The March of Kings

Game Master Daniel Rust

I think you do! If another person with Knowledge (Nature) were to 'aid another', they could grant you a +2. I don't mind this after the event. It would be them just reminding you of something that steered you back on to the right track.

Knowledge Nature should be Guðrún's thing.
But she only rolls...

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

"Hey Jorq" Sanglamore calls over to Jorquimo. "We need to be at our best against these bandits, so if you want I could carry something for you, so that you can bring that bow. At 6 foot, 6 inches tall and built like an ox, you don't doubt what Sanglamore is saying.

"Unless anybody objects, I would like to take one of the healing potions. If I get knocked out then Rhaegal will get sent back to his home plane, so it is important for us all that I stay on my feet"

it's not so much the actual carrying it...Jess could do that, but the using, in combat,with my clothes, the leather armour, the longsword and my shield , the bow and arrows would just be too weighty for me...

explorer outfit ; 8 ; leather armour 15 ; longsword 4 ; Light wooden shield 5

CC is 33 i think for STR 10 ; so longbow(3) and arrows (3) would push me into medium load with no way of reducing my load.....

"We have a masterworked dagger in the loot and a few short swords. If you want to focus on the bow, you could swap your longsword for a lighter weapon for when it gets up close and personal. Its your call though . . ." muses Sanglamore.

Because of the nature of pbp, the party generally rolls their virtual dice before I know that they are going to do it. As a result I have not made full use of a neat little spell. Guidance does this:

"This spell imbues the subject with a touch of divine guidance. The creature gets a +1 competence bonus on a single attack roll, saving throw, or skill check. It must choose to use the bonus before making the roll to which it applies."

"Whats so good about that" I hear you say. It is a cantrip that I can cast an infinite amount of times per day. Consequently anytime anyone makes an out of combat skill roll such as for tracking or knowledge skills if they let Sanglamore know first then they can have +1. He will insist on poking you and saying "Poke" when he does it though.

None of you have ever seen an actual moon radish, but you know what a radish is and Svetlana can tell you that moon radishes are large and very pale, much like the moon. She's found them in the woods not too far south of here.

"There's one last thing," Svetlana adds before you leave, "When Oleg lost his finger..." it's obviously painful for her to think about, "they took his wedding ring. It is only a simple gold band but it means so much to him. And to me. Please, if they still have it, return it to us. It has our initials engraved inside."

As if we haven't already done them enough favours, she now wants us to pick vegetables for dinner! thinks Sanglamore incredulously.

"We will do our best to find his ring Svetlana. While we are away, you look after Oleg and don't let anybody else through your gates until we get back" He will give her a friendly hug and a warm smile.

Rhodeus gives Svetlana some (hopefully helpful) advice on tending to Oleg's wounds while they are away

He nudges Sanglamore "a little guidance if you wouldn't mind"

Heal 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 1 = 24

Lacking a healers kit that just hits the DC(20) for treating deadly wounds. Go guidance go!

"Always happy to oblige" Sanglamore grins as he delivers the spell in the most solemn priestly voice he can manage, "May the divines guide you my son". He does a little bow.

"So Rhodeus, what brought you to the priesthood? I must admit that I don't know much about Erastil, so perhaps you could enlighten me."

Maybe we need a document to record side quests!

Guðrún will tell Svetlana that she will do her best to find the ring and the radishes. She's eager to get started and will go out and examine the tracks. If any one with Survival or Guidance wants to assist her, she's not proud.

This is her naked roll:

1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 2 = 25

As Rhaegal sees Gudrun leave, he slinks out after her once Sanglamore has cast Guidance on them both. He will take a deep breath of the bandits and their horses scents before following Gudrun.

Survival:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Rhaegal will be applying scent to his tracking attempt also and will be aiding Gudrun rather than making a check in his own right. Awesome through aid another and guidance that has Gudruns check up to 28!

"I'm grateful to share the responsibility for tracking our quarry," Guðrún says to Rhaegal. "Considering the conditions, it seems unlikely we will lose the trail... let us hope they have not travelled too far."

