Of Kings and Commoners - Kingmaker AP

Game Master RPGGGM

Scarlet walks into the room, drawing her weapons along the way. She keeps her distance, but stays in the front in case Rain goes on the attack.

"Easy boy. We're here to help. Fan is right around the corner. Fan?"

Celyne and Luna hang back a bit, letting the martial types move to the forefront... Then the oracle steps forward, unarmed, leaving Luna to guard the rear, and tries to catch sight of the wolf if she can...

"Easy, easy Rain... we're trying to help you and your master.. Our pack means you no harm... "

handle animal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Numalar looks at Posh, and back at Fan. He frowns.

"Why would we need to know the beast speech? What sort of creature is Tamris, anyway?"

"He's a half-elf." Fan says, still sounding irritated. "But we're trying to find a wounded wolf right now and maybe follow it back to its master. I'm not much good at dealing with such animals myself. It would be helpful to be able to communicate with Rain rather than knock him senseless with magic or arrows-" He glances at Alia."-And then expect anything out of him don't you think?"

Then he adds to Alia "On that count, maybe you should stay well back and leave your bow on your saddle."

Scarlet walks into the room, drawing her weapons along the way. She keeps her distance, but stays in the front in case Rain goes on the attack.

"Easy boy. We're here to help. Fan is right around the corner. Fan?"

Rains eyes take in the growing crowd at the mouth of the cave and Scarlet's weapons. His hackles rise and lips pull back from his fangs. He growls threateningly from somewhere deep inside and looks ready to fight.

Then the oracle steps forward, unarmed, leaving Luna to guard the rear, and tries to catch sight of the wolf if she can...

"Easy, easy Rain... we're trying to help you and your master.. Our pack means you no harm... "

Normally you need wild empathy, or some magical means to calm or improve the attitude of an animal as if you had diplomacy. But Rain, while suspicious is not himself untrained.

The wolf's lips uncurl. His growling ceases. Rain bows his big shaggy head and pads forward slowly to rest it against her thigh.

End Combat.

Now that you have him, what do you want to do?

Scarlet stows her weapons away. "Sorry boy, we had to take precautions."

"So uh, Celyne. Anyway you can ask Rain to get back to Tamris?"

"He's a half-elf." Fan says, still sounding irritated. "But we're trying to find a wounded wolf right now and maybe follow it back to its master. I'm not much good at dealing with such animals myself. It would be helpful to be able to communicate with Rain rather than knock him senseless with magic or arrows-" He glances at Alia."-And then expect anything out of him don't you think?"

Then he adds to Alia "On that count, maybe you should stay well back and leave your bow on your saddle."

Alia responds with acid in her voice:"I had not intended to approach the beast again, having done so once only to save it, but I'll thank you for keeping your unneeded counsel to yourself, instead of plappering on and preventing me from hearing what else may be hiding here!"

Stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Just cautiously exploring. If something would trigger, I'll gladly postpone until the situation with dappled is resolved.

Just cautiously exploring. If something would trigger, I'll gladly postpone until the situation with dappled is resolved.

Understandable. That particular bit of cave ends in an uneven dead end right around the corner after ten feet. The place seems to be just a shallow cave.

Celyne kneels down and scratches the wolf under the jaw, behind the ears... "That's a good boy... I know you're hurting and missing Tamris. Can you seek Tamris, Rain? Seek your master?" Not knowing the commands Tamris might have used with Rain, she tries the same in elven as well.

IF the wolf is wounded, she'll cast cure light wounds on Rain as well...

clw on Rain if needed: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Celyne kneels down and scratches the wolf under the jaw, behind the ears... "That's a good boy... I know you're hurting and missing Tamris. Can you seek Tamris, Rain? Seek your master?" Not knowing the commands Tamris might have used with Rain, she tries the same in elven as well.

IF the wolf is wounded, she'll cast cure light wounds on Rain as well...

