GM Kamro's Curse of the Crimson Throne

Game Master overlord_laharl

Ooopppss

Attack 1: 1d20 + 26 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 26 + 1 = 40

Uhg! Still no!

Ziranu also notices that the ineffectiveness of the dragon was apparently deliberate.

Trinia, though you can't see her due to invisibility, tries to jump on the back of the dragon.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (19) + 23 = 42

She lands cleanly right next to Sabina and tries to grab her.

CMB: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

But fails, becoming visible in the process. So she settles for brandishing her rapier in the woman's face.

Trinia: "Surrender or die!"

Sabina: "Not me, you idiot!"

Tronar's up.

Ok, so we met this Sabina woman in 2017! Has it been so long? Is there anything Searok and I should recall about her that would explain her seemingly not being all into this fight?

"There has got to be some sort of protective magic on this dragon for Searok and Ziranu to miss so much. Let's take care of that."

Tronar casts Greater Dispel Magic as a targeted dispel on the dragon with an arcane caster level boost.
Tronar can dispel up to 4 spells starting with the highest level on down

Greater Dispel Caster check: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 15 + 2 = 32 DC = 11 + opponents caster level
Greater Dispel Caster check: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 15 + 2 = 37 DC = 11 + opponents caster level
Greater Dispel Caster check: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 15 + 2 = 35 DC = 11 + opponents caster level
Greater Dispel Caster check: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 15 + 2 = 18 DC = 11 + opponents caster level

And then he will move from his position still invisible and flying

@Shaeda Sure, it's been eons, so a little recap.

Sabina Merrin is Queen Ileosa's personal bodyguard. She's the head of the Gray Maidens, the all-female knights who tortured and brainwashed new recruits (you put a stop to that), make them scar their faces as a sign of loyalty, and have basically supplanted the city's guards so the main law enforcement in the city now answers directly to the queen.

As you learned in one of the shared dreams you had in Scarwall, Sabina is also Ileosa's lover, and very devoted to her, but also has some trepidation about how the queen has been acting recently, and tried to get her to remove the crown (Kazavon's fangs) out of concern but was rebuffed.

Tronar successfully dispels both Mage Armor and Shield from the dragon (Mirror Image was already kaput).

Reduces its AC by 8, so this will make a BIG difference.

Ziranu's up

Shaeda whispers into the message to Tronar, "tell everyone to finish the dragon, but leave the rider until we determine her intent."

Just dodging the dragon's acid breath due to his near-supernatural evasion capabilities, Ziranu notices the apparent act of sabotage from its rider. Not one to waste an enemy turning upon itself to his benefit, Ziranu shouts to his companions...

"Make zhe dragon zhe first of your prey to target!"

The Ranger launches another onslaught of blunted arrows against the dragon from his partially covered position, again without the range penalties...

Manyshot-Rapid Shot-Deadly Aim-Invisibility-Haste-Bless-Enhanced Longbow Attack 1 against Human: 1d20 + 15 + 6 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 15 + 6 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 - 2 = 35

Attack 1 Damage: 2d8 + 16 + 12 + 8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7, 7) + 16 + 12 + 8 + 4 + 2 = 56

Rapid Shot-Deadly Aim-Invisibility-Haste-Bless-Enhanced Longbow Attack 2 against Human: 1d20 + 10 + 6 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 6 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 - 2 = 36

Attack 2 Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 26

Rapid Shot-Deadly Aim-Invisibility-Haste-Bless-Enhanced Longbow Attack 3 against Human: 1d20 + 5 + 6 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 6 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 - 2 = 28

Attack 3 Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 27

Rapid Shot-Deadly Aim-Invisibility-Haste-Bless-Enhanced Longbow Attack 4 against Human: 1d20 + 15 + 6 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 15 + 6 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 - 2 = 35

Attack 4 Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 28

Haste Bonus Rapid Shot-Deadly Aim-Invisibility-Haste-Bless-Enhanced Longbow Attack 5 against Human: 1d20 + 15 + 6 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 15 + 6 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 4 - 2 = 44

Attack 5 Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 24

Ok, no possible crits, but an 8-point AC reduction from 43 down to 35 made a huge difference!

