Luke's Crimson Throne Campaign

Game Master GM Crimson

By the time Devargo ha given his short command, Emi has drawn on him and is striking. Devargo has the advantages of choosing the place and setting the stage, which leaves momentum as the only advantage Emi and company can grab. She means to have it.

Emi tosses the bundle of letters on the ground behind her to take them out of play, and snarls as she slashes across the desk at him.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 1 - 2 = 25

Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 + 6 + 1 + (2) = 20

Crit?: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 1 - 2 = 9

Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1) + 6 + 6 + 1 = 18 Darn!

Move action to draw her falchion, Free action to toss the bundle, Standard to Attack. She should have Devargo flat-footed so sneak attack die added.

I'll also use a Harrow point to boost my AC by 1 for this encounter

There's alot to unpack in just those first two moves. First, Kayleigh's mention of Harrow Points put me in memory of the initial Harrowing. This is the encounter keyed to Tassira's chosen card, which means Tassira gets a free +2 to all Dex-based checks and a +1 Dodge bonus to AC for free. Also, Kayleigh and Nebbin's use of Harrow points here are free actions.

I dropped the spiritual weapon directly onto Devargo's square - by my reading of the space considerations of the spell, this is perfectly legal and has the effect of denying Devargo the partial cover of the desk in front of him.

Kayleigh's weapon materializes right in Devargo's face, and it's only through sheer dumb luck that he evades a braining in the first moment of combat. Emileva's wicked cut draws the Spider King's blood, and comes within a hairsbreadth of ending his life. He rocks back in his seat trying to avoid the blow.

Behind the party, the side door crashes open and a big, blade-wielding warrior comes barreling into the cabin directly behind Tassira.

Devargo raises a hand crossbow that he held concealed under the desk and fires its goop-covered bolt directly into Nebbin's chest. With Sneak Attack and minus DR, Nebbin takes 11 hp of damage and needs to make an antitoxin-aided save vs poison.

The guard standing next to Devargo's desk tries to grapple with Emileva, apparently with the intent of forcing her onto the trap door.

Emi gets an AoO vs the mook, I figured we'd go ahead and get that done even though the guard doesn't technically get to act until after Regeris's action. Regeris is up

Initiative repeated for the new page...

Kayleigh 21
Emileva 18
Enemy warrior 15
Devargo 14
Regeris 11+
Eel's End guards 11
Nebbin 9
Tassira 3

Emi tries to draw her blade back and interpose it between herself and the bodyguard, but she's unable to pull back from her extension toward Devargo quickly enough to do it.

AoO: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 - 2 = 7

Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 1) + 6 + 6 = 16

Nebbin grunts as the bolt hits him, burning almost as much as the actual pain.

Fort save: 1d20 + 7 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 5 = 15 And my good rolls continue

Kayleigh reminded me I also have her guidance spell (assuming it's been less than a minute, which it feels like it has). That'd be +1 to that roll, for a 16.

Suddenly seeing an armed warrior in front of him, Regeris curses. With Kayleigh and Nebbin unable to to move in without stepping on the trap door, he decides to risk a wound and reposition. He rushes southwards, exposing himselfr to a dangerous attack before he yanks out his bow to turn and fire it at Devargo.

Attack (Point Blank, Coordinated Shot): 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 20 Damage (Judgement, point Blank): 1d8 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 13

"Kayleigh or Nebbin! Take my place to protect Tassira!"

Moving to 1,1, and intentionally triggering an AoO. Swift action to judge destruction (+2 to damage), and firing at Devargo.

Note that the guard's attack of opportunity is used up if anyone wants to get around him.

Unless he has Combat Reflexes. Which is a trick I love playing on players. :)

Nebbin suffers no additional effects from the goop.

The new warrior makes an expertly placed cut at Regeris as the inquisitor exposes his flank. The man's cutlass opens a nasty wound on the back of Regeris's leg. 9 hp damage from a cutlass attack.

Regeris's arrow sinks into Devargo's shoulder and the gang lord cries out in pain and shock. The guard at Emileva's flank tries to grasp the young woman, but she manages to twist away from him. Grapple check failed.

Another of the Eel's End guards comes charging into the room brandishing an iron-bound club. He takes up a position beside the enemy warrior but is unable to get involved in the melee.

