GMTrex's Kingmaker Campaign

Game Master Andrew Trexler

Bytor arms himself and his friends with his usual words and phrases.

Round I
1. Augrym (grappled)
2. Guards (black prone, yellow grappled)
3. Gozrek, John, Unrak, Taranis, Bytor

BOTTING FOR HUMBLE JOHN

John opens fire on the guard Unrak failed to grab, hoping to simply end him quickly!

5' step to gain LOS

First--Deadly Aim, Point Blank Shot, Manyshot, Clustered Shots with Adaptive Compound Longbow +3: 1d20 + 21 - 3 - 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 21 - 3 - 2 + 1 + 2 = 34
damage: 2d8 + 18 + 12 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (6, 5) + 18 + 12 + 2 + 4 = 47

Second--Deadly Aim, Point Blank Shot, Manyshot, Clustered Shots with Adaptive Compound Longbow +3: 1d20 + 21 - 3 - 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 21 - 3 - 2 + 1 + 2 = 33
damage: 1d8 + 9 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 6 + 1 + 2 = 22

Rapid Shot--Deadly Aim, Point Blank Shot, Manyshot, Clustered Shots with Adaptive Compound Longbow +3: 1d20 + 21 - 3 - 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 21 - 3 - 2 + 1 + 2 = 26
damage: 1d8 + 9 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 6 + 1 + 2 = 21

John kills both guards outright in a hail of arrows. Each hero earns 320 XP.

Outside the doors to the east is a great deal of shouting, along with the stamp of feet elsewhere in the castle... out of initiative for now, but I cannot promise that will last.

Augrym searches the guards for any keys or other useful items, then turns to his team.

"The subtle approach did not last long. We will need to move quickly to through the east doors and see what commotion awaits us."

Augrym checks on with his team to see if anyone needs healing and, if so, tells them to do it now. But, if not or once done, he moves to the door to the east and opens the door to see what is on the other side.

Neither guard carries a key, but each carries a pair of potions: one blue, the other a cloudy silver.

All the while, the shouting beyond the doors gets louder. Augrym opens the eastern doorway, looking out onto a wide inner courtyard of the castle---and filled with soldiers heading your way. A burly captain leads a group headed directly for the doors, while others hurry to join them from the upper ramparts. Still others cover the soldiers in the courtyard with longbows.

And if that is not enough, a guard across the yard is unlocking a gate to let a troop of hill giants join the fray.

You have mere seconds before I roll initiative on this whole mess. What do you do?

Unrak swears quietly but sulferously. We can't survive this. We need time to run, and give Terrion as much time as we can give him. He keeps his sword out, but is looking back, calculating how to slow or even block passage behind them as they retreat...

Unrak weighs up the forces in the courtyard. A battle in the open, with archer cover on the walls, would be hard fighting.

Unrak's eye catches on the hefty slab of oakwood standing just inside the keep's main doors. Shutting and barring the east doors would certainly buy some time, at least until the giants arrive.

"John! Take down the guard opening the gate!" Taranis whistles and points for Toth before shouting for Gozrek. Knowing the lad will do what is best, Taranis opens with a firesnake spell!

DMG: 9d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 5, 2, 1, 5, 1, 2, 5) = 29 REF DC 19 for half. Path drawn on map.

Initiative it is.

Reflex: 7d20 ⇒ (12, 18, 12, 12, 3, 4, 19) = 80

The captain jumps out of the way of Taranis's fire snake, not even singed. His underlings are less fortunate, and several appear to be on the brink of death. Still, all six survive. The captain raises his sword and bellows, "ATTACK!!!"

He takes out a bright red gem and crushes it against the ground. "Fight fire with fire," he grins, as a small spark of flame erupts from the gem and slithers along the ground, gradually growing strength. In a moment it rears a head wreathed in fire and lashes out at Augrym by the door!

Slam @ Augrym: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
Slam @ Augrym: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

The half-orc ducks both blows, but it will be a LOT harder to shut the door now.

