The March of Kings

Game Master Daniel Rust

Good call! In a surprise round you only get one action (which failed), so Jorquimo has used one move action in the current round. He has one more attempt if he wants it. I won't do anything else until we see what happens there. It could be important!

Right - lets try that again then

Handle Animal : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Hurrah - that must do it!!!

Did Rhaegals Acrobatics check work? I just wasn't sure whether his hit on the bowman was from the charge in the surprise round or from the full attack in the next round?

After pushing, huffing and heaving for what seems like an age, Jorquimo finally gets the animals moving. Jess and Claptrap pull away, heaving the wagon across the doorway.

The bowman is preoccupied with the talking cat in front of him and doesn't notice the wagon bearing down on him. It crunches into his horse, sending him sprawling underneath.

Both take ramming damage 1d8 ⇒ 3.

Rhaegel's acrobatics did not work. DC 20 was mentioned previously.

The bowman is out cold for a moment after he hits the floor. When he opens his eyes again, he looks straight into the face of Rhaegel. The great cat smells the scent of fear as the bowman realises the situation he is in.

The bandit heavily injured by Sanglamore sees his boss hit the deck and decides to withdraw (using the withdraw action) from the action. He moves cautiously across the battlefield and clambers atop the wagon. The uninjured bandit follows his lead and scarpers to the exit, climbing on to the wagon too.

Gudrun and Rhodeus - you're up next

I really hope those gates are closed

Rhodeus is filled with confidence after his success with the bandit near him and charges the next nearest. I'm not sure if it's the bowman or the bandit, it's somewhat dependant upon if the horse has moved or stood dead still despite what's going on around it

Heavy Mace:
Hit: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 1 + 2 = 21 (Confirm Critical: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 1 + 2 = 16)
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 (Extra Critical Damage:2d8 + 2 ⇒ (6, 2) + 2 = 10)

The horses are milling around, not panicked but definitely worried.

The bowman and the nearest bandit are both badly wounded. They are roughly equal distance so it's up to you. Gudrun can also reach either.

The gates are not locked, although Rhaegel is between the bandits and the wider world.

"Guðrún! get one of the others!" Rhodeus shouts as he charges the bowman.

He hopes he can subdue the bowman quickly so that Oleg can be saved.

Guðrún charges and attacks one of the remaining bandits that Rhodeus isn't attacking.

Dan: you decide which one is the best target.

She also yells: "Jorquimo, see to Oleg!"

Taiaha - Bludeoning - (19-20/×2)
Hit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12 (Confirm Critical:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12)
Damage:1d10 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 (Extra Critical Damage:1d10 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10)

As she has charged Guðrún's AC is once again 13 until the beginning of her next turn.

EDIT: Strewth, on that roll any chance she can go for a target that allows her to benefit from flanking???

The raked and flattened bowman attempts to shakily scrabble to his feet as the terrifying cat stalks towards him. However, he doesn't notice the cleric approaching from behind.

Rhodeus clumps him on the head with his mace - a critical hit - and he collapses to the floor, instantly dead.

Hang on, that wasn't a critical. It was just a very firm hit. He still goes down though.

I'm afraid that's not enough, Neil. Next time!

Guðrún charges across the courtyard, dodging startled horses and reaches the wagon. She tries to wallop the fleeing bandit, already wounded from Sanglamore's hammering, but only succeeds in clubbing the wagon.

There are now two remaining bandits, both on top of the wagon (for anyone who can't see the map). The one nearer the centre of the compound, engaged by Guðrún is wounded. The other one is unwounded and making a break for freedom. Oleg has taken a very serious wound and is either unconscious or dead.

To refresh my memory (it's no longer on this page), the initiative order is

Rhaegel -> Jorquimo -> Sanglamore -> Bandits -> Guðrún -> Rhodeus

Give 'em hell Rhaegel

That is correct. So, we'll have actions from Rhaegel, Jorquimo and Sanglamore, please.

It looks to me like one of the remaining bandits is within 5ft of Rhaegal. Consequently, can he make a full attack and take a 5ft step at the beginning so that he is adjacent? If not, ignore the claws below.

Rhaegal shows as many of his teeth as possible to the bandit as he flies at him.

Rhaegals Bite (Crit 20/X2)
Hit: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10 (Confirm Critical:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22)
Damage:1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 (Extra Critical Damage:1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6)

Rhaegals Claw 1 (Crit 20/X2)
Hit: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 (Confirm Critical:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19)
Damage:1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 (Extra Critical Damage:1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7)

Rhaegals Claw 2 (Crit 20/X2)
Hit: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15 (Confirm Critical:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13)
Damage:1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 (Extra Critical Damage:1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6)

Sanglamore will charge the bandit who is in combat with Gudrun and swing his hammer enthusiastically at the limit of its reach. He is clearly enjoying himself.

