GM Litejedi's Curse of the Crimson Throne - Anniversary Edition

Game Master Litejedi

If there's a reasonable way to swing by the Bank of Abadar, we can do that before we investigate ourselves.

"Racker's alley isn't the safest place even in good times," mentions Vera. "Let's get going!" Vera is clearly excited for some action. Feel free to read the spoiler directed to me for more details.

"We should also send word to the Pharasmins, since they are on the opposite side of Korvosa." He says, checking his gear, since it is obvious they will find some danger. He grabs a dose of the linament and drinks it as well.

The friendly house drake agrees to send the message, and then flies off south.

Racker's Alley, about 7:00 pm, Old Korvosa

The high walls of the surrounding buildings throw this awkwardly bent alley into constant shadow. Although littered with garbage and filth, the refuse isn’t the most stomachturning trait of this rundown side way. Heaped against a bent wooden wall rises a pile of more than three dozen plague victims, their faces blistered and flushed, eyes open and staring. The scent of death is overpowered by the reek of rot, suggesting that some of these corpses have been here for days, but even a casual glance reveals that certain bodies seem strangely pale compared to most of the victims who succumb to the sickness.

Map Updated. You can see through the window of that shop, but can't walk past the glass.

Magda seems unfazed by the smell. "Alleys are the cities best things it made. Let's a one or two hold their own against a many. Maybe we should throw a rock to get those many moving toward us while we stop up the end of the alley like a muck pile in a ditch after it rains? Us being the muck pile, the dead being the rain."

Marcus nods to Magda's plan, eyes peeled on the terrain before them. First he sweeps the area.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Then he moves slightly up to be part of blocking the alley. He waits for somebody to join him to fully block the alley, then finds a nearby rock of brick and throws it down the alley.

Harrow Reservoir, 6 is good: 9d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 4, 6, 5, 2, 5, 1, 1) = 31.
Vera prepares various magics as they approach Racker's Alley. Mage Armor (37), Heightened Awareness (47), Message, Dancing Lights. Spending two arcane points to swap Detect Thoughts for Command Undead and swap out Memory Lapse for Chill Touch.

The party is able to communicate long distances with a whisper. She sends dancing lights down into the alley as Marcus hurls a loose brick to draw attention.

Yaziyah advances to stand next to Marcus, her hammer at the ready as she holds one elbow to her nose against the stench. "If all of them are risen... that's a lot of undead. Be wary."

She calls the blessing of the spirits upon herself and her companions, for surely they would approve of ridding the city of such abominations.

Cast Bless, 60 rounds. Also Ironskin on self, 60 rounds, Yazi has AC 23 now.

As their wall is formed, Magda touches Marcus's back and asks for the city to give him strength, well at least more strength than normal.

casting bull's strength on him

As they approach the alley,

There doesn't seem to be any movement, but a cutting wind blows in from the sea- kicking up some dust and loose paper, and causing everyone to feel a slight chill.

"I can check" her words make it sound like she's going to run up there but instead she babbles out cemetery names and concentrates.

she'll cast detect undead. if she doesn't detect anything she'll suggest moving as a group forward until they are either at the bodies or she detects something.

"Mhmm, stay together on this one." Marcus suggests, and slowly moves forward.

"Mother is cautioning us here," says Vera, as she feels Zellara's presence. "There's definitely going to be trouble."

Vera also begins to concentrate, searching for magic as they progress. Detect Magic.

"I don't sense anything." but she'll keep moving forward with the group until there is no doubt undead lurk in the bodies.

More than 40 corpses lie piled against the eastern wall. Magda especially confirms that not only are many of the bodies drained of blood, but that nearly half of them bear no signs of blood veil at all—merely twin puncture wounds on their necks, wrists, or inner thighs. There is a hole in the eastern wall, which becomes obvious to anyone who approaches within 10 feet of the mass of bodies.

"A bloodless veil?" Magda inspects the bodies and tells the others what she sees. Though since she has never once read a book about glittery fanged teenagers that are in truth really old, or seen the movies, she cannot tell them WHAT might have caused the odd punctures or lack of blood.

even the most Known knowledge of undead is beyond the poor uneducated street kid.

"Maybe rats? Really thirsty but not hungry rats?"

Rolled a 3 for my K. Religion check on Discord, total 13.

