Kingmaker PbP

Game Master Egoish

"Oh yes its further away, over the Spikey river before the Stinky river." Tig gestures wildly to the south west.

We need to head back to the trading post to get Anza medical care. When we come back, would you lead us there?

Silva pets Perlivash again. We will be gone for awhile because we need to head to the bandit camp after that. If you want to help us take care of the bandits, we would love your help. If not, please visit us soon for some more laughter and games!

"Well i supose you should sleep, we can keep watch tonight." Tig shares a look with Perlivash...

Tig...I prefer green on my eyelids for the next time you make me up pretty!

Silva chuckles and winks at the Grig.

and thank you both for watching over us as we sleep.

Silva prepares for a night of rest.

Not sure the game is over, is it? - I am fine wrapping it up though. I want to find out what might be in the temple if the fey know.

Egan asks another question. That something bad in the temple, is it something that was once dead but now has awakened? Maybe dead humans?

"Nope, alive. For a long time."

As Silva lies down, he thanks Erastil for his encounter with the fey.

They are like innocent children who need a family. Please allow me to be as a big brother to them and help bring them a sense of community. Aide me and my companions in ridding these lands of the evil that would try to corrupt their innocence and destroy their home. Guide me to your lost temple that I may restore your prominence in these lands.

With that, Silva closes his eyes and meditates on the Parables of Erastil.

Alive for a long time. Hmmm. Are they elves? What makes them bad? I guess they do not belong in the temple.

"Not elves," Tig giggles, "You should get some sleep and get your friend somewhere to recover. We can play more when you come back."

Egan, enjoying his talk with the few, reluctantly agrees. But first you must choose your gift. Tig has a gift from Silva, but you have not chosen. He indicates the items he had laid out earlier.

Egan continues to talk to the fey. I have some gifts for you. He lays out some of his supplies and offers them each one item. Fish hooks, thread, a signal whistle, a clay mug, and twine. You pick. And I have some secrets too. I know about some kobolds close to here and where they get mushrooms. Lets share secrets. He tells the fey about the kobolds and then asks if they will draw him a map in the dirt of the bandit's camp, the decoy wagon, the shineys, and the trees they hide in. The bandits are bad and we want to make them leave this land. he explains.

Here is where I was offering gifts.

"The game isn't over yet though, i can't have won my gift if the games not over." Tig's face takes on a comically serious expression. "Maybe i get three gifts next time?"

"Well i supose you should sleep, we can keep watch tonight." Tig shares a look with Perlivash...

** spoiler omitted **

Silva sense motive on the look: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

These faeries are actually quite a high cr challenge but fortunately are not designed for fighting

You can read nothing into the look Silva, it could have been about sharing sweeties or about playing more pranks while you sleep.

The pranks are what I figured it was :)

Egan Turns in, leaving the potential gifts laid out for Tig to consider during night. He totally trusts his fey cousins, rightly so or not. Sparky settles in next to him, less trusting of the pair.

You awake in the morning unmolsted to find the faeries have disappeared. After a long hard days ride back to the trading post you arrive just before dusk, the injured but concious Anza grimacing at every movement of her horse.

Coming through the gate you see Oleg cleaning the stables while several young guardsmen in armour pitch a tent in the corner under cover of a wall, an older guard captain is busy with a hammer hanging up posters on the walll of the bunk house.

Maksim and Vael have arrived in the Stolen Lands at the same time as the guards Restov have dispatched to help Oleg with his bandit problem, the guard captain is a dour man by the name of Kesten who hasn't spoken much on the journey. How you wish to introduce yourselves is your choice but as always Svetlana has laid a fine dinner out for her guests with ale, bread, cheese and stew.

At Oleg's, Maksim takes care of his horse and wanders the camp. He reads the posts that the captain makes. Greeting Oleg and Svetlana, Maksim says, "May Erastil guard your home and hearth, Goodman and Goodwife. I'm Maksim. I see you're busy, if you need me for any chores, I'm at your service."

