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

Game Master PirateDevon

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

By all that's holy... Katya reaches for the comfort of her shortsword. What happened here?

Survival check to work out what happened: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7

Heal check to work out how these creatures died: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16

Aliens did it. Possibly with ray guns.

Harsk pulls his weapon and shield, This is a den lass. Of something big enough to eat men and beast alike. I suggest we not stay overly long...

Cuddles starts looking for something to eat.

Round 1

Init order:

Cander
Katya
Cuddles
Monster
Harsk
Anton
Leandric

As everyone is searching around the clearing, Katya and Harsk notice the chittering sound of mandibles clacking, and are able to see an eight legged creature slithering up out of a hole in the ground. It looks at the group, deciding that Cuddles is the most tasty morsel, and skitters over to him, taking a chomp at his body.

Spider Spring Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

It sinks it's mandibles into Cuddles, putting a good bite in his arm as it pulls back, both blood and venom dripping from its mandibles as it skitters back to its hiding hole in the middle of the group.

Katya and Harsk are able to see it immediately, some sort of webbing and underbrush mixed together that helps to conceal the creature.

Players up, I need a Fort save from Cuddles.

Harsk lets out a barking yell and charges at the creature attempting to catch a piece of it with the heavy head of his warhammer...

attack!: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

The chaos proves to overwhelm the dwarf as the spider retreats into its hole...

HP: 5/9

Cuddles charges in at the spider. He loved spiders! It was like getting four hugs at once when you cuddled them! But this one was being mean, so he should probably get his hugs in now before his other friends killed it.
fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Charging HUGS!: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 2 = 18

Katya fights down a wave of nausea as the creature emerges. I hate spiders.

Clamping down on her fear, she draws her shortsword, takes a moment to plot a path through the carnage in the clearing, and charges the spider.

Attack roll, incl. charge bonus: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 2 = 20
Damage, if required: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Current AC is 15 after charging.

Anton freezes at the sight of the spider. The brains of vermin were completely alien to his magic - arachnids and insects, he recalled from his studies, were completely unaffected by the burst of colour that had so easily felled the bandits. Why had he never learned to throw fire from his hands? Or draw ice from the ground? Or anything else that may be useful?

Instead, he looks over at Cuddles, at his attempts to wrestle with the immense arachnid. Grimacing at the sounds the spider makes, he takes a deep breath and begins chanting, sprteading his hands in Cuddles' direction and slowly raising them skyward, focusing on increasing the orc's mass. His eyes close and his thin breathing deepens as the spell in his mind flows over his tongue.

Casting enlarge person on Cuddles. The bonus to strength and the penalty on CMB/D will probably cancel each other out, but the increased damage dice for unarmed strkes will help. Cuddles will be embiggened after the spider acts.

Chaos appears to ensue, the Spider had started to skitter back into a hole, blended in with underbrush and the now apparent webbing caught with it.

Harsk's blow swings wide, momentarily catching in some of the sticky webbing around the spider. Cuddles, however, is more successful as he is able to just barely get a grip on the spider, and is successful in holding it still for the moment. Katya is able to capitalize on this maneuver, and gives it a deep cut, causing the creature to hiss and thrash about a moment.

Anton's words come to his lips, and in a few moments, Cuddles will go from cuddle hugs to cuddle bear hugs.

Unless you have something adjusting it, I think Anton that Enlarge is 1 round cast, so he will enbiggen on your next turn.

Round 2

Katya
Cuddles
Spider
Harsk
Anton

Still going to keep the others in mind, if they come back.

Ah, sorry. I thought it may work differently since we're doing group initiative. So that'll take effect when I next post, yeah?

Just waiting on you, buddy. :)

So should the spider have its turn then? I presume the spring attack was a surprise round?

eep, did not even think about that, yeah sorry guys. hang on.

Cuddles now that he is throttling the spider has drawn its ire. It hisses at him and lunges, nearly sinking its mandibles in his neck, but Cuddles is able to deflect it just in time, and it instead puts another deep wound in his shoulder.

Fort Save again Mr Cuddles, taking 4 points of damage and include your enbiggen bonus on it. Nearly got crit there.

You guys!

Seeing Cuddles taking the brunt of the spider's not-so-tender ministrations, Katya reverses her grip on her sword and attempts to plunge it down into the soft abdomen of the spider, hoping to finish it off.

Attack roll: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Cuddles! she bellows. If you're hurt, get back! Let Harsk and me handle this!

Katya will use her move action to position herself wherever she can to impede any attempts by the spider to attack Cuddles or the rest of her companions.

To Katya's call to the orc the dwarf barks ,Aye! and continue to hammer at the creature...

