Of Kings and Commoners - Kingmaker AP

Game Master RPGGGM

Durgan doesn't notice anything underhanded currently happening with Kozen.

sm Matheus: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

He adresses Matheus first as harmony and trading with neighbours is paramount

sm Allisa: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

He adresses Allisa second as thete is something about her and he is in a quandary over the other two.

sm Sandralane: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

He approaches Sandralane with a little reverence and asks for her terms, any money matters will be brought before the group but he wants to hear her out

sm Dool: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
"For some reason I like you Dool, there appears to be a no nonsense about you, I think I can sponsor you to our group. But we are law abiding folk and want the same for ours."

dip Matheus: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

He adresses Matheus first as harmony and trading with neighbours is paramount

Matheus says his lord is all in on trading with the Greenbelt. "The Tors are a great source of stone, and freshwater fish. And though we have groves of trees, they are not nearly so many as you do in the Narlmarches." he explains.

He adresses Allisa second as thete is something about her and he is in a quandary over the other two.

All of Zokon's talk with Allisa is light and breezy. At the end he doesn't come away with much of anything new.

He approaches Sandralane with a little reverence and asks for her terms, any money matters will be brought before the group but he wants to hear her out

Sandralane by comparison seems distracted by something. "Hm? Well, I had thought of building a grand shrine to the Dawnflower here on the edge of the forest near the plains and between the supply outpost* on the Brevic border and the bandit fort everyone is fighting over."

* Oleg's Outpost.

"For some reason I like you Dool, there appears to be a no nonsense about you, I think I can sponsor you to our group. But we are law abiding folk and want the same for ours."

"I will bear that in mind." the wizard says in an aloof tone. "Now if you will excuse me, I'm off to speak with your neighbor about a volcano."

Matheus grins and shrugs at Zokon as Dool moves off to take a seat next to Lord Varn.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

{Whatcha gonna do?}

The party breaks up and most of the participants head back to their lodgings in the village. The chartered explorers return to the main house*. The workmen, their white-tarped wagons, and their little camp are all gone, and for once this week it looks as though you might be able to sleep in.

Drelev proposes a nightcap down in the big livingroom/entrance hall. Varn begs off hoping for an early start on what he expects to be a long day.

* The party's rooms are on the second floor along the south hall.

Somewhere just off-camera.

Later that night, in the bed chamber of a nobleman a hideous monster sits in the dark looking at the far-off stars though a pane of glass.

There's a knock on the chamber door, and with an unseen gesture the door creaks open revealing two figures illuminated by a brass candelabra one is holding, The candlelight only draws attention the patches of blackness inside making them somehow even more threatening.

The lightbearer shivers upon entering. He closes the door behind them.

"Well?" says the monster its voice an authoritative rasp like steel dragged over granite.

"Everything ith ready Mathter." says the lightbearer.

"Good. Good. But I sense something in the tone of your reply, slave, and our silent friend seems anxious for some reason." the creature in the shadows says.

There's a pause.

"There wath a book, Mathter, Zuddiger's Picnic. It'th one of thignth that thhe'th watching."

There's another pause before the creature in the dark responds. "It doesn't matter." the rasping voice almost sounds tired.
"If she moves against us, it doesn't matter. What would she do? Destroy us all? No, It doesn't matter. You, I... even he didn't matter." there is the sense of motion behind the thing's words.
"In the end all that matters is that they get the message."

What a good sign >.>

Zokon gathers the companions for a chat

"So do we have any success getting people, we might have Sandralane? Anyone else?"

"I think we could get any of the religious institutions to come, but more then one may be ... Tough. Perhaps we could get a token contribution out of any runner-ups" The skald goes over her meetings. "Samuel seems open to talk about things - but we need to decide what we can offer. I can't hardly go around promising the moon and the stars. But perhaps an advisory role? Or mayor/lord of the northern reaches?"

I'll just restate my ooc question ic :p

"We need to get him working with us and satisfy his need for autonomy, so mayor/lord of the area may suit. The farmers would listen to him but he'd be beholden to us, so I kinda like the idea."

"I think Max is interested. And while he has ambitions to build something lasting, so do we."
His use of the word 'dominion' brings to mind BECMI, and in particular the Dynast path to Immortality. I do love BECMI.

"Ser Daye seems interested, and I think our realm would be a little more righteous than that of our neighbors. He may find it more fitting."

"I had no earlier dealings with Samuel and made him no promises; you did, Zokon, so it is on you to deal with him."

