(Pathfinder) The Curse of the Crimson Throne IC

[SanguinePenguin]

Atavian thinks for a long moment, then says, "Field Marshal Kroft, I plead for leniency in sentencing on behalf of Vendra. Her proposed cure is supposed to treat many of the symptoms of the plague. Even treating those may be of use to doctors in this city - especially if suppression of symptoms reduces likelihood of infection. While, it may be the case that her "cure" did more harm then good, if it reduced the infection rate, then she may have actually helped matters some.

"More importantly, she came with us without any struggle, admitted her crimes and turned over her profits immediately - largely on the condition that we plead for her, but I don't do so with hesitation. For these reasons, I plead that she be treated simply as a fraudulent and not as one impersonating a doctor. If I need to make this case before an arbiter or the queen, let me know."

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Diplomancy: (1d20+5)[10] Edit: it was about time for Atavian's diplomancy luck to dry up...

[Minerva]

Listening closely to what is said, Dresane thinks to herself. The boy says that these people were the ones who hunted down Trinia Sabor. But he says that she did not do anything bad. Is it then his belief that the king's murderer is other than Sabor? That is either treason, or perhaps a dangerous insight. She thinks on her own suspicion of the seneschal and her subsequent hunt.

When Field Marshall Kroft asks her of her business, the inquisitor brings a hand to her breast in a stiff salute. "My own duty was to deal with the charlatan Loagri. I leave her in your custody; I have discharged it." She hesitates, looking around at everyone. "But you say that this plague is not of natural origin. If it was caused to sew anarchy and death, I am yours to command."

[Blisstake]

"Don't you have Hellknight superiors to report to, or something?" Aldrin asks, somewhat annoyed. "Actually, forget that, let's make sure you even want to work with us first, knowing who you're with. My name is Aldrin Cress. Does that ring any bells?"

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Though she likely wasn't involved on the raid, I think there's a good chance Dresane would have heard of the raid on the Cress manor at some point.

[Minerva]

"Cress. Your family were lunatic blackguards, and Korvosa is safer for what my Order has done. You were said to have had no part in their crimes except that your eyes were too weak to see their evil. This is a failing, but not one that prevents me from working with you. As long as you prove your rot to be less than your family's, then I have no problem." Dresane adds as a warning.

"My superiors allow me enough initiative that I can aid you."

[SanguinePenguin]

Atavian looks to his companions, then to Dresane. He finally speaks, directed at his companions, "I... we could use extra help. Hellknights, grievances aside," he directs the clause to Aldrin with a motion of his head, "are notoriously skilled. We don't know what we are going to face, but her presence could only help us."

He then directs his attention to the Hellknight, "I would welcome your presence under one caveat - when working with us, Hellknight justice doesn't enter. We play by the city's rules. If we bring people in, we bring them here, not to the Order of the Nail."

[Blisstake]

"...Right," replies Aldrin to Dresane's explantion, for once not turning his rebuttal into an insult. "Fine, Atavian is right, you can be useful. Just keep in mind that this isn't Hellknight business like he said."

[DaedalusMkV]

Dastan simply stares at Dresane, a frown on his face, as he lets the others make their statements to Kroft. It was they that did the work piercing her deception, and they who should be reporting. Finally, he comments. "What use have we for a hells-worshipping jackbooted tyrant? Perhaps, in your own twisted way, you desire what is best for Korvosa. Perhaps, even, we could use your assistance in dealing with the Plague, but I cannot trust one who looks to the Prince of Darkness as a role-model to do the right thing." He scowls at the grey-armoured Inquisitor, his golden eyes glowering in disapproval. "Every time I have encountered your kind in this city in the past they have been in the process of committing injustice or about to cause unnecessary violence. If you insist on working with us, I would need your oath that you will defer to my judgement for the duration of our cooperation."

