Tbenox fairy dusts the remaining bulette!
Kristine heals her master, and the remaining bulette tries to keep glitter out of its eyes. All good for you, makes a DM wanna cry :'(
The remaining bulette has no problem locating his prey, though only manages to land one of his 3 attacks.
Arcos bloodrages and charges his target.
bite
The blinded bulette is easily slain, but in the moments after while you are catching your breath and trying to figure out how to skin the beasties (as their hide is fairly valuable), you hear the thundering sound of numerous hooves. You are quickly surrounded by 30 centaurs, with another 20 a bit farther back. The closer ones are female, armed with various melee weapons, while the ones farther back are male, armed with bows. You know the history of the Equestria tribe; long ago many of the males were killed in battle, following a long time of predominantly female births. The Equestria tribe is matriarchal, and all of the females are fierce warriors. They howl shrilly as the surround you, kicking up dust from the ground. They posture aggressively but do not attack, instead they seem to be gauging your response.
You've also learned in your travels/studies that Sylvan is the preferred language of the Equestria tribe, but before Smezut is able to speak, one of the females points her weapon at Xzin and screams out in Sylvan,
Xzin has no recollection of these centaurs specifically, though he has of course heard of mighty horse people before. At a loss and surrounded, Xzin is too flabbergasted to react. With the biggest gun all weirded out, and your other big guns reeling from the savage bulette attack only moments ago, you are in no position to mount an attack.
The centaur who screamed begins to bark orders in heavily accented Common, "I, Pinky Pie, claim you as my prisoners. You shall not be harmed or accosted, but you WILL come with us without word or resistance, or I swear by the mighty horse gods, we will trample your bones into the dirt."
You believe her.
The Equestria war party directs you to their camp some dozen of miles away. They constantly watch and surround you, showing now openings for escape or surprise attack. When taken into the Equestria tribal camp, you are brought before the obvious leader in a central area marked by a bonfire. There are more centaurs here, all armed and all keeping a wary eye on you. Pinky Pie goes forth to speak with the leader, keeping her voice low to avoid being overheard.
Then the leader speaks in Sylvan, "I am Twilight Sparkle, war-priestess and leader of the Equestria tribe. I have been told that you have ignored our borders along with a known... criminal." She seemed to mull over the word criminal, as if she couldn't think of the proper term. She is obviously infuriated by the sight of Xzin, and looking at him causes her to noticeably flinch in a mix of disgust, hate, and fury.
"Pinky Pie has also told me that you managed to kill Kankerata and her mate, and that is no small feat," she goes on to say, "Those bulette have been a menace for some time, and needed to be purged for the safety of all. Even so, this does little to justify violating our borders. You are obviously not of Varnhold, as knowing those pesky human expansionists, they would likely try to attack goblins such as yourselves. Not to say we wouldn't, but the presence of... that one," she points to Xzin, "has kept you alive, for the moment. Now, speak that you may be judged. Lies will be known and not tolerated, and you would do best to keep that one quiet if you value your green hides - especially his."
"Borders aside," Tbenox begins, obviously drawing the ire of the centaurs as he dismisses their accusations, "before four of you decide to string me up to your backsides and draw and quarter me... hm... he pauses for a moment, appears to blank out for a moment and returns with a smile on his face. "Excuse me, I just realized the efficiency of a centaur. All the pulling and carrying abilities of a horse without the sheer annoyance," he glances at Xzin a moment, "of an actual horse. This amuses me."
"Anyway, before you rain death on us all for your territorial psychological inadequacies, please, tell me. What exactly did our traveling companion do? It doesn't look like he remembers, either.
Pinky Pie screams out at Tbenox's incredulousness, "How dare you speak that way, fiend!" and begins to move towards him, weapon at the ready. She is halted by a quick look from Twilight Sparkle.
Twilight Sparkle blinks a few times at his audacity, and merely mutters, "Your honesty is appreciated, though speaking out like that again will land you in the same situation as your friend."
"You may be unwanted guests, you are guests nonetheless. As such, you will not be harmed, that is, unless you sully the mercy we have showed you thus far by flinging high-worded insults and continuing to think of our borders as silly notions."
"Now... to the matter at hand. You are to explain your presence here, not question our justified ill-will towards your friend. I suggest you do that quickly, lest my warriors grow too impatient and angered by flippancy for me to keep them from avenging insults."
Realizing that this is where he should probably say something, Smezut takes a small step forward and speaks.
"Please excuse my friend here, his social graces are at best with books and battlefields. He meant no harm or insult, and neither do the rest of us."
"As to your question, I would be happy to answer it."
"You may, or may not, be aware we goblins are in fact the recently appointed rulers of the nearby kingdom, Green Acres. The reason for our presence in Varnhold is concern and curiosity of our neighbor's fate. For we hadn't contacted them in some time."
"I assure you that we mean your people, and your borders, no trouble. In fact, you may even be interested to know we found a valuable bow in Varnhold's ruins, a bow I suspect you may be interested in. Here, it is yours."
Smezut lays the bow on the ground before his feet, takes a few steps back, and waits for the centaur reaction.
There is a collective gasp among the centaurs, and an almost eerie reverence comes over them. Twilight Sparkle's voice softens and she even grows somewhat apologetic, "This bow was stolen from us many moons ago by the foul Culchek tribe. Those filthy spriggans... I hope you cleansed their layer with extreme prejudice. Please, tell me the tale."
As Smezut regales the captivated centaurs with their great deeds (never lying but perhaps exaggerating a bit for effect - though Varg really did gobble up 2 of them in one bite). When the story is complete, Twilight Sparkle shakes her head.
"This is most disturbing," she says. "We haven't been bothered by Varnhold for some time, which was fine by us. But your description of what happened to the human town... that sounds as if the spriggans merely walked in after the people vanished. That is most disturbing, as the spriggans have no ability to do such a thing. Sure they could kill the people, but they would never have the discipline to cover things up; it's not in their nature. Perhaps if you were to investigate their lair, which is southeast of Varnhold and west of our current camp, you may learn something."
Twilight Sparkle then smiles, "It would do us great honor if you were to feast with us this evening." She seems to be either ignoring or forgetting Xzin's presence during this time; fortunately something deep within his soul is preventing him from speaking out. If only that could happen more often...
The centaurs lead you to a guest tent, obviously kept in the very off chance beings who sleep laying down come to visit (which is like never, but who knows). Furs are piled upon the ground, though there isn't any furniture. The tent blocks out the afternoon sun and is relatively cool. Those that are still injured are healed by centaur magic users. You have time to rest and clean up before the feast.
The feast begins when the sun goes down, and involves many ritualistic horse dances around the bonfire in the middle of the camp. The feast consists of various meats from the animals hunted on the plains, to be washed down by magically created wine (yes, there is such a spell). When you have supped, the centaurs beg more stories from Smezut, who is only too happy to oblige. There are many great tales from your times in Green Acres, and how your kingdom is a place for all peoples (except gnomes, which is perfectly fine by the centaurs and gets several cheers). The few fireworks Smezut carries just in case amaze the tribe, as they have never seen such things.
