Of Kings and Commoners - Kingmaker AP

Game Master RPGGGM

Serena will take 10 to climb out of the pit.

Very Definitely in the Pit Kitchen Now (Serena)

Serena will take 10 to climb out of the pit.

I'm guessing that gets you out. I don't know what Serena's AC penalty would be in her armor, even still I'm guessing with enough Aid Another anything is possible. ;)

Everyone alive makes it out of the pit in the pantry and back up into the kitchen.

There's a long, awkward silence as everyone looks at one another.

Then, an owl pecks at the closed window. "Whoo."

Also there is a dog yapping at something nearby.

END COMBAT!

RESULTS!
_________________
__ Kozen -10 hp
__ Serena -31 hp, 3 Con damage
__ Longtooth -18 hp

A Hedge Maze (Alia and Zokon Edition!)

We can assume the spider swarms are broken up by now, with Zokon leading luring them to him and then stepping back 5' so Dool could throw a lance of lightning in straight line down at them. Otherwise we can keep the description and assume that Alia Legolassed her way in and out of the hole. ;) Either way no saves needed.

"Well you're certainly fit." says an acerbic Dool as Alia carefully lowers Zokon to the cobblestones.

A moment later the wizard sneezes loudly and then mutters a curse beneath his breath.

Meanwhile.

First floor of Ser Richard Iannuchi's Manor

"So you want to find Dool?" pronouncing the wizard's name in a tone reminiscent of a what one might use to describe a filthy drain clog.

"Want is a strong way to put it ..." Illthir mutters to herself but gives Fergus a chance to weight in.

I'm not entirely sure, all this chaos has left me a bit flustered. I know I cannot properly track teleportation effects yet. Dool or stroon perhaps could.. though they likely don't have the required magic prepared today. It would be unlikely in either case.

Fergus offers what little he can for advice.

It is possible. Though unlikely I would say.

"So you're sure then? Very well." Forcing her goiter down, Mother Vorst tries to bring the contentious wizard to mind. She begins to chant an invocation to call upon second sight of the Lady of Graves.

"He's somewhere that way." she says pointing. "Round the back of the house near the orchard and maze."

First floor of Ser Richard Iannuchi's Manor

"YAP YAP YAP YAP YAP!" Lady Pavetta Stroon's small dog reappears on the porch barking at the party.

"The die is cast. Let us hope he can find the rest." Illthir nods solemnly. If this was a dumb idea - and they could have used that bit of magic to save someone she actually cared about ... Brr. Better not think about it.

As they come across the yapping, evil dog Illthir mock-gasps and raises her arms. "Another foul beast! Heh... Not quite as bad as the rest." Lowering her weapons again she looks the dog over. Singed? Cursed? Any little clue as to what horrors may lurk around the corner? No? "Where is your mistress I wonder? You *are* a dog ... Maybe you can track her down?"

She makes a half-hearted attempt at communicating with the beast. But they couldn't waste too much time; Vorst spell might not last.

"I dare say I have my uses.", Alia responds while checking Zokon.
"I believe I know where the exit is. But I also believe that Shepherd Keegan should be in this direction - I will check him first, then, while my spell lasts, attempt to evacuate all of us towards the way out."
She looks up at the mage, then adds:"You are welcome to come along, and if you so wish, I will speak of no interaction that will take place between us on the way out of here that may infringe on the dignity of the persona you cultivate. But we were scrambled and attacked and my friends and allies may still be in danger. I hope to move swiftly, and don't want to leave anyone behind if I can help it."

To be clear, I'm offering to 'carry' Dool over the hedge - Spider-Climb SHOULD work on those as well so once I manage to check the spot where Alia suspects the Shepherd, I should be able to shortcut to the assumed exit point by 'shuttling' people over the wall. Furthermore, I'm offering to never speak about having carried Dool if he accepts.

Serena rises to her feet, ignoring the protests from her body. "Didn't that noblewoman have a dog? Maybe that's her, and if it is her, maybe we'll find the others. Come on!"

First floor grounds of Ser Richard Iannuchi's Manor (Illthir, Durgan and Fergus Edition!)

She makes a half-hearted attempt at communicating with the beast. But they couldn't waste too much time; Vorst spell might not last.

Running under the idea that Illthir makes up a third of the PCs in her group that's enough to get us moving in that direction. For the record Mother Vorst's locate object spell last for 10 minutes.

