EndlessForms |
You have been summoned to the Realm of the Mammoth Lords to meet with the Pathfinder Society's Master of Swords Marcos Farabellus in a hastily-erected tent at the Society's new base camp.
Ruprecht Antillious |
The elf walked into the tent, his eyes quickly scanning the room and appraising the situation. He preferred a dusty old tomb, but this missive was different, but whatever the a Society wanted, he was game for. He wore his usual adventuring gear, his armor, and a small army of vials, bottles, and potions strapped all about him. He looked for a place to sit, but finding no provided chairs, he stands and waits for the company he knew was coming.
Mu Ping |
"Grleetings?", the native inflection of the Tian Xia people precedes a venerable human stepping into the tent. The man has seen better days, his skin is gaunt, taunt and dark, much like the glazed and grilled lizard he's snacking on. Grey robes of monastic traditions states his general neutrality on philosophical matters. He flicks the remains of the garlicky treat away; rests his lantern pole and straw hat against the wall introduces himself. "I am Mu Ping. Rleporting foh duty." Undoubtedly, either someone needed a quota filled at the recruiting station or his application was misdirected from the Napfinders. "Yes, helrlo, helrlo." He give the traditional Tien clasped hand-over-fist and head nod, absentmindedly repeating the gesture.
He then shouts back outside the tent, "Hoi! Empuhror! This way!". When he turns back to the others, he adds, "Oh, yes, I rlejoin to get out of the kitchen, put some yin back in my yan! -and then Zey sent us to freeze in Illisen! HahhhaaaHa! We back just last week. We show you young pups old-temple style, eh?!" Mu waves his cane around like some sort of weapon.
Yanos |
More at home in the tent that in most lodges, Yanos stops at the entrance, giving a silent signal to his companion, "Drop" to take up a position and watch, than enters. As he does he nods towards Mu in the tradition more common in his homeland. "It has been long friend. I sense you have grown strong since our journey into the Impossible Lands." Suddenly a voice from just behind the tall Ulfen battlepriest chimes in, "There is nothing impressive, much less impossible about those ol' phonies.", causing Yanos to place a hand over his face.
Seeing the others, Yanos does a more formal bow. "I am Count Yanos, the Lord Baron and Knight Protector of the Realm of Ustalav, Huscarl to the Empire, faithful servant of the Shadow Lodge, Knight of Eristal." Then with a wave to indicate he was joking, "Or simply Yanos. My friend out there is Drop. True, true, he is a beast, but I rescued him as a hatchling from a bunch of goblins some time ago, and well, he sort of thinks I'm his daddy. Just kind of follows me around. My other friend in here," pointing just over his shoulder, "is Gamin. Doesn't take too kindly to being called "he" or "she". But Gamin's older and wiser than some deities. So,. . . who is ready to go smite the crap out of some evil!?!?"
Yanos is a tall Ulfen man. He is not wearing armor, but simple loose rags, though it is clear he has something metal on underneath, you can't see where. covered nearly head to toe, only his eyes are really apparent, but oddly his eye color seems to shift randomly every few minutes. In one hand, almost like a quarterstaff, he is leaning on a longspear that radiates a soft silver light. On the handle you see multiple crude marks caved in, notches indicating a count of some sort. An odd broken longsword hands from his back, not in a scabbard but rather leather leashes.
EndlessForms |
A blast of cold wind—the biting chill of the Realm of the Mammoth Lords— rushes into the tent, ruffling scattered papers but not Marcos Farabellus. The Pathfinder Society’s Master of Swords stares intently at a map of the western Worldwound, eyeing wooden playing pieces placed at strategic locations.
“Quite a party we’ve started up here. Did you know they’re calling all this ruckus the Army of the Open Road?” Farabellus asks, never raising his eyes from the map laid out before him. “Well, now it looks like this army is finally ready to move on Jormurdun, the lost Sky Citadel of the dwarves.”
