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  1. - Top - End - #91
    Ettin in the Playground
     
    NecromancerGuy

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Delta opens his mouth to respond, and then, as though he hears something in his head, snaps under his breath. "We're good people, we shouldn't be asking for anything!!" Pause. "You shut up!! But..." Finally he stops whispering to himself, and looks at Vencarlo, with a slight smile on his face. "We would be happy to, but there is the matter of compensation. What would you be willing to offer us for that?"

    Omega glares at Delta and jabs him in the gut with his elbow. "Nonsense, we'd be willing to..."

    He doesn't even get to finish his sentence before Delta shoves Omega down, the two of them staring at each other as though they were talking to each other through their glances. After a moment, Delta looks back up at Vencarlo. "What do you have to say?"
    Kitten: *bats around a mini a few times*
    DM: "Ok, it looks like Fluffy...err, 'The Tarrasque'...Full Attacks the Cleric"
    Cleric: "Full attack my a**, that was just two claw attacks!"
    Kitten: *starts gnawing on the mini*
    Cleric: "...nevermind."

  2. - Top - End - #92
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    lostsole31's Avatar

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Vencarlo nods and says, "I will be funding the mission. I will be giving Trivia a horse and supplies for her travels, along with any reasonable mundane supplies you need to smuggle her out of the city. There is more afoot than is currently clear and, as gentlefolk, you should be willing to aid a lady in need."
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
    21JAN2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Taldor, the First Empire (2017, Moreland, Frasier, et. al.).
    Spoiler: Player Status
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    bcool999: On hiatus through 01APR2024.

  3. - Top - End - #93
    Ettin in the Playground
     
    NecromancerGuy

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Delta sighs softly. He still seems to be struggling with himself as he goes to answer Vencarlo. "You're putting us at a lot of risk doing this for you. I can tell you expect something bad to happen, otherwise you wouldn't have called for a team as skilled as the Epsilon Elite to help you." Delta steps forward, looking Vencarlo carefully in the eye.
    Kitten: *bats around a mini a few times*
    DM: "Ok, it looks like Fluffy...err, 'The Tarrasque'...Full Attacks the Cleric"
    Cleric: "Full attack my a**, that was just two claw attacks!"
    Kitten: *starts gnawing on the mini*
    Cleric: "...nevermind."

  4. - Top - End - #94
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    lostsole31's Avatar

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Vencarlo sighs and nods slowly. "Very well. I had hoped you would understand that perhaps favor now might equal favor later. I can pay you 100 gp now because that is what I have on hand. Upon return from a successful mission, 400 gp."
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
    21JAN2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Taldor, the First Empire (2017, Moreland, Frasier, et. al.).
    Spoiler: Player Status
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    bcool999: On hiatus through 01APR2024.

  5. - Top - End - #95
    Ogre in the Playground
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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Paxre steps forward. "Five hundred Chelish sails, no other gold currency we need to trade and to which we take a loss. May as well just give it to us at the end. I am sure if we fail, we can't spend it anyway, can we?"

    He turns to Delta. "There. Gold."

    He turns back to Vencarlo. "I hope that this transaction of gold is seen as a material sign of good faith, and not a grudging off-load for services rendered? There are certain currencies you cannot trade with coin. Assuming we are successful, perhaps you shall remember us when gold has failed us."

    He holds his hand out to Vencarlo ...
    Current Games
    Curse of the Crimson Throne: Dušana Essert(Zeta), & Fathi (Phi) and Hülya (Eta) Sharif of House al-Din
    Legacy of Fire: Water Prince Rafiq Karim
    Rise of the Runelords: Keghart Valdemar & Valbard the Velociraptor
    Savage Tide: Rabbi Eliezer "Lazer" Whuraili Cohen ben Mordechai of Clan Ironoath of Oriadeth
    Serpent's Skull: Harsk! (yes, that one)
    Shattered Star: Lilim
    Strange Aeons: Dorn

  6. - Top - End - #96
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    lostsole31's Avatar

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Which Vencarlo shakes with warmth and gregariousness. "Thank you, Paxre .... Delta, Epsilon Elite. Now, here are the broad strokes, I leave the details to you ..."

    Vencarlo asserts that a simple, subtle egress would work best and draw the least attention. With the recent events near North Bridge, he suggests a slow walk through the city down to High Bridge and then up to Dwarfwalk Road, mingling with the afternoon’s merchants leaving the city. He opposes more dramatic attempts to leave town, knowing the Guard is certainly on alert for such theatrics as flying people or other shows of magical power.

    Overall, Vencarlo puts his trust in the the party (Paxre first, it seems) and leaves the details of Trinia’s escape to them. He refuses to go with them, explaining that he’s too well known about town and that his history with the monarchy (he’s the first to admit he might have been too outspoken in his criticism of the king and queen over the past several months) might have drawn unwanted suspicion. As such, Vencarlo plans to attend to some private business and disappear into the anonymity of Old Korvosa for a time. When the party is ready to depart with Trinia, he tells them this, thanks them for all of their help, and asks that they not try to find him. He’ll call upon them when the time is right.

    Epsilon Elite, any input?
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
    21JAN2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Taldor, the First Empire (2017, Moreland, Frasier, et. al.).
    Spoiler: Player Status
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    bcool999: On hiatus through 01APR2024.

  7. - Top - End - #97
    Ettin in the Playground
     
    NecromancerGuy

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Delta, content with the agreement, prepares himself for the trip out. He pulls the group away from Vencarlo and sits down to plan their actual trip. "Here's the idea I have, but I need you to trust us for it to work Paxre." He points at each of the Epsilon Elite in turn. "Each of us have a telepathic link that Gamma maintains to allow us silent communication. It has a fair range, and I want to use this link to our advantage. We would rather not get into a scuffle while within the borders of Korvosa, of course, so I want to split us up. Omega, Beta, and you are in my opinion the best bet to stay separate. If you accept the link this time. That is to say, trust us to not be trying to harm you, I would like to see you ahead of the rest of us by about 100 feet, while Omega and Beta will trail behind us on either side about the same distance, keeping track for anyone who might be coming to meet with us. Any of the three of you that see anyone who might be attempting to investigate the four of us in the center can alert us with the telepathic connection so we can prepare accordingly. Does that sound like a good plan to you?"

    Spoiler
    Show
    If Paxre likes the plan, Gamma will connect him to the Collective.
    Kitten: *bats around a mini a few times*
    DM: "Ok, it looks like Fluffy...err, 'The Tarrasque'...Full Attacks the Cleric"
    Cleric: "Full attack my a**, that was just two claw attacks!"
    Kitten: *starts gnawing on the mini*
    Cleric: "...nevermind."

