Megan's Kingmaker PbP

Game Master Megan Robertson

Barnabus made the original suggestion. I just changed the tone of the suggestion due to a feeling I had. :-)

Calinder pulls his holy symbol of Erastil out from underneath his cloak, and holds it ready in his hand in case this creature comes towards them.

Calinder attempts to determine if the creature is one of the many undead, and if so determine what he may know about it. Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

"Careful Gorguk", Calinder whispers, "this one you may not want to tangle with."

Perception 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14 incl. Plains bonus

If/when Rhasa notices the apparition, she readies her bow and nocks an arrow, but keeps it pointed at the ground and stays astride Sunset.

She watches the creature and her allies, looking for clues as to how they intend to proceed.

Barnabus made the original suggestion. I just changed the tone of the suggestion due to a feeling I had. :-)

Calinder pulls his holy symbol of Erastil out from underneath his cloak, and holds it ready in his hand in case this creature comes towards them.

Calinder attempts to determine if the creature is one of the many undead, and if so determine what he may know about it. Knowledge (Religion): 1d20+9

"Careful Gorguk", Calinder whispers, "this one you may not want to tangle with."

I plan on giving it as much space as we can but it appears to hunger for revenge on those that did this to him than for our blood. That is what I am hoping for anyways. Besides his wish is our goal anyways. What we do with the Staglord's body matters little to me and if it serves a greater good here by placing this spirit to rest than so be it.

"Aye stay your hand lest we be added to tha list o tormentors, a spirit o vengance this be, not one tha attacks jus any."

"Maybe all tha bandits should be thrown thus into tha river, tha lord yae, an all his men as well; an grant peace to tha vengeful spirit, twas a man once built an honest business done thus by tha staglord."

"Msybe capturing tha staglord an bringin him here to tha spirit, seems he could take his vengance directly."

Lothar only half listened to what the others were saying. His attention was being pulled in two different directions: the spectral corpse that stood before them all and the mental image of Kylie.

The suffering brought about by the Stag Lord continues unabated and you do nothing. Remember your vow. Avenge me, Lothar. Avenge me...

When I started this, I had no idea this encounter would happen. Thanks Paizo. My character's nervous breakdown is all but guaranteed now.

"To hurl the Staglord's corpse into the Shrike River will suffice," the eerie, soggy voice continues. "I shall know... For I am Davik Nettles, and this is... was... my home and my livelihood. He destroyed all, and I cannot, will not, rest until he is in turn laid low."

Lothar, I was impressed when I first read Stolen Lands when it was entered in the ENnies the year I was a judge, and it's grown on me since...

Rhasa slowly rides back to where the others speak to the dead man. "Perhaps we need to visit this Stag Lord sooner rather than later," she whispers to Lothar. Noting the distracted look on his face, she nudges him. "Lothar!" she hisses, "If you plan to be in the Stolen Lands, you need to all be here - body AND mind! Anything less will get someone killed, probably you!"

Beautiful character work, Lothar. Just trying to be your ever-practical friend.

Sorry Lothar but I am too distracted by the spirit to have paid much attention to you IC, but I like your attitude.

Then we have a bargain struck, Mr Nettles that was. We will depose of the body in the river as soon as we find the Staglord and defeat him so you may enter your final rest and be at ease and whole in whatever afterlife you enter.

Well Guardians, do we drop our exploration and search directly for the Staglord or do we continue to explore and tame the Greenlands so nothing comes at us from behind unbeknownst to us. As much as I would like to end teh Staglord's threat right now, I feel that until we have at least protected Oleg's more soundly and explored a vast array of land around him so he is protected, we can not in good conscious abandoned him to his own devices. if some sort of retaliation would happen. Basically continue exploring.

"Thank you..." and the apparition sinks below the waters again.

Kylia's face gave way to Rhasadilara's, her words having brought the magician back to the moment, the here and now where he was needed.

She's right. If I don't get it together, someone will get killed because of me. Lothar looked to his angry, but obviously, concerned partner, took the reins of his mule in both hands and performed namaste from where he sat while silently mouthing "thank you." The magician then turned back to the others and listened to what their leader had to say. After giving it some thought, Lothar spoke:

I too would love nothing more than to go after the Staglord, but Gorguk is right. We need to ensure that Oleg and his wife are safe before we deal with the bandits and their leader.