The centaurs share stories as well, most of which you have heard of. They are able to fill in the gaps, and tell history from their own perspective (humans are racists bastards is the overarching theme). Eventually, Twilight Sparkly grows quiet and solemn. After a moment, she apologizes for being unable to provide additional information regarding the disappearance of the people of Varnhold.
"There is one place you can go where you might learn more," she says reluctantly. "There is a place to the south called the Valley of the Dead. It is taboo to us, but our traditions dictate we must watch the valley for signs of disturbance or strange awakenings. Recently, one of our tribe claimed to have seen a strange and frightful shape lumbering amid the stones there. I wonder... if those stupid humans with their insatiable curiosity and drive to expand and conquer might have entered the valley. That may be tied to why they vanished."
Twilight Sparkle stops, as tears begin to well up in her eyes, "I am ashamed to ask those outside the tribe for help... but I think in this situation it is warranted. The centaur that saw something in the valley is my headstrong daughter Rainbow Dash. She confronted me to learn more of the place, but I would not satiate her curiosity. She has been missing for several days now... I fear the worst - that she entered the valley to investigate on her own."
Twilight Sparkle turns to Tbenox, "You asked when you first arrived what your friend did to have earned our ire. Now it is time for that answer. Years ago, that very goblin wandered into our lands from the north. He wore that very bleached horse's skull upon his head, and was accompanied by an abomination of nature, some sort of slug with a horse's head and a pair of arms. He declared that Windbreeze had finally spoken to him and introduced him to the way of the horse."
Twilight Sparkle chuckles a bit, but continues, "It seems silly, when a random goblin shows up out of nowhere and makes seemingly odd claims and still walks among us. The thing is, we have a prophecy. Our god Diomedes is fourfold: she consists of the mares Podargos the Swift, Lampon the Shining, Xanthos the Yellow, and Deinos the Terrible. The rough translation in the Common tongue of Deinos is Windbreeze. Our prophecy is that one day, a messenger of Diomedes would come, save us from our plights, and allow us to flourish as we once did. While our faith is strong, it was a bit strained by the form that was presented to us. Nevertheless, we accepted Xzin into our tribe. My daughter Rainbow Dash was smitten with him, as he had such power and love for us all. Our prayers revealed that he must be part of the tribe, both in name and in blood. He was betrothed to Rainbow Dash, set to rule by her side into an age of centaur prosperity. But just as the ceremony was about to begin, he went missing. He was supposed to wait in his tent, but when he was sent for, he was gone. All that was left was a hastily scrawled note saying 'Sorry, gotta run'. You can imagine that this left us furious. No one, NO ONE, walks out on my daughter."
She continues, "The years since have seen an influx of humans in the area. Obviously we had angered Diomedes and this was our punishment. When our sacred bow was stolen by the spriggans and more recently Rainbow Dash going missing, it was almost too much for me to bare. But you, good King Smezut, have brought back our relic and my daughter's betrothed. I beg of you, please bring her back to us. The Equestria tribe and Green Acres shall become tied together by the union of Rainbow Dash and Xzin. Our respective lands will remain our own, but we will always come to aid when needed. You have my word as sacred bond - that is, as long as you can keep your friend from neglecting his duties."
You rest up and gather your strength for what you feel is going to be a major assault. Given its name - Valley of the Dead - you can only guess that it may have undead roaming loose. The centaurs can't tell you much more than its location due to its taboo nature to them. You must rescue Rainbow Dash to secure the alliance between the Equestria tribe and Green Acres.
You head out in the morning, heading to the south by southwest. Along the way you come across an ancient linnworm skeleton. The centaurs say it has been there for many, many centuries and they often pass it by and say a small prayer for good luck. Continuing on, the plains give way to hills, then the hills to the mountains that loom ever closer.
The entrance to the valley is marked by a series of posts decorated with bones and skulls every 50-60ft - a wall of warnings erected by the Equestria tribe that runs along the entire entrance some 6 miles long. Beyond the warning wall of bone totems, the valley doesn't seem much different than the surrounding foothills.
Yet, the further you travel toward the mountains, the more of a strange feeling of oppression grows; the wind seems oddly muted as it flows through the trees and grass, the wildlife grows quiet except for crows and vultures that seem ever present, and the unusually regular crags along the surrounding mountains seem almost to crouch in expectation of your approach.
A mile past the bone totems, the first of the gravestones appear. These 6-10ft tall stone markers are badly weathered and many are partially or wholly collapsed. Each bear strange runes that Tbenox (with only minor help from the others) is able to identify as Cyclops and listing ancient names. There are thousands of gravestones in the valley, but you would suspect that the corpses beneath have rotted away long ago.
At the farthest point west in the valley, where the ragged Tors of Levenies rise 300ft above the surrounding foothills, the path you have followed begins rising up to a plateau. At the top, you can see a 10ft tall stone wall with an ancient rusted gate open. Given the slope, you will have to stand in the gateway to be able to see past the wall. The smell of death is clear to you even at your distance - a smell far more fresh than the age of the site would suggest.
Xzin lazily waves his hand to have Rag-mag go forth. Rag-mag mutters under his breath as he slithers up the hill. When he reaches the gate and can see past the wall, he gasps loudly, "Oh dear, well I hope I die quickly this time," as he flips Xzin an obscene gesture.
"By the way 'master', there are a bunch of zombies up here. One of them is really big and only has one eye. Thought you should know."
Round 1
Tbenox
Ramses
Skaz
Xzin
Zombies
Smezut
Paranoia
Dread Zombie Cyclops
Kristine
Paranoia Timer
Acros
Smezut
Ramses
Skaz
Xzin
Tbenox
Kristine
Acros
With the zombies killed, you hear a muffled voice in one of the graves. The grave is covered with a stone slab, which is easily moved by the rock ponies. As Xzin looks inside, he sees Rainbow Dash. She sees him, and a hoof smacks him in the face as she falls unconscious.
Given the sheer amount of human looking Zombies, being lead by what appeared to be some sort of Cyclops necromancer, it seems like you may have found out what happened to the citizens of Varnhold. You find a few stone tablets with the necromancer, the chiseled runes on them are similar to those you saw on the gravestones. Since they are in Cyclops, you must wait until someone can prepare a comprehend languages spell to understand them. The stone tablets are heavy, but you are able to make rubbings of them for ease of transport.
You are able to load up the unconscious Rainbow Dash on to your wagon to take her back to the Equestria tribe. She stays out cold while you make your way back. Upon your triumphant return, cheers raise from the tribe and Twilight Sparkle grabs up a squirming Xzin in a tearful embrace. Centaurs grab up Rainbow Dash and carry her off to a tent.
