GM Aria's Kingdom Come - The Stolen Lands (Inactive)

Game Master Hu5tru

CLAIMING THE 1000TH POST FOR THE GLORY OF GORUM!

(Stanislaw here. Just wondering if we should head to the Staggy Lord of pew pews immediately, or keep back for a while. As I have GMed this before, I know that the AP wants us to be lv3 before we even attempt...)

I say we do a bit more exploring, so as to find the lay of the land & any more patrols. I still have a few queries for the prisoners but that can be done on the road. Anyway RL game now.

Bless me.

My freaking insane former KM GM here thinks that Paizo is going to steal his "revolutionary" adaptation to KM which put 4 level 2 characters up against a level 7 oracle with the dark tapestry ministry that he could not even run correctly, not to mention some freaking half dragon princess bullcrap.

I... am absolutely flabbergasted about the amount of bullcrap he has done to absolutely ruin this game both in spirit and mechanics, and he thinks that Paizo is going to steal his content.

"proud of my stuff as a writer and a gamer," he writes. Such absolute h*rsec*ck.

*shakes head*

When I read that, it just made me feel that all the work I've put into making this an enjoyable game for you all and keep to the content makes me less of a GM than that piece of sh*t.

Aria you are doing amazing heck wish our games all ran like yours makes us bored going to our rl game when we know we have yours to come home to

I'll second that, you are really bringing this game to life. I can planly see the effort and passion that you are putting into the game. I am really having a great time, and the other players are amazing too.

Hey guys, my mom is going to the hospital for emergency surgery, her appendix needs to be removed, and my brain is kinda scattered. Might get a post up tonight, but don't expect it.

Oh man, that happened to me when i was 7. Best Wishes to you and yours.

Thanks for the kind words guys. My mom is not a young lady, which is what I am worried about most. Rational brain knows the surgery is pretty routine, irrational brain is worried about recovery.

Also thanks for the response about the game. I didn't recognize until I got into my own KM game without a**holes the challenges presented when GMing this game. My party has a paladin, so we know that the bandits are evil, I gotta convey that through their dialog. These ain't nice guys you're sparing, but they do have use.

Then again, how much evil can a level 1 warrior spread without an organization supporting him?

I am glad that you guys are enjoying the game. You guys make running it worth it. Smart players with good ideas challenge me to think on my feet, so to speak. You're going to be challenging my NPCs as well, as this idea is something that Jhod can get behind. Really wish I had a cleric of Sarenrae there to assist, but that'd be a little too convenient.

Whelp, that proves I can think again. I will sit on the bandit's response a bit longer, though, if you don't mind terribly. Writing evil without being Snidely Whiplash requires effort.

Nah, it's fine. The bandits dialogue is really great. I am loving the way with Ali I can actually try to be compassionate with the bandits even though they don't deserve it. Whereas in RL games when I try the compassionate long game it always ends up sort of taking too much time away from the table. And i like the fact that although they are evil murdering, raping bastards, we could try to convert them rather than have a paladin say to string them up. It will also be very interesting when we meet non-humanoids (esp. 'evil' ones), for the reaction!

It could be interesting to try and convert them or at worst make then into a sort-of Merc band/ underworld rogues.

Anyway, as i said when i had my appendix out, a couple of decades ago, i was out of hospital within a fortnight and that's when it actually burst. So anyways hope you are coping.

You make the game worth playing Gm Aria :) I am loving this game, the detail, the character behind each and every person you bring in.

Your mother will be in my thoughts, and I pray for the best for you and her.

I have put a Party Loot Spoiler in Ali's Profile, i will go back through the thread and put all the stuff in it if thats alright. Tam the shares of money you gave out, did you liquidate any of the treasure for it (Silver Earrings). Just so as i know not to remove them.

Sorry ali just now saw this post no i didnt liquidate any of it just the gold we found on bandits, kressel, and the loot

General question for you all. Would you like me to make profiles for your regular NPCs? Kesten, Jhod, Kayla? Or is it okay just to keep everything under my GM profile?

General question for you all. Would you like me to make profiles for your regular NPCs? Kesten, Jhod, Kayla? Or is it okay just to keep everything under my GM profile?

** spoiler omitted **

Seeing as you already have a metric f*ck-ton of profiles, why not? Your GM profile is gonna be cluttered otherwise, if you are going to make such profiles for each and every NPC that is gonna matter.

Edit: Posted. I am also saying we should explore a little more, especially the areas where the bandits will likely approach.

Lawyering is scary business. The document more or less gives us legal grounds to do whatever we want, with some creative interpretation.

Was thinking about Tam's post, how we are kinda acting like legally sanctioned slavers, if you strip away the "illusion of choice".

I feel that good (and particularily LAWFUL good) people are not only obligated to do what they can to help people. But good is a motivation, and a force, not a straightjacket. As Stanis is willing to trust these people, and offer them a chance, he is also willing to end those who oppose the forces of good and order with their every fiber. Like the maxim goes "All that is needed for evil to win, is for good men to do nothing", something an int18 scholar realizes rather well.