Dan: Is there any clue in the possessions of the dead bandits as to where they came from, or how long they had been on the road? What provisions did they have, were they carrying camping equipment... is there evidence they passed through pine forest or some other distinctive terrain to get here?

Rhaegal nods. "This rain won't help though. It makes tracking by nose much harder"

They had eight days trail rations on them for four men. Unfortunately though, we knew they were planning to stock up at Olegs so they could have been relying on those supplies to get back to wherever home was. The bowman could also have been using the survival skill to supplement their food with game. The gear which is now all in the party loot did not contain any tents or camping gear. They didn't even have a method of lighting a fire.

You do indeed have all their gear. You don't think they were equipped for a long journey.

With that survival check you can follow the tracks of the six horses coming from the south at a steady pace for a mile. It's fairly open grassland here and, even though the rain has continued through the night, the tracks are clear enough to move at your normal speed (and your check was good enough). You cover 1 mile in about 20 minutes.

It's 9 miles from Oleg's across this hex and with a successful survival check you can follow tracks for 1 mile. I'll have 8 more checks please!

Okay, here are the eight checks without the benefit of Rheagal or Sanglamore's assistance. Modify as required.

1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 2 = 19
1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 = 13
1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 = 13
1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 2 = 23
1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 2 = 24
1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 2 = 25
1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 = 12
1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 = 12

The basic DC to follow tracks of six large creatures over hard ground is 12, with a -1 for every hour of rain. You can cover 1 mile in 40 minutes but if you pass the DC by 5 you can do it in 20 minutes. I will assume for now that you ate travelling at Gudrun's unencumbered speed and the more encumbered are catching up when the trail is more tricky. Maybe Rhaegal is popping back with directions for Rhody .

You follow the tracks for the first mile easily enough but then lose it crossing a number of small streams. You pick it up again thanks to Rhaegal's keen nose. Seven miles and three hours in, you lose the trail. You try to pick it up for two hours but can't find where they went.

The sun starts to peek out, just past the yard arm, and the rain stops. It's cool and damp, but the spring sunshine is welcome respite. You can see the great forest spreading out south and west. You think they were probably heading around the eastern edge of the tree line, but can't be certain.

Do you want to keep searching? The DC is up to 18. You can retry every hour.

"My family have had ties with the priesthood for generations, Sanglamore. My father was a priest, as was my grandfather. It was only natural, and expected, that I follow in their footsteps. While I do my best I often feel I am being compared to my father and found wanting. This is not the first time I have been encouraged out into the wider world by my fellows."

"In truth I think they just dislike my taste in tobacco and drink."

Best I can see, Rhody can travel at 2 miles / hour overland in his medium armour so should just about be able to keep up.

Is it still hard ground after all the rain? Were you counting the extra +1 from the Guidance spell?

Will continue to search for the trail. Can't really see any alternative. The base roll is:

1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 2 = 25

Guðrún will also be keen not to blunder directly into
to the bad guys. Can someone be keeping an eye for an ambush?

Actually, I'll give you that it's soft ground. So that makes the DC five easier, which means you've passed all the first seven by more than five and the last two just. Good work Guðrún! However, as you now no longer have to spend much time looking for tracks, Rhodeus can't keep up. If you move at his pace, that's two miles an hour so it's taken you four and a half hours. That makes it a little after noon by the time you reach the edge of the forest.

The forest is mixed pine and deciduous and looks old. Even on the edges there are some truly great trees in sight. Mighty oaks and great elms, a gathering of tall pines deeper in. Guðrún thinks some of these trees are many centuries old. It is dense but not impenetrable and wild flowers grow throughout the undergrowth.

However, the tracks lead along the edge of the forest. They were heading directly for the trading post, you think. There are no obvious deviations.

As you continue to follow the trails in the shadow of the great forest, I'll need 15 more rolls! First one is DC 13, then five at DC 14, five at DC 15 and four at DC16. We'll assume Guidance each time and Rhaegal if necessary. We need to know how long this takes. If only you hadn't killed everyone, eh?

