Dungeon Master S's "War for the Crown" AP

Game Master Chris Marsh

Ianthe sends a series of force darts at the wizard.

Magic Missile: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 3, 1) + 3 = 9

Ianthe casts a sure thing, slamming into her and stopping her laugh.

ROUND 3:
Kenton: Go
Xavien: Go
Titus et al.: TBD
Corran: TBD
Ianthe: TBD
Aurelia: TBD

-----------------------------
Location: Palace of Birdsong

DM’s Tracker
Party Conditions:
Terrain Conditions: bright light
Enemy Conditions:

Kenton presses the attack, his fury barely contained. You will fall, and your malignant pride with you.

MW rapier (favored nation, haste, raging song): 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 24
piercing (favored nation, precise strike, raging song): 1d6 + 2 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 4 + 4 + 1 = 15

haste attack: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 31
piercing (favored nation, precise strike, raging song): 1d6 + 2 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 4 + 4 + 1 = 17

AC vs. Titus is 25, AC vs. another foe is 21.

Xavien pauses for a dark chuckle of his own as spells fly overhead. "Fear not, friends! Steel shall settle this, if magic cannot." Again his booming voice rings out in song as he quickly joins Kenton in the melee. Lending +1 bonus to Kenton's AC (and mine) with the Defending property.

What shall we do with a drunken failure?
What shall we do with a drunken failure?
What shall we do with a drunken failure?

Oh, shave his chin with a rusty razor!
Have 'im scrape out the sh*t-filled stables!
So early in the moooooorning.

Koriana's Blade flashes silver along the woman's neck.

Koriana's Blade @ Mage: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 - 1 + 2 + 1 = 32 THREAT
CONFIRM: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 2 - 1 + 2 + 1 = 28 almost certainly
Critical Slashing Damage: 2d8 + 24 ⇒ (5, 4) + 24 = 33 or 17 if not a crit

AC 14, HP 47/53, fast healing 2.

Correction, per Slack: AC vs. Titus is 26, AC vs. another foe is 22.

Kenton delivers a near fatal pair of blows. Frothy blood bubbles out off Titus's neck. He curses Kenton before putting his final attacks on point.

ATK 1: 1d20 ⇒ 13
ATK 2: 1d20 ⇒ 3
Alas, there's little left in the swing. While a braggart, he's no coward, and continues to look Kenton in the eye...

Xavien lands a light blow on her neck, but then has the opening to drag it the length of the sharpened steel. Her head rolls to the floor before her body crumbles.

ROUND 3:
Kenton: Crit
Xavien: Crit Kill
Titus et al.: Miss
Corran: Go
Ianthe: Go
Aurelia: Go

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Location: Palace of Birdsong

DM’s Tracker
Party Conditions:
Terrain Conditions: bright light
Enemy Conditions:

Corran will not interrupt a duel of honor, even with scum like Titus. He moves back to the intersection and watches to ensure that they don't have any more guests. He looks down the hall and tries to break what's left of Titus.

"Lord Titus Lotheed-Casava! Don't be mad--You are beaten. Yield, Sir! Yield, and I'll heal your wounds. You will live to see another dawn."

I'll hit it with some Prestidigitation to try to bring the point home. Since there are no windows nearby, there must be lights. I'll flicker them.

Intimidate:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Aurelia, despite her injuries, walks confidently towards Titus. "Why would he surrender? He's foolishly chosen the wrong side. He clearly wants to die."
Intimidate: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

She no more intimidating than Corran, but Aurelia believes that Kenton and Xavien have this handled.

Ianthe shoot Titus.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Neither lady nor rake are at all intimidating. Ianthe's bolt clangs off a piece of marble molding. Titus continues to froth and fight.

Kenton delivers a near fatal pair of blows. Frothy blood bubbles out off Titus's neck. He curses Kenton before putting his final attacks on point.

ATK 1: 1d20 ⇒ 13
ATK 2: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Alas, there's little left in the swing. While a braggart, he's no coward, and continues to look Kenton in the eye...

Xavien lands a light blow on her neck, but then has the opening to drag it the length of the sharpened steel. Her head rolls to the floor before her body crumbles.

ROUND 4:
Kenton: Go
Xavien: Go
Titus et al.: TBD
Corran: TBD
Ianthe: TBD
Aurelia: TBD

-----------------------------
Location: Palace of Birdsong

DM’s Tracker
Party Conditions:
Terrain Conditions: bright light
Enemy Conditions:

Kenton presses his advantage.

