DM Jesse's Kingmaker PbP (Inactive)

Game Master Jesse Heinig

Current map: The Stolen Lands

Swag Bag

Realm management

Provisions: 11 person-days

Current Party XP Total: 15,117


2,251 to 2,300 of 2,750 << first < prev | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | next > last >>

Ranger 4/Stalker 1 | HP 23/38 | AC 17, Touch 13, FF 14 | CMB +6 | CMD 19 | Fort +5, Ref +7, Will +5 | Init +3 | Senses: Low-Light Vision, Scent | Perception +12 (+13 at night) | Ki Pool 2/2
Beast Form:
HP 24/24 | AC 19, Touch 14, FF 15 | CMB +5 | CMD 18 | Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +2 | Init +4 | Senses: Low-Light Vision, darkvision, Scent | Perception +10 (+11 at night)

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Cassandra can't tell she's being manipulated and immediately feels pity for the water maiden. A Nixie, she remembered. "That is close-minded and racist," Cassandra says at the mans insults. "I am Warden of Emeria and as such this situation falls under my jurisdiction. You can make a living logging at another location as all the other teams have. But as with all of them, you will give back what you have taken. You will take the few minutes necessary to plant a few seeds as all the other loggers are required to do in order to get paid. You can either work this out here, or we can take you back in chains," she says a little more forcefully than she meant to.

She turns to the nixie and says in a softer voice, "I am sorry this happened but we have no way to restore the trees, only to make sure they live on. If you have these men under some magical compulsion, please release them. Then we can be on our way and worn others away."


LG Male Dwarf Cleric (Iron Priest) 5 | HP: 28/28| AC: 19 (12 Tch, 17 Ff) | CMB: +3, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +3, W: +7| Init: +2 | Perc: +3, SM: +3 | Speed 20ft | ACP: -3| Channel: 3/3 |Active conditions: Comprehend Langauges (50 min), Divine Favor (+1atk/dam, 1 min), Protection from Evil (5 min)

As they approach the gathering Vallen turns in his saddle to intercept Cassandra's incredulous look. "Are you telling me there aren't any green-skinned humans? You humans come in so many colors I just assumed the whole spectrum was covered. Why, I remember being told stories of The Green Man in the ancient forests during my youth."

----------

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Vallen's thick eyebrows shoot up as the water creature says she is not the dryad. "Oh, pardon me. To be honest, I have no idea what a dryad looks like."

The dwarf sighs and shakes his head at Corax. "Look Corax, I understand you need to make a living, and I know we're in the market for some timber to build with, but you need to stick to the areas patrolled and managed by our Warden's rangers. For one, it means we've made sure there are no monsters that could attack you, and two it means we have some kind of agrement with the locals on what can and can't be logged. Again, you are in this creature's home, destroying everything it cares about. I suggest you come along with us to meet the dryad so you can represent yourself and the other loggers while we discuss with her how to best manage this forest's resources. Mindless greed is the best way to upset the fey and intelligent plants that inhabit ancient forests like this, and we do not want them rampaging through town out of revenge, understand?" He lectures the logger, clearly worried about the real possibility thatsomething would attack the town if this kind of behavior continued.

He looks back to the woman in the water. "We'll take them with us as long as you release any compulsion you have over them."


Female Human Pistolero Lev 5 HP 28/39 | AC 20 (FF 15 T 16) Init+7, Saves (Fort+5,Reflex+8,Will+4) Grit 1/3 | Per +11

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Jenya shrugs None of you have said what you thought of Vallen's mighty fine suggestion. I think you all should take it. What's done is done and we'll try our level best to keep a misunderstandin' like this from happening in the future.


Campaign maps: Jade Regent | Kingmaker | The Temple of Elemental Evil

Almost forgot!

Knowledge (nature) DC 20:
You recall from your fight with the tatzlwyrms, not too far from here, that there was a large stand of coachwood trees near the tatzlwyrm den. With the wyrms destroyed, that area should be reasonably safe, the trees should provide valuable lumber, and the den was on the river so the loggers could still float the lumber downriver to town.

Corax's hands tighten, then he says through gritted teeth, "Look, I don't want to deal with no more faeries. This has been bad enough. If I gotta leave empty-handed, so be it, I wanna get these fellas home safe."

The watery woman says, "Oh, pshaw, they're in no danger. I just needed them to stop you from killing me! Look... I need my trees back, and it's going to take a hundred years for a seed to grow into a tree! Maybe the dryad can figure out a way to help with that."

Corax says, "After seeing two of the fellas magicked up, I don't have a lot of patience to trust a dryad, seein' how they are famous for doing exactly that to men in the woods."

The watery woman says, "I'm willing to release these loggers from my spell if you take them away from here, that's fine, but please, you need to do something about this disruption to the natural world."

Corax turns to Vallen and says, "We'll stay out of the deep woods, that's for sure, I don't want any of this nonsense on my hands." He shifts to Cassie and says, "So were can we go? This is my job, I gotta have some place to work. An' older trees always have more and better lumber than saplings at the forest edge."


LG Male Dwarf Cleric (Iron Priest) 5 | HP: 28/28| AC: 19 (12 Tch, 17 Ff) | CMB: +3, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +3, W: +7| Init: +2 | Perc: +3, SM: +3 | Speed 20ft | ACP: -3| Channel: 3/3 |Active conditions: Comprehend Langauges (50 min), Divine Favor (+1atk/dam, 1 min), Protection from Evil (5 min)

I missed this post somehow, whoops! No knowlege: nature here.

