Of Kings and Commoners - Kingmaker AP

Game Master RPGGGM

Scarlet's glee fades as she sees the men.
"Yeah, we're here. Don't worry, we're here to help."

Celyne, Luna, and Numalar hear the trap behind them close again with a dull thud. Numalar actually sees it close but the others do not without more light.

Since there are a lot of moving parts right now I'm going to put us into combat rounds.

Round 1
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Luna
__ Celyne
__ Alia
__ Small indistinct hooded figure (that only Numalar sees)
__ Posh
__ Scarlet
__ Zokon
__ Numalar
__ Prisoner
__ Sir Didymus

Scarlet's glee fades as she sees the men.

"Yeah, we're here. Don't worry, we're here to help."

"Is someone there?"

Alia still holds her Estoc, coming up next to Scarlet.
There's been traps, gelatinous cubes, and dust...they surely did not enter the way we did, not recently...
"What happened, how did you end up here?", she asks, wary of their actions.

The doorway creaks open on a dark cell. Dust Tuskgutters roll about on every surface at your entrance. Shackles line the north wall. Near the front bars a man leans heavily in the corner, one hand on the bars for support the other at his stomach.

"Is someone there?" He calls his voice rasps.

"I can't see!! I can't see!!" Screams another unseen man. There's terror in his muffled voice. The sound emanates from one of the two barrels that have been shoved into the corner!

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

"Is someone there?" The first man rasps again.

** spoiler omitted **...

Posh's eyes widen as he then calls out to the group.

Or rather, he'll be pulling out his Rapier on his turn.

Oh...that free action speech by posh kind of settles the spoiler part. I do ready said action. if either of those try to touch me or scarlet, stabbity.

** spoiler omitted **Ninja'd over an hour ago. ;)

Pesky players. Ruining GM surprise traps.

1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7 And it's a good thing Posh let me know, as it seems I would be clueless. Of course, that means I'm blindly trusting you, Posh...which may be bad if we ever critically fail in such a situation :)

@Posh: Aye, and GM would have gotten away with it, too, if it wasn't for us meddling kids!

I goto sleep and scaryness happens.

Zokon draw his bow and sheathes his rapier..

"Wait, don't touch whom? The blind guy?" Scarlet is confused as to what's happening.

"Yes it's a plague zombie"

Says Zokon as he is fumbling with his gear.

If I am allowed to speak while I am still Flat-Footed:

Numalar looks at the strange figure.

I should still have detect magic going, though I will cease concentration when I have to do anything. My working theory is that it is either a ghost, or something under the effects of a blur spell. So I will roll the following to try to figure that out:

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Neither roll is likely good enough.

If I am allowed to speak while I am still Flat-Footed:

Allowed.

Numalar looks at the strange figure.

I should still have detect magic going, though I will cease concentration when I have to do anything. My working theory is that it is either a ghost, or something under the effects of a blur spell. So I will roll the following to try to figure that out:

Neither roll is likely good enough.

Correct. The fact that the creature is swathed in a cloak hampers attempts at identification.

...And it's a good thing Posh let me know, as it seems I would be clueless. Of course, that means I'm blindly trusting you, Posh...which may be bad if we ever critically fail in such a situation :)

The GM winks knowingly at Posh in an obvious attempt at sowing distrust and paranoia among the players or is he? ;)

Lighting Currently most of the terrain to the south of the party is cloaked in darkness because the primary light source is with Alia in the cell.

Round 1
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Luna
__ Celyne
__ Alia
__ Small indistinct hooded figure (that only Numalar sees)
__ Posh
__ Scarlet
__ Zokon
__ Numalar
__ Prisoner
__ Sir Didymus

I boldly moved and readied an action, so I'm probably not very bold on that list any more :) - but posting anyway so you don't end up waiting for me, then.

Sorry about that. I was in a rush to get to sleep last night. I should have a chance to push us ahead later tonight.

