DM Alexander Kilcoyne's Kingmaker PBP- Chapter 3

Game Master Alexander Kilcoyne

It will cost either 500 gp or 1 BP to get Kundall to train the cub. Haven't checked, but I'm assuming we have that in the party treasury. Think it is better to not involve BPs in this.

In my infinite* wisdom, i've decided I want to map out Castle Swordhaven. What rooms do you imagine it has? From my descriptions so far its slightly raised up on a hill in the centre of Swordhaven, with a small courtyard frequently used to train local militia as you first pass through the gates. I imagine it has 2-3 levels, with the largest room being a feasthall/meeting area for the Guardians. This room would also contain the two thrones, assuming you have thrones.

What other rooms do you imagine there are?

* Sleep deprived and maybe a little insane. Also inspired by the Camelot TV series.

needs a stable...plenty of guest rooms. The feast hall would actually be the centerpiece of the castle as it also is the trophy room.

A chapel, dedicated to Iomedae.

No thrones, Malthir takes his title as Baron pretty literally. He is no king. Just comfortable seats. Barracks, armory. Other than the feast hall, most of the castle is functional as I see it, dedicated to defense and training.

It will cost either 500 gp or 1 BP to get Kundall to train the cub. Haven't checked, but I'm assuming we have that in the party treasury. Think it is better to not involve BPs in this.

We should have enough in the treasury so we should go with the gp. Kalev, are you going to help Kundall in your spare time? It would be good to have someone else who the cub knows well in case we need to use it without him for some reason.

Alex, we will identify the following items today as well:
A pair of gloves that glow faintly.
A key.
Four potions.
A strange and exotic looking grey salve.
Four scrolls.
A backpack of masterwork quality.
A masterwork buckler.
A masterwork chain shirt.
A masterwork rapier that glows faintly.
Thx.

Sixth Post on This Page

Yes, Kalev will assist, as much as he can between training the scouts and running the kingdom :)

Kalev may want some ranks in Handle Animal... heh...

Is there some loot to divy up? Say from the Owlbear lair and Grigori's belongings? :)

Kip has his eye on the wand found in the lair. :)

I wish my RL job interviews were that fun

I wish my RL job interviews were that fun

Is there some loot to divy up? Say from the Owlbear lair and Grigori's belongings? :)

Kip has his eye on the wand found in the lair. :)

Yes, just confirming what we are doing with the Flail...it is a fairly large chunk of the treasure.

Yes, just confirming what we are doing with the Flail...it is a fairly large chunk of the treasure.

Kip raises an eyebrow at Malthir. A reward? I was unaware of the policy... is this something new? Kip winks at the Baron.

As the second newest Guardian... Kip is wondering what his "reward" was? :)

I wish my RL job interviews were that fun

:)

Malthir Al Dagon wrote:

Yes, just confirming what we are doing with the Flail...it is a fairly large chunk of the treasure.

and

Kip Bendybrook wrote:

Kip raises an eyebrow at Malthir. A reward? I was unaware of the policy... is this something new? Kip winks at the Baron.

As the second newest Guardian... Kip is wondering what his "reward" was? :)

Your the only tier 1 class in the party and thus they were thinking you don't need rewards ;).

(Joke, I hate tiers and I rarely see huge caster dominance in my games... Maybe i just challenge them better.)

Malthir Al Dagon wrote:

Yes, just confirming what we are doing with the Flail...it is a fairly large chunk of the treasure.

and

Kip Bendybrook wrote:

Kip raises an eyebrow at Malthir. A reward? I was unaware of the policy... is this something new? Kip winks at the Baron.

As the second newest Guardian... Kip is wondering what his "reward" was? :)

You earned the title of Statkari...worth much more than a simple reward.

Can Kip use his title to hurt the trolls? ;)

PS I am only teasing you!

I am adding a new house rule to all my games, but as this game has been with me for some time i'm open to debate on it if someone is exceptionally unhappy. The house rule concerns Detect Magic. My change is in bold.

