Of Kings and Commoners - Kingmaker AP

Game Master RPGGGM

Most of the rest of the day is spent surveying the accessible remainder of the area, and moving away from the bridge (I assume), and eventually making camp. More of an update later.

Aaaand I'm back, right during an intermission. Still wanted to get a post in :P

Ever since what happened at the bandit camp, Alia had been pondering and brooding. If the Stag Lord seized power in the area, that would vastly complicate her mission, considering his minions were responsible for the demise of half her original group.
He would need to be stopped, but how...by the looks of it, the man was amassing an army.
Guerilla tactics might work to diminish their numbers, but not cut off the head...lost in thought, petting Vega while riding, Alia paid little attention to the exchange at the river. When the group suddenly changes course, she focuses to snap out of it.
Here and now, girl. You got centuries. The stag lord is but a human, he'll be long dead before you're 200...there is no hurry...

Aaaand I'm back, right during an intermission. Still wanted to get a post in :P

Ever since what happened at the bandit camp, Alia had been pondering and brooding. If the Stag Lord seized power in the area, that would vastly complicate her mission, considering his minions were responsible for the demise of half her original group.
He would need to be stopped, but how...by the looks of it, the man was amassing an army.
Guerilla tactics might work to diminish their numbers, but not cut off the head...lost in thought, petting Vega while riding, Alia paid little attention to the exchange at the river. When the group suddenly changes course, she focuses to snap out of it.
Here and now, girl. You got centuries. The stag lord is but a human, he'll be long dead before you're 200...there is no hurry...

I just have this image of Alia sitting on a desk chair with a fluffy white cat on her lap that she pets with a diamond collar. "Ah, Mr. Underhill. We meet at last!"

"I suppose this Davik must have been one of the Stag Lord's many victims. By drowning perhaps? A soggy creature like that will probably be resistant to fire."

Numalar looks around.

"I suppose we don't have to deal with the Stag Lord immediately... a creature like that can wait. Can do nothing but wait, probably. So I suggest we return to our course for now."

Continuing on the night passes without incident, and by mid-morning the party is looking a cross a craggy Kameland's plain with one lone tree at its heart. A gnarled sycamore whose age and size are masked by distance the lack of another monument to compare it to.

Up close it is huge, graying and nearly dead with only a few shoots clinging to its far extremities. Its exposed roots tumble out from its base in all directions like desperate hands searching for purchase in the earth while its branches make the wind whistle.

By your map this is clearly the old sycamore that the Sootscale kobold scouts mentioned as being the hideout of their enemies--the blue meanies. See Quests on the Campaign Info page: The Sacred Statue.

Clouds rush by overhead in a long train back to the horizon.

What would you like to do?

Map updated.

Celyne will circumnavigate the tree with Luna, looking for a place such creatures might nest.

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

"Wow. Would you look at that..." Scarlet looks at the tree.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

"It's kinda... beautiful." She is lost in thought. "Hey! Weren't we supposed to find a statue or somethin'?"

Alia is awed by the ancient giant of a tree: "It...looks like the Deku Tree, back home in Kokiri Fore-...nevermind that.", she suddenly cuts herself off.
When Scarlet remembers the statue, Alia agrees: "Yes, there was something about blue meanies, too...Faeria told us, didn't she? We should get closer to it - I think it is ill and needs our help! Something is poisoning this majestic old tree...and whichever clan of creatures made their nest around here is probably to blame!", Alia rides towards it while talking, only stopping when she realizes that Celyne and Luna had started pacing around the Sycamore.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Zokon will range around looking for clues at what goes on around the tree

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

and then try to tie this together with where a lair might be

During his rangering "I'm trying to find the lair, it's probably a cave or something ..."

"Well there's nothing up in the branches indicating a nest of any kind... but there's obviously been some fighting here... there's dead kobold bodies here on the ground." Following Zokon's guidance, Celyne turns her attention to the ground among the tree roots and circumnavigates the tree again.

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

Zokon will range around looking for clues at what goes on around the tree

and then try to tie this together with where a lair might be

During his rangering "I'm trying to find the lair, it's probably a cave or something ..."

Ha! Sometimes you slay me!

Up in the snarl of roots thicker than a troll's leg Celyne spies a depression covered with last fall's dead leaves and caterpillar silk. There is a bit thick rope done up like a noose resting amid the pile. With a jerk, the rope, the pile and the barrel lid it all was attached to, and resting on comes free revealing a deep hole lined with roots.

The hole is 5 foot in diameter led down into darkness.