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And the only reason you're getting that much is you didn't detect as evil. Basically, Dastan is treating Dresane as the Cleric of an Evil god, which she basically is, and reading her the riot act. Honestly, this is about as good a reaction as I can imagine him giving out to someone he knows looks at the Hells, his mortal enemies and literal metaphysical (heh, that must be some kind of oxymoron) opposites, as role-models. Dresane will need to prove herself not-a-bad-thing, or at least make a really good case for herself, before he'll lighten up a bit.

[Drothmal]

Rennard, who had been almost relaxing after finding out that the fake cure was not part of a more complex scheme, almost misses an step when he hears Jensi declaring Trinia's innocence in front of the Hellknight. The magus tries to scan Dresane for reactions as his mind furiously works through both peaceful and violent scenarios...

When the inquisitor does not make any mentions to the oracle's words, Rennard makes another mental note

She either did not pay attention to Jensi or she is following a longer term plan. Either way, we cannot afford to keep her far from us until we have ascertained if she will report Jensi's words to her superiors, whoever they might be...

Upon meeting with the Field Marshal and his companions' retelling of the events, Rennard remains silent, trying to gather as much information as possible form the new addition to the group

After hearing his companion's stern conditions, the duelist begins to worry that the Hellknight would be pushed away, freeing her to disclose information that could be dangerous to the group and the Maestro

Dastan interjects the fencer in what attempts to be a soothing tone though I understand that you are basing your demands on principle, it is illogical to expect a submission that you would not give yourself. I would suggest an oath to not act without our knowledge or in direct opposition to our own decisions as a much more reasonable request. Besides, there is logic behind the idea of strength in numbers, so I would suggest for the Lady Hellknight to join us

To the other four, Rennard's attempt at conciliation and the insistence on including Dresane comes off at least odd, if not outright out of character. Clearly, the magus is interested in extracting an oath of cooperation from the lawful inquisitor.

[Blisstake]

Aldrin observes Dastan's objections with a somewhat bemused expression.

Perhaps now wouldn't be the best time to tell him I'm literally channeling the powers of Hell itself to accomplish our goals.

[Minerva]

The inquisitor meets Dastan glare for glare. "And can I trust a paladin to do what must be done to protect this city and its people," she retorts. "My order is not infallible, but neither have you seen all that we have done. Even within it, there are different degrees. If you judge me only by the work of others, than you are a self-righteous fool."

"I will swear your oath, paladin. The seriousness of events demands that I do so. I, Dresane Kasza, by my oath, swear that I will defer to the will of the group, unless that will is to subvert the course of justice for no cause. I swear that I shall not act without your knowledge or in direct opposition to your own actions, unless those actions are immoral and irrefutably unjust. And I swear to you, paladin, that you shall find no reason do doubt me." The Hellknight's copper skinned face is firm and controlled, her words confident and carefully chosen. Her convictions shine through, as does her seriousness and motivation. She is not finished though. "And if I should break this oath, I swear that I will submit to any punishment that is deemed necessary. I call upon Asmodeus to witness this oath and to strike me down and torment my soul should I break it." She takes a deep breath. The look in her steely eyes says to all who look upon her "do not doubt my commitment."

The inquisitor agrees with Atavian and Aldrin that she reports to the Guard now. "Very well. I will accept that, for as long as the Guard continues to act lawfully."

[Leviathan]

Kroft looks surprised and taken aback by Dresane's vow. "I never thought I'd see a hellknight swear anything like that before, but then, we need all the help we can get. You've seen the Citadel on your way in - we're at half manpower here. Soon we'll have to cut back on patrols, and then things get ugly. So believe me when I say that I'm personally grateful for your help, hellknight Kasza."

To the party as a whole, Kroft continues: "I still think the most urgent matter are the wererats in the sewers. That situation isn't going anywhere until the beasts are slaughtered."

