Here Be Tryants: A Kingmaker saga.

Game Master Joy

With a nod, Alexander responds, I agree, such a policy would be fair. The loss of property, that is. As for the fate of this woman, I think I'll leave the trial process to our fine Councilor and you, Mr. Rook, if you'd like. I'll handle pardons, requests for leniency, and such. He shrugs as he looks at the woman, I'm happy for you to decide. Her crime is murder and banditry. If she would be of use to us, I would say use her. But she does not strike me as controllable. Too...feral, he says, with thee hint of a sneer.

Andrea suddenly sweats at the idea of conducting a trial.

Yes, My lord. It would be better to watch her hang. He keep his lance at the ready as he helps the others binder up. [b]We can take her back to town on Czernabog for her public trial and execution.[b/]

Any interrogation of the woman takes a while since it appears that she has forgotten how to speak common (assuming she ever knew it). She can speak/understand only draconic and sylvan. So a translator will be needed for any questioning or for a trial, which I'm sure you all can arrange.

How do you wish to conduct the trial? Will she be questioned beforehand, given consul all that sort of thing?

Andrea does arrange for consul and gathers witnesses from the loggers and procures the drake corpses as evidence.

Alexander, do you have any magic that will allow her to understand what is being said to her? I am unable to use that magic currently.

Andrea also arranges for an interrorgation cell to be set up with shackles to make sure she is unable to shift or cast spells.

No, though I can translate, if need be. Alexander will aid in any part of the preparation he can, curious to see how this will all work out.

Needless to say, during you interrogations, the woman Lizza makes it clear that she would love nothing more than to kill you all for murdering her family. Over time, you also learn that her mother was a very powerful druid with a female drake animal companion. The drakes you killed were the children of that animal companion and she was raised alongside them and continued to live with them as a sibling after their parents failed to return home one day.

They felt that they were rightly defending their territory from invaders when the loggers began destroying the forest near their home.

"I can also translate if need be, my lord."

Confused as she is, she nevertheless committed a crime. She must be punished. Execution or servitude, like the werewolf. Could she be tamed and trained?

I think this is a more extreme case than the werewolf. The barmaid was unwillingly infected and we got to her before she could start hunting. Lizza started her vendetta with no communication to let them no that was their territory.

I agree. This one must be put down. Alexander spits out with a sneer. Chaos. Disorder. Death. That's all she understands. Actions like this cannot be tolerated. We must show our people, as well as those that would attack our people.

The remorseless, feral druid is given a very brief (one day), but public trial with Othniel translating. She freely admits to her crimes and curses those who killed her drake brethren. So it is with no deliberation that Lizza is found guilty of multiple crimes, including murder and treason and sentenced to hang. She is walked out to the gallows outside the courthouse immediately after being sentenced and hung until she is dead.

The trial and hanging are watching by as many townsfolk that could fit into the courthouse and the yard in front of it. You may have a +1 Stability for the next roll.

It would be a good point to take a rest in town for a while, to go ahead and let Eduard do his crafting and the rest of you take care of any personal or positional business that you need to attend to. After that, enough time will have passed to make your Kingdom rolls for the month.

A few days after you sent out a work crew to survey the area around the Rickety Bridge and begin some preliminary work on repairing it, a lone worker (the only female of the crew) staggers back into town. She relates a tale of a vicious, wild-looking woman who is covered in spattered blood and had a crazy look in her eyes who had claimed that area as her own territory and killed everyone in the crew. She claims to have made her escape while the woman was eating crew foreman.

Andrea gets a report on the attack and taps her chin. Could this be connected to the drake woman? It sounds so cliche, but having kin with the same abilities might be a possibility.

Another one? Alexander says with a sneer, Very well. We can deal with this matter the same as the last.

My lord, how many of these madmen and hermits must we face? Are there no hospitals? Perhaps further executions will convince the populous to care for their sick. Radomir hefts his glaive and readies Czernabog for to ride.

My lord, how many of these madmen and hermits must we face? Are there no hospitals? Perhaps further executions will convince the populace to care for their sick. Radomir hefts his glaive and readies Czernabog for to ride.

