GM SpiderBeard's Carrion Crown (Inactive)

Game Master motteditor

BACK! @Adder you had an action but didn't take it so you're gonna hold just so I can push things along.

The vampire spawn flock out of the room. Two of them step back on a bridge over the rushes waters and begin calling out sweetly to Whiskeyjack and Bronin while another rushes into melee.

"Come to us lover... we have so much to show you..."

Whiskeyjack Will Save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32
Bronin Will Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

However, the incredible mind control powers of the vampires are resisted! A full three more of the vampire spawn suddenly form close to the group as the gas swirls into attractive men and women in tattered fine clothing.

Everyone is up! More vamps on the map.

Round 1

Now that she can clearly see the foes, Wren looks carefully at them...

1d20 + 21 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 21 + 2 = 25 Know (Religion) SRs? DRs? Special attacks?

...and squawks her agitation. "Be careful now dearies! Guard your minds!"

Wren sends a fire snake down to burn the 3 that she can see.

11d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 1, 6, 3, 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 6) = 37 fire damage, DC 23 for half

Elena still stands stunned and silent as the world around her spins furiously. "Ughhhhhh."

Apologies, didn't see a map so I wasn't sure how I wanted to act. Last time I assumed a plant ate me. :D

Adder studies the closest spawn, then steps forward to flank them.

Attack: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (16) + 23 = 39
Damage: 2d4 + 21 ⇒ (1, 1) + 21 = 23
Sneak Attack: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 3) = 11

Attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21
Damage: 2d4 + 21 ⇒ (2, 3) + 21 = 26
Sneak Attack: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 3) = 13

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Damage: 2d4 + 21 ⇒ (3, 4) + 21 = 28
Sneak Attack: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 2) = 8

Lena looks around with a little confusion. So she casts magic missile at the nearest opponent (if she can)

magic missile: 5d4 + 5 ⇒ (2, 2, 2, 2, 1) + 5 = 14

"You lo' cannae be serious! Ye be thinkin' tha' a dwarf, an a priest o' Angradd a' tha, be fallin' so easily t' yer bewitchin' ways? Shut yer pie holes afore I shove me hammer in there an' tear yer tongues ou' wit' yer own teeth!"

Whiskeyjack put deed to words and began flailing about him with his hammer, shield held high to ward off any incoming blows.

full round attack on flanked spawn until dead, then adjacent spawn.

power attack, bane,df, flanking: 1d20 + 14 + 3 - 2 + 2 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 14 + 3 - 2 + 2 + 3 + 2 = 25
damage, pa, df,bane: 1d10 + 6 + 2 + 3 + 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 + 3 + (6, 2) + 3 = 27
intimidate: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

power attack, bane,df, flanking: 1d20 + 14 + 3 - 2 + 2 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 14 + 3 - 2 + 2 + 3 + 2 = 31
damage, pa, df,bane: 1d10 + 6 + 2 + 3 + 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 + 3 + (2, 1) + 3 = 21
intimidate: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

Sorry Lena you're still loopy! Shoulda clarified that. GMPC for Bronin.

Wren identifies the creatures as enslaved vampire spawn. Thralls with minds of their own but no true free will. They have the typical resistances of vampires and are best hit with silver weapons. Fire works fine on them though and the three vampires within the group are annihilated by the attacks of Adder, Whiskeyjack, and finally Wren's fire snake. Quinley drops into stealth, pulling out his hand crossbow.

Bronin again feels more attacks on his mind as the vampire spawn try to turn him against the group. He resists...resists...and then his head sags.

"How may I serve you, evil one?"

"Stop those meddling friends of yours from slaughtering my lovers, dearest."

Bronin is dominated! Everyone but Lena and Elena and my new meat puppet are up!

Round 2

Can’t move on the map now, but flying 6 squares south. Will 10’ above ground/water.

Wren moves where she can use her wand at the lead spawn.

”cawCAW!”

5d4 + 5 ⇒ (4, 1, 4, 2, 1) + 5 = 17 force damage
23/50 charges left.

