Kingmaker. Footsteps to the empty throne. (Inactive)

Game Master DBH

[ooc]I'm back. Going in, or drawing it out?[/b]

Maybe we can set a fire at the mouth of the cave? Smoke it out?

Not a bad idea. Anyone have Gust of wind?

Sadly, no, and I just realised I have three scrolls with still undecided spells. I don't think it's fair to say the of them is First of Wind right now, though. But most things can be done also in a mundane way...

"We could do that. Anyone wants to set the fire? I'll be waiting for the creature to come out."

Maybe those more familiar with the outdoors could make survivial checks to try to build a fire that would cause smoke to enter the cave? We'd probably have to go in a bit to do so, but maybe not so far?

"Fear? Uncertainty? Our previous king would have charged in already. We did say this was a trial run to join the council right?"

Johanna moves forward into the mouth of the cave attempting to draw the creature out. She begins whistling and making noise to draw attention.

"I will relly on my ability to parry if it charges me. Be ready."

From deep in the tunnel you hear a hissing roar and the Hodag hurtles out of his lair to deal with the noisy intruders.

As you were ready for this you can have your readied actions.

Map updated.

You can't ready outside of combat. The system kind of breaks down if you do. Everyone else could have a surprise round though as I lure it out.

Init: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

initiative, heightened awareness: 1d20 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 6 + 4 = 20

Farus stands ready for his foe.

Hodag init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

And everybody else?

Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

I put myself next to it as I was entering the lair to lure it out. Everyone but me and the Hodag should get a surprise round on it.

Once the beast is out, Zhi releases his magic!

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

With the expenditure of a reservoir point, Zhi casts Slow with DC 21.

Lisl likewise begins intoning her rigidly-structured chants to Abadar to bolster the team's chances for success.

Starting with prayer, giving everyone +1 luck bonus to attacks, saving throws, and weapon damage rolls. The hodag takes a -1 penalty on these.

will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 :(

It is slowed and suffering from the prayer spell.

With his surprise round Farus would have cast mirror image

mirror image: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

The big Kellid's face twists into a wild grin as he begins to move with inhuman speed and strength, bringing his sword to bear on the Hodag.

+1 adamantine greatsword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Damage: 2d6 + 17 ⇒ (2, 4) + 17 = 23

Init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

That's a miss Genrimul.

The Hodag turns and tries to rip Genrimul open with it's fangs.

bite - slow: 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 11 - 1 = 17

I take it that's a miss? Its only action since the party is cheating.

The party may now act.

Zhi makes some quick moves with his hands and casts a spell with no apparent effect.

True Strike

Farus begins to inspire his allies.

Inspire Courage: +4 competence to attack, damage +4 morale to saves vs fear/charm

The big Kellid takes two swings with his black blade.

greatsword: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29
Damage: 2d6 + 22 ⇒ (1, 5) + 22 = 28

greatsword: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Damage: 2d6 + 22 ⇒ (1, 5) + 22 = 28

Round 1
Johanna with both blades stabs out.

Attack 1: 1d20 + 12 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 12 + 4 + 1 = 35
Attack 2: 1d20 + 12 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 12 + 4 + 1 = 28
Attack 1 Confirmation: 1d20 + 12 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 12 + 4 + 1 = 22

Damage Attack 1: 2d6 + 12 + 2 + 8 ⇒ (3, 2) + 12 + 2 + 8 = 27
Damage Attack 2: 1d6 + 6 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 + 4 = 15

Lisl figures that the team will take care of this quickly and moves to a position near the front so that she can channel healing if needed.

Just movin'.

Sorry, I thought I had put in a post but it doesn't seem to have gone through?

Genrimul & Joanna easily cut down the Hodag in it's slowed state.

Within the hodag’s filthy lair are
3 handaxes,
1 MW greataxe,
a suit of +1 studded leather armor,
and a +1 keen spear that lodged in the hodag’s back after an encounter with a frightened lumberjack—it eventually managed to dislodge the spear here by rubbing its back against the walls of its lair.

Hodag dead, you can head back home and claim your reward.

"Well done. Now that was not too bad. You all seem to come together to work well. Very inspiring Varu's. Our old king inspired us as well. It seems it would be a good time for us to return. Shall we?"

Indeed it seems a good idea. The beast seemed easy to overcome slowed and divinely hindered, especially as we were blessed by the gods and inspired by song. An excellent use of tactics all!

Lisl nods approvingly. "Straightforward and simple. I wonder if we'll find more in the area?"

