medlii's Curse of the Crimson Throne

Game Master medlii

Life in Korvosa went back to normal for a few months until people began contracting a strange disease marked by a fever, coughing, and disgusting red pustules that gave it the name 'blood veil.' Queen Ileosa responded quickly by forming a medical team known as the Queen's Physicians, led by Dr. Davaulus, to treat the plague. Korvosa's temples were stretched to the limit and many died from the ravages of the plague. Yet a lone hero calling himself the Owl snuck into the Queen's Physicians main treatment center and uncovered the truth. Dr. Davaulus was no healer. He and his minions were spreading blood veil in honor of the goddess of undeath and disease, Urgathoa. Many were rescued from the hospital by the Owl, and the Doctor and his Physicians were publicly executed. A young priestess of Sarenrae brought the temples of the city together to collaborate on a cure, and with her own knowledge, teamwork, and Dr. Davaulus's files, found one and saved thousands of lives.

Yet strange things are still happening. First, shortly thereafter, Old Korvosa (map of Korvosa available in my signature) was been quarantined, and no one is permitted to enter or leave, separating families and cutting off important businesses. And the Gray Maidens, anonymous in their red-plumed helmets that cover their faces and identical gleaming silver armor, preventing anyone from breaking the quarantine. They grow bolder by the day, harassing innocent Korvosans for minor offenses.

Second, Korvosa's Seneschal, Neolandus Kalepopolis went missing at the same time King Eodred died. Does he have something to do with the King's death? Knowledge of Korvosa's politics tell you that only the Seneschal has the power to remove Korvosa's monarch from office. Yet a third strange event occcurred just this morning. Queen Ileosa made a public announcement, where she shockingly pronounced a wizard named Togomor as the new seneschal, breaking several laws, and devastating those who suspected that Marcus Endrin, Commandant of the Sable Company to succeed Seneschal Kalepopolis. Her next decree gave the Gray Maidens even greater powers and hinted that any woman of the city might be drafted to fill their ranks. And finally, she dissolved the Sable Company. At this, Commandant Endrin attacked Queen Ileosa, declaring that he would end her reign of evil. Yet even after he shot her in the temple with a crossbow, the Queen ripped the bolt from her forehead and used it to stab Endrin to death. The scene erupted into chaos, and the resulting riot was brutally quelled by the Gray Maidens.

Queen Ileosa takes the stage, wearing a beautiful green robe that accentuates her green eyes and red hair. Gone is her daintly golden circlet worn at previous announcements. Upon her head is a strange crown of black spikes, reminiscint of the sharp teeth of a large beast. She speaks with confidence and conviction to the audience before her. "Citizens of Korvosa! I am pleased to inform you that we have triumphed over the plague! It is defeated, even with individuals like Doctor Davaulus thwarting our efforts at every step. As you well know, the Doctor was punished for his crimes against Korvosa. Yet our city remains wounded! We have no Seneschal to guide us. Therefore, I appoint the Wizard Togomor as Korvosa's new seneschal." The obese wizard steps forward, and bows, accepting a badge from Queen Ileosa and pinning it to his red robe. The crowd begins to murmur in dissent at this. It is well-known that only the Field Marshall can appoint a seneschal, who traditionally rises from the ranks of the Sable Company.

But the queen's magically enchanted voice drowns out the muttering. "Furthermore, the Hellknights of the Order of the Nail have shown their true colors and fled, like cowards. Worse, both the Korvosan Guard and the Sable Company have suffered terrible losses over the past weeks as a result of the blood veil plague. Neither group is fully capable of continuing as Korvosa's protectors, and thus, to shore up this fault, the Gray Maidens will serve as the new protectors of Korvosa. Sabina Merrin is offically appointed as the new General of Korvosa. Furthermore, as we will need more women to protect Korvosa, any able-bodied lady over the age of fifteen may be required to join the Gray Maidens, no matter her background or social standing. There is no greater honor than serving your community, and all recruits shall undergo training such that they can fulfill the duties of their stations." Ripples of concerned whispers spread through the crowd. Field Marshall Kroft looks simultaneously surprised and confused, but quickly surpresses her expression, while Togomor smirks. Commandant Endrin looks furious, doing nothing to hide his rage. Hesitantly, Sabina steps forward and bows, though only Field Marshall Kroft and Togomor applaud.