However, I think it is very much within the line of reasoning of Tam's character to think in such lines, as he is likely not reflecting on the forces of good and evil, have little grasp on how the forces of the cosmos works, and have spent much of his time having fun and learning his skills. A chaotic good character will often focus more on practical freedom and self-determination than greater society, as empathy usually trumps empirical evidence in such characters. (Just like how I play my chaotic gorum cleric, who doesn't even acknowledge "civilized" society as a viable way of life, hamstringing its common people by keeping them powerless.)

Good and decent folk should strive to oppose evil. Preferably by redeeming those who are not corrupted enough to be swayed completely (low level people who don't even detect as evil with the Detect Evil spell) and destroying the truly corrupted (people who DO radiate evil when detecting them, especially the truly vile ones who live and breathe evil, like evil clerics, evil outsiders, undead and such).

At least that is how I perceive good. Lawful: Kind and dependable, but stern. Neutral: Your average goody-two-shoe that will try to make the best for everyone. Chaotic: Has his own take on good, and follows his heart.

Hey guys. My folks should have been home from the hospital earlier and are not, and I've gotten no update call. Brain is too scattered to read like a GM much less shore up something to move this story along.

Might just have a pause until things are less chaotic, if that is all right with you all. I don't relish the thought of half ass GMing just to keep things moving.

No that's sensible. More sensible than having beer, JD, rum, american chilli & watching 'Chinatown' & 'Dark City', bleurgh.

Wishing you and your family the best, hope everyone is great ASAP (you deserve it).

So, how about we move east, North east, then north west into Oleg's Hex. This only takes us through plains and will mean that we can arrive there between 15-24 hours travelling. So withn the next day or two depending upon our speed? It also keeps us away from the fey and allows us to look after our 'Pastel Ponies'.

My mother's appendix ruptured and did some damage, but she's all fixed up. She was supposed to be released yesterday but her blood pressure was too low. Shooting for this morning, but my brother and his family (my two nephews who are 5 and 3 years old) are coming for a visit, today. It's going to be chaotic till it's not.

Kay guys, gonna take tonight off as well to calm down, and then be restarting this thing in the morning with the bandits answer to your proposal.

Good?

totally understand GM Aria, if you need to take mroe time off, i completely understand on my end. I'll hope for the best and your mother's speedy recovery :)

ALrighty, basing the document off what Stannis wrote with Addendums/Revisions; although as a CG illiterate Ali' says "Bah, what a load o' Poppycock"

"By the power vested in me by the Dragonthrone Mandate, fourth paragraph, I hereby offer you full pardon for your crimes, pending a three year reformation period wherein you will abstain from any criminal behavior in order to prove the validity of your conformation. In this time, we are obligated to provide food and shelter, as well as meaningful employment that might sustain you when the reformation period is over. Failure to heed these terms will be judged on an individual basis, and may lead to a termination of this contract in cases of grievous assault or worse.Upon which the pardon may be rescinded, with the subsequent execution of justice forthwith; provided proof of failure of adherance."

"Food and shelter to be reasonable and maintained by competent persons without interference from the signatories. Work to be defimed as that which does not put the signatory into significant danger of injury, unless liablility is due to signatory negligance. Although, voluntary hazardous work can lead to a reduction of the reformation period. This period can also be reduced by Order of the Appointed Brevoy Nationals that authorised this document. The reformation period cannot be extended, unless the signatory renegs on the ablove conditions of the accords."

Or something like that, really Stannis was perfect just putting in a couple of clauses so we cannot send them off to die.

I meant like figuring out what sort of jobs they would be doing for you. Ranging in the forest for food, providing security like Matis and Devlin, what? I mean, you've essentially the components for a roving patrol here. With Stanis's diplomacy rolls, you guys might even be able to split the party between you guys after you take on the Stag Lord and have two parties doing the exploration parts of this AP.

That's what I meant about particulars.

wait are we saying we are attacking the stag lord now? noooo thank you

ah, no, Ali has suggested you head back to Oleg's for the moment. What you guys as a group decide to do is up to you. You still have that "treasure map" location in the kamelands, which is on the way to the Stag Lord, and you've dealt with Mites before.

Regarding the contract: If the bandits don't KNOW any trades, they will be given the choice of unskilled labor (aka the worst spot on the food chain) or go out and range for food, or serve as guards. In a case of attack, they should all be doing their best to defend their new residence. Stanis is all about reforming people, but he will under no circumstance agree to coddling former criminals.

We should head back to the trading post to drop them off, I think. A larger party moves slower, and requires a lot more food. Then we can pawn off some crap and place some orders for better gear, like armor upgrades, and a shield for Mord, as he took EWP (Bastard Sword). We should be able to load the rest of the unused gear up on horses and haul it up to the post.

I agree with that the bandits should have to defend with their lives, just we shouldn't force them to attack. Although the idea of a small militia (dirty dozen) does appeal, especially if they can be loyal to 1 person (rather than Brevoy in general).

The bandits will probably end up having to do farm work, or some labour (fixing up Olegs). But if we can get them to start learning a craft that would be advantageous. The main thing is to ensure that they work hard; but are fulfilled with having achieved something so that they don't rebel.