"My friends... you have saved my daughter and brought great honor to yourselves and to the tribe. Our healers will care for her, and tonight we will hold a celebration and hear stories of your heroics," she says, "Tomorrow, we will cement our friendship - both personal and between our great peoples - through the marriage of Rainbow Dash and Xzin."
The party is spectacular, in a rustic tribal centaur way. Xzin is pulled aside by the male centaurs to be prepared for his wedding. The next morning, the party wakes up with massive hangovers with Xzin still indisposed. The wedding is set to take place in the late afternoon, followed by a feast.
At the appointed time, Rainbow Dash arrives before Twilight Sparkle, who is officiating the ceremony. Xzin has still been kept with the male centaurs, and only arrives as the ceremony begins. In what is a juxtaposition in the way most other cultures conduct weddings, Xzin is presented much like the bride while Rainbow Dash the groom. Makes sense seeing as the Equestria tribe is matriarchal. It is a beautiful ceremony, bringing more than a few tears to your eyes.
Following an exquisite feast of various plains inspired dishes (like prairie dog), Twilight Sparkle presents you with gifts to seal the friendship between your peoples. It includes the hides of the bulette you killed, along with a single egg. They tell you that it will hatch soon, and since your stories included how well you have command over ferocious beasts, that you may be able to train it to not turn into a rampaging killing machine (or at least have it be a focused one, for your army). Additionally, Rainbow Dash along with a unit of their fiercest warriors will accompany you back to Stagsfall to serve in your army. In return, they only ask that you leave their borders intact and let them live how they have done for countless generations. They will always come to your aid in time of crisis, but would like to be left alone from the expansion of civilization not their own. Lastly, their great artifact Skybolt is given to you, in hopes that you will use it to protect them when they are in danger.
After the presentation of the gifts, Rainbow Dash grabs up Xzin and they ride together into the sunset. There are many catcalls from the centaurs as they do so. As in most cultures, the marriage isn't official until it has been consummated, so you can only imagine what awaits them this night.
Your journey back to Stagsfall is an uneventful one. You pass through Varnhold, and other than the crows, nothing is left living. You are met at the gates of your city with much fanfare, though that is a typical thing as your people love you. All was well why you were away.
You are able to take some time to go through the information located on the Cyclops necromancer. With it, and previous information provided by Maestro Penrod's notes found in Varnhold, you are able to find an answer about a cryptic note he made in one of the margins. It read "Vordakai - perhaps an Equestria centaur god?", which had made no sense at the time. You now are able to find out the name is of an ancient Iobarian cyclops necromancer who once ruled a pre-Earthfall empire in this region.
When asked, Rainbow Dash grows solemn but admits the name is now unknown to her. Twilight Sparkle had told her daughter the secrets of the tribe as one day she would lead. Vorakai is a slumbering warlord from a time long ago. It is a name that inspires fear, but much of the information the centaurs had was lost when they were dispersed by Taldor's army generations ago. Rainbow Dash says the cyclops necromancer that captured her spoke only in an alien language, so she is uncertain if that was Vordakai or not. The stories she knows say that Vordakai's power was great, and if that was him, you are truly powerful heroes.
You are able to find someone capable of casting speak with animals with the calico cat you found in Varnhold. Its name is Dragon, and has taken quite a liking to Varg and is often found sleeping on him. Dragon is able to tell you that his feeders left him one evening, but he was too busy eating a fish to follow. He heard some sort of new bird song when it happened, but as to what that might be, he is unable to explain.
Either way, your research at this point doesn't point to where Vordakai may be, or if the cyclops you killed was him or not. You send word to Restov (telling them what they need to know, possibly leaving some of the more specific details out.) Restov is very pleased by your quick response to the issues at hand. The alliance with the centaurs will allow them to focus efforts in other regions, and they reward you for it.
As to Varnhold, your working theory of the citizens being killed by a cyclops necromancer disturbs them. It doesn't explain all of the details, such as why all the people seemingly left one evening, but Restov seems to see the case as closed. Since the town was already inhabited by monsters, they direct you to take custodianship of the lands of Varnhold. You will of course have to explore and clear all of its lands and claim it as normal, but there will be some free structures you get when you do so. The caveat is that if you find any citizen of Varnhold in the future that they be allowed to return home and/or be compensated if that home is claimed.
Now that you have solved the mystery of Varnhold to Restov's satisfaction, you are free to begin claiming it and the surrounding lands. That will take some effort and exploration, but may eventually shed more light on this Vordakai character you've heard of, and whether or not you killed him - or maybe just a minion.
Kingdom Turn 37
Phase 1 - Upkeep
Phase 2 - Edict
Phase 3 - Income
Phase 4 - Event
Phase 1 Step 1 - Determine Kingdom Stability
(Autopass, Gain 1 BP)
Phase 1 Step 2 - Pay Consumption
(None)
Phase 1 Step 3 - Fill Vacant Magic Item Slots
= Crazy super good paladin scroll
= +1 Dex Book
= Endless Bandolier
= Nuthin'
Phase 1 Step 4 - Modify Unrest
(None)
Phase 2 Step 1 - Assign Leadership
(None)
Phase 2 Step 2 - Claim Hexes
(F6, G7, H5, I7)
Phase 2 Step 3 - Abandon Hexes
(None)
Phase 2 Step 4 - Build Terrain Improvements
(Mines (F6, G7, H6, I7); Roads (D0, C1, C-1) )
Phase 2 Step 5 - Create and Improve Settlements
(Ferry Station - 2 Foundries, 2 Houses - 38BP
Labyrinth - Castle 56, Noble Villa, 12 Town Hall11, Barracks 3, House 3, Luxury Store 14, Mansion 5 = 104BP)
Phase 2 Step 6 - Create Army Units
(None)
Phase 2 Step 7 - Issue Edicts
(None)
Phase 3 Step 1 - Make Withdrawals from Treasury
(None)
Phase 3 Step 2 - Make Deposits to Treasury
(None)
Phase 3 Step 3 - Sell Expensive Items
(Auto sell)
Phase 3 Step 4 - Collect Taxes
92+89+22= 203 BP
Phase 4 - Events (25%)
Rolled by Ramses
None!
With things settled concerning Varnhold's situation, you push on with exploring the lands they had been chartered with, and moving in to claim the land they left behind. You begin with the northern section closer to Restov; this both secures that area for your benefactors and is easier to explore since the south is covered in mountains. Your plan is to work you way down and around the Tors of Levenies, return to manage the kingdom, then explore the mountains after.
The exploration goes well, though you do find things of note along the way. In one spot you come across the rotting corpse lying dead in a shallow gulch. It's easy to find due to the circling buzzards and the wolves of the group sniffing it out. It appears that he slipped and fell into the gulch, breaking his neck. You find no sign of foul play (much to Ramses dislike; it's been too long since there was a good hanging), and it obviously wasn't a robbery given the fact his mother of pearl brooch is still on his person.
