GMTrex's Kingmaker Campaign

Game Master Andrew Trexler

Unrak rumbles I think the last thing they'd expect is for us to simply walk into the fort through the wall. I say we push on, and Brother Mine makes the hole in the wall as planned.

Unrak loads his crossbow with a flaming bolt (move action) then is ready to move forward if everyone is in agreement

"Onward! Quickly!" How far out from the wall are we now?

Per Slack we're 120' out now. I still say we do this. It'll only get worse now. Besides that's a lot of XP built up from zombies :-)

Following the brothers Redleaf, you reach the palisade of sharpened logs amid shouts erupting from the tower above you. Fortunately, no more zombies emerge to trouble you.

As you collect at the palisade, you can overhear bits of hurried chatter above you.

"Go kick Auchs awake." This from a high, nasal voice.

"Boss, too?" This voice sounds apprehensive.

"No, let the drunkard sleep."

"Just Auchs then."

"Who else is on watch?"

"Sneeg. And Dirty Jeb."

"Have Dirty Jeb get his brother and bring them here. Have Sneeg watch the other side. Should be quick to deal with these fools, whoever they are."

Now that you are at the wall, what do you do?

Round XI
1. Zed, Unrak, Augrym, Marc, Taranis
2. ???

Whispering, "Sneeg! We need him alive. The others get the blade. Let their bodies feed the worms."

Taranis makes an active effort to listen at the wall and points for Toth to sniff. If the voices aren't RIGHT on the other side, he'll cast Wood Shape on the palisade in order to shape an entrance.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Sniff, Sniff Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Toth sniffs at the wooden stakes and offers his master a confused look. Taranis casts his spell and warps one of the planted stakes into a door-ish format. Since it only affects a single piece of wood, this is large enough to squeeze through. In the growing light, you see tramped mud inside the walls and a crude wooden stair leading up to the west. Buildings of partially collapsed stone lie to your north and west.

The torchlight above you dims and steadies.

Round XII
1. Zed, Unrak, Augrym, Marc, Taranis
2. ???

Unrak's eyes light in eager glee at hearing the name Sneeg. He whispers fiercely Ha! About time..now I can get myself a REAL weapon!! He squeezes through the new opening, crossbow in hand, and moves inside enough to let the others through. He then points the huge crossbow up toward the torchlight above, waiting for someone to poke his head out...

I believe this is a move action--squeezing is double movement for the squares you're squeezing through, right? If so, I'll ready an action to shoot the first bad guy who sticks is head out.

Round the Twelfth
• Current HPs: 20/20

Zed drops a small piece of cured leather at his feet and utters a short phrase in the language of magic. He watches as a slight glimmer of force wraps his body in a protective cocoon. His Mage Armor in place, he nods to Taranis that he is ready.

Augrym follows behind Unrak drawing his sword and shield and waits at the bottom of the stairs/ladder (not sure which it is) for his friends to all be on board with going up.

Taranis follows and scurries up to the door. He then simply opens it! Orders to Toth dependent upon result.

Taranis finds no door atop the steps -- only an open platform, with a view of the whole fort's upper level (though the distant parts are still shrouded in gloom). Two men stand there, one dark and tatooed and the calm-faced with black beady eyes.

On a second platform nearby, another man with a shock of thin red hair kicks a fourth awake. The fourth man is massive.

[ooc]Taranis has a standard action left, if he wants to use it.

Round XII
1. Zed, Unrak, Augrym, Marc, Taranis
2. Stag Lord's Creatures

Taranis casts a quick spell as he sends Toth forward into battle. The cat's teeth begin to drip acid as it runs in. The druid points him towards the big man. Casting Acid Maw

Toth rushes in and heads towards the larger man towards which Taranis is pointing!

Bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 for DMG: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 and Acid: 1d4 ⇒ 2

That is not the big man, FYI.

Toth's teeth bite into flesh, and the acid stings.

Round XII
1. Zed, Unrak, Augrym, Marc, Taranis
2. Stag Lord's Creatures (Jex @ 5 dmg)

Marc steps up and asks Erastil to bless the field of battle! Cast Bless

Marc aids his comrades with Erastil's favor!

The dark man above leans over the side of the platform and shouts down to those in the broken building below. "Jeb! Ayles! There's creeps worth a torture here. Time to earn your keep."

The man then slides behind Toth for a flanking position Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17, but the big cat is quick. Toth snaps at his heels. AoO for Toth.

The tatooed figure weathers the bite and returns one of his own.

Rapier @ Toth: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 2 = 25 HIT Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 3 + (5, 5) = 15

The calm man opposite slashes almost lazily at the cat as well, but his blade is turned.

Sword @ Toth: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 2 = 18 MISS

The red-headed man on the next platform snarls and rushes to attack the tiger as well, but his weapon has no better effect.

Sword @ Toth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16 MISS

The big oaf he was kicking slowly makes his way toward the fight, plodding his way to Toth. He raises his huge, nailed club with a grin of glee...

