Dungeon Master S's "Curse of the Crimson Throne" (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

Morkeleb smirks a bit Ive always considered necromancy to be crass and distasteful...I think you are misremembering any "gleam", at least respective to that particular "art" air quotes here

in any case this is a potent item, and not inherently evil. I must consider it carefully

Now the question is did you remember Rolth?

Now the question is did you remember Rolth?

Of course. I'm 150% certain you could find a dozen evil spellcasters of each and every school of magic, as well as an equal number of goodly ones--including Necromancers--withtout that much effort. Magic is a tool devoid of alignment (with exceptions)...it's the wielder that makes it good/evil

Of course. I'm 150% certain you could find a dozen evil spellcasters of each and every school of magic, as well as an equal number of goodly ones--including Necromancers--withtout that much effort. Magic is a tool devoid of alignment (with exceptions)...it's the wielder that makes it good/evil

Of course I agree with you. Sandor has a different opinion. My question was just asking if you remembered Rolth who was the necromancer we faced in chapter 1 or 2. I think Sandor and Morkelb had some RP over it.

Ok...I should have understood your using OOC tag in that post. :-)

I'm pretty much back. What now adventurers.

Morkeleb the Mighty wrote:

Of course. I'm 150% certain you could find a dozen evil spellcasters of each and every school of magic, as well as an equal number of goodly ones--including Necromancers--withtout that much effort. Magic is a tool devoid of alignment (with exceptions)...it's the wielder that makes it good/evil

Of course I agree with you. Sandor has a different opinion. My question was just asking if you remembered Rolth who was the necromancer we faced in chapter 1 or 2. I think Sandor and Morkelb had some RP over it.

This might make an excellent RP opportunity...

OOC - Yes, more role playing > more roll playing

Sandor takes a moment to consider what Morkelb has said. He stays silent for a moment, but his conscience gets the better of him since he cares for Morkelb.

He puts his hand on Morkelbs shoulder, he knows the wizard isn't fond of personal contact, but he waits till Morkelb looks him in the eye. Morkelb my friend. Have ya taken a look at the walls here? I can honestly ask that here we are clearing out a castle that has been tainted by nothing but evil, and necromancy, and you're actually contemplating using an item that helped form or perpetuate these horror's? Out of all of the arts this is the one most unnatural. This is the one that steals the dead their much deserved rest. Powerful or not some things are not worth the risk of your soul. Look around you. This is what that path that leads to.

Sandor finishes with a last meaningful look and a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder, and tops off the wizards flagon.

too big a post to do on my phone!!

Odric looks on with an interest, head tilted to one side as he simultaneously considers Sandor's words and awaits Morkeleb's reply. Of the group, Odric reckons they have clashed the most on matters of ethics, and Odric often finds himself agreeing with both.

He caresses the Keg-shaped pommel of his fabled blade. The dwarf (ooc- my autocorrect somehow invented the best word ever here: "dwarfare") himself crafted it with his own scarred hands. The blade was as deadly as any magic, and coincidentally was made all the more so with Morkeleb's dweomer.

The two would have much to answer for if the blood Odric had spilled with the wizard's and dwarf's collective effort was on their heads.

Necromancy did have a tinge of evil to it, Odric had to admit, and he wondered not for the first time if Grym's resurrection from the slumber of a warrior fallen in righteous combat weren't also tainted with evil. Grym seemed the same, and Bucho certainly didn't object to Grym's presence. Honestly Odric was just happy to have his blood brother again beside him. But still Odric occasionally felt uneasy. He wondered silently if Grym had picked up on this discussion as one tangentially related to him.

Odric risked a glance and saw Grym busily searching with Bucho. Still, the Ranger seemed to slow and cock and ear when Sandor spoke. Both warriors awaited Morkeleb's response in the dread-tinged air of this evil place.

I like how you managed to make a verbal non-contribution still contribute, S! Nice.

Morkeleb inhales deeply, pensively, collecting his thoughts. He gives a small nod of his head.

Sandor--my friend--this is still a bit halting I am of two minds here. On the one hand, I am truly, sincerely touched by your concern. If you had no... here the wizard appears to cast about for the correct word, finally giving a small shrug and a smirk as he settles on one ...if you had no love for me, you would simply demand I leave the group, or take this staff by main force, were you to think I would "turn evil."

