(Pathfinder) The Curse of the Crimson Throne IC

[SanguinePenguin]

As another bolt flies near him, Atavian cries out to Tallox, "go!" Though he really did not need to say anything as the beyonder was in motion already. The halfling then dives to escape the bolts.

While no friend of the water, Tallox's powerful body is extremely capable of moving him quickly to the shoreline, tosses the chests up and then climbs out of the water.

Actions:

Spoiler

Show

Atavian: Trying to sink quickly, I'll make a swim check, but I'm not sure it is needed...
Swim: (1d20-3)[14]
Swim: (1d20-3)[10] Edit: Probably should have made only make one check.

Tallox: Move 5ft to shore. Put chests up if free/swift, else drop. Climb up.
Swim: (take ten if allowable, otherwise) (1d20+6)[17]
Climb: (take ten if allowable, otherwise) (1d20+6)[9]

Edit: I'm not sure if taking ten is okay, as we are in combat, but not adjacent to attackers.

Buffs:

Spoiler

Show

Mage Armor: Tallox 3 hrs/5 hrs (still active from before)
Water breathing: Atavian and Tallox

Summary:

Spoiler

Show

Tallox
HP: 48/48. AC: 23 (19), 16 (12) Touch, 21 (17) Flatfooted.
Saves: +5 Fortitude, +3 Reflex (also, evasion), +4 Will (+8 enchantments)

Atavian
HP: 58/58 AC: 18, 15 Touch, 16 Flatfooted.
Saves: +7 Fortitude, +7 Reflex, +9 Will.
(Note: Saves and AC listed with shield ally in effect)
Spells: 1st: 4/6 2nd: 0/4

[Minerva]

"There he is!" Dresane shouts, pointing a finger aggressively towards the assassin when he leaps down. "Red Mantis, is it? Asmodeus will deal with you in death. I shall be glad of the opportunity to send you too him swiftly." She makes it to the river bank, jumping up onto the shore.

Spoiler

Show

Move to the shore. She'll be right on the bank with her 15 ft swim speed.

[RocketMan]

"We'll defeat you, together!" Jensi calls out at the assassin. "Shelyn embraces us!"

Spoiler

Show

Casting Bless. +1 on attack rolls and saves against fear.

[Blisstake]

Aldrin swims forward, hoping his movements don't make his location obvious despite the invisibility.

Spoiler

Show

Full round action to swim forward.

[Leviathan]

The party pushes towards shore, Dastan laying his healing hands on Dresane as he goes. The paladin ascends the bank, dropping the ominous box he has collected from the ship and drawing his longsword, growling a warning to the assassin as his sword blazes with holy light.

Dresane follows the paladin ashore, her arrow wound closing from Dastan's power. Tallox too follows suit, lowering his box to the ground. Aldrin moves closer to the shore as well, masked by his invisibility.

Atavian dives under the water for safety from projectiles, while Jensi simply treads water, trusting in Shelyn to protect him as he calls out a prayer to bless his allies.

Rennard swims towards shore, making preparations to cast a spell, his eyes locked on the assassin, watching for any trigger to the magus' casting.

On the shore, the Red Mantis assassin seems to smirk beneath his insectoid helm. He begins to slowly twirl his blades in wide arcs, making the air hum. As he does so, a shadow moves behind him, and a similarly clad woman emerges. She too has a pair of deadly sabres, which begin to whirl. A red light wafts from the serrated swords. The magic from the male assassin who so recently shot Jensi and Dresane wraps around Dastan, drawing the paladin's gaze to the hum of the spinning weapons. The female's goes to Dresane, and similarly draws her eyes to the sabres.

Dastan and Dresane

Spoiler

Show

Will Save DC18 or become fascinated.

Round 3

Map

Spoiler

Show

A1 is the male assassin who was formerly just A. A2 is the other.

[RocketMan]

"What are they doing?" Jensi asks, confused, as the assassins begin spinning their swords. "Wait, I think it's doing something to Dastan and Dresane! Hey, stop it!"

Spoiler

Show

That's right, Hold Person on A2. Will DC 18.

