The_Ninja_DM's Carrion Crown

Game Master Spiral_Ninja

Remember kids, breaking and entering is only a problem if you get caught.

"I suppose you are right, still, I would like to try one last time."

Zhiden came back into view and spoke again. "I realize that you might not have heard, but I am here to prevent legal action from being taken against Master Vorkstag, something of his was found at a murder scene. Does that change your mind?"

Is it the entire courthouse on lock-down, or just the Cell-block? Either way might be a better idea to arrange for Gkirkhan and Eva to help guard the place. 6 hours of sleep should be enough to avoid fatigue penalties, right?

Wood decides he has little to lose and points at the hound:
"The town would prefer to treat such creations as abominations, to be thrown away. Would you prefer I point out another potential 'Beast' waiting to cause mayhem and destruction? As a fellow wizard I have sympathy for creations and constructs. Gnome, we would speak with you."

Sorry I've been kindof missing in action. Crazy week here.
Vertielle spends her time doing research on the factory owners and the Asylum's history, looking for useful information for the case or for the field teams to use. She's not really happy being stuck in a library, but she knows it's really where she'll be the most use. As soon as she can justify it, she races off to join Wood and Zhiden.

@Gkirkhan & Eva: the entire building is being locked down. Yes, 6 hrs of sleep will avoid penalties, however, if no one gets in, you don't get xp.

@Wood & Zhiden: Grine, for it is him, says "We have the proper license for our construct guard. If you are what you claim, return with a sergeant of the guard to further discuss this. Otherwise, stop disrupting our business. And, for the record, my partner is out on business. If you want to return tomorrow with the proper authority, we'll speak to you then."

@Vertielle: Yay! Welcome back.

About The Sanctuary on Karb Isle: Sanctuary was a noble idea. Dr. Brada founded the institution to cure those unfortunate individuals inflicted with madness and physical deformity. His well known motive was his horror at the fate of an uncle of his who was burned by a mob because of the uncle's monstrous appearance.

Looks like everyone will have a long night- we could stake out the factory and see what's going on when night falls, see if it wouldn't be too hard to get in when the workers and such leave. Plus, get a look at his partner, so we'll recognize him if we see him elsewhere.

Vorkstag & Grine are well-respected merchants. The red-haired Grine is a peculiar-looking fellow, but then, most gnomes are.

@Group: also, it doesn't matter if they were involved in the Morast bit, if you can't prove the Beast wasn't involved in the Sanctuary fire.

Okay, in that case, maybe helping the guard will score some brownie points.

After a moment or two, Gkirkhan heads up the stairs, his longer strides catching him up to the guard in no time.

"Vait. Mehbe hyu need an extra set ov hands, jah? Hy kin makes sure hyu haff no trouble."

The toothy smile Gkirkhan displays is enough to unsettle just about anyone.

@Gkirkhan: when you spoke to the Beast, he said "Thank you" through his odd laughing cry.

Now:
The captain of the guard looks at Gkirkhan and, hesitantly, nods.

"Perhaps that might be best. I must admit that most of us are not eager to fight our neighbors over the creature. Even if it's proved innocent of these charges, it has undoubtedly committed other crimes in the past. We mainly intend to seal the place and wait for the town guard to arrive and deal with the situation. Those are our standing orders in case of a mob attack. If they should get in, we'll seal ourselves away and let them take it."

He pauses and chuckles. "I don't think they'll be able to destroy it. I suspect it will just wait til it's outside and then break free and run. I'm more concerned about the damage it might do on the way out."

He looks at you. "It certainly wouldn't help it's case to slaughter a dozen or so folks armed only with clubs on the way out."

"Vot about knockink dem in de head?"

He shorts, amused. "As long as they can get back up afterwards."

"Dey mightz need to sleep de headache off first."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 2 = 20
Vertielle has been seen defending the beast, and it hurts her here. She tries her best to make up the difference by greasing a few palms.
-5gp

@Vertielle: you manage to get all of the information in the spoilers.

Is anyone else going with Rova and Imrijka to the Sanctuary site? Regardless, I'll start that fight tonight.

There is most certainly something strange about that place. No workers enter or leave, but the smoke never ceases, it never shuts down. I don't think we'll have much luck with the law, however, as the owners have many, and powerful, friends. We may have to resort to subjective judicial protocol, Vertielle explains.
If she has time, she returns to the courthouse to try and placate any mobs with soft words and reason, rather than clubs.

