DM Sully's Kingmaker (Inactive)
Game Master Max Hellspont

Agreed.

Agreed also.

Nods.

Certainly, lead on.

Hey Folks! Sorry for the lack of updating, but I've been sick for the past several days. I hope to get things rolling again this evening. Thanks for your patience!

Just checking in, are we still on? How are things with you DM Max?

My apologies again. Yes, we're still on. I've just been fighting a rather fierce stomach bug for over a week now, and I've discovered that while it's one thing as a PbP player to sit down for a moment or two to type a quick post, it's quite another thing to put forth all the effort that goes into DM'ing an adventure when you don't feel like sitting upright for very long. My respect for all of you who have been DM'ing here for a while (and in multiple games at the same time) keeps growing! Thanks again for your patience!

*bows* It is we the players who should be thanking you for giving us a world to be in. May your illness pass quickly, best wishes to you and yours.

Finally feeling better. Thanks for your patience, now back to the game!

Fireday, Pharast 29

Having successfully mapped the forested region to the west of the Temple of the Elk, the party decides to move southeast and continue exploring along the Thorn River. By midafternoon the landscape changes from the thick forests of the Narlmarches to the rolling hills and twisting valleys of the Kamelands.

The skilled explorers make excellent time mapping the hill country to the east of the Thorn River, and by dusk they've mapped nearly a third of the region. As the sun touches the the tops of the trees to the west, the explorers find themselves at a point where the Thorn River winds through a 20-foot-deep gulch between a pair of hills. An old wooden bridge spans the gulch, allowing passage over the river.

Greenbelt Hex Map

Do you allow for untrained Knowledge checks to garner results up to 10? If so:

Untrained Knowledge(Engineering): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

EDIT: not that I actually needed that question answered...apparently. :(

Do you allow for untrained Knowledge checks to garner results up to 10?

Yes, I do allow untrained Knowledge checks for DCs up to 10.

EDIT: not that I actually needed that question answered...apparently. :(

The answer's potentially useful to the rest of us, though. :)

Knowledge (engineering): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Cinders calls for everyone to stop. "That bridge does not look safe. I don't think it will hold more than one of us at a time. We'll need to find a different way to get the animals across."

Jamison will wait for further instruction, here - thinking is not necessarily his strong suit, nor is engineering.

Tyr stops his horse and dismounts. After handing the reigns to one of his companions he too walks over and inspects the bridge.

Knowledge Engineering:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Take Ten:10+3=13

After taking his time looking over the edifice, he nods his head, "I agree with Cinders. Which way would it be better to head to try and find a crossing point for the mounts?" He asks of his more 'wilderness' skilled companions.

Yay, a skill Tyr has and he rolls abysmally. :P

"I agree with Cinders. Which way would it be better to head to try and find a crossing point for the mounts?" He asks of his more 'wilderness' skilled companions

"We know what lies upstream, we should follow downstream as best we can, and see if we can find another way to cross.

Knowledge Engineering:1d20+3

Take Ten:10+3=13

Sorry, Tyr, but you can't take 10 on a Knowledge check.

It's dusk now, do you all want to camp here near the bridge or keep moving on to find a better campsite? I'll also need to know your watch set-up.

"We should camp here for the night, this seems like a defendable position. I'll take the first watch."

Jamison casts his standard Alarm ward before falling asleep for the night.

Eseldra points out that, "as the bridge might be a regular crossing point for the various night-time denizens of the area, camping near to it would just invite a nocturnal visitation."

Hi, folks. I might be out of commission for a bit. Currently sitting in labour and delivery room while my wife sleeps, so can post for now, but will probably have my head ripped off if I try it a few hours from now.

Hi, folks. I might be out of commission for a bit. Currently sitting in labour and delivery room while my wife sleeps, so can post for now, but will probably have my head ripped off if I try it a few hours from now.

Completely understandable. Congrats on soon-to-be arrival!

Sorry, Tyr, but you can't take 10 on a Knowledge check.

*Bows* Sorry for that, though I think Tyr's assessment/agreement still stands. :)

Tyr nods at both Eseldra's and Kartha's comments.

"So, a little ways down stream it is." He leads his horse along with the others to where they make camp.

