[PF] Desril's Mythic Curse of the Crimson Throne - Edge of Anarchy IC

[Desril]

GM Post

The story so far...

A mere three days have passed since a certain ragtag group of vigilantes delivered judgement upon Gaedren Lamm and discovered that Zellara, the woman who had finally helped them to track him down, was in fact dead and it had been her spirit that guided them, but in those three days Korvosa has changed drastically and not for the better.

While removing a criminal and murderer from the streets might have made a minor improvement, the near simultaneous spreading of the news that King Eodred Arabasti II had succumbed to some manner of incurable illness and died served to let Lamm's fate go almost unnoticed even by the people who would have been overjoyed. Had it been a simple matter of the old king dying, things would not have been so bad, but the problem lied with the woman who would replace him.

Queen Ileosa Arabasti, a young woman who was not yet born when her husband was crowned, had never been popular with the Korvosans. What woman would marry an old man like the King for anything other than money? Accusations of her being nothing more than a gold-digging harlot only became less and less subtle as rumors spread, and the extravagant and wasteful ways in which the former king was known to spend his wealth did little to help the common folk's opinion of his wife. Riots were already forming in the streets to protest the ascension of the new queen only minutes after the vigilantes had their chance to right the wrongs of their past and have revenge. Staying together in the face of a city up in arms proved difficult and each of them were forced their separate ways for the time.

In the days that followed, rioting only grew more intense, with shouts of "Hang the queen!" and "Kill that usurping whore!" along with more colorful and vindictive variations always within ear shot. Smoke and flame were ever on the horizon, giving the city an ominous glow at night, and when both the Korvosan Guard and Sable Company's hippogriff-mounted marines proved to be overwhelmed in the face of the chaos, the neighboring Hellknight Order was called into the city by the newly crowned Queen Ileosa. Unfortunately, calling upon the Order of the Nail to quell unrest is akin to swinging a rather heavy, demonic-looking sword to break up a bar fight. While the Order managed to disperse the crowds they encountered, their excessive devotion to their codes has already led to the deaths of several civilians and only further increasing the resentment toward the crown. And as if having an overextended guard, overwhelmed marines, and overzealous hellknights were not enough, imp sightings in the city have also gone up over the last couple of days.

*****

Abadius 10th, 4708 AR

Things seem to have started to settle down at least somewhat however, as today none of you are awoken by screams. Sadly the peace doesn't last through lunch, by which time anyone who had gone out into the streets has been witness to another mob gathering, seeing proof that anybody that isn't staying locked in their house with doors secured is still roaming the streets with a lit torch or weapon in hand.

Whether you have spent the last three days behind locked doors as the Bank of Abadar and the Acadamae have, been doing your best to help limit the damage of the riots like the Korvosan Guard and Sable Company, or even been inciting a little chaos of your own with the rioters, each of you with exception to Urchin find a familiar object waiting for you.

*****

Everyone but Urchin


A card, at first it seems to be the same as the Harrow card that Zellara had left for you before this trouble began, but upon turning it over you find that the front of the card, apart from the message written in clear, sharp letters, is nothing more than a white, empty space. "Please, come to my home once again. I know that you may not trust me now that you know the truth, but I hope that you can overcome that at least enough to listen to this request. I have invited the others as well, but I feel that what is to come will need the strength of all of you together. -Z"



****

Urchin


In the two days since getting your teacher's Harrow deck, you have had no contact from the spirit of Zelara. Today, however, when you see the deck you see that there is another card facing up on the top of the deck. You recognize Zelara's handwriting and the concise way she always spoke to you in private. "I summoned the ones who helped put Lamm down. You need to meet with them as well, and bring me with you to my house."

Should you reach for the Harrow deck, you suddenly get a foreboding sensation and are stricken by a sense of urgency to do as asked. Both fade after a moment though do not completely vanish, and you realize that they aren't what you're feeling but rather sensations that are being projected onto you from the deck that vanish when you set the cards down.

[bcool999]

Conrad

After almost three days of sleepless nights working to quell the chaos in the streets with the rest of the guard, Conrad can barely focus long enough to read the message sent by the prophetic spirit. Good thing Cressida sent me home when she did. I didn't realize how tired I was until I got home. As Conrad ponders the spirits invitation he rubs Emmah's ring, which hangs from his neck on a leather throng, between his fingers. I suppose I do owe the spirit one for helping me avenge Emmah... Besides, I need to see how the city has held up to the riots and hell-knights stomping all over it.

He slips the card into a pocket and begins gathering his things, Bow, Arrows, Armor, etc. He wears his two-sided cloak with the black side showing. The other side which holds the emblem of the Korvosa Guard he keeps hidden. As like to get me killed as it is to keep rioters away. Conrad thinks with a scowl as he pulls up the hood of his cloak to hide his face, he keeps his mask off for now, but has it with him if he needs it.

Kitted out, Conrad waters the small garden his wife once tended before making his way through the streets, trying to keep out of sight as much as he can.

[roll0]

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

For a moment, Raine ponders whether she ought to toss the card into the forge fire and be done with it. All that work to help a neighbour and rid Korvosa of a decidedly annoying and menacing old man, and what had she got out of it besides getting exceedingly well cudgeled by brigands and snapped at by a fat overgrown lizard?

She glances over at the drying alligator hide on the other side of the room and makes a face. Arright, so there was that. And gator meat never went amiss in a situation like this, when it was hard to get any kind of fresh food. Still, a simple thank you would've been nice. Or y'know, a reward. Money was good. Fame was better. Hell, even a simple "oh hey, the real reason I can't kill Lamm myself is because I'm dead" would've been nice. Sheesh. Talk about self-image issues, girl.

"Oh fuggat," she mutters sourly to herself, slapping the sooty walls of the forge before heading off to pick up a few precautions. Might as well. She'd been cooped up in here all the past three days, guarding the smithy from looters. A little walk for the fresh air and the chance of getting to kick more arses into the Jeggare would be nice.

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris


Avaris has been out and about these days. He was with both sides, it seems. When such momentous things happened, especially after such powerful events at Lamm 's he could not stay put. He followed the mobs, a shadow among shadows, but also helped the Guard when things got destructive.

But now, after a good night 's sleep, here it was. The card again. All his Art could not help him really understand what as happened. Or what is happening. He ponders the new message just for a bit. And then, he is packed and out again, lightfooted and fleeing from shadow to shadow. t was not far.

Stealth [roll0]

[Desril]

GM Post
*****

Avaris

Old Korvosa can be a gloomy place, helpful for sticking to the shadows and out of sight even at midday. Thankfully you don't have to keep up the effort for long though, with Zellara's place being such a short distance away. You didn't see too many people out and about from the way you came, but did pass by one group, armed with clubs, who were too busy muttering amongst themselves about the current state of affairs to notice you.

Before you step out from the shadows however, a familiar Varisian woman gets there first.


*****

Raine

A lone woman walking the streets of Old Korvosa at the present time armed with nothing more than a few daggers is an unusual sight, and while you garnered more than a few curious and sometimes not so subtlety hostile glances, your reputation and confidant demeanor kept anyone from as much as calling out your name. Like Avaris, you don't find too many people walking the streets, though everyone you do meet, whether they're armed or simply in a sufficiently large pack to not need a weapon, seems to be heading south.

Only having a little further to walk than the halfling, doing so at a quicker pace has you arrive outside Zellara's door just in time to get there first. Should you try the door, you'll find it unlocked and the house empty, save for the same table and chairs that were there the last time you arrived.


*****

Conrad

Noon or night, the streets of Korvosa have been your home and hunting grounds for years. It's no trouble at all for you to sneak through back alleys and avoid the various mobs forming that you come across. One particularly large mob seems to be lead by a mad man shouting about how the end times are upon you, and that Korvosa should rise up in order to make ready for its soon to appear overlords, but lunatics aren't what you're looking for right now. Hellknights and fellow Guards are handling the main roads while you spot a few members of Sable Company darting to and fro in the sky, presumably trying to be in too many places at once. Surprisingly, the alleys are devoid of the usual lowlives and impoverished that you usually find. Presumably they've all taken to the streets, or are taking advantage of the riots to do things elsewhere.

Once you get to Old Korvosa, like Raine, you notice that most of the people seem to be heading to a certain point and are starting to form a particularly large mob, though for now at least it seems content to just grow in size and volume, with more cries of how "The Queen just wants to let us all rot," and other similar sentiments.

You do notice something familiar heading away from the mob and in the direction of Zellara's home however, a violet haired woman wearing gold-encrusted chain openly in the middle of rioting is difficult to miss. As if you needed confirmation of who it was, you recognize the colored tattoo of Shelyn's holy symbol on Liz' shoulder as she makes her way, presumably, to the same destination as yourself.

[bcool999]

Conrad

As he slips like a shadow through his city, Conrad is disheartened by what he sees and needs to forcefully restrain himself from sending an arrow through the throat of that one mad man. Hopefully the bird brained marines are marking the locations of the big groups and sending word to the guard, or at the very least the knights. Though at the indignation they showed at Cressida's suggestion of that sound strategy I imagine they are instead just fluttering about like beheaded chickens. They should know that they fight best in the air, and that these mobs would tear them apart the second they landed. Conrad thinks and grumbles to himself as he makes his way to Old Korvosa.

When he sees the growing mob in Old Korvosa, Conrad suddenly regrets his decision to meet with the ghost again. It can't be that important can it? Debt or no debt, the city feels like it is about to burst into chaos again. He loses his train of thought when he sees a flash of gold, and recognizes it's owner. Liz. Why am I not surprised that she would walk out into the mobs wearing jewelery... probably thought Shelyn would be disappointed with her if she didn't. Snapping on his mask, Conrad neglects his sneaking in the shadows in order to catch up with Liz, knowing that if he really needed to disappear, he only needed a thought to do so.

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Raine? Here? That cannot be a coincidence.

Hurrying uo tp catch with the slightly berserk woman, Avaris smiles and calls to her.

Raine? I did not expect to see you again so soon. And without a crocodile bag, I might add. Are you also going...to our mutual friend 's house? Did you also get a calling card?

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

"Eh, it's you. What up?" Raine cheerfully hails Avaris as he approaches. "Gator hide takes time t'dry, y'know. But yep. Got a card. So I'm callin'. If nothing else, I wants an explanation for the whole bull and rooster show. Or some coin." She adds with a wistful shake of the head.

[Miraqariftsky]

"Hwat the assmonkeying HELLSTEETH IS WRAWNG WITCHUUU?!" seethes the cloaked figure of a diminutive rider to its feathered mount, slowly making their way through the sidestreets and the slums.

"Kwa? Kuuuuuur ke kwaa! Kuh." What? Twas a damned fine bitch an' no mistake. Heh. retorts the overgrown war-trained axebeak, its namesake maw clacking, flame-red plummage gleaming where they show past the harness of protective barding.

The duo pause in the shadowed archway of a great bridge, the rider glaring upwards at the heavy stamp of a squad of watchmen or marines or gorram Hellknights. Frakked if he knew. Frakked if they got him. "How many times do I gotta snatch ye from the Sables' stables, huh?! Ya wanna get turned inta chicken soup?"

The axebeak's shiny arch of grey and black tailfeathers flicks as he crows, "Kakaka! Kwuu krrruu kek tik tik TIK ka kruuu." As many times as you need me to WEAK you up after ya forget yerself in those whorehouses an' taverns, Longlance.

Suddenly, they tense as they hear movement behind them. Small feet. Many people. Coming in from just along the grimy canal's walkway ledge. The rider listens, then relaxes, allowing himself a tiny twitch of a smile that soon turns into a scowl and then into a sigh.

A bunch of beggar kids, street waifs... street rats and street wolves pretty soon, if they don't get their asses out of this life and this place. One of them, an almond-eyed little girl stares in wonder and fear at what might seem to be a vagabond knight trespassing through their territory... then goes ahead and tugs on the giant rooster's tailfeathers. In a swarm of bony grins and giggles, deepset eyes and childish laughter, they set upon both mount and rider...

"BAH!" Some loaves of bread and cheese and an hour or two poorer, the vagabond knight arrives at Zellara's fence, still arguing with his big red coq, but apparently no. "KEK! Kwa kekaakaa... kurrrr ku kurrraaka... Kwa! KWAAHK!" Regards ta the tin-can drowning victim blade-bitches and the tits at the temple? You're terrible! TERRIBLE."

"Oi! Hallo there!" The halfling rider lowers his cloak's hood, revealing a scarred face framed by copper curls, calls to the others within before maneuvering inside, then groaning and suddenly pulling up short and whapping his oh so noble steed across the coxcomb as it sulks but obeys and dutifully spews a squelch of chicken**** across... what had been... Zellara's garden. "Crap on soil, not crap on floor."

[Desril]

Conrad and Liz

Having abandoned the shadows, it only takes Conrad a moment to catch up to the cleric who recognizes the marksman's outfit and general demeanor once he catches up and makes his presence known. "Oh, hey, I didn't think I'd run into any of you before I made it to Zellara's. Do you think everyone's going to show up?"

The crowd and passerby, for their part, seem a little more reluctant to stare openly at the Shelynite with the addition of the rather intimidating visage of Conrad's masked form at her side.


*****

Laius

Surprisingly, the route you took wasn't quite as abandoned as most of the slums were in this time of upheaval and rioting. Children still play in the streets, speaking and running just out of sight or around corners, bluffs and embellished stories or threats being called out on occasion "give that back or the darkness monster will eat you!" and "I did too meet a dragon! He flew right at me and killed a demon!" are just a few examples of only partially overheard conversations. The few children you do manage to spot before they duck into shelter to hide are covered in mud or soot, and while you overheard a few of the more confidant ones claim that they could "knock 'im out and ride that bird,", despite presumably talking about you, none of them made the attempt.

[bcool999]

Conrad

Keeping an eye on the crowd to make sure they keep their distance, Conrad walks beside Liz the rest of the way to Zellara's place. "Hehe, just like you to go walking around during these riots with gold out in plain view for any cutthroat to see." Conrad says his voice given a metallic echo from his mask, "As for the others, who can say? Maybe they are there waiting on us, maybe the left the city when it erupted in the chaos, maybe they are keeping their heads down like a certain Shelyn Cleric should, or maybe they are dead."

Conrad shrugs and continues before Liz can make a fuss. "Relax I am sure they aren't dead. Zelara, as sly as she is, seems to be pretty sharp on finding people who can actually help. Besides, if she invited one of the others I don't think it would be to usurp her place as head ghost."

As he walks, Conrad keeps an eye out for watchers in the alleys, and on the rooftops, To many people forget to look up. As if nothing bad can ever come from the sky.

[roll0]

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

There were some real advantages to living in a rented garret three stories above the street during a riot. For one, there were fewer people threatening to break down your door--the inertia of the mob generally wasn't a match for long, narrow staircases and wobbly ladders. For another, there was an enchanting view of city burning each night. A more poetic soul than Urchin might even call the ruddy glow of bonfires in the streets romantic.

Most of the loudest protesters seemed riled up about the royal succession, but Jin didn't have a dog in that fight. She was too many rungs down the ladder to really care who sat on the top. She was more sympathetic with the people who just wanted an opportunity to 'redistribute' some wealth, and might have joined in if the streets weren't for the teeming masses. She'd never been comfortable working crowds. Too many variables, too many witnesses. There would be a reckoning when this was over, when indignant lords and ladies would hire thief-takers to track down anyone foolish enough to be seen stealing or fencing stolen goods, and numbers wouldn't protect the more brazen looters then.

Besides, the loot from Gaedren's despicable operation was still weighing down Jin's purse. With enough treasure to pay her bills for a year or more, there wasn't much reason to leave. At least not until the note appeared on top of Zellara's antique harrow deck.

Jin scrambles gathers up the cards and scrambles down to the streets, hard-earned experience allowing her to skip over the loose and rotten treads without thinking. Her lying slug of a landlord wasn't much for upkeep, but the rent was cheap and the building was very near to Zellara's place.

As she approaches her old friend's home and place of business, she can't help but notice the others already approaching. "You're late." Caws a raspy, shrill voice for a few paces behind her. The raven, for that's what spoke, swoops in easily to land on Jin's head.

"I am not late. I'm exactly on time." Jin insists.

"You ran down the stairs, but from above I could see that some others are closer. You're late." The bird repeats, with a stubborn air of finality.

Jin ignores the raven and proceeds at the fastest walking pace she can manage without looking hurried.

[Desril]

Conrad and Liz

"Well I don't exactly have anything fit for blending in, and a gold-plated glaive and chain is expensive. I had to sell most of my sculptures to get these, I couldn't afford anything less flashy afterward. Besides," she says flashing a cheerful smile, "I trust The Eternal Rose to watch out for me. And you've got to admit, they look wonderful."

While she says that and watches the roads, Conrad's scan of the air proves to see little of immediate interest. With the angle and surrounding buildings, you can see nothing more than a lone marine and his hippogriff charging to a trio of what appears to be imps some hundred meters off. The trio vanishes abruptly as the hippogriff arrives however, and after that he heads to the southeast.

*****

Urchin

Living the closest to Zellara's home of everyone assembled, it takes you little time at all to get there, arriving just outside in time to see Laius' mount make an effort to fertilize some of Zellara's dying and dead plants.

*****

Avaris, Laius, and Raine

Avaris and Raine are soon greeted with Laius arrival. The house is still almost entirely empty.

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

"Ah, Master Laius! You're here too?" Raine can't resist an impish grin at the sight of the overgrown chicken spewing its crap all over Zellara's front yard. Serve that damn ghostie right. Just what could she do about it anyway? Boy, the things she could do to people who'd pissed her off if she had a pet that could poop on demand with as much poetic justice...

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

...jumps at one side as the ferocious chicken appears and a second again, as the chicken does as the chicken do. He attempts to sigh and smile at the same time.

"Laius! You are also here. I have the feeling that everyone will show up. Shall we get inside?"

[Bhaakon]

Brin

"Oh, look, it's Liaus's majestic mount." Urchin chirps at Peck as she rounds the last corner on the way to Zellara's old home. "Maybe you should stay out here, makes friends. You can talk about where to find the best grubs, nest weaving, the best things to poop on."

"That chicken monster is no true avian. I told you before, it can't fly. I can't be seen associating with a sod-clomper. The real birds will laugh at me. It's bad enough that I'm stuck with you."

"Aw, you're just jealous of his plumage, Peck. All that eye-catching crimson breast, and that glorious tail. You're all black, beak to talon. You need an extra touch, an accessory to help you stand out. If you'd just try the crown on..." Jin fishes the delicate piece of jewelry out of a belt pouch, spinning the little band of fine-spun gold and semi-precious stones around her index finger.

"No." The bird cuts her off. "No. Nonono. No."

Urchin shrugs, and the crown disappears back into her pouch as Jin nears the small crowd gathering outside Zellara's door. "Well then perch somewhere close and keep an eye out for any looter or hellnights. And don't go off somewhere." She whispers to the bird, who dutifully flaps off to find a comfortable spot on a nearby rooftop.

"Raine, Avaris....um, Sir Shortlance, was it? I see the cards told true, then. The rest must be near, or perhaps waiting inside?" Urchin doesn't reach for the door, not really looking forward to entering Zellara's home for the first time since finding the Varisian matron's head in a box in Lamm's bedroom. Being summoned to a dead friend's home by her ghost was...unsettling.

[Miraqariftsky]

Mailed shoulders shrug as Laius tips his helm to the twiceling pugilist. He flicks Zellara's card out from his utility belt, passes it between his fingers, then sticks it among the ridges of Blaze's coxcomb. "Milady Storm, surely we weren't called by Madam Phantom yet again?" he replies with a smirk. "Ah just thought th' weather was lovely for a nice quiet ride through this oh so lovely city."

"Kaaaahk... KEEHHHKK... kekahk, kehakka. Kak akakak." comes the axebeak's proud and chest-puffed response to the young mage and her raven. Laius lets his lance-butt fall to the ground as he reaches up to rub at his nose before translating, "...KOFF. Blaze says thanks fer the appreciation an' that Peck's 'pparently more racist than my twiceling-this an' twiceling-that..."

And then he bristles, or seems to bristle but gives in to a bark of a laugh, then waggles the speartip half a foot above the Urchin's head. "That's but Act I, Scene 1, ma'am Sparky."

With that, he draws back on his lance and knocks on the door with the spearbutt. "Knock-knock an' g'morn Korvosa!" If no phantasm opens the door, he gives Blaze a nudge to... ---open--- the door.

[Desril]

GM Post
*****

Avaris, Laius, Raine, and Urchin

The four of you make your way into the same dining room that you'd gathered in before, this time understanding why the house seems so empty and desolate. Much more fitting for a ghost than a living woman. Before anyone can so much as think of taking a chair however, two more arrivals announce their presence.

*****

Conrad and Liz

It only takes another minute to get to Zellara's home, the speed of your pace was enough to keep a mob from forming up on the pair and the combination of Conrad's intimidating presence and Liz' golden glaive's gleam serving to keep any of the smaller groups from trying their luck. Spotting Laius' trusty chicken and trusting the spirit to have sent the summons in good faith, Liz doesn't stop to scout the place for traps before stepping inside and calling out, "Where is everyone?"

*****

Everyone

Once the cleric and marksman join the rest of the assembled party in the dining area, suddenly a seventh person appears at the end of the table, shuffling her deck of harrow cards and smiling sadly. Zellara looks at each one of you in turn after you notice her sudden appearance and takes a moment before speaking. "I'm glad you all chose to come. I worried for a moment there that you might decide not to come back after you found...well, what you did, back at the fishery," she says, unable or unwilling to mention her own severed head. "I know you lot probably have questions for me, and with what I fear is about to happen, I feel it to be important that your minds are at ease. Before that though, there is something I must say." Smiling more genuinely now with no small hint of satisfaction, "Thank you, for what you did to that monster. For what he did to me, to my son, and so many others, Gaedren Lamm deserved every second of that."

After a short pause she takes on a more serious tone once more and continues, "Now please, for the sake of Korvosa, let us clear the air between us. Ask of me what you will before I explain to you why I've summoned you here once again."

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Despite his cheerful appearance, Avaris knows a lot about the Terrors of the Beryond. Much of his Art is based on knowing the energies of the cosmos and how to shape them.

But the sight of dear Zellara, who he knew for a long time, his friend and his father 's friend, appearing in such a state, makes him shiver. He must know.

"Zellara... I once called you friend. But now... I am not sure what you are. Are you a spirit? A haunting? How come you are still here?"

[bcool999]

Conrad

Leaning against a wall watching for the specter's appearance, Conrad again has Emmah's ring in hand. Still hanging from the loop of leather he found to tie it to his neck, he runs it through his fingers, remembering times gone by, and wishes left unfulfilled. Shaking his head, he returns the ring to its proper place beneath his armor and addresses Zellara, "Personally, I care not what you are or why you remain in this world with your vengeance fulfilled. As long as you don't burden me with frivolous requests, or cause any harm to befall this city I have no quarrel with you. Abadar knows, this city it full to bursting with trouble and quarrels these days..."

[Desril]

GM Post

First responding to the halfling, Zellara gives a slight shrug of her shoulders"Right to the heart of the issue I see, I suppose you could say I'm a ghost, or near enough as to not matter. I do not know how it happened. When I was killed my soul didn't leave for the Boneyard, but was drawn to these cards instead. They've been in my family for dozens of generations and I've always known they were unique, but I didn't truly understand why until I found myself bound to them. In any case, I am me, not some remnant or specter, but manifesting visually like this is taxing so I can't do it too often. I don't know how I might move on, but that is for the best since the little power I have now was able to bring you six together for the dark times to come."

With a glance toward Conrad, the ghost bows her head in a quick nod. "Yes, Korvosa is about to burst. But the riots are the least of our worries if what I have foreseen comes to pass. Being dead gives a certain clarity when performing a Harrow. Rest assured that we want the same thing. For all its grime and crime, I still love this city and want to see it protected. I've brought you all here so that I can do what I can to aid you in that endeavor."

Zellara pauses again, looking to the rest of you to see if there are any other questions before moving on and explaining exactly what she meant.

[Miraqariftsky]

Blaze's beak clacks, a faraway look in his amber eyes
Bird's tongue and slight clawing, giving no lies
That battle was a time etiquette was bent
Ganglord's flesh, into the bird's gut went

Meanwhile the rider cradles his lance and listens
Otherworldly insight regarding the city came he whence

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

"We want the same thing, do we? And just what might that be, if yer don't mind me askin'?" Despite the jovial lilt of Raine's voice, the young woman's eyes remain hard and canny, doing her best to refrain from clobbering Zellara on the head - just to see if the club would pass through or not.

[Desril]

GM Post

"To see Korvosa safe and protected, and to set it on the path to becoming a nicer place where the people we care about are protected. A place where our friends and families will be able to live happily."

She stops shuffling the deck at this point and sets it down on the table, looking at each of you once more. "Now I think it is time that I explain why I brought you all here again. I said a moment ago that the rioting was the least of our concerns, and the reason for that is because a terrible wrath is soon to be brought down upon Korvosa but it is going to beyond any of the ordinary men and women here to do anything to stop it, but with the six of you together, the crisis might be averted."

"Please, allow me to conduct a Harrowing. It will be easier to show you than tell you what must be done to save this city."

With that said, she draws out 9 cards from the deck and places them face down, "First, the Choosing. I ask that you each take one card. Should your role card appear in the spread, it will have more significance to you than the others."

As each of you take a card, either feeling compelled by one in particular or simply choosing at random, Zellara asks you to place them back in the deck after their reveal.

Avaris, your card has the image of a grig standing next to a peach with the symbol of a key in the middle of the card at the top. "The Cricket, it is oft associated with speedy travel, but the peach next to it represents treasure at the end of the road. You will profit from this adventure if you choose to undertake it."

Conrad, yours is the image of a will-o'-wisp leading a man into a swamp. It also bears the image of a key, but in the lower right corner. "The Demon's Lantern, you walk a dangerous road and the light you follow may not be as kindly as it appears. You had best be careful of your current path, for it may betray you at any turn."

Elizabeth, your card bears the picture of a Varisian woman dancing with the sun and planets orbiting her in perfect synchronization. It too has a key in the upper left hand corner. "The Dance reminds us to know our place in carrying out the greater good and warns us to stay in perfect step lest the whole construct come tumbling down around us, but if you can keep up, good things will follow."

Laius, the card you drew looks like the bastard offspring of a rooster and a dragon, a cockatrice with the symbol of a key in the dead center. "The Peacock warns us all that nothing is eternal no matter how beautiful it may once have been. It always signifies a sudden shift, either in you or for society."

Raine, your chosen card has appearance of a cloaked figure holding a dozen keys, and the Key symbol itself in the middle of the left-hand side of the card. "The Locksmith merely gives you the key to unlock your destiny, but it is up to you to walk through that door and embrace it, or to continue on as you have been."

Urchin, with the last card to reveal, yours is a massive mudslide. Being taught the Harrow by Zellara you don't even need to see the key in the bottom left corner to recognize this card or its meaning. Zellara frowns slightly but quickly hides it, "The Avalanche is an unthinking unfeeling disaster. You will be in danger, be it from a mob or something more natural, and there is little you will be able to do to avoid it."




Once that is done, she shuffles the cards once more and this time draws from the top, again placing nine cards face down in a three-by-three pattern. "And now, let us see what fates you have." Slowly, one by one, she flips over the left most column of cards from her position, revealing first the same card Avaris had drawn, the Cricket, which sits in the top row. In the middle lies the image of a dwarf-like creature seemingly made of metal with hair of fire, and the third card is of an enormous tornado destroying all in its path. “The Cricket, The Brass Dwarf, and The Cyclone. You have each had to deal with scheming and plots that would have been most dangerous, but either through quick wit,” she says eying Avaris in particular, “or simple hearty endurance you managed.”

Next she reveals the middle column in the same fashion. First the image of a woman hidden behind a strange mask, then in the middle lies Laius' chosen card, The Peacock, and lastly is the image of a castle with legs, moving about on its own. “The Peacock is in its perfect position. Yes, a great and sudden change is coming soon or has already occured, but for either good or ill, it is impossible to tell now. I feel that the answer to that will be a direct result of the actions each of you take. The Keep also bears great significance here, suggesting that some among you may give in to temptation and either throw your lot in with a greater power, or simply stand aside and let them do as they please.”

Finally, the last column, which Urchin knows as the cards representing the future are the most subject to interpretation. The top card is bears the image of a puppet knight battling a puppet dragon, while the middle bears the image of a suit wearing alligator with two left hands sitting atop a naked prostrated human, while the last bears the image of a giant juggling elephants, trees, and houses. “In its proper place, the Juggler can be a sign that you will obtain what you desire, but misaligned as it is, he will falter and those whose lives he meddled in will face tragedy. Be careful with how deeply you get involved with affairs, if you try to do too much you too will falter and Korvosa will pay for your blunder."


With the reading done, the apparition pauses for effect for a moment before frowning sharply as she starts to become translucent. "It seems as if my time is running out for the moment, but I do have one more thing for you while I am still manifested. I said before that I knew these cards were special, and now I can harness the power that makes them so. I believe you will be able to make better use of that power than I however. Please, if you would use your power to save this city, take up the card in front of you." Before any of you can ask what card she means, as the ones for the harrowing have already been returned to the deck, 6 cards begin to glow and shoot out from the deck to land in front of each of you face down.

[bcool999]

Conrad

Showing only the slightest impatience at the fortune telling theatrics, Conrad takes the new card that appears before him, glances at it, and asks, "Now that we got that out of the way, are you actually going to say what this 'Great Wrath' actually is? Don't tell me you just brought us out here to play with cards and tell us something bad may coming in the wake of these riots?" Only thing worse than a fortune teller is a dead one. I follow an 'unkind light' huh? So far the only thing I have been following are your leads, guess that is why I am better off sticking to the shadows...

Slightly annoyed at the hocus pocus, Conrad thinks to throw his card away, but at the last second he decides not to and slips it into a pocket.

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

Raine isn't entirely sure that she wants Korvosa protected. Hell, she'd had thoughts before that the people would be better off the whole stinking midden was burnt to the ground so that people could start over without uppity nobles and underworld scum. Still, an offer of power was tantalising... but at what cost? It wasn't as though she held Harrowers in particularly high esteem either.

"This had better be good," she mutters aloud, squinting hard at the card before her as if she could make it vanish by sheer force of will.

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Avaris looks at the others with a squinty look. They could not feel it, could they? But Avaris' hair were all but standing up from the forces that were gathering around the spirit.

"Do not make jokes about this. Something big is happening."

Avaris looks at the cards with an intense stare. He picks up his cards with a slightly trembling hand.


I hope you do not mind that I assumed Avaris could feel the magic. The idea was that he is very sensitive to planar forces, and that Zellara is sort of a planar anomaly. I did not want to say that 'Avaris knows and you others are clueless'. If however you do not like the post, I will edit accordingly.

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

Zellara had always taken the harrow so seriously, even though she knew well enough how useless prophesy had become since Aroden's fall. Jin absorbed the lessons mostly because harrowing was an easy way to earn a couple silvers--and maybe a bit more from the suckers who actually bought into the cards. Secretly, she'd always thought her teacher might be one of those suckers.

So why was she swallowing hard when The Avalanche was revealed? The rest of the reading is a blur, as Urchin sits contemplating ever more lurid visions of her impending doom. This wasn't a normal reading, with flowery explanations couched to highlight the good cards and
downplay the bad. This was a disastrous harrowing, and Zellara wasn't pulling a single punch. Strangest of all, Jin found herself believing every word.

"Yes, Zel. Of...of course. Save the city." She responds weakly to the spirit's final request, still quite unnerved by the whole thing--from the closest person she had to a parent talking to her from beyond the grave to the uncannily compelling reading. Her hand shoots out and snags her card, drawing it close before turning up a corner to peek at it like a dockside cardsharp.

[Desril]

GM Post

It doesn't take more than a moment after taking your cards for even those of you who are most reluctant to take the word of the ghost to realize that, at least the part about wanting to help you, was the truth. At a touch, the visible magical energy that was coating the card infuses itself into each of your bodies and you are all each suddenly filled with a brief sense of invulnerability, as if you suddenly knew what it was like to be a god. Generations of heroes and villains have come and gone, yet few of them accomplished as much as you suddenly feel capable of should you set your mind to the task.

