medlii's Curse of the Crimson Throne

Game Master medlii

"No chance of that Tiora, I just got the smell of rotting fish out of the common room," Bosch said, watching Roscoe trot along side the carriage at an easy clip. Once the carriage came to a stop, Bosch got out first, feeling a little embarrassed by his auspicious arrival. Like it or not, he was rising in station these days. Perhaps he would even need to brush up on the Peerage again.

"Ms. Yelloweyes?" Bosch ventured, "My name is Bosch Glasthane, I understand you might have some information I could use." With a hand signal, Bosch released Roscoe from his side and the big dog snuffled around in the street, fascinated by the new smells in the area.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Once again riding on the upper seat with Tiora, Ty enjoys the view and her company.
Upon arrival at the Fishmonger's shop...
" Gotcher back Boss." He says as he hops down from the carriage and follows Bosch inside...

Trey smiles at ty's recognition, she never felt she was doing anything great.

As they leave Trey looks back only wishing she could do more.

At the fishmonger trey climbs out of the carriage. She felt a little uncomfortable riding in such style but she tries to not let it bother her much.

Trey simply lets the boss open up the questions.

Yrsa hops out of the carriage, the few feet bringing a resounding [b]crunch[/b[ of the gravel under her. Her grey eyes pound into the ledger; her honest admissal of finable material must be counted towards what will be charged against her, in spite of the destroyed mercantile of the wand.

Zenobia,

This troupe seems well in tune with the locals, so I will continue to follow their lead; my bumbling could only get the lot of us in trouble. Like I said, they operate to the best expectations we proposed in the Guard.

I will supervise for now, no doubt, you can be sure of all we find,

Yrsa Fallston

"Nice to meet you, Bosch, you can call me Eries. I know two things that might interest you." the short, old woman says in a squeaky voice.

"First of all, the humans of Korvosa are in danger. I'm not talkin' about this plague. Perhaps you've heard childhood stories that wererats scurry around the sewers or live in the rubbish heaps. Rats that can turn into humans, or half rat-half human critters." Eries grins, revealing pointed, yellowed teeth. "Those aren't just stories. Earlier today, a mob of humans discovered a foolish wererat prowling an alley. They executed him with a silver ax, thinking we rats were the cause of the plague. One wererat, Girrigz Ripperclaws, is using this injustice to call us to war against the weakened humans. I've tried to talk sense to Girrigz, but it's no good. Maybe he could be stopped you speak with him. Might be you need to offer him an example of the force Korvosa will use if his rebelliousness continues." Eries looks meaningfully at Yrsa's ax and Bosch's sword. "Not that I want any wererats dead, but I don't know how Girrigz will react to you."

"And as for the blood veil. Several sewer tunnels empty into the river round here. Many of my brethren and I were watching a few nights ago. A black-sailed ship was sunk before reaching the harbor. Not a one of us saw a single thing on that ship but a yellow light. Once it sank, strange stuff drifted from the hull. We discovered some of the flotsam were little boxes. Inside each box was a dead rat and a pouch of silver coins. They had a rotten smell to them, so we kicked them back into the river. I don't know what it all means, but the ship sinking, the strange flotsam, and the plague all happening at the same time. They can't just be coincidence." Eries' yellow eyes are fixed on the river as she relates the event and her nose twitches a few times, as if she's caught the scent of something foul.

"Did you happen to leave any within reach?"[b] inquires Tessa. [b]"If we can confirm that's what caused the plague we can alert the guard to burn all the debris. With the source removed, we stand a chance at halting the plague. I'd rather not have to fight a bunch of were-rats."

untrained Knowledge Local about the wererat population: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Eries frowns. "Nope, threw all the nasty boxes back in the river. I guess some could've washed back ashore somewhere though. The ship sank a ways north of here, on the river between Old Korvosa and Trail's End. All the boxes we found were 'round Old Korvosa. Suppose some could've washed up 'cross the river in Trail's End too."

Shipwreck is marked on the map

Relieved the source of the plague was well downstream of their home, Bosch turned his to other concerns.

"The city will no doubt want to quarantine old Korvosa and Trail's End in the hope of partially containing the disease as well. I don't like the idea of cutting off that much of the city but it will need to be done. Hopefully the Palace does not simply leave the afflicted to rot," Bosch said, his disgust at the Palace's actions of late coming through in his voice with little concern about who was listening.

"Can you tell us any more about the boat? Distinguishing marks or flags would be a particular help. Also, the light, apart from the color, can you describe it in any more depth? The coins too, where were they from?" Bosch was already trying to form a bigger picture or pick up leads. No doubt the pending wererat riot was a slightly more pressing concern but anything they could pick up would be useful.