Vallen sighs, nodding to Corax. "Right, right, as long as you stop wandering into these woods. You'll get yourself killed- this water lady seems senisble, but next time it could be a tatzylwyrm or a dire boar!"

He looks to the nixie while Cassandra negotiates with the loggers. "We're doing our best to accommodate all the sentient creatures of this forest, miss, but there are a lot of people coming into this area and we're under staffed. We'll talk to the dryad and see if she can help restore your trees."


Ranger 4/Stalker 1 | HP 23/38 | AC 17, Touch 13, FF 14 | CMB +6 | CMD 19 | Fort +5, Ref +7, Will +5 | Init +3 | Senses: Low-Light Vision, Scent | Perception +12 (+13 at night) | Ki Pool 2/2
Beast Form:
HP 24/24 | AC 19, Touch 14, FF 15 | CMB +5 | CMD 18 | Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +2 | Init +4 | Senses: Low-Light Vision, darkvision, Scent | Perception +10 (+11 at night)

K:Nature: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 I have the best chance of getting it and I roll 1.

"Looked, we haven't finished exploring this far from River Run and until we are done I would suggest staying close," Cassandra says less heated than before. "Old trees might be better but old forests are usually dangerous and guarded. I mean something killed a unicorn in this forest. Something with powerful magic. Your free to go where you want but Emeria's still too small to adequately patrol this far."

She looks between the two opposing forces but directs her question to the Nixie first. "Will you let them leave if we promise to talk to the dryad? We where heading there anyway." Then she looks at the loggers. "And will you leave peacefully? And stay closer to River Run until we've got better understanding of the forest?"


Campaign maps: Jade Regent | Kingmaker | The Temple of Elemental Evil

The watery woman looks at Corax (the logger), looks at Cass, then looks at Vallen and says, "Dwarves are renowned as stable, reliable folks. Do you give your word that you will return and solve my problem, Master Dwarf?"

Since Vallen's made the Diplomacy checks, the creature is somewhat more trusting of him, hence why she's talking to him instead of Cass.

Corax says, "Let's get the heck outta here."

The water faerie says to the two charmed men, "Would you please go with your friends for now? I think I'll be fine. It would be better if you just went with them and avoided more unpleasantness."

She then says to Vallen and Cass, "I'll release the spell as soon as you're a little ways off. Don't want them to immediately cause trouble, yes?"

To be clear, do you want the loggers to go back to Emeria? Or take them with you when you visit the dryad?


LG Male Dwarf Cleric (Iron Priest) 5 | HP: 28/28| AC: 19 (12 Tch, 17 Ff) | CMB: +3, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +3, W: +7| Init: +2 | Perc: +3, SM: +3 | Speed 20ft | ACP: -3| Channel: 3/3 |Active conditions: Comprehend Langauges (50 min), Divine Favor (+1atk/dam, 1 min), Protection from Evil (5 min)

As long as they're leaving, they can leave. Taking them to the dryad was an attempt to placate them/get them in on whatever deal we try to make with the dryad. I have the feeling my lucky diplomacy rolls are about to run out though, so we'll see about any "deals".

Vallen touches his holy symbol, bowing his head slightly. "I swear upon the warmth of Torag's hearth I will attempt to solve your problem, and I will return. I cannot promise to return your trees, as it is not within my power. But I will petition the dryad for aid." Years in dwarven bureaucracy and society teaches any dwarf to be very careful about swearing to do things outside of their immediate abilities.


Campaign maps: Jade Regent | Kingmaker | The Temple of Elemental Evil

"I wait breathlessly within hope that you are a dwarf of your word, then," says the water faerie.

Corax gathers up his men and starts marching east, downriver toward Emeria, grumbling the whole time about how they'll never find a stand of timber this good again and this whole expedition's shot.

