Curse of the Crimson Throne - Foxy Quickpaw

Game Master Foxy Quickpaw

** spoiler omitted **

Where to do you leave?

Out the main gate, where he'll meet up with Tisha (and likely Ernhild and Briggi).

With the main event over and the after party not to your taste, you return to Kroft to discuss the topic of payment for the last job again.

Kroft pays you 1000gp and informs you, that she currently has no new assignments for you.

Level up to 5.

250 gp each

We should all just lay low for a while. Or clean out the corpses in the derro warden so they don't get up as undead.

250 gp each

We should all just lay low for a while. Or clean out the corpses in the derro warden so they don't get up as undead.

"I say the derro warren, but let's first visit Theumanexus College first, talk to the librarian, and maybe hire some help with a wagon..."

"If they are things you want to learn, then let's start by talking to the experts."

Are we not going to talk about how we just saw Bkackjack? That means he’s real, and quite audacious given he took a prisoner from the middle of everyone! No matter what anyone says, to plan and pull off that job in one afternoon is damn impressive.

As for our next steps: Do you know, would anyone at this college study the shadow plane? My time being blind was interesting as it made the other senses stronger. I’m wondering if there was a way I could use the power of the shadow plane to hide and sneak up on our enemies.

Yep looking for someone to in-game start Tisha down the road to Shadowdancer, which I plan on taking next level.

Aye, Blackjack is someone we have to consider. But I doubt that even magic can find him since he would have been tracked down beforehand. Hm...We can check word on the streets to see if there was anyone who might have seen anything.

"If he's got half a mind, he'll have covered his tracks well. There might not be a soul who knows his real identity and where he dwells."

"We can always ask around. Perhaps he had more trouble staying discreet while dragging a hostage along."

"If they are things you want to learn, then let's start by talking to the experts."

"It's not so much that I want to learn, it's that I want to bank a few favors... There's that library down there that probably should be put in safe hands."

Are we not going to talk about how we just saw Bkackjack? That means he’s real, and quite audacious given he took a prisoner from the middle of everyone! No matter what anyone says, to plan and pull off that job in one afternoon is damn impressive.

"Really impressive, perhaps too impressive. It suggests that maybe 'Black Jack' has inside information... which is probably a detail that he wouldn't want given away."

As for our next steps: Do you know, would anyone at this college study the shadow plane? My time being blind was interesting as it made the other senses stronger. I’m wondering if there was a way I could use the power of the shadow plane to hide and sneak up on our enemies.[/b]

Yep looking for someone to in-game start Tisha down the road to Shadowdancer, which I plan on taking next level.

@Foxy's call; do you want me to make someone up?

Tisha whispers to the others.

For saving an innocent? I wouldn’t want to compromise their secret identify for that. But maybe if there was other credible sightings it might be interesting to see what they are up to, and if they are as much of a friend to common folk as they say.

Aye, best let him spirit the poor lass away rather than risk their safety

The group heads over to the academy and approaches the professor for the dark arts. Always eager to expand his part of the library he sends one of his research assistants with a donkey pulled cart with you to secure the books from the Dead Warrens. The assistant is 6'3" tall, at least 250lb heavy, taciturn and so pale that you wonder if he is a creation of said dark arts.

But the assistant is a great help in emptying the shelfs in the Dead Warrens. Pressing 3' to 4' of books together he lifts them, turns the stack vertikal and carries them out to the cart where the donkey waits with the cart unfazed by the creepy environment.

During all that time, neither Rolth shows up nor the remaining derro or any of his kin.

"Even if it were with good intentions, he still kidnapped that woman. I would rather make sure she is safe."

Tisha wonders if this years defense against the dark arts teacher will get sacked at the end of this module like every other one before them.

Briggi, do you think you could check in for blackjack sightings at tge watch archive while we deal with these books? They might have the best list of real sightings.

Aye. I can see if I can check them out.

"Even if it were with good intentions, he still kidnapped that woman. I would rather make sure she is safe."

"I bet if you asked her, she'd use the word rescued rather than kidnapped..."

"So I hope. But I would like to have it confirmed."

As they are moving the books Tisha asks the assistant:
Have you seen places like this before? You seem pretty calm given all this.. She motions at the bodies/bones around them in the warrens.

Birds of a feather... Ernhild bites down on her tongue. Whatever - whoever- the assistant was, it was not her place to make a comment.

Briggi attempts to recall info about Blackjack

know-local: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

The professor's assistant carries everything out on the cart while you discuss other topics and once he is finished leaves without notifying you.

With nothing better to do, you return to Zellara's home and make yourself comfortable.

Once it is evening you hear a knock on the door, but when you come to check, you only find a written message pushed under the door.

My friends, I hope this note finds you in good health in these dangerous times. In light of the recent unrest, I feel that I could provide some tips on self-defense to adventurers such as you, and would be most gratified to meet with you for these lessons, offered gratis, at Orisini Academy, 16 Hillcrest Street. I eagerly await your arrival.
Vencarlo Orisini

Tisha reads the note.
Well looks like I know what I’m doing tomorrow. Maybe do some shopping in the morning, and head over for training in the afternoon?

Ernhild, if you have time tomorrow, any chance we can work on my family’s spear to get it back to its original sharpness?

