Kingmaker: The Stolen Lands [Gestalt]

Game Master Æroden

I am with you up until the moment you charge out of the gate. Then when you return I am with you again!

Was waiting for someone to try and stop me, buuuuut well,
Open the gates! I will ride out to parley, be they foe you will know soon enough.

Fionn and the Calvary step it up a notch, charging out of the gates. Who opens them?

"Mr. Jameson, open the gates!"Alexandra shouts out in an excited voice.

"Porters! Open the gates!" Mr. Jameson shouts out in his best heralding voice. The porters then rush out and open the gates. At this juncture, Alexandra and her loaded crossbow will move up to the top of the gates to survey the situation unfold as Fionn rides out with Captain Stonefire and his men.

"Fizz, you should step up here with us and prepare to shoot at the bandits. They should be fleeing momentarily." She smiles coyly and winks at him.

Calvary tell me precisely what do you plan on doing?

Well Fionn is leading as I understand, with the four man company behind (captain stonefire, Lucky Bob and the twins) and will stop somewhere within the first 80-100ft. to try diplomacy as I feel that's part of Fionn's plan (assuming the bandits don't just ride in stabbing) That's all Fionn's domain, they are pretty use to take orders from him, Alexandra is just set to try to shoot a baddy if they close with the wall.

Shoot? Perish the thought! I will rouse you with a song of glory, but I shall wait for them to arrive to enter the fray myself!

"Delightful, you can stay by the cart if you would like though, singing may give me away."

I knew you would understand madam! Fizzy ducks back down. Then as an afterthought mutters his favorite cantrip changing the color of his hair from Sly green to something closer to the cart's color.

So we are waiting for Fionn, the lightning lance!

I ride out and stop a decent distance.
State your business here, riders, and be quick about it. I am Fionn, the lightning lance, and these parts are protected by my company and I. Well?

They seem to be flabbergasted and it takes them a moment to collect their thoughts. "We are hunters briging in some hides" one of them says sheepishly.

Captain Stonefire will Sense motive that untrained 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (5) + 0 = 5

To ensure we didn't just waste a lot of dramatic hype

I fear it may have been. -__- lol
Show me your furs. Do you trade here often?
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 sense motive.

Captain Stonefire eyes them all over and looks at the speaker last before gripping his battle-axe. "Terrible dangerous about, hear tell of the bandits today?"

Lucky Bob (the older gentleman at the back) whispers, "Why ain't we helping them to town?" To which one of the Merrywine twins says, "Cause we don't know 'em." the other interjects "And they Could be the bandits!" The troop seems slightly out of order and each man speaks a bit louder then the next, weapons already drawn.

"Yes, many bandits and they seem to grow bolder by the month." Says the one who has been the only one talking so far. "Are you from Restov, to protect the outpost?"

If you boys are willing to lay down arms then you may peacefully come share wine. If not it will be taken as an act of war. The people here have suffered far too much for these kinds of actions, and compliance is key.
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 intimidate

"So we put our weapons on the ground, and you butcher us once we are in the outpost? We will come in though we will not give up our weapons." They seem to be willing to be peaceful, the few that have weapons drawn, sheathe them.

Five hunters and two pelts? Must have been a poor day, or yeh are poor hunters. Follow us back to the outpost, I'll have no funny business. Stonefire and Lucky Bob, yeh take the lead, Merrywine twins in the back, with me.

"As I said... we are here for some wine... and perhaps some breakfast." His words are not very smooth, he thinks and stops several times in the process of saying the statement.

Vik continues to watch as the group parleys. He stands to one side of the open gateway, ready to rush out if needed, or close the gates if it comes to that.

The group of five riders come in with the calvary. They dismount at the same time as their escort.

Fizzy rises and stares at the men down.

Now you pathetic excuses for people. Now you will tell us everything that you have been up to or face our wrath.

Intimidate 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

Wow, I am astounded by the amount and success of Intimidation, so technically they will be friendly towards you for 10 to 60 minutes, before becoming unfriendly. Just for your information.

"Woah, what?!? What do you mean? says the 'leader' again. The rest seemed to be pretty cowed by your actions let alone the motions of the speaker.

Madam Alexandra, I believe they are prepared to answer your questions now.

Fizzy gives her a winning smile. Then back to the mooks.

Banditry is frowned upon maggot. Not a word. Just answer the lady's questions.

"Wha... okay..." the speaker/leader seems to just be out of words.

"Excellent, thank you Fizzy! Now I understand that you men must be tired, and I'm sure you are rather ready to rest, but it will not be with the coin of these good people!"Alexandra starts out sweet before growing bitter and gesturing for the gate to be closed behind them (if it hasn't already).

"Who sent you to this outpost? What excuse for bandits works for a woman!?" Alexandra grows excited and then thinks over her last statement and will collect her thoughts. "Tell us where you make your base and we may let you escape."

This will be gather information/diplomacy as she doesn't have anything else (except bluff)1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

Vik frowns at the imperious gesture Alexandra makes in his direction to close the gate...something he was already doing anyway. He finished and goes to stand to the side.

The porters help Vik close the gate.

"Ermm... No one sent us... what does working for a woman have to do with this, she is vile anyway... our base... well nothing real permenant... as we are hunters...eh... it is over next to Dessik Bridge... yup..." He says scittishly.

