Of Kings and Commoners - Kingmaker AP

Game Master RPGGGM

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

[dice=init]1d20+1

Actually, I'm sorta waitin' on Numalar however I would be interested in finding out what you, Cyrielle and Posh up to while Z and N are out scouting.

Tactical Map Updated.

After crossing a narrow stream just above a small waterfall, Zokon and Numalar round a bush and run smack into a pair of men carrying an arm full of branches a piece.

Initiatives please. Everyone was being so gosh darn stealthy nobody noticed anyone until now.

Ooh! A fray!

Looks like Zokon goes before me. Do either of these guys look like Byron?

Ooh! A fray!

...
Looks like Zokon goes before me. Do either of these guys look like Byron?

A-fray-ed knot, one is a sour-looking, thin guy and the other a short, dopey-looking, fat guy, neither have the 'Benzen-look'--blonde hair and slightly horsey face.

Wilbur (the dumpy one) steps up and says: "Hold these, will ya?"
He tosses the jumble of sticks at Zokon.

Dirty Trick (entangle) vs CMD (flat-footed) 14: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

"CHICK! Oooh, CHIIICK!" He desperately calls in a panic seeing the twigs hit Zokon square in the chest and then fall useless to the ground.

Only the bold may proceed!
Wilbur
Zokon
Numalar
'Chick'

Zokon draws his sap, moves up to Wilbur and attempts to cosh him

sap: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 161d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

You crown him good, but it just seems to increase his volume.

Only the bold may proceed!
Wilbur -5hp
Zokon
Numalar
'Chick'

Wilbur -5hp

Zokon
Numalar
'Chick'

"Surrender now and save your lives!" Numalar growls. His eyes flash and he makes a gesture at 'Chick', and his fingers stretch into talons.

You'd almost think I don't want them to surrender. :) Casting daze at 'Chick' who has not yet acted (Will DC 15 or dazed for 1 round). Then, free action to deploy claws.

If daze works:
Numalar circles around under the tree, his eyes fixed on 'Wilbur'. He steps up, holding his clawed right hand in front of him as if preparing to rake Wilbur's kneecaps.
Moving forward two squares, possibly allowing a flank by Zokon later. Wilbur is unarmed so I shouldn't have to worry about attacks of opportunity unless he has improved unarmed strike (hopefully not). I put my figure in this position on the map.

If daze doesn't work:
Numalar steps under the tree, holding his crossbow in his left hand, ready to slash with the claws on his right hand.
Will instead end up two squares north of Zokon. My figure will need to be moved if this is the case.

Either way if I am hit with a weapon I will cast windy escape.

how far back are the rest of us? can we hear what's going on?

how far back are the rest of us? can we hear what's going on?

About 2,400 feet, so probably not (Perception DC 230). All told they've been gone about 10 minutes.

Chick's Will save: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (8) - 1 = 7

"Wilbur! Wilbur! What are yuu...?" Wilbur blanks out for a moment.
Seeing this Wilbur starts to nervously whistle, but he can't quite force the air out the right, and instead just blows raspberries in the wind.

Numalar: just so you know, that is difficult terrain you have stepped into. No effect now, but anything on the map covered by big boulders and/or clumpy foliage is at least difficult to cross through.

PS Both maps in my subhead should function now. One link had been cut short due to character limits within the format.

Zokon uses studied target on Wilbur and tries to hit him again all the while fending off any offense with his buckler

coshing time.. sap: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 91d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Duh. Was my turn wasn't it?

On his turn, Wilbur unsheathes his shortsword from his longsword sheath and wildly jabs at Zokon--
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 or rather where he was. Zokon in turn though cannot get around the sudden flurry of offense to land a blow with his sap.

Folks back with horses, what are you up to?

Round 2 Numalar ('Chick') is next

Numalar eyes Wilbur's sword warily. He steps back into the bush, and makes the same strange gesture again. In a strange, guttural voice he chants, "reH!"

Move action to step 10' back and cast daze again, this time at Wilbur (again, Will DC 15 or dazed for 1 round). Also keeping claws going another round. I will use windy escape if hit by an attack of opportunity.

"If we don't end this soon I am going to have to start hurting them," Numalar shouts. "Everything else I can do is lethal."

Shortsword: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 Triggers windy escape.

In his panic he stabs away at any movement (including the gnome's retreat) and nearly took a bit of Numalar's mustache (and face) with one swipe that the gnome was only able to evade thanks to his magic.

"CHICK!"

"Wilbur what in all Nine Hells are you on abou--." Chick drops the wood he's carrying, and draws his longsword as he moves forward to help his friend deal with Zokon.

Longsword: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

But Chick only manages to be threatening rather than deadly.

Emboldened by his friend's presence, Wilbur presses their advantage against the slayer.

Shortsword: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Alas (for him), he is only an 'accidental' swordsman at best.

