GM Lorenzo's Curse of the Crimson Throne Adventure Path (Inactive)

Game Master Lawrence Smith 2

Sora pokes her head out from behind Viggo's left shoulder, then shifts to his right, trying to aim her crossbow. "Well, I like that you're between me and the big bad, Viggo, but this bow isn't gonna work. It's alright, I've got a... better idea." Pulling a single hair of a black cat from a pouch, she holds a hand out, cursing Gaedren.

Cast Ill Omen on Lamm

As much as Korinne hates the idea of leaving someone behind, she's also concerned about the others who may very well be fighting their own battle.

"...Okay, if you're sure," she reluctantly agrees before turning and hurrying back along the rickety boardwalk as quickly as she dares without flat-out running and risking a swim like Donkere just took.
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Kor double-moves to her current map position.

"He'll catch up pretty quick, I'm slow, especially on these rotten boards!" Kradel creaks along slowly behind her, warhammer still in one hand and the other nervously ready to grab whatever he can if the floor gives way.

double move at half dwarven speed... ugh.

Even the task of retrieving and stowing his weapons seems like a Herculean effort for Dragas. The barbarian sits down on the dusty deck of the ship, sapped of strength and sucking wind. Hearing the fighting within, he wants nothing more than to give Lamm his own personal due but realizes that in his condition, he is more of a liability than an asset. He also realizes that trying to rush back along the decrepit dock would not only endanger himself, but Korinne and Kradel as well.

All he can do is hope that those who were also wronged by Lamm can bring him down because he is in no position to help.

Standing order for Dragas to stay right where he is until he is no longer fatigued or until Lamm and Gobblegut go down, whichever comes first. Good luck, guys.

As quickly and safely as they can, Dragas, Korinne, and Kradel make their way back to the old fishery.

With a spell, Sora bestows even more bad luck on Gaedren Lamm, while Gerry and Viggo stab at the old man. The crime lord dodges Gerry's rapier, but -thanks to Sora's evil eye - he's too slow to avoid Viggo's sword.

The bard's two-handed slash opens up Gaedren Lamm's abdomen, spilling his intestines, as he crumples to the floor of the old fishery.

The scent of the old man's blood and his ruptured entrails invigorate the alligator, filling the animal with renewed bloodlust. Once more, it lunges up out of the water, snapping its jaws and swinging its tail at Gerry. The halfing dodges the bite, but the alligator's powerful tail slams into him.

(Move action for a Medium creature to pass through the small, unlocked but closed door in the southeast corner of the old fishery's lower level, unless the creature succeeds at a DC20 Escape Artist check.)

Map & Images

Round 6
Bold may act.

Sora
Kradel
Viggo
Gerry (-11)
Dragas (-4 Nonlethal; -2 STR damage)
Korinne
---
Gaedran Lamm (-22; Unconsious, but Stable; Evil Eye -2 AC for 5 more rounds)
Gobblegut (-1)

Everybody, you're up!

Kradel carefully picks his way along the rotted pier towards the small sized doorway. "Oh it sounds like there's a fight going on down there!" He hollers back towards the others.

Dragas sits on the floor of the ship's cabin, gazing at the glow of light from the sunrod coming up from the stairs of the hold. He faintly hears the sounds of commotion through the wooden wall of the cabin.

Four more rounds until Dragas is no longer fatigued.

Gerry's head rings from the solid blow taken by the gator's tail...which seems to have brought him back to his senses for the moment. "Let's feed Lamm to his own pet. I think he would like that!" He yells, as he steps back away from the gator and takes up a defensive stance.

5' Step. Full Defense (AC is now 23).

Sora looks at the fallen Lamm with a smug grin on her face. It was almost too easy. Her internal celebrating is interrupted only by the WHACK of the massive gator's tail against Gerry. "Ouch! Looks like the gator will prove to be a tougher opponent than Lamm, and I'm a big fan of making Lamm its dinner!"

