1. GM Edwin's Zeitgeist Campaign

Game Master Insnare

Round: 2, Initiative: 10

Femi casts Haste.

Iva fort save DC 16 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 pass
Femi DC 16 fort save 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 fail you take 1d2 ⇒ 1 charisma damage.

The original front carriage drops back to 90 feet and the original back carriage is at a distance of 40 feet.

The gas also gets thicker inside the carriage.

Round 3

Iva

Did the grease spell do anything?

The result of the grease spell and the lost control of the carriage had the carriage fall back to 90 feet from your carriage. Each carriage has two horses.

Iva tries to climb again. "Someone help me up please."

Climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Technologist on the closest carriage fires their musket at the rear of the carriage 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 lodging on the carriage rear behind the rear right wheel.

Technologist on the furthest carriage tries shooting Isaac 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 miss

Falko, Chretien, Isaac

Falko gives Iva a hand.

Climb Aid Another with Luck: 1d20 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 3 = 13

Falko pulls Iva out of the carriage.

Chretien, Isaac

Cretien fires his grenade cannon at the nearest carriage, looking to take out the driver and inflict collateral damage on any other assassins or horses.

atk: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
half fire half piercing: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

firepower on driver: 2d8 ⇒ (3, 8) = 11 area inventions only apply firepower to one target, the rest take just regular damage

reflex for half damage. also the cart and targets caught in the area ignite and burn for 1 round for fire: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Reflex save for driver 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17, musketeer next to him 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9, horse 1 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18, horse 2 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

The driver is injured but still in control of the wagon. The guy next to him hurt as well. The horses are able to avoid most of the blast.

Isaac tries to take control of the horses on your carriage, handle animal 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 fail

Musketeer on the rear carriage at Falko 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 miss

Musketeer 1 on front carriage at Chretien 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 miss

Musketeer 2 on front carriage at Isaac 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 hit 1d12 ⇒ 1

Musketeer 3 on front carriage at Iva 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Femi

Round: 2, Initiative: 10

Do you make all the saves, or should I? In case I should…
Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 vs DC 16 Cha damage: 1d2 ⇒ 1

Femi, finding himself all alone in the carriage, shrugs and starts to climb… He continues to hold his breath, for what it’s worth, though he’d dearly like to spend some cursing.
climb: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17 vs DC 15

Femi emerges a little green and coughing from the smoke onto the top of the carriage. He clings on for dear life.

Femi climbs out of the the carriage onto the top. You do not take Charisma damage again because you were successful getting out of the carriage.

You hear some loud ticking coming from the back of the carriage and then there is an amazing explosion, separating the rear right wheel from the carriage and tipping the carriage onto its side. The royal horses continue to pull but the enormous amount of friction slows them to a stop.

You are flung from the top of the carriage at a speed of 20 miles an hour and for 15 feet up, taking 2d6 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8 damage each reflex or acrobatics DC 15 for half DC 20 to land on your feet and only taking a quarter

Femi 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24, Chretien 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16, Falko 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11, Iva 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23, Isaac 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 If your Acrobatics score is higher then take that

Round 4 Initiative 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Order: Iva, Technologists, Falko, Chretien, Isaac, Musketeers, Rufus, Femi

Chretien and Falko are able to recognize the leader in the now front carriage, it is one Kell's Lieutenants, RUfus.

Royal Carriage

Thanks GMEDWIN, I think I got it now.

Everyone, remember you're hasted.

Acrobatics is higher, so I made the reflex save for half.

Falko rolls like a barrel, but manages to recover and ends up on his feet. "That was a fine carriage you just messed up. Wait! Rufus!!! If Kell wants to talk to us, he can just ask. Politely!"

Cretien lands with a roll but not without minor bruises. He trains his weapon on the enemy as Falko attempts to parley.

Iva opens her hand and lets the sword fly towards the enemy 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 hitting 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 putting down the assailant on top of the wagon. She then moves and attacks with her kukri 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25 hit 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 putting him down as well.

Technologist 1 steps out of the carriage and fires his musket at Iva 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 hit 1d12 ⇒ 12

Technologist 2 Steps out of the carriage and moves around the carriage.

Falko, Chretien, Isaac

Falko hums a split tone that resonates and splits the light around him, multiplying his form.

Cast Mirror Image: Images: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

He then moves to stand beside Iva: "You know, this is a terrible idea..."

Cretien stands and fires a grenade at the southernmost of the two assassins adjacent to horses, the blast hitting the three enemies and two horses.

atk: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
half fire half piercing: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

firepower on target: 2d8 ⇒ (1, 7) = 8

reflex dc17 for half damage (main target doesnt get save). also the cart and targets caught in the area ignite and burn for 1 round for fire: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Reflex save 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 pass, Horses 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20 pass, 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 pass [ooc] The second one is just out of range due to height

Isaac not having a shot from his location, moves south and looses a crossbow bolt at the technologist in view 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 hit 2d8 + 1 ⇒ (5, 3) + 1 = 9 but he is barely up.