"Deku? What's that, Alia? Next you'll tell me elves are just pointy-eared humans who are magically adept!" Scarlet laughs.

"Yup, that's a lair alright." Scarlet readies her weapons. "Zokon, you have another sunrod, or do you need one of my torches?"

Numalar looks down at the hole.

"Hmmm... a hole made of packed earth. Sounds wonderful. Still, it will be better than that sewer."

Can medium creatures fit? Or is it sized for small creatures?

Numalar looks down at the hole.

"Hmmm... a hole made of packed earth. Sounds wonderful. Still, it will be better than that sewer."

Can medium creatures fit? Or is it sized for small creatures?

Numalar's keen (darkvision-blessed) eyes pick out the bottom the hole, 10 feet down. It seems to widen a bit at the bottom width-wise, but how high the ceiling is around the hole itself (a 5'-diameter chimney) is a mystery, best solved by going down and taking a look around.

Because of all of the roots running along the surface of the chimney's walls the Climb DC is 5. The floor beneath seems to be hard, packed earth.

Standard marching order? Taking your pets? Light source? Stealth? Or guns blazing? Inquiring GMs want to know.

Zokon looks through his gear and grabs his flint and tinder but finding no torches

"I'll take a torch please Scarlet, i'll probably not be able to use my bow, so i'll be a bit second fiddle, probably be have to throw darts
or use a sword."

Next he looks at his weapons and appears a bit contemplative

"Numalar and Alia can you go over that gear we got from the bandits and see if it is useful?"

Loot post

@Loot: Leaving that to Numalar - I don't have Detect Magic prepared any more, as I got a Wand of it for Emergencies, to free up a Cantrip Slot. I can use a day of Travel downtime to look over it, certainly, preparing it instead of Light/Ray of Frost, but regulary, I'm leaving that to Num since he also registers it.

Alia sighs as the underground entrance is discovered: the roots. Always the roots...always underground. Just like drow. Can't everything underground simply die? Well, maybe not Dwarves, they can be ok. But anything dwelling in places where it avoids the sun is suspect....lost in her inner monologue, Alia misses Scarletts comment about Deku Trees and Elves, but does snap back in time to hear Zokon speak. Alia approaches, then casts light on his finger tab:"Can't have an archer holding a torch if we need arrows, now can we?"
That done, she looks at Scarlet:"You wanna go in front? I think you'll see better than me, down there...or...should we knock, shout in and see what happens?", she asks with a side glance at the others. They acted friendly with Fey, as well...and almost got eaten by a demonic bear for that - it was still hard to gauge how they would react in such situations.

Also, no Rapier for me. I'm locked into my Estoc. Luckily, since it's piercing, I have no need to make swings taking much room

Celyne will shudder at the idea of going underground again, but instruct Luna to guard the entrance/exit til she returns.

handle animal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Apparently, Luna understands her easily and settles in to guard the hole.

"Makes sense. I'll hold the torch, get the baddies' attention, hehe." Scarlet sheathes her swords before climbing down.

Once underground, Scarlet takes a quick look around before lighting a torch. Once it's lit she'll unsheathe her longsword.
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Map updated

Scarlet drops nimbly down into the cave only to realize that she is still looking at the rough walls of the hole. The ceiling of the cave beyond seems to vary between 4 and 5 feet from the floor. The cave for which there is no map has two distinct branches, east and west. The tunnels slowly dip beneath the view of your current location. Roots run everywhere, and seem to be the only thing holding up the damp earthen walls, and ceiling. To the east you hear the dripping of water from the ceiling, to the west you hear the banging of metal and another stranger sound.

While standing in the space under the hole in the ceiling you are not squeezed (so long as you are medium-size or smaller that is).

Conditions Medium and larger creatures are squeezed in areas beyond what is noted.

Scarlet listens keenly, then motions the two paths to her friends.

"I think the little guys are in the west, and water's flowin' in the east. It's pretty small down there, but Posh and Numalar should be ok. Let's stay quiet!"

Scarlet switches to her short sword (easier to swing in tiny passages) and

Whether Numalar brings along Sir Didymus will depend on whether squeezing rules apply to Sir Didymus (and when Numalar is mounted on him). If yes, he will leave Sir Didymus behind with Naleksa.

"All right, let's have a look. I'm no stranger to the underground. I just hope there's no iron maidens this time."

Numalar enters the hole with the others.

Whether Numalar brings along Sir Didymus will depend on whether squeezing rules apply to Sir Didymus (and when Numalar is mounted on him). If yes, he will leave Sir Didymus behind with Naleksa.

"All right, let's have a look. I'm no stranger to the underground. I just hope there's no iron maidens this time."