The druid nods his agreement to head downstream before making camp, and offers to join Karthas in the first watch order, repeating roughly the same assignments they all had during prior nights.

As they reach a suitable spot, the druid excuses himself while he forages for some food to augment the otherwise bland rations that most of the travelers carry.

Survival (for food): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

DM Max wrote:

Sorry, Tyr, but you can't take 10 on a Knowledge check.

*Bows* Sorry for that, though I think Tyr's assessment/agreement still stands. :)

No worries! We can just say that once Cinders pointed out the structural deficiencies, your training allowed you to confirm her assessment! :)

Fireday, Pharast 29 - Evening

The companions set up camp while Euron and Niko forage for food. The druid and his wolf companion bring down enough pheasants to feed the entire group, which Hiram manages to prepare in a mostly edible fashion (having gotten some tips in outdoor food preparation from Rani).

As the companions finish their meal and make ready to turn in, a voice calls from the darkness: "Ho, Friends! Mind if a coupl'a weary travelers share yer fire?"

Two short figures step within the radius of light provided by the campfire. Gnomes, by the look of them, although even shorter than Berenkor. One has bright orange hair, and the other has hair of a deep maroon color. Both are dressed in forester's garb, but each bears a small case shaped distinctively like a fiddle slung over their back. The orange-haired one sniffs the air appreciatively and grins. "I be Twyllyn, and this here be Queeg," he says by way of greeting. "If'n ye have any o' that fine smellin' pheasant left over, we'd be happy ta play ye a tune'r two ta pay fer our supper."

"Greetings to you, Twyllyn and Queeg. A bit late to traveling about the Greenbelt is it not?"

Karthas waits, observing the two gnomes and their interactions with the rest of the group.

Actually, I cannot make profession cook rolls, so any cooking Hiram does has to be strictly covered by survival...I am thinking along the lines of basic campfire cooking here...and most of it slightly burned.

Hiram eyes each in turn warily. Detect Evil

If no evil is detected:

Hiram's face lights up, and a smile spreads across his face,

"Ho friends to you! Come and join us by the fire! You may join us for the evenin', and you may have my share of the food if you so desire. Come, get warm, and tell us what news you have heard."

If evil is detected:

Hiram's brow furrows, and he stands slowly, drawing his hand axe out,

"That is far enough there. You just hold on now, and let us see who ya are. No movin' around, or funny business now."

"Greetings to you, Twyllyn and Queeg. A bit late to traveling about the Greenbelt is it not?"

"Oh, aye," Twyllyn responds to Karthas' question. "Queeg an' me been workin' as caravan guides through tha Greenbelt fer th' past sev'ral weeks - helpin' 'em keep away from th' bandits." The orange-haired gnome's face turns grim at the thought of the bandits plaguing the Greenbelt. "Now we be headed home ta visit our blessed mother - she's an herbalist lives in th' Narlmarches a ways to th' west 'crosst th' Thorn. So what brings ye out here in th' Kamelands? Ye know there be a bridge 'crosst th' Thorn a wee jog north'a here, aye?"

Hiram's face lights up, and a smile spreads across his face,

"Ho friends to you! Come and join us by the fire! You may join us for the evenin', and you may have my share of the food if you so desire. Come, get warm, and tell us what news you have heard."

"Why thankee, goodsir!" Twyllyn says with an answering smile. "Sure'n we'd be happy t' brighten yer night with a song 'r three. An' who may I ask do we have t' thank fer this fine hospital'ty?"

Eseldra grimaces at the appearance of the gnomes.
"Wonderful," she mutters in a barely audible voice, "more Berenkors."

Eseldra/Nazard: Congratulations on the baby's arrival! (At least I hope the baby has arrived and that your wife is not still in labor since your last post nearly ten hours ago.) I hope everyone is doing well!

"Oh, aye," Twyllyn responds to Karthas' question. "Queeg an' me been workin' as caravan guides through tha Greenbelt fer th' past sev'ral weeks - helpin' 'em keep away from th' bandits." The orange-haired gnome's face turns grim at the thought of the bandits plaguing the Greenbelt. "Now we be headed home ta visit our blessed mother - she's an herbalist lives in th' Narlmarches a ways to th' west 'crosst th' Thorn. So what brings ye out here in th' Kamelands? Ye know there be a bridge 'crosst th' Thorn a wee jog north'a here, aye?"

