Gm Aest's Kingmaker: To Forge a Kingdom

Game Master Aest

That was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to write. It was hard trying to figure out what to do, but this seems like the most in-character action.

Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell...

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It's beautiful, Kaz. Just beautiful.

Like I said - one of the hardest things I've ever written. I tried to give justice to the severity of the situation.

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I moved you up.

Hmm

Kaz that was lovely.

Poor Kazimir. Also, is that Charge of the Light Brigade?

It was; it seemed fitting enough. Though feel free to imagine The Trooper by Iron Maiden, if you prefer.

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The Charge of the Light Brigade should have been, historically speaking, the first hint for Europe that war had changed. Instead, they immortalized it in verse. The poet in me (not much of one, but he's there) thinks it's beautiful. The historian thinks that poem is one of the reasons WWI ended up so dumb.

Your use of it is really nice, though.

Thank you, thank you. Though this reminds me that I haven't even started on the yearly poetry challenge I do with my friend... whoops. >.>

ETA: this is intense. I hate waiting; I've already chewed my fingernails down to stubs. I suppose all I can do is wait for the inevitable...

As much as I hate to see Kaz die, I have to admit that this was a beautiful death scene. I will admit that I peeked under the Kaz spoiler. It was beautifully written, Aest.

So... what's next, Kaz?

Is he actually dead though? He dies at -14 and has Infernal Healing going on him. Im guessing the 15/25 health he has in his header isnt up to date?

The 15/25 is from two rounds ago, before he pulled a Boromir and sts=arted sprouting arrows from his chest.

He's really, actually dead.

That being said, it's up to him what he'd like to do next. We've been chatting for a while about things he'd like to do. Stay posted.

I have a dilemma. Kaz wanted to redeem Akiros, and up until now, Cyanne did too. But Akiros just crossed a line here... Will Cyanne still try to honor Kaz's wishes, or will she just want the bandit dead -- no matter that he saved her life earlier?

You've created such an interesting villain here, Aest, but I think he's just doomed himself because there are two very pissed women in front of him.

I just had another terrifying thought... Kaz, you're not going to leave us and force me to be ruler, are you? The Stolen Lands are not ready for the Burlesque Baronness. Being ruler would also thow a serious wrench into Cyanne's plan of marrying Daen and raising a passel of scowling children.

Lali wants a prisoner but Akiros just lost that chance. He's about to sprout arrows.

I peaked under the spoiler too. It was very well written, although I'm sad that scene was needed. Lali will forced march Kaz's corpse back to Restov for a resurrection if she has to.

Being ruler would also thow a serious wrench into Cyanne's plan of marrying Daen and raising a passel of scowling children.

With them being the children of Cyanne and Daen, they are probably cute and scowling at the same time!

Blue-haired, cute-but-scowling children...

So they're anime characters?

:P

In character, Cyanne will be working towards Kaz's resurrection.

Out of character, the only reason why I'm not freaking is there there was an element of player choice here. Kaz is our bedrock. His death will have huge repercussions in our group's story and interactions.

The group just had an enomous Kaz-sized hole shot through its heart.

Blue-haired, cute-but-scowling children...

So they're anime characters?

:P

Was there any doubt of this?

Out of character, the only reason why I'm not freaking is there there was an element of player choice here. Kaz is our bedrock. His death will have huge repercussions in our group's story and interactions.

This.

Yeah, I didn't keep my health up to date. I was at 15, then the arrows took me down to 1. I regained 1 from infernal healing on my turn, putting me at 2, but that crit well and truly took below below neg-Con. Kaz is dead. Somebody needs to fetch Cyanne a bugle...

And awww, I'm tickled you guys want me back so badly. I hope a resurrection is on the cards, if only so Cyanne can have her legions of anime children :P

It'll be interesting to see how everyone copes with this, too. It'll be like watching my own funeral!

You know how we'll cope? Badly. This will hit all four of us very hard. We have a wonderful in group chemistry where each of us played an important part. This will rock us to the core.

I can see that. >.>

Gotta say, I feel for Daen and Luthor who don't know what's going on yet. That's gonna be rough.

Yep, Daen can't even see you from where he is, so it will be a bit of a shock when he comes round the corner.

I really kinda want to ask you what your plans are, but perhaps it would be good for me to just be patient here. Kaz has been really fun, and I'm hoping that at least you as a player will be with us for some time.

I'll be around, don't worry. As for Kaz... That depends on a few things. But don't panic just yet.

GM, I'll respond to the spoiler stuff later. I'm at work now!

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What I thought of when reading Kazimirs death.

