KM Devon's Kingmaker: The Maker of Kings (Inactive)

Game Master PirateDevon

Mat ponders, his mind off of the immediate men and on bigger things.

"I agree, we should prepare to make an assault. Though to what point does returning to the Fort at this point serve? We are already out here, and what little forces the fort has available would likely be best left assembling whatever defense they can.

If nothing else we might run into others and deal with them as we go."

Obviously, Mattrim has had his eye on the Stag Lord since day 1. So he might be a bit biased in his ideas.

Also, do we have a rough estimate of travel time from where we are and the fort, and from the Trading Post to the fort?

"Already?!" Anton asks, visibly flabbergasted. "Absolutely not. I need more information, more time to prepare. How can I have an arsenal if we don't have a plan?"

Well don't expect Cuddles to lead the way here. Seems to me that Matt or Ra'hl are in equal measure shaking out for "king bee" someone should make a choice thought cuz Aleria is leaving unless you mean to restrain her...oh I missed a question. Travel tie to Oleg's from here would be a little over 18 hours. Normally that would be almost three healthy days of travel but betwen her survival skill and magic Aleria can push the three of them to do it in one...all be it probably very worn out. As for from here to the Stag Lord...probably about the same.

Ya... Cuddles is whittling down his sapling tooth pick over here waiting for someone to tell him where to go. :)

So apparently I missed Anton's response.
Just saying, Mattrim isn't probably the best of "leaders" with his mighty 8 charisma. You want to go for a walk through the woods and sure... but otherwise not so much. He is a man who has literally lived his live in the wilderness with bare mininum contact with others (excluding Saber) except when necessary.

"Okay, so maybe a direct assault right this moment isn't the best plan. But if we go back how do we get more information? Do we want to try and hunt down the remaining bandits? That seems like it could take a while, though it's perhaps not impossible. What can we do at the Trading Post that we can't do out here?"

Ra'hl reaches up scratching the back of his head for a moment. "It's not her abilities that I doubt. Rather, I hold them in too high of esteem to go without her. I've felt the divine healing her god has granted her first hand. I for one, would rather not face a fort full of enemies without her." Turning to address Anton, "I don't know what other information we could get. Since the lieutenants know the men well enough for visual confirmation, infiltrating that way is unlikely. Their supplies are handled in house, and there is only one entrance. The best idea I can think of, is to offer a "tribute" on behalf of Oleg. Since the Stag Lord is making threats to his post specifically. Maybe Oleg can "offer" protection money. Though I would want it to be something other than coin. Something that would take time to lead. Barrels of mead maybe?"

Ra'hl isn't happy with the plan, even as he suggests it. There were too many variables and the potential to go very, very poorly. "I'll be honest, I'm not thrilled with it, and VERY open to another plan, but I don't see us being able to gather much more intel and we put Oleg and his family in danger with every team we eliminate."

Duška also is not the leading type, she knows their foes and knows the wilds, but will follow the lead of the group offering counsel and support as required.

Duška eyes Ra'hl curiously with her fey eyes;

Drakblood has a point. Oleg offering tribute to The Stag King may be our in... If mead we can taint it, perhaps dull the senses of any who drink. We could deliver such a tribute yes? So his silver stags do not take the spoils for themselves yes?"

The lithe ranger shrugs her shoulders idly;

"A gambit... A dangerous one at that... but worth it yes?"

Cuddles's "toothpick" cracks with a resounding Snap. He takes it and inspects the crack. It is jagged and long, nearly splitting the sapling in two. Cuddles shrugs and keeps on chewing.

The prisoners exchange sidelong glances with each other and as one nods to the other one, he speaks, That will probably take too long. Our patrols are due back soon and its one thing for folks on horse and foot to travel as it is some one or something carrying mead. We only know the one entrance but there may be others. It seems like the lieutenants have a means of exit. At night the gate is locked but that is so minimal guards are set. Not telling you your business, mind you, just that you might not have time to make that all happen before the Stag Lord knows his folks aren't returning...

Mattrim eyes the men while ignoring the debate with Aleria, not being one to hold (at least outwardly) an opinion on the matter.
"I suppose I can't in good faith feed you to Saber if your going to be so forthright about all of this..."

Mattrim then turns back to everyone else.
"Right then, well it seems we have little choice but to make our way to the fort. Perhaps we could try and scout the fort out, to see if we can find how the lieutenants make their way out, unless you think they are in the business of accepting tigers...

