Carrion Crown Session 40

Session 40

DUNGEON MASTER: [GAME STARTS HERE]

DUNGEON MASTER: The party heads back to their borrowed townhouse, where the butler provides them with an ample--if somewhat cold--evening meal.

 GRUNDIG: perception 1d20+13=23

 JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Before we retire for the night I might suggest setting up several simple rope snare traps on the doors facing the street level in case anyone decides to disturb our sleep," states Johan as they finish their meals.

 JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "The snare traps would not be dangerous, just in case one of the servants forgot about the location of it. It would simply hinder someones movement which would hopefully offer us sometime to prepare ourselves."

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar lets his companions know they still have a stone of alarm, and suggests using it, he puts it on the inside of the front door and lets the house staff know it is there.

SOLAR CE’NEA: He sets the alarm by using the command word

 JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan will spend a few minutes setting up five snare traps on the bedroom doors access the street. The snare traps are simple constructs of rope secured to the building which constrict and prevent movement which takes up one five foot square each. Johan will advise his companions and the servants that are currently aware of the locations of the snare traps so they can avoid tripping them.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar lets Johan know it is a good idea about the traps

SOLAR CE’NEA: Perception (passive) 1d20+5=15

 JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan Perception check: 1d20+11 = 23

Shadow Splatterface Perception check: 1d20+6 = 12

Mesodias Perception check: 1d20+8 = 16

DUNGEON MASTER: The night passes slowly and somewhat anxiously--but without incident.  The morning dawns overcast and foggy.

DUNGEON MASTER: The party arises about 7 in the morning.

 GRUNDIG: grundig finds a fire place and dose his usual ritchual and then has some breckfast with the others

 JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Mesodias prays to Gorum, the lord of war and iron at the riding of the sun. He prays for two lesser restoration spells and memorises three Speak with Dead spells for this mornings information gathering from the remains of the children.

 JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Mesodias channels three castings of Lesser Restoration on Johan, Grundig and Solar. Restorating everyone damage from the wraith the previous day.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar spends the morning with Kendra, letting her know how he fells about her and what has happened the following day and what he expects will happen at the trial today.

DUNGEON MASTER: Kendra smiles and tears form in her eyes as Solar explains his feelings.  "Oh!" she exclaims.  She says little else, but maintains the presence of mind to be agahst at Solar's tale of the dangers he and his companions faced in Hergstag.

 JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Farewell and take care," Johan replies to Kendra as they walk out the door and head directly toward the church to query the undead. Something which leaves Johan feeling uneasy just thinking about it.

 JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Nothing bad can happen when speaking with the dead right? No chance of surprises happening once the spell has been cast" Johan looks to the spellcasters in the group as they move down the street.

DUNGEON MASTER: It is about a quarter to eight when the party heads back onto the streets.  The fog magnifies the morning sounds, causing far-off footsteps to echo as if they were near at hand.  Presently the heroes arrive at the temple and are escorted back to the chamber with the marble slab draped with a white cloth.

 JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan offers the priests a solem bow of respect, "Our thanks for you seeing us again to witness the questioning of those who have departed under most unfortunate circumstances." Apart from this brief offer of respect Johan will file in behind the priests in silence as they make their way to the chamber.

SOLAR CE’NEA: SOlar composes himself ready to ask the dead questions

DUNGEON MASTER: The priests nod in recognition of Johan's thanks and escort the party into the chamber.

 GRUNDIG: grundig bows his head in respect to the preast

 JOHAN D’ALMENTA: The party presents the remains of the children of Herstag, before Mesodias begins the slow and inticate channeling of divine magic to contact and speak with the dead.

DUNGEON MASTER: Ten minutes later a nimbus of red light engulfs the first corpse--only to promptly fade away and disappear.  Mesodias ooons in frustration.

 JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Mesodias begins channeling the next spell, now slightly covered in swear from the burden of concentrating on such a powerful spell.

 JOHAN D’ALMENTA: *sweat

DUNGEON MASTER: The next spell also proves to be a failure--a faint rustle like a whisper is the only resposne Mesodias recieves before this nimbus of red light also disappears.

 JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Mesodias scratches his head as he begins channeling his last and final casting of Speak with Dead this day.

DUNGEON MASTER: The third casting proves effective--a red light engulfs the corpse and a blood red glow emanates from the thing's eye sockets.

 GRUNDIG: grundig steps foward to ask the first question "what is your full name"

DUNGEON MASTER: "Allen Ginty Milestead"

DUNGEON MASTER: The voice is tonless and flat.  The sounds of a stenographer writing can be heard in the background as the party devises their next question.

