Megan's Kingmaker PbP

Game Master Megan Robertson

They must be given every chance to do so willingly. If coerced, then we do not know if repentance is true or just a cover. I tried to get those two to see reason and they chose instead to continue their current lifestyle. If they are not repentant, then follow the rules of the charter we were given. It is harsh but necessary to cleanse this area and have folks start anew.

In the forest

Gorguk skewers one fleeing bandit in terminal manner, but the other one eludes him, dodging round a large prickly bush and vanishing before Gorguk's freed his lance.

Back with the rest, Georg Rassillon accepts the reins of the spare horse without comment.

Samlor looks a bit better.

"Thank you, friend Gorguk... I have little to tell. I was heading east, and was setting up camp for the night when this bunch jumped me. A day, day and a half ago, that was. Said they were taking me to their Staglord..."

Rhasa looks at Gorguk. "Shall I go hunting?"

With both bandits unconscious, Calinder just waits for instructions as to what their next step is to be.

Lothar nodded, then looked down at the unconscious bandits.

To Barnabus and Calinder: Gorguk says give them the chance to decide whether they'll repent their wrongdoing. If they don't, then I'll be the one to handle what to do after. We'll do this one at a time. He pointed to the one that fainted. We'll start with him, but first...

The magician went through his gear and refreshed his appearance before using his active spell to clean up the soiled bandit. Once that was done, he looked to Calinder.

Wake him. You can make the pitch.

Calinder takes his waterskin and removing the stopper, splashes a little water on the face of the man Lothar indicated. Then kneeling down next to the bandit, Calinder says, "Okay, my friend...You have one last opportunity. If you will renounce the Staglord and serve those who have been wronged by the Staglord for a year then you may live, otherwise you will meet the same fate as the others who have not renounced the Staglord."

The bandit splutters for a moment.

"Um. Difficult choice... let me think a moment... Oh, all right. I'd rather stay alive. What do you want me to do?"

Lothar looked to Barnabus. Wake the other. He gets the same offer.

So far, so good.

sorry hotel i am at claimed to have wifi. It does not and no computer for guests to use as well. Found a signal and a quick post now. Will be back home tomorrow late.

Yes Rhasa, we can't let one escape and warn the Staglord right now. If you can't find him return before sunrise. Don't risk yourself more than necessary. Erastil be with you. Happy hunting. Tell Lothar that you are leaving on a quick journey so he is not alarmed by the silence.

She fades back into the dark after giving each of the new recruits an appraising look.

Rhasa': Sunset looks pleased at the prospect of a side trip just with you, and nuzzles at your shoulder as you check for tracks. It's clear to your trained eye which direction he took, travelling at speed... and away from the Stag Lord's fort. You mount and follow.

May I have a couple more rolls as you track him, please? Bear with me, he's sped off and it will take you a while to catch up (or to get into bowshot, if preferred).

"The other will be harder to wake as he is under our friend's spell here", Calinder says as he indicates Barnabus as being the friend and source of the spell.

Gorguk watches Rhasa head off on Sunset and hopes that this isn't a fools errand that he is sending her on. The alternative would be worse though if the bandits and the Staglord found out that there were members of the Wardens in the fort right now. Too many options and none of them good it seems. The was nothing for it but to wait for the others to return or until sunrise. Hopefully Rhasa is back at sunrise before he approaches the fort. The rest of the night is spent waiting and watching the campsite. As much as he wants to question Samlor about his journey and the results of his mission, he knows that the messenger needs rest and a good nights sleep first. There will be time tomorrow to inquire about father Ralu.

@ Calindar
"No harder tha a deep slumber."

"Well then let give this a try", Calinder says as he reaches down and grabs the other bandit by the shoulders and shakes him and then pours a little water over his face to hopefully speed up the process.

The sleeping bandit comes awake, spluttering and cursing... then falling silent as he realises that it's you lot. He looks wide-eyed from one to another, waiting for you to speak.

Meanwhile, Rhasa' follows a fairly clear trail through the forest.

Samlor asks if you have anything to eat, it appears that the bandits neglected to feed him. Georg looks rather apologetic and produces some bread and cheese at once.

