Kingmaker
Game Master Dreaming Warforged

Servayn attempts a fast dismount, muttering in Draconic to Ember, Watch out for ambush, resigning himself to unseating himself more carefully if the saddlestraps impede his efforts.

Ride check, DC 20 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

He then places a hand on the panicking horses bridle and attempts to calm it, so that the trap can be removed safely.

Handle Animal 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Keeping his eye on the trees, Corso rants: "Why would anyone put a bear trap in such a place!?"

That sounds like a kobold or a mite thing... Already the absence of Ox and Garick take their toll. I need to learn the woods if I am to survive this place...

There are trappers and hunters in the area; maybe one of them put it here. Corso, give me a hand. Kalsgrim braces to pull on one end of the bear trap. When Corso grabs the other side, they'll pull it apart so that Servayn can coax the horse's leg away.

Strength check 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Once the horse is free and getting attention from Servayn and Janku, Kalsgrim will go over to the tree it is attached to. If a trapper set this, they may have left a mark identifying whose trap it is. He'll check the tree's trunk and roots, and even some of the lower branches for any sign of who may have left it.

Aid Kalsgrim: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Worrying over Maribel, Lukasz helps when he can in tending to the horse so that they could get the horse healed and calmed.

With Corso on one side and Kalsgrim on the other the two are barely able to pull the trap open an inch. As tightly wound as the springs are it may be easier to disable the fiendish device.

Frustration crosses Kal's face. Can anyone spring this mechanism?

Feeling otherwise useless in the situation, Kalsgrim will go over to the tree to see how it is fastened and to see if there is any clues indicating who left it.

Carved into the tree just above the chain is an O with a B inside of it. The chain itself is secured with a small lock.

"I'll give it a try. Master Servayn, may I count on your "blessing"?"

Corso bends over and produces from a hidden pocket inside his jacket a crimson velvet cloth that he unrolls on the ground. Lined in it is a series of slim metal shafts of a rare quality.

"I finally take these babies for a spin!" A smile that reminds every one of their younger years appears on his face, quickly replaced by a frown of concentration, as his tongue shows and he gets to work.

Disable Device with MW tools and Guidance: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

A few quick twists and turns around the trigger mechanism and the trap relaxes open. Maribel's leg is a grisly site, muscles and ligaments are torn, white bone shows through the skin.

"Gorum grant your blessing to this poor dumb animal, who carries he burden of a warrior into combat".

1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 Cure light wounds

Kal grimaces a little at the sight of phantom steel jaws appearing on the wound, only to slowly pull away undoing the damage as they do.

It looks like we've healed 9 of the 12 hit points the horse took. Kal will do another lay on hands.

1d6 ⇒ 6

A faint green light surrounds Kalgrim's hands as he touches the area around the wound, and as the flesh knits together the air fills with the blended odors of a fresh harvest.

I think we are ready to move on again. I'll have to remember to ask Oleg about this "O B".

If no one has other business here, we'll mount up and continue on.

Sweating and extremely skittish Maribel recovers a bit after the soothing healing of Kalsgrim. Her leg shows a band of pinkish white scar tissue. Without the divine healing, she would have been crippled for life. Nervously she accepts Lukasz on her back and the group continues onward. A lunch of hard cheese and bread is had in the saddle while the horses slowly walk through the woods.

Just as the group is picking up speed again and only an hour from the river crossing, another deadly snap sounds out.

Bear Trap vs. Corso's Horse; 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Damage; 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 5) + 3 = 9 (Horse HP 6)

This time Corso's mare tumbles from underneath him. A trap nearly identical to the previous one has snapped on her leg just above the hoof. No chain leads from this one though, only having been cleverly hid under grass in the middle of a well used trail.

Immediately stopping his horse, Lukasz slips from his saddle, thinking that it might be smarter to cover this ground on foot after their second run-in with the beartraps.

Oh for the love of Calistria! Corso does his best to roll off Paradox and on the ground. He raises his bow first, trying to identify potential targets.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

If he doesn't see anything, he'll quickly turn to his steed and calmly say: "All right Paradox, it's me, now you just stay calm a bit, we'll make it all better." He presses a hand on the side of its head and let's it smell him.

Handle Animal: 1d20 ⇒ 10

"Could someone give me a hand with Paradox? I'll try to unlock the trap."

He then proceeds to unroll his tools: "Well, I guess I should have shut up about havong those for a spin... Master Servayn, by your leave?"

Disable Device: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Wondering if his next attempt at calming a horse will be more successful than his first one, Lukasz tries to modify his movements to try to seem more calm.

Handle Animal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Of course it would roll like that :P

This time while Corso works at the trap the horse jerks violently causing him to twist the tools wrong. The spring and trigger become entangled causing it to squeeze tighter. As this occurs Lukasz is reaching out a hand in an attempt to comfort the horse, unfortunately with the sudden movement he loses his balance and blatantly punches the horse in the side of the head as his arms pinwheel madly.

