DM Talomyr's Kingmaker

Game Master Talomyr

"If you happen to have any magical gaming arrows, or at least mundane incendiary ones, that would be helpful." Rhiannon replies.

The trader scratches his chin, []b"Hmmm...might have a dozen or so magical arrows laying around. Haven't had much call for the incendiary ones, so can't say that I have any."[/b]

"I can let the magical ones go for 200 gold."

12 +1 arrow if you are still interested.

Can't hurt

"We can definitely make use of those!" Rhiannon responds affably. "Every little bit helps out there."

"Bokken left any healing potions in your inventory?"

"I've got a few, but not too many. Let me check." he says flipping through a ledger that must be his inventory list.

"Looks like I've got twelve. Normally, that'd be 50 gold each, but you folk I'll drop it to 45 gold each. "

Anything else here?

"Well, I don't want to buy you out of your entire stock, in case an emergency happens here. Say... six?"

"Six would be fine." Oleg says with a grin. "If you be needin' em though you are welcome to purchase the rest. Duncan should be bringing more in a few days."

If there is nothing else here. You've concluded your business with Oleg by mid-morning. Where to? Back to Elkmark? Restov? Say to the Hells with the whole thing and board a ship bound for Arcadia?

Now we need the alternate-universe adventure about Arcadia.

I'll take the other six.

Still unsure about how we are supposed to use the credit / purchase things for personal use, but I can afford this with the money left on my sheet from before, so not dipping into that fund in this case.

I had been assuming that you had been using the credit as a group resource and pulling from it as needed. I suppose you could split it into shares if you would like. Doesn't really matter to me.

That's what I did with everything else so far, used from the credit

"Alright, once we get everything we should plan our next step. A pop back to the Capitol until Bokken is done with the alchemist fire order maybe? Get our defenses in order and take care of some govern8ing details?" Rhiannon asks.

Also rebuild opportunity for you Azen.

Back to Elkmark as Rhiannon suggests...just need a second to carry the motion.

"Sounds good."

"Back to Elkmark," Tove agrees. "If memory serves correctly, Iomedae's faithful celebrate Armasse this week. Perhaps we take a leaf out of their book and teach our townsfolk a few self-defense moves while we're there."

I feel like we have arrived at the tense moment where we feel like we are underpowered to take on the trolls, but we've done all that we can in the meantime and we have to face-tank this encounter next.

The party, unsure of what fate has in store for them, but certain they are not ready to face the trolls head-on return to Elkmark.

The journey is a tense two days, filled with all the hand-wringing and worry that an impending invasion of a tribe of savage trolls brings with it.

When you arrive in Elkmark, you see Celeste and Kesten out in front of the fort with a combination of Celeste's former mercenary troop, Kesten's loyal men, and what appears to be nearly two dozen conscripts training.

Seeing your return, Celeste leaves running the nascent soldiers through drills to Kesten and approaches you.

"They're not much, but they're better than nothing." she says quietly to the returning counselors.

"A straight on attack is suicide, waiting here for the trolls to attack is nearly as bad. We need to engage in hit and run warfare to thin their numbers before allowing either of the other two options to happen."

The hunter nods in approval at Celeste's efforts. "Agreed. We just need to make sure that our efforts always draw the trolls further from Elkmark. We probably need to commit some horses to the effort as well. Trolls can cover a lot of ground and don't tire easily. To quote a bardic tale I once heard 'They just keep coming.'

So our job is not just to stop them, but also circle back far enough that our efforts don't inadvertently endanger the town. Where possible, I'll act as the final bait to make sure your forces can break off. Once they're a few hours off your trail, I'll just fly away in the opposite direction. I wonder if I can lead them into being eaten by something even bigger?" The elf ponders before grinning wickedly.

"The wilds are more your domain, Garethane." Celeste begins. "So, how do you want to handle this. We've managed to train up a dozen men while you were up north."

If you are going to go for the hit and run tactics to thin out the herd so to speak, I need to know who is going, where you want to set your ambush, and how you plan to go about it.

We probably need some scouting first, just to see what their habits are, right? If small groups break off to go foraging, and we can predict some patterns, then we'll be able to set up some ambushes.

"Agreed, sis. The best is if we can find some way to separate out one or two individually, hit them with concentrated missile fire and pole arm users, along with some of that alchemical fire," says Celebeth.

"Worse for us if they're moving in units. Bad news if we have to engage several trolls at once."

Still looking for the info I asked for above.

That's a plan for our general... who is an NPC... so... our ruler!

That is some fine buck passing, Celebeth ;)

I'm thinking we start with what Azen said, start scouting. A couple hours as a falcon using Greensight should net us some useful information to plan our initial strikes.

"Let me get out there and see where the closest patrols are. We'll either try a hit and run, lure them into an ambush, or if there are too many, just lure them away.

