Kingmaker- A New Start (Inactive)

Game Master Daniel Stewart

Damen mulled over the cairn from a slight distance. "I wonder whose this is," he muttered thoughtfully. "Long since dust by now, I imagine, anyway. At least I hope so."

He glanced at his companions, eyes glinting with something that might have been fear. "I'm, ah, not the most versed in things like this... was there a kingdom, or even a settlement, out here at some time in the past? This is an awfully remote place to bury someone, especially someone important enough for something like this. I wonder if they did all this so he'd stay buried."

Do we really want to move on without evening searching it? I'd recommend that in situations like this our best Perception Check, Damen I think, does a search. Our second best does the same but Takes 10 on the check and our third best does an aid another action on Damen's search. In any event....

Svetlana initially seemed content to just look at the cairn, but then curiosity seemed to get the best of her. Impulsively she began poking around at it, not attempting to disturb or desecrate anything but rather in attempt to see what secrets not available to the casual observer it might hold.

Take 10 on Search for a 13 total

perception aid another: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Even with the aid of Kent, Svetlana discovers nothing new about this cairn, other than it seems old.

Ulryk kept his distance from the cairn. While he was somewhat curious about who was laid to rest here, he was not well versed on the history of this region or even of his homeland of Brevoy. He frowned deeply. It was a pity that Areanna had not stuck around. Her knowledge of legends and stories would have likely been useful in a situation like this. Of Leorn, Ulryk's thoughts did not often travel, having been quite content to let the brigand lover depart for lands unknown.

Svetlana shrugs after her and Kent's investigation came up with nothing. And with that, the priestess' quick-rising interest in the shrine faded as rapidly as it commenced.

Well, nothing here it seems, she said with a smile. Shall we move on?

Brigid nods. She too had hung back while the others poked and prodded. I agree. Let us leave this site in peace.

You travel a little way from the hidden cairn and make camp. The rain continues on and off and the temperature drops to uncomfortable levels. Luckily the small wash where you have stopped is well protected from the elements and you stay mostly dry.

09 Gozran, 4707 A.R. (Wealday)

Another gray and wet day greets you as you are roused by the last nightly sentry. which reminds me what is the watch order now??
A quick breakfast and you are in the saddle exploring more or the rolling grasslands; this time heading back east towards the green smudge on the horizon that you know is the Greenwood.

Brigid-Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Svetlana-Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Kent-Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Survival: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Ulryk-Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Damen-Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

As evening approaches you skirt the edge of the forest to the north and make camp in the eves of the woods. The night passes quietly.

10 Gozran, 4707 A.R. (Oathday)
You waken to a partly cloudy sky, the ragged clouds are moving fast on a brisk wind. You continue to head to the north, keeping the forest on your right hand side. More windswept grassland is all you find, and by night you are back at the edge of the forest. Tomorrow you will brave the woods once again to complete this northern part of your exploratory journey.

Brigid-Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Svetlana-Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

Kent-Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Survival: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Ulryk-Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Damen-Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Those were some very bad rolls we must have all been very tried. Sense I have not used any spells this day I will take a watch.

Proposed watch order: Ulryk, Kent, Damen, Brigid - allowing Svetlana to rest (and pray).

It might be a rule that I've simply over looked in my other campaigns, but why can't spellcasters participate in the watch schedule? I've never thought it was especially necessary to have the 8 hours of sleep be unbroken in order to memorize spells. Even if it did need to be unbroken, you simply put the spellcasters on the first or last watch

If I'm wrong in my assertion here then Ulryk's idea is fine by me

It's my understanding that divine casters don't need the eight hours of uninterrupted restlike arcane since ttheir power doesn't come from themselves.

A wizard may know any number of spells. He must choose and prepare his spells ahead of time by getting 8 hours of sleep and spending 1 hour studying his spellbook. While studying, the wizard decides which spells to prepare.

