Into the Stolen Lands - A Kingmaker PBP (Inactive)

Game Master GM Tallgrass

"I'll join Caelius behind the door. They shouldn't notice us until it's too late!" Maja sounds very enthusiastic about the plan.

Satisfied, Aldarion states, "I do believe we have a sound plan, then."

After anyone else chimes in, and as the conversation draws to a close, Aldarion stands as he starts to announce, "Thank you, this was a very satisfying meal, and the wine superb. But I should head to the lake now, before it grows dark. How far is the lake from here, Oleg?"

"It's about a hundred yards west - you can't miss it. It's not large, but it's serviceable."

Do you guys want to RP the setting up of the traps and such, or would you like to move on to the morning? I'm good either way, but if we RP it, there will likely be some skill checks involved. If you're successful, there will be circumstance bonuses. If you fail, there will be some circumstance penalties. Totally up to you guys.

Caelus nods to the Noble Gardener, "Indeed we do have a sound plan, I will take a quick look around and at the stables before turning in for the night. Will need to get up early to make our final preparations!"

I'm itching to get to the morning, but I will defer to anyone who wants to have some RP fun with trapsetting.

"I'll join you at the lake, Aldarion. We're going to need plenty of vegetation." Maja joins the Gardener, hoping to learn from the wise sage about the wilderness.

Aldarion nods to Maja with a modest smile, "Your assistance would be much appreciated."

To Oleg and Svetlana, "Might I borrow your horse cart, for carrying the plants back?"

The gardener bows slightly to all as he takes his leave.

Assuming they ok its use: Retrieving a shovel or two, some burlap, and rope from Oleg, they are placed in the cart. Aldarion then heads to the stable and retrieves his horse, patting her neck while speaking gently in a strange but graceful tongue.

Aldarion leads the horse to the cart, harnesses her to pull it, and, with Maja ready, heads out to the lake.

It would be fun to earn some bonuses by describing my exciting gardening skills in action. But I'm good either way, we can skip to morning if we all want that.

As the dinner/planning session ends Caelius turns to Oleg. "Tell me good man. Have you a small hammer, a hundred length of stout rope, and good broom to hand?"

If son then Caelius will secure one end of the rope to the inside of the southern half of the main door and using a dagger, the open a thin cut in the ground. The rope goes in the cut, the hammer and a bit of kindling or a stick will serve to tap it in. Not too deep just out of sight. The cut passes around the open door and to the middle of the path behind A2. The square directly East of the middle table in A2 looks about right. The DC for seeing the rope at that point should be pretty severe. The rope continues along the ground around the NE corner of A2 where the Donkey will be waiting. The broom will be used to sweep over the cut and any ground disturbed by planting. Not sure what if any skill could apply to this. Thoughts?

Oleg and Svetlana agree to loan a wagon and the small materials Caelius requested.

We'll forego the skill checks to setup the traps in the interest of keeping this moving. Once you have it all "setup," let me know and we can do a test-run, if you'd like. This will be a combo of ability and skill checks based on your role or task. Alternatively, we can "do it live" in the morning.

Timothy does not intefere with the others plans, instead staying at the post with Oleg. "If you and your wife here stay safe inside. I'm sure you know your own home. Tomorrow i, we, will show these lands that banditry is no longer tolerated. It may seem we are a small few to be sent for such a task. I myself expected dozens of explorers. Nevertheless, we shall once again claim these lands." Looking at both Oleg and his wife he also asks, "Do you know anything further about these men or the woman who leads them? Does she seem to possess any... magical ability shall we say? Whether we manage to capture them all tomorrow matters litle. Their absence will be noticed. I wonder if we shouldn't let one go so he can deliver a message for me." Though not particularly a question, the last sentence is directed to Oleg as if Timothy wanted his opinion.

After finishing with his look around the outpost, Caelus will head to the appointed place for sleep, preparing for tomorrow.