Twisting her hand in precise movements, Sora attempts to get into the animal's mind.

Evil Eye again with Soothsayer for -2 to attack rolls, DC 14 Will for 1 round (7 otherwise)

Dragas waits to catch his breath aboard the Kraken's Folly, while Kradel continues to pick his way back to the old fishery.

Battered by the gator's tail, Gerry steps back against the east wall, adopting a defensive stance.

Sora gives Gobblegut her stink eye, trying to make it harder for the alligator to hit the heroes.

(Move action for a Medium creature to pass through the small, unlocked but closed door in the southeast corner of the old fishery's lower level, unless the creature succeeds at a DC20 Escape Artist check.)

Map & Images

Round 6
Bold may act.

Sora
Kradel
Viggo
Gerry (-11)
Dragas (-4 Nonlethal; -2 STR damage)
Korinne
---
Gaedran Lamm (-22; Unconsious, but Stable; Evil Eye -2 AC for 5 more rounds)
Gobblegut (-1; Evil Eye -2 on attack rolls for 7 rounds)

Viggo and Korinne, you're up!

Discussing the merits of feeding the hated Lamm to his own pet alligator, Gerry and Sora glare at the unconscious crime lord sprawled on the fishery's floor.

He'd tossed his fine hand crossbow, and his high-quality dagger lies where he'd dropped it. From the belt around his custom padded armor hang a couple of keys, one brass and one rusty iron.

Rolling him and his gear into the water doesn't look too difficult, though.

Unless, of course, the alligator got you first...

As Gerry takes note of the gear the hated crime lord carried he wonders how easy it would be to grab the keys, not to mention the fine weapons as well.

If Gerry can grab any of Lamm's gear without provoking an AoO, or losing his Total Defense bonus, then he will do so.

Korinne continues to hustle towards the sounds of battle, the boardwalk creaking under her feet as she moves...
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I'm a little confused re: the maps on how to get from the upper level boardwalk to the lower level but that's where Korinne is headed with another double-move.

Viggo wants Gaedran Lamm's head, both literally and figuratively. Looking at the crocodile Viggo decides it would be easier to kill the beast than deal with trying to corral or scare it away.

Move Action- draw scorpion whip

"So Lamm trained you to eat little children did he? Well that is most unfortunate for you. You know what they say about lions that have tasted human flesh... better to put this beast down now than have it kill some unsuspecting fisherman later."

Lingering Performance (last round)

Attack (Reach 10'): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Korinne picks her way along the creaky boardwalk, back toward the old fishery.

Viggo draws his scorpion whip and lashes Gobblegut across the snout.

(Move action for a Medium creature to pass through the small, unlocked but closed door in the southeast corner of the old fishery's lower level, unless the creature succeeds at a DC20 Escape Artist check.)

Map & Images

Round 7
Bold may act.

Sora
Kradel
Viggo
Gerry (-11)
Dragas (-4 Nonlethal; -2 STR damage, fatigued)
Korinne
---
Gaedran Lamm (-22; Unconsious, but Stable; Evil Eye -2 AC for 5 more rounds)
Gobblegut (-9; Evil Eye -2 on attack rolls for 6 rounds)

Everybody, you're up!

Kradel continues his epically slow crawl towards the pint sized door along the pier. "Yes, definitely some splashing going on down there Korinne!" He can almost get a peek down inside.

Gerry takes advantage of the distraction provided by Viggo and darts to the other side of Lamm, quickly removing the ex-crime lord of all his gear.

Once he has finished he gasps to the others, "Help me push 'im in!"

Move to map position. Standard to grab the keys from Lamm and also his weapons. If this is a Full Round action the Gerry will finish the action next round.

As Gerry rifles through Lamm's gear Viggo will keep discouraging Gobblegut with his whip.

"Take your time Gerry, we don't want to miss any of Lamm's stuff! I am sure he has some fist-sized diamond keistered! Stay back from the edge and you will be fine."

