Hi guys... I'm sorry to do this, but I won't be able to continue running this game. I have some family medical issues that have popped up and I won't have the time to dedicate to running a play-by-post campaign. I apologize for the short notice and to those who just joined the game.
To Kaddoc, Halfik, Damian, and Gideon - Welcome to the game! I am working on some intro posts for each of you today, and should have them up later today/ tonight. Please don't feel like you need to rush and jump on a story hook. I am introducing everyone slowly for a few reasons - it feels a little more natural if you don't all meet at the exact same moment, especially with your varied backgrounds, and because Trey and Lantressa are in the middle of a dungeon crawl which would be difficult to jump into. So for most of you, we'll go back in time, compared to where Trey and Lantressa are right at the moment to go over some key points in the story line.
In the meantime, please update your character pages as well as your signatures if you haven't already. In your signature, include your HP, initiative, perception, AC, touch AC, flatfoot AC, and saves.
FYI, I usually post once a day, in the evening. If I'm waiting for folks to respond or something during combat, for example, or am on the road for work, posting may be less frequent.
Thank you everyone for your well-thought-out applications. I can tell everyone put a lot of hard work and detail into their characters. Since I'm down to only 2 PCs at the moment, I decided I could add four new players to the game:
Kaddoc
Halfik
Damian
Gideon
To Soren and Krila, I really really like both your characters, and you both had solid connections to the game. If anyone else leaves the party, I plan on contacting you to join, if you are still interested.
Hi guys, just want to give you a quick update. I've been poring over the applications for the past few hours. I'm pretty sure I know what the decision will be, but want to sleep on it first and will post first thing in the morning. Thank you all for your patience.
Alright, forget spell resistance, we'll be here for a month...
Cephelo and Typhon join the attack, but only Typhon is able to sneak a knife through her defenses. But entangled by the chains, Vimanda stands no chance against Trey and Lantressa's beams of light and fire. With a fox-like growl, Vimanda collapses, dead.
The door in front of you stands cracked open. Beyond is a small, empty room strewn with bones and patches of mold. Another lever waits in this room. "If I pull it, maybe it will lead us to another room, closer to Vencarlo," Typhon suggests.
Loot: +1 ki focus shock kukri, javelin of lightning (2). I posted this earlier, but Sivit had two +1 kukris, an amulet of health +4, and a ring of protection +2.
I posted a bit about Trey and Lantressa in the recruiting thread to encourage folks to write how they might know you. If you'd like to add anything to what I said, feel free to jump in there.
Since I have so many applications to choose from, it's time for the bonus round! To add a little more detail to your character a bit (and make my life a little easier!), I'd like to know how your character knows the current party members, Trey Merosa and Lantressa Darksong. Trey and Lantressa, please add anything about your characters if I missed it.
Sister Trey Merosaaasimar cleric started as an acolyte of the Church of Sarenrae, but has more than proved herself worthy of being a full Sister of the church. She's cared for orphans and the homeless, stopped an evil necromancer/alchemist from animating the dead underneath the catacombs of the Church of Pharasma in the Gray District, and worked with the Korvosan Guard after King Eodred's death. More recently, Trey saved hundreds or possibly thousands of lives during the blood veil plague. She debunked merchants hawking false cures and then organized the churches of Pharasma, Abadar, and Sarenrae to find a cure for blood veil, saw to manufacturing it and administrating it to those who needed it most.
Lantressa Darksongtiefling sorceress is a courtesan by trade, but she also brokers in information. She used to work at Eel's End, the gambling, drug, and prostitution of the city, but now runs her own operation. She knows many people throughout the city and can often be found at a tavern, party, or before the recent events, in the Royal Court trading favors, understanding the current social currents, and digging up information. Lantressa works closely with the Arkona family as well as some of the other local lords and ladies. Recently, some of her close friends have gone missing, which she suspects is related to the growing number of Gray Maidens in the city.
Specific feedback for everyone's questions -
Looks good, Krila
Halfik, that armor is fine.
Kaddoc, that makes sense to me too!
Gideon, I like the connections except there is one discrepancy since some events have occurred after the player's guide was written.
Gideon - Curse of the Crimson Throne spoilers inside:
You pegged Pilts Swastel perfectly! Old Korvosa was quarantined recently. Cut off from the rest of the city, Pilts decided he would be the Emperor of Old Korvosa, and run things his way. Without anyone to stop him, he expanded his routine showings of horrible paintings, grisly plays where it was rumored several local actresses were murdered on set, and all sorts of torture devices. Pilts took over a set of tenements, employed many local thugs and toughs trapped with him during the quarantine, and threatened anyone who wouldn't obey with his 'tall knife' (guillotine). He hoped to build up a large enough 'empire' to take over the entirity of the Old Korvosa district, the island just north of Korvosa proper.
Unfortunately, the PCs just killed him. If you'd like you can still use this as a tie-in. The PCs are not too far from him and it is plausible that Gideon is investigating the area to root him out.
Krila - if you want to go more of a spy route, that is up to you. Doesn't matter to me
Soren - interesting back story! Who in Korvosa does Soren know? Could be clergy of Pharasma (their leader is Bishop Keppira d'Bear, and he might know lower ranking clerics/grave digger he might know). Would he unofficially help out in the Korvosan guard and be familiar with some of their members? Or someone who vanished and he thinks might be a Gray Maiden or a friend killed by the plague?
Halfik - that works for me. Good point about the snake!
Wow! I'm excited to see so many excellent and well-thought out applications. A few questions/ thoughts for you guys:
Kaddoc - Consider which Shoanti tribe you'd belong to. The Clans of the Skull, Moon, and Sun are farily involved in the next section of the adventure path, but there is no reason I couldn't work a different one in. If you don't have a preference, I can pick one that fits.
Krila - your armor/weapon choices are fine. The costs for the armor are fine. Who else in Korvsoa might Krila know, besides Cressida? It could be other guard. The temples of Sarenrae and Pharasma were involved in fixing the plague. Or maybe some people that fit with her background or that her mother knew? If you need some help, I can provide some suggestions.