  8. - Top - End - #98
    Ogre in the Playground
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    Bristol, PA

    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Paxre's timid, but he goes through with it.

    "Sounds like a good plan."
    Current Games
    Curse of the Crimson Throne: Dušana Essert(Zeta), & Fathi (Phi) and Hülya (Eta) Sharif of House al-Din
    Legacy of Fire: Water Prince Rafiq Karim
    Rise of the Runelords: Keghart Valdemar & Valbard the Velociraptor
    Savage Tide: Rabbi Eliezer "Lazer" Whuraili Cohen ben Mordechai of Clan Ironoath of Oriadeth
    Serpent's Skull: Harsk! (yes, that one)
    Shattered Star: Lilim
    Strange Aeons: Dorn

  9. - Top - End - #99
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    lostsole31's Avatar

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    The connection is established.

    Spoiler: Delta
    Show
    With the connection opened to Paxre, the sound of diseased children singing in warbling squelches and low burblings recurs. This time, however, it is strong. You think you hear the children's voices well enough, but you don't understand what they're saying, though this is something of the phonetics:

    vaD je' Hahg ts't hgel Hahc
    Daq vow je' jIq 'ehlt je' 'ehlt DuS taj
    a'hgelaD 'uphgeH qup 'uphgeH?
    hcaQ roS SIvHatSaq, qup 'uphgeH qup 'uphgeH


    There can be no doubt ... this jarring and terrible children's tune is coming from Paxre's mind. The effect, however, is beyond your ability to just hide. It continues again and again, rising into a maddening crescendo before suddenly stopping. Though it seemed like an eternity, the actual time is only like that of a bad nightmare.

    A few minutes after the confab and as they get ready, Delta appears visibly shaken. It only lasts 2 rounds, but it is/was there.
    Last edited by lostsole31; 2015-04-02 at 02:32 AM.
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
    21JAN2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Taldor, the First Empire (2017, Moreland, Frasier, et. al.).
    Spoiler: Player Status
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    bcool999: On hiatus through 01APR2024.

  10. - Top - End - #100
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    lostsole31's Avatar

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    A group of six Korvosan guards approaches the forward party (Omega/ Beta/ Paxre). Omega and Beta are both pretty nervy, but it has already been obvious that Paxre does not strike you as a model of bravery. One seems to have a mark on the shoulder of his tabard. He is making a beeline right towards you. Trinia is not in this group, so it is strange, until ... the man with the different markings comes right up to ... you guessed it. Paxre.

    "Paxre? Sergeant Janz here. I just wanted to shake your hand and thank you for your help recently. Abadar bless you on your path to peaceful living, sir."

    At this point, Omega and Beta (and by extension, the others) are probably quite exasperated by this semi-hero worship. It's no matter, they continue on their way ... and don't bother Trinia's group. Groups of Guards and even Hellknights cast sidelong glances at both groups as they travel through Korvosa, but each passes by as long as the either party doesn't do anything suspicious.

    During the walk, Trinia takes advantage of her time with the Alpha, Delta, and Gamma to learn a little more about them. She’s particularly curious as to why they’re helping her now since she is a wanted assassin with a 5,000 gp bounty on her head. They are getting only a tenth of that, and putting their lives in great danger. She asks questions about the group's past and current goals. She’s intrigued by any tales of adventure—as a bard, she’s always on the lookout for exciting new stories. She remains relatively humble if asked about herself—she’s been through a lot lately and just wants to be out of Korvosa on her way to somewhere safe. She’s never really spent much time out of the city before, and she increasingly looks forward to her stay in Harse as an exciting opportunity, much like a vacation.
    Spoiler: IC-Interactive
    Show
    You can carry on any relevant conversation, including any questions you have for her, in the Interactive thread.

    Even this early, it looks like the sickness is silently spreading through Korvosa. As the party moves through Old Korvosa or North Point, an aggressive beggar stumbles up to them, hacking and wheezing, a splotchy red rash and blisters the size of ripe grapes covering his face and arms as he pleads for coins to buy food and medicine.
    Spoiler: Beta
    Show
    You have kept alert for other signs of the disease as you travel through Old Korvosa and North Point. Paxre is actually clueless, until a voice in his head tells him places to look. There are at least five other individuals—beggars, common folk, and even a merchant—who display familiar fiery rashes.

    As soon as the party escorts Trinia through the city gates and some safe distance away, Trinia wholeheartedly thanks them for their help and apologizes for any trouble she’s caused them. She promises to make it all up to them someday and gives Paxre a hug, and favor's Delta with a quick kiss, but for now, she’s eager to be away from the city that wants her dead.

    You return to Orisini's Academy, but it is closed and the lights are off, so perhaps it is better to try again in the morning. However, up returning to the house you find that a coffer was sent delivery and within is the 400 gp to make the entire payment of 500 gp! A fine payday for a simple (though risky) job, indeed.

    It is evening and the party has 500 gp. Since there are seven ... even though you only once have seen what Paxre has now told you is a pseudodragon by the name of Muhrbalad...
    Spoiler: Alpha & Omega
    Show
    Muhrbala is a Draconic name which, in Taldane, means "Slumbering Scourge." Awwww, cute. It's small dog syndrome.
    ... Paxre says that Murray talks to his head and has an idea, and it was similar to a system his group used before. Since there are seven persons, why not make an extra share to act as a team "treasury?" This way, a sort of bank is made to help with non-personal spell components and other general costs, even mundane equipment.
    It can also help allay the cost of party-use potions and scrolls and the like. When calculating split, any fractions can go to the bank, or split to the next lowest currency. In this case, the take/share would be 62.5 gp. So, either each person could take 62 gp and the bank would get 66 gp; or, everyone and the bank would get 62 gp and 5 silver (though the bank or someone would need to bother with making chage for gold). What is the party consensus?
    Spoiler: Stipend
    Show
    FYI, just to make things easy. Omega has a stipend that covers the house (there are two beds to a room since there are many of you), one live-in servant, reasonable food, and sundries. Given his background and the real owner (Shyamal), there is no alcohol in stores; you would have to purchase that. Anything that would remotely be put on a character sheet that goes out the front door with you is something that must be purchased. Once a month, Omega can set up some type of dinner or the like to entertain guests in style, or do so with more moderate means in lesser time. If you want a more extravagant lifestyle, than you'd have to pay for it. But I think the only dissenting voice against this would be Delta ... and he can pay for fun. This benefactor is to make it easy to not have to math your life out. Of course, anyone that stays under the roof may be called upon ...

    Gamma and Omega treat Paxre's disease and tend to his health before he goes to bed (sent to bed early ... guru's orders).

