Kingmaker. Footsteps to the empty throne. (Inactive)

Game Master DBH

Strangers, friends and even lovers. You have gathered together for your own reasons to explore and make safe the perilous region to the south known to all only as the Stolen lands.

Charter

The Greenbelt

Charter of rulership

Silverhold map

Kingdom shreadsheet

Stolen lands Map RRR

Letter

Notices 3

Wyverns;


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INACTIVE - GAME DIED

Lisl calls down the usual bless spell to bolster the team.


Female N Human Herb Witch 3 / Wild Whisperer Druid 3 / Mystic Theurge 0 | HP: 42/42 | AC: 15 (11 Tch, 14 FF) | CMB: +4, CMD: 15 | Fort +6, Reflex +4, Will +10 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: +15 (+17), Sense Motive: +5 (+7) + 1d6 | Speed 30ft | Herb Lore 6/6 | Inspiration 4/5 | Fenrir HP: 54/54; AC 25 | Muninn HP: 21/21 | Active conditions: None

Freya quickly casts a spell on Fenrir before sending him after the purple-skinned kobold. "Attack!"

Casting Magic Fang

Bite: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 18 (inspire, bless, magic fang)
Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 9 (inspire, magic fang)
Trip?: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 18 (inspire, bless)

Liberty's Edge

|HP: 59/68 AC: 24; F: +12, R: +12, W: +10 | Perc: +10, Stl/Perf +12, Dec/Dip +13, ELore +14, Itm +15, Arc/Occ/Nat/Rel/Soc +8 | Speed 25ft | Weapon +15, 2d6+4+2. | Foc 1/1 | Active conditions:

Isabel bathes much of the room in coruscating lights, although this puts her literally up against a wall to avoid hampering Darian and Josef. Her focus is concentrated solely on Tartuk. "Your reign of terror ends now!"

I can either hit Fenrir, Red and Green or Josef, Red and Yellow. Any suggestions?

Either way it will be DC14 will saves. Tartuk can have a -2 penalty. :)


M Human Fighter (Aldori Defender) 5/Aldori Swordlord 1 | HP38/46 | AC20 T14 F17 CMD21+ | F+6 R+6 W+2 | 20) | I+5 | Perc+0

Player says "meh." Either way, Josef is starting to think Darian doesn't want him around. You could just reinforce that. <g> But, again, zero stress from the player either way.


Human Bard 6| AC 20 FF 17 T 11| HP 49/49| F +4 R +8 W +6| Init +1| Percep +9
Buffs:
Inspire Courage, Bull’s Strength, Tongues

Bah I say! Darian has tried to apologize! :-P My personal belief is hitting the wolf takes 0 players out of the fight, while hitting Josef could take 1 out. So I say go over Fenrir.

Liberty's Edge

|HP: 59/68 AC: 24; F: +12, R: +12, W: +10 | Perc: +10, Stl/Perf +12, Dec/Dip +13, ELore +14, Itm +15, Arc/Occ/Nat/Rel/Soc +8 | Speed 25ft | Weapon +15, 2d6+4+2. | Foc 1/1 | Active conditions:

Makes sense - sorry Fenrir! :)

Oh and boys - there's going to be an intervention after this, since you two haven't sorted it out by yourself! Lisl, you with me?


M Human Fighter (Aldori Defender) 5/Aldori Swordlord 1 | HP38/46 | AC20 T14 F17 CMD21+ | F+6 R+6 W+2 | 20) | I+5 | Perc+0

Testosterone is both a gift and a curse.


Human Bard 6| AC 20 FF 17 T 11| HP 49/49| F +4 R +8 W +6| Init +1| Percep +9
Buffs:
Inspire Courage, Bull’s Strength, Tongues

Haha!


INACTIVE - GAME DIED

I'll put on the tea kettle.


Are you sure you want to do that?

Fenrir darts forward, sinking his fangs into the purple Kobold's leg, drawing a horrified shriek from Tartuk. Who falls gracelessly to the ground, blood flowing from his wounded leg.

Will save Tartuk: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 - 2 = 4
Will save Fenrir: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Will save Yellow: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10
Will save Red: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12

Tartuk is stunned this round. Red & Yellow are blinded and stunned for some time. Fenrir looks up and gives Isabel an confused look.

Waiting on Lisl and Jory's actions.

Liberty's Edge

|HP: 59/68 AC: 24; F: +12, R: +12, W: +10 | Perc: +10, Stl/Perf +12, Dec/Dip +13, ELore +14, Itm +15, Arc/Occ/Nat/Rel/Soc +8 | Speed 25ft | Weapon +15, 2d6+4+2. | Foc 1/1 | Active conditions:

That's your cue Jacob! CdG for the win! :)


INACTIVE - GAME DIED

Since there's not really any maneuvering room, Lisl waits in case someone suddenly needs help.

Delay.


Halfing Bard (Detective) 4| AC 19 FF 15 T 15| HP 26/26| F +2 R +8 W +5| Init +5| Percep +11| 4/4 1st 2/2 2nd| 33 (7) ammo

In the same boat. I suppose I could crawl through someone's legs?

Jory delays.


Are you sure you want to do that?

No worries. There is another solution that instantly resolves the matter.

Chief Sootscale happily steps up and kills Tartuk caving in his skull as he lays stunned on the ground. "Curse is gone, you are gone!" He proclaims with relish.

He then calmly murders the other two Kobolds in the following rounds. Unless you want to stop him? Stating that "Fools who follow fools die with them!"

Kobolds are LE, and Chief Sootscale has rogue levels, so stunned and blinded foes are dead meat.