Halfik - looks good. Couple things Halfik could have been doing recently... The Sable Company was definitely helping keep order during the blood veil plague, bringing people to hospitals/temples for cures, performing crowd control to prevent rioting, and dealing with undead outbreaks. He could have been on a special mission, doing something outside the city. Commandant Endrin, leader of the Sable Company, could have sent him to search for information on the missing Seneschal inside or outside the city, attempting to spy on the Queen or the Gray Maidens...
Damian - looks good. Let me know if you have any questions or anything.
Gideon - Looks good so far, your background is well written. I look forward to seeing the rest! Taking the leadership feat is fine. It might not be immediately useful in terms of, say, combat, but I find it works well in play-by-posts where the player and/or GM have some extra time to work out the details that get messy and complicated in tabletop play. It also fits well with your character, so that is even better.
To make sure I caught everyone who applied so far, here is what I have. I apologize in advance if I missed your name, I'm working on my tiny work laptop at a hotel with questionable internet. Please let me know if I missed you or didn't answer one of your questions. You still have til Friday evening if there is something else I can help you with.
List of Applicants (so far)
Kaddoc the Grey - human barbarian, Shoanti background
Krila Delsaul - tiefling cavalier, plague survivor background
Halfik Lelas - half-orc hunter, constrictor companion, Sable Company background
Damian Wilroth - human ranger, hippogriff companion, Sable Company background
Gideon Schrade - Human figher/Hellknight, Hellknight background
Neolandus nocks an arrow and looses it at Vimanda, but it clatters harmlessly off of the stone wall behind her.
Cephelo charges directly into her path, cutting her off from reaching the door, and swings his mighty axe. Again, the magical force field shimmers, blocking Cephelo's attack.
Hoping Vimanda is distracted by Cephelo, Typhon darts in to flank, but his silver dagger isn't able to pierce her unnaturally tough skin.
Yuck, bad rolls all around.
Trey, anything you'd like to do during the surprise round? After that, we will start Round 1
The Sable Company are the marines and air force for Korvosa, so Halfik will be a bit different than the other members, but would be accepted since he would be more than capable of amphibious assault. Also, we haven't had much interaction with the Sable Company in the story so far, so we have plenty of wiggle room with the specifics of the Sable Company.
I'll be traveling for work Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I should be able to post in the evening during that time, but will wait til I get back on Friday to read through the applications one last time.
Krila - a raptor would be fine. There are marshes, mountains, grassy plains, and forest all within 100 miles of Korvosa, so anything that would come from there is perfectly reasonable. Bestiary says axe beaks live in the praries or mountain plateaus, so that is fine too.
Dave - a melee build would probably be more useful to the party, we have two ranged and one melee at the moment.
Kaddoc - your character looks great. I'll give the crunch a read through shortly, but the background and contacts will fit the campaign well.
As long as Krila has a good reason for having an ostrich in Varisa, it could work. It would be fairly unusual since it looks like they are from Osirion. The rest of your background sounds like it will fit well with the campaign. As you mentioned, there are certainly plenty of devils in Cheliax, and there are many Chelish in Korvosa as it used to be a Chelish city. Queen Ileosa is in fact Chelish herself. There are also a decent number of enslaved halflings in Cheliax.
Cressida does like working with 'independent contractors,' if you will, and would certainly hire/pay/work with someone like Krila off the record. I see a couple of options, or maybe you have some things in mind yourself. Maybe Krila got sick during the plague, and Cressida laid her off or asked her to retire so that she could rehire her off the books. Maybe a friend or family member of Krila's got sick or died during the plague, making Krila want to get away from Korvosa, so Cressida requests that she scout outside the city for a change. Or maybe Krila was hell-bent on revenge after she learned that blood veil was spread on purpose after she, a friend, or a family member got sick, so Cressida sent her outside the city so she couldn't cause too much chaos while she came to terms with the situation.
How does the halfling-tiefling combination work- is there a third-party supplement that explains? I haven't run across it before and would like to take a look before before giving the go-ahead.
Playing out the battle between Vimanda and Sivit... silly enough, as written, they actually can't harm each other easily since they both have DR, SR, and multiple attacks with one-handed weapons. After a lot of dice rolling and number crunching, here's how it shakes out.
Vimanda and Sivit square off in the small chamber of the Vivified Labyrinth. First, they circle each other, sizing up the other's defenses. Surprising Sivit, Vimanda lunges and lets loose a flurry of attacks that barely penetrate Sivit's thick hide. Finally, one lands deep in Sivit's flank, and she screeches in pain as black blood oozes out. But Sivit ignores the pain and finds an opening. Tail lashing and kukris flying nearly as quickly as Vimanda's, Sivit returns the attack. Although Vimanda is wearing only thin robes, she is blindingly fast, dodging many of Sivit's blows while others glance off of a blue force field shimmering around the raksasha. Finally, one of the kukris cuts deeply into Vimanda's leg.
The evil creatures go back to circling one another and repeating this strategy, each time coming away slightly more wounded. At first, they trade insults - Vimanda boasting of her abilities and superiority and Sivit demanding obedience, but after a few rounds, both are too breathless and focused on their duel to waste energy on words. At this point, Vimanda and Sivit are similarly bloody and wounded, covered in several deep, oozing gashes from each other's kukris.
Vimanda breaks the cycle, leaping backwards away from Sivit and pulling the javelin from her back in one smooth move. Once in hand, it crackles with white lightning. The instant Vimanda unleashes it, it dissolves into a bolt of lightning, blasting Sivit back on her lion-like haunches. Sivit pounces at Vimanda, her hair singed and smoking. But Vimanda is ready and bashes Sivit in the forehead with the handle of her kukri. Not prepared for this, Sivit drops her own blades, providing Vimanda an opportunity to land several devastating stabs. As Sivit reaches for her dropped weapons, Vimanda thrusts her blade in for the kill, and finishes off the dark sphinx.
