GM Darkblade's Kingmaker Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master GM Darkblade

There must be an understanding that, you give us the information we seek, then once our mission is accomplished, then we will set you free to return to the river kingdoms m. If you are ever seen in this domain again you will be breaking your oath.

Orin simply listens, eyes darting to each speaker in turn. Thinking to out loud, he mutters, "Ah, that was a good point there, Echo. I had not considered that his word would bind him just as much."

The man nods at Orin's statement. Yea, my oathes binds meself, and so too my companions will be ta givin theirs as well. Wes'll be leavin these lands fer tha River Kingdoms, ne'er to be returning on the pains of death and other nasty suchs. Youse'll be allowin' us ta leave just so longs as we'se provides ya whats informations we'se has regardin tha Stag Lord an' his castle an such. The man leans forward, shackled by Ayerth, and spits into his hand, holding it out for someone to do likewise, to seal the agreement.

No, my good man. We do this in blood. Echo retrieves a dagger and cuts a small piece of his own palm. This will be a blood oath. and hands the dagger to the manacled prisoner.

Ser Brandon blushes, realising his error. He has never made the mistake of thinking he is the most intelligent man in the room, but he is unused to making such faux pas. He silently stands by support the proceedings at hand.

The man takes the blade and likewise cuts himself, then offers the blade, hilt first back to Echo with his good hand, the cut hand outstretched, waiting to seal the pact. Lets it be done and dones then.

Thinks to himself Wonder if there is more to this blood pack......as long as it works

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Silas just assumes it's a "weird human thing, charmingly cultural"

Silas and anyone from Brevoy or the area would be well familiar with the concepts of the River Freedoms, the only "honor amongst thieves" that seems to hold sway south of the Greenbelt. Brevoy's relationships with the River Kingdoms, and what travel and trade which passes from that way, predicates upon these freedoms being upheld by each group and state in the region. Without them, the area would have long ago fell into the chaos and madness that grips Galt, or something far worse. While bandits, murderers, and assassins they may be, the River Kingdoms remain reliable in that, as a group at least, they abide by these tenets else the others are given free reign to destroy them.

Six River Freedoms

Echo shakes the man's hand, thus sealing the pact. Looking around, Echo fixes each of you with a look. As you are each part of the ruling body of the Barony of the Greenbelt, or in service to that body, his pact should bind you as well, though ultimately that remains up to your own sense of honor, or lack thereof as the case may be.

Nodding, the man speaks up, Oi then, what's be's yer questions?

If you ask "tell us everything," be advised he will tell you as much as you should expect, not as much as you may want, or may need. Fact finding questions are the best way to determine what he knows, and more importantly finding out what you "need" to know. Don't say, "tell us about the castle," because what's there to tell, it's a castle. Ask specifics and you will get specific answers, if available.

Err... I just meant he assumed the "blood pact" bit was a weird human thing. Not sure if Silas has thought of any tactical questions to ask, though.

Echo's blood pact is unusual, but it is not unheard of when sealing deals of grave importance. Perhaps a bit much in this instance, but it would be a powerful message for these bandits to take back to the River Kingdoms, namely the Barony of the Greenbelt is willing to abide by and accept the existence and ways of the River Kingdoms, expecting only the same in return. I'm not sure, but maybe that was the message Echo was hoping to instill in these men. Creed would have been one example, a warning about the seriousness of Greenbelt justice, but General Grailmont aborted that missive. Echo would have to explain his reasoning, if he wishes. I'm just offering one possible scenario.

Indeed, tell us of the routines, any patrols? And the route to the stag lord that will have the fewest of his group along the path. My friends will have other questions as well.

Brampton goes back to one of his original questions, "What is the fast way to get up on the walls from here? Can we do it without being spotted by the guards already up there?"

Looking at Echo as the man wraps his own cut hand, the bandit answers Bah, wese ain'ts gots no routines. When a one of the lewies has a bug up his arse, or the Stag Lord is running lows on the auce, we's jumps to its and gets it done, then back ta bein' our selfies. But if'n it's the Stag Lord ya wants ta gets well then, youse heads out those doors, gesturing towards the doors Irakli and Ser Brandon are guarding, and ya goes rights across the yard to the double big doors, that's the way right in ta the throne room. If'n he's not there drunk and sour, he'll be prolly passed outs in his room. Takes the second left door outta the room, by the throne, then ya looks fer the pair a doors afacin' each other. His is being tha one on the left.

