Megan's Curse of the Crimson Throne (Inactive)

Game Master Megan Robertson

Risdin stays at the rear of the group,"It's odd to see the city guard drawn so thin. I was under the impression that these forces were near endless compared to those from my homeland. Then again their movements are not as free as ours... Bound by bureaucracy and all..."

What loot are you talking about Hytogg? If it's not on somebody's sheet then just write it on yours

Cresston falls into the middle of the group, assuring Lord Jalento, "We'll be to your place of business in no time at all, m'lord! With the vast talents in this group I've ... er, WE'VE managed to assemble at your disposal, not even the most fierce band of street ruffians would dare stand in your way!"

"With the city in such a political disarray, it is no wonder the town guard is spread thin. Even with the hellknights, it must be difficult to maintain order."

You make your way without incident until you reach Eodred's Square. Here, a wild-haired and sick-looking old man approaches, staring at each of you in turn before fixating on Hytogg.

"Saw ya last night inna dream," he announces firmly, spittle spraying into poor Hytogg's face. "Your death during this time of great sickness and peril during Korvosa's darkest hour ushers in a new age of writhing doom." He reaches out to grab hold...

Una quickly raises her crossbow to the old man's eye level.

"Stand back, old man, if you value your life. Give deference where it is due."

Intimidate 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Shakhan urges along Lord Jalento to get him further away from the old man then aids Una's intimidation, "Your petty blabbering scares no-one old man, get yourself lost!" Intimidate, aid Una 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

"Unhand me you filthy Cad"! Hytogg exclaims pulling away from the man. "I am a powerful mage, and servent of Nethys...now be gone"!

Hytogg steps away, and uses prestidigitation to make his hair blow about, and sparks to float about him.

Hoo-boy, you lot are really intimidating!

The wild-haired looney stops dead in his tracks, turns and runs away shouting "Writhing doom of sickness untold, seen it I have, these people herald the end, the end I tell you!"

A squad of Korvosan Guards (these ones in ordinary working dress) stops in amazement and watch him go. Their sergeant looks over at you.

"Giving you trouble, sirs? Best stay at home, he seems harmless but some of the others..."

Una is perplexed.

"Since when have cultists of doom walked Korvosa's streets? Have they always been here, only supressed by the Hellknight forces?"

"Well, madam, there are some less pleasant folks than that around, rioters and thieves the most of them. Mad prophets, not many of them, and he seems a bit madder than most."

"Let's continue - we're not far now."

Una nods her assent. She also is ready to move on and let the guards perform their duty.

The wild-haired fellow runs off, still yelling. The guard squad moves in the same direction, but it looks like they cannot be bothered to expend much effort on a madman.

The party continues up the road to a shopfront that is boarded up. The sign reads "Jalento Fine Jewellry" in neat tasteful letters. Lord Jalento steps forward and tries his key in the lock, but although it turns freely, the door doesn't open, so he knocks.

After a few moments and the sounds of objects being moved, it's opened by a very small and extremely beautiful elf.

"Ah, it's you, Boss." he says. "Come on in. Arrin and I barred the door on account of all the rioters going up and down the street yelling last night..." He peers past Lord Jalento at the rest of you.

"These good folks brought my son home safely, and were kind enough to escort me here. Come in, and I can settle up with you. Put some tea on, Aroyma, if you'd be so kind."

Hey, anytime you say something is extremely beautiful, you'd better have a picture!

Hey, anytime you say something is extremely beautiful, you'd better have a picture!

Motion seconded and passed!

I'll see if I can find one...

Aroyma scampers off as Jalento leads you into the main room. There's a counter and a couple of doors leading off, one of which is heavily barred and locked. A human youth comes in from the other door, holding a ring in one hand.

"I've finished carving that emerald, do you think this would be a good setting..." he begins, then sees that his master has guests. "Er.. excuse me. Didn't expect customers today. May I help you?"

Una looks at the ring that Aroyma brought in, expecting to see the emerald not far away.

"Looks good to me. But I'm not the one you should be asking."

"hrmph", Shakhan moves passed, his massive shoulders eclipsing the youth as he examines the place more thoroughly.

Risdin looks at the items on display and then to Jalento.

