DM_Scholar's Kingmaker (Inactive)

Game Master Asmodeus' Advocate

Ever have that moment when you just have absolutely no idea what to post because you've absolutely no idea how your character would respond here? Yeah, I'm a bad player haha! Anyways, Ozzy, Guthruc, DM Scholar, yall rock! I'll post- later, when Abaos is absolutely certain no one is around and his CG background can rear it's head

Yup, Guthruc and Fauxvan for the win.

My apologies for the distinct lack of pushes and hooks, been heck busy. :(

I’ll get a decent length post up tomorrow.

Anura learned common.

Oh, ok. So, does the size of the weapon give it 10ft reach, or does the weapon, despite being at least as long as the arm of a large-sized creature, only have that reach when wielded by one?

The feat doesn't grant reach, and that makes perfect sense.

So Guthruc, not being secretly made of a superdense material, as far as I'm aware, holds the tree+rock somewhere around the middle, using the other half of the club as a counterweight.

Oh if only Awn was viewing the conversation between Akiros and Iorskan right now...

Sorry for the short post, I had intended to write something longer but I fell asleep writing it! Anyways, I got something down and I'll finish up tonight.

I find it somewhat amusing that we all do this, including myself, but saying "tonight" or "in the morning" honestly does not give a very accurate time frame as to when one will post. "Tonight" and "in the morning" is not the same time for nearly any of us. For example, im pretty sure its just about the oppisite for Awn. And unless someone knows what time-zone the post-er is in, one can't tell how far they are from "tonight" or "morning".
Just an amusing observation, im not dissing the system or anything.

Is there something that someone wants to do tonight (in game time), or should I advance the calendar?

I think I'm ready to move on...

I was interested in seeing where this conversation with Bokken went, but I can insert myself.....

I was interested in seeing where this conversation with Bokken went, but I can insert myself.....

Works!

Sorry, missed Bokken's question - have moved conversation along.

Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate!

Aye! A very merry Turkey Day to those in the states.

Oh, I didn't check the discussion page. I added to the conversation between Abaos, Awn, and Bokken mostly because I didn't see anything else to be doing, but I'm ready to move on.

Happy Turkey Day, and I sure hope nobody else (quite literally) bites off more than they can chew...

Soooooo... We got pretty laser-focussed on the stag lord. Should we finish exploring the area? Concentrate on nation-building? Make a mad dash for the edge of the map and see if we find ourselves in a different AP?

Well, Guthruc will want to go to the Hooktongue Slough (wherever that is) to recruit an entire tribe of boggard at some point. But as of right now, he's content with just tormenting Auchs.
I say we lay down a rough treaty to prevent too much trouble as we explore more hexes. We could even put Auchs to work building a road of sorts between our three main civilizations while we're at it.

I was planning several things, actually.

1) Let's use our assembled forces, including Garess, to help explore the hexes. I know that technically doesnt count as us exploring it, but it does allow for us to be forewarned of any dangers and allow GM plothooks.

2) I'm also pretty interested in finding this she, whatever she is. he's going to be questioning Akiros, and Nugrah, about it.

3) Speaking of, we need to find Nugrah, if we can, to talk, and assure Bokken. Right or wrong, it either helps us or ends a potential threat.

4)If we go about using everyone to help explore, we can intersperse the troops, get them used to relying on each other, helping out. Then they make friends via necessity. Make sense?

Awn would likely enjoy a trip to the Hooktongue Slough. Then again, he'd pretty much enjoy going anywhere new, as long as it kept him away from politicking and empire building.

Re Abaos' point 4:

A good idea. If we use the various tribes as "irregulars" and auxiliaries much like the Romans did, and post them to each location then they will build their own relationships. Or die in many pitched internecine battles.

is awn still supposed to be dark awn? i was under the impression that it was only for the duration of the death knell effect

is awn still supposed to be dark awn? i was under the impression that it was only for the duration of the death knell effect

I was wondering that, too.

Btw, sorry I haven't been posting much. I've been reading everything and watching for a place where I'm needed, but it seems to be mostly "grown-up talk", and I'm not sure what interest my character would have. That and I've got a big chunk of my current book due to the publisher in about a week, so that's requiring most of my creative energy at the moment.