Turning to Brampton, almost confusedly, he raises one finger, pointing at the ceiling. The warrior at first starts to take offense, then realizes the man is pointing to a ceiling doorway, barred from this side. If'n we needs up, we uses the ladder laying behind the stacks a junk o'er there, or gets up using tha stairs like in the castle herself. I don't be knowin if anyone is ups there, not usually, but hey, if a lewie sent 'em up, they'd best be there. Dovan kin be a real arse, he'd send a few slackers up ta stand guard, and if'n it's cold or rainy, makes 'em walks the stones round least 50 times. The towers usually be empty, they's being small, but in the flats, there's room ta breath and moves bouts.

"Honor and all that," Silas points out, "But if we can get to him while he sleeps, a lot of bloodshed and hardship otherwise could be spared."

Orin leans over and responds to Silas' statement. "Those who live by ambush, die by ambush, eh, Silas?"

"So you do not normally have guards on the walls, but you did say 'guards ups tops o'erheads has gots a lead ta sets him free'. Which would it be? And what exactly is this Beaky you mentioned."

The man looks at Orin as if he doesn't understand the dwarf's confusion. Beaky is the Stag Lord's pet, if'n ya calls a half tamed owlybare a pet. There's a guard what sits on the western tower whose gots tha duty o' watchin' the lake an if'n he needs ta, he's can lifts ol' Beaky's gate an sets him free, outta the stables an inta the courtyard. Ta'nite I thinks Garkem has the duty, but ifin not him, I's not sures whose been sets up there. An that ain't up o'er the tops here, so's I wern't trying ta lies to yas. Warnt ya I did bout Beaky in the first places, yeah didn'ts I?

"I would like to see what is up there." Brampton sets to work setting up the ladder.

He continues thinking out loud as he works. "If we can disable the release mechanism for the owlbear before it can be activated we can take that out of the equation. We just have to get over there without being seen."

Once the ladder is in place Brampton slowly opens the hatch and looks out.

Brampton sets up the ladder, albeit not very quietly. As he climbs the aged span, it creaks and cracks ominously but supports his weight. He attempts to lift the trapdoor for the eastern tower, but finds a weight is pressing down upon it. Listening at the crack, the warrior hears snoring from above. Someone is on watch tonight, and they seem to have fallen asleep on the trapdoor. Brampton can either attempt to gently roll them off the trapdoor as he opens it, risking waking them, attempt to attack them through the trapdoor, or descend and use the western trapdoor. With luck, no guard will be sleeping in that tower.

"What oaths have you and your brethren made to the Staglord? What have you done in his service?"

Darobi looks at Ayerth with contempt, seeing the man's questions as an attempt at discrediting him, at giving the elf a reason to kill him. The Stag Lord don't care nothing fer oaths, youse either does as told or he kills ya. He ain't being nothing but a monster o' a man. When he, his men, an his crazed da' took my companions an me, he said real simple, Youse my men now see, youse the Army of the Stag. The only ways out is death, by my enemies, or by me, youse decides. I dun wats I been tolds see, tsst why me an me mates are alivin. Wese keeps our heads down and wese does wats wese told. I ain't breakin' no oath ta the Stag Lord, no oath ta his da, no oath ta that crazy fey beeyotch he dreams all bouts.

Darobi looks over to Echo. So's ya gives yer word then seeks ta break it, by tricks or by threats, is tha it? Ya gets yers then does mes an mines.

Brampton looks down at the group and shushes them to be quiet.

He whispers, "Someone is sleeping on the door. Darobi do you have any idea who that would be?"

He then sets about moving the ladder to the other tower.

"Not at all, you misunderstand my purpose Darobi. The Green Council has no interest in spilling blood unnecessarily. If you have more friends here I would like to see them walk away safe. Perhaps we could even forge an alliance. If I had wanted to kill you I would have just fire balled you in the first place."