    EDIT: The following day is spent with each character spending time doing necessary training ... meditating, combat form, prayer, research, etc. The next morning, Paxre's fever has broken and his body has healed (minus some dehydration, which is easily dealt with by a big breakfast).

    4 Gozren, Oathday

    Spoiler: Preps
    Show
    The assumption, given that your choices were based on diseases and the like (or general diplomacy for Delta), is that your preparations are the same. Let me know if I am wrong, please.


    Once again, Lady Jarah teaches Delta that she rules his roost as he not only makes a poor pact, but is unable to control her outwardly. In fact, there was an embarrassing little incident at the breakfast table wherein he was asked to pass the salt. He refused to do so unless he was passed the more expensive curry; which, in fact, he never used. Something about hot foods and the elven blood in him not agreeing; he was raised on subtle and high fare. It was a good sign to his his friends, who gave in quickly, that today might be a "fun day" because they've seen this behavior enough to know that Lady Jarah has him again, despite all of his mental training for that not to happen.

    An acolyte of Abadar calls on the EE. He says that Vaultkeeper Dhatri seeks a meeting with you at the temple.
    Last edited by lostsole31; 2015-04-04 at 09:27 AM.
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
    21JAN2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Taldor, the First Empire (2017, Moreland, Frasier, et. al.).
    Spoiler: Player Status
    Show
    bcool999: On hiatus through 01APR2024.

  11. - Top - End - #101
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    lostsole31's Avatar

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    The group travels from Midland (the large ward that caters more nonhumans than any other, but also the place most people think of when they think of Korvosa) to Northgate (which is where you were yesterday when you met Orisini yesterday), the home of the Grand Vault of Abadar.

    Towering over the surrounding buildings, the Grand Vault of Abadar offers a vision of divine luxuriance amid a sea of mortal troubles. Radiant, as its grey-veined white marble reflects the midday sun, there’s little question that this place is the house of a god.

    Yet, for a deity of law, the steep stairs and ramps leading up to the temple’s great bronze doors offer a strangely discordant scene. Dozens of citizens—mostly of the working class, although the silks of a few merchants show through the crowd—throng the entry, scarcely being held back by a group of gold-armored Abadarian clerics. All seem intent on gaining entry to the temple, but the clerics turn away nearly all comers. The clerics’ reasoning becomes clear as one desperate believer is turned away, his pitiful countenance mottled with violent red sores. There do seem to be some people that get past the throng. The guards seem to ask the questions, and let those persons pass inside to the temple.

    There is no "secret entrance" you know of to get you into the temple, and doing so in game parlance would be a "Bad Idea." Besides, you do have specific business (the acolyte that told asked you to come only stayed long enough to deliver the message; he didn't stick around) with Vaultkeeper Dhatri. It is a double-gauntlet ... first, the diseased masses; second, and less troublesome, the guard-clerics.

    What do you do? The most obvious, and likely the only, way to get to the clerics is simply to stong-arm through the crowd.
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
    21JAN2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Taldor, the First Empire (2017, Moreland, Frasier, et. al.).
    Spoiler: Player Status
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    bcool999: On hiatus through 01APR2024.

  12. - Top - End - #102
    Ogre in the Playground
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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Duck in and out of bigger legs, but I'm sure it still comes down to pushing through.
    Current Games
    Curse of the Crimson Throne: Dušana Essert(Zeta), & Fathi (Phi) and Hülya (Eta) Sharif of House al-Din
    Legacy of Fire: Water Prince Rafiq Karim
    Rise of the Runelords: Keghart Valdemar & Valbard the Velociraptor
    Savage Tide: Rabbi Eliezer "Lazer" Whuraili Cohen ben Mordechai of Clan Ironoath of Oriadeth
    Serpent's Skull: Harsk! (yes, that one)
    Shattered Star: Lilim
    Strange Aeons: Dorn

  13. - Top - End - #103
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    lostsole31's Avatar

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Perhaps because it is partly because he can slip around the limbs of Big Folk, Paxre pushes through the crowd to the front.

    Meemaas, roll DC 14 STR checks for each of your characters, though let me know if you do anything before getting through.
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
    21JAN2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Taldor, the First Empire (2017, Moreland, Frasier, et. al.).
    Spoiler: Player Status
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    bcool999: On hiatus through 01APR2024.

  14. - Top - End - #104
    Ettin in the Playground
     
    NecromancerGuy

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Delta draws upon the power of his pact, changing his form into that of a really short gnome, and he follows after Paxre, likely having an easier time going through peoples legs than Paxre does. Meanwhile, the others try to force their way through the crowd, but it is peaceful Omega who does the best at it, helping his team get through with his success.

    Spoiler: Strength Checks
    Show

    Alpha (1d20+1)[8]
    Beta (1d20+3)[12]
    Delta: Is this one even needed? He uses his Rewrite Self power from Lady Jarah to turn into a short gnome.
    Gamma (1d20+4)[9]
    Omega (1d20+1)[16]
    Last edited by meemaas; 2015-04-04 at 04:51 PM.
    Kitten: *bats around a mini a few times*
    DM: "Ok, it looks like Fluffy...err, 'The Tarrasque'...Full Attacks the Cleric"
    Cleric: "Full attack my a**, that was just two claw attacks!"
    Kitten: *starts gnawing on the mini*
    Cleric: "...nevermind."

  15. - Top - End - #105
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    lostsole31's Avatar

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Omega, using more insight than power, manages to catch up with Paxre while the others are fumbling around. There is a flash of light from where Delta was, and a ... gnome or halfling, is it? It's hard to tell. It, too, is trying to make it's way through but is not faring well.
    Spoiler: Gamma (only)
    Show
    I don't know for RP if the Warpriest is decked with heraldric livery of Iomedae - tabard and shield. That would make sense. Not doing so would be a "player" choice, but I can't enforce it. But not only as a proud cleric-ish, but also as a warpriest who needs to be identified on the field of battle by friendly troops (or driven in fear by unfriendly troops, it is likely you have both.

    "Hurry, quick!"
    comes a voice in your mind. "Don't heal anyone and try to hide your religious garb as best as possible. If the mob notices you, you might be swallowed whole."

    If you think that this is beneath you, a servant of the goddess of courage, you can hope that throng doesn't notice you because of the press of bodies (most of whom look towards the Vault stairs. If you think there is wisdom in this head-voice's advice, roll a Disguise check.

    Alpha/ Beta/ Delta (yes, even you)/Gamma .... roll STR checks again.
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
    21JAN2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Taldor, the First Empire (2017, Moreland, Frasier, et. al.).
    Spoiler: Player Status
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    bcool999: On hiatus through 01APR2024.

