Curse of the Crimson Throne - Foxy Quickpaw

Game Master Foxy Quickpaw

As you arrive at the garrison you are stopped in the courtyard and Kroft is informed. As Kroft gets sight of the corpse she is aghast. "They won't take that well." is the first thought she voices.

As Ernhild tells of the plan to stitch the corpse together she balks at the idea. "We don't know much about their customs and rituals in regards to the deceased. And this is already a catastrophe. We are not going to add to that by trying to fix it. Put the cart in the room over there, and I'll contact Thousand Bones. He shall decide what happens next with the remains."

"Also you don't have time for that. There was an announcement that the trial of Trinia Sabor came to a conclusion. Queen Ileosa has announced that the assassin is to be executed at sunset and has invited many of Korvosa’s nobles, military officers, and anyone of any real import to Castle Korvosa’s public courtyard to witness the event."

"I'll be there if I can manage. And I'd expect you to be at least as curious as I am to see what is going on there."

Ernhild doesn't raise an eyebrow - but even for someone as difficult to read as she is, the news seem to have taken her somewhat aback. "The trial? In absentia, I presume?"

"For sure they don't need her for a trial. But you can't do an execution in absentia."

Tisha lets go of the wheel barrow that she has been holding into to guide her as she moves.
Calistria‘s Mercy, that isn’t good. Sounds like the trial would be a show.

How close are we to sunset? It it’s close, you all should go and leave me here. Without a visit to the temple I will be no help.

Wait. Didn't she escape out of the city? *ahem ahem*

If she did, someone must have brought her back, or someone else is being set up as a scapegoat.

Bluff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Tisa says it all with a completely straight face.

"And either way, someone who's probably innocent will be sent to the gallows." The thought of it visibly makes Ernhild grit her teeth.

Narciso's tone is slightly detached as he comments "I'd expect something messier than the gallows - like drawing and quartering - for the 'assassin who killed the king'. The new Queen would want to make a statement."

He's more serious as he moves to the meat of the matter "But I haven't received an invitation, not being 'of any real import'. I'll admit some curiosity about what's going on, but I'm not curious enough to put my head in the lion's mouth to go see... I figure with all the fuss it'll be a lousy time to be trying to sneak in."

It’s in the public courtyard, I doubt anyone well dressed would have to sneak in.
As I understand it, most public executions are put on so others do see it and get the message.

Possible to break her out?

Narciso hastily elbows Briggi, to get him to shut up, given Field Marshall Kroft is in the room...
You're a uniformed member of the Korvosan Guard, who's just proposed treason, with the commander standing in the room... You probably don't want to do that.

He tries to cover the faux-pas by talking over Briggi, "Tisha, the king just got 'assassinated', they're going to be being very careful about who gets into the castle. They will have a list of invitees and they will be checking it twice."

"It is public. The queen just made sure everyone she deems important to be invited, that it is not missed."

"So off you go, if you visit that or not. I have things to do before I hurry there too."

Bringing heads out with the others. Well let's head out and get Tisha healed.

"Agree. We'll focus on the other emergency afterwards."

"Perhaps I can someone to help us at the Temple."

"Agreed, not much point in taking a blind woman to see an execution..."

It's perhaps metagaming, but this smells of there will be some sort of incident at the execution, so let's have everyone able to kick in. Briggi could probably also use some healing. It's be nicer still if we could wait a day and recover spells, but ...

True to form Tisha asks:
Did we get paid for stopping the war? If not, I'll have to stop at my room before we go to the temple, as I don't carry cash into a dungeon.

I have about 400 gold to offer for a cure

"I don't have that much - I spent a bunch on my new cloak. I can kick in 193 gp and be flat broke... But the loot from the derro should cover the expense."

Has anyone kept the loot sheet up to date?

I have several hundred I’ve been saving up if we can go back to my room…. I would hope the cure is not nearly as much as we have all together.

Briggi presents the loot to sift through.

amber necklace worth 350 gp,
silver dagger
wax-sealed elixir of vision in a metal flask, a wand of spiritual weapon (48 charges)
ring of swimming
set of masterwork thieves’ tools
pearl and silver snuffbox worth 250 gp that contains a single dose of dust of disappearance,s
ustaining spoon.

robe of bones(minus the used undead)
wand of ghoul touch (22 charges),
blue whinnis (3)
mwk dagger
ring of protection +1
38 gp

Walking over to Abadar's temple you find a priest who is prepared for such incidents. One casting later Tisha got her eyesight back. Including the City Guard discount it costs 200 gold.

