Kingmaker Campaign for Group A (Inactive)

Game Master moafnsteel

"So the bandits will be coming tomorrow morning, and you have made an offer of free food and board if we deal with them. It sounds reasonable to me, and it seems we've all reached that same conclusion, yes?" She glances at Oleg and asks, "How many bandits usually come? An ambush could work well, though I fear for damage to the outpost."

Kalima says, "It would be easier if we ambushed them at the outpost. I have a spell that can knock them unconscious but it is more effective in an enclosed area where their formation is more tightly packed."

Joanna nods slowly. "That could work, if you can ensure that your spell will fire at the right time. I know nothing of group tactics, and I won't pretend to, but I could wait on a roof and provide cover fire."

Kalima says, "So long as I can get the surprise they won't know what hit them, although some strong willed among them may resist. If that is the case I'll probably need some people on the ground to back me up in case things end up being a real battle."

"Maybe if we take out the leader, they'll scatter. I've seen it in wolf packs - shoot the biggest and strongest, and the rest run away like frightened puppies." She taps one finger against her chin thoughtfully. "I think your spell could be mighty useful, but what do the rest of you think?"

Crafty, very crafty. I would have suggested bearing our standard out to the open field of battle, chanting the war cries of our ancestors. But there is some merit to what they suggest. Likely there will be fewer badges of honor, but by the looks of their fair skin, that does not seem to be there way.

Myrdul has heard enough to speak a little, "What is zere number?"

He also points to the walkway spanning the sides of the outpost, "If zis 'ambush' is ze way, zen Krasa and I shall fall on them like the falcon! Is good, yes?" and looks around to see what the others think of his idea for himself in the upcoming battle.

Shonden nodded, contemplating. A magic user...archers at the corners...Myrdul strikes at their heart...then we collapse upon them....

"A good plan, Mydrul. Your attack would throw them off balance. Joanna also has the right of it. Master Oleg, we'll need you to identify their leader for us. We can have Mistresses Kalima and Joanna on one platform, one to cover the other. Derakor and I can use corners forcover, take them by surprise..." He paused and looked concerned. " But we'll need a way to draw the bandits into our trap...get them inside the walls so Kalima's magics can do their work."

"We draw them, hit them with magic, then a volley. Myrdul attacks them as a falcon from on high, then we close in with spears..." He looked about the gathering and waited for other ideas.

Derakors rubs the back of his neck with a hand. "We still need to get a rough idea of how many there are and how these transactions have gone in the past. For example, there is a chance a good amount of them might stay outside while a few come in to claim their taxes. These are men who willfully chose to not play by the rules, so don't expect them to. Perhaps some have fallen on such hard times that, for them, there was no other way. Which means we could possibly redeem some of them."

He pauses for a moment, eyeing his companions to see who would possibly go as far to give these men another chance IF the opportunity arises.

"And if not, I'm all for testing their mettle and see who is the stronger."

He otherwise agrees with the basics of the plan his companions laid out so far.

For the first time since they're meeting, Shonden's eyes darkened. "I've dealt with bandits who've preyed upon my own home, Derakor. While I share your hope that some may be reasoned with, it is a slim hope. In my experience, there are hard times to which people are driven to desperate acts, and there are those who search for hard times because they desire to express the evil in their hearts."

Shonden remembered the Claw Brothers back home...how they'd taken children for what they had called collateral. His parents had been part of the group who'd gone to reclaim them...they had told him many years later why there had been so many tears in the village upon their return. Shonden ground his teeth but acknowledged Derakor's point. "Let us see what is their history and numbers and behavior...but I will not hold my breathe for folks who prey upon innocents on a schedule."

Kalima Raustald looks to Joanna and says, "Taking out the leader sounds like an idea, but we can't let any of them escape. If the bandits have a larger camp out there, if even one gets away then the bandits will know that the Outpost has hired help and will come in larger numbers. The best idea would be to capture all we can and then interrogate them to get further information on their operations."

In a response to Shonden she says, "I am afraid that my Color Spray as it is called requires me to be at close range. It is a blast of illusionary magic that overwhelms their senses, either knocking them unconscious or stunning them for a short time. Another option is that I could save my spells to summon some celestial hounds and have them aid in defeating the ruffians in melee, but this would also lower our chances of capturing the criminals alive."