Relief is evident on the elf's face as the magician's eyes shift and focus on her face. Reaching out to squeeze his shoulder, she adds to the conversation, "I will lead in whatever direction the Guardians ask. We already knew the Stag Lord required our attention, nothing has changed on that account."

Further exploration is fine here, too.

As the apparition disappears beneath the surface of the water, a troubling thought dawns on Gorguk. Cal, there is nothing wrong or evil in consorting with the undead is there? I mean if we can appease the spirit in a good way, that does not invalidate the whole and leads to evil itself does it? Gorguk willl try a quick detect evil on the spirit just so he knows.

Onward to G3 then.

"Calmly Gorguk, had tha spirit been one you knew such as Oleg, this man you would have liked, tis not himself tha causes tha evil tis tha staglord. Imagine we ken not take tha energy from this place an even were we to win tha spirit might still rise."

Davik Nettles has gone now, but the river at least appears not to be evil, Gorguk.

"Gorguk, I think no harm will come of this conversation. As Rhasadilara has said, this knowledge changes nothing of what we had already planned, other then what we may do with the Staglord in the end. Our objective is still the same, rid the land of the Staglord and his gang, thereby bringing peace to the area and an opportunity for others to make this place their home."

Thank you Barnabus and Cal for your kind words. I hope that they prove true. Someday, we will have righted the wrongs that the Staglord made and bring peace to this area, but at what cost to ourselves and others in the meantime. Just when we make progress in 1 avenue, another opens up that we have to deal with. I am not discouraged that we will succeed, I just never realized the enormity of the situation.

You can see gorguk roll his shoulders and shake his head as if to throw off some invisible weight. Finally, he relaxes and you can see the fire in his eyes again. Come, let us leave this dismal place and carry on. Let us not return here till we have accomplished our mission and able to bring peace to Nettles. Onward for the glory of the Guardians and the vanquishing of those who stand in our way.

Having looked at Calinder's list of things we need to do, it looks like we can knock off two of those items: finding Svetlana's ring and the Sootscales. However, that still leaves us with three other things (not counting defeating the Stag Lord), which are:

* Get Tuskgutter for Vekkel
* Collect fangberries for Bokken, and
* Bring Oleg a tatzlwyrm head as a trophy to decorate the place.

Of course, this assumes that we don't get hit with other jobs once we get back to Oleg's.

So my question is, which one do we first?

I think it was discussed (maybe in the discussion thread) that we would explore a bit, then hunt down old Tuskgutter before heading to Oleg's.

"Yes Gorguk, as one path is selected and conquered, many other paths come into view. There are a whole vista of choices before us everyday. The advantage that we have is that none of us are acting and choosing alone."

"Although it seems that you have taken or been placed in the role of leader for the Guardians, you do not need to carry the load of decision maker alone. You have companions with you that can help and council you in what is the best course."

"And if we should take the wrong course, or make the wrong choice, then we do it together. Although I do not believe at this time that it would ever happen."

"For now let us be on our way and see what else this land has in store for us."

Calinder then prods his horse on in the direction that the group was heading, a smile on his face now that the shade of Nettles is gone and they are left to travel under the bright sunshine.

"Forwards, we ride!"

By the end of the day, you have finished exploring this hex, finding excellent pasture and several brace of rabbits, but nothing else of note.

While dinner was being prepared, Lothar decided that he was long overdue for some sparring. He assumed his stance, one leg placed in front of his body with the foot of that leading leg facing straight toward his invisible opponent and the heel of that foot slightly raised off the ground. Lothar's other leg was placed behind with the foot of the rear leg, facing at approximately 45 degrees away from the leading foot. The rest of the body was also turned at a 45 degree angle in sync with the rear foot. He raised his shoulders and lifted his forearms so that they were in front of his face, with the magician holding his hands in an open position, as was his preference.