How many of those you trained have horses, Celeste? Mobility against those trolls will be important. I wonder it it would be possible to use an alchemical solution on some caltrops to keep them working for a while against trolls. Maybe heat metal? I just want to maximize the chance of our troops escaping if fleeing is necessary."

"If we can target small groups, then we should be able to take a few of them out, as tough as trolls are. Maybe start with those closest to our settled areas and move on from there." Rhiannon recommends.

Tove is very happy to let those more experienced in these things call the shots in this instance. She'll smile and nod along with whatever our General, Warden and Marshal have to say.

"Sounds good everyone. We can try to find a good spot for an ambush, or plan a hit-and-run assault on their nearest encampment. Once Garethane has a better idea of what they're up to we can decide on which tactic will work best. Once we know the size of their groups we can also decide whether Celeste and Kesten's men should be working in parallel to us against other small groups or serving as a reserve force for our own party."

"Most of them have horses." Celeste offers to Garethane's question. "I doubt many of them have any expertise fighting from horseback though if that is what you are getting at."

What's the scouting party and where (Hex number) would you like to start?

While the others remain back in Elkmark, making preparations for the inevitable fight with the trolls, whether that be as defenders or attackers, Garethane goes off in hawk form to perform reconnaissance.

Will relay what he finds pending the answer to the question in the discussion thread.

Garethane begins his hunt. Trying to make the most of his 12 hours of bird form a day, he leaves with the dawn.

Day 1
G5 (Elkmark)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (9) + 23 = 32

H5 (staying west of the lake)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (9) + 23 = 32

I4 (staying west of the lake)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (10) + 23 = 33

I3 (passing over the lizardfolk village)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (17) + 23 = 40

I2 (heading west)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (13) + 23 = 36

I1 (using Hodags lair as a waypoint to turn north)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (16) + 23 = 39

H1 (heading east)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (15) + 23 = 38

H2 (skirting the ruined keep)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (13) + 23 = 36

H3 (skirting the blighted grove)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (5) + 23 = 28

H4 (heading east)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (7) + 23 = 30

H5 (turning home)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (3) + 23 = 26

G5 (Elkmark)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (13) + 23 = 36

Day 2
G5 (Elkmark)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (8) + 23 = 31

H5 (heading SSW)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (7) + 23 = 30

I4 (heading SSW)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (10) + 23 = 33

J4 (heading W)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (12) + 23 = 35

J3 (staying well south of the dragon’s lair)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (8) + 23 = 31

J2 (using the troll camp as reason to head SE)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (13) + 23 = 36

K2 (heading east)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (8) + 23 = 31

K3 (heading east)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (19) + 23 = 42

K4 (turning NE)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (2) + 23 = 25

J5 (heading NNE)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (15) + 23 = 38

I5 (turning N towards home)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (17) + 23 = 40

H6 (heading N, but will shelter at Beldame if necessary)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (6) + 23 = 29

G5 (Elkmark)
Perception: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (20) + 23 = 43

Garethane's first day of scouting is largely uneventful for the first portion of the day, that is until he is just west of the, now destroyed, lizardfolk village, there he sees his first confirmed sightings. Seemingly on patrol, Garethane sees a group of four armored trolls. Hex I2 Continuing onward toward the Hodag's former lair, the hunter is dismayed to see another group of trolls on patrol, this time three of the hulking beasts.

Having encountered his first two groups of trolls in the region, Garethane turns north toward the ruined keep, but is pleased to see that the troll's patrols have not seemed to make their way this far north, nor does he see active trolls in near the formerly blighted grove but does see evidence that a raiding party of trolls had been through the region in the not-too-distant past. The remainder of the first day's scouting is uneventful as the hunter returns to Elkmark.

The second day of scouting begins much the same as the first, being largly uneventful until doing his best to skirt the dragon's lair. The hunter does his best to look like the innocuous bird he has taken the form of, but he does see something that truly disheartens him - it would seem the troll forces were strong enough to dispatch the dragon of the forest as he sees two trolls standing guard outside of dragon's cave - then the truly disheartening vison was seen, the dragon slithering out of the cave, paying little attention to the trolls - it would seem that the trolls and the dragon had made an alliance.

Further into the scouting mission was little better by Garethane's estimation, as he approached the supposed troll camp. Turns out the troll camp is really more of an ancient dwarven fortress that the trolls had made their own. No fewer than six trolls are seen around the fortress. The hunter then turns south to scout out the region but delightfully finds it to be currently free of trolls before ultimately arriving back in Elkmark well after sunset, but seeing no troll-sign for the remainder of his trip.

What would you like to do?

Once Garethane returns and gives his report, Celebeth frowns, then says, "Well, the good news is that they are moving about in small groups. Three trolls? We might be able to ambush such a group and eliminate it. The dragon's bad, though."

"I think... and this is just my opinion as a non-military expert... we ought to pick off a few of their small patrol groups before we see what we can do about some of the tougher nuts. At the very least it will help keep the border areas safer for travelers and small settlements."

