The Once & Future KingMaker

Game Master Aest

"So now all we need is alchemist fire. Lots of it." Torod is ready to go now.

"Then gear up and rustle up some outriders who've been slack and kit them with bows. We ride to war," Asta says.

The group can easily find 10 Alchemist’s fire's available for sell in the city for 20gp each

You get geared and mounted ready to ride.

Seraph suggest circling around to come at the mine from the forest side, it will take a little longer but she hopes to avoid most of the ant / mite patrols.

Asta gathers a half dozen scouts/guards with bows to provide cover fire or backup if needed. HUMAN WARRIOR 2 on riding horses.

What time of day do you plan for your attack?

I recommend high noon. It'll give the archers a better line of fire, and weaken the Mites; they're weak in daylight.

Before we leave town, Asta will make the purchase of a light crossbow and a quiver of bolts. Also....

Before the party leaves to engage the Mites, Asta calls the castle guards - those not currently guarding the dungeon - to attend her, and orders her to pass on to the others what she is about to say to them.

"Right now," the Queen says, "we have two assassins and one foreign spreader of sedition in our dungeons. I say to you, I will not condone the abuse of prisoners.
That said, we are still waiting on the assassins to say yae or nay as to the offer made by the clergy of Cayden Cailean. How they respond will determine whether they ever leave here or die in that cell of old age.
Now, as for Grigori, I want him to stand trial properly. To that end, I expect that lying sack of shit to still be here when we get back from fighting the Mites. Orders have been given to keep him muzzled and cuffed except when he is being fed or relieving himself. These rules are absolute. We will not abuse our prisoners unnecessarily, but that man is a spellcaster with a penchant for influencing others' minds. Any guard who sees Grigori outside his cell while we are gone is to either incapacitate him, or kill him on the spot if he resists too much. Anyone found trying to help Grigori escape his cell is to be arrested and thrown into his cell with him. I want no nonsense excuses! If the bastard gets sick, call a Cleric to attend him in his cell. If the castle catches fire, I want to see his fire-blackened skull on a pike when we get back. The bastard does NOT under any circumstances leave his cell until we're back!
Is that CLEAR?"

After the guard has been dismissed, Asta has a short meeting with Imiria.
"As before, I expect you to guide the apprentices. But I also want you to step up your efforts to discover Grigori's sponsors. We've got the snake's head in our dungeons; see if any other part of its body squirms. When we get back, I expect there to be some additional agents in your network, and you will tell me who they are."

Torod has alchemist fire. Will travel.

Asta picks up a crossbow and gives strict orders to the castle guards about Grigori.

Torod picks up some bottled fire.

The current plan to approach the mites from the forest north of the mine stronghold at noon.

It takes 3 and a half hours to reach the Thorn camp hex and another 5 hours to move through the forest to where the moon radish patch is.

You've been riding for over 8 hours do you camp in the forest or push on into the mite controlled territory? You estimate it would take another hour and half to reach the mine site.

Do you take any precautions to avoid the ant/mite patrols?

Strawberry will patrol the flanks, keeping the group appraised of the proximity of any ant/mite patrols.
Strawberry Perception 1d20 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 4 = 28 include falcon aspect.

Torod does his best to safely guide The Wardens through the lands overrun by the mites and their insect servants.

Perception 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26
Survival 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

Sunset kits up with as much of everything as she can/has. Leaving her niece with a final hug before mounting up on her light war-horse and rising out with the group.

Leading the way Torod spots a patrol of 4 Ants lead by a Mite riding on a fifth flying Ant, about 260 feet ahead.

Your pretty sure they have not spotted your group yet.

From the path they are taking it appears they will pass within 100 feet of your current position.

Some of your options are to hide in place, stealthy move away to avoid, and/or attack them.

Torod will opt for the hide in place and be ready to attack if spotted.

Stealth1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Strawberry Stealth 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18 +4 in undergrowth

Survival1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22 to aid in hiding group

Asta follows Torod's lead in this, doing her best to maintain silence and remain unseen until the patrol passes.

Perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Stealth 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Darnit, dice roller. =_=

Sunset follows evey one elses lead, though she takes note of the Mite's airforce.

"Yup, balista on wagons were a realy god idea..." She whispers.

Perception:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Stealth:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Seraph purchases all thee alchemist fire. Deducting it from my sheet.

She gives these to whoever needs or wants them. Preferring to put herself out in front like she had said before.