Genrimul cleans off the black blade of his sword nodding. "Well fought. Nasty beast but we got the jump on him."

So what are you doing now?

Heading back to the settlement. Now that we have new members. We took out the Troll stronghold did we have anything else besides bounties right now? I don't remember.

You've just completed one of the bounties. Notices 2 up top has the remaining. And there will be news of new events back in your settlement. :)

"I colour this a good idea. I wouldn't mind a bath, back at the settlement."

"We are in agreement in that regard," says Lisl as she inspects her fingernails. "The comforts of civilization are a welcome change between our outings."

Much agreed. You said something about testing our mettle to help find a new ruler, but intending in practice to act via a counsel? I'd be happy to help in any way I can, and I too, would love the comforts of civilization.

The big Kellid preps for the long journey back to civilization, then nods at Farus's statement.

"I'm new to this and maybe I can play at Warden or maybe General, but I've got no business leading anything. I understand the work of weapons, but honeyed tongue rulership... maybe you Farus, but not I.

It is a peaceful return to your settlement. Immediately on you return though you are ambushed by requests for decisions from your council.

Time to sort out who is filling what role. Once that's sorted we can move onto the action.

Farus greets the crowds on their return to civilization,

Greetings fellow Silverholdians! Council members! I know I'm new here, but we've just had a most productive hunt, ridding Silverhold of dangerous foes of both raiders and a Hodig. I understand that the loss of your rulers can be a daunting blow to a fledgling government, but have no fear. Your remaining council members deliberated in the woods. In the woods I showed my skill with at inspiring my fellow man with a word in battle, but here I wish to discuss my other skills. I come from Oppara, and was trained to understand governance from councils to great empires. I humbly offer my services to help lead and steer this council, if you would have me!

diplomacy,heroism: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 15 + 2 = 30

Farus would formally offer himself as ruler, since thats what we've been discussing

Johanna stands.

"I Johanna Atsuko, Spy Master of the kingdom support Farus as ruler."

She awaits the others.

Raising his eyes from his notes, Zhi nods nervously. "What, eh, yes! Me too, me too!"

Genrimul simply nods, not feeling he has a place to speak.

Waiting for Lisl, as the only original to speak. Her player seems to have gone silent?

”As a community, we must have laws and structure for the benefit of the people. As a priestess of Abadar, I endorse this formation of a new nation and its new sovereign. May this reign be a prosperous one,” says Lisl firmly. She seems to project quite well when speaking in public. Must be the priestly training.

If you look at the Kingdom spreadsheet above you'll see the roles that need filling. Ruler is the primary one, but a number of others are empty. Marshall is one that need filling. And with Freya leaving Magistar in another.

The quote the campaign book The kingdom must have someone in the Ruler role to function; without a Ruler, the kingdom cannot perform basic actions and gains Unrest every turn.

The list of required skills:

Ambassador: Diplomacy

Consort: Knowledge (nobility)

Councilor: Knowledge (local)

General: Profession (soldier)

Grand Diplomat: Diplomacy

Heir: Knowledge (nobility)

High Priest: Knowledge (religion)

Magister: Knowledge (arcana)

Marshal: Survival

Royal Enforcer: Intimidate

Ruler: Knowledge (nobility)

Spymaster: Sense Motive

Treasurer: Profession (merchant)

Viceroy: Knowledge (geography)

Warden: Knowledge (engineering)

Lets get this sorted and on with the fun parts.

Farus happily accepts his new role, and fitting with it makes a suggestion to the council Perhaps two other capable adventurers should join our council, Genrimul as Marshal and Li Zhi as Magister?

Lisl is a natural fit for High Priest, though the priesthood of Abadar is sometimes a bit too urban and strict for a rural kingdom like our nascent country. I'll happily take Grand Diplomat or Ambassador, if preferred.

Zhi startles at the mention of his name. "What? Me? Ehm... well, I guess, but... what does a Magister do?"

I thought I was spymaster, but on the sheet, I'm Royal Enforcer.

"I can continue to serve in my current position or in whatever position I am needed. Your Excellency."

She nods to the new Baron.

With the matter of who is the leader settled, not without sidelong glances from the local population at a complete stranger as their new ruler. You hurry to the throne room to receive an urgent letter from Restov.

I leveled Farus. How do we calculate the stats for that spreadsheet? This is what I found. Do we want to apply the ruler to stability or one of the others?

Well, with that settled, what news spymaster Katrina?

After the council reviews the letter Farus asks others to offer their thoughts, Before we discuss the letter, is there anything within this kingdom that would take priority from any member of the council?