Of Kings and Commoners - Kingmaker AP

Game Master RPGGGM

"Oh, hello there. Don't mind us. We were just finishing." The elf smiles sheepishly. "I have to say you are quite persistent."

Roll one Knowledge (religion) check, and open all the applicable spoilers to determine what you know about the woman's head.

Zokon holds back keeping to the cover of a tree

And uses studied target on the elf

stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

"Careful," Numalar whispers. "That head is a creature, and it can fly. Might be his familiar."

Did I lose the pre-battle option due to not posting early enough? If not...

When the head starts singing, and Numalar identifies it as a sentry, Alia vanishes(Invisibility), advancing in a single-person-pincer movement.To the side, and up front. Will try to cut him off from the horses or move into a flank if either option presents itself.

Zokon holds back keeping to the cover of a tree

And uses studied target on the elf

Stealth isn't really an option since Illithir is standing behind you with a lantern.

Did I lose the pre-battle option due to not posting early enough? If not...

When the head starts singing, and Numalar identifies it as a sentry, Alia vanishes(Invisibility), advancing in a single-person-pincer movement.To the side, and up front. Will try to cut him off from the horses or move into a flank if either option presents itself.

It's possible, though the lighting is doing to be bad further out from the party (assuming Illthir is keeping the bullseye of her lantern pointed downward).

"I'm Salzarus." He bows. "So why are you here precisely? To join up? I have the ear of the lord of these lands, and we've had some openings in the organization of late." He smiles.

He releases the head which against most expectations floats upward and away from him. He steps back around some rocks.

The fire pit and the rocks look to be difficult terrain.

Round 1! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Zokon
__ elf (readied)
__ Illthir
__ Jhod (readied)
__ Scarlet
__ Numalar
__ Alia

Map updated

"We've come to take you back to face justice for the things you've done."

Jhod readies a spell.

She's seen plenty of that nonsense before, but... with a floating disembodied head? What a disgrace.

No words. Only action.

Scarlet shoves the trees aside, draws her blades and advances. Turning bright red, her longsword bursts into flames as she swings at the disembodied head.

Bloodrage!
Cold Iron Masterwork Longsword, Bloodrage, Bless: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 2 + 1 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 2 = 10
Fire Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Illthir sweeps her lantern across the scene, first towards the horses, to try and find the rest of the band. If they were up and awake. Well they were probably awake at least ...

"Oh, you really should have quite when you were ahead ..." the skald brings out the greatest of comedy; puns. (*Cough* Yeah right.) And while the order of things were off balance she reached out to channel a tiny bit of the first world into the bandits.

Casting Hideous Laughter targeting another of the bandits of visible and in range, otherwise Salzarus gets it! DC 15 Will

Numalar strides forward into the clearing.

"We followed you from Oleg's. So you know why we are here. I don't suppose you care to surrender?"

He points at the elf with his symbol.

"nuQanjaj SuD!"

A bolt of golden dust shoots towards the elf, and bursts catching the elf and what's left of the odd head within the cloud.

20' move then casting glitterdust. Will DC 17 negates the blindness effect. The AoE is a 10' radius so I should be able to get the elf and the floating head in the same AoE without hitting Scarlet.

Anyone seen Alia? I need to know if she's invisible or not. ;)

Alia, empowering her dear blade and utilizing the dim light from the campfire to navigate(thanking her Low-Light Vision), moves behind the other Elf. There was not much reason for subtelty, it was unlikely he could pinpoint her...but she would, hopefully, be able to cut off his escape all the same...

No campfire at present. Right now the only significant light (a bullseye lantern) is in Illthir's hand. But that works for me. Don't make a sound like something that needs to be glitter dusted. ;)

I'll post the update when I get home in a couple of hours.

The elf laughs (and hideously so) but purposely so and not because of Illthir's enchantment.

The spells splash across the clearing but neither strike the man.

Scarlet swings and misses the hideous head.

"Really? Glitterdust? That's the best you've got?" challenges Salzarus. He just stands there looking imperious when a garish pattern of light oozes from behind the place where the party entered the clearing.