This brooch must mean he is Tomin Hanvaki, the eldest son of one of the immigrant minor aristocrats from up north who moved to Green Acres in hopes of rising in station. His brother Edrist offered a substantial sum for word on Tomin, along with the return of the family jewels, following a trip to Varnhold prior to knowledge of the issues there. Seems you'll be able to collect when you get back (several times more than the value of the pearl, 30x in fact).
Later, you come across the Equestria Burial Mounds. This will be dealt with in a later post.
You do explore the mountains to the north, as they are less of an issue to navigate. In one of the areas, you come across some Ettercaps living there. Unfortunately for them, they thought you were simple travelers and tried to go through with their normal ambush. Too bad for them, as they are all slaughtered. Amid the clutter of bones and dried husks in their caves is a web-shrouded chest holding some loot, as well as a dead dwarf on a ledge with words engraved on his helmet reading "You can have my hammer when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers". He has a death grip on it, but nothing that would stop seasoned adventurers.
Also in Equestria lands (they are cool with you exploring there and killing monsters, in case you were wondering. Just no claiming and settling) you come across a field of trapdoor spiders. Giant ones. The centaurs are happy to know you killed them, since falling into one of them accidentally would spell certain death. The spiders are really no match for your abilities. In their pits you are able to find some loot, which is nice. You know of a citizen in Stagsfall looking for spidersilk, and though normally hunting spiders don't spin webs, apparently these ones have some spider silk for you... which you will be rewarded for upon your next triumphant return to Stagsfall.
You finally get a chance to check out the former Spriggan cave. The 15 room complex has been deserted and left empty since they upped and moved to Varnhold. Until of course you murdered them for doing so, they were quite happy with their new home.
In the mudflats , you find high quality mud (high enough quality to count as a resource, a la Jayne's Town from Firefly). There are some mudmen there, not quite like mud elementals but sort of. They defend the high quality mud to their deaths, unable to be reasoned with. Besides the mud, you find some loot in the mud on a corpse mummified from ages ago. It wears the trappings of a Taldan Captain-General of Horse from 2 centuries ago.
The Ghost Stone will be handled in a later post after the Equestria Burial Mounds.
Ironstone Gully was claimed but never talked about. It contains an incredibly rich vein of iron ore.
Equestria Burial Mounds
A number of 8ft high mounds of loose stones, arranged in a strange spiraling pattern with each mound connected to the ones to the left and right by a 3ft high wall of stones are located here.
As you close in, the wolves grow restless as they smell something nearby. As they growl, the surprise manticore attack is ruined.
Round 1
Smezut
Ramses
Manticores
Kristine
Tbenox
Skaz
Acros
Xzin
Smezut
Ramses
Skaz
Xzin
Tbenox
Kristine
Acros
Smezut take the opportunity to make some new flying friends.
"Hail mighty manicores! We come in peace from the kingdom of Green Acres. Let us not meet in arms, for surely you would crush our little green heads!"
The lead of the 3 manticores addresses you after lazily flying to the top of the burial mounds while the other two peer from behind, listening cautiously.
"We are unused to seeing your kind in these lands, though we only recently came here," she says. "We keep away from the centaurs for the most part, but the humans from the north constantly send people after us since one was dumb enough to try to steal upon us in the middle of the night to steal one of our young. Their numbers and tenacity increased with each encounter; during the last we were overwhelmed. Our mate bade us to flee, but we were unable to gather our young in the confusion. When we returned, he and all of our children were slaughtered and skinned, with their carcasses laid to rot in the sun. That was some days ago..."
She stands up proudly on the mound, and continues in a regal tone, "You are the first beings in this land that have not attacked us, and treated us with respect. Also, we are not overtly fond of the taste of goblin, even if food has been a bit scarce on the run. If you were to offer us a safe(r) place to live, and perhaps help us rebuild our family, we would gladly join your cause. Even help you fight the humans if they attack you (as long as you don't mind us eating a few, they are particularly tasty)."
The Ghost Stone
A strange, gray stone monolith, its sides polished and smooth, stands at the western end of a valley. The stone is known by locals as the Ghost Stone, for at night, the air surrounding the stone within a 120ft radius glows with a soft radiance, and strange, ghostly and unnatural shapes flit and writhe through the air. The Ghost Stone itself is a spire like structure with a dull point that stands 15ft high, an ancient elven relic abandoned and forgotten. It may have once served as the foundation for a portal to the Ethereal Plane, but today it serves only to make the boundary thin.
As you approach it, you hear a voice in broken common say. "You help me, yes?" When you find the source of the voice, you find it belongs to a phase spider. Though hideous, it seems nice enough, and in need of help apparently. Her name is Zzama, and she explains that several Xills have forced her from her home, and she hopes you would kill them for her. In return, she promises a "fancy chest with stuff inside" as payment.
You know that Xills are the scourge of the Ethereal Plane, conquering everything in their paths with only one purpose: to perpetuate their race at the expense of others. All xills are female and capable of fertilizing their own eggs, but require living hosts to incubate these eggs, which they inject into paralyzed victims by means of a grotesque ovipositor normally kept retracted behind their mandibles. Evil and alien, the plane-shifting xills possess impressive intelligence and a totalitarian, militaristic culture all their own. Though they see most other life forms as incubators, they particularly prize phase spiders for this purpose.
While Xzin may think they would be excellent additions to your army, the rest of you shove him in a bag and beat him with sticks until he decides to see the light. Also, you need him to win the attack since Xills are nasty critters.
Round 1
Smezut
Skaz
Ramses
Xzin
Kristine
Acros
Xill
Tbenox
Smezut
Ramses
Skaz
Xzin
Tbenox
Kristine
Acros
Following a rousing song and haste spell, Skaz rides up to meet the foul creatures. Calling upon Sarenrae, he infuses his weapon and armor with her holy might. Varg tears in, tripping the Xill into Skaz's oncoming slice. It is gravely wounded but not killed.
Attack the hurt one then whatever others.
1st Attack 30
2nd Attack 26
3rd Attack 32
4th attack 37 crit confirm 32
1st damage 13
2nd damage 13
3rd damage 16
4th damage 43
Xzin boldly moves forward, thankful for battle to distract him from his current circumstances. He calls forth 5 of his devotees, one with an exceptionally long neck, to bring hell to the Xill.
;
;
;
;
;
First two attacks are against 1, so that's 33 (19 damage) and 35 (20 damage).
Second and third attacks are against 3, so that's 34 (17 damage) and 28 (18 damage).
Final attack is against 4, so that's 18 (19 damage).
The Xill around the Ghost Stone begin tactically chopping down the rock ponies to clear their immediate area of foes. One barely nicks Acros.
Thinking you are safe hiding in the rear, Xill appear out of the aether (or rather, the thin veil between the Material and Ethereal Planes) to surround you.
Tbenox, sensing imminent danger, tempts fate with a well placed slow spell, praying not only he can focus on casting the spell, but overcome the ethereal plane native's pesky spell resistance.
