GMTrex's Kingmaker Campaign

Game Master Andrew Trexler

"The missive mentioned armies of bandits, hordes of barbarians. I know that the huntsmen are very able, but I think we will need a standing army to defend this land. I am happy to support in the rallying of troops if that would help."

The miles pass swiftly, and you reach the town by noon. Word of your arrival snaps through the populace like lightning, and soon an unshaven, black-haired man wearing haphazard bits of plate armor comes running up. "Your Grace, you've come. Captain Coren Lawry, at your service," he bows breathlessly. "The Mayor's up at town hall. This way!"

Lawry hurries towards the stone-and-timber building at the heart of town, which doubles as a small fort and its seat of government, although town meetings have grown so large that the Tatzylford Lodge is often used for such gathering instead. As you pass through town, you see people hurrying to board up windows and barricade doors, while a few lonely souls mount new stones on the foot-high beginnings of a wall around the town---a fool's errand, as the wall is months away from being any sort of real barrier.

The cramped quarters of the town hall seem almost spacious when you arrive: only Loy and his wife Latricia are there, standing over a hastily-drawn map of the town. Short and unassuming in his manners and attire, Loy does not strike the typical image of a mayor; indeed, he seems ill-suited for the stress and rigors of governing a settlement. Still, you know him to be down-to-earth, loyal, and steadfast in his aim to do what's right for those who put their trust in him. Latricia, who many (rightly) believe makes most of Loy's decisions, is a well-liked and practical woman who heads the Tatzylford Lodge. She is dressed in the same outfit you saw her in last: a grey tunic over a white blouse and green trousers, with a fur-lined cloak and a paire of knee-high boots suited for tracking about forest and farm.

Both look up at your entrance. "Your Grace! You've come, and so quickly too. We are a humble village, not a fortress, but I hold out hope. You'd like to speak with the woman yourself?"

"Kisandra," Latricia interjects gently.

"Right, right, Kisandra. A good thing too. Without the warning, we'd be done for---but hear for yourself. Captain, could you fetch the wom---"

"Kisandra."

"Fetch Kisandra, please, thank you Coren."

While waiting, "Is her report so dire that we've reached the stage of boarding buildings?"

"I am also curious what you have for fighting folk here. How well are the people equipped to defend themselves?"

"By the sounds of it, aye," Rezbin replies grimly. "A few dozen mercenaries and some fighters from one o' them nomadic tribes from off north are apparently making straight for us. Them, and some trolls." He spits the word.

Latricia answers Bytor's query. "Very few. Captain Lowry has fewer than a dozen volunteers under his command---we have not had much need for a town guard. There's another dozen folk with axes or bows and a strong enough stomach for battle, plus myself and my two acolytes. Most of our folk are away for days at a time, either hunting or woodcutting, or tending their own small farms and nurseries."

Captain Lowry returns a moment later with two of his watchmen flanking a young woman. Dressed as a soldier and filthy from travel, the woman appears jittery and fearful, but does her best to make herself presentable.

"Introduce yourself, dear," Latricia urges gently.

"Yes, right. My name is Kisandra Numesti. I come from the Drelev Demesne, west of here on the far side of Hooktongue Slough---it was established by Baron Hannis Drelev of Brevoy. My father is Lord Terrion Numesti, a knight who once served the baron, but then went against him and was thrown in a dungeon as punishment."

Taranis looks to Augrym to train his eye on the woman and her story. He looks to Bytor for any knowledge on the names. He looks to the others to begin battleplans if the story matches the sense of urgency.

"Well mat Kisandra. I am Duke Taranis Redleaf. Tell us your story, and leave no stone unturned, but stay in the shade of a single tree. Now, what is going on?"

Kisandra shakes her head. "No time for a long tale. An army of Baron Drelev's troops will be here soon---I pretended to be one of them until we got close, then slipped ahead to warn you. They aren't far behind. They're following the river, from the north. It'll lead them straight here." She traces a finger along the river on the map drawn out on the table, then taps the bridge.