Looking over his shoulder, Viggo winks at Sora, "You are a talented practitioner of the arts m'lady, but stay behind me just in case that beast makes a grab for you."

Spend another turn of Archaeologist's Luck (3 left)

Whip (reach): 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 2 = 22
Damage: 1d4 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 = 6

Blissfully unaware of the machinations going on below, Korinne hustles back along the boardwalk and ducks back into the office she'd been in earlier.

"Okay, now to try and break through this trap door!"
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Double move to current map position~

Dragas keeps his ears open, but if there are screams of pain, he doesn't recognize their voices as ones he knows.

Three rounds until Dragas shakes off being Fatigued.

"It's great to see chivalry alive and well," Sora smiles at Viggo's advice. "Sure, I'll join Gerry back there, but not before seeing if I can also hurt that gator. I think this thing works like... this?" Fumbling with her crossbow, she fires a bolt at the reptile, then backs away.

Light Crossbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 141d8 ⇒ 6

While on board the Kraken's Folly Dragas continues to wait for his weariness to pass, Korinne and Kradel make their way closer to their embattled companions inside the old fishery.

While Gerry moves over to Lamm's body, grabbing his key ring and picking up his dagger and hand crossbow, Sora fires a bolt at Gobblegut and Viggo again cracks his scorpion whip at the alligator, leaving another jagged welt across its back.

Roaring in pain, the wounded alligator dives beneath the surface of the water, hiding until its wounds eventually heal.

Victory!

The Wounded
Gerry (-11)
Dragas (-4 Nonlethal; -2 STR damage, fatigued)
Gaedran Lamm (-22; Unconsious, but Stable)
Gobblegut (-15)

As she moves into the office Korinne notes that the faint sounds of battle seem to have ceased; hustling over to the trapdoor she knocks on it.

"Guys? What's happening down there? Is everyone okay???" she calls out. Uneasy, she tries to see if she can force the door open...

Str: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Now once the battle is over, and with Gaedren Lamm lying unconscious at his feet, Gerry feels a wave of dizziness pass over him nearly passing out as the pain nearly overwhelms his body. Still the thought of his beloved in his mind focuses him again. Staring down at the bloody body of his hated foe a look of grim determination appears on his face, paying no heed to those around him.

Now...you...DIE!!

He then starts the ardrous process of dragging Lamm's form over to the edge of the water, fully intent on having his revenge.

Gerry will drag Lamm's body into the water. Considering his Small size he will only be able to Drag him 5'/round. He will continue this until he finishes his task or someone stops him...

Viggo looks at Gerry as he is struggling to dump Lamm's body and smiles.

Turning to Sora, Viggo gives her a roguish grin and tips his hat, "Chivalry isn't dead... it's just selective. Maybe should share a bottle of fine wine and discuss it further."

Turning back to Gerry, "I have no problem with you killing this pile of filth. Frankly a few seconds ago I was going to cut both of his hands off and slap him to death with them, but we know Lamm is part of a larger crime network don't we? We need to find out if there are any more children that need to be rescued from his clutches... So, I say we beat some information out of him and then kill him or turn him over to the old fortune teller to be disposed of. How does that sound?"

Viggo looks over his shoulder and winks at Sora.

Kradel finally pops his head through the cubby hole under the pier, sees the others, and turns to holler at Korinne "They're under here!" He waves her over then begins the slow task of fitting his girthy self down under the pier.

"You guys ok?" He asks, gaze lingering on Gerry before seeing the old man on the ground "Is that LAMM?" He heads over to the others to be filled in on just what happened, and of course, putting himself between Lamm and the watery grave.

"Put the body down, at least for a minute Gerry. Let Torag help you with those bruises, your leg looks nearly snapped!" With a brief prayer and wave of the hand, Kradel reaches out to tag the Halfling with some holy goodness.

