Retaking the Stolen Lands (Inactive)

Game Master Corsario

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Recap (coming from the Kingmaker: Retaking The Stolen Lands campaign: Our heroes, Garion Erada, Salereon Gavriil, GarrenKodlak and Johnny Porters, commissioned by the Sword lords of Restov to map the greenbelt, and fight banditry and unlawful activities in the area, arrived at Oleg's Trading Post in time to help defend it from some brigands that have been robbing them from the last three months. Their ambush of the brigands have left three of them dead and one fleeing the fort for his life...

Tets

test

http://paizo.com/people/Corsario

i jump to the nearest tree and climb it

dot for testin

Recap (coming from the Kingmaker: Retaking The Stolen Lands campaign)

Our heroes, Garion Erada, Salereon Gavriil, Garren Kodlak and Johnny Porters, commissioned by the Sword lords of Restov to map the greenbelt, and fight banditry and unlawful activities in the area, arrived at Oleg's Trading Post in time to help defend it from some brigands that have been robbing them from the last three months. Their ambush of the brigands have left three of them dead and one fleeing the fort for his life...

So we start...

The thief thinks, the moment his hands clutches the top of the fort outer wall, that he will escape. He quickly screams for help to the lookout they left outside and prepares to jump madly outside of the deathtrap that the fort has become for him and his accomplices. His face then turn ashen, and he knows all is lost just before a crossbow bolt, fired from outside, pierces his eye, killing him, as he falls backwards into the fort's wooden catwalk.

Outside of the fort Veroca lowers her crossbow, as Giovanni Taisaac cleans his swords of the blood of the thieves' lookout, dead at his feet.

The team that will shape the future of the stolen lands is now complete.

The two groups of adventurers meet for the first time. Presentations are in order.

As for the bandits, they had 2 alchemist's fire, 5 leather armors, one dagger, one composite bow (+2 Str), 4 longbow, 100 arrows, 10 days of crudely made trail rations, 75 gp, 5 famelic horses and a silver amulet, shaped like a stag skull, worth some 20 gp, maybe.

Feeling the battle is over Giovanni enters the ford looking for the victors of the recent struggle.
As he enters he recognizes the other heroes from the descriptions he received at the inn on Brevoy, and relived speaks to them in a familiar tone.

-Greetings friends my name is Giovanni and the woman still guarding outside is Veroca, we have been following your trail for the last five days, we both come from a village South of Brevoy and near the stolen lands, when we heard of this expedition we rushed for the city in hopes of catching up with you, despite we couldn't find you we did found the inn were you stayed, and since then we traveled day and night to reach you, we were about to get lost, if it wasn't for that elf merchant, I cant remember his name, we wouldn't be here, he was also kind enough to confirm that a group of adventurers was heading this way, and it seems we got here just in time to help you deal with this group of bandits.

Johnny looks this Giovanni up and down trying to size him up.

Wells seems yours lucky day den, here we be

Climbing down from the tower he was in at the sight of the newcomers, you see a tall but built half-elf. He slaps Johnny on the shoulder. "Why didn't you tell us we had guests?" Extending a hand out, he smiles. "Garion Erada is the name. Are you here to join our expedition? Good shot on that bandit, by the way."

Veroca relaxes a bit once she comes to the realization that the threat is now overwith. She accepts Garion's hand to shake with a slight tilt of her head. A glossy black rat peeks over her shoulder as she greets him, "Thanks." She says simply.

She's a pretty woman, with skin darkened by the sun and weather outside, and curious eyes - one is green, the other an odd gold. The rat on her shoulder is obviously well groomed, as as they talk, it sits on her shoulder, washing its whiskers and eyeballing them with eyes far too intelligent for a rat.

Giovanni takes you hand and shakes it firmly, measuring 5´8 you are considerably taller that he is.

- Indeed we are, I hope you still have room for a couple more blades in your team, and about that shot, it was actually my partner's good aim she is far better at range weapons that i am.
-Anyway we should see to the bandits i doubt these are all of them and once they realize this group doesn't come back they may send reinforcements.

Garion blushes a bit when he realized he thanked the wrong person. "Sorry about that! And that's why I wanted to make sure he didn't get out. We got the rest of them no problem," he gestures to the other dead bandits, "but that last one was a quick fellow." Turning around and looking, he can't seem to spot the cleric anywhere. "Where in the hell is Garren... Hey Garren! Come out and meet the new people!"

Garren clambers down a ladder and into view of the newcomers. It's safe. he calls to Oleg and Svetlana.

He strides over to the newcomers and offers a hand in greeting while silently offering a prayer of thanks to Erastil. You have my thanks, strangers. I don't know how bad it would have been if his companions had gotten warning we were coming. I'm Garren Kodlak, servant of Erastil.

After the introductions Garion walks over to the bodies of the bandits and starts picking through their stuff looking for anything good. Seeing the composite bow he immediately covets it. "Ooooooh! I call this one! That and maybe some of the arrows, don't need all of them. That is if no one cares. Anybody need any of the rest of this?"

