Of Kings and Commoners - Kingmaker AP

Game Master RPGGGM

Erevenywg watches with interest as the rumbling boulder approaches her, Posh and their mount with mounting speed.

Zokon's arrow catches the kobold a solid blow in the flank. Momentum seems to carry him on though. Meanwhile, Alia continues to duel with her attackers.

As the illusion fades the party members previously ignorant of the approaching boulder gasp in surprise.

Inspire courage (Posh) An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. Began round 1.

Wounded animals are usually harder to handle.

Round 3! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Kobolds! A lot of them!
__ Serena-3 hp
__ Posh
__ Victoria
__ Durgan -6 hp
__ Zokon
__ Alia -3 hp
__ Illthir
__ Scarlet -7 hp
__ Erevenywg ready!
__ No really. Did I mention THE BOULDER!?!
__ Falgrim Sneeg
__ Mikmek
__ Byron Benzen
__ Miriam Benzen (orange, 14 year-old hostage)
__ Hansel Benzen (yellow, 10 year-old hostage)
__ Leta Benzen (pink, 10 year-old hostage)

Serena's mount -8 hp; Durgan's mount -11 hp; lt blue kobold down; black kobold down; red kobold -2 hp; dk blue kobold -14 hp; white-dot kobold -8

Map updated

At the last second, Victoria pulls the Posh and Erevenywg horse out of the way.

The boulder rolls down the incline slamming into another boulder with a tremendous **CRACK!**

"Don't worry, you'll notice soon enough!" Illthir swallows a snort and turns it into a cough. I'm sounding like my mother... She stares at the rolling rock for a few moments before dropping her illusion -

"Wha-?!? Heh."

ride: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Taking advantage of the chaos, Sneeg kicks his mount's flanks, wheel's her around, and away from the fight. "HAWHAWHAW!"

ride: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Mikmek does likewise but in the opposite direction. The little kobold warrior throws his tiny arms around his horse's neck and holds on as the beast rockets up the hill. Does Illthir let them go, go with them (probably grass surfing), or attempt to grapple the horse by the reins?

"MEV! MEV!" Mikmek shrieks.

"HEY! That's my Merriam and the twins down there!"

The archers again concentrate on Scarlet and Serena.

Bloodbeetle XVI (lt red) bow v Serena (inspired, point blank shot): 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 25 damage: 1d6 - 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 + 1 + 1 = 6

Pumpkinhelm XII (orange) bow v Serena (inspired, point blank shot): 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 11 damage: 1d6 - 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 + 1 + 1 = 2

Gilttooth XX (yellow) bow v Serena (inspired, point blank shot): 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 12 damage: 1d6 - 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 + 1 + 1 = 2

Rustshell XXI (dk red) bow v Scarlet (inspired, point blank shot): 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 25 damage: 1d6 - 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 + 1 + 1 = 3

Mossbrow XXIV (green) bow v Scarlet (inspired, point blank shot): 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 8 + 1 + 1 = 20 damage: 1d6 - 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 + 1 + 1 = 7

A few more small arrows connect.

The kobold spearmen continue to harass Alia.

Rimeshell XIV (white) shortspear v Alia (inspired): 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 1 = 16 damage: 1d4 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 + 1 = 1

Steelhide XI (grey) shortspear v Alia (inspired): 1d20 + 5 + 1d6d1d4 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + (1, 3, 4, 3, 2) - 1 + 1 = 22

One of the two kobolds who triggered the boulder charges straight for Zokon with its spear.

Stingerspear VII (lt blue) shortspear v Zokon (CHARGE!, inspired): 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 15 damage: 1d4 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 + 1 = 3

The other stops pulls a flask from its belt and downs it in one gulp.

And looks much better for it.

Silence falls over the area between the two pit traps.

The black kobold keeps up his sermon (now unheard by some) while drawing forth his sling and attempting to pelt Durgan with stones.

Chatchit (black dots) sling v Durgan (inspired): 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8 damage: 1d3 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 + 1 = 2

The sorcerer conjures up a ball of muck and sends it sailing toward Durgan.

Vexset (white dots) range touch v Durgan (inspired): 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 1 = 14

Durgan, Reflex save (DC 14) v mudball)

Inspire courage (Posh) An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. Began round 1.

Wounded animals are usually harder to handle.