Continuing to stand over the bandit, Calinder says to him, "Your friend here has made the wise decision to renounce the Staglord and give up being a bandit. To answer his question as to what that entails, you will be required to serve those who you have wronged in this area for a period of time, and then you will be free to make your own way at an honest trade or occupation. If you choose not to renounce the Staglord, then you will meet swift justice as we have been tasked with preparing this area for settlement and removing the threat of bandits to those who will come here."

"So, what say ye sir, do ye renounce the Staglord as your mate here did?"

"He speaks truth under lawful charter, we have the right tah pardon or punish those who committe offenses to tha land."

Gorguk wil do what he can for Samlor while maintaining his vigil. Hopefully Rhasa returns soon safe with success.

In the tunnel

"B..but... Renounce the Staglord? What else would I do? Um. Guess I could join your gang if you defeat him..." He doesn't look happy.

In the forest

Samlor eats the bread and cheese which Georg Rassillon gives him with evident relish.

Elsewhere in the forest

After about 20 minutes tracking, Rhasa' comes within sight of the fleeing bandit, who has slowed to a trot and is oblivious to her presence.

Lothar knelt down beside the bandit and draped an arm around the hesitant bandit. So, your decision is to wait and see if we defeat him and then join us? The sudden drop in temperature matched the magician's cold tone as he drew the scared man tightly into him and continued speaking, his breath visible due to the chill: I find your lack of faith disturbing.

Lothar will cause his prestidigitation to cool the air enough so that the breath can be seen, before using nei jing to disrupt the bandit's internal harmonics... basically sneak attacking the bandit with nonlethal unarmed damage over the next two rounds with Knockout Artist to boost damage. Sleight of Hand to do so without being obvious: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24; First round: sneak attack damage die:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2; Second round: unarmed damage die: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5. If he's still conscious, Lothar will wait to see if the bandit's mind has been changed. If not, then he will finish him.

In the tunnel

"No one said you must join any gang or be involved in any fighting, one former bandit hast abandoned life and death by tha sword in favor o tha brewin o ale, an we even helped him tah reclaim tha life he desired fer himself.....What life or death dost thou desire?"

"As my friend here has said, you could do anything. Is there something you always wanted to do, or a talent that you have that you would like to use for good? The possibilities are endless, but I urge you to choose well, your life may well depend on it."

In the tunnel

The bandit looks confused, then begins to shiver as Lothar lowers the ambient temperature.

"B...but what else would I do but wait to see which band comes out on top?"

He begins to slump, but clings on to consciousness, barely.

In the forest

Rhasa's bandit continues to ride on, oblivious.

She's a hunter, she can be patient. Continue to follow at a distance.

In the tunnel:

"Ahh one controlled by cowardice going like tha lamb with his fellows to tha slaughter. Think you that we three are tha only ones opposing tha staglord. Tha staglord can not stand we control tha land between here and the Swordlords themselves, all threats removed and dealt with leaving only this rats nest to be dealt with!"

Calinder just stands there in the cold air, shaking his head sadly at the indecision of this man who has just been offered the freedom to do as he wished.

In the tunnel

The bandit shrugs.

"It's all the same to me. Whatever gang's on top will do. You're confident, that's good... if you have what it takes to back up your boasts."

Turning towards Lothar, Calinder says, "Looks as if this man is just a follower and unwilling to decide his own fate. Does that mean that it's up to us to decide his fate then?"

Not us. Just me. I have my instructions. I will be the one to carry it out. The magician paused for a moment before looking back at the back at the bandit and continuing. ...'tis a far greater kindness I give you.

Lothar will finish the bandit off as he runs his free hand over the man's face, as though closing his eyes. Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15 First Round - sneak attack damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1 Second Round - unarmed damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

In the tunnel

Lothar attends to matters as described... and the bandit falls asleep, never to awaken in this life.

In the forest

Rhasa' hails the bandit, who starts and turns, one hand on his sword hilt.

"Sorry, you startled me. Willam's the name. Just... travelling. Parted company with some others, thought I'd lay down a few miles before resting."

