DM Aron Marczylo's Kingmaker - Part 1: Stolen Land (Inactive)

Game Master overfiend_87

This is true. But, while we are here, there is no reason to not attempt to destroy some of them in the morning. I doubt that we will meet anything that your swords cannot handle on the trip north. Since we have cleared most of the vermin that inhabited this land, it seems as though out trips have been fairly uneventful. If we can eliminate some of the undead today or tomorrow, that will greatly reduce what we must fight when we return.

"I will gladly assist you in such an endeavor, mam. However, could you kindly delay the battle with the already dead until tomorrow morning. I really do not want to fight them in the darkness of night!"

"I'm not entirely sure it's possible." Telias says. "Might be tat it don't matter how many ya kill. Ground might be cursed."

Well, it is late, lets find safe, and hopefully not flea infested, places to sleep, then we can inspect these mounds in the morning. I see better at night, but I know most of the rest of you prefer daylight.

Ganit watches Numrah slowly whiten as he drains out into the sands of the basement in grim silence while the others talk of dealing with the next point on their agenda. It wasn't the prisoner's death that caught him off guard (to be fair, he had considered doing the same but decided the bipolar arcanist should have her ideals tested) but rather it was seeing a side of the humble mountain man that had yet to come to light.

Who exactly are you Telias? Jameson? For all the weeks we've been traveling together, I still have no idea who these people are.

Turning his back to the fresh corpse he chimes into the conversation, "In the morning, we bar the gates and toss some of the bodies over the wall from the guard towers. There's enough spears, bows and arrows here for us to chip away at them safely from our vantage point. James could use his horse's speed and the reach of his lance to his advantage if he'd prefer to be in the thick of it. We should be able to find out after a few minutes if the ground is indeed cursed or not. The wagon is already loaded. We haul ass outta here if they keep coming, stand our ground till they're gone if not."

He reaches through the bow and sets it to rest over his should then makes for the door, "I'll take first watch. You'll find me in the south tower."

"I wouldn't mind taking out these skeletons with you tomorrow. These wounds need to heal." Akiros smiles, hefting his sword up on his shoulder in confidence. "I'd like ot move some of the bodies first. There's quite the mess here and some of the vultures circling will bother our live prisoners."

I will take the last watch, Jameson should probably take the middle with his darkvision.

I think that it is agreed, we try to draw out these undead in the morning, and then head back north.

"Appreciated Ganit, but there's no reason to risk Donal when we can drop rocks from the safety of the walls."

Jameson smiles.

"My father had more in common with this man than I like, but he raised me to fight for the win, not honor."

Which explains his lack of standing with his lord's advisors.

"Let us stack and burn them. If this ground is indeed cursed then it's not wise to bury them. They should be given full funeral rights so as not to anger their spirits."

The bodies are stacked and set alight, being given a proper funeral. The night passes uneventfully with the prisoners, remaining silent and mournful after the death of their comrades, but seem to reguard the group with a modicome of respect. Akiros appears to check up on them every once in a while when the morning comes, making it clear to them that they will face justice for what they have done.

Well all, what shall we send down there to draw out these undead?

I was considering using one of the bodies as undead bait, are there any other animals or things we could use? I suppose Ganit could go get a deer or something. Telias can summon critters and send them to these mounds, but that seems a waste if we have something to use as bait.

We have two expendable prisoners? O wait... I just double checked my alignment.

I have several characters who would happily toss whatever they did not consume to the skeletons, but Carina is not one of those - yet.

Bronwyn looks at the mounds from the battlements with a confused expression.

Well, do we have a good way to attract their attention? I'd hate to subject Bandit to that experience, but if need be I could always ride there myself.

Then he immediately looks at Carina, expecting to see that infuriated look.

Just a small jest to lighten the mood... I really don't think any of us should take those chances.

Carina looks out over the mounds. None of us are going out there. My plan was to toss a dead bandit, but you all decided to burn them last night. The next option is to summon something if anyone can. As she says this, Carina looks over at Telias and Zorestar.

"If we cannot lure them out we should just leave them. I doubt any civilians will come this far south and anybody else will know of this threat. Our larger concern should be those would look to take this fort as their own and replace the Stag Lord. How do we prevent that?"

After hearing James response, Carina pauses for a minute before responding:

Whatever is under those mounds, we must destroy it. No matter how hard we to try to keep people away from here, some hunter or farmer or mischievous child will come down here and then we will have to appease the citizens because of our failure to eliminate some undead. We can do it in multiple steps if necessary, but it must be done.

The question is how best to do it without risking our own hides.

You can always clear them out at a later date and instead spend today mapping the area before making your way north.

"Perhaps we should take these crooks up north to get their just punishment. I would also like to meet this Oleg and his wife and help defend the place until you have established your kingdom." he smiles ot the group, some of his wounds having naturally healed, but still looking wounded.

never rolled for that second potion he took: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (7, 6) + 3 = 16

I am waiting for Telias or Zorestar to try to summon something and see what happens. I would like to know what we are actually up against so that we can be prepared when we come back. I assume our next trip south will finish the last 2-3 hexes and complete the first AP.