After the loggers depart, the water faerie makes an arcane gesture. "It's done. They're free to go. If they come back I'll just charm them again, so hopefully they learned their lesson." She rises out of the water halfway, then flips and dives underneath the lake and disappears.

~~~~~~~~~~

You continue on your way, following the notes on your map from Jubilost, and after camping for a night you proceed deeper into the woods on the next day. The trees part to reveal a peaceful forest glade dappled with sunlight. A small pond lies placidly at the roots of an enormous oak tree with a scattering of leaves floating upon its surface. Birdsong twitters from the branches high above.

Near the pond a woman weeps; not any woman, but one graced by vines and leaves, with her hair a riot of autumn oak-leaves. She kneels by the pool and tears drip down into the water, leaving tiny ripples.


LG Male Dwarf Cleric (Iron Priest) 5 | HP: 28/28| AC: 19 (12 Tch, 17 Ff) | CMB: +3, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +3, W: +7| Init: +2 | Perc: +3, SM: +3 | Speed 20ft | ACP: -3| Channel: 3/3 |Active conditions: Comprehend Langauges (50 min), Divine Favor (+1atk/dam, 1 min), Protection from Evil (5 min)

As they enter the glade Vallen makes a mental sketch of the scene. The way the leaves split the sunlight is enchanting. I think I could design a ceiling that would emulate natural lighting in this style..

The craftsdwarf is snapped from his thoughts on sight of the woman embodying the spirit of fall. "That is DEFINTELY the dryad, right?" He remarks, mouth settling into a frown when the takes note of her sad disposition. "Er... Hello? Is this a bad time?"


Female Human Pistolero Lev 5 HP 28/39 | AC 20 (FF 15 T 16) Init+7, Saves (Fort+5,Reflex+8,Will+4) Grit 1/3 | Per +11

Jenya is uncertain how to approach the obviously distraught avatar of nature. Is it the logging that's making her sad do ya think? she whispers to the rest.


Ranger 4/Stalker 1 | HP 23/38 | AC 17, Touch 13, FF 14 | CMB +6 | CMD 19 | Fort +5, Ref +7, Will +5 | Init +3 | Senses: Low-Light Vision, Scent | Perception +12 (+13 at night) | Ki Pool 2/2
Beast Form:
HP 24/24 | AC 19, Touch 14, FF 15 | CMB +5 | CMD 18 | Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +2 | Init +4 | Senses: Low-Light Vision, darkvision, Scent | Perception +10 (+11 at night)

"They didn't get this far I thought," Cassandra comments quietly. Cassandra could feel something subtly different about this place. This glade. It felt wrong to intrude here but also really exiting. Like they were the first to ever come here. Or were they? The dryad was distraught about something.


Campaign maps: Jade Regent | Kingmaker | The Temple of Elemental Evil

The strangely vine-wrapped woman looks up at Vallen, and she says between sobs, "Is this the end? Come with axe and fire to fell my grove? Oh, but it is hopeless anyway, so let it come quickly if it must!"

There's no sign of anyone felling trees in this particular quiet corner of the forest, though, so either she's talking about something else, or just making wild assumptions about Vallen as a dwarf, or she heard that loggers were coming and is presuming that you must be them.

Sense Motive DC 20:
She seems to be legitimately upset, but deliberately overwrought - like she's trying to play up for sympathy. Not quite as smoothly as the other faerie woman, though.


LG Male Dwarf Cleric (Iron Priest) 5 | HP: 28/28| AC: 19 (12 Tch, 17 Ff) | CMB: +3, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +3, W: +7| Init: +2 | Perc: +3, SM: +3 | Speed 20ft | ACP: -3| Channel: 3/3 |Active conditions: Comprehend Langauges (50 min), Divine Favor (+1atk/dam, 1 min), Protection from Evil (5 min)

The wind blows through the trees as Vallebn stares at the wilderness woman with concern. He turns around in his saddle to look at his companions, and his facial expression is a clear non-verbal communication- Is this really happening?

Drawing in a deep breath the dwarf exhales just as slowly. "Um, no. It's much more mundane and perhaps even boring than that. We were here to keep loggers away from your grove and discuss with you how to best manage this forest considering the massive influx of people lately."

Shaking his head, Vallen dismounts from his horse and tentatively steps towards the dryad. "I'm uh... Vallen Silverclasp, priest of Torag, mason, and High Diplomat of Emeria. You're obviously not in any reasonable state of mind to discuss politics, so could you tell me why you're so upset, instead?" In classic dwarven bluntness, Vallen addresses the dragon in the room.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10


Female Human Pistolero Lev 5 HP 28/39 | AC 20 (FF 15 T 16) Init+7, Saves (Fort+5,Reflex+8,Will+4) Grit 1/3 | Per +11

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

She's exaggeratin' a little Jenya whispers to the others. She ain't that upset


Ranger 4/Stalker 1 | HP 23/38 | AC 17, Touch 13, FF 14 | CMB +6 | CMD 19 | Fort +5, Ref +7, Will +5 | Init +3 | Senses: Low-Light Vision, Scent | Perception +12 (+13 at night) | Ki Pool 2/2
Beast Form:
HP 24/24 | AC 19, Touch 14, FF 15 | CMB +5 | CMD 18 | Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +2 | Init +4 | Senses: Low-Light Vision, darkvision, Scent | Perception +10 (+11 at night)

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Uh oh, Cassandra thought. Did she see my hatchet? And indeed a hatchet did rest in a sling on her belt. The very same one relieved from one of the bandits when they first got here. She looked down at it, worried. "No no no. It's...well it is good for cutting wood but I mostly use it as a survival tool." She gently pulls it from it's sling and lays it on the ground. "I'd never destroy a whole grove. Especially not one a Dryad calls home."

