Curse of the Crimson Throne

Game Master Whack-a-Rogue

The last chunk of the AP is pretty fast-paced, so I'm making sure everyone's ready before we start. XD The majority of what's left of Scarwall can be handwaved as there's only 1-2 significant fights.

Sounds good to me. :)

Sorry about the delay; I've been sick since Monday evening.

Yuck, I hope you get feeling better.

... Usawoti's blast goes wide...

I'm confused, he rolled a natural 20, is it that the creature is not effected by his blast, or something else?

I'm dumb. I saw the '2' and missed the crit directly above it. Fixing things now. XD

EDIT: And done!

Scroll of recall (keyed to Blackjack's safehouse in Old Korvosa) … I think I gave one to Usawoti

I didn't remember anything about a scroll of recall, so I checked posts. These are the other two I found where 'scrolls of recall' were speciffically named. Where YBD made them available and where Torsten responded

I think the scroll discussed here was Torstens. Then he asked here if we had any way to teleport here.

So it looks like there were two scrolls available before I joined the game, and I remember using one of them. Is it possible Torsten has it? Or do we retcon him giving one to Usawoti? Or do we start to walk?

If we only have 1 we can have Torsten teleport back with the blade to reforge it and Usawoti head back to his people to destroy the skull. Then we meet up in the city. This allows for the time to be had to remake the sword.

To help with decision-making, I'll mention that Scarwall is approximately 500 miles north of Korvosa and around 250 miles from the Kallow Mounds. The distance between the Kallow Mounds and Korvosa is around 150 miles. These numbers don't quite add up due to their locations relative to each other and the routes you need to take on foot. XD

The last chapter of the campaign is a little more involved than just "reforge the sword and storm the castle" as well. There are a few side objectives that can be either completed or ignored. XD

Sounds like you're ready to head back to Korvosa. Unless you have magic to speed your journey, it'll take a while to get there, as Scarwall's quite a distance away. You'll want to dispose of the demilich before then. XD

I must be losing it, I thought he already disposed of the demilich. I asked about it in discussion and apparently never copy and paisted my post...cause its not there. So will make a note to do that, once we figure out if Usawoti is walking to Korvosa. Are we splitting up? Do we have to? Is Kallow Mounds where we're going to get the sword reforged? Also, is Laori still with us?

The Kallow Mounds is where Usawoti's from. I just mentioned it because of Torsten's post. My understanding is that Torsten's parents will be assisting with the sword reforging. As far as I know, they're in Korvosa. Laori will be leaving once you're done with Scarwall.

So we go to Kallow mounds and then head to Korvosa? After we deal with the demiliche of course.

If we only have 1 we can have Torsten teleport back with the blade to reforge it and Usawoti head back to his people to destroy the skull. Then we meet up in the city. This allows for the time to be had to remake the sword.

I was under the impression that they could destroy the skull here, would it be safe to carry the 250 mile trip?

It'll take approximately 10.5 eight-hour days to walk to the Kallow Mounds. I don't think it's necessary, though, as you already have everything you need to destroy the demilich.

I just realized the travel dilemma might be related to only having one word of recall scroll. In case anyone wasn't aware, that's sufficient to teleport four Medium creatures to Blackjack's safehouse.

But there are only two of us.....

Before we teleport, I have a quick question - mostly for Torsten as he'll know what I'm referring to, but Usawoti could potentially be interested.

The first few Books of the campaign had a bit of a superhero motif, and I'd planned for that to be Yhrrilka's big character moment. A chance to "don the cowl" as it were. Obviously, that isn't going to happen now. Is that something either of you were interested in? Thus far, Torsten hasn't shown any interest, but he's displayed "super strength" and "regeneration" a few times since then and has a magical companion. Usawoti currently doesn't have any real ties to Korvosa and wouldn't necessarily be familiar with the superhero lore, but he's also a mysterious stranger with otherworldly powers.

If neither of you are interested, I can leave the superhero bit out without affecting the plot in any way. If one (or both) of you is interested, there'll be an extra objective to accomplish while Serithtial is being restored. I have no preference, so let me know what you want, and we'll go with that. :-)

Being a nomadic outsider, I don't see Usawoti wanting to be the protector of Korvosa. But happy to play 'Robin' 'Bucky' to Torsten's 'Batman' 'Captain America', if he wants to.