Sanglamores Lucerne Hammer (Crit 20/X2)
Hit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 (Confirm Critical:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9)
Damage:1d12 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 (Extra Critical Damage:1d12 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14)

He is at -2AC +2 to hit or the charge. If Gudrun counts as a flanker add 2 to the above.

Rhaegel full attacks the uninjured bandit and he is uninjured no more! He gets a good claw attack in, raking his legs horribly as he totters on the wagon edge.

Sanglamore batters the one he had already pummelled, knocking him from the wagon. He's dead before he hits the ground.

So remind me: that's just one bandit left? And he will act after Jorquimo, but before Guðrún and Rhodeus?

Guðrún to Rhodeus (blithely ignoing the fact she hasn't hit anyone yet): "Rhodeus, we have this covered. Help Oleg before it's too late."

Assuming Jorquimo does not do anything that impedes him (if he does I'll go back) the last remaining bandit decides he is one tumble from getting out of this hell hole. He tries to tumble diagonally away from Rhaegel and leg it out the door.

Acrobatics 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Well, that was embarrassing. Rhaegel, have an attack of opportunity.

Assuming Jorquimo can get close enough to have a swing at the last bandit

SA ; AL.
Longsword
Hit : 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 Critical confirm 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Dmg : 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 Extra Dmg 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

blimey, Jorquimo really isn't cut out for combat

You're as effective as I am, and I'm supposed to be a warrior!

Guðrún attacks the last bandit. (I'm assuming I can reach him with a 5 ft. step and that I'm flanking. If either of those aren't true, then I'll reroll these attacks as otherwise it gets too complicated).

Attack 1 - Taiaha - Bludeoning - (19-20/×2)
Hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 (Confirm Critical:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8)
Damage:1d10 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 (Extra Critical Damage:1d10 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11)

Attack 2 - Taiaha - Piercing - (20/×3)
Hit: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 (Confirm Critical:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5)
Damage:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 (Extra Critical Damage:2d6 + 6 ⇒ (2, 3) + 6 = 11)

Rhodeus administers first aid to Oleg

Heal Check (First Aid DC 15): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Rhaegals attack of opportunity:

Rhaegals Bite (Crit 20/X2)
Hit: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13 (Confirm Critical:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22)
Damage:1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 (Extra Critical Damage:1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9)

Sorry, I think I got confused and stepped out of initiative order. Should have waited for Rhaegal.

Unfortunately, or fortunately if he doesn't want to embarrass himself, Jorquimo is not close enough to the bandits to get a swing in.

He runs around to the gate just in time to see Rhaegal grab the fleeing bandit in his jaws, shake him like a rag doll and toss his body to the floor.

Guðrún finally gets herself in the zone and is ready to lay the smack down, but unfortunately all the bandits are lying flat out on the floor.

Rhodeus bends down and checks Oleg. He is still breathing but his wounds are bad and his life is slipping away. The cleric quickly staunches the blood flow and is convinced that the old man will live.

One of the horses is injured after being hit by the wagon. It pulls itself free from under the vehicle and races across the courtyard, whinnying.

Does anyone want to do anything in combat rounds? I'm happy to forget initiative order now, but if you want to do anything as a priority, say so now.

Unless any of the Bandits look like getting up ; then i'm happy to drop out of combat

As long as all the bandits are dead, Guðrún is happy to drop out of combat rounds. She'll head over to the wounded horse and calm it with a Wild Empathy roll.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

They do not look like getting up and nothing disastrous is going to happen if you don't deal with the horses in a round or two.

Rhaegal will pad over to where the bowman lies. He will lower his head closer to the man who is down, blood dripping from his fangs. He will listen for breathing - is he dead or unconscious?

Guðrún eventually calms the wounded animal (that wasn't quite enough but you'll get there eventually).

Rhaegal can hear very faint breathing.

Sanglamore lowers his hammer "Good work comrades" he states as he smiles at his companions. He then notices Rhodeus tending to Olegs wounds and his face falls If the old man dies then I cannot see his wife running this place alone.

"How is he Rhodeus? Can he be moved?" Sanglamore moves to pick Oleg up, but will wait for clearance from the priest before proceeding.

Rhaegal looks indecisive for a moment.I vowed to consume the heart of this one. Unless the act is carried out now, the others will interfere. Still, his intelligence could ease our efforts against his allies. Pragmatism, how inconvenient

"Rhodeus, the bowman lives"

Rhaegal moves towards the other bandits licking his lips, and hoping that they no longer live.

