Aubrey's Kingmaker Campaign

Game Master Aubrey the Malformed

Marc agrees with Heimoth, (and if all agree) he goes to bring back Garess to officially accept his offer. His companions notice that Marc's attitude towards Garess is noticeably warmer. (GAress probably doesn't notice, as Marc tends to talk in 3 syllable words and smile a lot no matter what he is saying.) ;)

"So! When shall we begin more thoroughly and accurately exploring our little corner of paradise? What?" Marc asks, briskly rubbing his hands together. He seems genuinely excited, or at least looking forward, to the task.

At the village council:

The villagers nod and agree to Marc and Heimoth's approach, and seem mollified by the rhetoric of firmness and fairness.

Re the mudman:

The old man shrugs laconically.

"Sure, I'll take him. Weren't why I came, though. I hear you are heading into the wilderness. Name's Bokken. I make potions, healing and the like. I need some fangberries. They grow in the forest, but I'm too old to head down there and get them. Get me some fangberries, and I'll whip you up three healing potions for your trouble."

He goes on to give a description of a typical fangberry bush.

He spits and scratches. "Ah well, better give me my brother, then."

Another quest - hurrah!

Aubrey the Demented/Malformed wrote:

Hasren Gunnarrsson wrote:

Hasren does. But if it's not a songblade, I'll pass. If I picked up some other kind of magic sword, I might feel obligated to rush out front! :D

You eventually identify it as a Vicious Longsword +1 - see p236 of the PHB.

Very nice. Anyone mind if I take it?

Apparently not.

"So! When shall we begin more thoroughly and accurately exploring our little corner of paradise? What?" Marc asks, briskly rubbing his hands together. He seems genuinely excited, or at least looking forward, to the task.

OK, so what's the plan?

I re-present the map for your convenient planning. You are all in B22. The process for exploring is as follows:
- you troop into an unexplored square.
- you stay there for a bit, exploring and discovering whatever might be there (a lot of, but not all, squares have interesting "stuff" in them connected with quests, NPCs and so on). Also, you can only claim explored squares for your kingdowm, when that comes into play.
- it takes three days to explore a plains square, four days to explore a forest or hill square and five days to explore a swamp or mountain square.
- there are no roads other than those marked. Crossing a square without exploring varies by terrain type, but on horseback (since you have horses) it takes three hours per square, plus the chance of getting lost if the square is unexplored.
- each square explored earns 100xp (or more, as you rise in levels)
- rivers require an Athletics (swim) check to cross, DC 15. Each party member (and mount) must make that check or be delayed one hour per failed check. Lakes are basically too big to cross by swimming.

Wow, This is definitely NOT a 'quick trip' scenario! ;)

OK, I suggest picking a direction, say South, or South West, maybe modified by encounters, clues, sites of interest, etc. and go until we get too low on supplies or too injured to carry on. Then come back maybe 1 square over, and explore that row on the way back? Thoughts?

Re the mudman:

The old man shrugs laconically.

"Sure, I'll take him. Weren't why I came, though. I hear you are heading into the wilderness. Name's Bokken. I make potions, healing and the like. I need some fangberries. They grow in the forest, but I'm too old to head down there and get them. Get me some fangberries, and I'll whip you up three healing potions for your trouble."

He goes on to give a description of a typical fangberry bush.

He spits and scratches. "Ah well, better give me my brother, then."

Another quest - hurrah!

Marc looks at the others with a raised eyebrow, especially Quinn, and then smiles at Bokken.

"Certainly sir! We would be delighted to assist you in your alchemical endeavors!

Wow, This is definitely NOT a 'quick trip' scenario! ;)

Bear in mind: your charter only really envisages you (at this stage) exploring the Greenbelt region, which is basically the quarter of the map from 17 to 24. You might get the other bits as things develop, but at the moment they are being explored by different teams.

"We'll go look for these fangberries; aye. Let's off."

C22 sounds good;

C22 everyone?