Celyne You can tell even after healing him that Rain is down more than half his starting hit points.

Celyne kneels down and scratches the wolf under the jaw, behind the ears... "That's a good boy... I know you're hurting and missing Tamris. Can you seek Tamris, Rain? Seek your master?" Not knowing the commands Tamris might have used with Rain, she tries the same in elven as well.

At the mention of Tamris' name the wolf looks at Celyne with the soulful eyes of a canine, hopeful, relived, glad even. He spins in a tight circle twice and bolts toward the cave exit, his wounds and weariness forgotten.

Aannd there's the other reason I went further down the other path. Wouldn't want to be in his way. Ultimately, I did help him flee, but I'm not certain if he'd connect that arrow with me via smell or something.

Celyne runs after the wolf, and motions for Luna to follow...

Numalar follows the group.

"He's a half-elf."

"At last, some information!" Numalar says, just as annoyed. "Don't be cross with us, Mister Auric. You have not been helpful at all. It's your friend we are trying to rescue. Is there anything else you can tell us?"

"Oh, and I believe that Mister Underhill can speak with animals, though I cannot. It doesn't seem necessary now though. Poshment - are you coming?"

heavy crossbow v Rain (flat-footed): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 damage: 1d10 ⇒ 7

A thick black crossbow bolt appears in Rain's chest nearly taking the wolf down. The wolf wails in pain.

Above on a short rise nearly a hundred feet away Grogan scowls in disappointment.

The wolf charges toward him, but won't quite make it due to the difficult
incline.

Grogan smiles that unsettling smile again.

Round 1
The Bold May Act
________________
__Grogan!
__Rain!
__The Party!

Rain (minimally) -7 hp

Map updated.

Celyne runs after the wolf and tries to heal him again.

clw on Rain: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

She gives a quick hand signal and sends Luna after Grogan and herself gets as close as she can to Rain if she can't get all the way to the wolf.

She calls out to Grogan regardless, "STOP! By the gods, hurt this wolf again and we WILL take you down... He's (she's?) under our protection now."

intimidate: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Rain is a he. Rain's taking a double move to close with the man which for him is 100 ft. of normal movement. So did you want to: A) Double move and try to keep up, B) Single move and command Luna forward (a move action), C) Single move and try to demoralize the man (a standard action), D) Sic Luna on Grogan and demoralize him from where you are standing +/- a 5-foot move, or do something else? Regardless, shouting your warning is still free.

I'll keep the Intimidate roll if you decide to go that route.

You could try and call him back with handle animal, but it would be difficult since as you point out you did not train him. Consider it pushing an animal that is already wounded. That would take a full-round action.

As a side note to everyone as Rain leaves the square in front of you (see map update) Celyne could have taken an attack of opportunity against him where she armed. As it is Numalar, Didymus and Posh still can assuming they have a weapon already in hand.

"What was that noise? Dammit, we were followed!" Scarlet runs out of the cave, drawing her swords along the way. "I'm getting tired of this, Grogan."

normal move and intimidate.... and sic Luna on Grogan next round...

handle animal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Alia emerges from the caves to see Grogan try and kill Rain AGAIN.
He did not care about his wolf murdered, left the corpse to rot. This man is a blight upon all that is worth protecting. Elders, forgive me for what I plan to do.
Alia moves towards Grogan as far as able, Estoc in hand, shouting:"Strike against that wolf once more, and your life is forfeit, hairless monkey!"

No, not intimidating, just stating a fact. He's welcome to ignore it but he WAS warned.

"There's no more bounty, Grogan!" Numalar shouts. "You're wasting your time!"

I don't think that will convince him, Numalar thinks. If Rain gets too close, he'll be killed.

"Forward, Sir Didymus! The enemy stands hither!"

Double Move for Sir Didymus. By my count that's 80 feet including the double movement past Scarlet.

Numalar mumbles something and holds up his little symbol.

"reH!"