Loot:
Tartuk has had the kobolds pile all of their treasure (plus any new treasures they gain from their war against the mites) in a heap in the eastern alcove of his den. This mound consists of a huge amount of worthless shiny objects, such as quartz and mica crystals, bits of metal, broken weapons and armor, and other garbage. In addition, the pile contains:
7,420 cp,
2,132 sp,
302 gp,
A MW light metal shield,
+1 flaming crossbow bolts (7),
A pair of boots of elvenkind,
And a soiled leather bag.
Inside the bag are the treasures stolen from the mites (who stole from the bandits who stole from Oleg’s). The leather bag contains:
321 sp,
249 gp,
13 pp,
A plain brass wedding ring set with a single pearl (this is Svetlana’s wedding ring—it’s worth 120 gp),
A pouch containing a single dose of dust of illusion.

Tartuk:
Wand of magic missile (CL 3rd, 28 charges);
MW cold iron sickle,
Bracers of armor +1,
Spellbook.
2nd Detect thoughts, Invisibility, Minor image.
1st Cause fear, Identify, Shield, Silent image, Unseen servant
0 Acid splash, Detect magic, Light, Mage hand, Message, prestidigitation.

Undercommon:

Tartuk’s personal journal is written in Undercommon as a simple security feature. The bitter ex-gnome records much of his history in this journal, giving you a chance to gain some insight into his mindset and background.

The true leader of the Kobolds was frighteningly intelligent and manipulative kobold sorcerer named Tartuk who came to the tribe a year ago from the east.
Tartuk is a destructive force—a murderer and a maniac who finds a perverse glee in manipulating his kin into self-destructive spirals of fear and madness.
He’s ruined two kobold tribes already, and hopes to add the Sootscales to his list soon.
Tartuk’s appearance is as unusual as his loathing of kobold kind—his scales are a deep purple, unlike any other kobold.
In fact, Tartuk was not born a kobold—he was born a gnome.
He was killed in a fight against a group of ogres who were tormenting his village, but his accidentally heroic sacrifice was enough to give his village a chance to defeat the ogres.
The village, sorrowed by Tartuk’s death, unanimously voted to restore him to life—so they decided to use a scroll of reincarnate that had
sat in the village treasury for years.
In an ironic twist of fate, poor Tartuk came back as a kobold.
Scandalized, the village didn’t know how to react.

Tartuk did—he hadn’t meant to give his life to save the village (he’d actually been trying to surrender to the ogres and offer to help them destroy the village in return for sparing his life, but the ogres crushed him before he got his offer out), and now they’d turned him
into one of the most hated of monsters—a kobold!
The fact that his new scales were the same deep purple as his hair in his previous life served only to ensure Tartuk’s shame.
Enraged, he fled into the woods, only to nurse a deep grudge. He found a tribe of kobolds, joined them, used his magic and manipulative lies to rally them, and led his new army in an attack against his old village. The resulting battle was furious, and only Tartuk survived.
That was fine with him.

Since then, the mad kobold has drifted through several River Kingdoms, periodically haunting towns and murdering gnomes he finds and at others insinuating himself into kobold tribes, taking them over from within,
and then driving them to extinction by forcing them into wars they can’t possibly win.
The Sootscales are but Tartuk’s latest project. He uses a combination of lies, magic, and his favorite tool—a non-magical statue of a devil—to seize control of a tribe.

Tucked into the back of the journal is a single scroll of fly;
his journal indicates that when he grows tired of his life,
he intends to use the scroll to fly up as high as he can,
effectively committing suicide when the spell expires in
5 minutes and leaves him at a height of nearly 2,000 feet,
well out of the safety range for the spell’s expiration.

Now comes what you are going to do with the Kobolds. Kill them, drive them out, reach an agreement?


INACTIVE - GAME DIED

As the commotion dies down, Lisl says, "I believe it is in our best interests to strike a mutual accord with our neighbors. While we may have certain cultural and philosophical differences, if we can reach a peaceful arrangement, this will help bring stability to the area, and will also serve as an example to show others that we can be reasonable and approachable."

Liberty's Edge

|HP: 59/68 AC: 24; F: +12, R: +12, W: +10 | Perc: +10, Stl/Perf +12, Dec/Dip +13, ELore +14, Itm +15, Arc/Occ/Nat/Rel/Soc +8 | Speed 25ft | Weapon +15, 2d6+4+2. | Foc 1/1 | Active conditions:

Isabel nods to Lisl and steps in to the verbal, rather than physical, fray. "Chief Sootscale - your shaman is dead and your tribe freed. Now it is time for us to discuss peace and how your tribe and ours can live peacefully together in these lands. Our tribe is here to destroy the bandits and establish our own rule on the surface. We wish only for friendship with you. We offer an alliance - we will not interfere in your territory or you tribe, and in return you will not interfere in our territory or in our tribe. If one of us is attacked - the other will come to defend them." She withdraws her map and, ignoring the bodies, steps over to Tartuk's table/altar. "We can work out any more details in the future as need be. Tell us of your territory great chief, that we may respect it, and you in future."

Isabel turns on the charm to the fullest possible extent, listening to the chiefs explanation, praising his skills and leadership and generally doing everything she can to secure his agreement and confidence.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

If anyone has diplomacy buffs I'll take them! What hex are we currently in? And what loot do we get to claim? I'll negotiate for it IC if you want.


Are you sure you want to do that?

You are in Hex31. As for the loot they are happy for you to take Tartuk's possessions. Anything that was in the leather bag. They would prefer to keep the first amount of coins as it is their treasury. The party can have the other equipment, the boots, the shield and the bolts.

The Kobold's are agreeable to negotiating. They have lived here comfortably for 20 years now, and aside from the occasional clashes with Mites, bandits and trappers have had it peaceful.