Looking at Ayerth, Me mates here are all the ones fer what I be carin. The rest theys tooks their chances, and by a devil's short n curlies some of 'em even likes its that ways. Not so sure too's the many that would throws the lots in wit youse. They likes the killin', robbin, an the rapines. Wese here don'ts goes fer thats stuff, even whens the respectables be sayin it the otherwise.

Darobi then responds to Brampton, Not too sure yeah, all be told there's a few folks that takes their duties, an their punishments, lightly. Could be Norry, could be Ulvin, heck, could even be that mongrel Kundal, he likes sleeping out more'n in he does. Sumptins not right wit that one yeah.

As Brampton moves the ladder to the other tower he begins to rant about discipline, respect, duty, and responsibility.

"This is clearly unacceptable. No discipline what so ever. I am going to wake that guy up and make him run 50 times around the wall."

Again he goes up the ladder and slowly opens the hatch.

Brampton climbs the ladder, exiting into a small 10' wide circular chamber, a watch tower built atop the inside rim of the barbican inner wall. The room holds an open doorway, no door though there does appear to have once been connection points for a leather covering perhaps to keep out the weather.

The stonework here covers the entirety of the gatehouse below, opening onto the wall on both the eastern and western approaches. Rotted posts mark where two weapon mounts once protected the approach to the gatehouse, probably ballista, set to swivel outwards in to half moon buttress towers on the outer wall.

The warrior makes his way over to the eastern tower, finding the doorway covered by a thin, worn curtain. Inside the sound of snoring can be heard. Though difficult to ascertain, there does appear to be only one guard inside.

Looking out past the tower, Brampton scans the wall and notices a small light, possibly a candle, glowing in the third watch tower to the west, overlooking the stables. A shadow occasionally passes before the light.

Directly across from the gatehouse, up and over from the main entrance to the castle proper, a catapult station has been raised. A half shielded brazier burns soft and blue, with two, maybe three figures huddled around it for warmth.

The rest of the wall walkway appears dark, the moonlight faint as clouds pass overhead, shielding the area below.

Going back to the open hatch Brampton tells the others what he has seen and ask Irakli and Silas to come with him.

After they come up he tells Ser Brampton to be ready at the other hatch for a deliver. "Take the ladder with you."

Ready, depending upon your plan that is...

Silas follows. I suppose if you need someone to set a catapult on fire...

Just to clear up things am I in the room with Brampton or just outside where he is

I am up the ladder in a little room on the west side of the gatehouse. The sleeping guy is in a room on the east side. We are going to go over there and capture him and then lower him into the room with Ser Brandon, Echo, and Ayerth. You and Silas are with me.

Brampton whispers, "Silas wait here and watch the walls while Irakli and I go deal with the sleeper"

We then go and slowly open the covering and look into the room.

Everyone up top has low light vision

Silas follows Brampton's lead.

I am watching from cover below trying to avoid a two front war.

Ser Brandon nods his head taking the ladder to the other hatch. He secures it in place giving it a little shake to test the sturdiness of its placement. He begins to climb the ladder upto the towards the other hatch stopping right below it.

Once in place he awaits the signal. His nerves would be playing havoc with him were this some years ago, when he was still battle green but after some years of battle, though his pulse raced he used the excitement to energise himself.

Waits for Brampton to give him the OK for the signal to Ser Brandon then will going Brampton in the room

Brampton and Irakli sneak over and pull back the curtain. The guard continues sleeping, completely unawares. Nodding to the elf, Brampton stands ready as Irakli crouches over the man, draws back his arm, then in one rapid motion slams his sap down at the man's head, doing coup de grace Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 1) + 2 = 9 plus Sneak Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 1) = 7. The man starts but a moment, Consciousness Roll: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16, but collapses into stupefied slumber.

As this happens, a torch flare up at the tower overlooking the smithy, waving side to side in three slow motions. A single figure seems to be watching, holding to a line which hangs slack, running down into the stables below. The arrow slits at the windows below the catapult station likewise come into life. Shadows pass before the lights, dark silhouettes, one, then two, then three. It seems something is happening, but you do not hear any alarms or horns of warning, yet.

