GMTrex's Kingmaker Campaign

Game Master Andrew Trexler

"Out of doors is the natural state of things Bytor! We have not been here before, but we've become skilled explorers so new lands are a way of life."

Taranis takes in the views as the party approaches the Mud Flats for exploration...

This section of Silverstep's shores is quite different from the rest. A 3-mile-long, 1,500-foot-wide swath of lakeshore is a stretch of bubbling mud, heated by geothermal activity. The air is thick and muggy. Even though the majority of the mud lies in a low basin shielded from nearby Lake Silverstep by a mere ridge of rock, silt from the mud rarely seeps into the clear waters of the lake.

The mud sucks noisily at your boots, making the traverse quite difficult. All terrain here is considered a shallow bog.

To make matters, much, much worse, a dozen columns of mud begins rising into vaguely humanoid shapes as you pass through!

All squares are effectively difficult terrain.

Round I
1. Taranis, Marc, Zed
2. ???
3. Augrym, Bytor, Unrak

"Halt! We mean you no harm!" Taranis will either shout in other languages (or encourage others to try their languages) Knowledge to ID before taking action.

"Zed!" Delay until after Zed.

Zed stares eruditely. Knowledge (Planes): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22 He'll hail in the closest language out of: Elven, Ignan, Taldane, Sylvan, Draconic, Ancient Thassilonian, Abyssal, Celestial, Infernal, Terran, Giantish.... If it's a fail and he has to pick, he'll assume mud = Terran.

Zed guesses that these are akin to mud elementals, likely the bastard children of ancient arcane experimentation on these shores... 2 questions.

Special attacks, resistances

Zed suspects that, like most elementals, the mudmen are less vulnerable to non-magical weapons. It is hard to tell where the nearby mud ends and the being begins. The creatures look to be capable of throwing parts of themselves, or perhaps the surrounding mud, as ranged weapons; they also look to be semi-solid enough to engulf an opponent.

Round I
1. Marc, Zed, Taranis
2. ???
3. Augrym, Bytor, Unrak

"So be it!" Taranis casts a spell of Ball Lightning, and immediately sets the two spheres to work. REF DC 18

v. Closer: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 6) = 11
v. Farther: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 2) = 7

"Toth, attack!"

Toth advances, slowed by the mud, but closes into the thick of things.

Zed tries to protect the rear, striking at the northwestern one with a spell of Magic Missile. MM: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1, 3) + 3 = 10

Reflex: 2d20 ⇒ (1, 7) = 8 FAIL, FAIL

There is enough water in each mudman for the electricity to go ripping through them! Zed's spell is effective as ever.

Round I
1. Marc, Zed, Taranis
2. Mudmen (white @ 10 dmg, yellow @ 11 dmg, teal @ 7 dmg)
3. Augrym, Bytor, Unrak

seeing the affect of electricity on the mud monsters, Marc class on Erastil to give his weapon holy lighting!

He then moves toward the creatures, trying to create a front line with the Other Huntsmen.

he waits for the stupid man blobs to come into range of his polearm.

Two mudmen hurl blobs of mud at Toth, but miss even the large tiger.

Mud Bomb @ Toth Touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 MISS
Mud Bomb @ Toth Touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 MISS

Five others step in to slam fists of mud and rock at the cat.

Slam @ Toth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 MISS
Slam @ Toth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 CRITICAL MISS
Slam @ Toth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 MISS
Slam @ Toth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 MISS
Slam @ Toth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 THREAT Confirm: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13 nope Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Slam @ Toth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 MISS
Slam @ Toth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 MISS
Slam @ Toth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16 MISS
Slam @ Toth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 MISS
Slam @ Toth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 MISS

The remaining mudmen literally yeet themselves at the rest of the party, hucking their own bodies as muddy projectiles.

Engulf @ Augrym Touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18 HIT Dex Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 1 plus CMB: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26 SUCCESS, ENGULFED
Engulf @ Bytor Touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 MISS
Engulf @ Marc Touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 THREAT Confirm: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 Dex Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 3 plus CMB: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16 FAIL
Engulf @ Taranis Touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 MISS
Engulf @ Zed Touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 HIT Dex Dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 2 plus CMB: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26 SUCCESS, ENGULFED

Bytor and Taranis escape the mud, but Augrym, Marc, and Zed are each spattered in thick mud that impedes free movement. Worse--much worse--Augrym and Zed both find themselves wholly engulfed by a mudman, and begin to suffocate.

Augrym and Zed are each effectively grappled, blind, and drowning (must hold your breath).

