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Congrats to everyone! Hope you had a good time. Sorry for my delay with posting. I've only had a split party once in a face-to-face game and it was an absolute disaster due to a disruptive/distracting player. I wanted to make sure I ran the split in the best way possible for everyone. So, if anyone has feedback on how I'm running the split, feel free to send it my way.
Each group is marked as a cross on the Korvosa map. Rebecca, Corwin and Wren, Roran and Azreal:
Of the remaining captives, the only one still conscious is the halfling. He opens his mouth to respond but his hard expression gives way to silent resignation to his fate. "No. I'm good. We won't give you any trouble." After heaping the half-orc's and the blond guy's unconscious bodies onto Azreal your little troop heads off. The nearest guard post is, luckily not all that far away (only a few minutes walk).
The walk passes by fairly uneventful. It's easy to avoid the other fires you see, which while they seem to thin out a little are still present in seemingly the whole city. Azreal luckily spotted a small group of cutpurses and informed the others before they got too close. Rebecca took point and went "full guard mode" causing the gang to run off into the shadows with nothing but a withering scowl. Upon reaching the guard post you find it running on a skeleton crew who, when they see you, quickly ready weapons or hide. "Stay back! Don't mess with the Korvosan Guard!"
He's not all that intimidating, especially with the amount of shaking in his voice and body alongside the small group of guards holding this post.
Kamilla, Pia and Young Guardsman: It's not long into your walk before the young guardsman speaks up, "Thank you for having me along, I'm Mattuen Salys. As a fair warning, the rioting gets more He pauses for a second collecting his thoughts energetic the more north you go." True to his word you notice riot fires and the sounds of conflict become more present all around you.
As the group nears a prominent crossroads a store bursts into flames and a small group of looters emerges from the shop. They quickly take notice of you three and begin to approach.
Seeing the figures illuminated by the flames behind Mattuen looks as if he's about to run but instead steels his expression and draws his sword. Shouting at the looters, "Vacate the streets! The Hell Knights are on their way and they aren't as forgiving as the Korvosan Guard." Panic spreads through the looters who turn tail and run. "Lets keep moving. Gods know whoelse is lurking in the streets." Your group reaches the large northern square in North Point. From here you can see there is significantly more smoke coming from Old Korvosa compared to the rest of the city. There are two main way into Old Korvosa from here. First is the stone Jeggrate Bridge, which is on the other side of Mainshore. The second is any of the wooden boardwalk bridges lining The Narrows.
Hey, all. Sorry for my delay, had a birthday this weekend and both sides of my family wanted to do separate somethings, so SOOO many hours were spent driving.
The young guardsman initially retreats at Pia's advance but quickly realizes her intent and lets her to her work, looking slightly defeated. "Thank you." He turns to Rebecca, a look of disbelief on his face, "Gaedrin Lamm? THE GAEDRIN LAMM?!?! ... Wow." Stammering for a moment, "Yes, I'll pass it along when I see him. I probably won't see him until tomorrow, because *he motions all around you all* of this."
As the group starts discussing splitting up, the young guardsman chimes in, "I'd also volunteer to go with whichever group Ms. Mavern doesn't go with so that both have a city guard presence."
Sense Motive DC 3: While this isn't a bad idea, it is pretty clear how scared and worried he is and that his suggestion is almost as much for your well-being's as it for his.
The young man looks a little shocked by everything but returns a shaky smile. "Thanks for the help. I needed that." Turning to Kamilla he says, still a bit in shock from everything, "King Eodred II passed away not more than an hour ago..." His head droops as he speaks. Looking back up, "Several vigils protesting the policies recently enacted under Queen Ileosa's guidance erupted when they heard. The chaos spread across the city like a plague after that." Corwin and Knowledge (Arcana) DC 15 -or- (Local) DC 20:
The Acadamae has a slew of magical defenses for emergency situations including an almost impenetrable magical barrier around the school, that effectively isolates it from the rest of Korvosa. It takes a use or two of his breath weapon but Azreal quickly douses the nearby flames.
