medlii's Curse of the Crimson Throne

Game Master medlii

Wouldn't actually hurt Roscoe since I jumped the gun with my turn.

Hearing Trey's shaken words followed by a boom, then the sound of Roscoe's advance, Ty is amazed at his friends abilities.
They all have such power! My knives seem so ...small, somehow...
tumble to avoid AoO: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
acrobatics to jump onto the table as part of his move action: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
He then slides by Bandru, tucks under Bosch and somersaults past the zombie, landing in a knife fighters crouch on the table.
attack with +1 for elevated attacker: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Bah. failed the AoO dodge. But made the table jump, then missed the attack. X(. Though I am not sure zombies get an AoO. Probably. XD.

As Trey's voice reverberates through the room, Jolistina collapses onto the dining room floor. She is bleeding heavily from the many wounds she has taken. Blood stains her painted face, her red gown, and the polished wooden floor.

With Jolistina out of the picture, Bosch's sword, Yrsa's falchion, Bandru's bow, Typhon's dagger, Tessa's flame, and Trey's blessings from Sarenrae quickly eliminate the three remaining zombies. The dining room now matches the grand hall - a pile of costumed corpses, bleeding on the floor.

We'll speed things up a bit - Since Jolistina is dead, the CR 1/2 zombies are not really a challenge and have very little chance of hurting you, so you easily murk them.

Once the battle is over and her fears have passed. trey seems to have trouble facing the party. apparently embarrassed by her failings

(the shaken effect seems to bother her).

she still takes the time to see to any wounds but her care is not as lighthearted as she usually is.

As Bosch wipes his blade clean, he looks to the others and says, "Hm, it feels odd to fight something I can't try to talk into submission first. Let's sweep the rest of this place and see if there are any more rotters lurking about."

Ty frowns at the thought of more zombies about.
Gah. was totally useless in that fight. Man did that crossbow pack a punch!
He retrieves his MW silver dagger from the floor then follows Bosch and Roscoe on their circuit of the area.
perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Jolistina was carrying a potion of invisibility, a potion of remove disease, a wand of cats grace (11 charges), and is wearing +1 cglamered studded leather armor, +1 light cross bow, three screaming bolts, a masterwork dagger, two vials of alchemist's fire, and 500gp in very fancy jewelry, stuffed into a pouch. Typhon notices that none of the zombified nobles are wearing any jewelry.

Loot, loot! I'll update the list in a minute. As a note Bosch is not going to take anything from the house proper as that does still belong to the owner.
Perception (Searching the House): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Bandru falls to his knees looking at Trey and then bowing his head praying.

But naturally

Watching the others take catologe takes note of the gathering of valuables as the slain are noted, and goes over and takes Trey by the hand, her clamshell gauntlet circling hers gingerly.

You fought bravely.

echoes her lithe dwarven voice beneath twenty pounds of embossed steel.

Trey looks at those around.

I am supposed to be a light when there is darkness. stopping undead creatures form plaguing the innocent. All I did was freeze, fear took over. One thing I did learn, I have a long way to go till I deserve the ordination.

I owe some people an apology. I didn't think it was right breaking into this home at first. But now, I see it was the right thing to do. I didn't trust Bosh's leadership.

Trey looks around, scanning the group. looking for who is wounded.

The grand hall is simply a mess of corpses, both normal and zombie-fied. Bosch can hear the faint shuffling of feet coming from the second floor.

These are pretty easy encounters - describe how you get rid of the zombies, no dice rolls needed.

Room B: The Den Two dead nobles wearing matching lion and lioness masks sit before the empty fireplace, while a third zombie drsesed as a peacock and holding a silver serving trey attends to them. They attack as soon as you enter the room.

Room D: Recital Hall A zombie dressed as a blue-winged angel strums a large, standing harp - unfortunately, all of the harp's strings are broken. Four costumed corpses - a sea serpent, a castle tower, a swan, and a blue skeleton - look on from chairs. The musician zombie attacks as soon as it spots you.

There is still the upstairs to explore as well.

