Kingmaker (Inactive)

Game Master Dreaming Warforged

Logically, Servayn should wait for facts to be assessed, and respect the rule of law that they are trying to establish in these lawless lands.

But he feels the sting of Calistria's venom as he says instead, Her words ring true to me, we should kill this old monster.

Rush, rush, rush to judgement!

Kalsgrim's eyes dart between the two, weighing what he sees and senses.

Sense Motive Old Man 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Sense Motive Young Woman 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

"You mean this 'old man' is the reason you're carrying?" Kriger asks, in complete an utter shock. A deep anger begins welling up inside him. His face turning red from the fury of what he's feeling, he grabs his axe and walks quickly towards the old man, "You are gonna tell us, old man, was it YOU who was the one to take advantage of this woman?!" He asks as he points to the woman, "WAS IT?!!" He screams as he gets right in the old man's face. "I'm giving you a chance to come clean with what you've done, OLD MAN! Take advantage of it, while you still breath! Cause we'll be able to tell if you're lying! The fact you did not even bother defending yourself seems guilty enough to me, but like I said, CONFESS WHAT YOU DID!!! CONFESS!!" He screams as spittle showers the old man's face.

Intimidate: 1d20 ⇒ 8

You know, you'd a thought this guy, of all people, would have a least one rank in intimidate. That's what I get for not knowing exactly how I was gonna run him. Oh well. If I make to the next level, I'll have to fix that.

Also, Sense Motive(if necessary): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

The old man waivers at the threats from Servayn and Kalsgrim, as they leave Lukasz behind and move in the main cellar. He raises his hands, pleading: "What!? Why me? Why me? It's the boys who've had her. I'm but a prisoner here, why would I take advantage of her? She's just trying to get blood anyway she can! Please! I've done nothing wrong!"

You see the girl's face redden violently, her fists clenched.

Realizing that there was a situation brewing, Lukasz files away the information on the mural for later as he follows the group. Letting the others take the lead with settling the dispute, Lukasz simply plays witness to the events as they transpired.

Kal will walk directly up to the old man, putting his face a mere foot away from the old man's. Erastil has revealed to me the darkness of your heart and the deception in your words. You will be punished.

Not trying to intimidate him, but maybe just provoke him.

Nugrah stiffens under the obvious threat: "But she's lying! Isn't it obvious? I have been trapped here for years, how I can I be guilty of anything?!?"

Everyone roll Sense Motive

Sense Motive 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Sense Motive 1d20 ⇒ 16

Seeing the girl react to the old man's words, Kriger gets even more infuriated.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

"Blast it all! I can't tell if his lying or not. But I'll say this...I don't trust him. So I hope one of you fellas can tell if he is or not. Then all I'll need is for one of you to just say the word. My axe is still sharp enough to remove his head clean from him." He says as he waits. As far as I'm concerned, Kalsgrim's word is enough for me. There's no way he gets out of here without punishment. No. Stinking. Way. Kriger vows to himself.

Janku shuffles out of the room, explaining to the woman as he walks they they have evidence against the Stag Lord and his agents is why they had taken them out, then seeing she is no longer paying attention to him, stares at the old man with an intense glare.

"Milani has a way of detecting deception, though sometimes it can be fatal to the recipient of the procedure"

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 Sense Motive

Nugrah's attempt at hiding his motives fails as each and everyone of you sees through his subterfuge. He intends you harm and slips a hand in his tunic...

Initiative Order
Kriger (20)
Tuck (15)
Lukasz (14)
Kalsgrim (8)
Servayn (7)
Nadhalia (4)
Nugrah (3)

As Nugrah represented a possible threat, you are armed.
Small n is for Nadhalia
MAP

Seeing through Nugrah's ruse, Lukasz reponds the only way he can when all his spells are depleted, peeks around the corner, getting a look at the insane man, and fires a missile of force at the man.

Force Missile:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Servayn speaks a pair of words in Draconic, Ka-Rakh. Atonitas.

Ember surges forward on the first word, Draconic for 'Kill,' attempting to pounce on the old man and rend him.

Full attack on charge/pounce, AC drops to 20 (22 w/mage armor)
Bite atk/dam 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Claw 1 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Claw 2 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

If there's no room around him after others move, Ember will instead attempt to Intimidate the old coot with an unearthly yowl that echoes alarmingly in the confined quarters.