As you all step into the open air you hear the clang of alarm bells drifting on the wind mixed with the smell of smoke. The chaos in the city is evident in the dark figures moving around a raging fire several blocks to the north along the riverfront. Perception DC 10 (Everyone):
Some of the figures seem to be looting a nearby building while the rest seem to be engaged in a brawl of some kind. Mixed with shouts and cries from across the city is the clang of metal on metal impacts and the occasional arcane detonation. Roran quickly mounts Azreal and launches into the sky. Glancing around you both see fires raging all across the city, shadows cast by the flames moving frantically, and the sounds of anarchy echoing up to your ears. Roran and Azreal Perception DC 15:
While fires rage all over the city there seem to be significantly less fires burning within The Heights and the closer you get to Old Korvosa the more fires there are. Many flocks of Sable Company Maries are flying all across the city, visibly overextended. Those on the ground see to be in a similar state of disarray. Roran and Azreal Perception DC 20:
The Acadamae, on the northern end of The Heights seems to have some kind of lightly glowing blue dome stretching from the top of its walls. As Roran and Azreal are flying a figure runs up to those left on the ground from the fire to the north, shouting, "Get inside, folks! It's not safe out on the streets!!!" As he gets closer you can see the young man is part of the Korvosan Guard, probably not in for more than a few weeks, with many bruises and bleeding wounds, the worst of which is a big gash across his left temple and forehead that is bleeding heavily.
Knowledge (Local) DC 15:
There are several festivals celebrated with widespread fires throughout Korvosa. Unfortunately, the closest one, Beltine or Firstbloom which takes place on the Vernal Equinox, is almost two months away. Rebecca (Because Nat 20 * blows a raspberry*): It does occur to you though that the political situation of the city has been teetering on edge lately with King Eodred Arabasti II's failing health.
Given a few minutes, and a quick search reveals no other people besides the ones previously encountered. In the south-western room you find a composite longbow propped against one of the beds along with 20 arrows. Roran: During the short flight you feel the familiar mental contact of Azreal but it's twinged with worry. I think there's a problem. There are fires burning across the city.
Corwin's Investigations:
-The Red Liquid filled vials might be healing potions but you have little confidence in that. There are definitely faint magic auras coming off of them, regardless. -The other vials are vials of acid. -The oil is an Oil of Keen Edge. -Detect Magic reveals a faint evocation aura but you're not sure what spell it contains. More testing will be needed. -The silver fluid is Silversheen. -The ivory figure has no magic aura or any discernable magic qualities. It is a fine art piece though. She takes the box Zellara's head was resting upon and opens it carefully. As the small box's lid creaks open, an aged yet artful and masterfully crafted deck of harrow cards is revealed. Even with the thin layer of dust on them, the artwork magnificently stands out. It strikes a familiar memory as it is an exact copy of the deck 'Zellara' used earlier in the night to perform your reading. After a little searching, you find that the cards that Zellara used to first contact you are all missing. A spark of arcane energy glows from the deck as the cards that each of you possesses glows with the same energy and with a flash, fly through the air and are reunited with the deck, the text on the back vanishing as well.
Works for me! I was about to propose something similar.
The wardrobe's and dressers are in a horrible state, with a mix of dry rot, rot and just general decrepitness there isn't much usable space to construct a trap. But giving it the careful look over Rebecca finds no traps. The box, while in better shape, ignoring the flies, is also not trapped. The Hat Box:
The lid effortlessly opens, unleashing many more flies which join the others buzzing in the air. Inside, sitting atop a smaller wooden box is a rotting severed head covered in crude and heavy make-up to cover up the decaying facade. While this is a bit disturbing in its own right, after a few moments, it gets worse, as you recognize the face. It's Zellara! Who you last left sleeping in her home not more than 3 hours ago before you came here to apprehend Lamm.