“In case you hadn’t heard, I’ve been appointed warmaster of this growing army of ours. The Decemvirate has politely asked me to knock on Jormurdun’s door and see who answers. The problem is, the walk there is going to take weeks and we know there’re some unwelcome residents already in the region.” Farabellus points to a group of crimson-stained wooden tokens at the north-western edge of the Worldwound that stand opposed to the tokens of the Society’s forces. “It looks like the Society’s latest adversaries, that deceitful cur Tancred Desimire and the two-faced former Venture-Captain Thurl, have assembled an expedition of their own—and positioned it right in our path.”
Slamming his fist down in a sudden movement that cracks the table, Farabellus sends wooden pieces flying about the tent’s interior. “I’m done with these two meddlers. The demonologist and the traitor are to be brought to justice. But first, we must reach Jormurdun before they do. To that end, I need your assistance in rallying our armies and getting us to the entrance of the Sky Citadel. All our senior agents are out in the field tracking Tancred and Thurl, so I’m promoting you to act as field commanders for the battles ahead. Our allies are waiting to meet with us. Any questions?”
Yanos |
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Know Local: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
Probably going to be Aiding on those, but I think it's cool that the Dwarves (probably from the Glassriver Rescue) are returning.
"It just so happens that Witch Hammer here has a place for two more notches. . . Hum, coincidence?" Then from behind Yanos, that same odd voice from earlier, "Don't be too cocky there. It's not enough I have to deal with you touching me whenever you dang well feel like it, but an even less worthy hand,. . . Just no. If you die, don't look at me to do anything for you."
Ruprecht Antillious |
AA Diplomacy 1d20 ⇒ 14
AA Know. Local 1d20 ⇒ 20
Ruprecht nods, and looks attuned at the gathered army. "Quite interesting. I've never helped lead an army before. This will make for a good story one day."
Yanos |
I'll go ahead and mention to the party what I (we) know in character.
"The Society has put together a massive host to march on the lost dwarven Sky Citadel of Jormurdun. Earning the nickname “the Army of the Open Road,” this force is composed of Society agents and allies from across the Inner Sea."
"Standing beside the Society are the crusaders of Mendev, consisting of mounted cavalry and trained battle priests. The dwarves of the Five Kingdoms Mountains have committed their siege weapons and hearty infantry after long negotiations with the Society. Both of these forces stand as the most loyal and largest non-Society factions in the Army of the Open Road."
Grundar |
Pushing his way to the front of the group. A dwarven man speaks up So we are going
Jormurun the Sky Citadel and stopping Tancred Desimire and former Venture-Captain Thurl. When do we get started.
diplomacy: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8
Old Shu |
Earlier...
"Yes, yes! I am on way!" A voice calls from outside the tent a moment before the flap is thrown wide by a small white monkey wearing a small cloth pack.
Before the monkey can say anything an old Tien gnome steps up behind it. Short, even by the standards of his race, he wears a simple hooded hanfu made from a material of the deepest black that contrasts strikingly with his white beard. His eyes are oddly mismatched with one slightly larger than the other.
"You walk too fast." He casts a lopsided glare at Mu, then shuffles inside and plops down next to him and looks to the others gathered.
"He offer you food yet? I warn you, do not accept!"
Presently...
Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
"Army?" Shu's eyes, both of them, are open wide. Rounding on Mu, he shakes a finger in his old face. "You said we joining safari!"
Shu jumps into a tirade of colorful Tien curses.
Mu Ping |
to act as field commanders
"Yes yes, safali, -Rlook a monkey -Rlook a big owl", Mu points at Pu and Drop while trying to conceal a crazed senile grin at having fooled his friend into yet another battle campaign. "Frield Commandah! Haha - just rlike back in the Wuah! I even bring my geah!", he pats a dusty weapon roll lying next to the winter gear.