Intimidate check to demoralize, DC 10+HD+Wis bonus of target 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

With the second word, which resonates upon itself like a roll of thunder sweeping across the plains, Servayn attempts to daze the man.

Daze, DC 14, Max 4 HD.

** spoiler omitted **

Nugrah's attempt at hiding his motives fails as each and everyone of you sees through his subterfuge. He intends you harm and slips a hand in his tunic...

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

Initiative Order
Kriger (20)
Tuck (15)
Lukasz (14)
Kalsgrim (8)
Servayn (7)
Nadhalia (4)
Nugrah (3)

As Nugrah represented a possible threat, you are armed.
Small n is for Nadhalia
MAP

I guess Janku rolled too bad to even do anything this round? :-)

Sorry about that! You rolled a 2... You're after Nugrah.

"That'll be your last mistake, old man!" Kriger tells him as he raises his axe and attempts to cut him in two.

Mwk. Greataxe, w/PA vs. humans 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Damage w/PA: vs. humans 1d12 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Kalsgrim will delay, ready to grapple the old man if he moves toward the woman.

Tuck?

Round 1
20 - Kriger: "That'll be your last mistake, old man!" Kriger tells him as he raises his axe and attempts to cut him in two. The blade bites deeps in the old man’s shoulder and warm blood is shed. 11 hp damage.

15 - Tuck: With a wave of his free hand, Tuck utters a powerful incantation: Ridiculux!. Hideous Laughter DC 13.

14 - Lukasz: Seeing through Nugrah's ruse, Lukasz reponds the only way he can when all his spells are depleted, peeks around the corner, getting a look at the insane man, and fires a missile of force at the man. 2 hp damage.

8 - Kalsgrim: Kalsgrim delays, ready to grapple the old man if he moves toward the woman.

7 - Servayn: Servayn speaks a pair of words in Draconic, Ka-Rakh. Atonitas.
Ember surges forward on the first word, Draconic for 'Kill,' attempting to pounce on the old man and rend him. Not enough room to charge. He bites deep in the man’s leg as he hears him scream in pain. 6 hp damage.

With the second word, which resonates upon itself like a roll of thunder sweeping across the plains, Servayn attempts to daze the man. The spell has no effect on the old man.

4 - Nadhalia: With a scream, Nadhalia runs away from Nugrah and hides behind Janku.

3 - Nugrah: Hurt badly from the numerous attacks, the old man transforms before your eyes into a white and gray wolverine! The wolverine then climbs the wall and walks on the ceiling towards the exit. Kalsgrim, Kriger and Ember get an AoO. He is now 15 ft up in the air, so range and reach or enlarged only.

MAP

Next AoO, Janku then the rest of you for round 2.

Ember AoO bite atk/dam
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Crap, Servayn thinks, Left my longspear up on the surface...

"I don't think so!" Kriger yells while taking an opportunistic swing at the cool looking wolverine that is Nugrah.

Mwk. Greataxe, w/PA vs. humans 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Edit: Damage w/PA: vs. humans 1d12 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Seeing how he's not human(right now at least), I'm not sure if my human bonus applies. Just adjust if necessary.

If the AoO don't take him out, Janku will hold out his hand, and call forth a burst of sonic energy.

Sound Burst 1d8 ⇒ 8 DC15 Fort save or stunned Janku will wait till he is on the ceiling before releasing the energy

Kriger, roll damage. In case...

Both Ember's and Kriger can take advantage of the old man turning his back as he climbs the wall.

Kalsgrim, then I'll resolve Janku's spell.

Sorry, been doing a lot of 12-hour days at the new job. Learning the insurance business kinda sucks.

Tuck draws his whip and tries to attack the old man. It lashes out with a jolt of magic coursing along the cord.

Arcane Strike Whip; 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Damage; 1d3 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Kalsgrim's weapons are sheathed, both hands having been free to potentially grapple, so no AoO for him.

It pains Kalsgrim to see the old man escape his grasp, but at least the girl is safe.

Nugrah the wolverine walks on the ceiling when Janku casts a spell at him, hoping to hurt him and make him fall. The beast yelps under the effect (8 hp damage to Nugrah, good dice roller! and crashes loudly on the floor. Falling damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8

The wolverine transforms back into the old man's shape. The man is clearly dead, his head having an impossible angle from the fall...