Lighting Currently most of the terrain to the south of the party is cloaked in darkness because the primary light source is with Alia in the cell.

Round 1
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Luna
__ Celyne
__ Alia
__ Small indistinct hooded figure (that only Numalar sees)
__ Posh
__ Scarlet
__ Zokon
__ Numalar
__ Prisoner
__ Sir Didymus

Celyne is reluctant to send Luna into danger again, so casts guidance and reaches out and touches Numalar, hoping he can do something useful with it. She doesn't move from where she is, since there's no real room in the cell that she can see.

At work so I'll be breif.

Lighting Currently most of the terrain to the south of the party is cloaked in darkness because the primary light source is with Alia in the cell.

Round 1
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Luna
__ Celyne
__ Alia
__ Small indistinct hooded figure (that only Numalar sees)
__ Posh
__ Scarlet
__ Zokon
__ Numalar
__ Prisoner
__ Sir Didymus

Zokon does the bow drawing thingie

"Whatever was down there is gone now. It headed to the west."

"Up there in front! Do you have something that needs to be burned?"

Since Sir Didymus goes later, Numalar will delay so that they both have the same initiative.

Celyne provides guidance and support to Numalar, while Luna stands guard.

After warning his companions about the creatures they face Posh draws his blade. Likewise Zokon draws his bow.

Lighting Currently most of the terrain to the south of the party is cloaked in darkness because the primary light source is with Alia in the cell.

Round 1
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Luna
__ Celyne
__ Alia readied
__ Posh You still have a standard action if you want it.
__ Scarlet
__ Zokon
__ Prisoner
__ Numalar delaying
__ Sir Didymus

Scarlet stows her shortsword away, then pulls out a Vial of Alchemist's Fire. She shuffles towards mister "I can't see!", trying to make sense of the situation.

Zombies can talk?

Nope. I had an idea what to do, but as we were in rounds it wouldn't make sense so instead he is dropping his action.

The top of the indicated barrel pops off and a terrible blotchy animated corpse of a man, his eyes partially gouged from his head, rises from it, triggering an AoO . It looks sightlessly at Posh and wails: "I can't see!"

The zombie by the bars charges at Scarlet its blistered fists lashing wildly.

"Is someone there?"

slam: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 damage : 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 Miss.

A third zombie, lips sewn shut, erupts from the second barrel closer to Scarlet. AoO if you threaten.

Lighting Currently most of the terrain to the south of the party is cloaked in darkness because the primary light source is with Alia in the cell.

Round 1
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Luna
__ Celyne
__ Alia readied
__ Posh
__ Scarlet
__ Zokon
__ Plague zombies (3)
__ Numalar
__ Sir Didymus

"Zokon! Posh! Clear out and let me at them!"

Unless the melee fighters think they have everything under control, you guys could give me room to blast them. If Zokon moves west two squares and Posh falls back past me I can hit both of the "barrels" with burning hands. Zokon can acrobatics to avoid an AoO, and draw a melee weapon as you move; Posh could withdraw.

GGGM: I am delaying until I have the chance to do something. If Posh and Zokon leave me with a clear burning hands area then I will take my action and let loose.

End of Round 1 Business.

Numalar delays.

Alia Scarlet moved to a point that when she was attacked by red Alia was out of position to strike it.

Posh, Scarlet you are both in position, and have melee weapons in hand to AoO one of the two barrel zombies (blue or green) as they emerge.

Lighting Currently most of the terrain to the south of the party is cloaked in darkness because the primary light source is with Alia in the cell.

Round 2
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Luna
__ Celyne
__ Alia (can maintain her readied stance)
__ Posh
__ Scarlet
__ Zokon
__ Plague zombies (3)
__ Numalar delaying
__ Sir Didymus

"Oh no..." Scarlet mumbles to herself. As one creature shambles toward her, her spideruncanny sense kicks in and she dodges reflexively.

When the barrel pops off, Scarlet considers swinging at it but Posh's warning rings in her mind. Not wanting to risk Zokon's health, Scarlet chooses not to swing.

