DM Sothal's Kingmaker PBP

Game Master Franz Lunzer

Lacking Ale for days may be detrimental to a dwarf's Health. Back to the post is fine with me

Agerron spends time in the morning cleaning the rain off of his weapons and armor. "Back to Oleg's it is, then."

Queslin leads the group back to the trading post that has become their base of operations.

The link in my profile should now point to an updated map.
Sunday, Pharast 14th.
Dragging Xanda's cart along again, you take your time to come back to Oleg's, where you are greeted by one of Kesten's man atop the fort's wall.

The gate opens slowly and Kesten himself as well as Svetlana walk towards you, greeting you warmly (Svetlana promises you another stew for the evening meal at that).

Kesten speaks, nodding towards Xanda: "Ah, this must be the elf-blooded woman, Devlin talked about..."
[a bit broken elfish:] "It's a pleasure to meet you." [/ elfish]
Changing back to the common tongue he then looks for the man he just talked about and finds him missing. "Where's Devlin, by the way? Still out there making that map? Alone?"

Queslin greets Svetlana and the Kesten warmly. When he asks after Devlin, Queslin casts his eyes down as he mumbles about taking care of the horses.
**He leads the horses off.**

At the fellow's use of Elvish Xanda gives him the honor of a formal bow and proper greeting.

When the question of Devlin arises Xanda looks to her companions, since she is not quite sure as to which person Kesten is referring too.

"Uh well you see......" Majet begins straining to think of the best way to word what has happend."

"The little guy's taking a dirt nap. Now how's about you rustle up some grub, buddy?" Big Ern asks cheerfully and hungrily as he unlimbers his jug o' moonshine and looks around for any smoking hot chicks.

At Ern's interuption Majet's only responce is to slowly face palm.

Agerron clasps Kesten's hand in greeting, and expands upon Ern's news. "Devlin found himself entangled with some bandits. He apparently wasn't able to completely fool them, since when things went south, the bandit leader ran him through the neck. He was dead before he hit the ground."

Watching Ern, Agerron adds, "The idea of food does sound good, though. Tired of these trail rations. Do you have time to eat, Kesten? I can fill you in on the whole story, at least as far as we know it."

Kesten's initial reaction is a small: "Oh. ... Damn." followed by: "May whatever god he prayed to, take care of his soul.
I take it that you took care of the bandits?" he asks then walks with them back inside the trading post.

During a small snack, Kesten, Agerron and Taras bring together all sides of the story. Agerron then talks about the groups dealing with the Mites and Kobolds, and the arrangement with them.
Kesten is surprised and glad to have the 'Kobold-Problem' dealt with, and promises to spread the word to the hunters traveling through the region, so that they should not wander inside the kobold-lands.
He will also send word to the Swordlords, so that you may receive the promised reward. (As usual, that takes about two weeks.)

During Agerron's explanation, an older man takes seat next to Kesten, eagerly hearing the explorers words.
The story being told, Kesten says: "Agerron, this man is Jhod Kavken, a priest of Erastil. He arrived before Devlin was here last time, not a whole week ago.
Father Kavken, Devlin has left this realm. This man, Agerron, is one of his companions to explore the Stolen Lands." Kesten sums up the story of Devlin's death.
The old priest looks a bit shocked at the news he just heard, then mumbles a quick prayer for Devlin, before adressing Agerron:
"I'm thorry for your loth of a companion. I think, he wathn't able to tell you of the thingth we talked about? The temple of the Elk?"

Meanwhile Svetlana calls for Dimitry to help her in the kitchen.
Oleg wanders about, tending to the horses a bit, grunting and mumbling incomprehensible things into his beard.
Another hunter is about, thanking you for taking care of the bandits, granting you a round of drinks.
Having heard that you are to explore the lands, he warns you: "If you get to the area west of here, 20 to 30 miles or so, be careful. I don't know who does it, but some idiot sets up bear traps, without marking them. I nearly stepped at one of them, would have ripped of my foot. It's bad behaviour."

Queslin will note the area on his map so the group can look for the traps when they go through that area.