End of combat. 1600 XP. You can finish with Nadhalia and the paintings, then I'll summarize the few days taking inventory. I'm going with five days at the Fort. Let me know if it works for you.

Servayn removes the sheathed dagger from his belt and hands it to Nadhalia. I believe that the last threat has been removed, but you may wish to hold onto this, just in case.

As they finish searching the area, and ready to return topside, Ember looks at the ladder leading out of the area, and growls, I don't do ladders. You can call me when you are out of this place. and falls apart into clumps of smoldering ash, returning to wherever he comes from.

Once topside, Servayn belatedly remembers the surviving bandits (tied up and probably still unconscious, as we didn't give them any additional healing in the morning) and asks Nadhalia, Do you recognize any of these men as your attackers?, realizing belatedly that giving her a dagger while there were still some living bandits tied up may have been a rash idea...

Bandits named Akiros and Dovan, and two other random nameless dudes, survived, according to what I'm seeing upthread. I'm pretty sure we know bupkiss about this people, although Tuck or Kriger might know something about the two that have names... Assuming that we don't have to immediately deal with her flipping out and stabbing a bunch of people to death, Servayn re-summons Ember and they proceed to giving the area a more thorough search than they had previously.

Kriger staring down at the fallen old man, "You know, you try to help some people...." was all he manages as he shakes his head in discouragement.

Turning to Nadhalia, "Here, allow me to help you up the ladder. Janks will get you taken care of and cleaned up. He is real good about that, let me tell you. He has kept ME alive longer than I should be, that's for certain." He says with absolute conviction and a smile.

After helping her up, he turns to any of the others who aren't up yet, "Alright, time to clean up the 'mess', I guess." Kriger says as he proceeds to remove the old man's body.

At the fallen old man, Kalsgrim only says Well done my friends. Well done.

Once everyone is up top again, Kal will call them all together and say We do need to remain here for a while, at least to make sure any straggler bandits returning to the fort are dealt with. In the meantime, I think we should stay together in pairs in case any of them sneak in and try to pick us off. And if anyone has reason to go outside the fort, they shouldn't go alone and everyone in the fort should be on watch for them.

To Nadhalia, he will say I apologize that we cannot return you home this very minute, but we need to do our best to ensure the menace of these men is gone. We'll escort you back to civilization as soon as we can. Until then, I hope you'll accept our protection and... looking around he reluctantly adds hospitality, such as it is.

Nadhalia accepts Kriger's help in climbing the ladder. She is still weak and has poor balance, though, according to Janku, a few days in the sun with real nourishment will do the trick.

"Thank you, your hospitality and kindness will be welcomed. I will be eager to give my family notice of my situation, but understand it needs to wait a little."

In what used to be Beaky's cage, she'll simply point at the prisoners known as Fat Norry and Slim Dax, answering Servayn's question. She'll also point at Akiros: "He's been protective and gentle with me. Things would have been far worse without him. He got beat for it by the Stagman."

Servayn moves so that his back is to Nadhalia and addresses Kalsgrim in a whisper, We are the law, in this place, and the sentence for unrepentent banditry is the rope or the sword. Do you feel that her accusations against those two are sufficient for us to execute them?

He looks at the tied figures. It would be easiest on all concerned, us and them, if they never awoke, and I will do that, if you agree to the rightness of the action. If you feel that such would be justice, and not red-handed murder, then I will handle it.

Indicating the unconscious bandits, Kalsgrim will address the others.

I believe our mandate is clear. These men were in league with the Stag Lord, and the penalty for that is death. Is there anyone of you who would oppose my carrying out that sentence now?

Kalsgrim will meet the gaze of each of his companions, give them the opportunity for them to speak up. If no one voices opposition, he'll administer a coupe de grace to each of them.

Having followed the group up after the excitement of the last fight, Lukasz says, "While I won't argue as to the punishment, I have to disagree with the reason. It isn't simply because they are in league with the Stag Lord that is prompting your actions. We have spared several bandits before who bore the Stag Lord's medallion. What is the real reason for bringing their deaths?"

Having followed the group up after the excitement of the last fight, Lukasz says, "While I won't argue as to the punishment, I have to disagree with the reason. It isn't simply because they are in league with the Stag Lord that is prompting your actions. We have spared several bandits before who bore the Stag Lord's medallion. What is the real reason for bringing their deaths?"