"This spell of yours can knock them out. Why don't we take that route? Knock out as many as we can and take them someplace for trial? If any can be redeemed, by all means, we should go ahead, but we can't show mercy to those who insist on continuing."

Derakor is glad Joanna shares his sentiment. He briefly makes eye contact with her and ever so slightly nods to thank her.

"It seems we're coming to a consensus, good. Mercy for those who deserve it, a final judgement for those who defy Brevoy and its customs and laws. Now, once we know how many we can expect and how they normally go about collecting this tax, we can scout the area around the fort. Perhaps there are other advantages we have that we're as of yet unaware of."

Myrdul cringes, physically and internally at all this talk of capture, interrogation and mercy, These are not honorable tactics! but he bites his tongue, drawing a little blood. On the outside, all the others can see is the barbarian looking quite uncomfortable, even squirming a little bit as if wrestling mightily with something. Finally and can stand it no longer and blurts out, "Trial? Vhat is zis trial? Zey come, zey fight, zey die vis honor. Zis plan is good , yes?"

Kalima Raustald says, "Myrdul may have a point about this. This is frontier land and any legitimate authorities are quite some distance away. In Taldor, the punishment for Banditry is death. I am sure Brevroy is no different in this regard. We do not have the time or the manpower to ship criminals off for a proper trial in whatever case. While I do advocate capture over killing, if they resist lethally, then we will have to answer in kind. Either way we'll be serving justice on condemed criminals. On the other hand, I have heard that some communities have been known to offer Bandits pardons in exchange for drafting them in the local armed forces. We could after breaking up the bandit operations see if we can recruit some to be guards, offering them a fair wage for their assistance in defending the land."

Something in what Kalima said sparks a recent memory, and Myrdul rummages in his pack for a moment, soon pulling out the charter. "Zis paper, it say: 'Ze punishment for unrep-ent-ant banditry remains, as alvays, execution by sword or rope.'" and he puts the paper on a nearby surface. "Zis say to me, 'zey fight, zey die.' Vhat is zis 'un-re-pen-tant'? Zis I do not know." He leaves his thoughts about leaving paid bandits to guard his back unsaid, his experience with the likes of them tending towards much harsher and more permanent consequences... Not trust. His face turns grim as he recalls the fight that very morning, and the bodies lying just a short distance to the east.

"Unrepentent, it means feeling sorry for what you've done, but also making the efforts to change the direction of your life from wrong to right." Shonden looked down at his own hands, blue eyes going distant with memory, wondering if he could tell the difference between those who had the capacity to be truly repentent.

Out on the road between his village and Brunderton...the bandits he and his father had encountered...human, boggards... As much as Shonden wanted to have an open heart about the natures of bandits, as he'd said to Derakor, he didn't hold out too much hope that they would prove to be repentent...or even just sorry.

Myrdul ingests this explanation for a moment, peering with his eyes and he mulled it over, "...And ze bandits, zhey vill tell us zhat zhey are now 'unrepentant?' and zhen ve do not kill zhem?

I know what you meant Shonden, just couldn't pass up the chance to run with the language confusion, which I find quite entertaining. :)

"Ever done something you regretted, Myrdul? When you regret it and want to make it right, it means repentent. You use the 'un' when that's not the case, when you're not sorry and you'll never change."

He looked at Myrdul, figuring it was important he got it right this time...in the slight chance these criminals really were sorry. Shonden needed to focus. Making a simple mistake like getting the word wrong just becuase he was too distracted. This early in his adventure and he was already making a lot of mistakes.

"Sorry Myrdul, I made a mistake. Repentant means sorry, unrepentant means not sorry."

I just realized I said Unrepentent in my earlier post. It should have said "repentent" by my definition. Rookie mistake... but we're making a nice interplay. I'm really liking the way you're playing your pc.

The question about doing something he'd regretted caused Myrdul to really sit and think for a bit, but eventually he thought of a time, and struggled to follow the rest of Shonden's explanation. "Yes, I see zhis." he answers slowly.