Shots analysis

Damage to AC35: 56+26+28+24 = 134 points of damage!

I notice the "against human" description in those rolls, you're shooting at the dragon, right? They're both your Favored Enemies, but the bonus is different, does that change anything?

I notice the "against human" description in those rolls, you're shooting at the dragon, right? They're both your Favored Enemies, but the bonus is different, does that change anything?

Ziranu used instant enemy in this post

You're right!

Deprived of his magical protections, and distracted by the unexpected betrayal of his rider, the dragon is ill-prepared for the latest onslaught of arrows from Ziranu. Its hide is peppered with shafts, and it collapses, dumping Sabina and Trinia on the cobblestones.

Feeling like he was deprived of fighting the dragon some more, Searok looks at Sabina balefully.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (14) + 24 = 38

"Stand down b@+~#, and give me a reason why I shouldn't have Z pepper you with more arrows!"

Shaeda reinforces Searok's gaze with words...

Intimidate: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17 +2 when questioning prisoners

Sabina puts her hands up, suitably cowed. "I surrender. I didn't come here to fight, appearances beside. In fact, I need your help. I will tell you everything, but we need somewhere safer to speak. The appearance of the dragon drove everyone away for now, but they'll be back to gawk, and I must say this in private."

To make her surrender more apparent, she unbelts her sword and removes her helmet. The face you see is the same you saw in the vision, beautiful but somewhat marred by scars, albeit not as severe as some you've seen on the Gray Maidens.

Sabina Merrin

Shaeda looks to Tronar, "Does she have any tracking magic on her? If not, let's make for the underground, and interrogate her there. Oh, and check the things she dropped too."

Shaeda looks around, "Thurrios, if any civilians were injured, please heal them quickly."

Did we loot the previous group already?

Yes, you got Trifaccia's gear in this post None of the mooks had anything worth grabbing.

Tronar will cast Detect Magic and surely tap any Spellcraft ID of magic (+26) that could be tracking someone's location as instructed by Shaeda.
"If we are worried about being tracked, we could always teleport to a far away city to conduct our intelligence gathering? If we do that, I can bring 5 people along with me, which means someone has to get into the bag of holding. I would suggest our new prisoner? Or we can just walk down the alleys until we find something secluded?"

"You don't have anything in there that we don't want her handling, do you? Anyways, if she is clean of tracking magic, let's go. Searok, please grab the prisoner's gear she dropped."

Any loot on the dead dragon?

No loot on the dragon, no sign that Sabina is being tracked.

Searok will gladly grab Sabina by the arm - roughly...

Sabina: "We don't have much time. People will see that the dragon was slain very shortly, and when I don't report back they'll eventually try scrying on me to see whether I'm dead or captured. Even if I successfully resist the spell, that will just tell them I'm alive, so we need to speak quickly."

"You don't have much reason to trust me, I've been complicit in my share of horrors. But I beg for the chance to undo some of my deeds. I believe the queen has gone well and truly mad, and if she is not stopped then every person in Korvosa may be doomed. She also knows to expect an assault on the castle soon, your return to the city was observed so she expects you to be on the offense."

"I can give you information on the layout and the allies Ileosa has gathered. I also may be able to provide a distraction. The Gray Maidens in the castle work closely with the queen, and will obey her over me. But those out in the city have mostly never met her, and see me as their commander. Your ragtag rebellion can have some true force behind it, if you'll give me a chance."

Feel free to ask specific questions of her, I'll give general info regardless, but the better the questions the more detailed the answers.

"Tronar, can you shield her, and us, from scrying? In the mean time, let's get out of sight. Trinia, lead on please."

"Alas no. the spell you are thinking of...Mind Blank...is beyond my ability to prepare. At best I have a globe of invulnerability that would prevent a basic scry spell from affecting those inside, but it is only active for just under 2 minutes. So if we think she will be scried on now, I can try that?"

Globe of Invulnerability prevents 4th level or lower. and basic Scry is 4th. and I have 3 slots for 7th level. But if they have Greater Scry, then we are out of luck.

Shaeda views you as the arcane expert, so do what seems best from Tronar's end.