"Quite the classy store you have here Mr Jalento. It's quite puzzling that you're operating at a time like this. I would have taken the day off, but you're quite an industrious bunch."

He replies to the youth,"Yes. What do you trade in here? We have some items that we need to get rid of, and it would save us quite some time to do it here'

I've got some items on my sheet but I don't know who actually has it. What do you guys want to sell, if we can sell.

"Arrin and Aroyma live here over the store, and they are both industrious young men: their diligence does not surprise me. I'd not intended to open for business today, although of course I shall deal with your needs as well as pay you for the escort duties," says Lord Jalento.

Aroyma comes in with a tray, bearing a yellow teapot that seems almost as big as he is and a stack of fine china bowls. The tea is dark, strong and flavoured with cherry blossom.

Arrin has the emerald as well, a big table-cut one with an exquisite carving of a bird on the flat surface. The setting he's suggesting is a simple claw, with a diamond-cut pattern on the band of the ring.

"We deal in a mix of original and custom-design jewellry, Sir," he says to Risdin. "We also carry out repairs to damaged jewellry. I recently completed my apprenticeship, and Lord Jalento has been teaching me to carve gemstones. Aroyma is a recent hire, but is proving to be an amazing designer although a bit dreamy.

"Did you say you had items for sale? If you'd like to lay them out..." as he spreads a piece of soft leather on the counter.

"Arrin and Aroyma live here over the store, and they are both industrious young men: their diligence does not surprise me. I'd not intended to open for business today, although of course I shall deal with your needs as well as pay you for the escort duties," says Lord Jalento.

Aroyma comes in with a tray, bearing a yellow teapot that seems almost as big as he is and a stack of fine china bowls. The tea is dark, strong and flavoured with cherry blossom.

Arrin has the emerald as well, a big table-cut one with an exquisite carving of a bird on the flat surface. The setting he's suggesting is a simple claw, with a diamond-cut pattern on the band of the ring.

"We deal in a mix of original and custom-design jewellry, Sir," he says to Risdin. "We also carry out repairs to damaged jewellry. I recently completed my apprenticeship, and Lord Jalento has been teaching me to carve gemstones. Aroyma is a recent hire, but is proving to be an amazing designer although a bit dreamy.

"Did you say you had items for sale? If you'd like to lay them out..." as he spreads a piece of soft leather on the counter.

Cresston looks around, noticing the fine goods and where they are located at within the shop. His broad smile returns as he hears Risdin's and the apprentice's exchange. He steps quickly over and addresses Lord Jalento and his workers in a singy-songy voice.

"Ahh, yes, my companions here were fortunate enough to come into possesion of a few very fine articles! I'm sure they are something that it would take such fine artisans as yourselves to truly appreciate!"

Cresston looks around, as if expecting the jewelry to suddenly appear in mid-air. "Now which of you fine folks had the pieces you showed to me earlier?"

Bluff or diplomacy roll to butter up Lord Jalento and his minions so that they will possibly offer a better price ... I'm thinking bluff, since Cresston hasn't actually seen the articles. Either way, the roll is the same.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

"Yes, we do", Risdin says as he takes his pack off his back. He unties and opens it, then takes out items one by one and places them on the counter.

OOC:
-
-narrow teak cigar case inlaid with tiny bits of jade
-2-pound gold ingot bearing the Cheliax coat of arms
-miniature gold crown
-fist-sized scrimshaw carving of a kraken with garnets for eyes
-silver ring bearing the inscription "For Emmah — the light in my nights,"
-highly realistic and highly scandalous ivory figurine of two entwined succubi
-shuriken
-adamantine arrowhead
-abalone-shell holy symbol of Shelyn
-tiny glass tube containing an oily liquid
-obsidian wand
-crystalline vial containing a slightly silvery liquid
-bejeweled brooch with a broken clasp
-
I think we should keep the adamantine arrowhead, the two liquids, and the wand. We should also keep quest item(ring).

"This is what I have. The others might have more. We know the value of most of the items, but if you could give us your buying prices it would help us decide if we want to part with them or not."

Lord Jalento makes his way around to the rear of the counter. Arrin places a chair for him, a chair of unusual design: it's like a bar stool legs melded with a comfortable arm chair. He gets his loupe out.