The instant passes quickly however, and the golden glow around each of you fades. With it gone you come back to your proper senses, feeling stronger and more sure of yourselves than you ever have before this moment but no longer quite as excessively as a second ago when the power was still surging into you.

The cards you picked, for their part, have vanished, possibly destroyed or magically returned to the Harrow deck that sits unattended at the end of the table. You notice now that with the flash of light that empowered you all, Zellara disappeared as well, leaving you lot without any hints about where precisely you needed to go.

Spellcraft or K: Religion DC 15 or Sense Motive DC 20

Despite not being able to see her, the more spiritually perceptive of you still feel Zellara's presence lingering around and realize that she hasn't moved on.

Similarly, those of you with knowledge of ghosts and manifestations like Zellara's realize that she most likely is simply unable to manifest any longer for now.


Sense Motive DC 20 (Different roll) - Intuition check

While you weren't given any direction, you realize that the power you were granted will be extraordinarily useful in helping keep the city safe during these riots. Maybe it'd be a good idea to stick together and see what trouble you can find. Given the state of the city it shouldn't take long for something dangerous to attract your attention.



Everyone has now Ascended to Mythic Tier 1

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

Sense Motive rolls:
(1d20+5)[9]
(1d20+5)[20]

"Ahh. Not bad." Raine cracks her knuckles one by one, almost purring. Now that was more like it. Some payment from Zellara at last. Like drinking a really good cup of coffee, really. Now to see what would happen and whether she needed to borrow Laius's big chicken to splatter more crap all over this hovel before razing it to the ground and peeing on that Harrow deck yonder.

"Welp. Thanking yer for now, unless my head explodes or I turn green in the next hour or so. In which case, ma'am Zell, you 'n I are having words," says Raine sunnily. "Anyone wants second breakfast? Maybe with a spot 'o trouble on the side?"

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

...Shakes her head, hoping a bit of violent reorganization will hep her process the strange happenings of the last few minutes. It doesn't help much, but Raine's offhanded comments give her some measure of focus. "Nothing turns you green quite like a second breakfast fistfight." Jin grins right back. "One good shot to the gut and, well..."

"Zellara won't hurt us, alive, or dead, or undead, or whatever she is now. If you think different, then put your card back in the...huh. She looks down, realizing for the first time that her hand is empty.

[Miraqariftsky]

"Wouldn't say no ta either-a those, ma'am Zell...
...do-goodin's good, but a contract an'
Defined pay'd ha' been better.

Hmm? Hmm!
That... might suffice. As down-pay.
As ta wot ye say, Lady Storm, who says no ta grub, hey?"

A snort and a cough disturb the pattern
Of the serpentine stream of pipesmoke
From the black-armoured
Shishkabab shrimp

Laius taps the pipe on his shield,
Spilling aromatic ash over the
Emblazoned heraldry
Of sword on skull
Then tucks
His card
Away

Unperturbed by smoke,
The armoured axebeak coqs his head as well
At the prospect of grub and at the offer of fight...

[Desril]

GM Post

Empowered as you are, the idea of eggs with a side of goon sprinkled ruffian sounds like a good idea and the lot of you depart the once again empty former home of the deceased Zellara.

Not having any particular place in mind to go to, you make your way south through Old Korvosa, following the steps of the mob that was still growing when Conrad and Elizabeth passed on their way to the meeting. Harrowings take time to perform however, and in the interim, the people have stopped adding to the mob. You hear why before you see why. Loud shouts by a single voice of "The end is upon us! All will be consumed!" are followed and rapidly drowned out by the cacophonous noise of hundreds of voices crying out just around the corner of the next street, not quite in unison, an array of "We'll storm the palace!" "Down with that harlot!" "This is OUR city!" There must be hundreds of people gathered.

If any of you round the corner you'll see that 'hundreds' might be a low estimate. The street is mobbed with bodies, some wielding torches, others pitchforks, and some, the rare legitimate weapon, all are openly waved about leaving barely room to walk or see through, though you do think the mob would be possible to navigate, if difficult.

If you were looking for trouble, you found it. It doesn't really take much knowledge of mob mentality to know that if these people continue as they are they're likely to actually attempt to follow through with their angry threats, no matter how much bloodshed it would cause.


Perception DC 20

Difficult to see any one individual though it is, you do manage to spot a couple of things of interest through the assembled mass of people.

First, you don't see the demonic-visage of the armor-clad Hellknights or the less freightening appearance of the Korvosan Guard. Looking up you do spot a pair of Sable Company Marines in the skies, but they're currently engaged with a small group of imps and unlikely to be of much use in calming a mob of this size from the air anyway.

Second, you see that the man who is shouting about the end of times is an old man with a cloth bandage over his head standing on a wooden crate near a sewer grate with a small gathering around him looking in his direction while the rest of the mob is less organized.

Third, there doesn't seem to be any specific leader in the group whose words the mob is listening to. The end prophet, while standing above the rest, is only surrounded by a couple of listeners as most of the mob is ignoring him.

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

"What's happening? Who is leading them? I can't see over these oafs!" Jin grumbles as she stretches up on tip-toes in a vain attempt to peer over the wall humanity. She'd always made fun of fancy ladies with their ridiculous high-heeled dress shoes, but right now it would be worth the indignity if it meant an extra couple of inches. Sadly, there weren't any noble women about to rob.

"It's a mob." Reports Peck, as he swoops down to reclaim his perch on Jin's noggin.

"Clearly. Why didn't you warn me. I said to keep a lookout."

"You said to watch for 'looters or hellknights.'" The bird replies, repeating the orders with an uncanny impression of Jin. "They're not looting. They' not in spiky armor."

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Avaris did not like what he was seeing, at all. A mob that large would force a Hellknight response. The Hellknights would leave a trail of blood from here to Castle Korvosa.

Avaris looks more carefully. The mob is not organized. A little push and they can be dispersed. Where to send them , so that they cannot cause any trouble?

The Docks. Nothing to do there and plenty of sailors who know how to fistfight. Some broken noses are better than killings.

Avaris turns to Urchin.

'Bet you a silver I can make them run to the Docks. Are you in?'.

Winking, Avaris finds something tall to climb and starts shouting.

'Listen to me, listen all of you! We have been played for a fool. The Quenn is trying to leave by the Docks! She has a ship ready! Follow me, wuickly, before she can escape! To the Docks, we will miss her! Down with the wh*re'

Avaris makes a show of starting to run for the docks. If the crowd starts moving, he continues to prod them, slowing down and leaving by a side street. He then joins the others

So... Bluff? [roll0]
Local to make appropriate references and choose streets [roll1]
Stealth to disappear afterwards [roll2]

And Spellcraft for the card. [roll3] Not sure how knowing the card helps.

EDIT: Two 20s and 1? What just happened? Also, asking Urchin then. How does knowing the card help?

[Desril]

GM Post

Mob Sense Motive [Can't succeed] - Failed
Mob Perception (1d20+5)[18] - Failed


It takes a moment before the din of the crowd quiets down after Avaris has called for the mob's ears, but something about the halfling's voice manages to command their attention. Surprisingly, such a short speech is quite effective in giving the aimless mass a direction, only about two dozen of the crowd stand around to look at each other and the ranting old man questioningly while the hundreds of others all follow Avaris through unpopulated and unguarded side alleys, leaving broken crates and barrels in their wake but thankfully no flames.

It takes nearly a quarter of an hour to lead the mob to the docks, over the course of which anyone who bothered to look up would have seen that one of the pair of Marines was almost always in sight of the mob, probably trying to keep an eye on them after the imps were dealt with. Despite the massive crowd of bodies behind him, it's quite simple for Avaris to increase his pace and duck into the shadows, swiftly moving out of sight of the mob before they can round the last corner.

Bereft of their temporary leader, hate-filled cries of the particulars of what exactly is going to befall the Queen turn to shouts about the location of "the halfling" and upon realizing that there's five decent sized ships in the harbor, and any number of smaller vessels, the cries turn to locating a more important individual. "Which ship is the bitch on!?" is followed shortly by a command of "Frack it, burn 'em all!" Much to the dismay of anyone who isn't a fan of a blazing inferno and the smell of burning things, this is met with an uproar of approval.

Before the mob can reach the nearest of the ships, a brig bearing the name 'Sea Drake' however, the sailors who haven't already backed away out of a feeling of self preservation move out to protect the docks. The mob is met by a two dozen steely eyed looking sailors. Only one of the sailors, a half elf with a heavy crossbow in hand, speaks out, "I don't know what your lookin' for, but unless it's steel you won't find it here. Go home." His compatriots instead letting their loaded and readied crossbows give their own warning. For their part, the hundreds of unruly civilians quiet down momentarily.

The only thing that detracts from the intensity of the scene is the one man who happens to still be sitting down through all of this wearing the uniform of a member of the Korvosan Guard with a bottle clutched in his hand, laying against an unmarked crate clearly drunk despite it being only just past lunch, and almost exactly in the middle of the sailors and where the mob has paused. He doesn't seem to care much about the impending struggle, and neither of the two assembled groups seem to be paying him any attention.

Knowledge Local DC 18
You recognize the drunk who's in a rather unfortunate position as one Grau Soldado. He's a well liked if inefficient Watch Sergeant, or at least he was before the riots started but he seems to have abandoned his duties to get sloshed.


Sense Motive DC 20
The mob is wary of the sailors, but not frightened enough to disperse. Another strong push might manage to break them up, but a single misspoken word, or even simply letting this standoff continue, could turn the docks into a bloodbath.

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

Avaris's tactic had worked, but where what was his endgame? They'd just turned a march on the nigh-impregnable palace into a march on the very flammable warehouse district. The Queen might not be in danger, but a goodly part of the city was likely to burn down if those idiots set their firebrands to the wrong cargo.

It was too bad, really, because this really was a fine spot for a trap. Pinning the mob up against the docks would have let the guard surround them with half the manpower. Too bad this seat-of-the-pants operation didn't have the guard's sanction.

But the mob didn't know that.

Brin gets to work, using her magic to manipulate the thoughts of a couple of nearby rabble-rousers, subtly prodding them into considering just how bad it would go for all of them if they pinned here with their backs to the sea. It wasn't much, but she hoped it would be enough tinder to set the entire crowd to flight. I was sure I only prepared this spell once... she wonders, briefly, but there was no time for pondering the subject now.

"Follow my lead." She says to the others with a wink before enacting her plan.

"Hellknights! Scores of em, lookin' to drive us into the sea!" She shouts, pushing hard into the mob like someone looking to flee. "I ain't gunna be shark bait! E'ery man for hisself!"

Cast Sow thoughts as described, using Wild Arcana to cast it an additional time. Save DC is 15.

Then Bluff check: [roll0]

and spend my last mythic power on a surge if that roll is insufficient: [roll1]

[Desril]

Liz

At Urchin's request to 'follow her lead' Liz realizes that she probably has some idea to break up the crowd peacefully before this turns to violence and whispers back, "Just a moment, let me say a prayer for you. Oh Eternal Rose, grant your blessing and aid us in preventing these people from bringing destruction."

Upon seeing the witch dash into the crowd, the cleric stalls for a second. Oh, I get it. And then quickly follows, doing her best to act scared and force her way forward, "They're almost here!"


Casting Guidance on Urchin to give her a +1 to that Bluff check. (Sorry Grog, would've used this on Avaris earlier, but I was in shock about what his plan was and it slipped my mind. Not like you needed it with that nat 20 though)

Aid Another on Bluff [roll0]

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

...quickly picks up Urchin 's strategem. That was good thinking. He was growing uneasy. Choosing a way to run from and a safe alley to run to, Avaris also starts to shout.

"They are coming! The b@st@rds, they were in hiding! Run, run!"

Bluff [roll0]

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

Knowledge (local): (1d20+3)[17]
Diplomacy: [roll0]

Why was it that people became stupider the larger the size of the group that they were in? The stupidity seemed to be affecting the others too. Sighing to herself, Raine squints at the inebriated guard - he looked familiar somehow, not that she could place him - shrugs, and squats next to him by the crate. Hopefully the crowd would disperse soon.

"Right good spell we're having, ain't it?" She remarks amiably to the guard. "Shouldn't yer be on duty or something?"

[Desril]

GM Post

Mob Sense Motive (1d20+5)[11]
Mob will save (1d20)[5]

Mob trampling (1d6)[4]

Avaris (1d20+2)[14] - Passed
Conrad (1d20+7)[26] - Passed
Liz (1d20+3)[10] - Failed
Raine - (1d20+6)[8] - Failed (Possible success on a Surge, but only on a 6)
Urchin (1d20+4)[7] - Failed (Surge will not help)


Everyone

With Urchin's magical mental manipulation combined with her, Liz', and Avaris' feigned panic, the mob rapidly goes from angry to worried to terrified. The pseudo-cohesion that once existed and the shouts for the Queen's head are quickly replaced by scared yells about what the Hellknights will do. The sound of the hundreds of panicked footsteps as the mob scatters in every direction away from the docks is almost deafening. Unfortunately, a scattering mob provides its own dangers. Save for the safely mounted Laius, each of you struggle against the suddenly scattering mass of people trampling anything that gets in the way, but while Liz, Raine, and Urchin might disagree with anyone who says that the fleeing men and women are harmless, they certainly won't be raiding the castle or burning down the docks any time soon.

Liz, Raine, and Urchin take 4 damage from the scattering, panicked mob

Raine
With the crowd dispersed, Raine manages to make the rest of the walk to the drunken guard much more easily than the first few steps. Being right next to him, you easily recognize the reek of ale that almost hides the smell of stale sweat. Clearly this man hasn't changed out of or cleaned his armor in days. "Hah, yea, that's a way to put it...dragons and devils in the skies, chaos in the streets, the king murdered...wha's the point in trying? The city's already gone to the Hells, I may as well just," looking up at the dreadlocked Varisian squatting next to him for the first time, his eyes suddenly go wide, "Neffi?! HEY, haven't seen ya since I left Sandpoint. Com'on, help me up, drinks are on me at...uhh...at...damn, where am I?" looking over to the nearest sailor, the bunch of them having already put away their weapons and gone back to work, he calls out a question "Hey, where's the nearest tavern?" Perhaps fortunately, the sailors ignore him.

Knowledge Local - No Check Required for people who live in Old Korvosa

The nearest tavern is the 'Sticky Mermaid' about a block away.

[bcool999]

Conrad

Dodging out of the way of the fleeing crowd (where they didn't part at the sight of him), Conrad nods thinking of how well that turned out overall. No deaths... surprising, but this just let off some of the pressure. The city is still rising to a boil overall... And why are there so many imps flying about? I may need to report in soon and find out what that is about... But first... Thinks Conrad as his eyes fall on the inebriated Watch Sergeant.

Carefully, Conrad pads silently to the Derelict Guard's back. He plants a firm hand on this shoulder and lowers his face to his ear so that the cold metal of his mask can be felt and whispers, "Drinks? Don't you think it is about time to get back to your post... Sergeant?" the Sergeant is emphasized with a tight squeeze as he lifts the man to his feet.

Stealth: [roll0]
Intimidate: [roll1]

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

Peck takes to the air a couple panic flaps and circles above as the dispersing crowd does its best imitation of a herd of spooked aurochs. Jin manages to keep her feet in the fray, which is probably why she gets away with 'only' a couple smashed toes, a straight arm to the jaw, and an elbow to the ribs that feels like it might have left one cracked--or at least those the blows she remembers clearly.

Better than a stomped head. She consoles herself as she spits out a jet of crimson-stained spittle, courtesy of a fresh laceration on the inside of her cheek. She leaves the drunken guardsman to Conrad and dazedly looks about for Liz. "Shelyn have something for a light case of trampling?" She manages to force out through rapidly swelling lips.

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Knowing nothing of dealing with drunks, and not having the strength to prop up a silly human by himself, Avaris approaches the man.

"Yes, I think you had one too many drink, friend. And that was before the last five drinks. So, where do you live? Wandering guards can be killed, with the mobs running around."

[Desril]

Liz

Channel Positive Energy (1d6)[4]


Rolling her shoulder to work out the soreness from the rampaging mob, Elizabeth nods her head at Urchin's request. With a short and simple prayer, "Oh Eternal Rose, please unmake these wounds and restore us." a shimmering golden light fills the area for a brief moment and your bruises all begin to fade as you feel somewhat revitalized.

Everyone heals 4 HP (Oh, look at that, perfect for undoing the damage)
*****

GM Post

With Conrad's less than friendly assistance, Sergeant Soldado is quickly back up on his feet. At the disgruntled marksman's words however, the drunken guard stops his 'thanks' mid-breath and instead looks guiltily down at his feet. "'s like I said, there's no point...nothin's gonna stop all this." With a hiccup and a sigh, Grau looks down to Avaris. "Don't have a place anymore...it got lit up the first day of the riots. Guess there's the barracks up at the Citadel, but..." He trails off and looks back at Conrad with a seemingly genuine look of confusion. "What difference will I make?"

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

Raine makes a face at Conrad over the sergeant's head, though she has no idea what expression Conrad might have made in response, thanks to the man's mask. A free drink was a free drink, and so much the better if the buyer's purse strings were loosened by wine. So much for ale for elevenses.

"I'm not Neffi, friend," she says with the same easy cheer. "Still, these two've got th'right of it. You doing your part could make all the difference. Want of a sturdy nail in th'right place could send a whole house tumbling down. Want of a good man with a good heart could see a city burn. Won't know the difference unless yer try, eh?"

Diplomacy: [roll0]

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

"I would guess it would make a difference for you if the mob found you and you got killes by pitch forks. This is no time for members of the Guard to be walking alone and drunk.

So, up with you. Go to the barracks, change your uniform and get your feet under you. Houses rarely burn down as thoroughly as we think. It maerits a look.

Up, I say!"

It is almost funny, the small halfling being stern to the drunk sergeant.

Diplomacy? [roll0]

[Desril]

GM Post

The inebriated guardsman looks into Raine's eyes, seemingly seeing her properly for the first time, and glances to both Conrad and Avaris slowly before looking down at his feet. "You're right...this ain't the time to be drinkin', what'd my sis say if she saw me like this?" Still unsure on his feet, he uses the adjacent crate to steady himself for a moment before nodding in drunken determination. "But I can't work like this...can you get me back to the ci-*hiccup*-citadel?"

*****

Liz

Making her way to the drunk guard in time to catch the tail-end of the conversation, the Shelynite looks sympathetically at him, but stays silent deciding to let her companions do the talking, whispering to Urchin and Laius, "Citadel Volshyenek is a bit of a walk from here, but we can't just leave him like this, I think we should make sure he gets there safely."


Citadel - Knowledge Local DC 5 or Korvosan native

You all live in the city, but I guess there's a chance some of you just do not pay attention to your surroundings.

Citadel Volshyenek is the headquarters of the Korvosan Guard, and is situated in the Midlands, and is a bit more than a mile from your current position as the raven flies. Closer to a mile and a half for those bound to the ground, and probably two miles accounting for detours due to rioting.

[bcool999]

Conrad

"*Sigh* Yeah we can take you. I have been meaning to report in and ask the Field Marshal where the heck all these imps are coming from. As if we didn't have enough problems with the rioters." Trying to avoid the stink of the guardsman's breath, Conrad offers an arm to help steady the man and get him moving towards the Citadel.

[Desril]

GM Post


Stealth
1 (1d20+23)[32]
2 (1d20+23)[37]
3 (1d20+23)[41]
4 (1d20+23)[43]

Perception (treating everything as Aid Anothers for the highest roll)
Avaris (1d20+7)[15]
Conrad (1d20+7)[26]
Liz (1d20+10)[30] +10 from Aid Anothers for 40. Not Surging.
Raine (1d20+6)[26]
Laius (1d20+3)[16]
Urchin (1d20+4)[23]


Without a better option for the time being, you make your way south out of Old Korvosa and toward Citadel Volshyenek in the Midlands district. Thankfully, your efforts of panicking the mob and scattering them seem to have paid off. As you cross the bridge to North Point, you spot a contingent of Hellknights heading toward Old Korvosa. It's a small group, but one that would've likely caused several deaths in the mob before it was dispersed. They pass by you silently, save for the rhythmic clanging of armored boots on stone. Grau, for his part, remains silent and sullen but makes no attempt to deviate from the group. From the bridge it's only a short jaunt to the Jeggare Circle that marks roughly one third of the distance from where you started to the Citadel. North Point is at least a little safer than Old Korvosa as far as riots are concerned, or so the few merchants and smaller groups of citizens walking about unarmed would contest. But it is there that each of you has a sudden strange feeling, almost like you're being watched, but none of the people in the circle seem to be paying you any special attention beyond the occasional fearful or nervous glances as they go about their business.

It's not until all of you look toward a fruit stand at once that Liz finally spots the source of the ominous feeling and whispers to the group, "Over there, by the peaches, look above the stand. There's two little things standing on the cloth covering it, I can just barely make them out when they're moving. Think whatever it is might be dangerous? Should we check it out?"

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Try as he might, Avaris cannot see anything where Liz points. He says.

"Act nonchalant for a bit"

and goes slowly to merge with the shadows. He then tries to get closer to see.

Stealth and moving closer.

Stealth [roll0]

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

"Who cares? Ain't doing nothing wrong now, are we?" Raine yawns lazily, not bothering to hide her mouth, stretching one arm above her head. Still, she keeps a careful eye out for Avaris, ready to rush to his aid if anything should go awry.

[Desril]

GM Post

Perceptions
(1d20+7)[16]
(1d20+7)[15]
(1d20+7)[24]
(1d20+7)[12]

Avaris

You approach the peach stand unhampered except by the merchant trying to sell his product. Keeping a close eye on whatever figures are on the tarp, you're sure that neither of them have moved and pretty confidant that neither of them noticed you. It'll be impossible to be absolutely certain you wouldn't miss, given that you can't see anything about them other than where whatever they are happen to be squatting, but the two invisible entities are both just within arm's reach.

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Avaris smiles at the thought that he can literally tap the shoulders of those that are stalking them. But should he? The prudent thing would be to do just that.

Prudence... who needs it when you can have fun?

Avaris says in his most polite tone, his feet already poised to start running.

'Excuse me! Can I help you with something? I know that my friends are a sight to behold, but invisible squatting is said to be bad for your colon."

Getting ready to flee if anything goes bad

[Desril]

GM Post

Avaris

At your words, even though you can't see the ones they were spoken to you get the feeling that they immediately tense up at having been spotted. They carry out a short, hushed conversation in a harsh sounding language that you don't speak, but before either of them reply to Avaris directly, the halfling feels a sharp stab in his shoulder and an unpleasant burning sensation spreads out from it as a red-skinned, winged humanoid wearing an amulet suddenly appears behind you, having attacked you invisibly.

Everyone

The devilish looking creature issues a command to his compatriots in the same tongue, but you're all more than confidant that it was something along the lines of "Attack!". Thankfully, Avaris and Raine both were prepared for a potentially hostile situation, though perhaps not like this, and after the initial assault, Raine reacts first.

Avaris takes 1 damage and 1 point of Dex damage unless he uses a Surge to add 1d6 to the save against poison

**Combat with 3 invisible creatures and 1 imp has begun. This is a surprise round, #3 has already acted. Raine, Avaris, and #4 can act, and then combat proper begins from the top of the initiative order

Knowledge Planes DC 12 (Everyone recognizes the creature as an Imp, but knowing what to call it and knowing what it is aren't the same thing)

There's no mistaking the tiny, red menaces. Born directly from the pits of Hell, imps are among the least of the true devils; these vicious, manipulative fiends, however, hold an important role in the corruption of mortal souls. Unfettered from the ranks and duties of diabolical armies, imps delight in any opportunity to travel to the Material Plane and subtly tempt mortals toward acts of ever-greater depravity.

They, like all devils, are immune to fire and are particularly difficult to put down as they can heal themselves rapidly and turn invisible at will. They can also transform into some lesser beasts if their poisonous stingers aren't threatening enough, in addition to being naturally resistant to any weapon not made of silver or blessed by holy power.

What you don't know is why they're acting so...chaotically. Normally imps would tempt and corrupt mortals, attacking an armed group at random is unlike them.


Rolls

Impititive
1 (1d20+3)[6]
2 (1d20+3)[19]
3 (1d20+3)[18]
4 (1d20+3)[20]

Surprise Round Charge (not flat-footed due to readied action to flee) (1d20+12)[30]
Damage (1d4)[1]

Avaris Fort save vs Poison DC 13 (1d20+2)[12] - failed
Dex damage (1d2)[1]

Avaris (1d20+2)[3]
Conrad (1d20+4)[11]
Liz (1d20)[19]
Laius (1d20+1)[13]
Raine (1d20+4)[23]
Urchin (1d20+5)[18]


Initiative Order
Raine - 23 - It is now Raine's turn
4 - 20
2 - 19
Liz - 19
Urchin - 18
3 - 18 - Already Acted in the Surprise Round
Laius - 13
Conrad - 11
1 - 6
Avaris - 3

Map
Sorry about the low quality and tiny, I'll need some time to adjust to getting these things working properly for posting them. To clarify; You know that Imps 1 and 2 are still in the adjacent square to Avaris but they are still invisible. Imp 3 is in Avaris's square and visible. Imp 4 is undetected. I'll see if I can enlarge it for the next combat post.

http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p696/Desril/ImpBattle_zpsbb989eb1.png

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris
HP 19 AC16

"Hey, there is no need to... OUCH!"

Avaris looks in horror as he gets hit. He turns back and starts to seek shelter behind the others.

Withdraw action behind the others. Next turn: Probably entagle from scroll. Got to buy a Faerie fire scroll or something!

[Bhaakon]

Urchin
15/15 HP
14 AC



"Imps," Jin blurts out, a bit surprised to see such things wandering about causing havoc. Usually they're plotters, and tied to their summoner. Clearly they'd thrown off their leashes in all the rioting, and maybe some of their sanity, to boot. She stares straight at the only one of the little devils she can actually see and taps into the root of her magic. Her eyes droop fractionally as she channels irresistible drowsiness into the imp.

Even as the beasty's wings falter, Jin's already shouting, "Quick, finish it off with silver or something blessed. And do it right, or the thing might heal itself."

Standard action for Sleep Hex on number 3. Auto-succeeds on first round, second round is DC 15 Will or sleep for an additional two rounds.

Peck will stay on Jin's head. Hard to escape from invisible fliers.

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine
HP: 26/26
AC 17

Move to square left of Avaris

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

"What the frak, man? He was just bein' polite!" Raine howls in frustration as what looks a lot like a tiny red human with bat wings decides to attack Avaris.

So much for niceties, she growls to herself, stalking forward in a growing rage as she makes an attempt to swat the creature off the halfling. "Gerroff him yer overripe pimple, you-"

[Desril]

GM Post

Almost immediately after it appears, Raine is at the imp's side and bashing its face in with a well-placed punch, but its hide is tougher than most of the brutes the brawler usually deals with and the devil hardly seems phased at the attack. It does however, buy Avaris time to escape and move behind the rest of the group.


**Imp 4 does something that none of you can see**

**The Surprise Round ends, we're at the top of the initiative order properly now. Urchin's action is already posted, but it's not quite her turn yet.

Map
http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p696/Desril/ImpBattle_zps81f3a6b6.png


Initiative
Raine - 23 - It is now Raine's turn
4 - 20
Grau - 20
2 - 19
Liz - 19
Urchin - 18 - Using Sleep on #3
3 - 18
Laius - 13
Conrad - 11
1 - 6
Avaris - 3 - Using Scroll of Entangle

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine
HP: 26/26
AC 17

Ranged Attack? [roll0] deduct any penalties for improvised weapons, if needed
Aiming at the square the imps are in, not the imps - GM can decide which square. Hopefully, it'll be a hit. Then we get juice on the imps and can track them if they're invisible.

"Oh come on-" sputters Raine, her palm stinging as her hand rebounds, glancing off the thing's tough hide. That wasn't fair - how could something so tiny be so hard to injure?

"Piss off!" Fueled by a growing temper and a vague sense of outrage on Avaris's behalf, Raine shouts and snatches up several peaches and hurls them towards the creatures, ignoring any protesting cries of the vendor that do come her way.

[Desril]

GM Post

Raine

"Peaches, really?!" The hidden imps atop the tarp both cry out with shrill voices in irritation and annoyance as Raine bombards them with handfuls of peaches. It's not easy to follow, but the dripping at least will let you keep track of their general area.

*****

Imp 2 and 4, Grau, and Liz


Invisicharge (1d20+8)[19]
Gore (1d8+1)[7]


Grau Slash (1d20+11)[23] -2 from Drunk +2 from flanking
Damage (1d8+3)[10] -2 from Drunk

Conrad Will Save (1d20+5)[13] (DC 15)

Liz Slash (1d20+3)[14]
Damage (1d10+3)[4]


With the battle underway proper, it takes a moment before any of you notices the sound of hoof on stone coming from behind the party, and before anyone can react, a boar materializes seemingly from the air, its tusks already cutting into Avaris' back and drawing blood. Seeing his new friends, or at least so the sober part of his mind is telling him to call the lot of you, suddenly under attack, the inebriated sergeant draws his sword and moves to flank the suddenly materialized boar. Thankfully for him, it seems more interested in the lot of you and doesn't take the time to strike out at him as he moves into position and nicks its hindquarters with a very well practiced slash for a man in his state.

Meanwhile, one of the imps that Raine so unceremoniously coated in peach juice pops into existence, pointing a boney finger at Conrad from where it sits atop the tarp, the liquid covering it diminishing its otherwise intimidating appearance, "You know this place is dangerous, you should make sure the commoners escape safely before fighting."

Elizabeth, for her part, simply draws her gold-plated glaive and swings it rather unceremoniously at the imp that Raine already clobbered, unusually silent. Unfortunately, the uncharacteristic silence doesn't do anything for her accuracy, and the imp barely even needs to drift to the side to avoid the slash that went wide. "That's the best you can do? You people are s--"

*****

Urchin and Imp 3


It's not a mythic creature, it doesn't get to save until next turn


With a muttered word and a moment's concentration, you point at the first imp that made its presence known and it immediately stops its mocking and falls to the ground with a 'thump'


**Avaris takes 7 damage from a magic boar, Grau scores a hit despite being drunk, Conrad is now moving to help the evacuating citizens who are totally in the background and going to be described in more detail next round unless he Surges, and all the imp locations are now known, because other than #1, all are now visible, and #1 is dripping**

Map - This one is actually correct
4 is a boar and medium sized, 3 is asleep on the ground, 2 is visible standing on the tarp, and 1 is invisible, but the dripping peach juice tells you that it hasn't moved, continuing to share a square with #2
http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p696/Desril/ImpBattle_zps26facac3.png


Initiative
Raine - 23
4 - 20
Grau - 20
2 - 19
Liz - 19
Urchin - 18
3 - 18
Laius - 13 - It is now Laius' turn
Conrad - 11
1 - 6
Avaris - 3 - Using Scroll of Entangle

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris
HP 12 AC17


Avaris has barely times to recognize the forces at play, when a summoned boar hits him from the back. Almost falling over, bruised and battered, Avaris moves away and tries to escape the boar 's attention. When a wall of companions is between him and the boar, he turns angrily and, with a mental push, casts his intellect across the void. With wide gestures, his voice becomes almost unnatural, as he speaks.


"Garundis! Fulfill your pact!"

An eagle, sparkling golden in the light, appears before the boar and sweeps him beak and talons.


Avaris incurs AoO and moves below L. Eagle appears where Avaris was. Duration two minute.
Celestial Eagle attacks and smites, if the boar is evil. Otherwise subtract one. Also has the Diehard feat.
AC 14 HP 7

Talon [roll0] dmg [roll1]
Talon [roll2] dmg [roll3]
Beak [roll4] dmg [roll5]

[Bhaakon]

Urchin
15/15 HP
14 AC

It's hard to ignore the tumult with the boar behind her, but Urchin manages it, holding her focus as she shifts her gaze to the next imp to pop into view. It puts up a brief fight, but the initial force the raw magic is irresistible. Whatever Zellara had done to them, it clearly had its advantages.

Sleep Hex on #2. 1st round irresistible, 2nd round DC 15 Will save.