Finally, two more figures come running from deeper in the Fort. Their faces have similar features, suggesting a familial relation, although one is significantly less washed.

FYI, the stairs are rather steep, and count as difficult terrain for those squares.

Round XII
1. Zed, Unrak, Augrym, Marc, Taranis (AoO (Toth), Toth 6/21hp)
2. Stag Lord's Creatures (Jex @ 5 dmg)

Toth viciously bits at the man on the way in: AoO: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 1 = 21 for DMG: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 and Acid: 1d4 ⇒ 4

The acid in Jex's wound continues to burn Acid: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Taranis then gives a wicked shout as he closes on the man hurting his companion.

Scimitar: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 24 THREAT
Confirm: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 22 DMG: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 1) = 6

Toth gives as good as he gets -- the dark man howls in agony! His face betrays shock, anger, and... worry.

Round XIII
1. Zed, Unrak, Augrym, Marc, Taranis (Toth 6/21hp)
2. Stag Lord's Creatures (Jex @ 5 dmg, Davon @ 12 dmg)

Taranis comes to Toth's rescue and stabs for all he is worth! The man nearly crumples under the assault, and looks frantically for an exit.

Round XIII
1. Zed, Unrak, Augrym, Marc, Taranis (Toth 6/21hp)
2. Stag Lord's Creatures (Jex @ 8 dmg, Davon @ 18 dmg)

The cat, wounded and in trouble fights on, attacking the man between him and his master. Taranis shouts to the party "Help!"

Bite: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 25 for DMG: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 and Acid: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Left Claw: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 8 MISS
Right Claw: 1d20 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 22 for DMG: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Toth snatches at the tattooed throat with a snarl! The flanker falls! Injured and desperate, Toth turns and mauls his other attacker!

"SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!!! SHUT UP OR I'LL SHUT YOU UP!!!" The shout is muffled through the wooden boards at your feet, but loud enough. Something about the voice makes the hair on your neck stand straight...

Round XIII
1. Zed, Unrak, Augrym, Marc, Taranis (Toth 6/21hp)
2. Stag Lord's Creatures (Jex, Davon)

Round the Thirteenth
• Current HPs: 20/20
• Mage Armored

Zed centers a disgusting, sticky Web over Mr. Purple and Mr. Green.

Hearing his brother's cry for help, Unrak abandons his position (and the crit, dammit), and rushes to the stairs, stowing his crossbow & drawing his sword on the way * . Upon seeing the bloodied Toth being surrounded, Unrak screams in rage and moves into striking distance of the big man, trying to draw his attention. COME ON, Tiny! See if you can take ME down!! (the bloodrager has the presence of mind to not enter his supernatural rage until he can set up a swing...)

* since I'm making 2 move actions, I believe I'm allowed to stow a weapon on one move, & draw a new one on the second. If that's not the case, I'll just drop the crossbow at the bottom of the stairs

Purple: 1d20 ⇒ 11
Green: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Zed's well-positioned spell pins down the bandit reinforcements!

Unrak succeeds in getting the big man's attention. He yells back with stunted speech. "NNNNNooo WUN kulls AUCHS TEENY!"

Round XIII
1. Zed, Unrak, Augrym, Marc, Taranis (Toth 6/21hp)
2. Stag Lord's Creatures (Jex, Davon, Megesen twins grappled)

Augrym has no time to prepare himself for this battle from what he hears and sees when he gets to the top of the stairs.

Move and attack.

Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 171d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

”This man is not tiny. He’s as large as a dinosaur. And from the sounds of it, not as intelligent.”

Augrym scores a small cut. The wound does not appear to be very significant, but the big brute howls in agony nonetheless.

Round XIII
1. Zed, Unrak, Augrym, Marc, Taranis (Toth 6/21hp)
2. Stag Lord's Creatures (Jex, Davon, Auchs @ 6 dmg, Megesen twins grappled)

Marc wades into combat and strikes

attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
damage?: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (3, 3) + 6 = 12

Marc is challenged by the close quarters, but manages to strike from behind Augrym anyway. The big brute howls again, but still focuses on the one that called him tiny.

Auchs Club @ Unrak: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 MISS

The massive, nailed club crashes through the railing next to Unrak, sending timbers flying! The freckled bandit next to him slashes ineffectively at Toth.

Orange @ Toth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 MISS

Further along, the two reinforcements struggle against their bonds.

Ayles: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 FAIL
Jeb: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13 FAIL

Round XIV
1. Zed, Unrak, Augrym, Marc, Taranis (Toth 6/21hp)
2. Stag Lord's Creatures (Jex, Davon, Auchs @ 18 dmg, Megesen twins grappled)

Unrak tsks at the swing--while feeble in its aim, the resultant structural damage was fairly impressive.

That's not a swing, Tiny.

he roars in preternatural rage, eyes bulging, blood vessels standing out against his corded thews. He shifts over to flank with Toth, and winds up in what would be a comical fashion, were it not for his frightening rage.