If Illthir wants and can do so she can take the time to try Wild Empathy, or Handle Animal to influence Jewel.

Under the cleric's lead the party heads back outside and begins skirting the manor.

"YAP! YAP! YAP! Grrrr."

First floor grounds of Ser Richard Iannuchi's Manor (Serena and Company Edition!)

Serena rises to her feet, ignoring the protests from her body. "Didn't that noblewoman have a dog? Maybe that's her, and if it is her, maybe we'll find the others. Come on!"

The barking seems to be coming moving closer along the outer wall. Serena opens the side door to the outside and sees Mother Vorst leading, Durga, Matheus, Fergus and Illthir who looks to be antagonizing Lady Stroon's little lap dog who is rushing around barking and growling at her.

The owl at the window flies off around back of the manor.

A Hedge Maze (Alia and Zokon Edition!)

The hedges themselves are Disney Dark-Fantasy thorny, so climbing them will be damaging without some sort of protection.

Dool nods and waves Alia forward in the direction of the Shepherd as if to say "Ladies first."

Dool is willing to haul Zokon around (very slowly--he's a heavy load for the wizard) if you didn't want to leave him behind, since Alia knows she's being followed.

Durgan will follow Illthir's recommendations on where to go next. If she says to follow Mother Vorst, then that is what he will do.

Oh, I was checking Zokon, I didn't plan on dropping him. I'll keep him with me. Unless Zokon has a floating disk or something available.
Also, how much damage are we talking? I feel I may need 3 trips over one hedge to get Zokon, the Shepherd and Dool over to near the exit. While Spider Climb is active, I should be able to make it there, drop, and back in one turn. I'd prefer not to go the long way back with 2 potentially unconscious and/or dead people.

Alia moves forward, making sure Alak remains nearby:"There is something else in this maze. Not sure what. But we should not let our guard down. If you have any defensive magics you can employ that last a while, I believe now would be a good time."

Since I was already standing there I moved the text sign on the map out of the way, I see there was another corner to round. No sign of the Shepherd or where he might have ended up?

Oh, I was checking Zokon, I didn't plan on dropping him. I'll keep him with me. Unless Zokon has a floating disk or something available.

Also, how much damage are we talking?

1d4 per move action along the thorn wall; a d6 per move action within it (if you are trying to break/chop your way through--note there would be hardness involved).

Correction: I meant unless Alak has a floating disk

1d4 per move I'll take, with 3 move actions that would total do 3d4, I think I'll prefer that over going the long way, but alas, so far I have no idea about the shepherds fate. I should see all positions he could have been in, unless something was throwing his voice or something.

"Durgan! Illthir! I feared that we would never see one another again!" Serena's voice betrays her exhaustion, but the emotion is clear.

A Hedge Maze (Alia and Zokon Edition!)

Alak Dool (Str 11--a titan among wizards!) doesn't have floating disc memorized today. He can drag Zokon along (no Dex bonus to AC) at 5' round.

As the party rounds a bend Alia comes upon the body of human man she's met before. The old scars on his cruel face have been added to. His throat has been torn out and the rest of his body looks savaged as if by a wild animal. His battle axe lies beneath the far wall of thorns from where he fell.

↑ The dead man.

"Z-zokon? Is that y-you?" comes the Shepherd's shaky voice from around the next corner.

First floor grounds of Ser Richard Iannuchi's Manor (Serena, Durgan, Fergus and Illthir Edition!)

"Durgan! Illthir! I feared that we would never see one another again!" Serena's voice betrays her exhaustion, but the emotion is clear.

"My dear it's good to see you again. We're going to try and rescue the other attendants. You haven't seen the Lady Sandralane by any chance? Or the Lord Mayor?"

Longtooth and Kozen exit the door behind Serena. The merchant looks distracted, while Longtooth is all smiles as if he is enjoying himself.

Matheus asks the three if any of them have seen his Lord Varn.

"Serena, it is good to see you.
We are in over our head here. Powerful enemies laid a carefully-planned trap. I don't know the full extent of it, but it involved an Efreeti and fiend-horse, numerous undead, murderous animated suits of armor, and that's just what I have seen.
We are on hostile territory with an unknown number of enemy assailants."
Durgan's voice is seething with frustration.
This is not the kind of 'being in the dark' that dwarves are comfortable with.