They have enough food between the river and hunting. Good shelter with room to dig more if needed. If an agreement can be hammered out the Kobold's will stick to the bargain. Though their use as troops for defense is questionable.

One thing they are very interested in is trade. With the Mites eradicated. And Tartuks sabotage gone they can start building up their caves to be more comfortable.


Human Bard 6| AC 20 FF 17 T 11| HP 49/49| F +4 R +8 W +6| Init +1| Percep +9
Buffs:
Inspire Courage, Bull’s Strength, Tongues

So, our chunk of loot is the following, correct:
A MW light metal shield,
+1 flaming crossbow bolts (7),
A pair of boots of elvenkind,
And a soiled leather bag.
Inside the bag are the treasures stolen from the mites (who stole from the bandits who stole from Oleg’s). The leather bag contains:
321 sp,
249 gp,
13 pp,
A plain brass wedding ring set with a single pearl (this is Svetlana’s wedding ring—it’s worth 120 gp),
A pouch containing a single dose of dust of illusion.
Wand of magic missile (CL 3rd, 28 charges);
MW cold iron sickle,
Bracers of armor +1,
Spellbook.
2nd Detect thoughts, Invisibility, Minor image.
1st Cause fear, Identify, Shield, Silent image, Unseen servant
0 Acid splash, Detect magic, Light, Mage hand, Message, prestidigitation.


Are you sure you want to do that?

That's correct.


Human Bard 6| AC 20 FF 17 T 11| HP 49/49| F +4 R +8 W +6| Init +1| Percep +9
Buffs:
Inspire Courage, Bull’s Strength, Tongues

”Well then, Chief Sootscale, if there would be anything in particular you would like us to arrange for you in trade, you name it and I would be happy to tryto prove our good intentions with you. If it is within our ability, we will try and acquire it for you at a fair price,” Darian says with a genuine smile and offers the chief his hand.


M Human Fighter (Aldori Defender) 5/Aldori Swordlord 1 | HP38/46 | AC20 T14 F17 CMD21+ | F+6 R+6 W+2 | 20) | I+5 | Perc+0

Josef just leans back against a wall and watches the "negotiations." Both swords are sheathed, and he's doing nothing threatening, nor interfering, not even passively. He's just watching. Focusing on Chief Sootscale, naturally.


Are you sure you want to do that?

What the Kobold's want:

1. They want this Hex to be recognized as their territory, and have the right to remove people who intrude. And the right to defend themselves if attacked.

They are willing to negotiate on sending word to you first before they 'remove' intruders. Which would be settlers and prospectors mainly.

2. Trading for alcohol, moon radishes, tools and weapons at an agreed upon meeting point. The mine was abandoned before it was used up. So they can trade furs, pelts and silver ore.

Little else really, as I've already said. The Kobold's are comfortable here and have no reason to attack others. They aren't keen on being called up as troops and instead offer to pay if they call for aid.

What now?


Human Bard 6| AC 20 FF 17 T 11| HP 49/49| F +4 R +8 W +6| Init +1| Percep +9
Buffs:
Inspire Courage, Bull’s Strength, Tongues

Darian bows his head slightly to Chief Sootscale. "A moment to consult with my companions, Chief. Mind if we use the shaman's chamber to talk privately?"

Once alone, Darian looks to the others and says, "His requests are reasonable. And, perhaps in time and good relations, he and his tribe might be willing to help us in other ways should we need it. What are everyone's thoughts?"


Female N Human Herb Witch 3 / Wild Whisperer Druid 3 / Mystic Theurge 0 | HP: 42/42 | AC: 15 (11 Tch, 14 FF) | CMB: +4, CMD: 15 | Fort +6, Reflex +4, Will +10 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: +15 (+17), Sense Motive: +5 (+7) + 1d6 | Speed 30ft | Herb Lore 6/6 | Inspiration 4/5 | Fenrir HP: 54/54; AC 25 | Muninn HP: 21/21 | Active conditions: None

"Not entirely sure that I like the idea of a tribe of kobolds around potential settlers, but overall I think this is a workable solution."

Liberty's Edge

|HP: 59/68 AC: 24; F: +12, R: +12, W: +10 | Perc: +10, Stl/Perf +12, Dec/Dip +13, ELore +14, Itm +15, Arc/Occ/Nat/Rel/Soc +8 | Speed 25ft | Weapon +15, 2d6+4+2. | Foc 1/1 | Active conditions:

"These are good terms. We can talk about the exact details of mutual aid in future but if we leave it open to be troops or money we'll do fine. I say we agree, as long as they agree to notify us if they want someone removed. Does anyone object?" Isabel looks from one member of the group to the other.

Assuming no objections.
Isabel returns to Chief Sootscale and offers him her hand. "Chief Sootscale, we are delighted to accept your offer of alliance on these terms. This mine and the three miles around it are recognised as your territory. You have full rights to remove people from your territory, although if they carry a letter or other sign of authority from us, we must be consulted first.

We will each provide aid to the other in case of war or other need, this can be in money or in troops as agreed by the two sides. We are also keen to establish a trading post and are willing to do so at, or near, a place of your choosing. I trust that these terms are acceptable?"

Small concession (potentially) on the location of the trading point in exchange for them notifying us of any movement in their territory and our ability to issue 'safe conducts'. Anyone wants to jump in feel free (and face Isabel's wrath! I kid! ;)).


Human Bard 6| AC 20 FF 17 T 11| HP 49/49| F +4 R +8 W +6| Init +1| Percep +9
Buffs:
Inspire Courage, Bull’s Strength, Tongues

I'm sure Jory, Josef, and Lisl will have some input on the decision. So I'm going to hold off on adding to that scene for now.