"I think we can make trade deals with the dwarves, and I think the Archbanker will likely provide some capital at a reasonable interest rate for various infrastructure improvements, or seed capital for our own lending out to entrepreneurs."

"When we have the opportunity lets see if we can entice them then, together. Renault may be more trusting if he knows the Abadarian sense for business is behind us."

The party awakes to peaceful morning absent the noise of hammers and men shouting to one another in the main house. They head down for breakfast in the dinning room, where they find Baron Drelev sitting at the head of the big table. Seated beside him, Lady Stoon with her dog, and the Baron's man, Terrion Numesti, Lord Varn, and his second Matheus Castigan sit across from them, politely listening as the Baron speaks.

"...And they had some trouble down at gates morning. Some wank named 'Fancy Pantaloons' or something like that tried to get in saying he was invited but was registered as already in attendance. Queer no? I don't think I've met them yet. For sure I think I would remember a 'Ser Prancy Bottoms'--HAHAH!!" He laughs. Everyone else laughs, Lord Varn the least and Lady Stroon the most of all.

"Oh hey our fellows! Come sit! Eat! This may be our last meal before tedium takes us all." he feigns a swoon.

The breakfast food laid out does look tempting, but room is two seats shy of having enough chairs.

"None of you know a 'Nancypants' do you?" Drelev says chuckling.

Durgan will eat standing next to the table. He will have some bread, cheese, and tea, if such things are available.

"Not enough chairs, and besides, this is all built to human proportions. I am comfortable enough."

"No, Baron Drelev, I do not know the man of whom you speak."
He looks entirely serious, as if there are no jokes being made at all. He doesn't even say "What's so funny" or acknowledge that others are laughing.

Hmm. Hmmmmmmmm. She hadn't heard of someone called either of that no. But she *had* heard that one governor or the other had a good friend in Cheliax with a silly name, so it certainly wasn't out of the question. So crack a quick giggle at then quickly nab a chair.

"An intentional slight or are we expecting someone to *not* make it?" she ponders to the party, trusting the pandemonium at the other end of the room to cover up her musings. "Breakfast looks delicious, but it seems odd to eat another meal without the lord of the house?"

If it comes to it, Illthir has a caber twig to create more not-so-fancy seats in a spectacular fashion. Should this be some twisted game of musical chairs :p

If it comes to it, Illthir has a caber twig to create more not-so-fancy seats in a spectacular fashion. Should this be some twisted game of musical chairs :p

It's probably more to do with the size of the room and number of guests in the floors above. Most of the time Drelev and his entourage (four other rough and ready mercenary types like him and Terrion) aren't down before noon. That said, Lady Stroon is certainly smiling right now.

Oh well, that name is too mangled for Alia to recognize it. Only Fergus could speak up there, I suppose. Guess we'll talk with Kyonin later.

Alia does not laugh, either, instead commenting:"Worrysome, though - either an imposter is already here, or someone tried to get in by impersonating someone else. We can only hope it was for food and company, rather than some less-savory objectives."

She finds a chair and fetches herself a small plate of assorted foods. The setting made her anxious, and she hardly had an appetite right now - but the day would be long and tedious, and eating at least a bit now would help her stay focused and alert later - or so Alia hoped.

Durgan will eat standing next to the table. He will have some bread, cheese, and tea, if such things are available.

"Not enough chairs, and besides, this is all built to human proportions. I am comfortable enough."

"Oh? I was just finishing." says Matheus. Smiling he rises from his seat and collects his own dishes.

"No, Baron Drelev, I do not know the man of whom you speak."

He looks entirely serious, as if there are no jokes being made at all. He doesn't even say "What's so funny" or acknowledge that others are laughing.

Drelev frowns and squints at Durgan. Then he laughs.

Oh well, that name is too mangled for Alia to recognize it. Only Fergus could speak up there, I suppose. Guess we'll talk with Kyonin later.

Alia does not laugh, either, instead commenting:"Worrysome, though - either an imposter is already here, or someone tried to get in by impersonating someone else. We can only hope it was for food and company, rather than some less-savory objectives."

Lord Varn seems to consider what he's hearing before standing and announcing "I should be off too. This politicking can't be over soon enough for my liking."

A nervous servant comes to the door, perhaps summoned by Illthi's words moments before, and says "S-ser Iannuchi would like the charter holders and their servants to assemble in the downstair's hall in an hour."

She rushes out.

"Ah, well, that's time enough for some food!" Illthir had been growing quite curious about the lord of the manor, was nice to know he hadn't vanished or something else inconvenient.

