GM Whiteroses Curse of the Crimson Throne: On A Knife's Edge (Inactive)

Game Master Vanulf Wulfson

Seeing the child, no, a gnome dart for Joeseph instead of Aleziella or Viria Sykes keeps his focus on the now slumbering person and what he must do. He worked for Lamm, he wasn’t a good person.

CDG: 4d6 + 12 ⇒ (2, 1, 6, 5) + 12 = 26 Fortitude DC 36 to avoid instant death

Not CDGing them is way more dangerous than finishing them off as they then will just wake up after 1 round and be able to attack again. I do not understand what you mean by: "But if he falls, we'll be able to fight vs 1 twice, which is better than fighting once vs 2."

Well she said he’d only be out for a few seconds so that’s what Sykes is operating on :3

Nvm me, it wasn't that interesting anyway. Sykes took care of it anyway

AoO: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Viria was never one to react violently first, yet the situation seemed to be growing more dangerous in the room, as the gnome came to stand behind Joeseph. She left the now slumbering "Giggles" to the others and concentrated on the gnome.

Shifting the light mace into her off-hand, Viria took a 5ft step back and quietly calling upon the Everlight's cleansing flame, "I cleanse this villain by the fire of the Everlight," outstretched her true hand toward the gnome and released a single bolt of scorching divine fire at him.

Ranged Touch Attack with Fire Bolt at gnome, 30 ft range: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Fire Damage, if hits: 1d6 ⇒ 5

(Fire Bolt: Used 1 out of 5 times this day.)

====

It's almost 2 am, here, so I'm headed to bed. Will check the boards in my morning. Night.

Joeseph realizing, perhaps to late, that the "child" wasn't what it appeared to be takes a reflexive swing at the gnome has he moves by only to have him deftly dodge the half-hearted swing.

Viria meanwhile sees the gnome for what he is and unleashes a bolt of divine fire at him, causing him to hiss in pain, as the flame strikes him in the side as he tries to position himself behind Joeseph.

The rooms remaining occupant yelps in surprise as he's suddenly devoid of protection as Giggles drops to the ground causing him to take a step toward the sleeping half orc and give him a swift kick in the ribs "Wake up you stupid brute! Do you just want to die there on the floor like some mangy cur?" The pain from the blow causes the half orc to grunt in pain as his senses return "What in the Hell's did you do that for, Yargin?" he growls as he awakens.
Damage (unarmed strike): 1d3 ⇒ 2

Unfortunately for Sykes, the man named Yargin's untimely intervention spoils his kill shot causing his blade to bite deep into the wooden floor next to where the man's head had been moments before.
Yargin's action woke Giggles, causing him to no longer be helpless and thus negating Syke's original Cd'G attempt. Sykes can re-do his action as an ordinary attack roll instead.

Initiative (Round #2)
Joeseph
Aleziella
Giggles (-2)
Hookshanks (-5)
Viria
Yargin
Sykes

Giggles is at least prone, so Sykes gets a cool bonus

Joseph takes advantage of the gnome's pain to swing at him again.

Attack at gnome with Guidance: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 1 = 14
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Greatsword (Pre): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Slashing: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 = 11

”My apologies,” Sykes says with sincerity.

"We need to coordinate better. If you wait for me to put them to sleep first, you'll be able to actually hit and kill them Joeseph!" Aleziella scolds Joeseph as she steps away from the fighting and turns her attention to the gnome. She pulls out another card from her deck. The carinval, a sinister clown looms a small child with a lolipop. Time to go to sleep let the wicked clowns of the carnival pull you into a sinister sleep from which you'll never wake.