Two musketeers come out of the front carriage and open up on Iva 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 hit 1d12 ⇒ 9 and the second on Falko 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 hit 1 = Falko 1d7 ⇒ 6 destroying one of Falko's mirrors.

Rufus then climbs out of the carriage and throws a vial of tanglefoot bag at Iva 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 hit Reflex save to not be glued to the floor 1d20 + 10 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 10 - 4 = 12 fail, she is glued to the floor.

Femi

Round: 3, Initiative: 10

Femi lands lightly on his feet, and moves up to be a little closer to the action, though he’s careful to stay out of anyone’s firing lanes. He then lightly tosses a Fireball just behind the group in the front. He should be able to get all three individuals, including Rufus, and the lead guy of the back group (20' radius). He tries to avoid getting the horses.

Fireball: 7d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 6, 5, 2, 4, 5, 1) + 3 = 31 (Reflex DC 18 for half)

Group effects
Haste

Reflex saves 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 fail, 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21 pass, and Rufus 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 fail

Femi's fireball kills one outright and knocks out the other musketeer. Rufus is hurt but still up.

Rufus puts his hands up and says to his men, "Throw down your arms! We surrender."

Shortly thereafter, local police show up to help the royal carriage and its passengers.

Combat over

You put Rufus in mage cuffs and the rest into regular handcuffs and you take their weapons from them. As they cordon off the perimeter you, druids from the police force offer healing spells to you as a Sgt. Speerschneider from the local department, says, "Constables Cretien and Falko, you two are heroes. You guys are like trouble magnets, I see."

He then looks at Rufus, "I did not think Kell was stupid enough to attack a royal carriage."

He says to Rufus, "You know that is high treason!"

"Never wanted to be a hero, at least not in this sense. Maybe a hero to some bookworm six generations from now... but yes, trouble magnets indeed."

Speerschneider says, "You saved to Coaltongue and stopped the witchoil and then the alien disaster, you guys are heroes to Flint. Are you guys injured I have a buddy of mine patrolwoman Monroe to patch you up."

"I'll be fine, but our colleagues may require assistance." he points to Iva.

Falko walks over to Rufus: "I thought we had an understanding with Kell? Why did you attack the carriage? Why sis you attack us?" His tone is forgiving and calm, inviting confession.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30

Rufus says, "The boss said the other guys wanted you dead, so he ordered us to do it. I guess the boss underestimated your strength."

Femi grins as the others surrender, he never was one to kill needlessly. He listens carefully to the man's admission.

"Which 'other guys' wanted us dead?" he asks, also politely. (I automatically make the DC 10 diplomacy to aid Falko's roll.)

He says, "A bunch of foreign types we have been working with. Man, I am just an enforcer. One was called Leonne, I think."

Speerschneider says, "You guys were in the His Majesty's carriage, so we will hook the horses up to another carriage and have you escorted to the King. You probably want to interview these guys some more on the way to see the King. You probably do not want to make King Aodhan wait for you."

Femi agrees, and climbs aboard the new coach, ready still to meet the King. He'll cast prestidigitation on anyone who wants it to clear away the stains and blood of combat.

Feel free to continue asking Rufus questions, I have no problem with the retcon stuff.

Before you leave the druid cast CLW on those who want it 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4, 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8, 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5, 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Your police escort brings you and your prisoners to the Hotel Aurum and it takes about thirty minutes to get there.

The Hotel Aurum.

Knowledge local DC 10

The hotel is actually two separate buildings connected by skywalks at the third, seventh, and eleventh floors. The distinction was meant to allow segregation of different classes, with one building being made for the “everyman” while the other side would cater to nobles. Early in the construction, the hotel was chosen as the site for the peace talks, and the interiors were furnished to the exact specifications of the Danoran and Risuri delegations, with each side taking ownership of a separate side of the two-building hotel. The Risuri delegation resides in the less opulent “west building,” while the Danorans have been given occupancy of the “east building.” In order to better preserve the nature of the peace talks, the Danoran east building has been designated as a temporary consulate, and counts as Danoran sovereign soil for purposes of the peace talks.

Access and Protection. Police watch the streets in a one-block perimeter around the building. The nearest subrail stop, Darvill Station , is just outside the perimeter, but the station has a constant security presence as well. The entrances of both towers of the hotel are guarded by agents of their respective nations, with Danoran musketeers and pikemen guarding the east, while Risuri soldiers stand watch with sword and wand at the west.

