
GMTrex |

State your intended course of travel (noting any planned exploration), and the road shall beckon.

Taranis Redleaf |

37, 38, 79, 80, 81 (I believe, but I'm too tired to CTRL+F) 75. Holding out on exploring for mapping for the moment.

Humble John Fletcher |

John shoulders his pack, hugs his boys and sternly reminds them to make him and their mother proud. "Behave, young Fletchers. this last with a focused eye under raised brow to roguish Erasten...
He follows Duke Redleaf to the gate, then hustles ahead to scout the way towards the indicated objective.

Unrak "Dreadful Bear" Redleaf |

Unrak seeks a belt of Giant Str (+2)
high is good: 1d100 ⇒ 96
and finds it! With trading in his weaker Ring of Prot and magical Scale mail, the net cost is 2,400
Unrak, now wearing a shining breastplate and a thick belt of ox hide, rides alongside his brother.
I'd like to keep my main sword AND the Feybane bastard sword, if no one objets

Taranis Redleaf |

No objection

Bytor Sniegsun |

"Bytor, your silvered tongue is better than anything we have in the Marchlands. Currently my brother performs our diplomatic duties, but I'd like to use him for things more suited to his own skillset. I'm formally inviting you to stay part of our group, to make a home here in Solasgaard, and to act as our Grand Diplomat. What say you?"
Bytor smiles at the offer and recognizes his new calling in life.
"My Lord, I would be most honored." Bytor replies with a graceful bow.
--------
"Bytor, pray tell me when you've confirmed Ervil's return. Jemanda promised a wand of curative magic, and I fear that such a treasure will be needed as we expand..."[/b]
• Bytor makes sure the Ervil finds a safe return to Oppara.
• Bytor seeks out Jemanda and tries to acquire several wands of cure light wounds to help with healing.
---------
• As a grand diplomat, Butor works to convince the three infighting factions to pursue mediation, and to placate the riled fey.

GMTrex |
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Housekeeping:
1. Taranis Redleaf holds the title of Baron. He has not been conferred the title of Duke (yet).
2. Jemanda (who is in Oppara) promised a wand of find traps. You can reasonably expect to receive this in about a month.
3. If you wish to acquire curative wand(s), you must roll for them. As always, a 1 to 75 on a d100 means you succeed in finding the desired item, and a 76 to 100 means you fail. I strongly recommend that the party pool financial resources rather than saddling Bytor alone with that expensive responsibility.
4. I will reiterate the request to use the above rolling method for d100 rolls. I do not want to be irksome about it, so I will not make an issue of the roll of 96 above for the Belt of Giant Strength, but please adjust for the future.
At the east gate of Solasgaard, the company gathers to bid farewell. Tess has elected to accompany Ervil back to Oppara to ensure his safe return, and to seek answers to the mysteries of the still-throbbing stone implanted in her skull. Meanwhile, Marc has decided to take up a guardianship at the Temple of the Elk, taking some personal time to commune with his god.
The other five---Taranis, Unrak, Augrym, Bytor, and John---turn east along the Gudrin River. On [color=teal]18th Kuthona[/color], they reach Lake Silverstep and its promised bounty of eels. The shores surrounding the lake consist of idyllic swaths of nettles, cattails, reeds, and lilies that are home to numerous nixies, grigs, and faerie dragons.
You may each make a DC 30 Survival check to fish for silver eels over the course of a day. The eels are exceedingly difficult to catch, but a success will net you 1d6 eels.
4d100 ⇒ (19, 50, 83, 56) = 208

Humble John Fletcher |

John recognizes that Taranis' druidic skills are likely to be of the greatest utility here, so he offers what limited advice he can to the Baron.
Survival aid another: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
He also notes feysign and finds a nive flat stone near the wayer. He makes a small offering of some choice vittles and a few shiny baubles he has in his pockets... injuring a handful of 1d6 ⇒ 4 gold pieces. The gold glitters in the morning sunlight, and John bows respectfully before backing away a few steps. Troublesome Fey at a time like this can be worse than a nuisance, in his experience.
Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19
He returns to the group and flubs his fishing attempts further.

