Crimson and Clover

Game Master The Roxtar

If one of the attacks from Tenseo hits then Faust will use his reaction.

↺Opportune Backstab
Miss Chance DC5: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Ally attacks a creature within my reach
Shortsword Attack vs Flat Footed: 1d20 + 17 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 17 - 1 = 17
Piercing Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 5) + 6 = 15
Sneak Attack: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

Flat check 1: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Flat check 1: 1d20 ⇒ 19

So a total of 30 for the first attack and a 21 with the second with the frightened penalty vs Flat footed ac.

Behset will fly down and cast agitate on purple Will DC 26

The doctor gives Pilts a light jab, but her follow up swing is wide of the mark.

Tensei and Faust both flail about in reaction, but the concealment gets the better of their senses. The two brawlers do manager to each land a single hit on the emperor.

Will: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25 fail

Behset casts her spell on the remaining thug, who suddenly finds himself under its effects.

Pilts's voice echos out again with the low, maddening chant before he slashes at the big orc with his sharp blade.

Melee, vs AC24: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (14) + 23 = 37 crit
Slashing: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (1, 1) + 10 = 12
Backstabber: 1 = 1

Melee, vs AC24: 1d20 + 23 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 23 - 4 = 28 hit
Slashing: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (3, 3) + 10 = 16
Backstabber: 1 = 1

Purple Swings twice and then strides around to the side.

Melee vs Tensei, AC24: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29 hit
Slashing: 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (1, 3) + 9 = 13

Melee vs Faust, AC25: 1d20 + 15 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 15 - 5 + 1 = 21 miss
Slashing: 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (4, 7) + 9 = 20

Round 6

Pilts (teal), -70, concealed (DC5 when attacking)
Orange(1), -99
Jabbyr, rage, -148
Purple
False Pilts (pink), -96
Hu, 53/80, Vital Beacon x2, frightened1
Faust, 56/56, drained 3, frightened1
Tensei, 38/132, raging -1ac, frightened1 heroism (+1atk, skill, saves)
Behset, 51/88, frightened1
Khasia (ac25), 12/40

Tensei will take an Attack of Opportunity as Purple moves away.

↺Attack of Opportunity
AoO: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35
Slashing Damage: 2d12 + 12 ⇒ (6, 4) + 12 = 22

If the AoO from Tensei hits then Faust will take his reaction on Purple as well.

↺Opportune Backstab
Ally attacks a creature within my reach
Shortsword Attack vs Flat Footed: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31
Piercing Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 3) + 6 = 10
Sneak Attack: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 1) = 6

Faust will strike out twice at Pilts and then take a step.

◆Strike 1st w/Panache
Miss Chance DC5: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Shortsword Attack vs Flat Footed Pilts: 1d20 + 17 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 17 - 1 = 18
Piercing Damage w/Panache: 2d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 5) + 6 + 1 = 17
Sneak Attack: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7

◆Strike 2nd w/Panache
Miss Chance DC5: 1d20 ⇒ 15
Shortsword Attackvs Flat Footed Pilts: 1d20 + 17 - 4 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 17 - 4 - 1 = 14
Piercing Damage w/Panache: 2d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 2) + 6 + 1 = 13
Sneak Attack: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 1) = 6

◆Step

Tensei will try to Demoralize Pilts thrn strike twice.

◆Demoralize
Intimidation: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28
Has Intimidating Glare, Raging Intimidation and Intimidating Prowess

◆Strike 1st (Raging)
Miss Chance DC5: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Bastard Sword Attack vs flat footed Pilts: 1d20 + 17 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 17 + 1 - 1 = 33
Slashing Damage: 2d12 + 12 ⇒ (9, 3) + 12 = 24

◆Strike 2nd (Raging)
Miss Chance DC5: 1d20 ⇒ 15
Bastard Sword Attack vs Flat footed Pilts: 1d20 + 17 - 5 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 17 - 5 + 1 - 1 = 21
Slashing Damage: 2d12 + 12 ⇒ (6, 2) + 12 = 20

Behset will cast heal and guidance on Tensei

healing: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

The doctor will use Retributive Strike when Pilts hits Tensei with the crit providing Tensei with 10 resistance to the damage and will strike out at Pilts in kind.
+1 Striking Cold Iron (low grade) Glaive: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 13 + 1 - 1 = 29
Slashing: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 2) + 3 = 13
Flat check: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Hero Point
Flat check: 1d20 ⇒ 5
Well that was close.

