Of Kings and Commoners - Kingmaker AP

Game Master RPGGGM

Yeah, we have no idea who this kid is. And he's running off... somewhere I can't fit.

True enough, though you were around to meet his rather large family at the Flower Festival, and he does have the distinctive Benzen features. One could assume that you might have learned about the mission there. There's another mission in the offing too, which possibly only Zokon is aware of.

Serena pauses, her guard still up, to see where Zokon and Alia are going.

Well, if memory serves, during the Flower Festival Alia was pre-occupied with testing out her skills in the entertainment business, trying hard not to get jumped by local authority, and attempting to murder, then save a dappled wolf. Her schedule seemed pretty busy, all in all.

That said, I would have attempted murdering the boy, as per the post where I thought they both might provoke from me. Subconsciously she may be aware there was something, but I think it's not prominent in her mind currently and she would not actively act on it. just subconsciously. But I figured I'll let people know about the Benzen Boy regardless.

Other quest? I know of finding the boy, and Zokon is beginning to suspect that he is a bit of an innocent not necessarily that he is the Benzen boy, unless he and his father look very similar, if so it's probably time for Zokon to start saying so as I hadn't thought of the family resemblence as a way to recognise him

If Alia is nearby "That blonde haired boy could be the runaway Benzen boy, we should probably try and subdue him if possible."

Illthir, simply seeing their previous captive running away, rushes back down the stairs (also possibly because I need to get down anyhow!). "Stop right there criminal scum!"

The scum attempts to run past Illthir. AoO!

Erevenywg swings Scarlet's sword around as if fighting a multitude of foes while following Scarlet.

Poshbot's voice can still be heard over the wall. "I'll be right there!"

Victoria attempts to contort herself, and succeeds at reaching her wrist.

And an invisible Alia looks down and sees a tiny furry animal she can shoot!

Inspire Courage +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. Posh began on round 2.

Inspired Rage affected allies gain a +2 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution and a +1 morale bonus on Will saving throws, but also take a –1 penalty to AC. Illthir began on round 4.

Round 10! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Alia vanished!
__ Zokon
__ Serena[/b] -2 hp
__ Durgan barkskin, shield of faith, et. al.
__ Scarlet shield, big -10 hp (possible actions remaining, see below)
__ Posh
__ Illthir
__ Victoria/Arris
__ Erevenywg
__ Blonde bandit -7 hp

Maps (UPPER FLOOR, and GROUND FLOOR) updated.

Durgan casts Invisibility Purge from the scroll, then picks up his axe and takes a 5' step.

"That's the kid?" Scarlet thinks aloud. She moves forward, drawing her light hammer and continues squeezing.

Then she sees the horses. "I'm gonna get to the gate, either way. I need some room!"

Scarlet tries to tumble past the horses I assume she needs an Acrobatics check to move past their spaces. I think I need 2 rolls?

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

"Oof. Oi, get out of the way!"

Serena very carefully picks her way forward across the catwalk, using her scimitar to feel out the area before her, making sure that she doesn't step into any holes or other such hazards.

"That's the kid?" Scarlet thinks aloud. She moves forward, drawing her light hammer and continues squeezing.

Then she sees the horses. "I'm gonna get to the gate, either way. I need some room!"

While the horses are skittish they look as though they might try to kick or bite Scarlet if she got too close (or tried to pass though their spaces), so yes, it is usually a really high acrobatics check (normally made at half speed) to pass through an opponent's threatened area or through the opponent's space to avoid receiving an AoO. Failure means you can't move past them and you might get smacked. You only need to make 1 successful roll the difficulty is +2 higher for each opponent you have to avoid.

So on her first attempt the two horses kick and buck at her.

north horse: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (14) - 2 = 12 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 miss
south horse: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (9) - 2 = 7 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 miss

Is Scarlet making these attempts at full speed?

Scarlet goes at half speed, only moving 20 feet.
"Pft, this is why I usually just walk."

AoO!

Illthir sweeps with the hooked end of her hammer at the boys feet. It would be better for everyone if he just stayed down!

AoO: Trip: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

THUD! "OW!"

Inspire Courage +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. Posh began on round 2.

Inspired Rage affected allies gain a +2 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution and a +1 morale bonus on Will saving throws, but also take a –1 penalty to AC. Illthir began on round 4.