[DaedalusMkV]

Dastan nods tersely to the Hellknight. He replies, somewhat uncharitably, "You can trust a Paladin to pay any price to see innocents safe and order maintained, so long as the cost is his to pay. It is hardly my fault the devils have convinced you that sacrificing the lives and freedoms of others is the only route to safety and order." He turns away, and he almost chokes on the rest of his words. "Regardless, I will accept your oath. We both know that for all his faults, your dark god would never condone an oathbreaker. I suppose this is far from the first time our faiths have allied against a common foe..." Putting the grey-armoured Inquisitor out of his mind for a moment, Dastan addresses Kroft. "Then, with your permission Ma'am, we will go immediately and slay the foul creatures before they can spread their taint further." He ponders for a moment on her other statement. "I believe that my bretheren in Absalom would be pleased to lend their aid here, given the magnitude of this crisis, but the distance is far too great to travel before the situation has long run its' course. Regardless, at the first opportunity I will see about sending a message to them. If nothing else, more Paladins may arrive in time to deal with the other threats that will arise in the wake of the plague..." He sighs. "If only we had more time. There is an order of Paladins specialized in containing and treating plagues, but this one will have long run its course before they could react."

[RocketMan]

Jensi

"I don't think anyone should have to swear any oaths to anyone," Jensi says rather crossly. "If she wants to help, she should be allowed to, just like anybody. The more people who want to help sick people the better." The youth walks over to one of the Citadel's windows, looking out with a pained expression at the suffering city.

"I think we keep saying 'good' and 'evil,' but if Asmodeus wants to help, then more people can live. And Dresane isn't asking for money to help - you aren't right? - but Abadar is?" Jensi asks aloud. "Does that mean Asmodeus is less evil than Abadar? We should all just work together!"

"Yes," Jensi replies to Kroft. "We'll go right to the sewers. Though I don't know why you want us to wear rats. Oh, nevermind, wererats. That's too bad. Rats are kind of cute, but they don't make very good pets, that's what the Elder said. Well, she said they didn't make good pets. I was the one who said they were cute, because they are," Jensi babbles. "And if we're going to the sewers, maybe we should go back to the perfumerie first, and pour all the fake plague perfume down the sewer so that it will smell nice?"

[Minerva]

"I agree. Let us go at once and destroy these wererats." She barks at Jensi as the Varisian babbles on and on and on. "Boy, we are going to kill them, not make pets of them."

Slowly a realization dawns on Dresane after the has finished with Jensi, and she says, her strong voice sounding as close to meekness as the group has seen, that "I do not know many of your names. Only Cress's. What of the others?"

[Leviathan]

Dresane is informed of the party's names. You take most of the day to rest and prepare for action, using rooms provided for you at the Citadel.

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Since there's no disadvantage to doing so, I'm assuming you take eight hours to rest before leaving for the sewers. That means that everyone has all resources again. The time is about 5:30 PM, so there's still sunlight, though you'll be in the sewer where it won't matter.

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The city's streets are eerily silent, as they have been for the past days since the contagion struck. The citizens shuffle along when they have no choice but to be on the streets, but more often they remain in their homes, doors shut tight. The Queen's physicians go from door to do, accompanied by escorts of the Queen's new bodyguards. As one such detail passes you by, you hear a nearby commoner say in a hushed tone to his friend: "There go them Grey Maidens... off to some poor poxed bastard..."

Grey Maidens. You do not know from whence the name came, but it has captured the citizens' attention and eclipsed the formal title. It's funereal, vaguely menacing quality seems somehow to fit the company of faceless warriors who gather like vultures upon the dead, sick, and unruly.

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The sewer tunnel to which Kroft has directed you lies in North Point, close to Korvosa's City Hall, where the magistrates manage day-to-day business. From there, it runs eastward, perhaps a thousand feet, before emptying into the Jeggere near the North Bridge. The tunnel entrance is built into the street, with an iron-shod manhole stamped with Korvosa's coat of arms covering it. Opening this up reveals a narrow, rusty ladder leading down into murky darkness. A powerful stench of sewage wafts up, eagerly freed from its confinement.

There is only one person who watches as you lift the hatch. She is middle aged woman who seems prematurely old, with hair somewhere between a dull grey and a mousy brown, and wrinkles crossing her face. Her small nose sniffs as she catches the sewer scent, but rather than flee it, she hobbles over to you. It does not escape your notice, as she comes closer, that her eyes are yellow.