 GRUNDIG: "describe what killed you"

DUNGEON MASTER: "I went up to play with Marty on the hill.  He seemd so dark and unhappy, but he said it would cheer him up if we played up there together.  Then something black with orange eyes came out and hit me.  It didn't hurt, but I felt so cold.  That's... all I remember."

 GRUNDIG: "where did the dark thing with orange eyes come from"

DUNGEON MASTER: "I don't know.  It came out of nowhere.  It was too dark to see.  We were by the scarecrow when it attacked us.  I saw Marty run away, and then I turned around and saw the eyes.  I... hope I've helped you, sir..."  The voice fades away, and the light recedes.

 GRUNDIG: is it possible to get a casting of speak with dead from one of your preasts on the final corps

DUNGEON MASTER: The priests agree to provide the spellcasting for the price of 150 gold pieces.

 GRUNDIG: grundig collects the gold from the others and adds his own and hands it over to the preast in charge.

DUNGEON MASTER: A few moments later a bald, bare-headed man with gray eyes arrives.  "Greetings, petitioners of Pharasma.  Who will be inquiring of the dead?"

 GRUNDIG: grundig speaks up i will ask the questions

DUNGEON MASTER: The priest rolls up his sleeves and casts the spell.  Much like Mesodias' casting before, a light engulfs the final corpse--although this light is a soft purple and black color, and it colesces over the body like a thick robe.

 GRUNDIG: grundig ask the first question "what is your full name"

DUNGEON MASTER: "Maarten Abels Irishi"

 GRUNDIG: "what attacked you and allen that made you run away when you where palying with allen on the day he dissapeard?"

DUNGEON MASTER: "I don't know.  Something dark and noisy with lots of red things on its face."

 GRUNDIG: "was the dark and noisy thing with lots of red things what killed you?"

DUNGEON MASTER: "Yes.  I hope you get it back..."  The voice fades away.

 GRUNDIG: grundig turns to the preasts and thanks them and asks witch one of them will act as a witness at the courght so we can hand his name in as a witness before proseadings begin

DUNGEON MASTER: "Brother Sensha here will file the record of this divination with the court at once.  Good day, petitioners, and may the peace of Our Lady guide you on your path."

SOLAR CE’NEA: Thank you for you patience, blessing to you and you lady

DUNGEON MASTER: It is now 8:40 am.

 *** Missed conference call. ***

DUNGEON MASTER: [Johan's player has a sucky connection.]

SOLAR CE’NEA: Once they are out of the temple, SOlar suggests that they head over to find out who bought the surgeno tools

 GRUNDIG: yes that would be good at some stae i would like to go sell some stuff

 JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "We are looking for the Ledov's Chirurgery Merchants to find out who they sold the surgeon tools too so we can track that individual or company down for further questioning," replies Johan.

 GRUNDIG: we have the adress from the courght for who the mirchent sold the tools to we should head there

DUNGEON MASTER: The party of heroes heads up the town towards the merchant house, which turns out to be a single warehouse in close proximity to the wharf.  A neatly painted sign, somewhat peeling, indicates that this is indeed Ledov’s Chirurgery Merchants."

SOLAR CE’NEA: As they all head in SOlar looks for someone to talk to from the merchants

DUNGEON MASTER: The interior of this building proves to be an auction hall of moderate size.  Three employees are bustling about a number of display cases off to the side.  A white aproned lad approaches the heroes as they enter.

"Morning to you sirs, auctions start at first bell in the afternoon," he says, by way of greeting.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Good Morning my Name is...well for the moment you may call me Solar, we are not here for the action, we are are looking for Vladka Kostel, could you direct me to him (Solar puts on the air of aristocracy, that he and his fmaily deals with all the time at the Univerity)

DUNGEON MASTER: "Sure.  VLADKA!  CUSTOMERS TO SEE YOU!"

A few moments later a stout, black-haired woman hustles up from an adjoining room.  "Yes?" she asks.

SOLAR CE’NEA: SOlar produces the surgeon tools and says Zbraslav Hora and Sons has asked us to find out who bought these tools, we would like to contact them and the company does not have the records showing who the client was.

DUNGEON MASTER: "I don't know--you'd have to check with Mr. Klud.  I've an inkling of what became of em though.. I was mighty proud o' that particular purchase, see... it was a bony fellow with green glasses.  MR KLUD!  CUSTOMERS HERE TO SEE YOU!"

A few moments later a balding man with tufts of white hair on either side of his head waddles out.  He looks the heroes up and down appraisingly.  "Yes?  How may I help you... folk?"