Though perhaps we ought to split up and approach from two different angles, hard to say without more info. Does anyone have any better ideas?"

Aleria returns from huffing away and nods at the hunter, I think it makes sense that you get closer and see what you can determine. You may be able to pick off scouts and gatherers one by one if they leave to do their business. I also think I should take these two north. I know it would be ideal for me to be with you and these two have been forthcoming but let us not be lured into false security. If I move with haste I can send wrod to Jhod on the wind and see if he can make his way to you. His powers are more than mine and he can traverse the waterways without a crossing.

Ra'hl frowns, but finally surrenders. "So be it. I am clearly in the minority here." Ra'hl turns to Aleria with a concerned look. "Be careful. These woods are dangerous, and carrying two enemies with you makes it doubly so. Send word as soon as you can that you arrived safely."

Duška listens to the interplay and nods when Aleria makes her decision;

"Safe travels Sister. May The Wild guide you. Jhod would be a useful ally in the conflicts to come yes?"

The ranger looks to the others;

"Scouting our foe would make sense. Will allow us to see habits and discern their natures... We must also consider that The Wild may hold allies for us yes? This Stag King is not a welcome reagent..."

Aleria nods at Ra'hl and packs up the prisoners and says her goobyes then rides. The remaining folks are left to contemplate their next steps...Travel by night? Travel by day bt slower? How would you like to scout this out...

Mattrim watches as Aleria and the prisoners move off. thoughts play across his face, but the hunter keeps them to himself as he contemplates the near future.

"So then, if we are going to do this, ideally traveling by night would provide the best cover. But I can't see very well myself, given that it would seem this to be the case for many of us, perhaps day would be safest? We could move slowly towards the fort, perhaps zig-zagging something to try and throw off anything that tries and tracks us. Plus we might better stumble across the tracks of any of those who are moving in a more straight forward manner. I could check with the birds as we move too, few seem as aware of the happenings of others as those who see all.

...I agree with Duska." Matt's nose twitches but he keeps going. "Looking for allies where we can seems wise."

"I agree that travelling by day is preferred, though it may be wise to keep no fire at night. With how easily we spotted their camp, am I wrong to assume they can do the same to us? We should also be cautious near the fort. The bandits did claim that undead protect it from all sides save the main path. We do not know how far the creatures territory extends."

Duška mulls their next course;

"I cannot be tracked in The Wild, nor leave a trail. Between Mattrim and myself we can track most things yes?"

The fey-blooded ranger looks fleetingly at the weathered hunter before continuing;

"If The Wild can also be our eyes and ears... Mattrim's kismadár..."little birds" yes? Then I am sure we will not face banditák nor the risen dead, without warning..."

*Crunchcrack* Smart people sure do talk lots... *crackcrunch*

So I am seeing daytime zigzagging travel then as the preferred course? those with survival would know about fire blinds so in theory you could obscure a flame though not completely...

Yes, I think so. If this is how we end up doing it. I will use Commune with Birds 3/Day; Morning, Midday, and Evening to see what the birds see as we progress.

"We could use fire-blinds, though I agree that it would be simpler and safer not to light a fire at all.

Unless of course Anton has anything against that." Mattrim gives the Wizard a dry smile.

Initiate the montage machine!

Over the next two days the group zigs and zags across the landscape using the varied terrain to watch its back and set safe camps. By the night of the second day the bandit camp of the stag lord with its high palisade is easy to see on the horizon. Over the course of the third day the group does what it can to get closer and observe the comings and goings of the fort.

At least two large carts leave over the course of the day with many smaller groups of outriders and folks on foot leave to attend to either items at the foot of the hill upon which the fort sits (like woodstacks and other small sheds where it looks like some business like privies and meat smoking are set off from the main compound) while others seem to head out to hunt and/or patrol. None come the groups direction perhaps because patrols have already been sent that way or the hunting is more plentiful to the West.

The birds help Matt keep a better view of the surrounding area and the one thing that comes up on the evening on the third day is the presence of another large cat skulking it way from the Northwest south. Described as similar in size to Saber, the coloration is noted as "like the sun". Apparently the cat is moving in a particularly managed way south, giving the area a wide berth. The birds think it strange.

Another off happening is the arrival of a strange metallic raven bearing a red ribbon bound piece of parchment. The animal abruptly arrives at Ra'hl's feet and suddentl transforms to a small metallic figurine.