I also now need two percentile rolls by whoever looks at this next.

What am I saying. I mean 20 more rolls! Your roll of 25 is already taken into account.

By the way, there are a few things not accounted for on the party gear spreadsheet as to their location. I think some of it depends on whether J is going for the longbow and dagger combo. I'm assuming the horses have all stayed behind, but the potions and antitoxins?

Good grief, that's a lot of die rolling! Probability is not my friend here! First of all the two percentile rolls you asked for:

1d100 ⇒ 74
1d100 ⇒ 81

Now the twenty tracking rolls, this time including the bonus provided by Sanglamore and Raegar. You, know Guðrún will be much better at this when she gets a favoured terrain.

1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 25
1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 30
1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 20
1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 13

1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 13
1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 14
1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 21
1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 29

1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 23
1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 17
1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 29
1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 13

1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 24
1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 31
1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 25
1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 24

1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 21
1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 15
1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 17
1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 30

Guðrún has to move at half her normal speed to follow the tracks anyway, so I think we'll all be moving at the same pace even if Rodeus is encumbered - and although we probably did leave the horses behind, Jorquimo said he was bringing the mule - so no-one need be carrying anything other than a light load.

Guys stop. You are doing this in the wrong way. Firstly, we all need to travel together so if need be Rhodeus should put his heavier gear on Jess.

Secondly, we are statistically much more likely to succeed on these moderate DCs if Rhaegal makes checks in his own right to cover the probability of Gudruns failure. As survival can be used untrained, Rhodues needs to roll a 6+ Including guidance to give Gudrun a +2. Then Sanglamore and Jorquimo will both attempt aid another on Rhaegals rolls for the ones that Gudrun fails on.

Guidance will be applied to all Rolls. As far as the gear goes, Sanglamore will carry all the vials unless anybody else shouts up

So I guess if Rhodeus makes his 20 aid another rolls, we will then know how many rolls Rhaegal has to make to cover the ones Gudrun missed

Okay. To correct this situation... have Rhodeus roll the 20 Aid Another checks (at a +1 bonus due to Guidance). For those that fail to hit 10, apply a -2 penalty to the respective results of Guðrún's rolls. For each roll that Guðrún then fails Jorquimo, Sanglamore and Rhaegal need to make a Survival check (each with a +1 bonus). Jorquimo and Sanglamore are looking for 10s to provide the Aid Another bonus to Rhaegal.

Seems a bit gamey to me... can't we just say that we follow the tracks?

Guðrún thinks that the vials and anti-toxins are better distributed around the party to reduce the chance of them being lost. However, she agrees that Sanglamore probably needs the healing potion on him (to answer Steve's point from long ago).

Actually, not sure if Steve's idea will work anyway. Following tracks is a Trained Only use of the Survival skill. It's a bit of a grey area, as to whether anyone other than Guðrún or Rhaegal would be able to make the check as the DC we're looking for is greater than 10. I'm easy either way.

Sorry guys. Had to go to the park. Damn this sunshine!

Ok, so a few things.

Yes, we do need to do this. You're traveling many miles across unmarked terrain, tracking a small group through the rain. It's not meant to be easy. Also, you're a group of inexperienced adventurers in the wild. It matters how long this takes. How long can you stay out here, safe and sound.

Following tracks can be done untrained if the DC is 10 or under. The Dc is over 10, so Rhodeus can't help. I suggest Rhaegal makes a roll for every one Guðrún fails. She has failed six of those rolls. However...

How late do you want to travel? Rhodeus said he was wearing his armour, which makes his speed 20. If he packs his armour on Jess, you can move at 30, but I'll keep that in mind if the ambush Guðrún is worrying about ever happens. If you move at 20, those 25 rolls you have made mean you have travelled 25 miles in 12.5 hours. At this latitude in early spring dawn is about 6.30. The bandits arrived about 7 and let's say you set off about 8. It is now around 9 in the evening and dark. Do you want to stop and camp now? Then you can start again in the morning?