Globe of Invulnerability will buy you enough time to scoot off somewhere and ask her whatever you like, so go ahead.

"When did this start? Any idea what caused it? Is she redeemable? What threats do we face in the palace? How can you help? How would we communicate with you? What ways can we employ to soften up the castle defenses?"

Anyone with questions?

"When did this start?"

"It's hard to be certain, it came on gradually. At first I took it for Ileosa grieving for her husband, and adjusting to the stress of rulership. As time went on, even as she's eliminated threats and stabilized her rule, she became more irrational and paranoid, seeking ever more power. Recently she has begun looking into ancient texts for some sort of secrets, and I have no idea how she's getting these ideas. She has many admirable traits, but was...never particularly scholarly."

"Any idea what caused it?"

"I suspect the crown she wears plays a part. A hideous thing, and yet she rarely removes it. At first I thought it might completely be controlling her, so I arranged to "accidentally" knock it off once. Alas, no change occurred. I've made a few discreet attempts to determine if any charm or domination is taking place, but I can find nothing. I fear whatever madness grows within her sprouted from a seed that was always present."

"Is she redeemable?"

"I would...very much like to think so. I am well aware my own view on this matter is biased, I have always loved her, though lately I have begun to suspect that any love she returned was merely because I reflected the regard Ileosa has for herself. She loved me as a great and vain beauty loves a mirror, nothing more. Perhaps I always knew that. But, and I want to make this clear, she was never cruel. Never hateful. Until now. Even if she wasn't the person I hoped she was, she was not this. And any good influence I had on her has been replaced; The queen mostly listens to her fiendish seneschal Togomor now. This city is lousy with imps, and even the brattiest child knows that when one advises you to steal candy you chuck a rock at it and go about your day. For Ileosa to seek the counsel of a greater devil like Togomor, she must be a long way down a dark path. I want her to be able to find her way back. I don't know if she can."

"What threats do we face in the palace?"

"I can provide a detailed map, even some hidden doors and chambers. I can't guarantee it's complete, but if there's anything I don't know about then it's something I've never seen Ileosa use in all my years guarding her. Though with Togomor advising her, and whatever foulness I suspect to live within that crown whispering in her ear, who knows what secrets she may possess. Togomor...his real name might be Sermignatto, though he uses both...has been helping her summon devils. This is not unheard of in Korvosa, we used to be protected by the Hellknights after all, and they employ them. But Hellknights are well trained in dealing with such fiends to limit their freedom and minimize the corruption of bargaining with them. I doubt Togomor has encouraged such discretion with the queen, and I think the devils are likely free to run amok. She has three barbed devils called the Yallops who make a nuisance of themselves, some large hellhounds, and a horned devil named Mavrokeras who guards the towers. What he guards there I don't know. The fourth floor also houses some more of the Red Mantis assassins. I gather they suffered a setback recently when their leader was killed, thank you for that, but they seem to have a new one recently arrived."

"How would we communicate with you"

"That depends on what purpose you put me to. As I have said, I may be best suited out in the city, using what influence I can muster with the Gray Maidens to aid your revolt. If you can arrange a means to message me, either via magic or otherwise, I will do my best to respond."

"What ways can we employ to soften up the castle defenses?"

"A disruption out in the city, such as a large riot or attack on a Gray Maiden garrison would force Ileosa to send some of her forces out of the castle to provide aid. Especially if I succeed in recruiting some of the Maidens myself, then they can send the message to those inside the castle requesting backup, who will not know they have been betrayed. Use of the remaining Guards under Field Marshall Kroft would be good as well, if both the Guards and Maidens are jointly requesting aid then it must be serious."

"We suspect that the crown is possessed and is possessing its wearer. can you help us get it off her head at least temporarily?"

"The crown isn't attached to her, at least physically. You could simply snatch it off her head. But I knocked it off myself once, and it didn't cause any change in her. If the crown is responsible for her behavior, and it may just be wishful thinking that it is, then its connection to her is magical, not just physical."

"Well, yes, of course it's magic, of some sort. Devils huh, yes, of course, not surprising. I imagine we'll all have our work cut out for us to handle this. How do we proceed now gentlemen?"