Queen Ileosa continues in her calm, decisive tone. "As such, the Sable Company will be dissolved and the remaining marines will be folded into the Korvosan Guard. Commandant Endrin, step forth and surrender your badge of office."

As Endrin does so, he trembles. He reaches for his badge, but instead of handing it over, he throws it at the queen, striking her in the ckeek with it. Everyone, including the queen, is shocked into paralysis for a few moments, long enough for Endrin to bellow out "Your shameful reign ends now! Korvosa will be free again!" An instant later, his crossbow is in his hands, aimed at the still-shocked queen. Endrin pulls the trigger. His aim is true. The crossbow bolt strikes Queen Ileosa in the temple.

Yet she does not fall.

With incredible speed, she regains her composure and yanks the bolt from her skull. Before the blood from the wound has time to run all the way down to her shoulder, she's standing before Endrin. Her free hand whips out and seizes him by the throat, lifting him off the ground as she holds him up for all to see. An instant later, she buries Endrin's own bolt between his eyes with a single powerful blow.

As Endrin's lifeless body crumples to the ground and Ileosa imperiously shakes his blood from her hand, she cries out in a strong, clear voice - "This shall be the fate of all enemies of Korvosa! Mark well his death! It is only the first!" A split second later, Togomor steps forward, taking Ileosa's hand. With a crack like a whip, they both vanish.

The resulting riot is quelled quickly and brutally by the Gray Maidens. Stunned and horrified, Field Marshall Cressida Kroft flees. Reluctantly, Sabina closes the visor of her Gray Maiden uniform to join her troops, but does not draw her sword.

Korvosan Guard. The Korvosan Guard serves the city of Korvosa first, the government second, and the church of Abadar third. They maintain order in the city, mainly acting as a police force, but turning into a military organization whenever the city is threatened by external forces. Field Marshall Cressida Kroft reports directly to Queen Ileosa and is walking a very fine line between obeying the Queen's brutal orders and protecting the innocent people of Korvosa. Their relationship has become tenuous recently as the Field Marshall's concerns about the city's welfare combat the Queen's views of the rigid law and order that should be enforced. Those close to Cressida know that she is doing everything in her power to keep what authority she can in order to block the Queen's evil edicts. Perhaps your character is a high-ranking member of the Guard. Also a good background for martial characters, as well as rogues, investigators, and similar.

Shoanti Nomad. The indigenous Shoanti tribes live in the grasslands surrounding Korvosa. The seven tribes rarely see eye to eye, but the sages of all the tribes agree upon one thing. A great evil is awakening in Korvosa, and the Shoanti are the ones destined to stop it. Although each story differs, ancient lore tells that Korvosa was once at the heart of Shoanti territory, and that the Shoanti were tasked with keeping watch over something powerful. Some say it is a great dragon. Others say a sleeping god, a dormant artifact, or a portal to Hell. The time has come for the watch to resume and the Shoanti to return to Korvosa. This background works well for barbarians, spontaneous casters like sorcerers, oracles, or characters with a connection to the wilderness.

Academae Associate. Korvosa's magical training school, the Academae, is world-renowned for its summoners and other arcane spellcasters. Until now, the extremely talented but petty Headmaster Toff Ornelos was neutral on the matter of Queen Ileosa's rule. He reasoned that closing the Academae's gates would protect his staff and students from anything going on in the city and they could continue their magical research unimpacted. Until Queen Ileosa appointed Togomor, the head of the Evocation department as Seneschal. This enraged Headmaster Ornelos. He alone built the Academae to be the most renowned conjuration school in Golarion. And yet, either the Queen has enchanted Togomor into her service, or he has turned traitor on his alma mater! And Queen Ileosa was wearing a strange crown that emitted strong magical auras at her most recent announcement. He insists that one of his premier instructors or researchers (that being you) find out what is going on. This background works well for any spellcasting class.