Below decks, someone begins shouting out orders. You get the feeling things may be about to get more crowded and confusing in the tiny, chaos-filled cabin.

Nebbin, Tassira, Kayleigh & Emi are up.

"Hey," Nebbin warns as he steps up next to Tassira. "Don't you hurt her! Trying picking on someone bigger than you are!"

He brings his sword in a wide arc around him into the man who barged into the barge's cabin and almost into his almost sister, spraying blood across the room.

Greatsword, power attack: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 2 = 26
Damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (2, 4) + 12 = 18

Greatsword, power attack: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 8 - 2 = 18
Damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (2, 2) + 12 = 16

Man, I hope that confirms.

Kayleigh gasps in anger and surprise as Barvasi fires a poisoned bolt into Nebbin. Though she's relieved that Nebbin seems only lightly wounded by the sneak attack, the priestess glares at the King of Spiders before directing her spiritual morningstar to squash him like any other bug.

spiritual weapon morningstar: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 for force damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

ADDENDUM: Realizing that she's technically still unarmed, Kayleigh draws her silver morningstar so she can try to bash any enemy that might get close.

Nebbin reminded me that attacking with spiritual weapon only takes a move action when you change targets, so Kayleigh's got another action. Isn't it sweet the way we two look out for one another? ;)

Once Kayleigh's regains control of her righteous fury at Devargo, she realizes she's got a perfect opportunity to channel positive energy. Excluding the King of Spiders and the poor minion Nebbin just creamed, the Milanite fills the cabin with positive energy.

Channel Positive Energy #1 of 7: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9

@DM Luke: In going back to see the last time I rolled double digits on an attack roll (or any other roll in 2019, for that matter), I discovered a decent roll in THIS POST--a Knowledge check I never got results from.

Emi fends off the bodyguard with a hard shoulder into his chest. She gains just enough room between herself and the man to pivot in his direction. As she does, she slides her left hand up on her falchion to grasp it mid-blade and rakes it across him in a saw-like slash.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 1 - 2 = 18

Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 3) + 6 + 6 + 1 = 17

Move action to switch Studied Target to the bodyguard. Standard to Power Attack.

Nebbin's attack does confirm, but does not quite kill.

Nebbin's furious attack drives right through the meager parry his opponent is able to offer and bites into the man's side. He grunts in pain and presses his off hand to the bleeding wound to staunch the flow. Yet he remains a threatening foe. The difference in arms and skill mark the warrior as something more than the standard Eel's End guard.

I'll reserve resolution on Kayleigh and Emi's actions until Tassira acts.

@Kayleigh - was that knowledge roll to do with Milanite paladins or dead spiders?

@Kayleigh - was that knowledge roll to do with Milanite paladins or dead spiders?

The dead spider cult.

Surprise Round Actions
No Action: 5' step back
Standard Action: Ready Action: Cast hypnotic pattern when more of Devargo's mooks come barreling in

Tassira steps away from the maimed swordsman, slides a hand into an inside vest pocket, and takes out a small glass rod.

From Mother's old alchemy set. Now, get ready... once more of Devargo's men come in, let's take our new spell for a test run.

Also, she'll boost the save DC of hypnotic pattern by 1 through an arcane point. Shall I roll for the HD of baddies that'll have to save?

@Kayleigh - You have a vague memory of reading about a spider-themed demon lord, but nothing specific. And nothing at all about dead spiders.

@Tassira - in the future, please feel free to make all the rolls associated with your spells (with the exception of the enemy saves!) For this casting I rolled to move us along, and my die was very kind (3,4) + 4 = 11.

Devargo slides away from the magical weapon's attack while Milani's power surges through the room, knitting Regeris and Nebbin's wounds.

Emileva's blade slices a bloody arc across the guard's chest causing him to fall back against the big cased windows of the stern cabin. The guard remains in the fight.

Seeing a spellcaster, the enemy warrior lashes out with his cutlass in the direction of Tassira. The attack catches her on the forearm staining the mage's robes with her own blood. 8 hp damage

Devargo gives up on the trapdoor gambit and vaults his desk. He lands directly onto the suspect floorboards but no trap triggers. When he punches out at Emileva, his fist is mailed in a spiked gauntlet. Happily the wicked blade flashes past Emi without touching her.