CLW (Dropped Sanctuary): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Sora hops down as Gerry and Viggo decide on Lamm's fate. The witch moves towards Gerry quickly, placing her hand on his shoulder. "Think I'm with Viggo on this one. As much as I'd like to see Lamm dead - trust me, I do - we might be able to learn more if we keep him alive just a bit longer, sound good?"

As Kradel and Korinne arrive, Sora waves them over and calls across the room. "Nice of you to show up! Now serving one Gaedren Lamm with a side of gator. I should warn you, this particular dish reeks of fish slurry."

Gerry turns a tear-streaked face up to look at the dwarf priest before finally giving up his quest here for the moment. As the healing magic flows into his body he wipes the blood mixed with the salty water off his chin.

"Just promise me this...Lamm doesn't leave this room alive. Understand?"

Eventually our heroes gather in Lamm's lair, standing over their hated, fallen foe.

As the team discusses what to do with the unconscious Gaedren Lamm, one or more of you has the presence of mind to at least take a quick, cursory look around...

Gerry having already gathered up Lamm's masterwork hand crossbow and his dagger and snatched the brass and rusty iron keys from his belt, you note the man's padded armor is high quality, too. A small case at his belt contains 8 more small bolts for his crossbow.

Very few of the trinkets or junk on the tables are worth much. A foul-smelling substance is in seven small jars upon one table. Finally, one cabinet contains a coffer of rare, expensive-looking wood. The coffer is latched but not locked, and contains 20 small vials of tiny crystals.

You also realize there's a closed door in the northwest corner of the room...

Map & Images

Perception (foul-smelling substance): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Appraise (coffer): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Perception (crystals): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

"Do any of you have any idea what these items are?"

Viggo inspects the locked door for traps- if her doesn't find any he will see if any of the keys fit (and open it) or just pick it.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Disable Device: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Viggo takes a look at the interesting items on the table and inside the coffer from the cabinet, but he can't make much sense of them, and asks his companions to check them out...

Then the bard heads over to the door in the northwest corner of the room. He doesn't spot anything out of the ordinary, and opens it.

The foul-smelling room seems to be a combination of Gaedren's bedroom and his study. A wooden bed with a lumpy mattress stands against the east wall, while a round table heaped with dirty plates, bread crusts, stained goblets, fruit rinds, and scuttling cockroaches sits nearby. At the foot of the bed sits a large strongbox; a slightly rusted lock secures it and a moldy ledger with pages rippled from moisture sits atop its lid. A sagging dresser filled with moth-eaten clothes well past their glory days is in one corner. What appears to be a wooden hatbox surrounded by a small cloud of flies sits atop this dresser.

This is Gaedren’s home and castle, the place where he sleeps and eats. The old man’s personal habits are very much on display—he has little interest in cleanliness. Bedbugs infest the sheets, a chamber pot pushed under the bed is badly in need of cleaning, and the bits of food heaped on his table have attracted many roaches.

Map & Images

Kradel smiles a bit as Gerry starts to relax somewhat "What you guys decide to do with Lamm is up to you. So long as I have Sophie back and his punishment fits the crime then my mind is at ease." He touches him on the shoulder once more, bestowing Torag's blessing and guidance on the broken man.

Kradel will scan the rooms with detect magic and detect poison to help in the searching.

Perception DC20: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Appraise DC20: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Perception DC18: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

A quick look and sniff at Lamm's stuff doesn't jog his memory "Sorry Viggio, nothing I recognize."

As Viggio ventures into Lamm's room, the squeamish Dwarf takes a deep breath before steeling his resolve and following, hoping he can help find anything helpful.

Continue detect poison and detect magic, that's a nasty room and Kradel prefers to keep himself clean.

"Give me a few moments, this is pretty disgusting, we don't want to catch anything in here while we search." Once he scans he helps tear the place up for things. Take 20 perception: 23

Gerry turns a mistrusting gaze from Lamm back to the dwarf. "Yeah I'm glad to hear that...here I found these keys on Lamm. One of them probably fits that strongbox."