Thanks for bringing it up. I’d say no for Torsten. While he has super strength and healing, his personality isn’t the superhero type. With more power he’d be more likely to end up as Dr Manhattan than Superman.

All that said, in my headcanon Ril will be taking that role at some point regardless. :)

That's what I figured for both of you but wanted to make sure. :-)

I'll update Gameplay after work.

Harrow Bonus (choose one)
- Force the GM to reroll a single d20 (due to asynchronous gameplay, you can reroll for me and ignore whatever portion of my post no longer applies)
- When casting a spell, gain +2 to the DC, +4 to overcome spell resistance, and +2 on any required attack roll

Did we bring the greater skeletal palanquin with us? Based on our narrative it doesn't sound like we did but it can't hurt to ask. Also, what are the odds of Usawoti and Torsten hitting another level before we fight the queen, he may as well take 'exotic weapon' bastard sword at 15 to use the blade properly. Seems a shame not to restore the historical weapon to it's original shape.

Harrow Bonus (choose one)

- Force the GM to reroll a single d20 (due to asynchronous gameplay, you can reroll for me and ignore whatever portion of my post no longer applies)
- When casting a spell, gain +2 to the DC, +4 to overcome spell resistance, and +2 on any required attack roll

Which one was the unicorn?

The Harrow bonus isn't tied to a specific card, so either option is fine. You also don't have to choose until you're ready to use it. The cards themselves are thematically linked to upcoming campaign moments and/or themes, by the way. In this case, the cards can be briefly summarized as "Unicorn: one who generously offers up what the subject seeks OR betrayal by a false friend" and "Courtesan: political intrigue OR a powerful woman who determines a situation's outcome based on how she's treated"

You guys still with us?

Still here! I wasn't sure if Torsten wanted to say anything before I write up a response. I'll update after work tomorrow.

Cool, hopefully Torsten will chime in.

Sorry, had a bit of writer's block and then forgot that I hadn't responded.

It's cool, I often open games and read them, thinking I'll get a post up when the brains more awake. But if I don't pace the game on a list I forget to go back and post. Normally then when someone else posts I'm like "Oh Crap I forgot" (that's why I inquired here in the discussion) Hard to be reminded with just a couple of us :)

I was thinking, as part of Torsten visiting his parents, that he would gift them Banudor. It's a dwarven made hammer that functions as a masterwork tool for any Craft check involving smithing. If anything gives a diplomacy boost, it would be that. I hope that if all goes well, it will get Sarenthal to be reforged into something useful to us. Such as an earthbreaker or the like.

However, it also represents a significant chunk of gold that we could have used to buy more gear. So would you be alright with using it in this manner?

Speaking of which, what exactly do we have with us to sell?

This is everything that I tracked:

celestial armor (with Lastwall iconography)

Flaming longsword
cruel longsword, 875 gp.
Obsidian undead-bane battleaxe, rhino hide armor (deal +2d6 damage when charging; sells for 582gp)
lawful outsider-bane greatsword and stuff
conductive battleaxe
24 onyx gems (on the mummy; worth 2,800gp in total)
Serititial
scrolls and potions

As for the hammer, please feel free to claim it and give it to your parents. No problem at all. Usawoti has claimed the celestial armor and will end up using the sword, also keep anything else you may want, I'm totally cool with it.

Hmmm, I don't even have the hammer on the list, was it before we went to teh fort, that's when I started keeping track.

I'll try and dig around to double check, but my mom is coming home from the nursing home tomorrow, and I need to make sure we're ready. The 'medical supply' company was supposed to deliver the hospital bed, wheelchair and bed side table today, but all they brought was the bed. So, I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I took a break from real life for a minute and checked the boards.

Regarding the loot you've accumulated, the majority of it will be rather tricky to sell as Korvosa is currently under martial law.

@Torsten (meta): In case it isn't obvious, your parents are guaranteed to reforge Serithtial for you. Once you're ready to head there, feel free to write out the reunion, discussion, and eventual acceptance of the sword as you see fit. If you want to stay and help with the reforging (while Usawoti handles one of the side jobs on his own), that's great! If not, it'll still be successful but will happen "off-camera." Either way, the outcome will be the same. I will tell you in advance that, as Serithtial is an artifact, there won't be any substantial changes made to its form. Adding some sort of maker's mark is fine, but that's about the extent of it. Even though it can't be turned into a warhammer or whatnot, I think you'll both be suitably impressed with the weapon's full potential once it's been repaired. :-)

"Unless something's changed since yesterday, Neolandus is secure at the rebel headquarters in the Dead Warrens. We've kept him close ever since you and Yhrrilka rescued him from that labyrinth."