EndlessForms |
Elven Uprooters (Pathfinder Society Scenario #5–05: The Elven Entanglement): Loaned to the Society by a combination of favors collected by Venture-Captain Varian Jeggare and the heroic efforts of Pathfinder agents, the Elven Uprooters carry specially crafted demon-slaying weapons and are capable of confounding and disrupting enemies in myriad ways.
Requirement: Accumulating an Army (Elven Uprooters) boon
Granted Army Boon: Hit and Run.
Jistkan Stone Golems (Pathfinder Society Scenario #5–17: Fate of the Fiend): Recovered from the ruins of Rachikan, these stone golems are few in number but incredibly powerful. Although they are immune to magic and resistant to damage, the constructs are difficult to control in the midst of battle.
Requirement: The character must have received both prestige in 5-17.
Granted Army Boon: None.
Mammoth Riders (Pathfinder Society Scenario #5–10: Where Mammoths Dare Not Tread): The Kellids of the Red Winter tribe have allied with the Pathfinder Society, sending strong berserkers astride towering mammoths to aid the Army of the Open Road.
Requirement: Accumulating an Army (Mammoth
Riders) boon
Granted Army Boon: Bloodied but Unbroken.
Riftwardens (Pathfinder Society Scenario #5–07: Port Godless): Upon rescuing a group of Riftwardens in the city of Azir, the Pathfinder Society earned the organization’s promise of aid in the securing of Jormurdun. Several dozen Riftwardens have volunteered their services in the upcoming march, pledging their planar sealing abilities and devastating magic to the cause of the Society.
Requirement: Accumulating an Army (Riftwardens) boon
Granted Army Boon: Hold the Line.
Army of Exploration (Taldor faction PCs only): Lady Gloriana Morilla has mustered a modest but proud army of aristocrats, retainers, duelists, bravos, and thrill-seekers to carry Taldor’s banner.
Requirement: Must belong to the Taldor faction
Granted Army Boon: None
I'm not going to ask you to scan chronicles or anything, we'll just play it by the honor system.
I'm going to add some handout links to the top of the page for everyone to look over. I'll post more details later, likely Monday as I will be gone tomorrow all day.
Ruprecht Antillious |
Darn it, I don't have any of those boons either...at least with Ruprecht!
Yanos |
I could be wrong, but according to the Podcast, if any of your characters have them, you as a player are allowed to use them with this character. I have only read the summary of this scenario though, (once I asked to get in I stopped reading it), and so I'm not sure if that is true or not.
Ruprecht Antillious |
I am pretty sure Shel or Alie one have the Taldor Army of Exploration Boon. I might have the Elven Entanglement boon somewhere as well. I'll check my characters for that one.
Ruprecht Antillious |
I'm not sure. Shel has this boon: Allies from Andoran (Taldor faction): During your time in Andoran, you acquired several allies who will aid Lady Glorianna Morilla in creating a new Army of Exploration. Mustering such a force will require more time before you see it pay off, but you know Lady Morilla remembers and will reward her allies well.
It mentions the Army of Exploration, but I think the boon came from 5-06, not 5-05, so I assume it is close but not the same.
Yanos |
Its from "5-04 The Stolen Heir". I have it twice, too. Just about every supposedly Taldor focused scenario basically did that for the chronicle, "this might come up later", which is pretty disappointing, (I'm not a fan of Season 5 at all so far, poor combat, very focused on iffy stories, and a lot of pretty obvious, but needlessly over complicated investigation. Great if that's what you want, terribly boring a lot of time if it's not your thing or you are a combat type).
Vitor Bresnarov |
I have all, but Jistkan Stone Golem boon.
A brooding man listen intently from the back of the tent. He carries an Aldori dueling sword at his side and is dressed in clothing of Taldan style.
"Though it is an eclectic mix of troops, I think that may work to our advantage." Vitor states as a small smile crosses his face. "Field Commander Bresarov has a nice ring to it...."]