Perception DC 20: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Perception DC 18: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

After giving the contents of the room a brief look-over, his eyes linger on the crystals and his blood grows cold as he recognizes them. "Shiver! That F***ing bastard was selling shiver! That piece of bilge sludge! Ohhh...he's a dead man!"

Perception DC 20: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Appraise: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Perception DC 18: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

"Ugh, you weren't joking," Sora holds her nose as she gets close to the room, the foul smell - and sight - flooding her senses. "I don't think any number of showers would make me feel clean after setting foot in there!"

Sora instead uses the point of her dagger to move objects around, especially the strongbox, taking a few jabs at the rusty lock.

Kradel, Sora, and Viggo examine the fine wooden coffer, but they can't quite determine its value.

Then, Kradel casts an orison and determines the 20 vials of crystals are toxic.

Gerry looks at them and realizes they're a powerful and addictive hallucinogenic drug called shiver. "We could turn the drugs over to the city watch. They might give us a reward... "

Kradel also looks at the substance in the seven small jars of foul-smelling unguent, and that substance seems to have some faint, toxic qualities, too, but probably not harmful to humanoids.

When the cleric casts another orison, he detects auras around Gaedren Lamm's dagger and his armor.

Spellcraft DC20 Dagger: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Spellcraft DC20 Armor: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

"Oh hey that dagger and armor are magical... not sure what on the dagger exactly, but the padded armor is barely enchanted for extra protection. Not that padded armor does much to begin with." He frowns, gesturing to his own chain shirt as the bare minimum for Dwarven armor standards.

Perception for the room and lock box: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

After a little less than half a minute, Dragas feels like he's gotten his wind back, but when he stands up, his gear and weapons feel heavier than usual. With beads of perspiration on his forehead and an overall sense of weariness in his entire frame, the tall Shoanti manages to join the others in the underpier, ducking his lanky frame through the small opening.

As the others are searching the area, the first thing that catches Dragas' attention are the seven jars on the table.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

"Vermin repellant," Dragas says, pointing to the jars. "My tribe uses similar herbs to keep all manner of pests out of our camps."

"Only one bug left to deal with now," Dragas says as he moves over to stand beside Gaedren's unconscious form. He draws his mammoth greatsword and holds it in both hands and then lifts the blade high up over his head, ready to deliver the final justice this murderer has earned himself.

As Gerry turns to see Dragas about to put an end to the foul bilge rat's life he shivers in anticipation. "Dragas...wouldn't his pet be lonely without Lamm? Perhaps you should make sure they are together again. I am sure Lamm would...appreciate that!" His eyes gleaming as he imagines the horrible fate awaiting the ex-petty crime lord.

Looking down at Lamm Viggo repeats his earlier thoughts, "Well if we are going to start questioning him, we had better tie him up and wake him up. Otherwise... we just need to stick a knife in his back and be done with it."

Sora gulps hard at the sight of Dragas and his blade overhead. "I... don't think you have any intentions of listening to me even if I tell you to stop, so I won't. What was the geezer going to tell us anyway?"

Just do it. Finish him. I can't bear sharing the same air as that scumbag.

Sora lets out a sarcastic laugh, pursing her lips. "Yep, we are assassins today! Or are we heroes? March right into Lamm's fishery and kill him, ending a lifelong streak of terror. A fitting death to feed him to a crocodile, though personally I'd rather see him toil in the mines for the rest of his days. Or something. As I say, I don't care."

The Varisian woman shrugs as she turns away again, moving back into the room, glancing at Viggo. "Say Viggo, don't you have some keys? Let's see what's in the box, besides more roaches."

Korinne's eyes widen as Dragas moves to stand over the fallen Lamm, ready to end the wretched man's life. Up to this point she'd been silent while the others nosed around Lamm's den of filth, staring at the one person she'd hoped she'd never meet again and prayed that she would.

