Of Kings and Commoners - Kingmaker AP

Game Master RPGGGM

The Hedge Maze (EVERYONE Edition!)

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

And I'll Form the Head! So any combination of one layer of dwarf and one layer of half-elf is not really going to be tall enough to look over a wall of shrubs that is 10-feet high and 5-feet thick and see anything more than the edge of the next shrub over if even that. Regardless, I am pretty sure that there is probably some climbing (DC 10; possibly with some aid other) and carrying capacity rules that have to happen. The bottom layers of the tower need to be strong enough to lift/support the stuff higher up. Matheus is game to try, but Mother Vorst gives the party a reproving look if they so much as hint that she should be apart of the effort.

"Fergus - can Ditzy get up there?"
Durgan will attempt the cheerleader move with Illthir - having her stand on his extended arms rather than his shoulders.

Str check seems right for an overhead press.

Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Then if Illthir holds Ditzy up, it might work. It seems a bit tricky but not Cirque du Soleil level.

And if that doesn't work... "Does anyone have Enlarge Person prepared? Or a scroll or potion?"

"Do I...? No! I don't want to take a survey!" Serena shouts. She recognizes the imp as a denizen of the lower planes, even if she cannot determine exactly which.

"Fergus - can Ditzy get up there?"

Durgan will attempt the cheerleader move with Illthir - having her stand on his extended arms rather than his shoulders.

Str check seems right for an overhead press.

Except you don't have to roll for anything. You can just lift.

Lifting and Dragging A character can lift as much as his maximum load over his head. A character’s maximum load is the highest amount of weight listed for a character’s Strength in the heavy load column of Table: Carrying Capacity.

In Durgan's case that's 300 lbs. So long as Illthir and Ditzy and all of their gear doesn't weigh that....

Then if Illthir holds Ditzy up, it might work. It seems a bit tricky but not Cirque du Soleil level.

I actually saw one of their traveling live shows once a few years back. Highly recommend.

And if that doesn't work... "Does anyone have Enlarge Person prepared? Or a scroll or potion?"

"Um, no." says the spearless spear fighter.

And if that doesn't work... "Does anyone have Enlarge Person prepared? Or a scroll or potion?"

The merchant looks distracted when Longtooth grabs him roughly by the collar, looks him in the face and says "And what about you wizard? Got anything useful on your person?"

"A potion that can enlarge you? No. I gave that to a--well, he's not so much a friend--actually he's the exact opposite, but the nature of the work means we must all make sacrifices."

Longtooth shakes him once.

"I can guide us through the maze."

And with that Kozen does unerringly lead the party through the maze.

"Grrr. YAP!"

"Do I...? No! I don't want to take a survey!" Serena shouts. She recognizes the imp as a denizen of the lower planes, even if she cannot determine exactly which.

The little gremlin thing makes a note on his clipboard.

"Thank you." it says and then flies off toward the party.

It lands on a high branch of the thorn bush and calls down to the group.

"EXCUSE ME! Thank you all for your attention. Do you have moment to take a survey of your experiences upon the grounds today?"

Anyone who can see the thing outlined in red 10' up can make a Knowledge (planes) check HERE to identify the little pest.

Tbh imperial system measurements tell me nearly nothing at a glance but I think Illthir is under 300 pound? Even with armour

"No, well ..." Illthir does her best to ignore the tiny imp for the moment - that *didn't* seem like the most pressing matter. But Kozen's whatever-it-was seemed a bit more relevant. "Oh well then. That's mildly ominous and hopefully helpful. Let's go! This way Serena!" As gracefully as she can, she gets down from Durgans shoulders/hands and gives him an apologetic look. Though now she knew whom to ask if she ever needed a bit more stage presence ...

Know:Plane just in case

Roll!: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"In general? Or just now?" she offers over her shoulder as she hurries along. It seemed unwise to piss off another strange creature, if it could be avoided.

The Hedge Maze (EVERYONE Edition!)