MW rapier (favored nation, haste, raging song): : 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 31
piercing (favored nation, precise strike, raging song): 1d6 + 2 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 4 + 4 + 1 = 15

haste attack: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 10 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 24
piercing (favored nation, precise strike, raging song): 1d6 + 2 + 4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 4 + 4 + 1 = 17

Poetic and decisive, Kenton drives his rapier through the former noble's heart!

Out of combat, and each agent earns 960 XP.

Kenton cleans his rapier. Death to all who act so, he says, quoting the ancient wisdom. Some light reading, especially for DM S.

Kenton wordlessly hands Titus' blade to Xavien and strips his body of any trappings to House Lotheed, pocketing the signet ring and then moving to the late braggart's fallen companions. Take 10 on Perception for 19.

"A fool to the end," Xavien remarks sadly, the joy of battle fading from him. He wipes the blood clean from his blade with the dame's spattered skirts before fetching a wand. "Friends, let me see to your burns," he murmurs gently, moving down the hallway.

Cure Moderate @ Kenton: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (1, 1) + 3 = 5
Cure Moderate @ Aurelia: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2) + 3 = 8
Cure Moderate @ Aurelia: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (6, 5) + 3 = 14
Cure Moderate @ Corran: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 8) + 3 = 19
Cure Moderate @ Ianthe: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4) + 3 = 9

He swaps to a thinner wand for himself. CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

I think that gets everybody to full except Kenton (45/50) and Ianthe (36/37).

Afterwards, he helps Kenton with liberating the dead from their worldly possessions. T20 for 31 on Titus, T10 on the other two for 21.

Titus:

"A lot of this could be useful when we encounter Bartelby. Let me see if I can identify any of it."
Spellcraft (Chain shirt): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Spellcraft (Aldori sword): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
Spellcraft (Daggers - 1): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
Spellcraft (Daggers - 2): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
Spellcraft (Magical cloak): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
Spellcraft (Magic wand - quarrel): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
Spellcraft (Magic wand - blue): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
Spellcraft (Magical glasses): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

She'll also pocket the Casava signet ring, figuring it could be useful in the future.

Ianthe takes a look at the Chain Shirt herself.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Chain Shirt +1

"More stairs," Xavien glances south as the others take a moment to re-equip. He pads over to the double doors to the north and looks them over.

T10 Perception for 24, open if not worrisome.

Seeing no reason not to, Xavien opens the doors to a small area. It looks as though it's typically guarded; there are pikes leaning on the wall haphazardly. Brass fixtures and red walls line this austere chamber, emphasizing the size and importance of the darkwood double doors embossed with scenes of rampant lions.

Corran can't help but make chatter.

"Anyone ever wonder why we all haven't been strung-up by now? Look at this place. Those doors alone."

Indeed, Corran can tell that these doors are meant to hold. Come to think of it, you've never been in this part of the palace.

"I see your meaning, Corran," Aurelia says, speaking informally. "There is a great deal of wealth consolidated in this one place. And though it is important for the nobility, as leaders, to have a strong financial standing, this is a bit much. I definitely explains the state of things within the region right now."

"I will not say that the 'democracy' idea of Andoran is better. It's not. It's a largely untested method of government, and seems far too easily swayed by money. But we, here, can do better."

"Anyone remember this place? I can't say this room is familiar to me."

"No," Xavien replies slowly, eying the impressive doors ahead. "But I have a feeling that we may find our quarry in there."

He fetches and downs a potion of bear's endurance. "Ready yourselves!"

Check the door T10 for 24. Open when I get the nods.

Kenton applies an oil of keen edge to his rapier and nods.

"Let's see if that is true. A moment, please."

Aurelia moves up to the door, then speaks a command word to activate the magic in her mask.
Detect Thoughts in a 60ft cone. DC 17 Will save

Xavien finds the doors very well locked. Lady Aurelia detects no thoughts...

Corran holds up a finger to the others, motioning them to be quiet.

He takes a moment to consider things, and control his breath. He does his very very best work to imitate Titus' voice. There's a slight slur to the voice, indicating just a tiny bit of intoxication. His tone is loud and laced with unearned swagger and confidence.