Clerics meditate or pray for their spells. Each cleric must choose a time when she must spend 1 hour each day in quiet contemplation or supplication to regain her daily allotment of spells. A cleric may prepare and cast any spell on the cleric spell list, provided that she can cast spells of that level, but she must choose which spells to prepare during her daily meditation.

A druid must spend 1 hour each day in a trance-like meditation on the mysteries of nature to regain her daily allotment of spells. A druid may prepare and cast any spell on the druid spell list, provided that she can cast spells of that level, but she must choose which spells to prepare during her daily meditation.

Unlike a wizard or a cleric, a sorcerer need not prepare her spells in advance. She can cast any spell she knows at any time, assuming she has not yet used up her spells per day for that spell level. This is also true of the bard.

Svetlana, being a divine caster only needs 1 hour uninterupted to pray. I would guess sunrise or sunset would make the most sense for Calistria.

Kent however requires 8 hours of sleep and 1 hour of study. Normally no watch for him.

It never says that the 8 hours of sleep have to be consecutive. Likewise, there is no reason why we couldn't extend camp time to ensure that Kent gets his 8 hours of sleep plus one hour of study time. From a realism standpoint, it makes sense that some time would be needed to set up and break camp. So If we say that Kent gets a pass on set-up/break-down and that Svetlana prays for her spells at the same time in the morning as Kent, it would stand to reason that Kent could fully participate in the watch schedule and get his spells back

Except that Kent needs eight hours of sleep. Even if it isn't back to back, that's eight hours we can't be moving, adventuring, etc. I will concede that he could study the same time that Svetlana prays, but I still don't think he'd be very useful as part of the watch. Ulryk, Damen, Brigid, and Svetlana can probably make due with six hours of sleep. Working in two hour guard shifts.

What Kent need is a ring of sustenance. :-)

Good by me if that's how we want to do it. Not sure how long of a traveling day the AP assumes for us to be moving/adventuring. Given the lack of critical deadlines, we could simply carve two hours out of the adventuring day to rest. But like I said, not too concerned either way

I think it's supposed to be that we do eight hours of adventuring, eight hours of sleep, and the remaining eight gets mixed up in meals, breaks, setting up/breaking down camp, cooking and the like. The third eight hours is also where things like crafting and extra training get handwaived away. At least, that's one way to account for the standard 24 hours.

I think that is correct..or at least how I will look at it. Kent will need 8 hours of sleep and 1 hour study time...and you all know this (he has told you HUNDREDS of times..LOL) so you make camp a little earlier and break a little later to accommodate this. Or if you wish to take him out of the watch rotation, that is fine too. I usually see the wizard on first or last watch so he can get his rest, but it is not a huge thing at the moment. Just set you watch so I can see who has all the monsters creep up on them..lol!!!

ok..I amended your watch order as follows: Ulryk, Svetlana, Damen, Brigid. This allows Kent to get his rest and study. Svetlana only need 1 hour to pray, so this should not slow the party down much. Does this sound O.K.??

11 Gozran, 4707 A.R. (Fireday)

You awake to a light drizzle and cloudy skies yet again. The cool weather and dampness is beginning to weigh heavy on you, as most of your possessions are wet and/or caked in mud.
You are heading back into the Greenwood today and most likely tomorrow, to complete this portion of your charter. Once complete you will be able to sweep through the last remaining sections of grassland to the west of Olegs, then return to the outpost for a well deserved rest.

Brigid - Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Svetlana - Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Kent - Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Survival: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Ulryk - Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Survival: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Damen - Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

While travelling through this area of the Greenwood, Ulryk and Svetlana notice that many paths criss cross one another...more than would be normal for the local wildlife. Shortly after entering the wood Damen calls for a halt and points out a number of traps, snares and deadfalls set just off your main route. You have been very lucky that he caught the signs of trapping here, or you might have wandered into one of them.
With this in mind, you take your time moving forward, destroying the traps as you go. By the time the sun is setting and you have found a place to rest, several dozen traps have been sprung by your party.