Queslin will also go to Branomonrik. "That fellow Taras could have betrayed Devlin at any time, but he didn't. I still think it was foolish to allow him a second chance, but I admit that he seems to be making a true attempt to be deserving of it."

Xanda moves about Olegs watching and learning. Mainly she does her best to improve her grasp of the 'common' tongue as quickly as possible.

Kesten's initial reaction is a small: "Oh. ... Damn." followed by: "May whatever god he prayed to, take care of his soul.

I take it that you took care of the bandits?" he asks then walks with them back inside the trading post.

During a small snack, Kesten, Agerron and Taras bring together all sides of the story. Agerron then talks about the groups dealing with the Mites and Kobolds, and the arrangement with them.
Kesten is surprised and glad to have the 'Kobold-Problem' dealt with, and promises to spread the word to the hunters traveling through the region, so that they should not wander inside the kobold-lands.
He will also send word to the Swordlords, so that you may receive the promised reward. (As usual, that takes about two weeks.)

During Agerron's explanation, an older man takes seat next to Kesten, eagerly hearing the explorers words.
The story being told, Kesten says: "Agerron, this man is Jhod Kavken, a priest of Erastil. He arrived before Devlin was here last time, not a whole week ago.
Father Kavken, Devlin has left this realm. This man, Agerron, is one of his companions to explore the Stolen Lands." Kesten sums up the story of Devlin's death.
The old priest looks a bit shocked at the news he just heard, then mumbles a quick prayer for Devlin, before adressing Agerron:
"I'm thorry for your loth of a companion. I think, he wathn't able to tell you of the thingth we talked about? The temple of the Elk?"

Meanwhile Svetlana calls for Dimitry to help her in the kitchen.
Oleg wanders about, tending to the horses a bit, grunting and mumbling incomprehensible things into his beard.
Another hunter is about, thanking you for taking care of the bandits, granting you a round of drinks.
Having heard that you are to explore the lands, he warns you: "If you get to the area west of here, 20 to 30 miles or so, be careful. I don't know who does it, but some idiot sets up bear traps, without marking them. I nearly stepped at one of them,...

Agerron nods in greeting to Father Kavken. "No, I'm sorry. He didn't. We had little chance to talk to him before he was cut down by that coward. I am all ears, though, if you'd like to tell me about the Temple of the Elk."

Answering the other hunter, Agerron thanks him for the warning. "Maybe he's not trying for bear, but a different prey. But it's better to believe he's just thoughtless. If we happen to see him, we'll set him straight."

Branomonrik nods at Queslin's words "Aye, it was a gamble indeed, but he took the oath under Adabar's blessed name. I would have hung him dead from yonder tree if he had broken such a thing. It is good that he did not, maybe he will help to grow the seeds of civilization in this land eh."

He grabs an Ale, wetting his all to dry throat. The path Adabar had sent before him was one that made a powerful thirst that was for sure. He nods to Father Kavkan as he sits near the others. " And a fine evening to yourself Father, Ah no Father as Agerron says we had no chance to speak to the boy before he was sent to stand before the lady." He says taking his seat and drinking deeply of his now empty ale cup. " Aye, there be more deadly things then bears out in those untamed wilds, me thinks" He says, looking down sadly at his now empty cup. "Ah, of all the gifts Adabar has granted the civilized folks, Ale is among the most grand...Good ale anyhow, but this'ell do"

Queslin thinks that the group needs to really start to map the area. He decides to plan their next foray out into the wilds to better allow for that purpose. He goes to Runner and Whiner to ask for their aid.
"Whiner, Runner, first I wish to comment on how well the both of you are doing. If you are able to maintain your new ways both of you may be able to become fine citizens. Now what I want to ask of you is how much of the land do each of you know? What can you tell me of the land and its people?"

The priest of Erastil nods slowly, speaking: "Devlin wath kind enough to lithen to me, promithing to have hith eyeth open for a temple of Old Deadeye, lotht to the wilderneth of the Narlmarcheth. I don't know where exthactly the ruinth of the temple would be located, but they are in the big wood.
From what I heard from other hunterth and travellerth of the area, it'th thomewhere 35 mileth wetht of here. Many don't go near the temple though, telling a thtory of a large bear, having hith home there.
I promithed Devlin to grant you my thervithe of thpellth, and I will hold onto that promithe, onthe the temple can be uthed again."