"One thing I learned a few weeks ago is that there is a time for thought and a time for action. When lives are on the line, you can only ever act to the best of your abilities. I will only ever ask that much of you Trey," Bosch said, leading the others up the stair.

After dispatching the zombies with Roscoe and Bosch And Yrsa's aid, Ty cautiously follows Bosch up the stairs.

Second Floor: The Gallery
The sweeping wooden staircase leads upstairs, where finely framed works of art cover the walls of this gallery, looking down upon the hall below. Great windows look out to the west and south, and an alcove to the east is set with chairs for musicians. In mockery of the room's beauty, several costumed corpses stand about the hall, some posed like ghastly statues while others stand like contemplaitive critics.

Three zombies in flashy metallic costumes wander aimlessly through the gallery, pantomiming appreciation and criticism of the paintings of Korvosan cityscapes and Carowyn portraits on the walls. Periodically, one stmbles over one of nearly a dozen dead bodies on the floor here. As soon as they notice you, they attack.

Second Floor: The Bedroom
After disposing of the zombies in the gallery, you enter the enormous master bedroom. Standing in the center of the room is a female corpse dressed as a bride, or perhaps a queen, her sprawling pearl-studded gown flowing around her and her elaborate, powdered wig nearly brushing the ceiling. A second zombie - dressed as a princess in a pink sequinned gown with a tiara - attends to her.

As he and the others coldly dispatched the zombies up on the second floor. Bosch begins a sadly clinical sweep of the area, looking for anything that might indicate a hiding survivor.

"Korvosan Auxiliary Guard! Are there any survivors up here?" He calls out, hoping against the bloodshed that there might be one or two survivors.

Assuming there are no more threats, Bosch will begin sweeping the area systematically, taking twenty on perception checks for survivors and bodies. He is going to bring any bodies downstairs and take any masks off to help with identification of the remains.

Ty will help Bosch, looking without much hope for the boy that brought them here.

Among the pile of corpses in the gallery, Bosch finds the bodies of three musicians, dressed in professional black suits. The battered remains of their instruments lie carelessly tossed aside.

None of the corpses match Deyanira Mirukova's description of her brother, Ruaan (a tall, slender young man with the dark, curly hair and bronze skin marking him of Varisian decent). Bosch does not find any sign of Ruaan's ocarina.

Bosch also notes that the zombie dressed as the queen/bride is wearing a large ring with a stylized 'C.' This is -or was - probably Lady Carowyn.

Bosch takes a deep breath.

"Tessa, do you mind sending word to Marshal Kroft via your little friend about what we have found here? Ty, could you fetch Lord Carowyn from the basement? He needs to know the fate of his wife and we need to know if this is all of the party-goers and staff. Trey, please see to their rites, they deserve whatever peace you can afford their souls. Yrsa, Bandru, could you help me gather something to cover the bodies with?"

Frowning in distaste at the thought of Lord Carowyn, Ty sighs and heads back down to the basement to get him.
" Sure thing Bossman." He says then whispers mostly to himself."Not that he'll be much help."

In the Basement
Typhon finds Lord Ausio Carowyn has barricaded himself in the small room in the cellar again. "Well? Have you taken care of that mess? Or are your friends upstairs making off with my silverware?" He asks, sounding bored with the situation. Despite Lord Carowyn's bravado, Typhon notices that he trembles as he speaks either out of fear or nervousness of the news Typhon is bringing.

Ty's perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Trey simply nods in agreement.

She then begins the arduous task of relocating all the bodies outside.

Looking for a somber place on the grounds to begin a grave, she starts piling the bodies as best she can. probably dropping an arm here or leg there.

ooops, sombody grab that eyeball please I think it rolled under the table.

" Nobody's takin' anthin'!" Ty slips nearly into street slang in his annoyance with the Lord.
" Bossman wants you upstairs so as we can make sure everybody's body is identified and accounted for. Doesn't seem to be any survivors but you tho. Sorry 'bout the wife 'n all."

Torag's battered anvil! I always hope this is the last time we pile corpses. I've been in battles before, but this is grotesque. Yrsa spits while gathering the zombie bits. She tears down the curtains to lay over the bodies and spare their loved ones most of the view of the carnage.