Detect Magic

School divination; Level bard 0, cleric/oracle 0, druid 0, inquisitor 0, magus 0, sorcerer/wizard 0, summoner 0, witch 0
CASTING

Casting Time 1 standard action
Component: V, S
EFFECT

Range touch. (previously 60 feet cone)
Area cone-shaped emanation
Duration concentration, up to 1 min./level (D)
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no

I am adding a new house rule to all my games, but as this game has been with me for some time i'm open to debate on it if someone is exceptionally unhappy. The house rule concerns Detect Magic. My change is in bold.

Detect Magic

School divination; Level bard 0, cleric/oracle 0, druid 0, inquisitor 0, magus 0, sorcerer/wizard 0, summoner 0, witch 0
CASTING

Casting Time 1 standard action
Component: V, S
EFFECT

Range touch. (previously 60 feet cone)
Duration concentration, up to 1 min./level (D)
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no

I see the Saragava crew are debating the rule change. :)

I'm kind of back and forth on it myself. I understand the reason(s)....

I really like PoorWanderingOne's suggestion(s). :)

I'm am worried it removes some of the tactical uses... it will no longer be practical to study an opponent and determine what type of magic may be active on his/her person nor determine if something is summoned etc.

From a totally character related slant... as the only wizard/sorcerer in the Guardians and with Kip unlikely to use a known slot on Arcane Sight, we might find ourselves in some trouble in the future. :)

I will, of course, accept any decision made by Alex. (And I will be thinking about making similar changes in my home games.)

I'm am worried it removes some of the tactical uses... it will no longer be practical to study an opponent and determine what type of magic may be active on his/her person nor determine if something is summoned etc.

I see this as a good thing to be honest, as every spell effect your referring to will be Level 1 or higher.

For that kind of use... This Spell

The bottom line is... you will reduce Detect Magic to a spell only useful in identifying magic items already in your possession. I can't see any other uses for the spell as changed.

What about the Reach spell feat? Would you be able to use it with this version of Detect Magic?

It is interesting to me that this is the exact same adjustment I have made to the detect alignment ability of some of the classes (ie Paladin's Detect Evil).

Have you considered making Detect Magic a 1st level spell instead?

There are other uses you just have to be inventive about it; and for a cantrip identification + inventive use is what you'd expect for a 0 level spell. You could absolutely use the reach metamagic on it though if you wished.

Edit: Again, this is not set in stone for this game, if someone has a big problem with it I will not implement it.

What I have proposed in my other games is to use Detect Magic as written as 'Greater Detect Magic'- functioning as Detect Magic but as a first level spell. The baseline Detect Magic would be Touch spell as proposed.

RE; Wealth by Level, Ricter got more starting gold than Kip because I assumed Ricter wouldn't be included in the loot split from the Owlbear lair. I also assume Ricter is paying for his gift out of future treasure shares?

RE; Wealth by Level, Ricter got more starting gold than Kip because I assumed Ricter wouldn't be included in the loot split from the Owlbear lair. I also assume Ricter is paying for his gift out of future treasure shares?

With this in mind, I'm also not sure about just giving the flail to Ricter as a free gift. It is a pretty costly weapon.

I certainly wouldn't expect it for free. I'll pay for it out of treasure shares, as Alex says. Or you guys can sell it on if your prefer - it's your loot, after all!

It is interesting to me that this is the exact same adjustment I have made to the detect alignment ability of some of the classes (ie Paladin's Detect Evil).

"Hail, noble paladin. What brings you to my humble...what are you doing?

"I'm sorry, you're hair just looks so soft and strokable. You were saying?"

In that case, Ricter is welcome to the flail.

Ricter was not going to get a share from either loot pile from my original thought, just removing the flail from the list, but I like this suggestion better.
We include Ricter in the share from capturing Grigori and let him take the flail as a share from that treasure and will probably owe some out of the next treasure share. I will get the mods done today and get it posted so we can move forward.

The flail is worth 5155gp, the treasure share from Grigori is only about 600gp each so it may take him a little while to pay us back. Malthir won't be buying anything for a little while so he can lend him the money until he gets enough to pay him back.

lol

Let me explain further. The Detect Evil ability of paladins in my RL games is an immediate action, range touch. And touch in this case means any contact between the paladin or any of the gear/weapons/armor currently in his possession. Which means the paladin can detect evil upon any target the makes contact (ie attacks him, shakes hands etc) with him, or that he touches, even with his sword.

