Luke's Crimson Throne Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master GM Crimson

I'm good with either, if we consider the rest of the fight to be a foregone conclusion.

HOSPICE OF THE BLESSED MAIDEN (Midland--West Dock; 12 Desnus)

Although the last Gray Maiden screams that "All traitors to Queen Ileosa shall perish!", it is she that is put down by Emi and Firinne.

The receptionist starts putting out burning papers on the desktop, all the while spilling dirt on the Queen's Physicians. "It was Doc Davaulus who gave the order to burn these papers and eliminate all witnesses. He didn't burn everything, though; scrambled out of here for the freight elevator with a bundle of notes and journals in his arms, he did!"

I'll put the description of the back office inside a spoiler in case the plan is to chase after Davaulus and the elevator. If folks would like to scour the room for clues, please roll a Perception check.

Nebbin's eyes grow wide. "That might be important!" he calls, dashing off to help -- though he's still gasping for breath after the fight. I'd have ended rage, so I think I'm fatigued for a minute? I don't remember 1e rules anymore. :D

If still needed, Emi will cover the papers with her cloak to smother the fire.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

HOSPICE OF THE BLESSED MAIDEN (Midland--West Dock; 12 Desnus)

From the recovered scraps of notes, Emi learns a few things of value:
1) The subjects here did not have the blood veil. In fact, they are suspected of somehow being immune to the disease;
2) The testing of these subjects is, in part at least, being undertaken by devotees of Urgathoa, goddess of disease, gluttony, and undeath;
3) Reports are regularly "sent below to A."...whatever that means.

Lastly, a reminder that some healing is in order. By my records, Emi's down 30 hps, Andrezi's down 5, Nebbin's down 2, and Bhrunlida (the receptionist) is down 5.

"Nebbin, hold just a moment," Fírinne says, reaching for his shoulder. "If he escapes, it won't be because we took a few seconds for Miakoda to treat our wounds."

Reading the notes darkens Emi's mood. She passes on what she learns in the briefest outline, sharing Nebbin's sense of urgency.

"These people aren't sick. It's experiments by Urganthoans, with reports sent to someone downstairs."

"Ugh, who in this city isn't in some sort of death cult lately?"

Fírinne glances down at the corpses of their defeated enemies. "These ones aren't, not anymore."

"That is horrible!" Andrezi says, aghast. "What can we do to stop this?"

Because she's Emi, Emi spells out the probable larger implications she can imagine.

"Well, either we just happened to stumble across the one hospital, if there are even any others, are there? Which happens to be doing whatever the f+$# this is in the name of Urgathoa secretly somehow, or The Queen is colluding with or running an Urgathoan campaign to do whatever the f*%& this is. I really doubt this is just local flavor, a one off."

Looking over at the receptionist, Emi says "What more do you know about downstairs? Tell us everything you know, no matter how small a detail it is. Who goes down or comes up? Names, supplies that go down. Are there even any patients who ever get released? Don't think for a second saving your life a minute ago means I won't gut you a minute from now if I think you're holding anything back."

Bluff: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 2 = 15

Using Studied Target

HOSPICE OF THE BLESSED MAIDEN (Midland--West Dock; 12 Desnus)

"Well, technically it was the big fella what saved my life," the receptionist replies to Emi, her eyes drifting over to Nebbin. She's likely giving him her best 'come hither' smile, but the effect is totally lost behind the multiple scarf-masks she's wearing.

With a resigned sigh, she returns Emi's stare. "Listen, hon," she begins, "my job description's a simple one: Get the name, address, and ethnicity of any patient brought in here or walkin' through the front door; talk to anyone visitin' and tell 'em that they can't visit loved ones or friends 'cause it's too dangerous; and let the head doctor, Davaulus, know if anyone insists on being admitted. Oh--and try not to get sick and die myself.

"After what I just saw, though, I ain't gonna risk my own life for the creeps that run this place! I've never seen a single patient walk out of this place, though I'm told folks who recover are released first thing in the mornin' before I come on desk duty. As for 'downstairs,' I didn't know for sure such a place existed...though I kinda suspected as much--freight elevator's noise didn't sound quite right to me a few times I heard it while sittin' out front. Didn't sound like it was goin' up--sounded faint, like maybe it was underneath the main floor. Only doctors and their plate mail guardians use it, so far as I know."

