| SchalaZeal |
I started running the Curse of the Crimson Thrones adventure path last weekend for my group. I am converting it to 4th edition, which seems to be going well so far - the biggest issue I am having is converting the treasure over. This is our first real campaign in 4th edition (not enough time to play D&D) and we are planning to end the campaign around level 20.
This campaign is also being converted to run in Eberron. I have placed Korvosa in the Lhazaar Principalities slightly north of Q'barra, on the mainland of Khorvaire. I have not yet dealt with the fact that I need to flip the city around, since the map now has the ocean on the wrong side. I have made some modifications to the social structure of the city - namely that there is a Senate which chooses the new king when the old king dies. The Senate consists of voting members, nobles with the appropriate bloodlines that have won election in their districts, and non-voting members, nobles who have not won election. I am thinking of replacing the Hellknights with the Swords of Khaarn (a group of mercenaries drawn from the elite of Khorvaire who want to reconquer the mainland and restore the pure martial spirit to the monarchy) and saying that the Sable Marines are an elite unit of House Deneith.
As far as the characters in the group (I hope but doubt I will get these names correct):
Dhar is a Dwarf Great Weapon Fighter (wielding a great axe) who has found work as an engineer in Korvosa. He comes from the Mror Holds to the west. One of his apprentices was kidnapped recently and he has discovered that Gaedren Lamm is responsible. He has vowed to find Gaedren and free his apprentice. While he was going through a packet of papers relating to an upcoming project he was consulting on, he found a Harrow card representing The Keep: a lone castle set high upon a mountain-side, lashed by wind and rain in a storm filled sky, while an army of vague shapes menaces all sides.
Tuc is a Half-Orc Tempest Fighter who is also from the Mror Holds region, though from the wild countryside rather than an established town. He is currently working as a dock worker. He found a Harrow card representing The Bear, a huge animal that towers over a terrified looking man before it. Its muzzle and claws drip red with blood as it stands among a pile of corpses.
Hiei is an Elf Archer Ranger from Valenar, who has traveled north for adventure with his brother, who became addicted to shiver from a man named Gaedren Lamm. When Hiei found out, he vowed vengeance for his brother. He found a Harrow card representing The Dance wrapped around one of his arrows, a picture of two elves engaged in a lively waltz before a crowd of stunned and admiring onlookers. (As the player remarked after the first two cards were revealed - "I want a happy card".)
Deigo is a Deva (Aasimar) Invoker who worships the Silver Flame. His family originally came to Korvosa to spread the faith of the Silver Flame, but were not very successful. He found a Harrow card representing The Publican in a sealed envelope addressed to him in the mail; the card picturing a rotund and beaming man in a large smock standing behind a nice mahogany bar, three cups brimming with beer held by the handle in each outstretched hand. Around him, happy patrons sit talking, laughing, and drinking.
Lucan Stellos is a Human Dhampyr (Vampire) Artful Dodger Rogue. Originally hailing from Breland, he was forced to flee for his life after a misunderstanding that left him an outlaw and a vampire. He has managed to escape from the control of his vampiric master and has resigned himself to a life of helping those less fortunate than himself in Korvosa, attempting to stay away from the politics of the major powers of Khorvaire who might remember him. He has started an orphanage and soup kitchen in Old Korvosa; he also attempts to prod the conscience of the more wealthy and influential members of society - to this end, he has formed a partnership with Vimanda Arkona. Several of his orphans used to be part of Lamm's Lambs. He found the Harrow card for The Survivor, a wild-eyed man, his body covered in cuts and abrasions, staggering from the ocean onto an empty beach with a village far in the background, tucked into his diary.
Grilsha Stellos is a Human Cunning Bard. The sister of Lucan, she followed him into exile in an attempt to save him from his affliction; she has yet to find a cure for his vampirism. She is also interested in the welfare of the wards of their orphanage and is offended by the tales she has heard from some of Lamm's Lambs. For those interested in their past, both Lucan and Grilsha were introduced in the (excellently done) Whispers of the Vampire Blade module from WotC. She found the Harrow card for The Big Sky in an order of blankets that arrived at the orphanage.
On the back of each of the Harrow cards, each character found a hand-written scrawl. Tuc was delighted to discover that it was not cursive, so he could read it. Each card read:
"I know what Gaedren has done to you. He has wronged me as well. I know where he dwells, yet cannot strike at him. Come to my home at 3 Lancet Street at sunset. Others like you will be there. Gaedren must face his fate and justice must be done."
