Megan's Kingmaker PbP

Game Master Megan Robertson

Sorry I am bowing out. It's nothing to you guys but in the last two weeks we haven't heard from Megan at all. Yet in that time I happened to notice that she was recruiting for another of her games that she is running. I noticed this while looking for another game of my own not that I was checking up on her. Honest I was giving her the benefit of the doubt until I saw that. Now I do not feel like she is into this campaign at all due to the other circumstances as well. I understand that life happens but no notice or something in two weeks when she has been posting elsewhere has turned me off. Again this is nothing to the rest of you. Good luck.

I understand. You were kind enough to give it another chance when I asked you to do so last time. Thank you for that.

Megan, thank you for stepping up when the campaign needed a GM. If the game goes no further, it's been fun. And, honestly, I'm not sure how interested I am in continuing without Gorguk.

Well....

That was unexpected.

I'm not sure if there would be a point of continuing without the half-orc paladin.

Still here as well

I am still here, and perfectly prepared to continue with or without Gorguk.

Honestly I thought I saw was a re-recruitment thread, ie trying to replace a player and that had taken DM time from this game. I run several PBP games here and can tell you that DM time is a problem....

without replacing a player many PBP's fail in short order. Because a DM run NPC replacement (takes even more DM time)....

I am still here, and perfectly prepared to continue with or without Gorguk.

Are you waiting for something from us?

Pretty much... but for ease we'll move on to being back at Oleg's and meeting the colonists. How do you wish to proceed?

The impression I've got is that you want to start building a settlement around the Stag Lord's Fort - nice lakeside position. Those like the sheep farmer and the fellow who wants to start a lumber business can strike off to find suitable territory... and you'll need to decide where you yourselves want to live as well.

You will also need to determine the terms on which you will allow the colonists to settle. Do you wish to be 'landowners' and rent them the land they need, or is it a case of "You claim and develop it, it's yours" (under your rule, of course).

As for the recruitment thread that's rather annoyed Gorguk, it was a case of player drop-out (through RL issues) that has left the party in the Crimson Throne game a bit short-handed. The party has determined what they need and are trying to find it amidst the eager applicants...

The decision of whether to give the land or to rent it is pretty important......

I think giving the land can be ok, if we regulate and control trade, taxes, etc.

I don't want to discuss Gorguk's departure because frankly I can't blame him - it irritates me, too.

As for what we need to do in-game, Rhasadilara has much the same attitude as she always has. The others can make the call and she will support them.

Cool with me.

I'm all for continuing on as well. I'm just trying to figure out what my post will be.

I'm here and ready to continue, as well.

Calinder also has no issue with allowing those that work the land to own the land. Though as has been said, we should be the authority above all else as Barnabus stated.

Calinder has expressed some interest in building a small shrine or temple to Erastil near the fort and would live there when not out with the Wardens.

Megan, are the colonist already at Oleg's when we arrive, or are they yet to arrive? I'd just like to know to help me formulate my next post.

Rhasadilara still makes sense as a warden-type role, I think. Perhaps we will have to install a representative for the Wardens to sit in boring meetings while we are out taming the wilderness. Not a king, but a minister of some sort? I know Rhasa has no interest in being a member of a court.

How about a "Homestead Act" like in the American Midwest where they can claim a quarter section or some other defined unit of land and they have a set amount of time to improve it - typically by building a home/farm/turning it productive somehow - and when they've done so, it's theirs? That allows us to control what land is used in what fashion because we can turn down the claim (Rhasa would like to limit development in some areas so there is still some wild in the wilderness and we probably want to leave some buffer for those creatures we have made peace with) and we can give the colonists opportunity to earn their land.

By the way, I have Gorguk's Kingdom-Builder spreadsheet, but I have not had time to peruse it. He was kind enough to offer it to me for the party's use.

Nice idea, Rhasa' - the 'homesteading' concept would be a good way to proceed. And if you prefer to be out doing ranger/warden stuff rather than sitting in meetings, I can understand (and will, of course, accommodate) that :)

I was intending for you lot (with Jotham-Sales) to arrive at Oleg's from one direction as the colonists arrived from another... so I'll bumble off and write up the scene for y'all.

Sounds good.

I am thinking Barnabus's role will be more of an organic occurence rather than planning it out....

Has Gorguk definitely left or will he stay now that we are back in action?

Gorguk will make his departure from the trading post, I expect. Perhaps he has received a letter from his mentor requesting his return.