The magic seems to slip off one of them, and a second merely shakes her head. The one to the north of Tbenox is slowed.
Round 2
Smezut
Skaz
Ramses
Xzin
Kristine
Acros
Xill
Tbenox
The fight with the Xills tested your metal much more than other encounters this side of the mountains, but you prevail with only Xzin being impregnated with eggs. As much as he demands for that information to remain with the party... yeah, it gets out.
Having finished your exploration of the eastern plains, you return to Stagsfall for a brief respite and to manage your kingdom's continual progress. With the 3 manticores in tow, you are met with many scared looks until you gather up the folk and tell tales of your adventure, as you often do. When the people hear their sad story, they realize that even what they would call a monster still has feelings, and the loss of their family followed by the mercy and helpfulness of King Smezut rallies the people for the manticores. The three beasts roar in appreciation.
During this, you are approached by a man. He introduces himself as Iosis Vemorelion, a local (and quite eccentric) poet. He desires to write an epic using only pens crafted from manticore quills. If they could donate some, he promises the epic to be worthy of their greatness. The manticores, amused by this request look at each other, then at the group, and each shoot a volley of quills at the man. They land in a perfect line in front of him, and the lead manticore nonchalantly begins licking her paw.
When it is finished, the epic becomes quite the success. With the presence of the manticores (and the proposed breeding program to add them to your army), the epic begins the stirrings of a knightly organization, though it will be up to you to organize it. Additionally, the poet gives you a rare book of halfling poetry. It's... disgusting... but nets you a pretty penny when sold to a collector.
Once you rest up and catch up on kingdom affairs, you head out to explore the Tors of Levenies. The area is much smaller, but certainly more difficult and hazardous. Being experienced adventurers, such hindrances don't do much more than slow you down a bit.
Deep in the trackless reaches of the Tors of Levenies lies a large cave entrance. Within, a 50ft wide tunnel stretches 300ft into the mountain before opening into a large, vaulted chamber 140ft in diameter. Inside lie the dry bones of an adult silver dragon, but not completely intact as the bones along the right arm and wing are strangely incomplete, as if they had been melted away by a powerful acid. No sign of the skull remains either, or the dragon's horde.
Your knowledge of history speaks of legends of a silver dragon named Amvarean being slain by an older black dragon named Ilthuliak, who stole the treasure.
As you travel down the tunnel, it becomes dark. This is of little issue, due to your darkvision. Those without - Kristine, Cat, and Mr. Flibble - move slowly and are guided by the others. You sneak down the tunnel until you reach the cavern at the rear. As you reach the opening, you see the form of a large sized dragon. This brilliantly colored dragon has scales, teeth, and claws made of multicolored crystal, and its wings are sheets of flexible glass. None of you have heard of such a thing, but you can tell at least that is a dragon.
The dragon roars in fury, then shouts out as it looks in your direction, "Goblins! Filthy, stinking goblins in my new home! Just when I had gotten comfortable for my nap... just shut my eyes when and I feel the stomping of your little feet shaking the ground... Now you will feel my wrath!"
Round 1
Tbenox....What....Smezut
Xzin......it......Tbenox
Acros.....will....Xzin
Ramses....likely..Acros
Kristine..end.....Ramses
Smezut....up......Kristine
Skaz......being...Skaz
Dragon....:p......Dragon
Smezut
Xzin
Tbenox
Arcos
Initiative
Smezut
Ramses
Skaz
Xzin
Tbenox
Kristine
Acros
Kingdom Turn 38
Phase 1 - Upkeep
Phase 2 - Edict
Phase 3 - Income
Phase 4 - Event
Phase 1 Step 1 - Determine Kingdom Stability
(Autopass, Gain 1 BP)
Phase 1 Step 2 - Pay Consumption
(None)
Phase 1 Step 3 - Fill Vacant Magic Item Slots
= Ring of Djinni Calling
= None
= None
= None
= Wand of Magic Fang
= Paladin Scroll of Bull's Strength, Tactical Acumen, Know the Enemy
Phase 1 Step 4 - Modify Unrest
(None)
Phase 2 Step 1 - Assign Leadership
(None)
Phase 2 Step 2 - Claim Hexes
(A5, A7, B8,C7)
Phase 2 Step 3 - Abandon Hexes
(None)
Phase 2 Step 4 - Build Terrain Improvements
(Mines (A5, A7, B8,C7); Roads (A5); Fort A5, Upgrade to Fort C5 )
Phase 2 Step 5 - Create and Improve Settlements
(Ferry Station - 2 Foundries; Varnhold - Castle 56, Noble Villa, 12 Town Hall 11, Barracks 3, House 3, Luxury Store 14, Mansion 5)
Phase 2 Step 6 - Create Army Units
(None)
Phase 2 Step 7 - Issue Edicts
(None)
Phase 3 Step 1 - Make Withdrawals from Treasury
(None)
Phase 3 Step 2 - Make Deposits to Treasury
(None)
Phase 3 Step 3 - Sell Expensive Items
(Auto sell)
Phase 3 Step 4 - Collect Taxes
97+95+1= 193 BP
Phase 4 - Events (30%)
Rolled by Ramses
None!
With the exploration of the east complete, you work towards developing the land there. Much of it was previously worked on by the citizens of Varnhold, so that will help speed up the process. Additionally, the mountains will prevent some development.
After a meeting with your privy council, you hang around in your council chambers to discuss things they aren't privy to. While this is a common thing, a not so common thing happens. Not a crossbow bolt to the chest, something far more sinister.
With a loud boom, the entire room goes black. You all hear a voice, both aloud and in your heads.
You all feel a flash of pain split through you head, as if someone was looking into your very soul. It is brief, but intense.
With that, the darkness lifts. Everything is as it was, save for the 3 monsters that have appeared. Two elongated and deathly pallid arms protrude from this creature’s smoky body as it slithers silently through the air. None of you know what they are, but you're pretty sure they are outsiders of some sort. They seem to be going after the arcane spellcasters.
Round 1
Outsiders
Smezut
Ramses
Skaz
Kristine
Tbenox
Acros
Xzin
Xzin
Tbenox
Kristine
Initiative
Smezut
Ramses
Skaz
Xzin
Tbenox
Kristine
Acros
The outsiders are fast, and take advantage of that and your disorientation to lash out with their claws.
Smezut narrows his eyes, and grits through the attempt to attack his brain.
Saves:
Xzin save
Unsure if he likes this new clearer, yet confusing, state of being, Smezut believes he takes the best tactical decision possible.
Smezut takes a 5ft step backwards out of melee reach. Then casts mirror image.
Next, Smezut activates his quickrunners shirt and lets loose a Thundercall, aimed at the top 2 things.
Fort DC 19 or stun for 1 rnd.
You can tell the thundercall damages the monsters, but they seem unaffected by its stunning power.
Ramses steps up and fires in an effort to
Protect Xzin.