Her voice comes out high-pitched and squeaky. "Not cleaners, not guards. Here to clear us out, then. But wait, wait! I do not need to be your enemy! I can help you, tell you something of great importance, if you agree to help me!" She stands her ground, but does so twitchily, as though any sudden movements might cause her to run.

[Minerva]

Dresane draws her bow in an instant, the blackened wood and metal of it bending back as she nocks an arrow. "Then speak quickly, wererat. If this is some trick, you will pay for it."

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Not sure how others want to react to this. Hopefully this doesn't interfere with anything.

[Leviathan]

The woman jumps as Dresane levels her bow at her. "Okay, okay! I am Eries Yelloweyes. The wererats of Korvosa are getting ready for war. There is a leader, Girrigz Ripclaw, who wants all humans above to suffer. They will lose, but do much harm. They hate too much. My son is among them. If you spare his life, I can show you something that is very important! I was watching from the tunnels as the ship sank days ago. If you save my son, I will find you potions to breathe and show you the ship! That's a fair deal, yes?"

[Blisstake]

Aldrin silently assesses the situation, and then addresses the wererat. "Stay there."

He motions for the group to move a bit, out of earshot of the wererat woman. "There's no reason to trust her, but at the same time, those resources could come in handy, and it would be pointless to waste a free shot at them. We could have some of Kroft's men watch over the wererat while we search for her son. As for that issue itself, I'm not about to assault a whole army of were-rat. A precision strike would be a more effective option, eliminating the leader to discourage any attempted takeovers of this city. I mean, Korvosa could probably handle it, but there's enough we have to deal with as it is..."

Without waiting to hear what the rest of the party thinks, Aldrin turns his attention back toward Eries. "What is your son's name? Any distinguishing features? No offense, but I can't two were-rats apart."

Of course, that's probably because he's never (knowingly) seen one before.

[DaedalusMkV]

Dastan closes his eyes as he considers the situation. "We have no honest idea how many of these... Creatures dwell below. I would feel more comfortable with their taint eradicated entirely, but a guide who knows the sewers would be extremely useful and perhaps whatever it is that this Yelloweyes has found in the ship we sunk will provide important information about the Plague. If all we must do in exchange is spare a single one, hopefully cowed once more into hiding, I would call it a small price to pay in exchange, even for the chance to bring the Plague to a premature end." The Paladin also calls out to the elderly Were-rat with his own question. "Would you be willing to show us where this Ripclaw has made his lair? If we blunder into it by accident, we may have no choice but to defend ourselves against any who attack. If we can plan in advance, we can better control the hostilities."

[SanguinePenguin]

Atavian asks her, "why should we believe you know of the ship's location better than we do, when we were on it mere moments before it sank? Have you been there?" While another might feel he was bragging about his exploits, the halfling is really looking for information.

[Drothmal]

Rennard, seeing the efficiency behind the wererat's proposal, merely waits for the answers to his companions' qeustions

[Leviathan]

"Hemil is the name of my son," Eries squeaks, glad that you haven't decided to kill her on the spot. "One of his ears is smaller than the other, and he has a spot of white fur around one eye."

Dastan's question makes Eries sniff nervously. "I can take you close... but I'm not a warrior. I don't want to fight anything. I will show you to the area where Girrigz has his camp."

To Atavian's question, she answers: "No, no one has been there. But we watch from the sewers as the ship sank. A tunnel empties into the river very close to the ship. It is easy to see, and I will show you to it. After my son is safe and Girrigz is dead."

"Come, come, follow me!" If no one objects, the wererat scurried down the ladder into the sewer tunnel below, surprisingly nimble for her age.

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If anyone has more questions, ask. If I don't get anything by tomorrow, I'll assume there aren't any, and that you follow her down into the sewers.

[RocketMan]

Jensi

"Of course we'll save your son!" Jensi proclaims simply. "It's a good thing that you came to tell us, otherwise we might have killed him by accident when we were fighting the other, evil wererats. And it would be neat to see the ship again too!" He thinks for a second. "I wonder if there will be any more shadow monsters on it this time? Or can they not go underwater? It would be pretty weird to see one underwater..." Jensi says, before actually remembering the shadows, shivering, and ceasing to speak.