"Hmmm, yes..." he mutters, sorting through the items, setting them into two groups apart from the bejewelled brooch with the broken clasp, which he hands to Arrin. "Go and mend that at once, if you please." Arrin leaves for the rear of the premises at once.

He starts holding items up in turn.

"These are the ones I am interested in making an offer on. The gold ingot is worth 100 gp, but I would probably use the gold rather than keep it. The miniature crown, not sure what I would use it for but the craftsmanship is excellent, let's say 350 gp. The silver ring is one Arrin made a couple of years ago for a commander in the Korvosan Guard, name of Gerd Ashan - he paid 200 gp for it. You might want to return it, or I will give you 150 gp if you prefer. Finally, the Sheyln holy symbol is worth 300 gp. The rest is of no interest, some are magical and might be better taken to one of the academies..."

He sits back and sips on the bowl of tea Aroyma has placed at his elbow.

I see no reason to not accept his offers as they stand. Though I imagine the silver ring should go back to Gerd Ashan.

Shakhan nods his head for a moment. "That will do, thank you."

Una ponders for a moment.

"I wonder if he would consider a trade. That new emerald ring with the claw setting seemed rather nice...-"

Una shakes her head as though to retract herself from the feminine mentality.

"What am I saying! I'd much rather have the masterwork crossbow I saw in the mercenary district."

Just a note, me and Aliandara will be in Swakopmund (Namibia, south western Africa) for the next 3 weeks. Not exactly internet friendly; don't know how often we'll post in that time.

Have a good trip! I have a job interview tomorrow & another one on Friday, so decide whether you're going to accept Jalento's offer...

I agree with the offer. It seems a fair trade to me; I doubt that any other merchant will be able to make a better offer.

Una ponders for a moment.

"I wonder if he would consider a trade. That new emerald ring with the claw setting seemed rather nice...-"

Una shakes her head as though to retract herself from the feminine mentality.

"What am I saying! I'd much rather have the masterwork crossbow I saw in the mercenary district."

Seeing that the group seems pleased with what Jalento is offering, Cresston's face takes on a solemn look and he addresses the man, "I can see that your reputation as as tough and shrewd bargainer is far from baseless, m'lord. As time seems to be a bit of an issue for our hearty band, I think that we have an accord on your purchase of those items. "

Cresston then sits back and sips from his own cup of tea, studying Lord Jalento, as well as his companions.

Apologies for neglecting you - alas, the glut of job interviews did not result in employment :( And a question for you all: What do you want to do over Christmas? Shall we carry on or would folks like a defined break to allow you to attend your festivities and family gatherings without having to worry about a game?

"Excellent," says Lord Jalento. He goes to the locked door, taking a key from his belt pouch.

"Did you want to sell Commander Ashan's ring or return it to him yourselves? I doubt he'll pay you as much as I, but you might regard his favour as being of more value... he's an honourable fellow, and these are difficult times."

Hytogg has lots of time, as most of his other personalities are taking a break for the holidays, so I guess it's up to everyone else...sorry about the job interview tough luck. The right one will come along...

Una considers Lord Jalento's offer.

"I think we should keep the ring for now and return it in exchange for a service only he would be able to offer us." She ponders aloud.

"All right, then that's 750 gp for the rest of the items I wish to purchase from you."

Lord Jalento disappears into the strongroom, and clinking sounds are heard. He returns with a small chest, which he deposits on the counter with a thud.

"Here you go. Who's your treasurer?"

Una looks around at her companions.

"I don't believe we've decided that yet. Why don't we just evenly divide the sum?"

Lord Jalento resumes his seat.

"Right, our other business. Things seem pretty quiet at the moment, but I have a bad feeling about the situation. It appears that you have some other business to attend to, and I have things to do here. Would you be willing to return at dusk to escort me home? And perhaps consider a more permanent arrangement, against the situation remaining, ah... fluid... for the foreseeable future?"

Shakhan looks seriously at Lord Jalento. "Yes, I think this would be good for me." Just slightly ponderously he thinks things over before continuing: "What are the things to do now? A guard asked us to help him out and report to the castle for him? The silver ring that Gerd Ashan is missing. Anything else?"