Round 10! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Alia vanished!
__ Zokon
__ Serena -2 hp
__ Durgan barkskin, shield of faith, et. al.
__ Scarlet shield, big -10 hp
__ Posh
__ Illthir
__ Victoria/Arris
__ Erevenywg
__ Blonde bandit -7 hp

Maps (UPPER FLOOR, and GROUND FLOOR) updated.

Amid the smells of various meats, Arris catches another smell, a human, though he cannot see them. Nervous at this, he slinks along the wall, trying to pick up Victoria's scent.

"NOW!"

The suddenly darkness moves away from Serena. A bullseye lantern beam trains upon her and an bowstring twangs from somewhere below.

composite longbow v Serena (point blank, deadly aim, favored enemy, sneak attack): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26 damage: 1d8 + 6 + 3d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + (1, 5, 4) + 2 = 24

Serene feels something pass through the soft flesh of her waist. A shaft with black crows' feather sticks out of her side. Below she can see a huge bare-chested man with a great helm fashioned from a stag's skull. The skin on the man's muscled chest and arms look burned as if by some old fire. To his right stands a hooded man with a lantern shining up at Serena and to his left is a large man with pale hair, a smattering of beard and a scar scoring one cheek and brow.

This man bears a longsword, the hilt of which is wrapped in a cloth that only somewhat obscures the sunburst design common to those weapons borne by holy warriors dedicated to the goddess, Iomedae. There is something in the man's stance that marks him as a crusader.

"Yield. Or be cut down where you stand."

He lends credance to his words by directing Serena's attention to all the bows (all of the other brigands on the map's) bows arrayed against her, out in the open on her tenuous perch.

"You will not get a second warning."

Intimidate v Serena: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Serena believes him.

Aliabot does something I'm sure, but since she's invisible I can't describe it. It probably involves climbing though.

Inspire Courage +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. Posh began on round 2.

Inspired Rage affected allies gain a +2 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution and a +1 morale bonus on Will saving throws, but also take a –1 penalty to AC. Illthir began on round 4.

Round 11! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Stag Lord
__ Akiros
__ Falgrim
__ Salzarus
__ Bandits readied!
__ Alia vanished!
__ Zokon
__ Serena -26 hp, shaken rd 1
__ Durgan barkskin, shield of faith, et. al.
__ Scarlet shield, big -10 hp
__ Posh
__ Illthir
__ Victoria/Arris
__ Erevenywg
__ Blonde bandit -7 hp, prone

Maps (UPPER FLOOR, and GROUND FLOOR) updated.

"AND STOP THAT BLOODY SINGING!" bellows the horned man sounding drunk. "OR I'LL KILL THIS RED RABBIT EVEN IF SHE DOES SURRENDER AND COOK 'ER UP WITH THIS LITTLE FOX 'ERE! ALL IT'S DOIN' IS INSPIRIN' MY HEAD TA ACHE!"

"That's not the one who killed Jeb. She's too pretty a redhead. I'm pretty sure it was that other one! The dumpy one!" yells the brigand known as Ayles. He pulls his bowstring taught.

"SHUT UP!" Ayles flinches at the rebuke as if struck.

Scarlet hears yelling, some authoritative demands. And then someone's firing bows.

Dumpy one? I guess he means me. Scarlet rolls her eyes.

She moves up towards the gate and sees Serena with an arrow sticking out of her side. "Lay yerself down, quick." Scarlet warns Serena.

Scarlet knows she has to make herself a target quickly, or Serena will wind up a pincushion.

And there he is. The big guy. The Stag Lord... drunk off his ass? That will make it easy.

Question: How hard is it to open the front gate? How hard is it to break the gate?

"Surrender? So you can turn us into bombs, then? Or maybe a floating head for your resident pervert?" Scarlet laughs. "You touch her and I'll burn this entire fort down with me bare hands." Scarlet glares at the Stag Lord. "Mivon's not gonna train ya."
Intimidate, I'm bigger: 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 4 = 17 Can I roll a good Intimidate check? Just once?

We could really use a distraction right now. Anyone has a smokestick?

Question: How hard is it to open the front gate? How hard is it to break the gate?