Round #3: Only the bold may proceed!
Wilbur -5hp
Zokon
Numalar
'Chick'

Zokon a bit casually considering he is ducking weaving and dodging at the moment.. asks
"Are you fellows bandits? If not why did you attack?

He keeps fighting while asking though using his sap on Wilbur

Sap: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 211d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

"Yer messin' with the meanest band-" THWAK! *Thud* In the middle of answering your question you clobber him with your sap sending the man to the ground.

Chick looks at Wilbur, out like a light, and back up to you. "Uh oh."

After waiting for a long while... Celyne looks to the others questioningly. "They've been gone a while... should we follow and check up on them or wait a bit longer?" She pets and calms a restive Luna, who obviously likes the 'follow' idea, but she is just a cat and easily bored...

"My Gnomish friend here is a Sorceror and him running out of non-lethal ways to stop you means, he may just revert to burning you... do you wish to surrender?

"My Gnomish friend here is a Sorceror and him running out of non-lethal ways to stop you means, he may just revert to burning you... do you wish to surrender?

Intimidation check please.

After waiting for a long while... Celyne looks to the others questioningly. "They've been gone a while... should we follow and check up on them or wait a bit longer?" She pets and calms a restive Luna, who obviously likes the 'follow' idea, but she is just a cat and easily bored...

Survival checks please.

I have bluff ...Intimidation.. not so much..

Intimidation: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Funny, given those eyebrows. >:[

"I give!" The man's sword tumbles to the ground.

survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

You pick up their tracks quite easily.

After waiting for a long while... Celyne looks to the others questioningly. "They've been gone a while... should we follow and check up on them or wait a bit longer?" She pets and calms a restive Luna, who obviously likes the 'follow' idea, but she is just a cat and easily bored...

"This seemed like a bad idea..." Posh says as she looks over at Celyne, but then gives a soft smile towards Celyne as he attempts to reassure her. "Don't worry. I'm sure they're alright."

Cyrielle doesn't seem like the waiting type either.
Lighting a fragrant cigar and jamming it between her teeth, Cyrielle, sides from her saddle and says:
"Okay Posh, if you don't mind staying with the horses... alone."

Celyne starts following the footprints and tracks left by the others, though her movement is slowed by the effort of doing so. "Come on Posh, don't stay behind, let's all go together. Safety in numbers and all."

She calls Luna to her side, and moves forward with the cat padding along with her.

Zokon searches and disarms both men...

"Now you are going to pickup your friend here and carry him to where I tell you"

Zokon directs him on a path back to the group

Funny, given those eyebrows. >:[

"I give!" The man's sword tumbles to the ground.

Numalar makes a show of retracting his claws after 'Chick' surrenders. "Wise move, lad, wise move." He looks over the crumpled form of Wilbur. "We are not bloodthirsty men, but we can only be pushed so far."

Numalar picks up the weapons the two men were carrying. "Any more weapons on you? Don't want you to be tempted to do something foolish, now, do we?" Numalar gives Chick and Wilbur a look over, making sure he has got all the weapons they have.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

When he is satisfied that there will be no surprises, Numalar follows behind Zokon, once again with his crossbow out. "Don't worry, Chick. We are known for our fair treatment of prisoners. Say... how did you end up with a name like 'Chick' anyway?"

Trying to adjust Chick's attitude towards us.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Cyrielle doesn't seem like the waiting type either.

Lighting a fragrant cigar and jamming it between her teeth, Cyrielle, sides from her saddle and says:
"Okay Posh, if you don't mind staying with the horses... alone."

"I...wait you're going?" he asks as he starts to see people leaving.

Celyne starts following the footprints and tracks left by the others, though her movement is slowed by the effort of doing so. "Come on Posh, don't stay behind, let's all go together. Safety in numbers and all."

She calls Luna to her side, and moves forward with the cat padding along with her.

Though it goes against what he was origonally hoping for he nods

"It's short for Chadwick." Chick says bitterly.

Between the two of them you confiscate a longsword, a shortsword, 2 shortbows, 40 arrows, and 20 gp in mixed coin. Both are wearing a patchwork of leather armor.

Chick drags Wilbur very slowly through the forest--5 feet per round on good, level terrain, but not even that fast on rough terrain. Before too long the rest of the party finds you.

"Excellent my friends, It seems we may have found some fellows that are part or know of the local bandits, please someone more skilled than me question them, I shall provide a watch in case someone is coming looking for them"

Zokon takes out his bow and seeks a good watch point

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

"It's short for Chadwick." Chick says bitterly.

"Hmmm... I think I prefer Chadwick. Or perhaps Chad?" Numalar smiles at Chadwick. "I know what it is like when people do not address you properly. No, no, 'Chick' will not do at all. So tell me Chadwick," Numalar continues. "How did you fall in with Wilbur and the others?"

Numalar looks up as the others arrive.

"Ah, here are our friends. Everyone, Meet Chadwick here, and the unconscious one is Wilbur. I see no need to awake Mister Wilbur just yet, though we should tie him up to make sure he is secure. Chadwick is being cooperative."