Ah. You've noticed. It seems Awn's brightness is darkening with all the death and eat-murdering and grown-up stuff.

Not my fault!

Fun! Guthruc turned evil and Awn has joined the dark side. This will be an interesting point in the game. Anyone else want to reveal a major shift in how their characters' percieve the world?

Also riddle me this: How is one both a dark and a bright Awn? "Dark Bright Awn"

A darker bright than regular bright? Remember Awn is wise, not bright.

Elminster has pulled his lead long and tight as he ranges out to find particularly chewy bits of flower. Jen tugs on the lead, hard, and, letting out a snort, the donkey moves back towards her. "I'm afraid I don't gamble," she finishes, apologetically.

Elminster is my spirit animal.

Speaking of gambling, well, that. Come on Undrell, put that 20 INT to work!

My proposal:

The Confederation
The confederation is a 'kingdom' in the loosest of senses. Made up of monstrous tribes, bandits, outlaws, hardy explorers and brave merchants, most within Brevoy would scoff at calling it such. But, through force of will it is being held together. These lands have never been tamed, and perhaps never will. But unlike other would-be conquerors, the confederation does not seek to tame the lands. Rather, it lives within the environment. This is not Brevoy. This is not Absalom. These are the Stolen Lands, and those who live within it know that it is a land like no other. The confederation merely tries to make it a safer place to live, rather than to make it into something that it is not.

The Ruler Abaos (Cha 21)
* Benefit: A baron or baroness chooses one of a nation’s statistics (Economy, Loyalty, or Stability) and modifies that score by a value equal to the character’s Charisma modifier.
Abaos is the 'ruler' of the confederation. When it comes down to it, he has proven himself to be the most interested, and the most effective, in keeping the kingdom together.

High Priest Awn (Wis17)
* Benefit: Increase Stability by a value equal to the High Priest’s Wisdom or Charisma modifier.
Of everyone, Awn has proven to be the member of the group with the most strongly held ideals. As a prophet of nature, the people could be taught to both respect (bright) and fear (dark) nature.

General Guthruc (Str22)
* Benefit: Increase Stability by a value equal to the High Priest’s Wisdom or Charisma modifier.
Guthruc is a force of pure destruction, who is hell bent on gathering a horde of barbaric creatures who will march under his banner. Luckily for the confederation, he is a member.

Spymaster Ozzy (Dex16)
* Benefit: Increase Loyalty, Economy, or Stability (Spymaster’s choice) by a value equal to the Spymaster’s Dexterity or Intelligence modifier. The Spymaster can change which value he modifies during the kingdom’s Improvement phase (but only once per phase).
Few can go unnoticed from the gaze of 'Mr. Winky.' Criminals of the underworld know not to take their schemes too far when spies can be summoned at will, and can never truly die. They also know that for those who do not take this threat seriously, 'Mr. Blinky' will inevitably come for them.

Magister Jen (Int20)
* Benefit: Increase Economy by a value equal to the Magister’s Intelligence or Charisma modifier.
It is safe to say that the confederation will not find a magic user as skilled as this arcanist

Lord of the Sootscales: ie Counselor Iorskan (Cha20)
* Benefit: Increase Loyalty by a value equal to the Councilor’s Wisdom or Charisma modifier.
Iorskan is the lord of the Sootscale Tribe. He knows little of humanity, and cares even less for them. But he is fiercely loyal to his kobold tribe and will always represent their needs to the best of his ability.

-----------------------------

Treasurer Shemeska (Int18) or Oleg
* Benefit: Increase Economy by a value equal to the Treasurer’s Intelligence or Wisdom modifier.
While the wizard no longer goes on adventures, he is an arcane crafter of some skill. He focuses his efforts on increasing his crafting abilities, and ensuring that trade flows through the confederation.

Alternatively, Oleg would, fluff-wise, be a great choice for treasurer

Warden Captain Garess (Stats ???)
* The Warden leads the kingdom’s defense and city guards.
* Benefit: Increase Loyalty by a value equal to the Warden’s Strength or Constitution modifier.
* Vacancy Penalty: Reduce Loyalty by 4 and Stability by 2.
Who better than Captain Garess to see to the defense of the kingdom? In truth, who would be more responsible for such an important task?