"I still think some horrible necromancer could be behind this," says Vera, not sure of what to make of the sight. "I guess we should investigate the hole over there, but I don't want to touch these bodies . . . "

Vera looks to see if it was possible to avoid the bodies but still reach the hole.

Erasmo is silent, fearing that even speaking he'd be exposed to the blood veil, even through his cloth mask. He does follow the others, however.

Perception for any movement of the living or unliving: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Marcus moves up to the edge of the hole, raising his shield as he does so.

Full defense, walking up to hole to look down.

If the hole is dark:

"Get me a magical light on a rock." After the cantrip is passed to him he tosses it down the hole.

Magda is peering into the hole around Marcus's shoulder, then touches the rock and wills bright light into it.

Knowledge religion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

"Did you say thirsty rats? Bloodless?" Yaziyah bends to examine one of the corpses herself, checking the wounds that Magda points out. She straightens, a troubled expression on her face.

"These are no rats, or necromancer. We are dealing with a vampire here. A very hungry one, judging by the number of victims."

Magda hunkers down next to Yazi to see, nodding like she understands, but then asks "What's a Vam-Pire?"

Hearing Marcus's request, Vera will aid Magda by sending her dancing lights forward also.

"That doesn't sound good at all," agrees Vera at Yazi's revelation.

When the party starts to move the bodies around, a creature shrieks from the roof above, and bouncing from wall to wall behind Vera, attacks the arcanist.

Surprise round move action to get down, acrobatics check auto-succeed. Full attack on Vera with sneak attack, etc.

slam: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
slam damage,SA: 1d4 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (1, 3) = 9
slam: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
slam damage,SA: 1d4 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (3, 6) = 14

Vera finds her move speed diminished, and is hampered (half move speed)

With incredible speed the strange humanoid with red eyes, elongaged fangs, and pallid skin, leaps from the roof, and crouching, proceeds to pummel Vera. Vera has 12 temporary HP right now, and takes 9 damage. She also has a negative level, and can try to remove it in 24 hours. Her current and maximum HP drop by 5 as well, so she's at 33/30.

Fangs for the Memories -Round 1 Whumpyres/Everyone Else!

Everyone is up - Map updated to reflect actions above!

"Aieeee!" Vera shrieks herself as she's suddenly attacked by a bounding undead! Only her mother's protection keeps her from bleeding, but she feels drained nonetheless. Stumbling backwards, she focuses her mind and tries to seize control of it!

5-foot step, Command Undead with Arcane Point, Will DC18.

Magda was shoving a body off to the side with her spear when Vera shrieks. "Hey! You..." words kind of get stuck in her throat at the sight of her friend getting pummeled.

Leaving the body she focuses her cities ire on the thing.
moving over a bit and sending misfortune its way, DC 17 to resist

"Get away from her!" Yaziyah shouts as she comes to Vera's defense, stepping next to the girl to wield her hammer.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 Damage: 1d12 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Erasmo steps towards the undead and tries to climb over it, his blade ready to strike!

5ft. step then Limb-Climber as a move action. Draw weapon as free. Then ready an attack, waiting for Marcus to get adjacent.

Climb: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (1) + 22 = 23 vs. CMD
Ready Attack (shorsword), flanking, power attack: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 11 + 2 - 2 = 15
Damage, power attack, sneak attack: 1d4 + 4 + 4 + 3d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 4 + (1, 2, 1) = 13

If the climb succeeds, target will suffer -3 to hit Erasmo and -4 to hit others. If the attack hits, increase the penalty to -7 vs. himself/-6 vs. others.

Marcus holds back a moment while his allies surround the strange creature. Then once they're in position he steps forward calmly, turns, and launches forward with violent momentum, crashing the creature into the wall behind it and moving off behind it!

Bull Rush: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33
Damage: 5 + 2 + 1 = 8

Overrun: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 20 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 4 + 1 = 13

will save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 lol
will save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 lol

The creature fails its save, but then Magda curses it, Yazdi does 8 damage, Erasmo climbs up but misses with his attack, Marcus successfully bull rushes, and overruns for 3 and 8 damage. The creature is still up and took 19 damage, and is no longer controlled, but it is misfortuned. It attacks Erasmo.