"Zhis 'repentant', zhis is not somezhing ve see vhis our eyes, yes?" and uses both hands to hood his eyes to emphasize his meaning. "Vhat if bandit say, 'I repetant' zhen comes back to bandit Oleg and Svetlana vhen ve are gone? I have heard zhis is zhe vay of some small men." He manages to look a little uncomfortable at the end, realizing he is standing in a room of small men and may be offending them.

He holds his massive hands a yard or so apart, as if measuring the width of something, "Zhis is big, uh, danger. Yes?"

Yeah, I knew what you meant, but like you said -the interplay is good! :)

"Yes, a big danger." Shonden responded. His father's words came to mind. "Trust is something earned, not spoken. If they do offer surrender and they do speak repentence, I'm not sure how much those words can be trusted from them."

"I ain't here to be questioned like a damn criminal, they started coming three months ago and threatened to kill me and take my wife. They are damn criminals, I want them dead!" yelled Oleg and he stormed out of the room

"Please, forgive my husband they have been terrorizing us and taking what little we have. I am not sure where they are coming from but it always appears that they never have much gear on them. I think they come from the South but I don't know if that is their base or just where they camp. Last time their was 5 bandits. There are several places you could hide and ambush them, but I doubt they will give up easy. Please look around the camp and if I can help I will try my best. Now please excuse me I must attend to my husband."

Svetlana bows her head and leaves the adventures alone as she goes to find her husband to attempt to calm him down.

You can strategize all you want and when you are all ready to start the bandit encounter just set up where you all will be hiding by posting the coordinates of your character's using the map above

Shonden sighed and shook his head. Criminals coming from the south. Just where they were going if they followed the directions of the Charter.

"I'm of the mind to draw them inside. Maybe even have Myrdul drop in behind them and close the gates to the place to prevent their escape. Have Kalima attach first, then a volley from Joanna, Derakor and myself, then close in on them for hand to hand combat..." he gestured in the direction where the couple had departed. "We keep them hidden. If silence is all that welcomes these bandits, they may be more likely to come inside. We can use the structures at the rear of the outpost, the strongpoints on the wall, I'd even be willing to make ready in the stables across from the center of the outpost. I can shoot well at distance, or accurately up close if needed."

He looked around to the rest of the group. Erastil had some method to drawing them together at this place and time. "It is not coincidence that we all arrived today, just in time for the bandits to make their annual collection. We are the trap and snare for these thieving jackals. Old Deadeye is surely behind our timeliness."

As for position, I'd go with Row 20 / Column K unless someone wants to put me up high on one of the strong points.

Myrdul nodded grimly, both glad and worried that his suspicions about this 'repentant' state were correct, not that he'd ever purposely let those feelings show to the others.

------

After Oleg and Svetlana say their piece and leave, the barbarian frowns after them, "Oleg is angry, I am zhinking." and feels a piece of that anger stirring in himself when he hears the bandits threatened to take the small man's wife.

"I am liking your...bitva mysl, Shonden of Entbriar, your battle-sense. Myrdul shall fall on zhem as zhe hawk on zhe rat."

He looks at the others, a thought intruding above the others, but lowers his normally loud voice as he says, "Can zhey be known to be speaking zhe truzh to us?" and flicks his eyes in the direction Oleg and Svetlana left.

"I've always followed my guts on that one and I think right now Oleg wears his heart on his sleeve. An angry sleeve for sure, but I trust him. If anything, we should keep watch tonight and in the morning to make sure no one sneaks out to contact the bandits. Oh darn!..", and Derakor seems struck by lightning,".. what if they're having a man keep an eye out on this place? Then they'd know we're here and that means we have to leave and secretly take our positions well before they come. Otherwise they'll either prepare for battle, which we don't want, or wait for us to leave. Or, am I overanalyzing this? Sorry, I got ahead of myself there."

He gave the others a moment to overthink his words. "As for battling them, letting them in ensures we got them where we want them. The biggest danger in doing so is that they could take Oleg or his wife hostage. If Myrdul engages them straight away, I'll jump in to make sure the both of them get out of the thick of things before joining battle myself. Perhaps cirumstances will be so that I can immediately join in. Otherwise I think I'm ready for this."