"We know of the bridge. Unfortunately, it is in poor condition. We might able to cross it, but from what I understand, it will not support the weight of our mounts."

Twyllyn considers Karthas' words and glances over at the party's mounts. "Aye, if'n ye try t' take them over th' bridge, they'll wind up in th' drink fer sure. Guess me 'n Queeg don't have t' worry 'bout that!" Twyllyn shares a chuckle with Queeg. He pauses for a moment in thought, and then his face brightens. "Course, there's always th' ford just 'fore th' Thorn meets th' Shrike, down south a ways. It's never more 'n three feet deep," he offers helpfully, and then his face turns grim. "Just don't go too far south, 'r ye'll wind up in th' hands o' that Stag Lord," he says somberly.

An almost wicked smile crosses the barbarian's face.

"Perfect...just the two things we're looking for."

Cinders smirks. "Perfect indeed," she says to Karthas. She turns to the two gnomes. "Please friends, I'd would dearly love to hear some of your music. It's been awhile since I've been able to listen to music around a campfire or even to get up and dance."

Hiram pokes the fire to stir the heat a bit for the newcomers,

"Welcome, welcome. I'm Hiram, and these are some good folks here. Tell us more 'bout these bandits though...these here folks are aimin' to fix that, and I am lucky enough to be able to tag along."

Euron eyes the two "gnomes" warily for a moment.

"I just realized I didn't double check Hiram's work tying up our mounts", Euron comments, off-handedly. "Karthas, can you assist me as usual?"

The druid's words come out awkwardly, and to most of the group who's paid attention, this is something that Euron has never done before, nor would he need assistance for.

Bluff (if needed): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

"Perfect...just the two things we're looking for."

Cinders smirks. "Perfect indeed," she says to Karthas.

Twyllyn and Queeg pause as they tune their fiddles, giving Karthas and Cinders a narrow-eyed look. "Here now, ye're lookin' fer th' Stag Lord?" Twyllyn asks slowly, a hint of dangerous chill creeping into his tone.

"Welcome, welcome. I'm Hiram, and these are some good folks here. Tell us more 'bout these bandits though...these here folks are aimin' to fix that, and I am lucky enough to be able to tag along."

The gnomes share a look and the smiles return to their faces at Hiram's words. "Aimin' t' fix th' bandits! Well now why didn' ye say so! Are ye th' 'Chartered Six' we've heard tell 'bout? Although it looks like yer number's grown a tad! The 'Chartered Six Plus One' p'rhaps!" Twyllyn exclaims with delight.

"Please friends, I'd would dearly love to hear some of your music. It's been awhile since I've been able to listen to music around a campfire or even to get up and dance."

Queeg, the silent maroon-haired gnome gives Cinders a wink, and then launches into a lively Varisian tune on his fiddle. Twyllyn gives the oracle a grin and joins in, playing in perfect harmony to Queeg's melody.

Hiram taps his toe along with the music, as he dutifully takes out each arrow and sharpens them to a razor edge. When he is done with that, he pulls out his hand axe and does the same.

Twyllyn and Queeg play a couple more lively tunes to drive away a bit of the night's chill. As the last merry tune dies away, Twyllyn's features take on a far away look. "Here now, Queeg," he says to his companion. "How's 'bout we play a song 'bout brave heroes lookin' t' right a great evil. Fer th' new heroes o' th' Greenbelt, here," he says, with a wink and a nod to Hiram.

The duo begin playing the ballad of the maiden and the unicorn, only in this version the maiden kills the unicorn and takes its horn as a trophy. But the story has a happy ending, for a band of heroes bring the maiden to justice and restore the unicorn to life.

Hiram is tapping his foot along with the music, but when the gnomes begin to sing of dead unicorns, Hiram slows, and then stops his sharpening.

He stares at the two gnomes, drawing his hand axe slowly, almost unconsciously.

"How...how did you..."