Marshal Chief Sootscale (Stats ???)
* The Marshal helps organize patrols and enforces justice in rural and wilderness regions.
* Benefit: Increase Economy by a value equal to the Marshal’s Dexterity or Wisdom modifier.
* Vacancy Penalty: Decrease Economy by 4.
While a subject of Lord Iorskan, Chief Sootscale actually rules the Sootscale Clan. As members of the confederation, the kobolds are of little use in open warfare. But they can move quickly and quietly through the wilderness, dealing with local issues and reporting larger ones to Guthruc's horde.

Royal Assassin Viceroy Dragonfly (Stats ???)
* The Royal Assassin can serve as a public executioner, a headsman, or a shadowy assassin.
* Benefit: Increase Loyalty by a value equal to the Royal Assassin’s Strength or Dexterity modifier. Fear inspired by the Royal Assassin reduces Unrest by 1 during each Upkeep phase.
* Vacancy Penalty: A kingdom without a Royal Assassin suffers no vacancy penalty.
[i]Mites cannot be trusted to do anything, really. Besides kill people in horrific ways. Prisoners condemned to die are handed over to the mites and no questions are asked. This is an arrangement which is advantageous to all parties. Except the soon to be deceased, that is. And, in times, the mites can even be called on to remove individuals who resist capture. The threat of this is enough to keep many would be malefactors away.

Grand Diplomat Akiros?
* The Grand Diplomat oversees international relations.
* Benefit: Increase Stability by a value equal to the Grand Diplomat’s Intelligence or Charisma modifier.
* Vacancy Penalty: Decrease Stability by 2; the kingdom cannot issue Promotion Edicts.
[i]Honestly not sure who to fill this role. But he talked Iorskan out of eating a body! And taught the dragon something about human culture. That seems pretty diplomatic to me.

How does this sound? When looking at it, I tried to also pick roles for us which made the most sense from an adventuring standpoint. The roles which always need someone around will be filled even when our party wanders around. And should something happen to us, we have NPCs behind who are responsible enough to fend for themselves.

For the above, here is how I see our "kingdom." Again, this is just how I see it.

We will have a Fortress, from which trade will flow through the Stolen Lands. This will be in effect, a city state. Captain Garess will see to its safety.

Outside of the walls of the City State, the Stolen Lands will remain as they always have. Wild, natural, and dangerous. But our City State will offer it's protection to those living in these lands. Villages and towns can shelter within the Confederation. Roads will be made to bring travelers to us, and to get them to more civilized lands, safely. Protection will only ever be offered on the road. Traveling outside of our roads means that you are on your own.

The Confederation is also just that, a confederation. The Sootscale Tribe will be a protectorate of the Confederation. So too will the Mites be an independent state controlled and protected by another. These natural denizens will make their own local laws and enact their own justice. But for international matters will defer to the Confederation.

Likewise, Guthruc's Horde will be just that. His Horde. Boggards, Hill Giants, Orcs, and whatever else he can brow beat into his service...none will ever be truly welcome within the City State. Even with an orc barbarian of his mettle in charge, it would be near impossible to 'tame' such creatures completely. But at the very least they can be kept in line to the point where they do not prey on those who stick to the roads.

sounds good!
Guthruc will still do his best to "tame" the warband, even if it takes a few generations of conditioning. Though i'm sure they'd be fine living in a small village outside of the walls. Kinda like a barracks camp, only sending people inside the walls for supplies, usually with a guard.
speaking of gathering a horrifying army, Guthruc is going to attempt to take Abyssal lessons from Jen, in case it comes up. (he's going to learn abyssal next level)

I like the idea of a confederation. I actually really like the thought you've put into this. Though where in the world is Happs haha?

Awesome work Iorskan in putting this together!