"We ain't go' time fer this, lad. Ye'll be forgivin' me quick enough, I hope, bu' fer now..." Whiskeyjack lowered his head and charged Bronin, his shield angled to toss the mind-controlled man into the water. He connected and felt the man's feet slide backwards as Whiskeyjack barreled into him.

bull rush: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 2 + 3 = 27

intent is to push bronin off into the water, but f that isn't possible, broninn goes back 5' and here's the CMB to push the spawn back too 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 12 + 2 + 3 = 36

Bronin hears the voices in his mind. He fights them off as best he can, but like a a melody that invades the mind, it takes over and dominates.
Yes, I will come along. As...You...Wish.

Adder moves out of the room and studies the remaining spawn.

"Bronn, you must come to your senses."

He wonders if the water is worth getting into.

Althoug bull rush sends you straight back I'll rule that Bronin needs an acrobatics check to avoid falling since you're on a narrow walkway.

Bronin's catlike reflexes save him from going into the drink as he stares at Whiskeyjack with wide, unfocused eyes. Wren's missile then snakes past him and slams into the vampire spawn in front, sending her careening off into the running water which is probably bad for her.

Now hidden, Quinley leaps out of the shadows, firing a crossbow bolt. Bronin wanders over to the two remaining spawn with wide eyes and one spreads her arms before welcoming him with a deadly embrace. The other vampire spawn moves up to block access to Bronin and rushes in at Whiskeyjack, snarling and bearing white teeth. Whiskeyjack easily blocks the attack.

Bronin is grappled. Everyone but Lena is up because Elena is no longer stunned!

Round 3

"Don't stop fighting now dearies, or we'll be blood mules for their pack. I don't want to go through that...again."

Wren fires her wand at the orange spawn.

”cawCAW!”

5d4 + 5 ⇒ (4, 3, 2, 4, 3) + 5 = 21 force damage
21/50 charges left.

As the female Vampire wraps herself around Bronin.
I hear your singing. It's so beautiful.

If he had his senses while being grappled, he's probably say something like, "I'm in a tight spot boys."

Wha's good fer th' gander be good fer th' goose!"

Whiskeyjack continued to push forward, slamming into the vampire spawn and attempting to knock this one aside. Unfortunately, the slick stone of the walkway made it hard for him to get the momentum he needed.

bull rush: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 2 + 3 + 3 = 21

Coming to her senses Elena carries Potpie around the corner.His little head bobbing in all directions as she screams at the vampires. [b]"Stop this. We just want to talk!"[b] her scream carries a very powerful magic through her amulet as it effects the vampire's mental capacity.

Misfortune DC 22 Will save on closest vampire.

Adder moves up behind Whiskeyjack and lunges past him to attack the vampire spawn.

Move action to move, Standard to attack, using Lunge feat to gain +5' reach.

Attack: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (9) + 23 = 32
Damage: 2d4 + 21 ⇒ (3, 1) + 21 = 25

Meanwhile, Bronin is in the vampire's grasp.
It's Beautiful!

At 2:53 timestamp

But things turn ugly quickly...
AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Conference season is OVER. FREEEEDOM

Whiskeyjack tries to charge the vampire spawn in front of him but she elegantly sidesteps and almost sends the dwarf into the water. However, she's stabbed brutally by Adder for her efforts. Elena's scream seems to affect one of the vampires badly, and he looks overcome with self-doubt.

Seeing Bronin in grave danger, Quinley bolts along the walkway before he leaps across the water, clearing the running water and landing on the slippery bridge behind the vampire which is then blasted with a force missile. HIssing, it turns to defend itself from Quinley. He and Whiskeyjack both easily evade attacks. Quickly, it barks an order at Bronin, who mindlessly switches places with the red-clothed vampire.

Everyone but Bronin is up! Lena can now act normally, Bronin is still a meat puppet and is blocking the walkway. However the last two vampires are almost dead.

Round 3

Wren fires her wand at the orange spawn.

”cawCAW!”

5d4 + 5 ⇒ (1, 2, 3, 3, 1) + 5 = 15 force damage
20/50 charges left.