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

If that doesn't finish it off, I recommend running away. ; )

The pair of blows from both Katya and Harsk are enough to silence the creatures screeches. it falls limply in the hands of the not so gently chewed on Cuddles.

still need a fort save me cuddles.

it takes a few moments, but the creature finally falls limp, giving the group a chance to look about.

fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Cuddles groans and tosses the spider aside with his good arm. THAT SPIDEY NOT NICE. OWW.

Unwilling to believe the thing is actually dead, Katya gingerly approaches the spider's carcass, then prods it with her foot a couple of times before putting a second hand on the pommel of her shortsword and driving it into the spider's abdomen up to the hilt.

After a moment, she pulls the sword out again and shakes it to splatter ichor all over the ground.

She pulls a rag from her pack and begins cleaning the sword.

Cuddles, are you badly hurt? Maybe Harsk can take a look at you. I'm afraid I'd probably make things worse.

After a minute or two of polishing her sword blade, Katya sheathes the sword at her hip once more, and begins to look around the clearing to see if she can find anything of value.

Perception!: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Anyone wants to take a look in the spider's hole, be my guest. I'm not going in there for love or money.

Anton finishes his spell, and Cuddles doubles in height just as the spider expires. The wizard curses in Draconic, his spell effectively wasted. That was one less shred of usefulness for the day.

"Perhaps we could burn away the web," he suggests, running two fingers briefly over the amulet around his neck. "Though I don't much like the idea of poking around in there, either."

Cuddles looks at the two shying from the hole and shrugs. In spite of his mangled arm, he drops down and starts rummaging around in the hole with his good arm.

Get back here you big lug! Let me mend yah before some baby spider to bite your finger and you drop dead...

Harsk grabs at the orc before he roots around in the spider's home and transmues on of his spells into healing...Drop Divine Favor for CLW...

Heal the Lug! :p: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

WOW! Sad Trombone...

It feels a little better, but the look on Cuddles face clearly says that he was expecting a little more from the spell.

Cuddles starts rummaging around in the hole, and realizes that it goes down much further than his reach can go.

After a little inspection, it appears that it is about twenty five feet down to the bottom, but there appears to be thick webbing all along the sides that look sturdy enough to help climb down.

What's in there, Cuddles? Katya asks as she continues to turn corpses over, searching for anything salvageable, or that they might be able to return to a loved one.

Big hole is big Cuddles observes before beginning to actually, bodily, climb into the spider's nest.

Climbing down doesn't seem too difficult for Cuddles.

Cuddles climbs out a few minutes later carrying what's left of a corpse. On the body is a suit of leather armor that seems to be in good repair, a shortsword with scabbard, and 10 gp in gold coins in a spot pouch. Around the neck of the body is a silver amulet with an emblem of a stag on it.

Harsk casts a critical eye on the body, pulling the sword from its sheathe to check that it is still in food repair and giving the amulet a once over. I doubt this is Erastilian. The dwarf grumbles.

I can carry the sword, though I rarely use one if no one else wants it. We should strip and pack the rest. Frontier living is hard living. We should keep everything we can.

Cuddles kneels next to Harsk and helps with the process by holding the body upright and steady while it's stripped.

Anton frowns as he glances at the body, opting to let the other strip it. After all, one can catch all kinds of horrible illnesses from corpses...

During the process of stripping the corpse, one of the boots as it is removed seems to have a piece of parchment rolled up in it. On said parchment is a crudely drawn map, with an X near what looks to be a very large tree. The tree is oddly claw shaped, and the hill appears to be barren except for that tree. Also of note, the X on the map seems to be drawn in blood.

Examining the rest of the hole and the clearing, this looks to be the main lair of the spider, the skeletons and bones lying about are of creatures that presumably were meals for it at various points. Nothing else of value seems to be found.

Well, says Katya, her search for valuables or keepsakes fruitless, what do you make of that map? I doubt it would have been so well hidden if it didn't depict the location of something valuable.

She eyes the shortsword, but is happy for Harsk to keep it. I'm already armed well enough, she says, patting the sword at her hip. Don't know what I'd do with a second one. Probably cut myself. As for the armour, I doubt it'll fit me. Looks like he didn't have the same physique as me, she says, glancing down at the sculpted front of her studded leather.

Cuddles, do you need to rest before we carry on?

Cuddles shakes his head. WE GO MOVE MORE. STILL SUN LOW. WE FOLLOW MAP.

"I suppose we keep a lookout for this tree," Anton mutters, tugging the hem of his robe out of a particularly sticky patch of webbing. "Let's move on, then, unless anyone wants to perform last rites for this unfortunate fellow."