Stealth: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Perception if needed: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

During the operation she holds back, astride Julius, and lets the more stealthy of her companions take the lead. She waits for a signal if needed.

Sorry about the delay, all. I'm back.

Jsutinian keeps Galea near the rest of the folks while Torod and Strawberry do their thing. He was always amazed at the courage of the scouts on the fringes, far from help. More than one met a horrible end on patrol in the Worldwound. He'd seen the aftermath of that up close many times. When there was anything left...

He shakes his head from his musing when the report of the patrol comes in. He dismounts Galea and follows Torod's instructions to hide.

Stealth: 1d20 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (18) - 4 + 2 = 16

With the warning from Torod everyone finds a place in the edge of the forest and deep grass to hide and wait for the patrol of Vermin to past.

As the squad of Ants pass at their closes a mere hundred feet away, Asta shifts stepping on a stick "Snap!". One of the Ants stops with his antenna wiggling in the the air towards the group, trying to determine if he sensed something.

Everyone holds their breath, then a small bird takes flight from the ground between you hiding spot and the squad of ants. The mite mounted on a flying ant chuckles nervously, "Just a bird, keep moving!" The patrol continues on until it is out of sight.

Having slipped pass the outer area of the mite's lines, the group moves further into the enemies' territory towards the mines.

After an hour of riding you know you are getting close and that the mine entrance would be over the next hill.

Seraph adjusts her pack, the alchemist fire packed within wasn't the easiest thing to carry but it was necessary.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Stealth: 1d20 ⇒ 17

She tried to remain silent as she kept slightly behind the group, hee eyes peeled for danger and her bow drawn. When she sees Asta she asks quietly. "Am I free to destroy the mites?" despite the strangeness of the question, it was important for Seraph to know.

"We try and destroy as many as we can on the way out. Right now, we are trying to get in to the Mite King and remove the head of the beast." Sunset whispers back. She waits for Torod's instruction to move on/out.

"Sunset's got it right. We get into a fight before we go after him and we risk getting to him."
Once Torod feels it safe... well, he waits a few minutes longer to make sure that Asta's heavy footfalls will not be noticed by any further enemy.

Torod and Strawberry continue to scout for the party. They are more cautious as they get closer to their goal.

Stealth1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Strawberry Stealth 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 +4 in undergrowth

Perception 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22
Strawberry Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Survival 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

"Agreed. Minimum damage going in. Hit the target, then shred any who stand in our way going out - like a barbed Arrow," Asta says while she loads and winds up her crossbow.

Mage armour, activate! Perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Sunset follows suit and gets her defensive spells set up.

Justinian shakes his head. "Take each situation as it comes." He whispers to the group. "We can't make such blanket statements about rules of engagement until we see what there is to see. We need to destroy all of the mites that cross our path, or we risk them being behind us when we reach the king. If we destroy them as we go, we can always retreat. Trapped in a mine with the horde behind us...well, there's only one way that can end."

Sunset stops and looks at Justinian. "Got ta' be disagree-able with ye there, mate. We get as far in as we can afore makin' any kerfuffle. Tha' King be our target. Anything else? Is a fight fer keepin' us alive." She tilts her head.

"As fer tha' gettin' out?" She shrugs, "We'll jus' have ta' see about they, hey?" She looks to Torod as to when to move out.

Peering over the hill you see the mine opening guarded by 4 giant ants, and 2 mites. The ant's seem to be building fortified walls from the dirt and rocks. The Mites seem to be supervising.

Battle Map updated

It just occurred to me to ask if we have a map or know the layout of the mine?

Torod looks to Justinian. "Well, you wanted a fight. It looks like we're going to have one all the way to the big boss. And I suspect he'll run if cornered. Is everyone ready?"

Sunset squares her shoulders. "Aye."

"Open with a volley of ranged attacks on the Mites. Try to eliminate them before they can use their magic against us and direct those ants."

The green mite would be visible, but the yellow mite would have total cover from the wall.

As for the mine layout, no one had asked about it before.

We did open the mine. Do we know what the first part of it should look like?

Torod casts some spells in preparation of the assault.
Barkskin on himself and Strawberry: +2 AC; 40 min
Magic Fang on Strawberry: +1 to hit and dmg; 4 min
Gravity Bow: bow does 2d6 dmg; 4 min

Once everyone is ready, Torod takes aim at the green mite.
Comp Longbow, mw mighty +2: tiger aspect, rapid shot, range increment
to hit: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 10 to hurt: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 3) + 2 = 11

Comp Longbow, mw mighty +2: tiger aspect, rapid shot, range increment
to hit: 1d20 + 6 + 1 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 - 2 - 2 = 14 to hurt: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 1) + 2 = 7

Strawberry bolts off at phenomenal speed at the green ant.

