Runecursed! *** Spoiler Alert!

[Scharlata]

Ahem...

I don't know, but...

Spoiler:

... I don't understand, why the runecurse didn't went off right into Sian's face.

Page 28 of AP#26 mentions: "12:00 [p.m.] -- The Insatiable Hungers"

Page 38 mentions: "... an agent [Sian] ..., and 2 days before the PCs enter the Knot ... enters ahead of them to explore ..."

Page 38 mentions: "They [Chammady and Ecarrdian] gave Sian some additional gear ... including a runecurse parchment."

Page 39 mentions: "... setting Sian up as the delivery mechanism ..."

Page 39 mentions: "Sian Daemodus" ... "Will +3"

Page 41 mentions: "Frequency 1/day", "Will DC 22", and "... after the victim fails 3 saving throws ..."

In my ledger this would be put down as follows:

1. Chammady was the first possessor of the runecurse. She had enough luck with her Will saving throw bonus of +7 (rolled a 15 or higher the first day [see AP#30]) to escape the curse, and gave the runecurse parchment to Sian.

2. Sian is now the second possessor and takes the parchment into Aberian's Folly. She has made her Will save on the first day with an extraordinary bit of luck rolling at least a 19 because she has a Will saving throw bonus of +3.

3. Even if Sian entered the Knot on the first day of her career as maid, she had to make a second Will save with a bonus of +3 on the second day [still in the Asmodean Knot]. Praised be Asmodeus for what luck he imparted on her. Again she made her Will save with a +3 bonus (rolling at least a 19 again).

4. Now, it would be the third day, because the Cornucopia ends after midnight. Sian would have to make another Will save with +3, rolling at least a 19.

Is it me that has a fogged mind or (as a DM) should I just "wave" the saves hoping for Sian that the PCs don't delay their arrival at the Asmodean Knot? Sian has a 1:6,859 chance to escape Nyxervex on her third day as possessor of the parchment...

Please tell me that I'm wrong with my assumptions and that I've missed some information.

Kind regards

[Asgetrion]

Um, I need to check my copy of the adventure, but I was under the impression that frequency (save per day) applies only if you contract the affliction?

[Scharlata]

Asgetrion wrote:

Um, I need to check my copy of the adventure, but I was under the impression that frequency (save per day) applies only if you contract the affliction?

That's the point. :)

Spoiler:

Didn't Sian contract the curse in the first place?

[heliopolix]

Sian isn't under the curse, as she was party to its construction. The curse doesnt trigger until the creater of the runecurse gives it away.

[MisterSlanky]

heliopolix wrote:

Sian isn't under the curse, as she was party to its construction. The curse doesnt trigger until the creater of the runecurse gives it away.

That's not how I read it. Since the devil will show up to kill her 1d3 rounds after she re-obtains the runecurse, that would strongly imply she's been subject to the runecurse just as the players have been.

I've been trying to figure this one out too now that you've brought it up (thanks a ton).

[Scharlata]

MisterSlanky wrote:

... I've been trying to figure this one out too now that you've brought it up (thanks a ton).

Perhaps, (because I don't get it with the amazing luck of Sian) I should circumvent the astounding implausibility by ...

Spoiler:

... setting the runecurse trap as follows:
1. Chammady (who made her save) gives the runecurse to Sian, getting rid off it.

2. Sian makes her save the first day (as the new possessor) [OK, one 19+ roll is possible], breaks into the Asmodean Knot. She finds poor Elandriu (the elven rogue), handing the clueless fellow the runecurse, getting herself rid off it.

3. Elandriu makes his save (as the new possessor) [OK, he had luck, too] and gets murdererd by Sian. By law, he couldn't be longer the possessor, because he is dead [I assume Chelish Law wouldn't recognize a dead person as an owner/possessor of anything]. Technically, the runecurse is paused, because it doesn't belong to anyone anymore.

4. The PCs find the handy haversack, and NOW any of them could be the new possessor, setting the runecurse to start again.

5. As every possessor made his save [Chammady, Sian, and Elandriu], the "countdown" would't be changed [three failed saves left].

6. I assume the additional XP reward "for escaping the runecurse itself in such an ironic matter" [returning it to Sian] could be awarded as normal.

Any suggestions or clarifications are expressively welcome.

[James Jacobs]

heliopolix wrote:

Sian isn't under the curse, as she was party to its construction. The curse doesnt trigger until the creater of the runecurse gives it away.

This.

The runecurse's rules and conditions are linked to Sian, and it's not until she sets the whole curse in motion by setting the "trap" at the start of the dungeon that the curse activates. Runecurses are MEANT to be super-customisable, in any event, so it's no big deal (and, indeed, is intentional) that the curse doesn't go live until Sian sets up the first trick.

[Scharlata]

James Jacobs wrote:

The runecurse's rules and conditions are linked to Sian, and it's not until she sets the whole curse in motion by setting the "trap" at the start of the dungeon that the curse activates.

Thank you for clarifying my mind's "Asmodean Knot".

Spoiler:

OK. So, runecurses are "crafted" with a "start button" implemented that the client can "press" at any point to activate the runecurse for the first time. This implements the client as first possessor into the trap and sets off the countdown.

So, Sian has time to wait for the PCs to come into the Knot to claim the trapped treasure.

Is that a correct assumption?

Kind regards

[James Jacobs]

Scharlata wrote:

James Jacobs wrote:

The runecurse's rules and conditions are linked to Sian, and it's not until she sets the whole curse in motion by setting the "trap" at the start of the dungeon that the curse activates.

Thank you for clarifying my mind's "Asmodean Knot".

** spoiler omitted **

Is that a correct assumption?

Kind regards

Yup! Correct indeed!