  16. - Top - End - #106
    Ettin in the Playground
     
    NecromancerGuy

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Since Delta's gambit failed, he'll return to his own form, trying to push through in the normal manner. Gamma, as a servant of Iomedae has the God's mark tattooed on his face, along with emblazoned on his shield, but does not wear a tabard. He is still recognizable enough to be seen as a servant of the god, and despite the warning, refuses to hide his allegiance. Along with the others, he tries to push his way through the crowd.

    Spoiler
    Show
    Strength checks mark 2
    Alpha: (1d20+1)[11]
    Beta (1d20+3)[23] Natural 20! Does that mean Beta can bulldoze his way through with epic awesomeness and make a path for everyone else?
    Delta (1d20+2)[3]
    Gamma (1d20+4)[11]

    Last edited by meemaas; 2015-04-04 at 05:53 PM.
    Kitten: *bats around a mini a few times*
    DM: "Ok, it looks like Fluffy...err, 'The Tarrasque'...Full Attacks the Cleric"
    Cleric: "Full attack my a**, that was just two claw attacks!"
    Kitten: *starts gnawing on the mini*
    Cleric: "...nevermind."

  17. - Top - End - #107
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    lostsole31's Avatar

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Beta (only) manages to get through. Meanwhile, there is another glinting flash and the crowd is confused at a certain section (for .016 seconds before they realize why they're there).

    In the next round, Gamma - the strongest in the group to begin with - presses through, possibly aided by Beta's recent success. Gamma is right there, facing the guards and with Omega and Paxre, when suddenly someone mentions a cleric. That is when eyes and begging voices are thrown Gamma's way, each one demanding why their need is strong than the next person's. At this point, Gamma can barely move (basically a grapple). What does Gamma do? Might as well roll again for Alpha and Delta.
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
    21JAN2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Taldor, the First Empire (2017, Moreland, Frasier, et. al.).
    Spoiler: Player Status
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    bcool999: On hiatus through 01APR2024.

  18. - Top - End - #108
    Ettin in the Playground
     
    NecromancerGuy

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Spoiler: Rolling
    Show
    Alpha (1d20+1)[13]
    Delta (1d20+3)[17]


    Gamma, finding himself deluged by the others there, tries to push them away. As he does, he tries to explain himself. "I am no Cleric. I am a servant of Iomedae, yes. But i serve as a warrior of the church, not as a Cleric. I guard my fellow compatriots from harm."

    Spoiler
    Show
    Obviously Gamma isn't telling the complete truth, but it isn't actually a lie in any form, so I don't believe a bluff check is necessary.
    Kitten: *bats around a mini a few times*
    DM: "Ok, it looks like Fluffy...err, 'The Tarrasque'...Full Attacks the Cleric"
    Cleric: "Full attack my a**, that was just two claw attacks!"
    Kitten: *starts gnawing on the mini*
    Cleric: "...nevermind."

  19. - Top - End - #109
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    lostsole31's Avatar

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    With the sea of bodies practically holding Gamma fast, either no one heard him ... or desperate, no one cares. What does Gamma do? and the others, if anything? Gamma is still held fast.

    [Hey! You're first combat! ..... Sorta'.]
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
    21JAN2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Taldor, the First Empire (2017, Moreland, Frasier, et. al.).
    Spoiler: Player Status
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    bcool999: On hiatus through 01APR2024.

  20. - Top - End - #110
    Ettin in the Playground
     
    NecromancerGuy

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Gamma keeps trying to wrench himself free without harming the people mobbing him, while Delta makes his way through the crowd. Gamma mouths 'save me' to Delta as he does, and when Delta finally breaks through, Delta strikes a powerful pose, creating an image of perfection in the eyes of every onlooker while the party averts their eyes. Before Paxre has a chance to see it, he hears a voice in his head. "Quick, avert your eyes from Delta!!"

    Spoiler
    Show
    Delta will use Lady Jarah's Aura of Distracting Beauty. All onlookers have to make a save or be fascinated.
    Kitten: *bats around a mini a few times*
    DM: "Ok, it looks like Fluffy...err, 'The Tarrasque'...Full Attacks the Cleric"
    Cleric: "Full attack my a**, that was just two claw attacks!"
    Kitten: *starts gnawing on the mini*
    Cleric: "...nevermind."

  21. - Top - End - #111
    Ogre in the Playground
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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Spoiler: Ooh, pretty colors, Dexter!
    Show
    That's like telling Stimpy of "Ren & Stimpy" or Peter of "Family Guy" not to do something innocuous that might bring about something terrible, and expecting them to not do it. The power of suggestion.

    So, yeah, we don't share sheets, but let's let this be the discovery stuff lost was talking about.
    A derro has 5 WIS and 16 CHA.
    Paxre has 6 WIS and 21 CHA.

    Yeah, he's a nutter. While he's exceptionally intelligent, the effects of that splat WIS far outstrip that of his acumen.

    Paxre, just in stimulus to Delta's comment turns towards Delta. "Look at wh- ...??"

    "Ooooohhh," Paxre coos in the manner of the "the chosen one dolls from Toy Story, including the start from one side of the mouth to the other. "Pretty colors."

    Spoiler: Good Luck, Little Buddy
    Show
    Since it doesn't matter and the effects are obvious, lost, I'm just going to roll a Will save? It should also begin to show how mentally helpless he is.
    Will save (1d20+2)[18]
    Current Games
    Curse of the Crimson Throne: Dušana Essert(Zeta), & Fathi (Phi) and Hülya (Eta) Sharif of House al-Din
    Legacy of Fire: Water Prince Rafiq Karim
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    Savage Tide: Rabbi Eliezer "Lazer" Whuraili Cohen ben Mordechai of Clan Ironoath of Oriadeth
    Serpent's Skull: Harsk! (yes, that one)
    Shattered Star: Lilim
    Strange Aeons: Dorn

  22. - Top - End - #112
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    lostsole31's Avatar

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Spoiler
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    Wow. Perhaps it's because the crowd is more interested in being relieved of their desperate situation, but the mob made up of commoners and experts .... manages their Will save.

    Plenty of people look at Delta, looking away from the mirror flash for a few. He fascinates several here and there, but those practically dogpiling GAmmaare unaffected. But that is when the mound on top of Gamma begins to blast open and apart with bodies flying back here and there over others (but with enough beneath them that they aren't really hurt) and there is this circle of fallen folks like a crater around the dwarf.
    Spoiler: Dino-Gamma go RRaaWWRR!
    Show
    I'm sure he made some incredible vocal with that ... with a natural '20' and a +7 CMB to escape a grapple for a 27 on his grapple check ... the folks break like water against an island mountain. Gamma easily pushes through to the end, and Delta with him.