Gray Maiden victim. The Gray Maidens are now the de-facto military guardians of Korvosa. Daily, they grow bolder, harassing innocent Korvosans for minor offenses. Perhaps you witnessed the Gray Maidens beating someone in the street. At night, maybe you, or a friend or family member were caught out past curfew and saw one of the unearthly creatures that they use during their nightly patrols. Did a woman in your life go missing unexpectedly? Or did the Gray Maidens knock on their door, drafting them into service despite all protests? All of the women from the Gray Maidens must come from somewhere... it begs the question of where they are recruited and how they are trained. This background would work for any class.

Blood veil victim/ survivor. Thousands died during the blood veil plague. Hundred were sent to the Hospice of the Blessed Maiden for 'treatment,' where it turns out that Doctor Davaulus and his physicians were performing gruesome experiments on the patients in the name of Urgathoa, goddess of disease and undeath. Although it is never spoken openly, rumors abound that Queen Ileosa actually hired Doctor Davaulus to start the plague. He was, in fact, her childhood doctor. Gray Maidens provided security inside and outside of the hospital. Perhaps you, or one of your friends or family was a victim of blood veil or escaped the Hospice and know of the evils that went on within. You shudder to think of what Queen Ileosa might do if she had even more power over the city. This background would work for any class.

If you don't like any of these... Let me know what you are thinking for a character concept, and we can work something else out.

The shaman spoke of a great danger that had been hidden away in the long ago and that it was the duty of Shoanti to guard against its return. He told Kaddoc that each tribe shared in this sacred duty and that each must send its bravest warriors to stand watch. It was to be Kaddoc's duty to keep the watch in Korvosa.

Kaddoc wasn't thrilled by the prospect of living in such a soft and civilized city, but he knew is duty. His size and skill at arms made it easy for him to find work in the lower quarters of the city. His Shoanti heritage kept him out of the more affluent neighbourhoods initially, but over the years, his reputation for getting the job done has growth to the point that he rarely is bother by the guard. It probably doesn't hurt that his become more 'civilized' over the years.

While he has never really forgotten the responsibility place on him by his tribe, his vigilance has waned substantially over the years. The plague and odd rumours about the Queen have failed to rouse his suspicion, though the disruption of business due to the plague did spark his irritation.

Whether or not he could have reasonably tied these events to his sacred duty, the spirits of his ancestors believed he should have. Recently, Kaddoc was visited by a nightmare of death and destruction, of blood filling the streets and corpses piled in heaps. When he awoke he found that his foot had begun to calcify. This poignant reminder and pushed Kaddoc into action. Not sure of what is going on, or how this relates to the Shoanti's vigil, he is actively searching out anyone involved in the current troubles. He's heard of a certain Cleric of Sarenrae that might be able to enlighten in regards to the plague at the very least.

Personality: Brash and overconfident, but with the experience to back it up. He's all about the big emotions, quick to laugh and quick to anger. The years of working contracts has has taught him how to be politic and for all his rough edges, he knows when to close his mouth and do what he's told. He still carries a fair bit of his people's distrust of magic, he feels its a bit of cheat.

Korvosan guard: In his early days, Kaddoc had several disagreements with the guard and may have spent more than one stint in lockup. Though it's been a few years since the last confrontation, Kaddoc still is a little biased against the guard and doesn't really trust them.

The Cerulean Society: Kaddoc got his start working as hired muscle and has been part of his share of shakedowns. A lot of his early jobs were working for the thieve's guild and though he's moved on to more 'respectable' work these days, some of his favourite drinking buddies are in the guild.

Serena Nightshade: Serena is a lady of the night at a higher end brothel, and Kaddoc her favourite customer. Their relationship spans years and crosses the normal boundaries of her profession. If Kaddoc asked her to quit, she probably would, but he hasn't.

However, when she was about 15, which for a tiefling, is still terribly young, she was taken in by Margaret Delsaul, a young mercenary. For the next 40 years, Krila followed her new human mother from land to land, from war to war, learning early about fighting, armor, and training.

