Here Be Tryants: A Kingmaker saga.

Game Master Joy

"Whether or not you have care, my liege, the other River Kingdoms do. Best to at least offer the appearance of agreement until such time as we can crush them beneath the boots of our armies."

He will do nothing to stop Radomir, as he would have made the same choice.

Majority seems to be with execution.

Radomir is able to easily lop the head off of the bound, crazed man. Now all that is left if for your group to decide with direction to head into next.

Continuing west?

Yes

Yep!

After the execution and disposal of the body, your group continues its westward trek. For the first half of the day, you travel in relative peace, with nothing and no one around to disturb you. Eventually though, the absence of bothersome wildlife is noticed. Despite the number of small bird and squirrels you see about, you don't spot anything larger.

Around noon, your group comes to a large clearing. Pausing at the edge of it, you notice that the sweet stench of decay hangs thick in this woodland clearing. Knotted branches of sickly trees line the perimeter, creating a thick canopy that blocks most of the sunlight and cloaks the hollow in shadow. Withered vegetation struggles to grow in ragged clumps among the multitude of bones strewn across the forest floor.

In the center of the clearing is a lone dark brown tree, 20 feet tall, with dark, twisted roots; a few reddish-brown leaves hang on the gnarled, wickedly curved branches.

You may roll Knowledge Nature before you enter the clearing.

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Alexander pulls his horse up short of the clearing and chuckles, Well, that doesn't look at all suspicious, does it?

Oh? It would be extra suspicious if there was a sword embedded in a rock.

Knowledge(Nature): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

"Oh? This is unusual in these woods?"

Alexander frowns. A scythe tree. I've heard stories of such trees. Dangerous and cunning...and unreasonable. Axes and heavy blades will take it down, as will fire. But be wary though, I expect those branches hit rather hard. He draws his sword and shield. Well, at least we don't have to bother talking with this one. Everyone ready? Charge on my call!

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Alexander holds us his sword and whispers a harsh magical word, casting a spell.

Alexander casts grease (DC 15)

Charge! He calls out the order as he spurs his mount toward the creature.

Radomir lowers his lance, ready to charge at his lord's command.
initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

In that case, action edited! Let's see how easy it is to knock down a tree!

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Drawing his machete, Finnegan studies the trees movements as he advances his mount forward.

Studied target as move action, move action to advance towards the tree, drawing my machete as I do so.

Init: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Unreasonable? I wonder if we could manage to have a killer tree as a subject.

Andrea will Bless the group +1 Hit/Saves vs. fear 4 minutes

Othniel circles, moving to flank the tree At least, hoping such a thing is possible, casting Acid Splash as he goes.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

kinda helps if i give my action
Czernabog's hooves thunder on the ground as Radomir charges the tree.
charge, lance: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21
damage: 1d8 + 43 ⇒ (6) + 43 = 49

Suddenly I feel inadequate, looking at Radomir's damage.

I'm pretty sure there is a typo in that damage roll, so don't feel too inadequate yet. :)

Go ahead and roll for initiative if you have not already.

init: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12

Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Round 1

Alexander casts Grease underneath the tree.

tree reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 The tree remains upright, but in the middle of the grease.

Side note that the tree does cover the area of Grease in its entirety, so no one needs to worry about landing in it if you encircle the tree.

Finnegan studies the tree for its weakness and then begins to approach it.

Radomir charges at the tree and pierces its trunk with his lance.
Radomir can reroll his damage later, 1d8+4 x2 for charge -10 for DR

The tree strikes out with three branches at Radomir in retaliation.
melee attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (3, 4) + 6 = 13

melee attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (2, 2) + 6 = 10

melee attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (4, 1) + 6 = 11

Andrea casts bless upon the group

Othniel moves around the tree, casting acid splash on as he does so and a small section of bark sizzles from the spell.

The tree takes an AoO against Othniel as he moves up:
melee attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (4, 4) + 6 = 14

Round 2: Initiative 24
Active Effects: Bless (39/40 rounds)

Alexander maneuvers his mount to the side to aid others in surrounding the vile tree. Keep at it! Don't let up!

Activating Inspire Courage +1.

Roudn 2 Init 8

Andrea loads a flaming crossbow bolt and launches it at the tree
Light Xbow,Bless,Inspire Courage,+1 bolt: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 221d8 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 2 + (1) = 6 1d6 is flame

Drat, I was hoping to circle outside its range before moving in. Must've misjudged, lol.

Pausing momentarily to use his other magical talent, Othniel generates a field of shimmering force, then charges into close range with the tree. Standard to cast mage armor, move to close into sword range

Radomir does x3 damage on a charge with a lance

Round 2, Init 18

Having moved into melee range in a flank with Othniel, Finnegan strikes with the machete, hacking at the tree.

Attack, studied target: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 1 = 28
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 + (4) = 9

Radomir, when I looked up weapons to check on damage type, I noticed that a lance was a x3 for crit, but just double damage for charges. Unless I've missed a cavalier specific reason.

Othniel, the tree has lunge to increase its range. Your character likely thought he was safe where he was.

Well I feel like an idiot.
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6x2 = 12-10= 2

Radomir tosses his lance to the side and draws his bardiche to attack.
bardiche: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Initiative: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Round 2

Eduard will attempt to strike the thing with a Magic Missile.