The vampire creature tries to claw off the halfling, shrieking!

slam: 1d20 + 6 - 7 ⇒ (4) + 6 - 7 = 3
slam: 1d20 + 6 - 7 ⇒ (12) + 6 - 7 = 11
slam: 1d20 + 6 - 7 ⇒ (20) + 6 - 7 = 19
slam: 1d20 + 6 - 7 ⇒ (15) + 6 - 7 = 14

lol

No hits. Magda hears a sound coming from inside the building.

Fangs for the Memories -Round 2 Whumpyres/Everyone Else!

Everyone is up!

Overrun: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (18) + 20 = 38
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 4 + 1 = 14

AoO (PA, flank): 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 13 - 2 + 2 = 31
Damage (PA, SoH): 2d4 + 8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 3) + 8 + 6 + 1 = 19

Confirm (PA, flank): 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 13 - 2 + 2 = 16
Additional Crit Damage (PA, SoH): 2d4 + 8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 3) + 8 + 6 + 1 = 19

Marcus knocks the creature to the ground, sword coming down to fully plant it there.

Overrun, definitely knocking him prone, which makes the enemy provoke allowing everybody to attack it!

Magda quickly asks for the city's blessing on all her companions Casting bless while also reciting bad street names chant to keep up misfortune. Since that isn't enough things to try and do in the middle of combat, she claps her hands loudly to draw some of the other's attention, then entwines her fingers, folding them over, and then wiggles them like crazy before pointing at the hole.

trying to tell people while chanting that things are coming (or maybe just thing, not clear.

So recap. Bless on everyone, misfortune maintained on bad guys, and telling you all danger is coming... maybe

AOO Yazi, flanking: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 2 = 18
AOO Yazi damage: 1d12 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
AOO Erasmo, flanking: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 11 + 2 - 2 = 23
AOO Erasmo Damage, flanking: 1d4 + 4 + 4 + 3d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 4 + (6, 2, 4) = 22

Erasmo and Yazi finish off the creature after Marcus slams into it, dropping it to the ground and slicing with his falchion. His falchion nearly beheads the thing on its own but not quite.

Yazi, Erasmo, and Vera are up!

Fearing what might come from facing more of these draining vampires, Vera casts a spell that quickens everyone's movements!

Haste! And move behind the beefier members of the party.

Erasmo cleans his blade on the vampire's clothes before gesturing for Marcus to lead the way.

Rushing out of the hole scramble three more of the horrible creatures. Two approach Yazi to attack, and one scrambles to attack Magda! Thankfully Yazi had stepped back to let Marcus lead, and swings at each one as they approach.

Yazi AOO 1, bless, red, haste: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 1 + 1 = 14
Yazi AOO damage, haste: 1d12 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Yazi AOO 2, bless, blue, haste: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 1 + 1 = 20
Yazi AOO damage: 1d12 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Yazi AOO 3, bless, green, haste: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 10 + 1 + 1 = 25
Yazi AOO damage: 1d12 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Yazi hits the second and third that attack, pummeling each badly with her hammer, though they shrug off some of the damage.

Each takes 11 damage.

slam red Yazi: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
slam blue Yazi: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 6 - 2 = 17
damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
slam green Magda: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

One hit even with haste. Yazi takes 8 damage and one negative level.

Fangs for the Memories-Round 3 Whumpyres/Everyone Else!

Everyone is up!

Brandishing her spear, the orc girl falls back to protect her friend (if she even could from these things), while wishing the wall all the luck in destroying them.

Fortune on Marcus, 5 foot step back as well

"Cursed demon-spawn! Get back!" Yaziyah moves in front of Magda and Vera protectively, shoving forcefully at the vampires with her hammer.

Attack red, negative level, bless, haste: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27 Damage: 1d12 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Attack red, negative level, bless, haste: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15 Damage: 1d12 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Bull Rush: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Bull Rush: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Massive oof, even with Magda's fortune that double nat 1 will make my first check fail which just blanks my whole turn.

Erasmo sheathes his blade as he moves in, climbing another of the vampires and then drawing his shortsword back to stab the monster.

Climb: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (5) + 22 = 27 vs. Red
Attack (shorsword), flanking, power attack: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 11 + 2 - 2 = 16
Damage, power attack, sneak attack: 1d4 + 4 + 4 + 3d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 4 + (2, 1, 1) = 13

If I can act before Erasmo, will include Red vampire in the blast; otherwise I'll just blast the others.