Sounds good to me. Make sure we're as well provisioned as can be & off we go!

OK, then - what preparation before you head off into the wilderness?

bought 10 days rations for 5 gold.

For reference, a standard adventurer's kit contains:
- a backpack
- a bedroll
- flint and steel
- a belt pouch
- two sunrods
- ten days of rations
- a 50' hemp rope (you can climb it, or you can smoke it)
- a waterskin

You may wish to have a bit more when you are out in the wilderness, so a party assay of your equipment might be an idea.

Thom's out for the moment and I'm going to have Quinn fade into the background as well while Old Guy is not about, so ignore their gear for this exercise.

Marc Wyvernspur wrote:

Wow, This is definitely NOT a 'quick trip' scenario! ;)

Bear in mind: your charter only really envisages you (at this stage) exploring the Greenbelt region, which is basically the quarter of the map from 17 to 24. You might get the other bits as things develop, but at the moment they are being explored by different teams.

Ah, Thank you, that does make more sense then! :)

I believe that I already equipped Marc with a 'standard' adventurers kit, if not, I will certainly do so now! Might I suggest that we all stock up on extras rations, (say 7 days) in case of trouble, getting lost, injured and need to camp/rest for extended time, etc? Any thoughts on other gear? I'm a little out of practice for stocking up on wilderness gear! Out side of Quiinn, do any of us have any wilderness skills?

Well, you have horses and so don't need transport. You might want to think about survival gear, even just some good old-fashioned tents.

suggestions: Tents, Extra rations, extra water, 1 or 2 nets, healing potions if we can find/afford them, spare clothing, 1 or 2 sets of climbing gear (in case of rough terrain)

In RL I would say leather/sewing kit for repairing tents, backpacks, saddles, etc, also insect repellent, :)

Lets see, that covers shelter, food, water, medical kit, what am I missing? (It HAS been a LONG time since I went camping!) ;P

The 4E PHB isn't much help, but the PFRPG rules has a better equipment list & the adventuring gear prices seem to match up (tents, rations, sunrods) so we could probably pore through that equipment list for mundane items & use the prices there.

Prices I found:
4E PHB items/prices
Climber's Kit/2gp, 11 lbs
- grappling hook
- small hammer
- 10 pitons
Tent/10gp, 20 lbs
Trail Rations(10 day supply) 5gp, 10lbs
Sunrod 2gp, 1 lb
Healing Potion/50gp, 1 lb(empty flask weight)

Cart or Wagon/20gp (should we decide we need the extra capacity)
Riding horse/75gp

Pathfinder Prices
Fishing Net, 25 sqft/4gp, 5 lbs
Healer's Kit/50gp 1 lb
Traveler's Outfit/1gp, 5 lbs
Explorer's Outfit/3gp, 8 lbs
Barrel, empty/2gp, 30 lbs (US beer barrel capacity makes for easy use calculations. Assuming 1 gallon/person/day 1 barrel ~5 days water for 6 people)

I got 10 g.p. who's holding? I will if you want.
Kick in and I'll buy stuff.
Oh; everybody buy your own food; that's too confusing to keep track of for one guy.

Don't forget that y'all get 63 gold, 3 silver and 4 copper each in shares from our fights. There's also a Potion of healing and a set of Sylvan hide +1 to be had.

It's too much of a pain in the ass to explore the wilderness dressed in platemail. Thus, I'll pick up a light shield and a set of leather armour to wear during our everyday explorations. I'll lug the platemail along to our campsite; I'll put it on if the situation warrants it.

I got 73 g.p. 3 s.p. and 4 copper; who's holding? I will if you want.

Kick in and I'll buy stuff.
Oh; everybody buy your own food; that's too confusing to keep track of for one guy.

Don't know if I can use the armor, I'll check. Damage taker should get the potion; that's Heimoth I reckon.

Aleph wrote:

I got 73 g.p. 3 s.p. and 4 copper; who's holding? I will if you want.