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

"Ugh." Jhod grits his teeth.

Dang, I fell for it...

Scarlet grimaces. "An illusory head." Scarlet sets her sights on the elf.

A man emerges from nowhere to stab Jhod!

longsword v Jhod (from invisible): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 2 = 25 damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Threat!
confirm v Jhod: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 = 11 additional damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

From just through the veil a huge man appears with a cudgel studded with nails. His skin has the bark-like quality of the trees and is thick with muscle.

"Oh boy! Oh boy! It's a girl Sal! It's a girl! I will hold her and hug her and call her George!" He shouts with a huge idiot grin. "I had another girl once, but she don't move no more...."

He swings the club at Illthir.

greatclub (power attack, overhand chop, from invisible): 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 11 + 2 = 17 damage: 1d10 + 23 ⇒ (4) + 23 = 27

There's a sound.

Round 2! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Salzarus
__ Olessa (disembodied head) ready
__ Ayles
__ Auchs
__ Zokon
__ Illthir -27 hp
__ Jhod -3 hp
__ Scarlet
__ Numalar
__ Alia

Map updated

blinks +23 static damage? Ah, Power Attack and Overhand Chop. That will do it.

Scarlet isn't sure what's up with this grotesque head, and the fact that she swung right through it, but he used it... raised more questions. Questions that didn't need answering.

Scarlet decides to carve up an elf. She steps forward 5 feet and reaches down with her swords.

Cold Iron Masterwork Longsword, Bloodrage, TWF, Bless: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 2 - 2 + 1 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

Masterwork Shortsword, Bloodrage, TWF, Bless: 1d20 + 8 + 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 2 - 2 + 1 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 2 = 8

Glitterdust affects 10ft radius laughing boy elf is within 10ft radius on the map.. of his illusion

I still can't figure +23 even using 22 str?? unless +3 weapon..

The dc18 will save.. all of us? does it affect his guys as well?

Can I see the guys behind us?

Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

He's had a couple of potions, one with his name on it.

Overhand Chop=>double strenght, so 2x - power attack(for a 2-handed weapon) is 3y, +2 specialization, +1 weapon training.
So, 23= 2x+3y+3, or 20-3y=2x - hoping y is 2 or less, we have 20-6=2x, or x=7 for 24 strenght - I suppose he could have 20 regular, and got buffed with bulls strenght? I don't think he was invisibly by chance...it's nasty but possible, I guess - and thats only one variation(if no furious focus, power attack is -2, so attack bonus would be +13 - with 7 strenght, thats level 5 fighter, enough for weapon training, 6 power attack damage, and specialization...(but then he should have focus, which throws my calculations off-*shrug* close enough, still-)

Since Scarlet acts before me, does her action seem to do something to the enemy elf? The Glitterdust thing seems fishy since the safe should only negate blinding, but he should still be outlined...

There were something very fishy about this whole thing. The laughter wasn't just mocking them for failing, it was mocking them for *trying*. And not just that - something more. A familiar rush of wind, the faint scent of evil intent. Illthir had dodged enough rotten fruit earlier in her career (muuuch earlier in career. Of course.), especially after puns, so she ducked as quickly as she could. And than all the gods for that!

Will Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Her bad feeling were rapidly multiplying into several as a giant club passed over her wielded by an equally gigantic man. She really didn't want to be squeezed by that one! Or hugged, petted, grabbed, poked or most other forms of physical contact really. And there were this weird weird light pulsating just between them. Urk. If her stomach weren't already rebelling it certainly was now!

Now let's see. I'm not 100% on exactly what Nauseated blocks except attacks and spells (condition say only a single Move action, combat chapter header 'Restricted Activity' says that if you are limited to a single Move (or similar) you can still take Free and Swift actions, I'm going with that for now!

