Kingmaker: A Brave New World

Game Master GunMetalDrac

Playing through the Kingmaker AP. Currently on Part 1

Overland Map


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Inactive

"No no, it's okay," Korinne says with a shake of her head. "It's a question that was bound to come up sooner or later, and probably will again as we all get to know each other. I just...wonder what might have been, I guess, and that's where the sadness lies - even though part of me knows that dwelling on it won't do me any good," she sighs. "And I'm certainly not the first or only person here to have lost someone or something, as you said," she adds, quietly. "At the risk of seeming nosy...is that why you're here, too?"


Female Half-elf Paladin 2 (Divine Hunter) | HP 15/15 {effects: none} | AC 17 (Tch 12 FF 15) | F +7, R +6, W +7 (+2 vs. Ench.) | Init +2 | Perc +5, low-light vision

"Something like that, yes", she says, her voice turning melancholic. "It's funny how after all those years, it's his face that still stands out more vividly in my dreams. It'd stand to reason that would be my father's or my mother's, but no, it's always Dima's. He is... he was the miller's son, big, strong hands, honest brown eyes. It was a warm midsummer evening when we got married, in the aftermath of that year's Archerfeast. That was 4, no, almost 5 years ago now".

She sighs, appearing lost in thought for a moment. "The very next winter, a bandit raid, neither the first nor the last to pour out of the Stolen Lands. But particularly well-organized, and vicious. As the closest thing our village had to a leader, my father tried to fight back, and my mother, Dima and I stood behind him. A valiant endeavor, I suppose; and yet, a foolish and doomed one. They left us for dead, and they were right in all cases but mine. Still, our little community effectively ceased to exist that day. I was left with only my faith to sustain me, and to this day I tremble at the thought of what could have become of me if it were not for it. Consumed by regret and lust for vengeance, I suppose. I've come to learn the line between justice and revenge can be a thin one. Perhaps this is why I was so vocal in trying to spare our captives the noose" she thoughtfully ponders, as if herself realizing this fact for the first time.

Her eyes are glistening, but her tone is now once again collected. "No point in dwelling on old, unhappy, far-off things, anyway. Erastil teaches that one should reflect on her past, and then move on and rebuild. This is what I'm doing here. One day, we might be able to bring peace and prosperity to the Stolen Lands; in the meantime, these items aren't going to inventory themselves, are they?" she now playfully says, eagerly resuming her work.

Well, she has the Sentimental drawback, after all


Inactive

"Yes. Yes, you're right," Korinne agrees, some of her usual cheer beginning to return to her voice. "But for what it's worth, I'm sorry for your loss. And...thank you, for offering a friendly ear. Next time that we have a relatively free evening, how about we share a drink and maybe a story or two? Happy ones - about your family and about Kieran," she smiles.


Overland Map

The guards standing guard at the make shift prison stand aside to allow Rufus into the small pen that Kressel, 2 of the old bandits and the new bandit are being kept.

The bandits are mostly keeping clear of making eye contact with Kressel, maybe out of fear or not wanting to associate with the violent(well more violent) bandit.

Kressel herself cuts a slightly antagonistic view, even if she is missing a hand and dressed in what amounts to rags.

2 of the "original bandit crew" are already on work detail, using shovels to start digging the moat


Female Half-elf Paladin 2 (Divine Hunter) | HP 15/15 {effects: none} | AC 17 (Tch 12 FF 15) | F +7, R +6, W +7 (+2 vs. Ench.) | Init +2 | Perc +5, low-light vision

"Well, if you're not afraid of having to listen to an old widow's rambling reminiscing..." she quips. "Jokes aside, I'm looking forward to it, Korinne, I really do" Xelani warmly reciprocates the smile.


Male Human (Kellid/Varisian) Cavalier (Standard Bearer)/Skald 4/1 [ HP: 38/38 | AC: 15 T: 12 FF: 14 | F: +7 R: +2 W: +3/+4 | Init: +1 Perc: -1 | Effects: Raging Song (Inspired Rage)]

"Tell your captain I've taken charge of the prisoner." Rufus informs the guards before either lifting her to her feet bodily or awaiting as she stands. Once Kressle is standing, he nods to the door & the three (assuming Alayini is still with him) of them make their way out of the stockade.
"This isn't a favor, it isn't a sermon & if you would truly rather waste your time and mine 'proving' you're a hard-arse; please, go ahead and tell me again about how 'I don't know what your life was like & how I would be no different than you in the same circumstances'..." He pre-empts another rant on the part of the fallen bandit lieutenant.
"We both know the only Freedom that remains to you is 'how' you want to die. If you want to take your chances with Restov's 'mercy', then walk back to your cell & there will be a cart take you there in the morning. If you want to die fighting, with a blade in your hand & the chance at taking another down with you, say so & we'll give it another turn."