From witnessing the fight, you notice that Vimanda is inhumanly fast, seeming to know exactly where Sivit's blows will land, and her demonic hide is able to absorb some of the impact from her opponent's kukris. Although she is not armored, some sort of force field shimmers around her, blocking other blows Trey and Lantressa have seen enough magic to know it is a shield spell. Vimanda does not seem particularly strong - her advantage comes from being nimble. Panting heavily from the exertion, she complains "You could have helped me," laying her fox ears back in annoyance at your lack of assistance. She grins wickedly and turns around to go for the door. "Not that I needed you. Now we go find Vencarlo."
Neolandus, Cephelo, and Typhon glance at Trey and Lantressa to make sure they are ready.
You get a surprise round since Vimanda is not expecting your ambush.
I will DMPC Cephelo and Typhon. Neolandus will also help out - it is helpful that Typhon visited the Seneschal's apartment earlier and found his bow and quiver.
Did you want to cast any buff spells or anything while watching? It would take several rounds to get to this point.
Loot: Sivit had two +1 kukris, an amulet of health +4, and a ring of protection +2.
Good question about the end portion of the adventure path. As written, the Curse of the Crimson Throne books take the PCs out of Korvosa for two books. I don't like that approach, since the AP focuses on saving the city and/or taking care of Queen Ileosa. I've found ways to work some of the content into or nearer to Korvosa, as well as good info from other DMs outlining new material that takes place within the city. The current players are on board with this approach, so we will be going that route.
To actually answer your question, since there will be some outdoor encounters, the hippogriff will be just fine in those. There may be some indoor combats where it can't fly, but the hippogriff should be able to fit inside most places. Basically, I won't penalize you for taking one, though there will be some encounters where you might not be able to fly or use all 100 ft. of movement.
I'm fine with removing the ranger prerequisite of the feat allowing only rangers to having a hippogriff companion and making it available to any class who can have a companion. Hunters and beast master cavaliers would fit very well. Other classes, like a druid, would be okay, but some background would be necessary to explain why they are dedicated to the Korvosan Guard. If there's some other way to get one as an animal companion, that works too.
I am looking for two to three party members to join my Curse of the Crimson Throne campaign. Currently, we are towards the end of Book 3, Escape from Old Korvosa.
As such, it is VERY IMPORTANT that your character wants to save Korvosa from the terrible things that are happening . You do not need to be best friends with the other party members, but should feel compelled to work with them for the greater good of the city. I've posted several potential connections and hooks below. Also think about what a level 9 character might be doing in Korvosa. You are probably not just a farmer, or a brand new guardsman, or an initiate at one of the churches. Please read the Player's Guide as an introduction.
***Caution! Major Curse of the Crimson Throne spoilers ahead!***
Short campaign summary (Spoilers inside!):
A few months ago, Korvosa's King Eodred Arabasti II died from illness. It wasn't surprising, seeing as he was more than eighty winters old. In the aftermath, his wife, the twenty-two year old Chelish Ileosa Arabasti took his place. When riots, violence and arson became rampant, and nearly started a war with a tribe of visiting Shoanti barbarians, the Queen instituted the order of the Gray Maidens to help the Korvosan Guard, Sable Company, and Hellknights police the streets. Soon after, it was discovered that a beautiful young painter named Trinia Sabor had poisoned King Eodred during one of their private sessions together. Trinia was captured, and Queen Ileosa set the stage to have the girl publicly executed. But the folk hero Blackjack jumped in and saved Trinia, carrying her away to parts unknown.
Life in Korvosa went back to normal for a few months until people began contracting a strange disease marked by a fever, coughing, and disgusting red pustules that gave it the name 'blood veil.' Queen Ileosa responded quickly by forming a medical team known as the Queen's Physicians, led by Dr. Davaulus, to treat the plague. Korvosa's temples were stretched to the limit and many died from the ravages of the plague. Yet a lone hero calling himself the Owl snuck into the Queen's Physicians main treatment center and uncovered the truth. Dr. Davaulus was no healer. He and his minions were spreading blood veil in honor of the goddess of undeath and disease, Urgathoa. Many were rescued from the hospital by the Owl, and the Doctor and his Physicians were publicly executed. A young priestess of Sarenrae brought the temples of the city together to collaborate on a cure, and with her own knowledge, teamwork, and Dr. Davaulus's files, found one and saved thousands of lives.
Yet strange things are still happening. First, shortly thereafter, Old Korvosa (map of Korvosa available in my signature) was been quarantined, and no one is permitted to enter or leave, separating families and cutting off important businesses. And the Gray Maidens, anonymous in their red-plumed helmets that cover their faces and identical gleaming silver armor, preventing anyone from breaking the quarantine. They grow bolder by the day, harassing innocent Korvosans for minor offenses.
Second, Korvosa's Seneschal, Neolandus Kalepopolis went missing at the same time King Eodred died. Does he have something to do with the King's death? Knowledge of Korvosa's politics tell you that only the Seneschal has the power to remove Korvosa's monarch from office. Yet a third strange event occcurred just this morning. Queen Ileosa made a public announcement, where she shockingly pronounced a wizard named Togomor as the new seneschal, breaking several laws, and devastating those who suspected that Marcus Endrin, Commandant of the Sable Company to succeed Seneschal Kalepopolis. Her next decree gave the Gray Maidens even greater powers and hinted that any woman of the city might be drafted to fill their ranks. And finally, she dissolved the Sable Company. At this, Commandant Endrin attacked Queen Ileosa, declaring that he would end her reign of evil. Yet even after he shot her in the temple with a crossbow, the Queen ripped the bolt from her forehead and used it to stab Endrin to death. The scene erupted into chaos, and the resulting riot was brutally quelled by the Gray Maidens.