"I suggest we gather all the allies we can and establish a defensible position. Somewhere we could hold out for a day.
We don't know what their goal was, but the Efreeti killed Alisa and nearly killed Matheus. The armor killed two of the Lord Mayor's guards. The undead killed another of the guardsmen, although we were able to save most in that battle." Not sure if any were killed by the initial 22-pt Fireball, though I channeled for 15 right after that, so any that were just negative would have been saved and conscious. I know we lost the one guardsman that 'Ser Richard' decapitated with a crit.

"There was an undead that appeared to be Ser Richard; I don't know if he was truly turned into an undead or if it was impersonating him. We destroyed whatever it was."

He will watch Longtooth for any reaction as he recounts the disaster of the day. Could he have something to do with this?
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

"A really terrible day." Illthir summarizes. Through the grim news a small smile manage to finds its way to her. "Good to see friendly faces." Gave her hope. "We've got a spell going that might help us find Dool - whom *seemed* to sniff out a teleportation spell before; Stroon's entrance. Hopefully he might be able to piece together where everyone went ..."

"Zokon is with me, but currently...indisposed. It is I, Alia. What happened here, Shepherd?" Alia responds, but does not move closer. The dead man on the ground seemed ominous, even without closer inspection. "What killed this man?"

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18 Anything strange about the Shepherd's voice, or the dead mans wounds?(like, could a summon do this, or does it seem like he was surprised...is there blood on his axe?)

Serena's face falls slightly on hearing of Alisa's death, but you cannot be sure whether it is that news or the news that she bears that causes the emotion. "Balthur Mistbreather is also slain, killed by some kind of humanoid hedgehog with poisoned spines. It would have killed me as well if not for Longtooth and Kozen. They saved my life." Turning to Mother Hellana, she shakes her head. "We've seen nothing of anyone else."

The Hedge Maze (Large Party Edition!)

Mother Vorst leads the party to the manor's back lawn where they find a high hedge wall. Following the wall they come upon the entrance to a hedge maze. The fields around are sprinkled with the corpses of a few of the attendee's bodyguards and servants none of whom the party members know by looking at them.

Some characters might have other plans or abilities that might allow for other points of entrance. If anyone wants to fly over or burrow under or try to cut their way through now would be the time to say so. Otherwise I will assume everyone is at the entrance.

"They are in there." Vorst says with a sense of finality.

A Hedge Maze (Alia and Zokon Edition!)

"Zokon is with me, but currently...indisposed. It is I, Alia. What happened here, Shepherd?" Alia responds, but does not move closer. The dead man on the ground seemed ominous, even without closer inspection. "What killed this man?"

[dice=Perception]1d20+12 Anything strange about the Shepherd's voice, or the dead mans wounds?(like, could a summon do this, or does it seem like he was surprised...is there blood on his axe?)There is blood on the axe.

"Alia? Zokon's bride? Thank goodness! I'm trapped!" comes the response from deeper in. "Whoever did this is quite clever, dividing the party and springing what I assume to be a well-orchestrated ambush. There's a pit and I fell into it like an old fool."

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
Alia looks ahead cautiously, not sure if she should expect a trap. With a heavy heart, she decides to leave Zokon with Dool, Titan among wizards, for now."I will take a look. Please keep him save."
If reasonably certain she found a save spot further inside, she jumps there, trying to make out where the Shepherd might be.
"If it's just a pit, I should be able to help well enough for a couple minutes, still. But I concur with your view. This is...a troublesome situation we find ourselves in."

The Hedge Maze (Large Party Edition!)

"They are in there."

**koff, koff**

I imagine Durgan's Fly spell has worn off by now. So he will start walking into the hedge maze, axe in hand.

"How are you holding up?" Being a stoic knight was impressive and all, but Serena didn't look in tip-top shape. Something with all that blood splattered everywhere? "Let me take a look *before* the Maze of Most Probable Murder."

Can offer 2 CLW spells for 2d8+10 total and 3 scrolls of the same; 3d8+3

"...There. Now; the shrubbery ..." Illthir hopes someone else will lead the way. Durgan answers her prayer and she follows.