Kick in and I'll buy stuff.
Oh; everybody buy your own food; that's too confusing to keep track of for one guy.

Don't know if I can use the armor, I'll check. Damage taker should get the potion; that's Heimoth I reckon.

Eligible hide wearers are Heimoth, Hasren and our incoming druid. The incoming monk might also be eligible, but I kind of doubt it. Even with the magic bonus, Hasren'd be losing 2 pts of AC & I think he's easy enough to hit as it is. Given that he'll tend to be mixing it up in melee, I don't think I'll do that. Heimoth could use it as his exploration armor if he's willing to accept the -1 skill check penalty, or our incoming druid could find herself lucking into it. (I figure it would have gone to Quinn before he had to drop out.)

I'd love to take the armour; however, I also took the sword... I'd say the new druid can take it. As for the potion, I'd argue that Heimoth is the last person who should get it. I have the best AC, the most HP, the best healing surge value and more healing surges than I can shake a stick at. Instead, it should go to someone squishy who struggles with self-healing - i.e. Marc.

Oh, and C22 sounds like a good initial destination.

I buy a tent, two climber's kits, a sunrod, a fishing net, and a barrel.

22 g.p.

I'd love to take the armour; however, I also took the sword... I'd say the new druid can take it. As for the potion, I'd argue that Heimoth is the last person who should get it. I have the best AC, the most HP, the best healing surge value and more healing surges than I can shake a stick at. Instead, it should go to someone squishy who struggles with self-healing - i.e. Marc.

Oh, and C22 sounds like a good initial destination.

Healing potions require healing surges to work, and your Lay-on- Hands requires you to use your healing surges to benefit the recipient, so your having the most healing surges arguement doesn't hold as much water as you might think. As a defender, you may find yourself burning through your surges faster than you'd expect.

However, you do have Lay-on-Hands to help keep yourself on your feet, so you needing it the least still has merit. Might I suggest our incoming Monk hold on to it. Being a melee-type with a lower armor class, she may find herself in need of it. Also, if I recall the monk's schtick, she should have good enough mobility to make an excellent potion delivery system!

Heimoth wrote:

I'd love to take the armour; however, I also took the sword... I'd say the new druid can take it. As for the potion, I'd argue that Heimoth is the last person who should get it. I have the best AC, the most HP, the best healing surge value and more healing surges than I can shake a stick at. Instead, it should go to someone squishy who struggles with self-healing - i.e. Marc.

Oh, and C22 sounds like a good initial destination.

Healing potions require healing surges to work, and your Lay-on- Hands requires you to use your healing surges to benefit the recipient, so your having the most healing surges arguement doesn't hold as much water as you might think. As a defender, you may find yourself burning through your surges faster than you'd expect.

However, you do have Lay-on-Hands to help keep yourself on your feet, so you needing it the least still has merit. Might I suggest our incoming Monk hold on to it. Being a melee-type with a lower armor class, she may find herself in need of it. Also, if I recall the monk's schtick, she should have good enough mobility to make an excellent potion delivery system!

Heh. And by lower, I mean 1 less than Heimoth's fully armored AC! Still...

Y'know, the monk looks like a pretty badass class...

The 4E PHB isn't much help, but the PFRPG rules has a better equipment list & the adventuring gear prices seem to match up (tents, rations, sunrods) so we could probably pore through that equipment list for mundane items & use the prices there.

Prices I found:
4E PHB items/prices
Climber's Kit/2gp, 11 lbs
- grappling hook
- small hammer
- 10 pitons
Tent/10gp, 20 lbs
Trail Rations(10 day supply) 5gp, 10lbs
Sunrod 2gp, 1 lb
Healing Potion/50gp, 1 lb(empty flask weight)

Cart or Wagon/20gp (should we decide we need the extra capacity)
Riding horse/75gp

Pathfinder Prices
Fishing Net, 25 sqft/4gp, 5 lbs
Healer's Kit/50gp 1 lb
Traveler's Outfit/1gp, 5 lbs
Explorer's Outfit/3gp, 8 lbs
Barrel, empty/2gp, 30 lbs (US beer barrel capacity makes for easy use calculations. Assuming 1 gallon/person/day 1 barrel ~5 days water for 6 people)

I think we can say without a shadow of a doubt that the Pathfinder prices aren't too relevant, as the costs of things are wildly different between 3e and 4e. Also, if Aleph has a barrel, how is he carrying it. They aren't small. That said, I would get some saddlebags - don't know how much they are in 4e.