At first blush, you all believe the receptionist is being truthful...or is a really good liar.

Gonna give other folks time to investigate or question the receptionist; there may be more intel you can collect upstairs.

Nebbin's torn, wanting to rush down the elevator ... but maybe Firinne is right. He bounces on the balls of his feet, ignoring the slight scratches and eager to follow and stop this horrific place and people for good. But if there's more that can tell them what's happening -- where's Ruan, and more importantly where's Rolth and what does he have to do with all of this? -- then he knows he needs to wait for Emi to find it.

HOSPICE OF THE BLESSED MAIDEN (Midland--West Dock; 12 Desnus)

Insofar as you all can tell, the missing Ruan is not among the patients (dead or alive) lying in this room. Those fortunate enough to have not had their throats slit still don't stir as the fight against the Queen's physicians ends and a deeper investigation begins. Your best guess is that the survivors have been drugged to the point of unconsciousness.

If the receptionist isn't folding quickly, Emi sees little point in pushing farther. She also thinks time matters. Whoever is down at the bottom of the lift shouldn't be given plenty of time to plan a response to the party's assault, which means no more time to spend on the woman.

"Fine. You should leave now" she tells the receptionist.

INT: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Wisdom: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

"It is an vile thing, this experiment they perform. Doubly vile, to do so while offering the false hope of treatment. Whatever this cult's goals or origins I will not suffer them continue!" Miakoda's voice, tight with anger, is belied by her gentleness as she goes down the line of the "ill", performing last rights for the murdered and carefully checking on those who still live.

"Strange...This Ruan we seek, is he a Varisian human dark of hair and eye? These poor souls all appear to be kin, at least distantly so. Is it possible this possible resistance to the disease is an inheritance?"

Nebbin has no idea, but startles slightly as he realizes Miakoda is correct. "Or maybe they plan to use them for some other reason?" he wonders. He can't help but remember what happened to their former friend, whose body was mutilated and used against them.

He's eager to get going -- but wonders if they should have the orderly stay to watch over the patients. She may not have been good, but there was a line she drew in what she was willing to do. Leaving them abandoned here seems dangerous. Or maybe they can get a message to Kayleigh to come quickly...

HOSPICE OF THE BLESSED MAIDEN (Midland--West Dock; 12 Desnus)

The receptionist gives Emi a grim nod and heads for the doorway. There she stops briefly to ask, "Want me to summon the Guard or something?"

A quick reminder: In THIS POST you learned from Jolistina's mad spirit that Rolth had ordered her to be on the lookout for healthy-looking Varisians, which is why she kidnapped Ruan in the first place.

Re: The sick patients and Kayleigh: Yeah, this is a vexing question. I'm planning on re-reading this section of the adventure to see if there's a recommended course of action. It seems very unlikely that all the sick could be transferred to the Old Korvosa clinic, since Endrin Island/Old Korvosa has effectively been quarantined from the rest of the city by this point. Bringing Kayleigh to the sick makes more sense, but...what then? Will she treat them once and then hope for the best and leave them to their fates? Or stay there to treat them long-term, possibly at her own peril?

Lastly, I'll throw out one last suggestion to do a bit of healing before proceeding. Emileva in particular is rather beat up (-30 hps, if I'm remembering correctly).

"Sure, if you're so inclined", Emi tells the receptionist.

"There are a lot of patients here who need help, and not many of us. If you care about them at all it would be the right thing to do. But, only the Korvosan Guard, not anyone else."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Yep, I'm quite open to any healing anyone wants to send my way!

How many patients are still alive?

Roll: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

"I feel that time is of the essence, and if there is a downstairs then we should tend to our wounds and take the fight below. I still have some magic at my disposal."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25

Miakoda looks up sharply from the unconscious women she was tending to, staring at the receptionist. "You fear the guard, more than you wish to help," she hisses, appalled. "Don't be a fool--worse, don't be a monster! Pay a child to carry a message if you lack to spine to deliver it yourself! But we cannot be everywhere at once, and these people need care!"

Channel: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 1) = 5 ugh
Channel: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 2) = 10 better
Channel: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 1) = 8 good enough?