The heavily scarred barbarian adjusts the chain shirt on his torso, his brain working hard to keep from over-thinking the possibility of watchers on this place. Instead he addresses another issue, "Can zhey not be hidden vhen zhe bandits come?" referring to Oleg and Svetlana. He then reiterates the plan, to be sure it's clear in his mind, going so far as to stand and walk to the door so he may see the lay of the place, "Zhe small men bandits come in zhat big door, and ve all attack. For me, zhis is vhat I am zhinking." He points to the walkway, at a point near the door, "Krasa and I vill hide up zhere, and after zhe attack begins, ve leap upon zhem."

He recalls Kalima's roll in the fight, and has a follow up question for her, "Zis sleep you put upon zhese small men, you say you must be close to zhem, yes? How close must you be?"

**Olegs Trading Post Map**

Reposting link for convenience. I'm thinking Myrdul will be crouched at V25 or W25 if he can get low enough to avoid detection, if not he'll carry a couple kegs or boxes or bales of hay, something mundane to hide his bulk from those on the ground. As soon as the last bad guy comes in we can launch the attack, or if the gentler folks want to try and parlay first. Either way I think Myrdul will make a flying leap attack at the bandit closest the door, then close the door, and then continue the fight. Thoughts?

Sounds good to me. If the Erastilians want to try diplomacy first, be my guest. If you rather get down to fighting and subdueing the bandit scum, that's okay too ;)

Derakor wants to make sure both Oleg and Svetlana are safe before we put their lives at stake so anything that ensures that is good with him.

"They can hide in the stables while I hold the doorway? I can fire into the midst of the melee and avoid hitting any of you."

Hard to describe that I have Precise Shot in character...

Myrdul expresses his belief that Shoden has made an excellent suggestion. "Remember, do not hit big man among small men, eh?" he says with a big belly laugh.

I'd rather just fight/subdue rather than talk. Or rather, that's what Myrdul would do in this ambushy situation he's a little unfamiliar with.

**Olegs Trading Post Map**

Kalmia says, "While letting them inside does expose our charges to some danger, they should be safe so long as they keep their distance from the battle. We have a better chance of cutting off the bandits escape route inside the outpost rather than in an open field where if they use horses, we will have no chance to pursue. Not one must be allowed to escape or the outpost will be put into further danger."

Joanna will probably wait at J25. She'll probably be lying flat until she hears a signal for combat, at which point she'll use her move action to stand up, then her standard action to shoot.

"For my part, I plan to wait above. I'll be more effective if I don't have to worry about being attacked. If I can't reach them from the walkways, I'll jump down onto a roof."

Her eyes suddenly widen and she slaps the table."Wait. I've gotten pretty good at using magical and mundane disguises. We could use that to make the ambush more effective. Maybe I could disguise myself as Oleg or Svetlana. Lull them into a false sense of security, then give a signal to..." She trails off and waves her hand. "Never mind, it's probably a ridiculous idea."

She does remind me of my mother, inventive and fearless., but pragmatic.

"Not ridiculous at all. A good thought, but that might mean losing the advantage of your bow in the fight. But the disguise could be useful..."

Myrtul nods slowly, unsure of what he's hearing, "You say you... make yourself look like small woman-man Svetlana? Zhis could be very good to trick zhe bad men. Zhe bow could be just inside zhe house, and you just outside zhe house, zhen vhen zhe bandits inside." and enthusiastically mimics grabbing up a bow, and firing at imaginary bandits. "It's very good Joanna zhe Vatchful!"

H-24, after putting a barrel and some other stuff in I-24. That will give me cover so I can use stealth and I'll be within range to engage them.

"That's right. I can make myself look like small woman-man Svetlana, or even small-man Oleg. The magic will disguise my gear as well, so I can wear my bow and my armour and it won't show." She frowns a little, putting her chin in her hand and tapping her cheek with a finger. Carefully, she pieces together all the suggestions. "I could meet them at the gate and lead them inside. Kalima hits them with her spell, Myrdul surprises them from above, Derakor surprises them from behind. Shonden can hold the door, if Svetlana and Oleg are willing to hide there. Once the magic hits, we take out any who resist, and tie up the rest until we decide what to do with them." She looks up at the others. "Sound good?"