" Dunno much 'bout Ratter noses, but most folk won't notice the stench. As poor and hungry as some are, they'll gobble those bits of silver up. Then spend 'em to feed and shelter their families. This could spread in an Unholy fast way." Ty pales as he processes this information...
" If this is true, Korvosa could be in a world of hurt...And it might be true. That yellow light on a ship? It generally means sickness and possibly quarantine!"
" Bosch... We might need to contact Corwin and see iffen he can get us some underwater magics. Might be the only way to check out markin's n such on that ship."

If it is as it seems, and the plague came from that ship, it would be supremely useful to investigate it. We may be able to discover whether it was beplagued intentionally, and what the nature of its strange cargo may be.

"Let's see, here's how I remember it. A hair before midnight, I heard some shouting. Looked out and it was a ship with black sails. It had a yellow light, like a lantern. Heard some shouting, probably from the guard post on the bridge. No response from the ship. Couldn't see a soul on the deck. Then, there was this screech and a thunder! They fired the trebuchet at the ship again and again! It caught on fire and sank." Eries squints her beady eyes. "Dunno the meaning of black sails. Couldn't make out a flag."

" Black sails are fairly common, on Korvosan and Chelish ships. Or Pirates. Not sure that helps much, but any bit adds to the pot.."

Trey listens to the questions and responses.

an attack, setting up for a siege? but who?

Trey grabs Ty and tessa's attention please a word with you?

Once she has thier attention.

I have been listening. and I may be stating the obvious here but...I don't think this was a coincidence. that ship was sent here with a purpose. someone is planning an attack on the city.

Bosch rubbed his chin, lost in thought for a moment. This was shaping up to be more than a simple plague and that was starting to worry him. Time to change concerns for the moment.

"What can you tell me of this Mr. Girrigz?" He asked Eries, hoping for some information to use against the rebellious wererat.

Girrigz is a firebrand. He was born a lycanthrope, and he hates hiding in the shadows of humans. He feels trapped beneath Korvosa's boot. It's time to strike back at the weak humans, he tells the other wererats. In the past, my words were enough to dissuade others from joining him. But now that an innocent wererat has been killed, they listen to his message. He tells them that his elders are cowardly and lack reason. That a small band can terrorize the human oppressors. But he does not realize his blind hatered could lead to the deaths of hundreds." Eries doesn't specify if the hundreds of deaths would be those of humans or wererats.

"Girrigz despises humans. I do not know if your words will reach him. But I think his gang might listen. You might be able to dissuade them."

"I can be very persuasive," Bosch said with a smile, "Now, where can we find Mr. Girrigz?"

Eries smiles back, showing her long, yellow teeth. "Girrigz' lair is in beneath Midland, in the sewers. From here, go south on Eodred's Walk. Then west on Slope Street. Once you're past Basha's Bookshop, go in the alley behind it. There's a sewer entrance back there. Take the first left, then the first right. After a few minutes, you'll see a crack in the east wall. There are some dens back there where Girrigz and his friends live. And if you find anything there, like weapons or armor, please take them!"

Korvosa map.

"Thank you, madam, you have done me a great favor with this information." He reached into his breastplate and then placed his closed hand on her counter.

"Consider this a down payment on it and if you ever find yourself in need of help, you have a friend in this city." When he took his hand away, twenty gold lay on the counter and he snagged one of the smaller fish, certainly one not worth twenty gold by the looks of it, and tossed it to Roscoe. With two mighty bites, the fish vanished into the dog's mouth. Bosch bowed to Eries and turned to go. From anyone else, such a courtly bow to a fishmonger and a wererat to boot might have seemed mocking, but from his easy smile to the gleam in his eye, Bosch was sincere.

"My friends, we head for Slope street. Tessa? Could you relay this information to the Marshal?"

" Right behind ya Bossman."
Ty follows Bosch and Roscoe out, patting himself down and making sure the silver dagger is on his weapons belt.
"She was sayin' that silver is the way to go, when Rat huntin' right?"

Silver, eh? I'd like to make a small errand by the alchemist's shop. They sell a weapon oil that I would like to procure; it may be found useful. Yrsa would like to buy some weapon blanch.

Yrsa finds a shop with a sign showing two smoking potion bottles labeled 'Hedge Wizardry' on the way to the sewer entrance. Although the shop looks small from the outside, the inside is crammed with an extensive collection of vials, bottles, flasks, and other containers of various sizes holding innumerable potions, oils, and other magical and alchemical goods and supplies. The shopkeeper, a middle-aged man with a robe stained and sooty from innumerable experiments gladly sells Yrsa a dose of weapon blanch.

.

Eries' directions prove to be reliable. As described, an alley runs behind the large bookshop. A rusty grate covers a human-sized hole in the cobbled street.

Any other preparations or stops along the way?