"Trask---Ameon Trask, he's their commander---he's also got some northmen from the Tiger Lord tribes with him, even a half-dozen trolls."

"When will they be here?!"

"I slipped away when we camped last night, and hurried here in the dark while they slept. I'd guess you have a few hours at most."

Rezbin looks over the map. "We could build a screen on the rails of the bridge, and post some archers there. If they're followin' the river, we'd have clean shots. Or maybe we could put up some hunter's blinds in the trees."

"We might have time to build a few barricades, too, or dig some trenches," Latricia adds. "We have more people suited to that sort of work than to fighting."

"Hard to think of what can do against trolls though," Lowry shudders.

You may think of other ideas. You have time to implement 3 defenses (at most). You also have time to ask more questions of Kisandra or others, if you would like.

I like putting defenses on the bridge. But...why would Drelev march here?? Is he actually threatening this town, or is he going on to something else?

Unrak growls low. We didn't get on very well, but I didn't think he'd be that itching for a fight. But if that's what he wants...he came to the right bloke. But I'd rather not involve the townsfolk in a brawl, so could we parlay, find out what's what?

to Lowry...How about you get a nice big bonfire going? Give folks some flaming brands to use on those trolls, if it comes to that.

But...why would Drelev march here??

"Partly to save himself. Drelev surrendered to the Lord of Pitax and the northmen so they wouldn't overrun his kingdom. I suspect he sees attacking you as a way to prove his worth to his new master, but's always been jealous of your success. He covets just about anything he deems more valuable than what he already has. I'm afraid your lands are no exception."

to Lowry...How about you get a nice big bonfire going? Give folks some flaming brands to use on those trolls, if it comes to that.

Lowry nods. "We can do that. Might give the trolls pause."

Archery screen on the bridge (1) and bonfire in the center of town (2). You have time to accomplish one more.

Anything from Discern Lies while she's talking and then Detect Alignment looking for her vibe?

Unrak looks back at the rest of the Huntsmen. Wadaya think boys? Maybe some spiked low walls to funnel the enemy where we want? A trench or something to slow them down in range of the arrow screen? We don't have much time...

Per John via phone call as he can't post. The plan is to build an abatis. He orients people to cut trees to funnel attackers into the engagement area. "Maybe we should cut down trees along the edges. then they'll be forced to attack us straight on."

Bytor tries to recall what he knows about Baron Drelev and Lord Numesti.

Knowledge, Nobility: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

”Kisandra, Is there anything you can tell us about this Commander Trask you speak of? Are there any weaknesses that we might exploit in the man?”

Anything from Discern Lies while she's talking and then Detect Alignment looking for her vibe?

Bytor tries to recall what he knows about Baron Drelev and Lord Numesti.

Bytor has only heard of Numesti, as a minor vassal to Drelev, but he remembers the Baron well enough.

"Kisandra, Is there anything you can tell us about this Commander Trask you speak of? Are there any weaknesses that we might exploit in the man?”

"Only that he's Drelev's right-hand man, that he's a pig, and that he's not particularly bright. His forces are disorganized and sloppy. I doubt he'll come up with any tactics more brilliant than yelling 'charge.' He's marching along the east side of the river, approaching from the north."

Pulls Taranis aside.
"Her heart is good, and she speaks her truth."

"Only that he's Drelev's right-hand man, that he's a pig, and that he's not particularly bright. His forces are disorganized and sloppy. I doubt he'll come up with any tactics more brilliant than yelling 'charge.' He's marching along the east side of the river, approaching from the north."

Unrak scowls. "Charge in and fight" is usually fine for small parties, but you have to be an overconfident idiot to rely on that in full-scale war. We'll be doing Drelev a favor in relieving this buffoon of his head. Also doesn't speak too well of Drelev himself...you can judge a lot about a man based on who he chooses to work with.

Unrak then hurries toward the group constructing the abatis and lends his considerable might to the process. The only input he gives in the planning is to be sure the archers' screen can get some play.

