Kingdom Building for Beginners (Inactive)

Game Master robertness

His inner gnome was practicly jumping up and down as Juwwem moved forward towards the cave. Heavy mace in hand, Juwwem was curious if the mites actually lived in the cave or that it was an entrance to a bigger lair.

Approaching the cave's mouth, you see a narrow passage that slopes downward and extends for at least 20 feet before opening to a larger area. You notice something glittering at the far end of the passage.

Looking over his shoulder to the rest of the group, Juwwem raises his eyebrows in a silent question. He puts a hand on the stone of the entrance of the cave and exhales slowly before slowly shifting his head sideways as if scanning the area.

"What do you see, friend?"

"Well, I'm not sure. It seems like the mites dropped something shiny at the end of this slope. Want to take a look inside?"

"I don't mind if someone follows behind with a torch."

If someone volunteers to carry the torch, Gordom will take out his mace and cautiously approach the shiny thing. You don't have to crouch in this tunnel, do you?

"OH! OH! I'll go! I'll go!" Shix says as he comes running towards the cave.

After rummaging through his backpack for a moment he looks up to Gordom and says "You wouldn't happen to have a torch would you?"

The passage into the cave is tall enough to allow the humans to stand, but so narrow you'd have to pass one at a time.

Gordom retrieves one I the torches from Beor's saddle bags, lights it, and hands it to shix.

Najara stood up in the back of the wagon partly to stretch and partly to get a better look at the all the commotion ahead. ”It appears Gordom and the gnomes found something shiny.”, she remarked dryly. She turn to the two captives and inquired, ”Do you know anything about this cave?”

The spelunkers reach the back of the cave without incident. The shiny stuff is gold, lots of gold. It looks like you've hit a vein. With a lot of manpower, you might even make some money from this.

With a look of absolute admiration, Juwwem sits down on his knees, both hands touching the ground. With a rasping voice he speaks:

"Drao pycgat hud, drao, eh pymso dnubel cryta,
'Haydr unyhka dnaa yht pyhoyh.
Pid pnyjat dra picr, dra dunnahd yht dra cdaab,
Po kunka yht kimlr yht lyhouh.
Drao fuimt hud pa ramt pylg eh ledeac ujan tacgc,
Un ysuhk dra rusacdayt ratkac.
Cu draen bulgadc huf yna vemmat fedr dra oammuf, oammuf kumt
Dryd drao sehat eh dra suihdyeh matkac."

With a smile he turns to his newfound friends while spreading his arms showing them one of the earth's greatest wonders.

"This is good news my friends. The earth is giving us an opportunity to heal these lands with its own riches."

That's great! We could have money for nothing.... Hey, I like the sound of this sentence.. could make a good song maybe! And with a lil" bit of luck, the cave will still be here next week.Do you think we need to do a map to find it again? Now, come all aboard, we still have some mite's backsides to kick, and a ring to give back to its lawful owner.

Does the cave dead end here or are there further extensions? Does it look like anyone else has been inside it or has begun to mine the vein?

The cave doesn't go back any farther and you see no signs of anyone else passing by.

FYI, setting up a mining operation is covered in the second chapter in the AP (which I haven't bought yet), so I'm glad you are all for pressing on to take care of larcenous mites.

We should be wary who we talk to about this, specifically Jesse and Franco. They may seem trustworthy now, but I've seen better men kill for less.

I say we start mining now, lock Jesse and Franco inside and let them start diggin ;) It seems we've found our prisonercamp-to-be.

Juwwem turns around and starts heading back out.

"Ah yes, smart thinking Shix. Let's ignore this topic and press on after those thieving mites."

Once outside he'll wait for the others and start tracking the mites again.

"How about you let me take over for a little while, Juwwem?
Survival check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

With a dumbfound look on his face, Juwwem notices Gordom is going in another direction.

"Huh wha? Oh wait, I see! Yes maybe I've been staring at the ground too much already."

Watching the more experienced tracker do his magic, Juwwem is glad to pay more attention to their surroundings.

Ever smiling, Vivian looks at Gordom and talks to Najara once she comes back into the wagon

He's pretty... good at tracking, don't you think? i wonder if I could get him off my trail, if we played hide and seek. Did you have some favorite childhood's game in the temple of your god, Najara? Some good friends to share a laugh with?

The sun is setting as the cavers return from the future gold mine and resume the mites' trail.

