GM Darkblade's Kingmaker Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master GM Darkblade

"Echo—we've only been chasing him for all of ten minutes. Let's at least spend an hour tracking the fiend, and if we still can't find him, head out."

There is the good point that we don't want to spend a ton of real time doing what is essentially walking down a tunnel. I'd like to see this resolved so we can get back to our mission quickly, but I also don't think our characters would give up after only ten minutes in the tunnels—maybe make a coupe rolls for us, and tell us if we catch the shaman or not?

It is resolved. He is supposed to get away. We may see him again someday. But, the idea is that that this is too dangerous for heroes at this time.

The shaman and his allies seemed wholly incapable of dealing with this guy at all. I'm not sure if this was because he's more powerful than them and they would just crumble if he showed up, or if it's a conceit to let the players try and take him out, but I want to be careful until we actually hear something, especially when it looks like he hasn't gotten away, and we're right behind him, but the DM is busy for a few days.

"Baron Echo, are you certain? Shall we not try to eliminate this threat while the opportunity is at hand. Lest the snake return to but us when are unwary on another day." he says as the looks to the Baron for further instructions, hoping that the elf may be able to track the little fiends.

"With due respect, this caster nearly handled our entire party. The Kobolds can't handle swarms and magic of that magnitude. Look at this silver mine! This is no small operation milord. We need to secure the mine and it comes with willing workers. Let us find and finish this false chief and secure the financial health of our realm."

DM, if it is an obvious point to waive off I missed it. Please let us know.

We also killed his skeletons, survived his illusion and his swarms, chased off his rat and damaged his familiar. He's probably running low on spells for the day, and we're not.

I totally agree! Also we need a ranger ;)

OK, out of game knowledge here. Three points for you to consider and make your decisions.

1) The shaman is likely a sorcerer. He did summon a couple of swarms and cast an illusion of a kobold. His skeletons were likely created previously, from their aged appearance, so may not have detracted from his slots for the day. He was hiding behind the screens in his chambers, watching the group. He was able to run through the tunnels as he knew the path to take, the party had to move slower trying to track him.

2) It is likely that someone came this way recently, but Ayerth's survival check only barely noticed the scuffing on the hard stone surface. The track is small, approximately right for a kobold. You can attempt to follow the trail up the path, checking for risks as you go, but that would allow the escaping chieftain to put further distance between you. If you rush, you run a risk of facing a fall from the path, down to the river below. Kobolds are well known as trap crafters.

3) You are all now on a small metal ledge, overlooking the river below, about to follow a rough, narrow path up the cliff face to the ridge above. The path is 300' long, rises about 70' above your current position, and you are now about 80' above the river surface, which is rocky and jagged along the shore, with a small slag pile still evident below the platform.

Let me know how you all vote to proceed, or not...

I'd vote to press forward, but carefully. Silas wants to help the kobolds, but he's not going to risk rushing and falling, because that seems super dangerous.

I vote to chase as well. From an out of character perspective, it's the only way to Really get this little guy's story... and he seems an intriguing figure. He's not a typical kobold at all. From an in character perspective, unless we catch him, he'll show up later to cause more trouble, and I think we currently have enough on our plate for that. :)

And it's moments like this that I wish I could brachiate.

Ayerth looks over his companions.

"Baron, we made a promise as a council to these kobolds. We must proceed and see this through."

"I'm with everyone else we should follow and finish what we came to do!" "Just think if we do not go though with this what does that say about our kingdom?" "I will lead the way and look for the dangers ahead"

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"Irakli, we can link one another with rope and I can follow after you. I believe I have the sharpest eyes in the troop."

"Sounds good...."

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The path is quite narrow, covered in patches of loose scree, smooth rock, and the occasional outgrowth of wild flora. The trail is roughly between two to three feet from cliff face to path edge. Irakli moves to the head of the group, followed in single file by Ayerth, Ser Brandon, Silas, and Orin. Baron Echo remains behind on the iron platform, accompanied by your kobold associates. Irakli moves slowly, stopping every minute or so to scan the path ahead for signs of danger. The troop runs rope lines one to another, hoping to hold each together should someone slip and fall from the track.