I am waiting for Telias or Zorestar to try to summon something and see what happens. I would like to know what we are actually up against so that we can be prepared when we come back. I assume our next trip south will finish the last 2-3 hexes and complete the first AP.

If you look at the Current KM Map it's the three up to the left, above the Stag's Fort which is south of the river crossing. One of the places was TuskGutter's lair and you never got to map it out.

Ah, was wondering about that, thought we had done the Tuskgutter. I suppose that we need to finish off the undead before we can map out the hex we are currently in?

With a shrug Telias summons 1d3 ⇒ 3 dogs onto the mounds to see what happens. using a 2nd level spell.

Grabbing a few quivers of arrows from the armory, Ganit marches upstairs and takes position in the guard tower overlooking Telias' bait. "Grab some spears and arrows and don't let them breach the walls."

Readied Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

I head to the top of the walls with the rest, prepared to start peppering anything that arises with magic missiles.

Now we see what awaits in the mounds. Is it something to be fought head on, or taken out from afar. Or is it something to be left alone until we have resupplied.

You can see a gleam in Carina's eyes as she prepares for battle yet again.

Don't have to, but it would certainly bring balance back to this place and it certainly wouldn't be livable if there were still undead able to pop out of the ground.

It only takes a few momvents but then the ground rumbles as six rotting corpses arise from the ground, hungry for the flesh of those on the ground.

Iniative:

The Hermit Ganit D'Artain 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Telias Markan 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Sir Bronwyn Raslov 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Carina Stigard 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Jameson Addercop IV 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Zorestar Lebeda 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

zombies: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Akiro Ismort: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Round 1

Telias Markan & Dogs
Zorestar Lebeda
Akiro Ismort
The Hermit Ganit D'Artain
Jameson Addercop IV
zombies
Carina Stigard
Sir Bronwyn Raslov

MAP

I placed the mellee fighters on the ground as I assumed you guys would like to be nearby to attack as there isn't much for oyu to do up there.

Carina gets a big grin: See, the former residents have come to see what a good job we did eliminating the Stag Lord. Lets give them a nice welcome.

I am waiting for the others. Assume James is going to take the chance to let Donal stretch his legs.

Nice thing about bite attacks is that they deal bludgeoning. piercing, and slashing.

In a panic the dogs immediately attack the nearest undead. While Telias, still juicy from the fights, starts summoning another pack.

Dog 1
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Dog 2
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Dog 3
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Telias's dogs don't manage to hit any of them except the last one that takes a nasty chunk out of the undead creature.

Is there perhaps a shortbow among the possessions of the bandits? I could put it to a good use right now.

Round 1

I like Ganit's suggestions, just as long as a throwing spear is easily found.

Zorestar grabs some throwing spears urged by Ganit, and prepares to throw one at AH33.

"Hey You, creepy Zombie! Let's see if this sticks to your ribs!"

Spear 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Damage 1d8 ⇒ 2

think I noted down all the bows and such. These are zombies though so you'll soon quickly find arrows don't do much.

Zorestar's spear completely misses and lands into the ground.

Akiros screams in a rage and then charges forward with sword out and cutting it viciously and carving a large part of the zombie off, however it's still standing.

attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26

damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Ganit's arrow flies true and hits one of the undead in the head, however it remains standing with the arrow sticking out of both ends. The arrow didn't appear to bother it much.

Round 1

"This isn't so bad, keep an eye out for more!"

With that Jameson urges Donal into a fast charge, attempting to spear one of the zombies.

Hopefully I still have a clear charge lane, with reach I should be able to manage it. If I can get close enough for Donal to also attack I would like to, otherwise disregard his roll below.

Charge Higher Ground:
Ride: Fight w/ Combat Trained Mount DC 10: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Charging Mounted Lance Higher Ground: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 213d8 + 9 ⇒ (2, 3, 4) + 9 = 18
Handle Animal DC 10: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Donal Charging Hoof: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 251d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Jameson manags to get off a charge, cutting down the zombie Akiros had already wounded and bringing it down before they attack.

The zombies attack the summoned dogs, ignoring the other attackers.

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

crit threat: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

crit threat: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

All three dogs are wounded and two are sent back to the first world from where they came.

updated map

Hey Bron, you have not been eaten in a few days, get in there and show these zombies who is boss.

Cast Enlarge Person on Bron. Goes into effect at the beginning of my next turn.

"Urg! These lousy !@#%$!@*&#%," Ganit mumbles to himself as he pulls another arrow from the quiver laid at his feet and launches it at one of the shambling dead.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

******
I forgot to add in my sneak attack die from last round:
Round 1 Sneak Attack: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Let's clean this place up, fellows! As soon as we're done it's the road north and a hot meal and hearty ale at Oleg's!

Swift Action: Arcane Strike feat. Standard Action: Start inspire courage. Move Action: Move to AH 31.

You realize the when you hit an undead hard, all it does is reverse the first two letters and turns them into the nu-dead.

Round 2

Zorestar will take out his crossbow, loads a bolt.