I must admit I remembered that scene being more "life before your eyes" than it was though.

@Kazimir: No problem. Take your time.

@Daen: Patience is a virtue.

@Cyanne: I have a feeling the group will be able to get on without Kazimir. It won't be the same, but it'll be okay, I think.

@Legions of Anime Children: If this happens, we'll stop playing Kingmaker and turn the campaign into something more tongue-in-cheek. Our "Days of Our Lives" thing we have going is ridiculous enough! XD

@Everyone: Good luck with Akiros. I still have my same goals about named-bandit-survival that I did going into this: 2/3.

I have to say, this could be the biggest test of my RP abilities to date. I don't think I've cried this much while writing something in a long time. I feel like a murderer >.>

Also, DAMMIT LUTHOR! That scene ALWAYS makes me cry! >.>

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This is the most emotional I've ever been about a character death. It was really hard trying to write Lali reacting to it.

Jeebus, guys. You're making me feel exceptionally guilty.

Aest - Don't sweat it. I'm just a drama queen. Also, regarding your apology in gameplay, don't sweat that either. It was a logical thing to do. He's damned lucky I didn't teach Surefoot the 'exclusive' trick :P

Lali - If it's any consolation, I loved Lali's reaction. Really made me feel for her.

Everyone: It's time to come clean. This has been on the cards for a while. Aest pitched an idea to me when I was in the bad-rolls slump - a suggestion of what could happen if the bad luck kept up and got Kaz killed. I actually rather liked the idea for character building purposes, and decided to go with it. We've had this mostly planned out for a few days.

I'm coming clean because I don't want anyone to stress too much. Kaz is full-on, neg-CON, expired. He has passed and joined the choir invisible. He's bleedin' demised. He is an ex-paladin. But he won't stay that way. He'll be back soon enough, and while death might change him a little in both personality and mechanics, he'll still be a paladin, he'll still follow the same god, and he'll still be the awkward, bumbling farm boy you've all come to know and, hopefully, love. He'll just be a little more secure in himself, and more aware of what he's actually capable of.

I get worked up over character death, too, and knowing this was coming - and knowing what Aest has in the pipeline - didn't make writing those posts any easier. I don't want to get anyone down, and I'm sorry for keeping this plan a secret. Don't hate me too much, okay?

Lali - If it's any consolation, I loved Lali's reaction. Really made me feel for her.

There wouldn't have been a good way for Kaz to die, but seeing him go out like that is going to mess with her head.

I, meanwhile, am glad that Kaz is coming back! :) I guess that's why we couldn't get a refund on him...

You know, somehow I had a feeling this wouldnt be it. Or maybe it was just me sitting here thinking about suggesting him coming back to life through Erastils good graces. Either way, I wasnt too worried. Certainly surprised though, its all too easy to forget crits are a thing.

Also, Lol Lali, that one is a personal favorite.

Just because you're not worried doesn't mean your character isn't! Bring me the juicy drama; I've got lemonade on ice and popcorn in the microwave! :P

Kaz, I cried like crazy when Cyanne died in her previous game, even if it was an epic death. That was part of the impetus to try Kingmaker... I wanted to give Cyanne a chance to live and breathe again.

I'm glad that you're coming back, and that you plan to lead when you do. I and my legions of yet unborn anime children thank you.

By the way, Cyanne will fall apart after this battle. It's only shock and adrenaline that is keeping her upright now.

I apologize for the eventual trauma. If it'll make her feel better, Cyanne can Gibbs-slap Kaz when he comes back?

Though if you ask me, taking up the leadership mantle and sacrificing any hope of a happy marriage is payment enough ;-)

That... Seems like kind of a dick move.

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I will admit that the logical thing to do is shoot the horse. He's got a low AC. But Lali doesn't have it in her to shoot him, at least not yet, which is a good thing right?

Well, yeah. But man... Kaz is dead, Akiros stole his horse, and now Daen's trying to shoot it. Better omit that last detail when he comes back...

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I think it's safe to say Kaz is having a bad day.

Silver lining, he gets to high five Erastil in person?

None of my characters are having a particularly good day (except Tobias, who has a fire and cookies), but Kaz is having the worst. day. ever. As for that silver lining, depends on whether the Big Guy himself shows up.

That... Seems like kind of a dick move.

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Yeah, sorry dude. Daen is a bit of a jerk sometimes. He has no idea you're coming back, and he'll try to make it up to you when they see you again. It is the cold logical choice, but it doesn't mean it's the right choice to make. He'd rather your horse die today than one of his friends horses in a couple weeks when this guy comes back with more bandits, or worse is hanging out with the Stag Lord when they meet him, but there's no guarantee of that happening.