Later in the Grand Hall.
The hall is quite busy with all the house guests in attendance. Varn and his four-man honor guard led by Matheus, and Baron Drelev, Lady Stroon, and the Baron's five rough and ready mercenary campaigners (including Terrion) lounging about the many small tables and chairs.

Folks are pretty much randomly distributed across the room. Felle free to place yourself where you like.

"Forgive my lateness." announces Ser Richard from the second floor rail. "I am gratified to see so many of Brevoy's heroes in attendance. Preparations took longer than originally planned, but now we begin."

An officious-looking servant dressed in black like a strict seneschal enters from the open southern doorway. He gives a clipped duelist bow and begins to addressed the assembled group. "The lands to the south and west of here have long been left untouched. Some have even considered them accursed. Many have tried over the centuries to establish dominion over the so-called Stolen Land, but as of today none have lasted."

He strides amid the gathering seeming to take the measure of those he is addressing. "Today the great nation of Brevoy stands ready to meet this challenge. But great power cannot rule alone. One cannot lead without the respect one's power is due. Indeed without respect one is nearly powerless. If one is slighted unjustly they must avenge or else loose the respect of others. Hence, we come to crux of today." he says with an orator's flourish.

The room goes deathly silent except for a small growl from under Lady Stroon's chair.

"Grrrr."

"For I have been wronged, and I, Szam Tass, shall be avenged.." The servant's voice is now like steel dragged across stone.

He's not wearing a seneschal's garb anymore, but instead a heavy dark robe with a high gold collar. A gold coronet sits upon a high brow and and mane of dead grey hair streams off the head behind it. His features, pallid before, are now positively monstrous. The skin of his face stretched taught over the bone has the pallor of death. The thing's eyes are like a pair of ghostly blue candle lights. Nearly everyone seems to gasp, and take a step back.

"Like petty thieves they came to my home, in Erastil's former temple in the woods. They slew my servant, and destroyed my property. And like thieves they are here, hiding among you, thinking they have escaped me. It does not matter to me who you are little thieves, for you are just small tertiary cogs serving a grander machine. Brevoy is your master switch, thus my punishment will be meted out to Brevoy as a whole." the rasping voice claws at the assemblage's ears.

Guards in the house livery appear along the mezzanine above.

Not saying a word, Ser Richard tosses down a round object the size of a small jug. It's a human skull.

"Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Ser Richard," says the undead thing regarding the skull in its desiccated hand, "A fellow of infinite jest, sadly very little of it any good, but even now he still has his uses."

WHAT? Make one Knowledge (religion) roll to see what it is you are facing.

WHO? Alia, and Zokon know who Szam Tass is in the general sense, and can open the first spoiler below without the need for a roll. Everyone else though needs to make a knowledge (arcana) roll and can open as many of the following as spoilers as the roll allows.

"YIPE!"

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Who what why? The skald's mind races. At least this undead critter had some style, not just exploding like the last one! But that name does ring some bells, in a fairy tale sense ...

"Sham Taz? He's a thousand years from home and twice that many miles!"

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
"Oh, a talking skeleton."

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Durgan casts Shield.

Map/Timing Notes

I have gone through and outlined some of the harder to see doors on the first floor in orange. There are other doors that are not as hard to see that I left alone. Assume the side doors to the hall everyone is in are currently open.

There is some stuff that is happening on the second floor balcony overlooking the hall too.

The otherwise dark halls and chambers are lit by small wall-mounted braziers topped with continual flame spells (see maps).

Yes, we will most likely go to initiative soon, but I did want to give some time for people to make dice rolls and react. Assume you have about a surprise round worth of time, though the figure in black is most certainly not flat-footed. He's just being sporting. ;)

Speaking of dice rolls, here's one more that I forgot to add that may or may not be helpful:

int check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

"Sham Taz? Here? why would he be here? Is he an illusion?" says Zokon as he is moving behind cover and going for his bow.

Perception!: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

"And a floating skull?!" Illthir takes these precious few moments before the sack of bones do something wicked to try and find a bit of cover. Something solid, maybe the table?

Intelligence: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

"That crypt thing..."
Taking a closer look as the creature spends time monologuing, while relocating next to Zokon, her eyes suddenly go wide.
KN Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
KN Arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
"Not just a skeleton, Durgan. Sham Taz is a lich! An excessively powerful undead magic user. We can not underestimate him. Those unable to defend themselves should leave, NOW."

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

"The skull is floating. Maybe animated?"