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19 Okay. Thought this would be an example of why I don't use it but luck was on my side.


Campaign maps: Jade Regent | Kingmaker | The Temple of Elemental Evil

The dryad stands slowly and wipes away her tears, which fall like tiny raindrops. "You are... friendly? Oh, thank Gozreh and the changing seasons!" she says eagerly. She gestures animatedly as she speaks, and her leaves and vines rustle. "A great wickedness has awakened in these woods, a terrible tree that kills and consumes all that comes before it; a tree of malice that loves nothing more than to savagely destroy any living thing and let its blood flow to the forest floor. A delicate being such as myself can do nothing against such a terror; please, if you value the forest, if you love the woods a tenth, even a hundredth as much as I do, you must stop it! I will give you all that is mine to give!"


LG Male Dwarf Cleric (Iron Priest) 5 | HP: 28/28| AC: 19 (12 Tch, 17 Ff) | CMB: +3, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +3, W: +7| Init: +2 | Perc: +3, SM: +3 | Speed 20ft | ACP: -3| Channel: 3/3 |Active conditions: Comprehend Langauges (50 min), Divine Favor (+1atk/dam, 1 min), Protection from Evil (5 min)

Vallen covers his face wit his hand, slowly rubbing it and trying to wipe away the frustration. Why does everyone want us to solve their problems? They can't be so helpless. Delicate being? I sincerely doubt that.

He sighs and tries to put together a deal with the Dryad. "Look. We'll investigate this tree and destroy it if you do something for us. There is a nixie to the southeast that had its grove's trees cut down by loggers moving into the area. We stopped the loggers but she wants her trees back. We're trying to maintain peace with the denizens of the forest here, so while we take care of this evil tree will you restore assist restoring the nixie's grove?"

Vallen also wants to ask her about the dead unicorn they saw a while back, but figures it's easier to deal with one thing at a time.


Female Human Pistolero Lev 5 HP 28/39 | AC 20 (FF 15 T 16) Init+7, Saves (Fort+5,Reflex+8,Will+4) Grit 1/3 | Per +11

Don't want to end up being eaten by a tree myself, so if you could tell us s'more about it that'd be appreciated also.


Campaign maps: Jade Regent | Kingmaker | The Temple of Elemental Evil

"Oh... oh! Yes! Of course, I can assist with the trees," says the dryad. "You will help? That is wonderful news!" She practically seems to blossom.

"The tree is... a monstrous plant. To the eye it seems like a huge tree, like an old oak, but it can move and it will lash out with its branches. Do not be deceived - the folds of bark are sharp and cut with incredible force. It will reach out over you and then lash out and swish! it cuts you to pieces." She gestures excitedly with one hand. She rustles as she moves, the autumn leaves of her "hair" swaying slightly, the thin vines and leaves that wrap around her moving fluidly like a shifting second skin.

"Even though I have some fey magic at my disposal, the tree ignores such things, and it would cut me to pieces and devour me were I to try to confront it. Also, as you can see I have little in the way of weapons. I would suggest burning it with magic if you can, or perhaps using axes if you must get close. You may find arrows useless against its thick bark." The dryad's eyes sparkle and her expression is one of hope now instead of despair.


Ranger 4/Stalker 1 | HP 23/38 | AC 17, Touch 13, FF 14 | CMB +6 | CMD 19 | Fort +5, Ref +7, Will +5 | Init +3 | Senses: Low-Light Vision, Scent | Perception +12 (+13 at night) | Ki Pool 2/2
Beast Form:
HP 24/24 | AC 19, Touch 14, FF 15 | CMB +5 | CMD 18 | Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +2 | Init +4 | Senses: Low-Light Vision, darkvision, Scent | Perception +10 (+11 at night)

Wow, Cassandra thought. She's like an autumn gust of leaves. A riot of colors. I'm starting to miss home. I wish someone would send me a letter or something. I've been here for months and no one's showed up. All that that might be a good thing considering what's happened already.

Cassandra pulls out of her reverie when the dryad describes their target. A scything tree? That was a new one. And one that didn't listen to a tree fey? Even worse. But they were killing like, three birds with one stone here. But finding a tree in the forest...

"I think I am the only one with an axe but I am pretty sure we have a lot of fire between us. We'll sort it out."


LG Male Dwarf Cleric (Iron Priest) 5 | HP: 28/28| AC: 19 (12 Tch, 17 Ff) | CMB: +3, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +3, W: +7| Init: +2 | Perc: +3, SM: +3 | Speed 20ft | ACP: -3| Channel: 3/3 |Active conditions: Comprehend Langauges (50 min), Divine Favor (+1atk/dam, 1 min), Protection from Evil (5 min)

Vallen doesn't like the sound of a killer tree at all. Sighing for the umpteenth time, he nods solemnly. "Aye, this is a fair trade. It was only a matter of time before this tree set upon some of our citizens anyway. So where exactly is it?"

The dwarf starts to stroke his beard in thought, already coming up with a plan. "Once we find the thing, I can summon fire elementals. They'll be small, but hopefully they can make quick work of an evil tree. If that doesn't work... well, Torag has not blessed me with any of the spells that tap into his holy forge. We'd need to use more conventional means of lighting fires."

All right let's do this! Vallen will need to wait until next morning to prepare his summon monster spells though, we should rest on the way there.


Campaign maps: Jade Regent | Kingmaker | The Temple of Elemental Evil

"A short way south of here... perhaps ten miles. You will know the place by the desolation that surrounds it. It takes perverse pleasure in destroying any other plant unfortunate enough to grow nearby," says the dryad.