We're moving at 15. I can't go faster and still track. Will suggest that we stop in a safe place to camp when we start to lose the light.

Well, if you take a -5 penalty you can move full speed. Which I think it's fair enough to say, if you make it by 5 or more, you pick an easy trail and move full speed for that check. It makes more sense to me than declaring you're going to walk a bit faster and hope you go in the direction of the tracks. Make it by 20 and you can move double speed.

Ok, you stop for the night when it gets dark. That gives you about 11 hours traveling time, at which point you have traveled 12 miles. If Rhaegal makes seven checks you will have made it a bit further. Some failed and some passed by less than 5. We'll save up some of those rolls for the following day. The final used roll for G was the seventh one on the long list (which was a 21 with all the bonuses).

You set up camp and take watch under the shadow of the forest. It's still damp underfoot but it's the best evening you've had since you left Restov. Please make any camp setting activities you deem fit. Do you want to set up a standard watch rota now, which we'll assume for any later nights if necessary?

Guðrún will find a place to camp in an area that seems reasonably dry, and can be easily defended if we are attacked. Perhaps somewhere elevated so we can see the surrounding terrain, but with a secluded area where a fire can burn without being seen. A tall order, obviously -but she'll make the best of the hand she's dealt.

She doesn't expect to make decisions for the whole party without their input. She will defer to better judgment.

I'm assuming selecting a suitable camp runs off the Survival skill... but there's no real mechanic in the skill description, so I'm just assuming it's one of those things that Guðrún can simply 'do' as a ranger.

As for the watch... she knows that she may have more stamina that some of the men she travels with. She doesn't mind which watch she takes.

I believe under the Pathfinder rules that Divine spellcasters don't need to worry about rest to regain their spells. Arcane spellcasters (Jorqumio and Sanglamore) must sleep for eight hours. However, they do not need to be eight continuous hours, so they could sleep for four hours, do a two hour watch, and then sleep for another four hours. In any event, we're looking at a 10 hour rest period, not counting time for making and breaking camp, eating etc.

House rule - any reference to needing 8 hours rest shall become 6 hours. I am sure all of us bar Jon consider 8 hours a luxury not a basic necessity. 4E got that right.

Unless I get 8 hours, I am more cranky than usual!
btw - not commented this weekend for 3 reasons. 1 been playing golf (sat) ; 2. been to Cambridge county show (sun) 3. I cannot help, I am best standing at the back keeping out the way of the tracks and leading the pack mule.

Continuing the conversation between Sanglamore and Rhodeus "Well Rhody, you sound like the kind of priest I could really get along with and am pleased to have you along. I do like a drink, but feasting and wenches are my greatest vices. As a youngster I seldom got a good meal and learned to charm the fairer sex to get what I needed to survive. Still, that was before I found Rhaegal"

I definitely agree that we should form a camp before nightfall. When it comes to taking watch, as Rhaegal will disappear when Sanglamore is unconscious and they both have darkvision, they will take watch together in the darkest part of the night, and could put the fire out during their watch if the climate makes that possible.

Here are Rhaegals seven Survival Rolls (with guidance):

Survival:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Survival:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Survival:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Survival:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Survival:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Survival:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Survival:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Fair point on the aid another. I saw that stealth could be used untrained but didn't fully read the skill description. Sorry about that.

Dan - How strong is the wind this evening? It is a factor in detecting creatures by scent. Ideally he wants to be downwind from where any creatures might approach. i.e. if there is a rocky outcrop that couldn't easily be climbed (or even a cave?) then if we could camp with our backs to it and facing upwind, it would be ideal.

Well that all got very complicated, but with Rhaegal's help you make it 14 miles in the day. That puts you near the bottom of the hex below Oleg's on the updated map.

You make camp in a quiet spot. It's a little rockier here so you find a few good boulders to camp around. You can see the land gets hillier up ahead. The rain is keeping off but there is a moderate wind blowing.