Casting daze on Grogan, DC 15 Will

concentration, Vigorous motion DC 10 or violent motion DC 15: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Not sure which concentration category applies but I made both.

Not sure which concentration category applies but I made both.

This would be violent. The double move and the rough terrain conspire to make it so.

Will save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

In the midst of preparing to drop his crossbow and reach for his well-used battleaxe Grogan's eyes glaze over and a trickle of drool runs down his chin from his leering smile.

Zokon moves out of the caves and seeing what's happening moves towards his friends to help. He keeps silent not needing to alert anyone that he is there...

With the spell "Speak with Animals" I keep thinking of the 3.5 version for Gnomes which said it has to be burrowing type of creatures, but thankfully pathfinder allows any.

Did you want to do something, Posh?

The message board is running like--well, Sir Didymus.

Rain rushes the still grinning and momentarily dazed Grogan. But his zeal and fatigue betray him.

bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 trip: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Round 2
The Bold May Act
________________
__Grogan!
__Rain!
__The Party!

Rain (minimally) -7 hp

These Paizo boards, amirite?
"Bounty's called off, Grogan. I guess you didn't get the memo."

Masterwork Longsword, nonlethal: 1d20 + 6 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 4 = 4
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Wow, these rolls...

"I ain't no killer, though. Flee now."
We defend a supposedly bloodthirsty wolf and kill one of the hunters? How bad will that look? I gotta remember to buy one of those saps when we get back to town.

So, just to get this right, 2 diagonal squares will be 30 feet of movement? As in 2+4 or 2(+1)+2(+1)

Alia moves slightly closer to the dazed Grogan:"Consider your next course of actions very carefully!"

Numalar sees Scarlet and Alia getting onto position, and edges Sir Didymus forward.

So we want him alive? Well, there's not much I can do except hurt him.

"You heard the ladies. Any trouble and you will regret it."

Readying a burning hands which I will cast if Grogan does anything hostile, including attacking, threatening (i.e. intimidate), or moves towards myself or Alia.

"Mister Underhill, would you mind calling off the wolf?"

As you yourself said, reputation is important...nobody may really miss Grogan, but we'd still be his killers...in defense of a wolf that had a bounty placed on it's head. Of course, things are more complicated, but it's probably easier on our local fame if we manage to do things non-lethally. No strong preference personally. I think if he manages to kill Rain, Alia would be inclined to kill him, so if we have questions regarding his reasons, may need to be restrained-

Zokon drop his sword draws his bow and nocks and arrow

he uses studied target on Grogan

"I have you covered friends"

Celyne, now that she's done trying to inimidate the man, sends Luna to help Rain against Grogan (handle animal check above). While the tiger charges up the to man (not sure if she can get t0 him this round or not), Celyne moves a little closer herself.

The boards always mess up when I'm about to write something epic and forget to copy it...Also don't believe I have any real skills to help in this situation.

While I certainly agree about the boards being a bit cap recently, being the resident bard should pretty much gaurntee you have stuff to do every round even if said stuff is merely drawing closer to the action, perparing or aiding another. Talking to the wolf as suggested above might prove fruitful right now though.

Yes, especially since Celyne actually sent Luna to HELP dappled against Grogan. Which means if Grogan attacks, and gets color sprayed, both Dappled and Luna can try to rip his throat out and kill him with a coup-de-grace, which at least was not Scarlets or my intent(trying to resolve this non-lethally, possibly questioning him etc). I may have to decide not to activate the ready action if nobody manages to calm Dappled.

While Grogan is certainly aware and wary of all the firepower being brought to bear upon his position, Rain does not seem likely to stop attacking him.

Also those close to him notice what you'd assume to be his horse not too far behind him on the hill (the bottom left corner).

Zokon will look around when he can looking for Grogans friends

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Grogan missed the memo and Scarlet misses with her swing.

Celyne and Luna race forward.

Zokon doesn't see anyone else lurking about.