"I wish you well. If you are harmed and manage to escape, return here, to my grove, and I will do all in my power to aid your recovery."

The area that the dryad indicates is one hex to the south (so down and right) from your current location. At forest travel speed, if you leave now you would arrive at night, so probably best to travel partway and camp so that you can get there with daylight the next day.


Female Human Pistolero Lev 5 HP 28/39 | AC 20 (FF 15 T 16) Init+7, Saves (Fort+5,Reflex+8,Will+4) Grit 1/3 | Per +11

Yeah I think we should rest on the way. Thick armor doesn't seem to protect against bullets much so we've got that going fer us too


LG Male Dwarf Cleric (Iron Priest) 5 | HP: 28/28| AC: 19 (12 Tch, 17 Ff) | CMB: +3, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +3, W: +7| Init: +2 | Perc: +3, SM: +3 | Speed 20ft | ACP: -3| Channel: 3/3 |Active conditions: Comprehend Langauges (50 min), Divine Favor (+1atk/dam, 1 min), Protection from Evil (5 min)

I agree we should rest along the way! Do Cass or Jenya have alchemist fires, flaming arrows, or anything of the sort?

Vallen's spell list will be:

1st: (DC 14)
+ Divine Favor
+ (Open)
+ Firebelly
+ Bless
+ Animate Rope (Domain)

2nd: (DC 15)
+ Summon Monster II
+ Summon Monster II
+ Summon Monster II
+ Wood Shape (Domain)

Now, if I can just figure out how to weaponize Wood Shape....

Vallen finishes his morning prayers, rising from his prostrate position and dusting off various wooded debris from his leather apron.

"Torag has granted me the ability to summon up to three small fire elementals. I don't know how long they will last against a tree this big, but hopefully they will catch it on fire at least. Summoning these elementals will take all of my concentration, so I'll be staying back until I have exhausted the spells." He runs a hand over his head, sweeping back his straight, golden hair. "I hope this is over quickly."


Female Human Pistolero Lev 5 HP 28/39 | AC 20 (FF 15 T 16) Init+7, Saves (Fort+5,Reflex+8,Will+4) Grit 1/3 | Per +11

Got four alchemical fires on me. So I think I'm as ready as I'm going to get.


Ranger 4/Stalker 1 | HP 23/38 | AC 17, Touch 13, FF 14 | CMB +6 | CMD 19 | Fort +5, Ref +7, Will +5 | Init +3 | Senses: Low-Light Vision, Scent | Perception +12 (+13 at night) | Ki Pool 2/2
Beast Form:
HP 24/24 | AC 19, Touch 14, FF 15 | CMB +5 | CMD 18 | Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +2 | Init +4 | Senses: Low-Light Vision, darkvision, Scent | Perception +10 (+11 at night)

So look for the okay tree among a bunch of splintered ones. That sounded easy enough. Cassandra wondered if it had sharp, blade-like branches. Or really thin and fast. And also how a tree could go mad like that and destroy other trees. Given the context that humans did that too, it didn't sound so far-fetched. "And I can ignite my arrows every few seconds. Hope it can't move too fast." Without Carrina, she was the only one with any strength in melee.

I have a maneuver that can hit with fire and I bet claws are slashing and will be effective. I think we need a tank again.


Campaign maps: Jade Regent | Kingmaker | The Temple of Elemental Evil

You can always have Akiros tank. As an ex-paladin/barbarian he has a pretty good amount of hit points, especially while raging, and he can use heavy armor.


Female Human Pistolero Lev 5 HP 28/39 | AC 20 (FF 15 T 16) Init+7, Saves (Fort+5,Reflex+8,Will+4) Grit 1/3 | Per +11

Sounds good. No other preparation from my end I think


LG Male Dwarf Cleric (Iron Priest) 5 | HP: 28/28| AC: 19 (12 Tch, 17 Ff) | CMB: +3, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +3, W: +7| Init: +2 | Perc: +3, SM: +3 | Speed 20ft | ACP: -3| Channel: 3/3 |Active conditions: Comprehend Langauges (50 min), Divine Favor (+1atk/dam, 1 min), Protection from Evil (5 min)

Did we bring anyone else with us? I thought it was just the three of us. I think we can bring down a tree, we've got a lot of firepower. Also good to go here.


Campaign maps: Jade Regent | Kingmaker | The Temple of Elemental Evil

Very well, just the three of you it is (and bot-Korinne)!

You set off as directed by the dryad and head south. After about five hours of tracking through the forest you set up camp in a secluded bole and have a warm dinner with a small campfire before catching a night's sleep - having only one person on watch at a time makes the evening a bit nerve-wracking but fortunately you are undisturbed.

As you continue the next day after breakfast you reach an area (in the next hex) where the plants are broken and damaged; some are dying, a few even uprooted. The trees grow twisted and rough, and many of them sway slightly in the mild breeze, even though they have very few leaves.

Behind the DM screen:

Roll roll: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30

It's a DC 30 Perception check to spot the evil tree. Good luck! Let me know if you move on the new map or if you decide to take 20.


LG Male Dwarf Cleric (Iron Priest) 5 | HP: 28/28| AC: 19 (12 Tch, 17 Ff) | CMB: +3, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +3, W: +7| Init: +2 | Perc: +3, SM: +3 | Speed 20ft | ACP: -3| Channel: 3/3 |Active conditions: Comprehend Langauges (50 min), Divine Favor (+1atk/dam, 1 min), Protection from Evil (5 min)

DC 30?! Screw that. Thankfully, Vallen left a 1st level spell slot open.

Vallen rides up to the edge of the destroyed forest, staring at the gnarly trees. "Uh."

He looks from one tree to the next. And the next... and the next. "All of these trees look the same! I was imagining complete devastation, with a huge evil-looking tree in the middle. You know, with dead animals hanging off ot it, spikes, something like that."