He sighs again. On the other hand, I am truly, sincerely wounded, especially considering this last fight. Look back at our history together. Tell me one time--one!--where, in retrospect, you really, truly thought I was performing an evil act, or was in danger of some sort of fall. I have never once lied about my goals: first and foremost, I seek power through arcane lore and implements. I will not apologize for that, and as of now I see no need to change that goal. But through all of our dealings, I have protected the group to the best of my ability, never once even considering sabotage or plotting against any of you.

You, Sandor, and several of the others, have expressed...distaste and unease at my methods and the tools I choose to employ. And yet, I have yet to witness any such distaste toward your own methods: chopping off limbs, disembowling foes, knocking enemies down so they can be more easily dispatched while prone...I don't understand how you can do what you do (here the wizard does a poor miming of a few sword thrusts) mainly because I can't do it. But I *trust* you.

I ran into the room with a wounded, but still fighting, dragon, trusting that if my magic could not lay him low, you all would be there to finish the job--to save me. My trust was not misplaced--you had earned it, many times over. I trusted you by putting my life in your hands.

He picks up the Necromancy staff. You don't trust me with a piece of wood in mine? Have *I* not earned that?

Necromancy did have a tinge of evil to it, Odric had to admit, and he wondered not for the first time if Grym's resurrection from the slumber of a warrior fallen in righteous combat weren't also tainted with evil. Grym seemed the same, and Bucho certainly didn't object to Grym's presence. Honestly Odric was just happy to have his blood brother again beside him. But still Odric occasionally felt uneasy. He wondered silently if Grym had picked up on this discussion as one tangentially related to him.

Odric risked a glance and saw Grym busily searching with Bucho. Still, the Ranger seemed to slow and cock and ear when Sandor spoke. Both warriors awaited Morkeleb's response in the dread-tinged air of this evil place.

Indeed the ranger's sharp ears did catch Sandor and Morkeleb's conversation about the necromancy staff and its use. Thorgrym gave it thought only for a moment. He has little understanding of magic. The ranger himself can actually cast a few spells, though he doesn't really think of it as magic. Its just sort of this thing he can do.

Thorgrym stops searching for a moment and shudders. He would not wish such a terrible fate on anyone. His hand instinctively touches Shark Slayer. The ranger truly hopes it will never come to that. Yet, since the strange wizard is not only a party member but even a friend. Grym would standfast and end such an awful fate. It would be a final act of friendship.

Dammit, I'd forgotten to add one thing...

Morkeleb then takes one more sip from the flagon, then offers the rest of the undrunk brew back to Sandor. One thing about me...(here he winks)...I know my limits.

Nice work gents. Remember my house rule through. Intra-party banter, teasing, and whatnot is fine. Intraparty strife and argument is not fun. That being said, this is a great exchange thus far )including the inner monologue of Grym and Odric.

I am pretty much back. The party is severely weakened, and it sounds like this conversation is taking place as you prepare to rest. I need to know where you rest, what precautions you take, and a watch order.

How do we handle this? I can teleport once today only. I can only bring 3 others with me

How do we handle this? I can teleport once today only. I can only bring 3 others with me

Gaius should go and maybe one warrior. Dont need to send four people.

I sure hope that this isn't being taken as an argument, cuz it sure isn't meant to be. I agree with Grym send 3, might be room to hire a follower like Donkeyhorse :D Morkelb wonderful post hope I can respond in kind.

Sandor listens to Morkelb's response, and secretly wonders if he is female. Because only a woman could make him feel this bad taking what he said the absolute worst way possible.

Outwardly Morkelb could see Sandor's eyes get big and then soften. The moments pass and the dwarf speaks with a small shake of the head.

Awww Lad I've done and gone messed up again. Morkelb my sincerest apologies. I do trust ya lad. I really do. He pauses and looks around. I trust each and everyone one of ya, yes even you Gaius get included in that. His smile tells Gaius that he is teasing him. Please Morkelb just take my words as a concern to remind you, and to a larger extent remind all of us that small steps, small concessions can easily turn into bigger and bigger steps all being justified as the "right choice, or the only choice" towards evil.

I know I sound slightly hypocritical since we brought my friend Thorgrym back. But, and this is my concession, he has returned with his soul. These other's around here have not, in fact this place has trapped Zelara's soul just from entering the castle.

Sandor holds his cup up in a small salute. I appreciate that you know your limits. Do ya forgive me Morkelb?

_________________________________________________

I agree with Grym. If your going to Orctown I best not go and risk runnin my mouth again.

If Sandor doesnt want to go, send Odric along. Grym would be reluctant to go w/out Bucho.

Away party: The wizard, The Calistrian, The Stout.