Lukasz, Horse Puncher

Concentrating on his work, Corso only hears a muffled thud and sees Lukasz jump towards Paradox and punch it: "Hey! What gives!? There are other ways to calm it!"

Realizing that he had figured the mechanism wrong, he expires slowly, recollects, and tries again.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

-click-

It comes free!

Only barely...and are you keeping these?

The rogue in me says YES!!! They'll be of use against the Stag Lord. I'll remember to be more precise in the future. (I added them to my equipment.)

Information regarding Bear Traps(worth 2gp and 10lbs each)

Does anyone see anything in common about how these were laid so we can try to avoid any more? Do we need to go forward on foot now?

"Sorry! I was just trying to calm Paradox down, but I lost my balance." Lukasz says in response to Corso's exclamation.

Once the situation has settled some:

"Though it would cut our traveling time, I think it better to cover this territory on foot. That way we have a better chance of spotting the traps before we set them off, and it'll save our horses a lot of pain."

"Agreed, but let me scout a little ahead then."

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

At this slower pace Corso leads on keeping a careful eye out for more traps. A second trap is spotted after two hours carefully concealed on a game trail. This one also bearing the marks of a B within an O

If you want to disable it and take it make your roll, and we'll retcon what happens.

After 6 o' clock the familiar site of the Thorn River crossing appears. No other traps have been found. The crossing is still a small distance away, the forest seems to have gotten quieter now.

"It's quiet." Ember growls. "Too quiet..."

Trust the Int 7 critter to drop the cliche.

Corso will suddenly crouch, instinctively matching the forest's behavior. He signals the group behind him to remain quiet and looks for shadows and foliage to support his investigation of the crossing. He quickly makes sure that his magic ring is secure on his finger. He carries his bow and an arrow in his right hand, leaving his left free for balance.

I get within 30 feet of the crossing, but no more than 120 feet from the group. Stealth with the ring for animals: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23. Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10.

As you approach the familiar crossing the sense of unease grows. Something wrong has happened here recently. An act of cruelty? Random violence? The forest is quiet, like a creature cowering from its master who recently struck it. On the southern bank a man is to be trapped underneath several large logs. A half completed deadfall, triggered prematurely by the look of it.

Slipping back to the group, Corso informs them of his finding: "There is something wrong at the crossing, but I can't quite put my finger on it. By the looks of it, someone is caught under a trap that was meant for us. Is he the trapmaker? I couldn't tell. Are they waiting for us still, hidden in the bushes, I couldn't tell either."

"I suggest you let me go back secretly, than proceed to within 50 feet of the crossing, making normal noise, but then stopping and moving back, as if alerted. We'd see if the woods react, and if they charge you, they'll have me in their back and not in the place they wanted to catch us. What do you say?"

Keep your bow ready, then, if you get caught away from the action again. Servayn counsels softly.

Perhaps constructing dangerous traps in a region infested with mites comes with certain risks... he muses as Corso returns to set himself up.

I'll take the lead in then.

We'll leave the horses here, tying them to some brush nearby. Giving Corso time to get into place, Kalsgrim will wait a bit before moving the group forward.

"Remember, 50 ft. I'll set two bear traps at this point. Give me ten minutes."

He goes into his saddlebags to retrieve the traps, then moves with care, from shadow to shadow, until he gets to within 50 feet of the clearing. He waits a few moments, letting the forest settle, then moves with alienating slowness to set the two bear traps.

Stealth with the ring and an action point!: 1d20 + 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (1) + (3) + 9 = 13
Disable Device: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Satisfied, he grabs his bow with an arrow and moves 15 feet further, waiting for the group to make some noise while he studies the clearing for any sign of danger.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

"Remember, 50 ft. I'll set two bear traps at this point. Give me ten minutes."

He goes into his saddlebags to retrieve the traps, then moves with care, from shadow to shadow, until he gets to within 50 feet of the clearing. He waits a few moments, letting the forest settle, then moves with alienating slowness to set the two bear traps.

Stealth with the ring and an action point!: 1d20 + 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (14) + (2) + 9 = 25
Disable Device: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Satisfied, he grabs his bow with an arrow and moves 15 feet further, waiting for the group to make some noise while he studies the clearing for any sign of danger.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Approaching closer Corso can see that the man has been gruesomely half crushed by the fallen logs. Looking around there is no sign of any other person. While waiting for the others to approach two small voices speak up, just a few branches over the rogues head. A feminine lilting voice, barely louder than the rustle of leaves speaks in Sylvan, "Perlivash, do you see them? The forest guardians are coming through here again!"

A sophisticated voice, similar to that of the kobolds, but also in Sylvan replies, "The guardiansss? You mean the humansss we toyed with until they left the foressst? We have to be carefuly, they may yet be like the stagmen or Breeg. Let us watch, little sister Tig. I hope Breeg's death does not anger them."