"It won't be unless we can get this plague in check," Bosch said grimly, this whole affair souring his mood remarkably.

Tessa slogs along in the wake of Typhon, Yrsa, and Bosch as they deal with the zombies. Seeing how easily her martial friends dispach the undead, she saves her magic in case it is needed later.

At Bosch's command, Tessa sends Majenko off with a situation report. "Sorry to keep doing this to you, little guy. Here! Have some cheese."

Tessa assists with the corpse gathering as best she can, saying a terse prayer for peaceful rest over the body of each fallen individual.

"We should prob'ly see about that field hospital now," she suggests.

Majenko is happy to flitter out of Carowyn Manor, leaving the stinking zombies behind.

The garden seems a good place to bury the undead, and you also recall seeing a few horse-drawn wagons traveling the streets this morning. Their drivers, men and women clad in the gray robes of Pharasma, had been stopping to collect corpses at homes throughout Korvosa and then see to burial rites.

Lord Carowyn loses his composure as Typhon reports on the situation in his manor, and then the fate of his wife. Visibly shaking, he says "No! Olauren is still alive. It cannot be!" His harsh and scolding tone has changed to one of disbelief and horror. As if in a daze, he follows Typhon up the cellar stairs, through the blood-spattered kitchen and into the grand hall. Lord Carowyn stares wordlessly at the sight before him, as Trey, Bosch, Yrsa, and Tessa tend to the corpses. His eyes are wide, his face is nearly as pale as his white hair, and his mouth opens and closes, as if he is trying to speak but cannot.

"Lord Carowyn," Bosch says after a moment's pause, "We need to know if this was all who were in attendance, staff included. There may be others hurt or in danger."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Handle Animal (Pushing): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

Diplomacy, aiding: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (20) - 2 = 18

Roscoe, a dog familiar with grief, whines softly as Master gives him a look and nudges his head against Old Person's leg. He sits and leans against the man gently as though to offer himself in physical support of the man's grief. Roscoe found that the world of people was complicated and hard to understand but he knew that when people were sad it made their voices sound sad and he did not like it when their voices sounded sad. To be a Good Dog, Roscoe had to be able to help people not feel sad and right now Old Person sounded like Master did when Master lost his Puppy. Old Person must be very sad and Roscoe wants to be a Good Dog.

Awww man. Maybe I shouldna' have told him so bluntly 'bout this wife. But he was such an annoying little ......
Ty squats down nearby, keeping an eye out for more trouble and trying to fade from the Noble's notice...

Roscoe licks Lord Carowyn's hand gently, seeming to snap him out of his stupor. He strokes the dog's soft ears as he listens to Bosch's request. After a few moments, Lord Carowyn counts on his fingers while he mutters names under his breath and looks over the bodies that have been gathered in the hall.

"I cannot recognize all of them... in this... state. The guests are all accounted for, as well as my servants. However, I hired four musicians and there are only the remains of three. I personally requested each of them to perform. I suspect it is the young Varisian man whose corpse is missing, Ruan Mirukova. I am not fond of the Varisian ruffians who have invaded Korvosa, but he is a virtuoso, a unique musician, an up and coming star. I am certain he was in attendance as I listened to him play the ocarina for some time." Lord Carowyn's attention is focused on Roscoe, so that he does not see the horror that his home has become.

.

About forty minutes later, Majenko returns to Carowyn Manor while the group is still cleaning up the mess of corpses. This time, the pseudodragon is carrying a message. The scrap of parchment clutched tightly in his claws reads A Mr. Singh has requested to meet with you at the north end of the South Shore bridge at dusk. He says he has information about the Hospice. Be careful. It is signed only with the letter 'C.'

yay for Roscoe! Bonus points for good RP, even if it isn't diplomacy rules as written

"Ruan was the first person reported missing. His sister was worried that something might have happened to him. Please Lord Carowyn, I need you to think. Did he leave here before the... before everything went wrong? Is there anywhere he could be hiding?"

