GM_DBH's Curse Of The Crimson Throne

Game Master DBH

Map updated.

C7
This large room might once have been an attic storage area, but the rafters above now brood over an empty chamber. To the northwest, a large portion of the roof and floor below have collapsed entirely, leaving a void looking out over the sodden skyline of Old Korvosa.

The area near the opening to the city is unstable and crumbling.

What are you doing now?

Kayleigh is preoccupied with a potential upcoming climbing test and doesn't notice anything else.

Kayleigh Fairwind Perception Check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Sorry, only Vedika should make the perception check.

Sorry 'bout that!

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

Vedika manages to haul herself up to a damaged roof section and she peers in. Then, squirming to reach a spot where she can stand, she calls down, "Looks unstable up here. One second."

She rummages around in her pack, then she scribbles a note (???) on a piece of paper, crumples it into a ball, and throws it down to Kaylegh.

Yes, I have the message cantrip, but this is funnier.

Kayleigh picks up Vedika's litter with a sigh before suddenly realizing that maybe there's more to the ball of paper than just being a piece of trash. She stifles a gasp after reading the message and then turns to Ariadne...then Brigita...and finally Zahur before handing the note to the latter...the party member she judges best able to climb the rope and swiftly go to Vedika's aid.

"Vedika fears she's not alone up there," the cleric whispers to Ariadne and Brigita. "There must be a staircase around here somewhere! I'm going to find one and go up to help her! Or at least create a distraction!"

Kayleigh Fairwind Perception Check (Doorway/Staircase?): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

I have no idea how to respond to Vedika's questions without giving away the game.

Normally you'd just reply in a fashion that doesn't give away the game, like "If it's unstable you should come back down" or "Stay there Vedika, just throw the rope and we'll try it anyway" or "We're looking for another way up" so that it gets across whether you want Vedika to come back down or not, but it's so cute that Kayleigh is completely guileless. :)

"If we make enough noise going it, it should draw their attention. Might give her the opportunity to get the drop on them from behind." Ariadne replies.

Vedika gets a look at the creatures hiding in the room, they seem to be avoiding the daylight.

This hunched-over wretch has long, pliable arms like tentacles capped with five wide, spiny claws.

Map updated. There is only the one stairway up so it is most likely guarded.

Also the creatures know Vedika is there. Grappling hook hitting the roof nearby and no stealth climbing. :)

What now?

Who said anything about a grappling hook? Free climbing baby! But you are right that I did not stealth climb! :D

"I'll check on her." Zahur says, before climbing after the girl as deftly as possible.

Taking 10 if possible for 23, otherwise...
Climb: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15

Zahur scrambles up to join Vedika.

Zahur can see the creatures lurking in the shadows. So far they seem to be waiting for people to enter the room.

What now?

One of the creatures coughs awkwardly as you hang there looking at them. "Come here often?"

What are you doing?

Kayleigh waits semi-patiently for a knotted rope to drop down from above to make any climb she might have to make a lot easier.

Hey--we're back.

Vedika whispers to Zahur, "Cover my back."

Then she ties a rope to a convenient post and drops the line over the edge, careful to lash it to two supports in case one gives way in the creaky remnants of the building.

REMINDER: Kayleigh can (and will) spam guidance to help Ariadne, Brigita, and herself attempt the climb. I was figuring on having Kayleigh go last; that way, she can heal anyone who fails on the Climb check.

climb: 1d20 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 1 + 5 = 17

Brig is the first to grab the rope, her big hand wrapping around the hemp before she hauls herself up an arm's length, biceps bulging, then another, and another, feeling Kayleigh's magic wrap around her with every advancement.

Taking a deep breath, Ariadne prepares herself and begins the painstaking process of climbing the rope.

Climb (in armor)/Guidance: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 = 13

"After you!" Kayleigh says to Laori with a polite smile...one that falters a bit when the cleric realizes she's been left alone with the way-too-happy Kuthonite with a spiked chain. Nonetheless, Kayleigh casts guidance on the woman and motions toward the rope.

I'll roll Kayleigh's Climb check in a spoiler for now, just in case someone falls and needs healing or something else unexpected happens to delay her ascent....

Awaiting a new player so it will be slow.

Climb DC10 with the rope.

We have Vedika & Brigita at the top now. You can see the area where the roof is unsafe on the map.

Everybody else is coming up the rope one at a time. The posts start to creak dangerously when more than two people are on the rope.

What now?

Yeah, I was assuming one at a time...at least until the screaming starts! ;)

So that would make the order: Brigita, Ariadne, Laori, Kayleigh.