Female Ifrit Bard (Dervish Dancer Archtype) / 1 | AC 17 T 13 FF 14 | HP 10/10 | F +1 R +5 W +2 | Init +3 | Perc +0

Previously: As she hands him back his sword, Alayi nods in thanks to him. "It is well made and mostly well cared for. It should suffice in the battle ahead, I sharpened it to a razor's edge. In time you really must let me make you a better blade though. One made from lighter metal and delicately crafted to suit your hand and strength specifically."

As they walk in Alayi is pleased to see two of her apprentices are already at work. She takes a quick look at the new arrival and shrugs.

"You and I will have to talk later. Right now, we have business with your former superior."

Listening to Rufus as he goes over Kressle's options, she snorts.

"Unless she really doesn't want to wait either way... in which case I am sure a simple beheading here can also be arranged, eh? I mean, if you are giving her the choice of 'how' then it is only fair that we not waste her time if she just wants to die now with no fuss or fight."


Overland Map

"So, you're saying you're going to give me my axe, some armor and gussy me up just so I can meet my end in an 'honorable' way? I mean, I imagine if I chop your head off, either the women beside you or the other big strong men around here will do the same for me, right? Thanks for the opportunity, but I don't hate you more than I value my own life. Sure enough, I may meet my end at Restov but then no one knows what will happen out in the open road. Either way, if the results are the same, I'd prefer the one with at least a chance of escape." She says the last with a bit of a smile.

As she walks back to the cell, she says, "You'll be disappointed if you think that talking about the 'Freedoms' are going to make you a better man in the eyes of the people around here. They don't mean much out here when you're not the person in charge..."


Male Human (Kellid/Varisian) Cavalier (Standard Bearer)/Skald 4/1 [ HP: 38/38 | AC: 15 T: 12 FF: 14 | F: +7 R: +2 W: +3/+4 | Init: +1 Perc: -1 | Effects: Raging Song (Inspired Rage)]

Before: Accepting the blade back from Alayini, Rufus' brows arc quizzically at her words before he rather dexterously manipulates it through forms highly reminiscent of those she learned in Restov. "It is suited to my hand and strength...
Even if not...
specifically."

As she makes her own case with Kressle he wipes a hand down across one side of his face, muttering, "Met zo veel koks, zou je denken dat we konden een bouillon sudderen."

Kressle's rebuttal draws little response from him save to be certain she makes her way only back to the stockade. Once that is done, he seeks out Arawn & Kesten Garress, preferably together. "Our 'guest' has elected to risk Restov's 'justice' rather than my own. If you intend to transport her, keep an alert, capable guard. I strongly suspect she intends to attempt an escape & she isn't likely to allow either her own injury or other's lives to impede her."

Of course, there is a wee small part of him seeing & hearing something like this in Kressle's words...

Halfling:
"With so many cooks, you would think we could simmer a broth."

Meant as a Halfling aphorism, comparable to 'Too many cooks spoiling the meal.


Overland Map

Rufus finds Kesten and Arawn talking together, from the sounds of it about the trip to Restov.

Kesten replies to Rufus, "I'll send two men to look after her. I think between them and this fellow," he indicates to Arawn, "should be more than enough to keep track of her on the road."

With the Kressel situation...dealt with, we should decide on the next course of action. Go to the ancient temple? Hunt the Mites? Murder everyone at Olegs? One of those may not be an actual option... :)


Male Human (Kellid/Varisian) Cavalier (Standard Bearer)/Skald 4/1 [ HP: 38/38 | AC: 15 T: 12 FF: 14 | F: +7 R: +2 W: +3/+4 | Init: +1 Perc: -1 | Effects: Raging Song (Inspired Rage)]

Ok, I am looking at the map again & now I have a new question. I was always under the impression that the top row of hexes were effectively part of Brevoy. Are we expected to map them as well?

After seeing Kressle & her guards off, Rufus seeks out Castor. "Seems you are our only woodswise individual. How would you recommend we proceed with our actual task?"


Male Half-Elf Cleric/Ranger(Guide) 1

Castor thinks for a moment.

"I believe it would be wisest to start near the camp, and to fan out from there. There's no point in venturing out blindly when we plan to eventually explore all of the expanse. We should take care to make note of any areas that may be useful for makeshift camps. As we go out further, it will become impractical to return to the fort very frequently, and having known places to fall back to will come in handy."


Overland Map

You are basically correct Rufus. Relooking at the map, that road is the "south Rostland Road" so I assume it is a part of Brevoy. We'll say that Oleg is just on the other side of the border. To be fair though, this land isn't really held by anyone so the actual "border" for Brevoy is a little shaky in this area.


Female Ifrit Bard (Dervish Dancer Archtype) / 1 | AC 17 T 13 FF 14 | HP 10/10 | F +1 R +5 W +2 | Init +3 | Perc +0

So if we actually got everything mapped, established, and civilized, we could, theoretically, set the hard border at the top of the hex, the middle of the hex, bottom of it, or draw a random line through it and call that the border, correct?