Harsk drags the body back into the hole of the spider' lair then offers a salute. May Pharasma guide you wherever you were meant. So says a son of Torag. Seemingly self satisfied the dwarf nods after Anton and then moves on to the task of moving on, Was it this way then?

Not sure if we nee another roll or if we have a path to follow...

After dealing with the dead, The party heads back out onto the trail. From here on there seems to be a well worn path that the tracks were following. You make it to the twilight hours, and do not seem to have too much trouble following it.

Survival checks to secure a campsite, DC 10 for a suitable camp, and the higher the better quality you will find. Let me know if there is anything special you want to do, and watches you want to take as a group.

Katya looks around for a decent campsite--or rather, tries to help Harsk look for a decent campsite.

Survival check to aid another: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (8) + 0 = 8

Could we maybe camp under that tree right next to the road? : \

###

Are we assuming Cander and Leandric are still here for now, or that they've vanished? If they are still around then this post should suffice for our general approach to camping, for now.

Survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Oh hey, is the wizard gonna be useful? :D

Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Wizards are ALWAYS useful. At low levels they are useful as chew toys to soak up damage while the fighter types grind down the enemy. O:-)

The group is able to find a good camping spot, in a small clearing off the pathway, and a creek that can provide clean water. There is even room enough in a couple spots that you can bathe in the water if you so choose.

Twilight settles in as light starts to fade on the day.

Everyone Check discussion for me.

Katya busies herself refilling everyone's waterskins and canteens after helping to set up camp, then returns to the others.

I hope Oleg and Svetlana are all right, she says to nobody in particular. She chews on some trail rations as she settles in for the evening.

How long do we plan on exploring for? This trail could be leading anywhere, especially if they have a number of places they extort from.

"I'm sure they're fine," Anton sighs, trying to convince himself. He runs a thumb down the spine of his spellbook, feeling a small tear in the leather and making a note to fix it. "As for the trail, I'm not sure. I just hope we have enough supplies to make it wherever it leads." He smiles thankfully as Katya passes back his waterskin, taking a drink and fighting a yawn.

"Speaking of which, how much longer can we make it out here?"

Twilight starts to fade, as the group begins to make camp.

The night seems to pass by uneventfully, and dawn breaks on a new day. A fresh layer of dew hangs on the grass and brush around you, and a rainbow can be seen in the dawn light.

Quick rations check, let me know how much food everyone has. You guys have been on the road now two days, just want to know where we are at with everyone.

The group is able to find a well worn pathway, the same one that had been followed heading southwest, at the edge of a more forested area, as it continues off into the horizon.

I am at ten delicious dwarven forged rations. Complete with dried ox meat and "iron bread". YUM! Anyone want to SHARE? Also maybe we could rule that as a matter of prudence we sent our two waywar part members off to protect Oleg? It might have made sense since one was horsebound and could come back to us quickly...

After crossing one off for the night we just went through, Katya is now down to eight lots of trail rations. Most of which are being carried by Alexei, her horse.

Previous Night
Maybe a week, if we need to, Katya replies to Anton, but those bandits we captured didn't seem like the career type. They're lazy...their base is probably not too far away. Makes tactical sense as well.

Today...
Katya makes her contribution to following the trail.

Survival aid another: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13

I suggest we stay away from the edge of the forest, unless the trail sends us in there, Katya suggests.

After two days on the road, I'm now down to eight.

"Knowing our luck, that's exactly where it will lead us," Anton sighs, shifting the weight of his pack.

Harks roots around the area to see what he can find...

Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 17 with the assist?

Well let's see where it goes...

The four of you press on, travelling further southwest. About midmorning, you come into a much more lushly green area of the Greenbelt.

Off to the south, and south east of you can be seen rolling hills and perhaps some slightly rockier terrain. To the north and west, you can seethe edge of the heavier forested area. The path you are following is still there, but it thins out, more just rolling into the lush green plains.

As best as your ability is, there seems to be a quite wide open and rolling plain that moves generally in the south and western direction, and perhaps far in the distance, near the horizon you see some break in the plains, but you cannot be sure from this distance.

Any signs of the trail seem to have gone cold.

Your group has moved into then next hex southwest from the spider nest. If you decide to just cross the terrain, you can make it to the border of the next hex by nightfall to head into the next hex in the morning. Should you choose to explore the hex you are in, it will take you a full day of exploration to do so.

Also keep in mind that rooting out bandits was only part of your charter, but also to map and explore the area.

As the group is making their way west, the treeline is quickly coming up in the distance. The light is also starting to fade from the day.