I say we do the test live

Maja heads with Aldarion to the lake and begins gathering vegetation. "I'm excited about the plan, but I have to admit it's a bit strange. Are you going to make a net or something? What kind of plants are you looking for?"

After she finishes gathering the plants...

Maja tests how easy it is to open and close the outpost door. In particular, she wants to know if it requires particular strength.

Maja wants to know if some sort of strength check is involved in opening/closing the door. Timothy is not our strongest character, so she wants to make sure he can handle it. This is the only test she's concerned about - if it's fine, she's ready for the morning.

After she finishes gathering the plants...

Maja tests how easy it is to open and close the outpost door. In particular, she wants to know if it requires particular strength.

Maja wants to know if some sort of strength check is involved in opening/closing the door. Timothy is not our strongest character, so she wants to make sure he can handle it. This is the only test she's concerned about - if it's fine, she's ready for the morning.

Timothy will not be closing the door. Half the door will be closed and he will appear to be closing the other half when the bandits arrive. He is the lure that will draw the bandits in and keep their attention off things like buried ropes, new plants, and extra people.

Also interested on testing the door closer to see if the rope trick cuts the time and effort needed,

As Maja and he make their way to the lake, Aldarion contemplates when there is a lull in their conversation, I have spoken more words to my new fellows in an hour than I have in the past year... like in the old days...

To Maja, Aldarion replies, "The taller and stronger the plant, the better it will serve. Perhaps some healthy vines if we can find them, those would be ideal. Or simply some nice full bushes... even very tall grass of a foot or more in height might help a little, if we find it."

Aldarion smiles as he calmly and very carefully digs up each plant he finds, trying not to damage the roots as much as possible. He speaks some strange words here and there, making a few gestures here and there, as if pacifying the plants. He wraps a bundle of soil for each plant in burlap, tying the ball with rope, to ensure each plant has ample nutrition while apart from the earth.

To Maja, he simply states with a mild smile, "My ability with plants goes beyond the mundane realm, actually..."

Aldarion's strange words are both from casting guidance to improve his gardening skill, as well as from muttering some Elven words to pacify the plants.

When he and Maja return, Aldarion strategically places the plants in the open area within the trade post.

Hopefully, the weight of the large soil bundles will anchor the vines and shrubs sufficiently to properly tangle the bandits.

After settling his horse once more and returning the cart to its former position, it grows dark, and the gardener rinses himself off in private. He bids whomever he spots a good night with a nod on his way to the guest house. Seeing four beds and five guests, he offers to forgo a bed for himself, instead sitting with legs crossed in a trance-like state for several hours upon his folded blanket. Anyone with insomnia might see him thus, his eyes half-opened, and be disturbed.

Before dawn, he rises, exits the guest house, and performs some silent walking meditation around the post. Taking in the night sky deeply into his lungs, he exhales slowly and calmly, observing the southern horizon from the wall-walk...

The next morning, Caelus gets up and runs through his practice exercises with his sword. He does so out of the way and hidden so that no one interrupts him. Once finished he goes off in search of a quick breakfast before the mornings ambush.

Darkness fell quicker than anticipated, leaving time to prepare the trap, but not enough to practice the plan. Olga and Svetlana, clearly grateful for all of your help, grew wary as the evening wore on. It is clear that they aren't used to this type of conflict.

The morning sun rises shortly after Aldarion, accompanied by a cloudless sky. Svetlana brought in a ceramic jug of klava - a type of coffee - and some hard, but filling biscuits shortly after the sun began to rise. She clearly didn't sleep much the night before, and the stress of the impending conflict is weighing heavily on her. She wishes you well before returning to her home.

Oleg was pale but put on a brave face as he handed Timothy his clothing. He clapped Timothy on the shoulder, wanting to say something, but choosing silence, before joining his wife.

It is only about an hour after sunrise that Aldarion spots a few specks on the horizon. As they grow larger, it appears that there are four bandits on horseback and two unmanned horses. They aren't galloping, but merely trotting along.

It will only be a few minutes before they reach the post.