The Battle of Tatzylford, 4722 A.R.

A plan in place, the Huntsmen immediately set to work, joined by Loy, Latricia, Coren, and even Kisandra. While Loy and Latricia take up the carpentry for the archery screen on the bridge, the others dig a shallow trench along the east side of the river, fell trees along the bank, and drive them into raise mounds facing north. The last order of business is to pile the shorn branches high outside town hall---the last fallback position---and set the bonfire alight.

Soon---quite soon---horns sound in the woods to the north as the sun settles over the western hills, sending long shadows lancing into the heart of town. You hurry your rag-tag militia to their positions, while Latricia and her acolytes herd as many townsfolk as they can into town hall.

Unrak is ready to be at the vanguard, eager to do what he does best. The moment enemy troops are visible, he reaches into himself, and the earth, to fortify himself with defensive Magicks.

Cast Shield & Iron Skin when bad guys are visible. Bow is out.

Unrak does not have long to wait: a disorganized band of men soon appears at the edge of the felled trees. At their front are a dozen towering brutes garbed in Kellid gear and bearing menacing axes. As the first arrows dance overhead, they roar their challenge and charge!

First Battle Phase

Trask's Marauders: Offensive Check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Defenders of Tatzylford: Offensive Check

After thinking it over and sleeping on it, I will allow the party to cast one (1) spell per Phase to potentially affect Tatzylford's OM and DV scores for that Phase. This single spell must be an Area of Effect spell and must have a medium or greater duration (minute/lvl or better). Decide amongst yourselves which spell to cast.

Looking at the casters, there are scant few AoE spells--and I'm sure Taranis will save Fire Snake for the trolls, so...

Defenders: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

The two sides trade opening volleys. The screen on the bridge shudders under the weight of incoming fire, and at least a few darts find their targets. The archers on the bridge rain arrows into the onrushing tide of men. Several in the front ranks fall under the defenders' hail.

Trask's northmen, most of whom weathered the exchange of fire to reach the abatis, hew a path through the stakes and up the embankment with mighty strokes, and the battle begins in earnest. The clang of steel on steel and the din of screams and shouts fill the air, punctuated by the whisper of fletched arrows darting into the melee. Slowly, but perceptibly, the mercenaries push the defenders back up the hill towards the heart of town, ferocious and unrelenting in their onslaught.

Second Battle Phase
Trask's Marauders: Offensive Check: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 2 = 19
Defenders of Tatzylford: Offensive Check

"For the MARCHLANDS!" ATK: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

The defenders make the invaders pay dearly for every foot gained. Blood runs in rivulets down to the ford, staining the slow waters a dark red.

Yet still, the attackers fight their way through the outer defenses and into the streets of Tatzylford. There the town's rag-tag defenders fight with the strength of desperation---these are their homes, after all.

There is no sign of the aforementioned trolls...

Third Battle Phase
Trask's Marauders: Offensive Check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Defenders of Tatzylford: Offensive Check (include a +2 bonus as need inspires greatness)

Tatzylford: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 2 = 23

The Marchlanders fight hard for their homes. Indeed, the enemy's ranks have thinned, and the battle seems almost winnable... then the horn sounds again.

Six towering, 15-foot tall trolls stomp out of the woods to the north of town, roaring their way over the unfinished wall and into the village itself. You see a man torn limb from limb in an instant by the lead troll, while another behind tears the roof clear off a house to grab at the inhabitants cowering inside. The hearts of the defenders, still locked in a fierce battle with the first waves, sink at the sight.

The bonfire that was raised outside the town hall is enough to keep the trolls away from the heart of the battle---for now---but none of the desperate defenders is capable of taking on such a devastating force.

Except maybe you.

You race northward, fighting your way to the trolls---frantic to take blade and fire to them before it is too late. How this is going to work: we will resolve the fight with the trolls as a normal combat, initiative and all. The longer the trolls stay in the fight, the worse things go for Tatzylford, as the defenders lose hope and courage. Each round that the trolls survive earns the enemy 1 Battle Point. However, the defenders are heartened each time a troll falls: for each troll you slay, Tatzylford earns 2 Battle Points.