Alayi shrugs to Kressle as she leaves. "I would have disarmed you and sent you to Kesten to be hanged. You would have earned a swift, relatively painless death."

Turning to the guard, she smiles. "I need to speak with the other man brought in last night please. If you would be kind enough to bring him to the courtyard I would appreciate it."

So saying, she nods to Rufus as he departs and heads to the courtyard.


Overland Map

The guard pulls out the man that Alayi mentioned, bound by rope and in mostly rags. The bandit doesn't look too much different from the others. Relatively young but roughened from what was probably many years out in the wilderness.

The guard bring him to the courtyard and stands nearby while Alayi addresses the man.

*****************************************************************

This happens after any additional RP you guys want to do and definitely after Alayi's conversation. Just trying to keep thing moving along.

It is still mid-morning as the group prepares their packs for the coming exploration. Oleg has given you some simple trail rations, enough for a week for everyone, in case you decide to stay out. He says, "I don't know much about things south of here beyond rumors. There aren't many places for supplies to be had. While it isn't too much of a distance from here, a bit of distance to the south(B6), is an old codger name Bokken. He's a bit...weird but he brews some good potions. He sold me the ones I gave you a few days ago. He can probably supply you directly if you see him." Oleg helps with everyone's packs as best as he can.

Before the group leaves, Kesten stops you. "While I can't promise we'll ride out at the blink of an eye, if you can tell me where your going and how long you expect to be gone, I can keep a watch out for you lot and send riders searching if you want."


Female Half-elf Paladin 2 (Divine Hunter) | HP 15/15 {effects: none} | AC 17 (Tch 12 FF 15) | F +7, R +6, W +7 (+2 vs. Ench.) | Init +2 | Perc +5, low-light vision

As far as the easternmost hexes are concerned, the road would make a natural choice for a border, I think. The other four we might as well claim as ours, provided they're currently empty and not, say, already nominally part of some sort of obscure southern fiefdom.

So to recapitulate: the only thing left pending is giving the departing caravan a list of things we need shipped from Restov, correct? If so, I guess much of the material needed to fix the post can be handwaved as long as gmGM sets an arbitrary price for it and we pay it out of our pockets (vaguely speaking, I understand we need catapult parts worth 50 gp plus some oil, spikes and generic masonry equipment). Xelani would have no dibs to call over anything that has been looted nor there's anything she would need ordered as of now, and she'd agree on keeping both the music box and the stag amulet for ourselves. Other than that, perhaps we might want to buy a trio of horses to speed up any future exploration?

Once Svetlana, Korinne and Xelani are done with the inventory, the half-elven paladin asks her host if she recognizes any goods that have been stolen from her and her husband among the loot recovered from Kressel's camp. "Any remaining unclaimed loot you might also very well add to your inventory for the time being, I reckon. Perhaps in exchange for some store credit, if I may be so bold? Oh, and we might probably want to keep Happs' amulet. Such things tend to come in handy when one least expects it, don't they? And this pretty music box, too. Alas, in lands such as these, every little occasion one has to stumble upon some form of art should be fondly cherished rather than discarded. Alayi's words, actually, which I'm now merely paraphrasing; though I fully concur with the sentiment."

Shortly after, upon overhearing Rufus and Castor's short exchange, she briefly chimes in nodding in consent. "One would be a fool to second guess a favored one of the Goddess of Travel herself on such matters, and doubly so when his counsel appears to be so wise. If there are no more things to settle here, we might depart even today. Just point us towards the horizon, and I'll gladly follow your lead, Master Antares."

***********************************************************************

Once we're actually leaving

Xelani thanks Oleg for both the supplies and the piece of advice. At Kesten's question, she replies with a slight bow of her head "I surely hope it won't come to that, but at the same time I realize how foolish it'd be to refuse such a gallant offer. I think we've all agreed to start with small reconnaissance sorties at first, only to venture deeper into the Greenbelt once we know our backs are secure. Meaning we should be back in a couple of days at most, let's say no later than the third sunset from now. We might want to check on this Bokken Oleg mentioned, then make our way back here taking a slight southward detour so as to map a wider area".

Meaning B7 - C6, perfectly aligning with Rufus' suggestion if I'm not mistaken?


Inactive

If it's feasible, Korinne would gladly pony up some of whatever her share of the funds is for a horse. At the moment, she doesn't really have anything in particular to speak to anyone about but I'm up for some 'before hitting the road' RP if anyone needs or wants to talk to her.

Korinne doesn't have any additional suggestions to offer to either Oleg or Xelani concerning the distribution of the recovered items, but nods in agreement when Xelani mentions keeping the stag amulet and the music box. "That's right. Perhaps the amulet is some form of identification or insignia that's significant to the Stag Lord and the rest of his crew. And as for the music box, it'll add some additional cheer to your home, which you can never go wrong with in my opinion," she adds cheerfully. "Oh! I almost forgot, I'd like to claim one of these daggers that we recovered, if that would be acceptable. It was foolish of me to forget to bring one with me in the first place, but I'd like to rectify that now."