@GM: I hope that Grand Hall Link was in error. If thats the stat block you are using for Sham Taz, then I think the campaign is coming to a sudden but inevitable end...

"... Maybe they're like those fancy rocks? 'Magnets'? Sometimes they just repel eachother! Who knows how they work ..." The skald speculates.

I don't think giths - especially the Lich Queen lich queen - is covered by the ogl so we're safe. Unless the wotc lawyer hit squads get us as collateral :p

Might also be one of those scenes where the bbeg introduces itself with a bit of flair and geeks some NPCs so we know it's big, bad and evil :d

Or just a grumpy lich telling us to get off his lawn or else!

@GM: I hope that Grand Hall Link was in error. If thats the stat block you are using for Sham Taz, then I think the campaign is coming to a sudden but inevitable end...

It is a mistake. I was shooting for slide 3 of the tactical maps. Oddly though it is not as far off the mark as most would hope.

Just waiting on Fergie and Red.

I'm sure it'll be fine :p

Round 1! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Ser Richard (on balcony) readied
__ Fergus
__ Zokon
__ Szam Tass
__ Manor guards (on balcony)
__ Lord Varn
__ Illthir
__ Serena
__ Durgan
__ Other NPCs

Maps for the ground floor and balcony updated

Delaying Zokon and Fergus.

As one the manor guards on the mezzanine draw their swords--the heavy curved Aldori dueling swords favored by Ser Richard.

Szam Tass moves the hand not holding the skull with an almost nonchalant flourish that causes the dedicated skin still lashed to the bone of his hand to audibly creak.

He proclaims something in his rasping voice, but the sound is drown out by the concussive blast of a huge ball of blue-white fire that engulfs the center of the room and mushrooms upward to the ceiling three floors up.

Everyone. Reflex save DC 20.

When the smoke clears men cry out, or lay wounded or worse upon the burning rugs and furniture.

Lord Varn disappears in the explosion, The flash of his blade that last you see of him until he appears again once the smoke and flame has passed, now somehow standing on the far side of the undead wizard a stunned look on his scorched face.

"I-it went right through him."

Round 1! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Ser Richard (on balcony) readied
__ Szam Tass
__ Manor guards (on balcony) readied
__ Lord Varn -11 hp
__ Fergus (pending Reflex save DC 20)
__ Zokon (pending Reflex save DC 20)
__ Illthir (pending Reflex save DC 20)
__ Serena (pending Reflex save DC 20)
__ Durgan (pending Reflex save DC 20)
__ Other NPCs

Maps for the ground floor and balcony updated

Does hiding under table give cover :p?

Reflex!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Apparently! :d

Illthir cries out in a song of valor and war, shaky at first but her voice quickly goes steady. Rise up and fight this foe!

Reflex DC 20: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Another +2 if vs a spell or SLA, but still not enough.

Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Yeah, that table gives cover, but apparently he turned me into an NPC if I check the initiative list...

Yeah, that table gives cover, but apparently he turned me into an NPC if I check the initiative list...

My bad!

Fire damage incoming.

Alia and Illthir take cover. Durgan braces himself as best as possible to not be blown off his feet.

{{KAH-BOOM!!!}}

The skeletal arcanist seems unfazed.

Round 1! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Ser Richard (on balcony) readied
__ Szam Tass
__ Manor guards (on balcony) readied
__ Lord Varn -11 hp
__ Fergus (pending Reflex save DC 20)
__ Zokon (pending Reflex save DC 20)
__ Illthir -11 hp
__ Alia -11 hp
__ Serena (pending Reflex save DC 20)
__ Durgan -22 hp
__ Other NPCs

Maps for the ground floor and balcony updated

"MONSTER!"

Illthir uses her Inspire Rage song ability to bolster the defenders.

As above, but less cryptic :D Standard Action to sing. Move action to get weapon in hand for what good it'll do. Fast Healing from Skald's Vigor! Which might actually be 2 and not 1: It is equal to the strength bonus the song provides, which may be +2 strength, and not the bonus the strength increase of 2 provides which would be 1. I'll look into it ... :p

cough
I'm still here. Good.

Durgan moves near the center of the room while drawing his axe, raises his holy symbol, and channels the power of Abadar to heal the living.

Channel 1 of 3: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 5) = 15
Very nice. Think that reaches everyone.

Durgan knows he has no authority over his colleagues, let alone these strangers, but he's still going to offer some tactical advice.
"Someone, multiple someones, ready to interrupt casting. And figure out if that lich is real or an illusion."

I think because I moved I cannot take the move action to attempt to Disbelieve.