Round 3 Action
Realizing that the stag lord is dead, but also that he has no sword in his hand in which to take advantage of the fleeing bandits, he commits himself to the fight with Auchs;
Iomedae, grant me your boon to fight the evil that stands before me! smite evil on Auch's. Assuming I start my soft glow I draw my weapon and attack him,
AC back to 22.
His sword glowing with righteous wrath, Malthir cuts through Auch's chainmail like butter, plunging the sword deep into the childlike giant.
Charging to stand beside Malthir, the ex-Paladin Akiros stands shoulder to shoulder with Malthir, mirroring his movements as he attacks with shield and sword in the same fighting style, cutting Auchs once more, although not as severely.
While fighting with Akiros, Well met Akiros, we are glad you decided to stand on the side of the righteous this day, the bandits of the GreenBelt are finished!
Crit threat
His longspear lashing out in fury, Kalev stabs Father Avry through the leg, pinning him to the ground in agony as he passes out from the pain and shock. Topper Red faces a much darker fate, Kalev's longspear ramming right through his heart and tearing half his chest open, killing him instantly.
Dirty Jeb and Fat Norry flee with the rest of the bandits, ending their turns near the gate along with Cragger Kench.
While fighting with Akiros, Well met Akiros, we are glad you decided to stand on the side of the righteous this day, the bandits of the GreenBelt are finished!
Your words get through to Akiros, but he is far too deep into his rage to respond to them, only growling in bestial approval back at you.
Fort Save for Dovan VS Coup De Grace
Round 3 action
Casimir shudders a bit at the gruesome death of the Stag Lord, but quickly regains his composure.
Gripping his sword in both hands, he stands over the sleeping duelist bandit.
Dovan from Nisroch, for your crimes against the people of the Greenbelt, I sentence you to death by the sword. May Pharasma judge you exactly as your black soul deserves!
Once the words are spoken, Casimir brings down his blade with all his might on the unprotected neck of the sleeping bandit.
The razor-sharp blade humms with arcane magic as it makes it decent on Dovan. Striking cleanly, the head of the bandit rolls across the floor while a fountain of blood splatters the nearby wall.
Guardians! Victory is ours!
With bandits dying all around him from Kalev's terrible strikes and having taken two severe wounds himself, Auchs throws himself on the floor and begins begging for mercy. The remaining bandits struggle to get the gate open, but none of them make it out of the fort before being cut down. Eventually, even the screams of the dying fade out, as the fort becomes silent once more...
The group are recovering and finishing securing the main level of the fort when a bloodied and weary looking band of soldiers led by Kesten Garess and accompanied by Kressle enters the fort, awestruck at your accomplishment.
As the scene begins to grow quiet, Fenna walks over to the sobbing giant, tilting her head slightly to look him in the eyes, "We aren't going to hurt you, Auchs," she says to him, her voice level, "but you have done some very bad things that you are going to have to answer for, do you understand?"
As the scene begins to grow quiet, Fenna walks over to the sobbing giant, tilting her head slightly to look him in the eyes, "We aren't going to hurt you, Auchs," she says to him, her voice level, "but you have done some very bad things that you are going to have to answer for, do you understand?"
Yes, pretty good-Gnome... Auchs has been bad, Auchs did bad things Dovan tell him to... Auchs is sorry... Auchs just wants to play with his toys and pets...
Akiros sags against the wall of the fort, worn out by his efforts.
I told you the Stag Lord would never rule the Greenbelt didn't I Kressle... he says softly to the ex-bandit.
Kressle ignores Akiros, walking quickly over to where the Stag Lord lies. Kneeling by his dead body, Kressle stops and kneels beside him for a long time, making her peace with his death. A tear rolls down her cheek, but before she stands up she spits on the corpse, grimacing in mixed emotions as she does so.
Kressle ignores Akiros, walking quickly over to where the Stag Lord lies. Kneeling by his dead body, Kressle stops and kneels beside him for a long time, making her peace with his death. A tear rolls down her cheek, but before she stands up she spits on the corpse, grimacing in mixed emotions as she does so.
Malthir ignores Auch's for the moment. He looks at his sword and then at Fenna thinking, am I so eager for his death, that I wouldn't accept his surrender? I am torn, does he deserve your mercy Iomedae?. He sheathes his sword pondering as the soft glow of Iomedae's divine power still holds him.