Hiei is the first to arrive at this house, a small house that has a lived in look from the outside. The elf approaches the door and knocks, waiting in vain for a response. After a few minutes, he backs away to see if he can see in the windows, but the curtains are drawn. Frustrated, he goes to knock again and the door opens as if it was not closed properly. Fearing a trap, the elf peers in suspiciously, looking up as a half-orc and dwarf come from different directions down the road to stop in front of the same house. The three share looks and ask if each was invited; Hiei then explains that he was about to enter the house.
The three proceed into a cozy chamber filled with a fragrant haze of flowers and strong spice. The haze comes from several sticks of incense smouldering in wall-mounted burners that look like butter-fly winged elves. The smoke itself seems to soften edges and gives the room a dream-like feel. The walls are draped with brocaded tapestries, one showing a black-skulled beast juggling men's hears, another showing a pair of angels dancing atop a snow-blasted mountain. A thid tapestry on the far wall depicts a tall hooded figured, shrouded in mist, a flaming sword held in a skeletal hand. Several brightly-colored rugs cover the floor, but the room's only furnishings are a wooden table covered by a bright red throw cloth and several elegant, tall-backed chair. A basket covered by blue cloth sits under the table. There is a note, weighed down by a stone paperweight, on the table.
Hiei walks over and looks at the note as an Aasimar enters through the front door. The note reads:
"Thank you for coming. I had to step out for a bit, but shall return shortly. Please, have a seat while you wait. The basket under the table contains bread and drink for you."
As those who have already arrived begin introducing themselves to the Aasimar, a rented carriage pulls up and two humans - one male and one female - exit. They examine the house from the outside for a moment, then tip the driver and enter, with introductions once again being shared. Dhar decides that the chairs are meant for sitting and sits - everyone else follows, and then notices the smell of warm bread from the basket. Tuc is disappointed when they open it to find that there is no meat, but there is a hearty repast of bread, cheese, some apples, and watered wine. The six eat and talk for a bit and then the front door opens again.
An attractive, middle-aged human woman with long dark hair enters with a smile. She introduces herself as Zellara and tahnks each person for coming to visit. She seats herself at the table, producing a Harrow deck from one of her pockets and begins to idly shuffle the cards. Speaking in a soft but clear voice, she says:
"Thank you for coming, my friends, and for putting up with my unconventional method of contacting you. I have reason to remain hidden, you see - a terrible man would see great harm come to me if he knew I was reaching out for help. This is a man you know, for he has done something terrible to each of you as well. I apeak, of course, of Gaedren Lamm, a man whose cruelty and capacity to destroy the lives of those he touches are matched only by his gift for avoiding reprisal. You see, a year ago, his thieves stole my Harrow deck from me. It is important to me, an heirloom passed down through a dozen generations, and also my sole means of support. When pickpockets stole it, my son, Eran, tracked them down. The thieves were in the employ of Gaedren Lamm, and in reward for finding them, Gaedren murdered my son.
"I sought help from the Guard, but they turned me away. And so, I asked around. I paid bribes. I consulted my other Harrow decks for advice. And recently, I was rewarded. I found out where Gaedren dwells. He can be found in an old fishery north of here at Westpier 17, where he trains his abducted children to be pickpockets and counts his stolen treasures.
"And now, I need your help. I cannot hope to face this man on my own, and the Guard moves so slowly that if I were to go to them, Gaedren would certainly know of their coming well in advance. Even if they did arrest him - what guarantee would I have that he would be punished? This criminal has evaded the law for decades. But you know of these frustrations as well, for word on the street has it that Gaedren has wrong each of you as well.
"So there we are. It is time for Gaedren to pay."
The six guests stare at her for a moment, each having different reactions to the bold statement that each of them felt deep within. Dhar asks for any more details she might have about Gaedren's hideout, to which she gives vague answers - Gaedren operates a business out of the location but does not own it, using several thugs to protect his hideout. She does not know how many.
After a few more minutes of discussion, the party decides to go look over the fishery. Looking over the area as they arrive, they decide that Dhar will make inquiries about the abandoned warehouse next door, attempting to find the owner so that he can buy it. The other party members would hide in a nearby alleyway watching. This decided, Dhar observes the general lay of the fishery, noting the loading dock with its opened double doors, the closed front doors, and the walkways on either side going back. Before approaching, Dhar treks several blocks south, moving out on a dock to see what is behind the fishery. He frowns when he observes a boat nestled between a pier and the fishery.