The words of his teacher came back to him as he stood there at the ready. A side on stance is of great benefit to a fighter than a frontal stance. The frontal stance exposes most of the body's vital areas. In contrast, the side on stance minimizes those same areas. But Lothar also knew that this very stance made it difficult to effectively deliver the most powerful attacks of his technique. Which was why it became essential to be able to generate power by twisting his hips and turning his waist in the execution of each technique to assure that maximum power was being generated. Sufficient bone strength, endurance, and stamina must be maintained to be a proficient fighter in the science of musti yuddha.

Lothar began to bounce his leading leg up and down. This particular footwork was key to his being able to execute a push, straight, or thrust kick at any given moment. It also kept him balanced by preventing him from crossing his legs while fighting. He started by moving his rear leg straight behind, with Lothar's lead leg following it while maintaining his basic fighting stance. The magician threw a couple of jabs with his lead hand. This was done usually to test the opponent's range and keep him at bay. He then moved his lead leg straight ahead, rear leg coming after. The next strike thrown was a straight punch, extended directly forward toward the target, the fist palm down, aimed at the chin, with his ensuing strike an uppercut as Lothar closed the distance to his 'opponent.' The magician then threw an elbow in a hooking overhand motion.

Again, his teacher's words came back to him Musti yuddha is the science of fighting where the elbows, feet, fists, and knees are used to pummel the opponent. The fists and feet are used for long-range combat while the elbows and knees are used for short-range combat. With that thought in mind, Lothar brought up both of his hands to perform a clinch and, while standing on his toes with a straight leg, thrust a knee into the stomach area, powerful and sharp. Those uninitiated to the science would question such a move, especially when the hands could be used to inflict damage to that particular area with greater ease. But Lothar knew that one's hands were not as effective the knees in generating damaging power.

He continued in this vein, alternating his punches and knee strikes with kicks and elbows until Lothar was covered head to toe in sweat, his breathing labored. As a musti yuddha stylist, the magician had conditioned his body until it had become strong enough to withstand the force of the blows. But unlike other others trained in this particular method, his conditioning had come at an age that was later than the generally accepted one. Usually that type of conditioning was done while the bone structure was still in development, making it easier to strengthen the forearm and shin bones by accumulating a high degree of callus, thereby turning them into versatile blocking implements. Lothar, however, began his training at an older age, making such conditioning more difficult to undergo.

But he endured the pain, persevered through the training to become the highly efficient fighter that he was today. And if Lothar could make it through that, then he could make it through anything that came his way. However, his age would continue to be a limiting factor. He would eventually develop back problems because of the constant backward and forward bending movement of the back during technique execution. Joint problems such as 'arthritis' could occur due to the accumulation of too much callus upon the bones, but that was not too big of a worry as his bones had already hit their peak. Neck problems, however, were also a possibility due to the constant bending and clinching the head and neck and also the pulling of the head forward towards the chest which was done to keep the chin protected from attacks.

These were problems that he would have to look forward to, in time. Although the length of time needed for a person to acquire the self-defense capabilities of musti yuddha remained far less than in most other martial art styles, its usefulness was only short-term due to its undue dependence upon the body's limited physical strength. But that was true only if he were to continue using this science. Which meant that at some point in the near future, Lothar would have to begin developing his own martial art technique to ensure his own continued physical well being.

Having scouted the area in all directions, looking for the best approaches for a potential threat, Rhasa returns to the camp on Sunset to see Lothar going through his meditation-fighting.

She ground-pickets the horse and sits on the ground, observing the technique. If I have some idea of the flow of his movements, I can anticipate and put an arrow through where his arm was a moment before. It would be very effective, especially with Gorguk and that slicer of his alongside.

Later, over dinner, she shares her thoughts on the terrain with the rest of the group, pointing out the areas where someone might try to sneak up on the camp. "I don't know that anyone is following us, but I feel one of these days the Stag Lord will hear of us and his men will come calling. I intend for us to be ready."

Barnabus watches the antics of Lothar, watching the physical alignments, and contortions that happen. If only he knew the contortions required within to harness the magic and hexes of witch-craft. The similarities and the differences.

1 more hex down, many more to go...