[DaedalusMkV]

Dastan grins at the Assassin's display, showing little sign of being affected by their enrapturing magicks. "You waste your time, fools." He states, then steps forwards and lashes out at the Assassin who had been firing the crossbow at his allies with his sword.

Spoiler

Show

5-foot-step to attack range of A1, then Full Attack. Might as well use Power Attack as well, I guess. Not much else to do at this point, since Smite is already up.

Attack 1: (1d20+13)[24] (+6 BAB, +4 Str, +1 Enhancement, +4 Smite, -2 Power Attack)
Damage 1: (1d8+19)[25] (+6 Str, +6 Power Attack, +6 Smite, +1 Enhancement)
Attack 2: (1d20+8)[12]
Damage 1: (1d8+19)[22]

Summary:
HP: 63/63

AC 10, FF10, Touch 10 (add 4 against A1)
Fort +11, Ref +6, Will +12 (add 1 to all against Evil Outsiders)
Resist Elec, Fire, Cold 5
Immune to Fear
Immune to Disease

Smite Evil 0/2
Lay on Hands 7/8

[Drothmal]

Rennard regrets not having been able to investigate the assassins' tactics properly. If it were not for his usual emotional detachment, the constant lack of data would have proven infuriating to the magus

Channeling his arcane energies to recover the spell used to stun the old wererat, the fencer emerges from the waters and strikes at the woman with his black blade

Actions

Spoiler

Show

Swift: Use Arcane pool to recover frostbite
Standard: Cast Frostbite
Move to A2 and deliver touch attack through spellstrike

Attack - (1d20+13)[27](4 BAB+4 Dex+2 Magic+1Trait+1Feat+1 Ioun Stone)
Damage - (1d6+3)[6] (1 STR + 2 Magic)
Frostbite - (1d6+6)[12] (non lethal damage.Target is fatigued)

Status

Spoiler

Show

HP=45/45
AC=25 (15 touch, 21 FF)
F=+8, R=+8, W=+6
Arcane Pool=3/11
Black Blade Arcane pool= 0/2
CMB= +5
CMD= 19
Hero points= 3/3
Ablative Barrier HP = 25/25

[Minerva]

The Hellknight is getting ready to fight when the Red Mantis killer begins a strangely entrancing movement. What is this? Dresane cannot pull herself away from it, trying to figure out what is the purpose behind it.

Spoiler

Show

Nothing!

[Blisstake]

"Stop that!" yells Aldrin, at about the same time as Jensi. While Dastan wasted little time bashing in the man's skull for his tricks, it looked like Dresane needed a little more help.

Hopefully his own trick is sufficient to stop the act.

Spoiler

Show

Moving forward one square with my move action, then casting Ear Piercing Scream on A2

(3d6)[14] sonic damage, DC 17 fort save to avoid daze

[Leviathan]

Jensi and Aldrin both blast the second of the two Mantises into a dazed, frozen stupor. Rennard exploits this advantage to land a solid blow against the assassin, adding a bloody injury to the woman.

Dastan shakes off the effects of the first assassin's ritualistic movements and punishes the man for them. His holy sword cuts deep, severely wounding the Mantis. Though obviously in great pain, the killer makes no sound at all, eerily staggering into a fighting stance without even a grunt.

Tallox charges, clamping down with his powerful jaws. But he gets nothing but air, as the wounded assassin dodges out of the way. Atavian has more luck swimming to shore.

The remaining assassin lashes out with one of his swords. The cut he renders to Dastan is not deep. But the Mantis is not finished. A red mist starts to form from nothing as the assassin waves his hand. It shrouds his body, making his wounds close far faster than is natural.

Round 4

Map

Spoiler

Show

[DaedalusMkV]

Dastan continues his assault, sending more heavy blows from his sword at the injured Assassin. "You've lost. Surrender, and you will be treated fairly." He states, even as the sword-strikes rain down on his opponent. His combat style is clearly unsuited to fighting unarmoured, as he leaves numerous gaps in his defense, but the offensive power behind his attacks is indisputable.

Spoiler

Show

Another full attack against A1, using Power Attack. If Dastan took 10 or more Damage, Lay on Hands as well. If he took less than 10, just the attack.