    Not so for Alpha, who is lost in the crowd. In fact, as people were sent rolling back where Gamma was held, the sea of bodies acted like a body that pushes Alpha even further back.

    (To keep things moving...) Paxre looks around as if looking for something but having heard something and lets the priests know that you are there on business with Vaultkeeper Dhatri. This allows you to get past the cleric cordon and onto the stairs, but waiting for Alpha. Though Alpha got pushed back some, the crowd itself is so unsettled by Gamma's mighty heave that the brilliant nomad is able to navigate a path for himself and get to where you need, and the party no doubt speaks for him.
    Spoiler: Murderhobos, Indeed
    Show
    Yay! The players "survived" their first "combat!"

    The Temple seems like a place besieged. Within its airy hall, priests and patrons eye each other and every newcomer with suspicion, and every footfall upon the marble floor echoes through a frightened silence. EE should have no trouble finding Ishani Dhatri, as he reserved one of the temple’s western meeting rooms to meet with the party and waits for them there. The young priest looks grave as he greets them.

    "Thank you for coming. I assume you already suspect my reasons for calling, having seen the crowd outside—poor lot. You recognize the symptoms too, I’m sure. I had hoped that the Soldado case was isolated, but apparently we have a bigger problem on our hands than I’d feared.

    “I’m concerned for the city, but also for my brethren here. The morning after my visit to the Soldado home I came to the temple to hear that three of my brothers awoke with similar symptoms, although they had already been healed. I spoke to each, and aside from their usual duties in the temple, none have had any dealings with the sick. Later in the day, more of my brothers—vaultkeepers, guards, and acolytes—developed symptoms, and folk from throughout the city began arriving in search of healing. It’s been more than a little bit frightening. They’re calling the sickness ‘blood veil.’ An apt enough name, I suppose.

    “This affliction has spread fast, yet I’m not yet sure how. Most of the patients we’re treating have come from North Point and Old Korvosa. The disease seems to spread fastest through the lower classes. Although we here at the temple can heal some of the ill, I fear that the spread of the disease will soon outpace our resources. The only way to stem the growing infection is to involve all the city’s resources. We need to organize. We need to call upon the faiths of Sarenrae, Pharasma, and even Asmodeus to face this attack. Archbanker Tuttle and several of his assistants are out pursuing alliances with these other faiths, but even that won’t be enough. We need to involve the Korvosan Guard, at the very least. And that’s where you come in—with the number of desperate souls growing, it’s not particularly safe for a priest to walk the streets of Korvosa.

    "Paxre, I hear that you have a good relationship with Field Marshal Cressida Kroft—perhaps you and your friends would be willing to escort me to Citadel Volshyenek to introduce me to her?”
    Last edited by lostsole31; 2015-04-06 at 02:26 PM.
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
    21JAN2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Taldor, the First Empire (2017, Moreland, Frasier, et. al.).
    Spoiler: Player Status
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    bcool999: On hiatus through 01APR2024.

  23. - Top - End - #113
    Ettin in the Playground
     
    NecromancerGuy

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Delta starts to speak up, but before he can, Gamma steps forward and elbows Delta, causing him to recoil before he can even speak. "The Epsilon Elite will be more than happy to protect you. I obviously cannot speak for Paxre, but I can speak for my team. This 'Blood Veil' is a dangerous thing, and even we of the Epsilon Elite will be doing everything in our power to prevent it from destroying the city's structure. Alas, we do not possess the means to cure this disease, but protecting the Clerics who do will have to suffice." As Gamma spoke, Delta recovers, standing back up straight he glares at Gamma, who gives him an intimidating glare, causing him to back down without speaking.
    Kitten: *bats around a mini a few times*
    DM: "Ok, it looks like Fluffy...err, 'The Tarrasque'...Full Attacks the Cleric"
    Cleric: "Full attack my a**, that was just two claw attacks!"
    Kitten: *starts gnawing on the mini*
    Cleric: "...nevermind."

  24. - Top - End - #114
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    lostsole31's Avatar

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Spoiler: Co-Opted
    Show
    The group sets out. Because I'm going to have the computer for several hours and I doubt I will give Paul a chance to get on, I am just going to gratis him in this regard (having gained his permission). He started mentioning money for this, but I reminded him that Paxre suffered terribly from this.
    Paxre looks just as interested to try and get something out of this deal, but in this case he's not even looking at Gamma to be intimidated by him. He considers his own recent problem and quietly consents.

    As you escort Ishani through the streets, he mentions what he knows. "My first encounter with it, after Brienna, was at the temple, when three of my fellow priests received healing for the disease’s early symptoms. Several other faithful fell ill soon after, but each was healed with ease. The first sick from outside the temple were a barkeep and his wife from the Three Rings Tavern in North Point. They paid to be cured magically and were sent on their way. Within the next hour, though, three more sick citizens arrived, and more in the hours after that. Soon the crowd you saw upon entering the temple had formed. I fear that the scene on the temple's steps are but a precursor to the dangers ahead."

    Reaching Citadel Volshyenek poses little problem, despite Ishani’s fear to the contrary. Although many in the city attempt to conduct life as normal, stilted mumbling and quiet conversations replace the raucous chatter of any normal business day, as if noise might attract the plague’s lethal notice.

    Field Marshal Cresida Kroft is an attractive, raven-haired woman dressed in red armor. She greets the group warmly, as she guesses as to the visit. "Vaultkeeper Dhatri, Paxre, and friends. We don't have time for introductions right this minute. You need to hurry to catch the doctor's in the courtyard."

    As Ishani and the PCs enter the citadel, the echoes of forcefully spoken but still just-missed words resound off the imposing granite and iron walls of Citadel Volshyenek’s outer curtain. Dozens of red-and-silver-armored guards stand in assembly upon the pitted stone mustering ground here, mumbling in hushed, somber tones. Before them, atop a weathered wooden platform, paces Field Marshal Kroft, her eyebrows arched sternly as she momentarily tolerates the crowd’s murmurs. Behind her upon the scaffold stand three grizzled veteran guardsmen at attention, as well as an ominous-looking group. These men wear cowled robes of oily-looking leather, supple gloves, and wide black hats. Some grip heavy canes, others dark satchels. Each of them, though, wears a dark-goggled mask tapering to a pointed beak. Among them stand two others. The first is a middle-aged gentleman in a simple black overcoat with streaks of white gracing the sides of his short dark hair. He watches the gathered guards with a soft, concerned expression, his hands tightly clasping a heavy-looking doctor’s case. The second figure is an imposing one indeed—a woman dressed in full-plate armor, a longsword and shield at her side, and her blank-faced full helm sporting a bright red plume.
    Spoiler: Dr. Davaulus
    Show
    Spoiler: Plague Doctors
    Show
    Plague Doctor Masks, picture taken right from a museum dealing with what late medieval/ early Renaissance chirurgeons used to keep from contacting the plague themselves. By the way, for the healers (Gamma/ Omega), remember that you are just straight-up doing physicals and the like when you do your non-magic magic Heal to a diseased person. You don't have any equipment that helps you perform this task and keep you from contracting the disease at the same time.