As the others ride in he lets them settle their horses and then greets them. "Hello, may Erastil ever guide your path, I'm Maksim Zavidoff of Radoslav's village. With Vael here I've been given a charter to explore these lands, as you have. Let's have that fine dinner Svetlana has worked hard to make and talk."

Maksim appearance: Issian huntsman is the first thought anyone has seeing Maksim. From the seemstress sown padded overcoat to grey woolen tunic and hood, the big boots and large longbow in hand, a hunter (or poucher) sterotype is complete. The large Sigil of Erastil across the chest, held by a strap, furthers the image. He even has the pure blond hair of Iobarian ancestors. The violet eyes are the break from conformity. Does he have fey blood? His ears look normal.

Violet eyes may also be a sign of Azlant heritage.

edit:

Click this for image of Maksim.

Image has a few problems, the bow hand is not right and I changed the name from Mikola to Maksim after making the picture.

You awake in the morning unmolsted to find the faeries have disappeared. After a long hard days ride back to the trading post you arrive just before dusk, the injured but concious Anza grimacing at every movement of her horse.

Egan tended Anza as best he could so maybe the night's rest helped her some. I believe I already make that heal check, if it matters.

First thing in the morning, after meditating to regain his spells, Egan will heal Anza again. She may need some rest, but she will not have to travel with an open wound.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Arriving at Oleg's Vael nods to Oleg and his wife "Vael, at your disposal" before settling his horse. Watching the guards set up their camp, Vael turns at the party's approach. For the moment he seems content to let Mak do the speaking. He does not miss the fact that one of them appears badly injured and once they are settled he addresses them for the first time. "Tough go of it so far?"

At first on guard when he sees the strangers, the calm routine of Oleg's puts him at ease. As they close the distance to the post Egan whispers quietly to Sparky to ease his growling. Easy boy, I think these strangers are friends.

First appraising the dress and weapons and the addressing Maksim the gnome returns the greeting. Blessings of Brigh upon you and your friend Maksim. You are a welcome sight indeed if you mean to join us, for these lands are wild and we have already seen too much violence.

With 9 points of healing I am not sure she is all that injured still, but no doubt the wound still troubles her and some bed rest will be welcome.

And well met to you Vael. If you both hold charters then we've news you will want to hear.

Then to Oleg he calls out. Oleg, all is well I trust? We have stories to tell that will be hard to hold til supper. What news of the post?

One of the riders heads straight towards Maksim as he greets them. The rider has brown hair and a long brown mustache. He is wearing bonded mail armor with the familiar bow and arrow holy symbol of Erastil burned into the chest. His is covered in a long fur cloak and has a large great sword strapped to his back.

Image of Silva

Hail friend. It is nice to meet another servant of Erastil. I am Silva , Paladin of Old Dead Eye himself. He dismounts and removes his gauntlets to offer a hand of friendship to the Ulfen man.

We could definitely use the aide. We have bandits to eradicate in the south and I have just heard news that there is a temple of Erastil in these forests that has befallen some ill fortune.

Forewarned by the Swordlords, Maksim is not too startled by the sight of the little fae in his strangely mirrored armor. "Greetings, I do indeed mean to join you. Beggin' your pardon, I'm not familiar with Brigh, you can enlighten me when we have tim-" Maksim breaks off as a wealthy lord with the Sigil of Erastil branded on his expensive armor strides towards him.

Attempting to bend to one knee to him, his hand grabs the offered one reflexively, spoiling the genuflection. As he clasps the lord's hand, he says, "Milord, I'm but a common huntsman, that Ol'Deadeye has seen to offer a little favor, from time to time. No one special, not a lord and Steadshield such as yourself." Then the words spoken registered and he says, "Of course, whatever service I can provide, Mi'Lord Silva."

Steadshield, just invented a word for an archaic title for a Paladin of Erastil.

The guard captain walks over towards the group, "They're adventurers not harlots, stop gawping and back to work!" he shouts to the guardsmen who have stopped to stare.

Arriving at the group he helps Anza down from her horse and calls a guardsman to help her to the bunk house. "Kesten Garess." he says bluntly holding out his hand as he arrives at the cluster of people and horses.

Captain Garess is correct Maksim. We are all equal in the eyes of Erastil.