The strange mental pull you felt as you approached the hat box seems to be coming from the small wooden box under Zellara's head. Heal DC 10: Zellara's head is poorly preserved and, even through the heavy makeup and perfume, you can tell that her head has been sitting here for a few weeks.
Opening the ledger reveals pages cramped with text. While it is recognizable as Varisian it seems to be coded. It'll probably take a few hours of work to crack it. While locked, the rusted iron key effortlessly unlocks the strongbox. Inside are 13 small cloth pouches tied shut with string, each containing one of the following items: narrow teak cigar case, 2-lb. gold ingot bearing the Cheliax coat of arms, a scrimshaw karken with garnet eyes, a silver ring bearing the inscription "For Emmah-the light in my nights, a highly realistic and detailed ivory figurine of two entwining succubi, 1 mwk Shuriken, 1 Adamantine Arrowhead, mwk Dagger with a strange almost key shaped blade bearing the inscription "For an inspiration of a father", an abalone shell holy symbol of Shelyn, some kind of oil in glass tube, an obsidian wand, a silver fluid in a crystalline vial, and an exquisite bejeweled brooch with broken clasp. The broach is easily the most expensive and ornate object in the small treasure trove. The circular gold brooch depicts a house drake and an imp coiled around each other in an almost yin-yang pattern. The house drake's eye is an amethyst, while the imp's eye is an emerald. Rebecca and anyone else in or near the open door to Gaerdin's den, mentally feel a strange pull towards the hat box. Key-shaped Dagger: Knowledge (History -or- Local) DC 20:
The dagger resembles the daggers used and left behind at the crime scenes of the Key-Lock Killer, a notorious serial killer. The Key-Lock Killer would break into homes, quickly and gruesomely kill a select few inside, leaving the others sound asleep along with a sharpened key, and then locking the home back up as if he was never there. The killings ended around 15 years ago but he was never caught with no known suspects. Broach: Knowledge (Nobility) DC 15: This brooch belongs to Queen Ileosa Arabasti herself! It was stolen a few weeks ago when it was being sent to a jeweler to fix its clasp.
Rebecca finds the door to be locked but after quickly trying the keys unlocks it with the rusted iron key. Beyond the door is a foul-smelling room that seems to be a combination bedroom and study. A wooden bed with a lumpy mattress stands against the east wall, while a round table heaped with dirty plates, bread crusts, stained goblets, fruit rinds, and scuttling cockroaches sit nearby. At the foot of the bed sits a large strongbox; a slightly rusted lock secures it and a moldy ledger with pages rippled from moisture sits atop its lid. A sagging dresser filled with moth-eaten clothes well past their glory days is in one corner. What appears to be a wooden hatbox surrounded by a small cloud of flies sits atop this dresser.
Most of the items laying out are junk and have no value as evidence. Mixed in are seven palm-sized containers of a foul smelling paste. Hidden in one of the cabinets is a darkwood coffer. It's latched but not locked. Inside is 20 vials of a shimmering multi-hued liquid. Craft (Alchemy) or Knowledge (Local) DC 18:
The liquid is the
infamous drug Shiver. On the street the vials are worth about 25 gp a vial. Kamilla:
The instant you see the vials you recognize it as shiver. A part of you that you've buried deep inside screams to have one more hit of shiver. And while not easy, you can keep it under control, but only just. On Gaedrin's person you find a suit of finely crafted padded armor, a finely crafted dagger, a mwk hand crossbow, 7 crossbow bolts, a brass key just like the one you already have and a rusty iron key. You catch a strange smell coming from the mall walled off room. Rebecca, you did smell it before but, now that you have time to properly "sample" it, you think it smells like rotting meat and heavy perfume.
The chilling blue ray strikes home on Gobblegut leaving a very thin layer of frost on his scales as a crossbow bolt from Pia and a rapier stab from Rebecca hit home while Kamilla's arrow splashes in the water. Roran repositiones himself around the pool and readies his sword till the Croc launches out of the water. Feeling the pain in its back Gobblegut keeps his eyes on Pia and surges from the water towards her. Taking the moment Roran swings and catches Gobblegut solidly in the neck causing him to hit hard and fall limply against the edge walkway, still and unmoving. It doesn't take much to finish putting the Croc out of its misery.