Please decide your order for the watch (if Rhaegal disappears when Sanglamore sleeps I'm assuming they go first?) then someone roll two percentile dice and a d4. (Yes, it is a possible 'random' encounter!)

The parties relative perceptions are Jorquimo/Gudrun 6, Rhaegal/Rhodeus 4, Sanglamore -1. Sanglamore is terrible so should not really be relied upon. I think we should thus split up Gudrun and Jorquimo as they are the best. Jorquimo and Sanglamore both need a six hour minimum to regain their spells. So could I suggest first watch for four hours is Sanglamore, Rhaegal and Jorquimo. Second watch for six hours is Rhodeus and Gudrun.

1st Percentile Dice 1d100 ⇒ 16
2nd Percentile Dice 1d100 ⇒ 5
D4 1d4 ⇒ 4

So Rhodeus and Gudrun get to run the next day on 4 hours sleep, or is there a 3rd watch I missed? Or will they be fine on that?

happy to take first watch, not been much other use so far today

I thought Neil was saying they would be fine on that. If not though they could do six hours as well and we take 12 hours out. 9m until 9am would be no big deal

Some info on resting is here. I suggest we use both the rule that if you do not get at least 6 hours sleep you make a fort save or be fatigued, and the rule that you get your level + Con bonus back in hp after a night's rest (6 hours).

Right then, so anything less than 6 hours introduces risk that we are on less than top form for the showdown with the bandit queen. So that leaves a straight choice between taking 12 hours to camp or doing solo watches. For me, the former is the best option as with solo watches one bad dice roll can mean disaster.

Bear in mind you've only got about 12 hours of daylight anyway.

You know it's hard to play Tomb Raider and keep up with all this!

Guðrún does not think that the party is large enough to double up on the watches. In order for everyone to get the requisite six hours of sleep everyone needs to watch on their own (with the exception of Sanglamore who must watch with Rhaegal).

Therefore she proposes each two-hour watch as follows:

1) Sanglamore/Rhaegal
2) Guðrún
3) Rhodeus
4) Jorquimo

Guðrún and Rhodeus both have a broken sleep, while Sanglamore and Jorquimo get to sleep straight through for six hours.

She'd prefer to do that then wait for longer and double up on the watches. She'd prefer to make sure (with a roll if necessary) that the camp is well hidden, and hope that overcomes the problem of myopic first level watchmen.

Sanglamore disagrees. If there are only twelve hours of daylight anyway and we won't be tracking in the dark then why not sleep for twelve hours?

Plus if we do solo watches and are attacked there is a 75% chance that we would do the fight without Rhaegals help, where it would be only 50% if we double up.

However, he is a reasonable being and suggests we take a vote and flip a (virtual) coin on a tie. What do Rhodeus and Jorquimo think?

I have been travelling alone for a long time. The truth is that I am not used to relying on others for my safety. When I have slept there has been no-one to watch over me. If you all believe that a dual watch is a better use of our time and resources then so be it.

I vote with Gudrun, let's crack on with this. We've not been attacked overnight in all the travels so far, the likelihood of it happening tonight just as we prepare for an assault are slim and we are being overly cautious. If we take some time NOW to find a secluded unobvious place and keep light pollution down to the barest minimum, an 8 hour watch cycle will suffice.

Rhodeus is in agreement with Guðrún over watches and believes this should be our standard watch setup for the time being.

It took entirely too long to make that last post. Paizo.com has been lagging like crazy for me over the past day or so. Own up, who broke it?

Was slow for me yesterday as well - thought it was because I was posting from my phone... something I need much more practice on. Can I add (out of character) that Steve is almost certainly right about the watches. We'll see what happens.

Guðrún to Sanglamore, in a friendly manner: "Do not consider this a rebuff. You may yet prove to be right."

can I also add that I have 3 chances EVERY NIGHT to be murdered in my sleep before I get up and have to take watch, so I am in theory, taking the greatest risk here!