We're going to run as much of this as we can without a map. As I understand it, both doors to the post are wide open right now, correct? And you're all in roughly the areas indicated on the map linked above?

Also, please have the following music running in your head as this encounter proceeds.

Theme Music

Maja's rises early to offer prayers to Erastil, feeling restless as she prepares for her first battle. She had taught herself some combat skills but they had never been put to the test. She would put her faith in Erastil for the strength to halt the bandits.

Prepared spells:
Detect Magic, Light, Mending
Command x2, Bless (domain)

After enjoying the simple but hearty breakfast, she finds a place to sit outside, toying with the round pebbles that would be her instrument of battle. As the warning comes of the bandits' impending arrival, she hurries to her position behind the door.

Maja will go exactly where the map says she is. She is holding a loaded sling in one hand. Her longspear is stowed.

The sage gives the signal to those below once he has the specks in sight. He proceeds to count aloud, "Four bandits, six horses."

He pauses a moment. With a sense of foreknowing, he speaks "Perhaps they intend to take our gracious hosts for a ride. Yet it is they who will be going on a ride today... a ride to see the Lady of Graves."

Aldarion climbs down the ladder before they have much chance to get close enough to realize it's not Oleg up on the wall-walk.

As Timothy heads for the western front door, Aldarion raises an eyebrow. "Nice disguise." He then assists the noble-to-be in closing it, from behind the door so as not to be within the bandits' line of sight.

As "Oleg" puts on his fleeing show, Aldarion makes his way to the southwestern corner of the stable, taking cover with old Bran the donkey. He mutters a few enigmatic syllables to himself, briefly holding his hands in a prayer position. He then waits for the last bandit to enter before giving Bran the signal to pull the rope and slam the other gate door shut.

Aldarion casts guidance on himself; if possible he will take 10 on his Handle Animal check to get Bran to pull the rope (result 14).

Sense Motive check (to sense Maja's anticipation): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7; he apparently doesn't notice, lol.

Caelius takes a last check on the concealed rope leading up to the roof of the guesthouse before taking station behind the fully open door. He is silent....waiting......

Timothy wakes with a yawn and does some early morning stretches. Eating the small breakfast quite cheerfully and thanks Svetlana. Getting dressed with a smile he still didn't notice the apprehension of Oleg or Svetlana. "Thankyou my good man. Today is the first day, when we bring law and order to this wild Greenbelt."

Chanting and drawing a sideways figure eight in front of himself, his features begin to morph into Oleg. Judging by the startled looks of both Oleg and his wife he assumes his spell worked and smiles.

Leaning casually against a gate, he waits for the bandits to show. As the call comes he peers out of the gates looking for the dust or other signs of the bandits. Once they are in view and he is sure they can see him he closes one gate pretending to have trouble in the rush. Looking startled that he won't have enough time to close the other side he let's out a terrified yell and dashes inside towards the house and stops on the other side of the plants.
+14 when you do disguise check for me.
Bluff for my act just then: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Caelus sees the appointed time has come upon them and heads to his spot behind the building and waits for the bandits to arrive. He draws his sword and stands ready.

The bandits' voices can be heard over the rolling plain. They appear to be in light spirits. As they get closer, Timothy kicks off the plan.

As Timothy "struggles" to shut the door, the bandits' laughter can be heard. One of them yells out, "Ya' trying to shut us out, Oleg? You know better than that you son of a b*!~$!" He then gives a loud "hya!" (how do you spell that sound?) and spurs his horse forward. The other three follow his lead, the empty horses in tow.

They slow up only slightly as the approach the fort, enough to pass through the gate single file. Once they've all passed through the gate, the one who appears to be in charge jeers at Timothy/Oleg. "Thought to keep us out, eh? Foolish man. Foolish. Seems we may need to take that off hand of yours after all - and while we're at it, maybe we'll take that sweet little wife o' yours off your hands, too!" he laughs loudly - the other three join in with him.

It appears they suspect nothing.