“Those traps must have been the work of the hunter we found a few days back. Didn’t the fey warn us of his traps?” Ulryk said once they had made camp. He sat on a broken log which he set his tent up next to. Unlike most of the others, Ulryk made use of a tent and was thankful of it when the rain was falling heavy. Further behind him were his two animals, the sorrel stallion he continued to attempt to make into a proper warhorse and his reliable mule. His mule was complaining loudly as Ulryk spoke, seeking either more attention or more food.

”Oleg’s should not be too far now. Another day or so.” Ulryk knew that topics of conversation were running low in recent days. The miserable weather and the lack of any real exciting finds had begun to wear on the various members of the expedition. Taking a drink from his canteen of something that was definitely not water, Ulryk offered a wan smile and chuckled. “I for one will be glad for a day or two at Oleg’s and a hot meal from that wife of his. Hopefully the armor I ordered will have arrived as well.” He finished his sentence with another swig of the alcohol and then continued. “Do you think any of the lands we charted thus far would be good farmland? Plenty of wood about to build with, an abundance of animals for hunting, once these bandits have been dealt with I don’t see too much in the way of progress.”

Ulryk got to his feet and made a deliberate gesture of closing his canteen and putting it away. “I will take the first watch, though I don’t expect too much trouble. This area is still heavily trapped and likely it’ll offer us some extra protection when we sleep. If you’ll all excuse me a minute, when I get back I’ll begin my shift.” With that Ulryk went behind some tree’s that had been marked out as a secure location to empty his bowels and would return in good time to take up his night watch.

Damen nodded to Ulryk as he chewed thoughtfully on a piece of dried meat. "Oleg and 'Lana make fine hosts, and I won't object to a night at the trade post. This close, they may even know who set the traps. I noticed the hallmark on the trapper's axe was of a foundry in New Stetven. I wouldn't be surprised if he came through the tradepost."

When Ulryk returned, Damen continued. "I don't know much about agriculture, but this land is clearly rather fertile. I wonder that it wasn't mapped and occupied long ago by something less foul than bandits. I was no great student at history, so perhaps it was. The temple of Erastil suggests as much. What drove out the old kingdoms that ruled here?"

Svetlana kept her cheerful attitude for the most part despite the conditions. The only thing that seemed to faze the priestess was monotony, which she worked hard to break up. Locating the traps (Oooh, Damen! Ulryk! Look at that one, don't step there!) became an oddly welcome distraction to the humdrum of travel. By the time the group was ready to camp on the 11th of Gozran, Svetlana too seemed enthusiastic to get back to Oleg and Lana's. Do you think maybe they got new shoes in?, she asked excitedly to no one in particular. Not getting a response rarely deterred the blonde beauty when she was on a roll. Maybe something red or yellow with black scrollwork. That would be so cute, yes!

Her camping supplies set for the night, Svetlana listened in on Ulryk and Damen's discussion of the area. History is like that, isn't it? Kingdoms rise, kingdoms fall, and life rolls on. Leorn seemed to think that at least one great empire flourished here, but it is likely not worth much more thought. It is how we live in the now that truly matters. Who knows what the future will hold. With a giggle she added, perhaps a great kingdom will even rise here again some day!

Brigid turns her nose up at Svetlana's suggestion that a great kingdom may arise. Feh. No one belongs to this land. Great kingdoms rise from strong folk made strong by their lands. All that is left here are bandits. They take vhat they can, but vould not fight to defend this land. More is needed to make a kingdom.

"Well the bandit's will definitely not be forging a kingdom in these lands on my watch, that much I can say for certain. They are still out there, but we have dealt them a mighty blow. Many of their number have been eliminated, including one of their leaders."