Yanos |
I'm just curious if anyone has made any CONNECTIONS with Mu Ping and Old Shu yet?
EndlessForms |
Internet is fixed and I'm back! Thanks for being patient!
First, a note on the Unique Armies:
This scenario gives players the opportunity to use boons earned on select Chronicle sheets to command unique armies. Unlike with most boons, as long as a player has earned the associated boon with any of her characters, she can command that army.
You don't have to have the boon on the character you are playing, just any of your characters. Vitor has all but the Jistkan Stone Golems so he has access to all of them but that one. The stats for the Unique Armies are linked up top.
If you have any of those other boons on any character you may choose that troop. If you have none of those boons, you may choose between one of the Core Armies (linked up top as Armies of the Open Road).
----
After you have looked over the troops, Farabellus informs you that the next step is for each of you too choose a troop to command.
Core armies are always available, allowing PCs to lead duplicate formations. For example, two PCs could each run an army of Society Field Agents or Mendevian Warpriests. Unique armies can only be selected once; PCs are not allowed to have duplicates of these armies in their force, and a destroyed Unique army is not available in future engagements. If a PC has a boon that would allow her to command a Unique army, but that army is already in use, she can instead add that army’s respective granted army boon to any Core army she commands. The exception to this rule is the Army of Exploration. Thanks to the combined efforts of each Taldor PC, Gloriana Morilla was able to assemble one additional battalion of the Army of Exploration for each Taldor PC after the first. These reduced armies are size Medium and start with 22 hp, 17 DV, and +7 OM before factoring in the boons, and they do not count as Unique armies for the purpose of adding additional enemy armies.
So before we leap into battle everyone needs to choose which troops they would like to lead. Then we'll see if we can leap into the first engagement!
Yanos |
Is that all? I don't have any of the Boons. I noticed that someone seemed to get a Channel Energy Ability/Spellcasting. I'll try for that one, I think. It's on the Mass Combat cheat sheet.
Oh, Mendev Warpriests. Sorry I only saw the unique armies link at first.
Ruprecht Antillious |
"I will lead the Five Kings Seige Masters, and teach those dwarves how to really use a ranged weapon!"
EndlessForms |
Mu takes Warpriests. -What are the core boon definitions?
Do you mean the abilities? Those are all described in the abilities links. Or do you mean the thing about the Mendevian Commendation boons under the Warpriest statblock? Mendevian Commendation is a boon you could have earned in several season 5 scenarios. Maybe I'm misunderstanding your question though.
EndlessForms |
If the PC commands a Core army, she may select one of the following commander boons for her army: Defensive Tactics, Flexible Tactics, Loyalty, or Triage.
Oh, sorry! I understand now. I thought those were in the Ability descriptions but I guess not. This scenario has stuff all over the place, it's not really well organized from what I can see so far. I've added another link with Army Boons at the top. So those of you with Core Armies need to pick one of those too.
I'll just keep adding info to the top as we need it. I feel like I'm already flooding you with too much information, I didn't want to throw everything at you at once.
Yanos |
I dont mind swithing, too. My character could honestly find a good rp reason for just about everyone. I have an owlbear i could use to lead the elephant brigade, or the mendev cav. Im a priest of. The longbow deity that can show the elves the error of their heathen ways. :P Im Shaldor Lodge.
Old Shu |
"General" Shu listens to his companions discuss battle plans for a while before jumping to his feet and yelling. "You all chatter like fishwives on Sun Day! You, command those! You, these! Mu! Fah.. better go with Warpriests in case you suffer heart attack or fall down and break hip again."
Mu, unless you've played one of the scenarios that qualify you for a "Unique Army" I think you are limited to choosing from "Armies of the Open Road". I think we need both healing and some sort of cavalry, and if we can get a couple Unique Armies, then we should organize ourselves to get some.