That way, he has an option to return if he so wishes. I would welcome him back, but right now, he has not expressed any such interest to me.

As for what to do with the settlers, I suggest that we establish a small camp for them outside the walls of the post, across the way, for a day or two while we determine who's who and how best to get them to the fort - or wherever else would make sense for them to go.

It will be useful to have pickets/watchmen around the camp while it's here and on the road to the fort. Hopefully we can get permission to meet with settlers a few at a time to get their measure and learn their intent (merchant, crafter, farmer, etc.) inside the trading post. Meanwhile, we can work on the route and the divisions of the group for traveling. It may not make sense to try to push the flock of sheep overland as quickly as we might be able to take horses and wagons, as an example.

These are things that Rhasa is thinking as she looks at the mass of people and wagons. That, and the Stolen Lands may never be the same again. And wasn't our group the Wardens of the Green? Or am I getting that from somewhere else?

Still here just watching and waiting. The whole guardians and wardens thing is my mistake as I switched it a couple of times without realizing it.

If we are back at it and continuing on then I won't abandon you guys. Consider Gorguk traveling along.

As to the question of rulership and governance, are we using the book of the river kingdoms or freelancing it? I ask because the spreadsheet I sent Rhasa was based off of those rules. In there they did not make a distinctness between who owns the land. The kingdom pays for all buildings and improvements and taxes the people. Whether that is from property tax or income tax is open for debate. To make things straightforward if we are doing the kingdom building let the people claim the land after we have purchased it or made the appropriate arrangements to claim it. If we are not following the kingdom building rules then let the settlers claim it themselves and we can go on from there.

If this last option makes it easier for everyone we can skip the kingdom building and have it just occur in the background. I know Cal indicated interest though in the building aspect with myself. If we are doing the kingdom building ourselves what resources do we start with for build points?

If we are doing the kingdom building there are twelve positions that can be filled and only 5 of us. If. Can get Oleg, Svetlana, Jotham-Sales and Akiros to help us out that is 9 of the positions filled. There is no penalty for not having a second ruler or an assassin. I know Lothar was looking at the assassin role so we need to determine what other 2 positions are unfilled. Here is one suggestion unless Lothar is more the spymaster than the assassin.

Ruler: Gorguk
Ruler: open
Councilor: open
General: Akiros?
Assassin: Lothar
Spymaster: open
Warden: Rhasa
High priest: Calinder
Treasurer: Oleg?
Marshall: Jotham-Sales?
Magistrate: Barnabus
Diplomat: Svetlana?

I am glad to see you back, sir.

I'm interested in the building, but it is not Rhasa's thing. She's concerned about protecting the people from the land... And the land from the people. She's a conservationist, but doesn't it. ;-)

Glad to know you're still around, big guy! Wouldn't have been the same without you.

In the Ultimate Campaign, they've made some changes to the roles. The information is up on the d20pfsrd site as well as Paizo's own PRD. Here's the rundown (check the link to get more in-depth descriptions as well as benefits and penalties for vacating the role).

Ruler: Loyalty checks, any checks or edicts not covered by other rulers

Consort: As Ruler when Ruler is unavailable

Councilor: Holiday edicts

General: Kingdom checks for events requiring combat

Grand Diplomat: Diplomatic edicts (optional rule)

Heir: Kingdom event rolls

High Priest: Holiday edicts, rolls to generate magic items from Cathedrals, Shrines, and Temples

Magister: Rolls to generate magic items not rolled by the High Priest

Marshal: Exploration edicts (optional rule)

Royal Enforcer: Loyalty checks to reduce Unrest or prevent Unrest increases

Spymaster: Kingdom checks involving crime and foreigners

Treasurer: Economy checks, Taxation edicts, Trade edicts (optional rule)

Viceroy: Vassalage edicts (optional rule)

Warden: Stability checks

There is no longer an Assassin role, that having been replaced by the Royal Enforcer. This was done for Paladins that take on the Ruler role. Lothar would have no problem being the Royal Enforcer.

If we make use of these roles, then I would suggest the following: Oleg should be a Councilor (they act as liaison between the citizenry and the rulers) and Svetlana should be Treasurer (something tells me she kept the books at the Trading Post). Samlor should be Spymaster (he travels and would probably be best to ask about other kingdoms). Akiros as General works for me, as does Calinder in the role of High Priest. Marshal enforces the kingdom's laws in the remote parts as well securing its borders, while Warden safeguards the larger settlements and protects its leaders. Rhasa should be Marshal and Lord Jotham-Sales should be Warden. Perhaps Barnabus would be interested in being the Magister, in charge of guiding the realm's higher learning and magic? He'd be the kingdom's sage. I also think Dovan should be made a Councilor as well (would be good for the former bandits to see one of their own rise to such a position and would show them that the Wardens are more than just the latest gang for them to join).