Lena shakes her head, feeling it clear. right! I want to burn something She moves into the sewer proper and sees the spawn.
Undead!
A spell rattles out quickly in Ignan, and three bolts lash out at the nearest foe.
scorching ray 1: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

damage: 4d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 5, 4, 4) + 1 = 19

scorching ray 2: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16

damage: 4d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 5, 2, 4) + 1 = 14

scorching ray 3: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22

damage: 4d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 6, 3, 5) + 1 = 20

Elena giggles as she watches one of the vampire stumble a bit into the sewer slime. She then quickly remembers that it is sewer slime after all an gets immediately disgusted. "Bronin stop, what are you doing. Stop it now..." She has no clue what has come over the man.

Cackle and Misfortune on the Bronin DC 18 Will save.

Wren and Lena both send out blasts of magic which destroy the remaining two vampire spawn. Bronin's eyes clear and he shakes his head quickly, snapping out of it.

End of Combat

Whew, I had visions that my head was melting and I was turning into dust. Thank you my fighting brothers.

Bronin stumbles a bit as he gets his equalibrium.

Sisters! Not Brothers!

Adder keeps his sword handy and looks about.

"Comrades, perhaps."

”We’re a flock. Birds of a feather,” Wren corrects the others, waiting for them to heal, then lead on.

”We’re a flock. Birds of a feather,”

Potpie clucks loudly and pecks at Wren, seemingly in agreement. Elena looks around the darkness as the torchlight flickers off the walls. "Which way do we go Quinley. And are you sure they are going to want to talk to us? they don't seem very talkative."

Thank you Lena for picking up on the Male Chauvinism from Bronin! You scored points. Well, not with Bronin, but with me. Excellent post

Bronin turns to Vladlena to give a reply, but he's saved by the silly words of Wren.
Not really able to say anything that would build on a doomed conversation, he is equally thankful for the question VestalElena poses to Quinley.
It's alright by me to hack and slash my way through to the head guy or to the ones that understand how talking will prolong their lives over fighting. I haven't even gotten started in displaying what I can do.
Bronin looks for the cues from Quinley on a direction, and moves in that direction. Both swords out and ready to slash any vampires he encounters.

Wren looks around at the party.

”It appears that some of these vampires have the ability to take control of the more weak minded,” Wren asks, not directly looking at Bronin. ”Does anyone have an protections against such a thing? Do we want to plan for eventuality that it might happen again? Hmmm...dearies?”

Okay more activity than I thought.

Quinley sighs as he steps over the corpses of the spawn, sheathing his rapier. "There appears to be an order of 'kill anyone who arrives' but the man who gave those orders can be forced to listen to reason. Remember, they respect strength. I am confident we will gain an audience."

---

You press on further into the sewers and enter a maze of passages. The walk is mostly boring rather than violent. However, after your extended journey, your hear hissing and cries from down the tunnel. Raising your lights, they fall upon eight more of the vampire spawn who move smoothly down the hall towards you. One of them cries out.

"Quiiiinlleeyyyy... we see you. We see your friends. No intruders I'm afraid - Luvick's orders you see."

Quinley quickly barks back. "We're trying to solve the murders! We've already had to put Merrick in her coffin, do you want to join her?!"

He looks helplessly to you as the vampires move closer, looking quite hostile.

Lena drops a fireball of the vampires
Back off, corpses!

fireball: 10d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 1, 2, 6, 6, 6, 1, 3, 1) = 34 DC21 reflex for half

"Now ye've done i'! Ye se' th' fireball off and now she be throwin' 'em her own self! Mebbe Quinley 'ere think ye ken be persuaded, bu' if strength be all ye be listenin' t'. then we go' i' in plenty!"

Whiskeyjack casts a blessing on the party to ward off any more of those mind control spells for the more weak-minded...and by that he menat Bronin.

Casting Bless

Wren looks around at the party.

”It appears that some of these vampires have the ability to take control of the more weak minded,” Wren asks, not directly looking at Bronin. ”Does anyone have an protections against such a thing? Do we want to plan for eventuality that it might happen again? Hmmm...dearies?”

Elena shakes her head. "No, I literally took what I had with me." She holds a very well made kitchen knife out. "I barely know how to use this thing."