Here's the new map with your spiffy find on it.

”He is skilled, yes.”, Najara replied to the question at face value. She had not put much thought into it for she had only just met the man. Vivian’s interest was slightly amusing. Human emotions were such chaotic affairs and so exploitable. Najara would never allow herself to fall prey to such a trap. But it was probably for the best the inquisitor concluded, better Gordom than one of these bandits.

”I did not have anyone appropriate to play hide and seek with. However I did play dice…with the prisoners in the New Stetven dungeon…only when I was little, of course.” she tried to explain. It sounded worse in retrospect.

I have ranks in Survival too if you need extra +2 to help with the tracking. Shall we continue after those mites or rest?

"Let's move out again, we've still got to find out where those mites went with Svetlana's wedding ring."

Juwwem walks with Gordom, helping him out where he can in tracking the mites.

dice..sounds interesting.I like to play games of chance sometimes. And why did you have prisoners in the New Stetven Dungeon in the first place? While they are looking for the mite's lair,may I ask you the difference between an inquisitor and a priest, if you don't mind?Never encountered an inquisitor before.

Even if she obviously likes to chat and hear Najara's childhood stories, Vivian stays alert to her surroundings, and of their prisoners too.

Shix watches the sun set as he leads the animals after the trackers.

"I don't know about you all but I'm getting pretty tired, and it can't be easy to follow tracks in the dark so I propose we set up camp and rest here for the night."

"I don't mean to tell you all what to do," Franco says from the back of the cart. "But if you don't want to drag this cart full of loot out of here by hand, we need to set up camp. The horses Happs took to the outpost haven't had a decent rest for almost two days."

It's easy to forget that we have at least a half dozen horses an a cart-full of random swag with us.
"Franco has a point."
Now where to set up camp...
Survival check:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Slightly disappointed in not continuing the search, Juwwem in the end agrees with staying.

"Gordom, with all due respect, that's a horrible place to camp. There's angry yellow ants all over the place! How about over there?"

Juwwem points to a slightly better spot to camp.

whatever makes you happy, gnome
"Huh, can't imagine how I missed that. I guess it's always good to have another set of eyes."

Proff cook:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

"Oh, I've heard that yellow ants can be made into a most delicious paste. If seasoned correctly."

Shix then runs towards the ants and attempts to gather some.

Survival: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14

Looking at the gnome running here and there, Vivian smiles and can't help but let out a pun

Nice to see Shix found another paste-time. Well, if we have to camp here, who want the first turn of keeping guard?

Looking around with satisfaction, Juwwem gets comfortable and sees if he can help Shix with dinner. And perhaps get an early taste.

"Miss Vivian, I don't mind taking first watch. As long as I've had a decent meal that is. Is it almost done Shix?"

Being in a joking mood, Vivian retorts

A decent meal would be good, I agree, and its not too hard to acheive, even in this wildness: we just have to keep our clothes on.

She laughs, a joyful laugh like a sunray piercing the clouds

Shix gathers up a bunch of tasty ants -- at least they look tasty to him. He gets a nice, hearty batch of ant puree simmering. Shortly after dark, Shix has a delicious smelling meal ready and the companions settle down to experience the gnomish gourmand's latest creation.

Fortitude DC 10 to find ant stew palatable.

Sorry I wasn't more active the last couple weeks, RL has been a bit bizarre.

Rubbing his hands together, Juwwem watches Shix as he transforms a bunch of ants to something that looks like a good meal. With a big smile he takes spoon and scoops a good handfull of the ant puree to his mouth.

"Thanks for cooking" he says with his mouth full to Shix.

It only takes a few moments before Juwwem's stomach starts a riot.

Before she could ever taste her plate of ants, Vivian spots somes bushes moving, right at the corner
She jumps to her feet, throwing down the plate and trying to unsheat her short sword in the same movement, shouting a loud

BEWARE!

At her comrades

Vivian jumps to her feet drawing her sword, shouting a warning, and falling flat on her face. It's a good thing she fell as two rocks scream through the space that was occupied by her head and chest seconds before.

Other Surprise Round Attacks: vs. Gordom - 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 Damage 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1; vs. Najara - 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 Damage 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2; vs. Shix - 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 Damage 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1; vs. Juwwem - 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 Damage 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

Rocks fly harmlessly past Gordom and Najara. Shix and Juwwem are hit for one point each.