Tisha is asking if Ernhild can cast masterwork Transformation to turn her spear into masterwork. Obviously she would front the 300gp material cost.

A chance to train with such a notable warrior? I am certainly up for that.

Sorry guys, I have some sort of flu, and it's just killing my energy levels. Posting will be sparse until I recover.

"Why do I suspect this is going to result in much bruising..." grumps Narciso (although he's willing to go along).

Next day you're on your way. As mentioned in the note, Orisini Academy is located at 16 Hillcrest Street, near the center of Old Korvosa. A sign hanging from the front door reads, Classes Cancelled Today.

A few moments after knocking on the academy’s front door, a serious-looking Vencarlo appears and ushers you inside. The swordsman thanks you for responding to his cryptic note and leads you down a hall and into a study, the windows of which are tightly shuttered and curtained.

He explains in hushed tones that he has an important task for you, one that becomes obvious when he calls another guest into the room: the false Trinia. Wearing simple traveling clothes, the alleged assassin
holds a wide-brimmed rider’s hat and a wig of long red curls, gifts from Orisini to use in her disguise. Trinia - who's real name is Monica - appears nervous and excited, and upon sighting you she smiles.

Vencarlo then asks you to be seated, but remains standing as he speaks. "You were all at the queen’s debacle, so I don’t doubt you recognize this charming young woman. I had only just reached my home the night of Her Majesty’s morbid gala when that troublemaker Blackjack and this startled woman arrived at my doorstep. The so-called 'people’s hero' and I have had some dealings in the past, but it’s been some years since I’ve seen the scoundrel. He was quick with his words and soon swooped off, doubtlessly to right some other festering wrong, but not before entrusting Miss Monica to my protection and care. Although I don’t know Blackjack’s motives or politics, I trust his judgment and have seen much right done by his blade. He says Miss Monica is innocent of the crime she’s been accused of, and I’m more disposed to trust a hero of the city than the tantrums of some bloody-minded child playing at queen."

"Care to escort a lady home?"

"Ernhild, if you have time tomorrow, any chance we can work on my family’s spear to get it back to its original sharpness?"

"I can make a scroll of that spell," Ernhild shrugs. "Just let me buy some ink and a few parchments first." Purchase: Ink, Inkpen, 12 Parchments, 3 Scroll Cases

If the GM allows it, Tisha, we can say that Ernhild spends some time writing that scroll and casting the spell before the party meets up with Orisini

"What would be the safest route to Harse?" Ernhild inquires. She had not really left Korvosa's walls ever since she came to the human city as a young adult, more than a decade ago.

"It doesn't matter much once you're out of town. But how you get out of Korvosa, that is the dangerous part."

"You're as good a judge of the options as I am."

Hmm... Yes Blackjack is quite the slippery person, although their judgement must be quite sound if they chose you to look after this lass. I can check schedules for guards at the various gates so it can be easier to get past.

Foxy Can we assume the masterwork transformation plan is fine? Anyone one else want to do any shopping?

Even if the gate is lightly guarded, we still probably want to disguise Miss Monica before we take her through any gate. Unless one of you know how to sail? The river might be less closely watched than a gate.

She turns to Monica.
So, we know you aren’t Who the Queen says you are. As we met the real Trina Sabore some time ago…. So how did you end up on the Queen’s kill list, and do you have any skills we should know about? Like say if you could turn invisible, or can act that might be useful.

"Do I look like I know how to sail," Ernhild's usual deadpan tone almost makes it sound like a genuine question.

"We need to check if boats or carts are still allowed to go in and out of the city, and under what conditions."

Narciso wonders if he recognizes someone's voice...

"If we go out through a checkpoint, I could make her disappear with magic, long enough to get through one or maybe several checkpoints (Invisibility, Silent Image). But we would be wise to try a dry run of some sort to see if they have magic or other tools (e.g. trained dogs for scent) to look for such tricks at the checkpoints..."

Narciso wonders if he recognizes someone's voice...

Totally.

Trained dogs? Our budget sucks, a trained mouse perhaps but no dogs.

Ok Biggi, see if you can find a good gate to for us to slip out.
Once we have a target, maybe I do a scouting pass to see what we can see, and then we decide what other plans we need to make.
And yes, Narciso, I know how to look for magic fields in case they use that.

Sound workable?

If the others agree with the plan, while they are waiting, Tisha approaches Vencarlo and says quietly.
Does the offer of training still stand? If so what do you teach here? I'm always looking for the chance to learn some new skills.
If anything the past few weeks have shown me that the challenges the city face will require far more skills then the average guardsman has. Heck, when we first met the real Trinia, she ran and I almost wasn't good enough to get to talk to her.
Plus, we know that there is a Necromancer out there actively kidnapping people for strange experiments, and a queen determined to put apparently innocent people to death for unknown reasons.
Clearly I'm going to need all the training we can get if we want to face these challenges.

"I could come with you, Briggi. The temple does share pretty strong ties with the city guard. I doubt an Abadaran would look too suspicious."

Sounds good to me. Briggi will head out with Ernhild.

Before they move on to inspect the gates, Ernhild sacrifies another one of her scrolls to help Briggi with his weapon - and while she's at it, she takes this opportunity to magically enhance her own hammer and crossbow. "I should turn this into a full-time job."

Down 3 scrolls