Detailed version of Queen Ileosa's most recent declaration:
This morning, it was announced that Queen Ileosa would address the city in Eodred Square, normally a busy market in the heart of Korvosa. A wooden platform has been erected to hold several important guests. Breathtaking and intimidating in her suit of Gray Maiden armor, Sabina Merrin, Queen Ileosa's personal bodyguard, announces "Attention! Queen Ileosa Arabasti, First of Her Name, will be making a public address." The crowd applauds politely. Behind Sabina stands a hideous, fat mage clad in red robes, commander of the Korvosan Guard Field Marshall Cressida Kroft , and the commandant of the Sable Company Marcus Endrin, and rumored candidate for the position of Seneschal. Both the field marshall and the mage look calm and focused, but Endrin is ill-at-ease, alternating between staring at his feet and the crowd gathered before him. Sabina's face is expressionless, as if she is taking care to mask her emotions.
Queen Ileosa takes the stage, wearing a beautiful green robe that accentuates her green eyes and red hair. Gone is her daintly golden circlet worn at previous announcements. Upon her head is a strange crown of black spikes, reminiscint of the sharp teeth of a large beast. She speaks with confidence and conviction to the audience before her. "Citizens of Korvosa! I am pleased to inform you that we have triumphed over the plague! It is defeated, even with individuals like Doctor Davaulus thwarting our efforts at every step. As you well know, the Doctor was punished for his crimes against Korvosa. Yet our city remains wounded! We have no Seneschal to guide us. Therefore, I appoint the Wizard Togomor as Korvosa's new seneschal." The obese wizard steps forward, and bows, accepting a badge from Queen Ileosa and pinning it to his red robe. The crowd begins to murmur in dissent at this. It is well-known that only the Field Marshall can appoint a seneschal, who traditionally rises from the ranks of the Sable Company.
But the queen's magically enchanted voice drowns out the muttering. "Furthermore, the Hellknights of the Order of the Nail have shown their true colors and fled, like cowards. Worse, both the Korvosan Guard and the Sable Company have suffered terrible losses over the past weeks as a result of the blood veil plague. Neither group is fully capable of continuing as Korvosa's protectors, and thus, to shore up this fault, the Gray Maidens will serve as the new protectors of Korvosa. Sabina Merrin is offically appointed as the new General of Korvosa. Furthermore, as we will need more women to protect Korvosa, any able-bodied lady over the age of fifteen may be required to join the Gray Maidens, no matter her background or social standing. There is no greater honor than serving your community, and all recruits shall undergo training such that they can fulfill the duties of their stations." Ripples of concerned whispers spread through the crowd. Field Marshall Kroft looks simultaneously surprised and confused, but quickly surpresses her expression, while Togomor smirks. Commandant Endrin looks furious, doing nothing to hide his rage. Hesitantly, Sabina steps forward and bows, though only Field Marshall Kroft and Togomor applaud.
Queen Ileosa continues in her calm, decisive tone. "As such, the Sable Company will be dissolved and the remaining marines will be folded into the Korvosan Guard. Commandant Endrin, step forth and surrender your badge of office."
As Endrin does so, he trembles. He reaches for his badge, but instead of handing it over, he throws it at the queen, striking her in the ckeek with it. Everyone, including the queen, is shocked into paralysis for a few moments, long enough for Endrin to bellow out "Your shameful reign ends now! Korvosa will be free again!" An instant later, his crossbow is in his hands, aimed at the still-shocked queen. Endrin pulls the trigger. His aim is true. The crossbow bolt strikes Queen Ileosa in the temple.
Yet she does not fall.
With incredible speed, she regains her composure and yanks the bolt from her skull. Before the blood from the wound has time to run all the way down to her shoulder, she's standing before Endrin. Her free hand whips out and seizes him by the throat, lifting him off the ground as she holds him up for all to see. An instant later, she buries Endrin's own bolt between his eyes with a single powerful blow.
As Endrin's lifeless body crumples to the ground and Ileosa imperiously shakes his blood from her hand, she cries out in a strong, clear voice - "This shall be the fate of all enemies of Korvosa! Mark well his death! It is only the first!" A split second later, Togomor steps forward, taking Ileosa's hand. With a crack like a whip, they both vanish.
The resulting riot is quelled quickly and brutally by the Gray Maidens. Stunned and horrified, Field Marshall Cressida Kroft flees. Reluctantly, Sabina closes the visor of her Gray Maiden uniform to join her troops, but does not draw her sword.
Potential character connections:
Sable Company. The Sable Company Marines patrol Korvosa's air and waterways. They do not answer to the monarch of Korvosa, but to the Seneschal. They defend the skies and waterways of Korvosa and provide aerial and amphibious support to the Korvosan Guard. The hot-headed Commandant Marcus Endrin led the Sable Company up until recently. What will happen to the Sable Company now that Endrin is dead? Perhaps you are a member of the Sable Company. Will you lead the Sable Company to join forces with the Korvosan Guard? Will you use your Marines to combat the Queen? Or will you strike out alone to revenge your fallen commander yourself? Most martial classes would fit well here, as well as those with an animal companion.
Korvosan Guard. The Korvosan Guard serves the city of Korvosa first, the government second, and the church of Abadar third. They maintain order in the city, mainly acting as a police force, but turning into a military organization whenever the city is threatened by external forces. Field Marshall Cressida Kroft reports directly to Queen Ileosa and is walking a very fine line between obeying the Queen's brutal orders and protecting the innocent people of Korvosa. Their relationship has become tenuous recently as the Field Marshall's concerns about the city's welfare combat the Queen's views of the rigid law and order that should be enforced. Those close to Cressida know that she is doing everything in her power to keep what authority she can in order to block the Queen's evil edicts. Perhaps your character is a high-ranking member of the Guard. Also a good background for martial characters, as well as rogues, investigators, and similar.
Shoanti Nomad. The indigenous Shoanti tribes live in the grasslands surrounding Korvosa. The seven tribes rarely see eye to eye, but the sages of all the tribes agree upon one thing. A great evil is awakening in Korvosa, and the Shoanti are the ones destined to stop it. Although each story differs, ancient lore tells that Korvosa was once at the heart of Shoanti territory, and that the Shoanti were tasked with keeping watch over something powerful. Some say it is a great dragon. Others say a sleeping god, a dormant artifact, or a portal to Hell. The time has come for the watch to resume and the Shoanti to return to Korvosa. This background works well for barbarians, spontaneous casters like sorcerers, oracles, or characters with a connection to the wilderness.