Trey still seems concerned about the plague and its source. convinced it has to do with the dead rats from the plague ship.

Are we certain these were rat people have anything to do with this disease? I would hate to see more innocent people fall victim while we chase were rats

Trey has voiced her concerns but follows along anyway. only hoping she is prepared enough to deal with these creatures.

trey prepared her spells today to deal with disease. very little for combat

"They aren't linked to the disease, but if this little rebellion gets off the ground it will cost lives and divert guard resources from containing and treating the afflicted. It will be maybe two or three hour's work to nip this in the bud," Bosch said, adjusting his armor and bringing Roscoe to heel.

"Regardless, I wish to avoid senseless bloodshed whenever possible," Bosch said, mostly for Yrsa's benefit. The dwarf had picked up on there methods quickly enough but coming out and stating the situation never hurt.

Bosch will pick up some silver blanch as well and treat his sword on the ride over.

Ty actually has 2 silver daggers, one MW and one not. he uses the MW dagger, so if someone needs the other one he will share...

Tessa finishes scribbling her missive on a piece of parchment and hands it to Majenko. She slips the diminutive reptile a chunk of cheese and he flies off into the distance to relay the group's progress.

Tessa concurs with Bosch: "Bosch seems to have quite the way with words - I'd rather not get in a scrap if some smooth talking fixes the problem good enough! Still, if it comes to it the lives of some bellicose were-rats are worth taking to save the hundreds of victims yellow-eyes mentioned. Velvet glove first... and then the iron fist. Or in my case, set everything on fire!"

An Arbiter of the City is never going to be against some smooth talking to resolve a situation. The Hellknights may pursue random justice, but we do not. My armor and weapon are only for when it is so determined that agreement will not, so that I will not die.

" But sometimes ya hafta get their attention , afore they'll listen to ya. Hope Bossman can work his Wammy, but carryin' silver just in case."

Bosch nods to the others and walks up to the grate like he owns the place. Lacking an obvious guard or any other opposition, he breaks out a crowbar from his satchel and pries open the grate.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

"Ty, if you wouldn't mind I'd like someone to scout ahead a bit. We don't know what is down there other than the wererats. Remember the first 'otyugh' we fought came from the sewers."

Is there a ladder or something?

"On it Bossman. I definitely remember the big stinky guy with tentacles..."Ty replies as he climbs down into the hole...
Moving half speed so very slowly climbing.
climb: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Sooo... maybe not as slow and quiet as he thinks.

Majenko takes off with Tessa's message, swooping over the rooftops. As the crow (or pseudodragon) flies, Tessa estimates that it is not far to Citadel Volshynek.

Bosch has no trouble opening the grate. He sees no one of importance about. Korvosa's streets have been deserted all day so far, and he got the impression that most of the guard would be occupied escorting Dr. Devalus and his assistants.

Typhon nimbly climbs into the sewer, and the gurgling sounds of water seem to cover most of the noise he is making. Typhon finds that the tunnel heads southeast. Through the disgustingly visible haze of noxious sewer reek, he can see that about thirty feet away, the channel forks to the left (east) as well as continuing southward.

Bosch lowers himself into the sewer and with a bit of convincing manages to get Roscoe to jump into his arms. The weight of the dog still nearly knocks him over on impact but he manages to recover his footing.

"Yrsa, I'd like you to take rear guard. First left, first right then a crack in the east wall. We should stick to those directions as best we can, no sense in getting lost down here."

Tessa clambers into the sewer as well. She sniffs at the noxious fumes. "Probably not the best idea to light a torch in here. "

She snaps her fingers and a ball of light appears, lighting the way.

Dancing Lights SLA

" Left it is then."
Ty whispers as he moves to the edge of the light, relying on his Elfin vision to see in the dimmer area.
Looking for obvious (lower than a 20 to find) traps, ambushes, and the first right that comes along...
stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Typhon doesn't notice any traps as he continues down the sewer tunnel. He easily finds the turns Bosch indicated. After a few minutes, he notices that the flow of unmentionable slop through the sewer tunnel’s filth- slick channel forks ahead. Most continues on its expected path, but a small stream of ooze diverts off through a wide cleft in the moldy masonry wall. The man-sized crack cuts deep into the rock behind the wall, and wisps of thin white smoke issue forth.

Listening carefully, Typhon can hear speech over the dripping, sloshing sounds of the sewer. The deep, rough voice and the sound of sobbing seems to be coming not from the crack in the wall, but from further down the sewer tunnel."Caught by mean rat hoomans.... So hungries..."

Map

Ty will stop long enough to hand signal the rest to wait. He then creeps past the hole in the wall, staying out of any light.
Moving down to the corner to see what is talking. And what is so hungry.
stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Just not feeling that stealthy lately....