Hmm? I've seen these things fired before, but I was really hoping there was a manual to give precise directions on optimization of the accuracy of this device. Well, maybe its not as hard as it looks.

Taking aim at the Zombie at AH 34, Zorestar fires a bolt.

Crossbow 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Damage 1d8 ⇒ 1

"Ooh Dang! That shot went nowhere near the zombie! I better get a wand if I want to stay alive out here in the wilderness."

"Hehe! It looks like a stiff breeze threw my bolt off course before hitting its target! I wonder if they make wind resistant bolts?"

You realize the when you hit an undead hard, all it does is reverse the first two letters and turns them into the nu-dead.

Only when you hit them in the head (and apparently not with a piercing weapon)

Carina's spell grows Sir Bronwyn into a large size, making him and all his equipment the size of an ogre. His sword growing bigger than an entire person and some trees.

Here's the penalties and bonuses you gain from growing bigger besides the obvious as listed under the spell. Apparently it is ranged, thought it was touch. Here are the changes to keep note and post up. I believe your sword was 1d10 being a bastard sword, now it deals 2d8.Enlarge Person

Sir Bronwyn the giant walks into battle behind Akiros and begins to fill the air with inspirational words of encouragement, recounting the death of the Stag Lord and his surprised face when the elemental came out of nowhere and attacked him. The fall of the Mites and the mighty dire pig, Tuskgutter.

Round 2

Telias Markan & Dogs
Zorestar Lebeda
Akiro Ismort
The Hermit Ganit D'Artain
Jameson Addercop IV
zombies
Carina Stigard
Sir Bronwyn Raslov

MAP

Thanks, also gives him +2 Str, -2 Dex, -1 AC and -1 attack, so essentially it results in -2AC, +0 attack, and a ton more damage since his sword does 2d8 plus 1 for the increase in strength. Time to slice and dice zombies.

I was going to cast that on him when he went invisible and took on the Stag Lord by himself.

I am waiting until I see what everyone else does.

Mildly annoyed that the first set of dogs was so easily dispatched he summons another pair before going into another set of summons for soemthing far far more significant.

1d3 ⇒ 2

Dogs appear in AK37 and AI37 respectively.

First dog attacks AI36.
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Dog in AI37 Attacks same.
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

AK37 Attacks AJ36
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Telias uses another Summon Monster 2 for a Hyena

I know that I am after the zombies, but I will assume that they do not have any trick attacks up their sleeves.

Kyk na die dood ontplof.

Cast Magic Missle @ AH35 or whichever is alive at that time.
Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3) + 4 = 9

Bronwyn has a threatened area of 10 feet, so if any of the zombies move around there, he'll attack them (use the bonuses below).

The mighty spell coursing through his muscles and veins, Bronwyn shouts above the battle.

The Stag lies dead on the ground, and soon these will follow him to the great beyond!

Feeling confident, he drops his shield, grasping his oversized blade with both hands, aiming to separate a zombie's head from the rest of its corpse.

Free Action: Maintain inspire courage. Swift Action: Arcane Strike feat. Move Action: Drop Shield. Standard Action: Attack nearest zombie within range - 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 for 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (3, 1) + 6 = 10 damage.

Suddenly a Thousand naked female elves break prancing around the hills.

I'll sing you the song of my people, one of them says, and starts to fart loudly.

We do have a diet consisting almost entirely of vegetables and roots.

Don't look at me, I am on vacation and away from my computer almost the entire day, and still usually manage to get something posted.

Round 2

Jameson rides a few feet forward to give Bronwyn room to engage.

Move to AF34.
Ride: Fight w/ Combat Trained Mount DC 10: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Mounted Lance: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 121d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

only just the one dog was remaining I'm afraid Telias.

Telias' dog takes a bite out of one of the zombies before Zorestar aims a crossbow and fires it wildly off target, landing harmlessly on the grass some distance away.

Akrios swings is blade taking off the zombie's head with a single swing.

attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Ganit's arrow comes down and kills a zombie outright, the arrow going straight through the creature's eye whilst Jameson's lance doesn't manage to penetrait the hardened hide of the undead and it doesn't seem bothered until it turns and tries to strike out at Jameson, but completely misses.

The attack on the dog sends the creature back to the first world and the final one charges Akiros, slamming him hard with his fist.

attack on Jameson: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

attack on dog: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Charged attack on Akiros: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

crit threat: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Carina wounds one of the undead with her magic missiles, but it appears to remain standing until Sir Bronwyn stomps forward and brings it's sword down, crushing and slicing the thing in two.

Round 3

Telias Markan & Hyena
Zorestar Lebeda
Akiro Ismort
The Hermit Ganit D'Artain
Jameson Addercop IV
zombies
Carina Stigard
Sir Bronwyn Raslov

MAP

Round 3

Dear Nethys, help me to figure out this crazy contraption and let its bolt fly true! Without your help I will be the laughing stock of the party!

Zorestar reloads his crossbow and takes at shot at AI36.

Crossbow 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 2 = 19
Damage 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8