*ahem* <POUNDS on the door> Come off it, Cousin. Open the ruddy doors so you can shower me with praise and money. We've taken out the trash, for you. Except for this... Ooo... Lovely bit. Seems Lady Basri has hit her head. She's no fun she fell riiiight over. Open up, Cuz.

He looks to the others, eyes wide with a smile and gives a thumbs up.

+6 Raw Charisma Performance, unless I can parlay this to Perform: Comedy which would be a +14. +4 if you think this is a Bluff.

1d20 ⇒ 11

He'll us the Envoy Ring to look like Titus.

A click of the lock is the only indication that anyone heard Corran's gambit at all.

This overstuffed, roughly triangular-shaped office is fit for a king, with every surface an example of expert artistry and all but dripping with gold leaf. A large desk of dark, fragrant wood decorated with golden candelabras fills most of the office, while carved cherubs dance among storm clouds all through the molding above.

Corran thinks fast and acts quickly. He turns to Aurelia and says, "Go limp."

He lifts her onto one shoulder, her backside facing forward, and uses his off hand to wave the others back to the sides of the door. He pushes into the room, striking a triumphant but tipsy pose.

"Coz! Let's raise another glass! Coz?"

Aurelia gives Corran a brief look of confusion, but trusts him and complies. She just manages to contain her surprise when he picks her up like a sack of potatoes.

Corran sees no one, but hear's a voice from beyond. It's a woman's voice.... it's... familiar... Duchess Veleto Lotheed

"Do come in."

Corran's mind starts to spin. Is this really The Dutchess? What are her and Titus? Damn. Will we need to kill her? Ah... *ahem*

Sounding disappointed, but loud enough to sound natural but be heard by the party. "Oh. It's Duchess Veleto. Hmm. Good Morrow, Lady. Where did My Lord your Nephew scramble off to?"

"Who knows where. Besides, you're far more interesting. Come in. Come in, but do shut the door behind you."

Xavien's expression brightens at the memory of The Tango, but his brow quickly furrows. Something does not feel quite right.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24

"Uh... You... Find me interesting? Well, yeah, 'course you do. I'll ah... Sorry, Duchess. I'll ah... Leave you alone then. I shall take my leave."

He makes a bit of an awkward bow/curtsy thing while scanning the room for traces of odd light or rippling shadows that might hide a duchess, or any trace sounds.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

No one can see anything from where they're standing, and Xavien doesn't doubt it's the duchess's voice.

Xavien feels the awkward silence stretch to a breaking point. "Duchess!" he cries with a grin, stepping out from behind the door. "I have not had a single adequate dance partner since you left the Jubilee! Care for a re-enactment?"

"Oh! Is the whole ball here? Do come in, but be careful. My son like to keep me sequestered."

"Does he now? In here? Why?" Xavien steps into the office. "And how does he do that, exactly?"

"By the by, we have an appointment with your dear son, but he is very late and was not on hand to greet us at the door."

This very much feels like a trap but I do not want us to stand around at the door for a month.

"WAIT!" the Duchess's voice comes too slowly as Xavien hears "click" under foot.

One of the cherubs turns and its arm lowers with a clockwork rhythm before releasing a static discharge! Everyone takes ELEC: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 2, 4) = 13. REF 14 for half.

"..are... are you all there? I'm sorry. Do come in. Let's get you cleaned up, full of tea, and ready to parlay."

DC 14 Refl: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Kenton's instincts kick in and he flings himself in front of his companions as protection.

Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

"Just a little static," Xavien chuckles, "and if you are trying to kill us, I am afraid you will have to do better than that."

Will deal with healing once saves are posted.

"Not me... Believe me, that wasn't me."

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

"gagagagagagagagagagah"

The discharges catches Corran full on. He falls to the ground and awkward spins to not fall onto Aurelia. He lands on his back with the lady draped over his chest. The disguise falls away.

"Oi sink oi zit buy tung"

Reflex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Corran tilts his head back and watches Ianthe effing dance around the lightning. He groans.

"I'm the graceful one, I swear."

Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Aurelia too is caught by surprise, suffering from yet another blast of elemental energy. She sags for a moment before catching herself. Seconds pass before she says, "That hurt. A lot."

[dice=Reflex]1d20+1

Aurelia too is caught by surprise, suffering from yet another blast of elemental energy. She sags for a moment before catching herself. Seconds pass before she says, "That hurt. A lot."

"I could ki... You know what, nevermind. You'd best get off before anything else happens."