Trey remains as quiet as possible. she realizes now where the smell on some of the children she cleaned up at the shelter came from.

Trey tries tries to remain vigilant. she whispers to Tessa.

keep you light where the others can bast use it. I can see quite well in the dark. best to help those that cannot first

Typhon moves ahead to find that two thick grates of rusted iron hedge in this section of sewer tunnel. From a man-sized crack in the northern wall seeps a steady flow of sewage, oozing into the greater flow of tainted water. A hulking pile of filth and debris partially blocks the stream of offal, a cart-sized clot in this disgusting artery.

The noise is coming from the hunk of trash. Typhon can see a tentacle with several eyes on it rise up out of the pile. It is, in fact, an otyugh. "Has foods?" it asks hopefully, the tentacle turning this way and that to look at him.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

map.

All you, Ty.

Whispering, Ty, feeling safe enough with bars between them, talks to the creature.
"Maybe... How'd you get stuck in there?"
As he asks he will toss a small pack of dried meat thru the bars, to the Otyugh.
Yay trail rations served a purpose...
" Do you know much about this area"

The otyugh noisily gobbles up the meat. "Rat hoomans trap here. Clicky click screech then trap." It jabs a tentacle through the grate towards the wall opposite Typhon. Just out of the otyugh's reach is a wall-mounted mechanism consisting of several gears and a large handle. The device seems to be connected to the gate closest to Typhon.
Sorry, I missed the mechanism in the first read through the text. It is marked on the map with an "M"

It lumbers over to the gap in the wall inside its cage. "Mean rat hoomans there. Many big rat. With shiny pointy stick. Many small rat. Tasty. So hungry. Want out."

Map.

Trey slowly approaches Ty. is it safe for us to move forward?

" I'm not sure Trey. It is supposed to be wandering around down here eating the refuse, but it probably eats anything it can catch. They are put here on purpose. Not sure how smart Otyughs are but apparently they can talk. Our route goes thru that split in the wall back there anyway, so may not be necessary for us to do anything. I just don't like to leave anything caged like this. Let's go back and talk to the Bossman."
Taking another days worth of rations out, Ty tosses it to the critter as well.
"Here large one. Be right back."

"What's the situation Ty?" Bosch asked when Ty and Trey returned. He was trying to be as quiet as he could but Bosch was obviously not built for stealth in the slightest.

" Down there a ways is a crack in the wall, 'bout man sized. I thought I heard voices in there so am thinkin' that's where the Rats are. Beyond that is a section with a really hungry Otyugh trapped between 2 sets of bars. Feeding it might gain cooperation, maybe help against the Rats if necessary, dunno for sure."
Ty gets it all out in a rush, with a harsh whisper.
" Don't like seeing much of anything caged tho."

"The Otyugh we have dealt with before have not shown any concern for what they consume. The prodigious appetite of one was its downfall. Yet, this one has treated with you and not raised an alarm. The Otyugh is an unknown quantity here. I'd rather not have its sudden and likely violent freedom sour any attempts we make to peacefully negotiate with the wererats. I vote that if we can ascertain its intentions later and figure out a humane method of dealing with it we shall."

" Apparently the Ratters trapped it in the bars, so it just might be inclined to start some violence with them. So... Should we deal with the Rats first then decide on the Otyugh?"

The flow of sewer filth oozes into this rough-hewn stone cave, pooling near its center before continuing through a crude channel in the western wall. Fat black mushrooms and other disgusting fungus grow thick around the pool of slime. Several low alcoves are cut into the walls, each filled with moldering hay, filthy furs, and tiny bones.

Three hunched creatures that looks like humans wearing studded leather, with fur covering their bodies lounge on the northern side of the pool of slime. Their faces are rat-like, and they have long, naked tails. They carry crossbows and short swords. Two filthy rats the size of small dogs scurry among the wererats. They have coats of coarse fur, long scabby tails, and glittering eyes. One of the wererats notices you and hisses a warning. "Leave our home, humans, and we will spare your lives."

Map.

Tessa waits for Bosch to make a reply, but she slowly dips her hand into the pouch on her belt.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Keeping an eye out for hidden dangers

"No need for threats, friend, I'm here to speak with Mr. Girrigz," Bosch said, offering forth his sheathed sword. The great blade was taller than the wererat he offered it to.

"I am putting myself at your mercy. I know not if you gentlemen hold fast to any code of honor but trust is a universal currency even if it is all too rare in this city. I cannot ask my comrades to do the same in good faith."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Ty will sheath his daggers and raise his hands above his shoulders.
"Hope you know what you're doin' Boss!"
He will then turn and grin at the Wererats.
"Yeah. What he said, we come in peace."
aid another diplo: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18