A part of her wanted to agree with Viggo and Sora, to bring Lamm around. Talk to him, see if they could learn anything else about his crimes, his associates, his victims. A noble intention and surely information that the local watch would appreciate.

But is that really it? Do you *really* think he can tell you anything important or do you just want to ask him if he *ever* cared, even the tiniest little sliver? If he ever felt bad, felt sorry?

Her hands slowly ball themselves up into fists, arms held rigidly at her sides.

On the other hand, even if she hadn't been there to personally offer it, Lamm had surely had ample time to know they were coming for him and to surrender rather than double-down and fight. By all rights they could execute him here and now.

And there's the rub. If you don't bring him around then you don't have to worry about asking your question...and maybe getting an answer you don't like.

Korinne's hands, still balled into fists, begin to shake.

Selfish. Selfish, selfish, selfish.

As before, she reaches for the code that she's sworn to live her life by, to uphold to the very best of her ability until the day her soul stands in judgement in the Boneyard.

"I will not abide evil, and will combat it with steel when words are not enough. I do not flinch from my faith, and do not fear embarrassment. My soul cannot be bought for all the stars in the sky."

Then, louder, firmer, "No. Today we are instruments of justice. Executioners. But not torturers. Maybe he doesn't deserve a clean death but we'll give him one anyway."

Korinne turns her gaze to Dragas, meeting his eyes with her own, the slightest incline of her head signaling her assent.

"So be it."

Kradel nods as well as the large man with the large sword wishes to turn the small dirty man into two even smaller men. "An oath of vengeance and retribution for a horrible crime is all the peace of mind I need. Be quick about it, we need to take a closer look around and get back to the children."

While they search the room Kradel will detect the magic of the wand he picked up earlier upstairs. I wonder what that does, probably something offensive, but it could be helpful...

Detect Magic: Spellcraft to ID: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Once the business of killing off Lamm is finished, its best we search this place thoroughly then make decisions on the children. Besides Sophie I'd suspect they have no place to go so maybe some sort of check to know where to bring them?

As Dragas holds his blade high overhead, he hears snatches of spoken words around him that seem to run together in his mind. His face clouds in anger as he remembers the reasons for his being within the confines of a civilization that seems odd at best and alien at worst.

A part of the anger that courses through him is directed at himself and the mistakes he'd made that put him in this position. In hindsight, had he left well enough alone, the only person outside of family who'd won his love and his trust might still be alive. As long as he lived, the knowledge that his love had brought about the unnecessary end of a woman's life would forever haunt his memories.

There was nothing he could do about that.

All that was left was to ensure that his beloved's murderer would pay for his crime against her and any other person he'd killed, physically abused, or criminally wronged.

With his eyes welling up in rage, Dragas whispers something and then brings the blade of his greatsword down across Gaedren Lamm's neck with all the force he can put behind it.

Coup De Grace Damage: 6d6 + 9 ⇒ (5, 3, 3, 1, 6, 4) + 9 = 31

After the solemnity of that act and Lamm's demise sinks in, Kradel takes a moment to examine the wand he'd retrieved off the corpse of Yargin Balko. It's a wand of acid splash with 28 charges remaining.

Chief strategic thinker of our band of heroes, the cleric considers what to do next, lost in his own deep thoughts.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Kradel looks up as he hears Dragas whisper a name, then thinks about saying something for a moment before going back to studying the wand.

"Acid splash? Someone made a wand of a cantrip... interesting. Anyone able to cast this? And if you can why use a wand?" He asks to no one in particular. Ignoring the blood trail and the splash in the river.

"If you all would like I could say a few blessings of Torag to help cleanse our minds and souls of this trauma. Vengeance has been claimed and our minds can now begin to heal. Healing is good." If accepted, he begins a quiet chant in Dwarven that lasts for only a minute or so. Its a peaceful, calming song almost.