TL;DR Kill all six trolls quickly and you win the battle.

Round I
1. Unrak, Taranis, Gozrek, John, Augrym, Bytor
2. Trolls

Delaying until Bytor hastes the party and starts up a rousing song.

"Draw them in! Get them together!" GM is there any way to leverage the bonfire defense mechanically?

Taranis begins casting a spell, summoning forth a fire team of elementals.

"Brother move aside! Toth! Attack!"

Post assumes Haste and Inspire Courage

Bite 1: 1d20 + 17 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 17 + 2 + 2 = 29 for DMG: 1d8 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 13 + 2 = 17
Bite 2: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 12 + 2 + 2 = 33 for DMG: 1d8 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 13 + 2 = 22
Left Claw: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33 for DMG: 1d6 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 2 = 15
Right Claw: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31 for DMG: 1d6 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 2 = 16
Rake: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Haste Bite: 1d20 + 17 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 17 + 2 + 2 = 41 THREAT
Haste Bite CONFIRM: 1d20 + 17 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 17 + 2 + 2 = 40 for DMG: 2d8 + 26 + 4 ⇒ (8, 1) + 26 + 4 = 39

Gozrek vanishes from sight. The last visible clue to his plan is that he was beginning a sprint when he vanished.... Giving up Liberating Command to Vanish.

Bytor casts haste on his companions and then begins motivating his friends with inspiring courage!

"To arms, huntsmen! To arms, good folk. Let us bring victory to the people!"

Unrak steps forward to just out of range of the troll, drawing his sword on the way. He casts another defensive spell, as the first ones have expired.

Iron skin. Current AC 30

Bytor hastens the party's movements and offers his usual encouragement. Toth leaps in and rips a troll to shreds; Gozrek pops up in the middle of the yard to hurl two flaming bolts at the troll before it can recover. 2 Battle Points for Tatzylford!

The brothers Redleaf both get ready for more to come...

Round I
1. Bytor, Unrak, Taranis, Gozrek, John, Augrym
2. Trolls

Ray at Pink: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 1 = 28 DOH! Wasted 20, but at least it's dead!

Ray at Orange: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 1 = 21 for Fire+Precision: 4d6 + 3d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 4, 3) + (3, 6, 1) = 23 target is also Bewildered

Round the First
• Current HPs: 76/76
• Inspired
• Hasted

John hustles east toward Augrym looking for a line of attack down the street. As he moves, tongues of flame surround him and start to lick at the mighty bow in his hand. In a flash, the flames snake around the gleaming curved wood and trace down the bowstring until it is a single line of bright flame.

(Activate Warrior spirit: flame)

John calls on his wife's memory as he prepares to fight.

Round I
1. Bytor, Unrak, Taranis, Gozrek, John, Augrym
2. Trolls (orange @ 23 dmg, bewildered)

Move, Attack and add Bane to my weapon.

Attack: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 231d8 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Augrym scores a light hit before the trolls close in. Huge and threatening, they waste no time tearing into the nearest littlings they can see.

Green Bite @ Augrym: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22 MISS
Green Claw @ Augrym: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11 MISS
Green Claw @ Augrym: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23 MISS
Black Bite @ Augrym: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14 MISS

Orange Bite @ Gozrek: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18 MISS
Blue Bite @ Gozrek: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 2 = 17 MISS
Purple Bite @ Gozrek: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 2 = 26 HIT Damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Round II
1. Bytor, Unrak, Taranis, Gozrek (43/53 hp), John, Augrym
2. Trolls (orange @ 23 dmg, bewildered, burnt; green @ 6 dmg)

Unrak glances about the battlefield, doing a LOT of tactical calculus in a brief moment.

Gozrek is surrounded, Augrym has enough help between elementals and Toth. John isn't losing anyone else on my watch!!

