Down with the Sickness

Another super mega gaming sunday as occured, so there will be a lot of blog entries written in quick succession. I have a lot to catch up on!

The Curse of the Crimson Throne

Part 11: Plots and Plagues

We arrived at Carowyn Manor, hoping to find someone who could tell us what had happened to the Varisian musician. A masked ball seemed to have been held a few days ago. It also seemed that every single person at the ball had died of Blood Veil. Bodies were dotted in the rooms, still wearing their masks and fancy costumes. We then discovered that not all of them were dead. Several of them had been raised as zombies, and were still going through the motions of being at the ball. They had been animated by a crazed elven woman named Jollistinia. When we encountered her, she tried to flee, but we soon caught her and interrogated her. She had been sent to the house to murder everyone in it, by a man named Rolth. Rolth? That name was familiar. Where had we heard it before? The Dead Warrens! He was the necromancer who had bought the body of Thousand Bones' grandson. We were told that the Varisian had been taken away by Rolth and the Grey Maidens to an unknown location. At least we knew he was alive.

While deciding where to look for Ruan and Rolth, we met a young woman who desperately wanted to see us. Nervously she told us a big secret - she was a wererat. Stories were told of wererats living in the sewers, but few people believed them. The woman told us that once the plague began to spread, several workers at the docks decided to go on a wererat hunt, for they believed it was they that were spreading the Blood Veil. The dockworkers, however, encountered a wererat who was not afraid of the humans. One by the name of Girrigz. Girigz was gathering a small army of like-minded wererats and were going to invade the city and take revenge. The young woman pleaded with us to find Girrigz and persuade him that what he was doing was wrong.

So, much to our disgust, we headed down into the Korvosan sewers. We found Girrigz and his followers holed up in a small cave system. He was not happy to see us. However, our paladin has a way with words, and managed to talk some sense into the wererat. He even managed to set up a meeting between Girrigz and Field Marshall Kroft so that the wererats could become a useful asset to the City Guard.

When this was completed, the young woman told us that some of her brethren had watched the ship sink in the river a few weeks ago. Soon after the ship had sunk, they found boxes full of silver coins floating in the river, but sensed that the coins were tainted somehow and pushed them back into the river. It was time for us to brave the cold waters of the Jeggare river and examine the wreck of the sunken ship for ourselves.

Using potions of water breathing acquired for us by the wererats, we swam out to the wreck. The ship was called The Direption. On board we found many boxes floating in the hold. Each box contained silver coins, each tainted with Blood Veil. We also found documents in the captain's quarters detailing that the ship belonged to none other than Doctor Davaulus - the new Royal Physician!

With all of our evidence, we met with the Field Marshall. She was aghast at what we had discovered - Queen Ileosa had hired Doctor Davaulus to spread Blood Veil across Korvosa to kill the entire population! Why did the Queen want to kill all of her subjects? The Field Marshall wanted answers. She told us that Doctor Davaulus and the Queen's Physicians had taken over a nearby warehouse and had converted it into a hospice for Blood Veil victims. We were to pay the doctor a visit and bring him in for questioning.

However, before we set off to confront the doctor, Queen Ileosa ordered the island of Old Korvosa to be quarantined. All of the bridges that linked Old Korvosa to the rest of the city were destroyed, except for one. This bridge was heavily guarded by the Grey Maidens. No-one was allowed to enter the island, and no-one was allowed to leave.

At the hospice we met no resistance to our intrusion (once again, thanks to Reg's excellent diplomacy skills), and we confronted Doctor Davaulus with the evidence. Under our interrogation, the man cracked. He told us that the Blood Veil had been created by followers of Urgathoa, Goddess of Disease and Undeath, and that a temple to the infernal goddess had been built beneath this very warehouse!

So, with the doctor handed over to the City Guard, we made our way down into the hidden temple of Urgathoa...

Up on the Roof

Finally, the last part of our marathon session on sunday.

Plus, I've added a new header. I'll work on a new profile picture too.

I look forward to next wednesday. I'm quite excited. And I know what's coming!


The Curse of the Crimson Throne

Part 5: Into the Shingles

We spent the next few days doing fairly normal things. The rioting was easing, the markets were reopening, and Korvosa was slowly returning to normality. The city folk were begrudgingly becoming used to our new queen.