Krila's mother fought in wars in exotic places, all over the world. Eventually her mother owned her own mercenary company, and young Krila found herself being a sellsword for her mother's company during her formative 40's. She was a Sarvagan Guard for a few years. She all but grew up in armor, and has learned the tricks of how to get the most use out of it, even more than most do. In Sarvagan, she fell in love with the Ostrich Knights, and joined the Order of the Tome, using her skills with her lance and her mount to make money for the company.

About 10 years ago, however, Krila's mother's health took a turn for the worse, and she retired from the mercenary company. They took up living in one of the few places where tieflings are more acceptable, Korvosa.

Krila got a job with the Korvosan Guard, and rapidly rose through the ranks on her skill. Unfortunately, her beloved ostrich Herkemer died in battle shortly after coming to Korvosa, so she had to make due with a Pygmy Axe Beak. She's found she actually likes the pygmy Axe Beak, whom she's named Matilda. The bird is as brave as Herkemer ever was, and has a wicked bite to boot.

Krila's mother pressed on but recently died from a plague that Krila has found out was intentionally spread. The small tiefling's anger burns a cold so deep that it would make adamantine brittle if any came into contact with it. Cressida arranged for a very vocal and public 'Falling Out' that resulted in Krila storming off and throwing her badge of office at Cressida in front of a few dozen city guards.

Krila is now attempting to do some work for Cressida 'off the books' to figure out what is going on. Partly to help her old friend, but mostly so she can kill anyone who was involved in the plague.

Ferdinand Helfand: A veterinarian who has helped Damian more than he can count when Torn has been wounded or ill. The man is always more than happy to help the former marine and his feathered friend.

Jess: An 11 year old orphan girl that Damian has befriended. She has become very useful to him for getting information and supplies in the chaos. Where he would stick out like a sore thumb, she can maneuver without anyone batting an eye.

Soren wears a cobalt blue jerkin along with similarly colored linen trousers. Over his jerkin he wears a polished mythril breastplate which he acquired as a reward for services rendered in the past. He wears black leather gloves and boots, each lined with a bit of white fur. His worn, black cloak also has bit of black fur adorning the shoulders and comes equipped with a hood.

The large sword he carries is, in fact, a solid piece of carved adamantine. While shaped well enough to be identified as two handed blade, it looks quite crude. The workmanship is, however, solid.

A terrible winter storm battered the caravan only a week out from Turvik, Soren's parents became separated from the rest of the caravan and, eventually, each other. Kulver's efforts to locate Zi Rong in the blizzard proved futile and he eventually struggled back to Turvik, a miracle in of itself. That appeared to have been the end of it, but some months later Soren's father was shocked to find a child left on his doorstep. The child's appearance (Zi Rong's dark hair and pale skin), and an creeping sense of dread, convinced the man that the child was his own. The implications terrified him and perhaps for that reason, more than any other, he resolved to take care of the boy.

Soren grew into a youth of prodigious strength and competency, but a cold aura seemed to constantly hang over him, enhanced by his pale blue eyes and dispassionate bearing. Rumors spread around town regarding his peculiar nature, and people said that Soren was "as cold as the blizzard that birthed him." In some ways they weren't wrong. While Soren himself certainly possesses an introspective character, not all of his emotions seemed to be his own. Flares of anger, so cold they burned, would often confront Soren. They were foreign to him, and frequently in response to stimuli which he held no strong opinions on (a man harrying his wife, children orphaned and just barely surviving on the streets, and myriad other injustices not uncommon in Turvik).

As as a result of this outside influence, much of Soren's youth was spent constantly affirming his own feelings and beliefs against the unknown, alien ones which frequently crept into his mind. Whenever these thoughts were at their strongest, Soren could sometimes see the indistinct form of a woman, just within his peripheral vision, but she would quickly vanish when he turned to face her. The ghostly images and alien thoughts lead to his distant behavior, but it all seemed relatively harmless until one fateful night when his father announced that he planned to remarry. For the first time Soren's will lost to the other's, and when the haze cleared, the bloody aftermath before him caused Soren to flee the town under the cover of darkness.