Looking up at the branches above him Corso can see they are bowing from some unknown, invisible weight.

Corso tenses slightly hearing the whispers behind him. Mites? Servayn's instinct was dead on! Well, let's see what we can do to unburden them of their invisible weight...

Using his left hand, Corso grabs his tanglefoot bag and waits for his friends to approach a little, but not up to where he, Perlivash and Tig are. Then he springs up and throws his bag at the one nearest to him or the group.

Trying to surprise them. Tanglefoot bag (range touch, increment 10 ft.): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

He then yells to his comrades: "Mites, in the forest! Watch out for traps!"

I'll be travelling a lot over the next two weeks, but should have Internet every evening (US Eastern Time). Please feel free to play my character, to move along the game as needed

So we don't have to go get the Stag Lord anymore? ;-p

That was going to be my question. With the offense launched by the mites against us, would Janku be willing to change targets?

The tanglefoot bag explodes around the branch engulfing two creatures. Fairie magic fades as they are struck revealing what sits above the rogue. The smaller one has the upper body of a woman, with long blonde hair, and the lower half of a grasshopper. Beside her is a small draconic creature. It has a long winding tail and a pair of brightly colored wings.

The fey squeeks, "I'm covered, oh Perlivash, it's so gross, get it off get it off!"

"Friend of the foressst, ceassse your attack, or you ssshall force our hand and claw," calls down the small dragon.

Corso raises his bow, but not exactly up to the ideal line of fire, somehow leaving space for conversation. "Very well, but no funny business! Not a word or a move until my friends arrive or I'll be forced to shoot! Then we can talk."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

If we are hearing the exchange with Corso, we will start to slowly approach. Kalsgrim will hold up a hand indicating the rest should be quiet, and listens intently for any sign from Corso on what we can do to support him.

Servayn slides down from his horse, again, attempting a fast dismount, and pulling it off brilliantly, and then brings his crossbow to bear as he steps forward a pace.

Ride check 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

The small fairy dragon nods as much as it can while covered in goo, "Of courssse, sssumon them, brave Corssso."

You guys can hear and see the two talking."

Ember glimpses the small dragon-like form, and asks, in Draconic,

Janku stands and drinks some water from his flask mumbling to himself..."Oh boy". "Here we go again". "Put something pretty or shiny, or cute in front of them and we'll lose focus again". "I bet we end up helping one of those things look for his lost doll or something"...His horse seems uninterested in what he has to say.

After finally scraping away the harddened goo the tiny grig flies down to a lower branch and gives a bow, "I am Tyg-Titter-Tut, and this is my companion Perlivash." She blushes and hides her face shyly.

The fairy dragon tilts his head and peers down at Ember, he replies in draconic, "Certainly I ssspeak the tongue of ancientsss. You have jussst been traveling through our landsss asss you've once done before. Lassst time thisss group of men, we followed you for sssome time. Tyg and I our intrigued by you and your mensss."

Ember recognizes from his speech that Perlivash seems much smarter than he is, and grows uncharacteristically bashful and self-conscious, replying only, Ember, am I, and it is through Servayn that I am able to walk in your world. before nudging Servayn and encouraging him to speak.

Servayn takes the cue, responding in the common tongue. We come from Brevoy to the north and east, and many settlers will follow us into these lands in the coming seasons, to the promise of new farms and homes and families to be founded here. He points to the body trapped under the deadfall. The Stag Lord's bandits cannot remain here, if families are to come, and we are tasked to send them from these lands, or this world.

He's not attempting to convince them to do anything, so no Diplomacy roll yet. Just letting them know that 'man comes to the forest' and that we aren't friends with the Stag Lord.

Tyg begins to speak"Oh, that's not a stag-" "Ahem!" but is interrupted by the fairie dragon. "Men have come and gone from thessse woods sssince I wass born ssseven hundred yearsss ago. They are but playthingsss for the fey until they leave and die and sssomething new comesss. Thisss one wasss dead when we found him, we do not know if he wasss a ssstag lordsss man."

Approaching with the others, Lukasz nods his head at the introductions as he says, "I am Lukasz and like the others have said, the last time you saw us, we were just passing through during our explorations. This time is a slightly different story." Leaning close pretending to not want Janku to hear his words, he continues with, "You see, we are on our way to face dangerous men so that the guy with the big sword will stop whining."

Janku whispers to his horse again before leaving. "I wonder if those little imps realize that only a day ago we couldn't wait to kill them, and now we're trying to play kiss and peck with them".

Janku looks askance at the new cute little friends of the tree huggers, and heads towards the corpse to get a better look. He doesn't trust the little buggers at all.

Perception take 20 while they are talking for a 23

Heal Heal Check (1d20+7=14)