Tbh imperial system measurements tell me nearly nothing at a glance but I think Illthir is under 300 pound? Even with armour

There is this new thing I just found out about, it is call Google. All the kids are doing it. ;) 300 lbs is equal to about 21.43 stone. Hope that helps.

Matheus, Longtooth and Kozen move ahead as well.

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

Durgan will move with the group.

300 lb is also 136 kg or 9.3 slugs.

Aye, but then I can't take a swipe at these archaic measurements :p Most worrying things are the pathfinder-ized weights of things, like Illthirs armour. Though apparently half-elves cap out at around 170lbs anyhow so it would probably be good :)

The Hedge Maze (EVERYONE Edition!)

Most of the party moves into the maze proper following Kozen's instructions. Example: "Turn left and then left again the next fork you come to."

Seeing that he hasn't moved, the little, red, gargoyle thing alights upon the arched maze entryway and calls down to Fergus. "Excuse me sir or ma'am. Do you have moment to take a survey of your experiences upon the grounds today?"

If you can see the thing (outlined in red 15' up) you can make a Knowledge (planes) check HERE

Round 1! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Talking Badger-Deer-Lion-thing Ready
__ Serena
__ Alia readied
__ Illthir
__ Fergus a pyramid of one?
__ Durgan
__ Alak Dool
__ Kozen
__ Longtooth
__ Matheus
__ Mother Vorst

Serena, of course, follows the others.

Oh, I do, if need be. I had been saving it, but if you think it prudent I can cast it now. completely forgot it was one of my prepared spells. Hah! also, sorry, doing a course for a work promotion, so time has been slim. Fergus will cast enlarge on whoever Durgan indicates.

planes: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30

Fergus looks up to the Imp, mildly curious. Perhaps, as long as I'm not signing any deals or the like by doing so. And as long as it doesn't take me away from the events unfolding here.

We don't need the Enlarge right now - it was a way to see over the hedges, but we are instead following Kozen through the maze.

Fergus looks up to the Imp, mildly curious. Perhaps, as long as I'm not signing any deals or the like by doing so. And as long as it doesn't take me away from the events unfolding here.

"Of course not. It should only take a minute or two." says the crimson creature as Serena passes by beneath.

"Now where have you been today. I see you've just arrived to the Maze of Marvelous Peril, so I won't spoil it for you but you and your friends are in for an absolute treat!" says the creature vibrating with excitement. "Now have you visited any of our other attractions? The Vault of Despair? The Pantry of Death? The Malpractice Mat? Death's Stair? Silence in the Library? The Burning Barn? The Spooky Attic? Final Question? The Killing Grounds? Murder Holes? The Inverted Room? Contraptions in the Carriage House? The Stalking Field? Have you been to the gazebo yet?"

The Hedge Maze (EVERYONE Edition!)

The party presses onward. Moved everyone a single move action's worth forward--Serena a whole double move to catch up.

Meanwhile near the center of the maze Alia waits out of sight of the beast and the beast itself does not appear from around the corner.

Round 1! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Talking Badger-Deer-Lion-thing Ready
__ Serena
__ Alia readied
__ Illthir standard action available
__ Fergus all actions available
__ Durgan standard action available
__ Alak Dool
__ Kozen standard action available
__ Longtooth standard action available
__ Matheus standard action available
__ Mother Vorst standard action available

Durgan will just use Total Defense as his standard action, moving through the maze at the speed of Kozan.

Those places are all here? He asks before answering the question.

For now, no actions.

Those places are all here? He asks before answering the question.

For now, no actions.

"Oh yes."

Keeping pace with the guide seemed to be the move, so let's stick with that. And eavesdrop lightly on the imp. She winced a bit when the "Burning Barn" was mentioned. Bleh.

I think I was at the Burning Barn? Well, that was actually more of a Stable I think... did you Employ an Eftreet? And Is this Gazebo a center point to all the attractions? Fergus continues to speak with the creature.