Magic Missile: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3) + 2 = 8

Round 2

Alexander Inspires Courage and moves.

Finnegan hacks at the tree, gouging into the wood.

Radomir cuts into the trunk with his bardiche.

Eduard sends a pair of magic missiles zooming into the tree.

The tree lashes out with its branches again, attacking both Radomir and Finnegan this time.

melee attack on Radomir: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 = 11

melee attack on Radomir: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (1, 1) + 6 = 8

melee attack on Finnegan: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (4, 1) + 6 = 11

Andrea shoots a flaming crossbow bolt into the tree.

Initiative 16

Once more, Radomir strikes at the tree with his bardiche

bardiche: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Then, he guides his steed closer, and the fierce stallion attacks as well.
bite: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
hoof 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
hoof 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Don't forget to add in bonuses. When we don't the GM either has to track those themselves, or we lose the benefit of them. In which case a lot of us whose role it is to buff feel like we might as well not be here. ;)

Round 3: Initiative 24
Active Effects: Inspire Courage +1, Bless, Flanking

Alexander cries out as he hacks at the tree, Die foul thing! Keep at it! We'll cut this thing down soon enough!

Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7

Free action to keep inspire courage +1 up.

Round 3: Initiative 18
Active effects: Inspire courage +1, Bless, Flanking, Studied target +1 (sneak attack +1d6)

Grimacing at the tree's vicious attacks, Finnegan grits his teeth as he hacks into it, taking his vengeance for the blows. "Trees should just accept when it's time to cut them down!"

Attack: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 + 1 + (5) = 10

Round 3 Init 8. Active Effects: Bless, Inspire Courage

Andrea again fires a flaming bolt
Flaming Bolt: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 121d8 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 2 + (4) = 14

Inspire Courage, Bless, Flank

Making it to the tree, Othniel slashes at the killer shrub.

Attack: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 2 + 2 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 = 14

Whoops. forgot about the buffs. it's hard when there's multiples and no one's keeping a running track. I'm too used to seeing that in the games I run. I need to learn to be more observant :)

Once more, Radomir strikes at the tree with his bardiche

bardiche, bless, inspire courage: 1d20 + 8 +1 +1 ⇒ (8) + 8 +1 +1= 18
damage, bless, inspire courage: 1d10 + 6 +1 +1⇒ (8) + 6 +1 +1= 16
Then, he guides his steed closer, and the fierce stallion attacks as well.
bite: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
damage: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 -10 = 0?
hoof 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 -10 = 0
hoof 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 -10 =0
(not sure if bless and inspire courage work for a horse, but if they do...)
bite: 1d20 + 8+ 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 +2= 19
damage: 1d6 + 6 +2 ⇒ (4) + 6 +2 = 14 -10 = 4
hoof 1: 1d20 + 3 +2 ⇒ (9) + 3 +2= 14
damage: 1d6 + 3 +2 ⇒ (6) + 3 +2= 11 -10 = 1
hoof 2: 1d20 + 3 +2⇒ (12) + 3 +2= 17
damage: 1d6 + 3 +2⇒ (1) + 3 +2= 6- 10 = 0

Round 3

Alexander hacks at the tree while keeping up inspire courage.

Finnegan hacks at the evil tree too.

Radomir strikes at the tree with his bardiche again.

Having taken more damage than it expected, the tree attempts to flee away from the beings that hack at it.

acrobatics: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

The tree fails to flee and topples over onto the Grease that was still laying underneath it. It lays there like a tree overturned by a storm and its branches flail about as it tries to figure out how to right itself.

Andrea fires another flaming arrow at the flailing tree.

Othniel slashes at the downed tree.

Round 4: Initiative 18
Active effects: Inspire courage +1, Bless, Flanking, Studied target +1 (sneak attack +1d6)

With the tree having fallen, Finnegan continues to hack away at it. It's in a vulnerable spot, and they need to finish it while they have the opportunity.

Attack vs Prone: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 4 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 + 1 + (6) = 11

Round 4 Initiative 8. Inspire,Bless

Andrea fires once more
Flaming bolt: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 191d8 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 2 + (6) = 10

Round 4: Initiative 24
Inspire Courage +1 [2/2 rounds], Bless, Flanking

Alexander continues to hack away at the tree.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Not keeping up inspire courage, so it'll last another two rounds.

Round 4

Alexander and Finnegan manage to get their attacks in before the tree finally gives its last shudder.

End of Combat

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (12) + 0 = 12

Think it's done? We could use some for firewood tonight. Alexander cleans his blade with a wave of his hand and backs his mount away. He eases off the horse and looks around, poking the skulls with his boot. Seems like this creature had no shortage of prey.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Nice

"We could, my liege, but there's more than just firewood for the taking." Othniel says, holding up one of the pieces of amber he spotted among the tree's roots. Go ahead and read the spoiler

Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35

Cleaning his machete so the sap wouldn't stain or pit the blade, Finnegan also begins rooting through the remains, his former career making him quite keen on finding valuable loot. In short order, he was able to amass quite a bit scattered around the clearing.

Everyone can check the spoiler above.

Alexander chuckles as the two "clean up" the clearing. Well, it's a good thing you two have fine eyesight. I certainly wouldn't have noticed any of that stuff. Now that it's gathered, he examines the items with detect magic.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26