Map of Area

Brampton slowly opens the hatch. Seeing Ser Brandon waiting he tells him, "Something is going on out there but I don't think it involves us. Let's get this guy tied up and gagged. We can lower him down after we figure out what they are doing"

After a few minutes of quiet watching and waiting, it appears maybe something that should have happened has not, for a horn calls out with one, two, then three sharp blasts.

A few moments later and two torches appear around the eastern end of the wall, by the eastern most platform overlooking the village. They begin moving in your direction, as a brazier lights up from the catapult station. A pair of figures are silhouetted there, looking in the direction of the main gatehouse.

The man at the first station tugs on his line a few times, then retreats into his tower. The sound of rustling chains thrashing about can be heard coming from the stables below.

Brampton moves to alert the others to the activity, noticing in the corner of the small tower room, past the guard's feet, unnoticed by Irakli, a torch handle sticking up from a small wooden bucket filled with dirt and sand.

There are five or six guards approaching from the east, one at the third tower to the west, and at least two atop the catapult station north by northwest across the courtyard. The moving guards should arrive in three or four rounds time.

Silas can cast a few spells, but all would give away location—he'll wait until the guards are closer, and see if they shout anything.

"Well Ser Brandon, it seems that we missed something and they know we are here. I will bet there was a counter sign involving that torch."

Brampton looks at the catapult tower to see which way it is facing. That is going to take time to turn around, load, aim, and fire

"Silas! Irakli! See if you guys can hit those guys at the catapult before they start shooting at us!

Hearing that the Owlbear is loose he yells down the hatch. "Either barricade the door to the inner courtyard or open it and the outer gate and hope the thing runs out. Then get up here!"

Turning once more to Ser Brandon, "Shall we go meet our host upon the wall side by side in glorious battle.

Overview of our team

Silas is in the upper west gate tower
Brampton, Irakli, and Ser Brandon on in the upper east gate tower
Orin, Ayerth, and Echo are in the lower gate area.
Three prisons are awake with the lower group and one is unconscious in the upper east gate tower.

There went the element of suprise.

I'm not understanding where people are, can we have some clarification?
See Map.

I have marked our group, can someone mark the guards/catapult station?

The catapult station is directly across from Silas' position on your image, the flat rectangle inside the wall, between the two towers on the opposite wall. The catapult points out towards the lake, and it does not appear to be the group is moving the device.

The guards seem to be watching for a response from Brampton's guard tower. One group is moving towards his tower now, and the owlbear sounds to have been roused, but it has not been "set free" that you can see.

Ser Brandon smiles in response clearly not worrying that something hasn't gone accordingly to plan. Looking forward to a fight he responds, "I would not have it any other way. Let us greet then with sword and shield." Making his way to the wall the readies his sword and shield, preparing to introduce his sword and shield to their new acquaintances.

Looks around the room to see if the is anywhere to shoots arrows from.
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

The tower atop the wall is little more than a place for guards to shelter out of the weather. It does not have arrow slits allowing it to fire into the castle proper nor along the wall at fellow guardsmen.

Turning to Ser Brandon, "Shall we go out and meet our foe. I think you should be the one to announce that they are all under arrest and give them a chance to surrender. Remember to stay by my side so we can cover each other."

He then moves out to where the two walls come together and run straight east.

"Splendid."

Ayerth makes to secure the gatehouse.

"I thought we were supposed to be the ones laying siege to the castle! Now we are in defensive posture."

Ser Brandon nods to his companions, as they make their way out together, Ser Brandon Calls out, "In the name of the Barony of the Greenbelt you are all under arrest. Surrender and face fair trial or fight and face death!"

Intimidation: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

The men approaching stop at Ser Brandon's call, drawing weapons and approaching more slowly. One of the number however, draws a horn from his belt and begins running back the way he came, giving a long blast then three quick bleats, followed by another long blast.

The sprinting man reaches the groups original starting point quickly. The approaching five men will reach Ser Brandon and Brampton in four rounds now, due to slowing and taking defensive measures.

Across the way the catapult station takes up the call, repeating the other man's alarm.

The guard at the western tower moves out of his tower, kneeling down by the wall. It appeared he may have had a bow or spear in hand.

Rooftop Map for Reference