Going to throw a bit of side RP out here, should anyone wish to partake in the mean time:

Camp that evening:

Darian is in good spirits the evening after dealing with the mites and Sootscales. He helps the group get their tents set up, as well as get a central fire started.

As the sun slowly creeps towards the horizon, however, he grows more quiet, occasionally shooting somewhat nervous glances towards Isabel.


INACTIVE - GAME DIED

"Yes, a peaceful solution is ideal. Perhaps we can entice them to trade silver ore for useful tools that will help them to be more productive, which in turn makes them better trading partners. A cycle of mutual assistance," adds Lisl. "Of course, it will also be up to us to enforce these terms among the trappers and travelers of this region."


Human Bard 6| AC 20 FF 17 T 11| HP 49/49| F +4 R +8 W +6| Init +1| Percep +9
Buffs:
Inspire Courage, Bull’s Strength, Tongues

In Sootscale cave, while discussing the truce:

Darian nods at Lisl's input. "We could make a posting at Oleg's. That is likely our best chance of spreading the word without actively trying to seek out every single hunter/traveler in the area."

He then turns to Freya, "I understand that living alongside creatures you are unaccustomed to may be uncomfortable. But they have been here for years and not caused any harm to the Brevish people. So long as we make it clear to respect their borders, why wouldn't they want to continue living in peace so long as we make it obvious it is in their benefit?"

"Besides, say if we all lived in a town together for decades, and then a band of giants shows up, actually helps us out with a problematic leader. Would we want them to then wipe us out, or hope to make peace with them so that we can continue living in our homes? This is no different, really."


M Human Fighter (Aldori Defender) 5/Aldori Swordlord 1 | HP38/46 | AC20 T14 F17 CMD21+ | F+6 R+6 W+2 | 20) | I+5 | Perc+0

"Spreading the word is important, but so is verifying. We need to verify they uphold their word just as they will want to verify that we do. You build trust in these sort of relations, after all."

Liberty's Edge

|HP: 59/68 AC: 24; F: +12, R: +12, W: +10 | Perc: +10, Stl/Perf +12, Dec/Dip +13, ELore +14, Itm +15, Arc/Occ/Nat/Rel/Soc +8 | Speed 25ft | Weapon +15, 2d6+4+2. | Foc 1/1 | Active conditions:

In Camp
Isabel, like Darian, is riding high on the success of the past few days and the successful negotiations. Even setting up the tents and the normal tedium of wood-collecting (one of the only jobs she is able to do in camp) is more bearable than normal until she catches her lover throwing glances at her - he seems nervous.

Waitng for a quiet moment Isabel approaches Darian. "Are you all right?"


Are you sure you want to do that?

Not having a smithy or a smith of their own the Kobolds are very interested in trading for tools that they can use. Without Tartuk stirring them to attack other races they will be content with defense only, and are agreeable to letting you handle settlers and trappers for them.

They are in an unusual situation for Kobolds in that they have shelter, food and a source of wealth. Something they've enjoyed for twenty years now. So they are very reluctant to do anything that threatens their current security.

Being LE as long as you word the agreement carefully they will stick to the letter of it. With the Mites gone and the other non-human group ready to make a treaty that only leaves the Bandits to be dealt with now.

What are you doing now?


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Human Bard 6| AC 20 FF 17 T 11| HP 49/49| F +4 R +8 W +6| Init +1| Percep +9
Buffs:
Inspire Courage, Bull’s Strength, Tongues

I suppose, since we’ve deviated our planned course, we should come up with a new one...30,37,38,31a,25?

In Camp:

Darian nods, ”Yeah. Yes, sorry. I, I just feel I need to say something,” he says, giving her hand a squeeze. He stands and says, ”Everyone, I just wanted to congratulate all of us on the very successful day we just had. It wasn’t easy, and we went through some trials, but we made it through okay. And, I owe you all my life, once more, it would seem,” he says with a chuckle, ”Has it not been for all of you, that bug may have had me for supper. But, the encounter has made me realize just how...precarious life is. And I, for one, have come to a conclusion.”

He stands straight, ”Given the fact that House Thrune clearly knows, or will soon know, our whereabouts, it seems pointless to keep living in fear of them. If they keep sending agents against us, so be it. Let them come. Darian Aulamaxa is through running. There is just one thing I fear now,” he adds, seeming to grow nervous once more.

He turns to Isabel, ”And that is going through life without you. I don’t care if that means my last breath is before the dawn, or in seventy years. If...if you would do me the honor,” Darian reaches into his shirt pocket and retrieves a small wooden box, and opens it to reveal a platinum ring set with rubies and small diamonds. ”Would you join me, for as long as this life may grant us, as Lady Isabel Aulamaxa? I...I know this isn’t typical Kintargan courtship protocols, but...since when have we been a typical Kintargan couple?”

Liberty's Edge

1 person marked this as a favorite.
|HP: 59/68 AC: 24; F: +12, R: +12, W: +10 | Perc: +10, Stl/Perf +12, Dec/Dip +13, ELore +14, Itm +15, Arc/Occ/Nat/Rel/Soc +8 | Speed 25ft | Weapon +15, 2d6+4+2. | Foc 1/1 | Active conditions:

Isabel gapes, mutters something that might just be "Sod traditional." and leaps on Darian, kissing him with remarkable passion. "Yes" She whispers against his lips, kissing him again and again. "Yes I will marry you."

She lets Darian slide the ring onto her finger and turns to the rest of the group, her smile wide enough to light up the entire campsite. Her joy is literally infectious, spreading through each person around them as Isabel unconsciously releases her own feelings in a wave across the clearing.