The dwarf sighs and dismounts, kneeling on the ground. "Just... give me a few minutes. Torag can provide us a way to pick the wolf from in sheep's clothing as you humans say. If the tree is actually, tuly evil as the dryad said."

He closes his eyes, and a moment passes. "Uh, no offense intended on the wolf comment, Cass."

Vallen prepares Detect Evil in his open 1st level slot. This won't work if the tree has less than 4 hit dice, but if it has less than 4 hit dice I"m not that worried about it anyway.

His prayer complete, Vallen rises and grasps his holy symbol. The silver hammer of Torag shines brightly in the midday sun, sparkling with the priest's assorted silver and brass rings as he places it under his eyes. "Hammer of Torag, Give me Sight beyond Sight!"

As th blessing takes hold Vallen looks at each tree within 30ft, inspecting each for signs of an Evil aura. If nothing is found he moves within 30 ft of the next tree and tries again.

I can't see the map on my phone, but Vallen will systematically concentrate on each tree with detect evil until he finds something or a tree attacks him :p

There is of course the chance that Cass or Jenya makes the perception check, but it's a 5% chance at that!


Female Human Pistolero Lev 5 HP 28/39 | AC 20 (FF 15 T 16) Init+7, Saves (Fort+5,Reflex+8,Will+4) Grit 1/3 | Per +11

PEr: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

so close

Sight beyond sight looks like a right useful trick. Jenya says a little jealously.


Campaign maps: Jade Regent | Kingmaker | The Temple of Elemental Evil

After a short period of prayer and preparation, Vallen steps forward and starts squinting at various trees in the way that a dwarf suspiciously regards greenwood forests.

As he moves up past Cassie, a feeling of foreboding washes over him, ever so faintly.

I've placed the tree on the map! It has a faint aura of evil.

Korinne: Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Jenya P.: Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Cassandra: Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Vallen: Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Evil tree: Initiative: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

The tree starts swaying menacingly as Vallen points it out, and Jenya and Korinne are able to react.

Vallen, you have a better initiative mod, so you also beat the tree.

Korinne casts a spell and a burst of shimmering glittery sparkles covers the tree.
Evil tree: Will save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
The evil tree flails this way and that.

"Um, quick, take it out before it can see us!" says Korinne.


LG Male Dwarf Cleric (Iron Priest) 5 | HP: 28/28| AC: 19 (12 Tch, 17 Ff) | CMB: +3, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +3, W: +7| Init: +2 | Perc: +3, SM: +3 | Speed 20ft | ACP: -3| Channel: 3/3 |Active conditions: Comprehend Langauges (50 min), Divine Favor (+1atk/dam, 1 min), Protection from Evil (5 min)

Woo! Let's start a bonfire! Kill it before it gets close!

Vallen blanches as the massive tree radiates an actual evil aura. "The dryad was right, it truly is evil!"

He fumbles for the spell components and focus he prepared earlier in the day. The dwarf quickly draws a circle on the ground with his boot and sets an unlit candle in the middle. A quick gout of flame shoots from his fingertips, lighting the wick sticking out of the tallow.

The priest produces a miniature bellows; comically sized, even, and starts working the contraption to stoke the candle flame. "Fires of Torag's forge, I beseech you to the material plane. We, servants of the All-Father, must work together to defeat this evil foe. Come forth, flames!" He recites, channeling divine energy into the air of the bellows. The candle flame grows bigger.. and bigger, until he thrusts a hand forward, mentally pushing the opening of the portal away from the summoning circle and towards the tree.

Of the elemental languages he can only speak Terran, but he figured it wouldn't take too much goading to get a fire elemental to attack a tree if it was summoned right next to it.

Full-round action: Vallen casts Summon Monster II, summoning a small fire elemental. He summons it as close to the evil tree as possible (spell range is 30', still can't see the map at the moment) and directs it to attack.

The fire elemental will appear at the start of next turn and last for 4 rounds, but he'll be summoning more of them anyway.


Female Human Pistolero Lev 5 HP 28/39 | AC 20 (FF 15 T 16) Init+7, Saves (Fort+5,Reflex+8,Will+4) Grit 1/3 | Per +11

Jenya closes to within 10 feet of the tree and lets fly with an alchemical fire at the tree.

Range splash on touch: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Fire damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5


Ranger 4/Stalker 1 | HP 23/38 | AC 17, Touch 13, FF 14 | CMB +6 | CMD 19 | Fort +5, Ref +7, Will +5 | Init +3 | Senses: Low-Light Vision, Scent | Perception +12 (+13 at night) | Ki Pool 2/2
Beast Form:
HP 24/24 | AC 19, Touch 14, FF 15 | CMB +5 | CMD 18 | Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +2 | Init +4 | Senses: Low-Light Vision, darkvision, Scent | Perception +10 (+11 at night)

Perception: 1d20 + 11 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 4 = 16 Well F@ck you RNG.

Also love the Thundercats reference. Why did they have to go and reboot the series so poorly? New Thundercats is so bad.

Cassandra didn't say it but she agreed with Vallen. She figured the tree would be...different somehow. Sharp, bladed-branches, and evil face in the bark, something. But no, the thing was obviously hidden amongst the trees it had ravaged. "I've heard worse," she says to Vallen. A wolf in sheep's clothing always sounded odd to her.