Decision made, he makes a small nod and moves forward with magical haste too close with Orange--this should draw 3 AoOs, from Black, Green & Orange (unless Bewildered negates the AoO? I dunno & can't look it up!). AC for these is 31.

Once in place, the warrior roars in defiance and flies into his rage to strike.

Flank; Haste; Inspire. Net: +5 hit, +2 damage

Attack: 1d20 + 14 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 14 + 5 = 25
Damage: 2d6 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (2, 6) + 18 + 2 = 28

Current AC 29

Fire Elementals: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 A quartet of dog-sized fire elementals appear on the field. They pair up to attack two trolls:

White v. Green: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23 if hit BURN!: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 and a DC 11 REF
Yellow v. Green: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 if hit BURN!: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 and a DC 11 REF
Orange v. Black: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 = 15 if hit BURN!: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 and a DC 11 REF
Red v. Black: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 2 = 25 if hit BURN!: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 and a DC 11 REF

Taranis, seeing the line, brings forth a great snake of fire! It tears through the trolls! All but Purple
Fire: 9d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 5, 6, 2, 2, 2, 5, 5) = 35 REF DC 19

ROAR!!!!!!

Toth targets Black
Bite 1: 1d20 + 17 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 17 + 1 + 2 = 28 for DMG if hit: 1d8 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19
Bite 2: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 1 + 2 = 25 for DMG if hit: 1d8 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14
Left Claw: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 16 + 1 + 2 = 22 for DMG if hit: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Right Claw: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 16 + 1 + 2 = 20 for DMG if hit: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Bite H: 1d20 + 17 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 17 + 1 + 2 = 25 for DMG if hit: 1d8 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
Rake if applicable: 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

AoO @ Unrak: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 MISS
AoO @ Unrak: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25 MISS
AoO @ Unrak: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20 MISS

Green Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 19 PASS
Black Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 12 PASS

Green Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 12 FAIL
Black Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 3 FAIL
Orange Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 8 FAIL
Blue Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 8 FAIL

The brothers Redleaf bring speed, fire, and backup to the fight, quickly taking down two trolls! Earning Tatzylford 4 Battle Points!

Round II
1. Bytor, Unrak, Taranis, Gozrek (43/53 hp), John, Augrym
2. Trolls (green @ 47 dmg, burnt; blue @ 35 dmg, burnt)

Round the Second
• Current HPs: 76/76
• Inspired
• Hasted

I was hoping someone could move my pog... last round John moved 30' east. This Round 5' step east. Thx!

John's eyes narrow and his jaw sets. He sees his eldest son embattled and starts loosing firey arrows at the trolls with calm determination.

(Attacking blue until it falls then purple)

First Attack:
Deadly Aim, Point Blank Shot, Manyshot, Clustered Shots with Adaptive Compound Longbow +3: 1d20 + 21 - 3 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 21 - 3 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 36 for 2d8 + 18 + 12 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3, 5) + 18 + 12 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 44 damage and 2d6 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5 fire damage.

Second Attack:
Deadly Aim, Point Blank Shot, Clustered Shots with Adaptive Compound Longbow +3: 1d20 + 21 - 3 - 2 - 5 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 21 - 3 - 2 - 5 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 22 for 1d8 + 9 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 6 + 2 + 1 = 25 damage and 1d6 ⇒ 6 fire damage.

Rapid Shot:
Deadly Aim, Point Blank Shot, Clustered Shots with Adaptive Compound Longbow +3: 1d20 + 21 - 3 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 21 - 3 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 23 for 1d8 + 9 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 6 + 2 + 1 = 24 damage and 1d6 ⇒ 1 fire damage.

Haste Attack:
Deadly Aim, Point Blank Shot, Clustered Shots with Adaptive Compound Longbow +3: 1d20 + 21 - 3 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 21 - 3 - 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 34 for 1d8 + 9 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 6 + 2 + 1 = 20 damageand 1d6 ⇒ 6 fire damage.

Dmg missed from last round: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 6) + 2 = 9

Study the troll and attack. Surprise me.