[bcool999]

Conrad

Nearly swayed by the magic in the imps words, Conrad half-turns to evacuate the passersby, before spinning back around bow in hand and unleashing an arrow at the invisible imp next to the one who tried to compel Conrad. Then, with a flash of light and almost inhuman quickness Conrad nocks, draws, and looses another shaft at the same target. "I could spend time moving civilians from the fight, sure. However, I trust they are smart enough to get out of the way, and they will be perfectly safe after I kill you." says Conrad, his masked visage trained on the imp who tried to control him.

Move Action: Draw bow.
Standard Action: Deadly Aim (-1 to attack +2 to damage) and giving up psionic focus for +2 to damage on this first shot against the invisible imp in the same space as the one who tried to control Conrad.
Attack: [roll0] (-1 deadly aim +1 Point blank shot) Damage: [roll1] (+2 str, +2 deadly aim, +2 style technique, +1 point blank shot) this shot ignores miss chance from concealment as discussed earlier OOC since I can see the Peach juice and know the proper square.

Swift Action: Expend a use of Mythic Power (3 remaining) to activate Distant Barrage for another attack at my highest BAB that adds my tier to the attack and overcomes DR.
Attack: [roll2] Damage: [roll3]

Attack1: [roll4] Damage1: [roll5]
Attack2: [roll6] Damage2: [roll7] (Overcomes DR)

Seeing his first shot exceed all his expectations, Conrad twitches his head slightly and the his second arrow responds by readjusting its trajectory towards the imp foolish enough to attempt mind control on him.

Using Trick Shot to change the target of my second shot, eats up the swift action on my next turn but I don't care. :smallsmile:

[Desril]

GM Post


Laius lancing a boar (1d20+8)[19] (includes flanking bonus)
Laius damage (1d6+2)[3]


Laius, Conrad, and Imp 1

With a boar in plain sight, Laius does what seems natural, attempting to impale it with his lance. While the blow strikes true, the creature's hide takes the lance full-force without even flinching.

Conrad, on the other hand, has far more success. The last invisible imp begins to laugh as he raises his bow and aims at the fiend, but its chortle is cut short as the arrow impales the creature straight through the chest. The corpse seems to materialize out of the arrow-shaft as it continues on a short while longer before imbedding itself in the nearest building wall, dangling there like a macabre warning. Its companion fares better, but not significantly so, as Conrad's second arrow changes direction and nearly takes of its wing. Hissing in pain, it cries something in Abyssal that one could assume is a long string of profanity.


****

Avaris


Gore AoO (1d20+6)[17]
Damage (1d8+1)[5]


Sensing a chance to strike again, the boar-shaped imp lunges toward Avaris as he turns his back and attempts to retreat, wounding him further.

Unluckily for the summoner, the celestial eagle, for all its grace and the elegant cry it made with its appearance, it doesn't have any more luck in wounding the boar than Laius' lance did. For every attempt at to attack, the eagle's screech was met with the boar's grunting, and its talons hit nothing but tusk and air.

**Avaris takes 5 more damage. Imp 1 is now dead, 2 is badly wounded but still kicking.**

Map
http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p696/Desril/impbattle_zpsb9a60a63.jpg

Initiative
Raine - 23 - It is now Raine's turn
4 - 20 - Boar
Grau - 20
2 - 19
Liz - 19
Urchin - 18 - Action already posted
3 - 18 - Sleeping (gets a save to wake up on Urchin's turn)
Laius - 13
Conrad - 11
Avaris - 3

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine
HP: 26/26
AC 17

Brawler's Flurry on Imp 3
Attack: [roll0], Damage: [roll1]
Attack: [roll2], Damage: [roll3]

"Hey, 'varis, get outta there!" Trying to keep track of the tiny juice-drenched humanoids was hard enough as it was, and it wasn't as though Avaris was that much bigger than them. Why were they attacking him in the first place? Something about this wasn't quite right. Gritting her teeth, Raine sizes up the nearest of the lot, curling her hands into fists and pouncing. "You mess wi' my little man, you mess wi' me, reddy! What he'd ever do to you!"

[Desril]

GM Post


Raine CDG damage (1d6+2)[3] + 7 from post, -5 from DR for a total of 5.
Imp fort save vs death (DC = 15) (1d20+1)[4]

Imp 5ft step
Gore (1d20+6)[21]
Damage (1d8+1)[8]

Grau 5ft step
Grau Slash! (1d20+9)[21] (no longer flanking because neither Urchin nor Conrad threaten at the moment)
Damage (1d8+1)[7] (this time the drunk penalty is being added into the roll since I forgot to modify it last time)

Stealth (Peach juice cutting the invisibility bonus in half to +10) (1d20+13)[20]

Liz 5ft step
Liz Spontaneous Conversion (Sanctuary -> CLW) (1d8+1)[2]

Urchin - Redirecting Slumber to the only visible target

Raine

It doesn't take much pressure to feel the imp's tiny little neck snap in your grasp. It still looks like it's just sleeping, but you know it's never going to wake up now.

*****

The Imps and Grau

Snorting in frustration and irritation, the boar gives up its assault on the safely relocated Avaris and instead turns its attentions toward the man who just made a rag-doll out of his compatriot and nearly ripped another in half with an arrow. It's only a few short steps, but the sound of the boar's hooves beating into the cobblestone ground is still enough to attract Conrad's attention just before the transformed imp shows the vigilante why parade armor isn't worn on hunting trips, its tusks easily rending through the leather on his legs. Much to the dismay of those who don't know why, the boar's superficial cuts also seem to be knitting themselves shut.

The drunken guardsman, meanwhile, seems to be getting into the fight. "OI! I did't say you could leave! Get back here, damn pig!" Rushing along after the boar, Grau strikes again, this time proving a bit more effective and actually managing to reopen one of those recently closed wounds.

The imp that suggested Conrad and is still covered in peach juice has other plans, however. At the sight of Raine snapping its sleeping commander's neck, it looks shocked and announces in common, "Screw this, I ain't dying over this, I'm out!" Promptly turning invisible, you then see peach juice trail out around the south-east corner of the same building that Conrad just pinned the other formerly-invisible imp to.

*****

Liz and Urchin

With Avaris bleeding profusely from several spots, Liz stops trying to attack and instead moves over to the injured summoner, muttering an urgent prayer, "Please, lend me the power of your healing touch!" And though Avaris' wounds seem to become slightly better, they don't even approach a proper healing.

Urchin, meanwhile, points her finger at the boar and a simple word sends it clattering to the ground, snoring rather than snorting, at Conrad's feet.


**Imp 3 dies from CDG, Conrad takes 8 damage, Imp 4/Boar takes minor damage from Grau and then gets put to sleep by Urchin, Imp 2 turns invisible and flies off (a move action to follow the trail around the building and then a DC 20 perception check will be required to find it before it gets away (as a note, they move 50ft around and fly, so ranged is what you need here), and Avaris heals a measly 2 points of damage**

Map

I'm tired and will update the map in the morning upon request, but to summarize;

G and 4 both 5ft stepped SE. 4 is immediately above Conrad and right of the Summoned Eagle. G is immediately above 4.

Imp 3 is dead.

Imp 2 went invisible and flew off the map.

Liz 5ft steps to be immediately right of Avaris

Initiative
Raine - 23
4 - 20 - Boar/Sleeping, gets a save to wake up on Urchin's turn
Grau - 20
2 - 19
Liz - 19
Urchin - 18
Laius - 13 - It is now Laius' turn
Conrad - 11
Avaris - 3

[bcool999]

Conrad

Annoyed and pained by the boar's tusks, Conrad whirls on it to send a shaft deep into it's skull before seeing that Urchin has already taken care of it. Turning back in time to see the other remaining imp flee, Conrad says to the others, "Capture the boar alive if you can. I have questions for it." He then rushes after the invisible imp, rounds the corner and sees... nothing. Damn! Don't tell me I've lost him!

Conrad continues in the last direction he saw the imp moving for a while before stopping and shouting, "Show yourself coward!"

Conrad's Perception check: (1d20+7)[8] Rolled in Dice thread and deeply regretted.
Move action to get around the corner and then another to keep walking that way in hopes of getting another shot at spotting/shooting the imp.

[Miraqariftsky]

Once lost in the crowd
Lance remained slung, lest threat pose
Cursed at the stampede

Moved with the mad mass
But saw oldsters in the way
Shielded with mount's bulk

He took them aside
Their grandkids too, to an alley
Away from death

Then flared that headache
That stench of nastiness
When nasty folk bound near

Such crowd still blocked the way
Couldn't charge into the fray
Just a poke

Blaze beats at the stampede
Urchin fells the boar
Laius grins at his friend

Flashes Raine the Horns and laughs
As her kill breaks their will
Laius charges

Embracing the headache
Eyes of flesh seek peach trail
Spirit-sense seeks fiend


After that bugger!
Perception [roll0]
Is there any way to pump Detect Evil up to 3rd stage in one go? Sacrifice AC to represent the concentration, sacrifice HP to represent the spiritual/physical feedback pain?

[Bhaakon]

Urchin
15/15 HP
14 AC

Like he said, take care of the boar, or imp. Bimp. Whatever. Get a handle on it and. I'll see if I can knock the last one back to earth! Urchin shouts, and hustles off in the direction she thinks the last of the little buggers fled.

She scans the skies, ready to loose a spell of drowsiness at the first wavering glimmer in the atmosphere or mysteriously flapping bit of cloth.

Move action to pursue

Perception check: [roll0]

and standard to hit it with a sleep spell if I make the perception roll, Will DC 15

[Desril]

GM Post


Conrad, Laius, and Urchin

Even with the three of you in pursuit of the last imp, it's only due to the halfling's divinely gifted ability to detect evil creatures that any of you manage to locate the little devil at all. Unfortunately, knowing roughly where to point isn't enough for Urchin's magic to take hold, but Laius' guidance and pointing to a spot about fifteen feet in the air across the street, might be enough to give Conrad a shot.


*****

Avaris, Liz, Raine, and Grau

With the fight moving away, the nearby civilians stop running in quite as much of a panic, making it a little easier to hold a conversation without shouting. "Hah, they weren't so tough," Grau points his sword at the unconscious boar and pretends to stab at it, "been a while since I had a good fight...almos' forgot the feeling." He sounds quite a bit sobered up, all things considered.

Liz, more concerned for the injured than the imps, moves over to Avaris, "Are you alright? That boar really seemed to have it out for you."

**As combat is effectively over now, there's no need for a map**


Imp 2 is still invisible, but Conrad knows what square to target, and due to Mythic Precise Shot, can fire without penalty. Sleep requires a visible target however, and doesn't work. If Urchin has a ranged attack or ray she can fire however, she can with the usual 50% miss chance.

The boar is still asleep, I'll give Raine and Avaris a chance to hog-tie (haha) it or CDG it before giving it its save to wake up.

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris
HP 9

Avaris looks at the sleeping boar with hate and almost looks like he is about to kick it. His wound sting and he can feel the bruises and cuts. Enemies were not supposed to come that close!

"Screw this pig, I say we kill it and get back tracking the other imp. I want to know why all this happened! Wanna bet that something dodgy is going on?"

I say CDG and then Perception and follow
[roll0]

[Desril]

GM Post


Conrad's attack
Attack: (1d20+12)[23] +1 if Point Blank Shot applies, +1 if Town Tamer applies (It applies to 'undesirable elements' in Korvosa so... DM's call if imps count as ruffians or criminals) - both count for a total of 25

Damage: (1d8+4)[12] +1 if Point Blank Shot applies. It does for a total of 13


Avaris' CDG
Combat is over, roll would be meaningless, it goes through


Conrad

The skies of Korvosa are just as much your hunting ground as its streets are. Though the imp's wet and dripping outline might be a nigh-impossible shot for other people to make, it isn't any more difficult for you than shooting fish in a barrel. The arrow soars far faster than the winged devil, catching it between its shoulder-blades and sending it plummeting forward and into the ground with a brief, pained shriek.

****

Avaris and Liz

The imp's unconscious body isn't really made for standing up to a devastating smash from a mace when it can't do anything to lessen the impact, even one not made from silver. Its fiendish brain matter splatters the ground and your mace as it dies with a sticky sounding noise of metal on flesh.

Liz, meanwhile, is looking at the injuries everyone sustained from the fight and more concerned about them than why everyone was suddenly attacked by imps or why one was wearing a strange pendant while the rest were unarmed and unclad. "When everyone gets back I'll call upon my Lady's light and try to heal some of these wounds. You really don't look good, Avaris."


**Combat is over, all the imps are dead. If you loot the bodies see below, once the party is all gathered together again Liz Channels to heal everyone [roll0] HP


Most of what the imps are carrying are useless trinkets, but you do manage to find 40gp worth of gemstones on one of them.

More noteworthy is the brooch that was being worn as a pendant by the one that initiated the assault. Even to an untrained eye, the broach is obviously valuable, being made of gold and bearing an imp and a pseudodragon coiling around each other in similar pattern to a yin-yang pattern. Anyone could easily estimate its value at at least 1000gp

You recognize this broach. It's not just some expensive trinket the imps happened to find, it belongs to Queen Illeosa. It was stolen around the time the riots started and a reward of 1,200gp has been posted for its return

The metal seems warm in your hand, far warmer than something gold that isn't being worked on should be, but it doesn't burn. It's more like the warmth of a hearth fire, almost comforting.

[bcool999]

Conrad

Seeing the imp that nearly took control of Conrad's mind go down brings a soft glow of satisfaction to Conrad's features... which is entirely lost to the others behind his cold metal mask. After checking to make sure the imp was indeed dead and stripped of any and all possible stolen goods, and that his arrow was indeed broken in the fall, Conrad takes a moment to recenter himself before heading back to the others, dragging the imp corpse behind him to dispose of with the rest of the garbage. Leaving corpses lying around would only lead to plague and vermin, the last thing this city needs in it's riled up state.

Finding the splattered brain matter of the imp he wanted captured was less pleasing, but seeing that it was Avaris who held the tell-tale cudgel he decided to let it slide as he tossed his imp next to it. I know vengeance too personally to deny it to others. thinks Conrad as he again toys with the ring hanging from his neck.

He nodded his thanks to Liz for her healing, though his leg still ached enough to make him limp it was no longer bleeding. He finished rounding up the imps and their trinkets before consulting the others. "Good work everyone, especially you Grau." Conrad pokes the pile of imp corpses with his foot, "They aren't so tough are they now? Still feel like it's hopeless to fight?"

Looking at the objects found on the imps Conrad comments, "Hard to say if we were fighting fiends or magpies considering all the shiny junk they collected... Save this..." Conrad picks up the brooch, noticing it's strange warmth, "This is well beyond the value of the rest of what they had... Anyone have an idea what it is or who it belongs too?... Or why it's so strangely warm?!"

Conrad restores his Psionic Focus, and helps with the looting.

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Not usually a ruthless person, avaris watches with satisfaction as the imps get crashed. He got mauled badly by the boar, and he did not like the fact that he tried to be polite, only to be attacked.

Rummaging through the corpses, he helps gather anything noteworthy. The pendant however, gives his pause. It is strangely warm and he reminds him of something. He takes a minute to look at it with his Other Sight.

Detect Magic. Would LOcal work for identifying the pendant? If yes [roll0]

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

Jin gawks as Conrad's shot somehow strikes the invisible imp as it flitted away at top speed. "I...that...how?" She mutters to herself. She knew the blessing granted by Zellara's shade had given her own spells some extra oomph, but nothing out of the realm of the possible for more experienced practitioners. That shot, though...that was just about impossible without he aid of magic. I don't think he's a caster, but maybe I'll keep my eye on him.

Once they've regrouped, Urchin helps the others loot the corpses. Mostly shiny junk, the kind of stuff Peck lined his nest with, but at least a few of the colored stone were more than cracked beads or shattered glass. She was just about to give up poking through the imps' filthy leavings (did extraplanars not wash, or was it just a demonic trait?) when Avaris holds up the shiny medallion

Urchins whistles and Peck clacks his beak excitedly at the sight of the piece. A frugal young woman could retire on that thing, if she could find a fence. "Oh-ho, that's not bad for a day's work. Any idea what it is?" She asks Avaris, activating her own dweomer-detecting spell as she leans in.

"It's dinner, and breakfast, and lunch, for a century." Peck interjects. "With enough left over for a gilded perch. Hide it! Hide it! Guardman might see."

No Knowledge (nobility) here, but I can aid another on PG's local check: [roll0]

And and unpromted spellcraft chack, since we're using detect magic: [roll1]

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

K(l): (1d20+3)[21] - Yay!

Cracking her knuckles with a low grunt of satisfaction, Raine strolls over and peers over Avaris's shoulder, giving the halfling a friendly nudge on the shoulder. "You doin' better now? Best not to go messing with piggies, my granny always says. Only place they belong in 's roasting over a spit or in your belly. And hello there..."

Pushing back dreadlocks behind her ear, Raine scratches her armpit and jerks her chin at the pendent. What was it she'd seen on the posting pole near her house now? Somewhere under that other paper for a curfew. "That thingy there looks an awful lot like some drawing what I saw just yesterday. Big money for giving it back... more 'n a thousand sails. Wanna go check?"

[Miraqariftsky]

Kuuu-ka-kurraaa ka-rrrraa-kuuu Getting soft, are ya?
Too slow, are ya? crows Blaze
As they strut back,
Comrades to
Rejoin

"BAH!" retorts Laius,
Raising his visor, and wiping
The faint trace of fiend-blood
Off his honoured grandfather's spearhead

"Pfhu, why not?"
He says to Raine
And passes Avaris
His bottle of blessed brew

@Grog Need another spot of healing to top ya off?

[Desril]

GM Post

Grau nods his head at Conrad's words, the fight having done wonders for sobering him up. "'s not like I did much though, but you're right, guess it a'int so pointless. You lot sure seem to know your way 'round a fight. I think the Field Marshal was looking for folks like you to help with the manpower shortage for dealing with all the riots, or I'm pretty sure that was her...I've been a bit...uh...out o' the loop."

When the conversation turns to the brooch though, Grau simply shrugs if he's given the chance to hold it, "Looks just like a pretty bauble to me, but what're you mean about it bein' warm? Feels normal to me."

Liz

Equally unsure of anything about the amulet, she turns to Avaris whose eyes glow with arcane power. "Can you get a read on it?" When Raine mentions the bounty on it however, Liz' mind instantly goes to the amount of sculpting supplies for herself and meals she could buy for the poor, "That sounds good, we're already heading for the Citadel, we should be able to hand it over there, right?"

The brooch has a very strong aura that makes it difficult to narrow down, but after some careful study you recognize it as a particularly powerful Conjuration aura.

The brooch is functioning as Cracked Pearly White Spindle Ioun Stone. Its wearer will regenerate 1 HP per hour it's worn.

[bcool999]

Conrad

Pointedly ignoring Urchin's greedy bird and it's nonsense, Conrad nods at the others recollection of a posted reward. "If that's the case and someone posted a reward for it then we can definitely get the details at the Citadel, and possibly learn more about these imps and how they ended up with it." Eying the passers-by, Conrad continues, "Best not linger around here any longer. Some blasted fool might wonder what we have and try mugging us."

With that he turns toward their original destination and begins walking, observant for any more dangers along the way.

Perception Check because why not: [roll0]

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

"To the Citadel, then. That reward isn't going to collect itself. Unless you know a fence who would move such a thing." Jin agrees, whispering the rhetorical last line to her familiar with a pointed tone. Of course the bird didn't know anyone who would touch something that hot, and neither did she. It wasn't worth that much more than the reward anyway. At least not enough more to risk rotting in jail over. Probably.

"I wonder if we can get them to throw some more gold into the pot for heading off that riot."

[Desril]

GM Post

Another Channel (1d6)[4]

Nodding, Grau agrees, "Yeah, we should get going, 'fore any Hellknights show up. And if any of you lot wanna keep that brooch, I won't say anything. 's far as I'm concerned, 's just a pretty bauble you found on some imps."

"Before that, here, you're still injured Avaris, I'll do what I can."

**Everyone heals another 4 HP from Liz Channeling Positive Energy a second time**

Thankfully, the remainder of the journey to Citadel Volshyenek is pleasant, all things considered. The riots don't seem to be happening as often in the Midlands as they are in the poorer districts, and the imps that you see occasionally overhead are intercepted by flocks of pseudodragons before they can even notice your party. It isn't long before the Citadel ceases to be a distant point and becomes that which is right in front of you.

Anyone who was expecting a heavy contingent of guards will be sorely disappointed however. At the entrance to the citadel's yard, only two skittish looking guards bar the way, neither of whom Conrad recognizes. Though before they ask for your identity, they seem to recognize Grau. "Sergeant Soldado! I heard you got injured by a mob or something, glad to see you're doing alright."

Doing his best to hide to act casual, Grau simply replies, "Yeah, something like that, but I'm back in good condition now, mostly. Is the Field Marshal in her office?"

"Yes sir, are these people coming with you?"

With Grau's nod of approval, the two stand aside and let you pass. The yard isn't particularly impressive, and it's only a short walk to the keep of the citadel, which is just as undermanned as the gate was. Still, with Grau leading the way, and Conrad pointing the right direction when the Sergeant's hangover gets the better of him, the lot of you find yourselves standing outside a door that Conrad recognizes as leading to the Field Marshal's office when Grau stops. "If none of you mind, let me talk to her first. I'll try to explain what's going on and let her know that y'all are the kinds of people she needs right now."


Ending the post here to give anyone a chance to object if they want. If no one minds him explaining things to the Field Marshal off camera, then you can feel free to discuss what you want to do with the amulet etc IC and I'll get the next part up when that's decided. Alternatively, you can have had the conversation about what to do with it on the journey.

[bcool999]

Conrad

While crossing the empty yard, Conrad reverses his cloak to show his Korvosan guard emblem proudly and puts away his mask, giving the rest of you a rare glimpse of the face beneath it. It is a young face, though etched deeply with grief to appear years older than it is, and a cleanly shaven square jaw adds strength and determination which, along with his piercing blue eyes, results in a face not at all terrible to look at. If it wasn't for the near constant absence of anything remotely resembling a smile (the closest expression being a smirk of satisfaction at an arrow slaying a foe), it might even be considered handsome. As it stands, Conrad's stony visage it not a great improvement over his war-mask.

When they reach the Field Marshal's office, Conrad says to Grau with a pat on the shoulder, "If you wouldn't mind sparing the Field Marshal the details of my 'informal dress' I would be very much inclined to focus on your conduct I witnessed with the imps than your conduct on the docks."

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Avaris gives a heartfell bow of thanks as his wounds close a little. He spends the trip to the citadel tidying up and watching around. The city seems to be quieting down. It was fun while it lasted, but it was about time that things got better. He takes out a honeyed candy and his pipes, eating happily as his mouth growls. He is always hungry after using his powers. He continued by eating an apple he is pretty sure was in a seller 's cart just minutes ago. Well, the town has to make sacrifices to.

When Grau suggests he goes in first, Avaris puts his pipe away and makes a "Go ahead" gesture. He nudges Urchin

"Exciting times. We get to see the big shots. Wanna bet we are going to have money offered to us?"

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

"Money's always good. All th'same, I'd settle for that second breakfast right about now," remarks Raine affably as she scrabbles around in the depths of one pocket, searching in vain for the remnants of a bacon sandwich that she was sure she'd left there this morning. Deciding that the nibbled morsel must have fallen out at some point during all the excitement earlier, Raine sighs aloud and settles for a swig of coffee from her flask, merely shrugging her shoulders as her stomach grumbles in an embarrassingly loud tone.

[Desril]

GM Post

It doesn't take too long for Grau to open the door again and give a quick salute to Conrad, clearly doing his best to appear sober, "The Field Marshal will see you all now." Once you've all made your way into her office, the more observant of your bunch will notice that Grau leaves with some haste, presumably to find a friend to help him sober up properly.

The Field Marshal's office is sparse, devoid of artwork or anything to give it a homely feel. Beyond the simple dark mahogany desk, which is covered in paperwork and a couple of pouches, that commands attention in the center of the room sits an exhausted but nonetheless good-looking woman with dark brown hair who rises to greet you. "Greetings, some of you already know me," she gives a slight nod of the head to Conrad, "but my name is Cressida Kroft, Field Marshal of the Korvosan Guard. Sergeant Soldado has already informed me of your quick-thinking at the docks and heroics in dealing with those imp menaces in Midtown, and I will be happy to reward your service to the city," she says, motioning to a pouch that is presumably filled with gold on her desk. "But you’ve been on the streets. You know better than me how bad things are out there. It’s breaking my heart to see Korvosa tear herself apart like this. Every little bit of aid we can get from upstanding citizens like you helps. If you’re willing, I’d very much like to retain your services as agents of the Guard. I don’t need to say, of course, that you’ll be well compensated for these services.”

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Avaris looks at Urhcin with a 'told you so' look. Working for the Guard, hah? It is something he has not thought about. Most of his kind do not do such things.

And there is also the Harrowing he has witnessed. Something is coming.

He decides to wait, to see how others react.

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

Jin eyes the pouch with an appraiser's eye, trying her best to calculate exactly how many coins stuffed in the pudgy little bundle of joy. It wasn't a king's ransom, but it might very well be an urchin's ransom, and that would be enough. Provided the conditions were right.

"What exactly would this work entail, Field Marshal? Our little group has a set of talents that could be of great use to the city, but, well, part of the reason we've been so effective is that we're not decked out in guard heraldry and busting heads with truncheons. We can bust heads with the best of them when the time comes, but, like Sgt. Grau saw at the docks, our specialty is subtlety, trickery, confusion...the kind of thing that's a whole lot less effective if we look too official."

She shakes her head, mastering her urge to scoop up the purse and trying her best to look conflicted. "We'd need some, how do I put this...autonomy. We don't mind doing work that needs doing for a fair fee and the good of the city, but we've got to do it our way."

She glances at the others, hoping Conrad or Laius wouldn't immediately undermine her stand. They'd only get one chance at negotiating a favorable agreement. One that Jin favored, at least.

[bcool999]

Conrad

Saluting upon entering the office, Conrad sits back and listens during Cressida's speech, feeling that it was more for his companions benefit than his. Cressida should know that she can call on me anytime. She is my commanding officer after all, and besides, she helped me out of that dark place I found myself in after Emmah... passed. Though she does still treat me like I'm made out of glass. Conrad reflects.

After hearing Jin's negotiating Conrad isn't sure whether to laugh or shake his head at the mental image of Jin, Avaris, and Raine in guard heraldry. Liz might pull off the guard look (though she would probably get it embroidered or gold plated or something), and Laius wouldn't look too ridiculous (assuming his bird doesn't scat all over it), but the other three would look like foxes dressed as hens. At the mention of autonomy, Conrad says to Jin, "I wouldn't worry too much Jin. The Field Marshal knows her business well enough not to handicap the ones she is hiring, but if you think 'autonomy' means I will stop looking over your shoulder or keep you from pawning off things that 'fall into your hand' you'd best think again. Speaking of, we should probably turn in that brooch we found on that imp."

[Desril]

GM Post

Nodding in approval of Conrad's interjection, Field Marshal Kroft continues, "Alterran is right, to be quite honest you all not being part of the Guard will make the current problem simpler. I'll get to that in a moment, what's this about a brooch? Sergeant Soldado didn't mention anything about it, but he didn't really seem like he's handling these riots particularly well..."

She doesn't seem to have noticed that Grau was still hungover, though whether that's because she herself is too tired to have noticed or because he managed to hold himself together well enough to hide it until he was dismissed, you can't say.

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Somewhat relieved that the job offer does not entail tedious uniforms and barracks, Avaris steps in with a smile.

"We found this brooch when we had a disagreement with some imps. I am sure that it has gone missing by someone important".

[Desril]

GM Post

Looking closely at the brooch that Avaris presents, the gleam of recognition flashes in the Field Marshal's eyes. "You're certainly not wrong about it belonging to someone important. The Queen herself is the rightful owner of this brooch. Apparently she had it sent off for repairs and the jeweler's shop got raided in the riots. Honestly I thought the bounty would be just a formality...never figured the blighted imps would've ended up with it though. I'm sure Her Majesty will be most grateful," she says with barely perceptible sarcasm, "to have it returned. I could arrange a meeting for you if you'd like to return it to her in person and meet our city's monarch. Or if you'd rather skip the formalities, I can see to it that you get your reward and avoid all the complications."


Since my posting has been delayed, and I'm kind of bad at physical descriptions, I've decided that, for important NPCs at least, I'll start providing pictures as a reference. So here is Korvosan Guard Field Marshal Cressida Kroft

http://www.aydaron.net/cct/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/cressida_kroft_xl.jpg

[bcool999]

Conrad

Eyes widening slightly at learning the brooch's owner and at the proposed meeting with said owner, Conrad ponders if he should go. It would be interesting, meeting with a monarch, but I don't think it's quite the right time to go have tea, what with looters in the streets and all. Though even if it was the right time, I am not sure how much polite conversation I could manage when she is the one who brought those damned hellknights into Korvosa. Those prickly demon fanboys are harder to co-operate with than even those bird-brained marines.

"With all due respect Ma'am, I think there is work that needs my attention more than a royal audience."

[Bhaakon]

Jin thinks of arguing for an audience, but Conrad is right. The group would hardly make a favorable impression in commoner's rags caked with the filth of the streets, and there wasn't much opportunity to visit a bath house and a tailor with the city in the throes of a riot. Conrad might get away with a freshly laundered uniform, but the rest of them would need some poor imitation of courtly attire to avoid offending the Queen's sensibilities--assuming that she was like every other noble ninny Jin had the misfortune to cross paths with.

She sighs softly and agree with the archer. "We could use the reward now. Maybe we can visit the palace another time."

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris


Avaris looks at the others in dismay. It was the Queen! He already had ideas of great attires, hand kissing and dazzling wordplay. An expression of resignation crosses his face. With a sigh, he mutters "Spoilsports".

He then addresses the Marshall.

"My companions and I are not fit to see Her Majesty right now. We can only hope we will have another chance later on. Please present this with our compliments."

[Desril]

GM Post

The Field Marshal nods at the consensus to just collect the reward. "In that case, it won't take very long to get your reward." Glancing toward the small assortment of pouches on her desk, "I do keep some of the smaller rewards on hand, but leaving such a large amount of gold laying around just wouldn't be very sensible. You're welcome to wait here and collect it before you leave, or you can collect it upon your return."

Cressida pauses for a moment before continuing, "Now, onto the job that I would like your help with. “Korvosa’s got enough troubles as it is without my own men losing their way and going rogue. As much as it pains me to admit, though, this has happened several times already." If she looked tired before, she looks exhausted now, and though she tries to look at all of you, her gaze ends up resting on Conrad. "Many guards have deserted their posts, more concerned about friends and family than the city. I can understand this, yet not all of the deserters have family—some of them are simply using the riots as an excuse for personal gain. One such man is Verik Vancaskerkin, I'm not sure if you know him, Alterran, I don't recall you ever being assigned to a patrol with him. In any event, he is far worse than a lone deserter, he’s convinced a small group of fellow guards that Queen Ileosa is going to ruin the city."

Her face doesn't really betray how she feels about that particular opinion as she continues, and this time she looks more at those of you who aren't affiliated with the Guard. "Whether she does or doesn’t isn’t the point—right now, we’ve got a city-wide crisis on our hands, and I need all of my guards working with me to see us through. A deserter is worse than a lost resource—it’s an infection. I can’t afford to pull any of my other patrols off duty to deal with Vancaskerkin, and I’d rather not expose any of them to him anyway, since I neither want Vancaskerkin to infect more guards with his talk of secession, nor do I want some overly patriotic guard killing Vancaskerkin outright. I need impartial, skilled talent. Like you."

Finally getting to the point, the Field Marshal explains the task itself. "To get to your part in this, Vancaskerkin and his men have holed up in an abandoned butcher’s shop up in Northgate—the place was called All the World’s Meat. I need you to check out the place. Try to avoid killing any of the deserters if you can, but if you must, they brought it upon themselves when they threw in their lot with Vancaskerkin. For him, I’d really prefer it if you could capture him alive and return him to me for interrogation, but if he makes that impossible, I’ll accept his body as well. Finally, see if you can find out why Verik deserted—if there’s more to it than simple personal politics, I need to know immediately. Bring me Verik alive, and there’s another thousand gold in it for you. Dead, he’s only worth half that.”

