GM Nayr's Carrion Crown AP

Game Master Nayr Trebrot

"Yes, the arson, of course." Rufus, perpetually in need of a shave, rubs the salted stubble on his chin. "As a matter of fact, yes. In light of recent experience, I am in search of a certain metal blanche, ghost salt. It is a rare substance, but one I have known to be available in Lepidstadt."

I'd like to try to find several doses of ghost salt weapon blanch (200gp per). And maybe some additional alchemist fire.

Indeed, I'm sure we can find that. I can send a runner, if you're willing to wait a bit before you leave. Anything else?

It's understood that the amount you spend would come off of what she's promised to pay you - 100 PP each.

Dura thanks the judge for sending the healer so quickly. "We're just glad that the truth is being discovered. It can't be easy for Charlie to be shunned because of his size and looks. Honestly, given the way the villagers have treated him, I'm pretty surprised he hasn't responded with real violence." She shakes her head sadly.

Certainly, and I agree, though.... She looks about the room to make sure no one was watching. Seeing that everyone but Gustav had filed out, she continues. ...that's not a popular opinion in this city right now.

If you need anything else, feel free to check in with my associate at my townhome, and he knows to help. Otherwise, I'm off to meetings.

She leaves you to your own, and Gustav explains that the Sanctuary is 3 miles north of Lepidstadt along the Lesser Moutray river. You can ride there, or walk as you like.

We had said that you had simple riding horses for use, to help cut down time in transit.

Nodding her thanks to the judge, Dura says, "Two down, one to go. You guys need anything in town?"

Gur prepares himself for the short trip, the simple distance of the last leg a welcome boon to his weary bones. "I am ready to be done with this."

The third crime that the Beast is accused of is the arson attack on the asylum of Sanctuary on Karb Isle, which resulted in the fiery deaths of the Sanctuary's administrator, Doctor Brada, and all of his patients, and the blinding of the Doctor's assistant, Karl.

Gustav tells you that the witness for tomorrow will be the assistant, Karl, who was blinded in the fire. He lives in a small cottage by the river in Lepidstadt.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19
It only takes a small effort for Dura to gather some basic intel on the Sanctuary for the group. Before they head out, she simply asks Charlie, "Do you have any knowledge of this fire or what might have happened at this place?"

Charlie seems to be much more friendly now that he understands your motives. He has softened quite a bit after hearing Elsa's voice once again.

I wasn't there. Not ever. I don't know what happened.

Purchasing x3 ghost salt (200gp per) and 5x alchemist fire (20gp per), for a total of 700gp. 755gp remain.

Rufus nods, smiling at the now-gentle man. "Well, that's what we aim to find out."

Local: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

Stoic waiting intensifies.

So Gur, as I was saying, All we need is love..love. love. is all we need.

Having loaded up and rested for....a few minutes, you head out of Lepidstadt along the river, the Sanctuary in your sights so to speak.

If you had more questions for Charlie, feel free to ask them retroactively. And, if you go to see Karl first, just let me know and we'll divert to that first.

The Sanctuary lies some three miles north of Lepidstadt along the Lesser Moutray river. A narrow track follows the western shore of the river, passing through the depressingly gray marshland before arriving at the ruins.

The sad remains of a broken building lie on a spur of land jutting into the river. The burnt timbers of a large house sag into the undergrowth of nettles and thistles. Nature is taking back this charred ruin, as if trying to erase dark memories. nearby, a small cluster of gravestones jut from the weeds.

Though called an island, Karb is actually an isthmus and is connected to the mainland.

Rufus withdraws a small vial of dark brown glass. Unscrewing its top, he unsheathes a tiny dropper, depositing a droplet of the liquid in his right eye. After a moment he blinks, revealing a preternaturally green iris in place of his usual gray. Deathwatch, 50 minutes, 30 ft cone.

Replacing the vial he looks toward the graves. "And what have we here?"

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

I'll also sweep 360 degrees

Useful spell, that.

Rufus thoroughly inspects the graves, but finds nothing of note, save that the dirt over them is fairly loose, and there's no grass atop it. There are 12 of them total.

Would you like to investigate the ruin?

YES!
perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Dura heads over toward the ruins, practically tripping over some of the tangled vines that have grown up around the place.

Dura proceeds into the ruins of the building, and finds the area choked with fallen debris. A brief glance shows nothing of worth, though she seems too tied up in the vines to get a good look.

This area counts as dense rubble. Did anyone else want to look, or want to try again and sacrifice more time Dura?

In a laconic mood ever since the trial, Leeoli does a quick, if mehcanical inspection of the grounds about him..then shrugs.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22

While Leeoli wanders about the rubble, idly kicking aside the random piece of debris, he knocks aside a large piece of wood singed black from the fire, to reveal a 3-foot-wide hole on the south side of the ruins. Looking down, he finds a 15 foot deep stone-walled shaft, going down. It opens up below, but the angle is such that you can see where it goes once it hits the floor below.

Anyone else want to try? There's a large area to search.

"What did you find, Leeoli? What is that, a cellar?" Dura grabs a piece of wood and makes a quick torch (casting light on it), trying to peer into the darkness below.
perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11 and still cant see s#$*

Lol, dangit.

Dura peers into the area below, but the dust of the buried rubble kicks up and makes her eyes water. Coupled with the odd stench from down below, this is an uncomfortable environment.

Ah yes, now it is clear to me. Leeoli shakes whatever dark thoughts had intruded upon him, and allows himself to attend again to the here and present. Pulling at his belt, Leeoli brings an extract to his lips. Like a strong coffee, Leeoli's perceptions sharpen.Ah yes. Let us proceed.