Academae Associate. Korvosa's magical training school, the Academae, is world-renowned for its summoners and other arcane spellcasters. Until now, the extremely talented but petty Headmaster Toff Ornelos was neutral on the matter of Queen Ileosa's rule. He reasoned that closing the Academae's gates would protect his staff and students from anything going on in the city and they could continue their magical research unimpacted. Until Queen Ileosa appointed Togomor, the head of the Evocation department as Seneschal. This enraged Headmaster Ornelos. He alone built the Academae to be the most renowned conjuration school in Golarion. And yet, either the Queen has enchanted Togomor into her service, or he has turned traitor on his alma mater! And Queen Ileosa was wearing a strange crown that emitted strong magical auras at her most recent announcement. He insists that one of his premier instructors or researchers (that being you) find out what is going on. This background works well for any spellcasting class.
Gray Maiden victim. The Gray Maidens are now the de-facto military guardians of Korvosa. Daily, they grow bolder, harassing innocent Korvosans for minor offenses. Perhaps you witnessed the Gray Maidens beating someone in the street. At night, maybe you, or a friend or family member were caught out past curfew and saw one of the unearthly creatures that they use during their nightly patrols. Did a woman in your life go missing unexpectedly? Or did the Gray Maidens knock on their door, drafting them into service despite all protests? All of the women from the Gray Maidens must come from somewhere... it begs the question of where they are recruited and how they are trained. This background would work for any class.
Blood veil victim/ survivor. Thousands died during the blood veil plague. Hundred were sent to the Hospice of the Blessed Maiden for 'treatment,' where it turns out that Doctor Davaulus and his physicians were performing gruesome experiments on the patients in the name of Urgathoa, goddess of disease and undeath. Although it is never spoken openly, rumors abound that Queen Ileosa actually hired Doctor Davaulus to start the plague. He was, in fact, her childhood doctor. Gray Maidens provided security inside and outside of the hospital. Perhaps you, or one of your friends or family was a victim of blood veil or escaped the Hospice and know of the evils that went on within. You shudder to think of what Queen Ileosa might do if she had even more power over the city. This background would work for any class.
If you don't like any of these... Let me know what you are thinking for a character concept, and we can work something else out.
Character creation rules & house rules:
Characters start at level 9
20 point buy
Full wealth by level for a ninth level character
Choose 3 traits, read the spoiler below for reasons
Climb and swim are combined into the athletics skill. Armor check penalty still applies
Each character gains one extra skill point at each level for a profession or craft skill. This should support something from your character's backstory.
Any core or featured races from the Advanced Race Guide are permitted (though I need a good background that explains why, for example, a tengu or catfolk is living in Korvosa
Any class available in the official Paizo PRD is permitted, including APG, Ultimate Combat, Ultimate Magic, and Advanced Class Guide. I don't have Pathfinder Unchained yet, so let me know if that is something you are interested in and we can discuss.
Traits (COTC spoilers inside!):
Our intrepid heroes put an end to Gaedren Lamm's horrific child abuse and labor schemes mentioned in the player's guide months ago. Therefore, the traits based around him are no longer applicable. Choose three traits that fit with your character.
Your character submission should also include the following:
Brief physical description
Background describing your character's life and personality
Three contacts and/or relationships your character may have. This could include family members, friends, enemies, aor positive or negative relationships with organizations, like churches, taverns, professional guilds, Korvosan Guard, or whatever is appropriate for your character's background. I want to know who your character knows in Korvosa and how they get along or don't get along. There are several suggestions in the player's guide, or let me know what type of character your PC would like to know and I can provide guidance as well.
Our current party consists of Trey Merosa, Cleric of Sarenrae, who developed the cure for blood veil, Lantressa Darksong, courtesean and sorceress extrordinaire, and Typhon B'ru, a quiet half-elf rogue who has some secrets up his sleeves.
I know this seems like a lot! Post or PM me with any questions. If you have an idea and would like to flesh it out together, or get more details on a certain aspect of the story, let me know. For example, if you want to play a Shoanti character, I can provide more details about their clans and legends.
Applications will be open for one week - until 5pm on Friday, June 5, Eastern Time. Later that evening, I will post my decisions.
Got it! First, I will post to recruit some more players. If I have time tonight, I will also resolve the fight between Vimanda and Sivit. They are both similar CRs and fairly tough, so it might take awhile (both have multiple attacks and damage reduction). As soon as this fight is over, you'll be level 9!
Raksasha are nearly universally evil. They are natural shapeshifters and are very tough, being resistant to many types of physical and magical damage. They tend to have some spellcasting abilities.
Dark sphinxes are resistant to some types of physical damage, as well as elemental damage. They have limited spellcasting.
I will roll out what happens in the battle. Up to Trey and Lantressa to stay or run.
Round 1
Vimanda points two fingers at Sivit, sending two jets of flames at Sivit. Both rays blast her squarely in the chest, but Vimanda seems disappointed at the diminished effect. Vimanda hangs back, teeth bared at the dark sphinx.
Sivit leaps at Vimanda. "You will obey!" Her eyes gleam red in the dim light, long black claws rake at Vimanda's unarmored body, and her bony tail whips around at Vimanda's face. But Vimanda is unnaturally fast, dodging all three of Sivit's attacks. The dark sphinx and raksasha square off against each other, Neolandus and the party all but forgotten in the heat of battle.
You are still welcome to jump in and talk, you wouldn't have been able to prevent the fight. Though you are welcome to convince the group to do one thing or another. Knowledge: planes for the dark sphinx. Vimanda hinted it was some sort of summoned devil or other type of evil guardian.
Or you can do as Lantressa suggested in the discussion thread and take the opportunity to run away! Up to you guys.
I'm sorry to hear that, Cephelo. I'm glad you were able to join us for awhile. If things turn around, you're welcome to rejoin us. Thank you for taking the time to share that and not just vanishing.