Initiate the montage machine!

Over the next three days the group zigs and zags across the landscape using the varied terrain to watch its back and set safe camps. By the night of the third day the bandit camp of the stag lord with its high palisade is easy to see on the horizon. Over the course of the forth day the group does what it can to get closer and observe the comings and goings of the fort.

At least two large carts leave over the course of the day with many smaller groups of outriders and folks on foot leave to attend to either items at the foot of the hill upon which the fort sits (like woodstacks and other small sheds where it looks like some business like privies and meat smoking are set off from the main compound) while others seem to head out to hunt and/or patrol. None come the groups direction perhaps because patrols have already been sent that way or the hunting is more plentiful to the West.

The birds help Matt keep a better view of the surrounding area and the one thing that comes up on the evening on the third day is the presence of another large cat skulking it way from the Northwest south. Described as similar in size to Saber, the coloration is noted as "like the sun". Apparently the cat is moving in a particularly managed way south, giving the area a wide berth. The birds think it strange.

Another off happening during the fourth day is the arrival of a strange metallic raven bearing a red ribbon bound piece of parchment. The animal abruptly arrives at Ra'hl's feet practically falling from the sky and suddenly transforms to a small metallic figurine when it hits the ground, leaving the scroll to sit idly on the earth.

Before I make a proper response, I do not recall who Osk is. Also, should I know what that phrase is? Last, do I get the impression they were Aleria's arrows or someone else (aka, they attacked her and she was injured killing them.)?

Osk is the NPC from the north who is acting as sort of the warden/caregiver of Oleg's. I'll allow a WIS check around the phrase if you like. The impression should be basically that they tried to betray her and she shot them down in very horrible ways as they tried to beat feet.

Ra'hl takes up the scroll and reads the words inscribed upon it. His crimson eyes welling with a mixed emotion of sorrow and rage. His hands begin to shake as he hears of Aleria's fate. With barely an explanation, Ra'hl turns his eyes to the fort. "We end this tonight! Those bastards tried to kill Aleria!"

Wisdom check: 1d20 ⇒ 8

It is taking every ounce of willpower he has to suppress his blood-rage. For the first time in his life, he didn't want to fight it. He wanted to let its full fury take the Stag Lord. He needed to spill the monster's blood.

If anyone offers an ounce of protest, Ra'hl will shove the letter in their chest, with a yell, "Look what they did to her!"

Sadly with a manner of being that has emotions ride so close to the surface Ra'hl's mind can't really parse the issue of the "phrase" as other issues seem much more concerning...

Duška looks forlorn at the news;

Ai Maminka! We have tried to be merciful... How can we now?

The ranger rises and nods toward Ra'hl, but avoids Mattrim's inevitable intense stare;

"We will exact revenge. The law of tooth and claw, of The Wild, will come to pass..."

Mattrim ponders the other cat, looking in the direction of Saber. Something for later.

before he looks towards living fury. Matt scans the letter, not unread surprisingly. Mattrim's face turned dark before refocusing.
"I'm sorry Ra'hl."

Matt ignores Duska for the moment, a changing heart currently perplexed on the matter, with bigger ideas to contend with then his own beliefs.

Looking back towards the fort, his face face grim and tight. "I know very little of the undead. Do any of you know anything? I'm curious, if we could learn of them we might be better able to formulate a plan of attack, perhaps even lure them into the base itself. Or lure the camp out...

I know not else besides stealth or subterfuge for how we could handle their numbers. Death does us no good if we don't remove the Stag Lord."

Wisdom Check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Whomp, Whomp...

Im gonna take the reins. Choo Choo on the railroad express. We need to get some momentum back.

Anton mutters to himself as he looks over the letter and then offers a harumph before speaking, Clearly a code. Probably a door code. I wonder if this is meaning to tell us that we actually have a chance to sneak into the camp.

Eyes focused and raged boiling under the surface, Ra'hl's heavy gaze falls on Mattrim. "Lead on. No more zig zags. We march on their fort today. Hopefully Anton is right and its a code. We can try. If not, Cuddles has plenty of practice knocking wood down. We will get through the door one way or another."

Cuddles pauses in his chewing and looks up. The tone says they were about to go, and he heard his name...

Between medallions taken at Oleg's and off the latest batch each of you are able to wear one of the stag heads that mark you as par of the outlaw group. Matt is able to lead the group straight to the building and occasional eyes from the other folks out and about fall to your chests, flicker with recognition and then promptly move to Cuddles who they view with some fear but not outright disgust before going back to whatever they were doing.