Just some suggestions. Let me know what you all think.

Interesting updates. I am still looking at them all now as I am unfamiliar with some of the other edicts.

It looks like there is 14 positions but the heir, viceroy, consort, have no penalty to them. That still leaves the 11 positions (including royal enforcer) to be filled unless we take penalties. Another option is to have our kobold friend by the spymaster. He could make a great spy with his assuming higher than average dex modifier. Will have to ask Svetlana and Oleg which position they are best suited for maybe and go from there. If mikmek is the spymaster then Samlor could be diplomat as he travels all over and would no customs and such.

Thanks Lothar I had warden and Marshall switched In my head.

In summary two options.

Ruler: Loyalty checks, (any checks or edicts not covered by other rulers) Gorguk

Consort: (As Ruler when Ruler is unavailable) N/A

Councilor: (Holiday edicts) Dovan or Svetlana

General: (Kingdom checks for events requiring combat) Akiros

Grand Diplomat: (Diplomatic edicts (optional rule)) Oleg or Samlor

Heir: (Kingdom event rolls) N/A

High Priest: (Holiday edicts, rolls to generate magic items from Cathedrals, Shrines, and Temples) Calinder

Magister: (Rolls to generate magic items not rolled by the High Priest) Barnabus

Marshal: Exploration edicts (optional rule) Rhasa

Royal Enforcer: (Loyalty checks to reduce Unrest or prevent Unrest increases) Lothar

Spymaster: (Kingdom checks involving crime and foreigners) Samlor or Mikmek

Treasurer: (Economy checks, Taxation edicts, Trade edicts (optional rule)) Svetlana or Oleg

Viceroy: (Vassalage edicts (optional rule)) N/A

Warden: (Stability checks) Lord Jotham-Sales

I'm not up to speed on those rules, but I think you guys have a great grasp of where Rhasa would want to be.

Wow the rules changes are immense compared to what was in the river kingdom book. If we go with those new rules I will have to completely rewrite the spreadsheet. Everything from the way magic items are used to economy checks to how the royal enforcer is used to the cost/benefit of some structures.

Before I even attempt or think about rewriting those,
1) Megan what rule set are we using? For my sake would like the river kingdoms book.
2) do we want to just set up the positions and leave the rest in the background and assume it is being taken care of. This is more for Cal as he was interested in this part as well.

I'm good with whatever the rest of the party would like to do as far as the kingdom building aspect of the game. Although I would find it interesting to fill the High Priest role.

In reading and thinking about the last few posts, I've had a thought I'd like to throw out. It's already been alluded to somewhat by Lothar and Gorguk in their suggestions for the filling of positions, but we as players choose the position that we'd like to fill. Then if there are NPC's that we've meet that we feel would fill a position, we can make that offer to them. Last if there are any positions left to fill, our GM could create NPC's to fill them. These NPC's could perhaps be sent from the Swordlord's after a request from us for the appropriate people to fill the positions.

I think this would allow us to be involved with the kingdom building as little or as much as we would like. We can either just be involved with the position that our characters fill, or we could take control of some of the NPC's in the other positions and be more involved.

This of course would be with the approval of our GM. Let me know what everyone thinks of this idea.

Have a great day everyone.

I am prepared to let you decide whether you want to use the River Kingdoms rules, the Ultimate Campaign rules or be a bit more freeform in your approach to kingdom-building. The AP allows for hands-on or hands-off approaches as far as the player-characters are concerned.

And I am glad you have decided to stay, Gorguk. Just remember that I am running FIVE* campaigns here so sometimes I shall be noisier in one of the others... but I have no intention of abandoning anyone.

*That's this Kingmaker, a Legacy of Fire, a Curse of the Crimson Throne, and a Carrion Crown from the Paizo APs plus a bunch doing The Way of the Wicked by Fire Mountain Games, for those who are curious!

I for one am glad to among the players you grace with your story-telling skills. And I understand the time commitment you have made to a lot of people. But three weeks of radio silence is a long time. We just want to know you still remember us when you get busy, that's all.

As for the rules, probably the Ultimate Campaign rules are the ones everyone has access to, and they are hopefully more fully developed being the later product.