Chief Inspector Delft meets the party at the Risuri entrance to Hotel Aurum and sees you have some prisoners in tow, and says, "Rufus Hammerton, one of Kell's Liuetenants, you fellas just happen to find him along the way, wait, that is not the King's carriage. What happened?" he says first in a joking manner but then noticing the carriage in more of a shocked manner.

"Ambush, sir. Compliment of Kell. He wanted to stay in some foreign group's favours and ordered us killed as a favour to them. Still trying to figure out who it was that asked for us to be dealt with. Good thing Kell sent Rufus. We were in no real danger. Only the carriage suffered..." replies Falko, obviously trying to bait Kell's lieutenant.

He turns to Rufus: "By the way, that Leonne, you got a good look at her? She pretty? Lovely accent? Complexion? Pointy ears? Thought you had a chance?"

Rufus says, "It is a man. Brown hair, think from Chryssilir, liked wine and metal. That is all I know."

Delft soaks it all in and then says, "Bring this fool up to see the King... Kell has no idea what kind of whirlwind is coming his way, let me tell you."

Femi is impressed by the hotel, and by the care being given to the negotiations taking place there.

When they meet with Chief Inspector Delft, he chuckles at Rufus' trouble. Glad it's not me seeing the King with a noose around my neck.

He likes the way Falko asks his questions of their prisoner, and leaves him to it - having nothing particular to ask himself, though he does carefully note Rufus' responses.

Still uneasy about seeing the King at all, he wipes off his sweaty palms and waits to proceed.

i'll take the little CLW and be full

Know Local: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26 I'll take two of the CLW. That will top me off.

"It was a genius hafling's idea to create the atrium." Iva murmurs to Femi as he looks around the hotel lobby.

"Do we know any brown haired men from Cryssilir? Liked metal? I like metal." she pats the sword. "That kind of metal or the mechanical type of metal? Fancy wines or the stuff sold in the lowest bars?"

Iva looks much better after the healing from the druid, but her clothing is messed. "Is there a place I can clean up before meeting the King? I don't want to appear before him mussed."

Delft says, "He may mean Leonne Quital the winemaker."

He then says, "Do hurry up the King has been waiting."

Once Iva has returned to the group, Delft guides you to an elevator (a novel invention in Risur, but primitive by modern standards), which ascends to the eleventh floor, complete with an operator in a dapper uniform.

Along the way Delft reminds you to be on your best behavior, then grins and says you’re going to make a damned fine impression.

King Aodhan has established a temporary court, and dozens of advisors and minor nobles are busy setting up the eleventh floor’s various offices and suites when you arrive. An aide meets you at the lift and leads you to a conference room off the main court chamber, which has been furnished with a large meeting table, several chairs, and a map of the city on an easel. Officiates attend to King Aodhan, but when he sees you, he dismisses everyone except the party, Delft, and Principal Minister Harkover lee.

The king looks at Cretien and says, "Constable Dufrene, the job has not done you in yet, huh? I was sad to hear about Wintry and Coopsworth not making it."

"It also seems that Constables Adaire, Mithas, Harn and Holbrooke have been reassigned."

He then looks at everyone and says, "I have read your files and you all have been doing damned good work for your country!"

Falko goes pale at the mention of Chryssilir and wine, and metal. Before Delft says it, he mutters: "Quital..."

This man, as far as Falko knew, had been their most lethal enemy. He had murdered Jonathan's mentor in front of them, before leaving them to burn.

He takes his colleagues aside and murmurs: "Quital is in town. And he wants us dead... He orchestrated the witchoil attempt. He is deadly. Deadly... We need to get to Kell... Perhaps we can get Rufus to tell us where to find him. Perhaps we should let him free, and tail him?"

-----------------------

Falko bows deep and low as he meets the man for the very first time. As he gets back up, he takes in the turmoil that surrounds the king, looking at it as a threat, wondering who could easily flip and threaten to murder Risur's leader.

He read our files!? he thinks, surprised and worried.

Femi casts Prestidigitation on Iva, as previously offered, to spruce her up and remove the dirt and blood of combat.

When faced with the King, he stays quiet, bowing deeply. How did I end up here?! he wonders in awe.

"Uh, thank you sir. We're doing all we can." he speaks for the group, and then immediately wishes he hadn't. I'm the new guy. What the hell have I done so far? He pales a little hoping his newfound allies aren't angry with his impertinence.

He awaits the King's pleasure.

The king comes up and shakes each of your hands. “It’s good to see you, constables. I heard about your trouble on the way over, and what happened to Hadsworth, your driver. He has been with me for five years” He shakes his head. “I wish I could give this more time, but I’ve got a hundred other things to do before tomorrow, so let us get on to business. “I’m not trying to make you feel important by saying this, but I’m about to give you probably the most important mission I’ve had to send anyone on in my whole reign. The woman I’m supposed to be marrying might be trying to destroy my kingdom, and apparently there are people who want to make sure we don’t find out what she’s up to. We have five days until she gets here. Harkover?”