Shaeda looks at her companions expectantly.

Cut off her head? Searok asks in all seriousness.

"I like the idea of getting the Grey Maidens on our side to pull resources from the tower. why fight the badger in its den. bring them out to us."

"Right. I fear we will need to trust her, and release her back into the wild to work on the Grey Maidens. I'm sorry Searok. If she crosses us, I promise you can kill her next time."

Searok grumbles at Shaeda's response and goes off and sulks.

Any more info you want from her before moving on?

Which means she has more to tell! Think people, think!!!

Doesn't sound like anyone has anything. Okay, any prep/shopping/selling you want to do for your assault on the castle?

Have fun stormin' the castle boys!

Alrighty then, sounds like everyone's ready.

So, Castle Korvosa isn't meant to be a massive dungeon crawl like Scarwall was (thank goodness). It's not a haunted old ruin, it's an in-use building much of which has been open to the public at one time or another, and you've got a source of information who knows the place well.

So I'm totally cool with just showing you these maps and letting you do with that information what you will. You wanna try teleporting right to the throne room with 50 barrels of gunpowder and a vial of alchemist fire, have at it!

But be aware that also unlike Scarwall, this place is more actively defended, the queen is paranoid and fully expecting attempts on her life, and what exactly she's been up to recently (which you glimpsed in the visions you've had) isn't known to Sabina.

So basically there are multiple ways to go about this. You can pick an infiltration point, try to be stealthy, and go room by room taking out threats like a regular dungeon (which maximizes loot), or you can potentially skip large sections and as long as a couple of mandatory plot-points and encounters take place (and NPCs move around the castle, also unlike Scarwall) you're good.

I like the max loot option!

I like the max loot option!

Me too!

So where would you prefer to start, and how would you like to go about it?

I recommend we start down in the bowels of the castle, deep in the dungeons. Come in through hidden passages and such into long forgotten paths and work our way up through the place.

Ziranu is in favor of this course of action...far better to have to retreat into areas unknown or hidden to the enemy, than to get cornered upon high...

Downstairs it is!

One of Sabina's recommended ingress points is a collapsed passage that has been crudely filled in with bricks and rubble, awaiting further repair as the queen has fired much of the castle's support staff in her paranoia. It takes a couple of hours to clear enough of an opening to enter, but you manage it.

You stand now looking at one of the most heartbreaking sights any adventurer can fathom - an empty treasury that someone got to before you. It seems that whatever project Ileosa is working on, she has spared no expense in pursuing it.

Well, almost no expense, you do find a couple of neglected valuables - 53GP, 23PP, and three small garnets worth about 30 gp apiece. Other than that the place has already been ransacked, with empty chests and coffers strewn about.

There are doors to the north, south, and east.

And you are on a new map.

From his perspective when entering this most disappointing chamber, the Ranger steps south to conduct a thorough search of the first door upon his right...

Perception: 1d20 + 22 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 22 + 6 = 42, +2 more if dealing with undead or dragons; +4 more if dealing with evil outsiders; +6 more if dealing with humans; and +7 more if trapfinding is applicable.

@GM how many minutes from the dragon fight until we are here at the castle infiltration? we have some mins/lvl buffs going

@Tronar I'm assuming you took some time to get the maps drawn up by Sabina and to discuss plans, so those buffs would be over...however, there's no reason this has to be the same day, you could have returned to the other rebels to inform them of the situation and rested a night, so if you want to re-cast those buffs you can.

The southern door looks like it was once a very well concealed secret one, with bits of plaster expertly painted to blend in with the surrounding walls. However, now it hangs open.

The air within feels cold and clammy, with a sinister atmosphere. All that is within is a sort of plinth that holds a ceramic coffer that looks centuries old. The lid to the coffer has been removed, and it is empty save for some fang-shaped scorch marks.

I guess this is where the queen got the thing fer her crown! Searok says from remembering the little bits of the story he has heard and trying to sound smart.

"If time is not required for speed, I would recommend a rest to replenish spells and daily abilities?

@gm do we have any more details about what types of devils etc.? I'm looking for information regarding aids for the Banishment spell like items the particular devil hates, fears, or opposes.