HOSPICE OF THE BLESSED MAIDEN (Midland--West Dock; 12 Desnus)

The party's swift intervention has saved the lives of 11 of the 15 unconscious patients/test subjects here.

The receptionist appears to be briefly chastened by Miakoda's words but gives a curt nod before hustling back downstairs and then out of the building.

After gathering what proof remains of the wrongdoings going on at the hospice--and getting some healing from Miakoda--your group heads back downstairs, again hearing the freight lift moving somewhere to the west. Back on the main floor, you see that the two tied-up physicians are where you left them. In a small room to the west of the stairwell, you find the mechanical lift, sitting empty. However, you have dozens of witnesses in the sick ward. They say that no one has emerged from the lift room, and several swear that they heard the lift mechanism coming up from beneath the floor.

The lift has a single lever to take it up or down. Close inspection, however, reveals a slot where some sort of key can be inserted to lower it from the ground level to a basement of some sort. Emi's pretty sure she can use her thieves' tools to get the lift to descend to the lower level, with some time and effort. (It's a Disable Device DC 35 check.)

Quick pause here for any last-minute actions, such as heals, buffs, summoning Kayleigh (if that's possible), or the like.

Who knows if they have another escape route below. I don't think we have time to cast summon Kayleigh. I don't think I have any buffs I can do, so ready to go when everyone else is.

Nebbin lifts his sword. "Maybe we can finally stop Rolth!" he says, with some hope.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24

No hurry. We aren't going anywhere right away. As I expected I failed the check. It was only going to be possible if my static bonus covered enough of the DC to allow for a success on a roll under (probably well under) 10. This is what I'll be doing for the next week or two.

"Take your time, Emi," Fírinne says. "I know you can do this."

Miakoda, could you help out with guidance?

I can, and Miakoda does so, but is anything blocking us from taking a 20?

If taking 20 is possible, that's the only way we'll make it. with a +17 to disable device, an 18 or better is needed to get past the DC of 35. Aside from the three good rolls I had in one combat round here, I've rarely rolled better than an 8 in any of my games for about 3 weeks now.

There's no trap, so feel free to take 20.

Emi spends a long time working painstakingly on the contraption before she gets anything to happen. But eventually it does start moving.

Take 20 on Disable Device for 37.

HOSPICE OF THE BLESSED MAIDEN (Midland--West Dock; 12 Desnus)

Emileva gets the freight lift to chug back to life, and it begins to descend into whatever lies beneath the hospice. The machinery's loud enough that anyone below that's close to the lift's landing point will hear you coming.

The lift door opens. The scuffed stone walls of this chamber have been plastered over and then decorated with lurid murals of skeletons cavorting among the dead of a Korvosa that has completely succumbed to blood veil. Simple wooden doors lead to the north and south, both bearing a painting of a scythe-wielding skeleton. A sizable double door stands on the east wall, appearing in the mural as a massive set of double doors opening into the pyramid foundation of Castle Korvosa. Two more scythe-wielding skeletons decorate these large doors.

Also present are four more grim Gray Maidens: two footsoldiers and two archers. One demands that you all drop your weapons and submit yourselves to the Queen's justice.

ANDREZI, EMILEVA, and FIRINNE get the drop on the waiting Gray Maidens to start Round 1. I subtracted 3 minutes from the durations of ongoing spells for rescuing documents in the lab and getting the freight elevator to take the party downward.

INITIATIVE ORDER/CONDITIONS: Combat Round 1 (Bolded may act/post)
Andrezi (51/51; mage armor (7 hrs.))
Emileva (66/73; ST --)
Firinne (47/47; shield (2 mins.); blade tutor’s spirit (2 mins.))
Gray Maidens
---Gray Maiden #1 (uninjured)
---Gray Maiden #2 (uninjured)
---Gray Maiden #3 (uninjured)
---Gray Maiden #4 (uninjured)
Nebbin (81/81)
Miakoda (52/52; shield of faith +3 (3 mins.))

Fírinne simply ignores the two Gray Maidens closest to the elevator, sprinting past them to take on one of the archers in the corner of the room.

Double move. Spending arcane point to enhance my rapier to +2 keen agile.

Emi exits the elevator and goes for the Gray Maiden on the left.