If you are desiring to handle this trouble yourselves, you can travel to the bridge area in under a days time. You may take the time to make any purchases you want before taking off if you wish.

Did we do downtime for Eduard to enchant things before the kingdom building turn?

"Well, I imagine that a prolonged period of time spent alone in the wilderness tends to unhinge most people's minds. As we settle this area, we should see the number of madmen and hermits decrease - or we'll have a more suitable infrastructure to deal with them."

Yes, Eduard had his downtime to enchant/craft before the kingdom building turn.

Okay. I will also buy some blunt arrows on the way out of town.

OK. That is easy enough to find in town.

Alexander shrugs, No one said bringing civilization to the wild would be easy. And I'd have it no other way! Alexander packs his saddlebags, getting ready to leave.

Indeed, I have gotten far too much wilderness on my boots. We need to get good cobblestones. As for dealing with the unsound of mind, I must say that the non magical types of care are very much lacking. Such establishments are dens of madness.

Feel free to state any other items bought for this outing.

Your trip to the bridge area is uneventful, though when you arrive, you do see a rather odd sight.

There is a large tent, possibly the loggers, but it is now bedecked with a wide array of flowers and greenery. Out in front of the tent is a large, wooden table set with a feast and an open fire and a large cauldron over it. Stirring the cauldron is a humanoid appearing woman. She is completely bereft of clothing and is clad solely in jewelry and flowers that leave very little of her lovely and voluptuous figure to the imagination.

You do not see any of the carnage that the survivor talked about.

Please state how close your group is initially to the woman.

Lore Master: Knowledge (nature) 28.

A Maenad. A despicable, vile creature. It will try to infect you with its madness. Do not allow it. Their bite is venomous as well. Contrary to his normal demeanor, Alexander whispers this advice with a tone of malice as if such a creature is his mortal enemy. Othniel and Mr. Rook will approach invisibly. Eduard will cast glitterdust and Andrea...perhaps a summoning? Eduard's spell will be our moment. Radomir and I will charge her and hold her attention. With luck we'll be able to surprise and destroy this creature before it know what is happening.

Alexander will cast invisibility on both Othniel and Finnegan to allow them to approach as close as possible. They'll have 5 minutes to get into position. We most likely won't give them *that* long, but just in case it comes up, we're not in a huge rush.

Finnegan nods in response to Alexander's orders, readying his bow and slipping into the area invisibly. He can't see Othniel, but he hopes the other is keeping close nearby.

Stealth, invisibility: 1d20 + 33 ⇒ (1) + 33 = 34

Well, good thing for Invisibility.

I can send a summoned Dire Boar to attack, as a distraction. make her think it was attracted to the noise and smells.

Andrea will summon a Dire Boar to invade the Maenad's personal space.

The terrain around the woman is fairly open due to the forest being cut back here to make way for the road and the bridge. The Maenad is on the same side of the river as you all are and it is about 30 feet behind her.

How long do we think it would take Othniel (moving stealthily) to get within striking range of her? Or, rather, can Eduard take a good guess at that to time his spell?

Eduard should be able to time it with Othniel as to when he would most likely be close to position. He's witnessed his speed at stealthing before.

Stealth: 1d20 + 10 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 20 = 33 Geez.

Othniel sneaks into position to the 'woman's' rear.

Inititiave: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Eduard will attempt his Glitterdust on time.

DC 18 Will Save

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Alexander readies himself for the signal to attack!

init: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Looks like the Maenad is going last, so everyone can go ahead and state their actions for round 1 actions.

will save for Glitterdust: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Her first round action will be to begin dancing, so it would be easier if everyone goes ahead and makes their DC 19 Will save after their actions.

Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Round 1: Initiative 19

Alexander charges forward with sword ready! Attack! Give this creature no quarter!

Using Inspire Courage +2.

Init: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Will save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Round 1 Init 8

Andrea keeps summoning her boar that sound be appearing now. Said ugly beast attacks the Maenad with a loud squeal.