Slumber at the gnome DC 16 vs Will. Note that CDG normally provokes AoO, but if you step into his square you can avoid that Joeseph. In this case you could have delayed your action until after mine to attempt CDG if I was successful or attack if I wasn't, but it gives us a good opportunity to roleplay and improve on tactics going forward :). Let's see who of these men I've interacted with before:

knowledge local Giggles: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
knowledge local Hookshanks: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
knowledge local Yargin: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

I see. I still think my CDG won't be that impressive. My crit damage is 2d6, so the fort save won't be that hard to beat. But probably it would have been better than swinging at the gnome and missing. So, yeah, give Joe a piece of your mind later.

Automatic hitting and doubling damage is pretty strong I think, even if the chance of killing him outright is only like 50%... And I did just give him a piece of my mind with the dialogue ;). We'll see if he's still asleep when your turn rolls around again I guess.

He isn't. His fellow woke him up, negating Sykes' CDG. The gnome might, though?

Yeah, I meant the gnome, the half-orc is awake again. Also, we probably should take this purely ooc chatter over in discussion.

Sykes swings with his mighty sword, catching the half orc on the ground unable to block the blade as it draws a nasty gash across his back.

Joeseph swings at the gnome only to have his pint sized opponent slip to the side at the last second, letting the blade slide by harmlessly.

Will save: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8
The nimble little gnome dodges the blade of Joeseph only to be felled by Aleziella's curse as he falls asleep and crashes to the floor.

The now awakened Half orc rises from the ground (AoO's from Joeseph and Sykes) and takes a swing at the pale man. He grins as his flail crushes Sykes skull "Humans, the other white meat" he laughs at his own joke.
Attack roll: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Attack roll (confirm critical): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Damage: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (8, 8) + 6 = 22
Hopefully you can drop him before he gets his swing in.

Aleziella, you remember Yargin from your time with Lamm. He's been Gaedren's right hand man for a long time now. Hookshanks was just running with the gang before you got out. you remember him as a sneaky little bastard who used his childlike looks to mug unsuspecting marks. Giggles is new to the gang and you don't have any clue as to who he is.

Initiative (Round #2)
Joeseph
Aleziella
Giggles (-13)
Hookshanks (-5) (slumbered)
Viria
Yargin
Sykes

Greatsword (AoO): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Slashing: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 5) + 6 = 14

That'll do it
Giggles tries to rise and attack the man who cut him but only manages to get to one knee before Sykes strikes him down.

What a nerve wrecking set of actions. Does he have ferocious? Thankfull even if he does, he can't do more after already spending his a move to stand up: FAQ

Aleziella breaks out in sweat as a horrible vision of the half-orc crushing Sykes' skull flashes before her eyes and she cries out in alarm. "Sykes, watch out!" Thankfully the vision is cut short by Sykes striking down the man.

”It’s okay, he’s down. Unfortunately he felt all of that,” Sykes calls out.

Killing was not in her nature, and, attacking a prone, sleeping creature, no matter how awful a thief he was, was not palatable to her.

"Perhaps we can tie up the sleeping gnome?" she furtively asked her companions.

Instead of attacking, Viria moved carefully around Aleziella to stand behind Sykes, and, she began quietly casting, laying a hand on the man's arm, "Guide him as he endeavours to protect us, gracious Everlight."

===

Free: asked question re tying up sleeping gnome.
Move: 15 ft.
Standard: Cast Guidance on Sykes. (+1 competence bonus on a single attack roll, saving throw, or skill check.)

Aleziella Looks over at Viria and quickly consider the idea. "If we're fast and effective enough, we could if we have a rope. But it needs to be secure so he doesn't escape!" Aleziella would rather have vengeance on all these people for what they had done, but Hookshanks hadn't actually done anything to her directly, so saving him wouldn't be so bad.

Retrieving a stored item is a move action. And you can tie up an unconscious creature as a standard action. Escaping the ropes would probably not be terribly difficult, but it's an option if you want to risk it.