Queslin finds Taras helping Kay with the horses, while Dimitry is in the guest house, repairing a damaged window-latch.
The younger one of them, Dimitry, has only been in the Stolen Lands for some weeks, so he isn't much of help, but Taras has lived with the bandits for some months.
He asks in return: "What would you want to know?"

"We were sent to explore so terrain and landmarks would be useful. It would also be wise to know more of any neighbors we have. We were also given a mandate to stop banditry, so the location of any other bandits and bandit camps would be good."

"I can do that." Taras borrows some paper and coal from you, then starts drawing a crude map, explaining as he draws:
"So, if Olegs is here (1), here are the Narlmarches... about so, I guess.
There are some waterways, and the Tuskwater lake. On it's north shore is the old ruin where the Stag Lord has his base (11).
That's the Thorn River, with the bandit camp you found us at (2).
Some miles downstream is an old bridge over the Thorn River (3). It's really old, and you should cross it carefully, one at a time. ... I doubt it can hold Big Ern's weight.
Another crossing, a shallow ford, is some more miles south the Thorn, about here (7).
Right beyond that, the Thorn comes to the Shrike River and they flow into the Tuskwater lake.
In the lands between, you found the Old Sycamore (4) and the ridge (6).
Crossing the Shrike is not so easy, for it flows fast and cold, and there's only one bridge, here (5), and that one is half collapsed. On top of that, it's haunted.
Hmm... what else...
Ah, here is the Skunk river... It stinks, particularly here, close to the bridge (8) crossing it.
Hmm... I think the Skunk's location is a bit off... I don't know it better though. Anyway, a bit north of that crossing it's really swampy (9). I heard that there's some Frog-monsters in that swamp. Don't know if that's true though.
Something good as last: East of that old bridge, north of the Stag Lords ruin, is a thicket with sweet berries (10). They are really good, but there are spiders there, and many of them. Mean little insects." Taras finishes, pointing at the map.
He then looks the map over, grimacing at it, then handing it over.
"It's rough. Best I can do though. I think somethings wrong with the Skunk river, and the distances probably aren't accurate or even close, but you get the idea."

Queslin looks over the map for a few moments. "Yes. This will prove helpful. Thank you." He then goes on to figure out a route of exploration for the group.

"Heh, now that's the second map I drew for you." Taras laughs, then goes back to Michael.

The map will grant you a +2 circumstance bonus on Survival checks to avoid getting lost, for the upper half of the map.
The bonus is halved for the lower half of the map.

Xanda will also investigate the prospects of a very long, hot bath. :)

"Bugs....." >_< *Shudder*

The priest of Erastil nods slowly, speaking: "Devlin wath kind enough to lithen to me, promithing to have hith eyeth open for a temple of Old Deadeye, lotht to the wilderneth of the Narlmarcheth. I don't know where exthactly the ruinth of the temple would be located, but they are in the big wood.

From what I heard from other hunterth and travellerth of the area, it'th thomewhere 35 mileth wetht of here. Many don't go near the temple though, telling a thtory of a large bear, having hith home there.
I promithed Devlin to grant you my thervithe of thpellth, and I will hold onto that promithe, onthe the temple can be uthed again."

"Another deal maker?" Agerron laughs heartily and shakes the priest's hand. "It is agreed. We will add this to our list of 'things that need doing'! We'll keep our eyes peeled as we explore, and if it's out there, we'll reclaim it. Now, let me buy you another round."

"Well Father, I don't give a s%&~ for the gods and they don't give a s##& for me, but I'm not afraid of any bear. I promise I'll tear him a new a*#$~~! if I see him." Big Ern follows his boast with a resounding belch.

Big Ern: give me a Fort Save DC16. (something I nearly forgot.)

Father Kavken thanks you for keeping an eye out for the temple, and the offer of a drink, but refuses the latter.
He then turns to Big Ern, hearing the obscenities. His face turns sour and he turns away again, without saying a word.

Early afternoon of the day.

Fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Please oh please, let it be a veneral disease...