Just waiting on Roran to take his turn.
Corwin expertly eludes Gobbleguts non-attempt to bite him as he flees. Kamilla's arrow sinks into Gobbleguts' hide. To the surprise of everyone, Rebecca dives headlong into the water and engages the croc in melee with her rapier. Rebecca: Perception DC 15:
Through the very murky water, you can make out the pylons that support the building. They have the pool where Gobblegut is blocked off from the rest of the river. Seemingly ignorant to Rebecca's presence Gobblegut rears-back to launch at Pia but doesn't get enough momentum to breach the surface enough to launch an attack. GM Things:
Gaedrin x/38 HP Gobblegut 13/33 HP Azreal 6/21 HP
As Gaedrin hobbles between Roran and Kamilla he turns at the last moment to lock eyes with Roran. His sword impacting hard with Gaedrin's neck sinking deeply into his chest with a spray of blood over Roran and Rebecca. Even as blood drains from Gaedrin and his breath hitches in his throat his eyes still have the gleam of life struggling, ineffectively, to hold on, until Pia's bolt pierces his heart. Gaedrin collapses into a lifeless heap.
GM Things:
Gaedrin X/38 HP Gobblegut 24/33 HP Azreal 6/21 HP Roran 12/13 HP| -1 STR
The ribbons of electricity surge through the water zapping Gobblegut severely. It turns its head towards Corwin. Pia's bolt flies wide as Kamilla's arrow impacts and releases a tiny surge of light. Rebeecca's rapier effortlessly slides through the light padding Gaedrin's clothes have. Roran's hate easily pushes through Gaedrin's defense. Gobblegut's eyes lock with Corwin as he surges forward breaching the surface but missing his intended target. Gaedrin doesn't take his eyes off Roran. "Think about what you're doing boy! I didn't kill her!" Gaedrin fires his hand crossbow at Roran but the bolt flies wide as he hobbles out from between them towards Kamilla and the door.
GM Things:
Gaedrin 4/38 HP Gobblegut 24/33 HP Azreal 6/21 HP
I'm glad to see you back!!! Was worried you weren't coming back or that something had happened to you. Catch up with what you missed as you can and it looks like you and Pia are the only two left who need to post this round. :D
I know I've PM'd him several times and haven't heard anything. I'm fine with leaving the spot open for his return, at least for a while. If we haven't heard anything by the time we reach the end of Edge of Anarchy I'll consider opening the spot up for a replacement. What do you all think?
Pia's crossbow bolt sinks into Gaedrin's shoulder pushing him out of the way of Kamilla's arrow and even deeper into Corwin's Ray of Frost. With an anger filled shout Roran rushes around and closes the distance with Gaedrin.
As Kamilla's arrow leaves her bow the crocodile surges from the water with is maw wide, but its lower jaw snags the walkway slamming its jaw shut safely away from Kamilla. Through chattering teeth, "Professor Corwin, after I feed you live to Gobblegut I'm going to take your daughter as my successor. She's the best of the Lamb's. Thank you so much for bringing her to me." he says with a sick grin. He raises his crossbow into Roran's face and fires. Roran tries and counter attack but his attack is interrupted by the crossbow bolt's impact. Gaedrin reloads the hand crossbow. GM Things:
Gaedrin 24/38 HP Gobblegut 33/33 HP Azreal 6/21 HP Roran 8/13 HP| -1 STR
Hey all, sorry for the delay. Lack of sleep, long work hours, and practices for an intense concert this weekend had taken their toll this last week, but I'm good now.