Scarlet takes a step back and hurls her vial of alchemists's fire at the red-tinged creature. This provokes an AoO from Blue, but I can't throw this without provoking...

"I can't save ya, but...no more pain, at least."

Thrown Splash Weapon vs Touch: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Alchemist Fire: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Next Round it takes extra fire damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

She pulls out her light hammer. Good for throwing and good for bashing. "Alia, watch it. Best to put them out of their misery, yeah?"

with the appearance of the two so close he takes a 5 ft step then Zokon drops his bow, draws his rapier and stabs the blue zombie

Rapier blue: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 241d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Rapier blue crit confirm: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 201d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Posh makes sure to get out of the way and heads out the door, past Luna.

Hopefully that creature doesn't get a swipe at Posh.

Aye, I moved into position before readying, so no 5-foot step as part of the readied action. I didn't expect scarlet to run away.

Alia maintains her readied action, focusing on RED.

Is that a kind of pillar next diagonally below me? If so, I would five-foot step left into cover after my attack if I'm the target.

1d100 ⇒ 9

Scarlet hurls a vial of alchemical reagents at the lunging zombie catching the pestilent, oozing thing alight.

"Is someone there?" It asks with its rank flesh boiling.

Blue slam v Scarlet (AoO): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 hit

Scarlet Fort save vs disease DC 11.

Posh before you go, did you want to take your AoO against green?

Posh makes sure to get out of the way and heads out the door, past Luna.

Hopefully that creature doesn't get a swipe at Posh.

Assuming you take a withdraw action you avoid one set of attacks of opportunity for leaving the square threatened by both blue and green, but green still threatens Posh in the next square which means Posh provokes an AoO from green when he leaves that space.

"I CAN'T SEE!! I CAN'T SEE!!" Wails the thrashing zombie.

Green slam v Posh (AoO): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 hit

Posh Fort save vs disease DC 11.

Zokon's blade deftly skewers the silent barrel zombie through the eye. He pulls the blade roughly through the pulpy thing's head drawing a spray of horrible-smelling ichor back with the blade. The zombie's death throes spray the adjacent area in the gore even as the creature sinks back into the wooden barrel.

Scarlet (again), Zokon Fort saves vs disease DC 11.

Is that a kind of pillar next diagonally below me? If so, I would five-foot step left into cover after my attack if I'm the target.

The circle is the outline of the room's map number. It's just normal flagstone floor.

A small, mysterious hooded figure, its hands tucked in the sleeves of its dirty gray robe, steps out of the shadows to the south of the room. He(?) is shadowy, indistinct as if you are looking at him through tavern goggles. There's a hint of a smile and then it makes like it is blowing Alia and Scarlet a fond, goodbye kiss though the bars. From beneath the hood a gale erupts from the thing's mouth. The wind buffets Alia and Scarlet with its force, and razor-edged grit that abrades their exposed flesh and sands their armor. The thing's breath smells of old musty rooms, and attics in summer.

Alia, Scarlet - Reflex save DC 13 for half, slashing damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1 'Half' ends up being 1 nonlethal point of damage.

If you Fail You become sickened as well.

Lighting Currently most of the terrain to the south of the party is cloaked in darkness because the primary light source is with Alia in the cell.

Round 2
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Luna
__ Celyne
__ Alia (readied)
__ Posh -7 hp
__ Scarlet -5 hp
__ Zokon
__ Small mysterious hooded figure
__ Plague zombies (green; red -6 hp, burning)
__ Numalar delaying
__ Sir Didymus

Conditions Blue down

Fort save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Zokon covers his face from the goo and his frantic attempts to scrape the stuff off him seem to work as he doesn't seem sick at all.

Posh has a piercing weapon and knowing that those things can infect you by attacking them, he's not taking the AoO to try and attack one.

Fort: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15 Phew

Posh, feeling somewhat brave will head down to where he last saw the hooded figure retreat to.