I thought that was who we rescued, but I wasn't sure.

As or Serithtial let's keep it a bastard sword, it feels truer to epic fantasy to reforge the weapon, no alter it :)

I'll get a post written up by Monday. :)

Torsten has no use for any of the gear we found. Nor any weapons. All he needs is some cash for upgrading his tattoos.

Post is up! A truly touching reunion of father and son. What is nice about giving Torsten's father the hammer, is that it gives a +2 bonus to craft checks. With his build, that makes for +19 to his craft weapons check. While we know that he will succeed in reforging it, at least with that kind of bonus there is a mechanical reason to take it for granted that he can fix the god-made weapon. :)

Wow, Great post in game. I've got lunch in the oven, once it's served I'll get a post up. Basically Usawoti standing and watching the people funnel out. Oh and just so we're clear, Usawoti is Torsten's sidekick. I've got the membership card to prove it.

Glad you both liked it! For posts like this I tend not to plan anything out. To just start writing and to see where it takes me. It's a relief to hear that it worked.

But I do have to set the record straight. It doesn't matter if Usawoti has the membership card or not. Torsten clearly sees him as being the hero of this story.

I totally understand not having details, just sort of a feeling. The problem then becomes remembering the details once it's canon.

*shakes head* Well, Torsten has the right to be wrong :)

Poor Usawoti just got drawn into the middle of this cause his mentor thought he could use a friend :)

What prompted the above comment was a conversation I was part of in a recruitment thread about not wanting to be Elric but instead his sidekick. Torsten's combination of magic and combat prowess and his protection of the city, even his humble attitude, certainly puts him in the conversation :)

@Usawoti: Zellara's Mark is the tattoo shop that Torsten and Yhrillka built before you joined the campaign. As far as I know, Torsten intends to keep living there after the threat to Korvosa is ended. I'll hold off on updating Gameplay in case that changes either of your actions. :-)

So their meeting at Torsten's shop? Sorry if I confused it. But wherever their meeting if it's a shop then Usawoti would head in.

Your Benevolent Dictator wrote:

@Usawoti: Zellara's Mark is the tattoo shop that Torsten and Yhrillka built before you joined the campaign. As far as I know, Torsten intends to keep living there after the threat to Korvosa is ended. I'll hold off on updating Gameplay in case that changes either of your actions. :-)

So their meeting at Torsten's shop? Sorry if I confused it. But wherever their meeting if it's a shop then Usawoti would head in.

Seconding the question. It will influence how Torsten reacts

Yes, it seems that your shop has become the center for shady activity in your absence. ;-)

Feint vs PSD (usawoti): 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (13) + 19 = 32

Attack: 1d20 + 18 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 18 - 1 = 22 Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 Sneak Attack: 7d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 6, 1, 4, 6, 1) = 24 Fatal Thrust: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 1) = 5
Attack: 1d20 + 18 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 18 - 1 = 20 Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 Sneak Attack: 7d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 2, 1, 3, 5, 3) = 20
Only apply sneak attack and fatal thrust damage if the feint was successful. If the fatal thrust dealt damage, take 4 bleed damage and have a -4 penalty to attack rolls as long as it persists.

The Feint did work, so the attack is against Flat footed. Fortunatly your rolls are terrible, I'm showing his Flat Footed: as 27 = 10 + 6 [elven chain] + 2 [Klar (shield expert) ] + 1 [two weapon fighting] + 4 [deflection(ABP)] + 4 [Attunement (ABP)]

Basically, his regular armor class minus the + 4 Dex bonus. I wanted to make sure I shouldn't subtract anything else.

FF AC subtracts your Dex bonus and dodge bonus, but I believe that's it.

You remember that one of the rumors Blackjack had mentioned involved Red Mantis Assassins being linked to Castle Korvosa.

ahhh so we go to Castle Korvosa knock on the door and ask if they know a 'Koriantu.'

Wonder what the influence roll for that would be...

"He's with the rebel leaders in the Dead Warrens."

It's been a while, but you went there before storming Deathhead Vault a few levels back. :-)

Thanks, Usawoti and the person playing his character presently have the memory of a chipmunk, and was being too lazy to search the name...