**********************************************************

As the group finishes their preparations for heading back out, Korinne grins when Oleg speaks of Bokken. "Of course, a stretch of wilderness isn't complete without a strange old potionmaker living in it! But in all seriousness, thank you for the advice and the supplies. If we should meet Bokken, we'll be sure to let him know that you recommended his wares."


Male Human (Kellid/Varisian) Cavalier (Standard Bearer)/Skald 4/1 [ HP: 38/38 | AC: 15 T: 12 FF: 14 | F: +7 R: +2 W: +3/+4 | Init: +1 Perc: -1 | Effects: Raging Song (Inspired Rage)]

I realize this is another one of those reality =/= gaming reality, but Horses are really only going to be useful on the plains/gentle hills areas. Horses in Forests wouldn't improve our speed in the least, thanks to having to watch for sinkholes, roots & other dangers. Also there is the fact that we would have to have some brought to the Trading Post. We can certainly put an order in, I suppose. In which case, we might want to focus on the Forested areas first, since once those are out of the way, the horses become much more useful.

At mention of Bokken, Rufus snorts. "Honestly, I can't think of a square patch of land in all the River Lands that doesn't have some crazy old hermit living in it somewhere."
"At least here we'll know his name ahead of time..."
He mutters to himself.


Female Half-elf Paladin 2 (Divine Hunter) | HP 15/15 {effects: none} | AC 17 (Tch 12 FF 15) | F +7, R +6, W +7 (+2 vs. Ench.) | Init +2 | Perc +5, low-light vision

@Rufus: during my Serpent's Skull campaign that recently went south, movement speed while exploring the jungle was capped at 10ft./round regardless of race or mount, since making your way through the thick undergrowth wouldn't allow for more. It'd be very sensible to enforce a similar house-rule here if it isn't already in place, at least regarding horses (those beasts are unbelievably fragile when it comes to tripping over exposed roots or the like). Nonetheless, roughly half the map consisting of plains still leads me to believe horses would be a worthwhile investment, at the very least cutting down time spent traveling to and from the trading post.

Korinne Bryden wrote:
"Oh! I almost forgot, I'd like to claim one of these daggers that we recovered, if that would be acceptable. It was foolish of me to forget to bring one with me in the first place, but I'd like to rectify that now."

"Please, take mine" Xelani says, drawing a dagger out of a sheath tied to her left thigh. "I used to carry it around as a last resort in case I was forced into close quarters, though luckily I seldom had to use it other than for skinning preys and the like. Now that we're actually on the offensive, I've thought about upgrading my melee capabilities a bit" she adds, patting on the sword hanging sheathed from her waist.

She shrugs. "Not that there's anything special in its craftsmanship. It's just... It has been in my possession for quite some time now, and it'd please me to know it'll still be used to defend someone I share a purpose with".

So, I double checked my previous list and this one should be correct. It should contain every item we've retrieved from the bandits so far plus the bounty & Oleg's reward.

Xelani's Grand Unified List of Everything Lootable:
Weapons & Armor
Composite Longbow (+2 Str)
Short Sword x5
Dagger x6
mwk Axes x2
Longbow x5
100 Arrows
Leather Armor x5
Studded Leather Armor

Potions & Consumables
Alchemist Fire x2
Potion of CLW x2
Potion of SoF +2
Potion (unidentified)

Miscellaneous Goods
Stag Amulet
Silver Earrings
Music Box
Crate of Furs and Hides x6
Bottle of Liquor x8

Cash
1050gp 1sp

This is instead a list of every unclaimed item plus any item we discarded for a better alternative (such as Alayi's shortbow or Castor's crossbow - correct me if I'm wrong and you actually meant to keep them). Basically, this what we're willing to let Oleg keep in exchange for store credit (I assumed we're keeping the potions).

Unclaimed Stuff:
Weapons & Armor
Short Sword x4
Dagger x6
mwk Axes x2
Longbow x3
Shortbow
60 Arrows
Light Crossbow
20 Bolts
Leather Armor x5
Studded Leather Armor

Miscellaneous Goods
Silver Earrings
Crate of Furs and Hides x6
Bottle of Liquor x8


Male Half-Elf Cleric/Ranger(Guide) 1

Your assumption is correct about Castor's crossbow.

As the party gets ready for their second expedition, Castor reconsiders some of the found equipment.

"I should probably armor up a little better. I was lucky to escape that last fight unscathed, but it would be good to help that tendency along. Does anyone else have need for this?" he asks, raising the studded leather armor in front of himself.

Castor will also claim a spare longbow, and 20 arrows.


Inactive

Yeah, even if they'd be more of a hindrance than help in forested areas, there will probably still be points where having horses for everyone else would be handy. If we want to wait until a little later in the game to try and acquire some, that's also fine with me.