Perception Check 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 Irakli notices a weakening of the soil and stone at a point roughly 75 feet up the pathway, partially hidden by a patch of cliff grass. The ledge looks ready to give way depending upon how much weight is placed upon the stones. Disable Device instead of Knowledge Engineering: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 He suggests perhaps setting up a rope relay will allow individuals to pass the weak spot, or climbing along the cliff face itself to avoid the path, or jumping the roughly 8 foot section of path in that area. He decides to simply jump the stretch, without attempting a running start. Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12. He fails to reach the full distance, landing on the weakened area and lunging forward Reflex Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13, missing the far edge by a few inches. He attempts to grasp at the cliff wall to slow his fall, Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25, with Ayerth attempting to hold fast to the line. Strength Check: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8 but finding himself jerked from his feet by the sudden shift in weight and pull. Reflex Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 The elf slides to the edge of the track, taking rough drag and Rock Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 while Irakli smacks against the cliff face, taking Slam Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 1) + 2 = 6 and finds himself barely clinging to the cliff roughly 10' below the ledge, the wizard struggling to hold him up. Ser Brandon and the others can attempt to pull together to assist/aid another the elf in raising the rogue, but Ayerth will make the primary check as he is the pivot point closest to the dangling Irakli.

Aid another (strength check?): 1d20 ⇒ 7

Orin braces himself and leans away, hoping to add his weight and strength to Ayerth's attempt to avoid certain death.
Aid Another: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

lol

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I can't climb well, I can't jump well, I'm not particularly strong. We do no have particularly keen eyes in the group. This task was not meant for us to succeed. It was meant for us to die. Again I implore you, help Irakli up, and lets return to safety. The job is as complete as we can make it at this time. If the false chief comes back, we can come back as well.

Aid another: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Strength Check: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Oh Shit! TPK via crumbling trail!

Starts praying lol

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Irakli Climb Check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 vs DC 25 natural cliff wall, not aided by the rope since it is not anchored well yet.

As the others struggle to hold the line, Irakli struggles to find purchase and maintain his grasp on the cliff face. Pulling on the line only serves to drag the others closer to the edge. He looks up as Ayerth's feet now dangle precariously from the jagged stones, the elf desperately calling to his friends to hold steady.

The rogue attempts another shot at Climbing: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6, again finding the surface too weather worn for good purchase, the line barely holding him from falling to the ground below. His struggles serve to elicit a shout from Ayerth, as the wizard's legs to the knees now hang above, scuffed and scraped against the ledge, the elf nearly flat on his back from straining to stay on his perch.

At this point Ayerth has lost the struggle to be the primary anchor. He may Aid Another but the next in line is now anchor, and will make the Strength check to pull Ayerth back and keep Irakli from falling lower down the cliff, or at least not pulling the rest of you over with him. Ser Brandon, dig deep, it is your turn to shine. Everyone else, give him your all in support.

To recap, Irakli is dangling by the guide rope tied to everyone else, hanging about 10' below the trail. Ayerth has slid to the edge of the crumbling trail, his legs dangling over the side. He is straining against Irakli's weight, while the thief tries to gain purchase on the rock face but cannot find a good hand or foothold thus far.

Ser Brandon is next in line, anchoring his position with his legs and weight against being pulled further. He will need to make a Strength check to maintain the position or to attempt to back down the trail, thereby lifting Irakli in the process. Ayerth and the others, with the exception of Irakli, may make Aid Another checks to pull as well. Ayerth's check will be at a -2 penalty due to his compromised position. Irakli does not have a good hold and cannot assist, he is dead weight on the line at this point.

After the checks are made, Irakli can again try to either scramble for position on the cliff wall or possibly climb the line, should it be taunt and holding.

Aid another: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8

"Well . . . <<<pant, pant>>> . . . this is quite the predicament . . . <<<grunting and straining>>> . . . A little help here gents. Put your backs into it now, before we all go over the edge."

Silas, new assist: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Am I far enough back to anchor my line to the metal platform?