Halfing Bard (Detective) 4| AC 19 FF 15 T 15| HP 26/26| F +2 R +8 W +5| Init +5| Percep +11| 4/4 1st 2/2 2nd| 33 (7) ammo

Seeing the bond sealed with a kiss, Jory can only leap to him feet and let loose a loud "Hurrah! He heads over to shake Darian's hand with some vigor, and plants a kiss to the back of Isabel's hand. "Oleg shall have to throw quite the party when we return!"


Human Bard 6| AC 20 FF 17 T 11| HP 49/49| F +4 R +8 W +6| Init +1| Percep +9
Buffs:
Inspire Courage, Bull’s Strength, Tongues

Darian laughs heartily, a smile plastered across his face. ”Indeed! Maybe we can find and bring down this Tuskgutter for a nice roast for the occasion!”


Are you sure you want to do that?

Congratulations Darian & Isabel. I think that's the first time in any game I've run that someone has proposed and been accepted.


Are you sure you want to do that?

Your return to Oleg's is now a familiar event. Again you note the signs of the repairs being made. The palisade walls are now fully refurbished, the towers stand strong with added cladding making them better defended.

Oleg is actually speechless when you return Svetlana's wedding ring to him. For once his grim exterior breaks and you see real joy show through. He wordlessly shakes your hand strongly.

Svetlana breaks into tears when the ring is replaced on her finger. Hugging Oleg fiercely and then giving each of you a rib cracking embrace in turn. "To think you'd remember a tiny thing like this and go out of your way to do something about it! You've changed this land for the better. Bless you!"

Responses to the letter you sent are coming in, some await you, held for your return by Oleg.

Isabel. Your Aunt Lillian has sent you a reply. Noting that the increased trading activity in the trading post has been drawing some curiosity among the merchant families. She has sent you a list of several people who might serve your needs. Merchants and craftsmen, generally younger sons and daughters looking for a good place to start their own businesses.

Jory & Lisl. There is now a carpenter working on the trading post, which is why the walls are now complete. At the moment he's away with several woodcutters gathering more trees to turn into lumber for the next stage. Expanding the post and adding new buildings.

There are several groups of people here who hope to talk to you regarding good sites for gathering wood, stone, coal and iron. While all this can be ordered from Restov, gathering locally saves gold, and draws less attention.

Freya is able to direct them to several promising sites she noted nearby. Knowledge Geography & Nature.

What are you doing now?

I'm looking for a good map to show the new Oleg's.


Human Bard 6| AC 20 FF 17 T 11| HP 49/49| F +4 R +8 W +6| Init +1| Percep +9
Buffs:
Inspire Courage, Bull’s Strength, Tongues

After a long trek out into the wilds, Darian smiles as they return to Oleg’s and see the vast amount of work being accomplished there. Once all the pleasantries and rewards are settled, he asks to borrow a sheet of paper and a quill from Oleg to create a notice.

Travelers of the Greenbelt:

Peace has been made with the Sootscale Tribe of Kobolds. As part of the treatise, the Lands lieing immediately along both sides of the Shrike River between, but not including, the areas known as Nettle’s Crossing and the river crossing at the union of the Shrike and Thorn. Do not encroach on their lands, and they will pose no threat. So long as they abide by the peace treaty, they agree to offer trade and goodwill. Let us prove to them an ability to live in peace with one another.

As he writes, he asks for input from the others on the wording. ”There is also the matter of how it should be signed. I don’t mind to put my name to this, but should we, perhaps, put a name to our little enterprise and sign it as such?”

When time allows, he pulls Isabel aside. ”So...I’ve been thinking. We should wait until after the dealings with this Stag Lord are done before we hold our ceremony. That way we can do so in peace, without outside threat. Do you have an idea of where you’d like it to be done?”

Liberty's Edge

|HP: 59/68 AC: 24; F: +12, R: +12, W: +10 | Perc: +10, Stl/Perf +12, Dec/Dip +13, ELore +14, Itm +15, Arc/Occ/Nat/Rel/Soc +8 | Speed 25ft | Weapon +15, 2d6+4+2. | Foc 1/1 | Active conditions:
Darian Aulamaxa wrote:
When time allows, he pulls Isabel aside. ”So...I’ve been thinking. We should wait until after the dealings with this Stag Lord are done before we hold our ceremony. That way we can do so in peace, without outside threat. Do you have an idea of where you’d like it to be done?”

"It sounds so ridiculous, but as long as you're there I couldn't care less!" Isabel replies, shaking her head. "I never thought I'd be one of those ridiculous romantics you read about in novels, but now that it's happened..." She breaks off, smiling hugely. "Perhaps here? Once we defeat the Stag Lord I imagine things will change a lot, so whether we do it here or somewhere else... there's no rush, I don't mind being engaged for a while first." She reaches up to kiss her fiance on the cheek. "Let's enjoy it for a bit before we plan the next step! Besides, your mother isn't here to disapprove!"

--------------------
Once Isabel has read her letter from Aunt Lillian she takes the opportunity Darian provided with the notice to pass the information on to the group. "I think we all sign it for now, and refer to our charter, something like 'Under our authority as given by the Swordlords of Brevoy in Charter'. That way it shows it has the force of law and we don't end up claiming any authority we don't have." She looks around for agreement before signing her name with a flourish. "I may not be signing that way for long..." She finishes with a grin.

"I've had a reply to my letter from Aunt Lillian, she's enclosed a number of useful people we should contact - mostly younger sons and daughters of the nobility, well funded and eager to make their own names. I'll contact them and invite them down this way - its a great opportunity for them, and us, to really build something out here."

