker: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

You see no traps, and the lock opens easily to your tender ministrations. Inside the chest are several parcels wrapped in cloth and tied with rough twine. Something like a dozen parcels all together. As you open them you find.

1) A teak wood cigar case with tiny bits of inlaid jade
2) A 2 lb gold ingot with the Cheliax coat of arms
3) A miniature gold crown
4) A fist-sized scrimshaw carving of a kraken with garnet eyes
5) A silver ring, with an inscription : "For Emmah - the light of my nights"
6) A highly scandalous and realistic ivory sculpture of 2 entwined succubi
7) A finely crafted shuriken
8) An adamantine arrowhead
9) An abalone-shell holy symbol of Shelyn
10) A tiny glass tube with any oily liquid inside
11) An obsidian wand
12) A crystalline vial with a heavy silver liquid inside
13) A bejeweled brooch with a broken clasp

Even to the untrained eye, this brooch appears to be the most valuable item in the cache. It is circular, gold, and depicts a psuedodragon and and an imp coiled around each other in a yin/yang pattern. The Dragon has an amethyst eye, while the imp's eye is emerald.

The buzzing of the flies around the wooden hat box and the smell of the room continually aggravate you as you stand looking at the loot.

I numbered the items for ease of appraise, detect magic, or other means of sorting and separating. You can identify by name, type or number. I will move the list to the Loot Tracker linked at top margin.

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

"Well, well, well... this trinket belonged to Queen Ileosa herself. It's a wonder that Lamm dared to keep it, since being caught with this little bauble would be a death sentence, and no fence in Korvosa would touch something this hot. Except for Gaedren Lamm apparently..." He drops the brooch back into the footlocker, but begins loading the other items into his pack.

The buzzing flies swarming around the hatbox are a constant distraction however. "If you're not going to open that Kalvin, then be so good as to drop it in the river? It's overpowering even Lamm's residual stench."

Out through the door he yells, "Crux, come in here please. There are some items which you may want to look at - like this funny glass wand."

'Funny glass wand' being the obsidian wand.

Viviana leans through the doorway, hands soaked in blood. "Find anything interesting? I heard clinking through the doorway," she says, and stares at the hat box.

Viviana picks it up and shakes it. "Why're the flies so interested in you," she mutters.

Crux is visably relieved when Graxton's condition stabilizes.
He goes to look over the items that Sly is uncovering and looks at them using Detect Magic.
"There is nothing good in that box." Crux goes to look into the box.

Three items show as magical: #10 - the oil in a tiny tube, #11 the obsidian wand, and #12 - the silvery liquid in a crystalline vial. The rest of the items, while valuable, are mundane in nature.

As Viviana shakes the hatbox, a meaty thudding sound exudes along with a wooden clacking sound. Unable to contain his curiosity longer, Crux opens the hatbox, and is horrified to find a human head inside. Looking more closely, it appears to be woman's head and as you lift it out to examine it, you recognize it as the head of the Varisian fortune-teller, Zellara. The head is several days old now, and beginning to decompose. Under the head is a small lacquered wooden box.

The Oil:

The Silvery Liquid:

The obsidian wand:

So the head of the fortune teller we left just a few hours ago, is in a box (what's in the booooox). And it sees to have been set in said box a few days ago. oooookay.

[Knowledge Nobility Take 10 = 15]

"Interesting," Kalvin notes at the jeweled brooch. "Do you think this was a job or a payment."

As Crux enters the room, the Paladin steps aside.

"Grax will be fine, though I doubt he'll do much fighting the rest of the day."

Spellcraft checks
Oil 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Liquid 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Wand 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
wouldn't you know. the one thing I'm most interested in.
Crux does a coughing laugh. "I guess Lamm killed the wrong woman. She sought revenge from the grave." Crux opens the laquered box. "This may be necessary to send her to her final final rest."

The small lacquered box is retrieved from the foul wooden hatbox without incident. Opening it, you find an extraordinary Harrow Deck. The cards are larger than normal playing cards (about the size of Tarot) and they are hand-painted with gilt silver edges that glint in the lantern light. The images on the card faces are so vibrant they almost seem to move with a life of their own when viewed from the corner of your eye.

Yes. I tell them.
"Our ghostly matron did say that her heirloom harrow deck was taken. Pharasma may rule in our favor if we return it this to her."

Rodan shows some emotion other than anger, frustration or impatience for the first time since the others met him at the revelation of the contents of the hatbox - he looks aghast. "You mean that the fortune-teller was a bloody ghost? Damn it, I want nothing to do with the undead, even if I did want my own revenge on Lamm." He glances at the rotting head of Zellara, the scowl on his face somewhat marred by the sudden pallor of his complexion, and then looks away immediately. "We need to get her remains to a priest of Pharasma, so that her spirit can pass on to the Mother of Souls. I don't have much patience for any gods either, but when it's a choice between the divine or the unquiet shades of the dead, needs must..."