---
I'd like to thank Trey for pointing out that you guys should be level 10 by the end of this adventure, which you are relatively close to at this point. That's 100% my fault. I suggest jumping to level 9 at the end of this fight, and then level 10 at the end of the adventure, unless you have other suggestions.
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So a couple of questions/ thoughts. With Cephelo leaving, that brings us down to three or maybe even two players. I PM'd Typhon last week, but haven't heard back. He could still be in the process of moving and getting internet set up. Please weigh in - this game is about you guys having fun and developing the characters you've made. If people aren't having fun, then what can we do to make the game enjoyable? Do you want to continue the campaign? If so, there are a few ideas/options. Let me know what you think, or have some ideas of your own.
Option 1: Recruit more players. I will require applicants to have a background specifically related to the story and would give some options for how/why they want to save Korvosa.
Option 2: Continue with 2-3 players. I can tune the combats down, or turn up the amount of gold/magic items to make this possible.
Option 3: Roleplay/ speed up the remainder of the story. If you are curious to know what happens during the rest of the story, I can accelerate it, remove combats, and focus on key combat encounters and roleplaying scenes so your characters can experience the major points of the story.
Option 4: This could go along with any of the other options. The next two books take the PCs out of Korvosa, which I feel doesn't fit well with the theme of saving the city from Queen Ileosa's destruction. I've found info from other DMs on how to keep the party in Korvosa while still working on overthrowing the queen. This method could potentially allow individual party members to go on some solo missions to work towards that end goal, or could continue as a group if preferred.
The door to the north slams open. Near the eerie murals of dismembered humans, emerges Sivit, the dark sphinx. Her body is that of a powerful lioness, four clawed legs scratching on the stone floor, and a bony tail lashing behind her. Her midsection is that of a falcon or other bird of prey, complete with gray feathered wings. Her upper body is vaguely human, each hand gripping a wicked-looking kukri, though curled horns sprout above her ears. Her red eyes glow as she glares at each of you. In a low, gravely voice, she demands "Vimanda Arkona. You will return the prisoner Neolandus Kalepopolis to his cell at once. The rest of you will leave the Vivified Labyrinth."
Drawing her own kukris, Vimanda smiles. "Make me." Sivit shrieks in rage, ready to charge the disobedient raksasha.
Using the same initiatives I rolled earlier and adding Sivit. Round 1: Lantressa, Cephelo, Typhon, Vimanda, Trey, Sivit.
1d20 ⇒ 9
I will be away this evening, but will be back tomorrow evening to post.
"Doesn't my Korvosa sound exciting?" Vimanda looks pleased, her lips curling in a smile to reveal her pointed teeth. "We could have the most beautiful clothes and jewelry, and spend as much time together doing whatever we wish, eating, drinking, or just enjoying one another's company," she says, raising an eyebrow suggestively at Lantressa. "And as soon as we get bored, we can change it however we'd like. Or take over a new city." Vimanda is eager to talk about her plans for the city.
When Lantressa asks about the dark sphinx, Vimanda shakes her head. "No, Sivit serves only to guard the dungeon, and its prisoners. And she serves Glorio, since he is head of the household. If she finds out you are trying to take Neolandus away, she'll attack. She won't hesitate to attack me if she thinks I'm helping you. Once we kill her, we will go free Vencarlo and then kill Glorio." She says without a trace of doubt that you will follow her plan.
Neolandus remains silent while Vimanda brags about her vision for the city, though he looks furious at her idea of a perfect Korvosa. "I've never heard of a dark sphinx," Neolandus answers. "We should kill the sphinx and then decide what to do. It sounds very dangerous and could slaughter any one of us if we aren't careful" he says, glancing at Vimanda, as if wishing it might take care of the raksasha.
Just giving everyone a chance to chime in before continuing. I sent Ty a PM to make sure everything is OK.
Vimanda laughs, pleased at Lantressa's compliment and questions. She is quite willing to talk, especially about herself. "Why thank you. But no, I am not a kitsune or a werefox, I am a raksasha. Many of us have the heads of tigers or lions, but the beauty and cleverness of the fox suits me well."
She continues with confidence, stating her view as if it were not a question of your obedience, but a fact. "I will shed some light on our current circumstances, and you will see things my way. With your help - and Neolandus's - we will get rid of Queen Ileosa. I don't need to remind you of the horrible things she has done to ruin Korvosa. When I sit on the Crimson Throne, Korvosa will become a wealthy place, supplying all of the fun and pleasures you can imagine. Fine foods and wines, operas, art, games, balls, and tournaments. Whatever your heart desires. But Neolandus, it is you holding us back. You know the secret to Queen Ileosa's sudden manifestations of power. All you have to do is tell me, and I will release you so that you can complete your official duties as Seneschal to put an end to her reign." She smiles sweetly at the Seneschal.
Neolandus glances at Trey, more confident when he notices her determined expression. Gruffly, he says "Your Korvosa is filled with drug dens, gambling halls, and who knows what other manner of evil. How long would you have tortured me if these brave souls had not rescued me?"
Before Vimanda can respond, the cave-like room rotates again although no one is near the lever. Vimanda's startled expression quickly shifts to annoyance as she changes the subject. "Sivit is coming for us." she growls in explanation. "Sivit is Glorio's pet dark sphinx. She guards the Vivified Labyrinth and will be here in a few minutes. We can either kill her, or leave. Whatever magic binds her here forbids her from setting foot outside the Labyrinth. She's almost as deadly as I am, wielding a kukri in each hand, spitting poison and lashing out with her spiked tail."
If you want to continue talking/stalling before Sivit arrives, that's an option too!
Trey:
Vimanda's fox-headed form did not fully make sense to Trey, until she identified herself as a raksasha, hedonistic fiendish creatures bent on collecting power and wealth through manipulation and deceit. As Vimanda explained, though raksashas typically have the head of a great cat, like a lion or tiger, other types do exist.
If there is a particular tidbit of information Trey would like to recall, such as their weaknesses, offensive abilities, defenses, spells, etc, let me know and Trey will remember that.
DC 19 knowledge: planes to recall facts about a dark sphinx.