Her face turns more serious. "Before that though we need to face the problem we've been skirting for months. The Stag Lord. We'll never have real peace out here as long as he lives. Clearly the only thing left to do it to face him. Based on what we've discovered I think he must be here." She gestures to Hex 36. "I found an old map which suggested there was a fort of some kind there, and it's one of the only areas we've not mapped properly so it makes a lot of sense. I suggest that as soon as possible, we head southwards and end this bandit lord once and for all. We should speak to Kesten too," she adds, almost as an after thought. "He posted a reward for a bandit - if his target is with the Stag Lord then Kesten might have information we can use."

-------------------------
Once the conversations and planning are over Isabel begs some space and settles down to write letters. The vast number are similar in tone and purpose, to contact the people Aunt Lillian recommended and propose business deals. If she exaggerates the charms and stability of the Stolen Lands a little then it's no more than a reasoned prediction of the future!

Then she dips her quill and pauses, for some time, with a blank sheet of parchment in front of her before eventually setting to with a much harder letter.

My Lady, Archbaroness Aulamaxa.

My name is Isabel and I am the niece of Baroness Jarvis. You may be aware that before your son left Kintargo he was spending less time at home and I am proud to say that much of that time was spent with me. We fled House Thrune together and since then have been living in Brevoy with relations of mine.

The reason for this letter is that your son has asked me to marry him and I have accepted. I am truly overjoyed that a man as wonderful as your son has chosen me and I look forward to spending many years together. I felt it important to write to you and inform you of this occasion. In time we will marry and I know it would mean the world to Darian if you and the rest of his family were there. My writing to you now is, I hope, a first step towards this goal.

Please remember me to Maria, I recall our dance lessons most fondly.

Yours, with warmest regards and the utmost respect,
Isabel

House Rhelian,
Vassal House of House Jarvis, Kintargo.

Accompanied by a similar, but far less formal letter to her aunt and head of House, Isabel slides both into a sealed pouch and begins a covering letter.

Dearest Aunt Lillian.

Thank you so much for your insight. I have written letters to all of the people you recommended and I hope it will be the beginning of a most fruitful business relationship, or several.

But in more exciting news, Darian proposed to me! I'm going to be Lady Isabel Aulamaxa! The title doesn't mean anything, but I'm so happy - I wish you were here to share our joy.

I have another favour to ask of you, I'm afraid. I've written to Darian's parents telling them of our engagement and I was hoping that you might be able to arrange the letter's being sent discretely to Kintargo? I'm sorry to ask such a task but I think it's so important for Darian that his family should know.

With my love,
Isabel.

Pausing just before she seals the packet Isabel re-opens the letter to her Aunt Jarvis in Kintargo and adds a post-script. P.S. I don't know if you can Auntie, but if you should ever hear from Father again, please let him know that his little girl is getting married. Thank you, Shelyn's blessings with you and our house.

--------------
Isabel has the letters couriered northwards as soon as possible, and doesn't say anything about their contents to Darian.


Human Bard 6| AC 20 FF 17 T 11| HP 49/49| F +4 R +8 W +6| Init +1| Percep +9
Buffs:
Inspire Courage, Bull’s Strength, Tongues

Isabel, in private:

Darian smiles at his beaming paramour. ”After my near death experience in the mite cave, I feel less inclined to waiting...Just long enough to deal with this Stag Lord. I was thinking, though, that the temple to Erastil we found, once the bear-man-thing was dealt with, was truly quite lovely. And who would perform the ceremony? Jhod? Lisl? Freya?”
__________

Notice/Planning:

”A good point,” Darian says as he makes the addition:

Travelers of the Greenbelt:

Peace has been made with the Sootscale Tribe of Kobolds. As part of the treatise, the Lands lieing immediately along both sides of the Shrike River between, but not including, the areas known as Nettle’s Crossing and the river crossing at the union of the Shrike and Thorn. Do not encroach on their lands, and they will pose no threat. So long as they abide by the peace treaty, they agree to offer trade and goodwill. Let us prove to them an ability to live in peace with one another.

Under our authority as given by the Swordlords of Brevoy in Charter:

”Anybody else?” he asks of his companions.

When his betrothed brings up the Stag Lord, Darian turns more serious.

”We know the Stag Lord is a drunkard, and given our activity we’ve likely severely hampered his supply. We have this case of booze we could use to get him liquoured up, as well as a possible pass phrase. I wrote it down here...” he mutters as he retrieves a small slip of paper from his shirt pocket. ”’By the Bloody Bones of St. Gilmorg, who wants to know?’ Those two, if still valid, should gain us entry. Question is...” he says as he looks to his friends, ”Do we take his addiction a step further and...perhaps drug him? I am not fond of poisons, but I am even less fond of putting my friends at risk,” he makes sure to look at everyone gathered to emphasize how he feels about each of you.

”Then, we need to consider our consumable items we have acquired,” he gathers the various potions and scrolls on the table, as well as the Thunderstone...
__________
Here is what Darian is proposing with the consumables, open for input/suggestions:
CLW Potion x4 - Darian, Josef, Jory, Freya (Most likely to be in the fray)
Enlarge Person Potion - Lisl (Melee Combatant)
Shield of Faith +2 Potion - Josef (Melee Combatant)
Lesser Restoration Potion x3 - Josef, Darian, Jory (Figure we are most likely to be in precarious positions)
CLW Wand (50 Charges) - Lisl (Most likely to be throwing the majority of these charges. Also likely to be in the fray)
Oil of magic weapon x2 - Josef, Darian (Melee Combatants)
Potion of bull's strength x3, - Josef, Darian, Lisl (Melee Combatants)
Potion of cure moderate wounds x4, - Josef, Darian, Jory, Freya (Most likely to be in the fray)
Potion of enlarge person (Cl 3rd) x2, - Josef, Darian (Melee Combatants)
Potion of invisibility, - Jory (Sneaky sneak into good firing position)
Scroll of glitterdust, - Freya (Blind/Reveal foes for us!)
Scroll of invisibility, - Isabel (Sneaky sneak into good casting position)
Scroll of magic weapon, - Lisl (Melee Combatant)
scrolls of mirror image (2), - Freya, Isabel (Caster Protection)
scroll of obscuring mist, - Freya (Cover?)
scroll of protection from good, - ???
Thunderstone - Jory (Maybe signal an attack start once in position, if need be...)