"Ah! Widow Verlaine! didn't expect to see you. How's that lovely husband of your's doing? ... OH WAIT! He died cold alone and facedown in the gutter! *Evil Laughing* That ring of his earned me a pretty pile of gold. To ba-" Gaedrins eyes grow wide and a huge (genuinely) happy smile crosses his face as he sees Roran enter. "Roran my boy! Finally decided to join my little enterprise?! Sorry about all that nasty business before. I bet that girlfriend of yours has a pretty scar." he says as he lightly traces along the side of his neck right over the jugular. Roran's face, grim and covered with shadows looks at Gaedrin, "No. It ends now." His eyes scanning the room, assessing his situation, "True, true, but I still have a few tricks up my sleeves!" Gaedrin shouts as he quickly pulls a handcrossbow out from a hidden pocket and fires it's bolt into the crocodile in the pit, eliciting it's enraged roar, and then reloads the crossbow.
Rebecca:
There don't seem to be any traps or hazards around, except the now angry crocodile.
GM Things:
Gaedrin 38/38 HP Gobblegut 32/33 HP Azreal 6/21 HP Roran 12/13|-1 Str
Stepping through the open door reveals the rest of the room. The air in this large room is chilly and stinks of the river, thanks to a huge opening in the floor that drops into the river below. Several pilings emerge from the waters to support the roof eight feet above the floor, with mossy ropes slung between them. In Two places, rusty manacles hang from the ropes over the water. Two five-foot wide walkways cross the hole to the other side of the chamber, where a collection of old cabinets, lockboxes, and piles of clutter are strewn about. Chipped porcelain plates, a cracked goblet, badly rusted silverware, an old wooden shield with a crossbow bolt embedded in it. the odd dinged helm, and other "treasures" litter the floor of this side of the chamber. Three tables heaped with clutter stand amid this mess. In the southwest corner, a wooden door provides access to a walled-off section. Swimming around the pool is a large crocodile, presumably Gobblegut. And standing ominously across the pit is the bent, jaundiced corpse of the man that is Gaedrin Lamm. He squints into the glowing Halo around Rabecca, You're that pesky Private Eye isn't you? I've never feed an angel-blooded to Gobblegut, I bet it'll be a nice treat." He says with a twisted malicious grin, which only got bigger when Kamilla enter's the room. "SOOO the prodigal daughter returns, here to pick up your old habit are we? *sick laugh* I always did enjoy our playtime. I should have more than enough in the back room... even with you astounding tolerance, Kamilla."
GM Things:
Rebecca finds no traps with the door but as she pushes it slowly open the hinges let out a loud squeak. From inside comes a loud snort followed by a dry hoarse voice, "Well Gobblegut, looks like our guests have finally arrived.*cough**cough* After 50 years, someone has finally caught me off guard With reluctance in his voice and cornered." with a quick glance in you don't get much, you can't see where or who the voice came from ,it's a large room with a big pool surrounded by a walkway near the door and there might be something in the far corner but to get a good look you'd need to enter the room.
Azreal and Roran shoot each other a look. Almost in unison "Yeah he/I can fly. He'll/I'll fly around and see it there's a way for him'me in." Roran creeps along behind Kamilla as Azreal flies out of the hole in the ships deck and around to the opening to the south.
I'm sorry to hear that too, Pia. I was hoping Roran would make an appearance this week, but I'll get things moving again today.
I'm sorry for your loss. There is no need to be sorry, take the time you need.
Walking slowly and keeping her eyes to the 'ground' Rebecca finds not traps or trips as she traverses the floating walkway. While the walkway will hold several people, you doubt that it will hold Azreal at all. The shark has disappeared into the murk. The 2 1/2 foot square door is locked but there is a lock which just might be fit by the brass key from the blonde man upstairs.
In 3-4 minutes, as long as no one walks out onto the walkway, the Jigsaw Shark swims away.
Knowledge (Nature or Local) DC 6:
The shark is a Jigsaw Shark, a native to these waters and known to hunt in both salt and fresh water. EDIT: Knowlwdfe (Local) would work too.