Deciding on a frontal approach, Dhar makes a show of examining the abandoned warehouse, going inside partway to inspect the remaining walls and crumbling roof in case any eyes from the fishery are watching him. Then, he ambles easily over to the front doors of the fishy and knocks loudly. A loud barking answers him almost immediately, but he is forced to knock again before a perpetually sour-faced man with short blond hair, wearing expensive clothes that are at least twenty years out of fashion. Before he looks at the visitor, he snaps at a mean looking dog next to him. "Bloo! Down!" Looking down his thin nose, the man asks for the dwarf's business.
"I own a small engineering firm, and I was looking to set up a workshop in this area. I was looking at the warehouse next door - do you know who owns the property? Would you mind if I take a look at it from the end of your dock? I couldn't really see the part by the river from the road. Do you own your own land, or do you rent from someone?" Dhar asks when he opens the door.
Beset by questions, Yargin takes a moment to compose himself. "I am not sure who owns the land next door - obviously, they do not maintain it. We own our land. It's fine with me if you want to walk out on the walkway. Mind your step."
Dhar nods as the man closes the door behind him. Turning to the walkway, he looks in dismay at the dangerous looking condition of the planking. He gingerly steps out on the walkway, leaning close to the wall of the fishery to support his weight as the wood groans and creaks. Moving quickly but carefully, he moves along, stopping only when he sees a pair of fins in the murky water of the river. He grimaces when he recognizes a bull shark nosing alongside the walkway. He moves even further from the edge of the walkway and reaches a small pier at the end of the walkway that curls around the back of the fishery. He begins observing the warehouse across the river while backing out of sight from the street, then begins looking at the boat behind the fishery.
Determining that it is no condition to sail, he looks around for a window to see inside the fishery. Finding one on the back wall, he sees a spacious interior with a series of catwalks around the walls, ending around a large vat. A group of children stirs the contents of the vat with long, wooden poles, watched by three humans and a half-orc. Dhar also notes a rectangle cut into the floor of the room near him, but he cannot make out what it is for. As Dhar watches, he sees the half-orc backhand one of the kids across the face. The child falls to the floor of the catwalk, not looking up as the half-orc pulls out a menacing looking mass of chain and cuffs. Snapping a set of cuffs around the child's hands and feet, the half orc roars that he will teach the child respect and that this will never happen again. With that, the half-orc leads the child down the catwalk to the hole in the floor. He attaches one end of the chain to a spike in the floor, using the length of the chain to lower the child down the hole. Dhar can clearly hear the half-orc say "Now, go and see Gaedren about your failures" before the child disappears. Grim-faced, the dwarf turns to leave.
While Dhar is out of sight, Yargin reopens the front door and sneaks along the walkway along the side of the fishery. Pulling out several vials, he begins spreading a weak acid along the supports attaching the walkway to the fishery. Satisfied that his task is complete, the man turns and reenters the fishery.
Dhar walks back along the walkway, careful but confident. He is surprised when he hears a loud pop and groand and the walkway starts to sag away from the wall. Glancing hurriedly around, he spies a closed door in the wall ahead of him. Legs pumping, he hurries up and throws himself into the door. With a crash, the door is knocked inwards and the dwarf falls on top of it. Looking around, he sees that he is in a small office with a desk, chalkboard, and cabinets pushed against the walls. Two mean looking humans with longswords, Yargin, and the dog Bloo are looking at him.
Dhar smiles. "Your walkway collapsed," he explains. "I am going to sue - it almost put me in the river."
"No, Mr. Dwarf," Yargin says with a cruel smile, "you won't be suing anyone at all. Kill him, and dump him in the river." The two thugs charge forward, one knocking the surprised dwarf to his knees with a vicious overhand chop. Dropping to his knees from the blow, Dhar pulls his head back to avoid the decapitating blow from the second thug. Bloo charges in, biting at Dhar's face.
Seeing the collapse of the walkway, the party members outside look at each other for a moment, then decide that the time for stealth has passed. Rushing the front door, Lucan lowers his shoulder and bashes the door open. Milling around in an anteroom, the five hear sounds of battle from the door in front of them, seeing the man who opened the front door and tried to kill Dhar standing with his back to the wall in the next room. Taking in the closed doors on either side of the room, the group was rushing the office when Yargin glanced over.
Shouting "Hookshanks! We have company - get ready!", Yargin quickly draws several vials of green liquid and tosses them into the antechamber. A vast cloud of green vapor rises, leaving the group wondering who needs help more - Dhar or themselves, as they feel the sting of acid burning their eyes and nose. Tuc manages to fight through the pain and stagger alongside Yargin, stabbing at him with his doublesword. Seeing the half-orcs success, Lucan hurries through the doorway and and ducks under the feeble slash of a knife that Yargin directs at him, before burying his own knife deep in the man's shoulder. Cursing, Lucan pulls back for another strike as Grilsha enters the room, directing her arcane powers to heal her brother from the effects of the vicious acid.