Initiative Checks
Caelus: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Timothy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Caelius: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Aldarion: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Maja: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Bandits: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Happs: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 (He's the one on the white horse at L11 and the one who appears to be the leader.)

Surprise Round - You may all act in the surprise round.

Initiative Order
Caelus, Timothy, Aldarion, Happs (no action this round), Caelius, Maja, Bandits (no action this round).

Current Map

So, initiative almost worked out perfectly for your plan - let it begin!

Surprise Round

Caelus draws his bow and knocks an arrow, he peaks around the corner and waits for the Noble Gardener to cast his entangle spell.

That was a move action, so my surprise round is done

Suprise round I14
Delay until ambush is sprung then close and bar gate.

Next action will be to run for the rope to the roof of A2 or A3 (whichever is closer & avoids hostiles and climb up. Knotted rope with wall is DC 0 Accelerated climb for total DC 5 taking 10 for 17 total. Climb speed 15'. I think Caelius can make Q,16(on the roof) with a single move action starting from O,20 but I could be wrong.

Surprise Round
Her heart racing, Maja joins the attack.

If the door isn't already closed: "Oof!" Maja throws her weight into the door and bars it shut.

If the door is already closed: Maja steps forward and shouts - "Fall!" (5-foot step to P19, cast Command - "fall" (Will DC 14) on rider in M/N 14/15. This assumes I'm allowed to target the mounted from the N15 square, which should work based based on the rule that rider shares the mount's space... but I defer to GM on all mounted combat rulings.)

Surprise Round:

With all bandits inside, the noble gardener gives old Bran a strong tug, signaling him to pull the rope and slam the remaining door shut. Smiling at the donkey, he begins to make his way to the clearing.

Handle Animal check, standard action; 5 ft. step (to D18), no action. He'll take 10 on Handle Animal (result 14) to get Bran to pull the rope, if possible. Otherwise, feel free to roll for me (in which case, I'd like to use my already-cast guidance spell to bring my Handle Animal modifier up to +5).

Intimidate: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Bluff to pretend Oleg has powers of nature: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
Doing his best impersonation of Oleg, Timothy speaks back to the bandits, "No. You will no longer be welcome here, your banditry is at an end. It is you that will be losing something today," he raises his arms as the plants come to life, "Arise children of nature, remove this curse from the land. See your escape cut off! Surrender now and you may yet live!"

Timothy speaks as Oleg trying to intimidate them, but the bandits just laugh at him. "Oh, so the Post-man grew a pair over the past month," Happs jeers. "You're going to pay for making threats against us, Oleg." He starts to get down from his horse as Timothy starts his plant-bluff. His eyes grow wide as he looks at the plants around them. When they don't move, he and the others just start laughing.

Their laughter is cut short by the sound of the gate doors shutting behind them. As the donkey pulls one of them shut and Caelius moves to slam the other as Maja bars them both, all heads snap to the gate. The bandits realize they've been locked in. "What's this, Oleg? Brought in some help, did ya?" Happs says, smiling wickedly. "Let's teach these newcomers a lesson, boys!"

Round 1
Initiative Order
Caelus, Timothy, Aldarion, Happs, Caelius, Maja, Bandits

Current Map

Caelus steps out from his position and fires an arrow at the first bandit he sees.

Ranged Attack to Bandit O-12 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 Damage 1d6 ⇒ 3

Round 1 i.14

(assuming Happs ignores me and the other players actions do not cause difficulty)

Caelius moves swiftly away from the barred gate. Reaching the corner of the Guesthouse he rapidly climbs the hanging rope and darts across the rooftop drawing his bow as he does so.

Heading for the roof of space Q,16. I autopass the accelerated climb check and can climb 15'/move. Hmmm if you count the sloping roof as bifficult terrain then I only reach Q,17 but that is good enough for government work. If I only need one action to reach the roof I will draw my bow with the standard action. Grrr wish I had +1 bab.)