The rest of us will hold fast.

"I'very never teleported before, will it scramble my bits? I wouldn't want my bits scrambled. Once I saw a lady with a twig n' berries in a tent at the faire. They said she had gotten her bits scrambled up in a magical mishap. By the way, that was a great tent and totally worth the 3 copper. They had a boy with webbed hands and feet, a fellow with a door leading to his stomach so you could see his dinner plop in there and start fizzing. An excellent bargain."

Odric looks around to find out if his companions agree with his assessment of the relative value of 3 copper for admission to a freak show as he gets back on topic.

"So if my bits don't get scrambled, will my clothes come through ok? Should I bring extras or wear something I don't really care for? I could wear this red shirt for the away party..."

It wasn't an argument, just a prophylactic. So far it's pretty awesome. Sandor even referenced some modern day research into Cognitive Dissonance strength and its direct correlation with intelligence. Sweet...

Feel free to play out th conversations, once everything is decided, someone give me a rundown of who, what, when, etc. in a single post.

Sandor even referenced some modern day research into Cognitive Dissonance strength and its direct correlation with intelligence. Sweet...

LMAO I didn't even know that was a "thing" just some common sense bs I came up with for the post. Who knew....

Looking for the research now, but it made the rounds in my group of friends a while ago. Essentially the findings show strong evidence for EXACTLY what you said. The smarter someone is, the more they convince themselves of something and the harder time it is to convince them of another point of view. It's a great study.

When posting the plan, don't forget to include watches, and the away team, where are you going?

Found the wiki on it... Very interesting. I will let our "Caller" call it out.. up to you M

...I appreciate that you know your limits. Do ya forgive me Morkelb?

Morkeleb gives a smile, and a nod. As far as I'm concerned, there's nothing to forgive. I understand your fears, and I appreciate them. I have seen exactly the phenomenon you are describing at the Acadamae more than once.

He hefts the staff. This is a tool, nothing more--it will make me more versatile. Nothing it can do is inherently evil; it does not Animate the Dead or summon evil creatures. I am still repulsed by necromancy as an art form, but this staff may come in handy despite both of our reservations. I don't think you need to worry...

He winks at the dwarf. ...yet!

**************************************************************
Odric, your "bits" will almost certainly not be scrambled. I 84% guarantee it. <--yes, Morkeleb actually says this. Come along, handsomely now, let's get this done. Zaralla is waiting for us!

I teleport to Trunau with Gaius and Odric. We take some token of the dragon that is recognizable as such (horn? Teeth? Scales?), for bragging rights and hopefully to buy some prestige (not a capital P) to grease the wheels for Restorations. We'll also bring all our current loot for trade.

The main goal is to get three Restoration spells, plus 4 more of a portable nature (probably scrolls, as a wand is likely too expensive--unless there's a partially charged one available!), and do any other shopping we can. (wand of Lesser Resto? Only 750 gp...do we need any healing wands?) I'd like to try to find a low-level scroll of one of the Necromancy spells the staff can cast (like Ghoul Touch or Cause Fear) so I can actually recharge that puppy.

The following morning Morkeleb will prepare a Teleport with his other spells, and bamph back.

Teleport to Trunau: 1d100 ⇒ 54 <--success!
Teleport from Trunau: 1d100 ⇒ 35 <--success!

Back at Scarwall: Sandor, Ferox, Grym, and Bucho leave the grounds--even though the mental assault is lessened, the chance for physical assault is still quite high--and find a defensible spot to sleep. Watch order Ferox, Sandor, Grym & Bucho (with the actual team changing if they so desire, of course!)

Did I cover everything?

Yes, everything is covered. I'll update later today.

Hooray! We're back.

I'm kinda eying that MIthral Breastplate. Is anyone else interested?

If The Wizard can make use of the staff, he's welcome to it. He's saved my hide enough. While necromancy can be distasteful, there's nothing inherently evil about it. Some spells do touch darkness and can be described as evil, but not the entire school. And if Mork needs to walk the line to save our hides... Again... I say bully for him. Now let's get moving, I want my strength restored.

None of the spells cast by the staff have the evil descriptor. Circle of Death skirts the line, IMHO, but RAW is morally neutral

The party who stays behind passes the night uneventfully. The away team also has success, a tale Odric gives upon his return.

I'm ready for people to return to it, just let me know.

The party reunites in the ruins, in the shadow of Castle Scarwall.