One at a time! Especially the very heavy Brig

Still waiting for Emi to post, until then what are the two on the rope doing? You do not have surprise on the Chokers in the room you're trying to enter.

We don't know anything about whatever is on the roof, do we? The climbers I mean.

No, you haven't climbed up to the the roof level.

Clank (Kayleigh) and Jangles (Laori; NPC) will continue to wait their turns on ground level, I suppose. Might be a good opportunity for Emi to happen by.

Still waiting for Emi to post, until then what are the two on the rope doing? You do not have surprise on the Chokers in the room you're trying to enter.

Climbing?

Lets get things moving again people.

Two of you at the top of the rope looking into Chokers den. Two on the ground unable to climb as you'd make the rope too heavy.

What is everyone doing?

Kayleigh keeps lookout down below as Ariadne and Brigita use the rope to scale the wall. She casts a quick guidance cantrip for Milani's blessing on her endeavor.

Kayleigh Fairwind Perception Check (guidance): 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 = 15

On her second day of tailing the group Vencarlo had brought up a few times, Emi begins to wonder if she's barking up the wrong tree. She's seen a fair amount of activity, but she hasn't been able to apply any logic or overarching theme to what they may be doing that seems to make sense to her.

This though... if the elf they picked up was weird, this is downright crackers. Nobody in their right mind would be doing what they're doing. She figures maybe it's time to intervene for their own good. She steps out of the doorframe she's been occupying and cat-paws her way over in their direction. She's not looking to pounce on them by surprise, that could get ugly if they're feeling jumpy. She just wants to be close enough so when she hails them she can do it in a low voice that won't attract attention.

Stealth: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26

Once she's within the zone for a stage whisper, Emi calls out to the blonde woman who's still down on the ground.

"PSST! PSST! Hey! Are you really thinking about going in there? Do you know who's place that is?"

Emi keeps walking forward slowly, she has no weapon out and consciously makes that apparent by keep her hands visible and carried out slightly away from her body.

"I really don't think it's a great idea. It'll be the kind of trouble you won't shake easily, if you get out of there at all."

Diplomacy (to keep things chill and non-threatening): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31

I took the liberty of digging out my PDF of "Curse of the Crimson Throne" to check Laori's Perception modifier. As I suspected, she's Kayleigh-level of alert.

Kayleigh mostly muffles a "Yeep!" when the figure steps out from the shadows and beckons her. Likewise, Laori's elf eyes apparently fail her as well. Tragedy is averted when the spooked Kayleigh nearly hops into the other priestess's arms, but she holds back the reaction and likely avoids impaling herself on the spiky Kuthonite.

Not sensing any malice from the stranger and admitting to herself that she and her comrades are almost certainly going about things the wrong way, the young Milanite decides to strike up a whispered conversation with the vaguely familiar young woman.

Trying to sound confident (and knowing she can't fake sounding tough), Kayleigh nods. "Yeah--we're breaking into the Emperor's Palace. He's taken someone we want to speak with prisoner, so we're hoping to either rescue him outright or get an audience with his highness. We're prepared if things turn violent. In fact, we've already put down some of the imperial patrols and, uh, wouldn't mind seeing the Emperor overthrown and his reign of terror over the island ended abruptly."

Turning to Laori, the blonde gal adds, "How was that? I didn't give too much away, did I?"

Kayleigh Fairwind Sense Motive Check: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30

Has Vedika given any of us a warning about what's waiting inside?

That's why I sent the crumpled note down.

Here's the note: "I'm not alone up here, someone is hiding in the shadows, but I didn't want to tip my hand. It's really unstable up here though and I'm not sure if I can safely attach a line for climbing. Should I come back down or go ahead with the rope?"

So we know something's up there; we just don't know exactly what.

Ok, those on the ground are talking to Emi. Those hanging by a thread can see someone new is talking to kayleigh.

Currently I am playing it Vedika & Brigita are up on the rope. Kayeligh, Ariadne & Laori are on the ground. Emi has just started talking to the ground pounders.

What is everyone doing?

"This young woman here says we're making a big mistake breaking into the palace," Kayleigh whispers to those close enough to hear her. "Um...she seems trustworthy," the Milanite adds a bit belatedly.

She reaches out a hand toward the stranger, smiles, and says, "I'm Kayleigh. Nice to meet you! What do you know about this place and this Pilts Swastel guy who thinks he's an emperor?"

Emi tilts her head slightly and almost smiles as the blonde woman says quite a lot then asks for reassurance she's not saying too much. She decides to help her out.