If she's done with the horses, Guðrún will respond to Rhaegal.

"We should question him before we kill him," she says off-handedly. At present she is more concerned with Oleg's health.

I know as the pale skinned Vampire spawn I am the oddest choice to say this, but shouldn't we question him and then hand him over to some authority for punishment?
Does OUR charter gives us the right to summarily execute this man, now that he's been rendered harmless,regardless of his crimes which are too my knowledge only aggravated theft and threatening rape...heinous yes... But truly worthy of death...?
I'm not sure I want my soul to be tainted by acts as evil as his......

"I believe Oleg will live but I must act quickly. Help me get him inside."

Rhodeus takes Oleg inside, lays him down, pulls out his holy symbol and begins to channel divine energy into him, willing his wounds to close and heal.

Channel Energy, heals 1d6 to living creatures in 30ft burst. Rhodeus moved Oleg to be sure not to accidentally revive the bandits and bowman as well. At least that's how I read it. If that's not the case he won't bother with the moving Oleg bit.

Heals for: 1d6 ⇒ 4

"Jorquimo, our charter only demands punishment of death to those that practice banditry and are unrepentant. We should give him the chance to repent but if he is set in his ways the laws of the land are quite clear."

"When two tribes do battle, prisoners are seldom taken. They are a burden: they must be continually watched, they consume valuable resources and they would not hesitate to kill their captors while they slept. Exceptions may be made for individuals of exceptional prestige or value," Guðrún regards the bowman, "but I do not think he is such an individual."

I hear what you say, I just don't like it.

"Aaah, the old school adventurers debate about what to do with prisoners" nods Sanglamore knowingly. "For me the debate generally hinges on profit versus convenience. If the prisoners are worth a bounty for turning them in, or can be ransomed to their allies or families then we keep them alive. If not, I agree with Gudrun and we should free ourselves of the burden"

"Regardless though, I think we all agree on interrogating the bowman first. Me and Rhaegal have a tried and tested method." he smiles wickedly.

"When he wakes up, he will be bound and the first thing he will see is Rhaegal tearing open the bodies of his friends and eating their hearts. If that doesn't make him sing nothing will."

"Jorquimo - How are you at interrogation?."

Once he has moved Oleg to a bed with Rhodeus, he will strip the bodies of the dead and dying and make an assessment of their equipment

"Gudrun - would you mind checking on Svetlana and letting her know what has happened? I think her husbands injury would be easier on her coming from you"

i'm more charm and schmooze, than scare and intimidate, but happy to try good militia/bad militia with you

"That's exactly what I was hoping you would say"

The other bandits are all dead and the bowman is rapidly slipping away. If you take Oleg into the house before healing him, the bowman will be dead by the time you return.

If you want to talk to Svetlana before moving Oleg in, you better send someone in first.

When Sanglamore gets around to stripping the bodies of the three mooks he finds they all have serviceable leather armour, two have shortswords and one has a hand axe, they have six days trail rations between them and a total of 30gp in mixed coinage.

There are also the six horses of course.

I guess it is Rhodeus's call whether he heals the bowman, but Sanglamore should be strong enough to move Oleg in on his own. We will wait until we know whether Gudrun wants to talk to Svetlana though. He will then strip the bowman of equipment too.

I like playing accountant, so if the group wants, I will add a 'party gear' section to the bottom of Sanglamores character sheet and keep track of party wealth and equipment. I could even do it under a different alias if it helps keep it distinct. That is unless we want to divide everything up as it is acquired.

Guðrún nods at Sanglamore's suggestion.

Before she goes to see Svetlana she addresses both Jorquimo and Sanglamore. "I do not condone unecessary suffering," she says in manner that is somehow both reassuring and admonishing at the same time.

She then heads inside to see Svetlana, and gently breaks the news of Oleg's injury. "The bandits have been dispatched, and you are safe. Oleg is fine, although he was wounded in the battle. Rhodeus will restore him to health."

Taking the opinions of everyone else on board and after glancing at the bowman's condition Rhodeus attempts to stabilise his wounds before removing Oleg from the scene, giving Guðrún a chance to break the news to Svetlana, and leaving the bowman in the hands of the others. His priority is Oleg right now.

Heal (First Aid DC15): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

It would appear that fate has spoken with a heal check like that..

Despite Rhodeus' half-hearted attempts at first aid, the bowman's life is slipping away.

Unless someone does something pretty sharpish he will be dead.