In a fantasy world those can get...odd

Branominrik will finish his meal. "Well, whats the plan, should we start back out in the morning? Should we aim toward this stag lord and Hang that bunch, scout a bit or maybe look into those traps?"

"I want to take on the Stag Lord, but I'm concerned about taking on an entrenched foe with no knowledge of the land." Queslin lays out the map that Runner drew. "I suggest we start out in the morning and pay another visit to the bandit camp (#2; where we picked up Whiner and Runner). There's a chance that other bandits are there now and, if not, we can use it as a base for a while. Then we could go a little west and look into the frog men that Runner told me of and come at this Stag Lord by way of the swamp. That way, if anything were to go wrong, our point of origin wouldn't be as obvious."

Agerron also mentions the ruins of the temple of Erastil, mentioned by Father Kavken. "We need to keep our eyes open for that; another source of magic at our disposal is definitely a good thing." He looks to Bran. "Not that our current holy man isn't enough, of course. But a temple to Ol' Deadeye could be good for a future farming community, which any future large city would need to support it."

Majet nods at the suggestions being made leaving most of the talk of travel and terrain to those that are experts in it.

"I wholeheartedly agree, Agerron, however, I hope we can all agree that finding it is secondary to ending the bandit threat in the area. Now if we happen upon it along the way I won't be upset. After all I happen to follow Erastil's teachings." Erastil's holy symbol does hang around Queslin's neck.

Xanda also nods in agreement with the plans being formulated by the company, though at the thought of traipsing through more mud she does sigh a little...

"Aye, the bandits need dealt with.Thinning them out first seems best. I ay we make for the camp" He looks to Agerron . "No offense taken, there are many gods and many people. We'll keep an eye out for this temple." he then stands , stretching

"Now if that is settled, I think we should get some rest.I shall be holding evening service if anyone would like to attend." He nods to others outside the parties table "that offer is open to you all, anyone who wishes to hear the wisdom of Adabar and give him praise is always welcome."

Big Ern: Hmm, okay. You failed the initial save, now the onset time's over and you made the first save. So, if you make the save tomorrow as well, you are cured without having to suffer.
[right?]

With the plan for the next days decided, Michael nods and goes back to the cart, calling Oleg over to inspect the 'wares' gathered on their trip.

Besides the equipment taken from the bandits he also finds the gems they took from the Mites, two rocks with silver running through it, and the small weapons the Mites had.

He once again calls out to the group: "Last chance to pick something. The rest will be sold!"

Kesten comes over as well, looking over the items, and asks if he might buy some things off you as well, or if he should go to Oleg afterwards.

Noticing the gems, Oleg says: "Oh, now those... I'll gladly give you credit for most of those things, but the gems... I don't have the means to secure them. I wouldn't even know what they're worth, so I couldn't grant you their true value. Someone would have to bring them to Brevoy. And he better not be alone on the road..."

Yep, that's my thinly veiled plot to bring Michael out of the game for now, until he would have the time to come back. Taking Xanda's cart and going with Taras, Hobbson and Kay, and maybe Dimitry and some Hunter, they'd secure the cart and come back in 3 weeks with your money or ordered items.

Big Ern: Hmm, okay. You failed the initial save, now the onset time's over and you made the first save. So, if you make the save tomorrow as well, you are cured without having to suffer.

[right?]

Is this a save vs. some kind of disease? Then the rules say: "The affliction's effect does not occur until after the onset period has elapsed and then only if further saving throws are failed."

Yeah, Red Ache. You contracted it in the Mite-fight, 3 days ago. You are good for now.

Seeing as no one else speaks up at Oleg's words, Michael chimes in: "Friends, I will make that journey.
Xanda, would you mind lending me your cart for the trip? I doubt you'll get much use of it in the Woods to the west. I will have Hobson, Kay and Taras accompany me on the trip, to guard our collective values.
Oleg, if you want me to bring some goods to or from Brevoy, just name them, I think there's space on the cart left."

Oleg is glad to be able to finally have the crates of furs and hides (the ones you brought him back from the thorn river bandit camp) be brought to Brevoy, and calls for Dimitry to help unload and reload the cart for the trip.