He walks over to the Stag Lord's body and picks up the head, tearing off his Stag's mask. He turns the head to the Guardians and the soldiers gathered in the makeshift courtyard, People of the GreenBelt see the Stag Lord exposed for what he really is, just a man.
An evil man with a heart of blackness struck down by the light, by our Yelena...he lets it sink in for a second before continuing
Be witness here that the Guardians have done what they had promised. To tear off the yolk of evil and Tyranny. To defeat that which had taken hold of the GreenBelt in the form of banditry and lawlessness. Now is a time of great deeds, and of an even greater kingdom that will live in its place! Three cheers for Yelena and three cheers for the GreenBelt!
Looking across to Malthir as he speaks, Fenna joins the roar with a pleased, if somewhat restrained cheer.
Turning back to face the simple-minded brute, she frowns slightly, a hint of sympathy behind the sternness of her eyes, "those words are easy to say, child, it is easy to say you only did what you were told, that you are sorry for what you have done."
"Why are you sorry? Is it just because you will be punished? Or do you really understand why what you have done is wrong?"
As the fury of battle dies out, Kalev shrinks to his smaller, yet still formidable stature, panting from the hardship of the fight and feeling the adrenaline still surging through him.
As Malthir stands in front of Auchs, Kalev speaks, We should spare him. He may have done bad things, but he is just a child in a very big man's body. Perhaps with the right guidance, his ways could be changed. Or should we judge people on their surface only? I'm half orc, so half evil? Kalev is silent for a moment, letting his words settle. I hope there's another survivor. When Dovan took me aside before the battle, he offered me a place of authority in exchange for killing a young lad, only in his teens. I told him to hide till this was over if he wanted to live and be freed of punishment for serving the Stag Lord.
After Malthir's speech to the people gathered in the fort, Kalev cheers along, a rare smile on his face and a glint of something in his eyes...a glint of hope for a better future, perhaps...
The fort is full of cheers, as Malthir and the rest of the Guardians are applauded and congratulated by Kesten, his force and a somewhat sombre Kressle.
#1. Investigation into the Stag Lord's fort reveals that it was once a monastery to Gyronna, and the Undead lurking in the hillsides a punishment from the goddess for the monastery failing to worship her to her satisfaction. Jhod Kavken is able to bless the site again and put the undead to peace with ease.
#2. The Guardians also find the secret door leading from inside the fort to just beyond the palisade. In addition, the Guardians explore a secret door leading into the cellar- and are attacked by a vicious wolverine and a pair of dire rats. The beasts are defeated in short order- only for the wolverine to be revealed as an elderly druid, that bears a family resemblance to the Stag Lord himself... It appears you have slain both father and son...
#3. The Stag Lord's body is lowered into the river by Nettle's Crossing. Undead hands eagerly pull the body below the surface of the river. Although clearly an evil undead, Davik finds peace in the deed, and whispers his thanks as his magical Ranseur washes up onto the river bank, a parting gift from the grateful undead.
#4. The final Stag Lord amulets are gathered up from Auchs, Dovan and Akiros- who has thrown his away in disgust. These will provide further evidence of your triumphs and gain you further gold from the Swordlords.
#5. Falgrim Sneeg survives the fall from the watchtower, and is taken in for custody by Kesten Garess, grim in visage but eyes taking pleasure in the man's capture.
#6. Akiros offers no resistance, although he refuses to be disarmed. Having fought alongside you, he hopes to be able to help you in your efforts to colonise the area and continue his own path to redemption, but he is willing to be struck down if the guardians deem him irredeemable.
#7. In the next week, the reward for defeating the Stag Lord arrives, an impressive sum of gold, along with a second charter granting you custody of the Greenbelt- and promising to send resources, builders and pioneers, eager to escape the uncertainty in Brevoy and make a new life in this promising new land.
Loot List-
Two CSW potions.
Two CMW potions.
One potion of lesser restoration
masterwork chainmail
+1 club
knight and dragon toys worth 45 gp in all,
+1 leather armor (unique look- Stag Lord's armour)
+1 longsword
+1 composite longbow (+2 Strength rating)
amulet of natural armor +1
ring of protection +1
a single +1 Human Bane arrow.
masterwork chain shirt
+1 rapier
turquoise earrings worth 130 gp each
158 gp
2 pp
141 gp
a polished azurite crystal worth 9 gp
a carnelian worth 80 gp
a piece of hematite worth 13 gp
a shard of obsidian worth 14 gp
a red garnet worth 100 gp
a pewter belt buckle depicting a pair of entwined succubi worth 30 gp a a silver charm bracelet worth 60 gp.