I've been assuming that Shemeska had died somewhere offscreen (and made a comment to that effect when we first me Jen). I did propose the mite crafter character who would fill a similar role though, and I've been trying to influence the mites toward the role of crafting interesting devices to help us. I had the magister role in mind for that character (tasked with advancing the kingdom's magical and technological development), but of course, if a PC wants the role, that takes priority.

The proposal seems good to me. I of course haven't been present for most of this adventure, so you guys know what roles your characters, story, stat, and character-wise, are best suited for.

Obviously, as the DM, I can't speak for the proposal one way or the other. It's the players' job to build their nation. I get to build all the other ones. ;)

I'm really interested to see how the confederation develops, though.

I've been assuming that Shemeska had died somewhere offscreen (and made a comment to that effect when we first me Jen).

My headcannon is that he was captured by boggards and they made him their king. Wait. I'm the DM. I can make that regular canon if I want. Trips on power, lands face first on the ground.

In all honesty, though, I'm against any plan where the character becomes an NPC under DM control. One, because even if the player isn't on the forums anymore, that's too close to negating player agency for my comfort, and two, because I don't think that I could do Shemeska justice. Oh, and three, if it turns out that the reason his player's been absent is that he got abducted by terrorists and then had to escape them with nothing but a box of scraps in a cave, and he shows up again later with an explanation as to why he was out of it, I don't want to have had his character do anything the player wouldn't have in the meantime. (Unlikely as that eventuality might be.)

Iorskan, you asked for some of the NPC's stats, so here they are:

Captain Garess - Str 14 Dex 8 Con 15 Int 13 Wis 12 Cha 12
Chief Sootscale - Str 10 Dex 18 Con 10 Int 8 Wis 10 Cha 13
Those mental scores are what happens when you have a hereditary monarchy. He tries his best, though, which is the important part.
Viceroy Dragonfly - Str 12 Dex 11 Con 14 Int 10 Wis 13 Cha 12
Speaking of kingdom roles, though, anyone who has one has to spend a week of every month in the capital. The good Viceroy might be too busy to do that, for reasons he'll expound on in the gameplay thread.

And there were some people who's stats you didn't request, but I'm including anyway. Actually, pretty much all of the named characters, though some of them (most of them) are probably unsuitable for leadership positions. (And some of them might not want leadership positions, for one reason or another.)

Oleg - Str 11 Dex 8 Con 9 Int 12 Wis 16 Cha 9
Svetlana - Str 7 Dex 11 Con 10 Int 16 Wis 11 Cha 10
Akiros - Str 14 Dex 15 Con 16 Int 12 Wis 10 Cha 14
If Akiros's stats look a little higher than the other NPC array NPCs, that's because they are. I bumped all of his mental stats up by +2 for no good reason at all.
Bokken - Str 6 Dex 8 Con 7 Int 15 Wis 20 Cha 11
Zornesk - Str 9 Dex 13 Con 10 Int 14 Wis 14 Cha 14
Nakpik - Str 9 Dex 13 Con 10 Int 17 Wis 10 Cha 8
Eadoo - Str 9 Dex 13 Con 10 Int 8 Wis 9 Cha 11
Poro - Str 9 Dex 16 Con 11 Int 11 Wis 12 Cha 10
The kobolds, I just gave whatever mental stats looked right.
Anura - Str 15 Dex 9 Con 12 Int 12 Wis 13 Cha 14
Auchs - Str 25 Dex 6 Con 21 Int 6 Wis 8 Cha 7
Happs Bydon - Str 13 Dex 15 Con 15 Int 8 Wis 12 Cha 10
Townsend - Str 15 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 10 Wis 8 Cha 12
Dharak - Str 17 Dex 8 Con 14 Int 13 Wis 10 Cha 13
Sally, the Butcher of Badger's Glad - Str 15 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 10 Wis 12 Cha 8
Patton - Str 15 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 10 Wis 12 Cha 8

Is there anyone that I gave a name but forgot to put up here?

That looks great Iorskan.

Though I do see that perhaps some of the NPCs you mention may not be suitable OR up for it.

Personally, as mentioned before I had wanted Awn to be the Diplomat, but if we reflavor High "Priest" as High Prophet he'd be tickled...green. Awesome interpretations of bright and dark btw...