I can certainly assist - or try to - with conversion of the spreadsheet if we decide to go that route with the rules.

Honestly, though, I have access to both sets of rules and am completely open to whatever you want to do, including just letting Megan wing it behind the scenes.

If we are ok with winging it it might make it easier for everyone involved and that way we can continue the storyline quicker. Let it happen and give us updates if possible periodically to know what is going on but other than that proceed as we have been?

Let the characters be involved in the kingdom-building but let Megan handle the crunch of the rules? I'm in favor of that.

Works for me as well

I think that whoever really wants the kingdom building aspects can always take a chairman type of role on the committee and let others be involved as much as they like in the process.

If the lord from the Swordlords hangs around, he could be the viceroy and keep some peace and order at Oleg's operating under joint authority on the border.......

Makes sense, Barnabus.

If the chairman role is the way we want to do it and Calinder is ok with continuing with the book of the river kingdoms so I don't have to make a change to the spreadsheet we can get started on the kingdom building aspect right away. We can do it behind the scenes in another thread to keep it clean and whenever anyone wants to join in you can.

If this is the case then I would need the stats for those that are helping us. Jotham-sales, mikmek, Akiros, Dovan along with how much we start with for build points. Once that is set up cal I am ready when you are.

Dearly beloved is about to serve lunch... back shortly :)

OK, back now...

Mikmek
Male kobold warrior 2/expert 2
LE Small humanoid (reptilian)
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +9, Sense Motive +0 Speed 30 ft. ACP ‐1; Acrobatics +5, Climb +2, Stealth +10 AC 18, touch 13, flat‐footed 16; CMD 13 (+1 size, +2 Dex, +3 armour [mwk studded leather], +1 shield [buckler], +1 natural)
Weakness: light sensitivity
Light Sensitivity (Ex) When in an area of bright sunlight or within the radius of a daylight spell the kobold is dazzled (‐1 penalty on attack rolls and sight‐based Perception checks).
Fort +3, Ref +2, Will +3
hp 22 (4 HD)
Space 5 ft.; Base Atk +3; CMB +1
Melee dagger +3 (1d3‐1/19‐20)
Ranged shortbow (range 60 ft.) +6 (1d6/x3)
Atk Options Dazing Shot (DC 14), Sniping Shot
Abilities Str 9, Dex 14, Con 10, Int 9, Wis 10, Cha 8
Feats Dazing Shot, Sniping Shot
Skills as above plus Craft (trapmaking) +1, Disable Device +8, Profession (miner) +2
Languages: Draconic
Gear: as listed plus 20 arrows, belt pouch, thieves' tools

Dovan
Male human rogue 3
NE Medium humanoid (human)
Init +3; Senses Perception +5
Defense: AC 17, touch 14, flat-footed 13 (+3 armor, +3 Dex, +1 dodge)
hp 19 (3d8+6)
Fort +2, Ref +6, Will +0
Defensive Abilities: evasion, trap sense +1, uncanny dodge
Offense: Speed 30 ft.
Melee +1 rapier +6 (1d6+3/18–20)
Ranged dagger +5 (1d4+2/19–20)
Special Attacks sneak attack +2d6
Str 14, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 13
Base Atk +2; CMB +4; CMD 18
Feats Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Mobility, Weapon Finesse
Skills Acrobatics +9, Bluff +7, Diplomacy +7, Escape Artist +9, Intimidate +7, Knowledge (local) +6, Perception +5, Sleight of Hand +9, Stealth +9
Languages Common
SQ rogue talents (finesse rogue), trapfinding
Gear masterwork studded leather, +1 rapier, daggers (3), silver Stag Lord amulet worth 20 gp, turquoise earrings worth 130 gp each, 28 gp, 2 pp

Akiros
Male human ex-paladin 1/barbarian 3
CN Medium humanoid (human)
Init +1; Senses Perception +6
Defense: AC 17, touch 9, flat-footed 16 (+6 armor, +1 Dex, –2 rage, +2 shield) hp 47 (4 HD; 3d12+1d10+23)
Fort +10, Ref +2, Will +6
Defensive Abilities trap sense +1, uncanny dodge
Offense: Speed 30 ft. Melee +1 longsword +10 (1d8+5/19–20) Ranged composite longbow +5 (1d8+2/×3)
Special Attacks rage (13 rounds/day), rage powers (quick reflexes)
Str 18, Dex 12, Con 20, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 15
Base Atk +4; CMB +8; CMD 19
Feats Iron Will, Quick Draw, Weapon Focus (longsword)
Skills Intimidate +9, Knowledge (religion) +5, Perception +6,
Survival +6, Swim +5
Languages Common
Combat Gear potion of cure light wounds (2); masterwork chainmail, heavy steel shield, +1 longsword, composite longbow (+2 Str) with 20 arrows and 3 +1 magical beast bane arrows, silver holy symbol of Erastil, silver Stag Lord amulet worth 20 gp, 80 gp