Knowledge: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
Attack 1: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (4) + 20 = 241d8 + 12 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 12 + (3, 1) = 18
Attack 2: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 251d8 + 12 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 12 + (4, 4) = 26

John shoots down two trolls, while Augrym finishes off another. Cheers go up from the villagers fighting nearby. Ending initiative and earning Tatzylford 6 Battle Points!

With the trolls neutralized, Drelev's remaining troops lose heart. A horn sounds in the woods, and the last stragglers run pell-mell for safety in a haphazard rout. The defenders of Tatzylford send jeers and few arrows after them, but mostly they breathe a deep sigh of relief.

You each earn 2,880 XP for defeating the trolls, and a further 2,560 XP for winning the battle.

The Battle of Tatzylford: Marchlands Victory

Unrak casts about him, his blood still well up--he did only strike one blow against the trolls, after all--and his reddened vision sees the fleeing foe. He takes a few steps to chase, but wisdom reasserts itself, and he lets his rage drain away, but not before giving an enormous bellow of victory and scorn at the routing foe.

After a few seconds to let his breathing return to normal, he wipes his great blade on a troll carcass and sheathes it. Striding to Gozrek, he claps his shoulder and bellows out Ha! Boy, ye got balls o' solid rock! Ye just faced down three trolls, lad! Lowering his voice so it won't carry beyond the two of them, he murmurs good showing--but they were about to eat you alive. Let that be a lesson to ya, eh? With a wink and a less vigorous shoulder clap, Unrak then turns his attention to the survivors.

Let's get the wounded tended straight away. You, and you--gather a handful of folk to remove the dead attackers for a pyre, outside the town. But...don't light it straight away.

He begins to move to assist in recovering Tatzylford's dead and wounded, but stops before the rest of the Huntsmen. Well fought, boys. We need to figure a way to leverage this victory to gain some loyalty in the Marchlands at large. We should also reach out to Drelev, and make sure he knows we're not pleased with his cute little incursion, disabuse him of the notion of trying again, that sort of thing.

After his companions search the troll corpses for loot, John requests a hand from some men nearby and drags the troll bodies downwind and out of the town proper. He douses them in lamp oil and lights them ablaze.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

John finds naught on the trolls---no weapons, no gold, not even clothing. The bodies burn easily though, and soon enough nothing remains of them but smoke and ash.

The butcher's bill is thankfully light: five dead, seventeen wounded, and some reparable damage to outlying buildings. Latricia and Loy and already seeing to the wounded and managing housing for those who suddenly lack a roof. They leave the strategic planning to you.

He begins to move to assist in recovering Tatzylford's dead and wounded, but stops before the rest of the Huntsmen. Well fought, boys. We need to figure a way to leverage this victory to gain some loyalty in the Marchlands at large. We should also reach out to Drelev, and make sure he knows we're not pleased with his cute little incursion, disabuse him of the notion of trying again, that sort of thing.

"I don't think 'reaching out' will be enough," a woman's voice calls from behind the big man. The voice belongs to Kisandra. Her shirtsleeves are bloodstained from her work helping to bind up wounds, and her brow is beaded with sweat, but the look of fear has lessened in her eyes. "Drelev has made a devil's bargain, with Pitax and the Tiger Lords. He isn't fully his own master now, if he ever was."

She takes a deep breath. "I came to you with a warning, which has served you well. But I also came with the hope that you can free my family. My father rots in the Baron's dungeons, and my sister Tamary was given to the Tiger Lords as a hostage. I fear they won't be the last lives ruined while Drelev remains in power. I ask that you use all your skill, and all your power, to see them freed---and the people of Fort Drelev as well."

"Do this, and you will have the loyalty of me and my family, and the gratitude of Drelev Demesne's downtrodden citizens."

The Duke sees over the care of the wounded, then the dead. He instructs Gozrek to start collecting the arms and armor of the fallen enemy for repurposing.

"Kisandra, we shall work to see your weather turn fair. What recon can you give us for the lands to the west?"