The man known as Yargin steps back from the doorway and pulls a wand from his pocket. Waving it around he points it at Joeseph and says "Acidum" as a blob of acid shoots forth Joeseph, who manages to dodge the incoming missile.
UMD DC:20: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Attack roll (ranged, touch): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Initiative (Round #2)
Joeseph
Aleziella
Giggles (-27)
Hookshanks (-5) (slumbered)
Viria
Yargin
Sykes

”Oh that won’t do, no no,” Sykes says as he rounds the doorway after the source of the acid.

Greatsword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Slashing: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 3) + 6 = 15

Jeez Sykes, that is monstrous damage. Imagine Power Attack with that

Joeseph hears Viria's lament and says "I'm sorry, kid, but this is a grim business you joined. Might as well get used to it."

Assuming Sykes cut the man in half

Then, looking at the sleeping gnome, he points his blade at his throat and says "But I agree we should keep one alive to answer some questions."

Aleziella trusts Joeseph to deal with the downed enemy and moves over so she can see the wand user and pulls out another card. This time it's the joke. A giant two headed ettin is laying on its back in front of what's clearly a bard telling it a joke. Even the most powerful foes can be felled by the right tricks. Let's see if I can trick you into dreamland. She thinks as she sends her magical energy forth to pull the man down into slumber. "Yagrin is Gaedren's right hand man, he has surely been involved in all manner of foul deeds."

Joeseph decides it will be easier to keep the gnome down if he's tied up. He grabs the rope in his backpack and starts tying up the gnome.

Jeez Sykes, that is monstrous damage. Imagine Power Attack with that

Next level :3

Sykes rushes into the small room to discover what must be where the villains sleep. Two pairs of bunk beds line the southern wall of this room with a boarded up window between them. His sudden, violent appearance shocks the man in the room as his blade cuts the stunned man deep across the chest.

Reacting quickly Joeseph pulls some rope from his back and begins to hog tie the now sleeping gnome.

Aleziella steps up to where she can peer into the room as she draws a card from her deck. Using her magic she attempts to ensorcell Yargin.
Will save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Yargin having survived Sykes vicious cut instead is felled by Aziella's hex.
The gnome, Hookshanks, wakens to find himself bound by Joeseph's rope and struggles to escape his bindings. He struggles mightily but cannot seem to free himself. Defeated he ceases his attempt and just lies there on the floor.
CMB DC:33: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Initiative (Round #3)
Joeseph
Aleziella
Giggles (-27)
Hookshanks (-5)
Viria
Yargin (-15) (slumbered)
Sykes

Joeseph says with a drop of sweat forming in his right temple "I know you want your revenge, elf-woman, but that one has got to know some things if he's as important as you claim."

”What about this one?” Sykes says pointing his blade at the other sleeping man.

Aleziella pulls back her bow and moves over to Yagrin just as he wakes. Arrow pointing in his direction she says. "One move and you're dead Yagrin, don't try anything funny. Now tell us about this place."

"Are we going to tie up the other one, as well?" Viria quietly asked.

With one bound already, one dead and the other hexed by Aleziella, Viria wondered how many more would be coming and what would they do with them.

She watched Aleziella move toward the door with her weapon in hand and then Viria's gaze turned to the tied gnome struggling against his bindings to no avail.

So, she moved over to it and with light mace in hand, guarded over it quietly stating, "Do not struggle or raise alarm. My friends are dispatching your friends. It is best you do not give them further trouble."

Viria has taken a move action and will hold her standard action until she sees what is going on in the other room with Sykes and Aleziella...

"Who are you and what do you want" a visibly frightened Yargin stammers "This is a fishery. We buy the days wares from the local fisherman and process it to sell to the dock workers the next morning. Look, there's keys in my pocket that'll open the cabinet in the other room. Inside there's a lockbox with today's take in it. It's yours, just take it and go...just leave us...and the children, yeah the children, alone." he looks up, hoping the mention of the children will soften anything to come.
1d20 - 2 ⇒ (18) - 2 = 16

Hookshanks, heeding Viria's advice, stops struggling and lays there defeated.