"If you're certain you want me to have it, then thank you," Korinne says as she accepts the dagger. "But I hope that I'll be able to keep its uses limited to mundane ones, seeing as we skipped the lessons on hand-to-hand combat during my studies," she chuckles dryly.

Suddenly, she snaps her fingers as if remembering something. "We never did determine the nature of one of those potions, did we? Let me see if I can change that before we head out." She then rummages among the items and other supplies until she finds the mystery potion. Murmuring a short incantation, she turns the vial this way and that, examining the color, clarity, and other properties.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Detect Magic + Spellcraft combo to ID the potion.

*edit* Well darn.


Female Half-elf Paladin 2 (Divine Hunter) | HP 15/15 {effects: none} | AC 17 (Tch 12 FF 15) | F +7, R +6, W +7 (+2 vs. Ench.) | Init +2 | Perc +5, low-light vision

Seeing the perplexed look on Kor's face as she examines the content of the vial, Xelani tries to chime in with a suggestion of her own. "Trust me, I know everything there is to know about skipping classes. Even the most basic rudiments of magic have always been lost on me, much to my father's chagrin. 'A sharp tongue is only useful when backed by a sharp mind' he used to say. Let's see if we can prove him wrong, shall we?"

With that, she asks for a small drop of the liquid to wet her tongue with, trying to compare its taste to that of other potions she might have imbibed in her past.

Perception (identifying a potion through taste): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17


Overland Map

Xelani feels a little rejuvenated from the the small drop of liquid.

It's a potion of cure light wounds.

I had forgotten to include this but Oleg can help identify the worth of some of those items. The earings are worth 150 gp, the music box 90gp, each crate is 50 gp(total 300 gp) and the bottles, a rare herbal liquor, 20gp each(total 160). Oleg will sell this locally while you guys are gone and will add it as store credit. Just let me know if anyone 100% wants to keep any of it. I know there was talk of keeping the earings or music box but wasn't sure if the value of such items would make people reconsider :)

Finally, it seems like B7 is the place you guys are starting with. Let me know if you want to start somewhere else otherwise I will post shortly with that.


Inactive

I'm still fine with keeping the earrings and the music box if everyone else is.

"Ha! Sometimes the simplest solution to a problem is also the best and the correct one," Korinne says with a shake of her head as Xelani tastes the potion. "I've always been told that I make things more difficult than they need to be by over-thinking them. Thank you for the assistance; next time I might have to try your method first!"


Female Half-elf Paladin 2 (Divine Hunter) | HP 15/15 {effects: none} | AC 17 (Tch 12 FF 15) | F +7, R +6, W +7 (+2 vs. Ench.) | Init +2 | Perc +5, low-light vision

"Minty with a vaguely sweet aftertaste... A curative balsam, most likely" Xelani states savoring the liquid. "My father used to brew them for hunters that had to spend a prolonged period of time in the wilderness on the trail of some dangerous quarry. When I was little, I liked their taste so much that sometimes I tried to get a sip of them when nobody was watching. I still remember the roasting I got the time I was discovered – of course, once I was old enough to actually understand their importance, I stopped altogether" she hastily adds, now slightly embarrassed.

"And by all means, no need to thank me over just sheer luck. Truly, sometimes this kind of practical approach is the only option available to us... let's say less scholarly inclined types."

Indeed, the DC for identifying a potion by tasting it is the standard 15 + spell level, only on Perception rather than Spellcraft. Were it not for the whims of the Random Number Generator, Kor's approach would have been far more likely to succeed than Xelani's!


Overland Map

The group sets off from Oleg's to the southish direction. The travel through the land is pretty quiet, mostly nature and it's seemingly gentleness surrounding you.

You explore the land a bit and as dusk is settling in, the group notices some smoke off in the distance, attached to what appears to be a hovel of some kind. Upon approach you see that the small house has an attached garden and small other accouterments you would expect from a solitary house so far from "civilization".

With a sudden bang, the house shakes a bit, the smoke turns a sort of sickly blue color and a figure rushes out of the house. Soot stained and barely dressed, the figure lets out a string of curses at his house and stamps his feet. Approaching, you see that he is probably in his later 50's, maybe early 60's. He wears some simple pants but that's about it. Anyone looking him over notices easily enough that his pinky finger on his right hand is missing, though it appears to be a very old wound, already healed up.

He turns around as the group approaches and wide eyed with what appears to be more madness than astonishment, he proclaims "What's this now? Ruffians planning on taking Bokken for what he's worth? Hmm? Well I'll have you know I won't go down without a fight!" The old man pulls out a flask from his hip and throws it, just to have it splash harmless in front of Rufus. It looks to have just been normal water. The man seems to revert just as quickly from his hostility and says "Oh no! Look what you made me do! Now I'm going to have to go back to the river to get more fresh water. Damn it all...well, what can I help you with?" The man says, once again shifting in tone to a more friendly manner.