Durgan's remaining spells:
0 (4): Guidance, Purify Food and Drink, Stabilize, Create Water
1 (4+1): Liberating Command, Divine Favor, Shield of Faith, Air Bubble, Shield (D)
2 (3+1): Bull’s Strength, Resist Energy, Silence, Barkskin (D)
3 (2+1): Communal Resist Energy, Invisibility Purge, Fly (D)

No channels. But he does have a wand of CLW with 30 charges left.

He will use his Pearl of Power to recall and re-cast Shield.

The Wand might be a worthy substitute for Illthir's spells; she'll have a total of 3 1st level spells to contribute with then :)

Serena gladly accepts the healing from Illthir, relishing in the effects.

Healing: 2d8 + 10 + 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (6, 5) + 10 + (2, 3, 7) + 3 = 36

Now feeling almost like her old self again, she confidently takes out her scimitar and follows Durgan into the maze, coming to walk beside him, intent on not letting the dwarf take the lead.

The Hedge Maze (EVERYONE Edition!)

The party presses on, Guided by Mother Vorst with Durgan and Serena in the lead. The Pharasmin priestess knows the direction of Alak Dool but not the path needed to find him within the maze.

Meanwhile within the maze Alia presses forward toward the sound of the Shepherds voice. "That's it, near the fountain!"

Durgan and Serena too can hear the Shepherd's voice coming from ahead and to their left through the shrubbery.

The Hedge Maze (EVERYONE Edition!)

Alia rounds the last corner and sees the fountain, a trio of large exotic stone fish spitting water into the air that rains back down into the white, stone basin. But there does not seem to be a pit or a shepherd anywhere in sight.

Instead out steps a strange chimerical beast with the body and legs of a something like a deer or perhaps a wiry, dire version of that herbivore. It sports a striped lion's tail, barrel chest, and vicious badger's head with eyes that glint red in shadows of the maze.

"Took you long enough." the animal says in Shepherd Keegh's gruff voice. It's a bit jarring to see that voice spring from that furry muzzle. It smiles maliciously and in another unfamiliar voice says "I haven't had elf in a dog's age." It licks it's chops in anticipation.

You may make a Knowledge (arcana) check when you see the creature to identify it. Open all the spoilers that your character beats the DC of.

Now feeling almost like her old self again, she confidently takes out her scimitar and follows Durgan into the maze, coming to walk beside him, intent on not letting the dwarf take the lead.

You have the space to stand one another, but the close confines of the maze (mostly 5' wide pathways) mean that you can't readily fight side-by-side.

Serena Mistcastle wrote:

Now feeling almost like her old self again, she confidently takes out her scimitar and follows Durgan into the maze, coming to walk beside him, intent on not letting the dwarf take the lead.

You have the space to stand one another, but the close confines of the maze (mostly 5' wide pathways) mean that you can't readily fight side-by-side.

Durgan is more than happy to let Serena take the lead.

Knowledge Arcana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

"I have no idea what you are but ugly. You look like a taxidermist animated his leftovers.", Alia responds, drawing her Estoc again, Frost dancing on the blade as she infuses it with magic.

Not sure if I do get to take an action or if there is init, but I figure if it's busy licking chops and telling me about how tasty elf can be, I may have a shot at it.
If so, casting Frigid Touch and holding the charge, and using Arcane Pool to enhance my Blade (+1 Keen, for +3 Keen total).

I also checked, and it seems I cast mirror images a few rounds ago, in May, since they last minutes per level, should still be good to go for this...at least I hope so.

Fergus will likewise recast his shield, noticing Durgan's action. He will also cast Long arm, to make even more use from his reach weapon.

Yes, you're probably right. Unlikely this ordeal is finished just yet.

We haven't seen the scene have we?

Fergus will likewise recast his shield, noticing Durgan's action. He will also cast Long arm, to make even more use from his reach weapon.

Yes, you're probably right. Unlikely this ordeal is finished just yet.

We haven't seen the scene have we?

If you mean what Alia sees then no, but you can hear voices through the bushes but the noise of running water might interfere with understanding it all.

Durgan is more than happy to let Serena take the lead.

Noted and adjusted.

"I have no idea what you are but ugly. You look like a taxidermist animated his leftovers.", Alia responds, drawing her Estoc again, Frost dancing on the blade as she infuses it with magic.

Not sure if I do get to take an action or if there is init, but I figure if it's busy licking chops and telling me about how tasty elf can be, I may have a shot at it.
If so, casting Frigid Touch and holding the charge, and using Arcane Pool to enhance my Blade (+1 Keen, for +3 Keen total).