If we decide Joanna uses a magical disguise, she'll meet the bandits at the gate, disguised as either Svetlana or Oleg. If not, she'll lay low at J25, as mentioned above. Her disguise check will be +15 with disguise self, rolled by the GM.

Shonden will lay in wait within the stable, K20.
"Okay, then I think we have a plan. Let's see if they well be willing to hide in the stables."

Kalima Says, "As for my part in the trap, I will hide inside the wagon (At N 21). Once the men are fully inside the outpost I will spring up from my hiding spot and spray the entire entry area with a blast of colorful energy. Any that do not fall in the initial attack we'll finish off with weapons and arrows while I cut off their escape by summoning celestial hounds behind them."

"I'm confident that this plan will lead us to victory. Now, I'm going to take a bath and see to it that I look decent, for I'm still sweaty and grimy from my travels. If you'll excuse me."

Assuming all matters are dealt with, he nods at his fellow Charter members and leaves the room.

I'm all ready. Assuming we get the time, Derakor will take 20 on stealth (if that is possible, according to the DM) or otherwise roll with a +2 bonus @ H-24 with cover being placed at I-24.

Good thought, hadn't considered the hiding spot roll. If I don't have stealth, I guess a either a survival roll or an ability roll? I'll leave it to the GM to decide.

If you're behind complete cover, they can't see you. That's 'stealth for dummies'. But since you got no ACP and a +3 dex, you're still better at it than I am ;)

Likewise Kalima will duck into the wagon and take 20 on a stealth roll. She'll leave most of her gear in her sleeping room though, generally just wearing traveler's clothes, pouch and a concealed dagger on her for this operation as she does not need to drag all her gear with her to do something like this.

Myrdul smiles widely as the plan seems to be coming together, but the thought of Joanna the Watchful somehow posing as the owner, Oleg... just doesn't quite make sense to him. She started to sound a bit like the more crazy shamans of his tribe, as did Kalima with her talk of making them sleep, but as with the small man battle plan, he'd reserve judgement until he could witness the results. Stretching expansively, the many visible white scars on his person thinning and contorting as he does so, he hefts Krasa onto his shoulder. "I am zhinking I shall valk zhe valls." and heads out the door. He does a quick walk about of the entire interior of the trading post, noting the exits and access points to the walkway. He gets excited when he spots the war machines at the corners, and tries to see if he can get one loaded, for curiosities sake. He'll take the time to carry a barrel full of nails, easily several hundred pounds, up to his intended ambush point on the walkway. Satisfied of his cover, he heads outside. Keeping the Trading post at his left shoulder, he slowly strolls the entire perimeter, trying to keep a sharp eye out for watchers or other interesting landmarks.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Myrul's ready, his position is placed on the temporary map. I also put a link to that map as a perma-link above my profile picture, for easy access.

Kalima says, "Quite so, we have a plan of action and I am ready to play my part. For now though, it has been a long day of travel for me. I will finish my meal and then retire to get some rest. I have traveled far and have to make sure I am well rested for the events on the morrow. It is a pleasure to meet all of you. Enjoy the rest of your day."

that all sounds realy good, if you are hiding I will just give you bonuses and the bandits will have to make a perception check based off of either DC 15 or 20 (going to look in the rule book). The map is updated but I am being yelled at to go to the park and will post the beginning of the encouter shortly

I have a hide check of 23 when I take 20 BTW

Shonden's Initiative Check - 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Kalima's Initiative check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

The bandits all come from the South on horse back. As they enter the gate on horse back they all dismount. The man in the grey hooded cloak looks at who he thinks is Svetlana "Wench take the horses and put them in the stable and then bring me some wine." The hooded man walks away without passing a second glance. He turns to the men and motions for them to follow him.

One of the other bandits looks at Svetlana for a second then winks at her and blows her a kiss and continues to follow the hooded man.

you all remained undetected you all have a surprise round. Roll everybody roll inititive. Also on the map that I updated B1-b3 are the regular bandits and Bo is the boss (hooded figure)

INITBo: 1d20 ⇒ 7
INITB: 1d20 - 8 ⇒ (6) - 8 = -2

looks like Kalima and Shonden read my mind lol