Damage
Varg rides forward, Skaz swiftly mounting as he does so. Not knowing what these things are, but assuming that they are evil judging by their appearance and intent, he calls upon Sarenrae to bless his weapon with her holy might, and his armor to protect him from their vicious claws. Varg's teeth sink in, but shake as he might, the creature is seemingly impossible to being tripped. Skaz's plan pays off, as his holy charged scimitar cuts deeply into the creature, nearly cleaving it in twain.
Tbenox turns to his protector and turns him into a form more fitting for murder, (a mega raptor)
Arcos rages in his new form, steps up and begins to tear apart the outsider limb from limb.
bite
gore
claw
claw
foreclaws
Damage
Boar style
Xzin quickly dispatches the two remaining monsters, as they are heavily wounded. The castle is eerily silent, save for the the cawing of crow that can be heard coming from outside. After a few moments of looking at each other think what in the hell was all that about, the council chamber doors burst open, and your guards pour in along with your privy council.
Apparently they had also heard the boom and experienced the darkness, for it encompassed the entire castle. Fortunately no one outside the castle saw it, and orders have already passed to keep the occurrence quiet to avoid causing a panic among the people. No one else heard the voice though, save Rainbow Dash. She embraces the heavily drooling Xzin as Ysmenta relieves Smezut and Tbenox of the damage to their minds.
Rainbow Dash explains that she had heard the voice before, when she was captured by the undead cyclops. She had thought it a delusion, brought forth by fear and lack of sustenance, but now she knows it to be real. Though the voice did not name itself this time, it did to her - Vordakai.
You all remember seeing the name in some of the materials left in Varnhold by Maestro Penrod. Thus far, you haven't been able to figure out much about him, as the Maestro thought it was some form of centaur god. Rainbow Dash, when questioned previously, explained that was not the case, that it was the name of an ancient evil that lived in the mountains ages ago. Obviously the undead cyclops that held her were not Vordakai, though they very well may have been one of his minions.
You pull out Maestro Penrod's notes, and compare them to other references you have in your own libraries. This takes some time, as it is fairly obscure and you have only a few leads to go with. As the days pass, you put the kingdom on high alert, not knowing when the next promised attack may come.
Your research finally provides a lead, but it is contradictory to what you know. Best you can decipher is Vordakai's Tomb is located in the Tors of Levenies - but your exploration of the area was thorough and did not find anything like it. Going under the assumption magic is likely involved, you dig deeper and find a passage talking vaguely about wards against the ravages of time. Perhaps these wards also provided some proof against detection of its location.
The way there now is clear though - what the centaurs refer to as the Valley of the Dead has a path that leads further up the mountain to the tomb. With the location found, you gather up necessary gear and head out, for the longer you wait the more likely an attack is to occur. Vordakai promised it would be worse, and there is no way to know if he would simply target you again, or your citizens. Perhaps he would even attack you individually; there is really no way to know. You leave the kingdom on alert in case an attack comes, and the several more powerful members of your privy council swear to defend Green Acres until your return.
You set out to the Valley of the Dead to find the way up the mountains to the tomb. You go through Varnhold Pass, cutting down on travel time but wishing you had built a road through it already to speed the journey even more. Galloping along the slopes of the Tors of Levenies, you come to the familiar site of the Valley of the Dead. Heading up, you find the graveyard in exactly the way you found it, save the path you are on continues up the mountain now - this was not the case before. Apparently Vordakai was true to his word and has given you the means to find him, and that he has powerful magics at his disposal.
Winding your way up the mountains, you eventually reach a lake in the Little Sellen River. To the north, a jagged limestone cliff hems in the scene; a mighty waterfall rushes over the edge into a wide pool of black, frothing water. In the center of the black pool stands a massive, hundred-foot-tall limestone pillar of weathered stone—the last, lonely sentinel marking where the cliff’s edge once stood in an age long past. At various points on the island’s top, plumes of black smoke waft up into the sky. Limestone bluffs overlook the waterfall and the pool. Their surface is striated and pocked by years of weathering; it is crumbling in places and at some points supports creepers and other scrub foliage. Hundreds of bird nests exist in the tiny seams and nooks that dot the cliff face, and the air before the cliffs is constantly abuzz with the insects that dwell in the foliage and the wrens and starlings that feed on them.
Scouting reveals a natural cleft in the side of the tower of stone creating a sort of overlook 60ft above the water. At the foot of the cliff, where the beach meets the limestone scarp, a dark opening in the stone beckons, partially obscured by creepers and dangling foliage. The Little Sellen River's average depth here is 40ft, thought the black pool around the island is much deeper, as much as 120ft.
Given your options of going in low or high, you choose high. Fly is cast upon Varg and Cat, and they ferry all of you up in one trip. Varg has to bite Mr. Flibble by the scruff of the neck, but you all make it up to the overlook in one minute. Upon arrival and dismounting, you look around not initially noticing anything. Luckily, Skaz is able to point out a door hidden behind a thick curtain of vines. The door radiates abjuration magic; Xzin is able to determine that it is an Arcane Lock spell.
Smezut
Ramses
Skaz
Xzin
Tbenox
Varg
Mr. Flibble
Kristine
Cat
Acros
Smezut
Xzin
Tbenox
Tbenox casts dispel magic, augmented by his arcane reservoir.
Time has weakened the magic here enough for Tbenox to remove the arcane lock. As he does, the stone door slowly opens to reveal a passageway leading in. You can see it continue as far as your darkvision will let you, and it absolutely reeks. The wolves all begin pawing at their noses, and you can tell that if you enter, the foul fumes that are exuding from the passageway will likely cause you to vomit if you are very lucky, and quite possibly worse.
Xzin summons up rock pony scouts, that go in and leave behind scouts at regular intervals. 6 rounds later, the response describing what they see is relayed.
They tell you the dimensions of the corridor, and that there is a secret door at the end opening up into the chamber. The chamber itself is much too large for the scout that peeked his head through the wall to see in its entirety, and he decided to relay what he saw before doing anything else since there was a creature inside, appearing to be standing guard. The elemental was lucky not to give away his position.
The room itself is hazardous, and the source of the toxic fumes. This wide chamber appears to have been naturally formed; its ceiling rises 25 feet and is festooned with stalactites. The stink of sulfur and tar are strong, as a huge lake of bubbling black tar dominates the chamber. From rock outcrops here and there on the walls bubble small springs of milky-looking water.
The tar pool is boiling hot — each round of contact inflicts 1d6 points of fire damage, and total immersion inflicts 10d6 fire damage per round. Each round after a creature takes damage from the tar, it suffers half that amount of damage each round for 3 more rounds. A small blob of tar can be removed as a full-round action, but a creature that was immersed in it can only avoid the damage by removing the sticky tar with universal solvent. After the tar burns for 3 rounds, it cools to a thick layer that effectively reduces the creature’s Dexterity by 4 points—it takes 2d4 minutes to peel the tar off. A creature can slog through the tar each round it makes a DC 20 Strength check as a full-round action — success means the creature can move at a speed of 5 feet. The tar itself is too thick to be navigated by a swim speed, but a burrow speed works normally in it. Freedom of movement allows a creature to navigate the pool of tar with ease as if swimming in water. The pool is only 1 foot deep — below this layer, the tar is thick and vicious enough to support weight.