Seeing the vampires crawling all over each other down the tunnel Elena screams as she closes her eyes, waiting for them to just plow right over all of them. That is when she feels the heat from the flames of Lena's fireball wash over her face and wisk her hair backwards. As the bright light dies down the shadows down the tunnel begin to grasp and claw at the vampire spawn.

Cast Black tentacles in their path.

Bronin waits to jump forward - after the fireball - and clash with the enemies (especially if they close in).
If they hang back, he drinks a potion of bull strength. If they come swooping in, he swings his swords.

I can't see the combat layout to give a better tactical answer.

Wren also has some explosive spells on her lips, but waits to use them. Lena seems to be doing a good job of lighting things up.

I rolled some reflex saves and damage from the tentacles - there were lots of failures and insta kills and frankly, I think it's a better entrance if we do this.

Lena and Elena both send powerful magic down the hallway and there is an incinerating blast. As the smoke clears (along with the lovely scent of burned sewer) the remaining vampires and dragged down and choked out by the tentacles.

Quinley stares, his jaw slack. "I... was going to imply you should have spoken with them, but that may give a stronger message."

---

You make your way through the remaining sewers and enter a series of carved tunnels - up ahead two figures stand guard at an intersection. "Don't kill these ones," he quips. "This is the entrance."

He steps out confidently in front of the group, the dashing dhampir casting forth tall shadows against your magical light as he approaches the Vampire Underground.

"Stravarian! It's Quinley! We want an audience with Luvick!"

Snarls and hissing is the response Quinley gets as he approaches with you. "These ones stink of life. How did you get past Merrick?!"

Quinley smirks. "She's spending time as a tree as she thinks about the life choices she's made."

There's a moment of silence before they nod once. "Luvick isn't going to be happy."

"Yet here we are."

They seem to agree and open the doors. "Follow us, we will escort you. Try not to get eaten."

---

You are brought through a guard post which contains some empty sells, and then walk past another open area - a receiving room of some kind. The denizens appear as aristocrats having a pleasant party and look up at you excitedly as you step by with your guard escort. However, you bypass that area and come to a much, much larger chamber.

A grand promenade opens into a wide audience hall, decorated with elaborate tapestries and art befitting a royal of Ustalav’s ancient bloodlines. An immense throne dominates the far wall, while two antechambers stand to either side of the promenade to the east and west.

Five vampires are here, four surrounding one who appears to be holding court. All are dressed in the sorts of archaic finery you'd find in old paintings of Ustalavic Nobles.

Quinley leads you into the audience hall, and the circle parts to reveal the leader of the Vampire Underground, Luvick Siervage.

Quinley sketches a bow. "Luvick, we apologize for a bit of a mess we made with some of the spawn you set to guard the underground, however these surfaces have come to speak with you and have proven their worth."

With the vampire nobles eyeing you hungrily, the ancient master steps towards you with a penetrating red gaze. His accent is pure Ustalav, but strange and old.

"As in the days of old, those of mortal flesh stand before me. Yet you do not cower like most who look upon my undying face. My servants tell me you came of your own free will, even with the knowledge that many here would feast upon the blood surging in your veins. But is it bravery you possess, or foolishness? I respect your boldness... for now. Why have you come here, mortals?"

Oh! I see vampirism still doesn't help balding.

Elena leans out from behind Bronin. "They are brave. I have the feeling I am foolish." She says weakly as she shakes in her boots, holding Potpie close. She looks to the ground, completely intimidated. "We have come to stop the Whispering Way." She points to the group. "They know more about it."

Wren waits a moment to see if anyone more diplomatic wants to speak first and explain the mission or if they want Wren to handle it.

At PaizoCon, will post in a day or two if no one wants to go first.

Nothing much here has been a threat yet, vampire. You need better guards. As the chicken witch has said, we seek to defeat the whispering way. We have been told that we may have some commonality of purpose.
She smiles, her eyes like little flames
On that note, anyone seeking a drink from us will definitely regret that for the truncated remainder of his or her...not life I guess, let's call it existence. We are not food. Not even the chicken
Her hands flicks a piece of hair from her face
That said, maybe we can be of use to each other

Here-ish but I'll let remainders chime in since Bronin usually has... a lot to say.

"Anyone be tryin' t' feast on us'll fall back wit' their fangs broken."