It's not terribly honorable to do it either, but he's a bit shaken up. This was the first time he'd seen an ally die. Up until this point they were invincible. You might see him be a bit more cautious in the future. Not too much, mind you, but maybe a little.

Lali,

You could always call Surefoot to you using Handle Animal. I don't know what tricks Surefoot had, but I would expect Come to be one of them.

I apologize for the eventual trauma. If it'll make her feel better, Cyanne can Gibbs-slap Kaz when he comes back?

Though if you ask me, taking up the leadership mantle and sacrificing any hope of a happy marriage is payment enough ;-)

If Cyanne hasn't Gibbs-slapped Daen yet over his relationship indecisiveness, she's not going to Gibbs-slap Kaz. How many times have you watched her leap into the fray, unheeding? From her viewpoint, you dared. Daring is her mantra, her way of coping with having been born different.

She doesn't blame Kaz. She blames Akiros. I'm kind of hoping for a prolonged chase scene where we get Akiros in sight, because then he'll get an earful from Cyanne via message spell. Cyanne has things to say to Akiros. He has a conscience that has been bothering him. That makes him vulnerable. I want to get in his head, and shake that arrogant mixed-up bastard for what he just did to you.

Then let Lali and Daen kill him.

This is what happens when you piss off bards.

That... Seems like kind of a dick move.

It was totally in character for Daen. It was brilliant strategically, and coldly logical. However, I secretly hope that we can see Lali get Surefoot to buck Akiros using her wild empathy instead. ;)

It was equally in character for both Cyanne and Lali to reject it, while still seeing the sense of the idea. Don't judge Daen too harshly here. When he's in pain, he retreats to logic and math and tries to shove his emotions away. He's in shock and hurting. We all are.

Remember in "It's a Wonderful Life" when Jimmy Stewart sees what the world is like without him? This is what we are without Kaz. Our innocence is broken, and each one of us has become harder. Cyanne, who worships a goddess of redemption, now wants to kill someone that she knows is redeemable. Lali and Daen won't stop until they see blood. And who knows how Luthor will react?

Kaz, we need you. Go high five Erastil then come back to us.

Lali,

You could always call Surefoot to you using Handle Animal. I don't know what tricks Surefoot had, but I would expect Come to be one of them.

That is a brilliant idea! I looked at Kaz's sheet and Come is one of the tricks Surefoot knows.

Regarding "shoot the horse" - as a player, I see that it makes sense. It's a logical thing, and depending on which character I was playing, I'd do the same thing. I just don't want to have to figure out how Kaz would respond to the news of "Yeah, we kinda killed your horse", because I can't imagine it would go well.

I fully support Lali trying to control said horse, though! Hopefully the tricks he knows will be sufficient. (Exclusive + Throw Rider would have been so much fun here...)

As for Akiros, I'm trying to figure out what Kaz will be feeling when he comes back. On the one hand, "He killed me!" - that's a pretty big damper, and killing him honorably on the field of battle wouldn't be at all against his code. But on the other hand, his parting words to Kaz are interesting. It would have been easy to curse him, or renounce his faith, or metaphorically spit in his face. But no, what he said was basically "Go and be at peace with your god". Sure, I could just be reading too much into this, but I thought that was a significant line. Though if the party decides he's gotta die, that's cool, too.

I never saw It's a Wonderful Life, but I get what you're saying. OOC, I'm enjoying the responses, though Cy's breaking my heart right now. And I'm really anxious to see Luthor's reaction. The question is... how will the dynamics be different when Kaz comes back?

Cy's breaking your heart?

Yep. It's Cyanne I'm really feeling for. I've been grieving a lot lately with all the shit that's been going on, and her reactions are very similar to my own. All emotional and shook up, but trying to just hold it all together for just as long as she needs to.

There. I struggled a bit with this one, but I think this is the most appropriate reaction. He has barely had time to get over the bandit execution, then bravely pushes himself to do "what needs to be done" despite his nature, then has his first fully confirmed friend in years die.

Yes, everyone in the group is his friend and he trusts them, but there is a deeper level of friendship that goes past that. Call it "best friend" or whatever, you know that friend you know better than the rest.

Oh, Luthor! My message did not arrive in time.

Crying? Me? Never. This is hay fever, that's all >.>

My morbid curiosity has been satisfied and then kicked in the ribs. I got all teary reading that. A brilliant response, and one that's got me all emotional again. Sorry for breaking Luthor.

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