"If by 'imperial' you meant Pilts Swastel, I don't think you really need to bother with the honorific. He's not here to object and nobody out of his reach takes it seriously. If you meant Queen Ileosa instead, you did sort of just admit to treason. But, don't worry about it. None of my business."

"Would the person Swastel has taken and that you're looking for happen to be Vencarlo Orisini? I'm looking for him as well if so, haven't seen him for a while now, which is strange and worrisome."

Emi takes Kayleigh's offered hand.

"It's nice to meet you Kayleigh. I'm Emi."

"Honestly I don't know much in particular about Swastel. His general reputation has always been creep and pain in the ass, but not really worth thinking about. Definitely small time, lots of talk and no bite."

"But suddenly he's on top of the heap out of nowhere for no reasons I can think of. He's dangerous now because he's vicious, insane, and newly in charge of a lot of dangerous people who does what he says."

Emi shrugs. "I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up murdered by his own in due time. So, unless you have pressing business in there, I'd say steer clear and leave them alone to eat each other until it all falls apart."

Kayleigh's friendliness is put on hold as she tries to figure out the best way to proceed--information-wise--with Emi. "Well, we're looking for Vencarlo for sure...though we're actually here now trying to get an audience with someone we'd heard Vencarlo had talked to fairly often in recent days. Ever heard of...Salvator Scream?"

Not waiting for Emi to reply, the cleric admits that perhaps Vencarlo might be found inside the 'palace' as well: "There aren't a lot of people on the island capable of taking Master Orisini off the streets, I wouldn't think...unless he ran afoul of one of Swastel's patrols, maybe."

At the mention of disparaging Queen Ileosa as being treason, Ariadne's eyes narrow, and her stance shifts ever so slightly.

"As it turns out we do have pressing business there, so leaving them to themselves isn't an option." she replies.

Ok, introductions are underway. What are you going to do now? Some course of action would be nice, you've been hanging around for weeks. :)

Vedika gets a little antsy about the wait and casts a message spell to talk directly to Kayleigh.

Note that this requires her to actually cast a spell, which might trigger the enemies. Or it might not. We'll see.

In response to the message spell: "Yes--Brig's on the rope. Someone saw us up to no good but doesn't seem inclined to make a stink about it. A friend or acquaintance of Vencarlo's. I'll try to get her to help us break in and rescue Salvator. Oh dear--she's standing right next to me and probably heard that! I'll send Ariadne up presently!"

Turning to Emi, Kayleigh manages a smile and asks, "Want to help us strike a blow against the wicked jerk who runs the island and maybe help find Vencarlo? If you're good at climbing, head on up; our friend Vedika has company hiding up above and could use some aid!"

When Vedika casts her spell the Chokers stir and one of them scuttles forward. It reaches out and starts testing where the rope is hooked on.

Size small but they have 10' reach. It's freaky!.

What are you doing now?

The rope isn't being pushed off just yet, but they seem to be thinking about it.

Since the team has to respond now, Vedika shouts, "IT'S GO TIME!"

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

"Vedika & Brigita are up on the rope"... so Brig is behind Vedika, both still holding on to the rope? So we need to finish climbing, right?

And have to do so one at a time, or break the rope.

Soft reboot. The entrance is 25' above and a DC20 climb.

Vedika realizes the the scrap of ledge she's balanced on isn't that stable and that entering the room means fighting the Chokers.

She climbs back down and joins the party again.

What now? Fight your way in main entrance, or find another way inside.

Thanks GM.

Vedika looks Emi up and down and then says, "Welcome to the fun. So, you come here often? Know any other good ways in? I thought I caught sight of some kind of bridgeworks east of here, maybe we can get up on that and use that to enter unannounced."

The Emperor of Old Korvosa’s palace is located at 11 Silk Street in Old Dock, a collection of tenements and abandoned stores that barely escaped destruction during a recent fire that consumed much of the city block to the west. The palace consists of six buildings, the lower floors
of which have been gutted and destroyed by mob violence.

Only the upper floors of the northern buildings remain intact; to the south, the roofs alone remain, leaving hollow shells of buildings below.
Other than this, all of these wood buildings are stable and in no danger of collapse, despite the large amount of cosmetic damage the mob has inflicted on them in the form of graffiti, scorch marks, and weapon play.

C1 is the only ground level entrance but climbing to the rooftop is easy. C7 has occupants but there are plenty of other spots you could reach.

Front door?

That's the route Kayleigh would take. Any sort of deception before we knock, though?