Ropes slung over pulleys to either side of the gate allow two men to raise and lower the gate. The gate itself is just a selection of smaller trees striped and bound together with nails and rope like the walls only on the smaller side. It's still big though 10-feet-tall and nearly 15-feet wide.

Strength check DC 25 to dead lift it, or two people (or one very large person) can use the pulley system and the difficulty becomes 17. It has Hardness 5, and 60 hp; with a Break DC 23.

It is a a makeshift gate the real one looks as though it was dragged into the big ground floor space Scarlet and Serena are looking into and wedged into a break in the western wall. The rest of the "room" is crammed with crates, barrels, and boxes. Hammocks strung on wooden posts denote sleeping areas, while dirty bowls and utensils rest atop rickety and makeshift furniture.

Chips of ancient plaster flake from the walls, exposing the stone
construction; whatever plaster still clings to stonework is covered with strange and erratic scribbles and pictographs. The floor consists only of hard-packed earth.

Currently, the purple bandit is hidden from view under the walkway Serena is on, and behind a wall from Scarlet (DC 14 to spot) with his sword drawn.

Meanwhile, the bandits in the tower (see upper story) don't hesitate to fire on Scarlet. Especially after one of them recognizes her as a prisoner from Kressle's camp.

Torque comp. longbow v Scarlet (point blank): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14 damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 miss

blue comp. longbow v Scarlet (point blank): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4 miss

Both are too startled to hit the giant warrior woman.

Zokon moves next to Scarlet and uses the wall as cover, he brings his bow up and trains it on the big drunk fellow that was yelling.

He aims and fires

If they are unaware of Zokon he gets plus 3 to hit and extra d6 damage on his first attack due to sniper and sneak

LOngbow+pbs+inspire-deadly aim: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11 Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Dammit, hopefully it gets em distracted

"Serena move!!!"

"Gonna take a minute to open this gate." Scarlet takes gander at the gate.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

"You, hiding behind the wall with yer sword drawn. I see you, get over here." Scarlet looks up and deflects the arrows coming her way.

Arris growls at the bandits and backs-up closer to the giant two-leg who doesn't seem to be threatening him. (2 steps back, 1 step right) This does, however, put him very close to one of the wicked two-legs. Howling like a banshee, (seriously, foxes make this weird scream howl) he nips at the two-leg's shin.
bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 dam: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Feeling the rush of fear and adrenaline from her familiar, Victoria strains to slip her wrists through the manacles that bind her.
escape: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 (+ whatever bonus the grease gave her)
"No, no, no," she whispers in the dark, "don't let them hurt you!"

Durgan double moves.
Is that a gate or door he passes around the backside of the ruined keep? How strong does it look? He is at +9 to Str checks right now.

See above.

Just to be clear, the yellow rectangle is the gate I am talking about. Not the main gate to the fort where Scarlet is. So the yellow rectangle is the old gate that was dragged inside and wedged into a gap in the wall?

Just to be clear, the yellow rectangle is the gate I am talking about. Not the main gate to the fort where Scarlet is. So the yellow rectangle is the old gate that was dragged inside and wedged into a gap in the wall?

The yellow rectangle is a wall (as far as anyone looking at it can tell), the front wooden gate is where Scarlet is standing and the [NEW] orange outline represents what was probably the original metal portcullis now wedged into the hole in the wall.

Zokon's arrow flashes past the Stag Lord and into a post behind him.

Scarlet's words don't seem to have much affect on her besotted foe. He points questioningly to the big man to his left.

Arris misses the man's leg.

Mostly for a the reason of a bad roll, but also because he has cover from the wall he is standing (at least partially) behind in relation to Arris.

Victoria pulls a layer of skin off of her wrist but can't seem to get her thumb through.

Oh, I should have climbed up just fine :/ I was simply going to start shooting at Teal and Blue but it seems I need to re-assess the tactical position in more detail after skimming over the posts. I'll be busy most of the day but I'll make sure to post in the evening!
Also, I am pretty certain I tried to post. I remember writing something, but I guess I either only previewed, fell asleep, or my work notebook rebooted while I was away...