THIS IS A SWING!!

use Destined Strike. I really don't want to miss..

attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 + 1 = 13
damage: 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (4, 5) + 10 = 19

fak. We don't have any methods of rerolling, do we??

5 ft step to flank with Toth, study Auchs and strike.

attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 341d8 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 6 + (2) = 15

crit confirm: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 301d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Total of 25 damage on Auchs!

”Your life choices have lead to your death. I want this to be the final thought to go through your head. We will have to kill you quickly, of course, as the trip a thought takes in your head is quite swift! MUAHAHAHA!’

Unrak bellows his reply and smashes an even larger section of the railing into oblivion. Augrym puts metal to flesh instead and slashes a voluminous quantity of intestines free of Auchs' turgid belly. The huge oaf falls off the roof through the missing section of railing.

Round XIV
1. Zed, Unrak, Augrym, Marc, Taranis (Toth 6/21hp)
2. Stag Lord's Creatures (Jex, Davon, Auchs, Megesen twins grappled)

Round the Fourteenth
• Current HPs: 25/25
• Mage Armored

Zed repositions slightly trying to see what might be below the floor, if anything...

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Move no more than 30 feet... action pending results of what he sees.

Marc finds a lane of attack and exploits it:

attack on orange: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
damage?: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (2, 4) + 6 = 12

Zed sees only walls of repaired stone. There are no apertures in the masonry around him. Actively looking about in combat is a move action.

Up above, Marc spears the last upright bandit on this platform.

Round XIV
1. Zed, Unrak, Augrym, Marc, Taranis (Toth 6/21hp)
2. Stag Lord's Creatures (Jex, Davon, Auchs, Megesen twins grappled)

Taranis steps up and tries to hit one of the entangled men with a sling stone: ATK: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10, but hits only webbing.

"Toth.... Seek. Guys, we have to get these men before they can escape!"

Handle Animal: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

Perception 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Perception 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

”They are stuck in unbroken friend Zed’s web, good leader friend Taranis. They will not get far in this trap. We will run them through and likely get stuck in the web as well. Perhaps not in this order. Another priority would be to heal furry friend Toth, for he has been badly injured.”

Toth sniffs about, paws at the wooden boards under his feet, growls at the ensnared men yonder, and gives his master a confused look.

The two men continue to struggle against their bonds.

Ayles: 1d20 ⇒ 6
Jeb: 1d20 ⇒ 16

The nearer one manages to get free! He pulls a bow and shoots through the webs at Marc.

Bow @ Marc: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14 MISS

Round XV
1. Zed, Unrak, Augrym, Marc, Taranis (Toth 6/21hp)
2. Stag Lord's Creatures (Jex, Davon, Auchs, Ayles grappled)

5 ft step. And heal Toth.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Round the Fifteenth
• Current HPs: 25/25
• Mage Armored

Zed hurls another twin set of magical arcs across the battlefield, targeting Jeb. The summoner grins as the arcane bolts of his Magic Missile sizzle through the web and slam into the bowman's chest.

Wand of Magic Missiles (CL: 3; Charges: 23: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3) + 2 = 8

"Thank you Augrym!" Taranis turns on the man who broke free and tries another stone:

ATK: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 for DMG: 1d4 ⇒ 4

The big cat licks Augrym and then follows his master's command to come.

Unrak recovers his crossbow, preparing to shoot/burn the remaining trapped guard

Assuming Zed moves for line-of-sight.

Zed and Unrak nearly collide on the steep steps as the latter recovers his bow and the former launches magic at Jeb. Taranis manages to sneak a stone through the webbing to hit the same man, while Augrym tends to the Redleaf's pet.

Marc may need a bot.

Round XV
1. Zed, Unrak, Augrym, [b]Marc[/s], Taranis (Toth 6/21hp)
2. Stag Lord's Creatures (Jex, Davon, Auchs, Jeb @ 12 dmg, Ayles grappled)

I moved Zed. Toth should also read as HP: 15/21

Marc lines up for a shot on Jeb. "Come on, we've got to be quick! Concentrate!"

ATK: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 for DMG if hit: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Yes, sorry. Marc is dropping his guisarme, then?

Marc lands an arrow just before Taranis lands his stone. Jeb collapses. The entangled man next to him screams in anguish.

"JEB!!! You rotten lot! I'll getchu for that!" He rips himself free of the webs and takes a hasty shot at Taranis, missing wildly.

Ayles: 1d20 ⇒ 20 SUCCESS
Bow @ Taranis: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 MISS

Over the din of combat, the distinct sound of several empty bottles clinking together reaches your ears... from somewhere below.

Round XVI
1. Zed, Unrak, Augrym, Marc, Taranis (Toth 15/21hp)
2. Stag Lord's Creatures (Jex, Davon, Auchs, Jeb, Ayles)

"Zed! Drop the web, let us at him!" Taranis hurls a sling stone at the remaining foe the instant the web is gone.

ATK: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 1 = 19 for DMG: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Once the word comes, Toth savages the remaining man.

Bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

But his teeth gnash only thin air.