OK; for those off to check out the site of the last crime you need to clear the Beast of:

At about 4 PM the group leaves for Sanctuary. The asylum was located about 3 miles north of Lepidstadt along the Lesser Moultry river. A narrow track follows the western shore of the river, passing through the by now standard depressing marshlands before arriving at the lonely ruin of the asylum.

The sad remains of a broken building lie on a spur of land jutting into the river. the burnt timbers of a large house sag into the undergrowth of nettles and thistles, as if nature itself is trying to reclaim the land and erase dark memories of the past. Nearby, a small cluster of gravestones jut from the weeds.

Imrijka's Perception1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

The young inquisitor points out the pit hidden in the ruins.

"Possible once basement?"

Oh right, after finding out that Vorkstag was a bust, Zhiden will volunteer to head to Sanctuary. Perception roll now, but it's bedtime, I'll have a post tomorrow

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

The wizard heads back to report their failure to the ladies.

"We need to make up for this with the investigation. I let the group down."

Before we get too far along, do we want Gkirkhan in this fight? If so, he tags along, if not, he helps the guard, well guard.

I think that if there is going to be an encounter at the courthouse it should go in parallel with the other encounters.

Gkirkhan looks around and walks to the spot Imrijka pointed out.

"Hy go first, Ve need to hurry."

Putting action to words, the half-orc starts into the hole.

Imrijka stops you momentarily. "Check area first. Is dark.".

She picks up a stone from the ruined walls, casts light on it, then tosses it into the hole. The depth looks to be about 15' to a messy floor below. There appears to be a stack of barrels sitting under the hole. She then follows you down.

Init:
Evangline Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Gkirkhan Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Rova Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Vertielle Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12
Wood Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Zhiden Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
monster of the day Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Imrijka Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Oops.

Round 1:
monsters
Rova
Eva
Imrijka
Wood
Vertielle
Zhiden
Gkirkhan

Once down, you see that the place was once an office. A corridor once led off it, but has collapsed. A chandelier hanging from the ceiling has acquired new decorations; a set of heads.

Four shapes move toward you from the ruined corridor. Solid shapes. Stinky shapes.

Fort saves, please:
Imrijka: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Terrific.

Imrijka starts choking on the stench. -2 for 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 minutes.

Even better.

I'll roll the attacks once I know who's gone down there.

Wait, Vertielle says quickly, and conjures a greenish flame that emanates from Gkirkhan's hand as a lantern, making all that it's light falls upon glow with a distinguishing outline.

+2 enhancement bonus on Perception and Sense Motive checks, as well as on Knowledge checks to identify monsters within the light

Gkirkhan dumped WIS and INT, are you sure that you want to use that spell on him?

FORT: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

"Oh yez!"

Gkirkhan grins wickedly. He finally has something nice and solid to hit with his hammer, and the sword Vertielle had given him.

"Dis iz goink to be FON!"

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

"Ain't too fond o' jumpin' anywer in dis armor. Dija ever hear about fools rushin' in?", Rova sighs, "Les see iffn we kin extracate dem afor dey get hurt."

More to follow after the monsters, so I can see the situation.

Zhiden grabbed the bow Imrijka had given him and peered into the opening. He called out, "Is it okay down there?"

Wood is casting a group of celestial dogs to lead the way.

1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 of them to be precise.

Then he looks around.

Fort: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

KN_Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

You hear Imrijka call up through choking sounds "Ghasts! Undead that paralyze and sicken!"

The ghasts pair up and move on the two who are already down in their lair.

ghast 1 vs Gkirkan:
bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 plus disease (fort DC 15)and paralysis (fort DC 15)

ghast 2 vs Gkirkan:
bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 plus disease (fort DC 15)and paralysis (fort DC 15)

ghast 3 vs Imrijka:
bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 plus disease (fort DC 15)and paralysis (fort DC 15)

ghast 4 vs Imrijka:
bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 plus disease (fort DC 15)and paralysis (fort DC 15)

Fort(Disease, paralysis): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 231d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
dammit.

"Mrrrphiph."

Now you see why this encounter is so bad.

Imrijka, still sickened, steps back and casts Remove paralysis on Gkirkhan. "Ha, monster! Came ready!"

/sigh. My character is a moron.
Vertielle grabs her whip tightly and jumps down into the hole with an air of bravo that would shame Magnimar's greatest daredevils.
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 1 = 9 The whip trails after her with a lazy weightlessness, seeming almost reluctant.
With a quick word to stop her frighteningly uncontrolled descent followed by a hearty clap on the shoulder, she winks at Gkirkhan.
Let's smash some skulls and remind these lanky sacks they're dead, eh?
heroism; +2 attack, saves, skills.
Fort: 1d20 + 0 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 0 + 1 = 21

15' huh? Just about right..