    Spoiler: Gray Maiden
    Show
    Spoiler: Gray Maiden Helm Closeup
    Show

    The Field Marshal’s fierce tone cuts through the rumble of whispers. “You will escort Doctor Davaulus and his men in their royal duties wherever those might take them. Furthermore, you are to consider orders from any of the queen’s new order of Gray Maidens to be as binding as any superior officer in the Korvosan Guard or Sable Company. You are guardsmen of Korvosa. You will not balk. These are dire times and your city needs these healers. Your city needs you. Your patrol leaders have your assignments. Dismissed!”

    As the assembly ends, the guardsmen gathered in the courtyard break up into groups, many reporting for various duties while others loiter for a few moments to quietly gripe about their new orders. The armored woman, one of the queen’s aforementioned Gray Maidens, quickly organizes the guards, silencing bickering words with harsh commands and assigning orders for the day. Kroft and her veteran attendants begin to head into the citadel with Dr. Davaulus and his Queen’s Physicians. The field marshal notices the PCs before she enters the keep and sends one of her aides to fetch the you.

    The leader of the Korvosan Guard welcomes the group and is even eager to see them, but she seems guarded in her current, unfavorable company—Davaulus’s doctors unnerve her just as much as they do her men. She introduces herself to the Epsilon Elite (and in turn, as the in-between, it is Paxre who introduces you) and then Paxre and the EE to Dr. Davaulus, the newly appointed Queen’s Physician. A calm man with a polite demeanor and deeply analytical mind, Dr. Davaulus greets your group warmly and welcomes their questions, saying that he hopes to ease the concerns of as many of Korvosa’s people as possible in this trying time. Ishani questions him about his plans to help Korvosa, and Davaulus admits that he must still confer with Field Marshall Kroft to form a sensible plan, but produces a public announcement from his bag—one of numerous such writs soon to be distributed throughout the city—to convey the queen’s initial expectations.
    Spoiler: Handout #1
    Show

    Any questions? or, move on ...
    Last edited by lostsole31; 2015-04-06 at 06:34 PM.
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
    21JAN2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Taldor, the First Empire (2017, Moreland, Frasier, et. al.).
    Spoiler: Player Status
    Show
    bcool999: On hiatus through 01APR2024.

  25. - Top - End - #115
    Ettin in the Playground
     
    NecromancerGuy

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Gamma steps up to the Dr. and starts to address him. "As the resident healer of the Epsilon Elite, I was hoping you could share what you know about the Blood Veil. I would be willing to offer my services to help with some degree of healing the damage caused by the disease, but I lack the ability to cure it myself, and would like to know what we can about it in case my own team catches it once more."

    As he talks, Alpha looks carefully at the poster the Dr had revealed, and tilts his head curiously. "Why would anyone hide it from you? You're here to help after all. They should be begging you to help"

    Delta pushes Alpha away softly and smiles. Don't worry about it. All I need to know is what we can do to help your cause."
    Kitten: *bats around a mini a few times*
    DM: "Ok, it looks like Fluffy...err, 'The Tarrasque'...Full Attacks the Cleric"
    Cleric: "Full attack my a**, that was just two claw attacks!"
    Kitten: *starts gnawing on the mini*
    Cleric: "...nevermind."

  26. - Top - End - #116
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    lostsole31's Avatar

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    "People don't know what's involved with an epidemic of this size," the doctor answers. "It's the classic fear of the unknown that may have folks reticent. Perhaps they feel they might be cut off from their family in a quarantine; if things get really out of hand, that just might be. Perhaps it is even as simple of a greater belief in Great-Aunt Esther's chicken soup and a lack of faith in modern chirurgy - that the proposed treatment will be less capable and thus impede 'real' recovery. I've seen a lot of different things in lesser cases when I lived in Egorian. Of course we accept Vaultkeeper Dhatri's help, which is why he was summoned in the first place.

    "If you like, feel free to join in the meeting. Remember, please, that you are quiet observers, not active participants. After the meeting is over, if you have any issues submit them in writing to Vaultkeeper Dhatri, and then through the proper chain-of-command that will be sent to the Field Marshal and onwards to myself.


    You are invited in to the conference room for the meeting. There are the usual bits of pre-conference chat, and you pick up on some of the Dr.'s history and demeanor. Dr. Reiner Davaulus heads Korvosa’s efforts to combat the blood veil plague preying upon the city. A Chelaxian in his mid-40s, the doctor is deliberate in his speech and conducts himself like a concerned father, seeming to take genuine interest in assuaging the concerns and maladies of those around him, unlike some healers with terrible bedside manners. He claims to have served Queen Ileosa’s family in Egorian, the capital of Cheliax, for many years. When she contacted him yesterday, asking for his assistance on her city’s behalf, he couldn’t refuse. After accepting her gracious offer of magical transport to Korvosa, he spent what little time he had yesterday assembling a group of the city’s most talented healers to help stem the tide of the spreading plague, including notable healers from the nearby holdings of Harse, Palin's Cove, and Veldraine. In all cases, he speaks highly of the queen and her attentiveness to the city's needs.

    The session is a lengthy affair wherein Kroft and her aides go over the report and statistics of plague in the city, then confer about ways to contain and treat the victims. Talk of quarantining blocks of the city and limiting movement through districts is the only news of any real import that comes of the discussion.
    As the meeting ends, the Dr. simply nods to Ishani and says, "A pleasure meeting you and your escorts." But with that, he and his doctors are quickly on their way.

    Once he leaves, Kroft takes a little more time to address the PCs. "I apologize for being so rushed. When order broke down in the past month, Paxre and his team were effectively deputized by me and he performed quite admirably. I assume his judgment in teammates continues. With that in mind, and considering you've been interested in helping, what is the chance you can be on hot standby for my call? I recommend not running around willy-nilly in the meantime. If I need you, I need you healthy. Gamma, was it? I leave it to your call as a healer when to go out or how, but if I need the group please respond.