Attack 1: (1d20+13)[22]
Damage 1: (1d8+19)[25]

Attack 2: (1d20+8)[13]
Damage 1: (1d8+19)[22]

Lay on Hands if necessary: (4d6)[18]

Summary:
HP: ??/63

AC 10, FF10, Touch 10 (add 4 against A1)
Fort +11, Ref +6, Will +12 (add 1 to all against Evil Outsiders)
Resist Elec, Fire, Cold 5
Immune to Fear
Immune to Disease

Smite Evil 0/2
Lay on Hands 7(6)/8

[Minerva]

"What? What happened? You! Assassin! You will pay for that!" She fires point-blank into the assassin who kept her enthralled.

Spoiler

Show

Bane and Rapid shot on A2.

Attack 1: (1d20+12)[24], damage (1d8+5)[10]+(3d6)[7]
Attack 2: (1d20+12)[28], damage (1d8+5)[9]+(3d6)[6]

[RocketMan]

Jensi attempts to paddle forwards, trying to get closer to shore to better aid his allies.

Spoiler

Show

Seeing as Jensi can't take 10, I'll have to roll and hope.

Swim: (1d20-1)[16]

[Drothmal]

Using the opponent's magically induced fatigue to his advantage, Rennard is able to complete another one of his debilitating spells even within the chaos of combat.

His preparations complete, the magus redirects both the spell and his own magical energies into the rapier and presses on his attacks, hoping to bring the enemy down before she has a chance to attack again

Actions

Spoiler

Show

Swift: Use Arcane pool on Reve
Full Round: Spell Combat +Spellstrike

Cast Chill Touch defensively. (See OOC post). Add (1d6)[3] damage to first successful hit(Negative energy, Fort DC 16 or take 1 STR damage)

2 Attacks (1 BAB + 1 Spellstrike)

Attack1 - (1d20+12)[25](4 BAB+4 Dex+3 Magic+1Trait+1Feat+1 Ioun Stone-2 Spell Combat)
Damage - (1d6+4)[7] (1 STR + 3 Magic)
Attack2 - (1d20+12)[32](4 BAB+4 Dex+3 Magic+1Trait+1Feat+1 Ioun Stone-2 Spell Combat)
Does not confirm
Damage - (1d6+4)[5] (1 STR + 3 Magic)

Status

Spoiler

Show

HP=45/45
AC=25 (15 touch, 21 FF)
F=+8, R=+8, W=+6
Arcane Pool=2/11
Black Blade Arcane pool= 0/2
CMB= +5
CMD= 19
Hero points= 3/3
Ablative Barrier HP = 25/25

[Blisstake]

Aldrin swims to the shore, hoping his companions can handily take care of the assassins, without requiring him to expend any more energy.

Spoiler

Show

Full round action to swim forward, I suppose

[Leviathan]

Under the party's combined assault, both assassins go down quickly. Dastan's sword finishes off his opponent, while Dresane, Rennard, and Tallox's attacks kill the other.

The red mist that has spread out now falls thick and heavy around the body of the assassin who conjured it up. It obscures everything, and when it dissipates, nothing is left but the man's armour and weapons, lying exactly where he had been. The other body, however, remains intact.

Spoiler

Show

2 +1 leather armour
2 masterwork sawtooth sabres
8 daggers
2 masks of the mantis
2 cloaks of resistance +1

[Blisstake]

"Dammit," Aldrin mutters, as the fighting comes to and end, and he swims on shore. "Perhaps one of us should have mentioned that we're being hunted by assassins," he says to Dresane while opening the box labelled "legders."

"I think it's in our best interests to open this now. What purpose does waiting have, I need to know exactly what's going on before we're waylaid by... I don't know, the undead, demons, secret agents of the Palace, or more assassins."

[Minerva]

"I see," Dresane says, looking troubled. "Powerful enemies can mean powerful truths. What we have seen on the ship, I have seen it before. One of the Seneschal's servants. He was dealing with the city's underworld, hiring assassins, giving them targets. I interrogated him. He had the symbol of Urgathoa hidden around his neck. And so too did the dead physician. It is disturbing."

