DaWay's Kingmaker pt 1 - Stolen Land (Inactive)

Game Master DaWay

You finish travelling as far as you can for the day. You should arrive at the fort by sundown tomorrow. How does watch go?

You finish travelling as far as you can for the day. You should arrive at the fort by sundown tomorrow. How does watch go?

"I'll need some time to restore myself, and , of course that whole sleep thing, but let me know when you want me to keep a shift and I'll try. Can I have the first watch? I never was much of a morning person."

"I too need rest, but I'm fine with sitting a watch... if we each take a 4 hour watch, 3 watches, we'll all get at least 8 hours of rest. I'd be happy to sit first watch with you Adular."

Andular smiles, "I would like that. Thanks to my brother's misdeeds, you probably know far more about myself than I do about you."

Care to take the midnight watch with me, friend dwarf? Angeus asks Morgrym.

"That's probably true, though I'm sure there's a lot more about you than just your brother's failure to walk the straight and narrow path. As for myself, my life has been, well, relatively different from most. My mother was a wolf and my father her bonded ranger. Together they raised me. It was an idyllic childhood to say the least. I recall being very happy. Between the two of them, they raised me to be conscious of the heart of the woodlands and forests. It seemed natural that I would become a druid."

"It wasn't til I was almost a grown woman that I met my family of birth. I had to go live with them after that, and I missed the forests and my old life terribly. But I learned to admire my new family as well. But to be honest I was a bit in the way, as I presented an obstacle to inheritance, so I find myself here, where I am out of the way of my uncle's plans. My name is of little consequence here in the hinterlands, so you may call me Raven."

She is obviously leaving out many details from her tale, but that is the gist of it. She pauses in her telling as the hours of their watch pass.

"Why don't you tell me more of yourself? You have already proven that there is more to you than your brother's misdeeds. You put those creatures to sleep very handily. I was impressed. What other tricks do you keep hidden?"

"I like the name Raven. Smart birds ravens, and they do have an appreciation for pretty things. One snatched a piece of glass out of my hand once..." Adular smiles, "Pardon. I ramble. I was a gift, at least that's what mother says. My parents found me when I was just an infant. They said I was in a ring of mushrooms....isn't that odd? They were pioneers near the south border, ironically north of here. It wasn't an easy life, and we were..and are, poor, but they treated me with love." He looks at the sky, "I'm very lucky. Most such folks would have cast me off when my gifts arose. Not they, they waited me out with love and patience."

At the talk of his other tricks, he smiles with a bit of mischief, "And my gifts are minor, truly." He lays a crown of dancing lights on her head.

Raven smiles then breaks out in a very soft peal of laughter, not loud enough to draw attention or wake others while they watch... "That's lovely," she says, looking up at the lights.

"It sounds like you were indeed double blessed by the fortune of your gifts and also the love of a good family. I guess we have some shared background in that we were foundlings adopted by others. I had the luck of having been found by those I was born to be among by virtue of a birthmark that was seen and identified. Whether that luck was for good or ill, only time will tell, I guess. Perhaps someday you, too, might discover your full origins."

"As for your gifts being minor, I think putting a whole squad of those little lizard beings to sleep was a great deal more than just minor. I, too, have gifts, and they are minor indeed, but I think we are all just beginning to learn the arts which one day we wish to be great. I know I have much to learn to advance as a protector of nature."

Morgrym nods to Angeus

Morgrym starts setting up to cook
Need to include the others
"Before we camp, how about one of you mighty hunters go catch something with meat on it?"

"Anyone hear had training in Cartography except for me? Might make sense to map what we've seen."

I've hunted in these parts before , I think I noticed some game trails nearby, I will return shortly
Angelus grabs her crossbow and heads out into the brush.

Survival 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

"It sounds like you were indeed double blessed by the fortune of your gifts and also the love of a good family. I guess we have some shared background in that we were foundlings adopted by others. I had the luck of having been found by those I was born to be among by virtue of a birthmark that was seen and identified. Whether that luck was for good or ill, only time will tell, I guess. Perhaps someday you, too, might discover your full origins."

"A birthmark? Wh..oh wait, that question could be rude," He smiles, "And I suppose learning more of my past would be nice, but I know who I'll always think of as my true family."

"As for your gifts being minor, I think putting a whole squad of those little lizard beings to sleep was a great deal more than just minor. I, too, have gifts, and they are minor indeed, but I think we are all just beginning to learn the arts which one day we wish to be great. I know I have much to learn to advance as a protector of nature."