Taranis Redleaf |

Taranis leads the team in fishing:
Guidance Fishing: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 12 + 2 + 1 = 27 John doesn't aid, anyone else?

Bytor Sniegsun |

Bytor seeks out two wands of cure light wounds to support the party's healing needs.
Acquisition Roll: 1d100 ⇒ 9
Acquisition Roll: 1d100 ⇒ 33
750 gp each?

Unrak "Dreadful Bear" Redleaf |

apologies on the roll. I forgot the protocol, and went under the "always roll high" principle
Unrak lends his reasonable trailcraft to the fishing effort
Cannot fail an aid check :+2

Taranis Redleaf |

Okay, so I think that means this: Taranis with Augrym and Unrak can make 1 roll at d20+12+2+1+2+2. The question is, how long does that represent? Are we going to need to fish for a week, or is that something like an hour of fishing?

Taranis Redleaf |

Catch 18 Kuthona: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Okay, thinking about it, we should actually finish this quest, so I'm going to post a few. *IF* it's one check per day, I would stop after 4 days to reevaluate, so I'll post 4 rolls.
Session 2: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 12 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 30
Take: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Session 3: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 12 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 38
Take: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Session 3: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 12 + 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 35
Take: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Looks like 4 is all we need

GMTrex |

Yes, one check per day.
By the end of [color=teal]21st Kuthona[/color] you have caught enough to satisfy Beven Armaki. The eels do need to be delivered fresh, however, so you want to be back in Solasgaard within a week.
You make camp for the night, and awaken to overcast clouds that portend snow on [color=teal]22nd Kuthona[/color].

Taranis Redleaf |

"I had hoped to do this faster, but alas. Let's head home. I think we've the time to map out a little more of the area and still get home in time." Will map 80, and if there's enough time, 79. If not, return to Solasgaard.

GMTrex |

The company takes some time to fully map the banks of the Gudrin River along much of the route home, and arrive in Solasgaard quickly enough to deliver the eels before they begin to smell. A delighted Beven Armaki invites you to join in the eel bake and offers up the promised +2 buckler that he has no use for.
For fulfilling this quest, each of the five remaining Huntsmen earns 960 XP.

GMTrex |

You all have 4 days of official Downtime, if you want to use them. I will post the next Kingdom phase on Wednesday.

Taranis Redleaf |

[blue]Phase 1 (Upkeep):[/blue] Pay costs associated with maintaining completed buildings and organizations.
[blue]Phase 2 (Activity):[/blue]Perform downtime activities, such as constructing a building, recruiting an organization, or retraining.
[blue]Phase 3 (Income):[/blue]
[blue]Phase 4 (Event):[/blue]DM Handled at kingdom level
[blue]Phase 1 (Upkeep):[/blue] Pay costs associated with maintaining completed buildings and organizations.
[blue]Phase 2 (Activity):[/blue]Perform downtime activities, such as constructing a building, recruiting an organization, or retraining.
[blue]Phase 3 (Income):[/blue]
[blue]Phase 4 (Event):[/blue]DM Handled at kingdom level
[blue]Phase 1 (Upkeep):[/blue] Pay costs associated with maintaining completed buildings and organizations.
[blue]Phase 2 (Activity):[/blue]Perform downtime activities, such as constructing a building, recruiting an organization, or retraining.
[blue]Phase 3 (Income):[/blue]
[blue]Phase 4 (Event):[/blue]DM Handled at kingdom level
[blue]Phase 1 (Upkeep):[/blue] Pay costs associated with maintaining completed buildings and organizations.
[blue]Phase 2 (Activity):[/blue]Perform downtime activities, such as constructing a building, recruiting an organization, or retraining.
[blue]Phase 3 (Income):[/blue]
[blue]Phase 4 (Event):[/blue]DM Handled at kingdom level
Shopping:
Handy Haversack availability: 1d100 ⇒ 57 Purchased
Belt of Mighty Constitution: 1d100 ⇒ 93 NO
Eyes of the Eagle: 1d20 ⇒ 6 Purchased

Taranis Redleaf |

With Marc's journey on a different road, Taranis looks over his journal for a suitable replacement for marshal. "Hmmmm a gnomish explorer? Might be a good fit."
He finds the gnome in town, "Sir, I have a proposition for you. We're looking for someone of unparalleled intellect, taste, and skill to act as the Marshal for the Realm. You'd get to travel as you cover our borders and laws. You'd also get to taste food in all the inns in the Marchlands. I can think of no better fit. What say you sir?" Will just T10 for 31.