Male Human (Kellid/Varisian) Cavalier (Standard Bearer)/Skald 4/1 [ HP: 38/38 | AC: 15 T: 12 FF: 14 | F: +7 R: +2 W: +3/+4 | Init: +1 Perc: -1 | Effects: Raging Song (Inspired Rage)]

Hey Castor! At least this time he wasn't blown out by one of his own experiments...

Quickly holding his hands up in a play of 'no-threat', Rufus replies. "You are Bokken, yes?"
"Oleg mentioned you. We are conducting a fresh survey of the area & he recommended we stop by to be certain you were still here & hale. As you said, there have been an unfortunate upturn in bandit activity of late."


Inactive

"That's right," Korinne chimes in. "Good thing we aren't ruffians, because that was an impressive throw," she adds, trying to sound both sincere and serious. "Oleg also mentioned that you're skilled at crafting potions and the like. Since we're going to be surveying the area as our companion here mentioned, maybe we can do business at some point."


Overland Map

The old man snaps his jaw a bit and says, "Oleg huh? Bastard always short changes me on my potions but that wife of his is a looker." He cackles and moves about a bit. "Well, if you're here to survey survey away, I won't stop you. As you can see I'm alive." He bows with a flourish a bit and soot drops off of his pants. You're not entirely sure how long he will be alive considering his profession but he does look well enough.

To Korinne, Bokken says, "Aye, I have a few recently brewed that you can buy if you want and if you'll give me a better deal than Oleg, I'll sell to you. Don't have many more supplies to make more..." A thought enters into the old man's head, disappears briefly and then reappears, "though you lot look spry enough. I need fangberries to make many more potions. Don't have that delicious tang to them if I don't have fangberries. There should be some a good ways southwest of Olegs. Haven't been out there in a long time, too dangerous, but you shouldn't have any troubles. Bring me those and we can discuss the price of any potion you want..."


Female Half-elf Paladin 2 (Divine Hunter) | HP 15/15 {effects: none} | AC 17 (Tch 12 FF 15) | F +7, R +6, W +7 (+2 vs. Ench.) | Init +2 | Perc +5, low-light vision

"Alive, well, and still possessing a pugnacious spirit. Duly noted" Xelani says with an amused smile on her lips.

Though I withhold my judgment on the matter of 'sane'.

"Oleg will be pleased to hear that. We'll probably omit the part about Svetlana, though. Now, by the looks of it" she points at the bluish smoke still coming out of the old man's house "you're probably quite busy currently, and we surely wouldn't want to overstay our welcome. We'll certainly keep an eye for those fangberries you mentioned. 55 miles is quite deep into the Greenbelt though – barely within the edges of our own survey charter, in facts, so it might take some time for us to make good on this promise. Still, we'll do our best".

Then, briefly turning to Korinne "You know what those fangberries look like, right? I'd be hard-pressed to even tell a raspberry from a cranberry, I'm afraid" she whispers.


Inactive

"Fangberries, fangberries...let me think...Castor, are you familiar with them?" Korinne whispers.

Kn. Nature (maybe?): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

"Wait a moment, you said 'dangerous' - what sort of danger should we expect? More bandits or something else?" she asks, her voice returning to normal volume.


Male Half-Elf Cleric/Ranger(Guide) 1

"I may have seen some before, but I certainly wouldn't know them by name, I'm afraid." Castor apologizes.


Overland Map

Fangberries are not particularly special berries. They are somewhat rare in the River Kingdoms/Brevoy but common in other lands. They are known to have a slightly bitter taste but aren't particularly known for any special properties beyond that.

Bokken stares slightly at Korinne, a little agape. "Are you people new to this place?! Dragons! Trolls! Orcs! BADGERS! All manner of dangerous things are here. Why, I'm surprised you even got here alive!" The old man prattles on about the dangers of this land as he leads you inside to look over his stock. While still slightly smokey, you can see the man is fairly well stocked with supplies for potion making.

He identifies a few already made potions. He has a couple of Cure Light Wounds, a Cure Moderate and a couple of Endure Elements potions(all at the minimum casting level so default prices). "I take special orders as well though I'm no court magician...", the old man says as you look around.

Bokken can craft any potion of level 2 or lower on the Adept spell list. He doesn't charge for custom orders beyond the cost of the potion but it will take a few days to get it made. He can also have them delivered to Olegs though it would only be during his regular trips that he heads over there, so once every two weeks.


Male Human (Kellid/Varisian) Cavalier (Standard Bearer)/Skald 4/1 [ HP: 38/38 | AC: 15 T: 12 FF: 14 | F: +7 R: +2 W: +3/+4 | Init: +1 Perc: -1 | Effects: Raging Song (Inspired Rage)]

Rubbing his temples at Bokken's codgerly rant & the slight headache it induced, Rufus nods awareness if not agreement with his assessment of the nearby dangers.

Mostly just posting to keep with the flow. Rufus doesn't particularly have anything to add to this conversation. He's convinced the guy is batty, though he's not opposed to investigating the fangberry situation. As a possible food-source if nothing else.
Do we need to make any rolls to consider this hex 'explored', GmMG?