Of course, we haven't discussed how loot is going to work, but does anyone care if I grab the composite bow?

Bodies ain’t even bein cooled down yet Garion.

Johnny laughs at his friend and turning back to the new comers

mes be Johnny and dats gotta be da nicest lookin rat me ever did see… and trust mes me be seein plenty on da docks

Johnny smiles and it is warm and inviting. He is handsome in a rugged way. He looks like he is young but has old eyes as if they have experienced much in a short time of life.

Well guess we better be bout gettin dis mess cleaned up. Oleg what we need to be doin wit des here bodies?

You find Oleg searching the bodies, like if he is looking for something specific, with a worried face... after finishing searching the first, he gives it a couple kicks for good measure and goes to search another.

He seems not to have heard you, or he is faking he didn't hear you...

Svetlana, on the other hand, go up to all of you and thanks you and hug you, and swears you will be always welcomed to stay at the trading post, free of charge, while she is there.

She begs you to help her "recover" the equipment the bandits are wearing, and bury the bodies "on the other side of that small hill over there".

She, very slyly, ask you if you don't care if they get the bandits equipment, "to start to make up for the things they rob us". She tells that if you accept, she will let you get one thing each, and she will always sell you stuff at 10% discount, and all the things you bring her in the future she will buy you at 75% cost.

She seems to be a good trader :D

The normal is 50% cost

Giovanni sense motive 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Sure thing ma am we'll se that this men have a proper burrial, as for the equipment i belive yours is a great propousal so i agree, what about you guys?

Says turning to the rest of the party

Giovanni, can you bold your speech so we can tell more easily what's said and what's action?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Certainly, I think that's only fair. You and Oleg have had enough taken from you . He glances over to her husband as he says it.

While Oleg scrambles around searching the body, Garren approaches and lays a hand on his shoulder. Oleg, we are here to help. The ring is likely in their camp. I promise that we'll return it to you.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

"Well ma'am, that seems fair. If it's not a bother to anyone I would really like to take this composite bow. It will be put to good use making sure that this place isn't raided again. And I'd be willing to pay for some of those arrows as well."

Garion wonders what's going on with Oleg, but seeing Garren over there talking to him decides to let the more sagely of them deal with the man.

Oleg, we are here to help. The ring is likely in their camp. I promise that we'll return it to you.

Oleg stops looking, and slumps, defeated at not finding the ring.

"I swear that if you return it to me I'll make it worthwhile for all of you."

Then he stands up and go to the house to fetch some shovels...

Ok, you all take on item (please state which one) and the rest go to the "house". You also bury the bodies and clean up the place. If you want to buy something from the "house" you can, at 90% base price.

What do you want to start doing now?

Garren will take the stag skull amulet, unless someone objects.

I thank you for your aid. Garren says to the newcomers. I believe we're heading off to track down this bandit camp. He leaves the statement open, the newcomers are welcome to tag along.

Probably head off while the tracks are fresh. After assisting with the bodies we've provided, of course. I'm assuming our tracker can handle a trail left by a bunch of horses riding hard.

Johnny will move towards the pile of stuff

If'ns nobody cares me be takin one of dem burnin viles. could be commin in handy mes thinkin.

I'm pretty sure you know which one I want to take. I'll work out something with the arrows later, I have plenty for now.

"Sounds good, Garren, I'm right behind you. And thank you for allowing me to take this bow, I'll put it to good use!" Garion goes to the stable to fetch Séreméla.

"In that case we will tag along and help you deal with the bandits, we should start digging, the sooner we take care of the dead the sooner we can deal with their camp"

Says to Garren as he goes to the pile of looted item ans takes one of the longbows

i´ll trade a longbow just in case, you never know when it´s going to be useful, in exchange i´ll leave my short bow for the market

He unpacks from his back his short bow and as he raises the bow he wonders who many men will die because of it, he knows he wont feel any doubt when the arrow is placed nor when it´s on flight, he learned long ago that things must be done when there are no more options, he only wished there was another way.
He straps his new longbow, banishing away the thoughtful face and regaining his normal easy-going stance.

Ready when the shovels are

Around noon, when you finish burying the dead, you ride your horses (and for the people without one, Oleg lets you "borrow" one of the bandits ones), and set off looking for the bandit camp of origin.

Please roll Survival to see how you fare in the search. If Survival is not your strong point, I think an "Aid Another" could be in order.

In good news: Lloyd (Salereon Gavriil's player) is back and I hope will start posting again!

survival aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10

If Slaereon/ Lloyd isnt up for rejoining us, I'm assuming Sal's staying behind to guard the happy couple. Neh?

Garren keeps an eye out for tracks from the bandit's approach. He points out whatever he can see to Garion.

Aid Another: Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Lexi's internet appears to be out again. Just an FYI.

Survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Garion finds easy to track the bandits, as they, seemingly without fear of beign tracked back to their base, didn't try to hide their tracks.

Wandering Monsters check: 1d100 ⇒ 21

After 3 hours riding the group find themselves facing the Narmarches, the huge forest that dominates this part of the Stolen Lands. It seems dark and forboding, and the tracks go into it. For a minute you all stand still, next to the forest, without saying a word...

It is the 15:00 hours, a good time to grab something to eat. Do you dismount to eat? do you press on the chase or return to Oleg's? BTW, eating should take you around 20 minutes.

I would say that Garion would just eat on the way. He's got plenty of trail rations.

"I'm getting a bit hungry, I'm going to break into the trail rations. Anyone need some?"

If you do I'll just assume you ride up next to me and I'll toss you one. I'll track my supplies in Hero Lab. I promise I'll be honest! :)

Everyone that wants to eat "on the horse" please roll a Ride Check, DC 10.

Ride Check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

You have got to be kidding me...

Garren will just hold off on eating until they make camp for the night. A person can survive a few hours without eating.

Didn't your mother told you not to eat and ride? :D
While entering the forest while trying to eat Garion lose control of his horse, and for a moment almost falls from it. The good news of it is that when he regains the control of his mount he finds himself in what only can be the place where the bandits spend last night. A burn out fire and some disturbed soil is what remains of it.
You decide to skip the meal and press on the chase into the forest.
At night fall, some 4 hours later, you reach a river, too wide to cross easily, but you decide you will have to camp, as the dying light won't let you continue tracking.
Wandering Monsters check: 1d100 ⇒ 100
What are your plans for the night?

A little embarrassed about his little riding display, Garion says very little until it starts getting dark. "Well, this seems like as good a place as any to spend the night. I can still see, but I think it would be best for the whole party if we rest. The bandits don't know we're coming so I doubt they're on the lookout or anything."

I'm cool with camping. And of course we should set up a watch. Garion would offer to take the first watch.

Somehow I feel that a roll of 100 means I'm going to die in my sleep...

"I wouldn't assume anything," Veroca murmurs. The witch has been quiet unless she's talking to her rat, her oddly colored eyes here and there as they ride out.

"But it does look an good enough place to pause."

I agree with Veroca. It's far safer to assume they are on alert. Does anyone have a plan for when we reach their camp? I think it's safe to assume we're another day or so out. Else there wouldn't be a camp here.

Garren's more than willing to take a shift of watch. Shifts should be worked out in pairs, I think. Someone that's observant and someone that's not. Those who are good at noticing things, should generally be aware if they are or not. Garren's also willing to be the odd man out and take a shift alone.

Garion's got pretty high survival/perception/stealth modifiers, so he can be paired up with someone who's not so much. Also he doesn't mind spending his time alone either.

After a needed meal, the party sets off to sleep. Garion stays up for the first watch...

Garion Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Even as he feels something is not quite right, with the night quieter than normal, he is unable to perceive anything...

The next shift is Garren's...

Garren Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

At the middle of the night, ha perceives, for an instant, a couple sets of yellow angry eyes reflecting the campfire light, looking at the group, before disappearing in the darkness...

What does Garren do?

Garren will wake Johnny early with a hand over his mouth. Johnny, we're being watched. By what, I don't know.

Is "a couple" 2 sets or a bunch of sets? People use the word differently.

If Garren need to put a number, it´s 4 eyes total... yellow, hungry, smart...

And very stealthy, as he doesn´t seem to see them now.

Johnny is first shocked at being woke with a hand over his mouth and grabs hold of his rapier that he keeps unsheathed by his side when he sleeps. Johnny readies to plunge the cold metal into the heart of his assailant when he realizes who it is and then hears his friends voice and the distress in it. Now understanding the situation Johnny quickly rises and sheaths his rapier and grabs his short bow peering out in the darkness for the eyes.
perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Garren nods to Johnny, who now knows the situation as well as he does.

With Johnny awake, Garren moves on to whoever shared his watch (I'm guessing Veroca) and wakes her the same way. After she's up he moves to the fire to prod it a bit. Oddly he keeps one eye closed while there.

Stealth Roll: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Johnny sharp eyes pierce the darkness, but he is unable to see anything. You quickly rouse the rest of the party, and instinctively you all give your back to the fire, looking out, except for Garren, who by prodding the fire makes it roar and illuminate more area.

And still you see nor hear nothing in the darkness.

Garren takes position with the rest, and open the eye that he has kept closed. That eye let's him see a little bit better, enough to discern a shadow, cutting the night horizon, in the shape of a four legged animal.

In that moment a howl pierces, like a knife, the night...

I'm assuming that the noise would have woken Garion.

Waking with a start to the noise, Garion immediately looked out in to the darkness to perceive what this creature could be.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

"Wolves!" Garion exclaims to the others. He reaches out and grabs his bow, readying an arrow.

Yes, you all are awake now.

You are unable to see the wolves, but you know they are out there.