GMTrex |

He finds the gnome in town, "Sir, I have a proposition for you. We're looking for someone of unparalleled intellect, taste, and skill to act as the Marshal for the Realm. You'd get to travel as you cover our borders and laws. You'd also get to taste food in all the inns in the Marchlands. I can think of no better fit. What say you sir?" Will just T10 for 31.
"Hmm, well, I suppose I did manage to find that old dwarven citadel already... and I always like seeing new places. Very well! I accept. Though I do have one or two recommendations for you---for instance, expanding your territories to include that citadel would make a fine defensive fortification for your southern borders, and give me an excuse to spend more time there to continue my studies..."

GMTrex |

I would like to spend the downtime investigating the hag god worshippers. Are there any leads to follow in particular?
Well, you have heard rumors of a cult dedicated to an unspecified hag goddess...

Taranis Redleaf |

To Jubilost, "I think that's a capital idea, and I think we'll turn that way shortly."

GMTrex |

Going to move to the next Kingdom phase. Anyone who has not completed their Downtime may do so as part of their next post (e.g., Augrym may want to learn more about hag goddess(es)).

GMTrex |

Month of Abadius, 4721 AR
Upkeep Phase
Step 0 - Ruler: Declare Baron's modifier (Economy, Loyalty, or Stability).
Step 1 - Stability: Roll Stability Check.
Step 2 - Consumption: Consumption has been deducted from the treasury. See "Ledger" tab.
Step 3 - Magic Items:
4d100 ⇒ (52, 43, 77, 8) = 180 Uncommon 2nd-Level Scroll: Scroll of Burning Gaze
4d100 ⇒ (99, 5, 38, 15) = 157 Common 1st-Level Wand: Wand of Cause Fear
Step 4 - Modify Unrest: Roll Loyalty Check to reduce Unrest, if desired (cannot be reduced below 0). Failure incurs permanent -1 penalty to Loyalty.
Edict Phase
Step 0 - Spymaster: Declare Spymaster's modifier (Economy, Loyalty, or Stability).
Step 1 - Assign Leadership: Assign new leadership or fill vacancies, if desired.
Step 2 - Claim Hex: Claim up to 2 new hexes of territory, if desired. All hexes must be fully explored to be claimed. Alternatively, annex Varnhold.
Step 3 - Abandon Hex: Abandon any number of hexes of existing territory, if desired.
Step 4 - Build Terrain: Pay for up to 3 terrain improvements in existing territory, if desired.
Step 5 - Settlements: Found up to 1 new settlement in existing territory. The site must first be prepared for settlement. Additionally, pay for construction of up to 2 new buildings in your existing settlements. The construction of a single house, tenement, noble villa, or mansion does not count against this limit, but must still be paid for.
Step 6 - Army: Raise new military units, or upgrade or repair existing ones, as desired. Pay any recruitment costs.
Step 7 - Edicts: Issue any new edicts as desired.

Taranis Redleaf |

Upkeep Phase Summary
Edict Phase Summary

GMTrex |

The newly appointed Jubilost rides east with Jhod Kavken, Kesten Garess, and a small force of guards to formally proclaim the annexation of Varnhold! The abandoned watchtower over Varnhold pass is re-occupied, and already the flow of people and goods between Solasgaard and Varnhold has increased. Jubilost, with Kesten's help, sets about staking the barony's claims east of the Tors of Levenies, while Jhod leads the Varnhold congregation in a special service at the town's Church of Erastil.
Your efforts to both rescue and comfort the Varnhold community during their trying times reducing the impact of the annexation, causing Unrest to ONLY increase by 2, as the few malcontents are heavily outnumbered.
A messenger arrives several days later, from Restov, congratulating Baron Redleaf on the successful claim over Varnhold. For these efforts, the Swordlords are prepared to elevate Taranis to the title of Duke of the Southmarch. He and his companions are invited to Restov for the ceremony next month.
For fulfilling the Expansion quest, each hero earns 960 XP. Additionally, for reaching a Kingdom size of at least 26, each hero earns an additional 960 XP.