Ty perks up a little, at the thought that their reason for coming to this charnel house might still be alive. He will get up an search the room the other musicians were in, hoping for a previously missed hiding place.perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Lord Carowyn thinks carefully. "Lady Carowyn was upstairs listening to the musicians and showing our guests the newest additions to our gallery. I could hear the ocarina music clearly as I greeted the Westerkiers, when that harlequin burst in to the masquerade. I fled to the cellar immediately. I suspect I was there for two days. Ruan may have escaped during that time. Or perhaps she brought others with her, who took him away."

Lord Carowyn frowns. "But it does not make sense. Why would she kidnap just one person after slaughtering dozens of others? Or if Ruan fled, why did he not return home?"

Typhon does not find any evidence of a hiding place. Lord Carowyn confirms that the only secret place he knows of is the room he was using in the cellar.

Bosch's eyes narrowed, "You said she used some form of the disease on her weapon."

"Yes, the bolts of her crossbow must have been dipped in some sort of pox. I do not claim to understand how it works, but my guests sickened and collapsed rapidly. The red sores, the hacking cough, could only be blood veil."

Lord Carowyn shakes his head, still keeping his eyes carefully averted from the carnage. He mutters "To think, I hosted this masquerade so we could forget about the plague."

As she works to give proper burial rights to the dead, Trey listens to the symptoms described. wondering if that is typical of the blood veil, the onset so fast?

heal: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22

" Aww. Crap. I took a fairly solid hit from one of her bolts..."
Ty responds with some trepidation. " I don't feel sick, but it hurt like hell."

"All roads lead back to the Blood Veil," Bosch muses, thinking on the situation. "It seems that unless Ruan escaped, the only place to look for him would be somewhere where people understand the specifics of disease. Lord Carowyn, we will stay with you until the guard shows up. Sister Merosa there will attend to the deceased. If... if you need someone to talk to, I would be happy to lend an ear."

" So.... How we gonna do this? Am I gonna wear the mask n robes of a doctor and sneak in? or some other plan? Not liking the choices so far..."

Investigating the corpses as she sees to their burial, Trey notices that most have perished of blood veil. Even in death, the red rash of blisters is apparent on their faces and bodies. It is unusual for the symptoms to develop so quickly. As Trey attends to the deceased outside in the garden, she feels the warmth of Sarenrae wash down upon her as the sun of the early afternoon beams down upon her.

"Thank you," Lord Carowyn says softly. "That would be nice, if you could stay." He sits quietly as he waits, but after awhile says " I still have my home and my wealth. My wife is deceased, as well as all of my friends." Bosch can tell that he is holding back tears. But he continues "Do you think - is there anything I could give you - that might help with the plague? Or - maybe - is there some way I could - help Korvosa?" He sounds very unsure of himself as he speaks, as if he had never really considered such an act before.

Unless you did something else with it, you do still have the mask and robes from the doctor you found aboard the Direption.

.

After about an hour, the handsome guardsman Private Verik Vancaskerkin arrives at the front door of Carowyn Manor. With him are two others. The first is a young guardsman with a large mole on his cheek. Both guards are jumpy, as if a zombie might appear out of the shadows. The other man looks at ease, smirking as he looks at the outside of Carowyn Manor. His golden-brown skin, deep brown eyes, long flowing robe, and jet black hair clearly mark his Vudran ancestry.

Verik salutes the group. "Good morning. When Field Marshall Kroft got your note, she asked us to come over at once. This is Private Nevil," Verik explains, indicating the man with the mole on his cheek. "Nevil's been with the guard about a year now, and we've been escorting a physician around today." Nodding towards the Vudran man, Verik introduces him "This here, is Mr. Singh. The Field Marshall said he wanted to talk to you, after you showed us what you found. She said you found some zombies. Are there any left?" Verik peers nervously into the house, to see if one might be lurking just inside.

Trey pauses in her work to enjoy the dawnflower's light and small gift.

insoired by her god's unseen blessing trey mutters a prayer of thanks as she walks up to Ty.

Share Sarenrae's blessing with me. she says and she touches him where the bolt struck him, remembering what he said and the pain he suffered during the fight, her failings to heal when she was needed, but she believes the sun is Sarenrae's forgiveness.

cast a cure mod on Ty for 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (5, 2) + 5 = 12 hp healed

She then returns to her duties finishing up the burial of the slain.