Looking back at Conrad, "I know you can be trusted with this, Alterran, but this is not an order. If you are willing, then I'm requesting that you help out with this as a citizen rather than a member of the Guard. I'd rather avoid this drawing too much attention."

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Avaris listens to the Marshal with an unreadable expression. He caught the ambivalence in her trust of the Queen. Not his business, but good to know. After she has finished, he thinks for a bit.

"Why not? Consider me interested. It seems a tall order, but we will think of something."

He turns to the others.

"What do you say?"

[Bhaakon]

Jin

With a shrug, Jin responds to Avaris and the Marshall. "The gold is good, and bringing that lot in alive won't weigh on my conscience. I'm in."

"A butcher shop is kind of a strange place to hole up, though. What is he doing in there, sharpening cleavers? Perfecting his grandma's pinkelwurst recipe?" She shakes her head. "Well, it doesn't matter. We'll go over and figure the best way to get at them. Maybe hit them at night, when they're sleeping...or at least when enough of the city is sleeping that our raid won't summon up a mob."

[bcool999]

Conrad

As Cressida speaks, Conrad recalls his own brief period of desertion when he was overwhelmed with grief. While the memories are painful, he is glad to hear that Cressida understands and doesn't hold it against him, back then I was no use to anybody, I was awash without a purpose and couldn't see any reason to fight... When he hears of Verik Vankaskerkin, he grows livid with anger and can't help but wish to send a quiver of arrows through the man's heart for weakening the guard at a time like this.

When Cressida continues on to say that she would prefer Verik captured rather than killed, Conrad is tempted to refuse. However, as he starts to think about it he realizes that it makes sense to bring him in alive. If he can be brought back into the fold, or even if he is just shown mercy and gets away with imprisonment, other guards who deserted with him would feel like they can return as well and lay the blame at his feet... and Cressida is not exaggerating in the least about us being undermanned.

With Conrad's personal conflict having finished playing itself out on his features, he is once again calm and thinks rationally about what he will need to complete this task. "Do we still have any of those blunted arrows in the armory, and would it be a problem if I took some? I can replace the ones I take with normal arrows if that helps." Conrad asks Cressida, "I might also need a buckler if it isn't too cumbersome, fighting in a butcher shop might put me in range of blades more than being on the streets or a rooftop will."

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

Her ears pricking up at the mention of money, Raine flashes a wolfish grin at the armoured lady and cheerfully cracks her knuckles. "Dat so? Alive and kicking... no problem for me. No hurt feelings if I end up having t' rearrange any pretty faces, yeah?"

[Desril]

GM Post

Field Marshal Kroft nods at both Conrad and Raine, "Help yourself to the armory for those arrows if you don't have enough of them, but you know we don't exactly have the best materials," she says before continuing with a tired smile at Raine, "That won't be a problem, honestly I'd like to do that myself, but I'm stuck here trying to coordinate everything."

Looking at Urchin, she finally gets around to acknowledging her question. "Unfortunately, I don't know what he or those who went with him are up to. It was a stroke of luck that we even found out where they holed up since the butchery has been boarded up ever since the owner got arrested for tax evasion last year."

"As for when you all go take care of this situation, I'll leave that up to you, but this does need to be handled swiftly so try not to delay for more than a day. If you need a place to rest though, you're all free to use the barracks, they're practically empty as it is anyway. If that doesn't sound appealing, I'll put in a word with Theandra at the Three Rings Tavern and see what I can do for you there."

**You have access to the Citadel Armory. You can borrow up to 200gp of non-masterwork weapons or armor each. You can rest here, go elsewhere, scout the butcher's, head straight there, or whatever**

[bcool999]

Conrad

"Understood, ma'am. Unless my companions have any more to say, I will leave you to your work." Says Conrad with a salute before letting the others say their good-byes and ushering them out of the office.

"I will be heading to the armory before going out to scout out this butcher shop, if any of you wish to join me meet me in the yard, though if you all want to go today we can all meet in the yard and I will scout ahead. Though I would understand if you want to start fresh tomorrow considering we will be attempting to take down a fair number of guards without killing them from the sound of it." says Conrad with the slightest dangerous gleam in his eye to show that he is serious about the 'no killing' part.

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Avaris smiles at Conrad.

"I am with you at the scouting part. But wanna bet that things are going to get ugly? Do not have your hopes up, friend. There are very few ways to effectively put a man down when he is waving a sword at you without drawing blood.

But we 'll see."

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

"You forget, Conrad, that taking people alive is my specialty. Well, knocking them unconscious, at least. Just be sure to grab a clutch of manacles along with your arrows, and let's hope you're as quick slapping them on a sleeping deserter as you are stringing your bow." Jin replies to the guardsman's threatening glower.

"So make your run to the armory and then let us go have a look at this butcher shop." She finishes with a little shooing motion and a half grin. "You can skulk about in the street like a common burglar while Peck takes in a bird's eye view."

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

"Then don't mind if I do, ma'am, on your behalf. Don't mind if I do." Raine tosses off a jaunty imitation of a guard's salute before sauntering out of the office after the others, considerably more cheered up than she'd been just an hour ago. Well, well, well. It looked as though she was going to get her spot of trouble after all. Zellara really wasn't too bad when it came to delivering.

Yawning loudly, Raine stretches her arms over her head. "Sure, we can go play peek-a-boo. But what if we g'caught? Yer got a plan beyond spying on the shop? And can we get lunch first?"

[Miraqariftsky]

Laius rode, mostly silent
Visor down, eyes hid
The long lance shouldered

Grimaced, blood throbbing
But knew he not from what
Came his phantom headache

Illness from last supper's brew?
Kick from the 'shine---
---of one of the greybeards he earlier bailed?

Ailment from yestereve's whore?
Or something stranger still...
He shakes his head.

Ambles by the armoury
Truncheon, thunderstones...
...Follows the others.

[Desril]

GM Post

The armory really wasn't all that impressive, while there were a great deal of weapons and tools, most were clearly of only mediocre quality. Thankfully, it did have everything you were after at least.

Supplies in hand, the group makes its way out of Citadel Volshynek and, for the second time since meeting up, you find yourselves in the Northpoint district. The path, thankfully, is devoid of imps, and while there are more than a few small groups moving about in the streets, all of them give your assembled group one glance and rapidly move to the side. The route you take does lead you past the Three Rings Tavern that the Field Marshal recommended to you, and all things considered it seems to be in great condition. That's not your end destination however and you all continue past, toward a shadier part of the district.

The closer you get to the street that All The World's Meat is on, the more rundown the houses and buildings become, though none of them are quite derelict yet. The one in the worst condition is easily your destination however, even though it's still some ways away it's not difficult to spot the signs of being recently and hastily worked on. A sign bearing the image of a fat, smiling cow hangs above the entrance to this no-longer abandoned butchery. Both shopfront windows are boarded up and the glass behind it is obviously broken even from the other end of the street, in addition to the 2 story building's roof being clearly damaged in places, though at a glance it doesn't look like it's going to fall in on itself any time soon. The only part of the building that doesn't look like it's seen a decent bit of wear and tear is one single window of the four visible on the second floor that hasn't been broken and boarded over.

Seeing the butcher's at the end of the street, Liz speaks up for the first time in a while, having spent most of the trip in silent prayer. "I'm not exactly going to be able to hide very well in this armor, so I'll just wait here."


Ending the post here, for those of you who are going to scout the place out more closely, post what exactly your plan is.

The building is about 80x100ft and there are buildings on either side of it with a 5ft wide alley between them. You can go through the sides, check the back, get to the roof, etc etc, you could even figure out a way to get to the roof if you want. How you want to scout the place is up to you. In any event, unless you're going to go knock on the front door, you'll probably want to roll Stealth and Perception.

If anyone wants to stop a nearby group of people and ask about the place, Gather Information is a Diplomacy check.

Any other, less obvious ideas, feel free to post and roll accordingly.

[Bhaakon]

Jin

Jin leaves the barracks in high spirits, glad for the chance at an easy payday (she's confident after all) and the opportunity to rough up some guardsmen without having to look over her shoulder. That they were deserters and no longer technically on the guard's payroll didn't much matter much to her. They'd probably done something to deserve a good drubbing. Not all the black eyes she's earned as a little lamb had come from Gaedren's fists; she'd met precious few watchmen who would spare the rod when they collared a street rat.

Peck alights on her head as she exits the gate, riding in pouty silence once he'd learned that they'd agreed to hand over the brooch. His mood hasn't much improved when the group stops a discrete distance from the run-down butcher shop. "Get going, Peck. Swing around the place and see if there are any other entrances than the front. Or a hole in the roof. Don't go in, just see if you could."

"Aye, aye, mount. Just as soon as I get my share of the reward." The bird grumbles back in all serious.

"Oh, yes. How could I forget when you spotted those invisible imps before they ambushed us, or how set them to sleep, one by one. Or that bow shot you made to skewer the one that tried to flee. You really did a great impression of Conrad, Peck. I could have sworn it was him. Imagine my surprise when you shrugged off that tiny replica guard uniform and revealed yourself as a humble raven." she unshoulders her pack and starts to dig around. "Where is that outfit, anyway? It was so cute; I want to show the others. Did you leave it in the street? Oh, well. I guess you'll have to show them how you look in your crown, instead."

She yanks free the shiny piece of foppery and nearly succeeds in planting it on the bird's head before Peck can take off. "Fine then, mount, you win. But I'm adding this to the list." He huffs as he flaps off to get a bird's eye view of All the World's Meat.

"Don't let him fool you." She winks at the others. "He can't write."

I'm not really sure what to roll, since he's not really trying to hide or anything. I don't think a carrion bird hanging around a butcher shop is terribly suspicious, and actually trying to hide would probably raise more eyebrows than just brazenly circling the place for a minute or two. I'll just roll perception for now, and I'll make any additional rolls in the dice thread, if you think them necessary.

Perception: [roll0]

[bcool999]

Conrad

Having changed back into his mask and reversed his cloak so the all black side was showing, Conrad watches the bird fly off before nodding to the others and slipping into the shadows. Conrad makes a circuit of the butcher shop, attempting to avoid being seen from within as well as being seen by any lookout they might have set on the street or roofs. As he draws near the shop Conrad scans for entrances and exits, as well as anyone who appears to be a spotter for the treasonous guards inside.

Stealth: [roll0] (+2 Korvosa outdoors bonus already added)
Perception: [roll1]
Sense Motive (to tell lookouts from passersby I suppose): [roll2]

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Avaris shares the good spirits of the company as they approach the shop to be examined. As they get nearer, however, he starts to almost reflexively cover anything jiggling on his person. With a nod to Conrad and a silent communication, he goes the other way around the building, trying to see if there are guards and possible points of entrance.

Stealth [roll0]
Perception [roll1]

[Desril]

GM Post

**Peck**

Soaring overhead, the raven spots several holes in the roof, the largest of which a full-grown man in armor could fit through without too much trouble, the rest are more the size of small windows but even the smallest would be an easy fit for the feathered familiar. As for the interior of the butchery, it seems as if its new inhabitants have decided to restart the business. Peck spots at least one cow strung up on hooks, its blood draining into a grate below it while a man in some form of chain armor sits in a nearby chair.

**Conrad**
...yeah. They can't beat a 33. Not even on a nat 20 with aid anothers. Not going to bother rolling against that.

Concealed by your power as you are, it's easy to make your way to the opposite side of the building without being seen. And unlike the side your party initially came from, the west half of the building is less a building and more a cattle-pen, complete with bovine and a bored looking man in a guard's armor leaning against a fence watching the cows. Neither the obvious guard standing at the front door, nor the one slacking off in the pen notice your presence as you make your way 'round the building to see both a side door just past the gate, and Avaris coming around from the opposite side.


**Avaris**
Perception (1d20+3)[9] - Failed

Maybe the guard at the front of the shop just wasn't paying attention, maybe the group of men heading opposite of you seemed more worthy of attention, or maybe you were just completely inconspicous, but whatever the case, you made it to the alleyway between the butchery on 22 Stirge Street and whatever business is run next to it. Unfortunately for you, this side of the building is nothing more than wall, and short of climbing onto the roof to get a view in those 2nd story windows, you don't think you'll find an entryway here, as even the back of the butchery just gets you a sight of solid stone with a fence on the opposite end.

Map - Updated
G1-3 are Guards. Conrad isn't on the map because I presume he'll be returning immediately to the party upon sighting Avaris, but if not, he is on the Bottom Left corner. Avaris isn't on the map for similar reasons, but also because Sienna is invisible on the map exterior. He's on the bottom right. Rest of the party is quite a ways off the map to the top right.

The area in the main room that's visible is the area that Peck can see (it's a bit more detailed than his view allowed, but 2D maps have limitations in what I can censor without blocking out the whole thing.)

http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p696/Desril/ATWMMapExteriorPeck_zpse9ccd58a.png

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Avaris makes the round silently. Nothing obviously helpful in this side of the building. Even if he somehow manages to get up, the rest would certainly not be able to. He goes stealthily back, to report and regroup.

[bcool999]

Conrad

Not wanting to press his luck trying to sneak inside, Conrad makes his way back to the group and reports his findings.

"There is the one guard out front and one out in the pens to the west. On the west side is also a side door we may be able to enter from. Now, any ideas to take out the guards without raising the alarm?"

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

The combines scouting mission doesn't give a complete picture of the place, but it enough to engender the first hints of a plan. "It looks like they've re-opened the butcher shop, which means they'll have to buy more animals from somewhere if they want to stay in business for long. That can't be easy in the middle of a riot. I bet they'd let us in if we were looking to sell them some fresh meat. What do you say, Avaris? Do you think you can conjure up something edible?"

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Avaris gives a surprised look and then a smile.

'You bet I can summon a horse. That however will put us right in the front door, with everyone looking at us. I would be more happy with going in the back way. The thing is, I did not see any back doors the way I went. So that leaves what Conrad saw.

I am just thinking that strolling in with a horse in tow, will bring everyone on us, And what if we have to wait for more than a couple of minutes? Then my horse will have to go back."

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

"Eh, even if yer horsie has to go back in a couple of minutes, that's gonna be the littlest of the problems, see? Because soon they'll have me t'handle, and then we'll have ourselves a right good one." Raine flashes Avaris a wolfish grin, cracking her knuckles one by one. "You just go on in and get their attention. And once they're all set... BAMMO!" She thuds her fist into her open palm, beaming far too widely for someone about to commit violence.

[bcool999]

Conrad

"We could attempt a combination of the two tactics," Says Conrad. "While most of the group attracts attention up front, someone can attempt to sneak in through the back and possibly get the drop on them. It's risky for the one who goes in alone since after the initial surprise they will be vulnerable to counter-attack... I think I can handle that. However, there is always the chance that they will see through the ruse or not be interested in a horse and deny the group entry, forcing them to fight their way in."

Conrad shrugs, "Still it is a better alternative to standing around shooting the breeze."

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

"Isn't that the truth...

Well, I am not fun of splitting the party. One of us could be clubbed to pulp and noone would know. I say we go through the back door. But first, we make a small distraction up front. Perhaps I so call forth a horse, and have it ride in front of them. They will probably try to catch it. And then we go in from the back."

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

"Well, if you're just looking to run a distractionwhile we all rush the door, how about dropping a fox in the hen house? Er...I mean, summon something nasty right into the cow pen. The threat of a stampede ought to draw some of them out, then we can storm in and take whoever is left inside."

[Desril]

GM Post

Not having a better plan, the lot of you head back around the nearest corner so that Avaris can summon a pony. Though it's a bit small to be used for a food supply, meat is meat, and this summoned beast is an absolutely flawless exemplar of its species. While Peck takes to the skies to circle the place and keep an eye out for any one who decides to run once hostilities break out, the rest of you make your way to the front door.

The guard standing outside the front door is skeptical of your offer to sell the pony at first, but he doesn't immediately shoe you off. After a moment's hesitation, he opens the door and calls inside. "Oi, Malder, there's a lot out here lookin' to sell a pony. Think the boss'll be interested?"

The man inside, Malder presumably, sighs heavily and calls for you all to come inside to talk business, though he certainly doesn't sound too pleased about it. "Just send them in Baldrago, and go get my brother to look at this pony just in case."

"Alright, go on in. I'll be right back." With that, the front door guard opens the door for you, and once everyone is in, he walks off toward the cow pen.

Inside, a long counter runs over half the room’s width, beyond which a door stands ajar where another man can be seen walking through the room beyond. A low bench sits against the east wall, while to the north a marble-topped table displays a few cuts of meat before a wide, grimy, boarded over window. A few flies crawl and circle in the air above what's left of the meat. Behind the counter, a man in similar chainmail to the guard outside, Malder you suppose, looks impatient and eager to be rid of you. His obvious irritation becomes even more apparent the moment he opens his mouth when he completely skips over the pleasantries and moves straight to the rather blunt point. "Look, we're runnin' a charity here. The boss'll 'preciate the meat, but unless you're selling that pony for a pittance, we can't afford to take it off your hands. So unless you're plannin' to donate so the poor folk around here have something to eat for a little while longer, I think you best try your luck elsewhere."


Map unavailable right now, room is 4x5 and the party takes up most of the space in the building. 2 guards are immediately outside the building, 1 is on the other side of the counter in the room with you all. There are at least 2 more and their boss further into the building.

[bcool999]

Conrad
HP 24/24
AC 18

Once the door guard had wondered off a bit and they were left alone with this Malder fellow, Conrad draws his bow and says to the man, "Surrender Vancaskerkin to us at once and return to a place of honor among the guard." Conrad says in a deadpan voice made tinny by his mask, "Or... you can resist and we drag you back naked to thank the Field Marshal for ordering us to spare your cowardly lives."

Going to try some Intimidation here: [roll0]
And likely Rolling for Initiative: [roll1]

[Desril]

GM Post

Suddenly looking less irritated and much more worried, Maulder instinctively moves to put his hand on his sword. Unfortunately, Conrad's threat doesn't do much to intimidate the former Korvosan Guard. "Oh really? Let's see who's dragging who!" As he begins to draw his sword he calls out to his fellows, "THEY'RE WITH THE GUARD!"

Any one paying attention suddenly hears cursing coming from above and the sound of heavily booted feet.

**Alright, let's see if a fight helps liven things up, shall we? ROLL INITIATIVE**

**Mira, for the duration of this combat, you receive a +2 to any roll modified by Dex and +1 to Dodge AC**


I know, short post, sorry. It's the start of combat, there wasn't much description to get into!

M: [roll0]
B: [roll1]
K: [roll2]
P: [roll3]
V: [roll4]

Also, it's been a while, so a refresher;
Everyone has 3 Harrow Points. These do not refresh until the next Chapter. For the duration of this chapter they can be used for any of the following;

Dexterity Rerolls: Spend a Harrow Point to reroll any one
Initiative check, Reflex save, attack roll modified by Dexterity, or
Dexterity-based skill check. You must abide by the new result
(although if you have additional Harrow Points remaining, you
can use them to attempt additional rerolls).

Dodge Bonus: Spend a Harrow Point to gain a +1 Dodge
bonus to your Armor Class for one encounter. You can spend
up to 3 Harrow Points per encounter to increase your Armor
Class in this manner.

Speed Increase: Spend a Harrow Point to increase your
base speed by 10 feet for one encounter—you cannot spend
multiple Harrow Points to increase your speed multiple times
in one encounter.


Combat Map and Initiative Order

(Hopefully the map is clear. Sorry about the placement, but...tiny storefront, lots of people. I tried to be generous.)
http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p696/Desril/ATWMMapGuardBattleIncomplete_zps2b5115b9.png

Initiative:

*Conrad (1d20+4)[21] - Your turn
Laius (1d20+1)[20]
Raine (1d20+4)[18]
Avaris (1d20+2)[15]
M (1d20+4)[13]
V (1d20+2)[13]
Elizabeth (1d20)[10]
Urchin (1d20+5)[9]
B (1d20+4)[6]
K (1d20+4)[6]
P (1d20+4)[6]

[bcool999]

Conrad
HP 24/24
AC 18 (+1 if town tamer applies)

A wolfish grin is hidden behind his mask, but not from his eyes, as Conrad says, "I was hoping you would choose that."

Quick as thought he drew and released, sending a blunted arrow streaming at Malder with terrific force.

Attack (PBS and Deadly Aim for +3 damage): [roll0] (+1 if Town Tamer applies)
Damage: [roll1] Non-Lethal

[Miraqariftsky]

Laius
HP 24/24
AC 22/22 23/23
Smite 1/1

Damn frakken headache, ugghh... Laius grits his teeth against the pounding pain in his noggin, seeming for all the while just like any other sottish sellsword while his mouthier comrades wag their chops at this mission's targets.

When yells and weapons flash, mount and rider suddenly bristle, raring for the fray. The beerstein that Laius had idly snatched somewhere along the way tumbles to the floor in a cascade of piss brew as he snatches for his lance, then jabs at Maulder's shoulder over the bend of the corridor. Blaze's feathers flaring, the giant rooster lunges forward, beak snapping at their enemy's gut.

KRRREEEEEAAAAAAGGGHHH!

"GET STUCK IN, FRAKKERS!"


Laius:
Move: Detect Evil
Standard: Lancejab
[roll0]
[roll1]
(Also, will strike an AoO if either of the bogeys moves outta there. If it's K who moves, lance; if it's M who moves, shield bash.)

Blaze:
Move: Move one square to 8-o-clock.
Standard: Sicklebeak
(Also threatens with AoOs, if M moves.)
[roll2]
[roll3]

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine
HP: 26/26
AC 17

Chicken's blocking the empty square... so over the counter Raine goes to C15!

Acrobatics: [roll0] if needed

Attack: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

"They're with the guard! Oh no! What a nightmare!" Raine can't resist a mocking shot as she scrambles over the filthy excuse of a bench that the store was using as a counter. "Heads up, tubby!" Aiming a wide haymaker at the ex-guard's head, Raine does her best to see if she can make his skull ring.

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris
HP13

"You just rolled your worst roll, idiots"

Avaris starts chanting in celestial.


Appear Aetos! Come fulfill your pact.

In seconds, light coalesces in the form of a too perfect eagle, right behind the guard in the stairs. In short order, in falls on the guard.

Eagle attacks from G13. If flanking, add 2 to the attacks.If teh guard is dead by then, move the summoning to D13
Two talons [roll0] dmg [roll1] and [roll2] dmg [roll3]
Beak [roll4] dmg [roll5]

[Desril]

GM Post

Conrad, Laius, Raine, and Avaris


Whether the man is simply not evil, or evil yet not of sufficient strength to register under your supernatural sight, you cannot say, but Malder does not glow with the tell-tale aura of evil.


Finding himself suddenly impaled by an arrow through the shoulder and the gut by a miniature lance, his chainmail doing nothing to stop the bone shattering projectile or chicken-mounted weapon, though at least the over-sized bird itself fails to do anything more than cause a superficial scratch, Malder barely has time to cry out in pain before Raine nimbly leaps over the shoddy counter to deliver a powerful, decisive blow to the man's skull. Overcome by pain, shock, and a mild concussion, the ex-Korvosan guard drops, unconscious, to the floor with a crash of steel on stone.

With his initial target already out of the fight, Avaris continues his invocation to conjure Aetos but shifts the arrival destination to down the hall. The eagle, seeing Avaris standing with a group attacking a man in badly kept chainmail, realizes that the similarly dressed man half-way up the stairs must also be an enemy and moves to attack, managing to find purchase with one of its talons, eliciting a sharp gasp from the guard.

**Maulder is out of the fight**

Verik, Elizabeth, and Urchin

It's impossible to see exactly what is going on above you, but it sounds like something very heavy has been thrown or kicked over. All any of you know for certain is that there is definitely someone or some thing in a room above you.

Meanwhile, Liz follows Raine's example, though with significantly less gusto, and pulls herself over the counter to land next to Malder's body, crouching down to make sure that the sudden trio of attacks didn't kill him. Perhaps due to the haphazard nature of her check, or the distraction of the celestial eagle's squawking, however, "Well, he's not dead, but I can't tell how badly wounded he is."


Heal (DC 10) (1d20+8)[9] - failed


The Guards

Finally gathering their wits enough to act, the guard who was further inside and the one waiting with the livestock outdoors try to group up down the hall. While you only see a head appear briefly, you know that they must be just around the corner as one of them cries out, "****! They killed Malder!"

More swearing follows from the guard on the staircase as he backs away from the eagle that cut his arm. As he reaches to draw both sword and shield while he moves to the top of the stairs, however, the eagle spots an opening and dives in, viciously tearing a hole in an exposed bit of the renegade guard's leg. He cries out briefly as he continues his retreat to higher ground, glaring down at the bird in a defensive stance.


Celestial Eagle AoO

Eagle AoO (1d20+4)[24]
Damage (1d4+2)[4]

Confirmation (1d20+4)[22]
Damage (1d4+2)[3]


**Note: Urchin has not yet taken her turn. Due to enemy placement and movements, however, I felt it easier to carry out their turns now in the interest of momentum. We are still technically on Urchin's turn, but feel free to post. Urchin's actions will be accounted for without affecting the initiative order.**

**Mystery Numbers: 3 and 5**



*Conrad (1d20+4)[21] - Your turn
Laius (1d20+1)[20]
Raine (1d20+4)[18]
Avaris (1d20+2)[15]
M (1d20+4)[13] - Unconscious
V (1d20+2)[13]
Elizabeth (1d20)[10]
Urchin (1d20+5)[9]
B (1d20+4)[6]
K (1d20+4)[6]
P (1d20+4)[6]

http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p696/Desril/ATWMMapGuardBattleEndofRound1_zps58e0b479.png

[Bhaakon]

Urchin
15/15 HP
14 AC

It all happened so fast, the four of them leaping into action to beat the man behind the counter to death. Or, rather, senselessness, as Liz confirms a moment later. So not quite dead, but not for lack of trying. "You know we need 'em breathin', right?"

She focuses on the hall behind the felled guardsman-turned-butcher, waiting to plant Desna's kiss on the first idiot to come charging down the corridor. But the Great Dreamer didn't see fit to render the other targets completely witless--the fat face that pokes out around the door is too far away for the magic to take hold.

"Got to get closer" She orders herself, slipping between her allies and bounding over the unconscious Malder to get a better view. She pulls up at the base of the stairs, ready to stupefy whoever decides to storm the hall.

Rd 1) double move to G14

Rd 2) Readied action to use Slumber Hex on the first hostile that moves into line of sight (automatically falls asleep immediately, DC15 Will save to wake up in second round).

[bcool999]

Conrad
AC 19
HP 24/24
PP 2/4
Psionic Focus: Expended
Coolness Factor: Very :smallcool:

As the ex-guards down the hall mourn their fallen ally, Conrad calls out, "My arrow was blunted so Maulder is likely just unconscious." when he hears movement above his head he shouts, "Vancaskerkin!? Surrender and face judgment for your treason and sedition, and your men will be cleared of their crimes and allowed to reaffirm their oath to serve Korvosa!"

Should Vancaskerkin refuse to answer, or answer that he will not surrender, Conrad mutters, "Very well then." As he nocks an arrow, his allies might see his eyes glow a teal shade as Conrade 'sees' the path his arrow will fly as he draws back the string the glow leaves his eyes and rests on the blunt arrow's tip. As he releases, Conrad sees in his mind the path of the arrow, sees it ricochet up the stairs, bouncing off the foe's shield to strike at Vancaskerkin.

Swift Action: Spending 1 Power Point as a swift action to use Inevitable Strike, +5 insight bonus to attack and it ignores miss chance.
Immediate Action: Expend Psionic Focus to use Trick Shot to get the arrow upstairs to hit Vancaskerkin (and ignore cover)
Standard Action Deadly Aim to hit Vancaskerkin: [roll0] (+8 Normal, +1 Town Tamer, +5 Inevitable strike, -1 Deadly Aim)
Damage: [roll1] (Bludgeoning, Non-Lethal)

[roll2]
Damage: [roll3]

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Avaris cannot really see anything. The battle has moved. He follows Urchin down, meanwhile willing Aetos close to him.


Move down the stairs also. I am not sure where the hostiles are in the map, so I am just moving to get the game going. If Aetos is close to anyone hostile, he will attack instead of coming near.

Atk1 [roll0] dmg [roll1]
Atk2 [roll2] dmg [roll3]
Atk1 [roll4] dmg [roll5]

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine
HP: 26/26
AC 17

Righto, let's see about upping the ante

Move to g13, blocking the escape of the two duddies upstairs. Let the attacks come as they will!
Readied Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

"Who cares? We get paid either way." As Raine's vaguely irritated tone makes clear, the brawler couldn't give a tinker's toss as to Malder's state of existence. Sweeping down the corridor over to the stairs, Raine pauses at the foot, cracking her knuckles and bawling like a fishwife on marketday. "OI! Vancasket! Or whatever your name is! Either you drag your sorry carcase down or I'll be dragging it down for you! Didja mama teach yer to never keep a lady waitin'?"

[Desril]

GM Post

Conrad, Laius, Raine, and Avaris

"Hah, as if! This city is going to hell, I'm just trying to make sure I don't come out behind!"

Firing off his impossible shot, Conrad sits smugly in the corner of the storefront as his arrow flies down the hallway past the others, changing direction in mid-air to soar up the stairs, past Avaris' summoned eagle, before finally ricocheting off of the injured guard's shield and hitting Verik with a satisfying thud causing him to cry out in pain. "Gah, what the hell sort of magic bull**** was that?!"

Meanwhile, Raine and Avaris move to take up positions at the bottom of the stairs in order to prevent any one from getting down and Aestos continues his relentless attack on the nearest guard, but suffers a vicious blow when he gets into range to strike. Though it has no way of relaying this information back to his summoner, Aestos can see Verik crouched in the corner of the room, using an overturned table as cover with a drawn bow aimed at the stairs.


K had a readied attack, (1d20+3)[21] +1 for High Ground -hit
Damage (1d8+2)[7]

Aestos is sitting at 0 HP but has Diehard and isn't unsummoned.


While the Celestial Eagle makes its attack, Laius and his trusty steed move to take care of the duo to the south, stabbing at the nearer of the two the moment he comes into sight, but unfortunately missing, succeeding in doing little more than rattle the door frame.


Laius Lancejab; (1d20+6)[7]
Damage (1d6+2)[7]



Verik, Elizabeth, and Urchin


Though you can't see what he's doing, Verik calls out to Conrad. "Just get up here and let's see whose better with a bow when you can't use your damn magic tricks!"

Not as quick as the others, Liz does her best to keep up and begins to sing an old bard's tale, her words laced with magic to draw out everyone's potential, while Urchin glares at the doorway that Laius went to hold, just waiting for one of the morons to show themselves.


**Liz initiates Bardic Performance. The party gets +1 to attack and damage**



The Guards

Still being slashed and bitten by the damnable bird before him, the guard atop the stairs slashes angrily down at Aestos, "Why won't you just DIE ALREADY!?"

Seeing an opportunity to strike at the halfling who rode his mount inside, the guard who was watching the livestock outside dashes out toward Laius only to catch Urchin's gaze and immediately drop to the floor, his sword clattering away uselessly as sleep overcomes him.

The final guard, who avoided being impaled by Laius, sees his comrade drop to the floor without a word finally panics. "Screw this, I'm not dying here, you guys are on your own!" True to his word, he turns tail and makes his way for the back door as quick as his legs can carry him. Verik seems to take offense at this, "Parns! Don't you dare run out on us!"


K's Attack (1d20+3)[15]+1 for high ground - hit
Damage (1d8+2)[5]

Aestos is now at -5 HP and staggered, but still here due to Diehard. He will unsummon when he "dies" at -16.

B moves into Urchin's line of sight and drops into sleep from the readied Hex.

P withdraws, and I realized something at the last second but don't want to deal with editing the map to fix it right now. P should be at P7, not P3. The door is open, so if you go into the large room you can still see him.