Got to get ... away! the skald thought, weakly raising her arms to shield herself as she took a cautious step away from the light+giant. And warn the others. Do that too! "Illusion! The elf is a fake!" Good good. Now let's empty the stomach a bit. Wait - no! *Blarg*

Round summary: 5-foot step, free to speak. Move to puke. That doesn't really do anything except is disgusting. But maybe she'll hit Auchs by pure luck? :P

The flash of light from the front, the roar and smack from behind, Zokon looks around , he hears call of an illusion and he can't see anyone else so he ignores the elf, but that big fellow seems to be a real danger to Illthir.

Zokon takes aim at the big man noting the weak points in his armour (studied target) and he lets fly a dealy aimed arrow.

do I get Sniper bonuses I did use stealth which should be a vs their perception

Longbow attack+pbs+st-Deadly aim: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Longbow attack+pbs+st+DA: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Figures!

"Wait, who's casting the magic, then?"

I'm not sure what the story with Auch's Overhand Chop, but normally the ability causes the weapon to add 2x the Strength bonus in damage instead of the normal x1.5. Which is nice, but hardly remarkable. The guy who wrote the ability explained it here. It sounds like he could have a +4 BAB, a +1 weapon, and a 26 STR (including bull's strength) which if he is also raging is quite feasible (though very scary). The math does work.

If the head and the elf are illusions then the glitter should not 'stick' to them, which ought to give it away. Would I get to save against the illusion? I cast a spell on it, so that should be "interacting with it," yes?

Overhand chop is a fighter archetype ability, thus not likely to be raging as well and if one of us could muster +23 damage, that would be rather broken.. I think I could manage firing two shots to get a plus 18 dmg with -4 to hit for two shots.

If the head and the elf are illusions then the glitter should not 'stick' to them, which ought to give it away. Would I get to save against the illusion? I cast a spell on it, so that should be "interacting with it," yes?

Numalar did get a roll he got a 15 total which did not quite beat the DC.

Speaking of saving throws (Alia, Numalar, Scarlet)--I need some, against the eerily lit wall, Will ones, higher than 18 would be good. Apparently the other side of the wall doesn't seem to be doing much to your attackers. And speaking of attackers.... (next post!)

Also do not imagine that every character you encounter has the usual elite array, non-heroic array or point buy, and don't look at me I just added an archetype that made sense for him to have (I have a falchion fighter who uses it to great effect). Otherwise, he's right out of the book.

A second head remarkably similar to the one floating in the clearing comes screaming and babbling out of sky to alight upon Illthir!

touch v Illthir (from invisibility): 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 2 = 12 acid damage: 5d4 ⇒ (1, 4, 3, 1, 4) = 13

Scarlet's Will Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 Please add +1 if this is a mind-affecting spell.

Scarlet is looking for something, when she sees the wall. Entranced by it, it breaks her concentration.

The flash of light from the front, the roar and smack from behind, Zokon looks around , he hears call of an illusion and he can't see anyone else so he ignores the elf, but that big fellow seems to be a real danger to Illthir.

Zokon takes aim at the big man noting the weak points in his armour (studied target) and he lets fly a dealy aimed arrow.

do I get Sniper bonuses I did use stealth which should be a vs their perception

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Through the cover of the trees, the big man looks directly at Zokon.

Zokon's arrow hits the man in the side. He seems mostly oblivious to it.

He swings the club at Illthir.

There's a sound.

Then a tree falls....

"Peekaboo!"

Please add +1 if this is a mind-affecting spell.

Scarlet is looking for something, when she sees the wall. Entranced by it, it breaks her concentration.

Just checked, it is mind-affecting. Failure indicates your character is nauseated by the churning display of colors.

Round 2! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Salzarus
__ Olessa (disembodied head)
__ Ayles
__ Auchs -15 hp
__ Zokon
__ Illthir -13 hp
__ Jhod -3 hp
__ Scarlet
__ Numalar
__ Alia

Map updated

Scarlet looks at the screaming head, the shimmering wall... and all of her excess heat vents out before she was ready. Fatigued and nauseated, Scarlet stumbles behind a tree line and tries to regain her senses.