Then the doctor presses her attack with two in quick succession.
+1 Striking Cold Iron (low grade) Glaive: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 13 + 1 - 1 = 17
Slashing: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 5) + 3 = 16
Flat check: 1d20 ⇒ 7

+1 Striking Cold Iron (low grade) Glaive: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 5 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 13 + 1 - 5 - 1 = 25
Slashing: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 7) + 3 = 12
Flat check: 1d20 ⇒ 20

With her third and final action, she casts shield.

Hu blocks some of the damage to her big green friend, and lashes out, landing a close hit on the emperor.

Faust takes a couple swings, but nothing manages to land. Tensei gives a low growl, but the emperor's chant drowns out the sound. Twirling his sword, he chops at Pilts, nearly connecting, but the satisfying sound of a hit is denied by the blurry images.

Behset affords some healing to the barbarian, as well as a bit of encouragement, while Hu also struggles to find a way to impale the wily bard.

At that, Pilts stops his song and seems to wait for a moment, subtly tipping his head toward the orc. His remaining guard jumps back into the fray, being a bit more careful with his movement, and swipes with the big axe.

no dirge for the moment as the emperor delays

◆ Stride
◆ Melee vs Tensei, AC25: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16 miss
Slashing: 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (4, 3) + 9 = 16
◆ Melee vs Tensei, AC25: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24 miss
Slashing: 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (3, 7) + 9 = 19

Frowning at purples failure, Pilts resumes his chanting and slashes with the blade again. Once at Faust and once at Tensei.

◆ Dirge of Doom

◆ Melee vs Faust, AC25: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (6) + 23 = 29 hit
Slashing: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (2, 1) + 10 = 13
Deadly: 1d8 ⇒ 4

◆ Melee vs Tensei, AC23: 1d20 + 23 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 23 - 4 = 23 hit
Slashing: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (3, 3) + 10 = 16
Backstabber: 1 = 1
Deadly: 1d8 ⇒ 1

Round 7

Pilts (teal), -83, concealed (DC5 when attacking)
Orange(1), -99
Jabbyr, rage, -148
Purple(1), -60
False Pilts (pink), -96
Hu, 53/80, Vital Beacon x2, frightened1
Faust, 43/56, drained 3, frightened1
Tensei, 47/132, raging -1ac, frightened1 heroism (+1atk, skill, saves) Guidance
Behset, 51/88, frightened1
Khasia (ac25), 12/40

The doctor uses Retributive Strike, again, to protect Tensei from 10 damage.
+1 Striking Cold Iron (low grade) Glaive: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 13 + 1 - 1 = 18
Slashing: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (7, 8) + 3 = 18
Flat Check: 1d20 ⇒ 7

She continues her attack on Pilts but resorts to her Spells. She casts Boneshaker, using 2 actions.
Good damage: 3d8 ⇒ (2, 8, 1) = 11
DC 26 Fort save. Like basic save except Enfeebled 1 on a fail, and 2 on a crit fail.

Then casts shield.

Fort: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (19) + 18 = 37 crit success

Hu denies the emperor some damage to Tensei, but swings wide with the trident.

Casting her spell, Pilts quirks his eyebrow as nothing seems to happen to him.

will update tracker later, remind me if I forget to add 10 back onto tensei

Faust will strike out twice at Pilts and then take a step.

