Vasari's Carrion Crown (private invite only) Discussion

[Vasari]

Knowledge (history) and Knowledge (local) checks can be used to research the prisoners. Using the Temple's library grants a +4 bonus. However, no library in Ravengro can be used untrained to research prisoners unlike topics of Harrowstone and The Whispering Way. You need at least 1 rank in a knowledge skill to assist. Lucky for you, Zavar and Drasven have feats to bypass this requirement.

Map of The Restlands. The False Crypt is directly 60 feet (3 squares) east of Professor's Grave

[Drasven Hammers]

I know else I would be asking the other party members to be on the look out for this rich NPC toting that greataxe around. Also Masterwork Full Plate doesn't fit everybody. It's only sized for the person who brought it. It could be resized but I don't have enough gold. :P

Drasven grins at the thought of the family that runs the General Store. It's quite a big family. Kendra's smile though washes away the aches of the day.
"You should keep that smile lassie, it's better than most healing spells I've come across."

On the return of the rest.
"So we should go along making friends here in this here village.....I would like to help but most quake at the sight of me maybe because of the axe on me back. We should perhaps start asking around town and making more friends? Knowing more about the people here might do us good."

[Windom]

Zavar, would you like to accompany me to the temple archives, I do not really know what I should be looking for. Keep in mind to bring extra paper, we are forbidden to deface any tomes. There will also be a chaperone.

[Cassandra Corvellis]

Besides those that have feats that allow them to make knowledge checks untrained, Cassandra is trained in Arcana, History, Nobles, Planes and Religion.

I take it there is no other information to be gleaned from the Lorrimor Library relating to the "residents" of the prison?

[Zavar the Loreseeker]

Zavar turns to Windom and begins to speak.

"We can certainly have a look. Besides, I'm sure it would be a great bonding experience for us..."

He grins.

"You may also consider taking Cass along." He nods in Cassandra's direction. "She is quite knowledgable and I'm sure she would be of assistance. That is, if she can bear working so...closely...with me," he says in a joking tone.

[Windom]

Approaching Zavar in a cool casual manner, speaking in a non-emotional voice.

Listen friend, I have just met you, but I have know Cass for some time, she is a friend. I do not know what your pass held, I do not care. What I do take note of is you being disrespectful to a lady, you know your comments offend her. I want us all to be friends, at least for the month why we are under one roof. So I am telling this to you to be civil, I get angry when a man picks on a woman. So I am not going to make threats or promises of ill intent, just know that it makes me very angry and I am asking you like a gentleman to stop.

Windom has a blank stern gaze on his face, his normal look, but in this light and dry tone, he appears dangerous. You can assume he has been in many physical altercations, most likely winning the bulk of them.

There is a pause for the words to sink in.
You do propose a great idea, anyone that feels that they can help dredge up some information in the temple archives please come with us tomorrow.

No offense Zavar just RP. I picture the tough guy routine to be like Mike from Breaking Bad.

[nDevere Lvvais]

There might be no need for secrecy as Windom fainted alone at the professors grave while nD was touring the grounds with Simmons. If nD saw nothing I'll assume you didn't make the request.

When arriving back from town with Windom:

Windom wrote:

... We have been warned about any funny business in the town, it will not be taken lightly, the investigation on the crypt must be flawless and leave no sign we were there...

I will be returning to the Restlands tonight to serve as relief for the groundskeeper. In your preparations keep in mind we have not been given the key or access to the crypt but are making strides to obtain such. Our good deeds as witnessed by the acolyte, a Mr. Gervaise Lamb, will serve well in our efforts. We have not been barred from the Harrowstone but without the contents of the crypt/vault to which the note referred we are not yet ready. I will scout what I can get away with tonight so that Zavar will have some intel to use should his key-less entry skills become necessary. I should get some rest, my apologies to our host as I will miss the evening meal

nDevere retires to her room for a brief rest. She informs one of the servants to wake her in time to head back to the Restlands. If the weather is overcast or rainy she will stop to buy a hooded lantern and a candle lamp

When she arrives for the graveyard shift nDevere will review the tasks expected of her with whomever is there. During the night she will make note of where people are gathered and possible approach angles for Zavar.
profession: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

[Zavar the Loreseeker]

haha no offense taken whatsoever. We will have a little back and forth for a bit but it should settle down after we all become comfortable.