Grogan heft his battle axe and hesitates only a moment before growling: "Yer bluffing!"

Reflex save v burning hands: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Will save v color spray: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

The two cones of magic overlap and catch the man in swirl of electric multicolored flame that put you all in mind of the polar lights.

Surprised and smoking he swings wide of the mark.

battleaxe: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 miss

Rain snaps and misses.

bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 miss

And the bad dice roll on....

Round 3
The Bold May Act
________________
__Grogan!
__Rain!
__The Party!

Rain (minimally) -7 hp, Grogan (at least) -11 hp

"If that's the way you want to play it, Grogan. I'll try to save ya."
Scarlet quickly shuffles across the grass before her skin turns bright red. For now, she's done talking.

Bloodrage, TWF, Nonlethal: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 2 - 2 - 4 = 13
Longsword Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Bloodrage, TWF, Nonlethal: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 2 - 2 - 4 = 22
Shortsword Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Crit?: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 - 2 - 4 = 10
Crit Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

The boards always mess up when I'm about to write something epic and forget to copy it...Also don't believe I have any real skills to help in this situation.

We were hoping that you would use speak with animals and call Rain off.

Numalar will wait to see if Alia and Scarlet can take Grogan down nonlethally.

@ GM...I know you already rolled, but I did state beforehand(before the round resolve) that if nobody calms dappled, I cannot use color spray. I hoped Posh would act, or Celyne retcon her action. I was afraid of him failing his save, and dappled coup-de-grace-ing him.(which would probably lead to a dead human, killed by the wolf we vouched for). I know technically it's a non-issue since he made the save, but I still may need the spell later. Your call if I lost the spell or only the action by not taking it.

For this round:
Alia looks at Grogan, at Dappled, at Grogan again, seemingly unable to decide what to do, but also highly focused.
If either is given a chance, they will kill the other...pure hatred between these enemies. We can't have that...Grogan may give us answers, and Rain can't become a killer after we vouched for him.

@Numalar: I'm pretty certain one of Scarlets hits connected...unless you overkill, Grogan has a good chance of dropping unconscious or be in low negatives when he goes down, letting Celyne save him...so I'd say attack him.

Celyne lets Luna get really close to Grogan - hopefully close enough he can smell her carnivore's breath, then calls off the attack...calling out to Grogan (if he's still up)

"Stand down and surrender or the tiger WILL take you down."

Alia, you can keep the spell for later.

Scarlet in a controlled flurry hits once with the flat of her weapon staggering the big man.

Zokon will drop the arrow he is holding and draw a blunt arrow and attempt to hit Grogan somewhere debilitating but not lethal with it

"Your lucky my friends are being nice today Grogan.. i'd stop if I was you the next one will have a pointy end"

non-lethal blunt arrow+st+pbs: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 9 - 4 = 201d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Intimidate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 If I can

The arrow takes Grogan between the eyes. He tips backward and pitches into the bushes.

Rain moves to stand over him growling from somewhere deep in his chest. Then he stops, sniffs the man and looks up.

Combat over!

Scarlet calms down, exhaling steam out of her ears. "Good job, Rain." She stows her weapons away. "Phew. That buys us some time. Let's find Tamris before another hunter shows up, eh boy?"

Untrained Handle Animal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 She gives a wink to Rain.

"HOWWWWOOOO!!"

The wolf howls eagerly spins thrice and makes to run off even as beat and exhausted and bloodied as it seems.

Numalar reins in next to the fallen body of Grogan.

"So... what shall we do with this one, eh? Do we take him with us?"

"Yes we'll have to take him with us, we can't leave him it's a death sentence and he did only attack the wolf not one of us, some people just think of animals as meat"

Zokon will search Grogan and take all his weapons storing them on Zokons horse.

Does Grogan have a horse around?

Does Grogan have a horse around?

Yeah...

Also those close to him notice what you'd assume to be his horse not too far behind him on the hill (the bottom left corner).