◆Strike 1st w/Panache
Miss Chance DC5: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Shortsword Attack vs Flat Footed Pilts: 1d20 + 17 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 17 - 1 = 22
Piercing Damage w/Panache: 2d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 5) + 6 + 1 = 13
Sneak Attack: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3

◆Strike 2nd w/Panache
Miss Chance DC5: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Shortsword Attackvs Flat Footed Pilts: 1d20 + 17 - 4 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 17 - 4 - 1 = 18
Piercing Damage w/Panache: 2d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 1) + 6 + 1 = 11
Sneak Attack: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 4) = 7

◆Healers Gloves to Tensei
Healz: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 3) + 7 = 11

Tensei will strike twice then step out of flank.

◆Strike 1st (Raging)
Miss Chance DC5: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Bastard Sword Attack vs flat footed Pilts: 1d20 + 17 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 17 + 1 - 1 = 32
Slashing Damage: 2d12 + 12 ⇒ (10, 3) + 12 = 25

◆Strike 2nd (Raging)
Miss Chance DC5: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Bastard Sword Attack vs Flat footed Pilts: 1d20 + 17 - 5 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 17 - 5 + 1 - 1 = 22
Slashing Damage: 2d12 + 12 ⇒ (11, 1) + 12 = 24

◆Step

↺Opportune Backstab
Ally attacks a creature within my reach
Miss Chance DC5: 1d20 ⇒ 3
Shortsword Attack vs Flat Footed: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22
Piercing Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (2, 4) + 6 = 12
Sneak Attack: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3

Khasia will crawl out of the sleeve once more.
Behset casts guidance on Hue this time and with hurl a produce flame at the emperor

to hit: 1d20 + 16 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 16 - 1 = 35
fire: 4d4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1, 3, 2) + 1 = 9
crit: 4d4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 4, 3, 1) + 1 = 12
and he takes persistent fire damage

Miss Chance, DC5, Behset: 1d20 ⇒ 5 lol, just barely

for the crit, it's just double the initial damage value, so i applied the 9 twice, then for the crit, since you did technically roll already, i'll just use that value for the persistent, iirc you had an effect in place to increase persistent fire damage, let me know what that amount would be if you do.

Faust flails around yet again, struggling to make contact on his enemy. Tensei also has some difficulties, but lands a blow. Behset casts her flaming spell, and it gets tangled up in his clothes, burning the little emperor.

Purple takes a long path around and inserts himself into the fracas near Faust and Behset, taking a swing at each in turn.

Melee vs Behset, AC24: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19 miss
Slashing: 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (4, 1) + 9 = 14

Melee vs Faust, AC25: 1d20 + 15 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 15 - 5 + 1 = 15 crit miss
Slashing: 2d8 + 9 ⇒ (6, 6) + 9 = 21

Then Pilts continues his dirge and swings at Faust twice. The flames continue to burn.

Melee vs Faust, AC25: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (8) + 23 = 31 hit
Slashing: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (2, 4) + 10 = 16

Melee vs Faust, AC25: 1d20 + 23 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 23 - 4 = 29 hit
Slashing: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (1, 3) + 10 = 14

Flat check, DC15: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Round 8

Pilts (teal), -137, concealed (DC5 when attacking), fire4d4
Orange(1), -99
Jabbyr, rage, -148
Purple(1)
False Pilts (pink), -96
Hu, 53/80, Vital Beacon x2, frightened1
Faust, 13/56, drained 3, frightened1
Tensei, 68/132, raging -1ac, frightened1 heroism (+1atk, skill, saves) Guidance
Behset, 51/88, frightened1
Khasia (ac25), 12/40

The doctor uses Retributive Strike again, this time to protect Faust with 10 DR.
+1 Striking Cold Iron (low grade) Glaive: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 1 - 1 = 28
Slashing: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (7, 1) + 3 = 11
Flat Check: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Then she Performs Battlefield Medicine on Faust.
Medicine DC 30: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (17) + 19 = 36
Healing: 2d8 + 30 ⇒ (4, 4) + 30 = 38

The she casts Boneshaker at the little emperor again.
Good damage: 3d8 ⇒ (4, 8, 2) = 14

DC 26 Fort save... etc. If he doesn't crit save again like the world's beefiest Bard:p

only the +1 to fire as a buff to the persistent.