**Today's Mystery Numbers are 2 and 4. I wonder if it's a countdown of some kind?

**Map and Initiative**

*Conrad (1d20+4)[21] - Your turn
Laius (1d20+1)[20]
Raine (1d20+4)[18]
Avaris (1d20+2)[15]
M (1d20+4)[13] - Unconscious
V (1d20+2)[13]
Elizabeth (1d20)[10]
Urchin (1d20+5)[9]
B (1d20+4)[6] - Asleep, can roll a save on this round
K (1d20+4)[6]
P (1d20+4)[6] - Withdrawing

http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p696/Desril/ATWMMapGuardBattleEndofRound2_zpsbce04812.png

Legend:
E13 is going up to W13

A - Avaris
C - Conrad
E - Liz
L - Laius
R - Raine
U - Urchin
S - Summoned Eagle/Aestos

V - Verik
B/K/M/P - Guards



Sorry that this post is a little bland, I'm kinda sick and still recovering, wanted to make sure I got this up before I passed out

[bcool999]

Conrad
AC 19
HP 24/24
PF: Expended

Walking into the hallway, Conrad notices the sleeping guard and hears the footfalls of the fleeing guard growing faint in the distance. Good riddance, Korvosa needs men and women of substance. People who will stand fast against the rising chaos and not blink. Cowards need not apply.

Looking up the stairs, Conrad sees one man who may fit that description. Standing fast while his allies have fled or fallen, one guard defends the cowardly Verik from justice. Perhaps this one will listen to reason?

"Guard at the top of the stairs! The Field Marshal has given her word that the guards who followed Verik in his misguided attempt to profit from the city's chaos will be forgiven their insubordination and allowed to return to duty and restore honor to their name. Verik has already made it clear that he cares only for himself and not this city or it's people save how they profit him. Surrender and allow us to take Verik into custody and no further harm will befall you!"

Moving to 14E
Standard Action Diplomacy (maybe with a circumstance bonus since he is outnumbered or because not being punished sounds nice? (has no way of succeeding without DM fiat by RAW)): [roll0]

[Desril]

GM Post

Conrad and Laius-Bot

If the fear on his face is anything to go by, Conrad's belief that this guard is standing firm out of conviction and not simply as a result of being stuck on the second floor without a sane method of escape may be misplaced. Still, he is not entirely without his reason. As the vigilante makes his case for surrendering, for a moment it looks as if he will accept, but suddenly his eyes go wide as his gaze momentarily shifts to the door leading into the room behind Conrad. "There's no way in hell I'd ever give up, not now! Korvosa is lost, why can't you just leave us be?!"

For his part, Laius, not being overly bloodthirsty, stands guard over the hexed guard, ready to provide a solid bop to the head if the guard stirs from his slumber.


Laius readies action to hit the sleeping guard if he wakes up. Because putting the chicken in front of the party on the stairs means no one else can really get up there realistically.

Diplomacy fails. Unfortunately, while you do have a bonus from the circumstances at the moment, the DC for that particular outcome is...extremely difficult. Perhaps you can discover these reasons later if you do some investigating or interrogating.


Conrad (1d20+4)[21]
Laius (1d20+1)[20] - Readied Action
*Raine (1d20+4)[18] - You're up!
Avaris (1d20+2)[15]
M (1d20+4)[13] - Unconscious
V (1d20+2)[13]
Elizabeth (1d20)[10]
Urchin (1d20+5)[9]
B (1d20+4)[6] - Asleep, can roll a save on this round
K (1d20+4)[6]
P (1d20+4)[6] - Withdrawing

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris


Seeing that the remaining resisting guards have regrouped upstairs, Avaris decides to call one more celestial ally to the fray. His voice takes on a strange note as he speaks the language of angels. His gestures become more demanding and small trails of golden light seem to follow his hands as he traces runes in the air.

"Ptenos, come forth! Fulfill you pact!"

A screech from somewhere Far Beyond coalesces into another majestic eagle, who quickly flies upstairs to engage the guards.

If possible, multiattack. Two tallons and one beak
[roll0] dmg [roll1]
[roll2] dmg [roll3]
[roll4] dmg [roll5]

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine
HP: 26/26
AC 17

Move to B14
Readied Attack (with Liz's BP): [roll0], Damage: [roll1]

"Why can't we leave you be? Because a smoking hot lady is paying me lots of money for your sorry arse, hey!" Raine almost laughs as she stomps up the stairs, an impish gleam in her eyes as she arrives at the top and scans the room for sign of Verik. Upon catching sight of him, she cracks her knuckles and beckons him over. "Come on, pansy. Let's finish this!"

[Desril]

GM Post

Avaris, Raine, Verik, and Liz

With the conjuring of Pteros to aid the badly wounded Aestos, the guard at the top of the stairs is overwhelmed as he's swarmed by feathers. Crying out in wordless pain, he quickly succumbs to his wounds and collapses with a solid thump against the floor. His target down, Aestos hops his way past the barricade of overturned tables that Verik had kicked over to give himself some cover, but is too wounded to properly fight.

With the last enemy between her and Verik's hiding place down, Raine advances to the top of the stairs only to narrowly avoid getting a new piercing as an arrow imbeds itself into the wall just behind her. "Gods damn all of you, I just wanted to have a nice setup for when the food gets really scarce 'round here! But let's see who the real pansy is, girl," he says, sneering at Raine as he looses a barrage of three rapid fire arrows. Though the first strikes true, piercing into the brawler's thigh, the second shot goes wide and the third is nimbly side-stepped by Raine's near super-human reflexes, causing Verik to curse sharply, furious at himself for missing and the bird for cutting open a gash in his leg as he focused on aiming.

For her part, Liz dashes up the stairs as quickly as her armored form can move and calls out to Raine as she moves into position to hit Verik if he tries to fire his bow again, "Let's take this guy down, I can heal your wounds once that's done!"




Verik Readied Attack
Verik's readied attack (1d20+13)[17] -Miss
Damage (1d8+7)[14]

Aestos AoO against Verik
Talon (1d20+3)[22] -Hit
Damage (1d4+2)[6]

Verik Rapid Shot
(1d20+11)[31] -Hit
(1d8+7)[12]
Critical Confirm? (1d20+11)[13] -Not confirmed
(2d8+14)[23]


(1d20+11)[17] -Miss
(1d8+7)[14]

(1d20+6)[21] -Hit? *Mythic Dodged*
(1d8+7)[12]

Liz Double Moves to T15 with her glaive drawn. Verik within AoO range.


**Raine takes 12 damage, Liz continues her Inspire Courage**

**Map and Initiative**

(Oops, I forgot to copy Avaris' position onto the map. You haven't moved though, so you're still at H13 Grog!)
http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p696/Desril/ATWMMapGuardBattleRound3Halfway_zpsbc63420c.png

White P and A are Pteros and Aestos. Aestos is Staggered and only able to take a single move or standard action each turn. K has been removed from the map since he won't be waking up on his own.



Conrad (1d20+4)[21]
Laius (1d20+1)[20] - Readied Action
Raine (1d20+4)[18]
Avaris (1d20+2)[15]
M (1d20+4)[13] - Unconscious
V (1d20+2)[13]
Elizabeth (1d20)[10]
*Urchin (1d20+5)[9] - You're up!
B (1d20+4)[6] - Asleep, can roll a save on this round
K (1d20+4)[6] - Unconscious and bleeding out
P (1d20+4)[6] - Withdrawing

[Bhaakon]

Urchin
15/15 HP
14 AC

With a glance over her shoulder at the enormous avian lining up a shot on the napping guard, Urchin barrels up the stairs. "Just...just try to to kill him, you understand?" He shouts at the bird, full well knowing that it couldn't. Trusting the giant avian to subdue to unconscious man was patently ridiculous, but there was a fight on upstairs.

She reaches the second floor not a moment too soon, what with Raine bloodied and spitting threats. I can never tell whether she's kidding or not. With a few seconds concentration, Urchin reaches out for the cornered archer. He blinks and swoons, bow falling from limp fingers as the magic takes hold.

Move action to U13, standard to use slumber hex on Verik

[Desril]

GM Post

Urchin and the Guards

Laius' axebeak glances toward Urchin as she makes her request, "Kwa? Kuuuuuur!" Unfortunately, she doesn't speak bird, but it doesn't seem to be overly bloodthirsty.

As she gets to the top of the stairs and sees the situation, Urchin's silent curse of sleep takes hold and Verik raises a hand to his head, swaying on his feet briefly, "Wha--what'd you...zzz" and with a solid thud, Verik collapses to the ground.

Meanwhile, she need not have bothered trying to talk the axebeak down, as the other snoozing guard snores loudly and twitches in his sleep, but otherwise makes no movement and the last quickly makes his escape out of the back door, running into the alleys and out of hearing range.


Verik Save vs Slumber (1d20+3)[7] -Failed, asleep for 2 rounds

B's Belated Save vs Slumber (1d20+1)[6] -Failed, asleep for 2 rounds


**Combat is not over, but you've got 2 rounds to do what you will with the sleeping enemies, keep in mind, inflicting damage wakes them**

Map and Initiative

http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p696/Desril/ATWMMapGuardBattleRound3End_zpsff50b110.png

*Conrad (1d20+4)[21] - Back to you!
Laius (1d20+1)[20] - Readied Action
Raine (1d20+4)[18]
Avaris (1d20+2)[15]
M (1d20+4)[13] - Unconscious
V (1d20+2)[13] - Asleep for 2 rounds
Elizabeth (1d20)[10]
Urchin (1d20+5)[9]
B (1d20+4)[6] - Asleep for 2 rounds
K (1d20+4)[6] - Unconscious and bleeding out
P (1d20+4)[6] - Fled the field

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

With the last of the enemies down, Avaris turns to the others.

"Quick! Disarm and bind them!"

He puts words to action, taking his rope out. Hopefully, someone better than him at that will help.

[bcool999]

Conrad

Hearing Verik's confused muttering before the thud, Conrad gathers that Urchin's witchcraft had worked. Making his way upstairs he says to Avaris, "Even if you are unable to bind him fast, at least get his weapons away so he is easier to subdue if he wakes."

At the top of the stairs, he notices the bleeding wounds on the guard, and the frightful gaze he had cast to the door behind Conrad, "Laius, help Avaris out, but watch that door for any more trouble." Conrad says before turning to Liz, "This man needs healing if he is going to live... try not to heal him so much that he gets back into the fight though if you can help it." To Urchin he merely says, "Good work I will take it from here."

Finally Conrad crosses the room to Verik and pulls out the manacles he had brought along for this occasion.

A double move should get me from downstairs to V17. Next round Conrad will 5ft. step and manacle Verik's hands behind his back... and take his bow and any other weapons/thieves tools from him.

[Desril]

GM Post

Conrad, Avaris, Laius, and Liz

As Conrad makes his way up the stairs to see to Verik's manacling, Liz moves over to Raine's side now that the fighting seems to be done after glancing toward the unconscious guard, "He's hurt, but it looks like he's stopped bleeding out now, let me treat you first." With a quick prayer to Sheyln, Elizabeth glows with a divine light briefly before touching her hand to Raine's wounds causing the skin to knit itself back into place.

Avaris heads back down and tosses a length of rope to Laius, who hops off of his trust avian steed in order to quickly bind the sleeping guard's arms and legs. While the halfling busies himself with that, a simple task that takes little more than a few seconds given the guard's sleeping compliance, something more troublesome happens. At first it sounds unintelligible, but it rapidly becomes louder and more clear.

Those on the lower level are able to hear it first, but after a few seconds the frantic shouting becomes understandable, "No, no, no, no, no!" The last is loud enough to be heard even outside the building, but it's nothing compared to the clanging of heavy metal on stone. From their vantage point at the bottom of the stairs, Avaris and Laius are both witness to the source of the sound, a massive beast, easily larger than most horses, bursts out of the rusty grating on the south end of the room, sending the grate flying and landing with an ear-ringing clatter. Most of the creature's round body seems made up almost entirely of mouth with two tentacles waving haphazardly off of to the sides, covered in barbs and spikes, while a third waves over its central mass with three eyes on it.


Cure Light Wounds (1d8+1)[6]

O's Initiative (1d20)[8]



It's an otyugh. Tentacled aberrations that primarily subsist off of garbage and waste. Though disgusting and monstrous, the beasts are at least technically intelligent and are usually left to their own in the sewers. The rare occasion that the beasts end up out of the sewers typically ends with it being slain by the guard after going on a rampage looking for food.

Because they subsist on filth, they're known to carry a variety of diseases. Being bitten by that terrifying mouth might not be a good idea, even if you survive the initial chomping.


http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/pathfinder/images/2/25/Otyugh.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20090415135840


**Combat resuming, Raine heals 8 HP, Raine and Urchin can still act this round, then the creature, then top of the initiative as normal**


The Otyugh used its surprise round to get up out of the grate and onto the map proper. It will now act on Initiative 8.
http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p696/Desril/ATWMMapGuardBattleOtyughArrives_zps43afc3e8.png

Laius (1d20+1)[20] -Already acted
Raine (1d20+4)[18] -Can act
Avaris (1d20+2)[15] -Already acted
M (1d20+4)[13] - Unconscious
V (1d20+2)[13] - Asleep for 1 round
Elizabeth (1d20)[10] -Already acted
Urchin (1d20+5)[9] -Can act
Otyugh (1d20)[8]
B (1d20+4)[6] - Asleep for 2 rounds, bound
K (1d20+4)[6] - Unconscious and bleeding out

[Bhaakon]

Urchin
15/15 HP
14 AC

Panting from the magical exertion and the sprint upstairs, Jin watches with satisfaction as Conrad slaps a set of manacles on Verik. "That all of them?" She asks, but the cacophony from downstairs interrupts before anyone can answer. She darts back down to the first level, pulling up short next to Avaris as she spots the source of both the terrible racket and the growing stench that threatens a messy resurrection of her last meal.

"Otyugh!" She gasps, the very name reminiscent of the sound made when choking back nausea. At least we don't have to leave it alive. She tells herself as she yanks free the crossbow hanging from a strap on her pack.

Move action to I14, move to draw crossbow

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine
HP: 22/26
AC 18 (So I was told by the GM that I was short of an AC point... Oops. :smallredface:)

Double move to K14

K (local): (1d20+3)[12] - failed

"Much better and obliged to yer, ma'am." Raine gives a low whistle of appreciation as Liz works some healing thingmajig on her thigh. "Sounds like some racket from down yonder though, so if you'll excuse for a wee smidge-"

Leaping to her feet and relishing with a wry grin the twinge of pain in her leg, Raine trundles back downstairs with all the grace of a drunk war elephant, bustling up to where Laius and Avaris are holding their prisoner hostage. "Hey fellas! What's coo- Oh hello there."

Raine practically purrs when she beholds the sewage-sodden creature on the other side of the room. Now this was more like it. Something that wasn't gonna run and cower behind a table like a cornered rat in a bread-bin. She'd seen those before. They ate baby kittens in the sewers or something, didn't they? Otee? Otug? Owhathehell. If she could punch it, she could handle it. No need to fuss.

"Messrs. If you'd get our guest outta th'way, I'll hold this 'ere fort." Grinning like a maniac, Raine pushes past the giant chicken. "Hey piss-face! Over here!"

[Desril]

GM Post

Raine, Urchin, and Everyone's Favorite Tentacle Monster

As Urchin draws her crossbow to being pelting the abomination before her with bolts, Raine makes it to the bottom of the stairs and after pushing past everyone else draws the attention of the toothy, tentacled horror. The more perceptive of you notice that the strongest of all the overwhelming smells coming from the beast is the stench of rotting fish.

Screaming out at the insult, it shouts only a single word in Common as it uses its left tentacle to latch onto one of the two large vats of water and slingshot itself toward the party, flailing its other barbed tentacle at Raine almost like it was a whip as it cries out, "MEAT!"


Otyughs, while capable of speech, obviously, usually use smells to communicate with each other. For reasons that only you could know, you recall that they emit a strong stench of rotting fish to signal that danger is near.



Tentacle Party! Raine's invited! (1d20+8)[13] -Miss! Sorry, no tentacle party for you today.
Damage (1d6+2)[7]
Grab (1d20+13)[32] vs CMD 19 -Required a hit, lucky you!




(Sorry, short post, but most of the party had already moved so there wasn't much to describe, and I'm not quite as eloquent as someone else we all know >.>)
http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p696/Desril/ATWMMapGuardBattleOtyughArrives_zpsae4daf04.png

*Conrad (1d20+4)[21] - Back to you!
Laius (1d20+1)[20]
Raine (1d20+4)[18]
Avaris (1d20+2)[15]
M (1d20+4)[13] - Unconscious
V (1d20+2)[13] - Asleep for 1 round
Elizabeth (1d20)[10]
Urchin (1d20+5)[9]
Otyugh (1d20)[8]
B (1d20+4)[6] - Asleep for 1 round, bound
K (1d20+4)[6] - Unconscious

[bcool999]

Conrad

Hearing the commotion downstairs and Raine's battle insults, Conrad surmises that something unpleasant has happened downstairs. However, he is not about to let Verik get away in the confusion.

"Liz, go see if they need help, I will join in shortly." Conrad says as he moves beside Verik and manacles his hands behind his back, he then moves the table out of the way to give him a clear path to the stairs.

5ft. step to Verik
Move Action: Manacles
Standard Action: Move table out of the way so I can save on movement next turn.

[Bhaakon]

Urchin
15/15 HP
14 AC

In their never-ending quest to expand their arcane repertoire, certain Nexian scholar claim that smell is the sense most closely associated with memory. While their innovative scratch-and-sniff spellbook has remained something of a joke among serious practitioners, the strength of the memory shaken loose by the otyugh's miasma of rotting fish has made Jin a convert.

She recalls a squall a few years past, a downpour heavy enough to sweep a flopping, slithering otyugh out through the city's sewers and into the estuary, where a school of Golarion's notorious jigsaw sharks were waiting. The stench raised by the thing as the ravenous predators tore it to shreds had many a wharf rat puking up their lunch--which would impress anyone who has endured the unforgettable bouquet of a hot day on the Korvosan waterfront. Jin draws two conclusions: that sharks can't smell, and that terrified otyughs quite literally raise a stink.

"Keep an eye out. That fishy smell means it's afraid of something, and I don't think it's that scared of us...yet." Jin shouts out to warn the others before diving into a proper, formal spell. As the last of the words snake past her lips she points at Raine. "You might want to to watch your head!" She advises the brawler as the enlargement enchantment takes hold.

Standard action to cast enlarge person on Raine

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

No sooner has Avaris started working on his knots that a new commotion starts in the ground floor. Avaris looks up, as his sight, smell and hearing are attacked at the same time. The cries of 'Otuygh' make him move on the table.

He has never seen one before! Avaris speeds down, calling on the still remaining avians in Celestial.

"Pteros, Aetos, to me! A new menace down below."

The celestial eagles fly overhead, heading for the new monster.

Heading down and staying out of range. The eagles probably will not be able to attack in the same round.

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine
HP: 22/26
AC 18

I'm assuming that since Urchin's turn is after Raine's, no Enlarge Person just yet. Sorry for the posting delay! Didn't realise you all were waiting on me. :smallfrown:
Attack: [roll0], Damage: [roll1]
Move to M14

"It wants to dance! How cute!" For those of you by Raine's side, it is impossible to tell if the young woman is being sarcastic or is genuinely gushing over the attempts of the otyugh to bash her skull back into her body. If the coy smile on her lips is any indication though, she's certainly not afraid.

"C'mon, baby! Give momma a hug so 'er friend Conrad can poke your stinking bag fulla holes!" Ducking her head, Raine dashes towards the creature and does her best to make a dent in its hide.

[Desril]

GM Post

Nodding at Conrad, Liz dashes off down the stairs while the vigilante manacles the deserter. Arriving at ground level just in time to see Laius mount up and, with the added mobility of his trusty steed, move around the suddenly growing Raine and into striking position against the monstrous beast only for his lance to slip in his grasp, his stab going wide as the axebeak squaks and shakes its head, disgusted by the Otyugh's terrible scent. Meanwhile, both Aestos and Pteros wing their way down to join the fray, though the bloodied Aestos moves much more slowly, golden celestial energy starting to pour out alongside the eagle's blood. Perhaps it would continue to do so if it didn't fly too close to the Otyugh's teeth and get itself devoured in the process. Pteros fares a little better, scratching the beast with its talons as it flies by.

Not that the rest of you don't have other things to look at. At Urchin's touch, the dread-locked, ever-hungry Varisian woman suddenly grows at unbelievable speed. Now standing at over ten feet tall, she ducks past the Otyugh's initial attack only for her own punch to go wide, a result of being unused to her new size, perhaps? The beast, however, doesn't seem to be overly concerned by this new development. Its third, eye-bearing tentacles does focus more on her now though, all its eyes focusing on the gigantic human, ignoring the rest of you, including the snoozing guard. Closer now, the aberration lashes out with both its barbed tentacles while opening its gaping maw to take a chunk of meat for itself right now, only to taste nothing but air. And though one of its spiked limbs goes wide, the other smashes into the enlarged Raine with a sickening slap, the sinewy mass rapidly snaking around her and starting to squeeze with inhuman strength. "Meat! MINE!"

"Raine, be careful! Try to break free!"


Laius Ride to Fast Mount (1d20+7)[21] -Success
Laius moves to M16
Lance Jab (1d20+6)[12] -Missed
Damage (1d6+2)[5]

Liz double moves to K14.

Aestos moves into threatened range
AoO (1d20+7)[22] -hit
Damage (1d8+4)[7]

Pteros moves and attacks
(1d20+3)[21] -hit
(1d4+2)[3]


Bite (1d20+7)[11] -Missed
(1d8+4)[9]

Tent (1d20+3)[20] -Hit
(1d6+2)[3]
(1d20+13)[33] -Success

Acle (1d20+3)[11] -Miss
(1d6+2)[8]
(1d20+13)[19]


**Raine takes 3 damage and is now Grappled by a Tentacle. Aestos gets eaten. Verik is now manacled.**


http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p696/Desril/ATWM%20Map%20Guard%20Battle%20Otyugh%20End%20of%20 Round%20One_zpspebwk4u2.png

Old Order:
Conrad (1d20+4)[21]
Laius (1d20+1)[20]
Raine (1d20+4)[18]
Avaris (1d20+2)[15]
M (1d20+4)[13] - Unconscious
V (1d20+2)[13] - Awakens on his turn! Manacled
Elizabeth (1d20)[10]
Urchin (1d20+5)[9]
Otyugh (1d20)[8]
B (1d20+4)[6] - Awakens on his turn! Bound
K (1d20+4)[6] - Unconscious

New Order
The Party - (1d20+4)[21] - Make your posts!
The Guards - (1d20+4)[13]
The Otyugh - (1d20)[8]

[bcool999]

Conrad
HP 24/24
AC 18 + 1 (Town Tamer)

Standing from his crouch next to the manacled Verik, Conrad makes his way to the stairs. Seeing the beast embroiled in combat with a savage tentacled beast, his hand reaches for his quiver and returns to his bow. Unlike previously, this was not the dull wooden head of a blunted arrow, but deadly steel.

Conrad fired on the move, and less then a heartbeat later fired again as a ghostly vision of his draw arm mimics the motion he just performed in a blink of an eye.

Move Action: Move to W13 Readying my bow
Standard Action: Deadly Aim Attack on Otyugh Attack: [roll0] Damage: [roll1] +1 to hit if Town Tamer Applies
Swift Action: Distant Barrage (with Deadly Aim) -1 Mythic Point Attack: [roll2] Damage: [roll3] Overcomes DR Cover and Concealment. +1 to hit if Town Tamer Applies

Attack: [roll4] Damage: [roll5]
Attack: [roll6] Damage: [roll7]

[Bhaakon]

Urchin
15/15 HP
14 AC

Jin can't help but shudder as the filth-encrusted tentacle tightens on Raine, leaving a rancid slick of liquified garbage and worse wherever it touches. "Ick, let go of her!" She bellows, hurling her magic at the otyugh on pure instinct. The tentacle slackens as if on command, threatening to loosen entirely as the shadow of unconsciousness closes in on the beast.

Use slumber on otyugh, Will DC 15. I'm not sure if it automatically falls asleep, since you implied it might be mythic.

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Avaris feels the loss of Aetos as the beast eats it, the connection that kept into this world lost. By the time he is ready to call another ally, the beast falls to the slumbering magic. Avaris looks around to those closer and takes a big breath.

Kill it now that it is asleep!"

CdG whoever is closer, people! Because I think we have more incoming soon.

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine
HP: 22/26
AC 18 -1 (EP) = 17

CMB check to escape: [roll0], assuming that the Otyugh is still awake.
If escaped, use Brawler's Flurry (i.e. TWF) and both rolls. If not, use only Attack 1. Either way, Raine still gets hit with a -2 to Attack bonus.
Attack 1: [roll1], Damage: [roll2]
Attack 2: [roll3], Damage: [roll4]

If Otyugh is asleep, then CDG using above damage rolls! Is it possible to combine CDG with Brawler's Flurry? If so, add these on. If not, ignore.
Damage: [roll5], Damage: [roll6]

"Tryin'!" Struggling with the bulk of slimy flesh on her ribs, Raine manages to gasp out a reply to Avaris, knitting her hands together to deal a heavy hammer strike to the otyugh's skull.

[Desril]

GM Post

The guard knocked out early by Urchin's magic begins to stir, groaning and opening his eyes suddenly, just in time to see two arrows pierce through the monstrous beast that, for him, seems to have appeared from no where. And though both arrows pierce the creatures thick hide with enough force to cause it to stumble back a little, its hold on Raine stays strong...until its eye-tentacle droops when the witch's ability to compel others to sleep takes hold of it as well. Free now of the filthy tentacle, the enlarged Raine hammers a terrifying blow straight into what used to be the creature's skull as shards of bone splinter outward, the thundering crack audible even to those in the back of the group. It's impossible to tell now just how much of the goo on the Varisian's hand is filth that the otyugh wallowed in, flesh, blood, or bits of brain, but what's obvious at a glance is that the monster is very, very dead.

"....I...uhh...surrender," the captive guardsman says meekly, eyes wide and terrified at what the party could have done to him while he was out. Amused, Liz steps closer to Raine, but rather than channel divine power into a spell, tells everyone to "Gather 'round, I'll take care of some of these wounds," before sending out a golden burst of holy light that causes flesh to knit back together and ease the pain of already purpling bruises. Meanwhile, Laius and his trusty steed gallantly make their way closer to the otyugh just to make sure it's really dead and not about to reanimate with the healing energy.


Otyugh Fort Save vs Death - Failed

Channel Positive Energy (1d6)[4]


**Everyone heals 4 HP, Liz halts Inspire Courage, but thanks to Lingering Performance you'll retain the bonuses for 2 rounds**


Before there's properly time to celebrate, however, something else arrives. As Urchin pointed out moments ago, the otyugh was terrified, and now, perhaps, you know why. Though it's difficult to see due to the bad lighting and the obstruction of the large vats of water, something else emerges from the same sewer grate the aberration used. A strange, seemingly living cube, filled with some sort of black material, ink or mist, perhaps, rises up out of the grate. Unlike the otyugh though, this thing doesn't make much noise. In fact, the only noise you can hear is a barely audible sizzling. It makes no special sound to denote that it's noticed any of you as it simply glides along the ground, leaving a spotless trail in its wake. Before anyone can react, it has moved to completely engulf the deceased tentacled monster, and in mere seconds its flesh melts away, leaving a rapidly dissolving mass of muscle overlaid on skeleton, both of which seem to be about to suffer the same fate.

The cube doesn't seem to be paying any heed to you at the moment, but if the rate at which the otyugh is being digested by the creature is any indication, that probably will not last long. The more perceptive of your number also note that there seems to be something floating around inside the creature's semi-transparent body besides the black mist.

**The Mythic Cube has entered the battle**


http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p696/Desril/ATWM%20Map%20Mythic%20Battle_zpsuqofge69.png

I'll be upfront about this one, this creature is Mythic. And as it's your first Mythic Encounter, it deserves some battle theme music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojzTzxOr59Q). Hard to find something good though, so I had to fall back on the classics. Anyway, good luck!

Initiative:
>The Party - (1d20+4)[21] - Make your posts!
The Guards - (1d20+4)[13]
The Cube - (1d20-5)[1]

[Bhaakon]

Urchin
15/15 HP
14 AC

Jin knew that something had frightened the otyugh, but this wasn't what she'd expected at all. She'd heard of living ooze wandering the sewers before, anyone who grew up in Korvosa (or any town big enough to pave over its gutters) had, but hearing stories wasn't nearly the same as seeing a block of jelly nearly as big as her little garret melt the skin off a monster in just a couple seconds. And what was with that black haze? Just seeing that inner darkness knotted up Jin's gut.

Worst of all, she knew her magic wouldn't work on it. This thing didn't sleep, it didn't have memories. It probably couldn't even taste the otyugh's carcass. "Um...I think you guys might be on your own with this one. This thing doesn't have a brain that I can see." She announces to the others as she gamely loads her crossbow and looks for a shot through all the bodies crowded in front of her.

Move action to load crossbow, standard to fire. I'll leave the cover penalties for you to determine.

Attack: [roll0] (w/ inspire courage)
Damage [roll1] (w/ inspire courage)

[bcool999]

Conrad
AC 18 +1 (Town Tamer)
HP 24/24

Seeing the new threat rise up to take the place of the old, Conrad gives orders to his allies, "I don't know what that thing is, but I can see from here that it melts everything it touches! Hang back and switched to ranged weaponry if you have them, and don't let it roll over you!" Noticing the waking guard is in the path of that creature should it charge Conrad continues saying, "Someone get that man up and out of the way before he gets killed."

Then Conrad's focus was dedicated to his new foe, as he advanced. Seeing the shape floating in it's mass he wonders if it does indeed have some form of brain... or at least what substance could survive in such an environment. He aims for the floating object in his foe, arm snapping from quiver to bow twice more as the heartbeat rhythm of his barrage continues.

Move to H13 PBS is in effect.
Attack w/ deadly aim: [roll0] Damage: [roll1] (including inspire courage this time since I forgot it last time)
-1 Mythic Point Distant Barrage: [roll2] Damage: [roll3] Overcomes DR, Cover, Concealment

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Avaris lets out a yelp of triumph that turns to one of surprise as another threat rises, literally, from below. If he does not get killed, this has been the most exciting day ever!

He considers using the new power he has received, but then Raine is already large enough. He has to call for allies, again. With a command in celestial he directs Pteros to attack the cube. Then, he again starts to chant, calling from Beyond new allies.

Aetos has been just sent back. It would be uncouth to call him again. But Anemos would like this fight. A new eagle starts to appear, his triumphant shriek echoing.


So, yes. The eagles, again, And they all have Acid Resistance 5! Avaris has chosen Enlarge Person as his Mythic Spell, so we should coordinate spells at first opportunity.

Aetos [roll0] dmg [roll1] and [roll2] dmg [roll3] and [roll4] dmg [roll5]
Anemos [roll6] dmg [roll7] and [roll8] dmg [roll9] and [roll10] dmg [roll11]

[Desril]

GM Post - Mid-Round Update

While the cube shows practically no sign of reacting to either Urchin or Conrad's bolts and arrows beyond you all seeing each enter the cube's mass and promptly dissolve, the same cannot be said for when Pteros and Anemos strike it. The outer wall of the cube seems to bubble for a brief instant before almost instantly expanding. What was once a cube with dimensions measured at ten feet explodes outward, doubling in size in a second. The water vats held in the center of the room are instantly engulfed by the creature's new mass, the steel rapidly beginning to melt, and it's all Raine and the two celestial eagles can do merely to jump out of the way of their now titanic foe.

**The Cube is now Gargantuan. I wonder what happens if you hit it again? Raine, your move remains, then I'll move for Liz, Laius, and the Cube**


http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p696/Desril/ATWM%20Map%20Mythic%20Battle%20EXPANSION_zpswwdpkc i5.png

[Bhaakon]

Urchin
15/15 HP
14 AC

As if watching her bolt dissolve away with seemingly no effect, Jin's jaw drops as the creature responds by octupling in size. She gives up on filling the thing with bolts in grabs the bound ex-guardsman in front of her. "You should probably run if you want to live," she shouts at the groggy wretch, hauling him to his feet and dragging him back towards the front of the butcher shop. "I've suddenly got the feeling that we might have to burn this place down on top of that thing."

I'm not sure what actions are needed to get man B moving, but after that I want to move him to D 15 and Urchin to D 14, or as close to those spots as possible.

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine
HP: 22/26
AC 18 -1 (EP) = 17

Righto. Using that Brawler's Flurry and Fleet Charge, so that's one MP down.
Moving to Q/R15. If that's not possible, then nearest available square will do!