Round 3! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Kobolds! A lot of them!
__ Serena -9 hp
__ Posh
__ Victoria
__ Durgan -6 hp, pending reflex save
__ Zokon
__ Alia -3 hp
__ Illthir
__ Scarlet -17 hp
__ Erevenywg
__ Falgrim Sneeg
__ Mikmek
__ Byron Benzen
__ Miriam Benzen (orange, 14 year-old hostage)
__ Hansel Benzen (yellow, 10 year-old hostage)
__ Leta Benzen (pink, 10 year-old hostage)

Serena's mount -8 hp; Durgan's mount -11 hp; lt blue kobold down; black kobold down; red kobold -2 hp; dk blue kobold -14 hp; white-dot kobold -8

Map updated

Well she wanted to hold on to the reins since she used those to drag the horse with her, but if the choice is let go or grass surfing she'll probably pick let go :P

Question: Does it look like Mikmek is *close* to controlling his horse? Illthir can tip the scales with her Gallant Inspiration? Oh heck might as well try!

"Steady!" Illthir encourages the kobold.

Gallant Inspiration @Mikmek: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6 Retroactive skill bonus to failed check

Serena presses the attack, slashing at orange with her scimitar.

Serena vs. Orange: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Reflex, vs spell: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 2 = 16
Denied the ability to speak, Durgan communicates to the kobold with an offensive hand gesture.

He strongly suspects the spell is Silence and not Deafness because a) he is hard to affect with spells, and b) the children are presumably also acting as if they are affected. He flashes five fingers four times at the children, then begins counting down. Probably lasts about twenty seconds or so.

He uses the Any-Tool scissors to cut free the first child, hands them the Any-Tool, and points out the pits.

"Why you little...!" Victoria releases the reins on the other horse, and wheels her own after Sneeg. Ooo, I hope this works.
ride: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
if she gets in range, she'll use a slumber hex on Sneeg's horse DC17 Will. If she can't catch him, she'll come back

Riddled with arrows, Scarlet finally loses her temper. "FINE! I'M STARTING WITH YOU, GREENIE!"

Scarlet flies into a bloodrage.

Cold Iron Masterwork Longsword, TWF, Bloodrage: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 2 = 13
Damage: 1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 2 = 11

Zokon uses studied target on the kobold attacking him and then attempts to skewer it.

"I haven't used my sword in a while."

Rapier +1+st+ic: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20 Rapier +1+st+ic: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Well she wanted to hold on to the reins since she used those to drag the horse with her, but if the choice is let go or grass surfing she'll probably pick let go :P

Question: Does it look like Mikmek is *close* to controlling his horse?

Mostly. Illthir knows that he intentionally prodded the horse forward. Sense Motive might allow for more info.

Serena presses the attack, slashing at orange with her scimitar.

She catches the archer a grazing blow.

Denied the ability to speak, Durgan communicates to the kobold with an offensive hand gesture.

The kobold goes livid (or as livid as a coal-scaled kobold can).

He strongly suspects the spell is Silence....

It was possible to hear and see the spell being cast so as long as Durgan has some Spellcraft he can Identify the spell with a DC 17 as a free action.

He uses the Any-Tool scissors to cut free the first child, hands them the Any-Tool, and points out the pits.

The pink dot that Durgan is next to is a blonde 10-year-old girl

"Why you little...!" Victoria releases the reins on the other horse, and wheels her own after Sneeg. Ooo, I hope this works.

if she gets in range, she'll use a slumber hex on Sneeg's horse DC17 Will. If she can't catch him, she'll come back

Yes, Victoria can keep up with Sneeg as both horses started out essentially next to one another and move at the same speed. Sneeg is unarmed and his hands are bound. The reigns were hanging forward so he is using his legs to guide his horse's movements.

Victoria closes within range to use her hex. But the horse is too harried to pay it much mind as Sneeg kicks its flanks.

horse will save v slumber: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

This leaves Victoria 30' back of the bandit. there's a new inset on the map showing the distance.

Riddled with arrows, Scarlet finally loses her temper. "FINE! I'M STARTING WITH YOU, GREENIE!"

Scarlet flies into a bloodrage.

Scarlet's swing goes a bit high.

Zokon uses studied target on the kobold attacking him and then attempts to skewer it.

"I haven't used my sword in a while."

But the man is not rusty and he manages to find an opening in the small warrior's armor big enough to deal kobold a solid blow.

Inspire courage (Posh) An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. Began round 1.

Wounded animals are usually harder to handle.

Round 3! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Kobolds! A lot of them!
__ Serena -9 hp
__ Posh
__ Victoria
__ Durgan -6 hp
__ Zokon
__ Alia -3 hp
__ Illthir
__ Scarlet -17 hp
__ Erevenywg
__ Falgrim Sneeg
__ Mikmek
__ Byron Benzen
__ Miriam Benzen (orange, 14 year-old hostage)
__ Hansel Benzen (yellow, 10 year-old hostage)
__ Leta Benzen (pink, 10 year-old hostage)

Serena's mount -8 hp; Durgan's mount -11 hp; lt blue kobold down; black kobold down; red kobold -2 hp; dk blue kobold -4 hp; lt blue -10 hp; white-dot kobold -8 hp

Map updated

Oblivious to Sneeg's attempt to flee, but very aware of the spear-wielding Kobolds willing to use children as bait and the boulder slamming into a rock nearby, Alia keeps focused on her opponents.
Once they are dealt with, I can help the others...
"Your turn...!", she exclaims as she violently stabs at her target.