Adular blushes, "Half a squad at most, but I thank you." he cocks his head curiously as she describes her own gifts, "Does it scare you? Not knowing how great your power might get? And how many obligations that growing power might bring?"

She laughs again very softly so as not to awaken the others during first watch. "I don't mind, it's not rude at all. My birthmark is here." She pulls down the edge of her shirt to reveal a birthmark in the crook of her shoulder and just above her left breast, while still being demure enough not to show anything embarrassing. The mark looks vaguely like Gozreh's symbol of a leaf, with a single drop of water coming off of the tip. As quickly as she showed the birthmark, she pulls her blouse up again to cover the mark.

"While I will always think of Mist as my mother and father as my father, I cannot fail to acknowledge my new family as well. The parents of my birth died when I was a child, in the same event that sent me adrift on the river, so there is no conflict in who I think of as my parents, but now I have a larger family as well. I still see mother and father from time to time. That was a condition of me agreeing to stay with my new family. I would not have left my parents ever by choice."

"Actually, I hadn't thought of my developing abilities that way, as being scary that is. I guess because I hadn't considered growing obligations along with growing power, but you have a good point. I tend more to think of it as something to aspire to. My mentor was a powerful man and someday I hope to join him in sharing that level of power, but I never thought of it as scary. But then again, I have had a teacher rather than having my powers burst forth naturally. I can see where that could be really scary, especially not knowing where they might lead. Scary perhaps, but exciting as well. I would think it must be exhilarating to have such a mysterious power. How old were you when it first manifested?"

Adular admires the birthmark for the brief time is is shown, the nods when it vanishes, "I've seen tatoos that aren't as precise as that."

... but I never thought of it as scary. But then again, I have had a teacher rather than having my powers burst forth naturally. I can see where that could be really scary, especially not knowing where they might lead. Scary perhaps, but exciting as well. I would think it must be exhilarating to have such a mysterious power. How old were you when it first manifested?"

The sorcerer lets the dancing lights trickle into his palm "Truth to tell, they didn't scare me as a child when they first appeared. It was small things. I'd always been a mercurial 'odd' child. Lights spewing from me at rare times when I turned six or seven. Strange sounds later. And it was scary for my parents, but amazing fun for me. It felt natural, how things SHOULD be, no more wrong or odd than singing. But...innocence, or naivety fades when you grow up. I was fourteen... I was angry. A burst of light came out during a fight and I nearly killed someone who didn't deserve it." he sighs, "And THAT scares me. That the gifts will grow faster than my wisdom to master it." He looks profoundly sad.

But then he smiles again, "But enough about me. More about you, or your fellow explorers. Do you know them well? What do you think of them? I just met them."

Again she smiles and chuckles softly, shakes her head of jet-black hair slightly. "There's really not much to tell... I don't know them all that well, yet. Morgrym is stalwart and a good companion, he seems to be loyal and steadfast and with quite a good head on his shoulders where fighting is concerned. Not only that, he seems quite knowledgable... he knows a lot about a lot of things. A good person to have with us."

She pauses for a long moment before continuing. "Xerell I know very little about. He has the bearing of a young nobleman, and dresses like one as well, bears an Aldori dueling sword, which he is quick to brandish. He is something of an enigma as he claims no noble name or association that I know of. Perhaps we will learn more of him in time."

Matthias, now there's a piece of work. He is of House Lebeda and they are known for doing anything for profit, so perhaps he is here to make money, I don't know. I haven't had a chance to really talk to him about his aims and goals. He does seem to be of a generally good heart though, and I've never seen him do anything that would make me distrust him or his reasons for being here. So, that said, I will try not to let family feelings affect my opinion of him as a person. He is very strong, too. Like Xerell, he carries an Aldori sword, and of fine workmanship, my guess would be it's a family heirloom. To be gifted such is quite a distinction."

"Like you, I just met Angeus and know nothing about her. She seems to be quite agile and somehow likable, though I've really had no chance to speak with her really. It's just a 'feeling' I have about her."

She shakes her head again and looks over at Adular. "It seems we are all just getting to know one another, even though some of us traveled together a bit to get to the outpost, we barely got to know each other while traveling. Our first real test of ourselves as a band was against those bandits. I think we have a lot to learn about each other, and it may be that we will have some conflicts along the way in how to handle some things. Still, we seem to be a good group with a strong mix of abilities. I think we can learn to work together well, given a little time."

