Lords of Themselves: A Kingmaker Adventure Path.

Game Master Red Ramage

"Let's set watches. I will take any watch that no one else prefers."

"I'll take the first watch." Maja was still restless anyway after the evening's events.

Ill take 10 to cover the tracks. So total is 13.

Ill take second watch.

It would be awesome if, in the discussion thread, you guys could decide on a standard order for nightly watches, determine whether you sleep in your armor and such, and establish standard marching order. Much thanks.

You hop on your horses and ride back to the northeast, into the area that you encountered the kobolds. After exploring the landscape for a few hours, you stumble upon a patch of rather large radishes in a forest clearing. Unfortunately, some kobolds have gorged themselves in it and are lying there sleepily as you approach.

Kobold's Perception-daylight-distracted: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (17) - 5 = 12

Roll stealth, take 10, or hang back. Determine how close you get to the kobolds before stirring them, keeping in mind that, even if you don't beat their check, the Perception DC increases by 1 for every 10' of distance. For example, if you roll a 10 for stealth, you could get within 20' still before they'd notice. After making your stealth check, resolve your actions for the surprise round appropriately.

How many are there?

"Let's try to knock them out first. A little 'colorful' display is always fun."

Kivan waits for a response and after they are done discussing what to do he moves down (hopefully with some backup), and gets within range, ready to color spray the little guys.

Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Still dozens of feet away from the kobolds, Pretty speaks to the others:
So, the word or the sword? I speak Draconic, but I'm not sure these creatures do. Do they?

EDIT: Ninja'd but I keep my action. That would have happened before we move on.

Kivan tries to recall what such creatures do speak.

K. Nature: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

"I think I might recall."

"I know nothing about these creatures. Is it possible they thought we were invaders before? Are these their territory? I wouldn't want to kill potential allies just because they're strange looking."

Seraphina smiles at Kivan's suggestion and says "I'm game if you are. Talking is an option too, but if they want to stay in the area, they would have to agree to stop raiding and live in peace."

If we decide to slip up on them, here's the stealth roll.
Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Oops. There are 4 kobolds. Kivan's roll confirms that they speak draconic.

Maja will hang back some distance while the party sneaks up, knowing that stealth is not one of her strengths. She gets out her sling.

Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Really more talking...To bloody kobolds even? These people shouldn't be here. They don't have what it takes to tame a land.

Cassius remains silent, keeping the thought to himself, but clearly not impressed with the idea of speaking to kobolds.

"They speak draconic, so those of us who can should probably approach and try to be diplomatic while our other companions stay on guard. Should we try to be open and friendly, or stealth up to them showing our skill first?"

"They look like a outnumbered tribe. They are probably harmless, and their territory may be really small. Do you mind if I cut a deal with them? I'll get the leader and trade his life for regular information about the region. They may work as good scouts."

"Well, does anyone know anything about these creatures other than they attacked us yesterday, they look like two-legged lizards, and they speak Draconic? I have no idea whether they'd respect a show of force or skill, or whether they'd fear and hate us for that, but respond to a peaceful opening."

Edit:Ninja'd by the rogue -- makes sense I suppose.

She nods at Pretty. "If that would work, it would be helpful. But on the other hand, we might find them to be constantly stealing from us and unable to live peacefully, like goblins tend to be."

She glances at Cassius. Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 "You seem like you want to say something about this. Have you had experience with these little lizard-men?"

Its nothing. I'm just tired of talking to every opposition. We can't keep cutting deals forever.

I agree with you Cassius. We can't. But put youself on their position. They were already here when we got in. We've already killed three of them, and with very low effort we could kill the rest. Let's try it. Just keep a look from some distance. Move closer if you like.

Kivan's just going to stay close hopefully I can use my stealth check from before.

stealth: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 Idris sneaks up alongside Pretty, ready to help her defend herself if needed.

Cassius will go up a bit and then hang back to keep an eye out form a distance

Sera also moves in quietly and stands by while Pretty deals with the kobolds.

The kobold wakes up with a short squeal before he realizes his predicament. He immediately falls silents and whispers

The others are less agreeable, and reach for weapons as they stand up.

Party, take your actions from wherever you decided to stand.

"Tell them to lower their weapons if they want to live. They have no chance against us. We are building a kingdom in the region, and we are offering you or life for your cooperation with simple information. You may keep your territory, but we will come here regularly to talk with you and get to know about anything you see in the region. If you are efficient we may even pay you for that. Otherwise you die, right here and now. So what say you?"

"Also, you may no longer attack any one who enters your territory, although you can defend yourselves. " She draws her sword, ready if the other kobolds attack.

Having stayed at a distance, Maja readies her sling to hurl a stone at any kobold that makes an aggressive move toward the party.

The other kobolds don't stop. One of them says

If that means it will come to combat, I'll enter total defense on the first round, giving them some more seconds to think while swiftly avoiding their swings, hoping that will already cause a impression.

"We are not sharing anything with you little one. We're granting you an opportunity to live, but if you don't like that you may come and meet your doom against us."

Cassius knowing it would come to this anyway, sighs and draws his bow.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Critical: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Damage: 1d8 + 1d8 + 1d8 ⇒ (4) + (8) + (4) = 16

Idris, who is standing beside Pretty, readies an action to make an attack against any kobold who comes in range with a weapon drawn. Attack, two-handed, Aldori Dueling Sword: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 Damage, two-handed, whetstone bonus damage applies to first successful hit: 1d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10

Seraphina will move to Color Spray as many as she can reach.

Color Spray DC:15 (Will)

Rolls for first effect in rounds on creatures with 2HD or less: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6
unconscious, blinded, and stunned duration

Roll for second effect in rounds on creatures with 2HD or less: 1d4 ⇒ 4
blinded and stunned duration.