Hiram stammers after they finish their song, pausing as his chest heaves with deep breaths and his other hand clenches and relaxes. His voice erupts from his body, his eyes wild with fear as he points his blade at the gnomes,

"THE DR....THE DREAM....WHAT DO YOU KNOW! WHAT DO YOU KNOW!"

Cinders smiles broadly and sways to the Varisian tunes the gnomes play. At one moment, she almost looks like she's going to get up and dance, but she doesn't.

After Hiram's outburst, she turns to him. "What's the matter? What are you talking about?"

Tyr as well has been enjoying the music but at Hiram's outburst he slowly reaches for his great sword. Though Tyr has taken off his armor in preparation for the nights rest, his great sword is never far from his reach.

"There seems to quite a bit about our guests that we don't know."

Trusting the druid's knowledge of the fey, a smile crosses the Kellid's face as he turns to the two "gnomes"

"My friends, you can drop your disguises, Euron has seen through it."

"I was in a clearing...it was...quiet...no birdsong or normal forest noises...the forest was...dead...there was a pond, brackish, the pond was dead...there was a dead horse...no...a dead unicorn, with a broken horn...it eyes! Oh sweet merciful Pharasma, it's eyes!"

Hiram drops to a knee, gnashing his teeth, spittle flying from his mouth as he tries to claw his tunic open. His veins pop out on his neck, and his exposed skin turns red from the blood rushing just beneath his skin.

Cinders rushes to Hiram's side. "What have you done to him?" she demands of the gnomes. She then tries to examine him to determine if he is suffering from any physical illness.

Heal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Tyr simply stands, his great sword held with its point resting upon its scabbard and its pommel under one hand.

Perception:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Jamison simply spits chaw casually into the fire, squinting at the two.

Relax, Hi'rm, ah don't reckon as these two - regardless o' disguises - mean us any harm... mayhap they've hit on a tender spot with 'ee, but music can have that effect... course'n if they have any knowledge o' a one-horn 'round these parts, they should out with it in plain-speak.

He raises an eyebrow in the direction of the strangers.

Hiram shudders, and takes in a deep rattling breath as Cinders kneels next to him, he collapses and starts breathing deeply.

"It was...all so...so...wrong."

He stares up at the night sky, clearly trying to control his breathing, and touches Cinders reassuringly with a quaking hand.

Twyllyn and Queeg silently watch Hiram's outburst, their faces heavy with sorrow.

Cinders rushes to Hiram's side. "What have you done to him?" she demands of the gnomes.

"Ah, lass. 'Twas none o' our doin'," Twyllyn says sadly. "An' ye can be puttin' yer steel away, boyo. There ain't no threat here," the orange-haired gnome adds with a stern glance to Tyr.

"P'rhaps our song just reminded young Hiram here o' somethin' 'e's s'posed t' do, eh?" Twyllyn suggests with a thoughful tone as he studies the young paladin.

Relax, Hi'rm, ah don't reckon as these two - regardless o' disguises - mean us any harm... mayhap they've hit on a tender spot with 'ee, but music can have that effect... course'n if they have any knowledge o' a one-horn 'round these parts, they should out with it in plain-speak.

"My friends, you can drop your disguises, Euron has seen through it."

Twyllyn gives Euron and Jamison a rueful grin as Queeg begins to put away the fiddles. "Aye, no surprise that th' two o' ye see a bit clearer than most," he says with a wink. The two gnome's forms shimmer for a moment, then fade to reveal two cat-sized creatures, each with the upper body of a waifish male humanoid and the lower body of a cricket. Each bears a short sword, bow, and finely crafted fiddle.

"'Plain-speak'?" the fey creature that was Twyllyn chuckles. "I think ye know our type better'n that! P'rhaps we've already told ye more'n we should," he says, giving Hiram another meaningful glance.

Euron grins at the two fey as they shift into their true forms.

"Well there's plenty o' fire for ye grig-folk, as long as ye keep yer jokes to tall tales and stories, and stay away from the more malicious pranks."

The druid's bones creak as he grabs another log for the fire before sitting himself back down.

"So what else ye seen 'sides the Stag-man? I'm makin' a map of the whole area here, and some tips on what lay South could be useful."