GMTrex |

Month of Abadius, 4721 AR
Income Phase
Step 1 - Withdraw from Treasury: Withdraw resources from the treasury for personal use, if desired.
Step 2 - Deposit to Treasury: Deposit personal resources into the barony's treasury.
Step 3 - Sell Items: Sell up to 2 personal magical items to benefit the treasury.
Step 4 - Roll an Economy check for tax collection.
Event Phase
1d100 ⇒ 56 no event

Taranis Redleaf |

Income Phase Summary

GMTrex |

The Annexation of Varnhold is a great boon for the barony (soon to be dukedom!), and it occupies all of your attentions for the first month of 4721 AR. Before you know it, Calistril is already upon you.
Month of Calistril, 4721 AR
Upkeep Phase
Step 0 - Ruler: Declare Baron's modifiers (Economy, Loyalty, or Stability).
Step 1 - Stability: Roll Stability Check.
Step 2 - Consumption: Consumption has been deducted from the treasury. See "Ledger" tab.
Step 3 - Magic Items: Varnhold
2d100 ⇒ (16, 59) = 75 Slotless Wondrous Item: Arrow Magnet
4d100 ⇒ (22, 95, 34, 66) = 217 Common 1st-Level Arcane Scroll: Scroll of Protection from Evil
4d100 ⇒ (12, 86, 93, 87) = 278 Uncommon 1st-Level Wand: Wand of Stone Shield
Step 4 - Modify Unrest: Roll Loyalty Check to reduce Unrest, if desired (cannot be reduced below 0). Failure incurs permanent -1 penalty to Loyalty.
Edict Phase
Step 0 - Spymaster: Declare Spymaster's modifier (Economy, Loyalty, or Stability).
Step 1 - Assign Leadership: Assign new leadership or fill vacancies, if desired.
Step 2 - Claim Hex: Claim up to 3 new hexes of territory, if desired. All hexes must be fully explored to be claimed.
Step 3 - Abandon Hex: Abandon any number of hexes of existing territory, if desired.
Step 4 - Build Terrain: Pay for up to 5 terrain improvements in existing territory, if desired.
Step 5 - Settlements: Found up to 1 new settlement in existing territory. The site must first be prepared for settlement. Additionally, pay for construction of up to 5 new buildings in your existing settlements. The construction of a single house, tenement, noble villa, or mansion does not count against this limit, but must still be paid for.
Step 6 - Army: Raise new military units, or upgrade or repair existing ones, as desired. Pay any recruitment costs.
Step 7 - Edicts: Issue any new edicts as desired.

Taranis Redleaf |

Upkeep Phase Summary
Edict Phase Summary

GMTrex |

A flurry of public works are begun as Varnhold is further integrated into the Marchlands. The original Varnholders, now well outnumbered by the newly arriving settlers from both Rostland and the Greenbelt, are nevertheless particularly grateful for the commemorative monument built in the center of town.
For helping Varnhold grow past its tragedies (and increasing it to 16 total lots), each hero earns 960 XP!

GMTrex |

Month of Calistril, 4721 AR
Income Phase
Step 1 - Withdraw from Treasury: Withdraw resources from the treasury for personal use, if desired.
Step 2 - Deposit to Treasury: Deposit personal resources into the barony's treasury.
Step 3 - Sell Items: Sell up to 2 personal magical items to benefit the treasury.
Step 4 - Roll an Economy check for tax collection.
Event Phase
1d100 ⇒ 81 no event