My only real concern is with Akiros. My non-existant spidey sense tingles when I see his name. If only I paid more attention to our intel from Happs to work out just who he was/what his connection to Stag Lord was... (Oh yeah, I can search the thread for "Akiros"...but Awn can't. Then again, Awn doesn't have a reason not to trust Akiros...yet)

Wait, how is Captain Garess paying for bandits-turned-cartographers to map the surrounding area?

Organizing your peeps would probably be easier if we were using the Kingdom Rules, so you could tax them and issue edicts and have industry and whatnot.

Would anyone be opposed if, rather than shooing everyone out the door right this very moment to map the surrounding area, we introduced said rules and began the second book in the Kingmaker series?

Though I do see that perhaps some of the NPCs you mention may not be suitable OR up for it.

Well, with the likes of Sally of Badger's Glade and Auchs filling out the ranks, most of the NPCs listed probably aren't suitable for leadership positions. I think the ones who aren't are probably readily apparent.

If we're not going to do the exploring ourselves, it sounds to me like we're ready to start playing kingdom rules, which (as I understand it) means beginning book 2.

If we're not going to do the exploring ourselves, it sounds to me like we're ready to start playing kingdom rules, which (as I understand it) means beginning book 2.

Specifically, events at the beginning of book 2 transpire to give the PCs 50 build points with which to start their kingdom. Exploring new vistas and having new adventures is just as much a part of book 2 as book 1, and just as much a part of book 6 as book 2.

We can kick start the kingdom with the first few pages of the second book, and then go about exploring the map introduced in the first book.

Wait, how is Captain Garess paying for bandits-turned-cartographers to map the surrounding area?

And that, right there, was the exact expression I was hoping to get from Garess, not the DM, but that does bring to my attention something important. Ya'll have been slightly spoiled; for most of the campaign, Abaos has either been forced to act the rational individual, or brought to the center by more rational allies. In fact, there's only one other instance where ya'll have had to deal with Abaos' crazy plans coming into affect; the let's-save-this-guy-so-he-can-lead-us-to-his-bandits-so-we-can-use-them-to- fight-the-bigger-bandits idea. Look how well that turned out haha! However, Abaos is not a rational human being. Abaos is a gambler. he is logical, but rational is far from a certainty.

Picture this: Garess is perhaps the biggest threat to our fledgling nation at this moment. Seriously. She's completely committed to Restov, she's a military commander with orders from Restov to clear out bandits and troublemakers, and, oh yes, she's also already marked us as a potential threat (see comments about I dont want to have to turn around and kill all of you). She's also hinted that she could potentially have a bigger force with her next time, if she does leave. So, at all costs, she cannot leave.

Here's how we do this. She's going to pay the men. She's the highest ranking official from Restov, including us, and since we're doing Restov's working, we're sticking either Restov, or her personally, with the bill. This is going to go one of two ways. Either she can refuse to pay the men, in which case Abaos is hoping she's smart enough to realize that's she's numerically outnumbered and probably not going to get out if she refuses to pay; also, that gives us just cause for a split with Restov, making it a political relations nightmare that could axe her career. Secondly, she pays us, and by paying us, there's now incentive for her to see us succeed at our tasks that (hopefully) bind her further and further to our cause. Now, she could simply refuse to pay and call Abaos a liar; however, that's still bad for all of the reasons mentioned above, with the small benefit that Abaos goes down with her. Of course, Abaos is used to starting over; how does the noble daughter of Restov who's also a military commander feel about being run out of Restov? Probably poorly.

Besides, it's not like she cannot raise the funds; she can either bill the Swordlords as an expense for clearing out the bandits, or she can ask he own noble House to foot the bill. Either way, she has access to the funds, and it's probably a better option to help us than to hinder us, especially after she's already agreed to Abaos to help. Boom! Abaos logic.

Is it poorly- conceived? Probably. Is it rational? Nope. Is it logical; in a twisted sense, yes. It is a gamble? Absolutely, but one that could and should hopefully pay off for us.

All that being said? I'm absolutely cool with starting Book 2.

Great idea. Let's start Book 2.