Round 1

Aldarion's smile turns stern as he mutters esoteric syllables to himself. Staff in one hand, he extends his free arm out before him, palm opened towards the sky. His fingers for a few seconds slither, like snakes in a wriggling pattern. At that, the vines about the open trade area begin to slither towards their prey, like serpents, coiling around limbs, waists, and necks. The branches of bushes as well animate, grappling the legs of horse and human alike.

The gardener then makes his way east to peer at "Oleg's" handiwork.

Entangle is targeted at square O12. In addition to spanning the rectangle from K12 to O18, it's 40 ft. radius should reach single plants placed at K7, N5, W12, and V14 (originally I stated a plant by the eastern ladder, but that's just out of range, so W12 and V14 should suffice instead). I assume each single plant has 5 ft. reach, thus blocking passage to the walls and the eastern ladder. He then moves to I18, taking partial cover from bandits who might see and open fire on him.

Still waiting on Timothy to act -- but in the meantime, are the wagon and picnic tables "low obstacles" such that we can have line of sight and also fire over it?

Timothy watches the plants come to life with a smile. "I suggest you take the offer of surrender while it still stands."

The picnic tables, yes. The wagon, no.

Caelus steps from his hiding place and lets an arrow loose. It sails past the head of the bandit he aims at, causing the man to curse loudly. "They're shooting at us!" he yells.

It's unclear whether any of his comrades heard him, as they are all distracted by the plants coming to life. A few look at "Oleg" as he speaks, but none appear to be ready to flee or drop their weapons.

Happs, seeing the plants in motion, foolishly leaps down from his horse and instantly becomes entangled in the plants. He fights through the plants and heads towards "Oleg," a murderous look in his eyes.

Happs uses two move actions - dismounting into L2 and moving to P11 - and is no longer entangled.

Caelius nimbly scales the wall of the building, reaching his destination and drawing his bow.

Current Map

Remaining turns: Maja and the Bandits

Round 1

Maja turns to the scene of combat to find herself staring at a horse's rear. The wagon to her left blocks her view. She scampers around to the right, but another horse blocks the way. "Curses!" she says in frustration. Glimpsing a nearby bandit through the maze of horse and plant, she mutters a soft prayer, then shouts "Fall!"

Move to P18, cast Command - "fall" (Will DC 14 or fall prone) on rider in M/N 14/15.

Maja and the Bandits is a name that needs a band.

I checked and MajaAndTheBandits.com is available. Someone feel free to snatch that up. You're welcome.

Bandit Will Save: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

Maja's targeted bandit is unable to fight off the command given him - he falls from his horse flat onto his back. He stands almost immediately after falling, but becomes entangled in the plants. He turns towards Maja and angrily draws his short sword. He struggles through the plants to reach her, but is unable to attack due to the annoyance of the entanglement. Maja, you have an attack of opportunity. He is still entangled, but is granted partial coverage from the horse from Caelius' arrows.

The two other bandits leap down from their horses, afraid of their horses' reactions to the plants coming to life. One of them (N12), becomes hopelessly tangled in the plants. He draws his weapon and tries to make his way towards Caelus - eager to get back at him for firing an arrow at his head. He struggles to get close enough to do any damage, though. He is no longer entangled.

The other (K15) is able to jump down and avoid getting caught up. He draws his sword and moves to aid his fallen comrade with the woman cleric. He tries to move around behind her as to surround her, but doesn't move quite close enough to attack. He smiles wickedly, brandishing his sword in her direction.

Round 2
Initiative Order
Caelus, Timothy, Aldarion, Happs, Caelius, Maja, Bandits

Current Map

Caelus tosses down his bow and steps forward towards the bandit. He draws his sword so fast that it comes out as a blur. As he draws it, he strikes with a reversed hand grip towards the abdomen of the bandit.

5 foot step and Quick Draw Sword
Attack on Bandit at 0-9 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16 Damage 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Round 2
Posting early. Please change targets as needed.

Caelius leans out from his perch to send an arrow towards the bandit menacing Maja. Attack bandit in o,20 w/ short bow 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12. damage 1d6 ⇒ 2.