Of course your way is much more entertaining. :)

Treasure list uploaded, we each get 2389.83+591.79=2981.62gp except for ricter who gets 591.79gp.
Ricter picks up the flail but owes the party 5155gp-591.79gp or 4563.21gp/5= 912.64gp each that Ricter owes us. Subtract the 912.64 from your total share to come up with what you actually can spend which is:
2981.62-912.64=2068.98gp.
Malthir is spending nothing at the moment. Should we buy the inviso sphere scroll as a party item?

Party fund is at 3202.05 with the Owlbear training costs and scrolls of detect thoughts cost taken out.

Fenna doesn't have anything to buy right now, either. More alchemist's fire might be handy, but there's only so much she can carry.

What happened to the wand of lightning bolt found with the shambler in the owlbear lair?

Does the party wish to purchase wands of fireball or acid arrow for use against the trolls?

What happened to the wand of lightning bolt found with the shambler in the owlbear lair?

Does the party wish to purchase wands of fireball or acid arrow for use against the trolls?

Missed that wand, will add it and re-compute. A wand of FB is like 11250gp...we won't be buying one anytime soon...a couple more scrolls of FB might be in order though. We should have quite a bit of AF still left? Or maybe we should buy a couple more...Malthir can make his sword flaming once we find their lair....will keep that in reserve.

Kip will most likely want the wand if it doesn't cost him too much. He needs the ability to actually kill things, not just inconvenience them. :)

Does the party subsidize such items? :)

Can we purchase a wand with less than 50 charges? Say a wand of fireball with 15 charges (3375 gp). A full wand of acid arrow is 4500gp. Still too rich for the party I suspect.

Kip has 2 AF, 2 acid, 1 scroll of haste and 1 scroll of FB left.

However things go, Kip will be making some purchases. Just need to know the particulars.

Kip will most likely want the wand if it doesn't cost him too much. He needs the ability to actually kill things, not just inconvenience them. :)

Does the party subsidize such items? :)

Can we purchase a wand with less than 50 charges? Say a wand of fireball with 15 charges (3375 gp). A full wand of acid arrow is 4500gp. Still too rich for the party I suspect.

Kip has 2 AF, 2 acid, 1 scroll of haste and 1 scroll of FB left.

However things go, Kip will be making some purchases. Just need to know the particulars.

Something like a wand of LB would be your purchase just like a +2 flail is for another character.

Working up new SS now.

EDIT: New total is 3787.87gp-- 912.64gp= for the Guardians except Ricter which means we could spend 2875.23gp if you want. If Kip keeps the wand we are back to our original shares 2068.98gp to spend.

Sounds like most people are holding off spending for the moment anyways to buy bigger items.

We bought 12 alchemists fire back on 2-16-11...how many does everyone have left? We may not need to buy very many.

Alchemists fire:

Kalev 6
Kip 2
Malthir 0
Casimir 0
Fenna 3
Ricter 0

Looks like we need to pick up the following

Alchemists fire: 4 - 200gp
Scroll of FireBall: 1 375gp
Scroll of Haste: 1 375gp

Probably give 1 each to Mal, Ric, 2 to Cas.
Take 2 from Kalev and give 1 to Kip and Fenna.
We purchase the inviso sphere scroll from the loot and pick up a scroll of silence so we could sneak up on the troll hideout and at least get to them without being fully detected.

This will leave us with about 2700gp in the party treasury.
Hope everyone is good with these purchases.
Kip go ahead and add the FB, Haste and Inviso Sphere and AF to your equipment, Fenna if you can add the scroll of silence and everyone can adjust their AF supplies.

Awesome. Thanks everyone. This thing will serve me well.

Does it glow?

Awesome. Thanks everyone. This thing will serve me well.

Does it glow?

Keep your glowstick to yourself Ricter! I am sure Alex can determine...

Kip will keep the wand.

1d100 ⇒ 24

Yup, it does.

In another of Alex's PBP OOC threads...