"Clever girl, Lantressa." In a puff of smoke, "Vencarlo" vanishes, and in his place stands a tall, graceful woman with red-brown skin. Lantressa recognizes her as Vimanda Arkona, though her human head is replaced by that of a fox!
The fox-headed woman speaks perfect Common, despite her pointed snout. She smiles, revealing a fox's sharp white teeth. Confidently, she continues, her sultry feminine voice matching her form. "Maybe I cannot convince you I am Vencarlo Orisini. But I know we can reach a bargain. I will lead you to the real Vencarlo and show you the hidden traps of this place. In return, you will help me kill Glorio. Afterwards, you shall all go free to do as you please, great friends of House Arkona." She sidles towards Cephelo, winking suggestively after the word friends.
Her tone still amiable, Vimanda adds "Should you choose not to accept my offer, I cannot let you leave and spread the secrets of House Arkona."
DC 20 Kn: Planes to identify what Vimanda Arkona is. Picture of Vimanda in the encounter map.
In case you choose to attack, here are the initiatives: Lantressa, Cephelo, Typhon, Vimanda, Trey.
Trey:
If Trey is still detecting evil, Vimanda is still radiating a strong evil aura.
Lantressa detects evocation magic emanating from both Vencarlo's kukri and javelin. She also detects transmutation and abjuration magic coming from Vencarlo himself.
"We can figure this out later! Let's go take care of Lord Arkona, then we can talk." Vencarlo says earnestly, heading towards the lever with the rune on it. "Here, I can disable this thing so we can get out of here.
Trey detects a strong evil aura emanating from Vencarlo. She does not detect any other evil presences. He watches her tap the staff against the stone floor, but says nothing.
Vencarlo chuckles at Lantressa's question, shaking her hand firmly. "Ha! And what reason do you have to trust Glorio Arkona? How do you know he didn't send you down here to die, to be poisoned or driven insane by one of his traps? Or disembowled by the sphinx he bound into his service to protect his lair?" Vencarlo asks confidently. "Trust me. I can tell you much about this place."
Neolandus shakes his head, exasperated at the delay. Softly he says "One of the Arkonas is evil. But which? What game are they playing at?" More loudly, so that Vencarlo can hear, he asks "Vencarlo, where is your rapier? I've never known you to go without it."
Patting the handle of the kukri, Vencarlo answers "Lord Arkona must have it, hidden away somewhere. This kukri and javelin are all I've found to defend myself since he threw me in here."
As you deliberate over your next move, the room unexpectedly rotates again, continuing in a clockwise direction. The opening behind you, where you came from, vanishes to be replaced by another hallway. Uneasily, Neolandus voices his concerns. "None of us touched the lever. So it must be someone else in the dungeon. But is it Vimanda Arkona or Vencarlo?"
The walls of this oddly shaped hallway are decorated in a complex mural depicting a jungle brimming with hungry life. Predators of every sort stalk and maim and feed on dozens of hapless men and women. In the canopy above, monkeys, snakes, and birds seem to chatter and mock the victims below.
From the area beyond the mural, you hear a door open. "Hello?" Even if you had never met Vencarlo Orisini, this tall, graceful man must be him. Thin as a whip, Korvosa's premier fencing master rounds the corner, holding a kukri at the ready, and has a javelin slung over one shoulder. His long pale hair is messily tied back, and his tattered leather armor is filthy. "Thank heavens! You've found me in this wretched dungeon. And Neolandus! You're alive! I can hardly believe I'm alive myself after Lord Arkona threw me in here to die."
Cephelo and Lantressa, Vencarlo is a popular enough
figure that it is certainly plausible that you've met him before. He is also active in political circles, and is one of the most vocal critics of the city government.
1d20 ⇒ 17
Typhon, Trey, anyone else who knows Vencarlo:
You find it odd that Vencarlo is wielding a kukri and javelin in place of the rapier and throwing knives normally at his side.
Typhon:
Having known Vencarlo quite well from your time at the fencing academy, you are surprised that he only greets Neolandus by name, and not you.
EDIT - Lantressa posted just as I was typing this up, so updated to answer her question.
Lantressa finds that only the rune on the lever is magical. The levers themselves seem to operate mechanically, though some sort of power source must be involved somehow to turn the enormous stone rooms of the dungeon.
Lantressa detects a strong aura of enchantment magic emanating from the rune on the lever.
Trey examines the magical symbols as well. "I've seen runes like this before. They're keyed to only let those who meet certain conditions use them. For example, only those faithful to Sarenrae, or only humans, or only people named Cephelo can touch it without being harmed. But I don't know what it will do, and I don't know what the conditions are," she admits.
The lever slips easily into the opposite position. Immediately, the alcove behind you vanishes behind a wall of solid rock. Being caught between the two rooms when the lever was pulled would be very dangerous, and someone could end up smashed between the rooms. You notice that the lever you pulled is locked into its current position for about a minute before it can be used again. Typhon suspects he might be able to unlock the lever early by fiddling with some of the pins and gears inside of the mechanism.
A few seconds later, a new chamber appears. This simple room contains a door and a lever. This lever is identical to the one you just pulled, except for the glowing blue magical rune inscribed on the handle.
The Seneschal disappeared around the same time King Eodred died. He spent most of his time at the castle, so it is unlikely that you met him. Like Ty said, you saw him in the scrying, or DC 15 Knowledge: Local or Knowledge: Nobility to recognize him.
Trey find that Neolandus is suffering from cuts and bruises, and could use a small amount of healing. A cure light wounds will get him to full health.
Taken aback, Neolandus takes his bow and quiver from Typhon. "Yes, you're right. We can talk more later." He looks both surprised and relieved. Slinging the bow over his shoulder, he follows you to the double doors leading into the Vivified Labyrinth.
Opening the door, you find two statues standing in alcoves to either side of the doors. One depicts a tiger-headed man, the other, a fox-headed woman. Their arms are wide, as if to usher visitors forward into the room beyond. Here, two alcoves adorn either side of the otherwise empty room. In one alcove, a long lever with an ebony handle protrudes from the wall.