Since then, Soren abandoned his efforts to segregate himself from the "other." Instead he studied it, attempted to understand the reasons behind the rage, and eventually sublimated it into himself. In doing so he has become able to control the cold fury that flows through his veins and put it to good use. From Soren's perspective, goodness, morality, and justice are not static, inviolable concepts. They are a time, a place, a set of circumstances, and a hundred other factors all rolled together. In short: they are instinctive. Since coming to this realization, Soren has done his best to live a "good" life. He has utilized his skills in the pursuit of this free-form sense of justice and wandered across the northern stretches of Avestan for years, backing up his convictions with sometimes brutal resolve. The Cold Fury hasn't made many friends in his time, but he has few regrets, and fewer still enemies left alive to pursue a grudge against him.

The ghostly, undead presence which possesses Soren, still exists, but he has largely sublimated it's values and emotions into his own to create a more balanced whole. However, the right stimuli can still challenge Soren's control.

Soren is somewhat less... amenable once caught in the grips of a rage. He does not yell or bellow once raging, but instead his face drains of emotion and only his deep, deliberate breathing can be heard. While his expression remains neutral, the rest of his facial features contort and crease under the strain of the internal fury he experiences. The longer the rage continues the more evident his anger becomes, although he still remains unnervingly silent. The only exception arises when using his terrifying howl rage power, which is is themed more as a tortured moan, like that of a lost soul.

Korvosan Guard - There are rumors in the Korvosan Guard that there is a Hellknight commander that is much less of a hardass than his compatriots. A few of them, including Cressida Kroft, are aware that Gideon is the man in question. There is no love lost between the Guard and the Order of the Nail, but if there is one Hellknight that the Field Marshall would be willing to work with, it might be Paralictor Schrade.

Pilts Swastel - Gideon is a firm proponent of moderation, but he also believes that if anybody deserves the typical brand of Hellknight justice, it is this vile man. Swastel has always been a thorn in his side, but only in recent times has he truly become dangerous. Queen Ileosa is the true threat in Korvosa, but Swastel is one of the first on Gideon's list.

Unfortunately, the PCs just killed him. If you'd like you can still use this as a tie-in. The PCs are not too far from him and it is plausible that Gideon is investigating the area to root him out.

On nights when the solemn setting of the cathedral become a bit too overbearing, and he has tired of crushing the lesser undead who crop up around the graveyards, Soren often visits the Midland district to spend time at the local taverns. There he has made acquaintance with a few regulars that are members of the Korvosan Guard. Soren has made it something of a weekly tradition to drink with them and listen to firsthand accounts of the happenings in the city.

Comrades-in-arms weren't the only reason Soren became a repeat visitor to the tarven, though. He had also become fond of the tavern proprietor's daughter. Though Soren would claim to have no profound familiarity or emotional connection with the girl, he appreciated that she treated him with the same politeness and enthusiasm that she did all other patrons. Even if her kindness was simply professionalism, Soren hasn't known many who appeared outwardly unconcerned with the burden of unease his "other" inspired. As a result, he had quickly become more comfortable in her presence then with anyone else he'd met in Korvosa.

Unfortunately, during his most recent visit to the tavern, Soren discovered that she had been conscripted by the Grey Maidens only days earlier. This was to be the turning point. If he could not do something to change the twisted state of affairs in Korvosa, then he would take his leave of it. Soren returned to the Gray District without delay. Before acting further, he wishes to seek out Keppira for guidance. Failing that, he intends to reach out to his contacts in the Korvosan Guard. They aren't exactly high ranking members, but they hold some status as unit captains. Perhaps they can lead him to someone that can make a difference if Keppira cannot.

More to come.

I don't think that Kaddoc would have had much interaction with Sister Trey. If she has been doing a lot of work in the seedier parts of town, Kaddoc might have heard of her or have seen her before her fame for curing the plague, but that's probably it.