Then stunned for one round.
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Roll for first effect in rounds for creatures with 3 or 4 HD: 1d4 ⇒ 2
blinded and stunned duration.

Then stunned for one round.
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If 5 HD then stunned for one round.

Kivan just stands close to the kobold who Pretty had and sends out some magical colors at the other kobolds.

"Don't kill the leader he wants to surrender!"

Color Spray DC 15 (will)

Rolls for first effect in rounds on creatures with 2HD or less: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6
unconscious, blinded, and stunned duration

Roll for second effect in rounds on creatures with 2HD or less: 1d4 ⇒ 2
blinded and stunned duration.

Then stunned for one round.
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Roll for first effect in rounds for creatures with 3 or 4 HD: 1d4 ⇒ 4
blinded and stunned duration.

Then stunned for one round.
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If 5 HD then stunned for one round

"Easy choice to make with a blade at your throat," mutters Idris.

Woo, another color spray light show!

Cassius and Idris easily ruin two of the kobolds, and the blazing lights send the other one crashing to the ground, unconscious. Pretty slips her knife away from her ward to let him fall in a stupor.

Pretty wait some seconds for the kobold realizes what has just happened, and then speaks to the one she was threatening a moment ago:

"Nice shot, Cassius!" says Maja, offering a high-five. She is impressed by his deadly aim, and a little envious too.

HIGH FIVE!

Look what just happened. Im not working with these things. Theres a time to talk, and a time to fight. And the time for talking is clearly over.

"I must say, I agree with Cas. I know we are hesitant to appear as heartless conquerors as we work to make these lands safe. But we must consider the safety of the good people of this region as well as ourselves. What reason do we have to expect these creatures would do anything to aid us? I think more likely they would hide or assemble a war party to ambush us instead. They seem petty, selfish creatures to me. It would be folly to expect them to act in opposition to their nature, don't you think?"

Maja nods. Though it's only her second encounter with kobolds, she's not impressed. "It's not like we have to go hunt them down. If we let them know that their raiding won't go unpunished, I bet these kobolds will find some less destructive hobbies."

She looks to Kivan and Pretty. "What did you guys say to them, anyway?"

"We could tell them to toe the line or leave. Or we could let them go and track them back to their lair." Idris makes this suggestion while the kobolds are still unconscious.

Hey Jacob is there a farm that we can see or is it just a wild patch of radishes?

"Wait, selfish, petty, rading? Why are you judging them before you have even heard their side of the story? These kobolds found a patch of wild radishes, and simply ate their fill. 'WE' went up to them, and a 'demon' put a knife against one of their throats, and told the rest to surrender."

Kivan quickly looks at Pretty.

"No offense Pretty."

Looking back at the rest of the group.

"What did you expect? What would you do if somebody had a knife against the throat of one of your comrades? Would you meekly throw down your weapons and leave yourself defenseless? I wouldn't, I would Color Spray them without a second thought. These kobolds went into battle because they thought we were monsters who had come to kill, and rob them. In our charter we are sworn to protect all of the 'people' in this region. That means all sentient life that isn't deliberately trying to harm others. These kobolds are people as well with feelings, and families. They are as deserving as Oleg for protection until we can determine if they are evil. The bandits we know are evil, and we have to kill them, but we don't know about kobolds."

Kivan ties up the surviving kobolds, and looks back at the group.

"Now let us try, and actually find out 'why' they thought we were thieves before we decide what to do with them."

Pretty remains sited, although her tails swings wildly. She gives a cold look at Kivan.
"No offense? You really mean no offense? What plane did you came from? And if you had not heard, the now dead kobolds were worried about RADISHES! Not with ther COMPANION! RA-DI-SHES! Maybe you do not speak Draconic!"
She looks possessed:
"If someone puts a knife at the throat of your partner and you don't wait him to die, the only thing you do NOT do is MOVE!"

"Besides, if you think they are such good fellows, you might remember they shoot at us for NO REASON! And there's more! You were the first one to go after them! Now, if you don't mind, I'm talking to him."
She turns back to the scared kobold, waiting for his answer.

We were walking down the road and they attacked us first. These aren't people. I know a monster when i see one.

I think its really dumb we're arguing over what to do to kobolds.

Well, I made it some questions, so we may have a good time while waiting for them to answer. Or may kill them all and move on, easier and faster.

"Wait, so Kivan says they're people, and Cassius says they're not. Can we please have a talk about this before we make this decision? Right now I don't feel like I have enough information about them to vote on one side or another, and this could be a very important decision -- it could set the tone for the kind of dominion we put on this region. Who can tell me more about Kobolds?"

I earlier rolled a Knowledge check about kobolds and got like a 2, so Idris knows virtually nothing about them. She doesn't know whether they're civilized or civilizable, or uncivilizable like goblins.

"Wait, so Kivan says they're people, and Cassius says they're not."

Soylent Green is people! Sorry, that's the first thing that came to mind.

Although kobolds aren't the first thing she thinks of when thinking about people, Maja decides to investigate the objects on the slain kobolds for signs about what they might have been up to.

While the rest of party argues (and scares off some birds...), Maja takes a quick survey of the radish patch and the kobolds. They're equipped with standard gear, little spears, little leathers, some munchies, and assorted day-travel junk. Of more interest, however, are four little bodies kicked off to the far side of the radish patch, one kobold and three...something else. Assuming a Take 10 on something appropriate. A little investigating reveals that the little creatures are mites - squat humanoids that seem to be nearly all head, which is an unfortunate circumstance, considering how ugly their puffy blue faces are.

"So" - says Pretty to the kobolds left - "you better start talking. What else is in the region?" Pretty gives them several seconds, while grabbing a hold of a second knife with her tail.