"Let us see the contents of this coffer. It makes me uneasy thinking about what might be inside."

[Leviathan]

The silver coffer creaks open, its hinges worn from disuse and rust. It is filled with papers, and it seems that despite being closed, the water has taken its toll on many of them, which are smudged and disintegrating. The topmost page however, has its upper half intact. It is a Magnimarian document, judging by the city's seal, a deed of ownership of a ship build by that city's docks: the Direption. It titles one "R. Davaulus" with the ship and a cargo of "specimens." The bottom half of the page is gone entirely, wiped away by the waters of the Jeggere. But even what you have is damning.

[Blisstake]

"Not perfectly preserved, but I can quite easily see Davaulus' name on the document. We'll need this intact to properly accuse him... can anyone stop this from becoming further water damaged?"

Spoiler

Show

Preferably someone whose name starts with J and took the mending spell

Aldrin exhales, partly relieved that they found the cure, partly horrified at the implications. "I think I have another plan for stopping him, just give me a moment to consider all the details..."

[RocketMan]

"Hmmm," Jensi thinks. "I wonder how we can fix the paper?" Unable to think of any, he continues dejectedly. "I bet it just goes soggy and turns to mush, and the bad guys get away and everything." Suddenly the youth smiles. "Wait! I can fix it! Here, let me see..."

Spoiler

Show

Mending on the paper.

[DaedalusMkV]

Dastan walks swiftly to retrieve his armour, strapping and buckling it into place with practiced ease, then returns his full attention to the title of ownership and plague chests. "Does this mean that Magnimar is sided with these Urgathoans? Where is Magnimar? It sounds fairly familiar..." He thinks about it for a moment, then gives up with a quick shrug. "Regardless, a clear pattern begins to emerge. A doctor with a symbol of Urgathoa, a Succubus playing at Urgathoan rituals, and Necromancers as well. The Pale Lady is, as I'm sure you're well aware, the Goddess of Plague and undead. It seems obvious that the plague has been manufactured by her followers, and many such would consider it an end unto itself." He frowns. "But the Assassins, they do not act for such causes, I think, and whoever is behind this has gold enough to purchase a ship, hire at least five Red Mantis Assassins, and fill said ship with coin." His frown deepens, and his voice becomes grim. "I wonder, has Urgathoa merely converted an abnormally successful follower, or is somebody using her cultists to their own ends? If the former, their plan will soon be foiled. If the latter... I fear for what danger may come to Korvosa next." The frown vanishes, as he considers the bright side of the night's events. "Either way, I would say our discoveries are more than enough proof to implicate Davaulus and his Physicians in the creation of the plague. We should bring this to the Field Marshal immediately. Is anyone wounded gravely enough to require healing, or showing symptoms of the plague?"

[Leviathan]

Jensi's spell flashes across the page, a warm glow encompassing it. When it fades away, the upper half of the page appears in pristine condition, but the lower half is still gone.

Spoiler

Show

Unfortunately, mending requires all pieces of an object to be present in order to restore it. As the bottom half has disintegrated, you can't make it re-appear with mending. It will stop further water damage, though.

------------------------------------

The moon has settled in the sky and the streets are empty as you leave the lakeshore and the slain assassins behind. Korvosa's stone buildings seems menacing now, conspiratorial in their closeness around you, and every shadow hides secret traitors. The plague does nothing to alleviate this impression. Its signs are everywhere, from garbage left to rot in the streets, to the emptiness of the taverns that you pass, to the patrols of masked Grey Maidens who walk the streets.

------------------------------------

The Citadel might just be one of the last safe places in Korvosa, its lanterns a welcome change from the unlit streets. Now familiar with navigating the fortress, you make your way unaided to the Field Marshal's office.

Kroft is inside at her desk. She looks up, stiffling a yawn. Her armour is gone, replaced by a simple white shirt and trousers, and she is visibly tired. Her desk is cluttered with papers, suggesting that the reason for her continued presence is not entirely voluntary. "You're back," she says, sitting upright. "The wererats are dealt with, then?" She yawns again. "Sorry. Damn paperwork. You should get the rest I'm not allowed. You've earned it, that's for certain."