I think I was at the Burning Barn? Well, that was actually more of a Stable I think... did you Employ an Eftreet?

And Is this Gazebo a center point to all the attractions?

"I don't know. I think that's Gariez section."

The Hedge Maze (Walking Folks Edition!)

As the party moves forward They hear the sound of a blood-curdling scream to the southwestern reaches of the maze.

"I hear that. Sounds like Alia.
But I also hear hooves clicking on cobbles. North and southwest.
Something invisible or hidden behind the hedges?
Could be a trap."

I assume the Invisibility Purge he cast after the Efreeti fight has expired, so would need someone else to make invisible foes visible. Like Faerie Fire or Glitterdust or another Invisibility Purge.

"Sounds like her! But ..." The skald's eyes jumped between the direction of the scream and those of the guide. Surely the path was twisting and turning but ... "...whom are we on our way to?"

"I have some scrolls of Invisibility Alarm, which would be a highly impractical way to solve it."

I assume the Invisibility Purge he cast after the Efreeti fight has expired, so would need someone else to make invisible foes visible. Like Faerie Fire or Glitterdust or another Invisibility Purge.

It has about a minute left.

Durgan Far-Walker wrote:

I assume the Invisibility Purge he cast after the Efreeti fight has expired, so would need someone else to make invisible foes visible. Like Faerie Fire or Glitterdust or another Invisibility Purge.

It has about a minute left.

Good to know.

"Let's go Southwest. Alia might be there, and something definitely is - maybe the devil-horse again, and we can end it."

Serena nods, picking up the pace as much as she is able in plate armor.

"Let's go Southwest. Alia might be there, and something definitely is - maybe the devil-horse again, and we can end it."

"The trail leads that way" says Kozen. "Leave the path at your own risk."

Meanwhile, back at the maze's entrance[b]

[b]"Right, so the Burning Barn was it? A classic." The creature flips through his papers. "What parts of the Burning Barn did you experience, exactly?

Durgan Far-Walker wrote:

"Let's go Southwest. Alia might be there, and something definitely is - maybe the devil-horse again, and we can end it."

"The trail leads that way" says Kozen. "Leave the path at your own risk."

"There is a potential enemy in here stalking us."

Nevertheless, Durgan rejoins the group.

"There is a potential enemy in here stalking us."

Nevertheless, Durgan rejoins the group.

"Where?" whispers Varn's armsman.

The Hedge Maze (EVERYONE Edition!)

Jewel stops in the middle of the path ahead of Serena and begins to shiver.

As Durgan returns to the line. Slavering monsters with the heads of dire badgers and the bodies of small deer round the maze's twists, their jagged hooves clattering upon the flagstones. PC who see them can click the link below to ID.

SURPRISE and Round 1! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Talking Badger-Deer-Lion-thing all move
__ Alia takes her readied action when the creature gets close enough
__ Talking Badger-Deer-Lion-thing
__ Alia
__ Illthir
__ Fergus
__ Durgan
__ Serena
__ Alak Dool
__ Kozen
__ Longtooth
__ Matheus
__ Mother Vorst
__ Jewel

The creatures attack! Alia stabs at her attacker as it rounds the bend, staggering it with her magic-infused blade. One of Dool's duplicates vanishes in a flash of snapping jaws and hooves

blue bite v Alia: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17 damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 hit

blue bite v Alak: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 hit
blue hoof v Alak: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 miss
blue hoof v Alak: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 miss

blue bite v Durgan: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 miss
blue hoof v Durgan: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 miss
blue hoof v Durgan: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 miss

blue bite v Matheus: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13 damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 miss
blue hoof v Matheus: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 miss
blue hoof v Matheus: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 miss

blue bite v Mother Vorst: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17 damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 hit
blue hoof v Mother Vorst: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 miss
blue hoof v Mother Vorst: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 miss

The wildness of their attack mean that most of the attacks do not hit the mostly flat-footed party.