Hard-pressed, Dhar grits his teeth and springs to his feet, using an axe rush to move out of his precarious position and get his back into a corner of the room, away from his allies. "Come on then!" he shouts as he sets himself in readiness of their next attack. The three foes circle him and close. The humans come in a simultaneous rush, one of them spinning his sword behind his back in an acrobatic fluorish that nearly disembowels his partner but also stuns the dwarf at the audacity, enough for his guard to be knocked aside.
Hiei and Deigo, hearing the sounds of a ferocious combat coming from inside the office, content themselves to shooting at the hard-pressed Yargin from outside, wisely stepping apart to not provide a clustered target.
Yargin draws another vial from his bag and waves his dagger, backing away from the dangerous pair threatening him. Preparing to throw the vial at them, he is stunned when Tuc spins, cutting his throat with one blade of his sword. Hands scrabbling at his throat, the man falls, his body cushioning the vial of acid. With a savage grin, Tuc rushes at the dog, which was savaging Dhar's upraised arm.
Outside, Hiei and Deigo are surpised when the door on the left wall bursts open and two more humans with longswords enter, swinging wildly at them. Offbalance, Hiei is forced to drop to the ground to avoid a vicious blow to his knee that would have severed tendons. Diego runs across the room, surprising the men so that they do not swing at him as he dives into the office. Hiei curses as he feels the air stir on the back of his neck, quickly twisting his head away. A thin line of blood appears on his throat, but he is unable to spot who attacked him. Cursing to himself, the elf rolls through the doorway to the office, then backs away, drawing and firing at one of the humans still fighting Dhar. Lucan moves over to help, gliding silently behind one of the humans and killing him with a well-placed dagger thrust to the kidneys, then circling around the dangerous dog, carefully but not quite carefully enough, as a bite to the leg attests. Tuc puts the dog down a moment later, then cries out "Eat!", at which the other party members look green.
Dhar, having recovered from his perilous position, splits the head of the remaining human as the reinforcements enter. Hiei calls out that there is someone hiding, and he manages to spot a child sneak in with a handcrossbow and dagger. Then he realizes that it is not a child, but a gnome. Alas, Grilsha does not see him enter, though Hiei's warning only prevents his stab from being mortal. Grilsha backs away as Tuc and Dhar advance on the trio. Dhar swings viciously at the gnome, who dodges mostly out of the way but still receives a cut across the stomach. With a look of disgust, the dwarf watches as Hookshanks fades from view. Seeing the dire situation, Deigo calls out to the Flame, filling the area with flames of silver that strengthen his allies and harm his foes. The thugs jump back, surprised but managing to escape the flames. Striking from behind, Hookshank's dagger is deflected by the wisps of magic which still cling to Dhar, then is put down by the combined attacks of the pair of fighters. The remaining thugs are quickly disposed of.
Recovering from the fight, the group bandages their wounds and searches the immediate area. They discover some coins, a magical dagger and suit of chain mail from Hookshanks, and some vials of acid from Yargin, the group decides to check the still closed door off of the entrance room. Finding it empty, they go through the door from which the reinforcements arrived.
The next room is a large room with about twelve children toiling over a trough filled with fish, seaweed, and brine. Thoroughly disgusting, the children look as if they have no hope, until they see the unfamiliar people walk through the door. A mixture of hope and terror crosses their features before hope dominates as Dhar tells them to leave, that they are free. The children run off, out the double doors on the far wall that leads to a loading dock.
Looking at the door set on the wall to their right, the party continues on, emerging on a staircase that descends behind a large vat. There is a walkway on the other side, with three human men and a male half-orc standing watch over five children who stir the pot with long, wooden poles. Yelling for the children to duck, Grilsha, Hiei, and Deigo loose spell and arrow against the humans while the half-orc, giggling in a disturbingly high-pitched voice, Dhar, Tuc, and Lucan all begin working their way around the catwalks and down the stairs. Before the groups can meet for more than a few seconds, the last of the humans is cut down by accurate shots from the ranger's bow. As Giggles trades blows with Tuc, he is blind-sided completely when an arrow is shot into the side of his head, killing him instantly.
Once the arrows stop flying, the children are delighted to find that they have been rescued. The group pauses long enough to ask them if they know anything about the hole in the floor and learn that children are sent down there to see Gaedren, taking a skiff to a doorway set under the fishery, and that none ever return from this journey. With grim looks, the six survey the skiff in the river, noting the fins of the bull shark cutting through the water nearby. Debating the matter briefly, the party lowers themselves into the skiff.