For the first time since his religious dilemma a little of the old Janku's fire resurfaces.

"Oh that's just great". "Here I am preaching about liberty, and freedom, and now that we've neutralized these bandits, and tied them up, we're intent on murdering them in their sleep"? "I'm not sure I want to be a part of the development of this "Free" Country".

Then with a huff, and angry glare Janku stomps off to be alone in another part of the compound and pray.

Looking at the prisoners and then turning to the others, "Look, you all know my take on these scum, but a part of me can't help but agree with Janks and Lukasz. As much as I think they deserve it, I would have a hard time killing them like this." He motions at the unconscious bandits. "They deserve punishment, I agree, but if anything, taking them back to the Swordlords for justice should be the way to go. With the young lady to testify to what they have done to her, and of course being part of this scum banditry, ought to be enough to get 'em executed properly." Another thought then crosses his mind, "Or," a smile then forms across his mouth, "we could just get 'em up, give 'em a weapon, and tell 'em to fight us to the death?" He looks around at the group expecting a response. "Huh? C'mon, what do you say?" A couple of moments of too much silence, Kriger gives in, obviously no one liking his idea. "Alright then, I stand by what I said though." He reiterates.

Just before he goes and finds a place to sit and take a load off of his feet, "I will say this about Akiros, I know he's scum like the rest of 'em, but if any of any kind of potential to come to their senses and do right, it would be him. Davon, I'm not so sure. He's got an intelligent look about him, but if given the chance, a part of me feels like he just as soon kill you as befriend you. Akiros, I think....not so much." He stares at them all a moment and then shrugs, "Just my 2 copper." He then turns and finds a place to sit up against the nearest wall. Watching to see what the fate of the bandits will be.

There is a reason I spoke to all of you before carrying out sentence on my own. I trust the judgement of all of you, especially you, fiery Janku. Very well. If their will to live, or Milani's favor sees them through their wounds, we will take them on to Oleg's with us and determine their fate there.

Tuck waves from the corner of the room where he has been listening, "I may be a little biased, but that is probably the best idea. Have Keston put them to work like the others you have captured."

Nadhalia chimes in: "No, those two, they have to die for their acts. I am proof, I can also be sentence, if need be." She looks at Kriger: "I would fight them, but one at a time though, if no one else does... They are past redemption." Her eyes are filled with tears as the last words are uttered.

Lady, they will be tried for their crimes, and we will take your testimony with a heavy weight to it. They will likely end up dying for their crimes, but we are charged with bringing civilization to these lands. And that means bringing law and enforcing it.

To try and distract her, he'll ask Do you have family that we can reach out to? Are you ready to tell us more of your story? How you came to be here? Perhaps it will help in seeing proper justice carried out for these men, and seek out any others responsible for your position?

I'm guessing she means Fat Norry and Slim Dax. Not Akiros and Dovan. Mainly basing this on the fact she spoke kindly of Akiros. So I'm gonna go with that. Let me know if I'm wrong.

Kriger stands at the words of the poor girl and waits for Kalsgrim to finish. "You know, Kalsgrim, looks like she likes my idea." He says without his customary smile. "I've got no problem with that. I would be more than willing to fight this battle for her. Heal 'em up, clean 'em up, whatever, give 'em a weapon and let's finish this." He thinks a moment, "I know if I was a bandit, I'd rather die fighting than with a rope around my neck."

Servayn walks off once it becomes a discussion, and seeks some unbloodied or unrent cloak or other covering for Nadhalia, in the nearby buildings. If he finds something suitable for her to drape over herself, he'll attempt to beat any dust out of it and make it at least marginally presentable, before bringing it out and offering it to her.

While away from the others, Janku, he'll ask Janku quietly, Is there some magical means by which we can verify the truth of her accusations? It seems insult to injury to ask her to stand trial in front of a bunch of strangers at Oleg's, and so announce her shame to all.

He's real diplomatic, but since Janku is a PC, that doesn't mean anything. :)

Dovan's dead btw. She means Laurel and Hardy. See the NPCs in my profile to have the list of survivors.
Oh and Kal, would you roll Diplomacy?

Servayn walks off once it becomes a discussion, and seeks some unbloodied or unrent cloak or other covering for Nadhalia, in the nearby buildings. If he finds something suitable for her to drape over herself, he'll attempt to beat any dust out of it and make it at least marginally presentable, before bringing it out and offering it to her.