[Blisstake]

Not missing an opportunity to educate, Aldrin answers, "Where are you from again, Dastan? Magnimar is the other city-state of Varisia, which pretty much compromises the western half, while Korvosa and its holdings are the east. Anyway, there's a good chance whoever approved the ship didn't realize it was carrying a plague. But if there's anyone in this city we can trust (besides Orisini, of couse), it's Kroft. I agree that we should go see her."

He spares a quick glance at Dresane, "She hears of this before your Hellknight superiors, understood? She's been doing far more for this city than anyone else."

***

Aldrin lets out an empty laugh, and replies, "Yes, Cresida, the were-rats aren't a problem any more. You can take your mind off that issue. On the other hand, we have some more paper for you. This is a lot more important, however..."

The sorcerer places the ledgers on the Field Marshall's desk, then turns around to close the door to her office. "This should stay private."

[Leviathan]

Kroft shrugs after she reads over the page. "Sorry Aldrin, I don't see the point here. Dr. Davaulus paid for a ship from Magnimar carrying specimens. Okay. I don't recall him informing me that he had one docked, but then I don't recall most of what goes on with the port authority. He's probably using them to cure the plague; that's his job, after all. What I don't see is how it got ripped in half."

[Blisstake]

"Because we found it on that ship we investigated a few days ago. We took a, ah, detour after the were-rats. There was also a man's corpse wearing the metal bird mask, and boxes of coins with diseased rats inside. This ship sunk, and the coins likely washed up on shore, in the hands of the poor. Do you remember hearing the report on how the poor were affected the worst by a fair margin? That's because they were the first to get it and circulate it, in addition to the regular reasons."

[DaedalusMkV]

Dastan coughs and looks vaguely embarrased at Aldrin's short lecture. "Absalom. Perhaps you've heard of it, centre of the world, home of the Starstone? I don't see why I should be expected to know about every two-bit city halfway to nowhere." he replies, more than a little uncharitably.


---


"Field Marshal, perhaps a little bit of context will make the significance clear. Keep your distance, please." He drops the plague chests he recovered with a thump, then opens it with a slightly dramatic flourish. "Rats and coinage. No doubt the 'specimens' mentioned, and the source of the plague as well. Worse yet, the only corpse we found in the wreck was dressed as one of Davaulus' physicians... And bearing an unholy icon of Urgathoa." He clears his throat. "I am sure you can make the same connection we did."

[Leviathan]

"I see..." Kroft slides her chair backwards and starts to pace up and down the length of her office, her hands held behind her back. "I see," she says again. "So the ship that sunk belonged to Davaulus, had one of his physicians on board, a connection with the goddess of disease, and contained the method by which the plague has been spread." She shakes her head ruefully. "There's really no answer to this that's going to get me a good night's rest, is there?"

Then she steels herself, her commanding tone back in her voice. "It seems that we need to pay the good Doctor Davaulus a visit and find out exactly what he's been doing with all his power. The Physicians have their headquarters and infirmary at the Hospice of the Blessed Maidens. It's a former Arkona warehouse that was purchased for them. We can find Davaulus there."

"As much as I hate to admit it, now is not the time to go. Get some rest. I'll see what I can find out, and we can move out in the morning."

The Field Marshal clears her throat. "And, so you know, what we're doing might be construed as interfering with the work of the Queen's Physicians, punishable by death. So you're coming with me, damn it."

[Blisstake]

When Kroft explains the treasonous nature of their plans, Aldrin lets out a long sigh and responds, "I realize, and just a few days ago that might have even stopped me. All I ever wanted afer the... the execution was to make a name for myself in this city. But now?"

He quickly looks at his companions, who have been aiding the city without question, seemingly only to keep in secure, or because it was just the right thing to do.

"But now it doesn't matter if my name is the most hated in Korvosa's history. It doesn't matter if treason is added to my family's list of crimes. I'm not going to die at the hands of some assassins while waiting for a more opportune time to confront a madman at the expense of possibly thousands of innocent citizens. I'm with you and this, all of you, and don't doubt that for a second."