SOLAR CE’NEA: Good Afternoon Sir I am for Zbraslav Hora and Sons, we are trying to find out who bought these tools as we would like to contact them.  The company does not have the records showing who the client was and so we are here to discover who bought the tools. The lovely lady here has therefor refered us to you

SOLAR CE’NEA: Bluff 1d20+0=15

DUNGEON MASTER: "I don't think we can tell you that, *sir*.  We keep the identity of our clients *very* confidental."

SOLAR CE’NEA: Normally I would fully respect that but we are currently part of a court investigation and we are representatives of the court, investigating a murder, of which these tools are believed to be the main murder weapons.

SOLAR CE’NEA: We need to know who bought these or else it will be assumed it was someone in this action house that had the tools when the murder took place

SOLAR CE’NEA: Dipomacy 1d20+0=18

 JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Your assistance will be noted in such a serious matter as this." Johan replies.

Aid Other (diplomacy) : 1d20+6 = 18

DUNGEON MASTER: "Assume all you like.  Good day, *sir*."

SOLAR CE’NEA: SOlar perception check for guards/security etc 1d20+5=16

DUNGEON MASTER: Solar spots no guards or security of note, although a couple of the clerks are fairly stout and look like they might know their way around a fistfight.

SOLAR CE’NEA: Very well Sir, I guess you would enjoy a stay in a jail cell, we shall be back later with the town guard.

 GRUNDIG: aide another intimaidate check 1d20+1=17

 JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan nods his head in agreement to Solar's comment, "You are making a huge mistake not giving us this information. Protecting a murderer will look bad for not only yourself but the merchant house."

Aid Other (intimidate): 1d20+0 = 16

 JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Mesodias gives Mr Klud an intense stare as he stands there with hands folded in front of him.

Aid Other (intimidate): 1d20+2 = 12

SOLAR CE’NEA: Intimidate 1d20+0=14+2(AA)+2(AA)+2(AA)=20

DUNGEON MASTER: Mr. Klud's assured smile falters at the sight of so many grim faces.  "I-a murder, you say?  Is the town watch made of ruffians now?  Ah, never mind, I suppose this isn't going to be worth the hassle.  Right over here, then, riff-raff, and let's look into the ledgers... yes, Radniche.  Surgeons Flats.  Now good day!  Begone!"

DUNGEON MASTER: It is now about 9:10 am.

 JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan looks to his companions, "We may have just enough time to purchase some fancy outfits for court from the nearest tailor. Something to empress the court in."

SOLAR CE’NEA: SOlar laughs good naturedly, I don't know, perhaps we need to show you ruggedness to demonstrate that that wraith was scary.  If peopel saw you and you said it scared you they would be more concerned

 GRUNDIG: if we must though id like to keep my things close at hand maby get changed at the cought if possible the less time i have to spend in fancy cloths the better

DUNGEON MASTER: The party drops by a tailor's shop.  While there is no time to properly fit and alter a set of courtly clothes before the 10 am deadline, the seamster is more than willing to do a rush job for a few extra gold.

 JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan laughts lightly at Solar's comment, "I wish it would be that easy. Those judges have probably never left the court room."

 GRUNDIG: grundig grudginly hands over 3 platnem and 5 gold for the cloths

 JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Good day we wish to purchase a set of your courtier outfits and time is of the essence." Johan pays the 35 gp to acquire the outfit before the court.

DUNGEON MASTER: The party heads in to the courthouse, gussied up and prepared to present their case.

DUNGEON MASTER: At 10 am Chief Justice Khard calls the court to order and asks the prosecution to outline the details of the alleged events in Hergstag,  The prosecution loses no time in describing the events that transpired in Hergstag 7 months ago, alleging that the Beast slew six children and, when caught, was driven from the village. Predictibly, the prosecutor Otto Heiger calls three former residents of Hergstag, the sisters Garrow, Starle, and Flicht, to give their eyewitness testimony of events in the village.  They describe the gradual deaths of the children with man sniffles and tears.

According to their story, the village’s children vanished one by one. Then one day the culprit was found—the Beast of Lepidstadt. It boldly walked into the village with one of the dead children, a girl named Ellsa. The witnesses all recall seeing the Beast laughing as it carried the child’s broken body. As soon as the locals saw the Beast, they set upon it with pitchforks, but try as they might they couldn’t catch it, and the Beast escaped into the swamp.