As the nightly rituals take place, Gorguk watches each member of his* team and studies them anew as if he has never studied them before. Without conscious effort he analyses each one, manipulating them in different situations, trying to figure out how to use each one the best for their individual talents. He understands from previous dialogues some of the passions and temperment that each one possesses. However, he still tries to fine tune the overall makeup of the Guardians. This becomes a nightly ritual for him as he tries to be more perceptive about what makes other tick and what drives certain people to behave in certain situations. Only by being a good judge of character and learning this craft now can prepare him for when it is time to deal diplomatically with others like Chief Sootscales.

*his team by no means assumes ownership in that he controls each one of you. Rather 'his team' in Gorguk's eyes is an ownership of responsibility with which he has been entrusted by all of you. He does not want to let down any member of the group by his own failure to lead properly or failure to accept responsibility for what may happen.

After assisting in getting camp settled, Calinder finds a quite spot to sit and study. For a moment he watches Lothar as he practices his fighting technique.

When Rhasadilara returns from scouting the area, he listens carefully to her report, keeping this information in mind for when it is his turn to watch tonight.

He then finally opens the journal of Tartuk and begins again t study this new language in an effort to one day know it well enough to speak and write it.

Lothat at play (OK, no nice building out here, but you get the idea!)

Dyfrig is busy with some of those plump rabbits, delicious smells soon waft through your campsite. Rhasa' makes her circuit, finding a good vantage point up a tree from which she can survey the surrounding area - mostly rolling plains with a few clumps of trees and the odd bush.

Calinder settles down with Tartuk's journal. Mikmek joins him and starts pointing out words in undercommon. He then draws in the dirt, showing Cal how the sentence structure works. The section being studied tells of how Tartuk had infiltrated a kobold tribe to the south-east of here, about a month's hard travel away, called the Uraks, and had led them on a series of disasterous raids against a logging village - mixed human and dwarf population - who had eventually mounted an expedition to wipe the kobolds out. Tartuk had cut and run, but most of the tribe perished in a mightly conflagration, trapped in their lair as the dwarves stuffed burning straw into every exit...

Barnabus and Gorguk both spend the evening watching their colleagues, and thinking their thoughts.

As night falls, a steady drizzle begins, and you all hunker down for a damp night.

Barnabus note the drizzle and assumes it interupts Calendar and Mikmeks reading for the evening.

"We have been very fortunate in the past though a deep forboding builds within me of when and where this tale ends. Perhaps like Tartuk our adventure should be chronicled in some way. I know the treaty will find it's way to Oleg's and the word will spread to the hunters and trappers that the kobolds shall be bothered no longer."

After talking so much Barnabus then falls silent and stares into the fire.......

In time Barnabus, the bards will clamor and compete for the rights to tell our tale. Just give it time my friend, give it time.

In the morning Gorguk readies Durok, Ready when you are Rhasa. If you would please lead the way Northeast. G3 I think. Of course, Gorguk is pointing due South right now.

Calinder discusses the undercommon language and the contents of the journal with Mikmek until the rain begins. At that point, he carefully stows the journal and prepares to rest for the night.

As he and Mikmek finish for the evening, Calinder says, "Just read about another kobold tribe that was wiped out because Tartuk convinced them to attack a settlement. The human and dwarf inhabitants fought back and decimated the kobolds while Tartuk slipped away. It's so disappointing that someone would act in such a way. To bring great harm to others on purpose ... I cannot fathom what their motivations for such actions would be."

In the morning after his meditation and breakfast, Calinder readies to leave as they explore onward.

By morning the rain has stopped although it is cloudy and overcast. Dyfrig is muttering that the Sootscales had all his bacon, but manages a tasty breakfast of ham and scrambled egg all the same.

"Tha is tha spirit Dyfrig, hold out on em, tells em yer out o bacon, but don't mention tha ham. Well done!"

Rhasa smiles and pats the talented cook on the back. "There are few things harder than satisfying diverse tastes while cooking at a different campfire every night, yet you do it again and again. You are a marvel, my friend, and I hope you realize how much we appreciate you."

After her unusually wordy 'outburst', she is quiet most of the day, gently coaxing Gorguk around to the correct compass direction and leading the party onward.