Yes, I suggest we use all the talents we have at our disposal in order to expedite the process of gaining the knowledge and permissions we need to enter the crypt. I, for one, am quite excited to see what secrets it holds. May I also make a second suggestion: That you lighten up a bit. Does your honor not allow you laugh a bit at what is clearly an innocent attempt to lighten the mood of this dreadful place? I assure you that if I truly wished to be insulting, you would be the first to know. Besides, Cass can take care of herself. You should know that by now.

He winks at Cassandra.

There is no need for tension in ranks, as it were. Have a cup of wine and relax with us and we will put old disagreements to rest and focus on the task at hand. There is so much to see and so much to be learned. Petty squabbles are a waste of valuable time. I will try my best to keep my sharp tongue under control. But I warn you, it has a mind of its own, he says, letting out a long and loud laugh and taking a drink of wine and then raising his cup to the others.

"A toast! To the Professor and his kindness and great knowledge. He left us to soon. And to us: New friends, old enemies and partners in what is sure to be a grand adventure."

[Vasari]

You can research the past prisoner's of Harrowstone in the Professor's Library, but you get a +4 bonus using the temple. You have access to the temple's library 24/7. Please make your assists and designate a primary researcher or all four of you can research independently. Knowledge History or Local. It will take a maximum of 8 hours, depending how much information you are able to retreive. DC25=8 hrs; DC 20=6 hours; DC 15=4 hours; DC 10=2 hours.

I do not need any more skill rolls for nDevere as she appears to be the only one searching the False Crypt at midnight while the rest of the party is researching in the temple's library. nDevere gets 7 hours of sleep as it is 5 pm now. Is anyone assisting nDevere at midnight or joining her at 1 am if you research for eight hours on an empty stomach? That does not sound very fun.

[Windom]

8 hours research and a ham sandwich.

Take 20?

[Vasari]

Must roll

[Drasven Hammers]

Drasven will research around town as he wanders around attempting to know the people. and any other interesting tales they may have heard. He'll also offer his skills to the people in town in an attempt to prove that they're friendly.
Diplomacy, improve general attitude. 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5<---Sigh
Knowledge (Local), gather more information about the town and its surroundings. 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5<---Double Sigh
Sense Motive, going about town and getting a few of how the townsflok response to them 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13<-- Finally a 10
Profession, an attempt to help out around town to well.....it's better than just diplomacy.... 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25<--- The dice roller is trolling me. Who do I go too to complain?

[Cassandra Corvellis]

Cassandra will travel to the temple library with Windom and Zavar.

She is willing to either make the primary or the assistance roll for Knowledge History, Nobles, Planes, or Religion.

[Vasari]

If you are assisting only for research then it will only take two hours of time to pull books and organize notes, etc. You are available for additional errands. Knowledge Local or History is applicable to prisoner research.

Drasven:

You have signicantly helped out the blacksmith forging horseshoes, simple locks and tools. He thanks you for your 8 hours of service and gives you a 25% discount on all items he creates. Also, he lets you use his forge for free. You have made a friend with the blacksmith. You return home tired, sweaty, smelly and weary at 1 am and eat a dinner big enough for two. The keg of ale is now dry from your thirst.

[Cassandra Corvellis]

"Windom, Zavar, which one of us is leading the research?"

[Zavar the Loreseeker]

"Cassandra, please start researching the historical aspect of the prisoners of Harrowstone and I will look into the local side of things. Windom is, of course, free to assist whomever."

He gives a nod a starts moving amongst the many shelves of books and carefully drawing out selected tomes to begin his research.

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

[Cassandra Corvellis]

Cassandra begins searching through the library's historical records.

Knowledge History: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 4 = 21

This includes the temple library bonus of +4 listed above.

[Zavar the Loreseeker]

Yes my roll included the +4 as well. Guess I should have specified. :)

[Vasari]

Zavar you may assist Cassandra since you are researching a diffierent knowledge check.

[Zavar the Loreseeker]

Knowledge History (assist): 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 4 = 11

[Windom]

Windom will assist whomever is struggling more when researching, or both by being the errand boy...

assist: 1d20 ⇒ 12
assist: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Did not include any bonus from library, please do should they apply.

[Vasari]

Research at the temple's library reveals the following:

Originally, Harrowstone housed only local criminals, but as the prison’s fame spread, other counties and distant lands began paying to have more dangerous criminals housed within this prison’s walls. At the time of the great Harrowstone Fire, the number of particularly violent or dangerous criminals imprisoned within the dungeons below was at an all-time high. The five most notorious prisoners in Harrowstone at the time of the great fire were Father Charlatan, the Lopper, the Mosswater Marauder, the Piper of Illlmarsh, and the Splatter Man.