Vera begins to chant once more, calling on the light to banish the wicked undead!

Burst of Radiance with Arcane point.
Damage vs Evil: 5d4 ⇒ (1, 1, 4, 2, 3) = 11
Reflex DC18 or blind for: 1d4 ⇒ 4 rounds.

One of Yazi's attacks works, Marcus fails, climb works, Erasmo's attack misses, burst of radiance does damage.

reflex save red: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
reflex save blue: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
reflex save green: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Each takes 11 damage.

slam red Erasmo, limb climber: 1d20 + 6 - 3 ⇒ (17) + 6 - 3 = 20
blind: 1d100 ⇒ 51
damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
slam red Erasmo, limb climber: 1d20 + 6 - 3 ⇒ (18) + 6 - 3 = 21
blind: 1d100 ⇒ 87
damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

slam blue Erasmo, dazzled: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 1 = 7
damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
slam blue Erasmo, dazzled: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 - 1 = 9
damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

slam green Yazi: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
blind: 1d100 ⇒ 15
damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
slam green Yazi: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
blind: 1d100 ⇒ 68
damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

The strange vampire creatures scramble at the party, trying to gain purchase - but aren't successful.

lol more failure for all.

Fangs for the Memories-Round 4 Whumpyres/Everyone Else!

Everyone is up!

"They are so feeble!" Yaziyah exclaims as she swings the hammer in an upward arc aimed at breaking ribs, then brings it around for another hit.

Attack red, haste: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17 Damage: 1d12 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Attack red, haste: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14 Damage: 1d12 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Famous last words. :P

Seeing Yazi falter, Mags asks the city to help out a bit.
Fortune on Yazi, move action to chat and keep Marcus's fortune alive as well.

Marcus goes for a slightly safer route, just aiming to overrun all of the vampiric creatures in place.

Assuming their CMD is 20 as per discord:

Overrun vs Red: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 24
Overrun vs Red: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (10) + 20 = 30
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 2 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 + 4 + 1 = 17

Overrun vs Blue: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 2 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 + 4 + 1 = 20

Overrun vs Green: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 20 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 2 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 + 4 + 1 = 20

AoO vs Red: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 13 + 1 - 2 = 14
Damage: 2d4 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (2, 3) + 8 + 6 = 19

AoO vs Blue: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 13 + 1 - 2 = 31
Damage: 2d4 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (4, 4) + 8 + 6 = 22

Confirm vs Blue: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 13 + 1 - 2 = 26
Additional Crit Damage: 2d4 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (2, 4) + 8 + 6 = 20

Marcus knocks over the first two he runs into, blade coming down to smash them as they fall.

Red and blue fall prone, provoking from everybody who can reach them.

As the party gains the upper hand against the undead, Vera switches to blasting!
Magic Missile vs Green, or whoever's standing if Green goes down: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 3, 2) + 3 = 9

Erasmo stabs repeatedly at the vampire he is latched to...

AOO, Flanking, Power Attack: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 11 + 2 - 2 = 27 @Red
Damage, Power Attack, Sneak Attack: 1d4 + 4 + 4 + 3d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 4 + (4, 3, 2) = 18

Attack (shortsword), Flanking, Power Attack: 1d20 + 11 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 11 + 2 - 2 = 26 @Red
Damage, Power Attack, Sneak Attack: 1d4 + 4 + 4 + 3d6 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 4 + (5, 1, 3) = 21

If red is destroyed, will use my move action to climb blue or green

Climb: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (13) + 22 = 35

Yazi AOO Attack red, haste: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26 Damage: 1d12 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Marcus damages all of them. Yazi's and Erasmo's AOO kill red, then Erasmo kills green.

Each of the vampires turns to gas when they seem to 'die', and begins to float towards the hole.

Combat over if you want, the party can follow.

Vera is quite surprised as the vampires float away as gas. "We need to follow that, right? We can't let these vicious creatures escape!"

"Why? Didn't we just beat them?" Mags looks confused since she knows nothing of Vampires.

"It's not that simple, they are not dead. We need to see where they go!"

The Shoanti moves towards the hole in the wall, hoping they can all fit through it - especially Marcus.