Behset will strike Purple with produce flame as a melee attack and then strikes with a claw.

to hit: 1d20 - 1 + 16 ⇒ (13) - 1 + 16 = 28
fire: 4d4 + 1 ⇒ (4, 3, 1, 3) + 1 = 12

to hit: 1d20 - 1 - 5 + 14 ⇒ (18) - 1 - 5 + 14 = 26
slashing: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 3) + 3 = 8
fire: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Faust is going to stride and then strike at Pilts twice

◆Stride

◆Strike 1st w/Panache
Miss Chance DC5: 1d20 ⇒ 3
Shortsword Attack vs Flat Footed Pilts: 1d20 + 17 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 17 - 1 = 34
Piercing Damage w/Panache: 2d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 4) + 6 + 1 = 12
Sneak Attack: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8

◆Strike 2nd w/Panache
Miss Chance DC5: 1d20 ⇒ 2
Shortsword Attackvs Flat Footed Pilts: 1d20 + 17 - 4 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 17 - 4 - 1 = 23
Piercing Damage w/Panache: 2d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 2) + 6 + 1 = 13
Sneak Attack: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5

Hero Point for first Miss Chance: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Tensei will step, reach out and pat the Dr on the back and then strike at Pilts.

◆Step

◆Touch the Dr for Healz
Touchy Feely Healz: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 4, 5) = 13

◆Strike 1st (Raging)
Miss Chance DC5: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Bastard Sword Attack vs flat footed Pilts: 1d20 + 17 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 17 + 1 - 1 = 33
Slashing Damage: 2d12 + 12 ⇒ (8, 5) + 12 = 25

The doctor blocks more damage for her allies, but her attempted strike barely misses. Quickly moving fingers stitch up the little catfolk before sending a spell at the emperor again.

Fort: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27 success

Behset slams purple with claw and flame, he tries to dodge, but the blows still land.

Faust swings twice, and by lucky chance, his first attempt lands, cutting a slight wound on the emperor.

Tensei shifts closer to Hu and heals some of his injuries, but his attempt to strike hits only a rippling image.

Purple hesitates, looking over at Pilts, but the emperor seems distracted by his injuries.

here's what the book wants me to do, Step and then Dimension Door to gtfo. but that's cheesy and after this fight taking so long, would be amazingly anticlimactic. so, instead, he's going to stick around and fight to the death if you guys so choose.

Pilts weighs his options and steps closer to Hu.

"Little girl, I've just about had enough of you."

Melee vs Hu, AC27: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (19) + 23 = 42 crit
Slashing: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (1, 3) + 10 = 14
Deadly: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Melee vs Hu, AC27: 1d20 + 23 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 23 - 4 = 38 crit
Slashing: 2d4 + 10 ⇒ (2, 2) + 10 = 14
Deadly: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Pilts has a moment of pure joy, but as he flourishes his cape, the flames are fanned anew and wash over him, burning the little emperor and dropping him to his knees.

Fire: 4d4 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1, 1, 2) + 1 = 9
Flat, DC15: 1d20 ⇒ 6

"You.... all. You ruined perfection. This place was... to be.... a new kingdom. Risen from the ash...es... of... a....dra ...."

And with that, he collapses to the floor, the flames still smoldering. Purple drops his axe and tries to back away. unless stopped, he will just run and is no longer a threat

Out Of Combat

Round X

Pilts (teal), -174
Orange(1), -99
Jabbyr, rage, -148
Purple(2), -22, escaping
False Pilts (pink), -96
Hu, 0/80, Vital Beacon x1, prone, dying2
Faust, 56/56, drained 3
Tensei, 81/132, raging -1ac, heroism (+1atk, skill, saves)
Behset, 51/88
Khasia (ac25), 12/40

Behset will stride and cast a two action heal on Hu
heal: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Faust will walk over to Hu and try to help her up. You ok Doctor? Thanks for the help we wouldn't of been able to survive without you. With that good job everyone. I was a little worried for a minute there.