However, it wasn't long before a new rumour began to spread through the city. Apparently, the king had been murdered - poisoned. Gossip began to circulate that it was Queen Ileosa herself who had administered the poison. But then, a statement came from the palace. The murderer of the king had been named - an artist by the name of Trinia Sabor. She had been commissioned to paint a portrait of the king a week before he died. She had been alone with him for many hours and had had plenty of opportunity to administer the poison. To make matters worse, the crown had placed a bounty on her head for her capture. This stoked the people into forming lynch mobs, sweeping the city for the woman. The people now had someone whom they could take out their anger on, and Trinia had become public enemy number 1.

It was then that we received a summons from Field Marshall Cressida Kroft. She told us that this whole situation didn't sound right. Why had the queen made this news public? It was as if she wanted the riots to restart. Our mission was to find Trinia before the mobs, and bring her in to the Korvosan City Guard for questioning. We had been given her address, and that was where we were to start our search.

Trinia's flat was in the district known as Midland, on the third floor of a tenement block. The door was barricaded from the inside, but it didn't stand a chance against the strength of the paladin. Inside, we found a small room with an open window, and Trinia curled up asleep on the bed. However, as we went to wake her, we realised that she was just an illusion. Looking out of the window, we could see her dashing across the rooftops, into the area known as The Shingles.

Let me explain about The Shingles for those of you who do not know it. A few decades ago, various urban renewal projects in the city forced many of the city's poor out of their homes. Desperate for somewhere to live, the people moved onto the roofs of many of the city's buildings. These temporary accommodations soon became permanent fixtures, and then they, too, were built upon, until there was an entire city built on top of the existing city. The Shingles, as it became known, was a quick way to get across the city without being noticed by anyone on the ground, and so it became a haven for criminals hiding from the law. It also became the home to some minor species of monsters.

So, the chase was on.

Trinia had gotten a good head start on us and was already several buildings away. The first out through the window was Sabelle, but she almost immediately lost her footing and plummeted into the street below. Adam and Reda began to give chase too, with Reda trying to slow Trinia down by firing her arrows at her. At one point, Adam was almost within reach of Trinia, but a bird flew up from a hidden perch, startling him, and he slipped and also fell into the mob-filled street.

Reda, her keen eyes never losing sight of Trinia, could see that the girl was starting to tire. Reda had hit her a few times, and Trinia was losing blood from the arrow wounds. Trinia slowed to squeeze through a gap in a wall, and Reda seized the opportunity. With a swift movement, she loosed one of her arrows. Trinia was hit in the shoulder. The girl squealed in pain, and then dropped to her knees, passing out from the pain. We had caught her. When she slipped back into consciousness, she began crying. She had not killed the king, she said. She had been framed. From the tears in her eyes and the plea in her voice, we could tell she was telling the truth. She was being used as a scapegoat.

We were now in a quandary. What were we to do with her? We didn't want to turn her over to the Korvosan City Guard. Although the Guard promised not to hurt her, there was no guarantee she would survive the interrogation process. We certainly couldn't just let her go, as she would be found by the mob and torn to pieces. We needed somewhere to hide her. But where?

It was Sabelle who came up with the answer. She was now quite good friends with the King of Spiders, who owned Eel's End. Perhaps he would hide her on his ship until the mobs died down.

And so, while heavily disguised, we transported Trinia to Eel's End. The King of Spiders promised to keep her there. She would pose as a serving girl, and no-one would know it was her.

We returned to the Field Marshall and told her that Trinia had escaped. I don't think Cressida believed us, but she accepted our story.

We did not have time to dwell on this, however, as the Field Marshall had already gotten us another mission. But this I shall tell you about at another time. Return to me in a few days, and I shall continue this tale of bravery and heroism.

The Silence of the Lamm

The Curse of the Crimson Throne

Part 3: Lamm to the Slaughter

The sun was just rising as we made their way to the Old Fishery at the dockside. The reek of rotting fish and seaweed filled the air. There on the edge of the river stood a ramshackle building that looked like many of the other abandoned buildings in this part of the city. Down one side was an old wooden jetty that lead out into the river and behind the building.

Peering through one of the grimy windows, our heroes saw a handful of young children, dressed in rags and working knee-deep in a trough of murky water. With a swift kick, the door was broken in. The children froze, unsure of what was happening. Except for one. We suddenly realised that one of the children was actually a gnome, a look of hatred and anger across his face. He charged at us, dagger in hand. But he was no match for us. With a flourish of his hands, and a bright flash of magical energy, Kemar put the gnome to sleep with one swift move.