It is as I feared- my landlady has been cut off from her internet by her evil ex husband she is divorcing and its unlikely that the situation will resolve before I fly to ukraine in 3 weeks. This means TEMPORARILY a much slower update rate from me, posting from my phone at the moment to let you all know...

In another of Alex's PBP OOC threads...

DM Alexander Kilcoyne wrote:

It is as I feared- my landlady has been cut off from her internet by her evil ex husband she is divorcing and its unlikely that the situation will resolve before I fly to ukraine in 3 weeks. This means TEMPORARILY a much slower update rate from me, posting from my phone at the moment to let you all know...

Damn, hope he gets back soon.

Regarding troll tactics:

1) Isn't acid arrow a much better troll slayer spell than fireball (except for the fact that fireball hits several, obviously), seeing as the troll takes damage on consecutive rounds, thus not having regen for consecutive rounds?

2) Kalev should probably not engage in throwing alchemists' fires around (not that his aim is bad), as he deals a sizeable amount of damage on a hit. Though I guess it must be annoying, I suggest suppressing regen falls on the casters or lesser melee'rs (who that includes I'll let be up to concensus). Agreed, or?

Kip will keep the wand.

So I "pay" half of 9675gp from my share? No coin to Kip and he owes everyone from future loot correct?

Kip Bendybrook wrote:

Kip will keep the wand.

So I "pay" half of 9675gp from my share? No coin to Kip and he owes everyone from future loot correct?

Yes, you only ever pay the sale price from loot...

Kip Bendybrook wrote:

In another of Alex's PBP OOC threads...

DM Alexander Kilcoyne wrote:

It is as I feared- my landlady has been cut off from her internet by her evil ex husband she is divorcing and its unlikely that the situation will resolve before I fly to ukraine in 3 weeks. This means TEMPORARILY a much slower update rate from me, posting from my phone at the moment to let you all know...

Damn, hope he gets back soon.

Regarding troll tactics:

1) Isn't acid arrow a much better troll slayer spell than fireball (except for the fact that fireball hits several, obviously), seeing as the troll takes damage on consecutive rounds, thus not having regen for consecutive rounds?

2) Kalev should probably not engage in throwing alchemists' fires around (not that his aim is bad), as he deals a sizeable amount of damage on a hit. Though I guess it must be annoying, I suggest suppressing regen falls on the casters or lesser melee'rs (who that includes I'll let be up to concensus). Agreed, or?

The only thing about acid arrow is that you still have to hit. If kip is attacking in combat -4, through cover -4, it may be hard for him to hit trolls with a -8 to hit. He might as well throw alchemists fire as it last two rounds as well and costs a lot less. We just need to stop the regen and then we can kill them. With AF he can also target the corner of their hex for AC 5 to burn them a little in order to stop their regen so we can finish one...

I do agree though that Kip, Cas, Fenna could work on the regen suppression while work work to drop them.

You guys hack em to pieces, putting them far into the negatives and Kip and Fenna stroll around dropping AF on the pile of chunks at our leisure. No attack rolls necessary. :)

Remember you can simply coup de grace unconcious trolls after smacking the stuffing out of them.

Detect Magic Changes-

1. You must make a will save against an illusions DC+2 to realise it is an illusion and have its magical aura register while using Detect Magic. The increase in DC is to represent that your not really interacting with it in any sensory way (close inspection, using hands/hearing) as well as balancing a cantrip against higher level spells. This will save will be made by me in secret.

2. You will no longer be able to detect magic auras that are part of a trap until the trap is triggered. In the process of making a magical trap, part of the creation includes a permanent Magic Aura spell masking the aura. Resetting such a trap includes a re-activation of the Magic Aura spell.

These changes will come into play at the beginning of chapter 3.

Those changes are cool with me.

Ahem, amendment. You can coup de grace helpless trolls WITH FIRE, not with normal weaponry.

Unless their regen is down, in which case behead away...

...or ACID. :)

...or ACID. :)

They have a troll cleric who casts unlimited protection from acid from a minor artifact I gave them. Just to help balance vs 6 players, you know. Its totally in my conversion thread...