Will vs. Nausea: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 ...Woot! Will post actions in a little bit.

GGGM: Because I can see Auchs and Ayles on the map I am assuming that I can see where they are. If I ccan't see them I will have to re-do this post.

Numalar turns towards the wall and sees the large figure approaching Illthir.

"Naturally it's an ambush. Time to start some fires."

"Qa' quv!"

Numalar steps to the north and unleashes a blast of flame.

Burning Hands DC 16 Reflex 1/2: 5d4 + 5 ⇒ (2, 3, 4, 2, 2) + 5 = 18

"Jhod, watch out! Get behind Zokon!"

GGGM: Because I can see Auchs and Ayles on the map I am assuming that I can see where they are. If I ccan't see them I will have to re-do this post.

You can see them, the wall is translucent, but nonetheless nauseating to look at.

Alia Will save v Wall of sick: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Auchs Reflex save v burning hands: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Through a screen of trees (now alight) Numalar scorches the big grinnning man.

Alia feels nauseous.

Scarlet, likewise affected turns away averting her gaze, but her discomfort continues.

Round 2! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Salzarus
__ Olessa (disembodied head)
__ Ayles
__ Auchs -33 hp
__ Zokon
__ Illthir -13 hp, nauseated
__ Jhod -3 hp
__ Scarlet nauseated
__ Numalar
__ Alia nauseated

Map updated

Jhod steps back bow in hand and fires at his attacker without aiming first wasting the shot.

mwk comp longbow v Ayles (bless): 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Bless +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects.

"Fire! Now that's more like it!" Says the elf in the clearing. "I notice you didn't bring your druid. Was she there when Norry visited? The man's a complete load. My lord will be ever so angry if it turns out that Norry robbed him of the pleasure of killing her himself. Auchs! Ayles! We're leaving."

He utters a few strangely accented words of magic.

"Bye bye George." the singed Auchs waves at Illthir sadly and then suddenly vanishes from sight as if by magic.

The third man sneers and mounts the lead horse of the party's train which has already been untethered.

Total defense.

Round 3! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Salzarus
__ Olessa (readied)
__ Ayles
__ Auchs -25 hp
__ Zokon
__ Illthir -13 hp, nauseated
__ Jhod -3 hp
__ Scarlet nauseated
__ Numalar
__ Alia nauseated (has a move action from round 2)

Map updated

Numalar looks around for a sign of where Auchs went.

I'll look for footprints, branches moving, horses reacting, etc.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

If I can pinpoint him I'll drop a glitterdust on him. If I can't see him, I'll drop a glitterdust in a spot 10' behind where he was standing, so if he moved back 20' I will still get him.

"nuQanjaj SuD!"

A bolt of golden dust shoots towards the empty space left by Auchs, and bursts scattering gold dust everywhere.

1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35

GGGM: I marked the area on the map. Yes, it gets some of the horses. That's okay. If they are trying to steal the horses it will make them harder to steal if they are blind.

I also moved myself over 5'.

Zokon turns and fires a pair of arrows at the horse thief

Longbow+pbs-Rapid-Deadly aim 1: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Longbow+pbs-Rapid-Deadly aim 2: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

"Halt.. horse thief.." After firing arrows at him.

Longbow+pbs+Deadly aim 2 damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Still nauseated, Scarlet lumbers towards the horses. Huh. They've been tracking us. I knew we shouldn't have chased 'em.

"Walker - cooooome back!" Illthir cried out for her horse. As opposed to the most recent 1000+ pound encounter she actually wanted this one back. With a pained grin she clutched her abdomen and tried to simultaneously look for him and not stare at the painful veil - which would be hard even if the world wasn't trying to spin. "You'll get some carrots and sugar-cubes!"

Now that was something that might lure either of them back ... Hopefully just the right one would come! Also thinking about food - even if only as snack for her horse and/or assailant - definitely wasn't what her stomach wanted so she quickly added another Blargh!

Handle Animal: Come: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Eh figured it was worth a shot anyhow :P