Taranis Redleaf |
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At high noon on the day of the new festival, Taranis takes the rostrum outside not Castle Redleaf, but the smaller on in Varnhold. Behind him is the covered statue he is here to dedicate....
"Marchlanders of Varnhold, you stand here in a time of rebuilding after a tragedy beyond normal ken. BUT HERE YOU STAND. The sounds about you are a testament to your grit. It is with solemnity as deep as Gozreh's ocean and with hope as vaulted as his sky that I, DUKE Taranis Redleaf, dedicate THIS monument!"
At this Gozrek and the locals chosen for the task pull the sheet off the monument. It is carved from a blend of granite and wood and depicts a settler carrying a child. The settler bears a short spear and in the child's hand a cornucopia. About the plinth are the names of those who did not make it out of Vordakai's dungeon.
Income Phase Summary

GMTrex |

After the ceremony, you decide to stay the night in Varnhold, and are given rooms at the Waterhorse Inn. Throughout the afternoon, you mingle with the townsfolk, old and new alike. The mood is optimistic, despite the reminder of tragedy. An industrious and hardy folk, those in Varnhold are eager to show the harsh world of Dunsward their persevering spirit.
You are due in Restov on the 24th for Taranis to be awarded a Dukedom. Restov is a 3-day ride from Varnhold. The current date is [color=teal]11th Calistril[/color].
1. While you have claimed all of Varnhold's former territory, you have not personally explored all of it. In particular, there are three locations marked on Maegar Varn's original map that you have not visited: Talon Peak (Hex 71), "Ettercap Lair" (67), and "Spider Fields" (68). You have personally visited: 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 69, 70, 72, 73, 75, 77.
2. Additionally, there may be other "hidden" locations that Varn himself never found, nor his followers, and which would not have been marked on his map.
3. Just want to formally note for future Kingdom phases that you can now build Highways. The number of hex claims, terrain improvements, and new buildings you can do each month has also increased (see the Marchlands summary tab).

Taranis Redleaf |

Once everything is wrapped up, Taranis rolls out the Map of the Realm "I suggest we explore this area where ettercaps are said to lair. What do we know about ettercaps?"

GMTrex |

If it helps, the check is Dungeoneering.

Humble John Fletcher |

[dice=Know Ettercapses]1d20+
"I don't know my letters m'lord, but I've heard my wife teaching our boys enough to know that people use ettercaps for proper names and at the start of a sentence."
I couldn't resist making the joke, but John wouldn't have said that. Sorry lol. John isn't a dolt and I want to be more careful playing him because he's not a jokester either.

GMTrex |

It takes most of the day to reach the spot marked "Ettercap Lair" on Varn's map. A massive web hangs suspended between two crags on the mountainside here. The web is 30 feet wide and hangs above a 50-foot-deep chasm, the walls of which are riddled with shallow caves. The web itself is not sticky and appears to be a sort of exotic rope bridge across the chasm. The far side of the web bridge is a single ledge that goes nowhere; upon it lies a long-dead dwarf and a glowing warhammer.

Taranis Redleaf |

Oh, didn't realize the map was THAT accurate. I figured we'd have to explore the hex to find it.
Still growing accustomed to the new lenses on his eyes, Taranis looks across for signs of an ambush. Perception: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25. "Webs... well, I don't know much about ettercaps, but webs make me nervous. Ware and were friends."
He then casts Eagle Eye. He then lets lose one of his spells to summon forth a wolverine ally to take the bridge.Daylight for SNAIII

GMTrex |

The bridge looks sturdy enough to Taranis to bear his weight, though maybe not Toth's.
Drew up a map to help show the scene. In short, the mountain path ends here at the edge of a 50' ledge. A upthrust of rock on the other side of the chasm is decorated with the body of a dwarf and his glowing hammer. A strange rope bridge made of what appears to be spider webs spans the chasm, providing access to the far ledge and its dwarf corpse.

GMTrex |

The summoned wolverine takes the bridge, which immediately gives way. The creature manages to leap back to safety, and looks with confusion at its temporary master.
The gossamer bridge is now draped across the far mountainside. Only dead silence hangs in the air.

Taranis Redleaf |

"Sorry buddy, thought you'd get some noms of some type." Speaking quickly while the wolverine is still here, [b]"Can anyone fly across? I can, but it's a lot of my energy for the day."

Taranis Redleaf |

With a shrug, Taranis wildshapes into a bird, flies over, and then begins examining the body, taking what seems of import or power.

Taranis Redleaf |

Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14