Chick looks up from lugging his friend. *huff* *puff* *wheeze* "You won't-- you won't get nuthin' outta me. I'm no dire rat."

"You won't-- you won't get nuthin' outta me. I'm no dire rat."

Numalar nods. "Suit yourself, Chadwick. Suit yourself. In many situations your loyalty to Kressle would be admirable." Numalar pauses a moment, staring intently at Chadwick. I bet you didn't expect me to know that name, did you?

Numalar watches for a moment, watching to see if his name dropping has shaken Chick up (and hoping maybe for a circumstance bonus to my bluff?).
Sense Motive (don't know if it's necessary): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Numalar slowly draws the stag lord amulet out from under his tunic. "Do you recognize this? That's right. We serve the Stag Lord. And Kressle has been holding out on him. You didn't know? There are a lot of things the Stag Lord will accept, but cheating him out of his share isn't one of them. So Kressle, along with all those loyal to her, are going to be taught a lesson."

Numalar smiles at Chadwick. "So, Mister Chadwick, it is time for you to decide who you are loyal to; Kressle, or her master the Stag Lord. No, no, think about it. Take your time."

bluff: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Oops, just realized my bluff should be +12, not +11.

Nice move with the Stag Lord bluff..

1d20 - 3 ⇒ (9) - 3 = 6

"Now- now wait-a-minute there, we just joined. We don't know anything about what Kressle's up to." Chick stammers looking in terror at the silver stag icon.

If that's his sense motive I should sell this guys some land in the Hooktongue swamp! GGGM: Let me know if you want more bluff rolls, or you can roll them yourself.

"Now- now wait-a-minute there, we just joined. We don't know anything about what Kressle's up to."

Numalar nods sagely. "By 'we' you mean you and Wilbur here, is that right? Is it just you two or is there anyone else you would vouch for? And are there any of them you think would be willing to die for Kressle? Who do we need to watch out for?"

Numalar listens carefully to Chick's responses. Come on, Chick. Give me some names. How many are there?

"You're actually lucky we found you in advance, before we go after Kressle. From what I hear, she's a real scrapper, and probably would prefer to go out fighting than let the Stag Lord get his hands on her. Not that I blame her, after what the Stag Lord did to Happs." Numalar suppresses a shudder.

"But if the others don't have the sense to surrender like you did, she might end up getting all of them killed. So you are lucky we found you when we did." Numalar smiles, and shrugs.

"The problem is that if Kressle dies without talking, we are going to have to figure out where her stash is. We are all dead meat if the Stag Lord doesn't get it. Happs said she buried it, but he didn't know where. Is there anywhere in the camp she doesn't let anyone else go? Her quarters? Some other place? Well, maybe it would be easier if you just drew a map of the camp for me and show me where Kressle beds down."

Numalar wants intelligence the camp but doesn't want to let on that he has never been there. He will try to seem like he doesn't remember the details, because he hasn't been around in a long time.

"Oh, and one more thing. You were collecting wood for a fire, I presume. How long before you are expected back?"

Um, bump.

Numalar asked them a question boss... when were they expected back

I know. I just want to see who else is out there and what they wanna do. But the story must go on....

Numalar nods sagely. "By 'we' you mean you and Wilbur here, is that right? Is it just you two or is there anyone else you would vouch for? And are there any of them you think would be willing to die for Kressle?"

"Yeah, Wilbur and me just joined up. Well the other guys seem okay. They're not bad guys--well they're bad guys, but you know. Die for? Uh, I don't think any of them would die for anyone else."

"Who do we need to watch out for?"

"Waitaminute, don't you know?"

Suddenly, he buttons up.

Zokon hearing this interjects

"Why would we know? We don't know everything about each group of bandits under the staglords command, we do know that the Stag Lord gave us a job to do and anyone that helps us will be better off in his eyes"

Bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Um, bump.

No one has said if we have found the group or not.

.... Before too long the rest of the party finds you.

You are all together.

Zokon hearing this interjects

"Why would we know? We don't know everything about each group of bandits under the staglords command, we do know that the Stag Lord gave us a job to do and anyone that helps us will be better off in his eyes"

1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9

"Well I guess that makes sense. But honestly, we just joined. why do you think we were the ones getting the wood for the fire?"

"Well I guess that makes sense. But honestly, we just joined. why do you think we were the ones getting the wood for the fire?"

Numalar nods, understanding. "Kressle's band is only one of many scattered around the region. People come and go in all of them. You remember the veterans, but I haven't seen Kressle in more than a year, and I don't know who is with her now. I know how to find her if I have to, but I'd rather she not see me coming."

"Understand, Chadwick: if you help us, the Stag Lord will hear that you remained loyal. He values loyalty very highly; this could be a big opportunity for you."

Numalar hands Chick a small twig and indicates the dirt in front of him. "So... as I said, draw me a map of the camp and show me where Kressle beds down."

If another bluff check is necessary: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29