Alone, Zavar finds very interesting information on Father Charlatan. Cassandra discovers The Lopper's background, but she could not have done it without the assistance of Zavar and Windom.

Zavar is killing his knowledge checks. Perhaps this is why the Professor overlooked his personality quirks. There are actually five separate DC 25 checks to be made—each of the five prisoners represents a different Knowledge check. The information gained depends on the prisoner being researched. You discover more information about two of the five notorious prisoners. Each successful research grants XP.

Father Charlatan:

(Sefick Corvin): Of the five notorious prisoners, only Father Charlatan was not technically a murderer, yet his crimes were so blasphemous that several churches demanded he be punished to the full extent of Ustalavic law. Although he claimed to be an ordained priest of any number of faiths, Father Corvin was in fact a traveling con artist who used faith as a mask and a means to bilk the faithful out of money in payment for false miracles or cures. He became known as Father Charlatan after his scheme was exposed and his Sczarni accomplices murdered a half-dozen city guards in an attempt to make good the group’s escape.

The Lopper:

(Vance Saetressle): When the Lopper stalked prey, he would hide in the most unlikely of places, sometimes for days upon end with only a few supplies to keep him going while he waited for the exact right moment to strike. Once his target was alone, the Lopper would emerge to savagely behead his victim with a handaxe.

[Vasari]

nDevere stealthily investigates the False Crypt without drawing any attention to herself.

The false crypt mentioned in the professor’s journal is located in the northeast corner of the Restlands, near the junction of the paths known as the Eversleep and the Black Path. The crypt itself is a freestanding granite mausoleum, the roof of which is decorated with a pair of leering gargoyle statues. A single stone door with a rusty looking lock sits in the mausoleum’s south facade, but an examination of the lock reveals that the lock is broken, its clasp melted by acid and then put back into place so that to casual observation the lock appears intact.

Within, a flight of stone steps leads down into the cold earth to a large crypt lined with empty niches—no dead are interred here, though Church records report that the crypt was one of the first filled in Ravengro’s early days. It looks like no one but Professor Lorrimor has been into this chamber for several decades, and his tracks remain obvious in the dust and dirt of the floor. You follow the faint line of tracks to a single large sarcophagus that sits in the deepest part of the crypt. It is within this sarcophagus that the hidden cache the professor wrote about is located.

nDevere:

Treasure: Although Professor Lorrimor has already raided the cache, he didn’t take all of the tools kept here—a fair amount of useful material remains, including a dozen silver arrows, four sun rods, six flasks of holy water, 17 magical arrows, 7 potions, 4 magical scrolls, and a thin darkwood case decorated with an image of a scarab with a single eye glaring from its back. While you are busy gathering the treasure, two giant centipedes get the surprise round and move to flank you! GM init, nD init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 101d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 You get to attack first! Just declare attacking centipede A or B or both if you can.

nDevere & Windom:

You told Father Grimburrow that Brother Lamb would assist in Pharasma business. Windom kept him busy at the temple's library and no request was made to Brother Lamb to accompany nDevere with the investigation of the false crypt. Although it wasn't specifically defined, Grimburrow will categorize it as temple affairs as you declared your intentions to investigate the false crypt. Will you keep it a secret from Father Grimburrow, tell him the truth even though you broke your word (it was a conditional acceptance) or reinact a lie? I gave you a subtle hint here:

Vasari wrote:

"Acolyte Lamb will accompany you in the vault and with temple affairs such as births and burials".... If you are assisting only for research then it will only take two hours of time to pull books and organize notes, etc. You are available for additional errands.

I will need to finish the combat with nDevere before we resolve anything more except RP. Everyone but nDevere returns to Lorrimor's place at 3 am exhausted, hungry, tired and thirsty, but all of the ale is gone...

[Drasven Hammers]

Tired, he drinks. When the last drop is gone from his mug, Drasven looks at the keg, seeing it empty. He sighs.

Checking the time, considering it a little too late to be buying ale. Drasven calls upon his god to fill the Keg with water. Resolving to buy more ale the next day, he waits a while more for the others after feeling the keg with water before he cleans up and heads to bed.

Unless requested otherwise. Drasven will not be assisting in any research checks. He can also cast Guidance if needed as well as assit knowledge checks.