Hasren Gunnarrsson wrote:

The 4E PHB isn't much help, but the PFRPG rules has a better equipment list & the adventuring gear prices seem to match up (tents, rations, sunrods) so we could probably pore through that equipment list for mundane items & use the prices there.

Prices I found:
4E PHB items/prices
Climber's Kit/2gp, 11 lbs
- grappling hook
- small hammer
- 10 pitons
Tent/10gp, 20 lbs
Trail Rations(10 day supply) 5gp, 10lbs
Sunrod 2gp, 1 lb
Healing Potion/50gp, 1 lb(empty flask weight)

Cart or Wagon/20gp (should we decide we need the extra capacity)
Riding horse/75gp

Pathfinder Prices
Fishing Net, 25 sqft/4gp, 5 lbs
Healer's Kit/50gp 1 lb
Traveler's Outfit/1gp, 5 lbs
Explorer's Outfit/3gp, 8 lbs
Barrel, empty/2gp, 30 lbs (US beer barrel capacity makes for easy use calculations. Assuming 1 gallon/person/day 1 barrel ~5 days water for 6 people)

I think we can say without a shadow of a doubt that the Pathfinder prices aren't too relevant, as the costs of things are wildly different between 3e and 4e. Also, if Aleph has a barrel, how is he carrying it. They aren't small. That said, I would get some saddlebags - don't know how much they are in 4e.

Okie dokey, I thought the mundane adventuring gear looked pretty comparable and so a good guide for mundane adventuring items not listed in the 4E PHB. But hey, your game, your call. It was intended as a suggestion.

I agree about lugging around the barrel. The way I figured, but hadn't got back to is that would also weigh in around 278 lbs for a full 30 gallon barrel. I was figuring if we wanted to go that route, we'd need a cart to haul that stuff around. Which would slow us down. Maybe not huge when we're exploring, but a liability if we have to run. Then again, since we're exploring, there aren't likely to be roads, so having a cart along might mean it takes us longer to traverse terrain like woods or swamp or whatever. And then I started thinking this might be getting more involved than we need to worry about.

I agree about lugging around the barrel. The way I figured, but hadn't got back to is that would also weigh in around 278 lbs for a full 30 gallon barrel. I was figuring if we wanted to go that route, we'd need a cart to haul that stuff around. Which would slow us down. Maybe not huge when we're exploring, but a liability if we have to run. Then again, since we're exploring, there aren't likely to be roads, so having a cart along might mean it takes us longer to traverse terrain like woods or swamp or whatever. And...

Although I though the image of weedy Aleph luging a barrel across the wilderness was maybe too priceless to reject out-of-hand.

Sefra and Terra approach the group at the trading post. "Well met, it has been awhile since we have laid eyes upon you all. Still in the exploration business? and care if we join back up with you all?"

Although I though the image of weedy Aleph luging a barrel across the wilderness was maybe too priceless to reject out-of-hand.

Heh. Heheh. Too bad we don't have any short folk around. Once emptied they could use the barrel as a personal, portable mini-tower! ;P

Marc will buy another 10 days worth of food & water skins, and saddlebags to carry it in. Also a Tent, and an axe.

"Sefra! Terra! You two look lovely! (AS always). It is delightful to see you again! Actually, we are just now getting ready to begin exploring our little corner of the world. We were momentarily distracted by some brigands with delusions of grandeur. Of course! I, for one, would be delighted to have the pleasure of your company once more!" He adds with a roguish wink.