Well met Captain. Are there orders from the Sword Lords?

I have to interject again that Anza should not be injured in the least. I have 4 cure lights wound spells available to me and will use them all to make sure she is at full health before we departed this morning. My first roll was a 9. Do I need to cast more spells?

Egan introduces himself to the captain and then, never dismounting, goes over to read the posters he is putting up.

I think Anza's injuries are flavor (reason to head back to Oleg's).

Its important to this character that he treat Anza as good as the other party members, so I am stressing the point the Egan is healing her. She may be shaken up, scared, sore, tramatized, diseased, sickened, etc, but she is not wounded. If whatever she has cant be fixed with a heal check or a cure light I am good. I would prefer flavor that does not imply I am choosing not to heal a hireling.

No one is saying that you are choosing not to heal her, however even Anza would question the wisdom of using all of your spells seconds after learning them to heal a person with no pc class levels who does not take part in combat while travelling through the wilderness. Your spells would be better used stabilising her and then defending her on the way to safety rather than healing her, which is so far what you have done.

This is also the kind of conversation which should be persued via pm or in the discussion thread rather than littering the gameplay forum during a conversation with new party members. Shall we move on rather than argue over minutae? I am happy with Egans efforts both in and out of combat to save Anza's life however i worry that acting so diligently in the future may leave the party vulnerable during a random encounter.

While awaiting the Captain's response, Silva addresses Vael. We ran into a troll. It was a small one mind you, but large enough to do us harm. Catfoot's bravery and Erastil's favor won the battle! Anza was hit the hardest, but Egan acted quickly and saved her life. We are glad to have you join us.

Skimming the posters they are all wanted posters of a variety, three are written in the same hand while the other two are both by different authors. The three are for a bounty on bandits, the ending of issues with a tribe of kobolds named "Sootscale" by force or diplomacy and the capture or death of a criminal by the name of Falgrim Sneeg, all paid for by Kesten Garess. The other two are for the recovery of an intact Tatzlwyrm head and the killing of a boar nicknamed Tuskgutter, both of which are to be presented to Oleg Leverton, the one written for Tuskgutter is badly written as though the writer were barely literate.

Kesten to Silva "My orders were to guard this trading post and offer the bounties i have placed on the wall, i got the feeling this was to be a permanent placement."

Andrej bows to the new arrivals, but says nothing and set to ensuring the horses are unpacked and given food.

With Egan slinging spells on Anza, I'll assume he throws one on me - I was only 2 hps down

Maksim appears confused a bit. The captain said nothing about status... what does the lord mean?

"Uh.. Uh glad to meet you meself, fewer and fewer of the lords follow the old ways, much to life's pity. Still even new laws must be repected." Maksim hears the others, "Gads, A troll? Thanks to Erastil for your safety and to you'll for the courage to protect from such fell creatures. This small place is much safer for it, I'm sure. And bandits as well to hunt, to bring to justice. Bad that they are here, but good also, much work to be done to bring farms and homes to the open land."

The gnome tries to follow Maksim's words at first and then shakes his head vigoously for a second and goes back reading the posters. Sooo, if we do these things, we get a reward... right? Who is the offorer for this Tuskgutter?

At the mention of a troll, Vael's eyes seem to light up
"A troll you say, a pity I was not there to bring flame to bear"

Vael will look over egan's shoulder and read the posters as well.

Aye, your fire would have been welcome.

Silva heads towards the kitchen to visit with his friends. Oleg...Svetlana...it is so good to feel the warmth of your hearth and to smell the aroma of your kitchen!

Brigh's flame was sufficient. Egan says a little defensively.

Andrej busies himself with chores before stopping by Olegs for rest and an ale.

Svetlana "Silva, welcome back and Egan as well, come in and take a seat by the fire. I'll put some more dinner on, did Andrej return with you? I'm sure he would love an ale. OLEG! Come help with our guests."

Oleg comes in from the stables and begins pouring drinks, looking as cheerful as you have seen him. "Did i hear you asking about old Benzen's poster Egan?"