Kalvin lowers his head, his lips move silently.

"Give me the box," He says solemnly. "I will keep it safe until we can reach a priestess of Pharasma. Which I recommend we do quickly."

Viviana makes a gesture of peace, bowing her head for a moment. "As much as I'd like to inter her cards with her, I'll take a moment to remind everyone that it's very unlikely all of this treasure-- and a gilt-edged set of hand-painted Harrow cards is treasure-- belongs to a living person. Are we going to bury it all, or toss it in the river?"

"Her head... put it back in the hat box. Let's bring her the peace she needs. But the cards? Those are handed down from family to family. A farmer couldn't sell everything he owned to buy a set like that. It'd be a shame to throw such beauties away."

"For now let's gather everything up and return to the fortune-teller's cottage" says Rodan, "I want to ensure that someone living isn't playing a trick on us. If they are, I intend to make them regret it." He gathers up all of the items from the footlocker into his pack, except for the imp-dragon brooch. Waving his hand at the bauble, the thief adds "That item we leave here. As I told Kalvin, it's a favorite trinket of the Queen, and so it's too risky to be caught with it."

With that Rodan steps out of the room and checks on Graxton, eager to distance himself from the contents of the hatbox. Realising that the half-orc is in no condition to climb back up to the other floor, the rogue then takes some rope and climbs back up himself, fashioning a bosun's chair to help lift him up. Calling back down below, he tells the others "If one of you comes back up here, and the other two put Grax in the sling, we can haul him up fairly easily. Be careful climbing back up though - that shark is still cruising under the jetty."

Once all of the party is back up to the first level, Rodan moves ahead and quickly searches all of the rooms for any valuables or hidden caches, as well as making sure that there's no one living in the place now. If he does discover anything he fully intends to tell the others - he's a thief, not a liar - and will call out to them to pause while he picks any locks...

I don't know if the Doc wants me to make any rolls for rigging a bosun's chair - or even what skill he'd want me to use anyway. As for climbing back up himself, Rodan will take a ten on the roll - the knotted rope is still hanging there from when the party climbed down (or it should be). Tell me what other rolls you may want me to make please Doc - or just roll them yourself if it will expedite matters.

Out cold, Graxton Murmurs....
Not much else to add, anyone want to try to Treat Deadly wounds... a DC 20 Heal check, but you must have a healer's kit... I knew I should have gotten a few potions for a situation like this... next time!

Oooh, Ooh, Ooh! Someone call upon Gorum! Maybe that will get him awake for a round to heal himself, maybe not, but it is a chance.

The bosun's chairlift goes off without a hitch and soon you are all back on the main floor of the Fishery. Rodan heads off to scout the rest of the place. He soon returns after seeing the office, a bunkroom, and a small reception area. Nothing of value or interest was found in any of the those places.

The three bodies (half-orc, gnome and human) all still litter the floor in the fishery production room, if you want to search them as well.

Yes. Search them and, unless Kalvin or someone else says something, make sure they're dead.

Yes, yes, I want to search them, but alas I am out cold, such irony that the cleric is the one out cold. LOL. Now do people that are out cold just lie there or do they do strange things as if sleeping? Like...

"Uhhh, mmmrmmm," *yawn* with lip smacking.

Kalvin grins at the now stable and unconscious half-orc.

"Any luck finding a healer's kit or some cure potions?" he calls out to Rodan.

"No, nothing like that. See if you can find anything to use as a stretcher to carry Graxton back to the fortune-teller's cottage, then you and I can carry him more easily" calls Rodan in reply to the paladin. "I'll search the bodies of Lamm's henchmen just in case they have anything usable, but I very much doubt it..."

Perception, searching the bodies: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Sorry forgot to put in Take 20 (21 total) searching the bodies. No need to be in a rush.

From the bodies of the henchmen, you come up with:

1) normal sized studded leather armor
2) flail
3) light shield
4) small sized studded leather
5) kukri
6) disguise kit
7) garnet amulet
8) 3 vials of a clear liquid
9) tanglefoot bag
10) a thunderstone
11) man-sized leather armor
12) dagger
13) light crossbow
14) 10 bolts

Detect Magic reveals none of this gear to be magical

YOu are able to get Graxton upstairs and you find a two-wheel wagon used to move barrels of fish goo that might serve to cart him whereever you'd like to go.