Sefra grins sheepishly at Marc. "You always say the sweetest things, especially when you let me pound some brigands into the dirt as a way of saying nice to have you back."

Well I'm glad you two have managed to introduce yourselves so quickly. Bugger knows where you know each other from, but let's not labour the issue.

Quinn nods gravely at Terra and Sefra, but is as taciturn as ever.

"Need to deal with some stuff. Maybe you could help out while I'm gone."

Sefra grins sheepishly at Marc. "You always say the sweetest things, especially when you let me pound some brigands into the dirt as a way of saying nice to have you back."

"Ah... Sorry to disappoint you then Sefra. We've no more bandits handy for you to beat." Hasren says making a great show of sadness.

"We've taken care of all we can find. However, there is word of a bandit chief called the Stag Lord! So there's some hope for a bandit beating in your future!" He says with a grin and then mournfully finishes with "Unfortunately, that will have to wait until we can discover where he lairs."

Finished with his hammed-up welcome, Hasren explains "For now, we have exploration, finding good lady Svetlana's wedding ring, finding moon radishes, and finding fangberries to accomplish. I believe we're planning on a 10-day foray into the wilds, so restock your supplies accordingly."

I haven't been keeping track of ration usage, so I'm going to assume the 10 day purchase of rations & water supply represents the expected duration of this first exploration. With good Nature rolls, maybe we can extend the trip with foraging?

Clapping Quinn on the shoulder, Hasren "Old Dead-Eye's blessings to the speedy finish of your business friend Quinn!"

"Go with an easy heart knowing the sisters will keep us out of the worst of the trouble we'll get into without your sage advice." he jokes with the taciturn druid.

"The Stag Lord? It must be a sign from Erastil a perversion of his messenger... May Ketephys give his blessings on our quest sister, we may be closer to finding the answer to why I was saved that day in the forest."

like a good druid I have a 12 in nature so I don't mind foraging for us

"Fear not Sethra! And let not noble Hasren's melancholy infect your enthusiasm! I have it on good authority that there are malcontents aplenty in the immediate vicinity awaiting a good thrashing! It merely awaits us to find them! After all, what would be the fun in having them line up for us to defeat?" Marc declares with a smile.

"And Powers-speed to your , er, wings, noble Quinn. May your journeys be protected until we can meet again." He adds to the quiet druid as they make their preparations.

With good Nature rolls, maybe we can extend the trip with foraging?

No reason why not. But foraging time isn't exploring time.

Hasren Gunnarrsson wrote:

With good Nature rolls, maybe we can extend the trip with foraging?

No reason why not. But foraging time isn't exploring time.

That's why we need GOOD Nature rolls for foraging! To get more than is needed for the day!

no monkeys? nix the barrel; I don't know what I was thinking.

Sorry Aleph, monkeys are ALWAYS extra! ;)

However, Terra can summon a giant toad! So to hell with the monkeys.

After greeting the new arrivals, Heimoth gets himself a suit of leather armour, a smaller shield, waterskins and more rations, plus saddlebags to store them in.

"Sefra and I can forage each morning while the majority of you get ready in the morning, we can always eat as we ride. It only takes an hour or two for us to scrounge up some food most days, nature always provides for it's faithful followers. We should probably take some rations just in case but we should be able to supplment well"

With a 12 base nature and Sefra giving +2 whenever she succeeds in aiding, I should be able to provide for at least 5-6 people each day on a regular roll, and possibly up to a day and a halfs worth for the party in a good roll.

I'm going to assume I've depleted my previous stock of rations & will only what I purchase at Oleg's. Figuring 1 waterskin represents 1 days worth of water, I'll get 10 waterskins, 10 days worth of rations, & a tent for a total of 25gp. I'll get some extra sunrods, just in case. (say 4 for an additional 8gp.) Total expenditures 33gp.