    "By the way ... congratulations. By asking to help, you have - de facto - implied desire to be deputized as Paxre to operate as an independent agent under my command. This way, while I may ask you to check up on things, I might also be able to 'run interference' if there are any questions .... just so long as no laws or - well, now at least - any decrees are broken. As a Vaultkeeper, Ishani, this does not include you. You are too important to the function of the Grand Vault, and one of the few priests in the city who can cure with a spell, we need you with the church.

    "For the rest of you ... compensation, before you ask, is based on each job - not salary - and judged by me afterwards as a function of competence and punctuality. I have neither the time nor the patience to sit and act haggling like a Garundi merchant in the market. Ask Paxre. You should be happy with what you receive."


    She takes a minute to look at you. "Any questions?"
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
    21JAN2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Taldor, the First Empire (2017, Moreland, Frasier, et. al.).
    Spoiler: Player Status
    Show
    bcool999: On hiatus through 01APR2024.

  27. - Top - End - #117
    Ettin in the Playground
     
    NecromancerGuy

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Gamma bows before the lady. "The pleasure is mine. If you wish to contact us, call for Delta, he is my leader, and I report to him if I leave our quarters for any reason."

    Delta holds his hand out towards her next. I can promise that my team will remain in their best condition for as long as this remains a threat. We are happy to help you, and appreciate the offer of compensation for our services. We hope to be able to quell this outbreak as soon as possible, and look forward to when you call upon us." With that, after she responds, Delta turns and leads his team out, waiting on the Vaultkeeper to see if he needs an escort back before leaving.
    Kitten: *bats around a mini a few times*
    DM: "Ok, it looks like Fluffy...err, 'The Tarrasque'...Full Attacks the Cleric"
    Cleric: "Full attack my a**, that was just two claw attacks!"
    Kitten: *starts gnawing on the mini*
    Cleric: "...nevermind."

  28. - Top - End - #118
    Ogre in the Playground
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    Bristol, PA

    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Paxre has a bunch of new folks to learn different fun things. I think if Delta wants, though, he'll probably spend a lot of time trying to sort things out with Delta. What little wisdom has is invested into the knowledge that he is a little too far off scale to believe that the supposed leader of the group should end up like him. Alpha seems like Paxre for shiny objects, but from interactive it sounds like Delta is heading for a full-blown breakdown.

    Otherwise, Paxre alternates among free running through the Midlands (since it doesn't seem to be as bad yet), working with Delta to figure out this problem, and hiding under his bed, nearly catatonic from bad dreams and the like.

    NOTE: He's a somnambulist, and it's pretty freaky from a little bug-man with black pools for eyes. Sometimes he'll be entirely oblivious, other times he'll look at someone directly and say something in some bizarre language before going back to under the bed he was assigned. (He doesn't like sleeping in the bed itself.) The language is something that is as if it were made of madness itself, and is entirely unpleasant to listen to.
    Current Games
    Curse of the Crimson Throne: Dušana Essert(Zeta), & Fathi (Phi) and Hülya (Eta) Sharif of House al-Din
    Legacy of Fire: Water Prince Rafiq Karim
    Rise of the Runelords: Keghart Valdemar & Valbard the Velociraptor
    Savage Tide: Rabbi Eliezer "Lazer" Whuraili Cohen ben Mordechai of Clan Ironoath of Oriadeth
    Serpent's Skull: Harsk! (yes, that one)
    Shattered Star: Lilim
    Strange Aeons: Dorn

  29. - Top - End - #119
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    lostsole31's Avatar

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    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Spoiler: Delta
    Show
    Delta is awoken from sleep by whispering. The whispering seems to come from next to your bed. Turning around as you try and get your wits, Paxre is standing there. In a soft voice, he sings, and the song seems to resound with something inside your head. The pitch of the small bug-man's voice is childlike, though he can't fully get the quality. His face is absolutely blank in expression:

    hcaQ roS SIvHatSaq qup ‘uphgeH pup ‘uphgeH
    ‘a’hgelaD ‘uphgeH qup ra’
    ‘uDmaq vaj SIvHatSaq vet je’ ‘uDmaq vaj SIvHatSaq ‘In
    Hgehlt ‘IDhge’hcal Hahc hgab gnom dnuora

    yrevals jav Hahg vegn Hahc
    pu’ Hap ‘e’tohg
    HIn steerts HoD qup puvIv
    Vuq ej nom Dol llaT

    tseuqer hcID'ahc DavHahc je'
    bem gnuhg 'yot Hahg
    Im gniyrf SI vHatSaq 'Iwtuv Hahg jav
    Dol llaT HoH Dol remraf

    vaD je' Hahg ts't hgel Hahc
    Daq vow je' jIq 'ehlt je' 'ehlt DuS taj
    a'hgelaD 'uphgeH qup 'uphgeH
    hcaQ roS SIvHatSaq, qup 'uphgeH qup 'uphgeH


    He looks away slowly 90-degrees to Alpha, whom is sleeping comfortably in his bed. This turn is as if his head is on a swivel. You are incapable of saying or doing anything; you aren't sure why, but there is a quality about this that is truly surreal. His head then slooowly turns back. Paxre's face slowly closes in on yours, more floating towards your face than actually pushing his body physically. You are staring right into his black eyes.

    It is as if you pass through his eyes into another world. The darkness gives way to a blinding light that seems to be the sun. As your eyes begin to adjust you see that you are in looking at the sun through a forest canopy, but there are incongruous shapes within the tree branch. Because of the incongruity, it is as if whatever is in the trees are making a specific design; the design is clear to you, until your eyes adjust further and you can no longer focus on the anti-geometry.

    Children. Six of them. All are disemboweled and their intestines reach around their neck, and from there act as nooses as they hang from the branches. Other viscera from their belly and other places either connects to the limbs of the other children or to thick branches to have brought forth the design. There are disgusting crows that come in and peck at them, and all of them have lost their eyes to such creatures. Their ashen faces and lolling, over-long tongues are gut-wrenching and heart-turning, and they sway only slightly more than they should in the breeze. Only slightly more. Just slightly.