Regeris is up. I'm still holding Tassira's readied spell until the mooks come up (next) to put more of them into the cabin.

Attack (PBS, Coordinated Shot): 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 18 Damage (Judgement, PBS): 1d8 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 13
Attack (PBS, Coordinated Shot): 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 24 Damage (Judgement, PBS): 1d8 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 7

Dead set on his single goal of killing Devargo, Regeris remains silent and intent, planting his feet and firing out arrow after arrow.

Regeris's arrows both strike the gang boss. He grips the arrow protruding from his side, crumples to one knee, then goes over onto his face with a groan, his blood spreading across the floorboards.

"The boss is down!" Emi's foe screams.

More guards crowd at the door to get into the fight. Another man slips up the open stairway, practically filling the room with combatants. Emi's foe takes advantage of the chaos to land a blow on the top of her shoulder with his metal-banded club. 9 hp damage.

At this moment, Tassira's illusion takes effect, filling the small chamber with twinkling motes of light.

The enemies at (2,5) and (3,4) actually have more HD than the party members. Guards 5 & 6 take 3 HD each, leaving 5 to spend in the spell's budget. Guard 5 saves and Guard 6 does not, so he's fascinated. I rolled randomly between Kayleigh and Nebbin to see which would be possibly affected, and Nebbin got picked. Nebbin needs to make a DC 17 Will save v spell, or become fascinated by the lights.

Modified initiative order:

Kayleigh 21
Emileva 18
Enemy warrior 15
Devargo 14
Regeris 11+
Eel's End guards 11
Tassira 11-
Nebbin 9

Tassira still has a move action and/or 5' step if she likes. Nebbin is up, assuming he passes his save.

Will save (+2 when raging): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 sigh

Although the weaving colors of Tassira's spell is a mild distraction, Kayleigh sees mainly red as a rare bloodlust takes her. The priestess redirects her spiritual weapon against Emi's foe and a moment later, the cry of "Mystelum!" again bursts from her mouth. She directs a second spiritual weapon against the guard Nebbin previously injured (#5, I believe).

spiritual weapon #1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 for force damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

spiritual weapon #2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 for force damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

spiritual weapon #1 (Confirm?): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16 for force damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Emi gets the distance she needs for a full two-handed swing at the bodyguard and takes it.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 1 - 2 = 16

Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 1) + 6 + 6 + 1 = 15

Tassira will take a five-foot step behind Nebbin.

On Nebbin's question, so as not to totally nerf the spell, we'll say the fascination lasts until the fascinated character is directly threatened in combat, or he saves due to attacks in his vicinity. In Nebbin's case, that will change his initiative order slightly. In the case of the guard who's just inside the doorway, it might mean a little longer.

The combination of attacks from Emi and the original spiritual weapon take down the guard who flanked Devargo, clearing the deep end of the cabin. The warrior with the cutlass (unnumbered) is the only enemy who's taken damage, and directing the second spiritual weapon at him results in a miss.

That same cutlass-wielder steps forward with his target and directs a second expert attack at Tassira. The wizardess is wounded again. 11 hp to Tassira. I have her with 8 remaining hp.

Modified initiative is below. Regeris may act. Nebbin may save again by virtue of Tassira being injured next to him. If he passes, he may act. Otherwise he's fascinated until mook 5 acts, assuming that enemy is not killed by Regeris.

Kayleigh 21
Emileva 18
Enemy warrior 15
Regeris 11+
Eel's End guards 11
Tassira 11-
Nebbin 9
Sneaking Enemy

Will save (+2 when raging): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

The lights continue to fascinate Nebbin. Really, dice bot?

"Tassira needs healing!" calls out Regeris, who decides to just keep the punishment against his opponents up, wheeling to attack the cutlass-wielder.

"Devargo is dead! Nobody is paying you now so make some clever choices about if you want to die in a warm bed or with an arrow in your throat!"

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Crit?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17 Damage: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (7, 5) + 10 = 22

With the back corner now clear, Emi turns and hustles forward to stand beside Tassira, and directly over Devargo. As much as she would like to put her sword through his chest, just in case, no loose ends to bite us in the ass later, there isn't time for it. She strikes downward at the man facing Tassira while telling her "back up! Around behind me!"

Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 1 - 2 = 20

Damage: 2d4 + 6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 4) + 6 + 6 + 1 = 20

Tassira's assailant is Emi's new studied target as a move action. 5' step to 4,2. Standard to power attack.

Regeris's second arrow slices the attacker across the shoulder in a near miss. The unknown warrior grits bloody teeth and growls back.

"And every time a king falls, another rises in his place. Save your platitudes. Double the headprice for these guys, boys! Take them down! Jax! Get your arse up here!"

The guard opposite Nebbin breaks the enchantment by attacking the big warrior. I did not penalize Nebbin's AC for this effect, just delayed his action. The guard brings his club down on Nebbin, leaving a new reminder of this brutal little combat. 6 hp damage after DR to Nebbin.

More guards crowd the single doorway into the cabin. It's becoming clear you're going to have to cut your way out of here.

The initiative order is super dynamic this time!

Kayleigh 21
Emileva 18
Enemy warrior 15
Regeris 11+
Eel's End guards 11
Nebbin 11
Tassira 11-
Sneaking Enemy

Everyone but Regeris may announce their next actions (Emi has one in the bank). Nebbin is up.

Realized I forgot to include Kayleigh's channel in my last quick stats; this includes that, plus the hit from the post right above.

Nebbin grunts as the blow crunches into his shoulder, right where he's previously been cut before Kayleigh's divine presence made him feel better.

"Get away from her, you ... dick!" Nebbin growls at the thug threatening Tassira, swinging his blade ferociously. It hits with a sickening thunk, crushing the man's chest as much with raw, brute power as with any finesse or sharp edge.

Greatsword, power attack: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 2 = 26
Damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (2, 2) + 12 = 16
Greatsword, power attack: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 8 - 2 = 23
Damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (4, 2) + 12 = 18
Yes, that'll do very nicely. Thank you, dice bot. I take back the mean things I said about you for leaving me held in that other game against a crapload of demons.

Also, if this guy is still standing, we may be in trouble.

Tassira ceases concentrating on her hypnotic pattern and takes another step back.

Noticing how badly injured she is, she opts to focus on dodging.

AC is 20 until the end of my next turn.

Belatedly realizing that Nebbin was fascinated by Tassira's spell, Kayleigh's ready to shake him back to his senses when Regeris barks the order to heal Tassira. With the two spiritual weapons to watch and possibly redirect, the priestess finds she's got too many options on her table. She flashes Regeris one of her pouty frowns as poor Nebbin's clipped by a club, but then the big man comes back to life with spectacular violence. The frown's gone a moment later when Kayleigh realizes Regeris is right (and that Nebbin's OK).

When her first spiritual weapon blinks out of existence, that's one less thing to occupy the cleric's mind. She realizes she can offer assistance to both her friends.

Take that...dick! she thinks as she brings the remaining ghostly morningstar to bear against one of Nebbin's foes; she also reaches out and touches Tassira while chanting a spell, gifting the mage with Milani's healing power.

spiritual weapon (morningstar): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 for force damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

cure light wounds: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Was planning on switching the target of the spiritual weapon to guard #5, but if the other guy somehow survives Nebbin's crit she'd keep attacking him. I kinda figured I wouldn't get a third slightly-above-average roll to better heal Tassira. :(

Um, Yeah. Neither that guy nor his neighbor (with a small retcon to Emi's action) still remain standing. In fact both are downright unrevivable.

Nebbin's strike is lethal and the man's allies are coated with a sheen of the man's blood. The barbarian's lethal rage and the demise of the 'new king' has a chilling effect on the passions of your enemy. Combined with successful attacks from Emileva and the spiritual weapon, the combat is very suddenly turned decisively in your favor. The remaining guards are trampling each other to get out of the cabin. The sneaker who came up the steps has disappeared back down into the depths of the Eel.

Unless the group chooses to pursue the guards out onto the deck of the warship, this combat is effectively ended. The stern cabin of Eel's End is yours.

Looking around the cabin you find that the spiders have made themselves scarce. The covered cage in the corner rattles again and rocks on its base.

An injured Tassira moves over to the birdcage and uncovers it.

"Now what do we do?" Nebbin asks, barely breathing hard he never actually raged. "Devargo's gone, but won't someone just take his place, like that guy tried? And the necromancer might try to take his body if we just leave it here, right?"