"So besides making pretty lights and sounds, and putting things to sleep, tell me young Adular... what other 'talents' do you have? You show me yours, I'll show you mine," she says almost coquettishly with a soft peal of laughter. "Well, don't waste them, 'tell' would be enough."

Adular listens to her words of each of their companions, finding it fascinating. "They are interesting to me. Our companions I mean. So many stories behind every set of eyes. Some will be harder to glean than others I'm sure. The mercy they've been willing to show, their own growing 'seeds' ... it makes me wish I were a bard. I'm sure there is a story in this." He says as he looks about keeping watch.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 4

"So besides making pretty lights and sounds, and putting things to sleep, tell me young Adular... what other 'talents' do you have? You show me yours, I'll show you mine," she says almost coquettishly with a soft peal of laughter. "Well, don't waste them, 'tell' would be enough."

Adular turns his gaze back to her, and blushes, "I have a truly wicked mind sometimes, but rather than risk a slap for foolish mouth giving voice to a fun but dirty thought..." He coughs into his hand, "I can create what one wizard told me was a 'magic missile'. I found it a rather drab name, and asked him if I could change it. He insisted that I certainly could NOT and seemed quite offended." A bit more mischief, "Which only made me want to change it all the more." He sighs, "It's my most lethal spell. I can also create a small spark, but no where near as damaging. I'm not terribly fond of the hurtful spells, but not everything in the wilds goes to sleep easily. Oh, and I can use a spell for minor ...well.. here."

He gestures, and any filth and grime of the days ride is off her in no time, as clean as if she'd had a bath, though she's perfectly dry.

Prestidigitation

"Oooh, thank you Adular... I feel so much better. Although I was raised in the wilds, I do love feeling clean and bathed. And without getting wet! Wonderful!... I wish I could do something like that for you, but my abilities are not so spectacular. I have so many choices for effects to bring forth each day. Today, I had selected a minor boost to someone's abilities, creating light, though not so pretty as your lights, and saving someone who is dying. I also can heal the wounded and cause plants to grab and entangle people in a large area. I can create an area of mist as well, and summon creatures to fight for me. Just minor summonings, but they come in handy in a pinch. Of course I only can do these more major things a few times a day, they are quite taxing."

"Magic missiles sound exciting. I don't see why you can't call them whatever you want. Perhaps your wizard friend was a bit too rigid in his thinking. My family had a couple of wizards in their employ and they all seemed a bit too stuffy for my tastes. Tolerable and useful, but not fun to be around."

She runs her fingers through her now-clean hair and smooths it down some, though it seems to have a spring to it and it flies about wildly around her head.

"Well, it's getting late, perhaps we should wake the second shift and get some sleep ourselves... it's been a joy talking to you." She leans close and gives him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, both for sharing and listening. Why don't you wake Angeus and I will wake Morgrym."

She moves over to wake Morgrym for his shift. She touches him lightly on the shoulder, sure that such a skilled fighter would need no more than such a touch to bring him to full wakefulness... Still she whispers, "Wake up, Morgrym, it's time for your watch."

Figure it's time to let the others have some rp time a little *weg*

"Amazing. I think your healing will be far more appreciated than my own tricks when the chips are down, and I look forward to seeing the plants come alive.." He grins as he imagines flowers beating up foes, "And you might be right. The wizard was 'precise' but stuffy. I think from now on I shall call the spell 'Bob'. If I remember to do so."

"Well, it's getting late, perhaps we should wake the second shift and get some sleep ourselves... it's been a joy talking to you." She leans close and gives him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, both for sharing and listening. Why don't you wake Angeus and I will wake Morgrym."

Adular rubs where she kissed and beams, "In the stories, you have to kill a dragon to get that from a lovely lady, not just wake someone. And thank you for sharing your story as well." He stretches a bit sleepily, nods and goes to Angeus.

"Psst.. Angeus.It's me, Adular. Please don't stab me but it's time for your shift."

We have been chatty. Hope folks didn't mind that :o

Not at all, been interesting to listen to... I didn't think we'd started watches yet, but I'm cool to skip past the "Angeus catches some rabbits and Grym cooks it" and go on with the story? Do wwe assume all the watch-pairs are talking? Should I assume M is sort of "half listening" to things?"

Well with that roll, I think I brought down an ox :)

Angeus returned with a brace of rabbits for Morgrym's stew. With a few noises of apology she lay down on her bedroll and was promptly asleep (she hadn't rested for quite some time ).