Attack: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 11 - 2 = 15

Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 3) + 6 + 6 = 19

Andrezi moves closer to the door, sees the danger, and hurriedly conjures a summoned creature to help.
Fort save (Acadamae Graduate), DC 17: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Though the summoned creature arrives, the process is taxing. Fatigued

The creature, a small earth elemental, immediately swings a stony fist.
Slam: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 1 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

HOSPICE OF THE BLESSED MAIDEN (Midland--West Dock; 12 Desnus)

The speed of most of the invaders thwarts the Gray Maidens' plan for an ambush here. Firinne gets in one of the archer's faces so swiftly that the armored woman curses, drops her bow, and draws her longsword instead. Unfortunately, neither Emi nor the elemental can get a telling hit in against the plate-mail-clad guardians.

On the positive side, the Gray Maidens' counterattacks aren't much better. One nicks the elemental with her sword, causing moderate damage to the summoned creature.

EVERYONE is up (NEBBIN & MIAKODA to end Round 1; ANDREZI (and his elemental), EMILEVA, and FIRINNE to kick off Round 2). My preliminary plan is to have Nebbin move to engage the remaining archer if his player isn't back in time to make his own choice.

Fírinne, grinning, charges her sword with freezing energy before unleashing a pair of strikes against the archer and stepping back into a defensive stance, ready for a counterattack.

Cast ray of frost Defensively, DC 15: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Rapier #1, SC: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Piercing/Cold: 1d6 + 11 + 1d3 ⇒ (1) + 11 + (1) = 13

Rapier #2, SC: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
Confirm?: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
Piercing/Cold: 1d6 + 11 + 1d3 ⇒ (5) + 11 + (1) = 17
Crit total: 17 + 1d6 + 11 + 1d3 ⇒ 17 + (6) + 11 + (3) = 37 Unless the first attack hit, in which case -4 to the damage here.

Emi takes the time to get a better feel for her opponent, but continues to press the attack.

Move to start Studied Target, Standard to attack.

Attack: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 11 + 2 - 2 = 31

Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2) + 6 + 6 + 2 = 18

Crit?: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 2 - 2 = 22

Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4) + 6 + 6 + 2 = 21

Nebbin gets ready to run to help Emileva -- figuring it was OK if the earth elemental "dies" fighting alone vs. the other one -- but immediately changes his plans as he watches her sword comes down in a bloody spray. Not able to get to the other archer, he instead closes in on the other gray maiden and brings his sword to bear.

"Where's Rolth?" he asks, hoping they're finally going to find the serial killer in this awful place. It seems like he'd belong here.

Mwk greatsword, power attack, vital strike: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 13 - 2 = 31 Wow. I guess I'll match Emi's roll!
Damage: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (1, 2, 6, 1) + 12 = 22
Crit?: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 13 - 2 = 19
Damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (4, 5) + 12 = 21

I'm guessing Emi's attack killed her foe. If not, I'll rush to help her. I can *just* get into a flanking position with my 40-foot speed without provoking an AoO, assuming they don't have reach or something.

"This should have been a place of healing," Miakoda's voice trembles with fury. "These fiends have betrayed those they were intended to protect, violated all standards of morality, and still show no remorse. Cut. Them. Down."

Inspire Courage Righteous Fury! +2

HOSPICE OF THE BLESSED MAIDEN (Midland--West Dock; 12 Desnus)

Emi and Firinne find their mojo again, each one taking out a Gray Maiden with a single attack! Nebbin's hack goes a long way toward dropping a third, but she still stands. In answer to his question, the beleaguered woman hisses, "We don't take orders from the likes of him!"

ANDREZI still up.

The elemental continues to attack the foe, fighting opposite Nebbin to bring the maiden low.
Slam vs Maiden: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 1 = 28
Damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

The wizard moves in, drawing his sword as he does so. He swings the blade against the nearby maiden as well.
Longsword vs Maiden: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Damage: 1d8 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

HOSPICE OF THE BLESSED MAIDEN (Midland--West Dock; 12 Desnus)

The earth elemental's strike is enough to drop a third Gray Maiden; Andrezi doesn't need to dirty his hands with melee.