As Tassira moves toward the cage, he keeps his sword at the ready.

Regeris lowers his bow in amazement at Nebbin's prowess. "Everbloom be praised." Taking a moment to gather his bearing, he looks around at the group.

"You are all brilliant, we have been chosen to save this city. I know it." He thinks for a moment. "We have a choice - we can lay at least temporary claim to the place and see if we can destroy Devargo's shiver supply. Alternately, we can beat a hasty retreat."

Moving quickly, Regeris mutters a detect magic orison while checking over the room for objects of power. He also stops by to briefly chant a healing spell over Tassira.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

"I say we stay and rid Korvosa of the King's tainted shiver," Kayleigh chimes in with conviction. In a quieter voice she adds to Regeris, "If you and Emileva would like to speed these fallen criminals on to their judgments--that one especially (she gestures toward Barvasi)--I can channel positive energy to heal folks back up. I would hate for these scum to benefit from my healing after such base treachery."

(Eventual) Channel Positive Energy #2 of 7: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8

The mention of purging the ship of Devargo's shiver source causes Tassira to adopt a wide-eyed, almost sadistic grin.

"YES."

Nebbin's brow furrows as he thinks over Kayleigh's comments.

"Wait a second, you don't mean we should just kill them in cold blood, right?" he says, horror creeping into his voice.

Regeris does a bit of a double-take at Kayleigh's suggestion before looking to Nebbin. "If Barvasi draws breath we must put him down. This man probably owns half of the nobility in this city and we cannot trust he will go to fair trial. His guards are ust people making coin. I bear them no particular ill will."

Regeris takes a look over the bodies in the room, trying to see who is still alive.

Heal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Just since some text has scrolled let me know if the detec tmagic pings on anything.

Kayleigh grimaces as Nebbin overhears her words to Regeris and the inquisitor himself reacts visibly to them. Caught in what she thought was just a simple suggestion (subtle manipulation?), Kayleigh doesn't dare look at Emi for fear that her friend might be livid that Kayleigh'd passed the dirty work on to her and Regeris...or that the priestess was a hypocrite after sparing the Lamb back at the old fishery.

But Nebbin's horrified reaction cements in Kayleigh's mind why she'd made the suggestion, and it stiffens her spine to stick to her guns. She needed to shield Nebbin as much as was possible from becoming too ‘practical’ and accepting of killing others. Kayleigh wasn’t sure if this rather quaint notion was her own or passed to her by Milani during one of her dream visions. It wouldn’t be easy: Opposing such forces as Pilts Swastel, the Gray Maidens, and perhaps Queen Ileosa herself promised to be bloody, uncompromising, and likely merciless work. Still, Kayleigh had already vowed to do everything in her power to see Nebbin through such trials relatively unscathed. He was her anchor: She couldn't allow his heart to become corroded.

"'Kill them in cold blood'?" the priestess hears herself echoing Nebbin's own words back at him. She's a bit surprised at how cold her tone sounds. "This...villain!...ambushed us during what was supposed to be a simple business transaction...shot you in the chest with a poisoned bolt!" The priestess calms down considerably as her mothering instinct (and desire to be a caring girlfriend) dampen her anger, and she moves to Nebbin to wipe away any lingering poison with her tabard. Letting out a deep sigh, she adds, "Regeris is right. People like Barvasi and Pilts Swastel can't be redeemed. Letting them live on means allowing them to continue to hurt and corrupt the innocents of Korvosa."

Kayleigh considers saying more but stops. She looks into Nebbin's eyes, trying to determine if he thinks her a monster.

Once that moment passes, she moves on to other pressing matters, casting detect magic to help Regeris scan the room for loot and perhaps traps. ”We should take anything of value before any of Barvasi’s underlings decide to return here to claim the crown for themselves.” Looking around for places where valuables might be stashed, her eyes settle upon the King of Spiders’s throne. ”Let’s check the throne for secret compartments. It wouldn’t surprise me if Barvasi had several tricks and magical equalizers near at hand while he held court here.”

Sense Motive (Hunch DC 20; Nebbin): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Perception (searching the throne): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

As soon as the goons turn and run, Emi goes back to retrieve the bundle of letters and the sacks of gold. Once she has those tucked away she walks over to Devargo, flips her sword upside-down, and drive its point through his chest.