Coming from the other room you can hear the sounds of a dog barking as it scratches at the far eastern door.

Sense Motive with Inspiration: 1d20 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (9) + 4 + (3) = 16

Yargin's speech angers Joeseph. He says "Yadda yadda, fishery, right... What are you hiding? What are children doing in a fishery in the night, huh? My friend here will cut you in half, so think more carefully before speaking, huh?"

He picks the keys from his pocket and opens the east door at his side.

”It’s true,” Sykes nonchalantly agrees with the angered Investigator.

Looks like no one actually has intimidate trained :). We just got to aid each other and deal with it if it doesn't work.
"Tell us where Gaedren is. Tell us who else is here and what you're doing with these children. Gaedren doesn't have a kind bone in his body. Even if you are processing fish, you're doing something awful to it before you sell it." Aleziella is getting slightly annoyed and her arm is straining from holding the arrow notched. She didn't come here to talk, but she realizes that any information they gain could help them better deal with Gaedren.
Sense motive: 1d20 ⇒ 2
Intimidate: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

Intimidate (Aid): 1d20 ⇒ 20...

”I’d advise listening to the nice lady asking you these very important questions,” Sykes tells the man beneath his blade.

Joeseph take the keys from Yargin's pocket and after some fiddling around finds one that will open the door next to him. The door opens a fraction of the way before it seems to bump up against something and stop. He figures he could squeeze through the opening, but it would be a tight fit (Escape Artist DC:20 check). Peering through the gap he sees what appears to be another office.

"G,Gaedren? I have no idea where that old man is." Yargin stammers "and I wouldn't tell even if I did. The children?, they work here. They get three squares a day and a roof over their heads. Where else would you have them sleep? Out on the streets?"

Hookshanks heaves a sigh of disgust "For the God's sake, Yargin. These people aim to kill us and I for one ain't willing to die for that decrepit old man." He looks up at Viria's face " I tell you where to find him, you let me go. Deal?"

With Hookshanks trying to cut a deal Yargin's face turns a bright red and he begins to pound the floor with his fists in a fit of apoplexy.

Shooting a prone creature in melee is very difficult... Aleziella's bow doesn't actually pose much of a threat.

Aleziella steps away from the man, puts her arrow away to instead pull out a card from her deck. This time it's an angel carrying a Trumpet. She holds it to her mouth then points at Sykes to whisper a magical message DC 25 to overhear by others . "I don't think we'll get anything useful as he's ignoring our threats. He'll just stall, maybe someone else will hear the dog or otherwise figure out what's going on. He's second in command here and has undoubtedly done plenty of awful things. Can you please finish him so we can focus on Hookshanks?

Sense Motive (DC 13): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

The one named Yargin was attempting to mislead them. Viria glanced in his direction and quietly but confidently stated, "You are lying, Yargin. Such lies will get you nowhere."

Hookshanks heaves a sigh of disgust "For the God's sake, Yargin. These people aim to kill us and I for one ain't willing to die for that decrepit old man." He looks up at Viria's face "I tell you where to find him, you let me go. Deal?"

Viria dropped her golden gaze to the tied gnome, and proceeded quietly, "They call you Hookshanks? It is good that you do not wish to die for Gaedren Lamm. Which means he must be dispatched quickly. Where is he and the children, now? Depending on how quickly you answer us on both counts, will depend on whether my friends will allow you to live and leave this place. They do not possess much patience for wrongdoers and liars."

Intimidate Hookshanks to submit and answer honestly/openly: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Sense Motive re Hookshanks if he's telling the truth re locations/information he may give us: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Sykes sighs through his nose and nods before plunging his blade into Yargin.

Greatsword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Slashing: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 6) + 6 = 15

Joeseph, who was already angry at Yargin, sighs as the man starts playing innocent again. As he was about to tell Sykes to finish him, the large young man cuts him down. He was glad the women were already being kind to the helpful gnome, so he considers the other room. He gathers his things, sheathes his sword cane and gets his lantern and tries to squeeze into the room.