Inactive

"Why yes, we are mostly new here! It sounds like a good thing we decided to stop here first; Oleg must have forgotten to mention the dragons and trolls and orcs that are running around out here. And the badgers, the most dangerous foes of all," Korinne agrees, a look of seriousness on her face that borders on the comical. It's fairly obvious that she's playing along with his ramblings out of amusement and a desire to humor the old man, rather than out of malice or mockery. "But I think the five of us will be able to handle them without too much trouble."

As Bokken displays his wares, Korinne whistles in appreciation. "You do good work sir, especially to be so far out from civilization. Aside from the fangberries, are there any other herbs or ingredients that we should be watching for?"

I can go either way if we want to buy any of the potions he has now or put in an order for something else and pick it up later; thoughts?


Female Half-elf Paladin 2 (Divine Hunter) | HP 15/15 {effects: none} | AC 17 (Tch 12 FF 15) | F +7, R +6, W +7 (+2 vs. Ench.) | Init +2 | Perc +5, low-light vision

@Rufus: yeah, I figured it's probably going to be a sort of fetch quest à la "explore hex, find fangberries, bring back to crazy old guy" when I picked it up. Still, given the distance, it'll probably be some time before it actually comes up. Sigh I now remember how much I hate having my journal full of 'unfinished quest' marks.

@Korinne: IMHO, due to action economy and the way in combat damage outpaces healing anyway, cure potions have always been a dubious investment in Pathfinder – particularly since we already own three and between Kor, Castor, Alayi and Xelani (once she hits 2nd level) we should have plenty of healing potential at our disposal. We might consider putting an order for a potion of bull's strength for Rufus, but at this point more for establishing friendly neighborhood relations than anything else, as I see it.

Somewhat tentatively, Xelani follows Korinne into the old hermit's house, though she still lets her brown-haired companion do most of the talking.

"Pardon my curiosity" she interjects, pointing at the codger's missing finger, "but was that a dragon's work, or a badger's?"


Overland Map

The hex is considered explored. I have updated the map to indicate as such. Just taking the day to explore pretty much does it.

To Korinne: "No girl. I have no need for anything else. I do quite fine without others, thank you very much." He says vehemently though you suppose the irony of the comment is lost on him.

As Xelani brings up his hand, he looks at it and seems surprised as if it's the first time he saw the wound before shaking his head and remembering, "No dragon's work this though something just as mean. My damn brother did this the last time he hit my poor mother, Desna rest her soul. He took off to live in some tree to the south before guards could give him what he deserved. Should have killed him like I always wanted to but those damn badgers keep me here..." He burst into a fit of anger, spewing curses at his brother, whose name never really comes up.

Feel free to buy or place an order for anything. I'll progress the exploration to the next "hex" once one person indicates wanting to leave.


Female Half-elf Paladin 2 (Divine Hunter) | HP 15/15 {effects: none} | AC 17 (Tch 12 FF 15) | F +7, R +6, W +7 (+2 vs. Ench.) | Init +2 | Perc +5, low-light vision

Bokken's unfortunate family history has Xelani feeling a pang of guilt for her previous light-hearted humor. Once the hermit looks somewhat placated, she chimes in in a regretful tone. "I'm sorry to hear that, Bokken. For what is worth, we'll try to keep an eye out for this brother of yours as we venture further south – if nothing else due to him looking quite dangerous."

Not to mention most likely instable.

Xelani's stance about buying potions is detailed in my previous post. Other than that, she'd be ready to move on.


Inactive

Korinne nods in agreement, but in light of the man's sudden outburst seems to decide that it would be best to not say anything else.

Korinne would be ready to move on at this point, too.


Male Human (Kellid/Varisian) Cavalier (Standard Bearer)/Skald 4/1 [ HP: 38/38 | AC: 15 T: 12 FF: 14 | F: +7 R: +2 W: +3/+4 | Init: +1 Perc: -1 | Effects: Raging Song (Inspired Rage)]

As the others wind down their conversation with their 'host', Rufus nods in acknowledgement of his hospitality. "Thank you, Goodman. We will be sure to look in again, particularly if we have any of those Thornberries fresh."
So saying, he turns southerly.

It looked as though we were simply trying to find a way to wrap the scene up. Castor, Alayini, if either of you still have business with Bokken, please go ahead & post such.


Male Half-Elf Cleric/Ranger(Guide) 1

My apologies for the slow posting; coming out of finals has a way of getting my drive to do anything shut off completely.

Castor smiles at the potionmaker's mention of Desna.

"We will be sure to come to you if the need for potions comes up, and if we find these fangberries," he says. "Thank you for your hospitality. May you be blessed by the stars' song and the monarch's wings," he adds, offering a traditional Desnan benediction.


Overland Map

The group leaves Bokken without any goods, the old man mumbling and covorting to the last.