"And stay down! We are much nicer *after* your boss has been dealt with understand?!" Illthir glared at the boy and stepped back into proper hammer distance just in case. She'll AoO him if he tries to stand. But hopefully he would have the sense to understand that they had bigger fish to fry. Someone whom clearly didn't like her song. Well too bad! Embolden by her own tale of heroics she reached for her scroll of Clarion Call to give the music a little extra oomph.

Serena picks a direction and moves, heading east with scimitar in hand and slashing at the guard in the tower.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 6 + 1 = 21 Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

Serena, don't you want to at least use some Lay on Hands on yourself as a swift action? You are hurt pretty bad.

I thought about that and then forgot to put it in my move. Yeah, I suppose that I should.

As she runs, Serena asks Sarenrae for her blessing. Lay on Hands for 1d6 ⇒ 2 points.

Still invisible, taking note of some action below, Alia takes careful aim at one of the guards. Then releases the arrows just as one of her footholds crumbles and she needs to adjust her footing.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
What a waste.

Ayles fires up at Serena as she moves, but the woman ducks in time for it to sail over her head.

Ayles comp. longbow v Serena (readied action): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 miss

He then turns his bow on the woman he blames for killing his brother Dirty Jeb.

Ayles comp. longbow v Scarlet: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 miss

Serena's sword thrust causes the bandit on the walkway to drop his bow. He steps back and draws his sword, readying it should the paladin draw near.

Alia's arrow hits the side of the tower as she regains her balance. The archer there fires wild at the oncoming Serena.

Torque comp. longbow v Serena (point blank): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 miss

While the lantern-bearer next to the Stag Lord sets his lantern down and draws his sword.

"And stay down! We are much nicer *after* your boss has been dealt with understand?!" Illthir glared at the boy and stepped back into proper hammer distance just in case.

"Oookay." says the terrified lad.

Drunkenly, the Stag Lord fires a couple of shots at Scarlet. "She looks as though she's too much woman for you Akiros. Lemme- lemme cut 'er down to size."

Stag Lord comp. longbow v Scarlet (point blank, deadly aim): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Stag Lord comp. longbow v Scarlet (point blank, deadly aim): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

"IT MUST BE MAGIC! How else could she *hic* dodge my arrows! SAL! WHERE'S THAT DAMN ELF!"

"Oh, I have something for the ones who robbed me of my sweet Olessa." says a strangely accented elven man's voice from the darkness. "Though to be honest she was getting a bit natty. I think I'll have the elf on the wall's instead."

His voice becomes a drone of incantation and suddenly a familiarly nauseating 20-foot tall pattern of lights appears in gap before Arris, Scarlet and Zokon.

He casts loathsome veil affecting Arris, Scarlet, and Zokon (Will DC 18).

The old brigand appears form behind the rough wood wall with a rough-looking rapier in hand. "I hate dogs."

rapier v Arris: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Lastly, (almost reluctantly) the grim-faced warrior advances with his wrapped longsword. He seems slightly disgusted at what is unclear. He locks eyes on Zokon before passing his gaze up toward Scarlet. Those eyes are as cold and as implacable as death.

"...."

intimidate v Zokon: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Inspire Courage +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. Posh began on round 2.

Inspired Rage affected allies gain a +2 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution and a +1 morale bonus on Will saving throws, but also take a –1 penalty to AC. Illthir began on round 4.

Round 12! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Stag Lord
__ Akiros
__ Falgrim
__ Salzarus
__ Bandits (dk. blue -9 hp ready; lt. blue ready)
__ Alia
__ Zokon
__ Serena -24 hp, shaken rd 2
__ Durgan barkskin, shield of faith, et. al.
__ Scarlet shield, big -10 hp
__ Posh
__ Illthir
__ Victoria
__ Arris -6 hp
__ Erevenywg
__ Blonde bandit -7 hp, prone, shaken

Maps (UPPER FLOOR, and GROUND FLOOR) updated.

Scarlet locks eyes with the stoic warrior. "What's this then? Soiling your trousers? Wish you could cry home to mommy? Or are you trying to scare me?" She parries the Stag Lord's arrows.

Then she hears another voice. "YOU!" She turns quickly, upstairs.

Will Save: 1d20 + 0 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 0 + 1 = 12

"Dammit, not this again!" Scarlet gags. "Upper level... in the darkness. Tear him apart..." She doubles back and tries to seek cover from that awful wall.