"Simply asking those questions is a step in the right direction. It does not take much to make the city a better place. Keep your ear to the ground, Lord Carowyn, unfortunately I think these deaths and this plague are a precursor to terrible times in Korvosa. I may need your help later but for now," Bosch pauses and puts a hand on Lord Carowyn's shoulder, "I will not say that I know how you feel but the best thing for you is to turn your gaze forward. If you ever need my help, the Guard can put you in contact with me. Roscoe, stay while I talk to Verik."

.

Coming out to greet the guardsmen, Bosch loosens the straps on his breastplate some, a picture of nonchalance despite the obvious signs of combat in the area and on his person.

"Good to see you Verik. I wish we could meet under better circumstances, Mr. Singh, Nevil, but these are rough times. I'm Bosch Glasthane. My associates and I have dealt with the threats inside and the Sister is giving them their rites out back. Before we talk Mr. Singh, I want to gather the others. No doubt they'll want to hear you out as well."

Ty nods to Trey as she heals his arm." Thank you Trey. It was a terrific shot on her part, but mostly I am worried 'bout catchin' the Veil again. Used magic last time, n you n Tessa said I wouldn't get immunity to it like if I healed natural. So am I gonna live?"
He asks with a slightly nervous smile.
Seeing the smirk on the robed fellow, Ty chooses not to speak, but calmly walks over to stand beside Bosch.

Trey just nods with a smile You have Sarenrae's blessings you will be fine, just have faith in the dawflower, and her servents

Been escorting a physician, have you?

Tessa stays small and quiet and out of the way, and discreetly casts Diagnose Disease to check out the guardsmen.

Lord Carowyn nods at Trey, and manages a weak smile himself. "Perhaps I shall visit Sarenrae's temple for guidance." Turning to Bosch, he adds "I shall stay in touch if I learn anything.

[b]"They're all dead?" Verik looks relieved. "It's good all of you took care of things. Just think of if they'd gotten out into the streets! People would be dying of blood veil and being eaten alive." Verik tours the manor with Bosch, asking questions about what had happened. "I think I got it all. Crazy lady named Jolistina breaks into Lord Carowyn's party. She kills twenty people, with a cross bow and blood veil, and turns some of them into zombies somehow. Nevil, let's get the names of those poor folks from Lord Carowyn, so we can inform their families."

Nevil nods and they stand on the front step, jotting down the names of the attendees of Lord Carowyn's ill-fated gala. The lord still seems quite distressed as he relates his version of events to the guards and once again recounts the names of his friends who had been at the masquerade.

Tessa's spell indicates that neither of the guardsmen are ill.

.

Seeing an opening, Mr. Singh addresses the group inside the grand hall, which has now been tidied. A ring with a large ruby sparkles on his right hand. "Bosch, it is a pleasure to meet you. I've heard you are a skilled blacksmith. And I've heard tale of your companions - the wise archer, the faithful devotee of Sarenrae, the fiery spirited mage, and the daring rogue." He nods at Bandru, Trey, Tessa, and Typhon in turn. "And Ms. Fallstone, I've heard you are quite the expert at finding and bringing the unlawful of Korvosa to justice."

The Vurdan man looks around to make sure the guardsmen aren't listening. "All of you are intelligent people. Something... odd... is happening in Korvosa. Do you agree?" He stares at each of you intently with his dark brown eyes, a hint of a smile on his face.

" Odd is one way of putting it. What do you know?"
Asks Ty all sense of humor gone from his voice and face.
"And why the smile? This is a dangerous and very bad situation."

Folding her arms with a clank Yrsa regards the man with the twinkle in his eye.
I really would like to find out what's going on in the field hospital, I have a lot of pressing questions. I appreciate good deeds, but there is a big city out there.

"Hrm." She manages.

"You'll excuse our terseness, the scene inside was grim to say the least and we have other pressing matters to attend to today," Bosch said, he was already running thin on patience after helping a man say goodbye to much of his life. He fixed Mr. Singh with a steady look.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18