If Aubrey's ok with the foraging being a group effort, Hasren is pretty likely to be able to provide another +2 to the Nature roll.

I'm going to assume I've depleted my previous stock of rations & will only what I purchase at Oleg's. Figuring 1 waterskin represents 1 days worth of water, I'll get 10 waterskins, 10 days worth of rations, & a tent for a total of 25gp. I'll get some extra sunrods, just in case. (say 4 for an additional 8gp.) Total expenditures 33gp.

If Aubrey's ok with the foraging being a group effort, Hasren is pretty likely to be able to provide another +2 to the Nature roll.

Dagnabit!!! Of course I notice this AFTER it's too late to do anything about it! Oh well, it's a good excuse to post & keep this from dropping too far from the front page!

Saddlebags and a saddle I'm ready to hit the trail. When the dm's arm is healed.....

"Sefra and I can forage each morning while the majority of you get ready in the morning, we can always eat as we ride. It only takes an hour or two for us to scrounge up some food most days, nature always provides for it's faithful followers. We should probably take some rations just in case but we should be able to supplment well"

With a 12 base nature and Sefra giving +2 whenever she succeeds in aiding, I should be able to provide for at least 5-6 people each day on a regular roll, and possibly up to a day and a halfs worth for the party in a good roll.

"That's good....I don't eat much....and these trail rats are like eating shoe leather....I'll try to snipe a hare, here and there, with my eldritch powers....cook it too.

Aleph's all happy, he's a dude in the woods, but he (thinks) he's getting the hang of it.

Just waiting for the DM to heal. And I don't mind! I'd rather he'd heal RIGHT rather than fast! :)

Marc sniffs only a little haughtily. "Well, some may like eating shoe leather, but some of us have more refined palates! However, I confess to being interested in trying 'Hare 'La 'Eldritch'. I could try it, but while there may be some creature that finds rabbit stewed in acid tasty, I fear that my palate is not yet THAT refined!" The dandy smirks.

"Well the only advise I can give you Marc is what my old master used to say. When in doubt aim for the head. Then you should not ruin the meat too bad, so you might want to keep that in your back pocket for a rainy day."

OK, I guess we are ready to go exploring. Please decide what equipment you have and put it on your character sheets, and then we'll rumble.

The explorers ride out from Oleg's Trading Post in the morning, to begin their task of knowing the wilderness. They head south into the plain. The night-time mist is soon burned away, and the first day is glorious. The grasses are a verdant knee-high sea, rolling and seething under midsummer sun, their waving unripe, feathery seed heads forming rippling waves in the breeze. Small copses of trees punctuate the expanse like dark, shady islands. Herds of deer graze watchfully while the occasional family of woolly mammoths ambles across the vast. The horizon disappears into a blue-green haze to the north, south and east, while to the west it turns into a hard dark line where the grasslands end and the forest begins.

The party spend their time carefully surveying and mapping the land, and foraging for supplies. The first day passes without incident and that night they camp out under a glittering field of stars about the orange glow of a campfire. Wolves howl, far in the distance.

OK, it requires no skill checks to explore a square. However, you will need Nature checks for foraging. I'm going to assume it requires a standard party to do the surveying - i.e. five people, full-time. However, since you have more than five people in the party, the excess can forage full-time. Also, even those who are surveying can provide assistance rolls to the Nature checks. If fewer than five people are surveying, it will increase the amount of time proportionately (so four people would take 25% longer, for example). Just to remind you, a plains square (like the one you are currently surveying) has a standard time of three days to survey.

Also, bear in mind that “normal” stuff still happens while you are exploring and foraging. “Normal” in this context means stuff like random encounters, pre-arranged encounters, and so on. So you still need to think about party order, watch rotas at night, and so on.

So, for any rolls you want to attempt for day 1 - away you go!

Assist roll on nature 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
I can take any shift since I do not have to worry about putting on armor, or carrying heavy weapons/shields around. I also have decent AC, speed, perception, so I can take point if you need me too.