"Agreed. We probably should plan to ambush the patrol of 3 near the Hodag's lair and then hunt down the patrol of 4 if it goes well. No guarantee we'll get a chance to deal with them in such small packs again once they start going missing.

Let's also take advantage of our long-range expertise. We should be starting the attack from a distance so that we can get in as much damage as possible before they can hit back.

"Agreed, starting with the smaller group and attacking from a distance is our best bet. That should give us an idea of what we're up against and we can use that experience to guide our approach in dealing with the group of four. It's definitely going to be in our best interest to deal with both patrols before word reaches the main camp... or the dragon."

Sounds like you have a plan. How soon do you want to leave and by what route will you be traveling?

If we take the Arrow we could travel by river to get to the Ruined Keep pretty quickly. I don't think there's much advantage to a night time attack against enemies who see better than us in the dark but if we set out before dawn we could try to be around the Hodag's lair by first light, or at least early morning. From Garethane's scouting it seems like the patrol was in the area around midday so we'd want to be set up by then assuming they keep roughly the same schedule.

Rhiannon nods, agreeing with the assessment of the situation and best tactical approach. "We should head out after the trio as soon as possible. By the time we're done with both groups, Bokken might be ready with the alchemist's fire, which we'll definitely need for either the dragon's lair or the fortress."

Kesten nods and turns to leave saying, "I will tell Godwin to get the Arrow ready to leave as soon as possible."

After Garethane's second day of scouting he arrived pretty late. I'm assuming you head out first thing in the morning of the third day.

Morning arrives and Godwin is at the docks, finishing up preparations to leave. "We'll get you all as far as we can. The rivers can get a bit shallow in spots in the Greenbelt, but hopefully we can make it all the way there." the surly captain states.

You set sail, heading southwest on the Tuskwater and onto the Shrike River before it feeds into Lake Candlemere. Turning your heading west you enter the Murque River near the remains of the lizard folk village. After a few rough spots where you question if the Arrow was going to make it though shallow waters you can see the silhouette of the ruined keep off to the west as the sun begins to set.

I have reset the Roll20 Map to the Ruined Keep map. What would you like to do/how are you going to set your ambush? What time of day etc.?

I think we want to avoid a night battle, although we may use the cloak of night to move into place. Even creatures that can see in the dark can only see so far. As far as where to set the ambush? I guess that would depend on the path of travel for both our party and our quarry. From which direction will the trolls approach the keep?

When you saw them during your scouting mission, they were headed south, back towards the fotress, so depending on how far they range they could be coming from the north on a return trip or from the south if they are just starting their rounds.

I can prepare additional invisibility spells to get our warriors into melee range without eating AoOs from reach, if desired.

I don’t know how I missed it but I can prepare Sun Metal to give someone +1d4 fire damage on their attacks. I could drop some additional 1st level spells to get a few more castings but it’s only a 6 round duration so I can’t spend too long before the ambush setting up.

That could be useful since any fire damage negates their fast healing.

I had actually suggested continuing on to the Hodag's lair, but if we know they'll pass through here the keep would make a good place for an ambush. We can all keep watch from the upper floor and hopefully spot them coming with enough time to get into a better position downstairs.

Those who take Celebeth's Invisibility can move into a flanking position and try to herd the trolls towards the keep, where Tove can cast Sun Metal for whoever wants that before we engage them.

How's that sound? And who wants to be in which group?

Sounds solid to me. Rhiannon will be with the non-invisible group waiting to engage directly. Should be able to get a shot or two off before the close, and Sun Metal will be perfect with an Estoc

Do we need someone to shoot at them from the second floor or the roof? If so, I volunteer for that.

Sorry Tove, I guess I misread that. If it's any consolation, the ruined keep is a far more defensible position. Is the intent to try and catch them going out on their rounds or coming back from their rounds?

If we catch them earlier in the day it will give us more time to catch the other patrol before anyone noticed this one isn’t coming back. That said the tower here offers a good view in all directions so whether they’re coming or going we should still have a good chance of spotting them with enough time to get set up.

Unless we hear otherwise from them, I’d propose Garethane join Celebeth in the invisible group and Kalaman join Rhiannon and Tove. If we go with that, Tove will drop Divine Favor and Shield of Faith when preparing her spells for that day, freeing up three slots for Sun Metal. She’ll hang on to Bless and cast that on the whole party before splitting up once the trolls are spotted.

Tove, that sounds like a great plan. I'm in.

Stealth, FF(Owl): 1d20 + 12 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 4 = 23

The gathered Councilors keep watch from the central tower of the keep, allowing for a good, long view of the surroundings.

Mid-morning, as you all are starting to get a bit bored with the whole thing, Garethane notices movement in the trees to the south, shortly afterwards, a group of four trolls emerges. Three look like the standard sort, but they are being led by one that is armored and carrying a massive greatsword.

The trolls are currently 400 feet from the outer walls of the keep and don't really seem to be paying the keep much mind. What would you all like to do?