Coup de Grace: 4d4 + 12 ⇒ (4, 2, 2, 3) + 12 = 23

"Not anything to discuss really. If he survives this whole thing starts over again. So, no point in leaving just to come again later, downstairs to wreck the shiver making? And we should make sure all the potential kings have fallen while we're at it. I think if Eel's End is going to continue on after today, we're the ones who'll decide who's in charge."

"We're not leaving until Devargo's shiver operations are completely in ruins."

Tassira looks at the cage she uncovered.

"Wait, that bolt was poisoned?" Nebbin asks, not having realized that. "I don't think so. I mean, it didn't hurt like that devil when it stung me. But don't we need to be better than all of them? If not, we're not really any different, and we just become them too! I mean, maybe we have our own trial or something, if we can't trust the people who are supposed to handle it to do it."

The others are clearly set on their course of action, but Nebbin doesn't participate.

"Well, if someone has to be in charge, maybe Helvara?" he suggests. Speaking of which, can she be added to the website's contacts page? Thanks!

"No, we're not the same. We're not running a business based on a criminal network. If they stop, we stop. If we stop, they don't. There's no comparison to be made."

Like Nebbin, Emi has some thoughts about Helvara and the future of Eel's End. She doesn't see this as the right time to hash things out though.

Kayleigh adds nothing more, letting Emi's blunt but honest assessment stand. She's fairly certain Nebbin thinks her a monster.

Tassira yanks the dark cover from the birdcage to expose a bedraggled house drake. Its scales are dotted with little wounds and scrapes, its wings torn and healed and torn again. It shies away from the sudden light, crowding into the far side of the cage with its golden eyes first fixed on Tassira's bandaged hands, then darting around the room. It hisses and bears silver-lined teeth.

Emi's blade tip grinds into the cabin floor and Devargo dies without much protest. The letters and the gold are obvious items, the shelves behind the desk are also covered in books and papers that would no doubt be of use to someone - the lot of it is covered in webbing and filled with the kinds of nooks and shadows that spiders like the most. Scanning the room for enchantments, you find that some of Devargo's personal gear, his leather armor and a couple of potions in his belt that he never consumed all radiate magic. His spiked gauntlets and hand crossbow are finely-made curiosities. The key on a chord around his neck suggests itself when it comes to properly looting this place. As Emi goes to stuff the letters in her bag, she happens to notice that all the papers but the top one are just folded blank papers. The letters in your hand are dupes.

Glancing into the cabin's second room with the benefit of detect magic, Regeris sees that there are magical items within a footlocker there by the door. There's a room full of mundane effects here, but no other auras. To the port side of the cabin the dark steps down are an open threat and Nebbin and Regeris both hear muted voices in the darkness below deck.

Kayleigh's soft feud with Nebbin probably distracts her a bit as she runs her hands over the throne. Her finger clumsily finds an armed trigger switch under the seat of the chair which her paranoid mind mistakes for a spider. With a bark of fright, she accidentally triggers the thing to open with a huge hinge squeal.

When nothing comes flying out of the four-foot hole in the floor and someone peers over the edge, you see that it drops maybe eight feet into a cell that's dimly lit through the bars of its door. You don't see anything in the cell but perhaps bedding on the ground in the dark corner.

Thoughts of vengeance abruptly vanish from Tassira's mind when she sees the mistreated house drake. Her expression promptly turns compassionate.

"Oh my..." She turns to the others. "Guys? This little guy's hurt!"

Between bears and cannons I'm in serious need of an editor!

Nebbin gasps at the little dragon's condition.

"Poor guy!" he says. "Can we help him?"

He looks torn between checking out his first dragon ever -- it's way smaller than he expected! -- and keeping guard, but he stays near the stairs, sword drawn.

Regeris stares dumbly at the house drake.

Knowledge Arcana: Monster ID: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

However considering the stress of the situation his mind just blanks. "I can't remember a thing about house drakes. I'll let you see to the poor creature and keep looking."

Regeris alleviates Devargo of his magical or valuable equipment and then heads to the footlocker, checking for traps first.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Assuming there are no traps, he unlocks it with Devargo's key.