"This land is hard and any who settle here will need to be as well. The owlbear we saw South of the forest river indicated as much. What was the name of that river again, the thorn?" Ulryk rubbed at his eyes with his fingers and looked to the crackling fire.

Pulling off his helmet, he set it down on the log he had been sitting on a few moments ago and ran his hand through his chesnut brown hair. "You should all get some rest."

Map update...will try and get game update on here later today

Greenbelt

As night closes in on the party and the temperature drops, each rolls up in their bedroll and tries to sleep. The guards detect nothing until Damen's watch.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

To wrapped up in trying to stay warm, Damen misses the first signs that something is wrong. It is not until it is too late that he reacts to the weird chirping/growl sounds coming from the trees around the camp.

Damen gets to roll for initiative, everyone else is still asleep for this first round.

Damen nodded again to Ulryk at the other man's suggestion of sleep. His sleep was full of dreams, confusing and shifting, and when his turn came to stand watch he found his mind occupied with sorting through the dreams and staving off the cold of pre-dawn spring to notice the approaching noises until they were nearly on top of the party.

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

You have got to be kidding me. The dice roller really hates me right now!

Crashing out of the underbrush come a creature of both fur and feather; a bizarre half-bear, half owl monstrosity that raises its huge, ursine claws to attack.

Attack-Melee (Claw): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Attack-Melee (Claw): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Once claw catches the surprised Ranger and tears through the armour, cloth and flesh of his right shoulder.

Perception rolls for everyone to waken, and Damen may now attack.

perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

does my ability to act in surprise rounds help at all?

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

@Kent - I will say yes, it will allow you to roll initiative now instead of holding (surprise) for 1 round. Everyone else is surprised for 1 round (except Damen). I will keep your roll Brigid for next round!

initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Kent is disorientated, but his danger sense if tingling don't know the nature of the enemy so focus on allies.

Cast enlarge person on Damen. I don't even get out from under my blanket. I think Ulryk does not have any armor right now.

I believe both claws would've hit, since I was flatfooted at that point with an AC of 15. My AC will now be 19, however. I'll count the damage as 16 total unless you say otherwise, Daniel. Are we using a massive damage rule here?

As the owlbear closed on him, Damen threw himself backward - too slow, his mind screamed at him, too slow. The owlbear's claws ripped along his torso and into his shoulder and he cried out in agony. Images of the half-eaten bandit came to mind but were gone in a flash. He drew breath to cry out and nearly lost it as fresh pain seared from his wounds; but by some miracle the breath remained.

"Owlbear! Owlbear!" he shouted as his hands went to his shield and morningstar. He watched his enemy, vision blurring but cautiously waiting for an opening to strike without having to feel the beast's claws again. He doubted he'd survive another attack like the last one, didn't dare to look at his wounds, but retreat was not an option right now.

There - the beast's attention flickered for just a moment, and Damen leapt forward to strike it with his morningstar with a cry of anger.

Fighting defensively, giving a -4 to hit but a +2 dodge bonus to AC until my next round, giving me an effective AC of 21.

1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 5 - 4 = 20
1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Perception Roll to Awaken 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 Guessing that's good enough

Svetlana bolted upright as the creature rumbled through the underbrushed and winced as she heard the tell-tale sickening sound of claw ripping flesh. Shaking off sleep, the priestess frantically looked around to see what she can see.

@Daniel: Svetlana will channel healing on Damen unless she could reach him to cast CLW, then stand up from prone. I'll roll both, depending on what's needed. Unless she could crawl to him as a move action I don't see how she could cast CLW this round

Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 6 I'm excluding the Owlbear from this of course

CLW 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

I'm traveling today and may not be able to get another post in until very late today or tomorrow.