[Vasari]

nDevere Lvvais wrote:

I will be returning to the Restlands tonight to serve as relief for the groundskeeper. In your preparations keep in mind we have not been given the key or access to the crypt but are making strides to obtain such. Our good deeds as witnessed by the acolyte, a Mr. Gervaise Lamb, will serve well in our efforts. We have not been barred from the Harrowstone but without the contents of the crypt/vault to which the note referred we are not yet ready. I will scout what I can get away with tonight so that Zavar will have some intel to use should his key-less entry skills become necessary.

Did I misinterpret nDevere's actions? Did you fetch Gervaise Lamb in your investigation of the false crypt?

[Windom]

LOL I too misread your post Vasari. If brother lamb will accompany us to the crypt in mention Windom would of suggested this before breaking and entering.

[nDevere Lvvais]

nDevere is only looking for ways Zavar might enter unseen in the off chance Lamb does not convince Father Grimburrow to give us the key. If attacked before going inside, nDevere will defend herself from the creatures. Either way, she will make a point to mention the open vault to Lamb and ask him for assistance looking into whatever may have been taken... to be clear I never intended to go inside, just case the joint.

[Vasari]

After searching the exterior of the false crypt, it looks to be free and clear of danger. With no lock to pick, you quickly head to the temple to retrieve a Windom and Lamb for an official investigation. Although both of them are tired, they agree that it would be better to investigate without the prying eyes of Ravengro's citizens at the midnight hour. You enter and find a sarcophagus with the hidden cache. While you are busy gathering the treasure, two giant centipedes get the surprise round and move to flank you! Windom init, Lamb: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 211d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Use ROLL20 link above to move your tokens on the map. Bold names indicate who may act before the GM responds with a post.
Initiative order:
nDevere
Windom
Lamb
Centipedes

[nDevere Lvvais]

nDevere takes a five foot step out of the flank and makes a flurry of misses on the left centepede (the one next to lamb).
roll20 used for combat rolls = 7 & 8 to attack= the suck

[Windom]

Adding in the flank.
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Swift Action Resiliency Judgement.

Resiliency: This judgment makes the inquisitor resistant to harm, granting DR 1/magic.

[Vasari]

I didn't see a new post in my campaign tab. Sorry for the delay.
Lamb heavy mace: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 1 + 2 = 181d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Hit
centipide bites nDevere: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 121d6 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

Brother Lamb moves to flank the giant centipede and swings his heavy mace breaking several of its legs. CRUNCH! The injured centipede withdraws provoking AoO from nDevere while the uninjured steps and attempting to bite nDevere's arm and missing.

nDevere (nDevere you have an AoO and next in Round 2!)
Windom
Lamb
Centipedes

[nDevere Lvvais]

AoO attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 41d6 ⇒ 4
flurry on other centepede flurry 1st strike: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 131d6 ⇒ 5
flurry 2nd strike: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 51d6 ⇒ 2
five foot step to give Windom easy flank both dice bots hate me

[Windom]

attack with flank: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24damage: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
confirm the crit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16crit damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Morningstar two-handed

Judgement-
Resiliency: This judgment makes the inquisitor resistant to harm, granting DR 1/magic.

[Vasari]

Combat over. The wounded centipede climbs into a hole and vanishes from sight.

"You have a nice swing Brother Windom. I'm glad for your aim. Those pests are poisonous." Acolyte Lamb pats you on the back congratulating you on your first kill.

"I should head home for a little sleep. My shift starts in a few hours and I trust you will report your findings to Father Grimburrow."

Treasure: Although Professor Lorrimor has already raided the cache, he didn’t take all of the tools kept here—a fair amount of useful material remains, including a dozen silver arrows, four sun rods, six flasks of holy water, 17 magical arrows, 7 potions, 4 magical scrolls, and a thin darkwood case decorated with an image of a scarab with a single eye glaring from its back.

[Windom]

I will address him first thing in the morning. Thank you again for your help, it was most welcomed. May we take these items? I do not want to jeopardize any trust or put you in an awkward position.

What do you make of the fancy case?

Brother Lamb, expect warm sweet bread from me tomorrow, I will be by early, thanks again.

Any knowledge checks to identify the markings?

If he says it is fine that the items may be taken then we will take them, if not inspect them and lock them back up. Either way in the morning I will bring by sweet bread and a pint of bitter ale for brother Lamb, then report my findings to father Grim.