Sorry for the delay on the map, I've gotten very little computer time lately - what hexes do I need to mark as explored, again, just so I have them all correct?

F5 was the sycamore, F6 kobolds, G5 is Nettles, and we are on the way to G3. I think all of these count as explored, but Megan will verify that.

Thanks for the help Rhasa. I guess I am not much of a leader out here in the wilderness. If it wasn't for you I would be in Cheliax or Taldo probably by now.

During the day Gorguk will try and pay attention to the direction they are going, but invariaby gets direction turned every time the group stops to mark on Cal's map.

Calinder rides along throughout the day, not liking the overcast weather as much as he would a sunny day. He is greatly anticipating the time when they will stop to camp for the evening, so that he can continue studying Tartuk's journal.

Gorguk has the right of it as far as where you have been...

You ride on under gloomy skies, noting that the lush grassland has been replaced by more scrubby terrain - perhaps more suited to sheep or goats, if you were considering using it for grazing. This area is flat and featureless, and you may consider G3 mapped by nightfall with nothing of note therein.

Alright we have the NE corner done and we have only lost 1 member of the party. Not the best odds but it was early in our careers. I think now E5 and then D5 to explore if that works for everyone.

I'll lead the way, just tell me which direction to go! I'll work on updating the map, hopefully tonight.

I'll lead the way, just tell me which direction to go! I'll work on updating the map, hopefully tonight.

I dont think you want to take directions from Gorguk :P

I'd hazard a guess that Gorguk is better at where he's been than where he wants to go. I'll have to find a talented dwarf inventor to make him a compass!

"I jus assumed Gorguk turns round tah see if were bein followed not because he's lost."

Rhasa' has kindly supplied me with an updated map. Note that F6 is only partially-explored, although you (of course) know where the Sootscales are.

Where next? (You are in G3 at the moment, having just completed mapping it.)

"Gorguk, it seems to me that you are doing a fine job of leading the party. Just remember to let Erastil be your guide and all will be well."

"Your suggestion to head northwest towards the forest again is as good a choice as any."

Heading to E5 and D5 sounds good to me.

Are you joining in on the direction turned Cal. I think that E5 and D5 are Southwest of our current position, not Northwest :P

Gorguk is ready to rock-and-roll in the morning after saying thanks to Erastil for another blessed sleep. Please lead the way Rhasa and don't let me detract from your skills.

Gorguk will have his bow out and attempt to bring down some game to fortify our provisions while we travel through to E5.

Survival 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7
Or maybe not.

Are you joining in on the direction turned Cal. I think that E5 and D5 are Southwest of our current position, not Northwest :P

Oh, I was so tempted to say something when I saw Cal's post!!

Rhasa's plan is to travel southwest through F4 and F5 before turning due west to explore E5 and move on into the trees D5.

She will attempt to teach Gorguk some of the finer points of the hunt that he might have missed in his training.

Survival 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Show off But Gorguk says it with a smile as he knows that everyone has been blessed by Erastil with different abilities. Rhasa's is out in the wilderness. Gorguk's is facing a room of kobolds... or being eaten alive by a tick...about equal I think to Rhasa.

Sounds like a good plan Rhasa, will follow.

As you have already mapped F4 & F5, you may travel through them fairly quickly - practising your hunting as you go, if you wish.

Near the border between F4 and F5, you come across a small herd of shaggy wild cattle. Dyfrig allows that the young 'uns make good eating, although they tend to be tough when older.

Rhasa' - if you wish you may apply that survival roll here, and have steak for supper.

She's not going to harvest more food than the party needs, but if our stores are low, she would be more than happy to augment them. Otherwise, she'll note the herd's location and press on.

What does everyone else think?

Yes, lost track of where we currently ended. Thought we were still near Nettle's Crossing. Oh well, won't be the last time I goof I'm sure.

"Sorry my thoughts have been so much on learning to translate this journal, I haven't been paying very good attention to our journey. I will strive to keep a better watch of where we are in the future."

"I have enjoyed the ride, this area might make for fine communities one day when tha threats to peace have ended."