The creature's flesh is foul and blackened, in part due to the fact that he’s been charged with guarding this room from intruders. He still wears tatters of his robes, and his jaw hangs slack where it was broken. It stands motionless on the ledge impassively watching the room and waiting with endless patience for enemies to act against. It is wielding a dagger, and does appear to the rock pony to be undead.
With the plan set the wolves hastily fly down the passageway; along with the wind ponies they take up position next to the secret door. The rock ponies wait in the wall along the ledge where the undead stands, waiting to pop out when the attack starts.
Movement through the passage way takes 1 round, here are the Fort saves as appropriate:
Surprise round fort saves:
Kingdom Turn 39a
Phase 1 - Upkeep
Phase 2 - Edict
Phase 3 - Income
Phase 4 - Event
Phase 1 Step 1 - Determine Kingdom Stability
(Autopass, Gain 1 BP)
Phase 1 Step 2 - Pay Consumption
(None)
Phase 1 Step 3 - Fill Vacant Magic Item Slots
= Ring of Feather Falling
= Cap of Light
= Potion of Levitate
Phase 1 Step 4 - Modify Unrest
(None)
Phase 2 Step 1 - Assign Leadership
(None)
Phase 2 Step 2 - Claim Hexes
(B4, B6, C3, C5)
Phase 2 Step 3 - Abandon Hexes
(None)
Phase 2 Step 4 - Build Terrain Improvements
(Roads B4, B6, C3, C5, E-3, G7, G3)
Phase 2 Step 5 - Create and Improve Settlements
(Stagfall – 2 House 6, Alchemist 18, Arena 40, Garrison 14, Graveyard 2, Guildhall 17
Varnhold – Four City Walls 8
)
Phase 2 Step 6 - Create Army Units
(Huge Infantry Unit)
Phase 2 Step 7 - Issue Edicts
(None)
Phase 3 Step 1 - Make Withdrawals from Treasury
(None)
Phase 3 Step 2 - Make Deposits to Treasury
(None)
Phase 3 Step 3 - Sell Expensive Items
(Auto sell)
Phase 3 Step 4 - Collect Taxes
101+95+43= 239 BP
Phase 4 - Events (35%)
None!
Kingdom Turn 40
Phase 1 - Upkeep
Phase 2 - Edict
Phase 3 - Income
Phase 4 - Event
Phase 1 Step 1 - Determine Kingdom Stability
(Autopass, Gain 1 BP)
Phase 1 Step 2 - Pay Consumption
(None)
Phase 1 Step 3 - Fill Vacant Magic Item Slots
= Headband of Counterspelling
= Wand of Delay Pain
= Miser's Mask
Phase 1 Step 4 - Modify Unrest
(None)
Phase 2 Step 1 - Assign Leadership
(None)
Phase 2 Step 2 - Claim Hexes
(D4, D6, D8, E5)
Phase 2 Step 3 - Abandon Hexes
(None)
Phase 2 Step 4 - Build Terrain Improvements
(Mine and Farm on E5, Farms A3, B2, C1, Roads D6, E5 (6+4+12+8+6) = 36 bp)
Phase 2 Step 5 - Create and Improve Settlements
Ferry Station – 2 Foundries (32)
Stagfall – 2 Watchtowers (12+6), Garrison 28, Granary x3 (18), House 3, Barracks 6, Orphanage 6
Phase 2 Step 6 - Create Army Units
(Increase Goblin Wolf Riders to Colassal (this is biggest army unit), small unit of erastil clerics at Labyrinth)
Phase 2 Step 7 - Issue Edicts
(None)
Phase 3 Step 1 - Make Withdrawals from Treasury
(None)
Phase 3 Step 2 - Make Deposits to Treasury
(None)
Phase 3 Step 3 - Sell Expensive Items
(Auto sell)
Phase 3 Step 4 - Collect Taxes
104+101+89= 294 BP
Phase 4 - Events (40%)
None!
Kingdom Turn 41
Phase 1 - Upkeep
Phase 2 - Edict
Phase 3 - Income
Phase 4 - Event
Phase 1 Step 1 - Determine Kingdom Stability
(Autopass, Gain 1 BP)
Phase 1 Step 2 - Pay Consumption
(None)
Phase 1 Step 3 - Fill Vacant Magic Item Slots
+5 Shortbow composite (Anarchic, Distance) 128,375gp value The item sheds light
Wand of Endure Elements CL3
= Potion of Resist Energy Cold
= Boots of Friendly Terrain
Phase 1 Step 4 - Modify Unrest
(None)
Phase 2 Step 1 - Assign Leadership
(None)
Phase 2 Step 2 - Claim Hexes
(D2, E1, E3, G1)
Phase 2 Step 3 - Abandon Hexes
(None)
Phase 2 Step 4 - Build Terrain Improvements
(Mines D2, E1, E3, G1, A3, B0, C3)
Phase 2 Step 5 - Create and Improve Settlements
Ferry Station – 5 Foundries (80)
Stagfall – 5 houses (15), Trade Shop (5)
Phase 2 Step 6 - Create Army Units
(None)
Phase 2 Step 7 - Issue Edicts
(Trade Route (Raw Materials) – 145 BP Investment
TRL 31 RM 3 LM 53
Ferry Station - > Restov via Purple Path
Corruption +1
Productivitiy +21+1+1+5
DC = Control DC + your settlement's Corruption + the RM + the LM – your settlement's Productivity
Check = 130 + 1 + 3 + 53 – 28 = 159 (auto-pass all 3 checks next turn. Route Expires Turn 52 if successful) )
Phase 3 Step 1 - Make Withdrawals from Treasury
(None)
Phase 3 Step 2 - Make Deposits to Treasury
(None)
Phase 3 Step 3 - Sell Expensive Items
(Auto sell)
Phase 3 Step 4 - Collect Taxes
104+112+1= 222 BP
Phase 4 - Events (45%)
None!