The Hedge Maze (EVERYONE Edition!)

PCs who see the enemy can click the link below to ID.

Round 1! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Talking Badger-Deer-Lion-thing Blue -14 hp, 17 nl;
__ Alia -10 hp
__ Illthir
__ Fergus
__ Durgan
__ Serena
__ Alak Dool
__ Kozen
__ Longtooth
__ Matheus
__ Mother Vorst -6 hp
__ Jewel
__ Tiny flying poll-taker

Serena draws her scimitar and puts her shield to the forefront. She slashes at the beast.

Serena vs. thing: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Two things. One, I don't think Serena has a target without doing something different. Two, if Serena did have a target I would need to know which one.

Oops. Sorry, though that she could see yon beastie. Disregard, please. Instead, see below.

Hearing the sounds of combat ahead, Serena breaks into a run.

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Durgan can do all Knowledge checks untrained due to Breadth of Experience. But not with a roll like that.

"It's a beast of some kind!"

Durgan swings his axe.
Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Then he will step back 5'.
He turns to Illthir and Matheus. "Let it come to us."

The Hedge Maze (EVERYONE Edition!)

"I already have one, thank you!" shouts Matheus. "Oh, I wish I had my spear."
rapier v Pink: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Round 1! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Talking Badger-Deer-Lion-thing Blue -14 hp, 17 nl; Yellow -10 hp; Pink -4 hp
__ Alia -10 hp
__ Illthir
__ Fergus
__ Durgan
__ Serena
__ Alak Dool
__ Kozen
__ Longtooth
__ Matheus
__ Mother Vorst -6 hp
__ Jewel
__ Tiny flying poll-taker

Oops. Sorry, though that she could see yon beastie. Disregard, please. Instead, see below.

Hearing the sounds of combat ahead, Serena breaks into a run.

Serena can see the Red beast and hear the Blue beast trying to savage Alia on the other side of the hedge, and all the fighting on the path ahead. She just can't move fast enough in her armor to reach Red in one move action, and she can't charge because of all the people in the way. She could throw her scimitar I suppose, but usually I save that sort of thing for the movie's finale. ;)

Is there anywhere in particular on the map I can place Serena? There is space for her just south of the Red beastie harassing Mother Vorst and Longtooth, though getting there costs 2 move actions and an Attack of Opportunity from Red.

Know(Arcana!): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Illthir takes a step forward, enough to peek around the corner. Oh. She *does* recognize that creature from old tall tales. Or something close enough for it all to make sense at least. "They're vocal mimics!" That was a darn good trick. "Smart blighters. And they come in packs to ..."

Well. She hadn't heard anything about them being hammer-proof so let's try that. The skald raised her weapon and dared the magical beast to come just a bit closer.

Actions: Move/5' to get 1 square down. Standard to ready hammer whack. Probably with some penalties due to corner-to-corner attacks?

Please go ahead and move her up behind Mother Vorst, please.

*koff, koff*

Alia does stuff that sounds like a Foley team applying sound to a fight in a shrub. Fergus takes a survey?

Interposing Zokon between themselves and their attacker, the remaining Dools intone a word of magic and a veritable fusillade of magical darts fly from their fingers across the space and around Alia and into her attacker. The creature creature drops unconscious to the cobbles before Alia.

magic missile v blue: 5d4 + 5 ⇒ (4, 4, 2, 1, 3) + 5 = 19

Trapped in the Kozen pulls his wand and performs a similar feat with much lesser effect against the beast blocking the party's way.

wand of magic missile v pink: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

With the one next to her dropping to the floor, Alia turns around to see Alak interpose Zokon between himself and the other taxidermist nightmare.
She hurriedly moves over to present a more pressing target in herself, then covers her blade in a less powerful, but more persistant frost before striking at the creature once.

Concentration DC 17: 1d20 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 3 = 23
Attack=Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18 Damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (1, 4) + 4 = 9 + Nonlethal Cold: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 + Fatigue