Attack(Grey): 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 1 = 18 Damage: 2d4 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3, 4) + 5 + 1 = 13 Nonlethal Cold: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

And another foe falls to Alia's long, frosty blade.

Durgan Far-Walker wrote:

He uses the Any-Tool scissors to cut free the first child, hands them the Any-Tool, and points out the pits.

The pink dot that Durgan is next to is a blonde 10-year-old girl

Yes, Leta. I imagine a ten-year-old girl from the Stolen Lands has the strength, autonomy, and presence of mind to use the tool to free her siblings. Thinking of the Amish kids out near where my brother-in-law lives. They grow up a lot faster - it's not really comparable to childhood as my kids will know it.

If Durgan sees Leta starting to panic, he will grab her. Otherwise he'll move to deal with the kobolds.

Personally, I'm a big fan of mix of the Free-Range/Mayberry schools of child care.

The girl nods and sets to work on her big sister's (orange) bonds.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29

Illthir tries to figure out how the kobold managed to race his horse despite her having it lead by the reins, but she wasn't quite sure if she could get into the mind of the kobold. With a shake of her head she dismissed it for now - she'd done what she could.

---Her spell was an intermediate action, otherwise it wouldn't help on skill checks much!---

Ride: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

"Mhm. And notice how none of the kobolds are shooting at them - let's make sure it stays that way." Illthir tries to smoothly dismount, but gets tangled and it takes an extra few precious seconds to get off. "Now please *stay* and we'll get your family back together."

Move to dismount, standard to tie the reins to something if possible

Illthir, are you riding south of the map and trying to fast dismount? If you, are you can assume there is a big rock with in 20' of the edge of the map.

"T-that boulder--" stammers Poshbot pointing at the stone. His seeming stocisim (as it seems from afar, out of everyone else's corner of their eye, while they are fighting for their lives) continues inspire his teammates.

"Yes. The stone is very big."

ride (guide): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

ride (spur): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 horse damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Sneeg aims his horse for the horizon and kicks at her flanks to make her move faster. The horse (spurred to a move speed of 60') takes a run action and moves 300' away.

"YAY! YOU OLD NAG! YAY! YAY!"

With some difficulty Mikmek gets Zokon's horse around the black kobolds defenders and up to the top of the hill

acrobatics (fast dismount, soft fall, jump down! ): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

He tumbles from the horse's back and quickly rolls to his feet all while waving his hands and shouting: "MEV! MEV! Grr, Nuvpu' Hab roD 'oSwI' YAP vIghaj!"

ride (fast dismount): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Ignoring Illthir, Byron slips from the saddle and rushes down the hill to help his kin. Double move. Distance may vary based on where Illthir stopped her horse.

Leta frees Miriam who in turn frees Hansel. The children all look to Durgan for guidance. They seem keenly aware of the remaining (concealed) pit trap.

As Mikmek continues to gabble the two black kobolds look at one another. The sorcerer points to Posh.

"vabDot ngem wa'?"

"mIv tIn luj ghaH."

"'UCH!" shouts the black kobold with the most armor on. White dots.

All of the other kobolds stop trying to actively kill the party. Instead now they stand ready to kill the party at the slightest provocation.

Inspire courage (Posh) An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. Began round 1.

Wounded animals are usually harder to handle.

Round 3! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Kobolds! Ready!
__ Serena -9 hp
__ Posh
__ Victoria
__ Durgan -6 hp
__ Zokon
__ Alia -3 hp
__ Illthir
__ Scarlet -17 hp
__ Erevenywg
__ Falgrim Sneeg
__ Mikmek
__ Byron Benzen
__ Miriam Benzen (orange, 14 year-old hostage)
__ Hansel Benzen (yellow, 10 year-old hostage)
__ Leta Benzen (pink, 10 year-old hostage)

Serena's mount -8 hp; Durgan's mount -11 hp; lt blue kobold down; black kobold down; red kobold -2 hp; dk blue kobold -4 hp; lt blue -10 hp; white-dot kobold -8 hp; Sneeg's horse -3 hp

Map updated

Zokon yells out"The leader has told them to hold, we may be able to talk with them." he stays ready but does not attack

"They surrender!", Alia shouts, then points her Estoc at the one remaining near her:"Drop that spear. One wrong move and you will be as frozen as your comrades on the ground!"

Alia understands Draconic - if the one in front of her could hear the order to stand down, I think she also understands? But at the same time, they took children hostage and Zokon identified them as Leafcutters...not Sootscale - and she trusts him more than Mikmek. So remains on edge and will resume hostilities if that seems necessary.