Having been both raised by dwarves and trained by clerics of Abadar, Ernhild is a firm believer in the old adage "short reckonings make long friends."

She suggests that everyone pays 50 gps, and hands over her share.

Narciso is in for 50gp...

Bringing chips in as well.

Tisha is clearly happy to pay her share too.
She at each of the others and sumply says:
Thank you.

Then when they ard in private she asks:
Well how do we want to approach the execution?
Skip?
Dress up and go in?
Or go in our armor and concealed weapons?

I for one so not want to see an Innocent die today.

Might as well go full kit.

"It all depends on how we intend to act."

"If we think it's not the real Tisha, but someone forced to take on her appearance, we might be able to dispel the spell."

"Alternatively, we'd need to create a diversion and arrange an escape, without looking too obvious. I suspect that the death penalty awaits those who'd try to save someone found guilty of regicide."

I think you mean Trinia. Narciso, do you have something up your sleeve that might be a distraction?

...

I for one so not want to see an Innocent die today.

Narciso's reply is cold: "I agree, but then perhaps we shouldn't go. While Trinia seemed nice enough, I have no intention of facing the headsman over some half-baked rescue with no plan..."

I think you mean Trinia. Narciso, do you have something up your sleeve that might be a distraction?

"I could lay down an illusion, but with a courtyard full of people, some of them will see through it..."

"Trinia, yes. Why did you choose a similar-sounding name," that last accusation is leveled off-handedly at the elf, in Ernhild's similar dry tone.

"Then perhaps we could change the accused's appearance and argue that the real Trinia has escaped. Or even change our own appearance, and pretend to be the real Trinia."

Meanwhile

The execution it is not an affair to be missed. The toast of Korvosa is in attendance in garish gowns, fine capes, and enough jewels to blind the common citizen. The overall feel of the event is that of a grand ball or party, not an assassin’s public execution. Queen Ileosa emerges amid a great flourish and pomp as heralds announce her arrival with a fanfare of music and drums. She has fully accepted the mantle of sole monarch now, and carries herself with poise, style, and grace. She wears a green and white silk dress worth thousands of gold coins and is attended by a small army of striking guards. Chief among these is one clad in a striking brand-new suit of full-plate armor with a closed helm sporting a flowing crimson plume.

Ileosa takes her seat in a high throne-like chair at one end of the public courtyard, while a guillotine stands ominously at the other. The executioner is a towering, muscular man wearing an executioner’s hood and idly holding an immense axe. Whispers ripple through the assemblage—admiring comments on the queen’s attire, predictions regarding how the traitor Trinia might comport herself, speculations on the identity of the armored guardian who stands at Ileosa’s side.

Then, as an ominous drum beating begins...

Hear that? We are out of time. I’m going to see, you all do what you want.
I’m going to try to avoid getting arrested, but I’ve got to see what I can do.

Tisha heads to the castle to see if she can get in.

I dunno. Tisha, would you be willing to try being covered by an illusion and lead people off? Briggi follows Tisha.

With a muttered cantrip, Narciso links the party in a net of whispers (casts Message) and sets off after Tisha. For a first message he whispers to Tisha: "Don't you dare do anything that will put my head on the block!|

The gawkers fall silent. The drum sets the pace for Trinia’s procession to the executioner’s block. As they reach the block, a guard removes Trinia’s shackles and the hood, revealing a very frightened woman who bravely holds back her tears. As you can easily tell once you get close enough, the prisoner revealed is a secondary scapegoat—someone who looks superficially similar to Trinia. 'Trinia' is led up to stand before the guillotine, her arms bound behind her back by a leather cord as Queen Ileosa addresses the crowd.

"Fellow Korvosans! You have suffered greatly these past few weeks. Homes have burned, family members have died, and fortunes have been lost. I feel your suffering, for not only have I lost a beloved husband, but with each act of anarchy that followed, my heart bled more. This has been a trying time for us, yet the torment is at an end. Before you is the source of your anguish and pain. Do not be deceived by this murderer’s timid nature — she is a black-hearted assassin. I offer you her death as a salve against the hatred and hurt you have suffered."

"And so, without further delay, let us usher in this new dawn with justice! OFF WITH HER HEAD!"

Yet just before the executioner forces Trinia into the guillotine, the man cries out in pain as a hurled dagger embeds itself in the back of his hand. As the executioner’s grip on Trinia falters, a cry echoes through the crowded courtyard: "By the gods! It’s Blackjack!" An instant later, a man dressed in a hooded cloak and black mask springs up to Trinia’s side. Using a dagger, he cuts the bonds on Trinia’s wrists and then throws the same dagger down to pin the executioner’s left foot to the wood platform.