DUNGEON MASTER: The sisters' tale has a visible effect on the townsfolk observing the trial.  By the end of the prosocution's testimony, they are nearly driven to a frenzy, and the guards are forced to draw their swords in order to hold the mob at bay.

DUNGEON MASTER: After a brief recess, Barristar Kaple stands.  "T-to these charges, t-the defense h-h-has a reply.  T-the defense c-c-c-calls Mr. Johan D'Almenta!"

DUNGEON MASTER: The crowd boos and jeers.  One fellow chucks a rotten tomato, which splatters on the courtroom floor near Barrastar Kaple's feet.  The miscreant is subdued and led out of the court accompanied by much cheering by his fellows.

 JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Your honour, we have a sombre and yet important tale to tell the court about our investigation into the happenings in Hergstag. Yesterday afternoon we travelled there and what we discovered was most troubling. The town was plagued with the unfortunate souls of the children taken not by the beast but the wraith that claimed their lives. We were able to question the children in wraith form from a distance and found out the location of the main wraith. We destroyed him at risk of our own lives before discovering the remains of the four children he claimed inside of a secret burrow underneath Beggar's Hill.

After this we explored the rest of the town and discovered a two story house barred both window and door from the inside. This house belonged to Karin, the parents had nailed the house shut from the inside without any sign of forced entry and the bodies of her parent's were found inside. They must have stayed in the town after most had left due to the disturbances. Their bodies were not crushed or showed signs of blunt trauma that he beast would create, instead they were dead not knowing the wraith were responsible and could move through the very walls themselves. Karin herself perished two days later after the beast had been made to flee, found dead lying in her bed after she screamed without any of the windows open. No injuries or marks were discovered on her body however she had aged slightly. This evidence proves the beast was not responsible. The window had not been forced open, the killer had not used the window to enter her bedroom. It was a wraith that could take the life of one so innocent without being detected by moving through solid objects and draining the life from the living without causing physical injuries. After our inspection of Karin's house it was found to have been untouched after being sealed, both of her parent's bodies were found inside having suffered the same fate. The fact the house was untouched is further reinforced by the fact we found the Writ of Charter.

The beast claimed he did not kill Ellsa, he said a ghost or wraith claimed her life and he simply found her like that and brought her body back to town which holds true to our claim a wraith was responsible for the terrible deaths of the children and the beast was not responsible. We found the remains of the first four children claimed by the wraith, the bodies of the last two would have been buried as the beast brought the body of Ellsa back to town and Karin was taken within her bedroom two days after the beast had left the town.

This morning under witness of several priests of Pharasma, we questioned Allen Ginty Milestead's remains via divine casting. Allen confirmed he went to play on the hill before something black with orange eyes came out and hit him. It didn't hurt, but he said it felt so cold moments before he died. Allen mentioned the black thing with orange eyes coming out from no where next to the scarecrow on the hill. We questioned Maarten Abels Irishi, he confirmed something dark, noisy with lots of red things on its face attacked and killed him. When we faced the main wraith under the scarecrow on the hill within a hidden lair he appeared to us as a black cloaked figure with several glowing orange and red eyes. His touch drained our life force from us and it very nearly took our lives however at the end we managed to destroy it. While we were fighting it I remember it mentioned we were too old, and not young enough however it was so hungry so we would have to do. Our findings provde the beast is innocent on all these charges and the true culprit was a wraith that took the lives of the innocent children and those who remained behind.”

 JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Diplomacy check: 1d20+6+40 = 62

DUNGEON MASTER: The judges hear Johan's testimony with solemn faces.  At several points during the proceedings, members of the audience stamp their feet and boo and hiss at the things Johan brings to light.  There is an especially tense moment when Johan reports using Speak With Dead on the corpses--one woman shrieks and a chouus of angry bellows gives some insight as to how the townsfolk view this desecration of their dead.

However, the judges seem suitably impressed with the evidence, and by the time court is adjourned for the day it is apparent to all that the Beast stands a reasonable chance of being released.  The townsfolk leave in angry, buzzing knots that spread out into the city.

DUNGEON MASTER: [XP Awards:

• Pointing out that Karin died 2 days after the Beast supposedly f led and was in her bed at the time (1,200 XP).

• Pointing out that Karin’s bedroom window was not forced (1,200 XP).

• Observing that the wall outside Karin’s bedroom is almost impossible to climb (1,200 XP).

• Recovering the bodies of the four children from Brother Swarm’s lair (1,200 XP).

• Using speak with dead on the children’s bodies (or reporting the results of such) to learn the truth about events in Hergstag (1200 xp)]

DUNGEON MASTER: [END GAME SESSION]