Boar gore,Inspire: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 212d6 + 11 ⇒ (5, 3) + 11 = 19
1/5 Rounds

Round 1
initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Aye, my lord, a sound plan

The knight lowers his lance at the foul forest-spirit. Such wild creatures of whimsy and freedom were ruinous plagues to civilization and order!

Madam! You have violated the laws of this land! Stand ready for judgement! Sentence Then, he charges the creature!

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Round 1

Having moved into position, Finnegan studies the Maenad before loosing an arrow at her from his cover.

Attack, inspire courage, point blank shot, studied target vs flat-footed: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 35
Confirm critical?: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 24
Damage, inspire courage, PBS, studied target, sneak attack: 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 + (6) = 22
Additional critical damage: 2d8 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (8, 7) + 6 + 4 + 2 + 4 = 31

Move action: studied target. Standard action arrow attack. 53 damage if the crit confirms.

Will Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

boar will save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
1d100 ⇒ 90

Czernabog will save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
1d100 ⇒ 7

Will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9+2 vs Enchantments, not that it does any good.

Until that time, though:
Othniel steps up behind the Maenad on Alexander's command, and attacks.
Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 3d6 ⇒ (8) + 6 + (1, 1, 6) = 22

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Damage: 1d6 - 1 + 3d6 ⇒ (6) - 1 + (3, 1, 4) = 13
Crit Confirm?:
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

Heh. Radomir rolled a nat 1 on his attack, AND flubbed his will save he totally rocked this round!

Round 1

Finnegan unleashes an incredibly damaging arrow at the maenad. 53dmg

Alexander inspires courage.

Radomir charges the maenad and just barely misses her.

Eduard casts Glitterdust on her.

Othniel moves up and attacks the maenad. 33dmg

The now bloody, but glittery maenad snarls in pain, but still manages to begin dancing.
This is what your will saves were for.

Othniel: 1d100 ⇒ 53
Radomir: 1d100 ⇒ 71

Othniel and Radomir both landed in the same section of the chart, so your next round actions will be:
51-75 Deals 1d8 points of damage + Str modifier to self with item in hand.

The boar will attack whomever is closest to is. Which I'm assuming is the maenad since it was summoned right beside her. Be warned that Andrea is no longer in control of the animal though.

Czernabog will act normally with his roll.

Andrea finishes summoming her boar and it goes right to work at attacking the maenad, but his tusks just barely missed her thigh.

Round 2; Initiative 21

Finnegan draws forth two more arrows and fires at the maenad, trying to end the confusion quickly so his companions can remain in the fight.

Attack, inspire courage, PBS, rapid shot, studied target: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 1 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 2 + 1 - 2 + 2 = 29
Damage, inspire courage, PBS, studied target: 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 10

Attack, inspire courage, PBS, rapid shot, studied target: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 1 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 2 + 1 - 2 + 2 = 30
Damage, inspire courage, PBS, studied target: 1d8 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 9

Round 2 Init 8

Bad piggy! Obey!

The boar keeps attacking the Maenad but it's eyes also flick to the elf who just appeared.
Gore,Inspire: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 282d6 + 11 ⇒ (1, 1) + 11 = 13

Andrea believes the others have things in hand and passes her action.

Crit gor?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 232d6 + 11 ⇒ (5, 1) + 11 = 17

Casting saving finale to give Radomir a second save! (I think he has a *slightly* better chance of making a save against compulsion?)

Round 2: Initiative 19

Concentrate! Take her down! Alexander shouts, as he keeps his shield up, expecting an attack from all around him at this point.

Activating inspire courage +2 again.

Czernabog rears back and attacks the maeanad again!

bite: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
hoof: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
hoof: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Radomir, Alexander's "Saving Finale" allows you a chance to reroll your will save versus the maenad's dance.

Whoops. Sorry. Will save now.
Will Save Now: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 bwahahahahahahaha!! so the guy dedicated to law and order and discipline.. has a mind like swiss cheese!

Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Round 2 - Initiative 13

Eduard will start to summon a Fiendish Goblin Dog in a flanking position.