Bite: tiger aspect, magic fang, charge
to hit 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 1 + 2 = 29 to hurt1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8 trip 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 25

Justinian smiles back at Torod. "One day you will learn the difference between 'wanting a fight' and being practical about avoiding one. Unless our esteemed leadership actually believed were going to just waltz right down to the king without a 'kerfluffle'?" He glances sidelong at Sunset.

He draws a bead on the green ant with his shortbow. "Focus your attacks. Ten wounded enemies are still ten enemies that can hit back."

shot: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Asta steps up next to Torod, aims her new crossbow and fires a bolt at the green Mite if it is still standing. If not, she shoots at the green ant.

Light crossbow 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 for 1d8 ⇒ 5 damage.

DAMMIT DICE ROLLER

She ignored the response of Sunset and Torod as she focused souly on Asta. "Like a barbed arrow then." With that her entire demeanor changed, her muscles and her shoulders seemed to expand. More so then normally seen. She turns to look back at the entrance, gripping her holy symbol and intoning to Arshea. "Forgive the ugliness to come."

Preparatory Spells:
Shield of faith, divine favor.

Justinians whisper is met with a swift command as Seraph moves past him. Not even sparing so much of a glance to anyone as she pulled back on her bowstring. "No dissention in the ranks people." With that she takes aim and launches an arrow at her enemy. Intent on utterly obliterating them this time. Like a barbed arrow she breaks cover, following Strawberry and firing arrows at her foes. Utterly confident in her ability to ward off their magic.

Move 2p ft towards the enemy
To Hit whichever Mite is still standing or most visible ant: 1d20 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 2 + 5 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 = 8

Last post due to Pazio site was having issues.

Torod does recall that what the midden gold mine looked like when initially found A particularly rocky crag rises from the hills here. At the crag’s base is an overgrown 5-foot wide crack that leads down 20 feet to a 30-foot diameter cave. The cave wall directly across from the entrance sparkles where a vein of gold runs through the rocks. You figure it’s been opened up and modified over that last couple of months since the mine has been opened for work.

Torod takes aim and fires at the unsuspecting mite, the first arrow misses and the second unfortunately misses to to cover from the wall.

Strawberry charges forward bitting the green ant knocking it to the ground.

Justinian steps forward and shooting an arrow at the green ant. Unfortunately between the cover from Strawberry and it being on the ground cause him to miss.

Asta fires her crossbow, the bolt misses by a wide margin.

Seraph moves forward and drops the mite with her arrow.

Having caught the vermin by surprise, Seraph get to act again before they act. Sunset can still take her surprise round action too.

Round 1, Bold may act
Seraph
Mite yellow:
Mite Green: dead
Ants green: 8 damage, Prone
Sunset
Torod
Doran
Asta

Current statuses Divine Favor and Shield of Faith

If the next mite is somewhere i can hit I'd shoit him first but... seeing the 10ft walls i assume thst isnt possible and only green and blue ant are visible now correct?

Move 20ft closer will update map as soon as i can.
Fire Arrow at the green ant if possible. Shoot at blue Ant if that isnt a possibility.: 1d20 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 2 + 5 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 2 = 10

Seraph continued her assault in the open. Focusing solely on the mites, obliterating them first over all others. When the first mite falls she focuses on the unblocked ants. Since no mites were clearly visible, had they been they'd be the first to be struck down. Her thoughts were filled with the violence to come but her intent was sharo like a razor.

She notched another arrow, drew back and hammered the next target with a ferocity rarely seen before. "Have Strawberry kill the mites, we handle the rest..."

She continued to stride towards the mine, drawing and notching another arrow as dhe covered ground with realtive ease.

Posting while can. Sorry. :(

Sunset draws her weapons and moves to follow/cover Seraph. Turning and scanning the surroundings as they move.

Perception:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Do you need someone to bot you for a few days Sunset? Take dome of the dtress of of you?

Think it's okay. Should have short time between shifts to add the needed combat posts. :)

That being said, should fate be its usual, please bot if the action needs to move on. Much cheers. :)

Seraph moves forward and fires at the Blue Ant since the other mite is behind the wall. Her arrow is true hitting and wounding the ant.