Dear DM:

Windom does not sleep well, ever actually. He usually will have a few drinks before bed in private the try to get some rest. He normally only gets 2-3 hours, 4 if he gets really drunk. Even after the professor's help of piecing back together his mind he cannot break the year of torment in the sanitarium. He is haunted by bad dreams, night terrors, PTSD, he will talk in his sleep and sometimes wake himself with his own screams. Windom once he is up prays for several hours (in d&d terms finishes his sleep cycle) then does an intense work out.

With the fainting, hearing Candi, and revisiting the grave; Windom's nerves are more shot than normal today. He will be getting drunk to fall asleep for 4 hours tonight.

[Drasven Hammers]

Ale Cask is empty. Oops.

[nDevere Lvvais]

Me thinks those questions are better suited for Father Grimburrow. Thank you both for disrupting your rest in order to expedite this matter. See you at the temple when you are recovered. I still have duties here for the night.

nDevere will document the contents of the vault-cache in her journal before suggesting Windom take it all back to the Lorrimor estate. She tears out the page and hands the list to Lamb. "For the verification of our honor."

After completing her shift at the Restlands, nDevere returns to Lorrimor Place and has 'breakfast' with the others.
_____________________________________________
Did any of you look over those items yet? I think someone should before taking them back to the Temple. Between what was left and what is missing you guys can probably make well educated guesses about what the professor expected to encounter in the Harrowstone and we can make our own preparations for the same.

[Vasari]

You can identify the magical items with normal checks.

Strange markings require arcane, history or local DC 25:

The markings of The Order of the Palentine Eye, the same design that appears on the cover of the Manual of the Order of the Palatine Eye among the books in the professor’s collection.

Open darkwood case?:

The darkwood case is worth 50 gp, and contains three objects of interest—a spirit board with a brass spirit planchette, and four magical iron and glass vials containing tiny, churning clouds of vapor. The vials sit in velvet-lined indentations to the left of the spirit board and planchette, along with six empty indentions.

Purple manual:

The Manual of the Order of the Palantine Eye has a rich purple cover contains a brass scarab set with a single eye in its center. The book’s covers are rimmed in polished steel and clasped with a small but intricate lock, the keyhole of which appears to be for a key with a strange, triangular shaft. The key is nowhere to be found, but the lock can be picked.

[Windom]

Spirit Board = Ouija Board?

Before going to see Father Grim in the morning.

Zavar, we may need to forfeit this book in the morning. Would you like to see what you can make of it?

[Cassandra Corvellis]

How does Windom get a 1d20 for damage?

[Zavar the Loreseeker]

To identify the markings: Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

To pick the lock on the book: Disable Device: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

An assist with Knowledge would be helpful.

[Vasari]

Windom wrote:

Spirit Board = Ouija Board?

Yes.

The lock on the book requires DC 30.

[Windom]

Cassandra Corvellis wrote:

How does Windom get a 1d20 for damage?

Years of practice

[Cassandra Corvellis]

"I know not of Arcane Knowledge. History, yes, but not Arcane. Sorry, cannot assist."

[Drasven Hammers]

Drasven takes a look at the items, calling upon his god to grant his blessings on this, pulling out a book and passing it to Zavar.
Assist Knowledge (Arcane) 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 1 = 18

"Maybe this'll help."

[Drasven Hammers]

I forgot to include that the +1 is from Guidance.
Also I just had a thought. GM Can you make a new Gameplay thread and then link this dicussion thread to that gameplay thread instead?

[nDevere Lvvais]

Windom wrote:

Zavar, we may need to forfeit this book in the morning. Would you like to see what you can make of it?

the book was not in the vault. it just has the same marking as the small box. for the sake of continuity...

That book is to be delivered to the university, to a Judge no less. The marking does not mean it came from the vault... I hope.

[Vasari]

Drasven Hammers wrote:

I forgot to include that the +1 is from Guidance.

Also I just had a thought. GM Can you make a new Gameplay thread and then link this dicussion thread to that gameplay thread instead?

Posting late tonight. Wrapping up the last day at my job. I will attempt Drasven's suggestion.

Ndevere is correct. The purple manual belongs to the Judge and not the temple. Whether or not you show the book to Father Grimburrow is your choice.

[Vasari]

Testing newly linked thread. This is new Gameplay link.

[Drasven Hammers]

This works.
Now try marking the previous campaign as inactive. This should allow the discussion thread to be linked to only one campaign thread. If it doesn't work then, mark it active again.