Numalar enters the hole with the others.

Being medium-sized Didymus would be effected if only because he couldn't bound about as he would want to do in a fight. Numalar would not fit on the dog's back riding through such a cave. In fact, Numalar cannot wear his hat down here without scraping it at points.

In fact, Numalar cannot wear his hat down here without scraping it at points.

Guys, maybe we should skip this one. My hat is going to get dirty. :)

Sir Didymus can stay behind then.

That's what Prestidigitation is for...but maybe we should use reduce person on Numalar, just in case...we did have a scroll, right?

Alia remains behind Scarlet. Unless there were long, straight tunnels, some light would allow her to see just as far as her friend. As such, she briefly considered bringing up the rear, but decided to stay near the frontlines in the end. If there were any problems with underground-dwelling creatures, the person she wanted to be near to was her bodyguard...

Zokon will go third

Darts on his bandoleer ..bow on his back.. just in case he can find a place to use it.

Buckler and mace out for the moment

"Gah! this is going to be interesting."

Which way, east or west?

Scarlet points east and prepares to crawl down the tunnel. Everyone but Numalar and Posh are disadvantaged here. Feels kinda cozy, frankly...

As there is no map for the narrow tunnel you are in, we will have to pretend--I know right, pretending in a modern RPG game. What's Paizo thinking? That we're all back in the 70's when people needed imagination (and looking at the 70's as whole I guess they may have a point--but still). The tunnel is on average 5-feet wide and about 4- to 5-feet tall and follows the line made by the party. The tunnel slopes rapidly down into the room so its impossible to see anything in the cave beyond without being prone in the spaces Scarlet and Alia are standing on now. It's completely impossible for Zokon (or anyone behind him) to see anything except the tunnel ceiling dipping down in front of him.

The slopes here are bad enough that folks need to 'climb' them (DC 5, and all the 1/4 move stuff normal to climbing. This supersedes the slowed movement due to being squeezed). Falling here just means hitting a root, or loose bit of scree, and sliding, or falling prone. This is pretty common throughout this "dungeon" so that bear in mind whenever you see clumps of gradient lines on the map.

There's more strange giggling, and clattering ahead, but it suddenly stops as Scarlet begins down the slope.

Conditions normal light within 20 feet of Zokon's torch, dim light 20 feet out from that, darkness otherwise. Note: torches last for 1 hour.

Medium creatures are squeezed for space.

Round 1
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Numalar
__ 3 Blue Meanies(?)
__ Scarlet
__ Zokon
__ Alia
__ Posh
__ Celyne

Map updated.

Hey, I have knowledge nature!
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Scarlet's Scarab Sense tingles.

Uhoh- did they see me? Did they hear me? These mites are nuts. Nice digging, though.

KN Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Alia knows EXACTLY what those buggers are!

Before we go in I want to cast message on everyone. From now on this should be SOP if we were going somewhere that looks dangerous. Just as Alia always has her prestidigitation going without specifying each time. I forgot to specify for the last encounter so I just went with it, but this is the whole point of the spell.

I assume that Numalar cannot see the blue meanines from where he is yet.

Numalar edges forward behind Zokon, but senses Scarlet hesitate in front.

"What's going on?" Numalar whispers. "Do you see something??"

Numalar will delay until he can see something or the path before him opens up.

Conditions normal light within 20 feet of Zokon's torch, dim light 20 feet out from that, darkness otherwise. Note: torches last for 1 hour.

Medium creatures are squeezed for space.

Round 1
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Numalar delayed
__ 3 Blue Meanies readied
__ Scarlet
__ Zokon
__ Alia
__ Posh
__ Celyne

Unless someone says they're charging or something, Posh isn't going to take any actions.

I can't see anything.. Alia is in front of me... what's happening Alia?

Zokon is all squeezed up.

"Mites. 3 of 'em. I'm pretty sure they saw us. I'm going in, making some room."

Scarlet makes her way into the room proper, glad to stretch her legs. Well, I'm holding the torch, no point in acting like they didn't see me. I know, I'll scare 'em!!

Scarlet crawls out of the tunnel entrance, landing in front of the active Red-clad mite. She towers over him. "Nice tunnel you've got here. It would be a real shame if something happened to it... Where's the statue? SPEAK UP!"

Intimidate, I'm Bigger!: 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 4 = 25

Alia speaks up, just as Scarlet starts to advance forward:"What Scarlet says. They are Fey, so it should go without saying...if they insist on a fight, use Cold Iron if you have it.", then follows her.
The creatures knew they were here, but just maybe, this could be solved amiably.
Climb: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 I only ALMOST can't fail that check...so making it - double move at 1/4th speed should be 60/4=15 or 1 diagonal+2 sideway, which is where I placed myself. If I am in Error, please adjust as needed.