"Willam? Pleased to meet you. I have a message to deliver or I probably would let my steed rest." She reaches forward to give Sunset an affectionate pat. "It seems the Wardens have been very successful rooting out the Staglord's men. I hear a camp they used to harry the trading post is no more. You know, they say the Wardens are looking for good men to settle the area. If you are of a mind to stay around, they would probably be happy to have you. I've even heard tell of a few men - former bandits - that have sworn to mend their ways and help make this a better place to live."

Not sure what the appropriate check would be - she not really bluffing. She's trying to give the man a second chance to make his decision without the pressure. Maybe diplomacy? I guess the bonus is the same, regardless.

Charisma check 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

To save time later...

Gorguk will question and talk to Samlor asking about affairs to the north and about his mission with Father Ralu. Gorguk is hoping that the word was delivered and that Father Ralu will be able to come back this way. Any and all expenses will undoubtedly be paid back of course for his safe travel.

In the forest

Willam puts his head on one side.

"I had had a mind to quit the forest and seek my future elsewhere, but... if these 'Wardens' have need of someone who can hunt and trap as well as swing a sword, and can provide regular pay, I'd be interested. I am tired of living hand-to-mouth."

Elsewhere in the forest

Samlor says that he had found Father Ralu unwell, but that he had said that he would see if some of the younger members of his order were interested in coming to the forest.

in the tunnel
"Tis done an tha other?"

"Sounds like just the sort they need. They've even been giving the Staglord's bandits the option to work to serve the community for a year and be forgiven their past, so even those folks get a fresh start if they are willing."

Calinder nods in acceptance of Lothar's reply and watches as the man falls asleep.

In reply to Barnabus' question, Calinder says, "I believe our other 'friend' here has made the decision to renounce the Staglord and change his ways. The bigger question would be what to do with him at this moment. Do we take him with us, send him out to the others, or have him remain here?"

After gently laying the bandit on the tunnel floor, Lothar rose from where he had been kneeling.

We've done what we can for now. All we can do is wait for Gorguk and the others' signal. We'll do so in shifts. I'll start. You all get some rest. That goes double for you, Mr. Hunt.

And with that, the magician made his way to the opposite end of the tunnel. As he did, the cold that had pervaded the area went away as well.

"Perhaps set his feet tah tha road an Gorguks waiting arms fer more questions."

Points to the tunnel they had enetered through.

Calinder nods once more at Lothar's suggestion and finds a place to sit down with his back against the tunnel wall, trying to get as comfortable as possible so he can get some rest.

Upon waking, Calinder will take some time to meditate and commune with Erastil.

Alas, I had hoped to here better news. Tell me is it something severe or just age catching up with him? I had hoped to be there when his strength finally failed him.
Erastil, grant him strength and let him persevere through this trial. Let him know that there are those who wish him well.

Gorguk will take some time to meditate and pray for his friend but only if it seems that the reformed bandits aren't doing to make a sudden move. During this time he will also consider again the morning and the ramifications of the Wardens actions.

"He'd taken a fall, broke a leg. Then got a chest infection. Brother Bart, who's a noted healer it seems, is confident that he'll make a full recovery but does not advise travel at the moment," said Samlor.

A broken leg is all. Well I was fearing worse I guess. He should be mended and ready to continue on in a few short weeks. Sooner since you had to travel to get here. Thank y for your device and I am sorry for what has happened to you. Don't worry I still remember you request and the time is coming in which I hope to be able to influence that decision. Rest now for tomorrow will be an interesting day.

Ready to move forward when Rhasa is back.

How much time remains until Gorguk and Akiros approach the front gate? Trying to figure out how best to divide the watch-standing in the tunnel between Lothar, Calinder, and Barnabus.

"Let us be aware and rush not into battle."

You reckon it is about 3am now... dawn will be around 5.30am.

Thanks, DM! Unless there are objections, Lothar will end his watch after an hour, at which point he'll have Barnabus stand for 30 minutes, then Calinder after that for 30. The last half hour will be spent getting ready for the upcoming assault. That sound good?