Tell me what of this you're taking (or all) and who is claiming, taking any of it. I'll add to Loot Tracker. Where are you going to go next? Or are you going to stay and value and separate loot?

EDITED to remove the wand Crux already has...

Crux already has the wand.

After doing his best to wipe the worst of the fish gore out of the hand-cart with an old piece of sacking, Rodan drags out some of the cleaner items of bedding used by Lamm's dead henchmen and throws it in for padding. He then gathers up all of the items which may be fenced for coin and puts them on one side of the cart, leaving enough room on the other side for the severely wounded Graxton to lay. Going back into the fishery, he walks up to where Kalvin and Viviana are taking care of the half-orc. "Well let's get this big man into the cart and either back to Lancet Street or to the nearest temple. If necessary we can offer some of the items we've taken here in exchange for a healing spell. But if no-one minds I'll take the tanglefoot bag and the thunderstone - they're useful items to have to confuse and delay pursuers. I can fence any of the stuff you don't want for coin, and then split that up with you, after we pay for Graxton to be healed."

"Temple first. We need to get him looked after. The dead woman can wait a while longer, I think."

"Viv or Crux, check these vials out, they may offer healing that can get our friend awake."

"I did. They don't"

There is also a shield, Graxtons greatsword, and something else of his...I am assuming the sword got picked up.

Viviana helps the wounded Graxton into the cart, then turns back towards the fishery. Regarding it with a scowl, she sighs. "Sounds like a fine arrangement, Rodan. If no one minds, this leather armor here-- I could have it fitted. If the dead don't mind, I'll be scavenging this as well."

So, I'm taking the studded leather. 1 more AC.

Removing her gloves, she tosses the once-fine now-stained-crimson leathers into the cart with the other bloodied gear. "I know a student at the Acadamae who can clean the blood off of all of this... or, perhaps, dear wizard Crux, you've prepared a similar spell?"

Wisdom is memory. I'll roll that instead! Or if it's really Int, just remove my +2.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

"Perhaps intelligent to look for Graxton's things as well... Wasn't he carrying more before? Did he drop it in the water?"

Int 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Crux hobbles over to retrieve Graxton's gear. His struggle with it is obvious, but he does not comment as he does his best to get it all onto the cart.
"Viviana, does your Mistress tell you what to do once you have your vengeance?"

"Smirk," she says laconically before continuing. "Focus not on the past slight; once taken, a glorious revenge is to be forgotten. Tend your works towards the present and the future. Live forward as you please, and with confidence and furor. But focus not on yesterday's retribution."

Assuming the cart is full, she closes the back (if it has one) and looks to the other men expectantly, hoping they'll offer to pull.

As you make your way outside the Fishery and start loading Graxton and his gear into the cart, a loud explosion from the west startles you. You look that way, up the hill towards Castle Korvosa, and see the green flashes of arcane magic lighting up the night sky.

As you watch, a wing of Sable Company griffon riders swoops by overhead angling at breakneck speed for the Castle. One of the wounded mounts spills blood and gore all over the street in front of you, and as you watch, the wounded beast crashes to the ground a street or two over with a bone-breaking demise. The rest of the flying squadron do not pause to check on their fallen ally, as a cheer goes up from a crowd nearby.

The frantic clang of alarm bells starts up, suddenly, ringing all over the city. A multifarious cacophony of screams, clashes of steel, moans and cries suddenly come from all parts of the city.

Something is woefully amiss in the normally law-abiding city!

I got that Viviana upgraded armor, anyone else claiming items from the loot? I am also correct in assuming you left the imp/pseudodragon brooch behind?

Rodan took the tanglefoot bag and the thunderstone for later use, and he chose not to touch the brooch, as in his opinion it isn't worth risking royal retribution by being caught with the thing. As for Viv looking at Kalvin and he expecting them to haul the cart with Graxton in it... this time her 'hint' works. :p

"What the bloody hells is going on?" exclaims Rodan as he watches the griffon plunge towards the ground, backlit by the arcane lightening arcing over the castle, and listens to the sounds of chaos drifting over the night-bound city.

Knowledge (local) to guess what has happened: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Shaking his head, he looks to the rest of the group. "Whatever this is, a blind man could see that it's trouble. Forget getting Grax to a temple immediately - the fortune-teller's cottage is closer. Let's get him back there and figure out what to do then. We don't want to risk getting caught up in a riot with a wounded man to protect."

I missed the imp/pseudodragon brooch. Crux will take it. He hopes to be able to get a reward for returning it. He would not have kept his plans secret from the group.
"I agree completely. Let's get to that cottage."