6,850 gp in trade goods.
In addition, one chest in area Z11a contains 4,500 cp, 2,052 sp, 894 gp, and 210 pp
while a large bag in area Z11b contains 2,900 gp in various jewelry.
Stag Lord's Helm=
This striking helmet is crafted to resemble the skull of a mighty stag. Although made from bone, the antlers and helm are as strong as metal. When worn, the helm greatly enhances eyesight and hearing, granting a +2 competence bonus on Perception checks. In addition, once per day the helm may be called upon to enhance any ranged attack made by the wearer to make an insightful shot. Activating this ability is a free action, and once activated, your next ranged attack against a target within 30 feet is made as if that target were flat-footed against you—this allows a rogue to gain the benefit of sneak attack with this shot. If you don’t make a ranged attack within 1 round of activating this power, the insight fades and is wasted for that day. A worshiper of Erastil who wears this helm may utilize the insightful shot ability up to 3 times per day.
Looking across to Malthir as he speaks, Fenna joins the roar with a pleased, if somewhat restrained cheer.
Turning back to face the simple-minded brute, she frowns slightly, a hint of sympathy behind the sternness of her eyes, "those words are easy to say, child, it is easy to say you only did what you were told, that you are sorry for what you have done."
"Why are you sorry? Is it just because you will be punished? Or do you really understand why what you have done is wrong?"
While you think a lot of his evil comes from Dovan's influence, you sense that Auchs is a malevolent, cruel creature in his own right, possessing an innate cunning and savagery that is instinctive, rather than taught.
Miss Pretty Gnomes, Auchs is loyal to you and your friends now... Auchs not mean to hurt small man in shiny armour...
Placed under zone of truth's, the general consensus about Auchs is that he is innately cruel underneath his simplicity. Perhaps he could be redeemed, but he seems innately chaotic and evil, and lacks the intelligence to understand his strength.
Akiros seeks redemption, and more willingly than Kressle did. Although Jhod is able to determine that Akiros is powerful enough to show up on detection spells, Malthir is unable to discern an evil aura about the man. In her recent capacity as a free citizen, Kressle defends Akiros' actions fiercely- pointing out that he could have given up the Guardians at any time since Casimirs contact, and noting that he was responsible for the death of two other bandits during the battle. She also genuinelly believes that had Akiros committed to the fight on behalf of the Stag Lord, not all of the Guardians would be here today.
Akiros' tale is painful for him to recant, but he tells it willingly. Several years ago as a young Paladin of Iomedae, he ended up seduced into an affair with an older, married woman- the trophy wife of a powerful merchant. Akiros fell hopelessly in love, despite his strong commitment to Iomedae. Eventually- the merchant found out about the affair, but his wife not only denied her love for Akiros, she claimed the young man had raped her. Publicly spitting upon him as she declared Akiros her rapist, Akiros could see his whole lifes work tumbling down around him- and he lashed out with his fist in pure frustration and anger at the betrayal, killing the merchant's wife by accident. Fleeing Restov, Akiros fell from grace and has been wandering the Stolen Lands ever since. Attacked by the Stag Lord and his men early in the year, Akiros flew into a rage and slew several bandits before the Stag Lord offered him a place as leutenant. Akiros reluctantly accepted, but was never happy or content in the Stag Lord's Fort. As Akiros tells it, he seeks redemption- and there is no place for him in Brevoy. He hopes his actions have shown a commitment to change, but understands if he must face the sword or rope. He has been dead inside for years anyway.
"Silent" Volkari Sothale is indeed found hiding in the Stag Lords Fort- a frightened boy of sixteen, too young for the horrors he saw and to have his tongue cut out by the vicious Dovan. He begs for mercy, and Oleg and Svetlana offer to adopt the poor boy.
Red Eyes is a fine idea though, now we have the share language scrolls he can really participate in the discussion, it is worth spending one on him!
I am good with you starting it whenever you are ready it my take some time to get through anyways.
There are other RP things to take care of but we can always Retcon them.
First he must serve the people of the GreenBelt for no less than 5 years as a protector and champion, to the exclusion of his own desires.