Attack: [roll0], Damage: [roll1]
Attack: [roll2], Damage: [roll3]
Attack: [roll4], Damage: [roll5]

Raine has no idea what this giant jelly is doing and she doesn't particularly care to know. The fact that it seems to be eating everything in its wake is cause for concern, however. Best to put it down right away. That Marshal Kroft had better be paying them a lot of money for this jig.

"Can someone get a lid on this thing? Pop it through the floor or freeze it, I dunno!" With fists the size of small vats, Raine batters the jelly with an old-fashioned one-two punch sequence, before barreling past it along the wall as best she can, giving it a vicious punt with her foot as she goes.

[Desril]

GM Post - Updated

As Raine strikes with a flurry of blows, the cube quivers under the pressure somewhat, but doesn't show any other signs of being affected by the assault. When the enlarged Varisian makes a dash for the corner, however, the cube suddenly moves much more rapidly, leaning back and launching itself at where she used to be standing, missing completely.


Attack of Opportunity (1d20+3)[8] -Miss


Baldrago, Laius, and Liz

"Get up, come on, we're here to arrest you, not let you get eaten," Liz practically shouts at the bound guardsman as she crouches down to help him to his feet and retreats to the hallway as best she can. Not being one to argue in the face of an insatiable monster, the guard takes what help he can get and stumbles out toward the hallway as well. Laius, however, isn't one to retreat. Refusing to leave Raine to fight the creature alone, he and his trusty steed hop back as he jabs the monster with his lance, but then something different happens. While some of you may be worried that the cube was going to expand once again, this time, rather than grow, the cube seems to split from the point of impact, its outer cell wall tearing and dividing along its center in a second, each half condensing itself into an individual cube, both the size of the original and filled with the same black mist.


Laius Lance Jab (1d20+6)[17]
Damage (1d6+2)[6]
Ref (1d20+4)[24]


The Cubes

Both following their sole instinct, the cubes make for the nearest and largest masses of food, one melting its way through what's left of the steel vat to follow the majority of the group into the hallways. And though Avaris, Conrad, Liz, and Urchin manage to leap out of the way, escaping the ravenous touch of the cube, the bound guardsman is not as fortunate, having nowhere to go and being unable to dive far enough away to escape. He starts to scream as the cube engulfs him, but is immediately silenced. The more observant of you might note that rather than trying to hold his breath, his face seems to be frozen in a terrified scream even as it starts to bubble and his armor begins sizzle.

The other cube has a simpler target, however. Raine, now enlarged and alone in the corner, makes for a far more appetizing meal than Laius and his bird and it forces its way along the floor toward her, intent on devouring her as its sister is the guard. Luckily, in spite of her embiggened state, the Varisian still manages to dive out of the way as the cube begins to devour the table where she was standing.


Urchin Ref (1d20+4)[18] -Passed
Avaris Ref (1d20+4)[14] +(1d6)[6] = [20] -Passed
Liz Ref (1d20+3)[13] -Passed
Baldrago Ref - No save, no open location to move to
Fort (1d20+4)[17] -Failed
Damage (2d6)[7]

Raine Ref (1d20+6)[24] -Passed


Floating inside the cube next to the paralyzed and no longer bound guard, as the ooze's acid has already dissolved the ropes and is quickly eating away at his armor leaving raw, red skin exposed and beginning to boil, you see two objects. At first, they're difficult to make out, but as the black mist inside the cube moves about, they briefly come into view. First, there's what appears to be a hide shirt made of some sort of black leather sized for a gnome or a halfling, and second is a longsword made of what appears to be black steel. Whatever they are, given how you can see the captive guard's armor melting off him in seconds, they must be resistant to the cube's acid.

Unfortunately, it's impossible to tell from your position if the cube attacking Raine has anything inside it as well.



(Embiggened is totally a word :smalltongue:)

(bcool, you got pushed back by the Cube, so where you are on this map is where you were prior to your post. If you'd still like to take a 5ft step from this position, you are welcome to edit your post and pick a new target square)

http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p696/Desril/ATWM%20Split%20Cubes_zpscln0jvvx.png

Initiative:
>The Party - (1d20+4)[21] - Make your posts!
The Guards - (1d20+4)[13]
The Cubes - (1d20-5)[1]

[bcool999]

Conrad
AC 18
HP 24/24

Conrad watches mystified as the cube grows to massive proportions and then divides into two versions of the original, his curiosity soon turns to curses as one of the newborn cubes surges into the hallway and engulfs the bound guard and starts digesting him. "Release him NOW!" Conrad shouts as he makes his bow sing once more.

Standard: Deadly Aim Attack: [roll0] Damage: [roll1] (+1 to attack and damage from inspire courage added -1 if it has expired, assuming town tamer does not include oozes)
Swift: Swift Barrage w/ Deadly Aim: [roll2] Damage: [roll3] Overcomes DR, Cover, Concealment
5ft. step back to G13

[Bhaakon]

Urchin
15/15 HP
14 AC

Jin swears loudly as the enormous blob of jelly spilts and flows out like an avalanche of molasses, engulfing the bound prisoner before she can yank him to his feet. Worse yet, the woman found herself on the front line of a fight that she had no idea how to win. Magic wouldn't work, and her crossbow bolts seem to do little more than feed the thing. She hadn't felt this helpless since escaping from Gaedren. It was every bit as unpleasant as she remembered.

Biting back her fear, Jin jumps through the nearby side door, hoping the stupid ooze would just continue its mindless forward charge, and tries to circle around to harry it from behind. With luck the creature would roll forward for enough for the quickly dissolving guard to be spit its back side, where Jin would pull him to safety.

Double move to J13 by way of room B3. Hopefully I counted correctly.

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Avaris jumps just in time to avoid the cube getting to him. He is much too close to the thing for his comfort! He has no magic capable of hurting this thing and he is loathe to bring more allies to the fight until he knows that he is hurting it. He moves back to the top of the stairs.

The two celestial eagles, however, have no compulsions. They continue to tear into the cube with their claws and beaks.

So, yeah. Summoners do not have many elemental spells to hurt directly. Withdrawing to the top of the stairs, while the two eagles keep scratching. Out of ideas, everybody, even Wild Arcana is no help here.

Aetos [roll0] dmg [roll1] [roll2] dmg [roll3] [roll4] dmg [roll5]
Anemos [roll6] dmg [roll7] [roll8] dmg [roll9] [roll10] dmg [roll11]

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine
HP: 22/26
AC 18 -1 (EP) = 17

Using another Brawler's Flurry and Fleet Charge, for another MP, leaving 3 out of 5.
Moving to M12 If that's not possible, then nearest available square will do!

Attack: [roll0], Damage: [roll1]
Attack: [roll2], Damage: [roll3]
Attack: [roll4], Damage: [roll5]

"Eh, Meister! A spot 'o help here?" Raine continues her crazy dance with the jelly, ploughing into it with her fists and doing her best to ignore any smidgens of slime that come flying her away. This thing had better not be poisonous. Or burny. But she'd seen some mud on the way here, and good old Liz was just around the corner.

Giving it a final blat with the back of her hand, Raine immediately darts away, intent on forcing the jelly to follow her. "Come on Laius! Stick it one in the bum!"

[Desril]

GM Post

The Party

While Urchin circles around to flank the cube and Conrad issues his command, the gelatinous mass of darkness doesn't seem to care. At the clawing of Aetos, however, the cube expands again this time obliterating most of the surrounding walls in an instant as its outer wall explodes outward and forces Urchin and the eagles to retreat further away lest they suffer the same fate. Having no orders to cease attacking, once safely repositioned, Pteros continues his assault. Any hope you might have had at the cube only being able to split once is dashed as this one splits again, dividing down the middle. Atop the stairs, Avaris is met with the sight of a manacled Verik trying to pull himself up off the floor, no mean feat for a man in full armor without the use of his hands. "The hell're you all doin' down there?"

"These things can't possibly have that much strength left after being split into fourths! Eternal Rose, grant me strength!" A short prayer, but an effective one as Liz' hand glows with negative energy. Taking a step forward, she disperses the energy into the cube which, finally, seems to have reached its limit. The cell wall bubbles briefly before the entire cube collapses into itself and a sword collapses with a clang onto the stone floor. Unfortunately, the captive guard is still trapped within the other cube, his armor now having completely disintegrated in the acid, leaving him a ragged mess of acid burns.

In the southern half of the room, Raine can feel the impact her blows are having, the cube's resistance lessening with each strike. On the first hit, however, this cube expands as well. A quick dive-roll out of the way is enough to save her from being consumed, but unfortunately as she tries to dash away the cube takes advantage of her moment's exposure. Lashing out with inhuman speed, the cube's acid eats into Raine's armor as it melts burns her. And, though she can feel the paralytic sting of the cube's touch, she shakes it off.

Finally, hearing more than seeing the first cube go down encourages Laius who, with an unintelligible battle-cry, drowned out by his mount's squawking, charges at the cube with lance in hand, piercing through its shell. This time, oddly, it doesn't seem to split.


Pteros' Ref (1d20+4)[13] -Passed
Aetos' Ref (1d20+4)[20] -Passed
Urchin Ref (1d20+4)[21] -Passed

Inspired Spell
Touch (1d20+2)[15]
ILW (1d8+3)[11]

Charge! (1d20+8)[23]
(1d6+2)[5] doubled on charge (1d6+2)[3] for [8]

Laius Ref (1d20+4)[21] + Surge (1d6)[1] for [22] -Passed


Raine Ref (1d20+6)[15] -Passed


Cube AoO (1d20+3)[21] -Hit
P(1d6)[5] A(2d6)[11]
Raine Fort (1d20+5)[22] -Passed
Studded Leather 15-(11-2) = 6 HP = Broken


The Cubes

Though one of their member seems to have collapsed into death, neither of the remaining cubes seems to be affected. The newest cube, who still holds the paralyzed and rapidly melting guard, ceases its until now endless march. Instead, the black mist inside it swirls around violently before blasting outward in a scalding stream that cuts through both Urchin and Laius, burning their flesh as it does. The more observant amongst you may notice that with the majority of the mist now outside of the cube, its internal acid seems weaker, and the guard is now both more visible and his flesh is sloughing off a little more slowly. The armor spotted earlier still floats inside the cube though, and the black mist seems to be reforming.

Meanwhile, the southern cube, having finally tasted the enlarged Varisian seems to redouble its efforts, but this time rather than try to engulf her it strikes out, as if it knows its end is at hand.


u - Acid Line through Urchin and Laius, Ref half
Acid (2d6)[7]

Urchin (1d20+4)[7] -Failed
Laius (1d20+4)[17] -Failed

be - Slam on Raine
Gargantuan Slam (1d20+3)[20] -Hit, unless Raine uses Mythic Dodge as an Immediate Action to evade it.

Slam (2d6+4)[9]
Acid (2d6)[12] -This will completely destroy Raine's armor if it connects.


**Cube 'Cu' grows and splits into 'C' and 'u', Cube 'C' is destroyed. Urchin and Laius take 7 acid damage from the Cube 'u''s breath weapon. Cube 'be' grows but does not split. Raine takes 16 damage from the attack of opportunity and her Studded Leather is now broken with 6/15 HP. She can use Mythic Dodge to avoid being hit by the gargantuan Cube 'be''s slam or take the hit and take an additional 21 damage. The walls separating rooms B5, B3, and the hallway with the stairs are destroyed and can be passed through freely. I hope that doesn't undermine the structural integrity of this place.**



So many dice rolls!

http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p696/Desril/ATWM%20Split%20Cubes_zpsuj7eqxvc.png


Initiative:
>The Party - (1d20+4)[21] - Make your posts!
The Guards - (1d20+4)[13]
The Cubes - (1d20-5)[1]

[Bhaakon]

Urchin
12/15
14 AC

It's all Jin can do to drop her crossbow and cover the exposed skin of her face with her gloved hands when the cube's strange inner darkness lashes out. Grits her teeth as the acidic splatter burns through leather and fabric to find purchase in the flesh of her arms, but at least she'd managed to keep it out of her eyes.

But at what cost? The vibrant Varisian beads sewn into the seems of the leather gloves weren't entirely Jin's style, but she didn't dare tell Zelara that when the old fortuneteller had made a gift of them. Now the gloves hang in tatters on Jin's hands, beads dropping to the floor and rolling off as the acid continues to dissolve the thread. With an inarticulate shout of rage, the young witch tears into the cube with her now bare claws.

Free action to drop cross bow, full attack with claws.

[roll0] add +2 if someone is kind enough to move in for the flank. Please, please, please, some move in to flank!
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

[bcool999]

Conrad
AC 18
HP 24/24

Feeling drained of the unusual reservoir of strength he had gained from Zelara, Conrad nevertheless sends a shaft whistling at the cube still stubbornly holding onto the guard.

When Verik starts hollering from above, Conrad responds, "Fighting sewer monsters that can eat through walls and flesh like acid! If you would have just surrendered when we asked you too we wouldn't have to defend your sorry arses!"

Deadly Aim attack on U: [roll0] Damage: [roll1] (assuming the +1 from inspire courage is over)

5ft. step up the stairs.

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Avaris continues to search for ways to fight the cubes better, even as he directs Pteros and Aetos to again attack the nearest cube (u). The two angels do so with gusto.

Atk Pteros
[roll0] dmg [roll1]
[roll2] dmg [roll3]
[roll4] dmg [roll5]

Atk Aetos
[roll6] dmg [roll7]
[roll8] dmg [roll9]
[roll10] dmg [roll11]

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine
HP: 6/26
AC 18 -1 (EP) = 17, broken armour at 6/15 HP

Using another Brawler's Flurry and Fleet Charge, for another MP, leaving 1 out of 5
Since BF lets me strike at any point in movement, Raine steps to N13 to whack 'be' before moving to N10. If that's not possible, then nearest available square will do!

Guys, I'm really hoping that 'u' cube dies and all the attacks get redirected to this one, because one enlarged PC's damage isn't going to cut it here!

Attack: [roll0], Damage: [roll1]
Attack: [roll2], Damage: [roll3]
Attack: [roll4], Damage: [roll5]

With half her armour eaten away by acid and with raw weeping blisters covering her exposed skin, Raine is a sight for sorry eyes. Spitting dryly, the fighter narrows her eyes, fighting through a wave of dizziness. She'd felt worse. Done worse too. Grammy would be sore if she didn't come home tonight though, so there was no way in hell she was dying here.

"Laius! Hang in there, buddy!" she hollers, charging in for what she hopes is a good enough blow to vanquish this frakking jelly.

[Desril]

GM Post

While Urchin's claws don't seem to accomplish anything even as she tears out globs of the acidic goop, between Avaris' summoned celestials claws and Conrad's deadly arrows, the smaller cube implodes in a similar fashion to the one that Liz touched only a few seconds earlier, this one releasing a small suit of black armor, sized for a gnome or a halfling along with the quite naked, hairless, and blistered guard that the cube engulfed. The ropes binding him are long since gone, but his ragged breathing are sufficient proof that he's alive for Liz to run over and mutter a brief prayer, expelling holy energy outward, causing all of your wounds to seem less severe.

Raine, meanwhile, continues her assault on the enlarged cube. Like its brother, the continued assault proves to be too much, and it too collapses in on itself, its acid apparently neutralizing with its death as it splashes over Laius and the dread-locked Varisian. Like the first two, objects clatter to the ground as the cube dies, a small shield and a black suit of hide armor, though the latter is sized for a human this time. "Please, everyone, gather up. I tend a few more wounds today, and I think it might be a good idea to do it now while things are calm."

Anyone more interested in the items that managed to survive the cube's acid is free to move closer to examine them, as the cube's remains aren't nearly as dangerous as the living creature was. At a glance, the longsword, medium sized hide armor, and small sized hide shirt and light shield are easy to recognize. It will take a trained eye to figure out anything more specific, however.

**Combat is over, you all won your first Mythic Encounter! You're not quite to level 3 yet though, and Verik is still upstairs doing who knows what while you guys were busy with that. Everyone heals [roll0] HP from CPE.**


The shield and both sets of armor are made from Black Dragonhide, explaining their resistance to the acid. The sword, however, is made of adamantine. Additionally, anyone with detect magic can see that...

The adamantine longsword is a +1, as is the medium sized hide armor.

The small hide shirt and the small shield are non-magical.

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

Urchin slumps as the cube finally collapses in on itself, her anger spent. Sure, her savage swipes didn't do much but exhaust her, but they certainly felt cathartic. After a few moments of panting, she's caught enough of her breathe to shuffle over towards the items left behind by the dispersed ooze. Curiosity and greed were strong motivators, after all, and whatever was tough enough to survive that creature's caustic flesh was worth a look and, probably, a pile of gold.

"Oh-ho, adamantine." She crows as she picks up the sword, not even pitted by who knows how long marinating in the cube's digestive juices. "And the scales of a black dragon!" She adds a moment later, looking over the sets of armor. After mumbling a cantrip and giving each item a second look she adds, "Someone spent as much on enchantment as materials. Too bad they didn't invest more in training, or one of those fleet-foot potions for running away. The sword and the larger suit are modestly ensorcelled."

[bcool999]

Conrad

Breathing a sigh of relief that the thing was apparently dead, at least as dead as a living cube of acid can be, Conrad nods in appreciation of Liz's healing despite being uninjured himself. "Collect what dropped from the thing if you wish, and take care of the prisoners down here. I will go see what Verik is getting up to upstairs." Conrad says, as he turns to the stairs he adds, "That was well fought all of you, you've more than earned your reward and rest when we return to the Citadel by my estimation."

That said, Conrad moves up the stairs with his bow still in hand... just in case Verik has any thoughts of escaping.

[Desril]

GM Post

*Conrad and any who go to see about Verik*

Atop the stairs, the room isn't much different from when you all were first distracted by the arrival of the otyugh. In fact, the only difference is that Verik has moved himself into the office to the side. Luckily, it seems like he hasn't made it far. Though he's managed to open the door, by the time Conrad spots him, he's only managed to crawl about halfway through the door and stops immediately upon hearing company coming up the stairs. Trying to look innocent, a difficult task for the roguishly handsome ex-guard while his hands are cuffed behind his back, "So...uhh...what was that about sewer monsters?"

Anyone who moves closer has a hard time trying to tell what he was after, as the office is quite spartan. In fact, the only thing on the plain desk in the room is a blank bit of parchment, ink and a quill, and a shimmering silver dagger, none of which seem like they'd be of much service in his situation.


*Everyone who stayed below to loot*

While rummaging through the remains of the dreadful cube, something else catches your attention. It was lost in the chaos of combat, but one of the many machines that were partially destroyed by the cube's acid seems to have been a storage container for bits of meat that hadn't quite been processed entirely yet. Calf legs, bits of pig and horse, and other harder to recognize pieces now lie scattered across the floor, but much more disturbing is the fact that, amongst the discarded bits of meat is a very distinctive human hand.

It is around this time that, at the front of the shop, the first of the renegade guards you encountered uses the counter to sit up. And thanks to the cube destroying the majority of the walls, he's able to survey the damage to the butchery. Noticing the hand himself, he suddenly looks panicked. "Oh...****..."


**Note: From this post forward, I will try to post within 72 hours of any post being made regardless of if everyone has posted or not**

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Avaris searches around to see what the ex-guard was looking for. He pays especial attention to the dagger.

Perception take 20 for 27 and Detect Magic.

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

Quickly loosing interest in the weapon and armor once their secrets are revealed, Jin begins kicking around the wreckage of the butcher shop for anything useful. A handful of coins, some particularly fine cutlery, anything that might have survived the rampaging otyugh and voluminous acidic cubes.

Spotting the stray hand, she grimaces slightly and turns toward the acid-etched former guard for a look at the desperately injured man. Glances at his mangled hands, then again, pointing a finger at each in turn. "One...two...umm..."

The realization strikes her just as the man in the other room puts in his two coppers. She has an irrational urge to scream, but chokes it back. I didn't...I didn't think I could be shocked. Wrong again. She strides over to Liz, still treating the nearly dead guard, and grabs her wrist both to get her attention and prevent her from offering the man further aid.

With a tone cold as the grave, she breaks the news. "They were butchering people here." Then , louder, with a hot sliver of building rage in her voice. "They were butchering them and feeding the neighborhood human flesh. We need...need to...I don't know. Hurt them? Kill them, maybe? Do we tell the people who were getting meat here? I...don't think I'd want to know if I were them."

She shakes her head. It was too much. Better to focus on simple problems. Let the moral dilemma percolate. "The one that got away...we need to find him. NOW."

[bcool999]

Conrad

Not hearing the commotion below, Conrad steps past Verik into the office and says, "Looking for something Verik? Want some help finding it?"

The then searches the room for any hidden compartments, or other hidden things in the office. He occasionally glances Verik's way, trying to see if the man would lose his cool and give a hint if Conrad was getting close.

Taking 20 on perception as well to search the room for 27, and a Sense motive check on Verik to play a game of hot and cold for what he was searching for.
Sense Motive: [roll0]

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

Liz's healing magic doesn't do much to knit her sore and raw skin back together. Still it was better than nothing. Giving the cleric a thumbs up, Raine hums softly to herself as she prods a squishy jelly fragment with her boot toe, before deciding that it was safe now and thus stomps on it hard, relishing the muted squish underfoot.

"I'll take that, if ye don't mind. This old tanning's had it after the acid." Raine calls out absent-mindedly after Urchin as she examines the hide armour, made of whatsit, dragon-something? It was rather shiny, even without the jelly's slime, and it reminded her of the dandy digs what the swanky Varisian gangs all wore. It would do. Anything that could survive that jelly's innards was likely worth having.

Raine quickly unlaces her battered leathers and dons the armour, but she doesn't have much time to admire her new wardrobe, as Urchin's cry of dismay alerts her to the latest dilemma. Frowning, Raine folds her arms and considers the situation. People-eatin' was most disgusting, but it certainly wasn't unheard of if people were starving for meat. Gold was gold, and so was a full belly in times of trouble. The problem, the way she saw it, was that people weren't exactly starving with the death of the king. So these were just greedy arses, not desperadoes. An' that would need some tough measures.

Grunting as she picks her away across the slippery jelly-covered floor, Raine pauses in front of the captive guard and considers him thoughtfully for a moment before reaching for his hair and hauling him up with one hand. "Righto, darling," she says sweetly. "So you wanna tell us where your buddy's gone? Or do I rip your nadgers off and find some pigs to feed 'um to?"

Intimidate: [roll0]

[Desril]

GM Post

*Upstairs*

At Conrad's question, Verik shifts his gaze to the side before sighing, "Nah, not unless you feel like giving me the key to these," he says while causing the chain on his manacles to jingle. "Look, I'm caught, I know it, you know it. I was just trying to take one last look at this place since I probably won't get to see it again." If his gaze is anything to go by though, he can't keep his eyes off the silver dagger.

Searching the room turns up nothing unexpected. Other than the things on the desk itself, there's little else in the room. A couple of worn down books collecting cobwebs sit in one corner of a drawer, and another one has documentation of the buying and selling of meat. If this was anything to go by, Verik and his boys were making a tidy profit, enough so that they were even giving away free meat to the poor for about an hour every morning. As for the dagger, Avaris can clearly see its magical aura, faint though it is, but isn't able to discern what powers it may have.


Bluff (1d20+1)[7] - Failed


*Downstairs*

Anyone paying attention to Laius might notice that he seems to be arguing with his mount and looks like he's about to go after the one that got away. And when Urchin suggests it herself, the argument seems to end. Giving little warning, the paladin and his mount charge off, chasing the path of the one guard that made a smart decision with his escape.

"Wait, no!" But it's too late, as the pair have already made their way out the far door and Liz slowly lowers her hand, disappointed. Turning to Urchin she continues, "I understand, I...I want to make them suffer for this too, but," she shakes her head, "It isn't right. Just because they're monsters doesn't mean we can kill them in cold blood..." Glaring at the captives, "But I'm regretting saving them from that weird cube thing."

After swapping armors for her much more intimidating dragon hide, Raine approaches the guard who seems to know the most about what's going on. He shies away from her at first, and though it looks like he's about to freeze up and not say a word, the timely squealing from the hogs still in their now exposed pens combined with Raine's threat seem to do the trick. Or maybe he just put things together on his own and knows that not talking will be worse, given that you already have all the evidence you need to get him executed. "L-look, it's not like we did anything wrong! The people need food, right? It's not like we fed people diseased meat or killed anyone for it. Meat's meat, yeah?"


He's definitely not telling the truth.



Liz Aid Another to Intimidate (1d20+2)[10]

[bcool999]

Conrad

Looking at Verik with his head askance, Conrad says, "Why Verik, I didn't expect you to be so enchanted with your simple life as a butcher. Let me just grab the key here and... Hmm" Conrad says as he pats several of his pockets as though he has misplaced something before shrugging, "My isn't this embarrassing, I seem to have misplaced the keys to your manacles someplace, looks like we are going to have to head to the citadel to get them off now."

Quick as a flash Conrad grabs the dagger and places the tip under Verik's chin before saying in a cold whisper, "Whatever fast talking or cute games you wish to play know that only my orders are keeping me from putting an arrow in your gut and watching you writhe for hours as your stomach contents poisons you to death. I would rather you not tempt me to disobeying orders, for I would welcome your first attempt at escape so I can have an excuse to end your pathetic life you miserable coward. Am I understood?"

[roll0]

Assuming Verik makes his understanding clear (for what choice does he really have), Conrad sheathes the dagger in his boot and collects the man's bow for himself before dragging him to his feet by the collar and marching him downstairs to the others, motioning for Avaris to drag the unconscious man down with him if he can manage. When he sees the rest of the party's troubled faces he says, "What's wrong? Where has Laius run off to?"

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Avaris looks up from his examination at the others.

"This dagger is enchanted."

[Desril]

GM Post

*Upstairs*

"Hey, I know what I am," Verik growls at Conrad as he mocks him and calls him a coward, "I'm a lot of things, but I'm no coward! I didn't run out because I was afraid, I just saw a chance to move up the ladder and get out of your crap job." Still, he slumps his shoulders in defeat after his outburst, "Well, whatever. They won't hang me for feeding the poor."


It's hard to tell what, but there's still something he's keeping hidden.

*Downstairs*

Seeing Avaris and Conrad come down with Verik in tow, Liz looks up at the two of them while Raine continues her own interrogation. "It appears," she says in disgust, "that they weren't just feeding people the regular meats. We found...human...parts mixed in with the cow and pig. Laius and his mount took off after the one that ran away when he saw that, but I'm not sure if they'll be able to catch him."

At that, though he was willingly moving along at Conrad's direction before, Verik falters. "W-what the hell are you talking about lady?!"


Ending the post here to give those who were downstairs to begin with the chance to respond to the last post too

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

The sound of pigs squealing and rooting around in a pen somewhere behind her brings a thin smirk to Raine's face, lowering her voice to the purr usually more associated with large and hungry striped predators in Vudran jungles. "Piggies get hungry too, y'know. I'm 'ssuming yer meat and two veg are most disease free, unless you've been off doing the nasty in all the wrong places. So by your'n thinking, your nadgers make fine dining - no problem, right?" She pats her hip idly for the push-dagger she always kept there, in cases of fights going wrong. Perhaps she should chop the bastard's balls off. Just to put the fear of the Gods and Goddesses in him. Why not?

When Verik comes down and protests, Raine turns her attention to him and grins manically once more. "Oh, you mean you didn't know, darling? You'll be dancing with a swinging rope once the good Marshal learns you've been mincin' people for dinner."

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

"He's right. Meat is meat. Stomach don't care. Dead can't care." Peck squawks, flapping down through one of the many holes the roof (many more now that the enormous ooze had eaten through half of the interior supports). The bird alights on Jin's head, as is his habit, and begins preening himself.

"Typical," Jin mutters to herself, wishing some scrap of the Otyugh had survived so that Peck and guard alike could put that hypothesis to the test. She settle for hauling the mouthy man down the hall and tying him to his half-melted cohort. "You'll be carrying that one back. Dragging. Whatever. If he doesn't make it, I'll guess they'll tack on murder to your charges. Another murder. Hard to hang a man twice, but maybe the Hellknights can figure out something special. I hear they were called in special for the riots."

"If it were up to me, I think I'd feed you to yourself. Hack off a little more each meal until there wasn't anything left that wasn't vital. I wonder how long a man could live eating himself like that?

The bird looks up from his work. "Dark." Jin shrugs. She didn't really have the stomach for that kind of thing herself, but watching the man squirm as he considered his abbreviated future prospects was sweet indeed.

[bcool999]

Conrad

Hearing about the cannibalism, Conrad's teeth can be clearly heard grinding as he glares at the prisoners. Despite that, he says, "We are not judge, jury, or executioner. We take them back to the Field Marshal and report our findings... Bind their hands and let's go."

[roll0]

[Desril]

GM Post

*Downstairs, before Conrad and Avaris move*

Whether he's defiant or simply stupid, it seems as if Raine's continued threats and crazed look get the captive guard to act tough. Stuck as he is with the Varisian menacing over him and his hands still tied up, he does the only thing he can and spits in her face, the glob of saliva splattering on her cheek. "Say what ya want girl, but I don't think you've got the balls." Phrasing aside, however, it's apparent that he genuinely is scared. Especially as his eyes go wide while Urchin ponders the extremes to which one can take auto-cannibalism, at which point he curls his toes inwardly and balls his hands into fists, as if to protect them.

Liz, for her part, remains silent in the exchange, torn between wanting to offer to go fetch the pigs, and knowing that she should stop Raine from actually doing it. Well...as long as it's just threats it's fine. I'll have to say something if she tries to take off his pants though.


He rolled a 2. I'm not gonna request a sense motive on that one. He's scared. As for whether he's defiant or stupid...well, that remains to be seen.

*Everyone's downstairs now*

While Verik is still faltering at the news that the party had discovered the long pork mixed in with the regular, he can't do anything but blanch as Raine warns him of the noose that's waiting for his neck. "I-I didn't know...this isn't what I--" The guard looks up at his leader and interrupts before Verik can finish, however. "Stop fakin' it boss, we're sunk. There's no gettin' out this time. Yer plan was good, but we screwed it all up."

Recovering, Vancaskerkin turns to face the man, fuming, "Malder! What the f-ck are you talking about?! Did you all really...! This is...!" Furious, he can't even finish a thought, stumbling through incomplete, outraged questions for a few seconds before letting out what can only be described as a roar as he hops, or more accurately, stumbles, down the stairs, doing his best to push past Conrad, clearly intent on getting to Malder.


Bluff (1d20-1)[12]

Malder is lying, Verik's outrage is apparently genuine.


Given the look in his eye, he's almost certainly going to try and murder Malder. Probably by strangling him? Maybe by stomping on him a lot, really hard? Kinda hard to tell the specifics from a murderous look.

[bcool999]

Conrad

Conrad grabs for Verik to hold him back from his charge downstairs and possible escape, but he doesn't miss the tonal queues that lets him know Malder is playing the blame game to avoid retribution. "Why so angry Verik? You were already slated for the rope for treason during crisis. Malder here is just trying to look out for number one like you taught him. If he lies and pins the idea of selling people as meat on you then he won't swing beside you since it was his idea. Wasn't it Malder?" Says Conrad with his masked stare boring into Malder from behind the frantic Verik, like a devil holding it's hellhound at bay as it's prey squirms.

Grappling Verik to keep him contained. Hopefully his bound condition makes it an auto success, but you never know.
CMB: [roll0]

Intimidate on Malder: [roll1]

[Desril]

GM Post

Sputtering in barely constrained rage, Verik's charge is halted by Conrad's quick-thinking grab. Spittle spewing from his mouth as he speaks, Verik struggles against the vigilante's firm grip for a few seconds, "Let go of me, I'm going to strangle the piece of ****! Try me for treason if you want, but I didn't have anything to do with...with...this!" Even as he says it though, the energy seems to go out of him and he crumples to his knees looking at the ruined slaughterhouse. "I didn't..."

Maulder, for his part, looks agitated at being called out on his plan, for that was precisely what he had been thinking. Not as quick-witted as most of those who'd stopped what he was doing, however, he takes a second to think before finally speaking again, the fear plainly evident in his voice, "I'm not sayin' a damned thing 'cept to the Marshall herself."