@Abaos: fiendishly clever. And adds a veneer of authenticity to our state and legitimacy
to our mandate.

And that, right there, was the exact expression I was hoping to get from Garess, not the DM,

My bad! I was worried that we’d had a failure to communicate, and not just our characters! I should have had more faith in your knowing what Abaos is doing!

Guys, we’ve officially begun the second book in the series, Rivers Run Red, which isn’t an ominous name at all. I’ve read through it, made a few changes to the plot (such as it is; it’s a sandboxy book!) and I’ll be including material from RRR going forward, over the next few years of in-game time, alongside material from the first book.

Things won’t really start moving until the Swordlords of Restov get word of the Stag Lord’s defeat, so feel free to do what you want in the meantime!

Alright! Do whatever we want! Party!! Planking!! P.....oor decisions?!!!?

So- Hooktongue Slough it is, then? At some point, we should probably go looking for Nugrah, as well; make certain that he's not causing trouble/reassure our good friend Bokken. Various other plot points will occur probably as we let them explore, and we should probably check out the Murque River- at the very least to help establish a boundary. Also, the mites war? Might want to help finish that. Let's take a vote.

So, I know we had talked about integrating various people in with various others so as to help foster friendship across the confederation; is that still a go? If so, I'm thinking a few groups of people. Happs, Dharak+Townsend, the four kobold explorers, a mite leader (unless they are consolidating the other mites), Captain Garess, and her two lieutenants make for good leaders, splitting the remaining bandits, a few kobold warriors, some mites, and the remaining men of Captain Garess into 7 groups (us being 8).

I'm assuming if we go to Hooktongue SLough, the following NPC's will accompany us. Anura+Auchs, because they follow Guthruc+warband. Akiros, because while he's well- respected and could probably be useful for organizing the exploration, he's also a symbol of the old Stag Lord regime. From what we understand, he basically ran it- we don't want to leave him free for others to prop him up and declare him the new Stag Lord, which I'm afraid will occur if we mix him with the former Stag Lord men. So he comes and chills with us. Finally, I'm torn with Bokken; he'd probably be really useful, but I don't think any other exploration team would want him due to his eccentric nature. He'd be great to have around with the boggards, however, since he's a caster; but Bokken also moves to the beat of his own drum and I cannot think of any IC reason for him to join us.

He pauses, looking at the crudely drawn map that Happs had provided. Form way back, remember that haha? "I'm not seeing the Murque River on here; either way, I think it best to trust to your wisdom. We might want to send a team out there from time to time, to make certain nothing's crossing onto our side of the river."

It’s Rivers Run Red, not “The Shrike R. Runs Red.” With the second Kingmaker installment comes an expanded map. And with an expanded map comes . . . rivers.

It’s Rivers Run Red, not “The Shrike R. Runs Red.” With the second Kingmaker installment comes an expanded map. And with an expanded map comes . . . rivers.

I know; I was just IC stating what Abaos would see on his map, not our map!

Random question: did Townsend ever level out of NPC class status?

He did! Is an unbreakable fighter now.

Cool! Couldn't remember. Thanks!

I'm not going to lie; I'm only mildly disappointed that he's not a Bladebound Magus; I know he'd be terrible at it, but literally every time I think of him I think of the magic sword, which is basically the fluff for the Bladebound. I'll remember he's a fighter by level 10 or so haha!

Thanks for the update!

Oh! That’s too awesome an idea to waste!

Let’s make Townsend a bladebound eldtritch scion, both to explain his newfound casting prowess with no teachers of the arcane in sight, and so that he can cast with CHA. It’s not PFS legal, but then, that’s why we aren’t playing PFS, innit?

What should his bloodline be?

Draconic! I can boss him around!

Either that or Matyred.

“One of your ancestors paid the ultimate price for her beliefs. This distant relative martyred herself out of her devout belief in a cause, and that sacrifice echoed down to her descendants, infusing them with arcane power. Your bloodline confers abilities that allow you to endure pain, resist torture, and inspire others.”

It would help explain the sword.

I agree with Martyred, though Vestige (descendant of Choral's armies?) or Fey might be appropriate, as well. Either one might also explain why he's on the run from the law.