Round I
1. Captain (anyone can spend a move action to make a Perception check on him specifically)
2. Gozrek, John, Augrym, Unrak, Taranis
3. Guards (white/green @ 14 dmg, black/yellow/grey/purple @ 29 dmg)
4. Bytor
5. Giants

"Get'em!" Taranis then begins to attune his magic towards Nature's Allies Life Bubble for SNAIV

Surprised at the officer's dextrousness, Gozrek steals a look at the man before casting Haste upon the party. Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30

Taranis's whistle has Toth move to pounce once viable.

Taranis enters a summoning trance while Gozrek encourages everyone to hurry up, and Toth gets ready to spring.

Round I
1. Captain (anyone can spend a move action to make a Perception check on him specifically)
2. Gozrek, John, Augrym, Unrak, Taranis
3. Guards (white/green @ 14 dmg, black/yellow/grey/purple @ 29 dmg)
4. Bytor
5. Giants

"Your Grace! I think that's Trask's brother. Can we use that?"

Unrak casts a spell (Longarm), then steps toward the door by Augrym.

AUGRYM!! Let's bar this door!!

I've got a move action left. It depends on what Augrym does in response...if he's amenable to my suggestion Unrak will make to grab the bar to help Augrym bar it when he backs out & closes it

Augrym 5ft steps back and closes the door. And then braces the two doors with all of his might from the middle.

"Anyone Huntsmen happen to have an immovable rod?"

Hero point to Mike because he just responded to that question with "In his pants."

Augrym 5ft steps back and closes the door. And then braces the two doors with all of his might from the middle.

"Anyone Huntsmen happen to have an immovable rod?"

Hero point to Mike because he just responded to that question with "In his pants."

1) thanks for the credit...but you did, in fact, beat me to that

Augrym slams the doors in the elemental's face and holds them shut, while Unrak goes for the heavy oakwood bar to barricade it. If John helps Unrak, we can consider the door barricaded.

Round I
1. Captain (anyone can spend a move action to make a Perception check on him specifically)
2. Gozrek, John, Augrym, Unrak, Taranis
3. Guards (white/green @ 14 dmg, black/yellow/grey/purple @ 29 dmg)
4. Bytor
5. Giants

John's lends a hand in barricading the door!

John and Unrak heave the thick oakwood log into the brackets, successfully barricading the door! How long it will hold remains to be seen, but it looks pretty sturdy.

Going to keep us in Initiative for the time being. Depending on what you do, we may drop out of it.

Muffled shouting leaks through the doors from the outside. "Get outta the way! You lot, head for the south door. Archers, keep the courtyard covered. And get those damn giants in here, will you?"

Round I
1. Bytor

Round II
1. Captain
2. Gozrek, John, Augrym, Unrak, Taranis
3. Guards (some wounded)
4. Bytor
5. Giants

"To arms, my brothers! Let us keep the enemy at bay!"

Bytor inspires courage! (+2 Attack and Damage)

The bard proceeds to notch an arrow in his bow and wait for a target to appear.

Bytor opts for his usual.

Round II
1. Captain
2. Gozrek, John, Augrym, Unrak, Taranis
3. Guards (some wounded)
4. Bytor
5. Giants

Unrak hustles back to Bytor, drawing out a potion as he does.

Bytor, I'm still injured from the black pudding scuffle. Do you have any more healing for me?

To the rest, he calls out (but not TOO loudly) They're heading to the south door. Let's be ready!

So the question is, do we stay here & fight, or cut & run?

"I've got you, Unrak. Stay right here for a moment."

"I am at the ready for a fight, but will defer to the Huntsmen for if we take up arms."

Bytor gets ready to heal Unrak, and Augrym waits for orders.

Round II
1. Captain
2. Gozrek, John, Augrym (delay), Unrak, Taranis
3. Guards (some wounded)
4. Bytor
5. Giants

Taranis finishes his spell and opens the door himself. He rushes up next to the satyr he just finished summoning, "Friend, if you can convince them with your pipes to lay down arms, we'd be obliged."