Liberty's Edge

|HP: 59/68 AC: 24; F: +12, R: +12, W: +10 | Perc: +10, Stl/Perf +12, Dec/Dip +13, ELore +14, Itm +15, Arc/Occ/Nat/Rel/Soc +8 | Speed 25ft | Weapon +15, 2d6+4+2. | Foc 1/1 | Active conditions:

"If he's a drunkard then there probably won't be much need to drug him." Isabel offers. "If we can get him the alcohol then that should do enough by itself. I'd be wary of adding anything in case he notices - I imagine he must drink a lot of liquor, so he'd probably know a bad batch if he saw one. The plan is a good one though. We'd need some of the group to pretend to be bandits and make their way into the camp, maybe open the gates later on to let the rest in? So we need to decide who would have the best chances bluffing their way in." She looks around. "I should go, I should be able to talk us past any problems. Josef and Darian for muscle. I don't think you could come Freya, Munir and Fenris are pretty noticeable. If you, Jory and Lisl stayed outside do you think you could come up with a convincing distraction with your combined magics?" Isabel stops babbling, mimes locking her lips, takes three deep breaths and unlocks her lips again.

"So... I go in with Darian and Josef. We could take some furs and so forth from Oleg's we could be new bandits from her group who she's sent back to deliver tirbute - we'll make sure that includes the alcohol. We get in and hopefully get the Stag Lord so drunk that he can't see straight. Then, under the cover of darkness maybe, Lisl, Freya, Jory and Fenrir make some sort of attack on the fort - draw attention while those of us on the inside can take out the leaders and generally sabotage their efforts. If we can dispose of any leadership I imagine the standard bandit will surrender. At least I hope so." Her hard facade cracks slightly here and you all see the familiar Isabel of your adventures, the one who doesn't like to kill and tried so hard to redeem Ludi and Katrina.

"What do you think? Does it make sense as a plan?"


INACTIVE - GAME DIED

Lisl seems legitimately pleased at the wedding proposal.

"So, you two lovebirds have decided to tie the knot? Of course a marriage is a legal contract; a wedding is a social affair, for your own pleasure and for the enjoyment of your community and your friends and loved ones. I would, of course, be happy to preside over the ceremonies, but they are yours to decide upon, so perhaps someone more aligned with your own personal religious persuasions would be more appropriate," she says.

Liberty's Edge

|HP: 59/68 AC: 24; F: +12, R: +12, W: +10 | Perc: +10, Stl/Perf +12, Dec/Dip +13, ELore +14, Itm +15, Arc/Occ/Nat/Rel/Soc +8 | Speed 25ft | Weapon +15, 2d6+4+2. | Foc 1/1 | Active conditions:
Lisl Morozov wrote:

Lisl seems legitimately pleased at the wedding proposal.

"So, you two lovebirds have decided to tie the knot? Of course a marriage is a legal contract; a wedding is a social affair, for your own pleasure and for the enjoyment of your community and your friends and loved ones. I would, of course, be happy to preside over the ceremonies, but they are yours to decide upon, so perhaps someone more aligned with your own personal religious persuasions would be more appropriate," she says.

"There's no-one I'd rather have perform the ceremonies." Isabel responds immediately. "That said, we're not going to do anything about it until after the Stag Lord is defeated and we've fulfilled the Charter. After that we should have the peace to decide exactly what we'd like. You're all going to be there though!" Her tone brokes no refusal. "I couldn't imagine the last months without you all, there's no other group of people I, we'd, want at our wedding more!"


Human Bard 6| AC 20 FF 17 T 11| HP 49/49| F +4 R +8 W +6| Init +1| Percep +9
Buffs:
Inspire Courage, Bull’s Strength, Tongues

Darian shakes his head at Isabel’s suggestion. ”We are likely to be outnumbered to begin with. I’d prefer we go in together as a united force. May take a little extra sweet talking, but we should be able to explain off the animals easy enough. Especially if the Stag Lord is more interested in the spirits than the errand boys delivering it.”

Darian rubs at his chin a bit. ”He and his agents surely know that someone has been stymieing his work. We should use that to our advantage,” he adds as he rummages into his pack. He retrieves the Stag Lord amulet he retrieves from Kressel and dangles it in front of him ”I hung onto this just in case it ever came up that we might need it. I think we portray ourselves as underlings of Kressel that she had recruited. We learned the pass phrase from her. Then, we narrowly escape the ‘Adventurers from Restov’ and have been on the run and covering our tracks as best we could since. We finally were able to make our way back here with what little we could salvage from the camp, including returning for her amulet once the coast was clear.”

”We embellish it as necessary to gain entry, and once inside, we assess the situation and reconnoiter to make a final plan of action, depending on the situation. A full on assault may be impossible. It will all depend on what we learn once inside...”

In case the tone isn’t clear, Darian’s only real objection is splitting the party.