Sorry, short post, been trying to think of more to post and...couldn't. Figured it'd be better to make the short post than keep putting it off for trying to write more >.>

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

"Lucky for you, then, that we're taking you to see her." Jin snaps. Either he was a murderer or an idiot, and she didn't have much to say to the man in either case. "We should get going, before the building drops on our heads." Even before the battle the butcher shop had seen better days, and it was hard to imagine that the cubes hadn't eaten through a few load-bearing walls in their rampage, but that wasn't the entire truth. Or one of us gets angry enough to take matters into their own hands.

[bcool999]

Conrad

"Well said." Conrad replies to Jin's comment, "Everyone ready for a nice stroll to the citadel?"

Once everyone is ready and has a prisoner in tow, Conrad leads the way back to the Field Marshal.

[Desril]

GM Post

It doesn't take much effort to get Verik ready to march. While he knows he's in trouble, it seems that he's willing to accept whatever fate has in store for him in exchange for making sure that Malder has to face Cressida and explain what he'd done. Your other prisoners are a little less willing, but a solid glare from Conrad's mask is enough to get them moving. And as luck would have it, while the city was far from restful and quiet, it seemed as though all the chaos was happening elsewhere while the lot of you, save for Laius and his mount, make their way back to the citadel.

In fact, it seemed almost too quiet, as if something else was at play here. And, perhaps, it was. Avaris at least had reason to suspect it was so. Though he had not summoned their aspects here, the twin celestial eagles, Aestos and Pteros, soar overhead to the east. They'd always been messengers before, telling him where he needed to go, but never with others at his side. They only ever arrived when it was an emergency though. It had been they that pointed him to Korvosa after all. But something in their cry made it clear to him that where he was needed, he must go alone.


Realized I was getting a bit rail-roady here and didn't want to bot the party into just being all "OK, see you later!" >.> I planned on continuing this post until you got to meet with the Field Marshal but I don't think I should just yet. Sorry guys! I'll make sure the continuation goes up as quickly as reasonable though.

[ProudGrognard]

Avaris

Avaris, silent for many minutes now, looks up when the party walks out. His eyes seem to glitter with an inner light. He turns to the others.

"Here I think I will part company with you. I am being called elsewhere and with our newfound power, I dare not disobey. I hope you fare well into your adventure. Perhaps we will meet again"

And with that, he is off, not looking back.

This is the last post by Avaris. His replacement will arrive in the High Marshal's office. Make haste, good people!

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

Avaris's departure was sudden, jarringly so, and the scene at the butcher shop had left Jin feeling less than talkative. It's all she can do to manage a surprised "Farewell." Before the summoner marches off with a purpose.

Peck is somewhat less restrained, but at least waits until Avaris is out of earshot to squawk his thoughts. "Goodbye, good fortunate, just plain good. Fewer to claim the reward means a bigger share. More gold for me." The shuffles about atop Jin's hood happily.

"Stop pretending. You know that pets don't get a share." Jin snaps. "You're just glad to be the best-looking bird left in the flock. Least until Laius catches up. Tough to compete with those celestial types. Maybe if you'd worn that tiara..."

"Pet? PET!!!" Peck screeches, taking off with an angry snap of his wings violent enough to leave a couple feathers.

Jin shurgs. He'll be back.

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

"Keep warm, buddy! Don't nick yourself!" Raine too is taken aback from the haste of Avaris's departure, but there is little for her to do or say to keep him. Life was full of surprises. Some of them meant running off without claiming your reward. Others meant following your heart - or was that a pair of little birds? - to... well. Whatever it was that little birds found important.

Waving a cheerful goodbye to Avaris, heedless of the fact that he isn't actually looking, Raine resumes her tramp behind Conrad, whistling the tune of a popular drinking song that she'd learned from a mercenary band when she was ten. One, two, it's Claude and Boo. Three, four, Jesik and Vore. Five, six, it's Stefan and Sebinarius...

"Anybody feeling hungry? I could do with a spot of munchy. My treat. After I wash this goo offa me."

[Desril]

GM Post

After the departure of Avaris (and Peck), little of note happens on the journey back to the Citadel. Verik and the other deserters keep quiet and avoid creating a scene, and Raine manages to find an abandoned, but still partially stocked, meat vendor's wagon. Overcooked rat-kebobs aren't exactly a delicacy, but it's difficult to complain about free food.

The scene at the Citadel itself, however, isn't nearly as pleasant. There are even fewer guards standing watch than there were earlier, apparently having been sent off to try and quell another growing riot. Seeing your group however, the guard at the gate opens the path, "The Field Marshal told me to take any prisoners you might return with in for questioning," the young man says with a look of surprise as he turns to face Vancaskerkin, "But I didn't think you'd be arresting a sergeant!" He shakes his head, muttering about how if there's another major incident today the Watch won't be up for the task of putting it down. "I'll take this lot, please, go report to the Field Marshal," he says while shaking his head at Verik. Should no one object, he calls out to another guard, much too far away to be of any good in an emergency, to watch his post at the gate as he leads the prisoners away.


****

If outside the Citadel was bad, inside is worse. The skeleton crew that was here last time is practically non-existent, and when you arrive at Cressida's office she calls you all in without ceremony. There are several pouches sitting on her desk, but far more paperwork. Your reward, perhaps, drowned out by requests for more aid from the castle. Though she doesn't stand when the party enters, the Field Marshal offers a brief salute before speaking up much more curtly than she did in your earlier meeting. "Please, tell me you have good news. Did you subdue Sergeant Vancaskerkin and his men?"

She pauses seemingly noticing something different. She looks at each of you in turn and sighs when she reaches the last. "What happened to your companions?"


Short conversation, but everyone will ding to level 3 after this and then you'll get a chance to rest up and reset spells, etc. Grog, your new character will be introduced 'tomorrow' after everyone's healed up. Wanted to introduce you in this post, but then I realized if I did, the party would be kinda pressured into pushing on, and...well, you're all pretty low on fuel.

[bcool999]

Conrad

Handing over Vancaskerkin and his men to the guard, Conrad says, "Here you go, make sure you have the questioner have them tell him all about what, or perhaps I should say who, they were feeding to others from their little butcher shop."

Washing his hands of Verik and his accomplices fates, Conrad removes his mask as he heads toward the Field Marshal's office. Noticing all the extra paperwork on her desk, the muscles in Conrad's jaw bunch up as he slowly grinds his teeth, By the hells, what is wrong with this city? We've had kings totter off from that cursed throne for years now, but throw a new queen into the mix and everyone loses their minds!

Nevertheless, Conrad returns Cressida's salute and reports, "Verik and his boys are on their way to the questioner as we speak. Looks like Verik was trying to start up a small butcher shop in the midst of this chaos to earn a little gold for himself, but one of his boys, Malder I think his name was, got the idea to bolster their store with a more plentiful supply of meat." Conrad hints darkly at the depravity they uncovered at All the World's Meat and continues, "Ran into a bit of a snag when a sewer beast crashed in and raised an awful stink, and after we killed it a black cube of living acid followed it and nearly tore the building down. We managed to put an end to that with no one dead, but a couple of our team had to leave after that. Liaus was chasing after a guard that turned tail and ran, while Avaris started talking about signs and being called and such and wondered off."

After hearing it all out of his own mouth, Conrad feels compelled to add, "Been a hell of a week all things considered..."

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

Rat wasn't her favourite meat. Nothing could top a plateful of bacon rashers still sizzling from the pan. It tended to be a little stinky and Korvosan rats were usually on the lean side, what with having to compete with the derros and other underground sewer folk for food. But who was she to look a gift cart in the box? Raine hums cheerfully to herself as she grabs a generous fistful of kebobs, before polishing them off one after the other in quick succession, poking the gnawed wooden skewers into the back of Verik's belt once done. (If she was going to escort the man, he might as well make himself useful and help her dispose of her trash.)

"Yeah, what he said," Raine offers idly, making a show of examining her greasy fingernails. If nothing else, she's conscious enough of Cressida's rank to refrain from burping or scratching her crotch. "Verik's man was busy chopping up human folks for pie stuffings. Then this jelly thing attacked us. Melted through all me armour, it did."

[Desril]

GM Post

Perhaps surprisingly, the Field Marshal seems to take the news that Verik's men were butchering people with indifference. Her expression at least doesn't change as she listens to your report of the events that transpired. At least, not until Conrad's final comment, where she sighs, "Well, you're not wrong, Alterran. Though your group has done a great deal for this city. Lamm had been a thorn in our side for years, and Sergeant Soldado is already starting to look better. He'll be back on duty in the morning. To be honest," she says while reaching for several pouches, "You all deserve far more than the gold I can offer for your services, but since it's all I can do for you right now, I managed to put together a bit of a bonus. "

"Now, you all look exhausted. I fear I'll have more work for you tomorrow, if you're willing, but I can't ask you for more today. Please, go rest up and restore your strength." She stops, looking like she has something more to say but thinks better of it.

**The party gains 1250gp, split it how you choose and get some rest. You've all had a really long day.**


It's not so much that she's not surprised, but more that she's too exhausted to visibly care. The more perceptive of you notice the subtle twitch of her eye and sword-hand that reveal she's actually quite livid about this news.

[Bhaakon]

Sense Motive: [roll0]

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

Urchin hangs back, happy to let Conrad handle his boss. It was his business, after all, and Urchin didn't quite trust herself to get into a long conversation without incriminating herself somehow. After all, they'd neglected to mention all the valuables they'd pulled off their prisoners. Legally speaking, that stuff should probably be going into an evidence lockup somewhere.

But while she's quiet, she's not blind. The Field Marshal's twitchy eyelid, the way her fingers clamped down on the hilt of her sword. There was boiling pool of magma behind her porcelain face. Jin almost pitied Vankaskerkin and his crew. In fact, she didn't even want to be in this room much longer. The Field Marshal might be four-fifths dead from exhaustion, but that just made her more likely to snap entirely.

"Then we'll take our leave." She says, reaching forward to accept up her share. "Most of the city could use a good night's sleep. Hopefully most of the city will be able to get one, finally."

[bcool999]

Conrad

Conrad is caught a little off guard by the comment about Liam and the sergeant, That's Cressida for you, never misses a beat even when dead tired. He too notices Cressida's reaction to news of Verik's operation and thinks to himself, There will be howling in the dungeons tonight. No way is Cressida going to let cannibalism off the hook. She is probably thinking the same as me, that all reason and decency have been flung into the dust in Korvosa if people eating has started, even unintentionally.

Conrad salutes once more as he is dismissed and turns to leave, but he does say over his shoulder, "Look after yourself ma'am, can't have you out of commission from lack of sleep."

Conrad says his farewells to his companions and takes his share of the loot before returning his borrowed buckler to the armory. He makes a stop at a market on his way home to pick up a more well crafted buckler. He also tends to Emma's garden before finally disarming and going to sleep.

Profession Gardener to tend the garden: [roll0]

[Desril]

GM Post

While Conrad tends to the garden, doing a fair job at keeping it green and healthy when so many others have been trampled or ignored over the last few days, the rest of you go your own way, with Liz offering any who need a place to stay a spot in her flat, thought "It's a little cramped, you might have to sleep on the floor." She spends a few hours working on a sculpture before going to bed, trying to relax after the more than eventful day that'd been had.

In the morning though, each of you meets back up at the citadel only to be told that the Field Marshal wants to see you right away. Things look marginally better than when you left last night, at least there are a few guards about hinting that the number of incidents have been fewer this morning, but the overcast sky does little to brighten the atmosphere.

Should you knock on the door to the Field Marshall's office, a quick "Enter" from Cressida follows, but when you open the door, she's not alone. At her desk sit two men, one of whom rises as the party enters and turns to face them. His hair is white, and it's obvious at a glance that he's past his prime, but it's apparent that he hasn't completely lost the vigor of youth from the spark in his eyes, the rugged shadow of a beard, and the low, perhaps even melodramatic, bow that he takes when the Field Marshal introduces him. "Good, you're all here. Before we get started, let me introduce you; This is Vencarlo Orisini, an old friend of mine who, while maybe in need of lessons about when best to keep his mouth shut about certain policies, has always given me valuable advice on the people and news that might otherwise not reach me."

Smiling, he turns briefly to the Field Marshal, "Please, Cressida, your praise is too much. I'm just a concerned citizen trying to do his part." Looking to the party, he continues, "You lot are much more important than I am. If Korvosa had more fine folk like you, we’d already be out of this mess.” Moving his chair out, he looks to Urchin, "Here, have my seat," he adds with a smile.


You recognize Vencarlo. He's a bit of a minor celebrity, being one of the most respected fencing instructors in all of Korvosa. He's really quite skilled with the blade, though he has a reputation for being a bit of a shameless flirt.


You also remember that Grau, the Sergeant you all found abandoning his duty, is a washout student of Vencarlo's, though he never actually told you what happened.

[bcool999]

Conrad

Conrad wakes up and lies in bed, mind wandering back to when Emma would have bacon and eggs cooking early in the morning to see him off. It wasn't until he removed the covers and stood that he noticed the stone. It was about the size of his fist, and it glowed oddly in the darkness of the bedroom. What was also strange is that it had ghostly legs made of energy and clung to Conrad's chest as he moved. Another odd thing was, Conrad didn't feel that the stone was foreign. It felt as natural to be there as if it had always been clinging to him.

<Good morning> the tiny crystal sent into Conrad's mind, it's voice sounding like a whisper even though it uttered no sound to speak to him mind to mind.

<Who are you?> Conrad thought in response.

<Plenty of time for you to name me later. We are meeting the others soon right?> The crystal asked.

<True enough.> Conrad responded, not overly concerned about a sentient stone talking to him. Many weird things have happened to Conrad since he was pulled up from the bottle by Cressida and given a purpose once more. And that was before the ghost powers were granted. Conrad thinks with a shake of the head. The rest of his morning is quiet. The stone, which Conrad decided to name shadow for it's grey/black coloring and soft shadowy glow, was silent as Conrad shaved and made preparations to meet the others.

At the citadel, Conrad joins the others and enters into Cressida's office giving the customary salute to Cressida as he enters. When he hears the man's name, he pauses for a moment to think of where he heard of him before, but comes up blank. Having so far heard nothing but pleasantries and nothing remotely sounding like a mission, Conrad waits for the rest.

[roll0]

[ProudGrognard]

Deran

After bumping into Vencarlo on the road to the Marshal's office, Deran is usually chatty self. That Vencarlo believed him was a relief, and Deran could focus on being pleasant, even making the older man laugh once or twice with the tale of how the Baroness of Ters fell twice trying to dance with her too large gown.

Arriving at the Field Marshal's office, Deran was just ready to move beyond the pleasantries -he even managed to make the Marshal smile twice- when a strange group of people arrived. But he recognized them, since the Field Marshal was just informing him of their exploits. And there was something in their aura,a palpable sense of ...mythos around them. Deran knew the feeling.

Standing up, his armor plain but gleaming, the symbol of Ragathiel visible, Deran smiles his winning smile.

"Ah, if it is not the heroes of the hour! Well done, my good sirs and dames, well done indeed! You make us honest knights look inadequate by comparison. Well the rest of them should, I am immune to such petty feelings. It has something to do with my winning personality and loveable demeanor, I am sure.

But let me introduce myself. I am Deran of Eyrieglade, a knight in good standing. Who is also standing. Bah, that was a bad one, even by my standards.

My modesty as you can see is only equaled by my skill in the ballroom and my sword is sharper than my wit. Or is it the other way around? Something in that order."

Dearn smiles a half-mocking smile, almost winking at his own theatrics. He then sobers up noticeably.


"But Marshal, I think this is the time to disclose what I came to say. And please, do not judge me until you hear all of it."


Yes, this is how it is going to be. Bad jokes and theatrics all the way. Waiting for reactions.

[Bhaakon]

Jin

As expected Jin finds Peck perched in his usual spot, just inside the dormer window, when she finally gets back to her garret. "Heh, glad you came back for supper." She mutters, reaching into her bag for the handful of rolled parchments she'd just spend the better part of the evening procuring from what few merchants were desperate or foolish enough to open their doors. "'Cuz I bought something special."

Seeing what Jin has in mind, Peck scrambles for the window, but too late. Jin slams and latches the shutters before the familiar can take wing. There's nothing for it, the bird sullenly accepts. He'd have to choke down the putrid scroll-brew. He could only hope that his mistress had brought some well-aged meat to banish the sooty aftertaste. Maybe one of those hands from the mad butcher....


***

The work drags on longer than Jin would have liked, and while it's a success, it leaves her with barely enough time to sleep and wring her daily allotment of arcane tricks from her despondent familiar. Peck hated the process with a passion. Not the least because Jin loudly conjectured that each additional spell took up more space in his tiny little skull, slowly crowding out his mind. Serves him right for abandoning me.

Running late means having to run, and Urchin is panting from exertion when she reaches the Citadel, and still hasn't quite caught her breath by the time the group of them enter Field Marshall's office. Peck, as a bit of petty vengeance, had kept his increasingly onerous couple of pounds planted firmly on her head for the entire jog.

So when Vencarlo offers Jin his seat, she plops down a second before she recalls his reputation. Oh, crap. Her eye widen a bit as she realizes what she'd done. The last thing she wanted was some old goat chasing her around, famous or not. Clearly obtuseness was the answer to this problem.

"Thank you very much. I'm still winded from the trip over, as I'm sure you can see. Just a moment to catch my breath and you can have your seat back, Sir Orisini." She manages to squeak out before Deran makes his introduction, emphasizing the honorific to highlight the man's relative age.

And what an introduction. Clearly the man had missed his calling as a cheap bard in a cheaper gin joint. Ever so briefly she considered deflating him some with a carefully chosen spell, but quickly dismisses the idea--or at least puts it aside until the Field Marshall isn't looking.

"Please disclose." Says Jin, eyes darting between Cressida and the armored joker. Just don't dis-clothe, please. She adds silently, so as not to encourage him.

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

K(L) check: (1d20+3)[12] - Boy, Raine hasn't been paying attention much in her own neighbourhood, has she?

Earlier that morning, Raine had cracked one bleary eye open, yawning lazily as she stared up at the soot-stained underside of her brother's work table in the forge. Last night had been one long mess of stomping off to the nearest tavern by her house, stuffing all the mince pie and peas that she could wash down with beer, challenging anyone foolish enough to arm wrestle with her, all the while boasting loudly to her frazzled brother and her sister-in-law that she was now an official bad-ass, yo. Got hired by that hot City Marshal chick and rocking a stinky new scaly vest to prove it. (She'd gotten her brother to have a look at it, and while some oil and a brush had taken care of the worst of the slime, nothing could be done about the faint acidic odour of jelly thing innards.) And was asked to come back tomorrow, even. Hah!

Yeah. Raine had grinned to herself, recalling how she'd toddled home from the tavern singing a rude song about the Queen's arse. She was great. Life was good. She'd petted the family dog that had nestled up beside her at some point in the night, turning over on her side and going back to sleep with a hog-like grunt of contentment. Now about her beauty sleep...

Thus, it is Raine who is the last of your number to arrive at Cressida's office, still yawning and scratching her armpit as she strolls in, nursing a steaming mug of Qadiran coffee, oblivious to just how late she is. "Morning y'all. What's cookin' today?" She announces to nobody in particular, reserving a sly grin for Liz and a thumbs up to Urchin when the old fart offers her a chair. Now that was a chaser, if she'd ever seen one, and past his prime too. As for the new guy, she eyes him warily over the rim of her mug as she takes a loud slurp of the scalding liquid. That talky-talky wasn't even funny. She could totally do better. Just had to wait for the right moment.

[Desril]

GM Post

Even the weary Cressida bites back an amused chuckle at Vencarlo before she nods to Deren, "You're right. As much as I would enjoy continuing the conversation, I fear we just don’t have time. Let me explain the issue, then you can speak your piece," she tells the paladin.

"Vencarlo has often come to me with news of important changes on the streets, and this is no different—indeed, what he’s learned could degrade into sanctions, embargos, or even war against Cheliax if we don’t act now. This problem is a man named Darvayne Gios Amprei. You might have heard of him—he’s an ambassador from Cheliax whose disdain for Korvosa is well documented, and yet he’s taken great pleasure in what our city has to offer. Even before this recent unrest, this man was ready to recommend to his government a sanction on trade, or perhaps even an embargo. Vencarlo has learned through his own considerable sources that Ambassador Amprei’s actual goals are to undermine Korvosa’s economy to the point where he can buy up large portions of the city from desperate landholders and establish himself in a position of power here." She sighs, clearly not in the mood to deal with politics in the current atmosphere.

"Whatever the ambassador’s reasons, we can’t let his bias or personal plans hurt Korvosa. Yet neither can we take drastic action—not only would killing him be wrong, but it’d simply martyr him in Cheliax’s eyes. Fortunately, Darvayne has his foibles. Again, Vencarlo has learned that Ambassador Amprei has been making fairly regular visits to a place in Old Korvosa called Eel’s End. This den of vice is run by a dangerous man named Devargo Barvasi, better known in Korvosa’s alleys as the King of Spiders. I’d love to put Barvasi out of business, but he pays his vice taxes regularly and never causes any problems—in fact, since he keeps his business constrained entirely within the five ships moored at Eel’s End, he’s actually one of the least of my worries. Truth be told, I can’t decide whether Devargo is a stirge or a kraken. He seems like a bloodsucking pest most days, but sometimes I fear just how far his tentacles have wormed their way into our great city. In this case though, his insidious web stretching across Korvosa’s underworld might prove to our advantage."

Turning her attention to Conrad, "Devargo would never let someone he recognizes as an ally of the Guard into Eel’s End, but your group’s a different case. I’d like you to pay a visit to Eel’s End and secure an audience with Devargo. Find out what he knows about Amprei, get proof of any illicit goings-on the ambassador might be involved with, and bring that proof to me to use to undermine any forthcoming attempts by him to get Cheliax to cut us off. Devargo might not be willing to part with his information easily though, so I've managed to scrounge up a little more gold to bribe him. Do what you can with it and whatever’s left over you can keep for yourself. Remember: The man is dangerous, but so are you—if things get violent, I wouldn’t mourn his passing.”

Turning her attention to Deren once more, gesturing for the party to do the same. "However...I'm afraid things may not even be that simple. Our friend here just arrived with news of a greater problem, though I will leave it to him to explain."

Meanwhile, the more observant of you might catch a flirtatious wink from Vencarlo toward Raine and Liz, the latter of whom clears her throat and looks away, even as he puts a hand on Urchin's shoulder while the Field Marshal goes into her long-winded explanation.


Don't have all my resources here. Make your rolls and I'll edit this section accordingly when I get the chance!

[ProudGrognard]

Deran

Deran 's face betrays a moment of mild surprise before his slight smile reasserts itself.

The divine truly work in mysterious ways. I should never again forget that other people have means of informing themselves. Especially this old fox.

But sobriety has lasted long enough. Deran puts his hand on his forehead and gestures grandly

"Alas, I am outdone. My grand secret is, it seems, out. I have also come to warn the Marshal about a plot centering on the Chelaxian ambassador. But Monsieur Vencarlo has beaten me to the punch"

His eyes take a more serious note.

"But I can add that this is only the tip of the iceberg. I have it on the highest authority that our dear Korvosa is in dire straits. That all recent upheaval, the ambassador and ...something else, are connected. And that some very... well informed parties are concerned."

Almost reflexively, his hands go to his the medallion on his neck.

"I am the man they send to stem the tide, so to speak. Probably due to sheer handsomeness and humility."

The mischievous half smile is back.

"Or perhaps they trust I am not wise enough to do anything really ...ambiguous. I do have a tendency to be thorough in my dealings.

So, my dear fellows. It seems I am going to delve into the dark undercurrents of Korvosa. I will associate with thieves, scoundrels and other people of questionable morale, not to mention taste. I have a feeling that our meeting was not an accident. Would you care for a joint venture to this den of vice? I have been told that my modest verbosity has made grown men cry and run away, to escape it. Surely, such a skill is useful?"

Deran is now smiling from one end of his face to another.

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

Jin stiffens as Vencarlo's hand just happens comes to rest on her shoulder. She tries to calm herself. This wasn't the place. Maybe the arthritic old man was just steadying himself after a taxing few minutes of standing. And maybe Asmodeus is a fat satyr swabbed with red paint.

She does her best to appear attentive as first Cressida then Deran explain the situation in detail. Actually is attentive, at least enough to register what they're saying, even if the greater part of her concentration is on other matters. Specifically, the locks of her ivory hair that have slipped out under the hem of her cloak and snaked their way over to Vencarlo's foppishly adorned calf boots. Untying knots is tricky work without a good view, and doubly so when using a magic skill she'd never practiced in public before. She can only hope that no one notices, and she manages to bind the two sets of laces together without catching any of her own hair in the knot.

Sleight of hand: [roll0]

[Desril]

GM Post

Oblivious to Urchin's childish prank, Vencarlo smiles alongside Deren as the paladin gives his explanation, "So we have another up and coming hero in our midst, it's about time you put your skills to good use Deren. Just a pity you wouldn't ever accept my tutelage. It would've been quite the advertisement for my school when you succeed, ah, such a pity."

Looking toward the rest of the party, he speaks up again, "Though perhaps not all is lost. You hardly seem suited to that glaive, though its beauty certainly matches your o--oh!" As he begins to speak to Liz, he stumbles, taking a step, unaware of the fact that his shoes are now knotted together, and finds himself greeted with what would have been an embarrassing, if enjoyable, landing spot, were it not for the fact that the young cleric was wearing a rather fair amount of gold-encrusted chain and a rather painful sound of flesh smashing into metal, though Liz catches him before he hits the ground, her face somewhat flushed. "Sir, I think...maybe you should take it easy. It's good to be energetic, but a man of your years must know his limits."

Accepting her aid, Vencarlo turns away in obvious embarrassment, "Yes, quite...in any case, it sounds like you all have a rather...interesting adventure ahead of you. If you don't object, Cressida, I'll show them the way to Eel's End myself." rubbing his nose and wincing in pain from the collision before noting the state of his shoes and smirking before turning his gaze briefly to everyone in turn.


....hrm...ref dc 15 to avoid falling on his face, surely that's not any harder than putting out a fire. (1d20+9)[13]

...I swear, this guy isn't incompetent!

Anyway, lightning started back up, so gotta wrap this one up!


http://www.kinggames.dk/images/miniatures/vencarlo_orisini_02-p.jpg


You notice that in all that, the two smaller fingers on his (gloved) right hand never seem to change position in the slightest, though the rest of them bent and moved freely trying to catch himself before he fell face-first into Liz.


He surprisingly doesn't seem upset. If anything, he seems impressed and isn't looking to get revenge on whoever did it

[ProudGrognard]

Deran

You can tell a lot by how a man responds when he is being threatened or embarrassed. Deran saw the flicker in Vancarlo 's eyes. Here is a man who can take both in stride. Interesting...

"Up and coming hero who cannot be trained, that is me. All me tutors said so. I am ready to be guided to the end of an eel.

And to spare the unused ears of this august company, I will not make the obvious remark about the number of orifices that suit the description in an ell."

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

Jin takes in the fruits of her little subterfuge with a look of shocked surprise, a hand belatedly rising to cover up her gaping mouth when Vencarlo face-plants in Liz's jewelry-girded cleavage. Couldn't have planned it any better. She tells herself, lips curving into a pleased little smile behind her palm. Liz probably wasn't so pleased, but it was a noble sacrifice to the cause of comeuppance. Peck isn't quite so politic, breaking into a round of raucous caws that anyone unfamiliar with the animal might mistake for bird-brained agitation instead of avian cackling.

She's a bit surprised, and impressed, when the gray-hair comes up smirking. Usually preening peacocks don't take so well to having their plumage rustled.

"I'd be glad to have someone on hand who knows Eel End so well. I'd be completely lost in that part of Korvosa." She primly responds to Vencarlo's offer. "And I've never studied it, but I think an eel only has the two ends." Jin adds, glancing confusedly at the strange Ragathiel-worshiper.

[ProudGrognard]

Daren

Daren smiles triumphantly at Urchin

"Exactly my point! Thus, if we enter from the bottom orifice then our righteous might can be described as a Divine Enema!

This will be one for the bards, surely! The Saga of the Divine Enema! With an acronym of SADEn, which I find phonetically appropriate."

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

This time Jin's slack-jawed shock isn't feigned, and Peck caws even louder. "Uh--I--maybe we should just go." She stands up and takes a step towards the door, forgetting, in her fluster, to solidify the details of any reward beyond the leftover bribe money.

I knew I should have bought that lip-stitching spell.

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

SM: (1d20+5)[15]
Perception: (1d20+6)[17]

Man, she doesn't notice or observe anything! :smallyuk:

She wasn't sure who'd knotted the old man's bootlaces together, but damn, good on whoever did. Giving a low whistle, Raine doesn't bother to help Vencarlo off Liz, though she does offer a tart observation: "P'raps if you'd be more respectful to me buddy, Wiselady Lizzie, here - 'n keep yer eyes on her pretty face than on that bosom, you'd not stumble so much. Nothin' less charming than a boyo who don't look to a lady's choice in fashion. Just me two pennies worth. Nothing mindin'."

Yawning, she salutes Cressida and downs the rest of her coffee in one go, draining the mug to the dregs. Now that was the stuff. What was that guy's name anyway? "Hey, talky-man. I once knew a guy what got an eel stuck up his arse from swimming in the Jeggare at night. Trust me, an ene-ema er, enemena is the last thing that happens when an eel gets yer end. Though I s'pose," she adds as an afterthought, gnawing her lip. "Worse come to worse, we could chop off Barvasi's to feed to some actual eels. They make good pies,y'know. The swimming eels, that be. Not man eels. C'mon, let's go."

[bcool999]

Conrad

Remaining silent (well at least to his allies ears) Conrad digests the briefing Cressida gave him and confers with his... new ally.

<Just great, a possible Chelexian invasion on top of anything else. My the god's shrivel this Ambassador's loins.> Conrad thinks furiously at the crystal.

<Hehehe. Your just mad that you can't kill him without risking said invasion. You really must learn that not all problems can be solved with arrows.> Shadow whispers in Conrad's mind <Though I admit, this chatterbox is going to make it hard to get anywhere without alerting every conscious creature for miles about... might want to ditch him somewhere.>

<Hmph> Conrad mentally huffs in agreement to Shadow's assessment of their new companion before saying, "Understood ma'am. If this... Devargo, has any dirt on the ambassador we can use to curtail his real estate venture we will get it out of him." <Even if it takes iron rather than gold to loosen his tongue.> Conrad thinks to himself and Shadow as he toys with a dagger on his sash.

Perception to spot Urchin's Tampering: [roll0]
Take 10 on Perception on Vencario for 20.
Take 10 on Sense Motive on Vencario for 20.

While the others have their antics, Conrad steps forward to collect the bribe money, while there he whispers to the Field Marshal, "Is this Deran character reliable or is he just as foolish as he talks?"

Bribe money secured in his satchel on his hip, which to his surprise wasn't as empty as he thought it was, Conrad salutes Cressida before turning to the others and saying, "Time to get to work, unless you lot plan on performing this little circus act all day." <Shadow. Did you see how in the hells that silver dagger ended up back on my person?>

<Beats me.> comes the whispered reply.

[Desril]

GM Post

Shaking her head at Vencarlo's antics and the childish nature of the prank played on him, it's almost as if she speaks her thoughts aloud, and yet she remains silent. Are these really the heroes Korvosa needs? Still, she bites her tongue and hands a pouch filled with yet more gold to Conrad, the bribe money mentioned previously, "I haven't seen him in action, but Vencarlo is one of the best swordsmen in the city. I trust his judgement and he vouches for the man. Besides, you love your theatrics just as much, don't you?"

Their whispered conversation at an end, she speaks up, "As I said, it's yours to do with as you please, if you can get the information we need for less, keep whatever's left over for yourselves. And go ahead and show them the way," she tells Orisini, "Just try not to get distracted by all the women between here and Old Korvosa. We haven't got a month."

Grinning, having recovered, he gives a bow, "Of course, Field Marshall. I shall do my utmost to remain focused on the task at hand, after all, I'm curious to see what our young adventurers can do, it wouldn't do to delay them."

Nodding, Cressida gives a tired salute to all of you, "Best of luck...but remember, this isn't an official Watch matter, so...try not to get into too much trouble."


I felt like I stalled too long here and the next bit is just more traveling so I thought I'd combine them into one section. If anyone still wishes to post or request anything from Cressida, just mark it in your post somehow and I'll address it.