Looking over my gear, I find it kind of hilarious (in a good way) that at lvl 14 Torsten has, for magic items (1) an ioun stone (2) a ring of sustenance (3) enchanted gloves with 4 charges of 1d6 damage (4) a quick runner's shirt. That's what happens with ABP and when you spend nearly everything on tattoos. :)

Looking at things that cost 25k gold and less...I think that perhaps Torsten should buy some winged boots? I think that might be his best bet moving forward.

For acid resistance, I'll probably just use this:

Energy Resistance (aegis, ward)
You may create a ward that suppresses one energy type of your choice (acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic). Any damage of that energy type dealt within this area is reduced by 10 + your caster level. You may also create an aegis that grants energy resistance 10 + your caster level to either acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic. These effects only absorb damage and may not protect from other side effects of an attack.

However, as a rules question...can Torsten have 2 aegis up at the same time? He uses armored aegis for the shield AC. Choosing between +4 AC and acid resist 24? It'll be a tough choice.

You can have multiple aegis up at once as long as they provide different effects.

in the morning I'll try and do the math for the magical items I have recorded. Are we selling the litter?

Elemental Ward (wrists; 6,400gp)
This golden bracelet is decorated with gems of various colors. Once per day, as a standard action, a creature can activate the bracelet to create an aegis on themself and up to two allies within 35ft for 4 minutes. This aegis grants energy resistance 14 to one of the following elements, chosen when the item is activated and applying to all creatures that benefit from the aegis: acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic damage. This only absorbs damage and may not protect from other side-effects. The energy resistance granted by this item overlaps (and does not stack with) any existing energy resistance.

This seems like a must-have. The price is reasonable, and it gives both of us energy resist 14 for 4 minutes. So when fighting this black dragon, or really anything else with energy damage, it will be useful.

Bloody Mess (slotless; 3,600gp)
This heart-shaped item must be squeezed hard to activate, after which it reforms themself in the user’s hand. Once per day, as a standard action, a creature can use a bloody mess to make a ranged touch attack dealing 3 bleed damage to one creature within 30ft; this has no save if it hits, but it is a negative energy death effect and will not harm undead and certain similar creatures.

This might be useful for Torsten. He has no ranged option. Just causing bleed on a flying caster would be a good use of an otherwise wasted turn.

Voice Shifter (neck; 4,000gp)
This dull metal choker presses firmly against the user's neck, though not tightly enough to choke. As a standard action, the user can use this item to adjust the rate, volume, pitch, articulation, and pronunciation of their voice. This change is not accurate enough to mimic a specific creature, but it can resemble any gender or species, including accents in any language the user can speak in. It cannot create sounds louder than the user is normally capable of.

This sounds like a steal, to me. This could be useful when we get into the castle. For example, getting guards out of the way of a door, or whatnot.

What do you think?

Those all work. I was trying to figure out if the patch hole would let us get through a wall quickly or not.

Patch Hole (slotless; 7,500gp)

A patch hole is a black circle of cloth nearly identical in appearance to a portable hole. It is 6 feet in diameter, can be folded as small a pocket handkerchief, and lightly adheres to surfaces it is spread against, allowing it to easily be placed on ceilings and walls. When fully spread on a surface it bends space, creating a cylindrical hole 10 feet deep in whatever surface it was placed on. The created hole lasts for 1 minute before reverting to cloth, and may be activated three times per day as a standard action. A patch hole otherwise functions as Create Gap.

I didn't find create gap.

I've gotten distracted from calculating the value of the items we have for sale. here's what I've got so far. I'll keep working on it today and probably in the morning. But we can keep posting in game while I work on it.
Flaming longsword
cruel longsword
875gp
Obsidian undead-bane battleaxe
rhino hide armor (deal +2d6 damage when charging; sells for 582gp)
MW Greatsword x3
MW Halberd
Mithral Breastplate
Adamantine Battleaxe
lawful outsider-bane greatsword
reanimator's shawl: 9,000 gp.
greater skeletal palanquin: 5,500 gp.
Assorted coins and gemstones worth a total of 7,042gp
conductive battleaxe
24 onyx gems (on the mummy; worth 2,800gp in total)

Well the mornings past, but I haven't forgotten about the list. Still working it in the schedule...