Scarlet lets her bloodrage run its course. "So what are we doing- ugh. Where's Sneer?"

Scarlet runs towards the children. "I swear, if any of them are hurt-"

Unable to hear anything, Durgan escorts the children away from the casters, towards Scarlet. If someone could move us all a bit. He activates his Aura of Deflection as a standard action to give the children some protection.

Even if he is still within the Silence, he does notice the reactions of everyone else.

Alia understands Draconic - if the one in front of her could hear the order to stand down, I think she also understands? But at the same time, they took children hostage and Zokon identified them as Leafcutters...not Sootscale - and she trusts him more than Mikmek. So remains on edge and will resume hostilities if that seems necessary.

Alia may have heard this then, if only later and in passing.

Serena stays her blade, but keeps it ready, in case hostilities begin again.

Victoria grimaces as Sneeg's horse pulls away from her own. She can ride fine, but a chase is, well, a horse of a different color.
ride:spur: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 dam: 1d3 ⇒ 1
yeah, I don't think that's gonna get me there

Alia of the Blade wrote:

Alia understands Draconic - if the one in front of her could hear the order to stand down, I think she also understands? But at the same time, they took children hostage and Zokon identified them as Leafcutters...not Sootscale - and she trusts him more than Mikmek. So remains on edge and will resume hostilities if that seems necessary.

Alia may have heard this then, if only later and in passing.

Thanks for the remainder. But if I remember right, Leafcutters also hunted down a man(Fan Auric) some time ago and we were in combat against them? Even if Alia knows Chief Sootscale rallied other tribes, she'll be very cautious about those, seeing how the party fought against them previously - as in, fine, Mikmek got them to stand down, but Zokon is still the specialist when it comes to Kobbos - and Leafcutters were trouble up to now(and in game time, that was weeks, not years....)

yeah, I don't think that's gonna get me there

It is a single move action to make the check and the horse only takes damage on a successful (DC 15) check if you want to try again. Otherwise Sneeg's horse pulls ahead of Victoria to a distance of 80'.

ah, not used to horse chases! She'll give it another shot
ride:spur: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Moments pass as Mikmek continues to explain to his fellows who the party is. The explanation includes words and phrases like "Blue Meanies," "Ol' Sharptooth," and "Tartuk". One scene he illustrates with his claws, using one hand as Scarlet's mine cart tracing its path through the air during its many jumps. "VROOOOM!" he says.

Meanwhile, there is a horse chase going on.

"YAH!"

ride: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 horse damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Sneeg's horse runs on.

Posh ends inspire courage. (3 rounds expended)

Wounded animals are usually harder to handle.

Round 4! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Kobolds! Still ready!
__ Serena -9 hp
__ Posh
__ Victoria
__ Durgan -6 hp
__ Zokon
__ Alia -3 hp
__ Illthir
__ Scarlet -17 hp
__ Erevenywg
__ Falgrim Sneeg
__ Mikmek
__ Byron Benzen
__ Miriam Benzen (orange, 14 year-old hostage)
__ Hansel Benzen (yellow, 10 year-old hostage)
__ Leta Benzen (pink, 10 year-old hostage)

Serena's mount -8 hp; Durgan's mount -11 hp; lt blue kobold down; black kobold down; red kobold -2 hp; dk blue kobold -4 hp; lt blue -10 hp; white-dot kobold -8 hp; Sneeg's horse -3 hp

Map updated

Scarlet realizes the kobolds aren't fighting her and sheathes her weapons. "Wh-where is... Victoria? And Sneeg?" She continues to catch her breath.

Man, that map is pretty well-covered by boulder features that are potential traps. And some apparent routes for boulders to roll.

Durgan keeps taking the children up to where Scarlet is, motioning to Byron to circle around the pits and join them. He sheathes his axe as he moves.

Is he out of the Silence now?

whip the beast!
ride: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
ride: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Whether it's her squeamishness with spurring an animal, or just his superior horsemanship, it soon becomes clear to her that she isn't going to catch up with Sneeg.

Man, that map is pretty well-covered by boulder features that are potential traps. And some apparent routes for boulders to roll.

The remaining boulders are all on relatively flat ground, and don't appear to easily rolled.

Durgan keeps taking the children up to where Scarlet is, motioning to Byron to circle around the pits and join them. He sheathes his axe as he moves.

Is he out of the Silence now?

Yes, the kids are just on the outer edge of it.

Whether it's her squeamishness with spurring an animal, or just his superior horsemanship, it soon becomes clear to her that she isn't going to catch up with Sneeg.

END COMBAT!

Victoria returns to the party sans one Falgrim Sneeg.

Mikmek rushes down the hill to the party, and explains the situation in a series of barks, yaps, and whines.

What you wanna do?