Alia has the time to do that.

The Hedge Maze (EVERYONE Edition!)

Round 1! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Talking Badger-Deer-Lion-thing Ready
__ Serena
__ Alia
__ Illthir
__ Fergus
__ Durgan
__ Alak Dool
__ Matheus
__ Mother Vorst

"No Shepherd here. Just a nasty critter.", Alia states loud enough for Dool to hear. "Should have known. I've had it with being tricked by would-be predators."

She didn't want to draw attention to Dool, but also wanted the Wizard to understand the situation - so that he could either retreat with Zokon, or think on what aid he could render. With the creature fletching it's teeth, but not assaulting, Alia decides to play for time, and takes a step back to where she stood before rounding the corner - ready to stab the creature if it approached.

Ready Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21 Weapon: 2d4 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 + 3 = 14 Frigid Touch - cold+staggered: 5d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 5, 2, 5) = 17

Serena quickens her pace, hearing the commotion nearby, trying to move in the general direction of the coming melee.

"I have an a-maze-ing idea. Someone get up on my shoulders and spot for us." Maybe they could find their way around quicker. Maybe the maze wasn't that cursed. And hopefully no-one in heavy armor would take up the offer ...

"Illthir, the physics might work better if you were on my shoulders.
Not to say that you are a lithe delicate flower, but I am a dwarf in full plate."

"Yes, I was hoping for a less sturdy volunteer .." Illthir muttered but took the offer. Also, offering to stand on someone was less heroic then offering a lift. Quite different tone that question. But! Let's see - she was mildly worried the dwarf+half-elf combo wouldn't be quite tall enough. But it sure would be sturdy! "Let's see, oh, hmm. I put my foot there ... And then. Aha! Yeah. Let's ... Hmm."

Oh, if that doesn't do it, I'll climb up and have a look over both of you. On the plus side, I don't do armor particularly. Fergus allows himself a chuckle.
Like three halflings in a suit.

Serena wonders for a moment how difficult the direct route might be, cutting through the hedge. She tests the hedge with her scimitar to discern how thick it might be.

"No Shepherd here. Just a nasty critter.", Alia states loud enough for Dool to hear. "Should have known. I've had it with being tricked by would-be predators."

She didn't want to draw attention to Dool, but also wanted the Wizard to understand the situation - so that he could either retreat with Zokon, or think on what aid he could render. With the creature fletching it's teeth, but not assaulting, Alia decides to play for time, and takes a step back to where she stood before rounding the corner - ready to stab the creature if it approached.

"Yes, no doubt a friend of this one over here." says the multiplicity of Dools looking back the way they came (I almost forgot he had mirror image running). They adjust their position for defense. Then, the real one quietly explains what he knows about the creatures --everything through DC 25+ HERE. Other PCs beside Alia can hear what he's saying clearly with a perception check (DC 12 + 1 for every 10' away from him your character is.

The thing Alia can't see barks out a laugh like a hyena and says. "Aw, the elf's mate doesn't look so well. It doesn't want to talk. Well we can talk to you, she-elf. There isn't that better? Rangers aren't the most talkative of folk, at least not until you're biting their fingers off one at a time." It says in Zokon's voice.

Likewise the other party members besides Dool and Alia can hear Zokon's voice but need to make a roll to understand what he's saying, this DC is only 5 + 1 per 10' distance from the red creature.

Serena quickens her pace, hearing the commotion nearby, trying to move in the general direction of the coming melee.

random direction determination (her left or right from the entrance): 1d2 ⇒ 1

Serena heads to her left. Double move. She come up short though as there seems to be a stone wall blocking the path leading south just past the bend.

"Excuse me! Excuse me sir or ma'am!" shouts a thin voice from above to Serena. It appears to be a red bat with a tiny goblinoid body. You (and anyone else who can see the thing outlined in red 10' up) can make a Knowledge (planes) check HERE It is holding a clipboard thick with parchment.

"Do you have moment to take a survey of your experiences upon the grounds today?" it says flying closer.

Serena wonders for a moment how difficult the direct route might be, cutting through the hedge. She tests the hedge with her scimitar to discern how thick it might be.

The hedge itself is 5-feet thick and full of fairy-tale sized thorns--Serena deems it would take a while to cut through with her scimitar... maybe with a big axe?