Kingdom Turn 42
Phase 1 - Upkeep
Phase 2 - Edict
Phase 3 - Income
Phase 4 - Event
Phase 1 Step 1 - Determine Kingdom Stability
(Autopass, Gain 1 BP)
Phase 1 Step 2 - Pay Consumption
(None)
Phase 1 Step 3 - Fill Vacant Magic Item Slots
= Gauntlets of the Weaponmaster
= Wand of CLW CL3
= Wand of Charm Animal
Phase 1 Step 4 - Modify Unrest
(None)
Phase 2 Step 1 - Assign Leadership
(None)
Phase 2 Step 2 - Claim Hexes
(H2, I1, I3, I5)
Phase 2 Step 3 - Abandon Hexes
(None)
Phase 2 Step 4 - Build Terrain Improvements
(Farms G3 G5 G7 F4 F6 H4 H6)
Phase 2 Step 5 - Create and Improve Settlements
Create Dragonclef Gulch at G5 - Castle 54 , Town Hall 11, Barracks 3, Watchtower 6, Stockyard 20, City Walls x2-4, Housex2- 6, Tavern 12, Shop 8
Phase 2 Step 6 - Create Army Units
(None)
Phase 2 Step 7 - Issue Edicts
(Trade Route (Raw Materials) – 145 BP Investment
TRL 31 RM 3 LM 53
Ferry Station - > Restov via Purple Path
Corruption +1
Productivitiy +21+1+1+5
DC = Control DC + your settlement's Corruption + the RM + the LM – your settlement's Productivity
Check = 130 + 1 + 3 + 53 – 28 = 159 (auto-pass all 3 checks next turn. Route Expires Turn 52 if successful)
BP Income from Treasury = +2 Economy Permanent. +7 Economy for 1 year (Expires turn 52)
__________
Trade Route (Food) - 65 BP Investment
Ferry Station -> Restov via Purple Path
TRL 31 RM 3 LM 57
Corruption +1
Productivity +28
DC = Control DC + your settlement's Corruption + the RM + the LM – your settlement's Productivity
Check = 135 + 1 + 3 + 58 – 28 = 169 (auto-pass all 3 checks next turn. Route Expires Turn 53 if successful)
)
Phase 3 Step 1 - Make Withdrawals from Treasury
(None)
Phase 3 Step 2 - Make Deposits to Treasury
(None)
Phase 3 Step 3 - Sell Expensive Items
(Auto sell)
Phase 3 Step 4 - Collect Taxes
116+112+1+149= 378 BP
Phase 4 - Events (50%)
None!
Kingdom Turn 43
Phase 1 - Upkeep
Phase 2 - Edict
Phase 3 - Income
Phase 4 - Event
Phase 1 Step 1 - Determine Kingdom Stability
(Autopass, Gain 1 BP)
Phase 1 Step 2 - Pay Consumption
(None)
Phase 1 Step 3 - Fill Vacant Magic Item Slots
= Headband of Vast Intelligence +2
Phase 1 Step 4 - Modify Unrest
(None)
Phase 2 Step 1 - Assign Leadership
(None)
Phase 2 Step 2 - Claim Hexes
(A1, -A2, A8, B9, C8, I9, I11, I13)
Phase 2 Step 3 - Abandon Hexes
(None)
Phase 2 Step 4 - Build Terrain Improvements
(Roads –A-2, -A0, -A2, G-3, G-1,G1, A9, A1, A-1)
Phase 2 Step 5 - Create and Improve Settlements
(Stagfall – Palace 108, 8 Houses 24, 4 Brothels 16 , 4 Shops 32, Paved Streets (4 districts) 96)
Phase 2 Step 6 - Create Army Units
(None)
Phase 2 Step 7 - Issue Edicts
(Change Promotion to Expansionist, change Holidays to 24
Trade Route (Raw Materials) TRL 31 RM 3 LM 53
Ferry Station - > Restov via Purple Path
Corruption +1
Productivitiy +21+1+1+5
+2 Economy Permanent. +7 Economy for 1 year (Expires turn 52)
__________
Trade Route (Food) - 65 BP Investment
Ferry Station -> Restov via Purple Path
TRL 31 RM 3 LM 57
Corruption +1
Productivity +28
DC = Control DC + your settlement's Corruption + the RM + the LM – your settlement's Productivity
Check = 135 + 1 + 3 + 58 – 28 = 169 (auto-pass all 3 checks next turn. Route Expires Turn 53 if successful)
Arrived This turn +73BP to treasure. Permanent +2 Economy and +5 Economy for 1 year (ends Turn 53)
)
Phase 3 Step 1 - Make Withdrawals from Treasury
(None)
Phase 3 Step 2 - Make Deposits to Treasury
(None)
Phase 3 Step 3 - Sell Expensive Items
(Auto sell)
Phase 3 Step 4 - Collect Taxes
Taxes: ⇒ 129+112+69+74=384
Phase 4 - Events (55%)
Event!
Dangerous Kingdom Event!
Food Shortage!
Food Shortage: Spoilage, treachery, or bad luck has caused a food shortage this turn. Attempt a Stability check. If you succeed, Consumption in the next Upkeep Phase increases by 50%. If you fail, Consumption in the next Upkeep Phase increases by 100%. (Auto-pass)
Kingdom Turn 44
Phase 1 - Upkeep
Phase 2 - Edict
Phase 3 - Income
Phase 4 - Event
Phase 1 Step 1 - Determine Kingdom Stability
(Autopass, Gain 1 BP)
Phase 1 Step 2 - Pay Consumption
(None)
Phase 1 Step 3 - Fill Vacant Magic Item Slots
(Bleah, I quit this part)
Phase 1 Step 4 - Modify Unrest
(None)
Phase 2 Step 1 - Assign Leadership
(None)
Phase 2 Step 2 - Claim Hexes
(E7,E9, F8, F10, G9, G11, H8, H10)
Phase 2 Step 3 - Abandon Hexes
(None)
Phase 2 Step 4 - Build Terrain Improvements
(Mines A3, A5, A7, A9, B10, C9 - 36BP
Roads B10, C9, D4 – 12BP)
Phase 2 Step 5 - Create and Improve Settlements
(Add District to Ferry Station (1)
Ferry Station – 6 Foundries (96), 2 Foreign Quarter (60)
Jarethville – 4 Houses (12)
Stagfall – Noble Villa (12), Luxury Store (14), 2 House (6), Exotic Artisan (5), Academy (26)
Petticoat Junction – Foreign Quarter (30)
Tatzlford – House (3), Inn (5))
Phase 2 Step 6 - Create Army Units
(None)
Phase 2 Step 7 - Issue Edicts
(Trade Route (Raw Materials) TRL 31 RM 3 LM 53
Ferry Station - > Restov via Purple Path
Corruption +1
Productivitiy +21+1+1+5
+2 Economy Permanent. +7 Economy for 1 year (Expires turn 52)
__________
Trade Route (Food) TRL 31 RM 3 LM 57
Ferry Station -> Restov via Purple Path
Corruption +1
Productivity +28
Permanent +2 Economy and +5 Economy for 1 year (ends Turn 53))
Phase 3 Step 1 - Make Withdrawals from Treasury
(None)
Phase 3 Step 2 - Make Deposits to Treasury
(None)
Phase 3 Step 3 - Sell Expensive Items
(Auto sell)
Phase 3 Step 4 - Collect Taxes
Taxes: = 139+124+59=322BP
Phase 4 - Events (25%)
Ryan Rolled
None!