Taking Heightened Awareness Extract, +2 bonus to Perception Checks and can be dismissed for a +4 on init checks. Ha. I must have missed a post..didn't even realize that there more investigating to do.

Did you want to head down into the obviously foreboding darkness, or keep looking about the ruins? If you spend more time, you can take another perc roll.

1d20 ⇒ 17

Gur looks around...

Gur finds nothing of note topside, save for more charred wood and an unsettled feeling

Rufus, Zazaria, wanna try? If not, can we proceed down the obviously safe hole?

obviously safe... Can Daniel hear or smell anything down there? daniel perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 Ahh, never mind, he's as blind as Dura

Why are you all persist in inspecting the ground so intently. It is quite obvious to me that there is nothing of note to see.

oh

Perc: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 12 + 2 = 29

Aha!

Daniel doesn't need to even sniff...there's a definitely horrendous stench of decay coming from the super-safe pit.

Leeoli, frustrated by his comrades lack of forward progress, begins randomly kicking around rubble and complaining. In so doing, he manages to uncover an interesting find. There is a charred metal strongbox among the debris, warped by the heat of the fire. The lock seems to be fused.

It can be broken with a DC23 Strength check, unless you can come up with another way.

I'm not that clever when it comes to locks, but if I ceoncentrate, I may be able to get it without busting the whole bit up.

Leeoli looks it over looking for hidden needles or blades then sets about with his lockpicks.

Perception Trapfinding: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 12 + 2 + 2 = 19
Disable Device + 2Masterwork Tools+1d6Inspiration: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 2 + (6) = 26
Strength: 1d20 ⇒ 3
Oh blimey, the lock is fused. Looks like it is was in a fire. I've no magical way of fixing it, Gur, want to try busting it open? It is no use for me to try further.

Good try, but you'll need to repair the lock somehow in order to unlock it. If you have a way to do that, then we can use your roll above, which would work.

Leeoli finds no traps on the box.

Well either Gur smashes it, or we take it back with us into two this evening.

"I believe this is what you keep me around for..."

I assume I can just take 20...

Sure can

Gur works at the box until he bends the small door to it back into to place. From that point its fairly easy for him to use a rock to back the thing till it opens...very scientific work.

The box opens to reveal a stack of papers burned and charred nearly beyond recognition. There are words in there, but they're hard to decipher.

Anyone have linguistics? If so, give me a check, and others can aid.

Leeoli studies the papers intently.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 8 + (1) = 19

DC is 20; can anyone aid?

1d20 ⇒ 11 That is a +2 from the linguistically trained orc.

"That's an r if it helps.." He points at the lettering.

Gur offers his own observations and, more importantly, the inherent threat of bodily harm to Leeoli when he gets a letter wrong. With his help, Leeoli is able to puzzle out some of the papers. It seems to be an ongoing ledger of transactions made for...body parts. There are notes about limbs with specific dimensions, or organs with their weights and conditions. All of the papers are made out to "Vorkstag and Grine's Chymic Works."

Vorkstag and Grine's Chymic Works. That's a local alchemical factorie.

Local: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 9 + (5) = 16

"You don't say?" Rufus offers a rare grin.

"I suppose there's isn't anywhere to go but down..." Rufus withdraws from his belt a small vial with a separated solution, the bottom half black and the top half a pale yellow. He swallows it, then replaces the vial. After a moment, an incandescent bubble pops into existence around him. Shield and False Life.

false life: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

"A little light, if you would be so kind?" he asks of Dura and Zazaria.

what's the climb DC? We can use a rope if necessary.

DC15 to climb down; DC5 with rope

Assuming they have some form of light source, Rufus uncoils a hemp rope. "Gur, you're plenty strong enough to brace the rope for us as we descend, and you can easily descend without its aid."

Assuming Gur agrees, Rufus easily scales down into the hole. Take 10 for a 13

His deathwatch elixir still active, he peers ahead with his strange green eye into the chamber.

Leeoli also doses himself with an asortment of alchemical enhancements, then carefully climbs down.

False Life: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 tmp hp
Heightened Awareness Already Active
Dex Mutagen inbibed.

Climb Take 10: 10 + 4 = 14

"Why would an alchemical factory need body parts? What the hell are they making?"
Dura drops her lighted "torch" below so that Rufus can see. (It's just a stick with light cast on it)

Leeoli snickers. Do not put anything past us alchemical types, aye Rufus?

"Organic specimens, living or not, would serve many uses for an alchemical lab," Rufus confirms. "But why would they require so many? What is this factory producing? That is a very good question, Dura."

Rufus makes it most of the way down the shaft before Dura's light passes by to clatter on the floor below. Rufus sees a pair of large water casks sitting right below the shaft; either put there to collect for climbing, or to allow one to climb atop them to grab the bottom of the shaft.

As soon as Rufus enters the chamber below, his eyes adjust to the dim light and his Deathwatch power sets all of his sense alight with fire. There are four figures in the side of this room, each as hideous as the last. They are, most certainly, undead. As soon as the creature's see Rufus, the charge, their intentions quite apparent by their drooling jaws.

Aside from the creatures, this cellar looks to be the remains of Doctor Brada's workshop, though most of it has been thrown into disarray. A ghastly trophy made of burnt heads dangling on chains from an iron candelabrum hangs from the ceiling near the shaft.

Actually, that should have been Gur +1 and Z +2; adjusted accordingly

Currently, Rufus is on the rope still, just under the lip of the shaft at the bottom. It's 15 feet from the shaft bottom to the floor. Everyone else is topside.

Leeoli climbs down the rope while chewing on an adhesive spittle extract.