    As your good nature feels for the terrible fate of these children, you notice one child who in hanging was offset from "looking" at you as they do face multiple directions. As the children sway and slightly twist in the wind, one child is still and not swaying and twisting, until it slowly, oh so slowly, spins to have its body in line with your direction. Just as slowly, its sidelong head - neck broken - manages with creaking noises to look down at you with empty holes where its eyes were. Unlike some of the other eyes of the children you could see that where empty but bloody, this boy's eyes - who was probably around eight years old before this slaughter - aren't fleshy holes, but empty black as if you were looking into a place where light has never existed. Your vision seems to focus on him, lensing on him as if you are drawn off the ground, before your body is turned in the air so it can be perfectly in line with this one's face. The children - three boys and three girls, of ages five through 10 - sing the song again. This time, however, it drums in your mind and ears, and not just from vicinity:

    hcaQ roS SIvHatSaq qup ‘uphgeH pup ‘uphgeH
    ‘a’hgelaD ‘uphgeH qup ra’
    ‘uDmaq vaj SIvHatSaq vet je’ ‘uDmaq vaj SIvHatSaq ‘In
    Hgehlt ‘IDhge’hcal Hahc hgab gnom dnuora

    yrevals jav Hahg vegn Hahc
    pu’ Hap ‘e’tohg
    HIn steerts HoD qup puvIv
    Vuq ej nom Dol llaT

    tseuqer hcID'ahc DavHahc je'
    bem gnuhg 'yot Hahg
    Im gniyrf SI vHatSaq 'Iwtuv Hahg jav
    Dol llaT HoH Dol remraf

    vaD je' Hahg ts't hgel Hahc
    Daq vow je' jIq 'ehlt je' 'ehlt DuS taj
    a'hgelaD 'uphgeH qup 'uphgeH
    hcaQ roS SIvHatSaq, qup 'uphgeH qup 'uphgeH


    There is a cold chill - a chill as much from cold sweat of your own natural fear having looked into this pre-adolescent face that sings a jumbly, jangly, shocking tune. Then, you realize it is a supernatural cold the like one has when walking in darkness and feeling afraid of that unknown, magnified on an unknown order. You hear a voice behind you, a sepuchral whisper. This whisper, however, is made up of two phrases: one is vaguely similar to the disgusting language the children use, and yet somehow different in form, and the other is in Taldane. Each breath of whisper grows in the cold you feel and the volume it uses: jIHvaD tlhab ... Freeee meeee.

    The child in the tree, without any slowness or anything unnatural in its voice (though the soulless black eyes are still there), gasps briefly in terror and whispers, "Behind you!"

    As much as you don't want to the immediacy of the young boy's phrasing and your own morbid and damnable curiosity get the better of you and you spin around quickly even though you are still at an odd angle to the ground. You spin too quickly to be able to make out anything other than you are now looking into eyes of real malice. Unlike the boy, whose eyeless black orbs were more than unsettling to the mortal mind, these eyes are much larger. Everything suddenly grows dark around you as you realize without seeing, knowing without feeling, that you are back in your room and these eyes must be Paxre's. There is a throaty gurgle as the eyes and the face attached to it pull back are definitely not Paxre's, but that of a very tall human with a meat cleaver. He gives some type of hissing growl as he reaches up and as he brings his cleaver down you shut your eyes and scream at your uttermost, rolling and thrashing and knowing only despair - hope having left you.
    Spoiler: Fate Loves Delta Not
    Show
    Congratulations, by the way. In addition to a horror show in your mind, I rolled a natural '1' on your Will save. This is a slight derail as you have a frickin breakdown.

    Everyone, it is late evening and some of you have gone to bed. Alpha and Paxre are playing cards with his Harrow Deck (the former wins more often that not). Gamma and Omega, knowing that it will be a long day, have gone to bed, and Beta is meditating in his room.

    Everyone hears a bloodcurdling scream coming from Alpha and Delta's room. After the first scream, there is a tirade of following screams. The group bursts in with lantern to note that Delta is screaming with his eyes wide open and panicked in abject terror. He has urinated himself in his bed.
    Spoiler: Note
    Show
    Please, that is not to be a mean or gratuitous DM. This is an understanding of the pure effect the psychic break has had on his bodily functions.
    He is not lying down, but pounding and scratching on his headboard and his fingernails are bleeding.

    Gamma, who has seen far more mental trauma than Omega, recognizes that your friend has dealt with something truly terrifying. It is a breakdown condition and cannot be handled until your friend has been sedated and had sleep. And messing with him is likely to bring about a truly violent attack. Meanwhile, his howls will bring the Korvosan Guard knocking to your door.

    Beta, Gamma, & Omega happen to note something in this scene. The bloody fingernails aren't just from clawing randomly at the headboard, but it is as if he has scrawled out some type of sigil, as if from autographia than any real conscious sense of what he's doing.

    Omega, with Delta's wordless screams sometime come other noises that shake you to the core, as if these words weren not meant to be heard: jIHvaD tlhab. Paxre (and Muhrbala) know exactly what it says, and everyone hears in their mind, a tentative voice say: "It is Aklo, a language predating all other languages. Supposedly. What he is saying is 'Free me."

    (Delta, you have taken 12 hp from psychic shock and physical damage to your hands. This is all you can do ... unless you are attacked.)

    What does the group do?
    28JAN2024: Completed reading TPK Games' The Deductionist (2013, Everhart). This source is authorized for playtest.
    21JAN2024: Completed reading Paizo's Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Taldor, the First Empire (2017, Moreland, Frasier, et. al.).
    Spoiler: Player Status
    Show
    bcool999: On hiatus through 01APR2024.

  30. - Top - End - #120
    Ogre in the Playground
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Bristol, PA

    Default Re: Curse of the Crimson Throne: Seven Days to the Grave [IC]

    Paxre's only really used to Muhrbala "speaking" to him, and there is no obvious register that others received the message. He speaks up because of the screaming and babbling. "He is saying 'Free me!' in Aklo. It's the language of ancient evils beyond what man was supposed to know. It is spoken by some languages, usually ones that are already alien to us. There is a terror beyond all the stars, in a place where no light ever touches. In that place lies true chaos and true evil. Not entropy like you might think of it, because what exists is nothing like you can truly think of in the first place. Delta thinks it's because of me, because I hear voices, but nothing that drives me out like this. Anyway, yeah ... he's channeling some terrible intelligence, or even an intelligence from this world which itself was touched. Sometimes it is impossible to figure out."

    He looks at the screaming, drooling half-elf and shrugs. "Soooo, do we 'give him a sedative' if you get my meaning?"
    Current Games
    Curse of the Crimson Throne: Dušana Essert(Zeta), & Fathi (Phi) and Hülya (Eta) Sharif of House al-Din
    Legacy of Fire: Water Prince Rafiq Karim
    Rise of the Runelords: Keghart Valdemar & Valbard the Velociraptor
    Savage Tide: Rabbi Eliezer "Lazer" Whuraili Cohen ben Mordechai of Clan Ironoath of Oriadeth
    Serpent's Skull: Harsk! (yes, that one)
    Shattered Star: Lilim
    Strange Aeons: Dorn

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