Re: Book 1: Crownfall, Act 3: The Silent Blade

As the political scene in Taldor explodes into chaos, heroes take on the mantle of agents, advocates, and saboteurs working for Princess Eutropia to help secure her claim to the Imperial throne and prevent the Empire from collapsing in on itself in civil war. Will they grow from relative nobodies to powerful politicians and spymasters in the deadliest political arena in the Inner Sea?

Run by the GM ManWithDoor
Zorbeltuss
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Re: Re: Book 1: Crownfall, Act 3: The Silent Blade

Post by Zorbeltuss » Thu Dec 16, 2021 2:44 pm

Sprinkling into his performance, Mercutio adds a special chord that is a little louder than usual to most, but to Wyssilka, the soundwaves are amplified by a special kind of magic to become really really loud inside of her ears, as if two trumpeters emptied their lungs with their instruments pressed up against either side of her skull.
Maintain bardic performance, Ear Piercing Scream at Wyssilka for 1 round Daze and 1d6 sonic damage, fortitude DC 15 negates daze and halves damage[/occ]

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ManWithDoor
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Re: Re: Book 1: Crownfall, Act 3: The Silent Blade

Post by ManWithDoor » Sat Dec 18, 2021 2:35 am

Astraea steps up and straight-up clobbers Wyssilka with the pommel of his her sword right upside the head, knocking her senseless to the ground. She's deeply hurt, but not in danger of bleeding out anytime soon.

Mercutio sends out a painful soundwave that hits that Cultist that was already surrounded by the thundercloud that the Enchantress summoned up. He wasn't prepared for yet another magical assault, and staggers to the side in pain and confusion.


Bertram ...
Astraea: Attack Wyssilka (-4 for Nonlethal): Nat 20 (21), 14 does not Confirm. 8 Non-Lethal Damage, Wyssilka is DOWN!

Mercutio: Since Wyssilka is down, retargeting to the damaged Cultist (#2): Fort Save Failed. 3 Sonic Damage, Dazed (no Actions next round).

HP:
Theodrix = 9/21
Aurelia = Full
Astraea = Full
Mercutio = 16/26
Bertram = Full

Wyssillka = -37 (DOWN! unconscious, NOT bleeding out since used Non-Lethal)
Halfling Killer = Full
Silent Cultist 1 = DEAD
Silent Cultist 2 = -9
Silent Cultist 3 = Full

Initiative:
Wyssilka = 19
Theodrix = 18.1
Aurelia = 18
Halfling Killer = 17.1
Astraea = 17
Mercutio = 13
Bertram = 10.1 (upgrading from 9 to keep things moving faster)
Assassins = 10
Rule Number 12: "A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head."

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Re: Re: Book 1: Crownfall, Act 3: The Silent Blade

Post by Grimbold » Thu Jan 06, 2022 4:59 pm

Sorry, have been afk for some time. Ok, let's see.
Bertram hits the cultist with his staff.

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Re: Re: Book 1: Crownfall, Act 3: The Silent Blade

Post by ManWithDoor » Sat Jan 08, 2022 12:30 am

Bertram was in the corner, but now that Wyssilka is down he steps over (and on) her unconscious body, and straight-up kills the Cultist that was being thunder-struck. While to some he may appear to be middle-aged man with a bit of a beer gut, perhaps a merchant or innkeeper, the way he handles a weapon clearly shows that to be an inaccurate assessment. Darting forward he struck with strength and precision, putting his hips and shoulders behind a blow that lands precisely on the neck of the assassin, instantly snapping it and dropping him like a sack of bricks.

With Wyssilka down and only one of her Cultists still up, he is quickly tackled and tied up. The Mastermind is stabilized and likewise secured, although left unconscious for now. The one other person, the Lieutenant that tried to backstab from the other end of the corridor, sees which way the wind is blowing. He reaches into his belt and pulls out a smoke bomb, and uses it to make good his escape. Mercutio isn't fast enough to catch him, and is smart enough not to get drawn into a possible ambush against an experienced murderer.

But with that, you have succeeded! Lady Martella Lotheed has been freed from her would-be killers, and any remaining conspirators are likely running to the nearest and deepest holes they can find.
Bertram: Yeah, a critical leading to 20 damage?!? Even if the guy had been at full he would have been 1-Hit-Quit. Well done.

Battle Over!
Rule Number 12: "A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head."

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Re: Re: Book 1: Crownfall, Act 3: The Silent Blade

Post by Grimbold » Thu Jan 13, 2022 8:29 am

Bertram leans his staff against the wall and rummages through his belongings looking for a flask or some other kind of drink. "No drink, no nothing. Oh holy Cayden!" he curses as he finds nothing for now. Then he looks around to help the others free Martella.

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Re: Re: Book 1: Crownfall, Act 3: The Silent Blade

Post by Zorbeltuss » Thu Jan 13, 2022 12:53 pm

"A drink certainly sounds like the right idea." Mercutio agrees. "Maybe just the one, probably would be an inopportune time to start thinking it a good idea to invite the dear lady to dance on the tables".

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Re: Re: Book 1: Crownfall, Act 3: The Silent Blade

Post by Othniel » Fri Jan 14, 2022 3:04 am

"We can get a drink when we're out of here. Let's secure our prisoner and go through this place to see if there is anything that will shed light on this plot. And, of course, to the victors go the spoils.
I'll pull out some rope to tie up our captive if someone wants to go through pockets and loot the place before we get going.

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Re: Re: Book 1: Crownfall, Act 3: The Silent Blade

Post by ManWithDoor » Wed Jan 19, 2022 9:32 pm

Lady Martella Lotheed is much worse for the wear, evidence of repeated torture (and multiple healings to extend it past normal limits) are everywhere, but she can hobble along if aided. The captives are tied up securely and led along. In addition to stripping down the equipment of your enemies, Wyssilka had a large sack of gold on her person, likely the down payment for the assassinations.

You are able to make your way out of the warehouse without further incident. The toughs guarding the warehouse must have been warned by the escaping assassin, so they fled and melted into the crowded, now-chaotic metropolis. Martella leads the group (and their collected hangers-on and captives) to a lavish inn known as the Silent Horse. Turns out they have a hidden area for use by the semi-secret society known as the Lion Blades, which gives you a place to lay low while the city's sanity is restored once again.
Alright, rewards! Relevant equipment:
- 6 potions of Cure Light Wounds
- +1 Chain Shirt
- Concealing Pocket (item)
- Glass Cutter (item)
- Juggler's Kit (item)
- Wrist Sheath (item)
- Unholy Symbol of Thamir Gixx

You also get a total of 2500 gold pieces each! This is a combination of Wyssilka's down payment, a direct reward from Lady Martella, as well as extra for the excellent political maneuvering you did back in Act I.

Feel free to RP as much as you like in this safe area. You'll lay low for 3 days, and then you'll get an update on the status of the City and the Empire, and then Book 1 will close.
Rule Number 12: "A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head."

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Re: Re: Book 1: Crownfall, Act 3: The Silent Blade

Post by Grimbold » Fri Jan 21, 2022 4:13 pm

Bertram tries to get an overview as to what has happened to the city. He also tries to find a few bottles of brandy to better cope with what has happened to his beloved country.

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Re: Re: Book 1: Crownfall, Act 3: The Silent Blade

Post by Zorbeltuss » Sat Jan 22, 2022 10:58 pm

"So we are stuck here in the back, then?" Mercutio wonders. "Well, I could use some proper sleep anyhow"

"And a bath, prestidigitation just doesn't work as well as the real thing."

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