Rova rises to his digigrade stance (Enters Dragon stance, swift action) and begins muttering softly. Angling his hands to direct a shockwave of unmaking so as to strike only one side of this battle (Hint: Not Ours), and whispers syllabi of unmaking at the undead below.

(standard action) Dragon Roar, 15' cone dealing 1d6+8, Ref-15 for 1/2 damage; it also Weakens, but I think undead are immune to that condition.

Damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

she moves to a spot where she can get all 4 in her channel
"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, may the dead rest."

Channel (Harm Undead): 2d6 ⇒ (5, 2) = 7

PA Hammer: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Gkirkhan roars as he gains control over his limbs again.

"Oh yez! Time to put dese tings in de grave!"

His hammer crushes flesh and bone where his powerful swing connects. Gkirkhan's other hand pulls out the new (to him) sword. The frustrations from the previous few days begin to build, and the half-orc eyes the things with a look that promises destruction.

Between Rova's blast and Eva's channel, three of them fall. The forth, the one that connected with Gkirkhan, falls to his hammer with a satisfying crunch.

Searching the ruins down here turns up 12 silver crossbow bolts in a quiver, a slightly melted gold belt buckle (150g) and an iron and silver filigree work depicting a moon eating an owl (75g).

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Gkirkhan looks around and sighs.

"Figures, finnally get sumtink dot hyu can't stick hyur hand through und, dey don't even last vun moment."

Hope I don't roll a 1

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

Read the spoilers

Zhiden had an arrow pulled back and ready to fire when the combat ended. He'd been planning to fire once and then launch himself into the cavern in a display of acrobatics that would have surely wowed audiences to hear the telling of, planning to maneuver toward the creature's backs, where he would have planted his blades. Of that plan, he'd managed to ready an arrow.

He decided he would still enter in dramatic fashion, and launched himself at the wall. He'd planned on running down the wall, using handholds as he found them just long enough to slow his descent, and he mostly pulled it off, though it wasn't quite as epic as he'd intended.

He looked around, watching out for anything that might catch his eye.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
Fortitude: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 If a save is still necessary, that is.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

"Done an' done. Y'folks wanna rope, 'r ya plannin' ta jump back up?", a grin on Rova's cow-like face, "'Ang on, waz wid tha' one head? Don' look like da udder ones."

Ah, more evidence points to our chymist friends, Vertielle notes as she pockets the vial carefully.
Imjrika, will a spell to speak with the dead work on these undead creatures? Would one remember it's life?
Vertielle spends some time looking about for more clues while the Discovery Torch is still active, occasionally using a Sift spell to hasten the search.
Should we check upstairs, or is it too far gone? Were there witnesses?

"Not with monsters, no. But, enough of this, if is Doctor Brada, to ask him what happened. As for above...messy but if this survived down here, might be more up there."

since there does seem to be some confusion, yes, there are three areas to search; the ruins, the graveyard, and the basement.

Ruins: [Rova & Imrijak already rolled]
Evangline Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Gkirkhan Perception: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (15) - 2 = 13
Vertielle Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Wood Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Zhiden Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Graveyard:
Evangline Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Gkirkhan Perception: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0
Rova Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Vertielle Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Wood Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Zhiden Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Eva points stuff out, read spoilers

"Mor' empty graves, eh? Jus' like in da swamp. Some folk reeeally inta graverobbin'. Eh, Zhiden, ya wanna take a peek at dat strongbox? Prolly ain't trapped, but I'm willin' ta bet it ain't easy ta open anymore."

Rova huffs and begins to assess the situation..

"'K, place burnt down wid one survivn' witness, dat blind guy. Hey, Eva, ya think ya kin restore 'is sight? Would make it easier ta say wedder or not it was da beast. T'anks."

Rova stands puzzled, then restarts..

"Los' m' train o' thought der. 'K, so watta we got? Beast ain't known as an arsonist. We got da doc's head so's we kin get it questioned. Only evidence dey got is dat witness, who ain't sure and is currently blind. Hey, Eva..wait, I done asked dat. Really, we ain't got a lot on whacha call motive 'ere." Oo'd burn down an asylum? Da robbed graves is a link ta older stuff, but it ain't pointin' ta anyone."

"Tink mehbe de deathmages vanted no vun to live und tell vot dey deed."