Female N Human Herb Witch 3 / Wild Whisperer Druid 3 / Mystic Theurge 0 | HP: 42/42 | AC: 15 (11 Tch, 14 FF) | CMB: +4, CMD: 15 | Fort +6, Reflex +4, Will +10 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: +15 (+17), Sense Motive: +5 (+7) + 1d6 | Speed 30ft | Herb Lore 6/6 | Inspiration 4/5 | Fenrir HP: 54/54; AC 25 | Muninn HP: 21/21 | Active conditions: None

"I agree with Darian. Splitting our forces could have dire consequences." the recently quiet witch says.

It seems that Freya's quiet attitude is in response to all the recent talk of marriages and such. While she seems to be happy for Darian and
Isabel, there is still something troubling her.


Human Bard 6| AC 20 FF 17 T 11| HP 49/49| F +4 R +8 W +6| Init +1| Percep +9
Buffs:
Inspire Courage, Bull’s Strength, Tongues

Darian nods, looking to the others. ”Lord Orlovsky, Lady Morozov, Mister Haltine? Any thoughts or suggestions?” He asks, looking to the rest of his companions as they sit for, what could be for some of them, the last time around Oleg’s table beneath the stars.


INACTIVE - GAME DIED

"I am not an especially talented actress," says Lisl. "But if you think that you can pull off such a deception without requiring some of us to speak up, then perhaps it is possible."


M Human Fighter (Aldori Defender) 5/Aldori Swordlord 1 | HP38/46 | AC20 T14 F17 CMD21+ | F+6 R+6 W+2 | 20) | I+5 | Perc+0

As the happy couple agrees to exchange vows, Josef applauds. "It seems congratulations are in order. Anything special you would like as wedding gifts? We're probably going to need to order them in, after all."

-------------

As the group discusses sneaking in, Josef shakes his head side to side. "You are right, a drunkard won't need any more drugs than the alcohol. But if we're going to be thugs who took out agents of Restov, I'll need to NOT carry either of these." He points at his two dueling swords. "Not a hard stop, but advantages will be hard to come by, so we should consider what aspect of our loot that we've been ignoring we might want to use to keep from meeting any descriptions that may be floating about. Do we want to be lightly armored and set up as mostly archers with minor melee weaponry? Something else? If we can't look the part when we arrive, then acting can only get us so far."

--------------

Josef also sends a letter home at this point.

Lord Poul Orlovsky,

I apologize to you for continuing to survive, as I realize this is not the goal you had when sending me to this wilderness. It seems a very capable group has already begun the work of claiming the land and establishing civilization.

The immediate business opportunities involve basic resource gathering specialists, artisans and craftsmen. A carpenter has already arrived, and I understand a blacksmith is already on the way. Some mining specialists to help with pulling our own oar and coal for the smithy would create a foothold at the beginning of the supply chain. The carpenter is already splitting his time between lumberjacking and construction, so a trained lumberjack could make an immediate difference in the eyes of the existing leaders. You might also want to consider a weapon smith or armor smith. The local settlement is expanding, and they will need supplies and maintenance.

In addition, the existing leaders, Darian Aulamaxa and Isabel Rhelian have just become engaged. They intend to exchange vows after we deal with a local drunkard bandit. I expect little issue with this effort, so a proper wedding gift from the family could also initiate a relationship that could lead to better access to the raw materials of this area.

I look forward to continuing to disappoint you with more opportunities instead of my death.

Your outcast,

Josef

Liberty's Edge

|HP: 59/68 AC: 24; F: +12, R: +12, W: +10 | Perc: +10, Stl/Perf +12, Dec/Dip +13, ELore +14, Itm +15, Arc/Occ/Nat/Rel/Soc +8 | Speed 25ft | Weapon +15, 2d6+4+2. | Foc 1/1 | Active conditions:
Josef Orlovsky wrote:
As the group discusses sneaking in, Josef shakes his head side to side. "You are right, a drunkard won't need any more drugs than the alcohol. But if we're going to be thugs who took out agents of Restov, I'll need to NOT carry either of these." He points at his two dueling swords. "Not a hard stop, but advantages will be hard to come by, so we should consider what aspect of our loot that we've been ignoring we might want to use to keep from meeting any descriptions that may be floating about. Do we want to be lightly armored and set up as mostly archers with minor melee weaponry? Something else? If we can't look the part when we arrive, then acting can only get us so far."

"That's actually not too hard to explain." Isabel offers. "You're on the run for killing a noble in Restov. Duel gone wrong, murderer-duelist for hire, the details don't matter, but you stole the swords and ran. The hardest one to explain will be Lisl - I can't think of an obvious way to sell a cleric, you might have to be something else dear." She smiles at her friend. "We'll need some disguises too."

Isabel's hair is fairly noticeable, but some dye will take care of that. In fact most of us should probably do something like grow beards (for the men) or dye their hair (for the women). Get stilts for Jory? :D


Human Bard 6| AC 20 FF 17 T 11| HP 49/49| F +4 R +8 W +6| Init +1| Percep +9
Buffs:
Inspire Courage, Bull’s Strength, Tongues

Proposal:

Darian smiles at Josef and shakes his hand, ”Just your attendance at the wedding, my friend! That is enough of an honor for me!”
___________

Planning Scene:

Darian ponders Josef’s and Isabel’s words. ”I agree that your unique sword should should be easily explainable. And you both are right, some subtle disguises may be in order. But I don’t know if we need to go to such great lengths. No bandit we have encountered has escaped that I am aware of. And unless he has had scouts out that have observed us we haven’t seen, they likely don’t know our appearances. And a keen eye seeing through a disguise would make any of our plans undone. Thick cloaks over our gear should suffice, in my opinion. As for Lisl...perhaps hiding her symbol would be enough?”

He then turns to Lisl, ”And surely, they wouldn’t expect everyone in the group to be the talkative type,” he says with a wink.

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