Whiskeyjack clashed his hammer on his shield. In the dimly lit area, the Raven's Head shine with a particularly nasty gleam in the presence of so many of the undead.

"We be 'ere t' talk abou' th' Whisperin' Way, an' wha' migh' be done abou' 'em. Quinley 'ere said ye migh' be interested in an alliance o' sorts t' defeat the Way. Mebbe I be old fashioned, bu' i' ain't likley we be comin' t' an accord, bu' tha's all right wit' me. Someone be gettin' a thumpin', one way or another."

+1 ‘Jack. I’m almost home from PaizoCon and should be back to normally abnormal soon.

Wren seems on the verge of speaking when Jack starts up. She shuts her chicken like lips and presses them closed while she wades through ‘Jack’s accent.

”Yeah, mostly that.”

Ancient and Honored Luvick, allow me to introduce myself. I am Lord Bronin Dohari of the Ascari and Syradel remnant. People and cultures that stretch back a long distance in time. I have personally beaten back the encroaching powers of the Fey and their Old World influence to help carve out a Kingdom for my people.
So, I have braved many tests and already accomplished what people said would be impossible.
My powerful companions have done wildly different and -dare I say- even more impressive acts.
Underestimating anyone in this room - even VestalLina (even though he 100% underestimates her and thinks she just a bar maid to protect)- would be a fatal mistake.

With the groundwork out of the way- we are here to speak about a common enemy. The Whispering Way. If you view them as dangerous to the nations of The Encartan - when we should, What's the word? Oh Yes- Parlay .

diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28

Wren smiles as Bronin begins to speak, her cracked yellow teeth disjointed in her gums. But it’s a look of pride as her dearie is saying some lovely things.

She nods along with him, trying to make it seem like she supports what he is saying.

1d20 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2 Aid Diplo

One of her yellow teeth cracks and falls to the floor. She tries not to notice it and continues smiling.

Potpie leaps from Elena's arm, fluttering towards the yellow tooth. "BWAAAKKK!" The chicken sends feathers in all directions as it grabs the tooth in it's beak and holds it there.

Bobbing it's head all around Potpie struts around the room and Vampire nobles as he looks for more tasty morsels.

Elena looks on in horror as she lurches forward to grab the chicken and quickly stops herself. "Damned bird...." She reaches for her knife as she tries to get a read on the room.

Luvick does a double take as the very tiny, very flammable Lena openly threatens the ancient vampire before Bronin's smooth tones start drawing him back in. And then there's the whole thing with the chicken and the tooth. He finally bursts out laughing.

"I've still half a mind to eat the lot of you, but I'm entertained in the least and listening. What business do you have with the Whispering Way?"

Quinley quickly interjects. "Luvick I've brought them here to help solve the murders. They need to know about the Whispering Way for their own nee--"

"Silence."

Quinley shuts up.

"Tell me what your business is with the Whispering Way and perhaps we can - as our minuscule friend says - make use of one another."

+1 post PotPie.

Wren, still smiling even with the extra gappage, waits to see if Bronin will speak more.

They have certain "components" that we need to reclaim to prevent their plans from coming to fruition.
Killing a bunch of the followers is also a bonus part of what we do too.

He nods slowly. "So they are building the Carrion Crown. Let us propose an exchange - I have no desire to see their plans come to fruition and it is in our best interests that the Whispering Tyrant remain confined in Gallowspire. The fact you came here, defeated Merrick, and slew several spawn is inconvenient but a testament to your power. Quinley seems to have made a good match. Find the killer, and I will tell you everything I know about the Whispering Way. Here is what I know of the killer."

Luvick plucks a goblet from a table and sips at it while he speaks. The vampire nobles he was speaking with watch you from a distance, clearly unsure of what to make of you.

"My people are being killed. Killed completely and with great intention. My agents are gathering information but the truth is - we know little. The best we have is someone in custody, a nosferatu named Ramoska Arkminos. He claims to have nothing to do with the slayings, but that one has played a mysterious game over the years. In addition, one of my retainers has acquired evidence suggesting that the Caliphasi nobility are behind the attacks. The evidence is not validated, but there may be a connection."