He then turns to address the shocked crowd. "Yes indeed, my queen! let us usher in justice, but let that be justice for Korvosa, not this shambles you call a monarchy! Long live Korvosa! Down with the queen!"

Blackjack’s words cause the crowd to erupt into action. Some demand that he release the assassin while others call for the queen’s resignation. Queen Ileosa stands stunned for a few moments, whispers something to Sabina, and then quickly turns to flee into Castle Korvosa, Sabina and a dozen guards behind her to cover her retreat. The remaining guards in the courtyard move to apprehend Blackjack, but the gathered nobles, thirsty for blood, make it difficult to move. At the same time, the executioner recovers from his wounds and lifts his axe over Blackjack, who seems to have momentarily forgotten the man in his apparent delight at having forced the queen to flee.

Yarr! Arrest the knave! City guard, stop criminal scum!

Bringing charged forwards, seemingly doing his duty as a member of the city guard. But he 'accidently' trips and barrels into the executioner.

Ernhild tenses up when the face of the 'murderer' is revealed. Not only is it not Trinia - but it confirms that the Queen would rather lead an innocent woman to the gallows than admit that her suspect got away. There was no limits to what she would do to save face.

The cleric hesitates. To interfere was almost certainly to be condemned to jail, or worse; but allowing the judicial system to be perverted in such a way was simply unthinkable. As a cleric of Abadar, her duty is clear. Regardless of the consequences, she has to reveal the whole scheme - the real Trinia had left town; she would know, because she helped her escape herself.

There was no need to drag Briggi, Tisha and Narciso into it; someone had to keep fighting the Queen. Hiding their involvement was a white lie she could live with. Hopefully Abadar would forgive it.

But noble as Ernhild's decision might be, it has no time to be enacted. Just as she comes to terms with what she has to do, her plan is completely derailed by the intervention of one Blackjack - and Briggi's assault against the executioner. As she elbows her way through the crowd, Ernhild silently curses under her breath. Of course things had to get messy again.

She grabs the fake Trinia by the arm. "Stay behind me, and we'll get you out of here," she shouts to be heard over the ruckus of the crowd.

She hands 'Trinia' her wooden shield. "Hold that in front of you, and hide your face as best as you can!" She orders. She surveys the chaotic scene in desperate search for a safe way out. Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Sorry about not being clear, but you were late for the party and have no seats at the front row. That limits your options a lot.

With the queen gone Briggi starts a daring dash out of the crowd and towards Black Jack. He would never make it in time, but catches Black Jacks attention. Turning his head towards the dwarf, he sees the executioner's axe coming down in the corner of his eye and dodges it.

He then kicks the already off balance executioner sending him tumbling to the ground. He grabs 'Trinia' and drags her to the nearby wall. Using a hanging banner he climbs up, hauling Trinia up behind him. He quickly drinks a potion, bows to crowd and especially to Briggi before jumping off the rather high castle wall on the other side into the city.

Briggi makes a show of shaking his fist at Blackjack and swearing vengeance against this foul evildoer.

Narciso has been watching the execution unfold; when Black Jack pops up, he tries to commit the scene to memory, looking in particular over the assembled nobility and important citizens. He uses Prestigidation to paint the scene onto a sheet of rice notepaper. (He wants to be able to identify who was not there while Black Jack was on scene...)

(He wants to be able to identify who was not there while Black Jack was on scene...)

I'm not saying I'm Superman, but have you ever seen me and Superman together? :P

The almost party like mood is now on the edge of turning into a riot again. You see many people who don't like to be part of a mob or stand against one leave the event in a hurry.

With the fake Trinia and Blackjack gone, there is no reason to linger and risk being trampled to death. It'd take dozens of soldiers to manage an angry mob.

"We have to get out and track down that man," she says to the nearby Tisha. "I'll go and get Briggi!"

She catches him still pretending to curse against the vigilante, and grabs his arm. "That's enough! You don't need to give the crowd more reasons to riot. We need to get out of here."

Bringing takes the hint and leaves with the others.

Where to do you leave?

When she sees blackjack turn to jump, Tisha turns and tries to race out the gate to see if she can get any clue where the blackjack is off to.
Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

If she can’t see him when she exits the gate, she stays near the gate watching the croud so she can grab her companions as they come out.