"I've never been in the sewers before," Jensi says as the party follows the elderly wererat. "I bet the sewers would be fun places to play if it weren't for the... the... you know, the poo..." Jensi whispers. He whispers the last word sheepishly.

[Minerva]

"The paladin is correct. Though I would rather not do so, following this creature is best. You will have to tell me what you were doing on that ship later."

She lowers her bow, slowly, following more enthusiastic Jensi and Eries Yelloweyes.

[Blisstake]

"Good thing I changed into my bad clothes," Aldrin mutters as he descends into the sewers.

[Leviathan]

If the sewers smelled bad from the street, they smell worse on the inside. The rusty ladder descends into a circular tunnel, surprisingly wide. Sturdy grey bricks compose walls and floor alike. Into the latter, a groove has been cut that carries the bulk of the effluence. The tunnel slants downwards slightly, such that the sewage is carried away towards the river. It is dark save for shafts of light filtering through grates high above you, and silent, save for dripping condensation and the clatter as Dastan and Dresane move about.

With a gesture, Eries, her form still human in shape, beckons you to follow. She leads you in the same direction as the water flows, downwards.

The silent walking continues for a few minutes, before Eries holds out her hand for the group to halt. She points a bony finger out in front of her, and, peering down the tunnel, you can see a black silhouette blocking your path, perhaps 100 feet away. In front of it and ahead of you, two side tunnel branch off to your left and right.

"Girrigz's weres have made a barricade," Eries whispers. "Could be a good place for an ambush if they've heard you. I'll wait here and follow when you know it's clear."

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Okay, you aren't in combat yet, but I'm going to post a map anyways. Just generally describe what your character does.

Also note: Currently, unless anyone does something to otherwise influence this, you're under dim lighting conditions. So that's a 20% miss chance in combat unless you have darkvision.

Map

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Feel free to place yourselves on the map. If you don't post today, I'll place you as I think best.

[Blisstake]

"Rennard, hold still," Aldrin whispers while he chants a spell as quietly as possible. He touches the magus on the shoulder who promptly disappears from sight. "Scout ahead and tell us what you find," the sorcerer instructs, "If anything happens, run back here, and we'll cover your escape."

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Casting Invisibility on Rennard, and then preparing an action to cast Ear Piercing Scream at the first ostensibly hostile enemy he sees.

It lasts 5 minutes.

[SanguinePenguin]

Atavian touches Tallox softly on the small of his back, imbuing him with magical protection. "Stay ready for anything," he whispers while the beyonder prepares to charge.

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Tallox in front, Atavian behind, either side not in the sludge.

[Minerva]

For Dresane, it feels as though she has just finished lowering her bow that she aimed at Eries, when she once again readies it. "Stay low," she advises Rennard. "And if you have to run, do not get in the way of my shots."

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Readied action to shoot anything that Dresane sees at the barricade that isn't Rennard.

Placement will be behind Dastan/Tallox but in front of casters unless they would wish to be in front

[DaedalusMkV]

Dastan is already on his way to smashing his way through the barricade when he overhears Aldrin's plan, and he halts abruptly. "Er, right. Learning what we can ahead of time is clearly the best tactic here. I will remain here; if they detect you simply shout and I will be there as quickly as I can." He kneels down near the wall of the sewer and sets his shield in front of him, blocking the way for anyone trying to come through without going through the sludge, and holds his sword at the ready. "Hellknight, if you take a place behind me you should have a good view of the barricade, and I can keep any attackers away from you. Jensi, keep close. I mistrust this..."

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Taking place on one side of the walkway, facing the barricade, ahead of the others. Which side of the sewer doesn't matter. Dastan will keep low until someone actually attacks him so that the others don't have their lines of sight blocked (effectively, taking a Total Defense action as he is basically hiding behind his shield for the moment).