At Olegs we might have to see if there are more horses, 'cause ours are ponies (unless that magic/trick has expired; boo). Then we can have a bit more talking and i think maybe try to explore the plains to the South, working towards the Kamelands?

I say we expand towards/into the kamelands in a wide swath, so we don't miss any dangerous monsters or bandit cells that might give us a headache when returning to lick out wounds when exploring later.

This plan, concerning both the bandits and future exploration seems good to me :) Having the bandits perform hard labor will both give them something to do and hopefully encourage them to work harder to earn their daily bread and feel good doing it. Kesten and the guards would have to watch over all of them, true, but at least they would be able to maybe help defend Oleg's against an attack if we weren't there to assist.

Also, I have yet to finish leveling up Mordecai :( very very sorry I am finishing that now. I had to rearrange a lot of stuff lately, and will have it done posthaste.

** spoiler omitted **

:) I referred you to him Ali :)

Geez Mord, gimme work to do this morning, huh?

I was just talking to Stanis about modifying the bandit's standard stat block some... probably won't, but if you guys are willing to put in the effort to train them to be useful to you I could "level" them (in an NPC class) and give em a little diversity.

Will require some thought, though. But I will get back to you on the IC as quickly as I think I am able to given the enormity of the task.

Oooh, yay, hubby is home. *bounces*

lolz sorry there Gm Aria ^^ didn't mean to add more to your workload

Ali Harper wrote:

** spoiler omitted **

:) I referred you to him Ali :)

LOL within hours, I have 2 more games (that one & a RL Exalted game). Although it looks like my RL Deathwatch game might have died. Time to create characters.

I'm still on crap posting. I'm sorry you guys are having to deal with me being gone, but I'm still around. Reading on my phone all the time, posting when I can.

No worries, James. Trying not to power ahead without your input. I think the general consensus is to go to Oleg's, so you'll have time to make James's thoughts known.

I actually didn't comment on that in thread, but it's James' best idea too, so yeah on that.

Okay. So... Going back to Oleg's. Ali's plan is to go back through the plains hexes. Do you just want to ride back with all these guys, or are you going to be leading your ponies?

hah. totally forgot about your technicolor ponies.

I'll think on a response to James's contribution in a bit. The long play of redeeming bandits is going to be a bit of a challenge, I really have to think on how it is going to work, because these guys are NOT adventurer material to take PC class levels.

To be honest, didn't think the bandits really were PC sorts but a few levels of Warrior makes a good NCO. A few levels of adept is a workable priest...not that these bandits are suddenly going to get a few levels; but this AP is about the long game.

'The best way to defeat your enemy is for them to become your friend' (approx) A. Lincoln

Yeah, I know that this is a long game, but I had not prepared for you guys taking an interest in reforming the bandits.

We did at table, championed by my Cleric of Sarenrae, but it was generally assumed that that is what she did in her down time. Now I have to wonder how much down time each of ya'll will have, and/or have to figure how you're each going to approach this, point by point. Or I can just say, "yeah, when you're around Olegs you spend X amount of time with the bandits if they're there to check on them, and help them develop skills."

See, long game issues which, right now, are a bit of a press.

Yeah, I know. With my RL generic d&d game, my twinked-out PC* has been quested to form an order of Knights, develop a cadre secret fighting troops, as well as rediscover an ancient God & priesthood. Along with doing the Cartography, taking notes on the evil factions, consolidating the equipment looted and having to reforge a sword. This during the Age of Worms adventure path & a rise of Orcus one. Thus the rest of the group won't even give me 2 weeks downtime to try and achieve anything or train for my next level.

My favorite PC to play right now is my Sorc/Druid that I'm taking MT in the DM Hamied's Jade Regent game. Really, it's probably my favorite game to run in right now, even if it is quite slow at times. All of the players keep IC for the most, and there's crazy tension between all of us as we're slowly breaking down from being forced to run around in this freaking swamp all day. Our casters are out of spells and we have to find the people we love who have just wandered into undead and witch infested wilds alone...

Kay guys, just want to check with you that it's okay that the bandits still have access to their gear. Since you chose to save them and are going to reform them, I am giving Lem an opportunity to participate in this likely very easy battle as he would likely have his bow near him at all times.

So... yeah, let me know if you would rather they not have access to their weapons, and I'll take him out of the initiative table.

No problem on my part. If someone was planning to stab us in the back, I am sure one of our SM senses would be tingling for a hunch.

Agreeing with Stannis. They can have their weapons as one of us was on guard as well ANd why not it shows we 'trust' them. And if they wanted to run off it would at least give them a fighting chance.

Not gonna make a problem of it but James would not want those men to have weaponry. Just making a point of it. He wouldn't fight too hard.

James's objection has been noted by the GM.

Will get started on a post immediately. Had to eat.

I killstole? YEAH! WHO THE CROSSBOW MASTA!? :P

Yeah, unfortunately, Tuskgutter is a scripted encounter... although if I roll more freaking boar encounters I might just move him up. It's kinda silly that they have a boar as a scripted encounter, in my opinion.

"Oh noes! You meet a wild animal in the woods!"