Approaching the gate a pair of bored looking guards overlook the main entrance from above and whistle as you get closer in a clear signal to stop. One of the men, older and with a bair wisp of hair covering a bald pate, coughs to himself and then says in an overly affected tone, I 'ear there 're LIONS on the prowl.

The other guard, younger with hollow cheeks can be heard saying, Very well done Gerrold. To which the older bandit nods enthusiastically at the other guard and then seems to think better of his lack of professionalism before straightening out and bending forward with an expectant look...

wis: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Cuddles doesn't put two and two together and stands behind his friends. He keeps eyeing the men on the wall and all around. This could go very badly very fast.

Well here goes nothing.
Matt gives the men his darkest scowl, flashing the medallion at them and then pointing towards the door expectantly. "Are you..." Clearing his throat as voice comes out raspy. "You going to open it already?"

Saber stares expectantly along side his friend.

Saber Aid: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2 What a cute kitty.
Intimidate for Scowl: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

Before the actual approach, Duška crushes some berries, spits on them and makes a paste while muttering some words as he draws two crimson lines down Ra'hl's face:

"Félelmetes vagy baráti"

Casts Enhanced Diplomacy on Ra'hl (+2 Diplomacy or Intimidate for 1 minute (applies to 1 roll only)

"You will be more fearsome or more friendly Drakblood... should you wish it yes?"

At the gates the ranger stands silent, but looks to Ra'hl to utter the code...

As much as it pains him to do so, Ra'hl keeps pushing his boiling rage down enough to reply. "'A smart stag can end the lion.' Now let us in already, it's been a rough day." Ra'hl keeps his attention on the younger bandit. The patronizing tone made him sound likely the senior of the two.

The bandits narrow their eyes at Mattrim who seems unwilling to play along but Ra'hl so naturally utters the phrase in return the two men seem to take it more as frustration at the process then the unknowing of an outsider.

The younger man points down at the large cat, That thing will spook the horses. He can't come in you know. Can't believe you wouldn't know that so that piece o advice is for free... The bandit guffaws from his elevated position, surely emboldened by his complete lack of proximity to Saber. None the less the gate stands unmoved...

Matt stares defiantly back.
"I'm sure you do a fine enough job spooking the horses on your own, he won't bother anyone."

Ra'hl lets out a frustrated growl that the damn cat is going to keep us locked out and away from his vengeance.

Duška whispers to Mattrim;

"Perhaps Tigris can stay outside.. Wait until his master calls him again to the gates of his heart yes?

I'll wait for Matt to respond since he and Duska could talk just as fast as the ueards might respond...

Hearing both Duska and Ra'hl lament he gives in.
"But alright" he continues on through gritted teeth "Give me a bit to find someplace to leave him.

You wouldn't happen to have any recommendations would you?"

"Wherever you send him every time we come to give the lord his cut."

In the interest of speed...

Mattrim begrudgingly takes a moment and finds a nearby clearing that seems acceptable and tells Saber to wait.

After a few moments the group is allowed to the compound it is is as expected; A large yard hold a bustling number of men and women moving about on various tasks. Small inner buildings of wood seem to contain things like stables, barracks, stores and so on. All in all the group estimates there are 25 or so individuals in the walls and almost none of them are paying attention to you. For now...

Lots of options. What do you want to do?

Sorry I should have been more precise. Basically you are in the middle of a bustling little bandit town. Do you want to try to find a spot to observe that is no so exposed (the stable for instance), try to split up and gather info? Start throwing punches and spells?

Cuddles looks around for the watering... Hole? Trough? Thing. The watering thing. Upon locating it, he takes his barrel-mug from his pack.

Cuddle takes a moment to survey the area and begins to amble towards the stables in front of which a large wide trough is full to the brim with water. One horse raises its head in sudden alarm as the orc dips his large "mug" into the water and though a few of the nearby bandits seem disturbed by the idea, none of them look interested in "correcting" the orc's actions...

I'll give the others a chance to respond to this beat, otherwise this caught somone else's attention...

Matt walks around eyeing the men, he moves slowly but with intent towards a place to watch from... before noticing Cuddles.

"Uh, Cuddles... Uh.. Never mind. Is the water any good?"
Matt stares in somewhat disbelief and clearly has no idea how to respond to the Orc.