Wait a minute. That hooded figure...is the GM!!!!

Posh has a piercing weapon and knowing that those things can infect you by attacking them, he's not taking the AoO to try and attack one.

Posh, feeling somewhat brave will head down to where he last saw the hooded figure retreat to.

Wait a minute. That hooded figure...is the GM!!!!

You can attack them just fine. It's killing them can infect you if you are standing too close.

Posh hasn't seen a hooded figure. There have always been walls and/or darkness in the way and Numalar was not terribly specific about location.

And well you caught me, though I'm taller than gnome-size.

I meant the area between the bars. Alas, no stepping left anyway, considering there ARE bars. So no partial melee cover from forcing it to attack across a corner.

Reflex: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17 "What the..."

Wait a minute. That hooded figure...is the GM!!!!

"Really now, is it?....Hehehe..."

Lol.. yes and he's not Great or Green..

I meant the area between the bars. Alas, no stepping left anyway, considering there ARE bars. So no partial melee cover from forcing it to attack across a corner.

The rectangle is a barred cell door. And while mysterious hooded GM icons might be all the rage they are not quite FIERCE enough for me.

Though I have to say the irony of being surprised attacked by your own GM icon is quite the b$&+&.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Reflex Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Dice be praised!

"Get your hands off of me-" Scarlet gets a fist to the face but manages not to inhale the spores it releases. She keeps her mouth shut when Zokon's rapier sprays ichor across the room. Hmpf. I guess I should have just skewered it.

"And who are you, little man?" Scarlet looks at the cloaked figure, only to get some minor bruises from its breath. "I guess that answered that question."

Dice be praised!

"She's not paralyzed?!?! But she had to make a save! BLAST!!"

End of Round 1 Business.
Posh AoO (link)?

Lighting Currently most of the terrain to the south of the party is cloaked in darkness because the primary light source is with Alia in the cell.

Round 2
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Luna
__ Celyne
__ Alia (readied)
__ Posh -7 hp
__ Scarlet -5 hp
__ Zokon
__ Small mysterious hooded figure
__ Plague zombies (green; red -6 hp, burning)
__ Numalar delaying
__ Sir Didymus

Conditions Blue down

Celyne moves up and, peeking around the corner, tosses an alchemist fire at the fellow claiming he can't see.

"Then you won't see this coming, will you?"

ranged touch to hit: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
dmg if hits: 1d6 ⇒ 2
2nd round of damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

1 point of splash to herself and Zokon.

"Zokon! Posh! Clear out and let me at them!"

Unless the melee fighters think they have everything under control, you guys could give me room to blast them. If Zokon moves west two squares and Posh falls back past me I can hit both of the "barrels" with burning hands. Zokon can acrobatics to avoid an AoO, and draw a melee weapon as you move; Posh could withdraw.

GGGM: I am delaying until I have the chance to do something. If Posh and Zokon leave me with a clear burning hands area then I will take my action and let loose.

Numalar I'm not seeing a good opening for you here. Even if you and Didymus jump in as Posh leaves, there's only one target left for your area attack and that would be a point blank range, threatened both by the creature's attacks but also its boiling death goo should you immolate it. The latter would hit Didymus too.

Celyne Keeping Luna safe? Moved you to where I think you want to be. The zombie has cover from the corner and you provoke an AoO from there using a ranged weapon but really how many zombies have Combat Reflexes.

The container of alchemists' fire hits the barrel zombie and ignites fitfully on its damp, necrotic flesh.

The mysterious hooded figure walks to southern doorway and out of sight again.

1d2 ⇒ 1

Green slam v Zokon: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

"I can't see!!" ... And yet it still manages to slam Zokon hard enough to leave him seeing stars.

1d2 ⇒ 1

Red slam v Alia: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

"Is someone there?"

Though technically this would hit Alia harder if it gets past Alia's readied attack. Queue the readied attack!!

Alia, your stat line lists your as AC 9, typo?