While away from the others, Janku, he'll ask Janku quietly, Is there some magical means by which we can verify the truth of her accusations? It seems insult to injury to ask her to stand trial in front of a bunch of strangers at Oleg's, and so announce her shame to all.

He's real diplomatic, but since Janku is a PC, that doesn't mean anything. :)

"There is divine magic available to determine the truth of one's words, but it requires a much closer bond to the deity, than I currently have". "Perhaps someday".

"I do not doubt the truth of her words, I just believe that many are redeemable if not killed". "Most might never repent, and shouldn't be released into society...but if we kill one who was innocent...it is too many". "The imprisonment and even forced labor are in my opinion much better options". "We will need hands to work this new land, and I would have these miscreants be put to use doing that".

Nadhalia walks away, visibly shaken and displeased.

Ok, will post the results of the five days stop and search. Please start working on what's your next step and you'll deal with the fort if you leave. I'll put an updated map of the area.

Over the next five days, the month of Pharast has given place to fairer Gozran. The weather has been much better and you've all seen your health improved from cooked food and sheltered sleep.

Your search of the fort has revealed two secret passages leading out to the fields. Akiros warned you of the presence of undead haunting the fields around the walls. It seems they are zombies.

The fort has an impressive command of the areas surrounding it. In fact, you've identified clear clues that this place predates the arrival of the Stag Lord. Perhaps it was some kind of fortress in a distant and glorious past?

Analysis of the drawings in the cellar shed more light on the old man Nugrah and the Stag Lord. According to your best interpretations, Nugrah was a banned druid who molested his boy harshly, until the boy turned on him. It tells of their discovery of the ruins and of the magical Stag helm. Follows the visit of a strange visitor, possibly a fey of some importance, to whom the Stag Lord seem to vow. Later, you see her giving Nadhalia to him.

In the Stag Lord room, you find two of the chests hold bedding and other miscellaneous items, including a bolt of burlap cloth,old clothing, an iron ring, and three crudely stitched leather masks. In the third chest, the Stag Lord keeps his best treasures. This consists of 141 gp, a polished azurite crystal worth 9 gp, a carnelian worth 80 gp, a piece of hematite worth 13 gp, a shard of obsidian worth 14 gp, a red garnet worth 100 gp, a pewter belt buckle depicting a pair of entwined succubi worth 30 gp, and a silver charm bracelet worth 60 gp.

In the armory, you find three unlocked crates in the storage area hold 10 longbows, 260 arrows, 5 short swords, 5 spears, four 50-foot lengths of hemp rope, a set of chisels, 2 hammers, 3 tins of iron nails, and 4 suits of leather armor.

And finally, in the cellar, you find most of the bandits' wealth. The majority kept here consists of mundane trade goods like pelts, furs, tobacco, iron, bronze, miscellaneous weapons and armor (none masterwork or magic), and miscellaneous adventuring gear and tools worth a combined total of 6,850 gp. In addition, one chest contains 4,500 cp, 2,052 sp, 894 gp, and 21 pp, while a large bag contains 2,900 gp in various pieces of stolen jewelry.

The loot is updated in my profile. There's a lot, and you'll probably need to keep some to start your kingdom building... I'll give you some time to discuss what to do next, preferably in the ooc thread if you prefer to metagame a little. There is also the return to Oleg to plan. Good job on the fort. I hope you had as much fun as me!

Map of the Greenbelt

Diplomacy 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

I'd prefer to get Nadhalia and the surviving bandits back to Olegs, and then return to deal with the Mites (preferably by eradicating them like vermin), and then the Sootscales (preferably by turning the little buggers into productive citizens), and finish exploring any additional lands available.

There's also the will o wisp thing, if it's still around, that needs killing.

I'm sure in the course of these last tasks, we might find something else that needs taking care of in one or more of the unexplored areas.

Servayn will spend the days seeing if there is anything like a wagon available in the fort, or if something can be cobbled together to function as such, to haul this stuff back to Olegs. If all else fails, the prisoners might have to be made to schlep the stuff back, although Servayn is willing to shoulder his share of the burden.

He casts a measuring glance at Ember while checking the horses for fitting a sledge to them, and Ember loudly scoffs at him and stalks away to lie in the sun and 'supervise.' Ember doesn't do 'pack mule.'