Posh will begin up a little song, one from Eseme's homeland of honor in freedom from the evils of the land.

perform Sing for inspire courage. +1 attack, damage and saves vs fear for all

Zokon moves forward, puts the mace away as he is doing so and draws a cold iron dart

He cannot fail a climb check so he slides down to behind Alia.. ready to throw next round

"Mites. 3 of 'em. I'm pretty sure they saw us. I'm going in, making some room."

Scarlet makes her way into the room proper, glad to stretch her legs. Well, I'm holding the torch, no point in acting like they didn't see me. I know, I'll scare 'em!!

Alright hold up. How are you descending with your hands full (torch and sword, right)? Is this some weird ifrit/bloodrager thing I don't know about, like how vishkanya have prehensile ears? Well, that's what I heard anyway.

Moving while climbing requires two hands regardless of the DC (if only in this case to steady/brace yourself between the sloping floor and sloping ceiling). It is an acrobatics check (DC 15) to jump down the hole and not land on your butt (no damage, the fall is only about 5 feet).

Don't stretch your legs too far, the ceiling is still low in here. Imagine being tall in someone's low-hung basement, the kind where you are always hitting your head on the covered duct-work.

Oh, I need my hands free. Uh, can I just drop down?

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

"Ooof!" Scarlet lands on her butt, prone. "Nice packed soil, at least."

She tries to stand up. Provoking, but at least it's from one mite instead of 2. "Really comfy in here."

Yeah, it's climb or jump.

The slopes here are bad enough that folks need to 'climb' them (DC 5, and all the 1/4 move stuff normal to climbing. This supersedes the slowed movement due to being squeezed). Falling here just means hitting a root, or loose bit of scree, and sliding, or falling prone. This is pretty common throughout this "dungeon" so that bear in mind whenever you see clumps of gradient lines on the map.

Conditions normal light within 20 feet of Scarlet's torch, dim light 20 feet out from that, darkness otherwise. Note: torches last for 1 hour.

Medium creatures are squeezed for space.

Readied actions:

As Scarlet is beginning down the embankment the two the little buggers (red and orange) pull slingshots, and fire caltrops at her perhaps contributing to her fall. The last (yellow) pulls a big kitchen knife ground down to a fine, sharp point, and lunges forward giggling.

Orange slingshot caltrop: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20 damage: 1 = 1 Ooo! Right between the eyes!

Red slingshot caltrop: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 damage: 1 = 1

Yellow sharp little knife: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19 damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

The little guy with the knife stabs madly (almost blindly) at Scarlet. While the other two begin their mad little chant again. It's like being attacked by toddler sociopaths (okay, that's redundant) with dangerous weapons.

sharp little knife (AoO, v prone): 1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 4 = 17 damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Round 1
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Numalar delayed
__ 3 Mites
__ Scarlet -5 hp, prone
__ Zokon climbing empty-handed or jumping?
__ Alia climbing empty-handed or jumping?
__ Posh
__ Celyne

I assume I stood up? He took the AoO but it says I'm still prone.

ACro fall: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

I assume I stood up? He took the AoO but it says I'm still prone.

My bad. Scarlet is up.

Round 1
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Numalar delayed
__ 3 Mites
__ Scarlet -5 hp
__ Zokon
__ Alia climbing empty-handed or jumping?
__ Posh
__ Celyne

Already declared my action to start up a bardic performance as they're attacking

With Zokon and the others having moved ahead, Numalar tries to navigate the slope. His fingers grow into talons as he clutches the roots and earth. He gradually makes his way down towards the others.

Would growing claws make the climb check easier? I'm doing that in case it helps.

Climb DC 5: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (16) - 2 = 14

IF I am at 1/4 move then a double move puts me 10' ahead. I'm guessing maybe I can see a little bit of what's in the room at this point?

Knowledge: Nature: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

"Macrathane's Codpiece, just what we need - mites. They're fey... they live in darkness, and don't care for bright lights."

Conditions normal light within 20 feet of Scarlet's torch, dim light 20 feet out from that, darkness otherwise. Note: torches last for 1 hour.

Medium creatures are squeezed for space.

Inspired +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.

Round 1
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ 3 Mites
__ Scarlet -5 hp
__ Zokon
__ Alia climbing empty-handed or jumping?
__ Numalar
__ Posh
__ Celyne