Yes. I am sure there is a tale in that one. He takes a first draw off the drink in front of him and asks I'd hear it when you have the time to tell it proper.

I'm curious about the substantive response of the guards to the region not long after we were dispatched, Andrej says flatly as he drinks.

Were we intended to soften up the bandits before the soldiers arrived?

He thinks, then shrugs. No matter - what think you about the new adventurers who have arrived? They could be helpful in our explorations.

"No doubt Egan, but i would so enjoy showing a troll the true power of fire. Alas, the troll is dead and burned, let us turn our attention to a good meal and a new stage to this journey"

Vael gladly accepts a drink from Oleg.

Maksim quietly follows the others to the dining area. He turns to Andrej and says, "Greetings and blessings upon you warrior, I'm Maksim as I said earlier, may I have the honor of your name?"

Assuming a reasonable response, continuing on, Maksim accepts the food and beverages, then prays over them. "We thank thee, Erastil, for the bounty of field and forest before us, we ask that this goodly hearth be warded and blessed by your grace, and this new community we are forming grows healthy and strong. So we say one and all in harmony joined." The fact that not everyone here is an Erastilian that would agree with harmony, passes over Maksim's head. But as Maksim says the prayer the Sigils on his and Silva's armor seem to ripple with life for an instant or was it a trick of the light?

As the meal goes on Maksim will ask, "What has happened and how may I help? I see a warrior of my faith, another warrior, a mage of the Eldar, a devotee of Brigh who, pardon me, is not a god familiar to me, and myself as the charter members here, others, I was informed, left. How do you, those here before me, wish to proceed?" Maksim addresses the latter almost exclusively to the noble Silva, expecting him to be the leader.

Egan speaks up. Brigh, or the the Whisper in the Bronze, as she is sometimes called is the goddess of invention and of the forge. Fire and earth are her elements and the hammer is her instrument. Many gnomes revere her, but she is not a god of the gnomes alone. I here her call through the flames. [b/]

The gnome takes another large swig of his drink and continues. [b]We arrived here like you, not a full week before now. Our first encounter was with bandits who had come to this post to extort payment for leaving Oleg and his good woman unharmed. But this time they met us, and we ended them. He provides more details of the fight, minimizing his role slightly. When finished he indicates that Silva or Andrej should tell the next part of their adventures.

Svetlana While servng dinner Svetlana leans over Silva and whispers, "Did you manage to find the radishes? Leave them in the stable and i will get them tonight, i want it to be a surprise. She then drops a heavy pouch into Andrej's lap as she busies herself with more plates.

The reward is 250 gold

Silva gives the Servant of Erastil an approving look following the prayer and toasts. To harmony and community!

Silva nods understanding to Svetlana and then picks up the conversation. We spent some time scouting when we came upon the troll. We also met a couple fey that we befriended thanks to Egan. Be prepared for their trickery in the woods gentlemen. I received a lesson in patience from Old Dead Eye. They are like innocent children and we should do our best to provide them a safe community in this land.

Continuing The bandit who attacked Oleg's Trading Post have a commander to the South. The Fey gave us a map of their camp. They appear heavily guarded. We need to formulate a strategy to take their camp.

Egan seconds the paladin's wisdom. The fey can make good allies if we treat them well. There is ample room for them and us in these lands, and having them for us will work out much much better than if they are against us. The little gnome sets down his drink for the first time in the conversation and looks serious. His eyes flash fire for an instant. Know that we gnomes are a good part fey. I would consider any unprovoked attack on a fey creature as an attack upon my family. So if you can't handle the practical jokes they are gonna play on us, you best stay out of their wood. Somewhat surprised by his own words, Egan picks up his drink and continues to sip it.

Maksim quietly follows the others to the dining area. He turns to Andrej and says, "Greetings and blessings upon you warrior, I'm Maksim as I said earlier, may I have the honor of your name?"

I am Andrej - sometimes called 'Catfoot'. A student of the Aldori blade and one time retainer to the Garess.

When Maksim prays to bless the food, he shows respect and seems to participate.

to Egan: "I would prefer the company of fey over that of many other inhabitants of this world."