Minister Lee gestures at Inspector Delft, who hands the party a small folder of documents.

Dossiers

Femi does not waste the King's time by reading the dossiers now, he merely glances at the many pages and returns his gaze to the monarch.

"We'll do everything we can for you your majesty, but there's a lot of information here. Do you have a sense of where you would like us to start?"

Information dump! Lots of good info here.

The king nods at Principal Minister Lee, perhaps the most powerful mage
in Risur, Lee acts as King Aodhan’s bodyguard and chief of staff. Straight backed and virile despite being in his 60s, Lee has a slight Ber tinged accent, and was said to be quite the ladykiller in his youth. He always dresses in reds and golds and carries a solid gold orb tucked into his robes. He is rumored to never eat nor drink in public. descriptions of the king and other major NPCs are in the Campaign tab

and he says, “Despite a variety of encounters with the Obscurati, we only have a sense of their actions, not their goal, nor the organization or extent of the group. We don’t know who they are, but we do know where they are.
“The Ob, for short, maintain some manner of industrial complex in the Bleak Gate, in a location analogous to Cauldron Hill in this world. They can pass between the two worlds with relative ease—we do not have the same ability."

“When you have time, review the material in these folders.”

Minister Lee grimaces at Inspector Delft. “Please ignore the Chief Inspector’s ‘wit’—the official delegate titles he gave to the last two entries. Their inclusion will make sense in a moment.”

Delft smiles in response as he gets another bullseye with his chaw juice in the spittoon.

Falko glimpses at the documents over Femi's shoulder. He can't help but raise an eyebrow as he catches glimpse of a word: "Prophecy?" he says, looking at Minister Lee.

I'll try to give a closer read tot he documents soon.

PM Lee says, "Yes, His majesty's sister said the reason she tried to assassinate our beloved King was due at least partially to a prophecy she had received from a Skyseer. Constable Dufrene was present when she tried to destroy the Coaltongue and she was for a short time conquerer of Axis Island."

Link to dossier in my header.

Falko continues to look at the documents and thinks to himself: No mention of the Great Snake of the Bayou... Other forces are at work here. Ancient and powerful forces... Potential allies?

"Ok, so I take we need to find out what the Obscurati is up to in Cauldron Hill then? Do we have means to travel to the Bleak Gate?"

The Principal Minister says, "Yes, we need to find out what they are doing in the Bleak Gate but as of right now, no we do not have the means to send you into the Bleak Gate. What we do know is that we know that the Ob are operating secretly and have caused harm to Risur, so we have to assume they’re hostile.

At least one powerful individual working with the Ob is unaccounted for—the steelshaper who confronted the party outside of the Nettles church named Quital, his family is famous for making Wine in Chryssilir."

"Aye, that seems a good place to start." he says with eagerness to be on the hunt.

That said, short of questioning the usual suspects at various public houses around town, he wasn't sure how to track the man down. He looked to the others to see if something prior to his joining would lead to a lead.

sorry, very rough couple of days

"Yes, Your Majesty, I persist. The others are sorely missed." Turning to address the room, Cretien continues, "I trust that given the information we have obtained, specific precautions have been taken to avoid danger to the king via tampering with the lights, and in particular the lighthouse?"

"Right, so my suggestion is to free Rufus, letting him believe Kell set him free or paid a fancy lawyer to find a nifty loophole. Then pray Rufus leads us to Kell, and Kell to Quital."

"Sounds reasonable?"

PM Lee says, "We have insured the meeting area is in candlelight not by gas or oil. The Lighthouses throughout Risur have been quadruple checked for being tampered with."

Lee then nods and the King takes over, "“Certain aspects of my office can’t be discussed. But being king means that you’re ‘connected’ to every man and woman in this country. Their approval grants power. There are rules, old old rules, there to prevent folks like me from abusing the power the people grant them. “Being king also means you’re ‘connected’ to the land. I feel when someone enters or leaves the country. If I focus, I can even forbid entry or cast someone out. “This conspiracy, they’re in the Bleak Gate. If they were in the Dreaming, this would be easy. I could march an army with me at the head into the Dreaming at the drop of a hat. It wouldn’t make the Unseen Court happy, but I could do it. But the Bleak Gate is harder. I’ve never been in my entire life, and they say kings have no power there, because no one rules the dead. “So here’s what I need of you. This group has a way into the Bleak Gate, and I want you to find it, and use it, and drag those bastards into the light of day. And I need you to do it before my fiancée gets here.”