Round I
3. Augrym (grappled, blind, drowning), Bytor, Unrak

Round II
1. Marc, Zed (blind, grappled, drowning), Taranis (Toth @ 4 dmg)
2. Mudmen (white @ 10 dmg, yellow @ 11 dmg, teal @ 7 dmg)

As the mud men approach, Bytor draws his sword, steps back and then casts Cause Fear (DC 14 Will Save) on white.

”I know the secrets of Aquarazek, the great water elemental who dissolved earth and mud into nothingness! Be gone you filthy mud beast!”

Bytor's spell appears to have no effect whatsoever on the mudman!

Round I
3. Augrym (grappled, blind, drowning), Bytor, Unrak

Round II
1. Marc, Zed (blind, grappled, drowning), Taranis (Toth @ 4 dmg)
2. Mudmen (white @ 10 dmg, yellow @ 11 dmg, teal @ 7 dmg)

Unrak is closest to Zed--who happens to be the least physically hale and in most immediate danger of drowning. The big man draws his blade, and enters into his customary rage, but at least remembers to use the flat of the weapon so as not to save pieces of Zed instead of the whole thing.

Attack, non-lethal: 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 12 - 4 = 14
Damage: 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (6, 6) + 14 = 26

CMB: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Augrym claws at his face and body, but finds himself in a bit of a panic. He’s flailing and moving all around.

Not sure where I am on the map but please move me 20ft in any direction, if that’s even possible.

These fellows are annoying, but not especially well constructed. Unrak swats one off of Zed, delivering a nasty bruise in the process, while Augrym pries another off of himself. 4d8 ⇒ (5, 1, 4, 2) = 12

Round II
1. Marc, Zed (7 nonlethal), Taranis (Toth @ 4 dmg)
2. Mudmen (white @ 10 dmg, yellow @ 11 dmg, teal @ 7 dmg)
3. Augrym, Bytor, Unrak

Taranis rolls the lightning over the same two again: REF DC 18
Yellow: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 1) = 7
Teal: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 2) = 4

In the bog prevents Taranis from doing all he wants, so he simply backs off and yells to Toth.

Toth attacks with a viciousness tha tonly he can bring:

Attack Yellow, then East, then North
Bite: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18 for DMG if hit: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Left Claw: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23 for DMG if hit: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Right Claw: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23 for DMG if hit: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Rake if triggered: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Reflex: 2d20 ⇒ (16, 5) = 21 FAIL, FAIL

The lightning courses through both targets, nearly reducing one to sludge. Toth bites the other in half, then rips another apart with his claws.

Round II
1. Marc, Zed (7 nonlethal), Taranis (Toth @ 4 dmg)
2. Mudmen (white @ 10 dmg, yellow @ 18 dmg)
3. Augrym, Bytor, Unrak

Zed hurls a trio of magic missiles towards the mudman nearest Bytor! MM: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4, 2) + 3 = 11

Marc stabs at the mudman in front of him!
attack on yellow: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
damage? (plus elec): 2d4 + 15 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 15 + (1) = 19

Marc and Zed each take out a mudman!

Fresh mudballs come flying towards Taranis and Toth, sailing wide.

Mud Bomb @ Taranis Touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 MISS

Mud Bomb @ Toth Touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 MISS
Mud Bomb @ Toth Touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 MISS

Meanwhile, more muddy fists smack into armor and fur with wet, splotchy noises. Marc gets a bruise.

Slam @ Marc: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 MISS
Slam @ Marc: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 THREAT Confirm: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 CONFIRMED Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 3) + 4 = 10

Slam @ Toth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 MISS
Slam @ Toth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20 MISS
Slam @ Toth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 MISS
Slam @ Toth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 MISS
Slam @ Toth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 MISS
Slam @ Toth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 MISS

Round II
3. Augrym, Bytor, Unrak

Round III
1. Marc (44/54 hp), Zed (7 nonlethal), Taranis (Toth @ 4 dmg)
2. Mudmen

Bytor begins by inspiring courage to himself and his companions

”Mud creatures are not wholly earth or wholly water, but a mix of the two and can be brought down like when Solaric destroyed the mud men of Fardeep!”

Unrak eyes Toth, in the middle of the pack of mudmen, and growls in frustration at the mucky ground.

IF/THEN STATEMENT:
IF Marc's attack brought his mudman down, then this happens: (pog is moved as if this occurred)

he tromps forward and laboriously makes his way to fight with the great cat, roaring in defiance--and trying to get at least one beastie's attention away from Toth and onto himself!

IF Marc's attack DID NOT bring the mudman down, then this happens:

he tromps forward, and makes his way to the mudman Marc is engaged with, and makes a quick swipe to get it gone so he can help Toth.

attack: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 12 + 2 + 2 = 21
damage: 2d6 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4) + 14 + 2 = 23

Study my new opponent, move into flanking (AoO, I think), attack.

Attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 241d8 + 9 + 4d6 ⇒ (4) + 9 + (3, 4, 5, 4) = 29

Augrym and Unrak each take out a mudman!

Round III
1. Marc (44/54 hp), Zed (7 nonlethal), Taranis (Toth @ 4 dmg)
2. Mudmen
3. Augrym, Bytor, Unrak

Taranis trudges forward as best he can while redirecting the lightning: DC 18

West: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 6) = 11
East: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 6) = 11

Toth starts in on the two mudmen that he can reach: North to start

Bite: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 2 = 27 for DMG: 1d8 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 2 = 13
Left claw: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 2 = 28 for DMG: 1d8 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 2 = 13
Right claw: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 2 = 29 for DMG: 1d8 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 2 = 12

Rake if applicable: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Reflex: 2d20 ⇒ (18, 9) = 27 SUCCESS, FAIL

Taranis zaps one foe with the ball lightning, while Toth takes down another and starts on a third.

Round III
1. Marc (44/54 hp), Zed (7 nonlethal), Taranis (Toth @ 4 dmg)
2. Mudmen (yellow @ 11 dmg, red @ 12 dmg)
3. Augrym, Bytor, Unrak

Zed hurls a trio of missiles at the wounded one to the southeastMM v. Yellow: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 2, 2) + 3 = 9

Zed's missiles unerringly find their mark, and put another foe down.

Round III
1. Marc (44/54 hp), Zed (7 nonlethal), Taranis (Toth @ 4 dmg)
2. Mudmen (yellow @ 11 dmg, red @ 12 dmg)
3. Augrym, Bytor, Unrak

Marc trudges through the mud to the next target.

He readies to react if any draw near.

One mudman slides towards Marc; the other two pester Toth.

Slam @ Marc: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 MISS

Slam @ Toth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 MISS
Mud Bomb @ Toth Touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18 HIT Dex Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

A splotch of mud smacks into Toth and quickly dries, impeding the tiger's movements.

Round III
3. Augrym, Bytor, Unrak

Round IV
1. Marc (44/54 hp), Zed (7 nonlethal), Taranis (Toth @ 4 dmg, 3 Dex dmg)
2. Mudmen (red @ 12 dmg)
3. Augrym, Bytor, Unrak

Unrak slogs through the mud, finally closing with one of the mudmen pestering Toth.

Move into flank, attack.

attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (2) + 17 = 191d8 + 9 + 4d6 ⇒ (4) + 9 + (4, 4, 3, 2) = 26

Bytor maintains his Inspire Courage. He then proceeds to sheath his sword and draw out his bow.

(+2 Attack and +2 Damage)

I did not factor in the Inspire Courage.

The mudman thrusts a wet arm in Augrym's direction as he passes by. Reminder that the mud is difficult terrain, so you would have to take an AoO to get where you are in a single move.

AoO @ Augrym: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 MISS

Augrym finds the creature easy to hit, but his blade causes fewer visible wounds than usual. Elemental traits, so no sneak damage.

Round IV
1. Marc (44/54 hp), Zed (7 nonlethal), Taranis (Toth @ 4 dmg, 3 Dex dmg)
2. Mudmen (red @ 12 dmg, blue @ 15 dmg)
3. Augrym, Bytor, Unrak

Taranis moves the lightning over two of the remaining foes:
Blue Elec DC 18: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 3) = 8
Black Elec DC 18: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 3) = 14

He trudges towards Toth as the big cat does his grim work

"GRRRRRRR!" Bite: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 2 = 24 for DMG: 1d8 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 2 = 19
Left Claw: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 10 + 2 = 30 for DMG: 1d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13
Right Claw: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 2 = 15 for DMG: 1d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11
REND: 1d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 = 13

Marc takes a step back and tires to attack the mud man again...
attack : 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
damage?: 2d4 + 15 ⇒ (3, 4) + 15 = 22

AoO

Reflex: 2d20 ⇒ (14, 8) = 22 FAIL, FAIL

Marc cuts down one, Toth rips another apart, and Taranis sends both lightning balls to zap the last. After a moment, the mud is still again. In a few minutes, the mud caking Toth's fur dries and falls off. No more Dex damage.

For putting an end to a centuries-old failed experiment, each hero earns 1200 XP.

"Well done, my friends. You took those creatures out just before I had to get tough with it using my bow."

"Well done, my friends. You took those creatures out just before I had to get tough with it using my bow."

Bytor might have said that, but I read it with the same mental voice with which I hear Gig Razorbyte.

"Is everyone okay? We have some injury. Let us see to those wounds before we move on."

While Bytor attends, Taranis and Toth wade through the bog looking for anything the mudmen had collected from past victims. Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24

Toth helps with his snoot. Aid Another: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 Taranis now at 26