(sorry Maja)

Round 2
Maja declines the AOO, as she's only holding a sling.

Letting her sling drop to the ground, Maja draws her longspear. It was an unwieldy weapon to have while being surrounded. She decides to strike the more vulnerable bandit, at the risk of stepping toward the other bandit.

5-foot step to P-19, draw longspear, attack entangled bandit at O-17.
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Feeling unnerved, Maja strikes far off the mark, hitting some plants instead.

Timothy curses all the bandits split up. They were supposed to wait for my signal

As the leader comes towards him he becomes serious, hopefully this worked and seeing their leader go down would make them surrender. He steps forward towards the leader and shouts, "Light up your soul, contemplate your sins!" Scintillating lights attack the bandits mind.
casting color spray

Round 2

Maja...

Aldarion mutters some more esoteric syllables to himself. With his free hand, he glides it a few inches over the length of the staff, infusing it with a subtly glowing green mist. Gripping it in both hands firmly, the gardener then hustles towards the bandit who is attempting to flank Maja.

Cast shillelagh on staff (std act); move to square N.20 (move act).

I know this was a little while ago, but any chance the bandit who fell off his horse took 1d6 damage?

Yes. Sorry forgot to roll for that, Maja. Thanks for the reminder!

Fall Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Thanks -- I believe Maja has been replaced, so it's now Happs and the Bandits remaining for Round 2. Not as catchy if you ask me.

The bandit doesn't see Caleus' attack coming - the point of the sword is in and out of his abdomen before he even realizes he's been harmed. He looks down as soon as the pain hits him, and shrieks a bit as he sees blood pooling on his shirt. He looks at Caelus and, without hesitation, drops his weapon.

Happs Will Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Duration: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5

The color spray hits Happs directly in the face. He is dazzled - for a moment - by the pretty colors, but instantly collapses to the ground in a heap.

Caelius takes aim with his bow, but is unable to hit the bandit threatening Maja. Maja is also unable to hit the foe she is aiming at.

The bandit stabbed by Caelus turns to flee, but sees the way barred by plants. Throwing caution to the wind, he attempts to flee towards the barn. Provokes an AOO from Caelus. His current location on the map is only true if he survives that.

The bandit facing Maja suddenly realizes the pain he's in from falling from his horse. He looks to Happs, only to find his leader lying face down on the ground. He shrieks in terror and lashes out at Maja in desperation.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

The effect of falling combined with the terror of seeing his end drawing near proves to be too much for him and he swings wildly, making it easy for Maja to avoid the blow.

The remaining bandit turns to face Aldarion, abandoning his original intent to head towards Maja. He smiles cruelly and says, "Die you ol' saggy son of a b##$*," as he tries to bring his sword across Aldarion's mid-section.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

The strike lands and Aldarion feels the burn of steel against his flesh. Take 7 points of lethal damage.

Round 3
Initiative Order: Caelus, Timothy, Aldarion, Happs, Caelius, Maja, Bandits

Current Map

Timothy walks over to Happs and satisfied that he will not be getting up soon he looks around to see how the others fare. He ignores the one running into the barn instead seeing two over near Mara and Aldarion he calls out to the bandits. "Drop your weapons! Your leader is captured. There is no escape."

Round 3

"Eeah!" the gardener yelps in pain. In a mildly perturbed tone, he remarks to the bandit, "Old? Saggy? That's uncalled for, young man."

If the bandit ignores Timothy: Noticing blood pooling into his robes, Aldarion concentrates and aims his staff. He swings two-handed at the insulting bandit's head. Alas, the young man easily ducks. The gardener then takes a careful step back, but still holds his staff threateningly.

Attack roll (staff), with +1 bonus from guidance: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6, damage: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 6) + 1 = 12. Attack (std act), 5 ft. step to M.19 (no act).

Round 3

Caelius takes another shot from his perch. This time sending a white feathered arrow at the fleeing bandit.

Attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15, damage 1d6 ⇒ 2

"Stop! There is no way out!"