Gozrek and Toth depend on what he sees when he opens the doors to the sout.

The doors open onto a large kitchen with an enormous stone fireplace, set with roasting spits and a hanging cauldron. Taranis does not see anyone in the room, but cooking implements and foodstuffs are set about the counters and tables. A closed door stands on the west wall.

Round II
1. Captain
2. Gozrek, John, Augrym (delay), Unrak, Taranis
3. Guards (some wounded)
4. Bytor
5. Giants

Gozrek quickly opens the SE door.

Gozrek opens the door onto a storeroom stuffed with linens, tapestries, and various seasonal decorations. There are neither people nor exits visible in this room.

The summoned satyr (on the map now) points at the rest of the Huntsmen in some confusion. "Them?" he asks hesitantly, bringing his pipes to his lips.

Round II
1. Captain
2. Gozrek, John, Augrym (delay), Unrak, Taranis
3. Guards (some wounded)
4. Bytor
5. Giants

"NO! Outside. Giants and other men. DAMMIT We're wasting power and we've given up surprise."

The satyr lowers the pipes. "I shall wait then."

Taranis instead urges the satyr to the west, "Bloody hell, where are they going to come in? The south is a dead end. Try that door!" (I can't get to a map to add a satyr, but I'd like to find how they're going to come at us.)

The satyr moves to the nearest western door and opens it, revealing a stone spiral staircase leading up.

Muffled shouts and curses continue to filter through the barricaded door. "Don't just cower over there drinking potions! Get moving! You lot! Yes, you lot! Get over here now!"

Round II
1. Captain
2. Gozrek, John, Augrym (delay), Unrak, Taranis
3. Guards (some wounded)
4. Bytor
5. Giants

Bytor casts Cure Serious Wounds on Unrak.

CSW: 3d8 + 7 ⇒ (4, 4, 8) + 7 = 23

"Let your wounds be healed, my brother. Lead us to victory!"

BOTTING FOR JOHN

John nocks two arrows and half-draws, letting his eyes focus on nothing, ready for the first enemy to show

ready action to Multishot on first hostile creature to appear in his LOS & range. Since I can't see the map please put him fairly central in the room.

"Break this door down now!"

"but you said no break stuff"

"I know what I said! Break it down!"

"what door"

"This door right here, you morons!"

"this door"

"Yes!"

"oakey dokey"

Round III
1. Captain
2. Gozrek, John (61/76 hp, armor broken), Augrym (delay, shield broken), Unrak (72/110 hp), Taranis (67/82 hp)
3. Guards (some wounded)
4. Bytor
5. Giants

Unrak gives Bytor a nod of thanks, moves closer to the barred door, and quaffs the potion in his hand.

CSW: 3d8 + 5 ⇒ (6, 2, 5) + 5 = 18

Gozrek immediately checks the top of the stairs, first Vanishing himself. Moving 60' Taranis and the satyr check other doors.

Gozrek clambers to the top of the stairs. At the next landing he finds a closed door on his left, and still more stairs climbing higher up the tower. Second level of the map is partially revealed, below/south of the first level on the page.

Taranis opens the northeast door onto a cloakroom, which is mostly empty but for a few spare garments. The satyr opens the northern door onto a workshop: a dry, dusty chamber holding a variety of tools and supplies for carpentry, leather-working, sewing, mortaring, and the like.

Unrak downs his potion!

Round III
1. Captain
2. Gozrek, John (61/76 hp, armor broken), Augrym (delay, shield broken), Unrak (90/110 hp), Taranis (67/82 hp)
3. Guards (some wounded)
4. Bytor
5. Giants

Augrym moves and opens the door in front of him to the south east.

Had trouble following all the doors but, if this door has already been opened, I will ask permission to open the doors to the east.

Gozrek opens the door onto a storeroom stuffed with linens, tapestries, and various seasonal decorations. There are neither people nor exits visible in this room.