"Kurgess! Give me strength!" he cries out as he pulls with all his might, summoning all the strength in his body.

Strength Check: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Aid Another: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Orin redoubles his efforts by spreading his feet further apart to lower his center of gravity for leverage.

Echo is too far back to be connected to the others, who are 70-80 feet away.

Ser Brandon and Orin manage to dig deep, heaving heartily to the line, drawing it taunt and tight. They manage to take a few steps back, giving Ayerth some space to try and stand once more. Irakli feels the line pull him up, raising him a few feet closer to the ledge. At this point he can attempt to either climb the line, pulling against the others, or again try to gain a grasp of the wall and raise himself that way, avoiding risking the others.

Tries again to find a hold on the cliff. Reaches out
Climb Check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

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Second Climb Check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13, try as he might, Irakli fails to get a solid hold upon the cliff face. He will need to either allow the others to pull him up, or risk pulling against the rope and climbing up it to the ledge.

"This is looking perilous. Good Job Sir Brandon that's the spirit."

"Irakli, I could summon a giant spider to web you and then help you climb up. What do you think? Are we there yet?"

"Sounds good to me if you think it could help"

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"I believe I can summon a spider today as well."

Does that solve our dilemma enough to get us out of here alive?

I hope it can

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Can either of you summon an earth elemental to climb down and carry irakli up, or that irakli could use as a ledge, or that we could tie the rope to, to use as the anchor?

With Earth glide, an elemental should be able to pop a limb out of the wall and drag them back up like an elevator.

A small elemental's 16 STR, combined with Earth Glide and Improved Bull Rush, suggests the elemental might be able to appear out of the cliff face beneath Irakli and surge upwards, shoving/propelling the rogue towards the ruined ledge. At that point Irakli should be able to make a Reflex Save to land safely on the trail.

Earth Glide does not indicate an elemental can actually walk on ceilings or up vertical inclines, but I think this option would be viable at least with the spirit of intention. It also does not specifically state that elementals can remain embedded in stone, reaching out partially or only to attack, unless you would like the DM to add that trick to his arsenal the next time the group faces fey controlled elementals. I am sure it will not cause any To Hit or AC issues for a hearty band of heroes.

The first option sounds fine then...

Ayerth summons a giant spider. It's twelve eyes calculate the distance and the spindles project a web at the floundering elf.

to hit: 1d20 ⇒ 19

The giant arachnid then climbs up the cliff face to add its strands to the effort.

Orin has a small flash of insight, and mutters to himself, "I wish this had occurred to me sooner."

Visualizing a climbing hammer, Orin grabs his any-tool from the hook on his belt, and continues to brace himself, now using the tool for additional stability.

Continuing to aid.
Aid Another: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 1 + 2 = 22

"You all good enough for me to try and climb the rope?

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Please do so

"Ready yourself" Tries to climb up the rope.
Climb Check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

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Ser Brandon heaves to on the line, aided by Orin. Strength Check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 The pair give a hearty tug, the line coming closer to the ledge as Irakli, sticky and covered in webbing, remains bound to the length, his head clearing the top, coming into view. Silas calls to Ayerth, who reaches down and grabs hold of the mass of webs and elf, tugging enough that the sticky mass adheres to the stone surface.

Chagrinned and dirty, Irakli frees himself from the strands, stray pebbles, loose scree, bits of sage brush all clinging to him. Shaking some of the dust from his locks, re-affixing the mask upon his face, the elf is grateful to again be on more solid footing.

I do not think spider webs work like you think spider webs work, albeit I will allow it if only to get your group past this.

Irakli turns to the others, So what now, do we try to cross and continue after the kobold chieftain?

"I think... perhaps we were overeager. With any luck, maybe he will have a similar fall."

"At this point perhaps it is better to think of turning to the defensive. We have driven the pretender out, lets help those loyal to the shaman dig in. Perhaps we can cave in this exit and set a few traps for the pretender if he returns."

Looks over the edge of the trail "Yea I think that will be best"

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If we can safely cave it in, then we absolutely should.