While the gnome was asleep, we tied him up. Once he awoke, he was interrogated. He was really quite informative. he told us that Gaedren Lamm had a secret room somewhere beneath the Fishery that he retired to when he wanted to sort through the day's pickings.

So, we explored the building and the barge tied up behind it, and we discovered a secret walkway underneath the building, right on the surface of the river. We also discovered a very hungry jigsaw shark, but Reda's keen eye and quick reactions sunk it beneath the water in a hail of arrows.

And there, in a room filled with other peoples trinkets, we came face to face with Lamm. Although he tried to kill us using his pet crocodile, the party made him pay for all he had done to them, and soon he was lying in a pool of his own blood, his head removed from his shoulders.

And it was then that the heroes discovered a shocking truth, for there, in a hat box in Gaedren's room, they discovered my head. Yes, I was dead. I had been dead for several months before recruiting the party. It was only my stubbornness and thirst for vengeance that had kept my spirit here. But now I was free. Yet I decided to remain with the heroes. Forever linked to my newly found Harrow card set, I would travel with them, see what they see, and occasionally help them out with Harrowing readings from my cards.

And justice was served. Gaedren Lamm and his gang of little pickpockets would never bother the city again.

Our quest seemed over. But, as we were searching through Gaedren's more interesting possessions, we came across a very ornate brooch, worth a great deal of money. Taking the advice from Reg, we took the brooch with the intention of returning it to it's rightful owner. It was then that we got a shock, for we discovered that the brooch belonged to our very own Queen Ileosa, and that there was a reward for it's return.

However, simply returning the brooch to the palace was a little more complicated than we had thought, for while we were dealing with Lamm, King Eodred II mysteriously died, and Ileosa had taken to the throne. The news spread through the city like wildfire. Normally, in a situation like this, the Seneschal steps in and takes command until the rightful heir is found and informed. However, he had gone missing, and was nowhere to be found, so Ileosa had merely stepped into the role of ruler of the city without anyone to stop her.

This news did not go down well with the people. Many considered Ileosa a money grabbing whore, who used her charms to seduce the king so she could have power. Riots began to appear on the city streets. Mobs of angry citizens roamed the city, demanding that the Queen step down. The city had descended into anarchy!

Despite the goings on in the city, we decided to risk going to the palace and returning the brooch. We pushed our way through angry mobs and into the palace, where we were met by the beautiful Sabina Merrin, personal bodyguard to the Queen. Whispered rumours proclaimed that Sabina was more than a bodyguard, and was also her lover. She escorted us into the palace and to the throne room.

And there, sat on the Crimson Throne, was our Queen, Ileosa. Dressed all in black, she thanked us for returning her brooch, and gave us quite a substantial reward. She also had a proposal for us:

"With the city in anarchy, the Korvosan City Guard is stretched to the limit trying to control it. They need brave heroes like you, and so, if you would like to serve our city, I would like to make you agents of the City Guard."

So just like that, we became agents for the Korvosan City Guard. We were escorted from the palace to Castle Volshyenek, headquarters for the guard, where we would start a new life in the service of the Queen.

The First Session

So, with some excitement, the new campaign started. 8 hours of solid gaming. What geeks we are! And fun was had by all.

Because the session was a long one, I shall divide the story up into manageable chunks, to make it easier to read.

So, without any more chat, let's get on with the story.

The Curse of the Crimson Throne

Part 2: Enter the Heroes

Welcome back, friend. Let me continue my tale.

As you recall, I had scoured the city, looking for people who had suffered like me at the hands of Gaedren Lamm. And I found them. Seven people, all with a dark past. So I summoned them to me. And they came.

First was a young man named Veyron, dressed in brown robes. He had the look of a druid. He kept peering inside his robes and making peculiar noises. The thing is, his robes would answer back, in a high pitched screeching sound. Curious, I looked closer, and there, deep inside his robes, was hidden a small, peculiar lizard.

Next was Adam. He had skin as white as porcelain with hair to match. His eyes were pink. He had the look of a street fighter. His knuckles showed signs of scarring from many fights.

Reda was the third to arrive. She was not completely human. Her pointed ears suggested to me that she was part elf. She had a powerful bow strung across her shoulders, and her clothing and insignia stood her out as one of the Sable Company Marines - the rangers that ride hippogriffs and patrol the city's skies.