Dear DM, how did Rhasa and Robard get on during the trip back? Was he reasonably easy to get along with or did he turn into a chauvinist jerk once the fort was out of sight? If he was reasonably easy to get along with, she will be interested in taking him under her wing like a deputy or at least a known quantity she can work with in the future. If he's not hellbent on leaving the Green, of course.

thanks for the stats Megan but if Jotham-Sales, Oleg, and Svetlana are also helping if I can get those as well.

Then I will plug those in and create a link to a google docs so everyone can see the spreadsheet with the river kingdom rules thus far.

The chairman role is fine with me, and I'm okay with the River Kingdom rules, although I do not have access to them. Just let me know what I need to know or do, and I'll do my best.

Rhasadilara: Robard remained mostly reasonable apart from his strange aberration about hunting for sport rather than solely for the pot. He's happy to work for you provided Jotham-Sales releases him from service. (He's an employee, just prefers not to just walk away from his current employer!)

Gorguk: OK. Busy today but will get them up asap. What is it you need anyway? The AP just says that Oleg is CG male human expert 2 and Svetlana a NG female human expert 2 without going in to full statblocks, so I shall have to generate them if you need that level of detail.

Calinder: We are talking Guide to the River Kingdoms, published by Paizo & available here - sorry, it's a commercial product so I cannot pass you a copy!

LDS folk: bit of fun tonight (and why I'm busy today, preparing) - I am introducing our Young Women to role-playing! It's my daughter's turn to plan & run a meeting, so she asked me if I'd run the Doctor Who: Adventures in Time and Space game for them.

Just need the stats as far as str, dex, con, int, wis, cha as those attributes are what give us our loyalty, stability and economy values. Thanks again.

Well I'll have to see if I can pick up a copy. Someone in my local game group may have a copy I can borrow. If not I may just have to pick up the PDF.

Sounds like a fun night running a game for the Young Women. Half my group that I'm GMing for couldn't make last Friday so the rest of the group taught me how to play Lunar Rails. It was a lot of fun, although we were up until 1 am. I really enjoy learning a new game every now and then.

Had fun with the Young Women, and surprisingly, the one who said she didn't like Doctor Who and didn't want to play (she didn't take a character but sat and watched) was the most fulsome in thanking me for running the session! Our Sister Missionaries joined in as well, while the YW Presidency took the opportunity to go off and hold a planning meeting.

OK, Gorguk, I'll get on and generate the necessary numbers for you. Oleg, Svetlana, Jotham-Sales... anyone else you need doing?

Perhaps the fellow that was guiding the return with Rhasadilara? Robard?

If he can serve while continuing his employment with Jotham-Sales, of course.

We won't need Oleg if Svetlana is the one holding the position but we may need Samlor if he is convinced to hold the Warden position. Beyond that I don't know. It seems as if we are going to be a councilor position short but that is something we can add later if need be. One vacancy won't be too problematic for us I wouldn't think.

Svetlana: Str 7 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 13 Wis 16 Cha 13 (Expert 2 NG)

Lord Jedward Jotham-Sales: Str 14 Dex 14 Con 13 Int 17 Wis 15 Cha 14 (Noble 5 NG)

Robard: Str 13 Dex 15 Con 10 Int 15 Wis 14 Cha 11 (Ranger 3 NG)

Samlor Hil-Sampt: Str 15 Dex 12 Con 14 Int 13 Wis 17 Cha 12 (Expert 5 LG)

Think that's all you've asked for done, but if there's anything else...?

Thanks Megan. I will get the spreadsheet compiled and post it on google docs for everyone to see. Hopefully then Cal and I can get the first couple of months of kingdom building planned out. How do you want the kingdom building to go as far as the time table? Shall cal and I just keep going without worrying about what is happening in the game thread and just see where that takes us? That way no one has to wait for anything.

Did we ever decide on a name and realm? Also wondering what our alignment is for the kingdom, lawful good to promote honest people who follow the laws or something a little less gp strict like neutral good? OECD that is decided I can plug that in as well.