Waking to Adular's gentle prodding, she streched then said "Thank you Adular, I take it nothing eventful happened during your watch?"

Moving to the fire for some warmth, she said to Morgrym

Morgrym takes 10 on the cooking, so 13. A little plain, but passable.

After Angeus has something to eat and drink, he continues

As Angeus gratefully takes a bowl of stew and wolfs it down she says between bites

Indicating her pack, open, where cold weather gear can be seen as well as the climbing kit hanging from the side.

"Huh." says Morgrym, leaning in to look at the equipment.

Matthias will quietly get his things together and ready for bed, making sure that his horse has been brushed and is tied up nearby.
"I suppose I will take morning watch, then. Which I don't mind actually, I enjoy getting the horses ready for the day."

No tracks were found, there are no others sneaking up. Game is caught and cooked?

As far as exploring or travelling, I assumed travelling since you were concerned about getting to the fort is this correct?

Okay with travelling - just wanted to know.

Adular stirs only slightly in his sleep, muttering a bit.

Just posting for posting's sake. :)

Hearing Adular mutter in his sleep, Angeus sees he had kicked off his blanket. Adjusting the blanket do that it covers the mage, she then leaves the camp.

Going far enough from the camp do that her low light vision becomes effective, Angeus makes a transit around the camp, checking for any threats.

Perception. 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Stealth 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

The next day you continue on
2d100 ⇒ (87, 13) = 100

ok random encounter on the way to the bandit camp
1d100 ⇒ 87

In the distance as you close on to where you think the camp should be you see a faintly glowing ball of light bobs gently in the air, the nebulous image of what might be a skull visible somewhere in its depths.

actions

knowledge: everything but religion 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 (religion is +1)

"Pretty..." Adular says as he stares at it.

Knowledge-Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

if it's within 60' Raven will run 'spirit sense' on it - detects undead, fey, outsiders, astral, ethereal or incorporeal creatures.

All of you have no idea what it is.

Angelus slides off of her horse, and moving to the back of the group, enters the foliage and moved to a position where she has a concealed shot at the ball if it makes a threatening move.

Stealth 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

"Talking didn't work well last time, but..." He speaks again,

Oh dear lord no no no no don't do that.

Matthias tries to grab Adular before he can call out to the thing in Sylvan. "You fool! Don't try and needlessly provoke things in this region. Not everything is friendly, and not everything is within our power to defeat. There are times when stealth is our best friend, and I get the feeling this may be one of them."

He gets yanked back, and looks at Matthias, and his eyes narrow for a moment, "I KNOW all that, you pompous ..." then he closes his eyes and sighs, "I appreciate you are concerned for my safety, though your approach may leave something to be desired... that aside, fine. I leave it to you to learn more. Frankly, I get the feeling I should know more about this... that doesn't mean it's good, just I feel I should know more. Sadly, I don't. Go and learn about in the fashion you like since you don't like mine, and you're right, it could be very dangerous."

Knowledge(religion):1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

"I agree with Sir Lebeda, let us avoid it as we don't know what it is. Though we'll have to deal with these things eventually ,but I say we avoid hurting or giving ourselves away to the bandits."

Sorry for my non-response I am back online!

You can still see it in the distance near the river bed, a voice emanates in it's direction. The voice is cold and distorted Help me.....Help me.

"So. Is that thing actually asking for help? Or repeating what its victims say?"

"I'm not sure, but I don't trust it. I agree with Matthias... we should give it a wide berth and ignore its pleas."

"It does seem odd that we only heard the voices once Matthias and Xerell spoke of avoiding it and not before." Adular admits thoughtfully.

"Let not our curiosity distract us, it still might not of scene us and is calling out to somebody else or just emits that voice every few minutes or so? I think we should just avoid it." Xerell suggests as he looks around creature to see if it has other prey.

Perception:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

No other prey is seen

help...us....

C'mon, we aren't gonna go up against that thing lol. Don't try and TPK us already T_T

"Just... ignore it and let's move on. We have more pressing things to do. Like take care of that lady bandit and their camp. And some drunken Stag Lord character."

Tomorrow, the camp/fort.

"Alright," Adular says as he prepares to follow the group, "We know where it is now, maybe we can warn any innocents we see away from it."

Angeus sees the rest of the party take the discretion route and backs away from her position and rejoins them on the trail.