Second, he must try to seek atonement from Iomedae for his crimes and deeds. Malthir would like to try bring him back to Iomedae's guiding light if he is willing, but it is not a requirement. The main part is #1. If he agrees he can stand with us in the council and have his voice heard.
The council meeting takes place at Oleg's. The trading post is closed for the evening as Svetlana and Vaysh serve a delicious stew. Water has been provided, but at Jhod's suggestion no alcohol has been provided. Kesten Garess, Kressle, Jhod Kavken, Akiros, Red Eyes, Oleg, Sootscales (and Ambassador Mikmek), and of course Vaysh and Svetlana themselves. Red Eyes has been served a serving large enough for ten men, and eats greedily as Jhod calls the group to attention.
Also in attendance is the half-brother of Yelena, a wizard chosen to represent Orlovsky and Restov's interests in the kingdom. So far, he has sat quietly, studying each of you in turn. Yelena returned back to the Orlovsky estate, her charge Edric having perished.
Introductions are made, niceties are exchanged, and trepidatious strokes of Red-Eyes are risked. Jhod eventually clears his throat, rising to his feet.
Restov's pioneers, citizens and building materials are soon to arrive within the week from our generous sponsors- the Swordlords of Restov and their main ally, House Orlovsky. It is my understanding that although the Swordlords may continue to provide incentive to rid these lands of peril, we are to be an autonomous kingdom and officially will have no ties to them- not an uncommon thing here in the River Kingdoms. The first order of business will be to settle on a name for the kingdom, and then decide where the capital (which we shall also have to name)- the heart of the aforementioned kingdom- will reside. I shall begin the process by making a simple suggestion. I propose we name the kingdom Bryskov.
Well... These be the Narlmarches. Why not just name it Narland?
I propose the name Edrion, in honor of our fallen comrade.
Malthir stays relatively quiet during the discussion of the Kingdom name, preferring for everyone else to have their say.
Friends, over the last week I have been looking over maps for a potential site for founding a city and discussing ideas with Akiros and Kesten. I want to make sure that we all think long term. It would be easy to say what about right here, this is where one is already cropping up? I see many issues with his site though. Location, it is too close to Brevoy for my liking, if war should break out we will be in easy stiking distance of any Brevorik army or for raiders. It also offers no good water supplies to support a larger population. The temple, the woods make for hard building and clearing of city sites and the trolls still wander those woods in numbers. Also it infringes upon our fey friends and in Red Eyes' territory.
Therefore I propose we establish the city at the Stag Lords fort. It is a good defendable position with fortifications started to defend the people, it is a good distance from potential enemies, and it is close to two ready water supplies including a good river for water traffic going north.
Last I propose a name for this great city...Malthir draws out his sword for effect and lays it on the table...
I propose the name Edrion, in honor of our fallen comrade.
A murmur of agreement ripples across the council, particularily from Sootscales and Mikmek.
As discussion turns to the site of the capital city, Jhod raises his hand to make a counter-point.
Malthir makes some excellent points in favour of the Stag Lord's fort site being used as a capital. I would also like to point out that our temple is almost finished in the forest- and with a significant contribution of resources from what we start with, we could even upgrade it to a cathedral; a mighty structure devoted to both Erastil and Iomedae, and a sign of their partnership in their lands.
Now wait just a minute here... Oleg blusters, rising. Do remember that good farmland will be critical to the success of a kingdom- and only my Trading Post has easy access to that! And an easy trade route to Brevoy will be good for the kingdom's economy, as well as the stockades benefits itself...
Sootscales tribe say kingdom should be called Okarthel di wer Sargts! Hmm... Maybe just Okarthel...
Home of the Guardians.
Okarthel= Homeland.
"The Stag Lord's fort was my first instinct for the site of a new capital also, it seems perfectly suited to provide us with the defensible position needed to begin colonisation," Fenna says with a nod to Malthir, "though Jhod and Oleg both make strong cases for their own suggestions."
She then looks to the large wolf with her next question, "Red-Eyes, what do you say to Malthir's concern? Would it be a problem for you and the other wolves if we where to begin construction of a city deep within the forests?"
Red Eyes looks up from devouring his next helping to answer Fenna.
Pl... Plennty of forrest forr wolffs Fennnaa... the strange black wolf/worg answers. Pausing to phrase his next sentence more carefully, he answers slightly more articulately-
Build only a few of your cities in forest, we have no trouble. Build more, and wolf have problems with man-packs. Only so much prey and space to hunt...