When they first arrived Cassandra shifted into her wolf-like form, gaining some musculature and a wicked set of claws. Should the thing close in on them, she wanted to be ready.

Shift for +2 strength and claws before hand.


Campaign maps: Jade Regent | Kingmaker | The Temple of Elemental Evil

Stupid board outages.

Vallen starts casting a spell as Jenya rushes the tree.

Jenya, the tree was about 130' from you, so it's a double move to get there - you'll have to throw the alchemical fire next round.

The tree flails about with its branches. Despite the glitterdust spell, it seems to have no trouble homing in on Jenya!

Branch, power attack: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 10 - 2 = 14
Branch, power attack: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 10 - 2 = 12
Branch, power attack: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 10 - 2 = 13

Jenya ducks and weaves and somehow avoids every single swing of the tree!

Cassie is up, then it's round 2!


Female Human Pistolero Lev 5 HP 28/39 | AC 20 (FF 15 T 16) Init+7, Saves (Fort+5,Reflex+8,Will+4) Grit 1/3 | Per +11

How much range does the tree have on its branches?


Campaign maps: Jade Regent | Kingmaker | The Temple of Elemental Evil

Looks like pretty long branches. You would estimate 15' of reach.


Ranger 4/Stalker 1 | HP 23/38 | AC 17, Touch 13, FF 14 | CMB +6 | CMD 19 | Fort +5, Ref +7, Will +5 | Init +3 | Senses: Low-Light Vision, Scent | Perception +12 (+13 at night) | Ki Pool 2/2
Beast Form:
HP 24/24 | AC 19, Touch 14, FF 15 | CMB +5 | CMD 18 | Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +2 | Init +4 | Senses: Low-Light Vision, darkvision, Scent | Perception +10 (+11 at night)

So if Jenya double moved for 60 then that means they are 70 apart. It was a reach of 15. So it moved 55 and full attacked? Or did Jenya run? Cause that's 120 and puts her within 10.

Cassandra doesn't need to move too far to put herself within range but since Jenya was so close she wanted to move closer in order to draw attention if necessary. Cassandra draws an arrow as she rushes forward, leaping over fallen logs and debris from the tree's savage beating of its kin. She pauses in her scramble forward, becoming still in the blink of an eye, to loose as arrow with an impressive amount of force behind it.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Damage+Maneuver+Stance: 1d8 + 3 + 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 3 + (3) + (6) = 14

Move 30. Standard Horizon Wind Lancet Maneuver. Swift Stance of Piercing Rays. 8 weapon damage and 6 fire.


Female Human Pistolero Lev 5 HP 28/39 | AC 20 (FF 15 T 16) Init+7, Saves (Fort+5,Reflex+8,Will+4) Grit 1/3 | Per +11

This tree has pretty damn long branches Jenya yells back to the rest of the group.


LG Male Dwarf Cleric (Iron Priest) 5 | HP: 28/28| AC: 19 (12 Tch, 17 Ff) | CMB: +3, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +3, W: +7| Init: +2 | Perc: +3, SM: +3 | Speed 20ft | ACP: -3| Channel: 3/3 |Active conditions: Comprehend Langauges (50 min), Divine Favor (+1atk/dam, 1 min), Protection from Evil (5 min)

Round 2

Vallen isn't getting anywhere near that tree after watching it take a swipe at Jenya.

Instead the priest frantically mutters prayers to Torag, working his miniature bellows with the urgency of meeting a client's two-hour deadline for 15 dwarven waraxes.

Full-round Action: Cast Summon Monster II: Fire ELemental again, putting it as close as possible to the tree.

The first fire elemental previously summoned should appear at the start of Vallen's turn, and he would order it to attack. GM, do you want me to roll the attacks for the fire elementals or shall you? There might be 3 of them at one point if they all survive that long.

Current Active Summons: Small Fire Elemental 1 (4/4 rounds)


Female Human Pistolero Lev 5 HP 28/39 | AC 20 (FF 15 T 16) Init+7, Saves (Fort+5,Reflex+8,Will+4) Grit 1/3 | Per +11

Jenya decides to push her luck and lets fly with her flask of fire Same roll as before Then she moves back to get just out of range of the tree's branches, drawing Misfire as she does so.


Campaign maps: Jade Regent | Kingmaker | The Temple of Elemental Evil
Cassandra Lupin wrote:
So if Jenya double moved for 60 then that means they are 70 apart. It was a reach of 15. So it moved 55 and full attacked? Or did Jenya run? Cause that's 120 and puts her within 10.

The tree wasn't at the bottom of the map. It didn't move at all - that's why it full attacked. Jenna happened to get within 10' before realizing the full extent of its reach.

Cassie launches an arrow that bursts into flame as it strikes. The arrow itself thuds into the tree bark with nary a notice (does not penetrate DR) but the fire catches quickly on the dry, withered tree and it flails about, back and forth (vulnerable to fire).

Vallen, feel free to make the rolls for your elementals; they will do exactly as you tell them to, so it's not like an NPC who might decide not to do what you ask.

Jenya smashes a vial of alchemical fire against the tree, which causes it to continue to burn as well, then tries to hightail it out of there.
Tree: AoO: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
...one of the branches scrapes against her armor as she skedaddles!

Once the small fire elemental attacks, the tree will take its action, then the party goes again. Note that Jenya has sucked up its AOO for this round so the elemental can approach.

Roll20 is showing that nobody has control of their tokens, so let me know your handle so I can give you control of them again. (Feel free to spoilerize it if you want to keep it private.)


LG Male Dwarf Cleric (Iron Priest) 5 | HP: 28/28| AC: 19 (12 Tch, 17 Ff) | CMB: +3, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +3, W: +7| Init: +2 | Perc: +3, SM: +3 | Speed 20ft | ACP: -3| Channel: 3/3 |Active conditions: Comprehend Langauges (50 min), Divine Favor (+1atk/dam, 1 min), Protection from Evil (5 min)