While we are healing up Faust wants to look over what the bad guys had on them specifically Jabbyr and Pilts. Then we can take a look at what other goodies Pilts had in this place.

Behset will prioritize checking that Salvador is still here and unharmed.
Assuming nothing has gone horribly awry there, she would like to investigate false Pilts.

The doctor will pick herself up and dust herself off. Leaning over with hands on her knees, blood on her dress, and her hair a mess she asks, "Did we win? OK. Good. That gut was way tougher than he looked."

After following suit with Behset and checking on Slavator, assuming nothing has gone awry the doctor would begin treat wounds checks.

+19 Master in Medicine, Ward Medic, Continual Recovery, and I forgot up until now that I have Magic Hands so I automatically do the maximum possible roll for HP recovery on Treat Wounds. I can roll the checks if you want or we can hand wave it as we have done in the past. Oh and Risky Surgery so I can do 1d8 damage to get a crit success on a regular success.

Heading back to check on Salvator and Laori, Behset and then Hu find the cleric sitting on the painter lap, facing him. Her lips pressed close to his ear whispering to him. As you approach, her eyes shift to make you aware that she is aware of your presence, but she stays where she is for a moment longer. Slowly she gets up and off of the disheveled artist. His eyes are wide with both joy and confusion. Blinking a few times, he notices the group has returned.

"Did you do it? You actually killed the emperor?"

Without even waiting for a reply he jumps to his feet and performs a small, awkward dance.

"Please, once we are out of here and I'll tell you everything I know."

LOOTS
The thugs (orange and false pilts) were carrying mostly mundane equipment.
Sap x2
Battle Axe x2
Composite Shortbow x2
Leather armor x2
lesser darkvision elixir x1
22gp 48sp 12 cp

Jabbyr
+1 striking great axe
small headsman robes (just flavor, not a special item)

Pilts
+1 striking hand crossbow
+1 striking war razor
+1 glamered chain shirt
rod of wonder

The Palace goodies
i have lost my sheet for the moment and while i'm typing this up to post i have only a small window of time.... so i will look for it and get the info up asap

whatever items you decide on, if you could put them here at some point. i'm making a new sheet and don't want to have too many duplicates of items

also, assuming you would escort Salvator out of here? where would you take him? back to his shack? the burned out shell of vencarlo's place? random inn? or some other location?

Faust will take the Cloak of Elvenkind.

I would suggest to bring him to his place since that is safer then Vencarlo's shell of a house.

Tensei will take Energy Robes (Fire)

Behset will take the wand of rolling flames

Behset will eye Laori before shrugging and saying Wiles work
She will suggest that perhaps we should return to Arcona I think was the noble family's name to report Pilt's death. He told us in so many words that he would not act with Pilts around. Otherwise, yes head back to Scream's.

The doctor will take the Slippers of Spider climbing as previously mentioned.

"Agreed Behset. Good recall on that. After the festivities here, our earlier conversation slipped my mind."

Yeah I agree, it would be good to at least mention something and I agree with going back to Scream's place.

At the mention of the Arkona’s residence, Salvator’s face grows pale and his eyes dart rapidly looking for an escape.

”No. not there. Please. He’s dangerous. A true criminal.”

"Do you have any insights to share about that accusation?" the doctor asks.

Yes, please expand your raving to elaborate on that.

Behset does not trust that Laori did not plant ideas in Scream's head, especially with him already engrossed in Zon Kuthonian art. She would like to carefully watch for signs of deception like him looking to Laori for guidance. Perception +12

The doctor will also be using her Perception to gage the response.

Salvator itches at his neck, his eyes looking around wildly.

”You’ve never heard the stories? The Arkona are all criminals. Devious underworlders.”

He gives a very quick rundown of a few of the local legends about the Arkona family highlighting some of the claimed activity. Most of which sounds a bit like an old time mafia family.

Laori listens as Scream talks, nodding.

”Can we please leave?”

"Well I see no reason to drag Salvator somewhere he wishes not to go. We can always notify the Arkona's later, but something tells me word of our exploits will spread quickly either way. To Salvator's?" and the Doctor moves towards the exit, scanning for threats.