Escape Artist: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

After failing to do so, he tries again.

Escape Artist: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Aleziella grimace as Sykes executes the prone man. Despite all her desire for vengance, she still hadn't seen much battles herself nor been responsible for the death of people and it was certainly her fault now. We're doing the right thing. He deserved to die. She convinces herself. And moves over to the two felled men to investigate while looking over to Sykes with a smile. "Thanks, Sykes. Can you go to help Viria to deal with Hookshanks? I'll search the bodies for anything worthwhile." Then she sets to the grisly task of finding useful or valuable stuff from the dying men.

Looking up to Aleziella he smiles. ”Your’s was a normal reaction. Hesitating, disquiet, when it comes to hurting or killing something, is innate to everyone. A lovely show of your soul.”

”Nidal makes sure to grind that hesitation out early.” he says as he moves over to Viria as she parleyed with the gnome.

Hookshanks blanches as Sykes dispatches Yargin "Okay, okay. The old man lives in a room under the fishery. He hardly comes out anymore. Just let me go and it'll be a cold day in the hell's before you see me again."

Joeseph squeezes through the door and finds that a wooden desk, it's surface stacked with slate boards, was blocking the door from completely opening and a cabinet sits along the eastern wall.

Joeseph first tries to clear the door and starts working to unload the boards from the desk until it's light enough to push open the door. He overhears the conversation in the other room and says loudly "Have him take you to the old man's room! And ask him what's with all these slate boards!"

Anything discovered looting the dead?

"Any useful or valuable items around here we can use to take down Gaedren? Any hidden stash of gear somewhere?" Aleziella wonders aloud as she tries to discover and acquire any useful items from the downed guys.

Hookshanks blanches as Sykes dispatches Yargin "Okay, okay. The old man lives in a room under the fishery. He hardly comes out anymore. Just let me go and it'll be a cold day in the hell's before you see me again."

Perhaps in the gnome's nervousness upon seeing his ally readily dispatched he did not remember to answer her question about the children.

She asked again, quietly as before, "Yes, it is good that you have told us where Lamm is. Now, what of the children Lamm's taken/recruited? Where are they kept? How many of them are there? Pay heed for this is important, Hookshanks."

Yes, sorry i did miss this.

Hookshanks draws his eyes away from Yargin's corpse and looks up at Viria "The children?" he mumbles "Oh, yeah, the children. There's about a couple dozen sleeping out on the fishery floor, or they would be if ol' Bloo hadn't made such a racket." Hookshanks scratches his head "The slates? Those are transaction ledgers for the sales from the fishery, a little extra coin never hurts. Every month Yargin writes them down on some scrolls and stores them in his cabinet, just in case the Guard's pop a surprise inspection or something. You want the old man, go get him." he sneers "There's an opening in the fishery floor that opens to the river below, there's a walkway beneath that leads to his room." his face takes on a wicked smile "Watch out for the sharks, though. We occasionally chum the water to attract them. The looks on the kids faces when they feed is priceless."

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Appraise, untrained: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Joeseph comes back out of the room with some effort and says "We can search the place later. Right now, let's make sure those kids are safe."

After rummaging through the guards' things, they come across a wand which Joeseph points out as a wand of Acid Splash with 27 charges. He makes a comment about wasting money on making such a weak wand, but Yargin has an amulet that calls his attention. He says "Wow, this can go for about 100gp in the market!"

He mentions to the others "Let's take care of Gaedren, shall we?"

I imagine my Shield extract faded.

Sykes eyes drift to the bow before back to the gnome and then to Viria, waiting for her all clear that he was okay to leave. One way or the other.

His eye twitches when Joeseph brings up the price of the amulet. ”Yes, selling would earn more of a profit than returning it to their owner. If they still live. Or could be found.” he bitterly thinks aloud.