Southeast door has been opened (result above). As a reminder, un-barricading the east doors requires a full-round action from two (2) people before they can be opened.

Augrym hurries over to the last remaining door in the main entryway. Opening it, he sees a large tub for washing and a privy.

Muffled shouting continues outside the east doors.

"Be ready to shoot as soon as you see 'em! I want pincushions, y'hear me? Let the giants do the dirty work."

"door is dirty?"

"it don't look dirty"

"but he say dirty work"

"No! It's a figure of sp---nevermind. Just do your damn jobs and break it down!"

Round III
1. Captain
2. Gozrek, John (61/76 hp, armor broken, delay), Augrym (shield broken), Unrak (90/110 hp), Taranis (67/82 hp)
3. Guards (some wounded)
4. Bytor
5. Giants

Bytor reaches over and casts Cure Moderate Wounds on Unrak in an attempt to bring him to full health before the battle begins.

Cure Moderate Wounds: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (6, 3) + 8 = 17

With only a very minor burn on his forearm left, Unrak grins at Bytor, and begins swinging his sword in exaggerated arcs, loosening his shoulders for the upcoming brawl.

4d20 ⇒ (12, 7, 2, 20) = 41

*boom*

A massive thud hammers against the east doors, the echoing boom ringing off the tapestried walls. The reinforced wood creaks under the strain.

*boom!*

Another thud, another echo. The sound mingles with the echoes of the first

*BOOM!*

A third, and the wood is splintering now.

*BOOM!!!*

A giant's fist punches through the doors like a battering ram, snapping the oakwood barricade in half and sending splinters flying into the room. Two giants out of the way to allow a third to come in swinging for Toth.

Greatclub @ Toth: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 14 + 2 = 31 HIT Bludgeoning Damage: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (3, 6) + 10 = 19

Behind him, a line of giants crowds into the shattered doorway. Sailing from behind them comes a little red gemstone, which smashes onto the stone floor near Unrak. It quickly erupts into another fire elemental! A shouted command is all it needs to begin its assault.

Slam @ Unrak: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25 HIT Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 plus Fire: 1d8 ⇒ 8 plus Reflex DC 16 or catch fire
Slam @ Unrak: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15 MISS

Round IV
1. Captain
2. Gozrek, John (61/76 hp, armor broken), Augrym (shield broken), Unrak (90/110 hp, Reflex), Taranis (67/82 hp, Toth 57/76 hp), Bytor
3. Guards (some wounded), Giants

Toth fights back!

Bite 1: 1d20 + 17 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 17 + 1 + 2 = 35 for DMG: 1d8 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 13 + 2 = 16
Bite 2: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 12 + 1 + 2 = 29 for DMG: 1d8 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 13 + 2 = 21
Left Claw: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 16 + 1 + 2 = 34 for DMG: 1d6 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 2 = 18
Left Claw: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 16 + 1 + 2 = 28 for DMG: 1d6 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 2 = 15
Rake: 1d6 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 2 = 12
Bite Haste: 1d20 + 17 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 17 + 1 + 2 = 33 for DMG: 1d8 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 13 + 2 = 23

Net = 105

"Get the giant to SHUT THE DOOR!"

Suggestion to the lead giant to back up and shut the door. Will DC 17

Taranis casts Entangle on the center of the courtyard DC 15

Gozrek opens the door and...

Will: 1d20 ⇒ 12
Reflex: 6d20 ⇒ (7, 12, 9, 6, 16, 15) = 65

Toth rips the first giant to shreds, but there are PLENTY more to come. The giant behind him looks skeptically at the shattered door at his feet. "door is floor now"

The others in the courtyard are hampered by Taranis's spell, but only the giants seem bothered. The captain looks up and shouts, "Fetch the wizard!"

Round IV
1. Captain
2. Gozrek standard, John (61/76 hp, armor broken), Augrym (shield broken), Unrak (90/110 hp, Reflex), Taranis (67/82 hp, Toth 57/76 hp), Bytor
3. Guards (some wounded), Giants