The group travels southwest though more plains and grasslands. The travel takes you through an uneventful night and into the morning. You start to cross a bit of land when Castor notices the bones of what was probably a bear. As the group gets closer, you all start to see more bones. Some deer here, a boar there. You notice not too far off, the skull of a human.

Moving toward the human remains, you all hear a crack and a hiss. From underneath a nearby spot of ground, a large spider jumps out and attempts to attack Rufus. The sound was more than enough to give the man an edge and he nimbly dodged out of the way. It stumbles a bit, skidding about 20ft away.

Fighty time! It's everyone's turn then the spiders. If Alayi doesn't post and everyone else has(assuming the spider is not dead), I will act for her.


Female Half-elf Paladin 2 (Divine Hunter) | HP 15/15 {effects: none} | AC 17 (Tch 12 FF 15) | F +7, R +6, W +7 (+2 vs. Ench.) | Init +2 | Perc +5, low-light vision

Seeing with the corner of her eye a hairy, many-legged shape lunging at Rufus, Xelani's hunting reflexes kick in. Swiftly dismounting a very nervous Katryona, she nocks an arrow and promptly shoots against the monstrous threat.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7


Male Half-Elf Cleric/Ranger(Guide) 1

"It's a good thing we found this one before any future laborers. I dare not imagine the carnage."

Being that there are not enough horses to go around for the party either way, and that his higher move speed makes the regular walking pace of the party a relaxed pace to him, I've been operating under the assumption that he's been walking and employing Capella to carry the party's load rather than as a mount. In light of Xelani mentioning dismounting, I realize I should probably have mentioned this earlier.

Castor draws his bow as well, deftly snagging his holy symbol's chain around his hand at the same time.

He does not open fire yet; instead, he carefully nocks an arrow, and aims the bow carefully at the arachnid. "May the luck gifted to me by the stars guide this arrow true!" He invokes.

The arrow nocked into his bow begins glittering almost imperceptibly.

Move action to draw longbow, standard action to cast True Strike


Male Human (Kellid/Varisian) Cavalier (Standard Bearer)/Skald 4/1 [ HP: 38/38 | AC: 15 T: 12 FF: 14 | F: +7 R: +2 W: +3/+4 | Init: +1 Perc: -1 | Effects: Raging Song (Inspired Rage)]

I was under the impression that we didn't have enough horses yet for everyone to ride?

Cursing under his breath, Rufus converts drawing his sword into a vicious slash across the monstrous vermin's head & forelegs.

Move action; draw his sword.
Bastardsword attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25, crit confirm: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Bastardsword damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 Slashing, if the crit confirmed, Bastardsword critical damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 Slashing


Female Half-elf Paladin 2 (Divine Hunter) | HP 15/15 {effects: none} | AC 17 (Tch 12 FF 15) | F +7, R +6, W +7 (+2 vs. Ench.) | Init +2 | Perc +5, low-light vision

Didn't really think about the horses, just assumed that whoever has one is riding it while the others are going on foot. Now that I think of it, since none of our mounts are battle-trained and our progress would still be capped by our slowest member's movement speed, Castor's approach would actually make more sense.

Heh. Kind of reminds me of this story.

P.S.: D'oh. I now also realize I forgot to take my Point-Blank Shot feat bonus into consideration when calculating my attack roll. For what is worth, Xelani's roll would have actually hit against AC 16...


Inactive

Korinne's face is one of disgust as she quickly loads a bolt into her crossbow and takes aim at the creature menacing her companions. Unfortunately, she's rattled by the monster's sudden appearance and her shot sails harmlessly past.

Light Crossbow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4


Overland Map

While Korinne's attack goes wide, Xelani's arrow and Rufus's attack strike true. Rufus's attack removes a couple of legs from the beast and the sword strike cuts into the creatures head. It shudders a bit before falling down. It's remaining legs twitch a moment before stopping...dead.

Battle over. Rufus with the lucky crits.

The area is strewn with the bones of a number of creatures. You can see the sort of trap door hole that the spider came from not too far away.

Feel free to investigate as you want. Let me know if you wish to continue on.


Female Half-elf Paladin 2 (Divine Hunter) | HP 15/15 {effects: none} | AC 17 (Tch 12 FF 15) | F +7, R +6, W +7 (+2 vs. Ench.) | Init +2 | Perc +5, low-light vision

"Nice!" Xelani exclaims as Rufus' mighty blow cleaves through the arachnid threat.

Striding across the ossuary, she tries to discern if there's something valuable to be found among the remains while she utters a silent prayer for the souls of those forever unnamed, unfortunate people whose bones are bleaching in the sun. She eventually stops by the hole to cast a cautious glimpse inside it.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21


Inactive

"That was magnificent," Korinne agrees. As Xelani investigates the surrounding area, she kneels down to (cautiously) examine the dead arachnid. "Be careful, there might be more lurking around under the ground..."

Kn. Nature: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Trying to determine if these spiders are solitary, etc.

-Posted with Wayfinder

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