Shakhan looks seriously at Lord Jalento. "Yes, I think this would be good for me." Just slightly ponderously he thinks things over before continuing: "What are the things to do now? A guard asked us to help him out and report to the castle for him? The silver ring that Gerd Ashan is missing. Anything else?"

Cresston takes a gliding step forward. "I think Hytogg the Magnificent, as well as some others had evidenced interest in returning to the abode of your erst-while employer to see if she had a double ..."

Whatever happened with the bit of jewelry that bears the royal coat of arms? Or some such?

"That as well then. I don't mind in what order we do all this."

There was a gold ingot with the Cheliax arms stamped on it, Lord Jalento offered to buy it but said he'd be melting it down for the gold... is that the thing you mean, Shakhan?

Wasn't there a piece with a pseudodragon and imp, or some such?

Wasn't there a piece with a pseudodragon and imp, or some such?

I think that was the brooch. Jalento took it to be repaired. One of the elves is working on it. I don't know if the amount quoted includes that particular piece or not.

Ok, so can I remove the sold items from my sheet? are we splitting the gold already?

Risdin turns to the group,"While the city is in its current troubled state, we will be safer in numbers. I propose we divide the loot evenly and include Cresston. I'm not implying that he needs the money, like some common mercenary, but at least he will feel more a part of our ragtag group... and nobody can deny his entertainment value."

OK, where now?

Shakhan grunts, pointing roughly to the starting point of the collective adventure. "Zellara's home is nearby, and a good place to go to next. Maybe some things become clear. And maybe we have a second home if Zellara is really dead." He doesn't really wait for objections, but just hustles the party onto the street.

Una quickly recognizes Shakhan's strategic brilliance.

"A base of operations would be a good place to have."

As you get ready to depart, Arrin emerges from the workshop with the brooch in his hand.

"Ah," says Lord Jalento. "If you intend to go to Castle Korvosa with Commander Ashen's ring, perhaps you'd be so kind as to take the Queen's brooch as well. As I said, it is considered 'stolen' but as it was lost on its way here, I doubt I'd get the reward for returning it, so you might as well take the opportunity!"

Outside, the street is quiet apart from a patrol of armed apprentices, obviously gathered together and equipped with whatever their masters could find. They look ill-at-ease in motley bits of armour and holding weapons in hands more used to the tools of their respective trades, and eye you warily as you emerge from Jalento's store.

Shakhan nods. "Let's not waste more time; Zellara's house, then the castle - the day is only so long, and we'd rather be back before nightfall. Lord Jalento - until when will you be staying at this shop? If we return from the castle before then, we'll come here - otherwise we can meet at your home estate."

Ok, so can I remove the sold items from my sheet? are we splitting the gold already?

Risdin turns to the group,"While the city is in its current troubled state, we will be safer in numbers. I propose we divide the loot evenly and include Cresston. I'm not implying that he needs the money, like some common mercenary, but at least he will feel more a part of our ragtag group... and nobody can deny his entertainment value."

Cresston blinks as Risdin makes his proprosal regarding the disposition of the group's loot from their successful conclusion to their business with Lamm. He pauses for a moment, the gears in his head clearly turning, before bowing to Risdin and his companions. "I could not possibly take an equal share in the recompense you've all so justly taken from the settling of scores you all had with the vile creature Lamm. And I must say, I am aglow with joy and pride that you find my humble compositions and wit of some value." The minstrel pauses for a moment to let his words of false modesty linger in the air, then he continues. "However, I would not dream of offending the spirit of generosity and brotherhood that you've all shown me on this, the direst of days in our fair city. Perhaps a half share, in consideration of my acting as an agent for negotiation with the merchant baron Lord Jalento would be more appropos?"

Shakhan barely acknowledges the exchange, his mind - simple as it is - was already on the streets. Streets that teem with unsettled and scared mobs and makeshift armies. He doesn't take long to decide that, for now, the street harbors no particular ill denizens - and begins to quickly make his way towards Zellara's place, dragging most along by sheer physical presence.

By the time everyone else gets back to Zellara's place Hytogg has already moved his stuff into the bedroom, and is currently arranging his collection of alchemical glassware, and dusting his small shrine to Nethys.

Like most well-trained soldiers, Una snuck ahead to scout for potential dangers, and she arrived well before Hytogg entered the building, but maintained her silent post of observation from the nearby alley.