Investigating the walls, you notice a slight gap in the floors, wall, and ceiling between the two sets of alcoves. If what Glorio Arkona told you is true, pulling the lever should rotate a section of the room to provide access to other sections of the labyrinth.
"A pleasure to meet you, Lantressa. As I said, I am Velek," Neolandus lies. He listens to Lantressa's story with interest, but says only "Yes, I didn't expect... this... from Lady Arkona." He gestures at the array of torture instruments. It's obvious that he's holding something back, not telling the entire reason he is here. "Are you friends of Vencarlo as well?" Although Neolandus attempts to hide his curiosity, it's clear that he wants to learn more about you before speaking freely.
"I suspect Vencarlo is in the labyrinth itself. This is only a torture chamber, where I can't kill myself by stumbling into a trap. The room to the west is where the torturer lived, when she wasn't abusing me."
Investigating the room to the west, it is as Neolandus said. The small room contains only a narrow bed, a stool, and a table, none appear to have been used in some time.
The man who is Seneschal Neolandus Kalepopolis, but is calling himself Velek the Thief, winces as Lantressa loosens his restraints. Once freed, he sits on the edge of the rack, rubbing his wrists and ankles, which you notice are bruised and rubbed raw, likely from previous time spent in the torture device. "Thank you. I don't know how to thank you for saving my life, and killing this creature that tortured me. But there is another man trapped here, my friend, Vencarlo Orisini, who we must save too. I will fight by your side, if you have any extra weapons to spare. And perhaps some clothing," he says with a faint smile, gesturing at the grimy rags he is wearing.
Taking a look at his rescuers, he asks "Are you prisoners of the Arkonas as well?"
The holy burst ends the beatific one's life. She falls to the ground, her arms and legs twitching and kicking for a moment before falling still beneath her silken robes. Inspecting her body, you find she wields a +1 longsword, a +1 spear, a +1 kukri, a +2 cloak of resistance, and a set of keys.
From the rack, the shackled man, who you recognized as the missing seneschal groans. He attempts to raise his head to look at you, but the leather bands and shackles of the torture device hold him fast. He is dressed in filthy rags, his face slick with sweat, and his hair matted and grimy. "Please let me out. My name is Velak. I was captured by the Arkonas for robbing a merchant under their protection, and imprisoned here."
Typhon's enlarged dagger skewers the many-armed woman, right where he would expect a kidney to be. Although her anatomy is different than a human's, a gush of blood sprays from the wound. "If you kill me, I will at least take one of you with me!" she shrieks in frustration, unable to dodge Typhon's attacks.
Typhon takes advantage of the enemy's blindness to sneak around behind it, such that he and Cephelo could surround it.
Ty double moved to get into flanking with Cephelo.
Focusing on Cephelo's position, the many-armed being launches a flurry of blows in his direction with her sword, spear, and kukri. She strikes swiftly, but several of her attacks swish harmlessly above Cephelo's head, while he easily dodges others. She only manages to land one blow with her sword against him. Cephelo takes 8 dmg from one attack before any DR.
The beatific one hears the swish of Cephelo's axe cutting through the air, but cannot pinpoint his location. His blow strikes home, axe biting into her robed body.
Round 1 initiative - just Typhon left, then Round 2!
"Nooo!" The beatific one wails in pain as the holy light sears her unearthly flesh and blinds her! All three faces frantically attempt to look all around the room, but the beatific one is unable to see her foes. "Where are you? I will slaughter every last one of you!"
She will take a penalty to AC and all opponents are considered to be concealed to her (50% miss chance). I'll factor that in when you attack her and when it comes her turn to attack you.
Opening the door to the east of your current location, you find that this large room is lit by a heartily burning fire pit in the room’s center. Cages hang on chains dangling from hooks in the ceiling, while racks, strappadoes, gibbets, and other implements of torture fill the floor space. A pair of immense wooden doors stand in the wall to the north, while to the south stand several narrow cells.
A tall, feminine figure stands over a torture device at the opposite end of the room. Her golden tanned skin and well-formed curves, suggest years of activity and work toward physical perfection. Beneath her diaphanous robes, the creature’s legs cross over one another, while six arms—two facing toward her back— wave in a continuous dance. Three fanged heads sit atop a sturdy neck. One is paying close attention to her task - strapping a man with black hair, peppered with gray, into a stretching rack. The man is sobbing and crying for release.
Her other two heads study every direction, immediately noticing your entrance. She draws a long, curved ceremonial sword with two hands, a spear in a third hand, and a kukri in the fourth. One of the fanged faces frowns at you. "Pitiful gnats! You dare interrupt my work?" With a wave of her hands, the six-armed woman's outline blurs, making it difficult to tell her exact position.
She cast blur, giving everyone a 20% miss chance against her. Feel free to roll it yourself if you'd like, rolling 1-20 means that you miss.
Initiative order: Enemy, Cephelo, Lantressa, Trey, Typhon.Party is up!
Typhon and Trey:
Typhon and Trey recognize this room from their visit to the Academae. The wizard there showed you Seneschal Neolandus Kalepopolis being tortured in this very place. It is him that is being placed on the rack at this moment.
DC15 knowledge: local or nobility:
You immediately recognize the man being strapped to the stretching rack as Neolandus Kalepopolis, Korvosa's missing Seneschal.
Trey, anyone else DC 19 knowledge: planes:
The woman is a being known as a beatific one, a fiendish outsider who seeks physical and mental perfection through brutal combat and mastery of weaponry.
So here are the choices. I will post the order here, then I will roll 1d4 for which door you are going through in the next post.
1: Single door in the large cavern (northern door on slide 2)
2: double door in the large cavern where Typhon heard a faint sound as if something was moving on the tile floor (southern door on slide 2)
3: double door at your current location (northern door on slide 1)
4: hidden double door at your current location (eastern door on slide 1)
Please give some thought as to how you want to proceed through the rest of the dungeon, such as always turning right, or naming someone the leader during the dungeon crawl, or any other ideas you may have.