The next was a tall, muscular, handsome man. His regal bearing and gleaming armour was typical for a paladin of the goddess Iomedae. He introduced himself as Reg. A peculiar name for someone of such noble stature.

The fifth person was another member of the religious factions of Korvosa. This time, a woman named Baster. Her bright yellow robes marked her as a cleric of Sarenrae, goddess of sunlight and fire.

The penultimate person was a strange woman named Sabelle. I could sense spirits all around her, haunting her every move. As she went to pick up a glass of wine, the glass moved away from her hand. However, she simply sighed and reached for the glass. She seemed to be resigned to having the spirits around her. She claimed to be an oracle.

The last person to enter the room was a halfling named Kemar. He bristled with magical energy and I could tell that this was something natural, not something he had learned. His magic was something ancient, something primal. He was a sorcerer with an eternal fire in his eyes.

And so, they came. They sat at my table and they listened to my tale. The time had come to serve justice on Gaedren Lamm...

And so it begins...

Welcome! This blog will be a story. The story will be of the new Dungeons and Dragons campaign that my geeky friends and I will be starting shortly.

I always said to myself that once our old campaign finishes, I would write a blog detailing the story of the new campaign. It would be useful to my friends, so they could keep track of what was going on (they can be a forgetful bunch!), and it would give me a chance to try out my storytelling skills which were, at one time, quite good.

Well, now that time has come. Castle Whiterock has been dealt with, and it is time to move on. Time to bring on the new heroes.

So, without further ado, let's get this party started. Welcome to the Pathfinder campaign entitled...



The Curse of the Crimson Throne


Part 1: In the beginning...

Greetings, Pathfinder. My name is Zellara. I am a... No. Let me rephrase that. I was a Varisian fortune teller. Unfortunately, I am now dead. However, a wronged soul is hard to kill, so I survive yet, as a spirit, bound to my set of Harrow cards, the tools of my trade.

I want to recount to you an epic story. The story of a group of people who had something in common with me, who went on to save the city of Korvosa from a terrible fate. But first, let me tell you of my home, and the setting for most of this story.

The city of Korvosa, a Chelaxian city in the "wildlands" of Varisia. Many hundreds of years ago, the Chelaxians stormed into my land, drove away the local Shoanti barbarian tribes, and built a city on top of one of their holy sites. Typical Chelaxian behaviour. Always expanding. Always taking what is not theirs to take.

Forgive my rant. Let me continue. The city of Korvosa became a haven for people wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of Cheliax, and soon it bacame a thriving metropolis at the mouth of the Jeggare River. Its ruler, King Eodred Arabasti II, and his very young wife, Queen Ileosa, ruled the city fairly and wisely. At least, they did at the beginning of the story.

Now, let me tell you my tale. As I said earlier, I was a fortune teller by trade, making enough money doing Harrowing readings to allow myself and my only son, Eron, to live a happy, though modest, life. That soon changed. About a year before the story starts, my Harrow card set, a family heirloom passed down through the generations, was stolen from me by a young street urchin. The urchin was one of Gaedren's Little Lambs.

Before I go on, I must tell you of the odious and vile man called Gaedren Lamm. He was a crimelord, who had been operating in the city for decades. He ran legitimate businesses throughout the city, but used them as a cover for his shadier dealings. Gaedren dealt in stolen goods. The unusual thing about his operation was that he used children - his "Little Lambs" - to do the stealing for him. The children were either orphans who he'd "adopt" from the local orphanages, or children that he would abduct from around the city. He was a cruel master, and he would regularly beat and intimidate his children, forcing them to work in fear. And if any child did something he didn't agree with, or made one too many mistakes, they would be killed. Usually in a horrible way.

So, my Harrow card set was stolen. My son took it upon himself to get the set back. The fool boy. I wish I had stopped him. He disappeared for many days. He eventually turned up on my doorstep - well, his head and his hands did. Attached was a note, telling me to stay away from Gaedren Lamm or the same would happen to me.

I went to the authorities. I pleaded with the Korvosan City Guard, but they said they had little extra time and resources to go after Gaedren.

So, with my skills as a fortune teller, and my divinatory powers, I began to search the city for someone - anyone - who could help me. And there, among the thousands in Korvosa, I found a handful of people, who, like me, had had some negative dealings with Gaedren Lamm. It was these people that were to become the heroes of this story.

Forgive me. I see that your time is short, and you need to leave. Very well. When you return, I shall continue, and I shall tell you of the people that I found, the ones who became the great heroes of this incredible story.