He'll also channel to heal the party at this time. Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 4

"Now. I'm going to fetch the children while you all tear this place apart for anything useful!" And off he goes.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Gerry watches the disappearance of the headless corpse into the water with an expressionless look on his face. Dragas's words pulls his gaze briefly to acknowledge his suffering.

Gaedren Lamm indeed has spread his filthy touch far and wide...now it ends...

Struggling back on his feet he nods in thanks for the healing wave and makes sure the crystal vials of shiver are securely buckles inside his pouch.

The Watch must be informed of this.

"I will go with you Kradel," he replies as he moves up next to the dwarf. "These children must be traumatized...and will need a gentle touch. Besides," he glances back at the pool where Lamm's corpse lay, "I don't want to spend any more time in the gods-forsaken place!"

Lamm's death comes just as Sora is mid-sentence, and she pauses, watching as the head rolls off. Then, she continues as if nothing had even happened.

"Ahem. How about we pop this box open and see what's inside?" While Kradel and Gerry head off, Sora locks her arm with Viggo and leads him to the rusty lock. "Or pass me the keys, and I'll do it. Why, you might ask? Answers, of course. Lamm's dead, but I'd be a liar if I wasn't curious what other ties he might have had. We might even find what to do with these kids."

I'm gonna have to process what just happened sooner or later... But not now. Now's not the time.

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

Korinne flinches as the blade drops, looking away from the carnage at the last possible second.

After a long silence she swallows hard. "I...I think I'll go with Kradel and Gerry, if the rest of you think you'll be okay. I need some fresh air..."

Assuming they don't need her presence at that particular moment, Korinne turns and heads off after the dwarf and halfling.

Viggo lets out a slight chuckle. "All those years of living in fear of this piece of filth and this is how he end up!?! You have got to love it. I live revenge... it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside."

Before returning and helping in the search of the area Viggo turns and winks one last time a Sora, "Appears it will soon be time for that bottle of wine."

As he walks away, Viggo can't resist giving Korinne one last jibe, "I guess all that justice, mercy and turning him into the authorities went right out of the window when you had the chance to have Dragas use his big axe for some quick vengeance."

The team, more or less, begins a more thorough search of Lamm's den/bedchamber.

Someone picks up the moldy ledger with pages rippled from moisture sitting atop the lid of the strongbox.

Although the vast majority of the loot Lamm’s Lambs bring in is fenced relatively quickly, the old man had a habit of sorting through each batch for bits of finery that caught his eye, which he added to his collection of treasures kept in the footlocker. Each of these treasures is individually wrapped in a cloth that’s tied shut with twine.

The treasures include a narrow teak cigar case inlaid with tiny bits of jade, a 2-pound gold ingot bearing the Cheliax coat of arms, a miniature gold crown, a fist-sized scrimshaw carving of a kraken with garnets for eyes, a silver ring bearing the inscription: For Emmah—the light in my nights, a highly realistic and highly scandalous ivory figurine of two entwined succubi, a masterwork shuriken, an adamantine arrowhead, a masterwork dagger with a strange blade shaped almost like a key bearing the inscription: For an inspiration of a father, an abalone-shell holy symbol of Shelyn, a glass tube containing some oily substance, an obsidian wand, a crystalline vial containing shimmering paste-like substance, and a bejeweled brooch with a broken clasp.

Appraise DC20 to determine the value of each of the mundane items of treasure, including the crystalline vial and the brooch.

Even to an untrained eye, the brooch is obviously the most valuable object in the entire collection. The circular gold brooch depicts a house drake and an imp coiled around each other in an almost yin-yang pattern. The pseudodragon’s eye is an amethyst, while the imp’s eye is an emerald.

The sagging dresser filled with moth-eaten clothes well past their glory days stands in one corner. What appears to be a wooden hatbox surrounded by a small cloud of flies sits atop this dresser.

Someone shoos away the flies and lifts the lid. The hatbox contains something shocking—Zellara’s severed head, poorly preserved and decorated with unsightly makeup in a crude attempt to give her dead flesh the semblance of life.