Initiative Rolls: Unknown Slingers - 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18; Vivian - 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15; Gordom - 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15; Najara - 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3; Shix - 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20; Juwwem - 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Combat order: Shix, Slingers, Juwwem, Gordom, Vivian, and Najara. As soon as I get Shix's action, I'll post another mystery slinger round, then the party can act.

OW!...OH NO, there after my recipes!
Shix draws his dagger and casts mage armor on himself. +4 ac bonus

The slingers loose another round of rocks at the explorers. Because of his verbal outburst, Shix has drawn their attention.

Attacks: v. Shix - 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13 Damage 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0; v. Six (again) - 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Damage 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0; v. Vivian - 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18 Damage 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0; v. Gordom - 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 Damage 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0; v. Najara - 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 Damage 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1; v. Juwwem - 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20 Damage 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

Two shots are taken at Shix, one flies harmlessly into the woods, the other would have hit him in the face, but it is mysteriously deflected just before impact. A stone flies towards Vivian and narrowly misses as she struggles to regain her feet. The stone flung at Najara lands two feet short of where she's standing. Gordom and Juwwem are both hit for one point.

The party's assailants appear to be short lizard like bipeds.

Because of the weekend, you all have until this time Monday to post your actions before the next slinger attack.

Look out for these beasties, there are kobolds...

Vivian tries to roll herself in a ball, to offer a smaller target for the stones of the kobolds. Using her short sword, she tries to cut the vines off her legs to free herself, wondering who could have tied her without being seen. Unfortunatly, finding the answer will have to wait until the kobolds are dealed with

"Gupumtc? Dnelgcdanc!"

Juwwem quickly checks to see if his feet are bound too before trying to get over to the bushes to take out the kobolds with his mace.

Vivian deftly cuts the vines binding her legs.

Juwwem confirms that there are no strings to hold him down, no vines either, and rushes the closest kobold.

If Shix is within 30 feet of a Kobold he will fire an elemental ray at it. If not then he will move up to 20 feet closer until he is close enough. If 20 feet isn't enough then he double moves.
Ranged touch: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Are any of them close enough together for say a burning hands (15ft cone)?

Shix runs forward, releases a beam of fire towards a kobold and misses.

You think you can get two of them in a cone next round.

The kobold that Juwwem charged grabs a light spear and pokes it at the gnome while another kobold slings a stone at him.

Attack - Spear 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14 Damage 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3; Attack - Sling 1d20 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 2 - 4 = 6 Damage 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

Juwwem parries the spear with his mace and the sling stone thunks solidly into a nearby tree.

The kobold that Shix tried to flame runs towards one of his friends and they both shoot stones at the sorcerer.

Attack 1 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3 Damage 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2 Attack 2 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 Damage 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

Both attacks are wide of the mark.

Vivian is freed from the vines just in time to notice two more stones flying in her direction.

Attack 1 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 Damage 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2 Attack 2 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17 Damage 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

One stone is flung off into the night, but the other came within inches of hitting her--just missing because Vivian is still on the ground.

I hope you don't mind that the three of you wound up being the targets this round. I felt it would be kind of cheesy to target Gordom and Najara when they're not around to defend themselves. Hopefully, they'll be able to post before the next round. Everyone has until this time tomorrow before the vicious little kobolds strike (or miss) again.

Shix moves to where he thinks he can hit more than one of them with his 'Shix's Burning Hands' (tm)

Shix's Burning Hands (tm) 2d4 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6 Reflex save DC:16 for half.

Gordom draws his bow and begins to eye out a target.
Im going to shoot either the kobold that appears to be doing the most damage or the one closest to a member of the party. What is Franco doing during this? He is free so I was just curious if he was going to help us fight. And don't think I haven't noticed the sudden shift away fom human enemies. I find this suspicious.

Attack roll:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Damage roll:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Gordom grabs his bow and finds that it's unstrung. Unless you post another action, I'll assume you spend this round restringing it.

A cone of flame emanates from Shix's hands and engulfs two kobolds. Reflex K1 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19 Reflex K2 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
The fates seem to be smiling on the strange creatures as they both duck out of the way at the last moment. They're badly injured, but still capable of fighting.

@Gordom: This was a random encounter, honest!

A puzzled Najara is seemingly slow to react but eventually leaps to her feet to assist her gnome friend in a melee assault.

Move to backup Juwwem and attack with morning star the nearest Kobold. 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16 Attack 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 Damage