Ulryk's sleep was deep and without dreams. He'd been exhausted, having taken the first watch and then some and having traversed the wilderness for the better part of the week. Though he did not show it to his companions, his encounter with the cursed bear had taken its toll on the formidable warrior. That coupled with the considerable amount of alcohol he consumed during the evening meal left him still slumbering when Damen first uttered the words 'Owlbear'

Perception to awaken: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Oh no!!! This could get interesting quickly!! No massive damage rules...did not start with them, so I am not going to add them now. Thanks for the reminder about being flat-footed!! Svetlana your channel will probably be best, so Damen recovers 6hp, and starts to feel odd...like everything around him is shrinking!!
Need an initiative roll from you Svetlana.

If I'm reading enlarge person correctly, my damage should become 2d6+3, my to-hit will stay the same (+1 from increased strength, -1 from increased size), my AC will drop 2 (-1 from decreased dex, -1 from increased size), and I'll have reach 10'.

I wonder if I can take favored enemy: terrifying hybrid monsters that do 75% of my hit points in a single round...

Remembering what an Owl-bear is
knowledge Arcane: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
I think that's enough to justify my meta knowledge. I proably should not mention this, but owlbears get a free grab to go with their claw attacks. Luckily Damen is now size large.

@ Damen..LOL!!!!
@ Kent - I did realize the creature has a grab ability...

Ok just waiting for Svetlana to make a initiative roll..if not in today I will make it tomorrow morning for her (I know the player is travelling, but will give them the chance to roll).

Initiative so far:

Svetlana - ?
Brigid - 20
Kent - 10
Owlbear - 10
Damen - 4
Ulryk - Still asleep

Actually Svetlana has done her next turns action (Healing Damen), so Brigid you are up!!

Initiative Roll for Svetlana 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

ok then,initiative is

Brigid
Kent
Owlbear
Svetlana
Damen
and Ulryk is sleeping

so Kent and Brigid are up.

It was a damp cold, not clear and crisp like the hilltop air of her home. Her dreams were fragmented, uneasy, and fleeting. She sought to make sense of the odd images and strange sounds until finally, she roused to the panicked cries of, Owlbear! Owlbear!

Her eyes snapped open, and her hand struck like a snake onto the hilt of her zweihänder, drawing it as she rose. The blood-red light of the fire cast everything in hues of crimson and black as she swung the greatsword at the beast.

Melee: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4) + 3 = 11

Kent rolls over and casts grease under the OwlBear. DC 16

"it's so cold I hope I can manage this battle without getting out of bed"

Owlbear save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

The suddenly slick ground, and the punishing strike by Brigid's greatsword, knock the creature onto the ground where it struggles to regain its footing.

AoO for Brigit and Damen as the creature gets up from prone

I hope Brigit and Damen are flanking it

Still acting on pure instinct, she brings the heavy blade of her zweihänder down upon the owlbear the moment she gets an opening.

Melee: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 4 = 14 (plus two if we're flanking)
Damage: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 1) + 3 = 6

If I'm understanding this properly, Svetlana's action this round will be the healing burst she did earlier, so I'm going to post my attack as well as my AoO.

Damen's body was suddenly awash in magics as he grew to enormous size and felt his wounds knitting. He felt the familiar tug of emotion and memory, but they were buried beneath his pain and anger at the owlbear and he shook them off. As the beast scrambled in Kent's magic grease, Damen brought his enormous morningstar down on it again and again, stepping back to give his longer arms more freedom. "Ulryk, damn your hide, get up and help us kill this thing!" he roared, his face a mask of fury.

5 foot step away from the owlbear, but it should still count as flanked with my reach.
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
2d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 1) + 3 = 10
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
2d6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 3) + 3 = 11

You are correct Damen

Brigid's swing just barely hits the brute, as does one of Damen's attacks. Once back on its feet, the owlbear targets Brigit and swings its massive claws at her.

Attack - Melee(claw): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Attack - Melee(claw): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Both attacks strike the warrior, causing great rents in her flesh.

WOW!! I wish I could roll so well for my own characters!! As the owlbear did not move to attack, it did not need to roll due to the grease spell (I believe).