Behset will nod in agreement, and take up a spot behind Scream to keep him moving.
One in the streets she will direct Khasia to the rooves to spot ahead of them and watch for any more gangs or ne're-do-wells. She also is bracing for Scream to make a run for it.
As we walk she will also address Laori, Manners not our strong suit, but I believe thanks in order for the risk you assumed. Did you get anything useful out of this venture, or be it a total sidetrack for you?

Laori gives a playful smile to Behset.

”Oh, this little vagabond painter, we have so much to discuss. I do believe he said he wanted to be off this island entirely. I can make that happen, I will just need some time to prepare a safe route. I know a few of the folks over in the Shoanti camp. Trails End. We can relocate there for the time being.”

As Laori speaks, Salvator’s cheeks lose a little bit of their pallor and his eyes sparkle.

First we need to get the information that was promised to us about our friend. After we get that information then we can talk about what happens next.

Faust will try to stay on the lookout for ambushes or traps.

Hardly can blame him, but as Faust say not yet. Good to know a plan exists. Though Shoanti hard people to get on good side of, how you manage that? Behset will chatter with Laori for most of the walk back

Laori gives a smile. "It's always good to make friends wherever you are. You never know when you may need to call on them for help. To that end, there were a few Shoanti that were having an issue that I helped to resolve for them."

Once at Salvator's home, he takes a few moments to look around and vaguely tidy the place up a bit before beginning his story.

"So, you're looking for information on Vencarlo? Very well. Yes, I met with him a few times. We talked about random things about the city, but the part you lot might be interested in was prodding to learn about the fate of Castle Korvosa's sensechal, Neolandus Kalepopolis. Neolandus and I were friends for years, he was always a fan of my art and encouraged me to do more. One night, he showed up to my home. Desperate, bloodied, and poisoned, early on the morning that Eodred II died. Neolandus was delirious, but managed to get across that he needed some place to hide. I nursed him back to health, and he told me how the Queen had murdered her husband and entered into an alliance with the Red Mantis. They were the ones that had come after him, and his escape was as much luck as anything else. What's worse is that, Neolandus mentioned something about Queen Ileosa not being quite right. She had recently changed, or no, he said she had 'grown worse', whatever that meant. He never would elaborate on it. Told me that the less he I knew, the safer I would be."

Salvator pauses for a moment before getting up and bustling off to the kitchen, returning a moment later with a filthy cup, and taking a long drink before continuing.

"We both knew this little shack was not going to stay a safe haven forever, and I did have some dealing with the Arkonas. They were a patron of mine til recently. I took Neolandus to the Arkonas palace one night, just before the quarantine occurred. The problem is I hadn't realized just how criminal-minded they were until speaking with Vencarlo later. It has been weeks now since I last saw my friend, and I fear Vencarlo may have gone there to confront them. The fact you're here looking for him, well... that speaks volumes itself."

Damn so we take down this so called "Emperor" to now go to the Arkonas and probably cause more trouble. I think we should definitely give the Arkonas a visit to try to help our friend Vencarlo. What do you all think?

"I suppose it is the logical conclusion." the doctor agrees.

Makes sense and only lead we have.

Its rare we have an issue for being too subtle, I say savor it. Also how keen are we on the moral high ground? As Scream attests, the Arkonas likely have little compunction against shady means and with Red Mantis in fray me thinks too much nobility is a fast way to get dead. Like with pit back there, I notice we try to not hurt "innocents" but that made things much harder. What is our line with whatever Arkona tries to make us do as a trade, because we are going to get into some deal as plainly speaking we have no plan or leverage beyond the words of a ghost?

"I'm not sure what a 'red mantis' is but based on your reactions I can assume its not good. No offense to our friends here..." and the doctor indicates Laori and Scream, "but it might be best to speak of the details of our next steps in a more private setting. We've already made powerful enemies here and it would be best if they didn't have all the details some of those enemies might come looking for."