Vallen's fire elemental roars into existance at the spot he designated, greedily lapping up nearby dead leaves. As he directs the elemental to attack the tree, the bonfire begins to uncoil and take the form of a serpent, flashing forward by following the leaf litter on the ground.

In its exictement to burn the tree the small elemental's fiery maw sputters and smokes on the ancient bark like a child trying to fit an entire loaf of bread into its mouth at once.

Got it, will keep track of the elementals!

Fire Elemental 1: Charge attack evil treee!

Fire elemental attack, charge: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12

Fire Elemental damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Evil tree must make a DC 11 reflex saving throw or begin to Burn for 1d4 ⇒ 4 rounds.

Hypothetically, could the burns start stacking? Maybe one per fire elemental if it gets to that point?


Campaign maps: Jade Regent | Kingmaker | The Temple of Elemental Evil

As far as I know, multiple burn conditions stack, just like bleed.

The small fire elemental rushes at the tree but in its excitement it fails to land a scorching blow.

The tree, possessed of a malevolent intellect, ignores the small fire elemental and instead pursues Jenya.

Small fire elemental AoO: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

The elemental continues to flail ineffectively.

From an enormous distance the tree seems to "bow" and it lashes at Jenya with one of its branches.

Move, then lunge and standard to attack. Tree takes a -2 to AC from lunging.

Branch at Jenya: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Crit damage: 4d4 + 12 ⇒ (2, 4, 1, 3) + 12 = 22
Jenya is very surprised as one of the razorlike branches lashes out behind her. For a moment she thinks she's evaded the tree yet again, then suddenly her armor parts like water and blood flows freely out of her back!

The tree continues to burn from Jenya's alchemical attack.
Burn damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1 (doubled due to vulnerability)

Party up!


Female Human Pistolero Lev 5 HP 28/39 | AC 20 (FF 15 T 16) Init+7, Saves (Fort+5,Reflex+8,Will+4) Grit 1/3 | Per +11

This is the first time that Jenya's gotten very seriously hurt. She screams as the branches slash at her and knows that another swipe like that will end her. She does a full withdrawal moving away from where Cassandra and Vallen are.

It's vicious! she manages to shout out. Retreating 50 feet away in another direction.


LG Male Dwarf Cleric (Iron Priest) 5 | HP: 28/28| AC: 19 (12 Tch, 17 Ff) | CMB: +3, CMD: 15 | F: +4, R: +3, W: +7| Init: +2 | Perc: +3, SM: +3 | Speed 20ft | ACP: -3| Channel: 3/3 |Active conditions: Comprehend Langauges (50 min), Divine Favor (+1atk/dam, 1 min), Protection from Evil (5 min)

Round 3

I think my d20 handle is Galorit? I will check when I get home.

Valenn blanches as Jenya is hit. "Ah! Jenya, are you okay?! I'll heal you in a moment, I just need to finish this spell!"

The priest is pumping his miniature bellows with such speed that a non-magical candle would have went out. Such was the exertion that sweat had formed on his forehead, held from drippng into his eyes by his bushy brow.

Another fire elemental blazes into the material plane next to the tree, exciting attacking from the front. Its brother charges the back of the tree, nipping at its roots.

Full-round Action: Cast Summon Monster II: Fire Elemental a third time, putting it next to tree.

Current Active Summons:

Small Fire Elemental 1 (3/4 rounds)
Small Fire Elemental 2 (4/4 rounds)

Fire elemental 1 attack, charge (provoking AoO I believe): 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 2 = 16

fire elemental 1 damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

If hit, evil tree must make a DC 11 reflex saving throw or begin to Burn for 1d4 ⇒ 4 rounds.

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

Fire elemental 2 attack, flank, if FE 1 survives AoO: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 2 = 26

fire elemental 2 damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Fire elemental 2 threat, flank if FE 1 survives AoO: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 2 = 21

crit: 1d4 ⇒ 3

If hit, evil tree must make a DC 11 reflex saving throw or begin to Burn for 1d4 ⇒ 1 rounds.


Ranger 4/Stalker 1 | HP 23/38 | AC 17, Touch 13, FF 14 | CMB +6 | CMD 19 | Fort +5, Ref +7, Will +5 | Init +3 | Senses: Low-Light Vision, Scent | Perception +12 (+13 at night) | Ki Pool 2/2
Beast Form:
HP 24/24 | AC 19, Touch 14, FF 15 | CMB +5 | CMD 18 | Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +2 | Init +4 | Senses: Low-Light Vision, darkvision, Scent | Perception +10 (+11 at night)

Even at this distance, Cassandra could tell the arrow itself did little to the swinging tree. It barely penetrated the bark. But it delivered the deadly fire, and that was all she needed it to do. Unfortunately, it took a bit of concentration to create the flames. "Back off Jenya. I don't think it can move fast," she called out. Good lord that wound. It looked bad. But she couldn't let it distract her. Taking aim again, she let another arrow fly. It didn't matter if it wouldn't penetrate, the flames would do their work.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Damage+Stance: 1d8 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 3 + (6) = 16

Move 30. Standard attack. Swift Stance of Piercing Rays. 7 weapon damage and 6 fire.

2,251 to 2,300 of 2,750 << first < prev | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | next > last >>
Community / Forums / Online Campaigns / Play-by-Post / DM Jesse's Kingmaker PbP All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.