I'm waiting on two things to advance. First, the crunch of Morkeleb and the away team for healing and restoration. Second, Adam's fluff of the trip. Once posted, I'll advance.

i think the crunch depends on what is available. Trying to find a priest to cast Restoration 3 times as well as at least 4 "portable" castings of same. The actual castings could be in the AM, and/or spread over the 2 days, if that helps. We will use our new treasure to barter, as well as our dragon parts to impress. I also want a low-level necromancy scroll the staff can cast, and a wand of Lesser Resto if one is available. How about Cure X Wounds wand, everyone?

I think a cure X wand is vital

The highest level cleric in the town is High Priestess Tyari Varvatos (LG female human cleric of Iomedae 6)... She's willing at the standard price.

I think a cure X wand is vital

We can't afford the Cure Wand--actually, what I mean is that we can't buy the scrolls AND the wand without destroying the economy of the town. We need to wait until next week.

I'm not kidding.

Effing pathfinder, man. :D

Thorgrym the Tracker wrote:

I think a cure X wand is vital

We can't afford the Cure Wand--actually, what I mean is that we can't buy the scrolls AND the wand without destroying the economy of the town. We need to wait until next week.

I'm not kidding.

Effing pathfinder, man. :D

I don't live and breath all the rules anymore. If that is the way it is, we will trust you. Next week it is...

While searching his backpack, the ranger finds two CLWs potions that have been hiding in the bottom of his pack since second level. Deciding that now is probably a good time to use them, he tosses them both back.

clw 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
clw 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Are we ready?

Need to figure exactly how much 5 scrolls are, and if we can buy anything else. Plus figure exactly what we can trade...

Roger, what do you need from me?

6 scrolls of Restoration = 4,800 gp
1 scroll of Cause Fear = 25

Total: 4,825

we'll use all the dragon copper and silver (2,243 gp worth) and the delta with dragon gold. I'll note that on Unsplit Treasure later--but I have to go to work...

we could only get a wand of either Lesser Resto or CLW if we dropped 1 scroll. AS it is, one of us (presumably Morkeleb) would not get Restored (and someone will ahve to carry his gear, as with a Str of 2 he can probably only carry a phlucking staff)

I believe that's it. We get 6 Resto scrolls, and Ferox casts them on our 2nd morning upon our return.

any objections?

Ferox knows Lesser Restoration, if that's needed. He also has some curative magics available, too.

The GM is good with that....

Looks good, Mike.

Lesser Restoration can be prepped as needed by Ferox and Gaius. I think a wand isn't a good use of resources.

I think we need the six Resto Scrolls instead of The Wand of CLW. We can add the wand of CLW to our shopping list for next time.

So 6 scrolls + 1 small scroll and we're done .

Only thing left is to confirm that it's the Weakling Wizard who remains Very Very Weak (which I'm OK with, just carry my stuff!)

Would it be cheaper if the away team had theirs cast in person?

Yes but can't do it. No spellcaster high enough

Wait. So, they don't have a caster that can cast Restoration, but they have six scrolls available for purchase? Where did those come from?

Scrolls can outstrip casters as churches send them for emergencies.

Quick update:

-we've got 6 Restoration scrolls. One of us doesn't get fixed, and no one has objected to that being Your Friendly Neighborhood Mind-Controller. Just...someone carry my books for me (I meant that as a joke, but realized as I was typing that it's a legitimate thing to say!!)

-I've updated my Treasure spoiler. Good thing I went through everything, because I'd never noted the Celestial Full Plate--it's there now (Sandor, you taking that? You'd said "i'd like that" but not certain it's a done deal...). I did NOT put the mithral breastplate since Gaius said he wanted it--don't forget to actually take it on your char sheet, my friend. As I frequently do, I remind you to please take another look at the "general use items" for potions and what not you may want to carry. If you want to grab something, tell me and I'll knock it off my sheet.

-I already made the Teleport rolls to get the away team back to Scarwall. I've also prepped spells (subtracting 1 teleport) and reset all daily use items. I'm READY TO EFFING GO!!!

So, unless there's something crazy that happens between our leaving Scarwall and getting back ot the DRagon's treasure room (all pogs in place), let's check that last door in the corner.

rym, Gaius, and Bucho listen
Perception, Grym: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18 +2 underground, +4 urban
Perception, Bucho: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28 Add Favored Enemies
Perception, Gaius: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21

My bad. That room is already cleared (it's where you find there Dragon's hoard.

In that case...the dbl doors on the right side of the courtyard

The door is deemed safe, and opens to a hallway.