An hour later Svetlana calls for the group to gather around the tables: "Meal's ready!"
Oleg brings out a massive pot of stew, steaming in the fresh air.
Meat, radishes and a handful of sweet berries make for a well-rounded flavor, some fresh bread tops it off.

After the meal, Oleg presents you a list of the things you brought to sell, totaling at 100pp, 76gp, 8sp and 4cp (for all things listed in the discussion thread, save for the gems).
"Some things I can sell easily, some will sit at my post like forever, but I will take them nonetheless.
If you want some coins in your pockets, I can part with ... ah maybe as much as 50pp, the rest I have to grant you more store credit for.
Or you could order something from Brevoy. I'll be telling Michael how to contact my suppliers, so he could bring back the things.
Anyway, my book has had your credit listed at 100pp and 70gp, but with the new things it now says: 200pp, 150gp."

Anything else for the day?

"I suggest we purchase more healing. Not to disparage Bran and Agerron, but I think it wise for us to have more paths to wellness. Potions of Healing and Wands of Healing should be part of our regular outfit." Let's get at least one Wand of Cure Light Wounds and two Potions of Cure Light Wounds per person.

Xanda nods and smiles at Michael's request,

"Aye, it did me good service getting here, but there seems less of a need for it now that I have wandered with the others. Use it in good health."

Sorry for taking so long to reply to this thread. Hope every one is doing well?

Order a wand of cure light wounds from Oleg and prepare to leave in the morning to take on the bandits.

The next day (Pharast 15th) greets you with an overcast sky. Queslin's sense of the weather tells him that it is probably going to rain late afternoon, but you should be well in the Narlmarches by that time.

Michael and his men make last preperations for the cart-ride to Brevoy, pening the wand of cure light wounds on a scrap of paper, next to the list of things Oleg wants.

Some goodbye's later, the group of Queslin, Branomonrik, Xanda, Big Ern, Agerron and Majet make their way westward, while Michael, Taras, Kay and Hobson ride out to the northeast.

Queslin as usual takes a position a bit in front of the others, scouting out the lands. Big Ern and Agerron take the lead in the group, behind them (in safe distance of Big Ern's odeour) follow Branomonrik and Xanda and Majet have the rear.

With Majet on her riding dog being the slowest, but not really dragging you down much, you arrive at the forrests edge at close to noon.

Queslin: Perception please.
Big Ern: lets make that Fort-save DC 16 for the day now, before I forget.

Perception 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 +2 v Humanoid (human)
That is suck.

I'm a little confused as to the loot. Are we treating everything as "group" treasure? I had mentioned in the discussion that Agerron would order a mwk greatsword, but I'm assuming that was either vetoed, or not enough of a share left after the wand? Not a huge deal, but like I said, I'm just a bit confused how we're working this...

Sorry, I missed that. I've now accounted for it in group treasure (that's where I keep track of such things).

Riding into the forest, your eyes have to adjust to the lighting, and the wind sounds against your ears, covering the noise coming a bit from your north.
Lómion takes note of the boar though, snorting to warn you, but it is already too late, the wild beast grunts and breaks through the underbrush, attacking your horse:
gore 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 damage 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

So much for surprise round.
Initiative:
round 1
8-Boar

Queslin is in the forest, attacked from a boar (which hurt his horse badly)
while the rest of the group is still a bit behind (100-150ft.), out on the plains leading to the forest.

Initative

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Initiative:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Perception:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

So, when I know what's happening, I can actually do something about it. :P

Fort save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Big Ern moans and groans more than usual today. "Oh, man...does anyone else feel like they're pissing broken glass today? It can't be the clap -- Oleg's serving girls wouldn't even give me the time o' day, the frigid wenches."

Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

"Dinner!" Agerron exclaims. He spurs his horse forward and readies his sword.

initiative 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Xanda glances towards Big Ern,

"Uhm...they weren't serving girls...That was Oleg's wife..." She sighs and shakes her head at the man's comments.

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Ride: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 Queslin leaps off Lomion and slashes the boar with his sword.
Longsword
to hit 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 damage 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

confirm crit
to hit 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 damage 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10