"Fionn, he seems quite nervous. Tell me honestly, what do you make of what he says? We may have made a mistake." Alexandra turns towards Fionn, still speaking in full volume over the possibly bandits.

"Svetlanna, my dear! Can you look out your window and tell me if you know these men?" Alexandra shouts across the Outpost.

Also Sense motive 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

You do not believe he is saying the full truth, half truths if not less, he is very nervous, considering you have twice the number of them and you closed the gates. The other riders are very nervous, being ancy and moving from one foot to another.

Oleg steps out from their house and yells, "Yup, those are the ones who are robbing us!"

"Oooh, a bad turn for you gents. Tell you what. If you drop your weapons and will help us find your camp to prevent these attacks in the future I can promise you your lives. I may even have some work for you as my personal guards someday." Alexandra lays it on thick, honeying her words and jingling coin as she goes.

Silver tongue bluff 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25

Bluff to Aid 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

I myself was once a bandit, but because I was helpful now I work for the lady.

completely out of character high five to Fizzle! Also way to beat my plus 17 roll lol

Well with that the four who have not spoken a word yet pull and drop their main weapons, take a 5 foot step away from their old leader, pull their knives and drop those. Their leader/speaker notices what they do and attempts to run, past Alex. Sly jumps up and latches onto his forearm. "You will all pay for this... Ahhhh", as he attempts to continue to run.

Basically he runs where he will not provoke any or no AoOs. Knowing Alex has a crossbow out and won't get an AoO.

Alex are you still up on the palisade?

Initiatives:

Fizzy = 23 <=== Your Turn Fizzy!!!
Thug 1 = 21
Sly = 20
stonefire = 19
Thug 2 = 18
Fionn = 17
Alex = 13
Thug 3 = 12
Lucky Bob = 11
Thug Leader = 9
Thug 4 = 8
Vik = 6
Sajan = 5
Twins = 4
sorry if I missed anyone

I am, I've been trying to talk down at them. If I gathered that correctly the other surrendered so Alexandra shouts out, "Don't harm the unarmed ones and capture the leader alive if possible." As he ends up rushing towards her. Let me know when I should consider it my turn.

Edit: He would not be charging Alex, instead avoiding Captain Stonefire. Since it would be between Stonefire and Fionn who would be in front of the group.

Fizzy sees the fleeing man and shouts after him. moving if he needs to.

How do you get a halfling in bed? Piece of cake!

Casts Hideous Laughter DC 17 Will

Everyone a new addition, when you post, especially out of turn, please put Round 'X' to help keep things straight.
So Alex would put Round 1 for example. What does Captain Stonefire do? Alex you know or should know that he is out of your range.
Fizzwiddles spell takes effect and the leader drops to the ground laughing.
Everyone take two rounds for there are no threatening enemies until two rounds later.

Gotcha, my apologies and that is a good rule for future use.

Round 1: Captain Stonefire will quickly make his way to the laughing buffoon and try basically stand over him on guard, readying to strike him. Alexandra will cry out, "Tie him up and make sure he isn't going anywhere boys." . Then the other three guards will walk over to the giggling fellow and will all attempt to grapple him so he can be tied down. ( as I recall they got rid of use rope for this application).

Stonefire grapple 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Silas Merrywine 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Merrywine 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Lucky Bob 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Alexandra will then turn to watch for any one else headed toward the outpost and trust the remaining five or so people can handle the one guard. She'll then look to the surrendered fellow and smile, "Smart folks you are, always more profit in working together. Leave your weapons there and come sit down, I'll see if we can get you some stew."

Wow that was just sad men...

They all fail. Falling all over each other more than over the giggling man. He still is kicking and punching with force, slipping out of their hands.

Sly lets go, being confused at why he is so happy. Then scurries away from the mad dash of the biggies charging at him.

Fionn, Sajan, Vik you all need to tell me what you do for two rounds. Fizzy what do you do next round? Alex do you point where the men should go, to the benches, otherwise they get up and come up to the palisade.
I rolled the four's grapple checks again for the next round and Silas was the only one who could get a hold of the brigand.

Well that's something at least. I'll point the men across the courtyard to the benches, can't have them all around poor defenseless me. Silas will attempt to maintain the grapple long enough to tie him down, but if he gets up again I'll start rolling for them to knock him out

Sounds, good Alex. Now we just have to wait for the rest of them.
Does anyone know where Sajan is? I know Tuesday is typically a bit slow for me, but where was everyone?

I honestly didn't notice till you pointed it out but he hasn't commented in sometime has he?

I've noticed the same :s
Fionn will draw his sword, and is it possible to skewer one of them? If not I'll re-mount my horse and prepare for a charge-by

Fionn, have you been following along? Presently with all the horses in the outpost, your horse will not be able to move much at all. The four thugs have all laid their weapons down on the ground and have fallen prone. They are now complying with Alexandra's commands, to get up and go over to the benches. Their leader tried to run, but fell laughing at Fizzy's joke and still is laughing. The four calvary mercs all attempted to grapple the leader while he is laughing, all failing miserably, on the second round only Silas has a hold of the leader but their is just a big mess of men grappling or trying too.

In short, the only man worth stabbing has two rounds of laughing hysterically on the ground before being pummeled with attacks of opportunity for standing up. And Alexandra asked to have him tied up.

Sorry I wasn't aware of the lack of room in the outpost. I will also attend to the tieing of the leader,