Kalvin needed no hint, he's seen the three of you, he knows who's pulling the wagon lol.

Kalvin mutters a silent prayer to Iomedae as the others make their plans.

"No, we need to get him up. If things are going to hell the temples are going to be swarmed with wounded and dying quickly. Better to have him up and about than lying around moaning and smacking his lips."

Kalvin looks resolute in his cause.

"Unless one of you want to pray to Gorum to revive his servant."

Kalvin needed no hint, he's seen the three of you, he knows who's pulling the wagon lol.

Oi! Rodan is helping with the cart - with a Strength of 14 he's no weakling you know. Damn paladins and their huge egos... >:)

"I suppose you have a point - but if there's some sort of riot or insurrection going on we may have to fight our way past looters or a mob to get to the nearest temple" says Rodan, taking a firm grip on the trace of the cart...

Knowledge (local) to remember the location of the nearest temple where we could get Graxton healed: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Crux plans to go to the closest place, either a temple or to Zellara's or where he's staying currently.

As luck would have it, you turn the corner heading towards Zellara's and you see two priests (of Abadar by the dress) being pursued by a group of 4 looters.

They see you blocking their escape and cry out, "Are you friend of civilization and the city or to chaos and insurrection? If you are friend to Korvosa aid us against these brigands." The older man speaks while a frightened acolyte looks at you hopefully, knowing their end is near if you don't give aid.

Kalvin draws his sword, steps forward and shows

"Get behind me Clerics. Viv put an arrow in whatever fool dares to continue down this path. I'll cleave the head of any not dropped by your sacred arrows."

Intimidate: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

When Kalvin drops the other trace to grab his sword, Rodan has to take the full weight of the cart to prevent the front from dropping heavily unto the cobbles and jolting Graxton. The rogue curses under his breath, but takes a moment to carefully lower the traces instead, then draws his own duelling sword. He doesn't step away from the cart however, deciding to stay back a little to prevent any of the looters from interfering with the wounded half-orc, or the equipment in it. This may be amusing, once our oh-so-holy friend here realizes that this little group isn't going to be intimidated by a paladin, not when they were already looking to lynch a pair of priests... Rodan thinks to himself.

Standing on top of the wagon, Viviana angles an arrow down towards the looters chasing the clerics. "What he said," she barks, a glower on her face.

Aid Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Just barely. Oof.

"Come stand with me, father (or whatever the appropriate title would be). My friends will keep us safe. If you could see your way to lending succor to our friend, he would be able to aid in your defense most heartily."

The crowd pursues the 2 men, throwing stones and taunting them, but as you appear, looking armed and resolute, the crowd pauses. A few rocks fly your way which are easily avoided and the mob slowly turns it's attention elsewhere, chanting, "Down with the Queen. Long live Korvosa."

The older priest looks over his acolyte making sure he is unarmed, he then turns his attention to your group. "Truly, you saved us from that unruly rabble. To think the clergy of Abadar assaulted in the streets of Korvosa what is this city coming to?" He introduces himself as Father Cedric and his apprentice is Ishani Dhatri. The younger priest is of Vudrian descent, and the older is clearly old blood Chelish. "While it is not our practice to give away healing, you have done ua a boon and we will return the favor."

Both priests attend to the injured Graxton, channeling the financial energy of Abadar and returning him (and any other injured PC's) to full HP.

As you stand there, a herald comes into view crying the news:"The King is dead. Long live Queen Ileosa, first of her name."

"So it is true," cries the Abadarian priest in astonishment. "It was rumored the good king had been ill, but I had not idea. We must get back to the Bank as soon as possible. Thank you again, my children, go with our blessing and may the Coin enrich your paths."
The two priests head off towards Northgate, leaving Graxton healed and your group about a block from Zelllara's on Lancet Street.

"And may your investments pay dividends."Crux says as a farewell. "Now let's get off the streets to better discuss our situation."

Graxton moves a bit groggily, then goes for his weapon, then another one, once he has his hand on a dagger he has cleared his mind and realizes who he is with, even if he does not know of the surrounding area. "But... what... have I failed yet again..." He looks around, seeing his pack, shield and weapons next to him, he smiles.

"Thank you my friends for taking care of me. That was one hell of a croc." Graxton shrugs, by now the priests are long on their way.

Perhaps one day, I can return the favor. He thinks to himself.

"So what have I missed? Did the Lamm rat get away again? What is this riot all about?" He gets himself out of the cart and equips his weapons, leaving his pack. Then he looks around and thinks better of it. He puts his greatsword in the cart and takes his shield and equips it.

"We got him."

"Where is his head?" He asks looking around for something that might hold a head, looking at the hatbox...