*****

On the road, Vencarlo seems as lively as ever, walking ahead of the group, "It's a bit of a trek, the Citadel isn't really well placed for getting to the docks in Old Korvosa, but I suppose that just means we'll have to enjoy ourselves along the way to pass the time, won't we?" He turns his head back and grins to women in the party, his embarassment at the fall earlier seemingly forgotten. "Oh, but I'm getting ahead of myself, aren't I?" He stops, turning around to address the whole party, "I really must thank all of you. Cressida told me how you'd found Grau drinking himself to death and talked him into getting some help. He might not be my student anymore, but he was a good kid, I'm grateful that he might get another chance to figure that out himself now."

"But, that's not really your problem, I suppose," he says, abruptly changing the subject and resuming his march, "though I must say, I'm curious." He turns back, glancing to each of the party in turn, though his gaze noticibly lingers on the lovely ladies, "What brings you all into this sort of life? Most people are more interested in hiding from the Watch and taking advantage of the chaos, and yet here you are putting yourselves at risk to help the city through this even though right now most people would stab you in the back without a moment's hesitation," he says while leading the party through a particularly shady alley. "I can't help but wonder; why?"

Liz, for her part, tugs on her holy symbol and glances toward the others before answering. "I can't speak for everyone, but...The Eternal Rose can't support this mindless chaos. People are in danger, beautiful works are being destroyed, and innocent people are afraid to leave their homes. And even if it wasn't my sacred task to help these people," she motions to the boarded up windows and doors in the alley, "Korvosa is my home. I want to see it healed, even if it means I have to treat the bloody wound myself."


The two smaller fingers on his right hand haven't bent in the slightest this entire time, though it's hard to tell why, given the glove.



About two years ago, there was a big fuss about some sort of scandal involving three people, two of whom you've now met in person. Vencarlo Orisini and two of his students, Grau Soldado and Sabina Merrin were names that spread like wildfire for a few days before thing settled down and the incident itself was soon forgotten by the public in light of a series of minor crimes however. Rumors, being what they are, have obfuscated the truth so completely that you aren't entirely sure of what happened with theories that ranged from Vencarlo going into a crazed frenzy to a witch cursing the lot of them.


But you do know that whatever caused it, it ended with Sabina leaving Vencarlo's tutelage and Grau being expelled.

On top of that, you remember hearing that Sabina, like Grau, joined the Korvosan Guard. Unlike Grau, who stayed with the Watch however, Sabina advanced much more quickly and drew the eye of Queen Ileosa. Currently, she's the Queen's personal bodyguard and handmaiden. And, at least if the rumors are true, secret lover.

[bcool999]

Conrad

Re-donning his mask after leaving the citadel, <Not as if Cressida doesn't know about it anymore.> He thinks to which Shadow replies, <Sloppy.>

In response to Vencario, Conrad snorts rudely and says, "Grau had just forgotten that he had a spine. Little bit of tough love was all he needed to stop being an embarrassment to the guard. Also I am a guard in case you haven't heard. I don't have the option, or particularly want the option, to hide with my tail between my legs at the first sign of trouble." Conrad unconsciously reaches down to the leather throng around his neck and rubs Emma's ring between thumb and forefinger before saying, Besides, the day I let some punk sneak up on me is the day I probably deserve to get stabbed in the back.

[Bhaakon]

Uchin

Jin shrugs in response to Vencarlo's question. "The city is pretty rotten, but you don't burn your house down to get rid of the rats." She pauses a moment, then adds. "Especially if you're still in the house. A lot of people are angry or hungry enough to forget that, but I'm not."

"Besides," She flashes an innocent grin. "Hunting rats is fun. Especially the big, fat, lazy pack rats. I love to see their ratty faces when they wake up to find their hole raided and their horde gone."

[bcool999]

Conrad

Remembering the silver dagger in his satchel at Jin's mention of pack rats, he pulls it out and hands it to her to look at. "Could you tell me if this dagger is cursed or something? It's the same one we sold yesterday, but somehow it ended up back with me."

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

Jin reaches out to grasp the silver blade, but immediately withdraws her hand when the word "cursed" crosses Conrad's tongue. Quick as lightening her hands are right back at her sides and she withdraws a step. "Um, why don't you just hold it out like that and I'll take a look." She says, muttering out the familiar incantation to reveal magical auras, then another to momentarily hone her concentration.

Cast Detect Magic and Guidance. Spellcraft!

[roll0]

[Desril]

The dagger has a faint magical aura. You don't know what it does.


The magical aura is of the school of transmutation

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

After a few moments of squinting at the dagger and asking Conrad to turn it about for a better view, Urchin offers up her expert opinion on the piece.

"It's magical." She says, not particularly wanting to risk handling the thing for a better appraisal. "Maybe try throwing it in the river and see if it comes back again. Or ask Liz to look. Maybe it has some sort of divine enchantment on it." She glances over at the Shelynite with a raised eyebrow.

[Desril]

Liz

Seeing Urchin looking at her, Liz quickly shakes her head, "To be honest, the more...studious aspects of magic, even the magic granted by my Lady, have always escaped me. I can try, but don't expect much," she says sheepishly.

A quick prayer later, she shakes her head. "I'm afraid I can't tell any more than you can. It clearly is magical, but beyond that...perhaps we should take it to the Academae? No, wait, I heard they've sealed themselves in since the riots started...well, I'm sure there must be an arcanist somewhere in the city we could ask."


She's a low int cleric. Her spellcraft is -1 and untrained, and she didn't have the skill points for K: Arcana. She's useless for item identification.

[bcool999]

Conrad

Grunting slightly, not really understanding how you tell a magic rock from a normal rock himself, Conrad shrugs and puts the dagger away. "I will just hold onto it. As long as it doesn't get in the way of things I don't mind it hanging around." Conrad says as he tries drawing his other weapons... worried for a moment that the dagger would try replacing them if it really was cursed.

<You're paranoid.> Shadow whispers to him.

<Said the pot to the pan.> Conrad snaps back.

[Desril]

Conrad has no trouble drawing any of his other weapons. The dagger doesn't seem to have moved from where you'd sheathed it.

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

"I usually go Zellara when I, uh, find something I can't wrap my head around." Jin sighs, quietly adding. "Used to. I used to."

She tries to force herself to brighten up. "You're right, we should try the Academae. I've never been there. Seen it, but never actually went there. All the rumors, it's so...mysterious. I don't know about the whole infatuation with imps, but we should make the trip once this whole mess is cleaned up."

[ProudGrognard]

Daren

Walking brusquely but with his eyes scanning here and there, the smile never leaving his face, Deran nods at Vencarlo 's question.

"It is not only here. This world is as dangerous as it is beautiful. There are always disasters and calamities. But there are also small wonders, like the birth of a child or a random act of kindness, that happen every day."

He looks at Vencarlo, suddenly more serious.


"I am here to protect it all. This is my world, and it is under the protection of my Boss, my Overlord. I am his sword in this plane and his shield, and I will defend and guard and cherish it until my soul is called to its next journey. This is my privilege and my burden and it will be worth it if even one helpless person is protected or even one evildoer find justice. I am surprised, frankly, that more people do not do it. It is such a joy to be able to do it!"

And then, the theatrical smile is back.

"Plus, they needed someone as handsome as me to confront evildoers. It takes a special type of knight to be able to be covered in entrails and look good in the process!"

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

Perception: (1d20+6)[21]
K (L): (1d20+3)[21]

More action, less talk. Now this was just how Raine liked her mornings. Taking a deep breath of Korvosan air, Raine sighs happily and knits her fingers behind her head as the group walks, contemplating the city around her with a proprietory eye. She supposed that some people might like the countryside, but there was something about all the salt and the stale fish smell that made it home. Now this Eel's End place sounded like just the kind of place where she could expect to get a good work-out punching some noses. Or see some comely lads. Or perhaps both. Now that would make a really good morning.

Still floating along on a bubble of good cheer, Raine simply shrugs when Vencarlo's question reaches her. "Eh. S'better than sitting on me tush all day or workin' th'forge. A girl's gotta earn her keep. I get some shinies to bring home, home stays safe a little longer, everybody's happy. And I get to bust heads - legal and all!" Yawning openly once more, Raine eyes Conrad's dagger and then shrugs again, staring wistfully ahead as she catches the faint smell of fat meat in some unseen fryer. "Urchin's gotta point there. Just junk it in the Jeggare. If it comes back - and we'd all witnesses here - tadah! You know it's hoo-joo and then we gotta find ourselves a Dawnflower Dame to purify the frak outta it... Y'know though. I know a coupla fellas what'd pay good money for a dagger that kept returning after being sold. Can make a fortune that way, easy."

[Desril]

GM Post

Paying rapt attention even as you walk along, making your way out of the dreary alleyway into an equally dreary part of the city that actually seems to have civilians roaming around, everyone gives your rather large and well armed group a wide bearth, and Vencarlo smiles and claps his hands together when everyone's had their chance to speak. "And that, my friends, is precisely what this city needs more of. A good heart, a desire to help, or just a good dose of the common sense to not burn down your own house...sadly, Korvosa is lacking in all three right now." As the conversation turns toward Conrad's mysterious dagger, however, the swordsman looks somewhat intrigued though he offers little advice on the subject. "If you all decide to visit the Academae, good luck. Like our gilded bosom buddy here said, they've locked their gates tight, and they'll probably keep it that way until the people stop trying to loot everything that isn't nailed down and burn the rest," he sighs.

You all continue on in this way for some time, finally coming to a bridge over the Narrows that returns you all to Old Korvosa when Vencarlo stops. "I'm afraid this is where we'll have to part for now, friends," he says with a sad smile, turning toward Urchin and winking before continuing, "I do wish I'd gotten a chance to get to know each of you better, but I've a feeling we'll meet again and have another opportunity then. Anyway, Eel's End is nearby, just cross the Narrows here, turn right and make your way down the first pier you pass, Barvasi's little fortress will be the biggest ship moored there, not that it'll be hard to figure that out yourselves."


If no one makes a move to stop him, Vencarlo will leave here, but I wanted to give everyone a chance for parting words. And feel free to continue discussing things on the walk. It'd take quite a while to actually get there on foot, but the pace is slow enough that I don't want to drag you all down because of the speed of walking :smalltongue:

Also, the Narrows is part of the Jeggare so if you want to toss the dagger, this spot is as good as any. Or you could throw it into the river/harbor at the pier if you'd prefer.

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

Stiffy fingers, this Vencarlo character. Perhaps an old injury? Either way, it wasn't in Raine's nature to ask embarrassing personal questions. As for blunt personal statements, on the other hand...

"Welp. Thankee very much for takin' time to trot us out here. Much appreciated, that." She taps her brow and nods solemnly. "Not much appreciation for th'fact yer can't seem to stop flashing yer peepers at me friends though. Nowt, lookin' at pretty folks is dandy and all. Everybody do that. But makin' pers'nal comments on a lady's bosom ain't, specially when she don't seem all comfy with it. That's me philosopoppy, and I'd be happy to discuss it with yer any day, 'cos yer seem like a reasonable fella with a nice sense 'o humour," remarks the Varisian gamin cheerfully, smacking her fist into the open palm of her other hand as she gives Vencarlo a grin usually more associated with tiger sharks rather than nice ladies.

Not rolling an Intimidate check because that's not Raine's intention. She'd be aware that she can't make a person do what they're not inclined to do. She's just politely informing Vencarlo that he's being kinda rude.

[Desril]

GM Post

Grinning cheekily, seemingly entirely unaffected by Raine's chastisement, Vencarlo responds, "That might be true miss, but we old men have to have our fun somehow, hah," he gives a single short laugh, but then his tone turns serious. "Just be careful about that when going into the Eel's End. A group as pretty as yours, decked out in enough gear to supply half the Watch? Everyone's eyes will be on you, and they'll want to do more than just make an ass of themselves. Best of luck!" And with that, he gives a quick bow and spins on his heels, rapidly walking away.

After watching the swordsman depart, Liz turns toward Raine and smiles. "Thank you for that...I'm afraid I've gotten so used to the attention that I just try to tune it out, it was nice to have someone call it out for once. But now isn't the time to talk about this, is it? We've got a---" she pauses, glancing around at the nearest buildings and windows, deciding that she shouldn't talk about it too much aloud. "Well, we have work to do."

****

The first pier of Korvosa, at least from this direction, is pretty clearly your destination. Those of you who've been to this part of town before notice that it's rather quieter now than it is in the later hours of the night, but even though the dream spider shaped lanters hanging from the lampposts don't flicker with light, the sound of carousing booms from the elegantly painted ships moored to this seventy foot long pier. Large signs painted in several languages hang from ropes slung between ships or are nailed to pilings. The closest ship to the east bears a sign that says, “The Twin Tigers—
Take the Tiger by the Tail and Try Your Luck!” Opposite that, to the west, a barge’s sign says, “Welcome to the Goldenhawk—No Safer Stay in Old Korvosa!” Further to the southeast is “Dragon’s Breath Corridor—Dream the Dragon’s Dreams at Affordable Prices!”, while opposite that is the “House of Clouds—The Caress of Our Lovelies Will Take You Straight to Heaven!” Only the largest ship, to the south, bears no signage at all, and being easily twice the size of the next largest ship, it leaves little doubt that it must be the Eel's End.

Short rope bridges and gangplanks provide access to the decks of these ships from the pier, or from the decks of other ships. Sailors, thugs, drunkards, prostitutes, and what could even be a few well-dressed nobles carouse on the pier and the decks of all five ships, seemingly oblivious to Korvosa’s recent troubles. Here and there, large men dressed in chainmail patrol the area, grim faces in a sea of revelry.


Though none of them make a move to stop you should you attempt to walk down the pier, several of the guards seem to make note of the party and look on edge. The two standing directly outside the Eel's End main gangplank exchange looks with one another and seem to have a very brief conversation before turning their attention on the party entirely. They make no move to reach for their weapons, however.


http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx263/charlesawarren007/EelsEnd.jpg

C1 - Pier
C2 - Eel's End (upper deck)
C3 - Goldenhawk
C4 - Twin Tigers
C5 - House of Cards
C6 - Dragon's Breath Corridor

You're free to go wherever. The plot, obviously, points to Eel's End, but minigames, side jobs, gambling, and general entertainment can be found elsewhere.

[ProudGrognard]

Daren

Daren watches the barges and the various ...customers near them and shakes his head in silent disbelief. The lengths that people would go to seek gratification. Empty, hollow gratification.

With a smile on his lips, he goes near the guards in a stroll, like approaching a neighbor.

"Goodmorning, fellow men-at arms. I am Deran of Eyrieglade and these are my companions, some of the most capable hurt-dealers in all of Korvosa. If you would be so kind as to direct us to the owner of this place of villainy and wretchedness I would be most grateful. Our intentions are peaceful and we only seek to speak with him to our mutual benefit."

Diplomacy [roll0] We do want to speak with him, yes?

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

Clearly these ships weren't going anywhere. Even they weren't all lively businesses, they'd accumulated such a tangle of interweaving cordage and gangplanks that it would take a platoon of axe-swinging dwarven berserkers a week to free any of them. Lucky thing for the group, since the Eel's End guards were obviously on edge. We just need to find a room in one of the other ships, then hope over to the big one and have a look around and find some leverage they could use on Devargo. Shouldn't be too much trouble with so many people milling about. I bet Raine could...

The slap of Jin's palm smacking into forehead provides punctuation to Daren's little speech. Villainy and wretchedness? Really? Why not just kick them in the plumbs and sprint past? She wants to shout at the man. Try as she might, she can't think of a way to salvage the situation beyond forceful enchantment of the guards, and there's no reason to resort to that without first hearing their response.

[Desril]

GM Post

Though they scowl at Daren's introduction, the older looking of the pair speaks up after a moment. "The King of Spiders keeps to the captain's cabin, but unless he's expecting you, he's not going to see you. Feel free to spend your coin though. Just make sure you keep to the upper deck."

Should you continue on to board the Eel's End, you pass by its figurehead a coiling eel with a woman’s head. Several drunkards, sailors, and revelers dance and drink on the large open main deck here, while the aft deck is relatively clear. A pair of large double doors bearing a complex painting of a spider allows entrance into the stern section of the main deck.


The younger guard turns to the elder just as the party reaches the edge of hearing range, "'Wretchedness and villainy?' Really?"

The older one shakes his head, "Gold is gold, besides, that's nothing, last month it was 'hive of scum and villainy' or something like that...damned old man was so high he walked right off the pier."

[ProudGrognard]

Daren

Undaunted by the cold reception, the paladin steps up in the barge and tries again his charm in the guards of the Spider King 's door.

"A good day to you. I do hope you are more ...contentious than your fellow guards over there.

I am Sir Daren and these are my colleagues here. We have urgent business with the King of Spiders. We wish to paraly. Be kind enough to inform him of the fact."

Once again, the blazing smile is up and the paladin stands as if waiting entrance to a castle.

Diplomacy [roll0]

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

Rolling for Aid Another to Deran's Deranged Diplomacy! (1d20+6)[12]

Perception: (1d20+7)[18]

Sniffing ruefully to herself as Vencarlo swaggers off, Raine gives Liz a well-I-tried shrug and turns her attention to the ships moored at Eel's End, lazily planting her hands on her hips as she appraises the boats. Now some of these looked pretty interesting, tacky lamp decor notwithstanding. She'd bet Granny's gold tooth that dream spiders meant that Shiver or some other foul substance was being openly smoked in here. No wonder the Field Marshal wanted the place closed down. Well - Raine cracks a knuckle and sucks in her cheeks - if it was Shiver being traded about, then this place would most definitely have to go. But perhaps she could amble up to that Tiger boat to see how badly the dice was rigged...

"Cayden's coq- What in hells...?" Catching ear of Deran's attempt at gaining entry to the place, Raine first splutters, then gives Urchin a meaningful look, quirking one corner of her mouth. Back me up here, little one. It won't do t'have the Korvosan underworld goin' round thinkin' we're noble wussies. Hurrying up the gangplank after Deran, who now seems to be trying his luck with these other more important looking thugs, Raine manages to clamp a hand on the paladin's shoulder just as he is done talking. Hope that the restraining weight of her palm will be sufficient hint that perhaps he might want to discuss his tactics in future, Raine nods solemnly at the guards, keeping her voice calm as she rattles off with the practiced self-assurance of a street-tough with an ace up her proverbial sleeve.

"Yeah. We gotta few little thingies t'talk over with the King. I'd pop in there and let His Majesty know that he's got comp'ny. Unless yer wants to be the ones what he gets mad with when he finds out what a deal he missed on, hm?" Tilting her head to one side, Raine gives a light smirk, then adds in the same tone of voice, but speaking in the odd blend of Varisian and Shoanti that made up Korvosan street slang this time, which she was mostly sure Deran didn't understand. "Don't mind this one. He's fresh. Ain't never met someone like the King before. We takin' him so he learns respect."

[Desril]

GM Post

Raising an eyebrow at Daren, both guards examine the group carefully, but the one on the left smirks at Raine's explanation. "Alright, go on in, but the King's enjoying a meal, best you didn't do anything to ruin it, or you'll live to regret that mistake," he says ominously as he reaches for the handle to open the door, staying out of sight and clearly not wanting to be held in any way responsible for the outcome of your little talk.

Inside is a large room, once a captain’s cabin, has been converted into a throne room of sorts. The walls are thick with spiderwebs, in which scuttle dozens of spiders—some as large as a fist but most considerably smaller. These spiders seem content to stay in their webs and do not venture into the room itself, which is furnished with two sturdy oaken tables surrounded by chairs filled with bodies. Aft, a wooden stage supports a large leather chair, itself covered with cobwebs and scampering spiders. A narrow door stands to port, hanging ajar and revealing a flight of stairs leading below. An iron birdcage hangs from the ceiling like a chandelier, inside of which lingers a tiny, tired-looking purple dragon.

As you enter, one man of the dozen men and women sitting at the tables gestures with a half-eaten drumstick, throwing his arms wide as he exclaims "Then BOOM! Crack'a thunder, knocked him flat on his arse, and all his buddies turned and ran! Bastards never showed their face in the bar again."

Distracted by the story, his audience doesn't notice your entrance, save for one man, sitting on the throne with his head resting languidly on his fist. With a baldric stylized as a spider, and a criss-cross of chains on his leather armor that looks like a web, there's no mistaking this man as anyone but Devargo Barvasi. Every now and then, you see spiders cross over exposed portions of his skin, but neither he nor they seem to pay much attention to the other, instead, he simply looks at the party and speaks in a bored monotone. "More guests have arrived, and late to the party. I don't recall your invitation though, so please, come in, tell me what brings you to the King of Spiders." The moment he speaks, the rest of the room immediately goes silent, and everyone turns to stare at the party, the only movement coming from one man still chewing as he turns back, and from spiders skittering on the walls.


http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae47/perrinmiller/When%20Evil%20Rampages%20Everywhere/DevargoBarvasi_zps37630ef5.jpg



The tiny looking dragon creature is a pseudodragon.

Pseudodragons are tiny cousins of true dragons, and are playful but shy. They often only vocalize in chirps, hisses, growls, and purrs, but can communicate telepathically with any intelligent creature.

(More info pending knowledge checks)
Rumor has it that Devargo has some fiendish blood in his ancestry, giving him the ability to communicate with spiders telepathically. Few people have ever actually asked him directly, however, and no one who claims to have done so has shed any light on his apparent mastery of arachnids.


Map on request, but I can't find an already edited one online and don't think it's necessary right now since no one has started a fight, but if someone wants a map of the 'throne room' I can put one together later

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

"I'd thought all the rumors were gutter nuggets." Jin whispers to herself as she enter the Spider King's throne room. She keeps a wide berth of the web-draped walls, and even Peck lowers himself down to roost on his mount's head instead of perch--anything to get a couple more inches of clearance from the arachnids.

She gives Barvasi a long look to see any signs of fiendish heritage, but every time a spider scampers across her flesh she's forced to look away with a shiver. Eventually her eyes land on the haggard reptile in the cage. Pseudodragon. She corrects herself. Which means it can do that mind-speak trick, if it wants.

Well, Raine seemed to have a plan. Or at least was good at pretending to have one. And Deran didn't lack for confidence, misplaced though it may be. It would probably be nice to if they had some actual information. Jin looks at the little dragon and thinks real hard in its direction, whatever that means. Mostly it seems to involve stirring up the beginnings of a headache.

Can you hear me? You don't look so good. You want out? I can help, if you'll tell me something we can use against your captor. Something illegal you've seen, or anything about the Chelish Ambassador. We need something to bargain with. Jin sincerely hopes the pseudodragon really is being held against its will. It seems likely with the cage, but one never knows.

[ProudGrognard]

Daren

Daren enters the hall of the Spider King with his usual grace and style. Only a very short flicker betrays his surprise at the truth of the rumors, which Daren knew. He bows once at Devargo and once at his retinue, the deep, formal bow of a trained courtier.

"My greetings to the lord of this demesne and to his retinue. My gratitude for allowing us entry, despite coming announced. I am Daren of Eyrieglade, a knight of the Church. My companions and I have come to present our case to famous Spider King, on a matter that touches upon the safety of the city and the kingdom. Our goal is for our case to be mutually profitable and nation-wide turbulence is bad for everyone 's business.

The lord of this demesne knows best what ears he can trust. Before I speak further, I would like to offer my host the chance to make any arrangements to his liking. We have perhaps already strained his hospitality and we would not wish to do so further."

After his flowery and courtier speech, Daren bows again, waiting for the Spider King to respond. As he waits, he clears his mind and feels for the taint of evil, first at Devargo and then at the dark and shadowy places around the room. If there were any evil henchmen about, perhaps he could feel them.

I do hope Devargo sees reason and we do not come to blows.

And Detect Evil, in as many places as Deran can before he has to act.

[Desril]

GM Post

The faintest hint of a smile, or perhaps it is a smirk, is visible to the more perceptive of you as Daren makes his flowery suggestion. "You're quite right, trouble in Korvosa is trouble for my establishment as well, though less so than some might think. But as to your other point...All of my men know how to keep their mouths shut," he says without looking at any of those seated at the tables, "Any who can't won't be my men for very long, but there's no point in shouting, come closer, and we can discuss this like civilized men," he motions for everyone to come closer, just before his 'throne'.

Jin, however, hears something else, a high-pitched yet quiet and sad voice inside her head. "Illegal? Most of it is," it says in a dejected, defeated tone. For anyone watching, the pseudodragon doesn't move in the slightest, "But if it means escaping this, I'll try to remember the specifics." A pause follows, as Devargo motions to come closer, "...I think there was something said once, about blackmail, maybe?



The area just before the throne looks like it's not quite as solid as the rest of the floor...a trapdoor, perhaps? Not big enough to hit everyone, but enough to drop a couple of you to the deck below if it's triggered."

[Bhaakon]

Jin

I'll see what I can do... Jin thinks back at the pseudragon. She sidles up next to Raine and whispers to the woman. "A little bird told me something about a blackmail scheme. Not sure what to make of it, but maybe you can shake something loose."

She's about to move closer to the throne of the 'spider king' when she notices the oddly regular seams in the floor. "Also, watch for the trapdoor there." She adds.

[ProudGrognard]

Deran

Deran takes a look at the room.

"To my deepest regret, I would like to decline my gracious host invitation. I plead his forgiveness when I point out that perhaps, his boat-wright has been less than competent. There seems to be some structural flaw in the floor near my host 's throne. I would not want to damage it, being armored and heavy.

My apologies.

Since our gracious host has trust in his people, I will proceed from here. We have come here to discuss the Cheliax ambassador. He is known to frequent this colorful establishment. We are certain that the same person is behind much of Korvosa 's current troubles. We would thus discuss, with my host's permission, the possibility of incriminating documents."

Was there time for Detect Evil to work?

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

Perception: (1d20+7)[24]

"Mmhm." The corner of Raine's mouth quirks ever so slightly as she eyes the floor just before the self-styled King of Spiders' throne, which she hadn't missed herself. Best not to step there then. Even if it wasn't a trapdoor, off-clinker planks in a boat like this one weren't good news.

Raine takes a lazy glance over at the birdcage, then frowns, an uncharacteristically troubled look passing over her face as she discerns the purple critter. She'd thought it was some half-dead exotic parrot or something, but no matter. It didn't do to pen little things up in cages even littler than they were. It was true that growing up on Korvosa's streets had given Raine a less discerning palate than most when it came to what meat she'd stuff into her belly. But all the same, there was a difference between chewing happily on one of the fat chooks that Granny had raised and left to roam around the communal kitchen floor, and tying flaming birches to a pup's tail to watch it flee piteously down the dockside to a fiery death. She'd have to do something about that purple critter lizardy thing before leaving then. Perhaps Barvasi was a gambling man... but business came first.

"And we's willin' to pay good coin for those, if yer happen to have anyway," she says aloud, with a backward glance at the cage before turning to Barvasi, offering a sly smile as she steps closer to Deran as back-up. "As I was telling me buddy here, if there's any fella around what knows which side ev'ones bread's buttered, it'd be your majesty. Ain't never set foot in here afore, but word has it on the north side of th'isle that yer the baddest beast on this side o' the hill. And a keen business-man. Figured it wouldn't hurt to pay our respects to yer an' see if yer could help us."

Do I need a Diplomacy roll? Can I make one after Deran makes one, if needed? :smalltongue:

[Desril]

GM Post

Though his smirk vanishes as Daren declines to advance, it quickly returns as Raine makes an offer of gold. "Well, it seems that we might be able to do a little business after all, gentlemen, ladies," he says, briefly glancing to the entire party in turn. "You seem fairly well informed, so we can settle this like proper folk, I think. You weren't wrong to come to me, I happen to have a little something you might be able to use locked safely away in my quarters, but such information doesn't come cheaply," he explains calmly, eying Raine in particular.

"Now, while we figure out how much that information is worth to you," his gaze shifts to the others, lingering on Liz and Urchin at first before shifting to Conrad and Daren, "why don't we have your friends provide us with a little entertainment? I'm sure my new recruits are up for a game of knivesies."

Liz, seeing him look at her quickly looks to the others with concern, speaking in a low-tone, "I'd really rather not play, but if it'll help..."


The ever-popular Knivesies (nighve-zees) is the game of choice among the steeliest pirates, brigands, thieves, and scallywags in Riddleport. Its increasing popularity in Korvosa is in large part due to Devargo’s enjoyment of the game. Knivesies is simple to play. Two contestants stand on opposite ends of a long wooden table. Their right hands are strapped together with a boiled leather strap, belt pouches are fitted to their waists, and a dagger is stuck in the tabletop between them. The game begins after a count of ten, during which time observers can place bets by tossing gold onto the table and standing at the end of the table where their chosen fighter stands. As the game begins, each contestant makes an initiative check. There are two ways to win Knivesies. You can either force the other contestant to fall off the table, or you can grab for the gold and drop it into your pouch. Snatching a fistful of 1d10 coins off the table is a standard action that provokes an attack of opportunity. Since each opponent has only one free hand, the first round is typically a mad lunge for the dagger, forcing the slower opponent to make grabs for gold. There aren’t any more rules beyond this; most Knivesies games devolve into tabletop brawls, with the firstperson to drop or touch the ground losing.

The game ends once a contestant is unconscious, dead, or knocked off the table; as soon as no coins remain on the table; or as soon as any coin is knocked off the table. When the game ends, an unconscious, dead, or de-tabled contestant is automatically the loser. Otherwise, the winner is determined by which person has the most coins in his pouch. At the end of the game, all money is emptied from the pouches back onto the table. Half the total is paid to the winner, while the remainder is split evenly among all of those who stood at the winner’s end of the table.

[Bhaakon]

Urchin

Knivesies? Like Gaedren's idiot enforcer used to play?

Hatching a plan, Jin cracks a wicked grin. "Little game? I don't play little games. Now if you want to make a serious wager, I'm listening." She looks around the room for anything of particular interest, and since the place is a tangle of cobwebs crawling with spiders, it's relatively easy to justify her gaze falling on the caged pseudodragon.

"How about that thing, eh? Looks valuable enough. I bet one of those Academae bookworms would pay a pretty penny for it."

[Desril]

GM Post

Ever so slightly, the King of Spiders raises an eyebrow at Jin's offer. "Interesting...but no, I think not. I've grown rather fond of little Majenko, and I'll not part with him just because one of my men couldn't keep his balance. No, but you aren't wrong about him fetching a high price. In fact, if you're interested, I think I could see us coming to a deal. But unless I know you have the means to be a good companion for my dear friend I simply don't have the heart to let him go," he says as his lackeys chuckle darkly. "If you want him, it'll cost you five-thousand crowns."

"But if that's too rich for you, I've got a little idea. I don't usually show my guests, but you all are intriguing, so I think I'll make an exception. I've got a little...fighting pit here. If one of your friends is willing to step up to the challenge and manages to walk away alive, I'll let you have him. But if you lose," his gaze roams around, again staring at each member of the party, "I get my pick of you. Not as a slave, of course, we're civilized folk here, we'll have a proper contract and make sure it's all nice and legal," he smirks.

[ProudGrognard]

Deran

Beneath the smile, Deran is thinking fast.

Force is not an easy option. We need this data!

With a mental nod, Deran addresses the crime lord again.

"Dear host, we are here for a different errant. So let us up the ante. I will go into the pit and fight. But if I win, you will give us the information on the ambassador. To make things interesting, let us place the documents somewhere we can all see it. It would be a shame to win the fight and then discover that the documents are ...inaccesible. No?."

[maggie_mcknife]

Raine

Raine nearly chokes on her tongue when Deran wagers on himself in the fighting pit on what must have surely been the most thinly disguised bait she'd heard in a while. The man had balls of brass, she'd give him that. They'd just have to hope that whatever was in that pit - where on this spider-sodden wreck was there room for a pit?! - that it was something that couldn't crunch through Deran's armour like a knife on a tin plate. And if things got nasty... well, that was why they were here. To mop things up with some fisticuffs and trickery.

"Yeah, what he said," she remarks aloud, glancing at the others and trying to catch their eye. They'd have to tread carefully here and be prepared for foul play at any moment. "Only if it pleases yer though, King sir. An' maybes if yer need something to honey up that pot, maybe we could toss in some of that good coin?"