Sunset moves up with Seraph.

The green ant stands and attacks Strawberry, unless the Cat kills the Ant with it's attack then it gets bitten, but not grabbed.
Strawberry gets an AoO on the ant.

The Yellow and Orange Ant move to bite Strawberry, both miss the angry ball of teeth and claws.

Blue ant charges Seraph, and misses the angry tiefling.

The Yellow Mite moves into the Mine

Round 1, Bold may act
Mite yellow:
Mite Green: dead
Ants green: 8 damage
Ant Blue: 10 damage, Charging -2 AC
Sunset
Torod
Doran
Asta

Round 2, Bold may act
Seraph

Strawberry gnashes at the green ant as it gets close

Bite: tiger aspect, magic fang, charge
to hit 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 1 + 2 = 15 to hurt1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9

She continues to bite and scratch (green/orange/yellow). Strawberry is constantly in motion against the (hopefully) two ants. Stepping in to bite then bounding back only to to jump forward with her claws seeking to puncture carapace. if green goes down, she'll 5' step to take its space.

Bite: tiger aspect, magic fang
to hit 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 1 = 14 to hurt1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8 trip 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 1 = 20

Claw: tiger aspect, magic fang
to hit 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 1 = 16 to hurt1d3 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8

Claw: tiger aspect, magic fang
to hit 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 1 = 15 to hurt1d3 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7

Barkskin on himself and Strawberry: +2 AC; 40 min
Magic Fang on Strawberry: +1 to hit and dmg; 4 min
Gravity Bow: bow does 2d6 dmg; 4 min

Torod is angry at himself for missing those shots. He advances, taking the opportunity to snipe at blue ant as he does so.

Comp Longbow, mw mighty +2: tiger aspect, precise shot, gravity bow
to hit: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 = 23 to hurt: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 5) + 2 = 10

If Sunset runs, can she catch up with Yellow Mite? Or at least get close enough to shoot/attack?

Strawberry injures but don't kill the green ant as it gets up. He then misses it with the bite, but finishes it off with the first claw and then wounds the orange ant.

Torod advances and takes out the blue ant as he moves forward.

Sunset would have to take two rounds to move around the ants to avoid AoO giving the mite a 2 round head start on the chase.

Take the AoO and get that Mite!

Current statuses Divine Favor 7 rounds remaining and Shield of Faith 4 mins

Heading back to work, going to post ahead of time and add contingency. Hopefully the contingencies aren't annoying, Just trying to go with the flow of the fight. Thanks for the help!

Round 2

Seraph's stride is barely slowed by the Ant's charge, its snapping mandibles never had a chance to scrap her flesh. Torod's assistance is welcomed but Seraph doesn't acknowledge anything but defeating the enemy before them now. As Sunset moves past she says. "May your aim be true Sunset."

She notches an arrow and fires on the ant closest to her, Yellow Ant!, before releasing another arrow like a hammer.

Move 20 ft closer
Bow attack Yellow Ant (Or whatever enemy is left by round 2: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 2 = 27
If no enemies are present, she will move another 20 ft towards the mines.
Damage to Enemy: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 = 7

Justinian drops his shortbow, rushing forward to keep up with the rest. As he runs, he draws his sword, stopping next to the prone ant.

Drop bow, double move to ant, draw sword as part of the move.

Asta hurriedly reloads her crossbow, then hurries to catch up to Torod and Seraph.

That's two move actions and I'm out.

Sunset runs past the two ants trying to catch the other Mite. Both bite her as she moves past, but fail to grab her.

Justinian drops his bow and rushes forward drawing his sword.

Asta reloads her crossbow then moves to keep up the others.

Seraph move closer and fires another arrow hitting the yellow Ant

The remaining two ants bite and sting at Strawberry, but all attacks miss.

Sunset near the tunnel entrance can hear the mite's footfalls move deeper into the mine.

Round2, Bold may act
Mite yellow:
Mite Green: dead
Ants green: 8+9+8=26 damage. Dead
Ant Blue: 10+10=20 damage, Dead
Ant Yellow:
Ant Orange: 7 damage
Sunset: 4+6=10 damage
Torod
Doran
Asta

Round3, Bold may act
Seraph

Downs a potion as she moves to get a shot on the Mite.

Cure Light Wounds:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Perception:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12(Darkvision)

Not going more than 30' into the tunnel