Breakdown:
Shu - Society Enforcers
Grundar - Army of Exploration
Ruprecht - Five Kings Siege Masters
Yanos - ? (my suggestion would be Mammoth Riders)
Mu - ? (my suggestion would be Mendevian Warpriests)
Vitor - ? (my suggestion would be Elven Uprooters or Riftwardens)
Old Shu |
There are a few special abilities not listed in those handouts. I suggest everyone take a look at the Mass Combat rules HERE. I've gone to the trouble of adding my army at the bottom of my profile (along with all abilities and explanations), as well as the basic combat rules.
Vitor Bresnarov |
I think, perhaps wrongly, that the player still has to have the chronicle for the unique armies. As in, I don't think Vitor unlocks the armies for everyone. That was why I was asking which you guys thought I should take. Of course, I could be completely wrong.
Yanos |
That was my understanding as well, though Im not sure if some of them that get bonuses for a chroncle sheet, like Mendev Commidation cound if you have t but are not leading that specific army. I apparently dont have of the armies listed (maybe Army of Exoration, not sure).
My preference would be Mendev Warpriests, Mendev Cav, or Army of Exploration.
Ruprecht Antillious |
Ill take Bloodied but Unbroken, I suppose. I am brand new to the mass combat rules, so you all might need to baby sit me a little bit. Suggestions are welcomed!
EndlessForms |
I think, perhaps wrongly, that the player still has to have the chronicle for the unique armies. As in, I don't think Vitor unlocks the armies for everyone. That was why I was asking which you guys thought I should take. Of course, I could be completely wrong.
Nope, you are correct. If you have the chronicles, you only unlock those Unique Armies for yourself, not for everyone. If you don't have any of the chronicles/boons listed above, you have to stick to the Core Armies.
---
Mendevian Commendation may come in handy later. . . .
---
Ill take Bloodied but Unbroken, I suppose. I am brand new to the mass combat rules, so you all might need to baby sit me a little bit. Suggestions are welcomed!
I've never used them before either, which is why I'm taking it slow and giving you guys time to choose your armies carefully and read their abilities over before we jump in. I need to reread the mass combat rules too. There's not much else to do other than jump in to the first skirmish so we might as well take our time preparing.
---
Once the PC has selected an army to command, she becomes that army’s commander. If the PC commands a Core army, she may select one of the following commander boons for her army: Defensive Tactics, Flexible Tactics, Loyalty, or Triage.
Don't forget about this if you've got a Core Army!
Old Shu |
I've read the rules on mass combat, and plan to use them in my tabletop Kingmaker campaign, but I haven't actually seen them in action yet. I'm guessing it's a good thing to treat them like PCs - have at least one army that has speed, one that has healing, and one that has high HP and DV (which is basically the same as AC).
Yanos |
I'm still not clear on it I am allowed to take the Army of Exploration. I am Taldor, and I have a Chronicle Sheet from the Stolen Heir. The initial list you offered seemed to not include that while the Unique Armies Page listed above does. I'm also not clear if you just need to be a Taldor Faction character or need both?
Second question. Are we able to switch the armies we command? For example, if there is one mass combat, then we take a break and then enter a second mass combat later, can we just choose a different army? Or does it even work like that? The reason I ask is so that both Mu and I could take a crack at the Mendev Warpriests, for example, at different times.
EndlessForms |
@Terrill: It was in the list, unless I'm not understanding what you're asking. You should be able to command that army.
Army of Exploration (Taldor faction PCs only): Lady Gloriana Morilla has mustered a modest but proud army of aristocrats, retainers, duelists, bravos, and thrill-seekers to carry Taldor’s banner.
Requirement: Must belong to the Taldor faction
Granted Army Boon: None
As to the second question: If your army 'dies' during the first engagement, you are allowed to choose a new army for the second engagement. I don't see why you couldn't voluntarily switch if you wanted to.
---
Two more things:
Ruprecht Antillious |
Congrats on the upcoming nuptials, EF! Take your time and we will be here waiting when you come up for air...