Lighting Currently most of the terrain to the south of the party is cloaked in darkness because the primary light source is with Alia in the cell.

Round 2
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Luna
__ Celyne -1 hp
__ Alia (triggered)
__ Posh -7 hp
__ Scarlet -5 hp
__ Zokon -1 hp
__ Small mysterious hooded figure
__ Plague zombies (green -2, burning; red -6 hp, burning)
__ Numalar
__ Sir Didymus

Conditions Blue down

Na, not updated...paralyzed is effective Dex 0, so I lose the 3 bonus and get another -5 for -8 total, or 9 AC.
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 2d4 + 5 ⇒ (3, 1) + 5 = 9
"I HATE this place.", Alia states, as she lunges slightly forward to stab at the zombie approaching her.

Alia's blade sheers the top of the burning zombie's head from the upper jawline up, from its burning body mostly- (it's hanging on like a an unused hood does when you're wearing it, off the thing's back). A flood of reeking, stomach-smelling gore issues from wound.

Alia, Scarlet Yadda, yadda, yadda, Fort save DC 11.

Alia takes no damage from the creature's previously noted attack, but is probably voting for a dry-cleaning service as the first structure to build when we reach the first round of the kingdom-building portion of the campaign.

Lighting Currently most of the terrain to the south of the party is cloaked in darkness because the primary light source is with Alia in the cell.

1d100 ⇒ 85

Suddenly Posh is stabbed by horrible pain! He looks down and in that place between his leather jerkin and his belt, right around where most people keep their appendix, there protrudes about 5 inches of a thin metal rod capped with dirty black fletching. How did a crossbow bolt get there?! Posh -5 hp.

Round 2
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Luna
__ Celyne -1 hp
__ Alia 1 nonlethal
__ Posh -12 hp
__ Scarlet -5 hp, 1 nonlethal
__ Zokon -10 hp
__ Plague zombie (green -2, burning)
__ Small mysterious hooded figure
__ Numalar
__ Sir Didymus

Conditions Blue and Red down

Zokon places his buckler in the way but he is suprised by the zombies strength and it is smashed back into him..

"Oww.! Hmm.. stronger than I thought"

Fort Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Ah, there we are.

Scarlet isn't paralyzed for once, but she doesn't like what she inhaled.

"Pfft! Pfftb. Bleugh. Ugh.. like my brother's cookin'!"

Ah, there we are.

Scarlet isn't paralyzed for once, but she doesn't like what she inhaled.

"Pfft! Pfftb. Bleugh. Ugh.. like my brother's cookin'!"

Good thing Alia ducked when she did, otherwise some of that would have ruined her new shirt and sullied her natural elven grace and elegance.

Just reading through boss and I realised I missed a fort save for getting hit by a plague zombie

fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Zokon also inhales some of the zombie stink but isn't too affected by it.
"Just as well i'm a little dizzy it's covering the zombie foulness"

Numalar I'm not seeing a good opening for you here.

If Posh and Zokon got out of the area of effect I could have hit blue and green with one burning hands. Considering the fortitude saves required I thought people would prefer I do that than them engaging in melee. But Zokon stayed where he is, Celyne jumped in the way, and blue is already down. So it is rather moot at this point.

"There's something to the south again! We need some light down here!"

Numalar looks around nervously.
I can see, but Sir Didymus can't. What can I do?

Numalar passes his hand over his eyes, and points at the corner between the two walls behind him.

Little cobwebs begin to appear, stretching from one wall to the other. More and more appear, until a solid plane, perhaps 1' square exists between the two walls at a 45° angle, at about 4'-5' from the floor. Then with a wave, there is a tiny flash, and the plane becomes silvery and reflective.

Using my SLA prestidigitation to create a small object: a mirror. From where I am standing I have LOS to the sunrod, and the mirror will now reflect a bit of light down the hall to the south. Not a lot, but those folks with Low-Light Vision might be able to manage.

A small glimmer of light shines down to the south...