You don't find any traps and the door is unlocked. It swings open easily to reveal a narrow space beneath the fishery, with about three feet of space between the floor of the eastern side of the building and the languid foamy river water below. Wooden pilings support the building, and thick mats of moss and cobwebs hang from ropes and rusted chains between them. A wooden walkway floats on the river's surface, winding along the inner wall of pilings that supports the building's frame above. The walkway leads from the sodden ship to the east all the way west to a small two-and-a-half-foot door that leads into an understructure below the fishery's land-bound half. The pilings below the understructure are densely arrayed leaving only narrow gaps into the water below the area. Perception DC 8: Swimming in the water below you spot a blue colored shark covered in brown jagged jigsaw-puzzle-like blotches.
The spider is DED, dead!
Roran takes a swing at the last spider and upon contact it simply disintigrates into a fine mist. Azreal and Roran scan the ship's hold.
GM Things:
Spiders 8/x/x/x/x/8 HP Wren 6/6 HP Azreal 6/21 HP Roran 12/13 HP| -1 STR
Still here. I was just giving Roran time to post. If he doesn't by tomorrow morning I'll bot him to keep things moving.
No apologies necessary! I hope he gets well soon as well. Don't feel like there is a rush, take your time.
The last spider in the hold scuttles towards Roran and Azreal and Azreal's fangs dig into the drain spider's chitin but doesn't manage to kill it this time.
GM Things:
Spiders 8/x/2/x/x/8 HP Wren 6/6 HP Azreal 6/21 HP Roran 12/13 HP| -1 STR
"Thanks for the light Corwin!" Roran shouts up. One of the remaining spiders in the hold scuttles up to Roran but before it can sink its fangs into him or Azreal, Roran cleaves it in two. GM Things:
Spiders 8/x/8/x/x/8 HP Wren 6/6 HP Azreal 6/21 HP Roran 13/13 HP
Roran re-mounts Azreal and flies around to join the others on the ship. As they land near the bow of the ship the rotting wood gives way under Azreal's weight and they both plummit into the hold below.
Roran swings his falchion at the nearest spider and cutting it cleanly in two. Spured on by Roran, Azreal unleashes the fury of a dragon and taking the spider down with a single bite. GM Things:
Spiders 8/x/8/8/x/8 HP Wren 6/6 HP
Sounds fine with me.
Knowledge (Dungeoneering) DC 5 or Knowledge (Local) 7:
These are Drain Spiders, a common pest in Korvosa. Their poison is painful and saps strength from those afflicted with it. Corwin: The wand has 25 charges remaining.
GM Things:
Spiders 8/8/8/8/8/8 HP
Perception DC 8:
You see crawling amongst cobwebs a tiny multi-hued spider from which the chittering is coming from. There is also more chittering coming from down the staircase. Perception DC 12/14/19:
For each higher DC you meet you can hear an additional chittering coming from the hold. Wren simply hangs back by her father.
Rebecca doesn't find any traps but the door is locked. Disable Device DC 20 to open.
As the party walks out the dock slowly, the derelict ship, the Kraken's Folly comes into view. The rotten deck of this ancient sailing ship seems to be barely intact; its hull is worn and thick with seaweed and barnacles. The ship is held together primarily by the layers of old rope that lash it securely to the pilings that support the fishery and the nearby boardwalk. The rickety walkway leads along the ship's starboard, a foot below its railing, A single wooden door leading into the aft cabin bears a rude painting of a red fish on its surface.
Perception at the Door DC:10: You hear the soft chittering of something hard against wood. It's very small.
ID Potions: Spellcraft DC 15 or Perception DC 16(with a small sample):
All three are Potions of Cure Light Wounds. It is an easy job forcing Gruller into the cabinet and locking him in, he's indignant but is easily forced.
"Sure I can! I'll be brave just like you dad." Wren takes the dagger and gives it a few swings. It is obviously a bit big for her.
Inside the cabinet, you find, mixed in with an assortment of broken and dirty beyond imagining toys, six small pouches containing a variety of coins. Four have some amount of copper pieces and two have some amount of silver pieces. If you count them out,: you have 200 cp and 100 sp. |