The last Maiden fires a final arrow at Nebbin, not coming particularly close to hitting. Dropping her bow she draws her longsword and positions herself before the double doors to the east, shouting, "Five intruders incoming! I gladly give my life for the Queen's noble cause!"

GOOD GUYS are up!

"That's needlessly dramatic," Andrezi replies, taking a few steps forward before pointing at the remaining Gray Maiden for his elemental.

Who, of course, charges. Marked on the map with a blue box
Slam vs Maiden: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 33
Confirm Crit vs Maiden: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 26
Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13
Crit Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 2 = 10

"We can oblige" Emi tells the Gray Maiden as she follows the elemental.

Attack: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 11 - 2 = 14

Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 + 6 = 17

Nebbin joins the others in their rush to the door.

Going to delay to see if Emi and Earthy take down the maiden. If they do, I'm going to try to take the door down!
Mwk greatsword, power attack, vital strike: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 13 - 2 = 25
Damage: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (3, 1, 1, 1) + 12 = 18
Looks like by the rules, I can strike the door's vitals. Also, I'm SO sad I haven't picked up Stunning Irruption. That's 100% my next feat!

Dang! Thought I'd updated this last night. Earthy's crit has the last Gray Maiden down to low single-digit hps but not out.

@NEBBIN: Want to wait and see if Firinne or Miakoda can end her or use that attack to finish the job?

I think I can manage that! Hopefully!

Fírinne rushes over to clear the way for Nebbin, delivering one last thrust of freezing energy to the foolhardy Gray Maiden.

Rapier: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 13 + 2 = 28
Piercing+Ray of Frost: 1d6 + 11 + 2 + 1d3 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 2 + (1) = 17

That'll do!

HOSPICE OF THE BLESSED MAIDEN (Midland--West Dock; 12 Desnus)

Firinne takes out the last Gray Maiden defender, allowing Nebbin to hack away at the double doors beyond. Bad idea, it turns out....

As Nebbin's sword explosively shatters one of the doors--revealing a great hallway populated by the walking dead--his action activates a mighty trap. The various scythe-wielding skeletons depicted in the murals animate briefly, sweeping their blades outward in a deadly arc. Fortunately, only Nebbin and Firinne are close enough to doors to be vulnerable. The tiefling dodges, taking no damage; Nebbin's scratched (4 damage after DR).

Unfortunately, all the painted skeletons also breathe out a toxic gas that quickly fills the room, filling the lungs of the combatants there.

I need a DC 15 Fortitude saving throw from EVERYONE in the room; MIAKODA (who watches the proceedings from the safety of the cargo lift) is free and clear. Those who fail: Read the text underneath the spoiler.

INITIATIVE ORDER/CONDITIONS: NEW COMBAT! Round 1 (Bolded may act/post)
Firinne (47/47; shield (2 mins.); blade tutor’s spirit (2 mins.) ; IC +2)
Andrezi (51/51; mage armor (7 hrs.); fatigued; IC +2)
---Small Earth Elemental 12/17; augmented; 6/8 rounds; IC +2)
Nebbin (77/81; IC +2)
Skeleton Guards
---Skeleton Guard #1 (uninjured)
---Skeleton Guard #2 (uninjured)
---Skeleton Guard #3 (uninjured)
---Skeleton Guard #4 (uninjured)
Emileva (66/73; ST --; IC +2)
Miakoda (52/52; shield of faith +3 (3 mins.) ; IC +2)
Zombie Guards
---Zombie Guard #1 (uninjured)
---Zombie Guard #2 (uninjured)
---Zombie Guard #3 (uninjured)
---Zombie Guard #4 (uninjured)
NOTE: I left Miakoda's Inspire Courage bonus in the list, in case she opts to maintain it.

Oops!

Fort save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Barely hurt by the trap or the bad breath of the undead, Nebbin ponders for a second what to do. They could rush in, or hope the undead come to him (something he never thought he'd think!) and hold them at the door. But that likely gives the people they're chasing more time to get away!

Want to see what other folks want to do... I think we can send Earthy in and easily hold the doors, though they could just try to wait and spew poison again...

Emi quickly retreats out of the cloud when she sees it. After she's backed her way into the room with Miakoda, she calls to the others.

"Get out of the cloud! If it's poison we need to let it clear!"

FORT: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24